Prognostic values of human epididymis protein 4 expression in patients with endometrial cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the correlation between human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and prognosis of endometrial cancer (EC). Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between HE4 and prognosis of EC. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the databases were searched. Correlation of serum or tissue HE4 with clinicopathological characteristics was determined by odds ratio (OR) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI), respectively. The hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI was calculated to evaluate the correlation between HE4 and survival outcome. RESULTS: A total of 38 published studies were eligible. We found that high levels of serum HE4 were associated with FIGO III-IV stage (SMD = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.18-1.98, p < 0.001), grade 3 (SMD = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.39-0.93, p = 0.001), ≥50% myometrial invasion (SMD = 0.78, 95%CI: 0.58-0.99, p < 0.001), lymphovascular space invasion (SMD = 0.82, 95%CI: 0.54-1.11, p = 0.001), lymph node metastasis (SMD = 1.27, 95%CI: 0.84-1.69, p < 0.001), cervical involvement (SMD = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.43-0.98, p = 0.003), parametrial involvement (SMD = 1.03, 95%CI: 0.71-1.35, p < 0.001) and peritoneal cytology (SMD = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.22-0.75, p < 0.001). High expression of tissue HE4 was only significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (OR = 6.19, 95%CI: 2.07-18.50, p = 0.001). High levels of serum HE4 were significantly associated with poor overall survival (univariate: HR = 3.77, 95%CI: 1.94-7.32, p < 0.001; multivariate: HR = 2.15, 95%CI: 1.65-2.80, p < 0.001) and disease-free survival (univariate: HR = 2.89, 95%CI: 2.14-3.88, p < 0.001; multivariate: HR = 2.31, 95%CI:1.20-2.67, p < 0.001) in EC. Compared with cancer antigen 125, serum HE4 may be a better prognostic indicator for EC. CONCLUSIONS: High HE4 expression is associated with poor prognosis of EC and may be a potential prognostic biomarker for EC.

Evaluation of the spoilage potential of bacteria isolated from chilled chicken in vitro and in situ.

Microorganisms play an important role in the spoilage of chilled chicken. In this study, a total of 53 isolates, belonging to 7 species of 3 genera, were isolated using a selective medium based on the capacity to spoil chicken juice. Four isolates, namely Aeromonas salmonicida 35, Pseudomonas fluorescens H5, Pseudomonas fragi H8 and Serratia liquefaciens 17, were further characterized to assess their proteolytic activities in vitro using meat protein extracts and to evaluate their spoilage potential in situ. The in vitro studies showed that A. salmonicida 35 displayed the strongest proteolytic activity against both sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins. However, the major spoilage isolate in situ was P. fragi H8, which exhibited a fast growth rate, slime formation and increased pH and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) on chicken breast fillets. The relative amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) originating from the microorganisms, including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and several sulfur compounds, increased during storage. In sum, this study demonstrated the characteristics of 4 potential spoilage bacteria on chilled yellow-feather chicken and provides a simple and convenient method to assess spoilage bacteria during quality management.

Efficacy and safety of oral and vaginal administration of misoprostol for induction of labor in high-risk obese pregnant women with hypertension or diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the safety and efficacy of misoprostol administered orally and vaginally in obese pregnant women at term with either gestational hypertension or diabetes. METHODS: A total of 264 pregnant women were enrolled and categorized into two groups based on their primary condition: hypertension (134 cases) or diabetes mellitus (130 cases) and were further divided into subgroups for misoprostol administration: orally (Oral group) or vaginally (Vaginal group). The primary outcomes measured were changes in the Bishop score following treatment, induction of labor (IOL) success rates, requirement for oxytocin augmentation, duration of labor, mode of delivery, and cesarean section rates. RESULTS: Significant enhancements in Bishop scores, decreased cesarean section rates and increased success rates of IOL were noted in both administration groups. The incidence of vaginal delivery within 24 h was significantly higher in the Vaginal group compared to the Oral group. Adverse effects, including nausea, uterine overcontraction, hyperfrequency of uterine contraction and uterine hyperstimulation without fetal heart rate deceleration, were significantly more prevalent in the Vaginal group than in the Oral group. CONCLUSION: Misoprostol administration, both orally and vaginally, proves effective for labor induction in obese pregnant women with hypertension or diabetes. However, the oral route presents a lower risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, suggesting its preference for safer labor induction in this demographic.

Mediating role of anxiety and impulsivity in the association between child maltreatment and lifetime non-suicidal self-injury with and without suicidal self-injury.

BACKGROUND: Child maltreatment can increase the risk of lifetime non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal self-injury (SSI), but there is limited knowledge regarding the differences of potentially psychological mechanisms between NSSI with and without SSI. METHODS: Participants, 3918 community-based Chinese young men aged 18-34 years in Chengdu, were included in this study. We investigated the association between depression, anxiety, psychosis, child maltreatment, adulthood traumatic events, impulsivity, alcohol dependence, drug abuse, and lifetime of NSSI among participants with and without SSI. Parallel mediation analysis was utilized to explore the mediators for the relation between child maltreatment and NSSI. RESULTS: The prevalence of lifetime NSSI was 6.1 % (95 % CI: 5.4 %-6.9 %) among young men. Anxiety and impulsivity partially mediated the effect of child maltreatment on NSSI either with (indirect effect: 51.2 %) or without SSI (indirect effect: 34.3 %). Depression was independently and significantly associated with only NSSI but not with NSSI+SSI. Alcohol dependence and psychosis were independently and significantly associated with NSSI+SSI and mediated the effect of child maltreatment on NSSI+SSI. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional survey data limits the robustness of the proof to the causal relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety and impulsivity are associated with NSSI either with or without SSI and partially mediate the effect of child maltreatment on NSSI. Depression is associated with only NSSI, while alcohol dependence and psychosis are only associated with NSSI+SSI. It could be crucial to improve treatment and recovery of alcohol dependence and psychosis for preventing young men engaged in NSSI from attempting SSI.

Dihydromyricetin Alleviates H9C2 Cell Apoptosis and Autophagy by Regulating CircHIPK3 Expression and PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of dihydromyricetin (Dmy) on H9C2 cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. METHODS: H9C2 cells were randomly divided into 7 groups, namely control, model, EV (empty pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-CopGFP-T2A-Puro vector), IV (circHIPK3 interference), Dmy (50 µ mol/L), Dmy+IV, and Dmy+EV groups. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectivley. Western blot was used to evaluate the levels of light chain 3 II/I (LC3II/I), phospho-phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K), protein kinase B (p-AKT), and phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR). The level of circHIPK3 was determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Electron microscopy was used to observe autophagosomes in H9C2 cells. RESULTS: Compared to H9C2 cells, the expression of circHIPK in H9C2 hypoxia model cells increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the cell apoptosis and autophagosomes increased, cell proliferation rate decreased significantly, and the expression of LC3 II/I significantly increased (all P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the rate of apoptosis and autophagosomes in IV, Dmy, and Dmy+IV group decreased, the cell proliferation rate increased, and the expression of LC3 II/I decreased significantly (all P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the expressions of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR in the model group significantly reduced (P<0.05), whereas after treatment with Dmy and sh-circHIPK3, the above situation was reversed (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Dmy plays a protective role in H9C2 cells by inhibiting circHIPK expression and cell apoptosis and autophagy, and the mechanism may be related to PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Effects of Rapamycin on Clinical Manifestations and Blood Lipid Parameters in Different Preeclampsia-like Mouse Models.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of some types of preeclampsia is related to fatty acid oxidation disorders. Rapamycin can regulate fatty acid metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effects of rapamycin on the clinical manifestations and blood lipid parameters in different preeclampsia-like mouse models. METHODS: Two preeclampsia-like mouse models and a control group were established: L-NA (injected with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), LPS (injected with lipopolysaccharide), and the control group with normal saline (NS). The mouse models were established at preimplantation (PI), early- and late-pregnancy (EP, LP) according to the time of pregnancy. The administration of rapamycin (RA; L-NA+RA, LPS+RA, and NS+RA) or vehicle as controls (C; L-NA+C, LPS+C, NS+C) were followed on the 2nd day after the mouse models' establishment. Each subgroup consisted of eight pregnant mice. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), 24-h urinary protein, blood lipid, fetus, and placental weight were measured. The histopathological changes and lipid deposition of the liver and placenta were observed. Student's t-test was used for comparing two groups. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used for blood pressure analysis. Qualitative data were compared by Chi-square test. RESULTS: The MAP and 24-h urinary protein in the PI, EP, and LP subgroups of the L-NA+C and LPS+C groups were significantly higher compared with the respective variables in the NS+C group (P < 0.05). The preeclampsia-like mouse models were established successfully. There was no significant difference in the MAP between the PI, EP, and LP subgroups of the L-NA+RA and L-NA+C groups and the LPS+RA and LPS+C groups. The 24-h urine protein levels in the PI and EP subgroups of the L-NA+RA group were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the L-NA+C groups (1037 ± 63 vs. 2127 ± 593 µg; 976 ± 42 vs. 1238 ± 72 µg; bothP < 0.05), also this effect appeared similar in the PI and EP subgroups of the LPS+RA and LPS+C groups (1022 ± 246 vs. 2141 ± 432 µg; 951 ± 41 vs. 1308 ± 30 µg; bothP < 0.05). The levels of serum-free fatty acid (FFA) in the PI and EP subgroups of the L-NA+RA groups were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the L-NA+C group (2.49 ± 0.44 vs. 3.30 ± 0.18 mEq/L; 2.23 ± 0.29 vs. 2.84 ± 0.14 mEq/L; bothP < 0.05). The levels of triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol in the PI subgroup of the L-NA+RA group were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the L-NA+C (1.51 ± 0.16 vs. 2.41 ± 0.37 mmol/L; 2.11 ± 0.17 vs. 2.47 ± 0.26 mmol/L; bothP < 0.05), whereas high-density lipoprotein serum concentration was significantly higher (1.22 ± 0.19 vs. 0.87 ± 0.15 mmol/L;P < 0.05) and low-density lipoprotein serum concentration did not exhibit a significant difference. There were no significant differences in the FFA of the PI, EP, and LP subgroups between the LPS+RA and the LPS+C groups. The levels of TG in the PI subgroup of the LPS+RA group were significantly lower compared with the respective levels in the LPS+C group (0.97 ± 0.05 vs. 1.22 ± 0.08 mmol/L;P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Rapamycin can improve clinical manifestations and blood lipid profile in part of the preeclampsia-like mouse models.

Differences in Liver Injury and Trophoblastic Mitochondrial Damage in Different Preeclampsia-like Mouse Models.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a multifactorial disease during pregnancy. Dysregulated lipid metabolism may be related to some preeclampsia. We investigated the relationship between triglycerides (TGs) and liver injury in different preeclampsia-like mouse models and their potential common pathways. METHODS: Preeclampsia-like models (Nw-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester [L-NAME], lipopolysaccharide [LPS], apolipoprotein C-III [Apo] transgnic mice + L-NAME, ß2 glycoprotein I [ßGPI]) were used in four experimental groups: L-NAME (LN), LPS, Apo-LN and ßGPI, respectively, and controls received saline (LN-C, LPS-C, Apo-C, ßGPI-C). The first three models were established in preimplantation (PI), early-, mid- and late-gestation (EG, MG and LG). ßGPI and controls were injected before implantation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), 24-hour urine protein, placental and fetal weight, serum TGs, total cholesterol (TC) and pathologic liver and trophocyte changes were assessed. RESULTS: MAP and proteinuria were significantly increased in the experimental groups. Placenta and fetal weight in PI, EP and MP subgroups were significantly lower than LP. Serum TGs significantly increased in most groups but controls. TC was not different between experimental and control groups. Spotty hepatic cell necrosis was observed in PI, EG, MG in LN, Apo-LN and ßGPI, but no morphologic changes were observed in the LPS group. Similar trophoblastic mitochondrial damage was observed in every experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: Earlier preeclampsia onset causes a higher MAP and urine protein level, and more severe placental and fetal damage. Preeclampsia-like models generated by varied means lead to different changes in lipid metabolism and associated with liver injury. Trophoblastic mitochondrial damage may be the common terminal pathway in different preeclampsia-like models.