孕激素及人绒毛促性腺激素与药物流产后异常子宫出血的关系

目的:分析孕激素和人绒毛膜促性腺激素(h CG)与药物流产后异常子宫出血的关系。方法:选择2017年1月至2017年12月我院妇产科收治的药物终止妊娠的妇女150例,患者口服米非司酮配伍米索前列醇药物终止早期妊娠。将药物流产后子宫出血时间≤14 d作为对照组(n=75),14d作为异常组(n=75)。比较两组患者在药物流产后10 d、14 d、18 d、22 d血清中孕激素和h CG含量,分析两组患者孕激素和h CG含量相关性。结果:两组患者在年龄、月经周期、孕次、受孕天数、体重等方面比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。异常组在药物流产后10 d、14 d、18 d、22 d血清孕激素和h CG含量均高于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者在药物流产后10 d、14 d、18 d、22 d孕激素含量呈先降低再升高的趋势(P0.05)。对照组患者在药物流产后10 d、14 d、18 d、22 d血清hCG含量逐渐降低(P0.05);异常组在药物流产后10 d、14 d血清h CG含量比较无统计学差异(P0.05),在药物流产后18 d、22 d血清hCG含量低于药物流产后10 d、14 d,且药物流产后22 d低于药物流产后18 d(P0.05)。对全部样本的全部时点数据合并进行Pearson相关检验分析,孕激素和h CG含量呈正相关关系(P0.05)。结论:药物流产后异常子宫出血妇女血清的孕激素、hCG含量较高,两者呈正相关关系。药物流产后10 d、14 d监测血清HCG值无明显下降提示有异常子宫出血的可能,联合监测孕激素、hCG含量有利于药物流产后异常子宫出血的预测和治疗。     

超声内镜辅助下内镜黏膜下切除术对食管癌前病变患者肿瘤标志物及应激反应指标的影响

目的:探讨超声内镜(EUS)辅助下内镜黏膜下切除术(EMR)对食管癌前病变患者肿瘤标志物及应激反应指标的影响。方法:选择山东大学齐鲁医院青岛院区消化内科于2016年3月至2018年4月期间收治的食管癌前病变患者137例,采用随机数字表法将患者分为常规组(n=68,常规胃镜下行EMR)和EUS组(n=69,EUS辅助下行EMR),比较两组患者临床指标,比较两组术前、术后血清肿瘤标志物及应激反应指标水平,比较两组术前、术后1周相关遗传学分子水平。结果:EUS组手术时间、术后流质饮食时间均短于常规组(P0.05),并发食管黏膜小穿孔例数、使用钛夹止血例数均少于常规组(P0.05)。两组患者术后肿瘤特异性生长因子(TSGF)、细胞角蛋白19血清片段21-1(CYFRA21-1)、鳞状上皮细胞癌抗原(SCC-Ag)均较术前升高,但EUS组低于常规组(P0.05)。两组患者术后肾上腺素(E)、去甲肾上腺素(NE)、肾素(R)、血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)、醛固酮均较术前升高,但EUS组低于常规组(P0.05)。两组患者术后1周细胞周期素E(Cyclin E)、转化生长因子-α(TGF-α)均较术前降低,且EUS组低于常规组(P0.05)。结论:相比于常规胃镜,经EUS辅助下EMR治疗食管癌前病变可有效改善患者的临床指标,减轻患者应激反应,有利于降低血清肿瘤标志物及遗传学分子水平。     

‘Tailception’: using neural networks for assessing tail lesions on pictures of pig carcasses

Tail lesions caused by tail biting are a widespread welfare issue in pig husbandry. Determining their prevalence currently involves labour intensive, subjective scoring methods. Increased societal interest in tail lesions requires fast, reliable and cheap systems for assessing tail status. In the present study, we aimed to test the reliability of neural networks for assessing tail pictures from carcasses against trained human observers. Three trained observers scored tail lesions from automatically recorded pictures of 13 124 pigs. Nearly all pigs had been tail docked. Tail lesions were classified using a 4-point score (0=no lesion, to 3=severe lesion). In addition, total tail loss was recorded. Agreement between observers was tested prior and during the assessment in a total of seven inter-observer tests with 80 pictures each. We calculated agreement between observer pairs as exact agreement (%) and prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted κ (PABAK; value 1=optimal agreement). Out of the 13 124 scored pictures, we used 80% for training and 20% for validating our neural networks. As the position of the tail in the pictures varied (high, low, left, right), we first trained a part detection network to find the tail in the picture and select a rectangular part of the picture which includes the tail. We then trained a classification network to categorise tail lesion severity using pictures scored by human observers whereby the classification network only analysed the selected picture parts. Median exact agreement between the three observers was 80% for tail lesions and 94% for tail loss. Median PABAK for tail lesions and loss were 0.75 and 0.87, respectively. The agreement between classification by the neural network and human observers was 74% for tail lesions and 95% for tail loss. In other words, the agreement between the networks and human observers were very similar to the agreement between human observers. The main reason for disagreement between observers and thereby higher variation in network training material were picture quality issues. Therefore, we expect even better results for neural network application to tail lesions if training is based on high quality pictures. Very reliable and repeatable tail lesion assessment from pictures would allow automated tail classification of all pigs slaughtered, which is something that some animal welfare labels would like to do.     

Global DNA methylation (LINE-1) associated with exposure to arsenic-contaminated environment and with type of arsenical skin lesions in Thailand

The effects of chronic arsenic exposure mode on DNA methylation and skin lesion type are unclear. These relationships were investigated in an arsenic-contaminated area of southern Thailand. Cases with arsenical skin lesions (n = 131) and lesion-free controls (n = 163) were selected from an arsenic-contaminated sub-district, as well as 105 controls from a non-contaminated area. Type and severity of skin lesions and salivary global DNA methylation (LINE-1) were determined. Arsenic exposure was characterized as occupational, domestic and current (toe-nail arsenic). Associations were explored using logistic regression. Cases and controls had lower LINE-1 methylation and higher toenail arsenic than external controls (74.65% and 74.61% vs 76.05%, p < 0.001 for each). Cases were more likely to have been exposed domestically (OR_total 1.76, 95% ci 1.00, 3.11; and 2.22, 95% ci 1.22, 4.03; P_trend = 0.005 for exposure <36 and ≥36 years). More severe spotty hyperpigmentation was related to higher LINE-1 methylation (P_trend=0.006). LINE-1 methylation was positively associated with toenail arsenic only among non-symptomatic exposed subjects (OR 1.31, 95% ci 1.06, 1.64; p = 0.014). Exposure to an arsenic-contaminated environment results in global DNA hypomethylation. However, among symptomatic subjects, increased global DNA methylation was associated with increased severity of spotty hyperpigmentation.     

Recent advances in polysaccharide-based in situ forming hydrogels

Polysaccharides comprise an important class of natural polymers; they are abundant, diverse, polyfunctional, typically benign, and are biodegradable. Using polysaccharides to design in situ forming hydrogels is an attractive and important field of study since many polysaccharide-based hydrogels exhibit desirable characteristics including self-healing, responsiveness to environmental stimuli, and injectability. These characteristics are particularly useful for biomedical applications. This review will discuss recent discoveries in polysaccharide-based in situ forming hydrogels, including network architecture designs, curing mechanisms, physical and chemical properties, and potential applications.     

淀粉样蛋白A、D-二聚体、肌酸激酶同工酶联合检测对川崎病患儿冠状动脉损伤的诊断价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨血清淀粉样蛋白A(SAA)、D-二聚体(D-D)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)联合检测对川崎病患儿冠状动脉损伤(CAL)的诊断价值。方法：选取2018年9月～2021年5月我院收治的80例川崎病患儿,根据是否合并CAL分为CAL组(n=34)和NCAL组(n=46)。收集患儿基础资料,并检测SAA、D-D、CK-MB水平。多因素Logistic回归分析川崎病患儿CAL影响因素,受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清SAA、D-D、CK-MB水平对川崎病患儿CAL的诊断价值。结果：与NCAL组比较,CAL组C反应蛋白(CRP)、红细胞沉降率(ESR)、SAA、D-D、CK-MB水平升高(P＜0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,CRP、ESR、SAA、D-D、CK-MB为川崎病患儿CAL独立影响因素(P＜0.05)。SAA、D-D、CK-MB、三项联合诊断川崎病患儿CAL的曲线下面积（AUC）分别为0.661、0.687、0.746、0.799,联合应用的诊断效能最高。结论：血清SAA、D-D、CK-MB是川崎病患儿CAL独立影响因素,且联合检测以上指标可辅助诊断川崎病患儿CAL。     

Romina: A powerful strawberry with in vitro efficacy against uterine leiomyoma cells

Uterine leiom yomas are benign tumors highly prevalent in reproductive women. In thecurrent study, initially, we aimed to screen five different strawberry cultivars (Alba, Clery, Portola, Tecla, and Romina) to identify efficient cultivars in terms of phytochemical characterization and biological properties by measuring phenolic and anthocyanin content as well as antioxidant capacity, and by measuring apoptotic rate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in uterine leiomyoma cells. Next, we focused on the most efficient ones, cultivar Alba (A) and Romina (R) as well as Romina anthocyanin (RA) fraction for their ability to regulate oxidative phosphorylation (oxygen consumption rate [OCR]) glycolysis (extracellular acidification rate [ECAR]), and also fibrosis. Leiomyoma and myometrial cells were treated with a methanolic extract of A and R (250 μg/ml) or with RA (50 μg/ml) for 48 hr to measure OCR and ECAR, as well as gene expression associated with fibrosis. In the leiomyoma cells, RA was more effective in inducing apoptosis and increasing intracellular ROS levels, followed by R and A. In myometrial cells, all strawberry treatments increased the cellular viability and decreased ROS concentrations. Leiomyoma cells showed also a significant decrease in ECAR, especially after RA treatment, while OCR was slightly increased in both myometrial and leiomyoma cells. R and RA treatment significantly decreased collagen 1A1, fibronectin, versican, and activin A messenger RNA expression in leiomyoma cells. In conclusion, this study suggests that Romina, or its anthocyanin fraction, can be developed as a therapeutic and/or preventive agent for uterine leiomyomas, confirming the healthy effects exerted by these fruits and their bioactive compounds.     

Uterine and eggshell structure and histochemistry in a lizard with prolonged uterine egg retention (Lacertilia,Scincidae, Saiphos)

The eggshell of lizards is a complex structure composed of organic and inorganic molecules secreted by the oviduct, which protects the embryo by providing a barrier to the external environment and also allows the exchange of respiratory gases and water for life support. Calcium deposited on the surface of the eggshell provides an important nutrient source for the embryo. Variation in physical conditions encountered by eggs results in a tradeoff among these functions and influences eggshell structure. Evolution of prolonged uterine egg retention results in a significant change in the incubation environment, notably reduction in efficiency of gas exchange, and selection should favor a concomitant reduction in eggshell thickness. This model is supported by studies that demonstrate an inverse correlation between eggshell thickness and length of uterine egg retention. One mechanism leading to thinning of the eggshell is reduction in size of uterine shell glands. Saiphos equalis is an Australian scincid lizard with an unusual pattern of geographic variation in reproductive mode. All populations retain eggs in the uterus beyond the embryonic stage at oviposition typical for lizards, and some are viviparous. We compared structure and histochemistry of the uterus and eggshell of two populations of S. equalis, prolonged egg retention, and viviparous to test the hypotheses: 1) eggshell thickness is inversely correlated with length of egg retention and 2) eggshell thickness is positively correlated with size of shell glands. We found support for the first hypothesis but also found that eggshells of both populations are surprisingly thick compared with other lizards. Our histochemical data support prior conclusions that uterine shell glands are the source of protein fiber matrix of the eggshell, but we did not find a correlation between size of shell glands and eggshell thickness. Eggshell thickness is likely determined by density of uterine shell glands in this species. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Evidence of probable scurvy in subadults from archeological sites in North America

The authors surveyed subadult human skeletons from Native American archeological sites in the United States for evidence of skeletal lesions associated with scurvy. Geographic regions surveyed include the Midatlantic area, the Southeast (Florida), the Southwest, and the Plains. The prevalence of probable subadult scurvy ranged from zero in the Plains samples to 38% in a small sample from Florida. These data indicate the likelihood that scurvy was a significant childhood disease in many Native American groups. Reasons for variation in prevalence remain speculative but include regional and seasonal variation in food types and abundance, cultural patterns of storage and utilization, periodic food shortages, and the relative importance of corn in the diet. These factors are part of a nutritional complex that is related to disease prevalence which can be studied through evidence seen in archeological human remains.