Enhancing biohydrogen production from xylose at low temperature (20 °C) using natural FeS Ore: Thermodynamic analysis and mechanistic insights.

This study investigates the efficacy of pyrite in enhancing biohydrogen production from xylose at low temperature (20 °C). Higher hydrogen yield rates (R) and reduced lag time (λ) were achieved across initial xylose concentrations ranging from 2-10 g/L. At an optimal xylose concentration of 5 g/L, pyrite reduced λ by 2.

Sperm morphological abnormalities in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease are associated with the Hippo signaling pathway via PC1.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary kidney disorder mostly caused by mutations in or genes. Here, we report thirteen ADPKD males with infertility and investigated the sperm morphological defects associated with PC1 disruption.

Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed to detect variants in patients.

Associations Between Asthma and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Current Perspectives.

A potential correlation between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and asthma, used to be identified as diseases originating from two independent systems, has been supported by increasing evidence. From an epidemiological perspective, mounting studies have confirmed that women suffering from PCOS exhibit increased susceptibility to asthma. Meanwhile, PCOS and asthma seem to share several mutual pathological conditions, such as metabolic disorders, hormonal fluctuation, proinflammatory state, etc.

Associations of Sperm mtDNA Copy Number, DNA Fragmentation Index, and Reactive Oxygen Species With Clinical Outcomes in ART Treatments.

Recent studies have suggested that sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN), DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content are crucial to sperm function. However, the associations between these measurements and embryo development and pregnancy outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART) remain unclear. Semen samples were collected from 401 participants, and seminal quality, parameters of sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were analyzed by a computer-assisted sperm analysis system.

Different Strategies of Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies in Women of Advanced Maternal Age: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) is widely used in women of advanced maternal age (AMA). However, the effectiveness remains controversial.

Method: We conducted a comprehensive literature review comparing outcomes of IVF with or without PGT-A in women of AMA in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in January 2021.

lncRNA MIR503HG inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in TNBC cells via the miR-224-5p/HOXA9 axis.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly invasive subtype of breast cancer. This study investigated the molecular mechanism and influences of MIR503HG, miR-224-5p, and homeobox A9 (HOXA9) on TNBC cell growth and migration. Dual-luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation were performed to examine the regulation of MIR503HG, miR-224-5p, and HOXA9.

Case Report: Preimplantation Genetic Testing and Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Alport Syndrome.

Background: Alport syndrome, a monogenic kidney disease, is characterized by progressive hemorrhagic nephritis, sensorineural hearing loss, and ocular abnormalities. Mutations in at Xq22 accounts for 80-85% of X-linked Alport syndrome patients. Three couples were referred to our reproductive genetics clinic for prenatal or preconception counseling.

Association between gestational anemia in different trimesters and neonatal outcomes: a retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Previous studies investigated the association between gestational anemia and neonatal outcomes. However, few studies explored whether the effects of gestational anemia could be eliminated by subsequent correction of anemia in the later stages of pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between anemia in different trimesters and neonatal outcomes.

Long non-coding RNA MIR100HG promotes the migration, invasion and proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer cells by targeting the miR-5590-3p/OTX1 axis.

Background: As an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks available treatment targets. LncRNA MIR100HG promotes cell proliferation in TNBC. However, few studies have investigated the molecular mechanism of MIR100HG in TNBC.

Nomogram for predicting pathological complete response and tumor downstaging in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer on the basis of a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Preoperative fluoropyrimidine with radiotherapy was regarded as the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The model for predicting pCR in LARC patients was based on standard treatment only. This study aimed to establish a nomogram with pretherapeutic parameters and different neoadjuvant regimens for predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) and tumor downstaging or good response (ypT0-2N0M0) after receiving neoadjuvant treatment in patients with LARC based on a randomized clinical trial.

DTNA promotes HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma progression by activating STAT3 and regulating TGFβ1 and P53 signaling.

Objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the roles and molecular mechanisms of Dystrobrevin-α (DTNA) in HBV-induced liver cirrhosis and HCC pathogenesis.

Methods: DTNA expression was bioinformatically analyzed using the GEO database.

LncRNA GNAS-AS1 facilitates ER+ breast cancer cells progression by promoting M2 macrophage polarization via regulating miR-433-3p/GATA3 axis.

Objective: ER+ breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer, which seriously affects the physical and mental health of women. Recently, lncRNAs mediated tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) were identified to involve in tumorigenesis. Therefore, the present study aimed at demonstrating the regulatory network of GNAS-AS1 in TAM-mediated ER+ breast cancer progress.

Impact of pelvic dimensions on anastomotic leak after anterior resection for patients with rectal cancer.

Aim: The impact of pelvis on the development of anastomotic leak (AL) in rectal cancer (RC) patients who underwent anterior resection (AR) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pelvic dimensions on the risk of AL.

Methods: A total of 1058 RC patients undergoing AR from January 2013 to January 2016 were enrolled.

The casein kinase 2α promotes the occurrence polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complicated reproductive endocrine disease characterized by hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries, and anovulation. Previous studies have revealed that androgen receptors (ARs) are strongly associated with hyperandrogenism and abnormalities in folliculogenesis in patients with PCOS. However, the kinases responsible for androgen receptor activity, especially in granulosa cells, and the role of casein kinase 2α (CK2α) specifically in the pathogenesis of PCOS, remain unknown.

Baseline and early 3D-CUBE volume reconstruction of locally advanced rectal cancer to predict tumor response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Purpose: To explore whether volumetric measurements of 3D-CUBE sequences based on baseline and early treatment time can predict neoadjuvent chemotherapy (NCT) efficacy of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

Material And Method: 73 patients with LARC were enrolled from February 2014 to January 2018. All patients underwent MRIs during the baseline period before NCT (BL-NCT) and the first month of NCT (FM-NCT), and tumor volume (TV) was measured using 3D-CUBE, and tumor volume reduction (TVR) and tumor volume reduction rate (TVRR) were calculated.

Using 17β-estradiol heparin-poloxamer thermosensitive hydrogel to enhance the endometrial regeneration and functional recovery of intrauterine adhesions in a rat model.

Mechanical damage or infection to the endometrium can lead to the formation of adhesions in the uterine cavity, which may result in reduced reproductive outcome and/or pregnancy complications. The prognosis of this disease is poor due to few effective treatments and the complex environment of endometrium. Heparin-Poloxamer Hydrogel (HP hydrogel) is a nontoxic and biodegradable biomaterial, which has been commonly used as a sustained-release delivery system.

Generation of functional hepatocyte-like cells from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by overexpression of transcription factor HNF4α and FOXA2.

Background: Our previous study showed that overexpression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) could directly promote mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. However, the efficiency of hepatic differentiation remains low. The purpose of our study was to establish an MSC cell line that overexpressed HNF4α and FOXA2 genes to obtain an increased hepatic differentiation efficiency and hepatocyte-like cells with more mature hepatocyte functions.

Outcomes in patients with Fournier's gangrene originating from the anorectal region with a particular focus on those without perineal involvement.

Background And Aim: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a fulminant infection in the external genital region and perineum. The present study explored the clinical features of FG originating from the anorectal region, from primary conditions such as anal fistulas and abscesses.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in order to identify the factors associated with clinical outcomes in FG patients derived from two hospitals-the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and People's Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese-over the period from May 2013 to April 2017.

The effect of neonatal immune challenge on reproduction by altering intraovarian kisspeptin/GPR54 system in the rat.

Immune challenge in early life has been observed to influence the long-term reproductive dysfunction. On PNDs 3 and 5, female offsprings were administered with LPS (50μg/kg, i.p.