Abnormal Courtship Conditioning in Males Mutant for the RI Regulatory Subunit of Drosophila Protein Kinase A

The previously described site-selected P-element mutagenesis of a Drosophila gene encoding the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase generates mutants that have defective behavior in the olfactory learning test. Here we describe the effect of the same mutations in a courtship conditioning assay. Wild-type males can distinguish between virgin females (which they court vigorously), and fertilized females (which they court less vigorously). After exposure to fertilized females, wild-type males modify their behavior by decreasing courtship to subsequent target virgins, an effect that may last for many hours. Like wild-type males, PKA-RI mutant males are also able to distinguish between virgin and fertilized females. PKA-RI males also modify their behavior towards virgin females after prior exposure to a fertilized female, but such an effect is short-lived, suggesting a defect in memory rather than learning. We also show that under these conditions the behavior of PKA-RI males is similar to that of amnesiac, dunce and rutabaga males.     

Male subfertility as a chronic illness: the role of adaptive challenges

Male factor infertility (MFI) is extremely common, often with several associated chronic health conditions. Because a man’s fertility assessment may be their first contact with health services, the health care team has a responsibility to act as male health advocates to ensure comprehensive care. The diagnosis of subfertility allows a broader view of these men as patients with a chronic illness who have complex health needs. Because of the associated complexity of care following evaluation, there needs to be new approach in how men affected by MFI should be managed long term. In this commentary, we propose that the Adaptive Leadership Framework model for Chronic Illness is a suitable vehicle to use for management of the MFI patient’s journey towards optimized health.     

Fertility preservation in male patients with cancer

Advances in the treatment of cancer in young patients have led to great improvements in life expectancy, which currently approaches 80% 5-year survival rate. As a result, fertility preservation and desire for paternity have become a significant issue in this group. However, a major concern is the negative impact of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and the malignancy itself on fertility. Thus, men about to have treatment for malignant conditions may have sperm cryopreserved before commencing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Ejaculated sperm cryopreservation is the most common technique used. Some patients with cancer may present initially with oligospermia or azoospermia. In cases when a sample is not produced due to medical, social, or religious reasons, sperm can be retrieved using penile vibratory stimulation, electroejaculation, or testicular sperm extraction. Fertility preservation in prepubertal boys presents a great challenge, as sperm banking is not possible. Alternative strategies have been developed, but all are currently experimental.     

反向点杂交法测定浙江省4620例男性HPV感染者的流行病学特征

目的调查浙江省男性人乳头瘤病毒(human papilloma virus，HPV)感染的亚型分布及流行病学特点，为男性HPV感染早期筛查、预防、诊断提供依据。 方法回顾性汇总分析2014年1月至2016年12月期间，浙江省17~74岁的4620名男性尖锐湿疣皮损拭子或组织标本；4620例样本中，其中120份因细胞量不足判定采样失败，剩余4500例样本按不同年龄分为6组(17~20岁组268名、21~30岁组1958名、31~40岁组1156名、41~50岁组667名、51~60岁组355名、>60岁组96名)。用聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction, PCR)和反向点杂交法测定23种HPV基因型，并分析其HPV阳性率分布、HPV阳性率差异和高低危型HPV感染特征。 结果4500例样本中有2799例HPV阳性，总阳性率为62.2%，其中：以6型和11型阳性率最高，分别为15.58%(436/2799例)和10.00%(280/2799例)。高危型阳性率最高的为52型，占4.72% (132/2799例)。在2799例HPV DNA阳性者中，有1266例为单一感染；混合感染1533例，占44.26%，单纯低危型最高为三重感染，单纯高危型最高为四重感染，而高低危混合感染达七重，其中七重感染占2.25%(63/2799例)。高低危混合感染数高于单纯高危型和单纯低危型，两者比较有统计学差异(χ²分别为28.1、82.8，P均<0.05)。HPV阳性结果以21~40岁青壮年为主，占总人数的69.2% (3114/4500)。而HPV阳性率以17~20岁组(75.0%)和51~60岁组(79.7%)最高，与其他年龄段[21~30岁(60.7%)、31~40岁(59.1%)、41~50岁(59.6%)和>60岁(46.4%)组]相比χ²分别为20.48、22.51、18.86、26.02和46.03、48.89、40.99、41.84，P均<0.05。 结论浙江地区男性HPV感染者主要以6、11型为主，高发于青壮年，HPV混合感染比例较高，高低危混合感染较常见。     

Assessment of testicular volume: A comparison of fertile and sub-fertile West African men

BackgroundWhile the semen analysis appears to be the cornerstone in the evaluation of testicular function, the testicular volume has long been associated with testicular function. However, racial variations in testicular volume do exist. Neither the critical minimum testicular volume that guarantees adequate function, nor the optimal testicular volume that indicates peak testicular function are also known.ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between testicular volume and function using scrotal ultrasound scan in black West African men.Patients and methodsThe study examined 236 subjects over a period of one year. The subjects comprised of 136 patients with diagnosis of male infertility, as well as 100 healthy individuals as control. The relevant clinical history of each patient was extracted from their case notes. All the subjects had their testes examined using a high frequency (7.5 mHz) linear transducer of an ultrasound scanner. The results were expressed as percentages and tests of significance were done using the chi-square and Student's t-test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe mean testicular volume for the sub-fertile patients was 15.32 ml while it was 19.89 ml in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the testicular volumes in fertile and infertile men at different age groups, while there was an inverse relationship between testicular volume and severity of oligospermia. This was, however, not directly linear as a mean testicular volume of 18–20 ml was associated with highest semen density. Volumes higher than 20 ml and lower than 18 ml were associated with reduced sperm density. There was also a sharp decline in sperm density when the mean testicular volume reduced from 14 ml to 13 ml. Severe oligospermia (<5 million/ml) was associated with mean testicular volume less than 12 ml.ConclusionTesticular volume on scrotal ultrasound correlates well with severity of oligospermia in men with sub-fertility. While the critical mean testicular volume necessary for adequate spermatogenesis has not been determined, it appears there is an optimal testicular volume of 18–20 ml at which spermatogenesis is at its peak in sub-fertile Nigerian men.     

以问题为基础实施男护生导师课外跟踪随访辅导制的探讨

目的 帮助男护生正常学习和成长,培养职业情感,顺利完成学业,按期毕业、就业.方法 采用以问题为基础的管理方式,通过导师制第一时间的干预、课外跟踪随访和辅导,及时发现问题,提前干预.结果 男护生的学习成绩和职业情感均有不同程度的提高.结论 导师课外跟踪随访辅导制有利于对男护生诸多问题及时干预,助其顺利完成学业.     

Glucosamine alleviates scopolamine induced spatial learning and memory deficits in rats

Introduction and objectiveBeneficial effects of glucosamine in spatial learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine has been evaluated in rats by using Morris water maze.MethodsMale Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, scopolamine and scopolamine plus glucosamine groups. All injections were given in 5 consecutive days and 30 min after each injection, the rats were tested in the Morris water maze test. Escape latency and path length to reach the hidden platform were subjected to analysis of variance [ANOVA].ResultsThe rats treated with scopolamine showed increased escape latency and path length to reach the hidden platform compared to control group (P < 0.001). Both escape latency and traveled path length to reach the hidden platform in glucosamine treated animals (1 and 2 g/kg) were significantly lower (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) than in the scopolamine group.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that the glucosamine can inhibit scopolamine-induced impairments of spatial learning and memory in rats. Glucosamine might offer a promise in either the prevention or the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.