Mammals have three genes with homology to the hh gene.These comprise Sonic hedgehog(Shh),Indian hedgehog(Ihh),and Desert hedgehog(Dhh).Shh has been shown to play a crucial role in embryogenesis and the development of ectoderm.Shh has the great relationship with the forming all the system.Shh-Patched-Smoothened signal pathway will lead the embryogenesis in the normal way.Otherwise,the abnormal embryogenesis,malformation,and tumor will be happened.

Male infertility is a complex disease affecting the reproduction of childbearing couples, for which genetic polymorphism of spermatogenesis genes is an important genetic pathogenic factor. Lots of genes closely related with spermatogenesis have been successfully identified through the gene knockout technology. Spermatogenesis impairment related genes include those associated with expression enzymes, receptors, cell apoptosis, transcription regulation, and so on. The genetic susceptibility of these genes, infection, and environment jointly contribute to non-obstructive azoospermia and oligozoospermia in males. The analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of spermatogenesis impairment related genes helps explain the possible mechanism of pathogenesis at the molecular level, and provides theoretical evidence for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. The article focuses on the correlation of the SNPs of spermatogenesis impairment related genes with azoospermia and oligozoospermia.
Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

The effects of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway activation on S-type neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines and its role in NB tumorigenesis were investigated. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Shh pathway components-Patched1 (PTCH1) and Gli1 in 40 human primary NB samples. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to examine the protein expression and mRNA levels of PTCH1 and Gli1 in three kinds of S-type NB cell lines (SK-N-AS, SK-N-SH and SHEP1), respectively. Exogenous Shh was administrated to activate Shh signaling pathway while cyclopamine was used as a selective antagonist of Shh pathway. S-type NB cell lines were treated with different concentrations of Shh or/and cyclopamine for different durations. Cell viability was measured by using MTT method. Apoptosis rate and cell cycle were assayed by flow cytometry. The xenograft experiments were used to evaluate the role of Shh pathway in tumor growth in immunodeficient mice. High-level expression of PTCH1 and Gli1 was detected in both NB samples and S-type NB cell lines. Cyclopamine decreased the survival rate of the three cell lines while Shh increased it, and the inhibition effects of cyclopamine could be partially reversed by shh pre-treatment. Cyclopamine induced the cell apoptosis and the cell cycle arrest in G(0)/G(1) phase, while Shh induced the reverse effects and could partially prevent effects of cyclopamine. Cyclopamine could also inhibit the growth of NB in vivo. Our studies revealed that activation of the Shh pathway is important for survival and proliferation of S-type NB cells in vivo and in vitro through affecting cell apoptosis and cell cycle, suggesting a new therapeutic approach to NB.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemic status of brucellosis in the occupational population in Yuxi, China, and to develop effective prevention and control strategies.

METHODSSerological test was performed for 2320 employees involved in breeding, slaughtering, meat and dairy product processing, veterinary medicine, and sales in counties and districts where brucellosis was detected from 2008 to 2014 in Yuxi; pathogenic detection was performed for those in the occupational population who were suspected of brucellosis.

RESULTSThe results of serological test showed that the infection rate of brucellosis reached 3.32% , and 15 cases of brucellosis had clinical symptoms. The employees involved in breeding had the highest infection rate (4.89%) (χ2=25.75, P<0.05). From 2008 to 2014, the infection rate of brucellosis was 0.37%~4.93% and tended to increase; 67.85% of the occupational population did not take personal protective measures and had a significantly higher infection rate than those who took personal protective measures (4.45% vs 0.94%; χ2=19.42, P<0.05). Among the 161 patients suspected of brucellosis, 42 cases were diagnosed as current brucellosis confirmed by laboratory pathogenic detection.

CONCLUSIONThe infection rate of brucellosis and the number of newly diagnosed cases tend to increase in the occupational population in Yuxi, and the employees involved in breeding are the major infected population.

Animal Husbandry ; Brucellosis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Dairying ; Humans ; Meat ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Veterinary Medicine

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the relationship between sperm apoptosis and male infertility.

METHODSPercentage of apoptotic sperm (PAS) in spermatozoa of fertile and infertile men were tested by flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSSperm apoptosis had happened in all different people. PAS in fertile and infertile group was (4.28 +/- 1.66)% and (18.67 +/- 8.55)% respectively, and difference was significant between two groups (P < 0.01). There was negative correlation between PAS and semen volume, sperm density, percentage of forward motility, percentage of normal morphology (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere was very close relationship between sperm apoptosis and male infertility. FCM used to test sperm apoptosis is rapid, accurate, objective and reliable to analyse sperm functions and male fertility.

Apoptosis ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; pathology ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; pathology

The effects of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway activation on S-type neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines and its role in NB tumorigenesis were investigated. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Shh pathway components-- Patchedl (PTCH1) and Glil in 40 human primary NB samples. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to examine the protein expression and mRNA levels of PTCH1 and Glil in three kinds of S-type NB cell lines (SK-N-AS, SK-N-SH and SHEPI), re-spectively. Exogenous Shh was administrated to activate Shh signaling pathway while cyclopamine was used as a selective antagonist of Shh pathway. S-type NB cell lines were treated with different concen-trations of Shh or/and cyclopamine for different durations. Cell viability was measured by using MTT method. Apoptosis rate and cell cycle were assayed by flow cytometry. The xenograft experiments were used to evaluate the role of Shh pathway in tumor growth in immunodeficient mice. High-level expres-sion of PTCH1 and Gill was detected in both NB samples and S-type NB cell lines. Cyclopamine de-creased the survival rate of the three cell lines while Shh increased it, and the inhibition effects of cyclopaminc could be partially reversed by shh pre-treatment. Cyclopamine induced the cell apoptosis and the cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, while Shh induced the reverse effects and could partially pre-vent effects of cyclopamine. Cyclopamine could also inhibit the growth of NB in vivo. Our studies re-vealed that activation of the Shh pathway is important for survival and proliferation of S-type NB cells in vivo and in vitro through affecting cell apoptosis and cell cycle, suggesting a new therapeutic ap-proach to NB.

Objective: To investigate the changes of proportion on both consistent condom use and syphilis infection among low-fee female sex workers aged 35 and above (LFSW), in order to provide evidence for targeted intervention strategies. Methods: A total of six cities-Liuzhou city and Pingnan couty of Guigang city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jinghong city of Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture and Dali city of Dali Bai autonomous prefecture of Yunnan province, Zhangjiajie city and Jianghua Yao autonomous county of Yongzhou city Hunan province were involved in this study, with 60 eligible participants needed in each city, estimated through a pre-study. The first cross-sectional survey was completed from October 2012 to January 2013. Face-to-face questionnaire interview was carried out to collect information on socio-demography, work-related information and condom use situation. Blood was collected for syphilis testing. The second cross-sectional survey was carried out from June to September, 2015 under the same procedure. Results: A total of 371 and 403 eligible participants were included in the first and second survey, respectively. When comparing the two surveys, we noticed that the average age showed a slight change, from 42.4 years to 43.8 years old (t=3.537, P<0.001) and the average price for every commercial sex exchange increased from 36.8 RMB to 49.5 RMB (t=11.961, P<0.001). In the first survey, 46.9% (174/371) of the participants had more than two years of experience working as LFSW, compared to 61.3% (247/403) in the second survey (χ(2)=16.125, P<0.001). Also, 46.9% (174/371) of the participants consistently used condoms with clients in the past month in the first survey versus 64.3% (259/403) (χ(2)=23.641, P<0.001) in the second one. Rates of syphilis infection were found from 15.9% (59/371) in the first survey reduced to 7.2% (29/403) in the second survey (χ(2)=14.533, P<0.001). Conclusion: Compared with the first survey, the proportion of consistent condoms use showed an increase. Although the proportion of syphilis infection decreased in the second survey, the scope did not meet the criteria on syphilis, set by the government. Targeted intervention strategies on condom promotion and syphilis control should be implemented consistently in this population.
Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Condoms/trends* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Safe Sex ; Sex Work ; Sex Workers ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syphilis/prevention & control* ; Syphilis Serodiagnosis

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Shaoyaotang （SYT） in the treatment of ulcerative colitis （UC） based on network pharmacology and experimental verification. MethodThe core components， target genes， and main pathways of SYT were predicted based on network pharmacology， and UC-related components， target genes， and pathways were screened. Dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） was used to induce the UC model in mice， and the effect of SYT on UC mice was observed， followed by mechanism verification. ResultNetwork pharmacology indicated that 174 active components and corresponding 159 target genes of SYT were screened， and the related pathways were those mediated by 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） degredation and 5-HT receptor 3. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group， the SYT group showed increased body weight and colon length（P<0.01）， reduced disease activity index （DAI） score （P<0.01）， improved histopathological manifestations， reduced concentrations of 5-HT in the colonic tissues and serum （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and increased mRNA expression of monoamine oxidase A （MAOA）， monoamine oxidase B （MAOB）， sodium-dependent serotonin transporter （SLC6A4）， and 5-HT receptor 3A （5-HTR3A） related to 5-HT metabolism in the colon （P<0.01）. ConclusionSYT can alleviate the local inflammatory response of the intestinal tract in UC by regulating 5-HT degredation pathways.

Objective:To compare the baseline difference in the quantitative hepatitis B core antibody levels (qAnti-HBc) between non-response and response group in children with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who received antiviral therapy, and further explore the proportion and functional activity of CD8 + memory T lymphocyte subsets with different qAnti-HBC levels in peripheral blood of children.Methods:The baseline anti-HBc quantification (qAnti-HBc) levels of 85 children with HBeAg-positive CHB who visited the Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2018 to December 2020 were detected retrospectively. The relationship between the baseline qAnti-HBc level and HBeAg serological response in 37 children who received antiviral therapy was analyzed. The proportion of CD8 + memory T lymphocyte subsets and the secretion levels of interferon (IFN) γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α in peripheral blood of 59 children at baseline were detected by flow cytometry. The relationship between qAnti-HBc level and the proportion and functional activity of CD8 + memory T lymphocyte subsets was analyzed. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to compare the count data. Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare measurement data between two or more groups, and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was used for the correlation between continuous variables. Results:Among 37 children who received entecavir (ETV, 21/37 cases) or pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN, 16/37 cases), 18 cases had developed HBeAg seroconversion (10/ 21 cases in the ETV group, 8/16 cases in the Peg-IFN group). The baseline qAnti-HBc level was significantly higher in the response group [4.71 (4.64~4.81) log 10IU/ml] than the non-response group children [4.54 (4.45~4.64) log 10IU/ml, Z = -3.316, P = 0.001]. The proportion of CD8 + Tem, CD38 +CD8 + Tem, CD38 +CD8 + Temra cells and the levels of IFNγ and TNFα secreted by CD8 + T lymphocytes were significantly higher in the high-qAnti-HBc group than the low-qAnti-HBc group ( P < 0.05). The proportion of CD8 + Tem, CD38 +CD8 + Tem and CD38 +CD8 + Temra cells was significantly higher in ALT > 1× upper limit of normal value (ULN) group than ALT≤1×ULN group ( P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the levels of IFNγ and TNFα secreted by CD8 + T lymphocytes between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that qAnti-HBc was positively correlated with the proportion of CD8 + Tem, CD38 +CD8 + Tem, CD38 +CD8 + Temra cells and the level of IFNγ secreted by CD8 +T lymphocytes ( P < 0.05). Additionally, ALT was only positively correlated with the proportion of CD38 +CD8 + TEM and CD38 + CD8 + Temra cells ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:Raised baseline qAnti-HBc level is related to the HBeAg serological response to antiviral therapy in children with CHB. Peripheral blood effector CD8+ T lymphocytes of CHB children with higher qAnti-HBc show stronger phenotype and functional activation characteristics, which may shed some light on the underlying immune mechanism related to antiviral therapy efficacy in children with CHB.

Objective:To compare the efficacy, safety, and influencing factors among children with hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who received short-term therapy with pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Peg-IFNα-2a) or continuous therapy with entecavir (ETV).Methods:Quantitative data were compared using analysis of variance to compare the differences between groups. Enumeration data were compared by χ2 test (or Fisher's exact test). Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the influencing factors. Results:Peg-IFNα-2a, ETV, and untreated group had HBsAg clearance rates of 46.2%, 5.3%, and 0 after 52 weeks of therapy, respectively. HBsAg clearance in the patients' group with Peg-IFNα-2a and ETV was all accompanied by anti-HBS positive conversion, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=13.616, P=0.001). Peg-IFNα-2a group was followed-up for 104 weeks. Peg-IFNα-2a, ETV, and the untreated group had HBsAg clearance rates of 46.2%, 10.5%, and 0%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=11.056, P=0.004). Only one of the two children with HBsAg clearance in the ETV group had achieved anti-HBs antibodies, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=13.616, P=0.001). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HBsAg clearance was associated with age and antiviral therapy. During treatment, adverse events such as fever ( n=4, 30.8%), rash ( n=4, 30.8%), fatigue ( n=1, 7.7%), leukopenia ( n=7, 53.8%), arthritis ( n=1, 7.7%), and alopecia ( n=3, 23.1%) were observed in the Peg-IFNα-2a group, while none were observed in the ETV group. Conclusion:Peg-IFNα-2a antiviral therapy produced higher HBsAg clearance than ETV in five-year-old and younger children with HBeAg-positive CHB, while ETV had fewer adverse events and was safer than Peg-IFNα-2a.