Crystal Growth, Characterization, and Properties of Nonlinear Optical Crystals of LiAgGaTe for Mid-Infrared Applications.

LiGaTe is a promising nonlinear optical crystal with a large figure of merit (/), but it is difficult to grow the LiGaTe single crystal due to its extreme instability. In this work, we used Ag to replace Li and successfully grew a LiAgGaTe crystal by the modified Bridgman method for the first time. We found it has thermal stability below 200 °C in an atmospheric environment, and the thermal expansion coefficient is positive.

Impact of DEHP on mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and reproductive toxicity in ovary.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely recognized environmental endocrine disruptor that potentially impacts female reproductive function, although the specific mechanisms leading to such impairment remain unclear. A growing body of research has revealed that the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial function significantly influence oocyte quality. The structure of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) is crucial for facilitating the exchange of Ca, lipids, and metabolites.

DBP Exposure Affects Oocyte Fertilization Via Extracellular Vesicles-Derived miR-116-5p in Ovarian Granulosa Cells Through Downregulating FOXO3a Expression.

Mono-butyl phthalate (MBP), the metabolite of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), is the most abundant phthalate metabolite found in Chinese women. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale lipid bilayer particles produced by extensive kinds of cells, serving a key role in intercellular communication. Extracellular vesicle miRNAs (EV-miRNAs) in follicular fluid (FF) have been evidenced to be associated with female reproductive health.

Associations between exposure to phthalates and liver function among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology.

Phthalates can induce hepatotoxicity in animal studies. We aimed to assess the associations of individual and mixture of urinary phthalate metabolites with serum liver function indicators among 764 women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). In linear models, we observed inverse correlations between urinary mono-benzyl phthalate and serum total protein (TP) as well as globulin (β=-0.

A novel splicing variant in MICAL-1 gene is associated with epilepsy.

Germline MICAL1 defects have been rarely reported in patients with epilepsy and the genotype-phenotype association remains unclear. In this study, the patient was a 4.6 years old girl who presented with onset of recurrent focal seizures with onset at age 3.

Screening and Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Among Unvaccinated Blood Donors in Chongqing, China.

Objective: To investigate the rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody among unvaccinated voluntary blood donors in Chongqing, and to provide evidence for epidemic surveillance.

Methods: A total of 10,208 voluntary blood donors from January 5 to January 20, 2021, in the Chongqing area were collected, and the SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies were detected by chemiluminescence, and the differences of antibody-positive rate in different gender, age, ABO blood group, and different risk areas were analyzed.

Results: Among 10208 blood donors, 10 were found to be positive for SARS-COV-2 IgG antibody, giving a positivity rate of SARS-COV-2 IgG at 0.

Serum globulin in children with myasthenia gravis: predicting relapse and prognosis.

Objective: Serum globulin is associated with inflammatory or immune disorders. However, it has not been established whether it is associated with myasthenia gravis (MG). We investigated the association between globulin with relapse and prognosis in children with MG.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19-associated encephalopathy in children.

Apart from the typical respiratory symptoms, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) also affects the central nervous system, leading to central disorders such as encephalopathy and encephalitis. However, knowledge of pediatric COVID-19-associated encephalopathy is limited, particularly regarding specific subtypes of encephalopathy. This study aimed to assess the features of COVID-19-associated encephalopathy/encephalitis in children.

Associations of personal care products use with reproductive outcomes of IVF/ICSI treatment.

Introduction: Personal care products (PCPs) contain a number of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that could potentially affect the reproductive function in women of childbearing age. However, studies focused on the effects of PCPs use on reproductive outcomes are very limited. The current study aimed to explore the relationships between PCPs use patterns and reproductive outcomes in women undergoing fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment.

Clinical characteristics and genetic analysis of pediatric patients with sodium channel gene mutation-related childhood epilepsy: a review of 94 patients.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the clinical and gene-mutation characteristics of pediatric patients with sodium channel gene mutation-related childhood epilepsy and to provide a basis for precision treatment and genetic counseling.

Methods: The clinical data from 94 patients with sodium channel gene mutation-related childhood epilepsy who were treated at Hunan Children's Hospital from August 2012 to December 2022 were retrospectively evaluated, and the clinical characteristics, gene variants, treatment, and follow-up status were analyzed and summarized.

Results: Our 94 pediatric patients with sodium channel gene variant-related childhood epilepsy comprised 37 girls and 57 boys.

Phthalate metabolites in urine and follicular fluid in relation to menstrual cycle characteristics in women seeking fertility assistance.

Background: Phthalates have been shown to disrupt the estrous cycle in animal studies. However, epidemiological research investigating their associations with menstrual cycle characteristics is limited.

Objective: To explore the relationships between phthalate exposure and menstrual cycle characteristics among women seeking fertility assistance.

HCN1 pathogenic variants associated with childhood epilepsy in a cohort of Chinese patients.

Objective: HCN ion channel family has a widespread expression in neurons, and recently, increasing studies have demonstrated their roles in epilepsies.

Methods: Clinical data of the patients were gathered in a retrospective study. Exon sequencing was used for the patients with unexplained recurrent seizures and varying levels of developmental delay.

Associations between phthalate metabolites and cytokines in the follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Many studies have showed that phthalates have reproductive and embryonic toxicity, while the potential mechanisms are mostly unknown. Inflammation may play a mediating part in phthalate exposure and adverse reproductive endpoints. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the associations of phthalate metabolites with inflammatory cytokines in the follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).

A comparative analysis of quantitative detection methods for viable food-borne pathogens using RT-qPCR and PMA-qPCR.

The accurate quantification of viable pathogens in food is crucial for ensuring food safety. This study mainly aimed to investigate the quantification of viable pathogens using PMA-qPCR and RT-qPCR, taking into account bacterial species, food matrices, and inactivation methods. The detection limit of PMA-qPCR for Salmonella serovars in simple matrices, such as culture broth, lake, or tap water, was found to be 102 cells per ml.

[Clinical characteristics and genetic analysis of a case of infantile Schaaf-Yang syndrome due to a heterozygous variant of MAGEL2 gene].

Objective: To explore the diagnosis, treatment and genetic analysis of an infant with Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS).

Methods: An infant suspected for SYS at the Hunan Provincial Children's Hospital on June 10, 2022 was subjected to trio-whole exome sequencing, and Sanger sequencing was used to verify the candidate variant. Structure of the wild-type and mutant proteins was constructed to analyze the potential hazard.

Monomethyl Phthalate Causes Early Embryo Development Delay, Apoptosis, and Energy Metabolism Disruptions Through Inducing Redox Imbalance.

Phthalates are a class of environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals which can cause reproductive system damages. However, data about reproductive toxicity spectrum of phthalate metabolites among Chinese women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments are scarce yet. Previous studies regarding underlying embryo toxicities focused on oxidative stress and apoptosis, while energy metabolism abnormality might be another key cause for embryo developmental disruptions.

Association between blood eosinophil count and Duchenne muscular dystrophy severity and prognosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare hereditary muscular disease. The role of eosinophils in DMD has not been clarified. This study aims to evaluate the association between peripheral blood eosinophil count and severity and prognosis of DMD.

Clinical spectrum of contactin-associated protein 2 autoimmune encephalitis in children.

Objective: Anti-contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2)-related autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is more common in adults than in children. Clinical understanding of anti-CASPR2-antibody (Ab)-related AE, diagnosis and treatment standards are lacking in children. Therefore, this retrospective study on clinical symptoms and treatment outcomes in children with anti-CASPR2-Ab-related AE was conducted, to improve the clinical understanding of the disease, its diagnosis and treatment.

The novel HLA allele, HLA-DPB1*05:01:19, identified in a Chinese bone marrow donor by next-generation sequencing.

HLA-DPB1*05:01:19 differs from DPB1*05:01:01 by one nucleotide in codon 62 in exon 2.

Clinical analysis of 173 pediatric patients with antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system: a single-center cohort study.

Background: Antibody-mediated disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) have seen a gradual rise in their incidence and prevalence. This retrospective observational study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and short-term prognosis of children with antibody-mediated CNS autoimmune diseases at Hunan Children's Hospital.

Methods: We collected the clinical data of 173 pediatric patients diagnosed with antibody-mediated CNS autoimmune diseases between June 2014 and June 2021 and analyzed their demographics, clinical features, imaging and laboratory data, treatment, and prognosis.

Nabais Sa-de Vries syndrome in a Chinese infant associated with a novel SPOP mutation: A clinical study and genetic report.

Background: Nabais Sa-de Vries syndrome (NSDVS) is a newly identified neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD), characterized by mutations in the SPOP gene, which encodes the speckle-type BTB/POZ protein. It is divided into two disease subtypes, according to patient facial features, which could be related to altered SPOP protein function. Few studies have documented this syndrome and little is known about its pathophysiology.

Clinical Characteristics and Short-Term Prognosis of Children With Antibody-Mediated Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Single-Center Cohort Study.

Background: The incidence and prevalence of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is gradually increasing in pediatric patients (between the ages of 3 months and 16 years). The aim of this retrospective observational study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and short-term prognosis of children with antibody-mediated AE at Hunan Children's Hospital.

Methods: Antibody analysis of blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid was performed in suspected AE patients admitted to the Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital from June 2014 to June 2021.