A novel endolysin from an Enterococcus faecalis phage and application.

Enterococcus faecalis is the primary species detected in cases of secondary persistent infection resulting from root canal therapy failure. Due to the overuse of antibacterial agents, E. faecalis has developed resistance to these drugs, making it challenging to treat clinical diseases caused by E. faecalis infection. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore new alternative drugs for treating E. faecalis infections. We aimed to clone and express the genes of phage endolysins, purify the recombinant proteins, and analyze their antibacterial activity, lysis profile, and ability to remove biofilm. The crude enzyme of phage endolysin pEF51 (0.715 mg/mL), derived from phage PEf771 infecting E. faecalis, exhibited superior bacterial inhibitory activity and a broader bactericidal spectrum than its parental phage PEf771. Furthermore, pEF51 demonstrated high efficacy in eliminating E. faecalis biofilm. Therapeutic results of the infected Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model indicated that among 10 SD rats, only one developed a thoracic peritoneal abscess and splenic peritoneal abscess after 72 h of treatment with pEF51. This suggests that pEF51 could provide protection against E. faecalis infection in SD rats. Based on the 16S rDNA metagenomic data of the intestinal microbial community of SD rats, endolysin pEF51 exerted a certain influence on the diversity of intestinal microorganisms at the genus level. Thus, pEF51 may serve as a promising alternative to antibiotics in the management of E. faecalis infection.

A novel holin from an Enterococcus faecalis phage and application in vitro and in vivo.

Enterococcus faecalis, a conditional pathogenic bacterium, is prevalent in the intestinal, oral, and reproductive tracts of humans and animals, causing a variety of infectious diseases. E. faecalis is the main species detected in secondary persistent infection from root canal therapy failure. Due to the abuse of antibacterial agents, E. faecalis has evolved its resistant ability. Therefore, it is difficult to treat clinical diseases infected by E. faecalis. Exploring new alternative drugs for treating E. faecalis infection is urgent. We cloned and expressed the gene of phage holin, purified the recombinant protein, and analyzed the antibacterial activity, lysis profile, and ability to remove bacterial biofilm. It showed that the crude enzyme of phage holin pEF191 exhibited superior bacterial inhibiting activity and a broader lysis host range compared to the parent phage PEf771. In addition, pEF191 demonstrated high efficacy in eliminating E. faecalis biofilm. The therapeutic results of the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats model infected showed that pEf191 did not affect SD rats, indicating that pEF191 provided greater protection against E. faecalis infection in SD rats. Based on the 16 S rDNA data of SD rats intestinal microorganism population, holin pEF191 exhibited no impact on the diversity of intestinal microorganisms at the phylum and genus levels and improved the relative abundance of favorable bacteria. Thus, pEF191 may serve as a promising alternative to antibiotics in the management of E. faecalis infection.

DNA methylation analysis reveals the effect of arsenic on gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Arsenic (As) exposure is one of the risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study aimed to explore the effect of As-exposure on DNA methylation in GDM and to establish a risk assessment model of GDM in As exposed pregnant women. METHOD: We collected elbow vein blood of pregnant women before delivery to measure As concentration and DNA methylation data. Then compared the DNA methylation data and established a nomogram. RESULT: We identified a total of 10 key differentially methylated CpGs (DMCs) and found 6 corresponding genes. Functions were enriched in Hippo signaling pathway, cell tight junction, prophetic acid metabolism, ketone body metabolic process, and antigen processing and presentation. A nomogram was established that can predict GDM risks (c-index = 0.595, s:p = 0.973). CONCLUSION: We found 6 genes associated with GDM with high As exposure. The prediction of the nomograms has been proven to be effective.

The trajectories and associations of insomnia symptoms with addictive behaviours in adolescents: A two-year longitudinal study.

Insomnia displays heterogeneous trajectories across adolescence, which may induce addictive behaviours, including internet gaming disorder and substance use. This study aimed to investigate the latent trajectory classes of insomnia symptoms over 2 years and to examine the associations between insomnia trajectories and these addictive behaviours. Participants were 910 adolescents from six middle schools in Shanghai, China (52.7% males; mean age = 13.17 years). The three-wave survey measured insomnia symptoms, internet gaming disorder, substance use, depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics from 7th to 9th grade. Latent class growth modelling was performed to identify the latent trajectory classes of insomnia symptoms. Then multivariable logistic regressions were conducted within the best-fitting latent class growth model to examine the associations of insomnia trajectories with internet gaming disorder and substance use. Two latent trajectory classes of insomnia symptoms were recognised: the non-insomnia group (71.8%) and the insomnia group (28.2%). In the multivariable analysis controlling for baseline demographic variables and depressive symptoms, the insomnia group had a higher risk of developing internet gaming disorder (OR = 2.203 [95% CI: 1.258-3.858]) and substance use (OR = 2.215 [95% CI: 1.324-3.705]) compared with the non-insomnia group. These findings add to a growing body of research on heterogeneous trajectories of insomnia symptoms during adolescence, suggesting that intervention strategies are needed to target the characteristics or developmental patterns of different insomnia subgroups. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the impact of insomnia symptoms on adolescent addictive behaviours.

Marnyiella aurantia, gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterial species of the family Weeksellaceae that could produce flexirubin type pigments.

Two Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and obligately aerobic bacteria, designated strains CX-624T and cx-311, were isolated from soil samples in Qinghai Province, China. The two strains grew best at 28 °C on the plate with Tryptone soya agar (TSA). Cells formed circular, convex, translucent, smooth, and orange colonies with approximately 1.0 mm diameter after 2 days of incubation on TSA at 28 °C. The strains were oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0, and major polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid, four unidentified lipids and an aminolipid. MK-6 was the sole menaquinone in strain CX-624T. Comparative analysis of the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences showed strains CX-624T and cx-311 were member of the family Weeksellaceae, with the highest similarity to Kaistella haifensis H38T (96.66 %), Epilithonimonas pallida DSM 18015T (96.59 %), and Chryseobacterium gambrini DSM 18014T (96.53 %). Both phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and 177 core genes revealed that strains CX-624T and cx-311 formed an independent clade. Average nucleotide identity values (< 72.64 %), average amino-acid identity values (<72.61 %) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (< 21.10 %) indicated that the strains CX-624T and cx-311 should constitute a novel genus. The DNA G+C contents of strains CX-624T and cx-311 were 43.0 mol% and 42.7 mol%. According to the data obtained in this study, strain CX-624T represents a novel species belonging to a novel genus of the Weeksellaceae, for which the name Marnyiella aurantia gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CX-624T (=GDMCC 1.1714T = JCM 33925T).

Folic acid supplementation in pregnant women with hepatitis B surface antigen improves infant hepatitis B surface antibody mediated by infant IL-4.

Immunoprophylaxis has not completely eliminated hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection due to hyporesponsiveness to hepatitis B vaccine (HepB). We explored the impact of folic acid supplementation (FAS) in pregnant women with positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) on their infant hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and the mediation effect of infant interleukin-4 (IL-4). We recruited HBsAg-positive mothers and their neonates at baseline. Maternal FAS was obtained via a questionnaire, and neonatal anti-HBs and IL-4 were detected. Follow-up was performed at 11-13 months of age of infants, when anti-HBs and IL-4 were measured. We applied univariate and multivariate analyses. A mediation effect model was performed to explore the mediating role of IL-4. A total of 399 mother-neonate pairs were enrolled and 195 mother-infant pairs were eligible for this analysis. The infant anti-HBs geometric mean concentrations in the maternal FAS group were significnatly higher than those in the no-FAS group (383·8 mIU/ml, 95 % CI: 294·2 mIU/ml to 500·7 mIU/ml v. 217·0 mIU/ml, 95 % CI: 147·0 mIU/ml to 320·4 mIU/ml, z = -3·2, P = 0·001). Infants born to women who took folic acid (FA) within the first trimester were more likely to have high anti-HBs titres (adjusted ß-value = 194·1, P = 0·003). The fold change in IL-4 from neonates to infants partially mediated the beneficial influence of maternal FAS on infant anti-HBs (24·7 % mediation effect) after adjusting for confounding factors. FAS during the first trimester to HBsAg-positive mothers could facilitate higher anti-HBs levels in infants aged 11-13 months partly by upregulating IL-4 in infants.

Sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms among asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers in Shanghai, China: the mediating role of entrapment and defeat.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic increases the risk of psychological problems, especially for the infected population. Sleep disturbance and feelings of defeat and entrapment are well-documented risk factors of anxiety symptoms. Exploring the psychological mechanism of the development of anxiety symptoms is essential for effective prevention. This study aimed to examine the mediating effects of entrapment and defeat in the association between sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms among asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers in Shanghai, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April, 2022. Participants were 1,283 asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers enrolled from the Ruijin Jiahe Fangcang Shelter Hospital, Shanghai (59.6% male; mean age = 39.6 years). Questionnaire measures of sleep disturbance, entrapment, defeat, anxiety symptoms, and background characteristics were obtained. A mediation model was constructed to test the mediating effects of entrapment and defeat in the association between sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms were 34.3% and 18.8%. Sleep disturbance was positively associated with anxiety symptoms (OR [95%CI] = 5.013 [3.721-6.753]). The relationship between sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms (total effect: Std. Estimate = 0.509) was partially mediated by entrapment (indirect effect: Std. Estimate = 0.129) and defeat (indirect effect: Std. Estimate = 0.126). The mediating effect of entrapment and defeat accounted for 50.3% of the association between sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION: Sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms were prevalent among asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers. Entrapment and defeat mediate the association between sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms. More attention is needed to monitoring sleep conditions and feelings of defeat and entrapment to reduce the risk of anxiety.

MS-IDF: A Software Tool for Nontargeted Identification of Endogenous Metabolites after Chemical Isotope Labeling Based on a Narrow Mass Defect Filter.

Chemical isotope labeling liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is an emerging metabolomic strategy for the quantification and characterization of small molecular compounds in biological samples. However, its subsequent data analysis is not straightforward due to a large amount of data produced and interference of biological matrices. In order to improve the efficiency of searching and identification of target endogenous metabolites, a new software tool for nontargeted metabolomics data processing called MS-IDF was developed based on the principle of a narrow mass defect filter. The developed tool provided two function modules, including IsoFinder and MDFinder. The IsoFinder function module applied a conventional peak extraction method by using a fixed mass differences between the heavy and light labels and by the alignment of chromatographic retention time (RT). On the other hand, MDFinder was designed to incorporate the accurate mass defect differences between or among stable isotopes in the peak extraction process. By setting an appropriate filter interval, the target metabolites can be efficiently screened out while eliminating interference. Notably, the present results showed that the efficiency in compound identification using the new MDFinder module was nearly doubled as compared to the conventional IsoFinder method (an increase from 259 to 423 compounds). The Matlab codes of the developed MS-IDF software are available from github at https://github.com/jydong2018/MS_IDF. Based on the MS-IDF software tool, a novel and effective approach from nontargeted to targeted metabolomics research was developed and applied to the exploration of potential primary amine biomarkers in patients with schizophrenia. With this approach, potential biomarkers, including N,N-dimethylglycine, S-adenosine-l-methionine, dl-homocysteine, and spermidine, were discovered.

Effects of Benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts, dietary vitamins, folate, and carotene intakes on preterm birth: a nested case-control study from the birth cohort in China.

BACKGROUND: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and its DNA adducts has been suggested to increase the risk of preterm birth (PB). Yet, few studies have been conducted to investigate this association, and the role of dietary nutrients intakes including vitamins, folate, and carotene during pre- and post-conception on this association has not been studied. METHODS: Building upon a birth cohort in Taiyuan China, we conducted a nested case control study including 83 PB and 82 term births. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-DNA adducts were measured by an improved LC-MC/MC analytic method. Dietary nutrient intakes were estimated from food frequency questionnaire using the Chinese Standard Tables of Food Consumption. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine the associations. RESULTS: Increased risk of PB was observed as per interquartile increase in maternal BaP-DNA adduct level (OR = 1.27, 95%CI 0.95-1.67). Compared to low level (below mean) of maternal adducts, high level (above mean) of adducts was associated with the risk of PB (OR = 2.05, 95%CI 1.05-4.01). After stratified by dietary nutrients intakes, high adducts levels were associated with approximately 2-fourfold times increases in risk of PB among women with low vitamin A, C, E, folate, and carotene intakes during pre- and/or post-conception. Stronger stratified associations were consistently seen during preconception. Similar patterns were observed after additional adjustment for supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the hypothesis that high level of maternal PAHs exposure was significantly associated with increased risk of PB, and provides the first evidence that dietary vitamins, carotene, and folate intake levels may modify this association during different pregnancy windows. Our findings are relevant to identify recommendation for environment management and prenatal nutrition regarding pregnant women and newborns. Further investigation in other populations is warranted.

The Preventive Effect of A Magnetic Nanoparticle-Modified Root Canal Sealer on Persistent Apical Periodontitis.

Persistent apical periodontitis is a critical challenge for endodontists. Developing root canal filling materials with continuous antibacterial effects and tightly sealed root canals are essential strategies to avoid the failure of root canal therapy and prevent persistent apical periodontitis. We modified the EndoREZ root canal sealer with the antibacterial material dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). The mechanical properties of the modified root canal sealer were tested. The biocompatibility of this sealer was verified in vitro and in vivo. Multispecies biofilms were constructed to assess the antibacterial effects of the modified root canal sealer. We applied magnetic fields and examined the extent of root canal sealer penetration in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that EndoREZ sealer containing 2.5% DMADDM and 1% MNP had biological safety and apical sealing ability. In addition, the modified sealer could increase the sealer penetration range and exert significant antibacterial effects on multispecies biofilms under an external magnetic field. According to the in vivo study, the apices of the root canals with the sealer containing 2.5% DMADDM and 1% MNP showed no significant resorption and exhibited only a slight increase in the periodontal ligament space, with a good inhibitory effect on persistent apical periodontitis.

Dynamic sampling iterative phase retrieval for holographic data storage.

A dynamic sampling iterative phase retrieval method, which dynamically samples the Fourier intensity distribution of the reconstruction beam captured by the detector, is proposed to shorten the iterative number and decrease the phase error rate of phase retrieval in the phase-modulated holographic data storage. By the dynamic sampling method, that keeping relatively low frequency component of Fourier intensity spectrum at the beginning of iteration and gradually releasing more high frequency component at the subsequent iterations, we shortened the iterative number by 2 times and decreased the phase error rate to some extent because our method provided a better convergent path to the phase retrieval. We also believe the thought of our method can be used in more image retrieval fields.

Association between AMPKα1 gene polymorphisms and gestational diabetes in the Chinese population: A case-control study.

AIM: The aim is to examine the association between seven candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms in AMPKα1 and gestational diabetes in Chinese people. METHOD: We used a matched nested case-control study design, individuals including 334 participants with gestational diabetes and 334 healthy pregnant women. Confirmed 334 gestational diabetes cases and maternal age and district of residence matched controls (1:1) were enrolled. We examined seven candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms in AMPKα1 gene and the risk of gestational diabetes. The associations were estimated in Co-dominant, Dominant, Recessive, and Alleles models. The odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated by unconditional logistical regression as a measure of the associations between genotypes and gestational diabetes adjusting for maternal age, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), fetal sex and parity. RESULT: At the gene level, we found that AMPKα1 was associated with gestational diabetes (p = 0.008). After adjusting the covariates and multiple comparison correction, AMPKα1 (rsc1002424, rs10053664, rs13361707) polymorphisms were associated with the risk of gestational diabetes. In addition, gestational diabetes was related to the AAGGA haplotype comprising rs1002424, rs2570091, rs10053664, rs13361707 and rs3805486 in the haplotype models (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the AMPKα1 genotypes (rs1002424 G/A, rs10053664 A/G, rs13361707 A/G) and the haplotype (AAGGA) are relevant genetic factors in a Chinese population with gestational diabetes.

Microbacterium caowuchunii sp. nov. and Microbacterium lushaniae sp. nov., isolated from plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of PR China.

Four novel bacterial strains (ST-M6T, L-033, L-031T and Z-333) were isolated from the intestinal contents of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) collected on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, PR China. Cells were aerobic, non-motile, Gram-stain-positive, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, capsuled and short-rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences and 387 core genes indicated that the four isolates belong in the genus Microbacterium and clearly separate from recognized species. The two type strains (ST-M6T and L-031T) shared low 16S rRNA similarity, average nucleotide identity values and digital DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness with their phylogenetic neighbours (Microbacterium ginsengisoli DSM 18659T, Microbacterium hatanonis DSM 19179T, Microbacterium rhizomatis JCM 30598T, Microbacterium radiodurans CCTCC M208212T, Microbacterium oleivorans DSM 16091T and Microbacterium arborescens DSM 20754T). The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains ST-M6T and L-031T were 70.4 and 70.7 mol%, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids of strain ST-M6T were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0, in contrast to anteiso-C17 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 1 ω9c of strain L-031T. Both type strains (ST-M6T and L-031T) were glycolate test positive and shared the following common features: MK-11 and MK-12 as major menaquinones; rhamnose, ribose, mannose and galactose as major cell-wall sugars; diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and two glycolipids as polar lipids; and ornithine, alanine, glycine and glutamic acid as cell-wall amino acids. Comparing the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic features of the four strains and their related taxa, strains ST-M6T and L-031T represent two novel species of the genus Microbacterium, for which the names Microbacterium caowuchunii sp. nov. (type strain ST-M6T=CGMCC 1.16364T=DSM 104058T) and Microbacterium lushaniae sp. nov. (type strain L-031T =CGMCC 1.16363T=DSM 106170T) are proposed.

Nocardioides dongkuii sp. nov. and Nocardioides lijunqiniae sp. nov., isolated from faeces of Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) and leaves of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), respectively, on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

In the present study, four bacterial strains, two (S-713T and 406) isolated from faecal samples of Tibetan antelopes and the other two (S-531T and 1598) from leaves of dandelion collected on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of PR China, were analysed using a polyphasic approach. All four isolates were aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, oxidase-negative, Gram-stain-positive and catalase-positive. According to four phylogenetic trees, strain pairs S-713T/406 and S-531T/1598 form two independent branches belonging to the genus Nocardioides, and are closest to Nocardioides lianchengensis, Nocardioides dokdonensis, Nocardioides salarius, Nocardioides marinisabuli, Nocardioides psychrotolerans and Nocardioides szechwanensis. Although sharing MK8-(H4) as their major isoprenoid quinone, strains S-713T and S-531T contained C18 : 1 ω9c (24.64 and 16.34 %) and iso-C16 : 0 (9.74 and 29.38 %), respectively, as their main fatty acids, with remarkable differences in their biochemical profiles but only slight ones in their optimal growth conditions. The chromosomes of strains S-713T and S-531T were 4 207 844 bp (G+C content, 73.0 mol%) and 4 809 817 bp (G+C content, 72.5 mol%), respectively. Collectively, the two strain pairs represent two separate novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the names Nocardioides dongkuii sp. nov. and Nocardioides lijunqiniae sp. nov. are proposed, with S-713T (=JCM 33698T=CGMCC 4.7660T) and S-531T (=JCM 33468T=CGMCC 4.7659T) as the respective type strains.

Mycolicibacterium baixiangningiae sp. nov. and Mycolicibacterium mengxianglii sp. nov., two new rapidly growing mycobacterial species.

Four bacterial strains (LJ126T/S18 and Z-34T/S20) recovered from faecal samples of Tibetan antelopes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China were analysed using a polyphasic approach. All four isolates were aerobic, short rod-shaped, non-motile, Gram-stain-positive, acid-fast and fast-growing. Phylogenetic analyses based upon 16S rRNA and whole-genome sequences showed that the two pair of strains formed two distinct branches within the evolutionary radiation of the genus Mycolicibacterium. Strains LJ126T/S18 and Z-34T/S20 were most closely related to Mycolicibacterium austroafricanum CCUG 37667T, Mycobacterium aurum NCTC 10437T, Mycobacterium pyrenivorans DSM 44605T, Mycobacterium monacense JCM 15658T, Mycolicibacterium sarraceniae JCM 30395T, Mycolicibacterium tokaiense JCM 6373T and Mycobacterium murale JCM 13392T, but readily distinguished from the known species by a combination of chemotaxonomic and phenotypic features and by low average nucleotide identity values (74.4-84.9 %). Consequently, the two strain pairs are considered to represent different novel species of Mycolicibacterium for which the names Mycolicibacterium baixiangningiae sp. nov. and Mycolicibacterium mengxianglii sp. nov. are proposed, with LJ126T (=CGMCC 1.1992T=KCTC 49535T) and Z-34T (=CGMCC 1.1993T=DSM 106172T) as the respective type strains.

Polymorphisms in oxidative stress, metabolic detoxification, and immune function genes, maternal exposure to ambient air pollution, and risk of preterm birth in Taiyuan, China.

Exposure to air pollutants may be associated with preterm birth (PB) through oxidative stress, metabolic detoxification, and immune system processes. However, no study has investigated the interactive effects of maternal air pollution and genetic polymorphisms in these pathways on risk of PB. The study included 126 PB and 310 term births. A total of 177 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in oxidative stress, immune function, and metabolic detoxification-related genes were examined and analyzed. The China air quality index (AQI) was used as an overall estimation of ambient air pollutants. Among 177 SNPs, four SNPs (GPX4-rs376102, GLRX-rs889224, VEGFA-rs3025039, and IL1A-rs3783550) were found to have significant interactions with AQI on the risk of PB (Pinteraction were 0.001, 0.003, 0.03, and 0.04, respectively). After being stratified by the maternal genotypes in these four SNPs, 1.38 to 1.76 times of the risk of PB were observed as per interquartile range increase in maternal AQI among women who carried the GPX4-rs376102 AC/CC genotypes, the GLRX-rs889224 TT genotype, the VEGFA-rs3025039 CC genotype, or the IL1A-rs3783550 GT/TT genotypes. After adjustment for multiple comparisons, only GPX4-rs376102 and AQI interaction remained statistically significant (false discovery rate (FDR)=0.17). After additional stratification by preeclampsia (PE) status, a strongest association was observed in women who carried the GPX4-rs376102 AC/CC genotypes (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.41-3.65, Pinteraction=0.0002, FDR=0.035) in the PE group. Our study provided the first evidence that association between maternal air pollution and PB risk may be modified by the genetic polymorphisms in oxidative stress and immune function genes. Future large studies are necessary to replicate and confirm the observed associations.

Scutellarin Inhibits the Growth and EMT of Gastric Cancer Cells through Regulating PTEN/PI3K Pathway.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies with a high mortality rate world. This study intends to make clear the role and mechanism of the Scutellarin (Scu), a flavonoid isolated from Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand.-Mazz, in regulating the evolvement of gastric cancer. We selected different doses of Scu to treat gastric cancer cells (MGC-803 and AGS). Then, cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was conducted to verify the proliferation of tumor cells, while flow cytometry was adopted to test the apoptosis rate. Meanwhile, Western blot was conducted to examine epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl2 and Caspase3). Moreover, xenograft tumor experiment in nude mice was established to verify the effect of Scu on tumor growth. Furthermore, the knockdown model of PTEN was constructed, and the influence of PTEN on the anti-tumor effect of Scu was investigated. As a result, Scu inhibited cell proliferation, EMT and promoted the apoptosis in gastric cancer dose-dependently. Additionally, Scu attenuated tumor cell growth in vivo. Besides, Scu enhanced the expression of PTEN while reduced the phosphorylated level of PI3K. Moreover, the mechanistic study proved that Scu inactivated PI3K by up-regulating PTEN, thus dampening tumor progression. In conclusion, Scu dampened the growth and EMT of gastric cancer by regulating the PTEN/PI3K pathway.

The role of sexual compulsivity in unprotected intercourse among STI patients in Shanghai, China.

BACKGROUND: Sexual compulsivity (SC) and its relationship with unprotected intercourse (UI) have long been an intriguing topic, but its existential meaning in the management of public health or, more precisely, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has rarely been studied to date. This study examines whether SC plays a role in UI among sexually active STI patients. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two sexual transmitted disease (STD) clinicals of Shanghai Skin Diseases Hospital in Shanghai. Totally 664 sexually active STI patients were included. RESULTS: The ages of the 664 participants ranged from 18 to 76 years, with 58.73% between 26 and 40 years old. 449 (191 male and 258 female) reported had UI during the past 6 months. Although the only statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was in relation to UI with a casual sexual partner, the difference between male/female and regular/casual sexual partners remained evident. CONCLUSIONS: SC is evidently a potential predictor of UI with a casual sexual partner in male STI patients, while the use of condoms is more likely to be affected by other factors. In addition to general sexual education, counseling interventions should be provided by health institutions, and specific intervention methods targeting gender and sexual partners should be considered.

Association of CPT1A gene polymorphism with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a growing public health problem worldwide and its etiology remains unclear. The pathophysiology of GDM is similar to that of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and insulin resistance (IR) is the main reason for the development of GDM. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) is a candidate gene for metabolic disorders; however, the association of the CPT1A gene and GDM has not yet been studied. We aimed to explore whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CPT1A gene could influence the risk of GDM. METHODS: We examined 18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CPT1A gene and the risk of GDM in a nested case-control study of 334 GDM patients and 334 controls. The controls who had no GDM were randomly selected through matching to cases by age and residence. RESULTS: After adjusting the family history of diabetes, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and multiple comparison correction, the CPT1A rs2846194 and rs2602814 were associated with reduced GDM risk while rs59506005 was associated with elevated GDM risk. Moreover, the GGAC haplotype in the CPT1A gene (rs17399246 rs1016873 rs11228450 rs10896396) was associated with a reduced risk of GDM. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence for an association between genetic polymorphisms in the CPT1A and the risk of GDM.

Longitudinal predictors for incidence of internet gaming disorder among adolescents: The roles of time spent on gaming and depressive symptoms.

INTRODUCTION: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) was popular among adolescents worldwide, but whether some associated factors could contribute to the development of IGD was unclear. This longitudinal study explored the temporal stability of IGD over one year and determined the predictors for IGD incidence. METHODS: Participants were 1121 adolescents from six junior high schools in Shanghai, China (50.6% males; median age = 13.0 years). The baseline and follow-up questionnaire survey measured IGD, time spent on gaming, depressive symptoms, insomnia condition, substance use and background variables from 7th to 8th grade. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to test the associations between other factors and IGD incidence. RESULTS: IGD incidence was 7.7% at one-year follow-up. Gender, family financial condition, parental educational level, time spent on gaming, insomnia condition and depressive symptoms were associated with IGD incidence in univariate analysis, whereas only gender, family financial condition, time spent on gaming and depressive symptoms were associated with IGD incidence in multivariate logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: IGD might persist for years during adolescence. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, time spent on gaming and depressive symptoms were independent predictors for IGD incidence.