[Cardio-metabolic risk and adverse pregnancy outcomes in the first trimester: findings from the Shenzhen birth cohort study].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between cardio-metabolic abnormalities in the first trimester and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). Methods: This cohort study recruited singleton pregnancies in the first trimester (6-13+6 weeks of gestation) from Shenzhen Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital between January 1, 2021, and October 31, 2022. Cardiometabolic markers, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG), were recorded during the first trimester. Incidence of APO, including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, small for gestational age infant, and placental abruption, was documented. Cardiovascular metabolic abnormalities in the first trimester were defined as meeting one or more of the following criteria: elevated BMI (BMI≥24 kg/m²), elevated TG (TG≥1.7 mmol/L), decreased HDL-C (HDL-C<1.0 mmol/L), elevated blood pressure (systolic pressure≥130 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and/or diastolic pressure≥85 mmHg), elevated FPG (FPG≥5.6 mmol/L). Enrolled women were categorized into abnormal cardio-metabolic and normal cardio-metabolic groups. Poisson regression was employed to analyze the association between cardio-metabolic abnormalities in the first trimester and APO. Results: The study included 14 197 pregnant women with an age of (32.0±4.1) years. There were 8 139 women in the normal cardio-metabolic group and 6 058 women in the abnormal cardio-metabolic group. Women with cardio-metabolic disorders in the first trimester had a younger gestational age and higher incidence rates of preterm birth, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus (all P<0.05). In multivariable Poisson regression, elevated BMI (RR=1.22, 95%CI 1.15-1.29), elevated FPG (RR=1.59, 95%CI 1.38-1.82), elevated TG (RR=1.22, 95%CI 1.13-1.31), and elevated blood pressure (RR=1.50, 95%CI 1.39-1.63) were independent risk factors for APO, while decreased HDL-C (RR=0.93, 95%CI 0.70-1.23) was not. Elevated blood pressure (RR=5.57, 95%CI 4.58-6.78), elevated BMI (RR=1.71, 95%CI 1.40-2.09), and elevated TG (RR=1.38, 95%CI 1.10-1.74) had the greatest impact on the risk of developing preeclampsia. Elevated FPG (RR=1.70, 95%CI 1.45-1.99) had the greatest impact on the risk of gestational diabetes. Conclusions: Elevated blood pressure, BMI, TG and FPG in the first trimester are closely related to APO.

The application of probiotic after antibiotics treatment promotes the recovery of pediatric bronchopneumonia infection.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to investigate the treatment efficacy of combinational applications of oral probiotic with intravenous infusion of antibiotics in pediatric bronchopneumonia infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 76 pediatric patients with bronchopneumonia infection were included in the study. We divided the patients into observation group (n=38) and control group (n=38). The patients in control group received intravenous infusion of antibiotics and symptomatic treatments. In the observation group, in addition to the treatments of the control group, the patients also received oral probiotic. We compared the effective times of treatment, including the durations of wet rale in lung auscultation, cough, fever, and the total time of hospitalization. Additionally, we also recorded the occurrence of adverse reaction, including rash and gastrointestinal reaction. Meanwhile, laboratory tests for systemic inflammation were recorded at different time points. RESULTS: The durations of rale in lung auscultation (p=0.006), cough (p=0.019), fever (p=0.012), and the total time of hospitalization (p=0.046) in observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group. The incidence rate of diarrhea was 10.5% (4/38) in the observation group, and 34.2% (13/38) in the control group, with a significantly statistical difference (p=0.013). In the laboratory tests, we found that blood lymphocyte (p=0.034) and high-sensitive C reactive protein (p=0.004) were significantly higher in the control group than that in the observation group at 7th day after the treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The combinational applications of probiotic and antibiotics in pediatric bronchopneumonia infection were safe and effective and can lower the diarrhea rate.

Impulse control and related behaviors in Parkinson's disease with dementia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective was to determine the frequency, demographic and clinical correlates [such as age, sex, Parkinson's disease (PD) severity and dopaminergic treatment] of impulse control disorder (ICD) symptoms and related behaviors in patients with PD with (PD-D) and without (PD-ND) dementia. METHODS: We analyzed historical data from a national, multi-center, cross-sectional database and assessed ICDs and related behaviors with the Scale for Evaluation of Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Parkinson's Disease administered as a semi-structured interview to patients with PD-D (n = 85) and PD-ND (n = 444) and their informants. RESULTS: Dopamine agonist therapy use was common and similar in the two groups (78.8% in PD-D vs. 82.9% in PD-ND), but ICDs (23.5% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.02), hobbyism-punding (32.9% vs. 10.6%, P < 0.001) and dopaminergic medication abuse (8.2% vs. 3.2%, P = 0.03) were more common in the PD-D group. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that ICDs and related behaviors are more common in patients with PD frequently treated with dopamine agonists who also have comorbid dementia suggests that the neural substrates associated with PD dementia may also predispose to development of compulsive behaviors.

Long-term shunt patency and overall survival of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement using covered stents with bare stents versus covered stents alone.

AIM: To investigate the long-term shunt patency and overall survival of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement using covered stents with or without bare stents over a follow-up period up to 7 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 154 patients undergoing TIPS placement were enrolled and analysed retrospectively. They were divided into two groups: those undergoing TIPS placement using covered with bare stents (group A, n=42) and those without bare stents (group B, n=112). RESULTS: The cumulative 5-year primary patency rate was significantly lower in group A than in group B (group A: 0% versus group B: 66.7%; p<0.001). The cumulative 5-year overall survival rates were comparable between the two groups (group A: 76% versus group B: 58.7%; p=0.214). The baseline portal vein thrombosis (hazard ratio [HR]:4.610; 95% confidence interval [CI]:2.691-7.897; p=0.000), portal pressure decrement (HR: 0.911; 95% CI: 0.845-0.982; p=0.015), and group (HR: 0.419; 95% CI: 0.239-0.736; p=0.002) were independent predictors for shunt dysfunction, while hepatocellular carcinoma (HR: 6.615; 95% CI: 2.863-15.283; p=0.000) and ascites (HR: 2.166; 95% CI: 1.298-3.615; p=0.003) were independent predictors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Although TIPS placement using covered with bare stents led to lowered long-term shunt patency than using covered stents alone, the overall survival rates were similar.

[Characterization of N-linked glycosylation sites on envelope proteins of simian/human immunodeficiency virus in peripheral blood of Chinese rhesus macaques during acute infection].

Objective: To investigate the number and distribution of N-linked glycosylation sites of simian/human immunodeficiency virus envelope proteins(SHIVSF162P3)and SHIV transmission. Methods: Two female adult Chinese rhesus macaques(4 years old)were intravenously inoculated with 300 TCID50 SHIVSF162P3. The macaques weighed 4 and 5 kg and were identified as Rh1 and Rh2. We collected plasma samples at days 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70 and 77 post-challenge. Subsequently, we monitored plasma viral load by real-time PCR after viral RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis. We amplified the full-length envelope gene by single genome amplification(SGA)at days 7, 14, 28 and 77. BioEdit, MEGA, and the HIV Databases were used to analyze envelope sequences. Sequence diversity and N-linked glycosylation sites were compared between virus stock and plasma viruses of the two macaques. Results: A total of 55 env sequences were obtained from virus stock and their average pairwise distances were(0.166 6± 0.096 3)%. Viral loads peaked at 7.68 and 7.49 log10 copies/ml at day 10 and reached the set point at day 42(4.27 and 4.81 log10 copies/ml). The percentages of envelope sequences containing 25 potential N-linked glycosylation sites(PNGSs)were 83%(20/24)and 94%(29/31)in Rh1 and Rh2, respectively, at day 7; these were significantly higher than the proportion in SHIVSF162P3 stock(49%(27/55)). Viral diversity after infection increased with time whereas the proportion of sequences containing 25 PNGSs decreased and sequences containing 27 PNGSs gradually increased. In Rh1, the percentage of sequences containing 27 PNGSs increased to 29% at day 28 and reached 35% at day 77 in Rh2. By analyzing the number of PNGSs in the V1-V5 regions, we found that PNGS variation mainly occurred in the V4 loop. Compared with sequences containing 27 PNGSs, a seven amino acid(TWNNTIG)deletion was found in the V4 loop, which resulted in a loss of two PNGSs at positions 392 and 396. Conclusion: Low glycosylation of the SHIVSF162P3 V4 loop may facilitate spread of the SHIV virus whereas viruses with highly glycosylated V4 loops showed replication advantages after infection.

Thirty-four Musa (Musaceae) expressed sequence tag-derived microsatellite markers transferred to Musella lasiocarpa.

We assembled 31,308 publicly available Musa EST sequences into 21,129 unigenes; 4944 of them contained 5416 SSR motifs. In all, 238 unigenes flanking SSRs were randomly selected for primer design and then tested for amplification in Musella lasiocarpa. Seventy-eight primer pairs were found to be transferable to this species, and 49 displayed polymorphism. A set of 34 polymorphic SSR markers was analyzed in 24 individuals from four wild M. lasiocarpa populations. The mean number of alleles per locus was 3.0, ranging from 2 to 7. The observed and expected heterozygosities per marker ranged from 0.087 to 0.875 (mean 0.503) and from 0.294 to 0.788 (mean 0.544), respectively. These markers will be of practical use for genetic diversity and quantitative trait loci analysis of M. lasiocarpa.

Characteristics and molecular basis of celecoxib modulation on K(v)7 potassium channels.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Celecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor used for the treatment of pain and inflammation. Emerging and accumulating evidence suggests that celecoxib can affect cellular targets other than COX, such as ion channels. In this study, we characterized the effects of celecoxib on K(v)7 K(+) channels and compared its effects with the well-established K(v)7 channel opener retigabine. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: A perforated whole-cell patch technique was used to record K(v)7currents expressed in HEK 293 cells and M-type currents from rat superior cervical ganglion neurons. KEY RESULTS: Celecoxib enhanced K(v)7.2-7.4, K(v)7.2/7.3 and K(v)7.3/7.5 currents but inhibited K(v)7.1 and K(v)7.1/KCNE1 currents and these effects were concentration dependent. The IC(50) value for inhibition of K(v)7.1 channels was approximately 4 µM and the EC(50) values for activation of K(v)7.2-7.4, K(v)7.2/K(v)7.3 and K(v)7.3/K(v)7.5 channels were approximately 2-5 µM. The effects of celecoxib were manifested by increasing current amplitudes, shifting the voltage-dependent activation curve in a more negative direction and slowing the deactivation of K(v)7 currents. 2,5-Dimethyl-celecoxib, a celecoxib analogue devoid of COX inhibition activity, has similar but greater effects on K(v)7currents. K(v)7.2(A235T) and K(v) 7.2(W236L) mutant channels, which have greatly attenuated responses to retigabine, showed a reversed response to celecoxib, from activation to inhibition. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest that K(v)7 channels are targets of celecoxib action and provide new mechanistic evidence for understanding the effects of celecoxib. They also provide a new approach to developing K(v)7 modulators and for studying the structure-function relationship of K(v)7 channels.

Simulated microgravity inhibits the proliferation and osteogenesis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: Microgravity is known to affect the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). However, a few controversial findings have recently been reported with respect to the effects of microgravity on BMSC proliferation. Thus, we investigated the effects of simulated microgravity on rat BMSC (rBMSC) proliferation and their osteogeneic potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: rBMSCs isolated from marrow using our established effective method, based on erythrocyte lysis, were identified by their surface markers and their proliferation characteristics under normal conditions. Then, they were cultured in a clinostat to simulate microgravity, with or without growth factors, and in osteogenic medium. Subsequently, proliferation and cell cycle parameters were assessed using methylene blue staining and flow cytometry, respectively; gene expression was determined using Western blotting and microarray analysis. RESULTS: Simulated microgravity inhibited population growth of the rBMSCs, cells being arrested in the G(0)/G(1) phase of cell cycle. Growth factors, such as insulin-like growth factor-I, epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblastic growth factor, markedly stimulated rBMSC proliferation in normal gravity, but had only a slight effect in simulated microgravity. Akt and extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 phosphorylation levels and the expression of core-binding factor alpha1 decreased after 3 days of clinorotation culture. Microarray and gene ontology analyses further confirmed that rBMSC proliferation and osteogenesis decreased under simulated microgravity. CONCLUSIONS: The above data suggest that simulated microgravity inhibits population growth of rBMSCs and their differentiation towards osteoblasts. These changes may be responsible for some of the physiological changes noted during spaceflight.

Endoscopic-guided adenoidectomy using a classic adenoid curette: a simple way to improve adenoidectomy.

A total of 13 adenoidectomies using a nasal endoscopic-guided transoral adenoid curette (not yet a published standardised method) were performed to treat snoring. Nasal endoscopy allows easy assessment of the size of the adenoids and improves the accuracy of the adenoidectomy. This technique is particularly useful for paediatric patients who have small oral cavities. The assessment and excision of the adenoids in these cases are often difficult. Using the nasal endoscope, the curette can be accurately inserted at the superior border of the adenoid, allowing the complete transoral removal of the main bulk of the adenoid tissue. All 13 patients showed considerably decreased snoring and improvements in the quality of sleep as reported by the parents and the patients. We believe that nasal endoscopic-guided transoral adenoidectomy is a viable alternative to classic adenoidectomy. This technique also has the advantage of using commonly available simple ear, nose, and throat instruments.

[Effects of vitamin K on bone metabolism in tail-suspended rats].

Objective. To study the effects of vitamin K on bone metabolize in simulated weightlessness rats. Method. Male SD rats were divided into three groups (n = 9): the free active control (FAC), the tail-suspended control (SC), and the tail-suspended group treated with vitamin K (SVK) (50 mg/kg weight/d). The experiment lasted for 3 weeks. Bone biomechanical properties, bone mineral contents (BMC) and bone biochemical markers of bone metabolism were determined. Result. Compared with SC, total and bound bone gla protein (BGP) of serum, BMC of the femur and tibia, femoral mechanical properties, ALP activity of tibia all increased significantly; while NO content of femoral trunk decreased significantly. Conclusion. Vitamin K improved the bone metabolism and bone structure, decreased bone loss, increased bone biomechanical properties, decreased catagmatic fatalness. It proved that vitamin K prevented bone loss of simulated weightlessness rats.

[Changes of femur minerals and serum BGP in hindlimb unloaded rats during convalescence].

Objective. To observe bone mass changes during convalescence after simulated weightlessness. Method. 7-week-old rats were tail-suspended for 21 d then reloaded for 7 d and 21 d to recover, and measured serum BGP. Result. Tail suspension of rats for 21 d caused significant decrease of serum BGP and phosphorus as well as femur minerals. Serum BGP and femur minerals were still lower than control levels, but serum contents of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium increased significantly after reloading for 7 d. Femur minerals and serum BGP, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium returned to control levels after reloading for 21 d. Conclusion. The deficit in femur mineral induced by hindlimb unloading in rats can be restored by return to normal weight bearing, BGP can be used to monitor the case of its recovery.

Silastic medialization for unilateral vocal fold palsy.

From August 1994 to September 1995, 12 silastic medialization procedures were performed for the treatment of vocal fold palsy. The causes included tuberculous fibrosis, carcinoma of the bronchus, post-oesophagectomy for carcinoma of the oesophagus and idiopathy. Early operation was performed in cases due to malignant conditions to relieve symptoms. In those with benign conditions, operation was performed if conservative treatment failed to control the symptoms in six months. The efficacy of silastic medialization for the treatment of dysphonia was evaluated by both subjective and objective voice assessment. The results indicate that the procedure is effective in the relief of dysphonia in unilateral vocal fold palsy. Only one patient in the study required a revision operation due to unsatisfactory voice quality. The procedure has the advantages of being tunable, reversible, and suitable for old and debilitated patients. The long term benefits of the procedure require further study.