1.Roles of Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase Ⅱ in Meiotic Maturation and Fertilization of Oocytes
Hengyu FAN ; Lijun HUO ; Qingyuan SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2003;30(2):171-174
Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK), activated by auto-phosphorylation at the presence of calcium and calmodulin, is widely distributed in eukaryotes. CaMKs are important mediators of calcium signal in eukaryotes. Recent researches have suggested that CaMKⅡ is involved in the regulation of meiotic cell cycle of oocytes. It plays functional roles in meiotic maturation, polar body extrusion, fertilization and egg activation. As one of the down-stream signaling molecules of calcium, CaMKⅡ facilitates the inactivation of maturation promoting factor (MPF) and cytostatic factor (CSF) following fertilization, as well as the spindle microtubule organization and centrosome duplication. Although the functions of CaMKⅡ in oocyte meiosis are versatile and essential, the present results are primarily obtained from low vertebrates and mouse. In future studies, the function and regulation of this kinase in other mammals should be stressed.
2.Molecular Control of Implantation Window of Blastocyst
Hengyu FAN ; Yuyan BAI ; Zengming YANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2001;28(1):11-16
Implantation window is the transient period when the embryos develop into blastocysts and the uterus differentiates into the receptive state synchronically. Estrogen and progesterone are the comprehensive regulating molecules during this process. They influence the proliferation and differentiation of multiple cell types in the uterus through the modulation of various local-signaling molecules.Uterus and blastocyst interact by the paracrine effects of prostaglandin, histamine, calcitonin, cytokines and growth factors at implantation window. This molecular cross-talk modulates the interaction between trophectoderm and uterine luminal epithelium. Once the implantation window is open, it then switches into unreceptive state spontaneously.
3.Efficacy assessment for NMES in improving muscle strength in patients with SAP complicated by ARDS
Dingrong FAN ; Hengyu ZHOU ; Ying CAI ; Botao TAN ; Qianqian WANG ; Feng ZHOU ; Xiaoyun RAN ; Xiaodong CHEN ; Ao SHEN
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(22):2539-2546
Objective To evaluates the impact of early application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)on muscle strength,clinical outcomes,and long-term quality of life improvements in patients with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods A total of 75 patients diagnosed with SAP and ARDS admitted in Department of Critical Care Medicine of our hospital from September 2022 to August 2023 were recruited and then randomly divided into NMES group(n=37)and control group(n=38).After 16 patients were excluded,including 8 died during treatment,3 discharged and 5 received palliative care,there were finally 29 patients in the NMES group and 30 in the control group.Within 48 h after ICU admission,the NMES group received NMES 1 h per day,for 7 d in addition to standard rehabilitation intervention.While,the control group were given conventional interventions for rehabilitation.Assessments at baseline and post-treatment included the incidence of ICU-acquired weakness(ICU-AW),Medical Research Council(MRC)score,duration of mechanical ventilation,lengths of ICU and total hospital stays,and activity,thickness and thickening fraction of the diaphragm.Mortality rates and Barthel index(BI)for self-care ability in 1,3 and 6 months after discharge were recorded for follow-up assessments.Results The NMES group had significantly lower incidence of ICU-AW(P<0.05),higher upper and lower limb MRC scores and overall MRC score at ICU discharge(P<0.05),shorter durations of mechanical ventilation,ICU stay,and total hospital stay when compared with the control group(P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in the BI at 1 month post-discharge between the 2 groups,but the indexes at 3 and 6 months were notably higher in the NMES group than the control group(P<0.05).No obvious differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of diaphragm activity,thickness,or thickening scores at enrollment,ICU discharge,or hospital discharge,nor in mortality rates at 1,3,and 6 months after discharge.Conclusion Combined NMES and early rehabilitation therapy can improve muscle strength and reduce length of hospital stay in SAP patients complicated with ARDS,and may enhance long-term quality of life.However,it does not significantly affect diaphragm function or mortality rates.