Prevention of alloimmune rejection using XBP1-deleted bone marrow-derived dendritic cells in heart transplantation

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我国血吸虫对吡喹酮抗药性研究之概要

血吸虫病是一种严重危害人类健康、影响社会经济发展的重大传染病,为全球公共卫生负担和危害最严重的被忽视的热带病之一。吡喹酮是20世纪70年代研制出的一种高效、低毒、价廉的广谱抗蠕虫口服药,为世界卫生组织（WHO）推荐的抗血吸虫的首选药物。吡喹酮在血吸虫病流行区现场大规模反复使用已超过40年,血吸虫是否会对吡喹酮产生抗药性引起国际社会极大担忧,为学术界关注的热点科学问题。针对血吸虫病防治中这一重大需求,自1996年起, 在国家科技支撑计划、国家自然科学基金、江苏省自然科学基金等项目基金资助下,我们在血吸虫病流行区现场和实验室,对血吸虫在吡喹酮药物的压力是否会产生抗药性、抗性虫株的生物学特性、抗性的检测、吡喹酮抗性的交叉抗药性及抗药性的预防和控制等科学问题进行较为系统的研究,本文就其研究及其意义作一概述。     

Review of the environmental prenatal exposome and its relationship to maternal and fetal health

Environmental chemicals comprise a major portion of the human exposome, with some shown to impact the health of susceptible populations, including pregnant women and developing fetuses. The placenta and cord blood serve as important biological windows into the maternal and fetal environments. In this article we review how environmental chemicals (defined here to include man-made chemicals [e.g., flame retardants, pesticides/herbicides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances], toxins, metals, and other xenobiotic compounds) contribute to the prenatal exposome and highlight future directions to advance this research field. Our findings from a survey of recent literature indicate the need to better understand the breadth of environmental chemicals that reach the placenta and cord blood, as well as the linkages between prenatal exposures, mechanisms of toxicity, and subsequent health outcomes. Research efforts tailored towards addressing these needs will provide a more comprehensive understanding of how environmental chemicals impact maternal and fetal health.     

Challenges in the Practice of Sexual Medicine in the Time of COVID-19 in China

BackgroundIn March 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a pandemic. Currently, data on changes in sexual behavior during the COVID-19 outbreak are limited.AimThe present study aimed to obtain a preliminary understanding of the changes in people's sexual behavior, as a result of the pandemic, and explore the context in which they manifest.MethodsA convenience sample of 270 men and 189 women who completed an online survey consisting of 12 items plus an additional question were included in the study.OutcomesThe study outcomes were obtained using a study-specific questionnaire to assess the changes in people's sexual behavior.ResultsWhile there was a wide range of individual responses, our results showed that 44% of participants reported a decrease in the number of sexual partners and about 37% of participants reported a decrease in sexual frequency. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, partner relationship, and sexual desire were closely related to sexual frequency. In addition, we found that most individuals with risky sexual experiences had a rapid reduction in risky sexual behavior.Clinical ImplicationsThe current findings contribute to identifying another potential health implication associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and report preliminary evidence of the need to provide potential interventions for the population.Strength & LimitationsThis study is the first to perform a preliminary exploration of sexual behavior during the COVID-19 outbreak. The generalizability of the results is limited, given that only a small convenience sample was used.ConclusionDuring the height of the COVID-19 outbreak, overall sexual activity, frequency, and risky behaviors declined significantly among young men and women in China.Li W, Li G, Xin C, et al. Challenges in the Practice of Sexual Medicine in the Time of COVID-19 in China. J Sex Med 2020;17:1225–1228.     

Epidemiology of achondroplasia: A population‐based study in Europe

Achondroplasia is a rare genetic disorder resulting in short‐limb skeletal dysplasia. We present the largest European population‐based epidemiological study to date using data provided by the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies (EUROCAT) network. All cases of achondroplasia notified to 28 EUROCAT registries (1991–2015) were included in the study. Prevalence, birth outcomes, prenatal diagnosis, associated anomalies, and the impact of paternal and maternal age on de novo achondroplasia were presented. The study population consisted of 434 achondroplasia cases with a prevalence of 3.72 per 100,000 births (95%CIs: 3.14–4.39). There were 350 live births, 82 terminations of pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis, and two fetal deaths. The prenatal detection rate was significantly higher in recent years (71% in 2011–2015 vs. 36% in 1991–1995). Major associated congenital anomalies were present in 10% of cases. About 20% of cases were familial. After adjusting for maternal age, fathers >34 years had a significantly higher risk of having infants with de novo achondroplasia than younger fathers. Prevalence was stable over time, but regional differences were observed. All pregnancy outcomes were included in the prevalence estimate with 80.6% being live born. The study confirmed the increased risk for older fathers of having infants with de novo achondroplasia.