[Relationship between epigenetics of sperm and embryogenesis].

Epigenetics comprises the modifications made in gene expressions without changing the DNA sequence itself. Significant epigenetic changes take place during spermatogenesis and fertilization and exert direct influences on embryogenesis. This article provides an overview of the latest researches on epigenetics of male germ cells and a brief discussion on the correlation of sperm with embryogenesis in four aspects: DNA methylation, histone modification, regulation of non-coding RNAs, and genomic imprinting.

AZD1480 can inhibit the biological behavior of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of effects of AZD1480 on the SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell line. METHODS: The MTT method was used to assess cellular proliferation, flow cytometry for cellular apoptosis, the scratch test to determine migration, transwell chamber assays to detect cellular invasion, plate clone experiments to detect the clone forming ability and Western blotting to determine p-STAT3 protein levels. RESULTS: The proliferation rate, migration ability, invasiveness and the clone forming ability of SKOV3 cells were reduced after treatment with AZD1480, while apoptosis rate and chemotherapeutic susceptibility were increased. After treatment with AZD1480 plus cisplatin, the apoptosis rate increased significantly while the expression level of p-STAT3 protein was decreased. CONCLUSION: AZD1480 can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, metastasis and clone formation of SKOV3 cells, induce cellulsar apoptosis, increase the chemotherapeutic sensitivity and reduce the expression level of p-STAT3 protein.

Tris(1,10-phenanthroline-kappa2N,N')cadmium(II) bis(perchlorate) 3.5-hydrate: a water chain stabilized by perchlorate anions.

The title compound, [Cd(C(12)H(8)N(2))(3)](ClO(4))(2).3.5H(2)O, contains a cross-shaped one-dimensional channel along the c axis which encapsulates an ordered water chain. This water chain features a centrosymmetric cyclic water hexamer unit with a chair-like conformation. Neighbouring hexamers are linked by bridging water molecules. The host perchlorate anions recognize and stabilize the guest water chain via three kinds of hydrogen-bond patterns, leading to the formation of a complex one-dimensional {[(H(2)O)(7)(ClO(4))(4)](4-)}(n) anionic chain. One perchlorate acts as a single hydrogen-bond acceptor dangling on the chain, the second perchlorate on the chain serves as a double hydrogen-bond acceptor for only one water molecule to form an R(2)(2)(6) ring, where both entities lie on a twofold axis, while the third perchlorate, which also lies on a twofold axis, accepts two hydrogen bonds from two equivalent water molecules and is involved in the construction of an R(6)(5)(14) ring.

[Effect of Shenmai injection on expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage: experiment with rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Shenmai injection containing active principles of Ginseng and ophiopogon root on the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1alpha) in brain after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). METHODS: 108 neonatal SD rats were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: (1) Shenmai group (Group SM), undergoing ligation of the right common carotid artery to establish HIBD models, breathing immediately a mixed gas with 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen for 2 hours to cause HI insult, and then injected intraperitoneally with Shenmai injection 10 mg/kg once a day for 7 days, and (2) normal saline (NS) group (Group NS) undergoing ligation of the right common carotid artery to establish HIBD models, breathing immediately a mixed gas with 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen for 2 h, and then injected intraperitoneally with NS 10 mg/kg once a day for 7 days. Another 54 neonatal rats underwent sham operation but did not undergo hypoxia as control group (Group C), 2, 12, and 24 hours, and 3, 7, and 14 days after HI insult 9 rats from each group were killed with their right hippocampal tissues taken out. Flow cytometry was used to examine the apoptotic rate of the hippocampal neurons. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of HIF-1alpha. RESULTS: (1) The apoptosis rate of the right hippocampal tissues began increase 2 h after Hi insult, peaked 24 h after HI, then gradually decreased, and almost returned to the original levels 14 d after HI. There was no significant differences in apoptosis rates 14d after HI among the 3 groups (all P > 0.05). The neuron apoptosis rates 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, and 7 d after HI of Group SM were all significantly lower than those of Group NS (e.g 24 h: (11.95 +/- 1.13)% vs (16.80 +/- 1.44)%, all P < 0.05). (2) The HIF-1alpha mRNA expression level in right brain began to increase 2 h after HI, peaked 24 h after HI, then gradually decreases, and returned to the original level 14 d after Hi in both Group SM and Group NS; The HIF-1alpha mRNA expression in right brain 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, and 7 d after HI of Group SM were all significantly higher than those of Group NS (e.g 24 h: (44.32 +/- 4.03)% vs (35.63 +/- 3.73)%, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The HIF-1alpha mRNA expression in brain tissue is up-regulated after HI insult. Shenmai injection helps increase the mRNA expression of HIF-1alpha in brain and reduces the apoptosis of hippocampus neurons after HI insult.

[Effects of estrogen on acrosome reaction and intracellular calcium in human spermatozoa and the possible mechanism concerned].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on the activation of human spermatozoa and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Spermatozoa of fertile men were stimulated by E2 and the membrane impermeable conjugated 17beta-estradiol (E2-BSA) respectively. Then the acrosme reaction (AR) rate was determined by triple-stain technique and the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in spermatozoa was measured by flow cytometry. The changes of [Ca2+]i were measured again following the addition of E2 and E2-BSA in the calcium-free medium. RESULTS: E2 significantly increased the AR rate and the [Ca2+]i in capacitated human spermatozoa, while it had no effects on the uncapacitated spermatozoa. E2-BSA also promoted AR and increased [Ca2+]i in the capacitated human spermatozoa. Additionally, the change of [Ca2+]i was absent in case that human spermatozoa were stimulated by E2 or E2-BSA in the calcium-free medium. CONCLUSION: Estrogen can activate human spermatozoa and such activation is probably mediated by the integrating of estrogen with the specific sites on human spermatozoa and thus causing the influx of extracellular calcium.