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ZNF280BY, a bovid-specific Y chromosome gene, was firstly found to be highly expressed in bovine testis, indicating that it may play important roles in testicular development and male fertility. In this study, we firstly cloned the full-length cDNA of ovine ZNF280BY containing 1,993 bp, and with a 1,632 bp open reading frame. ZNF280BY was predominantly expressed in the testis, and its expression level was significantly higher in large testis than in small testis in Hu sheep at 6 months of age. In addition, the expression level of ZNF280BY significantly increased during testicular development, showing the highest expression level at 12 mo of age. ZNF280BY showed copy number variation (CNV) in 723 rams from eight sheep breeds, ranging from 17 to 514 copies, with a median copy number of 188. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the CNV of ZNF280BY was negatively correlated with testis size in Hu sheep. Furthermore, its mRNA expression level in testis had no significant correlation with the CNV but was significantly correlated with testis size. This study concluded that the expression of ZNF280BY was closely related to testicular development, and the CNV of ZNF280BY could be used as an important genetic marker to evaluate the ram reproductive capacity at an early stage in Hu sheep.The zinc finger protein 280B-like, Y-linked ZNF280BY is a bovid-specific Y chromosome gene, playing important roles in testicular development and male fertility. In this study, we found that the ovine ZNF280BY was highly expressed in the testis and significantly upregulated during testicular development. The copy number of ZNF280BY was negatively correlated with testicular size in Hu sheep. Our results demonstrated that the CNV of ZNF280BY could be used as an important candidate marker for selecting elite rams at an early stage in Hu sheep.

The CHYR (CHY ZINC-FINGER AND RING FINGER PROTEIN) proteins have been functionally characterized in iron regulation and stress response in Arabidopsis, rice and Populus. However, their roles in soybean have not yet been systematically investigated. Here, in this study, 16 GmCHYR genes with conserved Zinc_ribbon, CHY zinc finger and Ring finger domains were obtained and divided into three groups. Moreover, additional 2–3 hemerythrin domains could be found in the N terminus of Group III. Phylogenetic and homology analysis of CHYRs in green plants indicated that three groups might originate from different ancestors. Expectedly, GmCHYR genes shared similar conserved domains/motifs distribution within the same group. Gene expression analysis uncovered their special expression patterns in different soybean tissues/organs and under various abiotic stresses. Group I and II members were mainly involved in salt and alkaline stresses. The expression of Group III members was induced/repressed by dehydration, salt and alkaline stresses, indicating their diverse roles in response to abiotic stress. In conclusion, our work will benefit for further revealing the biological roles of GmCHYRs.

Background.Tumor immunotherapy and immunological checkpoint-related proteins are research hotspots. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is the main treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Hence, the evaluation of its effect is very important. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the concentrations of soluble checkpoint proteins, plasma EBV-DNA, and cytokines in NPC patients treated with IMRT.Methods.In this study, the plasma samples of 37 NPC patients and 40 healthy controls were collected. Luminex MAGPIX was used to detect the concentrations of 32 plasma targets, including soluble programmed cell death 1 (sPD-1). RT-qPCR was used to measure EBV-DNA.Results.The concentrations of 33 plasma targets were detected in NPC patients before and after IMRT to explore the changes after IMRT. The results showed that IMRT could increase the expression of sPD-1 and significantly reduce the level of EBV-DNA in the plasma of NPC patients. The expression level of sPD-1 in TNM I/II patients was significantly higher than that in III/IV patients. Besides, the concentrations of 12 other targets were significantly different after IMRT, including LAG-3, PD-L1, TIM-3, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-1β, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-22. High sPD-1 patients had longer survival than those with low sPD-1. Also, patients with lower EBV-DNA and TNM grades I and II/III had longer survival than those with higher EBV-DNA or TNM IV.Conclusions.This study demonstrated that the concentration of sPD-1 was significantly increased and EBV-DNA was significantly reduced in the NPC patients after IMRT. Plasma EBV-DNA level was a highly specific and sensitive biomarker for NPC diagnosis. Both sPD-1 expression and EBV-DNA concentration in plasma were related to the survival of patients.

4-Methylcatechol (4-MC) is one of the metabolites of quercetin, which is a potential drug for neuroprotection and tumorigenesis inhibition. This study was performed to investigate the cytotoxic effect of 4-MC in mouse TM4 Sertoli cells. TM4 Sertoli cell viability was significantly inhibited by 4-MC in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The number of apoptotic and dead cells was significantly increased after 4-MC treatment. Caspase 3 activity increased by prolonged exposure of TM4 Sertoli cells to 200 μM 4-MC. The 4-MC significantly upregulated the mRNA level of Bax gene and considerably downregulated the Bcl-2 gene expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Results showed that 4-MC could induce TM4 Sertoli cell apoptosis, and the cytotoxic effect of 4-MC on TM4 Sertoli cells may be associated with upregulated Bax gene expression, which induced caspase cascade activation.

Background: Remote precoditioning of trauma (RPCT) confers cardioprotective effects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, which are mediated by spinal opioid receptors. The aim of this study was to identify the roles of opioid receptor subtypes in the cardioprotective effect of RPCT and possible mechanisms. Methods: In this study, 192 Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to 12 groups. Except for the sham group, rats in all groups were subjected to myocardial ischemia reperfusion. Rats in the ischemia precondition (IPC) group were treated with IPC. In the RPCT groups, an abdominal incision was made 15 min before inducing ischemia. The selective delta-, kappa-, and mu-opioid receptor antagonists were administered to groups of animals receiving RPCT, respectively. Data were collected for myocardial infarct size, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations, activation of protein kinase C epsilon (PKCe) in myocardial cell membranes, and adenosine release in the spinal cord. Results: Compared with the control groups, infarct size, plasma concentrations of cTnI, and myocardial ICAM-1 expression were significantly lower, while adenosine release and PKCe activation were enhanced in the IPC and RPCT groups. Compared with the RPCT group, infarct size, plasma cTnI concentration, and myocardial ICAM-1 expression were greater and adenosine release and PKCe activation were reduced in the mu-opioid receptor antagonist plus RPCT group. Conclusions: The spinal mu-opioid receptor mediated the cardiac protective effect of RPCT. The mechanism may be enhanced by adenosine release in the spinal cord and PKCe activation in the myo­cardium, thereby inhibiting inflammation induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Inhibins play important roles in normal gonadal function, including regulation of proliferation, differentiation, and steroidogenesis of Leydig and Sertoli cells via paracrine and autocrine processes. In adult males, circulating inhibin levels are correlated with fertility by regulating the number of Sertoli cells, total sperm count, and testicular volume. Given this important role, inhibin-α subunit (INHA) is a strong candidate gene in male fertility. However, limited data regarding the association of polymorphisms of INHA with male fertility are available. This study was based on the hypothesis that polymorphisms in the promoter of INHA are associated with male fertility. Han Chinese patients with non-normozoospermia ( n = 153) and normozoospermia ( n = 72) from Northern China were screened, and genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism after INHA promoter was amplified. Statistical analysis results revealed a significant difference in the allele frequency of INHA promoter between males with non-normozoospermia and normozoospermia. For c.-124G > A, males carrying c.-124GG genotype and c.-124GA genotype showed an increased risk of non-normozoospermic syndrome. For c.-16C > T polymorphism, no significant difference in allele frequency was observed between the two groups. Therefore, the haplotype AC possibly displayed a considerable reduced risk of non-normozoospermic syndrome.

Nerve growth factor promotes the survival and differentiation of nervous cells and is thought to play an important role in the development of reproductive tissues. The aims of this work were to detect the presence of NGF and its receptor NTRK1 in bovine oviduct samples, and to investigate the regulatory interactions between NGF/NTRK1 and gonadotrophins in bovine oviduct epithelial cells. Both transcripts and proteins of NGF and NTRK1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and the corresponding proteins were specifically immunolocalized in oviduct epithelial cells. In addition, real-time PCR experiments revealed that the levels of NGF and NTRK1 mRNA in oviduct epithelial cells treated with exogenous FSH or LH were greater than those in negative control cells (P