Publications by authors named "Ming Qing Li"

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the growth of endometrium-like tissues outside the uterine cavity, with an unclear pathogenesis. Analysis of single-cell sequencing data revealed the pivotal role of peritoneal macrophages in the development of endometriosis. We noted significant creatine enrichment and synthesis in peritoneal macrophages of patients with endometriosis compared to women without endometriosis.

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The establishment and maintenance of pregnancy encompass a series of complex and high-energy-consuming physiological processes, resulting in a significant energy demand. Fatty acids, one of the most essential nutrients, play a crucial role in energy supply via oxidation and perform critical biological functions such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, which substantially impact human health. Disordered fatty acid metabolism can cause anomalies in fetal growth and development, as well as a range of pregnancy problems, which can influence the health of both the mother and the fetus.

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Problem: Pregnancy complications such as spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, and preterm birth persist, despite current interventions aimed at their prevention and treatment largely proving unsuccessful. Interleukin-27 (IL-27), composed of p28 and EBI3 subunits, binds to IL-27R, which consists of gp130 and IL-27Rα (also known as WSX-1 or TCCR), and plays a pivotal role in tumor development and inflammation regulation. At the maternal-fetal interface, IL-27 expression has been detected in trophoblasts, endometrial stromal cells, and decidual cells.

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The significance of hypoxia at the maternal-fetal interface is proven to be self-explanatory in the context of pregnancy. During the first trimester, low oxygen conditions play a crucial role in processes such as angiogenesis, trophoblast invasion and differentiation, and immune regulation. Recently, there has been increasing research on decidual macrophages, which contribute to the maintenance of immune tolerance, placental and fetal vascular development, and spiral artery remodeling, to investigate the effects of hypoxia on their biological behaviors.

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Article Synopsis
  • The endometrium transforms into a structure called decidua during pregnancy preparation, with senescent decidual stromal cells (DSCs) increasing but poorly understood mechanisms.
  • Researchers used single-cell RNA transcriptomics to discover that higher levels of the BCAA transporter SLC3A2 accompany cell senescence in DSCs during decidualization.
  • A high leucine diet contributes to increased DSC senescence and embryo loss in mice, while dNK cells can counteract this senescence through the TNFSF14/TNFRSF14 pathway, highlighting potential for therapeutic interventions in preventing pregnancy loss.
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Background: Uterine endometrial cancer (UEC) is a common gynecological estrogen-dependent carcinoma, usually accompanied by intermenstrual bleeding. Active heme metabolism frequently plays an increasingly important role in many diseases, especially in cancers. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the major population in the immune microenvironment of UEC.

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Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) critically affects female reproductive health, with obesity being a significant and recognized risk factor. Interleukin-27 (IL-27), known for its role in immune modulation and inflammation, has garnered attention in metabolic syndrome research. Nonetheless, the role of these immunometabolic factors on the initiation of POI remains to be unraveled.

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The presence of extensive infiltrated macrophages with impaired phagocytosis is widely recognised as a significant regulator for the development of endometriosis (EMs). Nevertheless, the metabolic characteristics and the fundamental mechanism of impaired macrophage phagocytosis are yet to be clarified. Here, we observe that there is the decreased expression of haematopoietic cellular kinase (HCK) in macrophage of peritoneal fluid from EMs patients, which might be attributed to high oestrogen and hypoxia condition.

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Article Synopsis
  • Immune problems can cause spontaneous miscarriage (SM), and scientists are looking into new medicines that could help manage this issue.
  • One of these medicines is called rapamycin, which can help the body accept the embryo better and also helps recycle old cells.
  • While rapamycin shows promise for treating SM, researchers are cautioning that it could also harm the pregnancy if not used carefully, so more studies are needed to understand its effects fully.
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Endometriosis (EM) is one of the diseases related to retrograded menstruation and hemoglobin. Heme, released from hemoglobin, is degraded by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). In EM lesions, heme metabolites regulate processes such as inflammation, redox balance, autophagy, dysmenorrhea, malignancy, and invasion, where macrophages (Mø) play a fundamental role in their interactions.

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Problem: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent endocrine-metabolic disorder, presents considerable therapeutic challenges due to its complex and elusive pathophysiology.

Method Of Study: We employed three machine learning algorithms to identify potential biomarkers within a training dataset, comprising GSE138518, GSE155489, and GSE193123. The diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers was rigorously evaluated using a validation dataset using area under the curve (AUC) metrics.

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In Brief: The mechanism underlying the accumulation of γδT cells in the decidua, which helps maintain maternal-fetal immunotolerance in early pregnancy, is unknown. This study reveals that DSC-derived RANKL upregulates ICAM-1 expression via the NF-κB pathway to enable γδT cell accumulation in the early decidua.

Abstract: Decidual γδT (dγδT) cells help maintain maternal-fetal immunotolerance in early pregnancy.

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Background: Age-related changes in the ovarian microenvironment are linked to impaired fertility in women. Macrophages play important roles in ovarian tissue homeostasis and immune surveillance. However, the impact of aging on ovarian macrophage function and ovarian homeostasis remains poorly understood.

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Article Synopsis
  • The research aimed to explore the causal relationships between metabolism, immune cells, and various female reproductive diseases, finding key links between metabolites and reproductive health.
  • A comprehensive study used genetic data to analyze the impact of 486 metabolites and 731 immune cell types on 14 female reproductive disorders, with a focus on gestational diabetes and infertility.
  • Results showed that high mannose levels increase gestational diabetes risk, elevated CD28CD25CD8 T cell counts are linked to higher infertility risks, while more NKT cells help reduce ectopic pregnancy risk, suggesting potential biomarkers for further study.
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The cavovarus deformity is a pathological condition characterised by an anomalous elevation of the longitudinal arch. This condition results from a significant hindfoot varus and forefoot equinus deformity. This phenomenon comprises diverse anomalies and therapies and exhibits a prevalence of 25% within the populace.

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Prokineticin 1 (PROK1) is a secreted protein involved in a range of physiological activities such as cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and neuronal cell proliferation. Emerging evidences show that PROK1/PROK receptors (PROKRs) are expressed by trophoblasts, and decidual stroma cells at the maternal-fetal interface. PROK1 plays a critical role in successful pregnancy establishment by regulating the decidualization, implantation and placental development.

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Though firstly identified in cerebral folate deficiency, autoantibodies against folate receptors (FRAbs) have been implicated in pregnancy complications such as miscarriage; however, the underlying mechanism needs to be further elaborated. FRAbs can be produced via sensitization mediated by folate-binding protein as well as gene mutation, aberrant modulation, or degradation of folate receptors (FRs). FRAbs may interfere with folate internalization and metabolism through blocking or binding with FRs.

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Cadmium is one of the most harmful elements to human health, and the health of postmenopausal females is an important public health issue. However, the correlation between exposure to cadmium and the survival status of postmenopausal women is currently not fully clear. This research intended to explore the correlation between cadmium exposure and mortality among postmenopausal females using a representative sample of the population in the U.

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Background: Vitamin D deficiency is common among the population, but its relationship with mortality of postmenopausal females is unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the association between serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among postmenopausal women in the United States.

Methods: 6812 participants of postmenopausal females from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2018) were included in this study.

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In Brief: Autophagy is important for trophoblast cells at the maternal-fetal interface during early pregnancy. This study suggests that trophoblast cells can promote the autophagy under a regulation of the LPA/LPAR 1-NHE1 axis.

Abstract: The autophagy of trophoblasts is necessary for developing and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

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Ginsenosides, agents extracted from an important herb (ginseng), are expected to provide new therapies for endometrium-related diseases. Based on the molecular types of ginsenosides, we reviewed the main pharmacological effects of ginsenosides against endometrium-related diseases (e.g.

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Uterine endometrial cancer (UEC) is an estrogen-related tumor. Succinate and heme metabolism play important roles in the progression of multiple tumors. However, the relationship between estrogen, succinate, and heme metabolism and related regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown.

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Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, progesterone-resistant gynecological disease with an unknown pathogenesis. Compared to women without endometriosis, women with endometriosis have a remarkably high heme level in the peritoneal fluid. To further investigate the pathomechanisms of heme in endometriosis, we aimed to identify the dysregulated expression of heme-trafficking proteins, such as PGRMC1/2 that are also receptors that mediate the non-genomic responses to progesterone, and heme-degrading enzymes between ectopic endometrial stromal cells and their normal counterparts.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study examined the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exposure and congenital malformations in a large cohort of pregnant women.
  • Results showed that fetuses exposed to TCM had a 2.10 times higher risk of congenital malformations compared to those who weren't exposed, particularly among women who started TCM early in pregnancy or used multiple formulas.
  • The findings suggest that TCM exposure during the periconceptional period poses a significant risk, especially for congenital heart defects, indicating the need for caution among pregnant women and those planning to conceive.
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Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is characterized by restricted fetal growth and dysregulated placental development. The etiology and pathogenesis still remain elusive. IL-27 shows multiple roles in regulating various biological processes, however, how IL-27 involves in placentation in FGR pregnancy hasn't been demonstrated.

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