[Effects of obesity on global genome DNA methylation and gene imprinting in mouse spermatozoa].

Objective: To investigate the influence of high fat diet-induced obesity (HFDIO) on the differentially methylated region (DMR) of the imprinted gene and global genome methylation of sperm DNA.

Methods: We performed bisulfite sequencing on the DMR of the imprinted gene and global genome methylation of sperm DNA in the mouse model of HFDIO.

Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the HFDIO model and normal control mice in MEG3-IG (93.

Catalyst-free [3 + 2] cyclization of dihydroisoquinoline imines and isatin-derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates via 1,5-electrocyclization: synthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline-fused spirooxindoles.

We have developed a mild and scalable catalyst-free [3 + 2] cyclization of dihydroisoquinolines and isatin-derived Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates. The incorporation of tetrahydroisoquinoline and spirooxindole frameworks could be realized affording highly functionalized heterocycles in moderate to excellent yields with good diastereocontrols (up to 92% yields, >20 : 1 dr). The extension of this method to dihydro-β-carbolines has also been achieved.

Regulation of LH secretion by RFRP-3 - From the hypothalamus to the pituitary.

RFamide-related peptides (RFRPs) have long been identified as inhibitors of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis in mammals. However, less progress has been made in the detailed roles of RFRPs in the control of LH secretion. Recent studies have suggested that RFRP-3 neurons in the hypothalamus can regulate the secretion of LH at different levels, including kisspeptin neurons, GnRH neurons, and the pituitary.

Pretreatment with coenzyme Q10 improves ovarian response and embryo quality in low-prognosis young women with decreased ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Management of women with reduced ovarian reserve or poor ovarian response (POR) to stimulation is one of the major challenges in reproductive medicine. The primary causes of POR remain elusive and oxidative stress was proposed as one of the important contributors. It has been suggested that focus on the specific subpopulations within heterogeneous group of poor responders could assist in evaluating optimal management strategies for these patients.

Next-generation sequencing reveals genetic landscape in 46, XY disorders of sexual development patients with variable phenotypes.

Disorders of sexual development (DSD) are rare congenital conditions in which chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical. Currently, less than 20% of patients receive an accurate genetic diagnosis. Targeted next-generation sequencing, consisting of 33 candidate genes and 47 genes involved in sexual differentiation and development, was performed on 70 46, XY DSD patients.

Current perspectives on in vitro maturation and its effects on oocyte genetic and epigenetic profiles.

In vitro maturation (IVM), the maturation in culture of immature oocytes, has been used in clinic for more than 20 years. Although IVM has the specific advantages of low cost and minor side effects over controlled ovarian stimulation, the prevalence of IVM is less than 1% of routine in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer techniques in many reproductive centers. In this review, we searched the MEDLINE database for all full texts and/or abstract articles published in English with content related to oocyte IVM mainly between 2000 and 2016.

Activation of hedgehog signaling and its association with cisplatin resistance in ovarian epithelial tumors.

Few studies have evaluated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway activation in different types of ovarian tumors including benign, borderline and malignant ovarian tumors. The present study investigated the expression of Hh signaling pathway components (SHH, SMO, PTCH, and GLI1) in 193 ovarian epithelial tumor specimens (including 147 malignant epithelial ovarian cancers, 30 borderline ovarian tumors, 16 benign ovarian epithelial tumors) and 11 normal ovarian epithelial tissues by immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated widespread expression of Hh pathway molecules in ovarian tumors.

A single-cell RNA-seq survey of the developmental landscape of the human prefrontal cortex.

The mammalian prefrontal cortex comprises a set of highly specialized brain areas containing billions of cells and serves as the centre of the highest-order cognitive functions, such as memory, cognitive ability, decision-making and social behaviour. Although neural circuits are formed in the late stages of human embryonic development and even after birth, diverse classes of functional cells are generated and migrate to the appropriate locations earlier in development. Dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex contributes to cognitive deficits and the majority of neurodevelopmental disorders; there is therefore a need for detailed knowledge of the development of the prefrontal cortex.

Single-Cell Transcriptomics of Human Oocytes: Environment-Driven Metabolic Competition and Compensatory Mechanisms During Oocyte Maturation.

Aims: The mechanisms coordinating maturation with an environment-driven metabolic shift, a critical step in determining the developmental potential of human in vitro maturation (IVM) oocytes, remain to be elucidated. Here we explored the key genes regulating human oocyte maturation using single-cell RNA sequencing and illuminated the compensatory mechanism from a metabolic perspective by analyzing gene expression.

Results: Three key genes that encode CoA-related enzymes were screened from the RNA sequencing data.

Poly(ADP-ribose) mediates asymmetric division of mouse oocyte.

Before fertilization, mammalian oocyte undergoes an asymmetric division which depends on eccentric positioning of the spindle at the oocyte cortex to form a polar body and an egg. Since the centriole is absent and, as a result, the polar array microtubules are not fully developed in oocytes, microtubules have seldom been considered as required for eccentric positioning of the spindle, while actin-related forces have instead been proposed to be primarily responsible for this process. However, the existing models are largely conflicting and the underlying mechanism of asymmetric division is still elusive.

Elevated CD14CD16 Monocytes in Hyperhomocysteinemia-Associated Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia, chronic low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance are predominant features in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). CD14CD16 inflammatory monocytes are elevated in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, in which inflammation is one of the pathogenesis. We aimed to determine whether homocysteine levels are associated with monocyte subtypes or insulin resistance in women with PCOS.

Kisspeptin/Kisspeptin Receptor System in the Ovary.

Kisspeptins are a family of neuropeptides that are critical for initiating puberty and regulating ovulation in sexually mature females the central control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Recent studies have shown that kisspeptin and its receptor kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R) are expressed in the mammalian ovary. Convincing evidence indicates that kisspeptins can activate a wide variety of signals its binding to KISS1R.

Kinetic basis for the activation of human cyclooxygenase-2 rather than cyclooxygenase-1 by nitric oxide.

Numerous studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) interacts with human cyclooxygenase (COX); however, conflicting results exist with respect to their interactions. Herein, recombinant human COX-1 and COX-2 were prepared and treated with NO donors individually under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The S-nitrosylation detection and subsequent kinetic investigations into the arachidonic acid (AA) oxidation of COX enzymes indicate that NO S-nitrosylates both COX-1 and COX-2 in an oxygen-dependent manner, but enhances only the dioxygenase activity of COX-2.

Mechanistic insights into acephalic spermatozoa syndrome-associated mutations in the human gene.

Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome has been reported for many decades; it is characterized by very few intact spermatozoa and tailless sperm heads in the semen and causes severe male infertility. The only gene in which mutations have been found to be associated with this syndrome encodes Sad1 and UNC84 domain-containing 5 (), a testis-specific nuclear envelope protein. The functional role of SUN5 has been well-studied in mouse models, but the molecular basis for the pathogenic effects of mutations in the human gene remains elusive.

Single-cell DNA methylome sequencing of human preimplantation embryos.

DNA methylation is a crucial layer of epigenetic regulation during mammalian embryonic development . Although the DNA methylome of early human embryos has been analyzed , some of the key features have not been addressed thus far. Here we performed single-cell DNA methylome sequencing for human preimplantation embryos and found that tens of thousands of genomic loci exhibited de novo DNA methylation.

Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles Have a Lower Incidence of Ectopic Pregnancy Compared With Fresh Embryo Transfer Cycles.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of ectopic pregnancy of embryo transfer.

Design: A retrospective cohort study on the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles from January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2015.

Patients: Infertile women undergoing frozen-thawed transfer cycles or fresh transfer cycles.

Effect of Levothyroxine on Miscarriage Among Women With Normal Thyroid Function and Thyroid Autoimmunity Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Presence of thyroid autoantibodies in women with normal thyroid function is associated with increased risk of miscarriage. Whether levothyroxine treatment improves pregnancy outcomes among women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is unknown.

Objective: To determine the effect of levothyroxine on miscarriage among women undergoing IVF-ET who had normal thyroid function and tested positive for thyroid autoantibodies.

Ran-binding protein M is associated with human spermatogenesis and oogenesis.

The aim of the present study was to explore the underlying mechanism and diagnostic potential of Ran‑binding protein M (RanBPM) in human spermatogenesis and oogenesis. RanBPM expression in human testis and ovaries was analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting, and immunofluorescence was performed on testis and ovary tissue sections during different developmental stages of spermatogenesis and oogenesis using RanBPM antibodies. Interactions with a variety of functional proteins were also investigated.

Efficacy and safety of first-line pemetrexed plus carboplatin followed by single-agent pemetrexed maintenance in elderly Chinese patients with non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer.

Chemotherapy with pemetrexed plus carboplatin followed by pemetrexed maintenance therapy is a first-line regimen for patients with advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer. This phase II clinical study investigated the efficacy and safety of this regimen in older patients (aged ≥65 years) with advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer. All patients received 4 courses of induction therapy with pemetrexed (500 mg/m) combined with carboplatin once every 3 weeks.

Effect of repeated cryopreservation on human embryo developmental potential.

Repeated cryopreservation of surplus embryos from frozen-thawed cycles should occasionally be considered. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the pregnancy and perinatal outcome of repeated cryopreservation by vitrification of human blastocysts derived from slowly frozen-thawed day 3 embryos. In total, 571 vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles were investigated.

Genome wide abnormal DNA methylome of human blastocyst in assisted reproductive technology.

Proper reprogramming of parental DNA methylomes is essential for mammalian embryonic development. However, it is unknown whether abnormal methylome reprogramming occurs and is associated with the failure of embryonic development. Here we analyzed the DNA methylomes of 57 blastocysts and 29 trophectoderm samples with different morphological grades during assisted reproductive technology (ART) practices.

A de novo complex chromosome rearrangement associated with multisystematic abnormalities, a case report.

Background: Complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs) are constitutional structural rearrangements that involve three or more chromosomes or that have more than two breakpoints.

Case Presentation: Here, we describe a four-way CCR involving chromosomes 4, 5, 6 and 8. The patient had mild multisystematic abnormalities during his development, including defects in his eyes and teeth, exomphalos and asthenozoospermia.