Risk factors of angle opening after lens extraction in patients with shallow peripheral anterior chamber.

Purpose: To predict the degree of angle opening after lens extraction (LE) in patients with shallow peripheral anterior chamber.

Methods: We collected the ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) parameters before and one month after LE retrospectively. The binary logistic regression and artificial neural network (ANN) models of angle opening after LE were established using preoperative UBM parameters, and the predictive factors were screened.

Anterior segment anatomic parameters based on the scleral spur and cornea for risk profiling of primary angle-closure glaucoma.

Introduction: To investigate the anterior segment anatomical parameters associated with the scleral spur and cornea for risk profiling of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted, collecting parametric measurements obtained using CASIA 2 and IOLMaster 700. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to compare ocular parameters between the narrow angle (NA) group and PACG group, as well as identify risk factors for PACG.

Changes in eye axis length and corneal curvature in central China from the perspective of birth year.

Objectives: To explore the changes in eye structures over time in the Chinese population from the perspective of birth year.

Methods: We collected measurement data of intraocular lens Master from patients who underwent intraocular lens Master biometry for a routine cataract or refractive examination (ametropia and presbyopia) between April 2012 and October 2023, then screened them. Selected patients were divided into ten groups of 10 years each according to their year of birth (called birth decades).

Metabolic adaptation mechanisms of glycogen reduction and lipid accumulation in testicular protection in Daurian ground squirrels during hibernation.

The role of glycogen and lipid metabolism in the testes of Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) during different stages of the hibernation cycle and their influence on reproductive function remain poorly understood. This study examined testicular morphology across hibernation stages and investigated potential molecular mechanisms. Results showed that: (1) Spermatocyte density was reduced in the torpor group compared to the pre-hibernation (PRE) group, suggesting a suppression of spermatogenesis during torpor.

Oxidative stress levels and antioxidant defense mechanisms (Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway) in the Harderian glands of hibernating Daurian ground squirrels.

Cyclic hibernation bouts in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) lead to repeated suppression and recovery of mitochondrial respiratory function across multiple organs, potentially impacting reactive oxygen species (ROS) dynamics. The Harderian gland (HG) plays an important role in endocrine regulation through porphyrin secretion. However, the influence of hibernation on oxidative pressure and associated antioxidant pathways in the HG remains inadequately understood.

Apoptosis, Mitochondrial Autophagy, Fission, and Fusion Maintain Mitochondrial Homeostasis in Mouse Liver Under Tail Suspension Conditions.

Microgravity can induce alterations in liver morphology, structure, and function, with mitochondria playing an important role in these changes. Tail suspension (TS) is a well-established model for simulating the effects of microgravity on muscles and bones, but its impact on liver function remains unclear. In the current study, we explored the regulatory mechanisms of apoptosis, autophagy, fission, and fusion in maintaining liver mitochondrial homeostasis in mice subjected to TS for 2 or 4 weeks (TS2 and TS4).

Protective Effect of Nicotinamide Riboside on Glucocorticoid-Induced Glaucoma: Mitigating Mitochondrial Damage and Extracellular Matrix Deposition.

Purpose: Glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma (GIG) is a prevalent complication associated with glucocorticoids (GCs), resulting in irreversible blindness. GIG is characterized by the abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the trabecular meshwork (TM), elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP), and loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of nicotinamide riboside (NR) on TM in GIG.

Phase-separated CCER1 coordinates the histone-to-protamine transition and male fertility.

Idiopathic fertility disorders are associated with mutations in various genes. Here, we report that coiled-coil glutamate-rich protein 1 (CCER1), a germline-specific and intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), mediates postmeiotic spermatid differentiation. In contrast, CCER1 deficiency results in defective sperm chromatin compaction and infertility in mice.

LSM14B coordinates protein component expression in the P-body and controls oocyte maturation.

The generation of mature and healthy oocytes is the most critical event in the entire female reproductive process, and the mechanisms regulating this process remain to be studied. Here, we demonstrate that Smith-like (LSM) family member 14B (LSM14B) regulates oocyte maturation, and the loss of LSM14B in mouse ovaries leads to abnormal oocyte MII arrest and female infertility. Next, we find the aberrant transcriptional activation, indicated by abnormal non-surrounded nucleolus and surrounded nucleolus oocyte proportions, and abnormal chromosome assembly and segregation in Lsm14b-deficient mouse oocytes.

Idiomarina rhizosphaerae sp. nov. isolated from rhizosphere soil of Kalidium cuspidatum, and reclassification of Idiomarina andamanensis as Pseudidiomarina andamanensis comb. nov., and Idiomarina mangrovi as Pseudidiomarina mangrovi comb. nov.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, gliding motile, non-spore forming, rod-shaped indole-3-acetic acid producing bacterial strain, designated M1R2S28, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Kalidium cuspidatum, in Tumd Right Banner, Inner Mongolia, China. Strain M1R2S28 grew at pH 5.0-10.

Primary culture of germ cells that portray stem cell characteristics and recipient preparation for autologous transplantation in the rhesus monkey.

Fertility preservation for prepubertal cancer patients prior to oncologic treatment is an emerging issue, and non-human primates are considered to constitute suitable models due to the limited availability of human testicular tissues. However, the feasibility of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) propagation in vitro and autologous testicular germ cell transplantation in vivo requires further exploration in monkeys. Herein, we characterized germ cells in macaque testes at 6 months (M), 18 M and 60 M of age, and effectively isolated the spermatogenic cells (including the spermatogonia) from macaque testes with high purity (over 80%) using combined approaches of STA-PUT separation, Percoll gradients and differential plating.

Transcription factor-like 5 is a potential DNA- and RNA-binding protein essential for maintaining male fertility in mice.

Transcription factor-like 5 (TCFL5) is a testis-specific protein that contains the basic helix-loop-helix domain, but the in vivo functions of TCFL5 remain unknown. Herein, we generated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout mice to dissect the function of TCFL5 in mouse testes. Surprisingly, we found that it was difficult to generate homozygous mice with the Tcfl5 deletion as the heterozygous males (Tcfl5+/-) were infertile.

Environmental benefit assessment of steel slag utilization and carbonation: A systematic review.

The rapid increase in steel slag generation globally highlights the urgent need to manage the disposal or utilization processes. In addition to conventional landfill disposal, researchers have successfully reused steel slag in the construction, chemical, and agricultural fields. With the large portions of alkaline silicate mineral content, steel slag can also be used as a suitable material for carbon capture to mitigate global warming.

Simultaneous determination of 16 important biologically active phytohormones in Dendrobium huoshanese by pressurized capillary electrochromatography.

A rapid pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC) method has been successfully developed for the simultaneous determination of 16 phytohormones in Dendrobium huoshanense. Effects of wavelength, mobile phase, the flow rate, pH value, concentration of buffer and applied voltage were investigated, respectively. The results showed that the 16 phytohormones could be baseline-separated rapidly in less than 21 min on a reversed-phase EP-100-20/45-3-C18 capillary column (total length of 45 cm, effective length of 20 cm, diameter of 100 μm, ODS packing inside for 3 μm) with ACN/5.

Fibre Distribution Characterization of Ultra-High Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) Plates using Magnetic Probes.

Ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is an innovative cement-based engineering material. The mechanical properties of UHPFRC not only depend on the properties of the concrete matrix and fibres, but also depend on the interaction between these two components. The fibre distribution is affected by many factors and previous researchers had developed different approaches to test the fibre distribution.

LIN28A binds to meiotic gene transcripts and modulates their translation in male germ cells.

The RNA-binding protein LIN28A is required for maintaining tissue homeostasis, including in the reproductive system, but the underlying mechanisms on how LIN28A regulates germline progenitors remain unclear. Here, we dissected LIN28A-binding targets using high-throughput sequencing of RNAs isolated by crosslinking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP) in the mouse testes. LIN28A preferentially binds to mRNA coding sequence (CDS) or 3'UTR regions at sites enriched with GGAG(A) sequences.

mRBPome capture identifies the RNA-binding protein TRIM71, an essential regulator of spermatogonial differentiation.

Continual spermatogenesis relies on the actions of an undifferentiated spermatogonial population that is composed of stem cells and progenitors. Here, using mouse models, we explored the role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in regulation of the biological activities of this population. Proteins bound to polyadenylated RNAs in primary cultures of undifferentiated spermatogonia were captured with oligo (dT)-conjugated beads after UV-crosslinking and profiled by proteomics (termed mRBPome capture), yielding a putative repertoire of 473 RBPs.

Pluripotency factor NANOG promotes germ cell maintenance in vitro without triggering dedifferentiation of spermatogonial stem cells.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are defined as the tissue-specific stem cells in the testes that produce sperm and support life-long spermatogenesis. A culture microenvironment could convert mouse SSCs from unipotent to pluripotent states; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. NANOG has been considered the decisive transcriptional factor for pluripotency transition of stem cells, but NANOG is not expressed in SSCs.

Reprogramming of Meiotic Chromatin Architecture during Spermatogenesis.

Chromatin organization undergoes drastic reconfiguration during gametogenesis. However, the molecular reprogramming of three-dimensional chromatin structure in this process remains poorly understood for mammals, including primates. Here, we examined three-dimensional chromatin architecture during spermatogenesis in rhesus monkey using low-input Hi-C.

The Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)-responsive Phosphoprotein Landscape Identifies Raptor Phosphorylation Required for Spermatogonial Progenitor Cell Proliferation.

Cytokine-dependent renewal of stem cells is a fundamental requisite for tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Spermatogonial progenitor cells (SPCs) including stem cells support life-long spermatogenesis and male fertility, but pivotal phosphorylation events that regulate fate decisions in SPCs remain unresolved. Here, we described a quantitative mass-spectrometry-based proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses of SPCs following sustained stimulation with glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), an extrinsic factor supporting SPC proliferation.

GDNF-expressing STO feeder layer supports the long-term propagation of undifferentiated mouse spermatogonia with stem cell properties.

The development of a stem cell culture system would expedite our understanding of the biology of tissue regeneration. Spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) is the foundation for lifelong male spermatogenesis and the SSC culture has been optimized continuously in recent years. However, there have been many inconveniences to reconstruct SSC self-renewal and proliferation in vitro, such as the frequent refreshment of recombinant cytokines, including GDNF, the essential growth factor for SSC maintenance.

LncRNA analysis of mouse spermatogonial stem cells following glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor treatment.

Spermatonial stem cells (SSCs) are the foundation of spermatogenesis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs with at least 200 bp in length, which play important roles in various biological processes. Growth factor glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), secreted from testis niches, is critical for self-renewal of SSCs in vitro and in vivo.