A Case of Cryptococcosis Due to a New Cryptococcus Neoformans Sequence Type in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

In this article, we report a male patient infected with HIV presenting with cryptococcal meningitis, pneumonia, and bloodstream infection, along with intestinal obstruction and gastrointestinal bleeding. Cerebrospinal fluid and bloodstream analyses revealed the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans complex. The isolated strain was sequenced and was found to belong to Cryptococcus neoformans var.

Effect of day 3 embryo cell number on the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of day 4 single embryo transfer from fresh cycles.

Background: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the impact of day 3(D3) embryo cell number on the clinical pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of day 4(D4) single embryo transfer in fresh cycles.

Methods: The study included 431 day 4 single embryo transfer in fresh cycles conducted between December 2018 and June 2023. These cycles were divided into three groups according to the day 3 embryo cell number: 248 cycles in the 7 ~ 9-cell group, 149 cycles in the 10 ~ 13-cell group and 34 cycles in the >13-cell group, and clinical pregnancy outcomes and neonatal outcomes were compared among the three groups.

Elevated ITGA3 expression serves as a novel prognostic biomarker and regulates tumor progression in cervical cancer.

Patients with advanced and recurrent cervical cancer often lack satisfactory treatment outcomes. Thus, it is necessary to seek reliable biomarkers that provide the ability to identify the disease at an early stage and predict the patient prognosis, providing new strategies for the treatment of cervical cancer. The sequencing data of ITGA3 were retrieved from public datasets.

Multi-Locus Sequence Typing-Based Genetic Analysis, Antifungal Resistance, and Clinical Prognosis of Cryptococcus neoformans Infections in HIV-Infected Patients in Northern China.

This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics and drug sensitivity of Cryptococcus from HIV-infected patients and their relationship with patients' prognosis. Seventy-six strains were collected and identified to the species level by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, confirmed by internal transcribed spacer sequencing. Multi-locus sequence typing was used for the typing of Cryptococcus, and its antifungal susceptibility was tested using FUNGUS 3.

Association between parity and female mortality: the mediative role of depressive symptoms.

Study Question: Is parity associated with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among women in a nationally representative cohort of the US population, and does depression mediate this association?

Summary Answer: Nulliparous women have a higher risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality, with depression partially mediating the relationship between parity and women's all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

What Is Known Already: Parity, a significant state in reproductive life, has enduring implications for women's health. There is also a complex relationship between depression, a prevalent mental and emotional disorder, and female fertility.

Clinical features and prognostic factors of cryptococcal infections in HIV-infected patients: a 10-year study from an infectious disease specialist hospital.

Background: Cryptococcosis is an invasive infection that commonly affects immunosuppressed individuals, especially patients with HIV infection. Cryptococcal infection in HIV-infected patients should be considered a major health concern because it is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of cryptococcal infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients to facilitate effective clinical management and improve patient outcomes.

[Correlation of lipid metabolism-related single nucleotide polymorphisms with abnormal semen quality in men].

Objective: To explore the potential impact of lipid metabolism-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on semen quality in men.

Methods: We selected 284 semen samples from Xingtai Infertility Hospital and Hebei Human Sperm Bank collected between February and October 2023, 33 from oligozoospermia (OS), 97 from asthenozoospermia (AS) and 54 from oligoasthenozoospermia (OAS) patients and the other 100 from normal men. We performed computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) of the samples, extracted blood DNA and, using the MassARRAY System, genotyped the target genes, determined the genotypes of 13 SNPs and compared their distribution, their correlation with BMI and semen quality in different groups.

Targeting Decidual CD16 Immune Cells with Exosome-Based Glucocorticoid Nanoparticles for Miscarriage.

Immune dysfunction in early pregnancy including overactivation of cytotoxic CD16 NK cells and proinflammatory M1 macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface interferes with trophoblast invasion, spiral artery remodeling, and decidualization, potentially leading to miscarriage. Immunosuppressants like glucocorticoids (GCs) are used to regulate the immune microenvironment in clinical treatment, but the lack of safe and efficient tissue-specific drug delivery systems, especially immune cell-specific vectors, limits their widespread clinical application. Here, a previously uncharacterized delivery system is reported, termed GC-Exo-CD16Ab, in which GCs are loaded into purified exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, and subsequently decorated with antibody CD16Ab.

The correlation between HOMA-IR and cardiometabolic risk index among different metabolic adults: a cross-sectional study.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the correlation between homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)and cardiometabolic risk index(CMRI) among different metabolic adults to evaluate the value of HOMA-IR in predicting cardiometabolic risk.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over 18 months (from August 1, 2020 to February 18, 2022) and included 1550 participants divided into non-metabolic syndrome (non-MetS) group (n = 628) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) group (n = 922) in three centers of China. Logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between HOMA-IR, body fat percentage, BMI (body mass index), visceral fat index, waist-to-hip ratio, vitamin D, and CMRI.

Organ-on-a-chip: future of female reproductive pathophysiological models.

The female reproductive system comprises the internal and external genitalia, which communicate through intricate endocrine pathways. Besides secreting hormones that maintain the female secondary sexual characteristics, it also produces follicles and offspring. However, the in vitro systems have been very limited in recapitulating the specific anatomy and pathophysiology of women.

IGF2BP3 participates in the pathogenesis of recurrent spontaneous abortion by regulating ferroptosis.

The aberrant invasive capability of trophoblast cells is widely acknowledged as a primary mechanism underlying RSA. Recently, IGF2BP3 has been implicated in various cancers due to its influence on cellular invasion and migration. However, whether IGF2BP3 involve in the occurrence of RSA and the specific functions it assumes in the development of RSA remain elusive.

[Expressions of zinc homeostasis proteins, GPR39 and ANO1 mRNA in the sperm of asthenozoospermia patients and their clinical significance].

Objective: To explore the expressions of zinc homeostasis-related proteins, G protein-coupled receptor 39 (GPR39) and ANO1 mRNA in the sperm of patients with asthenozoospermia (AS), and analyze their correlation with sperm motility.

Methods: We collected semen samples from 82 male subjects with PR+NP < 40%, PR < 32% and sperm concentration > 15×10⁶/ml (the AS group, n = 40) or PR+NP ≥ 40%, PR ≥ 32% and sperm concentration > 15×10⁶/ml (the normal control group, n = 42). We analyzed the routine semen parameters and measured the zinc content in the seminal plasma using the computer-assisted sperm analysis system, detected the expressions of zinc transporters (ZIP13, ZIP8 and ZNT10), metallothioneins (MT1G, MT1 and MTF), GPR39, and calcium-dependent chloride channel protein (ANO1) in the sperm by real-time quantitative PCR (RT qPCR), examined free zinc distribution in the sperm by laser confocal microscopy, and determined the expressions of GPR39 and MT1 proteins in the sperm by immunofluorescence staining, followed by Spearman rank correlation analysis of their correlation with semen parameters.

Coaxial nanofibrous aerogel featuring porous network-structured channels for ovarian cancer treatment by sustained release of chitosan oligosaccharide.

Ovarian cancer, the deadliest gynecological malignancy, primarily treated with chemotherapy. However, systemic chemotherapy often leads to severe toxic side effects and chemoresistance. Drug-loaded aerogels have emerged as a promising method for drug delivery, as they can improve drug solubility and bioavailability, control drug release, and reduce drug distribution in non-targeted tissues, thereby minimizing side effects.

Unexpected Self-Assembly of Nanographene Oxide Membranes upon Electron Beam Irradiation for Ultrafast Ion Sieving.

Nanographene oxide (nGO) flakes-graphene oxide with a lateral size of ≈100 nm or less-hold great promise for superior flux and energy-efficient nanofiltration membranes for desalination and precise ionic sieving owing to their unique high-density water channels with less tortuousness. However, their potential usage is currently limited by several challenges, including the tricky self-assembly of nano-sized flakes on substrates with micron-sized pores, severe swelling in aqueous solutions, and mechanical instability. Herein, the successful fabrication of a robust membrane stacked with nGO flakes on a substrate with a pore size of 0.

An optofluidic system for the concentration gradient screening of oocyte protection drugs.

Oocytes protective drug screening is essential for the treatment of reproductive diseases. However, few studies construct the oocyte in vitro drug screening microfluidic systems because of their enormous size, scarcity, and sensitivity to the culture environment. Here, we present an optofluidic system for oocyte drug screening and state analysis.

BMP4 in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells Can Affect Decidualization by Regulating FOXO1 Expression.

Context: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is defined as the loss of 2 or more consecutive intrauterine pregnancies with the same sexual partner in the first trimester. Despite its significance, the etiology and underlying mechanisms of RSA remain elusive. Defective decidualization is proposed as one of the potential causes of RSA, with abnormal decidualization leading to disturbances in trophoblast invasion function.

Mechanisms of YAP1-mediated trophoblast ferroptosis in recurrent pregnancy loss.

Purpose: The purpose of our study is to investigate the function of YAP1 in the trophoblast ferroptosis and maternal-fetal interface communication of RPL.

Methods: We collected 25 villous tissues and detected the expression of YAP1. Cell counting kit-8 assay, scratch wound-healing assay, and Matrigel invasion assay were performed to observe the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo and JAR cells.

Dysregulation of CREB5 Impairs Decidualization and Maternal-Fetal Interactions by Inhibiting Autophagy in Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion.

Background: Clinically, recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a pregnancy illness that is difficult to treat. Impaired decidualization is a documented cause of RSA, but the etiology and mechanism are still unknown. cAMP-responsive element binding protein 5 (CREB5) is a member of the ATF/CREB family.

Model construction and drug therapy of primary ovarian insufficiency by ultrasound-guided injection.

Background: Clinically, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the main treatment for primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). However, HRT may increase the risk of both breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) have been gradually applied to the therapy of a variety of diseases through inflammation inhibition, immune regulation, and tissue repair functions.

Which transfer day results in the highest live birth rate for PCOS patients undergoing in vitro fertilization?

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has unusual levels of hormones. The hormone receptors in the endometrium have a hostile effect and make the microenvironment unfavorable for embryo implantation. The use of gonadotropin stimulation during in vitro fertilization (IVF) may have an impact on embryo implantation and live birth rate.