2D Ti3C2-MXene Serving as Intermediate Layer between Absorber and Back Contact for Efficient CZTSSe Solar Cells.

Kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) has been considered as the most promising absorber material for inorganic thin-film solar cells. Among the three main interfaces in CZTSSe-based solar cells, the CZTSSe/Mo back interface plays an essential role in hole extraction as well as device performance. During the selenization process, the reaction between CZTSSe and Mo is one of the main reasons that lead to a large open circuit voltage (VOC) deficit, low short circuit current (Jsc), and fill factor. In this study, 2D Ti3C2-MXene was introduced as an intermediate layer to optimize the interface between the CZTSSe absorber layer and Mo back contact. Benefiting from the 2D Ti3C2-MXene intermediate layer, the reaction between CZTSSe and Mo was effectually suppressed, thus, significantly reducing the thickness of the detrimental Mo(S,Se)2 layer as well as interface recombination at the CZTSSe/Mo back interface. As a result, the power conversion efficiency of the champion device fabricated with the 2D Ti3C2-MXene intermediate layer was improved from 10.89 to 13.14% (active-area efficiency). This study demonstrates the potential use of the 2D Ti3C2-MXene intermediate layer for efficient CZTSSe solar cells and promotes a deeper understanding of the back interface in CZTSSe solar cells.

Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among postmenopausal females: results from NHANES.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is common among the population, but its relationship with mortality of postmenopausal females is unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the association between serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among postmenopausal women in the United States. METHODS: 6812 participants of postmenopausal females from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2018) were included in this study. The mortality status of the follow-up was ascertained by linkage to National Death Index (NDI) records through 31 December 2019. We used cox proportional hazards models to estimate the association of serum 25(OH)D concentrations and mortality of postmenopausal females. RESULTS: The mean level of serum 25(OH)D was 72.57 ± 29.93 nmol/L, and 65.34% had insufficient vitamin D. In postmenopausal females, low serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly associated with higher levels of glycohemoglobin, glucose, and lower levels of HDL. During follow-up, 1448 all-cause deaths occurred, including 393 cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related deaths and 263 cancer deaths. After multivariate adjustment, higher serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly related with lower all-cause and CVD mortality. In addition, serum 25(OH)D presented a L-shaped relationship with all-cause mortality, while appeared a U-shaped with CVD mortality, and the cut-off value is 73.89 nmol/L and 46.75 nmol/L respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Low serum 25(OH)D levels are associated with the higher risk of all-cause and CVD mortality in postmenopausal females. These findings provide new ideas and targets for the health management of postmenopausal women.

Suppressing interface recombination in CZTSSe solar cells by simple selenization with synchronous interface gradient doping.

The main bottleneck in the development of kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells is their very low VOC due to severe carrier recombination. Specifically, due to the poor defect environment and unfavorable band structure, carrier recombination at the front interface is considered to be one of the most serious issues. Thus, to reduce the interface recombination and VOC deficit, we propose a convenient and effective strategy for Cd gradient doping near the front interface during selenization. The formed Cd gradient significantly reduced the CuZn defects and related [2CuZn + SnZn] defect clusters near the CZTSSe-CdS heterojunction, thus significantly suppressing the interface recombination near the heterojunction. Benefitting from the formed Cd gradient, a champion device with 12.14% PCE was achieved with the VOC significantly improved from 432 mV to 486 mV. The proposed element gradient doping strategy can offer a new idea for selenization and element gradient doping in other photoelectric devices.

Insight of Autophagy in Spontaneous Miscarriage.

In some cases of spontaneous miscarriage (SM), the exact etiology cannot be determined. Autophagy, which is responsible for cellular survival under stress conditions, has also been implicated in many diseases. Recently, it is also surmised to be correlated with SM. However, the detailed mechanism remains elusive. In fact, there are several essential steps during pregnancy establishment and maintenance: trophoblasts invasion, placentation, decidualization, enrichment and infiltration of decidua immune cells (e.g., natural killer, macrophage and T cells). Accordingly, upstream molecules and downstream effects of autophagy are discussed in these processes, respectively. Of note, autophagy regulates the crosstalk between these cells at the maternal-fetal interface as well. Aberrant autophagy is found in villi, decidual stromal cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells in SM patients, although the findings are inconsistent among different studies. Furthermore, potential treatments targeting autophagy are included, during which rapamycin and vitamin D are hot-spots in recent literatures. To conclude, a moderately activated autophagy is deeply involved in pregnancy, suggesting that autophagy should be a regulator and promising target for treating SM.

Effect of psychological capital and social support on job satisfaction among workers in a natural gas field / 中国职业医学

@#To explore the effects of psychological capital social support and their interaction on job satisfaction in Methods natural gas field workers. A total of 1 473 workers from a natural gas field were selected as the research subjects ， using convenient sampling method. Job Satisfaction Questionnaire Psychological Capital Questionnaire and Social Support ， Results Scale were used to investigate the scores of job satisfaction psychological capital and social support level. The ， ， detection rates of job satisfaction psychological capital and social support in the high level group were 55.9% 52.5% and ， 48.1% respectively. The detection rates of job satisfaction of workers in the high level psychological capital group and high level （ social support group were higher than those in the low level psychological capital group and low level social support group 67.4% vs ， vs ， P ） 43.3% 71.9% 41.2% all <0.01 . The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that psychological capital ［ （CI） （ - ） and social support had positive effects on job satisfaction odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were 1.58 1.17 2.41 （ - ）， ， P ］ ， and 2.53 1.82 3.52 respectively all <0.01 . Moreover the psychological capital and social support had additive effect on ［ CI （ - ）， CI job satisfaction relative excess risk of interaction and 95% was 3.07 1.02 5.12 attributable proportion and 95% was （ - ）， CI （ - ）］， 0.48 0.35 0.61 synergy index and 95% was 2.34 1.72 3.16 but there was no multiplication interaction between （P ）Conclusion psychological capital and social support >0.05 . Psychological capital and social support can positively affect job satisfaction of natural gas workers. There is an additive interaction between psychological capital and social support on job ， satisfaction but no multiplicative interaction is found. Keywords: ； ； ； ； ； Psychological capital Social support Job satisfaction Interaction Natural gas Worker

YinQiSanHuang Jiedu decoction for the treatment of hepatitis B-related compensated liver cirrhosis: study protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B-related compensated liver cirrhosis is related to a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, and antiviral therapy is the preferred method. As the pathological mechanisms of liver fibrosis are complex, drugs developed for a single target are difficult to be effective in clinical practice, so there are no chemical drugs or biological drugs with clear efficacy available for clinical application at present. Traditional Chinese medicine is a kind of medical science that has been gradually formed during thousands of years and continuously enriched by the people of all ethnic groups in China. Traditional Chinese medicine shows curative effects in the treatment of liver diseases, especially in the field of liver fibrosis prevention and treatment. This study aims to test the integrative medicine (Chinese medicine plus antiviral therapy) effective on lowing hepatocellular carcinoma risk among patients with hepatitis-related compensated liver cirrhosis. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a multi-center randomized controlled trial, and a total of 5 hospitals and 802 patients will be involved in. All the subjects are randomly allocated to the YinQiSanHuang Jiedu decoction (YQSHD) group (n = 401) or the placebo group (n = 401). The YQSHD group receives YQSHD granule with entecavir (ETV), and the placebo group receives YQSHD placebo with ETV. The treatment period will last for 52 weeks, and the follow-up period for 52 ± 2 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the annual incidence of HCC. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after treatment. The objective of this trial is "the integrative of YQSHD with ETV reduce the annual incidence of HCC to 1%." ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Guang'anmen Hospital, China (No.2019-006-KY), and the other centers in the trial will not begin recruiting until the local ethical approval has been obtained. Trial final results will be disseminated via publication. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900021532 . Registered on February 26, 2019.

Efficacy and safety of YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction in chronic hepatitis B: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a global public health problem. Antiviral therapy is the primary treatment. Studies have shown that a combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and conventional antiviral drugs has better efficacy than conventional antiviral for treatment of CHB. YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction (YQSH) is a TCM compound preparation that has shown an effect on anti-hepatitis B virus and on slowing progression of hepatitis B-related liver diseases. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of YQSH combined with entecavir and its preventive effect on hepatitis B cirrhosis, we designed this randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. The objective is that the combination of YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction with entecavir will reduce the annual incidence of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis to 1%. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial involving five hospitals. A total of 802 patients are randomly allocated to two groups: the YQSH group (n = 401) or the placebo group (n = 401). The YQSH group receives YQSH with entecavir; the placebo group receives granules of placebo with entecavir. Patients receive treatment for 52 weeks and then are followed up for 52 ± 2 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the annual incidence of cirrhosis. The secondary outcome measures are hepatitis B virus DNA negative rate, hepatitis B surface antigen negative rate, hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion rate, liver function (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase , gamma-glutamyl transferase , alkaline phosphatase , serum albumin, and total bilirubin), spleen thickness, evaluation scores of patients' clinical symptoms, and safety assessment. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after treatment. DISCUSSION: Combination therapy could become a trend for treatment of CHB, and this trial expects to provide credible clinical evidence for the future combination of TCM and conventional antiviral drugs for the treatment of CHB. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900021521. Registered on 25 February 2019.

ZnO nanotubes supported molecularly imprinted polymers arrays as sensing materials for electrochemical detection of dopamine.

In this study, ZnO nanotubes (ZNTs) were prepared onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass and used as supports for MIPs arrays fabrication. Due to the imprinted cavities are always located at both inner and outer surface of ZNTs, these ZNTs supported MIPs arrays have good accessibility towards template and can be used as sensing materials for chemical sensors with high sensitivity, excellent selectivity and fast response. Using K3[Fe(CN)6] as electron probe, the fabricated electrochemical sensor shows two linear dynamic ranges (0.02-5µM and 10-800µM) towards dopamine. This proposed electrochemical sensor has been applied for dopamine determination with satisfied recoveries and precision. More complex human urine samples also confirmed that the proposed method has good accuracy for dopamine determination in real biological samples. These results suggest potential applicability of the proposed method and sensor in important molecule analysis.

Pathological process of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in liver diseases.

Cirrhosis develops from liver fibrosis and is the severe pathological stage of all chronic liver injury. Cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection is especially common. Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis involve excess production of extracellular matrix, which is closely related to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). Damaged LSECs can synthesize transforming growth factor-beta and platelet-derived growth factor, which activate hepatic stellate cells and facilitate the synthesis of extracellular matrix. Herein, we highlight the angiogenic cytokines of LSECs related to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis at different stages and focus on the formation and development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Inhibition of LSEC angiogenesis and antiangiogenic therapy are described in detail. Targeting LSECs has high therapeutic potential for liver diseases. Further understanding of the mechanism of action will provide stronger evidence for the development of anti-LSEC drugs and new directions for diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases.

Highly efficient synthesis of bioactive oleanane-type saponins.

Leveraging on Schmidt glycosylation method, a highly efficient approach to obtain oleanane-type triterpene saponins was fixed, whereby oleanyl mono-, disaccharide (guaianin N), trisaccharide (elatoside E), as well as tetrasaccharide (elatoside F) were obtained efficiently. The synthetic investigation has resulted in the discovery of the effect of branch-sugar incorporation sequence on the overall synthetic efficiency. Moreover, through bioactivity investigation, the cytotoxic activity of the obtained triterpenoid saponins was evaluated, and the preliminary structure-activity relationship was deduced.

The Effect of PCDH15 Gene Variations on the Risk of Noise-induced Hearing Loss in a Chinese Population.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a complex disease caused by interactions between environmental and genetic factors. This study investigated whether genetic variability in protocadherin related 15 (PCDH15) underlies an increased susceptibility to the development of NIHL in a Chinese population. The results showed that compared with the TT genotype of rs11004085, CT/CC genotypes were associated with an increased risk of NIHL [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.64; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-6.11, P = 0.024]. Additionally, significant interactions between the rs11004085 and rs978842 genetic variations and noise exposure were observed in the high-level exposure groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the risk haplotype TAGCC was observed when combined with higher levels of noise exposure (P < 0.05). Thus, our study confirms that genetic variations in PCDH15 modify the susceptibility to NIHL development in humans.

Molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction method for simultaneous determination of seven nitroimidazoles from honey by HPLC-MS/MS.

In this work, a selective sample cleanup procedure that combined molecular imprinting technique with solid phase extraction was developed for the simultaneous extraction of the seven nitroimidazoles (NMZs) from honey samples. The molecular imprinting polymers for NMZs were prepared through bulk polymerization method using 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole as template molecule, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross linking agent. The obtained molecular imprinting polymers showed high affinity to template molecule and was used as selective sorbent for simultaneously selective extraction of the seven NMZs from honey matrix. An off-line molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) method followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS) for simultaneous determination of the seven NMZs from honey samples was also established. The proposed method was validated at 1.0, 2.0 and 10.0µg/kg, obtaining recoveries in the range of 79.7-110%, with repeatability and interday precision values (expressed as relative standard deviation) ≤11.4% and ≤15.2%, respectively. Limits of quantification for different NMZs were 1.0µg/kg, which were always below the minimum required performance limits established by the European Community Reference Laboratories (Commission Decision 2002/657/EC). It was demonstrated that this proposed MISPE-HPLC-MS-MS method could be applied to direct determination of NMZs from honey samples.

Ultrastructural Changes and Methylation of Human Oocytes Vitrified at the Germinal Vesicle Stage and Matured in vitro after Thawing.

AIM: The study aimed to assess the effect of in vitro vitrification and maturation on the nuclear configuration, cytoplasmic maturation and global DNA methylation pattern of human germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes. METHODS: Human oocytes from infertile women were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: (i) metaphase II (MII) oocytes matured in vivo (vivo-MII, n = 56) as controls; (ii) MII oocytes matured in vitro (vitro-MII, n = 106); and (iii) MII oocytes that were vitrified at the GV stage, warmed and matured in vitro (cryo-MII, n = 122). All MII oocytes were fixed and immunofluorescence staining for spindle, chromosome, mitochondrion and cortical granules (CGs) were performed; examination was done using immunofluorescence laser scanning confocal microscope. The expression of 5-methycytosine in these MII oocytes was also assessed. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between vitro-MII and cryo-MII groups with respect to oocyte maturation rate (72.4 vs. 78.3%). No significant differences were observed in the distribution of mitochondria, migration of CG and global DNA methylation pattern among the 3 study groups. However, the abnormal configuration of spindle and chromosome was significantly higher in cryo-MII group (78.9 and 84.2%) as compared to that in the vitro-MII (45.0 and 50.0%, p < 0.05) and vivo-MII groups (27.3 and 36.4%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: GV oocytes appeared to resist vitrification and retain their potential for maturation to MII stage oocytes after thawing. However, GV oocytes vitrification combined with in vitro maturation could affect the organization of spindle and chromosome.

Serum luteinizing hormone level on the third day after ovarian stimulation in GnRH agonist short protocol is predictive of outcome in poor responders but not in normal responders.

OBJECTIVES: To identify whether prognostic value of LH measurement in normal responders (NR) is different from poor responders (POR). METHODS: A retrospective, single-center study was conducted among patients who underwent ovarian stimulation with short protocol, with 300 NR and 101 POR, according to Bologna Consensus criteria. LH was measured on 3rd and 5th day after stimulation and HCG administration day. RESULTS: There was significant difference in the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle initiated among those with LH level on the third day after stimulation (a) below the 25 centile (b) between the 25 and 75 centile and (c) above the 75 centile in women with POR (7.7%, 15.1% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.02) but not in NR. There was significant correlation between LH ranks and clinical pregnancy rate in POR (p = 0.02) but not in NR. Factors associated with clinical pregnancy rate in POR were age and LH on the third of stimulation, while factors in NR were age, AFC and FSH. CONCLUSION: LH level on the 3rd day of stimulation was predictive of clinical pregnancy in POR but not in NR.

p-type Li, Cu-codoped NiOx hole-transporting layer for efficient planar perovskite solar cells.

p-type inorganic hole transport materials of Li, Cu-codoped NiOx films were deposited using a simple solution-based process. The as-prepared films were used as hole selective contacts for lead halide perovskite solar cell. An enhanced power conversion efficiency of 14.53% has been achieved due to the improved electrical conductivity and optical transmittance of the Li, Cu-codoped NiOx electrode interlayer.

Expression profile of hydrogen sulfide and its synthases correlates with tumor stage and grade in urothelial cell carcinoma of bladder.

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a newly discovered gas transmitter. It is synthesized by cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST). Endogenous hydrogen sulfide has never been studied in bladder cancer. PURPOSE: We evaluated H2S production and its synthases expression levels in transitional cell carcinoma (urothelial cell carcinoma of bladder [UCB]) of human bladder tissue and cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunostaining was performed in urothelial cell lines and bladder specimens from 94 patients with UCB of different stages/grades. The expression levels/activities of CBS, CSE, and MPST of specimens and cell lines were analyzed by image semiquantity assay, western blot, and a sulfur-sensitive electrode. We tried to find the correlation between hydrogen sulfide and its synthases with tumor stage in UCB. All experiments were repeated at least 3 times. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity for CBS, CSE, and MPST was detected in malignant uroepithelium and muscular layer of all tissues examined and cultured cells. The expression levels of CBS, CSE, and MPST were associated with UCB stage/grade. Muscle-invasive bladder cancer samples showed the highest production of H2S (52.6±2.91 nmol/[mg·min]) among all tested samples and EJ cells (transitional cell carcinoma, grade IIIshowed the highest production of H2S among all tested cell lines (53.3±7.02nmol/[mg·min]). CONCLUSIONS: Protein levels and catalytic activities of CBS, CSE, and MPST increased with the increase of malignant degrees in human bladder tissues and human UCB cell lines. Our findings may promote the application of these novel enzymes to UCB diagnosis or treatment.

CXCR4, CXCR7, and CXCL12 are associated with trophoblastic cells apoptosis and linked to pathophysiology of severe preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder with sudden onset of maternal hypertension and proteinuria, which is characterized by defective cytotrophoblast invasion, increased apoptosis in cytotrophoblast, and diminished syncytial differentiation. In this study, samples from 11 mild preeclamptic patients, 18 severe preeclamptic patients, and 21 normal pregnant women were collected. The expression level of CXCL12 and its two receptors (CXCR4 and CXCR7) in these samples and their relationship with apoptosis were investigated. Morphological change of trophoblast cells that was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated a significant tendency of apoptosis in the preeclamptic placenta. Immunohistochemical staining showed that expression level of three proteins was significantly lower in severe preeclamptic placentas compared with normal placentas (P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was found between mild preeclamptic and normal placentas (P>0.05). Real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot showed that both mRNA and protein expression level of CXCR4, CXCR7, and CXCL12 of trophoblasts were lower in the severe preeclampsia group than that in the normal group (P<0.05 for mRNA, P<0.01 for protein). In conclusion, our data revealed that the roles of CXCR4, CXCR7, and CXCL12 are associated with trophoblastic cells apoptosis and may be linked to the occurrence and development of severe preeclampsia.

The Galectin-9/Tim-3 pathway is involved in the regulation of NK cell function at the maternal-fetal interface in early pregnancy.

Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells actively participate in the establishment and maintenance of maternal-fetal immune tolerance and act as local guardians against infection. However, how dNK cells maintain the immune balance between tolerance and anti-infection immune responses during pregnancy remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that the inhibitory molecule T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3) are expressed on over 60% of dNK cells. Tim-3(+) dNK cells display higher interleukin (IL)-4 and lower tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and perforin production. Human trophoblast cells can induce the transformation of peripheral NK cells into a dNK-like phenotype via the secretion of galectin-9 (Gal-9) and the interaction between Gal-9 and Tim-3. In addition, trophoblasts inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine and perforin production by dNK cells, which can be attenuated by Tim-3 neutralizing antibodies. Interestingly, a decreased percentage of Tim-3-expressing dNK cells were observed in human miscarriages and murine abortion-prone models. Moreover, T helper (Th)2-type cytokines were decreased and Th1-type cytokines were increased in Tim-3(+) but not Tim-3(-) dNK cells from human and mouse miscarriages. Therefore, our results suggest that the Gal-9/Tim-3 signal is important for the regulation of dNK cell function, which is beneficial for the maintenance of a normal pregnancy.

Establishment and identification of human primary lung cancer cell culture in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To explore a simple and practical method for human primary lung cancer cells culture in vitro. METHODS: Tumor specimens from 6 lung cancer patients were isolated with collagenase digestion cultured in vitro. Then the characteristics of these cells were analyzed and identified by optical microscope observation, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry and tumor nude mice inoculation experiments, respectively. RESULTS: Except for the small cell lung cancer, the other 5 samples were successfully isolated and cultured. The cultured cells showed typical characteristics of malignant cells and positive for cytokeratin 7 and 19. Moreover, the cancer cells readily formed subcutaneous tumors in nude mice and the pathological images of the transplanted tumor were consistent with its tumor origin. CONCLUSION: The primary culture for human lung cancer cells can be successfully achieved with the method of collagenase digestion.

Co-expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in human endometrial stromal cells is modulated by steroid hormones.

Endometrium modulated by estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) is important for implantation and pregnancy. The present study compared the expression of chemokine CXCL12 and chemokine receptor CXCR4 and CXCR7 between human cycling and early pregnant endometria by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then the modulation of E and P on expression of CXCL12, CXCR4 and CXCR7 in human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) was explored at both mRNA and protein level. The result of IHC showed that human ESCs of the menstrual period did not express CXCL12, CXCR4 or CXCR7 protein, however, the expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 but not CXCL12 in ESCs increased in the proliferative and secretory phase, and the expression intensity for CXCR4 and CXCR7 in ESCs was the highest in the first trimester. Moreover, E and P were able to up-regulate the mRNA and protein expression of CXCR4 and protein expression of CXCR7 in ESCs (P<0.01). Thus, ESCs spatiotemporally co-express CXCR4 and CXCR7 rather than CXCL12, and E and P are able to regulate the expression of CXCR4 and CXCR7 in ESCs, suggesting the modulation of steroid hormones on chemokine receptor expression in ESCs.