Retraction of "miR-223-3p alleviates TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix deposition by targeting SP3 in endometrial epithelial cells".

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1515/med-2022-0424.].

Comparative study of corneal thickness and thinnest point position of keratoconus measured by Pentacam HR and RTVue OCT / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the difference, correlation, and consistency of corneal thickness and the thinnest point position detected by Pentacam HR corneal topography map and RTVue optical coherence tomography(OCT)in patients with keratoconus.METHODS: Cross-sectional comparative study. The corneal curvature map, corneal thickness map, thinnest point position, and thinnest point thickness were detected by Pentacam HR and RTVue OCT. Paired sample t-test was used for data consistent with normal distribution, and paired sample rank sum test was used for data inconsistent with normal distribution. Spearman correlation analysis and Bland-Altman analysis were used for the correlation and consistency of the two measurement methods.RESULTS: A total of 63 patients(105 eyes)with keratoconus were included in this study, including 49 males(77.8%)and 14 females(22.2%), aged 22.24±6.19 years; among them, relevant data of Pentacam HR topographic map: Km was 47.85±4.73D and Kmax was 55.43±8.72D. In measuring central corneal thickness and the thinnest point thickness of keratoconus, the Pentacam HR was 4.70μm and 19.46μm thicker than the mean value measured by RTVue OCT(P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the horizontal and vertical coordinates of the thinnest points measured by the two devices(P>0.05). The central corneal thickness and the thinnest point thickness measured by the two devices were highly correlated, the horizontal coordinate of the thinnest point was moderately correlated, and the vertical coordinate of the thinnest point was weakly correlated. Bland-Altman analysis showed that the central corneal thickness, the thinnest point thickness, the horizontal coordinate of the thinnest point, and the vertical coordinate of the thinnest point were 95.2%(100/105)and 93.3%(98/105), 95.2%(100/105), 95.2%(100/105)respectively, which were within the 95% consistency limit, while the consistency ranges were -36.00～+26.62μm, -42.27～+3.36μm, -0.80～+0.84mm, and -1.95～+1.06mm, respectively.CONCLUSION: In keratoconus, the central corneal thickness and the thinnest point thickness measured by Pentacam HR were higher than those measured by RTVue OCT. It is not recommended that the central corneal thickness and the thinnest point thickness measured by the two instruments be interchangeable in clinical use because of the wide range of consistency between the two instruments' results. The position of the thinnest corneal point measured by the two instruments is similar and consistent, so it could be considered to replace the measured values of the two instruments in clinical use.

MiR-4284 inhibits sensitivity to paclitaxel in human ovarian carcinoma SKOV3ip1 and HeyA8 cells by targeting DMC1.

An increasing number of studies have confirmed that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in various biological processes, including tumor growth and drug resistance. MiR-4284 has been proved to be abnormally regulated in several cancers, but the function of miR-4284 in ovarian carcinoma (OC) is unclear. Paclitaxel resistance is a key obstacle in OC treatment. Here, the role of miR-4284 in cell sensitivity to paclitaxel in OC was investigated. Two OC cell lines (SKOV3ip1 and HeyA8) were utilized for the establishment of paclitaxel-resistant cell lines. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was applied to analyze the levels of miR-4284 and potential mRNAs in OC cell lines. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the levels of DNA meiotic recombinase 1 (DMC1) protein and cell cycle-associated proteins. Identification of the relationship between miR-4284 and DMC1 was achieved by luciferase reporter assay. CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays were utilized for evaluating the impact of miR-4284 on the malignant characteristics of paclitaxel-resistant OC cells. MiR-4284 was upregulated in paclitaxel-resistant OC cell lines and correlated with an adverse prognosis in OC patients. Depletion of miR-4284 suppressed cell proliferation and cell cycle progression of paclitaxel-resistant OC. MiR-4284 targeted DMC1 which was downregulated in paclitaxel-resistant cells and reversed the inhibitory influence of miR-4284 silencing on the malignant characters of paclitaxel-resistant OC cells. MiR-4284 targets DMC1 to suppress sensitivity to paclitaxel in human OC cells.

miR-223-3p alleviates TGF-ß-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix deposition by targeting SP3 in endometrial epithelial cells.

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is the clinical manifestation of endometrial fibrosis. The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been confirmed to implicate in a diversity of human diseases, including IUA. Nevertheless, the specific function of miR-223-3p in IUA remains to be clarified. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis displayed the downregulation of miR-223-3p in IUA tissues and endometrial epithelial cells (EECs). Results from wound healing assay, Transwell assay and western blotting showed that TGF-ß facilitated the migration and invasion of EECs and induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Overexpression of miR-223-3p in EECs was shown to suppress the effects induced by TGF-ß. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed the binding relation between miR-223-3p and SP3. SP3 was highly expressed in IUA and its expression was inversely correlated with miR-223-3p expression in IUA tissue samples. Additionally, upregulation of SP3 reversed the influence of miR-223-3p on the phenotypes of EECs. In conclusion, miR-223-3p alleviates TGF-ß-induced cell migration, invasion, EMT process and ECM deposition in EECs by targeting SP3.

Pyroptosis: A possible link between obesity-related inflammation and inflammatory diseases.

The main manifestation of obesity is persistent low-level inflammation and insulin resistance, which is an important factor inducing or promoting other obesity-related diseases. As a proinflammatory programmed cell death, pyroptosis plays an important role, especially in the activation and regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Pyroptosis is associated with the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory diseases and is characterized by the formation of micropores in the plasma membrane and the release of a large number of proinflammatory cytokines. This article mainly introduces the main pathways and key molecules of pyroptosis and focuses on the phenomenon of pyroptosis in obesity. It is suggested that the regulation of pyroptosis-related targets may become a new potential therapy for the prevention and treatment of systemic inflammatory response caused by obesity, and we summarize the potential molecular substances that may be beneficial to obesity-related inflammatory diseases through target pyroptosis.

Diversity of antibiotic resistance genes in raw water from drinking water source in Shanghai / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo determine the distribution of various antibiotic resistance genes （ARGs） in raw water from drinking water source， and to explore the correlation between the ARGs and common carbapenem-resistant and multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from drinking water source， so as to provide scientific evidence for improving the safety of urban drinking water. MethodsA total of 30 raw water samples were collected from a major drinking water source in Shanghai in 2020. Bacterial strains were selectively cultured on Columbia blood agar medium containing 1 μg·μL-1 meropenem， and then identified by MALDI-TOF-MS mass spectrometry system. Minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） of the strains was detected by broth microdilution method. The water samples were filtered through a 0.45 μm filter membrane and diversity of ARGs was determined by using high-throughput metagenomic sequencing. ResultsA total of 64 strains of carbapenem-resistant bacteria were isolated from the water samples， including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia， Enterococcus faecium， Pseudomonas aeruginosa， Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae， which were resistant to a variety of common antibiotics. Using metagenomic sequencing，1 244 ARGs were identified. The relative average abundance of the top 100 ARGs accounted for 96.1%， and that of the multidrug-resistant ARGs accounted for 63.41%. Furthermore， the multidrug-resistant ARGs were mainly adeJ， mexT， adeC， oprM， mexF， mdfA， mexB， mdtK， adeK， etc. Using Spearman's correlation， five multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from the drinking water source were significantly associated with the ARGs. ConclusionRelative abundance of multidrug-resistant ARGs is high in raw water from main drinking water source. The five isolated carbapenem-resistant and multidrug-resistant bacteria are significantly correlated with the ARGs. It warrants strengthening the rational and standardized application of antibiotics to protect water resources and ensure the safety of drinking water.

MiR-455-5p upregulation in umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells attenuates endometrial injury and promotes repair of damaged endometrium via Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling.

Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) are regarded as an ideal source for clinical use. Increasing evidence has suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) work as a crucial regulator in the development of plentiful diseases, including intrauterine adhesions (IUA). Herein, we investigated the specific impacts of UCMSCs overexpressing miR-455-5p in IUA. UCMSCs were cocultured with endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Thirty-two female mice were divided into four different treated groups: sham, model, model + UCMSC-miR-NC and model + UCMSC-miR-455-5p. Mice in model groups were induced by uterine curettage. MiR-455-5p overexpressed UCMSCs facilitated the proliferation and cell cycle progression of ESCs according to 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay and flow cytometry analysis. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining revealed that miR-455-5p upregulation in UCMSCs increased the number of endometrial glands and suppressed endometrial fibrosis in murine uterine tissues. Western blotting displayed that miR-455-5p overexpressed UCMSCs promoted the activation of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) signaling in ESCs and murine uterine tissues. Mechanistically, miR-455-5p targeted 3' untranslated region of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), which was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that miR-455-5p was lowly expressed and SOCS3 was highly expressed in murine uterine tissues of IUA model. Moreover, Pearson correlation analysis showed that their expression was inversely correlated. Rescue assays suggested that inhibiting JAK/STAT3 signaling reversed effects of miR-455-5p on the behaviors of ESCs. The results indicated that miR-455-5p overexpression in UCMSCs helps to attenuate endometrial injury and repair damaged endometrium by activating SOCS3-mediated JAK/STAT3 signaling.

Optical quality assessment in patients with macular edema using optical quality analysis system / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM:To evaluate optical quality, intraocular scatter, and determine the impact of retinopathy on optical quality in macular edema(ME)patient by using the Optical Quality Analysis System(OQAS^TMⅡ).<p>METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study. Fifty-eight eyes of 49 macular edema patients who were confirmed by ophthalmic examination in our hospital from August 2019 to January 2020 were selected as the ME group, and 30 eyes of 30 healthy volunteers who were matched with gender and age range for the study were selected for the normal control group. The clinical data of the two groups of patients were recorded. Under the same test conditions, the same operator used OQAS^TMⅡ to check the visual quality of the study object, including the cutoff of the modulation transfer function(MTF cutoff), strehl ratio(SR), OQAS^TMⅡ values(100%, 20%, 9%)and contrast levels(OV100%, OV20%, OV9%). The difference of data between the two groups were analyzed, and the correlation between the visual quality and the thickness and volume of the macular fovea in the ME group were analyzed.<p>RESULTS: The average best corrected visual acuity in the macular edema group was significantly lower than the control group, and the thickness and volume of macular fovea were significantly higher than the control group(<i>P</i><0.001). Compared with the control group, the OSI of the macular edema group was significantly higher, and MTF cutoff, SR value, OV(100%, 20%, 9%)significantly decreased(<i>P</i><0.001). In the macular disease group, the thickness of macular fovea was positively correlated with OSI(<i>r</i>=0.566, <i>P</i><0.001), while MTF cutoff(<i>r</i>=-0.336, <i>P</i>=0.010), OV100%(<i>r</i>=-0.326, <i>P</i>=0.013), OV20%(<i>r</i>=-0.349, <i>P</i>=0.007)and OV9%(<i>r</i>=-0.321, <i>P</i>=0.014)were negative correlation, but it had no correlation with SR. In the macular edema group, the volume of macular fovea was positively correlated with OSI(<i>r</i>=0.574, <i>P</i><0.001). It was negatively correlated with MTF cutoff(<i>r</i>=-0.367, <i>P</i>=0.005), SR(<i>r</i>=-0.265, <i>P</i>=0.045), OV100%(<i>r</i>=-0.351, <i>P</i>=0.007), OV20%(<i>r</i>=-0.385, <i>P</i>=0.003)and OV9%(<i>r</i>=-0.375, <i>P</i>=0.004).<p>CONCLUSION: The optical quality of patients with macular edema is lower than the normal population, and the changes in macular retina morphology and thickness could affect the optical quality and intraocular scattering. The optical quality parameters measured by OQAS^TMⅡ may provide new clinical reference for macular function evaluation.

A mouse model of Timothy syndrome exhibits altered social competitive dominance and inhibitory neuron development.

Multiple genetic factors related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been identified, but the biological mechanisms remain obscure. Timothy syndrome (TS), associated with syndromic ASD, is caused by a gain-of-function mutation, G406R, in the pore-forming subunit of L-type Ca2+ channels, Cav 1.2. In this study, a mouse model of TS, TS2-neo, was used to enhance behavioral phenotyping and to identify developmental anomalies in inhibitory neurons. Using the IntelliCage, which enables sequential behavioral tasks without human handling and mouse isolation stress, high social competitive dominance was observed in TS2-neo mice. Furthermore, histological analysis demonstrated inhibitory neuronal abnormalities in the neocortex, including an excess of smaller-sized inhibitory presynaptic terminals in the somatosensory cortex of young adolescent mice and higher numbers of migrating inhibitory neurons from the medial ganglionic eminence during embryonic development. In contrast, no obvious changes in excitatory synaptic terminals were found. These novel neural abnormalities in inhibitory neurons of TS2-neo mice may result in a disturbed excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance, a key feature underlying ASD.

Chinese centralised intravenous admixture service (CIVAS), an emerging pharmaceutical industry: survey of the recent advances of CIVAS in China.

PURPOSE: To present the results of a survey involving 97 centralised intravenous admixture service (CIVAS) centres in China to review the recent advances of Chinese CIVAS. METHODS: 103 CIVAS centres in first- or second-class Chinese hospital settings were surveyed by email questionnaire. RESULTS: Ninety-seven centres responded(response rate 94%). With regard to scale and output issues, large CIVAS centres with a daily output of more than 10 000 bags accounted for 10% while the per workbench and per square metre output varied dramatically among different centres. For personnel structure, 80% of CIVAS centres chose the combination model of pharmacy and nursing. For the CIVAS operation model, more than 80% of centres adopted the drug centralised compounding model. CONCLUSION: CIVAS centres are playing an important role in Chinese hospital pharmacy and have developed into an emerging pharmaceutical industry. The development of Chinese CIVAS centres is very variable. With regard to the personnel structure, the pharmacy-nursing combination model is recommended, while the operation model should be selected according to specific hospitals. Universal guidelines for CIVAS operation and personnel training are urgently needed.

The effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure on the pH of the adult male semen and the motoricity parameters of spermatozoa in vitro / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of 50-Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure on the pH of the adult male semen and the motoricity and motoricity parameters of spermatozoa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Healthy adult male fresh semen was exposed to a 50-Hz EMF at 0.4 mT for 15, 30 and 60 min, respectively. The pH value of the semen, the motoricity and motoricity parameter of spermatozoa were detected and recorded in real time using the WLJY-9000 pattern chromatic color spermatozoa quality detection system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with parallel control group, the exposure of adult male fresh semen to a 50-Hz EMF at 0.4 mT for 15 min or 60 min could decrease significantly the motoricity (spermatozoa with a + b lever) and the activity ratio (spermatozoa with a + b + c lever)(P < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences of motoricity and the activity ratio between exposure group and control group (P > 0.05), and after exposure to a 50-Hz. EMF for 30 min the motoricity and the activity ratio of exposure group were inhibited, as compared with control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The pH value of the semen was not obvious changed (P > 0.05) when semen was exposed to a 50-Hz EMF of 0.4 mT for 15, 30 and 60 min.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In present experiment, it is suggested that the exposure of adult male fresh semen to a 50-Hz EMF in vitro could inhibit the motoricity and the activity ratio, but not affect the pH value of the semen within 60 min.</p>

Noise magnetic fields mitigates the inhibition of secretion function of primary human villous trophoblasts induced by 50 Hz magnetic fields / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields (MF) on secretion function of primary human villous trophoblasts in vitro, and the interference effect of "noise" MF.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The trophoblasts were isolated from human villus by trypsin digestion and incubated in DMEM medium.Then the trophoblasts were exposed to 0.4 mT 50 Hz MF and/or "noise" MF respectively for different durations. Each exposure group was matched with one control group which was from the same villus and cultured with the same condition except the MF exposure. The concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and progesterone in the culture medium were measured by immunofluorescence. Statistical significance of differences between means was determined by one way-ANOVA with P<0.05 considered significant.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>50 Hz MF inhibited the HCG and progesterone secretion significantly when exposure for 72 h (compared with control group, P<0.05). There was no significant change of HCG and progesterone secretion when trophoblasts were exposed to 0.4 mT "noise" MF within 72 h (compared with control group, P>0.05). However, by superimposing the "noise" MF, the inhibition of HCG and progesterone secretion of trophoblasts induced by 50 Hz MF was eliminated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The exposure to 50 Hz MF for long period could inhibit trophoblasts secreting HCG and progesterone, and the "noise" MF with the same intensity could eliminate the effects induced by 50 Hz MF.</p>

Expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and leukemia inhibitory factor on endometrium during different ovarian stimulation protocols in mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the influence of superovulation by GnRHa protocol and pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) alone on the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) mRNA on endometrium.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five female ICR mice were randomly allocated into 3 groups:(1) GnRHa+PMSG group: alarelin was give first for desensitizing the pituitary, then superovulation with PMSG; (2) PMSG group: mice were injected with PMSG only; (3) Natural cycle group: mice were given with same volume of saline. Endometrium samples were taken at 48 hours after given hCG or ovulation (control group). ER and PR in glandular cells were detected with SP immunohistochemistry semiquantitatively. Expression of LIF mRNA on endometrium was detected with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The positive rate(%) and expression intense (AU) of ER and PR on glandular epithelium cells were significantly lower in GnRHa+PMSG group and PMSG group than those in natural cycle group (all P <0.01). The expression of LIF mRNA was significantly lower in GnRHa+PMSG group and PMSG group than that in natural cycle group (all P <0.01); but the expressions of ER, PR and LIF in GnRHa+PMSG group were higher than those in PMSG group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The protocol with GnRHa down regulates the expressions of ER, PR and the LIF mRNA on the mice of secretive phase endometrium, suggesting it may have an adverse effect on the endometrial receptivity in mice, but it may still be better than PMSG alone.</p>

Effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields exposure on secretion of primary human villous trophoblasts / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the possible effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields (MF) exposure on HCG and progesterone secretion of human villous trophoblasts in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The trophoblasts were isolated from human villus by trypsin digestion and incubated in DMEM medium. Then the trophoblasts were exposed to 0.2 mT, 0.4 mT 50 Hz MF for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, respectively. Each exposure group was matched to one control group which was from the same villus and cultured with the same condition except the 50 Hz MF exposure. The concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and progesterone in the culture medium was detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Statistical significance of differences between means was determined by one way-ANOVA with P < 0.05 considered significant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Exposure of trophoblasts to 50 Hz MF at 0.2 mT intensity within 72 h did not affect the secretion level of HCG and progesterone (compared with blank control, P > 0.05). There was also no significant change of the secretion level of HCG and progesterone when trophoblasts were exposed to 0.4 mT 50 Hz MF within 48 h (compared with blank control, P > 0.05). However, 50 Hz MF inhibited the HCG and progesterone secretion significantly with exposure for 72 h (compared with blank control, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The exposure to 50 Hz MF for long period could inhibit trophoblasts excreting the HCG and progesterone, and the threshold intensity may be between 0.2 mT and 0.4 mT.</p>

Apoptosis-related gene expression of human villous trophoblasts exposed to 50 Hz magnetic field / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study apoptosis-related gene expression of human villous trophoblasts exposed to 50 Hz magnetic field and to investigate the possible mechanism of human reproductive health effects caused by 50 Hz magnetic field.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured human villous trophoblasts were exposed to 50 Hz magnetic field at 0.4 mT for 6, 48, 72 hours. Gene expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, p53 and Fas were analyzed using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Within 72 hours, the average fold change for each gene was near 1.00, and there was no significant difference on expression pattern in each gene between exposure and control groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>0.4 mT 50 Hz magnetic field does not affect the apoptosis-related gene expression of human villous trophoblasts in vitro.</p>

Paradoxical devation of senna adiponectin and its relationship with the level of serum leptin in preeclampsia / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To investiagte the serum adiponectin concentration in preeclampsia and its relationship with serum leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels.Method The level of adiponectin,leptin and soluble leptin receptor in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in 38 patients with preeclampsia and 42 patients as control.The relationship of free leptin index(leptin/soluble leptin receptor) to preeclampsia was analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in maternal age,gestational age and body mass index(BMI)between two groups.But the gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in preeclampsia than in control.The patients with preeclampsia had significantly higher levels of serum adiponectin, leptin and free leptin index(1691.7?g/ml,37.5 ng/ml and 0.95 respectively)than the control(689.4?g/ml, 19.3 ag/ml and 0.49,respectively).But there was no significant difference in serum level of soluble leptin receptor between the groups(35.0 ng/ml vs 42.2 ng/ml).Serum adiponectin was not significantly correlated with the level of leptin,soluble leptin receptor and free leptin index.Area of serum adiponectin,leptin and free leptin index in preeclampsia under the ROC curve were less than 0.5.Conclusions The patients with preeclampsia have paradoxical higher serum levels of adiponecfin and more bioavailability of leptin,suggesting these may be important factom of this complication.