New evidence of trends in cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults in China, 2011-2018: an age-period-cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence from high-income countries suggests the risk of cognitive impairment has been declining recently. However, related studies in China have rarely been done, and the results are inconsistent. We analyze the trends in cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults in China between 2011 and 2018. METHODS: We used data from four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), including 48918 individuals aged 45 years and older. Cognitive function was assessed using the CHARLS cognitive measures containing episodic memory, orientation, attention, and visuospatial abilities. The hierarchical age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to quantify the separate age, period, and cohort effects on trends in cognitive function. RESULTS: The study sample's ages ranged from 45 to 105 years (Mean = 59.2, SD = 9.4). Cognitive function declined with age net of period and cohort effects, an apparent acceleration in the rate of cognitive decline after age 65 was found adjusting for individual characteristics. Although period effects on trends in cognitive function remained stable during the study period, hierarchical APC models demonstrated significant cohort variations. Independent of age and period effects, there was a fluctuating trend across cohorts before 1960 and an overall decline across successive cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that the age effect remains the most crucial factor regarding cognitive decline. Moreover, results demonstrate that cohorts living in social upheaval leading to educational deprivation and/or nutritional deficiency in early life may face a higher risk for cognitive deterioration later in life. Such findings indicate that dementia prevention from a life course perspective and cohort-specific strategies are critical to alleviating the future public-health burdens related to cognitive aging. Ongoing attention should be paid to the role of cross-cohort differences in education on cohort trends in cognition in countries like China that are aging rapidly and have a late start in educational expansion compared to other countries. Other factors, such as environmental stimulation, need to be noticed in younger cohorts.

[Quality evaluation of Commelina communis from different origins based on multicomponent content determination combined with chemometrics].

This research established a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of isoorientin, orientin, vitexin, and isovitexin in Commelina communis to conduct content difference analysis and quality evaluation of 62 batches of C. communis from different origins. The HPLC content determination was performed on a Dikma Platisil ODS chromatographic column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 µm), with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid(14∶86) as the mobile phase. The detection wavelength was set at 348 nm, the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min~(-1), and the column temperature was 35 ℃. The differences in origins and quality of 62 batches of C. communis were studied by chemometrics. The results showed that the determination of four components mani-fested a good linear relationship in the range of mass concentration(r>0.999 9), and the average recovery rate was 96.17%-103.0%. The relative standard deviations(RSDs) of precision, stability, and repeatability were all less than 2.0%. The content of four components from high to low was isoorientin>isovitexin>orientin>vitexin. Forty-seven batches of C. communis with clear origins were classified into six categories by chemometrics. C. communis from different origins had different qualities. Generally, C. communis from Western China, Central China, and South of China had superior qualities. The HPLC method established in this study is specific, simple, and efficient, which provides references for the comprehensive evaluation of the quality of C. communis. The chemometrics shows that the qualities of C. communis from different origins are largely different. Isoorientin can be used as an index to determine the content of C. communis, and its content limit should be set no less than 0.023%.

Enhancing the scope of in vitro maturation for fertility preservation: transvaginal retrieval of immature oocytes during endoscopic gynaecological procedures.

STUDY QUESTION: Could in vitro maturation (IVM) following transvaginal oocyte retrieval during gynaecological surgery (IVM-surgery) be an effective and safe strategy for fertility preservation? SUMMARY ANSWER: IVM-surgery on unstimulated ovaries is a novel option that can be considered for fertility preservation for women requiring gynaecological surgery, but more research is needed to identify appropriate patients who may benefit and to determine the cost-effectiveness of such an approach. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: IVM followed by oocyte/embryo cryopreservation has been useful as a safe reproductive strategy for some infertile women. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This prospective cohort study comprised 158 consecutive women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who underwent laparoscopy or hysteroscopy for other reasons and had concomitant transvaginal oocyte retrieval followed by IVM between 2014 and 2016. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: A total of 158 women with anovulatory PCOS who underwent IVM-surgery in our infertility centre were recruited for this study. Matured IVM oocytes obtained from these women were either freshly fertilized and subsequently frozen at the blastocyst stage (fresh oocyte group, n = 46) or the oocytes were frozen (frozen oocyte group, n = 112) for fertility preservation followed by later thawing for insemination and cleavage embryo transfer (ET) (n = 33). The following outcomes were then evaluated: embryological data, clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate (LBR), neonatal outcomes, post-operative complications and post-operative ovarian function. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Among all the women who underwent IVM-surgery, the clinical pregnancy rate and LBR per initiated IVM cycle were 9.5% (15/158) and 6.9% (11/158), respectively. Women (40.6%, 20/33) who underwent the procedure with frozen-thawed oocytes (oocyte survival rate, 83.0%) obtained a high quality of cleaved embryos. In the fresh oocyte group, the clinical pregnancy rate and LBR per ET cycle were 69.2 and 53.8%, respectively. In the frozen oocyte group, the clinical pregnancy rate and LBR per ET cycle were 28.6 and 19.1%, respectively. No adverse neonatal outcomes were recorded. IVM-surgery was not associated with post-operative complications, a longer hospital stay, or impaired ovarian function. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Because of the small sample size and the low utilization rate and cost-effectiveness per retrieval, the present findings should be interpreted with caution, and further studies are needed for the long-term follow-up of live births. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This strategy can also help patients with normal ovulation to obtain available oocytes and embryos for cryopreservation and subsequent use. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This research was supported by the Joint Research Fund for Overseas Natural Science of China (No. 31429004), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2017YFC1002000, 2017YFC1001504, 2016YFC1000302), the Ministry of Science and Technology of China Grants (No. 2014CB943203), the Chinese Society of Reproductive Medicine Fund (No. 16020400656) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81300456). All the authors have nothing to disclose in terms of conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: chictr-ONC-17011861.

Effect of exogenous gonadotropin on the transcriptome of human granulosa cells and follicular fluid hormone profiles.

BACKGROUND: Superovulation treatment had some adverse effects on maturity and development of oocytes. Can superovulation dose of gonadotropins (Gns) affect the transcriptome of granulosa cells and follicular fluid (FF) hormone levels? METHODS: One leading pre-ovulatory follicle per subject was used from three natural-cycle and four Gn-stimulated patients. Granulosa cells and FF samples were collected from the same leading follicle of each patient. RNA was extracted from granulosa cells and subjected to deep sequencing and analysis. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), androstenedione (AND), testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and progesterone (P4) levels in FF were measured by immunoassays. Student's t test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 715 genes were up-regulated, and 287 genes were down-regulated, in the Gn-stimulated group relative to the control group. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that the down-regulated genes were enriched in cell cycle and meiosis pathways, primarily those associated with follicle or oocyte maturation and quality. On the other hand, the up-regulated genes were enriched in functions related to immunity and cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions. Compared to the follicles of natural cycle, the E2 and LH concentrations were significantly reduced (P < 0.001), the P4 concentration was significantly increased (P = 0.003), and the concentrations of FSH, T and AND had no difference in the follicles of Gn-stimulated cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Cell cycle- and meiosis-associated genes were down-regulated by Gns stimulation, whereas immune- and cytokine-associated genes were up-regulated. Hormone levels were also affected by Gns stimulation. Compared with natural-cycle follicles,putative markers associated with oocyte quality and follicle maturation were significantly different from those in Gn-stimulated follicles. Hormone levels in follicles were compatible with the steroidogenic patterns of granulosa cell, which reflects the follicle maturation and oocyte quality.

IQ-domain GTPase-activating protein 1 promotes the malignant phenotype of invasive ductal breast carcinoma via canonical Wnt pathway.

IQ-domain GTPase-activating protein 1 is a scaffolding protein with multidomain which plays a role in modulating dishevelled (Dvl) nuclear translocation in canonical Wnt pathway. However, the biological function and mechanism of IQ-domain GTPase-activating protein 1 in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) remain unknown. In this study, we found that IQ-domain GTPase-activating protein 1 expression was elevated in invasive ductal carcinoma, which was positively correlated with tumor grade, lymphatic metastasis, and poor prognosis. Coexpression of IQ-domain GTPase-activating protein 1 and Dvl in the nucleus and cytoplasm of invasive ductal carcinoma was significantly correlated but not in the membrane. Postoperative survival in the patients with their coexpression in the nucleus and cytoplasm was obviously lower than that without coexpression. The positive expression rates of c-myc and cyclin D1 were significantly higher in the patients with nuclear coexpression of Dvl and IQ-domain GTPase-activating protein 1 than that with cytoplasmic coexpression, correlating with poor prognosis. IQ-domain GTPase-activating protein 1 significantly enhanced cell proliferation and invasion in invasive ductal carcinoma cell lines by interacting with Dvl in cytoplasm to promote Dvl nuclear translocation so as to upregulate the expression of c-myc and cyclin D1. Collectively, our data suggest that IQ-domain GTPase-activating protein 1 may promote the malignant phenotype of invasive ductal carcinoma via canonical Wnt signaling, and it could be used as a potential prognostic biomarker for breast cancer patients.

Response of Aerobic Granular Sludge to the Long-Term Presence of CuO NPs in A/O/A SBRs: Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal, Enzymatic Activity, and the Microbial Community.

The increasing use of cupric oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) has raised concerns about their potential environmental toxicity. Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is a special form of microbial aggregates. In this study, the removal efficiencies of nitrogen and phosphorus, enzyme activities and microbial community of AGS under long-term exposure to CuO NPs (at concentrations of 5, 20, 50 mg/L) in aerobic/oxic/anoxic (A/O/A) sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were investigated. The results showed the chronic toxicity caused by different concentrations of CuO NPs (5, 20, 50 mg/L) resulted in increases in the production of ROS of 110.37%, 178.64%, and 188.93% and in the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of 108.33%, 297.05%, 335.94%, respectively, compared to the control. Besides, CuO NPs decreased the activities of polyphosphate kinase (PPK) and exophosphatase (PPX), leading to lower phosphorus removal efficiency. However, the NH4+-N removal rates remained stable, and the removal efficiencies of TN increased due to the synthesis of nitrite and nitrous oxide (N2O) reductases. In addition, CuO NPs at concentrations of 0, 5, 20 mg/L increased the secretion of protein (PN) to 90, 91, 105 mg/gVSS, respectively, which could alleviate the toxicity of CuO NPs. High-throughput sequencing showed that CuO NPs increased the abundance of nitrogen-removal bacteria and reduced the abundance of phosphorus-removal bacteria, which is consistent with the results of pollutant removal upon long-term exposure to CuO NPs.

[Effect of Magnesium Sulfate, Nifedipine Tablet Combined Salvia Injection on ET-1/NO, TXA2/PGI2 and Hemorheology of Preeclampsia Patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of magnesium sulfate, Nifedipine Tablet (NT) combined Salvia Injection (SI) on endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), thromboxane A2(TXA2), prostacyclin I2(PG2), and hemorheology of preeclampsia patients. METHODS: Totally 704 preeclampsia patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 352 cases in each group. All patients were treated with magnesium sulfate combined NT (on the first day: slow intravenous injection of magnesium sulfate 5 g + intravenous dripping of magnesium sulfate injection 10 g + oral administration of NT 30 mg; on the second and third day, intravenous dripping of magnesium sulfate injection 10 g + oral administration of NT 30 mg), while those in the treatment group were dripped with SI additionally at 20 mL per day for 3 consecutive days. Before and after treatment plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), TXA2, PGi2, and hemorheology indicators [such as high blood viscosity (HBV), low blood viscosity (LBV), plasma viscosity (PV), erythrocyte rigidity index (ERI), fibrinogen (FIB)] of two groups were detected. RESULTS: Compared with the same group before treatment, serum levels of ET-1, TXA2, HBV, LBV, PV, ERI, and FIB decreased in the two groups after treatment (P <0. 05), but levels of NO and PG2 increased (P <0. 05). Compared with the control group in the same period, levels of ET-1, TXA2, HBV, LBV, PV, ERI, and FIB decreased in the treatment group after treatment (P <0. 05), but levels of NO and PGI2 increased (P <0. 05). CONCLUSION: Magnesium sulfate, NT combined SI could effectively regulate the balance of ET-1/NO and TXA2/PGI2, and improve hemorheology of preeclampsia patients.

Genotyping of Pneumocystis jirovecii isolates from Chinese HIV-infected patients based on nucleotide sequence variations in the internal transcribed spacer regions of rRNA genes.

Genetic diversity of Pneumocystis jirovecii isolates based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the nuclear rRNA locus has previously been reported. The information about ITS genotype and epidemiology of this organism in Chinese human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients has not been available. In this study, 12 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens obtained from HIV-infected patients were analyzed by PCR followed by cloning, sequencing and typing. Three ITS1 genotypes (E, B and 'H') and four ITS2 genotypes (b, g, i and r) as previously reported were identified, the most common of which were E, b and i. Five ITS haplotypes (Eg, Eb, Bi, Er and 'H'r) and 19 new combination types were also identified with the most common types being Eg (four of 12 patients, 10 of 60 clones), Eb (three of 12 patients, 11 of 60 clones) and Bi (three of 12 patients, 10 of 60 clones). Nine patients were found to be co-infected with more than one ITS genotype of P. jirovecii. The prevalence of ITS genotypes in HIV patients from one Chinese hospital did not seem to be significantly different when compared to reports from other countries.

Impact of periconceptional multi-micronutrient supplementation on gestation: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of periconceptional multi-micronutrient supplementation on gestation and birth outcomes. METHODS: A population-based community intervention program was conducted in 18 counties in China. Participants were divided into an intervention group, who received multi-micronutrient supplementation from at least 3 months before pregnancy throughout the first trimester, and a control group. Pregnant women were followed up to record information about birth outcomes. Maternal socio-economic characteristics and main birth outcomes were evaluated. Gestational age was further analyzed using survival analysis, to determine the time distribution of delivery. RESULTS: Periconceptional multi-micronutrient supplementation was associated with higher birth weight, birth length and occipitofrontal head circumference, and with lower incidence rates for stillbirth, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Moreover, periconceptional multi-micronutrient supplementation changed the time distribution of delivery, making the deliveries more clustered in the period between day 275 and day 295 of gestation. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that periconceptional multi-micronutrient supplementation is beneficial for fetal development and optimizes all measured aspects of health in neonates in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in China. The change in time distribution of deliveries caused by multi-micronutrient supplementation needs further clarification.

Effects of Cu2+ on morphological structure, functional groups, and elemental composition of aerobic granular sludge.

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is shaped by the self-immobilization of microorganisms. In this study, AGS was cultivated successively in a column sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with glucose and sodium acetate as the carbon sources. The shock-loading effects of varying the Cu2+ concentration (0.0, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/L) on the characteristics of aerobic granules were studied. The results show that Cu2+ has a toxic effect on the aerobic granules. Although the aerobic granules became increasingly loose as the Cu2+ concentration increased from 1.0 to 5.0 mg/L, their structural integrity was largely maintained. However, the aerobic granules disintegrated and their skeletons consisting of internal filamentous bacteria were exposed at the Cu2+ concentration of 10.0mg/L. The functional groups -NH2, -OH, -COOH, and C-N reacted with Cu2+. Ca, Fe, and P were the major trace elements observed in the AGS. With an increase in the Cu2+ concentration from 0.0 to 10.0 mg/L, the weight percentages of the essential elements Fe, Ca, Na, and K in the granules decreased from 23.98%, 24.64%, 3.86%, and 3.87% to 14.90%, 13.93%, 0%, and 0%, respectively, whereas the weight percentage of copper increased correspondingly from 0% to 35.43%. Cu2+ was exchanged with the essential metals and chelated by the nitrogen-containing functional groups (-NH2 or C-N) of the protein. These effects influenced the structural stability of the sludge.

Impact of socioeconomic position on the utilization of rehabilitation services among the Chinese older adults disabled by injury.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the utilization of rehabilitation services and associated socioeconomic position (SEP) factors among Chinese older adults disabled by injury. Methods: Data from the second China National Sample Survey on Disability (CSSD) were used in this study. Chi-square test was used to analyze the significant differences between groups, and binary logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for socioeconomic factors associated with utilization of rehabilitation services among Chinese older adults disabled by injury. Results: Among the older adults disabled by injury in the CSSD, the gap between demand and utilization of medical treatment, assistive devices and rehabilitation training were around 38, 75, and 64%, respectively. This study revealed two relationship patterns ("high-low-high" and "low-high-low") among SEP, prevalence of injury-caused disability and odds of utilization of rehabilitation services among the Chinese older adults disabled by injury, that is, the older adult with higher SEP have a lower prevalence of injury-caused disability, but a higher odds of utilization of rehabilitation services; conversely, the older adults with lower SEP have a relatively higher prevalence but a lower odds of utilization of rehabilitation services. Conclusion: There is a large gap between the high demand and low utilization of rehabilitation services among the Chinese older adults disabled by injury, especially for those living in the central or western regions or rural areas, without insurance or disability certificate, having the annual household per capita income lower than the national average or lower educational level. Strategies to improve the disability manage system, to strengthen the chain of "information discovery-information transmission-rehabilitation services supply-continuous health monitoring and management" for the older adults disabled by injury are warranted. In view of the poor and illiterate groups among the disabled older adults, to enhance medical aids and popularize the scientific information to compensate for the lack of affordability and awareness of rehabilitation services utilization is essential. In addition, it is necessary to further expand the coverage and improve the payment system of medical insurance for rehabilitation services.

Novel predictors for livebirth delivery rate in patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia based on the clinical prediction model.

Objective: To build a prediction model for live birth delivery per intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in iNOA patients by obtaining sperm by microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE). Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 377 couples with iNOA male partners treated with 519 mTESE-ICSI cycles was conducted from September 2013 to July 2021 at the Reproductive Medical Centre of Peking University Third Hospital. Following exclusions, 377 couples with iNOA male partners treated with 482 mTESE-ICSIs were included. A prediction model for live birth delivery per ICSI cycle was built by multivariable logistic regression and selected by 10-fold cross-validation. Discrimination was evaluated by c-statistics and calibration was evaluated by the calibration slope. Results: The live birth delivery rate per mTESE-ICSI cycle was 39.21% (189/482) in these couples. The model identified that the presence of motile sperm during mTESE, bigger testes, higher endometrial thickness on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration (ET-hCG), and higher quality embryos are associated with higher live birth delivery success rates. The results of the model were exported based on 10-fold cross-validation. In addition, the area under the mean ROC curve was 0.71 ± 0.05 after 10-fold cross-validation, indicating that the prediction model had certain prediction precision. A calibration plot with an estimated intercept of -1.653 (95% CI: -13.403 to 10.096) and a slope of 1.043 (95% CI: 0.777 to 1.308) indicated that the model was well-calibrated. Conclusion: Our prediction model will provide valuable information about the chances of live birth delivery in couples with iNOA male partners who have a plan for mTESE-ICSI treatment. Therefore, it can improve and personalize counseling for the medical treatment of these patients.

Effects of radiation on the fitness, sterility and arbovirus susceptibility of a Wolbachia-free Aedes albopictus strain for use in the sterile insect technique.

BACKGROUND: The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a green and species-specific insect pest control technique that suppresses target populations by releasing factory-reared, radiosterilized males into the wild. Once released, it is important to be able to distinguish the released males from the wild males for monitoring purposes. Several methods to mark the sterile males exist. However, most have limitations due to monetary, process efficiency, or insect quality. Aedes albopictus is naturally infected with Wolbachia at a high prevalence, therefore the elimination of Wolbachia can serve as a biomarker to distinguish factory-reared male mosquitoes from wild conspecifics. RESULTS: In this study, a Wolbachia-free Ae. albopictus GT strain was developed and its fitness evaluated, which was found to be comparable to the wild GUA strain. In addition, GT male mosquitoes were irradiated at the adult stage and a dose of 20 Gy or more induced over 99% sterility. Moreover, a dose of 30 Gy (almost completely sterilizing male and female mosquitoes) had limited effects on the mating competitiveness of GT males and the vector competence of GT females, respectively. However, radiation reduced mosquito longevity, regardless of sex. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the Ae. albopictus GT strain can be distinguished from wild mosquitoes based on Wolbachia status and shows similar fitness, radio-sensitivity and arbovirus susceptibility to the GUA strain, indicating that it is feasible to use the GT strain to suppress Ae. albopictus populations for SIT programmes. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

PSO/ACO algorithm-based risk assessment of human neural tube defects in Heshun County, China.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new technique for assessing the risk of birth defects, which are a major cause of infant mortality and disability in many parts of the world. METHODS: The region of interest in this study was Heshun County, the county in China with the highest rate of neural tube defects (NTDs). A hybrid particle swarm optimization/ant colony optimization (PSO/ACO) algorithm was used to quantify the probability of NTDs occurring at villages with no births. The hybrid PSO/ACO algorithm is a form of artificial intelligence adapted for hierarchical classification. It is a powerful technique for modeling complex problems involving impacts of causes. RESULTS: The algorithm was easy to apply, with the accuracy of the results being 69.5%±7.02% at the 95% confidence level. CONCLUSION: The proposed method is simple to apply, has acceptable fault tolerance, and greatly enhances the accuracy of calculations.

An evaluation of the investment for child development in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study estimated the investment in child development from three aspects-public health, public education, and family investment to establish the level of investment, to provide reference information for government decision making and to provide international comparisons. METHODS: Public investment in health was measured with macro data related to public health spending and child development in government expenditure. Public education investment was based on basic education data. Family investment evaluation was based on per capita family consumer spending data in different age groups to estimate the input for child development. RESULTS: Both public health investment level and the proportion of GDP rose for all age groups over time, but the overall investment level was still insufficient. Public investment in children's education has increased year by year, but the trends in all age groups are unbalanced with much lower investment in early childhood education. Private investment in children has increased over the period, but has declined as a percentage of GDP. International comparisons show that Chinas investment in child development is much lower than OECD countries. CONCLUSION: The private investment in child development was the main way in China, with public finance contributing only a small proportion. Given the poor international comparisons, the government needs to review the balance of public investment to redirect more towards the development of children under the age of six to their health and education.

[Rational control on postoperative blood glucose levels in infants with congenital heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate optimal level of post-operation blood glucose control in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: One hundred and two infants ≤1 year old undergoing open-heart surgery were randomly divided into three groups: intensive blood glucose control group (group A, n = 35), active blood glucose control group (group B, n = 38), and common glucose control group (group C, n = 29). Insulin injection would be intravenously administrated when blood glucose levels up to 8.3, 15.0, and 18.0 mmol/L in group A, B, and C, respectively. Blood white blood count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), lactic acid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine (Cr), incidence of pulmonary infection, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, incidence of hypoglycemia and mortality were compared at 72 hours after operation among three groups. RESULTS: WBC [×10(9)/L], CRP (mg/L) and incidence of pulmonary infection in group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B (WBC: 18.2 ± 8.7 vs. 13.2 ± 5.1, 14.5 ± 5.7; CRP: 32.9 ± 10.9 vs. 20.8 ± 9.8, 18.6 ± 8.5; incidence of pulmonary infection: 27.6% vs. 8.6%, 10.5%, all P < 0.05), but there were no statistical differences between group A and group B. ALT (U/L) in group B was significantly lower than that in group A and group C (49.0 ± 17.8 vs. 68.4 ± 16.9, 69.9 ± 13.8, both P < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference between group A and group C. Incidence of hypoglycemia in group A was significantly higher than that in group B and group C (20.0% vs. 2.6%, 3.4%, both P < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference between group B and group C. There were no statistical differences in lactic acid (mmol/L), Cr (µmol/L) and the length of ICU stay (days) among group A, B, and C (lactic acid: 2.1 ± 0.8, 2.3 ± 0.5, 2.2 ± 0.7; Cr: 55.1 ± 13.4, 49.4 ± 15.7, 57.3 ± 11.6; the length of ICU stay: 3.5 ± 1.8, 3.2 ± 1.1, 3.6 ± 1.6, all P>0.05). There was no infant death in three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Severe hyperglycemia after open heart operation was associated with increasing WBC count, CRP level and incidence of pulmonary infection during the post operative period. However, it also demonstrated that intensive blood glucose control be link to increase risks of hypoglycemia and liver dysfunction.

Stigma of people with epilepsy in China: views of health professionals, teachers, employers, and community leaders.

To identify possible sources of stigma of epilepsy in key informant groups, "mini-ethnographic" studies were conducted in rural and urban locations in China. Data collected from 45 semistructured interviews and 8 focus group discussions (6 persons each) were analyzed to investigate the world experienced by people with epilepsy. Underpinned by a social constructionist approach to data analysis, emerging themes were identified with the use of computer-assisted data analysis (NVivo 8). A hierarchical model was then constructed, to include practical level issues (attitudes toward risk, attitudes toward costs of epilepsy) and cultural level issues (contrast between rurality and tradition and urbanization and modernity in the Chinese context). The analysis enriches current research on factors and sources of stigma of epilepsy and highlights issues for future practice.

Selection and use of contraceptive methods among internal migrant workers in three large Chinese cities: a workplace-based survey.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the current status of the decision-making process with regard to the use of contraceptive methods among internal migrant workers in three large Chinese cities. METHODS: A total of 4313 sexually active internal migrant workers were recruited in Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. Information on contraceptive use was collected by means of questionnaires. RESULTS: Contraceptive prevalence was 86% among unmarried sexually active migrant workers and 91% among married workers. The main contraceptive methods used by married migrants were the intrauterine device (51%), condoms (25%) and female/male sterilisation (17%); the main methods resorted to by unmarried, sexually active migrants were condoms (74%) and oral contraceptives (11%). The contraceptive method applied by 20% of married respondents had been selected by other people, without they themselves having their share in an informed choice. Adopting the contraceptive decisions made by others was associated with being a married migrant, a construction or service worker, a rural-urban migrant, a migrant living in collective or rented rooms, or a migrant with more children. CONCLUSIONS: Many internal migrants in these large cities did not choose their contraceptive method on their own. Efforts enabling and encouraging migrants to make informed choices are needed.

LncRNA testis-specific transcript, Y-linked 15 (TTTY15) promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells via regulating miR-29a-3p/DVL3 axis.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA testis-specific transcript, Y-linked 15 (TTTY15) is oncogenic in prostate cancer, however its expression and function in colorectal cancer remain largely unknown. METHODS: Paired colorectal cancer samples/normal tissues were collected, and the expression levels of TTTY15, miR-29a-3p and disheveled segment polarity protein 3 (DVL3) were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR); TTTY15 shRNA and overexpression plasmids were transfected into HT29 and HCT-116 cell lines using lipofectamine reagent, respectively; the proliferation and colony formation were detected by CCK-8 assay and plate colony formation assay; qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to analyze the changes of miR-29a-3p and DVL3; dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to determine the regulatory relationships between miR-29a-3p and TTTY15, miR-29a-3p and DVL3. RESULTS: TTTY15 was significantly up-regulated in cancerous tissues of colorectal cancer samples, positively correlated with the expression of DVL3, while negatively correlated with the expression of miR-29a-3p. After TTTY15 shRNAs were transfected into colorectal cancer cells, the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells were significantly inhibited, while TTTY15 overexpression had opposite biological effects. TTTY15 shRNA could reduce the expression of DVL3 on both mRNA and protein levels, and the luciferase activity of TTTY15 sequence was also inhibited by miR-29a-3p. DVL3 was also validated as a target gene of miR-29a-3p, and it could be repressed by miR-29a-3p mimics or TTTY15 shRNA. CONCLUSION: TTTY15 is abnormally upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues, and it can modulate the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells. It functions as the ceRNA to regulate the expression of DVL3 by sponging miR-29a-3p.

Nomogram to predict pregnancy outcomes of emergency oocyte freeze-thaw cycles.

BACKGROUND: Existing clinical prediction models for in vitro fertilization are based on the fresh oocyte cycle, and there is no prediction model to evaluate the probability of successful thawing of cryopreserved mature oocytes. This research aims to identify and study the characteristics of pre-oocyte-retrieval patients that can affect the pregnancy outcomes of emergency oocyte freeze-thaw cycles. METHODS: Data were collected from the Reproductive Center, Peking University Third Hospital of China. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to derive the nomogram. Nomogram model performance was assessed by examining the discrimination and calibration in the development and validation cohorts. Discriminatory ability was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and calibration was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration plots. RESULTS: The predictors in the model of "no transferable embryo cycles" are female age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.099, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.003-1.205, P = 0.0440), duration of infertility (OR = 1.140, 95% CI = 1.018-1.276, P = 0.0240), basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level (OR = 1.205, 95% CI = 1.051-1.382, P = 0.0084), basal estradiol (E2) level (OR = 1.006, 95% CI = 1.001-1.010, P = 0.0120), and sperm from microdissection testicular sperm extraction (MESA) (OR = 7.741, 95% CI = 2.905-20.632, P < 0.0010). Upon assessing predictive ability, the AUC for the "no transferable embryo cycles" model was 0.799 (95% CI: 0.722-0.875, P < 0.0010). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test (P = 0.7210) and calibration curve showed good calibration for the prediction of no transferable embryo cycles. The predictors in the cumulative live birth were the number of follicles on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (OR = 1.088, 95% CI = 1.030-1.149, P = 0.0020) and endometriosis (OR = 0.172, 95% CI = 0.035-0.853, P = 0.0310). The AUC for the "cumulative live birth" model was 0.724 (95% CI: 0.647-0.801, P < 0.0010). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test (P = 0.5620) and calibration curve showed good calibration for the prediction of cumulative live birth. CONCLUSIONS: The predictors in the final multivariate logistic regression models found to be significantly associated with poor pregnancy outcomes were increasing female age, duration of infertility, high basal FSH and E2 level, endometriosis, sperm from MESA, and low number of follicles with a diameter >10 mm on the day of hCG administration.