The identification of nuclear factor Akirin with immune defense role in silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Akirins, highly conserved nuclear factors, regulate diverse physiological processes such as innate immunity. The biological functions of Akirins have extensively been studied in vertebrates and many invertebrates; however, there is no report so far on lepidopteran insects. In the present study, we identified and characterized a novel Akirin from the silkworm, Bombyx mori (designated as BmAkirin), and explored its potential roles in innate immunity.

Bombyx mori U-shaped regulates the melanization cascade and immune response via binding with the Lozenge protein.

Zinc finger protein, an important transcription factor, regulates gene expression associated with various physiological and pathological processes. U-shaped, belong to the Friend of GATA (FOG) transcription factor, plays a crucial role in hematopoiesis by interacting with the GATA transcription factor as a co-factor. However, little is known about its functions in insects.

Developmental potential of embryos from cycles containing oocytes with severe ovoid zona pellucida.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of oocytes with severe ovoid zona pellucida (ZP), investigate the development potential of their sibling oocytes and the clinical outcomes from affected cycles. The data were collected from our medical records. Cycles having at least one oocyte with severe ovoid ZP were defined as the 'severe ovoid group', cycles having at least one oocyte with mild ovoid ZP were defined as the 'mild ovoid group', whereas cycles without oocytes with ovoid ZPs were defined as the 'control group' (n = 150 for each group).

YAP mediates human decidualization of the uterine endometrial stromal cells.

Introduction: The decidualization of uterine endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) is critical for the successful establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and involves extensive cell proliferation and differentiation. A newly established signaling pathway, the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway, plays a critical role in these proliferation processes. Our previous study demonstrated that YAP is expressed in human ESCs.

[Retrospective analysis of outcomes of selectively or spontaneously reduced multiple pregnancies out of 6 917 in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer pregnancy cycles].

To analyze the effects of fetal reduction in early pregnancy on obstetric and neonatal outcomes of spontaneously or selectively reduced multiple pregnancies produced by in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Retrospective study of 6 917 clinical pregnancies from IVF-ET cycles, including 754 multiple pregnancies divided into two groups according to the remaining fetus number: reduced singleton group (599) and reduced twin group (155); and maternal and neonatal outcomes of two groups were compared to primary singleton group (3 589) and primary twin group (2 574). The rate of pregnancy complication [9.

T1 polymorphism in a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 33 (ADAM33) gene may contribute to the risk of childhood asthma in Asians.

Objective: Polymorphisms in ADAM33 gene have been implicated in susceptibility to the risk of childhood asthma. However, the results remain controversial. We performed meta-analyses to clarify the relationship between them.

Identifying Candidate Reprogramming Genes in Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Factor-based induced reprogramming approaches have tremendous potential for human regenerative medicine, but the efficiencies of these approaches are still low. In this study, we analyzed the global transcriptional profiles of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (miPSCs) and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) from seven different labs and present here the first successful clustering according to cell type, not by lab of origin. We identified 2131 different expression genes (DEs) as candidate pluripotency-associated genes by comparing mESCs/miPSCs with somatic cells and 720 DEs between miPSCs and mESCs.

Identification and functional analysis of long intergenic noncoding RNA genes in porcine pre-implantation embryonic development.

Genome-wide transcriptome studies have identified thousands of long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs), some of which play important roles in pre-implantation embryonic development (PED). Pig is an ideal model for reproduction, however, porcine lincRNAs are still poorly characterized and it is unknown if they are associated with porcine PED. Here we reconstructed 195,531 transcripts in 122,007 loci, and identified 7,618 novel lincRNAs from 4,776 loci based on published RNA-seq data.

Shortened equilibration time can compromise clinical outcomes in human embryo vitrification.

Vitrification is an important way to cryopreserve human embryos and the recommended time of embryo exposure to the vitrification solution is 1 min. However, practically speaking, the duration of embryos exposure to equilibration solution can vary from 5 to 15 min. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different equilibration times on the outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles.

The Hippo transducer TAZ promotes cell proliferation and tumor formation of glioblastoma cells through EGFR pathway.

TAZ, a WW-domain-containing transcriptional co-activator, is important for development of various tissues in mammals. Recently, TAZ has been found to be overexpressed in some types of human cancers. However, the role of TAZ in glioblastoma remains unclear.

Abnormally cleaving embryos are able to produce live births: a time-lapse study.

Purpose: This study investigated the prevalence of abnormally cleaved embryos and determined which types of abnormally cleaved embryos (1-3c, 2-4c, 3-5c, 4-6c), might be suitable for transfer based on live birth data.

Methods: One hundred seventy-one women (whose transferred embryos were confirmed to be either fully implanted or fully unimplanted) provided 1256 embryos, which were analyzed.

Results: Of these embryos, 320 embryos were transferred, of these transferred embryos, 291 embryos were normal and 29 embryos were abnormal, which five embryos were not analyzed because each one was presented one abnormal cleavage type.

Live birth sex ratio after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in China--an analysis of 121,247 babies from 18 centers.

In order to study the impact of procedures of IVF/ICSI technology on sex ratio in China, we conducted this multi-center retrospective study including 121,247 babies born to 93,895 women in China. There were 62,700 male babies and 58,477 female babies, making the sex ratio being 51.8% (Male: Female  = 107:100).

Short co-incubation of gametes combined with early rescue ICSI: an optimal strategy for complete fertilization failure after IVF.

Failed fertilization after conventional IVF is one of the most frustrating experiences in assisted reproductive technology. "Late" rescue ICSI may be not an optimal strategy for treating unfertilized oocytes. Short co-incubation of gametes combined with early rescue ICSI has some advantages for complete fertilization failure after IVF.

Outcome of in vitro fertilization following stimulation with highly purified hMG or recombinant FSH in downregulated women of advanced reproductive age: a prospective, randomized and controlled trial.

Objective: To compare highly purified human menopausal gonadotropin (HP-hMG) with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) on ovarian response and pregnancy outcome in downregulated women of advanced reproductive age.

Design: A prospective, randomized and controlled study of 127 consecutive normogonadotropic infertile women ≥ 35 years old undergoing their first in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles received ovarian stimulation with HP-hMG (n = 63) or with rFSH (n = 64) in a long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol.

Results: More leading (≥ 18 mm) follicles and oocytes were obtained in rFSH group (p = 0.

Effects of cumulus cells removal after 6 h co-incubation of gametes on the outcomes of human IVF.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of cumulus cells removal after 6 h co-incubation of gametes on the fertilization, polyspermy, multinucleation and clinical pregnancy rates in human IVF.

Methods: A total of 1,200 IVF-ET cycles undergoing 6 h co-incubation of gametes in 2009 were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were: female age <38 years, first IVF treatment, with bi-ovary and normal ovarian response, e.

Relationship between human sperm-hyaluronan binding assay and fertilization rate in conventional in vitro fertilization.

Background: Sperm-hyaluronan-binding assay (HBA) is one of the commercial kits being marketed for routine testing of sperm maturity and fertility. However, there is no report of whether the HBA can provide additional information over standard semen analysis for sperm-fertilizing ability. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between HBA and fertilization rate in conventional IVF.

[A prospective, randomized controlled study comparing the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist long and short protocols for in vitro fertilization].

Objective: To compare the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) long and short protocols as part of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment.

Methods: One hundred and nine infertile couples accepted a prospective, randomized comparative study for IVF or ICSI treatment were divided into GnRH-a long protocol group (55 cases) and GnRH-a short protocol group (54 cases). GnRH-a long protocol group: GnRH-a was taken by nasal spray 0.