Objective To research effects of water extraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza in sperm quality of mice. Methods Forty adult male Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, including low concentration group, medium concentration group, high concentration group, control group and positive control group in eight mice in each group. The low, medium and high concentration groups were given by gavage with 1 500, 3 000 and 6 000 mg/kg water extraction of salvia miltiorrhiza once a day respectively, while the control group was given gavage with 10 mL/kg normal saline daily, as well as the positive control group was injected with 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide once; All mice were sacrificed after 30 days. We measured the weight gain, viscera coefficient and sperm quality in each mouse. Results There were no statistical difference in the weight of every week, increase of the weight, testis and epididymis coefficients among the control group, the low, medium and high concentration groups (P > 0.05), while the weight and weight increase were significantly higher than that in the positive control group (P < 0.05). Sperm concentration, viability, morphology, motility, PR, VSL, VAP of low, medium and high concentrations group were significantly improved than the control group (P < 0.05), and the sperm quality in the four groups were higher than that in the positive control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Water extraction of salvia miltiorrhiza can obviously improve the sperm viability, morphology, and motility of mice.

Objective To evaluate the value of serum E2 levels during COH in predicting IVF-ET outcome. Method Data from 311 IVF-ET cycles received long protocol were collected and analyzed according to E 2 levels 5 days after stimulation:Group A (E2≤500 pmol/L), Group B (500 2 000 pmol/L). Results In groups with E2>1 000 pmol/L, the conditions of oocyte and embryo are higher than E2<1 000 pmol/L. With the increase of E2 levels, period cancellation rate increases. When E2> 2 000 pmol/L, the pregnancy rate become lowest. Conclusion E2 levels among 1 000~1 500 pmol/L during early COH predicts a better pregnancy outcome.

Abstract?AIM: To investigate the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate ( EGCG ) against oxidative stress induced by high glucose in human lens epithelium ( HLE) cells.? METHODS: The HLE cell oxidative damage model induced by high concentration glucose was established, and was intervented with different concentrations of EGCG. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, cell morphology was investigated by convert microscope, cells apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry with Hoechst-PI staining. Moreover, the levels of super oxide dismutase ( SOD) , glutathione peroxidase ( GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde ( MDA) in supernatant were also tested after different treatment either with high concentration glucose or with different concentrations of EGCG.?RESULTS: MTT results showed that HLE cells activity increased to 50. 33%± 3. 52% and 63. 33%± 4. 63% after treated with 10 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L EGCG respectively, the difference was statistically significant compared with oxidative injury group(32. 67%±3. 10%)(P<0. 05 ); HLE cells maintained better morphology intervented with EGCG under high glucose conditions, the number of apoptotic cells reduced, SOD and GSH-Px level within HLE cells increased and MDA levels decreased.?CONCLUSION:EGCG plays its strong antioxidant effect by increasing SOD, GSH-Px content and decreasing MDA content in cells, therefore provides a reliable experimental basis for the search for effective prevention and treatment of cataract drug.

The deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin specific peptidase 15 (USP15) is regarded as a regulator of TGFβ signaling pathway. This process depends on Smad7, the inhibitory factor of the TGFβ signal, and type I TGFβ receptor (TβR-I), one of the receptors of TGFβ. The expression level of USP15 seems to play vital roles in the pathogenesis of many neoplasms, but so far there has been no report about USP15 in psoriasis. In this study, immunohistochemical staining of USP15, TβR-I and Smad7 was performed in 30 paraffin-embedded psoriasis specimens and 10 normal specimens to investigate the expression of USP15, TβR-I and Smad7 in psoriasis and to explore the relevance among them. And USP15 small interfering RNA (USP15 siRNA) was used to transfect Hacat cells to detect the mRNA expression of TβR-I and Smad7. Of 30 cases of psoriasis in active stage, 28, 24 and 26 cases were positive for USP15, TβR-I and Smad7 staining, respectively. The positive rates of USP15 and Smad7 were significantly higher in psoriasis specimens than in normal skin specimens (44.1%±26.0% vs. 6.1%±6.6%, 47.2%±27.1% vs. 6.6%±7.1%), and positive rate of TβR-I (20.3%±22.2%) in psoriasis was lower than that in normal skin specimens (46.7%±18.2%). There was a significant positive correlation between USP15 and Smad7 expression, and significant negative correlations between USP15 and TβR-expression, an I d between TβR- and Smad7 expression I in psoriasis. After transfection of USP15 siRNA in Hacat cells, the expression of TβR-mRNA was up I -regulated and that of Smad7 was down-regulated. It is concluded that USP15 may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis through regulating the TβR-I/Smad7 pathway and there may be other cell signaling pathways interacting with USP15 to take part in the development of psoriasis.

Objectives To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)H558R in SCN5A gene and chronic Keshan disease (KSD) complicated with hypertension,and the relationship between H558R and occurrence of arrythmia in chronic KSD complicated with hypertension.MethodsThirty nine patients with chronic KSD complicated with hypertension and 63 geographical region matched hypertension control subjects were recruited in our study in Fuyu county,Qiqihaer city,Heilongjiang province between 2006 and 2010.H558R polymorphism in case and control groups was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism(PCR-SSCP) and sequenced,and electrocardiography(ECG) characteristics were examined in the two groups.Case-control study analytical methods were applied to analyze the relationship between H558R and chronic KSD complicated with hypertension,and the relationship between H558R and occurrence of arrythmia in chronic KSD patients complicated with hypertension.Results Subjects of genotype 558 TC in the case group had a decreased risk of chronic KSD complicated with hypertension with odds ratio of 0.288[95％ confidence interval (CI):0.104 - 0.794],and subjects of genotype TC in chronic KSD complicated hypertension patients had a decreased risk of QRS prolongation with odds ratio of 0.061 (95％CI:0.006 - 0.612).Conclusions Polymorphism H558R in SCN5A gene may be a predisposition factor of chronic KSD complicated with hypertension and occurrence of arrythmia in chronic KSD complicated with hypertension.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical therapeutic effects of oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs combined with micro-invasive surgery for the treatment of varicose ulcers in the lower extremities (ecthyma).

METHODSA total of 152 patients (163 limbs) suffering from varicose ulcers on the lower limbs were assigned to two groups according to the patients' willingness. The 102 cases (109 limbs) in the treatment group underwent the method of endovenous microwave closure of communicating veins combined with oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs before and after the operation. The 50 cases (54 limbs) in the control group, were treated with oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs only. Clinical manifestations, including the condition of ulcer healing, the improvement conditions of alogotrophy, edema and other symptoms, were observed before and after 3 months of treatment. The clinical healing rate, the ulcer healing time, and the ulcer recurrence rate, were compared between the two groups. All the patients were followed-up 3 months after treatment.

RESULTSThe follow-up was carried out for 3 to 42 months (mean 30.5 months). In the treatment group, 99 patients (106 limbs) were clinically cured, and the clinical healing rate was 97.06%; the ulcer healing time was 9-101 days (average 31.25+/-8.28 days) and 3 cases (5 limbs) had recurrence; the ulcer recurrence rate was 5.81%. In the control group, 40 patients (43 limbs) were clinically cured, with a clinical healing rate of 80.00%; the ulcer healing time was 10-152 days (average 50.60+/-12.31 day) and 5 cases (7 limbs) recurred, with the ulcer recurrence rate being 20.59%. The effects in the treatment group were obviously better than those in the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe oral administration and external application of Chinese drugs combined with micro-invasive surgery for the treatment of varicose ulcers in the lower extremities has a significant curative effect, with a higher clinical healing rate, shorter ulcer healing time and lower ulcer recurrence rate than either treatment alone.

Administration, Oral ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Time Factors ; Varicose Ulcer ; therapy ; Wound Healing

ObjectiveTo observe the thyroid status of pregnant women during the 1st and 2nd trimester of gestation,and its role in brain and neural development of their offspring's.MethodsFrom 2008 to 2009,pregnant women from nine townships of two counties in Wushi and Baicheng in Aksu prefecture of Xinjiang were selected as research subjects according to the survey standard.After informed consent signed,their urinary iodine,serum thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) and free thyroxin(FT4) were analyzed.The value of thyroid hormone of normal pregnant women was used in diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia in pregnant women.From 2010 to 2011, The brain and neural development status among offspring born by those pregnant women were evaluated with DDST.In accordance with the results of Denver Development Screen Test (DDST) screening,pregnant women were classified into survey and control groups,and the survey group was the suspicious and abnormal of the result of DDST screening(delay),the control group was normal of the result.According to gestational age,pregnant women were divided into 4 gestation groups:G1(6 to 13 weeks),G2(14 to 18 weeks),G3 ( 19 to 23 weeks) and G4(24 to 28 weeks).ResultsA total of 396 cases of pregnant women during the 1st and 2nd trimester of gestation were investigated(survey group 102 cases,control group 294 cases).The median value of urinary iodine concentration among pregnant women in survey group was 152.4 μg/L The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia among pregnant women was 10.78％(11/102) and 3.93％(4/102),respectively.In control group,the median value of urinary iodine concentration was 180.0 μg/L The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia among pregnant women was 7.48％ (22/294) and 4.42％ (13/294),respectively.During the pregnant period from G1 to G3,the median serum TSH of pregnant women in DDST survey group (2.24,3.49,2.85 mU/L) was higher than that of DDST control group( 1.59,2.70,2.28 mU/L).Especially,the difference of TSH between the two groups during the period of G3 was statistically significant (t =4.906,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionsHypothyroidism tendency of pregnant women during the period from gestation week 19th to 23rd may be an important factor in the development of brain abnormalities of their offsprings.

BACKGROUNDType 1 diabetes has been recognized as an organ specific autoimmune disease owing to the immune destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells in genetically susceptible individuals. In both human and rodent models of type 1 diabetes, such as nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, biobreeding rats, the disease has a distinct stage characterized by immune cells infiltrating in the pancreas (insulitis). The major populations of infiltrating cells are macrophages and T lymphocytes. Therefore, immune cell infiltration of pancreatic islets may be a crucial step in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 can specifically attract monocytes in vivo. Interferon induced protein-10 has chemoattractant effects on the activated lymphocytes. In this study, we analysed the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the pancreas of mice and interferon inducible protein-10 mRNA in the pancreas of NOD mice, and discussed their possible role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes.

METHODSThe immunohistochemical method and immunoelectronmicroscopy were used to evaluate the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the pancreas of NOD mice and BALB/c mice. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon inducible protein mRNA in NOD mice.

RESULTSMonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was positive in the pancreas of NOD mice, whereas negative in the pancreas of BALB/C mice. RT-PCR showed that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon inducible protein-10 mRNA could be found in the pancreas of NOD mice. Immunoelectronmicroscopy demonstrated that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was produced by beta cells and stored in the cytoplasm of the cells.

CONCLUSIONSPancreatic islet beta cells produce monocyte chemoattractantprotein-1 in NOD mice. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 may play an important part in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes by attracting monocytes/macrophages to infiltrate pancreatic islets.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL2 ; analysis ; genetics ; Chemokine CXCL10 ; Chemokines, CXC ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; etiology ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Pancreas ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

The gene orf25 encodes functional protein that may play an important role in plant fertility control in nature. To clone the orf25 from Salicornia europaea Xinjiang into a T-vector, a single designed primer was used to amplify 1.7kb cDNA fragment with RT-PCR. Sequence analysis reveals that the cloned fragment contains entire orf25 coding region with 98%, 95%, 92% and 88% identity to that of orf25 from Beta vulgaris, Nicotiana, wheat and maize mitochondrion, respectively. This analysis suggests that orf25 gene is highly conserved in terms of evolution in plant; and it also suggests that wild plant Salicornia europaea contain a male-sterility gene similar to crops that is of great importance in improvement of the breed of crop.
Base Sequence ; Chenopodiaceae ; genetics ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plant Infertility ; genetics ; physiology ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

To obtain the recombinant pZP3alpha protein for the study of the contraceptive vaccines, the DNA sequence (446-1423) encoding purified pZP3alpha was inserted into a vector--pPICZalphaA. The recombinant plasmid pPICZalphaA-pZP3alpha was linearized and then transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electroporation. Engineering strains were attained by screening with zeocin and induced to produce rpZP3alpha in high-density fermentation. Then rpZP3alpha was purified by Cu2+ metal affinity column chromatography from the separated and concentrated fermentative supernatants. The purified rpZP3alpha was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and the quantity, purity and rate of recovery of the rpZP3alpha were analyzed by Quantity One software. One male rabbit was immunized with the Cu-NTA-purified rpZP3alpha. The antibody responses against rpZP3alpha and porcine ZP were detected by ELISA and the indirect immunofluorescence. Engineering strains expressing rpZP3alpha in secretion were constructed. A 46kD component named rpZP3alpha which can react with anti-pZP3 antibody was purified from fermentative supernatants of engineering strains and the average yield of purified rpZP3alpha obtained from fermentative supernatants was 8mg/L. The purity and the rate of recovery were up to 92% and 63% respectively. The anti-rpZP3alpha antiserum was prepared by immunization of a male rabbit with purified rpZP3alpha. This anti-rpZP3alpha antiserum could react with rpZP3alpha and purified pZP3 in ELISA and bind to porcine zona pellucida which produced bright green fluorescence in the indirect immunofluorescence. The rpZP3alpha (46kD) protein could be successfully expressed in the Pichia pastoris expression system. And this protein retained the immunogenic activity of natural pZP3.
Animals ; Egg Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Electroporation ; Fermentation ; Immunization ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; secretion ; Swine ; Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins