A method for determining potential parental contamination: linkage disequilibrium-based log-likelihood ratio analysis for IVF-PGT.

Background: At present, embryologists are attempting to use conventional in vitro fertilization (cIVF) as an alternative to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). However, the potential parental contamination origin of sperm cells and cumulus cells is considered the main limiting factor in the inability of cIVF embryos to undergo PGT.

Methods: In this study, we established an IVF-PGTA assay for parental contamination tests with a contamination prediction model based on allele frequencies and linkage disequilibrium (LD) to compute the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) under competing ploidy hypotheses, and then verified its sensitivity and accuracy.

Efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation guided by contrast-enhanced and two-dimensional ultrasound for in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis in difficult/dangerous locations.

Background: Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) has become a popular method for treating malignant liver tumors. However, few studies have investigated its use in the treatment of hepatoalveolar echinococcosis (HAE). This study aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with two-dimensional ultrasound-guided MWA for the treatment of HAE in difficult/dangerous locations.

Development of a novel prognostic signature for colorectal cancer based on angiogenesis-related genes.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumor worldwide. Angiogenesis is closely related to tumor metastasis, which is the main cause of cancer death. Although several angiogenesis signatures have been proposed in some cancer types, no angiogenic signature has been developed to predict the prognosis and efficacy of antiangiogenic bevacizumab in CRC patients.

Clinical outcomes of radiofrequency ablation using a radiofrequency needle device for varicose ulcer: A non-randomized controlled prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using a radiofrequency (RF) needle device for varicose ulcers.

Methods: From September 2020 to September 2021, a total of 80 patients with varicose ulcers were included in this study. Based on the different surgical methods, the patients were divided into RF group and control groups, with 40 cases in each group.

Construction of an Escherichia coli cell factory for de novo synthesis of tyrosol through semi-rational design based on phenylpyruvate decarboxylase ARO10 engineering.

Tyrosol (2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethanol) is extensively used in the pharmaceutical industry as an important natural product from plants. In previous research, we constructed a recombinant Escherichia coli strain capable of de novo synthesis of tyrosol by integrating the phenylpyruvate decarboxylase ARO10 derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nevertheless, the insufficient catalytic efficiency of ARO10 required the insertion of multiple gene copies into the genome to attain enhanced tyrosol production.

The Genomic and Proteomic Profiles of NTRK Genes and Trk Receptors in Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: The neurotrophic tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene family includes NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3, which encode tropomyosin receptor kinases TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC, respectively. This study aimed to initially assess the genomic and proteomic profiles of NTRK genes and Trk receptors in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC).

Methods: The ONCOMINE, UALCAN, GEPIA, cBioPortal, FusionGDB, SurvivalMeth, and the Human Protein Atlas databases were searched for NTRK gene expression and protein data in LIHC.

Safety and efficacy of microwave ablation for the treatment of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a prospective multicenter study.

Objectives: To assess the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided thermal ablation for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) via a prospective multicenter study.

Methods: From January 2017 through June 2021, low-risk PTMC patients were screened. The management details of active surveillance (AS), surgery, and thermal ablation were discussed.

Therapeutic effects of columbianadin from Angelicae Pubescentis radix on the progression of collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Angelicae pubescentis radix (APR) has a long history in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China. It has the effects of dispelling wind to eliminate dampness, removing arthralgia and stopping pain in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, but its mechanisms was remained unclear. Columbianadin (CBN), one of the main bioactive compounds of APR, has many pharmacological effects including anti-inflammatory and immunosuppression.

Expression and prognostic impact of NTF3 and TrkC in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Treatment of patients with fusion-positive cancers using first-generation tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) inhibitors is associated with high response rates, regardless of tumor histology. However, there have been few studies on neurotrophin-3 (NTF3) and TrkC ligands in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We used immunohistochemistry to evaluate NTF3 and TrkC expression levels in tissue samples.

Efficient production of hydroxytyrosol by directed evolution of HpaB in Escherichia coli.

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is an olive-derived phenolic phytochemical that has gained increasing commercial interest due to its natural antioxidant properties. It is widely used in the field of food supplement and medicine. It is reported that 4-hydroxyphenylacetate 3-hydroxylase (EcHpaB) and flavin reductase (EcHpaC) from E.

An efficient method for qualitation and quantitation of multi-components of the herbal medicine Qingjin Yiqi Granules.

Qingjin Yiqi Granules (QJYQ) is a Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) prescription for the patients with post-COVID-19 condition. It is essential to carry out the quality evaluation of QJYQ. A comprehensive investigation was conducted by establishing deep-learning assisted mass defect filter (deep-learning MDF) mode for qualitative analysis, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and scheduled multiple reaction monitoring method (UHPLC-sMRM) for precise quantitation to evaluate the quality of QJYQ.

Using infodemiology metrics to assess patient demand for oculoplastic surgeons in the United States: insights from Google Search Trends.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare state-by-state concentrations of oculoplastic surgeons against patient demand using Google Search Trends data, in order to identify potential areas of unmet need.

Methods: Google Trends data from 2004 to 2019 was collected to determine relative search volumes for the keyword "blepharoplasty" in each US state and the District of Columbia. Oculoplastic surgeon density was calculated by dividing the number of active American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons members in 2019 by the State Census Bureau population estimates.

Ferroptosis regulator FANCD2 is associated with immune infiltration and predicts worse prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Although immunotherapy has been shown to improve survival in LUAD patients, only a select group of LUAD patients could benefit from it. The correlation between ferroptosis and the tumor immune environment requires further investigation in the setting of LUAD.

Maternal stevioside supplementation improves intestinal immune function of chicken offspring potentially via modulating gut microbiota and down-regulating the promoter methylation level of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 ().

The intestinal immune function of chickens is limited during the early growing stage. Maternal nutritional intervention has been suggested to affect the innate immunity of offspring. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal stevioside supplementation on the intestinal immune function of chicken offspring.

Functional assessment of missense variants of uncertain significance in the cancer susceptibility gene PALB2.

Germline PALB2 pathogenic variants are associated with an increased lifetime risk for breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer. However, the interpretation of the pathogenicity of numerous PALB2 missense variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) identified in germline genetic testing remains a challenge. Here we selected ten potentially pathogenic PALB2 VUSs identified in 2279 Chinese patients with breast cancer and evaluated their impacts on PALB2 function by systematic functional assays.

Integrative Analysis Identifies a TNFα-Derived Gene Signature for Predicting Prognosis, Tumor Immunity, and Treatment Sensitivity in Gastric Cancer.

TNF-α is an essential pro-inflammatory cytokine in the tumor microenvironment of gastric cancer (GC), possessing a key biological and clinical impact. Here, we conducted an integrative analysis of the role of TNFα-derived genes in GC prognosis and precision medicine. We pooled transcriptome and clinical features of GC patients from TCGA and GSE15459 projects.

A brief history of testicular organoids: from theory to the wards.

In recent years, researchers have successfully generated many human and mammalian organoid models, including organoids representing the intestine, prostate, ovary, bladder, liver, and brain. Therefore, organoids have become an important research model in the fields of regenerative medicine, drug research, and gene therapy, acting as a bridge between in vivo and in vitro experiments. In addition, testicular organoids (TOs) represent the highest level of in vitro culture of spermatogenic cells in a simulated testicular environment.

Dietary curcumin supplementation ameliorates placental inflammation in rats with intra-uterine growth retardation by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious, commonly occurring reproductive problem in humans. This study aimed to investigate the effects of daily curcumin supplementation during pregnancy on placental inflammation, in a rat model of IUGR. Pregnant rats were divided into three groups based on diet: (1) normal protein (19%) (NP), (2) low protein (8%) (LP), and (3) low protein + 100 mg curcumin/kg bw per day (LPC).

A comprehensive strategy integrating metabolomics with multiple chemometric for discovery of function related active markers for assessment of foodstuffs: A case of hawthorn (Crataegus cuneata) fruits.

There is a growing demand for functional foodstuffs naturally rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds associated with putative health benefits. This study followed a strategy integrating metabolomic with chemometric to identify quality markers that can be used to distinguish function related bioactivity of fruits, using hawthorn (Crataegus cuneata) fruit as an example. The integrated strategy was reduced to characterization of metabolic processes and discovered potential bioactive ingredients that were further investigated for functionalities.

Effect of maternal curcumin supplementation on intestinal damage and the gut microbiota in male mice offspring with intra-uterine growth retardation.

Purpose: The present study investigated whether maternal curcumin supplementation might protect against intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) induced intestinal damage and modulate gut microbiota in male mice offspring.

Methods: In total, 36 C57BL/6 mice (24 females and 12 males, 6-8 weeks old) were randomly divided into three groups based on the diet before and throughout pregnancy and lactation: (1) normal protein (19%), (2) low protein (8%), and (3) low protein (8%) + 600 mg kg curcumin. Offspring were administered a control diet until postnatal day 35.

[Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for production of hydroxytyrosol].

Hydroxytyrosol is an important fine chemical and is widely used in food and medicine as a natural antioxidant. Production of hydroxytyrosol through synthetic biology is of important significance. Here we cloned and functionally characterized a hydroxylase encoding gene HpaBC from Escherichia coli BL21, and both subunits of this enzyme can be successfully expressed to convert the tyrosol into hydroxytyrosol.

The Effects of Differentially-Expressed Homeobox Family Genes on the Prognosis and HOXC6 on Immune Microenvironment Orchestration in Colorectal Cancer.

Background: The homeobox (HOX) gene family encodes highly conserved transcription factors, that play important roles in the morphogenesis and embryonic development of vertebrates. Mammals have four similar HOX gene clusters, HOXA, HOXB, HOXC, and HOXD, which are located on chromosomes 7, 17,12 and 2 and consist of 38 genes. Some of these genes were found to be significantly related to a variety of tumors; however, it remains unknown whether abnormal expression of the HOX gene family affects prognosis and the tumor microenvironment (TME) reshaping in colorectal cancer (CRC).