Distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis ompA genotypes and its association with abnormal cervical cytology among women of reproductive age in Shenzhen, China.

Background: Many studies have focused on the distribution and specific clinical symptoms caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Still, relatively few studies have focused on the associations between Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes and cervical intraepithelial lesions. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes and its associations with cervical intraepithelial lesions among women of reproductive age. The presence of other STIs coinfection was also evaluated. Method: 375 Chlamydia trachomatis positive cervical swabs collected from women of reproductive age were analyzed though molecular assay. Multivariate logistic regression analyses (covariates include contraception, gravidity (≥1), abnormal vaginal discharge, adverse pregnancy outcomes, reproductive tract symptoms and abnormal cervical cytology) were performed to evaluate the associations between Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes and cervical intraepithelial lesions and genital clinical symptoms. Results: Among 375 Chlamydia trachomatis positive cervical swabs, the prevalence of coinfection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginitis, Vulvovaginal candidiasis, and HPV were 0.8%, 2.7%, 2.4%, 10.1% and 15.5%, respectively. 306 were genotyped successfully, and nine genotypes were identified. The most common genovar was E (25.16%, 77/306), followed by J (22.55%, 69/306), F (17%, 52/306), D (14.4%, 44/306), K (7.2%, 22/306), G (6.9%, 21/306), H (5.2%, 16/306), B (1.0%, 3/306), Ia (0.7%, 2/306). Genotype H was associated with abnormal cervical cytology [p = 0.006, aOR = 8.16 (1.86-36.6)]. However, this study observed no association between Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes and any genital clinical symptoms. Conclusions: Chlamydia trachomatis genotype H may be a high risk factor for cervical intraepithelial lesions, which is useful for treatment and management measures for patients with cervical intraepithelial lesions.

Two new asymmetric sesquiterpene dimers from the rhizomes of Ligularia muliensis.

Two new asymmetric eremophilane-type sesquiterpene dimers, ligulamulienin A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the rhizomes of Ligularia muliensis. Their structures were determined based on their spectroscopic data, including IR, EI-MS, HR-electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS, 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 was measured in in vitro human carcinoma (MGC-803), human hepatoma (HEP-G2), and murine sarcoma (S-180) cell lines.

Correction: Associations of sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis with abnormal cervical cytology: A cross-sectional survey with 9090 community women in China.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230712.].

Associations of sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis with abnormal cervical cytology: A cross-sectional survey with 9090 community women in China.

BACKGROUND: Although it is well acknowledged that persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus types in genital sites plays a crucial role in the development of squamous cell cervical carcinoma, there is no unanimous consensus on the association between non-HPV sexually transmitted infections and abnormal cervical cytology. METHODS: In the present study, we evaluated cervical cytology status, sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis status, and collected social-demographic information among recruited participants to explore the association of STIs and bacterial vaginosis with abnormal cervical cytology. RESULTS: 9,090 women's specimens were successfully tested, with a total of 8,733 (96.1%) women had normal cytology and 357 (3.9%) women exhibited abnormal cytology. The prevalence of HPV, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and bacterial vaginosis was significantly higher in the ≥ASC-US group than the NILM group (P<0.05). Women with Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (AOR = 5.30, 95% CIs = 1.30-21.51, P = 0.020) or bacterial vaginosis (AOR = 1.94, 95% CIs = 1.08-3.47, P = 0.026) exhibited an increased risk of abnormal cervical cytology after adjusted for carcinogenic HPV-positive status. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in genital sites and/or bacterial vaginosis may independently increase the risk for cervical cytology abnormalities after adjusted for carcinogenic HPV-positive status. Besides, these results improved our understanding of the etiology of abnormal cervical cytology and may be useful for the management of women with ASC-US cytology.

Population-based study of chlamydial and gonococcal infections among women in Shenzhen, China: Implications for programme planning.

This study was aimed to estimate the prevalences of chlamydia (CT) and gonococcal (NG) infections and explore risk factors associated with the CT infection among women in Shenzhen, China. We collected socio-demographic and clinical data from women (aged 20-60) and determined positivity of CT or NG by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) with self-collected urine specimens. We estimated prevalence of CT and NG and determined risk factors associated with CT infection. Among 9,207 participants, 4.12% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.71%-4.53%) tested positive for CT and 0.17% (95% CIs, 0.09%-0.25%) for NG. Factors significantly associated with CT infection included being an ethnic minority (ethnicity other than Han China) (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.0), using methods other than condom for contraception (AOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8), having a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (AOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.8), and experiencing reproductive tract symptoms in the past three months (AOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.7). we found that CT infection is prevalent among women in Shenzhen, China and associated with both demographic and behavioral factors. A comprehensive CT screening, surveillance and treatment programme targeting this population is warranted.

Correction: Population-based study of chlamydial and gonococcal infections among women in Shenzhen, China: Implications for programme planning.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196516.].

Rutin protects endothelial dysfunction by disturbing Nox4 and ROS-sensitive NLRP3 inflammasome.

High glucose induced endothelial dysfunction is blamed for initiation of vascular complication in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Rutin has been described in possessing comprehensive pharmacological activities, but the mechanism involved in endothelial protection through regulating oxidative stress and damage is still ambiguous. In the present study, rutin was evaluated in high glucose stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and high glucose diet-treated SD rats were applied to explored the molecular mechanism in rutin counteracting oxidative stress and damage. Firstly, 30 and 100µM rutin effectively increased HUVECs viability in high glucose challenge. Then we found that rutin could dose-dependently reduced high glucose mediated mRNA and protein expressions of Nox4. With Nox4 and Nox2 inhibitors, we further confirm that Nox4, but not Nox2, was responsible for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in high glucose environment. Moreover, rutin and Nox4 inhibitor significantly ameliorated ROS generation and TXNIP, NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1ß proteins expression in vivo. Furthermore, rutin substantially recovered nitric oxide production in HUVECs under high glucose condition. However, rutin could not inhibited inflammasome protein expressions and improved nitric oxide production in Nox4-overexpressed HUVECs under high glucose challenges. Finally, we found that rutin restored phenylephrine-mediated contractions and acetylcholine induced relaxations in aortic tissue of high glucose diet treated rats. In vitro, expressions of TXNIP, NLRP3, and caspase-1 in aortic tissue of high glucose diet treated rats were decreased under rutin administration. In summary, rutin may protect endothelial dysfunction through inhibiting Nox4 responsive oxidative stress and ROS-sensitive NLRP3 signaling pathway under high glucose stress both in vivo and vitro.

High-density genetic linkage map construction and QTL mapping of grain shape and size in the wheat population Yanda1817 × Beinong6.

High-density genetic linkage maps are necessary for precisely mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling grain shape and size in wheat. By applying the Infinium iSelect 9K SNP assay, we have constructed a high-density genetic linkage map with 269 F 8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed between a Chinese cornerstone wheat breeding parental line Yanda1817 and a high-yielding line Beinong6. The map contains 2431 SNPs and 128 SSR & EST-SSR markers in a total coverage of 3213.2 cM with an average interval of 1.26 cM per marker. Eighty-eight QTLs for thousand-grain weight (TGW), grain length (GL), grain width (GW) and grain thickness (GT) were detected in nine ecological environments (Beijing, Shijiazhuang and Kaifeng) during five years between 2010-2014 by inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) (LOD ≥ 2.5). Among which, 17 QTLs for TGW were mapped on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4D, 5A, 5B and 6B with phenotypic variations ranging from 2.62% to 12.08%. Four stable QTLs for TGW could be detected in five and seven environments, respectively. Thirty-two QTLs for GL were mapped on chromosomes 1B, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5A, 5B, 6B, 7A and 7B, with phenotypic variations ranging from 2.62% to 44.39%. QGl.cau-2A.2 can be detected in all the environments with the largest phenotypic variations, indicating that it is a major and stable QTL. For GW, 12 QTLs were identified with phenotypic variations range from 3.69% to 12.30%. We found 27 QTLs for GT with phenotypic variations ranged from 2.55% to 36.42%. In particular, QTL QGt.cau-5A.1 with phenotypic variations of 6.82-23.59% was detected in all the nine environments. Moreover, pleiotropic effects were detected for several QTL loci responsible for grain shape and size that could serve as target regions for fine mapping and marker assisted selection in wheat breeding programs.

Bisabolane sesquiterpenes from the roots of Ligularia cymbulifera.

Eight new highly oxygenated bisabolane sesquiterpenes (1-8), of which one contains a chlorine atom, were obtained in a phytochemical investigation of the roots of Ligularia cymbulifera, and their structures were elucidated by interpretation of spectroscopic data. Their relative configurations were clarified by a detailed analysis of (1)H NMR coupling constants and by NOE experiments. Compounds 1-8 were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against three bacterial cultures and a yeast culture.