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Naringin (NAR) is a dihydroflavonoid with various biological activities and pharmacological effects, especially natural antioxidant activity.

Nanomedicine has been used in tumor treatment and research due to its advantages of targeting, controlled release and high absorption rate. Silver nanoparticle (AgNPs), with the advantages of small particle size, and large specific surface area, are of great potential value in suppressing and killing cancer cells. Methods: AgNPs–polyethyleneimine (PEI) –folate (FA) (AgNPs–PF) were synthesised and characterised by several analytical techniques. The ovarian cancer cell line Skov3 was used as the cell model to detect the tumor treatment activity of AgNPs, AgNPs–PF and AgNPs+ AgNPs–PF. Results: Results shown that AgNPs–PF were successfully constructed with uniform particle size of 50–70 nm. AgNPs, AgNPs–PF, AgNPs–PF+ AgNPs all showed a certain ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, increase reactive oxygen species and decrease the mitochondrial membrane potential. All AgNPs, AgNPs–PF, AgNPs+ AgNPs–PF promoted DNA damage in Skov3 cells, accompanied by the generation of histone RAD51 and γ-H2AX site, and eventually leading to the apoptosis of Skov3 cells. The combination of AgNPs–PF and AgNPs had a more pronounced effect than either material alone. Conclusion: This study is to report that the combination of AgNPs+ AgNPs–PF can cause stronger cytotoxicity and induce significantly greater cell death compared to AgNPs or AgNPs–PF alone in Skov3 cells. Therefore, the combined application of drugs could be the best way to cancer treatment.

Polysaccharides are a class of biological macromolecules made up of sugar chains with multiple glycosidic bonds. To explore the extracted, purified, carboxymethylated and phosphorylated modified to obtained carboxymethylated polysaccharides (HSPS) and phosphorylated polysaccharides (HSPP), and the HSPS and HSPP were characterized and analyzed, and their antioxidant activity measured. Response surface design was used for the synthesis process of HSPS and HSPP, the structure characterization and antioxidant activities of HSPS and HSPP were evaluated. The results showed that the Mw and Mn of HSP were 14.66 kDa and 8.39 kDa, respectively. The monosaccharides were mainly galactose, glucose, xylose, and arabinose in a molar ratio of 37.68%: 24.43%: 13.63%: 9.18%. The optimal synthesis conditions for HSPS were as follows: reaction time of 2.01 h, reaction temperature of 44.61°C and the amount of monochloroacetic acid necessary was 1.18 g. The optimal synthesis conditions for HSPP were: reaction time of 4.28 h, reaction temperature of 80.78°C, and reaction pH of 8.98. HSPS and HSPP have scavenging effects on ABTS, super oxideanion and hydroxyl radicals. The HSPS and HSPP were characterized and analyzed, and their antioxidant activity measured.

Zearalenone (ZEN), one of the most prevalent non-steroidal oestrogenic mycotoxins, is primarily produced by Fusarium fungi. Due to its toxicity as an oestrogenic compound and wide distribution in feed and foods, the reproductive toxicology of ZEN exposure is of public concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ZEN on Sertoli cells to identify apoptotic pathways induced by this compound. We found that ZEN reduced the viability and caused apoptosis in Sertoli cells in vitro. Notably, we observed that such effects were associated with a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the number of cells that showed positive staining for γH2AX and RAD51, enzymes essential for repairing DNA damage. There was a parallel decrease in the expression of occludin and connexin 43, proteins that are present in the testis-blood barrier and gap junctions of Sertoli cells, respectively. Overall, the present study confirms that ZEN exposure can have serious deleterious effects on mammalian Sertoli cells and offers novel insight about its molecular targets in these cells.

Polysaccharides are good chelating agents for metal ions, which are often used to synthesize polysaccharide metal ion complexes. With carboxymethyl pachymaran (CMP) as the substrate, carboxymethyl pachymaran iron (CMPF), carboxymethyl pachymaran selenium (CMPS), and carboxymethyl pachymaran zinc (CMPZ) were synthesized by response surface methodology, and their biological characteristics were studied. The results showed that the CMP was a β‐polysaccharide, and the degree of carboxymethylation was 0.6352. The polysaccharide metal ion complexes were characterized by physicochemical methods, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All the polysaccharides and complexes possessed antioxidant activity in vitro with scavenging activities to ABTS, superoxide anions, and ferrous ions. CMPF, CMPS, and CMPZ caused significant inhibition of A2780 cell proliferation, promoted the production of reactive oxygen species, and induced apoptosis in a human ovarian cancer cell line (A2780 cells). These results suggest that the CMP complex may be an effective candidate drug for cancer treatment in the field of functional food and pharmacology.

In this study, lotus root polysaccharide was taken as raw material. The preparation technology of its polysaccharide selenium was established by response surface design, and its antioxidant activity in vitro was studied. Selenium content was taken as the detection index, and the effects of reaction time, the ratio of sodium selenite to the polysaccharide, and the volume fraction of nitric acid on selenium content were investigated. Through the response surface method, the optimal synthesis conditions of lotus root polysaccharide selenium were obtained as follows: reaction time of 5.36h, the ratio of sodium selenite and lotus root polysaccharide is 0.78, the volume fraction of nitric acid 0.47%, the selenium content of lotus root polysaccharide selenium 0.1106%. Selenium, a polysaccharide from lotus root, had a scavenging effect on ABTS radical and superoxide ion, and the maximum scavenging rate was 52.17% and 85.23%, respectively. Aa shows that the synthesized lotus root polysaccharide selenium can be used as an antioxidant or functional food.

Annual gross primary productivity (AGPP) is the basis for grain production and terrestrial carbon sequestration. Mapping regional AGPP from site measurements provides methodological support for analysing AGPP spatiotemporal variations thereby ensures regional food security and mitigates climate change. Based on 641 site-year eddy covariance measuring AGPP from China, we built an AGPP mapping scheme based on its formation and selected the optimal mapping way, which was conducted through analysing the predicting performances of divergent mapping tools, variable combinations, and mapping approaches in predicting observed AGPP variations. The reasonability of the selected optimal scheme was confirmed by assessing the consistency between its generating AGPP and previous products in spatiotemporal variations and total amount. Random forest regression tree explained 85 % of observed AGPP variations, outperforming other machine learning algorithms and classical statistical methods. Variable combinations containing climate, soil, and biological factors showed superior performance to other variable combinations. Mapping AGPP through predicting AGPP per leaf area (PAGPP) explained 86 % of AGPP variations, which was superior to other approaches. The optimal scheme was thus using a random forest regression tree, combining climate, soil, and biological variables, and predicting PAGPP. The optimal scheme generating AGPP of Chinese terrestrial ecosystems decreased from southeast to northwest, which was highly consistent with previous products. The interannual trend and interannual variation of our generating AGPP showed a decreasing trend from east to west and from southeast to northwest, respectively, which was consistent with data-oriented products. The mean total amount of generated AGPP was 7.03 ± 0.45 PgC yr

It is important to find pollution-free, eco-friendly solvents to replace traditional organic solvents. As a new class of medium, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) provide a source of breaking through t...

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) has proven characteristics of an endocrine-disrupting compound (EDC), which can threaten the reproductive health of humans and other animals. In mammals, a series of chromosomal events occur during the meiotic stage of oocytes. External toxins may enter the body and cause infertility and other related diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the influence of DEHP exposure on the molecular mechanism of germ cell meiosis. We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyse the ovaries of foetal mice at embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) and E14.5 after maternal DEHP exposure. DEHP exposure further activated the pathways related to DNA repair in germ cells, increased the expression of genes related to DNA damage and changed the developmental trajectory of germ cells. DEHP exposure may affect the proliferation of pregranulosa (PG) cells. Moreover, DEHP exposure altered the signal transduction between PG cells and germ cells. We showed that DEHP affects meiosis by causing DNA damage in oocytes and disrupting the signal transduction between PG cells and germ cells. These results provide a strong theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of DEHP-mediated female reproductive health problems.

In this study, Huperzia serrata polysaccharide (HSP) fraction was isolated using response surface methodology (RSM) and Box-Behnken design (BBD). The extraction time, temperature and ratio of water to raw material were employed effects. And properties of four polysaccharide (60%-HSP, 70%-HSP, 80%-HSP and 90%-HSP) were evaluated. The results indicated that the optimal extraction conditions were the following: 3.07 h, 49.46 °C and a liquid material ratio of 20.73:1. The four HSP presented irregular aggregation of shape. And all HSP exhibited antioxidant and anticancer activities.

In this study, we extracted lotus root polysaccharide (LRP) and synthesized carboxymethylated lotus root polysaccharide (CM-LRP) using response surface methodology (RSM). The monosaccharide component of LRP was analyzed by pre-column derivatization high performance liquid chromatography (PCD-HPLC). The polysaccharide was characterized by ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy scan, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), circular dichroism spectrometer (CD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the main monosaccharide component of LRP was glucose, accounting for more than 98% of the total polysaccharide component. RSM analyses revealed that the optimal conditions for CM-LRP synthesis were a reaction duration of 2.22 h, the chloroacetic acid dosage is 2.02 g, and a temperature of 46.87 °C. Under these conditions, the predicted degree of substitution (DS) was determined to be 0.5101. The superoxide anion, ferrous ion and hydroxyl radical antioxidant system were constructed to study the antioxidant activity of LRP and CMLRP. The activity of CMLRP to remove ferrous ions and hydroxyl radicals were significantly stronger than that of LRP, and it also showed a certain concentration-dependent. LRP has a better scavenging ability than CMLRP in scavenging superoxide anion free radicals. Our data revealed that CM-LRP is a promising natural antioxidant with potential value as a food supplement.

Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is characterized by the accumulation of pro‑inflammatory cytokines, which are immunological responses to monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. It has been demonstrated that long non‑coding RNA (lncRNA)‑MM2P is a novel regulator of M2 polarization of macrophages. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether lncRNA‑MM2P regulates the MSU‑induced inflammatory process. In cell models of RAW 264.7 and THP‑1‑derived macrophages, decreased expression of lncRNA‑MM2P was observed in lipopolysaccharide‑ and MSU‑treated macrophages, which was accompanied with obvious inflammatory responses. Using small interfering RNA to knockdown lncRNA‑MM2P led to the upregulation of MSU‑mediated inflammatory responses, both in RAW 264.7 and THP‑1‑derived macrophages. In conclusion, lncRNA‑MM2P could be an important regulator of MSU‑induced inflammation, and therefore could be involved in the development of AGA.

This study used response surface methodology to determine the optimal conditions for extraction of polysaccharides from Pyracantha. fortuneana (PSPF), and studied the mechanism of PSPF-inducing apoptosis in human ovarian carcinoma Skov3 cells. Response surface methodology (RSM) were adopted to extract PSPF. The maximum value of polysaccharide yield was obtained under these optimal conditions. PSPF had good potential as an antioxidant. Exposure of cells to PSPF resulted in cytotoxicity through the induction of apoptosis, and the reactive oxygen species were increased, mitochondrial membrane potential decreased, DNA damage (detected as γ- H2AX and RAD51 foci) was observed in Skov3 cells. In addition, PSPF could induce apoptosis of cancer cells. Therefore, PSPF should be explored as novel potential antioxidants and an anti-tumor drug in a clinical setting.

A response surface method (RSM) was employed to optimize polysaccharide extraction from Panax japonicus (PJPS). Also, carboxymethyl substitution of PJPS (CM-PJPS) was studied using a response surface methodology. A three-variable Box–Behnken design (BBD) methodology was applied. RSM analyses revealed that conditions that maximized polysaccharide yield were as follows: a liquid-to-material ratio 22:1, an extraction temperature of 83.99 °C and an extraction duration of 2.32 h. Under optimum extraction conditions, the average absorbance value of PJPS was 0.6001, and the purity of PJPS was 98.2%. A quadratic regression model for CM-PJPS was obtained via BBD. The optimum extraction conditions for the process were determined to include a 1.38 h reaction time, 1.24 g monochloroacetic acid (MCA) and a reaction temperature of 52.85 °C. Under optimum extraction conditions, the average degree of CM-PJPS substitution was 0.9733. The structure of the PJPS was examined by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). CM-PJPS exhibited the strongest anti-oxidant activity in vitro. In addition, CM-PJPS inhibited Skov3 and A2780 cancer cell proliferation. Our data revealed that CM-PJPS is a promising natural antioxidant with potential value as a food supplement and for treatment of cancer.

In this study, we extracted lotus root polysaccharide (LRP) and synthesised phosphorylated lotus root polysaccharide (PLP) using response surface methodology (RSM). RSM analyses revealed that the optimal conditions for PLP synthesis were a reaction duration of 7 h, temperature of 70 °C and pH of 11.38. Under these conditions, the predicted degree of substitution (DS%) was determined to be 9.96%. The structure of the LRP1 was examined by ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy scan, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1H and 13C). The monosaccharide composition of LRP1 was determined to be mannose (0.12%), ribose(0.18%), glucuronic acid(0.60%), galacturonic acid(0.09%), glucose(98.79%) and galactose(0.21%). The number average molecular weight (Mn) and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of LRP1 were 10236 and 251783 g/mol. LRP1 exhibited high antioxidant activities in scavenging ABTS radicals, Superoxide anion radicals and Metal ion scavenging activity. PLP exhibited strong antioxidant activity in vitro. In addition, PLP inhibited Skov3 cancer cell proliferation and induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Our data revealed that PLP is a promising natural antioxidant with potential value as a food supplement and for the treatment of cancer.

Due to the lack of a Panax japonicus var. major reference genome, we assembled a reference transcriptome from P. japonicus C. A. Mey transcriptome sequencing data, and 203 283 unigenes were obtained. In this study, with the assistance from the Trinity, Bowtie2 and SAMtools softwares, 218 465 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified by mapping the Illumina sequences to the reference transcriptome. The SNP forms included 126 262 transformations and 92 203 transversions. A large number of SNP loci were associated with triterpenoid saponin synthesis: 54 SNPs were associated with cytochrome P450, one with glycosyl transferase and 94 with the biosynthesis of the triterpenoid saponin backbone.

Although Walnut oil (WO) has been reported to enhance cognitive function, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. This study was designed to assess the effects of WO on spatial memory in rats through modulation of the expression of acid‐sensing ion channel genes, Asic2a and Asic4. To investigate the effect of WO on cognitive performance, we supplemented the diet of female rats with WO. The results showed that supplementation with WO at doses of 2.2 and 11 g kg−1 day−1 significantly improved learning and memory. In vitro treatment of rat hippocampal neuronal cells with appropriate doses of WO revealed a significant increase in the expression of Asic2a and Asic4 in a dose‐dependent manner at both the mRNA and protein levels. We conclude that WO intake might help to prevent cognitive decline, particularly in the elderly, and that ASIC genes in neurons can be the targets of compounds contained in the oil.

Shallow groundwater is the main drinking water supply for the mountainous area in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, while its quality is often degraded by nitrate (NO

Codonopsis pilosula is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine used to treat weak spleens, stomach problems, anemia, and fatigue. Polysaccharide is one of main components of Codonopsis pilosula. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction parameters of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPP) by fermentation. The exaction temperature (°C), yeast liquid volume (2 mg/ml, ml), and time (h) were employed effects. Results indicated that the best extraction conditions were the following: extraction temperature 24.75°C, yeast liquid volume 2.96 ml (5.92 mg), and a fermentation time of 21.03 hr. After purification with DE52 and Sephadex G‐100, the molecular structure was determined by ultraviolet–visible (UV) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1H and 13C). The monosaccharide composition of CPP1 was determined to be mannose (1.76%), glucose (97.38%), and arabinose (0.76%). CPP1 exhibited high antioxidant activities in scavenging ABTS radicals, ferreous ions, and superoxide ion radicals. Thus, CPP1 could be used as an antioxidant or functional food., Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction parameters of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPPs) by fermentation.

A water extraction and alcohol precipitation method was applied to extract polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula (CPP), response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction conditions and synthesis of C. pilosula polysaccharide iron (CPPI), and the properties of CPPI were evaluated. The optimum extraction conditions for CPP were as follows: liquid-solid ratio of 29.39 mL/g, time of 1.25 h and temperature of 62.84 °C. The optimum synthesis conditions for CPPI were pH 8.9, temperature 70.30 °C and the ratio of citric acid to CPP1 of 2.95. An HPSEC-MALLS-RID system, UV spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy and NMR were used for characterization of the polysaccharide. CPPI exhibited antioxidant activity in vitro and a relatively strong inhibitory effect on A2780 cells growth. After CPPI treatment, the reactive oxygen species increased, the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased, and DNA damage was observed in A2780 cells. Therefore, CPPI should be explored as a potential antioxidant and an antitumor drug in a clinical setting.

Codonopsis pilosula is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine used to treat weak spleens, stomach problems, anemia, and fatigue. Polysaccharide is one of main components of Codonopsis pilosula. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction parameters of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides (CPP) by fermentation. The exaction temperature (°C), yeast liquid volume (2 mg/ml, ml), and time (h) were employed effects. Results indicated that the best extraction conditions were the following: extraction temperature 24.75°C, yeast liquid volume 2.96 ml (5.92 mg), and a fermentation time of 21.03 hr. After purification with DE52 and Sephadex G-100, the molecular structure was determined by ultraviolet-visible (UV) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1H and 13C). The monosaccharide composition of CPP1 was determined to be mannose (1.76%), glucose (97.38%), and arabinose (0.76%). CPP1 exhibited high antioxidant activities in scavenging ABTS radicals, ferreous ions, and superoxide ion radicals. Thus, CPP1 could be used as an antioxidant or functional food.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), as an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), is widely used in plasticizer and other productions. Ubiquitous human exposure to DEHP has been proposed to be a potential risk to public health. Developmental exposure to DEHP could alter epigenetic programming and result in adult-onset disease. In this study, we investigated whether DEHP exposure to pregnant mice affected epigenetic changes as a result of increase in breast cancer incidence. Our results showed that the expression of total 143 epigenetics-related genes in mammary gland cells, have no significantly altered after short time and low-dose treated with DEHP from 0.5 days post-coitum (dpc) to 3.5 dpc of pregnant mice. DNA methylation status of some neoplastic development genes, such as EGFr, Esr1, Pgr, Fos and Rassf5 also had no obvious change. These finding showed no impact of DEHP on the expressive patterns of epigenetics-related genes and DNA methylation of breast cancer-related genes in pregnant mouse mammary gland cells.

In this study, the optimum synthetic process of the Pyracantha polysaccharide-iron (PPI) complex was studied via response surface methodology (RSM). Its antioxidant and anti-cancer activities were also investigated. It was demonstrated that the optimal conditions for the synthetic process of the complex were as follows: a pH of 8.9, a reaction temperature of 70 °C and a trisodium citrate:polysaccharide ratio of 1:2. PPI were analysis by UV, FTIR, SEM, CD, XRD, TGA and NMR. PPI was able to scavenge the metal ion, ABTS and free radicals of the superoxide anion, demonstrating its potential antioxidant activity. PPI was found to display cytotoxicity to Skov3 cells, as shown by its ability to induce apoptosis and alter gene expression in Skov3 cells. These findings show than PPI may represent a novel antioxidant and chemotherapeutic drug.

Xi-Feng Zhang,1 Sangiliyandi Gurunathan2 1College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Abstract: Graphene has been shown much interest, both in academics and industry due to its extraordinary physical, chemical, and biological proprieties. It shows great promises in biotechnological and biomedical applications as an antibacterial and anticancer agent, nanocarrier, sensor, etc. However, many studies demonstrated the toxicity of graphene in several cell lines, which is an obstacle to its use in biomedical applications. In this study, to improve the biocompatibility of graphene, we used nicotinamide (NAM) as a reducing and stabilizing agent to catalyze the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) to reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The resulted smaller-sized GO (NAM-rGO) showed excellent biocompatibility with mouse embryonic fibroblast cells, evidenced by various cellular assays. Furthermore, NAM-rGO had no effect on mitochondrial membrane permeability and caspase-3 activity compared to GO. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis allowed us to identify the molecular mechanisms responsible for NAM-rGO-induced biocompatibility. NAM-rGO significantly induced the expression of genes encoding tight junction proteins (TJPs) such as zona occludens-1 (Tjp1) and claudins (Cldn3) without any effect on the expression of cytoskeleton proteins. Furthermore, NAM-rGO enhances the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) gene, and it does this in a time-dependent manner. Overall, our study depicted the molecular mechanisms underlying NAM-rGO biocompatibility depending on upregulation of TJPs and ALP. This potential quality of graphene could be used in diverse applications including tissue regeneration and tissue engineering. Keywords: biocompatibility, graphene oxide, nicotinamide, reduced graphene oxide, tight junction proteins, alkaline phosphatase

Zhe Han,1,* Qi Yan,1,* Wei Ge,2 Zhi-Guo Liu,1 Sangiliyandi Gurunathan,3 Massimo De Felici,4 Wei Shen,2 Xi-Feng Zhang1 1College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 2Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Germplasm Enhancement in Universities of Shandong, College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 4Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy *These authors contributed equally tothis work Background: Nanoscience and nanotechnology are developing rapidly, and the applications of nanoparticles (NPs) have been found in several fields. At present, NPs are widely used in traditional consumer and industrial products, however, the properties and safety of NPs are still unclear and there are concerns about their potential environmental and health effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential toxicity of ZnO NPs on testicular cells using both in vitro and in vivo systems in a mouse experimental model. Methods: ZnO NPs with a crystalline size of 70 nm were characterized with various analytical techniques, including ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The cytotoxicity of the ZnO NPs was examined in vitro on Leydig cell and Sertoli cell lines, and in vivo on the testes of CD1 mice injected with single doses of ZnO NPs.Results: ZnO NPs were internalized by Leydig cells and Sertoli cells, and this resulted in cytotoxicity in a time- and dose-dependent manner through the induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis likely occurred as a consequence of DNA damage (detected as γ-H2AX and RAD51 foci) caused by increase in reactive oxygen species associated with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, injection of ZnO NPs in male mice caused structural alterations in the seminiferous epithelium and sperm abnormalities.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that ZnO NPs have the potential to induce apoptosis in testicular cells likely through DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species, with possible adverse consequences for spermatogenesis and therefore, male fertility. This suggests that evaluating the potential impacts of engineered NPs is essential prior to their mass production, to address both the environmental and human health concerns and also to develop sustainable and safer nanomaterials. Keywords: ZnO nanoparticle, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, mice

Primordial follicle formation and the subsequent transition of follicles through primary and secondary stages constitute crucial events of oogenesis. In particular, in mammals, defects in the processes that precede and accompany the formation of the primordial follicle pool can affect the size of this population significantly, while alterations in follicle activation, growth and maturation can result in premature depletion of the follicle reserve or cause follicle arrest at immature stages. Over the last decade, in vitro and in vivo approaches have been used to provide evidence that exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP), the most widely used plasticizer, has a deleterious effect on various stages of folliculogenesis in rodents. There is growing concern, supported by epidemiological and experimental data, that DEHP may have similar effects in women. This article reviews the evidence, with particular reference to our own findings, that DEHP may actually exert a variety of adverse effects on mammalian folliculogenesis from early to final stages of oogenesis, including altered development of the primordial germ cells, impaired fetal oocyte survival and meiotic progression, reduced oocyte nest breakdown, acceleration of primordial follicle activation, altered follicle steroidogenesis and increased follicle atresia. These effects can cause serious complications for reproductive and nonreproductive women's health. In addition, emerging data indicate that phthalates, including DEHP, may cause subtle epigenetic changes in germ cells that can be transmitted to subsequent generations, with potential negative effects on human health. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:589-604, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Background The basic endoscopic instruments are not suitable for removing calcified or hard discs in patients with thoracic disc herniations (TDH). We describe a percutaneous endoscopic technique for the treatment of calcified TDH using an endoscopic drill system with a T rigid bendable burr. Methods Eleven patients (8 males, mean age 42.1 years) with single-segmental calcified TDH were treated with percutaneous endoscopic surgeries. Results Our technique using this endoscopic drill system with a T rigid bendable burr is safe and effective for the treatment of calcified TDH. Conclusions Percutaneous endoscopic decompression using the T rigid bendable burr is a safe and reproducible surgical procedure for the treatment of calcified TDH.

Due to the lack of a

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer which is widely used in the manufacture of plastics. As a common environmental contaminant and recognized endocrine disrupting chemical, DEHP is able to deregulate the functions of a variety of tissues, including the reproductive system both in males and females. In order to investigate the possible effects of DEHP on the first wave of folliculogenesis, occurring in the mouse ovary postnatally, mice were administered 20 or 40 μg/kg DEHP through intraperitoneal injection at days 5, 10 and 15 post partum (dpp). Following DEHP treatment the gene expression profile of control and exposed ovaries was compared by microarray analyses at 20 dpp. We found that in the exposed ovaries DEHP significantly altered the transcript levels of several immune response and steroidogenesis associated genes. In particular, DEHP significantly decreased the expression of genes essential for androgen synthesis by theca cells including Lhcgr, Cyp17a1, Star and Ldlr. Immunohistochemistry and immune flow cytometry confirmed reduced expression of LHCGR and CYP17A1 proteins in the exposed theca cells. These effects were associated to a significant reduction in ovarian concentrations of progesterone, 17β-estradiol and androstenedione along with a reduction of LH in the serum. Although we did not find a significant reduction of the number of primary, secondary or antral follicles in the DEHP exposed ovaries when compared to controls, we did observe that theca cells showed an altered structure of the nuclear envelope, fewer mitochondria, and mitochondria with a reduced number of cristae. Collectively, these results demonstrate a deleterious effect of DEHP exposure on ovarian steroidogenesis during the first wave of folliculogenesis that could potentially affect the correct establishment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and the onset of puberty.

The present study aims to investigate the protective effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3PUFAs) against high-fat diet induced male mouse reproductive dysfunction and to explore circadian regulation mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups and fed a normal chow diet (control group, CON), a high-fat diet (HFD group) or a HFD supplemented with fish oil (FO group) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of feeding, the body weight and the ratio of perinephric and epididymal fat weight to body weight were significantly higher in the HFD group compared with the CON group. The supplement of fish oil rich in ω-3PUFAs only slightly reduced the HFD-induced obesity but remarkably ameliorated HFD-induced dyslipidemia, sexual hormones disorder, testicle lesions and germ cell apoptosis. Fish oil supplementation restored the expression of steroid synthesis associated genes in HFD fed mouse and flattened the HFD-induced oscillations in circadian genes' expression. Fish oil supplementation prevented HFD-induced male mouse reproductive dysfunction and modified the rhythmic expression of testosterone synthesis related genes.