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AIM: To describe the lived experiences of family caregivers of individuals with dementia during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in China. DESIGN: This study used a descriptive phenomenological research method. METHODS: Between May and September 2021, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 family caregivers of people with dementia. Colaizzi's method was used for manual analysis. RESULTS: Qualitative data revealed an overarching experience of finding 'There is always good fortune in misfortune to encourage us in coping with difficulties'. Three themes emerged: family reactions to the COVID-19 outbreak, feeling supported by multiple resources performing respective functions and resilient adaptation to new situations. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 outbreak, family caregivers of people living with dementia in China looked for positive aspects among difficulties and experienced corresponding reactions, social support resources and resilient adapted coping styles. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Nurses in China and other countries facing similar pandemic characteristics, cultures or economic development levels, can guide family caregivers to look at family hardships from a positive perspective, develop interventions to rapidly respond to families' reactions after a disaster and help them identify social support resources and form adapted coping styles. IMPACT: We identified the resilience and the positive experiences of Chinese family caregivers of individuals with dementia during the COVID-19 outbreak. The results can inform countries with similar cultures and economic levels, offering measures to support their adaptation to pandemics. REPORTING METHOD: This study followed the COREQ guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Family caregivers of people with dementia who met the inclusion criteria and who were interested in sharing their understanding of their experiences, participated in the study.
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COVID-19 , Demência , Humanos , Cuidadores , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Capacidades de Enfrentamento , China/epidemiologia , Surtos de Doenças , Demência/epidemiologia , FamíliaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the association of expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in cumulus cells (CCs) from mature oocytes with oocyte quality and embryonic development. METHODS: A total of 338 infertile women who underwent ovarian stimulation cycle of oocyte retrieval in Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The relative mRNA expression levels of CFTR, bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) in CCs were detected by qPCR technology. ROC curve was applied for the diagnosis of oocyte maturation. The serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), E2, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and androstenedione were measured. Oocyte maturation rate, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, high-quality embryo formation rate, and implantation rate after embryo transfer were also determined. RESULTS: The mRNA expression levels of CFTR in CCs were significantly increased in metaphase II (MII) oocytes compared to that in metaphase I (MI) or germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes. The ROC curve analysis illustrated that CFTR mRNA expression could efficiently discriminate MII oocytes from MI or GV oocytes (AUC = 0.954), and revealed that 0.695 RQU is the optimal cut-off value for diagnosis. So the cut-off value of 2-ΔΔCT = 0.70 was used to divide the patients into two groups: low- (n = 114) and high-CFTR group (n = 224). The mRNA expression of CFTR in CCs was positively correlated with the antral follicular count (AFC), number of oocytes retrieved, number of MII oocytes, serum E2 level on hCG day, and BMP15 and GDF9 expression in CCs. Under continuous stimulation with the same dose of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH), the number of follicles, average recovered oocytes, recovered oocytes, MII oocytes, as well as the oocyte recovery rate, fertilization rate, oocyte cleavage rate, high-quality embryo formation rate, and implantation rate were decreased in patients with lower CFTR. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that CFTR expression in CCs is associated with the developmental potential of human oocytes.
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Células do Cúmulo , Infertilidade Feminina , Gravidez , Feminino , Humanos , Células do Cúmulo/metabolismo , Proteína Morfogenética Óssea 15/genética , Fator 9 de Diferenciação de Crescimento/genética , Fator 9 de Diferenciação de Crescimento/metabolismo , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/genética , Hormônio Antimülleriano/genética , Hormônio Antimülleriano/metabolismo , Infertilidade Feminina/genética , Infertilidade Feminina/metabolismo , Androstenodiona/metabolismo , Estudos Retrospectivos , Oócitos/metabolismo , Hormônio Foliculoestimulante , Hormônio Luteinizante/metabolismo , Desenvolvimento Embrionário , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismoRESUMO
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal effective dose of pituitrin in laparoscopic myomectomy for uterine leiomyoma. DESIGN: Double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary women's hospital in China. PATIENTS: Total of 118 patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Patients randomly received 0, 2, 4, or 6 units of pituitrin injected into the myometrium surrounding the myoma. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Rate of satisfactory surgical condition, hemodynamic changes, total surgical time, and blood loss were recorded. The rates of satisfactory surgical conditions were 6.7%, 72.4%, 89.7%, and 93.3% in groups 0U, 2U, 4U, and 6U, respectively; they were higher in groups 2U, 4U, and 6U than those in group 0U, but there were no significant differences among the groups 2U, 4U, and 6U. The blood loss was higher in group 0U than that in groups 2U, 4U, and 6U (p < .01). Pituitrin was associated with a transient decrease in blood pressures and an increase in heart rate in a dose-dependent fashion, with more pronounced changes in groups 4U and 6U, and these groups also required a higher amount of vasoactive drug to correct hemodynamic changes (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Two units of pituitrin could provide a satisfactory surgical field with minimal hemodynamic changes for laparoscopic uterine myomectomy.
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Laparoscopia , Leiomioma , Hormônios Neuro-Hipofisários , Miomectomia Uterina , Feminino , Humanos , Leiomioma/cirurgia , Duração da Cirurgia , Miomectomia Uterina/efeitos adversosRESUMO
RESEARCH QUESTION: Fat accumulation is present in most post-menopausal women, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Aquaporin 7 (AQP7) is the most important glycerol channel facilitating glycerol efflux in adipocytes. High circulating FSH in post-menopausal women may play an independent role in regulation of the lipogenic effect of AQP7 in adipocytes. This study explored the role of AQP7 in the pathophysiology of post-menopausal lipogenesis mediated by high concentrations of circulating FSH. DESIGN: Primary adipocytes from post-menopausal and childbearing women were analysed. An in-vivo post-menopausal animal model was established. AQP7 expression, lipid accumulation and glycerol concentration in adipocytes were measured. Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to identify transcriptional crosstalk in AQP7 promoter. RESULTS: It was found that FSH down-regulated AQP7 expression and glycerol efflux function in mature adipocytes of post-menopausal women and ovariectomized (OVX) mice. In vitro, FSH inhibited lipid accumulation in primary cultured mature adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner and the mechanism was down-regulating AQP7 expression via a FSH receptor pathway. The effect of FSH on AQP7 in adipocytes was through activation of cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein, which could bind to activator protein-1 (AP-1) sites in the AQP7 promoter, and therefore inhibited the transcriptional activation elicited by c-Jun. CONCLUSIONS: Down-regulation of AQP7 by FSH mediated post-menopausal lipogenesis, and the role of FSH was based on binding competition for AP-1 sites between CREB and c-Jun.
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Aquaporinas/fisiologia , Hormônio Foliculoestimulante/farmacologia , Lipogênese/genética , Pós-Menopausa , Fator de Transcrição AP-1/metabolismo , Células 3T3-L1 , Adipócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Adipócitos/metabolismo , Adulto , Idoso , Animais , Aquaporinas/genética , Aquaporinas/metabolismo , Sítios de Ligação/efeitos dos fármacos , Sítios de Ligação/genética , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Células Cultivadas , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pós-Menopausa/genética , Pós-Menopausa/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The clinical value of total hysterectomy for patients with hydatidiform mole (HM) being at least 40 years old remains highly controversial. Since the practice of hysterectomy has been applied globally for decades, there is an urgent need to perform a systematic review to assess its risks and benefits. METHODS: Six electronic databases, including four English databases and one Chinese database, were searched from the inception of each database till October 6th 2017. Studies were included if they: 1) were human studies, 2) explicitly indicated exposure to hysterectomy, 3) explicitly indicated control to uterine evacuation, 4) explicitly indicated the participants were older patients with HM being at least 40 years in age, 5) compared the outcome of interest as the incidence of post-molar GTN. Two authors independently conducted the literature search, study selection, data extraction. Pooled odds ratios were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3. RESULTS: The overall pooled effect size of total hysterectomy had a significant advantage in preventing post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia over uterine evacuation with an OR of 0.19 (95% CI, 0.08-0.48; P = 0.0004) and a low heterogeneity (I2 = 21%, P = 0.28). Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis also showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Total hysterectomy, as compared to uterine evacuation, is a better therapeutic method for patients with HM being at least 40 years old unless fertility is still desired.
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Doença Trofoblástica Gestacional/cirurgia , Histerectomia , Neoplasias Uterinas/cirurgia , Útero/cirurgia , Adulto , Feminino , Doença Trofoblástica Gestacional/epidemiologia , Doença Trofoblástica Gestacional/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Mola Hidatiforme , Gravidez , Neoplasias Uterinas/epidemiologia , Neoplasias Uterinas/fisiopatologia , Útero/patologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide public health burden, especially in Asia and Africa. Concerns were raised that foetal exposure to HBV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) might suppress the innate immune response and reduce the production of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) in foetuses and infants. We therefore conducted the current study to evaluate the impact of ART on the development of the immune response to HBV in foetuses and infants. METHODS: We selected lamivudine instead of telbivudine or tenofovir as the intervention measurement because it was the oldest and most widely used ART during pregnancy and its safety data have been sufficiently documented. A comprehensive search was conducted in eight electronic databases, including four Chinese and four English databases. Studies that met the following eligibility criteria were included: human randomized controlled trials (RCTs); participants in the treatment group were exclusively exposed to lamivudine; participants in the control group were exposed to placebo, no treatment or hepatitis B immunoglobulin; all participants were HBV-positive pregnant women with a high viral load and the main outcome of interest was neonatal HBsAb seropositivity. Data were tabulated and analysed using R software. RESULTS: Nine RCTs were included and analysed. Compared with controls, lamivudine significantly decreased HBsAb seronegativity in the newborn within 24 h after birth (indicating the foetal immune response to HBV). Similar results were noted in infants within 6-7 months after birth and infants within 12 months (indicating the neonatal immune response to HBV vaccine). CONCLUSIONS: Lamivudine treatment in late pregnancy boosted the foetal immune response to HBV in utero and enhanced the neonatal immune response to hepatitis B vaccine after birth.
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Infecções por HIV , Hepatite B Crônica , Hepatite B , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Feminino , Gravidez , Humanos , Lamivudina/uso terapêutico , Vírus da Hepatite B , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/tratamento farmacológico , Hepatite B/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite B , Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas/prevenção & controle , Imunidade Inata , Feto , Antivirais/uso terapêutico , Resultado do Tratamento , Hepatite B Crônica/tratamento farmacológico , Ensaios Clínicos Controlados Aleatórios como AssuntoRESUMO
A copper-catalyzed trifunctionalization (trifluoromethylation, heteroarylation, and cyanation) of heteroaryl-substituted 1-hexenes via remote heteroaryl migration is reported. A variety of CF3 and heteroaryl-containing nitriles were readily constructed under mild conditions. The reaction features high chemo- and regioselectivities and represents a convenient method for the synthesis of multifunctionalized molecules in organic synthesis.
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OBJECTIVE: Changes in postmenopausal hormone levels are associated with a variety of disorders. This study elucidated the mechanism by which follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increases cortisol production involved in development of menopause-related diseases. METHODS: The expression of FSH receptors (FSHRs) in murine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells and ATC7 cells was verified by immunofluorescence, western blotting and RT-PCR. The function of FSHR in promoting cortisol production was analyzed by cell culture and molecular biological methods. FSHR signaling pathways in ATC7 cells were analyzed by ELISA, qRT-PCR, and western blotting. Further, a mouse model was established by ovariectomy. Ovariectomized mice were treated with GnRHa. Ovariectomized mice initially received physiological doses of estrogen and were then injected with recombinant FSH. Then serum FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and cortisol, and bone mineral density (BMD), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were determined. RESULTS: FSHRs were expressed in murine AZF cells and ATC7 cells. FSH accelerated cortisol production through activated protein kinase A (PKA), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-response element binding protein (CREB), protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways by Gsα-coupled FSHRs in ATC7 cells. Serum FSH levels (P<0.001) were elevated in ovariectomized mice with concurrent increases in cortisol (P<0.01), areal BMD (aBMD) (P<0.05), volumetric BMD (vBMD) (P<0.05), systolic BP (SBP) (P<0.05), diastolic BP (DBP) (P<0.05), and HR (P<0.05). However, the administration of GnRHa suppressed the increase in FSH levels and the elevation of cortisol, aBMD, vBMD, SBP, DBP, and HR induced by ovariectomy, even in the presence of normal serum estradiol levels. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate that elevated FSH levels stimulate cortisol secretion, through a mechanism related to FSHRs expression in AZF cells.
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Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have attracted growing interests as new material platform for a range of applications. In this study, a triazine-carbazole-based covalent organic framework (COF-TCZ) was designed as highly porous material with conjugated donor-acceptor networks, and feasibly synthesized by the Schiff condensation of 4,4',4''-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)tr ianiline (TAPB) and 9-(4-formylphenyl)-9H-carbazole-3,6-dicarbaldehyde (CZTA) under the solvothermal condition. Considering the effect of linkage, the imine-linked COF-TCZ was further oxidized to obtain an amide-linked covalent organic framework (COF-TCZ-O). The as-synthesized COFs show high crystallinity, good thermal and chemical stability, and excellent photoactive properties. Two π-conjugated triazine-carbazole-based COFs with tunable linkages are beneficial for light-harvesting capacity and charge separation efficiency, which are empolyed as photocatalysts for the oxidation reaction of N-aryltetrahydroisoquinoline. The COFs catalyst systems exhibit the outstanding photocatalytic performance with high conversion, photostability and recyclability. Photoelectrochemical tests were employed to examine the behavior of photogenerated charge carriers in photo-illumination system. The control experiments provide further insights into the nature of photocatalysis. In addition, the current research also provided a valuable approach for developing photofunctional COFs to meet challenge in achieving the great potential of COFs materials in organic conversion.
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BACKGROUND/AIMS: Water channels, also named aquaporins (AQPs), play crucial roles in cellular water homeostasis. METHODS: RT-PCR indicated the mRNA expression of AQPs 1-5, 7, 9, and 11-12, but not AQPs 0, 6, 8, and 10 in the 2â¼8-cell stage human embryos. AQP3 and AQP7 were further analyzed for their mRNA expression and protein expression in the oocyte, zygote, 2-cell embryo, 4-cell embryo, 8-cell embryo, morula, and blastocyst from both human and mouse using RT-PCR and immunofluorescence, respectively. RESULTS: AQP3 and AQP7 were detected in all these stages. Knockdown of either AQP3 or AQP7 by targeted siRNA injection into 2-cell mouse embryos significantly inhibited preimplantation embryo development. However, knockdown of AQP3 in JAr spheroid did not affect its attachment to Ishikawa cells. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that multiple aquaporins are expressed in the early stage human embryos and that AQP3 and AQP7 may play a role in preimplantation mouse embryo development.
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Aquaporina 3/metabolismo , Aquaporinas/metabolismo , Embrião de Mamíferos/metabolismo , Animais , Aquaporina 3/antagonistas & inibidores , Aquaporina 3/genética , Aquaporinas/antagonistas & inibidores , Aquaporinas/genética , Blastocisto/metabolismo , Embrião de Mamíferos/citologia , Desenvolvimento Embrionário , Feminino , Humanos , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos ICR , Oócitos/metabolismo , Interferência de RNA , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , RNA Interferente Pequeno/metabolismo , Zigoto/metabolismoRESUMO
Eleven 4-phenylcoumarins including three new 4-phenylcoumarins, mesuaferols A-C (1-3), together with eight known 4-phenylcoumarins (4-11) have been isolated from the flowering buds of Mesua ferrea. Their structures were elucidated via UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, and NMR spectral data. Compound 9 showed moderate cytotoxic activity toward MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, HepG2 and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values of 13.68 ± 1.36 µM, 9.27 ± 1.84 µM, 21.06 ± 1.95 µM, and 7.26 ± 1.68 µM, respectively, and other compounds showed weak cytotoxicity.
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BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an iatrogenic complication associated with fertility drugs. It is characterized by increased vascular permeability and substantial fluid shift with accumulation in the body cavity. The pathogenesis of OHSS remains obscure, and no definitive treatments are currently available. RESULTS: Using western blot and short-circuit current (Isc) techniques, we investigate the potential coactions of analysis in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and aquaporin 1 (AQP1) on the hyper permeability of body cavity peritoneal epithelial cells in the pathogenesis of OHSS. The rats develop OHSS symptoms, with the up regulation of both CFTR and AQP1 expression and enhanced CFTR channel activity in peritoneal epithelial cells, can also be mimicked by administration of estrogen, alone in ovariectomized rats. Administration of progesterone suppresses CFTR activity, OHSS symptoms as well as CFTR and AQP1 expression. Besides, AQP1 inhibitor, HgCl(2), can suppress CFTR channel activity. Therefore, antisera against CFTR or AQP1 to OHSS animals may result in alleviation of the symptom. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the coactions of CFTR and AQP1 play a critical role in the development and progression of increased peritoneal epithelial permeability in severe OHSS. These findings may provide grounds for ameliorating assisted reproduction treatment strategy to reduce the risk of OHSS in in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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Aquaporina 1/metabolismo , Regulador de Condutância Transmembrana em Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Células Epiteliais/efeitos dos fármacos , Estrogênios/farmacologia , Síndrome de Hiperestimulação Ovariana/metabolismo , Animais , Aquaporina 1/antagonistas & inibidores , Permeabilidade da Membrana Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Epiteliais/metabolismo , Feminino , Cloreto de Mercúrio/farmacologia , Síndrome de Hiperestimulação Ovariana/etiologia , Progesterona/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Regulação para Cima/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to investigate the expression of small-conductance calcium-activated K(+) channels 3 (SK3) in preimplantation embryos and to explore their role in the underlying mechanism of blastocyst hatching. METHODS: Human preimplantation embryos were donated by patients who achieved successful pregnancy with in vitro fertilization. Mouse preimplantation embryos in different stages were collected and cultured with or without siRNA cell injection. The expression of SK3 was examined by RT-PCR, quantitative real-time PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence. Functional expression of SK3 was investigated using the patch-clamp technique. [Ca(2+)]i was measured by fluorescent imaging. Embryos were cultured in vitro to investigate the effect of SK3 knockdown or apamin, an SK3 inhibitor, on blastocyst hatching and F-actin formation. RESULTS: In human blastocysts, the level of SK3 expression was significantly lower in blastocysts that failed to hatch than in blastocysts that hatched successfully. In mouse embryos, SK3 mRNA and protein were not found in zygotes, but were detected from the 2-cell stage onward, with the highest levels observed in blastocysts. SK3 was predominately located in the trophectoderm cell membrane of expanded blastocysts. SK3 knockdown in trophectoderm cells not only suppressed the SK3 current, but also reduced [Ca(2+)]i elevation and membrane potential hyperpolarization induced by thapsigargin. Although the formation of expanded blastocysts was not affected, blastocyst hatching and F-actin formation were significantly inhibited after SK3 knockdown in trophectoderm cells. CONCLUSIONS: SK3-mediated [Ca(2+)]i elevation and membrane potential hyperpolarization in trophectoderm cells are important for blastocyst hatching, and defects in SK3 expression may contribute to infertility.
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Blastocisto/metabolismo , Cálcio/metabolismo , Canais de Potássio Ativados por Cálcio de Condutância Baixa/fisiologia , Animais , Apamina/farmacologia , Blastocisto/fisiologia , Western Blotting , Técnicas de Cultura Embrionária , Imunofluorescência , Humanos , Potenciais da Membrana , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos ICR , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp , Interferência de RNA , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Canais de Potássio Ativados por Cálcio de Condutância Baixa/antagonistas & inibidores , Canais de Potássio Ativados por Cálcio de Condutância Baixa/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Post-menopausal hypertension has been attributed solely to declining estrogen levels. The purpose of the research is to elucidate the mechanism by which follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) increases renin production involved in the regulation of blood pressure. METHODS: The expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptors (FSHRs) in renal juxtaglomerular cells and a As4.1 juxtaglomerular mouse cell line was evaluated. We established a mouse model by ovariectomy (OVX). Ovariectomized mice were treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) (OVX + GnRHa). Ovariectomized mice initially received physiological doses of estrogen and were then injected with recombinant FSH (OVX + E + FSH). RESULTS: We found that FSHR was expressed in mouse renal juxtaglomerular cells labeled by renin antibody and in As4.1 cells. FSH promoted renin synthesis via Gsα-coupled FSHRs that activated protein kinase A, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) response element-binding protein, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk1/2), Protein kinase B(AKT), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathways in As4.1 cells. We found increased serum FSH levels in the ovariectomized mouse with concurrent increases in renin, angiotensin II, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Additionally, increases in serum renin, angiotensin II, HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP were reduced by the additional injection of GnRHa. Exogenous FSH administration completely reversed decreases in renin, angiotensin II, HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP even in mice that received physiological doses of estrogen to maintain normal estradiol levels. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated FSH stimulates renin production involving a mechanism that may be relevant to the expression of FSH receptors in renal juxtaglomerular cells.
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High maternal serum estradiol (E2) levels in the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with a high incidence of low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA). This study aimed to investigate the effect of first-trimester high maternal serum E2 levels on fetal growth and the underlying mechanisms in multiple pregnancies. Maternal serum E2 levels of women at 8 weeks of gestation were measured. The expression levels of imprinted genes and DNMT1 were determined by RT-qPCR, and KvDMR1 methylation in embryo tissue, placenta, and newborn cord blood samples was examined by bisulfite sequencing PCR. The effect of E2 on CDKN1C expression was investigated in HTR8 cells. The incidence of SGA was significantly higher in multiple pregnancies reduced to singleton than that in primary singleton pregnancies (11.4% vs. 2.9%) (P < 0.01) and multiple pregnancies reduced to twins than primary twins (38.5% vs. 27.3%) (P < 0.01). The maternal serum E2 level at 8 weeks of gestation increased with the number of fetuses and was negatively correlated with offspring birth weight. CDKN1C and DNMT1 expression was significantly upregulated in embryo tissue, placenta, and cord blood from multiple pregnancies. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between CDKN1C mRNA expression and KvDMR1 methylation levels. In HTR8 cells, DNMT1 mediated the estrogen-induced upregulation of CDKN1C, which might contribute to SGA. To minimize the risks of LBW and SGA, our findings suggest that abnormally high maternal serum E2 levels should be avoided during the first trimester of multiple pregnancies from assisted reproductive technology (ART).
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Recém-Nascido Pequeno para a Idade Gestacional , Inibidor de Quinase Dependente de Ciclina p57/genética , Inibidor de Quinase Dependente de Ciclina p57/metabolismo , DNA (Citosina-5-)-Metiltransferase 1 , Estradiol , Feminino , Retardo do Crescimento Fetal/etiologia , Idade Gestacional , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Recém-Nascido Pequeno para a Idade Gestacional/metabolismo , Gravidez , Primeiro Trimestre da Gravidez , Gravidez Múltipla , Regulação para CimaRESUMO
Alkaline decomposition of pentathionate has been investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography, which allows us to track different sulfur-containing species simultaneously in the presence of a carbonate/hydrogen carbonate buffer at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C and at a constant ionic strength. It has been shown that, besides the major product, thiosulfate, not only tetrathionate but also hexathionate appears in significant amounts during the course of the reaction. At higher pHs, both of them are unstable long-lived intermediates because of their well-known alkaline degradation, but a decrease of the pH increases their stability (especially that of tetrathionate), meaning that they may even become end products. On the basis of these observations, a 10-step kinetic model with five fitted and five fixed rate coefficients is suggested and discussed to take all of the most important characteristics of the decomposition into account. We have also demonstrated and discussed that the well-known thiosulfate-assisted rearrangement of pentathionate leading to hexathionate might only play a very minor role in the formation of hexathionate under our experimental conditions.
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We have carried out species determination and kinetic analysis in the hydrogen peroxide-thiosulfate reaction by means of capillary electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography. In addition to thiosulfate, dithionate, trithionate, and tetrathionate, other polythionates such as pentathionate and hexathionate were detected during the oxidation process. The polythionates found are sensitive to the pH, with the average length of the sulfur chain decreasing with increasing pH. By varying the pH and the concentrations of the reactants, we find that the reaction is first order with respect to each of the reactants with rate constant k = 0.025 M(-1) s(-1). With HOS(2)O(3)(-), HSO(3)(-)/SO(3)(2-), S(3)O(6)(2-), S(4)O(6)(2-), and S(5)O(6)(2-) as key intermediates that are eventually oxidized to sulfate, a proposed 14-step kinetic model simulates the reaction process, including the evolution of the thiosulfate and tetrathionate concentrations at various pHs.
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This study aims to observe the effects of the combined application of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) and a bioceramic material on pulp-like tissue formation. Rat incisor root fragments without pulp tissues were prepared and filled with a collagen scaffold seeded with rBMSCs, while one side of the root segment was covered by a bioceramic material (iRoot BP). After they were cultured for 12 hours, the root fragments were implanted subcutaneously for 3 months. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was applied to observe the biocompatibility and the formation of pulp-like tissues. The incisor root fragments were divided into three parts (BP1/3, M1/3, and D1/3) to analyze the areas and the number of new vessels. Immunohistochemical staining of the neuroendocrine marker PGP9.5, the dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was applied to observe the formation of the pulp-like tissues. Root fragments filled with only the collagen scaffold were used as a control. Three months after the implantation, the root fragments were collected, and they were surrounded by a transparent tissue membrane with a good blood supply. The root fragment cavity was filled with pink vascularized pulp-like tissue. According to the HE results, iRoot BP had good biocompatibility with the new pulp-like tissues and a few infiltrating inflammatory cells. Increases in the number and area of the new blood vessels were observed in BP1/3 compared with the other two parts. The PGP9.5 and DSPP expressions showed that the newly formed tissues were similar to normal pulp tissues. iRoot BP has good biocompatibility and increases the number and area of new blood vessels. The combined application of stem cells and bioceramic materials may be a better method for pulp revascularization.
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It is well known that some growth factors can not only rescue neurons from death, but also improve motor functions following spinal cord injury. However, their cellular distribution in situ and temporal expressions following spinal cord injury have not been determined, especially in primates. This study investigated the temporal changes in the expression of two growth factors--epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1) in the injured motoneurons of the spinal cord and the associated precentral gyrus in adult Rhesus monkeys subjected to spinal cord hemisection. Animals were allowed to survive 7, 14, 30 and 90 days post operation (dpo). Functional recovery of the hindlimbs was assessed using Tarlov scale. The immunohistological expressions of EGF and TGF-beta1 in the ventral horn motoneurons decreased sharply at 7 dpo in the cord segments caudal to the lesion site, which was followed by an increase and a peak between 14 and 30 dpo for EGF and at 90 dpo for TGF-beta1. Changes in the expression of EGF in the precentral gyrus were similar to that in the spinal cord. No TGF-beta1 immunoreactive neurons were detected in the precentral gyrus. In the spinal segments rostral to the lesion, the expressions of EGF and TGF-beta1 peaked at 30 dpo. The mRNA of EGF was detected in both spinal motoneurons and the precentral gyrus, while that of TGF-beta1, only in the spinal motoneuons, suggesting that the spinal motoneurons themselves could synthesize both the growth factors. Partial locomotor recovery in hindlimbs was seen, especially after 14 dpo. It was concluded that a possible association existed between the modulation of EGF and TGF-beta1 and the recovery of locomotor function, and their roles differed somewhat in the neuroplasticity observed after spinal cord injury in primates.