Transcriptome Profiling of Developing Testes and First Wave of Spermatogenesis in the Rat.

Spermatogenesis is a complicated course of several rigorous restrained steps that spermatogonial stem cells undergo to develop into highly specialized spermatozoa; however, specific genes and signal pathways, which regulate the amplification, differentiation and maturation of these cells, remain unclear. We performed bioinformatics analyses to investigate the dynamic changes of the gene expression patterns at three time points in the course of the first wave of rat spermatogenesis. Differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and the features of DEGs were further analyzed with GO (Gene Ontology), KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) and Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM). A total of 2954 differentially expressed genes were identified. By using STEM, the top 10 key genes were selected in the profile according to the enrichment results, and the distinguishable biological functions encoded by these DEGs were automatically divided into three parts. Genes from 6, 8 and 10 days were related to biosynthesis, immune response and cell junction, and genes from 14, 15 and 16 days were related to energy metabolic pathways. The results also suggest that genes from 29, 31 and 35 days may shift metabolic to sperm motility, sperm flagellum and cilium movement.

Hydrothermal growth of ferrous hydroxide terephthalate as a new positive electrode material for supercapacitors.

Ferrous hydroxide terephthalate, Fe(OH)(C8H5O4), is first prepared by an in situ hydrothermal growth method on nickel foam, which can be directly used as the positive electrodes for supercapacitors with superior pseudocapacitive behaviors. It displays high specific capacitance of 5.25 F cm-2 (656.3 F g-1) at 10 mA cm-2 (1.25 A g-1).

[Expression of the MYL2 gene in the development of rat testis tissue].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of the gene of myosin regulatory light chain-2 (MYL2) in the development of rat testis tissue. METHODS: Using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, we determined the mRNA transcription level and protein expression of MYL2 in the rat testis. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of the MYL2 gene changed in an age-dependent manner, reaching the highest value on postnatal day (PND) 2, then dropped rapidly till PND 8, increased slowly on PNDs 10 and 12, decreased on PND 14, rose slightly from PND 15 and rapidly on PNDs 20 and 25, and declined slowly from PND 65. Immunohistochemistry showed that the MYL2 protein was mainly expressed in testicular sperm cells. CONCLUSIONS: The MYL2 gene may be involved in the proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells and the process of sperm cells developing into mature sperm.

[Correlation anslysis of sporadic breast cancer and BRCA1 gene plymorphisms in the Han Nationality and the Mongol Nationality of Inner Mongolia Region].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlationship between the BRCA1 gene polymorphisms, especially in 2731 loci (rs799917), and sporadic breast cancer in the Han nationality and the Mongol nationality of the Inner Mongolia region. METHODS: Using the prospective study method, 103 cases of patients with sporadic breast cancer (case group) and 103 cases of normal physical examination people (control group) were enrolled. PCR and direct sequencing method were used for analyzing the correlationship of 2731 loci polymorphisms of BRCA1 and sporadic breast cancer in our zone. RESULTS: In the case group, the age stratification, pathologic stage, immunohistochemistry and the distribution of lymph node metastasis had no significant difference in two ethnic group (P> 0.05). The age stratification of control group also had no significant difference in two ethnic group (P>0. 05). There was no statistically significant difference in age stratification of the case group and the control group (P>0.05). In the Inner Mongolia region, BRCA1 gene 2731 loci genotypes check out three genotypes: namely TT, CT and CC. The frequencies of genotype TT, CT, CC in the case group were 13.1%, 26.2%, 60.7% ( the Han nationality) and 16.7%, 28.6%, 54.7% (the Mongol nationality), respectively. Meanwhile the frequencies of allele T and allele C were 71.8% and 28.2%. In the control group, the frequencies of genotype TT, CT, CC were 18.0%, 31.1%, 50.9% ( the Han nationality) and 23.8%, 38.1%, 38.1% ( the Mongol nationality), respectively, and the frequencies of allele T and allele C were 62.9% and 37.1%. BRCA1 gene 2 731 loci gene polymorphism had no significant difference in two groups (χ(2)=3.438, P=0.752), but T allele frequency distribution in the case group was significantly increased (χ(2)=4.185, P=0.041). CONCLUSION: There is no obvious correlation between the BRCA1 gene 2731 loci and sporadic breast cancer in the Han nationality and the Mongol nationality of the Inner Mongolia region. C allele of BRCA1 gene 2731 loci may be one of the protective gene of sporadic breast cancer.