Search

Study question Is it necessary to collect more than one semen sample from each individual in epidemiological studies? Summary answer Single semen samples can be used in model construction as long as the model adjusts for major relevant covariates. What is known already If a series of semen samples are taken from one individual at different times, significant intra-individual variation may exist. Study design, size, duration A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 December 2000 to 20 November 2002. A total of 1010 volunteers, aged between 20 and 60 years old, were recruited. Participants/materials, setting, methods A total of 998 subjects were included for statistical analysis. Of these, 332 men provided single semen samples (group 1) and 666 men provided two samples (group 2). Semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, progressive motility, vitality, and sperm morphology, were analyzed with standardized methods according to the World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and sperm-cervical mucus interaction (3rd edition). Main results and the role of chance Rapidly progressive motility of semen from group 1 was lower than that of group 2, but other parameters were not significantly different. The differences in mean values between the double samples were small on all semen parameters. The correlations between the two ejaculates were high, but the agreements were poor except for sperm vitality and normal morphology. Model selection and validation analysis supported the premise that the regression model from the first samples was applicable for the second samples. The large sample size with extensive quality control provides robust parameter estimation and promises good applicability for model selection and validation. Limitations, reasons for caution The results are valid for healthy men in China, not for subfertile or infertile men. Wider implications of the findings The overall semen quality of a given group of healthy men will not vary significantly in the short term. Single semen samples can be used in model building as long as major relevant covariates are considered. Utilizing multiple semen donations may actually cause the samples to be less representative. Study funding/competing interests This research was supported by a grant from Shanghai Science and Technical Committee (02DJ14053) and a grant from Ministry of Science and Technology, China (9902). All authors have no competing interests.

Aim: To determine whether induced abortion (IA) increases breast cancer (BC) risk. Materials and Methods: A population-based case-control study was performed from Dec, 2000 to November, 2004 in Shanghai, China, where IA could be verified through the family planning network and client medical records. Structured questionnaires were completed by 1,517 cases with primary invasive epithelial breast cancer and 1,573 controls frequency- matched to cases for age group. The information was supplemented and verified by the family planning records. Statistical analysis was conducted with SAS 9.0. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, induced abortions were not found to be associated with breast cancer with OR=0.94 (95%CI= 0.79-1.11). Compared to parous women without induced abortion, parous women with 3 or more times induced abortion (OR=0.66, 95%CI=0.46 to 0.95) and women with 3 or more times induced abortion after the first live birth (OR=0.66, 95%CI =0.45 to 0.97) showed a lower risk of breast cancer, after adjustment for age, level of education, annual income per capita, age at menarche, menopause, parity times, spontaneous abortion, age at first live birth, breast-feeding, oral contraceptives, hormones drug, breast disease, BMI, drinking alcohol, drinking tea, taking vitamin/calcium tablet, physical activity, vocation, history of breast cancer, eating the bean. Conclusions: The results suggest that a history of induced abortions may not increase the risk of breast cancer.

To overcome some shortcoming existed in the conventional ant colony algorithms, e.g. slow converging and trend for falling into local convergences, a novel method for robot path planning is introduced based on cellular ant colony. Firstly, two ant colonies were set to run with different strategies. Secondly, the existing ant colony paths were evolved by following the cellular rules, so that the ants could jump from the current region into the region with a solution. Experiment results showed that the proposed algorithm proved to be stable, and that the global optimal path was found in a short time in a number of iterations.

Basal generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was essential for male reproductive function, whereas high ROS levels may be linked to low quality of sperm and male infertility. We examined the associations between ROS levels in whole ejaculates and sperm quality among 1092 male factor infertility (MFI) patients and 50 donors with normal semen characteristics. ROS levels were significantly positively correlated with abnormal morphology rate, head defect, and sperm deformity index. Further, we investigated whether seminal plasma from MFI patients with high ROS levels affects sperm motility from donors with normal semen characteristics. After cross-culturing fresh human sperm from donors possessing normal semen characteristics with seminal plasma from infertitle men, sperm motility was measured at different ROS levels. Seminal plasma from MFI patients significantly reduced motility of sperm and the reduction rate increased with increasing ROS levels in seminal plasma. On the other hand, we found MFI patients with the ROS levels in the lowest 25th percentile had similar ROS levels to donors with normal semen characteristics. Collectively, our observations lead to the hypothesis that oxidative stress plays a critical role in the development of MFI among those with high ROS levels, but not those with low ROS levels.

Objective To explore the male condom use and the using problems as well as the influencing factors among Shanghai women. Methods A prospective follow-up was conducted among 1 562 subjects who used either the condom or the combined regimen as their method for fertility regulation in nine districts in Shanghai. The study began in the October, 2003 with a baseline survey, and finished in the December, 2007. There were two groups, group I with condom use combined regimen (condom + ECP) and group II with condom use only. Totally 812 eligible subjects were assigned to group I, and 750 to group II. Data was collected with a daily diary card, on which menses, acts of intercourse, information on condom and ECP use, and condom using problems were recorded. Data were analyzed with binary logistic regression models adjusting the potential confounding factors. Results During the whole study years, in group I the mean condom using frequency was (59.5±17.9) times and the whole course condom using frequency was (58.1±18.5). In group II, the mean condom using frequency and the whole course condom using frequency are (57.4±19.0) and (56.4±19.7), respectively. The condom using problem rate (CUPR) in group I and group II in the first month were 5.05 and 9.64 per 100 condoms. With the progress of the study, the CUPR in both groups were decreasing. The total year's CUPR in group I and group II were 0.82% and 1.45% ( P =0.002). The study showed that the common condom using problems during the 1st year were too loose (41.9% in group I and 27.1% in group II), too long (15.6% in group I and 25.6% in group II), and too slippery (21.2% in group I and 20.2% in group II) among those reported condom using problems. Condom problems were more common in the inexperienced and in those who had not experienced problems previously. Subject's age, education and occupation might influence condom using problem rate. Conclusions The condom using problems indicated that condom manufacturers should continue to refine the products so as to increase the condom acceptability. Experience was significant associated with condom using problem.

Objective To explore the relationship between age and semen quality in Chinese men. Design Population-based cross-sectional study. Setting The Department of Reproductive Epidemiology and Social Science, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, People's Republic of China. Patient(s) Healthy 20- to 60-year-old men. Intervention(s) Standard World Health Organization procedures (3rd ed.) for semen analysis. Main Outcome Measure(s) Semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm number, progressive motility, vitality, and sperm morphology. Result(s) Statistical analysis results of 998 subjects showed that age was negatively correlated with progressive motility, vitality, and percentage of normal sperm. No declining trend was found between age and parameters semen volume, sperm concentration, or total sperm number. Rapidly progressive motility and percentage of normal sperm began to decrease slowly at age 30 years, and progressive motility began to decrease at age 40 years. Compared with the 20- to 29-year age group, the values of the latter three parameters showed significant differences in men aged ≥35, ≥45, and ≥40 years. Conclusion(s) Increasing age mainly influences sperm motility, vitality, and normal morphology, but these parameters have turning points at different ages. Because of the large sample size, this information can be used to provide standard values for Chinese men, particularly in the age range 30–50 years. Further research would enroll a large sample of healthy 40- to 70-year olds to examine declining semen parameters in these age groups.

Objective To determine the frequency of condom breakage and understand if couple took any measure(s) to protect against pregnancy when condom breakage happened. Methods It's a prospective follow-up study. A total of 1 562 subjects in 9 districts of Shanghai were selected. Subjects were divided into two groups. Totally 812 subjects were in condom/emergency contraceptive pills(ECP) combined regimen group and 750 subjects were in the group of condom only. Each subject used daily diary card to record the presence or absence of menstrual bleeding or spotting, each act of sexual intercourse, condom problem, together with brief details about use of condom/postcoital ECP. The selected subjects were interviewed at the end of 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th month after enrollment with their diary to collect information mentioned above. Results The total condom breakage rate (CBR) of whole year was 0.53 per 1 000 condoms. The condom breakage ratio per 1 000 person months (CBRp) was 2.58. The result of multiple logistic regression showed that husbands' age, occupation and couples' condom using experience might affect the condom breakage. Compared with Conclusion The condom breakage rate was significant associated with husband's age, husband's occupation and condom using experience. Those might be the factors affecting the condom breakage.

Aim: To examine whether reproductive hormones play a role in the association between body mass index (BMI) and semen quality. Methods: Semen quality and testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) were evaluated in 990 fertile males with age 38.9 ± 9.7 (mean ± SD) years recruited from the Chinese general population in 2001 and 2002. Results: Semen quality was reduced among underweight (BMI < 18.5) compared with normal (BMI 18.5–24.9) and overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9), but the associations were independent of reproductive hormones. After adjustment for the potential confounders, underweight men had reductions in sperm concentration (22.4 × 10 6 /mL), total sperm count (52.9 × 10 6 ) and percentage of normal sperm forms (6.9%) compared with men with normal BMI. Being underweight may be a risk factor for low sperm concentration (OR: 4.68, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 2.01–10.91). Otherwise, being overweight may be a protected factor for low sperm concentration (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.08–0.83) and low total sperm count (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.15–0.87). Conclusion: Low BMI was associated with reduced semen quality. The associations between BMI and semen quality were found statistically significant even after adjustment for reproductive hormones. Reproductive hormones cannot explain the association between BMI and semen quality. (Asian J Androl 2007 Nov; 9: 827–834)

Objective To understand the HIV/IDS knowledge level and its influential factors among reproductive men in China so as to provide scientific evidence for preventive measures. Methods Cross-sectional survey, system random sample and constructed questionnaire were used in this study. There were 1 285 male subjects who had filled in anonymous questionnaires. Results There were significant differences on the HIV/IDS knowledge level in different counties and different demographic characteristic people. Major influential factors included area, urban/rural, marriage, educational level, age, consultation about HIV/ AIDS. Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen the training of HIV/AIDS knowledge among reproductive men.

Objective To evaluate the impacts of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) intervention on RTIs-related knowledge, attitudes, practices and prevalence of married women at reproductive age. Methods Four sub-districts from Xuhui district, Shanghai were selected by multistage cluster random sampling and residence committees were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control one. RTIs intervention was implemented in intervention group, while routine family planning program was conducted in control group. Results Compared with control group, intervention group have improved the following targets: the increment of RTI knowledge score was higher than that in control group (OR=9.22, 95%CI:7.01–12.14); the increment score of individual health behaviors (6.31) was higher than that in control group (4.50) (OR=1.60, 95%CI: 1.21–2.10); the increase of condom use frequency in intervention group was higher than that in control group (4.12% vs 0.69%) (OR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.31–2.57); the decreased RTIs rate was higher than that in control group (7.45% vs 0.96%) (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.49–0.95). Conclusion It is an effective way to conduct community-based intervention to increase women's RTIs knowledge, improve RTIs-related attitudes, promote good individual health behaviors, so as to decrease RTIs prevalence.

Objective To understand the family status and dilemma of HIV positive subjects and provide some related suggestions. Methods Constructured questionnaire and in-depth interview were used to survey their psychological needs of the 111 HIV positive subjects and AIDS patients from 4 provinces in China. Results HIV positive subjects and AIDS patients had strong mental stress. All of them hope to get support from their families; the most difficulty the subjects faced was economic poor. Conclusion It is a highlight to promote AIDS education to establish a good social environment in which HIV positive subjects and AIDS patients can live quietly and happily. And psychological support from their families and the society is very important to HIV positive subjects and AIDS patients.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection and semen quality. Methods: From 2001 to 2003, 346 eligible patients aged 20–45 years were invited from two hospitals in Shanghai, China, to participate in an investigation which included questionnaires about general and reproductive health, an external genital tract examination, UU culture and semen analysis. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine whether UU had a significant effect on semen quality after adjustment for confounding factors. Results: Findings suggested that UU infection was associated with higher semen viscosity and lower semen pH value. Sperm concentration was lower in UU positive subjects than that in UU negative subjects (54.04 × 10 6 /mL vs.70.58 × 10 6 /mL). However, UU did not significantly affect other semen quality indexes. Conclusion: UU infection of the male genital tract could negatively influence semen quality. (Asian J Androl 2006 Sep; 8: 562–568)

Aim: To assess whether exposure to computers harms the semen quality of healthy young men. Methods: A total of 178 subjects were recruited from two maternity and children healthcare centers in Shanghai, 91 with a history of exposure to computers (i.e., exposure for 20 h or more per week in the last 2 years) and 87 persons to act as control (no or little exposure to computers). Data on the history of exposure to computers and other characteristics were obtained by means of a structured questionnaire interview. Semen samples were collected by masturbation in the place where the semen samples were analyzed. Results: No differences in the distribution of the semen parameters (semen volume, sperm density, percentage of progressive sperm, sperm viability and percentage of normal form sperm) were found between the exposed group and the control group. Exposure to computers was not found to be a risk factor for inferior semen quality after adjusting for potential confounders, including abstinence days, testicle size, occupation, history of exposure to toxic substances. Conclusion: The present study did not find that healthy men exposed to computers had inferior semen quality. (Asian J Androl 2005 Sep; 7: 263–266)

To explore the effect and heaviness of smoking on the routine parameters of semen quality.A total of 727 eligible subjects including 421 smokers and 306 nonsmokers were selected in 2004 - 2006 in Hebei, Shanxi, Guizhou, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces. Data on background information, general demographic characteristics, exposure to smoking and related confounding factors were obtained through a questionnaire survey. Semen samples of all the subjects were collected during the period of study. Parameters of semen were examined according to the manual recommended by WHO.Four models from the multiple logistic regression regarding the semen routine parameters were used as the dependent variables to be fitted in descending order respectively, while six confounders including area, age, abstinence time, education level, history of alcohol intake and the exposure to pesticides etc., were adjusted.showed that smoking could affect the sperm viability, with significantly higher proportion of abnormal sperm viability seen in the smoking group (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.12 - 2.80). Proportions regarding the abnormal mobility and morphology of sperms in the smoking group were also significantly higher than in the control group, with OR values as 1.51 (95%CI: 1.00 - 2.27) and 2.55 (95%CI: 1.68 - 3. 88) respectively. The density of sperms was significantly decreased in the smoking groups who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day (OR = 1.70, 95%CI: 1.05 - 2.76) or the total numbers of cigarette consumption exceeding 150 000 (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.03 - 3.29).Smoking showed adverse effects on the quality of semen, especially for heavy or long-term smokers.

To explore the effects of high birth weight (HBW) on blood pressure (BP) during childhood.A total of 1435 couples with high or normal birth weight were selected from a birth cohort who were born between 1993 and 1995 in Wuxi, China and, followed between 2005 and 2007. A questionnaire survey was conducted, with their height, weight and blood pressure measured.The medians of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) of HBW group were 100 mm Hg (Q(1)-Q(3): 90 - 110 mm Hg), 64 mm Hg (Q(1)-Q(3): 60 - 70 mm Hg) in the high birth weight group, respectively, while they were 100 mm Hg (Q(1)-Q(3): 90 - 108 mm Hg), 62 mm Hg (Q(1)-Q(3): 60 - 70 mm Hg) in the normal weight group. No statistical significant difference was found between the exposed and unexposed groups. The proportion of elevated BP, including pre-hypertension and hypertension, in exposed group was 13.66%, a bit higher than that (11.57%) of the unexposed group (P = 0.055). The relative risk (RR) of HBW on elevated BP was 1.06 (0.92 - 1.21), after adjusted the following parameters as BMI in childhood, sex, age during the follow-up period, age of mother at delivery, gestational age, type of feeding at infancy, dietary habit as well as the frequencies of exercise during childhood.No statistically significant correlation was found between high birth weight and blood pressure of children.

Through the literature review, this paper presents the framework of college students’ innovation concept, thereby establishing the evaluation index of college students’ innovation concept, Taiyuan Institute of Technology Robot Team for interviews, ultimately gives constructive suggestions based on the conclusions.

Objective This study aimed to determine the contribution of individual and contextual socioeconomic status (SES) to the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance in the adult population in rural southwest China. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study of diabetes was performed in 4801(2152 men) Chinese adults (≥ 25 years old). Multilevel logistic regression model was used to examine the association between individuals' and townships' variables and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance. Results The age-and gender-standardized prevalence of diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance were 7.1% (3.6% for undiagnosed) and 8.8% in adults aged ≥ 25 years, respectively, and increasing with age. Females were more likely to develop diabetes than males. The probability of developing diabetes increased with BMI. Both contextual and individual educational level and yearly household income were found to be negatively associated with the prevalence of diabetes. Residence in communities with a higher percentage of ethnic minorities was associated with higher prevalence of diabetes. Smoking had a protective effect for diabetes, drinking had a positive association with diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance. Conclusions Diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance are common in rural adults of southwest China by international standards. These results indicate that diabetes mellitus has become a major public health problem in rural areas in southwest China, and strategies aimed at the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance are needed.

We elaborate eight points of constructivism and develop three of them in terms of team change, mechanism of encourage and restriction, and innovation ability to improve the constructivism idea in teaching. What’s more, the teaching course of Information User Service which applies our ideas in Taiyuan Institute of Technology class 0920931 can be regarded as a case to test its feasibility and effect.

To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of acupoint-catgut-embedment therapy in the treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH).Eighty MGH patients were equally randomized into acupoint-catgut-embedment (ACE) group and medication (Rupixiao, a herbal patent drug for relieving MGH) group according to odd-numbered days or even-numbered days of visiting. Subcutaneous catgut-embedment was performed in Wuyi (ST 15), Rugen (ST 18), Tanzhong (CV 17), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34), once every 15 days for 3 months. Patients of the medication group were treated by oral administration of Rupixiao (3 tablets, 3 times per day, 3 months altogether). The degree of breast pain and the size of the hyperplastic lump were observed before and after the treatment. Serum estrodiol, progesterone and prolactin contents on day 1 to day 3 of menstruation were detected by using an automation chemiluminescence immune analysator.After the treatment, of the two 40 MGH patients in the ACE and medication groups, 16 (40. 0%) and 5 (12. 5%) were cured basically, 8 (20. 0%) and 8 were improved markedly in their symptoms and signs, 16 (40. 0%) and 22 (55. 0%) were effective, and 0 and 5 (12. 5%) failed in the treatment, with the effective rates being 100% and 87.5%, respectively. The therapeutic effect of the ACE group was significantly better than that of the medication group (P0. 05). In comparison with the pretreatment, the pain grades and the size of the hyperplastic lump in both ACE and medication groups decreased significantly after immediate termination of the treatment and 6 months after the treatment (P0.01), and the therapeutic effects of the ACE group were significantly superior to those of the medication group in reducing pain grade and hyperplastic lump size (P0. 01). After the treatment, serum estrodiol and progesterone contents were decreased evidently in both ACE and medication groups (P0. 01, P0. 05). Type-B ultrasonic examination showed that of the two 40 MGH patients in the ACE and medication groups, 16 and 5 cases turned to normal in their mammary glands, and the cure rate of the ACE group was evidently higher than that of the medication group (P0. 01).Acupoint-catgut-embedment is effective in relieving MGH, and its therapeutic effect is apparently superior to that of medication (oral administration of Rupixiao).

To explore the association between age and variables of semen in Chinese males with normal fertility.The population size under study would consist of 946 fertile male volunteers from 6 provinces of China, aged between 20 and 59. Semen quality was analyzed by hand on site and background information was obtained through structured questionnaire. Trend chi-square test and multiple linear regression methods were used and 95%CI were calculated to serve as reference value of semen variables of different age group.The normal percent of motility and living sperm declined significantly while the ascending of age, they were 55.7% and 97.3% in age30 group when compared to 21.9% and 90.3% in the age 50 - 59 group respectively. Under control of confounding factors as for center and abstinence time, all semen variables except semen volume were significantly different among the age groups. Sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility and normal morphology sperm decreased significantly after age 40 while percentage of living sperm decreased after age 50 - 59 group. Sperm concentration among the 50 - 59 year-old group appeared to be lower than the 40 - year-old group.The influence of age must be taken into account when evaluating the quality of semen.

Aims: To establish reference values of semen parameters in a residential, geographic, and age representative sample of healthy Chinese men. Methods: From a national study of 1,191 healthy Chinese men, semen samples were analyzed from 105 subjects whose wives or partners were pregnant within the 12 months prior to the date when the semen sample was taken. Results: The means, fifth percentiles, and percentages lower than the WHO criteria for semen parameters were, respectively: 75.8 × 106/ml, 17.8 × 106/ml, and 6.7% for sperm concentration; 206.9 × 106/ejection, 26.3 × 106/ejection, and 6.7% for total sperm count; 18.9, 3.0, and 79.1% for rapid progressive motility; 49.1, 25.3, and 52.4% for sperm progressive motility; 73.8, 49.3, and 45.7% for sperm viability, and 49.5, 25.2, and 9.5% for normal morphology. Conclusion: The values of semen parameters for Chinese men are lower than the WHO criteria, especially for rapid progressive motility, progressive motility, and sperm viability, and a different standard for Chinese may be needed.

This study is to understand the difference of semen quality among the different areas and the related factors.Five hundred and sixty-two people were under from seven provinces.Results showed that the quantity and density of semen, the rate of moving forward semen, livability, percent age of normal formed semen and the total number of semen were statistically different among the seven areas. The difference was ranged as 28.82%, with the highest 2.95 ml in Shanxi province and the lowest 2.29 ml in Henan province. Geometric mean of semen density was found the lowest 36.27 x 10(6)/ml in Guizhou province, next to it was 42.52 x 10(6)/ml in Shandong province and the highest was 74.77 x 10(6)/ml in Hebei province. The percent age with forward progression of semen was seen the lowest 44.40% in Henan province, followed by 51.88% in Hebei province and 52.88% in Zhejiang province and the highest were 76.50% in Shanghai, 75.24% in Shanxi province, with a range of 72.30%. The highest semen viability was 85.89% in Shanghai, while the lowest 72.35% in Henan, with a range of 18.71%. Normal sperm morphology was seen the lowest 68.45% in Hebei province, with the highest 88.06% in Guizhou province, and the range was 28.65%. The geometric mean of total sperm count was seen the highest 204.23 x 10(6)/ml in Hebei province and the lowest 77.69 x 10(6)/ml in Guizhou province. Results showed through analysis of variance that some indexes were different in some provinces.The results indicated that the semen quality was different in different regions in China and its influential factors may be region and geography environment.