Follicle-stimulating hormone orchestrates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion of pancreatic islets.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is involved in mammalian reproduction via binding to FSH receptor (FSHR). However, several studies have found that FSH and FSHR play important roles in extragonadal tissue. Here, we identified the expression of FSHR in human and mouse pancreatic islet β-cells.

Proteomics and bioinformatics analysis of cardiovascular related proteins in offspring exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated that exposed to the initial suboptimal intrauterine environment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may increase risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

Methods: In order to investigate the underlying mechanisms involved in the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the offspring of GDM, we applied a high-throughput proteomics approach to compare the proteomic expression profile of human umbilical vessels of normal and GDM offspring.

Results: A total of significantly different 100 proteins were identified in umbilical vessels from GDM group compared with normal controls, among which 31 proteins were up-regulated, while 69 proteins were down-regulated.

Profiling of exosomal microRNAs expression in umbilical cord blood from normal and preeclampsia patients.

Background: Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that preeclampsia has a negative impact on maternity and offspring health. Previous studies report that dysregulation in utero-environment increases risk for elderly disease such as cardiovascular disease. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.

iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis of thoracic aortas from adult rats born to preeclamptic dams.

Background: Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension can cause vascular function impairment in offspring. In our previous work, we described the protein expression profiles of umbilical artery tissues from patients with preeclampsia.

Methods: To gain insights into the mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in adult rats born to preeclamptic dams, we analyzed thoracic aorta tissues by using iTRAQ isobaric tags and 2D nano LC-MS/MS.

microRNA profiles of serum exosomes derived from children with nonalcoholic fatty liver.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic disease caused by excessive fat accumulation in the liver in addition to alcohol consumption and other pathological factors. The incidence of NAFLD is rapidly growing, currently affecting 25% of the world population. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles containing a variety of biological molecules, including microRNAs (miRNAs).

Proteomic and functional analysis of proteins related to embryonic development of decidua in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss†.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as the loss of two or more consecutive pregnancies before the 20 weeks of gestation. RPL affects about 1-2% of couples trying to conceive; however, the mechanisms leading to this complication are largely unknown. Our previous studies using comparative proteomics identified 314 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the placental villous.

High throughput microRNAs sequencing profile of serum exosomes in women with and without polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common type of endocrine disorder, affecting 5-11% of women of reproductive age worldwide. microRNAs (miRNAs) stably exist in circulating blood encapsulated in extracellular vesicles such as exosomes; therefore, serum miRNAs have the potential to serve as novel PCOS biomarkers.

Methods: To identify miRNA biomarkers that are associated with PCOS, we performed a comprehensive sequence-based characterization of the PCOS serum miRNA landscape.

Ranibizumab plus fufang xueshuantong capsule versus ranibizumab alone for exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of ranibizumab plus fufang xueshuantong capsule (cFXST) with the efficacy of ranibizumab alone in treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled, pilot study included 38 eyes from 38 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that were randomly allocated into two cohorts of 19 eyes each: ranibizumab (C) and ranibizumab plus cFXST (C). All patients received three monthly injections of ranibizumab.

MicroRNA-15a modulates lens epithelial cells apoptosis and proliferation through targeting B-cell lymphoma-2 and E2F transcription factor 3 in age-related cataracts.

Age-related cataract remains a serious problem in the aged over the world. MicroRNAs are abnormally expressed in various diseases including age-related cataract. MicroRNA-15a (MicroRNA-15a) has been involved in various diseases and plays crucial roles in many cellular processes.

Proteomics of Uterosacral Ligament Connective Tissue from Women with and without Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

Purpose: Damage to the uterosacral ligaments is an important contributor to uterine and vaginal prolapse. The aim of this study is to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the uterosacral ligaments of women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and analyze their relationships to cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of POP.

Experimental Design: Uterosacral ligament connective tissue from four patients with POP and four control women undergo iTRAQ analysis followed by ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) of DEPs.

Androgen-induced alterations in endometrial proteins crucial in recurrent miscarriages.

High androgen level impairs endometrial receptivity in women experiences the recurrent miscarriage. The mechanism of androgen actions on endometrium is still uncertain. We hypothesized that androgen has a direct effect on the endometrium in women with recurrent miscarriage.

Proteomics and bioinformatics analysis of altered protein expression in the placental villous tissue from early recurrent miscarriage patients.

Introduction: Recurrent miscarriage (RM) affects 5% of women, it has an adverse emotional impact on women. Because of the complexities of early development, the mechanism of recurrent miscarriage is still unclear. We hypothesized that abnormal placenta leads to early recurrent miscarriage (ERM).

Serum estradiol levels in controlled ovarian stimulation directly affect the endometrium.

Previous studies have shown that increasing estradiol concentrations had a toxic effect on the embryo and were deleterious to embryo adhesion. In this study, we evaluated the physiological impact of estradiol concentrations on endometrial cells to reveal that serum estradiol levels probably targeted the endometrium in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocols. An attachment model of human choriocarcinoma (JAr) cell spheroids to receptive-phase endometrial epithelial cells and Ishikawa cells treated with different estradiol (10 M or 10 M) concentrations was developed.

Altered DNA methylation in neonates born large-for-gestational-age is associated with cardiometabolic risk in children.

Background: Infants being born Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) are prone to developing cardiometabolic disease. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Results: Clinical investigation showed that children born LGA had significantly higher serum level of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and insulin, ratio of TC/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) compared to children born appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

Cardiovascular dysfunction in offspring of ovarian-hyperstimulated women and effects of estradiol and progesterone: a retrospective cohort study and proteomics analysis.

Context: The cardiovascular dysfunction in children born with assisted reproductive technologies has been of great concern. However, the association of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a complication of assisted reproductive technologies, with worse cardiovascular functions and underlying mechanism remains unknown.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the cardiovascular functions of children born to mothers with OHSS and investigate the underlying regulator(s).

Differential proteomic analysis of umbilical artery tissue from preeclampsia patients, using iTRAQ isobaric tags and 2D nano LC-MS/MS.

Unlabelled: Epidemiological studies suggest that the impact of preeclampsia does not only affect the mother but also the children. We know that adverse events in utero may predispose individuals to premature cardiovascular disease in adulthood, but we do not know the mechanisms. To gain insights into the mechanisms of cardiovascular dysfunction in the offspring of preeclampsia, we employed a global stable isotope labeled profiling strategy using iTRAQ reagents, followed by 2D-LC-MS/MS.

Versatility of reverse sural fasciocutaneous flap for reconstruction of distal lower limb soft tissue defects.

In this study we present our experiences with the reverse sural fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct the distal lower limb soft tissue defects caused by traumatic injuries. These flap graftings were carried out from Oct. 2010 to Dec.

Spinal changes of a newly isolated neuropeptide endomorphin-2 concomitant with vincristine-induced allodynia.

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CNP) is the major dose-limiting factor in cancer chemotherapy. However, the neural mechanisms underlying CNP remain unclear. There is increasing evidence implicating the involvement of spinal endomorphin-2 (EM2) in neuropathic pain.

The effects of different hyperbaric oxygen manipulations in rats after traumatic brain injury.

The protective effects of hyperbaric oxygenation following traumatic brain injury have been widely investigated; however, few studies have made systematic comparisons between the different hyperbaric oxygenation manipulations and their corresponding effects. In this study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were observed at 4h, 15d and 75d after traumatic brain injury. The effects of the different hyperbaric oxygenation manipulations on the rats were compared based on morphological, molecular biological and behavioral tests.

[Anterior radical debridement and bone grafting with one-stage instrumentation anteriorly or posteriorly for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of anterior radical debridement and autologous ilium or titanium cage interbody autografting with one-stage instrumentation anteriorly or posteriorly for the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis.

Methods: Sixty-eight cases of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis were surgically treated with anterior radical debridement and autologous ilium or titanium cage interbody autografting with one-stage instrumentation anteriorly or posteriorly from Jan 2001 to Feb 2006. Thirty-nine were male and 29 were female age ranged from 28 to 76 years, (average 36.

[Synthetic RGD-containing peptide K16GRGDSPC affected the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells on PLGA-[ASP-PEG] scaffold materials].

Objective: To explore the effects of synthetic RGD-containing peptide K16GRGDSPC covalent bonding with PLGA-[ASP-PEG] scaffold materials on the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs).

Methods: The peptide was synthesized by solid-phase synthesis method and characterized by mass spectrometry and high pressure liquid chromatography. PLGA-[ASP-PEG] scaffold materials were modified with the peptide by cross linker Sulfo-LC-SPDP and detected by XPS.