No abstract

No abstract

Microcystins (MCs) are a family of monocyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxins produced by freshwater species of cyanobacteria. Microcystin-LR (MCLR) is the most frequently studied and most toxic in over 80 MC congeners. Great deals of studies have demonstrated that MCLR can induce apoptosis in a wide variety of cell types. Although much evidence indicates that mitochondria play a pivotal role in MCLR-induced apoptosis, the complicated apoptosis mechanisms induced by MCLR have not been completely characterized. It is possible that there are other apoptotic pathways existing in MCLR-induced apoptosis. The present study was undertaken to determine the expression of PP2A, CHOP, Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 proteins in MCLR-induced apoptosis in FL cells. The results showed that MCLR could induce apoptosis in FL cells and the process was accompanied with the upregulation of PP2A, Bax, and p53 proteins and the downregulation of Bcl-2 proteins. In addition, the CHOP protein was upregulated at most treatment groups and decreased at the highest concentration group. These results, especially the alteration of PP2A and CHOP proteins might provide new insights into MCLR-induced apoptosis.

Zhejiang introduced universal salt iodization (USI) programme in 1995 and has achieved the goal of elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) since 2011. However, no systematical data of iodine nutritional status in population in pregnancy is available. In this cross-sectional study, pregnant women were interviewed to complete questionnaires in addition to handing in samples of urine and household table salt between March 2016 to February 2017. Date of birth, age of pregnancy, ethnicity and dietary iodine habits were recorded. The overall median urinary iodine concentration in 8561 pregnant women was 130.47 µg/L, which was lower than the cut-off value of iodine sufficiency of 150 µg/L recommended by the WHO. Participants using non-iodized salt, taking non-iodine-containing supplements, in coastal and in Han group were independently associated with iodine deficiency. The current USI programme did not supply Zhejiang pregnant women with sufficient iodine intake. They are generally iodine deficient, which have great public health importance since even mild IDD in pregnancy have adverse effects on fetal neurodevelopment. We strongly recommend urgent measures to improve iodine intake in pregnancy.

No abstract