Maternal antibody transfer rate of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 before or during early pregnancy and its protective effectiveness on offspring

This study focuses on maternal antibody transfer following vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) before or during early pregnancy and its potential protective effects on infants, providing scientific evidence for vaccination strategies. This prospective study tested the samples for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers and neutralizing capacity and tracked the infections after birth. Perform multivariate analysis of factors influencing antibody transfer rate, newborn antibody titers, and infant infection. Total 87.1% (122/140) women received coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine before or during early pregnancy, and 28 of them had breakthrough infection. The maternal and neonatal IgG positive rates at delivery were 60.7% (85/140) and 60.8% (87/143), respectively. A positive correlation was found between neonatal and maternal IgG antibody titers. Compared with the median IgG antibody transfer rate of infected pregnant women, that of vaccinated but not infected pregnant women was higher (1.21 versus: 1.53 [two doses], 1.71 [three doses]). However, neonatal IgG antibodies were relatively low (174.91 versus: 0.99 [two doses], 8.18 [three doses]), and their neutralizing capacity was weak. The overall effectiveness of maternal vaccination in preventing infant infection was 27.0%, and three doses had higher effectiveness than two doses (64.3% vs. 19.6%). Multivariate analysises showed that in vaccination group women receiving three doses or in infection group women with longer interval between infection and delivery had a higher antibody transfer rate and neonatal IgG antibody titer. More than half of women vaccinated before or during early pregnancy can achieve effective antibody transfer to newborns. However, the neonatal IgG antibody titer is low and has a weak neutralizing capacity, providing limited protection to infants.

Transcription factor c-fos induces the development of premature ovarian insufficiency by regulating MALAT1/miR-22-3p/STAT1 network

BACKGROUND

The current study attempted to investigate the role of transcription factor c-fos in the development of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) as well as the underlying mechanism involving the MALAT1/miR-22-3p/STAT1 ceRNA network.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis was performed to extract POI-related microarray dataset for identifying the target genes. Interaction among c-fos, MALAT1, miR-22-3p, and STAT1 was analyzed. An in vivo POI mouse model was prepared followed by injection of sh-c-fos and sh-STAT1 lentiviruses. Besides, an in vitro POI cell model was constructed to study the regulatory roles of c-fos, MALAT1, miR-22-3p, and STAT1.

RESULTS

c-fos, MALAT1, and STAT1 were highly expressed in ovarian tissues from POI mice and CTX-induced KGN cells, while miR-22-3p was poorly expressed. c-fos targeted MALAT1 and promoted MALAT1 transcription. MALAT1 competitively bound to miR-22-3p and miR-22-3p could suppress STAT1 expression. Mechanically, c-fos aggravated ovarian function impairment in POI mice and inhibited KGN cell proliferation through regulation of the MALAT1/miR-22-3p/STAT1 regulatory network.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlighted inducing role of the transcription factor c-fos in POI through modulation of the MALAT1/miR-22-3p/STAT1 ceRNA network.

Effect of an evidence-based activity management program on delivery outcomes in pregnant women after intraspinal labor analgesia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of an evidence-based activity management program for pregnant women after intraspinal labor analgesia based on their delivery outcomes.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted in 96 pregnant women who received intraspinal labor analgesia in our hospital. The control group (48 cases) received routine nursing care after analgesia, and the intervention group (48 cases) received evidence-based activity management program after analgesia. The labor time, sense of birth control, physiological and psychological stress reactions, analgesic effect, delivery outcome and early postpartum pelvic floor function were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the first, second and third stages of labor time and the total labor time of the intervention group were significantly shorter, while the Labor Agentry Scale (LAS) score was significantly higher (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) score of the intervention group were significantly lower (P<0.05). The total analgesic rate of the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group (95.83% vs. 79.17%, P<0.05). The overall incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, perineal laceration, lateral episiotomy, fetal distress and neonatal asphyxia in the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the control group (16.67% vs. 35.42%, P<0.05). The incidence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and pelvic floor dysfunction in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

An evidence-based activity management program for pregnant women after intraspinal labor analgesia can effectively shorten the labor time, strengthen the analgesic effect, reduce the physiological and psychological stress reactions, increase the sense of control during birth and improve the delivery outcome as well as early pelvic floor function.

Cellular coupling determines scale-invariant behavior of neurons in suprachiasmatic nucleus

The main clock in mammals, located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of hypothalamus, not only regulates the daily rhythms in physiological and behavioral activities, but also plays a key role as one of the control nodes in the brain regulating behavioral activity. As such, it induces scale-invariance in the temporal patterns of behavioral activity and of multi-unit neural activity of the SCN network. In particular, the scale-invariant patterns maintain across multiple time scales from 3 minutes to 10 hours, characterized by a scaling exponent around 1. Thus far, no study found the origin of the scale-invariance of the SCN network. Using the method of correlation-dependent balance estimation of diffusion entropy (cBEDE), we found that scale-invariance also exists in the individual neurons of the SCN, and the scale invariance properties are significantly increased when the neurons are coupled in a network of neurons. Improved scale invariance in the single neurons is, therefore, imposed by the emergent network properties of the SCN network. Our findings show that the scale-invariance of the SCN can already be found at the level of the individual neurons and that the application of a scale invariance measure, such as cBEDE, can help in determining the network status of the SCN.

Concurrent hypopituitarism and leukemic retinopathy in a child with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia and isolated central nervous system relapse

Hypopituitarism in leukemia is very rare. In addition, central nervous system (cns) relapse and leukemic retinopathy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (all) have declined with the use of modern systemic chemotherapy that includes cns prophylaxis. Here, we report the case of a 4-year-old girl who received chemotherapy and intrathecal therapy without cns radiation after a diagnosis of B-precursor all without cns involvement. Three months after chemotherapy completion, she presented with lower-extremity weakness and was diagnosed with an isolated cns relapse. Concurrent hypopituitarism and leukemic retinopathy were also found. After receiving craniospinal radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy, her retinopathy and vision improved. She is now in complete remission, and she is still on chemotherapy according to the guideline from the Pediatric Oncology Group. Although rare, hypopituitarism and leukemic retinopathy should be taken into consideration in patients with cns involvement by leukemia.

Dasatinib for a child with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia and persistently elevated minimal residual disease during imatinib therapy

Imatinib has improved outcomes in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (all). Minimal residual disease (mrd) is a useful tool for predicting leukemia relapse. However, there is no consensus on how to treat children with elevation of BCR-ABL transcripts but no evidence of hematologic relapse during chemotherapy combined with imatinib. Here, we report the case of a child with Ph+ all who had persistent elevation of mrd, but no evidence of hematologic relapse while receiving imatinib plus intensive chemotherapy. Dasatinib was substituted for imatinib because no suitable donor for allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (hsct) was available. Less-intensive chemotherapy with methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine was administered concomitantly. No serious adverse events were encountered. With continuous dasatinib combined with chemotherapy, but no allogeneic hsct, our patient reached complete molecular remission and has been in complete molecular remission for more than 13 months. This report is the first about the long-term use of dasatinib in patients with Ph+ all and mrd elevation but hematologic remission during imatinib chemotherapy. In a similar situation, chemotherapy combined with dasatinib instead of allogeneic hsct could be considered to avoid hsct-related mortality and morbidity. Clinical trials are needed.

Loss of Vhl in cartilage accelerated the progression of age-associated and surgically induced murine osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of Vhl in maintaining the integrity of articular cartilage and in the development of experimental osteoarthritis (OA).

METHOD

Histology of articular cartilage and subchondral bone in both Vhl cKO and WT mice were analyzed by histopathology and micro-CT. Articular cartilage destruction and proteoglycan loss were scored in aged (12-month-old) mice as well as in mice with surgically induced OA. Apoptosis of cartilage in age-related and surgically induced OA was detected with TUNEL assay. Expressions of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL), Fas, LC-3, HIF-1α, HIF-2α, p-mTOR and MMP-13 in the knee joints were analyzed by immunostaining.

RESULTS

No gross differences in cartilage were observed between Vhl cKO and WT mice at age 4 months. However, Vhl cKO mice displayed accelerated age-associated spontaneous OA and surgically induced OA. Cartilage destruction and proteoglycan loss were observed in the absence of Vhl. In addition, inactivation of Vhl resulted in up-regulation of HIF-2α and increased chondrocyte apoptosis and decreased expression of autophagy during OA development. Immunohistochemical staining also showed that Vhl deficiency led to increased expression of Fas, p-mTOR and MMP-13, and those genes were associated with cell apoptosis, autophagy and cartilage matrix breakdown, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Loss of Vhl in adult articular cartilage is associated with earlier dysregulation of cartilage homeostasis, characterized by an increased chondrocyte apoptosis, compromised chondrocyte autophagy, and an accelerated age-related and surgery-induced OA development. These results highlight the novel role of Vhl in maintaining joint homeostasis and OA development.

Wnt3a mitigates acute lung injury by reducing P2X7 receptor-mediated alveolar epithelial type I cell death

Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by pulmonary endothelial and epithelial cell damage, and loss of the alveolar–capillary barrier. We have previously shown that P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), a cell death receptor, is specifically expressed in alveolar epithelial type I cells (AEC I). In this study, we hypothesized that P2X7R-mediated purinergic signaling and its interaction with Wnt/β-catenin signaling contributes to AEC I death. We examined the effect of P2X7R agonist 2′-3′-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-ATP (BzATP) and Wnt agonist Wnt3a on AEC I death in vitro and in vivo. We also assessed the therapeutic potential of Wnt3a in a clinically relevant ALI model of intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure in ventilated mice. We found that the activation of P2X7R by BzATP caused the death of AEC I by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling through stimulating glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and proteasome. On the other hand, the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by Wnt3a, GSK-3β inhibitor, or proteasome inhibitor blocked the P2X7R-mediated cell death. More importantly, Wnt3a attenuated the AEC I damage caused by intratracheal instillation of BzATP in rats or LPS in ventilated mice. Our results suggest that Wnt3a overrides the effect of P2X7R on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling to prevent the AEC I death and restrict the severity of ALI.

Kvbeta1.1 associates with Kvalpha1.4 in Chinese hamster ovary cells and pigeon type II vestibular hair cells and enhances the amplitude, inactivation and negatively shifts the steady-state inactivation range

Although A-type potassium currents are found in type II hair cells in the inner ear of most species, the molecular mechanisms for activation and inactivation of the A-type potassium current (I(A)) remain unknown. In frog semicircular canal hair cells, for example, there appear to be two classes of currents having either fast or slow inactivation [Norris CH, Ricci AJ, Housley GD, Guth PS (1992) The inactivating potassium currents of hair cells isolated from the crista ampullaris of the frog. J Neurophysiol 68:1642-1653; Russo G, Calzi D, Martini M, Rossi ML, Fesce R, Prigioni I (2007) Potassium currents in the hair cells of vestibular epithelium: position-dependent expression of two types of A channels. Eur J Neurosci 25:695-704]. It has been suggested that somehow the "ball and chain" mechanism (NH(3) (N) terminus motif) is modified by alternative splicing to account for the two classes of inactivation. To examine other possibilities, we cloned alpha and beta subunits that comprise the A-type potassium channel complex in adult and embryonic pigeon brain, cochlea and labyrinth. By sequence homology, we concluded that the subunits present were Kvalpha1.4 and Kvbeta1.1. The sequence of the open reading frame for Kvalpha1.4 contained the N-terminus, pore and COOH (C) terminus motifs for N-and C-type inactivation. The sequence for Kvbeta1.1 displayed amino acids consistent with assembly and association with Kvalpha1.4 alpha subunits. Kvalpha1.4 and Kvbeta1.1 were transfected either singly or in combination into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. These cells and native hair cells from the pigeon utricle were patch clamped and the inactivation properties of the A-type current were studied. In the native hair cells, the A-type current was identified by its pharmacological (4-aminopyridine (4-AP); IC(50)=11 microM) and voltage dependent inactivation properties. A comparison of the mean time constants from best-fitted single exponential and sum of two exponential equations to the ionic current inactivation revealed the following. In CHO cells when Kvalpha1.4 was expressed alone, the mean time constant (tau(1)=107 ms+/-19, N=32) was significantly (P<0.001) longer and the mean peak amplitude (2.28 nA+/-0.39, N=32) was smaller than when Kvalpha1.4 and Kvbeta1.1 were expressed in CHO cells. Moreover, the co-transfection of Kvalpha1.4 and Kvbeta1.1 into CHO cells caused a shift in the steady state inactivation curve parameter Vo 30 mV in the hyperpolarized direction relative to CHO cells expressing only Kvalpha1.4. Similarly, Kvalpha1.4-transfected CHO cells produced longer time constants and smaller amplitudes than those found for native utricular hair cells. These data lead us to conclude that while the amino acid motifs are present in Kvalpha1.4 and Kvbeta1.1 to suggest N-and C-type inactivation, co-assembly and association of Kvalpha1.4 and Kvbeta1.1 may also produce changes in the time dependent inactivation properties of vestibular hair cells.

Effects of KCNQ channel blockers on K(+) currents in vestibular hair cells

Linopirdine and XE991, selective blockers of K(+) channels belonging to the KCNQ family, were applied to hair cells isolated from gerbil vestibular system and to hair cells in slices of pigeon crista. In type II hair cells, both compounds inhibited a slowly activating, slowly inactivating component of the macroscopic current recruited at potentials above -60 mV. The dissociation constants for linopirdine and XE991 block were <5 microM. A similar component of the current was also blocked by 50 microM capsaicin in gerbil type II hair cells. All three drugs blocked a current component that showed steady-state inactivation and a biexponential inactivation with time constants of approximately 300 ms and 4 s. Linopirdine (10 microM) reduced inward currents through the low-voltage-activated K(+) current in type I hair cells, but concentrations up to 200 microM had little effect on steady-state outward K(+) current in these cells. These results suggest that KCNQ channels may be present in amniote vestibular hair cells.

Chloride channel expression in cultured human fetal RPE cells: response to oxidative stress

PURPOSE

The human fetal cell line RPE 28 SV4 has been useful for studies of oxidative stress and apoptosis in retinal pigmented epithelium. This cell model is now assessed in functional investigations of chloride channel activity. The study aims to determine the presence of specific chloride channels, including CFTR and ClC channels, to identify the properties of membrane chloride currents and to assess their modulation by hydrogen peroxide, cAMP, and other agents.

METHODS

Channel expression was determined using RT-PCR and cDNA cloning and biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. Membrane currents were analyzed using whole-cell, patch-clamp techniques.

RESULTS

RT-PCR results confirmed the presence of ClC-5 mRNA, and a full-length clone encoding ClC-3 was isolated from a cDNA library for RPE 28 SV4 cells. Specific staining for CFTR and several ClC channels was detected by immunocytochemistry. Whole-cell chloride currents (under conditions of symmetrical chloride concentrations) averaged 16.9 +/- 3.4 pA/pF (at +100 mV; n = 8), showed outward rectification, and had an anion permeability sequence of Cl(-) > I(-) > cyclamate. Currents were stimulated by cAMP cocktail (250 microM cAMP, 100 microM IBMX, and 25 microM forskolin) and were inhibited by 1 mM DIDS. The oxidative agent hydrogen peroxide (100 microM) decreased the current by 34% +/- 10% (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS. These findings suggest that RPE 28 SV4 cells possess regulated chloride channels including CFTR and members of the ClC chloride channel family. The inhibition of chloride currents by H(2)O(2) suggests that this cell line may be advantageous for studies of chloride channel modulation by oxidative stress.

Regional distribution of ionic currents and membrane voltage responses of type II hair cells in the vestibular neuroepithelium

Basolateral ionic currents and membrane voltage responses were studied in pigeon vestibular type II hair cells using a thin slice through either the semicircular canal (SCC) crista or utricular macular epithelium. Whole cell tight-seal patch-clamp recording techniques were used. Current-clamp and voltage-clamp studies were carried out on the same cell. One hundred ten cells were studied in the peripheral (Zone I) and central (Zone III) zones of the SCC crista, and 162 cells were studied in the striolar (S Zone) and extrastriolar (ES Zone) zones of the utricular macula. One of the major findings of this paper is that hair cells with fast activation kinetics of their outward currents are found primarily in one region of the SCC crista and utricular macula, whereas hair cells with slow activation kinetics are found in a different region. In Zone I of the crista, 95% of the cells have fast activation kinetics ("fast" cells) and in Zone III of the crista, 86% of the cells have slow activation kinetics ("slow" cells). In the utricular macula slice, 100% of the cells from the S Zone are slow cells, whereas 86% of the cells from the ES Zones are fast cells. Oscillation frequency (f) and quality factor (Q) of the damped oscillations of the membrane potential during extrinsic current injections were studied in hair cells in the different regions. The slow cells in Zone III and in the S Zone have a statistically significantly lower f, as a function of the amplitude of injected current, when compared with the fast cells in Zone I and the ES Zone. Although Q varied over a small range and was <2.6 for all cells tested, there was a statistically significant difference between Q for the membrane oscillations of the slow cells and fast cells in response to a range of current injections.

Artifactual voltage response recorded from hair cells with patch-clamp amplifiers

Patch-clamp amplifiers (PCAs) are commonly used to characterize voltage- and current-clamp responses in the same cell. However, the cell membrane voltage response can be severely distorted by PCAs working in the current-clamp mode. Here we compare the voltage response of pigeon semicircular canal hair cells in situ, recorded with two different PCAs, and with a classic microelectrode bridge amplifier (BA). We found that the voltage response of hair cells recorded with PCAs differed significantly from that recorded with the BA. The true hair cell membrane voltage response to positive current steps was characterized by a strongly damped oscillation, whose frequency and duration depended on hair cell location in the sensory crista ampullaris.

Effect of celiprolol, a new beta 1-alpha 2 blocker, on the cardiovascular response to exercise

The pharmacodynamics of beta blockade with single oral doses of celiprolol 200 and 400 mg, compared with placebo, atenolol 50 and 100 mg, propranolol 80 and 160 mg, metoprolol 100 and 200 mg, and pindolol 5 and 10 mg, were evaluated in an open, incomplete-block study design employing 11 healthy male volunteers. Each subject received five of the 11 possible treatments at weekly intervals. The maximal rate-pressure product (RPP) induced by standardized treadmill exercise was measured 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after each treatment. During the course of the exercise test, heart rate and systolic blood pressure were recorded at one-minute intervals for five minutes. The maximal RPP, heart rate, and the maximum change from baseline were calculated for each exercise period. The data were analyzed using absolute reduction and percentage reduction of these parameters. All of the beta blockers tested produced significant decreases (P less than .05) in the exercise RPP, ranging from 16% reduction for celiprolol 200 mg to 47% reduction for propranolol 160 mg at peak response. Celiprolol 400 mg reduced the RPP by 31% at peak effect and did not differ significantly from the other treatments. Celiprolol 400 mg and atenolol 100 mg were the only agents that significantly reduced the RPP 24 hours posttreatment (20.7% and 21.7%, respectively) compared with placebo. Celiprolol 400 mg was the only agent to significantly reduce exercise heart rate 24 hours posttreatment (26.6 beats, P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacokinetics of rosoxacin in human volunteers

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography was used to determine plasma rosoxacin concentrations in normal, healthy males, each of whom received one 300 mg capsule of rosoxacin. The plasma data for each subject were described by an open one-compartment body model with first-order absorption, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were determined. The mean (+/- SE) apparent first-order terminal elimination rate constant was 0.203 +/- 0.015 hr-1 (N = 16), the mean apparent volume of distribution was 0.644 +/- 0.050 liters/kg, and the mean apparent plasma clearance was 2.08 +/- 0.15 ml/min/kg.