Effects of Bushenyiqihexue Formula on the Endometrial Gland Apoptosis in Mice with Blastocyst Implantation Dysfunction

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Bushenyiqihexue Formula (Formula for Tonifying the Kidney, Replenishing qi and Harmonizing Blood, FTKRQHB) on the endometrial gland apoptosis in the mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction.MethodsThe mice with the first-day pregnancy were divided into the control, model and treatment groups, with 30 in each group, and blastocyst implantation dysfunction was induced by subcutaneous injection of mifepristone in the mice of the model and treatment groups. The pregnancy rate and implantation number of blastocysts were measured and the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, and activated caspase-3 were detected in all the three groups.ResultsThe model group had significantly depressed pregnancy rate, implantation number of blastocysts and apoptosis index, and elevated proliferation index of endometrial gland as compared with the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Administration of FTKRQHB (the treatment group) resulted in significant increases in pregnancy rate, implantation number of blastocysts and apoptosis index of the endometrial gland, and a significant decrease in the proliferation index of the endometrial gland as compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The differences in the four indexes between the treatment group and control group were not significant statistically. The Bax and activated caspase-3 expressions in endometrial gland in the model group became significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.01), whereas those in the treatment group were significant higher than that of the model group (P<0.01). However, the Bax and activated caspase-3 expressions in endometrial gland were similar in both treatment and control groups.ConclusionPromoting the increases in Bax and activated caspase-3 expressions in the endometrial gland and bringing into balance between apoptosis and proliferation of the glandular cells at the implantation window phase by FTKRQHB may contribute to the effects of promoting the establishment of endometrial receptivity and improving blastocyst implantation dysfunction

Spin State Disproportionation in Insulating Ferromagnetic LaCoO3 Epitaxial Thin Films

The origin of insulating ferromagnetism in epitaxial LaCoO3 films under tensile strain remains elusive despite extensive research efforts have been devoted. Surprisingly, the spin state of its Co ions, the main parameter of its ferromagnetism, is still to be determined. Here, we have systematically investigated the spin state in epitaxial LaCoO3 thin films to clarify the mechanism of strain induced ferromagnetism using element-specific x-ray absorption spectroscopy and dichroism. Combining with the configuration interaction cluster calculations, we unambiguously demonstrate that Co3+ in LaCoO3 films under compressive strain (on LaAlO3 substrate) are practically a low spin state, whereas Co3+ in LaCoO3 films under tensile strain (on SrTiO3 substrate) have mixed high spin and low spin states with a ratio close to 1:3. From the identification of this spin state ratio, we infer that the dark strips observed by high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy indicate the position of Co3+ high spin state, i.e., an observation of a spin state disproportionation in tensile-strained LaCoO3 films. This consequently explains the nature of ferromagnetism in LaCoO3 films

Aromatase expression is increased in BRCA1 mutation carriers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Until recently, the molecular mechanisms explaining increased incidence of ovarian and breast cancers in carriers of <it>BRCA1 </it>gene mutations had not been clearly understood. Of significance is the finding that BRCA1 negatively regulates aromatase expression <it>in vitro</it>. Our objective was to characterise aromatase gene <it>(CYP19A1) </it>and its promoter expression in breast adipose and ovarian tissue in <it>BRCA1 </it>mutation carriers and unaffected controls.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We measured aromatase transcripts, total and promoter-specific (PII, PI.3, PI.4) in prophylactic oophorectomy or mastectomy, therapeutic mastectomy, ovarian and breast tissue from unaffected women.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We demonstrate that the lack of functional BRCA1 protein correlates to higher aromatase levels in 85% of <it>BRCA1 </it>mutation carriers. This increase is mediated by aberrant transcriptional regulation of aromatase; in breast adipose by increases in promoter II/I.3 and I.4-specific transcripts; and in the ovary with elevation in promoter I.3 and II-specific transcripts.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Understanding the link between BRCA1 and aromatase is significant in terms of understanding why carcinogenesis is restricted to estrogen-producing tissues in <it>BRCA1 </it>mutation carriers.</p

Functional analysis of the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene -717A>G polymorphism associated with coronary heart disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atherosclerosis underlies the major pathophysiological mechanisms of coronary heart disease (CHD), and inflammation contributes to all phases of atherosclerosis. C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive, but nonspecific marker of inflammation has been shown to play proatherogenic roles in the process of atherosclerosis. Our previous report showed that rs2794521 (-717A>G), located in the promoter of the CRP gene, was independently associated with CHD in Chinese subjects. In the present study, we tried to investigate the biological significance of this genetic variation <it>in vitro</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The influence of G to A substitution at the site of rs2794521 on the transcriptional activity of the promoter of the CRP gene was assessed by luciferase reporter assay, and protein binding to the site of rs2794521 was detected by EMSA assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The G to A exchange at the site of rs2794521 resulted in an increased transcriptional activity of the promoter of CRP gene, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein factor bound drastically differently to the A and G alleles at the site of rs2794521.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results provided functional evidence supporting the association of the SNP rs2794521 of the CRP gene with CHD probably through regulating the expression level of CRP by different variations of rs2794521.</p

Thermotolerance and molecular chaperone function of the small heat shock protein HSP20 from hyperthermophilic archaeon, Sulfolobus solfataricus P2

Small heat shock proteins are ubiquitous in all three domains (Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya) and possess molecular chaperone activity by binding to unfolded polypeptides and preventing aggregation of proteins in vitro. The functions of a small heat shock protein (S.so-HSP20) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 have not been described. In the present study, we used real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis to measure mRNA expression of S.so-HSP20 in S. solfataricus P2 and found that it was induced by temperatures that were substantially lower (60°C) or higher (80°C) than the optimal temperature for S. solfataricus P2 (75°C). The expression of S.so-HSP20 mRNA was also up-regulated by cold shock (4°C). Escherichia coli cells expressing S.so-HSP20 showed greater thermotolerance in response to temperature shock (50°C, 4°C). By assaying enzyme activities, S.so-HSP20 was found to promote the proper folding of thermo-denatured citrate synthase and insulin B chain. These results suggest that S.so-HSP20 promotes thermotolerance and engages in chaperone-like activity during the stress response

Search for new phenomena in final states with an energetic jet and large missing transverse momentum in pp collisions at √ s = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Results of a search for new phenomena in final states with an energetic jet and large missing transverse momentum are reported. The search uses 20.3 fb−1 of √ s = 8 TeV data collected in 2012 with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events are required to have at least one jet with pT > 120 GeV and no leptons. Nine signal regions are considered with increasing missing transverse momentum requirements between Emiss T > 150 GeV and Emiss T > 700 GeV. Good agreement is observed between the number of events in data and Standard Model expectations. The results are translated into exclusion limits on models with either large extra spatial dimensions, pair production of weakly interacting dark matter candidates, or production of very light gravitinos in a gauge-mediated supersymmetric model. In addition, limits on the production of an invisibly decaying Higgs-like boson leading to similar topologies in the final state are presente

Is High Resolution Melting Analysis (HRMA) Accurate for Detection of Human Disease-Associated Mutations? A Meta Analysis

BACKGROUND: High Resolution Melting Analysis (HRMA) is becoming the preferred method for mutation detection. However, its accuracy in the individual clinical diagnostic setting is variable. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of HRMA for human mutations in comparison to DNA sequencing in different routine clinical settings, we have conducted a meta-analysis of published reports. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Out of 195 publications obtained from the initial search criteria, thirty-four studies assessing the accuracy of HRMA were included in the meta-analysis. We found that HRMA was a highly sensitive test for detecting disease-associated mutations in humans. Overall, the summary sensitivity was 97.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 96.8-98.5; I(2) = 27.0%). Subgroup analysis showed even higher sensitivity for non-HR-1 instruments (sensitivity 98.7% (95%CI: 97.7-99.3; I(2) = 0.0%)) and an eligible sample size subgroup (sensitivity 99.3% (95%CI: 98.1-99.8; I(2) = 0.0%)). HRMA specificity showed considerable heterogeneity between studies. Sensitivity of the techniques was influenced by sample size and instrument type but by not sample source or dye type. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These findings show that HRMA is a highly sensitive, simple and low-cost test to detect human disease-associated mutations, especially for samples with mutations of low incidence. The burden on DNA sequencing could be significantly reduced by the implementation of HRMA, but it should be recognized that its sensitivity varies according to the number of samples with/without mutations, and positive results require DNA sequencing for confirmation