Identification and Characterization of Key Genes for Nitrogen Utilization from Sub-Genome in Modern Sugarcane Cultivar.

Sugarcane ( spp.) is globally considered an important crop for sugar and biofuel production. During sugarcane production, the heavy reliance on chemical nitrogen fertilizer has resulted in low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and high loss.

The role of metabolites under the influence of genes and lifestyles in bone density changes.

Purpose: Osteoporosis is a complex bone disease influenced by numerous factors. Previous studies have found that some metabolites are related to bone mineral density (BMD). However, the associations between metabolites and BMD under the influence of genes and lifestyle have not been fully investigated.

Translocation of PKG1α acts on TRPV4-C1 heteromeric channels to inhibit endothelial Ca(2+) entry.

Aim: TRPV4-C1 heteromeric channels contribute to store-operated Ca(2+) entry in vascular endothelial cells. However, the negative regulation of these channels is not fully understood. This study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effect of PKG1α on TRPV4-C1 heteromeric channels.

Immune Infertility Should Be Positively Diagnosed Using an Accurate Method by Monitoring the Level of Anti-ACTL7a Antibody.

Infertility is currently a major public health problem. Anti-sperm antibodies (ASAs) markedly reduce sperm quality, which can subsequently lead to male and/or female infertility. The accurate detection of ASAs derived from specific spermatozoa is, therefore, clinically useful.

Anti-GAPDHS antibodies: a biomarker of immune infertility.

Numerous investigations have focused on the detection of antisperm antibodies, which have a naturally occurring impact on male and female fertility. In this study, spermatogenic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDHS) was considered to be a candidate biomarker of immune infertility. The concentrations of anti-GAPDHS antibodies in the sera of sterile individuals and fertile couples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Microvesicles mediate transfer of P-glycoprotein to paclitaxel-sensitive A2780 human ovarian cancer cells, conferring paclitaxel-resistance.

The overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) causes resistance to chemotherapy in human ovarian cancer. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we showed that, at membrane-bound protein level, P-gp was 'shared' between human ovarian cancer cells by the intercellular transfer of microvesicles (MVs).

MiR-489 regulates chemoresistance in breast cancer via epithelial mesenchymal transition pathway.

To investigate the role of microRNAs in the development of chemoresistance and related epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), we examined the effect of miR-489 in adriamycin (ADM)-resistant human breast cancer cells (MCF-7/ADM). MiR-489 was significantly suppressed in MCF-7/ADM cells compared with chemosensitive parental control MCF-7/WT cells. Forced-expression of miR-489 reversed chemoresistance.

A new experimental three-dimensional, reticular intrauterine device (3-DRIUD) composed of nitinol and silicone rubber.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore a new three-dimensional, reticular intrauterine device (3-DRIUD) composed of nitinol and silicone rubber and to observe the contraceptive effect of the device in rats.

Study Design: Two contraceptive experiments were performed. In the first, female rats underwent bilateral placement of a 20.

Anti-ACTL7a antibodies: a cause of infertility.

Objective: To show that antibodies against ACTL7a, a spermatozoon-specific protein, may be a cause of immunologic infertility.

Design: Determine the presence of anti-ACTL7a antibodies in infertile blood, raise antibodies against ACTL7a in rabbits, and demonstrate that the in vitro treatment of mouse spermatozoa with infertile sera markedly reduces their fertilizing capacity. Demonstrate that the active immunization of mice with ACTL7a protein reduces fertility.

Effects of the crude extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd on human sperm in vitro.

The aim of the present study is to analyze sperm membrane changes and the spermicidal effect in treatment with the crude extract from Polygala tenuifolia Willd (PTW) in vitro. The root of PTW was extracted in distilled water. Normal human spermatozoa were used to assess the spermicidal activity (Sander-Cramer assay) of the extract from the PTW root.

[Mechanism for sperm immobilization activity of extract from Platycodon grandiflorum in vitro].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of spermicidal effect of crude extract and platycodin-D from Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) root in vitro.

Methods: Between February 2006 and December 2009, 38 fertile and healthy adult males were selected as donors. PG root was extracted and platycodin-D purified.

Hsc70 binds to ultraspiracle resulting in the upregulation of 20-hydroxyecdsone-responsive genes in Helicoverpa armigera.

To probe the specific functions of the chaperone protein Hsc70 in 20-hydroxyecdysone signaling, we report on the roles of the Hsc70 from Helicoverpa armigera. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the genes for HaEcRB1 and HaUSP1 were upregulated in 5th molting and metamorphic molting larvae, whereas HaHsc70 maintained a constitutive expression level throughout larval development. Silencing HaEcRB1, HaUSP1 or HaHsc70 by RNAi inhibited the expression of a set of 20E-responsive genes.

[Analysis of sperm chromosomal abnormalities and sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile males].

Objective: To investigate changes in sperm chromosome and sperm DNA integrity of infertile males.

Methods: The level of DNA fragmentation was determined by Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) test in infertile males with idiopathic severe oligoasthenozoospermia (ISOA, n= 19), couples with unexplained recurrent miscarriage (URM, n= 38) and adult healthy fertile men (control group, n= 32). Multi-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed with probes specific for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y in the control group (n= 5), the ISOA (n= 10) and the URM (n= 12).

Molecular cloning and characterization of a C-type lectin from the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera.

C-type lectins participate in pathogen recognition and other defense responses in innate immunity as well as in cell-cell interactions. A new cDNA encoding a 335-residue polypeptide containing two tandem C-type lectin domains was cloned from the haemocytes of Helicoverpa armigera (Ha-lectin). Northern hybridizations revealed that the mRNA of Ha-lectin was expressed constitutively in haemocytes, and was up-regulated following injections of bacteria, yeast, or virus.

Molecular cloning and characterization of Hearm caspase-1 from Helicoverpa armigera.

Members of the caspase family play a central and evolutionary role in programmed cell death (PCD), which removes unwanted, damaged and dangerous cells during development to maintain homeostasis. In this paper, we describe the cloning and characterization of a caspase from the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, named Hearm caspase-1. The 1,350 bp full-length cDNA contains an 885 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a Hearm caspase-1 proenzyme of 294 amino acids.

Restoration of fertility in vasectomized men using percutaneous vasal or epididymal sperm aspiration.

Objective: To restore fertility of vasectomized men using percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and percutaneous vasal sperm aspiration (PVSA) via intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Patients: Twenty-eight vasectomized men who required restoration of their fertility with PESA, PVSA and IUI.

Results: Of 28 vasectomy reversal subjects, 16 cycles of IUI using vasal sperm by percutaneous aspiration were performed in 16 subjects and 6 pregnancies were achieved.

Successful pregnancy and birth after intrauterine insemination using caput epididymal sperm by percutaneous aspiration.

Aim: To manage male infertility with obstructive azoospermia by means of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Methods: Ninety azoospermic patients with congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (BAVD, n=58) or bilateral caudal epididymal obstruction (BCEO, n=32) requesting for fine needle aspiration (FNA), PESA and IUI were recruited. The obstruction was diagnosed by vasography and determination of the fructose, carnitine and alpha-glucosidase levels in the seminal fluid.

Percutaneous vasal sperm aspiration and intrauterine insemination for infertile males with anejaculation.

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of percutaneous vasal sperm aspiration (PVSA) in combination with intrauterine insemination (IUI) to treat infertile men with anejaculation.

Design: Clinical study.

Setting: Department of reproductive endocrinology and andrology of a family planning research clinic.

[Study on the sexual development of adolescent male].

Objectives: The investigation of the testicular volume, the penis length and the T, FSH, LH, PRL levels in serum were taken in 289 adolescent males to provide the valuable data for andrology.

Methods: The adolescent males were grouped according to their age. The testicular volume was measured with testicular model and the T, FSH, LH, PRL levels in serum were determined by immunoenzymetric assay.