Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy: a multi-center case-control study

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is the leading cause of maternal death during the first trimester of pregnancy. A better understanding of EP risk can help prevent its occurrence. We carried out a multi-center, large-sample, case-control study to evaluate the risk factors for EP in Shanghai, China. METHODS: Women who were diagnosed with EP (n = 2411) and women with intrauterine pregnancies (n = 2416) were recruited from five hospitals in Shanghai, China. Information regarding the sociodemographic characteristics; reproductive, gynecological and surgical history; and previous and current use of contraceptives was collected from all participants. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and adjusted for potential confounding factors via multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study revealed that the risk of EP was associated with the traditional risk factors including previous EP (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.72, 95 % CI: 1.83–4.05), previous Chlamydia trachomatis infection (Adjusted OR = 3.18, 95 % CI: 2.64, 3.84), previous infertility (AOR = 2.18, 95 % CI: 1.66–2.88), previous adnexal surgery (AOR = 2.09, 95 % CI: 1.49–2.93), previous appendectomy (AOR = 1.64, 95 % CI: 1.13–2.37), and previous use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) (AOR = 1.72, 95 % CI: 1.39–2.13). Additionally, EP risk was increased following the failure of most contraceptives used in the current cycle including IUDs (AOR = 16.43, 95 % CI: 10.42–25.89), oral contraceptive pills (AOR = 3.02, 95 % CI: 1.16–7.86), levonorgestrel emergency contraception (AOR = 4.75, 95 % CI: 3.79–5.96), and female sterilization (AOR = 4 .73, 95 % CI: 1.04–21.52). Stratified analysis showed that in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) was the main risk factor for EP in women with tubal infertility (AOR = 8.99, 95 % CI: 1.98–40.84), although IVF-ET showed no association with EP in women with non-tubal infertility (AOR = 2.52, 95 % CI: 0.14–44.67). CONCLUSION: In addition to the traditional risk factors, IVF-ET and current IUD use play dominant roles in the occurrence of EP. Attention should be given to women with tubal infertility who have undergone IVE-ET treatment

Association of anticardiolipin, antiphosphatidylserine, anti-β2 glycoprotein I, and antiphosphatidylcholine autoantibodies with canine immune thrombocytopenia

β2GPI expression and identification. (PDF 159 kb

The top quark rare decays with flavor violation

In the present study, we investigate the decays of the top quark $t\rightarrow c\gamma$, $t\rightarrow cg$, $t\rightarrow cZ$ and $t\rightarrow ch$. They are extremely rare processes in the Standard Model (SM). As the $U(1)_X$ extension of the minimal supersymmetric standard model, the $U(1)_X$SSM features new superfields such as the right-handed neutrinos and three Higgs singlet states. We analyze the effects of different sensitivity parameters on the results and make reasonable theorecial predictions useful for future experimental developments. Considering the constraint of the updated experimental data, the numerical results show that the branching ratios of all four processes $t\rightarrow c\gamma,~cg,~cZ,~ch$ can reach the same order of magnitude as their experimental upper limits. Among them, $\tan\beta$ has the most obvious effect on each process and is the main parameter. $g_X$, $g_{YX}$, $\mu$, $M_2$, $\lambda_H$, $M_{U23}^2$ and $M_{Q23}^2$ are important parameters for the processes, and have effects on the numerical results.Comment: pages 22, figures 1

A Systematic Study on Energy Dependence of Quasi-Periodic Oscillation Frequency in GRS 1915+105

Systematically studying all the RXTE/PCA observations for GRS 1915+105 before November 2010, we have discovered three additional patterns in the relation between Quasi-Periodic Oscillation (QPO) frequency and photon energy, extending earlier outcomes reported by Qu et al. (2010). We have confirmed that as QPO frequency increases, the relation evolves from the negative correlation to positive one. The newly discovered patterns provide new constraints on the QPO models

The CDEX-1 1 kg Point-Contact Germanium Detector for Low Mass Dark Matter Searches

The CDEX Collaboration has been established for direct detection of light dark matter particles, using ultra-low energy threshold p-type point-contact germanium detectors, in China JinPing underground Laboratory (CJPL). The first 1 kg point-contact germanium detector with a sub-keV energy threshold has been tested in a passive shielding system located in CJPL. The outputs from both the point-contact p+ electrode and the outside n+ electrode make it possible to scan the lower energy range of less than 1 keV and at the same time to detect the higher energy range up to 3 MeV. The outputs from both p+ and n+ electrode may also provide a more powerful method for signal discrimination for dark matter experiment. Some key parameters, including energy resolution, dead time, decay times of internal X-rays, and system stability, have been tested and measured. The results show that the 1 kg point-contact germanium detector, together with its shielding system and electronics, can run smoothly with good performances. This detector system will be deployed for dark matter search experiments.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figure

Response of wheat aphid to insecticides is influenced by the interaction between temperature amplitudes and insecticide characteristics

Introduction: Climate change not only directly affects the phenotype of organisms but also indirectly impacts their physiology, for example, by altering their susceptibility to insecticides. Changed diurnal temperature fluctuations are an important aspect of climate change; ignoring the impact of these fluctuations on the biological effects of various chemical insecticides can lead to inaccurate assessments of insecticide risk under the current and future climate change scenarios.Methods: In this study, we studied effects of different temperature amplitudes (± 0, ± 6, ± 12°C) at the same mean temperature (22°C) on the life history traits of a globally distributed pest (Sitobion avenae, wheat aphid), in response to low doses of two insecticides. The first, imidacloprid shows a positive temperature coefficient; the second, beta-cypermethrin has a negative temperature coefficient.Results: Compared with the results seen with the constant temperature (22°C), a wide temperature amplitude (± 12°C) amplified the negative effects of imidacloprid on the survival, longevity, and fecundity of S. avenae, but significantly increased the early fecundity of the wheat aphid. Beta-cypermethrin positively impacted the wheat aphid at all temperature amplitudes studied. Specifically, beta-cypermethrin significantly increased the survival, longevity, and fecundity of S. avenae under medium temperature amplitude (± 6°C). There were no significant differences in the survival, longevity, and the early fecundity of S. avenae when it was treated with beta-cypermethrin at the wide temperature amplitude (± 12°C). However, the negative effect of beta-cypermethrin on the intrinsic rate of increase of S. avenae decreased gradually with the increase in temperature amplitude.Discussion: In conclusion, the response of S. avenae to positive temperature coefficient insecticides was markedly affected by temperature amplitude, while negative temperature coefficient insecticides increased the environmental adaptability of S. avenae to various temperature amplitudes. Our results highlight the importance of the integrated consideration of diurnal temperature fluctuations and different temperature coefficient insecticide interactions in climate-change-linked insecticide risk assessment; these results emphasize the need for a more fine-scale approach within the context of climate change and poison sensitivity

Mitochondrial BNIP3 upregulation precedes endonuclease G translocation in hippocampal neuronal death following oxygen-glucose deprivation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Caspase-independent apoptotic pathways are suggested as a mechanism for the delayed neuronal death following ischemic insult. However, the underlying signalling mechanisms are largely unknown. Recent studies imply the involvement of several mitochondrial proteins, including endonuclease G (EndoG) and Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa-interacting protein (BNIP3), in the pathway of non-neuronal cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this report, using western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry, we found that EndoG upregulates and translocates from mitochondria to nucleus in a time-dependent manner in cultured hippocampal neurons following oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Moreover, the translocation of EndoG occurs hours before the observable nuclear pyknosis. Importantly, the mitochondrial upregulation of BNIP3 precedes the translocation of EndoG. Forced expression of BNIP3 increases the nuclear translocation of EndoG and neuronal death while knockdown of BNIP3 decreases the OGD-induced nuclear translocation of EndoG and neuronal death.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that BNIP3 and EndoG play important roles in hippocampal neuronal apoptosis following ischemia, and mitochondrial BNIP3 is a signal protein upstream of EndoG that can induce neuronal death.</p