[Responses of soil microbial biomass and carbon source utilization to simulated nitrogen deposition and drought in a Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation]

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantation is a dominant forest type and carbon sink in the subtropical region in China. An experiment with simulated nitrogen deposition (addition of 40 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1) and drought (50% of precipitation exclusion, PE) was established in Chinese fir plantation in 2018. Soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected in summer (July 2020) and winter (January 2021). Soil microbial biomass, colony forming units (CFUs) and carbon source utilization were determined through phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), plate count, and Biolog methods, respectively. The results showed significant seasonal variations of PLFAs-related microbial biomass and composition. Soil bacterial and fungal CFUs tended to be decreased by nitrogen addition or precipitation exclusion treatment, and bacterial CFUs were more sensitive to the two treatments than fungal CFUs. Soil microbial function (i.e. carbon source utilization) was not affected by nitrogen addition, but significantly decreased by precipitation exclusion. There was a significant positive correlation between bacterial CFUs and microbial function, indicating the crucial roles of culturable bacteria in microbial carbon transformation. Our results highlight the critical effects of nitrogen deposition and 50% reduced precipitation on microbes in topsoil of fir plantation, with implications for unraveling soil microbial ecological function of subtropical forest ecosystem under global changes in future.

[Effects of soil moisture on priming effect of soil organic carbon in meadow in Wuyi Mountain, China.]

Moisture is an important factor affecting the priming effect of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, empirical evidence for its effect in mountain meadows soil is lacking. We conducted a 126-day laboratory incubation experiment with the high altitude (2130 m) mountain meadow soil in Wuyi Mountain, by adding ¹³C-labelled glucose combined with controlling soil moisture (30% and 60% of field water capacity, FWC). The CO₂ concentration and ¹³C-CO₂ abundance were measured regularly to examine the differences of SOC mineralization and priming effects under different water conditions and the driving factors. Our results showed that SOC mineralization rate increased with increasing soil water content. The priming effect of meadow soil with different soil moisture showed a decreasing trend with the increases of incubation time. The priming effect in soils with low FWC soil was significantly greater than that with high FWC. At the end of incubation, the cumulative priming effect of low FWC soil was 61.4% higher than that of high FWC soil. Compared with low FWC soil, high FWC soil released more CO₂ from glucose, and the ratio of cumulative primed carbon to glucose mineralization under low FWC was significantly higher than that under high FWC soil, indicating that soil microorganisms under the high FWC condition might preferentially mineralize more glucose than SOC and consequently lower priming effect. Therefore, the priming effect under high FWC was smaller than that under low FWC. There was a significant positive relationship between priming effect and microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass carbon/microbial biomass nitrogen, and NH₄⁺-N, indicating that soil microbial biomass and composition could be changed under low FWC condition. The improved microbial "nitrogen-mining" would increase priming effect. Consequently, the decline of soil moisture of mountain meadow induced by global climate change may increase the priming effect of carbon, with consequences on carbon loss.

[Integrated management and prognosis analysis of fetus with complete transposition of the great arteries during pregnancy and perinatal period]

Objective: To investigate the prenatal diagnosis, integrated management and prognosis of fetal complete transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) detected by ultrasonography. Methods: The prenatal diagnosis, integrated management and prognosis of 19 D-TGA fetuses found by ultrasound during pregnancy in Peking University People's Hospital from January 2014 to June 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The incidence of D-TGA was 0.12% (19/16 028) among fetuses diagnosed by ultrasound during 5 years. Among the 19 cases, there were 7 cases (7/19) of D-TGA alone, 7 cases (7/19) of D-TGA combined with ventricular septal defect (VSD), 5 cases (5/19) of D-TGA combined with other cardiac malformations; 2 cases (2/19) of D-TGA combined with extra cardiac malformations, and 1 case (1/19) of fetal growth restriction. Nuchal translucency (NT) thickening was found in 3 cases (3/19) at the first trimester of pregnancy. Among the 19 D-TGA fetuses found by ultrasound examination, 18 (18/19) had chromosome karyotype analysis of fetuses or newborns, and chromosomal abnormalities were found in 2 cases, all of which were terminated in the second trimester of pregnancy. The integrated management and multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of D-TGA fetuses during pregnancy and perinatal period were carried out. Nine cases (9/19) had induction in the second trimester of pregnancy, 10 cases (10/19) were delivered at term, and the gestational week of delivery was (38.3±0.7) weeks, among which 6 cases (6/10) were delivered by caesarean section due to obstetric factors, and 4 cases (4/10) were delivered by vaginal birth. The oxygen saturation was (69.2±11.3)% at birth and (77.8±6.7)% when transferred to the department of pediatrics. Except for one case lost to follow-up, the other 9 newborns received operation. The average operation time was (21.8±22.1) days after birth, 8 cases (8/9) completed one operation and 1 case (1/9) performed two operations. All of the 9 cases treated by surgery were followed up well. Conclusions: Prenatal diagnosis, individualized evaluation and integrated management during pregnancy and perinatal period should be carried out for the patients with fetal D-TGA detected by ultrasound. Fetal D-TGA is not an indication of cesarean section. The open of ductus arteriosus can be maintained with drugs when necessary after birth, and a good prognosis could be obtained through surgery.

[Characteristics and prognosis of interrupted inferior vena cava with azygous continuation]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of interrupted of the inferior vena cava with azygous continuation and the prognosis. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 21 fetuses diagnosed with interrupted inferior vena cava with azygous continuation among 28 567 pregnant women who underwent routine ultrasound scan. The clinical data, ultrasonographic features, genetic information and prognosis were collected. Results: Interrupted of the inferior vena cava with azygous continuation occurred in 21(0.07%, 21/28 567) of 28 567 patients. Three fetuses (14%, 3/21) complicated with heart and extracardiac malformations, including endocardiac cushion defect, single atrium and single ventricle, double superior vena cava, dextrocardia, asplenia syndrome, visceral heterotaxy, duodenal atresia; six fetuses (29%, 6/21) were associated with cardiac anomalies, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, double outlet right ventricle, pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, persistent left superior vena cava, endocardiac cushion defect and transposition of the great arteries; six cases (29%, 6/21) were only combined with extracardiac malformations, includingasplenia syndrome, visceral heterotaxy, duodenal atresia. Three fetuses (14%, 3/21) were nonorganic abnormalities included thickening of the right ventricle wall, fetal bradycardia, pericardial effusion, hydrops abdominis, increased peak systolic velocity/end diastolic velocity and single umbilical artery. Three fetuses (14%, 3/21) were isolated interrupted inferior vena cava with azygous continuation, but without other anomalies and 2 of them had normal fetal karyotype. Five cases (24%, 5/21) were successfully vaginal delivery, 1 case (5%, 1/21) had cesarean section. After 12-40 months follow-up, we didn't obeserve obviously abnormality, nor any chromosomal abnormality. Ten patients (48%, 10/21) opted for termination of the pregnancy and the autopsies were not done. Five cases (24%, 5/21) were lost to follow up. Conclusions: Interrupted inferior vena cava with azygous continuation are associated with cardiovascular and extracardiac anomalies, cardiac malformation and visceral heterotaxy are the most common anomalies. Visceral heterotaxy should be considered and fetal karyotype should be suggested. In the cases of isolated interrupted inferior vena cava with azygous continuation and normal karyotype, the outcome is favorable.

Preparation of bioactive neoagaroligosaccharides through hydrolysis of Gracilaria lemaneiformis agar: A comparative study

Hydrolysis of Gracilaria lemaneiformis agar by β-agarase was compared with HCl hydrolysis. The results showed that optimum catalysis conditions for the β-agarase were pH 7.0 at 45°C. Mass spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography and GPC results showed that the polymerization degrees of the hydrolysis products by the β-agarase were mainly four, six and eight (more specific than the hydrolysate by HCl). The enzymatic degradation products of agar were distinctly different from those of HCl hydrolysis in the ratios among galactose and 3,6-anhydro-galactose and sulfate group contents. The NMR spectrometry proved that the products of β-agarase were neoagaroligosaccharides, which was not found in the agarolytic products by HCl. The neoagarotetraose inhibited tyrosinase activity competitively with the K_I value of 16.0mg/ml. Hydroxyl radical-scavenging ability of neoagaroligosaccharides was much greater than that of agar HCl hydrolysate. This work suggests that neoagaroligosaccharide products produced by our β-agarase could be more effective in function than products from acid hydrolysis.

[The prenatal genetic diagnosis of a family with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome]

Objective: To identify the Androgen Receptor (AR) gene mutation of one family with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) and to establish the methods of prenatal genetic diagnosis for CAIS. Methods: The AR gene exons of the family were amplified by PCR and sequenced directly. Linkage analysis was performed by using the CAG repeats in the exon1 of AR gene to assure accuracy of the prenatal diagnosis. Results: We found a frameshift mutation c. 2546del A (p. Asn849Ile fsX34) in the exon7 of AR gene in the proband.The mutation had not been reported before.The mother of the proband went through two times prenatal genetic diagnosis for her next pregnancies, both fetuses were male and did not get the mutation.The results of the linkage analysis were consistent with the sequencing results. Conclusion: A novel AR mutations in a CAIS family have been confirmed. The method of prenatal genetic diagnosis was established, and worked effectively in the CAIS family.

A Straightforward and Practical Approach to Chiral Inducer: (2R,3R)-1,4-Dimethoxy-1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbutane-2,3-diol

A straightforward and practical access to chiral inducer (2R,3R)-1,4- dimethoxyl-1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-2,3-diol has been developed. It is based on highly regioselective 2,3-cyclosulfitation of (2R,3R)-1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-butanetetraol, in which selective protection of the secondary hydroxyls and chlorination of the tertiary hydroxyls of (2R,3R)-1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-butanetetraol are accomplished via one step. In the preparation, methanol was used as a methylating reagent and common alkali liquor was used for cleavage of the protection group. It may be one of the most straightforward and practical syntheses of the title compound.

[Comparison on concentrations and quality of dissolved organic matter in throughfall and stemflow in a secondary forest of Castanopsis carlesii and Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation]

In this paper, monthly variation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentrations as well as humification and aromaticity indices in throughfall and stemflow from secondary broadleaved Castanopsis carlesii (BF) forest and Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation (CP) were measured. The DOC concentrations in throughfall were significantly higher with greater variation in BF than in CP. The concentrations of DOC in throughfall were averagely 7.2 and 3.2 times of those in rainfall in BF and CP forests, respectively. The DOC concentrations of stemflow in CP were averagely 2.5 times as much as those in BF, and the DOC concentrations in stemflow tended to be greater in dry season than in rain season for the two forests. A significantly negative relationship was' found between the DOC concentrations in stemflow and the amounts of stemflow for both BF and CP. Moreover, the humification and aromaticity indices of DOM in throughfall in BF was significantly greater than in CP. In contrast, the humification and aromaticity indices of DOM from stemflow of CP were significantly greater than those of BF. This result indicated that the structure of DOM from throughfall was more complex in BF than in CP, and the structure of DOM from stemflow was vice versa. These results indicated that DOM in stemflow and throughfall showed significant variations in quantity and quality between BF and CP and may greatly impact the accumulation of soil organic carbon.

[Dynamics of unprotected soil organic carbon with the restoration process of Pinus massoniana plantation in red soil erosion area]

By the method of spatiotemporal substitution and taking the bare land and secondary forest as the control, we measured light fraction and particulate organic carbon in the topsoil under the Pinus massoniana woodlands of different ages with similar management histories in a red soil erosion area, to determine their dynamics and evaluate the conversion processes from unprotected to protected organic carbon. The results showed that the content and storage of soil organic carbon increased significantly along with ages in the process of vegetation restoration (P < 0.01). The unprotected soil organic carbon content and distribution proportion to the total soil organic carbon increased significantly (P < 0.05) after 7-11 years' restoration but stabilized after 27 and 30 years of restoration. It suggested that soil organic carbon mostly accumulated in the form of unprotected soil organic carbon during the initial restoration period, and reached a stable level after long-term vegetation restoration. Positive correlations were found between restoration years and the rate constant for C transferring from the unprotected to the protected soil pool (k) in 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layers, which demonstrated that the unprotected soil organic carbon gradually transferred to the protected soil organic carbon in the process of vegetation restoration.

[Effects of temperature on CH4 emission from subtropical common tree species leaves]

Laboratory incubation test was conducted to study the effects of temperature on the CH4 emission from the leaves of subtropical common tree species Castanopsis carlesii, Schima superb, Cinnamomum chekiangense, Castsanopsis fabri, Cunninghamia lanceolata, and Citrus reticulata. Among the six tree species, only S. superb, C. reticulate, and C. fabri emitted CH4 at 10 degrees C. At above 20 degrees C, all the six species emitted CH4, and the average CH4 emission rate at above 30 degrees C (1.010 ng CH4 x g(-1) DM x h(-1)) was 2.96 times higher than that at 10-30 degrees C (0.255 ng CH4 x g(-1) DM x h(-1)). Moreover, increasing temperature had much more effects on the CH4 emission rate of C. reticulata and C. lanceolata than on that of the other four tree species. Incubation time affected the CH4 emission rate of all test tree species significantly, suggesting that the effects of temperature stress on the CH4 emission could be controlled by plant activity. Dry leaves could not emit CH4 no matter the temperature was very high or low. It was suggested that high temperature stress had important effects on the CH4 emission from subtropical tree leaves, and global warming could increase the CH4 emission from plants.

Exon 47 skipping of fibrillin-1 leads preferentially to cardiovascular defects in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections

Excessive activation of the transforming growth factor beta signaling pathway and disorganized cellular skeleton caused by genetic mutations are known to be responsible for the inherited thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD), a life-threatening vascular disease. To investigate the genotype-phenotype correlation, we screened genetic mutations of fibrillin-1 (FBN1), transforming growth factor-β receptor-1 (TGFBR1) and transforming growth factor-β receptor-2 (TGFBR2) for TAAD in 7 affected families and 22 sporadic patients. Of 19 potential mutations identified in FBN1, 11 appeared novel while the others were recurrent. Two mutations were detected in TGFBR2. Eight patients carried no mutation in either of these genes. Characterization of FBN1 c.5917+6T>C in transfected HEK293 cells demonstrated that it caused skipping of exon 47, leading to the loss of the 33th calcium binding epidermal growth factor-like domain associated with Marfan syndrome. Compared with exon 46, skipping of 47 did not cause patients ectopia lentis in all carriers. To correlate genotypes with phenotypes in different human ancestries, we reviewed the published mutational studies on FBN1 and found that the probability of cardiovascular defects were significantly increased in Chinese patients with premature termination codon or splicing mutations than those with missense mutations (91.7 % vs 54.2 %, P = 0.0307) or with noncysteine-involved point mutations than those with cysteine-involved mutations (88.9 % vs 33.3 %, P = 0.0131). Thus, we conclude that exon 47 skipping of FBN1 leads preferentially to cardiovascular defects and human ancestries influence genotype-phenotype correlation in TAAD.

[Seasonal variations of soil CH4 uptake rate in Castanopsis carlesii forest in mid-subtropical China]

A monthly measurement of soil CH4 uptake rate (V(CH4)) in a natural Castanopsis carlesii forest in Wanmulin Natural Reserve of Fujian Province, East China was conducted from March 2010 to February 2011. The VCH4 showed a pronounced seasonal fluctuation, being higher in summer-autumn than in winter-spring, with the maximum value (95.13 microg x m(-2) x h(-1)) in September and the minimum value (9.13 microg x m(-2) x h(-1)) in March. With the increase of soil temperature and moisture, the V(CH4) showed an increasing and a decreasing trend, respectively, but the correlations of the V(CH4) with soil temperature and moisture were not significant. The annual soil CH4 flux of the forest (3.93 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1)) was higher than the average value of global natural forests (2.4 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1)) and of Asian tropical natural forests (2.07 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1)), but lower than that of Asian temperate natural forests (8.12 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1)).

[Seasonal variation of light fraction organic matter in degraded red soil after vegetation restoration]

This paper studied the seasonal variation of light fraction organic matter (LFOM) in the red soils of severely eroded bare land, and of the bare lands restored to Pinus massoniana forest land, Castanea mollissima plantation, and Paspalum notatum grassland in the Hetian Town of Changting County, Fujian Province, with secondary forest soil as the control. The results showed that in the surface soil of the bare land, LFOM content was between 0.05-0.14 g x kg(-1) and with no significant seasonal variation, while in that of P. massoniana forest land, C. mollissima plantation and P. notatum grassland, LFOM content had a distinct seasonal variation, and was 58%-122% higher in spring, autumn, and winter than in summer. The C content and C/N ratio of the LFOM in the three restored lands were lower in summer than in other seasons, while the nitrogen content of the LFOM was in adverse, indicating that the high temperature and humidity in summer induced a rapid decomposition of soil LFOM. The LFOM in secondary forest soil had the similar variation trend to that in the three restored lands, but the variation range was significantly narrower. The seasonal dynamics of surface soil LFOM was affected not only by micro-climate but also by vegetation types, and the variation range was greater in P. notatum grassland than in forest lands. It was suggested that to enhance the observation precision of soil LFOM, repeated sampling or integrating the factors such as climate, vegetation type, and management measures should be taken to determine the appropriate sampling time.

Cardiac repair with intramyocardial injection of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells after myocardial infarction

Although clinical trials of autologous whole bone marrow for cardiac repair demonstrate promising results, many practical and mechanistic issues regarding this therapy remain highly controversial. Here, we report the results of a randomized study of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, administered to pigs, which offer several new insights regarding cellular cardiomyoplasty. First, cells were safely injected by using a percutaneous-injection catheter 3 d after myocardial infarction. Second, cellular transplantation resulted in long-term engraftment, profound reduction in scar formation, and near-normalization of cardiac function. Third, transplanted cells were pre-prepared from an allogeneic donor and were not rejected, a major practical advance for widespread application of this therapy. Together, these findings demonstrate that the direct injection of cellular grafts into damaged myocardium is safe and effective in the perii-nfarct period. The direct delivery of cells to necrotic myocardium offers a valuable alternative to intracoronary cell injections, and the use of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells provides a valuable strategy for cardiac regenerative therapy that avoids the need for preparing autologous cells from the recipient.

Imbalance between xanthine oxidase and nitric oxide synthase signaling pathways underlies mechanoenergetic uncoupling in the failing heart

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO) in failing hearts improves cardiac efficiency by an unknown mechanism. We hypothesized that this energetic effect is due to reduced oxidative stress and critically depends on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, reflecting a balance between generation of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species. In dogs with pacing-induced heart failure (HF), ascorbate (1000 mg) mimicked the beneficial energetic effects of allopurinol, increasing both contractility and efficiency, suggesting an antioxidant mechanism. Allopurinol had no additive effect beyond that of ascorbate. Crosstalk between XO and NOS signaling was assessed. NOS inhibition with N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 20 mg/kg) had no effect on basal contractility or efficiency in HF, but prevented the +26.2+/-3.5% and +66.5+/-17% enhancements of contractility and efficiency, respectively, observed with allopurinol alone. Similarly, improvements in contractility and energetics due to ascorbate were also inhibited by L-NMMA. Because of the observed NOS-XO crosstalk, we predicted that in normal hearts NOS inhibition would uncover a depression of energetics caused by XO activity. In normal conscious dogs, L-NMMA increased myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) while lowering left ventricular external work, reducing efficiency by 31.1+/-3.8% (P<0.005). Lowered efficiency was reversed by XO inhibition (allopurinol, 200 mg) or by ascorbate without affecting cardiac load or systemic hemodynamics. Single-cell immunofluorescence detected XO protein in cardiac myocytes that was enhanced in HF, consistent with autocrine signaling. These data show that both NOS and XO signaling systems participate in the regulation of myocardial mechanical efficiency and that upregulation of XO relative to NOS contributes to mechanoenergetic uncoupling in heart failure.

[Effect of 7 d -6 degrees head-down tilt (HDT) on electromyogram of gastrocnemius and anterior tibialis muscles]

Objective. To assess the effect of 7 d -6 degrees HDT on electromyogram of the weightbearing muscles. Method. Eight healthy males, aged 33-42, were exposed to -6 degrees HDT bed-rest for 7 d, electromyogram from the gastrocnemius and anterior tibialis muscles were recorded before and after HDT, and day 4 of recovery. Result. The latency of SLR (short latency response) recorded from lower leg muscles after HDT was not different from that pre-HDT. But the latency of MLR (middle latency response) and LLR (long latency response) after HDT were significantly increased as compared with that pre-HDT, and recovered to pre-HDT level on day 4 of recovery. The durations of SLR recorded from right leg muscles after HDT were significantly longer as compared with that pre-HDT, and did not recover. The integrated amplitude of SLR and MLR after HDT were significantly increased as compared with that pre-HDT, and only the integrated amplitude of SLR recovered, but that of MLR did not. Conclusion. Seven day -6 degrees HDT bed-rest had significant effects on electromyogram of the weightbearing muscles.

[Effects of 7 d -6 degrees bed-rest on postural equilibrium]

OBJECTIVE

To quantitatively assess the effects of 7 d -6 degrees head-down bed-rest (HDBR) on postural equilibrium and to investigate the contributions of vestibular, somatosensory and visual informations to postural equilibrium.

METHOD

Eight healthy males, aged 33 - 42 years, were exposed to -6 degrees head-down tilt bed rest for 7 d. Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and Motor Coordination Test (MCT) were measured before and after HDBR, and day 4 of recovery.

RESULT

Equilibrium scores of SOT in condition 1 (eyes opened, platform and visual scence environment fixed), 5 (eyes closed visual scence environment fixed, platform movable) were significantly lower as compared with pre-HDBR value, and recovered to pre-HDBR level on day 4 of recovery. Postural strategy scores of SOT in condition 1, 2 (eyes closed, platform and visual scence environment fixed) and 3 (eyes opened, platform fixed, visual scence environment movable) were significantly lower as compared with pre-HDBR value, and recovered to pre-HDBR level on day 4 of recovery. The dependence of somatosensory and visual information (ratio pair codition 2/condition 1, condition 3/condition 1 in sensory analysis) was significantly higher as compared with pre-HDBR value, and recovered on day 4 of recovery. Mean SOT alignment scores in conditions 1, 4 (eyes opened, visual scence environment fixed, platform movable) and 6 (eyes opened, platform and visual scence environment movable) were significantly higher as compared with pre-HDBR value, and only the scores of conditions 1, 6 were recovered on day 4 of recovery, but that of condition 4 did not. Mean postural-evoked response latencies of MCT were not significantly different as compared with pre-HDBR value.

CONCLUSION

7 d -6 degrees head-down tilt bed-rest has significant effects on postural equilibrium. The contributions of somatosensory and visual informations to postural equilibrium are increased.

[Changes of dynamic ECG before, during, and after parabolic flight]

Objective. To study the characteristics of pilots' electrocardiogram during parabolic flight. Method. Dynamic electrocardiogram (DCG, CM1 and CM5 bipolar leads) were recorded in 13 pilots before, during and after parabolic flights. Result. Preflight and postflight values of heart rate (HR) and cardiac rhythm were essentially the same in all cases, but HR increased to a higher level of 86.0 +/- 7.3 bpm with maximum of 137.0 +/- 12.2 bpm, and minimum of 57.7 +/- 6.6 bpm during parabolic flights. During flights, one pilot's cardiac rhythm changed slightly and in another pilot T wave became inverted. In other two pilots, ST segments shifted downward more than 0.1 mV transiently. All these pilots showed negative result in maximal exercise on the ground. Conclusion. DCG could be used to evaluate the changes of cardiac electric activity during the whole parabolic flight.

Changes in soluble interleukin-2 receptor level in serum and Na+-K+-exchanging ATPase activity in semen of infertile men caused by antisperm antibody

AIM

To explore the possible mechanisms of male infertility caused by antisperm antibody (AsAb).

METHODS

The soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level in serum was analyzed by ELISA and Na+-K+-exchanging ATPase activity in semen by phosphorus (Pi) assay.

RESULTS

The sIL-2R level in serum was significantly higher and the Na+K+-exchanging ATPase activity in semen significantly lower in AsAb positive infertile men when compared with the controls.

CONCLUSION

The AsAb titer varies with the sIL-2R level in serum. A decrease in Na+-K+-exchanging ATPase activity in semen may play a role in male infertility caused by AsAb.

[Counteracting effect of hypoxia and Qigong on cardiac rhythm during orthostatic test post simulated weightlessness]

OBJECTIVE

To try to find a new method for countermeasuring the effect of simulated weightlessness.

METHODS

The study was carried out in fifteen male healthy subjects, 19-22 years, -6 degrees head-down bed rest (-6 degrees HDBR) for 21 d was used as a weightlessness simulation model. The subjects were divided into three groups: control group (-6 degrees HDBR), hypoxia group (-6 degrees HDBR + inhalation of hypoxic gas mixture two times a day, 20 min each time) and Qigong group (-6 degrees HDBR + Qigong, three times per day, 45 min each time). Orthostatic test (+75 degrees 20 min) was conducted on each subject pre- and post-HDBR.

RESULTS

Cardiac rhythm during the orthostatic test was normal pre-HDBR but sinus cardiac arrhythmias were observed in two subjects of the control group and nodal cardiac arrhythmias were observed in two subjects in Qigong group after HDBR. No cardiac arrhythmia was found in hypoxia group.

CONCLUSION

Hypoxia is more effective in countermeasuring orthostatic intolerance after weightlessness than Qigong.

[Closed mitral commissurotomy in 158 patients]

A follow-up survey was conducted on 158 patients who had received closed mitral commissurotomy. To improve the therapeutic effect, we strictly selected the patients, performed the operation appropriately, and strengthened postoperative treatments. The results showed that closed mitral commissurotomy is still a simple and effective therapy for the treatment of mitral stenosis.

[Closure of patent ductus arteriosus under extracorporeal circulation through pulmonary arteriotomy]

Twenty-nine patients underwent closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) via pulmonary arteriotomy under low-flow extracorporeal circulation combined with profound hypothermia. No complications from air embolism or hemorrhage were encountered during the operation. The early and late results were satisfactory. This technique was used as a safe method for PDA complicated by severe pulmonary hypertension, infective endocarditis, recurrence of ductal patency and for PDA in adults or coexistence of intracardiac anomaly.