MMP14 as a central mediator of TGF-β1-induced extracellular matrix remodeling in graves' orbitopathy.

Background: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is an autoimmune orbital disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, leading to progressive fibrosis. Recent studies implicate matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP14) in ECM degradation and tissue remodeling, yet its precise role in GO remains unclear.

Design And Methods: Orbital adipose/connective tissues specimens were obtained from GO patients (stratified into type I and type II based on clinical classification) and non-GO controls.

A Prospective Evaluation of the Diagnostic Utility for Low-Coverage Genome Sequencing in Prenatal Samples: A Comparison With Chromosomal Microarray Analysis.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LC-GS in detecting clinically relevant chromosomal abnormalities in comparison with conventional CMA within a prenatal context.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study involving 200 amniotic fluid samples. All specimens were analyzed via LC-GS and traditional tests, including CMA and karyotyping.

Investigation of PANoptosis pathway in age-related macular degeneration triggered by Aβ1-40.

Our study aimed to identify PANoptosis in Aβ1-40-induced AMD, both in vivo and in vitro, and to determine if AIM2-PANoptosome mediates this process. We used transcriptomics to explore the signaling pathways and target genes linked to PANoptosis within a mouse model of AMD triggered by Aβ1-40. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and electroretinography (ERG) were employed to assess retinal damage in terms of morphology and function.

Melatonin protects retinal pigment epithelium cells against ferroptosis in AMD via the PI3K/AKT/MDM2/P53 pathway.

Introduction: Oxidative stress-prompted degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) notably contributes to the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the pathways leading to RPE deterioration and possible preventative strategies are not yet completely comprehended.

Methods: Ferroptosis was assayed through the evaluation of lipid peroxidation (C11-BODIPY and MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), iron content measurement, q-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence.

[Successive trigger needling combined with conventional acupuncture for 40 cases of cervical spondylosis with stagnation and blood stasis].

Objective: To observe the efficacy of successive trigger needling combined with conventional acupuncture for cervical spondylosis of stagnation and blood stasis.

Methods: A total of 40 patients with cervical spondylosis of stagnation and blood stasis were selected, and successive trigger needling at points combined with conventional acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and bilateral C-C Jiaji (EX-B2), Jiquan (HT1), etc. were delivered, once a day, 5 times a week as one course, and 2 courses were required totally.

Asperulosidic acid inhibits the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway to suppress endotoxin-induced uveitis.

Introduction: Uveitis, a severe inflammatory disease affecting the uvea, is associated with visual impairment and irreversible blindness. Asperulosidic Acid (ASPA), derived from , is known for its notable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics.

Methods: The present study explored the potential anti-inflammatory effects and the fundamental processes of ASPA by injecting it or a placebo into the vitreous of rats with endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU).

Cigarette smoke extract induces ferroptosis in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common blindness diseases. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction due to smoking is an essential environmental factor in the pathogenesis of AMD. Ferroptosis is a novel type of iron-dependent programmed cell death (PCD).

Atorvastatin Alleviates Age-Related Macular Degeneration via AIM2-Regulated Pyroptosis.

The underlying causes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remain elusive and treatment options of it are limited, while atorvastatin (AT) is expected to improve AMD. Our study sought to uncover the specific mechanisms that initiate pyroptosis in AMD and elucidate whether AT ameliorates Aβ1-40-induced retinal damage by inhibiting pyroptosis. An animal model of AMD was triggered by Aβ1-40, and the therapeutic efficacy of AT was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Electroretinogram (ERG) and other methods.

Effect of blastomere cell number on ART outcome of fresh single day 3 embryo transfer.

Purpose: Explore the effect of blastomere cell number on ART outcome of fresh embryo transfer on day 3.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 540 fresh single day 3 embryo transfer cycles at the Reproductive Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 1, 2018 to October 31, 2022. Patients were divided into 5-6 cell group (n = 55), 7-9 cell group (n = 457), and ≥ 10 cell group(n = 28) based on the number of blastomeres.

Effects of Embryo Microbial Contamination on ART and Neonatal Outcomes.

Purpose: This study investigated the incidence and microbial etiology of embryo contamination in assisted reproductive technology (ART), and its influence on embryo development, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on embryo contamination at the Reproductive Centre of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, between 2018 and 2021.

Results: In the period from 2018 to 2021, the average incidence of embryo contamination was 0.

Protective effects of triptolide against oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium cells via the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway: a network pharmacological method and experimental validation.

Purpose: Among aging adults, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a prevalent cause of blindness. Nevertheless, its progression may be halted by antioxidation in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The primary effective constituent of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.

[Study of GCN repeats of PHOX2B gene among individuals from southwest China and diagnosis of two patients with Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome].

Objective: To study the trinucleotide repeats of GCN (GCA, GCT, GCC, GCG) encoding Alanine in exon 3 of the PHOX2B gene among healthy individuals from southwest China and two patients with Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS).

Methods: The number and sequence of the GCN repeats of the PHOX2B gene were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis, Sanger sequencing and cloning sequencing of 518 healthy individuals and two newborns with CCHS, respectively.

Results: Among the 1036 alleles of the 518 healthy individuals, five alleles were identified, including (GCN), (GCN), (GCN), (GCN) and (GCN).

Prenatal diagnosis of mosaic chromosomal aneuploidy and uniparental disomy and clinical outcomes evaluation of four fetuses.

Background: Few co-occurrence cases of mosaic aneuploidy and uniparental disomy (UPD) chromosomes have been reported in prenatal periods. It is a big challenge for us to predict fetal clinical outcomes with these chromosome abnormalities because of their highly heterogeneous clinical manifestations and limited phenotype attainable by ultrasound.

Methods: Amniotic fluid samples were collected from four cases.

Pregnancy outcomes of intrauterine insemination without ovarian stimulation in couples affected by unilateral tubal occlusion and male infertility.

Background: Information available to date regarding the pregnancy outcomes of intrauterine insemination (IUI) without ovarian stimulation (OS) in infertile patients with unilateral tubal occlusion remains scarce. The objectives of this study were to investigate for couples affected by unilateral tubal occlusion (diagnosed via hysterosalpingography (HSG)/transvaginal real-time three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (TVS RT-3D-HyCoSy)) and male infertility: (1) whether significant differences exist in pregnancy outcomes between IUI with or without OS cycles, and (2) whether the pregnancy outcomes of IUI without OS in women with unilateral tubal occlusion were similar to those of women with bilateral patent tubes.

Methods: 258 couples affected by male infertility completed 399 IUI cycles.

No advantage of single day 6 good-quality blastocyst transfer versus single day 5 poor-quality blastocyst transfer in frozen-thawed cycles stratified by age: a retrospective study.

Background: Blastocyst developmental speed, morphological grading and patient age are associated with pregnancy outcomes of frozen-thawed cycles. This study aimed to compare the clinical and neonatal outcomes between poor-quality D5 blastocysts and good-quality D6 blastocysts stratified by patient age.

Methods: A total of 1,623 cycles were divided into two groups: group A (n = 723) received one D5 poor-quality blastocyst; group B (n = 900) received one D6 good-quality blastocyst.

The impact of mindfulness training on supportive communication, emotional intelligence, and human caring among nursing students.

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the impact of mindfulness training on supportive communication and human caring ability among nursing students.

Design And Methods: Sixty nursing students were randomly divided into the mindfulness group who accepted 8-week mindfulness training and the control group who attended two 2-h lectures about mindfulness in 8 weeks. All of them completed the Supporting Communication Scale (SCS), Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), and Caring Ability Inventory (CAI) before training (T1), after it (T2), and at 3-month follow-up (T3).

Effect of GnRH agonist alone or combined with different low-dose hCG on cumulative live birth rate for high responders in GnRH antagonist cycles: a retrospective study.

Background: There is insufficient evidence regarding the impact of dual trigger on oocyte maturity and reproductive outcomes in high responders. Thus, we aimed to explore the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger alone or combined with different low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) regimens on rates of oocyte maturation and cumulative live birth in high responders who underwent a freeze-all strategy in GnRH antagonist cycles.

Methods: A total of 1343 cycles were divided into three groups according to different trigger protocols: group A received GnRHa 0.

Management of 14 patients with cornual heterotopic pregnancy following embryo transfer: experience from the past decade.

Objective: There are two major management approach for cornual heterotopic pregnancy, transvaginal cornual embryo reduction with ultrasound guidance, or laparoscopic cornual resection. This no consensus on the optimal management for cornual heterotopic pregnancy. Here, we are trying to determine the optimal management approach for patients with viable cornual heterotopic pregnancy following embryo transfer.

Expression of Interleukin-35 and Type 2 Cytokines in Children with Acute Allergic Asthma.

Background: Allergic asthma is believed to be a T helper 2 cell (Th2) preponderant response caused by airway hyper-responsiveness. Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is a newly discovered anti-inflammatory cytokine.

Objective: To determine whether the expression of IL-35 is associated with type-2 inflammation in children with asthma exacerbations.

Effect of blastocyst morphology and developmental speed on transfer strategy for grade "C" blastocyst in vitrified-warmed cycles.

Background: High-quality single blastocyst transfer (SBT) is increasingly recommended to patients because of its acceptable pregnancy outcomes and significantly reduced multiple pregnancy rate compared to double blastocyst transfer (DBT). However, there is no consensus on whether this transfer strategy is also suitable for poor-quality blastocysts. Moreover, the effect of the development speed of poor-quality blastocysts on pregnancy outcomes has been controversial.

Natural Vascular Scaffolding Treatment Promotes Outward Remodeling During Arteriovenous Fistula Development in Rats.

Following creation, an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) must mature (i.e., enlarge lumen to allow high blood flow) before being used for hemodialysis.

Live birth rate and neonatal outcomes of different quantities and qualities of frozen transferred blastocyst in patients requiring whole embryo freezing stratified by age.

Background: Multiple pregnancies are associated with significant complications and health risks for both mothers and infants. Single blastocyst transfer (SBT) is a logical and effective measure to reduce the incidence of multiple pregnancy with assisted reproductive technology (ART). Whether it is suitable for everyone undergoing SBT was inconclusive, in view of the consideration of embryo quality and patients' age.

Low-dose human menopausal gonadotrophin versus natural cycles in intrauterine insemination for subfertile couples with regular menstruation.

Background: Women with irregular menstruation should be considered to benefit from the ovarian stimulation. However, most literature did not separate ovulatory disorders from normal menstrual cycles. Our purpose was to assess the superiority of ovarian mild stimulation compared with the natural cycle in IUI for subfertile couples when the women with regular menstruation.

Delayed frozen embryo transfer failed to improve live birth rate and neonatal outcomes in patients requiring whole embryo freezing.

Background: Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) has a negative effect on the endometrial receptivity compared with natural menstrual cycle. Whether it's necessary to postpone the first frozen embryo transfer (FET) following a freeze-all strategy in order to avoid any residual effect on endometrial receptivity consequent to COS was inconclusive.

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to explore whether the delayed FET improve the live birth rate and neonatal outcomes stratified by COS protocols after a freeze-all strategy.