Purpose
To evaluate whether miR-148a-3p overexpression is associated with disrupted decidualization of recurrent implantation failure (RIF).
Methods
Endometrial miRNA and mRNA expression profiles ...during the implantation window derived from women with and without RIF were identified using microarray and RT-qPCR. Immortalized human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were cultured for proliferation and in vitro decidualization assays after enhancing miR-148a-3p expression or inhibiting putative target gene homeobox C8 (
HOXC8
) expression. RT-qPCR, western blot, and luciferase reporter assays were used to confirm the relationship between miR-148a-3p and
HOXC8
gene.
Results
MiR-148a-3p was significantly upregulated in RIF endometrial tissues. Forced expression of miR-148a-3p notably attenuated HESC in vitro decidualization. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR-148a-3p directly bounds to the
HOXC8
3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) and suppressed
HOXC8
expressions in both mRNA and protein levels. Further investigations demonstrated that inhibition of
HOXC8
in HESCs induced similar effects on decidual process as those induced by miR-148a-3p overexpression.
Conclusion
Taken together, our findings suggested that elevated miR-148a-3p might account for flawed decidualization in RIF by negatively regulating
HOXC8
, raising the possibility that miR-148a-3p might be a novel therapeutic target in RIF.
Implantation failure remains a critical barrier to in vitro fertilization. Prednisone, as an immune-regulatory agent, is widely used to improve the probability of implantation and pregnancy, although ...the evidence for efficacy is inadequate.
To determine the efficacy of 10 mg of prednisone compared with placebo on live birth among women with recurrent implantation failure.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted at 8 fertility centers in China. Eligible women who had a history of 2 or more unsuccessful embryo transfer cycles, were younger than 38 years when oocytes were retrieved, and were planning to undergo frozen-thawed embryo transfer with the availability of good-quality embryos were enrolled from November 2018 to August 2020 (final follow-up August 2021).
Participants were randomized (1:1) to receive oral pills containing either 10 mg of prednisone (n = 357) or matching placebo (n = 358) once daily, from the day at which they started endometrial preparation for frozen-thawed embryo transfer through early pregnancy.
The primary outcome was live birth, defined as the delivery of any number of neonates born at 28 or more weeks' gestation with signs of life.
Among 715 women randomized (mean age, 32 years), 714 (99.9%) had data available on live birth outcomes and were included in the primary analysis. Live birth occurred among 37.8% of women (135 of 357) in the prednisone group vs 38.8% of women (139 of 358) in the placebo group (absolute difference, -1.0% 95% CI, -8.1% to 6.1%; relative ratio RR, 0.97 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.17; P = .78). The rates of biochemical pregnancy loss were 17.3% in the prednisone group and 9.9% in the placebo group (absolute difference, 7.5% 95% CI, 0.6% to 14.3%; RR, 1.75 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.99; P = .04). Of those in the prednisone group, preterm delivery occurred among 11.8% and of those in the placebo group, 5.5% of pregnancies (absolute difference, 6.3% 95% CI, 0.2% to 12.4%; RR, 2.14 95% CI, 1.00 to 4.58; P = .04). There were no statistically significant between-group differences in the rates of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, implantation, neonatal complications, congenital anomalies, other adverse events, or mean birthweights.
Among patients with recurrent implantation failure, treatment with prednisone did not improve live birth rate compared with placebo. Data suggested that the use of prednisone may increase the risk of preterm delivery and biochemical pregnancy loss. Our results challenge the value of prednisone use in clinical practice for the treatment of recurrent implantation failure.
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: ChiCTR1800018783.
We evaluate whether next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) improves the cumulative pregnancy outcomes of patients with unexplained recurrent ...implantation failure (uRIF) as compared to conventional in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI).
This was a retrospective cohort study (2015-2022). A total of 705 couples diagnosed with uRIF were included in the study. 229 women transferred blastocysts based on morphological grading (IVF/ICSI) and 476 couples opted for PGT-A to screen blastocysts by NGS. Women were further stratified according to age at retrieval (<38 years and ≥38 years). The primary outcome was the cumulative live-birth rate after all the embryos were transferred in a single oocyte retrieval or until achieving a live birth. Confounders were adjusted using binary logistic regression models.
Cumulative live-birth rate was similar between the IVF/ICSI group and the PGT-A group after stratified by age: IVF/ICSI vs PGT-A in the <38 years subgroup (49.7% vs 57.7%, adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.25 (0.84-1.84),
= 0.270) and in the ≥38 years subgroup (14.0% vs 19.5%, adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.09 (0.41-2.92),
= 0.866), respectively. Nonetheless, the PGT group had a lower first-time biochemical pregnancy loss rate (17.0% vs 8.7%,
= 0.034) and a higher cumulative good birth outcome rate (35.2% vs 46.4%,
= 0.014) than the IVF/ICSI group in the <38 years subgroup. Other pregnancy outcomes after the initial embryo transfer and multiple transfers following a single oocyte retrieval were all similar between groups.
Our results showed no evidence of favorable effects of PGT-A treatment on improving the cumulative live birth rate in uRIF couples regardless of maternal age. Use of PGT-A in the <38 years uRIF patients would help to decrease the first-time biochemical pregnancy loss and increase the cumulative good birth outcome.
Purpose
Chromosomal polymorphisms are associated with infertility, but their effects on assisted reproductive outcomes are still quite conflicting, especially after IVF treatment. This study ...evaluated the role of chromosomal polymorphisms of different genders in IVF pregnancy outcomes.
Methods
Four hundred and twenty-five infertile couples undergoing IVF treatment were divided into three groups: 214 couples with normal chromosomes (group A, control group), 86 couples with female polymorphisms (group B), and 125 couples with male polymorphisms (group C). The pregnancy outcomes after the first and cumulative transfer cycles were analyzed, and the main outcome measures were live birth rate (LBR) after the first transfer cycle and cumulative LBR after a complete IVF cycle.
Results
Comparison of pregnancy outcomes after the first transfer cycle within group A, group B, and group C demonstrated a similar LBR as well as other rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, early miscarriage, and ongoing pregnancy (
P
> 0.05). However, the analysis of cumulative pregnancy outcomes indicated that compared with group A, group C had a significantly lower LBR per cycle (80.4 vs 68.00%), for a rate ratio of 1.182 (95% CI 1.030 to 1.356,
P
= 0.01) and a significantly higher cumulative early miscarriage rate (EMR) among clinical pregnancies (7.2 vs 14.7%), for a rate ratio of 0.489 (95% CI 0.248 to 0.963,
P
= 0.035).
Conclusion
Couples with chromosomal polymorphisms in only male partners have poor pregnancy outcomes after IVF treatment manifesting as high cumulative EMR and low LBR after a complete cycle.
On July 23, 2019, a large-scale, high-position landslide was triggered by heavy rainfall at Pingdi Village, Jichang Town, Shuicheng County, Guizhou, China. Based on a field investigation, ...multi-temporal remote sensing images, and topographic maps, the elevation of the crown of the landslide and the front edge was approximately 1700 m and 1233 m, respectively. The height difference of the landslide was 467 m, and the horizontal distance was approximately 1332 m with a main sliding direction of NE20°. Its volume was up to 1.81 million m3. The landslide buried 21 houses, leading to the death of 51 people. The landslide first exited from the upper part of the steep slope in the Emeishan Formation with a basaltic lithology, which accumulated continuously at the back of a previous residual landslide and triggered the slope instability under the exit. The erosion volume due to the “overloading effect” was up to 1.44 million m3, and the landslide then transferred to a long-runout double-channeled debris flow. The landslide then converted to diffused flow and finally accumulated to the east side of the Jichang reservoir because the terrain was wide and the slope angle decreased gradually. Based on the above investigation, the entire movement process of the Jichang landslide was retrieved using dynamic numerical simulation technology. In contrast to the previous erosion model, the overloading erosion effect was proven, which added loads and drove the deposit below to move downward together.
The safety of exogenous gonadotropin treatment, based on its effect on embryos and pregnancy outcomes, remains inconclusive.
To evaluate the associations of different doses and durations of ...gonadotropins with embryonic genetic status and pregnancy outcomes after euploid embryo transfer in couples with infertility.
This study was a post hoc analysis of a multicenter randomized clinical trial (RCT) conducted at 14 reproductive centers throughout China from July 2017 to June 2018 that evaluated the cumulative live birth rate with or without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) among couples with infertility and good prognosis. The PGT-A group from the original RCT was selected for secondary analysis. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to the total dosage of exogenous gonadotropins and treatment duration: group 1 (≤1500 IU and <10 days), group 2 (≤1500 IU and ≥10 days), group 3 (>1500 IU and <10 days), and group 4 (>1 500 IU and ≥10 days). Group 1 served as the control group. Data were analyzed from June through August 2023.
Blastocyst biopsy and PGT-A.
The primary outcomes were embryonic aneuploidy, embryonic mosaicism, and cumulative live birth rates after euploid embryo transfer.
A total of 603 couples (mean SD age of prospective mothers, 29.13 3.61 years) who underwent PGT-A were included, and 1809 embryos were screened using next-generation sequencing. The embryo mosaicism rate was significantly higher in groups 2 (44 of 339 embryos 13.0%; adjusted odds ratio aOR, 1.69 95% CI, 1.09-2.64), 3 (27 of 186 embryos 14.5%; aOR, 1.98 95% CI, 1.15-3.40), and 4 (82 of 651 embryos 12.6%; aOR, 1.60 95% CI, 1.07-2.38) than in group 1 (56 of 633 embryos 8.8%). There were no associations between gonadotropin dosage or duration and the embryo aneuploidy rate. The cumulative live birth rate was significantly lower in groups 2 (83 of 113 couples 73.5%; aOR, 0.49 95% CI, 0.27-0.88), 3 (42 of 62 couples 67.7%; aOR, 0.41 95% CI, 0.21-0.82), and 4 (161 of 217 couples 74.2%; aOR, 0.53 95% CI, 0.31-0.89) than in group 1 (180 of 211 couples 85.3%).
In this study, excessive exogenous gonadotropin administration was associated with increased embryonic mosaicism and decreased cumulative live birth rate after euploid embryo transfer in couples with a good prognosis. These findings suggest that consideration should be given to minimizing exogenous gonadotropin dosage and limiting treatment duration to improve embryo outcomes and increase the live birth rate.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03118141.
Deep neural networks (DNNs) are vulnerable to adversarial examples, while adversarial attack models, e.g., DeepFool, are on the rise and outrunning adversarial example detection techniques. This ...article presents a new adversarial example detector that outperforms state-of-the-art detectors in identifying the latest adversarial attacks on image datasets. Specifically, we propose to use sentiment analysis for adversarial example detection, qualified by the progressively manifesting impact of an adversarial perturbation on the hidden-layer feature maps of a DNN under attack. Accordingly, we design a modularized embedding layer with the minimum learnable parameters to embed the hidden-layer feature maps into word vectors and assemble sentences ready for sentiment analysis. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the new detector consistently surpasses the state-of-the-art detection algorithms in detecting the latest attacks launched against ResNet and Inception neutral networks on the CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100, and SVHN datasets. The detector only has about 2 million parameters and takes less than 4.6 ms to detect an adversarial example generated by the latest attack models using a Tesla K80 GPU card.
Nanocomposite of Co3O4 and MCNT was synthesised using one step solvothermal method, and an electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensor (Co3O4-MCNT/GCE) was successfully constructed. This sensor was ...used successfully for the quantitative analysis of trace glucose in serum sample.
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Nanocomposite of Co3O4 and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MCNT) was synthesised using one step solvothermal method, and an electrochemical non-enzymatic glucose sensor (Co3O4-MCNT/GCE) was successfully constructed by a dropping method. The obtained Co3O4 and Co3O4- MCNT were characterized and investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Quantitative analysis of glucose was performed using the amperometric (i–t) method, and plot of current difference versus concentration of glucose was linear in the range of 1.0–122 μmol/L, with a linear correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9983 and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.28 μmol/L. Sensitivity of this sensor was evaluated as 2550 μA L mmol−1 cm−2. This new sensor produced satisfactory reproducibility and stability and was applied to monitor trace amounts of glucose in human serum samples.
•Evaluation the quality of disinfection in hospital during COVID-19 pandemic.•Revealed the places easy to be ignored when performed disinfection procedures.•Routine disinfection could be helpful in ...preventing the HCWs from getting infected.
Coronavirus disease 2019 has spread globally and been a public health emergency worldwide. It is important to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections among the healthcare workers and patients. This study aimed to investigate the contamination of environment in isolation wards and sewage, and assess the quality of routine disinfection procedures in our hospital.
Routine disinfection procedures were performed 3-times a day in general isolation wards and 6-times a day in isolated ICU wards in our hospital. Environmental surface samples and sewage samples were collected for viral RNA detection. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA detection was performed with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
A total of 163 samples were collected from February 6 to April 4. Among 122 surface samples, 2 were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA detection. One was collected from the flush button of the toilet bowl, and the other was collected from a hand-basin. Although 10 of the sewage samples were positive for viral RNA detection, all positive samples were negative for viral culture.
These results revealed the routine disinfection procedures in our hospital were effective in reducing the potential risk of healthcare associated infection. Two surface samples were positive for viral detection, suggesting that more attention should be paid when disinfecting places easy to be ignored.
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