A New Permanent Scatterer Selection Method Based on Gaussian Mixture Model for Micro-Deformation Monitoring Radar Images.

The micro-deformation monitoring radar is usually based on Permanent Scatterer (PS) technology to realize deformation inversion. When the region is continuously monitored for a long time, the radar image amplitude and pixel variance will change significantly with time. Therefore, it is difficult to select phase-stable scatterers by conventional amplitude deviation methods, as they can seriously affect the accuracy of deformation inversion. For different regions studied within the same scenario, using a PS selection method based on the same threshold often increases the size of the deformation error. Therefore, this paper proposes a new PS selection method based on the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). Firstly, PS candidates (PSCs) are selected based on the pixels' amplitude information. Then, the amplitude deviation index of each PSC is calculated, and each pixel's probability values in different Gaussian distributions are acquired through iterations. Subsequently, the cluster types of pixels with larger probability values are designated as low-amplitude deviation pixels. Finally, the coherence coefficient and phase stability of low-amplitude deviation pixels are calculated. By comparing the probability values of each of the pixels in different Gaussian distributions, the cluster type with the larger probability, such as high-coherence pixels and high-phase stability pixels, is selected and designated as the final PS. Our analysis of the measured data revealed that the proposed method not only increased the number of PSs in the group, but also improved the stability of the number of PSs between groups.

Network Analysis of Metabolome and Transcriptome Revealed Regulation of Different Nitrogen Concentrations on Hybrid Poplar Cambium Development.

Secondary development is a key biological characteristic of woody plants and the basis of wood formation. Exogenous nitrogen can affect the secondary growth of poplar, and some regulatory mechanisms have been found in the secondary xylem. However, the effect of nitrogen on cambium has not been reported. Herein, we investigated the effects of different nitrogen concentrations on cambium development using combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis. The results show that, compared with 1 mM NH4NO3 (M), the layers of hybrid poplar cambium cells decreased under the 0.15 mM NH4NO3 (L) and 0.3 mM NH4NO3 (LM) treatments. However, there was no difference in the layers of hybrid poplar cambium cells under the 3 mM NH4NO3 (HM) and 5 mM NH4NO3 (H) treatments. Totals of 2365, 824, 649 and 398 DEGs were identified in the M versus (vs.) L, M vs. LM, M vs. HM and M vs. H groups, respectively. Expression profile analysis of the DEGs showed that exogenous nitrogen affected the gene expression involved in plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway and the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis pathway. In M vs. L, M vs. LM, M vs. HM and M vs. H, differential metabolites were enriched in flavonoids, lignans, coumarins and saccharides. The combined analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome showed that some genes and metabolites in plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism pathways may be involved in nitrogen regulation in cambium development, whose functions need to be verified. In this study, from the point of view that nitrogen influences cambium development to regulate wood formation, the network analysis of the transcriptome and metabolomics of cambium under different nitrogen supply levels was studied for the first time, revealing the potential regulatory and metabolic mechanisms involved in this process and providing new insights into the effects of nitrogen on wood development.

MFAP2 promotes HSCs activation through FBN1/TGF-ß/Smad3 pathway.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic inflammatory process characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), which contributes to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Increasing evidence suggests that the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) under an inflammatory state leads to the secretion of collagens, which can cause cirrhosis. In this study, we analysed data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between quiescent and fibrotic HSCs. We found that Microfibril Associated Protein 2 (MFAP2) was elevated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis and Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 (TGF-ß1)-activated HSCs. Knockdown of MFAP2 inhibited HSC proliferation and partially attenuated TGF-ß-stimulated fibrogenesis markers. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that Fibrillin-1 (FBN1) was correlated with MFAP2, and the expression of FBN1 was significantly upregulated after MFAP2 overexpression. Silencing MFAP2 partially attenuated the activation of HSCs by inhibiting HSC proliferation and decreasing collagen deposits. In vitro results showed that the inhibition of MFAP2 alleviated hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the activation and inducing the apoptosis of active HSCs in a CCl4-induced mouse model. In conclusion, our results suggest that MFAP2 is a potential target for the clinical treatment of liver fibrosis.

Quantitative flow ratio modulated by intracoronary optical coherence tomography for predicting physiological efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The combination of coronary imaging assessment and blood flow perturbation estimation has the potential to improve percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guidance. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate a novel method for fast computation of Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (µQFR) from coregistered optical coherence tomography (OCT) and angiography (OCT-modulated µQFR, OCT-µQFR) in predicting physiological efficacy of PCI. METHODS: Patients treated by OCT-guided PCI in the OCT-arm of the Fractional Flow Reserve versus Optical Coherence Tomography to Guide RevasculariZAtion of Intermediate Coronary Stenoses trial (FORZA, NCT01824030) were included. Based on angiography and OCT before PCI, simulated residual OCT-µQFR was computed by assuming full stent expansion to the intended-to-treat segment. Plaque composition was automatically characterized using a validated artificial intelligence algorithm. Actual post-PCI OCT-µQFR pullback was computed based on coregistration of angiography and OCT acquired immediately after PCI. Suboptimal functional stenting result was defined as OCT-µQFR ≤ 0.90. RESULTS: Paired simulated residual OCT-µQFR and actual post-PCI OCT-µQFR were obtained in 76 vessels from 74 patients. Simulated residual OCT-µQFR showed good correlation (r = 0.80, p < 0.001), agreement (mean difference = -0.02 ± 0.02, p < 0.001), and diagnostic concordance (79%, 95% confidence interval: 70%-88%) with actual post-PCI OCT-µQFR. Actual post-PCI in-stent OCT-µQFR had a median value of 0.02 and was associated with left anterior descending artery lesion location (ß = 0.38, p < 0.001), higher baseline total plaque burden (ß = 0.25, p = 0.031), and fibrous plaque volume (ß = 0.24, p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: This study based on patients enrolled in a prospective OCT-guidance PCI trial shows that simulated residual OCT-µQFR had good correlation, agreement, and diagnostic concordance with actual post-PCI OCT-µQFR. In OCT-guided procedures, OCT-µQFR in-stent pressure drop was low and was significantly predicted by pre-PCI vessel/plaque characteristics.

Clinical observation of menopause hormone therapy in postmenopausal women with euthyroid and mild subclinical hypothyroidism.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the endocrine hormone and metabolic indices in postmenopausal women with euthyroid and mild subclinical hypothyroidism after menopause hormone therapy (MHT). METHODS: A retrospective study of 587 postmenopausal women receiving MHT was conducted. Median (25-75th percentile) age was 52 (49-54) years. According to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at initial diagnosis, the patients were divided into three groups: I (euthyroid with low normal TSH range, n = 460), II (euthyroid with upper normal TSH range, n = 106) and III (mild subclinical hypothyroidism, n = 21). After a continuous oral MHT regimen using the same estradiol potency for 6-18 month cycles, serum endocrine hormone and metabolic indices were reassessed. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, serum TSH levels in groups I and II significantly changed but all values were within the normal range. No significant difference was observed in serum TSH levels in group III. After treatment, all serum free tri-iodothyronine and free thyroxine levels were within the normal range. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index had significantly decreased in group I. There were no significant differences in all observed lipid and glucose parameters in group III, before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: MHT did not affect thyroid function in postmenopausal women with euthyroid and mild subclinical hypothyroidism. MHT led to an improvement in lipid and glucose indicators in euthyroid women with low normal TSH range.

Global, regional, and national time trends in incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability for uterine fibroids, 1990-2019: an age-period-cohort analysis for the global burden of disease 2019 study.

BACKGROUND: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign neoplasm of the uterus and a major source of morbidity for women. We report an overview of trends in uterine fibroids of incidence rate, prevalence rate, years lived with disability (YLDs) rate in 204 countries and territories over the past 30 years and associations with age, period, and birth cohort. METHODS: The incident case, incidence rate, age-standardized rate (ASR) for incidence, prevalent case, prevalence rate, ASR for prevalence, number of YLDs, YLD rate, and ASR for YLDs were derived from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 (GBD 2019) study. We utilized an age-period-cohort (APC) model to estimate overall annual percentage changes in the rate of incidence, prevalence, and YLDs (net drifts), annual percentage changes from 10 to 14 years to 65-69 years (local drifts), period and cohort relative risks (period/cohort effects) between 1990 and 2019. RESULTS: Globally, the incident cases, prevalent cases, and the number of YLDs of uterine fibroids increased from 1990 to 2019 with the growth of 67.07%, 78.82% and 77.34%, respectively. High Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and high-middle SDI quintiles with decreasing trends (net drift < 0.0%), and increasing trends (net drift > 0.0%) were observed in middle SDI, low-middle SDI, and low SDI quintiles in annual percentage change of incidence rate, prevalence rate and YLDs rate over the past 30 years. There were 186 countries and territories that showed an increasing trend in incidence rate, 183 showed an increasing trend in prevalence rate and 174 showed an increasing trend in YLDs rate. Moreover, the effects of age on uterine fibroids increased with age and peaked at 35-44 years and then declined with advancing age. Both the period and cohort effects on uterine fibroids showed increasing trend in middle SDI, low-middle SDI and low SDI quintiles in recent 15 years and birth cohort later than 1965. CONCLUSIONS: The global burden of uterine fibroids is becoming more serious in middle SDI, low-middle SDI and low SDI quintiles. Raising awareness of uterine fibroids, increasing medical investment and improving levels of medical care are necessary to reduce future burden.

In utero bisphenol A exposure disturbs germ cell cyst breakdown through the PI3k/Akt signaling pathway and BDNF expression.

PURPOSE: To determine the influence of the environmental endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) on germ cell cyst breakdown and explore the possible mechanisms regulating this activity. METHODS: BPA (2 µg/kg/d or 20 µg/kg/d) or tocopherol-stripped corn oil (vehicle control) was administered to pregnant mice by gavage at gestational day 11, and the offspring (prenatally treated mice) were sacrificed and ovariectomized at postnatal day (PND) 4 and PND22. Ovarian morphology was documented in the first filial (F1) generation female offspring, and the follicles were analyzed and classified morphologically on PND 4. To discover differentially expressed genes and associated target pathways, we used RNA-seq, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. The mRNA expression of key steroid hormone synthesis-related genes was evaluated by Q-PCR in forskolin-induced KGN cells. Western blotting (WB) and qRTPCR were used to determine the protein and gene expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). RESULTS: BPA, a typical endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC), decreased the expression of the key steroid hormone synthesis-related genes P450scc and aromatase, while the expression of Star increased significantly and caused no significant difference in the expression of Cyp17a1 or HSD3ß in forskolin-induced KGN cells. Moreover, we confirmed that in utero exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of BPA (2 µg/kg/d and 20 µg/kg/d) could significantly disrupt germ cell cyst breakdown, leading to the generation of fewer primordial follicles than in the control group. The factors mediating the inhibitory effects included the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and a significant downregulation of BDNF. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that in utero exposure to BPA at low doses, which are lower than recommended as 'safe' dosages, may influence the formation of primordial follicles by inhibiting the expression of steroid hormone synthesis-related genes and partly by regulating the BDNF-mediated PI3K/Akt pathway.

Plant growth and heavy meal accumulation characteristics of Spathiphyllum kochii cultured in three soil extractions with and without silicate supplementation.

A hydroponic method was conducted to test whether Spathiphyllum kochii is tolerant to multiple HMs as well as to evaluate whether sodium silicate promotes plant growth and alleviates HM stress mainly by assessing biomass, HM accumulation characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activities (AEAs). Three soil extractions from an uncontaminated soil, a comparable lightly HM-contaminated soil (EnSE), and a comparable heavily HM-contaminated soil (ExSE) with or without 1 mM sodium silicate supplementation were used. S. kochii showed no obvious symptoms when cultured in EnSE and ExSE, indicating that it was a multi-HM-tolerant species. The biomass and photosynthesis followed the order: UnSE > EnSE > ExSE, but the opposite order was found for HM concentration, AEAs, and malondialdehyde content. Silicate had no effects on the growth and HM bioaccumulation characteristics of S. kochii cultured in UnSE but exhibited a novel role in decreasing HM uptake by 13.61-41.51% in EnSE and ExSE, respectively, corresponding upregulated AEAs, and reduced malondialdehyde contents, resulting in increased biomass and alleviating HM stress. The activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were upregulated by an increase in soil extraction HM concentration and further upregulated by silicate supplementation, indicating that they were important mechanisms alleviating HM stress in S. kochii.

Phytoremediation is an economical and environmentally friendly technology for the alleviation of heavy metal (HM)-contaminated soil. Improving bioremediation efficiency is crucial for this kind of technology. Many studies have shown that silicon plays a novel role in plant growth and adversity responses, but studies in the field of phytoremediation are limited. In addition, phytoremediation plant species are usually hyperaccumulators or may be tolerant crops, commercial crops, or wild species from mining areas, and the use of landscape species in phytoremediation is limited. This is the first report on the effects of silicate on the multi-HM bioaccumulation characteristics of a garden plant (Spathiphyllum kochii) cultured in uncontaminated and HM-contaminated soil extractions. This study will broaden phytoremediation species screening and enrich our understanding of the mechanisms by which Si supports the bioremediation of HM-contaminated environments.HIGHLIGHTSS. kochii was a multi-heavy metal-tolerant species.Silicon played a novel role in reducing heavy metal concentrations by 14­40% and 14­42% in shoots and roots, respectively.Silicon upregulated antioxidant enzyme activities to alleviate heavy metal stress in plants.

Structure and Expression Analysis of PtrSUS, PtrINV, PtrHXK, PtrPGM, and PtrUGP Gene Families in Populus trichocarpa Torr. and Gray.

Exogenous nitrogen and carbon can affect plant cell walls, which are composed of structural carbon. Sucrose synthase (SUS), invertase (INV), hexokinase (HXK), phosphoglucomutase (PGM), and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGP) are the key enzymes of sucrose metabolism involved in cell wall synthesis. To understand whether these genes are regulated by carbon and nitrogen to participate in structural carbon biosynthesis, we performed genome-wide identification, analyzed their expression patterns under different carbon and nitrogen treatments, and conducted preliminary functional verification. Different concentrations of nitrogen and carbon were applied to poplar (Populus trichocarpa Torr. and Gray), which caused changes in cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose contents. In poplar, 6 SUSs, 20 INVs, 6 HXKs, 4 PGMs, and 2 UGPs were identified. Moreover, the physicochemical properties, collinearity, and tissue specificity were analyzed. The correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of PtrSUS3/5, PtrNINV1/2/3/5/12, PtrCWINV3, PtrVINV2, PtrHXK5/6, PtrPGM1/2, and PtrUGP1 were positively correlated with the cellulose content. Meanwhile, the knockout of PtrNINV12 significantly reduced the cellulose content. This study could lay the foundation for revealing the functions of SUSs, INVs, HXKs, PGMs, and UGPs, which affected structural carbon synthesis regulated by nitrogen and carbon, proving that PtrNINV12 is involved in cell wall synthesis.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of WRKY Transcription Factors in Betula platyphylla Suk. and Their Responses to Abiotic Stresses.

The WRKY transcription factor (TF) family is one the largest plant-specific transcription factor families. It has been proven to play significant roles in multiple plant biological processes, especially stress response. Although many WRKY TFs have been identified in various plant species, WRKYs in white birch (Betula platyphylla Suk.) remain to be studied. Here, we identified a total of 68 BpWRKYs, which could be classified into four main groups. The basic physiochemical properties of these TFs were analyzed using bioinformatics tools, including molecular weight, isoelectric point, chromosome location, and predicted subcellular localization. Most BpWRKYs were predicted to be located in the nucleus. Synteny analysis found 17 syntenic gene pairs among BpWRKYs and 52 syntenic gene pairs between BpWRKYs and AtWRKYs. The cis-acting elements in the promoters of BpWRKYs could be enriched in multiple plant biological processes, including stress response, hormone response, growth and development, and binding sites. Tissue-specific expression analysis using qRT-PCR showed that most BpWRKYs exhibited highest expression levels in the root. After ABA, salt (NaCl), or cold treatment, different BpWRKYs showed different expression patterns at different treatment times. Furthermore, the results of the Y2H assay proved the interaction between BpWRKY17 and a cold-responsive TF, BpCBF7. By transient expression assay, BpWRKY17 and BpWRKY67 were localized in the nucleus, consistent with the previous prediction. Our study hopes to shed light for research on WRKY TFs and plant stress response.

Emodin regulates the autophagy via the miR-371a-5p/PTEN axis to inhibit hepatic malignancy.

Emodin has been reported to fulfill an important function in suppressing the vicious outcome of liver cancer. We aimed to elucidate the partial underlying molecular mechanism of emodin in inhibiting liver cancer, and we applied miRNA-sequence analysis and corresponding molecular functional experiments to find that the inhibitory effect of emodin on liver cancer was partly mediated by cellular autophagy through the miR-371a-5p/PTEN axis. The expression level of miR-371a-5p was down-regulated after emodin treatment in liver cancer cell lines (LCCLs). Restoring the expression level of miR-371a-5p attenuated the suppression of emodin on LCCLs. Additionally, we performed the prediction in relevant online databases and found that PTEN might functioned as a downstream target of miR-371a-5p to participate in the regulation on the above process. What's more, the detection of autophagy-related protein markers showed that LC3II was elevated accompanied by the decreased P62. The above results revealed that PTEN functioned as a key target to regulate the autophagy in the process where emodin inhibited the malignant outcome of LCCLs via miR-371a-5p, which further provided a theoretical basis for the application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on clinical tumors.

The mechanism underlying arsenic-induced PD-L1 upregulation in transformed BEAS-2B cells.

Chronic exposure to arsenic promotes lung cancer. Human studies have identified immunosuppression as a risk factor for cancer development. The immune checkpoint pathway of Programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1) and its receptor (programmed cell death receptor 1, PD-1) is the most studied mechanism of immunosuppression. We have previously shown that prolonged arsenic exposure induced cell transformation of BEAS-2B cells, a human lung epithelial cell line. More recently our study further showed that arsenic induced PD-L1 up-regulation, inhibited T cell effector function, and enhanced lung tumor formation in the mice. In the current study, using arsenic-induced BEAS-2B transformation as a model system we investigated the mechanism underlying PD-L1 up-regulation by arsenic. Our data suggests that Lnc-DC, a long non-coding RNA, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mediates PD-L1 up-regulation by arsenic.

Association between serum vitamin A levels and premature ovarian insufficiency: a case-control, cross-sectional survey study.

BACKGROUND: Although vitamin A is known to play an important role in ovarian function, its association with ovarian insufficiency has not been reported yet. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the association between serum vitamin A levels and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). METHODS: This cross-sectional survey included women with POI (n = 47) and normo-ovulatory controls (n = 67) who were enrolled between December 2016 and May 2018 in Zhejiang, China. The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), vitamin A, and total cholesterol (TC) were measured for each participant. The association of TC-adjusted vitamin A levels with the risk of POI was assessed using binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Serum vitamin A levels appeared to be slightly higher in the POI group than in the control group, but there was no evidence of a statistically significant difference (728.00 ± 176.00 µg/L vs. 503.93 ± 145.64 µg/L, p = 0.13). After adjustment for serum lipid levels, the serum vitamin A/TC ratio was significantly lower in the POI group than in the control group (143.14 ± 35.86 vs. 157.56 ± 35.21 µg/mmol, p = 0.04). Further, the serum vitamin A/TC ratio was significantly and inversely associated with POI risk (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.988, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.977-0.999, p = 0.04). The association remained after adjusting for confounding factors (age, BMI, annual household income, and education) (OR = 0.986, 95% CI: 0.972-0.999, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Serum vitamin A/TC ratio was inversely associated with POI risk. Therefore, the serum vitamin A/TC ratio may serve as a predictive factor for POI, and vitamin A supplementation may play help prevent or treat POI.

A new POLH mutation in a consanguineous Chinese family with xeroderma pigmentosum variant type.

We report a Chinese consanguineous family with a variant type of xeroderma pigmentosum (XPV), and identified one novel mutation in the patient. Our study expands the mutational spectrum of XPV. Click here for the corresponding questions to this CME article.

miR-550a-5p promotes the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting GNE via the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Liver cancer is one of the most common tumors with a high malignant degree in the world. Its diagnosis and treatment are very difficult and limited. More novel and powerful DAT strategies are urgently needed to break this situation. An increasing number of studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) could be used not only as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but also as important targets for molecular targeted therapy. However, the role of miR-550a-5p in HCC and its specific mechanism remain unclear. Here we proposed and verified the hypothesis that the miR-550a-5p could regulate the progression of HCC and was positively associated with poor prognosis. We found that decreased miR-550a-5p would inhibit the proliferation and migration of HCC cell lines (HCs) by performing relevant assays. Interestingly, knocking down GNE could reverse the above effect of miR-550a-5p on HCs. Meanwhile, the western blot results showed that the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway was at least partly involved in the regulation of HCC by miR-550a-5p. In addition, we also found that miR-550a-5p could suppress the growth of HCC in vivo via a xenograft tumor model assay. All in all, we draw a conclusion that the miR-550a-5p/GNE axis functioned as an important role in promoting the progression of HCC via the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Cas9/gRNA-Mediated Mutations in PtrFLA40 and PtrFLA45 Reveal Redundant Roles in Modulating Wood Cell Size and SCW Synthesis in Poplar.

Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs) play an important role in plant development and adaptation to the environment. However, the roles of FLAs in wood formation remain poorly understood. Here, we identified a total of 50 PtrFLA genes in poplar. They were classified into four groups: A to D, among which group A was the largest group with 28 members clustered into four branches. Most PtrFLAs of group A were dominantly expressed in developing xylem based on microarray and RT-qPCR data. The roles of PtrFLA40 and PtrFLA45 in group A were investigated via the Cas9/gRNA-induced mutation lines. Loss of PtrFLA40 and PtrFLA45 increased stem length and diameter in ptrfla40ptrfla45 double mutants, but not in ptrfla40 or ptrfla45 single mutants. Further, our findings indicated that the ptrfla40ptrfla45 mutants enlarged the cell size of xylem fibers and vessels, suggesting a negative modulation in stem xylem cell size. In addition, wood lignin content in the ptrfla40fla45 mutants was increased by nearly 9%, and the lignin biosynthesis-related genes were significantly up-regulated in the ptrfla40fla45 mutants, in agreement with the increase in wood lignin content. Overall, Cas9/gRNA-mediated mutations in PtrFLA40 and PtrFLA45 reveal redundant roles in modulating wood cell size and secondary cell wall (SCW) synthesis in poplar.

Label-free proteomics uncovers SMC1A expression is Down-regulated in AUB-E.

BACKGROUND: While heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a prevalent symptom among women with abnormal uterine bleeding caused by endometrial disorder (AUB-E) seeking gynecologic care, the primary endometrial disorder remains poorly understood. METHODS: Five human endometrial samples from women with AUB-E and the age-matched healthy women were selected, respectively. Proteins from the samples were analyzed by a linear ion trap (LTQ)-Orbitrap Elite mass spectrometer based label-free proteomic approach. The purpose protein was validated by western blot and immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: A total of 2353 protein groups were quantified under highly stringent criteria with a false discovery rate of < 1% for protein groups, and 291 differentially expressed proteins were significantly changed between the two groups. The results showed that the down-regulation of structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1A (SMC1A) in AUB-E patients. Next, this change in the glandular epithelial cells was validated by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: The results indicated a novel mechanism for the cause of AUB-E, as down-expression SMC1A potentially regulated the cell cycle progression in endometrial glandular epithelium further led to bleeding.

Diagnostic accuracy of quantitative flow ratio for assessment of coronary stenosis significance from a single angiographic view: A novel method based on bifurcation fractal law.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of computation of fractional flow reserve (FFR) from a single angiographic view in patients with intermediate coronary stenosis. BACKGROUND: Computation of quantitative flow ratio (QFR) from a single angiographic view might increase the feasibility of routine use of computational FFR. In addition, current QFR solutions assume a linear tapering of the reference vessel size, which might decrease the diagnostic accuracy in the presence of the physiologically significant bifurcation lesions. METHODS: An artificial intelligence algorithm was proposed for automatic delineation of lumen contours of major epicardial coronary arteries including their side branches. A step-down reference diameter function was reconstructed based on the Murray bifurcation fractal law and used for QFR computation. Validation of this Murray law-based QFR (µQFR) was performed on the FAVOR II China study population. The µQFR was computed separately in two angiographic projections, starting with the one with optimal angiographic image quality. Hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis was defined by pressure wire-derived FFR ≤0.80. RESULTS: The µQFR was successfully computed in all 330 vessels of 306 patients. There was excellent correlation (r = 0.90, p < .001) and agreement (mean difference = 0.00 ± 0.05, p = .378) between µQFR and FFR. The vessel-level diagnostic accuracy for µQFR to identify hemodynamically significant stenosis was 93.0% (95% CI: 90.3 to 95.8%), with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of 87.5% (95% CI: 80.2 to 92.8%), 96.2% (95% CI: 92.6 to 98.3%), 92.9% (95% CI: 86.5 to 96.9%), 93.1% (95% CI: 88.9 to 96.1%), 23.0 (95% CI: 11.6 to 45.5), 0.13 (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.20), respectively. Use of suboptimal angiographic image view slightly decreased the diagnostic accuracy of µQFR (AUC = 0.97 versus 0.92, difference = 0.05, p < .001). Intra- and inter-observer variability for µQFR computation was 0.00 ± 0.03, and 0.00 ± 0.03, respectively. Average analysis time for µQFR was 67 ± 22 s. CONCLUSIONS: Computation of µQFR from a single angiographic view has high feasibility and excellent diagnostic accuracy in identifying hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis. The short analysis time and good reproducibility of µQFR bear potential of wider adoption of physiological assessment in the catheterization laboratory.

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on glucose and lipid metabolism in peri- and postmenopausal women with a history of menstrual disorders.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that women with a history of menstrual disorders have an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. This has been attributed to the high proportion of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among this group. The favorable effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on serum lipid profiles and glucose homeostasis in postmenopausal women is widely accepted. Whether HRT can also show positive effects on metabolic homeostasis in menopausal women with prior menstrual disorders (a putative PCOS phenotype) has not been reported yet. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of HRT on glucose and lipid metabolism in peri- and postmenopausal women with prior menstrual disorders and controls who did not have prior menstrual disorders. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted including 595 peri- and postmenopausal women who received HRT at four hospitals in the Zhejiang Province from May 31, 2010 to March 8, 2021. Participants were divided into the Normal menstruation group and the Menstrual disorders group according to their prior usual menstrual cycle pattern. Glucose and lipid metabolism indicators were assessed at baseline and after HRT. The results were compared between and within the groups, and data from peri- and postmenopausal women were analyzed separately. RESULTS: HRT significantly decreased fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in perimenopausal users, and fasting plasma glucose levels in postmenopausal users with prior menstrual disorders, compared with baseline. Furthermore, HRT decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, fasting insulin, fasting plasma glucose and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in both peri- and postmenopausal controls, compared with baseline. Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed in any of the glucose or lipid metabolism indicators at baseline and follow-up, as well as changes from baseline levels between menopausal women with and without prior menstrual disorders. CONCLUSIONS: HRT shows more obvious within-group improvements in glucose and lipid metabolism in controls, but there is no significant between-group difference. Further prospective studies are required for confirmation.

Associations of age at natural menopause and occupations in Chinese female workers: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS: To investigate the impact of occupation types on age at natural menopause. METHODS: This is a nation-wide cross-sectional study based on 17,948 female workers aged over 40, who come from different industries or organizations. A face-to-face standardized questionnaire was conducted in all participants with the help of occupational hygienists. Occupational titles were coded according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations (2008) (ISCO08). Cox regression model was used to assess the association between each independent occupation and menopausal timing. Models were adjusted for marriage, education, average annual family income, parity, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Higher risks of earlier age at natural menopause was found among legislators and senior officials (ISCO Minor group:111, HR = 2.328, P < 0.001), among other health associated professionals (ISCO Minor group: 325, HR = 1.477, P = 0.003), the workers involved in mining and mineral processing (ISCO Minor group: 811, HR = 1.515, P = 0.048) and metal processing and finishing (ISCO Minor group: 812, HR = 1.722, P < 0.001). Reduced risks of earlier age at natural menopause, including: finance professionals (ISCO Minor group: 241, HR = 0.751, P = 0.021), manufacturing and construction supervisors (ISCO Minor group: 312, HR = 0.477, P = 0.002), administrative and specialized secretaries (ISCO Minor group: 334, HR = 0.788, P = 0.045), cleaners and helpers (ISCO Minor group: 911, HR = 0.633, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to address the influence of occupation types on reproductive aging, showing some specific occupations could be associated with age at natural menopause. Further investigations are necessary to clarify whether it is chance finding or a true association.