Maternal Physiological Variations Induced by Chronic Gestational Hypoxia: 1H NMR-Based Metabolomics Study.

Metabolomics have been widely used in pregnancy-related diseases. However, physiological variations induced by chronic hypoxia during pregnancy are not well characterized. We aimed to investigate physiological variations induced by chronic hypoxia during pregnancy. A Sprague-Dawley (SD) pregnant rat model of chronic hypoxia was established. Plasma and urine metabolite profiles at different stages of the pregnancy were detected by 1H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). Multivariate statistical analysis was used to analyze changes in plasma and urine metabolic trajectories at different time-points. We identified hypoxia-induced changes in the levels of 30 metabolites in plasma and 29 metabolites in urine during different stages of pregnancy; the prominently affected metabolites included acetic acid, acetone, choline, citric acid, glutamine, isoleucine, lysine, and serine. Most significant hypoxia-induced changes in plasma and urine sample metabolites were observed on the 11th day of gestation. In summary, chronic hypoxia has a significant effect on pregnant rats, and may cause metabolic disorders involving glucose, lipids, amino acids, and tricarboxylic acid cycle. Metabolomics study of the effect of hypoxia during pregnancy may provide insights into the pathogenesis of obstetric disorders.

Efficacy and Safety of the Safe Triangular Working Zone Approach in Percutaneous Vertebroplasty for Spinal Metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the technical feasibility, efficacy, and safety of the safe triangular working zone (STWZ) approach applied in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) for spinal metastases involving the posterior part of the vertebral body. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 87 patients who underwent PV for spinal metastasis involving the posterior part of the vertebral body, with or without the STWZ approach, from January 2019 to April 2022. Forty-nine patients (27 females and 22 males; mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 57.2 ± 11.6 years; age range, 31-76 years) were included in group A (with STWZ approach), accounting for 54 vertebrae. Thirty-eight patients (18 females and 20 males; 59.1 ± 10.9 years; 29-81 years) were included in group B (without STWZ approach), accounting for 57 vertebrae. Patient demographics, procedure-related variables, and pain relief as assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) were collected at different time points. Tumor recurrence in the vertebrae after PV was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: The STWZ approach was successful from T1 to L5 without severe complications. Cement filling was satisfactory in 47/54 (87.0%) and 25/57 (43.9%) vertebrae in groups A and B, respectively (p < 0.001). Cement leakage was not significantly different between groups A and B (p = 1.000). Mean VAS score ± SD before and 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after PV were 7.6 ± 1.8, 4.2 ± 2.0, 2.7 ± 1.9, 1.9 ± 1.5, 1.7 ± 1.4, 1.7 ± 1.1, and 1.6 ± 1.3, respectively, in group A and 7.2 ± 1.7, 4.0 ± 1.3, 3.4 ± 1.6, 2.4 ± 1.2, 1.8 ± 1.0, 1.4 ± 0.5, and 1.7 ± 0.9, respectively, in group B. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a lower tumor recurrence rate in group A than in group B (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The STWZ approach may represent a new, safe, alternative/auxiliary approach to target the posterior part of the vertebral body in the PV for spinal metastases.

An MRI radiomics nomogram improves the accuracy in identifying eligible candidates for fertility-preserving treatment in endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

It is difficult to identify eligible candidates for fertility-preserving treatment (FPT) among endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC) and atypical hyperplasia (AH) patients. Therefore, new approaches for improving the accuracy of candidate selection are warranted. From December 2014 to January 2020, 236 EAC/AH patients (age <50 and premenopausal) were retrospectively reviewed and randomly divided into the primary group (n=158) and validation group 1 (n=78). From February 2020 to December 2021, 51 EAC/AH patients were prospectively enrolled and formed the validation group 2. From the primary group, 385 features were extracted using pyradiomics from multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (including T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient, and contrast enhancement sequences) and 13 radiomics features were selected using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. A clinical model based on clinical information (myometrial invasion on MRI and tumor grade in curettage) and a radiomics nomogram by integrating clinical information with the radiomics features was developed to identify eligible candidates of FPT. For identifying eligible candidates of FPT, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) were 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-0.73) in the primary group, and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.45-0.78) and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.53-0.86) in validation groups 1 and 2, respectively, for the clinical model; were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.80-0.93) in the primary group, and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71-0.93) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.87-1.0) in validation groups 1 and 2, respectively, for the radiomics nomogram. With the help of radiomics nomogram, the treatment decision determined from the clinical model was revised in 45 EAC/AH patients. The net reclassification index (NRI) was 0.80 and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) was 0.17, indicating that the nomogram could improve the accuracy in identifying eligible EAC/AH candidates for FPT.

Expression of the Campylobacter jejuni FliD protein and its reaction to chicken sera.

Campylobacter is a leading causative pathogen of acute bacterial gastroenteritis among humans. Contaminated chicken products are regarded as major sources of human infection. The flagellar capping protein (FliD), which plays important roles in colonization and adhesion to the mucosal surface of chicken ceca, is conserved among Campylobacter jejuni strains. In this study, the recombinant C. jejuni FliD protein was expressed, purified and used as a coated protein to examine the prevalence of C. jejuni antibodies in chickens. The anti-FliD antibody was prevalent among chicken serum samples taken from different farms in the diverse regions of Jiangsu province by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Campylobacter antibody was present in culture-negative chickens. No strong dose-response relationships were observed between serum FliD antibody levels and Campylobacter cultural status. These results provide a basis for further evaluating FliD as a vaccine candidate for broiler chickens or for examining host-C. jejuni interactions, with implications for improving food safety.

T2 Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Resection for Glioblastoma Involving Eloquent Brain Areas Facilitated Through Awake Craniotomy and Clinical Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence that a greater extent of resection (EOR) improves survival, the role of extended resection based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) in the prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) remains controversial. This study aims to investigate the role of additional resection of FLAIR-detected abnormalities and its influence on clinical outcomes of patients with GBM. METHODS: Forty-six patients with newly diagnosed GBM involving eloquent brain areas were included. Surgeries were performed using awake craniotomy (AC) or AC combined with sodium fluorescein (SF) guidance. Following total removal of the contrast-enhancing tumor area, the EOR of FLAIR abnormalities was dichotomized to identify the best separation threshold for progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and 30-day postoperative neurologic function of patients with GBM. RESULTS: The threshold for removal of FLAIR abnormalities affecting survival was determined to be 25%. The median OS and PFS were shorter in the group with FLAIR resection <25% compared with the group with FLAIR resection ≥25% (12 months vs. 26 months; P = 0.001 and 6 months vs. 15 months; P = 0.016, respectively). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified tumor location within or near the eloquent brain areas and the 25% threshold for FLAIR EOR as independent factors affecting OS and PFS. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying a feasible threshold for the resection of FLAIR abnormalities is valuable in improving the survival of patients with GBM. Extended resection of GBM involving eloquent brain areas was safe when using a combination of AC and SF-guided surgery.

[Group B streptococcus colonization in pregnant women and group B streptococcus infection in their preterm infants].

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidences of group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization in pregnant women and GBS infection in their preterm infants, and to investigate the risk factors for GBS colonization in preterm infants. METHODS: A total of 859 women who delivered before term from January 2017 to January 2018 were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Bacterial culture was performed for GBS using the swabs collected from the rectum and the lower 1/3 of the vagina of the pregnant women on admission. A total of 515 of the above cases underwent real-time PCR assay for testing of GBS DNA. Bacterial culture was performed for GBS using the oropharyngeal secretion, gastric fluid or blood samples in preterm infants born to the 859 pregnant women. Peripheral blood samples from the pregnant women and umbilical cord blood samples from their preterm infants were collected to determine the level of anti-GBS capsular polysaccharide antibody. The incidence of GBS infection and perinatal risk factors for GBS colonization in the preterm infants were examined. RESULTS: The positive rate for GBS in the rectal and vaginal cultures was 14.8% (127/859) among the 859 pregnant women, and the positive rate in the GBS DNA testing was 15.1% (78/515). There were 976 live-birth preterm infants delivered by 859 pregnant women, and 4.4% (43/976) of whom were GBS positive. Four preterm infants had early-onset GBS diseases, including pneumonia in two cases and sepsis in two cases. In 127 preterm infants delivered by 127 GBS-positive pregnant women, the preterm infant group with a gestational age between 34 and 37 weeks had a significantly lower GBS positive rate and a significantly higher level of anti-GBS capsular polysaccharide antibody compared with the preterm infant group with a gestational age of less than 34 weeks (P=0.013 and 0.001 respectively). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that premature rupture of membranes time >18 hours and chorioamnionitis were independent risk factors for GBS colonization in preterm infants (OR=6.556 and 6.160 respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GBS positive rate and anti-GBS capsular polysaccharide antibody level in preterm infants are correlated with gestational age. premature rupture of membranes time >18 hours and chorioamnionitis may increase the risk of GBS colonization in preterm infants.

Bone Metabolic Markers in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is prevalent in obesity and is associated with many metabolic abnormalities. The relationship between OSAS and bone metabolism is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the severity of OSAS and bone metabolic markers. METHODS: A total of 119 obese males were enrolled in this study in spring months from 2015 to 2017. All candidates underwent polysomnography, and their bone mineral density (BMD) and the serum levels of total procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (t-P1NP), N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin (N-MID), ß-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (ß-CTX), vitamin D (VD), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured. The analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis were performed for data analyses. RESULTS: No significant differences in the mean values of BMD were observed among the obesity, mild-to-moderate OSAS, and severe OSAS groups; and the serum levels of t-P1NP and ß-CTX in the severe OSAS group were significantly higher than those in the obesity group (48.42 ± 23.78 ng/ml vs. 31.98 ± 9.85 ng/ml, P < 0.001; 0.53 ± 0.24 ng/ml vs. 0.41 ± 0.13 ng/ml, P = 0.011, respectively). The serum level of VD in the obesity group was significantly higher than those in the mild-to-moderate and severe OSAS groups (both P < 0.001), and decreased as the severity of OSAS increased (P < 0.001). The serum level of PTH in the severe OSAS group was significantly higher than those in the obesity and mild-to-moderate OSAS groups (both P < 0.001). The results of correlation analysis indicated that the level of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was correlated with the levels of t-P1NP (r = 0.396, P < 0.001), VD (r = -0.404, P < 0.001), and PTH (r = 0.400, P < 0.001), whereas the level of minimum O2saturation (SaO2min) was correlated with the levels of VD (r = 0.258, P = 0.016) and PTH (r = -0.376, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of bone resorption and formation markers in patients with severe OSAS were significantly increased compared to obese men, and the severity of OSAS was correlated with the serum levels of t-P1NP, VD, and PTH.

The genetic diversity of chicken breeds from Jiangxi, assessed with BCDO2 and the complete mitochondrial DNA D-loop region.

The Jiangxi Province of China has numerous native domestic chicken breeds, including some black skin breeds. The genetic diversity of Jiangxi native chickens is largely unknown, and specifically, the genetic contribution of the grey junglefowl to black skin chickens is not well understood. To address these questions, the complete D-loop region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and beta-carotene dioxygenase 2(BCDO2)gene was sequenced in a total of 209 chickens representing seven Jiangxi native breeds. Thirty-one polymorphic sites were identified across the complete mtDNA D-loop region sequence. Twenty-three haplotypes were observed in the seven breeds, which belonged to four distinct mitochondrial clades (A, B, C and E). Clade A and B were dominant in the chickens with a frequency of approximately 67.9%. There were five SNPs that defined two haplotypes, W and Y in BCDO2. Four breeds had one haplotype and three breeds had two. We conclude that Jiangxi native chicken breeds have relatively low genetic diversity and likely share four common maternal lineages from two different maternal ancestors of junglefowl. Furthermore, some Jiangxi chicken populations may have been mixed with chickens with exotic lineage. Further research should be established to protect these domestic chicken resources.

The investigation of genetic diversity and evolution of Daweishan Mini chicken based on the complete mitochondrial (mt)DNA D-loop region sequence.

This study evaluated the genetic diversity and origin of Daweishan Mini chickens using mtDNA sequence polymorphism. Blood samples from 30 Daweishan Mini chickens were collected. The complete D-loop was PCR amplified, sequenced and compared with the DNA data of five Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) subspecies. Eighteen variable sites that defined six haplotypes were observed. The six haplotypes were clustered into four clades (A, B, D and E), of which clade A and B were dominant. Clades Aand B were clustered with G.g. spadiceus, indicating these two clades may have originated from this subspecies. These results show there is diversity in the middle of the mtDNA D-loop, and indicate there are multiple maternal origins for Daweishan Mini chickens. It appears that G.g. spadiceus contributed more to the evolution of the Daweishan Mini chickens breed than the other four subspecies tested here.

The sodium channel gene family is specifically expressed in hen uterus and associated with eggshell quality traits.

BACKGROUND: Eggshell quality is important for the poultry industry. During eggshell formation a mass of inorganic minerals is deposited. The Sodium Channel (SCNN1) gene family plays an essential role in cation transportation. The objective of this study was to investigate the pattern of expression of members of the SCNN1 gene family, their variation and their effects on eggshell quality. RESULT: The highest expression of SCNN1a, SCNN1b, and SCNN1g genes were in the active uterus during eggshell mineralization, while SCNN1d showed its highest expression level in the quiescent uterus (no egg present). Nineteen candidate SNPs from the four genes were genotyped in a population of 338 White Leghorn layers. Association analysis between SNPs (haplotypes/diplotypes) and eggshell traits was performed. Among seven significant SNPs, five SNPs were associated with eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, eggshell percentage or/and egg weight, while the other two SNPs within SCNN1d were only associated with eggshell percentage. These SNPs had a 0.25-6.99% contribution to phenotypic variance, depending on the trait. In haplotype analysis, SCNN1b and SCNN1d were associated with egg weight. The SCNN1b and SCNN1g were significantly associated with eggshell weight while only SCNN1g explained 2.04% of phenotypic variance. All the alleles of the members of SCNN1 gene family were associated with eggshell percentage and eggshell thickness, and others members had an association with eggshell strength except for SCNN1a. The contribution of different haplotypes of the SCNN1 gene family to eggshell phenotypic variance ranged from 0.09% to 5.74%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that the SCNN1 gene family showed tissue expression specificity and was significantly associated with eggshell traits in chicken. This study provides evidence that genetic variation in members of the sodium channel can influence eggshell quality.

[Changes of ophthalmic blood flow in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA) and posterior ciliary artery (PCA) blood flow and the changes of eye vascular auto-regulation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: It was a case-control study. Fifteen health overweight male adult (as normal control) and 42 patients with OSAS were randomly selected from examination center and sleep detection center, respectively. The OSAS patients were divided into mild (14 patients) and moderate and severe (28 patients) groups based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). All subjects filled the sleep questionnaire and carried out polysomnogram monitoring all night for at least 7 hours. Fasting peripheral venous blood was collected at 7 AM on next day. The end-tidal CO(2) (ETCO(2)), intraocular pressure and color doppler sonography were examined next day to record the data in the inspection process before and after Mueller maneuver. Doppler ultrasound measurement of ocular blood flow diameter and blood flow velocity values were described in the median (max, min) and compared with Kruskal-Wallis test. And then two groups were compared with Bonferroni t test. Ocular blood flow velocity of patients with OSAS and PSG monitoring indicators were analyzed using partial correlation analysis. RESULTS: OA inner diameter in moderate and severe OSAS group [0.08 (0.15, 0.06) cm] was lower than that in healthy control [0.15 (0.26, 0.11) cm] and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.000). PCA inner diameter in moderate and severe OSAS group [0.10 (0.13, 0.07) cm] were higher than that in healthy controls [0.05 (0.09, 0.04) cm]. CRA peak systolic velocity (PSV) in moderate and severe OSAS group [16.50 (19.40, 13.10) cm/s] was greater than that in healthy controls [11.30 (16.70, 8.20) cm/s]. The differences between these two groups were statistically significant (PCA inner diameter: P = 0.000, CRA-PSV: P = 0.001). The difference of CRA end diastolic velocity (EDV) between the moderate and severe group [8.90 (9.90, 5.10) cm/s], mild group [7.00 (8.30, 4.50) cm/s] and healthy control group [5.50 (7.40, 3.40) cm/s] was statistically significant (χ(2) = 14.45, P < 0.05). PCA-PSV [32.50 (43.10, 19.10) cm/s] and PCA-EDV [12.80 (15.20, 5.70) cm/s] in the moderate and severe group were higher than those in healthy control group [22.60 (32.20, 12.40) cm/s] and [7.20 (11.20, 3.90) cm/s], as well as those in the mild group [24.00 (30.70, 13.30) cm/s] and [8.00 (9.90, 3.90) cm/s]. These differences were statistically significant (PCA-PSV: P = 0.000, 0.002; PCA-EDV: P = 0.000, 0.001). The diameter of OA and PCA correlated negatively with ETCO(2) (r = -0.41, -0.34; P < 0.05); CRA-PSV was correlated with SaO2 min (r = -0.37, P < 0.05). CRA-EDV was correlated with ETCO(2) and SaO2 mean (r = 0.57, -0.39; P < 0.05). PCA-PSV was correlated with SaO2 min and MAI (r = -0.34, 0.56; P < 0.05). PCA-EDV was correlated SaO2 min and MAI (r = -0.29, 0.61; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The diameter and blood flow of OA, PCA and CRA change in OSAS patients. Compared with non-OSAS patients, the autoregulation function of PCA and CRA is weakened in OSAS patients.

[Pregnancy weight gain and nutritional therapy on the outcome of gestational diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of bodyweight gain and the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy, and analyze the effect of the nutritional therapy on the outcome of GDM. METHODS: We collected 265 pregnant women who were diagnosed to be GDM and 571 pregnant women as the control group in the Xiamen Maternal and Child Health Hospital during 2007 - 2009. The general information of the subjects were collected. The bodyweight of the subjects were measured before the 20(th) week of pregnancy, 26 - 27(th) week (mid-gestation), 35 - 36(th) week (late-gestation) of pregnancy and prior to delivery. The bodyweight gain of different pregnancy weeks of the two groups and the effect of bodyweight on GMD occurrence before 28(th) week of pregnancy were analyzed by ages (< 25, 25-, 30-, ≥ 35). Meanwhile, we prescribed the nutrition therapy to the GDM pregnant woman and the effect of the blood sugar control on the outcome of the pregnancy were evaluated. RESULTS: The bodyweight gain of 25-, 30-, older than 35 year-old subjects of the GDM group were (16.9 ± 6.3), (16.8 ± 6.1), (16.5 ± 6.0) kg, respectively, the bodyweight gain of the control group were (13.9 ± 3.0), (13.8 ± 2.7), (13.3 ± 2.7) kg (t = 6.259, 5.885, 3.533, respectively, all P values < 0.05). During the 20(th) to 27(th) week of the pregnancy, the bodyweight gain of the subjects younger than 25, 25-, 30-year-old in GDM group were (5.2 ± 1.0), (5.4 ± 1.7), (4.8 ± 1.3) kg, respectively, the bodyweight gain of the control group were (3.3 ± 1.3), (3.7 ± 1.6) and (3.5 ± 0.7) kg (t = 5.026, 9.659, 11.19, respectively, all P values < 0.05). During the period between 26(th) to 36(th) week, the bodyweight gain of subjects older than 35 year-old in GDP group was (3.6 ± 2.0) kg which was less than the control group ((4.0 ± 0.9) kg, t = -2.449, P < 0.05). 41.22% (54/131) and 44.94% (40/89) of 25-, 30-year-old subjects in GDM group showed bodyweight gain more than 13 kg, but 30.04% (76/253) and 26.07% (55/211) in the control group (OR values were 1.633 and 2.315, both P values < 0.05). The rate of the abnormal birth weight of the GDM group with blood sugar controlled and the control group were 6.6% (12/182) and 9.4% (54/571) which was lower than the GDP group with blood sugar control failure (20.5% (17/83)) (χ(2) values were 11.460, 9.119, respectively, both P values < 0.0125). The rate of premature delivery was 21.7%(18/83), higher than the control group (10.8%, 62/571) (χ(2) = 7.945, P < 0.0125). The rate of the cesarean in the control group was 25.4%(145/571) which was lower than the two GDM groups, including the group which the blood sugar was well controlled (46.7%, 85/182) and not well controlled (65.0%, 54/83) (χ(2) values were 29.540, 53.860, respectively, both P values < 0.0125). CONCLUSION: The bodyweight gain in the mid-gestation could affect the occurrence of GDM. The bodyweight gain should be less than 13 kg before 28(th) week of the pregnancy whose age was 25-year-old. Nutritional therapy and blood sugar control in GDM pregnant women could improve the pregnancy outcome.