Construction of Ecological Security Patterns Based on Circuit Theory under the Resistance Distance Principle.

Against the background of China's advocating ecological civilisation construction, an urgent task and a major challenge are to identify key places for ecological protection and restoration and then propose optimisation strategies for future land use, especially in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), one of the regions in China that has the highest urbanisation level. In this study, we find the key places by constructing ecological security patterns and proposing optimisation strategies for future land use by analysing land-use status. We also propose a source identification method based on the resistance distance principle. Results show that forty-six sources were mainly distributed in the mountainous areas surrounding PRD but were less distributed along both sides of the Pearl River estuary. The difference in the spatial distribution of sources is remarkable. Eighty-four corridors generally had spider-like shapes. In the central plain of PRD, corridors were relatively long and narrow. Ninety pinch points were concentrated on existing rivers. Three barriers were located in the corridors between adjacent sources. Two artificial corridors were proposed to be established, which can improve the ecological network connectivity. The method for extracting sources based on the resistance distance principle is proven to be advantageous for improving the integrity of source extraction results and making ecological security patterns more reasonable.

Circulating fatty acids and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: prospective analyses in China.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine prospective associations between circulating fatty acids in early pregnancy and incident gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among Chinese pregnant women. METHODS: Analyses were based on two prospective nested case-control studies conducted in western China (336 GDM cases and 672 matched controls) and central China (305 cases and 305 matched controls). Fasting plasma fatty acids in early pregnancy (gestational age at enrollment: 10.4 weeks(s.d., 2.0)) and 13.2 weeks (1.0), respectively) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and GDM was diagnosed based on the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups criteria during 24-28 weeks of gestation. Multiple metabolic biomarkers (HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance), HbA1c, c-peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, adiponectin, leptin, and blood lipids) were additionally measured among 672 non-GDM controls at enrollment. RESULTS: Higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) 14:0 (pooled odds ratio, 1.41 for each 1-s.d. increase; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.59) and 16:0 (1.19; 1.05, 1.35) were associated with higher odds of GDM. Higher levels of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) 18:2n-6 were strongly associated with lower odds of GDM (0.69; 0.60, 0.80). In non-GDM pregnant women, higher SFAs 14:0 and 16:0 but lower n-6 PUFA 18:2n-6 were generally correlated with unfavorable metabolic profiles. CONCLUSIONS: We documented adverse associations of 14:0 and 16:0 but a protective association of 18:2n-6 with GDM among Chinese pregnant women. Our findings highlight the distinct roles of specific fatty acids in the onset of GDM.

Plastic additives and personal care products in south China house dust and exposure in child-mother pairs.

Indoor environment constitutes an important source of industrial additive chemicals to human exposure. We hypothesized that the influence of residential environment on human exposure varies among different types of additive chemicals and differs between children and mothers. This study determined a suite of additive chemicals in house dust from South China dwellings (n = 47) and urine from child-mother pairs. Concentrations of phthalates (PAEs; median 601 µg/g) were 2-3 orders of magnitude greater than those of parabens (0.82 µg/g), bisphenols (3.31 µg/g), and benzophenone-related chemicals (2.69 µg/g). Urinary concentrations differed between children and mothers, but the pattern of differences varied between chemical groups. Children exhibited greater urinary levels of mono-PAEs than mothers (510 versus 395 ng/mL, p = 0.152), while the latter population exhibited greater levels of parabens and benzophenones. Regression analyses indicate a lack of association between dust and urinary levels for most chemicals, suggesting that other exposure pathways can complicate human exposure scenarios. Indeed, we estimated that the daily intake via dust ingestion only constituted 0.002-0.81% of total daily intake estimated based on urine data for mothers and 0.04-5.61% for children. Future efforts are needed to better characterize source-specific exposure for different populations.

Gastrodin improves preeclampsia-induced cell apoptosis by regulation of TLR4/NF-κB in rats.

To explain gastrodin improved cell apoptosis induced by preeclampsia in vivo and in vitro study. The PE and normal rats were injected with normal saline (Model), low-dose gastrodin (Gas-L), medium-dose gastrodin (Gas-M), and high-dose gastrodin (Gas-H) groups at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg per day. The rat blood pressure and 24-hr urine protein level were measured at pregnant days 10, 16, and 20. Evaluating pathology by H&E staining, the cell apoptosis by TUNEL, and MyD88 and NF-κB (p65) proteins by IHC assay using H/R to simulate PE cell model. Measuring cell proliferation, apoptosis, and MyD88 and NF-κB (p65) protein expression by MTT, flow cytometry, and WB assay. The SBP, DBP, and 24-hr urine protein levels were significantly different in PE rats (p < .05). The SBP, DBP, and 24-hr urine protein levels were significantly improved (p < .05) in vivo and in vitro. The positive apoptosis cells and apoptosis rate were significantly increased with MyD88 and NF-κB (p65) proteins upregulation (p < .05). The positive apoptosis cells and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased with MyD88 and NF-κB (p65) proteins depressing in gastrodin-treated groups with dose-dependent (p < .05). Gastrodin improves PE-induced cell apoptosis and pathology changed via MyD88/NF-κB pathway in vitro and in vivo study.

Long noncoding RNA LINC00899 suppresses breast cancer progression by inhibiting miR-425.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators in cancer, including breast cancer. The precise expression pattern of long noncoding RNA 00899 (LINC00899) in breast cancer and its mechanisms of action have not been reported. Here, we found that LINC00899 is downregulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that elevated LINC00899 expression is closely associated with better relapse-free survival (RFS) in breast cancer, including the basal, luminal A or luminal B breast cancer subtypes. Gene Ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis suggested that LINC00899 is closely related to several cancer associated processes, including tight junction- and metabolism-associated pathways. Functional assays indicated that LINC00899 overexpression suppresses proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells in vitro. Moreover, LINC00899 was found to competitively bind miR-425, thereby functioning as a tumor suppressor by enhancing DICER1. Overexpression of miR-425 attenuated the LINC00899-induced inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion. These findings highlight the important role of the LINC00899-miR-425-DICER1 axis in breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion, and could potentially lead to new lncRNA-based diagnostics or therapeutics for breast cancer.

Histone deacetylase 6 negatively regulated microRNA-199a-5p induces the occurrence of preeclampsia by targeting VEGFA in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE) is a special complication during pregnancy, which can cause severe maternal complications and lead the cause of maternal and perinatal death. So far, the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease is still not very clear. Currently, microRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to be the key regulators in the development of PE. METHODS: The miR-199a-5p expression was detected by qRT-PCR. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), placental growth factor (PLGF) and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF-3) were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Transwell-invasion assay wasused to assess the effects of miR-199a-5p, PLGF and ATF-3 on the invasion of HTR-8/SVneo and TEV-1cell lines. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to assess the related molecular mechanisms. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the interaction between miR-199a-5p and VEGFA. RESULTS: Here, weinitially demonstrated that in PE tissues, miR-199a-5p expression was higher than that in normal tissues, while there was sharp reduction in VEGFA. In placental tissues of PE patients, miR-199a-5p exhibited a negatively correlation with VEGFA. The invasion of HTR-8/SVneo and TEV-1 cells was suppressed by miR-199a-5p through direct inhibition of VEGFA expression. In addition, PE tissues were associated with sharp reduction in the protein levels of PLGF, ATF-3 and histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) compared with the normal tissues. We further proved that over-expression of PLGF could also promote HTR-8/SVneo and TEV-1 cells invasion through up-regulating ATF-3 expression and down-regulating DNM3 opposite strand (DNM3os) and miR-199a-5p expression. Lastly, we also found that tubacin suppressed HTR-8/SVneo and TEV-1 cells invasion via regulation of miR-199a-5p and VEGFA expression. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated the role of miR-199a-5p in the preeclampsia, and proved that miR-199a-5p could act as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of PE.

A preliminary study of uterine scar tissue following cesarean section.

AIM: To compare smooth muscle cells, type I collagen, and apoptosis of the lower uterine segment of women who had/without a prior cesarean delivery. METHODS: Alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type I collagen, and nuclear apoptosis were compared between the groups from lower uterine segment. Twenty-eight controls and 82 with one prior cesarean delivery were included. The women with a prior cesarean section were classified by time since the surgery: ≤3 years, >3 and ≤5 years, >5 and ≤7 years, >7 and ≤9 years, and >9 years. RESULTS: Smooth muscle volume density (VD) % was significantly lower in women who had cesarean sections in first three groups than in the controls (all, P<0.01). Type I collagen VD% was similar among all groups and the controls. The number of apoptotic nuclei in the lower uterine segment of the scarred group was greater up to 3 years after surgery and less than in the control at 7-9 years. The number of non-apoptotic nuclei in the scarred group was greater than controls up to 7 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: The lower uterine segment scar becomes stable at 3 years after cesarean delivery, and by 9 years, the scar is mature.

An exploratory study into the role of miR-204-5p in pregnancy-induced hypertension.

The molecular mechanism that leads to pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), a pregnancy-specific syndrome, remains poorly understood. It has been suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) may be potentially useful biomarkers for severe preeclampsia (PE), which is an important condition associated with PIH. The aim of the present study was to identify miR-204 by verifying differentially expressed serum miRNAs in patients with PIH during pregnancy compared with normal controls. Subsequently, the effects of miR-204 on proliferation and apoptosis of human choriocarcinoma (JAR) cells in hypoxic microenvironment were investigated. Previous studies indicated a number of miRNA candidates and the present study validated the expression of eight miRNAs in serum samples using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A higher expression of miR-204 was identified in patients with PIH. To assess the impact of miR-204 inhibition on hypoxic JAR cells function in vitro, cell proliferation was detected using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The rate of apoptosis and cell cycle progression was then examined by flow cytometry. RT-qPCR confirmed that serum miR-204-5p is more highly expressed in patients with PIH. Further statistical analysis indicated that the survival ratio of JAR cells in hypoxic microenvironments was increased in the miR-204-5p inhibitor group. However, the miR-204-5p inhibitor protected hypoxic JAR cells from apoptosis. The analysis of cell-cycle status demonstrated that the percentage of cells in the G2/G1 phase was larger compared with the control group. The results of the present study suggest that low levels of miR-204-5p may increase cell proliferation and reduce cell apoptosis with cell cycle changes in vitro. Therefore, serum miR-204-5p may be used as a notable biomarker for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of PIH.

Proteomic identification of candidate plasma biomarkers for preeclampsia in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Preeclampsia (PE), a complication of pregnancy, is the leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality and seriously impacts maternal and child health. This study aimed to characterize biomarkers for the early diagnosis of PE. We performed a comparative proteomic analysis on the plasma obtained from PE and healthy pregnant women. We analyzed the plasma samples using two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) coupled with Ultraflex III, a MALDI-TOF-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight) mass spectrometer and identified differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). We analyzed the abundance levels of these DEPs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to further confirm their role as putative PE biomarkers. We identified a total of 56 DEPs, of which 48 were down-regulated and 8 were up-regulated in women with PE. The identities of 8 of these DEPs were characterized by mass spectrum analysis, including LG3BP (lectin, galactoside-binding, soluble, 3 binding protein), APOA1 (apolipoprotein A-I), FETUA (alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein), CFAI (complement factor I), CD5L (CD5 antigen-like), K2C6A (keratin, type II cytoskeletal 6A), PON1 (paraoxonase/arylesterase 1) and HP1 (haptoglobin). Finally, the differential expression of these 8 proteins was verified by ELISA. In summary, we applied the 2D-DIGE and Ultraflex III-TOF/TOF platform to identify potential plasma biomarkers of PE. Of these, plasma LG3BP, APOA1, FETUA, CFAI, CD5L, K2C6A, PON1 and HP1 were promising candidates for predicting PE.

[Association of psychological factors with post-partum hemorrhage and labor duration].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of psychological factors on post-partum hemorrhage and labor duration. METHODS: A questionnaire-based investigation was conducted in 180 healthy single-fetus spontaneous delivery primigravida to understand their psychological status and related factors, and the duration of labor and postpartum hemorrhage were recorded. RESULTS: Anxiety and depression were common in pregnant women and positively related to age, profession, education and social support. The scores of SAS and SDS of postpartum hemorrhage-free group were significantly lower than those in postpartum hemorrhage group, and the duration of first and the second stage was significantly longer in women with high SAS and SDS score than in those with lower scores. CONCLUSIONS: The mental health status of pregnant women may vary significantly depending on the social community they belong to. Anxiety and depression may increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage and prolonged labor, so that psychological counseling can be of importance to improve the care in the department of obstetrics.