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In human sperm, a fraction of its chromatin retains nucleosomes that are positioned on specific sequences containing genes and regulatory units essential for embryonic development. This nucleosome positioning (NP) feature provides an inherited epigenetic mark for sperm. However, it is not known whether there is a structural constraint for these nucleosomes and, if so, how they are localized in a three-dimensional (3D) context of the sperm nucleus. In this study, we examine the 3D organization of sperm chromatin and specifically determine its 3D localization of nucleosomes using structured illumination microscopy. A fraction of the sperm chromatin form nucleosome domains (NDs), visible as microscopic puncta ranging from 40 μm to 700 μm in diameter, and these NDs are precisely localized in the post acrosome region (PAR), outside the sperm's core chromatin. Further, NDs exist mainly in sperm from fertile men in a pilot survey with a small sample size. Together, this study uncovers a new spatially-restricted sub-nuclear structure containing NDs that are consistent with NPs of the sperm, which might represent a novel mark for healthy sperm in human., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2019. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Objective: To determine the relation between transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in allograft and long-term renal function., Methods: Urine TGF-beta1 relative concentration (divided by urine creatinine) was tested in 168 recipients whose renal function was normal between August 1, 2000 and March 31, 2001. Twenty patients with higher urine TGF-beta1 relative concentrations formed Group A, and another 20 patients with lower urine TGF-beta1 formed Group B. In both groups biopsies were carried out in 15 cases and 12 cases respectively, and TGF-beta1 in the biopsis was tested by immunofluorescence. Blood TGF-beta1 concentrations in the 2 groups were also tested. Three years later, the renal function was compared between the 2 groups. Biopsies were carried out in renal recipients whose creatinine was higher than that of the normal., Results: Blood TGF-beta1 concentrations in the 2 groups were not different significantly; 3 years after the transplantation, there was more loss of renal function and more chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) cases in Group A than in Group B. Expression of TGF-beta1 in the allografts was higher in Group A than in Group B. The differences in the 2 groups were significant., Conclusion: The findings suggest that the higher expression of TGF-beta1 in the allografts is associated with the lower long-term survival rate of kidney graft. The level of urine TGF-beta1 after the renal transplantation can predict the long-term renal function.

Some of Xenopus ferritin cDNA family genes have already been sequenced. In this study, we report that two ferritin cDNA genes have been cloned from the Xenopus laevis germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes. The deduced proteins have different lengths with varied sequences when compared with the published Xenopus ferritins. One of them is the ferritin light chain homologous (LCH), which is reported for the first time in Xenopus and the other is the ferritin heavy chain homologous (HCH) that is first reported in Xenopus GV oocyte.

Objective: To study the effect of Ganhuang Injection (GHI) on reject reaction of xenograft., Methods: RT-PCR technique was used to detect the activated relevant gene expression in porcine endothelial cells (PEC), and 51Cr releasing method was used to test the killing and adhesion action of NK cells., Results: The normal human serum and human NK-92 cell could up-regulate the mRNA expressions of E-selectin and IL-1 alpha gene in PEC, showing the PEC activating action, GHI could inhibit these activated gene expressions. Cyto-toxic experiment showed that GHI could also inhibit the cytotoxicity of NK cell on PEC dose-dependently, which was in accord with its inhibition on adhesive action of NK on PEC., Conclusion: GHI could inhibit not only the PEC activation in hyperacute rejection, but also the function of NK cells in delayed xenograft rejection.

Aim: To analyse the mechanism of corticosterone on the elevation of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) induced by high-K+ in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells,, Methods: The [Ca2+]i was real-time checked by fluorescence image system., Results: (1) When the cells were preincubated at 37 degrees C for 5 min in the presence of various concentration corticosterone and stimulated with 55 mmol/L KCl , an inhibitory effect of corticosterone on delta[Ca2+]i was observed in a concentration-dependent manner. (2) When PC12 cells were preincubated with various concentration of B-BSA at 37 degrees C for 5 min and stimulated with 55 mmol/L KCl, an inhibitory effect of B-BSA on delta[Ca2+]i was observed, which is also concentration-dependent manner. (3) The inhibitory effect of corticosterone and B-BSA could not be antagonized by RU38486 at 10(-4) mol/L. (4) cycloheximide could not block the inhibitory effect of corticosterone after pretreating cells at 10(-5) mol/L at 37 degrees C for 3 hours., Conclusion: It is obvious that the locus of corticosterone action is on the plasmic membrane. The inhibitory effect of corticosterone is independent of protein synthesis and intracellular glucocorticoid receptor. The effect of corticosterone on [Ca2+]i is nongenomic action in PC12 cells.