BACKGROUND:Ovarian tissue vitrification cryopreservation is one of the important methods for preserving fertility.Tanshinone ⅡA has various pharmacological activities,including anti-oxidation,inhibition of inflammatory response,and reduction of apoptosis,but its role as an additive for vitrification cryoprotection of ovarian tissue is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the protective effect of tanshinone ⅡA on vitrification cryopreservation of mouse ovarian tissue.METHODS:Twenty-five 6-week-old female KM mice were randomly selected and their ovarian tissues were randomly divided into five groups,with 10 ovaries per group.The fresh group was not cryopreserved.The frozen control group used vitrification cryoprotectant.The 0.5,2.5,and 5 μmol/L tanshinone ⅡA groups used vitrification cryoprotectant containing 0.5,2.5,and 5 μmol/L tanshinone ⅡA,respectively,and were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen.After 3 days of storage,the cryopreserved tubes were taken out and thawed.The ovarian tissue and follicle morphology of each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,and the normal follicle morphology and survival rate were analyzed.The levels of superoxide dismutase,catalase,malondialdehyde,tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-17 in the ovary were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RT-qPCR and western blot assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)in the mouse ovary.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the fresh group,the frozen control group had abnormal morphology of follicles at all levels in the ovary,decreased follicle survival rate(P＜0.05),decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities(P＜0.05);the levels of malondialdehyde,and tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 17 were all increased(P＜0.05),and the mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were decreased(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the frozen control group,different concentrations of tanshinone ⅡA could improve the morphology of follicles at all levels in the ovary,increase the survival rate of follicles,enhance the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase,and reduce the levels of malondialdehyde,tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 17,increased the mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in a concentration-dependent manner,with 5 μmol/L tanshinone ⅡA having the most significant effect.(3)The results show that tanshinone ⅡA may reduce the oxidative stress level and inflammatory response of mouse ovarian tissue by mediating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,thereby alleviating the reproductive damage caused by vitrification cryopreservation of mouse ovaries.

BACKGROUND:The biomechanical analysis of scoliosis cases is limited,with only independent analysis focusing on the spine or lower limbs,thus lacking a comprehensive evaluation of the multidimensional body.As a result,it becomes challenging to reflect the movement relationship between the trunk and lower limbs during daily activities,which hinders comprehensive clinical treatment guidance. OBJECTIVE:To explore the relationship between different segments of the spine and the kinematics/kinetics of the lower limbs during gait activities by measuring spinal kinematics in scoliosis patients,to provide a comprehensive and multi-level assessment of the biomechanical differences between scoliosis patients and the normal population,consequently offering evidence-based guidance for the prevention and treatment of scoliosis. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2020 to June 2021 at the Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Fuzhou University City.A total of 28 scoliosis patients and 28 normal individuals in the same age group were included.Three-dimensional motion capture system was used to capture gait kinematic data at a sampling frequency of 100 Hz.Two force plates(AMTI 400600,sampling frequency 1 500 Hz)were embedded in a 10-meter-long 2.4-meter-wide level ground walkway(with an effective data collection length of 4 m)to collect kinetic data.The differences in spatial-temporal parameters,kinematics,and kinetics of gait between the two groups were compared.Immediately after inclusion,all subjects underwent full spinal X-ray measurements to compare the differences between the scoliosis and normal groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Patients with scoliosis exhibited reduced relative rotational range of motion between the shoulder and trunk,as well as between the thorax and pelvis,compared to the normal group(P<0.05).However,the rotational range of motion in the pelvis was larger in patients with scoliosis compared to the normal group(P<0.05).(2)Patients with scoliosis showed decreased range of motion in the hip and knee joints,as well as reduced peak torque in hip joint flexion and extension,and lower peak values of ground reaction forces in the concave and convex directions,in comparison to the normal group(P<0.05).(3)Patients with scoliosis demonstrated greater asymmetry indices in knee joint range of motion,relative rotational range of motion between the shoulder and trunk,and between the thorax and pelvis,when compared to the normal group(P<0.05).(4)These findings illustrate a rigid movement pattern among the shoulder,thorax,and pelvis in patients with scoliosis during level walking.There is a reduction in range of motion in the hip and knee joints,as well as decreased peak torque values in hip joint flexion and extension,and ground reaction forces in the concave and convex directions.These characteristics can serve as foundational elements for assessing rehabilitation and developing treatment plans.

BACKGROUND:Ovarian tissue vitrification cryopreservation is one of the important methods for preserving fertility.Tanshinone ⅡA has various pharmacological activities,including anti-oxidation,inhibition of inflammatory response,and reduction of apoptosis,but its role as an additive for vitrification cryoprotection of ovarian tissue is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To explore the protective effect of tanshinone ⅡA on vitrification cryopreservation of mouse ovarian tissue.METHODS:Twenty-five 6-week-old female KM mice were randomly selected and their ovarian tissues were randomly divided into five groups,with 10 ovaries per group.The fresh group was not cryopreserved.The frozen control group used vitrification cryoprotectant.The 0.5,2.5,and 5 μmol/L tanshinone ⅡA groups used vitrification cryoprotectant containing 0.5,2.5,and 5 μmol/L tanshinone ⅡA,respectively,and were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen.After 3 days of storage,the cryopreserved tubes were taken out and thawed.The ovarian tissue and follicle morphology of each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,and the normal follicle morphology and survival rate were analyzed.The levels of superoxide dismutase,catalase,malondialdehyde,tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-17 in the ovary were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RT-qPCR and western blot assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)in the mouse ovary.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the fresh group,the frozen control group had abnormal morphology of follicles at all levels in the ovary,decreased follicle survival rate(P＜0.05),decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities(P＜0.05);the levels of malondialdehyde,and tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 17 were all increased(P＜0.05),and the mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were decreased(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the frozen control group,different concentrations of tanshinone ⅡA could improve the morphology of follicles at all levels in the ovary,increase the survival rate of follicles,enhance the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase,and reduce the levels of malondialdehyde,tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 17,increased the mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in a concentration-dependent manner,with 5 μmol/L tanshinone ⅡA having the most significant effect.(3)The results show that tanshinone ⅡA may reduce the oxidative stress level and inflammatory response of mouse ovarian tissue by mediating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,thereby alleviating the reproductive damage caused by vitrification cryopreservation of mouse ovaries.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of mitochondrial complex Ⅰ on glucose metabolism in diabetic mice.Methods The diabetic mouse model was induced by high-fat feeding combined with streptozotocin,and the healthy control group,dia-betic group,and rotenone group were set up.After 6 weeks of intervention,the body weight,daily food intake,fasting blood glucose,in-dex of intraperitoneal injection of glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance,liver and muscle glycogen deposition of mice in each group were detected.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of glucose transporter 1(GLUT1),GLUT2 and GLUT4 of liver and muscle,and Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation level of eukary-otic translation initiation factor 2α(eIF2α)and the protein expression level of activating transcription factor 4(ATF4).Results Com-pared with the mice in diabetic group,the body weight,blood glucose,area under the curve of intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)and insulin tolerance test(ITT)of the mice in the rotenone group were significantly decreased,and the liver glycogen reserve was significantly increased.Compared with the healthy control group,the mRNA expression levels of liver GLUT1 and GLUT2,muscle GLUT1 and GLUT4 in the diabetic group were significantly decreased,while the expression of the above GLUT in the rotenone group was significantly higher than that in the diabetic group.Compared with the healthy control group,the protein expression levels of p-eIF2αand ATF4 in the diabetic group were significantly increased,while the expression levels of p-eIF2α and ATF4 in the rotenone group were significantly lower than those in the diabetic group.Conclusion Inhibition of mitochondrial complex Ⅰ may up-regulate the expression of GLUT through the eIF2α/ATF4 signaling pathway,and improve glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in diabetic mice.

Objectives:To investigate the relationship between visceral adipose index and glomerular filtration rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:A total of 1 036 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received treatment in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from May 2017 to May 2018 were included in this study. The visceral adipose index was detected using a bioresistance assay. These patients were divided into four groups using the quartile method: Visceral adipose index < 8.10 (q1 group, n = 246), 9.60 > visceral adipose index ≥ 8.10 (q2 group, n = 64), 11.10 > visceral adipose index ≥ 9.60 (q3 group, n = 423), visceral adipose index ≥ 11.10 (q4 group, n = 233). One-way analysis of variance was performed to compare the differences among groups. Partial correlation and multiple regression were used to analyze the correlation between body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat content, visceral adipose index, and urinary microalbumin and glomerular filtration rate. Results:With the increase in the visceral adipose index, the glomerular filtration rate gradually decreased. The glomerular filtration rate in the q1, q2, q3, q4 groups was (112.19 ± 31.74) mL·min -1·1.73 m -2, (106.14 ± 28.26) mL·min -1·1.73 m -2, (104.73 ± 23.63) mL·min -1·1.73 m -2, (103.40 ± 27.51) mL·min -1·1.73 m -2, respectively. In the female group, with the increase in visceral adipose index, the glomerular filtration rate decreased gradually. After controlling for age, sex, diabetes, and hypertension, the visceral adipose index was significantly correlated with the glomerular filtration rate ( r = -0.10, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that visceral adipose index and waist-to-height ratio were closely related to glomerular filtration rate ( F = 6.00, P < 0.001). Conclusion:With the increase of visceral adipose index, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat content, and urinary microalbumin increased gradually. When the visceral adipose index is greater than 9.60, the glomerular filtration rate is significantly decreased. Therefore, it is suggested to adopt various methods to evaluate obesity in clinical work, and visceral fat index should be paid more attention, especially when the visceral fat index is greater than 9.60.

Objective To investigate and evaluate the pregnancy outcomes and fetal loss after fetal reduction of triplets to twins or singleton pregnancy. Methods 282 cases of triplets who received multi-fetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR) at Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University were recruited from Sep 2001 to Mar 2014. According to the remaining fetal number after MFPR, 231 cases were opted to reduce to twins (twins group) while 51 cases were opted to singleton pregnancy (singleton group).The indication of the former group was fetal abnormalities under ultrasound or on patients′ demand; while the indication for the later group included dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplets or patients′ aspiration. Potassium chloride was injected into the targeted fetal heart until cardiac standstill was obtained. The pregnancy outcomes, gestational age at delivery, birth weight of newborns of the two groups were recorded. Successful pregnancy was defined as take-home at least one baby. Results (1)The overall rate of successful pregnancy was 91.5%(258/282).There were 413 neonates in the twins group, including 4 neonatal deaths and 409 live babies, with the successful rate of 90.5%(209/231). There were 49 neonates in the singleton group, including 2 cases of fetal loss. Thus the successful rate was 96.1%(49/51). There was no difference of successful pregnancy rate between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The mean gestational age at operation for the twins group and singleton group were(16.5±3.5)weeks and (14.2±2.0) weeks, respectively. Each group was divided into three periods,11-13+6 weeks, 14-16+6 weeks and≥17 weeks.In the twins group, the cases in each time period were129(55.8%,129/231), 50(21.6%,50/231)and 52(22.5%,52/231), respectively. While in the singleton group, the cases in each time period were 27(53%,27/51), 16(31%, 16/51)and 8(16%,8/51).There was no difference between the two groups at each time period(P>0.05). (3)The fetal loss rate in the twins group were 7%(9/129), 12%(6/50), 10%(5/52) at each time period, respectively. While for the singleton group they were 4%(1/27), 0(0/16)and 1/8, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups at each time period(P>0.05).(4)The mean birth weight of the twins group was lower than the singleton group [(2 555±447) g vs (3 084±550) g, respectively, P<0.05].The rates of low birth weight infants(<2 499 g)in the twins group and the singleton group were 45.5%(188/413)and 8%(4/49), respectively(P<0.05).The rate of very low birth weight infants(≤1 499 g) was 3.9%(16/413)in the twins group compared with 0(0/49)in the singleton group(P>0.05).(5)The gestational age at delivery of the twins group was earlier than the singleton group [(36.2 ± 2.4) weeks vs(38.3 ± 2.2)weeks, respectively,P<0.05]. The labor rate of the two groups was significantly different for both 34-36+6 weeks and≥37 weeks(P<0.05).The full-term delivery rate in the twins group was 47.6%(110/231), and was 88.2%(45/51)in the singleton group(P<0.05). The fetal loss rate before 28 weeks did not differ between the two groups[8.7%(20/231)vs 3.9%(2/51), P>0.05].Conclusions Reduction to one fetus led to significantly better outcome than two fetuses, with no significant difference in fetal loss rate. It is better to advise patients with triplets reduce to singleton pregnancy.

Objective To compare the outcomes of multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR)performed at different gestational ages,and to analyze the influence on pregnancy outcomes.Methods Data of 302 women with multifetal pregnancies conceived after assisted reproductive technology (ART) from January 2002 to February 2012 in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University were collected and divided into two groups.The study group involved 152 multifetal pregnancy cases (triplets or quadruplets),which were further divided into three subgroups according to the timing of MFPR to twins,12-13 +6 (n=91),14-15+6(n=32) and 16-24+6 gestational weeks (n=29).The control group involved 150 twin pregnancy cases.MFPR was performed by trans abdominal intra cardiac injection of 10％ potassium chloride (KCl) solution under ultrasound guidance.Gestational age of delivery,birth weight,incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy (HDCP) were analyzed by t test,one-way ANOVA or Chi-square test.Results Pregnancy loss rate of the study group (14.5％,22/152) was higher than that (6.7％,10/150) of control group,x2=4.857,P＜0.05.Pregnancy loss rate of the subgroup undergoing MFPR during 16-24+6 gestational weeks (31.0％,9/29) was higher than that during 12-13 +6 gestational weeks (8.8％,8/91,x2=7.212,P＜0.05) and that of control group (x2=12.749,P＜0.05).There were no differences in pregnancy loss rate between control group and MFPR during 12-13+6 gestational weeks (x2=0.370,P＞0.05),and during 14-15+6 gestational weeks (15.6％,5/32,x2 =1.739,P＞0.05).No statistically significant difference was found between the study group and control group in mean gcstational age at delivery[(36.9±l.8) weeksvs (37.0±1.8) weeks,t =-0.346,P＞0.05],mean birth weight of large babies [(2720.4±455.0) g vs (2729.1±413.8) g,t =-0.163,P＞0.05] and small babies [(2409.2±412.6) g vs (2416.2±436.8) g,t=-0.136,P＞0.05].There were no differences between the study group and control group in delivery rate at 28-34 gestational weeks [6.2％ (8/130)vs6.4％ (9/140),x2 =0.009,P＞0.05],birth weight discordance rate [12.3％ (16/130) vs11.4％ (16/140),x2=0.050,P＞0.05],GDMrate[3.1％ (4/130) vs2.1％ (3/140),x2 =0.659,P＞0.05] and HDCP rate [11.5％ (15/130) vs 8.6％ (12/140),x2 =0.010,P＞0.05].Conclusions There is risk of pregnancy loss after MFPR,but MFPR before 16 weeks of gestation might decrease the risk.