In situ visualization of interfacial processes at nanoscale in non-alkaline Zn-air batteries.

Zn-air batteries (ZABs) present high energy density and high safety but suffer from low oxygen reaction reversibility and dendrite growth at Zn electrode in alkaline electrolytes. Non-alkaline electrolytes have been considered recently for improving the interfacial processes in ZABs. However, the dynamic evolution and reaction mechanisms regulated by electrolytes at both the positive and Zn negative electrodes remain elusive.

Effects of different straw return methods on soil properties and yield potential of maize.

Long-term continual straw return can enhance soil quality and increase crop yields by perpetually altering the soil environment. However, little is known about how different straw return methods affect soil physicochemical properties, enzymatic processes, and crop yields. The study aims to determine how different straw return practices improve soil structure, nutrients, enzyme activities, and maize yields.

Revealing the CO Conversion at Electrode/Electrolyte Interfaces in Li-CO Batteries via Nanoscale Visualization Methods.

Lithium-carbon dioxide (Li-CO ) battery technology presents a promising opportunity for carbon capture and energy storage. Despite tremendous efforts in Li-CO batteries, the complex electrode/electrolyte/CO triple-phase interfacial processes remain poorly understood, in particular at the nanoscale. Here, using in situ atomic force microscopy and laser confocal microscopy-differential interference contrast microscopy, we directly observed the CO conversion processes in Li-CO batteries at the nanoscale, and further revealed a laser-tuned reaction pathway based on the real-time observations.

Comparison of embryo implantation potential between time-lapse incubators and standard incubators: a randomized controlled study.

Research Question: What are the potential clinical benefits of embryo culture and assessment in a time-lapse incubator compared with a standard incubator using static assessment?

Design: This large multicentre, single-blinded, randomized controlled study included 1224 participants randomly assigned (1:1) to the time-lapse or standard incubator group. In all patients one or two embryos were transferred on day 3. The primary outcome was the implantation rate in the first embryo transfer cycle.

Efficacy and safety of raltitrexed plus S-1 regorafenib in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer: a real-world propensity score matching study.

Background: Raltitrexed plus S-1 (RS) and regorafenib both showed considerable efficacy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of two different regimens in patients with refractory mCRC.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included mCRC patients who were treated with RS or regorafenib from February 2017 to June 2021.

Associations of sex hormone levels with body mass index (BMI) in men: a cross-sectional study using quantile regression analysis.

Body mass index (BMI) has been increasing globally in recent decades. Previous studies reported that BMI was associated with sex hormone levels, but the results were generated via linear regression or logistic regression, which would lose part of information. Quantile regression analysis can maximize the use of variable information.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of 2q deletion and Xq duplication associated with nasal bone dysplasia in prenatal diagnosis: A case report and literature review.

Objective: We report a prenatal case of male fetus with a 2q13 deletion and an Xq27.3q28 duplication, presenting nasal bone dysplasia by ultrasound examination. And we compare the similarities of clinical features of cases consisting of similar 2q deletion and Xq duplication.

Immune-Related Pneumonitis Was Decreased by Addition of Chemotherapy with PD-1/L1 Inhibitors: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).

Purpose: Immune-related pneumonitis (IRP) has attracted extensive attention, owing to its increased mortality rate. Conventional chemotherapy (C) has been considered as an immunosuppressive agent and may thus reduce IRP's risk when used in combination with PD-1/L1 inhibitors. This study aimed to assess the risk of IRP with PD-1/L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy (I+C) versus PD-1/L1 inhibitors alone (I) in solid cancer treatment.

BMP6 increases CD68 expression by up-regulating CTGF expression in human granulosa-lutein cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) are critical growth factors required for normal follicular development and luteal function. Cluster of Differentiation 68 (CD68) is an intraovarian marker of macrophages that plays an important role in modulating the physiological regression of the corpus luteum. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BMP6 on the expression of CTGF and the subsequent increase in CD68 expression as well as its underlying mechanisms.

Application of intelligent algorithms in Down syndrome screening during second trimester pregnancy.

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common chromosomal aneuploidy diseases. Prenatal screening and diagnostic tests can aid the early diagnosis, appropriate management of these fetuses, and give parents an informed choice about whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. In recent years, investigations have been conducted to achieve a high detection rate (DR) and reduce the false positive rate (FPR).

Prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with mosaic ring chromosome 13: Case report and review of the literature.

Objective: To diagnose the ring chromosome 13 (r(13)) in a fetus, and analyze the genotype-phenotype correlation.

Case Report: A 26-year-old woman who was second pregnancy, underwent amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation because of the increased nuchal translucency (NT). Prenatal ultrasound showed the NT thickness was 3.

Clinical Application of Chromosomal Microarray Analysis in Pregnant Women with Advanced Maternal Age and Fetuses with Ultrasonographic Soft Markers.

BACKGROUND In pregnant women with advanced maternal age (AMA) and fetuses with ultrasonographic (USG) soft markers it is always challenging to decide whether to implement chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) or not. It is unclear whether CMA should be used in the fetuses with isolated USG soft markers, and there is still a lack of extensive sample research. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 1521 cases in our research and divided them into 3 groups as follows: pregnant women with isolated AMA (group 1, n=633), pregnant women whose fetuses had isolated USG soft markers (group 2, n=750), and pregnant women with AMA whose fetuses had isolated USG soft markers (group 3, n=138).

Frequency and clinical manifestation of prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis of chromosomal polymorphisms in Northeast China.

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the incidence of chromosomal polymorphisms in prenatal cytogenetic diagnostic cases and the effect of the clinical manifestation of these fetuses.

Materials And Methods: 490 fetuses with chromosomal polymorphisms among 9996 pregnant women who underwent prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis were included in this study and were set as group 1. Other 500 pregnant women, whose fetuses were with normal karyotypes, were randomly selected from the remaining pregnant women and set as group 2.

Re-evaluation of the value of sperm morphology in classical fertilization in a Northeastern Chinese population.

Objective: This study aimed to re-evaluate the clinical value of a 4% cut-off threshold of sperm morphology in fertilization (IVF) in a cohort of a Northeastern Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 375 IVF cycles that met strict inclusion criteria were included. These cycles were conducted with semen analysis and oocyte fertilization.

BMP6 increases TGF-β1 production by up-regulating furin expression in human granulosa-lutein cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) are key intraovarian regulators that play essential roles in regulating mammalian follicular function and promoting oocyte maturation. Furin, a member of the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family, promotes the activation of diverse functional proteins by cleaving protein precursors in the secretory pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and underlying molecular mechanisms by which BMP6 regulates the expression of furin to increase TGF-β1 production.

BMP6 Downregulates GDNF Expression Through SMAD1/5 and ERK1/2 Signaling Pathways in Human Granulosa-Lutein Cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 6 is a critical regulator of follicular development that is expressed in mammalian oocytes and granulosa cells. Glial cell line‒derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is an intraovarian neurotrophic factor that plays an essential role in regulating mammalian oocyte maturation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BMP6 on the regulation of GDNF expression and the potential underlying mechanisms.

A report of nine cases and review of the literature of infertile men carrying balanced translocations involving chromosome 5.

Background: Balanced translocations may cause the loss of genetic material at the breakpoints and may result in failure of spermatogenesis. However, carriers of reciprocal translocation may naturally conceive. Genetic counseling of male carriers of translocations remains challenging.

AZFa Microdeletions: Occurrence in Chinese Infertile Men and Novel Deletions Revealed by Semiconductor Sequencing.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of azoospermia factor (AZFa) microdeletions among infertile men and establish a new high-throughput sequencing method to detect novel deletion types.

Materials And Methods: A total of 3731 infertile men were included. Karyotype analysis was performed using G-band staining of peripheral blood lymphocytes.