Pelvic floor muscle strength and influencing factors based on vaginal manometry among healthy women at different life stages: A multicentre cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and influencing factors among healthy women at different life stages. DESIGN: Multicentre cross-sectional study. SETTING: Fourteen hospitals in China. POPULATION: A total of 5040 healthy women allocated to the following groups (with 1680 women per group): premenopausal nulliparous, premenopausal parous and postmenopausal. METHODS: The PFM strength was evaluated by vaginal manometry. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the influencing factors for low PFM strength. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximum voluntary contraction pressure (MVCP). RESULTS: The median MVCP values were 36, 35 and 35 cmH2O in premenopausal nulliparous (aged 19-51 years), premenopausal parous (aged 22-61 years), and postmenopausal (aged 40-86 years) women, respectively. In the premenopausal nulliparous group, physical work (odds ratio, OR 2.05) was the risk factor for low PFM strength, which may be related to the chronic increased abdominal pressure caused by physical work. In the premenopausal parous group, the number of vaginal deliveries (OR 1.28) and diabetes (OR 2.70) were risk factors for low PFM strength, whereas sexual intercourse (<2 times per week vs. none, OR 0.55; ≥2 times per week vs. none, OR 0.56) and PFM exercise (OR 0.50) may have protective effects. In the postmenopausal group, the number of vaginal deliveries (OR 1.32) and family history of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) (OR 1.83) were risk factors for low PFM strength. CONCLUSIONS: Physical work, vaginal delivery, diabetes and a family history of POP are all risk factors for low PFM strength, whereas PFM exercises and sexual life can have a protective effect. The importance of these factors varies at different stages of a woman's life.

[Bushen Culuan Formula in treatment of infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome].

This study aims to observe the efficacy and safety of Bushen Culuan Formula in the treatment of infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) and to explore the mechanism using metabolomics. Ninety-four patients with infertility caused by PCOS with the syndrome of kidney deficiency and blood stasis were selected and assigned into treatment and control groups(n=47). The basal body temperature(BBT) was measured, and B-ultrasonography was employed to monitor follicles, ovarian volume, endometrium, ovulation, and pregnancy. The serum levels of sex hormones including follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), prolactin(PRL), estradiol(E_2), progestin(P), testosterone(T), free testosterone(FT), androstenedione(A2), inhibin B(INHB), and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) were measured. The coagulation function, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) symptom scores, blood and urine routine, liver and kidney functions and other safety indicators were determined. Metabolomics was employed to comparatively analyze the serum metabolites of 26 patients(13 patients in each group) in the clinical study. The results showed that the total response rate and pregnancy rate of the treatment group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.001), suggesting that Bushen Culuan Formula regulated the sex hormones and ovarian function. Specifically, it reduced the levels of LH, T, FT, A2, and INHB(P<0.05 or P<0.01) and the LH/FSH ratio(P<0.05), elevated the level of P(P<0.05), promoted ovulation, increased endothelial thickness, and lowered TCM symptom scores without causing adverse reactions. A total of 24 differential metabolites were screened by metabolomics, and there were correlations between sex hormones and differential metabolites in the PCOS-induced infertility patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis. In conclusion, Bushen Culuan Formula may regulate hormone levels through lipid and amino acid metabolism.

Adverse associations between maternal deoxynivalenol exposure and birth outcomes: a prospective cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: Deoxynivalenol (DON), one of the most prevalent mycotoxins, has been found to cause fetal growth retardation in animals. However, limited evidence exists regarding its effects on pregnant women. METHODS: Maternal urinary concentration of total DON (tDON) and free DON (fDON) in the second trimester was measured using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Provisional daily intake (PDI) of DON was calculated based on tDON concentration. Linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between DON exposure levels and birth weight, birth length, and the risk of small for gestational age (SGA). RESULTS: Among 1538 subjects, the median concentrations of tDON and fDON were 12.1 ng/mL and 5.1 ng/mL, respectively. The PDI values revealed that the median DON intake was 0.7 µg/kg bw, and 35.9% of the total population exceeded the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 1 µg/kg bw. Compared with the lowest tertile, birth weight decreased by 81.11 g (95% CI: -127.00, -35.23) for tDON (P-trend < 0.001) and 63.02 g (95% CI: -108.72, -17.32) for fDON (P-trend = 0.004) in the highest tertile. Each unit increase in Ln-tDON and Ln-fDON was also inversely associated with birth weight. Furthermore, compared to those who did not exceed PMTDI, pregnant women whose PDI exceeded PMTDI had lower birth weight (ß = -79.79 g; 95% CI: -119.09, -40.49) and birth length (ß = -0.21 cm; 95% CI: -0.34, -0.07), and a higher risk of SGA (OR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.15) in their offspring. Similar associations with birth weight, birth length, and SGA were found when comparing the highest tertile of PDI to the lowest tertile (all P-trend < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal DON exposure is related to decreased birth weight. Our findings implicate that DON exposure during pregnancy may cause fetal growth faltering, and measures should be taken to reduce DON exposure in pregnant women.

Halomonas dongshanensis sp. nov., isolated from the seawater of Dongshan Island.

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain yzlin-01T, isolated from Dongshan Island seawater. The bacterium was Gram-stain-negative, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, rod-shaped, and motile by polar flagella. Growth was observed at temperatures of 10-40 °C, at salinities of 0.5-18 %, and at pH of 6-10. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain yzlin-01T belonged to the genus Halomonas, with the highest sequence similarity to Halomonas malpeensis YU-PRIM-29T (96.7 %), followed by Halomonas johnsoniae T68687T (96.4 %) and Halomonas gomseomensis M12T (96.4 %), and other species of the genus Halomonas (93.4-96.3 %). The ANI and digital DNA-DNA hybridization estimate values between strain yzlin-01T and the closest type strain Halomonas malpeensis YU-PRIM-29T were 77.44 and 21.6 %, respectively. The principal fatty acids were summed feature 8 (consisting of C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c; 55.7 %), C16 : 0 (20.6 %), C12 : 0 3-OH (6.8 %), summed feature 3 (consisting of C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c; 5.1 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 60.0 mol %. The respiratory quinone was identified as Q-9 (100 %). Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, aminophospholipid, and three unidentified phospholipids were present. Combined genotypic and phenotypic data suggest that strain yzlin-01T represents a novel species within the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas dongshanensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain yzlin-01T (=GDMCC 1.3202T=KCTC 92467T).

Synthesis and Peroxide Activation Mechanism of Bimetallic MOF for Water Contaminant Degradation: A Review.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials possess a large specific surface area, high porosity, and atomically dispersed metal active sites, which confer excellent catalytic performance as peroxide (peroxodisulfate (PDS), peroxomonosulfate (PMS), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)) activation catalysts. However, the limited electron transfer characteristics and chemical stability of traditional monometallic MOFs restrict their catalytic performance and large-scale application in advanced oxidation reactions. Furthermore, the single-metal active site and uniform charge density distribution of monometallic MOFs result in a fixed activation reaction path of peroxide in the Fenton-like reaction process. To address these limitations, bimetallic MOFs have been developed to improve catalytic activity, stability, and reaction controllability in peroxide activation reactions. Compared with monometallic MOFs, bimetallic MOFs enhance the active site of the material, promote internal electron transfer, and even alter the activation path through the synergistic effect of bimetals. In this review, we systematically summarize the preparation methods of bimetallic MOFs and the mechanism of activating different peroxide systems. Moreover, we discuss the reaction factors that affect the process of peroxide activation. This report aims to expand the understanding of bimetallic MOF synthesis and their catalytic mechanisms in advanced oxidation processes.

MBD3 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression and metastasis through negative regulation of tumour suppressor TFPI2.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is complex and challenging. Methyl-CpG binding domain protein 3 (MBD3) is a key epigenetic regulator involved in the progression and metastasis of several cancers, but its role in HCC remains unknown. METHODS: MBD3 expression in HCC was detected by immunohistochemistry and its association with clinicopathological features and patient's survival was analysed. The effects of MBD3 on hepatoma cells growth and metastasis were investigated, and the mechanism was explored. RESULTS: MBD3 is significantly highly expressed in HCC, associated with the advanced tumour stage and poor prognosis in HCC patients. MBD3 promotes the growth, angiogenesis and metastasis of HCC cells by inhibiting the tumour suppressor tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2). Mechanistically, MBD3 can inhibit the TFPI2 transcription via the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex-mediated deacetylation, thus reactivating the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, leading to the progression and metastasis of HCC CONCLUSIONS: Our results unravel the novel regulatory function of MBD3 in the progression and metastasis of HCC and identify MBD3 as an independent unfavourable prognostic factor for HCC patients, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic target as well.

Comparison of Different Volatile Extraction Methods for the Identification of Fishy Off-Odor in Fish By-Products.

This study was conducted to analyze volatile odor compounds and key odor-active compounds in the fish soup using fish scarp and bone. Five extraction methods, including solid-phase microextraction (SPME), dynamic headspace sampling (DHS), solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE), stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), were compared and SPME was finally selected as the best extraction method for further study. The volatile odor compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry (GC-O-MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry (GC × GC-O-MS) techniques, and the key odor-active compounds were identified via aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) and relative odor activity value (r-OAV) calculation. A total of 38 volatile compounds were identified by GC-O-MS, among which 10 were declared as odor-active compounds. Whereas 39 volatile compounds were identified by GC × GC-O-MS, among which 12 were declared as odor-active compounds. The study results revealed that 1-octen-3-one, 2-pentylfuran, (E)-2-octenal, 1-octen-3-one, hexanal, 1-octen-3-ol, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one, (E,Z)-2,6-nondienal and 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine were the key odor-active compounds in the fish soup.

Preparation and characterization of W1 /O/W2 emulsions stabilized by glycated and heat-modified egg white proteins.

BACKGROUND: Water-in-oil-in-water (W1 /O/W2 ) emulsions stabilized by protein-carbohydrate complexes were prepared from an inner water phase (W1 ), an oil phase (O) and an outer water phase (W2 ). The complexes consisted of heat-induced aggregates (HIAs) of isomalto-oligosaccharide/egg white protein Maillard conjugates. The effects of polyglycerol ester of polyricinoleic acid (PGPR) concentration, HIA concentration, W1 -to-O volume ratio and W1 /O-to-W2 volume ratio on the properties of the W1 /O/W2 emulsions were systematically investigated. RESULTS: At sufficiently high PGPR concentrations (>2%), the emulsions possess a high negative charge (≈-44 mV). The encapsulation efficiency of the emulsions, which was determined by incorporating a hydrophilic yellow dye in the inner water phase prior to homogenization, was relatively high (up to 93%) and did not change significantly during 14-day storage at 4 °C. All emulsions were fluids that exhibited shear thinning behavior. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study shows that nature-derived emulsifiers can be used to create W1 /O/W2 emulsions suitable for application in the food industry. In addition, we provided a viable strategy to encapsulate water-soluble nutrients. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Antibiotic-resistant bacteria contamination in the air of different departments in hospital].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the contamination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in air of different departments in hospital. METHODS: From 2018.07 to 2021.06, 191 samples of the air-conditioning filter dust in three hospitals were collected. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were isolated from the accumulated dust. The drug sensitivity test was conducted for Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacteriaceae. RESULTS: A total of 119 samples were detected antibiotic-resistant bacteria from 191 samples, and the detection rate was 62.30%. The detection rate of different departments from high to low was surgical ward(68.29%) >intensive care unit(ICU)(59.62%) >medical ward(57.92%). A total of 362 strains of antimicribial-resistant organisms were isolated, mainly were Acinetobacter(28.73%), Pseudomonas(22.10%), Bacillus(22.10%), Staphylococcus(9.12%), etc. Among them, 72 strains of target organisms were detected, and the detection rate was 19.89%(72/362), the detection rate of different target bacteria from high to low was Acinetobacter baumannii(12.71%)>Enterobacteriaceae(4.72%)>Staphylococcus aureus(2.76%)(P<0.05). The drug sensitivity test showed that 41 strains of antimicribial-resistant organisms were detected, and the detection rate was 56.94%(41/72), including carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CR-ABA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae(CRE), etc.24 strains of multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs) were detected and the detection rate was 58.54%(24/41). The detection rate of different departments from high to low was ICU(80.00%)>medical ward(60.00%)>surgical ward(46.15%). CONCLUSION: There was contaminated by Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacteriaceae in the air of hospitals, some of them were MDROs, mainly were detected in neurological ward, respiratory medical ward, hyroid and breast surgery ward, neurosurgery ward, cardiothoracic surgery ward, gallideulous surgical ICU and general ICU.

Study on functional improvement of freeze-thaw egg yolk pellet by enzymatic hydrolysis.

Freeze-thaw egg yolk pellet (FYP) could be produced as a by-product in the process of egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) extraction. The FYP contained many superior nutritional components like fresh egg yolk, but it has poor functionalities because of protein denaturation resulted from freezing treatment during IgY extraction. For the purpose of comprehensive utilization of egg yolk resources, FYP was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with alcalase to produce FYP hydrolysates (FYPh) with four enzyme concentrations of 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 U/g for improved functional properties. And then FYPh was spray dried to obtain hydrolyzed egg yolk pellet powder (HYP). Solubility, emulsifying property and surface hydrophobicity of HYP were investigated. The results showed that enzymatic hydrolysis could lead to noticeable changes in surface hydrophobicity, microstructure, solubility and emulsifying properties of HYP compared with the control group without enzymatic hydrolysis treatment. Solubility and emulsification stability index generally increased from 19 g/100 g, 12.33 to 87 g/100 g, 76.63 with increasing degree of hydrolyze, respectively. This study demonstrated that the functional properties of FYP could be effectively improved when the enzyme addition amount reached 1000 U/g. HYP prepared under this condition owes desirable solubility and emulsification, and has the potential of application in food industry.

Accumulation of LDL/ox-LDL in the necrotic region participates in osteonecrosis of the femoral head: a pathological and in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common but intractable disease that appears to involve lipid metabolic disorders. Although numerous studies have demonstrated that high blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are closely associated with ONFH, there is limited evidence to explain the pathological role of LDL. Pathological and in vitro studies were performed to investigate the role of disordered metabolism of LDL and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) in the femoral head in the pathology of ONFH. METHODS: Nineteen femoral head specimens from patients with ONFH were obtained for immunohistochemistry analysis. Murine long-bone osteocyte Y4 cells were used to study the effects of LDL/ox-LDL on cell viability, apoptosis, and metabolism process of LDL/ox-LDL in osteocytes in normoxic and hypoxic environments. RESULTS: In the pathological specimens, marked accumulation of LDL/ox-LDL was observed in osteocytes/lacunae of necrotic regions compared with healthy regions. In vitro studies showed that ox-LDL, rather than LDL, reduced the viability and enhanced apoptosis of osteocytes. Pathological sections indicated that the accumulation of ox-LDL was significantly associated with impaired blood supply. Exposure to a hypoxic environment appeared to be a key factor leading to LDL/ox-LDL accumulation by enhancing internalisation and oxidation of LDL in osteocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The accumulation of LDL/ox-LDL in the necrotic region may contribute to the pathology of ONFH. These findings could provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of ONFH.

Diagnostic accuracy of the Berlin questionnaire and therapeutic effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure in OSAHS patients with glucose metabolic dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is associated with alterations in glucose metabolism. The Berlin questionnaire (BQ) is effective in identifying subjects with high risk of OSAHS. However, its validity in patients with glucose metabolic dysfunction remains unclear. Our study aims to examine the diagnostic efficacy of the BQ in detecting OSAHS in patients with glucose metabolic dysfunction and to explore the effect of nasal CPAP on glucose metabolism. METHODS: Patients with glucose metabolic dysregulation were first asked to complete the BQ and then recruited for polysomnogram (PSG). The diagnostic accuracy of the BQ and the relationships between groups with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), elevated fasting blood glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and diabetes mellitus (DM) were analyzed. Subjects with both OSAHS and glucose dysregulation received CPAP treatment and underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Changes in apnea-hypopnea indices (AHI) and glycemic parameters were calculated to determine the efficacy of CPAP. RESULTS: Glycosylated hemoglobin and insulin levels were statistically different between the high-risk and low-risk groups according to the BQ. For diagnosis of subjects with OSAHS who also had glucose metabolic dysfunction, the sensitivity and specificity of the BQ using AHI cut-off values at 5 events per hour were 73% and 67%. CPAP therapy effectively reduced the blood glucose, HOMA-IR, and insulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: The BQ can be considered to be an effective and economical screening tool for patieints with OSAHS who also have glucose metabolic dysfunction. Treatment with CPAP may improve glycemic parameters.

[Study on mechanism of Bushen Culuan Formula in treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome based on network pharmacology and molecular docking].

This study used network pharmacology and molecular docking to study the mechanism of Bushen Culuan Formula in the treatment of infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS). The active ingredients and potential drug targets of Bushen Cu-luan Decoction were obtained by searching the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology(TCMSP) database, and the targets of PCOS by searching GeneCards. After the drug targets and disease targets were corrected by Uniprot, the intersection genes were obtained. STRING database and Cytoscape 3.7.2 were used for protein-protein interaction(PPI) analysis of the intersection genes. The ClueGO plug-in of Cytoscape 3.7.2 was employed to perform gene ontology(GO) enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment for the intersection genes. Finally, molecular docking of the key active ingredients with the targets of Bushen Culuan Formula was performed using AutoDockVina and MGLtools. A total of 136 active ingredients and 314 drug targets of the decoction were obtained from TCMSP, and 136 disease targets from GeneCards. Finally, 49 drug-disease intersection genes were obtained. GO enrichment found that the genes were mainly involved in the regulation of muscle cell apoptosis, positive regulation of small molecule metabolism, core promoter binding, RNA polymerase Ⅱ regulation of pri-miRNA transcription, negative regulation of transmembrane transport and other biological functions. The enriched KEGG pathways mainly included MAPK, PI3 K-Akt, p53, and HIF-1 signaling pathways. The results of molecular docking showed that quercetin and PTGS2 can bind stably and interact through amino acid residues THR206, TRP387, ASN382, etc. This study preliminarily reveals the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanism of Bushen Culuan Formula in the treatment of PCOS-related infertility, which provides a basis for further research.

[Effect of therapies for kidney-tonifying and blood-activating in treatment of anovulatory infertility in eugenics].

In the context of the new era, paying attention to maternal and child health and advocating prenatal and postnatal care can effectively improve the quality of the birth population. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of prenatal and postnatal healthcare with rich content, which is the theoretical basis of modern related services. With the social development and the improvement of people's awareness of prenatal and postnatal healthcare, people have gradually shifted the focus of prenatal and postnatal healthcare to the peri-pregnancy stage at present, namely that couples of childbearing age are guided to prepare for pregnancy under the premise of solving their basic diseases. Infertility is a common and refractory disease for women of childbearing age. Ovulation disorder is one of its common pathological mechanisms. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that kidney deficiency is the main cause and pa-thogenesis of anovulation infertility and blood stasis is an important factor throughout the disease course. In clinical practice, therapies for invigorating kidney and activating blood are safe and reliable to treat anovulatory infertility mainly by adjusting the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis, improving ovarian function, uterine environment and gamete quality and increasing endometrial volume. Under the guidance of the thought of prenatal and postnatal healthcare, the authors tried to explore the effect of therapies for kidney-tonifying and blood-activating in the treatment of anovulatory infertility in eugenics, with the purpose of providing ideas and basis for subsequent relevant clinical studies and contributing to prenatal and postnatal healthcare services.

Antimicrobial peptide AR-23 derivatives with high endosomal disrupting ability enhance poly(l-lysine)-mediated gene transfer.

BACKGROUND: pH-sensitive peptides are a relatively new strategy for conquering the poor endosomal release of cationic polymer-mediated transfection. Modification of antimicrobial peptides by exchanging positively-charged residues with negatively-charged glutamic acid residues (Glu) greatly improves its lytic activity at the endosomal pH, which could improve cationic polymer-mediated transfection. METHODS: In the present study, we investigated the effect of the number of Glu substituted for positively-charged residues on the endosomal escape activity of AR-23 and the ability of mutated AR-23 with respect to enhancing cationic polymer-mediated transfection. Three analogs were synthesized by replacing the positively-charged residues in the AR-23 sequence with Glu one-by-one. RESULTS: The pH-sensitive lysis ability of the peptides, the effect of peptides on the physicochemical characteristics, the intracellular trafficking, the transfection efficiency and the cytotoxicity of the polyplexes were determined. Increased lytic activity of peptides was observed with the increased number of Glu replacement in the AR-23 sequence at acidic pH. The number of Glu substituted for positively-charged residues of AR-23 dramatically affects its lysis ability at neutral pH. Triple-Glu substitution in the AR-23 sequence greatly improved poly(l-lysine)-mediated gene transfection efficiency at the same time as maintaining low cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that replacement of positively-charged residues with sufficient Glu residues may be considered as a method for designing pH-sensitive peptides, which could be applied as potential enhancers for improving cationic polymer-mediated transfection.

Pinocembrin ameliorates intermittent hypoxia-induced neuroinflammation through BNIP3-dependent mitophagy in a murine model of sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent hypoxia (IH) caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) leads to neuroinflammation. Pinocembrin has been shown to have neuroprotective effects, while the therapeutic functions under IH condition are still unknown. METHODS: An OSA model was established by CIH exposure inside custom-made chambers. C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with pinocembrin (40 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (PBS containing 5% povidone; i.p.), and the changes of behavior on mice were detected by the Morris water maze test. Immunohistochemical staining, western blotting, immunofluorescence assays, and immunoprecipitation were used to investigate the association between NLRP3 inflammasome and BNIP3-dependent mitophagy. The mitochondrial morphology and mitophagosomes were detected under a transmission electron microscope. The detrimental effects of IH were tested by annexin V-FITC/PI staining, Mito SOX Red staining, and JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assay. RESULTS: In this study, our observations in vivo indicated that the administration of pinocembrin can restore spatial learning and memory ability and reduce neuronal apoptosis and hippocampal inflammation. Pinocembrin treatment significantly inhibited the formation of NLRP3 inflammasome and infiltration of microglia and enhanced BNIP3-mediated mitophagy in the hippocampus of IH mice. Additionally, our in vitro results show that pinocembrin protects microglial cells against IH-induced cytotoxicity by activating BNIP3-dependent mitophagy through the JNK-ERK signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our findings demonstrated that pinocembrin can act as a potential therapeutic strategy for IH-induced neuroinflammation.

Randomized trial of electrodynamic microneedle combined with 5% minoxidil topical solution for the treatment of Chinese male Androgenetic alopecia.

Background: In treating androgenetic alopecia, 5% minoxidil is a commonly used topical drug. By using electrodynamic microneedle at the same time may increase absorption of minoxidil and further stimulate hair growth.Objective: A 24-week, randomized, evaluator blinded, comparative study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of treating Chinese male androgenetic alopecia using microneedle combined with 5% minoxidil topical solution. Methods: Randomized subjects received topical 5% minoxidil (group 1, n = 20), local electrodynamic microneedle treatments (group 2, n = 20), or local electrodynamic microneedle treatments plus topical 5% minoxidil (group 3, n = 20). A total of 12 microneedle treatments were performed every 2 weeks with 2ml 5% minoxidil delivery in group three during each microneedle treatment. Patient receiving topical 5% minoxidil applied 1 ml of the solution twice daily over the course of the study. A total of 60 Chinese male subjects with Norwood-Hamilton type III-VI androgenetic alopecia were treated.Results: The mean improvement in total hair density from baseline to 24 weeks was 18.8/cm2 in group 1, 23.4/cm2 in group 2, and 38.3/cm2 in group 3. The hair growth in the three groups was significantly different (P = 0.002), but there were no significant differences in toxicity found between the three groups.Conclusions: Treatment with microneedle plus topical 5% minoxidil was associated with the best hair growth.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for on-site analysis: A review of recent developments.

On-site identification and quantification of chemicals is critical for promoting food safety, human health, homeland security risk assessment, and disease diagnosis. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been widely considered as a promising method for on-site analysis due to the advantages of nondestructive, abundant molecular information, and outstanding sensitivity. However, SERS for on-site application has been restricted not only by the cost, performance, and portability of portable Raman instruments, but also by the sampling ability and signal enhancing performance of the SERS substrates. In recent years, the performance of SERS for on-site analysis has been improved through portable Raman instruments, SERS substrates, and other combined technologies. In this review, popular commercial portable Raman spectrometers and the related technologies for on-site analysis are compared. In addition, different types of SERS substrates for on-site application are summarized. SERS combined with other technologies, such as electrochemical and microfluidics are also presented. The future perspective of SERS for on-site analysis is also discussed.

Awareness and attitude towards human papillomavirus and its vaccine among females with and without daughter(s) who participated in cervical cancer screening in Shenzhen, China.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine, and willingness to be vaccinated against HPV, among women with and without daughter(s) in Shenzhen, China. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey in January and June 2015 by means of a self-administered questionnaire to collect information. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the factors associated with awareness of HPV and its vaccine and the willingness to be vaccinated. RESULTS: A total of 9855 women (mean age 37.09 years, SD 7.48) were included in the analysis. Although only 42.3% had heard of HPV and 21.0% of HPV vaccine, 63.3% were willing to be vaccinated. 73.9% of the 5799 women with daughter(s) were willing have their daughter(s) vaccinated. Women with daughter(s) did not have a higher awareness of HPV (43.2% vs. 41.5%, P = 0.109) and HPV vaccine (21.1% vs. 20.9%, P = 0.854) than women without daughter(s), but did tend to be more willing to be vaccinated themselves (66.3% vs. 59.9%, P < 0.001). Women's awareness of HPV and specific knowledge of HPV vaccine were predictors of the willingness to have both themselves and their daughters vaccinated. These associations may be modified by residency status, education and monthly income. CONCLUSIONS: Although awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine among women in Shenzhen was low, willingness to have themselves and their daughter(s) vaccinated was relatively high, especially among mothers. High awareness of HPV and its vaccine will help improve the acceptability of HPV vaccination according to residency status, education and monthly income.

OBJECTIFS: Evaluer la connaissance sur le VPH et du vaccin contre le VPH et la volonté de se faire vacciner contre le VPH chez les femmes avec et sans fille(s) à Shenzhen, en Chine. MÉTHODES: Enquête transversale menée en janvier et juin 2015 au moyen d'un questionnaire auto-administré destiné à recueillir des informations. La régression logistique multivariée a été utilisée pour explorer les facteurs associés à la connaissance sur le VPH et sur son vaccin et à la volonté de se faire vacciner. RÉSULTATS: 9.855 femmes (âge moyen: 37,09 ans, écart-type: 7,48) ont été incluses dans l'analyse. Bien que seulement 42,3% aient entendu parler du VPH et 21,0% du vaccin contre le VPH, 63,3% étaient prêtes à se faire vacciner. 73,9% des 5.799 femmes avec des filles ont bien voulu se faire vacciner. Les femmes avec des filles ne connaissaient pas mieux le VPH (43,2% contre 41,5%, P = 0,109) et le vaccin contre le VPH (21,1% contre 20,9%, P = 0,854) que celles sans fille(s), mais avaient tendance à être plus disposées à être vaccinées (66,3% contre 59,9%, P <0,001). La sensibilisation des femmes au VPH et leur connaissance spécifique sur le vaccin contre le VPH étaient des facteurs prédictifs de la volonté de se faire vacciner, elles et leurs filles. Ces associations pourraient être modifiées en fonction du statut de résidence, de l'éducation et du revenu mensuel. CONCLUSIONS: Bien que les femmes à Shenzhen aient été peu sensibilisées au VPH et au vaccin contre le VPH, la volonté de se faire vacciner et de faire vacciner leurs filles était relativement élevée, en particulier chez les mères. Une connaissance élevée sur le VPH et sur son vaccin contribuera à améliorer l'acceptabilité de la vaccination contre le VPH indépendamment du statut de résidence, de l'éducation et du revenu mensuel.