The body mass index and the risk of ectopic pregnancy: a 5-year retrospective case-control study.

PURPOSE: Acknowledging the associated risk factors may have a positive impact on reducing the incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP). In recent years, body mass index (BMI) has been mentioned in research. However, few studies are available and controversial on the relationship between EP and BMI. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the EP women as a case group and the deliveries as a control group in the central hospital of Wuhan during 2017 ~ 2021. χ2 test of variables associated with ectopic pregnancy was performed to find differences. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the association of the variables of age, parity, history of induced abortion, history of ectopic pregnancy, history of spontaneous abortion, history of appendectomy surgery and BMI (< 18.5 kg/m2, 18.5 ~ 24.9 kg/m2, 25 kg/m2 ~ 29.9 kg/m2, ≥ 30 kg /m2) with EP. RESULTS: They were 659 EP and 1460 deliveries. The variables of age, parity, history of induced abortion, history of ectopic pregnancy and BMI were different significantly(P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the variables of age > 35 years old [(OR (Odds Ratio), 5.415; 95%CI (Confidence Interval), 4.006 ~ 7.320, P < 0.001], history of ectopic pregnancy (OR, 3.944; 95%CI, 2.405 ~ 6.467; P < 0.001), history of induced abortion(OR, 3.365; 95%CI, 2.724 ~ 4.158, P < 0.001) and low BMI (< 18.5 kg/m2) (OR, 1.929; 95%CI, 1.416 ~ 2.628, P < 0.001])increased the risk of EP. CONCLUSION: The history of ectopic pregnancy, history of induced abortion and age > 35 years old were the risk factors with EP. In addition to these traditional factors, we found low BMI (< 18.5 kg/m2) with women may increase the risk to EP.

A polysaccharide fraction of adlay seed (Coixlachryma-jobi L.) induces apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells.

Different seed extracts from Coix lachryma-jobi (adlay seed) have been used for the treatment of various cancers in China, and clinical data support the use of these extracts for cancer therapy; however, their underlying molecular mechanisms have not been well defined. A polysaccharide fraction, designated as CP-1, was extracted from the C.lachryma-jobi L. var. using the ethanol subsiding method. CP-1 induced apoptosis in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner, as determined by MTT assay. Apoptotic bodies were observed in the cells by scanning electronic microscopy. Apoptosis and DNA accumulation during S-phase of the cell cycle were determined by annexin V-FITC and PI staining, respectively, and measured by flow cytometry. CP-1 also extended the comet tail length on single cell gel electrophoresis, and disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential. Further analysis by western blotting showed that the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 proteins was increased. Taken together, our results demonstrate that CP-1 is capable of inhibiting A549 cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis via a mechanism primarily involving the activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. The assay data suggest that in addition to its nutritional properties, CP-1 is a very promising candidate polysaccharide for the development of anti-cancer medicines.

Cytosolic protection against ultraviolet induced DNA damage by blueberry anthocyanins and anthocyanidins in hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells.

UV-induced DNA damage plays a key role in the etiology of certain diseases. The ability of blueberry anthocyanins and anthocyanidins (BA) to protect cellular DNA from UV-induced damage was investigated. BA were extracted by water (BAW), ethanol (BAE) or methanol (BAM). These extracts partially restored proliferation of UV-irradiated HepG2 cells as shown by MTT assay. Treatment with BA extracts at 75 µg/ml decreased reactive oxygen species and decreased DNA damage by tail moment of comet assay and expression of γH2AX in situ. BAM significantly decreased gene and protein expression of p53, phospho-p53 (Ser15), and p21 in UV-irradiated HepG2 cells. BA thus efficiently protects cells from DNA damage in vitro. Blueberry may potentially be used as a good source of naturally radioprotective agents.

Evidence for an epigenetic mechanism by which Hsp90 acts as a capacitor for morphological evolution.

Morphological alterations have been shown to occur in Drosophila melanogaster when function of Hsp90 (heat shock 90-kDa protein 1alpha, encoded by Hsp83) is compromised during development. Genetic selection maintains the altered phenotypes in subsequent generations. Recent experiments have shown, however, that phenotypic variation still occurs in nearly isogenic recombinant inbred strains of Arabidopsis thaliana. Using a sensitized isogenic D. melanogaster strain, iso-Kr(If-1), we confirm this finding and present evidence supporting an epigenetic mechanism for Hsp90's capacitor function, whereby reduced activity of Hsp90 induces a heritably altered chromatin state. The altered chromatin state is evidenced by ectopic expression of the morphogen wingless in eye imaginal discs and a corresponding abnormal eye phenotype, both of which are epigenetically heritable in subsequent generations, even when function of Hsp90 is restored. Mutations in nine different genes of the trithorax group that encode chromatin-remodeling proteins also induce the abnormal phenotype. These findings suggest that Hsp90 acts as a capacitor for morphological evolution through epigenetic and genetic mechanisms.

Protective roles of Gadd45 and MDM2 in blueberry anthocyanins mediated DNA repair of fragmented and non-fragmented DNA damage in UV-irradiated HepG2 cells.

Growth Arrest and DNA Damage-inducible 45 (Gadd45) and MDM2 proteins, together with p21 and p53, play important roles in cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair, and genome integrity maintenance. Gadd45 and MDM2 were activated and transcribed instantly by UV irradiation, whereas blueberry anthocyanins (BA) decreased the gene and protein expression levels in HepG2 cells for up to 24 h, and gradually restored the UV-induced fragmented and non-fragmented DNA damage of the nucleus at a time point of 12 h. Nevertheless, UV-irradiated HepG2 cell arrests occurred mainly in the G1 phase, which indicated G1 as a checkpoint. The proteins, p21 and p53, retain cellular integrity, suppressing the oncogenic transformation by interruption of the G1 phase of the cellular cycle, giving time for repairing the damage to DNA, or apoptosis induction if the damage is too severe to be repaired, while MDM2 and Gadd45 concomitantly ensure the presence of p53 and p21. Thus, we conclude that repair, together with Gadd45 and MDM2 genes, were involved in light and dark reaction mechanisms, however, BA could interfere and assist the repair through restoration, although further studies of the complex of the gene cascades triggered and responded to in BA-assisted DNA repair are needed.

Study of the Chinese Members of the Subfamily Anabropsinae (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) VII: Description of two new subgenera and five new species of Anabropsis from China.

This paper is further study Chinese Anabropsinae and proposes two new subgenera of Anabropsis from China, Anabropsis (Spinanabropsis) subgen. nov. and Anabropsis (Pseudapteranabropsis) subgen. nov.. Five new species are described, namely Anabropsis (Apteranabropsis) daweishanensis sp. nov., Anabropsis (Spinanabropsis) pengi sp. nov., Anabropsis (Spinanabropsis) erythronota sp. nov., Anabropsis (Pseudapteranabropsis) nigrimaculatis sp. nov. and Anabropsis (Pseudapteranabropsis) flavimaculata sp. nov. All the specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University.

Comparative mitogenome analysis and phylogenetic inference of the genus Ultragryllacris (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae).

The genus Ultragryllacris is mainly distributed in China and Thailand, and the type species Ultragryllacris pulchra Gorochov & Dawwrueng, 2015 includes four subspecies. Up to now, these subspecies were identified mainly based on their morphological characteristics, and no study on the molecular identification of subspecies and phylogenetic analyses has been reported. Here we obtained three mitogenomes of U. pulchra rubricapitis and one mitogenome of Homogryllacris yunnana and reconstructed the relationship of Ultragryllacris among genera. Species identification was performed with ABGD, jMOTU, and NJ tree based on cox1 (658 bp) and cob (550 bp) genes. The mitogenomes of U. pulchra rubricapitis and H. yunnana were 15558-16625 bp and 16209 bp in length, respectively. Most of the PCGs started with the typical ATN codons and terminated with complete TAA/TAG. Four mitogenomes showed positive AT skews and negative GC skews. Besides, the phylogenetic tree of BI and ML revealed that Ultragryllacris was a monophyletic group. One geographical population of Ultragryllacris pulchra rubricapitis was described and illustrated.

Compatibility between cold-natured medicine CP and hot-natured medicine AZ synergistically mitigates colitis mice through attenuating inflammation and restoring gut barrier.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a nonspecific intestinal inflammation with complex pathogenesis. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula consists of several TCM herbs following the principle of herbal property and compatibility. Our previous studies found that Huanglian Ganjiang decoction (HGD) exhibited anti-colitis capacity and the compatibility between hot-natured medicine and cold-natured medicine was main compatibility. However, the association between compatibility mechanism of HGD and its anti-colitis effect has not been fully illustrated yet. AIM OF STUDY: Here, we would explore whether cold-natured medicine Coptis chinensis Franch. plus Phellodendron chinense C.K.Schneid. (CP) and hot-natured medicine Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels plus Zingiber officinale Roscoe (AZ) in HGD respectively produce different impacts on UC, and exert synergistic effect on UC together. MATERIALS AND METHODS: UPLC/MS-MS was used to qualitatively analyze chemical profiles of CP, AZ and CPAZ extracts. CPAZ-UC target network was constructed using network pharmacology. Colitis mice was induced by 3% DSS for 7 days and treated with CP, AZ and CPAZ for another 7 days. The levels of multiple cytokines and proportions of innate and adaptive immune cells were determined to assess inflammatory profiles. The leakage of FITC-dextran, expressions of tight junction proteins were detected for evaluation of gut barrier function. RESULTS: CP, AZ and CPAZ could improve symptoms of colitis mice. CP showed superiority in reducing proportions of pro-inflammatory immune cells M1 cells, neutrophils, Th1 and Th17 cells, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α. In the contrast, AZ had advantage of elevating ratios of anti-inflammatory immune cells M2 and Treg cells as well as the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-ß. In addition, CP and AZ synergistically regulated M1/M2 macrophage polarization and the following IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ production, thereby restoring intestinal mucosal barrier. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our study first demonstrated that cold-natured medicine CP and hot-natured medicine AZ took on different functions in treatment of colitis mice. Meanwhile, they exhibited synergistic effect on the alleviation of intestinal inflammation and reinforcement of gut barrier function and integrity.

Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Gryllacrididae (Orthoptera) VII: Review the genus Apterolarnaca Gorochov, 2004.

Based on the morphology of male ninth abdominal tergite and subgenital plate, this paper redefines the genus Bianigryllacris Cadena-Castaeda, 2019 to subgeneric status under Apterolarnaca Gorochov, 2004. Two species are described as new: Apterolarnaca (Bianigryllacris) tenuispinacia sp. nov. (Chinese name: ) and Apterolarnaca (Bianigryllacris) xinganensis sp. nov. (Chinese name: ). And a key to species of Apterolarnaca is provided. All examined specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University.

Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Meconematinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) I: One new species of Neocyrtopsis Liu amp; Zhang, 2007 with key to species.

This paper describes one new species of Neocyrtopsis Liu Zhang, 2007 and provides the key to all the species. All type specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University.

Contribution to the Chinese subfamily Rhaphidophorinae Walker, 1869 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) V: Two new species of Eurhaphidophora.

This paper describes two new species of Eurhaphidophora, namely: Eurhaphidophora curvata sp. nov. (Chinese name: ) and Eurhaphidophora fossa sp. nov. (Chinese name: ) based on the specimens from Yunnan Province, China. The type specimens are deposited in the Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China.

Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Gryllacrididae (Orthoptera) VI: new descriptions of Ocellarnaca Gorochov, 2004.

In this paper, we report one new species, viz. Ocellarnaca longilobulata sp. nov. (Chinese name: ), and provide the descriptions of tegminal veins and morphological illustrations of Ocellarnaca fuscotessellata (Karny, 1926) (Chinese name: ) and Ocellarnaca furcifera (Karny, 1926) (Chinese name: ). All the specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University.

Contribution to the Chinese subfamily Rhaphidophorinae Walker, 1869 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae: Rhaphidophorinae) IV: Seven new species of Rhaphidophora and one new mitogenome.

Seven new species and the female sex of Rhaphidophora xishuang Gorochov, 2012 of the rhaphidophorines are described from China. The images illustrating the morphology of the two known species are provided. Meanwhile, the complete mitogenome of Rhaphidophora quadrispina was assembled. The mitogenome was 15892 bp in length and contained the typical gene arrangement. All examined specimens are deposited in the Guangxi Normal University.

Study on the Chinese Subfamily Anostostomatinae (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) IV: One new recorded species Anabropsis (Apteranabropsis) tonkinensis Rehn, 1906.

This paper is the fourth study of the subfamily Anostostomatinae from China and reports one newly recorded species, Anabropsis (Apteranabropsis) tonkinensis Rehn, 1906. Also, we reported the mitochondrial genome and inferred the phylogenic relationship among the genus Anabropsis based on two specimens. Two complete mitogenomes were 16059 and 16052 bp in size and consisted of 37 genes and a control region. The overall base composition exhibited a clear AT bias. Most protein-coding genes started with the codon ATN and ended with typical stop codons TAA. The phylogenetic analyses based on mitogenomes and several morphological characteristics provided meaningful genetic information for Anabropsis and validated the phylogenetic relationships among the subgenera.

Factor mobility, transportation network and green economic growth of the urban agglomeration.

Understanding the externalities of transportation networks in the process of the agglomeration and diffusion of production factors has theoretical and practical significance for the coordinated development of China's economic growth in urban agglomerations. Therefore, the social network analysis method is introduced in this paper with the case of the Pan Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration to analyze the characteristics of the traffic connection network of the production factor flow within this urban agglomeration, and subsequently, an econometric panel model is adopted to quantitatively analyze the effect of the connection network on the economic growth of the urban agglomeration. The results show that (1) the traffic connection of the Pan Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration has network characteristics typical of a "small world". Although the connections between cities are gradually strengthening, the regional differences are obvious, showing a core-edge pattern of eastern agglomeration and western sparseness. (2) Among the network nodes, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other cities have obvious agglomeration and diffusion effects, stabilizing economic growth while driving the development of surrounding cities. The "polarization effect" in Chongqing and Chengdu has significantly increased, and the accumulation of factors mainly meets their own economic development but has not yet spread. (3) The Pan Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration's transportation network influences the region's economic growth through the structural effect, as it strengthens the economic ties between cities, and through the action of resource factors, as the network represents the aggregation and diffusion path of factor flow. (4) Due to the different traffic connections and industrial structures across the Pan Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration, the factor flow of each suburban agglomeration has a differentiated impact on the regional economic growth under the traffic connection network. Therefore, to realize the coordinated economic development of the Pan Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration, it is necessary to "adjust measures to local conditions" and formulate accurate and precise policies.

Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Gryllacrididae (Orthoptera) IX: One new species of Apterolarnaca Gorochov, 2004 from Guangxi with description of female Apterolarnaca (Apterolarnaca) huanglianensis Bian amp; Lu, 2021.

This study provides description of one new species, Apterolarnaca (Bianigryllacris) spiculoproceris sp. nov. (Chinese name: ), from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The morphological photographs of Apterolarnaca (Apterolarnaca) huanglianensis Bian Lu, 2021 from Menghai, Yunnan Province are provided and the female sex is described for the first time. The newly founded female is similar to Apterolarnaca (Bianigryllacris) bilobus (Guo Shi, 2012) in basal area of ventral valvulae with a pair of digitate sclerites, which is proved that reducing the status of Bianigryllacris Cadena-Castaeda, 2019 to subgeneric level under Apterolarnaca Gorochov, 2004 is reasonable. All the specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University.

Study on the Chinese Subfamily Anabropsinae (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) VI: One new species of Anabropsis (Pteranabropsis) from Yunnan Province.

This paper is sixth study the Chinese Anabropsinae and reports one new species from Yunnan Province, China, viz. A. (Pteranabropsis) maguanensis sp. nov. (Chinese name: ). Meanwhile, the complete mitochondrical genome of the new species was determined and annotated. The 15, 962 bp circle genome consisted of 13 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNA, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and an A+T-rich region. It has the typical invertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) were initiated by typical ATN codon. The nucleotide compositions were significant bias towards AT. All transfer RNA (tRNA) genes had a typical clover-leaf structure, except trnS1 in which the base pairs of the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm was lacking. Overall, six domains and 49 helices were predicted for rrnL, and three structural domains and 27 helices were predicted for rrnS.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Ruspolia yunnana (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Ruspolia yunnana was 15,794 bp and consisted of 37 genes and a control region. The A + T content of the mitogenome was as high as 71.3%. Most protein-coding genes started with the codon ATN and ended with stop codons TAA. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitogenomes suggested that Ruspolia yunnana and Ruspolia dubia have the closest genetic relationship. In general, this study provided meaningful genetic information for Ruspolia yunnana and validated the phylogenetic relationships within the Conocephalinae.

One new species of Liara (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Conocephalinae; Agraeciini) from Guangxi.

One new species of the genus Liara is described, Liara (Liara) longispina sp. nov. (Chinese name: ) from Guangxi, China. All the specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University. Detailed descriptions and illustrations are provided for the new species.

Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Gryllacrididae (Orthoptera) XI: Three new species of Homogryllacris from Yunnan Province.

This paper reports three new micropterous species of Homogryllacris from Yunnan Province. And we supplement the additional description for Homogryllacris anelytra Shi, Guo & Bian, 2012 and Homogryllacris bilobus (Bey-Bienko, 1957). All examined specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University.