Autophagy-dependent ferroptosis may play a critical role in early stages of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), as one of the most common and significant microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), continues to elude effective targeted treatment for vision loss despite ongoing enrichment of the understanding of its pathogenic mechanisms from perspectives such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Recent studies have indicated that characteristic neuroglial degeneration induced by DM occurs before the onset of apparent microvascular lesions. In order to comprehensively grasp the early-stage pathological changes of DR, the retinal neurovascular unit (NVU) will become a crucial focal point for future research into the occurrence and progression of DR.

Analysis of 12 kinds of cytokines in seminal plasma by flow cytometry and their correlations with routine semen parameters.

Objective: To investigate the levels of 12 kinds of cytokines in seminal plasma and their correlations with routine semen parameters.

Methods: The remaining seminal plasma samples of 134 patients undergoing routine semen examination were collected for detecting cytokines. The parameters for sperm concentration, percentage of progressively motile sperm (PR), and motility were analyzed by a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system.

Supramolecular Exchange Reaction in the Cavity of Naphthalene Diimides Extended-Pillar[6]arene.

A new naphthalene diimides extended-pillar[6]arene 1 with a large cavity and rich host-guest complexation properties was synthesized in high yield. It can not only form 1 : 2 complexes with large size polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons but also form 1 : 1 : 1 ternary complex with perylene and 2,7-diazapyrenium. Moreover, the supramolecular exchange reaction from a 1 : 2 host-guest complex 1 ⋅ (G3) formed by 1 and perylene to a 1 : 1 : 1 ternary complex 1 ⋅ G3 ⋅ G5 formed by 1 with perylene and 2,7-diazapyrenium salt was also investigated by H NMR experiments as well as theoretically calculations.

NR5A2 promotes malignancy progression and mediates the effect of cisplatin in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Nuclear receptor subfamily five group A member two (NR5A2) plays a key role in the development of many tumor types, while it is uncertain in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The aim of this work was to determine the role of NR5A2 in cSCC proliferation, and to determine whether NR5A2 mediates the effect of cisplatin in cSCC.

Methods: We performed a systematic study of existing data and conducted a preliminary bioinformatics analysis of NR5A2 expression in cSCC using bioinformatics databases.

Performance evaluation of sperm concentration, motility, and morphological analysis for GSA-810 series of sperm quality analysis system.

Background: The performance evaluation of each computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system may provide a basis for the interpretation of clinical results and further improvement of the CASA system.

Methods: The accuracy of the GSA-810 CASA system was evaluated by detecting latex bead quality control products. The precision of sperm concentration, morphology, and percentages of progressively motile sperm (PR) were evaluated by coefficient of variation (CV).

Discovery of a new cryptic Peters, 1869 (Serpentes, Xenodermidae) species from Hunan Province, China.

A new species, , from central Hunan Province is described, based on the results of molecular systematics and morphological characters according to five specimens. Our molecular phylogeny inferred from the mitochondrial gene fragment revealed that this new species is most closely related to , but a considerable amount of genetic divergence exists between them (-distance ranging from 5.8% to 6.

The expression levels of circulating miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b as diagnostic biomarkers in acute ischemic stroke.

Plasma miRNAs can characterize several diseases, including acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which is noninvasive and currently affordable in most laboratories worldwide. We aimed to demonstrate plasma miR-140-3p, miR-130a-3p, and miR-320b as diagnostic biomarkers in AIS.GSE110993 and GSE86291 datasets were analyzed to obtain plasma differentially expressed miRNAs between AIS and healthy control subjects (HCs).

Analysis of selected sperm samples by a computer-assisted system with high frame rate: A prospective study.

Background And Aims: Due to the rapid motility of the selected sperm, sperm parameters cannot be accurately determined by the manual method. So, the application of a computer-assisted sperm analysis system with a high frame rate (HFR-CASA, 85 Hz) in sperm selection is investigated.

Methods: A total of 177 semen samples were collected for sperm selection with density gradient centrifugation.

Correlations of joint detection of 22 vaginal microbes with routine examination results of vaginal secretions and assisted reproductive outcomes.

The correlations of joint detection of 22 vaginal microbes with routine examination results of vaginal secretions and assisted reproductive outcomes were investigated. There were 37 samples with abnormal vaginal microecology in 107 vaginal secretion samples. The top 5 detection rates of microorganisms were Ureaplasma urealyticum (73.

Effects of six kinds of sperm staining methods on human sperm size and evaluation of their staining effects.

Background: Large- and small-headed sperm are common morphological abnormalities. If different sperm staining methods affect sperm size, they will make a difference in the accuracy of sperm morphological analysis results. In this case, the normal reference values of sperm head parameters for different staining methods should be established.

Screening of sperm antigen epitopes by phage display technique and its preliminary clinical application.

Background: At present, there is a lack of standardized preparation methods of sperm antigen for the detection of antisperm antibody (AsAb). To screen sperm antigen mimotopes from a phage display random peptide library and use them to establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of AsAb, immunoglobulins were extracted from the sera of rabbits with positive AsAb and negative AsAb, respectively, by the saturated ammonium sulfate method, and a phage display 12-mer peptide library was affinity panned by the extracted immunoglobins coated on the ELISA plate. Then, the obtained positive phage clones were identified by ELISA and sent for sequencing and peptides synthesis.

Network analysis and experimental pharmacology study explore the protective effects of Isoliquiritigenin on 5-fluorouracil-Induced intestinal mucositis.

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most widely used chemotherapy drugs for malignant tumors. However, intestinal mucositis caused by 5-FU is a severe dose-limiting toxic effect and even leads to treatment interruption. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is one of the main active compounds of licorice, which is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine commonly used in inflammation and gastrointestinal diseases.

Enhanced laccase production by mutagenized Myrothecium verrucaria using corn stover as a carbon source and its potential in the degradation of 2-chlorophen.

Chlorophenols are widely used in industry and are known environmental pollutants. The degradation of chlorophenols is important for environmental remediation. In this study, we evaluated the biodegradation of 2-chlorophenol using crude laccase produced by Myrothecium verrucaria.

TOPK Affects Autophagy of Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating NF-KB Pathway through HDAC1.

Objective: To explore the effect and potential mechanism of T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK) on autophagy in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).

Methods: Human cSCC cancer tissue and paracancerous tissue samples were collected clinically; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TOPK, nuclear factor B p65 (NF-B p65), phosphorylated nuclear factor B inhibitor (p-IB), Beclin-1, and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) in cSCC tissue; and immunofluorescence was adopted to detect the coexpression of NF-B p65, p-IB, and TOPK in cSCC tissue. After TOPK silencing or overexpression, SCL-1 and A431 cells were treated with PDTC and 3-MA, respectively.

[Standardization and quality control for detection of sperm DNA damage by flow cytometry: A preliminary investigation].

Objective: To investigate preliminarily the standardization and quality control for the detection of sperm DNA damage by flow cytometry.

Methods: Semen samples were randomly selected and observed for the effects of acid denaturation time, acridine orange (AO) staining time, semen sample refrigeration, freezing and repeated freezing-thawing on the results of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI).

Results: Sperm DFI increased gradually with the prolongation of acid denaturation time, significantly at 2 minutes in comparison with that at 30 seconds (P<0.

[Establishment and evaluation of a flow cytometry technique reflecting the severity of human sperm DNA damage].

Objective: To establish a flow cytometry (FC) technique reflecting the severity of human sperm DNA and evaluate its performance.

Methods: We analyzed the red and green fluorescence peaks of normal sperm in 1 165 human semen samples, defined the average lower limit of 5% of green fluorescence and the average upper limit of 95% of red fluorescence as the red and green fluorescence limits of the four-quadrant gate, and established an FC technique for detection of the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), analysis of its repeatability and linear range and determination of the reference value of normal fertile men. We also analyzed the correlations of the sperm DFI, mild DNA damage marker (DFIm) and severe DNA damage marker (DFIs) with sperm concentration and motility in 122 men from the Infertility Clinic of Zhongda Hospital.

Photosensitizer-free synthesis of β-keto sulfones visible-light-induced oxysulfonylation of alkenes with sulfonic acids.

A practical and environment-friendly methodology for the construction of β-keto sulfones through visible-light induced direct oxysulfonylation of alkenes with sulfonic acids at ambient temperature under open-air conditions was developed. Most importantly, the reaction proceeded smoothly without the addition of any photocatalyst or strong oxidant, ultimately minimizing the production of chemical waste.

Theoretical and experimental research on self-assembly system of molecularly imprinted polymers formed via chloramphenicol and methacrylic acid.

Chloramphenicol was chosen as the imprinting molecule and the methacrylic acid was chosen as the functional monomer to prepare molecularly imprinted polymers. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, and trimethylolpropane trimethylacrylate were used as the cross-linking agents, respectively. The interaction processes between chloramphenicol and methacrylic acid were simulated by using the ωB97XD/6-31G (d,p) method.

Sodium butyrate supplementation ameliorates diabetic inflammation in db/db mice.

Endotoxemia has been recognized to be closely accompanied with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is responsible for many diabetic complications. Recent study suggests the potential role of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) from microbiota metabolite, on T2DM. Gut-leak is a key event in diabetic-endotoxemia.

Purification and Characterization of an Antioxidant Protein from Fertilized Eggs.

Free radicals may attack cells or tissue, leading to chronic diseases, and antioxidant consumption is potentially useful for removing free radicals. Egg proteins may be used as potential sources of antioxidant considering their ability of scavenging free radicals to apply for food or cosmetics industry. In this study, we obtained a natural antioxidant protein from fertilized eggs, which was a dietary supplement in some Asian countries.

MEF2C rs190982 polymorphism with late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Han Chinese: A replication study and meta-analyses.

The myocyte enhancer factor (MEF2) family of transcription factors plays a vital role in memory and learning due to its functions in regulating synapse number and reducing dendritic spines. Myocyte enhancer factor 2 C (MEF2C) is regarded as modulator of amyloid-protein precursor (APP) proteolytic processing, in which amyloid-β (Aβ) is produced. A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, rs190982) in MEF2C gene was identified to be related to late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) in Caucasians in a large meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Genetics of Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: From the Bench to the Clinic.

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a clinically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disease with a strong genetic component. In this review, we summarize most common mutations in MAPT, GRN, and C90RF72, as well as less common mutations in VCP, CHMP2B, TARDBP, FUS gene and so on. Several guidelines have been developed to help gene testing based on genotype-phenotype correlation, the underlying histopathological subtypes, and the neuroanatomic associations.

Theoretical and experimental studies on the performances of barbital-imprinted systems.

By using density functional theory, we studied the interaction process between barbital and 2-vinyl-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine in acetonitrile at 333 K. Barbital and 2-vinyl-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine were used as the template and functional monomer, respectively. The molecularly imprinted polymer microspheres containing barbital and 2-vinyl-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine were synthesized through precipitation polymerization.

Preparation of melamine molecularly imprinted polymer by computer-aided design.

Melamine was chosen as template, methacrylic acid was chosen as functional monomer, and divinylbenzene, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethylacrylate were chosen as cross-linking agents, respectively. The WB97XD/6-31G(d, p) method was used to calculate the geometry optimization of the different imprinting ratios, the action sites, the bonding situation, and the optimization of the cross-linking agents. The nature of the imprinting effect was also studied by the atoms in molecules theory.

Theoretical and experimental research on the self-assembled system of molecularly imprinted polymers formed by salbutamol and methacrylic acid.

The quantum chemical method was applied for screening functional monomers in the rational design of salbutamol-imprinted polymers. Salbutamol was the template molecule, and methacrylic acid was the single functional monomer. The LC-WPBE/6-31G(d,p) method was used to investigate the geometry optimization, active sites, natural bond orbital charges, binding energies of the imprinted molecule, and solvation energy.