Exosomal Circular RNA hsa_circ_0046060 of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Ameliorates Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Resistance in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus via the miR-338-3p/G6PC2 Axis

BACKGROUND

Impaired glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity have been linked to the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Exosomes secreted by the umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (UMSCs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) derived from exosomes have been shown to be associated with the progression of GDM-related complications.

METHODS

UMSCs were isolated from umbilical cords and identified through flow cytometry. Exosomes were isolated from UMSCs and were then characterized. The expression levels of RNA of hsa_circ_0046060, mmu_circ_0002819, and miR-338-3p were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The intracellular glucose intake and glycogen content were measured using a High Sensitivity Glucose Assay Kit and Glycogen Assay Kit, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay were used to validate interactions among hsa_circ_0046060, miR-338-3p, and G6PC2. The expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and its phosphorylated form, (p-IRS-1), as well as G6PC2, was determined through western blotting.

RESULTS

UMSCs and exosomes were successfully isolated and identified. The upregulation of hsa_circ_0046060 decreased the intracellular glucose content in L-02 cells (43.45 vs. 16.87 pM/mg, P=0.0002), whereas shRNA-mediated downregulation reversed this effect (16.87 vs. 33.16 pM/mg, P=0.0011). Mmu_circ_0002819 in mice aggravated dysregulated glucose metabolism (49.88 vs. 21.69 pM/mg, P=0.0031) and insulin sensitivity (0.20 vs. 0.11 mg/mL, P=0.03) in GDM mice, which was abrogated by the knockdown of mmu_circ_0002819. The results of luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-338-3p and G6PC2 were the potential targets of has_circ_0046060. Western blotting results showed that the reduced activation of IRS-1 induced by GDM (1.25 vs. 0.54, P=0.0001) could be rescued by the administration of si-circ-G-UMSC-EXOs (0.54 vs. 1.17, P=0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the inhibition of hsa_circ_0046060 expression in exosomes from GDM-derived UMSCs can alleviate GDM by reversing abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in vivo and in vitro.

Silicosis: enlarged cervical lymph nodes, pericardial effusion and lung abnormalities

Silicosis is an occupational lung parenchymal disease caused by inhaling silica. It requires differentiation from a malignant tumour and granulomatous disease. We describe the case of a woman with silicosis who exhibited enlargement of bilateral cervical lymph nodes, pericardial effusion and lung abnormalities. She was diagnosed with silicosis based on histological examination of a resected cervical lymph node, lung tissue biopsy and history of silica exposure. She underwent glucocorticoid therapy during hospitalization. The lung abnormalities, enlarged cervical lymph nodes and pericardial effusion were ameliorated by glucocorticoid therapy, but she relapsed shortly thereafter. In conclusion, silicosis with cervical lymph node enlargement and pericardial effusion is rare and should be differentiated from a malignant tumour and granulomatous disease. Some patients may respond well to steroids in the short term.

Study on the regulation mechanism of lipopolysaccharide on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism of bovine mammary epithelial cells

The long-term feeding of a high-concentrate diet (the concentrate ratio is greater than 60 %) leads to mammary gland inflammatory response in ruminants and decreased quality in dairy cows and affects the robust development of the dairy industry. The main reason is closely related to elevated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the body. In this experiment, a bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T) was used as a model, and LPS at different concentrations (0 ng/ml, 1 ng/ml, 10 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, 1000 ng/ml, 10000 ng/ml) was added to the cells. The cell survival rate, oxidative stress indicators, total lipid droplet area, triglyceride content and key genes regulating lipid metabolism were detected by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT), assay kit, microscope observation and RT-PCR methods to explore the regulatory mechanism of mammary health and milk fat synthesis. The results showed that compared with those of the control group, the survival rates of cells were significantly decreased after 9 h of stimulation with 1000 ng/ml and 10000 ng/ml LPS (P<0.01). The contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in cells were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with that of the control group, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in cells was significantly increased (P<0.05) after stimulation with 10000 ng/ml LPS for 9 h. After 9 h of stimulation with 100 ng/ml, 1000 ng/ml and 10000 ng/ml LPS, the total lipid drop area and triglyceride (TG) content of MAC-T cells were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The expression levels of fatty acid synthesis-related genes Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1) were significantly decreased after 9 h of stimulation with 100 ng/ml, 1000 ng/ml and 10000 ng/ml LPS (P<0.05), while the expression levels of Fatty Acid synthetase (FAS) were significantly decreased after stimulation with 1000 ng/ml and 10000 ng/ml LPS (P<0.05). TG synthesis by the related gene Diacylglycerol acyltransferase-1 (DGAT1) was significantly lower than that of the control group after stimulation with 1000 ng/ml and 10000 ng/ml LPS for 9 h (P<0.05), and Diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2) also showed a significant decrease after 10000 ng/ml LPS stimulation (P<0.05). In conclusion, adding different concentrations of LPS to MAC-T cells not only led to a decrease in cell activity, resulting in oxidative damage, but also affected fatty acid and TG synthesis, which may ultimately be closely related to the decrease in milk fat synthesis.

Exosomal mRNA and lncRNA profiles in cord blood of preeclampsia patients

BACKGROUND

Exosomes are endosome-derived membrane vesicles that contain numerous RNAs and allow intercellular communication. The roles of mRNAs and lncRNAs from umbilical cord blood exosomes in the development of preeclampsia (PE) remain unclear.

METHODS

In the study, microarray technology was used to construct the differential mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles in umbilical cord blood exosomes between PE patients and normal controls.

RESULTS

Totally, 120 differentially expressed mRNAs and 248 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified. Pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed mRNAs were related to glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and JAK-STAT signaling pathway, which are critical in PE development. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were conducted for the differential lncRNA-associated mRNAs. We found several significantly enriched pathways were closely associated with metabolic process, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Moreover, the constructed pathway network revealed key pathways in PE, including apoptosis and TGF-beta signaling pathway. Further analysis of lncRNA/miRNA interactions showed that most of the lncRNAs had miRNA binding sites, and some of them were associated with PE.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights the importance of exosomal mRNAs and lncRNAs in umbilical cord blood, and provides new insight into the development of PE.

An innovative application of follicular unit extraction technique in the treatment of bromhidrosis

BACKGROUND

Surgery is the most effective way to treat bromhidrosis, but postoperative complications are still the biggest obstacles for patients to choose surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To introduce an innovative application of follicular unit extraction (FUE) in the treatment of bromhidrosis.

METHODS

We conducted a case series study on 20 patients who received FUE technique for the treatment of bromhidrosis. The axillary hair follicles were extracted with a one-millimetre punch. The released hair follicles were collected for histological examination. After the operation, the wounds were wrapped with moderate pressure. The dressing was removed 24 h after the FUE operation. The postoperative complications were collected, and the improvement of malodour was evaluated by the 10-point visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Immediately postoperation, many needle-shaped holes appeared in the armpits. The holes healed 7 days after the operation, with no scar or pinpoint-like scars. Except for a female who complained of mild pain in the left armpit, no other patients had any discomfort. The malodour level varied between 0 and 4 during the follow-up period. The tissue examination showed that more than 90% of the completely plucked hair follicles were accompanied by apocrine glands, and many blocked and dilated apocrine glands were observed. The lumens of the blocked glands were filled with decapitation products, which were positive for K5, Brst-2 and CEA.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with bromhidrosis have a positive response to FUE technique. The FUE technique is well-tolerated, with only a few postoperative complications, which deserves to be widely promoted.

[Analysis of the time for observation and related factors at clinics after vaccination among children's parents]

Objective: To understand the time for observation and related factors in the clinics after vaccination among children's parents. Methods: From December 2019 to January 2020, parents of children aged 0-3 years were recruited by multiple-stage sampling from 34 vaccination clinics in 12 districts and counties in 6 provinces (Shandong, Guangdong, Henan, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, and Liaoning). A questionnaire survey on the time of observation after vaccination was conducted. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors of parental observation time after vaccination. Results: A total of 3 292 parents of 0-3 year's old children were selected, and 3 178 parents were finally included in the analysis. 87.85%(2 792/3 178) of the parents reported that the observation time after vaccination at clinics was ≥30 minutes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for the regions, the main factors affecting the observation time at clinics after vaccination among parents appeared as observation time informed by physicians at the clinic appeared ≥30 minutes (OR=31.622, 95%CI: 19.847-50.384), parents were medical personnel (OR=2.779, 95%CI: 1.505-5.133), parents being volunteers working on vaccination-related publicity and education activities (OR=1.986, 95%CI: 1.438-2.743), parents aged 35 years old or above (OR=1.900, 95%CI: 1.215-2.971), being parents of the first child (OR=1.663, 95%CI: 1.282-2.156), per capita annual income of the family as 8 000- Yuan (OR=1.646, 95%CI: 1.168-2.319), children aged 0-12 months old (OR=1.646, 95%CI: 1.203-2.252) or 13-24 months old (OR=1.506, 95%CI: 1.064-2.133), obedient to physicians' advice at the clinic (OR=1.481, 95%CI: 1.067-2.055). Conclusions: The proportions of parents observed for ≥30 minutes at the clinics of vaccination were high. When the information was from the physicians at the vaccination clinic, the observation time was the most critical factor for parents to observe at clinics as required.

[Impact of additional time spent for vaccination services on overall satisfaction rate in parents]

Objective: To understand the overall satisfaction rate with vaccination services in parents of children, and the impact of additional time consumed for vaccination service on overall satisfaction rate. Methods: From December 2019 to January 2020, a total of 3 178 parents of 0-3 years old children were investigated to collect the information about their basic characteristics, additional time spent for vaccination service and overall satisfaction through questionnaires. Binary logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline model were used to evaluate the impact of additional time spend on the overall satisfaction rate. Results: The overall satisfaction rate of parents with vaccination services was 92.32%. The median time for parents to move from home to vaccination clinic was 10.00 (10.00, 20.00) minutes, the median waiting time to make an appointment was 10.00 (5.00, 15.00) minutes, the median waiting time for vaccination was 5.00 (3.00, 10.00) minutes, and the median total additional time spent was 30.00 (20.00, 45.00) minutes. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting the relevant factors, the main factors affecting the overall satisfaction rate were the waiting time for making an appointment (the 4- minutes group vs. 8- minutes group: OR=1.863, 95%CI: 1.307-2.657), waiting time for vaccination (the <4 minutes group vs. 8- minutes group: OR=1.529, 95%CI: 1.102-2.120; the 4- minutes group vs. 8- minutes group: OR=1.534, 95%CI: 1.104-2.130), total additional time spent (the 15- minutes group vs. 30- minutes group: OR=1.470, 95%CI: 1.094-1.976). Restricted cubic spline analysis showed that the waiting time for making an appointment (non-linear: χ²=13.18, P=0.001), the waiting time for vaccination (non-linear: χ²=13.50, P=0.001), and the total additional time consumed (non-linear: χ²=9.38, P=0.009) showed a non-linear inverted "V" dose response relationship to the overall satisfaction of vaccination services. Conclusions: The waiting time for parents to make an appointment, the waiting time for vaccination and the total additional time spent for receiving vaccination services affected the overall satisfaction rate of the vaccination services. And the waiting time for making an appointment was the most important factor, and it is necessary to shorten the waiting time for appointment. It is suggested that the vaccination clinic should make use of information technology (such as WeChat public account, APP) to make accurate appointments, make appointments to the time period to control the number of people within time period.

Seed dormancy profiles for forest dynamics plot data: focusing on a tropical seasonal rainforest in Xishuangbanna, southwest China

Long-term forest dynamics monitoring plots provide information on number of individual species in the plot, allowing us for the first time to construct seed dormancy profiles at the species and individual levels for a specific site. Focusing on the Xishuangbanna tropical season rainforest plot (XTRDP), we used data from nine forest dynamics plots (two for tropical, four for subtropical and three for temperate) and information on kind of seed dormancy to generate seed dormancy profiles for communities across tropical to temperate latitudes at the species and individual levels. Seed dormancy information was collected from previous publications, and some data were provided by two germplasm banks that test seed germination of wild plants in China. In XTRDP, 35% of the species and 58% of individuals have non-dormant seeds; the dominant species have non-dormant seeds. In all plots, the most common kind of dormancy among species and individuals with dormant seeds was physiological dormancy. At the species level, the profile for tropical, subtropical and temperate plots was similar to profiles for each of these vegetation regions. In all plots, except one subtropical plot, the percentage of species versus individuals with dormant seeds differed. All temperate plots had a higher percentage of individuals than species with dormant seeds, but this pattern was not consistent for tropical or subtropical plots. We show that dormancy increases with latitude at both the species and individual levels. Dormancy profiles at the individual tree level provide new insight into seed dormancy relationships within plant communities.

Differential circular RNA expression profiles in umbilical cord blood exosomes from preeclampsia patients

Background

Exosomal circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of physiological development and disease pathogenesis. However, the roles of exosomal circRNAs from umbilical cord blood in preeclampsia (PE) occurrence remains poorly understood.

Methods

We used microarray technology to establish the differential circRNA expression profiles in umbilical cord blood exosomes from PE patients compared with normal controls. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to further predict the potential effects of the differentially expressed circRNAs and their interactions with miRNAs.

Results

According to the microarray data, we identified 143 significantly up-regulated circRNAs and 161 significantly down-regulated circRNAs in umbilical cord blood exosomes of PE patients compared with controls. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) biological pathway analyses showed that circRNA parental genes involved in the regulation of metabolic process, trophoblast growth and invasion were significantly enriched, which play important roles in PE development. Moreover, pathway network was constructed to reveal the key pathways in PE, such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Further circRNA/miRNA interactions analysis demonstrated that most exosomal circRNAs had miRNA binding sites, and some miRNAs were associated with PE.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the importance of exosomal circRNAs in the pathogenesis of PE and lay a foundation for extensive studies on the role of exosomal circRNAs in PE development.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-03777-7.

[Using structured decision-making to identify the appropriate type of entity for the centers for disease control and prevention of China]

Objective: To develop evidence-based appropriate type of entity for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to improve the performance of disease control and prevention system in China. Methods: This study firstly proposed the core functions and essential public health programs for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Using Structured Decision-Making, this study presented three alternative options for type of entity to make essential public health programs succeed, and reviewed the pros and cons of alternative options based on 15 evaluation indicators. Questionnaires were distributed to 47 stakeholders between April 10 and April 20 of 2020. Finally, an appropriate type of entity for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was identified by using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: A total of 47 stakeholders ranked alternative options. Aggregated scores of each alternative option was computed after weighting each indicators. The results shows that Option 1(professional technical civil service organization)has the highest score (58.22). Conclusion: Professional technical civil service organization is appropriate type of entity for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A challenging case of hypercapnic respiratory failure during pregnancy

We describe a 40-year-old female who presented with progressive breathlessness and hypercapnic respiratory failure during pregnancy secondary to undiagnosed muscle-specific kinase myasthenia gravis. Her presentation was progressive and protracted, having over five contacts with healthcare professionals over nine months, many of these predating her pregnancy. Her atypical presentation for myasthenia with minimal limb weakness led to consideration of other causes of hypercapnic respiratory failure. Once diagnosed, she was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and non-invasive ventilation. She gave birth to a pre-term infant by planned caesarean section. Her insidious presentation and the progressive nature of her breathlessness were unusual and our report highlights the predominant involvement of respiratory muscles in muscle-specific kinase myasthenia. Her pregnancy may have further delayed her diagnosis due the attribution of some symptoms to normal pregnancy. Early recognition and treatment of myasthenia gravis are important to prevent life-threatening complications.

Differential mRNA and Long Noncoding RNA Expression Profiles in Umbilical Cord Blood Exosomes from Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background and Aims: Exosomes contain numerous RNAs and transfer them between cells or organs, thereby establishing intercellular or interorgan communication. The roles of mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) from umbilical cord blood exosomes in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurrence and fetus growth remain poorly understood. We aimed to establish the differential mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles in umbilical cord blood exosomes from GDM patients compared with normal controls. Results: Using microarray technology, we identified 84 mRNAs and 256 lncRNAs as differentially expressed in umbilical cord blood exosomes of GDM patients compared with controls. The protein-protein interaction network revealed that the differentially expressed mRNAs were associated with glucagon signaling pathway, an important GDM-related pathway. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) biological pathway analyses were performed for mRNAs associated with differentially expressed lncRNAs. The results indicated that metabolic process, growth, and development were significantly enriched, which are important in GDM development and fetus growth. Moreover, pathway network was constructed to reveal the key pathways in GDM, such as metabolic pathways and insulin signaling pathway. Further lncRNA/miRNA interaction analysis showed that most of the exosomal lncRNAs harbored miRNA binding sites, and some were associated with GDM. Conclusion: These results showed that exosomal mRNAs and lncRNAs are aberrantly expressed in the umbilical cord blood of GDM patients and play potential roles in GDM development and fetus growth.

The restoration of Wnt/β-catenin signalling activity by a tuna backbone-derived peptide ameliorates hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a serious disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Reducing myocardial reperfusion injury in MI patients remains a challenge. The generation of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) during reperfusion is known to be responsible for injury. A peptide from tuna backbone protein (APTBP) captured our attention due to its strong antioxidant activity. Here, we aimed to assess the function of APTBP in protecting against myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and to clarify the associated mechanism. Two in vitro models generated by hypoxia and cobalt chloride treatment were used to determine the effect of APTBP on cardiomyocytes under hypoxic stress. In vivo, a rat model of I/R was generated to evaluate APTBP functions. As a result, APTBP attenuated hypoxia- or cobalt chloride-induced injury to H9C2 cells and primary cardiomyocytes. Moreover, hypoxia-induced apoptosis, ROS generation and impaired mitochondrial function were also suppressed by APTBP administration. In vivo, tail vein injection of APTBP ameliorated pathological damage and mildly restored cardiac function. To clarify the mechanism, RNA-seq was performed and revealed that the Wnt signalling pathway may be associated with this mechanism. Rescue analysis showed that β-catenin knockdown diminished the protective effect of APTBP and that the expression of an ROS generator abolished the restoration of Wnt/β-catenin signalling induced by APTBP. Collectively, our findings suggest that APTBP reduces cardiomyocyte apoptosis and protects against myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury by scavenging ROS and subsequently restoring Wnt/β-catenin signalling.

The association of bisphenol A exposure with premature ovarian insufficiency: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

A few epidemiological investigations and animal studies have demonstrated that bisphenol A (BPA) may affect female reproductive health. However, no epidemiologic study has investigated the relationship between BPA exposure and the risk of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).

METHODS

In this case-control study, urinary concentrations of BPA and serum levels of reproductive hormone were measured. Associations between BPA concentrations and the risk of POI and POI-related hormone levels were estimated.

RESULTS

Among BPA quartiles, no obvious association was found between BPA levels and the risk of POI (p = 0.603). Although the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of POI was slightly increased for participants in the highest BPA concentration quartile, the association was not statistically significant (OR = 1.282, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.615-2.049 for the highest vs. lowest quartile, p = 0.508). Although follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels showed no tendency of an association with BPA (p = 0.941 and p = 0.876 for FSH and AMH, respectively), the highest quartile of luteinizing hormone was significantly positively associated with BPA levels (OR = 1.333, 95% CI 0.986-1.803, p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

The urinary concentrations of BPA determined in this study were consistent with the range of exposure currently observed in Chinese women. However, BPA exposure at a relatively low level is not associated with POI in Chinese women. Further epidemiological studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Protective effect of alpha-pinene against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction through NF-κB signaling pathway

Monoterpenes present in the essential oils exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of alpha-pinene (AP), a monoterpene, against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction and inflammation in Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with AP (50 mg/kg body weight (bw)) administration for 21 days and ISO (85 mg/kg bw) was administered subcutaneously for last two consecutive days (20th day and 21st day). We noticed that there was an increased activity of cardiac marker enzymes in ISO-treated rats. We also observed that elevated levels of lipid peroxidative indices decreased activities of antioxidant status in plasma, erythrocyte, and heart tissue in ISO-induced rats. Furthermore, ISO-treated rats showed an increase in the levels of inflammatory mediators like tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum. Besides, we confirmed the upregulated expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells in ISO-induced rat heart tissue. Conversely, we found that AP pretreatment significantly decreased levels of cardiac markers like serum cardiac troponin T and cardiac troponin I, lipid peroxidative markers, and restored antioxidants status in ISO-treated rats. Besides, AP administration attenuated ISO-induced inflammatory marker expression. The present findings demonstrated that AP significantly protects the myocardium and exerts cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in experimental rats.

Butyrate Ameliorates Antibiotic-Driven Type 1 Diabetes in the Female Offspring of Nonobese Diabetic Mice

Maternal gut dysbiosis affects the development of the offspring immune system. Our previous study has indicated that microbial metabolite butyrate directly shapes pancreatic immune tolerance and dampens type 1 diabetes (T1D) progression. Therefore, maternal butyrate intervention may protect their offspring from maternal gut dysbiosis-accelerated T1D. To test this, pregnant nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice were treated with vancomycin in drinking water with or without a butyrate-supplemented diet during gestation and nursing (oral vancomycin is used to induce maternal gut dysbiosis). Three weeks after delivery, T1D-associated innate and adaptive immune cells were detected to investigate the effects of butyrate on the vancomycin-exacerbated pancreatic immune disorder in dams and pups. The results showed that butyrate inhibited maternal vancomycin-exacerbated secretion of proinflammation cytokines (interferon γ and interleukin-1β) and maternal vancomycin-exacerbated recruitment of interferon γ⁺ T cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes 1 cells and T helper type 1 cells) in the pancreas of the female offspring, thus dampening T1D development. The protection may be due to butyrate inhibiting the activation of pancreatic dendritic cells (DCs). Our data thus demonstrate that maternal gut dysbiosis can exacerbate pancreatic-directed autoimmunity in the female offspring through T cell- and DC-associated mechanisms that are inhibited by butyrate.

Diagnostic performance of CT for differentiating peritoneal tuberculosis from peritoneal carcinomatosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic performance of CT for differentiating peritoneal tuberculosis (PTB) from peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

PubMed, Embase, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for papers published before 23 July 2019. The methodological quality of the studies was analysed. Overlapping descriptors used in different studies to denote the same image finding were subsumed under a single CT feature. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were pooled. A summary receiver operating characteristic curve (sROC) was constructed and the area under the curve (AUC) of the included studies was calculated when possible.

RESULTS

Six studies were included and 17 CT features were analysed. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of smooth peritoneal thickening were 59% (95% CI: 52-66%) and 84% (95% CI: 79-88%), respectively. The AUC of smooth peritoneal thickening was 0.83. Omentum line/rim, lymph node necrosis or calcification, and mesenteric macro nodules had a pooled specificity ranging from 95% to 100% and a pooled sensitivity ranging from 12% to 67%. The other 12 signs had a pooled sensitivity ranging from 21% to 79% and a pooled specificity ranging from 19% to 81%. Omentum involvement (cake-like pattern) showed a threshold-effect, so only the AUC (=0.70) was calculated.

CONCLUSIONS

Smooth peritoneal thickening shows fairly good diagnostic accuracy, while omentum rim/line, lymph nodes necrosis or calcification, mesenteric macro nodules have good specificity but limited sensitivity. The informative features summarised in this study may aid clinical practice and future studies.

Genetic Susceptibility to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Chinese Population

Introduction: New genetic variants associated with susceptibility to obesity and metabolic diseases have been discovered in recent genome-wide association (GWA) studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of theses risk variants with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: We performed a case-control study including 964 unrelated pregnant women with GDM and 1,021 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (as controls). A total of 33 genetic variants confirmed by GWA studies for obesity and metabolic diseases were selected and measured. Results: We observed that FTO rs1121980 and KCNQ1 rs163182 conferred a decreased GDM risk in the dominant and additive model [additive model: OR (95% CI) = 0.79 (0.67-0.94), P = 0.007 for rs1121980; OR(95%CI) = 0.84 (0.73-0.96), P = 0.009 for rs163182], whereas MC4R rs12970134 and PROX1 rs340841 conferred an increased GDM risk in the dominant, recessive, and additive model [additive model: OR(95%CI) = 1.25 (1.07-1.46), P = 0.006 for rs12970134; OR(95%CI) = 1.22 (1.07-1.39), P = 0.002 for rs340841). With the increasing number of risk alleles of the four significant SNPs, GDM risk was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner (P_trend < 0.001). And the significant positive associations between the weighted genetic risk score and risk of GDM persisted. Further function annotation indicated that these four SNPs may fall on the functional elements of human pancreatic islets. The genotype-phenotype associations indicated that these SNPs may contribute to GDM by affecting the expression levels of their nearby or distant genes. Conclusion: Our study suggests that FTO rs1121980, KCNQ1 rs163182, MC4R rs12970134, and PROX1 rs340841 may be markers for susceptibility to GDM in a Chinese population.

Fructo-oligosaccharides lower serum lipid levels and suppress high-fat/high-sugar diet-induced inflammation by elevating serum and gut levels of short-chain fatty acids

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on serum lipid levels and to determine the mechanisms underlying these effects and the potential role of inflammation.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice received a normal diet, a high-fat/high-sugar (HFS) diet, or an HFS diet supplemented with 10% FOS for 10 weeks. In vivo intestinal and serum short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels were measured by gas chromatography. In vivo serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and malonaldehyde (MDA) were also measured. Lipid accumulation was visualized. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated and apoptosis was quantified.

Results

FOS reversed in vivo HFS-induced lipid accumulation in the liver. An HFS diet increased ALT, AST, TC, TG, and LDL serum levels, decreased HDL serum levels, and increased IL-6, TNF-α, 8-OHdG, and MDA levels. These changes were reduced by FOS. FOS also increased intestinal and serum levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In vitro, SCFAs ameliorated palmitic acid-induced ROS production and apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Conclusion

FOS supplementation lowers serum lipid levels and ameliorates HFS-induced inflammation by upregulating SCFAs.