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To investigate the effects of chromosome polymorphism on the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET)-assisted reproductive technology. The case data of 2740 patients treated between January 2018 and January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were organized into two groups: a case group and a control group. In the case group (n = 81), one or both parents were characterized by chromosomal polymorphism; in the control group (n = 2659), both parents had normal chromosome karyotyping. The primary outcomes included clinical pregnancy rate (clinical pregnancy rate of fresh transfer cycles = number of clinical pregnancy cycles/number of fresh embryo transfer cycles × 100%) and live birth rate (live birth rate per fresh transfer cycles = number of live births/numbers of fresh embryo transfer cycles × 100%). The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used for statistical analysis. After PSM 1:2 matching for the patients in the two groups, 72 patients were successfully matched. The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in the case group were lower than in the control group before PSM (clinical pregnancy rate: 33.30% case group vs. 46.60% control group, p =.020; live birth rate: 30.90% case group vs. 47.90% control group, p =.03). The differences were statistically significant (p <.05). The live birth rate in the case group was also significantly lower than in the control group after PSM (34.98% case group vs. 74.52% control group; p =.028). The correlation coefficient between clinical pregnancy and grouping (i.e. if there was a characteristic chromosome polymorphism) was −.045 (p =.02), while the correlation coefficient between live birth and grouping was −.046. Chromosome polymorphism is weakly negatively correlated with live birth in IVF/ET-assisted reproduction and can significantly reduce the live birth rate of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abnormal expression Dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) gives rise to the dysfunction of dopaminergic neurotransmitter and may be associated with the occurrence of schizophrenia. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate the DRD1 expression by binding 3'UTR and be involved in the post-transcriptional regulation. We first constructed the pmirGLO-recombined vectors of series of DRD1 gene 3′UTR-truncated fragments and performed the luciferase receptor assay to screen the underlying 3′UTR sequence targeted by miRNAs. Then, we predicted the potential miRNAs binding the target sequence and confirmed their effects using luciferase receptor assay after transfection of the miRNA mimics/inhibitors. We also examined the effects of the miRNA on the endogenous DRD1 expression. We found that the DRD1 3′UTR ranging from –12 to +1135 bp was essential for the post-transcriptional regulation of miRNAs. The deletion of –12 to +154 bp fragment significantly increased the luciferase expression but not the mRNA expression. The miRNA-15a, miRNA-15b and miRNA 16 affected DRD1 expression in HEK293, U87, SK-N-SH and SH-SY5Y cell lines. The miRNA-15a, miRNA-15b and miRNA-16 inhibit the human dopamine D1 receptor expression by targeting 3′UTR –12 to +154 bp. DRD1 3′UTR ranging from –12 to +1135 bp was essential for the post-transcriptional regulation of miRNAs. The deletion of –12 to +154 bp fragment significantly increased the luciferase expression but not the mRNA expression. The miRNA-15a, miRNA-15b and miRNA 16 affected DRD1 expression in different cell lines, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the prognosis of adult severe aplastic anemia (SAA) patients with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) values of zero prior to immunosuppressive therapy (IST). Methods: Patients with ANC values of zero prior to IST were separated from very SAA and analyzed in a prospective study. All patients received IST with rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine (CsA). Results: A significantly lower response rate (RR) was identified in patients with ANC = 0 prior to IST when compared to patients with SAA after both 3 and 6 month periods or compared to those with vSAA at 3 months only. The efficacy of IST was inversely related to ANC = 0. The overall survival rate of the 'zero' group was significantly lower than that of the vSAA or SAA groups. Overall survival was closely associated with response to IST, and was inversely related to ANC = 0. Discussion: In SAA patients, ANC is associated with prognosis, the elucidated overall survival improvement in patients without ANC = 0 occurred in conjunction with decreased infection-related mortality. Our study revealed that adult patients with ANC = 0 prior to IST responded poorly to IST, suggesting that having a very low number of neutrophils was a highly predictive factor for efficacy and survival of SAA patients treated with IST. Conclusion: Adult SAA patients with ANC = 0 had a very poor prognosis and new therapeutic regimens may result in better outcome for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial injury usually results in intrauterine adhesion (IUA), which is an important cause of infertility and recurrent miscarriage in reproductive women. There is still lack of an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent occurrence of IUA. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a potent repair factor for epithelial tissues. Here, a temperature-sensitive heparin-modified poloxamer (HP) hydrogel with affinity to KGF (KGF-HP) was used as a support matrix to prevent IUA and deliver KGF. The rheology of KGF-HP hydrogel was carefully characterized. The cold KGF-HP solution was rapidly transited to hydrogel with suitable storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) for the applications of uterus cavity at temperature of 33 °C.In vitrorelease demonstrated that KGF was released from HP hydrogels in sustained release manner for a long time.In vivobioluminescence imaging showed that KGF-HP hydrogel was able to prolong the retention of the encapsulated KGF in injured uterus of rat model. Moreover, the morphology and function of the injured uterus were significantly recovered after administration of KGF-HP hydrogel, which were evaluated by two-dimensional ultrasound imaging and receptive fertility. Not only proliferation of endometrial glandular epithelial cells and luminal epithelial cells but also angiogenesis of injured uterus were observed by Ki67 and CD31 staining after 7 d of treatment with KGF-HP hydrogel. Finally, a close relatively relationship between autophagy and proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) and angiogenesis was firstly confirmed by detecting expression of LC3-II and P62 after KGF treatment. Overall, KGF-HP may be used as a promising candidate for IUA treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pteroceltis tatarinowii is a monotypic plant endemic to eastern China. It is an endangered tertiary relic and famous for Xuan paper manufacturing. In this study, we reported the Pteroceltis tatarinowii chloroplast genome with a length of 158,506 bp. In total, 132 genes were identified, including 83 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 33 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of this genome was 36.3%. Twenty-two species from Urticales were selected for phylogenomic analysis to determine the placement of P. tatarinowii. The complete plastome of P. tatarinowii will provide a valuable resource for further genetic conservation, phylogenomic, and evolution studies of the genus and the Ulmaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kadsura (Schisandraceae) comprises ca. 16 species and widely distributes in eastern Asia. Many species in the genus were used as important medicinal plants in China and other Asian countries. In present study, we described the first Kadsura chloroplast genome, Kadsura longipedunculata, based on illumine pair-end sequencing data. The complete plastome length is 145,346 bp long with a large single copy, a small single copy, and two inverted repeat regions of length 94,947, 17,752, and 16,323 bp, respectively. A total of 118 genes were identified, including 75 protein-coding gens, 8 rRNA genes, and 34 tRNA genes. Eighteen plastome accessions from Austrobaileyales, Nymphaeales, and Magnoliales were selected to assess the phylogenetic placement of genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linnaea chinensis (Caprifoliaceae), which inhabits in China and Japan, is commonly cultivated as an ornamental shrub. The complete chloroplast genome of L. chinensis was newly assembled in this study based on Illumina pair-end sequencing data. The full length of L. chinensis plastome is 155,813 bp. In total, 124 genes were identified, including 75 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 42 tRNA genes. The overall GC content of this genome was 38.4%. A further phylogenomic analysis including16 species from Adoxaceae and Caprifoliaceae was constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leucojum aestivum (Amaryllidaceae) is an important medicinal plant native to Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia. Its wild resources are Endangered because of excavation. In the present study, the chloroplast genome of L. aestivum was sequenced. The plastome length is 157,241 bp. A total of 132 genes were identified, consisting of 86 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 38 tRNA genes. Thirty-four species from Asparagales were used for phylogenomic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ligustrum lucidum is a species of privet native to the southern half of China. It is often used as an ornamental tree, sometimes as a cultivar. In present study, we reported the Ligustrum lucidum chloroplast (cp) genome. The total chloroplast genome size of L. lucidum was 154,793 bp. In total, 124 genes were identified, including 81 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 35 tRNA genes. Twenty genes contained introns (clpP and ycf3 contained two introns) and 17 genes had two copies. The overall GC content of this genome was 38.2%. A further phylogenomic analysis of Oleaceae, including 21 taxa, was conducted for the placement of genus Ligustrum. The complete plastome of L. lucidum will provide a valuable resource for further genetic conservation, phylogenomic, and evolution studies of the genus and the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barnardia japonica is an ornamental bulb with important medicinal usage. The complete chloroplast genome of B. japonica was newly sequenced in this study. The total chloroplast genome size of B. japonica was 156,129 bp. In total, 131 genes were identified, including 85 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 38 tRNA genes. Eighteen genes are containing introns (clpP and ycf3 contained two introns) and 18 genes had two copies. The overall GC content of this genome was 37.7%. A further phylogenomic analysis of Asparagales, including 36 taxa, was conducted for the placement of genus Barnardia. The complete plastome of B. japonica will provide a valuable resource for further genetic conservation, phylogenomic, and evolution studies in the genus and family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tricyrtis (Liliaceae) is an endemic genus in East Asia. Many of the species in the genus are in Endangered condition due to habitat loss and extensive horticultural usage in recent decades. In present study, we reported the first Tricyrtis chloroplast (cp) genome, Tricyrtis macropoda, based on Illumina pair-end sequencing data. The complete chloroplast genome size is 155,778 bp. In total, 131 genes were identified, including 85 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 38 tRNA genes. Fifteen genes are containing introns (clpP and ycf3 contained two introns) and 14 genes had two copies. The overall GC content of this genome was 37.4%. A further phylogenomic analysis of Liliales, including 62 taxa, was conducted for the placement of genus Tricyrtis. The complete plastome of T. marcropoda will provide a valuable resource for further genetic conservation, phylogenomic, and evolution studies in the genus and family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]