Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Meiosis/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Adult ; Exome Sequencing ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics* ; Alleles ; Infertility, Male/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To screen better promoters and provide more powerful tools for basic research and gene therapy of hemophilia. METHODS: Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the promoters expressing housekeeping genes with high abundance, so as to select potential candidate promoters. The GFP reporter gene vector was constructed, and the packaging efficiency of the novel promoter was investigated with EF1 α promoter as control, and the transcription and activities of the reporter gene were investigated too. The activity of the candidate promoter was investigated by loading F9 gene. RESULTS: The most potential RPS6 promoter was obtained by screening. There was no difference in lentiviral packaging between EF1 α-LV and RPS6-LV, and their virus titer were consistent. In 293T cells, the transduction efficiency and mean fluorescence intensity of RPS6pro-LV and EF1 αpro-LV were proportional to the lentiviral dose. The transfection efficiency of both promoters in different types of cells was in the following order: 293T>HEL>MSC; Compared with EF1 αpro-LV, RPS6pro-LV could obtain a higher fluorescence intensity in MSC cells, and RPS6pro-LV was more stable in long-term cultured HEL cells infected with two lentiviruses respectively. The results of RT-qPCR, Western blot and FIX activity (FIX∶C) detection of K562 cell culture supernatant showed that FIX expression in the EF1 α-F9 and RPS6-F9 groups was higher than that in the unloaded control group, and there was no significant difference in FIX expression between the EF1 α-F9 and RPS6-F9 groups. CONCLUSION After screening and optimization, a promoter was obtained, which can be widely used for exogenous gene expression. The high stability and viability of the promoter were confirmed by long-term culture and active gene expression, which providing a powerful tool for basic research and clinical gene therapy of hemophilia.
Humans ; Transduction, Genetic ; Genetic Vectors ; Hemophilia A/genetics* ; Transfection ; Blood Coagulation Factors/genetics* ; Lentivirus/genetics*

Oral and maxillofacial space infections (OMSI) are common diseases of the facial region involving fascial spaces. Recently, OMSI shows trends of multi drug-resistance, severe symptoms, and increased mortality. OMSI treatment principles need to be updated to improve the cure rate. Based on the clinical experiences of Chinese experts and with the incorporation of international counterparts′ expertise, the principles of preoperative checklist, interpretation of examination results, empirical medication principles, surgical treatment principles, postoperative drainage principles, prevention strategies of wisdom teeth pericoronitis-related OMSI, blood glucose management, physiotherapy principles, Ludwig′s angina treatment and perioperative care were systematically summarized and an expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of OMSI was reached. The consensus aims to provide criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of OMSI in China so as to improve the level of OMSI treatment.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation of activated protein C (APC) resistance, coagulation factors and inhibitors abnormality and JAK2V617F mutation burden in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).

METHODSThe APC resistance was defined as the ratio of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in the presence and absence of APC, i.e. APC sensitivity ratio (APCsr). Plasma protein C (PC), protein S (PS), prothrombin (FII), factor V (FV), factor VIII levels and CD11b expression on neutrophils were measured. The percentage of mutated JAK2V617F allele (V617F%) was evaluated by real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTSExpression of CD11b on neutrophils was significantly elevated in MPN patients compared with that of the control group. APCsr, PS and FV levels were reduced in patients with MPN. The APCsr level was decreased mainly in patients with thrombosis and JAK2V617F mutant burden higher than 75%. APCsr was not only positively correlated with PS levels but also inversely correlated with JAK2V617F allele burden in JAK2V617F mutant gene carriers.

CONCLUSIONThe neutrophil was activated and PS, FV level were reduced in MPN patients. The APCsr level was decreased and the occurrence of relatively acquired APC resistance was found in MPN patients with thrombosis. The APCsr is correlated with the PS level and JAK2V617F mutational furden.

Activated Protein C Resistance ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Coagulation ; Blood Coagulation Disorders ; Factor V ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; blood ; metabolism ; Protein S ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the immune tolerance induction (ITI) in a severe hemophilia A patient with inhibitor, and to improve the therapeutic efficacy for patient.

METHODSThe FVIII:C was assayed by one-stage method and FVIII antibody by Bethesda method. Mutation screening of FVIII gene intron 22 inversion was performed using LD-PCR.

RESULTSFVIII gene intron 22 inversion was detected in this patient. Clinical tolerance to FVIII was successfully induced after administration of the ITI regimen combined with immunosuppression. A fall of inhibitor titer from 8 BU to 0 BU after treatment for 3 months, and in vivo FVIII recovery (> 66%) was normalized. The patient had no bleeding episode in the following 6 months.

CONCLUSIONThis is the first case report on successful immune tolerance induction therapy in Chinese hemophilia A patient. ITI is the most effective therapy for hemophilia A with inhibitor.

Autoantibodies ; immunology ; Factor VIII ; genetics ; Hemophilia A ; genetics ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; drug effects ; Immunosuppression

Aim:To investigate the effect of Hemangiopoietin (HAPO) on the hematopoiesis reconstitution in sub-lethally irradiated Balb/c mice.Methods: Balb/c mice were underwent total body irradiation at 700 cGy 137Cs ? radiation and were treated with HAPO or recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) after irradiation. The hematopoiesis reconstitution of mice were detected. Cells from bone marrow of Balb/c mice were cultured with HAPO or rhG-CSF for 24 hours or 72 hours before or after the cells were irradiated. The viability of cells were assessed and the ability of in vitro hematopoiesis reconstitution were also detected. Result: rhG-CSF and HAPO treated mice both showed increased survival rate and increased colony forming units. The peripheral WBC number increased greatly. The HAPO group was most quickest compared with rhG-CSF group and PBS control group. The number of bone marrow cells at day 14 of rhG-CSF group was higher than that in HAPO group, but the number of bone marrow cells at day 32 of rhG-CSF was lower than that in HAPO group. The number of bone marrow cells at day 42 of rhG-CSF was below normal. The number of bone marrow cells at day 42 of HAPO group was nearly normal. The number of CFU-GEMM in HAPO group was most compared with that in rhG-CSF group and PBS control group at day 7, 14 and 21 after radiation. The survival rate of cells after radiation in HAPO group was markedly higher than that in PBS control group, but the survival rate of cells after radiation in rhG-CSF group was no notable difference compared with that in PBS control group. In MTT assay, both HAPO and rhG-CSF incubation stimulated proliferation of bone marrow cell at 72 hours after radiation. Bone marrow cells formed Hematopoietic islands in HAPO group after radiation and were positive for sca-1 and CD31. CD31 positive endothelial cells increased around the Hematopoietic islands. There was no Hematopoietic islands formation, few CD31 positive endothelial cells and no sca-1 positive cells in PBS control group. Conclusion: HAPO can promote hematopoiesis reconstitution in sub-lethally irradiated Balb/c mice. It can increase the survival rate of mice and stimulate the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of different penetration enhancers on the transcutaneous permeability of lappaconitine gel in vitro and therefore to screen out the effective accelerator to enhance the permeation rate of lappaconitine.

METHODUsing improved Franz-type diffusion cell and excised big mouse skin in vitro as transdermal barrier, the kinetics parameters such as cumulative permeation quantity, permeation rate and permeation lagged time were determined by HPLC. The enhancement ability of four different enhancers such as azone (Azone), propylene glycol (PG), oleic acid (OA) and lauryl alcohol (LA), was investigated when used either uniquely or combinatively each other at random.

RESULTWhen used combinatively, Azone + PG, LA + PG, OA + PG can enhance the cumulative permeation quantity, OA + PG was the best one among them.

CONCLUSIONThe selection of the best penetration enhancers provided reference for lappaconitine transdermal delivery.

Aconitine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Azepines ; pharmacology ; Dodecanol ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Synergism ; Female ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Oleic Acid ; pharmacology ; Propylene Glycol ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin Absorption ; drug effects

AIMTo investigate the tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics of oridonin-solid lipid nanoparticles in animals.

METHODSHPLC method was established to determine the concentration of oridonin in serum of rabbits and in different tissues of mice. The results after tail iv administration of oridonin and oridonin solid lipid nanoparticles were compared.

RESULTSThe relative tissue content of oridonin of solid lipid nanoparticles in the liver, spleen, lung, heart and kidney were 4.25%, 3.44%, 1.19%, 0.52% and 0.60%, respectively. The concentration-time curves of oridonin and oridonin solid lipid nanoparticles were both fitted to the three-compartment model. T(1/2)pi = 0.087 h, T(1/2)alpha = 1.65 h, T(1/2)beta = 32.36 h, V(C) = 0.66 mL.kg(-1).

CONCLUSIONSolid lipid nanoparticles could increase the hepatic and lienic targeting efficiency of oridonin in mice and improve its bioavailability. Solid lipid nanoparticles were helpful for oridonin to reach a long circulation time and were hopeful to be its novel drug carrier.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Area Under Curve ; Diterpenes ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Diterpenes, Kaurane ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Female ; Injections, Intravenous ; Isodon ; chemistry ; Lipids ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Spleen ; metabolism ; Tissue Distribution