Intravascular Leiomyoma Considered Preoperatively as Uterine Sarcoma: A Rare Case.

Intravascular leiomyoma (IVL) is usually defined as a histologically benign leiomyoma that originates in a uterine fibroid or the intrauterine vein wall and grows and expands intravenously. We report a case in which pelvic IVL was detected early and discuss the early diagnosis of and best treatment for this tumor.

The genetic relationship between systemic lupus erythematosus and risk of primary ovarian failure from a mendelian randomization study.

Previous studies investigating the relationship between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary ovarian failure (POF) generated conflicting results. To data, no mendelian randomization study has been applied to examine this association. In this study, genetic instruments for exposure (SLE) were selected from a GWAS study with 5201 cases and 9066 noncases. Outcome data for POF and three reproductive traits (age at menarche, age at menopause, and age at first live birth) were obtained from other eligible GWASs. To estimate causal association, the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method (the main analyse), MR Egger test, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode were applied. Moreover, sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure the robustness of the results. Estimated by the IVW method, SLE was suggested to be causally related to the risk of POF (OR = 1.166, 95% CI 1.055-1.289, P = 0.003) and delayed age at first live birth (OR = 1.006, 95% CI 1.002-1.010, P = 0.007), with no evidence of a causal association between SLE and age at menopause or menarche. The estimates were robust according to sensitivity analysis. In conclusion, the two-sample MR study supported a causal association between SLE and POF from a genetic aspect.

Identification, Characterization, Cloning, and Cross-Reactivity of Zan b 2, a Novel Pepper Allergen of 11S Legumin.

Protein from Sichuan peppers can elicit mild to severe allergic reactions. However, little is known about their allergenic proteins. We aimed to isolate, identify, clone, and characterize Sichuan pepper allergens and to determine its allergenicity and cross-reactivities. Sichuan pepper seed proteins were extracted and then analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Western blotting was performed with sera from Sichuan pepper-allergic individuals. Proteins of interest were purified using hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration and further analyzed by analytical ultracentrifugation, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry (MS). Their coding region was amplified in the genome. IgE reactivity and cross-reactivity of allergens were evaluated by dot blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and competitive ELISA. Western blot showed IgE binding to a 55 kDa protein. This protein was homologous to the citrus proteins and has high stability and a sheet structure. Four DNA sequences were cloned. Six patients' sera (60%) showed specific IgE reactivity to this purified 11S protein, which was proved to have cross-reactivation with extracts of cashew nuts, pistachios, and citrus seeds. A novel allergen in Sichuan pepper seeds, Zan b 2, which belongs to the 11S globulin family, was isolated and identified. Its cross-reactivity with cashew nuts, pistachios, and citrus seeds was demonstrated.

An Intelligent Customer-Driven Digital Solution to Improve Perioperative Health Outcomes Among Children Undergoing Circumcision and Their Parents: Development and Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Circumcision as a common elective pediatric surgery worldwide is a stressful and anxiety-inducing experience for parents and children. Although current perioperative interventions proved effective, such as reducing preoperative anxiety, there are limited holistic solutions using mobile apps. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to describe the development and primary evaluation of an intelligent customer-driven smartphone-based app program (ICory-Circumcision) to enhance health outcomes among children undergoing circumcision and their family caregivers. METHODS: Based on the review of the literature and previous studies, Bandura's self-efficacy theory was adopted as the conceptual framework. A multidisciplinary team was built to identify the content and develop the apps. Semistructured interviews were conducted to evaluate the ICory-Circumcision. RESULTS: The ICory-Circumcision study was carried out from March 2019 to January 2020 and comprised 2 mobile apps, BuddyCare app and Triumf Health mobile game app. The former provides a day-by-day perioperative guide for parents whose children are undergoing circumcision, while the latter provides emotional support and distraction to children. In total, 6 participants were recruited to use the apps and interviewed to evaluate the program. In total, 4 main categories and 10 subcategories were generated from content analysis. CONCLUSIONS: ICory-Circumcision seemed to lean toward being useful. Revisions to ICory-Circumcision are necessary to enhance its contents and features before advancing to the randomized controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04174404; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04174404.

RACK1 promotes the occurrence and progression of cervical carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: RACK1 has been identified as a multifunctional cytosolic protein, and plays a pivotal role in multiple biological responses involved in several kinds of tumors, while its effect in cervical cancer has not been well elucidated yet. The study aimed to investigate the role of RACK1 in cervical cancer occurrence and progression. METHODS: The expression of RACK1 in cervical specimens was measured by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot assay. Transgenic mice were used to detect the role of RACK1 in modulating tumorigenesis in vivo. Cervical carcinoma cell lines were used to explore the underlying mechanisms of RACK1 on the behaviors of tumor cells in vitro. RESULTS: We found that RACK1 expression was upregulated in cancer tissues compared with adjacent tissues, and its expression was gradually increased from cervictis, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasis (CIN) to carcinoma. Genetic overexpression of RACK1 facilitated tumor formation and growth in nude mice. Mechanism studies disclosed that RACK1 over-expression prolonged the G0 /G1 phase by up-regulating the expression of cyclinD1, down-regulating p21 and p27 probably by modulating the phosphorylation of AKT. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we concluded that RACK1 stimulates tumorigenesis and progression of cervical cancer via modulating the proliferation of tumor cells, implying that targeting RACK1 may serve as a promising method for cervical cancer therapy.

Fluorescence emission mechanism for the π-conjugated zwitterion 2,4-Bisimidazolylphenol base on ESIPT: A TDDFT theoretical reconsideration.

Molecules with zwitterionic characteristics exhibit significant potential for utilization in nonlinear optics, optoelectronics, and organic lasers owing to their large dipole moments. Recently, the synthesized compound 2,4-bis (4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl) phenol (2,4-bImP) by Sakai et al. has been noticed for its unique photochromic properties in solvents [J. Phys. Chem. A, 125 (2021), 4784-4792]. The observed fluorescence in chloroform was attributed to the keto tautomer. Based on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer, the photochromism of 2,4-bImP in chloroform was interpreted as zwitterion production. However, the zwitterion with a specific electronic structure can be in resonance with the conventional neutral structure. The impact of the resonance contribution from the zwitterion and the conventional neutral structure on fluorescence attribution was not taken into account in the previous studies. In this investigation, the ESIPT mechanism of the 2,4-bImP in chloroform has been explored using both the density functional theory and the time-dependent density functional theory. The optimized geometric configuration parameters illustrate the molecular resonant properties. The calculated fluorescence spectra on the basis of the optimization results further corroborate that the fluorescence peaks after proton transfer originates from the resonance of the zwitterionic and the neutral configuration. The zwitterionic nature of the molecule was demonstrated by electrostatic potential and atomic dipole modified Hesfeld atomic charge (ADCH) analysis. Furthermore, the characterization of potential energy curves and IR spectrum further verified the resonance of both the zwitterionic and neutral structures. The results reveal that the 2,4-bImP molecule generates the neutral o-quinoid structure and the zwitterionic structure resonance phenomenon following ESIPT. The aforementioned resonance structure offers novel insights into the ascription of fluorescence. These discoveries establish the theoretical foundation for the exploration and development of zwitterions.

A new pepper allergen Zan b 1.01 of 2S albumins: Identification, cloning, characterization, and cross-reactivity.

BACKGROUND: Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Sichuan pepper; in Chinese) is used as a spice worldwide and is a potentially life-threatening allergenic food source, as first reported by our team in 2005. However, its allergen components are unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aim to identify and characterize its major allergen and determine its cross-reactivities with citrus seeds, pistachios, and cashew seeds. METHODS: Ionic exchange and molecular exclusion chromatography were used to isolate the protein components from Sichuan pepper seed. A protein fraction was characterized by SDS-PAGE, analytical ultracentrifugation, mass spectrometry, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The coding region of it was amplified from the genome. ELISA and competitive ELISA assays were used to investigate the allergenicity and cross-reactivity of allergens. RESULTS: This protein allergen was around 14 kDa. It was a 2S albumin similar to an α-Amylase inhibitor (AAI) domain-containing protein of Citrus sinensis. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed its thermal stability was high. A 303 bps DNA sequence of the AAI domain was cloned from the genome of the Sichuan pepper. Competitive ELISA assays showed positive cross-reactivities between this allergen and citrus seeds, pistachios, and cashew seeds. CONCLUSION: A major allergen of around 14 kDa from Sichuan pepper seed was confirmed, which belongs to the 2S albumin of plant seed storage proteins. Based on the nomenclature of the IUIS Subcommittee for Allergen Nomenclature, this allergen is designated as Zan b 1.01. The cross-reactivities were demonstrated between Zan b 1.01 and citrus seeds, pistachios, and cashew seeds.

A phase 3b, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study of roxadustat within a US dialysis organization: The DENALI study.

INTRODUCTION: Roxadustat is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor approved in several regions for the treatment of anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD). DENALI, a phase 3b study, evaluated the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of roxadustat in patients with anemia of CKD receiving in-center or home dialysis. METHODS: Eligible patients received open-label roxadustat, dosed three times weekly for 24 weeks, with an optional extension of ≤1 year. Initial dosing depended on erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) dose at screening for patients receiving ESAs (≥6 weeks) and weight-based for those not (total <6 weeks). Primary efficacy endpoints were proportion of patients with mean hemoglobin (Hb) ≥10.0 g/dL averaged over Weeks 16-24, and mean Hb change from baseline to the average during Weeks 16-24. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and treatment-emergent serious adverse events (TESAEs) were assessed. FINDINGS: Of 281 patients screened, 203 were treated and 201 included in the full analysis set. Overall, 166 patients completed the 24-week treatment period and 126 continued into the extension period. Mean baseline Hb was 10.4 g/dL and 82.6% received in-center hemodialysis. Overall, 84.6% of patients achieved a mean Hb ≥ 10.0 g/dL averaged Weeks 16-24. Mean (standard deviation) Hb change from baseline averaged Weeks 16-24 was 0.5 (1.0) g/dL. Prespecified subgroup analyses were consistent with primary analyses. Dosing adherence was 94%. Overall, 3.0% of patients received a red blood cell transfusion at up to Week 24. TEAEs and TESAEs were reported by 71.4% and 25.6% of patients, respectively. The most frequently reported TESAEs were COVID-19 (n = 5; 2.5%), and acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, and sepsis (each n = 4; 2.0%). DISCUSSION: Roxadustat effectively achieved and/or maintained mean Hb levels ≥10.0 g/dL in patients receiving dialysis. The feasibility of incorporating oral roxadustat into dialysis organizations was successfully demonstrated with high dosing adherence. No new safety signals were identified.

The type III secretion system facilitates systemic infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the clinic.

IMPORTANCE: The identification of decisive virulence-associated genes in highly pathogenic P. aeruginosa isolates in the clinic is essential for diagnosis and the start of appropriate treatment. Over the past decades, P. aeruginosa ST463 has spread rapidly in East China and is highly resistant to ß-lactams. Given the poor clinical outcome caused by this phenotype, detailed information regarding its decisive virulence genes and factors affecting virulence expression needs to be deciphered. Here, we demonstrate that the T3SS effector ExoU has toxic effects on mammalian cells and is required for virulence in the murine bloodstream infection model. Moreover, a functional downstream SpcU is required for ExoU secretion and cytotoxicity. This work highlights the potential role of ExoU in the pathogenesis of disease and provides a new perspective for further research on the development of new antimicrobials with antivirulence ability.

An overview of CFTR mutation profiles and assisted reproductive technology outcomes in Chinese patients with congenital obstructive azoospermia.

PURPOSE: The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is the most common causative gene attributed to congenital obstructive azoospermia (OA). The aim of this study was to conduct an epidemiological survey of congenital OA patients, to screen for CFTR mutations, and to follow their pregnancy outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART). METHODS: This cohort study enrolled congenital OA patients undergoing ART and whole-exome sequencing from January 2018 to September 2023. Semen parameters, sex hormones, and seminal plasma biochemistry were evaluated. CFTR mutations identified in OA patients were analyzed. In addition, the laboratory outcomes, clinical outcomes, and neonatal outcomes were compared between OA patients carrying two CFTR mutations and the others after surgical sperm extraction-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients with congenital OA were enrolled. CFTR mutations were identified in 35 (46.1%) congenital OA patients. A total of 60 CFTR mutation sites of 27 types were identified, and 10 of them were novel. The average frequency was 1.71 (60/35) per person. The most common mutation was c.1210-11T > G (25%, 15/60). After ICSI treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in laboratory outcomes, clinical outcomes, and neonatal outcomes between OA patients carrying two CFTR mutations (n = 25) and other OA patients (n = 51). CONCLUSION: Apart from the IVS9-5T mutation, the genetic mutation pattern of CFTR in Chinese OA patients is heterogeneous, which is significantly different from that of Caucasians. Although carrying two CFTR mutations or not had no effect on the pregnancy outcomes in OA patients after ICSI, genetic counseling is still recommended for such patients.

Inflammatory cytokines and stroke and its subtypes: a genetic correlation and two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Introduction: The causal relationship between inflammatory factors and stroke subtypes remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the causal relationship between 41 inflammatory factors and these two factors using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: We performed a two-sample MR analysis to assess the causal effects of 41 inflammatory cytokines on stroke and its subtypes and conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was adopted as the main MR method, and we performed a series of two-sample Mendelian randomizations and related sensitivity analyses. Results: The study indicated some suggestive evidences: using the IVW approach, we found that lower possible levels of IL-4 were positively associated with the occurrence of stroke (odds ratio [OR] = 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-0.99, p = 0.014), higher interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-12p70 levels may be positively correlated with the occurrence of stroke (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.18, p = 0.027; OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.15, p = 0.015). For IS, results showed that lower levels of IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand were positively associated with the occurrence of possible ischemic stroke (IS) (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.98, p = 0.006; OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91-1.00, p = 0.031), higher levels of IL-1ß, IL-12p70 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be positively correlated with the occurrence of IS (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00-1.19, p = 0.042; OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15, p = 0.035; OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.00-1.12, p = 0.034). Our findings suggest that decreased IL-17 levels could potentially be linked to a higher likelihood of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.28-0.93, p = 0.028). For subtypes of stroke, IS and ICH, higher levels of growth regulated oncogene-α, beta nerve growth factor, IL-18, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and induced protein 10 upregulated the risk factors while lower levels of IL-2ra and IL-17 upregulated the risk factors. Conclusion: In summary, our research validated that inflammatory markers have a pivotal impact on the development of stroke and could potentially offer a fresh approach to treating this condition.

Microbial corrosion behavior of pipeline steels in simulation environment of natural gas transportation pipeline.

Bacteria are introduced into natural gas transmission pipelines through water-driven gas extraction, which can exacerbate the occurrence of pipeline corrosion. This study utilized a micro-reactor to design a simulated corrosion environment that mimics natural gas gathering and transportation pipelines. The objective was to investigate the corrosion behavior of X80 pipeline steel under the combined effects of CO2, Cl-, sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), and iron bacteria (IOB). Additionally, it aimed to elucidate the influence mechanisms of these two microorganisms on corrosion. Under a humid environment with a total pressure of 8.5 MPa and a partial pressure of CO2 at 0.85 MPa, the corrosion rate of X80 pipeline steel was observed to follow the sequence: IOB > control (asepsis) > SRB + IOB > SRB. During the initial stages of corrosion, highly active IOB becomes the primary factor contributing to corrosion. As corrosion progresses, the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the SRB system gradually decreases while SRB activity intensifies, leading to the formation of FeS through the process of corrosion. The corrosion current density (icorr) exhibited a significant decrease, thereby intensifying localized corrosion of the corrosion products beneath the film. This resulted in a maximum pitting depth of 113.5 µm. Research on the behavior of microbial-enhanced corrosion provides significant guidance in the development and implementation of protective coatings.

The response of LncRNAs associated with photosynthesis-and pigment synthesis-related genes to green light in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

The quality of light is an important abiotic factor that affects the growth and development of green plants. Ultraviolet, red, blue, and far-red light all have demonstrated roles in regulating green plant growth and development, as well as light morphogenesis. However, the mechanism underlying photosynthetic organism responses to green light throughout the life of them are not clear. In this study, we exposed the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to green light and analyzed the dynamics of transcriptome changes. Based on the whole transcriptome data from C. reinhardtii, a total of 9974 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified under green light. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated that these DEGs were mainly related to "carboxylic acid metabolic process," "enzyme activity," "carbon metabolism," and "photosynthesis and other processes." At the same time, 253 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (DELs) were characterized as green light responsive. We also made a detailed analysis of the responses of photosynthesis- and pigment synthesis-related genes in C. reinhardtii to green light and found that these genes exhibited obvious dynamic expression. Lastly, we constructed a co-expression regulatory network, comprising 49 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and 20 photosynthesis and pigment related genes, of which 9 mRNAs were also the predicted trans/cis-targets of 8 lncRNAs, these results suggested that lncRNAs may affect the expression of mRNAs related to photosynthesis and pigment synthesis. Our findings give a preliminary explanation of the response mechanism of C. reinhardtii to green light at the transcriptional level.

Cut-off point of mature oocyte for routine clinical application of rescue IVM: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The rescue in vitro mature(Rescue IVM) technique allows the use of immature oocytes collected in conventional COH to obtain more mature oocytes for fertilization through in vitro maturation. Some studies have shown that Rescue IVM could improve clinical outcomes in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI, but the effectiveness and the indications for the clinical application of this technique remain controversial. It remains to be studied whether Rescue IVM should be universally applied in all conventional IVF/ICSI cycles. METHOD: This is a large retrospective cohort study that included a total of 22,135 female patients undergoing their first IVF treatment cycles. The effect of the number of mature oocytes(metaphaseII[MII]) on the cumulative live birth rate was investigated in a population with routine IVF/ICSI first. The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) analysis was used to explore the cut-off point of the number of MII affecting CLBR. Secondly, Patients undergoing ICSI with Rescue IVM were included in the analysis with those who underwent ICSI only during the same period, grouped according to the MII cut-off values. Multi-factor binary logistic regression and inverse probability weighting (IPW) were used to investigate whether Rescue IVM influenced the final cumulative live birth rate(CLBR). RESULTS: The CLBR increased with the number of MIIoocytes (P < 0.001). The ROC analysis showed the cut-off point for the number of MIIoocytes to have a significant effect on CLBR was 9 (sensitivity 0.715, specificity 0.656). Furthermore, 912 patients who underwent ICSI with Rescue IVM were included and compared to those who underwent ICSI only during the same period, and found Rescue IVM significantly increased the number of available MIIoocytes. For patients with MII numbers < 9, Rescue IVM significantly improves their clinical pregnancy rate(55.6% vs. 46.7%, P = 0.001) and CLBR(65.4% vs. 48.1%, P < 0.001), but not for those patients with MII numbers ≥ 9. CONCLUSION: This study further clarifies the candidates for the application of Rescue IVM technique: patients with an MII oocytes < 9 in a conventional IVF/ICSI cycle. In contrast, it is not necessary for patients who already have sufficient mature oocytes(≥ 9), to avoid over-medication.

Novel ACTL7A variants in males lead to fertilization failure and male infertility.

BACKGROUND: Total fertilization failure occurs in 1%-3% of all intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. Genetic defects are found to be crucial causes responsible for total fertilization failure after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. However, the reported genes only elucidate a small proportion of total fertilization failure cases, and more genetic defects are required to be explored. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic causes of male-related fertilization failure and explore the potential underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing was performed on male patients suffering from fertilization failure, and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the detected mutations. The effects of genetic mutations on protein function were analyzed using bioinformatic tools and immunofluorescence assays. RESULTS: Two males with ACTL7A mutations were enrolled. One carried two compound heterozygous mutations (c.1118G>A:p.R373H; c.1204G>A:p.G402S), the other had a homozygous mutation (c.1117C>T:p.R373C) and was from a consanguineous family with a recessive inheritance pattern. All the variants were located in the actin domain and were predicted to be pathogenic, affecting the number of hydrogen bonds or the arrangement of nearby protein structures. Furthermore, the protein expression of actin-like protein 7A was absent in affected spermatozoa by using immunofluorescence staining and western blotting, confirming the pathogenicity of the variants. In addition, the phospholipase C zeta 1 was barely absent, and acrosome peanut agglutinin signals were attenuated and unevenly distributed, indicating acrosome dysfunction. In addition, intracytoplasmic sperm injection with artificial oocyte activation treatment could increase the fertilization rate in oocytes injected with affected spermatozoa. DISCUSSION: Our study identified three ACTL7A pathogenic missense mutations in two males with fertilization failure. It expands the mutational and phenotypic spectrum of ACTL7A gene and provides information on the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of fertilization defects induced by ACTL7A pathogenic variants. CONCLUSION: ACTL7A variants affected the expression and localization of actin-like protein 7A in the affected spermatozoa and subsequently decreased the expression of phospholipase C zeta 1, which caused fertilization failure and male infertility.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection-associated Sjogren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Although infectious pathogens are predominant factors for inducing and maintaining immune system disorders, there exist few reports establishing the significant correlation between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and Sjogren's syndrome. This study aims to demonstrate the correlation between Sjogren's syndrome and H. pylori infection in patients, highlighting various clinical characteristics and risk factors. METHODS: A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted in patients (n = 224) admitted from January 1, 2012, to February 10, 2021, in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Wenzhou, China). All the recruited subjects with Sjogren's syndrome and H. pylori infection were only included by validating the available medical records online. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 224 patients from January 1, 2012, to February 10, 2021, were diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome. Among them, 94 patients (41.96%) with Sjogren's syndrome were infected with H. pylori. Accordingly, the clinical manifestations, serological and immunological characteristics, as well as gastroscopic biopsy outcomes of the recruited patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) were reported. The multivariable analysis of the dry syndrome patients infected with H. pylori displayed hypergammaglobulinemia (odds ratio [OR], 0.354; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.189-0.663), total cholesterol (OR, 1.158; 95% CI, 0.856-1.550), hypertension (OR, 0.227; 95% CI, 0.114-0.455), Female sex (OR, 5.778; 95% CI, 1.458-22.9), anti-SSA/Ro60 positive (OR, 2.384; 95% CI, 233-4.645), γ-GT (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.99-1.00) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP, OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.99-1.00) levels. CONCLUSION: Together, our findings demonstrated that hypergammaglobulinemia could be the independent risk factors of H. pylori infection in patients with Sjogren's syndrome, requiring the physician's advice in the future.

Identification of dominant functional microbes that contribute to the characteristic aroma of Msalais, traditional wine fermented from boiled local grape juice in China.

Msalais is a traditional wine produced from naturally fermented boiled local grape juice in China. It has characteristic dried fruit and caramel odors, mainly attributed to aromatic compounds, such as furaneol and 5-methylfurfural. However, it is unclear how microbes involved in the natural fermentation of Msalais contribute to this characteristic aroma. Here, we analyzed the Msalais-fermenting microbes and aromatic compounds formed during natural Msalais fermentation by using high-throughput sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. The analysis revealed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kazachstania humilis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus farraginis are the dominant and key functional species that produce high amounts of furaneol and 5-methylfurfural during Msalais fermentation. Of these, K. humilis and L. farraginis are rarely detected during regular wine fermentation. The identified functional species could be used to control typical aromatic characteristics of Msalais.

Short-Range Charge Transfer in DNA Base Triplets: Real-Time Tracking of Coherent Fluctuation Electron Transfer.

The short-range charge transfer of DNA base triplets has wide application prospects in bioelectronic devices for identifying DNA bases and clinical diagnostics, and the key to its development is to understand the mechanisms of short-range electron dynamics. However, tracing how electrons are transferred during the short-range charge transfer of DNA base triplets remains a great challenge. Here, by means of ab initio molecular dynamics and Ehrenfest dynamics, the nuclear-electron interaction in the thymine-adenine-thymine (TAT) charge transfer process is successfully simulated. The results show that the electron transfer of TAT has an oscillating phenomenon with a period of 10 fs. The charge density difference proves that the charge transfer proportion is as high as 59.817% at 50 fs. The peak position of the hydrogen bond fluctuates regularly between -0.040 and -0.056. The time-dependent Marcus-Levich-Jortner theory proves that the vibrational coupling between nucleus and electron induces coherent electron transfer in TAT. This work provides a real-time demonstration of the short-range coherent electron transfer of DNA base triplets and establishes a theoretical basis for the design and development of novel biological probe molecules.

Oviductal extracellular vesicles from women with endometriosis impair embryo development.

Objective: To investigate the influence of oviductal extracellular vesicles from patients with endometriosis on early embryo development. Design: In vitro experimental study. Setting: University-affiliated hospital. Patients: Women with and without endometriosis who underwent hysterectomy (n = 27 in total). Interventions: None. Main outcome measures: Oviductal extracellular vesicles from patients with endometriosis (oEV-EMT) or without endometriosis (oEV-ctrl) were isolated and co-cultured with two-cell murine embryos for 75 hours. Blastocyst rates were recorded. RNA sequencing was used to identify the differentially expressed genes in blastocysts cultured either with oEV-EMT or with oEV-ctrl. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed to identify potential biological processes in embryos that oEV-EMT affects. The functions of oEV on early embryo development were determined by reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMP), total cell numbers, and apoptotic cell proportions. Results: Extracellular vesicles were successfully isolated from human Fallopian tubal fluid, and their characterizations were described. The blastocyst rates were significantly decreased in the oEV-EMT group. RNA sequencing revealed that oxidative phosphorylation was down-regulated in blastocysts cultured with oEV-EMT. Analysis of oxidative stress and apoptosis at the blastocysts stage showed that embryos cultured with oEV-EMT had increased ROS levels, decreased MMP, and increased apoptotic index. Total cell numbers were not influenced. Conclusion: Oviductal extracellular vesicles from patients with endometriosis negatively influence early embryo development by down-regulating oxidative phosphorylation.

Reconsideration of the ESIPT off mechanism for fluorescent probe MNC in aqueous solution.

Fluorescent probes with excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) properties play a significant role in the research of life science and material science. Guo et al. designed 3-hydroxy-2-(6-Methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one (MNC) as a control to achieve the dual-color fluorescence imaging of lipid droplets and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). They deemed that the ESIPT process would be turned off in ER with high water content [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 3169-3179]. However, contrary to the conventional ESIPT off case, the enol* state fluorescence intensity that should have been enhanced was severely quenched in water. Here, combined with ultrafast spectrum, steady-state fluorescence spectrum and potential energy surface, the mechanism of ESIPT process of MNC turned off in water is revised. Furthermore, the formation of aggregated states in water is responsible for the quenching of MNC fluorescence. This work is expected to provide broader ideas for the design of hydrophobic fluorescent probes.