Objective To study the expression of tight junction factors in human placental tissues derived from assisted reproductive technology (ART) and natural pregnancy and its role in placental barrier.Methods Ten placental samples were collected from the women who had undergone ART treatment and 11 placenta were collected from control group.Transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination was utilized to detect the morphology of placental tight junctions.The mRNA of claudin (CLDN) 1,CLDN4,CLDN5,CLDN8,zonula occudens (ZO) 1 was detected by real-time PCR and the protein of CLDN4,CLDN8 and occludin (OCLN) were measured by western blot.Results TEM microscopy results showed that placenta samples derived both ART and control placenta had normal microscopic histological features of tight junctions,localized in the apical part of the syncytium and also between the cell-cell contacts of fetal blood vessel endothelial.The expression level of CLDN4 mRNA were 0.87 ±0.17 in ART group and 1.18 ± 0.30 in control group,respectively.The expression level of CLDN8 mRNA were 3.25 ± 2.32 in ART group and 1.08±0.41 in control group,respectively.The mRNA level of CLDN4 and CLDN8 were significantly differentially expressed in ART derived placenta when compared with control groups.The expression level of CLDN1,CLDN5,OCLN and ZO1 mRNA were 0.49 ± 0.44,0.80 ± 0.20,0.92 ± 0.18 in ART group and 1.09±0.82,1.21 ±0.78,0.80± 0.27 in control group,respectively,in which there were no significant differences between two groups.Western Blot analysis showed the protein levels of tight junctions CLDN4,CLDN8 and OCLN did not differ between groups.Conclusions Tight junction factors were expressed in human placental tissues.Tight junction derived from ATR platenta might have mild dysfunction.

0.05) after irradiation with low dose of UVB. When the dose of UVB reached 60 mJ/cm2, the mRNA and protein expression of both p21 and Bax increased significantly (both P

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of Flupentixol and Melitracen with conventional medicine on functional gastrointestinal disease of officers and soldiers.Methods Eighty-two officers and soldiers with functional gastrointestinal disease which defined by the Rome Ⅲ were randomly divided into two groups.The cases in therapy group were treated with Flupentixol and Melitracen combined with conventional medicine,and the cases in control group were simply treated with conventional medicine.The scales changes of clinical eddicacy,sympotoms,depression,anxiety amd the quality of life at the beginning and 8 weeks 'treatment were recorded.Results All offers and soldiers completed the therapy,and the overall response rate was 92.68％ in the therapy group and 70.13％ in the control group(x2 =6.61,P ＜0.05).The general severity score of symptoms,the score of depression and the score of anxiety in the therapy group after treatment were significantly lower than that of before treatment (t =27.76,16.24,16.28 ; P ＜ 0.05),while there were no significant difference in the control group(P ＞ 0.05).The score of the quality of life in the therapy group (SF-36) after treatment was improved significantly than that of before treatment (P ＜ 0.05),and the difference of two group was significant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The therapy scheme of Flupentixol and Melitracen with conventional medicine on offiers and soldiers with functional gastrointestinal disease can improve the total effective rate,clinical symptoms,depression,anxiety and the quality of life.

Objective Knowledge about the infiltration of macrophages in diabetic wounds can help to figure out the pathogene -sis of poor healing of diabetic wounds .The aim of this study was to observe the macrophage infiltration and the expression of relative in-flammatory factors during the wound healing of diabetic rats and explore the relationship between macrophages and diabetic wound heal -ing. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into STZ induced diabetic group and normal control group .Each group had 15 rats.A 1 cm2 full-thickness skin defect was created on the rat dorsum .Wound samples and was excised .On post injury day (PID) 3, 7, and 14, rats of each group were sacrificed after wound samples and tissues around the wound edge were obtained .The differences of the wound closure rate , macrophage infiltration and the relative mRNA expression of the inflammatory factors from macro-phages were observed . Results The wound closure rate was lower in diabetic group on PID 3, 7, and 14 ([29.5 ±5.4]%vs [45.9 ± 12.8]%, [71.6 ±3.1]%vs [80.1 ±6.9]%, [93.9 ±2.8]%vs [99.4 ±1.4]%, P<0.05).HE staining showed inflammatory cells infil-diabetic wound tissue on PID 3 (P<0.05) and a higher expression on PID 14 (P<0.05).The CCR7 fluorescence staining showed more positive staining cells stayed in diabetic wound on PID 14. Conclusion Macrophage infiltration decreases in the early phase of diabetic wound healing and sustains in wound tissue in advanced stage accompanied by the expression change of related inflammatory factors, which could contribute to the difficult wound healing of diabetic rats .

Progestin has been used as a hormone therapy for some prostatic diseases,suchas benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer, and as a hormone regimen formale contraception with or without androgen.This article reviewed the physiologicaland pharmacological effects of progestin on male reproduction.Progestin inhibits thehypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis by the negative feedback.All the malereproductive organs highly expressed progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA, whichsuggested that progestin played some important roles in these organs.Humanspermatogenic cells and spermatozoa contained definite amount of progesterone (P)and 17 α-hydroxyprogesterone,which suggested an association between these steroidsand spermatogenesis and fertilization.A hormonal regimen consisting of progestinplus testesterone has been confirmed as an effective,safe,and reversible malecontraception.Though pharmacological dosages of progestin inhibited the expressionof androgen-dependant sexual behaviors,physiological levels progesterone couldstimulate sexual and copulatory behaviors.Some pregnane derivations have a highlyinhibitary effect on the enzyme 5 alphareductase type 2,which showed the benefit onthe treatment of prostatic diseases. Natl J Androl, 2001,7(2):117～120

The circulating renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is well known for its role in the maintenance of blood pressure and electrolyte and fluid homeostasis. However, other local angiotensin-generating systems than the circulating RAS have been found in numerous tissues. The male reproductive system including the testis, epididymis, and prostate has several sites of intrinsic RAS activity. The local RAS in these tissues can be responsive to androgens, fat acid, drugs, and hypoxia. There has been evidence for the involvement of the RAS not only in male reproduction, but also in the development of prostate disease. Besides, the assessment of the local RAS activity may be helpful to the early diagnosis of tumor in the male reproductive system.
Animals ; Early Diagnosis ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; diagnosis ; Genitalia, Male ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; physiology

Spermatogenesis, a continuous course of cell proliferation and differentiation, depends on reproductive hormones. FSH and LH-induced T are the main hormones regulating spermatogensis. Intratesticular T is one of the key factors in maintaining spermatogenesis, while FSH is just as important for origination and maintenance of normal spermatogenesis. Sertoli cells are the pivot of hormonal regulation. Interestingly, these reproductive hormones also regulate sperm cell apoptosis spermatogenesis. Further studies on the hormonal regulation of spermatogenesis provide a base for the development of safe and recoverable contraceptives for males.
Androgens ; physiology ; Apoptosis ; Contraception ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; physiology ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; physiology ; Male ; Spermatogenesis

OBJECTIVETo assay the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in rat testes and to investigate the significance of NPY in the regulation of androgen production and spermatogenesis.

METHODSNPY mRNA levels in SD rat testes were measured by RT-PCR semi-quantity with beta-actin as internal control. NPY distribution was observed immunohistochemically.

RESULTSNPY gene expressed in the testes, showing the strong positive band in the PCR production electrophoresis gel. In the immunostaining slides, NPY was found positively expressed in the Leyding cell area and around the testicular vessels and tubules, but not in the seminiferous tubules.

CONCLUSIONThere was positive expression of NPY in the rat testes, which showed that NPY played a direct role in the regulation of testicular function.

Animals ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neuropeptide Y ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Testis ; chemistry

Objective:To explore the relationship between the polymorphisms in gene FGFR1, FGF10, FGFI8 and the nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NS CLP) in Chinese population. Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral lymphocytes of 75 patients with NS CLP and their parents and 75 unimpaired healthy children. The polymorphisms in FGFRI gene rs13317, p. E467K, p. M3691 and p. S393S, FGF10 gene rs1448037 and FGFI8 gene rs4043716 were detected by applying three-dimensional (3-D) polyacrylamide gel microarray technology. The data were performed using statis-tical analysis : the genotype frequenc+ y and allele frequency between patients with NSCL/P and control subjects were performed. Haplotype relative risk (HRR) , family based association test (FBAT) , and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) in nuclear family were performed. Results: There were no poly-morphism in FGFR1 gene p. E467K, p. M369I and p. $393S site, the corresponding base was all G. The polymorphisms of rs13317 and rs1448037 were detected and their genotype frequency and allele frequen-cy showed no significant difference between 75 patients with NSCL/P and 75 normal children. TDT, HRR and FBAT were also no significant differences. The genotype frequency of gene FGF18 rs4043716 showed significant difference, but allele frequency were no significant difference. TDT, HRR and FBAT were also no significant difference. Conclusion: Our studies suggest an association between gene FGF18 rs4043716 and the NS CLP in Chinese population, and no association among gene FGFR1 rs13317, p. FA67K, p. M3691, p. S393S and gene FGF10 rs1448037.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Trx-LHRH, a new GnRH crasis protein, on antibody production and male reproductive function.

METHODSTrx-LHRH produced in vitro with a new crasis gene which crasised Trx gene and GnRH gene together, was used as vaccine, and hydroalaminum base as adjuvant, in adult SD rats. After 5 weeks of the first treatment, the same dosage was used again to enhance the effect of vaccine. Antibody level was measured by ELISA, and androgen level by RIA.

RESULTSTrx-LHRH induced successfully the polycolonal antibody at the level of 1 :1 280 approximately 2 560 after 4 weeks of the first treatment, and 1 : 2 000 after 6 weeks of the enhanced treatment. Testosterone level was reduced significantly (P < 0.01) by ELISA, but there was reasonable variation among individuals. Sperm count was also reduced by Trx-LHRH treatment.

CONCLUSIONTrx-LHRH can be used as effective vaccine to induce antibody production, and at the same time, restrain the function of hypothatamas-pituitary-testis axis in vivo.

Animals ; Antibodies ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; immunology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; immunology ; Sperm Count ; Testosterone ; blood ; Thioredoxins ; immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology