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The continuous urbanization leads to increasing pressure on the ecological environment. It is a key point to measure regional ecological environment quality objectively, accurately and quickly from multiple directions in ecological research. In this study, the normalized vegetation index ( NDVI), wet index ( WET), land surface temperature ( LST), and normalized difference building-soil index (NDBSI) were extracted from the aspects of greenness, humidity, heat and dryness. The ecological quality of Xiongan New Area between 1995 and 2015 was evaluated by integrating selected indicators to measure the remote sensing ecological index ( RSEI) with principal component analysis technology based on ENVI platform. The results showed that the average RSEI of Xiongan New Area was 0.724, 0.710, and 0.682 in 1995, 2004 and 2015, respectively, showing a downward trend. RSEI mainly changed from 4, 5 to 1, 2 and 3 in the study area from 1995 to 2015. Ecological quality improved and deteriorated area accounted for 8.9% and 20.9% of the total area respectively. The ecological quality improved area was mainly located in the east and south of Xiongxian County, because a large area of forests and gardens was highly valued and strictly protected by the local government. The ecological quality deteriorated area was in the periphery of the town and the surrounding area of Baiyangdian due to the sharp decline of the water area of Baiyang-dian and the continuous urbanization. The three-year average correlation coefficient between RSEI and each component index was 0.80, which was higher than that between other component indices. Our results showed that RSEI could efficiently integrate the information of each component index and comprehensively and accurately reflect the ecological quality of the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin,an endocrine hormone synthesized by the pineal gland,plays an important role in the reproduction.The growth and development of follicles is the basis of female mammalian fertility.Follicles have a high concentration of melatonin.Melatonin receptors exist on ovarian granulosa cells,follicle cells,and oocytes.It regulates the growth and development of these cells and the maturation and atresia of follicles,affecting female fertility.This paper reviews the protective effects and regulatory mechanisms of melatonin on the development of ovarian follicles,granulosa cells,and oocytes and makes an outlook on the therapeutic potential of melatonin for ovarian injury,underpinning the clinical application of melatonin in the future.

In recent years,microRNAs(miRNAs)have been detected at different stages of follicular development and in different cells of follicles.Extracellular vesicle(EV)-derived miRNAs have also been detected in the follicular fluid of mature follicles.miRNAs participate in the regulation of normal follicular development,and the regulation disorder may lead to the occurrence of some ovarian diseases.In order to further systematically elucidate the regulatory mechanism of miRNAs on follicular development and find suitable EV-derived miRNAs that can predict oocyte development,we reviewed the functions of miRNAs in follicular development from the perspectives of granulosa cell development,oocyte development,and hormone synthesis.

The continuous urbanization leads to increasing pressure on the ecological environment. It is a key point to measure regional ecological environment quality objectively, accurately and quickly from multiple directions in ecological research. In this study, the normalized vegetation index (NDVI), wet index (WET), land surface temperature (LST), and normalized difference building-soil index (NDBSI) were extracted from the aspects of greenness, humidity, heat and dryness. The ecological quality of Xiongan New Area between 1995 and 2015 was evaluated by integrating selected indicators to measure the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) with principal component analysis technology based on ENVI platform. The results showed that the average RSEI of Xiongan New Area was 0.724, 0.710, and 0.682 in 1995, 2004 and 2015, respectively, showing a downward trend. RSEI mainly changed from 4, 5 to 1, 2 and 3 in the study area from 1995 to 2015. Ecological quality improved and deteriorated area accounted for 8.9% and 20.9% of the total area respectively. The ecological quality improved area was mainly located in the east and south of Xiongxian County, because a large area of forests and gardens was highly valued and strictly protected by the local government. The ecological quality deteriorated area was in the periphery of the town and the surrounding area of Baiyangdian due to the sharp decline of the water area of Baiyangdian and the continuous urbanization. The three-year average correlation coefficient between RSEI and each component index was 0.804, which was higher than that between other component indices. Our results showed that RSEI could efficiently integrate the information of each component index and comprehensively and accurately reflect the ecological quality of the study area.

Objective: To determine the regulatory role and mechanism of nitric oxide (NO) in the development and hatching of mouse blastocysts., Methods: The Kunming female mice were superovulated and then mated with mature male mice. On the day 2.5 of their pregnancy, morulae were flushed from their uterine horns with culture media. Morulae were cultured in different concentrations of N-nitro-L arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), or the combination of L-NAME and SNP in culture media for 48 hours. The development and hatching of blastocysts were examined on day 4 and day 5 and the total numbers of blastocyst cells and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase 3) were observed under confocal laser scanning microscope., Results: With the increase of the concentration of L-NAME or SNP, the hatching rate of blastocysts and the total number of blastocyst cells were significantly reduced. The addition of 10 nmol/L SNP in culture media with 5 mmol/L L-NAME significantly increased the development of blastocysts and promoted hatching of blastocysts. However, with increase of SNP concentration in culture media with 5 mmol/L L-NAME, the development and hatching rates of blastocysts were significantly decreased. L-NAME had no obvious effect on the expression of active caspase 3 in blastocyst cells. However,when being above 500 nmol/L,SNP significantly increased the expression of caspase 3 in blastocyst cells., Conclusions: NO plays an important role in development and hatching of mouse blastocysts. Excessively high or low NO can damage the division of blastomeres, resulting in the failure of the blastocyst development and hatching. Also, excessively high NO can lead to the apoptosis of the blastocyst cells.

Objective: To determine the effects of bisphenol-A (BPA) on blastocyst development and implantation., Methods: According to completely randomized grouping method, 90 pregnant mice were divided into 100, 300, and 600 mg/(kg·d)BPA groups and control group. BPA-treated pregnant mice were orally administered with BPA at concentrations of 100, 300 and 600 mg/(kg·d) from day 0.5 to day 3.5 of their pregnancy. Blastocyst implantation and development were studied., Results: In the 300 mg/(kg·d) BPA group, the number of implantation sites and implantation rate were significantly decreased. In the 600 mg/(kg·d) group, no implantation sites were observed among pregnant mice and BPA inhibited embryo implantation. Blastocyst development on day 4 was examined, and findings showed that the development rate and total numbers of blastocysts in BPA treatment groups had no significant difference from the control group. However, BPA at 300 and 600 mg/(kg·d) significantly reduced blastocyst hatching rate and dramatically increased the number of blastocyst apoptotic cells when compared with those in the control group., Conclusion: BPA at a high concentration damages the blastocyst development before implantation and inhibits embryo implantation.

Many pathological phenomena of male infertility are related to epigenetic changes in male germ cells. Epigenetic regulation during spermatogenesis plays an important role in mitotic/meiotic divisions and spermiogenesis. The histones have various post-translational modifications on different amino acid residues during spermatogenesis. These modifications are crucial to the precise regulation of spermatogenesis. Moreover, the histone-to-protamine transition will occur during spermiogenesis. Many studies have also found that abnormal changes of histone modifications during spermatogenesis may damage the sperm development, leading to male sterility. This article reviews the changes of histone modifications during spermatogenesis, the regulation of the development of male germ cells, and the relationship between histone abnormalities and male sterility.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commonly used phenolic environmental estrogen. Long-term exposure of female mammalians to BPA can lead to endocrine disorders, followed by the morphological and functional changes in ovary, uterus, vagina, and oviducts. The interactions of BPA with various target molecules or tissues will cause different effects. To further elucidate the effects of BPA on female reproductive system, we review the changes in the structure and functions of female reproduction system after BPA exposure and their possible mechanisms.

Objective: To explore the role of neuregulin (neural regulation of protein, NRG) in the process of mouse spermatogonia proliferation., Methods: Mouse testis fragments were cultured in the medium DMEM containing purified NRG1beta or NRG3 at the concentration of 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml, respectively, followed by BrdU immunohistochemical staining and determination of the proliferation rate of spermatogonia., Results: Compared with the control group, neuregulin significantly promoted the proliferation of spermatogonia (P < 0.05). The proliferation rates of spermatogonia cultured in the medium with 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml of NRG13 were 1.69, 1.55 and 1.86 times, and those with 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml of NRG3 were 1.35, 1.54 and 2.11 times that of the control., Conclusion: NRG1beta and NRG3 can promote the proliferation of mouse spermatogonia, and NRG is expected to be applied in the treatment of male infertility.

Objective: To observe the clinical manifestations of bullous retinal detachment and analyze the etiological factors., Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data was conducted in 22 patients with multifocal retinal pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE) and big bullous retinal detachment (BBRD), who were admitted between 2003 and 2008 in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center with the diagnoses established by ocular fundus examination, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and/or indocyanine green angiography (ICGA)., Results: The patients included 15 men (68%) and 7 women (32%), with a mean age at the initial visit of 42 years, ranging from 25 to 64 years. Four patients (18%) received previously systemic corticosteroid therapy, and 2 of them used corticosteroids before retina detachment, 1 suffered progression of retinal detachment after corticosteroid therapy, and the other developed retinal detachment in the healthy eye during the therapy. Multifocal bullous retinal detachment was diagnosed as diffuse pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE) in 9 cases. Most of the 13 cases of big bullous retinal detachment had poor vision after operation and laser therapy., Conclusion: Bullous retinal detachment occurs most frequently in mid-life and more often in men than women. Abnormal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and hyperpermeability of the choroid vessels are associated with its occurrence. Systemic corticosteroid therapy and mental stress may induce and aggravate this disease. Early medication and laser therapy are effective, and surgical intervention may save only part of the vision in advanced cases.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor-Fc fusion protein (rh TNFR:Fc) in the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS)., Methods: 68 patients with active AS underwent subcutaneous injection of rh TNFR: Fc 25 mg twice a week for 24 weeks. The following indexes were observed: improvement of at least 20% of reported symptoms, based on the multicomponent Assessments in AS (ASAS) response criteria (ASAS 20) at weeks 2, 6, 12 and 24, ASAS 50 and ASAS 70 responses, and improved scores on individual components of ASAS, including Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), acute phase reactants, and Bath AS metrology index (BASMI). And the X-ray images of patient's pelvis at weeks 0, 12, and 24 were graded based on BASRI., Results: After treatment of rh TNFR:Fc the primary and secondary efficacy end points of the 68 patients were all improved compared with the baseline values. During the process of treatment, the number of patients with the efficacy achieving ASAS20 was gradually rising: 44 cases (64.7%) at week 12 and 58 (85.0%) at week 24. The efficacy of 41 cases (60.3% ) reached ASAS50 and that of 34 cases reached ASAS70 at week 24. Other efficacy end points also reflected the similar effect and were improved significantly compared with the baseline values at different time points ( all P < 0.01). BASRI showed that the radiological improvement of sacroiliac joint was not significant (P > 0.05) and that the radiological improvement of hip was not obvious at week 12 (P > 0.05) but significant at week 24 (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: rh TNFR:Fc rapidly improves the signs and symptoms of active AS.

Aim: To investigate the immunocontraceptive effect of Lagurus lagurus zona pellucida 3 gene (LZP3) fused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis HSP70 and C-terminal of HSP70., Methods: Two immunocontractive recombinant plasmids pcD-L-HSP70 and pcD-L-HSP70C were constructed using LZP3. Meanwhile, pcD-L and pcD-ACLC which were effective immunocontraceptive vaccines were studied as control., Results: After the LZP3 genes were expressed in the livers of mice with the introduction of hydronamic transfection instead of traditional HeLa cell transfection by RT-PCR, NIH mice were immunized with ZP3 DNA vaccines. The results of ELISA showed that all of the recombinants in mice elicited specific anti-ZP3 antibodies which were combined with the ZP3 of oocytes from the immunized mice in immunofluorescence assay. MTS assay showed that the lymphocytes in all groups were proliferated by stimulating the recombinant LZP3 with no disruption of follicular in ovaries, especially those in groups of pcD-ACLC and pcD-L-HSP70C (P<0.01). Antifertility experiments showed that three groups (besides pcD-L-HSP70) enhanced the sterile effects (P<0.05), especially those in the groups of pcD-ACLC and pcD-L-HSP70C (P<0.01)., Conclusion: LZP3 fused by the C-terminal of mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein HSP70 had a good immunocontraceptive effect while LZP3 fused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein HSP70 had a poor effect on birth control. So the C-terminal of Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein HSP70 might be a better candidate to deliver the adjuvant function in LZP3 DNA immunocontraceptive vaccination than the complete HSP70 molecule.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of backward walking treadmill training for restoration of motor function, balance and walking speed in patients with stroke., Methods: Twenty-six patients with stroke, 17 males and 9 females, aged 36 - 64, with the lower extremity Brunnstrom motor recovery stage at 3 or 4, able to walk for 10 m without walking aid or orthosis, were randomly divided into two equal groups: The patients in the control group were to participate in a 60-minutes conventional training five times a week for three weeks, and the patients in the experimental group received 30-minute conventional training and then 30-minute backward walking training five times a week for three weeks. Before the training and 3 weeks after the training, Fugl-Meyer assessment was used to assess the motor function of the lower extremity (FMA-L), Berg balance scale (BBS) was used to assess the balance function, and 10 m maximum walking speed was measured., Results: After the three-week training period, the FMA-L score of the experimental group was 28.0 +/- 3.3, significantly higher than that of the control group (25.5 +/- 2.3, P = 0.033); the BBS score of the experimental group was 51.4 +/- 1.8, significantly higher than that of the control group (47.3 +/- 3.7, P = 0.001, and 10 m MWS of the experimental group was 57 +/- 17, significantly higher than that of the control group (43 +/- 16, P = 0.034)., Conclusion: A safe and feasible intervention, additional backward walking therapy helps improve the damaged motor function, balance, and walking speed of the patients with stroke.