Does oral contraceptive pretreatment impact IVF–embryo transfer cycle outcomes in women following the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) protocol?
This retrospective study was designed ...to compare cycle outcomes after oral contraceptive pretreatment versus the standard protocol in women within the GnRHa long protocol or the GnRHa short protocol. A total of 2052 women undergoing their first IVF treatment with the GnRHa long protocol and 3557 women with the GnRHa short protocol between 2012 and 2017 were enrolled.
No significant differences in the rates of clinical pregnancy (long protocol: 49.2% versus 46.7%; short protocol: 39.4% versus 38.0%) or live birth (long protocol: 44.3% versus 41.3%; short protocol: 32.8% versus 31.4%) after fresh embryo transfer were observed between the oral contraceptive group and the control group in either the long protocol or the short protocol.
Oral contraceptive pretreatment has no effect on IVF outcomes in either the GnRHa long protocol or short protocol.
Background & Aims
The DEAD (Asp‐Glu‐Ala‐Asp)‐box helicase family member DDX3x has been proven to involve in hepatic lipid disruption during HCV infection. However, the role of DDX3x in non‐alcoholic ...fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in which lipid homeostasis is severely disrupted, remains unclear. Here, we aimed to illustrate the potential role of DDX3x in NAFLD.
Methods
DDX3x protein levels were evaluated in NAFLD patients and NAFLD models via immunohistochemistry or western blotting. In vivo ubiquitin assay was performed to identify the ubiquitination levels of DDX3x in the progression of steatosis. DDX3x protein levels in mice livers were manipulated by adeno‐associated virus‐containing DDX3x short hairpin RNA or DDX3x overexpression plasmid. Hepatic or serum triglyceride and total cholesterol were evaluated and hepatic steatosis was confirmed by haematoxylin and eosin staining and oil red o staining. Western blotting was performed to identify the underlying mechanisms of DDX3x involving in the progression of NAFLD.
Results
DDX3x protein levels were significantly decreased in NAFLD patients and NAFLD models. DDX3x protein might be degraded via ubiquitin–proteasome system in the progression of steatosis. Knockdown of hepatic DDX3x exacerbated HFD‐induced hepatic steatosis in mice, while overexpression of hepatic DDX3x alleviated HFD‐induced hepatic steatosis in mice. Further explorative experiments revealed that knockdown of DDX3x could lead to the overactivation of mTORC1 signalling pathway which exacerbates NAFLD.
Conclusions
DDX3x involved in the progression of NAFLD via affecting the mTORC1 signalling pathway. DDX3x might be a potential target for NAFLD treatment.
This paper presents a novel Mott memristor-based multi-channel sensing system designed for the simultaneous processing of multiple sensing channels, employing single-wire data fusion and a greedy ...search strategy for back-end data recovery. Multiple channels of external stimulus information are simultaneously encoded into analog signals with varying frequencies, utilizing a Mott memristor array. Auxiliary circuits then convert the analog sensing signals into square wave signals which are further transformed into narrow (100 ns) pulse signals through pulse generation circuitry. Subsequently, these narrow pulse signals are fused into a single-wire signal by using an OR gate. At the back-end of the system, a greedy searching strategy is applied to accurately identify all frequencies within the fused pulse signal, enabling seamless analog-to-frequency conversion across multiple channels. The system is suitable for a wide range of sensors and can be directly connected to FPGAs for data processing, eliminating the need for traditional analogue front-end and ADC circuits and greatly reducing circuit complexity and power consumption. By leveraging the innovative capabilities of Mott memristors, the proposed system achieves precise analog-to-frequency conversion with significantly reduced power consumption.
Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus( HBV) and hepatitis C virus( HCV) infection are frequently complicated by autoimmune disorders,which is commonly seen in patients with hepatitis C. This ...article introduces the mechanism of immune disorders in patients with chronic hepatitis C,the proportion of patients with non-organ specific autoantibody,and the clinical manifestations,diagnosis,and treatment of related immune diseases,such as mixed cryoglobulinemia,glomerulonephritis,Sjogren's syndrome,thyroid disease,and type 2 diabetes,as well as the mechanism of immune disorders,related immune manifestations,and effect of antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B and C can alleviate related immune diseases,but interferon therapy is not appropriate.Therefore,the patients with hepatitis B should be treated with nucleos( t) ide analogues,while those with hepatitis C should be treated with direct-acting antiviral agents.
Objectives
Bone marrow edema is a universal manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and its pathological essence is a bone marrow lesion (BML) formed by various bone marrow (BM) immune cells. ...Neutrophils play an important role in inflammatory arthritis, but the role and mechanism of neutrophils in BML are not clear.
Materials and methods
Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) −/− mice and wild type (WT) C57BL/6 mice were immunized for collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Histological scores of arthritis were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry staining with anti‐Ly6G was conducted. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in joint sections were determined by immunofluorescence staining. BM neutrophils were isolated for flow cytometry and NETosis induction in vitro.
Results
Histological study showed significant neutrophil infiltrations in BML of CIA mice. Inhibition of BM neutrophil production by G‐CSF knock out can obstruct the induction of BML and CIA. In addition to abundant infiltrated NETs intra‐articular, remarkable NETosis primed BM neutrophils were infiltrated in BML of CIA mice, which was positively related to bone erosion. Neutrophils derived from G‐CSF−/− mice have diminished ability of NETs formation in vitro, while G‐CSF induction can enhance its capacity of NETs formation.
Conclusions
We propose for the first time that the overproduced BM neutrophils in CIA mice are primed for NETosis in a G‐CSF dependent manner, and these pathogenic cells may have an important role in inflammatory arthritis. Blocking this pathological process could be a potential strategy for the treatment of RA.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of unicornuate uterus on perinatal outcomes after in vitro fertilization and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles.
Methods: We performed a ...retrospective cohort study including 160 women with unicornuate uterus and 1:1 matched controls with normally shaped uterus. They received IVF/ICSI treatment during January 2009 and December 2011. The perinatal outcomes were followed up till December 2014.
Results: There were no significant differences in pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate or live birth rate (53.6 versus 52.7, 41.4 versus 43.5, 33.8% versus 31.8%) between unicornuate uterus group and controls. Their biochemical pregnancy rate (22.8 versus 17.5%) and miscarriage rate (16.0 versus 18.8%) were similar. No significant differences were identified in preterm birth rate (18.3 versus 11.8%), birthweight (3.24 ± 0.60 versus 3.33 ± 0.54 kg) or birth length (50.47 ± 2.33 versus 50.06 ± 2.40 cm) among the singletons. However, lower gestational age (35.56 ± 2.68 versus 36.71 ± 1.73, p = .019), higher preterm birth rate (55.0 versus 34.4%, p = .038), lower birthweight (2.33 ± 0.58 versus 2.69 ± 0.38 kg, p = .001), lower birth length (45.33 ± 2.46 versus 48.88 ± 2.06 cm, p = .000), as well as higher rate of very low birthweight (13.2% versus 0, p = .007) were found for the twins from unicornuate uterus group.
Conclusions: The results indicated unimpaired pregnancy and perinatal outcomes for women with unicornuate uterus conceiving one fetus. However, close attention should be paid to twin pregnancy in unicornuate uterus owing to increased risks of prematurity and low birthweight. Selected single embryo transfer is recommended for women with unicornuate uterus undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles.
Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the most common cause of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) worldwide. Uric acid (UA) is involved in sterile inflammation in many organs, but its role in APAP-induced ...liver injury remains elusive.
We quantified the concentration of UA in the serum and liver tissues of APAP-overdosed mice and explored the changes in proteins involved in UA synthesis, absorption, and degeneration upon APAP stimulation. We also examined the effects of inhibiting hepatocyte UA synthesis or reabsorption on APAP-induced liver injury in mice. Furthermore, we explored the process of uric acid clearance by peripheral macrophages.
APAP overdose significantly increased intrahepatic UA contents, which occurred earlier than apparent hepatocyte injury in APAP-overdosed mice. APAP overdose induced significant DNA leakage and may thereby increase the substrate of UA synthesis. APAP overdose also significantly increased the enzymatic activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) and urate oxidase (UOX) and decreased the expression of the UA reabsorption transporter GLUT9 in hepatocytes. Inhibiting hepatocyte UA synthesis by febuxostat or reabsorption by hepatic-specific knockout of GLUT9 alleviated APAP-induced liver injury. Further experiments showed that monosodium urate (MSU) but not soluble UA may be a major form of UA mediating hepatocyte injury. Additionally, MSU further recruited circulating macrophages into the liver and then aggravated inflammation by increasing the levels of inflammatory factors and ROS. Deletion of macrophages significantly ameliorated APAP-induced liver injury in mice.
APAP overdose induces excessive UA production and leads to local high concentrations in the liver, which further injures cells and induces liver inflammation. Inhibiting the production of UA may be a potential therapeutic option for treating APAP-induced liver injury.
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Background & Aims: Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the most common cause of drug-induced liver injury worldwide. Uric acid (UA) is involved in sterile inflammation in many organs, but its role in ...APAP-induced liver injury remains elusive. Methods: We quantified the concentration of UA in the serum and liver tissues of APAP-overdosed mice and explored the changes in proteins involved in UA synthesis, absorption, and degeneration on APAP stimulation. We also examined the effects of inhibiting hepatocyte UA synthesis or reabsorption on APAP-induced liver injury in mice. Furthermore, we explored the process of UA clearance by peripheral macrophages. Results: APAP overdose significantly increased intrahepatic UA contents, which occurred earlier than apparent hepatocyte injury in APAP-overdosed mice. APAP overdose induced significant DNA leakage and may thereby increase the substrate of UA synthesis. APAP overdose also significantly increased the enzymatic activity of xanthine oxidase and urate oxidase and decreased the expression of the UA reabsorption transporter GLUT9 in hepatocytes. Inhibiting hepatocyte UA synthesis by febuxostat or reabsorption by hepatic-specific knockout of GLUT9 alleviated APAP-induced liver injury. Further experiments showed that monosodium urate but not soluble UA may be a major form of UA mediating hepatocyte injury. Additionally, monosodium urate further recruited circulating macrophages into the liver and then aggravated inflammation by increasing the levels of inflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species. Deletion of macrophages significantly ameliorated APAP-induced liver injury in mice. Conclusions: APAP overdose induces excessive UA production and leads to local high concentrations in the liver, which further injures cells and induces liver inflammation. Inhibiting the production of UA may be a potential therapeutic option for treating APAP-induced liver injury.
Abstract
Objective: To determine factors related to menopause symptoms among middle-aged registered nurses in Beijing.
Methods: Self-administered questionnaires that included closed-ended questions ...on many factors possibly related to menopausal symptoms were distributed to 2100 registered nurses aged 40-55 at 20 hospitals in Beijing, China.
Results: Menopausal status was most associated with menopausal symptoms (p < 0.01), including hot flashes and sweating, paresthesiae, insomnia, arthralgia/myalgia, palpitations, skin formication and an unsatisfactory sexual life. The odds ratios (ORs) were highest for hot flashes and sweating. Upsetting events in the past year and being pessimistic were significantly inversely correlated with almost all the symptoms analyzed. Hot flashes and sweating (p < 0.01), paresthesiae (p < 0.01), unsatisfactory sexual life (p < 0.01), irritability (p < 0.05), depression or suspicion (p < 0.05) and dizziness (p < 0.05) were negatively correlated with the frequency of sexual activity.
Conclusion: Many factors may influence symptoms of the menopause. We found that menopausal status was most strongly associated with most menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes and sweating. Psychosocial factors also played an important role. A higher frequency of sexual activity negatively correlated with most menopausal symptoms.
Chinese abstract
方法：对中国北京的20家医院，年龄40-55岁的2100名护士进行了自我评估问卷调查，内容包括了许多围绝经期症状可能相关因素的问题。
结果：围绝经状态与围绝经期症状最相关（p＜0.01），包括潮热和盗汗，异样感觉，失眠，关节/肌肉痛，心悸，皮肤蚁走感和性生活不满意。比值比（OR）最高的是潮热和出汗。悲观和心烦意乱与过去一年中这些症状呈密切负相关。潮热和盗汗（p＜0.01）异样感觉（p＜0.01），性生活不满意（p＜0.01），易怒（p＜0.05），抑郁或多疑（p＜0.05）以及头晕（p＜0.05）与性生活频率呈负相关。
结论：很多因素会影响更年期症状。我们发现围绝经状态与大部分的围绝经期症状密切相关，尤其是潮热、出汗。社会心理因素也起到了重要的作用。高频率的性生活与多数围绝经期症状呈负相关。
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