Cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors: An extensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AimsMeta-analyses of randomized trials on Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) reported discordant results on major cardiovascular events (MACE), mortality, and heart failure. Aim of this meta-analysis of randomized trials is the assessment of the cardiovascular safety of DPP4i.Data synthesisA Medline, Embase, Cochrane database search for sitagliptin, vildagliptin, omarigliptin, saxagliptin, alogliptin, trelagliptin, anagliptin, linagliptin, gemigliptin, evogliptin, and teneligliptin was performed up to up January 1st, 2020. All trials with a duration ≥24 weeks and comparing the effects of DPP4i with placebo or active drugs were collected. Mantel–Haenszel odds ratio (MH-OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) was calculated for all outcomes defined above. A total of 182 eligible trials were identified. DPP-4i were not associated with an increased risk of MACE (MH-OR 0.99 [0.93, 1.04]), all-cause mortality (MH-OR 0.99 [0.93, 1.06]), and heart failure (MH-OR 1.05 [0.96, 1.15]) with no significant differences across individual molecules, except for saxagliptin, which was associated with an increased risk of heart failure.ConclusionsAs a class, DPP4i are not associated with any increase or reduction of MACE, all-cause mortality, and heart failure. Saxagliptin seems to be associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure.     

Diagnostic value of Omniview technique on the agenesis of corpus callosum

Objective: This study aimed to discuss the diagnostic value of Omniview technique on the agenesis of corpus callosum.

Methods: A total of 43 pregnant women with no obvious structural abnormality and eight pregnant women who diagnosed with agenesis of corpus callosum (ACC) were included in this study. The 2D ultrasonography and the 3D ultrasonography Omniview technique were used to carry out ultrasonic examination on 43 normal fetuses and eight fetuses with agenesis of corpus callosum (as verified through magnetic resonance), respectively.

Results: The Omniview technique visually displayed the median sagittal plane of the fetus. The ROC curve of Omniview (0.999) was much higher than that of 2D ultrasonography (0.817). Rating of ACC and normal fetuses showed that the diagnostic efficiency of 3D ultrasonography Omniview technique was much higher than 2D ultrasonography.

Conclusion: 3D ultrasonography Omniview technique has certain advantage in the diagnosis of agenesis of corpus callosum, and is of great significance in the prenatal screening of callosum.     

超声在产房中的应用

超声进产房是现代产科规范化管理的新要求之一。在产科紧急情况下，超声可以帮助临床医师快速准确地对胎儿状况、胎儿胎盘位置、宫腔及腹腔情况做出判断；指导产程管理，选择合适的分娩方式，实施恰当的助产操作；在超声引导下进行介入性操作。近年来超声在产房中的应用也有很多进展，如超声产程评估的新指标、超声引导辅助麻醉穿刺和插管、超声评估容量负荷等，这为母婴安全提供了进一步的保障。     

Insomnia symptoms and suicidality in the National Comorbidity Survey – Adolescent Supplement

ObjectiveIn this paper, we examined the relationship between insomnia symptoms and suicidality in a national sample of US adolescents, while controlling for several psychiatric disorders that are known to be associated with suicidality. Additionally, we examined whether insomnia symptoms interact to affect any suicidality variables.MethodsStudy participants were 10,123 adolescents between the ages of 13–18 from the National Comorbidity Survey – Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A).ResultsIn bivariate analyses, all insomnia symptoms (i.e., difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, and early morning awakening) were associated with suicide ideation, plan and attempts. In multivariate analyses, controlling for substance use, mood and anxiety disorders, as well as important covariates, difficulties falling and staying asleep had a significant relationship with 12-month and lifetime suicide variables while early morning awakening did not.ConclusionsTwo of the three insomnia symptoms had a significant association with suicide thoughts and plan even after controlling for psychiatric disorders that were known to affect suicidality. Having trouble falling sleeping or staying asleep had both direct and indirect relationships (via substance use, mood and anxiety disorders) on suicidal behavior. Assessment and treatment of sleep disturbances may reduce the risk for suicidality in adolescents.     

Impact of a mild scrotal heating on sperm chromosomal abnormality,acrosin activity and seminal alpha‐glucosidase in human fertile males

The aim of this study was to observe sperm aneuploidy, DNA integrity, seminal alpha‐glucosidase (NAG) and acrosin activity (AA) under testicular heat stress (SH). Spermatozoa were obtained from 30 healthy adult volunteers subjected to scrotal warming at 43°C for 30–40 min on two successive days per week for 3 months between February 2012 and September 2016. Aniline blue (AB), acridine orange (AO) staining, TUNEL assay and FISH analysis to evaluate sperm function, sperm DNA integrity and chromosomal abnormalities were carried on before, during and after SH. Sperm AA and NAG was measured by microplate reader. The mean parameters of sperm parameters, AA and NAG were significantly decreased. In contrast, the mean percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation and the proportion of aneuploidy of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y were significantly increased for spermatozoa collected during SH versus before SH (p < .01–.001). After stopping scrotal heating for 3 months, most parameters were completely restored to pre‐SH levels. Sperm parameters, sperm DNA integrity, chromosomes, AA and NAG are affected by scrotal exposure to constant SH temperatures several degrees over normal physiological temperature, and after treatment, these parameters were reversibly restored to the level before SH in adult men.     

Metabolomics comparison of metabolites and functional pathways in the gills of Chlamys farreri under cadmium exposure

The biological processes of Chlamys farreri (C. farreri), an economically important shellfish, are affected when exposed to Cd²⁺. In this study, changes to biological processes and metabolite levels in C. farreri were examined when exposed to Cd²⁺. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem TOF mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF/MS)-based untargeted metabolomics was used to examine changes in the metabolism of C. farreri gill tissue exposed to 0.050 mg/L Cd²⁺ for 96 h in a natural environment. Sixty-eight metabolites with significant differences were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. Eleven enriched functional pathways displayed significant changes in inactivity. Differential metabolites, mainly C00157 and C00350, have a significant impact on functional pathways and can be used as potential major biomarkers. Lipid phosphorylation, disruption of signal transduction, and autophagy activation were observed to change in C. farreri when exposed to Cd. The metabolome information supplements research on C. farreri exposure to heavy metals and provides a platform for further multi-omics analysis.     

Inverted U-Shaped Associations between Glycemic Indices and Serum Uric Acid Levels in the General Chinese Population: Findings from the China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort (4C) Study

Objective The relationship between serum uric acid(SUA)levels and glycemic indices,including plasma glucose(FPG),2-hour postload glucose(2 h-PG),and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1 c),remains inconclusive.We aimed to explore the associations between glycemic indices and SUA levels in the general Chinese population.Methods The current study was a cross-sectional analysis using the first follow-up survey data from The China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort Study.A total of 105,922 community-dwelling adults aged≥40 years underwent the oral glucose tolerance test and uric acid assessment.The nonlinear relationships between glycemic indices and SUA levels were explored using generalized additive models.Results A total of 30,941 men and 62,361 women were eligible for the current analysis.Generalized additive models verified the inverted U-shaped association between glycemic indices and SUA levels,but with different inflection points in men and women.The thresholds for FPG,2 h-PG,and HbA1 c for men and women were 6.5/8.0 mmol/L,11.0/14.0 mmol/L,and 6.1/6.5,respectively(SUA levels increased with increasing glycemic indices before the inflection points and then eventually decreased with further increases in the glycemic indices).Conclusion An inverted U-shaped association was observed between major glycemic indices and uric acid levels in both sexes,while the inflection points were reached earlier in men than in women.     

Y染色体微缺失影响男性不育的研究进展

近年的研究热点显示Y染色体遗传缺陷因素所致的男性生精障碍是不育的重要病因之一.人类基因组的成功测序认为Y染色体的同源性重组是微缺失的分子基础.现研究主要在AZF基因.现研究发现在Y染色体上的220个基因中,无精子症或少精子症患者位于Y染色体的长臂（Yq11）无精子因子（AZF）区的16个编码基因有缺失,是已知的导致男性不育的最主要的分子遗传病因.临床上常使用提纯周围血白细胞DNA加Y染色体特异性引物进行PCR扩增检测,为明确Y染色体基因的功能以及相互之间的联系及基因治疗奠定基础.     

Suppression of FPR2 expression inhibits inflammation in preeclampsia by improving the biological functions of trophoblast via NF-κB pathway

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics - The dysfunction of trophoblast during inflammation plays an important role in PE. Formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) plays crucial roles in the...     

Pregnancy and birth outcomes of multiple gestations with PPROM occurred within 24 h after fetal reduction: A case series

ObjectiveThe study aims to analyze the pregnancy outcomes of multiple gestations with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) that occurred within 24 h after fetal reduction with potassium chloride (KCL).Materials and methodsWe identified and evaluated the outcomes of 16 retrospectively recorded multigestational pregnancies that met the inclusion criteria between 2006 and 2016, from the Obstetrics Department of Shandong Provincial Hospital. A total of 16 patients carrying twins or higher order multiple gestations experienced PPROM within 24 h after fetal reduction, and all of them received expectant management after understanding the relevant risks. The maternal and neonatal records were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Every surviving child was followed up to at least 2 years old.ResultOf the 16 cases, 12 cases (75%) ended in successful pregnancy, resulting in the delivery of at least 1 child surviving from a multiple gestational pregnancy. All cases of successful pregnancies were either term (≥37 weeks) or near-term (36⁺⁵ weeks) at delivery. And of those 20 infants delivered, only 3 were low birth weight infants (<2500g) (15%), None of the 16 women had fever, or other clinical symptoms and signs of chorioamnionitis during hospital stay. Postnatal follow-up of the surviving babies showed no obvious sequelae thus far. No newborn baby had neonatal complications, or needed to be transferred to neonatal intensive care unit.ConclusionOverall, our data demonstrate that dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twins or higher-order gestations who experienced PPROM of the reduced fetus within 24 h after selective reduction with KCL had relatively good outcomes with expectant management alone.