Study on the influence of syphilis on the outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfer in infertility patients.

Objective: In this study, the effect of in vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) on the clinical outcome of patients with syphilis infertility during resuscitation cycle. Methods: A retrospective single-center method was adopted. This study included 4430 pairs of infertile patients who underwent syphilis detection. The influence of the syphilis freeze-thaw embryos transplantation outcome was studied in the patients with infertility by comparing the general clinical characteristics of patients (age, years of infertility, body mass index (BMI), basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), serum basal estradiol (Estradiol, E2), transplanted intimal thickness, the number of embryos transferred) and the clinical pregnancy (biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, live birth rate and abortion rate). Results: Firstly, in the clinical outcome of one frozen-thawed embryos transfer, the live birth rate of the woman's syphilis-infected group was lower than that of the uninfected group (71.3 % vs. 50.0 %), while the abortion rate was higher than that of the uninfected group (7.8 % vs. 26.7 %), and there was a statistical difference (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference in other indicators between other groups (P > 0.05). Secondly, in the clinical outcome of two frozen-thawed embryos transfers, the biochemical pregnancy rate (61.3 % vs. 28.6 %) and clinical pregnancy rate (42.9 % vs. 14.3 %) of the group which was infected with syphilis alone were lower than those of the uninfected group (P < 0.05), and other indicators among the other groups showed no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Thirdly, in the clinical outcomes of frozen-thawed embryos transfer three times or more, there was no significant difference in the clinical indicators between the syphilis infertility patients and the non-infected infertility patients (P > 0.05). Conclusion: When the syphilis infertility patients and the non-infected infertile patients underwent IVF-ET treatment for the first time, the live birth rate and abortion rate of the syphilis group were significantly different (P < 0.05). In the outcome of two transplants, the biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical Pregnancy rates were significantly reduced so patients with syphilis infertility who undergo IVF-ET should be informed about the risk of adverse clinical outcomes.

WUS and PIN1-related genes undergo dynamic expressional change during organ regeneration in response to wounding in Zoysia japonica.

Zoysia japonica is a grass specie used for golf courses and stadium lawns because of its eminent organ regeneration ability after cutting. However, the molecular mechanisms of the organ regeneration remain elusive. In plants, the shoot apical meristem (SAM) plays a critical role in organ regeneration process. Studies on shoot apical meristem (SAM) in Arabidopsis revealed PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1) and WUSCHEL (WUS) as crucial components regulating the maintenance and proliferation of SAM via modulating the phytohormones auxin (IAA) and cytokinin (CTK), respectively. In this study, transcriptome analysis of the early wounding stage of Z. japonica cultivar "Zenith" was performed, and global expression pattern of genes related to the PIN1 and WUS network was analyzed. According to the Gene Ontology (GO) database classification, genes related to cell proliferation were identified in differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) with dramatic changes. Meanwhile, there were 18 IAA and CTK-related GO terms. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database classification showed that "plant hormone signal transduction" was gradually become the most abundant enrichment pathways within 6 h. Twenty-four Z. japonica genes with homology to Arabidopsis genes that are involved in PIN1 and WUS network were examined for expression. Among them, 21 genes showed dynamic changes whereas three genes did not. Those results suggesting that the key genes involved in the regeneration exhibited difference in both plants. Finally, we proposed a simple molecular mechanism of the Z. japonica organ regeneration regulated by PIN1 and WUS after wounding.

Over-expression of KdSOC1 gene affected plantlet morphogenesis in Kalanchoe daigremontiana.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana reproduces asexually by producing plantlets along the leaf margin. The aim of this study was to identify the function of the SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 gene in Kalanchoe daigremontiana (KdSOC1) during plantlet morphogenesis. In this study, KdSOC1 gene expression was detected at stem cell niche during in vitro somatic embryogenesis and plantlet morphogenesis. Disrupting endogenous auxin transportation suppressed the KdSOC1 gene response. Knockdown of the KdSOC1 gene caused a defect in cotyledon formation during the early heart stage of somatic embryogenesis. Over-expression (OE) of the KdSOC1 gene resulted in asymmetric plantlet distribution, a reduced number of plantlets, thicker leaves, and thicker vascular fibers. Higher KdPIN1 gene expression and auxin content were found in OE plant compared to those of wild-type plant leaves, which indicated possible KdSOC1 gene role in affecting auxin distribution and accumulation. KdSOC1 gene OE in DR5-GUS Arabidopsis reporting lines resulted in an abnormal auxin response pattern during different stages of somatic embryogenesis. In summary, the KdSOC1 gene OE might alter auxin distribution and accumulation along leaf margin to initiate plantlet formation and distribution, which is crucial for plasticity during plantlet formation under various environmental conditions.

De novo Transcriptome Analysis of Rhizoctonia solani AG1 IA Strain Early Invasion in Zoysia japonica Root.

Zoysia japonica brown spot was caused by necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia solani invasion, which led to severe financial loss in city lawn and golf ground maintenance. However, little was known about the molecular mechanism of R. solani pathogenicity in Z. japonica. In this study we examined early stage interaction between R. solani AG1 IA strain and Z. japonica cultivar "Zenith" root by cell ultra-structure analysis, pathogenesis-related proteins assay and transcriptome analysis to explore molecular clues for AG1 IA strain pathogenicity in Z. japonica. No obvious cell structure damage was found in infected roots and most pathogenesis-related protein activities showedg a downward trend especially in 36 h post inoculation, which exhibits AG1 IA strain stealthy invasion characteristic. According to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database classification, most DEGs in infected "Zenith" roots dynamically changed especially in three aspects, signal transduction, gene translation, and protein synthesis. Total 3422 unigenes of "Zenith" root were predicted into 14 kinds of resistance (R) gene class. Potential fungal resistance related unigenes of "Zenith" root were involved in ligin biosynthesis, phytoalexin synthesis, oxidative burst, wax biosynthesis, while two down-regulated unigenes encoding leucine-rich repeat receptor protein kinase and subtilisin-like protease might be important for host-derived signal perception to AG1 IA strain invasion. According to Pathogen Host Interaction (PHI) database annotation, 1508 unigenes of AG1 IA strain were predicted and classified into 37 known pathogen species, in addition, unigenes encoding virulence, signaling, host stress tolerance, and potential effector were also predicted. This research uncovered transcriptional profiling during the early phase interaction between R. solani AG1 IA strain and Z. japonica, and will greatly help identify key pathogenicity of AG1 IA strain.

Improvement and transcriptome analysis of root architecture by overexpression of Fraxinus pennsylvanica DREB2A transcription factor in Robinia pseudoacacia L. 'Idaho'.

Transcription factors play a key role to enable plants to cope with abiotic stresses. DREB2 regulates the expression of several stress-inducible genes and constitutes major hubs in the water stress signalling webs. We cloned and characterized a novel gene encoding the FpDREB2A transcription factor from Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and a yeast activity assay confirmed its DRE binding and transcription activation. Overexpression of FpDREB2A in R. pseudoacacia showed enhanced resistance to drought stress. The transgenic plant survival rate was significantly higher than that of WT in soil drying and re-watering treatments. Transgenic lines showed a dramatic change in root architecture, and horizontal and vertical roots were found in transgenic plants compared to WT. The vertical roots penetrated in the field soil to more than 60 cm deep, while horizontal roots expanded within the top 20-30 cm of the soil. A physiological test demonstrated that chlorophyll contents were more gradually reduced and that soluble sugars and proline levels elevated more sharply but malondialdehyde level stayed the same (P < 0.05). Plant hormone levels of abscisic acid and IAA were higher than that of WT, while gibberellins and zeatin riboside were found to be lower. The root transcriptomes were sequenced and annotated into 2011 differential expression genes (DEGs). The DEGs were categorized in 149 pathways and were found to be involved in plant hormone signalling, transcription factors, stimulus responses, phenylalanine, carbohydrate and other metabolic pathways. The modified pathways in plant hormone signalling are thought to be the main cause of greater horizontal and vertical root development, in particular.

Effect of Yinxieling decoction on PASI, TNF-α and IL-8 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Yinxieling decoction on PASI, TNF-α and IL-8 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: A total of 120 cases of psoriasis vulgaris were divided into 4 groups according to syndrome differentiation of TCM and randomized controlled method: wind heat syndrome group (group A), blood stasis syndrome group (group B), blood dryness syndrome group (group C) and control group (group D) (n=30 per group). Patients in observation groups were treated with Yinxieling decoction, while patients in control group were treated by placebo for 8 weeks. Levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were determined before treatment, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. psoriasis area and severity index score was also performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: psoriasis area and severity index score and serum level of TNF-α, IL-8 were significantly decreased in all groups. The decrease in three observation groups was more significant (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the decrease in wind heat syndrome group was the most significant (P<0.01). psoriasis area and severity index was positively correlated with TNF-α and IL-8, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Yinxieling decoction has therapeutical effect on psoriasis vulgaris via regulating TNF-α and IL-8.

Effect of pharmacological intervention on MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 expression in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression level of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1)α, MIP-1ß and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in with psoriasis vulgaris and explore the role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: The level of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 in peripheral blood from 50 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 50 normal controls were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was analyzed. The level of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 was compared between psoriasis vulgaris patients at active stage and resting stage. And the change in MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 before and after therapy was also observed. RESULTS: The content of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris was (1342.78 ± 210.30), (175.28 ± 28.18) and (266.86 ± 32.75) ng/L, respectively, significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The expression level of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis vulgaris was positively correlated with PASI (P<0.01). After acitretin therapy, expression level of MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis vulgaris was significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Chemokine factor MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and MCP-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris.

Analysis of gene expression in Kalanchoe daigremontiana leaves during plantlet formation under drought stress

Background: Kalanchoe daigremontiana is an attractive model system for the study of the molecular mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis competence due to its formation of plantlets with adventitious roots on the leaf margins that are derived from somatic embryos. The suppression subtractive hybridization technique was used to investigate gene expression during asexual reproduction. Leaves from plants subjected to drought stress provided the source of ‘Tester’ DNA, and leaves from plants grown under normal conditions provided the ‘Driver’ DNA for subtractive hybridization. Results: A total of 481 high quality ESTs were generated, which clustered into 390 unigenes. Of these unigenes, 132 grouped into 12 functional categories, suggesting that asexual reproduction is a complicated process involving a large number of genes. The expression characteristics of selected genes from the SSH library were determined by real-time PCR and were classified into five groups, suggesting that gene expression patterns during asexual reproduction are complex. Up-regulation of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase suggested that a decrease in cytokinin levels promotes the initiation of plantlet formation. Many other genes, such as inorganic pyrophosphatase and glutamate decarboxylase, play important roles in gene regulation during asexual reproduction. Conclusion: Our results provide a framework and unified platform on which future research on asexual reproduction in K. daigremontiana can be based. This represents the first genome-wide study of asexual reproduction in K. daigremontiana.

[Effectiveness of ICSI in patients with a high incidence of triploidy in a previous IVF cycle].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of ICSI in overcoming the high incidence of tripronucleates zygotes resulting from insemination in a previous IVF cycle. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the matched-pair cycles in 37 patients with a > 35 % incidence of tripronucleate zygotes in an IVF cycle, with ICSI used in the subsequent cycle, evaluated the incidences of diploid (2PN) and triploid (3PN) zygotesand the number of normal embryos obtained, and compared the rates of clinical pregnancy and embryo implantation between the IVF and ICSI groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the ICSI group was significantly older than that of the IVF group, while the ampules of gonadotropin and peak E2 showed no remarkable difference between the two. The numbers of follicles at hCG trigger, retrieved oocytes and mature oocytes were markedly lower in the former than in the latter. The percentage of 2PN was significantly higher while that of 3PN significantly lower after ICSI than after IVF (74.24% vs 34.42%; 11.57% vs 51.04%, P < 0.01), and more normal diploid embryos were obtained with ICSI (3.83 +/- 2.08 vs 2.52 +/- 1.71, P < 0.01). Four singletons were achieved in 31 IVF embryo transfer cycles, in comparison with 11 singletons and 3 twins in 36 ICSI embryo transfer cycles. The ICSI group showed significantly higher rates of clinical pregnancy and embryo implantation than the IVF group (38.89% vs 12.90%; 28.33% vs 7.41%, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: For women with a high incidence o triploidy in a previous IVF cycle, ICSI can effectively increase the number of normal diploid zygotes.