Spermatogenesis is a unique process of cell differentiation, which involves the regulation of a series of complicated post-transcriptional expressions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of none-coding RNAs that play important roles in regulating post-transcriptional gene silencing. MiRNAs are expressed in a cell-specific manner in spermatogenesis and participate in the maturation and differentiation of male germ cells. The specifically altered seminal plasma miRNA is closely related with spermatogenic dysfunction and therefore can be used as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of male infertility. A deeper insight into these specific miRNAs may point a new direction in the studies of the molecular mechanisms of spermatogenesis and spermatogenic dysfunction.
Biomarkers ; Cell Differentiation ; Genitalia, Male ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; Semen ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the curative effect of Qianjin Kouchuang Jiawei Granule (QKJG) on recurrent oral ulceration [yin deficiency fire excess type (YDFET)].

METHODSTotally 120 patients who suffered from recurrent oral ulceration (YDFET) were randomly assigned to two groups, the experiment group and the control group, 60 in each group. Patients in the experiment group took QKJG, 20 g each time, twice per day, while those in the control group took Kouyanqing Granule (KG) , 20 g each time, twice per day. Fourteen days consisted of one therapeutic course, two for all. Scores for patients' symptoms and signs (ulcer area, exudation, hyperaemia, edema, the number of ulceration, burning sensation, and pain degrees) were assessed before treatment, at day 3 and 7 after treatment. Short-term efficacy was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). The total paralysis time and the total number of ulceration at month 12 after treatment were taken as judgment for long-term efficacy. Results Compared with before treatment in the same group, symptoms and signs were obviously improved at day 3 and 7 after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group at day 3 after treatment, the improvement of edema, exudation, pain degree, and burning sensation was more obvious in the experiment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The improvement of edema, pain degree, and burning sensation at day 7 after treatment was more obvious in the experiment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). As for short-term efficacy, the total effective rate was 86.67% (52/60 cases) in the experiment group and 83.33% (50/60 cases) in the control group, with no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). As for long-term efficacy, the total effective rate was 90.00% (54/60 cases) in the experiment group, significantly higher than that of the control group with statistical difference [81.67% (49/60 cases), P < 0.05]. At month 12 after treatment, the total number of ulceration was reduced and the paralysis time of ulcer attack prolonged in the experiment group, with statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQKJG showed better long-term efficacy than that of KG in treating recurrent oral ulceration (YDFET).

Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Pain Measurement ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy

Objective To evaluate the role of spinal sigma-1 receptors in the maintenance of bone cancer pain (BCP) in rats and the relationship with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK).Methods Part Ⅰ Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 180-220 g,were randomized into 2 groups using a random number table:sham operation group (S group,n =4) and BCP group (n =20).BCP was induced by inoculating Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma cells into the medullary cavity of the right tibia.Four rats were sacrificed on day 10 after inoculation in S group or on day 3,5,7,10 and 14 after inoculation in BCP group,and the L4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed to measure the expression of sigma-1 receptors by Western blot.Part Ⅱ Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 180-220 g,were randomized into 4 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),sigma-1 receptor inhibitor BD1047 group (BD group),BCP group,and BCP + BD1047 group (BCP + BD group).On day 10 to 14 after inoculation,normal saline 20 μl was injected intrathecally once a day in S and BCP groups,or BD1047 120 nmol/20μl was injected intrathecally once a day in BD and BCP + BD groups.Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) to yon Frey filament stimulation was measured one day before inoculation,on day 3,5 and 7 after inoculation,and on day 10,12 and 14 after administration.After measurement of MWT on day 14 after inoculation,the rats were sacrificed and the L4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed to determine the expression of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) by Western blot.Results Part Ⅰ Compared with group S,the expression of sigma-1 was significantly up-regulated and peaked on day 10 after operation in group BCP.Part Ⅱ Compared with S group,no significant changes were found in MWT and p-ERK expression at each time point in BD group,and MWT was decreased and p-ERK expression was up-regulated in BCP and BCP + BD groups.Compared with group BCP,after intrathecal injection of BD1047,MWT was significantly increased and the expression of p-ERK was down-regulated in BCP + BD group.Conclusion Spinal sigma-1 receptors are involved in the maintenance of BCP in rats possibly through promoting phosphorylation of ERK.

Congresses as Topic ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Hematology ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell ; drug therapy ; United States

Superoxide dismutase(SOD) was purified from Tegillarca granosa and the effects of tributyltin chloride(TBTCl) on the enzyme activity of the SOD were analyzed at different conditios. The results showed that the effects of TBTCl on SOD activity were more ohvious at room temperature than at four degrees centigrade. 58. 1 % of the enzyme activity was reserved after SOD was incubated with 200?g?mL-1 of TBTC1 for 72 hours at room temperature, while 90. 9% of the enzyme activity was reserved at four degrees centigrade. The enzyme activity of SOD was reduced with the increase of TBTC1 concentration and interaction time. TBTCl could reduce heat-resisting, acid-resisting and alkali-resisting abilities of SOD. With TBTCl concentration increase,SOD isozyme bands in the graph of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were getting weaker.

Objective To explore the behavior characteristics in children with benign epilepsy combined with centro-temporal spikes(BECTS).Methods Eighty-two children with BECTS aged 2.5-3.0(2.65?2.31)years old,51 male,31 female,who were free of mental retardation assessed with Gesell developmental schedules,untreated with antiepileptic drugs,and were investigated 15 days after the latest seizure.Eighty-two healthy children with sex and age matched to the cases,53 male,29 female,aged 2.5-3.0(2.6?0.4)years old.The behavior characteristics of infants in BECTS group and control group were assessed with CBCL,including 6 behavior factors which were sleep problem,social flinches,depression,physical aspect,attacking,act of sabotage and the infants-middle school student social ability scale.Results The total scores of behavior characteristics and the scores of depression,sleep problem,attacking and act of sabotage in BECTS group were all higher than those in control group,the differences were statistically significant.However,scores of social flinches,and physical aspect in BECTS group had no significant differences compared with those of control group.There were no significant difference of social adaptive component between the BECTS and control group.Conclusions Children with BECTS have behavior disorders to some extent,but their social adaptive capacity are the same as normal children.

Vitexin, a naturally occurring flavone glycoside in plants, has many pharmacological effects, which is widely distributed in nature. This paper reviewed the research progress of the distribution of vitexin in the plant resources and its pharmacological effects, and summarized its application prospects, aiming to provide a useful reference for the development of vitexin-enriched plant resources.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Apigenin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; Plant Dispersal

Based on the results of the morphologic studies on genus Dioscorea, the paper summarized the entire chemical constituent that isolated from this genus and analyzed it with the methods of chemotaxonomy. The rules of the chemical constituent and pharmacodynamic effects were analyzed. Seventeen species which belong to Sect. Stenophora Uline of Dioscorea contain steroidal sapogenin. Other species with different main components such as polysaccharide and tannin have have different effects. This chemotaxonomic view point will conduce to establish a phylogeny of the genus Dioscorea.
Animals ; China ; Dioscorea ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology

ObjectiveTo identify the factors influencing the transfer of porcine endogenous retroviruses across the membrane of a new bioartificial liver (BAL),which is a necessary caution to consider for BALs carrying porcine hepatocytes.MethodsA novel porcine BAL composed of two circuits was constructed using a plasma filter with membrane pore size of 500 nm and a plasma component separator with membrane pore sizes 10 nm,20 nm,30 nm,and 35 nm.Co-cultured cells of porcine hepatocytes and mesenchymal stem cells or single porcine hepatocytes were incubated in the bioreactors.The BAL was continuously worked for 72 hours during which the supernatant was collected from the internal and external circuits every 12 hours.PERV RNA,reverse transcriptase (RT) activity,and in vitro infectivity from the supernatant were detected.ResultsIn the plasma filter group,the PERV RNAlevels were the same in both circuits,suggesting little to no effect of the plasma filter on the PERV RNA's crossing.With plasma component separators,PERV RNA was found in the external circuits at different times without positive RT activity and HEK293 cell infection,but its level was reduced significantly.The larger the membrane pore size was,the earlier and the more RNA was detected.ConclusionsThe membrane pore size,the treatment time and the viral level in the internal circuit are contributing factors influencing the transfer of PERV RNA across the membrane in a BAL.

RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) is a newly-developed method in transcriptome research, it can afford more accurate transcription information and be more quickly by using Next-generation Sequencing (NGS) technology. RNA-Seq has been widely used in various biological fields. Genuine traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), with good quality and therapeutic effect, were always praised highly and used by famous physicians. The geo-herbalism formation of TCM is based on the product of the gene expression at specific space and time. So it has been a research hotspot to analyze the mechanism of biosynthesis through RNA-Seq in the study on the secondary metabolism of medicinal plant. This article mainly illustrates the RNA-Seq and its advantages, it also discusses the potential application in genuine TCM, and it can provide useful information for other researchers.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Gene Expression Profiling ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; RNA ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Transcriptome