MicroRNA‑155‑5p inhibits trophoblast cell proliferation and invasion by disrupting centrosomal function.

Recurrent miscarriage is used to refer to more than three pregnancy failures before 20 weeks of gestation. Defective trophoblast cell growth and invasion are frequently observed in recurrent miscarriage. Several microRNAs (miRs), including miR‑155‑5p, are aberrantly upregulated in recurrent miscarriage; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Effect of extra-low dose levothyroxine supplementation on pregnancy outcomes in women with subclinical hypothyroidism undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Objective: This study was undertaken to test the therapeutic effect of extra-low dose of levothyroxine (LT4; 25 mcg/day) to preconception and pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective study, SCH women who succeeded in their first in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle between January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020 were included. SCH is defined as normal serum free thyroxine (T4) level and an elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level >4 mIU/L.

The impact of serum estradiol and progesterone levels during implantation on obstetrical complications and perinatal outcomes in frozen embryo transfer.

Background: This study sought to evaluate obstetric complications and perinatal outcomes in frozen embryo transfer (FET) using either a natural cycle (NC-FET) or a hormone therapy cycle (HT-FET). Furthermore, we investigated how serum levels of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) on the day of and 3 days after embryo transfer (ET) correlated with clinical outcomes in the two groups.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center study from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2019.

Diagnosis and management of ovarian vein thrombosis after laparoscopic -assisted vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy: A case report and literature review.

Objective: We present a case who developed ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) after laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy to share our experience.

Case Report: A 46-year-old woman came to our hospital due to severe dysmenorrhea induced by adenomyosis. Medical treatments were given but with unsatisfactory effect.

Proper phosphorylation of septin 12 regulates septin 4 and soluble adenylyl cyclase expression to induce sperm capacitation.

Septin-based ring complexes maintain the sperm annulus. Defective annular structures are observed in the sperm of Sept12- and Sept4-null mice. In addition, sperm capacitation, a process required for proper fertilization, is inhibited in Sept4-null mice, implying that the sperm annulus might play a role in controlling sperm capacitation.

A de novo partial trisomy 9p with Dandy-Walker malformation and ventriculomegaly.

Objective: We present a female neonate with de novo trisomy 9p24.3-q21.2 presented with a neurological anomaly.

PDGF-AA activates AKT and ERK signaling for testicular interstitial Leydig cell growth via primary cilia.

Testes control the development of male reproductive system. The testicular interstitial Leydig cells (Leydig cells) synthesize testosterone for promoting spermatogenesis and secondary sexual characteristics. Type A platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA) is one of the most important growth factors in regulating Leydig cell growth and function.

HLA sharing and maternal HLA expression in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss in Taiwan.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency and distribution of human HLA sharing and maternal HLA allele expression in couples with recurrent pregnancy loss in Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed couples experienced two or more pregnancy loss before 20th weeks of gestation from March 2014 to November 2020 having HLA determination. Fertile individuals with one or more live-birth offspring receiving HLA allele determination during the same period were included as the control group.

Artificial intelligence model to predict pregnancy and multiple pregnancy risk following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Objective: To decrease multiple pregnancy risk and sustain optimal pregnancy chance by choosing suitable number of embryos during transfer, this study aims to construct artificial intelligence models to predict the pregnancy outcome and multiple pregnancy risk after IVF-ET.

Materials And Methods: From Jan 2010 to Dec 2019, 1507 fresh embryo transfer cycles contained 20 features were obtained. After eliminating incomplete records, 949 treatment cycles were included in the pregnancy model dataset and 380 cycles in the twin pregnancy model dataset.

Raspberry ketone promotes FNDC5 protein expression via HO-1 upregulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Obesity is a global health problem and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Exercise is an effective intervention to combat obesity. Fibronectin type III domain containing protein 5 (FNDC5)/irisin, a myokine, can stimulate the browning of white adipose tissue by increasing uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression, and therefore may represent a link between the beneficial effects of exercise and improvement in metabolic diseases.

LRWD1 expression is regulated through DNA methylation in human testicular embryonal carcinoma cells.

Background: Sperm growth and maturation are correlated with the expression levels of Leucine-rich repeat and WD repeat-containing protein 1 (LRWD1), a widely expressed protein in the human testicles. The decrease in LRWD1 cellular level was linked to the reduction in cell growth and mitosis and the rise in cell microtubule atrophy rates. Since DNA methylation has a major regulatory role in gene expression, this study aimed at exploring the effect of the modulation of DNA methylation on LRWD1 expression levels.

Involvement of the p62/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in the browning effect of irisin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Irisin has gained attention because of its potential applications in the treatment of metabolic diseases. Accumulating evidence indicates that irisin attenuates obesity via the browning of white adipose tissue; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we evaluated the effects of irisin on adipocyte browning and the underlying mechanisms.

The SEPT12 complex is required for the establishment of a functional sperm head-tail junction.

The connecting pieces of the sperm neck link the flagellum and the sperm head, and they are important for initiating flagellar beating. The connecting pieces are important building blocks for the sperm neck; however, the mechanism of connecting piece assembly is poorly understood. In the present study, we explored the role of septins in sperm motility and found that Sept12D197N knock-in (KI) mice produce acephalic and immotile spermatozoa.

17-DMAG, an Hsp90 inhibitor, ameliorates ovariectomy-induced obesity in rats.

Aims: Obesity is not only associated with metabolic diseases but is also a symptom of menopause in women. To date, there are no effective drugs for the management of obesity, and it is important to find new agents with fewer side effects, for the treatment of obesity. This study aimed to determine the anti-obesity effect of 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG), a heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor, and its underlying mechanism in rats with ovariectomy-induced obesity.

Raspberry ketone induces brown-like adipocyte formation through suppression of autophagy in adipocytes and adipose tissue.

Promoting white adipose tissue (WAT) to acquire brown-like characteristics is a promising approach for obesity treatment. Although raspberry ketone (RK) has been reported to possess antiobesity activity, its effects on the formation of brown-like adipocytes remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects and underlying mechanism of RK on WAT browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and rats with ovariectomy (Ovx)-induced obesity.

Raspberry Ketone Reduced Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Cells and Ovariectomy-Induced Obesity in Wistar Rats by Regulating Autophagy Mechanisms.

This study aimed to determine the antiobesity effects of raspberry ketone (RK), one of the major aromatic compounds contained in raspberry, and its underlying mechanisms. During adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells, RK (300 μM) significantly reduced lipid accumulation and downregulated the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), and fatty acid synthase (FAS). RK also reduced the expression of light chain 3B (LC3B), autophagy-related protein 12 (Atg12), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and phosphorylated-tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2), whereas it increased the level of p62 and phosphorylated-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR).

Heme oxygenase-1 mediates anti-adipogenesis effect of raspberry ketone in 3T3-L1 cells.

Background: Obesity is caused by excessive accumulation of body fat and is closely related to complex metabolic diseases. Raspberry ketone (RK), a major aromatic compound in red raspberry, was recently reported to possess anti-obesity effects. However, its mechanisms are unclear.

LRWD1 Regulates Microtubule Nucleation and Proper Cell Cycle Progression in the Human Testicular Embryonic Carcinoma Cells.

Leucine-rich repeats and WD repeat domain containing protein 1 (LRWD1) is a testis-specific protein that mainly expressed in the sperm neck where centrosome is located. By using microarray analysis, LRWD1 is identified as a putative gene that involved in spermatogenesis. However, its role in human male germ cell development has not been extensively studied.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate drives M2 macrophage differentiation toward a phenotype of decidual macrophage.

M1 macrophage differentiation plays a crucial role in enhanced inflammation during pregnancy, which may lead to pregnancy complications. Therefore, modulation of macrophage differentiation toward the M2 phenotype is desirable to ensure a successful pregnancy. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is a potent progestin with an anti-inflammatory property, but its effect on macrophage differentiation is unknown.

Genistein suppresses leptin-induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and neointima formation.

Obesity is a strong risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and is associated with a marked increase in circulating leptin concentration. Leptin is a peptide hormone mainly produced by adipose tissue and is regulated by energy level, hormones and various inflammatory mediators. Genistein is an isoflavone that exhibits diverse health-promoting effects.

Efficacy of Femarelle for the treatment of climacteric syndrome in postmenopausal women: An open label trial.

Objective: To assess the effects of 2 months of treatment with Femarelle for climacteric syndrome in Taiwanese postmenopausal women.

Materials And Methods: A multi-center, open-label trial of 260 postmenopausal women, age ≥ 45 years with vasomotor symptoms. Women were enrolled after obtaining a detailed medical history and a thorough physical examination.

Heat shock protein 70 and AMP-activated protein kinase contribute to 17-DMAG-dependent protection against heat stroke.

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) preconditioning induces thermotolerance, and adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a role in the process of autophagy. Here, we investigated whether 17-dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin (17-DMAG) protected against heat stroke (HS) in rats by up-regulation of Hsp70 and phosphorylated AMPK (pAMPK). To produce HS, male Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in a chamber with an ambient temperature of 42°C.

Acute abdomen in early pregnancy due to ovarian torsion following successful in vitro fertilization treatment.

Objective: Ovarian torsion is an acute abdomen requiring prompt intervention. Ovarian torsion seldom occurs during pregnancy. However, with in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, ovarian hyperstimulation may increase the size of the ovaries and result in the occurrence of adnexal torsion.

The effect of ferulic acid ethyl ester on leptin-induced proliferation and migration of aortic smooth muscle cells.

Leptin is a peptide hormone, which has a central role in the regulation of body weight; it also exerts many potentially atherogenic effects. Ferulic acid ethyl ester (FAEE) has been approved for antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate whether FAEE can inhibit the atherogenic effects of leptin and the possible molecular mechanism of its action.