Charge Reversible and Mitochondria/Nucleus Dual Target Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticles To Enhance Antitumor Activity of Doxorubicin.

The experiment aims to increase antitumor activity while decreasing the systemic toxicity of doxorubicin (DOX). Charge reversible and mitochondria/nucleus dual target lipid hybrid nanoparticles (LNPs) was prepared. The in vitro experimental results indicated that LNPs released more amount of DOX in acidic environment and delivered more amount of DOX to the mitochondria and nucleus of tumor cells than did free DOX, which resulted in the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential and the enhancement of cytotoxicity of LNPs on tumor cells. Furthermore, the in vivo experimental results indicated that LNPs delivered more DOX to tumor tissue and significantly prolonged the retention time of DOX in tumor tissue as compared with free DOX, which consequently resulted in the high antitumor activity and low systemic toxicity of LNPs on tumor-bearing nude mice. The above results indicated that charge reversible mitochondria/nucleus dual targeted lipid hybrid nanoparticles greatly enhanced therapeutic efficacy of DOX for treating lung cancer.

Autophagy plays beneficial effect on diabetic encephalopathy in type 2 diabetes: studies in vivo and in vitro.

OBJECTIVES: The hypothalamus regulates metabolism and feeding behavior by perceiving the levels of peripheral insulin. However, little is known about the hypothalamic changes after aberrant metabolism. In this study, we investigated the changes of insulin and autophagy relevant signals of hypothalamus under diabetes mellitus. METHODS: C57B/L mice were injected with low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) and fed with high-fat diet to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus. In vitro, PC12 cells were treated with oleic acid to mimic lipotoxicity. RESULTS: Results showed that the cholesterol level in the hypothalamus of the diabetic mice was higher than that of the normal mice. The expression of insulin receptors and insulin receptor substrate-1 were downregulated and the number of Fluoro-Jade C positive cells significantly increased in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of the diabetic mice. Furthermore, Upregulation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and downregulation of LC 3II were obvious in the hypothalamus of the diabetic mice. In vitro, results showed that high-lipid caused PC12 cell damage and upregulated LC3 II expression. Pretreatment of cells with 3-methyladenine evidently downregulated LC3 II expression and aggravated PC12 cell death under high lipid conditions. By contrast, pretreatment of cells with rapamycin upregulated LC3 II expression and ameliorated PC12 cell death caused by lipotoxicity. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that autophagy activation confers protection to neurons under aberrant metabolism and that autophagy dysfunction in the hypothalamus occurs in the chronic metabolic disorder such as T2DM.

PEG-detachable lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticle for delivery of chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells.

The experiment aimed to increase the drug-delivery efficiency of poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles. Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPNs-1) were prepared using PLGA as a hydrophobic core and FA-PEG-hyd-DSPE as an amphiphilic shell. Uniform and spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 185 nm were obtained using the emulsification solvent evaporation method. The results indicated that LPNs-1 showed higher drug loading compared with naked PLGA nanoparticles (NNPs). Drug release from LPNs-1 was faster in an acidic environment than in a neutral environment. LPNs-1 showed higher cytotoxicity on KB cells, A549 cells, MDA-MB-231 cells, and MDA-MB-231/ADR cells compared with free doxorubicin (DOX) and NNPs. The results also showed that, compared with free DOX and NNPs, LPNs-1 delivered more DOX to the nuclear of KB cells and MDA-MB-231/ADR cells. LPNs-1 induced apoptosis in KB cells and MDA-MB-231/ADR cells in a dose-dependent manner. The above data indicated that DOX-loaded LPNs-1 could kill not only normal tumor cells but also drug-resistant tumor cells. These results indicated that modification of PLGA nanoparticles with FA-PEG-hyd-DSPE could considerably increase the drug-delivery efficiency and LPNs-1 had potential in the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer.

Prospective study of transobturator mesh kit (Prolift™) in pelvic reconstructive surgery with vaginal hysterectomy after 3 years' follow-up.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study is to analyze prospectively the anatomical and functional outcomes of transvaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery using the Prolift™ system for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with hysterectomy. METHODS: A prospective, observational, noncomparative study was conducted in 80 patients with prolapse ≥ 2. Postoperative pelvic organ prolapse quantification stage was the main outcome measure. Anatomical cure was defined as vaginal vault stage 0 and improvement as stage 1. Secondary outcomes include pelvic floor distress inventory-20, incontinence impact questionnaire short form-7, and pelvic floor impact questionnaire short form-7. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were recruited. The cure and improvement rates were 96.3 % (77/80) and 3.7 % (3/80) respectively at 1 year. At the follow-up of 3-years, the cure rates were 93.3 % (70/75). Among the five patients, three had stage 2 anterior wall prolapse, two had stage 2 posterior wall prolapse. Only one patient with intraoperative adverse event (rectal perforation) was encountered. Postoperative complications included prolonged catheterization in three patients (3.7 %), postoperative stress urinary incontinence in five patients (6.25 %) and asymptomatic mesh extrusions in five patients (6.25 %). All of them occurred within 1 year follow-up. Significant improvements in quality of life were detected at 1 and 3 years compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: The total Prolift™ system surgery represents a safe, simple and useful treatment for severe POP with satisfactory objective clinical outcomes.

Knowledge mapping and visualization analysis of pelvic organ prolapse repair with mesh from 2001 to 2021.

Aims: In recent decades, extensive attention has been paid to the application of mesh to repair pelvic floor defects. However, a large body of related literature has not been system summarized. The purpose of this study is to summarize and visualize the literature on pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair with mesh using bibliometrics. Methods: Medical literature regarding POP repair with mesh were searched and obtained in the Web of Science™ Core (WoSCC) database from 2001 to 2021. Microsoft Excel 2020, CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to conduct the bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis. Results: In the past 20 years, a total of 2,550 articles and reviews have been published in 35 journals, and the published and cited results show a growing trend. Cosson M and International Urogynecology Journal were the authors and journals with the highest output, respectively. The United States, France and the United Kingdom are among the top three countries/organizations in relevant publications in worldwide. 584 key words in the literature are divided into 8 clusters, which are mainly related to prolapse type, risk factors, surgical methods, imaging, quality of life and bioengineering. Using clinical research and tissue engineering technology to reduce mesh complications is the current hot spot in this field. Conclusion: Reasonable application of mesh and avoiding mesh complications are still the most concerned topics in POP research. Although clinical research, surgical improvement, biological mesh and bioengineering technology have shown promising results, it is still urgent to carry out clinical transformation application research.

Identification of potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets for recurrent pelvic organ prolapse.

Background: The pathogenesis of recurrent pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is currently unclear. Therefore, developing targeted preventive measures is difficult. This study identified potential key pathways, crucial genes, comorbidities, and therapeutic targets associated with the occurrence and development of recurrent POP. Methods: The original microarray data GSE28660, GSE53868, and GSE12852 were downloaded from the GEO database. Identification and validation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and hub genes associated with recurrent POP were performed using R software and cytoHubba of Cytoscape. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using the STRING tool and visualized using Cytoscape. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) enrichment analyses were effectively performed using DAVID platforms. In addition, the NetworkAnalyst platform was used to explore and visualize the miRNA-hub gene network, TF-hub gene network, hub gene-disease network, and hub gene-drug/chemical network. Results: A total of 110 DEGs and 6 hub genes (ADIPOQ, IL6, PPARG, CEBPA, LPL, and LIPE) were identified in this study. These genes were primarily enriched in the PPAR, AMPK, and adipocytokine, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and signaling pathways related to glycerol metabolism. Moreover, 96 miRNAs and 97 TFs were identified to as being associated with recurrent POP. These genes were closely linked to adipocyte metabolism and distribution, energy metabolism, and the longevity regulatory pathway. In addition, 192 diseases or chronic complications were potentially related to the recurrence of POP, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, inflammatory diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, 954 drugs or compounds were shown to have therapeutic potential for recurrent POP, and the most critical target drugs were dexamethasone, bisphenol A, efavirenz, 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, and estradiol. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that ADIPOQ, IL6, PPARG, CEBPA, LPL, and LIPE as potential hub genes associated with recurrent POP, and these hub genes may aid in the understanding of the mechanism underlying POP recurrence and the development of potential molecular drugs.

[Meta-analysis of clinical efficacy of TVT-S versus TVT-O/TOT in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the current evidence of effectiveness and safety of Single-incision mini-slings (TVT-S) versus transobturator tension-free vaginal tapes (TVT-O/TOT) in the management of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: Literature searches were conducted for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TVT-S and TVT-O/TOT from CNKI, CBM, VIP, MEDLINE, OVID, FMJS and Cochrane Library between November 1996 and November 2011. The Revman 5.1.0 software was used for Meta-analysis according to Cochrane system evaluation method. RESULTS: A total of 1545 females in 7 RCTs were included. Meta-analysis showed that no statistical differences existed in the rate of postoperative voiding dysfunction and dyspareunia between TVT-S and TVT-O/TOT (P > 0.05). But the rate of objective cure, re-operation, inner thigh and groin pain and de novo urgency were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As compared with TVT-O/TOT, TVT-S procedure is associated with less postoperative inner thigh and groin pain, but a lower objective cure rate and relatively higher rates of de novo urgency and re-operation.

[Study on modified Prolift for pelvic floor reconstruction in the prevention of stress urinary incontinence].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of modified Prolift pelvic floor reconstruction with improving the placement of Prolift-A in treatment of severe pelvic floor dysfunction and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: From July 2008 to September 2010, 170 cases with severe pelvic organ prolapse (POP) treated by modified Prolift pelvic floor reconstruction surgery in Fuzhou General Hospital were enrolled in this study. The Prolift-A was laid tension-free under the mid-urethra with the position of Prolift-A displaced from the neck of bladder to the mid-urethra. No concomitant tension-free urethra suspender via vagina was performed. Primary outcomes were assessed with POP quantitation (POP-Q) system to evaluate the postoperative anatomical replacement stage. Secondary outcome measure were: urogenital distress inventory 6 (UDI-6), the incontinence impact questionnaire 7 (IIQ-7) and the pelvic floor incontinence questionnaire 7 (PFIQ-7) to evaluate the impact on life quality at the follow-up of 1, 6, 12 months. RESULTS: At 6 and 12 months after surgery, 168 cases and 163 cases were followed up. The anatomical cure rates were 98.8% (166/168) at 6 months and 97.5% (159/163) at 12 months, respectively. One case with bladder injury and 1 case with rectum injury were observed. Five cases with recurrence were observed, including 2 cases with anterior vagina prolapse, 2 cases with uterine prolapse and 1 case with posterior vagina prolapse. Meanwhile, 3 cases with hematoma and 7 cases with mesh erosion were observed. Quality of life of all patients were improved significantly by UDI-6, IIQ-7 and PFIQ-7 scoring system evaluation. Among 79 POP patients with SUI, the cure rate of SUI was 93.7% (74/79). Of 5 cases with symptomatic SUI, 2 cases were needed surgical intervention. Twenty-three cases were found with minimal SUI symptoms and subjective satisfaction without objective influence on quality of life. Seven patients presented dysuria after surgery, 5 cases recovered urination with 10 days, 1 case recovered with 1 months, and 1 case with 6 months by bladder drainage. Eleven cases with discomfort urination and 3 cases with slow urination were found. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Prolift pelvic reconstructive surgery was safe and efficacy intervention in treatment of POP and prevention of SUI.

[Gap junction communication: alternative pattern of signal exchange in glia and neuron].

Gap junction is a direct communication between the cells as the channel, which exists widely in the central nervous system involving in transporting the electronic and chemical messages between neurons and glias. It plays roles in regulation of metabolism, ion buffer, "calcium wave" as well ATP receptor signal. Gap junction also has been complicated in the nerve growth and development. Switching the gap junction participates in pathological process and maintainning the local metabolites concentration. Calcium wave is the prominently regulated by gap junction. In the central nervous system, it is remain to be elucidated whether the gap junction play roles in embryonic development and pathophysiological processes.

Comparative analysis of the complete plastid genomes in Prunus subgenus Cerasus (Rosaceae): Molecular structures and phylogenetic relationships.

Prunus subgenus Cerasus (cherry) is an economically important group that distributed in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. However, shared interspecific morphological traits and variability across taxa of Cerasus are among the impediments to taxonomic efforts to correctly delimit taxa. This is further complicated by a lack of genetic information on these taxa, with no focused genomic or phylogenetic studies being done on Cerasus. In this study, we conducted comparative analysis on the complete plastid genomes (plastomes) of 20 Cerasus species to gain a greater understanding of the attributes of the plastome of these taxa while helping resolve their phylogenetic placement in Prunus sensu lato and interspecific relationships within the subgenus. Our results displayed that (1) the plastomes of the 20 Cerasus species studied exhibited a typical quadripartite structure with conversed genome arrangement, structure, and moderate divergence. (2) The average size of complete plastomes for the Cerasus taxa studied was 157,861 bp, ranging from 157,458 to 158,024 bp. A total of 134 genes were annotated, including 86 protein-coding genes, 40 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs across all species. In simple sequence repeat analysis, we found Cerasus had a comparable number of dispersed and tandem repeats to those identified in other angiosperm taxa, with only P. pseudocerasus found to contain trinucleotide repeats. Nucleotide diversity analysis revealed that the trnG-GCC gene and rpl32-trnL region had the highest Pi value showing potential as phylogenetic markers. (3) Two phylogenetic trees of the plastomes verified the monophyletic relationship of Cerasus and provided a more resolved species-level phylogeny. Our study provides detailed plastome information for exploring the phylogeny of subg. Cerasus taxa. We identified various types of repeats and nucleotide diversity hotspots, which can be a reference for species identification and reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships.

[Effect of airborne particulate matter exposure on pregnancy and fetal development in female mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate subacute exposure of airborne particulate matter (PM) on pregnancy and fetal development in female mice. METHODS: Forty female and forty male ICR adult mice were caged separately by 1:1 to get access to pregnancy. The pregnant mice were randomized into control group (A), small (B), middle (C), large (D) or overdose (E) PM challenge groups (n = 8-11), and were administered with 30 µl of phosphate buffered solution (A) or resuspended standard PM SRM 1649a at 0.09 (B), 0.52 (C), 1.85 (D) or 69.2 (E) µg/µl, once per trid from d 0 till d 19 of pregnancy via instillation onto the base of the tongue. Fetal mice were harvested by cesarean section at the time when spontaneous delivery occurred. Body weight of the pregnant mice, gestational days, intrauterine survival and growth, hepatic and pneumonic histopathological changes of the fetal mice were investigated. Lung/body and liver/body weight ratios were calculated. Expressions of mRNA and protein of CYP1A1 in the fetal lung and CYP1A2 in the fetal liver were assayed. RESULTS: (1) All of the pregnant mice survived pregnancy throughout the entire experiment. Body weight of the pregnant mice was not significantly different among all the groups at gestational d 1 and 7 (P > 0.05), but significantly lower in group E [(41.8 ± 5.8) and (48.9 ± 8.9) g] than in group A [(45.9 ± 1.8) and (56.2 ± 4.9) g] at gestational d 14 and 18 (P < 0.05). The gestational days were significantly decreased in group E [(19.3 ± 1.3) d] when compared with group A [(20.5 ± 0.7) d; P < 0.05] and were not significantly different among groups A, B, C and D (P > 0.05). Lung/body and liver/body weight ratios of the fetal mice were significantly increased in group E [(1.21 ± 0.18) and (4.68 ± 0.21)%] as compared with groups A, B, C and D (P < 0.05). (2) Mortality rates of the fetuses were significantly higher in group E (23.0%) than in groups A (0.8%), B (0.9%), C (1.7%) and D (3.7%) (P < 0.05), but were not significantly different among groups A, B, C and D (P > 0.05) despite of an increasing tendency. (3) Pathological changes in the liver and lung of the fetuses were conspicuous in group E. The fetal liver injury was histopathologically evidenced by deranged tissue structure, degenerated parenchyma of hepatic cells, and mildly stained cytoplasm. Adipose degeneration was represented by clear-boundary intracytoplasmic vacuoles in most of the liver cells, and cell pyknosis with heavily stained cytoplasm was observed in some of the liver cells. Inflammatory cell infiltration and focal necrosis were occasionally found in the hepatic tissue. The fetal lung exhibited bronchiole with narrow lumina, vascular engorgement in the submucosal layer, interstitial and alveolar edema, thickened alveolar septum, granulocyte and lymphocyte infiltrations within the pulmonary alveoli and around the bronchioles. The above pathological changes were lesser in groups C and D, and were not or least found in groups A and B. (4) Protein expressions of CYP1A1 in the fetal lung and CYP1A2 in the fetal liver were significantly increased in group E (1.20 ± 0.40 and 2.55 ± 0.89) when compared with group A (0.77 ± 0.36 and 2.08 ± 0.31) (P < 0.05). mRNA expressions of CYP1A1 in the fetal lung were significantly increased in groups C (0.36 ± 0.12), D (0.41 ± 0.08) and E (0.43 ± 0.11) compared with group A (0.21 ± 0.10), and significantly increased in groups D and E compared with group B (0.28 ± 0.10, P < 0.05). mRNA expressions of CYP1A2 in the fetal liver were significantly increased in groups C (0.37 ± 0.13), D (0.36 ± 0.14) and E (0.43 ± 0.16) compared with group A (0.21 ± 0.03), and significantly increased in group E compared with group B (0.24 ± 0.11, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PM elicited embryotoxigenicity and resulted in adverse pregnancy outcomes in mice by intrauterine exposure of overdose PM. The expressions of cancer-related genes CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 were up-regulated in organs after the middle- and large-dose subacute exposure of PM, which may have a potential role on the future development.

[Instillation of diesel exhaust particles on the posterior wall of pharynx on reproductive function in female mice].

OBJECTIVE: The present work aims to investigate the effects of subacute exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) on reproductive function in female mice. METHODS: A total of 168 ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice were randomly divided into four groups by numeration table method, including the low (B), middle (C), high (D) dose DEP exposure groups and the control group (A). Each group consisted of 42 mice. Mice were inoculated with 30 µl DEP suspension at 0.8 (B), 3.0 (C), 12.0 (D) µg/µl, respectively, or the same volume of phosphate-buffered saline (A) on pharynx posterior wall per triduum for 4 times. The body weight and ovary weight were tested and ovary weight/body weight ratios were calculated. Rates of survival, germinal vesicle breakdown, extrusion of the first polar body, in-vitro fertilization and quantity of mitochondrial DNA for the oocytes were investigated. Ultrastructural changes of the oocytes were observed. RESULTS: The ovary weight/body weight ratios were (15.4 ± 7.3) × 10(-5), (14.1 ± 6.8) × 10(-5), (8.2 ± 0.7) × 10(-5) and (7.2 ± 2.5) × 10(-5) in groups A, B, C and D (F = 3.841, P < 0.05). In groups A, B, C and D at 48 h post-insemination, rates of oocyte survival were 64.3%, 56.8%, 39.5% and 32.9% (χ(2) = 21.575, P < 0.05), rates of extrusion of the first polar body were 75.5%, 65.3%, 37.0% and 27.1% (χ(2) = 52.772, P < 0.05), rates of 2-cell embryos were 27.9%, 39.1%, 17.6% and 12.5% (χ(2) = 20.148, P < 0.05), and rates of embryos over 2 cells were 45.3%, 32.2%, 12.5% and 13.9% (χ(2) = 32.135, P < 0.05), respectively, and were significantly lower in groups C and D compared with group A (P < 0.05). Logarithmic values of mitochondrial DNA copy numbers were 6.54 ± 0.13, 6.48 ± 0.09, 5.57 ± 0.15 and 5.41 ± 0.07 in groups A, B, C and D, respectively, and were significantly lower in groups C and D compared with group A or B (F = 89.241, P < 0.05). A number of mitochondria of the oocytes exhibited tremendous tumescence and vacuolization in groups C and D, which was contrast to a roughly normal appearance in groups A and B. CONCLUSIONS: DEP is noxious to murine female reproduction. Subacute exposure to DEP injures the ovary and oocyte resulting in compromised ovarian function and fertilizability of the oocyte.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Prunus clarofolia C.K. Schneid (Rosaceae).

Prunus clarofolia is an endemic species that widely distributed in subtropical regions of China. Here we present its complete plastome. The plastome of P. clarofolia is successfully assembled from raw reads sequenced by Illumina Hiseq 2500 platform system. The complete chloroplast of this species is 158,053 bp in length with 36.7% overall GC content, including a pair of invert repeat regions (IR) (26,393bp) that is divided by a large single copy region (LSC) (86,088bp) and a small single copy region (SSC) (19,179bp). The plastid genome contained a total of 130 genes, including 85 coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. Each of rps16, atpF, rpoC1, clpP, petB, petD, rpl16, rpl2, ndhB, and ndhA contains one intron, rps12 and ycf3 contains two introns. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that P. clarofolia has a closer relationship with P. avium.

The complete plastid genome of cherry plants Prunus sargentii (Rosaceae) and its phylogenetic implication.

Prunus sargentii is an ornamental flowering cherry species, spread in Japan, Korea, Russia, and Northeast China. Little information is available regarding its genomic, with limited phylogenetic relationship study performed on P. sargentii until now. In this research, we reported the complete plastid genome of P. sargentii. The complete chloroplast of this species is 158,138 bp in length, including a pair of invert repeat regions (IR) (26,463bp) that is divided by a large single-copy region (LSC) (85,959bp) and a small single-copy region (SSC) (19,253bp). The plastid genome contained a total of 128 genes, including 84 coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 36 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that P. sargentii has a closer relationship with P. kumanoensis.

A 14-year multi-institutional collaborative study of Chinese pelvic floor surgical procedures related to pelvic organ prolapse.

BACKGROUND: It has been a global trend that increasing complications related to pelvic floor surgeries have been reported over time. The current study aimed to outline the development of Chinese pelvic floor surgeries related to pelvic organ prolapse (POP) over the past 14 years and investigate the potential influence of enhanced monitoring conducted by the Chinese Association of Urogynecology since 2011. METHODS: A total of 44,594 women with POP who underwent pelvic floor surgeries between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2018 were included from 22 tertiary academic medical centers. The data were reported voluntarily and obtained from a database. We compared the proportion of each procedure in the 7 years before and 7 years after September 30, 2011. The data were analyzed by performing Z test (one-sided). RESULTS: The number of different procedures during October 1, 2011-September 30, 2018 was more than twice that during October 1, 2004-September 30, 2011. Regarding pelvic floor surgeries related to POP, the rate of synthetic mesh procedures increased from 38.1% (5298/13,906) during October 1, 2004-September 30, 2011 to 46.0% (14,107/30,688) during October 1, 2011-September 30, 2018, whereas the rate of non-mesh procedures decreased from 61.9% (8608/13,906) to 54.0% (16,581/30,688) (Z = 15.53, P < 0.001). Regarding synthetic mesh surgeries related to POP, the rates of transvaginal placement of surgical mesh (TVM) procedures decreased from 94.1% (4983/5298) to 82.2% (11,603/14,107) (Z = 20.79, P < 0.001), but the rate of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) procedures increased from 5.9% (315/5298) to 17.8% (2504/14,107). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of synthetic mesh procedures increased while that of non-mesh procedures decreased significantly. The rate of TVM procedures decreased while the rate of LSC procedures increased significantly. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03620565, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov.

The complete plastid genome of cherry plants Prunus discoidea (Rosaceae) and its phylogenetic implication.

Prunus discoidea is an endemic cherry species with ornamental value, spread in eastern China (Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang provinces). Little information is available regarding its genomic, with limited phylogenetic relationship study performed on P. discoidea until now. The plastid genome was 158,024 bp in length consisting of four regions: large single-copy region (85,953 bp), small single-copy region (19,113 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (26,469 bp each). The plastid genome contained a total of 129 genes, including 84 coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 37 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis for 20 reported genomes within the Prunus sensu lato showed three main clades of Prunus s.l. with strong supports.

[Effect of ginsenoside-Rg1 on the proliferation of paraurethral fascia fibroblasts derived from women suffering from stress urinary incontinence].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ginsenoside-Rg1 on paraurethral fascia fibroblasts multiplication and the expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) women in vitro. METHODS: Specimens of human paraurethral fascia were obtained from 4 SUI women during tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) or tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) procedure. Fibroblasts were isolated and cultured by outgrowth technique. After reaching confluency fibroblasts were subcultured every 5 days and cells after passage number 3 to 5 were used for assessment. The paraurethral fascia fibroblasts were treated with ginsenoside-Rg1 at different concentrations (5, 10, 20 micromol/L) and fibroblasts without Rg1 were used as control. The multiplication conditions of paraurethral fascia fibroblasts were respectively detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and the expression of PCNA by histochemistry. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the control group, the growth rate of cells treated with different concentrations of Rg1 after 72h [(29 +/- 5)%, (40 +/- 5)%, (26 +/- 4)% respectively] was significantly higher (P < 0.01). (2) Compared with the control group, the stimulatory effect of Rg1 on fibroblast growth was significant at 24 h (P < 0.01), and peaked at 72 h [(29 +/- 5)%, (40 +/- 5)%, (26 +/- 4)% respectively, P < 0.01]. (3) Compared with the control group (28.77%), there was a significant increase of PCNA-positive cells (P < 0.01) after 48 h treatment with different concentrations of Rg1 (49.24%, 83.48%, 54.50% respectively). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that, at least in vitro, fibroblasts from paraurethral fascia taken from women suffering from SUI are able to proliferate after ginsenoside-Rg1 treatment.

Relationship between resistin and IL-23 levels in follicular fluid in infertile patients with endometriosis undergoing IVF-ET.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis (EM) interferes with the reproductive process and affects the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Inflammatory cytokines are suggested to play a role in infertility in patients with EM. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between resistin and interleukin 23 (IL-23) levels in follicular fluid (FF) and serum together with the severity of endometriosis and in vitro fertilization/ embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples from 116 infertile women were studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study group consisted of 76 infertile patients diagnosed with EM (40 with stages I-II and 36 with stages III-IV) undergoing IVF-ET. The control group included 40 women with tubal factor infertility. FF and serum samples were collected on the day of follicle aspiration and hCG administration, respectively. RESULTS: The serum and FF resistin levels were significantly higher in the EM group than in the control group (p-value <0.05). The FF resistin and IL-23 levels were significantly higher in EM stages III-IV than in stages I-II (p-value <0.05), and the serum resistin and IL-23 levels were also significantly (p-value <0.01) higher in stages III-IV than in stages I-II. The E2 level on the day of hCG administration and the implantation rate were both significantly lower in the EM group than in the control group. However, there were no differences in the Gn duration and dose, and the cleavage, implantation and clinical pregnancy rates between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that patients with EM exhibit increased resistin level in FF and serum. Advanced EM may contribute to infertility via decreased embryo implantation rates because of inflammation and immune rejection. No influence was observed on pregnancy outcomes after IVF-ET.

[Expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases-1 in connective tissue of vaginal wall of women with stress urinary incontinence].

OBJECTIVE: To study semi-quantitatively mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), in vaginal wall connective tissue in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) compared to continent controls, and to explore the relationship between MMP-9, TIMP-1 and SUI. METHODS: Vaginal wall tissues were obtained from 24 women with SUI who were followed-up (12 cases are > 60 years old and 12 cases < or = 60 years old). Seven patients undergoing total hysterectomy for carcinoma in situ of cervix without urinary incontinence served as control group. RNA was extracted and quantified. Semi-quantitative competitive reverse transcription was carried out with oligo-nucleotide primers to quantify MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA expression. RESULTS: We used GeneSnap to analyze the data. MMP-9 in three groups (> 60, < or = 60 years and control) was 0.56 +/- 0.20, 0.56 +/- 0.19, 0.37 +/- 0.18, significantly decreased (P < 0.05). There was no difference between > 60 and < or = 60 year age groups (P > 0.05). TIMP-1 in three groups was 0.23 +/- 0.11, 0.31 +/- 0.12, 0.41 +/- 0.13, significantly increased (P < 0.05). There was a great difference between > 60 and < or = 60 year age groups in TIMP expression (P > 0.05). The ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in > 60, < or = 60 year age groups and control group was 2.49 +/- 1.82, 1.82 +/- 1.58, 0.90 +/- 1.38, significantly decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Stress urinary incontinent women demonstrate a significant increase in MMP-9 mRNA expression and significant decrease in TIMP-1 mRNA expression. In SUI patients, proportion of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was overbalanced. Both these findings are consistent with increased collagen breakdown and may play an important role in the onset and development of SUI.

Fiber-modified adenovirus-mediated suicide gene therapy can efficiently eliminate bladder cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Adenovirus-mediated gene therapy is a promising strategy for bladder cancer treatment. However, the loss of the coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) in bladder cancer cells decreases the infection efficiency of the therapeutic adenovirus. In this study, we constructed an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-modified adenovirus, RGDAd-UPII-TK, that carries a suicide gene called HSV-TK that is driven by a human UPII promoter. Then, we tested the bladder cancer specificity of the UPII promotor and the expression of the HSV-TK protein. Additionally, we observed a potent cytotoxic effects of RGDAd-UPII-TK and ganciclovir (GCV) on bladder cancer as demonstrated by reduced cell survival and morphology changes in vitro. Furthermore, we confirmed that RGDAd-UPII-TK in combination with a GCV injection could significantly reduce the established T24 tumor growth and increase apoptosis in vivo. Altogether, our results indicated that the recombinant adenovirus RGDAd-UPII-TK could target bladder cancer through valid gene therapy.