Sleep Patterns During Pre-Competition Training Phase: A Comparison Between Male and Female Collegiate Swimmers.

Purpose: While there is a rising focus on sleep issues among athletes, a notable gap exists in the comparative analysis of sleep patterns between male and female athletes. This study aims to evaluate the sleep patterns of collegiate swimmers during a specific period (pre-competition training phase) based on the National Sleep Foundation's recommendations and compares sleep differences between males and females. Patients and Methods: 15 swimmers (6 males and 9 females) completed the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) and wore actigraphy devices for 8 consecutive nights to record objective sleep patterns including bedtime, wake time, sleep onset latency, total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency. Results: The total sleep time of collegiate male (5.0±0.4 h, 4.6 to 5.4h) and female (6.0±0.7 h, 5.5 to 6.5h) swimmers was less than 7 hours per night, and male swimmers' sleep efficiency (76.7±8.9%, 67.4 to 86.0%) was lower than the 85% standard. Male swimmers had less objectively measured sleep duration (p=0.006, d=1.66, large effect), lower sleep efficiency (p=0.013, d=1.51, large effect), and longer wake after sleep onset (p=0.096, d=0.94, moderate effect). Female swimmers had higher sleep difficulty scores (p=0.06, d=1.08, moderate effect), and there was a significant difference in the distribution of sleep difficulty scores between male and female swimmers (p=0.033, V=0.045, small effect). Conclusion: Collegiate swimmers exhibited poor sleep patterns during pre-competition preparation, and the sleep fragmentation of male swimmers was more pronounced. There were sex differences in both subjective and objective measured sleep patterns, with male swimmers having less sleep and low efficiency, while female swimmers experienced more significant sleep disturbances.

Interspecies hybridization between Auricularia cornea cv. Yu Muer and Auricularia heimuer cv. Bai Muer through protoplast fusion.

Color variations in cultivated edible mushrooms present novel and potentially valuable alternatives to the research and cultivation industries. We collected, identified, and domesticated a white strain of Auricularia cornea and a white strain of Auricularia heimuer from China. However, due to an unstable phenotype and stricter requirements on environment and management technology, the production and utilization of Auricularia heimuer cv. Bai Muer make slow progress. Outcrossing is an essential means to broaden the intraspecific genetic resources to expand the gene pool and compensate for the limitations of related species hybridization. In this study, interspecies hybridization between Auricularia cornea cv. Yu Muer and Auricularia heimuer cv. Bai Muer was conducted using polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced double-inactivated protoplast fusion. Apart from the functional complementation of double-inactivated protoplasts, the hybrids were characterized by colony morphology, antagonistic test, primordial morphology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting. The results suggested that the hybrids and their parents showed significant differences in their colony morphology. Moreover, positive barrage reactions were observed between each parent and hybrid. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and start codon targeted (SCoT) profile analysis of fusants and parents depicted that fusants contained polymorphic bands, which indicated the rearrangement and deletion of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the fusants. Yellowish-white primordia were obtained from two hybrids. Protoplast fusion may reinforce the genetic potential and provide an ideal alternative for breeding albino Auricularia.

SEMA3B-AS1 suppresses colorectal carcinoma progression by inhibiting Semaphorin 3B-dependent VEGF signaling pathway activation.

Mounting evidence has demonstrated the considerable regulatory effects of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the tumorigenesis and progression of various carcinomas. LncRNA Semaphorin 3B (SEMA3B) antisense RNA 1 (SEMA3B-AS1) has been found to be dysregulated in a few carcinomas recently. However, its potential function and mechanism in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) have not yet been examined. Here we show that SEMA3B-AS1 acts as a crucial regulator of CRC progression. We found that SEMA3B-AS1 expression was downregulated in CRC cell lines and tissues. Downregulation of SEMA3B-AS1 was significantly associated with poor survival in CRC patients. Overexpression of SEMA3B-AS1 reduced the cell growth and metastasis of CRC in vivo and in vitro. In addition, SEMA3B-AS1 promoted the expression of its sense-cognate gene SEMA3B, a member of the Semaphorin family (SEMAs), by recruiting EP300 to induce H3K9 acetylation at the SEMA3B promoter. Furthermore, we proved that SEMA3B-AS1 suppressed CRC angiogenesis by affecting the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway activation which was regulated by the SEMA3B-NRP1 axis. Our work unravels a novel mechanism of SEMA3B-AS1 in the inhibition of CRC malignant progression and highlights its probability as a new promising diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for CRC interventions.

Association between the risk of hypertension and triglyceride glucose index in Chinese regions: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of a regional update.

Background: Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been reported to be associated with various cardiovascular diseases in recent years. However, the conclusive association between the TyG index and hypertension was not established in the last meta-analysis. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether a linear relationship exists between these two variables. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of the CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, CBM, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases up until May 10, 2023, to identify relevant studies conducted in China. We used Stata version 17.0 and Rstudio version 4.2.1 to analyze the data and assess the association between the TyG index and the risk of hypertension, as well as the dose-response relationship between these two variables. We will select either a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model based on the results of the heterogeneity tests and report 95% confidence intervals accordingly. Results: In the end, our analysis encompassed 22 studies involving a total of 668,486 participants, comprising 12 cross-sectional studies and 10 cohort studies. Meta-analysis results showed: Analysis of data from China revealed that an elevated TyG index was associated with a higher risk of developing hypertension, as indicated by an OR/HR of 1.36 [95%CI (1.28-1.45) I2 = 69.0% P < 0.001]. Through meta-regression analysis of multiple covariates, we found that study type, study region, sample size, database source, and study quality score, the above five variables were able to explain 63.0% of the total heterogeneity. The results of the dose-response Meta-analysis showed: The TyG index has a linear relationship with the risk of developing hypertension, as indicated by non-significant coefficients of higher-order terms in the nonlinear model (P > 0.05). The linear trend analysis showed that for every one-unit increase in the TyG index, the risk of developing hypertension increased by 1.5 times [1.532 95%CI (1.294, 1.813) P < 0.001]. However, this result is influenced by the number of studies included in the dose-response analysis and requires further corroboration. Conclusion: In the Chinese region, there was an independent association between TyG index and the risk of developing hypertension, with a linear trend. However, the results of the linear trend need to be corrected by the more number of related studies. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023425836.

CXCL10 mediates CD8+ T cells to facilitate vessel normalization and improve the efficacy of cetuximab combined with PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors in colorectal cancer.

The immunotherapy and anti-EGFR targeted treatment occupying a pivotal position in colorectal cancer (CRC), is still limited to a group of patients who display specific molecular alterations and inevitably escape from resistance, further studies are still needed in colorectal cancer. We found that chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) expression correlates with intratumoral CD8+ T cell infiltration and reprograms tumor vasculatures in colorectal cancer. CXCL10 overexpression not only suppressed tumor growth but also increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and induced tumor vascular normalization in vivo. Additionally, the growth inhibition and tumor vascular normalization induced by CXCL10 can be reversed by the depletion of CD8+ T cells in vivo. Mechanically, CXCL10 interacts with VCAN to mediate tumor vascular normalization. The VCAN expression correlated inversely with the expression of CXCL10 and the infiltration of CD8+ T cells in CRC. Elevated CXCL10 expression sensitized colorectal cancer cells to cetuximab/anti-PD1 combination therapy compared with cetuximab or anti-PD1 alone. We propose that CXCL10 could be used to increase the anti-EGFR therapy and immunotherapy effect, targeting both tumor vessels and immune cells in colorectal cancer.

Iron deficiency and overload in men and woman of reproductive age, and pregnant women.

Iron is an essential micronutrient for human biology and health, but high iron levels can be dangerous. Both iron deficiency and iron overload have been linked to reproductive health. This review summarizes the effects of iron deficiency and overload on omen of reproductive age (including pregnant women) and adult men. In addition, appropriate iron levels and the need for iron and nutritional supplements at different stages of life and pregnancy are discussed. In general, men should be aware of the risk of iron overload at any stage of life; women should take appropriate iron supplements before menopause; postmenopausal women should pay attention to the risk of iron overload; and pregnant women should receive reasonable iron supplementation in middle and late pregnancy. By summarizing evidence on the relationship between iron and reproductive health, this review aims to promote the development of strategies to optimize reproductive capacity from the perspective of nutrition. However, additional detailed experimental investigations and clinical studies are needed to assess the underlying causes and mechanisms of the observed associations between iron and reproductive health.

GIMAP7 induces oxidative stress and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in polycystic ovary syndrome by inhibiting sonic hedgehog signalling pathway.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a gynaecological endocrine disease. The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of GTPase immunity-associated protein (GIMAP) 7 in PCOS. A PCOS rat model was established using dehydroepiandrosterone injection. The data showed that GIMAP7 was mainly located in granulosa cells and was abundantly expressed in the ovarian granulosa cells of PCOS rats. GIMAP7 silencing decreased blood glucose levels, HOMA-IR scores, and number of cystic follicles. In addition, GIMAP7 silencing corrected erratic oestrous cycles, inhibited apoptosis and reduced c-caspase-3 protein expression in the ovarian tissues of PCOS rats. GIMAP7 silencing reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) but increased glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the serum and ovarian tissues of PCOS rats. The effects of GIMAP7 were further investigated in human ovarian granulosa KGN cells. GIMAP7 silencing increased the viability, promoted proliferation, and increased the percentage of S-phase KGN cells. The apoptosis rate was significantly decreased by GIMAP7 silencing. GIMAP7 also inhibited oxidative stress in KGN cells, resulting in decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MDA and increased levels of GSH and SOD. Notably, GIMAP7 inhibited the sonic hedgehog (SHH) signalling pathway, and GIMAP7 silencing increased the expression of the SHH signalling pathway downstream genes SHH, SMO, and Gli1. Inhibition of the SHH signalling pathway using cyclopamine reduced the effect of GIMAP7 silencing on KGN cells. This study proved that GIMAP7 promotes oxidative stress and apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells in PCOS by inhibiting the SHH signalling pathway.

The genome of Dioscorea zingiberensis sheds light on the biosynthesis, origin and evolution of the medicinally important diosgenin saponins.

Diosgenin saponins isolated from Dioscorea species such as D. zingiberensis exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. Diosgenin, the aglycone of diosgenin saponins, is an important starting material for the production of steroidal drugs. However, how plants produce diosgenin saponins and the origin and evolution of the diosgenin saponin biosynthetic pathway remain a mystery. Here we report a high-quality, 629-Mb genome of D. zingiberensis anchored on 10 chromosomes with 30 322 protein-coding genes. We reveal that diosgenin is synthesized in leaves ('source'), then converted into diosgenin saponins, and finally transported to rhizomes ('sink') for storage in plants. By evaluating the distribution and evolutionary patterns of diosgenin saponins in Dioscorea species, we find that diosgenin saponin-containing may be an ancestral trait in Dioscorea and is selectively retained. The results of comparative genomic analysis indicate that tandem duplication coupled with a whole-genome duplication event provided key evolutionary resources for the diosgenin saponin biosynthetic pathway in the D. zingiberensis genome. Furthermore, comparative transcriptome and metabolite analysis among 13 Dioscorea species suggests that specific gene expression patterns of pathway genes promote the differential evolution of the diosgenin saponin biosynthetic pathway in Dioscorea species. Our study provides important insights and valuable resources for further understanding the biosynthesis, evolution, and utilization of plant specialized metabolites such as diosgenin saponins.

Synergistic Effects of Fluconazole Combined with Doxycycline Against Dual-Species Cultures of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis and the Mechanisms of Action.

Bacterial and fungal coinfections have posed great clinical challenges in recent years, and combination therapy may be a useful way to treat these mixed infections. The objective of this study was to find an effective drug combination to treat dual-species cultures of fungi and bacteria. In this study, we focused on poorly investigated mixed cultures of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In this research, we investigated the effects of fluconazole (FLC) and doxycycline (DOX) against dual-species cultures of C. albicans and S. epidermidis. Both the fractional inhibitory concentration index model and ΔE model revealed a synergistic antimicrobial effect between FLC and DOX against the four groups of dual-species cultures. Mechanistic studies revealed that the synergism of FLC and DOX against dual-species cultures may be associated with the inhibition of biofilms and calcium dysregulation. Fluconazole+doxycycline appears to be a potential drug combination for the treatment of bacterial and fungal coinfections. These findings are of great significance for overcoming clinical bacterial and fungal coinfections and might provide novel insights into drug discovery for combination therapy.

The Microbiome, an Important Factor That Is Easily Overlooked in Male Infertility.

Humankind has been interested in reproduction for millennia. Infertility, in which male factors contribute to approximately 50%, is estimated to concern over 72 million people worldwide. Despite advances in the diagnosis, medical treatment, and psychosocial management of male infertility over the past few decades, approximately 30% of male infertility is still thought to be idiopathic. Despite emerging advances in the microbiome associated with male infertility have indicated that the microbiome may be a key factor to the management of male infertility, roles, and mechanisms of the microbiome remain ambiguous. Here, we mainly discussed the association between microbial infection in the genital tract and male infertility, effect of antimicrobial therapy on male reproduction, association between microbial dysbiosis and male infertility, and effect of probiotic intervention on male reproduction. This review made progress toward establishing a relationship between the microbiome and male infertility, and explored the role of the microbiome in male infertility. We call for more high-quality studies to focus on the relationship between microbes and male infertility, and strongly suggest increasing awareness among sterile males with microbial infection and/or microbial dysbiosis when they seek fertility help.

Protective effect of lycopene on testicular toxicity induced by Benzo[a]pyrene intake in rats.

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) stimulates male reproductive toxicity. In this study, we want to examine the ameliorative potential of Lycopene (LYC) on BaP-induced testicular toxicity. Adult male Wistar rats were segregated into 5 groups: Control, LYC, BaP, BaP + LYC and BaP + PQ7. Sperm parameters, testosterone level, oxidant and antioxidant parameters were determined. MRNA and protein abundances of key genes were analyzed. Cell death and apoptosis were assessed by trypan blue exclusion and Annexin V-FITC staining assay, respectively. LYC inhibited BaP-caused decrease in sperm motility and epididymal sperm concentration, and increase in head, tail and total abnormal sperm rate. LYC inhibited BaP-caused decrease in testosterone level in serum and intratesticular fluids. LYC protected germ cells from BaP-caused oxidative stress. LYC also prevented BaP-caused germ cell death and apoptosis by inhibiting apoptotic pathway. Besides, LYC ameliorated BaP-mediated gap-junction dysfunction of sertoli cells, as shown by the inhibited sertoli cell death and apoptosis, the upregulation of Bcl2 and Cx43, the downregulation of Cleaved Caspase 3, Bax and CaM, and the decrease in Ca2+ level. LYC ameliorated BaP-caused testicular damage via inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis, and relieving the gap-junction dysfunction of sertoli cells.

Effect of Surgical Adhesive on the Uterus of Rabbits Following Occlusion.

Purpose/Aim of the Study: The present study investigated the effect of surgical adhesives on the uterus of rabbits and the histomorphology alterations following occlusion, to improve the clinical treatment of abnormal fallopian tube with surgical adhesives for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Materials and Methods: The experimental rabbits received laparotomy and occlusion of the uterus by surgical adhesive adjacent to the two fallopian tubes, while the control rabbits only received laparotomy. The body weight, hysterosalpingography, and histomorphology were measured to evaluate the uterine occlusion at 1 and 6 months after surgery. Results: There was no significant difference in the mortality rate or body weight between the experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, 38 uterine cavities were identified in 19 rabbits, of which 97.37% were occluded, with expanded uterine cavity and tissue oppression at 1 month after surgery. In total, 33 uterine cavities out of the 36 in the control group were occluded, with proliferation of new stratified epithelial cells observed at 6 months after surgery. In the control group, 20 uterine cavities of 10 rabbits were observed to be absent of occlusion at 1 month after surgery, while 18 uterine cavities in the remaining 9 rabbits were also absent of occlusion at 6 months after the surgery. Conclusion: Surgical adhesives are effective in occluding the uterus of rabbits without adverse effects, supporting their potential clinical use to treat the occlusion in abnormal fallopian tubes prior to IVF-ET.

Normal developmental competence to the blastocyst stage is preserved in rabbit ovarian tissue following cryopreservation and autografting to the mesometrium.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate mesometrial autotransplantation of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue in the adult rabbit and investigate the developmental competence of oocytes retrieved from grafts by in vitro maturation, fertilisation and blastocyst formation. Twenty-five rabbits were divided into control, fresh tissue transplantation and frozen-thawed tissue transplantation groups. Rabbits were stimulated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oocytes were retrieved 3 months after transplantation. Oocytes matured in vivo or in vitro were then fertilised by conventional in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), followed by observation and evaluation of fertilisation and blastocyst formation rates. No significant differences were found in the percentage of oocytes, maturation, fertilisation, cleavage and blastocyst formation among the three groups. Significantly higher fertilisation rates of in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes were observed with ICSI compared with IVF in each group (81.1% v. 58.5%, 79.2% v. 59.6% and 80.4% v. 56.0% in the control, fresh tissue transplantation and frozen-thawed tissue transplantation groups, respectively). The blastocyst formation rate of IVM oocytes was significantly lower than that of in vivo-matured oocytes in each group (25.5% v. 65.7%, 22.4% v. 61.8% and 28.9% v. 63.0% in the control, fresh tissue transplantation and frozen-thawed tissue transplantation groups, respectively). In conclusion, the mesometrium is a promising site for ovarian autografts in the rabbit. Oocytes retrieved from mesometrial grafts can develop to the blastocyst stage.

Effect of different sites for cryopreserved ovarian tissue implantation in rabbit.

BACKGROUND: Autotransplantation of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue has proven to be an effective method to restore endocrine function and fertility. But it remains to be studied which site and which method is most effective and practical. We therefore implanted small pieces of cryopreserved ovarian tissues into different sites in rabbits to find the optimal position. METHODS: Fifteen New Zealand white female rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. In group 1, fresh ovarian tissues were implanted into the mesometrium and ovarian bursa. In group 2, cryopreserved ovarian tissues were implanted into the mesometrium and ovarian bursa. In group 3, cryopreserved ovarian tissues were implanted into the preserved ovary. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the three groups as to the proportions of normal and morphologically changed follicles in implanted ovarian tissues. The implanted ovarian tissues in the three groups did not show any evident changes in histology and ultrastructure, and all resumed follicle development and revealed maturescent follicles. CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreservation and implantation of small pieces of ovarian tissues are feasible. Generally, the mesometrium, ovarian bursa and ovary are all available sites for implantation and have similar rates of acceptance, despite some differences in the details of implantation.