Pregnancy outcomes in different stages of systemic lupus erythematosus among Chinese women — a retrospective cohort study

Objectives: To analyze the outcomes of pregnancies and risk factors in Chinese women with different stages of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Material and methods: A total of 55 conceptions in 52 patients with SLE between Jan 2007 and Jan 2019 were retrospected systematically from a general hospital graded 3A in China. Medical records provided us a good way to retrieve the clinical parameters and lab data of patients.Results: Pregnant women with SLE activity had significant hyperimmunoglobulin, hypocomplement, low platelet counts, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and 24-h urine protein. Hydroxychloroquine had been used to reduce the rates of SLE activity in pregnant women. Logistic regression analysis showed low platelet counts, hypocomplement and 24-h urine protein were significantly correlated with fetal loss. Compared to those in stable stage, the active SLE patients have more risks of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, thrombocytopenia, lupus nephritis and placental infarction, and have worse fetal outcomes, including the higher rate of fetal loss, preterm and asphyxia neonatorum.Conclusions: Different stages of SLE during pregnancy are closely related to maternal and fetal outcomes. It is imperative to provide SLE women with pregnancy consultation and regular multispecialty care

Circ_0005714/miR-223-3p/ADAM9 regulatory axis affects proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiopoiesis in trophoblast cells

Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have critical roles in various types of diseases, including preeclampsia (PE). Circ_0005714 function in PE was explored in this study. Methods Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed for level analysis of circ_0005714, micoRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 9 (ADAM9). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays were used for cell viability and colony formation detection. Cell proliferation was determined by EdU assay. The determination of migration and invasion was conducted by wound healing assay and transwell assay. Tube formation assay was applied to assess angiopoiesis. Target binding analysis was performed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Western blot was used for protein examination. Results Circ_0005714 was highly expressed in PE placenta tissues. The expression promotion of circ_0005714 reduced proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiopoiesis in trophoblast cells. Furthermore, circ_0005714 acted as a molecular sponge for miR-223-3p and the effects of circ_0005714 on trophoblast cells were achieved by sponging miR-223-3p. Moreover, miR-223-3p could target ADAM9 and knockdown of ADAM9 reversed cell progression inhibition induced by miR-223-3p inhibitor. In addition, circ_0005714 upregulated the ADAM9 expression and inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway through targeting miR-223-3p. Conclusions All results manifested that circ_0005714 retarded the progression of PE by mediating the miR-223-3p/ADAM9 signal network

Sedimentary geochemical evidence for recent eutrophication of Lake Chenghai, Yunnan, China

Geochemical anomalies and stable isotope ratios (δ18O, δ13C) in authigenic carbonates and organic matter (δ13C) from a 660-year sediment core from Lake Chenghai, southern China, provide a continuous history of recent lake eutrophication. The multi-pro

Integrated transcriptomics, proteomics, and functional analysis to characterize the tissue‐specific small extracellular vesicle network of breast cancer

Abstract Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are essential mediators of intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Although the biological features of sEVs have been characterized based on in vitro culture models, recent evidence indicates significant differences between sEVs derived from tissue and those derived from in vitro models in terms of both content and biological function. However, comprehensive comparisons and functional analyses are still limited. Here, we collected sEVs from breast cancer tissues (T‐sEVs), paired normal tissues (N‐sEVs), corresponding plasma (B‐sEVs), and tumor organoids (O‐sEVs) to characterize their transcriptomic and proteomic profiles. We identified the actual cancer‐specific sEV signatures characterized by enriched cell adhesion and immunomodulatory molecules. Furthermore, we revealed the significant contribution of cancer‐associated fibroblasts in the sEV network within the TME. In vitro model‐derived sEVs did not entirely inherit the extracellular matrix‐ and immunity regulation‐related features of T‐sEVs. Also, we demonstrated the greater immunostimulatory ability of T‐sEVs on macrophages and CD8+ T cells compared to O‐sEVs. Moreover, certain sEV biomarkers derived from noncancer cells in the circulation exhibited promising diagnostic potential. This study provides valuable insights into the functional characteristics of tumor tissue‐derived sEVs, highlighting their potential as diagnostic markers and therapeutic agents for breast cancer