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• We identified DEGs potentially concerned with growth in P. vannamei. • The upstream genes of the ecdysone signal pathway were not DEGs. • High levels of stress are found in slow-growing individuals. • Reducing the stress level is one of the ways to improve growth performance of shrimps. Penaeus vannamei is the principle cultured shrimp species in China. However, with the increase of culture density, the growth difference between individuals is also expanding. Here, we make use of RNA-seq to study the growth mechanisms of P. vannamei. After 120 days, we examined the transcriptomes of rapid-growing individuals (RG) and slow-growing individuals (SG). A total of 2116 and 176 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in SG and RG, respectively. Moreover, the main DEGs are opsin, heat shock protein (HSP), actin, myosin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), cuticle protein, and chitinase. GO analysis further revealed that the DEGs were enriched in biological processes significantly, such as "sensory perception," "sensory perception of light stimulus," "response to stimulus," and "response to stress." Additionally, KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in "pentose and glucuronate interconversions," "amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism," "glycophospholipid biosynthesis," and "glutathione metabolism." Interestingly, the upstream genes in the ecdysone signaling pathway, including molting inhibition hormone (MIH) and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), did not differ significantly between RG and SG, which suggests that the cause for the inconsistent growth performance is due to the stress levels rather than the ecdysone signal pathway. In summary, this work provides data that will be useful for future studies on shrimp growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the expressions of zinc homeostasis-related proteins, G protein-coupled receptor 39 (GPR39) and ANO1 mRNA in the sperm of patients with asthenozoospermia (AS), and analyze their correlation with sperm motility., Methods: We collected semen samples from 82 male subjects with PR+NP < 40%, PR < 32% and sperm concentration > 15×10⁶/ml (the AS group, n = 40) or PR+NP ≥ 40%, PR ≥ 32% and sperm concentration > 15×10⁶/ml (the normal control group, n = 42). We analyzed the routine semen parameters and measured the zinc content in the seminal plasma using the computer-assisted sperm analysis system, detected the expressions of zinc transporters (ZIP13, ZIP8 and ZNT10), metallothioneins (MT1G, MT1 and MTF), GPR39, and calcium-dependent chloride channel protein (ANO1) in the sperm by real-time quantitative PCR (RT qPCR), examined free zinc distribution in the sperm by laser confocal microscopy, and determined the expressions of GPR39 and MT1 proteins in the sperm by immunofluorescence staining, followed by Spearman rank correlation analysis of their correlation with semen parameters., Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the zinc concentration in the seminal plasma between the AS and normal control groups (P>0.05). Compared with the controls, the AS patients showed a significantly reduced free zinc level (P<0.05), relative expressions of MT1G, MTF, ZIP13, GPR39 and ANO1 mRNA (P<0.05), and that of the GPR39 protein in the AS group (P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the relative expression levels of ZIP8, ZNT10 and MT1 mRNA between the two groups (P>0.05). The relative expression levels of GPR39, ANO1, MT1G and MTF mRNA were positively correlated with sperm motility and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The expressions of zinc homeostasis proteins (MT1G, MTF and ZIP13), GPR39 and ANO1 mRNA are downregulated in the sperm of asthenozoospermia patients, and positively correlated with sperm motility.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of three different intervertebral fusion with bone graft and internal fixation in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy., Methods: In the retrospective study, 83 patients (38 males and 45 females, with an average age of 69 years) with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were divided into three groups. The patients in three groups were treated by autogenous iliac bone grafting (Robingson grafting) with anterior cervical plate-screw fixation, Pyramesh with anterior cervical plate-screw fixation and BAK fixation respectively. JOA scores and the bony fusion time were recorded and the results were evaluated by numeric computer system., Results: The JOA scores of all the patients were higher than those before surgery (t = 1.55, P < 0.05). There were no statistical difference of JOA scores in the three groups (F = 2.51, P > 0.05)., Conclusion: It is concluded that internal fixation of the three types is promising to the treatment of cervical spondlotic myelopathy. Robingson grafting with anterior cervical plate-screw fixation provides good stability and bony fusion. BAK is better technically required but there was height loss in clinic. Pyramesh with anterior cervical plate-screw fixation combines the merits of both two techniques above but the cost is higher.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of chronic prostatitis (CP) in male infertility patients and its effects on male infertility., Methods: 534 male patients with complaints of male infertility were interviewed for the history of prostatic disease and underwent digital rectal examination of prostate, analysis of semen and express prostatic secretions (EPS). Bacterial culture of urine was done in 40 randomly selected inflammatory CP patients by pre- and post-message method (pre- and post-massage test, PPMT)., Results: 209 out of the 534 patients with male infertility were diagnosed as chronic prostatitis with a prevalence rate of 39.1%, among which 46 with CP type II and IIIA with the prevalence rate of 8.6%, 28 with CP type IIIB (5.2%), and 135 with CP type IV (25.3%) respectively. Positive bacterial culture was found in 10 out of the 40 cases of inflammatory chronic prostatitis (25.0%). The bacterial infection rate was 24.2% (8/33) in the cases of CP type IV. The prevalence rate of liquefaction dysfunction was much higher in the patients of male infertility with CP (22.7%) than in those without CP (14.3%, P < 0.05), however, it had little influence on the quality of semen, pH value, sperm density, and sperm motility., Conclusion: Quite common in patients with male infertility, CP prolongs the time of liquefaction, but has no other reverse influence on semen.

Objectives: To understand the hormone levels in male senile dementia patients and the effects of testosterone supplement theraphy (TST) on male senile dementia., Methods: The general health condition, mental health condition, hormone levels, and some other aspects were evaluated in 9 patients with male senile dementia without significant contradiction for TST. 9 patients were treated with oral testosterone undecanoate 120 mg per day for six weeks, and relative changes were observed, detected and recorded., Results: In 9 cases of male senile dementia, the average score was 5.33 in mini-mental state examination (MMSE), 14.56 in Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), 5.0 in geriatric depression scale (GDS), 32.56 in partial androgen deficiency of the aging male (PADAM) measuring form. The volume of testis was small (8.33 ml on average). After 1 week of having finished TST, the levels of serum testosterone (T) dropped significantly (dropped from average 2.88 ng/ml to 2.47 ng/ml, P < 0.05) in 9 patients with TST. General evaluation with clinician's global impression(CGI) for 9 patients showed 2 cases fail and 7 cases with progress (3 of them progress significantly). Average score dropped in HAMD form (10.67) and PADAM form (28.11). Physical strength and psychological status improved significantly, but vasomotor symptoms and sexual function failed response to the treatment., Conclusions: The levels of androgen is low, and the symptoms of androgen deficiency are readily seen in male senile dementia. TST can improve life quality of most patients to some extent.

Objectives: To explore the incidence, causes, and significance of altered bowel habits in chronic prostatitis., Methods: Investigating the incidence of altered bowel habits in chronic prostatitis, analyzing some possible causes to induce the symptom, such as course of disease, vegetative nerve functional disturbance, inflammation in expressed prostatic secretions, and digital rectal examination. Following up the improvement of altered bowel habits after effective treatment of chronic prostatitis., Results: The incidence of altered bowel habits was 31.40% in 379 chronic prostatitis patients. The detected congestion and swelling of prostate was closed related to altered bowel habits in chronic prostatitis. The incidence of improvement of altered bowel habits after effective treatment of chronic prostatitis reached to 78.79%., Conclusions: Congestion and swelling of prostate might be the main causes for altered bowel habits in chronic prostatitis. Altered bowel habits should be considered as a common symptom and cure standard for chronic prostatitis.