Poor morphology of inner cell mass increases birth weight and large for gestational age.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Can inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm morphological grading, especially ICM and trophectoderm graded C, affect perinatal outcomes? DESIGN: A retrospective review of medical records of 8946 singletons delivered from vitrified-warmed single blastocyst transfer cycles between January 2009 and December 2020. RESULTS: Inner cell mass graded C had a higher adjusted birth weight than ICM graded A (0.61 ± 1.06 versus 0.48 ± 1.06; P = 0.025). Large for gestational age (LGA) increased with decreasing ICM morphological grading (18.96%, 21.88% and 23.38%; grade B versus grade A, P = 0.013; grade C versus grade A, P = 0.036) (P < 0.025 was considered statistically significant for multiple pairwise comparisons). Linear regression analysis suggested that ICM morphological grading was significantly associated with adjusted birth weight, with grade C increasing adjusted birth weight compared with grade A (ß 0.13, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.25, P = 0.043) (P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for linear regression). Logistic regression analysis suggested that ICM morphological grading was significantly associated with LGA, with grade C increasing LGA compared with grade A (adjusted OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.81). Moreover, blastocysts with ICM graded C had a higher chance of being a male infant compared with ICM graded A (adjusted OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.68). CONCLUSIONS: Inner cell mass morphological grading was significantly associated with adjusted birth weight and LGA. Poor ICM graded C increased birth weight and LGA.

Associations of combined exposures to ambient temperature, air pollution, and green space with hypertension in rural areas of Anhui Province, China: A cross-sectional study.

Hypertension (HTN) was a major preventable cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), contributing to a huge disease burden. Ambient temperature, air pollution and green space were important influencing factors of HTN, and few studies have assessed the effects and interactions of ambient temperature, air pollution and green space on HTN in rural areas. In this study, we selected 8400 individuals randomly in rural areas of Anhui Province by a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. A total of 8383 individuals were included in the final analysis. We collected particulate pollutants and meteorological data from the local air quality monitoring stations and National Center for Meteorological Science from January 1 to December 31, 2020, respectively. The normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) of Anhui Province in 2020 was produced and processed by remote sensing inversion on the basis of medium resolution satellite images. The average annual mean exposure concentrations of air pollution, meteorological factors, and NDVI were calculated for each individual based on the geocoded residential address. HTN was defined according the Chinese Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of HTN. The effects and interactions of ambient temperature, air pollution and green space on HTN were evaluated by generalized linear model and interaction model, respectively. In this study, the prevalence of HTN was 24.14%. The adjusted odd ratio of HTN for each 1 µg/m3 increasing in PM2.5 and PM10, 1 °C of ambient temperature, and 0.1 of NDVI were:1.276 (1.013, 1.043), 1.012 (1.006, 1.018), 0.862 (0.862, 0.981) and 0.669 (0.611, 0.733), respectively. The results showed that air pollutants were positively correlated with HTN, while ambient temperature and green space were negatively correlated with HTN. Meanwhile, the negative associations of green space on HTN could decrease with the increasing concentrations of air pollution, but increase with the rising of ambient temperature.

Parallel depth buffer algorithm based on a ternary optical computer.

The depth buffer algorithm, as a method at pixel level of computer graphics, can assist in realizing object collision detection and interference calculation in virtual space. It calculates the depth value of the object in a 3D scene to help construct the view model, while the traditional depth buffer algorithm cannot work without pixel-by-pixel operation and has the disadvantages of slow speed, low computational efficiency, and large space occupation. In this paper, the parallel depth buffer algorithm based on a ternary optical computer (TOC) is proposed by taking advantage of giant data-bit parallel computing, the reconfigurable processor of TOC. The parallel calculation scheme is designed using image segmentation to realize pixel drawing and interference detection. We analyze the resources and time consumption, and verify its correctness through experiment. The algorithm has better time performance and computing efficiency. It gives full play to the advantages of TOC for computing-intensive tasks.

Simultaneous removal of Zn2+ and p-nitrophenol from wastewater using nanocomposites of montmorillonite with alkyl-ammonium and complexant.

Three types of alkyl-ammonium with different branching chains and three complexants with different functional groups were used to prepare alkyl-ammonium or complexant intercalated montmorillonite nanocomposite (A-Mt or C-Mt). In addition, synergistic intercalated montmorillonite nanocomposites (A/C-Mt) with alkyl-ammonium along with complexant were also prepared. The adsorption performance of the various nanocomposites toward Zn2+ and p-nitrophenol (PNP) from simulated binary wastewater containing both Zn2+ and PNP were systematically investigated. Characterization of Mt nanocomposites showed that both alkyl-ammoniums and complexants were successfully intercalated into the interlayers of Mt. The surfactant loading amounts of the various nanocomposites were also determined and correlated with the resulting expansion of the interlayer spacing. It was found that intercalation of alkane (OTAC) and -SH (CSH) were conducive to the adsorption of Zn2+ while -C2H4NH (TETA) and all alkyl-ammoniums were beneficial for PNP adsorption. The extent of adsorption was found to be controlled primarily by pH, i.e., the higher pH had a good effect on the adsorption of both Zn2+ and PNP. The adsorption process of Zn2+ onto Mt nanocomposites was more in line with the Freundlich model (R2 = 0.99), while the Langmuir model described the adsorption of PNP well (R2 = 0.99). The adsorption kinetics could be well described by the Elovich equation (R2 = 0.98) and the double-constant model (R2 = 0.89). Chemical adsorption was determined to be the dominant process between the contaminant and Mt nanocomposite surfaces.

MnS@N,S Co-Doped Carbon Core/Shell Nanocubes: Sulfur-Bridged Bonds Enhanced Na-Storage Properties Revealed by In Situ Raman Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Rational structure and morphology design are of great significance to realize excellent Na storage for advanced electrode materials in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, a cube-like core/shell composite of single MnS nanocubes (≈50 nm) encapsulated in N, S co-doped carbon (MnS@NSC) with strong CSMn bond interactions is successfully prepared as outstanding anode material for SIBs. The carbon shell significantly restricts the expansion of the MnS volume in successive sodiation/desodiation processes, as demonstrated by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of one single MnS@NSC nanocube. Moreover, the in situ generated CSMn bonds between the MnS core and carbon shell play a significant role in improving the Na-storage stability and reversibility of MnS@NSC, as revealed by in situ Raman and TEM. As a result, MnS@NSC exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 594.2 mAh g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1 and an excellent rate performance. It also achieves a remarkable cycling stability of 329.1 mAh g-1 after 3000 charge/discharge cycles at 1 A g-1 corresponding to a low capacity attenuation rate of 0.0068% per cycle, which is superior to that of pristine MnS and most of the reported Mn-based anode materials in SIBs.

The late vanishing of a co-twin contributes to adverse perinatal outcomes in the surviving singleton.

STUDY QUESTION: Is the vanishing of a co-twin after or before the ultrasonic registration of cardiac activity at approximately 6-8 weeks of gestation associated with adverse perinatal outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER: The timing of the demise of a co-twin after the registration of cardiac activity is an independent risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: A significant body of evidence has confirmed that vanishing twin (VT) pregnancies are associated with higher levels of risk for preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), small-for-gestational age (SGA) and perinatal mortality, compared with singleton pregnancy. However, the impact of co-twin vanishing, before or after the presence, of cardiac activity, on perinatal outcomes has yet to be extensively investigated. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 38 876 singletons delivered from ART cycles between 2006 and 2018, at the Peking University Third Hospital. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: In total, 35 188 singletons were delivered from the singleton pregnancy group, 2256 singletons from the VT pregnancy group after that cardiac activity was noted, and 1432 singletons were delivered from the VT pregnancy group before cardiac activity could be registered. Using the Poisson model, the adjusted risk ratio (aRR) was used to estimate the incidence of PTB, LBW, SGA and perinatal mortality, in the pregnancies of two types of VT compared with singleton pregnancies after correction for potential confounding factors. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The vanishing of a co-twin after the registration of cardiac activity was associated with an increased risk of perinatal mortality when compared with the group of singleton pregnancies (0.5% vs 0.2%; P = 0.006); this association still existed after adjustment for potential confounders (aRR 2.19, 95% CI 1.12-4.30; P = 0.023). Furthermore, it was significantly associated with a higher risk of PTB (all cycles aRR 2.00, 95% CI 1.77-2.24; P < 0.001; fresh transfer aRR 2.06, 95% CI 1.78-2.38; P < 0.001; frozen transfer aRR 1.87, 95% CI 1.52-2.28; P < 0.001), LBW (all cycles aRR 2.47, 95% CI 2.12-2.88; P < 0.001; fresh transfer aRR 2.50, 95% CI 2.07-3.02; P < 0.001; frozen transfer aRR 2.39; 95% CI 1.83-3.12; P < 0.001) and SGA (all cycles aRR 1.56, 95% CI 1.35-1.80; P < 0.001; fresh transfer aRR 1.53, 95% CI 1.29-1.81; P < 0.001; frozen transfer aRR 1.62, 95% CI 1.24-2.11; P < 0.001). However, prior to the presence of cardiac activity, the vanishing of a co-twin was not associated with a higher risk of perinatal mortality (all cycles aRR 0.71, 95% CI 0.17-2.92; P = 0.636; fresh cycles aRR 0.51, 95% CI 0.07-3.70; P = 0.502; frozen cycles aRR 1.29, 95% CI 0.17-9.66; P = 0.803), PTB (all cycles aRR 1.11, 95% CI 0.91-1.34; P = 0.301; fresh cycles aRR 1.10, 95% CI 0.87-1.39; P = 0.447; frozen cycles aRR 1.13, 95% CI 0.81-1.58; P = 0.467), LBW (all cycles aRR 1.19, 95% CI 0.91-1.55; P = 0.207; fresh cycles aRR 1.08, 95% CI 0.77-1.51; P = 0.668; frozen cycles aRR 1.45, 95% CI 0.93-2.25; P = 0.100) and SGA (all cycles aRR 1.09, 95% CI 0.89-1.35; P = 0.405; fresh cycles aRR 0.97, 95% CI 0.75-1.26; P = 0.839). Pregnancies involving the two types of VT were significantly different in terms of PTB (all cycles aRR 1.80, 95% CI 1.45-2.24; P < 0.001; fresh cycles aRR 1.88, 95% CI 1.44-2.45; P < 0.001; frozen cycles aRR 1.65, 95% CI 1.13-2.40; P = 0.009), LBW (all cycles aRR 2.08, 95% CI 1.55-2.79; P < 0.001; fresh cycles aRR 2.32, 95% CI 1.61-3.36; P < 0.001; frozen cycles aRR 1.65, 95% CI 1.01-2.70; P = 0.046) and SGA (all cycles aRR 1.70, 95% CI 1.36-2.11; P < 0.001; fresh cycles aRR 1.87, 95% CI 1.42-2.45; P < 0.001). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The present data are not able to differentiate between co-twin demise occurring in the first or second trimester. Because the second trimester ultrasound scan is not an integral aspect of IVF assessment, this information was not available in the database. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Adverse perinatal outcomes in ART babies can be avoided by replacing one embryo at a time. It is possible to apply selective single embryo transfer strategy for all while maintaining acceptable success rates. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China for Young Scholars (Reference number: 31801251). No competing interests to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: not applicable.

HIP1R acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer by promoting cancer cell apoptosis and inhibiting migration and invasion through modulating Akt.

BACKGROUND: Huntingtin-interacting protein 1-related (HIP1R) is a multi-domain gene that exerts many cellular functions including altering T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and controlling intracellular trafficking. However, its clinical significance and function in gastric cancer (GC) have not been described. METHODS: The expression levels of HIP1R were tested by the transcriptional and translational expression analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in matched adjacent non-tumorous vs tumor tissue specimens. The biological function of HIP1R on apoptosis, migration, and proliferation was evaluated by flow cytometry, Transwell, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, colony formation assays, and EdU labeling assays, respectively. RESULTS: We found downregulated HIP1R in GC compared with adjacent non-tumorous tissue, and HIP1R expression associated with N classification. We further found that the expression of HIP1R could induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion of GC cells, possibly through modulating Akt. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that HIP1R may act as a potential diagnostic biomarker and a tumor suppressor gene in GC, potentially representing a novel therapeutic target for future GC treatment.

Factors inducing decreased oocyte maturation rate: a retrospective analysis of 20,939 ICSI cycles.

PURPOSE: Decreased oocyte maturation rate (OMR) is associated with worse clinical outcomes in IVF/ICSI cycles. The clinical features inducing decreased OMR remain unknown. The study is designed to explore the factors influencing the incidence of decreased OMR and its effects on clinical outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study analyzing data from 20,939 ICSI cycles in a reproductive center of university affiliated hospital from January 2015 to December 2017. Patients with a decreased OMR (< 30%) were characterized as Group A and those with an OMR ≥ 30% constituted Group B. Candidate factors of decreased OMR and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 1.3% cycles with an OMR < 30% and 22.16% of all oocytes retrieved (12.87 per cycle in average) were immature. Primary infertility, longer duration of infertility, larger BMI, more previous assisted reproductive times, less oocytes retrieved were risk factors for decreased OMR. Compared with long agonist protocol, patients received antagonist protocol for COH had a higher incidence of decreased OMR. The fertilization rate and subsequent embryo development of oocytes in Group A were worse than Group B. Implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were both lower in Group A than Group B. CONCLUSION: Primary infertility, duration of infertility, BMI, previous assisted reproductive times, number of oocytes retrieved and COH protocol were found to be factors inducing decreased OMR. Patients with decreased OMR had worse clinical outcomes.

Effect of repeated cryopreservation on human embryo developmental potential.

Repeated cryopreservation of surplus embryos from frozen-thawed cycles should occasionally be considered. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the pregnancy and perinatal outcome of repeated cryopreservation by vitrification of human blastocysts derived from slowly frozen-thawed day 3 embryos. In total, 571 vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles were investigated. The vitrified-warmed blastocysts were derived from slowly frozen-thawed cleavage embryos (twice-cryopreserved group) or fresh embryos (control group) cultured to the blastocyst stage. Age, body mass index, endometrial thickness, blastocyst developmental rate and number of embryos transferred were not significantly different between twice-cryopreserved and control groups. Clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were also similar. Compared with controls, the miscarriage rate was significantly higher in the twice-cryopreserved group (33.93% versus 19.07%, P = 0.017). This resulted in a significantly lower live birth rate in the twice-cryopreserved group than in controls (29.13% versus 39.18, P = 0.038). No differences were observed in mean gestational age, birthweight and sex ratio of newborns between groups. In conclusion, acceptable clinical pregnancy outcomes may be expected from transfer of twice-cryopreserved human embryos. While the neonatal outcome is not affected, the correlation between the risk of higher pregnancy loss and repeated cryopreservation needs further investigation.

[Effects of obesity on global genome DNA methylation and gene imprinting in mouse spermatozoa].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of high fat diet-induced obesity (HFDIO) on the differentially methylated region (DMR) of the imprinted gene and global genome methylation of sperm DNA. METHODS: We performed bisulfite sequencing on the DMR of the imprinted gene and global genome methylation of sperm DNA in the mouse model of HFDIO. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the HFDIO model and normal control mice in MEG3-IG (93.73 vs 97.26%, P = 0.252), H19 (98.00 vs 97.83%, P = 0.920), IGF2 (97.34 vs 96.25%, P =0.166), IGF2R (1.43 vs 1.11%, P = 0.695), PEG3 (0.19 vs 0.38%, P = 0.537), MEST (0.23 vs 0.68%, P = 0.315), NNAT (0.31 vs 0.00%, P = 0.134), or SNRPN (1.88 vs 3.13%, P = 0.628). A total of 8 942 DMRs were detected across the sperm genome (P <0.05). Gene functional enrichment analysis indicated that the enriched terms with the largest numbers of genes were the metabolic process (n = 1 482), RNA synthesis (n = 779), and transcription (n = 767). CONCLUSIONS: The methylation level underwent no significant change in the DMRs of the imprinted genes from the mice with HFDIO, but the CG methylation of the genes involved in the metabolic process, RNA synthesis and transcription were significantly altered.

Effect of embryo culture media on percentage of males at birth.

STUDY QUESTION: Does embryo culture medium influence the percentage of males at birth? SUMMARY ANSWER: The percentage of males delivered after ICSI cycles using G5™ medium was statistically significantly higher than after cycles where Global, G5™ PLUS, and Quinn's Advantage Media were used. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Male and female embryos have different physiologies during preimplantation development. Manipulating the energy substrate and adding growth factors have a differential impact on the development of male and female embryos. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION: This was a retrospective analysis of the percentage of males at birth, and included 4411 singletons born from fresh embryo transfer cycles between January 2011 and August 2013 at the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Third Hospital Peking University. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, AND METHODS: Only singleton gestations were included. Participants were excluded if preimplantation genetic diagnosis, donor oocytes and donor sperm were used. The database between January 2011 and August 2013 was searched with unique medical record number, all patients were present in the database with only one cycle. Demographics, cycle characteristics and the percentage of male babies in the four culture media groups were compared with analysis of variance or χ(2) tests. Multivariable logistic regression was done to determine the association between the sex at birth and culture media after adjusting for other confounding factors, including parental age, parental BMI, type of infertility, parity, number of embryos transferred, number of early gestational sacs, cycles with testicular sperm aspiration (TESA)/percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA)/testicular sperm extraction (TESE), number of oocytes retrieved, cycles with blastocyst transfers, and gestational age within ICSI group. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Within the IVF group, the percentage of males at birth for G5™, Global, Quinn's and G5™ PLUS media were comparable (P > 0.05); however, within the ICSI group, the percentage of male babies in cycles using G5™(56.1%) was statistically significantly higher than in cycles that used Global (47.2%; P = 0.003), G5™ PLUS (47.7%; P = 0.005) or Quinn's media (45.0%; P = 0.009). There were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of males at birth between cycles that used Global, G5™ PLUS and Quinn's media (P > 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression indicated that culture media (G5™ versus Global, G5™ PLUS, and Quinn's) were significantly associated with the sex at birth (P = 0.008) after adjusting for parental age, parental BMI, type of infertility, parity, number of embryos transferred, number of early gestational sacs, cycles with TESA/PESA/TESE, number of oocytes retrieved, cycles with blastocyst transfers, and gestational age. LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study was not a randomized controlled trial and allocation of treatment cycles over the four media was not completely at random. Cigarette smoking was not included in the current study because this confounding factor was not registered in our database. Moreover, intra-variability of sperm selection between the five embryologists may directly affect the percentage of males. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THESE FINDINGS: Our study suggests that human embryogenesis responds differently to G5™, Global, G5™ PLUS and Quinn's Advantage Medium. This finding can be generalized to other commercial culture media. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: National Natural Science Foundation of China for Young Scholars (81300483 and 81200466). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

The protein source in embryo culture media influences birthweight: a comparative study between G1 v5 and G1-PLUS v5.

STUDY QUESTION: Does protein source or human serum albumin (HSA) in embryo culture media influence the subsequent birthweight? SUMMARY ANSWER: A significant difference was observed in gestational age- and gender-adjusted birthweight (Z scores) and the proportion of large-for-gestational age (LGA) babies between embryos cultured in G1 v5 and those cultured in G1-PLUS v5 media. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: It has been reported that the birthweights of singletons born from embryos cultured in Vitrolife are significantly higher than those cultured in the Cook group of media, and that G1-PLUS (Vitrolife, Gothenburg, Sweden) is associated with increased birth and placenta weights compared with Medicult ISMI. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, AND DURATION: This study was a retrospective analysis of neonatal birthweights, and included 1097 singletons born from fresh embryo transfer cycles at the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Peking University Third Hospital between January 2011 and August 2012. The number of singletons born from G1 v5 culture media was 489, and the number of singletons born from G1-PLUS v5 media was 608. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, AND METHODS: Patients <40 years of age with a BMI <30 kg/m² were analysed. Only data from newborns from singleton pregnancies and born alive after the 28th week of gestation were included. Patients with a vanishing twin or with pregnancy-related complications, such as diabetes and hypertension, were excluded, as were patients who received preimplantation genetic diagnosis or used donor oocytes. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the influence of individual factors on birthweights of singleton newborns. The birthweights and Z scores of singletons and LGA babies were compared between the G1 v5 and G1-PLUS v5 media groups. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The absolute birthweights for singletons resulting from G1-PLUS v5 were not different from singletons resulting from G1 v5 (3375.9 ± 479.6 g versus 3333.2 ± 491.6 g, respectively; P = 0.14). However the Z scores for singletons from embryos cultured in G1-PLUS v5 were significantly higher than for singletons cultured in G1 v5 (0.28 ± 1.12 versus 0.09 ± 1.15, respectively; P = 0.04), and more LGA babies were born from G1-PLUS v5 culture compared with G1 v5 (16.8 versus 12.1%, respectively; P = 0.03) culture. Finally, multiple linear regression analysis suggested that female weight (P = 0.00), male height (P = 0.04), gestational age at birth (P = 0.00), infant gender (P = 0.00) and culture media (P = 0.04) all had significant effects on the birthweights of singleton newborns. LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study was limited by its retrospective design. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THESE FINDINGS: Our study suggests that protein source/HSA has a significant effect on birthweights of singleton newborns. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China for Young Scholars (81300483). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

Effect of in vitro culture period on birthweight of singleton newborns.

STUDY QUESTION: Does prolonged in vitro culture influence newborn birthweight? SUMMARY ANSWER: The absolute mean birthweight and gestational age- and gender-adjusted birthweight (Z scores) of singletons born from blastocyst transfer are higher than singletons born from Day 3 transfer. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: An increased proportion of large-for-gestational age (LGA) newborns occurs after blastocyst transfer compared with Day 2 transfer, and Z scores for newborns after blastocyst transfer are higher than newborns after transfer on Day 2 or Day 3. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION: This study was a retrospective analysis of newborn birthweight, including 2929 singletons at the Reproductive Medical Center of Peking University Third Hospital between January 2009 and June 2012. The number of singletons after Day 3 transfer was 2833 and the number of singletons after blastocyst transfer (Day 5-6) was 96. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, AND METHODS: Only cycles with fresh embryo transfer were included. Patients ≤40 years of age with a BMI < 30 kg/m(2) were analyzed. Only data from singleton newborns born alive after the 20th week of gestation were included in the data analysis. Patients with more than one fetal sac diagnosed by ultrasound but who delivered singletons were excluded. Patients who received PGD and cycles with donor oocytes were excluded. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the significance of individual factors on absolute birthweight of singleton newborns. The absolute birthweight and Z scores of singletons were compared. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that maternal age, maternal BMI, paternal BMI, type of infertility, gestational age, infant gender and culture period were significantly associated with birthweight. The absolute birthweight for singletons resulting from blastocyst transfer was significantly greater than singletons resulting from Day 3 transfer (3465.31 ± 51.36 versus 3319.82 ± 10.04 g respectively, P = 0.009). The Z scores for singletons after blastocyst transfer were significantly higher than singletons after Day 3 transfer (0.347 versus 0.029 respectively, P = 0.016). LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION: In our clinic, blastocyst culture is mainly offered to patients with unsuccessful IVF cycles but also to patients with uterine malformations, and therefore this protocol introduced a potential selection bias in our study. Moreover, as certain culture media are associated with fetal overgrowth, the media used may be also a confounding factor, even though the absolute birthweights of singletons were comparable. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THESE FINDINGS: Our study suggests that a prolonged (5-6 days) in vitro culture period has a significant effect on the mean absolute birthweight and Z scores of singleton newborns. The effect of prolonged in vitro culture on epigenetic changes in the embryo needs further study. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): National Natural Science Foundation of China for Young Scholars (81300483). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

ILEI: a novel marker for epithelial-mesenchymal transition and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer.

AIMS: Accumulating evidence over the past decade has shown that abnormal activation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to tumour progression and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we investigated the expression of interleukin-like EMT inducer (ILEI) and EMT-associated markers (E-cadherin, vimentin) in CRC tissues and determined the correlations between ILEI expression and clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis and EMT in CRC. METHODS AND RESULTS: In total, 194 patients diagnosed with CRC based on histopathological evaluation and those subjected to surgical resection at the First Hospital of China Medical University between 2003 and 2005 were examined. Immunohistochemical staining for ILEI, vimentin and E-cadherin was performed for each specimen. Cytoplasmic overexpression of ILEI usually accompanied down-regulation of E-cadherin and positive expression of vimentin. Conversely, ILEI was simultaneously down-regulated with overexpression of E-cadherin and negative expression of vimentin. ILEI overexpression was associated significantly with T-stage, N-stage, TNM stage and EMT phenotype (P = 0.024, <0.001, <0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that ILEI expression was an independent prognostic factor for patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that cytoplasmic ILEI expression is a potential marker of EMT and tumour progression in CRC. ILEI is an independent predictive factor associated with poor prognosis in CRC.

Evaluation of syphilis serostatus on the safety of IVF treatment.

An increasing number of infertile syphilis-infected individuals have turned to assisted reproductive technology; however, the safety of syphilis carrier serostatus on IVF and embryo transfer outcomes has not been evaluated. Data from 482 patients who delivered singletons were analysed. In the retrospective study, the rate of IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection fertilization was 79.50% ± 17.57%/78.72% ± 16.66% in the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay negative (TPPA-negative) and rapid plasma reagin negative (RPR-negative) group, 76.12% ± 22.99%/74.05% ± 20.31% in the TPPA-positive and RPR-negative group, and 75.66% ± 21.72%/70.90% ± 16.11% in the TPPA-positive and RPR-positive group. The clinical pregnancy rate was 39.79% in the TPPA-negative and RPR-negative group, 46.30% in the TPPA-positive and RPR-negative group, and 36.59% in the TPPA-positive and RPR-positive group. No significant differences were found between the groups. The neonatal gestational age and mean birth weight were not significantly different between the TPPA-negative and TPPA-positive groups. Multiple linear regression analysis also showed no association between TPPA serostatus and newborn birth weight and gestational age. The present retrospective study showed that TPPA and RPR serostatus did not affect the outcomes of IVF and embryo transfer. Syphilis-infected individuals can undergo IVF and embryo transfer cycles after penicillin treatment.

Does IVF cleavage stage embryo quality affect pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes in singleton gestations after double embryo transfers?

PURPOSES: Embryo quality is associated with successful implantation and live births. Our retrospective study was carried out to determine whether or not cleavage stage embryo quality affects the miscarriage rate, pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes of singletons conceived with assisted reproduction technology. METHOD: The current study included 11,721 In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer cycles (IVF-ET) between January 2009 (the date at which electronic medical records were implemented at our center) and March 2013. Only women < 40 years of age undergoing their first fresh embryo transfer cycle using non-donor oocytes were included. RESULTS: Our study indicated that the transfer of poor-quality embryos resulted in higher miscarriage (19.77% vs. 13.28%, p = 0.02) and lower ongoing pregnancy rates (15.33% vs. 48.06%, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis performed on data derived from 744 cycles culminating in miscarriages versus 4,333 cycles culminating in live births, suggested that embryo quality (p = 0.04) is significantly associated with miscarriage rate after adjusting for other confounding factors. Moreover, there were no differences in the mean birth weight, low birth weight (<2,500 g), very low birth weight (<1,500 g), gestational age, preterm delivery (<37 weeks), very preterm delivery (<32 weeks), congenital malformations, small-for-gestational-age singletons (SGA), and large-for-gestational-age singleton (LGA) rate (p > 0.05). Similarly, pregnancy complications resulting from poor-quality embryos were not different from good-quality embryos (4.04% vs. 2.57 %, p = 0.33). Finally, logistic regression suggested that embryo quality was not significantly associated with pregnancy complications after adjusting for other confounding factors (p = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that transfer of poor-quality embryos did not increase the risk of adverse outcomes; however, the quality of cleavage stage embryos significantly affected the miscarriage rate and ongoing pregnancies.

Mastering Surface Sulfidation of MnP-MnO2 Heterostructure to Facilitate Efficient Polysulfide Conversion in Li─S Batteries.

The development of lithium-sulfur (Li─S) batteries has been hampered by the shuttling effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). An effective method to address this issue is to use an electrocatalyst to accelerate the catalytic conversion of LiPSs. In this study, heterogeneous MnP-MnO2 nanoparticles are uniformly synthesized and embedded in porous carbon (MnP-MnO2/C) as core catalysts to improve the reaction kinetics of LiPSs. In situ characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that the MnP-MnO2 heterostructure undergo surface sulfidation during the charge/discharge process, forming the MnS2 phase. Surface sulfidation of the MnP-MnO2 heterostructure catalyst significantly accelerated the SRR and Li2S activation, effectively inhibiting the LiPSs shuttling effect. Consequently, the MnP-MnO2/C@S cathode achieves outstanding rate performance (10 C, 500 mAh g-1) and ultrahigh cycling stability (0.017% decay rate per cycle for 2000 cycles at 5 C). A pouch cell with MnP-MnO2/C@S cathode delivers a high energy density of 429 Wh kg-1. This study may provide a new approach to investigating the surface sulfidation of electrocatalysts, which is valuable for advancing high-energy-density Li-S batteries.

Three-Phase-Heterojunction Cu/Cu2O-Sb2O3 Catalyst Enables Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to CO and High-Performance Aqueous Zn-CO2 Battery.

Zn-CO2 batteries are excellent candidates for both electrical energy output and CO2 utilization, whereas the main challenge is to design electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reactions with high selectivity and low cost. Herein, the three-phase heterojunction Cu-based electrocatalyst (Cu/Cu2O-Sb2O3-15) is synthesized and evaluated for highly selective CO2 reduction to CO, which shows the highest faradaic efficiency of 96.3% at -1.3 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, exceeding the previously reported best values for Cu-based materials. In situ spectroscopy and theoretical analysis indicate that the Sb incorporation into the three-phase heterojunction Cu/Cu2O-Sb2O3-15 nanomaterial promotes the formation of key *COOH intermediates compared with the normal Cu/Cu2O composites. Furthermore, the rechargeable aqueous Zn-CO2 battery assembled with Cu/Cu2O-Sb2O3-15 as the cathode harvests a peak power density of 3.01 mW cm-2 as well as outstanding cycling stability of 417 cycles. This research provides fresh perspectives for designing advanced cathodic electrocatalysts for rechargeable Zn-CO2 batteries with high-efficient electricity output together with CO2 utilization.

The role of glutamate decarboxylase 65 in gastric cancer development, progression, and prognosis.

AIMS: Recent studies have revealed that glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) plays important roles in cancer progression. The role of GAD65 in gastric cancer development, progression and prognosis is currently unknown, and we aimed to investigate this. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry revealed that GAD65 expression in 313 gastric cancer tissues was significantly higher than in 60 adjacent non-tumour tissues. Moreover, the expression level of GAD65 significantly correlated with the depth of tumour invasion and TNM stage. GAD65 expression level was a significant prognostic factor in univariate survival analysis, but did not remain an independent prognostic factor following Cox multivariate analysis. For tumours with an intermediate type growth pattern, when those showing low expression of GAD65 were reclassified with expanding type tumours, and those showing high expression with infiltrative type tumours, there was a significant difference in prognosis between these two novel subgroups, and this remained a significant prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that GAD65 is involved in the development and progression of gastric cancer as a tumour oncoprotein. Further elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of GAD65 is warranted.

The clinical significance of mesenchyme forkhead 1 (FoxC2) in gastric carcinoma.

AIMS: Mesenchyme forkhead 1 (FoxC2) is an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-inducing factor. Previous studies have demonstrated that FoxC2 binds directly to the promoter region of p120-catenin (p120ctn). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of FoxC2 expression and the inter-relationship between FoxC2 and p120ctn, in gastric cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of FoxC2 and p120ctn proteins in 325 gastric cancer samples. Staining for FoxC2 in cancer tissues was markedly stronger than in normal tissues. High FoxC2 expression was associated significantly with differentiation, invasion depth, lymph node metastasis and tumour stage. Patients with high FoxC2 expression or low p120ctn expression had a poor prognosis. In the high p120ctn expression group, the prognosis for patients with low FoxC2 expression was better than for the high FoxC2 group. Moreover, stepwise Cox regression showed that p120ctn was an independent prognostic factor, but FoxC2 in combination with p120ctn was not correlated significantly with survival. CONCLUSIONS: We found that FoxC2 and p120ctn play important roles in the progression and prognosis of gastric cancer. Moreover, FoxC2 and p120ctn should be evaluated further as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gastric cancer treatment.