Diallyl disulfide augments sensitivity of DJ-1 overexpressed human gastric cells to 5-FU / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate whether diallyl disul-fide (DADS) augments the sensitivity of DJ-1 (protein/ nucleic acid deglycase) overexpressed human gastric SGC7901 cells to 5-FU (5-fluorouracil). Methods The experimental groups include control group, DADS group, VCR (vincristine) group, VCR + DADS group, DJ-1 group, DJ-1 + DADS group. MTT was used to analyze the effect of DADS on 5 -FU (5 -fluorou- racil) induced proliferation inhibition. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the effect of DADS on cell apoptosis. RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluo-rescence were used for determine the effect of DADS on the drug resistance associated gene expression. Results DADS enhanced the proliferation inhibitory effect of 5-FU on DJ-1 overexpressed cells and VCR resistant cells. DADS could induce apoptosis in VCR-resistant cells. DADS downregulated the expression of DJ-1 while inducing apoptosis in DJ-1 overexpressed cells. DJ-1 overexpression upregulated the expression of P-gp (P-glycoprotein), Bcl-2, and XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein), downregulated the expression of caspase-3. DADS decreased the expression of P-gp, Bcl-2, and XIAP, while increased the expression of caspase-3 in DJ-1 overexpressed cells and VCR-resistant cells. Conclusions DADS can augment the sensitivity of DJ-1 overexpressed cells to 5-FU, which is related to its antagonism against DJ-1 mediated upregula- tion of P-gp, Bcl-2, XIAP, and downregulation of caspase-3.

Research research on the use of melatonin in combination with therapeutic hypothermia for the treatment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy / 中国当代儿科杂志

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term neurodevelopmental disorders in full-term neonates, and there is currently no curative treatment. Therapeutic hypothermia is now a standard therapy for HIE in the neonatal intensive care unit, but its safety and efficacy in remote areas remains unclear. Melatonin is an indole endocrine hormone mainly produced by the pineal gland and it has the ability to easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Through receptor and non-receptor mechanisms, melatonin exerts anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and participates in the regulation of organelle function and the inhibition of cell death. Melatonin is considered one of the most promising drugs for the treatment of HIE based on its reliable safety profile and clinical/preclinical results. This article reviews the recent research on the use of melatonin in combination with therapeutic hypothermia for the treatment of neonatal HIE.

Association between MTHFR c.677C>T variant and erectile dysfunction among males attending fertility clinic / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Genetic risk factors have been shown to contribute to the development of sexual dysfunction. However, the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variants in the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. In this study, we recruited 1254 participants who underwent ED assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5. The MTHFR c.677C>T variant was also measured by fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No significant difference in the genotypic frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism (CC, CT, and TT) was observed between men from the ED and non-ED groups. In addition, on binary logistic regression analysis, both crude and adjusted models showed that the risk of ED was not significantly associated with the C677T polymorphism. Interestingly, a significantly higher frequency of the 677TT polymorphism was found in severe and moderate ED (P = 0.02). The positive correlation between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and severe ED was confirmed by logistic regression analysis, even after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio [OR] = 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-5.50, P = 0.02). These findings suggest a positive correlation between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and the risk of severe ED. Identification of MTHFR gene polymorphisms may provide complementary information for ED patients during routine clinical diagnosis.

Risk factors for neonatal asphyxia and establishment of a nomogram model for predicting neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture: a multicenter study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and establish a nomogram model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia.@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was conducted with 613 cases of neonatal asphyxia treated in 20 cooperative hospitals in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture from January to December 2019 as the asphyxia group, and 988 randomly selected non-asphyxia neonates born and admitted to the neonatology department of these hospitals during the same period as the control group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for neonatal asphyxia. R software (4.2.2) was used to establish a nomogram model. Receiver operator characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, respectively.@*RESULTS@#Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that minority (Tujia), male sex, premature birth, congenital malformations, abnormal fetal position, intrauterine distress, maternal occupation as a farmer, education level below high school, fewer than 9 prenatal check-ups, threatened abortion, abnormal umbilical cord, abnormal amniotic fluid, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, emergency caesarean section, and assisted delivery were independent risk factors for neonatal asphyxia (P<0.05). The area under the curve of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia based on these risk factors was 0.748 (95%CI: 0.723-0.772). The calibration curve indicated high accuracy of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia. The decision curve analysis showed that the model could provide a higher net benefit for neonates at risk of asphyxia.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture are multifactorial, and the nomogram model based on these factors has good value in predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, which can help clinicians identify neonates at high risk of asphyxia early, and reduce the incidence of neonatal asphyxia.

Analysis of clinicopathological characteristics, therapeutic strategy and prognosis of 501 patients with gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms attending a single center / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To explore the clinicopathological features, treatment strategy and to analysis of prognosis-related risk factors of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms(G-NEN). Methods: In this study, a retrospective observational study method was used to collect the clinicopathological data of patients diagnosed with G-NEN by pathological examination in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2000 to December 2021. The basic information of the patients, tumor pathological characteristics, and treatment methods were entered, and the treatment information and survival data after discharge were followed up and recorded. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to construct survival curves, and the log-rank test to analyze the differences in survival between groups. Cox Regression model analysis of risk factors affecting the prognosis of G-NEN patients. Results: Among the 501 cases confirmed as G-NEN, 355 were male and 146 were female, and their median age was 59 years. The cohort comprised 130 patients (25.9%) of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) G1, 54 (10.8%) of NET G2, 225 (42.9%) of neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), and 102 cases (20.4%) of mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine(MiNEN). Patients NET G1 and NET G2 were mainly treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). The main treatment for patients with NEC/MiNEN was the same as that for gastric malignancies, namely radical gastrectomy+lymph node dissection supplemented with postoperative chemotherapy. There were significant differences in sex, age, maximum tumor diameter, tumor morphology, tumor numbers, tumor location, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, TNM staging and expression of immunohistological markers Syn and CgA among NET, NEC, and MiNEN patients (all P<0.05). Further for NET subgroup analysis, there were significant differences between NET G1 and NET G2 in the maximum tumor diameter, tumor shape and depth of invasion(all P<0.05). 490 patients (490/501, 97.8%) were followed up with a median of 31.2 months. 163 patients had a death during follow-up (NET G1 2, NET G2 1, NEC 114, MiNEN 46). For NET G1, NET G2, NEC and MiNEN patients,the 1-year overall survival rates were 100%, 100%, 80.1% and 86.2%, respectively; the 3-year survival rates were 98.9%, 100%, 43.5% and 55.1%, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Univariate analysis showed that gender, age, smoking history, alcohol history, tumor pathological grade, tumor morphology, tumor location, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM stage were associated with the prognosis of G-NEN patients (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age ≥60 years, pathological grade of NEC and MiNEN, distant metastasis, and TNM stage III-IV were independent factors influencing the survival of G-NEN patients (all P<0.05). 63 cases were stage IV at initial diagnosis. 32 of these were treated with surgery and 31 with palliative chemotherapy. Stage IV subgroup analysis showed that the 1-year survival rates were 68.1% and 46.2% in the surgical treatment and palliative chemotherapy groups, respectively, and the 3-year survival rates were 20.9% and 10.3%, respectively; the differences were statistically significant (P=0.016). Conclusions: G-NEN is a heterogeneous group of tumors. Different pathological grades of G-NEN have different clinicopathological features and prognosis. Factors such as age ≥ 60 years old, pathological grade of NEC/MiNEN, distant metastasis, stage III, IV mostly indicate poor prognosis of patients. Therefore, we should improve the ability of early diagnosis and treatment, and pay more attention to patients with advanced age and NEC/MiNEN. Although this study concluded that surgery improves the prognosis of advanced patients more than palliative chemotherapy, the value of surgical treatment for patients with stage IV G-NEN remains controversial.

Association between semen collection time and semen parameters: an observational study / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The process of semen collection plays a key role in the quality of semen specimens. However, the association between semen collection time and semen quality is still unclear. In this study, ejaculates by masturbation from 746 subfertile men or healthy men who underwent semen analysis were examined. The median (interquartile range) semen collection time for all participants was 7.0 (5.0-11.0) min, and the median time taken for semen collection was lower in healthy men than that in subfertile men (6.0 min vs 7.0 min). An increase in the time required to produce semen samples was associated with poorer semen quality. Among those undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), the miscarriage rate was positively correlated with the semen collection time. After adjusting for confounders, the highest quartile (Q4) of collection time was negatively associated with semen volume and sperm concentration. A longer time to produce semen samples (Q3 and Q4) was negatively correlated with progressive and total sperm motility. In addition, there was a significant negative linear association between the semen collection time and the sperm morphology. Higher risks of asthenozoospermia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31-3.25, P = 0.002) and teratozoospermia (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.10-3.55, P = 0.02) were observed in Q3 than those in Q1. Our results indicate that a higher risk of abnormal semen parameter values was associated with an increase in time for semen collection, which may be related to male fertility through its association with semen quality.

Establishment and validation of a nomogram for predicting prognosis of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms based on data from 490 cases in a single center / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To develop and validate a nomogram for predicting outcomes of patients with gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (G-NENs).@*METHODS@#We retrospectively collected the clinical data from 490 patients with the diagnosis of G-NEN at our medical center from 2000 to 2021. Log-rank test was used to analyze the overall survival (OS) of the patients. The independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of G-NEN were identified by Cox regression analysis to construct the prognostic nomogram, whose performance was evaluated using the C-index, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the ROC curve (AUC), calibration curve, DCA, and AUDC.@*RESULTS@#Among the 490 G-NEN patients (mean age of 58.6±10.92 years, including 346 male and 144 female patients), 130 (26.5%) had NET G1, 54 (11.0%) had NET G2, 206 (42.0%) had NEC, and 100 (20.5%) had MiNEN. None of the patients had NET G3. The numbers of patients in stage Ⅰ-Ⅳ were 222 (45.3%), 75 (15.3%), 130 (26.5%), and 63 (12.9%), respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified age, pathological grade, tumor location, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and F-NLR as independent risk factors affecting the survival of the patients (P < 0.05). The C-index of the prognostic nomogram was 0.829 (95% CI: 0.800-0.858), and its AUC for predicting 1-, 3- and 5-year OS were 0.883, 0.895 and 0.944, respectively. The calibration curve confirmed a good consistency between the model prediction results and the actual observations. For predicting 1-year, 3-year and 5-year OS, the TNM staging system and the nomogram had AUC of 0.033 vs 0.0218, 0.191 vs 0.148, and 0.248 vs 0.197, respectively, suggesting higher net benefit and better clinical utility of the nomogram.@*CONCLUSION@#The prognostic nomogram established in this study has good predictive performance and clinical value to facilitate prognostic evaluation of individual patients with G-NEN.

CiteSpace-Based Visualization Analysis of Forensic Research in China from 2010 to 2019 / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To analyze the research status of forensic medicine in China from 2010 to 2019, obtain the development trend of forensic medicine and explore the hotspots and research frontiers.@*METHODS@#The forensic medical academic papers published on China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database from 2010 to 2019 were collected. CiteSpace 5.7.R1, an information visualization analysis software, was used to analyze publication organizations, authors, keywords, and other elements.@*RESULTS@#The majority of the research institutions were universities, provincial and ministerial scientific research and forensic institutions. Forensic pathology was still an important branch of forensic medicine and a popular research direction. The "polymorphism" and "Y chromosome" had been the research hotspots in recent years. "Medical damage" and "standard" were the most novel studies.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In order to provide scientific basis and research direction for forensic research, this paper analyzes the cooperation network, research hotspots and research innovation in forensic research.

Association of sexually transmitted infection with semen quality in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aims to compare the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with semen quality in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility. Semen samples were collected from 133 men who requested fertility evaluation. Seminal tract infection with Ureaplasma spp. (UU), Mycoplasma hominis (MH), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) was assessed by PCR-based diagnostic assays. Among all patients, the prevalence of STIs was higher in men from couples with primary infertility than that in men from couples with secondary infertility (39.7% vs 21.7%, P = 0.03). The prevalence of UU was 28.8% and 13.3% in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility, respectively. Men from couples with primary infertility were more likely to be positive for UU than men from couples with secondary infertility (P = 0.04). Regarding the UU subtype, the prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uuu) and Ureaplasma parvum (Uup; including Uup1, Uup3, Uup6, and Uup14) did not differ between the two groups. No associations between the prevalence rates of MH, MG, and CT were found in men from either infertility group. A lower sperm concentration was associated with STI pathogen positivity in men with primary infertility according to the crude model (P = 0.04). The crude and adjusted models showed that semen volume (both P = 0.03) and semen leukocyte count (both P = 0.02) were independently associated with secondary infertility. These findings suggest the importance of classifying the type of infertility during routine diagnosis of seminal tract infections.

Silencing DNMT1 Attenuates the Effect of WIF-1 Gene Promoter Methylation on the Biological Behavior of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia K562 Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of silencing DNA methyltransferase 1(DNMT1) to the methylation of the promoter of the tumor suppressor gene wnt-1 (WIF-1) in human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells.@*METHODS@#DNMT1 siRNAi plasmid was constructed and DNMT1 siRNAi was transfected into CML K562 cells. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of DNMT1 gene and related protein, and methylation PCR was used to detect WIF-1 gene promoter methylation level. The trypan blue exclusion and MTT assay were used to detect the cell proliferation, flow cytometry were used to detect the cell apoptosis rate, colony formation assay was used to detect cell colony formation ability. Expression of Wnt/β- catenin and its downstream signaling pathway proteins were detected by Western blot after DNMT1 gene was silenced.@*RESULTS@#The expression level of DNMT1 mRNA and its related protein in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group and negative control group (P<0.05). After 72 hours of successful transfection, the WIF-1 gene in the control group and negative control group were completely methylated, while in the experimental group, the methylation level significantly decreased. The results of MSP showed that the PCR product amplified by the unmethylated WIF-1 primer in the experimental group increased significantly,while by the methylated WIF-1 primer decreased significantly. After 48 h of transfection, the OD value, viable cell number and colony formation of the cells in experimental group were significantly lower than those in the negative control group and the control group (P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of the cells in experimental group was significantly higher than those in the negative control group and control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of β- actin, myc, cyclin D1 and TCF-1 in K562 cells in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the negative control group and control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Silencing DNMT1 gene can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of K562 cells. The mechanism may be related to reverse the hypermethylation level of the WIF-1 gene promoter, thereby inhibit the activity of the Wnt/β- catenin signaling pathway.

Abdominal drainage versus no drainage after laparoscopy-assisted D2 gastrectomy for gastric cancer / 中国实用外科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the value of unconventional prophylactic drain placement in laparoscopy assisted D2 gastrectomy for gastric cancer.METHODS: The clinical data of 193 patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopy-assisted D2 Gastrectomy in Department of General Surgery,Chinese PLA General Hospital between February 2017 and February 2018 were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were divided into two groups according to whether the abdominal drain was placed.The drain group comprised 150 patients with routine prophylactic intraabdominal drain placement and the no drain group comprised 43 patients without intra-abdominal drain placement after laparoscopy-assisted D2 gastrectomy.The general information,post-operative recovery and the incidence of postoperative complications were compared in the two groups.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the general information and postoperative complications in the two groups.The no drain group had shorter hospital stay[(7.17±0.14)d vs.(10.88±0.88) d,(P<0.05)],and shorter exhaust time[(3.39±0.21)d vs.(4.30±0.16)d,P<0.01],less pain [VAS(3.23±0.61) vs.(5.39±0.42),(P<0.05)] and less times of wound dressing change after operation [(3.53±0.52)vs.(7.81±1.05),(P<0.05)] compared with the drain group.CONCLUSION: The unconventional prophylactic drain placement in laparoscopy assisted D2 gastrectomy is safe and feasible.Unnecessary drain placement should be avoided.

Advanced studies on ovary physiology in China in the past 30 years / 生理学报

Follicular development and differentiation are sequential events which are tightly regulated by endocrine hormones, intraovarian regulators and cell-cell interactions. Balanced cell proliferation and apoptosis play an important role in the selection of dominant follicle. Primordial germ cell migration and homing within the gonadal ridge requires regulation by integrated signals, such as the oocyte-secreted polypeptide growth factors, the growth and differentiation factor 9, the bone morphogenetic proteins, stem cell factor (SCF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), the transcription factor Wilms' tumour 1 (Wt1), and involves the contact of primordial germ cells with extra-cellular matrix proteins and cellular substrates and attraction by the developing gonads. Maturation of cumulus-oocyte complexes and ovulation are directly controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH) and require activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in granulosa cells. In this review, the key molecules involved in the cell-cell interaction and signal transduction during follicular development, differentiation and ovulation will be summarized, mainly focusing on the signaling factors produced by oocyte and the somatic cells.

Study on steroidal saponins from Dioscorea zingiberensis and their platelet aggregation activities / 中国中药杂志

Using the absorbent resin, silica gel and ODS column chromatography as well as semi-preparative HPLC, ten compounds were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of tubers of Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright, and their structures were elucidated as trigoneoside XIIIa (1), parvifloside (2), trigoneoside IVa (3), deltoside (4), protobioside (5), lilioglycoside k (6), zingiberensis newsaponin I (7), deltonin (8), prosapogenin A of dioscin (9), and trillin (10) on the basis of NMR and MS spectral data analysis. Among these compounds, 1, 3, 5 and 6 were isolated from this plant for the first time. In the screening test on platelet aggregation, compounds 7 and 8 exhibited induction effect on platelet aggregation, while compound 9 exhibited significant inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation in vitro.

Chemical constituents from processed rhizomes of Panax notoginseng / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the chemical constituents of the processed rhizomes of Panax notoginseng, their 70% ethanol extract was chromatographed on macroporous resin (SP825), silica gel, RP-C18 and semi-preparative HPLC to afford compounds 1-23. On the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data analysis, their structures were identified to be 6'-O-Acetylginsenoside Rh1 (1), ginsenoside RK3 (2), ginsenoside Rh4 (3), 20S-ginsenoside Rg3 (4), ginsenoside Rk1 (5), 20R-ginsenoside Rg3 (6), ginsenoside Rg5 (7), ginsenoside F2 (8), 20S-ginsenoside Rh1 (9), 20R-ginsenoside Rh1 (10), gypenoside X VII (11), notoginsenoside Fa, (12), ginsenoside Ra3 (13), ginsenoside Rg1 (14), ginsenoside Re (15), notoginsenoside R2 (16), ginsenoside Rg2 (17), notoginsenoside R1 (18), ginsenoside Rd (19), ginsenoside Rb1 (20), notoginsenoside D (21), notoginsenoside R4 (22) and ginsenoside Rb2 (23), respectively. Among them, compound 1 was isolated from P. notoginseng for the first time, and compounds 4, 6, 8 and 11 were isolated from the processed P. notoginseng for the first time. According to the fingerprint profiles of raw and processed P. notoginseng, the putative chemical conversion pathways of panoxatriol and panoxadiol compounds in the processing procedure was deduced, and the results revealed the main reactions to be dehydration and glycosyl hydrolysis.

Identification of chemical constituents in qiliqiangxin capsule by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS(E) / 药学学报

In order to clarify the chemical constituents in Qiliqiangxin capsule, a rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography/orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS(E)) method was established. Forty peaks were identified on line using this method. The herbal sources of these peaks were assigned. The results implied that triterpenoid saponins, flavonoid glycosides, C21-steroids and phenolic acids were included in the main components of Qiliqiangxin capsule. The method is simple and rapid for elucidation of the constituents of Qiliqiangxin capsule and the results are useful for the quality control of Qiliqiangxin capsule.

Effect of 43 degrees treatment on expression of heat shock proteins 105, 70 and 60 in cultured monkey Sertoli cells / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To examine the possible effect of heat treatment on expression of heat shock proteins (Hsps) 105, 70, and 60 in primary monkey Sertoli cells and to evaluate the possible signal pathways.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Western blot analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and confocal immunohistochemistry were used to analyze mRNA and protein levels of the Hsps in response to 43 degrees treatment of Sertoli cells isolated from pubertal monkey testes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Staining with Hoechst 33342 indicated Sertoli cells did not undergo apoptosis after heat treatment. Hsp105 was expressed in cytoplasm of untreated Sertoli cells. Both Hsp105 mRNA and protein levels were increased approximately 20-fold compared to those of the untreated controls at 12 h after heat treatment. Untreated Sertoli cells did not express Hsp70, but heat stress induced its expression in the cell cytoplasm. The time-course of changes in Hsp70 was similar to that of Hsp105. In contrast to Hsp105 and Hsp70, the change in Hsp60 expression was much less obvious. The protein level between 12 h and 48 h after heat treatment was only approximately 1.5-fold that of the untreated control. Extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 inhibitor (U0126) or phosphoinositide kinase-3 (PI3K) inhibitor (LY294002) could partially block the response of Hsp105 and Hsp70 induced by heat treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results indicate that the heat-induced expression of the three types of Hsp in monkey Sertoli cells might be regulated by ERK and/or PI3K signal pathways, but the profile of their expression is different, suggesting that they might have different regulatory functions in Sertoli cells.</p>

Activation of extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 in Sertoli cells in experimentally cryptorchid rhesus monkeys / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To assess the spatiotemporal changes in the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in response to heat stress in the cryptorchid testis, and to investigate a possible relation to Sertoli cell dedifferentiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to examine the expression and activation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK in the cryptorchid testis at various stages after experimental cryptorchidism.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The abdominal temperature did not obviously change the total ERK1/2 expression but significantly activated phospho-ERK1/2 in the Sertoli cells of the cryptorchid testis. Heat stress increased total JNK expression in the Sertoli cells of the cryptorchid testis but did not activate phospho-JNK. Neither total p38 nor phospho-p38 was induced by heat stress in the Sertoli cells of the cryptorchid testis. Changes in the spatiotemporal expression of cytokeratin 18 (CK18), a marker of immature or undifferentiated Sertoli cells, were induced in the cryptorchid testis in a pattern similar to the activation of ERK1/2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The activation of ERK1/2 in the testis may be related to dedifferentiation of Sertoli cells under heat stress induced by experimental cryptorchidism.</p>

Integration of different T-DNA structures of ACC oxidase gene into carnation genome extended cut flower vase-life differently / 生物工程学报

The cultivar 'Master' of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) was transformed with four T-DNA structures containing sense, antisense, sense direct repeat and antisense direct repeat gene of ACC oxidase mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Southern blotting detection showed that foreign gene was integrated into the carnation genome and 14 transgenic lines were obtained. The transgenic plants were transplanted to soil and grew normally in greenhouse. Of the 12 transgenic lines screened, the cut flower vase life of 8 transgenic lines is up to 11 days and the longest one is 12.8 days while the vase life of the control is 5.8 days under 25 degrees C. The vase life of 2 lines out of 3 with single sense ACO gene is same as that of the control, while the vase life of 3 lines out of 4 with single antisense ACO gene is prolonged. The vase life of cut flowers of 5 lines with direct repeat ACO genes is all prolonged by about 6 days, while the vase life of 3 out of 7 lines with single ACO gene is same as that of the control. During the senescence of cut flowers, the ethylene production of the most of the transgenic lines decreased significantly, and the production of ethylene is not detectable in lines T456, T556 and T575. The results of the research demonstrate that antisense foreign gene inhibits expression of endogenesis gene more significantly than sense one. Both sense direct repeat and antisense direct repeat foreign genes can suppress endogenous gene expression more significantly comparing to single foreign genes. The transgenic lines obtained from this research are useful to minimize carnation cut flower transportation and storage expenses.

Effect of RU486 on apoptosis and p53 expression at the boundary of fetal-maternal interface of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) / 生理学报

Primate placentation involves a series of cell proliferation, immigration and apoptosis which account for the progressive tissue remodelling at the implantation site. p53 is an important proto-oncogene involved in the regulation of cell-cycle and apoptosis. To study the effect of RU486 on apoptosis and expression of p53 at the fetal-maternal interface, the location of apoptotic cells and expression of p53 were examined using in situ 3'-end labeling method, immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay at the fetal-maternal interface of normal and RU486 treated rhesus monkey. Western blot analysis showed the specificity of the anti-human antibody used with the monkey tissue. In the placental villi, the apoptotic nuclei were observed mainly in the syncytiotrophoblast and part of the cytotrophoblast within the cell column; p53 protein was detected mainly in the cytotrophoblast. In the endometrium, positive signals for apoptosis and p53 were detected in some stromal cells. After two days of mifepristone treatment, the apoptotic cells increased significantly in both placental villi and endometrium. In the villi, the increased apoptotic nuclei were mainly localized to the cytotrophoblast. At the same time, p53-positive nuclei also increased in both villous cytotrophoblast cells and endometrial stromal cells, after the treatment of RU486. These results suggest that apoptosis and expression of p53 are essential in regulating trophoblastic homeostasis by controlling its proliferation in normal placenta, whereas the up-regulation of p53 protein may play an important role in apoptosis that happens at the fetal-maternal interface induced by RU486.