Sources and health risks of heavy metals in kindergarten dust: The role of particle size.

Particle size effects significantly impact the concentration and toxicity of heavy metals (HMs) in dust. Nevertheless, the differences in concentrations, sources, and risks of HMs in dust with different particle sizes are unclear. Therefore, guided by the definition of atmospheric particulate matter, dust samples with particle sizes under 1000 μm (DT), 100 μm (DT), and 63 μm (DT) from Beijing kindergartens were collected.

Hazard profiles, distribution trends, and sources tracing of rare earth elements in dust of kindergartens in Beijing.

Children, the most vulnerable group in urban populations, are susceptible to the effects of pollution in urban environments. It is significant to evaluate the influence of rare earth elements (REEs) from kindergartens dust (KD) in Beijing on children's health. This study collected surface dust from 73 kindergartens in 16 districts of the mega-city of Beijing, and the concentrations of 14 REEs in KD, including La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, were detected.

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.

Remarkable contamination characteristics, potential hazards and source apportionment of heavy metals in surface dust of kindergartens in a northern megacity of China.

It is essential to understand the impact of heavy metals (HMs) present in the surface dust (SD) of kindergartens on children, who are highly sensitive to contaminated dust in cities in their growth stage. A study was conducted on 11 types of HMs present in the SD of 73 kindergartens in Beijing. This study aims to assess the pollution levels and sources of eleven HMs in Beijing's kindergartens surface dust (KSD), and estimate the potential health risks in different populations and sources.

Mesenchymal stem cells therapy improves ovarian function in premature ovarian failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on preclinical studies.

Background: Studies have revealed that the transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) might be a potential star candidate for premature ovarian failure (POF) in animal experiments. However, individual studies with a small sample size cannot be used to draw a clear conclusion. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the potential of using MSCs in the treatment of POF in animals.

Advances in the application of metallic isotopes to the identification of contaminant sources in environmental geochemistry.

The development of the economy and society makes heavy metals (HMs) pollution more and more serious. And, pollution source identification is the primary work of environmental pollution control and land planning. Notably, stable isotope technology has a high ability to distinguish pollution sources, and can better reflect the migration behavior and contribution of HMs from diverse sources, which has become a hot research tool for pollution source identification of HMs.

A Giant Urachal Accessory Spleen: Case Report.

Accessory spleen (AS) refers to single or multiple splenic tissues which appear outside the relative normal spleen position results from embryonic dysplasia similar in structure and function to the spleen. AS is frequently observed in the splenic hilus and or adjacent to the tail of pancreas, and only a few cases occurred in the pelvic cavity. We present an extremely rare AS case in urachus, which was initially considered as an urachal neoplasm revealed on CT images with big mass.

A Case-Control Study on Factors of HPV Vaccination for Mother and Daughter in China.

(1) Background: To explore the influencing factors of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among mothers and daughters so as to provide evidence and strategies for improving the HPV vaccination rate of 9-18-years-old girls. (2) A questionnaire survey was conducted among the mothers of 9-18-year-old girls from June to August 2022. The participants were divided into the mother and daughter vaccinated group (M1D1), the mother-only vaccinated group (M1D0), and the unvaccinated group (M0D0).

Preliminary investigation of soil organic carbon distribution and turnover patterns, and potential pollution sources in and around a typical coking plant in North China.

The variation characteristics of soil organic carbon (SOC) in and around the coking plant area are still unclear. In this work, the concentration and stable carbon isotope composition of SOC in coke plant soils were investigated to preliminarily identify the sources of SOC in and around the plant area, and to characterize soil carbon turnover. Meanwhile, the carbon isotopic technique was used to initially identify the soil pollution processes and sources in and around the coking plant area.

Integrative bioinformatics analysis to identify novel biomarkers associated with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Aim: This study aimed to identify autophagy-related genes (ARGs) associated with non-obstructive azoospermia and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Two datasets associated with azoospermia were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and ARGs were obtained from the Human Autophagy-dedicated Database. Autophagy-related differentially expressed genes were identified in the azoospermia and control groups.

Programmed frozen embryo transfer cycle increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a multicenter cohort study in ovulatory women.

Background: Although live birth rates were comparable between programmed and natural frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles, recent data showed that pregnancies after programmed cycle were associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Such a difference might be attributed to selection bias because patients with ovulation disorders are more likely to receive programmed endometrial preparation protocol than natural cycle.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze whether programmed endometrial preparation protocol is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes compared with natural cycle during frozen embryo transfer in ovulatory women.

Distribution, source, and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soils from a typical petroleum refinery area in south China.

The ubiquity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils in petroleum refining areas is an important problem affecting human and ecological safety. In this study, 103 topsoil (0-0.50 m) samples were collected from a retired petroleum refinery area in Guangdong province, south China.

Source tracing of potentially toxic elements in soils around a typical coking plant in an industrial area in northern China.

Coking plants are a substantial source of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil. In this study, we examined the concentration of PTEs, the soil physicochemical properties, and the Pb isotopes in the soil inside and around a coking plant in an industrial city in northern China. We analyzed the spatial distribution of PTEs and the pollution risk areas by I index, the enrichment factor (EF), and the Nemerow index, and we quantitatively identified the contribution of PTE pollution sources in the soil on a small- and medium-scale (plant and work section).

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.

Can Inhibin B Reflect Ovarian Reserve of Healthy Reproductive Age Women Effectively?

Objective: The reference range and potential value of inhibin B are still unclear and controversial. This study aimed to define the variation trend of inhibin B in healthy women with age and explore its value in the reflection of ovarian reserve.

Methods: A total of 2524 healthy reproductive age women from eight medical institutes nationwide were recruited.

Polymorphisms of vascular endothelial growth factor and recurrent implantation failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the associations between polymorphisms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with recurrent implantation failure (RIF).

Methods: We performed the systematic review and meta-analysis by searching databases of PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) for studies that evaluated the associations between VEGF polymorphisms with RIF. Meta-analysis was performed if the polymorphism was studied by more than two case-control studies.

Transcriptional Inhibition of lncRNA gadd7 by CRISPR/dCas9-KRAB Protects Spermatocyte Viability.

Our previous study found that lncRNA gadd7 was up-regulated in the semen of varicocele patients, and could promote the apoptosis of mouse spermatocytes and inhibit their proliferation. Therefore, we further explored whether down-regulation of Gadd seven expression could protect the viability of spermatocytes. Here we designed specific sgRNAs targeting the ORF region of gadd7, and constructed a CRISPR-dCas9-KRAB system that effectively inhibits gadd7 at the transcriptional level.

Ovarian Hyperresponse Following the Sole Administration of GnRH Agonist.

Background: The gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) has gained widespread popularity in achieving pituitary suppression before ovarian stimulation with exogenous gonadotropins in assisted reproductive technology protocols. However, a very small part of patients may develop ovarian hyper response after the sole administration of GnRHa without gonadotropins.

Case Report: A 32-year-old female diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome presented for her second IVF cycle in our reproductive center.

[Impact of sperm DNA fragmentation on the outcome of frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer].

Objective: To study the impact of sperm DNA fragmentation (DF) on the outcome of frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 308 cases of routine IVF-ET performed at our Center of Reproductive Medicine from January 2016 to January 2018. According to the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), we divided the patients into a normal DFI (DFI ≤ 15%, n = 114), a moderate DFI (15% < DFI ≤ 30%, n = 103), and a high DFI group (DFI > 30 %, n = 91), and compared the development of embryos and clinical outcomes among the three groups.

Non spontaneous vaginal delivery was associated with lower probability of subsequent fertility.

Objective: Previous systematic reviews have reported that cesarean birth is associated with reduced rate of subsequent fertility. However, other common mode of delivery was poorly understood. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the subsequent fertility in patients having different modes of non-spontaneous vaginal delivery, if compared to normal vaginal delivery.

Growth differentiation factor 9 inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor expression in human granulosa cells.

In aortic endothelial cells, the TGFβ signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (), which encodes a potent angiogenic factor crucial for the development of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) is a member of the TGFβ family and its effect on expression in human granulosa cells is unknown. In this study, human granulosa cells were collected from patients during the course of oocyte retrieval for fertilization and were cultured .

LncRNAs act as prognostic biomarkers in bladder carcinoma: A meta-analysis.

Background And Purpose: Increasing studies have shown that different kinds of lncRNAs play key role in the development of multiple carcinomas. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate an association between the expression level of lncRNAs and the prognosis of bladder cancer (death or other clinical outcomes).

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed by using PubMed.

LncRNA gadd7, increased in varicocele patients, suppresses cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis.

Varicocele-related sperm damages are usually caused by oxidative stresses. Growing evidence indicates that lncRNA growth arrested DNA-damage inducible gene 7 (gadd7) is involved in the regulation of the oxidative stress responses. In this study, we measured the expression level of gadd7 in the sperm and found that the expression of gadd7 was significantly up-regulated in patients with varicocele compared with the healthy control.

[The effect of warm needling pretreatment for endometrial receptivity of frozen embryo transfer].

Objective: To explore the effect of warming needling pretreatment for endometrial receptivity before frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).

Methods: Fifty-six repeatedly embryo transfer (ET) failure patients with ultrasound showing follicular phase endometrium of C type, hysteroscopy examination presenting endometritis were randomly assigned into an observation group (25 cases) and a control group (31 cases). The patients in the observation group three months before ET were treated with antibiotics in the menstrual period, warming needle (once a day) at Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Liangu (ST 34), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39) after menstruation until the ovulation stopped, and oral administration of progesterone was applied after ovulation.