[Concomitant extragenital malformations of female reproductive tract anomalies: analysis of 444 cases in Peking Union Medical College Hospital].

Objective: To analyze the incidence and clinical phenotype of the concomitant extragenital malformations in the patients with female reproductive tract anomalies. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using clinical data of hospitalized patients diagnosed with uterine, cervical, or vaginal malformations from January 2003 to December 2022 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The malformations were classified according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine müllerian anomalies classification 2021, and in each type, the incidence and specific manifestations of concomitant extragnital malformations were analyzed. Results: A total of 444 patients were included. The overall incidence of concomitant extragenital malformations was 43.5% (193/444), including urinary system, skeletal system, and other system malformations. Renal malformations on the obstructed side were present in all patients with oblique vaginal septum syndrome (100.0%, 78/78). The total incidence of concomitant extragnital malformations was as high as 8/11 in uterus didelphys, 43.5% (10/23) in unicornuate uterus, 33.6% (79/235) in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, 18.8% (6/32) in septate uterus and 18.5% (12/65) in cervical agenesis. Urinary system malformations (30.6%, 136/444) and skeletal system malformations (13.5%, 60/444) were the most common concomitant malformations in all types, in which, unilateral renal agenesis and scoliosis were the most common. Conclusions: Urinary and skeletal system malformations are important features of female reproductive tract anomalies. Urologic ultrasonography and spinal roentgenogram are recommended for all patients with female reproductive tract anomalies.

[Targeted binding of rs1053005 locus of STAT3 with miR-452-3p and the association between STAT3 gene polymorphism and noise-induced hearing loss].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between rs1053005 of signal conversion and transcription activator 3 (STAT3) and miR-452-3p, and the association between STAT3 gene polymorphism and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) . Methods: In December 2017, 1220 workers were selected from an automobile manufacturing factory, an energy company and a chemical fiber factory in Jiangsu Province who had occupational noise exposure and working age of more than 3 years. The workers with the mean hearing threshold of ≥26 dB (A) of the two ear high frequency (3000, 4000 and 6000 Hz) were defined as case group (n=609) , and the rest were control group (n=611) . Five single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites of STAT3 (rs4796793, rs1053023, rs1053005, rs1053004 and rs3744483) were selected to explore the association between STAT3 gene polymorphism and NIHL by analyzing the points. The double luciferase reporter gene verified whether miR-452-3p was targeted to bind STAT3, and overexpressed miR-452-3p in HEI-OC1 cells to explore the mechanism of STAT3 expression regulation. Results: There was no significant difference in gender, age, smoking and drinking between the two groups (P>0.05) . Compared with the control group[ (15.58±4.76) dB], the mean hearing threshold of the case group [ (37.50±12.39) dB] was higher, and the difference were statistically significant (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the C alleles of rs1053023 and rs1053005 were higher in the case group (OR=1.367, 1.370, P<0.05) . The risk of NIHL in men with TC/CC genotype were 1.545 and 1.531 times higher than that in men with TT genotype (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression of STAT3 in the case group was significantly increased (P<0.05) . The STAT3 mRNA expression of miR-452-3p group cells was significantly decreased (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The rs1053023 and rs1053005 polymorphism of STAT3 are related to NIHL. The C alleles of rs1053023 and rs1053005 may be biomarkers of workers exposed to noise.

Establishing peripheral PD-L1 as a prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: how long will it come true?

BACKGROUND: The prognostic role of intratumoral programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been investigated by several meta-analyses. However, the prognostic value of pretreatment peripheral PD-L1 (PPPD-L1) level in HCC remains undetermined. Thus, this systemic review aimed to establish PPPD-L1 as a new prognostic marker in HCC according to available evidence. METHODS: Case-control studies investigating the prognostic role of PPPD-L1 in HCC were systemically sought in the database of PubMed and Web of Science until March 25th, 2020. Our main concern is survival results, including overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and progression-free survival (PFS). The combined results were summarized in narrative form according to data extracted from each included study. RESULTS: Finally, nine studies published from 2011 to 2019, were incorporated into this systemic review. Among these, six studies evaluated the PD-L1 expression by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from blood serum, and three studies evaluated the PD-L1 expression by flow cytometric analysis from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). According to the extracted evidence, high PPPD-L1 expression, measured in either blood serum or PBMC, is associated with poor OS, poor DFS, and poor PFS. Meanwhile, PPPD-L1 was also correlated with enlarged tumor size and more likely with advanced tumor stage as well as vascular invasion. CONCLUSION: High PPPD-L1 level is associated with increased mortality rate and increased recurrence rate in HCC. As a convenient serum marker, PPPD-L1 could be a promising marker of prognosis in HCC patients.

Inactivation efficacy and mechanisms of plasma activated water on bacteria in planktonic state.

AIMS: The study aimed to investigate the inactivation efficacy and mechanisms of plasma activated water (PAW) on selected bacteria in planktonic state. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma activated water was generated using an atmospheric cold plasma jet at 15, 22 and 30 kV for 5 min. Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Shewanella putrefaciens were selected as the representative bacterial species. Each bacterial suspension was inoculated into PAW immediately after generation, and the viable counts at different exposure times of 0·5, 1, 3, 5 and 24 h during 4°C storage were measured to determine the inactivation efficacy. Scanning electron microscopy images of the bacteria were conducted to examine the structural changes. Physicochemical properties of PAW, including pH, conductivity, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), and reactive species of H2 O2 , NO2 - and NO3 - were measured. The results demonstrated that inactivation efficacy was in positive correlation with voltage and exposure time. Gram-negative bacteria were more susceptible to PAW than Gram-positive bacteria. Morphology damage was observed for all the bacterial species. PAW was significantly acidified, conductivity and ORP were significantly increased, and reactive species were detectable after 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: This study offered a better understanding of the inactivation mechanisms of PAW, and the inactivation efficacy can be affected by voltage, exposure time and bacterial species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrated the potential usage of PAW as an alternative disinfectant.

[Isolation and identification of Arbovirus in Hainan province, 2017-2018].

Objective: To understand the types and distribution of Arboviruses in Hainan province. Methods: Blood-sucking insects were collected in Hainan province from 2017 to 2018. After laboratory treatment, BHK-21 cells and C6/36 cells were inoculated with grinding supernatant of all blood-sucking insects to isolate all of involving virus. Arbovirus genes in blood-sucking insects were detected in parallel by RT-PCR method. Results: A total of 15 062 mosquitoes were classified into four genera (Culex, Armigeres, Aedes, Anopheles) and 11 360 midges were collected. Culex tritaeniorhynchus was in the majority and accounted for 92.88% (13 990/15 062) of all the mosquitoes collected. Four strains of virus isolates were notified by tissue culture method. Three strains of viruses belonged to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), with the other one as Getah virus (GETV). Five pools of JEV gene amplification were positive, from Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Results from the phylogenetic analysis showed that they belonged to genotype JEV-Ⅰ. The minimum infection rate of JEV was 0.57‰ (8/13 990). A total of 5 pools of Akabane virus (AKV) gene amplification were positive. The minimum infection rate of AKV was 0.44‰ (5/11 360). Based on the S gene and M gene sequences of the virus, data from the phylogenetic analysis showed that the five AKV strains carried by midges in Hainan province were in a separate evolutionary branch and with formed unique geographical distribution. Conclusions: JEV and GETV had been isolated again from the mosquito specimens in this survey, since the 1980s. AKV was detected from the midge specimens in Hainan province. These results showed the needs of strengthening the programs on detection and monitor of JEV, GETV and AKV that were related to animal and human diseases in order to reduce the risks of related diseases in this area.

[Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist used before surgery on natural pregnancy rates in patients with ovarian endometriomas].

Objective: To evaluate the impact of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) used before surgery on natural pregnancy rates in patients with ovarian endometriomas. Methods: In this retrospective study, 57 patients with ovarian endometriomas who had a consecutive laparoscopic surgery between June, 2010 to September, 2015 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were included. Those patients were divided into preoperative GnRH-a treatment group (n=31) and non-GnRH-a treatment group (n=26) . There were no differences in patients' characteristics between the two groups. All of them had a desire for natural pregnancy postoperatively. GnRH-a was no longer used after surgery. After the surgical procedure, the patients were observed over a period of 12 months, during which the frequency of natural pregnancy was assessed. The two groups were compared in terms of natural pregnancy rates. Results: Totally 33 patients had natural pregnancy after surgery. The univariate analysis showed that the pregnancy rates of age, r-AFS stage, infertility, preoperative use of GnRH-a, tumor size, tumor side, deep infiltrating endometriosis and adenomyosis did not have statistically significant differences (all P>0.05) . The two classified logistic regression showed that OR for preoperative use of GnRH-a was 0.250 (95%CI: 0.064-0.978) with a statistical difference (P=0.046) . Conclusion: The use of GnRH-a preoperatively may have a negative effect on natural pregnancy rates of patients after surgery with ovarian endometriomas.

Preoperative plasma fibrinogen is associated with poor prognosis in esophageal carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate preoperative plasma fibrinogen (PPF) as a prognostic marker in esophageal carcinoma (EC) by meta-analysis. METHODS: Relevant studies were sought in the databases including Pubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Wanfang databases up to Oct 10th, 2017. Hazard ratios (HRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as effective value, and pooled HRs were synthesized by STATA 14.0 to assess the prognostic impact of PPF on EC patients. RESULTS: A total of 8 studies with 2827 patients were collected in this meta-analysis. Our results revealed that high PPF was significantly associated with poor OS (HR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.56-2.33, P = 0.000; HR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.28-2.42, P = 0.000) and poor DFS (HR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.50-2.43, P = 0.000; HR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.16-1.97, P = 0.000) in EC patients from univariate and multivariate analysis results, respectively, which suggested that EC patients with high PPF will suffer from high postoperative mortality and recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: High PPF was significantly associated with poor OS and DFS in EC patients. Fibrinogen can serve as a prognostic marker and even a future targeting molecule during the treatment of EC patients.

[Clinical retrospective control study of single-port laparoendoscopic and multi-port laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy].

Objective: To investigate clinical outcomes of laparoendoscopic single-site ovarian cystectomy compared with traditional multi-port laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Methods: Data of 81 patients with ovarian cystectomy from January 2016 to May 2017, the single-site group (n=40) and the multi-port group (n=41) in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively collected. The outcomes of single-site and multi-port groups were analyzed and compared, including: postoperative fever, operation time, blood loss, hemoglobin change, surgical complications, postoperative pain score, postoperative analgesic requirements, body image scale and cosmetic score, length of hospital stay, postoperative total cost. Results: No complication was found in two groups. No difference was found in postoperative fever, blood loss, hemoglobin change, postoperative pain score, length of hospital stay, and total cost between the two groups (all P>0.05). Operation time was (50±20) minutes in single-site group, and (40±15) minutes in multi-port group; postoperative analgesic requirements was 28%(11/40) in single-site group, and 7%(4/41) in multi-port group; cosmetic score was 22.6±2.6 in single-site group, and 17.3±2.6 in multi-port group; body image scale was 5.7±1.2 in single-site group, and 6.2±1.2 in multi-port group; these four clinical parameters were statistical differences (all P<0.05). Conculsion: Laparoendoscopic single-site ovarian cystectomy is feasible and safe, although it could't relieve the postoperative pian, it do offer a higher cosmetic satisfaction.

USP22 down-regulation facilitates human retinoblastoma cell aging and apoptosis via inhibiting TERT/P53 pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Retinoblastoma is the most common malignant intraocular tumor in childhood, and still lacks effective treatment. The immortality of tumor cell can be attributed to elevated telomerase activity, which has been considered as tumor marker and treatment target. USP22 is one of the important targets for inhibiting tumor growth, but clear illustration regarding its effects of telomerase, tumor cell immortality and retinoblastoma cell aging or apoptosis via suppressing TERT/P53 signal pathway remains to be elusive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTT was used for describing cell proliferation, and Western blot was used to test protein expression level of USP22, TERT and P53. RT-qPCR was used to test USP22 mRNA level, followed by TRAP method to detect telomerase activity. Flow cytometry and comet assay were used to quantify cell apoptosis and DNA damage. Cell aging was measured by ß-galactosidase. RESULTS: The overexpression of USP22 significantly enhanced cell proliferation potency and telomerase activity, elevated TERT expression level, inhibited p53 expression and cell aging, as well as decreased cell apoptosis or DNA damage. Down-regulation of USP22 contributed to opposite effects. CONCLUSIONS: USP22 played an important role in retinoblastoma cell proliferation/aging and apoptosis. The reduction of USP22 expression facilitated human retinoblastoma cell aging or apoptosis via suppressing TERT/P53 signal pathway. USP22, thus, may work as a target for treating retinoblastoma.

Bovine oocyte vitrification using the Cryotop method: effect of cumulus cells and vitrification protocol on survival and subsequent development.

The ability to successfully cryopreserve mammalian oocytes has numerous practical, economical and ethical benefits, which may positively impact animal breeding programs and assisted conception in humans. However, oocyte survival and development following vitrification remains poor. The aim of the present study was (1) to evaluate the effect of the presence of cumulus cells on the outcome of vitrification of immature (GV) or mature (MII) bovine oocytes, (2) to compare empirical and theoretical vitrification protocols, and (3) to assess the effect of adding ice blockers to vitrification media on survival and development competence of bovine oocytes following vitrification using the Cryotop method. In Experiment 1, cumulus-enclosed and partially-denuded GV and MII oocytes were vitrified in 15% EG+15% Me(2)SO+0.5M sucrose in two steps. In Experiment 2, GV oocytes were vitrified either as above or using theoretical modeling based on permeability and osmotic tolerance characteristics in 30% EG+11.4% trehalose in three steps or 40% EG+11.4% trehalose in four steps. In Experiment 3, GV oocytes were vitrified in media supplemented or not with 1 of 2 ice blockers (21st Century Medicine, Fontana, CA) 1% X-1000, 1% Z-1000 or both in three steps. In Experiment 1, the survival, cleavage and blastocyst rate of cumulus-enclosed oocytes was significantly higher than those of partially-denuded oocytes when vitrified at the GV stage (93.8% vs. 81.3%, 65.8% vs. 47.3%, 11.3% vs. 4.0%, respectively, P<0.05). However, no significant effect of cumulus cover was detected between the two groups when vitrified at MII (93.0% vs. 91.8%, 35.2% vs. 36.8%, 5.0% vs. 4.4%, respectively). Furthermore, cumulus-enclosed oocytes vitrified at the GV stage exhibited significantly higher developmental competence than those vitrified at the MII stage (P<0.05). In Experiment 2, there were no significant differences in the survival, cleavage and blastocyst rate among three protocols (86.0% vs. 92.8% vs. 91.2%, 44.8% vs. 54.4% vs. 45.6%, 5.0% vs. 5.4% vs. 4.0%, respectively). However, cleavage and blastocyst rate were significantly lower (P<0.05) than non-vitrified control oocytes. In Experiment 3, the presence of ice blockers did not alter the cleavage rate or blastocyst development (P>0.05). In conclusion, cumulus-enclosed GV bovine oocytes survived vitrification and subsequently developed at higher rates than MII oocytes using Cryotop method and conventional IVF procedure. Theoretical analysis of permeability characteristics and tolerance limits could not explain the low developmental competence of vitrified oocytes.

Inhibition of Escherichia coli by dimethyl fumarate.

The antibacterial activity of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and six other compounds against Escherichia coli (E. coli, K12) was investigated in culture media and compared. DMF was found to be more efficient than any other compound at the concentration of 200 ppm. The inhibitory activity of DMF against E. coli increased with increasing concentration of DMF. DMF also exhibited more obvious inhibition against E. coli at the initial growth phase than at other phases. The antibacterial ability of DMF showed low stability to heat processing but was less sensitive to pH values. Under conditions of restricted availability of oxygen, E. coli was more sensitive to DMF. The results indicate that DMF may be a potentially effective alternative antimicrobial agent to inhibit E. coli.

Effect of rapid and conventional cooling methods on the quality of cooked ham joints.

Three cooling regimes, vacuum (VC), blast (BC) and slow cooling (SC), were compared for their effect on cooling rate, weight loss and quality of large cooked ham joints. Vacuum cooling reduced the cooling rate (70-4°C) significantly (P<0.05) in comparison to the other methods; mean cooling times for cooked hams (5-6 kg) were 1.9 h for VC, 11.7 for BC and 14.3 for SC. However, VC gave an increased chill loss (P<0.05) of ca. 11% compared to ca. 4% for the other methods due to evaporative moisture loss. Sensory panels found that VC hams were tougher and less juicy (P<0.05). Shear force measurements and texture profile analysis also showed the vacuum cooling to have a toughening effect on the cooked ham. While vacuum cooling had an adverse effect on quality and yield, it was the only one that conformed to recent safety guidelines for cooked meat joints of a reduction in temperature to 5°C inside 10 h. The cooling conditions used do not reproduce full-scale industrial practice, however, the effects found serve as an indicator of the potential benefits and drawbacks of vacuum cooling for cooked meat joints.

Predictive food microbiology for the meat industry: a review.

Predictive food microbiology (PFM) is an emerging multidisciplinary area of food microbiology. It encompasses such disciplines as mathematics, microbiology, engineering and chemistry to develop and apply mathematical models to predict the responses of microorganisms to specified environmental variables. This paper provides a critical review on the development of mathematical modelling with emphasis on modelling techniques, descriptions, classifications and their recent advances. It is concluded that the role and accuracy of predictive food microbiology will increase as understanding of the complex interactions between microorganisms and food becomes clearer. However the reliance of food microbiology on laboratory techniques and skilled personnel to determine process and food safety is still necessary.

[Evaluation of fetal well-being by vibro-acoustic stimulation test].

For monitoring of fetal well-being, non-stress test (NST) and vibro-acoustic stimulation test (VAS-T) were tested simultaneously in 295 normal pregnant women with gestational age over 36 weeks. In 130 women who delivered babies within 1 week after testing, the monitoring results were compared with the newborn's condition immediately after birth. The results showed that VAS-T improved the accuracy rate diagnosed by NST and shorten the time period required for examination. The clinical significance of 5 different wave forms of VAS-T were studied. Type I and Ib were typical reactive pattern which represented a good fetal condition. Type II, III and IV suggested that the fetus were in various degree of hypoxia. Specifically, Type III reflected the cord around the neck, and type IV was a sign of severe fetal distress and nervous system defect.