The Distribution of Crystalline Lens Rise in High Myopia Population and Its Influence on Vault After Implanting Intraocular Collamer Lens

INTRODUCTION

As a result of the insufficient ocular anatomical parameters used to customize implantable collamer lens (ICL), many patients still cannot achieve a suitable vault after ICL implantation surgery. This study analyzed the characteristics of a new anatomical parameter crystalline lens rise (CLR) in a population with high myopia and explored the influence of CLR on the vault after ICL implantation.

METHODS

Patients (298 eyes) with high myopia who underwent ICL implantation were enrolled to study CLR characteristics. Postoperatively, patients (159 eyes) were divided into five groups according to the value of CLR (A, CLR ≤ - 150; B, - 150 < CLR ≤ 0; C, 0 < CLR < 150; D, 150 ≤ CLR < 300; E, CLR ≥ 300 μm), and to investigate the correlation between CLR and vault.

RESULTS

In the 298 eyes, the CLR had a normal distribution (P = 0.35) and the mean CLR was 67.93 ± 150.66 μm. Ninety-nine eyes (33.22%) had a CLR ≤ 0 μm, of which 20 eyes (6.71%) had a CLR ≤ - 150 μm; 199 eyes (66.78%) had a CLR > 0 μm, of which 20 eyes (6.71%) had a CLR ≥ 300 μm. In 159 eyes, the CLR was negatively correlated with the vault at 1 day (R = - 0.497, P < 0.001), 3 months (R = - 0.505, P < 0.001), and 6 months (R = - 0.505, P < 0.001) postoperatively. At 6 months, the vault of group A was statistically significantly different compared to groups B-E (all P < 0.05), and that of group E was statistically significantly different compared to groups A-D (all P < 0.001). The remaining groups did not show statistically significant differences (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The CLR had a normal distribution in the high myopia population, and 13.42% of the CLR values were extreme (CLR ≤ - 150 μm or CLR ≥ 300 μm). A larger ICL diameter than that recommended by the manufacturer should be considered when the CLR is ≥ 300 μm and a smaller ICL diameter should be considered when the CLR is ≤ - 150 μm.

Vegetation-fire feedbacks increase subtropical wildfire risk in scrubland and reduce it in forests

Climate dictates wildfire activity around the world. But East and Southeast Asia are an apparent exception as fire-activity variation there is unrelated to climatic variables. In subtropical China, fire activity decreased by 80% between 2003 and 2020 amid increased fire risks globally. Here, we assessed the fire regime, vegetation structure, fuel flammability and their interactions across subtropical Hubei, China. We show that tree basal area (TBA) and fuel flammability explained 60% of fire-frequency variance. Fire frequency and fuel flammability, in turn, explained 90% of TBA variance. These results reveal a novel system of scrubland-forest stabilized by vegetation-fire feedbacks. Frequent fires promote the persistence of derelict scrubland through positive vegetation-fire feedbacks; in forest, vegetation-fire feedbacks are negative and suppress fire. Thus, we attribute the decrease in wildfire activity to reforestation programs that concurrently increase forest coverage and foster negative vegetation-fire feedbacks that suppress wildfire.

A glutamate-gated chloride channel as the mite-specific target-site of dicofol and other diphenylcarbinol acaricides

Dicofol has been widely used to control phytophagous mites. Although dicofol is chemically related to DDT, its mode of action has remained elusive. Here, we mapped dicofol resistance in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae to two genomic regions. Each region harbored a glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) gene that contained a mutation-G314D or G326E-known to confer resistance against the unrelated acaricide abamectin. Using electrophysiology assays we showed that dicofol and other diphenylcarbinol acaricides-bromopropylate and chlorobenzilate-induce persistent currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing wild-type T. urticae GluCl3 receptors and potentiate glutamate responses. In contrast, the G326E substitution abolished the agonistic activity of all three compounds. Assays with the wild-type Drosophila GluClα revealed that this receptor was unresponsive to dicofol. Homology modeling combined with ligand-docking confirmed the specificity of electrophysiology assays. Altogether, this work elucidates the mode of action of diphenylcarbinols as mite-specific agonists of GluCl.

Classification models for Tobacco Mosaic Virus and Potato Virus Y using hyperspectral and machine learning techniques

Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) and Potato Virus Y (PVY) pose significant threats to crop production. Non-destructive and accurate surveillance is crucial to effective disease control. In this study, we propose the adoption of hyperspectral and machine learning technologies to discern the type and severity of tobacco leaves affected by PVY and TMV infection. Initially, we applied three preprocessing methods - Multivariate Scattering Correction (MSC), Standard Normal Variate (SNV), and Savitzky-Golay smoothing filter (SavGol) - to corrected the leaf full-length spectral sheet data (350-2500nm). Subsequently, we employed two classifiers, support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF), to establish supervised classification models, including binary classification models (healthy/diseased leaves or PVY/TMV infected leaves) and six-class classification models (healthy and various severity levels of diseased leaves). Based on the core evaluation index, our models achieved accuracies in the range of 91-100% in the binary classification. In general, SVM demonstrated superior performance compared to RF in distinguishing leaves infected with PVY and TMV. Different combinations of preprocessing methods and classifiers have distinct capabilities in the six-class classification. Notably, SavGol united with SVM gave an excellent performance in the identification of different PVY severity levels with 98.1% average precision, and also achieved a high recognition rate (96.2%) in the different TMV severity level classifications. The results further highlighted that the effective wavelengths captured by SVM, 700nm and 1800nm, would be valuable for estimating disease severity levels. Our study underscores the efficacy of integrating hyperspectral technology and machine learning, showcasing their potential for accurate and non-destructive monitoring of plant viral diseases.

Proteomics profiles reveal the potential roles of proteins involved in chicken macrophages stimulated by Lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a core part of gram-negative bacteria, is crucial for inducing an inflammatory response in living things. In the current study, we used LPS from Salmonella to stimulate chicken macrophages (HD11). Proteomics was used to investigate immune-related proteins and their roles further. Proteomics investigation revealed 31 differential expression proteins (DEPs) after 4 hours of LPS infection. 24 DEPs expressions were up-regulated, while seven were down-regulated. In this investigation, ten DEPs were mainly enriched in S. aureus infection, complement, and coagulation cascades, which were all implicated in the inflammatory response and clearance of foreign pathogens. Notably, complement C3 was shown to be up-regulated in all immune-related pathways, indicating that it is a potential protein in this study. This work contributes to a better understanding and clarification of the processes of Salmonella infection in chickens. It might bring up new possibilities for treating and breeding Salmonella-infected chickens.

WTAP promotes macrophage recruitment and increases VEGF secretion via N6-methyladenosine modification in corneal neovascularization

BACKGROUND

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) can be caused by chemical burns. Macrophages are involved in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis during CNV. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Wilms' tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP) is involved in macrophage recruitment and VEGF secretion via N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification.

METHODS

A CNV mouse model was established by corneal alkali burn. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was used to stimulate vascular endothelial cells. m6A immunoprecipitation qPCR was used to determine the enrichment of m6A levels in mRNAs. The H3K9me3 enrichment in the promoter region of CC motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) was detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The WTAP inhibition in vivo was performed using the adeno-associated virus.

RESULTS

In the alkali burn corneal tissues, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis were promoted as CD31 and LYVE-1 expressions were elevated, and the number of macrophages as well as WTAP expression were increased. Under the TNF-α stimulation, WTAP promoted the recruitment of endothelial cells to macrophages by promoting CCL2 secretion. Mechanistically, WTAP affected the enrichment of H3K9me3 at the CCL2 promoter by regulating the m6A level of SUV39H1 mRNA. The in vivo experiment showed that VEGFA/C/D secretion of macrophages was reduced after WTAP interference. Mechanistically, WTAP regulated the translational efficiency of HIF-1α via m6A modification.

CONCLUSION

WTAP affected macrophage recruitment to endothelial cells via regulation of H3K9me3-mediated CCL2 transcription. WTAP also affected macrophage secretion of VEGFA/C/D via m6A-mediated translation regulation of HIF-1α. Both pathways were involved in the WTAP regulation of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis during CNV.

Intraspecific diversity in the mechanisms underlying abamectin resistance in a cosmopolitan pest

Pesticide resistance relies on a myriad of mechanisms, ranging from single mutations to a complex and polygenic architecture, and it involves mechanisms such as target-site insensitivity, metabolic detoxification, or a combination of these, with either additive or synergistic effects. Several resistance mechanisms against abamectin, a macrocyclic lactone widely used in crop protection, have been reported in the cosmopolitan pest Tetranychus urticae. However, it has been shown that a single mechanism cannot account for the high levels of abamectin resistance found across different mite populations. Here, we used experimental evolution combined with bulked segregant analyses to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with abamectin resistance in two genetically unrelated populations of T. urticae. In these two independent QTL mapping experiments, three and four QTLs were identified, of which three were shared between experiments. Shared QTLs contained genes encoding subunits of the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) and harboured previously reported mutations, including G314D in GluCl1 and G326E in GluCl3, but also novel resistance candidate loci, including DNA helicases and chemosensory receptors. Surprisingly, the fourth QTL, present only in only one of the experiments and thus unique for one resistant parental line, revealed a non-functional variant of GluCl2, suggesting gene knock-out as resistance mechanism. Our study uncovers the complex basis of abamectin resistance, and it highlights the intraspecific diversity of genetic mechanisms underlying resistance in a cosmopolitan pest.

The H92R substitution in PSST is a reliable diagnostic biomarker for predicting resistance to mitochondrial electron transport inhibitors of complex I in European populations of Tetranychus urticae

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial Electron Transport Inhibitors of complex I (METI-I), such as tebufenpyrad and fenpyroximate, are acaricides that have been used extensively to control Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) for more than 20 years. Because of the ability of this spider mite to rapidly develop acaricide resistance, field (cross-) resistance monitoring and elucidation of resistance mechanisms are extremely important for resistance management (RM). In the present study, 42 European T. urticae field populations were screened for tebufenpyrad and fenpyroximate resistance, and the correlation between resistance and the H92R substitution in PSST was investigated.

RESULTS

According to the calculated lethal concentration values that kill 90% of the population (LC₉₀ ), tebufenpyrad and fenpyroximate would fail to control many of the collected populations at recommended field rates. Six populations exhibited high to very high resistance levels (200- to over 1950-fold) to both METI-Is. Analysis based on the LC₅₀ values displayed a clear correlation between tebufenpyrad and fenpyroximate resistance, further supporting cross-resistance, which is of great operational importance in acaricide RM. The previously uncovered METI-I target-site mutation H92R in the PSST homologue of complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) was found with high allele frequencies in populations resistant to tebufenpyrad and fenpyroximate. Synergist assays showed this mutation is not the only factor involved in METI-I resistance and additive or synergistic effects of multiple mechanisms most likely determine the phenotypic strength.

CONCLUSIONS

The predictive value of resistance by H92R is very high in European populations and offers great potential to be used as a molecular diagnostic marker for METI-I resistance. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Intradiol ring cleavage dioxygenases from herbivorous spider mites as a new detoxification enzyme family in animals

Background

Generalist herbivores such as the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae thrive on a wide variety of plants and can rapidly adapt to novel hosts. What traits enable polyphagous herbivores to cope with the diversity of secondary metabolites in their variable plant diet is unclear. Genome sequencing of T. urticae revealed the presence of 17 genes that code for secreted proteins with strong homology to “intradiol ring cleavage dioxygenases (DOGs)” from bacteria and fungi, and phylogenetic analyses show that they have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer from fungi. In bacteria and fungi, DOGs have been well characterized and cleave aromatic rings in catecholic compounds between adjacent hydroxyl groups. Such compounds are found in high amounts in solanaceous plants like tomato, where they protect against herbivory. To better understand the role of this gene family in spider mites, we used a multi-disciplinary approach to functionally characterize the various T. urticae DOG genes.

Results

We confirmed that DOG genes were present in the T. urticae genome and performed a phylogenetic reconstruction using transcriptomic and genomic data to advance our understanding of the evolutionary history of spider mite DOG genes. We found that DOG expression differed between mites from different plant hosts and was induced in response to jasmonic acid defense signaling. In consonance with a presumed role in detoxification, expression was localized in the mite’s gut region. Silencing selected DOGs expression by dsRNA injection reduced the mites’ survival rate on tomato, further supporting a role in mitigating the plant defense response. Recombinant purified DOGs displayed a broad substrate promiscuity, cleaving a surprisingly wide array of aromatic plant metabolites, greatly exceeding the metabolic capacity of previously characterized microbial DOGs.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the laterally acquired spider mite DOGs function as detoxification enzymes in the gut, disarming plant metabolites before they reach toxic levels. We provide experimental evidence to support the hypothesis that this proliferated gene family in T. urticae is causally linked to its ability to feed on an extremely wide range of host plants.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01323-1.

Survival Prediction of Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors via KRAS/TP53/EGFR-Single Gene Mutation

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become an effective treatment option for cancer. KRAS, EGFR and TP53 are common mutated oncogenes in cancer whose single gene status may predict the therapeutic effect of clinical ICIs. In this efficacy evaluation, we aimed to clarify whether the single gene mutation status of KRAS, EGFR or TP53 affects the survival benefits of ICIs in cancer patients.

Methods: We used PubMed, Cochrane Library, web of science, and clinical trials Gov database to retrieve qualified documents, the time was up to January 2022. Hazard ratios (HRS) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine the single gene mutation status and no progression of KRAS, EGFR or TP53.

Results: A total of 19 studies included 7029 cancer patients treated with ICIs. The results showed that KRAS, EGFR or TP53 single gene mutation could significantly improve PFS and OS in patients receiving ICIs, but the degree of improvement was different. The risk of prolongation of PFS (HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.19-1.85, p = 0.0004) and OS (HR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.36-2.07, p < 0.00001) caused by TP53 single gene mutation was relatively high, the risk ratio of prolongation of PFS (HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.21-1.57, p < 0.00001) and OS (HR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.20-2.04, p = 0.001) caused by EGFR single gene mutation was the second, the risk ratio of prolongation of PFS (HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.12-1.57, p = 0.001) and OS (HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.18-1.63, p < 0.00001) caused by KRAS single gene mutation was relatively low, and the results were significantly different.

Conclusion: In cancer patients, KRAS, EGFR or TP53 single gene status is correlated with the benefits of immunotherapy PFS and OS, which suggests that gene sequencing should be carried out in time in the process of clinical treatment to determine the gene mutation of patients and better predict the clinical treatment effect of ICIs.

Increased odds ratio for erectile dysfunction in COVID-19 patients

PURPOSE

Erectile dysfunction and COVID-19 share similar risk factors, including vascular disruption of integrity, cytokine release, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between erectile dysfunction and COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

Odds ratio for erectile dysfunction in patients with a history of COVID-19 with and without comorbidities were calculated using a patients' registry platform i2b2. ICD-10 diagnoses codes were accessed for queries and data were analyzed using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Patients with COVID-19 were 3.3 times more likely to have erectile dysfunction with 95% CI (2.8, 3.8). The association became stronger with odds ratio 4.8 (95% CI (4.1, 5.7)) after adjusting for age groups. The odds ratio remained the same after adjusting for smoking status with 3.5 (95% CI (3.0, 4.1)). After adjusting for race, COVID-19 patients were 2.6 (95% CI (2.2, 3.1)) times more likely to have erectile dysfunction. The odds ratio were 1.6, 1.8, 1.9 and 2.3 after adjusting for respiratory disease, obesity, circulatory disease and diabetes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction are strongly associated even after adjustment for known risk factors and demographics.

The G126S substitution in mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b does not confer bifenazate resistance in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae

Several genetic variants of the cd1- and ef-helices of the Q_o site of mitochondrial cytochrome b have been associated with bifenazate resistance in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae, an important crop pest around the world. Maternal inheritance of bifenazate resistance has provided strong evidence for the involvement of many of these mutations alone or in combination. A number of populations highly resistant to bifenazate were uncovered that carried the G126S substitution in combination with other target-site mutations. This G126S mutation has therefore been investigated in several studies in the context of resistance evolution and the development of diagnostic markers. However, experimental data that link bifenazate resistance with the presence of the G126S mutation without additional cd1- and ef-helices mutations, remain very limited. Here, we genotyped 38 T. urticae field populations for cytochrome b and uncovered nine field populations with a fixed or segregating G126S substitution without other target-site mutations in the conserved cd1- and ef-helices of the cytochrome b Q_o pocket. Toxicity bioassays showed that all nine field populations were very susceptible to bifenazate, providing strong evidence that G126S alone does not confer bifenazate resistance. These findings also implicate that previous T. urticae populations with G126S found to be low to moderately resistant to bifenazate, evolved alternative mechanisms of resistance, and more importantly, that this mutation cannot be used as a molecular diagnostic for bifenazate resistance.

[Quantitative analysis of differential proteins in liver tissues of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis using iTRAQ technology]

OBJECTIVE

To screen differentially expressed proteins (DSPs) in the liver tissues of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) using proteomic technologies to identify potential therapeutic targets of NASH.

METHODS

Liver tissue specimens were obtained from 3 patients with pathologically confirmed NASH and 3 normal control subjects. The total proteins were extracted from the specimens, and iTRAQ reagent was used to label the peptides for liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) detection. The DSPs were identified by comparing the data against UniProt protein database using Mascot2.3.02 software and were annotated and enriched using GO database; KEGG database was used for enrichment of the pathways involving these proteins. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expressions of the significant DSPs in NASH.

RESULTS

By the criteria that a DSP has >1.2 or < 0.8 fold difference between NASH group and the control group and with P < 0.05 as the threshold, a total of 648 significant DSPs in NASH were identified, including 246 up-regulated and 402 down-regulated proteins. GO functional enrichment analysis showed that the DSPs were involved mainly in small molecule metabolism, organic acid metabolism, oxygen acid metabolism and other biological processes, and were enriched in KEGG pathways including the metabolic pathways, complement coagulation cascades, and ribosomes. Among the 25 DEPs with a fold difference >2.0 or < 0.5 (P < 0.05), 6 proteins showed consistent results between qPCR verification and proteomic analysis, including 5 down-regulated proteins: Jumonji protein (JARID2), Lebasillinlike protein (LCA5L), synaptophysin 1 (SYN1) and collagen α-1 (XIII) chain (COL13A1), FYVE, RhoGEF and PH domain protein 5 (FGD5), and 1 upregulated protein glutathione S-transferase Mu 4 (GSTM4).

CONCLUSION

We identified 648 DEPs inthe liver tissue of patients NASH using iTRAQ technology and bioinformatics methods, and among them JARID2, SYN1, COL13A1, FGD5, and GSTM4 may serve as the key target proteins of NASH.

Relationship between electrocardiographic changes and EPO level in stable CAD patients with autonomic nerve functional damage

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between electrocardiographic changes and erythropoietin (EPO) level in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with autonomic nerve functional damage.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinical data of 96 stable CAD patients who were treated in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were grouped according to whether autonomic nerve function damage was combined; the baseline characteristic data and the morphological characteristics of ECG scattergram were compared between 2 groups, and the relationship between ECG scattergram and EPO level & autonomic nerve function was analyzed.

RESULTS

The levels of EPO and red cell volume distributing width (RDW) in stable CAD patients with autonomic nerve dysfunction were significantly higher than that of CAD patients without autonomic nerve dysfunction (p<0.05). The length of scattergram in stable CAD patients with autonomic nerve dysfunction was significantly shorter than that of those without autonomic nerve dysfunction (p<0.05). The cometary sign proportion of ECG scattergram in stable CAD patients with autonomic nerve dysfunction was significantly lower than that of stable CAD patients without autonomic nerve dysfunction (p<0.05). There was negative correlation between EPO levels and scattergram length in stable CAD patients with and without autonomic nerve dysfunction (r=0.44, p=0.02). There was no correlation between EPO levels and scatter width in stable CAD patients with and without autonomic nerve dysfunction (r=0.10, p=0.58). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that EPO level was the independent risk factor for the occurrence of autonomic dysfunction in patients with stable CAD (p<0.05). The length of scattergram was the independent protective factor of autonomic nerve function impairment in patients with stable CAD (p<0.05). The AUC of EPO level and scattergram was 0.74 and 0.72 respectively, both of which have similar prediction value.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of EPO in stable CAD patients with autonomic nerve dysfunction was related to the change of ECG; and the EPO level and scattergram length can be used to predict the occurrence risk of autonomic nerve dysfunction.

Untangling a Gordian knot: the role of a GluCl3 I321T mutation in abamectin resistance in Tetranychus urticae

BACKGROUND

The cys-loop ligand-gated ion channels, including the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) and GABA-gated chloride channel (Rdl) are important targets for drugs and pesticides. The macrocyclic lactone abamectin primarily targets GluCl and is commonly used to control the spider mite Tetranychus urticae, an economically important crop pest. However, abamectin resistance has been reported for multiple T. urticae populations worldwide, and in several cases was associated with the mutations G314D in GluCl1 and G326E in GluCl3. Recently, an additional I321T mutation in GluCl3 was identified in several abamectin resistant T. urticae field populations. Here, we aim to functionally validate this mutation and determine its phenotypic strength.

RESULTS

The GluCl3 I321T mutation was introgressed into a T. urticae susceptible background by marker-assisted backcrossing, revealing contrasting results in phenotypic strength, ranging from almost none to 50-fold. Next, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to introduce I321T, G314D and G326E in the orthologous Drosophila GluCl. Genome modified flies expressing GluCl I321T were threefold less susceptible to abamectin, while CRISPRed GluCl G314D and G326E flies were lethal. Last, functional analysis in Xenopus oocytes revealed that the I321T mutation might reduce GluCl3 sensitivity to abamectin, but also suggested that all three T. urticae Rdls are affected by abamectin.

CONCLUSION

Three different techniques were used to characterize the role of I321T in GluCl3 in abamectin resistance and, combining all results, our analysis suggests that the I321T mutation has a complex role in abamectin resistance. Given the reported subtle effect, additional synergistic factors in resistance warrant more investigation. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Role of histone deacetylase Sirt3 in the development and regression of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the most common cause of death in cardiovascular diseases and poses severe challenges to human life and safety. Epigenetics plays a vital role in every single link of AS. Whereas, how epigenetics regulates its development and regression is still unknown. Sirt3, a recognized histone deacetylase, having been reported to be involved in other acylation processes in recent years, is broadening its role in epigenetic modifications. Sirt3 is an important factor in the normal physiology of blood vessels through deacetylation of mitochondrial proteins and participates in various metabolic activities. Besides, medical research targeting Sirt3 is in full swing as well. This review combining histone deacetylase Sirt3 with AS, aims to clarify the latest progress in the significant role of Sirt3 in the development and regression of AS and to provide a novel prospect for a new regulatory factor and potential intervention target for AS.

The effect of in-hospital high-dose vs. low-dose intensive statin in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

Background

Statins remain a standard treatment for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. We aimed to determine the association between different dosages of in-hospital statins and the prognoses among patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

NSTE-ACS patients were retrospectively enrolled from January 2010 to December 2014 from five centres in China. Patients receiving either atorvastatin or rosuvastatin during their hospitalizations were included. All the patients were categorized into high-dose statin group (40mg atorvastatin or 20mg rosuvastatin) or low-dose statin group (20mg atorvastatin or 10mg rosuvastatin). In-hospital events and long-term all-cause death was recorded.

Results

Of the 7,008 patients included in the study, 5,248 received low-dose intensive statin (mean age: 64.28±10.39; female: 25.2%), and 1,760 received high-dose intensive statin (mean age: 63.68±10.59; female: 23.1%). There was no significant difference in in-hospital all-cause death between the two groups (adjusted OR, 1.27; P=0.665). All-cause death was similar between the two groups during the long-term follow-up period (30-day: adjusted HR, 1.28; P=0.571; 3-year: adjusted HR, 0.83; P=0.082). However, there was a robust association between the high-dose statin and the reduction in in-hospital dialysis (adjusted OR, 0.11; P=0.030).

Conclusions

The in-hospital high-dose intensive statin is not associated with lower risks of in-hospital or follow-up all-cause death in NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI. Considering the robust beneficial effect of in-hospital dialysis, an individualized high-dose intensive statin can be rational in specified populations.

Univariate and multivariate analyses

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangzhou City athe China Youth Research Funding

Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma, NOS With Epstein-Barr Virus Positivity in an Elderly Patient With Myelodysplastic Syndrome: An Autopsy Case Report

Casestudy

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated peripheral T-cell lymphomas are a group of aggressive neoplasms with a geographic predilection for South America and Asia, but are very rare in Western populations.

Results

We report a case of a 74-year-old Caucasian female who presented with pancytopenia and B symptoms with EBV-IgG detected on admission. Past medical history included: ITP, chronic urticaria, and recently diagnosed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) on bone marrow biopsy one month prior to admission. Excisional biopsies of an enlarged right neck lymph node (repeated within 6 months) and right axillary lymph node five years ago were negative for a lymphoproliferative disorder at the time. Repeated bone marrow biopsy, performed during the current admission, confirmed the diagnosis of MDS, with scattered T-cells without aberrant immunophenotype. Despite aggressive treatment from multiple specialties, the patient deteriorated and expired four weeks later from complications of MDS. At autopsy, there was diffuse lymphadenopathy involving the mediastinum, axilla, pelvis and peripancreatic fat. Lymph node sections demonstrated nodal architecture effacement by diffuse, vaguely nodular lymphoid infiltrates.

Histologically, the infiltrates were composed of medium to large lymphocytes with round to slight irregular nuclei, rare Reed-Sternberg-like multinucleated cells, clumped chromatin, and indistinct nucleoli. Individual cell necrosis was abundant with mitotic figures readily identifiable. Immunohistochemistry revealed CD2+ CD3+ neoplastic T-cells that co-express MUM1 and a subset of CD30, while negative for CD4, CD5, CD8, CD56, ALK1, and TDT. EBV-encoded RNA in-situ hybridization was focally positive. The final postmortem diagnosis was peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (NOS), with focal EBV positivity.

Conclusion

Co-existence of a de-novo MDS and non-Hodgkin lymphoma without any prior chemotherapeutic exposure is a highly unusual finding, although MDS-like presentations can occur with EBV-associated lymphomas. Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, NOS is an aggressive lymphoma and EBV positivity has been found correlated with a poor prognosis. This case demonstrates how postmortem examination remains an important tool in clinical- pathological correlation and highlights the potential pathogenetic role EBV plays in MDS and T-cell lymphoma.

Geographical distribution and molecular insights into abamectin and milbemectin cross-resistance in European field populations of Tetranychus urticae

BACKGROUND

Milbemectin and abamectin are frequently used to control the spider mite Tetranychus urticae. The development of abamectin resistance in this major pest has become an increasing problem worldwide, potentially compromising the use of milbemectin. In this study, a large collection of European field populations was screened for milbemectin and abamectin resistance, and both target-site and metabolic (cross-)resistance mechanisms were investigated.

RESULTS

High to very high levels of abamectin resistance were found in one third of all populations, while milbemectin resistance levels were low for most populations. The occurrence of well-known target-site resistance mutations in glutamate-gated chloride channels (G314D in GluCl1 and G326E in GluCl3) was documented in the most resistant populations. However, a new mutation, I321T in GluCl3, was also uncovered in three resistant populations, while a V327G and L329F mutation was found in GluCl3 of one resistant population. A differential gene-expression analysis revealed the overexpression of detoxification genes, more specifically cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450) and UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes. Multiple UGTs were functionally expressed, and their capability to glycosylate abamectin and milbemectin, was tested and confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a clear correlation between abamectin and milbemectin resistance in European T. urticae populations, but as milbemectin resistance levels were low, the observed cross-resistance is probably not of operational importance. The presence of target-site resistance mutations in GluCl genes was confirmed in most but not all resistant populations. Gene-expression analysis and functional characterization of P450s and UGTs suggests that also metabolic abamectin resistance mechanisms are common in European T. urticae populations. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Previously published data on the association between the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and thyroid cancer (TC) remain controversial.

METHODS

To clarify the association between the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and susceptibility to TC, a meta-analysis of case-control studies was conducted. We systematically searched PubMed and CNKI to identify relevant studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) of various genetic models were estimated using fixed and random effects models. Heterogeneity was detected by Q-statistic, and the Egger's test was used to evaluate the publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of seven eligible studies for the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism (1500 patients and 2358 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. The results of our study failed to suggest an association between the Arg194Trp polymorphism and susceptibility of TC. However, in the subgroup analyses by ethnicity, the OR was 0.82 (C allele vs. T allele, 95% CI 0.68-0.98; P = 0.24 for heterogeneity) among the Chinese population. Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed in the Caucasian population in any genetic model.

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that the C allele of XRCC1 had an 18% significantly decreased risk of TC in Chinese, and there were no significant associations among Caucasians under all genetic models.

Identification and characterization of new mutations in mitochondrial cytochrome b that confer resistance to bifenazate and acequinocyl in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae

BACKGROUND

In spider mites, mutations in the mitochondrial cytochrome b Q_o pocket have been reported to confer resistance to the Q_o inhibitors bifenazate and acequinocyl. In this study, we surveyed populations of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae for mutations in cytochrome b, linked newly discovered mutations with resistance and assessed potential pleiotropic fitness costs.

RESULTS

We identified two novel mutations in the Q_o site: G132A (equivalent to G143A in fungi resistant to strobilurins) and G126S + A133T (previously reported to cause bifenazate and acequinocyl resistance in Panonychus citri). Two T. urticae strains carrying G132A were highly resistant to bifenazate but not acequinocyl, whereas a strain with G126S + A133T displayed high levels of acequinocyl resistance, but only moderate levels of bifenazate resistance. Bifenazate and acequinocyl resistance were inherited maternally, providing strong evidence for the involvement of these mutations in the resistance phenotype. Near isogenic lines carrying G132A revealed several fitness penalties in T. urticae; a lower net reproductive rate (R₀ ), intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and finite rate of increase (LM); a higher doubling time (DT); and a more male-biased sex ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Several lines of evidence were provided to support the causal role of newly discovered cytochrome b mutations in bifenazate and acequinocyl resistance. Because of the fitness costs associated with the G132A mutation, resistant T. urticae populations might be less competitive in a bifenazate-free environment, offering opportunities for resistance management. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

EDACO, a derivative of myricetin, inhibits the differentiation of Gaoyou duck embryonic osteoclasts in vitro

1. This study determined the effects of (E)-3-(2-(4-(3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acryloyl)phenoxy)ethoxy)-5,7-dimethoxy-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (EDACO) on the differentiation of Gaoyou duck embryonic osteoclasts cultured in vitro. 2. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) were collected from 23-d-old Gaoyou duck embryos and induced by macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand in the presence of EDACO at different concentrations (i.e. 10, 20, 40, 80 and 160 µM). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and resorption ability determination were conducted. 3. Results suggested that EDACO suppressed the shaping of positive multinucleated cells and the number of TRAP-positive cells in the 20, 40, 80 and 160 μM EDACO groups was significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Besides, the absorption activity of differentiated duck embryonic osteoclasts was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) in both 80 and 160 μM EDACO groups. 4. Overall, EDACO can inhibit the differentiation of BM-MNC into mature osteoclasts in duck embryos.1.

[The clinical characteristics of 346 patients with IgG4-related disease]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of IgG₄-related disease (IgG₄-RD)so as to improve the understanding of IgG₄-RD in China. Methods: IgG₄-RD patients were recruited from Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2011 and January 2016. All patients were followed-up for more than 6 months. The demographic characteristics, symptoms, organ involvements, laboratory examinations and treatment efficacy were evaluated and analyzed. Results: A total of 346 patients were finally enrolled, including 230 males (66.5%) and 116 females (33.5%). The mean age of disease onset was (53.8±14.2) years old. The mostly common involved organs were lymph nodes (56.4%) and submandibular glands (52.6%). Other affected organs and manifestations included: swelling of the lacrimal glands (46.5%), autoimmune pancreatitis (38.4%), pulmonary involvement (28.0%), sclerosing cholangitis (25.4%), naso-sinusitis (23.4%), parotid gland swelling (21.7%), retroperitoneal fibrosis (19.9%), large arteries involvement (9.5%), kidney involvement (obstructive nephropathy caused by retroperitoneal fibrosis was excluded) (6.9%), skin lesions (6.4%). Rare features consisted of thyroid glands, pituitary glands, gastrointestinal tract, pachymeningitis, pericardium, sclerosing mediastinitis and orchitis. The majority of patients had multi-organ involvement, such as 74.3% patients with 3 and more, 18.2% and 7.5% patients with 2 and single organ involvement respectively. The average IgG₄-RD responder index (IgG₄-RD RI) was 13.21±5.70. History of allergy was found in 172 (49.7%) patients. As to the laboratory tests, elevated serum IgG₄ levels were confirmed in 285 (94.1%) patients, which was positively correlated with IgG₄-RD RI. There were 33.5% patients receiving monotherapy of glucocorticoid, 52.6% treated with glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressive agents, 4.9% patients with immunosuppressant only, and 9.0% patients with mild disease not receiving medication. The majority (336, 97.1%) patients improved the above regimens. Conclusion: IgG₄-RD is a systemic fibro-inflammatory disease with multiple organ involvement. The mostly common involved organs include lymph node, submandibular glands, and pancreas. Glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents were effective for IgG₄-RD.

Differential Expression Analysis of Olfactory Genes Based on a Combination of Sequencing Platforms and Behavioral Investigations in Aphidius gifuensis

Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead is a dominant endoparasitoid of aphids, such as Myzus persicae and Sitobion avenae, and plays an important role in controlling aphids in various habitats, including tobacco plants and wheat in China. A. gifuensis has been successfully applied for the biological control of aphids, especially M. persicae, in green houses and fields in China. The corresponding parasites, as well as its mate-searching behaviors, are subjects of considerable interest. Previous A. gifuensis transcriptome studies have relied on short-read next-generation sequencing (NGS), and the vast majority of the resulting isotigs do not represent full-length cDNA. Here, we employed a combination of NGS and single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing of virgin females (VFs), mated females (MFs), virgin males (VMs), and mated males (MMs) to comprehensively study the A. gifuensis transcriptome. Behavioral responses to the aphid alarm pheromone (E-β-farnesene, EBF) as well as to A. gifuensis of the opposite sex were also studied. VMs were found to be attracted by female wasps and MFs were repelled by male wasps, whereas MMs and VFs did not respond to the opposite sex. In addition, VFs, MFs, and MMs were attracted by EBF, while VMs did not respond. According to these results, we performed a personalized differential gene expression analysis of olfactory gene sets (66 odorant receptors, 25 inotropic receptors, 16 odorant-binding proteins, and 12 chemosensory proteins) in virgin and mated A. gifuensis of both sexes, and identified 13 candidate genes whose expression levels were highly consistent with behavioral test results, suggesting potential functions for these genes in pheromone perception.

Effects of different menopausal hormone replacement regimens on body composition in Chinese women

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different menopausal hormone therapy regimens on body composition in healthy postmenopausal Chinese women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty-three healthy postmenopausal Chinese women were randomly assigned to either group A (0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens [CEE] plus 100 mg micronized progesterone [MP]), group B (0.3 mg CEE plus 100 mg MP), or group C (0.625 mg CEE plus 10 mg dydrogesterone). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

One hundred and two women completed the trial at 1 year. A small but significant gain in lean body mass (619 ± 1019 g, p = 0.002) and a decrease of fat mass in all separate regions was observed in group A. A significant shift from gynoid to android fat distribution was observed in group B and group C (android/gynoid fat percentage ratios increased by 0.06 ± 0.08, p = 0.000 and 0.03 ± 0.08, p = 0.018, respectively), whereas no significant change was observed in group A (0.02 ± 0.06, p = 0.103).

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy postmenopausal Chinese women, 0.625 mg of CEE combined with 100 mg of MP was associated with a more favorable fat distribution compared with 0.3 mg CEE plus 100 mg MP or 0.625 mg CEE plus 10 mg dydrogesterone.

Variability of seed oil content, fatty acid composition, and nervonic acid content in

The seed oil of 138 accessions of 14 Acer truncatum (Aceraceae family) populations native to China were analyzed by pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. The oil content ranged from 17.81% to 36.56% (mean: 28.57%), which mainly consisted of 14 types of fatty acids. Palmitic (4.69%), stearic (2.30%), oleic (25.19%), linoleic (32.97%), linolenic (2.76%), cis-11-eicosenoic (7.90%), erucic (16.49%), and nervonic (5.76%) fatty acids accounted for 98% of total fat. The nervonic acid content ranged from 3.90% to 7.85% among the accessions. Significant variations in oil content and predominating fatty acids were observed among populations. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis detected obvious geographical variation trends among A. truncatum populations which correlate with environmental variations (especially altitude, temperature, and precipitation) and supported the grouping of the populations into three groups according to geographic locations.

Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by etomidate in the aortas of insulin-resistant rats

INTRODUCTION

Few reports have mentioned the effect of etomidate on the aortas of insulin-resistant (IR) rats. In this study, we investigated the effect of etomidate on isolated IR aortas of rats, and explored its underlying mechanism.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The IR rat model was established through feeding with a high-fructose diet. The systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by the tail-cuff method before grouping and at the end of the 8-week feeding; blood samples were also obtained for analysis. Thoracic aorta rings of IR rats were isolated and suspended in a tissue bath. The tensile force was recorded isometrically. The effect of etomidate on provoked contraction of the rings was assessed with or without a potassium channel blocker or NO synthase inhibitor.

RESULTS

Etomidate-induced relaxation in IR rings was greater than normal control (NC) rings (all p < 0.001 with etomidate log M of -4 to -6). NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, an NO synthase inhibitors) inhibited etomidate-induced relaxation in NC rings, but had no effect on the IR rings (all p < 0.001 with etomidate log M of -4 to -6). Pre-incubation with glibenclamide (Gli, a potassium channel blocker) significantly inhibited etomidate-induced relaxation in NC and IR rings (all p < 0.001 with etomidate log M of -4 to -6), and had no inhibited effect on endothelial denuded aortic rings.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin resistance increased etomidate-induced relaxation in rat aortas. Etomidate causes vasodilation in IR rat aortas via both endothelium-dependent and independent ways; impaired NO-mediated relaxation was disrupted and ATP-sensitive potassium (K_ATP) channel-mediated relaxation may be involved in the endothelium-dependent relaxation of etomidate in IR rats.

[Impact of chemotherapy on ovarian function and quality of life of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia]

Objective: Using a questionnaire to evaluate different regimens of chemotherapy on ovarian function and quality of life of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) . Methods: At least 6 months after completion of chemotherapy, 200 patients with GTN treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2010 to June 2017 were randomly selected to fill up the questionnaire. The questionnaire items were included the patient's menstrual cycles, sexual life, gestational issues and common health. The patients were divided into 3 groups by chemotherapy regimens: actinomycin D (Act-D) group, floxuridine+Act-D+vincristine (FAV) or floxuridine+Act-D+etoposide+vincristine (FAEV) group (FAV-FAEV group) , and etoposide+methotrexate+Act-D (EMA) /vincristine+cyclophosphamide (CO) or EMA/ etoposide+cisplatin (EP) group (EMA/CO-EMA/EP group) . Chi-square test was used with a significance level of P-value less than 0.05. Results: One hundred and seventy-three (86.5%,173/200) of the patients completed the questionnaire. Forty three point two percent (43.2%, 19/44) in the EMA/CO-EMA/EP group had a normal menstrual cycle, which were significantly lower than those of Act-D group (84.6%,22/26) and FAV-FAEV group (71.2%, 37/52; all P<0.05) . Amenorrhea rate was also significantly higher in EMA/CO-EMA/EP group (25.0%, 11/44) than in Act-D group (0) and FAV-FAEV group (17.3%, 9/52; all P<0.05) . The sexual life parameters were comparable among 3 groups. Ten out of thirty-two patients conceived after chemotherapy, 2 had miscarriages and 8 had full-term delivery of healthy babies. The common health and labor capacity were significantly decreased after chemotherapy (all P<0.05) . Conclusions: EMA/CO or EMA/EP regimen have a worse impact on ovarian function than Act-D and FAV or FAEV regimen. Gynecologic oncologist should be concerned about the ovarian function and quality of life of GTN patients.

Influence of hormone therapy or C. foetida extract on breast tenderness in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of breast tenderness in a population treated with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or Cimicifuga foetida extract.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted. Ninety-six postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to three groups: group A, 1 mg estradiol valerate daily plus 4 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), days 19-30; group B, 1 mg estradiol valerate daily plus 100 mg micronized progesterone (MP), days 19-30; group C, 100 mg C. foetida extract daily. Breast tenderness was evaluated daily for 12 months.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients completed the study. Group A had the highest prevalence of breast tenderness, while group C had the lowest. More than 50% of all participants reported no symptoms throughout the period. The participants in group A experienced a sharp increase in breast tenderness after treatment, but decreased after 1 month. No significant decline was found in the duration of pain in group B. The patients in group C reported no remarkable changes after 1 month. Compared to estrogen only, estrogen plus MPA/MP led to a higher incidence of prolonged breast symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to MHT groups, C. foetida extract had the lowest prevalence of breast tenderness. Most participants experienced mild or no symptoms.

[Comparison of efficacy between sorafenib and sunitinib as first-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma and analyze prognostic factors for survival]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and drug related adverse reactions of sorafenib and sunitinib as first-line tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and analyze the clinical prognostic factor for survival. Methods: The data of 271 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who had complete clinicopathological data were retrospectively analyzed, including 174 cases in sorafenib group and 97 cases in sunitinib group, to access patients' overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Prognostic values of all characteristics were determined by using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Results: The objective response rates (ORR) of the sorafenib and sunitinib groups were 14.9% and 19.6%, respectively, and the disease control rates (DCR) were 85.1% and 88.6%, respectively. No significant difference was found between the sorafenib and sunitinib group in ORR (P=0.325) or DCR (P=0.408). The most common grade 3 to 4 adverse events in the sorafenib group were hand-foot syndrome (6.7%), diarrhea (2.3%), and rash (2.3%). The most common grade 3 to 4 adverse events in the sunitinib group were neutropenia (6.2%), hand-foot syndrome (6.2%), and thrombocytopenia (4.6%). During the follow-up, 97 cases death occurred and 81 cases disease progression occurred in sorafenib group. The median PFS was 12 months (95% CI: 9-15 months), and the median OS was 25 months (95% CI: 21-29 months) in sorafenib group. While 74 cases death occurred and 40 cases disease progression occurred in sunitinib group, the median PFS was 12 months (95% CI: 10-12 months) and the median OS was 23 months (95% CI: 20-32 months) in sunitinib group. No significant difference was found between the sorafenib and the sunitinib group in PFS (P=0.771) or OS (P=0.548). Multivariate analysis showed Fuhrman grades (HR=1.358, 95%CI: 1.004-1.835), number of metastatic sites (HR=1.550, 95%CI: 1.143-2.101) and MSKCC risk grade (Intermediate risk group: HR=1.621, 95%CI: 1.117-2.232; Poor risk group: HR=2.890, 95%CI: 1.942-4.298) were independent prognostic factors for PFS. Fuhrman grades (HR=2.135, 95%CI: 1.533-2.974), number of metastatic sites (HR=1.774, 95%CI: 1.279-2.461) and MSKCC risk grade (Intermediate risk group: HR=1.415, 95%CI: 1.002-1.998; Poor risk group: HR=3.161, 95%CI: 2.065-4.838) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that sorafenib and sunitinib are both effective as the first-line TKIs for mRCC patients and sorafenib has comparable efficacy to sunitinib. But they have differences in the incidence of adverse effects. Fuhrman grades, number of metastatic sites and MSKCC risk grade are independent prognostic factors for mRCC patients.

[Effect of low-dose or standard-dose conjugated equine estrogen combined with different progesterone on bone density in menopause syndrome women]

Objective: To explore the effect of low-dose or standard-dose conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) combined with natural progesterone or dydrogesterone on bone density in menopause syndrome women. Methods: Totally 123 patients with menopause syndrome were recruited and randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: group A (low-dose CEE+progesterone) , group B (standard-dose CEE+progesterone) , group C (standard-dose CEE+dydrogesterone) . Using continuous sequential regimen, the duration of intervention was 12 cycles. The bone mineral density of lumbar 2-4 and neck of femur, the bone metabolic markers, the level of FSH and estradiol were examined just before the drug administration and 12 months after the beginning of experiment. Results: There were 107 cases completed the one year trial. (1) Bone density: after 12 cycles of treatment, there was no significant change in bone density in group A (P>0.05) ; lumbar vertebrae of group B and C increased significantly, at 3.0% and 2.1%respectively (all P<0.05) . The bone density of left femoral neck of group C significantly increased by 2.9% (P=0.029) . There was no significant difference among the treatment groups at the beginning of experiment (P>0.05) . (2) Bone metabolic markers: after 12 cycles of treatment, the levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, Ca/Cr decreased significantly, the difference were statistically significant (all P<0.05) . There was no significant difference among the treatment groups at the beginning of experiment (P>0.05) . (3) Levels of FSH and estradiol: after 12 cycles of treatment, the levels of FSH in three groups were decreased significantly (all P<0.01) . The levels of estradiol in three groups were increased significantly (all P<0.01) . There was no significant difference among the treatment groups at the beginning of experiment (P>0.05) . Conclusions: Both low-dose and standard-dose menopause hormone therapy (MHT) could elevate the level of estradiol, reduce bone turnover, prevent bone loss of postmenopausal women effectively. The standard dose of MHT could also increase the density of vertebrae and femoral neck, and generate more clinical benefits.