Objective To compare perinatal outcomes of the singleton and twin pregnancies , and explore risk factors associated with twin pregnancies. Methods The data of 1 026 patients in single and twin pregnancies treated with IVF/ICSI between January 2014 to March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The early miscarriage rate and early pregnancy loss rate in the singleton group was significantly higher than the twin group (16% vs 5.41%; 16% vs 6.98%) and the late abortion rate in the singleton group was significantly lower than the twin group (1.93% vs 7.12%), but the total pregnancy loss rate was not significantly different between the groups. The premature delivery rate in the twin group was significantly increased (9.19% vs 41.89%), the term taking-baby-home rate was significantly lower (56% vs 37.89%), but the total taking-baby-home rate was significantly higher in the twin group than the singleton group. The low weight delivery rate in the twin group was significantly increased (1.2% vs 14.8%), but the rate of birth defects was no significantly different between the groups. There were significant differences in age and number of embryo transfer between the two groups. Conclusions Twin pregnancies may increase the risk of late abortion and premature delivery and low weight delivery significantly. Age and number of embryo transfer may be the risk factors for twin pregnancies.

Objective To explore the impact of the variable number of tandem repeats of monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA-uVNTR) on the concentration of gray matter in patients with major depressive disorders.Methods 56 cases of depression, as well as 37 healthy controls who were matched in gender, age and years of education were divided into low-activity genotype (3R or 3R/4R), and high-activity genotype (4R) with the methods of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and 1.5％ agarose gel electrophoresis separation. 93 cases all were performaned structural magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Results ① The difference of genotype and allele frequency between the depression group and the healthy group was not statistically significant(P＞0.05 ). ②Compared with the healthy,the concentration of gray matter( GMC ) of bilateral caudate nucleus (K = 11/68, Z =3.76/4.76 ), bilateral thalamus ( K = 21/181, Z = 3.26/3.63 ) and right hypothalamus ( K = 38/12, Z = 4.20/3.60) reduced significantly in depressed patients. ③ In patients with depression, cases with the high-activity genotype showed reduced GMC bilateral caudate nucleus (K = 17/33, Z = 3.23/4.36 ), left putamen ( K = 16, Z =3.42 ) and right hypothalamus( K = 12, Z = 3.62 ) in comparision with patients with low-activity genotype. In highactivity genotype group,compared with the healthy,patients with depression had reduced GMC in left caudate nucleus ( K = 11, Z = 4.13 ), bilateral thalamus ( K = 13/14, Z = 3.53/3.23 ) and left parahippocampal gyrus ( K = 13,Z = 4.04). Conclusion High-activity genotype may be an important factor contributing to the structural abnormalitily of the limbic-striatum-globus pallidus-thalamus loop.

Objective To establish a cellular model for the expression of the C-type lectin dendritic cellspecific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN),and to provide a basis for the functional analysis of DC-SIGN.Methods The cDNA of DC-SIGN was obtained via PCR,and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector porcine cytomegalovirus-enhanced green fluorescent protein (PCMV-EGFP) with EGFP at the N terminal of DC-SIGN.Then,the recombinant PCMV-EGFP-DC-SIGN plasmid was transfected into HEK293T cells followed by the detection of DC-SIGN expression using PCR,Western blot and flow cytometry.Confocal microscopy was performed to localize the expression of DC-SIGN-EGFP and visualize the recognization and internalization of the Derp2 allergen by DC-SIGN.Results The recombinant fluorescent fusion protein-expressing plasmid was successfully constructed.Both PCR and Western blot confirmed the expression of DC-SIGN.Flow cytometry showed that the expression of DC-SIGN was increased by approximately 50％ in HEK293T cells transfected with the recombinant expression plasmid compared with those untransfected.As confocal microscopy showed,the green fluorescence-labelled DC-SIGN was located on the cell membrane,which could bind to the red fluorescence-labelled antigen Derp2 and internalize it into the cells.Conclusions The recombinant DC-SIGN-EGFP fusion protein is characteristically located on the surface of 293T cells,which can be recognized by the DC-SIGN-specific antibody and is capable of internalizing the allergen Derp2,and may serve as an ideal cell model for further studies on molecular function of DC-SIGN.

Objective To synthesize herpes simplex virus (HSV) envelope glycoprotein gC using gene engineering techniques,and to verify its expression.Methods Two separate parts of the HSV envelope glycoprotein gC,i.e.,GC-F and GC-R,were respectively synthesized.The GC-F and GC-R genes were synthesized,subcloned into the expression vectors pSumo-Mut (containing recognition sequences for endonucleases Stu1 and XhoI) and pCzn1 (containing recognition sequences for endonucleases NdeI and XhoI) respectively to form the recombinant plasmids pSumo-Mut-GC-F and pCzn1-GC-R.E.coli BL21 Arctic Express (DE3) cells were transformed with the two recombinant plasmids separately.Isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG) was used to induce the expression of target protein which was subsequently purified by nickel affinity chromatography.Finally,Western blot was performed to verify the reactivity of the synthesized protein with the sera of HSV-1-positive patients.Results Both GC-F and GC-R genes were synthesized by a total gene synthesis method.As sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electropheresis (SDS-PAGE) showed,the fusion proteins were mainly distributed in the sediment layer.The purity of GC-F and GC-R proteins was over 80％ after purification by affinity chromatography.Western blot showed that both of the proteins were reactive with anti-HSV-1 antibody-positive sera.Conclusions Fusion expression vectors have been constructed for the gC protein,and IPTG successfully induces its expression.Moreover,the resulting proteins could react with anti-HSV-1 antibody-positive sera,and may serve as an ideal experimental material for next functional study.

Objective: To understand the situation of blood pressure control and its influencing factors in elderly patients with hypertension in Hangzhou, and to provide basis for the management of elderly patients with hypertension in community. Methods: The subjects of this study were hypertension patients aged 60 years and over in Hangzhou community health management of basic public health services. Demographic data and life behaviors were collected by a questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory tests were carried out. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for blood pressure control in elderly patients with hypertension. Results: A total of 109 583 people were investigated, with 50 500（46.08%） males and 59 083（53.92%） females. The control rate was 47.70% ( 52 273/109 583 ). After adjusted for age and gender, regular medication ( OR=0.874, 95%CI: 0.838-0.912 ) was the protective factor, obesity ( OR=1.291, 95%CI: 1.260-1.324 ), abnormal fasting plasma glucose ( OR=1.218-1.344, 95%CI: 1.178-1.410 ), the number of unhealthy lifestyles ( OR=1.271-1.292, 95%CI: 1.231-1.344 ), the items of dyslipidemia ( OR=1.047-1.253, 95%CI: 1.017-1.311 ), and the number of cardiovascular risk factors above ( OR=1.254-2.109, 95%CI：1.175-2.281 ) were the risk factors for blood pressure control in elderly patients with hypertension. Conclusions The control rate of elderly patients with hypertension in Hangzhou is 47.70%, which is associated with irregular medication, unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, dyslipidemia, abnormal fasting plasma glucose and clustering of these factors.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Ecliptae Herba extract on cigarette smoke extract-induced cytotoxicity.

METHODThe effect of Ecliptae Herba extract on CSE-induced NHBE cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. GSH content was determined by DTNB colorimetry. GST activity was measured by CDNB colorimetric assay. NQO1 activity was detected by NADPH and DCIP. The protein expression was determined by Western blot assay.

RESULTEcliptae Herba extract reduced CSE's inhibitory effect on NHBE cells, recover the decrease in intracellular GSH caused by CSE and reduce the CSE-induced activity of GST and NQO1 and NQO1 protein expression.

CONCLUSIONEcliptae Herba extract can reduce CSE-induced injury on NHBE cells, which may be related to phase II detoxification enzymes.

Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Eclipta ; chemistry ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Smoke ; analysis ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tobacco ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) for analyzing tissues derived from spontaneous abortion and stillbirth.

METHODSAgilent Human Genome CGH Microarray 4×44 K chip and Affymetrix Cytoscan 750 K Array were utilized to detect genome-wide copy number variations (CNV) in 43 fetuses with spontaneous abortion and stillbirth. All identified CNV were analyzed with references from Database of Genomic variants (DGV), database of DECIPHER, ISCA and OMIM, as well as comprehensive literature review to determine whether the identified CNVs were pathogenic. Parental DNA of two cases was also analyzed with the same arrays for pathogenic or unknown significant CNVs.

RESULTSAll of the 43 specimens were successfully analyzed. Clinically significant chromosomal aberrations were identified in 32 (74.4%) of the samples, which included 26 aneuploidies and 10 pathogenic CNV.

CONCLUSIONArray-CGH is a fast and effective method for analyzing tissues derived from spontaneous abortions and stillbirths which may be difficult to culture for karyotype analysis.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; methods ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Fetus ; chemistry ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Stillbirth ; genetics ; Young Adult