Objective To investigate the effect of dioscin on uric acid(UA)-induced oxidative stress injury of human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2)and its molecular mechanism.Methods HK-2 cells were cultured and divided into four groups:blank group(normal group),model group(uric acid-stimulation modeling),condition control group(UA+DMSO)and dioscin group(UA+dioscin).Oxidative stress injury model was induced by UA in HK-2 cells.Cells viability was detected by CCK-8.ROS level was detected by flow cytometry.Real-time PCR was used to detect the expressions of glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)at mRNA level,and Western Blot was used to detect the expressions of phosphorylated glycogen synthesis kinase 3β(p-GSK3β),GSK3β,Nrf2 and HO-1 at protein level.Results After stimulation by UA,HK-2 cells viability was obviously decreased,and ROS level was significantly increased(all P＜0.001).When treated with dioscin,HK-2 cells viability was obviously increased,and the ROS level of HK-2 cells was significantly decreased(all P＜0.001).The expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 decreased at the protein and mRNA levels after stimulation with UA.But the expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 significantly increased after treated with dioscin(all P＜0.001).Compared with the blank group,the p-GSK3β/GSK3β ratio in the model group decreased significantly at the protein level,but the p-GSK3β/GSK3β ratio increased after treated with dioscin(all P＜0.001).Conclusion Dioscin can alleviate UA-induced oxidative stress injury in HK-2 cells.The mechanism might be that dioscin can promote phosphorylation of GSK3β,and activate Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Objective:To explore the genetic basis for a fetus featuring oligodactyly.Methods:A fetus with hand deformity identified by ultrasound at the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Hubei Province on October 20, 2018 was selected as the study subject. Clinical information and ultrasonographic finding of the pregnant woman were collected. Following elected abortion, umbilical cord and peripheral venous blood samples of the couple were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. Copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) and trio-whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) were carried out. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Results:Ultrasonographic examination at 30 + 2 weeks of gestation revealed that the fetus had small right hand with absence of 2nd ~ 5th fingers, whilst its left hand had appeared to be normal. By CNV-seq, no pathogenic or likely pathogenic copy number variation (CNV) (> 100 kb) was detected in the fetus. Trio-WES revealed that the fetus had harbored a novel heterozygous c.3298G>A (p.Val1100Met) variant of the SMC3 gene. The variant has not been recorded in the population databases, and was predicted to be deleterious by several bioinformatics software and evolutionarily conserved based on multiple sequence alignment analysis. Sanger sequencing showed that neither parent has carried the same variant. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was predicted to be likely pathogenic (PS2+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3). Conclusion:The fetus was diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange syndrome, for which the novel heterozygous c.3298G>A variant of the SMC3 gene may be accountable.

Objective:To evaluate the virulence levels of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ST191, ST195, and ST208, and to analyze the differences in virulence factors among these epidemic clones. Methods:The study involved the genomic sequencing of 233 Acinetobacter baumannii strains that were isolated from the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital (North Hospital) between 2011 and 2019. The genomic data was cross-referenced with the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB) to examine the presence of virulence genes in the strains. Furthermore, a Galleria mellonella infection survival model was used to evaluate the virulence levels of the strains, and the association between virulence levels and virulence genes was analyzed. Results:The study included 38 strains of the ST191 clone, 104 strains of the ST195 clone, and 91 strains of the ST208 clone. In the Galleria mellonella infection survival experiment, the average mortality rate for ST191 was 23.0%, with 3 (7.9%) highly virulent strains. For ST195, the average mortality rate was 53.0%, with 34 (32.7%) highly virulent strains. For ST208, the average mortality rate was 47.0%, with 20 (21.9%) highly virulent strains. There was a significant statistical difference in mortality rates between ST191 and ST195 ( χ 2=13.9, P<0.001) as well as between ST191 and ST208 ( χ2=15.2, P<0.001). A comparison of the strains with the VFDB revealed significant differences in the virulence genes carried by the clones. Specifically, the type Ⅵ secretion system-related genes ( clpV/tssH, hcp/tssD, tagX, tssA, tssB, tssC, tssE, tssF, tssG, tssK, ssL, tssM) and the sugar transferase gene ACICU_RS00475 were found to be universally absent in ST191 strains (0%) while being prevalent in ST195 (100.0%) and ST208 (>82.0%) strains. Statistical analysis revealed an association between the mortality rate of the clones and the presence of virulence genes( clpV/tssHP<0.001, hcp/tssDP=0.001, tagXP<0.001, tssAP<0.001, tssBP=0.001, tssCP=0.001, tssE P=0.001, tssF P=0.001, tssGP<0.001, tssKP<0.001, tssLP<0.001, tssMP=0.001, ACICU_RS00475 P=0.001). Conclusion:Among the carbapenem-resistant epidemic clones of Acinetobacter baumannii, the ST191 clone shows lower mortality rates in Galleria mellonella, possibly because of the lack of type Ⅵ secretion system and sugar transferase genes.

Objective:To evaluate the virulence levels of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ST191, ST195, and ST208, and to analyze the differences in virulence factors among these epidemic clones. Methods:The study involved the genomic sequencing of 233 Acinetobacter baumannii strains that were isolated from the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital (North Hospital) between 2011 and 2019. The genomic data was cross-referenced with the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB) to examine the presence of virulence genes in the strains. Furthermore, a Galleria mellonella infection survival model was used to evaluate the virulence levels of the strains, and the association between virulence levels and virulence genes was analyzed. Results:The study included 38 strains of the ST191 clone, 104 strains of the ST195 clone, and 91 strains of the ST208 clone. In the Galleria mellonella infection survival experiment, the average mortality rate for ST191 was 23.0%, with 3 (7.9%) highly virulent strains. For ST195, the average mortality rate was 53.0%, with 34 (32.7%) highly virulent strains. For ST208, the average mortality rate was 47.0%, with 20 (21.9%) highly virulent strains. There was a significant statistical difference in mortality rates between ST191 and ST195 ( χ 2=13.9, P<0.001) as well as between ST191 and ST208 ( χ2=15.2, P<0.001). A comparison of the strains with the VFDB revealed significant differences in the virulence genes carried by the clones. Specifically, the type Ⅵ secretion system-related genes ( clpV/tssH, hcp/tssD, tagX, tssA, tssB, tssC, tssE, tssF, tssG, tssK, ssL, tssM) and the sugar transferase gene ACICU_RS00475 were found to be universally absent in ST191 strains (0%) while being prevalent in ST195 (100.0%) and ST208 (>82.0%) strains. Statistical analysis revealed an association between the mortality rate of the clones and the presence of virulence genes( clpV/tssHP<0.001, hcp/tssDP=0.001, tagXP<0.001, tssAP<0.001, tssBP=0.001, tssCP=0.001, tssE P=0.001, tssF P=0.001, tssGP<0.001, tssKP<0.001, tssLP<0.001, tssMP=0.001, ACICU_RS00475 P=0.001). Conclusion:Among the carbapenem-resistant epidemic clones of Acinetobacter baumannii, the ST191 clone shows lower mortality rates in Galleria mellonella, possibly because of the lack of type Ⅵ secretion system and sugar transferase genes.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the clinical features and endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient (EUS-PPG) in patients with cirrhosis.Methods:A total of 148 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension who underwent EUS-PPG measurement at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from March 15, 2022 to June 20, 2023 were selected. The clinical data of patients collected before EUS-PPG measurement were analyzed. Variations in the EUS-PPG across different clinical data subgroups were analyzed. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explore the independent factors influencing EUS-PPG.Results:The EUS-PPG was significantly elevated in patients exhibiting red signs (16.62±5.33 mmHg VS 13.44±5.34 mmHg, t=3.616, P<0.001), gastroesophageal varices (15.78±5.30 mmHg VS 9.70±4.77 mmHg, t=4.247, P<0.001), hepatic encephalopathy (20.83±7.52 mmHg VS 14.92±5.35 mmHg, t=2.606, P=0.010), thrombocytopenia (15.66±5.39 mmHg VS 13.29±5.83 mmHg, t=2.136, P=0.034), hypoproteinemia (16.13±5.86 mmHg VS 14.12±5.03 mmHg, t=2.230, P=0.027), and an increased international normalized ratio (16.25±6.00 mmHg VS 14.40±5.11 mmHg, t=2.022, P=0.045). Conversely, the EUS-PPG was significantly reduced in patients with a history of splenectomy and devascularization (13.17±5.88 mmHg VS 15.73±5.34 mmHg, t=-2.379, P=0.019). The EUS-PPG in patients with varying degrees of ascites (no VS slight VS moderate or severe: 13.40±5.48 mmHg VS 15.90±5.49 mmHg VS 16.69±5.17 mmHg, F=5.188, P=0.007) and different Child-Pugh classifications (A VS B VS C: 14.07±5.05 mmHg VS 15.69±5.74 mmHg VS 17.64±5.99 mmHg, F=3.066, P=0.049) increased gradually. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that red signs ( β=2.44, t=2.732, P=0.007), gastroesophageal varices ( β=4.45, t=2.990, P=0.003), ascites ( β=1.75, t=2.368, P=0.019), and hepatic encephalopathy ( β=5.82, t=2.644, P=0.009) were independent factors for the elevated EUS-PPG. Conclusion:There is a significant correlation between EUS-PPG and the clinical features related to the severity of cirrhotic portal hypertension, which indicates the feasibility of EUS-PPG in evaluating cirrhotic portal hypertension.

BackgroundMental illness during pregnancy has become a major public health problem in China over the recent years， and depression is the most common psychological symptom during pregnancy. Current research efforts are directed towards the therapy on prenatal depression， whereas the construction of prediction model for prenatal depression risk has been little studied. ObjectiveTo construct a simple model for predicting the risk of prenatal depression， thus providing a valuable reference for the prevention of maternal depression during pregnancy. MethodsA total of 803 pregnant women attending three hospitals in Nanchong city were consecutively recruited from May 2021 to February 2022. A self-administered questionnaire was developed for the assessment of social demographic variables， obstetrical and general medical indexes and psychological status of all participants， and Self-rating Depression Scale （SDS） was utilized to screen for the presence of maternal depression. Subjects were randomly assigned into modelling group （n=635） and validation group （n=168） at the ratio of 8∶2 under simple random sampling with replacement. The candidate risk factors of maternal depression during pregnancy were screened using binary Logistic regression analysis， and the predictive model was constructed. Then the performance of the predictive model was validated using receiver operating characteristics （ROC） curve. Results① Lack of companionship （β=-0.692， OR=0.501， 95% CI： 0.289~0.868）， low mood during the last menstrual period （β=-1.510， OR=0.221， 95% CI： 0.074~0.656）， emotional stress during the last menstrual period （β=-1.082， OR=0.339， 95% CI： 0.135~0.853）， unsatisfactory relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law （β=-1.228， OR=0.293， 95% CI： 0.141~0.609）， and indifferent generally relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law （β=-0.831， OR=0.436， 95% CI： 0.260~0.730） were risk factors for prenatal depression in pregnant women （P<0.05 or 0.01）. ② Model for predicting the prenatal depression risk yielded an area under curve （AUC） of 0.698 （95% CI： 0.646~0.749）， the maximum Youden index was 0.357 in modelling group with the sensitivity and specificity was 0.606 and 0.751， and an AUC of 0.672 （95% CI： 0.576~0.767） and maximum Youden index of 0.263 in validation group with the sensitivity and specificity of 0.556 and 0.707. ConclusionThe simple model constructed in this study has good discriminant validity in predicting of the risk of prenatal depression. ［Funded by Nanchong Social Science Research Project of the 14th Five-Year Plan （number， NC21B165）］

Mycobacterium neoaurum has the ability to produce steroidal intermediates known as 22-hydroxy-23, 24-bisnorchol-4-en-3-one (BA) upon the knockout of the genes for either the hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (Hsd4A) or acyl-CoA thiolase (FadA5). In a previous study, we discovered a novel metabolite in the fermentation products when the fadA5 gene was deleted. This research aims to elucidate the metabolic pathway of this metabolite through structural identification, homologous sequence analysis of the fadA5 gene, phylogenetic tree analysis of M. neoaurum HGMS2, and gene knockout. Our findings revealed that the metabolite is a C23 metabolic intermediate, named 24-norchol-4-ene-3, 22-dione (designated as 3-OPD). It is formed when a thioesterase (TE) catalyzes the formation of a β-ketonic acid by removing CoA from the side chain of 3, 22-dioxo-25, 26-bisnorchol-4-ene-24-oyl CoA (22-O-BNC-CoA), followed by spontaneously undergoing decarboxylation. These results have the potential to contribute to the development of novel steroid intermediates.
Mycobacterium/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Steroids/metabolism* ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Sterols/metabolism*

Objective To analyze the risk factors of low birth weight (LBW) in infants who were conceived through flesh embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization.Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 4 930 live babies born after in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University between January 2011 to December 2016.They were 3 474 singletons and 1 456 pairs of dizygotic twins.According to their birth weight,all singletons were divided into two groups:the LBW singleton group (＜2 500 g,n=252) and the control singleton group (≥ 2 500 g,n=3 222).Two dizygotic twin groups,the LBW dizygotic twin group (＜2 500 g,n=1 014) and the control dizygntic twin group (≥ 2 500 g,n=442),were set up as well.Clinical characteristics of the infants in different groups and risk factors of LBW were analyzed.Independent samples t-test,Mann-Whitney U test,Chi-square test,and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.Results (1) The rates of LBW were 7.25％ (252/3 474) in singletons and 69.64％ (1 014/1 456) in dizygotic twins.(2) In singleton pregnancies,the maternal body mass index (BMI) of the LBW group was lower than that of the control group [(20.9± 2.8) vs (21.3 ± 2.7) kg/m2,t=-2.162,P=0.031],while the rates of preterm delivery and blastocyst transfer were higher [61.7％ (153/252) vs 5.7％ (182/3 222),8.7％ (22/252) vs 5.1％ (163/3 222),x2=814.232 and 6.234,respectively,all P＜0.05].(3) In dizygotic twin pregnancies,maternal age,paternal age,the rate of preterm delivery and estradiol (E2) level [M(P25-P75)] at trigger were higher than those of the control group [(31.0±3.7)vs (30.5±3.9) years,(33.7±5.0) vs (32.7±4.5) years,63.0％ (631/1 014) vs 28.0％ (123/442),11 362.3 (7 549.2-16 716.1) vs 10 444.8(7 079.4-14 569.9) pmol/L;the values of t or x2 or Z were-2.498,-3.680,150.295 and-2.570,all P＜0.05].(4) Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that preterm delivery,maternal BMI＜18.5 kg/m2 and girl baby were independent risk factors for LBW in singleton pregnancies (adjusted OR=28.45,1.59 and 1.45,95％CI:20.87-38.80,1.06-2.41 and 1.06-1.97,all P＜0.05).Preterm delivery,high E2 level at trigger (＞10 970 pmol/L) and different gender of twins were independent risk factors for LBW in dizygotic twin pregnancies (adjusted OR=4.51,1.35 and 1.45,95％CI:3.50-5.82,1.06-1.74 and 1.09-1.93,all P＜0.05).Conclusions High maternal serum E2 level after controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in fresh embryo transfer cycle may be one of the risk factors for LBW in twin pregnancies.

Objective To summarized the ultrasound and MRI characteristics of fetuses with bladder exstrophy. Methods Four cases of bladder exstrophy (3 cases of single birth were conceived naturally, 1 twins were artificial pregnated) were diagnosed by ultrasound combined MRI which were confirmed by autopsy in Hubei Maternal and Child Heath Hospital, from February 2013 to December 2017, We summarized the ultrasonographic features of the four cases. Results The common abnormal ultrasound images of the 4 cases: the bladder in the pelvic cavity was not shown, the umbilical cordinsertion was low, the symphysis pubis was separated, the gender was difficult to be determined, and the amniotic water was normal. In one case, one of the twins combined with the absence of the right kidney and abdominal wall mass below the umbilical cord insertion, and 1 case was suspected to tethered cord syndrome. Four cases of fetal antenatal MRI showed the same abnormal imaging findings as ultrasonography, but none of the 4 cases of pubic symphysis separation were showed, excluding the ultrasonographic diagnosis of tethered cord syndrome. In comparison with the X-ray and pathological examination results after the labor induction, the prenatal MRI was supplemented with 4 cases of abdominal wall defects, and 3 cases more than ultrasound. Ultrasonography and MRI combined examination were performed to correctly diagnose 4 cases of fetal bladder exstrophy. No bladder showed in pelvic nor the abdominal cavity, the abdominal wall defect with bulging content, the umbilical cord insertion was low, pubic symphysis separation, genital malformation, normal kidney andamniotic fluid were the main clues for ultrasound and MRI diagnosis of bladder exstrophy. Conclusion The combination of US and MRI can further improve the diagnostic accuracy and avoid missed diagnosis of fetal BE.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) were reported to be responsible for intestinal permeability in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) rats in our previous study. However, whether and how miRNAs regulate visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D remains largely unknown. METHODS: We established the IBS-D rat model and evaluated it using the nociceptive visceral hypersensitivity test, myeloperoxidase activity assay, restraint stress-induced defecation, and electromyographic (EMG) activity. The distal colon was subjected to miRNA microarray analysis followed by isolation and culture of colonic epithelial cells (CECs). Bioinformatic analysis and further experiments, including dual luciferase assays, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were used to detect the expression of miRNAs and how it regulates visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats. RESULTS: The IBS-D rat model was successfully established. A total of 24 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the distal colon of IBS-D rats; 9 were upregulated and 15 were downregulated. Among them, the most significant upregulation was miR-200a, accompanied by downregulation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) and serotonin transporter (SERT). MiR-200a mimic markedly inhibited the expression of CNR1/SERT. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase assay confirmed that CNR1/SERT are direct targets of miR-200a. Rescue experiments that overexpressed CNR1/SERT significantly abolished the inhibitory effect of miR-200a on the IBS-D rats CECs. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that miR-200a could induce visceral hyperalgesia by targeting the downregulation of CNR1 and SERT, aggravating or leading to the development and progression of IBS-D. MiR-200a may be a regulator of visceral hypersensitivity, which provides potential targets for the treatment of IBS-D.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Colon ; Computational Biology ; Defecation ; Diarrhea ; Down-Regulation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epithelial Cells ; Hyperalgesia ; Hypersensitivity ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Luciferases ; Microarray Analysis ; MicroRNAs ; Models, Animal ; Permeability ; Peroxidase ; Rats ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Cannabinoid ; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; Serotonin ; Up-Regulation