ABSTRACT Objective: Recently, several studies have found that obesity had a protective effect against varicocele, but no meta-analysis has confirmed this finding. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and varicocele. Material and Methods: We searched for studies in PubMed, Science Direct and the Cochrane Library from inception until February 2018. The association between BMI and varicocele was assessed by pooling the odds ratios (ORs). Results: Eleven eligible studies with a total study population of 1.376.658 participants were included in our analysis. According to BMI, the subjects were defined as belonging to the obese, overweight and underweight groups. Our results showed that the obese group had a lower risk of varicocele when compared with the normal weight group (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.37-0.58). Additionally, an overweight BMI had a protective effect against varicocele (OR 0.70, 95% CIs, 0.56-0.86). However, underweight patients had a more than 30% higher risk of varicocele (OR 1.31, 95% CI, 1.04-1.64). Furthermore, there was no publication bias in any of the analyses. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that BMI is negatively associated with the presence of varicocele.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the concise effects of a traditional herb pair, Curcumae rhizoma-Sparganii rhizoma (CRSR), on uterine leiomyoma (UL) by analyzing transcriptional profiling. The UL rat model was made by intramuscular injection of progesterone and gavage administration of diethylstilbestrol. From 11 weeks of the establishment of the model, rats of the UL+CRSR group were gavaged daily with CRSR (6.67 g/kg). The serum concentrations of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) were determined by radioimmunoassay, the uterine index was measured by caliper measurement, and the pathological status was observed by hematoxylin and eosin stain. Gene expression profiling was checked by NimbleGen Rat Gene Expression Microarrays. The results indicated that the uterine mass of UL+CRSR rats was significantly shrunk and serum P and E2 levels significantly reduced compared to UL animals and nearly to the level of normal rats. Results of microarrays displayed the extensive inhibition of CRSR upon the expression of proliferation and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes, and significantly regulated a wide range of metabolism disorders. Furthermore, CRSR extensively regulated key pathways of the UL process, such as MAPK, PPAR, Notch, and TGF-β/Smad. Regulation of the crucial pathways for the UL process and ECM metabolism may be the underlying mechanisms of CRSR treatment. Further studies will provide clear clues for effectively treating UL with CRSR.

ABSTRACT This study is to investigate the most efficient extractives of extracting oil recipe for stroke treatment and the protective effects on an oxygen and glucose deprivation model in PC12 cells. An orthogonal experimental design L9 (34) was carried out for oil recipe's optimization with supercritical CO2 fluid extraction. 2-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were conducted to evaluate cell activity and indexes in the cell lysate. The result showed that the optimum extraction condition was 30 Mpa, 50 ºC, 100 min, the extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and among forty detected compounds 27 were identified, representing 80.86% of the total oil content. trans-Cinnamaldehyde (14.14%), piperine (9.32%), β-amyrin (6.79%), lupenone (6.28%), longifolene (6.07%), β-caryophyllene (5.21%), α-bisabolol (4.11%), and β-bisabolene (2.56%) were high mass fraction. Oil recipe could significantly attenuate PC12 cell damage, the lactate dehydrogenase release and decreased the malondialdehyde levels, glutathione peroxidase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity, glutathione and nitric oxide content (p < 0.01) and increased the level of superoxide dismutase after oxygen and glucose deprivation. The protective mechanism may be related to oil recipe's antioxidant effect by scavenging free radicals.

Fe2O3 catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method with the assistance of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Effects of PVA concentration on structure and performance of the catalyst were investigated in a fixed reactor at 230-310 °C, 1.5 MPa, 2000 h-1, and syngas H2/CO = 2.0. The catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), H2 or CO temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and H2 temperature-programmed desorption (H2-TPD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that there was strong interaction between Fe and PVA, which controlled the structure of the catalyst. Among the catalysts investigated, the catalyst prepared with 15 wt.% PVA exhibited better catalytic performance due to the dispersion of iron oxides and the formation of the more active phase on the catalyst. Meanwhile, this catalyst showed the high selectivity to heavy hydrocarbons and satisfactory thermal stability.

Abstract Zea mays L. has been the most cultivated crop and the crop with the largest yield in China since 2012. We constructed a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library for the maize inbred line Qi319, which may be used as a key source for disease-resistant maize breeding in China. The BAC contains 270,720 clones, with an average insert size of 90 kb. The coverage of the library is about 10.43 genome equivalents when considering a haploid genome size of 2300 Mb, providing a 99.99% likelihood of isolating any maize gene or sequence in the library. An average of 12 clones were obtained by polymerase chain reaction screening by using primer pairs linked to the genes for resistance to maize southern rust and rough dwarf. The results indicate that the library can satisfy the requirements for recovering specific sequences. The library is available to researchers to whom it may be of interest.

The aim of this work was to study the biodiesel production from cotton seed oil by lipase produced by Pichia guilliermondii lipase, which was immobilized onto hydrophobic magnetic particles (HMPs). The optimum reaction conditions were determined for lipase dosage, methanol-to-oil molar ratio, temperature and water content. Using response surface methodology, a quadratic polynomial equation was obtained for fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) content by multiple regression analysis. Verification experiments confirmed the validity of the predicted model. The optimal conditions for the enzymatic transesterification were temperature of 38.76℃, 31.3% immobilized lipase, 10.4% water content, and a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 4.715:1. The gas chromatography- mass spectrometry showed that biodiesel was mainly composed of the methyl esters of hexadecanoic, 9,12-octadecadienoic and 9-octadecadienoic acid.

Objective: although n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play crucial roles in brain development and function, neither the optimal level of n-3 PUFAs nor the optimal ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs in the maternal diet are well defined. In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios during pregnancy on neurogenesis and apoptosis in the brains of mouse offspring. Metods: female C57BL/6J mice were fed one of three diets with high, medium and low ratios of n-6/n-3 PUFAs (15.7:1, 6.3:1, 1.6:1), as well as a high fish oil diet with a n-6/n-3 ratio of 1:5.7; an n-3 PUFA-deficient diet served as control. The feeding regimens began two months before mouse conception and continued for the duration of the pregnancy. The neurogenesis and apoptosis of hippocampal CA3 area in the offspring were detected. Results: compared to the n-3 PUFA-deficient diet, n-3 PUFA-containing diets, particularly those with n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios of 6.3:1 and 1.6:1, significantly increased both phosphorylation of histone H3 at ser 10 (p-H3ser10) and calretinin-positive cells in hippocampus CA3 of the offspring. Furthermore, increased expression of Bcl2 protein, decreased expression of Bax protein, and reduced caspase 3 activity and numbers of TUNEL apoptotic cells were found in the three diets with high, medium and low n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios. However, there were no differences in any of these parameters between the high fish oil diet group and the n-3 PUFA-deficient diet group. Conclusions: these data suggest that a higher intake of n-3 PUFAs with a lower ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs of between about 6:1 to 1:1, supplied to mothers during pregnancy, may benefit brain neurogenesis and apoptosis in inoffspring. However, excessive maternal intake of n-3 PUFAs may exert a negative influence on brain development in the offspring.

Objetivo: a pesar de que los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados n-3 (PUFAs por sus siglas en inglés) desempeñan un papel fundamental en el desarrollo y en las funciones cerebrales, aún no está bien definido el nivel óptimo de PUFAs n-3 ni la ratio óptima de PUFA n-6/n-3 en la dieta materna. En este estudio hemos investigado los efectos de las ratios nutricionales de PUFA n-6/n-3 durante la gestación sobre la neurogénesis y la apoptosis en el cerebro de crías de ratón. Métodos: se alimentó a hembras de ratón C57BL/6J con una de las tres dietas de estudio: ratio alta, media y baja de PUFA n-6/n-3 (15,7:1, 6,3:1, 1,6:1). También se añadió una dieta rica en aceite de pescado con una ratio n-6/n-3 de 1:5,7; como control se empleó una dieta deficitaria en PUFA n-3. Los regímenes alimenticios se iniciaron dos meses antes de la concepción de los ratones y continuó durante todo el embarazo. Se detectó la neurogénesis y apoptosis del área hipocampal CA3 en las crías. Resultados: en comparación con la dieta deficitaria en PUFA n-3, las dietas con PUFA que contienen n-3, particularmente aquellas con ratios PUFA n-6/n-3 de 6,3:1 y 1,6:1, aumentaron significativamente la fosforilación de histona H3 en la Ser10 (p-H3ser10) y las células calretinina positivas en el área hipocampal CA3 de las crías. Además, se detectó un aumento de la expresión de proteína Bcl2, una reducción de la expresión de proteína Bax, y una reducción de la actividad de caspasa 3, así como de las cifras de células apoptósicas TUNEL en las tres dietas, con ratios altas, medias y bajas de PUFA n-6/n-3. Sin embargo, no se observó diferencias en ninguno de estos parámetros entre el grupo de dieta rica en aceite de pescado y el grupo de dieta deficitaria en PUFA n-3. Conclusiones: estos datos sugieren que una ingesta más elevada de PUFA n-3 con una ratio más baja de PUFAs n-6/n-3 entre 6:1 y 1:1 aproximadamente, administrada a las madres durante la gestación, podría ser beneficiosa para la neurogénesis cerebral y la apoptosis de las crías. Sin embargo, una ingesta excesiva de PUFA n-3 puede ejercer una influencia negativa sobre el desarrollo de las crías.

The influence of nitrogen (N) limitation on the cell growth, chlorophyll content, intracellular lipid production and expression levels of two pathway genes in Chlorella sorokiniana was investigated in mixotrophic culture in this study. The maximum biomass concentration of C. sorokinianacultured in modified BG11 medium containing 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mM N were 1.60, 2.21, 2.74, 3.18 and 3.21 g/L of dry cell weight, respectively with maximum specific growth rate of 0.180, 0.198, 0.201, 0.203, 0.206 day−1 during culture with an initial N feed of 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mM in the first eight days, respectively. The maximum lipid content was 51 % with 3 mM N. However, the maximum lipid productivity of 0.00884 g L−1 day−1 was achieved with 6 mM N. Expression levels of accD (heteromeric acetyl-CoA carboxylase beta subunit) and accI (homomeric acetyl-CoA carboxylase) genes in C. sorokiniana were studied by real-time PCR. Increased expression levels of accD reflected the increased lipid content in stationary phase. In contrast, expression of the acc1 gene always remained low, showing that the gene might not be critical for lipid accumulation.

Objective: To investigate the genome-wide promoter methylation and gene expression for the identification of methylation markers in obesity. Methods: Using a high-fat, diet-induced obese mouse model, we performed comprehensive DNA methylation profiling of gene promoters to determine the differentially methylated genes using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation followed by hybridization to the NimbleGen MM8 CpG plus Promoter Microarray. We further integrated epigenomics data with gene expression profiling to identify promoters exhibiting an association between methylation status and the expression of downstream genes. Results: A total of 24 hypermethylated promoters and 42 hypomethylated promoters in epididymal fat were selected as methylation markers, which were associated with downregulated and upregulated gene expression, respectively. The promoter methylation and differential gene expression of three markers (Mmp2, Foxj3 and Ube2q2) in the fat were validated by sequencing bisulfite-modified DNA and real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. The genes with these differentially methylated promoters and the associated transcriptional expression in the fat were primarily involved in biological activities in lipid metabolism and storage, cellular differentiation, immunity and the pathogenesis of obesity-related complications. Conclusions: This study represents the first effort to determine methylation markers in obese mice that may regulate gene transcription in obesity. Our approach has potential relevance for clinical applications by identifying markers useful in elucidating the mechanisms of obesity pathogenesis and its complications.

Objetivo: Investigar la metilación pangenómica del promotor y la expresión génica para la identificación de los marcadores de metilación en la obesidad. Métodos: Empleando un modelo de ratón con obesidad inducida por la dieta con alto contenido en grasa, realizamos un perfil exhaustivo de la metilación del ADN de los genes promotores para determinar los genes metilados diferencialmente utilizando la inmunoprecipitación del ADN metilado seguida de la hibridación del NimbleGen MM8 CpG y el Promoter Microarray. Posteriormente, integramos los datos de la epigenómica con el perfil de expresión génica para identificar los promotores que mostraban una asociación entre el estado de metilación y la expresión de los genes sucesivos. Resultados: Se seleccionó un total de 24 promotores hipermetilados y 42 promotores hipometilados en la grasa epididimaria como marcadores de la metilación, que se asociaron con la expresión génica regulada al alza y a la baja, respectivamente. La metilación del promotor y la expresión génica diferencial de tres marcadores (Mmp2, Foxj3 y Ube2q2) de la grasa se validaron mediante secuenciación del ADN modificado por bisulfito y por PCR de la transcriptasa reversa en tiempo real. Los genes con estos promotores metilados de forma diferencial y la expresión transcripcional asociada en la grasa estaban implicados primariamente en las actividades biológicas del metabolismo y almacenamiento de los lípidos, la diferenciación celular, la inmunidad y la patogenia de las complicaciones relacionadas con la obesidad. Conclusiones: Este estudio representa el primer intento por determinar los marcadores de la metilación en los ratones obesos que pueden regular la transcripción génica en la obesidad. Nuestro abordaje tiene una relevancia potencial por sus aplicaciones clínicas al identificar marcadores útiles en la dilucidación de los mecanismos de la patogenia de la obesidad y sus complicaciones.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) plays a vitally important role in the blood coagulation pathway. Recent studies indicated that TFPI induces apoptosis in vascular smooth-muscle cells (VSMCs) in animals. The present study investigated whether the TFPI gene could also induce apoptosis in human vascular smooth-muscle cells (hVSMCs). Such cells were isolated from human umbilical arteries and subsequently transfected with pIRES-TFPI plasmid (2 μg/mL). MTT assaying and cell counting were applied to measure cell viability and proliferation, RT-PCR was utilized to analyze TFPI gene expression in the cells. Apoptosis was analyzed by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Several key proteins involved in apoptosis were examined through Western blotting. It was shown that TFPI gene transfer led to its increased cellular expression, with a subsequent reduction in hVSMC proliferation. Further investigation demonstrated that TFPI gene expression resulted in lesser amounts of procaspase-3, procaspase-8 and procascase-9, and an increased release of mitochondrial cytochrome c (cyt-c) into cytoplasm, thereby implying the involvement of both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in TFPI gene-induced apoptosis in hVSMCs.

We investigated inheritance and carried out gene fine mapping of aroma in crosses between the aromatic elite hybrid rice Oryza sativa indica variety Chuanxiang-29B (Ch-29B) and the non-aromatic rice O. sativa indica variety R2 and O. sativa japonica Lemont (Le). The F1 grains and leaves were non-aromatic while the F2 non-aroma to aroma segregation pattern was 3:1. The F3 segregation ratio was consistent with the expected 1:2:1 for a single recessive aroma gene in Ch-29B. Linkage analysis between simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and the aroma locus for the aromatic F2 plants mapped the Ch-29B aroma gene to a chromosome 8 region flanked by SSR markers RM23120 at 0.52 cM and RM3459 at 1.23 cM, a replicate F2 population confirming these results. Three bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones cover chromosome 8 markers RM23120 and RM3459. Our molecular mapping data from the two populations indicated that the aroma locus occurs in a 142.85 kb interval on BAC clones AP005301 or AP005537, implying that it might be the same gene reported by Bradbury et al (2005a; Plant Biotec J. 3:363-370). The flanking markers Aro7, RM23120 and RM3459 identified by us could greatly accelerate the efficiency and precision of aromatic rice breeding programs.