Given that ovarian stimulation is vital for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and results in elevated serum estrogen levels, exploring the impact of elevated estrogen exposure on oocytes and embryos is necessary. We investigated the effects of various ovarian stimulation treatments on oocyte and embryo morphology and gene expression using a mouse model and estrogen-treated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to two types of conventional ovarian stimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation; mice treated with only normal saline served as controls. Hyperstimulation resulted in high serum estrogen levels, enlarged ovaries, an increased number of aberrant oocytes, and decreased embryo formation. The messenger RNA (mRNA)‍-sequencing of oocytes revealed the dysregulated expression of lysine-specific demethylase 6b (Kdm6b), which may be a key factor indicating hyperstimulation-induced aberrant oocytes and embryos. In vitro, Kdm6b expression was downregulated in mESCs treated with high-dose estrogen; treatment with an estrogen receptor antagonist could reverse this downregulated expression level. Furthermore, treatment with high-dose estrogen resulted in the upregulated expression of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX). Notably, knockdown of Kdm6b and high estrogen levels hindered the formation of embryoid bodies, with a concomitant increase in the expression of H3K27me3 and γ-H2AX. Collectively, our findings revealed that hyperstimulation-induced high-dose estrogen could impair the demethylation of H3K27me3 by reducing Kdm6b expression. Accordingly, Kdm6b could be a promising marker for clinically predicting ART outcomes in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Female ; Mice ; Demethylation/drug effects* ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Estrogens/administration & dosage* ; Gene Expression/drug effects* ; Histones/metabolism* ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oocytes ; Ovary/drug effects* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Animals

Single-cell analysis of phenotypic plasticity could improve the development of more effective therapeutics. Still, the development of tools to measure single-cell heterogeneity has lagged due to difficulties in manipulating and culturing single cells. Here, we describe a single-cell culture and phenotyping platform that employs a starburst microfluidic network and automatic liquid handling system to capture single cells for long-term culture and multi-dimensional analysis and quantify their clonal properties via their surface biomarker and secreted cytokine/growth factor profiles. Studies performed on this platform found that cells derived from single-cell cultures maintained phenotypic equilibria similar to their parental populations. Single-cell cultures exposed to chemotherapeutic drugs stochastically disrupted this balance to favor stem-like cells. They had enhanced expression of mRNAs and secreted factors associated with cell signaling, survival, and differentiation. This single-cell analysis approach can be extended to analyze more complex phenotypes and screen responses to therapeutic targets.

Objective:To analyze the genetic and molecular characteristics of H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses from external environment and humans in Anhui Province from 2013 to 2022.Methods:Environmental samples and human samples were collected from Anhui influenza surveillance network laboratory. Sixty-three strains of virus were isolated in chicken embryos. RT-PCR was used to amplify the virus and whole genome sequencing was performed. To construct gene evolutionary tree and analyze its genetic characteristics and potential glycosylation sites.Results:The hemagglutinin (HA) gene belongs to the 9.2.4.5 clade, and the protein cleavage sites are mostly " PSRSSR\GL". The neuraminidase (NA) gene, basic protein-1(PB1) gene, acidic protein (PA) gene, non-structural protein (NS) gene and nucleoprotein (NP) gene belong to the F/98 clade, the matrix protein (MP) gene belongs to the G1/97 clade, and the basic protein-2 (PB2) gene belongs to the ST/7488 clade. Mutations of T155N, R164Q, H183N, T189D/V, A190V/T and Q226L occurred in HA protein, deletion of NA protein occurred at 62-64 sites, and mutations of T271A, I292V/M and E627V/L occurred in PB2 protein. At the same time, mutations of K356R and S409N occurred in the PA protein.Conclusions:The H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses collected from external environment and human sources in Anhui province from 2013 to 2022 belong to the same evolutionary branch, and amino acid site mutations suggest that the virus shows a tendency to gradually adapt to the mammalian host environment. Therefore, further studies on the adaptive evolution of the virus and related monitoring work are needed.

Objective:Analysis of the characteristics of influenza epidemic in Anhui Province and quantification of the impact of different factors on influenza occurrence, providing scientific basis for better influenza prevention and control.Methods:Descriptive analysis and factor analysis were conducted on influenza-like illness (ILI) cases and RT-PCR results in Anhui Province from 2013 to 2021 using data from China's Influenza Monitoring Information System.Results:The percentage of influenza-like illness (ILI%) of sentinel hospitals in Anhui Province from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2021 was 3.80% (1 209 142/31 779 987), showing an overall increasing trend, with a relatively high proportion in 2017-2018 at 4.30% (191 148/4 448 211). The proportion of ILI cases in infants and young children aged 0-4 years was a relatively high at 54.14% (654 676/1 209 142), and the highest ILI% was observed in Fuyang City, Anhui Province (6.25%, 236 863/3 788 863). Laboratory monitoring results showed that the positive rate of ILI cases in sentinel hospitals in 8 influenza monitoring years was 16.38% (34 868/212 912), showing an increasing trend year by year, with a relatively proportion in 2017-2018 at 26.19% (6 936/26 488). The detection rate of school-age children aged 5-14 years was a relativelyhigh at 28.81% (13 869/48 144), and the positive rate was a relatively high in Wuhu City among the 16 cities, reaching 22.01% (2 693/122 237). Influenza activity showed a single peak in winter-spring and alternating double peaks in winter-spring and summer, with different subtypes alternating, and A (H3N2) was the dominant subtype in summer. The results of a multiple logistic regression model showed that the positive rate was higher in 2017-2018, among children aged 5-14 years, in winter, and in southern Anhui.Conclusions:Influenza epidemic in Anhui Province has a clear seasonal pattern, and the ILI% and detection rate have shown an upward trend from 2013 to 2021. Therefore, it is suggested to ensure vaccine supply before the winter-spring influenza season arrives, and to strengthen vaccine uptake and health education to avoid the risk of infection during the peak period of influenza.

Objective:To compare the differences between suspension and adherent cells of MDCK cell line in the isolation of influenza virus, and to explore the application prospects of MDCK cell suspension.Methods:Determination of viable cell density and cell specific growth rate were recorded by cell count. The WHO recommended vaccine strains were used for virus infection experiments. After five passages, hemagglutination titers were detected, while the sequencing analysis of their HA and NA genes revealed the mutation frequency.Results:The 24-hour and 48-hour viable cell density of the cell suspension was more stable than that of adherent cells. The cell suspension achieved an HA titer of 1∶256 or higher in the third generation, while adherent cells had no titer. In the fourth and fifth generations, one amino acid site mutation was found in the HA gene of H3N2 and BV subtypes of influenza virus cultured in the cell suspension, while no gene mutation was found in adherent cells in two passages. There were no mutations in the whole NA gene.Conclusions:Suspension of MDCK cells have more stable growth and higher efficiency in virus isolation than adherent cells, meanwhile there was a low rate of virus mutation during continuous passage. This study demonstrated the feasibility of this suspension of MDCK cells for influenza vaccine production based on cell culture technology.

Objective:To evaluate the rationality of medical order in oncology department of our hospital and analyze the intervention effect of clinical pharmacist.Methods:Totally 180 medical orders in oncology department of our hospital from January to June in 2013 were selected as the pre-intervention group,and those with the same number from January to June in 2014 were selected as the post-intervention group.The rationality of medical orders including drug selection,administration routes,usage and dosage was investigated and compared between the groups. Results:The unreasonable rate was 41.11% before the intervention and 8.33% after the intervention with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The irrational drug use included inappropriate indications,usage and dosage,improper drug replacement and combination,and inappropriate adjuvant drug use.Conclusion:Irrational drug use in oncology department can be significantly reduced and the level of rational drug use can be improved through the intervention of clinical pharmacist.

Objective To characterize CD4+CD8+double-positive T ( DPT) cells in PBMCs from patients with tuberculosis(TB).Methods PBMCs were isolated from peripheral blood samples collected from patients with TB and healthy subjects.The subsets and percentages of CD4+T, CD8+T and DPT cells in PBMCs were determined by flow cytometry.Cell surface markers ( CD45RO, CCR7 and CD25 ) and intracellular cytokines ( IFN-γand TNF-α) were detected directly and after ESAT-6/PPD stimulation.Re-sults Patients with TB showed a significantly increased DPT cells as compared with the cured individuals and healthy subjects (P<0.005).The levels of DPT cells were gradually decreased down to normal upon the treatment of pharmacotherapy.DPT cells expressed higher levet of CD25 than CD4+T and CD8+T cells ( P<0.005 ) . DPT cells could express more IFN-γand TNF-αupon the stimulation of ESAT-6/PPD (P<0.005).The analysis of memory phenotype indicated that DPT cells were memory T cells.Conclusion DPT cells in peripheral blood of the patients with tuberculosis played a critical role in protective immunity against tuberculosis.The alterations of DPT cells in PBMCs during the period of pharmacotherapy might be a potential indicator for the prognosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of intrathecal (IT) transplantation of different quantities of neural stem cells (NSCs) on neuropathic pain (NP) in rats.Methods Eighty-four adult pathogen-free male SD rats weighing 150-180 g were randomly divided into 7 groups ( n = 12 each) : group sham operation (S group) , NP group, NP+ NSCs 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 groups (N1-5 groups) . NP was induced by partial transection of right sciatic nerve. NSCs were transplanted into subarachnoid space in N1-5 groups. Paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation (MWT) and paw withdrawal latency to nociceptive thermal stimuli (TWL) were measured at 1 day before (baseline) and 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after operation. Brain derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF) expression in spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) was detected by immuno-histochemistry and RT-PCR on the 7th and 21st day after operation. Results Partial transection of the sciatic nerve gradually reduced MWT and TWL after operation starting from day 1 until day 7 and 14 as compared with the baseline in group NP. IT NSC transplantation significantly increased MWT and TWL and expression of BDNF in spinal dorsal horn and DRG in a dese-dependent manner at day 7 after operation in N1-5 groups as compared with group NP. There were no significant differences in MWT and TWL and BDNF expression among N3, N4 and N5 groups at day 21 after operation.Conclusion The proper quantity of transplanted NSCs which are able to ameliorate NP induced by partial transection of sciatic nerve in rats is 105 .

Objective To search for the molecular figngerprint of ascaris lumbricoides in intrahepatic stones. Methods In 56 cases deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was exstracted from intrahepatic stones and surgically obtained bile duct tissues, stool and sercum examinations were performed. Based on the sequence and designed primers of ITS-2 of ascaris lumbricoides, polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) was performed. Results There were 12 positive results in 56 (21.4% ) cases of intrahepatic stones. Positive reaction appeared on the examinations of the stool on ascaris lumbricoides and the blood serum among 12 cases. Conclusions Ascaris lumbricoides DNA was found in human of intrahepatic stones, indicating that ascaris lumbricoides infection may play a role in the formation of intrahepatic stones.