The Potential Mechanisms Involved in the Disruption of Spermatogenesis in Mice by Nanoplastics and Microplastics.

Background: Plastic-based products are ubiquitous due to their tremendous utility in our daily lives. Nanoplastic (NP) and microplastic (MP) pollution has become a severe threat to the planet and is a growing concern. It has been widely reported that polystyrene (PS) MPs are severely toxic to the male reproduction system, with effects including decreased sperm parameters, impaired spermatogenesis, and damaged testicular structures.

TiC nanosheet-induced autophagy derails ovarian functions.

Background: Two-dimensional ultrathin TiC (MXene) nanosheets have gained significant attention in various biomedical applications. Although previous studies have described the accumulation and associated damage of TiC nanosheets in the testes and placenta. However, it is currently unclear whether TiC nanosheets can be translocated to the ovaries and cause ovarian damage, thereby impairing ovarian functions.

The impact of intellectual property rights protection on green innovation: A quasi-natural experiment based on the pilot policy of the Chinese intellectual property court.

In the context of high-quality economic development in China, it is important to promote green innovation development by protecting intellectual property rights (IPR). Taking the pilot policy of the intellectual property courts in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou for example in a quasi-natural experiment, this article examines the effect of IPR protection on the development of corporate green innovation and its mechanisms by using a difference-in-differences model and a mediating effect model based on Chinese enterprise data from 2011 to 2019. The study found that first, IPR protection promotes enterprise green technological innovation; second, IPR protection affects green innovation through enterprise financing constraints and R&D investment; that is, increasing enterprise R&D investment and alleviating enterprise financing constraints are two important channels through which IPR protection promotes enterprise green technological innovation.

TiC (MXene) nanosheets disrupt spermatogenesis in male mice mediated by the ATM/p53 signaling pathway.

Background: Two-dimensional ultrathin TiC nanosheets are increasingly being used in biomedical applications owing to their special physicochemical properties. But, the biological effects of its exposure on the reproductive system is still unclear. This study evaluated the reproductive toxicity of TiC nanosheets in the testes.

The disruption of human trophoblast functions by autophagy activation through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway induced by exposure to titanium carbide (TiC) MXene.

TiC MXene, as a novel nanomaterial, has attracted great attention due to its promising properties in biomedical applications. However, the potential effects of TiC MXene on trophoblast functions have not been investigated. Here, we found that TiC MXene exposure weakened the extension ability of villus explants in vitro.

Exposure to two-dimensional ultrathin TiC (MXene) nanosheets during early pregnancy impairs neurodevelopment of offspring in mice.

Background: Two-dimensional ultrathin TiC (MXene) nanosheets have been extensively explored for various biomedical applications. However, safety issues and the effects of TiC on human health remain poorly understood.

Results: To explore the influence on foetal or offspring after exposure to TiC nanosheets, we established a mouse model exposed to different doses of TiC nanosheets during early pregnancy in this study.

Exposure to N-monoacetyl-p-phenylenediamine impaired ovarian function in mice.

p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) is the main constituent of permanent hair dye and is also widely used in the photographic and rubber industries. PPD and its metabolites have been shown to increase the risk of cancer (especially ovarian cancer); however, their effect on female reproduction is unclear. We investigated the effects of the PPD metabolite N-monoacetyl-PPD (MAPPD) on mouse blastocyst development and ovarian function.

miR-21a inhibits decidual cell apoptosis by targeting Pdcd4.

Decidualization of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) accompanied with embryo implantation is a key process in mammalian reproduction. Evidence suggests that maintenance of decidual cells function is essential. As a critical part in post-transcriptional gene regulation, microRNAs (miRNAs/miR) have been confirmed to be involved in decidualization.