Excessive miR-152-3p Results in Increased BAFF Expression in SLE B-Cells by Inhibiting the KLF5 Expression

The increased BAFF expression in B-cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with B-cell hyperstimulation and T-cell hyperactivity, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study aimed to uncover the mechanisms that regulate the BAFF expression in SLE B-cells. The results demonstrated that the expression of miR-152-3p was significantly increased in SLE B-cells compared with normal controls. This study confirmed that Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) was a direct target of miR-152-3p, and it could bind to the promoter region of BAFF and inhibit its expression in B-cells. The upregulation of miRNA-152-3p expression decreased the KLF5 expression and increased the BAFF expression in SLE B-cells. Knockdown of miR-152-3p expression inhibited the self-reactivity of SLE B-cells, thereby reducing the autoantibody production. The increased miR-152-3p expression in SLE B-cells led to an increase in BAFF expression by inhibiting KLF5 expression. These factors caused B-cell self-reactivity and autoantibody production, allowing participation in the disease process of SLE

N-Methyl-d-aspartic Acid (NMDA) Receptor Is Involved in the Inhibitory Effect of Ketamine on Human Sperm Functions

Ketamine, which used to be widely applied in human and animal medicine as a dissociative anesthetic, has become a popular recreational drug because of its hallucinogenic effect. Our previous study preliminarily proved that ketamine could inhibit human sperm function by affecting intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). However, the specific signaling pathway of [Ca2+]i induced by ketamine in human sperm is still not clear yet. Here, the N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor was detected in the tail region of human sperm. Its physiological ligand, NMDA (50 μM), could reverse ketamine’s inhibitory effect on human sperm function, and its antagonist, MK801 (100 μM), could restrain the effect of NMDA. The inhibitory effect caused by 4 mM ketamine or 100 μM MK801 on [Ca2+]i, which is a central factor in the regulation of human sperm function, could also be recovered by 50 μM NMDA. The results suggest that the NMDA receptor is probably involved in the inhibitory effect of ketamine on human sperm functions

Mapping Annual Tidal Flat Loss and Gain in the Micro-Tidal Area Integrating Dual Full-Time Series Spectral Indices

Tracking long-term tidal flat dynamics is crucial for coastal restoration decision making. Accurately capturing the loss and gain of tidal flats due to human-induced disturbances is challenging in the micro-tidal areas. In this study, we developed an automated method for mapping the annual tidal flat changes in the micro-tidal areas under intense human activities, by integrating spectral harmonization, time series segmentation from dual spectral indices, and the tide-independent hierarchical classification strategy. Our method has two key novelties. First, we adopt flexible temporal segments for each pixel based on the dual full-time series spectral indices, instead of solely using a fixed period window, to help obtain more reliable inundation frequency features. Second, a tide-independent hierarchical classification strategy based on the inundation features and the Otsu algorithm capture the tidal flat changes well. Our method performed well in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao (GHKM), a typical area with micro-tidal range and intense human activities, with overall accuracies of 89% and 92% for conversion types and turning years, respectively. The tidal flats in GHKM decreased by 24% from 1986 to 2021, resulting from the loss of 504.45 km2, partially offset by an accretion of 179.88 km2. Further, 70.9% of the total loss was in the Great Bay Area, concentrated in 1991–1998 and 2001–2016. The historical trajectories of tidal flat loss were driven by various policies implemented by the national, provincial, and local governments. Our method is promising for extension to other micro-tidal areas to provide more scientific support for coastal resource management and restoration

Factors influencing postpartum blood glucose screening among women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus in a rural community.

The aims of the present study were: a) to investigate the current state of postpartum glucose screening in rural China; and b) to explore the factors influencing postpartum blood glucose screening among women with prior GDM based on Andersen's behavioural model of health service use. A multisite, cross-sectional study design, conducted from November 2017 to January 2018. A total of 465 women with prior GDM were included from two county-level hospitals in rural China. The potential influencing factors for postpartum blood glucose screening based on Andersen's behavioural model, including predisposing, enabling, and need factors, were collected by self-reported questionnaires. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to explore the influence of these factors on whether screening of blood glucose level after delivery occurred. The mean age of the women was 31.92 years old (SD 5.16) and the mean time after delivery was 16.73 months (SD 15.07). The postpartum glucose screening proportion was 32.7%. Women who did not have a full-time job (p= .011) (predisposing factor), had not received any treatment for GDM (p= .002), and were not informed about screening plans for diabetes by health professionals (p < .001) (enabling factor) were less likely to engage in postpartum glucose screening. The need factor, high actual risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), was not associated with postpartum blood glucose screening (p> .05). In rural China, most women with prior GDM were not screened for T2DM after delivery. The women with prior GDM who did not have a full-time job or had not received any prior treatment for GDM should be the target population for health education on postpartum glucose screening. There is a need for data on postpartum blood glucose testing rates among rural women. Future interventions aimed at increasing postpartum blood glucose screening are needed

Factors influencing postpartum blood glucose screening among women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus in a rural community

AIMS:The aims of the present study were: a) to investigate the current state of postpartum glucose screening in rural China; and b) to explore the factors influencing postpartum blood glucose screening among women with prior GDM based on Andersen's behavioural model of health service use. DESIGN:A multisite, cross-sectional study design, conducted from November 2017 to January 2018. METHODS:A total of 465 women with prior GDM were included from two county-level hospitals in rural China. The potential influencing factors for postpartum blood glucose screening based on Andersen's behavioural model, including predisposing, enabling, and need factors, were collected by self-reported questionnaires. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to explore the influence of these factors on whether screening of blood glucose level after delivery occurred. RESULTS:The mean age of the women was 31.92 years old (SD 5.16) and the mean time after delivery was 16.73 months (SD 15.07). The postpartum glucose screening proportion was 32.7%. Women who did not have a full-time job (p= .011) (predisposing factor), had not received any treatment for GDM (p= .002), and were not informed about screening plans for diabetes by health professionals (p < .001) (enabling factor) were less likely to engage in postpartum glucose screening. The need factor, high actual risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), was not associated with postpartum blood glucose screening (p> .05). CONCLUSIONS:In rural China, most women with prior GDM were not screened for T2DM after delivery. The women with prior GDM who did not have a full-time job or had not received any prior treatment for GDM should be the target population for health education on postpartum glucose screening. IMPACT:There is a need for data on postpartum blood glucose testing rates among rural women. Future interventions aimed at increasing postpartum blood glucose screening are needed