3,3',4,5'-Tetramethoxy-trans-stilbene and 3,4',5-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene prevent oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced injury in brain endothelial cell.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a major pathophysiological event of ischemic stroke. Brain microvascular endothelial cells are critical to maintain homeostasis between central nervous system and periphery. Resveratrol protects against ischemic stroke. 3,3',4,5'-tetramethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,3',4,5'-TMS) and 3,4',5-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,4',5-TMS) are resveratrol derivatives with addition of methoxy groups, showing better pharmacokinetic performance. We aimed to explore their protective effects and underlying mechanisms. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model was applied in bEnd.3 cell line, mouse brain microvascular endothelium to mimic ischemia. The cells were pre-treated with 3,3',4,5'-TMS or 3,4',5-TMS (1 and 5 µM, 24 h) and then subjected to 2-h OGD injury. Cell viability, levels of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and protein expressions were measured by molecular assays and fluorescence staining. OGD injury triggered cell death, inflammatory responses, ROS production and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathway. These impairments were remarkably attenuated by the two stilbenes, 3,3',4,5'-TMS and 3,4',5-TMS. They also alleviated endothelial barrier injuries through upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins. Moreover, 3,3',4,5'-TMS and 3,4',5-TMS activated 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Overall, 3,3',4,5'-TMS and 3,4',5-TMS exert protective effects against OGD damage through suppressing cell death, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, as well as BBB disruption on bEnd.3 cells.

Serum calcium level at 32 weeks of gestation could be applied as a predictor of preterm delivery: a retrospective study.

Preterm delivery (PTD) is associated with severe adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and higher medical costs. Therefore, PTD warrants more attention. However, predicting PTD remains a challenge for researchers. This study aimed to investigate potential prenatal predictors of PTD. We retrospectively recruited pregnant women who experienced either PTD or term delivery (TD) and underwent laboratory examinations at 32 weeks of gestation. We compared the test results between the two groups and performed logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to identify risk factors and predictive factors for PTD. Our investigation revealed that the PTD cohort exhibited statistically significant elevations in lymphocyte count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, calcium, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, and total bile acids. Conversely, the PTD group demonstrated statistically significant reductions in mean corpuscular volume, homocysteine, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophils to (white blood cells-neutrophils) ratio (dNLR), and (neutrophils × monocytes) to lymphocyte ratio (SIRI). The ROC curve analysis revealed that calcium had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.705, with a cut-off value of 2.215. Logistic regression analysis showed that premature rupture of membranes was an independent risk factor for PTD. Our study demonstrated that serum calcium levels, NLR, dNLR, and other laboratory tests conducted at 32 weeks of gestation can serve as predictors for PTD. Furthermore, we identified premature rupture of membranes as a risk factor for PTD.

Environmental risks of mask wastes binding pollutants: Phytotoxicity, microbial community, nitrogen and carbon cycles.

The increasing contamination of mask wastes presents a significant global challenge to ecological health. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the environmental risks that mask wastes pose to soil. In this study, a total of 12 mask wastes were collected from landfills. Mask wastes exhibited negligible morphological changes, and bound eight metals and four types of organic pollutants. Masks combined with pollutants inhibited the growth of alfalfa and Elymus nutans, reducing underground biomass by 84.6 %. Mask wastes decreased the Chao1 index and the relative abundances (RAs) of functional bacteria (Micrococcales, Gemmatimonadales, and Sphingomonadales). Metagenomic analysis showed that mask wastes diminished the RAs of functional genes associated with nitrification (amoABC and HAO), denitrification (nirKS and nosZ), glycolysis (gap2), and TCA cycle (aclAB and mdh), thereby inhibiting the nitrogen transformation and ATP production. Furthermore, some pathogenic viruses (Herpesviridae and Tunggulvirus) were also found on the mask wastes. Structural equation models demonstrated that mask wastes restrained soil enzyme activities, ultimately affecting nitrogen and carbon cycles. Collectively, these evidences indicate that mask wastes contribute to soil health and metabolic function disturbances. This study offers a new perspective on the potential environmental risks associated with the improper disposal of masks.

Ginsenoside Rk1 improves endothelial function in diabetes through activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors.

Ginsenoside Rk1, one kind of ginsenoside, is a minor ginsenoside found in Panax ginseng and used as traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It exhibits anti-tumor and anti-aggregation effects. However, little research has been done on its effect on endothelial function. This study investigated whether ginsenoside Rk1 improved endothelial dysfunction in diabetes and the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with a 12 week high-fat diet (60% kcal % fat), whereas treatment groups were orally administered with ginsenoside Rk1 (10 and 20 mg per kg per day) in the last 4 weeks. Aortas isolated from C57BL/6 mice were induced by high glucose (HG; 30 mM) and co-treated with or without ginsenoside Rk1 (1 and 10 µM) for 48 h ex vivo. Moreover, primary rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) were cultured and stimulated by HG (44 mM) to mimic hyperglycemia, with or without the co-treatment of ginsenoside Rk1 (10 µM) for 48 h. Endothelium-dependent relaxations of mouse aortas were damaged with elevated oxidative stress and downregulation of three isoforms of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), PPAR-α, PPAR-ß/δ, and PPAR-γ, as well as endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation due to HG or high-fat diet stimulation, which also existed in RAECs. However, after the treatment with ginsenoside Rk1, these impairments were all ameliorated significantly. Moreover, the vaso-protective and anti-oxidative effects of ginsenoside Rk1 were abolished by PPAR antagonists (GSK0660, GW9662 or GW6471). In conclusion, this study reveals that ginsenoside Rk1 ameliorates endothelial dysfunction and suppresses oxidative stress in diabetic vasculature through activating the PPAR/eNOS pathway.

3,4',5-Trimethoxy-trans-stilbene ameliorates hepatic insulin resistance and oxidative stress in diabetic obese mice through insulin and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

Resveratrol has profound benefits against diabetes. However, whether its methylated derivative 3,4',5-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,4',5-TMS) also plays a protective role in glucose metabolism is not characterized. We aimed to study the anti-diabetic effects of 3,4',5-TMS in vitro and in vivo. Insulin-resistant HepG2 cells (IR-HepG2) were induced by high glucose plus dexamethasone whilst six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice received a 60 kcal% fat diet for 14 weeks to establish an obese diabetic model. 3,4',5-TMS did not reduce the cell viability of IR-HepG2 cells at concentrations of 0.5 and 1 µM, which enhanced the capability of glycogen synthesis and glucose consumption in IR-HepG2 cells. Four-week oral administration of 3,4',5-TMS at 10 mg kg-1 day-1 ameliorated insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance of diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. 3,4',5-TMS activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway by inhibiting phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 at Ser307 and increasing the protein levels of IRS-1 and IRS-2 to restore the insulin signaling pathway in diabetes. 3,4',5-TMS also upregulated the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3ß) at Ser9. 3,4',5-TMS suppressed oxidative stress by increasing the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H : quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and antioxidant enzyme activity. In summary, 3,4',5-TMS alleviated hepatic insulin resistance in vitro and in vivo, by the activation of the insulin signaling pathway, accomplished by the suppression of oxidative stress.

Portulaca Oleracea L. (Purslane) Extract Protects Endothelial Function by Reducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidative Stress through AMPK Activation in Diabetic Obese Mice.

Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a food and a traditional drug worldwide. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, and anti-diabetic bioactivities; but its activity on diabetic-associated endothelial dysfunction is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of purslane on endothelial function and the underlying mechanisms. Male C57BL/6 mice had 14-week ad libitum access to a high-fat rodent diet containing 60% kcal% fat to induce obesity and diabetes whereas purslane extract (200 mg/kg/day) was administered during the last 4 weeks via intragastric gavage. Primary rat aortic endothelial cells and isolated mouse aortas were cultured with a risk factor, high glucose or tunicamycin, together with purslane extract. By ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, flavonoids and their glycoside products were identified in the purslane extract. Exposure to high glucose or tunicamycin impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in aortas and induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress with the downregulation of 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/ endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling. Co-incubation with purslane significantly ameliorated these impairments. The effects of purslane were abolished by Compound C (AMPK inhibitor). Four-week purslane treatment ameliorated aortic relaxations, ER stress, and oxidative stress in diabetic obese mice. This study supported that purslane protected endothelial function, and inhibited ER stress and oxidative stress in vasculature through AMPK/eNOS activation, revealing its therapeutic potential against vascular complications in diabetes.

Spontaneous behaviors during breast crawling and factors influencing self-locating mothers' breasts in newborns: A cross-sectional study.

Breast crawling in newborns to propel themselves to their mothers' breasts normally occurs upon skin-to-skin contact with mothers immediately after birth but is often missed by the neglect of hospital staff and insufficient evidence support. Hence, this study described the behavioral characteristics of 135 newborns from China during breast crawling and further explored the factors influencing newborns' self-locating mothers' breasts (measured by whether fail to experience the familiarization stage, initial time and duration of the familiarization stage) using multivariable analysis. The findings supported and extended previous studies that newborns could emerge in nine instinctive stages and corresponding spontaneous behaviors early in life. Moreover, abnormal fetal heart rate during labor appeared to interfere with newborns experiencing the familiarization stage (aOR = 9.27, 95% CI: 1.41 to 61.07, P = 0.021), while using synthetic oxytocin (ß = 5.94, 95% CI: 0.35 to 11.54, P = 0.037), using antibiotics (ß = 11.09, 95% CI: 4.11 to 18.07, P = 0.002), and newborns' gender (ß = -5.69, 95% CI: 11.26 to -0.12, P = 0.045) would alter the initial time of the familiarization stage. Finally, this study proposes evidence-based strategies to prevent abnormal fetal heart rates and improve medication use.

Alpha-solanine inhibits endothelial inflammation via nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-solanine (α-solanine) is the main glycoalkaloid in potato plants. It possesses anticarcinogenic properties and exerts toxic effects. Alpha-solanine can regulate the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in cancer cells and macrophages. However, little is known about the anti-inflammatory effects and the related molecular mechanisms of α-solanine on endothelial cells. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the effects of α-solanine on endothelial inflammation in vitro, and to evaluate its influence on regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-pcDNA3.1(+) plasmid vector was constructed and transfected into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of TNF-α was examined with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Following treatment with α-solanine or the specific NF-κB inhibitor SN50 for 24 h, cell viability was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and TNF-α levels in cell supernatant were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relative protein levels of phospho-P65 (p-P65), phospho-inhibitor of NF-κBα (p-IκBα) and IκB kinase (IKK) α/ß were examined with western blot. RESULTS: The α-solanine inhibits TNF-α-induced inflammatory injury in HUVECs. Compared with control cells, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased, and the relative protein levels of p-P65, p-IκBα and IKKα/ß were significantly upregulated in TNF-α-overexpressed cells. The treatment with α-solanine or SN50 decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and downregulated the relative protein levels of p-P65, p-IκBα and IKKα/ß in TNF-α-overexpressed HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated for the first time that α-solanine inhibits endothelial inflammation through the NF-κB signaling pathway. The α-solanine was suggested to be an inhibitor of the NF-κB signaling pathway in endothelial cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of α-solanine may provide a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of phlebitis.

Effect of weight-bearing Liuzijue Qigong on cardiopulmonary function.

BACKGROUND: Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, many people have had to reduce their outdoor activities. Therefore, a convenient, simple, at-home training method to improve or maintain cardiopulmonary function is required. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of weight-bearing Liuzijue Qigong on cardiopulmonary function in healthy volunteers. METHODS: This study was a longitudinal trial. The health participants completed a 4-week Liuzijue Qigong exercise with 0.25 kg sandbag wore on each wrist. Each training session took 30 minutes to complete 2 consecutive cycles, and 5 times a week. The cardiopulmonary function of participants was evaluated at baseline (T0) and the end of the intervention (T4). Outcomes measures were pulmonary function, diaphragm movement, and cardiac hemodynamic parameters. Paired t test was used to analyze differences within the group. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of weight-bearing Liuzijue Qigong exercise intervention, the differences in the forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (P = .006), forced vital capacity rate of 1 second (P = .003), maximal mid-expiratory flow curve (P = .002), forced expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity (P = .003), and maximum ventilatory volume (P < .001) of the participants were statistically significant. The diaphragmatic excursion (P = .009) under the calm breathing mode and the diaphragmatic contraction speed (P = .003) under the deep breathing mode improved significantly. The cardiac output (P = .04), cardiac index (P = .035), contractility index (P = .018), early diastolic filling ratio (P = .042), systemic vascular resistance index (P = .019), systemic vascular resistance (P = .017), and estimated ejection fraction (P = .016) of participants improved significantly in the resting stage. At the end stage of fast walking, that is, the sixth minute of six-minute walk test, the stroke volume index (P = .048), heart rate (P = .019), cardiac output (P = .008), cardiac index (P = .003), and left cardiac work index (P = .028) of participants were significantly increased compared with those before training, and the systemic vascular resistance index (P = .003) and systemic vascular resistance (P = .005) were decreased. CONCLUSION: Weight-bearing Liuzijue Qigong training significantly improved cardiopulmonary function in healthy volunteers, thus representing home-based cardiopulmonary rehabilitation training.

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) Protects against Endothelial Dysfunction and Vascular Inflammation in Diabetic Rats.

Dried tangerine peel (Citri reticulatae Pericarpium, CRP; Chenpi in Chinese) possesses medicine and food homology with hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of CRP extract on endothelial function and inflammation in type 2 diabetic rats and the related mechanisms. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ) in male Sprague Dawley rats, and CRP extract was orally administered at 400 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Rat and mouse aortas were treated with high glucose and CRP extract ex vivo. The data showed that the ethanolic extract of CRP normalized blood pressure and the plasma lipid profile as well as the plasma levels of liver enzymes in diabetic rats. Impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations in aortas, carotid arteries and renal arteries were improved. CRP extract suppressed vascular inflammatory markers and induced AMPK activation in aortas of diabetic rats. Exposure to high glucose impaired vasodilation in aortas of rats and mice, and this impairment was prevented by co-incubation with CRP extract. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CRP extract protects endothelial function by inhibiting the vascular inflammatory state on activation of AMPK in diabetic rats.

3,4',5-Trimethoxy-trans-stilbene Alleviates Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetic and Obese Mice via Activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/eNOS Pathway.

3,4',5-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene (TMS) is a methoxylated derivative of resveratrol. Previous studies showed the vaso-protective effects of resveratrol; nevertheless, research on this derivative is scarce. The current study aimed to explore whether TMS can alleviate endothelial dysfunction in diabetic and obese mice, along with the underlying mechanisms. Thoracic aortas isolated from male C57BL/6J mice and primary cultures of rat aortic endothelial cells were treated with high glucose with or without TMS. High glucose exposure impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations, down-regulated NO bioavailability and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway, increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress, which were reversed by TMS treatment. Moreover, the protective effects of TMS were abolished by Compound C (AMPK inhibitor), and EX527 (SIRT1 inhibitor). The mice were fed with high-fat diet (60% kcal% fat) for 14 weeks to establish a diabetic and obese model, and were orally administered TMS (10 mg/kg/day) in the last 4 weeks. Chronic TMS treatment alleviated endothelial dysfunction via enhancing the AMPK/SIRT1/eNOS pathway and attenuated oxidative stress and ER stress in aortas of diet-induced obese mice. In summary, our study reveals the potent vaso-protective effect of TMS and its therapeutic potential against endothelial dysfunction in metabolic disorders.

Panax Notoginseng Protects against Diabetes-Associated Endothelial Dysfunction: Comparison between Ethanolic Extract and Total Saponin.

Previous studies revealed a cardioprotective potential of Panax notoginseng to relieve acute myocardial infarction and focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. However, whether P. notoginseng protects endothelial function in diabetes and the underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. P. notoginseng contains several chemical components including saponins, which are commonly believed as the major bioactive ingredients. The present study was aimed to examine and compare the vaso-protective effects of the ethanolic extract of P. notoginseng (PNE) and total saponin (PNS). Both aortas and carotid arteries were isolated from male C57BL/6J mice for ex vivo treatment with risk factors (high glucose or tunicamycin) with and without the presence of PNS and PNE. Diabetic model was established by feeding the mice with a high-fat diet (45% kcal% fat) for 12 weeks, while PNS and PNE were administrated by oral gavage at 20 mg/kg/day for another 4 weeks. Ex vivo exposure to high glucose impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in mouse aortas, decreased phosphorylation of AMPK and eNOS, and induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress. These effects were reversed by cotreatment of PNS and PNE with PNS being more potent. Furthermore, the vaso-protective effects were abolished by Compound C (AMPK inhibitor). Chronic treatment with PNS and PNE improved endothelium-dependent relaxations and alleviated ER stress and oxidative stress in aortas from high-fat diet-induced obese mice. PNE was more effective to improve glucose sensitivity and normalize blood pressure in diabetic mice. The present results showed that PNS and PNE reduced ER stress and oxidative stress and, subsequently, improved endothelial function in diabetes through AMPK activation. This study provides new inspiration on the therapeutic potential of P. notoginseng extract against vascular diseases associated with metabolic disorders.

Two methoxy derivatives of resveratrol, 3,3',4,5'-tetramethoxy-trans-stilbene and 3,4',5-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene, suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation through inactivation of MAPK and NF-κB pathways in RAW 264.7 cells.

BACKGROUND: 3,3',4,5'-tetramethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,3',4,5'-TMS) and 3,4',5-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,4',5-TMS) are two methoxy derivatives of resveratrol. Previous researches have proved that resveratrol and its analogues have anti-inflammatory effect through suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. This study aims to study whether 3,3',4,5'-TMS and 3,4',5-TMS alleviate inflammation and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation and pretreated with 3,3',4,5'-TMS or 3,4',5-TMS. Cell viability was measured with the 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Nitric oxide (NO) release was detected by Griess reagent. The secretions of pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed by ELISA kits. Protein expressions of signaling molecules were determined by Western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected by fluorescence staining and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay. RESULTS: 3,3',4,5'-TMS and 3,4',5-TMS suppressed LPS-induced NO release and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) secretions in a dose-dependent manner in RAW 264.7 cells. 3,3',4,5'-TMS and 3,4',5-TMS significantly down-regulated the LPS-induced expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and partially suppressed the activation of MAPK (phosphorylation of p38, JNK, ERK), and NF-κB (phosphorylation of IKKα/ß, p65 and IκBα) signaling pathways; where phosphorylation of ERK and p65 was mildly but not significantly decreased by 3,3',4,5'-TMS. LPS-induced NF-κB/p65 nuclear translocation was inhibited by both 3,3',4,5'-TMS and 3,4',5-TMS. Moreover, both resveratrol derivatives decreased the ROS levels. CONCLUSIONS: 3,3',4,5'-TMS and 3,4',5-TMS significantly suppress LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells through inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways and also provide anti-oxidative effect. This study reveals potential therapeutic applications of 3,3',4,5'-TMS and 3,4',5-TMS for inflammatory diseases.

Coptisine Attenuates Diabetes-Associated Endothelial Dysfunction through Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidative Stress.

Coptisine is the major bioactive protoberberine alkaloid found in Rhizoma Coptidis. Coptisine reduces inflammatory responses and improves glucose tolerance; nevertheless, whether coptisine has vasoprotective effect in diabetes is not fully characterized. Conduit arteries including aortas and carotid arteries were obtained from male C57BL/6J mice for ex vivo treatment with risk factors (high glucose or tunicamycin) and coptisine. Some arterial rings were obtained from diabetic mice, which were induced by high-fat diet (45% kcal% fat) feeding for 6 weeks combined with a low-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (120 mg/kg). Functional studies showed that coptisine protected endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortas against risk factors and from diabetic mice. Coptisine increased phosphorylations of AMPK and eNOS and downregulated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers as determined by Western blotting. Coptisine elevates NO bioavailability and decreases reactive oxygen species level. The results indicate that coptisine improves vascular function in diabetes through suppression of ER stress and oxidative stress, implying the therapeutic potential of coptisine to treat diabetic vasculopathy.

Peptidomics analysis of myometrium tissues in term labor compared with term nonlabor.

Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of neonatal mortality, with a poorly understood etiology. The regular contraction of the myometrium was considered as contributing to the etiology of the onset of labor, especially PTB. Thus, studying the mechanism of myometrium contraction is very important for understanding the initiation of labor and also for preventing PTB. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we found 322 significantly differential peptides in myometrium tissues between term nonlabor and term labor groups (absolute fold change ≥ 2 and P < .05). We next analyzed length, molecular weights, isoelectric point, and cleavage site of all the different peptides. We, next, analyzed the functions of different peptides through their precursor proteins by Gene Ontology, enrichment and canonical pathway analysis. The results indicated that the extracellular matrix (ECM) played a major role in biological process, the cellular component, and molecular function categories, and revealed that ECM remodeling played a vital role in myometrial contraction. In addition, some known signaling, such as corticotropin-releasing hormone signaling and calcium signaling were proven to be involved in this process. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis upstream regulator analysis suggested that some of the known molecules, which reportedly were very important in labor onset, were included, for example, nuclear factor κB, tubulin, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. We also identified 23 peptides derived from the precursor protein TITIN, of which 21 peptides sequences from TITIN were located in functional domains. These results suggested that peptides play an important role in labor onset and provide further insight into PTB therapy.

User testing of the psychometric properties of pictorial-based disability assessment Longshi Scale by healthcare professionals and non-professionals: a Chinese study in Shenzhen.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate a novel pictorial-based Longshi Scale for evaluating a patient's disability by healthcare professionals and non-professionals. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Rehabilitation departments from a grade A, class 3 public hospital, a grade B, class 2 public hospital, and a private hospital and seven community rehabilitation centers. SUBJECTS: A total of 618 patients and 251 patients with functional disabilities were recruited in a two-phase study, respectively. MAIN MEASURES: Outcome measure: pictorial scale of activities of daily living (ADLs, Longshi Scale). Reference measure: Barthel Index. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the validity of Longshi Scale against Barthel Index. RESULTS: In phase 1 study, from March 2016 to August 2016, the results demonstrated that the Longshi Scale was both reliable and valid (intraclass correlation coefficient based on two-way random effect (ICC2,1) = 0.877-0.974 for intra-rater reliability; ICC2,1 = 0.928-0.979; κ = 0.679-1.000 for inter-rater reliability; intraclass correlation coefficient based on one-way random effect (ICC1,1) = 0.921-0.984 for test-retest reliability and Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.836-0.899). In the second phase, in March 2018, results further demonstrated that the Longshi Scale had good inter-rater and intra-rater reliability among healthcare professionals and non-professionals including therapists, interns, and personal care aids (ICC1,1 = 0.822-0.882 on Day 1; ICC1,1 = 0.842-0.899 on Day 7 for inter-rater reliability). In addition, the Longshi Scale decreased assessment time significantly, compared with the Barthel Index assessment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The Longshi Scale could potentially provide an efficient way for healthcare professionals and non-professionals who may have minimal training to assess the ADLs of functionally disabled patients.

Epidural Analgesia During the Second Stage of Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether maintaining a motor-sparing epidural analgesia infusion affects the duration of the second stage of labor in nulliparous parturients compared with a placebo control. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving nulliparous women with term cephalic singleton pregnancies who requested epidural analgesia. All women received epidural analgesia for the first stage of labor using 0.08% ropivacaine with 0.4 micrograms/mL sufentanil with patient-controlled epidural analgesia. At the onset of the second stage of labor, women were randomized to receive a blinded infusion of the same solution or placebo saline infusion. The primary outcome was the duration of the second stage of labor. A sample size of 200 per group (400 total) was planned to identify at least a 15% difference in duration. RESULTS: Between March 2015 and September 2015, 560 patients were screened and 400 patients (200 in each group) completed the study. Using an intention-to-treat analysis, the duration of the second stage was similar between groups (epidural 52±27 minutes compared with saline 51±25 minutes, P=.52). The spontaneous vaginal delivery rate was also similar (epidural 193 [96.5%] compared with saline 198 [99%], P=.17). Pain scores were similar between groups at each measurement during the second stage. More women who received placebo reported satisfaction scores of 8 or less (epidural 32 [16%] compared with saline 61 [30.5%], P=.001). CONCLUSION: Maintaining the infusion of epidural medication had no effect on the duration of the second stage of labor compared with a placebo infusion. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar. A low concentration of epidural local anesthetic does not affect the duration of the second stage of labor. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Register, http://www.chictr.org.cn/enindex.aspx, ChiCTR-IOR-15005875.