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Ovulation-inducing drugs such as endogenous steroids could reduce endometrial receptivity during the implantation window, resulting in lower clinical pregnancy rates and higher miscarriage rates. The present study employed electroacupuncture therapy along with different frequencies on elevating impaired endometrial receptivity to elucidate the mechanism therein. The rats were split up into seven groups of normal, model, low-frequency electroacupuncture (LF-EA), high-frequency electroacupuncture (HF-EA), LF-EA+anti-miRNA, HF-EA+anti-miRNA, and anti-miRNA. PCR assays were used to detect miR-223-3p expressions. The effects of electroacupuncture and miR-223-3p on rats' endometrial membrane cell-drinking process in a manner of scanning electron microscopy were recorded. After that we observed on the electroacupuncture effects on the conditions of adhesion molecules and LIF/STAT3 signaling pathway with assays of immunofluorescence and Western Blot. This study was end up with dual luciferase assay, where combination of miR-233-3p onto the 3'-UTR sequence of LIF was determined. PCR assay demonstrated that HF-EA procured an inhibition in miR-223-3p expression, whereas scanning electron microscopy turned out that both electroacupuncture and miR-223-3p were capable of raising the amount of intrauterine pinocytosis and the number of blastocyst implantation in rats. Additionally, assays of Western Blot and immunofluorescence showed that therapy of electroacupuncture brought about decreasing expressions in adhesion molecules of E-cadherin, β-catenin and claudin-1 (CLDN1). We found that both electroacupuncture and miR-223-3p were able to fortify LIF/STAT3 signaling pathway, then the fact of miR-223-3p combination to LIF 3'-UTR sequence was validated via our dual-luciferase assay. Electroacupuncture therapy inhibited the miR-223-3p expression upon LIF/STAT3 signaling pathway to elevate endometrial receptivity.

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) impairs the endometrium receptivity during the implantation window, resulting in a lower clinical pregnancy rate and a higher abortion rate. Our study explored the effect of electroacupuncture on the endometrial receptivity of COH rats. Female rats were randomly divided into normal treatment (Normal), model treatment (Model), low-frequency electroacupuncture treatment (LF-EA) and high-frequency electroacupuncture treatment (HF-EA). Rats in the Model, LF-EA, and HF-EA treatment groups were injected with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to establish a model of COH rats. Compared with the Normal, the endometrial thickness, the number of pinopodes and amount of blastocyst implantation in the Model group were significantly reduced. Among them, the endometrial thickness and the amount of blastocyst implantation in the Model group were substantially decreased than those in the HF-EA group. High-frequency electroacupuncture treatment could markedly reduce the protein expression levels of E-cadherin, β-catenin and claudin-1 (CLDN1). During HF-EA treatment, the LIF/STAT3 signaling pathway of COH rats was enhanced. In conclusion, electroacupuncture could improve the endometrium receptivity and promote the blastocyst implantation in COH rats by reducing cell adhesion molecules and enhancing the LIF/STAT3 signaling pathway. Highlights High-frequency electroacupuncture could effectively improve endometrial receptivity and blastocyst implantation amount in COH rats.Electroacupuncture, especially high-frequency electroacupuncture, could significantly increase endometrial thickness and the number of pinopodes.High-frequency electroacupuncture significantly reduced the protein expression levels of E-cadherin, β-catenin and CLDN1 adhesion molecules in COH rats.High-frequency electroacupuncture could markedly enhance the LIF/STAT3 signaling pathway in COH rats.

Objective Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific condition featured by high blood pressure, edema, and proteinuria. Research about the role of microRNA (miR)-203 in PE remains insufficient. This experiment is designed to investigate the specific role of miR-203 in trophoblasts in PE. Study Design miR-203 expression in placenta tissues of normal pregnant women and PE patients was examined to analyze the relevance between miR-203 and PE diagnostic efficiency and between miR-203 and blood pressure (systolic pressure and diastolic pressure) and proteinuria of PE patients. miR-203 expression was downregulated in hypoxia-cultured trophoblasts using miR-203 inhibitor to assess matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level. Then, the angiogenesis of trophoblasts with different treatments was determined. Subsequently, the target relation between miR-203 and insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1R) was predicted and verified. Additionally, the effect of IGF-1R in the mechanism of miR-203 modulating trophoblast vascular remodeling was detected. Results miR-203 was overexpressed in the placenta of PE patients and it acted as a promising diagnostic indicator for PE. Moreover, miR-203 was positively associated with blood pressure (systolic pressure and diastolic pressure) and proteinuria of PE patients. miR-203 silencing in hypoxia-cultured trophoblasts enhanced trophoblast vascular remodeling. Mechanically, miR-203 bound to IGF-1R to suppress its transcription. IGF-1R downregulation counteracted the promotive effect of miR-203 silencing on trophoblast vascular remodeling. Conclusion miR-203 was overexpressed in PE, and it targeted IGF-1R to limit trophoblast vascular remodeling. Key Points

BackgroundThe ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused serious concerns about its potential adverse effects on pregnancy. There are limited data on maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 pneumonia.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study to compare clinical characteristics and maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women with and without COVID-19 pneumonia.ResultsDuring the period 24 January–29 February 2020, there were 16 pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and 18 suspected cases who were admitted to labor in the third trimester. Two had vaginal delivery and the rest were cesarean delivery. Few patients presented respiratory symptoms (fever and cough) on admission, but most had typical chest computed tomographic images of COVID-19 pneumonia. Compared to the controls, patients with COVID-19 pneumonia had lower counts of white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, C-reactive protein (CRP), and alanine aminotransferase on admission. Increased levels of WBCs, neutrophils, eosinophils, and CRP were found in postpartum blood tests of pneumonia patients. Three (18.8%) of the mothers with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and 3 (16.7%) with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia had preterm delivery due to maternal complications, which were significantly higher than in the control group. None experienced respiratory failure during their hospital stay. COVID-19 infection was not found in the newborns, and none developed severe neonatal complications.ConclusionsSevere maternal and neonatal complications were not observed in pregnant women with COVID-19 pneumonia who had vaginal or cesarean delivery. Mild respiratory symptoms of pregnant women with COVID-19 pneumonia highlight the need of effective screening on admission.

Polymer and ionic liquid (IL) mixtures have attracted an increasing amount of attention due to their unique properties and potential applications. The interactions between poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and imidazolium ILs of different cation alkyl lengths and anion structures have been investigated by measuring melting points (Tm), contact angles, and rheological properties. Tm of crystalline PEO dramatically decreased when it was blended with ILs. Similarly, the contact angles of different ILs on a PEO surface proportionally decreased. The interaction energy, as calculated from melting point depression using the Flory equation, increased with the length of imidazolium alkyl cations and the size of anions. The different anionic structures had a more significant influence on the interaction energy than the alkyl chain lengths of cations. These trends accorded with the solubility obtained by high-energy X-ray diffraction and swelling ratio measurements of PEO in different ILs [Asai Macromolecules 2013, 46, 236...

Since the 1990s, the rapid urbanization of China has been fueled by the massive movement of workers from the countryside to cities. Using descriptive statistics and binary regression analysis, we investigate the factors underlying rural residents’ decision making to seek non-agricultural work, their work time, and work location based on data collected in Weifang, a city in the Shandong Province of China. The results show that economic factors play a pivotal role in rural residents’ decision making to seek non-agricultural employment, full-time non-agricultural employment, or employment outside of their home county. Non-economic factors such as age, gender, social ties, education, access to arable land, geographical location, neighborhood effects, and self-perception are also significant factors in the decision-making process. The findings of this study shed light on future research regarding the impact of urbanization on rural residents. It also provides knowledge for future policy making on rural development and management.

A ZnO/TiO 2 composite layer was fabricated on top of a nanoporous TiO 2 layer to form a heterostructure bilayer photoanode (P-PZ). The in-situ scattering sites of ZnO were formed inside the assembled photoanode (P-PZ) through the dissolution of ZnO particles caused by soaking in titanium tetrachloride solution. In comparison, the conventional TiO 2 photoanodes (2P) and photoanodes with incorporation of the commercial large TiO 2 particles (P-PT) were also prepared, and the three photoanodes (2P, P-PT, P-PZ) were all with the thickness of about 14.2 μm. A light-to-electricity conversion efficiency ( η ) of 7.50% was received for the P-PZ-based DSSCs, much higher than that of the DSSCs with 2P (5.34%) and P-PT (5.96%) photoanodes. The superior performance of the DSSC with P-PZ photoanode is mainly attributed to the following factors. (i) The in-situ scattering sites exhibit great light scattering ability, resulting in the great improvement in the short-circuit current density ( J sc ). (ii) The ZnO-coated TiO 2 structure shifts the conduction band of TiO 2 , leading to the great increase in the open circuit voltage ( V oc ).

Cellulose triacetate (CTA)/xanthated cotton fiber (XCF) blend ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were prepared via phase inversion in the absence and presence of 2.5 wt.% additive, namely polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000). The XCF which can adsorb heavy metal ions was chosen as the modifier. The prepared membranes were characterized using pure water flux, contact angle, rejection of the metal ion solution, flux recovery ratio, and mechanical analysis techniques to investigate the influence of XCF and PEG 6000 on the final properties of the membranes. Membrane cross-sectional structures and surface morphology were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The results showed that the permeability, ion adsorption, surface hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties of the ultrafiltration membranes were enhanced greatly. According to molecular weight, the interception rate of heavy metal ions followed this order: Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Ni(II) > Cd(II). Compared wi...

Summary Our published research has focused on the role of Goa1p, an apparent regulator of the Candida albicans mitochondrial complex I (CI). Lack of Goa1p affects optimum cell growth, CI activity and virulence. Eukaryotic CI is composed of a core of 14 alpha-proteobacterial subunit proteins and a variable number of supernumerary subunit proteins. Of the latter group of proteins, one (NUZM) is fungal specific and the other (NUXM) is found in fungi, algae and plants, but is not a mammalian CI subunit protein. We have established that NUXM is orf19.6607 and NUZM is orf19.287 in C. albicans. Herein, we validate both subunit proteins as NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductases (NUO) and annotate their gene functions. To accomplish these objectives, we compared null mutants of each with wild type (WT) and gene-reconstituted strains. Genetic mutants of genes NUO1 (orf19.6607) and NUO2 (orf19.287), not surprisingly, each had reduced oxygen consumption, decreased mitochondrial redox potential, decreased CI activity, increased reactive oxidant species (ROS) and decreased chronological ageing in vitro. Loss of either gene results in disassembly of CI. Transcriptional profiling of both mutants indicated significant down-regulation of genes of carbon metabolism, as well as up-regulation of mitochondrial-associated gene families that may occur to compensate for the loss of CI activity. Profiling of both mutants also demonstrated a loss of cell wall β-mannosylation but not in a conserved CI subunit (ndh51Δ). The profiling data may indicate specific functions driven by the enzymatic activity of Nuo1p and Nuo2p. Of importance, each mutant is also avirulent in a murine blood-borne, invasive model of candidiasis associated with their reduced colonization of tissues. Based on their fungal specificity and roles in virulence, we suggest both as drug targets for antifungal drug discovery.

Homogeneous tritylation of cellulose in 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AmimCl) ionic liquid with triphenylmethy chloride as regents, pyridine or 1-butylimidazole (BIM) as base was investigated, and subsequent acetylation of the 6-O-functionalized products was further studied. The structure of products was analyzed by FTIR and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and base influences on the structure were discussed as well. The solution with pyridine as base underwent heterogeneous-homogeneous-heterogeneous process and the obtained trityl cellulose (TC) had organized structure with trityl group located completely at C-6 position of cellulose with maximum DS(trityl) of nearly 1. In the case of BIM as base, the solution was homogeneous for the whole reaction, but the highest DS(trityl) was about 0.22, with trityl group located not only at position 6 but also partially at position 2. Subsequent acetylation of the TC led to products with a preferred functionalization of the unprotected secondary OH-groups.

A well-defined azido-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) was prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of NIPA and glycidyl methacrylate followed by the azidization of pendant epoxyl groups. Then the polymer was crosslinked via Click chemistry by bis- or tetra-alkynyl terminated compounds, which were synthesized through esterification of 1,3-propanediol and pentaerythritol with propiolic acid and 6-heptynoic acid, to fabricate PNIPA hydrogels. And the swelling properties of obtained hydrogels were studied as functions of crosslinker dosage and species. The results showed that the decrease of crosslinker dosage or increase of chain length thereof could enhance swelling capacities of hydrogels due to bigger free volumes within networks; the functionality of crosslinkers almost had no influence on swelling properties of hydrogels. In addition, no obvious distinction was found for lower critical solution temperature and swelling response to a temperature jump during reswellin...

Cellulose triacetate (CTA) ultrafiltration membranes were prepared via phase inversion technique using hydrophilic TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNs) as modifying agents. The permeation performance of the prepared membranes was evaluated in terms of pure water flux (Ji), protein rejection (Rm) and flux recovery ratio (FRR). Membrane surface morphology and cross-sectional structures were characterized by atomic-force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. XRD was performed in order to investigate the interactions between membrane components. Meanwhile, the effects of TOCN concentration on hydrophilicity of the membrane surface and mechanical properties were also examined. The experimental results indicated that CTA/TOCN composite membranes exhibit significant differences in surface properties and intrinsic properties due to the addition of TOCNs.

This study investigates the strategic interactions among China’s professional macroeconomic forecasters in the context of a static game with incomplete information. Professional forecasters attempt to be more precise than their peers when they are uncertain about others’ ability to forecast, given their own ability to forecast macroeconomy. We then empirically estimate the peer effects using the two-step method proposed by Bajari et al. (2010). The results identify a pronounced peer effect among professional forecasters and specify the asymmetric peer effect exerted by prominent professional forecasters. The results remain valid through several robustness checks. The forecast customers must thus address the peer effects due to competition among professional forecasters when they use forecasting reports.

Rheological properties of cellulose dissolved in two ionic liquids (ILs), 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AmimCl) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BmimCl), with co-solvent dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), are studied in the concentration range of cellulose from 0.070 to 6.0 wt%. The viscosities of ILs are exponentially decreased by adding DMSO in the concentration range of 0–100 wt%. The co-solvent DMSO decreases the monomer friction coefficient in cellulose solutions and has no significant change for the entanglement state of cellulose, thus results in the reduced solution viscosity, shortened relaxation time and unchanged moduli of the cross-over point. For cellulose solutions, dilute regime, semidilute unentangled regime and semidilute entangled regime were determined by steady shear experiments. In semidilute entangled regime, the specific viscosities η sp , relaxation time τ , and plateau modulus G N , exhibit concentration dependences as η sp ∼ C 4.4 , τ ∼ C 2.2 , and G N ∼ C 1.9 , respectively, in AmimCl-DMSO (80/20 w/w); and η sp ∼ C 4.3 , τ ∼ C 2.0 , and G N ∼ C 2.1 , respectively, in BmimCl–DMSO (80/20 w/w). Therefore, the rheological properties of cellulose/IL/DMSO solutions are approximately of IL-independence in this study. The dependence of η sp upon cellulose concentration shows that the IL–DMSO mixture is more like a θ solvent for cellulose, and the thermodynamic properties of IL–DMSO mixtures are similar with those of ILs for cellulose at 25 °C. The conformation of cellulose in ILs would not be changed with the addition of DMSO not only in the dilute regime but also in the entanglement regime.

Cellulose aerogel materials were prepared by combining dissolving cellulose in an ionic liquid, 1-allyl-3- methylimidazolium chloride (AmimCl), and drying in supercritical CO2. The rheological properties of the cellulose solutions of different concentrations and their gels regenerated in different coagulation baths were studied. The porous structure and morphology of cellulose aerogels were found to be affected by cellulose concentration and nature of the coagulation bath. With increasing initial cellulose concentration, the porous structure of cellulose aerogels became more dense and uniform, leading to the gradual decrease of the specific surface area. Further, it was also observed that, both viscosity and the polarity of coagulation bath affected the structure of cellulose aerogels. High specific surface area cellulose aerogel materials could be prepared by controlling the experimental conditions. The obtained cellulose aerogels had relatively high char yield at elevated temperature, which makes them potential precursors for fabrication of novel mesoporous carbon materials.

For the development of chemoresponsive hydrogel, a new saccharide-derived hydrogelator 1 [methyl-4,6-O-(4'-aldehydephenylidene)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside] was synthesized and characterized. The resulting hydrogel not only shows thermal responsiveness but also exhibits cysteine and pH responsiveness due to the presence of aldehyde and acetal groups in 1. The release of guest molecules from the hydrogel of 1 was examined by employing compound 2 (fluorescein disodium) and compound 3 [methyl-4,6-O-(2'-pyrenylidene)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside] as guest molecules. The results indicate that the release of compound 2 from the hydrogel of 1 is controlled by the diffusion process, while the release of compound 3 from the hydrogel of 1 is facilitated by the presence of cysteine. These results demonstrate (1) the proof of principle to design chemoresponsive gels by incorporating reactive groups into the gelators and (2) it is possible to stimulate the release of guest molecules from hydrogels upon addition of reactive chemicals by manipulating the intermolecular interactions among the hydrogelators and guest molecules.

An effective method for grafting L-lactide (LA) from unmodified cellulose by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) in homogeneous mild conditions is presented. By using 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) as an organic catalyst, cellulose-graft-poly(L-lactide) (cellulose-g-PLLA) copolymers with a molar substitution (MS(PLLA)) of PLLA in a range of 0.99-12.28 were successfully synthesized in ionic liquid 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AmimCl) at 80 degrees C. The amount and length of grafted PLLA in cellulose-g-PLLA copolymers were controlled by adjusting the molar ratios of LA monomer to cellulose. The structure and thermal properties of cellulose-g-PLLA copolymers were characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, wide-angle X-ray powder diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and optical microscopy. The DSC results revealed that the copolymers exhibited a single glass transition temperature, T(g), which sharply decreased with the increase of MS(PLLA) up to MS(PLLA) = 8.28 (DS(PLLA) = 2.19) and increased a little with a further increase of the lactyl content. When MS(PLLA) was above 4.40, the graft copolymers exhibited thermoplastic behavior, indicating the intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds in cellulose molecules had been effectively destroyed. By using a conventional thermal processing method, fibers and disks of cellulose-g-PLLA copolymers were prepared.

Our published research has focused on the role of Goa1p, an apparent regulator of the Candida albicans mitochondrial complex I (CI). Lack of Goa1p affects optimum cell growth, CI activity and virulence. Eukaryotic CI is composed of a core of 14 alpha-proteobacterial subunit proteins and a variable number of supernumerary subunit proteins. Of the latter group of proteins, one (NUZM) is fungal specific and the other (NUXM) is found in fungi, algae and plants, but is not a mammalian CI subunit protein. We have established that NUXM is orf19.6607 and NUZM is orf19.287 in C. albicans. Herein, we validate both subunit proteins as NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductases (NUO) and annotate their gene functions. To accomplish these objectives, we compared null mutants of each with wild type (WT) and gene-reconstituted strains. Genetic mutants of genes NUO1 (orf19.6607) and NUO2 (orf19.287), not surprisingly, each had reduced oxygen consumption, decreased mitochondrial redox potential, decreased CI activity, increased reactive oxidant species (ROS) and decreased chronological ageing in vitro. Loss of either gene results in disassembly of CI. Transcriptional profiling of both mutants indicated significant down-regulation of genes of carbon metabolism, as well as up-regulation of mitochondrial-associated gene families that may occur to compensate for the loss of CI activity. Profiling of both mutants also demonstrated a loss of cell wall β-mannosylation but not in a conserved CI subunit (ndh51Δ). The profiling data may indicate specific functions driven by the enzymatic activity of Nuo1p and Nuo2p. Of importance, each mutant is also avirulent in a murine blood-borne, invasive model of candidiasis associated with their reduced colonization of tissues. Based on their fungal specificity and roles in virulence, we suggest both as drug targets for antifungal drug discovery.

A novel class of dumbbell-shaped dendritic molecules with a p-terphenylene core was synthesized, and their self-assembling properties were investigated. The incorporation of bulky dendritic wedges to the central stiff aromatic scaffolds could finely tune their solubility in many organic solvents. Unlike the self-assembly behavior of p-terphenylen-1,4"-ylenebis(dodecanamide), the p-terphenylene cored different generation dendritic molecules could form gels in several kinds of organic solvents through a cooperative effect of the pi-pi stacking, hydrogen-bonding, and van der Waals forces. Interestingly, significant fluorescence enhancement was observed after gelation. Extensive investigations with atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), theological measurements, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) revealed that these dendritic molecules self-assembled into elastically interpenetrating one-dimensional nanostructures in organogels.

Taking advantage of the negligible vapor pressure and dissolving features of ionic liquids (ILs), the solution morphology and dissolution process of cellulose in ILs have been visualized directly by conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at room temperature for the first time.