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Abstract Background At present, there are several studies on abortion history and perinatal outcomes, but there is no unified conclusion whether the history of abortion and different types of abortion are related to perinatal complications of subsequent pregnancy. We aim to study the impact of different types of abortion history on perinatal outcomes of singleton pregnancies. Methods This was a retrospective study from a maternity and infant hospital in Shanghai, China from 2016 to 2020. Pregnant women who gave birth to live singleton infant were included (n = 75,773). We classified abortion into spontaneous abortion (SAB) and induced abortion (IA). We compared the perinatal outcomes of singleton pregnancies with different abortion histories and used Logistic regression analysis to evaluate the associations between pre-pregnancy abortion history with perinatal outcomes. Results We observed that pregnant women with a history of abortion were more likely to have a premature delivery (0.99% VS 0.45%), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (13.40% VS 10.29%), placenta abnormality (8.16% VS 5.06%), placenta previa (5.65% VS 3.75%), placenta accreta (0.18% VS 0.04%), and placenta adhesion (2.79% VS 1.03%) than those who obtained singleton pregnancies without a history of abortion. When confounding factors were adjusted, differences in placenta abnormality still existed (excluding placenta abruption). The odds ratios and 95% confidence interval of placenta previa, placenta accreta, and placenta adhesion in pregnant women with only SAB history, only IA history, and both abortion history were 1.294(1.174–1.427), 1.272(1.159–1.396), and 1.390(1.188–1.625), 2.688(1.344–5.374), 2.549(1.268–5.125), and 5.041(2.232–11.386), 2.170(1.872–2.515), 2.028(1.738–2.366), and 3.580(2.917–4.395), respectively. Conclusions Our research showed that pregnant women who have a history of abortion before pregnancy were more likely to have premature birth, GDM, placenta previa, placenta accreta, and placenta adhesion. After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that the history of SAB, IA, and both SAB and IA history were related to the increased risk of placenta previa, placenta accreta, and placenta adhesion.

Summary: Previous research has demonstrated significant differences in intestinal flora between pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and healthy pregnant women. The objective of our study is to identify the key bacteria involved in ICP rats and explore the underlying mechanism. We established an ICP rat model and collected rat feces for metagenomic sequencing and found that Roseburia intestinalis (R.I) is the key bacteria in ICP. Transplantation of R.I improved phenotypes associated with ICP through the bile acid/farnesoid X receptor-fibroblast growth factor 15 (FXR-FGF15) signaling pathway. We used the FXR antagonist Z-Guggulsterone (Z-Gu) to verify the key role of FXR in ICP and found that Z-Gu reversed the benefits of R.I on ICP rats. Our research highlights the important role of intestinal flora in the pathogenesis of ICP and provides a novel approach for its treatment.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) among Chinese women. Methods: This was a hospital-based retrospective cohort study of 75,760 Chinese women who had live singleton births between 2016 and 2020. In this study, we utilized logistic regression analysis to estimate the association between pre-pregnancy BMI and PROM based on gestational age. Results: Prior to pregnancy, being overweight or obese was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), as evidenced by adjusted odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals of 1.336 (1.173–1.522) and 1.411 (1.064–1.872), respectively. Those with PPROM were divided into three groups according to gestational age: 22–27, 28–31, and 32–36 weeks. Women who were overweight or obese prior to pregnancy had a higher likelihood of experiencing PROM between 22 and 27 weeks of gestation. This finding remained consistent even after controlling for potential confounding factors, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, hydramnios, cervical abnormalities, and a history of preterm birth. Conclusion: Our research findings indicate that being overweight or obese before pregnancy is linked to a higher likelihood of experiencing PPROM. Therefore, achieving optimal weight before pregnancy is important to prevent PPROM and its associated complications.

Lavender is an oil-bearing plant, which has long been cultivated for oil, fresh flowers, dried products, and food. Leaf blight disease was observed on ‘Bandera Pink’, which belongs to Lavandula stoechas in Yining County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The causal agent of this disease was isolated, and Koch’s postulates were assessed to confirm its pathogenicity. The morphological characteristics of the pathogen were observed, and the LSU, ITS, tef1, and tub2 loci were combined and analyzed. Based on morphological characterization and phylogenetic analyses, the causal agent was identified as a fungal species named Dothiorella sarmentorum. Pathogenicity tests revealed that D. sarmentorum can infect seven varieties of three lavender species. This is the first report of D. sarmentorum causing lavender leaf blight. This study provides a theoretical basis for the diagnosis of disease and the monitoring of disease occurrence and epidemics.

Animal studies indicated that Bisphenol analogues (BPs) exhibited potential thyroid toxicity. However, little is known of the associations between maternal BPs exposure and offspring’s thyroid related hormones in humans. On the basis of Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort study, we analyzed BPs in maternal urine collected at the third trimester of pregnancy. Thyroid related hormones (THs), including total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in cord blood samples. We performed multiple linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models to explore the single and joint effects of gestational BPs exposure on thyroid related hormones in cord blood among 258 mother-child pairs. Statistically significant inverse associations of categorized BPA with FT3 and TT4 concentrations were observed. We also found a significant association between the mixture of BPs in maternal urine and increased concentration of TT3 in cord blood and a marginally significant association between BPs mixture and increased FT3 concentrations. Further associations of BPA with lower TT4/FT4 and of Bisphenol AF (BPAF) with higher TT3/FT3 were also suggestive, by BKMR model, when other BPs were fixed at 25th percentiles. It was concluded that prenatal BPs exposure was associated with THs in cord blood. Exposure to BPA and BPAF might have large contributions to the effects on thyroid function than other bisphenols.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the association of cervical disorders on obstetric outcomes of singleton pregnancies in China.MethodsThis hospital-based retrospective cohort study of women with live singleton births included 71,097 Chinese women. We compared the risk of adverse obstetric outcomes in different types of pregnancies with cervical disorders with those with normal cervix. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between cervical disorders and adverse obstetric outcomes.ResultsWomen with cervical disorders had a higher risk of premature delivery (10.98 vs. 4.41%), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) (3.48 vs. 1.62%), low birth weight (LBW) (7.62 vs. 2.92%) and very low birth weight (VLBW) (2.01 vs. 0.28%) than women with normal cervix. After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with women with normal cervix, women with high-grade abnormal cervical cytology are at greater risk of premature birth (adjusted OR 1.971, 95% CI: 1.302–2.983), premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (adjusted OR 1.379, 95% CI: 1.047–1.815), LBW (adjusted OR 1.790, 95% CI: 1.059–3.025), and VLBW (adjusted OR 4.519, 95% CI: 1.662–12.292) than women with low-grade abnormal cervical cytology, and women with abnormal cervical cytology after treatment had a higher risk of premature birth (adjusted OR 2.060, 95% CI: 1.348–3.147), PROM (adjusted OR 1.381, 95% CI: 1.038–1.839), PPROM (adjusted OR 1.995, 95% CI: 1.022–3.892), LBW (adjusted OR 1.801, 95% CI: 1.046–3.102), and VLBW (adjusted OR 4.868, 95% CI: 1.788–13.255) than untreated women.ConclusionsOur research showed that pregnant women with cervical disorders were more likely to have premature delivery, PPROM, LBW, and VLBW. Moreover, pregnant women with high-grade abnormal cervical cytology and abnormal cervical cytology after treatment had a higher risk of premature birth, PROM, LBW, and VLBW.

ContextAdverse maternal outcomes and perinatal complications are associated with maternal hypothyroidism. However, the utility of levothyroxine (L-T4) in the treatment of pregnant women with hypothyroxinemia is unclear.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of L-T4 on maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with hypothyroxinemia.MethodsThe nonrandomized interventional study was conducted at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Punan Hospital of Shanghai, and Beicai Community Health Center of Shanghai. The pregnant women with hypothyroxinemia from the first trimester were enrolled and divided into treatment and control groups. 463 taking L-T4 and 501 not administering L-T4 were analyzed in the study. All participants were screened for TPOAB/TGAB antibody status.Main OutcomeThe primary outcome of the study was the hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP), measured as the proportion of HDP. In addition to this primary outcome, some secondary outcomes will be measured: miscarriage, gestational diabetes mellitus, premature rupture of membranes, placental abruption, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, fetal distress, macrosomia, and neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The effects of L-T4 on the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and perinatal complications were compared.ResultsMultivariate logistic regression analysis showed that L-T4 treatment (adjusted odds ratio = 1.78 [95% CI = 1.00-3.16], p = 0.04) significantly reduced the incidence of miscarriage. Otherwise, lower neonates admitted to the NICU were strongly associated with the L-T4 group (adjusted odds ratio = 1.36 [95% CI = 1.01 – 1.83], p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of other adverse maternal outcomes and perinatal complications between pregnant women with hypothyroxinemia receiving and those not receiving L-T4 treatment.ConclusionThe incidence of HDP was not significantly reduced using L-T4 in pregnant women with hypothyroxinemia. The results of this study also showed that L-T4 treatment significantly reduced the miscarriages rate and the proportion of newborns admitted to the NICU.

Abstract Background Association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is inconsistent and appears to change in each trimester. We aim to investigate the association of exposure to ambient PM2.5 in early pregnancy with HDP. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed among 8776 women with singleton pregnancy who attended the antenatal clinic before 20 gestational weeks in a tertiary women’s hospital during 2014–2015. Land use regression models were used to predict individual levels of PM2.5 exposure. Results The average PM2.5 concentration during the first 20 gestational weeks ranged from 28.6 to 74.8 μg m− 3 [median, 51.4 μg m− 3; interquartile range, 47.3–57.8 μg m− 3]. A total of 440 (5.0%) women was diagnosed with HDP. The restricted cubic spline showed a positive exposure-response relationship between the PM2.5 concentration and risk of HDP. We observed an association between PM2.5 exposure during the first trimester with HDP (RR = 3.89 per 10 μg m− 3, 95% CI: 1.45–10.43), but not during the second trimester (RR = 0.71 per 10 μg m− 3, 95% CI: 0.40–1.27). Compared with their counterparts, nulliparous women who were exposed to high levels of PM2.5 in the index pregnancy had a higher risk of developing HDP [the relative excess risk due to interaction was 0.92 (0.46–1.38)]. Conclusion Our findings suggest that PM2.5 exposure during the first trimester is associated with the development of HDP. The effect estimate is more obvious for nulliparous women than multiparous women.

Abstract Background Sea island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) has markedly superior high quality fibers, which plays an important role in the textile industry and acts as a donor for upland cotton (G. hirsutum) fiber quality improvement. The genetic characteristics analysis and the identification of key genes will be helpful to understand the mechanism of fiber development and breeding utilization in sea island cotton. Results In this study, 279 sea island cotton accessions were collected from different origins for genotyping and phenotyping fiber quality traits. A set of 6303 high quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained by high-density CottonSNP80K array. The population characteristics showed that the sea island cotton accessions had wide genetic diversity and were clustered into three groups, with Group1 closely related to Menoufi, an original sea island cotton landrace, and Group2 and Group3 related to widely introduced accessions from Egypt, USA and Former Soviet Union. Further, we used 249 accessions and evaluated five fiber quality traits under normal and salt environments over 2 years. Except for fiber uniformity (FU), fiber length (FL) and fiber elongation (FE) were significantly decreased in salt conditions, while fiber strength (FS) and fiber micronaire (MIC) were increased. Based on 6303 SNPs and genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis, a total of 34 stable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified for the five fiber quality traits with 25 detected simultaneously under normal and salt environments. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that candidate genes in the 25 overlapped QTLs were enriched mostly in “cellular and biological process”. In addition, “xylem development” and “response to hormone” pathways were also found. Haplotype analyses found that GB_A03G0335 encoding an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase in QTL TM6004 had SNP variation (A/C) in gene region, was significantly correlated with FL, FS, FU, and FE, implying a crucial role in fiber quality. Conclusions The present study provides a foundation for genetic diversity of sea island cotton accessions and will contribute to fiber quality improvement in breeding practice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between hypothyroxinemia and the risk of preeclampsia–eclampsia and gestational hypertension.DesignHistorical cohort study.MethodsThe study included pregnant individuals who delivered live-born singletons and had at least one thyroid function assessment during pregnancy at a tertiary hospital. Hypothyroxinemia was defined as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels within the normal reference range and free thyroxine (FT4) levels lower than the tenth percentile. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for preeclampsia–eclampsia and gestational hypertension between women with and without a diagnosis of hypothyroxinemia during pregnancy were estimated using a generalized estimating equation model.ResultsA total of 59,463 women with live-born singletons were included in the analysis. Logistic regression models with restricted cubic spline suggested that there was a U-shaped association between FT4 levels and preeclampsia–eclampsia risk. Compared with euthyroid women, those with hypothyroxinemia had an increased risk of preeclampsia–eclampsia (RR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02–1.31), and the risk increased with the increasing severity of hypothyroxinemia (p for trend < 0.001). Moreover, persistent hypothyroxinemia from the first to second trimesters was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia–eclampsia (RR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03–1.83), especially for women with severe hypothyroxinemia (RR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.12–2.58). In contrast, there was no association between hypothyroxinemia and gestational hypertension.ConclusionOur study suggested that hypothyroxinemia was only associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia–eclampsia, especially in women with persistent hypothyroxinemia in the first half of pregnancy. Analyses of the associated risk of gestational hypertension with hypothyroxinemia were not significant.

Importance: At present, few people have studied the associations between abortion history before pregnancy on the outcomes of women and their infants after assisted reproductive technology (ART). Objective: To explore the association between the history of abortion and the outcomes of singleton pregnancies after ART. Design: This was a retrospective study in a hospital from 2015 to 2020 in Shanghai, China. Pregnant women with live singleton births through ART were included (n = 3043). Abortion was classified into spontaneous abortion (SAB) and induced abortion. We compared the maternal and fetal outcomes of singleton pregnancies obtained through ART with different abortion histories. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between the history of pre-pregnancy abortion with perinatal complications and neonatal outcomes. Results: We observed that compared with those who had no abortion history and obtained singleton pregnancies through ART, women who had an abortion history before pregnancy (including SAB or induced abortion history) and only SAB history were more likely to have gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), thyroid-related diseases, and placenta-related diseases. After adjusting the potential confounding factors, these differences still existed. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of GDM, thyroid-related diseases, and placenta-related diseases in women with a history of abortion and only a history of SAB were 1.239 (1.030–1.492) and 1.240 (1.010–1.522), 1.589 (1.261–2.002) and 1.724 (1.344–2.213), 1.465 (1.183–1.815) and 1.433 (1.132–1.814), respectively. However, we did not observe the association between the history of induced abortion and GDM and thyroid-related diseases. Conclusions and Relevance: Our research showed that pregnant women with singleton pregnancies through ART who had a history of abortion or only a history of SAB were more likely to have GDM, thyroid-related diseases, and placenta-related diseases. Pregnant women who had both SAB and induced abortion before pregnancy had a higher risk of thyroid-related diseases and placenta-related diseases, while women who had only a history of induced abortion had a higher risk of placenta-related diseases. Further research is needed to explore the biological mechanism of different types of abortion related to subsequent pregnancy.

BackgroundEvidence from animal studies has indicated that neonatal thyroid function is vital for the reproductive development. Anogenital distance (AGD), a sensitive biomarker of the fetal hormonal milieu, can be used to predict adult reproductive disorders. However, few human studies have examined the association between neonatal thyroid function and AGD. We aimed to explore their associations in a birth cohort study.MethodsConcentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (THs), including total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured in cord plasma in the Shanghai-Minhang Birth Cohort. The offspring AGD (AGDAP [anus–penis] and AGDAS [anus–scrotum] for boys and AGDAC [anus–clitoris] and AGDAF [anus–fourchette] for girls), body weight and anogenital index (AGI = AGD/weight [mm/kg]) were obtained at each follow-up visit. In total, 344 children (194 boys and 150 girls) with cord plasma concentrations of THs and TSH and at least one AGD measurement at birth and at 6, 12, and 48 months of age were included. Multiple linear regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to examine the associations of cord plasma concentrations of THs and TSH with AGI.ResultsMultiple linear regression models showed inverse associations of TT4, FT3, and FT4 with female AGI, although statistical significance was only reached at birth, 6 and 48 months of age. These associations were also found in GEE models: higher TT4 and FT4 concentrations were associated with lower AGIAC (TT4: β = -0.27, 95% CI: -0.50, -0.03 for middle vs. lowest tertile; FT4: β = -0.38, 95% CI: -0.61, -0.16 for middle and β = -0.30, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.04 for highest vs. lowest tertile). Besides, girls with the highest tertile of FT3 concentrations had lower AGIAF than those with the lowest tertile (the highest vs. lowest tertile: β = -0.22, 95% CI: -0.36, -0.08). Positive associations between TSH and AGI at birth and at 12 months of age were observed in boys.ConclusionsThis study provides further evidence on the effects of neonatal thyroid function on reproductive development at an early life stage.

Abstract Background Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is not only a major determinant of perinatal morbidity and mortality but also leads to adverse health effects in later life. Over the past decade, numerous studies have indicated that maternal exposure to ambient air pollution has been a risk factor for abnormal fetal growth in developed countries where PM2.5 levels are relatively low. However, studies in highly polluted regions, such as China, and studies that rely on assessments in utero are scarce. Methods A total of 7965 women were selected from 11,441 women from the Shanghai Maternity and Infant Living Environment (SMILE) cohort who were pregnant between January 1, 2014, and April 30, 2015. From January 1, 2014, to April 30, 2015, weekly average PM2.5 values from 53 monitors were calculated and the inverse distance weighted (IDW) method was used to create a Shanghai pollution surface map according to the participants residential addresses. Individual exposure was the average PM2.5 value of every gestational week between the first gestational week and one week before the ultrasound measurement date (the range of measurements per participant was 1 to 10). Repeated fetal ultrasound measurements during gestational weeks 14~40 were selected. The estimated fetal weight (EFW) was calculated by biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) formulas. In total, 29,926 ultrasound measurements were analysed. Demographic variables, other pollutants (SO2, NO2, PM10 and O3) and relative humidity and temperature were controlled for potential confounding through generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results The full model showed that with each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure, the means (mm) of AC, BPD, FL decreased by 5.48 (− 9.06, − 1.91), 5.57 (− 6.66, − 4.47), and 5.47 (− 6.39, − 4.55), respectively; the mean EFW decreased by 14.49 (− 16.05, − 13.49) grams by Hadlock’s third formula and 13.56 (− 14.71, − 12.50) grams by Shepard’s formula with each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure. Conclusions A negative correlation existed between maternal PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy and fetal growth indicators, which may increase the risk of fetal growth restriction.

Background: The effect of isolated maternal hypothyroxinaemia (IMH) on pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes in human beings is still controversial. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study based on the electronic medical register system. The records of women with a singleton pregnancy who sought antenatal examination between January 2014 and December 2015 at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital were extracted from the electronic medical records system. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4) and anti-thyroperoxidase autoantibody (TPO-Ab) was measured before 20 gestational weeks, and a multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios of pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes between euthyroid women and those with isolated hypothyroxinaemia. Results: A total of 8173 women were included in this study, of whom 34 2 (4.18%) were diagnosed with IMH. Regression analysis showed that IMH diagnosed in the second trimester (13–20 weeks) was associated with an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.38–5.10) and placenta abruption (OR = 3.64, 95% CI: 1.07–12.41), but not with preterm delivery (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.50–2.40), small or large gestational age of infant (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.39–2.12; OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.72–1.86), macrosomia (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 0.95–3.07), gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.86–2.15) and placenta previa (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 0.39–7.37). Conclusion: IMH could be a risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Introduction Previous studies have suggested that maternal diabetes may have programming effect on fetal brain development. However, little is known about the association between maternal diabetes and neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring that mainly manifest in infancy or early childhood. We aimed to examine the association between maternal diabetes before or during pregnancy and feeding and eating disorders (FED) in offspring.Research design and methods This population-based cohort study included 1 193 891 singletons born in Denmark during 1996–2015. These children were followed from birth until the onset of FED, the sixth birthday, death, emigration, or 31 December 2016, whichever came first. Relative risk of FED was estimated by HRs using Cox proportional hazards model.Results A total of 40 867 (3.4%) children were born to mothers with diabetes (20 887 with pregestational diabetes and 19 980 with gestational diabetes). The incidence rates of FED were 6.8, 4.6 and 2.9 per 10 000 person-years among children of mothers with pregestational diabetes, gestational diabetes and no diabetes, respectively. Offspring of mothers with diabetes had a 64% increased risk of FED (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.36 to 1.99; p

Background Studies suggested that PM2.5 exposure could lead to adverse reproductive effects on male animals. However, the underlying mechanism is still not clear. Besides, animals in the majority of previous studies were exposed to PM2.5 through intratracheal instillation which should be improved. In addition, limited amount of research has been conducted in China where the PM2.5 concentration is higher and the PM2.5 components are different. The aim of this work is to explore the effects of concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAP) on mice sperm quality and testosterone biosynthesis. Methods A total of 12 male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to filtered air (FA) or CAP for 125 days using the Shanghai Meteorological and Environmental Animal Exposure System. The mice sperm concentration, sperm motility, DNA fragmentation index, high DNA stainability and plasma testosterone were analyzed. Testicular histology and sperm morphology were observed through optical microscope. Testosterone biosynthesis related gene expressions were analyzed using real-time PCR, including cytochrome P450 CHOL side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β HSD), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom), estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR). Results Exposure to CAP resulted in disturbance of various stages of spermatogenesis and significant higher percentage of abnormal sperm (FA vs. CAP: 24.37% vs. 44.83%) in mice testis. CAP exposure significantly decreased sperm concentration (43.00 × 106 vs. 25.33 × 106) and motility (PR: 63.58% vs. 55.15%; PR + NP: 84.00% vs. 77.08%) in epididymis. Plasma testosterone concentration were significantly declined (0.28 ng/ml vs. 0.69 ng/ml) under CAP exposure. Notably, the levels of testosterone biosynthesis related genes, StAR, P450scc, P450arom, ER and FSHR were significantly decreased with CAP exposure. Conclusion Concentrated ambient PM2.5 exposure altered mice sperm concentration, motility and morphology, which might be mediated primarily by the decline in testosterone concentration and testosterone biosynthesis process.

We investigated the influence of microwave and conventional heating pretreatments on the grinding of cassiterite associated with pollimetallic ore. The minerals that exhibited a stronger microwave absorption ability crushed first, which is the main difference between the microwave and the traditional heating pretreatments. The distribution of Fe, Pb, Zn, and Sn increased in the fine size range (−0.425 mm). The Fe and Pb grades in the size ranges of −3.2 + 2 mm and −2 + 1 mm after the microwave pretreatment (6 kW, 1 min) were lower than those of the traditional heating (12 kW, 400 °C, 20 min), indicating that the microwave selective heating was beneficial for pyrite and jamesonite. The grade and distribution of Sn decreased significantly in the size ranges of −3.2 + 2 mm and −2 + 1 mm and increased in the size ranges of −0.425 + 0.15 mm and −0.15 + 0.074 mm. Microwave heating treatment promoted the grinding of sulfide ore and reduced the cassiterite overgrinding.

Highlights Pt–Ni bonded Pt single-atom (SA) catalyst, rather than classic Pt–O bonded SA catalyst, was successfully constructed. The electronic states of Pt SA catalyst were deeply regulated and negatively charged Pt δ− was realized. Pt–Ni bonded Pt SA catalyst-enhanced absorbability for activated hydrogen atoms and promoted hydrogen absorption.

Abstract DNA barcodes enable Oxford Nanopore sequencing to sequence multiple barcoded DNA samples on a single flow cell. DNA sequences with the same barcode need to be grouped together through demultiplexing. As the number of samples increases, accurate demultiplexing becomes difficult. We introduce HycDemux, which incorporates a GPU-parallelized hybrid clustering algorithm that uses nanopore signals and DNA sequences for accurate data clustering, alongside a voting-based module to finalize the demultiplexing results. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate that our approach outperforms unsupervised tools in short sequence fragment clustering and performs more robustly than current state-of-the-art demultiplexing tools for complex multi-sample sequencing data.

Background and objectives: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a widely recognized marker of inflammation in peripheral blood. However, its specific role in neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) has not been reported. This study aims to investigate the relationship between NIID and NLR. Methods: A multicenter database was collected, including 157 NIID patients from seven hospitals (The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Tengzhou Central People's Hospital,The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Liaocheng People's Hospital,The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University,The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC), along with 157 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects. White blood cell counts (including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils) were obtained, and the NLR was calculated. Additionally, cognitive impairment was assessed using clinical evaluation scores. Results: NIID patients exhibited significantly higher NLR values compared to the healthy control group (p 0.05). Conclusion: There is a significant association between NLR and NIID, suggesting a potential role of peripheral blood inflammation in the pathogenesis of NIID.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the imaging and pathological features, treatment, and prognosis of patients with primary intraventricular lymphomas (PIL) in order to enhance physicians' understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of PIL. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 13 cases of PIL that were hospitalized in our institution. Clinical and imaging data of the patients were collected and compared with the pathology data to summarize and analyze the qualitative diagnostic value of magnetic resonance (MR) features. Results: Among the enrolled patients, there were nine males and four females, with an average age of (56 ± 9.0) years. The major clinical features observed in PIL patients were headache and dizziness. All 13 patients underwent plain and contrast-enhanced MR scans, revealing multiple foci in 7 cases and single foci in 6 cases. The lesions were located in the lateral ventricle in 10 cases, the third ventricle in 4 cases, and the fourth ventricle in 4 cases. Plain MR scans demonstrated an isointense or slightly hypointense signal on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and an isointense or slightly hyperintense signal on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). Contrast-enhanced scans showed uniform and consistent enhancement of the tumors. Surgical treatment was performed in all patients, and postoperative pathology confirmed the presence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Conclusions: PIL exhibits specific imaging and pathological features, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma being the main pathological type. Pathological examination and immunophenotype analysis serve as the gold standards for PIL diagnosis.