BACKGROUND Treatment of thin endometrium with granular leukocyte-colony stimulating factor(G-CSF)remains controversial.AIM To investigate the effect of G-CSF on the outcome of frozen embryo transfer in patients with t...BACKGROUND Treatment of thin endometrium with granular leukocyte-colony stimulating factor(G-CSF)remains controversial.AIM To investigate the effect of G-CSF on the outcome of frozen embryo transfer in patients with thin endometrium.METHODS A retrospective propensity score matching(PSM)study was performed to assess patients administered frozen embryo transfer at the Reproductive Medicine Center of the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School,in 2012-2018.The patients were divided into G-CSF intrauterine perfusion(G-CSF)and non-G-CSF groups,and clinical pregnancy,implantation,ectopic pregnancy,and early abortion rates between the two groups were compared.RESULTS Before PSM,372 cycles were enrolled,including 242 and 130 cycles in the G-CSF and non-G-CSF groups,respectively.Age(34.23±5.76 vs 32.99±5.59 years;P=0.047)and the blastula/cleavage stage embryo ratio(0.68 vs 0.37;P=0.011)were significantly elevated in the G-CSF group compared with the non-G-CSF group;however,clinical pregnancy(46.28%vs 51.54%;P=0.371)and embryo implantation(35.21%vs 35.65%;P=0.910)rates were similar in both groups.After PSM by age and blastula/cleavage stage embryo ratio,244 cycles were included(122 cases each in the G-CSF and non-G-CSF groups).The clinical pregnancy(50.82%vs 48.36%;P=0.701)and embryo implantation(37.38%vs 34.11%;P=0.480)remained similar in both groups.CONCLUSION Intrauterine infusion of G-CSF does not improve the clinical outcome of frozen embryo transfer in patients with thin endometrium.展开更多
The applications of metasurfaces are currently a highly active research field due to their extraordinary ability to manipulate electromagnetic waves. The ultra-thin characteristics of metasurfaces allow the miniaturiz...The applications of metasurfaces are currently a highly active research field due to their extraordinary ability to manipulate electromagnetic waves. The ultra-thin characteristics of metasurfaces allow the miniaturization and integration of metasurface devices. However, these devices work typically under a low efficiency and narrow bandwidth condition. In this work, we design eight multilayered unit cells with similar amplitudes and a phase interval of π/4, which convert the polarization states of the terahertz(THz) waves between two orthogonal directions. The average cross-polarized transmission amplitudes of these cells are all around 0.9 in an ultra-broad frequency range from 0.5 THz to 1.4 THz. Furthermore,unit cells are used to construct both an ultra-thin anomalous refraction metalens and a vortex phase plate. Our simulation results show that the anomalous refraction for the transmitted linear polarization component is comparable to the theoretical prediction, and the maximum error is determined to be below 4.8%. The vortex phase plate can also generate an ideal terahertz vortex beam with a mode purity of 90% and more. The distributions of longitudinal electric field, intensity, and phase illustrate that the generated vortex beam has excellent propagation characteristics and a weak divergence. Simulations of the two types of metasurface devices, based on the eight unit cells, exhibit very high efficiencies in a wide bandwidth. Our research will assist in the improvement in the practical applications of metasurfaces. It also provides a reference for the design of high efficiency and broadband devices that are applied to other frequency ranges.展开更多
In order to study the dynamic characteristics of the single-frequency signal through the nonlinear control system,the system control mode,the outer excitation patterns of the model and the amplitude are investigated b...In order to study the dynamic characteristics of the single-frequency signal through the nonlinear control system,the system control mode,the outer excitation patterns of the model and the amplitude are investigated by using the methods of the nonlinear dynamical analysis. The time-domain diagram,power spectrum,phase diagram and the largest Lyapunov exponent obtained from the process of the signal propagate through different control module are given. The researches on different control systems demonstrate that: after single-frequency signal goes through the nonlinear controller,it is still non-chaotic although the output contains more frequency components; but with the feedback and the external perturbation,the output is a continuous broadband spectrum and the result shows that there is chaos. The energy of the input signal reduces with some appropriate parameters. Therefore,the control system of the nonlinear feedback is a good way to broaden the spectrum of output with inputting a single-frequency signal.展开更多
Objective:Placental dysfunction is a major contributor to miscarriages in humans.We observed elevated expression of Kruppel-like factor 12(KLF12)in placental villi of women who experienced miscarriage compared to that...Objective:Placental dysfunction is a major contributor to miscarriages in humans.We observed elevated expression of Kruppel-like factor 12(KLF12)in placental villi of women who experienced miscarriage compared to that in women with healthy pregnancies.This study aimed to elucidate the role of KLF12 in maintaining a successful pregnancy.Methods:To investigate the role of KLF12 in placentation,we employed a model of forskolin-induced syncytialization in BeWo cells.Results:Our findings revealed that KLF12 expression is downregulated during normal syncytialization.Conversely,we observed that abnormally high KLF12 levels directly suppressed glial cells missing-1(GCM1)expression.This suppression of GCM1 expression subsequently impaired BeWo cell syncytialization.Furthermore,we observed placental deformities in KLF12-overexpressing mouse fetuses.Conclusion(s):This study demonstrated that elevated levels of KLF12 disrupt trophoblast syncytialization by downregulating GCM1 expression.These findings suggest that KLF12 may be a novel candidate gene contributing to unexplained miscarriages.展开更多
A mathematical model was proposed to optimize byproduct gas system and reduce the total cost. The scope and boundaries of the system were also discussed at the same time. Boilers and gasholders were buffer users to so...A mathematical model was proposed to optimize byproduct gas system and reduce the total cost. The scope and boundaries of the system were also discussed at the same time. Boilers and gasholders were buffer users to solve the fluctuation of byproduct gases. The priority of gasholders should be ranked the last. The allocation of surplus ga- ses among gasholders and boilers was also discussed to make full use of gases and realize zero emission targets. Case study shows that the proposed model made good use of byproduct gases and at least 7.8 ~//00 operation cost was re- duced, compared with real data in iron and steel industry.展开更多
PiT2 is an inorganic phosphate(Pi)transporter whose mutations are linked to primary familial brain calcification(PFBC).PiT2 mainly consists of two ProDom(PD)domains and a large intracellular loop region(loop7).The PD ...PiT2 is an inorganic phosphate(Pi)transporter whose mutations are linked to primary familial brain calcification(PFBC).PiT2 mainly consists of two ProDom(PD)domains and a large intracellular loop region(loop7).The PD domains are crucial for the Pi transport,but the role of PiT2-loop7 remains unclear.In PFBC patients,mutations in PiT2-loop7 are mainly nonsense or frameshift mutations that probably cause PFBC due to C-PD1131 deletion.To date,six missense mutations have been identified in PiT2-loop7;however,the mechanisms by which these mutations cause PFBC are poorly understood.Here,we found that the p.T390A and p.S434W mutations in PiT2-loop7 decreased the Pi transport activity and cell surface levels of PiT2.Furthermore,we showed that these two mutations attenuated its membrane localization by affecting adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)-or protein kinase B(AKT)-mediated PiT2 phosphorylation.In contrast,the p.S121C and p.S601W mutations in the PD domains did not affect PiT2 phosphorylation but rather impaired its substrate-binding abilities.These results suggested that missense mutations in PiT2-loop7 can cause Pi dyshomeostasis by affecting the phosphorylation-regulated cell-surface localization of PiT2.This study helps understand the pathogenesis of PFBC caused by PiT2-loop7 missense mutations and indicates that increasing the phosphorylation levels of PiT2-loop7 could be a promising strategy for developing PFBC therapies.展开更多
Primary familial brain calcification(PFBC)is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder mainly characterized by progressive calcium deposition bilaterally in the brain,accompanied by various symptoms,such as dystonia,ata...Primary familial brain calcification(PFBC)is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder mainly characterized by progressive calcium deposition bilaterally in the brain,accompanied by various symptoms,such as dystonia,ataxia,parkinsonism,dementia,depression,headaches,and epilepsy.Currently,the etiology of PFBC is largely unknown,and no specific prevention or treatment is available.During the past 10 years,six causative genes(SLC20A2,PDGFRB,PDGFB,XPR1,MYORG,and JAM2)have been identified in PFBC.In this review,considering mechanistic studies of these genes at the cellular level and in animals,we summarize the pathogenesis and potential preventive and therapeutic strategies for PFBC patients.Our systematic analysis suggests a classification for PFBC genetic etiology based on several characteristics,provides a summary of the known composition of brain calcification,and identifies some potential therapeutic targets for PFBC.展开更多
Using genomic in situ hybridization with genomic DNA, high-order chromatin fibers were successfully exhibited under a light microscope through the cell cycle in barley, rice, maize and field bean. From the interphase ...Using genomic in situ hybridization with genomic DNA, high-order chromatin fibers were successfully exhibited under a light microscope through the cell cycle in barley, rice, maize and field bean. From the interphase to prophase and metaphase of mitosis, the fibers were basically similar. Each was estimated to be around 200 nm in diameter, but the strength of signals was not the same along the fiber length. Through the cell cycle a series of dynamic distribution changes occurred in the fibers. In the interphase, they were unraveled. At the early prophase they were arranged with parallel and mirror symmetry. During late-prophase and metaphase, the fibers were bundled and became different visible chromosomes. The parallel coiling and mirror symmetry structures were visible clearly until the metaphase. In anaphase they disappeared. During telophase, in peripheral regions of congregated chromosome group, borderlines of the chromosomes disappeared and the fibers were unraveled. This demonstrated that mitotic chromosomes are assembled and organized by parallel and adjacent coiling of the fibers and the fibers should be the highest order structure for DNA coiling.展开更多
基金Supported by Chinese Medical Association,No.17020450714Medical Science and Technology Development Foundation,Nanjing Department of Health,No.YKK18090.
文摘BACKGROUND Treatment of thin endometrium with granular leukocyte-colony stimulating factor(G-CSF)remains controversial.AIM To investigate the effect of G-CSF on the outcome of frozen embryo transfer in patients with thin endometrium.METHODS A retrospective propensity score matching(PSM)study was performed to assess patients administered frozen embryo transfer at the Reproductive Medicine Center of the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School,in 2012-2018.The patients were divided into G-CSF intrauterine perfusion(G-CSF)and non-G-CSF groups,and clinical pregnancy,implantation,ectopic pregnancy,and early abortion rates between the two groups were compared.RESULTS Before PSM,372 cycles were enrolled,including 242 and 130 cycles in the G-CSF and non-G-CSF groups,respectively.Age(34.23±5.76 vs 32.99±5.59 years;P=0.047)and the blastula/cleavage stage embryo ratio(0.68 vs 0.37;P=0.011)were significantly elevated in the G-CSF group compared with the non-G-CSF group;however,clinical pregnancy(46.28%vs 51.54%;P=0.371)and embryo implantation(35.21%vs 35.65%;P=0.910)rates were similar in both groups.After PSM by age and blastula/cleavage stage embryo ratio,244 cycles were included(122 cases each in the G-CSF and non-G-CSF groups).The clinical pregnancy(50.82%vs 48.36%;P=0.701)and embryo implantation(37.38%vs 34.11%;P=0.480)remained similar in both groups.CONCLUSION Intrauterine infusion of G-CSF does not improve the clinical outcome of frozen embryo transfer in patients with thin endometrium.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 62071312)the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFB3200100)+1 种基金the Important Research and Development Projects of Shanxi Province, China (Grant No. 201803D121083)the Fund from the Shanxi Scholarship Council, China (Grant No. 2020-135)。
文摘The applications of metasurfaces are currently a highly active research field due to their extraordinary ability to manipulate electromagnetic waves. The ultra-thin characteristics of metasurfaces allow the miniaturization and integration of metasurface devices. However, these devices work typically under a low efficiency and narrow bandwidth condition. In this work, we design eight multilayered unit cells with similar amplitudes and a phase interval of π/4, which convert the polarization states of the terahertz(THz) waves between two orthogonal directions. The average cross-polarized transmission amplitudes of these cells are all around 0.9 in an ultra-broad frequency range from 0.5 THz to 1.4 THz. Furthermore,unit cells are used to construct both an ultra-thin anomalous refraction metalens and a vortex phase plate. Our simulation results show that the anomalous refraction for the transmitted linear polarization component is comparable to the theoretical prediction, and the maximum error is determined to be below 4.8%. The vortex phase plate can also generate an ideal terahertz vortex beam with a mode purity of 90% and more. The distributions of longitudinal electric field, intensity, and phase illustrate that the generated vortex beam has excellent propagation characteristics and a weak divergence. Simulations of the two types of metasurface devices, based on the eight unit cells, exhibit very high efficiencies in a wide bandwidth. Our research will assist in the improvement in the practical applications of metasurfaces. It also provides a reference for the design of high efficiency and broadband devices that are applied to other frequency ranges.
基金Sponsored by Basic Research Development Program(Grant No.7131107)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51206101)
文摘In order to study the dynamic characteristics of the single-frequency signal through the nonlinear control system,the system control mode,the outer excitation patterns of the model and the amplitude are investigated by using the methods of the nonlinear dynamical analysis. The time-domain diagram,power spectrum,phase diagram and the largest Lyapunov exponent obtained from the process of the signal propagate through different control module are given. The researches on different control systems demonstrate that: after single-frequency signal goes through the nonlinear controller,it is still non-chaotic although the output contains more frequency components; but with the feedback and the external perturbation,the output is a continuous broadband spectrum and the result shows that there is chaos. The energy of the input signal reduces with some appropriate parameters. Therefore,the control system of the nonlinear feedback is a good way to broaden the spectrum of output with inputting a single-frequency signal.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82030040,82301897,and 82171653)the Natural Science Foundation of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,Nanjing University Medical School(2022-JCYJ-QP-54)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong(ZR202111300553 and ZR2022MH094).
文摘Objective:Placental dysfunction is a major contributor to miscarriages in humans.We observed elevated expression of Kruppel-like factor 12(KLF12)in placental villi of women who experienced miscarriage compared to that in women with healthy pregnancies.This study aimed to elucidate the role of KLF12 in maintaining a successful pregnancy.Methods:To investigate the role of KLF12 in placentation,we employed a model of forskolin-induced syncytialization in BeWo cells.Results:Our findings revealed that KLF12 expression is downregulated during normal syncytialization.Conversely,we observed that abnormally high KLF12 levels directly suppressed glial cells missing-1(GCM1)expression.This suppression of GCM1 expression subsequently impaired BeWo cell syncytialization.Furthermore,we observed placental deformities in KLF12-overexpressing mouse fetuses.Conclusion(s):This study demonstrated that elevated levels of KLF12 disrupt trophoblast syncytialization by downregulating GCM1 expression.These findings suggest that KLF12 may be a novel candidate gene contributing to unexplained miscarriages.
基金Item Sponsored by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China(N140203002)
文摘A mathematical model was proposed to optimize byproduct gas system and reduce the total cost. The scope and boundaries of the system were also discussed at the same time. Boilers and gasholders were buffer users to solve the fluctuation of byproduct gases. The priority of gasholders should be ranked the last. The allocation of surplus ga- ses among gasholders and boilers was also discussed to make full use of gases and realize zero emission targets. Case study shows that the proposed model made good use of byproduct gases and at least 7.8 ~//00 operation cost was re- duced, compared with real data in iron and steel industry.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31871262)a Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project(2018SHZDZX05).
文摘PiT2 is an inorganic phosphate(Pi)transporter whose mutations are linked to primary familial brain calcification(PFBC).PiT2 mainly consists of two ProDom(PD)domains and a large intracellular loop region(loop7).The PD domains are crucial for the Pi transport,but the role of PiT2-loop7 remains unclear.In PFBC patients,mutations in PiT2-loop7 are mainly nonsense or frameshift mutations that probably cause PFBC due to C-PD1131 deletion.To date,six missense mutations have been identified in PiT2-loop7;however,the mechanisms by which these mutations cause PFBC are poorly understood.Here,we found that the p.T390A and p.S434W mutations in PiT2-loop7 decreased the Pi transport activity and cell surface levels of PiT2.Furthermore,we showed that these two mutations attenuated its membrane localization by affecting adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)-or protein kinase B(AKT)-mediated PiT2 phosphorylation.In contrast,the p.S121C and p.S601W mutations in the PD domains did not affect PiT2 phosphorylation but rather impaired its substrate-binding abilities.These results suggested that missense mutations in PiT2-loop7 can cause Pi dyshomeostasis by affecting the phosphorylation-regulated cell-surface localization of PiT2.This study helps understand the pathogenesis of PFBC caused by PiT2-loop7 missense mutations and indicates that increasing the phosphorylation levels of PiT2-loop7 could be a promising strategy for developing PFBC therapies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31871262)the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project(2018SHZDZX05)the Innovation Incentive Foundation(Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Shanghai,China).
文摘Primary familial brain calcification(PFBC)is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder mainly characterized by progressive calcium deposition bilaterally in the brain,accompanied by various symptoms,such as dystonia,ataxia,parkinsonism,dementia,depression,headaches,and epilepsy.Currently,the etiology of PFBC is largely unknown,and no specific prevention or treatment is available.During the past 10 years,six causative genes(SLC20A2,PDGFRB,PDGFB,XPR1,MYORG,and JAM2)have been identified in PFBC.In this review,considering mechanistic studies of these genes at the cellular level and in animals,we summarize the pathogenesis and potential preventive and therapeutic strategies for PFBC patients.Our systematic analysis suggests a classification for PFBC genetic etiology based on several characteristics,provides a summary of the known composition of brain calcification,and identifies some potential therapeutic targets for PFBC.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(39870423 and 30670736)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2003034496).
文摘Using genomic in situ hybridization with genomic DNA, high-order chromatin fibers were successfully exhibited under a light microscope through the cell cycle in barley, rice, maize and field bean. From the interphase to prophase and metaphase of mitosis, the fibers were basically similar. Each was estimated to be around 200 nm in diameter, but the strength of signals was not the same along the fiber length. Through the cell cycle a series of dynamic distribution changes occurred in the fibers. In the interphase, they were unraveled. At the early prophase they were arranged with parallel and mirror symmetry. During late-prophase and metaphase, the fibers were bundled and became different visible chromosomes. The parallel coiling and mirror symmetry structures were visible clearly until the metaphase. In anaphase they disappeared. During telophase, in peripheral regions of congregated chromosome group, borderlines of the chromosomes disappeared and the fibers were unraveled. This demonstrated that mitotic chromosomes are assembled and organized by parallel and adjacent coiling of the fibers and the fibers should be the highest order structure for DNA coiling.