Pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy induces spermatogenesis in pituitary stalk interruption syndrome:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome(PSIS)is a rare anatomical defect of the pituitary gland falling under the spectrum of holoprosencephaly phenotypes.It is characterized by a deficiency in anterior pituitary hormones,such as growth hormone,gonadotropins,and thyroid hormones.Due to the syndrome's rarity and nonspecific manifestations,there is a lack of standardized treatment strategies.Consequently,early diagnosis through imaging and on-time intervention are crucial for improving patients’outcomes.CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old man presented with absent secondary sexual characteristics and azoospermia.Laboratory evaluation revealed a deficiency in gonadotropins,while thyroid function was mostly within normal ranges.Magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary gland showed pituitary stalk agenesis,hypoplasia of the anterior pituitary,and ectopic posterior pituitary,leading to the diagnosis of PSIS.Initially,the patient underwent 6 mo of gonadotropin therapy without significant changes in hormone levels and secondary sexual characteristics.Pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy was then administered,resulting in the detection of sperm in the semen analysis within 3 mo.After 6 mo,routine semen tests showed normal semen quality.The couple faced challenges in conceiving due to abstinence and underwent three cycles of artificial insemination,which was unsuccessful.They also attempted in vitro fertilization,but unfortunately,the woman experienced a miscarriage 10 wk after the embryo transfer.CONCLUSION Early detection,accurate diagnosis,and timely treatment are crucial in improving the quality of life and fertility of PSIS patients.

Rare uterine serosal pregnancy after in vitro fertilization in a woman with bilateral salpingectomy

Objective:To improve the understanding of ectopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy through case analysis and literature review.Method:A case of uterine serosal pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET)in a woman with bilateral salpingectomy was reported in detail and summarized,and relevant literatures searched in Pubmed were analyzed.Results:The patient had a sudden abdominal pain 18 days after transplantation.Ultrasound showed no pregnancy sac in the intrauterine cavity and bilateral adnexal areas,but there was a large amount of fluid in the Pouch of Douglas,which was an indication for surgical exploration.During the operation,the pregnancy tissue was found on the uterine serosal and cleared in time.And the patient recovered well after surgery.Review of the literatures showed that most of ectopic pregnancies after bilateral salpingectomy were treated surgically and had a good prognosis.Conclusion:Ectopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy is extremely rare and should be early judged by the patients’signs.Surgical treatment timely can achieve good outcome.

Accelerating leaching of copper ore with surfactant and the analysis of reaction kinetics

To solve the problem of low permeability and lower extraction rates of high-mud ores, a surfactant was added as a penetrant to the pregnant leaching solution during column leaching tests. On the basis of the theories of physical chemistry and seepage flow mechanics, the mechanism by which seepage is enhanced under the effects of the surfactant was analyzed. The results show that the action modes of the surfactant were divided into four aspects: changing the wettability of the ore, reducing the viscosity of the leaching solution, adsorbing onto the surface of ore, and enhancing the permeability effect. The findings of column leaching tests demonstrated that permeability was substantially improved by the surfactant. In the later period of leaching, the permeability coefficient was two times higher than that of the control group. Meanwhile, the ore extraction rate increased by approximately 10%. During the leaching process, the surface tension of the solution did not substantially change, and that of the solution with surfactant increased slightly. The kinetics analysis of ore column leaching illustrated that the leaching processes were controlled by both internal diffusion(principal factor) and chemical reaction.

Microplastic pollution in Yellow River,China:Current status and research progress of biotoxicological effects

This study aims to comprehensively assess the environmental risks of microplastics in the Yellow River,achieving the following results through comprehensive research.The average microplastic abundances in the river waters and sediments are 5358-654000 n/m3 and 43.57-615 items/kg,respectively,and there are fewer microplastics in water samples than in sediments.Microplastics in the study area can be divided into five types according to their occurrence morphologies,namely fragments,foams,films,fibers,and particles.The most widely distributed pollution types in sediments include debris,fibers,and particles.In contrast,fibers are the dominant type in water samples,accounting for 68.18%‒98.93%.The chemical components of the microplastics include polyethylene,polypropylene,polystyrene,polyethylene terephthalate,and polyvinyl chloride.The microplastics are in four colors,with white accounting for a higher proportion.The grain size of the microplastics in tributaries or lakes of the Yellow River is less than 2 mm,which makes them liable to enter organisms for enrichment.Furthermore,the sources of the microplastics are closely related to agricultural and industrial production and biological activities in habitats and exhibit seasonal and hydrological characteristics.The microplastics in the study area show the adsorption of metals and nonmetals to different degrees,which increases the pollution risks of heavy metals combined with microplastics.In addition,microplastics can accumulate in organisms in the Yellow River and cause physical,biochemical,and other damage to aquatic organisms,thus further posing carcinogenic risks to human beings.Therefore,it is necessary to study,monitor,and control the pollution and effects of microplastics in the Yellow River,in order to provide theoretical references for the control of pollution and ecological risk of microplastics in the river.

Evaluation of urban underground space resources using a negative list method: Taking Xi'an City as an example in China

Utilization of urban underground space has become a vital approach to alleviate the strain on urban land resources,and to optimize the structure and pattem of the city.It is also very important to improve the city environment,build livable city and increase the capacity of the city.Based on the analysis of existing evaluation methods and their problems,a method for evaluating underground space resources based on a negative list of adverse factors affecting underground space development is proposed,to be primarily used in urban planning stages.A list of the adverse factors is established,including limiting factors,constraining factors and influencing factors.Taking Xi'an as an example,using a geographical information system platform,a negative list of adverse factors for the underground space resources in Xi'an City are evaluated,and preventive measures are proposed.Natural resources,exploitable resources,and the potential growth of exploitable underground space resources are evaluated.Underground space assessment in the different development stages of the city,collaborative utilization and safety evaluation for multiple subsurface resources,environmental impact and assessment,as well as evaluation methods based on big data and intelligent optimization algorithms are all discussed with the aim of serving city planning and construction.

circEIF4G2靶向miR-144-3p促进结肠癌LoVo细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭

背景circRNA在结直肠癌中表达异常,并可通过充当miRNA海绵分子调节其靶基因表达,进而调节结直肠癌细胞生物学行为,但circEIF4G2/miR-144-3p在结直肠癌发生发展过程中的作用机制尚未明确.目的考察环状RNA(circRNA)circEIF4G2/miR-144-3p对结直肠癌LoVo细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭的影响.方法逆转录-定量聚合酶链反应检测结直肠癌组织中circEIF4G2、miR-144-3p的表达.结直肠癌LoVo细胞中转染si-NC、si-circEIF4G2、si-circEIF4G2+anti-miR-NC、si-circEIF4G2+anti-miR-144-3p,分别记为si-NC组、si-circEIF4G2组、si-circEIF4G2+anti-miR-NC组、si-circEIF4G2+anti-miR-144-3p组.利用双荧光素酶报告实验分析circEIF4G2与miR-144-3p之间的靶向结合.采用CCK-8法和克隆形成实验进行四组结直肠癌LoVo细胞的增殖抑制率、克隆形成情况测定,Transwell法检测细胞迁移、侵袭,并利用Western blotting检测上皮钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、神经钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)蛋白表达.结果51例结直肠癌组织中circEIF4G2表达量比癌旁组织增加约2.38倍,miR-144-3p表达量比癌旁组织减少约0.54倍(均P<0.05).circEIF4G2靶向、调控miR-144-3p的表达.结直肠癌LoVo细胞中成功转染后,si-circEIF4G2组结直肠癌LoVo细胞的增殖抑制率、E-cadherin蛋白表达量比si-NC组增加,克隆数、迁移、侵袭数和N-cadherin蛋白表达量却比si-NC组减少(均P<0.05).si-circEIF4G2+anti-miR-144-3p组结直肠癌LoVo细胞的增殖抑制率、E-cadherin蛋白表达量低于si-circEIF4G2+anti-miR-NC组,而克隆数、迁移、侵袭数和N-cadherin蛋白表达量高于si-circEIF4G2+anti-miR-NC组(均P<0.05).结论敲减circEIF4G2通过靶向结直肠癌LoVo细胞中miR-144-3p,抑制细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭.

The advantage of low-dose clomiphene citrate for overweight women with anovulation

Background:To investigate the potential advantage of using low-dose clomiphene citrate to promote ovulation in women with overweight or obesity.Methods:The patients with overweight were divided randomly into regular clomiphene citrate group(clomiphene citrate 50 mg/d,n=83)and low-dose clomiphene citrate group(clomiphene citrate 25 mg/d,n=105).All patients received treatment from the 5th day of their menstrual cycles.Results:Luteinizing hormone levels and estradiol levels were more increased in the low-dose group compared with the regular group(P<0.05).Low-dose group showed significantly thicker endometrium,fewer dosage and shorter days of human menopausal gonadotropin,less numbers of mature follicles and lower rates of cancellation(P<0.05)on human chorionic gonadotropin day.After human chorionic gonadotropin injection,the ovulation rate in the low-dose group was significantly higher than the regular group(P<0.05).No difference was detected in the biochemical pregnancy rates both groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The low-dose clomiphene citrate treatment significantly reduced the number of mature follicles and increased the thickness of endometrium on the human chorionic gonadotropin day with less side effects.The low-dose clomiphene citrate also achieved the better ovulation rate.

Serum β-hCG level on day 7 of frozen-thawed embryo transfer: association with the clinical pregnancy outcomes in artificial cycles

Objective:The relationship between serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin(β-hCG)levels of patients(7 days after the transplantation of frozen-thawed embryos)and the pregnancy outcomes was investigated.Methods:This study was designed as a retrospective clinical trial of 366 women who underwent frozen-thawed embryo transfers(FETs)in artificial cycles.Patients were divided into three groups:clinical pregnancy group,biochemical pregnancy group,and non-pregnant group according to their pregnancy outcomes.Serumβ-hCG levels were tested on day 4,7,9,11 and 14 after FET.Results:In the clinical pregnancy group,the serumβ-hCG levels after 7-day post-transplantation were significantly elevated(16.20 IU/L vs.3.07 vs.0.1 IU/L;P<0.05)compared with the other two groups.Furthermore,it was found that Area Under Curve(AUC=0.96)was significant with cut-off value higher than 4.26 IU/L(sensitivity=92.3%,specificity=90.2%)to predict the clinical pregnancy outcomes in the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis ofβ-hCG concentrations on day 7 of post-transplantation.Conclusion:Our results suggested that the elevated serumβ-hCG levels on day 7 of post-transplantation could predict the positive clinical pregnancy outcomes in artificial FET cycles.

D^(6h)Symmetric Radical Donor-Acceptor Nanographene Modulated Interfacial Carrier Transfer for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells

Imbalanced charge-carrier extraction remains an issue aggravating interfacial charge accumulation and recombination.More hopping transport channels could accelerate the extraction of charge.Here,we demonstrated an effective“bridging interface”strategy between the perovskite/2,2′,7,7′-tetrakis(N,N-di-pmethoxyphenylamine)-9,9′-spirobifluorene(spiro-OMeTAD)that modulates interfacial charge transfer and improves hole mobility using radical-containing donor-acceptor nanographenes(D-A NGs)possessing electron-deficient perchlorinated NGs and electron-rich aniline derivatives.The fully delocalized backbone of nanographene formed a conjugated bridge for intermolecular charge transfer and generated stable radical cations,verified by electron spin resonance.Lamellar andπ-πstacking orientation of D-A NGs also provided advantageous hopping transport channels.Besides favorable charge transfer within D-A NGs,systematic explorations indicated a strong interface coupling and noticeable charge transfer across the D-A NGs and perovskite interface,where electrons would flow from D-A NGs to perovskite,and holes would flow from perovskite to D-A NGs.Moreover,the hole mobility of spiro-OMeTAD was also enhanced because the D-A NGs would diffuse into the spiro-OMeTAD layer.As a result,planar n-i-p perovskite solar cellsmodified byD-ANG-OMe/D-ANG-tBudeliveredchampion power conversion efficiencies(PCEs)of 23.25%and 23.51%,respectively.

A new carbon phase with direct bandgap and high carrier mobility as electron transport material for perovskite solar cells

Rapid development of perovskite solar cells is challenged by the fact that current semiconductors hardly act as efficient electron transport materials that can feature both high electron mobility and a well-matched energy level to that of the perovskite.Here we show that T-carbon,a newly emerging carbon allotrope,could be an ideal candidate to meet this challenge.By using first-principles calculations and deformation potential theory,it is found that T-carbon is a semiconductor with a direct bandgap of 2.273 eV,and the energy level in the conduction band is lower than that of perovskite by 0.5 eV,showing a larger force of electron injection.Moreover,the calculated electron mobility can reach up to 2.36×10^(3) cm^(2) s^(–1) V^(–1),superior to conventional electron transport materials such as TiO2,ZnO and SnO2,which will facilitate more efficient electron separation and more rapid diffusion away from their locus of generation within the perovskite absorbers.Furthermore,the bandgap of T-carbon is highly sensitive to strain,thus providing a convenient method to tune the carrier transport capability.Overall,T-carbon satisfies the requirements for a potential efficient electron transport material and could therefore be capable of accelerating the development of perovskite solar cells.

一个结构性软土参数的确定方法（英文）

目的:软土流变和结构破坏的相互耦合导致结构性软土的参数难以准确得到。本文拟建立一个有效的参数确定方法,期望仅基于常规的室内试验得到可靠的、合理的本构参数。创新点:1.通过采用优化方法来实现结构性软土参数的确定;2.仅基于常规的室内试验得到本构参数;3.采用最近提出的考虑各向异性、流变和结构破坏的超应力本构模型。方法:1.建立数值模拟和试验数据之间的误差计算公式;2.通过流变本构模拟室内常规试验,并计算模拟误差;3.采用下山单纯形法(simplex)优化方法,寻找模拟误差的最小值;此最小值对应的这组模拟参数即为土体的最优参数;4.利用最优参数模拟其他类型的试验,验证参数的合理性和可靠性。结论:本文提出的优化程序可以有效的找到结构性土体的流变和结构破坏参数,并且找到的参数非常的合理。