A pre-conception cohort study of fertility and its related factors among couples with the intention of conception / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To describe fertility and explore factors associated with it among pre-conception couples of childbearing age. Methods: Based on the pre-conceptional offspring trajectory study of the School of Public Health of Fudan University, couples of childbearing age who participated in the pre-conception physical examination in Shanghai Jiading District from 2016 to 2021 were recruited and followed up. Couples' time to pregnancy (TTP) was analyzed and Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to explore the factors associated with TTP. Kaplan-Meier was used to calculate each menstrual cycle's cumulative pregnancy rate. Results: A total of 1 095 preconception couples were included in the analysis, the M(Q1,Q3)of TTP was 4.33 (2.41, 9.78) menstrual cycles. Age of women (FR=0.90, 95%CI: 0.85-0.95, P<0.001), women who were overweight or obese before pregnancy (FR=0.36, 95%CI: 0.24-0.55, P<0.001), women who were exposed to second-hand smoking (FR=0.63, 95%CI: 0.44-0.92, P=0.016), women whose home or office had been renovated in the past 2 years and had a particular smell (FR=0.46, 95%CI: 0.26-0.81, P=0.008) were risk factors for impaired fertility. Regular menstrual cycles (FR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.16-2.31, P=0.005), females who often drank tea/coffee (FR=1.55, 95%CI: 1.11-2.17, P=0.011) and males who took folic acid before conception (FR=2.35, 95%CI: 1.38-4.23, P=0.002) were associated with better fertility. The cumulative pregnancy rate of 3, 6, and 12 menstrual cycles was 37.6%, 64.4%, and 78.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Older couples, overweight or obesity before pregnancy, irregular menstruation, exposure to secondhand smoke and decoration pollutants in females are associated with impaired fertility. Frequent tea/coffee drinking before pregnancy in females and taking folic acid before pregnancy in males are associated with shortened conception time.

Research progress of epigenetic regulation in the pathogenesis of aluminum exposure / 中华预防医学杂志

Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements on earth. Aluminum compounds are widely used in food additives, antacids, cooking utensils and so on. Human exposure to aluminum is mainly through diet and drinking water, while excessive intake of aluminum can accumulate in tissues and cause toxic reactions. In the central nervous system, aluminum exposure is closely related to a series of nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Epigenetic modification refers to the regulation of gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, and its regulatory disorders can lead to abnormalities and diseases of the central nervous system. This paper describes the regulation of epigenetics and its components, including DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA, in aluminum-induced neurotoxicity, in order to provide insights into the epigenetic mechanism of aluminum-induced neurotoxicity.

Effects of Ganoderma Triterpenoids on Learning and Memory Impairment in Rats with Epilepsy / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To study the effect of Ganoderma triterpenoids combined with exogenous monosialoteterahexosyl ganglioside (GM1) on cognitive dysfunction in rats with epilepsy. Methods:A total of 75 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into blank control group, epileptic model group, Ganoderma triterpenoids group, GM1 group and GM1 combined with Ganoderma triterpenoids group (combination group), with 15 rats in each group. All the groups, except the blank control group, were intraperitoneally injected with pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) 35 mg/kg once a day for 28 days. Medication groups were given corresponding administration based on daily intraperitoneal injection of PTZ. They were tested with Morris Water Maze; and were observed with transmission electron microscopy and HE staining for hippocampal neurons. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of actin-binding protein (Cofilin), synaptophysin (SYN) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) mRNA in hippocampus of rats. Results:Compared with the blank control group, the escape lantency prolonged in the epileptic model group in all the time points (P < 0.05). Compared with the epileptic model group, the escape lantency shortened in the treatment groups somewhen (P < 0.05). Compared with the epileptic model group, the number of crossing the platform increased in the treatment groups (P < 0.01), and the time of staying in the target quadrant prolonged (P < 0.01); while the number of pyramidal cells increased, the nuclear lysis and fragmentation reduced, the structure of neurons and the number of synapses improved， as well as the organelle structure. Compared with the blank control group, the expression of Cofilin mRNA increased (P < 0.05), and the expression of SYN mRNA and GAP-43 mRNA decreased (P < 0.05) in the epileptic model group; compared with the epileptic model group, the expression of Cofilin mRNA decreased (P < 0.05), and the expression of SYN mRNA increased (P < 0.05) in all the treatment groups, while the expression of GAP-43 mRNA increased (P < 0.05) only in the combination group. Conclusion:Ganoderma triterpenoids, GM1 and their combination can improve the learning and memory abilities of epileptic rats, which may be associated with increasing the expression of SYN and GAP-43, decreasing the expression of Cofilin, to promote the synaptic remodeling of hippocampal tissue and protect brain neurons from PTZ-induced epilepsy.

The ethyl acetate extraction of Pileostegia tomentella (ZLTE) exerts anti-cancer effects on H1299 cells via ROS-induced canonical apoptosis / 中国天然药物

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the most common malignant tumor, the long-term survival of which has stagnated in the past several decades. Pileostegia tomentella Hand. Mazz is a traditional Chinese medicine called "Zhongliuteng" (ZLT) in the pharmacopeia, which has been proved to possess a potent anti-tumor effect on various cancers. In this study, the effects of ZLT N-butanol extraction (ZLTN) and ZLT ethyl acetate extraction (ZLTE) on the viability of non-small cell lung cancer cell (NSCLC) lines H1299 and A549 were evaluated. Here, we firstly reported that ZLTE significantly inhibited H1299 cells growth without affecting the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In addition, ZLTE induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner and increased the expression cleaved-PARP and decreased pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-7, pro-caspase-8, and pro-caspase-9. Moreover, ZLTE increased the level of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H1299 cells to lead to apoptosis, which was reversed by N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Taken together, our results revealed that ZLTE induced caspase-dependent apoptosis via ROS generation, suggesting that ZLTE is a promising herbal medicine for the treatment of NSCLC.

Clinical analysis of intravenous leiomyomatosis:report of 9 cases / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics,diagnosis and treatment of intravenous leiomyomatosis(IVL).METHODS: The clinical data of 9 IVL treated at Women's Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2013 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. All the cases were followed up.RESULTS: Out of 8702 patients with uterine leiomyoma,9 patients were diagnosed with IVL. Most patients complained of pelvic mass,and 6 patients had enlarged uterus. Preoperative imaging examination demonstrated parametrial mass in 5 cases. All nine cases were confined to the pelvic cavity except for one who had lung metastasis. Two cases had myomectomy,and seven underwent hysterectomy. The lesions were dendritic,dumbbell-shaped,elliptical or elongate in four cases. Nine cases had a mean follow-up of 28.2 months,and recurrence occurred in two cases.CONCLUSION: The obvious enlargement of uterus and parametrial mass are important features of IVL. It is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Identifying the morphological features of lesions during operation can improve the diagnostic accuracy. Total hysterectomy is the first choice of treatment and long-term follow-up is also needed.

Effect of Raldh2 silence on the differentiation of P19 cells into cardiomyocyte-like cells / 复旦学报（医学版）

Objective To study the effect of retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Raldh2) on the differentiation of P19 cell to cardiomyocyte-like cells and explore the potential mechanism.Methods A miRNA expression plasmid specific to Raldh2 was packaged and constructed by RNA interference (RNAi) method.The P19 stable cell line carried Raldh2 miRNA expression was selected by adding blasticidin and induced to differentiate towards cardiomyocyte-like cells.The mRNA levels of myocardium development-related markers were determined by qPCR at different stages during the differentiation process.Results The miRNA expression plasmid specific to Raldh2 could effectively suppress Raldh2 expression,and the MiRaldh2 group,a P19 stable cell line was established successfully in which the knockdown efficiency on Raldh2 was 91％ (t =25.52,P＜0.000 1,95％ CI:0.81-1.01).When compared with P19 group,the mRNA levels of cardiac transcription factors were generally decreased in the MiRaldh2 group during the whole differentiation process.In detail,on the 7th day,the relatively low expression rates of these cardiac markers including Gata4,Tef-1,N-myc,α-mhc and Ctnt was0.16±0.01 (t=17.29,P＜0.000 1),0.51 ±0.02 (t=3.564,P=0.023 5),0.23 ±0.01 (t=13.17,P =0.000 2),0.20 ± 0.02 (t=17.76,P＜0.000 1) and 0.59 ± 0.06 (t =3.642,P =0.021 9) in MiRaldh2 group when compared with the P19 group.Conversely,the mRNA levels of Nkx2.5 and Hand2 were dramatically increased in MiRaldh2 group on day 2 to 7 and the expression rates on the 7th day was 2.25 ± 0.35 (t =3.526,P =0.024 3) compared with the P19 group while Hand2 was 3.58 ± 0.20 (t =9.214,P =0.011 6).Conclusions Knockdown of Raldh2 inhibits the P19 cells differentiated into cardiomyocyte-like cells,which suggests that Raldh2 may play a potential role in early development of heart.The low expression of Raldh2 might be an explanation of the cardiac malformations associated with retinoic acid deficiency.

MiR-467g suppresses the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of mouse preosteoblasts via down-regulation of Runx-2 expression / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Preliminary studies have found miR-467g inhibits bone regeneration, however, there is little information about the underlying mechanism. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of miR-467g on osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of mouse preosteoblasts and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: C57 mouse preosteoblasts were isolated and cultured in vitro. The expression levels of Runx-2, Osterix, and Osteocalcin, as well as alkaline phosphatase and mineralization activities were determined by western blot, real-time PCR, alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin red staining, respectively. miR-467g-overexpressed preosteoblasts were constructed to investigate the effect of miR-467g on osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of preosteoblasts by lipofection transfection. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to identify whether the 3’UTR of Runx-2 mRNA was a binding target of miR-467g. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The primary mouse preosteoblasts had a good osteogenic proliferation and differentiation ability in vitro. Expression level of miR-467g was decreased with the increase in osteogenic induction time. MiR-467g suppressed the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of mouse preosteoblasts. Luciferase assay confirmed that miR-467g targeted Runx-2 directly. In summary, miR-467g can suppress the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of mouse preosteoblasts via down-regulation of Runx-2 expression.

Effect of low-temperature preparation on the biological characteristics of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) that are manufactured in good manufacturing practice (GMP) clean rooms should be made into stem cell preparations before administration. Low-temperature preparation has many advantages over cryopreservation preparation; however, little is reported on the effect of short-term low-temperature storage on the biological characteristics of stem cells. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of 24-hour low-temperature storage using multiple electrolytes containing 5% human serum albumin on the biological characteristics of ADSCs.METHODS: ADSCs at passages 3-6 at a concentration of 5×109/L were suspended in multiple electrolytes containing 5% human serum albumin. Cell suspension was transferred into cryogenic vials, and then these vials were placed in a cold chain shipping box for 2-8 ℃ low-temperature storage for 24 hours. Cell morphology, adhesion ability, cell viability, cell diameters and cell immunophenotyping before and after the storage were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) After low-temperature storage of ADSCs for 24 hours, the number of dead cells increased. Although cell viability decreased significantly, it was still higher than 80%. Cell diameters of living cells increased significantly. (2) After low-temperature storage of ADSCs for 24 hours, few cells which were circle-shaped lost adhesion ability, and most cells could adherently grow, with the spindle-shaped morphology similar to the cells before preservation. (3) After low-temperature storage of ADSCs for 24 hours, HLA-DR, CD34 and CD45 were negatively expressed with a positive rate lower than 2%; CD29, CD73 and CD105 were positively expressed with a positive rate higher than 95%. However, the cell cluster was clearly divided into two parts after the preservation. Cells with enlarged diameters moved right in the FSC/SSC dot-plot. These results show that low-temperature preparation storage has no significant effect on the stemness of ADSCs, such as adhesion ability, cell viability and cell immunophenotype.

Percutaneous balloon angioplasty for severe native aortic coarctation in young infants less than 6 months: medium- to long-term follow-up / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Although balloon angioplasty (BA) has been performed for more than 20 years, its use as a treatment for native coarctation of the aorta (CoA) during childhood, especially in young infants, remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the effects and potential role of percutaneous transcatheter BA for native CoA as an alternative therapy to surgical repair in young infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The 37 patients aged from 6 days to 6 months with severe CoA in congestive heart failure or circulatory shock were admitted for BA. Patient's weight ranged from 2.4 to 6.1 kg. All 37 patients were experiencing cardiac dysfunction, and eight patients were in cardiac shock with severe metabolic acidosis. Eleven patients had an isolated CoA, whereas the others had a CoA associated with other cardiac malformations. Cardiac catheterization and aortic angiography were performed under general anesthesia with intubation. Transfemoral arterial approaches were used for the BA. The size of the balloon ranged from 3 mm × 20 mm to 8 mm × 20 mm, and a coronary artery balloon catheter was preferred over a regular peripheral vascular balloon catheter.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The femoral artery was successfully punctured in all but one patient, with that patient undergoing a carotid artery puncture . The systolic peak pressure gradient (PG) across the coarctation was 41.0 ± 16.0 mmHg (range 13-76 mmHg). The mean diameter of the narrowest coarctation site was 1.7 ± 0.6 mm (range 0.5-2.8 mm). All patients had successful dilation; the PG significantly decreased to 13.0 ± 11.0 mmHg (range 0-40 mmHg), and the diameter of coarctation significantly improved to 3.8 ± 0.9 mm (range 2.5-5.3 mm). No intraoperative complications occurred for any patients. However, in one case that underwent a carotid artery puncture, a giant aneurysm formed at the puncture site and required surgical repair. The following observations were made during the follow-up period from 6-month to 7-year: (1) The PG across the coarctation measured by echocardiography further decreased or remained stable in 31 cases. The remaining six patients, whose PGs gradually increased, required a second dilation. No patient required further surgery because of a CoA; (2) in two cases, an aortic aneurysm was found with an angiogram performed immediately postdilatation and disappeared at 18 and 12 months of age, respectively; (3) tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension improved in all patients; (4) all patients were doing well and were asymptomatic.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Percutaneous BA is a relatively safe and effective treatment for severe native CoA in young infants, and should be considered a valid alternative to surgery because of its good outcome and less trauma and fewer complications than surgery.</p>

Retinol dehydrogenase, RDH1l, is essential for the heart development and cardiac performance in zebrafish / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Retinoic acid (RA) is a potent signaling molecule that plays pleiotropic roles in patterning, morphogenesis, and organogenesis during embryonic development. The synthesis from retinol (vitamin A) to retinoic acid requires two sequential oxidative steps. The first step involves the oxidation of retinol to retinal through the action of retinol dehydrogenases. Retinol dehydrogenases1l (RDH1l) is a novel zebrafish retinol dehydrogenase. Herein we investigated the role of zebrafish RDH1l in heart development and cardiac performance in detail.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RDH1l specific morpholino was used to reduce the function of RDH1l in zebrafish. The gene expressions were observed by using whole mount in situ hybridization. Heart rates were observed and recorded under the microscope from 24 to 72 hours post fertilization (hpf). The cardiac performance was analyzed by measuring ventricular shortening fraction (VSF).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The knock-down of RDH1l led to abnormal neural crest cells migration and reduced numbers of neural crest cells in RDH1l morphant embryos. The reduced numbers of cardiac neural crest cells also can be seen in RDH1l morphant embryos. Furthermore, the morpholino-mediated knock-down of RDH1l resulted in the abnormal heart loop. The left-right determining genes expression pattern was altered in RDH1l morphant embryos. The impaired cardiac performance was observed in RDH1l morphant embryos. Taken together, these data demonstrate that RDH1l is essential for the heart development and cardiac performance in zebrafish.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>RDH1l plays a important role in the neural crest cells development, and then ultimately affects the heart loop and cardiac performance. These results show for the first time that an enzyme involved in the retinol to retinaldehyde conversion participate in the heart development and cardiac performance in zebrafish.</p>

Expression of Notch1 in the genital tubercle of male rats with hypospadias induced by Di-n-butyl phthalate / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the differential expression of Notch1 in the genital tubercle (GT) of fetal male rats with hypospadias induced by maternal exposure to Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and that in normal control fetal rats in order to further explore the role of Notch1 in DBP-induced hypospadias.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty pregnant SD rats were equally and randomly divided into an experimental and a control group, the former given DBP and the latter soybean oil intragastrically at 800 mg/(kg x d) and 2 ml/d respectively from gestation day (GD) 14 to GD 18. On GD 19, the birth weight (BW), anogenital distance (AGD) and hypospadias incidence were recorded, GTs of the fetal male rats collected, and the expression of Notch1 analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The BW of the fetal male rats was (4.40 +/- 0.30) g in the experimental group, significantly lower than (6.11 +/- 0.40) g in the control (P <0.05), and the AGD was (2.17 +/- 0.18) mm in the former, markedly shorter than (3.28 +/- 0.16) mm in the latter (P<0.05). The incidence of hypospadias was 42.9%. The relative expression of Notch1 was remarkably lower in the hypospadiac rats than in the normal controls (0.671 +/- 0.021 vs 1.327 +/- 0.031, P<0.05), and it was mainly located in the epithelial cells of the GT. The staining intensity was obviously weaker in the hypospadias than in the normal control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DBP has an obvious toxic effect on fetal male rats and can change the expression of Notch1 in the GT. It possibly affects cell proliferation and apoptosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), resulting in the occurrence of hypospadias.</p>

Effects of lanthanum chloride on the expression of immediate early genes in the hippocampus of rats / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study influence of lanthanum chloride (LaCl(3)) on the expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) including c-jun, early growth response gene 1 (Egr1) and activity-regulated cytoskeletal gene (Arc) in the hippocampus of rats, and discuss the mechanism of LaCl(3) undermining learning and memory capability.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty female Wistar adult rats were divided into control group, low LaCl(3)-contaminated group (0.25%), medium LaCl(3)-contaminated group (0.50%), and high LaCl(3)-contaminated group (1.00%) by randomized design. Each group had ten female rats along with five male rats and mated by the ratio of 2:1. The amounts of pups in the above four groups were 80, 83, 78 and 75 separately. The pups in respective group were La-dyed by lactation, and then the pups in LaCl(3)-contaminated groups drank 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00% LaCl(3) separately for one month. Learning and memory capability of pups were measured in jumping stairs experiment. Hippocampal lanthanum content was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Hippocampal c-jun, Egr1 and Arc mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR, and corresponding protein expression was measured by Western blotting method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the jumping stairs experiment, pups in 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00% LaCl(3)-contaminated groups respectively made (1.75 ± 0.71), (2.38 ± 0.92) and (3.00 ± 0.76) mistakes; significantly higher than control group (1.25 ± 0.46) (q values were 4.386, 6.793, P < 0.05). However, the incubation period of 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00% LaCl(3)-contaminated groups were (174.13 ± 33.72), (139.25 ± 45.83) and (75.50 ± 18.56) respectively, which were all significantly lower than that of control group (206.75 ± 20.47) (q values were 2.958, 6.121, 11.902, P < 0.05). Hippocampal c-jun mRNA expression were (0.89 ± 0.08), (0.77 ± 0.12), (0.58 ± 0.14) and (0.29 ± 0.10); while the c-jun protein expression were (0.72 ± 0.13), (0.64 ± 0.11), (0.43 ± 0.11) and (0.31 ± 0.14), and the Egr1 mRNA expression were (0.78 ± 0.09), (0.61 ± 0.13), (0.53 ± 0.10) and (0.22 ± 0.08), Egr1 protein expression were (0.65 ± 0.18), (0.40 ± 0.15), (0.32 ± 0.13) and (0.14 ± 0.09) in 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00% LaCl(3)-contaminated groups; and all of which presented a dose-effect relationship that the correlation coefficients of these parameters with dose were -0.900 (t = 11.309, P = 0.000), -0.969 (t = 7.058, P = 0.000), -0.898 (t = 11.179, P = 0.000) and -0.962 (t = 6.739, P = 0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LaCl(3) undermines the learning and memory capability of rats, which is possibly related to lower expression of c-jun and Egr1 gene and protein induced by lanthanum in hippocampus.</p>

Effect of Tbx1 knock-down on cardiac performance in zebrafish / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Tbx1 is the major candidate gene for DiGeorge syndrome (DGS). Similar to defects observed in DGS patients, the structures disrupted in Tbx1(-/-) animal models are derived from the neural crest cells during development. Although the morphological phenotypes of some Tbx1 knock-down animal models have been well described, analysis of the cardiac performance is limited. Therefore, myocardial performance was explored in Tbx1 morpholino injected zebrafish embryos.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To elucidate these issues, Tbx1 specific morpholino was used to reduce the function of Tbx1 in zebrafish. The differentiation of the myocardial cells was observed using whole mount in situ hybridization. Heart rates were observed and recorded under the microscope from 24 to 72 hours post fertilization (hpf). The cardiac performance was analyzed by measuring ventricular shortening fraction and atrial shortening fraction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tbx1 morpholino injected embryos were characterized by defects in the pharyngeal arches, otic vesicle, aortic arches and thymus. In addition, Tbx1 knock down reduced the amount of pharyngeal neural crest cells in zebrafish. Abnormal cardiac morphology was visible in nearly 20% of the Tbx1 morpholino injected embryos. The hearts in these embryos did not loop or loop incompletely. Importantly, cardiac performance and heart rate were reduced in Tbx1 morpholino injected embryos.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tbx1 might play an essential role in the development of pharyngeal neural crest cells in zebrafish. Cardiac performance is impaired by Tbx1 knock down in zebrafish.</p>

Proteomic analysis of the testis and differential expression of Annexin A3 in hypospadiac rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of in utero exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) on the protein expression in the penile tissue of hypospadiac rats, isolate and identify differentially expressed proteins, and determine the role of the differential expression of Annexin A3 in the development of hypospadia in the rat offspring after maternal exposure to DBP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty pregnant SD rats were randomly assigned to an experimental group, intragastrically administered DBP at 800 mg/kg, and a control group, given soybean oil at 5 ml/kg, both for 5 days. Three days after birth, the penises of the newborn rats were removed, and the total protein extracted for 2D-electrophoretic separation and image analysis. Differentially expressed protein spots were screened and identified by mass spectrometry, and the changes in the expression of Annexin A3 detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirty-one differentially expressed protein spots were screened, of which 17 were identified by mass spectrometry and the SwissProt database, including pyruvate kinase M2, alpha-enolase, and Annexin A3. Western blot showed that Annexin A3 was mainly located in the urethral epithelia and had a lower expression in the hypospadiac rats (1.851 +/- 0.014, n = 10) than in the controls (2.603 +/- 0.012, n = 10) (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A pedigree of differentially expressed proteins in the penises of DBP-induced hypospadia and normal rats was established by the proteomic method. The differential expression of Annexin A3 may play an important role in the development of hypospadia.</p>

Effect of external retinoic acid on Tbx1 gene during zebrafish embryogenesis / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>DiGeorge/del22q11 syndrome is one of the most common genetic causes of outflow tract and aortic arch defects in human. DiGeorge/del22q11 is thought to involve an embryonic defect restricted to the pharyngeal arches and the corresponding pharyngeal pouches. Previous studies have evidenced that retinoic acid (RA) signaling is definitely indispensable for the development of the pharyngeal arches. Tbx1, one of the T-box containing genes, is proved to be the most attractive candidate gene for DiGeorge/del22q11 syndrome. However, the interaction between RA and Tbx1 has not been fully investigated. Exploring the interaction will contribute to discover the molecular pathways disrupted in DiGeorge/del22q11 syndrome, and will also be essential for understanding genetic basis for congenital heart disease. It now seems possible that genes and molecular pathways disrupted in DiGeorge syndrome will also account for some isolated cases of congenital heart disease. Accordingly, the present study aimed to extensively study the effects of external RA on the cardiac development and Tbx1 expression during zebrafish embryogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The chemical genetics approach was applied by treating zebrafish embryos with 5 x 10(-8) mol/L RA and 10(-7) mol/L RA at 12.5 hour post fertilization (hpf). The expression patterns of Tbx1 were monitored by whole-mount in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time RT-PCR, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The zebrafish embryos treated with 5 x 10(-8) mol/L RA and 10(-7) mol/L RA for 1.5 h at 12.5 hpf exhibited selective defects of abnormal heart tube. The results of whole-mount in situ hybridization with Tbx1 RNA probe showed that Tbx1 was expressed in cardiac region, pharyngeal arches and otic vesicle during zebrafish embryogenesis. RA treatment led to a distinct spatio-temporal expression pattern for Tbx1 from that in wild type embryo. The real-time PCR analysis showed that Tbx1 expression levels were markedly reduced by RA treatment. Tbx1 expression in the pharyngeal arches and heart were obviously down regulated compared to the wild type embryos. In contrast to 5 x 10(-8) mol/L RA-treated groups, 10(-7) mol/L RA caused a more severe effect on the Tbx1 expression level.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results suggested that there was a genetic link between RA and Tbx1 during development of zebrafish embryo. RA could produce an altered Tbx1 expression pattern in zebrafish. RA may regulate the Tbx1 expression in a dose-dependant manner. RA could represent a major epigenetic factor to cause abnormal expression of Tbx1, secondarily, disrupt the pharyngeal arch and heart development.</p>

Study of index for mammogram database / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To accelerate retrieve of mammogram database by using improved M-tree index. Methods M-tree index was analyzed in the reliability and effectiveness for indexing mammogram database.An algorithm called "Slim-down" was employed in design to minimize possible overlaps. Results The improved M-tree index enhanced the efficiency of retrieving mammogram database 25 times than traditional way. Conclusion The efficiency of retrieving mammogram database by using improved M-tree was accelerated remarkably.

Exercise training and the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3 bate in the adipose tissues of insulin resistant rats / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of exercise training(ET)on the expression of glucogen synthase kinase 3 bate(GSK 3?)in the adipose tissues of insulin resistant(IR)rats on a high fat diet(HFD). Methods Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group(n=10)and a model group(M group,n=20).Insulin resistance was established by feeding a HFD to the M group for 4 w,while rats in the control group were fed a normal diet.The IR rats were then randomly divided into two subgroups:an IR group and an ET group.All rats in the IR and ET groups were fed a HFD,but ET was administrated to the ET group for 6w.The expres- sion of GSK 3?protein in the rats'epididymis adipose tissue was detected using Western blotting,and body weight (BW),the concentrations of serum triglyceride and cholesterol(TG and TC),fasting plasma glucose(FPG)and serum insulin(FINS),as well as insulin sensitivity index(ISI)were regularly detected.Results Compared with the con- trol group,BW and the concentrations of serum TG and TC,FPG and FINS in the model group were significantly in- creased(P＜0.05),while ISI was decreased(P＜0.01).Compared with the control group,there was no difference in GSK 3 protein expression in the ET group,but the expression of GSK 3?protein in the ET group was obviously de- creased in comparison with that in the IR group(P＜0.05).Conclusion ET can ameliorate IR by decreasing GSK 3?protein expression in adipose tissues and enhancing the ingestion of glucose and the synthesis of glycogen.

Metabolism of roxithromycin in dogs / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the metabolic profile of roxithromycin in dogs and the effects of oral and intravenous administrations on the metabolism of roxithromycin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MSn) was used for separation and analysis of roxithromycin and its metabolites in dog bile after an oral dose or intravenous dose of roxithromycin. The metabolites were identified by comparisons of their mass spectra and LC behaviors with the references.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 13 metabolites were detected in dog bile, including N-demethylated derivatives, N, N-didemethylated derivatives, O-dealkylether derivatives, decladinose derivatives, and the geometric isomers of parent drug and its metabolites.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Roxithromycin underwent 4 metabolic pathways in which geometric isomerization and decladinose metabolism were found to be markedly different between the two administration routes.</p>

Study on the sexual development of adolescent male / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>The investigation of the testicular volume, the penis length and the T, FSH, LH, PRL levels in serum were taken in 289 adolescent males to provide the valuable data for andrology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The adolescent males were grouped according to their age. The testicular volume was measured with testicular model and the T, FSH, LH, PRL levels in serum were determined by immunoenzymetric assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The male sexual development was rapid from age 11 to 16 and close to that of adult at age 18. Serum PRL of adolescent males was higher than that of adult males.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The age 11 to 16 is a period of rapid growth in sexual maturation. PRL may play an important role in sexual maturation.</p>