Bis (2-butoxyethyl) Phthalate Delays Puberty Onset by Increasing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Leydig Cells in Rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study investigated the effects of bis (2-butoxyethyl) phthalate (BBOP) on the onset of male puberty by affecting Leydig cell development in rats.@*METHODS@#Thirty 35-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to five groups mg/kg bw per day that were gavaged for 21 days with BBOP at 0, 10, 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg bw per day. The hormone profiles; Leydig cell morphological metrics; mRNA and protein levels; oxidative stress; and AKT, mTOR, ERK1/2, and GSK3β pathways were assessed.@*RESULTS@#BBOP at 250 and/or 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). BBOP at 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased Leydig cell number mg/kg bw per day and downregulated Cyp11a1, Insl3, Hsd11b1, and Dhh in the testes, and Lhb and Fshb mRNAs in the pituitary gland (P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde content in the testis significantly increased, while Sod1 and Sod2 mRNAs were markedly down-regulated, by BBOP treatment at 250-500 mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BBOP at 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased AKT1/AKT2, mTOR, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and GSK3β and SIRT1 levels mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). Finally, BBOP at 100 or 500 μmol/L induced ROS and apoptosis in Leydig cells after 24 h of treatment in vitro (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#BBOP delays puberty onset by increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis in Leydig cells in rats.@*UNLABELLED@#The graphical abstract is available on the website www.besjournal.com.

Carbon Chain Length Determines Inhibitory Potency of Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonic Acids on Human Placental 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 1: Screening, Structure-Activity Relationship, and In Silico Analysis / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to compare 9 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSA) with carbon chain lengths (C4-C12) to inhibit human placental 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (3β-HSD1), aromatase, and rat 3β-HSD4 activities.@*METHODS@#Human and rat placental 3β-HSDs activities were determined by converting pregnenolone to progesterone and progesterone secretion in JEG-3 cells was determined using HPLC/MS-MS, and human aromatase activity was determined by radioimmunoassay.@*RESULTS@#PFSA inhibited human 3β-HSD1 structure-dependently in the order: perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS, half-maximum inhibitory concentration, IC 50: 9.03 ± 4.83 μmol/L) > perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS, 42.52 ± 8.99 μmol/L) > perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS, 112.6 ± 29.39 μmol/L) > perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) = perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPS) = perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) = perfluorododecanesulfonic acid (PFDoS) (ineffective at 100 μmol/L). 6:2FTS (1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and 8:2FTS (1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecanesulfonic acid) did not inhibit human 3β-HSD1. PFOS and PFHpS are mixed inhibitors, whereas PFDS is a competitive inhibitor. Moreover, 1-10 μmol/L PFOS and PFDS significantly reduced progesterone biosynthesis in JEG-3 cells. Docking analysis revealed that PFSA binds to the steroid-binding site of human 3β-HSD1 in a carbon chain length-dependent manner. All 100 μmol/L PFSA solutions did not affect rat 3β-HSD4 and human placental aromatase activity.@*CONCLUSION@#Carbon chain length determines inhibitory potency of PFSA on human placental 3β-HSD1 in a V-shaped transition at PFOS (C8), with inhibitory potency of PFOS > PFDS > PFHpS > PFBS = PFPS = PFHxS = PFDoS = 6:2FTS = 8:2FTS.

Clinical study of hepatitis B vaccine in achieving hepatitis B surface antibody seroconversion in patients with functional cure

Abstract Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance is the highest treatment goal recommended by the current guidelines for hepatitis B. Levels of antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) are strongly associated with HBsAg recurrence, but hepatitis B vaccination may increase the anti-HBs seroconversion rate and reduce recurrence. We conducted a retrospective clinical study to ascertain the effect of this vaccination on the seroconversion rate and levels of protective anti-HBs after HBsAg. In this retrospective study, we distributed a questionnaire through an online survey platform to collect information related to hepatitis B vaccination in patients with functional cure of hepatitis B with Interferon-α (IFNα) therapy. We enrolled 320 patients who achieved functional cure from IFNα therapy. Of these, 219 patients had received hepatitis B vaccination according to their personal preference and drug accessibility after HBsAg seroclearance, whereas the remaining 101 patients did not receive hepatitis B vaccination. The anti-HBs seroconversion rate of 78.1% in the vaccinated group was significantly greater than that in the unvaccinated group (41.6%) (p < 0.001). Stratified comparisons with anti-HBs of ≥ 100 IU/L and ≥ 300 IU/L showed that both proportions in the vaccinated group were greater than those in the unvaccinated group (71.2% vs. 32.7% and 56.2% vs. 17.8%, respectively, all p-values < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio of vaccination was 4.427, which was the strongest influencing factor for anti-HBs, reaching 100 IU/L or higher. Hepatitis B vaccination in patients after HBsAg seroclearance not only increased the anti-HBs seroconversion rate but also significantly increased antibody levels, with good safety, indicating the clinical value of vaccine therapy for patients with functional cure.

NC1-peptide derived from collagen α3 (IV) chain is a blood-tissue barrier regulator: lesson from the testis / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Collagen α3 (IV) chains are one of the major constituent components of the basement membrane in the mammalian testis. Studies have shown that biologically active fragments, such as noncollagenase domain (NC1)-peptide, can be released from the C-terminal region of collagen α3 (IV) chains, possibly through the proteolytic action of metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). NC1-peptide was shown to promote blood-testis barrier (BTB) remodeling and fully developed spermatid (e.g., sperm) release from the seminiferous epithelium because this bioactive peptide was capable of perturbing the organization of both actin- and microtubule (MT)-based cytoskeletons at the Sertoli cell-cell and also Sertoli-spermatid interface, the ultrastructure known as the basal ectoplasmic specialization (ES) and apical ES, respectively. More importantly, recent studies have shown that this NC1-peptide-induced effects on cytoskeletal organization in the testis are mediated through an activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/ribosomal protein S6/transforming retrovirus Akt1/2 protein (mTORC1/rpS6/Akt1/2) signaling cascade, involving an activation of cell division control protein 42 homolog (Cdc42) GTPase, but not Ras homolog family member A GTPase (RhoA), and the participation of end-binding protein 1 (EB1), a microtubule plus (+) end tracking protein (+TIP), downstream. Herein, we critically evaluate these findings, providing a critical discussion by which the basement membrane modulates spermatogenesis through one of its locally generated regulatory peptides in the testis.

Regulation of blood-testis barrier dynamics by the mTORC1/rpS6 signaling complex: An in vitro study / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

During spermatogenesis, developing germ cells that lack the cellular ultrastructures of filopodia and lamellipodia generally found in migrating cells, such as macrophages and fibroblasts, rely on Sertoli cells to support their transport across the seminiferous epithelium. These include the transport of preleptotene spermatocytes across the blood-testis barrier (BTB), but also the transport of germ cells, in particular developing haploid spermatids, across the seminiferous epithelium, that is to and away from the tubule lumen, depending on the stages of the epithelial cycle. On the other hand, cell junctions at the Sertoli cell-cell and Sertoli-germ cell interface also undergo rapid remodeling, involving disassembly and reassembly of cell junctions, which, in turn, are supported by actin- and microtubule-based cytoskeletal remodeling. Interestingly, the underlying mechanism(s) and the involving biomolecule(s) that regulate or support cytoskeletal remodeling remain largely unknown. Herein, we used an in vitro model of primary Sertoli cell cultures that mimicked the Sertoli BTB in vivo overexpressed with the ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6, the downstream signaling protein of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 [mTORC1]) cloned into the mammalian expression vector pCI-neo, namely, quadruple phosphomimetic and constitutively active mutant of rpS6 (pCI-neo/p-rpS6-MT) versus pCI-neo/rpS6-WT (wild-type) and empty vector (pCI-neo/Ctrl) for studies. These findings provide compelling evidence that the mTORC1/rpS6 signal pathway exerted its effects to promote Sertoli cell BTB remodeling. This was mediated through changes in the organization of actin- and microtubule-based cytoskeletons, involving changes in the distribution and/or spatial expression of actin- and microtubule-regulatory proteins.

An analysis on HIV/AIDS epidemiological characteristics of people aged 15~24 years in Shaoxing / 预防医学

Objective To learn the epidemiological characteristics of HIV/AIDS cases aged 15-24 years in Shaoxing for making targeted prevention and control measures among young people. Methods To analyze the HIV/AIDS cases' distribution, route of transmission and reported route according to the cases which were reported 2003-2016 and aged 15-24 years. Results There were 325 cases had been reported. The epidemic had spread outward to each county, and transient population was accounted for 64.00%, and the ratio of male to female was 2.46:1. Career was widely dispersed, and farmers/migrant workers accounted for 31.08% , and students accounted for 10.15% . Homosexual transmission accounted for 41.29% , and heterosexual transmission accounted for 51.08% . The cases that were locality census register/high school education or above/unmarried adolescent, and professional for business services and student's homosexual transmission ratio was higher than that of heterosexual transmission. Voluntary counseling and testing was the major detection route which accounted for 16.9%. Conclusion The results showed that the male who aged 15-24 years was the most susceptible population. It is necessary to carry out effective measures to prevent and control HIV/AIDS transmission among young people, especially MSM and out-of-school youth.

Protective role of retinoid X receptor in H9c2 cardiomyocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in rats / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND:Retinoid X receptor (RXR) plays a central role in the regulation of intracellular receptor signaling pathways. The activation of RXR has protective effect on H2O2-induced apoptosis of H9c2 ventricular cells in rats. But the protective effect and mechanism of activating RXR in cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced oxidative iniury are stillunclear. METHODS:The model of H/R injury was established through hypoxia for 2 hours and reoxygenation for 4 hours in H9c2 cardiomyocytes of rats. 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis RA) was obtained as an RXR agonist, and HX531 as an RXR antagonist. Cultured cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into four groups:sham group, H/R group, H/R+9-cis RA -pretreated group (100 nmol/L 9-cis RA), and H/R+9-cis RA+HX531-pretreated group (2.5 μmol/L HX531). The cellviability was measured by MTT, apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes by flow cytometry analysis, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) by JC-1 fluorescent probe, and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved caspase-9 with Western blotting. Allmeasurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation, and analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Dunnett test. Differences were considered significant whenP was <0.05. RESULTS:Pretreatment with RXR agonist enhanced cellviability, reduced apoptosis ratio, and stabled ΔΨm. Dot blotting experiments showed that under H/R stress conditions, Bcl-2 protein level decreased, while Bax and cleaved caspase-9 were increased. 9-cis RA administration before H/R stress prevented these effects, but the protective effects of activating RXR on cardiomyocytes against H/R induced oxidative injury were abolished when pretreated with RXR pan-antagonist HX531. CONCLUSION:The activation of RXR has protective effects against H/R injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes of rats through attenuating signaling pathway of mitochondria apoptosis.

Effects of curcumin on pain threshold and on the expression of nuclear factor κ B and CX3C receptor 1 after sciatic nerve chronic constrictive injury in rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of curcumin on pain threshold and the expressions of nuclear factor κ B (NF-κ B) and CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of the rats with sciatic nerve chronic constrictive injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 220-250 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups. Sham surgery (sham) group: the sciatic nerves of rats were only made apart but not ligated; chronic constrictive injury (CCI) group: the sciatic nerves of rats were only ligated without any drug treatment; curcumin treated injury (Cur) model group: the rats were administrated with curcumin 100 mg/(kg·d) by intraperitoneal injection for 14 days after CCI; solvent control (SC) group: the rats were administrated with the solvent at the same dose for 14 days after CCI. Thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) and mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) of rats were respectively measured on pre-operative day 2 and postoperative day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14. The lumbar segment L4-5 of the spinal cord and the L4, L5 DRG was removed at post-operative day 3, 7 and 14. The change of nuclear factor κ B (NF-κ B) p65 expression was detected by Western blotting while the expression of CX3CR1 was determined by immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the sham group, the TWL and MWT of rats in the CCI group were significantly decreased on each post-operative day (P<0.01), which reached a nadir on the 3rd day after CCI, and the expressions of NF-κ B p65 and CX3CR1 were markedly increased in spinal cord dorsal horn and DRG. In the Cur group, the TWL of rats were significantly increased than those in the CCI group on post-operative day 7, 10 and 14 (P<0.05) and MWT increased than those in the CCI group on post-operative day 10 and 14 (P<0.05). In addition, the administration of curcumin significantly decreased the positive expressions of NF-κ B p65 and CX3CR1 in spinal cord and DRG (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our study suggests that curcumin could ameliorate the CCI-induced neuropathic pain, probably through inhibiting CX3CR1 expression by the activation of NF-κ B p65 in spinal cord and DRG.</p>

Frequencies of 9 bp deletion of mitochondrial DNA in ethnic Miao, Buyi and Dong from Guizhou / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the frequency of a 9 bp deletion polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in ethnic Miao, Buyi and Dong populations from Guizhou province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Polymerase chain reaction-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PCR-PAGE) was used to detect the 9 bp deletion. The result was verified with DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two polymorphisms, including a standard pattern and a short pattern (the 9 bp deletion), were found among the three ethnic groups. The frequency of short pattern in 304 males was 23.0%. Respectively, those of Miao, Buyi and Dong ethnics were 28.6%, 26.8% and 13.7%. A statistically significant difference was detected among the three groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The frequencies of the 9 bp polymorphism were relatively high among ethnic Miao, Buyi and Dong populations from Guizhou, and there was a significant difference between the three.</p>

A study of interleukin-10 gene polymorphisms in Miao, Dong and Buyi ethnics of Guizhou / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate allelic frequencies of interluekin-10 (IL-10) gene promoter in Miao, Dong and Buyi ethnics of Guizhou.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>TaqMan MGB-based real-time PCR was used to determine the genotypes of IL-10 -819 and IL-10 -592 in 589 Miao, Dong and Buyi ethnics of Guizhou.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The allelic frequency of IL-10 -819 in Miao ethnics was significantly different from those in Dong or Buyi ethnics. Allelic frequencies of IL-10 -592 in Miao ethnics was significantly different from those in Dong or Buyi ethnics. In Miao, Dong and Buyi ethnics, the distributions of genotype frequencies of IL-10 -819 and IL-10 -592 were statistically different from Han ethnics from Guizhou and Taiwan of China as well as South Koreans.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is a heterogeneity in the frequencies of polymorphisms of IL-10 promoter among different ethnic groups.</p>

Farnesoid-X-receptor blockade reduces myocardial reperfusion injury in cholesterol-fed apolipoprotein E knockout mice / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) antagonist Z-guggulsterone in an in vivo high-fat fed apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice model of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male ApoE(-/-) mice were randomly divided into three groups: standard ApoE(-/-) group (fed with standard mouse diet for 12 weeks before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 18), high-fat ApoE(-/-) group (fed with high-fat mouse diet for 12 weeks before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 22), and high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group(fed with high-fat mouse diet for 12 weeks and received FXR antagonist Z-Guggulsterone 30 minutes before myocardial I/R procedure, n = 17). The expression of FXR was detected by real-time quantitative-PCR. Myocardial infarct size was determined by Evans blue/TTC double staining methods. Myocardial apoptosis was determined by in situ TUNEL technique. Markers of the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway (cytochrome c release, caspase-9 activity, and BAX and BCL-2 levels), endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptotic pathway (caspase-12 activity and CHOP level), and death receptor apoptotic pathway (caspase-8 activity, and Fas and FasL levels) were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>FXR expression (3.7-fold higher, P < 0.01), myocardial infarct size [(62.1 ± 7.0)% vs. (33.8 ± 5.8)%, P < 0.01] and myocardial apoptosis index[ (36.8 ± 5.7)% vs. (17.2 ± 3.8)%, P < 0.01]were all significantly higher in high-fat ApoE(-/-) group than those in standard ApoE(-/-) group. Compared with high-fat ApoE(-/-) group, myocardial infarct size [(24.4 ± 4.7)% vs. (62.1 ± 7.0)%, P < 0.01] and myocardial apoptosis index [(13.8 ± 2.7)% vs. (36.8 ± 5.7)%, P < 0.01] were significantly reduced in high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group. Moreover, levels of mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway markers (cytochrome c release, caspase-9 activity, and BAX/BCL-2 levels) and endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptotic pathway markers (caspase-12 activity and CHOP level) were significantly lower in high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group than those in high-fat ApoE(-/-) group (all P < 0.01). Levels of death receptor apoptotic pathway markers (caspase-8 activity, and Fas and FasL levels) were similar between high-fat ApoE(-/-) group and high-fat ApoE(-/-) + FXR antagonist group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FXR antagonist alleviates myocardial reperfusion injury in cholesterol-fed ApoE(-/-) mice via inhibition of the mitochondrial-mediated and endoplasmic-reticulum stress pathway.</p>

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to coal-burning borne fluorosis in Guizhou province / 中国地方病学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the distribution of vitamin D receptor(VDR) gene polymorphisms in coal-burning borne fluorosis in Guizhou province and investigate the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to coal-burning borne fluorosis.MethodsOne hundred and fifty villagers from non-improving cooking stove villages were selected as a non-intervention group in Bijie area,Guizhou province where coal-burning borne fluorosis was prevailing; 150 villagers were chosen from cooking stove improved villages as a intervention group; 150 villagers were selected from non-endemic area Changshun county as a control group.DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of these people.Genotype of VDR gene Bsm Ⅰ and Fok Ⅰ loci were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).ResultsDistribution of Bsm Ⅰ polymorphism site of VDR gene of control group [AA:19.3％ (29/150),AG:39.3％ (59/150),GG:41.3％(62/150)],was compared with that[AA:4.7％(7/150),AG:14.0％(21/150),GG:81.3％(122/150)] of the non-intervention group and that[AA:7.3％(11/150),AG:23.3％(35/150),GG:69.3％(104/150)] of intervention group,and the difference was statistically significant(X2 =56.6,P ＜ 0.05).The frequency of VDR-Fok Ⅰ loci in non-intervention group [TT:29.3％(44/150),TC:55.3％(83/150),CC:15.3％(23/150)] and intervention group [TT:32.7％(49/150),TC:55.3％(83/150),CC:12.0％(18/150)] was compared with that [TT:45.3％(68/150),TC:48.7％(73/150),CC:6.0％(9/150)] of control group,and the difference was statistically significant(X2 =11.9,P ＜ 0.05).Univariate analysis showed that individuals carrying the GG genotype had increased risk of suffering fluorosis than individuals carrying the AA and AG genotypes(OR values were 6.2,3.2,all P ＜ 0.05),while carrying the TC and CC genotype had increased risk of suffering fluorosis than individuals carrying the TT genotype (OR values were 1.3,2.8,1.3,2.1,all P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionVDR gene polymorphisms may be one of the predisposing factors of coal-burning borne fluorosis.

Polymorphisms of homocysteine metabolism enzyme-related genes MS and MSR in Buyi, Dong and Miao ethnics from Guizhou / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate polymorphisms of homocysteine metabolism enzyme-related genes methionine synthase (MS) and methionine synthase reductase (MSR) in Buyi, Dong, Miao ethnics from Guizhou.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genotypes of MS and MSR genes of healthy individuals from the three ethnic groups were determined with a TaqMan-MGB probe genotyping method and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For Buyi, Dong and Miao ethnics from Guizhou, frequencies of MS gene 2756G allele were respectively 12.0%, 8.9% and 15.4%. However, no significant difference was found by statistics. Frequencies of MS A2756G alleles for the three ethnic groups are similar to those of Han Chinese from Beijing and Henan, Hui ethnics from Ningxia as well as European populations, but differ significantly from those of Japanese, Indians, Africans and Nigerians (P < 0.05). Frequencies of MSR gene 66 G allele were respectively 32.3%, 30.4% and 21.2% for Buyi, Dong and Miao ethnics. Miao is significantly lower than Buyi and Dong (P< 0.05). Frequencies of MSR gene A66G alleles for the three ethnic groups are similar to those of Han Chinese from Beijing and Guangdong, Japanese, Africans and Nigerians populations, but differ significantly from those of Indians and European (P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The distributions of MS gene A2756G and MSR gene A66G polymorphisms have differed significantly between the three ethnic groups and individuals from various regions.</p>

Construction of directional differentiation model from mouse embryonic stem cells to Leydig-like cells in vitro / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a directional differentiation model from mouse embryonic stem cells into leydig-like cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mouse ES-D3 cells were transfected with plasmid containing steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) gene, then treated with RA and 8Br-cAMP, while the cells transfected with empty plasmid were used as the negative controls. The morphology of leydig-like cells differentiated from ES-D3 cells was observed with light microscopy. The expression levels of StAR, P450scc and 3β-HSD were detected by RT-PCR, Western Blot and fluorescence microscopy analysis in leydig-like cells derived from the ES cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ES-D3 cells were transfected with plasmid containing SF-1 gene successfully, and SF-1 was expressed 24 h after transfection. The SF-1-transfected ES-D3 cells were induced by RA and 8Br-cAMP to differentiate into leydig-like cells. The differentiated cells showed spindle shape with tentacles, which expressed the specific protein marker for leydig cells 3β-HSD1 and P450scc. Meanwhile, in these leydig-like cells, the expression of StAR increased compared with control group. 3β-HSD1, P450scc and StAR were not detected in negative control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>When the ES-D3 cells are transfected with SF-1 plasmid and then treated with RA and 8Br-cAMP, the cells are able to differentiate into leydig-like cells, indicating that the model of directional differentiation of ES cells into leydig-like cells has been constructed successfully.</p>

Study on the association between RANTES-403G/A as well as-28C/G gene polymorphism and their susceptibility to the hepatitis B virus infections in Dong and Han ethnicities in Guizhou,China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the association between both regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)-403G/A,-28C/G gene polymorphism and the susceptibilities to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection,among people with Dong and Han ethnicities,in Guizhou.Methods A total of 229 individuals with HBV persistence infection,161 HBV clearanced patients and another 200 controls were recruited to conduct a case-control study among residents with Dong or Han ethnicities.Allelic frequencies of both RANTES-403G/A and-28C/G were identified by TaqMan-MGB probe.Results Both RANTES-403G/A and-28C/G polymorphism in the HBV-persistent group,when compared to the HBV-clearances group,no significant difference was found (P＞0.05).Results from the univariate analysis showed that subjects carrying-403AG and-28GG genotype had higher risk on the susceptibility to HBV persistence infection.The distributions of RANTES-28C/G gene polymorphism between Dong minority and Han ethnicities regarding HBV persistence showed statistically significant difference (P＜0.05).There was no difference on the distributions of RANTES-403G/A gene polymorphism between Dong minority and Han ethnicities.Conclnsion Patients that carrying both RANTES-403AG and-28GG genotype had higher risk on the persistence to HBV,while RANTES-403A had contributed to the clearance of HBV infection.

Genetic association between interleukin-10 promoter microsatellite polymorphisms and hepatitis B virus infection in Yi, Yao and Han ethnic populations of Guizhou province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the association between interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene promoter microsatellite polymorphisms and the susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection in Han,Yi and Yao ethnicities in GuiZhou province.Methods 500 volunteers were selected from Guizhou province.Ailelic frequency of IL-10.G and IL-10.R loci was identified by short tandom repeat polymerase chain reaction.The relativity between allelic frequency and HBV infection was analyzed.Results Genotype data from H-W analysis on all the IL-10 polymorphisms indicated that it was a random distribution.Very high HBV infection rates were found in the native ethnic minorities of Guizhou province.The overall HBV infection rate among the total population was 67.00％,with the HBV infection rates of Yi nationality in Weining,Yi nationality in Qianxi,Yao nationality in Libo and Han nationality in Libo as 51.85％,42.86％,79.52％ and 84.30％,respe~vely.The polymorphisms distribution of IL- 10.G and IL- 10.R were statistically different among the ethnic groups (P＜ 0.05 ).The polymorphisms distribution of IL-10.R had no significant difference between HBV infection group and non-infection group,as well as among HBV natural removal group and non-infected group in all the ethnic groups.The frequency of IL-10.G 459 bp (19CA) was significantly higher in non-infection group than in the infected group (P＜ 0.05 ).The frequency of IL-10.G 471 bp (25CA) was significantly higher in the non-infection group than in the HBV natural removal group(P＜0.05).The polymorphisms distribution of IL-10.G did not show significant difference between the HBV infection group and the HBV natural removal group in all the ethnic groups.We did not find any differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies of IL-10.G between infection group and non-infection group in Yi nationality in Weining,and Yao nationality in Libo (P＞0.05),as well as HBV natural removal group and non-infected group (P＞0.05).Conclusion The polymorphisms distribution of IL-10.R and IL-10.G did not show significant difference in Yi,Yao and Han ethnics population living in Guizhou province.IL-10.G seemed to influence the susceptibility of HBV infection in Han,Yao and Yi ethnics population of Guizhou province.

Relationship between-262C/T and-21A/T polymorphism of catalase gene and coal-burning borne fluorosis / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between -262C/T and -21A/T polymorphisms of catalase(CAT) gene and coal-burning borne fluorosis. Methods In 2007, 150 villagers were taken as a nonintervention group in Bijie city from the village of coal-burning borne fluorosis areas with unchanged cooking stoves;150 villagers were taken as the intervention group from the town of Changchun county where cooking stoves changed; 150 villagers were taken as control from non-endemic fluorosis areas in Baiyun town of Changshun county.PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism were employed to detect genotypes of CAT-262C/T and CAT-21A/T polymorphism of CAT gene. Results The genotypic frequencies of CAT-262C/T and CAT-21A/T in nonintervention group,intervention group and control group were in line with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law (P＞ 0.05 ).The genotypes of CC and CT were detected while no TT were detected for CAT-262C/T polymorphism; the genotypes of AA, AT and TT were detected for CAT-21A/T. The genotype frequencies of CAT-262 CC, CT in control group, intervention group and non-intervention group were (89.33%(134/150), 10.67%(16/150); 88.67%(133/150), 11.33% (17/150),93.33% (140/150),6.67% (10/150), respectively. The gene frequency of C in control group, intervention group and non-intervention group were (94.67% (284/300), 94.33% (283/300),96.67%(290/300), respectively. The gene frequency of T in control group, intervention group and non-intervention group were 5.33%(16/300), 5.67%(17/300), 3.33%(10/300), respectively. The genotype frequencies of CAT-21 AA,AT and TT in control group, intervention group and non-intervention group were 48.67%(73/150),46.00%(69/150),5.33%(8/150) ,52.67%(79/150) ,38.00%(57/150) ,9.33% (14/150) ,51.33%(77/150) ,38.00%(57/150), 10.67%(16/150), respectively. The gene frequency of A in control group, intervention group and non-intervention group were 71.67%(215/300),71.67%(215/300),70.33%(211/300), respectively. The gene frequency of T in control group, intervention group and non-intervention group were 28.33% (85/300),28.33% (85/300),29.67% (89/300),respectively. CAT-262C/T and CAT-21A/T genotype and allele frequencies in the control group, the intervention group and non-intervention group showed no significant differences in the distribution(x2= 0.331,0.336, all P ＞0.05 ). Conclusion CAT-262C/T and CAT-21A/T polymorphism is not associated with coal-burning borne fluorosis.

Factors affecting thrombolysis in myocardial infarction myocardial perfusion frame count: insights of myocardial tissue-level reperfusion from a novel index for assessing myocardial perfusion / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Myocardial tissue-level perfusion failure is associated with adverse outcomes following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) despite successful epicardial recanalization. We have developed a new quantitative index-thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) myocardial perfusion frame count (TMPFC)--for assessing myocardial tissue level perfusion. However, factors affecting this novel index of myocardial perfusion are currently unknown.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 255 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty were enrolled. Myocardial tissue level perfusion was assessed by TMPFC, which measures the filling and clearance of contrast in the myocardium using cine-angiographic frame counting. We differentiate three groups with two cut off values for TMPFC: a TMPFC of 90 frames was the upper boundary of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the TMPFC observed in normal arteries, and a TMPFC of 130 was the 75th percentile of TMPFC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>STEMI patients with TMPFC > 130 frames (68 patients, 26.7%) had higher clinical and angiographic risk factor profiles as well as a higher 30-day MACE rate compared with those with TMPFC ≤ 90 frames and those with TMPFC > 90 and ≤ 130 frames. Multivariable analysis identified that the independent predictors of TMPFC > 130 frames were age ≥ 75 years (OR 2.08, 95%CI 1.21 to 3.58, P = 0.007), diabetes (OR 1.37, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.86, P = 0.042), Killip class ≥ 2 (OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.05 to 2.21, P = 0.027), and prolonged pain-to-balloon time (OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.07 to 2.79, P = 0.013). TMPFC > 130 frames was identified as the strongest independent predictor of 30-day major adverse cardiac event (MACE) (OR 2.77, 95%CI 1.21 to 6.31, P = 0.008), along with age ≥ 75 years (OR 2.19, 95%CI 1.11 to 4.33, P = 0.016), female gender (OR 1.67, 95%CI 1.03 to 2.70, P = 0.038), and Killip class ≥ 2 (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.07 to 3.14, P = 0.021).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>STEMI patients with poor myocardial perfusion assessed by TMPFC had higher risk factor profiles. Advanced age, diabetes, higher Killip class, and longer ischemia time were independent predictors of impaired TMPFC after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. These results emphasize that particular attention should be paid on myocardial microvascular reperfusion in STEMI patients with these risk factors.</p>

Expression of glutathione S-transferase mRNA in peripheral blood of the population in coal-burning fluorosis area / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To investigate expression of glutathione S-transferase(GST) mRNA in peripheral blood of the population in coal-burning fluorosis area and to evaluate the effect of comprehensive control intervention. Methods Fifty samples of peripheral blood from patients in the coal-buring fluorosis area in Bijie county of Guizhou province were selected as fluorasis group and 50 samples of peripheral blood from patients in area with comprehensive management were selected as intervention group, respectively. Fifty samples from non-endemic fluorosis area were selected as the control group. Total RNA from blood was extracted and purified by the Trizol- Phenol-Chloroform one-step method. Expression of GST mRNA was detected by using SYBR Green I real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results The data of GST mRNA in fluorosis group, intervention group and control group was 38.28±27.22,70.56±37.23 and 103.46 ± 46.62, respectively. There was a significant difference between the groups(F = 3.75, P < 0.05). Decreased expression of GST mRNA in fluorosis group and intervention group as compare to control was detected(all P < 0.05), and the expression of GST mRNA in intervention group was higher than that in fluorosis group(P < 0.05). Conclusion Coal-burning fluorosis possibly led to the decreased expression of GST mRNA in peripheral blood, and comprehensive control maybe prevent the decreased expression of GST in mRNA level.

Influence of APP(SWE) transfection on nicotinic receptors in cultured neuronal cells / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of APP(SWE) on the expression of neuronal acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and its relationship with Alzheimer's disease (AD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>APP(SWE), carried the Swedish family AD double mutants, were transfected into SH-SY5Y cells and primary cultured neurons from rat brains to build a cellular model of AD. The mRNA levels of APP and nAChRs, and the protein levels of total APP, αAPPs and nAChRs in the cultured cells were measured using real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The numbers of α3 nAChR were determined by receptor-[³H]epibatidine binding assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Increased expressions of Swedish 670/671 APP at mRNA and protein levels, and down-regulation of αAPPs were observed in both of the cultured neuronal cells transfected with APP(SWE). A significant increase of α7 nAChR expression at protein and mRNA levels was detected in the APP(SWE) transfected SH-SY5Y cells. On the other hand, after transfection with APP(SWE), the expressions of α3 nAChR at protein and mRNA levels in SH-SY5Y cells, and α4 nAChR at mRNA level in primary cultured neurons were inhibited. In addition, the numbers of receptor binding sites were deceased in SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing with APP(SWE).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Overexpression of APP(SWE) can decrease αAPPs and modify nAChRs by increasing expression of α7 nAChR and decreasing α3 and α4 nAChRs, which might play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD.</p>