Climbing Fiber Activation Induced by Footshock in the Cerebellar Vermis Lobule IV/V of Freely Moving Mice.

Parallel fibers (PFs) in the cerebellar cortex are involved in a series of coordinated responses in the fear conditioning paradigm induced by footshock. However, whether footshock can activate cerebellar climbing fibers (CFs) remains unclear. In this study, we recorded calcium (Ca2+) activity in CFs by optical fiber photometry in the cerebellar vermis lobule IV/V of freely moving mice with footshock stimulation. We found that the activation of CFs in the lobule IV/V was highly correlated with footshock stimulation but not with the sound stimulation used as a control. This result suggests that afferent information from CFs might be associated with the motor initiation of fear-related behaviors or fear emotion itself. Thus, our results suggest that a characteristic CF signal in the cerebellar cortex might be related to fear processing or footshock-related behaviors (such as startle responses or pain sensation).

Machine learning based longitudinal virtual diagnostics at SwissFEL.

The bunch length in a linac driven Free Electron Laser (FEL) is a major parameter to be characterized to optimize the final accelerator performance. In linear machines, this observable is typically determined from the beam imaged on a screen located downstream of a Transverse Deflecting Structure (TDS) used to impinge a time dependent kick along the longitudinal coordinate of the beam. This measurement is typically performed during the machine setup and only sporadically to check the beam duration, but it cannot be continuously repeated because it is time consuming and invasive. A non-invasive method to determine the electron bunch length has already been presented in the past. This method is based on the analysis of the synchrotron radiation light spot emitted by the bunch passing through a magnetic chicane, provided that the energy chirp impinged on the bunch by the upstream radio frequency structures is known. In order to overcome a systematic discrepancy affecting the synchrotron radiation monitor based results compared to the absolute TDS based ones, we implemented and optimized a machine learning approach to predict the bunch length downstream of the two SwissFEL compression stages-from about 10 fs up to about 2 ps-as well as the beam longitudinal profile at the first one.

[Identification of Stigma Specific Expression Fragment in the Promoter of a Soybean Chitinase Class I Gene].

The expression level of heterologous genes in transgenic plants serves as an important indicator of gene efficiency. The small number of currently known effective promoters, limits the possibilities in fine-tuning the expression of transgenes. We cloned and characterized a tissue-specific promoter fragment of the soybean chitinase class I gene (GmChi1). The GmChi1 promoter (GmChi1P) was cloned from Jungery soybean. The promoter sequence contains a number of putative cis-acting elements, including tissue-specific and stress-regulated motifs. By histochemical analysis, the GmChi1P-controlled ß-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter enzyme activity was shown to be highest in the roots of transgenic Nicotiana tabacum cv. NC89 at the four-leaf sprout formation stage. Interestingly, the high GUS activity in transgenic tobacco roots was effectively suppressed by salicylic acid (SA) treatment. Deletion analysis of GmChi1P revealed that the sequences located between positions -719 and -382 contain key cis-elements responsible for the reporter uidA gene expression (encoding GUS) in leaves, roots, and wounds of Nicotiana tabacum. In addition, fluorometric analysis showed that the activity of the shortened ChiP(-1292) to ChiP(-719) promoters in the roots of transgenic tobacco was significantly suppressed by abscisic acid and completely suppressed by SA. The ChiP(-382) promoter was also found to be expressed exclusively in the stigma of transgenic tobacco flowers. Using the GUS reporter enzyme, no staining was detected in other flower organs in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum, including sepals, petals, anthers, filaments, and ovaries, or in any vegetative tissues. The results indicate that the promoter fragment ChiP(-382) can be used in tissue-specific regulation of gene expression and plant genetic engineering.

The subfamily Xerocomoideae (Boletaceae, Boletales) in China.

Xerocomoideae is an ecologically and economically important Boletaceae subfamily (Boletales) comprising 10 genera. Although many studies have focused on Xerocomoideae in China, the diversity, taxonomy and molecular phylogeny still remained incompletely understood. In the present study, taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on Chinese species of Xerocomoideae were carried out by morphological examinations and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Eight genera in Xerocomoideae, viz. Aureoboletus, Boletellus, Heimioporus, Hemileccinum, Hourangia, Phylloporus, Pulchroboletus, and Xerocomus were confirmed to be distributed in China; 97 species of the subfamily were accepted as being distributed in China; one ambiguous taxon was tentatively named Bol. aff. putuoensis; two synonyms, viz. A. marroninus and P. dimorphus were defined. Among the Chinese accepted species, 13 were newly described, viz. A. albipes, A. conicus, A. ornatipes, Bol. erythrolepis, Bol. rubidus, Bol. sinochrysenteroides, Bol. subglobosus, Bol. zenghuoxingii, H. squamipes, P. hainanensis, Pul. erubescens, X. albotomentosus, and X. fuscatus, 36 known species were redescribed, and the other 48 species were reviewed. Keys to accepted species of Aureoboletus, Boletellus, Heimioporus, Hemileccinum, Hourangia, Phylloporus, and Xerocomus in China were also provided. Taxonomic novelties: New species: Aureoboletus albipes N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, A. conicus N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, A. ornatipes N.K. Zeng, Xu Zhang & Zhi Q. Liang, Boletellus erythrolepis N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, Bol. rubidus N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, Y.J. Hao & Zhi Q. Liang, Bol. sinochrysenteroides N.K. Zeng, R. Xue & Kuan Zhao, Bol. subglobosus N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, Bol. zenghuoxingii N.K. Zeng, R. Xue, S. Jiang & Zhi Q. Liang, Hemileccinum squamipes N.K. Zeng, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, Phylloporus hainanensis N.K. Zeng, L.L. Wu, & Zhi Q. Liang, Pulchroboletus erubescens N.K. Zeng, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, Xerocomus albotomentosus N.K. Zeng, H.J. Xie, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang, and X. fuscatus N.K. Zeng, H.J. Xie, Chang Xu & Zhi Q. Liang. Citation: Xue R, Zhang X, Xu C, Xie HJ, Wu LL, Wang Y, Tang LP, Hao YJ, Zhao K, Jiang S, Li Y, Yang YY, Li Z, Liang ZQ, Zeng NK (2023). The subfamily Xerocomoideae (Boletaceae, Boletales) in China. Studies in Mycology 106: 95-197. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.106.03.

Instantaneous 4D micro-particle image velocimetry (µPIV) via multifocal microscopy (MUM).

Multifocal microscopy (MUM), a technique to capture multiple fields of view (FOVs) from distinct axial planes simultaneously and on one camera, was used to perform micro-particle image velocimetry (µPIV) to reconstruct velocity and shear stress fields imposed by a liquid flowing around a cell. A diffraction based multifocal relay was used to capture images from three different planes with 630 nm axial spacing from which the axial positions of the flow-tracing particles were calculated using the image sharpness metric. It was shown that MUM can achieve an accuracy on the calculated velocity of around (0.52 ± 0.19) µm/s. Using fixed cells, MUM imaged the flow perturbations at sub-cellular level, which showed characteristics similar to those observed in the literature. Using live cells as an exemplar, MUM observed the effect of changing cell morphology on the local flow during perfusion. Compared to standard confocal laser scanning microscope, MUM offers a clear advantage in acquisition speed for µPIV (over 300 times faster). This is an important characteristic for rapidly evolving biological systems where there is the necessity to monitor in real time entire volumes to correlate the sample responses to the external forces.

[Investigation on dust pollution and pneumoconiosis incidence in a steel enterprise].

Objective: To analyze the change trend of underground dust concentration, the incidence and survival status of pneumoconiosis patients, and provide reference for improving the working environment of dust-exposed workers and the prevention and treatment of pneumoconiosis patients in the future. Methods: In February 2020, a retrospective investigation was conducted on the dust data of underground mining operations in a steel enterprise in Jiangsu Province from 1991 to 2019, and the case data of patients diagnosed with pneumoconiosis from 1956 to 2019 were collected. The time trends of the number of pneumoconiosis patients and dust concentration, the stage of pneumoconiosis and survival status of patients were analyzed. Results: From 1956 to 2019, a total of 241 patients with pneumoconiosis were diagnosed in the steel enterprise. From 1991 to 2019, the annual average dust concentration in the mine showed a downward trend as a whole. Compared with the transportation platform (14.28%, 1447/10132) , the average dust concentration exceeding rate of the mining platform (43.68%, 8415/19263) was significantly higher (χ(2)=2674.84, P<0.01) . The average age of pneumoconiosis patients was (73.54±10.42) years old, and the average working age of dust exposure was (21.41±8.68) years, of which 85 cases (35.27%) survived and 156 cases (64.73%) died. The main type of pneumoconiosis was silicosis (90.46%, 218/241) , and the main stage of pneumoconiosis was the stage I (96.68%, 233/241) ; The higher the stage of pneumoconiosis, the younger the diagnosis age (P<0.01) . The average survival time of patients was (27.264±1.982) years, and the median survival time was 28 years. The cumulative survival rates of patients with pneumoconiosis in different diagnosis time periods were significantly different (χ(2)=35.57, P<0.01) . Conclusion: The improved dust-proof measures have a significant effect on reducing the concentration of underground dust. We need to focus on the dust control of underground mining platforms and the treatment of patients with stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis.

[Numerical simulation modeling of middle ear-eustachian tube ventilation based on Chinese digital visual human body].

Objective: To establish a three-dimensional model of middle ear-eustachian tube based on Chinese digital visual human dataset, and the deformation and pressure changes of the middle ear-eustachian tube system after eustachian tube opening are simulated by computer numerical simulation. Methods: The first female Chinese Digital Visual Human data was adopted. The images were imported by Amira image processing software, and the images were segmented by Geomagic software to form a three-dimensional model of middle ear-eustachian tube system, including eustachian tube, tympanum, tympanic membrane, auditory ossicles, and mastoid air cells system. The 3D model was imported into Hypermesh software for meshing and analysis. The structural mechanics calculation was carried out by Abaqus, and gas flow was simulated by Xflow. The tissue deformation and middle ear pressure changes during eustachian tube opening were numerically simulated by fluid-solid coupling algorithm. Several pressure monitoring points including tympanum, mastoid, tympanic isthmus, and external auditory canal were set up in the model, and the pressure changes of each monitoring point were recorded and compared. Results: In this study, a three-dimensional model of middle ear-eustachian tube and a numerical simulation model of middle ear ventilation were established, including eustachian tube, tympanum, mastoid air cells, tympanic membrane, and auditory ossicles. The dynamic changes of the model after ventilation could be divided into five stages according to the pressure. In addition, the pressure changes of tympanum and tympanic isthmus were basically synchronous, and the pressure changes of mastoid air cells system were later than that of tympanum and tympanic isthmus, which verified the pressure buffering effect of mastoid. The extracted pressure curve of the external auditory canal was basically consistent with that of tympanometry in terms of value and trend, which verified the effectiveness of the model. Conclusions: The numerical simulation model of middle ear-eustachian tube ventilation established in this paper can simulate the tissue deformation and middle ear pressure changes after eustachian tube opening, and its accuracy and effectiveness are also verified. This not only lays a foundation for further research, but also provides a new research method for the study of middle ear ventilation.

Propofol ameliorates acute postoperative fatigue and promotes glucagon-regulated hepatic gluconeogenesis by activating CREB/PGC-1α and accelerating fatty acids beta-oxidation.

Postoperative fatigue (POF) is the most common and long-lasting complication after surgery, which brings heavy burden to individuals and society. Recently, hastening postoperative recovery receives increasing attention, but unfortunately, the mechanisms underlying POF remain unclear. Propofol is a wildly used general anesthetic in clinic, and inspired by the rapid antidepressant effects induced by ketamine at non-anesthetic dose, the present study was undertaken to investigate the anti-fatigue effects and underlying mechanisms of propofol at a non-anesthetic dose in 70% hepatectomy induced POF model in rats. We first showed here that single administration of propofol at 0.1 mg/kg ameliorated acute POF in hepatectomy induced POF rats. Based on metabonomics analysis, we hypothesized that propofol exerted anti-fatigue activity in POF rats by facilitating free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation and gluconeogenesis. We further confirmed that propofol restored the deficit in FFA oxidation and gluconeogenesis in POF rats, as evidenced by the elevated FFA utilization, acetyl coenzyme A content, pyruvic acid content, phosphoenolpyruvic acid content, hepatic glucose output and glycogen storage. Moreover, propofol stimulated glucagon secretion and up-regulated expression of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB, peroxlsome prolifeator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinade1 and carnitine palmitoltransferase 1A. In summary, our study suggests for the first time that propofol ameliorates acute POF by promoting glucagon-regulated gluconeogenesis via CREB/PGC-1α signaling and accelerating FFA beta-oxidation.

[Distribution feature of newly diagnosed pneumoconiosis in Guangyuan City, 2007-2017].

Objective: To investigate the distribution feature of newly diagnosed pneumoconiosis in Guangyuan City from 2007 to 2017 and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of pneumoconiosis. Methods: In May 2019, the data of newly diagnosed pneumoconiosis in Guangyuan City during January 2007 to December 2017 were collected from Chinese Information System for Disease Control and Prevention-Occupation Disease and Occupation Health Information Monitoring System. The database was built by Excel 2010. The distribution of period, disease type, region, sex, age, working age, work type and industry were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 software. Results: Totally 3920 new cases of pneumoconiosis were reported in Guangyuan City from 2007 to 2017, 2850 cases (72.70%) were in stage Ⅰ, 724 cases (18.47%) were in stage Ⅱ, and 346 cases (8.83%) were in stage Ⅲ. The main type of pneumoconiosis was coal worker＇s pneumoconiosis (2544 cases, 64.90%, ) , second was silicosis (1313 cases, 33.49%) . The newly diagnosed pneumoconiosis were mainly distributed in Lizhou area (1855 cases, 47.32%) , Wangcang county (1392 cases, 35.51%) and Cangxi county (509 cases, 12.98%) . The patients were mainly males (3910 cases, 99.74%) , the ratio of males to females was 391∶1. The average diagnostic age was (57.56±17.58) years, the average working age was (13.68±10.81) years. The main types of work were coal miner (1748 cases, 44.59%) , roadheader (1354 cases, 34.54%) and drill man (487 cases, 12.42%) . The industry distribution was mainly mining (2930 cases, 74.74%) . The distribution of enterprise sizes were mainly small and medium-sized (1341 cases, 34.21%) and micro-sized (999 cases, 25.48%) enterprises. Conclusion: The situation of prevention and control of pneumoconiosis in Guangyuan City is still severe and the newly diagnosed cases are dominated by coal worker＇s pneumoconiosis, mainly concentrated in mining. There are more cases in Lizhou area and Wangcang county. Strengthening the prevention and control of dust hazards in high-risk areas and high-risk groups is the focus of occupational health prevention and control in Guangyuan City.

Sevoflurane impedes the progression of glioma through modulating the circular RNA has_circ_0012129/miR-761/TGIF2 axis.

OBJECTIVE: Glioma is a highly aggressive and lethal brain tumor. Anesthetics have been shown to have important effects on the biological characteristics of cancer cells. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanism of anesthetic-mediated glioma cells progression remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sevoflurane (sev) was employed to treat glioma cells. The biological characteristics (viability, colony formation, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration, and invasion) of glioma cells were determined via Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), cell colony formation, flow cytometry, PI cytometry, or transwell assays. The protein levels of Cell Cycle Dependent Kinase (CDK) 2, CDK4, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, and Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFB) induced factor homeobox 2 (TGIF2) were assessed through Western blot analysis. Glucose consumption and lactate production were measured using special commercial kits. The expression of circular RNA has_circ_0012129 (circ_0012129) and miR-761 was detected via quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship between circ_0012129 or TGIF2 and miR-761 was verified with Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. Sevoflurane-mediated molecular mechanisms have been confirmed via xenograft assay. RESULTS: Sevoflurane suppressed viability, colony formation, cell cycle, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis of glioma cells in vitro, and impeded tumor growth in vivo. Circ_0012129 and TGIF2 were downregulated and miR-761 was upregulated in sevoflurane-treated glioma cells. Circ_0012129 elevation abolished sevoflurane-mediated biological characteristics of glioma cells. MiR-761 served as target for circ_0012129 and miR-761 targeted TGIF2. Moreover, both miR-761 overexpression and TGIF2 suppression restored circ_0012129 enhancement-mediated biological characteristics of sevoflurane-treated glioma cells. CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane mediated the progression of glioma via regulating the circ_0012129/miR-761/TGIF2 axis.

Effect of NT-3 on repair of spinal cord injury through the MAPK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) on the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI) through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rat model of SCI was first successfully established using the impactor (SCI group). Meanwhile, control group and NT-3 treatment group were set up as well. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score was given and blood, and spinal cord tissues were collected from rats. Subsequently, serum indexes were detected, including glucose (Glu), creatinine (Cr), K+, Na+, the content of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-ß (TNF-ß), and the level of myeloperoxidase (MPO). Moreover, the morphological changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The gene and protein expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and MAPK were determined through Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of the MAPK signaling pathway on SCI was comprehensively observed. RESULTS: In SCI group, the rats could not crawl autonomously with the loss of motor function and paraplegia. Meanwhile, the levels of Glu, Cr, Na+, IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-ß, and MPO were all significantly up-regulated. According to the results of HE staining, spinal nerve fibers disappeared with significant syringomyelia in SCI group. Meanwhile, the aggregation of nerve fibers was observed without apparent tissue bleeding, edema, and cell deformation in NT-3 group. QRT-PCR results demonstrated that SCI group showed remarkably higher levels of GFAP, MAPK, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) (p<0.05), while it showed a markedly lower level of ERK2 than NT-3 group (p<0.05). In NT-3 group, the protein expression of MAPK in myocardial tissues was remarkably lower than that of SCI group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NT-3 can inhibit the MAPK signaling pathway, thereby promoting the repair of SCI.

Efficacy and immunogenicity of a live L. acidophilus expressing SAD epitope of transmissible gastroenteritis virus as an oral vaccine.

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) causes great economic loss to swine industry worldwide. Vaccination is an important method to control the TGEV infection. In this study, a TGEV oral vaccine was generated by transferring a eukaryotic expression recombinant plasmid carrying the SAD (A and D antigenic sites of the S protein) epitope of TGEV into a swine-origin Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus). In orally immunized BALB/c mice, the TGEV L. acidophilus oral vaccine induced significantly higher level of SIgA antibodies specific to TGEV compared with the mice immunized with a commercial inactivated TGEV vaccine and similar levels of IgG specific to TGEV as the inactivated vaccine. Furthermore, the TGEV L. acidophilus oral vaccine induced higher levels of IFN-γ, which suggested that the vaccine was able to induce immune response. In brief, this novel TGEV L. acidophilus oral vaccine could induce high levels of both mucosal and humoral immune responses, which has a potential to be used in the pig industries in the future. Keywords: transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV); live L. acidophilus oral vaccine; SIgA antibody; IgG antibody; IFN-γ; IL-4.

[Prevalence of silicosis among Xiangyu railway construction workers in Nanchong from 2008-2007].

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of silicosis in the militias with contribution to the former Xiangyu Railway construction in Nanchong, China, from 2008 to 2017, and to provide a scientific basis for the future development of pneumoconiosis prevention and control strategies based on the current status. Methods: A database was established for the data of 11863 militias with contribution to the former Xiangyu Railway construction in Nanchong, China, who attended our hospital from 2008 to 2017, including 11485 males (96.81%) and 378 females (3.19%). The SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the differences in the detection rate of silicosis between militias with different sexes or those with different job types, as well as the age, length of service, and regional distribution of patients. Results: Of the 11863 railway militias in Nanchong, 3169 (26.71%) were diagnosed with silicosis, including 2761 (87.12%) in stage I, 359 (11.33%) in stage II, and 49 (1.55%) in stage III; the males had a significantly higher detection rate of silicosis than the females (χ(2)=64.496, P<0.05); there was a significant difference in the detection rate of silicosis between the militias with different job types (χ(2)=856.839, P<0.05). There were significant differences in the mean age of diagnosis and the mean length of service between the patients with different stages of silicosis (F=4.944, P<0.05; F=3.174, P<0.05). There was a significant difference in the number of militia patients with silicosis between different areas of Nanchong (χ(2)=843.330, P<0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of silicosis is relatively high among the militias with contribution to the former Xiangyu Railway. It is necessary to strengthen the occupational health monitoring of patients, actively treat and prevent complications, and improve the quality of life of patients.

Diversity of group A rotavirus of porcine rotavirus in Shandong province China.

Porcine rotavirus (PoRV) is one of the major causes of neonatal diarrhea in swine worldwide. Multiple serotypes of PoRV have been detected in diarrhea cases of suckling and weaning pigs. To date, the prevalence and molecular characterizations of PoRV circulating in swine in Shandong province of China remains largely unknown. Two hundred and twenty-six feces samples were collected from ten farms showing diarrhea in Shandong. All the samples were tested by RT-PCR for the presence of PoRV, TGEV, or PEDV. The results showed that all farms are positive for PEDV, and 60% and 10% of the farms are positive for PoRV and TGEV respectively. PoRV was detected in 65 out of 226 (28.76%) samples collected from 1-3 months old suckling and weaning pigs, while the positive rates of the TGEV and PEDV were 2.21% and 34.96%, respectively. The present data emphasized that PoRV is an important pathogen causing diarrhea in swine in China. In addition, VP6 and VP7 genes of PoRVs were sequenced and analyzed. Phylogenetical analysis of VP6 showed that all of the five PoRVs belong to group A rotavirus, meanwhile VP7 genes belong to the G3, G5, and G9 genotypes. Moreover, G5 and G9 genotypes are the dominant genotypes. Taken together, co-infections of TGEV, PEDV, and PoRV occur in pig population in Shandong, and the multiple serotypes of PoRVs are circulating in those herds, suggesting the active surveillance and matched vaccine application.

H9N2 influenza virus isolated from minks has enhanced virulence in mice.

H9N2 is one of the major subtypes of influenza virus circulating in poultry in China, which has a wide host range from bird to mammals. Two H9N2 viruses were isolated from one mink farm in 2014. Phylogenetic analysis showed that internal genes of the H9N2 viruses have close relationship with those of H7N9 viruses. Interestingly, two H9N2 were separated in phylogenetic trees, indicating that they are introduced to this mink farm in two independent events. And further mice studies showed that one H9N2 caused obvious weight loss and 20% mortality in infected mice, while another virus did not cause any clinical sign in mice infected at the same dose. Genetic analysis indicated that the virulent H9N2 contain a natural mutation at 701N in PB2 protein, which was reported to contribute to mammalian adaptation. However, such substitution is absent in the H9N2 avirulent to mice. Circulation of H9N2 in mink may drive the virus to adapt mammals; continual surveillance of influenza virus in mink was warranted.

[Effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia on hepatic function and protective mechanism of adiponectin in rats].

Objective: To explore the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on rats hepatic function, and the protective mechanism of adiponectin (Ad). Methods: Sixty healthy male wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control (NC), NC+ Ad, CIH, and CIH+ Ad groups with 15 rats in each. The rats in CIH and CIH+ Ad groups were exposed to an intermittent hypoxic chamber 8 hours per day for 4 months. Meanwhile, the rats in both the NC and NC + Ad groups were housed with normal pressure air. The rats in the NC+ Ad and CIH+ Ad groups were additionally treated with an intravenous injection of Ad (10 µg), twice a week for 4 months. At the end of experiment, comparison among groups was made about plasma levels of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), degrees of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrium associated cellular apoptosis. Results: No significant difference was detected in all items between NC and NC+ Ad groups (all P>0.05). Plasma hepatic enzyme levels of AST and ALT were significantly higher in CIH group [(319±21) and (113±9) U/L] than those in NC group [(178±19) and (51±9) U/L] and NC+ Ad group [(175±16) and (52±8) U/L] (all P<0.05). Compared NC with NC+ Ad group, there was more remarkable ERS and mitochondrial injury associated cellular apoptosis in hepatic tissues of CIH group. Such pathological changes were less obvious in CIH+ Ad group than in CIH group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: CIH can induce hepatic injury in rats, while Ad supplement may play a protective role possibly through inhibition of ERS and associated pathways of cellular apoptosis.

Risk factors for recurrent ectopic pregnancy: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors for recurrent ectopic pregnancy (REP). DESIGN: A retrospective case-control study. SETTING: A university medical centre. POPULATION: 554 women with a history of ectopic pregnancy (EP) were included. Among them were 181 women with current EP, 184 women with current intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) and 189 nonpregnant women (NonP). METHODS: The three groups were matched at a ratio of 1:1 with respect to current age, age of initial EP and gestational week of initial EP. Socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive history, gynaecological and surgical history, and experience of contraception were compared among the three groups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounders and calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs). RESULTS: The risk of REP increased with history of infertility (AOR = 3.84, 95%CI 2.16-6.86) in REP women compared with IUP controls. Compared with NonP controls, salpingotomy (AOR = 3.04, 95%CI 1.21-36.51) for previous EP was a risk factor for REP. Multiparous women were less likely to suffer REP when compared with NonP women (AOR = 0.36, 95%CI 0.18-0.62) or IUP controls (AOR = 0.35, 95%CI 0.20-0.62). Current use of an intrauterine device (IUD) (REP versus NonP, AOR = 0.02, 95%CI 0.00-0.08) or condoms (REP versus NonP, AOR = 0.16, 95%CI 0.07-0.38) significantly reduced the risk of REP compared with those not using any contraception. Similarly, previous use of condoms also prevented REP compared with those with no previous condom use (REP versus NonP, AOR = 0.20, 95%CI 0.08-0.49; REP versus IUP, AOR = 0.40, 95%CI 0.22-0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Women with history of infertility or salpingotomy should be alert for the recurrence of EP. Multiparous women are less likely to suffer REP. We propose the use of condoms for effective prevention of REP. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: History of infertility and salpingotomy for last EP are risk factors for recurrent EP.

Aggravation of spinal cord compromise following new osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture prevented by teriparatide in patients with surgical contraindications.

Patients with spinal cord deficits following new unstable osteoporotic compression fracture and surgical contraindications were considered to receive conservative treatment. Teriparatide was better than alendronate at improving bone mineral density and bone turnover parameters, as well as preventing aggravation of spinal cord compromise. INTRODUCTION: This study compared the preventive effects of teriparatide and alendronate on aggravation of spinal cord compromise following new unstable osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) in patients with surgical contraindications. METHODS: This was a 12-month, randomized, open-label study of teriparatide versus alendronate in 49 patients with new unstable OVCF and surgical contraindications. Neurological function was evaluated using modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score (11-point scale, the maximum score of 11 implies normalcy). Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, kyphotic angles, anterior-border heights and diameters of the spinal canal of the fractured vertebrae, any incident of new OVCFs (onset of OVCF during follow-up), spine bone mineral density (BMD), and serum markers of bone resorption and bone formation were also examined at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after initiation of the medication regimen. RESULTS: At 12 months, mean mJOA score had improved in the teriparatide group and decreased in the alendronate group. Mean concentrations of bone formation and bone resorption biomarkers, mean spine BMD, and mean anterior-border height and spinal canal diameter of the fractured vertebrae were significantly greater in the teriparatide group than in the alendronate group. Mean VAS score, mean kyphotic angle of the fractured vertebrae, and incidence of new OVCFs were significantly smaller in the teriparatide group than in the alendronate group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with neurological deficits following new unstable OVCF and with surgical contraindications, teriparatide was better than alendronate at improving the BMD and the bone turnover parameters, as well as preventing aggravation of spinal cord compromise.

A fast dynamic mode in rare earth based glasses.

Metallic glasses (MGs) usually exhibit only slow ß-relaxation peak, and the signature of the fast dynamic is challenging to be observed experimentally in MGs. We report a general and unusual fast dynamic mode in a series of rare earth based MGs manifested as a distinct fast ß'-relaxation peak in addition to slow ß-relaxation and α-relaxation peaks. We show that the activation energy of the fast ß'-relaxation is about 12RTg and is equivalent to the activation of localized flow event. The coupling of these dynamic processes as well as their relationship with glass transition and structural heterogeneity is discussed.