Risk factors of HBV intrauterine transmission among HBsAg-positive pregnant women.

Little is known about the risk factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) intrauterine transmission among HBsAg-positive mothers. We conducted a study in Taiyuan, China, including 1133 HBsAg-positive mothers and their babies. A total of 101 neonates had HBsAg and/or HBV DNA positive with an intrauterine transmission rate of 8.9%. Maternal menstrual irregularity (OR = 4.95, 95% CI: 1.71, 14.33) and severe nausea during the first trimester (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.09) were associated with an increased risk of intrauterine transmission, while caesarean delivery (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.51) was associated with a decreased risk after adjusting for potential confounders. Maternal HBeAg positive was a strong independent predictor for intrauterine transmission (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.54, 4.27). A positive association between maternal HBV DNA levels and intrauterine transmission was suggested. Maternal HBIG administration during pregnancy, family history of HBV infection and premature rupture of membranes was not associated with the risk of intrauterine transmission. The study confirmed that maternal HBeAg positive was a risk factor and caesarean delivery was a protective factor for intrauterine transmission. The new findings associated with menstrual irregularity and severe nausea during the first trimester warrant further investigation.

Transvaginal removal of ectopic pregnancy tissue and repair of uterine defect for caesarean scar pregnancy.

From December 2009 to April 2010, six patients with caesarean scar pregnancies (CSPs) underwent the transvaginal removal of ectopic pregnancy tissue and repair of a uterine defect. Transvaginal surgery was performed uneventfully in all cases. The operating time ranged from 45 to 80 minutes. Blood loss ranged from 50 to 150 ml. Serum ß-hCG (ß-subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin) levels declined to normal levels within a month for all patients, and all patients recovered without complications. Our results show that the transvaginal removal of ectopic pregnancy tissue and repair of the uterine defect is effective, safe, and minimally invasive for patients with CSP.

Antioxidant effect of mogrosides against oxidative stress induced by palmitic acid in mouse insulinoma NIT-1 cells.

Excessive oxidative stress in pancreatic ß cells, caused by glucose and fatty acids, is associated with the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Mogrosides have shown antioxidant and antidiabetic activities in animal models of diabetes, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study evaluated the antioxidant effect of mogrosides on insulinoma cells under oxidative stress caused by palmitic acid, and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Mouse insulinoma NIT-1 cells were cultured in medium containing 0.75 mM palmitic acid, mimicking oxidative stress. The effects of 1 mM mogrosides were determined with the dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay for intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and FITC-Annexin V/PI assay for cell apoptosis. Expression of glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2) and pyruvate kinase was determined by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Palmitic acid significantly increased intracellular ROS concentration 2-fold (P<0.05), and decreased expression of GLUT2 (by 60%, P<0.05) and pyruvate kinase (by 80%, P<0.05) mRNAs in NIT-1 cells. Compared with palmitic acid, co-treatment with 1 mM mogrosides for 48 h significantly reduced intracellular ROS concentration and restored mRNA expression levels of GLUT2 and pyruvate kinase. However, mogrosides did not reverse palmitic acid-induced apoptosis in NIT-1 cells. Our results indicate that mogrosides might exert their antioxidant effect by reducing intracellular ROS and regulating expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism. Further research is needed to achieve a better understanding of the signaling pathway involved in the antioxidant effect of mogrosides.

Antioxidant effect of mogrosides against oxidative stress induced by palmitic acid in mouse insulinoma NIT-1 cells

Excessive oxidative stress in pancreatic β cells, caused by glucose and fatty acids, is associated with the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Mogrosides have shown antioxidant and antidiabetic activities in animal models of diabetes, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study evaluated the antioxidant effect of mogrosides on insulinoma cells under oxidative stress caused by palmitic acid, and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Mouse insulinoma NIT-1 cells were cultured in medium containing 0.75 mM palmitic acid, mimicking oxidative stress. The effects of 1 mM mogrosides were determined with the dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay for intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and FITC-Annexin V/PI assay for cell apoptosis. Expression of glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2) and pyruvate kinase was determined by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Palmitic acid significantly increased intracellular ROS concentration 2-fold (P<0.05), and decreased expression of GLUT2 (by 60%, P<0.05) and pyruvate kinase (by 80%, P<0.05) mRNAs in NIT-1 cells. Compared with palmitic acid, co-treatment with 1 mM mogrosides for 48 h significantly reduced intracellular ROS concentration and restored mRNA expression levels of GLUT2 and pyruvate kinase. However, mogrosides did not reverse palmitic acid-induced apoptosis in NIT-1 cells. Our results indicate that mogrosides might exert their antioxidant effect by reducing intracellular ROS and regulating expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism. Further research is needed to achieve a better understanding of the signaling pathway involved in the antioxidant effect of mogrosides.