Objective To identify the candidate genes in the vicinity of a susceptibility locus (urinary albumin 1,UA-1) contributing to the development of albuminuria in type 2 diabetic KK/Ta mice. Methods Total RNA was extracted from the kidneys of KK/Ta (n=3) and BALB/c (n=2) mice at 20 weeks of age.The gene expression profile in kidney was investigated using the Affymetrix Murine Genome U74Av2 array.Competitive RT-PCR was used to confirm the differential expression of syndecan-4 which located in the vicinity of UA-1.Genome DNA was extracted from KK/Ta and BALB/c mice.DNA sequence analysis of the coding and promotor region of syndecan-4 gene was conducted. Results In the vicinity of the susceptibility locus (UA-1)contributing to the development of albuminuria in type 2 diabetic KK/Ta mice,10 candidate genes that showed differential expression were identified.Among them,the gene expression of syndecan-4in KK/Ta kidneys at 20 weeks of age was up-regulated by 26.1 times of age-matched BALB/c kidneys.Sequence analysis revealed two synonymous polymorphisms in the coding region (A93C and T216C) and three polymorphisms in the promoter region (-T263C,-T396C and -G669A) of the syndecan-4 gene.The TATA box was found at 321 bp upstream from the transcription start site,and the T263C polymorphism was located in the binding site of transcription factor Clox.Conclusions Syndecan-4 gene is mapped in the vicinity of the susceptibility locus contributing to the development of albuminuria in type 2 diabetes.The gene expression of syndecan-4 in KK/Ta kidneys is up-regulated than that in age-matched BALB/c kidneys at 20 weeks of age.Thus syndecan-4 may be one of the potential candidate genes responsible for diabetic nephropathy.Sequence differences in the promoter region influence the expression levels of syndecan-4 genes in KK/Ta kidneys.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the value of ovarian reserve markers for predicting ovarian response in women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

METHODSAccording to the ovarian response, 331 patients undergoing oocyte retrieval cycles were divided into of normal, poor, and high response groups. Serum anti-Mvllerian hormone (AMH) was determined using AMH ELISA kit on day 3 of the menstrual cycle, antral follicle count (AFC) was measured using vaginal ultrasound, and basal serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E(2)) levels were detected using chemiluminescence method.

RESULTSSerum AMH and FSH levels, FSH/LH ratio, AFC, and the patients age, but not the basal E(2) level (P>0.05), were correlated with the number of oocytes collected (×1000/ampules of Gn) (P<0.001). AFC and serum AMH were the strongest single predictors for low ovarian response, with the areas under curve (AUC) of 0.855 (0.787-0.924) and 0.832 (0.764-0.900) (P<0.05), and cutoff values of ≤9 and ≤1.88 ng/ml, respectively. AFC was the strongest single predictor for high ovarian response, with an AUC of 0.787 (0.728-0.847) and the cutoff value of ≥15. Logistic regression model found that the combination of AFC, serum AMH and FSH improved the predictive power for poor ovarian response, but not for high ovarian response.

CONCLUSIONAFC, serum AMH, FSH, FSH/LH, and age are all predictors of ovarian response, among which AFC is the strongest single predictor. A multivariable model can improve the predictive power for low ovarian response but not for high ovarian response.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; blood ; Embryo Transfer ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Oocytes ; cytology ; Ovarian Follicle ; cytology ; metabolism ; Ovary ; cytology ; metabolism ; Ovulation Induction ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of oral dydrogesterone for luteal phase support after frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles on the clinical outcomes.

METHODSA total of 1643 FET cycles in our center between January, 2010 and September, 2011 were analyzed. The patients were divided into group A with natural-cycle FET and group B with hormone replacement cycle (HRT-FET). The two groups were further divided into two subgroups to receive oral dydrogesterone (groups AI and BI, n=358 and 185, respectively) or intramuscular progesterone with progynova (groups AII and BII, n=634 and 466, respectively) as luteal phase support. The clinical pregnancy rates, implantation rates, early miscarriage rates, ectopic pregnancy rates, ongoing pregnancy rates and delivery rates were compared between the subgroups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes between the patients receiving dydrogesterone and intramuscular progesterone as luteal phase support in either natural-cycle FET or HRT FET (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn the FET cycles, oral dydrogesterone tablets for luteal support can achieve good clinical outcomes comparable with those by intramuscular progesterone and serves as a good alternative for luteal phase support.

Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Dydrogesterone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Embryo Transfer ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Progesterone ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

Objective To establish a method for determination of 22 pesticide residues in vegetables by QuEChERS - gas chromatography-mass spectromerty. Methods The vegetables were extracted by acetonitrile, and purified by QuEChERS after being centrifuged. The sample solution was dried by nitrogen gas. The residues were then dissolved in cyclohexane /acetone (7:3) and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with HP-5MS and scanned by select ion scanning mode（SIM）for quantification. Results The separation of the 22 pesticide residues was good, and the linear correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.996. The detection limits were 0.001 mg/kg-0.003 mg/kg. The average recovery rate was in the range of 86.00% to 102.00% with relative standard derivations of 2.10% to 4.30%. Conclusion QuEChERS - gas chromatography-mass spectromerty is a simple, fast, sensitive, and accurate method, which is suitable for the detection of various pesticide residues in vegetables.

Cleft lip and palate is a common congenital developmental defect,which is mainly manifested as congenital oral and maxil-lofacial malformations.In patients with cleft lip and palate,jaw deformity often involves three-dimensional orientation,among which the correction of sagittal dysmorphism is the key point and difficulty in its diagnosis and treatment.In this article,we will elaborate on the indications and corrective methods for the treatment of maxillary retraction of cleft lip and palate,and introduce our experience in the sequential treatment of cleft lip and palate maxillary retraction in order to promote the standardization of its diagnosis and treatment.