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Autoimmune factors play an important role in premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Human amniotic epithelial stem cells (hAESCs) have recently shown promising treatment effects on chemotherapy-induced POI. However, the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of hAESCs in autoimmune POI remain to be investigated. In this study, we showed for the first time that intravenous transplantation of hAESCs could reside in the ovary of zona pellucida 3 peptide (pZP3) induced autoimmune POI mice model for at least 4 weeks. hAESCs could improve ovarian function and fertility, alleviate inflammation and reduce apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs) in autoimmune POI mice. The transcriptome analysis of mice ovaries and in vitro co-cultivation experiments suggest that activation of the AKT and ERK pathways may be the key mechanism in the therapeutic effect of hAESCs. Our work provides the theoretical and experimental foundation for optimizing the administration of hAESCs, as well as the clinical application of hAESCs in autoimmune POI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh and clean water is highly demanded throughout the world. To effectively address the need, nanomaterials enabled nanotechnology has been explored as a means of more efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly approach towards water treatment practices. One concern in adopting nanomaterials is how to retrieve them from water body to avoid secondary contamination. In this work, the earth abundant and sustainable wood, e.g., basswood, was selected and carbonized into porous carbon as host skeleton, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), e.g., MOF-199 with extremely high surface area, were grown throughout all channels in the porous basswood carbon. Targeting the traditional organic pollutant, methyl orange (MO), the combination of MOFs and basswood carbon (MOFs@carbon) demonstrates a remarkable adsorption capacity, which is 243% and 454% higher than basswood carbon and MOF-199, respectively. Such an outstanding adsorption performance originates from that the positively charged carbon pulls MO molecules close to carbon surface, leading to a high MO molecule concentration, and then the concentration gradient drives the MO molecules to be stored inside MOFs, functioning like pockets. These findings highlight the potential application of coupled MOFs and biomass carbon in addressing water remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fix a prime number p and let E / F be a CM extension of number fields in which p splits relatively. Let π be an automorphic representation of a quasi-split unitary group of even rank with respect to E / F such that π is ordinary above p with respect to the Siegel parabolic subgroup. We construct the cyclotomic p -adic L -function of π , and a certain generating series of Selmer classes of special cycles on Shimura varieties. We show, under some conditions, that if the vanishing order of the p -adic L -function is 1, then our generating series is modular and yields explicit nonzero classes (called Selmer theta lifts) in the Selmer group of the Galois representation of E associated with π ; in particular, the rank of this Selmer group is at least 1. In fact, we prove a precise formula relating the p -adic heights of Selmer theta lifts to the derivative of the p -adic L -function. In parallel to Perrin-Riou's p -adic analogue of the Gross–Zagier formula, our formula is the p -adic analogue of the arithmetic inner product formula recently established by Chao Li and the second author. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the feasibility of pretreatment nonenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting insufficient biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Methods: From January 2009 to April 2022, consecutive PBC patients who were treated with UDCA and underwent nonenhanced MRI within 30 days before treatment were retrospectively enrolled. All MR images were independently evaluated by two blinded radiologists. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to develop a predictive model for 12-month insufficient biochemical response. Model performances were evaluated by computing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. Results: A total of 74 patients (50.6 ± 11.9 years; 62 females) were included. Three pretreatment MRI features, including hepatomegaly (odds ratio [OR]: 4.580; p = 0.011), periportal hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) (OR: 4.795, p = 0.008), and narrowing of the bile ducts (OR: 3.491; p = 0.027) were associated with 12-month insufficient biochemical response in the multivariable analysis. A predictive model based on the above indicators had an AUC of 0.781, sensitivity of 85.4%, and specificity of 61.5% for predicting insufficient biochemical response. Conclusions: A noninvasive model based on three pretreatment MRI features could accurately predict 12-month insufficient biochemical response to UDCA in patients with PBC. Early identification of PBC patients at increased risk for insufficient response can facilitate the timely initiation of additional treatment. Clinical relevance statement: A noninvasive predictive model constructed by incorporating three pretreatment MRI features may help identify patients with primary biliary cholangitis at high risk of insufficient biochemical response to ursodeoxycholic acid and facilitate the timely initiation of additional treatment. Key Points: • Noninvasive imaging features based on nonenhanced pretreatment MRI may predict an insufficient biochemical response to UDCA in PBC patients. • A combined model based on three MRI features (hepatomegaly, periportal hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging, and narrowing of the bile ducts) further improved the predictive efficacy for an insufficient biochemical response to UDCA in PBC patients, with high sensitivity and specificity. • The nomogram of the combined model showed good calibration and predictive efficacy for an insufficient biochemical response to UDCA in PBC patients. In particular, the calibration curve visualised the clinical applicability of the prediction model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]