Effect of ART treatments on maternal and neonatal outcomes in singleton live births: A large-scale retrospective cohort study.

Background: The increased risk of pregnancy complications in the ART population has been reported, but the source of these risks remains controversial. The study aims to evaluate the association between ART treatments and patient characteristics with maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 45,159 singleton pregnant women at a hospital between 2018 and 2021. The maternal and neonatal outcomes included pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), preeclampsia (PE), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), placental abruption (PA), placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), cesarean section, iatrogenic and spontaneous preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), macrosomia, and birth defects. We assessed the outcomes among the fresh embryo transfer (ET), frozen embryo transfer (FET), and spontaneous conception (SC) groups. Potential risk factors were further analyzed in the ART population. Results: FET was associated with higher risks for PIH (SC: AOR, 1.97(1.51-2.57); fresh ET: AOR, 1.68(1.03-2.72)), PE (SC: 2.28(1.86-2.80); fresh ET: AOR, 1.61(1.11-2.33)), PAS (SC: AOR, 3.89(3.39-4.46); fresh ET: AOR, 2.23(1.70-2.92)), PPH (SC: AOR, 3.46(2.76-4.34)); fresh ET: 2.09(1.39-3.14)), and macrosomia (SC: 1.53(1.25-1.86); fresh ET: AOR, 2.87(1.89-4.35). Fresh ET was associated with higher risks for PA (SC: AOR, 2.19(1.51-3.18); FET: AOR, 0.39(0.17-0.90)), SGA (SC: AOR, 1.56(1.06-2.31), FET: AOR, 0.42(0.19-0.91)), and LBW (SC: AOR, 2.24(1.82-2.77), FET: AOR, 0.63 (0.44-0.89)), and fresh ET is an independent risk factor for PA and SGA. Furthermore, the risk of GDM was associated with the biological characteristic of low-fertility patients. Conclusions: Embryo status (fresh or frozen) is a key factor affecting the maternal and neonatal outcomes in ART treatments, while biological characteristics of infertile patients also play a certain role.

Metagenomic profiling of gut microbiota in Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) larvae fed on different host plants.

BACKGROUND: The fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous pest known for causing significant crop damage. The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in influencing the biology, physiology and adaptation of the host. However, understanding of the taxonomic composition and functional characteristics of the gut microbiota in FAW larvae fed on different host plants remains limited. METHODS: This study utilized metagenomic sequencing to explore the structure, function and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of the gut microbiota in FAW larvae transferred from an artificial diet to four distinct host plants: maize, sorghum, tomato and pepper. RESULTS: The results demonstrated significant variations in gut microbiota structure among FAW larvae fed on different host plants. Firmicutes emerged as the dominant phylum, with Enterococcaceae as the dominant family and Enterococcus as the prominent genus. Notably, Enterococcus casseliflavus was frequently observed in the gut microbiota of FAW larvae across host plants. Metabolism pathways, particularly those related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, played a crucial role in the adaptation of the FAW gut microbiota to different host plants. KEGG orthologs associated with the regulation of the peptide/nickel transport system permease protein in sorghum-fed larvae and the 6-phospho-ß-glucosidase gene linked to glycolysis/gluconeogenesis as well as starch and sucrose metabolism in pepper-fed larvae were identified. Moreover, the study identified the top 20 ARGs in the gut microbiota of FAW larvae fed on different host plants, with the maize-fed group exhibiting the highest abundance of vanRC. CONCLUSIONS: Our metagenomic sequencing study reveals significant variations in the gut microbiota composition and function of FAW larvae across diverse host plants. These findings underscore the intricate co-evolutionary relationship between hosts and their gut microbiota, suggesting that host transfer profoundly influences the gut microbiota and, consequently, the adaptability and pest management strategies for FAW.

Endothelin 3/EDNRB signaling induces thermogenic differentiation of white adipose tissue.

Thermogenic adipose tissue, consisting of brown and beige fat, regulates nutrient utilization and energy metabolism. Human brown fat is relatively scarce and decreases with obesity and aging. Hence, inducing thermogenic differentiation of white fat offers an attractive way to enhance whole-body metabolic capacity. Here, we show the role of endothelin 3 (EDN3) and endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) in promoting the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT). EDNRB overexpression stimulates thermogenic differentiation of human white preadipocytes through cAMP-EPAC1-ERK activation. In mice, cold induces the expression of EDN3 and EDNRB in WAT. Deletion of EDNRB in adipose progenitor cells impairs cold-induced beige adipocyte formation in WAT, leading to excessive weight gain, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance upon high-fat feeding. Injection of EDN3 into WAT promotes browning and improved whole-body glucose metabolism. The findings shed light on the mechanism of WAT browning and offer potential therapeutics for obesity and metabolic disorders.

Review of polysaccharides from Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.: Extraction, purification, structural characteristics, health benefits, structural-activity relationships and applications.

Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (C. morifolium), as a traditional ornamental plant, it has multiple values, including edible, economic, nutritional and even medicinal values, which is used as herbal medicine and a new food resource in the world. Polysaccharides are one of the main bioactive components in C. morifolium, which have various health benefits such as improving functional constipation, improving colitis, anti-glycosylation, antioxidant, anti-angiogenesis, immunomodulation, prebiotic, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. This paper describes the extraction, purification, structural characteristics, health benefits, structural-activity relationships, applications, and analyses the shortcomings of the major relevant studies exist on C. morifolium polysaccharides. In addition, the potential mechanisms of the health benefits of C. morifolium polysaccharides were summarized. This study can provide reference and direction for further research and development of C. morifolium polysaccharides.

Identifying specific TLS-associated genes as potential biomarkers for predicting prognosis and evaluating the efficacy of immunotherapy in soft tissue sarcoma.

Background: The tertiary lymphatic structure (TLS) is an important component of the tumor immune microenvironment and has important significance in patient prognosis and response to immune therapy. However, the underlying mechanism of TLS in soft tissue sarcoma remains unclear. Methods: A total of 256 RNAseq and 7 single-cell sequencing samples were collected from TCGA-SARC and GSE212527 cohorts. Based on published TLS-related gene sets, four TLS scores were established by GSVA algorithm. The immune cell infiltration was calculated via TIMER2.0 and "MCPcounter" algorithms. In addition, the univariate, LASSO, and multivariate-Cox analyses were used to select TLS-related and prognosis-significant hub genes. Single-cell sequencing dataset, clinical immunohistochemical, and cell experiments were utilized to validate the hub genes. Results: In this study, four TLS-related scores were identified, and the total-gene TLS score more accurately reflected the infiltration level of TLS in STS. We further established two hub genes (DUSP9 and TNFSF14) prognosis markers and risk scores associated with soft tissue sarcoma prognosis and immune therapy response. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the amount of CD3, CD8, CD19, and CD11c positive immune cell infiltration in the tumor tissue dedifferentiated liposarcoma patients was significantly higher than that of liposarcoma patients. Cytological experiments showed that soft tissue sarcoma cell lines overexpressing TNFSF14 could inhibit the proliferation and migration of sarcoma cells. Conclusion: This study systematically explored the TLS and related genes from the perspectives of bioinformatics, clinical features and cytology experiments. The total-gene TLS score, risk score and TNFSF14 hub gene may be useful biomarkers for predicting the prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy of soft tissue sarcoma.

Calcitonin gene­related peptide alleviates hyperoxia­induced human alveolar cell injury via the CGRPR/TRPV1/Ca2+ axis.

Although exogenous calcitonin gene­related peptide (CGRP) protects against hyperoxia­induced lung injury (HILI), the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study attempted to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which CGRP protects against hyperoxia­induced alveolar cell injury. Human alveolar A549 cells were treated with 95% hyperoxia to establish a hyperoxic cell injury model. ELISA was performed to detect the CGRP secretion. Immunofluorescence, quantitative (q)PCR, and western blotting were used to detect the expression and localization of CGRP receptor (CGRPR) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Cell counting kit­8 and flow cytometry were used to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of treated cells. Digital calcium imaging and patch clamp were used to analyze the changes in intracellular Ca2+ signaling and membrane currents induced by CGRP in A549 cells. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bcl­2 and Bax were detected by qPCR and western blotting. The expression levels of CGRPR and TRPV1 in A549 cells were significantly downregulated by hyperoxic treatment, but there was no significant difference in CGRP release between cells cultured under normal air and hyperoxic conditions. CGRP promoted cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in hyperoxia, but selective inhibitors of CGRPR and TRPV1 channels could effectively attenuate these effects; TRPV1 knockdown also attenuated this effect. CGRP induced Ca2+ entry via the TRPV1 channels and enhanced the membrane non­selective currents through TRPV1 channels. The CGRP­induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ was reduced by inhibiting the phospholipase C (PLC)/protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. Moreover, PLC and PKC inhibitors attenuated the effects of CGRP in promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. In conclusion, exogenous CGRP acted by inversely regulating the function of TRPV1 channels in alveolar cells. Importantly, CGRP protected alveolar cells from hyperoxia­induced injury via the CGRPR/TRPV1/Ca2+ axis, which may be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of the HILI.

Extraction, purification, structural characteristics, biological activities, and applications of polysaccharides from the genus Lilium: A review.

The genus Lilium (Lilium) has been widely used in East Asia for over 2000 years due to its rich nutritional and medicinal value, serving as both food and medicinal ingredient. Polysaccharides, as one of the most important bioactive components in Lilium, offer various health benefits. Recently, polysaccharides from Lilium plants have garnered significant attention from researchers due to their diverse biological properties including immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-aging and anti-radiation effects. However, the limited comprehensive understanding of polysaccharides from Lilium plants has hindered their development and utilization. This review focuses on the extraction, purification, structural characteristics, biological activities, structure-activity relationships, applications, and relevant bibliometrics of polysaccharides from Lilium plants. Additionally, it delves into the potential development and future research directions. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive understanding of polysaccharides from Lilium plants and to serve as a basis for further research and development as therapeutic agents and multifunctional biomaterials.

Dichroa febrifuga Lour.: A review of its botany, traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, toxicology, and progress in reducing toxicity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dichroa febrifuga Lour., a toxic but extensively used traditional Chinese medicine with a remarkable effect, is commonly called "Changshan" in China. It has been used to treat malaria and many other parasitic diseases. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The study aims to provide a current overview of the progress in the research on traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, toxicology, and methods of toxicity reduction of D. febrifuga. Additionally, further research directions and development prospects for the plant were put forward. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The article uses "Dichroa febrifuga Lour." "D. febrifuga" as the keyword and all relevant information on D. febrifuga was collected from electronic searches (Elsevier, PubMed, ACS, CNKI, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar), doctoral and master's dissertations and classic books about Chinese herbs. RESULTS: 30 chemical compounds, including alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids and other kinds, were isolated and identified from D. febrifuga. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that these components have a variety of pharmacological activities, including anti-malarial activities, anti-inflammatory activities, anti-tumor activities, anti-parasitic activities and anti-oomycete activities. Meanwhile, alkaloids, as the material basis of its efficacy, are also the source of its toxicity. It can cause multiple organ damage, including liver, kidney and heart, and cause adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. In the current study, the toxicity can be reduced by modifying the structure of the compound, processing and changing the dosage forms. CONCLUSIONS: There are few studies on the chemical constituents of D. febrifuga, so the components and their structure characterization contained in it can become the focus of future research. In view of the toxicity of D. febrifuga, there are many methods to reduce it, but the safety and rationality of these methods need further study.

A Retrospective Study for Labia Minora Reduction by Serrated-shaped Resection.

Background: The demand for genital plastic surgery has increased dramatically among female patients globally. Although various labia minora reduction procedures have been applied with different indications, advantages, and disadvantages, none has been universally accepted as the best method. So, we presented an innovative strategy for this increasingly demanded reconstructive procedure. Methods: In this retrospective study, we included 29 patients seen between November 2020 and May 2023 with hypertrophic labia minora. The patients with hypertrophic labia minora after serrated-shaped resection were included for analysis. Patient satisfaction and complications were evaluated through the follow-up after the operation. Results: Patients with a mean age of 27.1 years (range 19-47 y) performed labia minora reduction via serrated-shaped resection. One patient experienced incision dehiscence, requiring additional surgical revision. One patient experienced postoperative cosmetic asymmetry and also performed secondary repair surgery. One patient experienced urinary retention, which was relieved after urinary catheterization. High overall patient satisfaction has been achieved after a median follow-up of 6.7 months (range 1-24 months). No flap necrosis, sexual dysfunction, or hypertrophic scarring has been reported. Conclusions: Results suggested that serrated-shaped resection is a novel technique for repairing hypertrophic labia minora with high efficiency and satisfaction. The procedure could effectively improve the appearance of the labia minora and reduce complications.

A Novel Ageladine A Derivative Acts as a STAT3 Inhibitor and Exhibits Potential Antitumor Effects.

The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) signaling pathway controls multiple biological processes, including cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Abnormally activated STAT3 signaling promotes tumor cell growth, proliferation, and survival, as well as tumor invasion, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression. Hence, JAK/STAT3 signaling has been considered a promising target for antitumor therapy. In this study, a number of ageladine A derivative compounds were synthesized. The most effective of these was found to be compound 25. Our results indicated that compound 25 had the greatest inhibitory effect on the STAT3 luciferase gene reporter. Molecular docking results showed that compound 25 could dock into the STAT3 SH2 structural domain. Western blot assays demonstrated that compound 25 selectively inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3 on the Tyr705 residue, thereby reducing STAT3 downstream gene expression without affecting the expression of the upstream proteins, p-STAT1 and p-STAT5. Compound 25 also suppressed the proliferation and migration of A549 and DU145 cells. Finally, in vivo research revealed that 10 mg/kg of compound 25 effectively inhibited the growth of A549 xenograft tumors with persistent STAT3 activation without causing significant weight loss. These results clearly indicate that compound 25 could be a potential antitumor agent by inhibiting STAT3 activation.