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Qin Wang,* Chenggui Liu,* Jian Xu, Peipei Song, Shuzhe Yang, Qin Zhang Department of Clinical Laboratory, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Qin WangDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 1617, Riyue Avenue, Qingyang District, Chengdu, 611731, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 28 61866000-6267Email 314306221@qq.comObjective: In order to fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) better and to share our experience as a reference for clinical laboratory departments.Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in the clinical laboratory department of Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital in Chengdu, China, from April 2020 to January 2021. The number of nucleic acid and antibody testing specimens of suspected COVID-19 cases was analyzed. The key points of suspected-case sample processing and detection in the clinical laboratory department were summarized. The laboratory was directly involved in the sample processing and testing of suspected cases, the release of reports, and the transfer of specimens to the fever clinic.Results: The number of COVID-19 nucleic acid test specimens in our laboratory ranged from 102 to 2170 per day, and the number of antibody test specimens ranged from 24 to 391 per day. There were four main considerations in the treatment and detection of suspected-case specimens in the clinical laboratory: biosafety management in clinical laboratory departments, measures to ensure the health of the staff, the eight time points for processing suspected-case samples (turn-around time), and key points for the detection of suspected case specimens.Conclusion: The laboratory developed a protective process for COVID-19 antibody and nucleic acid detection during the pandemic. At present, the detection of COVID-19 antibodies and nucleic acids in the clinical laboratory department is orderly, and there have been no cases of laboratory infection.Keywords: COVID-19, clinical laboratory, laboratory tests

Previous studies have indicated the important role of block of proliferation 1 (BOP1) in the progression of several malignant tumors; no comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of BOP1 has been performed. Here, we aim to systematically identify the expression, prognostic value, and potential immunological functions of BOP1 in 33 malignancies. We obtained the gene expression data and clinical information from multiple public databases to assess the expression level and prognostic value of BOP1 in 33 cancers. We also analyzed the relationship between BOP1 expression and DNA methylation, tumor microenvironment (TME), microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden (TMB), and immune checkpoints. Moreover, we conducted gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to investigate the biological function and signal transduction pathways of BOP1 in different types of tumors. Finally, we validated the expression of BOP1 in lung cancer cell line and detected the influence of BOP1 on lung cancer cell migration and the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition- (EMT-) related genes. Collectively, our findings elucidated that BOP1 has the potential to be a promising molecular prognostic biomarker for predicting poor survival in various malignant tumors, as well as a cancer-promoting gene involved in tumorigenesis and tumor immunity.

Background: Efforts to precisely assess tumor-specific T-cell immune responses capable of mediating imbalanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ecosystems after incomplete radiofrequency ablation (iRFA) still face major challenges. Here, we assessed the immune response and performed transcriptomic and proteomic analyses in patients with HCC following iRFA. Methods: Peripheral blood and tissue samples were collected from HCC patients who underwent RFA. Multiplex immunostaining and flow cytometry were used to assess the local and systemic immune response. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were explored via transcriptomic and proteogenomic analyses. The ability of proteinase-3 (PRTN3) to predict overall survival (OS) was assessed in HCC patients with early recurrence after RFA. Results: Multiplex immunostaining revealed no immediate significant change in local immune cell counts. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the levels of CD4+ T cells, CD4+CD8+ T cells, and CD4+CD25+CD127- Treg cells were significantly increased, while the levels of CD16+CD56+ natural killer cells were significantly decreased on day 5 after cRFA (PConclusion: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the immune response and transcriptomic and proteogenomic landscapes of HCC milieus, revealing the mechanisms involved in the iRFA-induced immune response and tumor progression. Trial registration: ChiCTR2200055606, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=32588.

Ischemic stroke (IS) greatly threatens human health resulting in high mortality and substantial loss of function. Recent studies have shown that the outcome of IS has sex specific, but its mechanism is still unclear. This study is aimed at identifying the sexually dimorphic to peripheral immune response in IS progression, predicting potential prognostic biomarkers that can lead to sex-specific outcome, and revealing potential treatment targets. Gene expression dataset GSE37587, including 68 peripheral whole blood samples which were collected within 24 hours from known onset of symptom and again at 24-48 hours after onset (20 women and 14 men), was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. First, using Bioconductor R package, two kinds of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (nonsex-specific- and sex-specific-DEGs) were screened by follow-up (24-48 hours) vs. baseline (24 hours). 30 nonsex-specific DEGs (1 upregulated and 29 downregulated), 79 female-specific DEGs (25 upregulated and 54 downregulated), and none of male-specific DEGs were obtained finally. Second, bioinformatics analysis of female-specific DEGs was performed. Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation analysis shows that DEGs were mainly enriched in translational initiation, cytosolic ribosome, and structural constituent of ribosome. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis shows that the top 6 enrichment pathways are ribosome, nuclear factor-­kappa B (NF-kappa B) signaling pathway, apoptosis, mineral absorption, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and pertussis. Three functional modules were clustered in the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs. The top 10 key genes of the PPI network constructed were selected, including RPS14, RPS15A, RPS24, FAU, RPL27, RPL31, RPL34, RPL35A, RSL24D1, and EEF1B2. Sex difference of ribosome in stroke-induced peripheral immunosuppression may be the potential mechanism of sex disparities in outcome after IS, and women are more likely to have stroke-induced immunosuppression. RPS14, RPS15A, RPS24, FAU, RPL27, RPL31, RPL34, RPL35A, RSL24D1, and EEF1B2 may be novel prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for IS.

Highlights • Dysregulated and excessive cytokine storm is essential for critically ill COVID-19 development. • Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-infected included ACE2 receptor-mediated inflammatory response, Cell Pyroptosis, Delayed IFN-α and -β response, and Anti-S-IgG-mediated inflammatory response. • Infected lung epithelial cells and macrophages mainly release cytokines involved in innate immunity and adaptive immunity. • Endothelial cells damage and microvascular thrombosis played an important role in pathophysiological changes of COVID-19 involved respiratory failure, hypotension, liver and kidney injury. • Individualized targeted cytokine drug therapy might an effective measure to alleviate the violent inflammation besides Remdesivir, Chloroquine, Lopinavir and Ritonavir, Favipiravir etc., A novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently spreading globally, causing severe pneumonia and acute lung injury in many patients. Even worse, severe respiratory may develop into acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in COVID-19. The cytokine storm caused by immune over-activation due to virus infection may be an important cause of death in the late period of progress, but the pathogenesis of cytokine storm is still unclear. This article reviews the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storm in detail based on the current discovered researches, and put forward some valuable medication ideas for the targeted cytokines drug researches and treatment. The goal of this work will be helpful for reducing excessive immune response.

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) dysregulation have been reported in various malignant tumors and associated with the occurrence and development of cancer. However, the role of RBPs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is poorly understood. We downloaded the RNA sequencing data of LUAD from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and determined the differently expressed RBPs between normal and cancer tissues. The study then systemically investigated the expression and prognostic value of these RBPs by a series of bioinformatics analysis. A total of 223 differently expressed RBPs were identified, including 101 up-regulated and 122 down-regulated RBPs. Eight RBPs (IGF2BP1, IFIT1B, PABPC1, TLR8, GAPDH, PIWIL4, RNPC3, and ZC3H12C) were identified as prognosis related hub gene and used to construct a prognostic model. Further analysis indicated that the patients in the high-risk subgroup had poor overall survival(OS) compared to those in low-risk subgroup based on the model. The area under the curve of the time-dependent receiver operator characteristic curve of the prognostic model are 0.775 in TCGA cohort and 0.814 in GSE31210 cohort, confirming a good prognostic model. We also established a nomogram based on eight RBPs mRNA and internal validation in the TCGA cohort, which displayed a favorable discriminating ability for lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has therapeutic effects on craving in methamphetamine (METH) use disorder (MUD). The chronic abuse of METH causes impairments in executive function, and improving executive function reduces relapse and improves treatment outcomes for drug use disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine whether executive function helped predict patients' responses to rTMS treatment.Methods: This study employed intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) rTMS modalities and observed their therapeutic effects on executive function and craving in MUD patients. MUD patients from an isolated Drug Rehabilitation Institute in China were chosen and randomly allocated to the iTBS group and sham-stimulation group. All participants underwent the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Adult Version Scale (BRIEF-A) and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) measurements. Sixty-five healthy adults matched to the general condition of MUD patients were also recruited as healthy controls.Findings: Patients with MUD had significantly worse executive function. iTBS groups had better treatment effects on the MUD group than the sham-stimulation group. Further Spearman rank correlation and stepwise multivariate regression analysis revealed that reduction rates of the total score of the BRIEF-A and subscale scores of the inhibition factor and working memory factor in the iTBS group positively correlated with improvements in craving. ROC curve analysis showed that working memory (AUC = 87.4%; 95% CI = 0.220, 0.631) and GEC (AUC = 0.761%; 95% CI = 0.209, 0.659) had predictive power to iTBS therapeutic efficacy. The cutoff values are 13.393 and 59.804, respectively.Conclusions: The iTBS rTMS had a better therapeutic effect on the executive function of patients with MUD, and the improved executive function had the potential to become a predictor for the efficacy of iTBS modality for MUD treatment.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: ChiCTR2100046954.

Background: Haemophilus influenzae is an opportunistic pathogen of the human respiratory tract. Haemophilus influenzae can cause not only respiratory tract infection in children but also otitis media, epiglottitis and sinusitis. With the widespread use of antibiotics, the positive rate of β-lactamase in H. influenzae is increasing, and the rate of antimicrobial resistance is also increasing, which increases the difficulty of clinical treatment. Objectives: To study the infection characteristics of patients and the antibiotic resistance of H. influenzae in lower respiratory tract samples of children in Chengdu, so as to provide a reference for its clinical diagnosis and the rational use of antibiotics. Methods: Sputum samples of 15891 children aged 0-14 years with lower respiratory tract infection were collected. Haemophilus influenzae was cultured and identified, its drug susceptibility tested, and the results determined according to the guidelines of CLSI 2020. Results: A total of 15891 clinical isolate strains in sputum were detected for drug sensitivity from December 2018 to January 2020, of which 5488 were H. influenzae, accounting for 34.54% (5488/15891). The sex of children infected with H. influenzae was not skewed (P > 0.05). The detection rate of H. influenzae was the highest in children aged 7 - 11 months, and the lowest was in the age group ≤ 28 d. The detection rate was the highest in spring and the lowest in autumn. The positive rate of β-lactamase was 92.0%, the resistance rate to ampicillin was 92.0%, the sensitivity to amoxicillin/clavulanate was 70.2%, and the sensitivity to cefotaxime, ofloxacin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and rifampicin was more than 90.0%. Conclusions: Children aged 7 months to 14 years were generally susceptible to H. influenzae in spring, and the positive rate of β-lactamase was high. Doctors should refer to the infection characteristics and drug resistance of H. influenzae and choose antibiotics correctly to better control the infection.

Background As the mechanism of systemic inflammatory response in the course of cancer progression is gradually revealed, research has begun to focus on the two indictors of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) which may be associated with clinical disease development, treatment, and prognosis in patients who are undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. We aim to define the clinical application values of those two biomarkers in multiple cancers. Methods PubMed and Web of Science are used to perform the systematic literature research. Related articles and references were identified for analyzing the association of between NLR and PLR with treatment outcome, as well as progression of cancers. Results NLR and PLR are convenient, easy to calculate, economical, and practical biomarkers, effectively predicting treatment outcome and risk of death based on inflammatory cells. Elevated NLR and PLR are significantly in line with worse clinical pathological characteristics, deeper invasiveness, more lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage. A significant association was observed that high NLR and PLR predict poor overall survival and disease-free survival. Conclusions NLR and PLR can be used as available biomarkers in prognostic survival and formulation of treatment strategy of multiple cancers.

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) dysregulation have been reported in various malignant tumors and associated with the occurrence and development of cancer. However, the role of RBPs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is poorly understood. We downloaded the RNA sequencing data of LUAD from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and determined the differently expressed RBPs between normal and cancer tissues. The study then systemically investigated the expression and prognostic value of these RBPs by a series of bioinformatics analysis. A total of 223 differently expressed RBPs were identified, including 101 up-regulated and 122 down-regulated RBPs. Eight RBPs (IGF2BP1, IFIT1B, PABPC1, TLR8, GAPDH, PIWIL4, RNPC3, and ZC3H12C) were identified as prognosis related hub gene and used to construct a prognostic model. Further analysis indicated that the patients in the high-risk subgroup had poor overall survival(OS) compared to those in low-risk subgroup based on the model. The area under the curve of the time-dependent receiver operator characteristic curve of the prognostic model are 0.775 in TCGA cohort and 0.814 in GSE31210 cohort, confirming a good prognostic model. We also established a nomogram based on eight RBPs mRNA and internal validation in the TCGA cohort, which displayed a favorable discriminating ability for lung adenocarcinoma.

Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a plastic additive that entered the soil environment due to the extensive use of plastic products. However, its toxicity to soil animals and the associated toxicity mechanism were not completely understood.

Social intercourse based on interest is becoming more and more popular, design of the existing architecture and the business logic of the light blog by taking analysis is implemented. Through recording and analyzing users’ behavior and data profiles, this system can automatically push the new useful information to the specific users who may have an interest on that by data mining. In this paper, the application of the data mining technique, the implementation of TF-IDF algorithm and the solution of the model similarity are mainly explained.

Si-Ti coatings were prepared on the surface of T-222 alloy by fused slurry method at different temperatures (1425-1500°C). Microstructure and composition of the coatings were characterized and analysed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) respectively. The coating fabricated at 1450°C exhibited excellent structure compatible with high temperature oxidation resistance. Its surface is relatively smooth with few holes and cracks and the main phase on the surface is (Ti, Ta)Si that possesses outstanding corrosion resistance. Moreover, the cross-sectional structure of the coating is smooth and compact which can effectively prevent O2 from permeation. The isothermal oxidation behaviors in pure O2 atmosphere at 1500°C for 2h finally demonstrate that the optimum coating temperature is 1450°C.

In this work, the solution of PA6/GdCl3 with different complex ratios were prepared, using gadolinium trichloride (GdCl3) as complexing agent, formic acid and hydrochloric acid as solvent. The fibers were then prepared by dry spinning method and characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Instron tensile testing. The results indicated that fibers with good morphology and mechanical properties could be obtained when mole ratio (MR) was 0.04 and PA6 concentration was 22wt%. Moreover, we found that spinning pressure had significant influence on the properties of fibers.

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) has been linked to the neural, reproductive and developmental toxicity. We present here a metabolomic study that characterized the metabolic variations associated with the DBP-induced teratogenesis in maternal and fetal mice. DBP at 50 and 300 mg/kg were administrated to pregnant C57 mice, via gastric intubation on gestation day 7–9, respectively. Maternal mice were euthanized on gestation day 16 and examined for fetal development and malformations. Metabolomic study of maternal serum, placenta and fetal brain tissues was performed using gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with multivariate data analysis (MVDA). The results showed that a 50 mg/kg dose of DBP had no significant effect on fetal development and a 300 mg/kg dose caused embryo resorption and fetal malformations (primarily eye abnormalities and encephalocele). MVDA indicated that DBP at two doses gave rise to disruption of maternal and fetal metabolic profiles characterized by significantly altered tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acid, purine and lipid metabolism.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs whose function as modulators of gene expression is crucial for the proper control of cell growth. Although many microRNAs were found to express

To evaluate the expression of BRCA1, ERCC1, TUBB3 and PRR13 mRNA and their relationship with clinical chemosensitivity in primary ovarian cancer, and to assess the predictive value of joint detection of both BRCA1 and ERCC1 genes for the treatment of primary ovarian cancer.Primary epithelial ovarian tumor samples were collected from 46 patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to analyze the relative expression of BRCA1, ERCC1, TUBB3 and PRR13 mRNA in those cases. The correlation of clinical chemosensitivity and the test results was statistically analyzed. The efficacy of the joint prediction of clinical chemosensitivity by combining the two drug resistance gene detection was evaluated.The BRCA1 mRNA relative expression logarithm in the clinical-resistant group was 0.673±2.143, and clinical-sensitive group -1.436±2.594 (P=0.008). The ERCC1 mRNA relative expression logarithm in the clinical-resistant group was -0.529±1.982 and clinical-sensitive group -3.188±2.601 (P=0.001). BRCA1 and ERCC1 expression level is negatively correlated with platinum-based chemosensitivity. The PRR13 expressions in the two groups were not significantly different (P=0.074), and the TUBB3 expressions between the two groups were also not significantly different (P=0.619). When the intercept point value BRCA1 mRNA expression logarithm was -0.6, the predictive sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 73.3%, 75.0%, 84.6% and 60.0%, respectively, with the best comprehensive assessment. When the intercept point value of ERCC1 mRNA expression logarithm was -1, the predictive sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 80.0%, 68.8%, 82.8% and 64.7%, respectively, with the best comprehensive assessment. The combination detection of BRCA1 and ERCC1 can improve the chemotherapeutic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value to 86.7%, 68.8%, 83.9% and 73.3%, respectively.BRCA1 and ERCC1 mRNA expression has a negative correlation with the clinical sensitivity of platinum-based chemotherapy. Combination detection of the two drug-resistance associated genes can improve the predictive efficacy of ovarian cancer chemosensitivity and beneficial to individual treatment of ovarian cancer.

To predict clinical chemotherapy sensitivity of primary ovarian cancer by jointing adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-tumor chemo-sensitivity assay (TCA) method in vitro and detection of drug resistance genes, provide reference for clinical treatment.Forty-seven primary epithelial ovarian tumor samples were collected from the patients who received cytoreductive surgery. Viable ovarian cancer cells obtained from malignant tissue were tested for their sensitivity to carboplatin (CBP), cisplatin (DDP), paclitaxel (PTX) and CBP + PTX using ATP-TCA method in vitro; at same time, real-time quantitative PCR was used to analysis BRCA1 and ERCC1 mRNA relative expression in forty-six specimens (1 frozen tumor samples mRNA were not detected due to serious degradation). The relationship between ATP-TCA test results, clinical indicators, and the effectiveness of the joint prediction on clinical chemo-sensitivity by combining these two methods were statistically analyzed using chi-square test.(1) The results showns that three programs of DDP, CBP and PTX + CBP were significantly related with clinical results (P0.05) in vitro, in which the compliance rate in PTX + CBP program was the highest 83% (39/47), and the predictive sensitivity, predictive specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and predictive accurate rate were 90%, 71%, 84% and 80%, respectively. PTX + CBP combined in vitro test results was also related with residual tumor size and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which was more prone to drug resistance with residual tumor larger than 2 cm (P = 0.023) and with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.011). (2) BRCA1 mRNA expression levels in the clinical-resistant group and the clinical-sensitive group was 0.673 ± 2.143 and -1.436 ± 2.594 (P = 0.008), ERCC1 mRNA expression levels in the clinical-resistant group and the clinical-sensitive group was -0.529 ± 1.982 and -3.188 ± 2.601 (P = 0.001). There were also significant correlation among the expression levels of BRCA1, ERCC1 mRNA and clinical efficacy (P0.01). (3) ATP-TCA and detection of drug resistance genes combined to predict the clinical application of PTX + CBP resistance may occur in 8/9 cases.ATP-TCA may be an ideal method of in vitro drug sensitivity testing method, which could effectively predict clinical chemotherapy sensitivity. Combination of the drug-resistant associated genes detection method and the ATP-TCA method can increase the predictive effectiveness of ovarian cancer chemosensitivity and guide individual chemotherapy of ovarian cancer.

To explore the value of adenosine triphosphate-tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA) in individualized treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (REOC), and to evaluate the correlation between the in vitro chemosensitivity assay and clinical drug sensitivity.Sixty-nine REOC specimens were tested by ATP-TCA assay retrospectively. The patients were divided into strong sensitive, moderate sensitively and resistant groups according to the ATP-TCA assay results. The clinical results were evaluated according to imaging and serum CA125 analysis. The correlation between in vitro ATP-TCA assay and clinical outcome was statistically analyzed by χ(2) test. The progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of each group were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method.The results of ATP-TCA assay had significant correlation with clinical outcome. The clinical chemotherapy outcome became better with increased drug sensitivity in vitro (χ(2) = 9.066, P = 0.004). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy rate for ATP-TCA method to predict the clinical chemotherapy sensitivity of REOC were 87.5%, 45.9%, 58.3%, 80.9% and 65.2%, respectively. The mean PFS of strong sensitive group, moderately sensitive group and resistant group were 187.1 days, 195.0 days and 60.3 days, respectively. The mean OS were 476.7, 335.7 and 237.5 days, respectively, following the start of TCA-directed therapy. The PFS and OS of the two sensitivity groups in vitro were significantly longer than that of the in vitro-resistant group (P0.01).The results of ATP-TCA assay are well correlated with clinical treatment responses. The assay may be an important and useful method for individualized chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Objective The objective of the study was to investigate the expression and regulation of polycomb group (PcG) proteins in human neural tube defects (NTDs). Study Design PcG proteins in human NTD fetuses and age-matched controls were detected by Western blot. The relation between PcG proteins and microribonucleic acids was predicted and confirmed by the bioinformatics method, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), dual-luciferase activity assay, and Western blot. The trimethyl condition of histone H3 Lys27 (H3K27) was detected by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence. Results Embryonic ectoderm development protein (EED) was differentially detected in placenta, cerebral cortex, and spinal cord from NTDs and age-matched controls. MiR-30b can interact with 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of Eed and regulate endogenous EED expression in neural tissues. In addition, we found an inverse relationship between the miR-30b expression and the amount of trimethyl H3K27. Conclusion Differential expression of EED exists in the nerves system in human NTDs and that is regulated by miR-30b.

The implantation process is complex, requiring reciprocal interactions between implantation-competent blastocysts and the receptive uterus. There were reports to show that some microRNAs (miRNAs) may play a key role during embryo implantation in mouse. However, the miR-320 expression profiles in the rat uterus during peri-implantation are unknown. In the present study, we found that the expression level of miR-320 was lower on day 5 of gestation (g.d. 5) in rats than g.d.3 and g.d.4 and restored gradually from g.d.6. MiR-320 was specifically localized in glandular and luminal epithelia and decidua. The expression of miR-320 was not significantly different in the pseudopregnant uterus and decreased in the uteri of rats subjected to activation of delayed implantation. Artificial decidualization and treatment with progesterone increased the miR-320 expression. Thus, miR-320 was differentially expressed in the rat uterus during implantation. The expression level was affected by active blastocysts and decidualization during the window of implantation. Steroid hormones, progesterone stimulated miR-320 expression.

Mammalian embryonic implantation requires reciprocal interactions between implantation-competent blastocysts and a receptive uterus. Some microRNAs might play a key role during embryo implantation in the mouse, but the let-7a expression profiles in the rat uterus during peri-implantation are unknown. In the study, the expression of let-7a in the uterus during early pregnancy, pseudopregnancy, artificial decidualization and activation of delayed implantation was detected by Northern blotting and in situ hybridization. The effect of steroid hormones on let-7a expression was also detected by Northern blotting and in situ hybridization. Here, we found that the expression level of let-7a was higher on gestation day 6-7 (g.d. 6-7) in rats than on g.d.4-5 and g.d.8-9. Let-7a was specifically localized in glandular and luminal epithelia and decidua. The expression of let-7a was not significantly different in the pseudopregnant uterus and increased significantly in the uteri of rats subjected to artificial decidualization and activation of delayed implantation. Treatment with estradiol-17beta or progesterone significantly increased let-7a expression. Thus, let-7a expression was significantly induced by the process of embryo invasion, and this increased expression level was mainly induced by active blastocysts and decidualization during the window of implantation, implying that let-7a may participate in endometrial decidualization. Steroid hormones, estradiol-17beta or progesterone stimulated let-7a expression.