Locational and functional characterization of PI4KB in the mouse embryo.

Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase beta (PI4KB) is a member of the PI4K family, which is mainly enriched and functions in the Golgi apparatus. The kinase domain of PI4KB catalyzes the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol to form phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, a process that regulates various sub-cellular events, such as non-vesicular cholesterol and ceramide transport, protein glycosylation, and vesicle transport, as well as cytoplasmic division. In this study, a strain of PI4KB knockout mouse, immunofluorescence, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and microinjection were used to characterize the cytological location and biological function of PI4KB in the mouse embryos.

Unveiling Circular RNA-Mediated Regulatory Mechanisms in Necroptosis in Premature Ovarian Failure.

Background: Necroptosis is a programmed necrotic cell death, in which dying cells rupture and release intracellular components that trigger a proinflammatory response. The current study aimed at probing the circular RNA (circRNA)-mediated regulatory mechanisms in necroptosis in premature ovarian failure (POF).

Methods: CircRNA sequencing analysis was conducted in ovarian tissues of control and POF rats and transcriptome microarrays were acquired from the GSE33423 dataset.

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in assisted reproductive technology: a retrospective controlled study.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) pretreatment on pregnancy in patients with poor ovarian response (POR).

Methods: A total of 330 POR patients who were pretreated with CoQ10 or CoQ10 combined with TEAS before their in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) cycles and who were not pretreated were selected and divided into CoQ10 group (group A, n = 110), CoQ10 + TEAS group (group B, n = 110) and control group (group C, n = 110). For patients with 2 or more transfer cycles, only the information of the first cycle was included.

Luteinizing hormone-based modified GnRH antagonist protocol in normal responders undergoing fertilization treatment: A multi-center randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To study the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a modified gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol based on luteinizing hormone (LH) levels through one complete assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle in normal responders.

Design: Non-inferiority, multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Setting: University-based hospitals and an academic medical center.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation improves endometrial receptivity resulting in improved IVF-ET pregnancy outcomes in older women: a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To examine the effects and mechanisms of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This efficacy study was a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial (RCT) in women receiving IVF-ET. The mechanistic study was a single-center RCT.

Detection of Herbal Combinations and Pharmacological Mechanisms of Clinical Prescriptions for Coronary Heart Disease Using Data Mining and Network Pharmacology.

Though widely used in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD), the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is still unclear because of its complex prescription rules. This study prospectively collected 715 prescriptions of TCM for the treatment of CHD. The characteristics of TCM in prescriptions were described and analyzed, and the rules of prescriptions were analyzed by using association rules.

Immediate versus delayed frozen embryo transfer in women following a failed IVF-ET attempt: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: The optimal time at which to perform a frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) following a failed in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) attempt remains elusive to most reproductive experts. Physicians often delay the introduction of FET due to concerns related to potential residual effects of ovarian hyperstimulation which may interfere with the regular menstrual cycle. Moreover, given that most of the published studies on the topic are retrospective and have inconsistent findings, it is crucial to develop evidence-based randomized control guides for clinical practice.

Roles of miR-10a-5p and miR-103a-3p, Regulators of BDNF Expression in Follicular Fluid, in the Outcomes of IVF-ET.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family, plays critical roles in the physiological process of oocyte mature and IVF outcomes of patients with infertility. However, the regulation of BDNF expression in the microenvironment surrounding the oocyte is still unknown. We initially predicted some microRNA (miRNA) candidates targeting with a series of bioinformatics analysis tools to determine the underlying regulatory mechanisms of BDNF, particularly the effect of miRNAs on BDNF expression.

m6A RNA methylation regulators contribute to malignant development and have a clinical prognostic effect on cervical cancer.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation, which is related to the occurrence and development of cancer, is dynamically modulated by m6A RNA methylation regulators ("writers", "erasers" and "readers"). In this paper, we demonstrated that most of the 13 major m6A RNA methylation regulators were differently expressed in 306 cervical cancer tissues stratified according to different clinicopathological characteristics. We applied consensus clustering technique to analyze m6A RNA methylation regulators and identified two subgroups of cervical cancer, named RM1/2.

Pain Relief during Oocyte Retrieval by Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Multicenter Trial.

Acupuncture has pain-relief effects, but no data were available on the use of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in pain relief during oocyte retrieval. This study was designed to examine the effect of TEAS for pain relief in women undergoing transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration. This single-blinded, multicenter, randomized controlled trial was performed in China between May 2013 and May 2015.

CALB1 enhances the interaction between p53 and MDM2, and inhibits the senescence of ovarian cancer cells.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the association between senescence and cancer. However, the molecular mechanism regulating senescence in ovarian cancer remains unknown. In the present study, the protein expression level of calbindin 1 (CALB1) in ovarian cancer was examined using western blot and immunohistochemistry.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress, a novel significant mechanism responsible for DEHP-induced increased distance between seminiferous tubule of mouse testis.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a widely existed endocrine disruptor, has been concerned for many years owing to its toxicity in male reproductive development. In this study, we investigated the reproductive effects and the mechanism of mouse testis after in uterus exposure to the plasticizer DEHP. We found that the UPR signaling pathway could be fully activated after DEHP treatment.

Effects and mechanism of action of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation in patients with abnormal semen parameters.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation (TEAS) on sperm parameters and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods: A total of 121 patients diagnosed with oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia or oligoasthenozoospermia were randomised into four groups (three treatment groups, one control): the TEAS groups were treated with 2 Hz (n=31), 100 Hz (n=31), or mock stimulation (n=29) at acupuncture points BL23, ST36, CV1 and CV4 for 2 months. The control group (n=30) was provided with lifestyle advice only.

DLX1, a binding protein of beta-catenin, promoted the growth and migration of prostate cancer cells.

Several studies have indicated the involvement of DLX1 in the progression of prostate cancer. However, the functions of DLX1 in the prostate cancer and the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we have shown that DLX1 was up-regulated in the prostate clinical samples.

Use of electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation in reproductive medicine: a group consensus.

With the rapid development of assisted reproductive technology, various reproductive disorders have been effectively addressed. Acupuncture-like therapies, including electroacupuncture (EA) and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS), become more popular world-wide. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that EA and TEAS are effective in treating gynecological disorders, especially infertility.

Up-regulation of KIF14 is a predictor of poor survival and a novel prognostic biomarker of chemoresistance to paclitaxel treatment in cervical cancer.

Kinesin family member 14 (KIF14) is a member of kinesin family proteins which have been found to be dysregulated in various cancer types. However, the expression of KIF14 and its potential prognostic significance have not been investigated in cervical cancer. Real-time PCR was performed to assess the expression levels of KIF14 in 47 pairs of cervical cancer tissues and their matched normal tissues from patients who had not been exposed to chemotherapy as well as tissue samples from 57 cervical cancer patients who are sensitive to paclitaxel treatment and 53 patients who are resistant.

A clustering method of Chinese medicine prescriptions based on modified firefly algorithm.

This paper is aimed to study the clustering method for Chinese medicine (CM) medical cases. The traditional K-means clustering algorithm had shortcomings such as dependence of results on the selection of initial value, trapping in local optimum when processing prescriptions form CM medical cases. Therefore, a new clustering method based on the collaboration of firefly algorithm and simulated annealing algorithm was proposed.

Effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on ovarian reserve of patients with diminished ovarian reserve in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer cycles.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on ovarian reserve in patients with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Material And Methods: A total of 240 patients were randomly divided into the Han's acupoint nerve stimulator TEAS treatment (TES), comforting false Han's placebo (FHP), artificial endometrial cycle treatment (AEC), and control (CON) groups.

Results: Fifty-six patients in TES, 56 in FHP, 54 in AEC, and 60 in CON fulfilled the study, respectively.

Effect of Acrylamide on Oocyte Nuclear Maturation and Cumulus Cells Apoptosis in Mouse In Vitro.

Acrylamide (ACR) is a chemical compound with severe neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity. Recent studies showed that ACR impairs the function of reproductive organs, e.g.

Testicular hypofunction caused by activating p53 expression induced by reactive oxygen species in varicocele rats.

We investigated the mechanism of the testicular hypofunction induced by hypoxia in varicocele rats. Varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein. Seven weeks later, left testis mass index was measured.

Role of adenovirus-mediated retinoblastoma 94 in the treatment of human non-small cell lung cancer.

Non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the leading cause of cancer‑related mortality despite the fact that great advances have been made in therapeutic treatment methods. Therefore, in the present study, the role of adenovirus-mediated retinoblastoma 94 (Ad‑RB94) gene therapy in NSCLC was investigated. Following treatment with Ad‑RB94, the proportion of A549 cells in the G2/M phase was increased.

Expression and function of the ID1 gene during transforming growth factor-β1-induced differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to endothelial cells.

ID1 can mediate transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/activin receptor-like kinase-1 (ALK1)-induced (and Smad-dependent) migration in endothelial cells (ECs). However, the role that ID1 plays during differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into ECs induced by TGF-β1 remains unclear. In this study, a hESC differentiation model that recapitulates the developmental steps of vasculogenesis during the early stages of embryonic development was used to explore this question.

Monoamine neurotransmitters and fibroblast growth factor-2 in the brains of rats with post-stroke depression.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in the levels of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in the brains of rats with post-stroke depression (PSD). A rat model of stroke was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion and the rats were randomly divided into two groups: Control and modification groups. The rats in the modification group had PSD, while the rats in the control group had experienced a stroke only.

Calcium- and integrin-binding protein-1 is down-regulated in the sperm of patients with oligoasthenozoospermia : CIB1 expression in patients with oligoasthenozoospermia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether altered expression and distribution of calcium- and integrin-binding protein-1 (CIB1) is involved in the pathogenesis of patients with oligoasthenozoospermia.

Methods: Sperm samples were obtained from 25 infertile Chinese men who had failed to achieve conception after a period of 1-2 y and had been referred to the Reproductive Laboratory of the second hospital affiliated to the Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants were divided into two groups: oligoasthenozoospermia (n = 13) and asthenozoospermia (n = 12); as a third group, fertile men (n = 19) were included as controls.