Analysis of progesterone receptor membrane component 1 mutation in Han Chinese women with premature ovarian failure.

The gene PGRMC1 is highly expressed in the granulose and luteal cells of rodent and primate ovaries. Its role in anti-apoptosis and regulating cell-cycle progression suggests a role in regulating follicle growth. The hypothesis is supported by the study in mice and studies in Sweden.

Molecular analysis of interactions between dendrimers and asymmetric membranes at different transport stages.

Studying dendrimer-biomembrane interactions is important for understanding drug and gene delivery. In this study, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the behaviors of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers (G4 and G5) as they interacted with asymmetric membranes from different sides of the bilayer, thus mimicking different dendrimer transport stages. The G4 dendrimer could insert into the membrane during an equilibrated state, and the G5 dendrimer could induce pore formation in the membrane when the dendrimers interacted with the outer side (outer interactions) of an asymmetric membrane [with 10% dipalmitoyl phosphatidylserine (DPPS) in the inner leaflet of the membrane].

Immunotherapy and endothelin receptor antagonists for treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Recently, novel therapies of prostate cancer, such as immunotherapy, endothelin receptor antagonists, novel androgen receptor antagonist and novel taxanes, and others have been introduced into clinical practice. This study was performed to summarize these results of immunotherapy and endothelin receptor antagonists in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and derive a more precise estimation of their effect on future treatment. The PubMed database, references of published trials, and review articles were searched.

Expression of endogenous hypoxia markers in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the expression of endogenous hypoxia-related markers identified as being involved in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC).

Methods: We performed immunohistochemical staining of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), on tissue sections of 25 VSCC patients, 10 vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) patients and 12 healthy controls.

Results: HIF-1α expression was found in all sections, with no significant difference between controls, VIN and VSCC sections (all P<0.

Effect of traditional Chinese herbal Bu-Wang-San on synaptic plasticity in ovariectomised rats.

Objectives: The neuroprotective effects of Bu-Wang-San (BWS) and its effects on spine synapse plasticity were investigated in ovariectomised rats.

Methods: Thirty-six ovariectomised rats were divided into three groups: untreated controls, treatment with 17beta-estradiol or with BWS. After 3 months, spatial acquisition and spatial retention were measured using the Morris water maze.

Evaluation of a recombinant BCG expressing antigen Ag85B and PPE protein Rv3425 from DNA segment RD11 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in C57BL/6 mice.

Antigen 85B (Ag85B) is an important immunodominant antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and is a very promising vaccine candidate molecule. Rv3425 is a member of the subgroup 3 of the PPE family, which does not exist in all BCG strains. In this study we constructed a new rBCG which included this united gene (Ag85B-Rv3425).

The effects of an herbal medicine Bu-Wang-San on learning and memory of ovariectomized female rat.

Ethnopharmacological Significance: Bu-Wang-San (BWS) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of learning and memory impairment. The effect of BWS on neuroprotection and how BWS increases CA1 dendritic spine synapse density in menopaused women was investigated in the model of ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Materials And Methods: Sixteen OVX rats were divided into two groups, the OVX group and OVX+BWS group.

Chitosan microspheres enhance the immunogenicity of an Ag85B-based fusion protein containing multiple T-cell epitopes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

To develop novel delivery system for tuberculosis (TB) subunit vaccine, biodegradable chitosan microspheres were prepared and used to deliver a fusion protein, Ag85B-MPT64(190-198)-Mtb8.4 (AMM for short), made from three Mycobacterium tuberculosis genes. AMM-loaded microspheres were first characterized for their morphology, size, zeta potential, loading efficiency, and in vitro release of AMM.