Accuracy of Fasting Blood Glucose and Body Mass Index in Predicting Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in China.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that lowering maternal morbidities associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can be achieved with earlier risk group identification. AIMS: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine potential markers for identifying first-trimester pregnant women who are at high risk for developing GDM. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. The pertinent maternal clinical data were retrieved prior to 13+6 weeks of gestation, and a binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential GDM predictors. The predictive accuracy was evaluated using the area below the receiver operating characteristics curves. RESULTS: In comparison to the control group, the GDM group had significantly higher mean values for age, body mass index (BMI), mean fasting blood glucose (FBG), and hemoglobin (p < 0.05). The Pearson's correlation coefficients indicated that the first-trimester FBG was significantly positively correlated with the second-trimester FBG. Higher FBG and BMI values were associated with an increased risk of developing GDM (odds ratio [OR] = 3.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.03-4.55 and OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.12-1.25). In terms of predicting GDM, the FBG parameter demonstrated the greatest area under the curve values (0.66), followed by the BMI parameter (0.69). For GDM prediction, the cut-off value for FBG was 4.32 mM, whereas that for BMI was 23.7 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS: The first-trimester FBG and BMI could be utilized to predict gestational diabetes.

Influence of Job Burnout on Decision-Making and Coping With Stress Among Nurses.

Job burnout is highly prevalent among health care workers. This study determined the effect of job burnout on decision-making and coping with stress among nurses. Two hundred seventy-seven nurses in Xijing Hospital were investigated using the Job Burnout Scale, Decision Scale, and Simple Stress Coping Style Scale. The total score of job burnout was 107.8 ± 16.479 (severe burnout) and clinical decision-making consciousness was 123.75 ± 16.094 (moderate decision-making consciousness). No statistical differences existed in different gender samples (P > .05). Burnout and clinical decision-making awareness of clinical nurses were stronger than nursing interns and regular trainee nurses, but the occupational pressure of nursing interns was the highest (P < .05). Marital status also showed significant differences in job burnout; unmarried nurses were more prone to burnout (P < .05). In conclusions, burnout is a serious issue among nurses, which is closely related with clinical decision-making awareness, negative coping, and occupational stress. Nurse identity and marital status had significant effects on burnout.

Correlation between abnormal energy metabolism of ovarian granulosa cells and in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity.

CONTEXT: Granulosa cells (GCs) that surround oocytes in mammalian reproduction play an active role in oocyte differentiation through proliferation and energy production. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the energy metabolism of ovarian GCs and the influence of GCs on the early embryonic development in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: The clinical characteristics and in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment outcomes of 39 patients with PCOS and 68 patients with simple tubal factor infertility who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were analyzed and summarized. The mitochondrial function and glucose metabolism level of the GCs were determined, as well as the content of oxidative stress markers in the follicular fluid (FF) of patients with and without PCOS. KEY RESULTS: When compared to the non-PCOS group, patients with PCOS had a significantly increased number of retrieved oocytes but a significantly decreased number of high-quality embryos, available embryos, and high-quality blastocyst formation (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential, adenosine triphosphate level, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number decreased in the GCs, whereas the levels of reactive oxygen species increased (P < 0.01). The levels of malondialdehyde and 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the follicular fluid (FF) of the patients with PCOS were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05), and superoxide dismutase was increased by compensation (P < 0.05). In the PCOS group, the expressions of GLUT1, LDHA, and PFKP were lower than those in the non-PCOS group, and glucose levels were higher. CONCLUSIONS: The low oocyte competence of PCOS may be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal glycolysis. IMPLICATIONS: This research offers explanations for the possible connections influencing human ovarian folliculogenesis.

Expert consensus on the clinical application of totally implantable venous access devices in the upper arm (2022 Edition).

With the widespread adoption of ultrasound guidance, Seldinger puncture techniques, and intracardiac electrical positioning technology for the placement of peripherally inserted central catheters in recent years, an increasing number of medical staff and patients now accept peripheral placement of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) in the upper arm. This approach has the advantage of completely avoiding the risks of hemothorax, pneumothorax, and neck and chest scarring. Medical specialties presently engaged in this study in China include internal medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, and interventional departments. However, command over implantation techniques, treatment of complications, and proper use and maintenance of TIVAD remain uneven among different medical units. Moreover, currently, there are no established quality control standards for implantation techniques or specifications for handling complications. Thus, this expert consensus is proposed to improve the success rate of TIVAD implantation via the upper-arm approach, reduce complication rates, and ensure patient safety. This consensus elaborates on the technical indications and contraindications, procedures and technical points, treatment of complications, and the use and maintenance of upper-arm TIVAD, thus providing a practical reference for medical staff.

Developing and Testing the Validity and Reliability of the Brief Adolescent Respiratory System Health Assessment Scale-Student Version in a Chinese Sample.

Objectives: To develop a Brief Adolescent Respiratory System Health Assessment Scale-Student Version (BARSHAS-SV) and test the validity and reliability of the scale. Methods: Considering common respiratory system diseases and respiratory system symptoms as a theoretical basis, researchers developed a Brief Adolescent Respiratory System Health Assessment Scale-Student Version-I (BARSHAS-SV-I). After six medical experts reviewed the BARSHAS-SV-I, and six adolescents tested the BARSHAS-SV-I, researchers developed an updated BARSHAS-SV-II. Researchers randomly selected two middle schools in Baoding, China. Thousand twenty nine valid questionnaires were recovered. Researchers evaluated the validity and reliability of the scale and obtained the final version of the scale (BARSHAS-SV). The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate the construct validity of the scale. The content validity index (CVI) was used to evaluate the content validity of the scale. The Cronbach's α coefficient and the mean inter-item correlation coefficient (MIIC) were used to assess the reliability of the scale. Results: BARSHAS-SV Cronbach's α = 0.910, content validity = 0.941, and factor cumulative variance contribution rate = 64.047% conducting EFA. Conducting CFA, Chi square value (χ2) = 233.806, degrees of freedom (df) = 106, Chi square value/degree of freedom (χ2/df) = 2.206, root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.063, normed fit index (NFI) = 0.922, goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.917, Tueker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.942, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.955, incremental fit index (IFI) = 0.956. BARSHAS-SV consisted of 4 dimensions and 17 items. Four factors were as follows: Factor 1, mild respiratory system diseases (Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.781); Factor 2, severe respiratory system diseases (Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.829); Factor 3, respiratory system symptoms (Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.835); Factor 4, treatment and recovery of respiratory system diseases (Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.845). Conclusions: BARSHAS-SV is a valid and reliable method that can be applied to assess adolescent respiratory system health status. BARSHAS-SV may help teachers and medical staff in schools to quickly and conveniently evaluate the adolescent respiratory system health status and identify respiratory issues.

Effect of positional isomers on the photochromic behaviors of bipyridyltriazolium chloroantimonate hybrids.

Two chloroantimonate hybrids with isomeric bipyridyltriazoliums and similar packing patterns, {[2-bpt]2[(SbCl5)Cl2]}n (1) and {[4-bpt]2[(SbCl5)Cl2]}n (2) (2-bpt2+ = protonated 3,5-bis(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole, 4-bpt2+ = protonated 3,5-bis(pyridine-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazole), have been designed and synthesized. Distinct intermolecular electronic interactions and photochromic behaviors are attributed to the remarkable modulation of positional isomeric effect on the electron deficiency of the acceptors and donor-acceptor matching relationship. 1 is the first reported photochromic chloroantimonate hybrid.

Long Non-Coding RNA HOXA-AS2 Regulates Malignant Glioma Behaviors and Vasculogenic Mimicry Formation via the MiR-373/EGFR Axis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) has been reported to be a novel glioma neovascularization process. Anti-VM therapy provides new insight into glioma clinical management. In this study, we revealed the role of the long non-coding RNA HOXA cluster antisense RNA 2 (HOXA-AS2) in malignant glioma behaviors and VM formation. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of HOXA-AS2 in glioma samples and glioblastoma cell lines. CD34-periodic acid-Schiff dual-staining was performed to assess VM in glioma samples. CCK-8, transwell, and Matrigel tube formation assays were performed to measure the effects of HOXA-AS2 knockdown on cell viability, migration, invasion, and VM tube formation, respectively. RNA immunoprecipitation, dual-luciferase reporter and Western blot assays were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of HOXS-AS2 in glioblastoma cells. A nude mouse xenograft model was used to investigate the role of HOXA-AS2 in xenograft glioma growth and VM density. Student's t-tests, one-way ANOVAs followed by Bonferroni posthoc tests, and chi-square tests were used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: HOXA-AS2 was upregulated in glioma samples and cell lines and was positively correlated with VM. HOXA-AS2 knockdown attenuated cell viability, migration, invasion, and VM formation in glioma cells and inhibited the expression of vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin), as well as the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. miR-373 was downregulated in glioma samples and cell lines and suppressed malignancy in glioblastoma cells. HOXA-AS2 bound to miR-373 and negatively regulated its expression. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a target of miR-373, increased the expression levels of VE-cadherin, as well as the expression and activity levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9, via activating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/serine/threonine kinase pathways. HOXA-AS2 knockdown combined with miR-373 overexpression yielded optimal tumor suppressive effects and the lowest VM density in vivo. CONCLUSION: HOXA-AS2 knockdown inhibited malignant glioma behaviors and VM formation via the miR-373/EGFR axis.

Knockdown of Long Non-Coding RNA KCNQ1OT1 Restrained Glioma Cells' Malignancy by Activating miR-370/CCNE2 Axis.

Accumulating evidence has highlighted the potential role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in solid tumors. Here, we elucidated the function and possible molecular mechanisms of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 in human glioma U87 and U251 cells. Quantitative Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) demonstrated that KCNQ1OT1 expression was up-regulated in glioma tissues and cells. Knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 exerted tumor-suppressive function in glioma cells. Moreover, a binding region was confirmed between KCNQ1OT1 and miR-370 by dual-luciferase assays. qRT-PCR showed that miR-370 was down-regulated in human glioma tissue and cells. In addition, restoration of miR-370 exerted tumor-suppressive function via inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while promoting the apoptosis of human glioma cells. Knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 decreased the expression level of Cyclin E2 (CCNE2) by binding to miR-370. Further, miR-370 bound to CCNE2 3'UTR region and decreased the expression of CCNE2. These results provided a comprehensive analysis of KCNQ1OT1-miR-370-CCNE2 axis in human glioma cells and might provide a novel strategy for glioma treatment.

Long non-coding RNA NEAT1 regulates permeability of the blood-tumor barrier via miR-181d-5p-mediated expression changes in ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5.

The blood-tumor barrier (BTB) constitutes an efficient organization of tight junctions that limits the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to brain tumor tissues and impacts the treatment of glioma. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-protein coding RNAs regulating gene expression, some lncRNAs play a crucial role in BTB permeability. However, the function of lncRNAs in BTB permeability is still largely unclear. Here, we have identified lncRNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1), was remarkably up-regulated in glioma endothelial cells (GECs) obtained from an in vitro BTB model. Knockdown of NEAT1 impaired the integrity and increased the permeability of the BTB, accompanied by downregulation of expression of the tight junction proteins ZO-1, occludin and claudin-5 in GECs. Both bioinformatics data and results of luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that NEAT1 influenced BTB permeability by binding to miR-181d-5p. Knockdown of NEAT1 also down-regulated the expression of sex determining region Y-box protein 5 (SOX5), which was defined as a direct and functional downstream target of miR-181d-5p. SOX5 interacts with the promoter region of ZO-1, occludin and claudin-5 in GECs. In conclusion, knockdown of NEAT1 increased BTB permeability by binding to miR-181d-5p and then reducing tight junction protein expression by targeting SOX5. These results suggest an important role for NEAT1 in regulating BTB permeability and provide an additional strategy for treating glioma.

Performance Enhancement of ZITO Thin-Film Transistors via Graphene Bridge Layer by Sol-Gel Combustion Process.

In this article, we reported the stacked structure zinc-indium-tin oxide (ZITO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with graphene nanosheets (GNSs) prepared by solution process. GNSs were used as bridge layer between dual-ZITO layers. The transmission of stacked ZITO/GNSs/ZITO films are more than 80% in the visible region and the resistivity of ZITO films with GNSs bridge layer decreased from 502.9 to 13.4 Ω cm. The solution-processed TFT devices with GNSs bridge layer exhibited a desirable characteristic with a subthreshold slope of 0.25 V/dec and current on-off ratio of 1 × 10(7), and the saturation filed effect mobility is improved to 45.9 cm(2)V(-1)s(-1), which exceeds the mobility values of the pristine ZITO TFTs by one order. These results demonstrate the solution-processed ZITO/GNSs/ZITO TFTs maybe make a further step to achieve high-performance TFTs and show the potential for next-generation applications.