The role of the Fas/FasL signaling pathway in environmental toxicant-induced testicular cell apoptosis: An update.

Unlabelled: The Fas/FasL signaling pathway is one of the major pathways that regulate apoptosis. Increasing studies have shown that the activation of the Fas/FasL signaling pathway is closely associated with testicular cell apoptosis. However, the mechanism involved is still unclear.

Efficacy and safety of the contraceptive vaginal ring (NuvaRing) compared with a combined oral contraceptive in Chinese women: a 1-year randomised trial.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of the monthly vaginal ring (NuvaRing; 15 μg ethinylestradiol [EE] and 120 μg etonogestrel per day) compared with a monophasic (21/7) combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing 30 μg EE and 3 mg drospirenone in healthy Chinese women aged 18-40 years.

Methods: This was a phase III, open-label, randomised multicentre trial conducted in China. Participants received NuvaRing or COC for 13 cycles (3 weeks of ring/pill treatment followed by a 1-week ring-free/pill-free period).

Ameliorative effect of L-methionine on Pb-exposed mice.

The present investigation was carried out to study the ameliorative effects of L-Met (L-methionine) on Pb-exposed mice by the measurement of the weight gain, the weight of organs, the Hb content, the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO), and the Pb and Fe contents of selected organs and serum. Thirty mice were randomly divided into the healthy control group (A), the Pb control group (B), and the Pb+L-Met-treated group (C). Lead-induced depression of growth and Hb content was reversed when L-Met was added to the daily drinking water.