UFMylation is associated with LPS-induced inflammatory response in goat endometrial epithelial cells.

The endometrium plays an important role in the defence against invading pathogens, although the mechanisms are not clear. UFMylation is a recently discovered novel ubiquitination-like modification system that plays a pivotal role in inflammation and the immune response. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of UFMylation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in immortalized goat endometrial epithelial cells (gEECs).

CREBZF regulates testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells.

CREBZF, including the two isoforms SMILE (long isoform of CREBZF) and Zhangfei (short isoform of CREBZF), has been identified as a novel transcriptional coregulator of a variety of nuclear receptors. Our previous studies found that SMILE is expressed in the mouse uterine luminal and glandular epithelium and is upregulated by estrogen. In the present study, CREBZF was age-dependently and -specifically expressed in mouse interstitial Leydig cells during sexual maturation.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response and apoptosis in goat endometrial stromal cells.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in regulating cell metabolism, apoptosis, autophagy, and survival. However, there is not enough information about the role of ER stress in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine secretion in the uterus. In this study, we found that LPS induced apoptosis and inflammation in goat endometrial stromal cells (ESCs).

Ambient air pollution, smog episodes and mortality in Jinan, China.

We aimed to assess the acute effects of ambient air pollution and weather conditions on mortality in the context of Chinese smog episodes. A total of 209,321 deaths were recorded in Jinan, a large city in eastern China, during 2011-15. The mean concentrations of daily particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM), fine particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) were 169 μg/m, 100 μg/m, 77 μg/m, and 54 μg/m, respectively.

The impact of temperature extremes on mortality: a time-series study in Jinan, China.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between temperature extremes and daily number of deaths in Jinan, a temperate city in northern China.

Methods: Data ondaily number of deaths and meteorological variables over the period of 2011-2014 were collected. Cold spells or heat waves were defined as ≥3 consecutive days with mean temperature ≤5th percentile or ≥95th percentile, respectively.

Impact of heat waves on nonaccidental deaths in Jinan, China, and associated risk factors.

An ecological study and a case-crossover analysis were conducted to evaluate the impact of heat waves on nonaccidental deaths, and to identify contributing factors of population vulnerability to heat-related deaths in Jinan, China. Daily death data and meteorological data were collected for summer months (June to August) of 2012-2013. Excess mortality was calculated and multivariate linear regression models were used to assess the increased risk of heat waves on deaths.

[Heat vulnerability assessment in Jinan city: a comparison between residents living in urban centers and urban-fringe areas].

Objective: To find out the differences in regional characteristics of heat vulnerability between people living in urban centers and urban-fringe areas of Jinan city so as to provide basis for the development of adaptation measures to heat.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey on heat vulnerability was conducted in urban center and urban-fringe areas of Jinan city, using a self-designed questionnaire among 801 residents at the age of 16 years or older in August 2013. Data of 23 indicators related to heat vulnerability were collected and aggregated to 7 dimensions:health and medical insurance, social networks, heat perception and adaptive behavior, economic status, resources, living environment and working environment.

[Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of acute pesticide poisoning during 2007-2013 in Jinan, China].

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of acute pesticide poisoning in Jinan, China and to provide effective proposals for the prevention and control of pesticide poisoning.

Methods: Reported cases of acute pesticide poisoning from 2007 to 2013 in Jinan were collected and subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS 17.

Results: A total of 4852 cases of acute pesticide poisoning were reported from 2007 to 2013 in Jinan.

Perceptions of heat risk to health: a qualitative study of professional bus drivers and their managers in Jinan, China.

Summer extreme heat threatens the health of individuals, especially persons who are involved in outdoor activities. Ensuring the normal function of a city, bus drivers are among those who participate in outdoor physical activities and are exposed to excessive heat in hot summer weather. This qualitative study was performed to explore professional bus drivers' in-depth views of extreme heat risks to their health, and ultimately develop targeted advice and policy interventions for city bus drivers.