Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide protects against cadmium-induced neurotoxicity

Cadmium is a toxic metal that can damage the brain and other organs. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide (PAP) against CdCl₂-induced neurotoxicity in N2a and SH-SY5Y cells and in the cerebral cortex of BALB/c mice. In addition, we aimed to identify the potential mechanisms underlying these protective effects. Relative to CdCl₂ treatment alone, pretreatment with PAP prevented the reduction in cell viability evoked by CdCl₂, decreased rates of apoptosis, promoted calcium homeostasis, decreased ROS accumulation, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited cytochrome C and AIF release, and prevented the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. In addition, PAP significantly decreased the CdCl₂-induced phosphorylation of CaMKII, Akt, and mTOR. In conclusion, PAP represents a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of Cd-induced neurotoxicity, functioning in part via attenuating the activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and the Ca²⁺-CaMKII-dependent Akt/mTOR pathway.     

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.     

40岁以上高龄女性体外受精-胚胎移植妊娠结局分析

目的：探讨40岁以上高龄女性体外受精-胚胎移植（IVF-ET）的妊娠结局，旨在为高龄女性提供生育咨询以及为改善高龄女性个体化辅助生殖治疗结局提供临床依据。方法：选择我院生殖中心2015年1月—2017年12月女方年龄≥40岁且使用自身卵子行体外受精的共2 467个治疗周期资料，对各项临床数据进行回顾性分析。结果：40岁及以上行辅助生殖治疗的患者，随着女性年龄增加获卵数明显减少（40～48岁女性平均获卵数分别为2.97、 2.69、2.17、2.01、1.77、1.61、1.68、1.29和1.00，44～48岁与40～43岁依次组间比较均P＜0.05），尤其是44岁以上女性胚胎发育潜能明显降低（40～48岁囊胚形成率分别为48.90%、43.72%、33.67%、34.29%、24.39%、21.14%、26.32%、16.67%和0%，44～48岁与40～43岁组间依次比较均P＜0.05）。共有518个周期行新鲜胚胎移植，结果显示，随女性年龄增加，临床妊娠率（40～48岁临床妊娠率分别为26.92%、21.15%、20.79%、10.96%、18.87%、11.11%、5.88%、0%和0%，43～48岁与40～42岁组间依次比较均P＜0.05）、种植率（40～48岁种植率分别为23.65%、19.51%、17.70%、8.54%、7.49%、10.81%、5.56%、0%和0%，43～48岁与40～42岁组间依次比较均P＜0.05）和活产率均显著降低（40～46岁活产率分别为18.46%、10.58%、9.90%、5.48%、5.66%、2.78%和5.88%，43～46岁与40～42岁组间依次比较均P＜0.05），43岁以上者结局更差。44岁以上女性自然流产率明显增高（40～45岁流产率分别为31.43%、50.00%、52.38%、50.00%、70.00%和75.00%，44～45岁与40～43岁组间依次比较均P＜0.05）。46岁女性仅1例妊娠并分娩，47岁和48岁女性均无成功妊娠。与抗苗勒管激素（AMH）＞1.0 ng/mL组相比，AMH≤1.0 ng/mL组妊娠率、种植率及活产率均显著下降（27.04% vs. 14.74%，22.99% vs. 13.50%，15.88% vs. 7.37%；均P＜0.05），流产率明显升高（41.27% vs. 50.00%，P＜0.05）。结论：≥40岁高龄女性随年龄增长生育力逐渐降低。40～43岁年龄段女性助孕仍有一定的价值，尤其是卵巢仍有一定储备者（AMH＞1.0 ng/mL），但44岁以上女性原则上不再建议ART助孕，对于46岁以上卵巢功能衰竭的女性强烈建议卵子捐赠或收养。     

Quiste hidatídico uterino de localización intramural

We report the case of a woman with a history of hepatic hydatid disease and ultrasonographic diagnosis of a paraovarian cystic mass. Laparotomy revealed normal ovaries, while the uterus showed a node compatible with a cyst-degenerated myoma. Histological examination revealed a hydatid cyst inside the myometrium. The interest of this case lies in the rare location of the cyst. We also present a brief review of the literature.     

The Prevalence of Incidental Simple Ovarian Cysts ≥ 3 cm Detected by Transvaginal Sonography in Early Pregnancy

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of simple ovarian cysts of ≥ 3 cm diameter detected by transvaginal sonography (TVS) in a population of asymptomatic women in early pregnancy.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of 10 830 consecutive women presenting prior to 14 weeks’ gestational age (GA) for early dating TVS. The records of all women with simple cysts ≥ 3 cm in diameter were included. The study population was divided into five groups by GA: ≤ 6 weeks; 6.1–8 weeks; 8.1–10 weeks; 10.1–12 weeks; and 12.1–14 weeks.ResultsA simple cyst ≥ 3 cm in diameter was present in 4.9% of women at ≤ 6 weeks’ gestation, in 5.1% between 6.1 and 8 weeks, in 5.3% between 8.1 and 10 weeks, in 3.2% between 10.1. and 12 weeks, and in 1.5% between 12 and 14 weeks. Overall, a simple cyst ≥ 3 cm was present in 516 women (4.8%). Prior to 10 weeks, 5.1% had simple cysts ≥ 3 cm, dropping to 2.7% after 10 weeks, a statistically significant decrease (P < 0.0001). Between 10.1 weeks and 12 weeks, the prevalence dropped to 3.2%, and then to 1.5% in the 12.1–14 week group.ConclusionThis investigation provides reference data on the prevalence of detecting simple ovarian cysts ≥ 3 cm by TVS in an asymptomatic early pregnancy population. A progressive decline in the frequency of detecting simple ovarian cysts ≥ 3 cm begins after 10 weeks’ gestational age.     

中国国家出生队列研究质量控制策略与措施

出生队列是研究孕前和孕期各种环境暴露因素与胎儿、婴幼儿、青少年健康之间关系的有效方法。出生队列建设周期长、环节众多,研究质量可能受到多种因素的影响。本文对中国国家出生队列建设过程中的各项质量保证和质量控制措施进行梳理,归纳总结建设经验。以期为相关队列研究提供经验,减少相关因素对队列研究的影响,提升队列研究质量。中国国家出生队列在质量保证的顶层设计方面采取一系列措施保障研究质量,包括研究中心筛选、成员管理系统开发、标准化操作流程制定及工作人员规范化培训;在质量控制方面,包括针对队列数据产生过程的实时、及时、定时质控,针对生物样本采集、处理及保存的全周期质控,以及针对参与工作人员的培训、督查和量化考核的全面立体质控。     

中国国家出生队列建设背景和设计简介

随着生活行为方式、自然和社会环境的急剧变化,育龄人口生殖健康状况持续下降,快速增加的由辅助生殖技术（ART）孕育的子代的远期健康状况亟待评估。因此,妇幼保健和生殖健康相关研究关注的重点亟需从妊娠期、围产期的死亡和严重疾病表型逐渐向全生命周期和全疾病谱拓展。为了满足这样的研究需求,在我国12个省（自治区、直辖市）启动了中国国家出生队列（China National Birth Cohort）建设,计划以家庭为单位,招募3万个自然妊娠家庭和3万个ART家庭的人群,并对夫妻双方以及孕育的子代开展长期随访,收集夫妻和子代的环境暴露、生殖生育、精神心理、行为习惯等多方面暴露数据。同时采集外周血、尿液、脐血、卵泡液和精浆、精子等多种类型的生物样本。该出生队列对于我国妇幼健康和生殖医学研究具有极其重要支撑作用和深远影响。本文即是对国家出生队列的建设概况和基本设计做简要介绍。