An innovative design for trophectoderm biopsy without laser pulses: a step-by-step demonstration.

Objective: To present a novel trophectoderm biopsy method, independent of laser pulses, using innovatively designed micropipettes on blastocysts at different stages and show variable characteristics.

Design: A step-by-step demonstration of this method with narrated video.

Setting: In vitro laboratory fertilization.

An effective method for trophectoderm biopsy using mechanical blunt dissection: a step-by-step demonstration.

Objective: To present an effective approach to trophectoderm biopsy for blastocysts of different stages and characteristics by mechanical blunt dissection (MBD).

Design: Stepwise demonstration with still pictures and operational video clips to explain tips and tricks for trophectoderm biopsy. (This demonstration was approved by the Reproductive Study Ethics Committee at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University.

Minimally invasive preimplantation genetic testing using blastocyst culture medium.

Study Question: Is minimally invasive chromosome screening (MICS) using blastocyst culture medium (BCM) sufficiently fast and accurate for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).

Summary Answer: A new assay for MICS, named MICS-Inst achieved high-resolution, comprehensive chromosome ploidy detection using BCM.

What Is Known Already: BCM is a viable source of genomic DNA for use in PGT.

High-Performance Additive-/Post-Treatment-Free Nonfullerene Polymer Solar Cells via Tuning Molecular Weight of Conjugated Polymers.

In recent years, rapid advances are achieved in polymer solar cells (PSCs) using nonfullerene small molecular acceptors. However, no research disclosing the influence of molecular weight (M ) of conjugated polymer on the nonfullerene device performance is reported. In this work, a series of polymers with different M s are synthesized to systematically investigate the connection between M and performance of nonfullerene devices for the first time.

Thyroid cancer 1 (C8orf4) shows high expression, no mutation and reduced methylation level in lung cancers, and its expression correlates with β-catenin and DNMT1 expression and poor prognosis.

Thyroid cancer 1 (TC1, C8orf4) plays important roles in tumors. The aim of this study was to examine the protein expression levels, methylation status, and mutational status of () in lung cancers, and investigate the correlation between TC1, other members of the Wnt signaling pathway, and lung cancer. TC1 expression levels were assessed via immunohistochemical staining in 179 cases of lung cancer.

Effect of assisted hatching on pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Emerging evidence suggests that assisted hatching (AH) techniques may improve clinical pregnancy rates, particularly in poor prognosis patients; however, there still remains considerable uncertainty. We conducted a meta-analysis to verify the effect of AH on pregnancy outcomes. We searched for related studies published in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases from start dates to October 10, 2015.

Expression of PHF20 protein contributes to good prognosis of NSCLC and is associated with Bax expression.

Background: Recent studies demonstrate that plant homeodomain finger protein 20 (PHF20), which was initially described as an immunogenic antigen in glioblastoma, is a putative transcriptional factor, and exhibits tumor suppressor activity. However, little is known about its expression and clinical significance in lung cancer.

Methods: We investigated the expression of PHF20 in 142 cases of NSCLC tissue and 30 cases of normal lung tissue by immunohistochemical staining and downregulated PHF20 expression in SPC cell.

Side-Chain Engineering for Enhancing the Thermal Stability of Polymer Solar Cells.

An effective strategy of engineering side chains is proposed for enhancing solar-cell-device thermal stability. As the conjugated length of the side chains increases, the morphological stability of the blend film is enhanced. The thermal stability of corresponding devices is consequently improved.

A novel biomarker ARMc8 promotes the malignant progression of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy worldwide, and the survival rates have remained low in spite of medical advancements. More research is dedicated to the identification of novel biomarkers for this deadly disease. The association between ARMc8 and ovarian cancer remained unraveled.

Selective, highly sensitive fluorescent probe for the detection of sulfur dioxide derivatives in aqueous and biological environments.

On the basis of a unique nucleophilic addition reaction, a novel water-soluble broadly emitting (500-700 nm) fluorescent Probe 1 was developed for the rapid detection of SO2 derivatives in aqueous media. The positively-charged benzopyrylium moiety in Probe 1 provides both excellent water solubility, making this probe applicable in 100% aqueous environments, and the ability to function as a fluorescence quencher of the coumarin moiety. Probe 1 generates a nearly instantaneous strong fluorescence signal in response to SO2 derivatives having an 8.

[Semen expulsion under the ureterocystoscope].

Objective: To determine the exact location of the opening of the ejaculatory duct in men and provide some basic anatomical evidence for seminal vesiculoscopy and the treatment of ejaculatory duct obstruction.

Methods: We performed ureterocystoscopy for 21 male patients aged 26 - 47 years with hematuria (n = 12), hematospermia (n = 2), glandular cystitis (n = 6), and anejaculation after radical resection of rectal carcinoma (n = 1), and meanwhile, with the consent of the patients, massaged the prostate and ejaculatory duct and observed the outlet of the expelled fluid. Under the microscope, we described the fluid samples with sperm as the expulsion from the ejaculatory duct.

Aberrant hypermethylation and reduced expression of disabled-2 promote the development of lung cancers.

Disabled-2 (Dab2) is considered a tumor suppressor and is downregulated in cancers. We examined the promoter methylation status and expression levels of Dab2, and investigated their roles in the development of lung cancers. Methylation-specific PCR was employed to analyze the methylation status of Dab2 in 100 lung cancer tissues.

[Outcomes of IVF-ET and percentage of morphologically normal sperm before and after swim-up treatment].

Objective: To study the relationship between sperm morphology and the outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) before and after swim-up treatment of sperm on the day of oocyte retrieval.

Methods: This study included 94 couples to be treated by IVF-ET for tubal factor infertility. Sperm samples were collected on the day of oocyte retrieval and sperm morphology evaluated according to the Kruger criteria before and after swim-up treatment.

[Intracytoplasmic sperm injection for obstructive azoospermia].

Objective: To sum up the experience in the treatment of obstructive azoospermia by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 107 cases of obstructive azoospermia treated by ICSI in our center from Jan. 2006 to Dec.