Educational attainment and offspring birth weight: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

The association between educational attainment (EA) and offspring birth weight (BW) has been reported by several traditional epidemiological studies. However, evidence for this association tends to be mixed and confounded. This study aimed to investigate the causal association between EA of parents and offspring BW.

Association of placental PPARα/γ and miR-27b expression with macrosomia in healthy pregnancy.

Background: Peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the development of fetuses, whereas expression changes of PPARs and three miRNAs (miR-17, miR-27b and miR-34a) and whether these miRNAs regulate PPARs in non-GDM macrosomia placenta is unclear.

Methods: A case-control study was performed to collect information and placental tissues on mothers and newborns of non-GDM macrosomia and normal-birth-weight infants. In vitro HTR8-SVneo cellular model was used to detect the effects of miRNAs on PPARs expression.

Placental mtDNA copy number and methylation in association with macrosomia in healthy pregnancy.

Introduction: Fetal growth and development depend on metabolic energy from placental mitochondria. However, the impact of placental mitochondria on the occurrence of macrosomia remains unclear. We aimed to explore the association between macrosomia without gestational diabetes mellitus (non-GDM) and changes in placental mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and methylation.

Relationships Between Placental Lipid Activated/Transport-Related Factors and Macrosomia in Healthy Pregnancy.

To assess associations between infants with macrosomia and placental expression levels of lipid activated/transport-related factors and umbilical cord blood lipid concentrations in healthy pregnancy. We conducted a case-control study of 38 macrosomic neonates (MS group) and 39 normal-birth-weight newborns (NC group) in a healthy pregnancy. Cord blood lipid levels were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer, mRNA and protein expression levels of placental lipid activated/transport-related factors were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively.

The bridge stenting-based internal drainage in pancreatic trauma patients with main pancreatic duct injury.

Pancreatic trauma is associated with high mortality and morbidity, especially in main pancreatic duct (MPD) injuries. Here, we introduce a novel technique via the placement of bridge stenting-based internal drainage (BSID) along the injured MPD to restore pancreatic tissue integrity. Twelve patients with MPD injury underwent unobstructed BSID as physical support for healing.

Cord blood leptin DNA methylation levels are associated with macrosomia during normal pregnancy.

Background: We previously demonstrated an association between placental leptin (LEP) methylation levels and macrosomia without gestational diabetes mellitus (non-GDM). This study further explored the association between LEP methylation in cord blood and non-GDM macrosomia.

Method: We carried out a case-control study of 61 newborns with macrosomia (birth weight ≥4000 g) and 69 newborns with normal birth weight (2500-3999 g).

Ultrasonic/CT image fusion guidance facilitating percutaneous catheter drainage in treatment of acute pancreatitis complicated with infected walled-off necrosis.

Background: As the firs-line treatment for acute pancreatitis (AP) related infectious walled-off necrosis (WON), percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) are usually accomplished under CT or US guidance, either of which has certain disadvantages. It is necessary to verify the clinical effects of using US and CT images fusion as guidance of PCD.

Methods: The total 94 consecutive AP patients with infected WON from January of 2013 to January of 2017 were included.

Differentiation-inducing therapeutic effect of Notch inhibition in reversing malignant transformation of liver normal stem cells via MET.

Background: Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) are the key factors for cancer metastasis, recurrent, and drug resistance. LCSCs are originated from either hepatocytes dedifferentiation or differentiation arresting of liver normal stem cells (LNSCs). Differentiation-inducing therapy is a novel strategy in solid tumors.

Placental and cord blood brain derived neurotrophic factor levels are decreased in nondiabetic macrosomia.

Purpose: To measure levels of placental brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression and umbilical cord blood BDNF in neonates with nondiabetic macrosomia and determine associations between these levels and macrosomia.

Methods: This case-control study included 58 nondiabetic macrosomic and 59 normal birth weight mother-infant pairs. Data were collected from interviews and our hospital's database.

Risk factors for gallbladder contractility after cholecystolithotomy in elderly high-risk surgical patients.

Objective: Cholecystolithiasis is a common disease in the elderly patient. The routine therapy is open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In the previous study, we designed a minimally invasive cholecystolithotomy based on percutaneous cholecystostomy combined with a choledochoscope (PCCLC) under local anesthesia.

Outcome benefit of abdominal paracentesis drainage for severe acute pancreatitis patients with serum triglyceride elevation by decreasing serum lipid metabolites.

Background: Our previous reports demonstrated that abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) exerts a beneficial effect on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients. However, the underlying mechanisms for this effectiveness are not well understood.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 132 consecutive non-hypertriglyceridemia (HTG)-induced SAP patients with triglyceride (TG) elevation and pancreatitis-associated ascitic fluid (PAAF) was recruited from May 2010 to May 2015 and included in this study.

A 21-35 kDa Mixed Protein Component from Helicobacter pylori Activates Mast Cells Effectively in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) seem to involve in the etiology of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). But studies of the pathogenic mechanism are very little.

Decreased miR-143 and increased miR-21 placental expression levels are associated with macrosomia.

Macrosomia, a birth weight ≥ 4,000 g, is associated with maternal and infant health problems. The dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the placenta is associated with adverse birth outcomes, yet whether aberrantly expressed placental miRNAs are associated with macrosomia remains unknown. The aim of the current study was to characterize the expression of three placental miRNAs (miR‑6, ‑21 and ‑143) and evaluate their association with macrosomia.

Intra-Abdominal Pressure Reduction After Percutaneous Catheter Drainage Is a Protective Factor for Severe Pancreatitis Patients With Sterile Fluid Collections.

Objectives: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a fatal disease with natural course of early SAP (ESAP) and late SAP (LSAP) phases. Peripancreatic percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) is effective in management of LSAP. Although our previous study indicates that intra-abdominal PCD ahead of peripancreatic PCD benefits ESAP patients with sterile fluid collections, the mechanism is still uncovered.

Gastric bypass surgery in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 1-year follow-up of 58 cases in Chinese.

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of gastric bypass surgery in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Clinical data of 58 non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes (body mass index range from 22.1-25.

Down-Regulation of Renal Gluconeogenesis in Type II Diabetic Rats Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery: A Potential Mechanism in Hypoglycemic Effect.

Objective: This study was initiated to evaluate the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery on renal gluconeogenesis in type 2 diabetic rats and its relationship with hormonal parameters.

Methods: Diabetic rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 35 mg/kg) combined with a high-fat diet. They were then randomly divided into three groups: diabetes model group (DM group, n = 8), sham Roux-en-Y gastric bypass group (SRYGB group, n = 8), and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass group (RYGB group, n = 14).

Predictors of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) after abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) in patients with moderately severe or severe acute pancreatitis along with fluid collections.

Aims: Although we previously demonstrated abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) preceding percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) as the central step for treating patients with moderately severe (MSAP) or severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), the predictors leading to PCD after APD have not been studied.

Methods: Consecutive patients with MSAP or SAP were recruited between June 2011 and June 2013. As a step-up approach, all patients initially received medical management, later underwent ultrasound-guided APD before PCD, if necessary, followed by endoscopic necrosectomy through the path formed by PCD.

[A novel method based on Y-shaped cotton-polyester thread microfluidic channel].

A novel method based on Y-shaped microfluidic channel was firstly proposed in this study. The microfluidic channel was made of two cotton-polyester threads based on the capillary effect of cotton-polyester threads for the determination solutions. A special device was developed to fix the Y-shaped microfluidic channel by ourselves, through which the length and the tilt angle of the channel can be adjusted as requested.

Birth weight is associated with placental fat mass- and obesity-associated gene expression and promoter methylation in a Chinese population.

Objective: To explore the relationship between birth weight and fat mass- and obesity-associated (FTO) gene expression and promoter methylation status in the Chinese population.

Methods: Seventy-five neonates and their mothers were recruited from Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Subjects were divided into three groups by birth weight: low (< 3,500 g, n = 20), medium (3,500-3,999 g, n = 30) and high (≥ 4,000 g, n = 25).

Abdominal paracentesis drainage ahead of percutaneous catheter drainage benefits patients attacked by acute pancreatitis with fluid collections: a retrospective clinical cohort study.

Objective: The efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided abdominal paracentesis drainage ahead of percutaneous catheter drainage as the new second step of a step-up approach are evaluated.

Design: The observed parameters were compared between groups including mortality, infection, organ failure, inflammatory factor levels, indexes of further interventions, and drainage-related complications.

Patients: This retrospective study included 102 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis from June 2009 to June 2011.

[Derivative synchronous fluorimetry for determination of synthetic food dyes in food].

The first order derivative synchronous fluoremetry was proposed for simultaneous determination of sunset yellow and ponceau 4R The effect of different experimental conditions, such as different pH for character of fluorescence spectra and the choosing of the optimal wavelength difference were studied. It was showed that the zero-crossing points were at 313. 6 nm for ponceau 4R and at 302.

Notch inhibition promotes fetal liver stem/progenitor cells differentiation into hepatocytes via the inhibition of HNF-1β.

In a previous study, the Notch pathway inhibited with N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (also called DAPT) was shown to promote the differentiation of fetal liver stem/progenitor cells (FLSPCs) into hepatocytes and to impair cholangiocyte differentiation. The precise mechanism for this, however, was not elucidated. Two mechanisms are possible: Notch inhibition might directly up-regulate hepatocyte differentiation via HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) and HNF (hepatocyte nuclear factor)-4α or might impair cholangiocyte differentiation thereby indirectly rendering hepatocyte differentiation as the dominant state.

Berberine ameliorates severe acute pancreatitis‑induced intestinal barrier dysfunction via a myosin light chain phosphorylation‑dependent pathway.

Berberine is a traditional drug used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in China and has been demonstrated to attenuate intestinal barrier dysfunction in certain animal models. However, the effects of berberine on pancreatitis-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction are yet to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of berberine pretreatment on the attenuation of intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Ultrasound-guided double-tract percutaneous cholecystostomy combined with a choledochoscope for performing cholecystolithotomies in high-risk surgical patients.

Background: Cholecystolithiasis is the most common disease treated by general surgery, with an incidence of about 0.15-0.22%.