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Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy worldwide with high metastasis and poor prognosis rates. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a heterogeneous population of cells that constitutes a major component of the tumor microenvironment, secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) loading with proteins, lipids, and RNAs to promote tumorigenesis. However, the specific roles of CAF-derived proteins contained in EVs in ovarian cancer remain poorly understood at present. Using the gene expression microarray analysis, we identified a list of dysregulated genes between the α-SMA

To explore subacute toxic effects of benzo[a]pyrene on the cardiovascular system of male Wistar rats.Forty SPF grade male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, solvent control group, low, medium and high dose group(B[a]P concentrations were 1. 0, 2. 5 and 6. 25 mg/kg, respectively), eight in each group. The solvent group was given the same amount of olive oil and the blank group was not treated at all for 28 consecutive days. After the end of the exposure, the left ventricular structural function and hemodynamic changes were observed with Prospect 3. 0 small animal ultrasound imager and BL-410 biological function test system. Pathological changes of rat thoracic aorta and left ventricle were observed by HE staining.The total difference in ejection fraction(EF), fractional shortening(FS) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure(LVEDP) between the groups was statistically significant(H=11. 497, P=0. 022; H=11. 422, P=0. 022; H=10. 104, P=0. 039). The EF and FS of the middle dose group were lower than the solvent group(adjusted Plt;0. 05), the LVEDP of the high dose group was higher than that of the solvent group(adjusted Plt;0. 05). The HE staining of thoracic aorta in the medium and high dose groups showed the loss of endothelial cells, the shedding of some endothelial cells, the exposure of subintimal collagen, the large gap of the middle layer. In the medium and high dose group, left ventricular transverse striations were blurred, muscle fibers reduced or disappeared, the myocardial space widened, inflammatory cells or the myocardial interspace bleeding phenomenon was occasionally observed.Benzo[a]pyrene can cause cardiovascular and endothelial damage in male Wistar rats.

Phthalates are one of the most common environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in human contact. Prenatal phthalates exposure may adversely affect intrauterine growth, however, little is known about their association. This study aimed to explore the impact of phthalates on the risk of missed abortion. A total of 123 women with missed abortion (cases) and 148 normal pregnant women (controls) were simultaneously collected from Taiyuan, China. Four urinary phthalate metabolites were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) of missed abortion associated with phthalate metabolite levels. Four phthalate metabolites, including monomethyl phthalate (MMP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), were detected in at least 78.97 % of all participants, with the highest geometric mean concentration of 147.19 ng/mL for MEP of the urine samples. Both MMP (Z = -3.898, P < 0.001) and MBP (Z = -2.198, P = 0.028) concentrations were higher in cases than in controls. There were no significant differences for MEP (Z = -0.285, P = 0.076) and MBzP (Z = -0.878, P = 0.380) concentrations between cases and controls. Furthermore, Logistic analysis revealed that each one-unit increase in log-transformed MMP (OR = 1.49, 95 % CI = 1.14-1.95) was positively associated with missed abortion. Increasing risks of missed abortion were observed the third quartile (Q3) and the highest quartile (Q4) of MMP(OR = 2.21, 95 % CI = 1.06-4.60; OR = 2.85, 95 % CI = 1.34-6.05) compared to the lowest quartile (Q1) of MMP concentrations. We concluded that prenatal phthalates exposure may contribute to an increased risk of missed abortion.

Sei-1 is a potential oncogene that plays an important role in promoting genomic instability. Double minute chromosomes (DMs) are hallmarks of gene amplification and contribute to tumorigenesis. Defects in the DNA double-strand break (DSB) repairing pathways can lead to gene amplification. To date, the mechanisms governing the formation of DMs induced by Sei-1 are not fully understood. We established DMs induced by Sei-1 in the NIH-3T3 cell line. RNA-sequencing was used to identify key characteristics of differentially expressed genes. Metaphase spreads were used to calculate DM numbers. Immunofluorescence was employed to detect γH2AX foci. Western blot and Akt pathway inhibition experiments were performed to reveal the role of the PI3K/Akt/BRCA1-Abraxas pathway in Sei-1-induced DMs. Luciferase reporter assay was employed to explore the regulatory mechanisms between Sei-1 and BRCA1. DM formation was associated with a deficiency in DSB repair. Based on this finding, activation of the PI3K/Akt/BRCA1-Abraxas pathway was found to increase the DM population with passage in vivo, and inhibition resulted in a reduction of DMs. Apart from this, it was shown for the first time that Sei-1 could directly regulate the expression of BRCA1. Our results suggest that the PI3K/Akt/BRCA1-Abraxas pathway is responsible for the formation of DMs induced by Sei-1.

Background A better understanding of public perceptions, attitude and behavior in relation to climate change will provide an important foundation for government׳s policy-making, service provider׳s guideline development and the engagement of local communities. The purpose of this study was to assess the perception towards climate change, behavior change, mitigation and adaptation measures issued by the central government among the health professionals in the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in China. Methods In 2013, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was undertaken among 314 CDC health professionals in various levels of CDC in Shanxi Province, China. Descriptive analyses were performed. Results More than two thirds of the respondents believed that climate change has happened at both global and local levels, and climate change would lead to adverse impacts to human beings. Most respondents (74.8%) indicated the emission of greenhouse gases was the cause of climate change, however there was a lack of knowledge about greenhouse gases and their sources. Media was the main source from which respondents obtained the information about climate change. A majority of respondents showed that they were willing to change behavior, but their actions were limited. In terms of mitigation and adaptation measures issued by the Chinese Government, respondents׳ perception showed inconsistency between strategies and relevant actions. Moreover, although the majority of respondents believed some strategies and measures were extremely important to address climate change, they were still concerned about economic development, energy security, and local environmental protection. Conclusion There are gaps between perceptions and actions towards climate change among these health professionals. Further efforts need to be made to raise the awareness of climate change among health professionals, and to promote relevant actions to address climate change in the context of the proposed policies with local sustainable development.

INTRODUCTION A better understanding of public perceptions, attitude and behavior in relation to climate change will provide an important foundation for government’s policy-making and the engagement...

There have been increasing concerns about the challenge of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases due to climate change, especially in developing countries including China. Health professionals play a significant role in the battle to control and prevent infectious diseases. This study therefore aims to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of health professionals at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in different levels in China, and to consider adaptation measures to deal with the challenge of climate change. In 2013, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was undertaken among 314 staff in CDCs in Shanxi Province, China, whose routine work involves disease control and prevention. Data were analyzed using descriptive methods and logistic regression. A majority of the CDC staff were aware of the health risks from climate change, especially its impacts on infectious disease transmission in their jurisdictions, and believed climate change might bring about both temporal and spatial change in transmission patterns. It was thought that adaptation measures should be established including: strengthening/improving currently existing disease surveillance systems and vector monitoring; building CDC capacity in terms of infrastructure and in-house health professional training; development and refinement of relevant legislation, policies and guidelines; better coordination among various government departments; the involvement of the community in infectious disease interventions; and collaborative research with other institutions. This study provides a snapshot of the understanding of CDC staff regarding climate change risks relevant to infectious diseases and adaptation in China. Results may help inform future efforts to develop adaptation measures to minimize infectious disease risks due to climate change.

Aims: A placenta with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the main reasons for transplacental transmission during pregnancy. This study aims to explore the factors influencing the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the placenta and the synergistic effect of these factors. Methods: A total of 155 placentae and blood specimens were collected from HBsAg-positive mothers and their newborns. HBsAg in placenta was detected using the immunohistochemistry method. HBV serum markers were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Results: The results showed that hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive, or HBV DNA positive status, is significantly associated with an HBsAg-positive placenta. A synergistic effect was present. The hazard ratio for a HBsAg-positive placenta in mothers with HBeAg and HBV DNA was 1.97 times higher than the sum of the independent relative risk of each separate effect (synergy index, S=1.97). There was a statistically significant association between HBsAg in newborns and HBsAg in placenta, and the risk of newborns with HBsAg was greater (odds ratio values 3.33 and 5.31, respectively) when placental cells close to the fetal side were HBsAg positive. Conclusions: Being positive for HBeAg and/or HBV DNA are significant risk factors for HBsAg in the placenta. HBsAg can pass through the placenta via cellular transfer, possibly contributing to transplacental transmission.

To explore the interrelated influence factors of HBV intrauterine infection in newborns of pregnant women with HBsAg.HBsAg positive pregant women,who were prenatal diagnosis and partal, and their newborns were as subjects. Data of general situation of pregnant women and HBIG Jection history before delivery and HBV infection history in family and HBVM and HBVM in newborns at birth within 24h were collected. By if newborns occurred HBV intrauterine infection, 379 cases HBsAg-positive pregnant women are divided into two groups: 36 cases of HBV intrauterine infection, 343 cases of no HBV intrauterine infection. Then the relationship between the general situation of pregnant women, HBV infection history in family, the state of HBV replication, HBIG injection history, HBVM positive modes and HBV intrauterine infection in newborns were analyzed.Single factors analysis show: The difference of age, the state of HBV replication, HBVM positive modes of HBsAg positive pregant women between HBV intrauterine infection group and no HBV intrauterine infection group is significant (p0.05). But cultural levels,HBV infection history in family and HBIG injection history of HBsAg positive pregant women between the two groups isn't significant (p0.05). Multiariate Logistic regression analysis display: the age (OR = 0.398, 0.159-0.996) and both postitivity of HBeAg and HBV DNA (OR = 2.539,1.233- 5.227) go into regression equation. Meanwhile, the analysis of relation of HBV DNA load grade of HBsAg positive pregnant women and HBV intrauterine infection show: the different is significant (chi2 = 10.983, P = 0.0040.05); and the analysis of trend chi-quare test show: when HBV DNA copy number is more than 10(6), the rate of HBV intrauterine infection obviously rise.The age (30 years) are the protected factors of HBV intrauterine infection in HBsAg positive pregant women. But when HBsAg positive pregant women is both postitivity of HBeAg and HBV DNA, the possibility is bigger to occur HBV intrauterine infection.

Increased incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) has been recognized as a critical challenge to communicable disease control and public health response. This study aimed to quantify the association between climate variation and notified cases of HFMD in selected cities of Shanxi Province, and to provide evidence for disease control and prevention. Meteorological variables and HFMD cases data in 4 major cities (Datong, Taiyuan, Changzhi and Yuncheng) of Shanxi province, China, were obtained from the China Meteorology Administration and China CDC respectively over the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013. Correlations analyses and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) models were used to identify and quantify the relationship between the meteorological variables and HFMD. HFMD incidence varied seasonally with the majority of cases in the 4 cities occurring from May to July. Temperatures could play important roles in the incidence of HFMD in these regions. The SARIMA models indicate that a 1° C rise in average, maximum and minimum temperatures may lead to a similar relative increase in the number of cases in the 4 cities. The lag times for the effects of temperatures were identified in Taiyuan, Changzhi and Yuncheng. The numbers of cases were positively associated with average and minimum temperatures at a lag of 1 week in Taiyuan, Changzhi and Yuncheng, and with maximum temperature at a lag of 2 weeks in Yuncheng. Positive association between the temperature and HFMD has been identified from the 4 cities in Shanxi Province, although the role of weather variables on the transmission of HFMD varied in the 4 cities. Relevant prevention measures and public health action are required to reduce future risks of climate change with consideration of local climatic conditions., Author Summary Understanding of the impact of weather variables on HFMD transmission remains limited due to various local climatic conditions, socioeconomic status and demographic characteristics in different regions. This study provides quantitative evidence that the incidence of HFMD cases was significantly associated with temperature in Shanxi Province, North China. The delayed effects of weather variables on HFMD dictate different public health responses in 4 major cities in Shanxi Province. The results may provide a direction for local community and health authorities to perform public health actions, and the SARIMA models are helpful in the prediction of epidemics, determination of high-risk areas and susceptible populations, allocation of health resources, and the formulation of relevant prevention strategies. In order to reduce future risks of climatic variations on HFMD epidemics, similar studies in other geographical areas are needed, together with a longer study period to enable trend analysis which takes into consideration local weather conditions and demographic characteristics.