[Progress on specific and non-specific immune effects of Bacille Calmette-Guerin].

Currently, Bacille Calmette-Guerin(BCG) is still the only admitted vaccine to prevent tuberculosis around the world. The target population is infants and children, but its protective efficacy is limited. As more and more studies have shown that re-vaccination with BCG protects against tuberculosis in adults, BCG can also induce non-specific immunity against other respiratory diseases and some chronic diseases by training immunity, especially the immune effects against COVID-19. At present, the epidemic of COVID-19 has not been effectively contained, and it is worth considering whether BCG vaccine can be used as an intervention to prevent COVID-19. The WHO and China do not have a policy to support BCG revaccination, and as more and more BCG vaccines are discovered, whether selective revaccination can be carried out in some high-risk populations and whether the vaccine can be used more widely have led to intense discussions. This article reviewed the effects of specific immunity and non-specific immunity of BCG on tuberculosis and non-tuberculous diseases.

High-solid digestion from cellulosic ethanol stillage with activated sludge of simultaneous propionate degradation and methanogenesis.

High solid anaerobic digestion (HSAD) was an emerging bioconversion technology which had the advantages of small digester, less digestate and low heating energy. A one-stage anaerobic system in CSTR by inoculating activated sludge of simultaneous propionate degradation and methanogenesis was proposed to improve the high-solid digestion performance and to stabilize the reaction process. Semi-continuous mode was successfully used to perform HSAD from cellulosic ethanol whole stillage at an initial substrate loading of 15.4% (w/w) dry matter content with different OLRs from 1.5 to 5.0 gVS·L-1 d-1 at an HRT of 30 days. The average methane yield during whole digestion reached 349.9 mL⋅gVS-1 with a total VS removal rate of 61.3%. The acclimation mechanism of multifunctional activated sludge was also explored by analyzing the functional property, physiological activity and microbial community structure. The results indicated the feasibility and efficiency of multifunctional activated sludge in a semi-continuous high-solid stirred tank reactor system.

Cardiac Disease Associated Genetic Variants in Yi Nationality in Regions with High Incidence of Yunnan Sudden Unexplained Death.

ABSTRACT: Objective To explore the association of cardiac disease associated genetic variants and the high incidence of Yunnan sudden unexplained death （YNSUD） in Yi nationality. Methods The genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples collected from 205 Yi villagers from YNSUD aggregative villages （inpatient group） and 197 healthy Yi villagers from neighboring villages （control group）. Fifty-two single nucleotide variants （SNVs） of 25 cardiac disease associated genes were genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-MS）. The SPSS 17.0 was used to analyze data. The pathogenicities of variants with differences between the two groups that have statistical significance were predicted by protein function prediction software PolyPhen-2 and SIFT. All villagers from inpatient group were given electrocardiogram （ECG） examination using a 12-lead electrocardiograph. Results The allele frequency and the genotype frequency of missense mutation DSG2 （rs2278792, c.2318G>A, p.R773K） of pathogenic genes of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy （ARVC） in inpatient group was higher than that in control group （P<0.05）. Abnormal ECG changes were detected in 71 individuals （34.6%） in the inpatient group, among which 54 individuals carried R773K mutation, including clockwise （counterclockwise） rotation, left （right） axis deviation, ST segment and T wave alteration and heart-blocking. Conclusion Definite pathogenic mutations have not been found in the 52 cardiac disease genes associated SNVs detected in Yi nationality in regions with high incidence of YNSUD. The cause of high incidence of YNSUD in Yi nationality needs further study.

[A pilot study of transcranial alternating current stimulation in the treatment of drug-naive adult patients with major depressive disorder].

Objective: To explore the efficacy, adverse reactions, feasibility, and acceptability of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) treating drug-naive adult patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and provide basis for further study with a large sample. Methods: The study was performed in the Neuromodulation laboratory, Department of Neurology of Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University (Beijing, China) from July, 2017 to June, 2018. Thirty Eligible first-episode MDD outpatients were randomized 1∶1 to receive active tACS or sham intervention. The tACS was administered in a 40 minute, 77.5 Hz frequency, 15 mA session with one forehead (Fp1, Fpz, and Fp2, in the 10/20 international placement system, 4.45 cm×9.53 cm) and two mastoid (3.18 cm×3.81 cm) stimulation for 20 times in 4 consecutive weeks at fixed day time frame once daily from Monday through Friday, with weekends off (week 4), followed by 4 weeks with no tACS treatment (week 8). By utilizing the Hamilton rating scale for depression-17 item (HRSD-17) to assess the depressive severity of MDD patients, adverse events were administered by the treatment-emergent adverse events, the Young mania rating scale, and the self-made common questionnaire on cranial electrical stimulation. The primary efficacy outcome was the remission rate defined as HRSD-17 score ≤7 at week 8. Secondary outcomes included the rates of remission at week 4 and response at weeks 4 and 8. Safety was assessed by evaluation of adverse events. Also the proportions of participants accepting the intervention and this study procedure were evaluated at weeks 4 and 8. Results: Thirty MDD patients completed the study, and both groups had no statistical differences on their demographic characteristics (P>0.05). At week 8, the active group had a remission rate of 10/15, which was higher than 3/15 in the sham group (P<0.05). Also, the remission rate (14/15) in the active group was higher than 5/15 of the sham group at week 4 (P<0.05). For the response rates, significant differences were found between groups at week 8. For safety, both groups showed no severe adverse events and no mania/hypomania. One participant per group had 2 times of tinnitus cerebri during the intervention days. All patients accepted the intervention and the study procedure. Conclusions: The pilot study indicated that tACS with 77.5 Hz and 15 mA may have a therapeutic effect on depressive symptoms. It is well-tolerated and safe, as well as feasible and acceptable for adults with MDD.

[Analysis on the characteristics of postural blood pressure changes recorded with continuous non-invasive arterial pressure monitoring system and the correlative factors in elderly hospitalized patients].

Objective: To explore the characteristics of postural blood pressure changes in elderly inpatients and the related factors of orthostatic hypotension (OH). Methods: This study was a clinical case control study. Two hundred and sixty-six elderly patients (≥60 years old), who were hospitalized between April 2016 and November 2017 in Geriatric Department of Peking University First Hospital, were included. They were divided into direct standing group and indirect standing group. Direct standing group involved 102 patients, they changed posture from supine directly to standing position, and the blood pressures at the moments of supine, immediately after standing and the first, second, and third minute after standing were recorded by continuous noninvasive arterial pressure (CNAP) system. Indirect standing group involved 164 patients, and they changed posture from supine to sitting for 3 minutes, and then changed to standing position. Blood pressures at the moments of supine, immediately after sitting, the third minute after sitting, immediately after standing and the third minute after standing was recorded by CNAP. Blood pressure changes after different postural changes mode and the rates of OH were compared. The related factors of OH was analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The lowest systolic blood pressures (SBP) mostly occurred immediately after postural change: immediately after standing for direct standing group (86.3%(88/102)), and immediately after sitting for indirect standing group (59.1%(97/164)). The lowest diastolic blood pressures (DBP) mostly occurred immediately after standing in the two groups: 87.3%(89/102) for direct standing group and 43.3% (71/164) for indirect standing group. The maximum SBP drop (SBP of supine minus the lowest SBP during postural changes) of direct standing group was significantly higher than indirect standing group (median 20.5(14.0, 29.3) vs. 18.0(11.0, 26.0) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa, P<0.05). The rates of OH occurred immediately and within 3 minutes from supine to standing position were significantly higher in direct standing group than in indirect standing group (65.7% (67/102) vs. 43.9% (72/164), and 70.6% (72/102) vs. 49.4% (81/164), both P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was positively associated with OH after a transition from supine to standing position (immediately and within 3 minutes, OR=1.002 (95%CI 1.000-1.004), 1.003 (95%CI 1.001-1.006), P=0.014, 0.006) in direct standing group. Conclusions: OH is common in elderly hospitalized patients. The most obvious blood pressure changes are likely to occur immediately after position changes. Adding a sitting position during the transition of supine to standing position may decrease the amplitude of SBP drop. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is associated with OH after the transition from the supine to standing position in the elderly inpatients.

[Preliminary study on the measurement of optic nerve subarachnoid space in patients with normal tension glaucoma].

Objective: To investigate the ultrasonographic measurements of the optic nerve subarachnoid space (ONSAS) in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Methods: Cross-sectional study. Patients with NTG or primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) but without any anti-glaucoma treatment and the control group were collected from June 2016 to March 2017 at Beijing Tongren Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University. Measurements of 24-h intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, mean visual field damage, visual axis, blood pressure and body mass index and ocular ultrasound scans were performed. The differences in the ONSAS of the two-dimensional ultrasound images of the three groups of subjects and their correlation with various clinical variables were evaluated. Qualitative data were analyzed by the chi-square test for comparison between groups; quantitative data were analyzed by the one-way ANOVA for comparison between groups, and the LSD-t test was used for comparison between groups; the Pearson correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis of measurement data. The intra-group correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the reproducibility and repeatability of two measurements by different measurers or the same measurer. Results: A total of 35 patients (35 eyes) with NTG were enrolled in the NTG group, including 14 males and 21 females, aged (50±8) years; 32 patients (32 eyes) with POAG were enrolled in the POAG group, including 14 males and 18 females, aged (52±10) years; 37 healthy people (37 eyes) were enrolled in the control group, including 20 males and 17 females, aged (49±9) years. The ONSAS was (5.07±0.83) mm(2) in the retrobulbar 3- to 7-mm range in the NTG group, significantly smaller than the control group (6.57±1.43) mm(2) and the POAG group (6.19±0.90) mm(2) (t=1.17, 1.29; P=0.03, 0.01). There was no significant difference in the statistical results between the control group and the POAG group (t=1.31, P=0.75). Between the ONSAS and mean intraocular pressure and maximum intraocular pressure, there was a statistically positive correlation in the NTG group (r=0.66, 0.48; both P<0.01), but there was no linear correlation; there was no statistical correlation in the control group or the POAG group (all P>0.05). There was no statistically significant association between the ONSAS and age, mean arterial pressure, body mass index, central corneal thickness, visual axis length, and mean visual field loss in any group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the POAG group and the control group, the ONSAS is smaller in the NTG group, indicating lower retrobulbar cerebrospinal fluid pressure, and it is positively correlated with the mean intraocular pressure and the highest intraocular pressure. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 827-832).

[The mediating role of mental capital in understanding social support and job satisfaction].

Objective: To understand the relationship between perceived social support, psychological capital and job satisfaction, and analyze the mediating effect of psychological capital between perceived social support and job satisfaction. Methods: In 2017, June to July, we use cluster random sampling method to evaluate 888 medical staff from 5 hospitals in Jinan and Yantai in Shandong provience by Perceived Social Support Scale、PsyCap Questionnaire and MinnesotaSatisfaction Questionnaire. Results: Correlation analysis showed that perceived social support was significantly positively correlated with self-efficacy, hope, resilience, optimism and job satisfaction (r=0.42, 0.42, 0.56, 0.47, P<0.05) . There was a significant positive correlation between job satisfaction and self-efficacy, hope, resilience and optimism (r=0.45, 0.50, 0.43, 0.46, P< 0.05) . The structural equation model shows that hope and optimism play a significant partly mediating effect between perceived social support and job satisfaction. Conclusion: Perceived social support is a positively predictive factor of job satisfaction in medical staff. The Increase of perceived social support and psychological capital are conducive to improving job satisfaction of medical staff's.

What determines the interfacial configuration of Nb/Al2O3 and Nb/MgO interface.

Nb films are deposited on single crystal Al2O3 (110) and MgO(111) substrates by e-beam evaporation technique. Structure of Nb films and orientation relationships (ORs) of Nb/Al2O3 and Nb/MgO interface are studied and compared by the combination of experiments and simulations. The experiments show that the Nb films obtain strong (110) texture, and the Nb film on Al2O3(110) substrate shows a higher crystalline quality than that on MgO(111) substrate. First principle calculations show that both the lattice mismatch and the strength of interface bonding play major roles in determining the crystalline perfection of Nb films and ORs between Nb films and single crystal ceramic substrates. The fundamental mechanisms for forming the interfacial configuration in terms of the lattice mismatch and the strength of interface bonding are discussed.

[Comparison of therapeutic effects between sitagliptin and voglibose both combined with sensor-augmented insulin pump in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects between sitagliptin and voglibose both with sensor-augmented insulin pump (SAP) in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Fifty-six newly diagnosed hospitalized T2DM patients in Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value of 9%-11%, were randomized into the sitagliptin (S) group (n=28) and the voglibose (V) group (n=28) by block randomisation. Participants in S group received sitagliptin 100 mg per day, and V group received voglibose 0.2 mg for 3 times per day. All patients were treated with SAP for 9 days. Real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) was used. Glucose variability parameters were observed. The research has been approved by the ethics committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University(KY2014-08). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). In V group and S group, fasting blood glucose (FPG) [(6.4±1.1) vs (11.4±3.0) mmol/L, P=0.008; (5.5±0.8) vs (11.0±2.1) mmol/L, P<0.001], mean blood glucose(MBG) [(7.5±0.8) vs (12.0±1.1) mmol/L, P=0.045; (6.7±0.7) vs (12.5±1.3) mmol/L, P=0.002], standard deviation of blood glucose (SDBG) (P=0.023, 0.036) decreased and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-ß (P=0.002, 0.001) increased significantly after 9 days therapy. The mean of daily differences (MODD)(P=0.027), coefficient of variation-FPG (CV-FPG) (P=0.033) and HOMA-IR (P=0.039) in S group significantly decreased, while postprandial glycemic excursion (PPGE)(P=0.003, 0.026, 0.011, 3 meals respectively)and the low glycemic index(LBGI)(P=0.025) in V group decreased, the peak postprandial level of glucose(Δt)was longer compared with before (P=0.028, 0.026, 0.030, 3 meals respectively). After therapy, PPGE in V group significantly became lower than those in S group (P=0.041, 0.032, 0.036, 3 meals respectively), while FPG and MBG in S group were significantly lower than those in V group (P=0.041, 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Sitagliptin or voglibose combined with SAP can improve glucose control and protect islet function for patients with newly diagnosed T2DM. Sitagliptin has advantages in controlling MBG and FPG compared with voglibose. Voglibose has more striking advantages in reducing the postprandial blood glucose fluctuation.

MiR-204 regulates HMGA2 expression and inhibits cell proliferation in human thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Analysis using publicly available algorithms has found that high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), a key transcriptional regulatory factor, is a potential target of microRNA-204 (miR-204). Some studies have shown that both miR-204 and HMGA2 are associated with cancer development. OBJECTIVE: We examined the possible relationship between miR-204 and HMGA2 in the development of thyroid cancer. METHODS: We assessed miR-204 expression in thyroid cancer specimens and cell lines using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the target associations. The effect of miR-204 on cell proliferation was confirmed with tetrazolium and colony formation assays. Gene and protein expression were examined using real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: MiR-204 was downregulated in the thyroid cancer specimens and cell lines, and targeted the 3^\prime untranslated region of HMGA2 directly. MiR-204 overexpression decreased cyclin D1 and Ki67 expression and increased P21 expression, which subsequently inhibited thyroid cancer cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that miR-204 plays a protective role by inhibiting thyroid cancer cell proliferation, and may identify new targets for anti-cancer treatment.

Efficacy and safety evaluation of intensive statin therapy in older patients with coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To reveal and evaluate the efficacy and safety of intensive statin therapy in older patients (age ≥ 65 years) with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that involved intensive statin therapy use in older patients with CHD. Data was extracted and used to calculate risk ratios (RR) by software Revman 5.1. RESULTS: Five RCTs and 11,132 patients were included in. Compared with non-intensive statin therapy, intensive statin therapy had significant effect on reducing low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (55.4 %) and total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (Tg). Although the results showed that intensive statin therapy had no superior effect on reduction of mortality (both all-cause mortality [RR = 0.97, p = 0.65] and cardiac death [RR = 0.95, p = 0.57]) and cardiac arrest (RR = 1.09, p = 0.81), it possessed significant effects on prevention of nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) (RR = 0.78, p = 0.008), stroke (RR = 0.72, p = 0.02) and coronary revascularization (RR = 0.69, p = 0.007). In terms of side effects, intensive statin therapy was associated with small absolute increase in incidence of drug discontinuation, due to adverse events (3.9 %) and liver enzymes abnormalities (1.7 %). And the occurrence rates of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis and creatine kinase (CK) elevation were very low. CONCLUSIONS: This results show that intensive statin therapy has excellent effects on reduction of serum lipid level including LDL-C, TC, Tg, and also on prevention of nonfatal MI, stroke and coronary revascularization with small absolute increased risk of side effects. Our analysis supports the use of intensive statin therapy in patients ≥ 65 years old with CHD.

An economical and practical method for whole-mount in situ hybridization for mouse embryos and organs.

Whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) is a useful method for detecting specific gene expression patterns at their site of action during embryonic development. Traditional WISH methods are costly and suitable only for mouse embryos younger than 11.5 days. We present here an economical and practical in situ hybridization method using DIG-labeled RNA probes. We changed the conditions in several steps to make the WISH method suitable for whole mouse embryos from embryonic days 9.5 to 12.5 and for older stage mouse embryonic organs. We performed all steps in one microcentrifuge tube up to the staining steps to avoid losing or damaging the mouse embryos. We re-used the solutions and materials to make the method more economical and suitable for less sophisticated laboratories. We also performed ß-galactosidase staining on Tb × 18 Cre/Rosa26/LacZ mouse embryos; the results agreed with the in situ hybridization results. Finally, we sectioned the specimens after hybridization and ß-galactosidase staining; the results agreed with the literature.

The effect of amorphous carbon layer on the field emission characteristics of carbon nanotube film.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) has excellent field emission characteristics and could play as a good cold cathode in the application of vacuum electronic devices. However, the practical application faces a big obstacle regarding current fluctuation and deterioration of the CNT cathode. In this research, the formation of amorphous carbon (ac) layer between the CNT film and the substrate, and the effect of the existence of this layer on field emission stability of the CNT film are studied. The formation of the ac layer could be controlled by adjustment of growth temperature and hydrocarbon flow rate. The field emission character and current stability of the CNT film without ac layer are better than those of the CNT film with ac layer. The results attribute to the ac layer a thermal disequilibrium state under high current level. Moreover, adhesion capacity of the CNT film without ac layer is also better than that with the ac layer. It is concluded that the ac layer between the CNT film and substrate is a key factor in the stability of field emission characteristics and should be eliminated before applications.

Two new indole alkaloids from Nauclea officinalis.

Two new indole alkaloids, naucleactonin A and B, along with two known compounds, naucleficine and nauclefidine, were isolated from the bark and wood of Naucleaofficinalis, which has been used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent in folk medicine. Their chemical structures were elucidated by the spectral data, especially 1D and 2D NMR experiments.

Functional GABA(B) receptors are expressed at the cone photoreceptor terminals in bullfrog retina.

GABA(B) receptors at the cone terminals in bullfrog retina were characterized by immunocytochemical and whole-cell patch clamp techniques in retinal slice preparations. Somata, axons and synaptic terminals (pedicles) of cones were both GABA(B) receptor (GABA(B)R) 1 and GABA(B)R2 immunoreactive. Physiologically, barium/calcium currents of cones to voltage steps were significantly reduced in size when GABA was puffed to cone terminals in the presence of picrotoxin that is supposed to block both GABA(A) and GABA(C) receptors. Similar reduction in barium currents was obtained with puff application of baclofen to cone terminals. These results suggest the presence of functional GABA(B) receptors at the bullfrog cone terminals. Suppression of barium currents of cones by baclofen was dose-dependent. Moreover, barium currents of cones were potentiated by background illumination, as compared with those recorded in the dark. 6,7-Dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, an antagonist of non-NMDA receptors that hyperpolarizes horizontal cells and reduces GABA release from these cells, and saclofen, a GABA(B) receptor antagonist, both potentiated barium currents of cones in the dark, thereby mimicking the effects of background illumination. It is suggested that changes in calcium influx into the cone synaptic terminals due to activation of GABA(B) receptors may provide a negative feedback mechanism for regulating signal transmission between cones and second-order neurons in the retina by modifying the amount of glutamate released from the cones.

Differential Dmrt1 transcripts in gonads of the protandrous black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli.

Black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli Bleeker, is a marine protandrous hermaphrodite fish. A Dmrt1 cDNA was cloned and characterized and in order to study the process of sex change in this species, mRNA transcripts of Dmrt1 were monitored. Dmrt1 was specifically transcribed in testis and seminal vesicle in 2-year-old black porgy according to RT-PCR and Southern analysis. A real-time quantification PCR analysis was further developed for the measurement of Dmrt1 transcripts. Dmrt1 transcripts were at significantly higher levels in bisexual testis than bisexual ovary in 1+ and 2+ year-old fish. Dmrt1 transcripts decreased in the functional and bisexual testis of 3-year-old fish. Much higher levels of Dmrt1 transcripts in the bisexual ovary were detected in 1+ year-old fish than in 2+ and 3-year-old fish. No differences in Dmrt1 transcripts were found in bisexual ovaries of 2+ and 3-year-old fish and female ovaries of 3-year-old fish. The data suggest there is relationship of Dmrt1 to the sex change of protandrous black porgy.

Glycinergic synaptic transmission to bullfrog retinal bipolar cells is input-specific.

Glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) focally elicited at the dendrites and axon terminals were recorded from bipolar cells in the bullfrog retinal slice, using the whole-cell clamp technique. IPSCs driven by input from interplexiform cells at bipolar cell dendrites (ipc-IPSCs) had a much slower decay time constant (25.2 +/- 7.8 ms) than IPSCs driven by input from amacrine cells at bipolar cell axon terminals (ac-IPSCs) (14.7 +/- 5.5 ms). Furthermore, peak-scaled non-stationary noise analysis revealed that the weighted mean single-channel conductance of the glycine receptors underlying bipolar cell dendritic ipc-IPSCs (20.8 +/- 6.6 pS) was significantly larger than that of those underlying bipolar cell axon terminal ac-IPSCs (12.9 +/- 2.9 pS). These results demonstrate that glycinergic synaptic transmission with different properties at bipolar cell dendrites and axon terminals differentially mediates intraretinal centrofugal signal transfer from the inner retina to the outer retina provided by interplexiform cells and lateral inhibition offered by amacrine cells in the inner retina.

Sex change in the protandrous black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli: a review in gonadal development, estradiol, estrogen receptor, aromatase activity and gonadotropin.

Black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli Bleeker, a marine protandrous hermaphrodite, is functional male for the first two years of life but begins to sexually change to female after the third year. Testicular tissue and ovarian tissue was separated by connective tissue in the bisexual gonad. This sex pattern provides a very good model to study the endocrine mechanism of sex change in fish. The annual profiles of plasma estradiol, vitellogenin and 11-ketotestosterone concentrations in males were significantly different from those in the three-year-old females. Significantly high levels of plasma estradiol during the prespawning/spawning season and low levels of plasma 11-ketotestosterone during the spawning season were observed in the inversing females. No difference of plasma testosterone levels was observed in males and females. Oral administration of estradiol stimulated high levels of gonadal aromatase activity, plasma gonadotropin II levels and sex change in the two-year-old fish. Exogenous estradiol administered for 5-6 months induced a reversible sex change in one- and two-year-old fish. The sensitive period for estradiol treatment of sex change is from early prespawning to spawning season. Implantation with testosterone for more than a year could not block the natural sex change in three-year-old fish. Exogenous aromatase inhibitors (1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione or fadrozole) suppressed aromatase activity in the brain. Oral administration with aromatase inhibitors for a year further inhibited the natural sex change in three-year-old black porgy and all fish became functional male with spermiation. Estrogen receptor alpha gene in the ovarian tissue of bisexual gonad is significantly less expressed than that in the vitellogenic ovary of female on the basis of reverse-transcription polymerase-chain reaction. There was no difference in the annual profiles of the plasma gonadotropin II levels in the males and natural inversing females. Plasma gonadotropin II levels were significantly higher in estradiol-treated group than those in the control. It is concluded that estradiol, aromatase activity and estrogen receptor in the ovarian tissue play an important role in the natural and controlled sex change in black porgy. The association of gonadotropin and sex change in black porgy is not clear.