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In order to identify effective genetic markers for transporter-associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1), α (1, 2) fucosyltransferase 1 (FUT1), natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1), mucin 4 (MUC4) and mucin 13 (MUC13) genes in Shanghai local pig breeds, including Shanghai White pig, Fengjing pig and Shawutou pig, and provide a reference for the characterization of Shanghai local pig breeds, polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLR) and sequence sequencing were applied to analyze the polymorphisms of the above genes, combined with some immune-related factors to explore the effects on immunity of the 3 Shanghai local pig breeds. The results showed that TAP1 and MUC4 genes had anti-diarrheal genotype GG in all 3 pig breeds, while anti-diarrheal genotype GG of MUC13 gene was detected only in Fengjing pig and Shawutou pig, and anti-diarrheal genotype AA of FUT1 and NRAMP1 genes were not detected in any of the 3 pig breeds. TAP1 gene was in moderate polymorphism in Shanghai White pig, Fengjing pig and Shawutou pig, the MUC4 gene of Shanghai White pig was in low polymorphism, the MUC4 gene of Fengjing pig and Shawutou pig was in moderate polymorphism, and the MUC13 gene of Shanghai White pig was in moderate polymorphism, among which the TAP1 gene of Shanghai White pig and Shawutou pig did not satisfy Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and the MUC4 gene of Fengjing pig did not satisfy Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The interleukin 12 (IL-12) level of MUC13 gene type AA was significantly higher than that of type AG in Shanghai White pig, the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) index of TAP1 gene type AA was significantly higher than that of type GG and AG in Fengjing pig, and the IL-12 index of TAP1 gene type AG was significantly higher than that of type GG in Shawutou pig. Above results had some guiding significance for anti-diarrheal breeding and molecular selection of Shanghai White pig, Fengjing pig and Shawutou pig, and also laid the foundation for future anti-diarrheal breeding work of each local pig breeds in Shanghai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explore the effects of Poria cocos mushroom polysaccharides (PCPs) on the quality and DNA methylation of the cryopreserved spermatozoa of Shanghai white pigs. A total of 24 ejaculates (three ejaculate samples per boar) from eight Shanghai white pigs were manually collected. The pooled semen was diluted with a based extender supplemented with different concentrations of PCPs (0, 300, 600, 900, 1200, and 1500 μg/mL). Once thawed, the quality of the spermatozoa and their antioxidant function were assessed. In the meantime, the effect of spermatozoa DNA methylation was also analyzed. The results show that compared with the control group, 600 μg/mL of PCPs significantly improves the spermatozoa viability (p < 0.05). The motility and plasma membrane integrity of the frozen–thawed spermatozoa are significantly higher after treatment with 600, 900, and 1200 μg/mL of PCPs compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the percentages of acrosome integrity and mitochondrial activity are significantly enhanced after the application of 600 and 900 μg/mL PCPs (p < 0.05). The reactive oxygen species (ROS), the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, in comparison with the control group, are significantly decreased in all groups with PCPs (all p < 0.05). The enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in spermatozoa is significantly higher in the treatment with 600 μg/mL of PCPs than in the other groups (p < 0.05). As compared with the control group, a significant increase in the catalase (CAT) level is found in the groups with PCPs at 300, 600, 900, and 1200 μg/mL (all p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) levels are significantly decreased in all groups with PCPs (all p < 0.05). As a result of these findings, a certain amount of PCPs (600–900 μg/mL) added to the cryodiluent can significantly improve the quality of Shanghai white pig spermatozoa and can also reduce the methylation of spermatozoa DNA caused by cryopreservation. This treatment strategy may establish a foundation for the cryopreservation of semen from pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been reported that serum periostin levels are significantly higher in postmenopausal patients with osteoporotic fractures. Nonetheless, the levels of serum periostin in postmenopausal women with different bone mass remain unclear. Purpose: The objective of the study was to identify the levels of serum periostin in Chinese postmenopausal women with different bone mass, and the correlations between the periostin levels and the classical bone turnover markers (BTMs), and bone mineral densities (BMDs) at different sites. Patients and Methods: This study enrolled 331 Chinese postmenopausal women in Shanghai; their clinical features were collected; their levels of serum periostin and traditional BTMs were measured by ELISA or the fully automated immunoassay analyzer; their BMDs at different sites were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: According to the T-value of bone mineral density (BMD), these postmenopausal women were divided into normal group (n=84), osteopenia group (n=126) and osteoporosis group (n=121). There was no significant difference in the serum periostin levels among the above three groups of subjects. In addition, Spearman correlation analysis also revealed that no correlation was observed between the value of serum periostin and those of traditional BTMs, and BMDs at different sites, respectively. The values of traditional BTMs were negatively correlated with those of BMDs at all measured sites. Furthermore, the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis indicated that among the periostin and traditional BTMs mentioned above, the best predictors for postmenopausal osteoporosis in Shanghai Chinese postmenopausal women were osteocalcin (OC) and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) [the areas under the ROC curve (AUC)=0.746 and 0.761, respectively]. Conclusion: Serum periostin may not be used as a marker of systemic bone metabolism in Shanghai Chinese postmenopausal women without prior fracture. In addition, serum P1NP and OC levels may be the predictors of osteoporosis occurrence in Chinese postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mathematical model of migration of total petroleum hydrocarbons in unsaturated media was described, including convection, molecular diffusion, mechanical dispersion and adsorption, and chemical reactions. By finite element method, a numerical model of evaluating petroleum hydrocarbon migration through contaminated soils was created and applied to the environmental investigations of a relocated mechanical factory in Shanghai. The model consisted of three compacted soil layers. plain fill, sandy silt and silty clay. The results showed that pollutants in the sandy silt traveled faster than that in the plain fill and silty clay. The same decreasing trend of migration velocity was observed in all of the three soil layers. After 180 d, the concentrations of pollutants in the sandy silt can be as low as40% of the original maximum, while its counterpart in the silty clay is 64%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a survey addressing the situation of environmental education in the secondary vocational schools in Shanghai, China. Adequacy of the students' environmental knowledge; Attitude of the students toward individual environmental involvement; Strategies for the further promotion of environmental education in the sector.

Objective: To evaluate operative and nonoperative therapies for cesarean scar defects (CSDs).Methods: A prospective study was conducted among patients who underwent treatment of CSDs at a hospital in Shanghai, China, between April 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014. Treatment included laparoscopy (group 1), vaginal surgery (group 2), hysteroscopy (group 3), combined oral contraceptives (group 4), and the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (group 5).Results: Among 142 participants, 119 patients underwent surgical repair and 23 received nonsurgical (conservative) treatment. Operation time, blood loss, and length of hospital stay reported for patients in group 3 (n=19) were all lower than those reported for patients in group 1 (n=86) and group 2 (n=14; P<0.001 for all comparisons). Patients who underwent surgery and those in group 4 (n=18) experienced shortened menstrual periods after treatment (P<0.001 for all comparisons). For group 5 (n=5), the duration of menstruation was similar before and after therapy (P=0.89). All 32 women who desired fertility underwent laparoscopy; 12 (37.5%) became pregnant after this procedure.Conclusion: All treatments for CSDs other than the levonorgestrel intrauterine system shortened menstrual periods. Laparoscopic surgery was effective for patients with fertility requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]