[Evaluation of the effect of comprehensive prevention and management of diabetes mellitus of two cross-sectional surveys based on community population].

To investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among residents in Chongchuan district, Nantong city in 2012 and 2018, and evaluate the effectiveness of community comprehensive management of DM. Based on the data of 17 780 and 13 382 residents in the cross-sectional surveys of the " National Demonstration Area for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases " project in Chongchuan District of Nantong City, Jiangsu Province in 2012 and 2018, 4 583 and 3 996 DM-related information were obtained. The population of Jiangsu Province in 2012 and 2018 was used as the reference for standardization. The rates of prevalence and management (including awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, control and control of patients under treatment) of DM in the two surveys were compared using chi-square test. The results showed that in 2012 and 2018, the prevalence rates of DM were 12.0% and 15.7% (χ²=24.25, P<0.05), and the standardized rates were 10.1% and 10.8% (χ²=1.05, P=0.306). The incidence rates were 5.7% and 2.3%, respectively (χ²=55.60, P<0.05). The standardized prevalence rates in the two surveys were 9.7% and 11.6% for males (χ²=3.66, P=0.056) and 10.5% and 9.9% for females (χ²=0.50, P=0.481), 7.2% and 6.5% (χ²=0.85, P=0.357) for people aged 18-59 years old and 20.6% and 21.9% (χ²=0.91, P=0.339) for people aged 60 years and over, respectively. The standardized rates of awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, control, and control of patients under treatment in 2018 were 84.4%, 80.3%, 95.2%, 58.4%, and 70.2%, respectively, higher than 47.2%, 23.4%, 44.8%, 30.4% and 59.4% in 2012 (χ²=183.33, χ²=380.65, χ²=282.99, χ²=93.24, χ²=6.22, all P<0.05). Among men, the standardized rates of awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, and control in 2018 were 85.8%, 78.8%, 91.8% and 62.7%, higher than 50.5%, 37.5%, 72.3% and 32.6% in 2012 (χ²=78.40, χ²=96.17, χ²=27.55, χ²=48.96, all P<0.05). Similarly, the standardized management rates in 2018 were 83.0%, 81.7%, 98.5%, 54.1% and 65.1%, higher than 44.0%, 10.0%, 18.3%, 28.2% and 48.8% in 2012 among women (χ²=105.52, χ²=326.36, χ²=317.22, χ²=43.34, χ²=3.87, all P<0.05). The standardized rates of awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, and control of people aged 18-59 and 60 years and over were 82.9%, 79.7%, 96.1%, 55.0% and 88.0%, 81.8%, 93.0% and 67.2%, higher than 42.6%, 19.8%, 42.2%, 27.5% and 63.9%, 36.8%, 53.9%, 40.8% in 2012 (χ²=44.51, χ²=102.17, χ²=57.78, χ²=21.65, all P<0.05; χ²=71.18, χ²=181.55, χ²=146.26, χ²=59.23, all P<0.05). The comprehensive prevention and control system of chronic diseases, which comprehensively covered the life of community residents, had good management effect on DM, and effectively promoted health education and health promotion.

[A meta-analysis of risk factors for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in China].

Objective: To explore the main risk factors of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in China and to provide evidence-based evidence for MDR-TB preventon and control. Methods: All relevant literatures were searched in thedatabases, such as Pubmed, Web of Science and CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and SinoMed from 2000 to 2021. Quality evaluation and data extraction were carried out, and then a meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16.0 software. Results: A total of 59 literatures (36 cross-sectional and 23 case-control) including 75 793 participants were included in this study, and meta-analysis results showed age (OR=1.27, 95%CI: 1.05-1.54), education level (OR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.02-1.65), positive sputum smear (OR=2.56, 95%CI: 1.09-6.04), pulmonary cavity (OR=1.99, 95%CI: 1.57-2.52), course of disease (OR=4.25, 95%CI: 1.95-9.30), history of tuberculosis treatment (OR=6.42,95%CI:5.40-7.63), treatment interruption (OR=2.81, 95%CI: 1.50-5.29), irregular medication (OR=5.02, 95%CI: 2.95-8.54), adverse drug reactions (OR=4.27, 95%CI: 2.22-8.19), combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR=2.21, 95%CI: 1.45-3.37), tuberculosis exposure history (OR=1.99, 95%CI: 1.36-2.91), smoking history (OR=1.35, 95%CI: 1.09-1.66) and floating population (OR=1.60, 95%CI: 1.04-2.44) were associated with the occurrence of MDR-TB. Conclusions: The high risk groups were farmer, low education level, pulmonary cavity, long course of disease, history of tuberculosis treatment, treatment interruption, irregular medication, adverse drug reaction, co-COPD, contact history of tuberculosis, smoking history, rural residence, and floating population. We should pay attention to high-risk groups, strengthen management and take effective measures such as early screening, knowledge education on tuberculosis, standardized and personalized treatment and whole-course supervision.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of familial hypercholesterolemia patients with type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE: Though type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an important and independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) in the general population, the impact of T2DM on CAD in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is less understood. Thus, the current study aimed to examine the features of FH patients with T2DM and explore the effects of T2DM on CAD in FH. METHODS: A total of 289 clinical heterozygous FH (HeFH) patients diagnosed with Dutch Lipid Clinic Criteria were consecutively recruited and divided into a T2DM group (n = 58) and non-T2DM group (n = 231). Clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were compared between the two groups. Target exome sequencing was used for gene mutation analysis. RESULTS: HeFH patients with T2DM had significantly higher levels of triglycerides, body mass index and free fatty acids than did non-T2DM patients; moreover, patients with T2DM more frequently exhibited hypertension. However, the spectrum of FH-causing mutations was not significantly different (p = 0.061). Notably, patients with T2DM had higher prevalence of CAD (p = 0.012) and higher Gensini Score (p = 0.002). The regression analysis confirmed that HbA1c was an independent risk factor for both the presence and severity of CAD [OR 2.321 (1.098-4.904), p = 0.027; OR 1.349 (1.032-1.762), p = 0.028, respectively] in patients with HeFH. CONCLUSIONS: Although there were not many differences in the clinical, lipid and genetic aspects of HeFH patients with and without T2DM, T2DM and HbA1c were associated with worse coronary lesions, suggesting that diabetes and the degree of blood glucose control are also important determinants of cardiovascular disease in these patients.

[Prenatal gene diagnosis of 200 fetuses at high risk of osteogenesis imperfect].

Objective: The authors aim to provide genetic counselling and prenatal gene diagnosis to the families with osteogenesis imperfecta(OI), based on the identification of pathogenetic mutations in large cohort genetic testing. Methods: DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of parents of the fetuses, and from the villi tissue, amniotic fluid or cord blood of the fetuses using a standard sodium dodecyl sulfate-proteinase K-phenol/chloroform extraction method. PCR combined with Sanger DNA sequencing was performed to validate the pathogenic mutations of 200 fetuses at risk of OI and their parents from 158 families. Allelic analysis of microsatellite markers was applied to exclude the false positive caused by maternal DNA contamination, when both the fetus and the mother harbored the same pathogenic genotype. Results: A total of 83 affected fetuses (83/200, 41.5%) and 12 (12/200, 6.0%) recessive carriers were identified among the 200 fetuses. The 83 affected fetuses included 78 heterozygotes (45 of COL1A1, 32 of COL1A2, one of IFITM5), and 5 compound heterozygotes or homozygotes of recessive OI (two of FKBP10, one of SEC24D, one of WNT1 and one of CRTAP); The 12 recessive carriers included 7 of WNT1, 4 of SERPINF1 and one of SERPINH1. Maternal DNA contamination was excluded from the genomic DNA samples of OI fetuses when their mother with the same affected genotypes. Conclusion: In this study, the authors used an optimized gene diagnosis system of OI to perform prenatal genetic diagnosis to 200 fetuses at high risk of OI, and provided precisely genetic counselling to the OI families.

[Incipient observation of cornea astigmatism after combined cataract phacoemulsification and Callisto Eye-assisted arcuate keratotomy].

Objective: To research the change of cornea astigmatism after combined cataract phacoemulsification and Callisto Eye-assisted arcuate keratotomy and to assess the effectiveness and safety of this surgery for improving patients' uncorrected visual acuity. Methods: Prospective interventional non-randomized controlled study. Consecutive cataract patients with cornea astigmatism greater than 0.75 D were recruited at the southern part of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University and Beijing Tongren Eye Center, between October 2017 and March 2018, and were divided into the experimental group and the controlled group. In the experimental group the patients are further divided into three subgroups of A(0.75-1.24 D), B(1.25-1.74 D) and C(≥1.75 D) according to the degrees of their cornea astigmatism before surgery. The combined cataract phacoemulsification and Callisto Eye-assisted arcuate keratotomy were performed for the experimental group with the depth and length of the corneal arcuate incision differing in subgroups, while only cataract phacoemulsification was performed for the control group. The complications on and after the surgery were observed and the change of cornea astigmatism and uncorrected visual acuity in three months after surgery were recorded. Independent sample t test was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 108 patients (108 eyes) were enrolled, including 46 males and 62 females, the age was (68±11) years old.The experimental group included 76 eyes of 76 patients (subgroup A 38 eyes, subgroup B 18 eyes, subgroup C 20 eyes). The controlled group included 32 eyes of 32 patients. The preoperative cornea astigmatism and postoperative cornea astigmatism of the experimental group are (1.54±0.90) D and 0.62 (0.36-0.95) D. The change of cornea astigmatism of the experimental group is (1.15±0.58) D. The index of correction and flattening are 0.97±0.20 and 0.61±0.31 respectively, the error of axial deviation is 9.55°±5.22°. The index of success is 0.51±0.36. In the experimental group, subgroup C has the highest correction efficiency of corneal astigmatism (axial deviation error 8.07°±3.13°, flattening index 0.72±0.31) which is followed by subgroup B, and subgroup A ranked the last one (axial deviation error 10.27°±6.47°, flattening index 0.42±0.30).The uncorrected distance visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) of the experimental group and the control group are significantly different (0.15±0.12 vs. 0.24±0.17, t=-4.129, P<0.01). None of the patients recruited have complications including poor wound healing and cornea penetration and cornea edema and cystoid macular edema on or after the surgery. Conclusions: Combined cataract phacoemulsification and Callisto Eye-assisted arcuate keratotomy are of favorable effect on improving the uncorrected visual acuity and have relatively good accuracy and predictability on the correction of cornea astigmatism. It is a safe surgery with considerable efficency. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 502-508).

[Value the correction of corneal astigmatism in cataract surgery].

The aim of modern micro-incision phacoemulsification combined with foldable intraocular lens implantation and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is evolving from a simple pursuit of recuperation to a refractive procedure, which involves the correction of ametropia according to preoperative and postoperative refractive conditions, especially corneal astigmatism, in order to achieve the goal of optimized postoperative uncorrected full range of vision. Nowadays, due attention to the effect of preoperative corneal astigmatism, surgery-induced astigmatism and residual astigmatism after operation is lacked, which affect postoperative visual acuity significantly. There are many effective ways to reduce corneal astigmatism after cataract surgery including selecting appropriate size and location of clear corneal incision, employing astigmatism keratotomy and the implantation of Toric intraocular lenses, which need to be appropriately applied and popularized. At the same time, surgical indications, predictability and safety should also be taken into account.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 321-323).

Evaluation of left atrial function by speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Left atrial (LA) function plays a key role in maintaining optimal cardiac output. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) has been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but whether LA functional abnormalities also occur in patients with SLE is unknown. Toward this aim we evaluated left atrial function and volume by strain and strain rate derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and their associations with LVDD. Sixty SLE patients were compared with age- and gender-matched normal controls. The LA strain (S) and strain rate (SR) during systole, early diastole and late diastole (SRs, SRe and SRa, respectively) were measured by STE. The LA volume index (LAVI), traditional parameters of LA and left ventricular diastolic function also were analysed. Global strain and positive SRe were significantly reduced in the SLE group compared with the control group (26.2% ± 9.5% vs 32.5% ± 9.8% and -2.4 ± 1.0 s(-1) vs -3.1 ± 1.2 s(-1), both p < 0.05). The SRs in the SLE and control groups were not significantly different (2.1 ± 0.7 s(-1) vs 2.4 ± 0.8 s(-1), p = 0.2). The positive SRa was increased in the SLE group compared with the control group (-2.1 ± 0.8 s(-1) vs -1.6 ± 0.5 s(-1), p < 0.05) and the LAVI was larger in the SLE group than in the control group (32.4 ± 8.0 vs 25.8 ± 7.1 ml/m(2), p < 0.001). Patients with SLE exhibiting varying grades of LVDD displayed significant differences in LA parameters, including LAVI, SRs, SRe and SRa (all p < 0.05). Multivariate linear analysis additionally revealed that SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI) was independently and inversely associated with global strain, SRs and positive SRe. LA functions were changed in SLE patients, demonstrating impairment in conduit function, decrease in storage function and increase in pump function. Meanwhile, the magnitude of this impairment was predictively associated with the severity of LVDD. The results from this study demonstrate that STE is capable of detecting various aspects of LA functional impairment during SLE progression, and should be further explored as a diagnostic tool for improving the outcomes of SLE patients.

Abdominal wall endometriosis occurring after cesarean section: an underestimated complication.

The aim of the study was to review patients characteristics, describe the exact anatomic locations and size of the endometriosis in the abdominal wall, and discuss the factors that may contribute to mesh use during abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with AWE in their surgical scars from January 2008 to December 2014 were documented. Descriptive data was collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients with an age ranging from 26 to 48 years, with a mean age of 33.5 ?5.0 years at the time of excision were analyzed. The mean diameter of the mass was 3.25 cm in the present series with an average of 4.97 cm in the mesh group by ultrasound. A total of 18 patients had mesh therapy for fascia defect compared with 77 non-mesh therapy patients. The size of the lesions, the mean duration of symptoms for painful mass, and level of the serum CA125 were statistically different between mesh group and non-mesh group (p < 0.05). Cases of endometriosis lesions limited to the adipose layer had significant lower chance of using mesh (p < 0.05). However, adipose layer endometriosis lesions that had penetrated through the fascia layer and invaded into rectus abdominis muscle layer with/without peritoneum layer had significant higher chance of using mesh (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The more common position for scar endometriosis may be in the adipose layer at the corner of the surgical scar. Mesh therapy should be considered before surgery when the diameter of the abdominal wall mass detected by ultrasound is more than five em and/or when the lesions invade into rectus abdominis muscle with/without peritoneum tissues from adipose and fascia layers.

Practices and thinking of laboratory detection in the aid to West Africa to fight against Ebola.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa has brought great disaster to the people's health in affected countries. China dispatched first group of public health experts and medical staff to Sierra Leone in September 2014 to fight Ebola. METHODS: To systematically collect huge amount of primary data, and to make analysis, draw conclusions and lessons in terms of six aspects, respectively as training before departure, local disease information, track of epidemic situation, transformation of temporary laboratory, detection of Ebola virus samples as well as assessment through single blind test. RESULTS: 1) Our team has launched preparatory works in advance before going to Sierra Leone. 2) Malaria is the country's severest infectious disease. 3) Observation centers were overcrowded with large number of suspected cases being inspected, implying high risk of nosocomial infection. 4) A BSL-II laboratory with 3 work areas and 2 buffer areas was built, achieving several major functions within 6 days. 5) Confirmed by South African Raqqa laboratory, our detection accuracy reached 100%. 6) At one week before return, the daily average sample amount of our team reached 66 cases and our detection capability was equivalent to that of USA. CONCLUSIONS: Successful experience from fighting against Ebola in Sierra Leone could be summarized as: 1) Optimized processes and scientific security measures are prerequisite to improving the detection ability. 2) The close collaboration between laboratory and observation center has created a new model of China's foreign aid. 3) Comprehensive information investigation and training lay a solid foundation for the successful completion of tasks.

Generation of 103 fs mode-locked pulses by a gain linewidth-variable Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal.

We have demonstrated a diode-pumped passively mode-locked femtosecond Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal laser for the first time to our knowledge. By choosing appropriate Y-doping concentration, a broad fluorescence linewidth of 31 nm has been obtained from the gain linewidth-variable Nd,Y:CaF2 crystal. With the Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal as gain medium, the mode-locked laser generated pulses with pulse duration as short as 103 fs, average output power of 89 mW, and repetition rate of 100 MHz. To our best knowledge, this is the shortest pulse generated from Nd-doped crystal lasers so far. The research results show that the Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal will be a potential alternative as gain medium of repetitive chirped pulse amplification for high-peak-power lasers.

[A comprehensive analysis on economic evaluation of HIV vaccination strategies].

Objective: To summarize the progress in research of economic evaluation of HIV vaccination strategies in the world, and provide reference for future decision-making and research on HIV vaccination. Methods: The key words used for literature retrieval were "HIV/AIDS", and "vaccine/vaccination" and "economic evaluation/cost-effectiveness analysis/cost-utility analysis/cost-benefit analysis/HTA". Literatures about the economic evaluation of HIV vaccination strategies published as of July 31, 2022, were retrieved from Wanfang Data (Wanfang), China Hospital Knowledge Database (CHKD), and PubMed databases. The quality of the articles was evaluated and analyzed comprehensively. Results: A total of 17 study articles with good quality were included. Results from the comprehensive analysis showed that HIV vaccination is a cost-saving or cost-effective strategy for key populations or the whole population. HIV vaccination could effectively reduce new infections and improve the quality of life of population. Factors, such as vaccine efficiency, coverage rate, price, and risk behavior change after vaccination, would affect the vaccination effect in different targeted populations. Conclusions: There were limited high-quality research data about the economic evaluation of HIV vaccination strategies. It is necessary to conduct in-depth research based on real-world evidence.

The (TTTA)n polymorphism in intron 4 of CYP19 and the polycystic ovary syndrome risk in a Chinese population.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disease with a strong genetic origin, but the specific determinants are still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the (TTTA) n polymorphism in intron 4 of CYP19 and the PCOS risk in a Chinese population. We performed a case-control study which involved 222 PCOS patients and 281 controls. The fluorescent-labeled target DNA fragments containing the (TTTA)n short tandem repeats were obtained by PCR, thereafter genotyped via capillary electrophoresis. Representative alleles were directly sequenced to confirm their repeat numbers. Genotype analysis revealed seven different alleles including 7-3(∆)-, 7-, 8-, 10-, 11-, 12- and 13-TTTA-repeats. The most common allele in a Chinese population is (TTTA) 11 in our study (0.354 for PCOS and 0.390 for controls). PCOS patients showed a higher frequency of short alleles compared with controls (0.47 vs. 0.41, OR=1.245, 95% CI 0.97-1.60). The overall allelic distributions of this polymorphism did not show any significant differences between PCOS patients and the control group. No statistical differences were found in the clinical parameters or serum steroid hormone levels among PCOS patients with different genotypes. In conclusion, PCOS patients had a higher frequency of short alleles, albeit this might not strongly affect the risk of PCOS.

Ang II receptor expression and effect of Ang II receptor blockade in thyrotoxic rat myocardium.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between expression of the angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors and thyroid hormones in the myocardium of rats with thyrotoxicosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control group (saline), losartan group (10 mg/kg), thyrotoxicosis group (0.5 mg/kg L-thyroid hormone sodium) and thyrotoxicosis-plus-losartan group (0.5 mg/kg L-thyroid hormone plus 10 mg/kg losartan) and treated intragastrically daily for four weeks. The heart weight (HW), body weight (BW) and HW/BW ratios were determined. The Ang II protein contents in cardiac homogenates and serum were determined by ELISA. The serum concentrations of levothyroxine (T3), trilodothyronine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) were quantified by real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: The thyrotoxicosis group had an increased BW/HW and higher cardiac AT1R and AT2R expression compared to controls. AT1R and AT2R expressions significantly reduced in the thyrotoxicosis-plus-losartan group, compared to the thyrotoxicosis group. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid hormone upregulated cardiac AT1R and AT2R, leading to cardiac remodeling, which was reversed by losartan. Cardiac damage in thyrotoxic rats may be related to upregulation of the Ang II receptors.

Artificial oocyte activation and human failed-matured oocyte vitrification followed by in vitro maturation.

The investigation presented in this paper was conducted on the effect of oocytes activation on frozen-thawed human immature oocytes followed by in vitro maturation (IVM). A total of 386 failed-matured oocytes (germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase I (MI) stages) was randomly divided into two groups: fresh group and vitrification group, GV group and MI group, respectively). The matured oocytes were subject to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) after IVM had been carried out. The vitrification group was randomly divided into two groups: controlled and artificial oocyte activation (AOA). The injected oocytes in the controlled group were cultured in cleavage medium. The AOA group oocytes were activated by exposing them to 7% anhydrous alcohol for 6 min then cultured in cleavage medium as well. The rates of fertilization and early embryonic development were compared between the controlled and AOA groups. In MI vitrification group, the high-quality embryo formation rate and blastocyst formation rate were significantly higher in the AOA group than in the controlled group (P < 0.01). In the GV vitrification group, the high-quality embryo formation rate was significantly higher in the AOA group than in the controlled group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that AOA may be good for early embryonic development of vitrified immature human oocytes.

The microstructure and electrochemical characteristics of LiFePO4/carbon-network composite.

LiFePO4/carbon-network composite was synthesized by a high temperature solid-state method using the natural sawdust as carbon precursor. The microstructure of the as-synthesized sample was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), respectively. The results revealed that the LiFePO4 particles with diameters ranging from 30 to 150 nm were well connected by carbon networks. The electrochemical performance of the composite was characterized using galvanostatic charge-discharge technique. The initial discharge capacity of LiFePO4/carbon-network cathode reached 126 mAh x g(-1) with 0.2 C rate.

Melatonin protects against excessive autophagy-induced mitochondrial and ovarian reserve function deficiency though ERK signaling pathway in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.

Excessive autophagy-induced follicular atresia of ovarian granulosa cells might be one of the pathogenesis of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), and melatonin (MT) exerted many beneficial effects on mitochondria. However, there was little report regarding the beneficial effects of MT on excessive autophagy-induced mitochondrial and ovarian reserve function deficiency, and the mechanisms have not been clearly identified. Autophagy played a protective role in cells survival, however, high level of autophagy could lead to cell death. In this report, firstly, Chinese hamster ovary cell damage model stably expressing EGFP-LC3 was established. Next, we systematically investigated the protective effects of MT on mitochondrial and ovarian reserve function and molecular mechanisms using this cell damage model. Our results revealed that 10-9 M MT not only protected against the decline of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) expression induced by excessive autophagy, but also rescued excessive autophagy-induced impairment of mitochondrial expression and mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, MT protected against excessive autophagy-induced decrease of nucleus-encoded proteins including SDHA and mitofilin, and mitochondrial dynamic-related proteins including OPA1, MFN2, and DRP1. MT also decreased mitochondrial oxidative stress, increased antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression and ameliorated the G2/M cell cycle arrest induced by excessive autophagy. Finally, MT inhibited excessive autophagy-induced activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. In conclusion, our study showed that MT rescued impairment of mitochondrial and ovarian reserve function, and production of mitochondrial ROS and cell cycle arrest induced by excessive autophagy through down-regulated ERK pathway, implying the potential therapeutic drug target for POI.

Double activation improves rabbit freeze-thawed oocytes developmental potential.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of various activation methods on freeze-thawed rabbit oocytes developmental potential. METHODS: Rabbit oocytes were vitrified by cryoleafs and cryoprotected with ethylene glycol and propanediol. After thawing, the oocytes were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Surviving oocytes after ICSI were divided into five groups at random. Group 1: Oocytes (n = 30) activated 1 h after ICSI by calcium ionomycin (I0634); Group 2: Oocytes (n = 26) activated by strontium chloride an hour after ICSI; Group 3: Oocytes (n = 33) activated by I0634 twice; Group 4: Oocytes (n = 28) were activated by strontium chloride twice; CONTROL GROUP: Inactivated oocytes (n = 39). Blastocysts derived from each group were transplanted to recipient rabbits. RESULTS: Rates of fertilization, cleavage and blastocyst formation of Group 3 were higher than those of Group 1 and Group 2 (81.8% vs 33.3% vs 53.8%, 54.5% vs 16.7% vs 26.9%, p < 0.05; 15.2% vs 3.3% vs 7.7%, p > 0.05). The rabbit transplanted with embryos derived from Group 3 became pregnant. Embryos derived from double activation could implant into endometrium. CONCLUSION: Double activation may increase freeze-thawed oocytes developmental potential. After activation, oocytes cleavage velocity may be faster than that of oocytes without activation.

Structural Characterization and Immune Activity Screening of Polysaccharides With Different Molecular Weights From Astragali Radix.

Saccharides are the most abundant substance with the strongest immunological activity in Astragali Radix (AR). However, systematic structure study and immunoactivity screening of polysaccharides with different molecular weights (Mw) in AR have yet to be conducted. In this study, Astragalus polysaccharides (APSs) were divided into three fragments of different Mw values, >2,000 kDa (APS-Ⅰ), about 10 kDa (APS-Ⅱ), and about 300 Da (APS-Ⅲ), by using ultrafiltration for the first time. The structural differences of the three products were determined on the basis of monosaccharide composition, FT-IR spectrum, linkage analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Cellular immune activity experiments in vitro and cyclophosphamide immunosuppression animal model experiments in vivo for nonspecific and specific immunoactivity screening were applied to identify the most immunogenic fragment in APSs. Linkage analysis results showed that APS-Ⅰ, APS-Ⅱ, and APS-Ⅲ have different attachment sites of monosaccharide residues. Immune screening experiments indicated that the Mw of the APSs influenced their activity, and APS-Ⅱ had the strongest immunoenhancing activity among the products. This research may serve as a reference for further study on APSs with different structures and immune activities, and as a guidance for the quality control of APSs and the development of new APS products.

Sildenafil might impair maternal-fetal immunotolerance by suppressing myeloid-derived suppressor cells in mice.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) as an important population of immune cells were found to restrain T cell function, polarize T-helper cells (Th) 1/Th2 toward Th2 response and induce regulatory T cells (Tregs), therefore enhancing the immunotolerance during pregnancy. Sildenafil has been applied for poor endometrial quality in implantation failure patients. Nevertheless, investigations have shown that sildenafil could reduce MDSCs-dependent immunosuppression. Whether sildenafil affects embryo implantation by suppressing MDSCs? To address this question, using the mice model, we investigated the amounts of immune cells in peripheral blood and endometrial cells from control group (CG), sildenafil low-dose group (LDG) and high-dose group (HDG). We found that both treatment groups displayed a marked deficiency in polymorphonuclear (PMN)-MDSCs and Th2 from mice blood and endometrium as compared to these from CG. The frequency of Tregs in endometrium from HDG was lower than those from CG. Th1/Th2 ratio in both periphery and uterus from study groups showed a significant increase as compared to those from CG. By relevance analysis, we found that the level of Tregs positively correlated with the level of PMN-MDSCs, whereas the Th1/Th2 ratio negatively correlated with the frequency of PMN-MDSCs in uterus. Moreover, there was a positive relationship between the amount of blood PMN-MDSCs and endometrial PMN-MDSCs. These results suggest that we should carefully weigh the pros and cons of using sildenafil when applied to patients with poor endometrial receptivity.

Long non-coding RNA LINP1 functions as an oncogene in endometrial cancer progression by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Endometrial cancer (EC) accounts for about 6% of new cancer cases in female and about 3% of cancer-related deaths were caused by EC. The poor prognosis is mainly due to the distant spread and poor differentiation. In the current study, we want to figure out the role of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) LINP1 in EC progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was involved to access the expression level of LINP1 in EC cell lines and tissues. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, transwell and Matrigel assay were recruited to figure out the ability of LINP1 in cell proliferation and metastasis in EC. Subsequently, Western blotting was used to detect the expression level of PI3K/AKT in EC. Besides, we used the tumor formation assay in vivo to examine the ability of LINP1 in tumor formation in vivo. RESULTS: LINP1 was proved to be up-regulated in EC cell lines and tissues by qRT-PCR assay. CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay were conducted and the results indicated that LINP1 over-expression can promote cell proliferation in EC in vitro. The data of transwell and Matrigel assays indicated that up-regulated LINP1 can facilitate cell migration and invasion. The results of Western blotting validated that LINP1 can activate PI3K/AKT signaling. Besides, the tumor formation assay verified that LINP1 can promote tumor formation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our research validated that LINP1 served as an oncogenic role in EC progression. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway might be the underlying mechanism of EC progression. We hope our study can provide novel treatment targets and biomarkers in EC development and progression.