A retrospective cohort study of the anesthetic management of postpartum tubal ligation

BACKGROUND

Neuraxial anesthesia with reactivation of a labor epidural catheter is commonly utilized for postpartum tubal ligations (PPTL), although the optimal anesthetic approach is unknown. We assessed institutional anesthesia practices for PPTL, and evaluated the failure rates of reactivation of labor epidural catheters, de novo spinal anesthesia, and spinal anesthesia after failed blocks.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort analysis of 300 consecutive patients who underwent a PPTL and 100 having spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Anesthetic management data (existing labor epidural catheter reactivation, de novo spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia) were collected from electronic medical records. Anesthetic block failure rates were determined for each anesthetic technique.

RESULTS

The failure rate was 15% for de novo spinal anesthesia and 23% after failed reactivation of a labor epidural catheter or spinal anesthesia. The epidural catheter reactivation failure rate was 35%. The failure rate of spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery was 4%. Drug dosage, epidural catheter use in labor, time since epidural catheter placement or delivery, labor neuraxial technique (combined spinal-epidural, epidural), supplemental top-up doses during labor, and anesthesiologist experience did not predict neuraxial anesthesia failures.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis revealed an unexpectedly high neuraxial anesthesia failure rate even when de novo spinal anesthesia was used for PPTL. The results are consistent with other institutions' recent findings, and are higher than spinal anesthesia failure rates associated with cesarean delivery. Further studies are required to determine optimal anesthesia dosing strategies, and to understand the mechanisms behind high neuraxial anesthesia failures for PPTL.

Ethnicity, socio-economic deprivation and postpartum outcomes following caesarean delivery: a multicentre cohort study

Disparities relating to postpartum recovery outcomes in different socio-economic and racial ethnic groups are underexplored. We conducted a planned analysis of a large prospective caesarean delivery cohort to explore the relationship between ethnicity, socio-economic status and postpartum recovery. Eligible patients were enrolled and baseline demographic, obstetric and medical history data were collected 18 h and 30 h following delivery. Patients completed postpartum quality of life and recovery measures in person on day 1 (EuroQoL EQ-5D-5L, including global health visual analogue scale; Obstetric Quality of Recovery-10 item score; and pain scores) and by telephone between day 28 and day 32 postpartum (EQ-5D-5L and pain scores). Socio-economic group was determined according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile of each patient's usual place of residence. Data from 1000 patients who underwent caesarean delivery were included. There were more patients of Asian, Black and mixed ethnicity in the more deprived quintiles. Patients of White ethnicities had shorter postpartum duration of hospital stay compared with patients of Asian and Black ethnicities (35 (28-56 [18-513]) h vs. 44 (31-71 [19-465]) h vs. 49 (33-75 [23-189]) h, respectively. In adjusted models at day 30, patients of Asian ethnicity had a significantly greater risk of moderate to severe pain (numerical rating scale ≥ 4) at rest and on movement (odds ratio (95%CI) 2.42 (1.24-4.74) and 2.32 (1.40-3.87)), respectively). There were no differences in readmission rates or incidence of complications between groups. Patients from White ethnic backgrounds experience shorter postpartum duration of stay compared with patients from Asian and Black ethnic groups. Ethnic background impacts pain scores and recovery at day 1 postpartum and following hospital discharge, even after adjusting for socio-economic group. Further work is required to understand the underlying factors driving differences in pain and recovery and to develop strategies to reduce disparities in obstetric patients.

Prevalence and predictors for postpartum sleep disorders: a nationwide analysis

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence and predictors of postpartum sleep disorders.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Postpartum.

POPULATION

Commercially insured women delivering in California (USA) between 2011 and 2014.

METHODS

Using the Optum Clinformatics Datamart Database.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of a postpartum sleep disorder diagnosis with and without a depression diagnosis up to 12 months following hospital discharge for inpatient delivery. We also identified predictors of a postpartum sleep disorder diagnosis using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

We identified 3535 (1.9%) women with a postpartum sleep disorder diagnosis. The prevalence of sleep disorder diagnoses was insomnia (1.3%), sleep apnea (0.25%), and other sleep disorder (0.25%). The odds of a postpartum sleep disorder were highest among women with a history of drug abuse (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.79-4.09); a stillbirth delivery (aOR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.53-3.01); and chronic hypertension (aOR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.57-2.11). A comorbid diagnosis of a postpartum sleep disorder and depression occurred in 1182 women (0.6%). These women accounted for 33.4% of all women with a postpartum sleep disorder. The strongest predictors of a comorbid diagnosis were a history of drug abuse (aOR: 4.13; 95% CI: 2.37-7.21) and a stillbirth delivery (aOR: 2.93; 95% CI: 1.74-4.92).

CONCLUSIONS

Postpartum sleep disorders are underdiagnosed conditions, with only 2% of postpartum women in this cohort receiving a sleep diagnosis using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Insomnia was the most common disorder and one-third of women diagnosed with a postpartum sleep disorder had a co-morbid diagnosis of depression. Future studies are needed to improve the screening and diagnostic accuracy of postpartum sleep disorders.

Quality of recovery following childbirth: a prospective, multicentre cohort study

To better understand outcomes in postpartum patients who receive peripartum anaesthetic interventions, we aimed to assess quality of recovery metrics following childbirth in a UK-based multicentre cohort study. This study was performed during a 2-week period in October 2021 to assess in- and outpatient post-delivery recovery at 1 and 30 days postpartum. The following outcomes were reported: obstetric quality of recovery 10-item measure (ObsQoR-10); EuroQoL (EQ-5D-5L) survey; global health visual analogue scale; postpartum pain scores at rest and movement; length of hospital stay; readmission rates; and self-reported complications. In total, 1638 patients were recruited and responses analysed from 1631 (99.6%) and 1282 patients (80%) at one and 30 days postpartum, respectively. Median (IQR [range]) length of stay postpartum was 39.3 (28.5-61.0 [17.7-513.4]), 40.3 (28.5-59.1 [17.8-220.9]), and 35.9 (27.1-54.1 [17.9-188.4]) h following caesarean, instrumental and vaginal deliveries, respectively. Median (IQR [range]) ObsQoR-10 score was 75 ([62-86] 4-100) on day 1, with the lowest ObsQoR-10 scores (worst recovery) reported by patients undergoing caesarean delivery. Of the 1282 patients, complications within the first 30 days postpartum were reported by 252 (19.7%) of all patients. Readmission to hospital within 30 days of discharge occurred in 69 patients (5.4%), with 49 (3%) for maternal reasons. These data can be used to inform patients regarding expected recovery trajectories; facilitate optimal discharge planning; and identify populations that may benefit most from targeted interventions to improve postpartum recovery experience.

Development and validation of a Portuguese version of Obstetric Quality of Recovery-10 (ObsQoR-10-Portuguese)

BACKGROUND

We aimed to develop and validate a Portuguese version of the Obstetric Quality of Recovery-10 (ObsQoR-10-Portuguese) patient-reported outcome measure and evaluate its psychometric properties.

METHODS

After ethical approval, we recruited term pregnant women undergoing uncomplicated elective cesarean delivery in a single Brazilian institution. Women were invited to complete the translated ObsQoR-10-Portuguese and EuroQoL (EQ-5D) questionnaires (including a global health visual analog scale [GHVAS]) at 24 h (±6 h) following delivery, and a subset of women an hour later. We assessed validity and reliability of ObsQoR-10-Portuguese.

RESULTS

One hundred thirteen enrolled women completed the surveys at 24 h and 29 women at 25 h (100% response rate).

VALIDITY

(i) convergent validity: ObsQoR-10-Portuguese correlated moderately with EuroQoL score (r = -0.587) and GHVAS score (r = 0.568) at 24 h. (ii) Discriminant validity: ObsQoR-10 discriminated well between good versus poor recovery (GHVAS score ≥ 70 versus < 70; difference in mean scores 14.2; p < 0.001). (iii) Hypothesis testing: 24-h ObsQoR-10-Portuguese scores correlated with gestational age (r = 0.191; p = 0.043). (iv) Cross-cultural validity: differential item functioning analysis suggested bias in 2 items. Reliability: (i) internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82 and inter-item correlation = 0.31). (ii) Split-half reliability was very good (Spearman-Brown Prophesy Reliability Estimate = 0.80). (iii) Test re-test reliability was excellent (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.87). (iv) Floor and ceiling effects: < 5% women scored either 0 or 100 (lowest and highest scores, respectively).

CONCLUSION

ObsQoR-10-Portuguese is valid and reliable, and should be considered for use in Portuguese-speaking women to assess their quality of inpatient recovery following cesarean delivery.

Associations of oral and intestinal florae and serum inflammatory factors with pathogenesis of oral cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of oral and intestinal florae and serum inflammatory factors on the pathogenesis of oral cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Oral cancer patients and healthy subjects in our hospital were enrolled in disease group (n=50) and control group (n=50), respectively. Oral flora of subjects was collected using the sterile cotton swab. Microbial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing. Subsequently, the feces were also collected from patients, and sent to the company for analysis of microbial composition via sequencing. In addition, the levels of serum inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-6, and IL-1β in disease group and control group were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The number of patients with a history of drinking (p=0.040) and betel nut chewing (p=0.000) in the disease group was larger than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. In terms of oral flora distribution, the ratios of dominant bacteria Staphylococcus and Rothia were 64% and 50% in disease group, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (24% and 18%) (p=0.023 and 0.034). In terms of intestinal flora distribution, the abundance of intestinal florae (Flavobacteriaceae, Sphingobacteriales, Rikenella, Pseudomonadales, Tetragenococcus and Acinetobacter) in the disease group was remarkably higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). However, the abundance of Vagococcus and Pediococcus in control group was significantly higher than that in the disease group (p<0.05). Among intestinal flora, Firmicutes exhibited a highly positive correlation with Bacteroides (r=0.341, p=0.023), and a highly negative correlation with Ruminococcus (r=-0.832, p=0.000). Bacteroides had a highly negative correlation with Lactobacillus (r=-0.763, p=0.000) and Enterococcus (r=-0.461, p=0.000). In disease group, the levels of TNF-α (p=0.021), IL-8 (p=0.000), and IL-1β (p=0.000) were evidently higher than those in the control group [(23.51±2.14) ng/L vs. (12.34±2.45) ng/L, (89.75±4.29) ng/L vs. (43.23±3.25) ng/L, (42.25±3.25) ng/L vs. (15.32±1.47) ng/L]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in IL-6 level between the two groups (p=0.217).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral and intestinal florae and serum inflammatory factors are associated with the pathogenesis of oral cancer.

POS0449 BIOLOGICS INITIATION IN MODERATE VS SEVERE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS: PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY FROM A CANADIAN REGISTRY

Background:

Prior studies have shown that in the real-world setting, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have lower disease activity than those studied in clinical trials. However, randomized controlled trials for biologics continue to mainly recruit patients with severe disease.

Objectives:

To assess the implications of this practice, our study investigates the proportion of patients achieving remission (DAS28-ESR ≤ 2.6), in RA patients with moderate disease activity and severe disease activity, at 12 months post starting their first biologic, and identifies baseline predictors of biologic response.

Methods:

This study included RA patients who have never been treated with a biologic and initiated their first biologic while enrolled in the Ontario Best Practices Research Initiative (OBRI) registry, between 2008 and 2019. Patients selected had either moderate RA (DAS28 ≥ 3.2 to ≤ 5.1) or severe RA (DAS28 > 5.1). Comparisons were made between the moderate and severe disease groups using the student’s t-test for continuous variables, and the chi-square test for categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test potential predictors of remission. Backward stepwise model selection was applied to select variables with p-value ≤0.10. Multiple imputation (MCMC method; n=20) was used to impute missing data.

Results:

Overall, 641 patients initiated their first biologic, 483 had follow up data at 12 months (moderate disease activity=264; severe disease activity=219). In the moderate group, the mean age (SD) was 55.7 (13.1) and 80% were female. In the severe group, mean age (SD) was 58.4 (12.3) and 81% were female. At time of biologic initiation, the mean DAS28 for the moderate group was 4.1 (0.5), and 6.0 (0.6) for the severe group. After 12 months of starting a biologic, the proportion of patients achieving remission was 50% in the moderate group, and 23% in the severe group (p<0.0001). In contrast, the proportion of patients achieving significant clinical change from baseline (improvement in DAS28 ≥ 1.2) was 78% in the severe group, compared to 66% in the moderate group (p=0.0049). More specifically, the absolute improvement in DAS28 after 12 months was higher in the severe group at 2.2 (1.5), compared to a change of 1.4 (1.3) in the moderate group (p<0.0001). Negative predictors of remission include female gender (odds ratio (OR), 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.33-0.97; p=0.039), and higher HAQ-DI score (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.36-0.68; p<0.001). In turn, moderate disease at time of biologic initiation (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.50-3.79; p=0.0390) was identified as a positive predictor of remission.

Conclusion:

This prospective cohort study found RA patients with moderate disease activity are more likely to reach targeted states (remission and low disease activity), whereas severe patients have greater absolute improvements in DAS28 and HAQ-DI but are less likely to achieve remission. Moderate disease is a positive predictor for remission, whereas female gender and a higher HAQ-DI score are negative predictors.

Table 1.

Logistic regression analysis for the rate of achieving DAS28 low disease activity at six months.

Moderate-RA(n=264)Severe-RA(n=219)P-ValueRemission, n (%)111 (50)45 (23)<0.0001Low disease activity, n (%)151 (59)74 (35)<0.0001Change in DAS from baseline ≥ 1.2, n (%)168 (66)164 (78)0.0049HAQ-DI change >0.22, n (%)98 (53)83 (52)0.7974Change in DAS28 from baseline, mean (SD)-1.4 (1.3)-2.2 (1.5)<0.0001Change in HAQ-DI from baseline, mean (SD)-0.29 (0.57)-0.30 (0.66)<0.0001Change in fatigue from baseline, mean (SD)-0.98 (3.2)-1.11 (3.2)<0.0001Change in sleep from baseline, mean (SD)-0.85 (3.6)-1.05 (3.9)0.0004

Disclosure of Interests:

Nancy Guo: None declared, Xiuying Li: None declared, Mohammad Movahedi: None declared, Angela Cesta: None declared, Claire Bombardier Grant/research support from: OBRI was funded by peer reviewed grants from CIHR (Canadian Institute for Health Research), Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), Canadian Arthritis Network (CAN) and unrestricted grants from: Abbvie, Amgen, Aurora, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Celgene, Hospira, Janssen, Lilly, Medexus, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, & UCB.

Acknowledgment: :

Dr. Bombardier held a Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Transfer for Musculoskeletal Care and a Pfizer Research Chair in Rheumatology

Maresins: anti-inflammatory pro-resolving mediators with therapeutic potential

Although inflammation is protective of the body, uncontrolled acute inflammatory reactions may inflict tissue damage and lead to chronic inflammation. There is a fast-growing research interest in mechanisms that mediate regression of inflammation and actions of anti-inflammatory factors. Studies of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms have uncovered roles for new lipid mediators, including lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins, collectively referred to as specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM). Maresins have recently been discovered and are biosynthesized from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by macrophages and display strong anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving activities. Here, we summarize the actions and mechanisms of maresins in different diseases and suggest possible therapeutic uses.

[Studies on resistance of Schistosoma to praziquantel XVIII Sensitivity to praziquantel in filial generations of praziquantel-resistant and -sensitive Schistosoma japonicum mixed infections]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the sensitivity of adult worms of filial generations from praziquantel-resistant and -sensitive Schistosoma japonicum mixed infections to praziquantel.

METHODS

Mice were infected with the cercariae of an experimentally generated praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate [median effective dose (ED₅₀) = 277.4 mg/kg] and a laboratory-maintained praziquantel-sensitive S. japonicum isolate (ED₅₀ = 99.6 mg/kg) at a mixture ratio of 1:1 and 2:1, which was maintained in the laboratory via the mouse-snail cycle for 8 generations. Then, mice were infected with the cercariae of the 8th filial-generation parasite, and grouped 35 days post-infection. Mice in the 5 treatment groups were given praziquantel treatment by gavage at a single oral dose of 37.5, 75, 150, 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, while animals in the control group was administered orally with 2.5% cremophor EL. All mice were sacrificed 14 days post-treatment and adult worms were collected by perfusion of the portal vein. The worm burden reductions and praziquantel ED₅₀ values were calculated. The praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate generated from experimental induction with 12 rounds of praziquantel treatment with sub-curative doses was maintained in the laboratory via the mouse-snail cycle, and mice were infected with the cercariae of the 8th filial-generation parasite. The praziquantel ED₅₀ value against the 8th filial-generation adults was measured.

RESULTS

After mice were infected with the mixture of cercariae of PZQ-resistant and -sensitive S. japonicum isolates at a ratio of 1:1, the praziquantel ED₅₀ was 135.2 mg/kg against the adults of the 8th filial-generation parasite. After mice were infected with the mixture of cercariae of PZQ-resistant and -sensitive S. japonicum isolates at a ratio of 2:1, the praziquantel ED₅₀ was 129.2 mg/kg against the adults of the 8th filial-generation parasite. In addition, the praziquantel ED₅₀ was 208.4 mg/kg against the adults of the 8th filial-generation S. japonicum without the selection pressure of praziquantel.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the experimentally induced praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate, the adult worms of the filial-generation S. japonicum show a reduced sensitivity to praziquantel in the same host following infection with the mixture of cercariae of praziquantel-resistant and -sensitive S. japonicum isolates. The adult worms of the filial generation of the praziquantel-resistant S. japonicum isolate without the selection pressure of praziquantel may still maintain the resistance to praziquantel.

Long non-coding RNA SNHG5 promotes human hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating miR-363-3p/RNF38 axis

OBJECTIVE

The involvement of long non-coding RNA (LncRNAs) in HCC development has been widely recognized in recent decades. LncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 5 (SNHG5) has been identified to be implicated in the development of many tumors, and this study aimed to explore the role of SNHG5 in HCC tumorigenesis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression levels of SNHG5, miR-363-3p, and Ring Finger Protein 38 (RNF38) were measured by using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) or Western blot assay, respectively. Cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to investigate cell apoptosis. Cell migration and invasion abilities were detected by transwell assay. The relationship among SNHG5, miR-363-3p, and RNF38 was confirmed using bioinformatics analysis and Luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

The expression of SNHG5 and RNF38 was elevated in HCC tissues and cell lines, and highly expressed SNHG5 and RNF38 could induce apoptosis and repress proliferation, migration, as well as invasion in HCC cells. Further investigations showed that SNHG5 might act as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-26a-5p and thereby cause the derepression of the downstream target RNF38. Moreover, rescue experiments indicated that SNHG5 silence inhibited the progression of HCC cells by regulating miR-363-3p, and the facilitated effects of RNF38 in the progression of HCC cells were regulated by miR-363-3p.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA SNHG5 may promote human HCC progression by regulating the miR-363-3p/RNF38 axis, providing a novel insight into the pathogenesis of HCC and therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment.

Cognitive Frailty and Falls in a National Cohort of Older Chinese Inpatients

Previous studies have investigated the association between cognitive frailty and falls among older adults in community; however, no study investigated this relationship among older patients living in hospital. This study aimed to examine the relationship of cognitive frailty with falls among older inpatients in Chinese hospital.

METHODS

This analysis consisted of 9192 older inpatients aged 65 years or over from six hospitals in China. We used FRAIL scale and Mini-Cog to assess frailty and cognitive impairment, respectively. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine the relationship between cognitive frailty and falls at 30-day follow-up.

RESULTS

Among 9192 older inpatients enrolled in this present study, the mean (SD) age was 72.40(5.72) years, with 3850(41.88%) women. The cross-sectional analysis found that after controlling for variables (age, gender, education, depression, and hospital ward cluster effect), hospitalized patients with cognitive frailty, frailty only, or cognitive impairment only at baseline were all associated with history of falls (P<0.05). At 30-day follow-up, generalized estimating equation with full-adjustment showed that inpatients with cognitive frailty were at greater risk of falls than those of non-frail and cognitive intact (OR=3.0,95%CI:1.32-6.83). This association was also observed in individuals with frailty only (OR=2.11,95%CI:1.04-4.27) but not for patients with cognitive impairment only((OR=1.11,95%CI:0.43-2.85).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that hospitalized Chinese older adults with cognitive frailty were independently associated with falls. Early screening frailty and cognitive impairment were significant for older patients by clinicians, and corresponding interventions, exercise training and nutritional programs, should be implemented to prevent falls.

Impact of new generations drug-eluting stents overlap on six-month clinical outcomes in patients with acute anterior STEMI treated with primary PCI

Background

Stent overlap has been associated with adverse outcomes. However, data regarding the impact of new generations drug-eluting stents (DES) overlap in the context of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are limited.

Objective

To compare the 6-moth clinical outcomes of patients with and without new generations DES overlap implanted during primary PCI for anterior STEMI.

Methods

We evaluated a total of 1078 consecutive anterior STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI with deployment of new generations DES. The patients were divided according to the presence or absence of stent overlap into 2 groups; overlapping-stents group (n=388) and single-stent group (n=690). We compared the rates of cardiac mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs; composite of death, reinfarction, ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (TVR), definite stent thrombosis (ST), and stroke) between the 2 groups.

Results

There was a non-significant trend toward increased in-hospital mortality in the overlapping-stents group related to a significant higher rate of cardiogenic shock [9.5% versus 6.1%, respectively; P=0.037] and post-procedural suboptimal TIMI flow [26.3% versus 19.4%, respectively; P=0.009] as compared to the single-stent group. Yet, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the incidence of 6-month cardiac death: [18 (4.6%) and 21 (3%); P=0.173], MACEs: [35 (9%) and 49 (7.1%); P=0.259], reinfarction: [14 (3.6%) and 22 (3.2%); P=713], TVR: [17 (4.4%) and 28 (4.1%); P=0.799], and definite ST: [14 (3.6%) and 19 (2.8%); P=0.434], respectively.

Conclusion

The use of multiple overlapping new generations DES, if needed, is relatively safe and acceptable in the context of primary PCI for STEMI patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Temperature decline is a trigger of subarachnoid hemorrhage: case-crossover study with distributed lag model

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to use a novel statistical test to predict the trend of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) incidence in response to temperature change and demonstrate its delayed effect in a short hazard period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective study, data collected between January 2005 and September 2019 were analyzed and 1682 consecutive SAH patients from one hospital were enrolled. Meteorological data in this period including temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity were obtained from the China Surface Meteorological Station. Using a case-crossover analysis and distributed lag linear model (DLM) with 4 days lag period to assess the association of temperature change from the previous day (TCP) and risk of SAH. Results were presented as overall cumulative odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI.

RESULTS

Temperature decline was associated with increased risks of SAH: overall cumulative OR was 1.14 (95% CI: 1.05-1.23) for -1.1°C; 2.11 (95% CI: 1.37-3.25) for -6.2°C, as compared with a reference TCP of 0°C. Temperature decline on the day of SAH onset was significantly associated with SAH incidence days, ORs 1.34 (95% CI: 1.19-1.52). In addition, December, ORs 1.49 (95% CI: 1.17-1.90) in winter was the ictus peak in Rizhao throughout the year.

CONCLUSIONS

Temperature decline from the previous day is a trigger for the occurrence of SAH. Its effect was most apparent on the day of exposure.

0784 Associations Of Sleep Regularity And Chronotype With Hypertension Among African Americans In The Jackson Heart Sleep Study

Introduction

Emerging evidence suggests that disparities in sleep regularity, a marker of circadian disruption, contributes to hypertension disparities; however, data among African Americans are limited. We examined associations of sleep regularity and chronotype with hypertension among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Sleep Study (JHSS).

Methods

Participants underwent 7-day actigraphy, completed questionnaires, and had seated blood pressure (BP) measured as part of the JHSS (2012 - 2016). Sleep regularity was defined as the standard deviation (SD) of actigraphy-measured sleep onset timing or sleep duration. Chronotype was assessed by the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Prevalent hypertension was defined as either a systolic BP ≥ 130 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 80mmHg, antihypertensive medication use, or self-report of diagnosed hypertension. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to estimate the prevalence odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals for the associations of hypertension with sleep regularity measures (SD of sleep onset timing and sleep duration) and chronotype adjusted for covariates.

Results

Participants (n=830) on average were 63.4 years (SD:10.7), mostly female (66.3%) and hypertensive (85.8%). Compared to individuals with sleep onset SD &lt; 30 minutes, higher adjusted odds of hypertension was observed with increasing variability: OR:1.87 (CI:0.99-3.56); OR:2.16 (1.06-4.39), and OR:2.41 (1.12-5.20), for SD &gt; 30 & ≤ 60, &gt; 60 & ≤ 90 and &gt; 90 minutes, respectively. Among non-shift workers, definite morning and evening types compared to intermediates had higher adjusted odds of hypertension, OR:1.71 (1.04-2.83) and OR:2.56 (1.12-5.84), respectively. There were no observed associations for the SD of sleep duration with hypertension.

Conclusion

Increased sleep onset variability and extreme chronotypes were associated with prevalent hypertension, supporting interventions targeting sleep hygiene recommendations promoting regular sleep. Future research is needed to understand sleep patterns and risk of cardiovascular disease according to chronotype.

Support

NHLBI K01HL138211 and HL110068-03S1

[Clinicopathological features of T-lymphoblastic lymphoma with Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the same lymph node]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotypes, genetics and prognosis of T-lymphocyte lymphoma/myeloid sarcoma combined with Langerhans cell histiocytyosis (coexistence of T-LBL/MS and LCH). Methods: Clinical and pathological data of the 6 patients with coexistence of T-LBL/MS and LCH were analyzed, who were diagnosed at the Foshan Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and the Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University, from December 2013 to April 2019. The hematoxylin and eosin stain, immunohitochemistry (EnVision) and in situ hybridization were used. Related literatures were reviewed. Results: Four patients were T-LBL combined with LCH, 1 was T-LBL/MS combined with LCH, and 1 was MS combined with LCH. There were 2 male and 4 female patients, with age ranged from 5 to 77 years old (median, 59 years old). Three patients represented with only multiple lymph node swelling. The other 3 displayed both multiple lymph node swelling, and skin/liver or spleen lesions. Lymph node structure was destroyed in 5 cases, while 3 cases had several residual atrophic follicles. Histologically, there were two types of tumor cells: one type of the abnormal lymphoid-cells exhibited small to medium-sized blast cells, typically showing a nested distribution, and these cells were mainly identified in residual follicles and paracortical areas; the other type of histiocytoid cells had a large cell size and abundant pale or dichromatic cytoplasm. Their nuclei were irregularly shaped, showing folded appearance and nuclear grooves. These cells were mainly present in marginal sinus, medullary sinus and interstitial area between follicles. Eosinophil infiltration in the background was not evident in any of the cases. The lymphoid-cells of medium size showed TdT+/CD99+/CD7+, with variable expression of CD34/MPO/CD2/CD3. Ki-67 index was mostly 30%-50%. However, the histiocytoid cells showed phenotype of CD1a+/S-100+/Langerin+/-, while CD163/CD68 were positive in some degree. These cells did not express any T or B cell markers. The Ki-67 index mostly ranged between 10%-20%. None of the cases had Epstin-Barr viral infection. Among the 6 patients, 4 patients were followed up (6-63 months, median time, 18.5 months), of whom 1 patient died of the disease and 3 patients were alive at the end of follow-up. Conclusions: T-LBL/MS combined with LCH is a rare mixed type of immature hematopoietic disease, and mainly occurs in lymph node and skin. The clinical course is overall aggressive. Therefore, it is helpful to recognize and identify the two pathologic components in the same tissue for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

[Expression of myocyte enhancer factor 2B in mantle cell lymphoma and its clinical significance]

Objective: To investigate the expression of myocyte enhancer factor 2B (MEF2B) in mantle cell lymphomas (MCL), and to analyze the correlation between the expression of MEF2B and pathological subtypes, structural subtypes, SOX11 expression and its clinical significance. Methods: Paraffin-embedded tissues were stained with HE, immunohistochemistry (EnVision method) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) , in addition, the clinical and pathological data of 60 cases of MCL were collected at Sun Yat-sen University Foshan Hospital and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January,2002 to May, 2019 for analysis. Results: Of the 60 MCLs, males is predominant (M∶F=3∶1). Histologically, the typical MCL is the majority (classical MCL: variant type MCL=48 cases:12 cases) . Fifty cases were classified into non-complete FDC meshwork type MCL, and the remaining 10 cases were classified into the complete-FDC meshwork type MCL group. Patients with classical MCL were more than 60 years old. The coexistent lesion sites both node and extranode in pathological subtype or structural subtype was the most common lesion sites. SOX11(+) MCL was common in classical MCL (P=0.040) and tended to be complete-FDC meshwork type MCL (P=0.086). The expression rate of MEF2B in MCL was 60.0%(36/60). This rate of MEF2B in classical type, complete-FDC meshwork type and SOX11(+) MCL was significantly higher than that variant type, no complete-FDC meshwork type, SOX11(-)MCL (P<0.05), respectively. There was no difference in clinical characteristics of MCL between MEF2B positive and negative groups. Compared with SOX11(-)MCL, the percentage of MEF2B expressed in tumor cells of SOX11(+)MCL was significantly higher (P=0.027). The expression of MEF2B was not related to the proliferation of tumor cells (P=0.341). There was no significant difference in the survival rate between different expression groups of MEF2B and SOX11 (P=0.304 and P=0.819, respectively). Only the mortality of variant type (blastoid/pleomorphic) MCL within 2 years was significantly higher than that of classical type MCL (P<0.05). Conclusions: The expression of MEF2B in MCL is related to the pathological subtypes, structural subtypes and the expression of SOX11, but not to the proliferation and prognosis. The high mortality rate within 2 years is only found in variant MCL. However, the role of MEF2B in MCL needs to be further studied.

Significance of IL28RA in diagnosis of early pancreatic cancer and its regulation to pancreatic cancer cells by JAK/STAT signaling pathway - effects of IL28RA on pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE

To explore the significance of IL28RA in diagnosis of early pancreatic cancer and its regulation to pancreatic cancer cells by the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 81 patients with early pancreatic cancer were enrolled as a pancreatic cancer group, and 81 patients with benign pancreatic diseases were enrolled as a benign disease group. Western blot was adopted to analyze the serum IL28RA expression of the two groups and its diagnostic value in early pancreatic cancer. A pancreatic cancer cell model was constructed, and the IL28RA expression in pancreatic cancer cells, PANC-1 and BXPC-3, was up-regulated to explore the biological function of pancreatic cancer cells after up-regulation of IL28RA and the effects on JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

RESULTS

Lowly expressed in serum of patients with pancreatic cancer, IL28RA showed a sensitivity of 80.25%, specificity of 75.31%, and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.846 in diagnosis of early pancreatic cancer. It was found that up-regulation of IL28RA expression in pancreatic cancer cells inhibited proliferation and invasion abilities of pancreatic cancer cells, increased apoptosis rate and expression of pro-apoptotic protein bax, decreased expression of anti-apoptosis protein bcl-2, and significantly inhibited phosphorylation level of JAK2 and STAT3 proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

IL28RA is lowly expressed in pancreatic cancer patients, and has certain diagnostic value for early pancreatic cancer. Its up-regulated expression can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, and promote their apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

Long non-coding RNA HULC promotes proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells via down-regulation of miR-195

OBJECTIVE

LncRNAs HULC has been reported to be important regulators in the development of various human diseases. However, the role of HULC in bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore the regulatory effect of HULC on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of HULC and miR-195 in BMSCs were altered by transfection and measured by qRT-PCR. Cell viability was measured by the CCK-8 assay. Osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was determined by evaluation of osteogenic markers (Ocn, ALP, Runx2, and Col-1) expression levels using Western blot and qRT-PCR. Furthermore, Western blot was performed to assess the expression of proliferation-related factors, Wnt/β-catenin and p38MAPK pathway-related factors.

RESULTS

HULC overexpression significantly increased cell viability, down-regulated p21 expression but up-regulated CyclinD1 expression, and promoted the levels of osteogenic markers. However, the complete opposite effect was observed in HULC knockdown. Notably, miR-195 expression was negatively regulated by HULC and miR-195 exerted a reversed effect of HULC on BMSCs. Moreover, miR-195 mediated the regulatory effect of HULC on BMSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, as miR-195 mimic abolished the effect of HULC overexpression on BMSCs. We also found that HULC overexpression enhanced the activation of Wnt/β-catenin and p38MAPK pathway through down-regulating miR-195.

CONCLUSIONS

We revealed that HULC promoted proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The potential mechanism might be involved in its negative regulation on miR-195 and enhanced activation of Wnt/β-catenin and p38MAPK pathway.

[Influencing factors and antenatal assessment of the vaginal birth after cesarean section]

Objective: To explore the influencing factors of the vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC), and establish a model for predicting the risk of trial of the trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC). Methods: From January 2016 to December 2018, total 694 pregnant women who underwent TOLAC in Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Those cases were divided into two groups according to the mode of delivery: the VBAC group and the failed TOLAC group. At the same time, 700 cases in the elective repeat cesarean section (ERCS) group were randomly selected as control group. The influencing factors of VBAC were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and the pregnancy outcomes between the three groups were compared. Results: (1) The VBAC rate was 76.1% (528/694) and 166 women underwent the failed TOLAC (23.9%, 166/694). (2) Univariate analysis found that, the pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) [(22.0±3.0), (23.3±2.7) kg/m(2)], the previous vaginal delivery history [10.4%(55/528), 3.6%(6/166)], the cervical score (5.2±1.9,4.3±1.6) and the neonatal birth weight [(3 315±468), (3 484±274) g] of the VBAC group were significantly different from the failed TOLAC group (P<0.05). (3) The comparison of pregnancy outcomes: the neonatal birth weight was (3 315±468) g, and the intrapartum hemorrhage volume was (255±121) ml in the VBAC group, which were significantly lower than those in the failed TOLAC group [intrapartum hemorrhage (325±173) ml] and the ERCS group [(3 572±344) g, (281±125) ml], there were statistically significant differences in the comparison among the three groups (all P<0.05). Two cases of bladder injury occurred during cesarean section in the TOLAC failure group (1.2%,2/166). The rates of the blood transfusion, puerperal infection, 5-minute Apgar score and neonatal ICU admission among the three groups were no statistically significantly different (all P>0.05). There was no maternal or perinatal death. (4) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the delivery age of pregnant women (OR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.87-0.98), pre-pregnancy BMI (OR=0.92, 95%CI:0.86-0.98), vaginal delivery history (OR=3.31, 95%CI: 1.35-8.01), cervical score (OR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.13-1.42) and the birth weight of the neonates <3 300 g (OR=3.15, 95%CI: 2.02-4.90) were independent influencing factors for VBAC. The area under curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.74. Conclusions: The influencing factors of VBAC are delivery age, pre-pregnancy BMI, vaginal delivery history, cervical score and neonatal birth weight <3 300 g. The adequate individualized management and assessment of the TOLAC may be helpful to improve the VBAC rate.

Brain functions and unusual β-amyloid accumulation in the hypertensive white matter lesions of rats

This study used Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with stroke-prone renovascular hypertension (RHRSP) to establish an animal model of hypertensive white matter lesions (WML), so as to explore the brain functions and unusual β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation in WML. Hypertensive WML and brain dysfunctions were evaluated by measuring the caudal arterial pressure of model rats, and by observing the histomorphological deformations o f the prefrontal lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampus and corpus callosum, as well as by counting of the number of neurons using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H and E) staining, and by evaluating the changes in rat brain functions, including memory and the ability of visual space learning, using the Morris Water Maze Test. In addition, the study discussed the correlation between Aβ accumulation and hypertensive WML cognitive impairment by adopting an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the level of Aβ 1-42, and by detecting the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) using Western blot. Results of the study showed that at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks after operation, the blood pressure and brain Aβ expression in the rats of the model group notably increased (P less than 0.01), along with deformed and degenerated brain tissues, confirming that the unusual Aβ accumulation may participate in the occurrence and development of hypertensive WML as well as the induction of cerebral cognitive decreases.

Overexpression of lncRNA TCL6 promotes preeclampsia progression by regulating PTEN

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) TCL6 in preeclampsia (PE) development and to investigate its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of TCL6 in 42 placental tissues of PE pregnancies and normal pregnancies was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to explore the relationship between TCL6 expression, urine protein level, blood pressure and neonatal weight of PE pregnancies. The proliferation and cell cycle of trophoblast cells after TCL6 knockdown were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Moreover, the specific role of TCL6 in cell cycle was detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

TCL6 was highly expressed in 42 placental tissues of PE pregnancies when compared with that of normal pregnancies. PE pregnancies with lower expression level of TCL6 exhibited significantly lower urinary protein level, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure than those with higher level. Besides, neonatal weight was significantly higher in PE pregnancies with lower expression level of TCL6. Meanwhile, downregulation of TCL6 resulted in remarkably increased proliferation and cell cycle of trophoblast cells. In addition, Western blot results indicated that TCL6 knockdown significantly upregulated CDK2 and downregulated PTEN in trophoblast cells.

CONCLUSIONS

TCL6 was highly expressed in placental tissues of PE patients. Overexpression of lncRNA TCL6 inhibited the proliferation of trophoblast cells and promoted PE development via targeting PTEN.

Prepregnancy maternal body mass index and venous thromboembolism: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relation between maternal body mass index (BMI) and pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism (VTE).

DESIGN

Cohort study.

SETTING AND POPULATION

A total of 2 449 133 women with singleton pregnancies who underwent delivery hospitalisation in California between 2008 and 2012.

METHODS

Association of pre-pregnancy BMI and the risk of an antepartum and postpartum VTE was examined using logistic regression, with normal BMI as reference.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Antepartum and postpartum VTE-related hospitalisation.

RESULTS

The prevalence of antepartum and postpartum VTE increased with increasing BMI (antepartum: 2.3, 3.0, 3.8, 4.2, 4.7, and 10.6 per 10 000 women for underweight, normal BMI, overweight, obesity class I, II, and III, respectively, P < 0.001; postpartum: 2.0, 3.1, 3.9, 5.6, 9.0, and 13.2 per 10 000 women, P < 0.01). The adjusted odds of antepartum and postpartum VTE increased progressively with increasing BMI, with obesity class III women having the highest risk of pregnancy-related VTE compared with normal BMI women: adjusted odds ratio for antepartum VTE: 2.9; 95% CI 2.2-3.8 and adjusted odds ratio for postpartum VTE: 3.6; 95% CI 2.9-4.6.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings clearly demonstrate an increasing risk of pregnancy-related VTE with increasing BMI.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Obesity was associated with increased odds of antepartum and postpartum venous thromboembolism.

Clinical analysis of Hashimoto thyroiditis coexistent with papillary thyroid cancer in 1392 patients

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignant tumour of the thyroid. The effect of the concurrent presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and PTC is still under debate. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of coexistent HT on prognostic outcomes and the association of coexistent HT with clinicopathological features. The demographic and clinicopathological data of 1,392 patients who underwent surgery in our hospital from 2007 to 2016 was collected and analysed. Among 1,392 PTC patients, the rate of HT was 25.6%. There were significant differences in the mean levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (3.27 vs. 2.41 μIU/L, p < 0.01), thyroperoxidase antibodies (110.31 vs. 131.2 U/ml, p < 0.01) and thyroglobulin antibodies (131.90 vs. 113.53 ng/ml, p < 0.01) between the two groups. PTC patients with HT had the following characteristics compared to patients without HT: smaller tumour size (p < 0.01), female predominance (p < 0.01) and higher rate of multifocality (p = 0.024). In addition, patients with HT had a significantly lower rate of lymph node metastasis (LNM) and advanced TNM stage than patients without HT (all p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis found that both age and multifocality were significantly associated with central LNM in HT patients (p < 0.01, p = 0.019, respectively). Extrathyroidal invasion and TSH level were also significant independent factors for lateral LNM in HT patients (p < 0.008, p = 0.04, respectively). HT is associated with a significantly higher risk of PTC. The coexistence of HT in PTC patients is associated with favourable clinical outcomes compared to PTC without HT. Total thyroidectomy and prophylactic central compartment lymphadenectomy should be a choice for PTC patients with HT.

Serum CA125 in combination with ferritin improves diagnostic accuracy for epithelial ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

CA125 has poor sensitivity and low specificity for detecting early ovarian cancer. Serum ferritin is elevated in many malignancies. We evaluated the performance of ferritin alone and in combination with CA125 as a diagnostic tool to detect epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

METHODS

CA125 and ferritin were detected in the serum of 50 healthy control (HC), 50 women with benign gynaecological conditions and 124 women with EOC. The relationship between serum ferritin and CA125 and each of the clinicopathological parameters was assessed, and their diagnostic accuracy for discriminating ovarian cancer determined.

RESULTS

Serum ferritin and CA125 were higher in patients with EOC compared to HCs and patients with benign conditions (both p < 0.001). There was no relationship between levels of ferritin and CA125. Both ferritin and CA125 discriminated HC from EOC (p < 0.05), but ferritin showed better diagnostic accuracy than CA125 (p = 0.048). Ferritin was superior to CA125 in discrimination early EOC (p = 0.002), but in advanced stages, CA125 was superior (p = 0.026). A combination of ferritin and CA125 marginally increases the diagnostic accuracy to discriminate EOC from HCs.

CONCLUSION

Ferritin discriminates between HCs and EOC patients, especially in early stage disease. The combination of serum ferritin and CA125 provides the higher diagnostic accuracy to screen for EOC. Serum ferritin could serve as an EOC biomarker to complement the standard CA125 test.

Down-regulation of single-stranded DNA-binding protein 1 expression induced by HCMV infection promotes lipid accumulation in cells

The objective of this study was to observe the infection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) to human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and its effect on the expression of single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSBP1) and on lipid metabolism in endothelial cells. We screened the differential expression of mRNAs after HCMV infection by suppression subtractive hybridization and the expression levels of SSBP1 mRNA and protein after HCMV infection by real-time PCR and western blot. After verification of successful infection by indirect immunofluorescent staining and RT-PCR, we found a differential expression of lipid metabolism-related genes including LDLR, SCARB, CETP, HMGCR, ApoB and LPL induced by HCMV infection. The expression levels of SSBP1 mRNA and protein after HCMV infection were significantly down-regulated. Furthermore, we found that upregulation of SSBP1 inhibited the expression of atherosclerosis-associated LDLR, SCARB, HMGCR, CETP as well as the accumulation of lipids in the cells. The results showed that the inhibition of SSBP1 by HCMV infection promotes lipid accumulation in the cells.

Profile preferentially partial occlusion removal for three-dimensional integral imaging

A profile preferentially partial occlusion removal method for integral imaging is presented. The profile of the occlusion always contains details with significant texture structure, and regions with significant texture structure often lead to reliable depth estimation. Taking the advantage of the significant texture structure, the profile of occlusion is preferentially dealt with, and then the entire occlusion region is determined via regional spreading according to the accurate profile. The details of occlusion can be accurately removed and the occluded scene is also retained to the maximum degree. In our method, elemental images are integrated into a four-dimensional light field to provide consistently reliable depth estimation and occlusion decisions among all elemental images. Experimental results show that the proposed method is efficient to deal with the details of the occlusion, and it is robust for the occlusions with different kinds of texture structure.

Rotavirus infection and histo-blood group antigens in the children hospitalized with diarrhoea in China

To explore the association between rotavirus (RV) infection and histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), a cross-sectional study was conducted in children hospitalized with diarrhoea in China from November 2014 to February 2015. In total, 424 sets of stool, saliva and buccal cell samples were collected. For the 125 RV-negative samples, 92% (104/125) were secretors/partial secretors, 8% (10/125) were non-secretors. Among the 299 RV-positive samples, 277 were P[8] and 22 were P[4]. All P[4] and P[8] positive individuals were secretors/partial secretors except for one P[8] (0.3%, 1/299), which was a non-secretor. These findings indicate that P[8] and P[4] RVs preferably infect secretors/partial secretors (p <0.001).

P1BS, a conserved motif involved in tolerance to phosphate starvation in soybean

Available phosphate (Pi) is a major limiting factor for plant growth, development, and productivity. Phosphate starvation response 1 (PHR1) is a binding dimer that binds to an imperfect palindromic sequence. PHR1-binding sequences (GnATATnC) exist in the promoter of Pi starvation-responsive structural genes, indicating an effect occurring downstream in the Pi starvation signaling pathway. These sequences are referred to as PHR1-binding site (P1BS) structures. In this study, the sequences of GmPHR1 and GmSPX1 from Glycine max (L.) Merr. soybean were determined and analyzed. We found that GmPHR1 is an MYB-related transcription factor. In addition, GmSPX1 contained a P1BS structure, which is an important cis-regulatory motif in the phosphate signaling pathway. We found that GmPHR1 can physically interact with GmSPX1 through the cis-element, which may be a major pathway for the GmPHR1-mediated Pi starvation stress response. Thus, the P1BS structure in the Pi starvation signaling pathway is an important cis-regulatory motif that improves the tolerance to low phosphorus conditions in soybean.

High-resolution color doppler ultrasound examination and related risk factor analysis of lower extremity vasculopathy in type 2 diabetes patients

This study aims to investigate the value of high-resolution color Doppler ultrasonography (HR-CDU) in the evaluation of lower-extremity vasculopathy (LEV) and its related risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Two hundred forty T2DM patients were selected, who underwent lower-extremity arterial HR-CDU. The patients were divided into the LEV group (V group) and the nonvasculopathy group (A group). The V group was then divided into the mild (B group), moderate (C group), and severe (D group) subgroups. The relevant clinical parameters were simultaneously recorded. The results showed that the lesion-positive detection rate of HR-CDU was significantly higher than that of clinical examination. The age, disease duration, smoking history, blood pressure, blood sugar, fibrinogen (FIB), C-reactive protein (CRP), uric acid (UA), and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in the V group were higher than in the N group. In the logistic regression analysis, smoking history, age, disease duration, FIB, UA, and fasting blood glucose were independent risk factors of T2DM LEV. The incidence of LEV in T2DM patients increased significantly with increasing age, UA, FIB, CRP, UAE, disease duration, and smoking history, and the vasculopathy level became more severe. In conclusion, age, disease duration, smoking history, blood pressure, blood sugar, FIB, CRP, UA, and UAE are the related risk factors of LEV in T2DM patients.

The cultivation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells derived from patients with high altitude polycythemia

The aim of this study was to isolate and culture bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from patients with high altitude polycythemia (HAPC) in order to provide a foundation for further exploration of their biological characteristics. MSCs were isolated and cultured from 10 HAPC patients and 10 healthy controls by using a density gradient centrifugation and an adherent screening method. The morphous of MSCs were observed under an inverted microscope, and its surface antigens were determined using flow cytometry. The growth of the MSCs was also detected to evaluate its proliferation. Bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated from the bone marrow using a density gradient centrifugation, and they were cultured in vitro. The bone marrow MSCs were successfully isolated and cultured, which presented as fusiform and adherent cells. The MSCs in both groups expressed CD90,CD44,CD29,CD105, CD106, CD146, CD166,Stro&mdash;1 and CD13, but they did not express CD45, CD4,CD8,CD19,CD20,CD80,CD14,CD3,CD34 or HLA&mdash;DR (P>0.05). The bone marrow MSCs from HAPC patients had a higher proliferation than the bone marrow MSCs from the healthy controls (P&lt;0.01). The bone marrow MSCs from HAPC patients can be effectively cultured in vitro.

Cloning and expression analysis of a stress-induced GmIMT1 gene in soybean (Glycine max)

Here, we aimed to clone and identify the GmIMT1 gene related to the salt stress response in soybean. The full-length cDNA sequence of the GmIMT1 gene was amplified in soybean using degenerate primers of Mesembrythmum crystallium. To understand the stress response, the GmIMT1 gene was cloned and sequenced. Then, the expression vectors of the gene were constructed, and introduced into the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana through Agrobacterium mediated transformation, and the salt tolerance was analyzed in the transgenic plants. In addition, the expression patterns of GmIMT1 gene in soybean were analyzed. The expression was examined in different organs (roots, leaves, flower seeds, and stem) and under different stress conditions (drought, high salt, low temperature, salicylic acid, ethane, abscisic acid, and methyl jasmonate) by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The results showed that the root, leaves, and stems exhibited high level of GmIMT1 gene expression, whereas there was no expression in the seeds. In addition, the GmIMT1 gene expression was upregulated under all stress conditions. Overall, the results clearly indicate that GmIMT1 might be involved in multiple plant response pathways to the different environmental conditions. Furthermore transgenic plants exhibited higher salt-tolerance compared to wild type plants.

In vitro activity of isoimperatorin, alone and in combination, against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Previous studies have shown that isoimperatorin (IO), a furanocoumarin isolated from several medicinal plants, has antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv (ATCC 27294). This study demonstrated that IO has antimycobacterial activity against 2 drug-sensitive and 6 drug-resistant isolates, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 50-100 μg ml(-1) and 100-200 μg ml(-1), respectively. IO exhibited synergistic antimycobacterial effects with rifampin (RMP), isoniazid (INH) and ethambutol (EMB) against 6 drug-resistant strains, with fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values of 0·133-0·472, 0·123-0·475 and 0·124-0·25, respectively. The IO/RMP, IO/INH and IO/EMB combination treatments had synergistic effects or no interaction in the 2 drug-sensitive strains and the standard strain ATCC 27294. The synergism of combined drugs against drug-resistant strains was better than drug-sensitive strains. No antagonism was observed in with the aforementioned combinations against all strains tested. IO exhibited relatively low cytotoxicity to Vero cells. Our results indicate that IO may serve as promising a template for future antimycobacterial drug development.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report on the in vitro synergistic antimycobacterial effects of isoimperatorin (IO) in combination with three first-line drugs: rifampin (RMP), isoniazid (INH) and ethambutol (EMB). The results indicated that the antimycobacterial activity of IO was modest; however, IO was a useful and effective agent against Myco. tuberculosis when it was combined with first-line antimycobacterial drugs and is worthy of further development as a lead compound for the development of novel antimycobacterial therapeutic agents.

Association of cystatin C-based glomerular filtration rate with SYNTAX score in patients with diabetes

AIM

Serum cystatin C has been proposed as a better marker of glomerular filtration rate than serum creatinine. SYNTAX score (SXscore) can accurately reflect the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between Cystatin C-based glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys) and SXscore in patients with diabetes has never been reported.

METHODS

We prospectively included 656 consecutive patients with diabetes who were angiographically diagnosed with CAD from January 2010 to December 2011. Renal function was assessed by eGFRcys. SXscore was calculated using SXscore algorithm. Ordinal logistic regression and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the association between eGFRcys and SXscore.

RESULTS

Patients with renal dysfunction were older, more often female, more likely to have a history of hypertension and less tobacco use when compared with those patients with normal renal function. Age, sex, SBP, DBP, fasting glucose, HbA1c, TC, LDL, HDL, TG, BMI and CRP were not different among SXscore tertile groups. Incidence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history and tobacco use were similar among these groups. Correlation analysis suggested that eGFRcys was negatively correlated with SXscore (R=-0.255, P<0.001). Ordinal logistic regression showed that eGFRcys was an independent predictor of SXscore (β=-0.027, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

eGFRcys was an independent predictor of SXscore in patients with diabetes. This might help explain the increased risk of CVD events and mortality in patients with renal dysfunction. Further prospectively multiple centre studies are required to better quantify this finding.