Mental health and lower urinary tract symptoms: Results from the NHANES and Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: The clinical observations suggest a correlation between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) and mental health problems. Nonetheless, establishing a direct causal relationship between them remains challenging. METHODS: We initially conducted a cross-sectional study using 2005-2018 the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was the primary statistical approach. Additionally, we employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to reducing confounding and reverse causation. Genetic instruments were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) databases. Inverse Variance Weighted was the primary statistical method. RESULTS: The cross-sectional study involved 29,439 participants. Individuals with mental health problems had a higher risk of urinary incontinence (OR:4.38; 95%CI:3.32-5.76; P < 0.01) and overactive bladder (OR:2.31; 95%CI:2.02-2.63; P < 0.01). MR analysis then indicated a potential causal relationship between mental health problems and LUTSs. Depression symptoms was linked with urinary tract infection (UTI) (OR:1.005; 95%CI:1.003-1.008; PFDR < 0.01). Anxiety symptoms was related to the occurrence of UTI (OR:1.024; 95%CI:1.011-1.037; PFDR < 0.01) and bladder calcified/ contracted/ overactive (OR:1.017; 95%CI:1.007-1.027; PFDR < 0.01). The personality trait of neuroticism was related to the occurrence of cystitis (OR:1.072; 95%CI:1.022-1.125; PFDR = 0.02), extravasation of urine and difficulties with micturition (OR:1.001; 95%CI:1.001-1.002; PFDR < 0.01), and urinary frequency and incontinence (OR: 1.001; 95%CI:1.000-1.001; PFDR < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides various evidence for the correlation between mental health and LUTSs, emphasizing the significance of adopting a holistic approach to LUTSs management that incorporates both physical and psychological factors.

Reported human infections of H9N2 avian influenza virus in China in 2021.

Introduction: The continued emergence of human infections of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) poses a serious threat to public health. The prevalent Y280/G9 lineage of H9N2 AIV in Chinese poultry can directly bind to human receptors, increasing the risk of spillover infections to humans. Since 2013, the number of human cases of H9N2 avian influenza has been increasing continuously, and in 2021, China reported the highest number of human cases, at 25. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the age, geographic, temporal, and sex distributions of humans with H9N2 avian influenza in 2021 using data from the National Influenza Center (Beijing, China). We also conducted evolutionary, gene homology, and molecular characterization analyses of the H9N2 AIVs infecting humans. Results: Our findings show that children under the age of 12 accounted for 80% of human cases in 2021, and females were more frequently affected than males. More cases occurred in winter than in summer, and most cases were concentrated in southern China. Human-infecting H9N2 viruses showed a high level of genetic homology and belonged to the prevalent G57 genotype. Several additional α2,6-SA-binding sites and sites of mammalian adaptation were also identified in the genomes of human-infecting H9N2 viruses. Discussion: Therefore, continuous monitoring of H9N2 AIV and the implementation of further measures to control the H9N2 virus in poultry are essential to reduce the interspecies transmission of the virus.

The potential mechanism of gut microbiota-microbial metabolites-mitochondrial axis in progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), has become the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Lately, it has been shown that the onset and advancement of DKD are linked to imbalances of gut microbiota and the abnormal generation of microbial metabolites. Similarly, a body of recent evidence revealed that biological alterations of mitochondria ranging from mitochondrial dysfunction and morphology can also exert significant effects on the occurrence of DKD. Based on the prevailing theory of endosymbiosis, it is believed that human mitochondria originated from microorganisms and share comparable biological characteristics with the microbiota found in the gut. Recent research has shown a strong correlation between the gut microbiome and mitochondrial function in the occurrence and development of metabolic disorders. The gut microbiome's metabolites may play a vital role in this communication. However, the relationship between the gut microbiome and mitochondrial function in the development of DKD is not yet fully understood, and the role of microbial metabolites is still unclear. Recent studies are highlighted in this review to examine the possible mechanism of the gut microbiota-microbial metabolites-mitochondrial axis in the progression of DKD and the new therapeutic approaches for preventing or reducing DKD based on this biological axis in the future.

Maternal-derived galectin-1 shapes the placenta niche through Sda terminal glycosylation: Implication for preeclampsia.

Placental abnormalities cause impaired fetal growth and poor pregnancy outcome (e.g. preeclampsia [PE]) with long-lasting consequences for the mother and offspring. The molecular dialogue between the maternal niche and the developing placenta is critical for the function of this organ. Galectin-1 (gal-1), a highly expressed glycan-binding protein at the maternal-fetal interface, orchestrates the maternal adaptation to pregnancy and placenta development. Down-regulation or deficiency of gal-1 during pregnancy is associated with the development of PE; however, the maternal- and placental-derived gal-1 contributions to the disease onset are largely unknown. We demonstrate that lack of gal-1 imposes a risk for PE development in a niche-specific manner, and this is accompanied by a placental dysfunction highly influenced by the absence of maternal-derived gal-1. Notably, differential placental glycosylation through the Sda-capped N-glycans dominates the invasive trophoblast capacity triggered by maternal-derived gal-1. Our findings show that gal-1 derived from the maternal niche is essential for healthy placenta development and indicate that impairment of the gal-1 signaling pathway within the maternal niche could be a molecular cause for maternal cardiovascular maladaptation during pregnancy.

A unique maternal and placental galectin signature upon SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests galectin-1 as a key alarmin at the maternal-fetal interface.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic imposed a risk of infection and disease in pregnant women and neonates. Successful pregnancy requires a fine-tuned regulation of the maternal immune system to accommodate the growing fetus and to protect the mother from infection. Galectins, a family of ß-galactoside-binding proteins, modulate immune and inflammatory processes and have been recognized as critical factors in reproductive orchestration, including maternal immune adaptation in pregnancy. Pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 1 (PSG1) is a recently identified gal-1 ligand at the maternal-fetal interface, which may facilitate a successful pregnancy. Several studies suggest that galectins are involved in the immune response in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. However, the galectins and PSG1 signature upon SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination during pregnancy remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the maternal circulating levels of galectins (gal-1, gal-3, gal-7, and gal-9) and PSG1 in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 before vaccination or uninfected women who were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and correlated their expression with different pregnancy parameters. SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination during pregnancy provoked an increase in maternal gal-1 circulating levels. On the other hand, levels of PSG1 were only augmented upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. A healthy pregnancy is associated with a positive correlation between gal-1 concentrations and gal-3 or gal-9; however, no correlation was observed between these lectins during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Transcriptome analysis of the placenta showed that gal-1, gal-3, and several PSG and glycoenzymes responsible for the synthesis of gal-1-binding glycotopes (such as linkage-specific N-acetyl-glucosaminyltransferases (MGATs)) are upregulated in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2. Collectively, our findings identify a dynamically regulated "galectin-specific signature" that accompanies the SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in pregnancy, and they highlight a potentially significant role for gal-1 as a key pregnancy protective alarmin during virus infection.

SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Through China Influenza Surveillance Information System - China, December 1, 2022 to February 12, 2023.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed using influenza surveillance systems to carry out coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance due to the similarity between the two diseases in some respiratory symptoms. To assess the prevalence of COVID-19, we analyzed the influenza-like illness (ILI) and positive rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detections in ILI patients reported to the influenza Surveillance Information System (CNISIS) since late 2022. Methods: Data related to ILI were reported by national surveillance sentinel hospitals. Positive testing for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses was conducted using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) detection by the national influenza surveillance network laboratories. Surveillance data were reported to CNISIS. Results: Beginning on December 12, 2022 (Week 50), the ILI percentage increased dramatically, peaking in Week 51 at 12.1%. Subsequently, the ILI percentage began to decline rapidly from Week 52, 2022, and by Week 6, 2023 (February 6-12), the ILI and ILI percentage had returned to the levels observed at the beginning of December 2022. From December 1, 2022 to February 12, 2023, 115,844 specimens were tested for both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus. Of these, 30,381 (26.2%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 1,763 (1.5%) were positive for influenza virus. The positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 tests peaked at 74.1% around December 23 and 25. Conclusions: Sentinel-based surveillance, previously established for influenza, is an effective way to track the circulation trend of SARS-CoV-2 during community-level epidemics. There was no co-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, even during the winter influenza season. However, it is important to remain vigilant for the potential rise of influenza activities following the COVID-19 epidemic.

Reduction of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen May Be More Significant in PEGylated Interferon-Alpha Therapy Combined with Nucleotide Analogues than Combined with Nucleoside Analogues in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: A Propensity Score Matching Study.

Background: Nucleotide analogues (NTs) monotherapy may have a more significant effect on reducing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) than nucleoside analogues (NSs) due to their immunomodulatory function. However, this superiority remains unknown when combined with PEGylated interferon α (PegIFNα). Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether NTs have more significant antiviral effects than NSs in combination therapy with PegIFNα. Methods: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with PegIFNα plus nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) were retrospectively recruited. Efficacy and the predictors of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) reduction >1 log10 IU/mL after 48 weeks were analyzed. Results: A total of 95 patients were included and divided into the PegIFNα + NTs group and the PegIFNα + NSs group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. The PegIFNα + NTs group had a greater reduction of HBsAg (-3.52 vs. -2.33 log10 IU/mL, P=0.032) and a higher proportion of patients with HBsAg reduction >1 log10 IU/mL (100.0% vs. 72.2%, P=0.003) even after PSM. However, HBsAg and hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) loss rates, HBeAg seroconversion rates, degree of HBeAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA decline, HBV DNA undetectable rates, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rates showed no significant differences. Subgroup analyses showed the difference in the reduction of HBsAg was particularly evident in HBeAg-positive and the "add-on" subgroups. PegIFNα plus NTs (OR = 36.667, 95% CI = 3.837-350.384) was an independent predictor for HBsAg reduction >1 log10 IU/mL after 48 weeks. Conclusion: This study suggests that PegIFNα plus NTs may lead to more HBsAg reduction, especially in HBeAg-positive and "add-on" patients.

Characterization of influenza seasonality in China, 2010-2018: Implications for seasonal influenza vaccination timing.

BACKGROUND: Optimizing the timing of influenza vaccination based on regional temporal seasonal influenza illness patterns may make seasonal influenza vaccination more effective in China. METHODS: We obtained provincial weekly influenza surveillance data for 30 of 31 provinces in mainland China from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention for the years 2010-2018. Influenza epidemiological regions were constructed by clustering analysis. For each region, we calculated onset date, end date, and duration of seasonal influenza epidemics by the modified mean threshold method. To help identify initial vaccination target populations, we acquired weekly influenza surveillance data for four age groups (0-4, 5-18, 19-59, and ≥60 years) in each region and in 171 cities of wide-ranging size. We used linear regression analyses to explore the association of epidemic onset dates by age group, city, and epidemiological region and provide evidence for initial target populations for seasonal influenza vaccination. RESULTS: We determined that northern, mid, southwestern, southeast regions of mainland China have distinct seasonal influenza epidemic patterns. We found significant regional, temporal, and spatial heterogeneity of seasonal influenza epidemics. There were significant differences by age group and city size in the interval between epidemic onset in the city or age group and regional spread (epidemic lead time), with longer epidemic lead times for 5- to 18-year-old children and larger cities. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of influenza epidemic characteristics may help optimize local influenza vaccination timing and identify initial target groups for seasonal influenza vaccination in mainland China. Similar analyses may help inform seasonal influenza vaccination strategies in other regions and countries.

Epidemiological and virological surveillance of influenza viruses in China during 2020-2021.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, seasonal influenza activity declined globally and remained below previous seasonal levels, but intensified in China since 2021. Preventive measures to COVID-19 accompanied by different epidemic characteristics of influenza in different regions of the world. To better respond to influenza outbreaks under the COVID-19 pandemic, we analyzed the epidemiology, antigenic and genetic characteristics, and antiviral susceptibility of influenza viruses in the mainland of China during 2020-2021. METHODS: Respiratory specimens from influenza like illness cases were collected by sentinel hospitals and sent to network laboratories in Chinese National Influenza Surveillance Network. Antigenic mutation analysis of influenza virus isolates was performed by hemagglutination inhibition assay. Next-generation sequencing was used for genetic analyses. We also conducted molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of circulating influenza viruses. Viruses were tested for resistance to antiviral medications using phenotypic and/or sequence-based methods. RESULTS: In the mainland of China, influenza activity recovered in 2021 compared with that in 2020 and intensified during the traditional influenza winter season, but it did not exceed the peak in previous years. Almost all viruses isolated during the study period were of the B/Victoria lineage and were characterized by genetic diversity, with the subgroup 1A.3a.2 viruses currently predominated. 37.8% viruses tested were antigenically similar to reference viruses representing the components of the vaccine for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 Northern Hemisphere influenza seasons. In addition, China has a unique subgroup of 1A.3a.1 viruses. All viruses tested were sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors and endonuclease inhibitors, except two B/Victoria lineage viruses identified to have reduced sensitivity to neuraminidase inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza activity increased in the mainland of China in 2021, and caused flu season in the winter of 2021-2022. Although the diversity of influenza (sub)type decreases, B/Victoria lineage viruses show increased genetic and antigenic diversity. The world needs to be fully prepared for the co-epidemic of influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus globally.

Thyroid dysfunction incidence and risk factors in Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients treated with pegylated interferon alpha: A long-term follow-up study.

The long-term impact, incidence and risk factors of thyroid dysfunction in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving pegylated interferon (IFN) alpha (PegIFN-alpha) therapy remain unclear. We aim to investigate the long-term safety of thyroid dysfunction in CHB patients receiving PegIFN-alpha. A retrospective observational study of 425 CHB patients with normal baseline thyroid function was carried out. Patients were followed up over 10 years to assess thyroid function after receiving IFN. At the end of the IFN therapy, 67 patients (15.8%) had developed thyroid dysfunction, 31 patients (46.3%) had hyperthyroidism and 64.4% presented with subclinical thyroid dysfunction. In follow-up of thyroid dysfunction patients, 37 patients (74.0%) spontaneously regained normal thyroid function. Pretreatment thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positivity and free thyroxine (FT4) were independent risk factors associated with thyroid dysfunction incidence. High TSH level (OR = 9.866, 95%CI, 3.245-29.998) was associated with a greater likelihood of hypothyroidism. High FT4 levels (OR = 0.464, 95%CI, 0.248-0.868) indicate a low likelihood of thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunction is a common but acceptable side effect of IFN therapy for CHB. Most thyroid dysfunction is reversible. Pretreatment TSH level and TPOAb positivity are risk factors for thyroid dysfunction development during IFN therapy. A high TSH level predicts an increased incidence of hypothyroidism. Moreover, FT4 may be a protective factor for thyroid dysfunction.

Epidemiological and Virological Surveillance of Seasonal Influenza Viruses - China, 2020-2021.

INTRODUCTION: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the circulation of seasonal influenza virus declined globally and remained below previous seasonal levels. We analyzed the results of the epidemiology, antigenic, and genetic characteristics, and antiviral susceptibilities of seasonal influenza viruses isolated from the mainland of China during October 5, 2020 through September 5, 2021, to better assess the risk of influenza during subsequent influenza season in 2021-2022. METHODS: Positive rates of influenza virus detection during this period were based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection by the Chinese National Influenza Surveillance Network laboratories, and isolated viruses from influenza positive samples were submitted to the Chinese National Influenza Center. Antigenic analyses for influenza viruses were conducted using the hemagglutination inhibition assay. Next-generation sequencing was used for genetic analyses. Viruses were tested for resistance to antiviral medications using a phenotypic assay and next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: In southern China, the influenza positivity rate was elevated especially after March 2021 and was higher than the same period the previous year with the COVID-19 pandemic. In northern China, influenza positive rate peaked at Week 18 in 2021 and has declined since then. Nearly all isolated viruses were B/Victoria lineage viruses during the study period, and 37.3% of these viruses are antigenically similar to the reference viruses representing the vaccine components for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 Northern Hemisphere influenza season. All seasonal influenza viruses were susceptible to neuraminidase inhibitors and endonuclease inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza activity has gradually increased in the mainland of China in 2021, although the intensity of activity is still lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The diversity of circulating influenza types/subtypes decreased, with the vast majority being B/Victoria lineage viruses. The surveillance data from this study suggest that we should strengthen influenza surveillance during the upcoming traditional influenza season. It also provided evidence for vaccine recommendations and prevention and control of influenza and clinical use of antiviral drugs.

Expression of the alternative splicing regulator Rbfox2 during placental development is differentially regulated in preeclampsia mouse models.

PROBLEM: Proper placental development is pivotal to ensure healthy pregnancy outcomes. Among the multiple cellular mechanisms involved in the orchestration of this process, little is known on the role of alternative splicing events in the modulation of trophoblast cell biology. Here, we evaluated the expression of the alternative splicing regulator Rbfox2 in the pre- and post-placentation period in mouse pregnancies in both healthy and pathological settings. METHOD OF STUDY: Immunofluorescence analysis of Rbfox2 expression in mouse implantation sites collected during the pre-placentation period (E5-E7) and post-placentation (E13). RESULTS: We identified a progressive increase of Rbfox2 levels throughout the peri-implantation period with a shift from a cytoplasmatic expression on E5-E6 to a predominantly nuclear expression on E7, together with a prominent expression of this factor in both subcellular compartments of the primitive placenta. Our results further showed that in contrast to healthy gestations, Rbfox2 expression decreased in preeclamptic models during the post-placentation period. Finally, we further demonstrated enhanced expression of Rbfox2 proteins in allogeneic pregnancy compared to syngeneic models. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings uncover a novel role for Rbfox2-controlled splicing events in the modulation of trophoblast function, with potential implications for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications originated from defective placentation.

Dexamethasone may inhibit placental growth by blocking glucocorticoid receptors via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin and reactive oxygen species/AMP-activated protein kinase signalling pathways in human placental JEG-3 cells.

This study explored the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of dexamethasone (DEX, 1 µM) on glucose transporters (GLUT) in JEG-3 human placental choriocarcinoma cells. JEG-3 cells were treated with DEX, an expression plasmid encoding human glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα), pcDNA3.1-GRα, GRα short interference (si) RNA, LY294002, xanthine oxidase (XO)/hypoxanthine (HX), rapamycin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or phosphatidic acid (PA), and cell proliferation, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) content, human placental lactogen (hPL) content, glucose uptake, reactive oxygen species levels and signalling pathway modulation were evaluated. Treatment of JEG-3 cells with DEX (1 µM), GRα siRNA, LY294002 (50 µM), XO/HX (7.2 µM/36 nM) or rapamycin (80 nM) inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, significantly decreased MMP and hCG and hPL content and increased ROS levels. In addition, glucose uptake was decreased through downregulation of the mRNA and protein expression of GRα, GLUT1 and GLUT3. Treatment of JEG-3 cells with GRα siRNA, LY294002, XO/HX or rapamycin inhibited phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, glycogen synthase kinase 3 and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and tuberous sclerosis complex 2. The effects of GRα overexpression and IGF1 (100 nM), NAC (5 nM) or PA (100 µM) treatment on JEG-3 cells contrasted with those of DEX treatment. DEX blocked glucose uptake by downregulating GRα expression, which reduced GLUT1 and GLUT3 mRNA and protein expression, which, in turn, may have inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and activated the ROS/AMPK pathway.

Impact of COVID-19 outbreaks and interventions on influenza in China and the United States.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was detected in China during the 2019-2020 seasonal influenza epidemic. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and behavioral changes to mitigate COVID-19 could have affected transmission dynamics of influenza and other respiratory diseases. By comparing 2019-2020 seasonal influenza activity through March 29, 2020 with the 2011-2019 seasons, we found that COVID-19 outbreaks and related NPIs may have reduced influenza in Southern and Northern China and the United States by 79.2% (lower and upper bounds: 48.8%-87.2%), 79.4% (44.9%-87.4%) and 67.2% (11.5%-80.5%). Decreases in influenza virus infection were also associated with the timing of NPIs. Without COVID-19 NPIs, influenza activity in China and the United States would likely have remained high during the 2019-2020 season. Our findings provide evidence that NPIs can partially mitigate seasonal and, potentially, pandemic influenza.

Morphology Tuning and Its Role in Optimization of Perovskite Films Fabricated from A Novel Nonhalide Lead Source.

Usage of nonhalide lead sources for fabricating perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has recently attracted increasing attention as a promising route toward realizing high quality PSC devices. However, the unique role of nonhalide lead sources in improving perovskite film morphology and PSC performance has largely remained unexplored, impeding broader application of these materials. Here, it is demonstrated that by using a new nonhalide lead source, lead formate (Pb(HCOO)2), good control of perovskite film morphology can be achieved. With the usage of lead formate, PbI2 can nicely border the perovskite grain boundaries (GBs) and form domain "walls" that segregate the individual perovskite crystal domains. The PbI2 at the GBs lead to significant improvement in film quality and device performance through passivating the defects at the perovskite GBs and suppressing lateral carrier diffusion. An impressive carrier lifetime at the microsecond scale (τ 2 = 1714 ns) is achieved, further with an optimal power conversion efficiency of 20.3% for the resulting devices. This work demonstrates a promising and effective method toward fabricating high-quality perovskites and high-efficiency PSCs.

The therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of the intrauterine perfusion of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on a thin-endometrium rat model.

AIMS: This study aims to investigate the effects of intrauterine perfusion of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on a thin-endometrium rat model. MAIN METHODS: Twenty rats in two groups of 10 were used. Group I was perfused with normal saline (NS) in the right uterine horn and 95% ethanol in the left one. Group II was bilaterally perfused with 95% ethanol into the uterine horns. After three estrous cycles, Group II was perfused with NS in the right uterine horn and G-CSF (30 µg/kg) in the left one. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining were used to detect changes in endometrial thickness and expression of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and vimentin (Vim). The relative expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf) and leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif) were also tested via reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western-blot analyses. KEY FINDINGS: G-CSF treatment significantly increased the thickness of the endometrium in the 95% ethanol-induced thin-endometrium rat model. The expression levels of endometrial glandular epithelial cell marker for CK19 and stromal cell marker Vim were augmented in the G-CSF-treated group compared with the control group. Moreover, G-CSF treatment stimulated the expression of VEGF and LIF in the 95% ethanol-induced thin-endometrium rat model. SIGNIFICANCE: G-CSF intrauterine perfusion improved endometrial receptivity in the thin-endometrium rat model by stimulating endometrial proliferation and angiogenesis.

Variation of diagnostic criteria in women with chronic endometritis and its effect on reproductive outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the variation in the diagnostic criteria for chronic endometritis (CE) and its effect on reproductive outcomes. A search of the academic literature was conducted in various databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Internet. Studies published in English or Chinese prior to October 1, 2019, were included in the primary screen. Data on the CE incidence rate, cure rate after antibiotic therapy, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate were extracted and analyzed. Twelve eligible studies involving 1879 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with strict diagnostic criteria, studies that used broad diagnostic criteria to identify CE reported a higher incidence rate (odds radio [OR] = 2.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-6.44), clinical pregnancy rate (OR = 1.83, 95 % CI: 1.18-2.8), and live birth rate (OR = 2.08, 95 % CI: 1.43-3.02). Compared with a short treatment course, a longer course of antibiotic treatment significantly improved the cure rate of CE (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.18-0.47). Based on these findings, variation in the diagnostic criteria may alter the incidence rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate of women with CE. A consensus on the diagnostic criteria must be established to obtain a better understanding of and additional information about CE.

Expression of Yin Yang 1 in cervical cancer and its correlation with E-cadherin expression and HPV16 E6.

The molecular mechanisms of normal cervical squamous epithelium advancing to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and eventually to cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) are largely unknown. This study explored abnormal expression of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) in cervical cancer and its correlation with the expression of E-cadherin and human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E6. YY1, E-cadherin and HPV16 E6 expression were detected by immunohistochemistry in 90 cervical tissue specimens collected from 30 patients with hysteromyoma, 15 patients with CIN I, 15 patients with CIN II-III, and 30 patients with CSCC. The H-score method was employed to measure the expression of YY1, E-cadherin and HPV16 E6. Increased expression of YY1 and HPV16 E6, and the decreased expression levels of E-cadherin were strongly associated with malignant transformation of the cervical epithelium and the histological progression of CSCC. The expression of YY1 in cervical tissues was inversely correlated with E-cadherin expression, and positively correlated with HPV16 E6 expression. Expression of YY1 in CSCC tissues was not significantly correlated with tumor differentiation, but was significantly correlated with an advanced clinical stage of CSCC. These results suggest that up-regulation of YY1 is closely associated with the progression of CSCC, and YY1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer by modulating the expression of E-cadherin and HPV16 E6.