BCKDK modification enhances the anticancer efficacy of CAR-T cells by reprogramming branched chain amino acid metabolism.

Altered branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are frequently observed in patients with advanced cancer. We evaluated the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-mediated cancer cell lysis potential in the immune microenvironment of BCAA supplementation and deletion. BCAA supplementation increased cancer cell killing percentage, while accelerating BCAA catabolism and decreasing BCAA transporter decreased cancer cell lysis efficacy. We thus designed BCKDK engineering CAR T cells for the reprogramming of BCAA metabolism in the tumor microenvironment based on the genotype and phenotype modification. BCKDK overexpression (OE) in CAR-T cells significantly improved cancer cell lysis, while BCKDK knockout (KO) resulted in inferior lysis potential. In an in vivo experiment, BCKDK-OE CAR-T cell treatment significantly prolonged the survival of mice bearing NALM6-GL cancer cells, with the differentiation of central memory cells and an increasing proportion of CAR-T cells in the peripheral circulation. BCKDK-KO CAR-T cell treatment resulted in shorter survival and a decreasing percentage of CAR-T cells in the peripheral circulation. In conclusion, BCKDK-engineered CAR-T cells exert a distinct phenotype for superior anticancer efficiency.

A novel compound heterozygous variant of MYO7A in Usher syndrome type 1.

Usher syndrome (USH) is a recessive genetic disorder manifested by congenital sensorineural hearing loss and progressive retinitis pigmentosa, which leads to audiovisual impairment. We report a patient with Usher syndrome type 1 with new compound heterozygous MYO7A variants. A total of four members from the USH family were included. Medical history and retinal examinations were taken and genomic DNA from peripheral blood was extracted in the proband and other members. 381 retinal disease-associated genes were screened using targeted sequence capture array technology and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the screening results. Scanning laser ophthalmoscope showed bone spicule pigmentary deposits in the mid-peripheral retina and whitish and thin retinal blood vessels especially in the arterioles. Optical coherence tomography showed that the centrality of the macular ellipsoid band disappeared in both eyes, and only remained near the fovea. Visual field examination showed a progressive loss of the visual field in a concentric pattern in both eyes. The electroretinography showed a significant decrease in the amplitudes of a- and b-waves in the scotopic and photopic condition. DNA sequencing identified the compound heterozygous variants including c.1003+1G > A: p. (?) and c.5957_5958del: p.G1987Lfs*50 of MYO7A, with the latter being novel. In this study, we found a novel compound heterozygous variant in MYO7A, which enriched the mutation spectrum and expanded our understanding of the heterogeneity of phenotype and genotype of Usher syndrome type 1.

Anion regulation for surface passivation enables ultrahigh-stability perovskite nanocrystals.

All-inorganic perovskite CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs) display high photoluminescence quantum yield and narrow emission, which show great potential application in optoelectronic devices. However, the poor environment stability of NCs will hinder their practical application. Herein, a series of ionic liquids with different anions (BF4-, Br-, and NO3-) were used as a sole capping ligand to synthesize NCs. Among the three samples, 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C16MIM]BF4) capped NCs have the highest stability in light, thermal, and water, possibly attributing to the in situ passivation of bromine vacancy via pseudohalogen BF4- and tight binding of ionic liquid ligands and lead atoms. In addition, green-emission [C16MIM]BF4 NCs were used to assemble a white light-emitting diode device, and it possessed a wide National Television System Committee color gamut of 124.5% and a stable emission peak at high driving currents of 380 mA. This work paves the way for resurfacing perovskite NCs with ultrahigh stability, thereby driving the perovskite NC display industry closer to real-world application.

A meta-analysis of associations of IL-10 gene polymorphisms with acute leukemia susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: Recently, increasing evidence has demonstrated that IL-10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the risk of acute leukemia (AL), but the findings of different articles remain controversial. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to further investigate the exact roles of IL-10 SNPs in AL susceptibility. METHODS: Six common Chinese and English databases were utilized to retrieve eligible studies. The strength of the association was assessed by calculating odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals. All analyses were carried out using Review Manager (version 5.3) and STATA (version 15.1). The registered number of this research is CRD42022373362. RESULTS: A total of 6391 participants were enrolled in this research. The results showed that the AG genotype of rs1800896 increased AL risk in the heterozygous codominant model (AG vs. AA, OR = 1.41, 95 % CI = 1.04-1.92, P = 0.03) and overdominant model (AG vs. AA + GG, OR = 1.32, 95 % CI = 1.04-1.70, P = 0.03). In the subgroup analysis, associations between the G allele, GG genotype, AG genotype, AG + GG genotype of rs1800896 and increased AL risk were also observed in the mixed population based on allelic, homozygote codominant, heterozygous codominant, dominant, and overdominant models. Furthermore, an association between the AC genotype of rs1800872 and increased AL risk was observed in the Caucasian population in the overdominant model. However, the rs1800871, rs3024489 and rs3024493 polymorphisms did not affect AL risk. CONCLUSION: IL-10 rs1800896 and rs1800872 affected the susceptibility of AL and therefore may be biomarkers for early screening and risk prediction of AL.

A novel compound heterozygous PEX1 variant in Heimler syndrome.

Heimler syndrome (HS) is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disease that is caused by biallelic variants in peroxisomal biogenic factor 1 gene (PEX1), peroxisomal biogenic factor 6 gene (PEX6) or peroxisomal biogenic factor 26 gene (PEX26), resulting in intracellular peroxisomal dysfunction (PBDs). We report a patient with HS with a new compound heterozygous PEX1 variant. Exon sequencing was used to screen pathologic variants in the patient. Retinal characteristics and serum metabolome alterations were evaluated. Scanning laser ophthalmoscope showed a large area of retinal choroidal atrophy at the posterior pole of the retina, with scattered patchy subretinal pigmentation. Optical coherence tomography showed fovea atrophy accompanied by retinal retinoschisis in the right eye and macular retinoschisis and edema in the left eye. The electroretinogram showed obviously reduced amplitudes of a-waves and b-waves under photopic and scotopic conditions in both eyes. Visual field tests showed a reduced central visual field in both eyes. Exon sequencing identified the compound heterozygous variant including c.2966T > C and c.1670+1G > T of the PEX1 gene, with the latter being novel. Nontargeted determination of total lipid metabolites and targeted determination of medium- and long-chain fatty acids in the serum of the patient and his healthy sibling were tested. This study identified a new compound heterozygous PEX1 variant, expanding our understanding of phenotypes in HS.

The molecular genetics of anterior segment dysgenesis.

Anterior segment dysgenesis is a severe developmental eye disorder that leads to blindness in children. The exact mechanisms underlying this condition remain elusive. Recently, an increasing amount of studies have focused on genes and signal transduction pathways that affect anterior segment dysgenesis;these factors include transcription factors, developmental regulators, extracellular matrix genes, membrane-related proteins, cytoskeleton proteins and other associated genes. To date, dozens of gene variants have been found to cause anterior segment dysgenesis. However, there is still a lack of effective treatments. With a broader and deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying anterior segment development in the future, gene editing technology and stem cell technology may be new treatments for anterior segment dysgenesis. Further studies on the mechanisms of how different genes influence the onset and progression of anterior segment dysgenesis are still needed.

Gut-derived fungemia due to Kodamaea ohmeri combined with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Kodamaea ohmeri is a rare pathogen with high mortality and is found among blood samples in a considerable proportion; however, gastrointestinal infection of K. ohmeri is extremely rare. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is also an uncommon fungal; these two fungal infections reported concomitantly are unprecedented. CASE PRESENTATION: We described a case of a 37-year-old male who got infected with K. ohmeri and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. We used the mass spectrometry and histopathology to identify these two fungal infections separately. For the treatment of K. ohmeri, we chose caspofungin. As for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, we used voriconazole, amphotericin B, and then surgery. The patient was treated successfully through the collaboration of multiple disciplines. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that the destruction of the intestinal mucosa barrier can make the intestine one of the ways for certain fungi to infect the human body.

Intra-Cytosplamic sperm injection outcomes with fresh and cryopreserved human epidydimal sperm from patients with obstructive azoospermia.

Techniques for the cryopreservation of epididymal sperm was are widely used in clinical practice. However, given the unique characteristics of sperm from patients with obstructive azoospermia, epididymal sperm cryopreservation is more difficult because of low count and weak motility; therefore, conventional methods of sperm cryopreservation may not result in the best outcomes. We used the micro-straw method to store small quantities of sperm obtained from patients with severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia and achieved successful deliveries in the previous study. This retrospective study of ICSI cycles included the first ICSI cycles of fresh or frozen/thawed epididymal sperm that were performed in patients suffering from obstructive azoospermia who were admitted to the CITIC-Xiangya Hospital of Reproduction and Genetics of China from June 1, 2015 to June 31, 2019. A total of 2441 patients with obstructive azoospermia were divided according to the use of fresh (n = 2342) or frozen/thawed (n = 99) epididymal sperm. The results showed that the fertilisation rate was higher with fresh epididymal sperm than that with frozen/thawed epididymal sperm (85.14% vs. 79.26%, respectively; p = 0.000). However, the rates of embryo cleavage, high-quality embryos, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, singletons and birth defect were similar between fresh and frozen/thawed epididymal sperm (98.28% vs. 99.13%, 60.34% vs. 57.29%, 67.90% vs. 70.51%, 8.12% vs. 10.91%, 57.76% vs. 49.09%, 1.59% vs. 1.45%respectively; p = 0.088, 0.109, 0.628, 0.462,0.203 and 0.686). In addition, the short-term cryostorage of small quantities of epididymal sperm did not affect clinical outcomes. The results indicated that in cases of obstructive azoospermia, cryostorage of small quantities epididymal sperm is a reliable option.

Venous Ulcers: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Venous ulcers are the most common type of chronic lower extremity ulcers, affecting 1% to 3% of the U.S. population. Venous hypertension as a result of venous reflux (incompetence) or obstruction is thought to be the primary underlying mechanism for venous ulcer formation. Risk factors for the development of venous ulcers include age 55 years or older, family history of chronic venous insufficiency, higher body mass index, history of pulmonary embolism or superficial/deep venous thrombosis, lower extremity skeletal or joint disease, higher number of pregnancies, parental history of ankle ulcers, physical inactivity, history of ulcers, severe lipodermatosclerosis, and venous reflux in deep veins. Poor prognostic signs for healing include ulcer duration longer than three months, initial ulcer length of 10 cm or more, presence of lower limb arterial disease, advanced age, and elevated body mass index. On physical examination, venous ulcers are generally irregular and shallow with well-defined borders and are often located over bony prominences. Signs of venous disease, such as varicose veins, edema, or venous dermatitis, may be present. Other associated findings include telangiectasias, corona phlebectatica, atrophie blanche, lipodermatosclerosis, and inverted champagne-bottle deformity of the lower leg. Chronic venous ulcers significantly impact quality of life. Severe complications include infection and malignant change. Current evidence supports treatment of venous ulcers with compression therapy, exercise, dressings, pentoxifylline, and tissue products. Referral to a wound subspecialist should be considered for ulcers that are large, of prolonged duration, or refractory to conservative measures. Early venous ablation and surgical intervention to correct superficial venous reflux can improve healing and decrease recurrence rates.

A facile method for the synthesis of 2-(3-hydroxy-1-adamantyl)-2-oxoacetic acid and it's optimization.

2-(3-hydroxy-1-adamantyl)-2-oxoacetic acid (IV), a key intermediate of saxagliptin for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), was prepared from 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid(I) via oxidation by potassium permanganate(KMnO4) to afford 3-hydroxy-1-adamantanecarboxylic acid (II), which was treated with a one-pot method to give 1-acetyl-3-hydroxyadamantane (III) followed by oxidation. Some key steps were optimized and the overall yield was about 51%.

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of enteric-coated tablets of rosiglitazone sodium.

The aim of this study was to prepare the rosiglitazone sodium enteric-coated tablets and investigate its release rate. The rosiglitazone sodium enteric-coated tablet was prepared by single punch tablet press using substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The release rate from the enteric-coated tablet of rosiglitazone sodium was evaluated. The release rate study showed that few rosiglitazone sodium was released from enteric coated formulation within 2 h in simulated gastric juice, while it released more than 80% of the labeled amount in 30 min in simulated intestinal juice. The preparing method of rosiglitazone sodium enteric-coated tablets was simple and had a good reproducibility. The release condition and determined methods could be used for the routine determinations of rosiglitazone sodium enteric-coated tablets.

Baicalin, a component of Scutellaria baicalensis, alleviates anorexia and inhibits skeletal muscle atrophy in experimental cancer cachexia.

Inflammatory responses are key contributors to cancer cachexia and foster a complex cascade of biological outcomes. Baicalin is a natural compound derived from Scutellaria baicalensis that possesses anti-inflammatory properties in many diseases; therefore, the aim of this study was to verify whether baicalin could ameliorate cachexia in a CT26 adenocarcinoma-induced model. Tumour-bearing and control mice were injected with CT26 adenocarcinoma cells and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), respectively, and baicalin was administered intraperitoneally for 15 days. During the study, food intake, body weight, major organ weight, gastrocnemius muscle weight, tibialis muscle weight, epididymal fat weight and serum cytokine levels were measured and evaluated. Additionally, the expression of two E3 ubiquitin ligases and NF-κB pathway proteins were detected by Western blot. The total food intake in tumour-bearing mice receiving baicalin from days 1-16, as well as the average food intake on days 10-16, were less than normal but were significantly higher than in vehicle-treated tumour-bearing mice. Loss of tumour-free body mass in vehicle-treated tumour-bearing mice was significantly increased compared with control mice and tumour-bearing mice receiving baicalin. Serum cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were lowered in tumour-bearing mice treated with baicalin. Gastrocnemius muscle, epididymal fat, heart and kidney weight were significantly greater in the baicalin treatment groups compared with the vehicle-treated tumour-bearing mice. In addition, the expression of two E3 ubiquitin ligases, as well as phospho-p65, was significantly downregulated, whereas the expression of IκBα was up-regulated in tumour-bearing mice treated with baicalin, as determined by Western blotting. The present study demonstrates that baicalin effectively ameliorates anorexia by inhibiting cytokine expression and prevents skeletal muscle atrophy most likely by inhibiting activation of NF-κB in an experimental cancer cachexia model, suggesting that baicalin represents a promising natural medicine for treating cancer-induced cachexia.

New recessive compound heterozygous variants of RP1L1 in RP1L1 maculopathy.

AIM: To identify a maculopathy patient caused by new recessive compound heterozygous variants in RP1L1. METHODS: Comprehensive retinal morphological and functional examinations were evaluated for the patient with RP1L1 maculopathy. Targeted sequence capture array technique was used to screen potential pathologic variants. Polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing were used to confirm the screening results. RESULTS: Fundus examination showed round macular lesions appeared in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography showed that the inner segment/outer segment continuity was disorganized and disruptive in the left eye, but it was uneven and slightly elevated in the right eye. Fundus autofluorescence showed patchy hyper-autofluorescence in the macula. Visual field examination indicates central defects in both eyes. Electroretinogram (ERG) and multifocal ERG showed no obvious abnormalities. Fundus fluorescein angiography in the macula showed obviously irregular hyper-fluorescence in the right eye and slightly hyper-fluorescence in the left eye. We found that the proband carried a missense variant (c.1972C>T) and a deletion variant (c.4717_4718del) of RP1L1, which were originated from the parents and formed compound heterozygous variants. Both variants are likely pathogenic according to the ACMG criteria. Multimodal imaging, ERG and detailed medical history are important diagnostic tools for differentiating between acquired and inherited retinal disorders. CONCLUSION: A maculopathy case with detailed retinal phenotype and new recessive compound heterozygous variants of RP1L1 is identified in a Chinese family, which expands the understanding of phenotype and genotype in RP1L1 maculopathy.

Bckdk-Mediated Branch Chain Amino Acid Metabolism Reprogramming Contributes to Muscle Atrophy during Cancer Cachexia.

SCOPE: Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential amino acids and important nutrient signals for energy and protein supplementation. The study uses muscle-specific branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (Bckdk) conditional knockout (cKO) mice to reveal the contribution of BCAA metabolic dysfunction to muscle wasting. METHOD AND RESULTS: Muscle-specific Bckdk-cKO mice are generated through crossbreeding of Bckdkf/f mice with Myf5Cre mice. Lewis lung cancer (LLC) tumor transplantation is used to establish the cancer cachexia model. The occurrence of cancer cachexia is accelerated in the muscle-specific Bckdk-cKO mice after bearing LLC tumor. Wasting skeletal muscle is characterized by increased protein ubiquitination degradation and impaired protein synthesis. The wasting muscle gastrocnemius is mechanized as a distinct BCAA metabolic dysfunction. Based on the atrophy phenotype resulting from BCAA metabolism dysfunction, the optimized BCAA supplementation improves the survival of cancer cachexia in muscle-specific Bckdk-cKO mice bearing LLC tumors, and improves the occurrence of cancer cachexia. The mechanism of BCAA supplementation on muscle mass preservation is based on the promotion of protein synthesis and the inhibition of protein ubiquitination degradation. CONCLUSIONS: Dysfunctional BCAA metabolism contributes to the inhibition of protein synthesis and increases protein degradation in the cancer cachexia model of muscle-specific Bckdk-cKO mice bearing LLC tumors. The reprogramming of BCAA catabolism exerts therapeutic effects by stimulating protein synthesis and inhibiting protein degradation in skeletal muscle.

Association between prediabetes/hyperglycemia and retinal diseases: A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To explore the effect of prediabetes/hyperglycemia on the incidence of retinopathy. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE databases were retrieved to screen case-control studies or prospective cohort studies of retinopathy in prediabetic patients from January, 2004 to December, 2019. After quality evaluation by two evaluators according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 18 articles were included. Meta-analysis showed that there have been more incidents of retinal diseases in patients with prediabetes/hyperglycemia [MD (mean difference) = 2.50, 95% CI (1.74 to 3.6)] than those in normal controls (p < 0.05). The incidence of macular diseases [MD = 1.36, 95% CI (1.05 to 1.76)] was significantly higher in prediabetic patients than that of the control group (p < 0.05). No significant differences in DR-like retinopathy were found between both groups [MD = 2.02, 95% CI (0.84 to 4.85)] (p > 0.05). In neonates, hyperglycemia was associated with an increased risk of ROP [MD = 3.6, 95% CI (1.89 to 6.86)] (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prediabetes/hyperglycemia is associated with an increased risk of retinal diseases. Retinal diseases screening such as macular diseases among people with prediabetes should be warranted. But no significant differences in DR-like retinopathy were found. However, more further studies are needed to clarify the details between prediabetes/hyperglycemia and different kinds of retinal diseases.

The 223A>G polymorphism of the leptin receptor gene is associated with macroangiopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

To determine whether leptin receptor (LEPR) 223A>G polymorphism has an effect on the plasma leptin levels and the macroangiopathic complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The genotypes and allelic frequencies of the LEPR 223A>G were examined with polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism in 301 patients with T2DM and 172 unrelated healthy subjects. The plasma concentrations of leptin were determined in all subjects. The mean plasma leptin levels in the T2DM group were significantly higher than that of controls and the plasma levels of leptin were higher in diabetic patients with macroangiopathy than in patients without macroangiopathy (P < 0.05). The genotype (GG, AG and AA) distribution of 223A>G polymorphism was 58.3, 32.5, and 9.2% in diabetic patients with macroangiopathy, 75.3, 22.1, and 2.6% in patients without macroangiopathy, and 70.3, 27.5, 2.2% in controls respectively, a significant difference was found between diabetic patients with and without macroangiopathy (P < 0.05). The frequency of the allele A was higher in patients with macroangiopathy than in patients without macroangiopathy (25.6 vs. 16.3%; P < 0.05). Moreover, the plasma leptin levels were markedly higher in patients with AA genotype than those with AG or GG genotype in patients with macroangiopathy (P < 0.05). The LEPR 223A>G gene polymorphism associated with a predisposition to increased plasma leptin levels could constitute a useful predictive marker for diabetic macroangiopathy.

Pregnancy Outcomes of Different Endometrial Preparation in Patients With a History of Cesarean Section.

Objective: To investigate the efficacies of three cycle regimens in women receiving frozen embryo transfer with a history of cesarean section: natural cycle treatment, hormone replacement therapy and treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: patients (N = 6,159) with a history of caesarean section who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study from January 2014 to December 2019 at the CITIC-Xiangya Hospital of Reproduction and Genetics. Reproductive outcomes of patients in the natural cycle (n = 4,306) versus hormone replacement therapy (n = 1,007) versus gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist + hormone replacement therapy groups (n = 846) were compared. Continuous data were analyzed using Student's t-test, and categorical variables were analyzed using the χ2 test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the possible relationships between the types of endometrial preparation and pregnancy outcomes after adjusting for confounding factors. Results: The unadjusted odds of the miscarriage rate of singleton pregnancies were significantly higher in the hormone replacement therapy compared with the natural cycle (25.5% versus 20.4%, respectively). After adjusting for possible confounding factors, the early miscarriage rate and the miscarriage rate of singleton pregnancies remained significantly higher in the hormone replacement therapy than the natural cycle. The clinical pregnancy rates in the natural cycle, hormone replacement therapy and gonadotropin- releasing hormone agonist + hormone replacement therapy of women with a history of cesarean section was 48.8%, 48% and 47.1%, respectively, and the live birth rates were 37%, 34.1% and 35.7%, respectively. Conclusions: In women undergoing frozen embryo transfer with a history of cesarean section, hormone replacement therapy for endometrial preparation was associated with a higher early miscarriage rate, albeit after statistical adjustment for confounding factors. However, the risk observed was little and did not influence the overall reproductive performances.

Clinical benefit for cryopreservation of single human spermatozoa for ICSI: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews have focused on sperm recovery and post-thaw parameters after cryopreservation, but there is no information on the associated clinical outcomes. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have reported cryopreservation of a single sperm due to the importance of fertility preservation. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the cryopreservation of single human spermatozoa improves clinical outcomes in patients with azoospermia or severe oligospermia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an extensive literature search using the following databases: CENTRAL, CNKI, Cochrane Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PUBMED, and Web of Science for relevant studies published through December 31, 2019. We calculated the pooled proportions of cryopreservation of a single human spermatozoon to assess the recovery, survival, fertilization, pregnancy, miscarriage, and delivery rates. Subgroup analyses were performed for the following covariates, (a) different carriers, (b) year of publication, and (c) source of sperm. RESULTS: We included 25 studies, which included 13 carriers. The pooled proportion of recovery rate of spermatozoa cryopreserved was 92% (95% CI, 87%-96%), and the survival, fertilization, pregnancy, miscarriage, and delivery rates were 76% (95% CI, 69%-83%), 63% (95% CI, 58%-67%), 57% (95% CI, 39%-74%), 12% (95% CI, 0%-33%), and 40% (95% CI, 12%-71%), respectively. Based on the subgroup analysis, the recovery and survival rates of frozen spermatozoa in a subgroup of different carriers were statistically significant. In the past decade, frozen single human spermatozoon technology has improved the recovery rates of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. However, the differences in clinical outcomes of frozen spermatozoa in subgroups of different sources of sperm were not statistically significant. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The techniques for single human spermatozoa are feasible and efficient and may benefit patients with severe oligospermia or azoospermia.

Effects of high thoracic epidural anesthesia on atrial electrophysiological characteristics and sympathetic nerve sprouting in a canine model of atrial fibrillation.

High thoracic epidural anesthesia (HTEA) blocks the afferent and efferent cardiac sympathetic nerve fibers and may affect atrial electrophysiological characteristics and nerve sprouting in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, 18 dogs were randomly divided into a control group (n = 6), in which dogs were atrially paced at 400 beats/min for 6 weeks; an HTEA group (n = 6), in which dogs underwent atrial pacing and HTEA for 6 weeks; and a sham-operated group (n = 6), in which dogs underwent the operation but did not receive atrial pacing or HTEA. Electrophysiological examinations were performed in all groups. Cardiac nerves were immunocytochemically stained with anti-growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) and anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antibodies. The protein expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF), GAP43 and TH in atrial myocardium were also studied by western blot. In addition, the plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and norepinephrine, as well as atrial production of superoxide anion (O(2)(·-)) and malondialdehyde, were measured. In the HTEA group, atrial effective refractory period increased (P < 0.05) and AF maintenance decreased (P < 0.01) significantly compared with the control group. The densities of GAP43-positive nerves and TH-positive nerves were significantly lower in the HTEA group compared with the control group. The protein levels of NGF, GAP43 and TH were also lower in the HTEA group compared with the control group. A significant positive correlation between the expressions of NGF and GAP43 (P < 0.01) was observed. A similar correlation was demonstrated for NGF and TH (P < 0.01) in our study. Furthermore, the plasma levels of CRP and norepinephrine, as well as the amount of O(2)(·-) and malondialdehyde produced from myocardium, decreased in the HTEA group compared with the control group. In conclusion, HTEA inhibited electrical and nerve remodeling and reduced the maintenance of AF in a canine AF model, in which process HTEA exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, indicating that, in addition to the efferent cardiac sympathetic nerve, afferent fibers also play an important role in the initiation and/or maintenance of AF.

New compound heterozygous CYP4V2 mutations in bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy.

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) is an autosomal recessive retinal dystrophy which is caused by the mutations of CYP4V2, usually progressing to legal blindness by the 5th or 6th decade of life. Here we identified CYP4V2 compound heterozygous mutations in two female siblings with BCD without subjective symptoms. After 381 pathogenic genes related to retinal diseases were screened by targeted sequence capture array techniques and confirmed by Sanger sequencing, two compound heterozygous mutations in CYP4V2 were found. One was missense mutation c.1198C>T (p.R400C) and the other was frameshift mutation c.802-8_810delinsGC (p.V268_E329del). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed that the ellipsoid zone was absent in the macular regions and electroretinogram (ERG) revealed poor cone and rod responses. Compound heterozygous mutations in CYP4V2 are related to the BCD. Our study expands our knowledge of heterogenic phenotypes and genotypes through genetic diagnosis of the BCD patients.