Lysine acetyltransferase 14 mediates TGF-β-induced fibrosis in ovarian endometrioma via co-operation with serum response factor.

Background: Fibrogenesis within ovarian endometrioma (endometrioma), mainly induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), is characterized by myofibroblast over-activation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, contributing to endometrioma-associated symptoms such as infertility by impairing ovarian reserve and oocyte quality. However, the precise molecular mechanisms that underpin the endometrioma- associated fibrosis progression induced by TGF-β remain poorly understood.

Methods: The expression level of lysine acetyltransferase 14 (KAT14) was validated in endometrium biopsies from patients with endometrioma and healthy controls, and the transcription level of KAT14 was further confirmed by analyzing a published single-cell transcriptome (scRNA-seq) dataset of endometriosis.

Specific plasma microRNA profiles could be potential non-invasive biomarkers for biochemical pregnancy loss following embryo transfer.

Background: Plasma microRNAs act as biomarkers for predicting and diagnosing diseases. Reliable non-invasive biomarkers for biochemical pregnancy loss have not been established. We aim to analyze the dynamic microRNA profiles during the peri-implantation period and investigate if plasma microRNAs could be non-invasive biomarkers predicting BPL.

Cryptochrome 1 regulates ovarian granulosa cell senescence through NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy.

Age-associated decreases in follicle number and oocyte quality result in a decline in female fertility, which is associated with increased infertility. Granulosa cells play a major role in oocyte development and maturation both in vivo and in vitro. However, it is unclear whether a reduction in cryptochrome 1 (Cry1) expression contributes to granulosa cell senescence, and further exploration is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.

Marein Ameliorates Myocardial Fibrosis by Inhibiting HIF-1α and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 Signaling Pathway in Isoproterenol-stimulated Mice and TGF-β1-stimulated Cardiac Fibroblasts.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis significantly contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of heart failure.

Objective: We probe into the impact of marein, a key bioactive compound in functional food Coreopsis tinctoria, on isoproterenol-stimulated myocardial fibrotic mice and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs).

Methods: Isoproterenol was administered to the experimental mice via subcutaneous injection, and simultaneous administration of marein (25-100 mg/kg) was performed via oral gavage.

Association between female circulating heavy metal concentration and abortion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between blood heavy metal (zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd)) concentrations and spontaneous abortion (SA) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and explore the possible endocrine dysfunction associated with it.

Methods: A literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases up to April 2023. The overall effects were expressed as the standard mean difference (SMD).

N6-methyladenosine regulator-mediated methylation modification patterns and immune infiltration characterization in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multisystem-related disease whose pathophysiology is still unclear. Several regulators of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification were confirmed to play a regulatory role in PCOS. Nonetheless, the roles of m6A regulators in PCOS are not fully demonstrated.

GOLPH3 modulates expression and alternative splicing of transcription factors associated with endometrial decidualization in human endometrial stromal cells.

Endometrial decidualization is a decidual tissue formed by the proliferation and re-differentiation of endometrial stroma stimulated by decidualization inducing factors. It is very important for the proper maintenance of pregnancy. Previous studies speculated that Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) may have a regulatory role in the process of endometrial decidualization, while the specific molecular mechanisms of GOLPH3 is unclear.

Growth hormone inhibits the JAK/STAT3 pathway by regulating SOCS1 in endometrial cells : a clue to enhance endometrial receptivity in recurrent implantation failure.

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is defined as failure to achieve clinical pregnancy after at least 3 transfers of good-quality embryos by natural or artificial means. RIF is often a complex problem with a wide variety of etiologies and mechanisms as well as treatment options. In this study, using immunohistochemistry and Western blot, we demonstrated that the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was increased, while that of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) was decreased in RIF patients.

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.

Different transcriptional profiles of human embryonic stem cells grown in a feeder-free culture system and on human foreskin fibroblast feeder layers.

Feeder cells provide an optimal microenvironment for the propagation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) by supplying currently known or unknown factors. However, the hESCs grown on feeder cells are not suitable for the purpose of clinical application because of the risk of contamination. In recent years, the feeder-free culture method has been developed to eliminate contamination, but some studies show that hESCs exhibit poor growth patterns in a feeder-free culture system.

Acylglycerol kinase promotes ovarian cancer progression and regulates mitochondria function by interacting with ribosomal protein L39.

Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of deaths among patients with gynecologic malignancies. In recent years, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have attracted great attention, which have been regarded as new biomarkers and targets in cancer diagnoses as well as therapies. However, therapeutic failure caused by chemotherapy resistance in late-stage EOC occurs frequently.

PGT-A: The biology and hidden failures of randomized control trials.

Objective: Preimplantation Genetic Testing - Aneuploidy (PGT-A) for embryo selection has undergone significant advancements in the last 2 decades and yet many studies still fail to demonstrate any clinical benefits over traditional embryo morphology selection (Mo-S). To understand this conundrum, we performed a multi-center clinical study of PGT-A patients, where Mo-S and euploid selection (Eu-S) outcomes were directly compared.

Method: All suitable blastocysts were biopsied and analyzed for chromosome copy number.

Comparing the Characteristics of Amniotic Membrane-, Endometrium-, and Urinary-Derived ECMs and Their Effects on Endometrial Regeneration in a Rat Uterine Injury Model.

The decellularized extracellular matrices (d-ECMs) currently utilized to repair endometrial injuries are derived from three tissue sources, the endometrium (dE-ECM), placental amniotic membrane (dA-ECM), and urinary (dU-ECM). Notably, the structures of dU-ECM and dE-ECM are similar. These d-ECMs are derived from different tissues, and their specific roles in endometrial injury repair remain unclear.

Integrated Analysis of Multiple Microarrays Based on Raw Data Identified Novel Gene Signatures in Recurrent Implantation Failure.

Background: Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is an intricate complication following IVF-ET, which refers to the situation that good-quality embryos repeatedly fail to implant following two or more IVF cycles. Intrinsic molecular mechanisms underlying RIF have not yet been fully elucidated. With enormous improvement in high-throughput technologies, researchers screened biomarkers for RIF using microarray.

MicroRNA signatures in plasma and plasma exosome during window of implantation for implantation failure following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that are dysregulated in many diseases and can act as biomarkers. Although well-studied in cancer, the role of miRNAs in embryo implantation is poorly understood. Approximately 70% of embryos fail to implant following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, 10% of patients experienced recurrent implantation failure.

IVF embryo choices and pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: Investigate the chromosome status and transfer outcomes of embryos selected using routine "best morphology" IVF practices.

Method: A prospective multi-center, non-selection cohort study involving patients undertaking IVF treatment. Study entry conditions were blastocyst biopsy, >1 embryo with chromosome analysis and frozen transfer of the best morphology embryo.

Resveratrol reverses the programmed high-susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by targeting the hepatic SIRT1-SREBP1c pathway in prenatal ethanol-exposed rat offspring.

An increased susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in female rat offspring that experienced prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) has been previously demonstrated. The present study further investigated the potential mechanism. Based on the results from both fetal and adult studies of offspring rats that experienced PEE (4 g/kg/day), the fetal weight, serum glucose and triglyceride levels decreased significantly and hepatocellular ultra-structure was altered.

PAI-1 4G/4G Genotype Is Associated with Recurrent Implantation Failure: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To detect the association between PAI-1 -675 4G/5G polymorphism and recurrent implantation failure (RIF). We performed this meta-analysis by searching databases of PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) for case-control studies that evaluated the association between PAI 4G/5G polymorphism and RIF. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model.

Erratum: miR-424 suppresses proliferation and promotes apoptosis of human ovarian granulosa cells by targeting Apelin and APJ expression.

[This corrects the article on p. 3660 in vol. 12, PMID: 32774725.

Roles of the Notch Signaling Pathway in Ovarian Functioning.

The Notch signaling pathway regulates cell invasion, adhesion, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation via cell-to-cell interactions and plays important physiological roles in the ovary. This review summarizes current knowledge about the Notch signaling pathway in relation to ovarian functions and reveals the potential underlying mechanisms. We conducted an in-depth review of relevant literature to determine the current status of research into the Notch signaling pathway in relation to ovarian functioning and reveal potential underlying mechanisms.