[gwasfilter: an R script to filter genome-wide association study]

Objective: To develop an R script that can efficiently and accurately filter genome-wide association studies (GWASs) from the GWAS Catalog Website. Methods: The selection principles of GWASs were established based on previous studies. The process of manual filtering in the GWAS Catalog was abstracted as standard algorithms. The R script (gwasfilter.R) was written by two programmers and tested many times. Results: It takes six steps for gwasfilter.R to filter GWASs. There are five main self-defined functions among this R script. GWASs can be filtered based on "whether the GWAS has been replicated" "sample size" "ethnicity of the study population" and other conditions. It takes no more than 1 second for this script to filter GWASs of a single trait. Conclusions: This R script (gwasfilter.R) is user-friendly and provides an efficient and standard process to filter GWASs flexibly. The source code is available at github (https://github.com/lab319/gwas_filter).

[Predictive value of cardiac magnetic resonance-derived parameters on the improvement of left ventricular function in patients with acute viral myocarditis]

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived parameters on the improvement of left ventricular function in patients with acute viral myocarditis. Methods: Forty patients, who referred for acute viral myocarditis in our hospital from September 2011 to September 2015, were prospectively enrolled in this study.All patients were examined by CMR during hospitalization for acute viral myocarditis (baseline) and after 12 months.The CMR sequences include: two dimension steady state free precession, 2D SSFP; triple inversion recovery, triple IR; early gadolinium enhancement; phase sensitive inversion recovery turbo field echo, PSIR TFE. Results: Thirty out of 40 patients with susceptive acute viral myocarditis met the CMR criteria of acute viral myocarditis (Lake Louise Criteria) (LL+ ) and the other 10 patients did not meet the diagnostic criteria (LL-). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) values were significantly lower in LL+ group than in LL- group at baseline and at 12 months after discharge (P<0.01 or 0.05, respectively). The baseline left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) was significantly higher in LL+ group than in LL- group (P<0.05) and was similar between the groups at 12 months follow up.Left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI )was similar between the two groups at baseline and at 12 months follow up.LVEF was significantly higher during 12 months follow up compared to baseline in LL+ group and remained unchanged in LL- group during the two time points.LVESVI and LVEDVI remained unchanged at baseline and during 12 months follow up both in LL+ and LL- groups (P>0.05). Results showed that LL+ , edema ratio (ER) positive and global relative enhancement (gRE) positive were associated with significant increase of LVEF at 12 months follow up.However, LL-, ER negative, gRE negative, late gadolinium enhancement(LGE) negative and LGE positive linked with unchanged LVEF at 12 months follow up (P>0.05). Patients were further divided into LVEF increase (ΔLVEF≥5%) group and non LVEF increase group (ΔLVEF<5%), the results of Chi-square test showed that LL+ and ER positive were related to the improvement of LVEF (P<0.05), while gRE and LGE were not associated with improvement of cardiac function (P>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis, using ER, gRE and LGE as independent variables and LVEF as dependent variables, showed that the presence of myocardial edema was the strongest independent predictor of an increase in LVEF at follow up (full model: non-standardized coefficient 0.445, P=0.043; reduced model: non-standardized coefficient 0.442, P=0.12). Conclusion: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging monitoring is valuable to observe the cardiac function and morphology changes in patients with acute viral myocarditis, and myocardial edema imaging is the most powerful parameter to predict the improvement of LVEF in this patient cohort.

[The effect and factors associated with outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in refractory cardiogenic shock patients]

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and factors associated with outcome of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in refractory cardiogenic shock patients. Methods: Patients with refractory cardiogenic shock received ECMO treatment in our hospital from May 2013 to November 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical status before ECMO support, ECMO timing, complications and outcome were observed and analyzed.The hemodynamic data and the amount of vasoactive drugs at 2 hours before ECMO support and at 2, 6, 24 and 48 hours after ECMO support were collected and compared. Results: Ten refractory cardiogenic shock patients were included in this study (5 acute fulminant myocarditis patients, 4 acute myocardial infarction patients, 1 myocardial rupture patient (6 males, 4 females, age ranged 12 to 56 years). Before ECMO, the mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was (31.4±10.2)%, the mean score of APACHE Ⅱ was 26.6±10.8. Eight patients developed cardiac arrests and the duration of CPR ranged from 10 to 300 minutes and three patients received IABP. CVP decreased, BP increased, HR decreased, ScVO₂ increased, dose of dobutamine decreased at 2 hours after ECMO support. After ECMO support for 6 hours, lactate decreased, dose of norepinephrine decreased. After ECMO support for 24 and 48 hours, hemodynamics became stable and shock was significantly improved. Complication including infection of limb and catheterization site occurred in 3 patients, femoral arterial thrombosis occurred in 2 patients, critical limb ischemia occurred in 2 patients, hemorrhage at the catheterization site occurred in 2 patients. The duration of ECMO ranged from 2 to 220 hours. Nine patients could be weaned off ECMO support and 6 patients survived to hospital discharge. Two patients died due to too late ECMO support, the other two patients died due to severe complication of limb. Conclusions: ECMO can rapidly improve hemodynamic stability of patients with cardiogenic shock. Accurate assessing the timing of ECMO support and decreasing complication of limb play a critical role on improving outcome in refractory cardiogenic shock patients.

Percutaneous quadriceps tendon pie-crusting release of extension contracture of the knee

To release extension contracture of the knee, the authors used a minimally invasive technique: percutaneous quadriceps tendon pie-crusting release. Percutaneous pie-crusting release was performed using an 18-gauge needle to puncture the stiff fibrous band of the distal and lateral quadriceps tendon under maximum knee flexion. Quadriceps contracture was gradually released by multiple needle punctures. A knee brace was prescribed for one week and knee flexion exercises were performed on the first postoperative day. This technique was performed in seven post-traumatic stiff knees and five stiff total knee arthroplasties. Mean maximum flexion increased from 37° preoperatively to 50° after arthrolysis and 107(o) after pie-crusting. At a mean follow-up of eight months, mean maximum flexion was 103°. There were no major complications. The technique of quadriceps tendon pie-crusting release is a simple, minimally invasive and effective treatment for knee extension contracture.

Inhibitive effect of diphenytriazol on rat cytochrome P450 enzyme in vitro

The inhibiting effect of diphenytriazol, a non-hormonal early pregnancy-terminating agent, towards cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in rat liver microsomes was studied in vitro. The inhibiting effect of diphenytriazol on CYP was investigated by coincubating diphenytriazol with the specific CYP1A substrates, ethoxyresorufin and phenacetin, in microsome induced by beta-naphthoflavone, with the specific CYP2B substrates, pentoxyresorufin and aminopyrine, in the microsome induced by phenobarbital, and with the specific CYP3A substrates, diazepam, testosterone, nifedipine and quinine sulfate in microsome induced by dexamethasone. The results showed that diphenytriazol inhibited the metabolism of ethoxyresorufin and phenacetin significantly, and its inhibition potential on CYP1A was higher than the typical inhibitor fluvoxamine. Diphenytriazol also inhibited the metabolism of diazepam, testosterone, nifedipine and quinine sulfate to different degrees, but its inhibition potential was relatively weaker than that of the typical inhibitor, ketoconazole. No inhibiting effect of diphenytriazol was seen on the metabolism of pentoxyresorufin and aminopyrine. The ability of diphenytriazol to inhibit rat liver CYP1A and CYP3A suggests that in human patients complex interactions may result from co-adiministration of diphenytriazol with other agents which are also substrates for CYP1A or CYP3A enzymes.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of 3-phenyl-2-thio-quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide derivatives in hypoxia and in normoxia

A series of novel 3-phenyl-2-ethylthio/ethylsulfinyl/ethylsulfonyl/phenylthio/ phenylsulfonyl-quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide derivatives were synthesized and screened for their cytotoxicity in vitro on human leukaemia cell line HL-60, human esophagus cancer cell line ECA-109, human prostate cancer cell line PC-3, human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC-7901, and human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 in hypoxia and in normoxia. Half of tested compounds showed higher cytotoxic activity both in hypoxia and in normoxia. The mechanism of one potent compound, 67, in hypoxia showed that the mitochondria pathway is involved in the antitumor activity of this class of compounds.

Gender differences in limonin pharmacokinetics in rats

In the present study, the pharmacokinetics of limonin (LM) were investigated in male and female rats. LM concentrations in the plasma were determined after the oral administration of 36 mg/kg LM or after intravenous (i.v.) injection of LM 3.6 mg/kg respectively. Concentrations in the tissues, urine, feces and bile were also analyzed following the oral administration of 36 mg/kg of the test product. It was found that the plasma concentrations of LM in female rats were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those in male rats. Assessment of the effects of limonin based on the C(max) and AUC in female rats showed that levels were about 50-fold higher than those in male rats after oral administration of 36 mg/kg LM. Furthermore, after i.v. administration of 3.6 mg/kg LM, the C(max) and AUC in female rats was found to be about 3-fold higher than those in male rats. The total excretion of LM in the urine and bile of female rats was also found to be significantly higher than in male rats, which displayed lower concentrations of LM in the tissues, amounting to around one-half to one-tenth of those in female rats, apart from levels in the rectum and duodenum. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate the existence of marked gender difference in LM pharmacokinetics in rats.

Crowded Cu(I) complexes involving benzo[h]quinoline: pi-stacking effects and long-lives excited states

The Friedländer condensation was employed to synthesize two series of 3,3'-polymethylene bridged ligands, L, based on 2-(2'-pyridyl)-benzo[h]quinoline and 2,2'-bibenzo[h]quinoline (BHQ) along with the fully aromatic naphtho[1,2-b]-1,10-phenanthroline. Complexes [Cu(L)(2)](+) were prepared as their perchlorate or hexafluorophosphate salts. The solution state structures were analyzed by NMR and shielding effects reflected significant interligand pi-stacking interaction in the complexes. Solid-state structures of the complexes where L = 3,3'-tetramethylene-2,2'-bibenzo[h]quinoline or naphtho[1,2-b]-1,10-phenanthroline were determined by X-ray analysis. The tetramethylene bridged complex showed a highly distorted coordination geometry with the BHQ rings of opposing ligands pi-stacked at a interplanar distance of about 3.37 A. Complexes of the BHQ series showed a pronounced MLCT absorption maximum which shifted bathochromically from 496 to 610 nm as the 3,3'-bridge decreased from 4 to 2 carbons. The BHQ complexes luminesced strongly in CH(2)Cl(2) solution and the tetramethylene-bridged system showed the longest yet recorded excited-state lifetime for a copper MLCT excited state, tau = 5.3 micros and Phi = 0.10.

Evaluation of Diimine Ligand Exchange on Cu(I)

Four ligands have been prepared, 8,8-dimethyl-6,7,9-trihydropyrido[1,2-b]acridine and three 4,4',6,6'-tetrasubstituted derivatives of 2,2'-bipyrimidine where the substituents are methyl, phenyl, and p-tolyl. The corresponding [CuL(2)](+) salts of these ligands evidence nonequivalent NMR signals that allow an estimation of the ligand exchange barrier in both acetonitrile and chloroform solution. Lower barriers are found in the former solvent and attributed to solvent participation in the exchange process. Corresponding differences in the oxidation potentials of the complexes are explained in a similar manner. The electronic absorption properties of the complexes are also consistent with the steric and electronic properties of the ligands. [Cu(2c)(2)](PF(6)), where 2c = 4,4',6,6'-tetraphenyl-2,2'-bipyrimidine, was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and found to crystallize in the space group Pccn with a = 14.761(2) A, b = 15.007(2) A, c = 24.407(4) A, and Z = 4. The internal and external phenyl rings are disposed quite differently, with the internal rings interacting strongly with the orthogonal ligand.

[Inhibitory effect of genistein on the proliferation of the anterior pituitary cells of rats]

The effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein on the proliferation of rat anterior pituitary cells and mouse AtT-20 cells were studied using techniques of cell culture, 3H-TdR incorporation, flow cytometric analysis and electron microscope. Genistein significantly inhibited the proliferation of rat anterior pituitary cells and mouse AtT-20 cells. Genistein (50 and 100 mumol/L) blocked the proliferation of AtT-20 cells at G0/G1 and G2/M phases and evoked an apoptotic peak of these cells with an apoptotic ratio of 19.9% and 36.4%. The apoptotic cells were also observed under the electron microscope. In consequence, genistein, as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, can significantly inhibit the proliferation of pituitary cells possibly by inducing apoptosis, and the tyrosine kinase activity may play a key role in the proliferation and differentiation of pituitary cells.

[Effect of interleukin 2 on the expression of estrogen receptors in the anterior pituitary of rats]

Using primary serum-free cell culture combined with immunocytochemistry and semi-quantified RT-PCR methods, we observe the modulation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) by interleukin-2 (IL-2) in rat anterior pituitary. The results show that IL-2 up-regulates the level of ERalpha protein and the expression of ERalpha mRNA, but down-regulates those of ERbeta. The density per cell of ERalpha-immunoreactive (ir) cells increases from 48.740 4.567 to 81.188+/-6.619, whereas that of ERbeta -ir cells decreases from 102.560+/-6.250 to 72.718+/-7.623 after rhIL-2 (10 microgram/L) incubation for 48 h. In parallel with these changes, the ratio of ERalpha/ beta -actin mRNA increases from 0.1511 to 0.4334, and ERbeta /beta -actin mRNA declines from 0.3822 to 0.1528. It is likely that IL-2 has direct regulatory effect on ER in anterior pituitary.

Direct comparison of electron transfer properties of two distinct semisynthetic triads with non-protein based triad: unambiguous experimental evidences on protein matrix effects

In order to understand the roles of protein matrix in electron transfer processes (ET) within biological systems, a heme-based donor (Zn-heme: ZnPP)-sensitizer (Ru2+(bpy)3)-acceptor (cyclic viologen: BXV4+) triad 1 was used as a probe molecule. Two semi-synthetic systems, Cyt-b562(1) and Mb(1), in which the triad is incorporated into cytochrome b562 (Cyt-b562) or into myoglobin (Mb), were constructed by cofactor reconstitution. These two semi-synthetic proteins were compared with the triad itself (i.e., without the protein matrix) using absorption spectroscopy, steady state emission and excitation studies, laser flash photolysis experiments, and molecular modeling. Photoexcitation of the ZnPP moiety of Cyt-b562(1) or Mb(1) leads to a direct ET from the triplet state of ZnPP state (3ZnPP) to BXV4+ to generate a final charge-separated (CS) state, Cyt-b562(Zn+)-Ru2+-BXV3+* or Mb(Zn+)-Ru2+-BXV3+*. On the other hand, direct ET from the excited ZnPP moiety to the BXV4+ moiety is also involved in 1 in the absence of the protein matrix, but the excited state of ZnPP involved is not 3ZnPP, but the singlet excited state (1ZnPP) in this pathway. When the Ru2+(bpy)3 moiety of Cyt-b562(1) or Mb(1) is excited, a stepwise ET relay occurs with the ion-pair, Cyt-b562(Zn)-Ru3+-BXV3+* or Mb(Zn)-Ru3*-BXV3+*, as an intermediate, leading to the same final CS state as that generated in the direct ET pathway. The lifetimes of the corresponding final CS states were determined to be 300 ns for 1 in the absence of the protein matrix, 600-900 ns for Cyt-b562(1) and 1.1-18 micros for Mb(1), the values of which are greatly affected by the protein matrix. Molecular modeling study of the three systems consistently explained the differences of their photophysical behavior.

[Interleukin-2 stimulates the proliferation of cultured RC-4B/C pituitary adenoma cell line]

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether interleukin-2 (IL-2) is involved in the proliferation control of the cultured RC-4B/C cell, which is a derived pituitary adenoma cell line of the rat. The level of cell proliferation was estimated by assessing (3)H-thymidine ((3)H-TdR) incorporation rate. IL-2 (10 1000 U/ml) significantly stimulated (3)H-TdR incorporation into the cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Specific PTK inhibitor tyrphostin (1 micromol/L) suppressed RC-4B/C cell proliferation and blocked the effect of IL-2 on RC-4B/C cells. After the PKA signaling pathway was inhibited by specific PKA inhibitor H-9 (1 micromol/L), the proliferation rate of RC-4B/C cells increased significantly. H-9 also enhanced the stimulation of IL-2 on RC-4B/C cell growth. Anti-estrogen tamoxifen (1 micromol/L) had no significant effect on the action of IL-2 on the proliferation of RC-4B/C cells. In conclusion, it is suggested that IL-2 modulates the proliferation of the cultured RC-4B/C pituitary adenoma cell line, and the action is closely related with the PTK and PKA signaling pathway.

[Effect of interleukin-2 on the proliferation of cultured rat anterior pituitary cells]

The present study was to investigate whether IL-2 is involved in the proliferation control of anterior pituitary (AP) cells. Primary culture of AP cells was obtained from either male or female Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of IL-2 were assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation rate. It was found that: (1) IL-2 (10-500 U/ml) significantly stimulated 3H-TdR incorporation into AP cells of female pregnant as well as none-pregnant rats, but inhibited 3H-TdR incorporation in the male rats. (2) The stimulatory effect of IL-2 was reversed in overiectomized rats, but could be restored when the overiectomized rats were treated with estradiol benzoate (5 micrograms/d per rat). (3) When the male rats were orchiectomized for 2 weeks, the inhibitory effects of IL-2 did not occur. The above data indicated that the proliferative effect of IL-2 on AP is a joint action of sex steroids hormones.

Femtosecond optical gain in strongly confined quantum dots

Optical gain was found in strongly confined CdSe quantum dots. As a result of a multitude of one- and two-electron-hole pair transitions, the gain region is broad and quasi-continuous and stretches below the absorption edge. We present a model for gain in a quasi-zero-dimensional quantum confined semiconductor system that agrees well with the femtosecond experiments.

Femtosecond pulse propagation near a two-photon transition in a semiconductor quantum-dot waveguide

We have studied femtosecond pulse propagation in CdS quantum-dot-doped waveguides produced by the solgel and ion-exhange methods. The observed two-photon absorption and asymmetric spectral modulation of the transmitted pulses are explained by our theoretical model, which incorporates a near-resonant two-photon transition.

[Topical clonidine in prevention of intra-ocular hypertension after Nd: YAG laser therapy]

We evaluated the prophylactic effect of 0.25% Clonidine HCl on the increase of intraocular pressure after Nd: YAG laser therapy. IOP of 150 eyes using Clonidine and 119 eyes without Clonidine were measured before and 0.5, 1, 2, 24 hours after Nd: YAG application. Various stages of angle-closure glaucoma and after cataract were both included in the treated and control groups and were compared respectively. Overall, the incidence of increase of IOP in the Clonidine-treated group was significantly less (9.3%) than the group without Clonidine (63.0%); the incidence of marked increase (> 1.06kPa) was also significantly less (2.0%) than those without Clonidine (18.5%). The peak value of IOP after laser therapy in the treated group did not exceed 3.06 kPa. Therefore, topical Clonidine is recommended as an effective and safe procedure to prevent the intraocular hypertension in Nd: YAG laser therapy.

Studies on the chelation of hypocrellin A with aluminium ion and the photodynamic action of the resulting complex

Hypocrellin A (HA), a perylenoquinone derivative, is an efficient phototherapeutic agent. The chelation of HA with aluminium ion (Al3+) results in the formation of a 1:1 complex (Al(3+)-HA). The probable structure for this complex has been proposed. Compared with HA, this complex has a much higher solubility in water. In addition, Al(3+)-HA preserves the 1O2-generating function of HA as demonstrated by diphenylanthracene photo-bleaching experiments. In irradiated oxygen-saturated solutions of Al(3+)-HA superoxide radical anion and hydroxyl radical are formed as verified using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping agent. The production of superoxide radical anion is enhanced significantly in the presence of electron donors such as 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH). These results suggest that the photodynamic action of Al(3+)-HA proceeds via both type 1 and type 2 reactions.

Instabilities of a microcavity laser with a weak injected signal

An external cw laser signal in injected into a microcavity laser, and the dynamics of the resulting coupled oscillator system are studied. By variation of the injection detuning and intensity, interesting nonlinear behavior and injection locking are experimentally observed. A theoretical model of this system based on coupled rate equations and including many-body gain effects is presented and yields good agreement with experiment.

[Combination therapy of 91 cases of spinal metastases]

The majority of spinal neoplasms are metastatic lesions. This paper reports results of combination therapy of ninety-one cases of spinal metastasis verified by pathology. Most of them were metastases from breast, lung, thyroid and gastrointestinal cancers. Multiple metastatic lesions were mainly treated by chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was for radio-sensitive solitary lesions. Indication for operation included: (1) isolated spinal focus with unknown site of primary tumor; (2) recurrence or aggravation of tumor after chemotherapy or radiotherapy; (3) isolated radioresistant focus; and (4) the patients having paraplegia or an instable spine. Thirty cases were mainly treated by chemotherapy, 10 by radiotherapy, and 51 by operation. After the combination therapy, 13 cases were completely free of symptoms, 44 alleviated and 11 invalid. Of the 39 cases having paraplegia, 3 had complete recovery, 15 partial recovery and 21 no improvement. Of 85 cases having been followed up for 1-4 years, 51 cases (59.3%) survived for 3-11 months, 25 (29.1%) for 1-2 years and 10 (11.6%) for 2-3 years. The average survival time was 10.5 months. Analyzing the clinical and radiographic manifestations of the tumors and their treatment and prognosis, we consider that early diagnosis and combination therapy are the major factors influencing the therapeutic effect of spinal metastatic tumors.

Human plasma transport of vitamin D after its endogenous synthesis

Transport of vitamin D3 from its sites of cutaneous synthesis into the circulation has been assumed to be via the plasma vitamin D binding protein (DBP). We studied vitamin D transport from the skin in seven healthy volunteers who received whole body irradiation with 27 mJ/cm2 dosage of ultraviolet B light (290-320 nm). Samples of venous blood were collected serially in EDTA and immediately chilled. In KBr, plasma samples were ultracentrifuged to provide a rapid separation of proteins of density < and > 1.3 g/ml. Upper and lower phases and serial fractions were analyzed for vitamin D3 (extraction, HPLC), cholesterol (enzyme assay), and human DBP (hDBP) (radial immunodiffusion). Total plasma vitamin D (basal level < 1 ng/ml) increased by 10 h and peaked at 24 h (9 +/- 1 ng/ml). 98% of the D3 remained at the density > 1.3 layers for up to 7 d, whereas cholesterol (> 85%) was detected at density < 1.3 and all of the hDBP was at density > 1.3. In three volunteers who each ingested 1.25 mg of vitamin D2, the total plasma D2 increased to 90 +/- 32 ng/ml by 4 h, and the D2 was evenly distributed between the upper and lower layers at 4, 8, and 24 h after the dose, indicating a continuing association of the vitamin with chylomicrons and lipoproteins, as well as with hDBP. Actin affinity chromatography removed D3 from plasma of irradiated subjects, indicating the association of the D3 with DBP. These findings indicate that endogenously synthesized vitamin D3 travels in plasma almost exclusively on DBP, providing for a slower hepatic delivery of the vitamin D and the more sustained increase in plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol observed after depot, parenteral administration of vitamin D. In contrast, the association of orally administered vitamin D with chylomicrons and lipoproteins allows for receptor-mediated, rapid hepatic delivery of vitamin D, and the reported rapid but less-sustained increases in plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol.

Identification of the sterol- and actin-binding domains of plasma vitamin D binding protein (Gc-globulin)

The mammalian plasma vitamin D binding protein (DBP), or Gc-globulin, is recognized to have at least two functional properties: sterol binding and G-actin sequestration. Affinity labeling of the sterol binding site with the radioactive electrophilic ligand, 3 beta-(bromoacetoxy)-25-hydroxycholecalciferol, followed by limited proteolysis, permitted the isolation and identification of three overlapping peptides in the amino terminus of the molecule. When G-actin affinity chromatography was applied to other proteolytic fragments, two fragments from the carboxy terminus of the molecule were isolated and identified. Another, large, tryptic fragment displayed both sterol- and actin-binding properties. The amino-terminal assignment of the sterol-binding domain was confirmed by demonstrating sterol-specific binding by an in vitro transcribed and translated product of a mutated rat DBP cDNA encoding a protein truncated in its carboxy terminus. The sterol-binding domain was localized to the region between the first-amino-terminal disulfide bond, and the actin-binding domain was found between residues 350 and 403. A high degree of sequence conservation in these regions was found among human, rat, and mouse DBP's. These functional domain assignments confirm the apparent independence of these two binding activities and help to explain the observed triprotein complex of DBP-actin-DNase I and the competition between DBP and profilin for G-actin binding. Our findings should facilitate more precise delineation of the binding domains by site-directed mutagenesis experiments.

[Observations in vivo on spermicidal effect of nonoxynol-9 contraceptive in forms of effervescent suppository and film]

Spermicidal effect of nonoxynol-9 contraceptive in forms of efferscent suppository and film trade in China were studied in vivo. There were noticeable differences on the spermicidal effect in vivo between the two types and different doses. This study indicated that nonoxynol-9 efferscent suppository was more effective than the np-9 film in spermicidal efficacy. (1) No live sperm was found in the samples of vaginal and cervical mucus in the 20 cases of the suppository group. (2) There were live sperms in the samples of vaginal mucus of 6 cases and cervical mucus of 3 cases among the 20 cases of the film group.

The IVBF dual-blade plate and its applications

A recently developed simple device, the intervertebral body fixation dual-blade plate, was used in 88 cases of different spinal disorders. This patients in the first series were operated on from 1984 to 1986. The device is biomechanically simple and its application safe and easy. Using a proper bone grafting technique, it is a reliable device to establish spinal stability in spine surgery through an anterior approach. Its application in cases of fractures and fracture-dislocations of the thoracolumbar spine with paraplegia, tuberculous spondylitis, and primary tumors of vertebral bodies is presented. The midterm results, covering a follow-up period of 24-49 months (mean, 32 months) were satisfactory; there were no serious complications directly related to the device. There were four cases of pseudarthrosis due to insufficient bone graft technique. Of these, there were three cases of failure of the dual-blade plate.

Effects of Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Lévl.) Hutch on male fertility

Tripterygium hypoglaucum (Lévl.) Hutch (TH) is a perennial used in Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and various skin disorders. One study showed that daily oral doses of TH significantly reduced the fertility of male rats without apparent toxicity. The effects of daily oral doses of TH on the fertility of men taking it for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated. Sperm concentration, motility and motility grade all were significantly reduced in the 13 men taking TH compared to 11 untreated controls. TH therapy did not affect testosterone, FSH, LH levels, and its antifertility effects appeared to be reversible.

Recovery of sperm production following the cessation of gossypol treatment: a two-centre study in China

A number of variables were investigated in 46 men who had stopped taking gossypol for their predictive association with the degree and time of recovery of spermatogenesis. Thirty-nine (87%) of the men were azoospermic at cessation of gossypol treatment. In those with sperm present the geometric mean concentration and total sperm count were 8.3 X 10(6)/ml and 30.7 X 10(6), respectively. Twenty-eight men (61%) recovered to a defined threshold of spermatogenic function (sperm concentration greater than or equal to 20 X 10(6)/ml), with a median recovery time of 1.1 years. However, 18 men (39%) had not recovered to this degree of spermatogenic function after a median follow-up of 1.9 years and, of these, 10 (22%) remained azoospermic. The influence of individual baseline variables on the time to defined recovery was examined using Kaplan-Meier curves for groups and their joint effect by Cox's regression model. The failure of recovery was strongly associated with longer treatment, greater total dose of gossypol, smaller testicular volume, elevated FSH concentrations and, to a lesser extent, with greater body weight.

Follow-up of men in the recovery period immediately after the cessation of gossypol treatment

Variables in 46 men who had stopped taking gossypol in two centres in China were investigated for their predictive association with the degree and time of recovery of spermatogenesis. Thirty-nine (87%) were azoospermic at cessation of gossypol treatment. In those with sperm present the geometric mean concentration and total sperm count were 8.3 x 10(6)/ml and 30.7 x 10(6), respectively. Twenty-eight (61%) recovered to a defined threshold spermatogenic function (sperm concentration greater than or equal to 20 x 10(6)/ml), with median recovery time 1.1 years. However, 18 men (39%) had not recovered after a median follow-up of 1.9 years and, of these, 10 (22%) remained azoospermic. The failure of recovery was strongly associated with longer treatment, greater total dose of gossypol, smaller testicular volume, elevated FSH concentrations and, to a lesser extent, with greater body weight.