The complete chloroplast genome of Myxopyrum hainanense and phylogenic analysis of Oleaceae.

We assembled and characterized the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Myxopyrum hainanense to investigate its phylogenetic position. The plastome is 156,064 bp in length, which is comprised of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,851 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,837 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,688 bp. The overall GC content of the plastome was 37.7. The new sequence comprised total 135 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNA genes, and 40 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that M. hainanense was close to Nyctanthes arbor-tristis.

Bioavailability of mifepristone in capsule versus tablet form in healthy nonpregnant women.

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to assess the bioavailability of two formulations of mifepristone in capsule and tablet forms at a single dose of 75 mg (half the registered dose in China). STUDY DESIGN: A randomized two-way crossover study was conducted in 18 healthy nonpregnant women. Each subject was orally given a single dose of mifepristone at 75 mg in capsule or tablet form on an alternate basis. Serial blood samples were collected over a period of 96 h and assayed for the plasma concentration of mifepristone by high-performance liquid chromatography. Paired t tests were used to compare the capsule and tablet forms in terms of maximum concentration (C(max)), time to maximum concentration (T(max)) and area under the curve over 96 h (AUC(0-96 h)). Relative bioavailability (capsule/tablet) was derived from AUC(0-96 h). Bioequivalability was analyzed by two one-sided t tests. RESULTS: The major pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: C(max) values were 1.26+/-0.38 and 1.25+/-0.40 mcg/mL, T(max) values were 0.94+/-0.34 and 0.89+/-0.47 h, T(1/2Ke) values were 36.2+/-21.0 and 33.4+/-12.3 h and AUC((0-96 h)) values were 19.7+/-6.4 and 19.6+/-9.9 mcg.h/mL for mifepristone in capsule and tablet forms, respectively. No significant difference was observed among these parameters. The relative bioavailability was 109.4+/-34.8%. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the two formulations of mifepristone are bioequivalent, which provides pharmacokinetic evidence for further reducing the dosage of mifepristone in clinical use.

[Expression patterns of age-related molecule c-kit, HIWI and vimentin in the rat testis and epididymis].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the differences in the expressions of c-kit, HIWI and vimentin in the testis and epididymis of rats aged different months, investigate the regular changes in the expression of characteristic molecules in the ripening and senescent process of the testis and epididymis, and provide experimental evidence for studies on the aging of the male reproductive system. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into a young group (6-month-old, n=10), an adult group (12-month-old, n=10) and an aged group (24-month-old, n=10). The immunohistochemical SP method was used to examine c-kit, HIWI and vimentin in the testis and epididymis of the rats. RESULTS: The positive immunohistochemical reaction to c-kit was observed mainly in spermatogonia, weakly in other cells and also in the epithelia and lumens of the epididymis. The abundant expression of HIWI was detected in all stages of spermatogenic cells in the testis and epididymis of the 6-month-old and 12-month-old rats. Moreover, spermatogonias and primary spermatocytes displayed intense expression. Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, myoid cells and vascular endothelial cells (VEC) were also HIWI-positive cells. But the positive expression decreased with age in the testis and epididymis of the 24-month-old rats (P > 0.05). vimentin expression was weak in the testis and epididymis of the 6-month-olds but increased significantly in the 24-month-olds (P > 0.01). CONCLUSION: The expressions of c-kit and HIWI decreased in the testis and epididymis of the 24-month-old rats, while vimentin expression increased markedly with age. The results suggest that the aging of the testis and epididymis is closely related to the abnormal transduction of cell signals.

[An electron microscope observation for the abnormal ultrastructure of the connecting piece in human spermatozoa from infertile painters].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate possible abnormalities of the sperm neck in eight infertile painters observed by transmission electron microscope. METHODS: Spermatozoa from 8 infertile painters (21-32 years old) were observed by transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The abnormalities of the connecting piece could be divided into 6 types, among which the anomaly of the connecting piece concomitant with a true nuclemalamic condition was the most serious. CONCLUSIONS: The abnormalities may be related to expression obstacles of nuclear genome and mitochondrial genome, and to anomalous cellular signal transduction during spermiogenesis as well.