Effect of BMI on blood value of patients on HCG day with IUI treatment.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to analyze the effect of the body mass index (BMI) on E2, P and LH values in females who received intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment on human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) day. METHODS: A total of 2319 cycles of IUI-assisted pregnancy treatment were selected in our hospital. Based on the BMI, female infertility patients are divided into three groups: normal weight group, overweight and obese group. RESULTS: For patients with natural cycles and ≤ 35 years old, there were 440, 178 and 197 cases in the three groups, respectively. For patients with natural cycles and > 35 years old, there were 90, 83 and 81 cycles in the three groups, respectively. For patients with induced ovulation cycle and ≤ 35 years old, there were 425, 203 and 516 cases in the three groups, respectively. For patients with induced ovulation cycle and > 35 years old, there were 26, 26 and 54 cases in the three groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: When a patient is ≤35 years old, the BMI affects the E2, LH and P values on the day of artificial insemination. However, the BMI is negatively correlated with E2, LH and P in IUI on HCG day. After controlling for age and assisted pregnancy, the correlation analysis revealed that the BMI is negatively correlated with hormone E2 and LH. The higher the BMI was, the lower the levels of hormones E2, LH and P became. However, in the present study, the BMI did not significantly improve the clinical pregnancy rate of patients who received IUI.

Prophylactic treatment with MSC-derived exosomes attenuates traumatic acute lung injury in rats.

The mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) is a potential strategy in the pretreatment of traumatic acute lung injury (ALI), a disease that causes inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate whether MSC-exosomal microRNA-124-3p (miR-124-3p) affects traumatic ALI. Initially, a traumatic ALI rat model was established using the weight-drop method. Then, exosomes were obtained from MSCs of Sprague-Dawley rats, which were injected into the traumatic ALI rats. We found that miR-124-3p was abundantly-expressed in MSCs-derived exosomes and could directly target purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 (P2X7), which was overexpressed in traumatic ALI rats. After that, a loss- and gain-of-function study was performed in MSCs and traumatic ALI rats to investigate the role of miR-124-3p and P2X7 in traumatic ALI. MSC-derived exosomal miR-124-3p or silenced P2X7 was observed to increase the survival rate of traumatic ALI rats and enhance the glutathione/superoxide dismutase activity in their lung tissues. However, the wet/dry weight of lung tissues, activity of methylenedioxyamphetamine and H2O2, and levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-8) were reduced. Similarly, the numbers of total cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were also reduced when treated with exosomal miR-124-3p or silenced P2X7. In conclusion, the results provide evidence that miR-124-3p transferred by MSC-derived exosomes inhibited P2X7 expression, thus improving oxidative stress injury and suppressing inflammatory response in traumatic ALI, highlighting a potential pretreatment for traumatic ALI.

[Dynamic changes of pH2AX expression in the reversibility of mouse testicular reproductive function impaired by single heat stress].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of pH2AX in the reversibility of mouse testicular reproductive function impaired by single heat stress. METHODS: Twenty-four C57 male mice were randomly divided into heat stress and control groups and immersed in water at 43℃ and 25℃, respectively, for 15 minutes. At 1, 7, and 14 days of heat exposure, all the mice were sacrificed and their testis tissues collected for determining the apoptosis of the germ cells by TUNEL and measuring the expression level of the pH2AX protein by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: The highest percentage of apoptotic cells were found in the seminiferous tubules of the mice in the heat stress group on the 1st day of the exposure and almost no apoptosis was observed at 7 and 14 days. The pH2AX protein was expressed in the nuclei of the basement membrane of adjacent seminiferous tubules. Compared with the control group, the expression of pH2AX was significantly increased on the 1st day of exposure (0.47 ± 0.02 vs 1.61 ± 0.04, P <0.01), then decreased at 7 days (0.85 ± 0.03) in comparison with that on the 1st day (P <0.01), and again elevated at 14 days (1.72 ± 0.02) as compared with either those at 1 and 7 days (P <0.01) or that of the control (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Heat stress causes dynamic changes of the pH2AX expression in the testis of the mouse, which are associated with heat stress-induced proliferation and division of the testicular spermatogenic cells.

Arctigenin induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells through ROS/p38MAPK pathway.

PURPOSE: In the current study the antiproliferative effect of arctigenin, plant lignin, was evaluated on human colon cancer cell line HT-29. Furthermore, attempts were made to explore the signaling mechanism which may be responsible for its effect. METHODS: Cell growth inhibition was assessed by MTT and LDH assays. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to determine cell arrest in the cell cycle phase and apoptosis. Furthermore, to confirm the apoptotic activity of arctigenin, caspase-9 and -3 activities analysis was performed. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) were investigated to determine their role in inducing apoptosis in arctigenin-treated HT-29 colon cancer cell line. RESULTS: MTT and LDH results demonstrated significant cell growth inhibitory effect of arctigenin on HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, increase in cell number arrested at G2/M phase was observed in flow cytometric analysis upon arctigenin treatment. In addition, arctigenin increased the apoptotic ratio in a dose-dependent manner. The involvement of intrinsic apoptotic pathway was indicated by the activation of caspase-9 and -3. Moreover, increased ROS production, activation of p38 MAPK and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) also revealed the role of intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway in cell growth inhibition after arctigenin exposure. CONCLUSION: Arctigenin induces apoptosis in HT-29 colon cancer cells by regulating ROS and p38 MAPK pathways.

Characterization of two Bursicon genes and their association with wing development in the brown citrus aphid, Aphis citricidus.

The tanning hormone, Bursicon, is a neuropeptide secreted by the insect nervous system that functions as a heterodimer composed of Burs-α and Burs-ß subunits. It plays a critical role in the processes of cuticle tanning and wing expansion in insects. In this study, we successfully identified the AcBurs-α and AcBurs-ß genes in Aphis citricidus. The open reading frames of AcBurs-α and AcBurs-ß were 480 and 417 bp in length, respectively. Both AcBurs-α and AcBurs-ß exhibited 11 conserved cysteine residues. AcBurs-α and AcBurs-ß were expressed during all developmental stages of A. citricidus and showed high expression levels in the winged aphids. To investigate the potential role of AcBurs-α and AcBurs-ß in wing development, we employed RNA interference (RNAi) techniques. With the efficient silencing of AcBurs-α (44.90%) and AcBurs-ß (52.31%), malformed wings were induced in aphids. The proportions of malformed wings were 22.50%, 25.84%, and 38.34% in dsAcBurs-α-, dsAcBur-ß-, and dsAcBurs-α + dsAcBur-ß-treated groups, respectively. Moreover, feeding protein kinase A inhibitors (H-89) also increased the proportion of malformed wings to 30.00%. Feeding both double-stranded RNA and inhibitors (H-89) significantly downregulated the wing development-related genes nubbin, vestigial, notch and spalt major. Silence of vestigial through RNAi also led to malformed wings. Meanwhile, the exogenous application of 3 hormones that influence wing development did not affect the expression level of AcBursicon genes. These findings indicate that AcBursicon genes plays a crucial role in wing development in A. citricidus; therefore, it represents a potential molecular target for the control of this pest through RNAi-based approaches.

Factors associated with the depression status of Chinese parents who have lost their only child.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the risk factors for depression among parents who have lost their only child (PLOCs). Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey to reveal the risk factors of depression among PLOCs. Multi-stage, stratified, cluster sampling was used to recruit the participants. The cluster sampling method was used to select PLOCs in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and Wuhu, Anhui Province, while the stratified cluster sampling method was used in Anshun, Guizhou Province. A total of 651 PLOCs were recruited in this study. Participants completed the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15). Socio-demographics were also collected, including age, sex, monthly income, education level, marital status, self-reported health, and a number of diseases were collected as well. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were conducted to analyze the influence of these factors on PLOCs' mental status. Results: Two hundred and fifty-eight PLOCs (39.56%) reported depression. Compared to PLOCs living in Wuhu, those living in Hangzhou (OR = 3.374, CI = 2.337-4.870) had a higher risk of depression. Being single (OR = 1.449, CI = 1.019-2.061) and the presence/absence of grandchildren (OR = 0.430, CI = 0.274-0.676)were significantly associated with the depression status of PLOCs. Conclusion: The sampled Chinese PLOCs reported a high prevalence of depression that was influenced by their place of residence, marital status, and presence/absence of grandchildren. This may highlight the need for routine assessment and help of this group by the relevant stakeholders (including government, non-profit social organizations, and professional psychologists) with more attention paid to single and low-income PLOCs that have no grandchildren. It is imperative to build a comprehensive care system of "extended family-community-society-government" for this vulnerable group.

[Spatial-temporal Distribution and Evolution Characteristics of Air Pollution in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region Based on Long-term "Ground-Satellite" Data].

This study aimed to promote the coordinated development of regional social economy and ecological environment, build a better living environment, accurately prevent and control pollution, and carry out in-depth surveys and general surveys of air pollution in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. Based on 6 years (June 2014 to December 2019) of ground environmental observation data and satellite data from 2000 to 2019, the distribution characteristics and evolution trend of air pollution in different time and spatial scales were analyzed. The results showed that:① according to the daily average concentration of PM2.5 at the sites, the pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region showed the characteristics of more days, heavy levels, and overall improvement. Pollution mainly occurred from October to April of the following year, accounting for nearly half a year. The pollution level of PM2.5 was the best at Zhangjiakou, followed by Qinhuangdao. ② Based on the 20-year average PM2.5 annual average concentration data retrieved from satellites, the PM2.5 concentration presented a spatial distribution characteristic in which that in the plains was higher than that in mountain area, and PM2.5 concentration in the city was higher than that in the suburbs. PM2.5 concentration changed with time, showing a four-stage bimodal structure of "M"-type evolution characteristics, which gradually increased starting in 2000; the first peak appeared in 2006 and gradually decreased from 2007 to 2012. It rose sharply to the second peak in 2013 and then decreased yearly until 2017. ③ The monthly average AOT data based on satellites every 10 years indicated that the value of AOT in the first time period (2000-2009) was larger than that in the same month of the second time period (2010-2019). The maximum value was in July, and the minimum value was in December. The monthly average AOT in Zhangjiakou and Chengde changed slightly over the past 20 years, and the seasonal and spatial differences were significant in the plain area. ④ Judging from the daily average value of O3-8h observed at the stations, good levels of O3-8h concentrations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area occurred frequently and widely from March to October. There were at least seven instances of light pollution levels, and the moderate pollution levels and above were not observed. ⑤ The daily average value of SO2 observed on the ground showed that there was no light pollution or above; the good pollution level occurred in winter, and most appeared in the form of pollution for several consecutive days. ⑥ The analysis of AQI data revealed that from 2015 to 2019, the proportion of AQI excellent grades in Beijing increased from 27% to 38%, and the proportion of Tianjin AQI good grades increased from 44% to 64%. The highest proportion of Handan AQI superior grades appeared in 2016, accounting for only 9%. ⑦ The 20-year monthly average concentration of SO2 data based on satellites showed that high-value areas were in Handan, Xingtai, and Shijiazhuang, and low-value areas were in Zhangjiakou and Chengde. The 20-year average NO2 data showed that the high-value centers were in Beijing, Tianjin, Tangshan, Handan, Xingtai, and Shijiazhuang.

Sexual mixing patterns among social networks of HIV-positive and HIV-negative Beijing men who have sex with men: a multilevel comparison using roundtable network mapping.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are of immediate concern in China's HIV epidemic. In 2008, approximately 2.5-6.5% of China's eight million MSM were HIV positive, while MSM represented 11% of all new HIV cases. Two factors that will in-part determine HIV-transmission dynamics among MSM, are sexual mixing patterns and the social networks which shape them. Sexual mixing patterns and social networks of Chinese MSM, however, remain poorly understood with little refined data available. One reason is that stigma discourages disclosure of names and identifiers to researchers. Using an alternative network-mapping approach, matched case-control design, and snowball sampling, this pilot study sought to compare characteristics of social networks of HIV-positive and HIV-negative Beijing MSM at the individual, dyad, and network levels. First, HIV-negative MSM controls were matched to HIV-positive MSM cases based on age, education, residency, and ethnicity. Then, each case or control and their MSM social network convened at a specific time and location with study investigators. Venues included health clinics, karaoke clubs, brothels, and community centers. Then, using arbitrarily assigned numbers in lieu of actual names, all participants simultaneously completed self-administered surveys regarding their sexual relationships with other participants of the same social network. These new findings indicate that cross-generational sex (anal or oral sex between men with ≥10 years age difference) was more prevalent among social networks of HIV-positive MSM, and was due to older age structure of the social network, rather than behavioral differences in sex-partner selection. Members of social networks of HIV-positive MSM were also less likely to have ever disclosed their MSM identity to non-MSM. Future studies should partner with MSM advocacy groups to explore behavioral and structural interventions as possible means of reducing the cross-generational sex and sexual identity-development issues elevating HIV risk for young Chinese MSM.

Factors Affecting Artificial Insemination Pregnancy Outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to explore related clinical pregnancy outcome factors in intrauterine insemination (IUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 3984 IUI cycles in 1862 couples experiencing infertility who attended the Reproductive Center of Binzhou Medical University Hospital between July 2006 and July 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Female and male patient age, endometrial thickness (EMT), the post-wash total motile sperm count (PTMC), artificial insemination timing, insemination frequency, and ovarian stimulation protocols were compared between the study's pregnant group and non-pregnant group in order to explore any correlation. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in female and male age, EMT, artificial insemination timing, insemination frequency, and ovarian stimulation protocols between the two groups (p < 0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in ovarian stimulation cycles than in natural cycles (21.2% and 11.6%, respectively; p < 0.01), the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in double IUI than in single IUI (17.8% and 12.1%, respectively; p < 0.01), and EMT was significantly greater in the pregnant group than in the control group (p < 0.05). However, the differences in clinical pregnancy rates among the PTMC groups were not statistically significant (14.8%, 14.4%, 17.3%, and 17.3%, respectively; p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrate that the clinical IUI pregnancy rate is correlated with the factors of female age, male age, EMT, artificial insemination timing, insemination frequency, and ovarian stimulation protocols; the ovarian stimulation protocol can noticeably improve the patient pregnancy outcome. Furthermore, compared with single IUI, double IUI can significantly increase the clinical pregnancy rate.

The Reproductive Toxicity of Monosodium Glutamate by Damaging GnRH Neurons Cannot Be Relieved Spontaneously Over Time.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate the effect of monosodium glutamate on testicular spermatogenesis in mice from the perspective of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and whether this destructive effect is alleviated with time. METHODS: Neonatal mice were randomly divided into a monosodium glutamate (MSG) group and a control group, just below the interscapular region after birth with 10 µL MSG to deliver 4 mg/g (body mass), or with equivalent volumes of 0.9% saline. Samples which involved blood, brains and testicles of mice were collected and measured at puberty at 60 days and adulthood at 90 days. RESULTS: The results show that the fluorescence intensity of GnRH nerve fibers, the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) hormones in the reproductive system, the number of spermatocytes and spermatozoa in testicular sections, the body length, body weight, testicular weight, and testicular index in the 60-day-old mice in monosodium glutamate group (MSG60 group) and the MSG90 group were lower than those in the 60-day-old mice in normal control group (NC60 group) (p < 0.05), but the number of apoptotic cells in the testicular section was higher than in the NC60 group (p < 0.05). When the 90-day-old mice in monosodium glutamate group (MSG90 group) was compared with the MSG60 group, except for body weight and testicular weight increase (p < 0.05), there is no significant difference in the other parameters mentioned above (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Monosodium glutamate can cause reproductive toxicity to male mice by damaging GnRH neurons, and this reproductive toxicity cannot be relieved spontaneously over time. These findings are supported by observed histological changes.

Ghrelin acts on rat dorsal vagal complex to stimulate feeding via arcuate neuropeptide Y/agouti-related peptide neurons activation.

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor, stimulates feeding and increases body weight. The primary action site of ghrelin has been reported to be the neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). In addition to the hypothalamus, the caudal brainstem also appears to be an important mediator for the orexigenic activity of ghrelin. However, it is not clear whether ghrelin applied directly to the caudal brainstem activates forebrain structures. The aim of this study was to determine whether recruitment of forebrain structures was required for hyperphagic responses stimulated by ghrelin delivery within the caudal brainstem. In our experiment, all rats were surgically implanted with indwelling cannulas in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC), and ghrelin (20 pmol in 0.5 µL) was delivered to the DVC. After the injection, the orexigenic response to ghrelin was recorded by Feeding and Activity Analyser, and NPY/AgRP mRNA expressions in rat hypothalamus were detected by real-time PCR. In addition, the NPY immunoreactive neurons in the ARC were assayed by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that ghrelin significantly increased cumulative food intake at 1, 2 and 3 h after ghrelin injection, maximal response occurring at 2 h after injection. NPY/AgRP mRNA levels in ARC treated with ghrelin increased significantly compared with those in control group (injected with saline). The highest levels of NPY and AgRP mRNA were detected at 2 h after injection. The total number and mean optical density of NPY-positive neurons increased in ghrelin treated rats compared with those in control group. Consistently, ghrelin's effect was most pronounced at 2 h after injection. Taken together, we conclude that the activation of NPY/AgRP neurons in the ARC is involved in the mediation of the hyperphagic response to brainstem ghrelin administration in neurologically intact rats.

[Characteristics of Spatial and Temporal Evolution and Investigation of Air Pollution in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Based on Ground-Space Observation Data].

The temporal and spatial distribution characteristics, evolution trend and potential climatic effects of air pollution in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) were analyzed on different time scales and spatial spaces, based on ground environment observation data from June 2014 to December 2018 and satellite remote sensing inversion products from 2000 to 2018. The results show that:① From the in-situ observed daily average concentration of PM2.5, good or mild to moderate pollution occurred in January, February, October, November, and December every year, and the rest of the time was excellent. ② Based on the annual average PM2.5 concentration obtained by satellite for the past 20 years, the spatial characteristics showed that the external radiation is centered on Guangzhou and Foshan. The time evolution shows the characteristics of an Ω shape, which increases gradually from 2000 to 2009, is highest in 2008, and then gradually decreases. ③ The monthly average aerosol optical thickness (AOT) value from the Multi-angle Imaging Spectro Radiometer satellite reversion every 10 years for a period (2000-2009 for a period, 2010-2018 for a period) was used to see the monthly variation. The monthly average AOT value in the first period was larger than that in the second period of the same month, the maximum value was in March and April, and the minimum value was in November and December. It is envisaged to draw a line along the north-south direction of the Pearl River Port, which basically shows that the AOT value in the west is greater than that in the east. ④ According to the observed daily average concentration data of O3-8h, the main concentration level of O3-8h in the GBA is excellent. The cities with good ozone concentration were most numerous in 2014, with five cities, and least in 2018, with only one city. The highest ozone concentration was in September, followed by June and November, and then May and July. In the past 20 years, the spatial distribution of the average concentration of O3 monitored by satellite remote sensing showed a characteristic Ω shape, increasing initially and then decreasing. The maximum value was in May, and the north-south boundary line appeared in space. ⑤ There is a good linear relationship between the interannual variation of monthly mean temperature and radiation, whereas the relationship between AOT and radiation cannot be described by a simple linear relationship.

[Research on the Pollution Characteristics and Causality of Haze-sand Air Pollution in Beijing in Spring].

From May 3 to 5, 2017, a special heavy pollution event occurred in Beijing. The meteorological conditions associated with the heavy pollution were relatively special, so the pollution forms and causes were studied. The general characteristics of this pollution event were obtained based on data from 35 environmental monitoring stations in Beijing. Matching characteristics of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations with ground wind field data from automatic weather stations closest to the environmental monitoring stations were analyzed. By using MODIS and CALIPSO data, the spatial distribution in the horizontal and vertical directions was obtained, and the transport paths and pollutant categories of the pollution were elucidated. The causes of the pollution were analyzed by using ECMWF ERA-Interim data and Wind Profiler radar data. It was hoped that the special morphological characteristics and influencing factors of the pollution could be obtained by means of ground-space monitoring technology combined with meteorological conditions. The results showed that pollution characteristics and constraints could be better reflected by stereo observations and comprehensive analyses based on the above multi-source data. The pollution started abruptly and dropped sharply, and the pollution process lasted for about 30 hours. The whole process was divided into the following three stages:the first half, intermittent period, and second half. The concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were high throughout the whole process, reaching to 600-1000 µg·m-3 and 200-700 µg·m-3, respectively. The causes of pollution in the first half and second half and the resulting PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were different in terms of the spatial distribution. In the first half, the dominant wind direction was northwest wind, and the wind speed was small. The spatial difference of PM10 concentrations was also small, with concentrations more than 800 µg·m-3; meanwhile, the spatial difference of PM2.5 concentrations was great. The concentration of PM2.5 was high in the south and urban areas, reaching to 600-700 µg·m-3, and it was low in other places, reaching to 350-500 µg·m-3. During the intermission, the wind direction in the lower layer shifted from northwest wind to south wind, and the upper layer maintained northwest wind. The concentration of PM10 in the south and urban area decreased obviously to 650 µg·m-3, and the concentration of PM10 in the north remained at 800 µg·m-3. At this time, the concentration of PM2.5 in the north even dropped to 200 µg·m-3. The dominant wind returned to northwest wind in the latter half, and the wind speed increased sharply. At this time, the spatial difference of PM2.5 concentrations was small and the concentration of PM2.5 at the same station was less than that in the former half, ranging from 250 to 500 µg·m-3. The PM10 concentrations returned to the level of 800 µg·m-3. The pollution process involved mixed pollution consisting of haze and sand. Under the influence of westerly winds, the main contribution to Beijing pollution was dust-type PM10, while under southerly flows, the contribution to Beijing pollution was not only dust, but also PM2.5. Heavy pollution was accompanied by high wind speeds. The vertical motion of the atmosphere converged at an altitude of about 2-3 km, which resulted in the accumulation of pollutants at this altitude.

[Influence of Mountain Valley Breeze and Sea Land Breeze in Winter on Distribution of Air Pollutants in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region].

To reveal the effect of Mountain Valley Breeze (MVB) and Sea Land Breeze (SLB) in winter on the spatial-temporal distribution of air pollutants in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, hourly data from Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and hourly air pollutant concentration data in December 2016 from the China National Environmental Monitoring Center were used to calculate the average wind vector fields and PM2.5 concentration fields. The change rule of MVB and SLB and its influence on the distribution of PM2.5 concentration were analyzed. The prevailing factor for the MVB days was the southerly wind (valley wind) in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region from noon to afternoon, this valley wind transports air pollutants from the eastern areas of the Taihang Mountains and southwestern areas of Beijing northward. In the evening, "herringbone" convergence lines formed between the emerging mountain breeze in the western and northern parts of Beijing, as well as in the piedmont areas of the Taihang Mountains, and the southerly wind. The PM2.5 concentration increased in Beijing, Langfang, Baoding, Shijiazhuang, and Xingtai according to the concentration of the convergence lines. For the SLB days, the PM2.5 concentration increased in the piedmont areas of the Taihang Mountains due to the influence of valley wind from noon to afternoon. For the MVB days, from noon until midnight, the sea breeze appeared in the eastern coastal areas and reached the southeastern part of Tianjin, the PM2.5 concentration increased towards the front of the sea breeze. The influence of MVB and SLB on the distribution of air pollutants in the heavy pollutions process were surveyed by analyzing the temporal variation relationship between the vertical distribution of wind over 0-325 m tower (at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics) and PM2.5 concentration of urban area, and by using the Cressman method to interpolate the 10 m wind data and PM2.5 concentration data to 2D grid field. From noon to afternoon, the air pollutants were blown to Beijing by valley wind. In the evening, the air pollutants converged near the convergence lines, which were formed by the mountain breeze and southerly wind. The severe pollution zone formed in the plains of Beijing and south of Beijing. From midnight to early morning, the air pollutants in Beijing were gradually blown away by the mountain breeze and stayed south of Beijing and northwest of Tianjin. In the winter, the effect of MVB on the recycling and accumulation of air pollutants plays an important role in severe atmospheric pollution incidents in Beijing, south of Beijing, and the eastern areas of the Taihang Mountains.

Arcuate nucleus neurons are not essential for the preprandial peak in plasma ghrelin after neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether arcuate nucleus (ARC) lesions affect the ghrelin level in the plasma and the stomach in monosodium glutamate (MSG)­treated mice. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the ARC was destroyed in mice treated neonatally with MSG, and whether the ARC lesions affect the ghrelin level in the plasma and lipid mobilization in MSG­treated mice. The results revealed that MSG led to a marked reduction in ARC cresyl violet staining, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (IR) neurons and neuropeptide Y­IR fibers, compared with saline controls. MSG­treated mice exhibited significantly increased body mass compared with saline controls, and MSG treatment did not prevent food deprivation­induced decrease in white adipose tissue mass compared with controls. Plasma ghrelin levels were significantly increased in MSG­treated mice that were fasted for 48 h, compared with the levels prior to fasting and re­feeding, and the preprandial peak of plasma ghrelin persisted in MSG­treated mice. In summary, the ARC was not found to be essential for food deprivation­induced lipid mobilization and preprandial peak in MSG­treated mice. However, this finding does not mean that ARC neurons do not contribute to food sensing and lipid mobilization under normal conditions, as compensatory mechanisms may have emerged after the ablation of ARC neurons.

Corneal confocal microscopy as a non-invasive test to assess diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) as a non-invasive test to assess diabetic peripheral neuropathy in Chinese patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) and its severity degrees were assessed based on the modified Toronto diagnostic criteria in 128 patients with type 2 diabetes (No DSPN [n = 49], mild DSPN [n = 43], moderate-to-severe DSPN [n = 36]) and 24 age-matched controls. CCM was also examined in all enrolled subjects. Corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD) and corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD) were analyzed by Fiji imaging analysis software. The efficacy of CCM as a non-invasive test to assess diabetic peripheral neuropathy was determined. RESULTS: CNFL was 17.99 ±â€¯0.66, 15.82 ±â€¯0.64, 14.98 ±â€¯0.63, and 12.49 ±â€¯0.93 in healthy controls, T2DM patients with no, mild, and moderate-to-severe DPN, respectively. CNFL in type 2 diabetes patients with no, mild, and moderate-to-severe DSPN demonstrated a significant reduction than in healthy controls (P = .012, .003 and <.001, respectively). CNFL in patients with moderate-to-severe DSPN was significantly shorter than in patients with no or mild DSPN (P < .001 and .004, respectively). CNBD was 41.48 ±â€¯3.35, 33.02 ±â€¯2.50, 30.91 ±â€¯2.33, and 18.00 ±â€¯2.33 in healthy controls, T2DM patients with no, mild, and moderate-to-severe DPN, respectively. CNBD in healthy control was significantly higher than in type 2 diabetes patients with no, mild, and moderate-to-severe DSPN (P = .036, 0.016 and < .001, respectively). CNBD in patients with moderate-to-severe DSPN was significantly lower than in patients with no or mild DSPN (P < .001 for both). CNFD was 35.32 ±â€¯1.18, 35.68 ±â€¯1.10, 34.54 ±â€¯1.12, and 32.28 ±â€¯1.76 in healthy controls, T2DM patients with no, mild, and moderate-to-severe DPN, respectively. CNFD did not differ among the four groups. In an analysis that divided CNFL, CNFD and CNBD into quartiles, there were no significant differences in electromyography findings and vibration perception threshold among the 4 groups; however, significant differences were seen in the positive distribution of temperature perception measurements following CNFL and CNBD stratification (P = .001 and < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: CCM might be a non-invasive method for detecting DSPN and its severity degree in Chinese patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Expanded alleles of the FMR1 gene are related to unexplained recurrent miscarriages.

Up to 50% of recurrent miscarriage cases in women occur without an underlying etiology. In the current prospective case-control study, we determined the impact of CGG trinucleotide expansions of the fragile-X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene in 49 women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages. Case group consisted of women with two or more unexplained consecutive miscarriages. Blood samples were obtained and checked for the presence of expanded alleles of the FMR1 gene using PCR. Patients harboring the expanded allele, with a threshold set to 40 repeats, were further evaluated by sequencing. The number of abortions each woman had, was not associated with her respective CGG repeat number (P=0.255). The repeat sizes of CGG expansion in the FMR1 gene were significantly different in the two population groups (P=0.027). All the positive cases involved intermediate zone carriers. Hence, the CGG expanded allele of the FMR1 gene might be associated with unexplained multiple miscarriages; whether such an association is coincidental or causal can be confirmed by future studies using a larger patient cohort.