OBJECTIVETo explore the expression patterns of the chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 in human sperm.

METHODSWe collected semen samples from 10 fertile men, performed density gradient centrifugation, and then determined the expressions of both CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the sperm by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSRT-PCR revealed the mRNA expressions of CXCL12 (0.641 +/- 0.180) and CXCR4 (0.464 +/- 0.100) in the sperm. However, only CXCR4 rather than CXCL12 was expressed at the protein level, and the positive staining for CXCR4 was observed mainly in the posterior part of the acrosome.

CONCLUSIONCXCL12 and CXCR4 are involved as important molecules in regulating the function of human sperm.

Acrosome ; metabolism ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; etiology ; surgery ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; methods

Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Liver Transplantation ; Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic

Two ent-kauranoids were isolated from the ethanol extraction of rhizomes of Canna generalis (Cannaceae), and were purified by various technologies, including silica gel and high performance liquid chromatography, and their structures were determined by modern spectroscopy techniques as (5R,8S,9S,10R,13R)-2-oxo-ent-kaur-15-en-17-oic acid (1) and (4R,5S,8S,9S,10S,13R)-19-hydroxy-ent-kaur-15-en-17-oic acid (2). Compound 1 is a new ent-kauranoid, and compound 2 is obtained from rhizomes of Canna generalis for the first time.

Objective To determine the effects of Sodium Nitroprusside ( SNP) , superoxide dismutase ( SOD) and catalase ( CAT ) on the expression of catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase ( DNA-PKcs ) and Ku70/80 heterodimer in cardiomycyte H9C2, as well as their expression in the myocardial tissues of SD rats . Methods H9C2 cells were co-cultured with SNP at concentreations of 10, 20 and 40 mmol/L for 6 hours, SD rats were injected with normal saline , SNP, SNP+SOD, SNP+CAT or SNP+SOD+CAT.Western blot and immuno-histochemistry assay were used to examine DNA-PKcs and Ku70/80 protein expression respectively .Results The expression of DNA-PKcs and Ku70/80 increased in H9C2 cells co-cultured with SNP when compared with control group, but they were be decreased when treated with SOD or/and CAT.The expression of DNA-Pkcs and Ku70/80 in myocardial tissues of experimental groups were higher than the control .Conclusions Radical scavengers may play a role as a protective effect for sodium nitroprusside related injury in cardiac myocytes .

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic first-stage Fowler-Stephens for high cryptorchidism. Methods Seven children with high cryptorchidism (10 testes) were enrolled in this study. After detecting the testicles under a laparoscope, we dissected the spermatic cord vessels. Then, the spermatic duct was separated, and the gubernaculum testis was retained. Afterwards, the first-stage orchidopexy was performed laparoscopically. Results Nine of the 10 testes were successfully placed into the scrotum by first-stage Fowler-Stephens. In one patient who had bilateral cryptorchidism, the left testis was placed into the scrotum at the second stage operation. The seven patients were followed up for 6-24 months (mean, 14 months). None of them had retraction or atrophy of the testis. Conclusions Laparoscopic first-stage Fowler-Stephens is effective for high cryptorchidism. The procedure is worth being widely used.

OBJECTIVE:To establish an HPLC method for determination of triamcinolone acetonide(TA), diphenhydramine hydrochloride(DH) and miconazole nitrate(MN) in compound miconazole nitrate cream(MNC). METHODS: The determination was performed on Hypersil ODS2. The mobile phase consisted of methanol-acetonitrile-0.5% ammonium acetate (45∶35∶20) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL?min-1. The UV detection wavelength was 234 nm; the column temperature was 40 ℃ and the inject volume was 20 ?L. RESULTS: The linear ranges for MN, TA and DH were 0.16～0.64 (r=0.999 8), 0.02～0.06 (r=0.999 9) and 0.08～0.24 (r=0.999 2) mg?L-1 respectively, with their average recoveries at 100.0%, 99.6% and 100.7%, RSD at 1.2%, 0.8% and 0.9%(n=3) respectively. CONCLUSION: The HPLC method can be used for the simultaneous determination of the three constituents in CMNC.

There were 48 strains of bacilli obtained from 20 Chinese traditional medicines. Twenty-five strains had antagonistic effect against at least one of ten plant pathogens. Seven strains had antibiosis to more than four pathogens and the best strain had antibiosis to nine pathogens. After physiological and biochemical experiments,eight strains of 25 antagonistic bacilli were proved to be Bacillus subtilis,three were Bacillus cereus,one were Bacillus natto and one were Bacillus licheniformis. At the same time,two kinds of Chinese traditional medicines,which probably had antibacterial effect,were found.

Animals ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Cadmium Poisoning ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; urine ; Disease Models, Animal ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; drug effects ; physiology ; Interleukin-6 ; pharmacology ; Ion Channels ; drug effects ; physiology ; N-Methylaspartate ; physiology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar