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ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the deleted in azoospermia (DAZ) copy cluster deletion on spermatogenesis in the South Chinese population. METHODS: In this study, the prevalence and characteristics of different DAZ copy cluster deletions and their association with spermatogenic failure were analyzed. A total of 186 infertile men with different spermatogenic impairments and 190 normozoospermic fertile men were studied. Three DAZ-specific single nucleotide variant loci and seven AZFc-specific sequence-tagged sites were examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism and routine PCR. RESULTS: Gr/gr deletions were observed in a total of 9 of the 190 normozoospermic fertile men, and 11 gr/gr deletions were found in 186 infertile men. In addition, 3 b2/b3 deletions were identified in the infertile, but not in the fertile men. DAZ-SNV loci analysis revealed 4 DAZ copies that had 8 gr/gr-DAZ3/DAZ4 deletions and 1 gr/gr-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletion in the fertile men (8/190 vs. 1/190, p = 0.037). Analysis of DAZ deletion copies in infertile men revealed 10 gr/gr-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletions, 1 gr/gr-DAZ3/DAZ4 deletion (10/186 vs. 1/186, p = 0.011) and 3 b2/b3-DAZ1/DAZ2 deletions (13/186 vs. 1/186, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of DAZ gene copies in AZFc microdeletions suggests that the contribution of the different deletions to male infertility varies. Removing DAZ1/DAZ2 seems to be associated with spermatogenic impairment, whereas removing DAZ3/DAZ4 seems to have little or no effect on fertility in the South Chinese population.
World Journal of Urology 03/2013; · 2.41 Impact Factor
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Chao Qin,
Wei Wang,
Shang-Qian Wang,
Qiang Cao, Zeng-Jun Wang,
Peng-Chao Li,
Jie Li,
Ning-Han Feng,
Li-Xin Hua,
Chang-Jun Yin,
Wei Zhang
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ABSTRACT: Urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) is a common complication of hypospadias surgery for severe hypospadias. We report our experience in the management of UCF following hypospadias surgery with a prepuce-degloving method (PDM). Our study included 87 patients who developed UCF after hypospadias repair from May 2001 to December 2011. Either simple closure or PDM was performed to repair the fistula. In total, 61 patients underwent a simple closure or Y-V plasty of the fistula, and 26 underwent a PDM repair. The success rate was 78.7% for simple closure or Y-V plasty and 96.2% for PDM repair (P<0.05). PDM repair represents a good choice for UCF repair after hypospadias, and our high 96.2% success rate demonstrates its applicability.Asian Journal of Andrology advance online publication, 15 October 2012; doi:10.1038/aja.2012.85.
Asian Journal of Andrology 10/2012; · 1.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the safety and feasibility of glans-preserving surgery in the treatment of superficial penile cancer (SPCa).
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 21 cases of SPCa treated by glans-preserving surgery in our hospital from January of 2003 to March of 2010.
The study included 21 SPCa patients aged 36 to 57 (mean 46) years, with superficial lesions involving the glans penis, coronary sulcus or shaft skin. The tumors were staged and graded TaG1 in 6 cases, TaG2 in 5, TisG1 in 2, TisG2 in 4, T1G1 in 3, and T1G2 in 1. All the patients underwent glans-preserving surgery to preserve the normal appearance and functional integrity of the glans penis, and all returned to normal sexual activity 1 month after operation, with good sexual function and sexual satisfaction. Postoperative follow-up lasted 2 to 7 (mean 5) years, and 2 cases of recurrence in situ found at 6 and 9 months, respectively, which were successfully managed by a second glans-preserving surgery.
Glans-preserving surgery is an effective method for superficial penile cancer. With proper selection of the patients, this procedure is technically safe, maximally preserves the penile appearance, and least affects the patients' sexual satisfaction.
Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology 07/2012; 18(7):619-22.
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Li-Feng Zhang,
Chao Qin,
Yun-Fei Wei,
Yong Wang,
Jun-Kai Chang,
Yuan-Yuan Mi,
Long Ma,
Jun-Tao Jiang,
Ning-Han Feng, Zeng-Jun Wang,
Wei Zhang
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ABSTRACT: Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the most abundantly produced endocrine disruptors that leaches out from polyvinyl chloride plastics and can cause hypospadias in male rats during maternal exposure. The objective of this study was to first explore the roles of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the fetal rat genital tubercle (GT) following in-utero exposure to DBP. Timed-pregnant rats were given DBP by gastric intubation at a dose of 750 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day from gestation day (GD) 14 to GD18 to establish a rat model of hypospadias. On GD19, genital tubercle down-regulation of β-catenin, Phospho-GSK-3β, and up-regulation of GSK-3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3β), NFκB in fetal male rats was observed by western blot analysis. β-catenin was located in the urethral plate epithelium (UPE). Immunochemistry showed that the relative expression of β-catenin decreased in the DBP-treated fetal rat GT compared to the normal control. These findings, for the first time, indicate that DBP may affect the development of GT by down-regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in fetal male rats.
Systems biology in reproductive medicine 06/2011; 57(5):244-50. · 0.80 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) displays multiple biological activities, including mitogenic and angiogenic activity, and plays important roles in the etiology and progression of prostate cancer. Gly388Arg polymorphism in FGFR4 gene has been reported to be involved in prostate cancer incidence and aggressiveness in several studies. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed.
Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to assess the association.
The Arg388 allele increased prostate cancer risk compared with Gly388 allele (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.07-1.29). When stratified by race, there was a significantly increased prostate cancer risk in Asian and Caucasian populations. Moreover, prostate cancer patients with Arg/Arg genotype had a 1.34-fold increased risk of advanced prostate cancer (95% CI: 1.03-1.74) compared with those with Gly/Gly+Gly/Arg genotype.
This meta-analysis showed the evidence that FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer development and progression, suggesting that FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism could be a marker for prostate cancer development and progression.
BMC Cancer 02/2011; 11:84. · 3.01 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To assess the value of lateral lymph node dissection( LLND) in the radical surgery of rectal cancer. Methods: The published Chinese and English literature was retrieved. A total of 15 papers fitted the selection criteria, including 4,858 patients. Among them 2,401 were in the LLND group and 2,457 in the non- LLND (NLLND) group. Evaluation parameters included 5-year survival rate recurrence rate, peri-operative outcomes, postoperative urinary and sexual functions.
The operating time was significantly shorter in the NLLND group than that in the LLND group (weighted mean difference (WMD)=109 min, 95 confidence interval(CI):90-129, P <0.001). Intra-operative blood loss was greater in the LLND group, but the difference was not significant (WMD=429 mL, 95 CI:325-854, P = 0.05).The frequency of peri-operative morbidity(OR, 1.57 95 CI:1.06-2.33, P = 0.02) was also significantly higher in the LLND group. There were no significant differences in 5-year survival rate and recurrence rate between the two groups. Data from individual studies(three)showed that the frequency of male urinary dysfunction (OR=5.12, 95CI 2.15-12.19, P=0.0002) and sexual dysfunction (P < 0.05) were greatly lower in the NLLND group.
Meta analysis showed that LLND did not have specific advantage in decreasing postoperative recurrence and prolonging survival time. Furthermore it was associated with prolonged operation time, increased blood loss and elevated incidence of peri-operative complications and urinary and sexual dysfunction.
Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention: APJCP 01/2011; 12(10):2517-21. · 0.66 Impact Factor
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Bin Xu,
Xiao-Bing Niu,
Zi-Dun Wang,
Wei Cheng,
Na Tong,
Yuan-Yuan Mi,
Zhi-Chao Min,
Jun Tao,
Peng-Chao Li,
Wei Zhang,
Hong-Fei Wu,
Zheng-Dong Zhang, Zeng-Jun Wang,
Li-Xin Hua,
Ning-Han Feng,
Xin-Ru Wang
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ABSTRACT: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine involved in different physiologic and pathophysiologic processes and plays important roles in the etiology of cancer. The -174G>C polymorphism of the IL-6 gene influences IL-6 transcription and has been implicated in cancer risk. However, published data have been conflicting. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis of 29,377 cancer cases and 37,739 controls from 50 published case-control studies was performed. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to assess the association between -174G>C polymorphism and cancer risk. Overall meta-analysis indicated that no association was found between -174G>C genotypes and cancer risk. However, the positive association was found in bladder cancer (OR=4.33, 95% CI: 1.93-9.71 for CC vs. GC, OR=2.81, 95% CI: 1.39-5.68 for CC vs. GG, and OR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.32-3.64 for CC vs. GG/GC), and among Asians (OR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.07-4.06 for CC vs. GG, and OR=2.20, 95% CI: 1.02-4.74 for CC vs. GG/GC) and Africans (OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.07-2.42 for GC vs. GG). This meta-analysis showed the evidence that the -174G>C of the IL-6 gene was a low-penetrance susceptibility gene for bladder cancer. Further larger, preferably prospective studies are needed to confirm this relationship.
Molecular Biology Reports 11/2010; 38(4):2589-96. · 2.93 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the expression pattern of rat Eppin (epididymal protease inhibitor; official symbol Spinlw1), we detected mRNA transcripts and subsequent protein translation of Eppin in several sorts of tissues by RT-PCR and western blotting. Then immunohistochemistry was performed for more detailed observation. The testicular transcription level was monitored by real-time PCR throughout postnatal development. We found that rat Eppin was specifically expressed in the testis and epididymis. The testicular transcription was slight in neonatal (1-day) and infantile stages (5-, 7- and 10-day). It increased sharply thereafter, with maximum expression level (about 38-fold compared with that of 1-day old rat) detected in prepubertal stage (15-day). Then a slightly declined but stable level (about 20-fold compared with that of 1-day old rat) was kept in pubertal-early adult (30-day) and adult (60-day) stages of postnatal maturation. In the adult rat, EPPIN protein was mainly localized in the elongated spermatids and epididymal epithelial cells. Sperm in the epididymal duct were all covered with EPPIN and its level kept constant during incubation under conditions used to achieve capacitation. Its stage-specific expression in the testis suggests that EPPIN may be important during spermatogenesis especially for the spermatid elongation. The abundant production of epididymal EPPIN indicated indirectly that it might play a role in the function of the epididymis.
Asian Journal of Andrology 10/2009; 11(6):731-9. · 1.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: There are over 200 secretive proteins in the epididymis. Spermatozoa are generally considered to become mature and full-functional after interacting with secretive proteins in the epididymis. This review is aimed at summarizing some aspects of the biochemical, molecular and functional characterization of some new proteins recently detected in human epididymis, and is expected to contribute to further researches on the mechanism of epididymal reproduction and contraception.
Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology 08/2009; 15(7):646-50.
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ABSTRACT: Sperm acquires capacity of motility and fertility during the process of semen coagulation and liquefaction. The main coagulative protein is Semenogelin I (Sg I), specifically produced by seminal vesicles, and then decomposed by prostate specific antigens (PSA) in sperm liquefaction into a series of small fragments. These fragments, with a variety of physiological functions, are very important for the regulation of sperm capacity acquisition and progressive movement.
Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology 05/2009; 15(4):364-6.
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ABSTRACT: To study the molecular mechanism of epididymal protease inhibitor (Eppin) modulating the process of prostate specific antigen (PSA) digesting semenogelin (Sg).
Human Sg cDNA (nucleotides 82-849) and Eppin cDNA (nucleotides 70-723) were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned into pET-100D/TOPO. Recombinant Eppin and Sg (rEppin and rSg) were produced by BL21 (DE3). The association of Eppin with Sg was studied by far-western immunoblot and radioautography. In vitro the digestion of rSg by PSA in the presence or absence of rEppin was studied. The effect of anti-Q20E (N-terminal) and C-terminal of Eppin on Eppin-Sg binding was monitored.
Eppin binds Sg on the surface of human spermatozoa with the C-terminal of Eppin (amino acids 75-133). rSg was digested with PSA and many low molecular weight fragments were produced. When rEppin is bound to rSg, then digested by PSA, incomplete digestion and a 15-kDa fragment results. Antibody binding to the N-terminal of rEppin did not affect rSg digestion. Addition of antibodies to the C-terminal of rEppin inhibited the modulating effect of rEppin.
Eppin protects a 15-kDa fragment of rSg from hydrolysis by PSA.
Asian Journal of Andrology 09/2008; 10(5):770-5. · 1.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To produce recombinant human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) by molecular cloning technology and to identify its activity.
The human PSA cDNA and PET-12a vector were digested by NdeI and BamH1 before ligated by T4 ligase. The correct sequence was verified and transformed into high competent E. coli BL21 (DE3). Recombinant PSA was expressed and purified by hydrophobic interaction phenyl Sepharose column and activated by trypsin digestion. Enzymatic activation assay was done by hydrolysis of the substrate S-2586 and semenogelin.
Non-active recombinant PSA was digested by trypsin and demonstrated enzyme activity. The activated PSA hydrolyzed S-2586 and its physiological substrate semenogelin (Sg).
Recombinant pro-PSA can be an active serine protease by trypsin digestion and demonstrate native PSA enzymatic activity.
Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology 01/2008; 13(12):1080-3.
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ABSTRACT: Seminal vesical secretion is important for male fertility. It affects semen coagulation, sperm motility, stability of sperm chromatin and suppression of the immune activity in the female reproductive tract.
Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology 08/2007; 13(7):636-8.
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ABSTRACT: To further study gene expression and characterization of voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) on human spermatozoa.
VDACs were cloned by PCR from the testis cDNA library. Recombinant human sperm VDACs were produced in E. coli system by molecular cloning technology. Sperm membrane protein was extracted by 1% Triton X-100 and separated by chloroform/methanol.
The gene expression of VDACs was found in the human testis cDNA library and VDAC protein was detected located on the sperm membrane by alpha-helix.
VDAC proteins, abundant on the human sperm membrane and responsible for anion transportation, play an important role in sperm signaling transduction and fertility.
Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology 07/2007; 13(6):498-501.
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ABSTRACT: The epididymal protease inhibitor (Eppin) abounds in human semen and on the surface of human spermatozoa, specifically produced by the testis and epididymis. Recombinant Eppin has effected infertility in the immunized monkey and promises to be an effective vaccine for human immunocontraception. This article reviews the advances in the studies of Eppin gene and protein construction and its molecular mechanism of causing immunologic infertility and regulating PSA hydrolysis of Semenogelin.
Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology 03/2007; 13(2):168-70.
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ABSTRACT: To study the inhibition activity of Semenogelin (Sg) and its different peptides to human spermatozoa.
Human Sg DNA and its N-terminal Sg and C-terminal Sg DNA were cloned into PET-100 vector. Positive colonies were screened and transformed into E. Coli BL21 (DE3). Recombinant Sg and its peptides were induced and expressed in high competent E. coli BL21 (DE3) , and purified by 50% Ni-NTA column. Inhibition activity assay was done by adding 4 different concentrations of semenogelin and its two peptides, 0, 1, 5 and 10 ng/microl, to human spermatozoa.
The peptide of Semenogelin that inhibits the activity of human spermatozoa was located in its N-terminal fragment. C-terminal Sg did not inhibit the activity of spermatozoa.
N-terminal Sg is the inhibition peptide of the whole molecular Sg. During semen liquefaction, this peptide should be cut off from the surface of human spermatozoa before they move forward.
Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology 02/2007; 13(1):42-5.
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the correlation of epididymal protease inhibitor(Eppin) and Semenogelin(Sg) on human ejaculated spermatozoa.
The experimental approaches include: (1) Immunoprecipitation of Eppin with anti-Eppin from semen; (2) Colocalization of Eppin and Sg by immunofluorescence; (3) Immunoprecipitation of rEppin and rSg;(4) Far-Western blotting of rEppin and rSg;(5) Competition of saturated 125I-rSg binding to rEppin with unlabeled Sg, and direct binding of 125I-rSg to rEppin on a blot; (6) Autoradiography of 125I-rSg with rEppin.
Eppin-Sg complex present on the surface of human ejaculated spermatozoa, Cys-239 is the only cystein for rEppin binding rSg. Reduction and carboxymethylation of Cys-239 blocks binding of 125I-rEppin to rSg.
Our study demonstrates that Eppin and Sg bind to each other on human ejaculated spermatozoa. A disulfide linkage occurs between Sg and Eppin, indicating the specificity of binding.
Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology 06/2006; 12(5):428-31, 434.
