Pharmacological actions of the bioactive compounds of Epimedium on the male reproductive system: current status and future perspective.

ABSTRACT: Compounds isolated from Epimedium include the total flavonoids of Epimedium, icariin, and its metabolites (icaritin, icariside I, and icariside II), which have similar molecular structures. Modern pharmacological research and clinical practice have proved that Epimedium and its active components have a wide range of pharmacological effects, especially in improving sexual function, hormone regulation, anti-osteoporosis, immune function regulation, anti-oxidation, and anti-tumor activity. To date, we still need a comprehensive source of knowledge about the pharmacological effects of Epimedium and its bioactive compounds on the male reproductive system. However, their actions in other tissues have been reviewed in recent years. This review critically focuses on the Epimedium, its bioactive compounds, and the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that modulate vital pathways associated with the male reproductive system. Such intrinsic knowledge will significantly further studies on the Epimedium and its bioactive compounds that protect the male reproductive system and provide some guidances for clinical treatment of related male reproductive disorders.

The complete chloroplast genome of Schizostachyum dumetorum var. xinwuense (Bambusoideae: Poaceae).

Schizostachyum dumetorum var. xinwuense (T.H.Wen & J.Y.Chin) N.H.Xia is an arborescent bamboo that is native to Jiangxi, China. The bamboo culm wall of this species is extremely thin, which has high economic value and ecological benefits. Here, we assembled the complete chloroplast genome of S. dumetorum var. xinwuense using Illumina pair-end sequencing data in this work. The total genome size of S. dumetorum var. xinwuense was 139,230 bp in length, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 82,876 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,877 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 21,777 bp. The overall GC content of the genome was 38.87%, and the corresponding GC values of the LSC, SSC, and IR regions were 36.98%, 32.83%, and 44.17%, respectively. The genome contained a total of 112 genes, including 75 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and seven rRNA. Phylogenetic analysis of S. dumetorum var. xinwuense positioned it in a strongly supported clade with Arundinaria appalachiana. These data show the phylogenetic location of Schizostachyum dumetorum var. xinwuense within the family of the Bambusoideae and contribute to the biodiversity and systematics of the Bambusoideae.

The complete chloroplast genome of Phyllostachys heteroclada f. solida (Poaceae).

Phyllostachys heteroclada f. solida is a precious wood-use bamboo resource, with almost solid stem. The complete chloroplast genome of the Phyllostachys heteroclada f. solida was the first time to assemble from Illumina pair-end sequencing data in this work. The total genome size of Phyllostachys heteroclada f. solida was 156,559 bp in length, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 89,200 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 14,876 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 23,798 bp. The overall GC content of the genome was 36.12%, and the corresponding values of the LSC, SSC, and IR regions were 36.98, 33.15, and 44.22%, respectively. A total of 136 genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding genes, 40 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis results strongly supported that Phyllostachys heteroclada f. solida was closely related to Phyllostachys reticulate.

One-Dimensional Face-Shared Perovskites with Broad-Band Bluish White-Light Emissions.

In recent years, two-dimensional (2D) hybrid lead halide perovskites based on corner-shared [PbX6] octahedrons have received extensive attention with important potentials in single-component white-light emitting diodes (WLEDs) due to the soft and distorted crystal lattices. However, limited research focused on the one-dimensional (1D) perovskites although they possess similar structural superiorities to achieve this performance. Herein, by using different types of organic amine cations as structural direction reagents, we report one new type of hybrid 1D perovskites of APbCl3 (A = (DTHPE)0.5, DMTHP, DBN) based on the same 1D face-shared octahedral [PbCl3]- chains. Upon UV light excitation, these 1D APbCl3 perovskites exhibit intrinsic broad-band bluish white-light emissions covering entire visible light spectra with the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 6.99%, which catches up with the values of previously reported 2D perovskites. Through the systematical studies of time-resolved, temperature-dependent PL emissions, theoretical calculations, and so on, these broad-band light emissions can be ascribed to the radiative transition within conjugated organic cations. The facile assembly process, intrinsic broad-band light emissions, and high PLQYs enable these 1D APbCl3 perovskites as new types of promising candidates in fabricating single-component WLEDs.

The complete mitochondrial genome of dark mealworm Tenebrio obscurus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

Mealworms are the most common edible insect and feed additives in poultry, livestock, and aquaculture production. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome of dark mealworm Tenebrio obscurus (Zunyi population) was sequenced and annotated. The 15,509 bp circular mitogenome contains a conserved set of 37 mitochondrial genes including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and an A + T-rich region. The gene order is identical to the typical insect gene arrangement. Great differences were found in A + T-rich regions between Zunyi population and Guiyang population including large deletion and substitution. Phylogenetic analysis showed that T. obscurus clustered within Tenebrionoidea and was closely related to Tenebrio molitor.

Thyroid tumor complicated with tumor thrombus in internal jugular vein: An analysis of 2 cases and literatures review / 中国实用外科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features,diagnosis and treatment of thyroid tumor complicated with tumor thrombus in internal jugular vein. METHODS: Case reports of thyroid tumor complicated with tumor thrombus in internal jugular vein published in domestic journals since January 2000 were retrieved. The clinical features and treatment procedures were analyzed combining with the data of 2 patients admitted to the Department of Vascular and Thyroid Surgery of Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 10 reports were retrieved,including 23 patients.Of the 25 patients,14 were males and 11 were females,aged 44—84(62.9±9.8)years. The largest diameter of thyroid tumor was 2.8—8.0 cm.The length of tumor thrombus ranged from 1 cm to 30 cm. Among the 19 cases,14 were derived from intravascular spreading tumor thrombus,and 5 were from direct invasive tumor thrombus.There were 4 cases of papillary carcinoma,6 cases of follicular carcinoma,5 cases of poorly differentiated carcinoma,8 cases of undifferentiated carcinoma,1 case of myogenic sarcoma and 1 case of sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma. Of the 13 cases,9 underwent internal jugular vein resection and 4 underwent thrombectomy. CONCLUSION: Thyroid tumors complicated with tumor thrombus in internal jugular vein are mostly tumors with strong vascular invasion ability.The long-term prognosis of the patients is very poor. Surgical treatment should be actively taken to remove the tumor thrombus and improve the prognosis of the patients.

Overall Blastocyst Quality, Trophectoderm Grade, and Inner Cell Mass Grade Predict Pregnancy Outcome in Euploid Blastocyst Transfer Cycles.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances that have improved the pregnancy success rates that can be achieved via in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy, it is not yet clear which blastocyst morphological parameters best predict the outcomes of single blastocyst transfer. In addition, most of the previous studies did not exclude the effect of embryo aneuploidy on blastocysts transfer. Thus, the present study investigated the predictive value of various parameters on the pregnancy outcomes achieved via the transfer of frozen euploid blastocysts. METHODS: The study retrospectively analyzed 914 single euploid blastocyst transfer cycles that were performed at the Peking University Third Hospital Reproductive Medical Center between June 2011 and May 2016. The expansion, trophectoderm (TE), and inner cell mass (ICM) quality of the blastocysts were assessed based on blastocyst parameters, and used to differentiate between "excellent", "good", "average", and "poor"-quality embryos. The relationship between these embryo grades and the achieved pregnancy outcomes was then analyzed via the Chi-square and logistic regression tests. RESULTS: For embryo grades of excellent, good, average and poor, the clinical pregnancy rates were 65.0%, 59.3%, 50.3% and 33.3%, respectively; and the live-birth rates were 50.0%, 49.7%, 42.3% and 25.0%, respectively. Both the clinical pregnancy rate (χ2 = 21.28, P = 0.001) and live-birth rate (χ2 = 13.50, P < 0.001) increased with the overall blastocyst grade. Both rates were significantly higher after the transfer of a blastocyst that exhibited either an A-grade or B-grade TE, and similarly, an A-grade ICM, than after the transfer of a blastocyst that exhibited a C-grade TE and/or ICM. The degree of blastocyst expansion had no apparent effect on the clinical pregnancy or live-birth rate. All odds ratio were adjusted for patient age, body mass index, length (years) of infertility history, and infertility type. CONCLUSIONS: A higher overall euploid blastocyst quality is shown to correlate most strongly with optimal pregnancy outcomes. The study thus supports the use of the described TE and ICM morphological grades to augment current embryo selection criteria.

Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes of Patients with History of First-Trimester Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion.

Although a history of first-trimester recurrent spontaneous abortion (FRSA) is regarded as a risk factor in antenatal care, the characteristic of subsequent pregnancy outcome is not clearly elucidated. Here, a retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 492 singleton pregnant women. 164 of them with the history of FRSA were enrolled in study group, compared to 328 deliveries without the history of FRSA. For maternal outcomes, patients in the study group delivered earlier with mean gestational age and the incidences of cesarean section and postpartum hemorrhage were higher compared to the control group. For placental outcomes, the incidence of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications (PMPC) in the study group increased in terms of late-onset preeclampsia, oligohydramnios, early-onset fetal growth restriction, and second-trimester abortion. Patients in the study group were more likely to suffer from placenta accreta, placenta increta, and placenta percreta. For perinatal outcomes, the proportion of birth defects of newborns in the study group was greater. At last, logistic regression analyses showed that the history of FRSA was an independent risk factor for cesarean section and pregnancy complications. In conclusion, women with the history of FRSA are often exposed to an elevated incidence of maternal-placental-perinatal adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Evolutionary history and population genetic structure of the endemic tree frog Hyla tsinlingensis (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae) inferred from mitochondrial gene analysis.

The influence of topography and Pleistocenic climatic fluctuations on the population genetic structure of amphibians in the Tsinling-Dabieshan Mountains of China is poorly investigated. Hyla tsinlingensis is a tree frog endemic to the Tsinling-Dabieshan Mountains, with a restricted and patchy distribution that is currently shrinking. We speculated on the evolutionary history of amphibians in this region by studying the population genetic structure of H. tsinlingensis. Using a total of 212 samples, 32 haplotypes and four haplogroups were found in the present study. Population genetic structure showed significant differentiation (F(ST)) between most populations of H. tsinlingensis in the Tsinling-Dabieshan Mountains. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggested that most of the observed genetic variation occurs between the two regions (the Tsinling and Dabieshan Mountains). Mantel tests indicated that the genetic divergence was induced through isolation by distance. Using Monmonier's maximum difference algorithm to predict the genetic barrier, two putative barriers in gene flow that separate lineages of H. tsinlingensis were identified. Mismatch distribution and neutrality tests found a sudden population expansion in all haplogroups except the Tsinling population and total population. This population expansion was identified between 0.5 Myr to 0.1 Myr (Quaternary) by Bayesian skyline plot (BSP). Divergence dating indicated the divergence time between the Tsinling population and Dabieshan population to be 3.26 MYA (Pliocene). In conclusion, the topography of the Tsinling and Dabieshan Mountains exerts a significant impact on the population genetic structure of H. tsinlingensis, and climatic oscillations during glacial periods in the Quaternary affected the distribution of H. tsinlingensis.

The effects of combination of gefitinib and cisplatin on tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

OBJECTIVES: To study the inhibitory effect of combining the gefitinib with cisplatin on tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cell lines were used, tca8113 which is a cisplatin-sensitive cell line, and tca8113/CDDP which is a cisplatin-resistant cell line established in Jiamusi University Laboratories. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to calculate the IC 50 values of both drugs using both cell lines. Detection of Ras, Raf and ERK1/2 was done by using western blot technique after exposure to different concentrations of gefitinib and cisplatin. RESULTS: Tca8113/CDDP has shown more resistance to cisplatin than tca8113 and slightly more resistance to gefitinib than tca8113. Combination of the two drugs has shown to be more effective for both cell lines than when each alone even with lower concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of gefitinib and cisplatin is a better choice than using each drug alone.

MicroRNA-21 accelerates hepatocyte proliferation in vitro via PI3K/Akt signaling by targeting PTEN.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in controlling hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration. In this study, we established the miRNAs-expression patterns of primary hepatocytes in vitro under stimulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF), and found that microRNA-21 (miR-21) was appreciably up-regulated and peaked at 12h. In addition, we further presented evidences indicating that miR-21 promotes primary hepatocyte proliferation through in vitro transfecting with miR-21 mimics or inhibitor. We further demonstrated that phosphatidylinositol 3'-OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling was altered accordingly, it is, by targeting phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10, PI3K/Akt signaling is activated by miR-21 to accelerate hepatocyte rapid S-phase entry and proliferation in vitro.