Lower body mass index and higher height are correlated with increased varicocele risk

To evaluate the anthropometric indexes in subjects with varicocele compared to controls and the incidence of varicocele in different body mass index (BMI) groups for the purpose of exploring the association between varicocele and anthropometric indexes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted by using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE databases and Cochrane Library up to February 2019. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted by STATA, and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was utilised for assessing risk of bias. Ultimately, 13 articles containing seven case–control studies and six cross‐sectional studies with 1,385,630 subjects were involved in our study. Pooled results demonstrated that varicocele patients had a lower BMI (WMD = ?0.77, 95% CI = ?1.03 to ?0.51) and a higher height than nonvaricocele participants, especially in grade 3 varicocele patients. Subgroup analyses showed that normal BMI individuals had a higher risk of varicocele than obese or overweight individuals and a lower risk than underweight individuals. In conclusion, this study indicates that varicocele patients have a lower BMI and a higher height than nonvaricocele participants. Moreover, men with excess bodyweight have a lower incidence of varicocele compared to normal weight or underweight people. That is to say, high BMI and adiposity protect against varicocele and high BMI is associated with a decreased risk of varicocele.     

Validation of the PowerPlex Fusion 6C system: a six-dye STR system for forensic case applications

The PowerPlex Fusion 6C system is a six-dye STR multiplex that allows co-amplification and fluorescent detection of 27 loci, including Amelogenin, 23 autosomal STR loci and 3 Y chromosome STR loci. In this study, this system was validated using upgraded 3130xl Genetic Analyzers for sensitivity, species specificity, stability, DNA mixtures, reproducability, case-type samples, stutter, concordance, and PCR conditions following the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis methods (SWGDAM) developmental validation guidelines and Chinese National Standard (GA/T815–2009). The results show this system is sensitive, species-specific, accurate and genotype-consistent compared with the PowerPlex ^®21 system for detecting 100 samples, and robust for changes in several PCR conditions or exposure to PCR inhibitors. The results of casework indicate that Y-STR loci of the PowerPlex Fusion 6C system may help to recognize mixed and very-low-ratio male DNA. The population data of 274 unrelated Chinese Han individuals suggests that this multiplex system is suitable for human identification and paternity testing in Guangdong Han population. The data demonstrate that the PowerPlex Fusion 6C system is a robust and reliable STR-typing multiplex, and is especially advantageous for some case samples.     

Forced Oxidative Degradation Pathways of the Imidazole Moiety of Daclatasvir

Daclatasvir hydrochloride (DCV) is the active pharmaceutical ingredient of Daklinza, a marketed product for the treatment of hepatitis C viral infection. The intrinsic stability of daclatasvir was evaluated via a forced degradation study. DCV was found to be stable in the solid state. In solution, its carbamate moiety is susceptible to basic hydrolysis, whereas its imidazole is liable to base-mediated autoxidation to form degradants 1 and 3, 7-8, respectively. The imidazole moiety can also be oxidized to form degradants 6-7 in the presence of hydrogen peroxide or azobisisobutyronitrile. The chloro-adduct degradant 9 was also observed in hydrogen peroxide solution. Furthermore, the imidazole moiety is sensitive to photodegradation in solution. Degradants 2-8 were observed in a solution of DCV exposed to high intensity light/UV light; the formation of degradants 2 and 5-8 was postulated through 4 degradation pathways. The degradants 3 and 4 were deemed to be secondary degradants of 7 and 5, respectively.