[Survival effect after antiretroviral treatment initiating at different times on AIDS patients in Henan province, 2002-2014]

OBJECTIVE

To study the survival effect of AIDS patients after the antiretroviral treatment that initiated at different times and to understand the factors associated with the survival time.

METHODS

Information on AIDS patients who started receiving the antiretroviral therapy during 2002-2014 was collected from the Chinese HIV/AIDS Integrated Control System in Henan province. According to the level of baseline immunology, all the participants were divided into earlier treatment group [Baseline CD4(+)T lymphocyte cell counts (CD4) between 350/μl and 500/μl] or conventional treatment group (Baseline CD4 cell counts≤350/μl). Data was analyzed with both Survival and Review methods.

RESULTS

A total number of 37 169 cases were selected, including 32 129 cases in the conventional treatment group and 5 040 cases in the earlier treatment group. Mortalities in the conventional treatment group and earlier treatment group were 4.3/100 person year and 1.8/100 person year, respectively. Data on the 11-year cumulative survival rate of both the conventional treatment group and earlier treatment group were 67.9% and 82.3%, respectively. By means of multi-variable analysis, we found that factors as gender, age, marital status, route of infection, number of symptoms, missed taking drugs in the past 7 days, degree of education at baseline of conventional treatment group etc. were associated with survival time of patients after the initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) (P<0.05) while factors as gender, age, marital status, ever missed taking drugs in the past 7 days at baseline etc. in the earlier treatment group were associated with the survival time of patients after the ART initiation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Strategy including earlier initiation of antiretroviral treatment on AIDS patients who had met the treatment criteria and programs related to the improvement on adherence to medication, could prolong the survival time of AIDS patients, in Henan province.

[HCV infection status and related risk factors in drug users under HIV sentinel surveillance in Henan province, 2011-2015]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the hepatitis C virus infection status and related risk factors in drug users in Henan province during 2011-2015 and provide scientific evidence for the development of HCV infection prevention and control measures.

METHODS

Cross-sectional questionnaire surveys were conducted among the drug users and blood samples were taken from them for HCV antibody detection during HIV sentinel surveillance period in Henan province from April to June during 2011-2015.

RESULTS

The HCV infection rate in drug users increased from 3.70% in 2011 to 6.54% in 2015 (trend χ(2)=25.93, P<0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that HCV infection related risk factors included age older (OR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.13-1.35, P=0.00), place of domicile (OR=3.45, 95%CI: 2.59-4.60, P=0.00), traditional drug user or mixed drug user (OR=1.46, 95%CI: 1.10-1.93, P=0.01; OR=1.82, 95%CI: 1.18-2.81, P=0.01), injecting drug user (OR=2.88, 95%CI: 2.45-3.39, P=0.00), commercial sex behavior in recent one year (OR=1.44, 95%CI: 1.20-1.72, P=0.00) and drug user in compulsory drug rehabilitation or those receiving methadone maintenance treatment (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.28-2.50, P=0.00; OR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.17-2.58, P=0.01).

CONCLUSION

The HCV infection rate in drug users was higher in Henan and increased rapidly with years. In order to control HCV spread, it is necessary to strengthen the management of drug users and take effective intervention measures.

Cytoplasmic GPER translocation in cancer-associated fibroblasts mediates cAMP/PKA/CREB/glycolytic axis to confer tumor cells with multidrug resistance

Multiple drug resistance is a challenging issue in the clinic. There is growing evidence that the G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is a novel mediator in the development of multidrug resistance in both estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and -negative breast cancers, and that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment may be a new agent that promotes drug resistance in tumor cells. However, the role of cytoplasmic GPER of CAFs on tumor therapy remains unclear. Here we first show that the breast tumor cell-activated PI3K/AKT (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT) signaling pathway induces the cytoplasmic GPER translocation of CAFs in a CRM1-dependent pattern, and leads to the activation of a novel estrogen/GPER/cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling axis that triggers the aerobic glycolysis switch in CAFs. The glycolytic CAFs feed the extra pyruvate and lactate to tumor cells for augmentation of mitochondrial activity, and this energy metabolically coupled in a 'host-parasite relationship' between catabolic CAFs and anabolic cancer cells confers the tumor cells with multiple drug resistance to several conventional clinical treatments including endocrine therapy (tamoxifen), Her-2-targeted therapy (herceptin) and chemotherapy (epirubicin). Moreover, the clinical data from 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography further present a strong association between the GPER/cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway of stromal fibroblasts with tumor metabolic activity and clinical treatment, suggesting that targeting cytoplasmic GPER in CAFs may rescue the drug sensitivity in patients with breast cancer. Thus, our data define novel insights into the stromal GPER-mediated multiple drug resistance from the point of reprogramming of tumor energy metabolism and provide the rationale for CAFs as a promising target for clinical therapy.

Abstract P5-02-05: Biology and long-term prognosis of screening detected non-palpable breast cancer by ultrasound in hospital-based Chinese population (2001-2014)

Background: Milestone studies showed that ultrasound (US) was an effective primary screening test for breast cancer both in the western world and in China [PMID: 26712110, 26715161, and 25668012]. Ultrasound has been officially designated to be the initial imaging test for breast cancer screening in Beijing and several other cities in China, due to its improved sensitivity in Chinese women who usually have denser breasts and develop breast cancer earlier than Caucasian counterparts. Study showed that it would take 40 years to screen each woman in the target age group once [PMID: 26808342].The mainstay modality of breast cancer screening in China is the hospital-based opportunistic screening among asymptomatic self-referred women. However, there is little data about the tumor biology and long-term survival of the US-detected non-palpable breast cancer (NPBC) in hospital-based Chinese population.

Methods: From January 2001 to December 2014, 3,786 asymptomatic women with positive (BI-RADS 4 and 5) initial screening US underwent biopsies in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and 572 NPBC in 556 women were diagnosed. Women without dense breasts (defined as BI-RADS category C and D) also received screening mammography (MG) after physical examination and ultrasound. 788 patients with positive (BI-RADS 4 and 5) mammogram (MG) and normal US (BI-RADS 1, 2 and 3) underwent MG-guided biopsies and another 127 NPBC were diagnosed in 126 women. The clinicopathological features, treatment choice, 10-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were reviewed and compared between the US-detected and MG-detected NPBC. Prognostic factors of NPBC were identified.

Results: Overall, US could detect more invasive NPBC (83.4% vs 54.3%, p&lt;0.001), lymph node positive cancer (19.1% vs 10.2%, p&lt;0.001)and multifocal cancer (19.2% vs 6.3%, p&lt;0.001). In invasive NPBC, US detected more low grade cancer (21.4% vs 10.2%, p=0.001), multifocal cancer (20.7% vs 2.9%, p&lt;0.001), Her2 negative cancer (77.6% vs 62.3%, p=0.001) and larger tumor (pT1c+pT2, 53.3% vs 37.6%, p&lt;0.001). There was no significant difference in immunophenotype/subtype, treatment methods, DFS or OS between US- and MG-NPBC among ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive and all NPBC. For all NPBC and the US-NPBC, the common DFS-factors included pT, pN and p53 whereas OS-predictors were pN and immunophenotype/subtype.

Table 1. Kaplan-Meier estimates of DFS and OS between US-NPBC and MG-NPBC§.Patients (No.)10-year DFS (%)P value10-year OS (%)P valueAllUS-NPBC (572)90.60.73896.10.142 MG-NPBC (127)92.7 100.0 DCISUS-NPBC (94)100.00.060100.0- MG-NPBC (58)93.8 100.0 InvasiveUS-NPBC (478)88.60.68095.20.239 MG-NPBC (69)92.0 100.0 § Kaplan-Meier survival curves between each two subgroups would be displayed in the poster.

Conclusion: Compared to MG, US detected more invasive NPBC with positive lymph node in hospital-based asymptomatic self-referred Chinese women, who could achieve comparable 10-year DFS and OS as MG-detected NPBC. US could serve as the feasible initial imaging modality in hospital-based opportunistic screening Chinese women.

Citation Format: Yao R, Pan B, Zhu Q, Xu Q, Zhou Y, Zhang J, Mao F, You S, Lin Y, Shi J, Guan J, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Shen S, Zhong Y, Xu Y, Liang Z, Jiang Y, Sun Q. Biology and long-term prognosis of screening detected non-palpable breast cancer by ultrasound in hospital-based Chinese population (2001-2014) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-02-05.

[The prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance in newly reported HIV infections in Henan]

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance in newly reported HIV infected individuals receiving no antiviral treatment in Henan.

METHODS

Network direct reporting information of newly reported HIV infection cases in six cities of Henan during January to June, 2013 and January to June, 2014 were collected, and blood samples were collected from the cases to conduct genotypic drug resistance test and sequence analysis.

RESULTS

Primary HIV-1 drug resistance was detected in 45 of 624 newly reported HIV infection cases, the prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance was 7.21%, which was classified as moderate. Univariate analysis revealed that the prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance was higher in females(χ(2)=11.463, P = 0.001), in age group <20 years(χ(2)=8.969, P=0.011), in illiterates(χ(2)=18.072, P=0.001)and in cases of HIV subtype B infection(χ(2)=9.897, P=0.019). Multi-univariate analysis revealed that the risk of primary HIV-1 drug resistance was high in females(OR=2.194, 95%CI: 1.111-4.331). Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor(NNRTI), Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor(NRTI)and Protease inhibitor(PI)resistance mutations were found in 4.97%, 3.53% and 1.12% of the cases, respectively. M184V/I(2.08%)and K103N/S(2.88%)were the most commonly emerged NRTI and NNRTI resistance mutation. Multiple NRTI resistance mutation was found in four cases. HIV subtype B infections accounted for largest proportion(51.76%, 323/624), followed by CRF07_BC cases(23.72%, 148/624)and CRF01_AE cases(19.71%, 123/624).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance was moderate in the newly reported HIV infected individuals in Henan. The surveillance for HIV-1 drug resistance transmission should be strengthened and drug resistance test before the antiviral treatment should be given.

Using the TBAg/PHA ratio in the T-SPOT(®).TB assay to distinguish TB disease from LTBI in an endemic area

SETTING

An important limitation of the T-SPOT(®).TB assay is its inability to distinguish active tuberculosis (TB) from latent tuberculous infection (LTBI).

OBJECTIVE

We proposed a new calculation method for the T-SPOT assay and assessed its effect on distinguishing active TB from LTBI.

DESIGN

A total of 162 active TB patients and 97 LTBI individuals were diagnosed according to conventional tests and the T-SPOT assay.

RESULTS

The results of early secreted antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10) in T-SPOT cannot be recommended for distinguishing TB from LTBI. The number of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) spot-forming cells (sfc) in the T-SPOT assay was reduced in active TB patients. The ESAT-6/PHA or CFP-10/PHA ratios in active TB patients were significantly higher than in individuals with LTBI. Using 0.295 as the threshold ratio of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigen (TBAg) sfc to PHA sfc (TBAg/PHA ratio, the larger of ESAT-6/PHA and CFP-10/PHA), the sensitivity and specificity were 82.1% and 90.7% in distinguishing active TB from LTBI. The TBAg/PHA ratio might also be used to monitor the effect of anti-tuberculosis treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Calculating the TBAg/PHA ratio might have the potential to diagnose active TB and distinguish TB disease from LTBI.

Expressions of H2AX in cervical squamous carcinoma and their clinical significances

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the expression and clinical significance of H2AX in cervical squamous carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of H2AX in the cervical squamous carcinoma of 37 patients and in the normal cervical tissue of 15 patients was detected by immuneohistochemical method. Chi-square, correlation analysis, and Kaplan-Meier were utilized to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The positive expression rate of H2AX in cervical squamous carcinoma was higher than that in normal cervical tissues (p = 0.016) . The expression of H2AX was negatively correlated with FIGO staging, vaginal invasion, and parametrial infiltration (p < 0.05). Survival analysis showed the expression intensity of H2AX had no significant effect on the prognosis.

CONCLUSION

H2AX was an anticancer protein for cervical squamous carcinoma.

Local effect of bisphenol A on the estradiol synthesis of ovarian granulosa cells from PCOS

Close relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and bisphenol A (BPA) has drawn much attention in recent years, while the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In our study, we aim to detect BPA concentration in the follicular fluid and investigate its effect on estradiol synthesis in human granulosa cells from PCOS and non-PCOS patients. Follicular fluid and granulosa cells were collected from women who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. BPA concentration in the follicular fluid from PCOS patients (440.50 ± 63.70 pg/ml) was significantly higher than that from non-PCOS patients (338.00 ± 57.88 pg/ml). Expression of aromatase and estradiol synthesis in cultured granulosa cells was examined after treatment with BPA from 0.01 to 1 μM for 24 h. Expression of aromatase and estradiol synthesis was downregulated by BPA in a dose-dependent manner in PCOS, but no effect was observed in granulosa cells from non-PCOS patients. These findings provide evidence that increased BPA concentration in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients may play an important role in its pathogenesis by attenuating the expression of aromatase in granulosa cells.

Methodological reporting quality of randomized controlled trials: A survey of seven core journals of orthopaedics from Mainland China over 5 years following the CONSORT statement

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the field of orthopaedics is increasing in Mainland China. However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are inclined to bias if they lack methodological quality. Therefore, we performed a survey of RCT to assess: (1) What about the quality of RCTs in the field of orthopedics in Mainland China? (2) Whether there is difference between the core journals of the Chinese department of orthopedics and Orthopaedics Traumatology Surgery & Research (OTSR).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This research aimed to evaluate the methodological reporting quality according to the CONSORT statement of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in seven key orthopaedic journals published in Mainland China over 5 years from 2010 to 2014. All of the articles were hand researched on Chongqing VIP database between 2010 and 2014. Studies were considered eligible if the words "random", "randomly", "randomization", "randomized" were employed to describe the allocation way. Trials including animals, cadavers, trials published as abstracts and case report, trials dealing with subgroups analysis, or trials without the outcomes were excluded. In addition, eight articles selected from Orthopaedics Traumatology Surgery & Research (OTSR) between 2010 and 2014 were included in this study for comparison. The identified RCTs are analyzed using a modified version of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT), including the sample size calculation, allocation sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding and handling of dropouts.

RESULTS

A total of 222 RCTs were identified in seven core orthopaedic journals. No trials reported adequate sample size calculation, 74 (33.4%) reported adequate allocation generation, 8 (3.7%) trials reported adequate allocation concealment, 18 (8.1%) trials reported adequate blinding and 16 (7.2%) trials reported handling of dropouts. In OTSR, 1 (12.5%) trial reported adequate sample size calculation, 4 (50.0%) reported adequate allocation generation, 1 (12.5%) trials reported adequate allocation concealment, 2 (25.0%) trials reported adequate blinding and 5 (62.5%) trials reported handling of dropouts. There were statistical differences as for sample size calculation and handling of dropouts between papers from Mainland China and OTSR (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study show that the methodological reporting quality of RCTs in seven core orthopaedic journals from the Mainland China is far from satisfaction and it needs to further improve to keep up with the standards of the CONSORT statement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III case control.

Cyclic fatigue resistance, torsional resistance, and metallurgical characteristics of V taper 2 and V taper 2H rotary NiTi files

The aim of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance, torsional resistance, and metallurgical characteristics of conventional NiTi wire (V taper 2, V2) and CM wire (V taper 2H, V2H)-based files. Cyclic fatigue and torsional resistance of V2 and V2H were investigated by measuring the number of cycles to fracture, maximum torque at fracture, and maximum angle at fracture. The typical patterns of fatigue and torsional fractures were investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The metallurgical characteristics were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) from -100 °C to 100 °C. The austenite finishing temperature (Af) of each instrument was also measured. The microstructures of the instruments were investigated by a transmission electron microscope (TEM) along with selected area diffraction pattern analysis. The results were statistically analyzed by Mann-Whitney U-test (p = 0.05). V2H showed significantly higher cyclic fatigue resistance and torsional resistance than V2. SEM images of the fractured surfaces showed typical patterns of fatigue and torsional fracture. The DSC analysis of V2 showed one small peak in both the heating and cooling curves. The Af of V2 was -0.32 °C. V2H showed two remarkable peaks in the heating curve and one remarkable peak in the cooling curve. The Af of V2H was 33.25 °C. The TEM analysis showed that both V2 and V2H are mainly composed of austenite. In conclusion, V2H showed higher cyclic fatigue resistance and torsional resistance than V2. The superior properties of V2H could be attributed to the annealing effect and possibly the martensite phase. SCANNING 38:564-570, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Expressed microRNA associated with high rate of egg production in chicken ovarian follicles

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a highly conserved class of small noncoding RNA about 19-24 nucleotides in length that function in a specific manner to post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression in organisms. Tissue miRNA expression studies have discovered a myriad of functions for miRNAs in various aspects, but a role for miRNAs in chicken ovarian tissue at 300 days of age has not hitherto been reported. In this study, we performed the first miRNA analysis of ovarian tissues in chickens with low and high rates of egg production using high-throughput sequencing. By comparing low rate of egg production chickens with high rate of egg production chickens, 17 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs were found (P < 0.05), including 11 known and six novel miRNAs. We found that all 11 known miRNAs were involved mainly in pathways of reproduction regulation, such as steroid hormone biosynthesis and dopaminergic synapse. Additionally, expression profiling of six randomly selected differentially regulated miRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Some miRNAs, such as gga-miR-34b, gga-miR-34c and gga-miR-216b, were reported to regulate processes such as proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and metastasis and were expressed differentially in ovaries of chickens with high rates of egg production, suggesting that these miRNAs have an important role in ovary development and reproductive management of chicken. Furthermore, we uncovered that a significantly up-regulated miRNA-gga-miR-200a-3p-is ubiquitous in reproduction-regulation-related pathways. This miRNA may play a special central role in the reproductive management of chicken, and needs to be further studied for confirmation.

Chromatin Remodeling and Plant Immunity

Chromatin remodeling, an important facet of the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes, is performed by two major types of multisubunit complexes, covalent histone- or DNA-modifying complexes, and ATP-dependent chromosome remodeling complexes. Snf2 family DNA-dependent ATPases constitute the catalytic subunits of ATP-dependent chromosome remodeling complexes, which accounts for energy supply during chromatin remodeling. Increasing evidence indicates a critical role of chromatin remodeling in the establishment of long-lasting, even transgenerational immune memory in plants, which is supported by the findings that DNA methylation, histone deacetylation, and histone methylation can prime the promoters of immune-related genes required for disease defense. So what are the links between Snf2-mediated ATP-dependent chromosome remodeling and plant immunity, and what mechanisms might support its involvement in disease resistance?

Regulation of development of rat stem and progenitor Leydig cells by activin

Stem Leydig cells have been demonstrated to differentiate into adult Leydig cells via intermediate stages of progenitor and immature Leydig cells. However, the exact regulatory mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesized that the development of stem or progenitor Leydig cells depends upon locally produced growth factors. Microarray analysis revealed that the expression levels of activin type I receptor (Acvr1) and activin A receptor type II-like 1 (Acvrl1) were stem > progenitor = immature = adult Leydig cells. This indicates that their ligand activin might play an important role in stem and progenitor Leydig cell proliferation and differentiation. When seminiferous tubules were incubated with 1 or 10 ng/mL activin A for 3 days, it concentration-dependently increased EdU incorporation into stem Leydig cells by up to 20-fold. When progenitor Leydig cells were incubated with 1 or 10 ng/mL activin A for 2 days, it concentration-dependently increased ³ H-thymidine incorporation into progenitor Leydig cells by up to 200%. Real-time PCR analysis showed that activin A primarily increased Pcna expression but reduced Star, Hsd3b1, and Cyp17a1 expression levels. Activin A also significantly inhibited the basal and luteinizing hormone-stimulated androgen production. In conclusion, activin A primarily stimulates the proliferation of stem and progenitor Leydig cells, but inhibits the differentiation of stem and progenitor Leydig cells into the Leydig cell lineage in rat testis.

[Preparation of simulate craniocerebral models via three dimensional printing technique]

OBJECTIVE

Three dimensional (3D) printing technique was used to prepare the simulate craniocerebral models, which were applied to preoperative planning and surgical simulation.

METHODS

The image data was collected from PACS system. Image data of skull bone, brain tissue and tumors, cerebral arteries and aneurysms, and functional regions and relative neural tracts of the brain were extracted from thin slice scan (slice thickness 0.5 mm) of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, slice thickness 1mm), computed tomography angiography (CTA), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, respectively. MIMICS software was applied to reconstruct colored virtual models by identifying and differentiating tissues according to their gray scales. Then the colored virtual models were submitted to 3D printer which produced life-sized craniocerebral models for surgical planning and surgical simulation.

RESULTS

3D printing craniocerebral models allowed neurosurgeons to perform complex procedures in specific clinical cases though detailed surgical planning. It offered great convenience for evaluating the size of spatial fissure of sellar region before surgery, which helped to optimize surgical approach planning. These 3D models also provided detailed information about the location of aneurysms and their parent arteries, which helped surgeons to choose appropriate aneurismal clips, as well as perform surgical simulation. The models further gave clear indications of depth and extent of tumors and their relationship to eloquent cortical areas and adjacent neural tracts, which were able to avoid surgical damaging of important neural structures.

CONCLUSION

As a novel and promising technique, the application of 3D printing craniocerebral models could improve the surgical planning by converting virtual visualization into real life-sized models.It also contributes to functional anatomy study.

[Study of ultrasonographic features in predicting reginal lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the ultrasonographic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in predicting associated cervical lymph nodes metastasis (LNM).

METHODS

A total of 136 patients diagnosed with PTC in Beijing Tongren Hospital between January 2014 and September 2014 were enrolled.Of 136 cases, forty patients were confirmed with cervical lymph node metastasis.Seven were males, 33 were females, aged from 18 to 65 years old, mean age was (39.6±10.3) years .The remaining 96 were reported without lymph node metastasis.Twenty-one were males, 75 were females, aged from 23 to 86 years old, mean age was (47.7±12.8) years.Medical record was reviewed for demographic characteristics and pathological findings.The ultrasonographic features of each case were evaluated retrospectively.The difference of ultrasonographic features between the patients with and without LNM was examined.

RESULTS

There were 178 PTCs confirmed with pathology, 159 lesions (89.3%) were detected by ultrasonography, the remaining 19 lesions (10.7%) were under-detected.Of 136 patients with PTC, 40 cases (40/136, 29.4%) were confirmed with cervical LNM, while the remaining 96 cases (96/136, 70.6%) were determined without cervical LNM.PTC with cervical LNM was more frequently seen in the patients who were younger (P=0.000 5) and presenting with multifocal tumors (P=0.014 6). Ultrasonographic features of PTC which significantly associated with LNM were ill-defined margins (P=0.018), solid appearance (P=0.003), and presence of calcification (P=0.000). Of 40 cases with LNM, central cervical LNM was seen in 32 cases (80%), 72.5% of whom appeared as unilateral distribution.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients diagnosed with PTC with younger age and identified with multiple foci of tumors at the time of diagnosis are in an increased risk of associated cervical LNM.Ultrasonographic features of ill-defined margins, solid appearance and calcification in PTC are significant predictors of LNM.

[Characteristics of long-term non-progressors and HIV controllers among HIV-infections in Henan, China]

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence and characteristics of long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) and HIV controllers (HCs) among HIV-infections in Henan, China.

METHODS

Data in two databases (Information management system of HIV/AIDS prevention and control; HIV/AIDS testing application platform of Henan) were used to identify the LTNPs and HCs, investigation and verification, sample collection and correlation testing were carried out thereafter.

RESULTS

A total of 148 LTNPs/HCs were identified. Among them, 71 were followed up, including 58 LTNPs and 22 HCs, 12 cases were both LTNP and HC, 46 cases were LTNP but non-HC(LTNP+ HC-), 10 cases of HC but non-LTNP. Of the 71 individuals, 50 (70.4%) were males, 55 (77.5%) were older than 40 years of age, all belonged to Han nationality, 61 (85.9%) were farmers, 52 (73.2%) were infected through former plasma donation, 56 (78.9%) were-HCV positive. Median (interquartile range) of the CD4 counts was 538 (445-654) cell/μl and with virus load as 3.14 (2.03-3.82) log(10) copies/ml. The median viral load of HC was lower than that of LTNP + HC-(P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

The characteristic of LTNPs and HCs in Henan HIV-infections were remarkable, more accurate classification of these cases was helpful to further research.

Local Regeneration of Cortisol by 11β-HSD1 Contributes to Insulin Resistance of the Granulosa Cells in PCOS

CONTEXT

Insulin resistance (IR) of the granulosa cells may account for the ovarian dysfunctions observed in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The underlying mechanism remains largely unresolved.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship of IR of the granulosa cells with cortisol in the follicular fluid and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (11β-HSD1 and -2) in the granulosa cells in PCOS.

DESIGN

Follicular fluid and granulosa cells were collected from non-PCOS and PCOS patients with and without IR to measure cortisol concentration and the amounts of 11β-HSD1 and -2, which were then correlated with IR status. The effects of cortisol on the expression of genes pertinent to IR were studied in cultured human granulosa cells.

RESULTS

Cortisol concentration in the follicular fluid, 11β-HSD1 but not 11β-HSD2 mRNA in the granulosa cells were significantly elevated in PCOS with IR. Increased reductase and decreased oxidase activities of 11β-HSD were observed in granulosa cells in PCOS with IR. In cultured granulosa cells, insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation was significantly attenuated by cortisol. Cortisol not only increased phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10, an inhibitor of Akt phosphorylation, but also 11β-HSD1 in the cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased 11β-HSD1 expression and its reductase activity in granulosa cells are the major causes of increased cortisol concentration in the follicular fluid of PCOS with IR. The consequent excessive cortisol might contribute to IR of the granulosa cells in PCOS patients by attenuating Akt phosphorylation via induction of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 expression, which might be further exacerbated by the induction of 11β-HSD1.

Problems with cigarette smoking and attitudes towards the ban of smoking in Shantou, China

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the extent of cigarette smoking, knowledge of health hazards and attitudes towards the ban of smoking in Shantou, China, as causes for failure to control smoking.

STUDY DESIGN

Environmental monitoring and population survey.

METHODS

Particulate matter (PM2.5) measurements were conducted in randomly selected public places (restaurants, non-alcoholic drink shops and internet bars) and exposure-related health hazards were evaluated. University students and adult citizens were randomly selected to determine their extent of cigarette smoking, knowledge of health hazards and attitude towards the ban of smoking in public places. The collected data were used to evaluate possible causes and solutions to the smoking problem.

RESULTS

From PM2.5 measurements, the average indoor to outdoor concentrations in non-smoking restaurants were 33.4 vs. 30.6 μg/m(3), P > 0.05; average indoor of smoking restaurants was 350.0% higher, P < 0.05; internet bars was 395.7% higher, P < 0.05; and non-alcoholic drink shops was 650.2% higher, P > 0.001. From our survey of 1100 university students: 1) 17.5% and 7.5% were active male and female smokers, respectively; and 2) 57.5% of students would accept a smoke-ban policy. From 502 adult citizens: 1) 27.5% were active male smokers; 2) Approximately 40 and 60% had inadequate knowledge of health hazards from smoking and second-hand smoke exposure; and 3) >90% of them would accept a smoke-ban policy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that failure to ban smoking was not caused by resistance from smokers but inadequate (national and local) government effort to educate the public and to enforce existing policy. The data suggest that development of a citizen-based approach, in collaboration with willing officials, may be highly successful in the control of cigarette smoking in China.

Glutamate Receptor Interacting Protein 1 Regulates CD4(+) CTLA-4 Expression and Transplant Rejection

PDZ domains are common 80- to 90-amino-acid regions named after the first three proteins discovered to share these domains: postsynaptic density 95, discs large, and zonula occludens. PDZ domain-containing proteins typically interact with the C-terminus of membrane receptors. Glutamate receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1), a seven-PDZ domain protein scaffold, regulates glutamate receptor surface expression and trafficking in neurons. We have found that human and mouse T cells also express GRIP1. T cell-specific GRIP1(-/-) mice >11 weeks old had prolonged cardiac allograft survival. Compared with wild-type T cells, in vitro stimulated GRIP1(-/-) T cells had decreased expression of activation markers and increased apoptotic surface marker expression. Surface expression of the strong T cell inhibitory molecule cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) was increased on GRIP1(-/-) T cells from mice >11 weeks old. CTLA-4 increases with T cell stimulation and its surface expression on GRIP1(-/-) T cells remained high after stimulation was removed, indicating a possible internalization defect in GRIP1-deficient T cells. CTLA-4-blocking antibody treatment following heart transplantation led to complete rejection in T cell GRIP1(-/-) mice, indicating that increased CTLA-4 surface expression contributed to the extended graft survival. Our data indicate that GRIP1 regulates T cell activation by regulating CTLA-4 surface expression.

Abstract P6-05-12: Prognosis of subtypes of the mucinous breast carcinoma in Chinese women: A population-based study of 32-year experience (1983-2014)

Background: The heterogeneous nature of the mucinous breast cancer (MBC), with its subtypes of pure (PMBC) and mixed carcinoma (MMBC), calls for more precise individualized prognosis assessment. PMBC showed favorable prognosis in both Chinese and Caucasian women, with nodal status and TNM stage as the prognostic predictors [PMID: 18026874, 22451233]. However, few studies had investigated tumor biology and prognosis of MMBC in Chinese population, especially with respect to the different co-existing cancer components.

Methods: From January 1983 to December 2014, 197 consecutive MBC patients, including 117 PMBC and 80 MMBC, received breast cancer surgery in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The clinicopathological characteristics, treatment choice, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared both between PMBC vs MMBC, and among subgroups of MMBC according to the mixed entities, including 24 women with ductal caricinoma in situ (DCIS) and 45 with IDC. Univariate and Cox multivariate analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors.

Results: The 197 MBC comprised 1.9% of contemporary 10,192 breast cancer (BC). Compared to PMBC, MMBC had significantly more lymph node metastasis (p=0.038), Her2 positivity (p=0.036), high Ki-67 index (defined as &gt;20%, p=0.026) and anti-Her2 targeted therapy (p=0.006). All these differences remained significant when the comparison were performed among PMBC, MBC+DCIS and MBC+IDC, and additional significant difference were identified in tumor size (p=0.036), pTNM stage (p=0.003) and chemotherapy (p=0.003). However, no significant difference was found in DFS or OS between any two subtypes/subgroups of MBC, including PMBC, MMBC, MBC+DCIS and MBC+IDC.

Table 1. Comparison of survival outcomes among PMBC, MBC+DCIS and MBC+IDC§SurvivalPMBC (N=117, Median, range, and Mean±SD)MBC+DCIS (N=24, Median, range, and Mean±SD)MBC+IDC (N=45, Median, range, and Mean±SD)P-ValueDFS (months)43 (1-233), 52.7±45.227 (1-84), 34.3±25.326 (1-113), 33.1±26.60.187OS (months)46 (1-312), 56.9±51.827 (1-84), 34.4±25.326 (1-113), 34.8±28.70.628§ Kaplan-Meier survival curves would be displayed in the poster

High Ki-67 index (p=0.046) appeared to be the significant DFS related prognostic factor for PMBC, whereas estrogen receptor (ER) status (univariate p=0.000, multivariate p=0.062) and immunophenotype (luminal, her2, or triple-negative, univariate p=0.000, multivariate p=0.079) might be the potential DFS predictors for MMBC. None of the above-mentioned clinicopathological factors could serve as OS predictors for MBC.

Conclusion: This population-based study showed that there were significant difference in nodal status, Ki-67, Her2 positivity and targeted therapy between PMBC and MMBC, and furthermore in tumor size, stage and chemotherapy among PMBC and subgroups of MMBC such as MBC+DCIS and MBC+IDC. However, survival outcomes were similar between these clinical entities and subgroups, suggesting the intra-tumoral heterogeneity might not interfere with survival outcomes of MBC in Chinese woman. High Ki-67 index was identified as the significant DFS related prognostic factor for PMBC, whereas ER status and immunophenotype as the potential DFS predictors for MMBC.

Citation Format: Yao R, Pan B, Sun Q, Zhou Y, Mao F, Lin Y, Guan J, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Shen S, Zhong Y, Xu Y, Shi J, Zhu Q, Cai F, Liang Z. Prognosis of subtypes of the mucinous breast carcinoma in Chinese women: A population-based study of 32-year experience (1983-2014). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-05-12.

Measurement of root surface area of permanent teeth with root variations in a Chinese population-A micro-CT analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the influence of root variations on the root surface area (RSA) by using micro-CT scans.

DESIGN

A total of 228 extracted permanent teeth (2-rooted and single-rooted maxillary first premolars, mandibular first premolars with non-Tomes' and Tomes' roots, 2-rooted and 3-rooted mandibular first molars, and 2-rooted and C-shaped mandibular second molars) were collected in a Chinese population and scanned using a micro-CT. In Mimics 15.01, 3D tooth models were generated, and the net and percent remaining RSA at various simulated attachment levels were measured. The data corresponding to attachment level were fitted to a linear function.

RESULTS

The mean total RSA for different root forms decreased in the following order: 3-rooted>2-rooted>C-shaped>single-rooted. However, the differences were statistically significant (p<0.01) only for 2-rooted vs. single-rooted maxillary first premolars, and 2-rooted vs. C-shaped mandibular second molars. Linear functions can perfectly fit in relating the attachment level to the net and percent remaining RSA.

CONCLUSION

Micro-CT combined with Mimics software offers simple and precise technique for quantitative analysis of the RSA. Root variations may affect the total amount and vertical distribution of the net RSA. However, the degree of influence varies with the tooth type.

Developmental expression and function analysis of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type D in oligodendrocyte myelination

Receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) are extensively expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), and have distinct spatial and temporal patterns in different cell types during development. Previous studies have demonstrated possible roles for RPTPs in axon outgrowth, guidance, and synaptogenesis. In the present study, our results revealed that protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type D (PTPRD) was initially expressed in mature neurons in embryonic CNS, and later in oligodendroglial cells at postnatal stages when oligodendrocytes undergo active axonal myelination process. In PTPRD mutants, oligodendrocyte differentiation was normal and a transient myelination delay occurred at early postnatal stages, indicating the contribution of PTPRD to the initiation of axonal myelination. Our results also showed that the remyelination process was not affected in the absence of PTPRD function after a cuprizone-induced demyelination in adult animals.

Expression patterns of melatonin receptors in chicken ovarian follicles affected by monochromatic light

Artificial illumination is an important exogenous factor in the control of many physiological and behavioral processes as well as an important environmental factor in the management of laying hens. Melatonin receptors are members of the G protein-coupled receptor family. The hormone melatonin is secreted primarily by the pineal gland, with highest levels occurring during the dark period of a circadian cycle. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of monochromatic light on chicken egg reproduction and expression of melatonin receptors in chicken ovarian follicles. A total of 552 19-week-old hens were randomly divided into 4 groups with 138 birds in each group. Each group was randomly divided into 3 replicates with 46 birds in each replicate. Feed and water were provided for ad libitum. Light treatments were: control cool white (400-760 nm), blue (480 nm), green (560 nm), and red (660 nm). The short wavelength (blue light) group produced a greater total number of eggs at 300 days of age than did the long wavelength (red light) group, and the red light group showed higher melatonin receptor type 1A and melatonin receptor type 1C mRNA and protein expression. These results suggest that the wavelength of light is closely related to chicken egg number at 300 days of age; there is no effect of monochromatic light on melatonin receptor type 1B.

Crinone Gel for Luteal Phase Support in Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial in the Chinese Population

To compare Crinone vaginal progesterone gel with intramuscularly injected progesterone for luteal phase support in progesterone-supplemented frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles, a randomized prospective study of patients qualified for FET was conducted between September 2010 and January 2013 at a hospital in Shanghai, China. From the day of transformation into secretory phase endometrium (day 0), Crinone vaginal gel (90 mg/d) was administered to patients in the Gel Group, while progesterone (40 mg/d) was injected intramuscularly in patients in the Inj Group (n = 750 per group). All patients received oral dydrogesterone (20 mg/d) and estradiol valerate (4–8 mg/d). Day 3 embryos with the highest pre-frozen scores were transferred to patients in the two groups and the clinical outcomes compared. This study comprised 1,500 cycles (750 in each group). Twenty-nine cycles in the Gel Group and 24 in the Inj Group were withdrawn. There were no significant differences between groups in age, endometrial thickness, endometrial preparation time or number of embryos transferred. No significant differences were observed between the Gel Group and Inj Group in the rates of live birth (32.6% vs. 31.7%, P = 0.71), clinical pregnancy (40.1% vs. 40.6%, P = 0.831), implantation (25.8% vs. 25.3%, P = 0.772), abortion (16.3% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.514) or ectopic pregnancy (2.8% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.288). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the rates of live birth, clinical pregnancy, abortion and ectopic pregnancy (Gel Group relative to Inj Group) were 1.036 (0.829–1.295), 0.971 (0.785–1.200), 0.919 (0.595–1.420) and 0.649 (0.261–1.614), respectively. Our study revealed that using Crinone vaginal gel in FET cycles achieved similar pregnancy outcomes to intramuscular progesterone, indicating that vaginal gel is a viable alternative to intramuscular injection.

Effects of sex and age on chicken TBC1D1 gene mRNA expression

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of sex and slaughter age of chickens on fatty acid composition and TBC1D1 gene expression in 4 different tissues: breast muscle, thigh muscle, abdominal fat, and subcutaneous fat. Sixty Erlang mountainous chickens (hybrid SD02 x SD03) were raised under the same conditions and slaughtered at 8, 10, and 13 weeks of age. The results showed that the sex of the animal significantly affected the content of arachidic acid (C20:0), sinapic (C22:1), linoleic (C18:2n-6), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acids (C22:6n-3), whereas other fatty acid contents were not affected. Age had a significant effect on most monounsaturated fatty acids, except for octadecenoic acid (C18:1). TBC1D1 mRNA was abundant in all tissues at all 3 ages of slaughter. Cocks exhibited higher TBC1D1 mRNA levels than hens in the thigh muscle and abdominal fat at 10 and 13 weeks, respectively.

Production of succinic acid from sugarcane molasses supplemented with a mixture of corn steep liquor powder and peanut meal as nitrogen sources by Actinobacillus succinogenes

The potential of using corn steep liquor powder (CSLP), peanut meal (PM), soybean meal (SM), cotton meal (CM) and urea as the substitute of yeast extract (YE) as the nitrogen source was investigated for producing succinic acid (SA). Actinobacillus succinogenes GXAS137 was used as the fermenting bacterium and sugarcane molasses was used as the main substrate. None of these materials were able to produce SA as high as YE did. The CSLP could still be considered as a feasible and inexpensive alternate for YE as the yield of SA produced using CSLP was second only to the yield of SA obtained by YE. The use of CSLP-PM mixed formulation (CSLP to PM ratio = 2·6) as nitrogen source produced SA up to 59·2 g l(-1) with a productivity of 1·2 g l(-1) h(-1). A batch fermentation using a stirred bioreactor produced up to 60·7 g l(-1) of SA at the same formulation. Fed-batch fermentation that minimized the substrate inhibition produced 64·7 g l(-1) SA. These results suggest that sugarcane molasses supplemented with a mixture of CSLP and PM as the nitrogen source could be used to produce SA more economically using A. succinogenes. Significance and impact of the study: Succinic acid (SA) is commonly used as a platform chemical to produce a number of high value derivatives. Yeast extract (YE) is used as a nitrogen source to produce SA. The high cost of YE is currently the limiting factor for industrial production of SA. This study reports the use of a mixture of corn steep liquor powder (CSLP) and peanut meal (PM) as an inexpensive nitrogen source to substitute YE. The results showed that this CSLP-PM mixed formulation can be used as an effective and economic nitrogen source for the production of SA.

Changes in expression of an antimicrobial peptide, digestive enzymes, and nutrient transporters in the intestine of E. praecox-infected chickens

Coccidiosis is a major intestinal disease of poultry, caused by several species of the protozoan Eimeria. The objective of this study was to examine changes in expression of digestive enzymes, nutrient transporters, and an antimicrobial peptide following an Eimeria praecox challenge of chickens at days 3 and 6 post-infection. Gene expression was determined by real-time PCR and analyzed by one-way ANOVA. In the duodenum, the primary site of E. praecox infection, a number of genes were downregulated at both d3 and d6 post-infection. These genes included liver expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2), the cationic (CAT1), anionic (EAAT3), and L-type (LAT1) amino acid transporters, the peptide transporter PepT1 and the zinc transporter ZnT1. Other transporters were downregulated either at d3 or d6. At both d3 and d6, there was downregulation of B(o)AT and CAT1 in the jejunum and downregulation of LEAP2 and LAT1 in the ileum. LEAP2, EAAT3, and ZnT1 have been found to be downregulated following challenge with other Eimeria species, suggesting a common cellular response to Eimeria.

Nutritional status of an elderly population in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study based on comprehensive geriatric assessment

OBJECTIVE

Few data is available on the nutritional status of old Chinese. The present study aimed to describe the nutritional status and clinical correlates for malnutrition risk in the older people.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Hospital- and community-based older people were recruited in the region of Chongqing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

558 individuals aged 60 years old or over between April 2011 and October 2012.

MEASUREMENTS

Comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed and nutritional status was assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). Nutrition-associated factors were analyzed, including health status (chronic diseases, depression, cognition, function impaired), social factors (education status, marital status, the type of work before 60 years old) and life style factors (smoking, drinking, diet).

RESULTS

The mean age was 73.1±8.0 years and 43.9% were men. Prevalence of malnutrition and risk for malnutrition were 3.2% and 19.3 %, respectively. Several factors increased poor nutrition independently including self-rated health, comorbidity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastrointestinal disease and cognitive impairment. Fish decreased the risk of poor nutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence was relatively low in older people of Chongqing, Southwest China. Poor nutrition was found to be increased due to the common health problems. Thus the patients with these problems should pay more attention on nutritional status. The older people should often have fish because of their nutritional benefit.

Silencing of stat4 gene inhibits cell proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer cells

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) play critical roles in development, proliferation, and immune defense. However the consequences of STAT hyperactivity can predispose to diseases, including colorectal cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the function of STAT4 in human colorectal cancer (CRC). The expression of STAT4 was examined by immunohistochemical assay using a tissue microarray procedure. A loss-of-function experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of lentivirus-mediated STAT4 shRNA (Lv-shSTAT4) on cell proliferation and invasive potential indicated by MTT and Transwell assays in CRC cell lines (SW480 and Caco2). As a consequence, it was found that the expression of STAT4 protein was significantly increased in CRC tissues compared with that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCT) (71.1% vs 44.4%, P=0.015), and was related with the Duke’s staging and depth of invasion in CRC patients (P=0.022; P=0.001). Silencing of STAT4 gene suppressed cell proliferation and invasion of CRC cells. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that increased expression of STAT4 is positively correlated with the depth of invasion in CRC patients, and inhibition of STAT4 expression represses the growth and invasion of CRC cells, suggesting that STAT4 may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.

USP7 modulates UV-induced PCNA monoubiquitination by regulating DNA polymerase eta stability

DNA polymerase eta (Polη) plays unique and pivotal functions in several DNA damage-tolerance pathways. Steady-state level of this short-lived protein is tightly controlled by multiple mechanisms including proteolysis. Here, we have identified the deubiquitinating enzyme, ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7), as a novel regulator of Polη stability. USP7 regulates Polη stability through both indirect and direct mechanisms. Knockout of USP7 increased the steady-state level of Polη and slowed down the turnover of both Polη and p53 proteins through destabilizing their E3 ligase Mdm2. Also, USP7 physically binds Polη in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of wild-type USP7 but not its catalytically-defective mutants deubiquitinates Polη and increases its cellular steady-state level. Thus, USP7 directly serves as a specific deubiquitinating enzyme for Polη. Furthermore, ectopic expression of USP7 promoted the UV-induced PCNA monoubiquitination in Polη-proficient but not Polη-deficient XPV cells, suggesting that USP7 facilitates UV-induced PCNA monoubiquitination by stabilizing Polη. Taken together, our findings reveal a modulatory role of USP7 in PCNA ubiquitination-mediated stress-tolerance pathways by fine-tuning Polη turnover.

Transcriptomic changes during the pre-receptive to receptive transition in human endometrium detected by RNA-Seq

CONTEXT

Identifying novel molecular markers for assessing endometrial receptivity is necessary for understanding human implantation and may help in improving the clinical outcome of in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the gene expression profiles of the pre-receptive vs receptive phases of the natural cycle in human endometrial biopsies.

DESIGN

The design of this study was detecting the global gene expression profile of human endometrial receptivity by RNA-Seq.

SETTING

This study was conducted at a university reproductive center.

PARTICIPANTS

Twelve women with normal menstrual cycles participated in the study.

INTERVENTION

Study interventions included endometrial biopsies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The endometrial transcriptomes were determined by RNA-Seq, and the expression of selected differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was validated by quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTS

A total of 2372 DEGs were identified by RNA-Seq. Of these genes, 1099 were up-regulated at LH+7 versus LH+2, whereas 1273 were down-regulated. Nineteen selected genes were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. We first demonstrated that metallothionein (MT) family members, MT1E, F, G, H, M, X, and 2A, and four novel transcripts, HAP1, ZCCHC12, MRAP2, and OVGP1, which were not previously linked to endometrial physiology, showed significant expression changes during implantation. Mineral absorption was the most enriched pathway for up-regulated genes, and cell cycle was enriched for down-regulated genes. Gene co-expression network analysis identified five core regulatory factors (GLI2, CDC25A, TLR9, MT1G, and SLC5A1) that are involved in endometrial receptivity during implantation. Examination of the promoter regions of the DEGs identified AP2 and SP1 binding sites, suggesting a potential regulatory role in endometrial gene expression for these two transcription factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first RNA-Seq-based transcriptome comparison of pre-receptive and receptive human endometria. Many novel candidate genes, which have not been previously studied in human endometrium, may have functional significance during implantation and serve as molecular markers for endometrial receptivity.