Complete blood count during the first trimester predicting spontaneous preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed at assessing the peripheral complete blood count during the first trimester of pregnancy in women with spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) compared with age-matched controls who are women with healthy pregnancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional case-control study, with 175 sPTB and 175 age-matched healthy controls, carried out between January 2019 and December 2019. Baseline data and the complete blood count parameters examined during the first trimester of all the participants were recorded. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate cut-off point and diagnostic characteristics and area under the curve predicting sPTB. RESULTS: White blood count, platelet, lymphocyte, monocyte, and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio values were significantly higher, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio values were lower in sPTB group than healthy control group in the first trimester of pregnancy. Receiver-operator curve analysis suggested that lymphocyte, white blood count, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-monocyte ratio, monocyte, and platelet in the first trimester of pregnancy had predictive value for sPTB. The greatest predictive was lymphocyte, and the areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROCs) reached 0.853. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphocyte values during the first trimester of pregnancy were the most predictive spontaneous preterm delivery. Therefore, in the management of the higher risk of preterm delivery, lymphocyte values could be a more cost-effective method during the first trimester of pregnancy because it does not need any kit.

Long non-coding RNA AFAP1-AS1 promotes proliferation and migration of gastric cancer by downregulating KLF2.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the function of actin filament associated protein 1-antisense RNA1 (AFAP1-AS1) to promote the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer (GC) cells by downregulating Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression level of AFAP1-AS1 in GC tissues and matched paracancerous tissues was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Besides, its level in GC either with lymphatic metastasis or not, and those in different tumor stages were determined as well. Regulatory roles of AFAP1-AS1 in cellular behaviors of GC cells were evaluated by functional experiments. The ability of AFAP1-AS1 to recruit EZH2 was evaluated through chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. The expression level of KLF2 in GC cells influenced by AFAP1-AS1 and EZH2 was detected by Western blot. Finally, a series of rescue experiments were conducted to clarify the role of AFAP-AS1/KLF2 in GC cell performances. RESULTS: AFAP1-AS1 was upregulated in GC tissues, and its expression in lymph node metastasis and progressive gastric cancer tissues were much higher. Knockdown of AFAP1-AS1 reduced the viability, proliferative and migratory abilities, but induced apoptosis of GC cells. AFAP1-AS1 was verified to bind to EZH2. After knockdown of AFAP1-AS1, the ability of AFAP1-AS1 to recruit EZH2 was remarkably attenuated. Knockdown of AFAP1-AS1 or EZH2 upregulated KLF2 expression in GC cells. Notably, knockdown of KLF2 partially reversed the effect of AFAP1-AS1 on GC cell performances. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA AFAP1-AS1 accelerates the proliferative and migratory abilities of GC cells by downregulating the expression of KLF2, thus promoting the progression of GC.

[Effects of direct antiviral agent on the frequency of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and their activating factors sCD14s and CD163 in patients with chronic hepatitis C].

Objective: To explore the effects of direct antiviral agent (DAAs) on the frequency of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and their activating factors sCD14s and CD163 in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: Data of 15 treatment-naive chronic hepatitis C patients and 10 healthy controls were collected. Patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with DAAs for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at 0, 4 and 12 weeks respectively, and blood samples of healthy controls were used as controls. Flow cytometry was used to detect the frequency of classical CD14(++)CD16(-) mononuclear cells and pro-inflammatory CD14(+)CD16(+) mononuclear cells in peripheral blood. Serum sCD14s and sCD163 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The comparison between the two groups was performed by t-test. The comparison between multiple groups was performed by analysis of variance, and further pairwise comparison was performed by LSD-t test. Results: Prior DAAs treatment, peripheral blood CD14(+)CD16(+) mononuclear cell frequency (18.49% ± 1.54% vs. 10.65% ± 0.83%), serum sCD14s [(64 407.38 ± 5778.49) pg/ml vs. (28 370.76 ± 2 357.68 ) pg/ml] and sCD163 [(22 853.80 ± 4 137.61) pg/ml vs. (2 934.41 ± 223.31) pg/ml] were all higher than healthy controls (P < 0.05), while the frequency of CD14(++)CD16(-) mononuclear cells in peripheral blood was lower than healthy controls (59.14%±0.54% vs. 72.75%±1.31%, P < 0.01). During DAAs treatment, CD14(+)CD16(+) mononuclear cells frequency, serum sCD14 and sCD163 were all decreased significantly. After 12 weeks of treatment, CD14(+)CD16(+) mononuclear cells had decreased to nearly normal level (12.42% ± 1.60% vs. 10.65% ± 0.83%, P > 0.05), and serum sCD14 and scd163 were still higher than those of healthy controls [sCD14: (44 390.06 ± 3 330.17) pg / ml vs. (28 370.76 ± 2 357.68) pg/ml, Scd163: (11 494.79 ± 1 836.97) pg / ml vs. (2 934.41 ± 223.31) pg / ml, P < 0.01], while the frequency of CD14(++)CD16(-)mononuclear cells had gradually increased during the course of treatment and neared healthy control level after 12 weeks of treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (71.54) % ± 2.99% vs. 72.75% ± 1.31%, P > 0.05). Conclusion: DAAs therapy can reduce the activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the dwarf blue sheep, Pseudois schaeferi haltenorth in China.

The dwarf blue sheep (Pseudois schaeferi haltenorth) belongs the subfamily Caprinae, which is distributed in Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan, and Qinghai in China. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Pseudois schaeferi haltenorth was sequenced. The mitogenome was 16 741 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and a non-coding control region (D-loop region). As in other mammals, most mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for ND6 and eight tRNA genes which are encoded on the light strand. The overall base composition of the Pseudois schaeferi haltenorth is 33.54% A, 26.37% T, 26.91% C, and 13.18% G, A + T (59.91%) was higher than G + C (40.09%). The phylogenetic relationships was analyzed using the complete mitogenome sequence, results show that P. schaeferi haltenorth should be a different species differ from the Genus pseudois hodgson. These information provide useful data for further study on the protection of genetic resources and the taxonomy of Caprinae.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the wild Huoba Tibetan sheep of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China.

The wild Huoba Tibetan sheep belongs to the subfamily Caprinae, which distributes in Huoba Town of Tibet Autonomous Region, China. In the present work, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of wild Huoba Tibetan sheep for the first time. The total length of the mitogenome is 16 621 bp, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and a non-coding control region (D-loop region). As in other mammals, most mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand. Its overall base composition is A: 33.64%, T: 27.32%, C: 25.90%, and G: 13.14%, A + T (61.96%) was higher than G + C (39.04%). The phylogenetic relationships was analyzed using the complete mitogenome sequence, results show that wild Huoba Tibetan sheep should be a different species differ from the Ovis aries. These information provide an important data for further study on protection of genetic resources and the taxonomy of Caprinae.

Endogenous hormonal equilibrium linked to bamboo culm development.

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla) is the most important bamboo species in China and is famous for its fast-growing culms. To investigate the possible relationship between internode development and endogenous hormones, the concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), zeatin riboside (ZR), gibberellins (GA3), and abscisic acid (ABA) were analyzed in culm samples from plants at different developmental stages during a single growing season and, at the same time, anatomical structure was closely monitored. Cell division was the dominant process in internode development during early development, while cell elongation predominated at later stages. There was a negative correlation between the rates of cell division and cell elongation. The four endogenous hormones (IAA, ZR, GA3, and ABA) displayed fluctuations in their levels at different developmental stages but their peak activities were not synchronous. Cell division rate had a significant positive correlation with ZR concentration. Cell elongation had a significant positive correlation with the ratio of promoting hormones (IAA, GA3, and ZR) to inhibitory hormone (ABA) concentrations. We conclude that hormonal equilibrium might regulate the division and elongation of bamboo culms.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.

As a result of human activities, wild populations of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Cupressaceae) have sharply declined in recent years. The development and implementation of a valid conservation strategy require a clear understanding of the genetic makeup of this species. Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from samples of 52 individuals from the Provenance Test Plantation in Fenyi, Jiangxi Province, China. Among the loci, 10 were polymorphic and 1-34 (average 18.182) alleles per locus were identified. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.750 (mean 0.456) and 0 to 0.968 (mean 0.749), respectively. These microsatellite loci may facilitate further research on the molecular breeding and population genetics of C. lanceolata and its relatives.

Genetic polymorphisms of the IGF-II gene intron 8 coding region and its association with growth and carcass traits in yak.

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) plays a key role in mammalian growth and is involved in stimulating fetal cell division, differentiation, and metabolic regulation. IGF-II is considered a candidate gene for genetic markers of growth and carcass traits. Therefore, in this study, the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IGF-II gene region with growth and carcass characteristics in five yak breeds were investigated. Two SNPs, G(330)C and A(358)G, were identified by sequencing intron 8 of the IGF-II gene in homozygotes. Two alleles, A and B, and three genotypes, AA, AB, and BB, were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Genotypic frequencies of IGF-II allele B were 0.8623, 0.8936, 0.8535, 0.8676, and 0.8300 for Datong yak, Gannan yak, Tianzhu white yak, Qinghai Plateau yak, and Xinjiang yak, respectively. Allele and the genotype of IGF-II were strongly associated with growth and carcass traits. Least square analysis revealed a significant effect (P < 0.01) of genotypes AA and AB compared with genotype BB on live-weight (at 12, 13-24, and 25-36 months of age), average daily weight gain (P < 0.01) and carcass weight (P < 0.05). Animals with genotype AB had a higher mean rib eye area, and a lower mean yield grade. The results indicated that the IGF-II gene acts by a primarily additive biological mechanism by adding weight independently of skeletal growth.

Catalytic ammonia oxidation on platinum: mechanism and catalyst restructuring at high and low pressure.

Catalytic ammonia oxidation over platinum has been studied experimentally from UHV up to atmospheric pressure with polycrystalline Pt and with the Pt single crystal orientations (533), (443), (865), and (100). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations explored the reaction pathways on Pt(111) and Pt(211). It was shown, both in theory and experimentally, that ammonia is activated by adsorbed oxygen, i.e. by O(ad) or by OH(ad). In situ XPS up to 1 mbar showed the existence of NH(x)(x= 0,1,2,3) intermediates on Pt(533). Based on a mechanism of ammonia activation via the interaction with O(ad)/OH(ad) a detailed and a simplified mathematical model were formulated which reproduced the experimental data semiquantitatively. From transient experiments in vacuum performed in a transient analysis of products (TAP) reactor it was concluded that N(2)O is formed by recombination of two NO(ad) species and by a reaction between NO(ad) and NH(x,ad)(x= 0,1,2) fragments. Reaction-induced morphological changes were studied with polycrystalline Pt in the mbar range and with stepped Pt single crystals as model systems in the range 10(-5)-10(-1) mbar.