Response of Arctic Black Carbon Contamination and Climate Forcing to Global Supply Chain Relocation.

Black carbon (BC) plays a vital role in Arctic warming. Extensive investigations have been conducted to elucidate the source-receptor relationships of BC between the Arctic and mid-/high-latitude sources. However, it is unclear to what extent source relocation under globalization could disturb Arctic BC contamination and climate forcing from anthropogenic BC emissions. Here, we show that the global supply chain (GSC) relocation featured by the southward shift of industries from high-latitude developed countries to low-latitude developing countries markedly reduces the BC burden in the Arctic using a global chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) and a multiregional input-output analysis (MRIO). We find that Arctic annual mean BC concentration associated with the GSC relocation drops by ∼15% from the case without the GSC relocation. The total net BC level declines 7% over the entire Arctic and 16% in the European Arctic. We also observed markedly declining BC deposition as well as direct and snow albedo radiative forcing in the Arctic. We show that the Arctic BC burden would be further reduced by decreasing BC emissions in China, attributable to its emission reduction and ongoing shift of the GSC from China to southern and southeastern Asia.

Bioinformatics analysis of competing endogenous RNA network in decidual natural killer cell from unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion.

BACKGROUND: Decidual natural killer (dNK) cell plays a pivotal role in maintaining pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Noncoding-RNAs (ncRNAs) are critical regulators of transcription and protein expression. Dysregulation of ncRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). However, the role of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) based on mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network in regulating the incidence and progression of URSA remains elusive. The aim of the study is to identify the regulatory network of mRNA-miRNA-LncRNA ceRNA based on bioinformatics analysis in dNK from patients with URSA. METHODS: Eligible studies were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), miRNAs and LncRNAs in dNK cells of patients with URSA. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING database and Cytoscape software. Potential regulatory miRNAs and lncRNAs of mRNAs were predicted by miRTarBase and RNA22 and subject to bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: A total of 634 DEGs were screened, including 290 upregulated and 344 downregulated DEGs. Among 207 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 110 lncRNAs were upregulated and 97 were downregulated. According to node degree, 30 hub genes were identified for subsequent research. After drawing the Venn diagram and matching to Cytoscape, an mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network linked to the pathogenesis of URSA in dNK cells was constructed. CONCLUSIONS: A novel regulatory network of mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA ceRNA is established in dNK cells from patients with URSA. All RNAs might be used as the biomarkers of the pathogenesis of URSA.

New Insights into the Regulatory Role of Ferroptosis in Ankylosing Spondylitis via Consensus Clustering of Ferroptosis-Related Genes and Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis.

Background: The pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remains undetermined. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of regulated cell death involved in multiple autoimmune diseases. Currently, there are no reports on the connection between ferroptosis and AS. Methods: AS samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus were divided into two subgroups using consensus clustering of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of the intergroup differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis of the key module were used to screen out hub genes. A multifactor regulatory network was then constructed based on hub genes. Results: The 52 AS patients in dataset GSE73754 were divided into cluster 1 (n = 24) and cluster 2 (n = 28). DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways related to mitochondria, ubiquitin, and neurodegeneration. Candidate hub genes, screened by PPI and WGCNA, were intersected. Subsequently, 12 overlapping genes were identified as definitive hub genes. A multifactor interaction network with 45 nodes and 150 edges was generated, comprising the 12 hub genes and 32 non-coding RNAs. Conclusions: AS can be divided into two subtypes according to FRG expression. Ferroptosis might play a regulatory role in AS. Tailoring treatment according to the ferroptosis status of AS patients can be a promising direction.

The expression of intracellular cytokines of decidual natural killer cells in unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the expression levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 in dNK cells and determine whether or not the MAPK signal pathway is involved in the regulation of cytokine secretion by dNK cells at the maternal-fetal interface. METHODS: In this study, we collected decidua specimens from patients with apparently normal pregnant and unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (URPL) and extracted dNK cells by enzymatic digestion. Then the expression of cytokines were analyzed by flow cytometry and Real-Time PCR respectively. RESULTS: The secretions of both IFN-γ and TNF-α in dNK cells in URPL were significantly higher than those in normal pregnancy. Furthermore, p38/MAPK inhibitors can inhibit the secretion of four cytokines in normal pregnancy, while in URPL cases, p38/MAPK inhibitors only significantly inhibit the secretion of IL-4 and IFN-γ. ERK inhibitors had no effect on the expression of all four cytokines and JNK/MAPK inhibitors varied on different cytokines. CONCLUSION: URPL is associated with a NK1 cytokine profile. MAPK signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of cytokine secretion by decidual NK cells at maternal-fetal interface.

Erratum to "Human Uterine Decidual NK Cells in Women with a History of Early Pregnancy Enhance Angiogenesis and Trophoblast Invasion".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2020/6247526.].

Human Uterine Decidual NK Cells in Women with a History of Early Pregnancy Enhance Angiogenesis and Trophoblast Invasion.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to identify changes in decidual natural killer (dNK) cells and related cytokines in women who have undergone induced abortions (IAs). The effects of dNK cells on subsequent pregnancies remain unknown. Accordingly, we sought to investigate whether a history of early pregnancy can change dNK cells and facilitate their role in the regulation of angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion. Materials and Methods. dNK cells were obtained from primiparous women who had undergone IA(s) prior to this study and primiparous women who had never been pregnant before this IA (control). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to measure the mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IP-10, VEGF, and PLGF in dNK cells. The levels of these cytokines were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HUVEC and HTR-8/SVneo cells were used to evaluate the angiogenesis, migration, and invasion activities influenced by dNK cells. RESULTS: In dNK cells, the mRNA level of IFN-γ, IP-10, VEGF, and PLGF in dNK cells. The levels of these cytokines were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HUVEC and HTR-8/SVneo cells were used to evaluate the angiogenesis, migration, and invasion activities influenced by dNK cells. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that a history of early pregnancy has an impact on dNK cells. These trained dNK cells can regulate angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion and migration by promoting the production of certain cytokines.

Noncoding RNAs in Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions and Their Diagnostic Potential.

Unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) is defined as the loss of two or more consecutive pregnancies before the 20th week of gestation with normal findings on routine screening tests. Our understanding of the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of URSA is still far from complete. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a pivotal role in transcription and expression. The functions of ncRNAs may also improve understanding of URSA pathogenesis. Because of their stability in the circulatory system and at the maternal-fetal interface, it may be possible to use ncRNAs as biomarkers for certain disease states. Here, we provide a narrative review of the current state of knowledge about ncRNAs associated with URSA. The possibility of developing a diagnostic tool using ncRNAs is discussed. The underlying mechanisms of how ncRNAs may lead to the onset of URSA are explored in this review.

Role of Circular RNAs in Preeclampsia.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs characterized by circular covalently closed structures, which are generated by back-splicing. circRNA is more stable and conserved than linear RNA and exists in various organisms. Preeclampsia (PE), a common hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, has a profound impact on maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. Recent studies demonstrated that circRNAs were differentially expressed in PE maternal-fetal interface compared with those in the control and might mediate pathological processes in pregnancy complications. However, the mechanisms of action of circRNAs in PE are still unclear. Here, we provide a comprehensive review on the current state of knowledge on circRNAs associated with PE. We summarize the known expression profiles of circRNAs and discuss their potential application as biomarkers of PE. The possible mechanisms underlying circRNA dysregulation in the etiology of PE are also explored.

Clinical application and mid-term results of modified vaginal closure: pelvic symptoms, quality of life, satisfaction, and regret rate.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a modified vaginal closure in older women with severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with respect to symptoms, quality of life, postoperative satisfaction, regret rate, and complications METHODS:: From March, 2014 to December, 2016, in all, 32 women were enrolled in the study. All the participants underwent a modified vaginal closure. Records were reviewed to collect demographic characteristics and perioperative parameters. The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-short form 20 (PFDI-20) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Profile (SF-36) were used to evaluate pelvic symptoms and self-perceived quality of life, respectively, 6 months postoperatively and at the latest follow-up. The Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C) was used to estimate the satisfaction. The satisfaction and regret rates were assessed at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: After an average follow-up period of 23 months (range 8-41 months), none of the 32 women experienced recurrence of prolapse that required reoperation. During follow-up, significant improvements were observed in the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (POPDI-6), Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI-6), and SF-36 results (P < 0.001). However, the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI-8) results did not improve significantly (P = 0.074). None of the participants regretted undergoing this procedure, and the PGI-C indicated a satisfaction rate of 93.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The modified vaginal closure showed a positive impact on POP and urinary symptoms, and consequently improved quality of life of the 32 participants. This procedure achieved a relatively high satisfaction rate and a low regret rate.