Microfluidics: The future of sperm selection in assisted reproduction.

Background: Obtaining functional sperm cells is the first step to treat infertility. With the ever-increasing trend in male infertility, clinicians require access to effective solutions that are able to single out the most viable spermatozoa, which would max out the chance for a successful pregnancy. The new generation techniques for sperm selection involve microfluidics, which offers laminar flow and low Reynolds number within the platforms can provide unprecedented opportunities for sperm selection.

Development of a novel cervix-inspired tortuous microfluidic system for efficient, high-quality sperm selection.

Microfluidic systems have been extensively studied in recent years as potential alternatives for problematic conventional methods of sperm selection. However, despite the widespread use of simple straight channels in these systems, the impact of channel geometry on selected sperm quality has not been thoroughly investigated. To explore this further, we designed and fabricated serpentine microchannels with different radii of curvature, inspired by the tortuous structure of the cervix.

GSTs polymorphisms are associated with epigenetic silencing of CDKN2A gene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer and the sixth most frequent cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons formed by incomplete combustion of organic matter is an important risk factor. Genetic polymorphisms in genes encoding PAH-metabolizing enzymes like glutathione S-transferases (GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1) which conjugate glutathione to PAHs for reduction of oxidative stress may affect an individual's response to PAH exposure.

Gut microbiome identifies risk for colorectal polyps.

Objective: To characterise the gut microbiome in subjects with and without polyps and evaluate the potential of the microbiome as a non-invasive biomarker to screen for risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Design: Presurgery rectal swab, home collected stool, and sigmoid biopsy samples were obtained from 231 subjects undergoing screening or surveillance colonoscopy. 16S rRNA analysis was performed on 552 samples (231 rectal swab, 183 stool, 138 biopsy) and operational taxonomic units (OTU) were identified using UPARSE.

ErbB1 and ErbB3 co-over expression as a prognostic factor in gastric cancer.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor family members such as ErbB1 and ErbB3 are involved in tumor progression and metastasis. Although, there are various reports about the prognostic value of EGFR members separately in gastric cancer, there is not any report about the probable correlation between ErbB1 and ErbB3 co-expression and gastric cancer prognosis. In present study, we assessed the correlation between ErbB1 and ErbB3 co-overexpression (in the level of mRNA and protein expression) and gastric cancer prognosis for the first time.