The Wilms Tumor Gene,Wt1, Is Critical for Mouse Spermatogenesis via Regulation of Sertoli Cell Polarity and Is Associated with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia in Humans

Azoospermia is one of the major reproductive disorders which cause male infertility in humans; however, the etiology of this disease is largely unknown. In the present study, six missense mutations of WT1 gene were detected in 529 human patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), indicating a strong association between WT1 mutation and NOA. The Wilms tumor gene, Wt1, is specifically expressed in Sertoli cells (SCs) which support spermatogenesis. To examine the functions of this gene in spermatogenesis, Wt1 was deleted in adult testis using Wt1^flox and Cre-ER^TM mice strains. We found that inactivation of Wt1 resulted in massive germ cell death and only SCs were present in most of the seminiferous tubules which was very similar to NOA in humans. In investigating the potential mechanism for this, histological studies revealed that the blood–testis barrier (BTB) was disrupted in Wt1 deficient testes. In vitro studies demonstrated that Wt1 was essential for cell polarity maintenance in SCs. Further studies found that the expression of cell polarity associated genes (Par6b and E-cadherin) and Wnt signaling genes (Wnt4, Wnt11) were downregulated in Wt1 deficient SCs, and that the expression of Par6b and E-cadherin was regulated by Wnt4. Our findings suggest that Wt1 is important in spermatogenesis by regulating the polarity of SCs via Wnt signaling pathway and that WT1 mutation is one of the genetic causes of NOA in humans.     

基于CNV区域网络识别神经胶质瘤的重要功能区域

目的：基于基因拷贝数变异（CNV）区域网络识别神经胶质瘤的重要功能区域。方法：运用独特的计算样本的共相关性值的方法,使CNV数据与基因数据产生联系;基于蛋白质互作关系,在CNV区域与基因之间搭建桥梁,构建CNV区域网络;分析网络拓扑性质,识别出神经胶质瘤的重要功能CNV区域。结果：本文共识别出了11个与神经胶质瘤相关的候选重要功能CNV区域,通过功能注释和通路分析,确认了识别到的区域与神经胶质瘤有重要联系。结论：通过基因与表型之间的联系,利用已知表型基因在同源、功能、互作、结构域上的特征将CNV区域与基因联系起来,通过基因的功能可以了解到CNV区域的功能,对于疾病的预测和诊断有重要的意义。     

某部入伍新兵心理卫生服务状况及需求调查

目的：调查入伍新兵心理卫生服务状况及对心理卫生服务的需求。方法：采用质性研究和量性研究相结合的方法,对42名入伍新兵作半结构性访谈,编制《部队心理卫生服务状况和需求》调查表,采用调查表对1609名新兵进行调查。结果：9．4％的新兵心理健康知识比较了解;接近半数新兵（43．5％）对心理健康知识很感兴趣;新兵获取心理知识的途径依次为网络、心理知识讲座、报刊杂志、广播电视、面对面咨询;新兵最期望获得的心理知识依次为如何调节自己的情绪、如何建立良好的人际关系、如何塑造自己的个性和常见的心理障碍表现;新兵认为最有帮助的心理服务形式依次为一对一心理咨询、心理知识讲座、心理测验和团体心理活动;只有7．7％的新兵接受过心理卫生服务。结论：新兵对心理健康知识感兴趣,但认知度和利用度均较低,应通过网络、心理知识讲座等方式普及新兵需要的心理健康知识。     

A study on early tolerance of Mactra chinensis philippi to salinity

In order to evaluate the early tolerance of Mactra chinensis to salinity, the treatments of salinity gradients and salinity gradual changes were set in this study, and the post growth and development of juveniles were analyzed in recovery experiment, respectively. The result showed that the optimum hatching of zygotes was found at a salinity from 24 to 32, which is narrower than that of larvae (20–32); a slight of low salinity (16–32) will benefit the early growth and development of M. chinensis; at planktonic and creeping stages, low salinity stress (20) was conducive to promoting the growth of juvenile M. chinensis philippi; 4, 48 was the ultimate salinity of M. chinensis; The range of early tolerance of larvae M. chinensis philippi to salinity can be widened through a short period of salinity acclimation.     

Population structure and distribution patterns of the rare and endangered Ardisia violacea (Myrsinaceae)

Ardisia violacea (Myrsinaceae), one of China’s rare and endangered species, occurs only in Zhejiang and Taiwan provinces. We examined the population dynamics of this species to reveal details related to the development of populations. Assembling intensity indices were used, such as V/m, K, m^*, PAI, CA and I. Age class structure and the time-specific life tables were analyzed by the contiguous grid quadrate method. The population structures and distribution patterns of A. violacea in different habitats, age classes and quadrat scales are discussed and the life parameters such as the survival curve, mortality curve and life expectancy were estimated. The results show the age class distribution of the entire population generally fits a reverse “J” type curve, suggesting a growing population. The population spatial distribution pattern was clumped in all three habitats, especially in the age classes I–III, and had a uniform distribution in the age classes VII and IX. The plants mainly occurred at microsites with generally adequate light, water, nutrients and air. Micro-environmental factors and human factors can also have a great impact. In the age class structure pattern, the individual percentage of the first three age classes accounted for 71.19% in H1 (habitat 1), 68.18% in H2 (habitat 2) and 88.24% in H3 (habitat 3), which indicated the number of individuals in the first three age classes were larger than any other age classes. The population size peaked in the age classes III and X and only 13.1% individuals survive age class III to enter class IV. As a result, fewer middle and advanced aged individuals were found. Age class IV had the highest life expectancy for A. violacea. The survival curve approached to Deevy-II. The spatial distribution pattern of A. violacea populations was decided mainly by the interaction of biological and ecological characteristics of its environment, habitat heterogeneities, microenvironments and human disturbance.     

Antiosteoporotic flavonoids from Podocarpium podocarpum

A novel bi-isoflavonoid, podocarnone (1), together with five known flavonoids, namely genistein (2), afzelin (3), astragalin (4), luteolin (5) and pratensein (6), were isolated from the whole plants of Podocarpium podocarpum (DC.) Yang and Huang for the first time. The structure of podocarnone (1) was elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their proliferative effects on osteoblasts derived from neonatal rat calvaria and inhibitory effects on multinucleated osteoclasts from rat marrow cells so as to explore the antiosteoporotic activity of these components. Podocarnone (1) exhibited potent stimulatory effects on osteoblastic proliferation and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) activity, and significantly inhibited the activity of osteoclastic TRAP (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) in the low concentration range of 10^?12–10^?14 mol/L, which were equivalent to the activity of genistein (2) in the concentration range of 10^?7–10^?9 mol/L. The other five known flavonoids also showed varied degrees of antiosteoporotic activities, and structure–activity relationship analysis revealed the number of phenolic rings contained in these structures maybe responsible for the antiosteoporosis property.     

Panamonon A and B,a pair of novel tetrahydrobenzofuran derivatives from Litsea panamonja (Nees) Hook. f.

A pair of novel tetrahydrobenzofuran derivatives with a unique C₁₈ carbon skeleton, panamonon A (1) and B (2), was isolated from the leaves and twigs of Litsea panamonja (Nees) Hook. f. These new compounds contain an unprecedented C₁₈ carbon skeleton consisting of a characteristic tetrahydrobenzofuran-2,5(3H,6H)-dione core with a biosynthetically extended geranyl side chain, designated as “panamonane”.

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Highlights? A pair of novel tetrahydrobenzofuran derivatives with a unique C₁₈ carbon skeleton was isolated. ? The new compounds possess an unprecedented C₁₈ carbon skeleton and are designated as “panamonane”. ? They are featured with a tetrahydrobenzofuran-2,5(3H,6H)-dione moiety and a geranyl side chain. ? The plausible biosynthetic pathways of them were discussed.