Effect of Acupuncture and Clomiphene in Chinese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Acupuncture is used to induce ovulation in some women with polycystic ovary syndrome, without supporting clinical evidence.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether active acupuncture, either alone or combined with clomiphene, increases the likelihood of live births among women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A double-blind (clomiphene vs placebo), single-blind (active vs control acupuncture) factorial trial was conducted at 21 sites (27 hospitals) in mainland China between July 6, 2012, and November 18, 2014, with 10 months of pregnancy follow-up until October 7, 2015. Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to 4 groups.

INTERVENTIONS

Active or control acupuncture administered twice a week for 30 minutes per treatment and clomiphene or placebo administered for 5 days per cycle, for up to 4 cycles. The active acupuncture group received deep needle insertion with combined manual and low-frequency electrical stimulation; the control acupuncture group received superficial needle insertion, no manual stimulation, and mock electricity.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was live birth. Secondary outcomes included adverse events.

RESULTS

Among the 1000 randomized women (mean [SD] age, 27.9 [3.3] years; mean [SD] body mass index, 24.2 [4.3]), 250 were randomized to each group; a total of 926 women (92.6%) completed the trial. Live births occurred in 69 of 235 women (29.4%) in the active acupuncture plus clomiphene group, 66 of 236 (28.0%) in the control acupuncture plus clomiphene group, 31 of 223 (13.9%) in the active acupuncture plus placebo group, and 39 of 232 (16.8%) in the control acupuncture plus placebo group. There was no significant interaction between active acupuncture and clomiphene (P = .39), so main effects were evaluated. The live birth rate was significantly higher in the women treated with clomiphene than with placebo (135 of 471 [28.7%] vs 70 of 455 [15.4%], respectively; difference, 13.3%; 95% CI, 8.0% to 18.5%) and not significantly different between women treated with active vs control acupuncture (100 of 458 [21.8%] vs 105 of 468 [22.4%], respectively; difference, -0.6%; 95% CI, -5.9% to 4.7%). Diarrhea and bruising were more common in patients receiving active acupuncture than control acupuncture (diarrhea: 25 of 500 [5.0%] vs 8 of 500 [1.6%], respectively; difference, 3.4%; 95% CI, 1.2% to 5.6%; bruising: 37 of 500 [7.4%] vs 9 of 500 [1.8%], respectively; difference, 5.6%; 95% CI, 3.0% to 8.2%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome, the use of acupuncture with or without clomiphene, compared with control acupuncture and placebo, did not increase live births. This finding does not support acupuncture as an infertility treatment in such women.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01573858.

DYT1 directly regulates the expression of TDF1 for tapetum development and pollen wall formation in Arabidopsis

The tapetum plays a critical role during the development and maturation of microspores. DYSFUNCTIONAL TAPETUM 1 (DYT1) is essential for early tapetal development. Here, we determined that the promoter region (-550 to -463 bp) contains indispensable cis-elements for DYT1 expression. Although DYT1 transcripts can be detected in both meiocytes and tapetal cells, localization of DYT1-GFP demonstrated that DYT1 is strictly located in tapetal cells during microsporogenesis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis revealed that DYT1 directly binds the promoter region of Defective in Tapetal Development and Function 1 (TDF1), a transcription factor essential for tapetum development. When TDF1 driven by the DYT1 promoter is expressed in a dyt1 mutant, the expression of the transcription factors AMS, MS188/MYB80, TEK and MS1 and the pollen wall-related genes are restored. Although the pollen wall is not formed and the microspores are ruptured, DIOC2 staining showed that fatty acids, the precursors of the pollen wall, were synthesized in the transgenic lines. These results indicate that DYT1 regulates the expression of AMS, MS188/MYB80, TEK and MS1 for pollen wall formation, primarily via TDF1.

Two-step phase-shifting interferometry and its application in image encryption

Conventional phase-shifting interferometry (PSI) needs at least three interferograms. A novel algorithm of two-step PSI, with an arbitrary known phase step, by which a complex object field can be reconstructed with only two interferograms is proposed. This algorithm is then applied to an information security system based on double random-phase encoding in the Fresnel domain. The feasibility of this method and its robustness against occlusion and additional noise attacks are verified by computer simulations. This approach can considerably improve the efficiency of data transmission and is very suitable for Internet use.

Prognostic Value of a Long Non-coding RNA Signature in Localized Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be used as prognostic biomarkers in many types of cancer.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to establish an lncRNA signature to improve postoperative risk stratification for patients with localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Based on the RNA-seq data of 444 stage I-III ccRCC tumours from The Cancer Genome Atlas project, we built a four-lncRNA-based classifier using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operation (LASSO) Cox regression model in 222 randomly selected samples (training set) and validated the classifier in the remaining 222 samples (internal validation set). We confirmed this classifier in an external validation set of 88 patients with stage I-III ccRCC from a Japan cohort and using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in another three independent sets that included 1869 patients from China with stage I-III ccRCC.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Univariable and multivariable Cox regression, Harrell's concordance index (c-index), and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the association of the classifier with overall survival, disease-specific survival, and disease-free survival.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Using the LASSO Cox regression model, we built a classifier named RCClnc4 based on four lncRNAs: ENSG00000255774, ENSG00000248323, ENSG00000260911, and ENSG00000231666. In the RNA-seq and RT-PCR data sets, the RCClnc4 signature significantly stratified patients into high-risk versus low-risk groups in terms of clinical outcome across and within subpopulations and remained as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analyses (hazard ratio range, 1.34 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.03-1.75; p=0.028] to 1.89 [95% CI, 1.55-2.31; p<0.001]) after adjusting for clinical and pathologic factors. The RCClnc4 signature achieved a higher accuracy (mean c-index, 0.72) than clinical staging systems such as TNM (mean c-index, 0.62) and the stage, size, grade, and necrosis (SSIGN) score (mean c-index, 0.64), currently reported prognostic signatures and biomarkers for the estimation of survival. When integrated with clinical characteristics, the composite clinical and lncRNA signature showed improved prognostic accuracy in all data sets (TNM + RCClnc4 mean c-index, 0.75; SSIGN + RCClnc4 score mean c-index, 0.75). The RCClnc4 classifier was able to identify a clinically significant number of both high-risk stage I and low-risk stage II-III patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The RCClnc4 classifier is a promising and potential prognostic tool in predicting the survival of patients with stage I-III ccRCC. Combining the lncRNA classifier with clinical and pathological parameters allows for accurate risk assessment in guiding clinical management.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The RCClnc4 classifier could facilitate patient management and treatment decisions.

Global, regional, and national burden of kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers and their attributable risk factors, 1990-2019

BACKGROUND

The burden of kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers has changed in recent decades. This study aims to investigate the global and regional burden of, and attributable risk factors for genitourinary cancers during the past 30 years.

METHODS

We extracted data of kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database, including incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2019. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were calculated to assess the changes in age-standardized incidence rate, age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR). The associations between cancers burden and socio-demographic index (SDI) were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with 1990, the global incident cases in 2019 were higher by 154.78%, 123.34%, and 169.11% for kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers, respectively. During the 30-year study period, there was a downward trend in ASMR and ASDR for bladder cancer (EAPC = - 0.68 and - 0.83, respectively) and prostate cancer (EAPC = - 0.75 and - 0.71, respectively), but an upward trend for kidney cancer (EAPC = 0.35 and 0.12, respectively). Regions and countries with higher SDI had higher incidence, mortality, and DALYs for all three types of cancers. The burden of bladder and prostate cancers was mainly distributed among older men, whereas the burden of kidney cancer increased among middle-aged men. Smoking related mortality and DALYs decreased, but high body mass index (BMI) and high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) related mortality and DALYs increased among kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers remain major global public health challenges, but with distinct trend for different disease entity across different regions and socioeconomic status. More proactive intervention strategies, at both the administrative and academic levels, based on the dynamic changes, are needed.

Up-regulation of androgen receptor binding in male rat fat pad adipose precursor cells exposed to testosterone: study in a whole cell assay system

Binding of androgens to adipocytes has previously been evaluated using cytosol fractions without taking into account nuclear binding, although the latter is suggested to be close to the physiological site of action. In the present study, performed in differentiated fat pad adipose precursor cells, we describe a simple, reliable and reproducible androgen binding assay in a system with intact cells. Tritiated and unlabeled methyltrienolone (R1881) were used to define specific and unspecific androgen binding. Triamcinolone acetonide was added to prevent the binding of R1881 to other types of receptors. Differentiated adipose precursor cells contain a homogeneous class of high affinity androgen binding sites, and binding is saturable and reversible. Binding apparently occurs at one site, with a Kd in the range of physiological androgen concentration (about 4 nM). Competition studies indicate that the receptor is specific for R1881, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, which have approximately the same affinity, while progesterone, estradiol and dexamethasone show much lower affinity. Androgen binding was markedly enhanced after cellular exposure to R1881 and testosterone but not dihydrotestosterone, and this increase was dependent on protein synthesis, suggesting the formation of new receptors by these androgens. In conclusion, fully differentiated adipocytes contain a specific, high affinity receptor, the density of which is dependent on androgens.

The prevalence of household second-hand smoke exposure and its correlated factors in six counties of China

Objective:

To study the prevalence of, and discuss factors contributing to, household second-hand smoke exposure in six counties in China, providing scientific support for the need to establish tobacco control measures in these areas.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was performed. Investigators conducted face-to-face interviews using a standardised questionnaire to collect information on demographics, passive smoking behaviours and knowledge, and attitudes towards tobacco control. The setting was six counties from the three provinces: Mianzhu and Xichong counties in Sichuan Province; Anyi and Hukou counties in Jiangxi Province; and Xinan and Yanshi counties in Henan Province. A total of 8142 non-smokers (aged 18–69) in 2004 were included in the data analysis. Household second-hand smoke exposure rate as defined as the proportion of household passive smokers in the non-smoker population was used as the measure of household second-hand smoke exposure.

Results:

The analysis of 8142 non-smokers revealed that, in these selected counties, the household second-hand smoke exposure rate was 48.3%. Respondents had positive attitudes towards tobacco control. Of 6972 respondents, 84.4% supported all the three tobacco control policies (banning smoking in public places, banning the selling of cigarettes to minors, banning all cigarette advertisements). In 3165 families with smokers, 87.2% of respondents reported that smokers would smoke in front of them. In 2124 families with smokers and children, 76.5% of respondents reported that smokers would smoke in front of children. As many as 42.1% of non-smokers would offer cigarettes to their guests, and only 46.8% of respondents would ask smokers to smoke outdoors. Only 6.3% of families completely forbade smoking at home. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed high second-hand smoke exposure for the following demographic groups: Jiangxi Province inhabitants, females, those with low education level, farmers and married respondents.

Conclusions:

Household second-hand smoke exposure rates in the selected counties were high. A high percentage of respondents reported that smokers would smoke in front of them and children. The pressure from non-smokers against smoking was relatively low, although offering cigarette was prevalent. Households that were completely smoking-free were rare, Further studies on these correlated factors could help us establish effective measures to reduce household second-hand smoke exposure.

Environmental cadmium exposure induces fetal growth restriction via triggering PERK-regulated mitophagy in placental trophoblasts

Cadmium (Cd), an environmental toxicant, is positively associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR). However, the mechanism by which gestational exposure to Cd induces FGR remains unclear. This study designed in vitro and in vivo experiments to explore the role of placental mitophagy in Cd-impaired fetal growth. Based on our case-control study, we also investigated the association of placental mitophagy with reduced progesterone (P4) level and all-cause FGR. We firstly found environmental Cd exposure lowered the P4 content in maternal sera, placentae and amnioticfluids of mice. The level of three mitochondrial P4 synthases, including StAR, CYP11A1 and 3β-HSD, was also reduced in Cd-treated placentae. Furthermore, Cd triggered mitophagy, as determined by the degradation of two mitochondrial proteins HSP60 and COX IV, and the accumulation of co-localizations of TOM20 with LC3B or Parkin in placental trophoblasts. Correspondingly, Cd elevated mitochondrial Parkin level in placental trophoblasts. Mdivi-1, a mitophagy inhibitor, obviously attenuated Cd-induced reduction of placental P4 and FGR in mice. Moreover, mdivi-1 and Parkin siRNA (siR) markedly reversed Cd-caused P4 synthesis inhibition in human placental trophoblasts. Interestedly, the PERK/ATF4 signaling was activated in Cd-stimulated placental trophoblasts. PERK siR inhibited mitochondrial proteins degradation in Cd-stimulated placental trophoblasts. In particularly, mitophagy activation and P4 synthesis suppression occurred in small-for-gestational-age placentae based on our case-control study. Environmental Cd exposure induced FGR via activating PERK-regulated mitophagy and inhibiting P4 synthesis in placentaltrophoblasts. Furthermore, placental mitophagy was related to the reduced progesterone level and all-cause fetal growth restriction based on our case-control study. As above, placental mitophagy maybe the common mechanism of environmental toxicants-impaired fetal growth.

Arabidopsis AT-hook protein TEK positively regulates the expression of arabinogalactan proteins for Nexine formation

Nexine is a conserved layer of the pollen wall. We previously reported that the nexine layer is absent in the knockout mutant of Arabidopsis TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENT SILENCING VIA AT-HOOK (TEK) gene. In this study, we investigated the molecular regulatory functions of TEK in pollen development and identified the genes encoding Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) as direct targets of TEK, which are essential for nexine formation. Phenotypic similarity between tek and the TEK-SRDX transgenic lines suggest that TEK plays a role in transcriptional activation in anther development. Microarray analysis identified a total of 661 genes downregulated in tek, including four genes encoding AGPs, AGP6, AGP11, AGP23, and AGP40. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that TEK could directly bind the nuclear matrix attachment region (MAR) and the promoter of AGP6. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by PCR analysis demonstrated that TEK is enriched in the promoters of the four AGP genes. Expression of AGP6 driven by the TEK promoter in tek partially rescued both nexine formation and plant fertility. These results indicate that TEK directly regulates AGP expression in the anther to control nexine layer formation. We also proposed that glycoproteins might be essential components of the nexine layer in the pollen wall.

Estrogen regulates the tumour suppressor MiRNA-30c and its target gene, MTA-1, in endometrial cancer

MicroRNA-30c (miR-30c) has been reported to be a tumour suppressor in endometrial cancer (EC). We demonstrate that miR-30c is down-regulated in EC tissue and is highly expressed in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative HEC-1-B cells. MiR-30c directly inhibits MTA-1 expression and functions as a tumour suppressor via the miR-30c-MTA-1 signalling pathway. Furthermore, miR-30c is decreased upon E2 treatment in both ER-positive Ishikawa and ER-negative HEC-1-B cells. Taken together, our results suggest that miR-30c is an important deregulated miRNA in EC and might serve as a potential biomarker and novel therapeutic target for EC.

AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR17 Directly Regulates MYB108 for Anther Dehiscence

The timely release of mature pollen following anther dehiscence is essential for reproduction in flowering plants. AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR17 (ARF17) plays a crucial role in pollen wall pattern formation, tapetum development, and auxin signal transduction in anthers. Here, we showed that ARF17 is also involved in anther dehiscence. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) arf17 mutant exhibits defective endothecium lignification, which leads to defects in anther dehiscence. The expression of MYB108, which encodes a transcription factor important for anther dehiscence, was dramatically down-regulated in the flower buds of arf17 Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed ARF17 directly binds to the MYB108 promoter. In an ARF17-GFP transgenic line, in which ARF17-GFP fully complements the arf17 phenotype, ARF17-GFP was observed in the endothecia at anther stage 11. The GUS signal driven by the MYB108 promoter was also detected in endothecia at late anther stages in transgenic plants expressing promoterMYB108::GUS Thus, the expression pattern of both ARF17 and MYB108 is consistent with the function of these genes in anther dehiscence. Furthermore, the expression of MYB108 driven by the ARF17 promoter successfully restored the defects in anther dehiscence of arf17 These results demonstrated that ARF17 regulates the expression of MYB108 for anther dehiscence. Together with its function in microcytes and tapeta, ARF17 likely coordinates the development of different sporophytic cell layers in anthers. The ARF17-MYB108 pathway involved in regulating anther dehiscence is also discussed.

Recipient outcomes after ABO-incompatible liver transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

ABO-incompatible live transplantation (ILT) is not occasionally performed due to a relative high risk of graft failure. Knowledge of both graft and patient survival rate after ILT is essential for donor selection and therapeutic strategy. We systematically reviewed studies containing outcomes after ILT compared to that after ABO-compatible liver transplantation (CLT).

Methodology/Principal Findings

We carried out a comprehensive search strategy on MEDLINE (1966–July 2010), EMBASE (1980–July 2010), Biosis Preview (1969–July 2010), Science Citation Index (1981–July 2010), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Cochrane Library, issue 7, 2010) and the National Institute of Health (July 2010). Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of each study and abstracted outcome data. Fourteen eligible studies were included which came from various medical centers all over the world. Meta-analysis results showed that no significantly statistical difference was found in pediatric graft survival rate, pediatric and adult patient survival rate between ILT and CLT group. In adult subgroup, the graft survival rate after ILT was significantly lower than that after CLT. The value of totally pooled OR was 0.64 (0.55, 0.74), 0.92 (0.62, 1.38) for graft survival rate and patient survival rate respectively. The whole complication incidence (including acute rejection and biliary complication) after ILT was higher than that after CLT, as the value of totally pooled OR was 3.02 (1.33, 6.85). Similarly, in acute rejection subgroup, the value of OR was 2.02 (1.01, 4.02). However, it was 4.08 (0.90, 18.51) in biliary complication subgroup.

Conclusions/Significance

In our view, pediatric ILT has not been a contraindication anymore due to a similar graft and patient survival rate between ILT and CLT group. Though adult graft survival rate is not so satisfactory, ILT is undoubtedly life-saving under exigent condition. Most studies included in our analysis are observational researches. Larger scale of researches and Randomized-Control Studies are still needed.

Differential Expression of Long Noncoding RNAs in Human Cumulus Cells Related to Embryo Developmental Potential: A Microarray Analysis

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are prevalently transcribed in the genome, are involved in a variety of biological functions, yet little is known about their abundance in human cumulus cells (CCs) during oocyte development. Here, we describe the expression profile of lncRNAs in 3 pairs of cumulus cells from mature oocytes that result in high-quality embryo (H-CCs) and from oocytes that result in poor-quality embryo (P-CCs) using microarray analysis. In this study, a total of 20 563 lncRNAs were expressed in human CCs. One hundred and twenty four lncRNAs were consistently upregulated, and 509 lncRNAs were consistently downregulated in all samples analyzed (fold change ≥ 2.0, P < .05). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to validate 5 upregulated and 7 downregulated lncRNAs. The qRT-PCR results in the study were confirmed to be consistent with the microarray results. Network analysis was used for further research. The results displayed the differentially expressed lncRNAs in P-CCs between H-CCs, which suggested that lncRNAs may contribute to the processes of oocyte and early embryo development.

Activation of autophagy inhibits cadmium-triggered apoptosis in human placental trophoblasts and mouse placenta

Cadmium (Cd), a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, is known to impair placental development. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study used in vivo and in vitro models to investigate the effects of Cd on apoptosis and autophagy in placental trophoblasts and its mechanism. Pregnant mice were exposed to CdCl₂ (4.5 mg/kg) on gestational day (GD) 9. Human JEG-3 cells were exposed to CdCl₂ (0-40 μM) for different time points. Gestational Cd exposure obviously lowered the weight and diameter of mouse placentas. Number of TUNEL-positive cells was markedly elevated in Cd-administered mouse placentas and JEG-3 cells. Correspondingly, Cd significantly up-regulated cleaved caspase-3 protein level, a key indicator of apoptosis, in murine placentas and JEG-3 cells. Simultaneously, Cd also triggered autophagy, as determined by an elevation of LC3B-II and p62 protein, and accumulation of LC3-positive puncta, in placental trophoblasts. Chloroquine an autophagy inhibitor, obviously aggravated Cd-induced apoptosis in JEG-3 cells. By contrast, rapamycin, a specific autophagy inducer, significantly alleviated Cd-triggered apoptosis in JEG-3 cells. Mechanistically, autophagy inhibited Cd-induced apoptosis mainly via degrading caspase-9. Co-localizations of p62, a classical autophagic receptor, and caspase-9 were observed in Cd-stimulated human JEG-3 cells. Moreover, p62 siRNAs pretreatment markedly blocked the degradation of caspase 9 proteins via Cd-activated autophagy in JEG-3 cells. Collectively, our data suggest that activation of autophagy inhibits Cd-induced apoptosis via p62-mediated caspase-9 degradation in placental trophoblasts. These findings provide a new mechanistic insight into Cd-induced impairments of placental and fetal development.

Environmental exposure to cadmium impairs fetal growth and placental angiogenesis via GCN-2-mediated mitochondrial stress

Cadmium (Cd), a well-known environmental pollutant, can lead to placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. The purpose of our study is to explore the effect of Cd on placental angiogenesis and its mechanism using in vitro and in vivo models. Results found that gestational Cd exposure obviously decreased placental weight and impaired placental vascular development in mice. Correspondingly, Cd exposure evidently downregulated the expression of VEGF-A protein (a key indicator of angiogenesis) and progesterone receptor (PR) in placental trophoblasts. Further experiment showed that lentivirus PR overexpression reversed Cd-caused the reduction of VEGF-A level in human placental trophoblasts. In addition, Cd significantly reduced progesterone level, down-regulated the expression of key progesterone synthase (StAR, CYP11A1), and activated mitochondrial stress response and GCN-2/p-eIF2α signaling in placental trophoblasts. Additional experiment showed that GCN-2 siRNA pretreatment markedly alleviated Cd-activated mitochondrial stress response, restored Cd-downregulated the expression of CYP11A1, reversed Cd-reduced the level of progesterone and VEGF-A in human placental trophoblasts. Finally, our case-control study confirmed that impaired placental angiogenesis and reduced progesterone level occurred in all-cause small for gestational age placenta. Taken together, environmental exposure to Cd impairs fetal growth and placental angiogenesis via GCN-2-mediated mitochondrial stress.

Magnesium Transporter 5 plays an important role in Mg transport for male gametophyte development in Arabidopsis

During anther development the male gametophyte develops inside the locule and the tapetal cells provide all nutrients for its development. Magnesium Transporter 5 (MGT5) is a member of the MGT family and has dual functions of Mg export and import. Here, we show that male gametophyte mitosis and intine formation are defective in a mgt5 mutant. The transient expression of GFP-MGT5 revealed that MGT5 is localized in the plasma membrane. These findings suggest that in the male gametophyte MGT5 plays a role in importing Mg from the locule and that Mg is essential for male gametophyte development. The expression of MGT5 in the knockout ABORTED MICROSPORES (AMS) mutant (AMS being an essential regulator of tapetum) is tremendously reduced. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and mobility shift assay experiments demonstrated that AMS can directly bind the promoter of MGT5. An immunoelectron microscopy assay revealed that MGT5-His is localized to the plasma membrane of the tapetum. These findings suggest that AMS directly regulates MGT5 in the tapetum and thus induces export of Mg into the locule. The mgt5 plant exhibits severe male sterility while the expression of MGT5 under the tapetum-specific promoter A9 partly rescued mgt5 fertility. mgt5 fertility was restored under high-Mg conditions. These findings suggest that the mgt5 tapetum still has the ability to export Mg and that a sufficient supply of Mg from the tapetum can improve the importation of Mg in the mgt5 male gametophyte. Therefore, MGT5 plays an important role in Mg transport from the tapetum to the microspore.

Progestin binds to the glucocorticoid receptor and mediates antiglucocorticoid effect in rat adipose precursor cells

The binding of progestin and glucocorticoid hormones was examined in the cytosol of rat adipose precursor cells. Progestin binding sites of high affinity and limited capacity were present in the cytosol of adipose precursor cells from female rats, but not from male rats, by using [3H]R5020 as radioligand. Glucocorticoid binding sites of high affinity and limited capacity were present in the cytosol of these cells from both male and female rats by using [3H]dexamethasone and [3H]triamcinolone acetonide as radioligands. The dissociation constants were in the physiological concentration range. Studies of competitive binding showed that progestin could compete with glucocorticoids at glucocorticoid binding sites. In a serum free medium glucocorticoid effect on cellular differentiation, monitored by glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), was effectively counteracted by progesterone which by itself had no effect. These results demonstrate that progestin receptor exists only in rat adipose precursor cells from female rats, while glucocorticoid receptor exists in rat adipose precursor cells of both sexes. Glucocorticoid effects on cellular differentiation in these cells are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor. Progestin binds to the glucocorticoid receptor and antagonizes glucocorticoid effect on cellular differentiation in these cells.

Gestational exposure to environmental cadmium induces placental apoptosis and fetal growth restriction via Parkin-modulated MCL-1 degradation

Heavy metal cadmium (Cd), a classical environmental pollutant, causes placental apoptosis and fetal growth restriction (FGR), whereby the mechanism remains unclear. Here, our human case-control study firstly showed that there was a positive association of Parkin mitochondrial translocation, MCL-1 reduction, placental apoptosis, and all-cause FGR. Subsequently, Cd was administered to establish in vitro and in vivo models of placental apoptosis or FGR. Our models demonstrated that Parkin mitochondrial translocation was observed in Cd-administrated placental trophoblasts. Meaningfully, Parkin siRNA (siR) dramatically mitigated Cd-triggered apoptosis in placental trophoblasts. Mdivi-1 (M-1), an inhibitor for Parkin mitochondrial translocation, mitigated Cd-induced apoptosis in placental trophoblasts, which further ameliorated the effect of attenuated placental sizes in Cd-exposed mice. Furthermore, the interaction of MCL-1 with Parkin or Ub in Cd-stimulated cells was stronger than that in controls. MG132, an inhibitor for proteasome, abolished MCL-1 degradation in Cd-stimulated cells. Importantly, Parkin siR and M-1 memorably abolished the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of MCL-1 in placental trophoblasts. Interestingly, mito-TEMPO and melatonin, two mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, obviously rescued Cd-caused mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) decrease, Parkin mitochondrial translocation, MCL-1 degradation, and apoptosis in placental trophoblasts. In conclusion, cadmium induces placental apoptosis and FGR via mtROS-mediated Parkin-modulated degradation of MCL-1.

Entry of dengue virus serotype 2 into ECV304 cells depends on clathrin-dependent endocytosis, but not on caveolae-dependent endocytosis

Caveolae- and clathrin-mediated endocytosis are major internalization pathways used by several pathogens; however, their distinctive roles in dengue virus (DV) entry have not been addressed. In this study, we compared the involvement of caveolae- and clathrin-mediated endocytosis in the infectious entry of DV serotype 2 (DV2) into human endothelial-like ECV304 cells. Confocal microscopy study on DV2-infected cells showed that viral antigens were co-localized with clathrin heavy chains, epidermal growth factor pathway substrate clone 15 (Eps15), and adaptin-alpha, but not with caveolin-1. Treatment with chlorpromazine, which inhibits clathrin-dependent endocytosis, led to reduced virus entry into cells, whereas treatment with nystatin, a caveolae inhibitory agent, did not. Furthermore, gene silencing of Eps15 resulted in an average of 75% reduced infection of ECV304 cells by DV2. Our results demonstrated that DV2 enters ECV304 cells by clathrin-dependent endocytosis, not by caveolae-dependent endocytosis.

Photoreactivity of a push-pull merocyanine in static electric fields: a three-state model of isomerization reactions involving conical intersections

The photochemistry of a prototype push-pull merocyanine is discussed using a simple three-state model. As a derivative of butadiene, the model focuses on two isomerization reactions around the two double bonds of the butadiene backbone. As a molecule substituted by an electron donor and electron acceptor at opposite ends, its structure as well as its photochemistry are expected to be strongly affected by the environment. In polar solvents, a zwitterion transition state for each of the isomerization reactions is stabilized, and its energy is on the same order as that of the biradical one; this leads to the symmetry allowed crossing (S(0)/S(1) conical intersection). It is shown that applying an external electric field or varying the solvent polarity changes the relative energies of the different transition states as well as that of the conical intersection, and thus different photochemical products can be obtained. In particular, the very existence of conical intersections is found to depend on these external parameters. This work provides a theoretical foundation for ideas expressed by Squillacote et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 1940) concerning the electrostatic control of photochemical reactions.

Digital oedema, adhesion formation and resistance to digital motion after primary flexor tendon repair

The development of digital oedema, adhesion formation, and resistance to digital motion at days 0, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 14 after primary flexor tendon repairs using 102 long toes of 51 Leghorn chickens was studied. Oedema presented as tissue swelling from days 3 to 7, which peaked at day 3. After day 7, oedema was manifest as hardening of subcutaneous tissue. The degree of digital swelling correlated with the resistance to tendon motion between days 3 and 7. At day 9, granulation tissues were observed around the tendon and loose adhesions were observed at day 14. Resistance to digital motion increased significantly from day 0 to day 3, but did not increase between days 3 and 9. The early postoperative changes appear to have three stages: initial (days 0-3, increasing resistance with development of oedema), delayed (days 4-7, higher resistance with continuing oedema) and late (after day 7-9, hardening of subcutaneous tissue with development of adhesions).

Global, Regional, and National Incidence and Year Lived with Disability for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia from 1990 to 2019

The objective of this study is to provide comprehensive and up-to-date estimates on the disease burden of BPH in 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2019. Data about incidence, year lived with disability (YLD), and their age-standardized rates (ASRs) for 21 regions, 5 Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles, 204 countries and territories, and 12 age categories from 1990 to 2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) of the ASRs and the associations between SDI and the ASRs were estimated. The effects of population growth, population aging, and age-specific rate on the changes in the absolute numbers of incidence and YLD were quantified. Globally, there were 11.26 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 8.79, 14.46) new cases and 1.86 million (95%UI: 1.13, 2.78) YLD due to BPH in 2019. The global ASRs of incidence (EAPC: −0.031, 95% CI: −0.050, −0.012) and YLD (EAPC: −0.058, 95% CI: −0.084, −0.031) decreased slightly from 1990 to 2019, whereas the absolute numbers increased dramatically from 1990 (incidence by 105.7% and YLD by 110.6%), mainly driven by the population growth (53.5% for incidence and 54.4% for YLD) and population aging (55.7% for incidence and 63.2% for YLD). The burden of BPH varied markedly among different regions, socioeconomic status, and countries. As the population is growing and aging, great efforts are required to develop effective prevention, treatment and management strategies to meet the high and increasing burden of BPH worldwide.