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Background: In recent years, an increasing number of scholars have begun to pay attention to the effect of gonadotropin (Gn) on the quality of oocytes and embryos. Some studies have focused on the relationship between Gn time and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of shortened ovarian stimulation duration on oocyte developmental competence during an IVF cycle.Methods: A total of 1049 women undergoing first IVF cycles between January 2019 and December 2021 were included in this retrospective cohort study. The populations were stratified according to ovarian reserve. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosed by the Rotterdam criteria and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), defined by the Bologna criteria. Criteria for normal ovarian reserve (NOR) are AMH levels > 1.4 ng/ml and AFC 7~20. The women were further grouped according to the duration of ovarian stimulation. A total of 139 (26.4%) patients were in the NOR≤8 days group, 387 (73.6%) were in the NOR>8 days group, 82 (27.6%) were in the PCOS≤8 days group, 215 (72.4%) were in the PCOS>8 days group, 54 (23.9%) were in the DOR≤7 days group, and 172 (76.1%) were in the DOR>7 days group. Oocyte development-related factors including oocyte retrieval rate, oocyte maturation rate, normal fertilization rate and normal cleavage rate were analysed. A generalized linear model was used to explore the association between ovarian stimulation duration and oocyte developmental competence.Results: The oocyte retrieval rate, oocyte maturation rate, normal fertilization rate and normal cleavage rate were not affected by shortened ovarian stimulation duration in any of the ovarian reserve populations. Although there were differences in baseline characteristics and ovarian stimulation-related factors among the groups, the results remained robust after we adjusted for these potential confounding factors using generalized linear model analysis.Conclusions: We did not find that a shortened duration of ovarian stimulation impaired oocyte developmental competence in any population. Shortened stimulation duration is not predictive of suboptimal results.

Thin sand layers are widely developed in the Cretaceous Baxigai Formation in the Yudong area, western Tabei Uplift, and series of lithologic traps controlled by the structures are formed. The thickness of the target layer is 3–5 m, which is beyond the resolution of conventional seismic data; this causes the prediction of the reservoir to be difficult. Starting from the forward simulation, a forward model was designed based on the well logging data and characteristics of the strata in the well area to analyze the impact of different thin reservoir development modes on the seismic waveform. The experimental results show that the amplitude of thick sandstone is strong, while that of the thin sandstone is weaker. When mudstone barriers develop in sandstones, the amplitude decreases and the trough widens. Based on the results above, the seismic facies plan is formed by clustering the two attributes of wave trough width and amplitude, and the qualitative prediction of the reservoir can be realized on the plane by referring to the drilled rock information. Based on this, high-resolution seismic waveform inversion was carried out to achieve vertical reservoir prediction. The inversion results on the profile are higher than those of well logging. Furthermore, geological knowledge is achieved on the plane and good application results are obtained.

Background: Evaluate the effect of hysteroscopic resection of type 3 fibroids on pregnancy outcomes in infertile women.Methods: Patients who underwent IVF-ICSI in our unit were divided into type 3 fibroids group and hysteroscopic myomectomy group according to whether or not they underwent ultrasound-guided hysteroscopic myomectomy. The control group in our study was selected from patients who were treated with IVF only because of fallopian tube factors. According to the age of the type 3 fibroids group and hysteroscopic myomectomy group, random sampling was carried out in patients between 25 to 47 years to determine a control group. The outcomes measured included average transfer times to live birth, cumulative clinical pregnancy rate, and cumulative live birth rate.Results: A total 386 cycles were enrolled in our study, including 125 cycles with type 3 fibroids, 122 cycles with hysteroscopic myomectomy, and 139 cycles of control patients. Average transfer times to live birth were significantly higher in the type 3 fibroids group than the other two groups. The frequency of cumulative live births in the type 3 fibroids group was significantly lower than control group. Compared with the control group, hysteroscopic myomectomy patients had no statistically significant differences in the rates of cumulative clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate.Conclusions: Type 3 fibroids reduced the cumulative live birth rate of IVF patients. Ultrasound-guided hysteroscopic myomectomy can be used as a treatment for type 3 fibroids, to improve pregnancy outcomes in infertile women.

Background: To investigate the impact of previous cesarean delivery (CD) on pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 1122 women aged Results: After adjustment for confounders, in the single embryo transfer (SET) patients, the adjusted OR for a subsequent live birth was 0.75(95% CI: 0.39–1.42, P=0.370) in women with previous CD and 0.48 (95% CI: 0.18–1.27, P=0.140) in women with a cesarean scar defect (CSD), compared to women with previous vaginal delivery (VD). In the double embryo transfer (DET) patients, the adjusted OR for a subsequent live birth was 0.57(95% CI: 0.41–0.81, P=0.001) in women with previous CD and 0.37(95% CI: 0.20–0.70, P=0.002) in women with a CSD, compared to women with previous VD.Conclusions: Previous CD and the presence of a CSD reduced the success of clinical pregnancy and live birth among patients who received IVF-FET treatment, especially in DET patients.

Backgroup Frozen-thawed embryo transfer is rising worldwide. One adverse effect of programmed frozen embryo transfer (FET) reported in some studies is an increased risk of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Meanwhile, body mass index (BMI) also has adverse effect on obstetric and perinatal outcomes. In this study, we investigated that the influence of different endometrial preparation protocols on obstetric and perinatal outcomes and the role of BMI in it. Method This retrospective cohort study included 2333 singleton deliveries after frozen-thaw embryo transfer at our centre between 2014 and 2021, including 550 cycles with programmed FET, 1783 cycles with true natural cycle FET (tNC-FET). In further analysis according to BMI grouped by Asian criterion, group A (18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI 2) included 1257 subjects, group B (24 kg/m2 ≤ BMI 2) included 503 subjects and group C (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2) included 573 subjects. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were compared and analyzed. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the association between obstetric and perinatal outcomes and endometrial preparation protocols. Results There were no significant differences in the placenta previa, gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), cesarean section (CS) and macrosomia between the tNC-FET and programmed FET groups (P > 0.05). The programmed FET cycles were associated to a higher risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) compared with the tNC-FET cycles (7.3% vs 4.4%, crude OR 1.71[1.16–2.54]; adjusted OR 1.845[1.03–3.30]). After dividing the patients into three groups according to the BMI, The programmed FET cycles were associated to a higher risk of PIH in group C (14.4% vs 6.2%, crude OR 2.55 [1.42–4.55]; adjusted OR 4.71 [1.77–12.55]) compared with the tNC-FET cycles. But there was no statistically significant difference in group A and group B. Programmed FET group compared with the tNC-FET group, the risk of PIH increase as the body mass index increase. Conclusion This study showed a tendency toward increasing risk of PIH in programmed FET cycle compared with the tNC-FET cycle, and the risk of PIH increases as BMI increases. Increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight is linked to increased risk of PIH.

The inflammatory microenvironment has been demonstrated to play a role in folliculogenesis, ovulation and premature ovarian failure (POF), as well as infertility. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of inflammation in modulating growth and apoptosis in granulosa cells (GCs), the main components of ovarian follicles. ELISA was used to analyze the levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10) in follicular fluid samples and GCs derived from POF patients and healthy normal individuals. CCK-8, flow cytometry and TUNEL assays were used to assess the effect of IL-4 on GC growth and apoptosis. Western blotting was used to examine the effect of IL-4 on the activation of PI3K/Akt, Erk1/2 and Jnk signaling. The results showed that IL-4, IL-1β and IL-6 levels were increased in follicular fluid samples and GCs derived from POF patients compared with those from healthy individuals. GC growth was weakened when cells were treated with IL-4, while apoptosis was increased. In addition, IL-4 increased the level of p-Akt/Akt in GCs. In addition, LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, abolished the effect of IL-4 by inhibiting GC growth and promoting apoptosis. In summary, this study demonstrated that IL-4 levels were increased in POF samples and that IL-4 could inhibit GC growth and induce GC apoptosis by activating PI3K/Akt signaling.

The aim of the current study was to develop an accurate and reproducible method for isolation of granulosa cells (GCs) in patients with different ovarian reserves. The cells of healthy individuals and patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were isolated using a modified two-step Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The cells of patients with poor ovarian response (POR) were isolated using a one-step method suitable for samples containing few cells. Cells extracted using these purification techniques were compared regarding cell yield, viability and purity using immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, Cell Counting Kit-8, western blotting and RNA integrity analysis. The purity and activity of the cells in the POR group were comparable with those in the healthy and PCOS groups and no statistically significant differences were identified. Furthermore, isolated cells analyzed for RNA integrity indicated good quality RNA and presented an RNA integrity number of 8-10, demonstrating that the technique enabled the isolation of GCs from different types of patients. Thus, a reliable and reproducible technique for the isolation of pure GCs with high yield is described in the present study. This protocol provides an efficient method targeted to patients with different ovarian reserve functions that enables the preparation of GCs for evaluating their molecular functions.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to explore the influence of endometrial thickness (EMT) before embryo transfer on birth weight after in vitro fertilization–frozen-embryo transfer (IVF–FET).MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. We collected the medical records associated with singleton live births from Tianjin Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from June 2015 to February 2019 after IVF–frozen-embryo transfer (FET). Patients were ≤ 42 years at delivery. Outcomes related to newborns were birth weight, gestational age, delivery mode, low birth weight, and prevalence of macrosomia. Outcomes related to pregnant women were gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, premature rupture of membranes and placenta previa.ResultsThe birth weight of singleton newborns was higher for newborns delivered by patients with EMT > 12 mm before embryo transfer than newborns delivered by patients with a thinner endometrium. Regression analysis showed that the EMT ≥ 12 mm group had a gain in mean birth weight of 85.107 g compared with that in the EMT 12 mm) + 123.483×(hypertension during pregnancy) + 148.859×(premature rupture of membranes) + 182.342×(placental position) − 126.242×(newborn sex) + 23.837×(number of days of pregnancy) + 130.487×(delivery mode) − 55.023×(number of implanted embryos) − 6.215×FSH level − 1.124×E2 level + 22.218×BMI − 4468.101.Conclusion(s)EMT before embryo transfer in patients undergoing their first freeze–thaw embryo transfer cycle is related to the weight of newborn singletons. The newborn birth weight for patients with a thinner endometrium is lower. EMT should be increased before embryo transfer to improve neonatal outcomes after fertility treatment.

Aiming at the subjectivity and poor environmental adaptability of traditional reservoir porosity prediction models, as well as the non-linear characteristics of reservoir parameters, the paper proposes a porosity prediction algorithm based on eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). The hyperparameters of XGBoost are optimized by Grid_search(GS) and Genetic A lgorithm(GA), and then a highly accurate porosity prediction model is established based on the optimized parameters. By comparing with the MAE, MAPE and RMSE of the five models, it is found that the three performance indicators of the GS+GA-XGBoost model are 0.155880, 0.020500 and 0.527946, which are at least 4–6 times lower than the errors of the other five models. At the same time, the influence of multi-threaded on the XGBoost model is studied. The final experimental results show that on the test set, the prediction results of the GS+GA-XGBoost model are basically consistent with the original porosity, and 4 threads can improve the speed of model establishment and prediction. The model can effectively predict the porosity of the reservoirs in this area, and the model is very popular.

To overcome the deficiencies of current porosity prediction methods, the XGBoost algorithm is introduced to construct a model for porosity prediction, and the obtained model is optimized by the grid search method and genetic algorithm. First, the optimal values of the three integer hyperparameters and the ranges of optimal values for the five floating-point hyperparameters of the XGBoost algorithm are determined by the grid search method. Then, the optimal values of the five floating-point hyperparameters of the XGBoost algorithm are determined with the genetic algorithm based on the determined value ranges. In this way, the model for porosity prediction based on the XGBoost algorithm and optimized by the grid search method and genetic algorithm (GS-GA-XGBoost) is constructed, and it has eight hyperparameters with determined optimal values. Compared with other porosity prediction methods, our method solves the problems such as the strong subjectivity and poor generalizability of conventional logging interpretation methods and the insufficient generalization performance of machine learning methods in previous porosity prediction studies, and the accuracy of the constructed model for porosity prediction is also greatly improved. Specifically, the RMSE, MAE and MAPE generated by GS-GA-XGBoost on the test set are 0.527946, 0.155880 and 0.020500 respectively, while those generated by linear regression (LR), support vector regression (SVR), random forest (RF), the XGBoost algorithm with default parameters (XGBoost) and the XGBoost algorithm optimized only by the grid search method (GS-XGBoost) on the test set are 3.535521, 2.801047, 0.375713, and 2.695310, 2.002280, 0.283582, and 1.015801, 0.638878, 0.085942, and 2.781069, 1.860557, 0.293334, and 1.380065, 0.979419, 0.128486, respectively. Finally, the multithread technology is introduced to improve the computational speed of GS-GA-XGBoost. GS-GA-XGBoost provides some technical references for the construction of porosity prediction models for oil fields in Northern Shaanxi, China, and other regions.

The efficacy of DNA vaccines may be improved by small interfering (si)RNA adjuvants targeting pro-apoptotic genes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the capacity of siRNAs targeting B-cell lymphoma 2 homologous antagonist killer (BAK) and B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein (BAX) to improve the efficacy of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine. BALB/c mice were divided into four groups (n=18 in each): unimmunized and immunized with pcDNA 3.1-pp65 expressing CMV 65 kDa matrix phosphoprotein and BAK + BAX siRNAs, pcDNA 3.1-pp65 and control siRNA, or control pcDNA 3.1 and BAK + BAX siRNAs. Immunizations were performed twice with an interval of 3 weeks. CMV-specific mouse splenocyte interferon (IFN)-γ secretion was assessed by ELISPOT; furthermore, an in vivo cytotoxic T lymphocyte assay was performed 2 weeks after the last immunization. After lethal CMV challenge of the mice, body weight, virus titers in the spleens and salivary glands as well as survival were recorded. The amount of splenocytes secreting IFN-γ in response to CMV pp65 peptides and specific lysis of peptide-pulsed target cells were significantly higher in mice administered pcDNA3.1-pp65 and BAK + BAX siRNAs than those in mice administered pcDNA3.1-pp65 and control siRNA (P

Most of the oilfields in China have entered the stage of high water cut nowadays, and it is very difficult to enhance oil recovery in these oilfields. In this paper, combined with the image processing technology, the visualization technology of 3D data field and the seepage mechanics theory, a simulation model on microscopic remaining oil distribution has been constructed. After that, the remaining oil distribution of a high water cut oilfield in south China in three different microscopic pore throat networks, namely big pore and coarse throat, medium pore and medium throat and small pore and fine throat, was simulated. Through the simulation results, the conclusions are drawn: compared with the small pore and fine throat network, the development resistance of oil in the big pore and coarse throat network and the medium pore and medium throat network is smaller under the same water-flooding development conditions; compared with the big pore and coarse throat network, the development resistance of oil in the medium pore and medium throat network is larger, which leads to more remaining oil left. The simulation on microscopic remaining oil distribution is of great significance for enhancing oil recovery in high water cut oilfields of China.

Global decline in male fertility and their associations with ubiquitous exposure of phthalates (PAEs) have raised public concerns. However, the current epidemiological data are limited and controversial. Hence, we investigated possible associations between PAE exposure and male infertility. Eleven phthalate metabolites (mPAEs) were determined in urine and serum samples collected from eighty-eight males diagnosed with infertility from Tianjin, China. The median serum levels of mPAE were n.d. −3.63 ng/mL, which were 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than the urinary levels of n.d. −192 ng/mL. Negative associations were identified between urinary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and MiBP and serum MCMHP, as well as testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and the molar concentrations of ∑mPAE, while positive association was found between T and the serum molar concentrations of ∑mDEHP. Positive associations were found between the molar concentrations of serum ∑mPAE and sperm concentration, sperm motility rate, and progressive motility, between mono (2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) and semen volume and total sperm number, and between MCMHP and progressive motility, while negative association was found between mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) and progressive motility. Moreover, FSH was found to mediate the association between serum concentrations of MCMHP and progressive motility (mediation ratio = 41.6%), and LH to mediate the associations between serum concentrations of ∑mPAE and sperm concentration (mediation ratio = 45.7%) and sperm motility rate (mediation ratio = 29.0%). These results also suggested that serum levels of mPAE are a good predictor for male infertility. Further efforts need to be made on toxicological studies to systematically elaborate the internal mechanisms.

In this paper, we present result from a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulent flow in a converging T-junction for both Newtonian (water) and non-Newtonian inelastic fluid (dilute Xanthan Gum solution). Based on experimental data, the Bird-Carreau law is used to capture the inelastic shear thinning property of the solution. For the Xanthan solution, the viscosity at rest is about 100 times greater than the viscosity at high shear-rate. A passive scalar is introduced in the transverse branch to investigate the mixing in such configuration. The nominal Reynolds number at the exit varies from 4800 to 8000 for the Newtonian cases and for the same inflow rates, the non-Newtonian flow will be necessarily at lower nominal Reynolds number. Two regimes are explored as a function of the inlet velocity ratio r = U b / U m : the ”deflecting” regime noted DR ( r = 1 ) and the ”impinging” regime noted IR ( r = 4 ). For the non-Newtonian cases, two viscous cores are observed before the junction. After the junction a laminar state is obtained for the lower flow rate conditions. Surprisingly, in spite of a large viscosity at rest, a self-sustained non-Newtonian turbulence is achieved except for one case. We describe existing vortex mechanisms which pilot the scalar mixing. In addition, we show that in the non-Newtonian cases, the existing peak of turbulence is only shifted in the DR case. The shift is probably due to the nature of the fluid and not to the dynamical regime. After an intense turbulent zone, we show that a re-laminarization zone appears in the non-Newtonian case which reduces the fluctuation as well as mixing. As a result, IR has a better mixing quality than DR.

Additional file 2. Supplemental Methods.

ObjectiveOur objective was to investigate the applicability of targeted capture massively parallel sequencing in developing personalized pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) assay.MethodsOne couple at risk of transmitting Usher Syndrome to their offspring was recruited to this study. The genomics DNA (gDNA) was extracted from the peripheral blood and underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF)-PGD. Prenatal molecular diagnosis was performed in the 20th week of gestation and the chromosomal anomaly was analyzed.ResultsCustomized capture probe targeted at USH2A gene and 350kb flanking region were designed for PGD. Eleven blastocysts were biopsied and amplified by using multiple displacement amplification (MDA) and capture sequencing. A HMM-based haplotype analysis was performed to deduce embryo’s genotype by using SNPs identified in each sample. Four embryos were diagnosed as free of father’s rare mutation, two were transferred and one achieved a successful pregnancy. The fetal genotype was confirmed by Sanger sequencing of fetal genomic DNA obtained by amniocentesis. The PGD and prenatal diagnosis results were further confirmed by the molecular diagnosis of the baby’s genomic DNA sample. The auditory test showed that the hearing was normal.ConclusionTargeted capture massively parallel sequencing (MPS) is an effective and convenient strategy to develop customized PGD assay.Key pointsGenetic counseling session was conducted with a family having Usher patient who was molecularly diagnosed, and a healthy baby was born with the help of successful PGD assay. This is of vast importance in management plans since it is the first report of PGD in Usher syndrome based on targeted capture MPS.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyse the risk of congenital anomalies (CAs) in infants conceived by infertile women through assisted reproductive technology (ART). A total of 9,013 clinical pregnancy cycles resulting in 9,101 live births between 2004 and 2014 were analysed. Congenital anomalies were evaluated and compared with spontaneous pregnancies in infertile women. A total of 9,101 infants were born following ART. Three subgroups were established: In vitro fertilisation fresh embryo transfer (IVF-ET), n=2,919, intracytoplasmic sperm injection fresh embryo transfer (ICSI), n=1,996 and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET), n=4,186. No significant differences in perinatal outcomes were observed between the three subgroups. A total of 105 (1.15%) infants were born with CAs. The birth defect rate was slightly higher in the IVF-ET subgroup compared with the other subgroups. Among infants in the IVF-ET and ICSI-ET subgroup, the probability of birth defects increased with increased maternal age (>35 years), male factors and diminished ovarian reserve. In the FET group, the risk of birth defects was significantly increased with multiple births and maternal age >35 years. The risk of congenital anomalies following ART was not significantly different compared with spontaneous conceptions within the infertile study population. The results of the present study may provide guidance for patients who are considering treatment for infertility in China.

Graphene is a 2D material that has many unique and excellent physical and electrical properties. Since its discovery, people have spent much time and money on the research of graphene. A film of graphene is transparent, conductive, flexible, light in weight but very strong. Unfortunately, research in the last decade has proved that it is nearly impossible to fabricate stable, defect-free, large scale graphene sheets which has the have extensive application, yet without of graphene did not have any commercial success yet. However, compared with the high cost of graphene film, graphene oxide (GO) is an easy-to-make material which has a similar structure. The obstacle for GO’s application is its low reproducibility sincethat a number of oxidized side chains are difficult to remove. Even today, the GO structure model is still controversial. This study introduces a new structural model of graphene oxide and its theoretical electronic properties. A number of different models for graphene oxide have been proposed and tested using ab initio calculations. The main simulation and computation theories to establish these structure models in this study are molecular mechanics (MM) and density functional theory (DFT). In the proposed GO structure, the para-substituted epoxide groups stay in close proximity to, but on the opposite sides of the carbon plane, to the hydroxyl molecule. On the edge of GO sheet, the carboxyl prefers attachment in the armchair orientation, while the carbonyl prefers the zigzag orientation. The carbon backbone has a moderate wrinkling located around hydroxyl and epoxide molecules but still maintains a hexagonal graphene-like structure. This configuration repeats along the carbon network with subtle variations so that the chemical composition of GO is variable from C_1.5 O to C_2.5 O. And the electronic model also suggests that the band gap of GO can be theoretically tuned both by chemical reduction and controlled oxidation process.

To establish a novel HLA genotyping method for preimplantation genetic diagnonis (PGD) using multiple displacement amplification-polymerase chain reaction-sequencing based technique (MDA-PCR-SBT).Peripheral blood samples and 76 1PN, 2PN, 3PN discarded embryos from 9 couples were collected. The alleles of HLA-A, B, DR loci were detected from the MDA product with the PCR-SBT method. The HLA genotypes of the parental peripheral blood samples were analyzed with the same protocol. The genotypes of specific HLA region were evaluated for distinguishing the segregation of haplotypes among the family members, and primary HLA matching was performed between the embryos.The 76 embryos were subjected to MDA and 74 (97.4%) were successfully amplified. For the 34 embryos from the single blastomere group, the amplification rate was 94.1%, and for the 40 embryos in the two blastomeres group, the rate was 100%. The dropout rates for DQ allele and DR allele were 1.3% and 0, respectively. The positive rate for MDA in the single blastomere group was 100%, with the dropout rates for DQ allele and DR allele being 1.5% and 0, respectively. The positive rate of MDA for the two blastomere group was 100%, with the dropout rates for both DQ and DR alleles being 0. The recombination rate of fetal HLA was 20.2% (30/148). Due to the improper classification and abnormal fertilized embryos, the proportion of matched embryos HLA was 20.3% (15/74),which was lower than the theoretical value of 25%.PGD with HLA matching can facilitate creation of a HLA-identical donor (saviour child) for umbilical cord blood or bone marrow stem cells for its affected sibling with a genetic disease. Therefore, preimplantation HLA matching may provide a tool for couples desiring to conceive a potential donor progeny for transplantation for its sibling with a life-threatening disorder.

In order to establish a simple and useful way for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of chromosomal diseases in general IVF laboratory, the methods that are most commonly used in the embryo biopsy, fixation of blastomere and fluorescence in situ hybridization were compared. The three aspects of PGD were analyzed respectively. There was no significant difference in further development capacity of embryos between mechanical (79.7%) and chemical biopsy group (78.6%) (P0.05). In this study, more cells were successfully fixed with the Tween/HCL method (93.8%) than with the methanol/acetic acid method (80.5%, P0.05). There was no significant difference in cytoplasm remains between methanol/acetic acid method and Tween/HCL method (P0.05). The hybridization efficiency of fluorescence in situ hybridization was 89.5% in successive denaturation method and 90.9% in codenaturation method with the difference being not significant (P0.05). In conclusion, the mechanical or chemical method, Tween/HCL fixation method and codenaturation fluorescence in situ hybridization method can constitute a simple and useful way for PGD of chromosomal diseases.

User profiling plays an important role in online news recommendation systems. In this paper, we analyze the relationship between users' clicking behaviors and the category of the news story to model user's interests by mining web log data of an adaptive news system. We train a Memory-based User Profile (MUP), which imitates human being's learning, remembering and forgetting mechanisms, to predict users' potential interests dynamically. We mainly focus on experimental analysis to refine the MUP scheme. Firstly, we materialize the meanings of all parameters of MUP by important factors (i.e., absorbing factor, forgetting factor, timescale and learning strength) in human being's learning and forgetting process. Secondly, we demonstrate how to determine the values of parameters for different users to reflect their distinct learning and forgetting abilities. Thirdly, we derive a threshold from MUP's recursion formula, which can be used to simply distinguish long-term and short-term interests. Our evaluations are carried out on IdoIcan's web log data, results show MUP can model user's profile effectively.