Search

Transplanting human neural progenitor cells is a promising method of replenishing the lost neurons after spinal cord injury (SCI), but differentiating neural progenitor cells into the diverse types of mature functional spinal cord neurons in vivo is challenging. In this study, engineered human embryonic spinal cord-like tissues with dorsal and ventral neuronal characters (DV-SC) were generated by inducing human neural progenitor cells (hscNPCs) to differentiate into various types of dorsal and ventral neuronal cells on collagen scaffold in vitro. Transplantation of DV-SC into complete SCI models in rats and monkeys showed better therapeutic effects than undifferentiated hscNPCs, including pronounced cell survival and maturation. DV-SC formed a targeted connection with the host's ascending and descending axons, partially restored interrupted neural circuits, and improved motor evoked potentials and the hindlimb function of animals with SCI. This suggests that the transplantation of pre-differentiated hscNPCs with spinal cord dorsal and ventral neuronal characteristics could be a promising strategy for SCI repair.

OBJECTIVE: To provide clinical management guidelines for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in pregnancy. METHODS: On February 5, 2020, a multidisciplinary teleconference comprising Chinese physicians and researchers was held and medical management strategies of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy were discussed. RESULTS: Ten key recommendations were provided for the management of COVID-19 infections in pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Currently, there is no clear evidence regarding optimal delivery timing, the safety of vaginal delivery, or whether cesarean delivery prevents vertical transmission at the time of delivery; therefore, route of delivery and delivery timing should be individualized based on obstetrical indications and maternal-fetal status.

Background Seroconversion of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is a critical event in the natural course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Aim We herein characterize the virological factors associated with postpartum spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion. Methods A total of 214 pregnant women positive for both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBeAg were followed up at 7–12 months postpartum. Results Of the subjects, 26 (12.1%) achieved spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion. Receiver operating curve analysis indicated that HBV DNA level Conclusion These results suggest that quantitative determination of virological markers and sequencing PC and BCP can predict spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion, which could be valuable in deciding antiviral therapy against HBV.

Background Thin endometrium (TE) is a challenging clinical issue in the reproductive medicine characterized by inadequate endometrial thickness, poor response to estrogen and no effective treatments currently. At present, the precise pathogenesis of thin endometria remains to be elucidated. We aimed to explore the related molecular mechanism of TE by comparing the transcriptome profiles of late-proliferative phase endometria between TE and matched controls. Methods We performed a bulk RNA-Seq (RNA-sequencing) of endometrial tissues in the late-proliferative phase in 7 TE and 7 matched controls for the first time. Differential gene expression analysis, gene ontology enrichment analysis and protein-protein interactions (PPIs) network analysis were performed. Immunohistochemistry was used for molecular expression and localization in endometria. Human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were isolated and cultured for verifying the functions of hub gene. Results Integrative data mining of our RNA-seq data in endometria revealed that most genes related to cell division and cell cycle were significantly inhibited, while inflammation activation, immune response and reactive oxygen species associated genes were upregulated in TE. PBK was identified as a hub of PPIs network, and its expression level was decreased by 2.43-fold in endometria of TE patients, particularly reduced in the stromal cells, which was paralleled by the decreased expression of Ki67. In vitro experiments showed that the depletion of PBK reduced the proliferation of HESCs by 50% and increased the apoptosis of HESCs by 1 time, meanwhile PBK expression was inhibited by oxidative stress (reduced by 76.2%), hypoxia (reduced by 51.9%) and inflammatory factors (reduced by approximately 50%). These results suggested that the insufficient expression of PBK was involved in the poor endometrial thickness in TE. Conclusions The endometrial transcriptome in late-proliferative phase showed suppressed cell proliferation in women with thin endometria and decreased expression of PBK in human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs), to which inflammation and reactive oxygen species contributed.

Objective: To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data collection, access, processing and analysis of the reproductive toxicity test, and to improve the efficiency of the test, a computer management system for the reproductive toxicity test, Reprodv1.0, was developed. Method: Referring to the ICHS5a technical requirements and the national GLP specifications, the Access database was used as the basic database, and the VisualBasic6.0 computer language and tools were used to compile the database. Result: The main performance characteristics of the Reprodv1.0 software are as follows. The main window includes nine main menus of the files, data input, printing original records, printing logs, statistical analysis, data query, data modification, port setting and help. Computer automatic grouping and manual grouping before and after the mating are allowed in the system. The frequency of the weighing and the feed consumption testing can be determined according to the specifications. The self-developed database contains the most abnormal behavior signs of the laboratory animals. There are more than 800 common abnormal or variant names of the laboratory animals in the database of appearance and visceral and skeletal deformities. Printing operation logs and screen prompts are used to solve the problem of missing or miss-electing the objects caused by the complex and tedious test procedures. The experimental results were analyzed by the nest-based statistical method. The data query and the printing module can analyze and inspect or print the periodic test results at any time. Set up the multi-level security passwords to ensure that researchers of all kinds can get the data they should know in time. Conclusion: The performance and the technical indicators of Reprodv1.0, a computer management system for the reproductive toxicity test developed by this research institute, meet the design requirements. This software can not only improve the efficiency of the test work, but can also increase the accuracy and reliability of the data acquisition, access, processing and analysis.

Objective To explore the effect of effective questioning on the teaching of “Toxicology” based on case-based teaching, and to accumulate experience for further promoting the reform of Toxicology. Methods We selected 317 undergraduates of preventive medicine in Grade 2012, 2013 and 2014, from Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine as research objects. Two teaching cases were planned in the instructional design for Grade 2012, while six teaching cases were planned for Grade 2013. The instructional design for Grade 2014 implemented effective questioning on the basis of Grade 2013. The difference in test paper scores, grade point average (GPA), the difficulty level of the test paper and grade were analyzed before and after the increase of case-based teaching and effective questioning. Results The test paper scores and grade point averages increased gradually from Grades 2012, 2013 and 2014, and the difference was statistically significant (F=99.722, P

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of water temperature and stocking density on the survival, feeding and growth of the juveniles of the hybrid yellow catfish from Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (♀) × Pelteobagrus vachelli (♂) using the parameters as follows: survival rate (%), feeding rate (% day−1), feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate (% day−1), coefficient of variation (%), productivity (P, g m−3 day−1) and condition factor. We reared the juvenile fish (3.25 ± 0.21 g) at 12 water temperature levels and six stocking density levels (each level included three aquaria in two batches of experiments). The results showed that all groups survived at a temperature range of ≤35°C during a 46-day experimental period, and they could achieve a high growth at a water temperature range of 26–32°C. The optimal temperature for growth was 29.8°C. Productivity peaked at a stocking density of 1.9 kg m−3. Our results indicated that the hybrid is very suitable for commercial aquaculture.

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are sources for microsatellite development. In this study, we isolated and characterized microsatellite makers for Odontobutis potamophila using next-generation sequencing. A total of 42 polymorphic microsatellite repeat markers were identified in 32 individuals from Dangtu wild population. The number of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 10, and the observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 1.000 and from 0.061 to 0.878, respectively. These EST-SSR makers would provide sufficient polymorphism for population genetic studies, parentage and genome mapping of O. potamophila and its closely related fishes.

Odontobutis potamophila is a Chinese endemic species and an economically important fishery resource in the Yangtze River. The genetic variability of O. potamophila was studied based on the sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA control region from 150 individuals of five geographical populations including from Dangtu (n=30), Sheyang (n=30), Yuyao (n=30), Tai Lake nearby Dongxishan (n=30) and Minjiang (n=30). Among five populations, the genetic distance between Minjiang population and other populations (0.1186-0.1223) was larger than that among four populations except for Minjiang (0.0015-0.0198). In addition, 23 haplotypes were obtained and each population had special haplotypes. The samples from five sites had high haplotype diversity (0.80510) and low nucleotide diversity (0.04028). Through Tajima's D and Fu's F neutral testing and mismatch distribution test among all geographical populations, O. potamophila did not undergo recent population expansion. During the population evolution, O. potamophila experienced a balanced selection function and maintained a stable state and population size. Moreover, the haplotype Neighbor-Joining (NJ) tree was separated two haplotype groups. The NJ tree, TCS network and median-joining network could clearly separate the haplotypes of the specimens from different areas. Analysis of molecular variance and pairwise FST revealed an obvious genetic differentiation among different geographical populations, suggesting that O. potamophila in different geographical populations should be managed and conserved separately.

Problem Extensive studies have demonstrated that Th1 type immunity is predominant in pre-eclampsia, but there is little concern with regard to the intracellular mechanisms behind this initial T-cell polarization. In this study, we investigated whether the imbalance of the T-cell transcription factors contributes to it. Method of study A total of 15 pre-eclamptic patients and 15 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in this study. The expression levels of transcription factors for Th1 (T-bet), Th2 (GATA3), Th17 (RORc) and Treg (FOXP3) cells, together with the Th1/Th2 status, were simultaneously investigated in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and decidua. Results The expression levels of FOXP3 mRNA were decreased in both PBMCs and decidua from pre-eclamptic patients compared with healthy pregnant women (P