[Active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy and risk of having a child with polydactyly: a case-control study]

Objective: The number of children with polydactyly is increasing. In addition to genetic factors, an influence of maternal behavior or environmental effects during pregnancy is becoming increasingly apparent. However, epidemiological data on these effects are lacking. Methods: This hospital-based, case-control study enrolled 143 infants with polydactyly and 286 controls without genetic diseases to evaluate the association between active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy and the likelihood of giving birth to a child with polydactyly. Results: Active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of giving birth to a child with polydactyly (active smoking: OR=4.74, 95%CI: 1.43-15.65, P=0.011; passive smoking: OR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.32-4.44, P=0.004). After adjusting for confounders, smoking during pregnancy remained significant influence on polydactyly (active smoking: aOR=7.27, 95%CI: 1.72-30.72, P=0.007; passive smoking: aOR=2.41, 95%CI: 1.11-5.23, P=0.026). Conclusion: Active and passive maternal smoking during pregnancy appears to be a risk factor for polydactyly in newborns.

[Changes and clinical significance of γδT cells in peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis B during pegylated interferon α-2a treatment]

Objective: To observe the changes of γδT cells in the peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during pegylated interferon α-2a treatment, and to analyze the correlation between clinical indicators and curative effects. Methods: Peripheral blood of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB patients were collected at different time points of Peg-IFNα-2a treatment, including 17 patients at 0 weeks, 20 patients at 12 weeks, 20 patients at 24 weeks, and 16 patients at 48 weeks. From these 11 patients, blood samples were frequently observed at 0, 12, 24, and 48 weeks of treatment. The frequencies of γδT and its subpopulation cells Vδ1T, Vδ2T, effector memory γδT (γδTem), central memory γδT (γδTcm), initial γδT (γδTnaive) and terminal differentiation effect γδT (γδTeff) cells in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Liver function, serum HBV markers and HBV DNA levels were measured simultaneously. SPSS 23.0 statistical software was used to analyze the differences in cell proportions at each treatment time point, and the correlation between cell proportions and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBsAg, HBeAg or HBV DNA levels. In addition, the correlation between the proportions of γδT and its subpopulation cells and the response to Peg-IFNα-2a treatment in the 11 patients with continuous follow-up were analyzed. Results: The percentage of γδT and Vδ2T cells in peripheral blood of patients with CHB decreased gradually during the period of 0-48 weeks of Peg-IFNα-2a treatment. The percentages of γδT cells and Vδ2T cells at 48 weeks were 6.89% (5%, 8.15%), 4.61% (2.16%, 6.50%), respectively; significantly lower than the 0 week [12.5% ​​(7.73%, 19%), 6.59% (3.86%, 13.62%)], the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The proportions of Vδ1T, γδTem, γδTcm, γδTnaive, or γδTeff subpopulations were not statistically different at each time points (all P > 0.05). At the same time, the levels of ALT, HBsAg, HBeAg or HBV DNA were positively correlated with the ratio of γδT or Vδ2T cells (P < 0.05). Among the 11 patients with continuous followed- up, the proportion of γδTem cells in responders was significantly lower than that of non-responders at each time points, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion: The proportion of γδT cells in the course of CHB treatment with Peg-IFNα-2a reduces the liver inflammation by decreasing the replication of HBV virus. Chronic hepatitis B patients with a lower proportion of effector memory (γδTem) cells may be more likely to get better response with Peg-IFNα-2a.

Mast cell-dependent IL-33/ST2 signaling is protective against the development of airway hyperresponsiveness in a house dust mite mouse model of asthma

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) and its receptor ST2 have been influentially associated with the pathophysiology of asthma. Due to the divergent roles of IL-33 in regulating mast cell functions, there is a need to further characterize IL-33/ST2-dependent mast cell responses and their significance in the context of asthma. This study aimed to investigate how IL-33/ST2-dependent mast cell responses contribute to the development of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway inflammation in a mouse model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma. Mast cell-deficient C57BL/6-Kit^W-sh (Wsh) mice engrafted with either wild-type (Wsh + MC-WT) or ST2-deficient bone marrow-derived mast cells (Wsh + MC-ST2KO) were exposed to HDM delivered intranasally. An exacerbated development of AHR in response to HDM was seen in Wsh + MC-ST2KO compared with Wsh + MC-WT mice. The contribution of this IL-33/ST2-dependent mast cell response to AHR seems to reside within the smaller airways in the peripheral parts of the lung, as suggested by the isolated yet marked effect on tissue resistance. Considering the absence of a parallel increase in cellular inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung, the aggravated AHR in Wsh + MC-ST2KO mice seems to be independent of cellular inflammation. We observed an association between the elevated AHR and reduced PGE₂ levels in BALF_. Due to the protective properties of PGE₂ in airway responses, it is conceivable that IL-33/ST2-dependent mast cell induction of PGE₂ could be responsible for the dampening effect on AHR. In conclusion, we reveal that IL-33/ST2-dependent mast cell responses can have a protective, rather than causative role, in the development of AHR.

[The progress of studies on aqueous humor dynamics abnormality induced by trabecular meshwork and Schlemm canal endothelial cell senescence and its relation with glaucoma]

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world next to cataract. Aging is a strong risk factor leading to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). IOP is associated with aqueous humor circulation. Trabecular meshwork cells and Schlemm canal endothelial cells, which form the conventional outflow pathway, play an important role in maintaining the IOP. Cell senescence induces abnormalities of the aqueous humor dynamics, leading to elevated IOP. Trabecular meshwork cells cause increased intrinsic stiffness, autophagy dysfunction, abnormal expression of microRNA and mitochondrial dysfunction with senescence. The senescence of Schlemm canal endothelial cells decreases cell permeability and mechanotransduction and disrupts the endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling pathway. The changes will increase aqueous humor outflow resistance and elevate IOP. This review discusses how cell senescence induces aqueous humor dynamics abnormalities and the relation with glaucoma. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 868-873).

Improvement of wound healing by regulated oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy in a rabbit model

BACKGROUND

Development of drug therapies and other techniques for wound care have resulted in significant improvement of the cure rate and shortening of the healing time for wounds. A modified technique of regulated oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RO-NPT) has been reported.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and impact of RO-NPT on wound recovery and inflammation.

METHODS

Infected wounds were established on 40 adult female white rabbits, which were then randomized to one of four groups: O₂ group, regulated negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RNPT) group, regulated oxygen-enriched negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (RO-NPT) group and healthy control (HC) group. Each day, the O₂ group was treated with a constant oxygen supply (1 L/min) to the wound, while the RNPT group was treated with continuous regulated negative pressure (70 ± 5 mmHg) and the RNPT + O₂ group was treated with both. The HC group was treated with gauze dressing alone, which was changed every day. Leucocyte count, colony count and wound-healing rate were calculated. Levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 were evaluated by ELISA.

RESULTS

RO-RNPT significantly decreased bacterial count and TNF-α level, and increased the wound-healing rate. IL-1β, IL-8 and leucocyte count had a tendency to increase in the early phase of inflammation and a tendency to decrease in the later phase of inflammation in the RO-RNPT group.

CONCLUSIONS

RO-NPT therapy assisted wound recovery and inflammation control compared with the RNPT and oxygen-enriched therapies. RO-NPT therapy also increased levels of IL-1β and IL-8 and attenuated expression of TNF-α in the early phase of inflammation.

Enhancing biomethanogenic treatment of fresh incineration leachate using single chambered microbial electrolysis cells

Methanogenic treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration leachate can be hindered by high concentrations of refractory organic matter and humification of compounds in the leachate. In an attempt to overcome some of these impediments, microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) were incorporated into anaerobic digesters (ADMECs). COD removal efficiencies and methane production were 8.7% and 44.3% higher in ADMECs than in controls, and ADMEC reactors recovered more readily from souring caused by high organic loading rates. The degradation rate of large macromolecules was substantially higher (96% vs 81%) in ADMEC than control effluent, suggesting that MECs stimulated degradation of refractory organic matter and reduced humification. Exoelectrogenic bacteria and microorganisms known to form syntrophic partnerships were enriched in ADMECs. These results show that ADMECs were more effective at treatment of MSW incineration leachate, and should be taken into consideration when designing future treatment facilities.

Progesterone-induced miR-133a inhibits the proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells

AIM

This study aimed to understand the role of miR-133a in progesterone actions, explore the regulative mechanism of the progesterone receptor, and investigate the effects of miR-133a on the progesterone-inhibited proliferation of mouse endometrial epithelial cells.

METHODS

The expression of miR-133a induced by progesterone was detected by quantitative real-time PCR both in vivo and in vitro. Ishikawa subcell lines stably transfected with progesterone receptor subtypes were used to determine the receptor mechanism of progesterone inducing miR-133a. Specific miR-133a mimics or inhibitors were transfected into mouse uteri and primary cultured endometrial epithelial cells to overexpress or downregulate the miR-133a. The roles of miR-133a in the cell cycle and proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells were analysed by flow cytometry and Edu incorporation analysis. The protein levels of cyclinD2 in uterine tissue sections and primary cultured endometrial epithelial cells were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Progesterone could induce miR-133a expression in a PRB-dependent manner in endometrial epithelial cells. miR-133a inhibited endometrial epithelial cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle at the G₁ -S transition. Moreover, miR-133a acted as an inhibitor in downregulating cyclinD2 in endometrial epithelial cells.

CONCLUSION

We showed for the first time that progesterone-induced miR-133a inhibited the proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells by downregulating cyclinD2. Our research indicated an important mechanism for progesterone inhibiting the proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells by inducing special miRNAs to inhibit positive regulatory proteins in the cell cycle.

Low voltage driven surface micro-flow by Joule heating

We report a low voltage driven surface microfluidic system simply by Joule heating.

Ultra-fast preparation of high-performance thermoelectric bulk TiNiSb0.05Sn0.95 by microwave synthesis

The antimony-doped half-Heusler thermoelectric bulk TiNiSb_0.05Sn_0.95 with power factor of 4042 μW m⁻¹ K⁻² was prepared via ultra-fast 4.5 min microwave synthesis, cold-press forming and 20 min microwave pressureless sintering.

The interleukin-33 receptor ST2 is important for the development of peripheral airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in a house dust mite mouse model of asthma

BACKGROUND

Several clinical and experimental studies have implicated IL-33 and its receptor ST2 in the development of asthma. However, the effect of IL-33/ST2 signalling on airway responses and inflammation in allergic asthma is not well established.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of IL-33/ST2 signalling in promoting allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), airway inflammation, antigen-specific IgE production and mast cell activity in a mouse model of asthma.

METHODS

ST2-deficient (ST2(-/-)) mice and control BALB/c mice were given house dust mite (HDM) extract over a 6-week period. Forty-eight hours after the final HDM administration, lung function and airway inflammation were evaluated. Airway responsiveness was determined in the central airways and peripheral lung. Cellular infiltration and mast cell protease mMCP-1 levels were quantified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Recruitment of inflammatory cells and inflammatory cytokine profiles were assessed in pulmonary tissue, and HDM-specific IgE was measured in serum.

RESULTS

ST2 deficiency diminished HDM-induced AHR in the peripheral lung, while AHR in the central airways was unaffected. Inflammatory responses to HDM were also reduced in ST2(-/-) mice as reflected by the lower induction of HDM-specific serum IgE, inhibition of HDM-induced eosinophilia and reduced macrophage count in BALF, and a diminished influx of inflammatory cells and reduced goblet cell hyperplasia around the peripheral airways. Furthermore, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-5, IL-13, IL-33, GM-CSF, thymic stromal lymphopoietin and mast cell protease mMCP-1 were reduced in HDM-treated ST2(-/-) mice compared with wild-type controls.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to promoting Th2 inflammation, we now suggest a role for the IL-33/ST2 pathway for the induction of peripheral inflammation and mucus production that causes AHR in the peripheral lung. This mechanism for inducing AHR at distal parts of the lung may be of specific importance as asthma is considered as a small airway disease.

Impact of fulvic acids on bio-methanogenic treatment of municipal solid waste incineration leachate

A considerable amount of leachate with high fulvic acid (FA) content is generated during the municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration process. This incineration leachate is usually processed by downstream bio-methanogenic treatment. However, few studies have examined the impact that these compounds have on methanogenesis and how they are degraded and transformed during the treatment process. In this study, a laboratory-scale expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor was operated with MSW incineration leachate containing various concentrations of FA (1500 mg/L to 8000 mg/L) provided as the influent. We found that FA degradation rates decreased from 86% to 72% when FA concentrations in the reactor were increased, and that molecular size, level of humification and aromatization of the residual FA macromolecules all increased after bio-methanogenic treatment. Increasing FA influent concentrations also inhibited growth of hydrogenotrophic methanogens from the genus Methanobacterium and syntrophic bacteria from the genus Syntrophomonas, which resulted in a decrease in methane production and a concomitant increase in CO₂ content in the biogas. Sequences most similar to species from the genus Anaerolinea went up as FA concentrations increased. Bacteria from this genus are capable of extracellular electron transfer and may be using FA as an electron acceptor for growth or as a shuttle for syntrophic exchange with other microorganisms in the reactor. In order to determine whether FA could serve as an electron shuttle to promote syntrophy in an anaerobic digester, co-cultures of Geobacter metallireducens and G. sulfurreducens were grown in the presence of FA from raw leachate or from residual bioreactor effluent. While raw FA stimulated electron transfer between these two bacteria, residual FA did not have any electron shuttling abilities, indicating that FA underwent a significant transformation during the bio-methanogenic treatment process. These results are significant and should be taken into consideration when optimizing anaerobic bioreactors used to treat MSW incineration leachate high in FA content.

Stimulation of methanogenesis in anaerobic digesters treating leachate from a municipal solid waste incineration plant with carbon cloth

Bio-methanogenic digestion of incineration leachate is hindered by high OLRs, which can lead to build-up of VFAs, drops in pH and ultimately in reactor souring. It was hypothesized that incorporation of carbon cloth into reactors treating leachate would promote DIET and enhance reactor performance. To examine this possibility, carbon cloth was added to laboratory-scale UASB reactors that were fed incineration leachate. As expected, the carbon-cloth amended reactor could operate stably with a 34.2% higher OLR than the control (49.4 vs 36.8kgCOD/(m³d)). Microbial community analysis showed that bacteria capable of extracellular electron transfer and methanogens known to participate in DIET were enriched on the carbon cloth surface, and conductivity of sludge from the carbon cloth amended reactor was almost twofold higher than sludge from the control (9.77 vs 5.47μS/cm), suggesting that microorganisms in the experimental reactor may have been expressing electrically conductive filaments.

Ultrasonic guided percutaneous ethanol injection with or without combined radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinomas

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) improves treatment outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively included 66 HCC patients who received RFA or RFA plus PEI from February 2011 to January 2014 in Jingmen No. 1 People's Hospital. Moreover, 31 cases received RFA plus PEI as the experiment group and 35 subjects treated with RFA aloe as the control group. The overall survival and treatment related complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

For RFA group, the 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rate were 82.0%, 69.3%, and 30.7%, respectively, with the median survival time of 27.1 months. For RFA plus PEI group, the 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rate were 97.1%, 73.9%, and 37.5%, respectively, with the median survival time of 33.6 months. The overall survival of the two groups was not statistical different with the hazard ratio of 1.48 (P > 0.05); three cases of treatment associated complications were found in RFA group with 1 abscess, 1 pleural effusion, and 1 portal vein thrombosis. Moreover, 2 cases of complication were recorded in RFA plus PEI group with 1 pleural effusion and 1 portal vein thrombosis. The complicated incidence rate was not statistical different between the two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combination treatment of HCC was safe and had a slightly higher primary effectiveness rate than RFA alone.