FOXP4 promotes proliferation of human spermatogonial stem cells / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Continuous self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is vital for maintenance of adult spermatogenesis. Although several spermatogonial stem cell regulators have been extensively investigated in rodents, regulatory mechanisms of human SSC self-renewal and differentiation have not been fully established. We analyzed single-cell sequencing data from the human testis and found that forkhead box P4 (FOXP4) expression gradually increased with development of SSCs. Further analysis of its expression patterns in human testicular tissues revealed that FOXP4 specifically marks a subset of spermatogonia with stem cell potential. Conditional inactivation of FOXP4 in human SSC lines suppressed SSC proliferation and significantly activated apoptosis. FOXP4 expressions were markedly suppressed in tissues with dysregulated spermatogenesis. These findings imply that FOXP4 is involved in human SSC proliferation, which will help elucidate on the mechanisms controlling the fate decisions in human SSCs.

A new 9,19-cycloartane glycoside from Asplenium ruprechtii / 中国中药杂志

Chemical constituents of water extracts of Asplenium ruprechtii were investigated. Five compounds were isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatographies and preparative HPLC, and their structures were identified by various spectral analyses as aspleniumside G(1), trans-p-coumaric acid(2), trans-p-coumaric acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside(3), cis-p-coumaric acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside(4), and(E)-ferulic acid-4-O-β-D-glucoside(5). Among them, compound 1 is a new 9,19-cycloartane glycoside.

Improving native human sperm freezing protection by using a modified vitrification method / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Slow freezing is the most commonly used technique for the cryopreservation of spermatozoa in clinical practice. However, it has been shown to have a negative impact on sperm function and structure. Vitrification as a successful alternative method has been proved to have better protective effects on human embryos, but vitrification of spermatozoa is still subject to low recovery rates. In this study, a modified vitrification method for native spermatozoa was developed. A total of 28 semen samples were included; each sample was divided into three equal parts and assigned to fresh, slow freezing, and vitrification groups. Sperm vitality, motility, morphology, DNA integrity, and acrosome reaction were assessed for each of the groups. The results showed that vitrification achieves better results for several sperm protection parameters than slow freezing; vitrification achieves a higher recovery rate (P < 0.05), motility (P <0.05), morphology (P <0.05), and curve line velocity (P <0.05) than slow freezing. Furthermore, DNA fragmentation was decreased (P <0.05) and better acrosome protection (P <0.05) was exhibited in the spermatozoa after vitrification. Principal component analysis of all sperm parameters revealed that the vitrification cluster was closer to the fresh cluster, indicating that spermatozoa are better preserved through vitrification. In conclusion, while both slow freezing and vitrification have negative effects on sperm function and structure, the vitrification protocol described here had a relatively better recovery rate (65.8%) and showed improved preservation of several sperm quality parameters compared with slow freezing.

Isolation and Identification of Chemical Constituents from Ethanol Extract of Camptosorus sibiricus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the chemical constituents in 95%ethanol extract of the whole plant of Camptosorus sibiricus and determine its antioxidant activity. Method:Compounds were isolated by a combination of various chromato-graphic techniques, including column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase HPLC. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data reported in the literature. Result:Eleven compounds were identified as trans-p-coumaric acid (1),trans-p-coumaric acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside (2),cis-p-coumaric acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside (3),(E)-ferulic acid-4-O-β-D-glucoside (4),caffeic acid methyl ester (5),ferulic acid methyl ester (6),syringic acid (7),syringic acid-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8),protocatechualdehyde (9),vanillain (10) and syringaldehyde (11),respectively. Conclusion:Compounds 3-11 are isolated from the genus Camptosorus for the first time. In the in vitro SOD-like activity assays,compounds 7,9-11 show an antioxidant activity with half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)values of 16.70,11.70,12.23 and 13.52 μmol·L-1,respectively.

Expression of IQCG in the human testis and its correlation with asthenospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the expression and location of IQ motif-containing G (IQCG) in the human testis, compare its expression in normal-motility sperm with that in the sperm of asthenospermia patients, and explore its possible mechanisms and its correlation with fertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of the IQCG gene in the human testis was detected by RT-PCR and its location in the testis and sperm was determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. Semen samples were collected from normal males, patients with asthenospermia, and fertile men that succeeded in artificial insemination with donor's sperm (AID), followed by analysis of the IQCG protein expression in different groups of samples by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunohistochemistry showed that IQCG was extensively expressed in the human testis, in the spermatocytes and spermatids, specifically in the sperm tail, weakly expressed or absent in the spermatogonial stem cells, and strongly expressed in the spermatogonial cells. The expression of IQCG was significantly lower in the asthenospermia patients than in the normal males (P= 0.041). Western blot manifested that IQCG was expressed in the semen of all the three groups of subjects, with statistically significant differences between the normal men and severe asthenospermia patients (P = 0.032) as well as between the fertile males and the severe asthenospermia group (P = 0.027) .</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>IQCG may act on human sperm motility and its abnormal expression possibly reduces sperm motility and fertility. An insight into its action mechanisms may shed some new light on the etiology and treatment of asthenospermia.</p>

Intraoperative microvascular Doppler monitoring in intracranial aneurysm surgery / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms is often compromised by incomplete exclusion of the aneurysm or stenosis of parent vessels. Intraoperative microvascular Doppler (IMD) is an attractive, noninvasive, and inexpensive tool. The present study aimed to evaluate the usefulness and reliability of IMD for guiding clip placement in aneurysm surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 92 patients with 101 intracranial aneurysms were included in the study. IMD with a 1.5-mm diameter, 20-MHz microprobe was used before and after clip application to confirm aneurysm obliteration and patency of parent vessels and branching arteries. IMD findings were verified postoperatively with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or dual energy computed tomography angiography (DE-CTA). Ninety consecutive patients, harboring 108 aneurysms, who underwent surgery without IMD was considered as the control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The microprobe detected all vessels of the Circle of Willis and their major branches. Clips were repositioned in 24 (23.8%) aneurysms on the basis of the IMD findings consistent with incomplete exclusion and/or stenosis. IMD identified persistent weak blood flow through the aneurismal sac of 11 of the 101 (10.9%) aneurysms requiring clip adjustment. Stenosis or occlusion of the parent or branching arteries as indicated by IMD necessitated immediate clip adjustment in 19 aneurysms (18.8%). The mean duration of the IMD procedure was 4.8 minutes. The frequency of clip adjustment (mean: 1.8 times per case) was associated with the size and location of the aneurysm. There were no complications related to the use of IMD, and postoperative angiograms confirmed complete aneurysm exclusion and parent vessel patency. About 8.3% (9/108) aneurysms were unexpectedly incompletely occluded, and 10.2% (11/108) aneurysms and parent vessel stenosis without IMD were detected by postoperative DSA or DE-CTA. IMD could reduce the rate of residual aneurysm and unanticipated vessel stenosis which demonstrated statistically significant advantages compared with aneurysm surgery without IMD.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IMD is a safe, easily performed, reliable, and valuable tool that is suitable for routine use in intracranial surgery, especially in complicated, large, and giant aneurysms with wide neck or without neck.</p>

Effects of human IL-10 gene transfection on the mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α in the penumbra area following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats / 中华老年医学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of human IL-10 gene transfection on the mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α in the penumbra area following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats and to investigate its neuroprotective mechanism. MethodsRats were divided into four groups: normal control group, ischemic control group, empty plasmid group and human IL-10 gene transfected group. The mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α in the penumbra area were detected by fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA respectively. ResultsIn normal control group, ischemic control group, empty plasmid group and human IL-10 gene transfected group, the levels of protein expression of TNF-α in penumbra area were(0.66±0. 04) ,(1.16±0.26),(1. 155±0. 26)ng/g and(0. 84±0. 05)ng/g, and the levels of protein expression of IL-1βin penumbra area were(0.37±0.05), (1.25±0.39), (1.21±0.57) ng/g and(0.62+0.05)ng/g, respectively. Compared with normal control group, the levels of protein expression of TNF-α and 1L-1β were significantly higher in other three groups(all P＜0. 01), and lower in human IL-10 gene transfected group than in ischemic control group and empty plasmid group(all P＜0. 01). In normal control group, ischemic control group, empty plasmid group and human IL-10 gene transfectedgroup, the levels of mRNA expression of TNF-α in penumbra area were 1.00 ±0.53,9.42±1.83,9.69±1.96 and 3.53±1.09, and the levels of mRNA expression of IL-1β in penumbra area were 1.00 ±0.51,27. 81±4.84,23.96 ± 4.90 and 13.55± 4.45, respectively. Compared with normal control group, the levels of mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly higher in other three groups(all P＜0. 01), and lower in human IL-10 gene transfected group than in ischemic control group and empty plasmid group(all P＜0. 01). ConclusionsThe human IL-10 gene transfection may play an protective effect on cerebral ischemia through inhibiting mRNA and protein expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in the penumbra area following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

Celastrol in the inhibition of neovascularization / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the inhibition effect of celastrol on neovascularization.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effect of celastrol on the in vitro proliferation of endothelial cell of vessel (ECV) was examined by MTT assay. The effect of celastrol on endothelial cell migration, tube formation on Matrigel and Chick chorioallantoic membrane angiogenesis was also examined. Matrigel plug assay was used to evaluate the effect of celastrol on angiogenesis in vivo.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proliferation of ECV was inhibited significantly by celastrol with IC(50) being 1.33 microg/ml. Celastrol inhibited endothelial cell migration and tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. Celastrol also inhibited angiogenesis both in Matrigel plug of mouse model and in chick chorioallantoic membranes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Celastrol, which can inhibit angiogenesis, could be developed as an antiangiogenic drug.</p>

Development of the Chinese Marital Motivation and Reason Inventory / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective: To develop Chinese Marital Motivation and Reason Inventory (CMMRI) and examine it's reliability and validity. Methods: A 40-items, self-report measure of marital motivation and reason was developed based definition of marital motivation and reason and clinical experiences. The test-retest reliability, split-half reliability, internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and empirical validity were examined in the general sample of 1303 subjects, retest sample of 52 subjects, and validity sample of 95 subjects, aged from 6 to 91 years. Results: The stability coefficients, split-half reliability, Cronbach's ?coefficients were 0.62~0.80, 0.61~0.79 and 0.62~0.80 for 4 dimensions. There were significant differences between subjects in separation and divorcee and subjects in marriage on the CMMRI. In the confirmatory analysis of four factors model, fit statistics for the model best explained the observed relationships between the item scores and they attained the lower x2/df ratios and RMSEA, and higher IFI, TLI, CFI, PNFI and PCFI. Conclusion: The stability, internal consistency, and validity of the CMMRI are good and meet with psychometric standard.