Jianpi Antai formula prevents miscarriage by repressing M1 polarization of decidual macrophages through ubiquitination of NLRP3 mediated by MARCH7

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jianpi Antai Formula (JAF) is an ancient formula from He's gynecology, which has been used clinically for more than 30 years and has significant therapeutic effects on spontaneous abortion (SA). Both macrophage polarization and NLRP3 inflammasome correlate with the occurrence of SA in women with recurrent or threatened miscarriage. Whether JAF prevent SA via mediating activation of decidual macrophage (dMφ) and ubiquitination-associated degradation of NLRP3 remains uncertain.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to clarify the effects of JAF on pregnancy outcomes and dMφ polarization at the maternal-fetal interface in an SA mouse model, and use in vivo and invitro methods to explore whether JAF can inhibit M1 polarization of dMφ by up-regulating MARCH7-mediated NLRP3 ubiquitination, thereby preventing SA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The CBA/J × DBA/2 mating method was used to establish an SA model and the dMφs of SA mice were isolated and cultured. Th1-, Th2-, Th17- and Treg-related cytokine levels were evaluated using ELISA. qRT-PCR was used to detect the levels of M1/M2 macrophage-related cytokine mRNA in the decidua, and western blotting was used to detect the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins in the decidua and placenta. The expression of M1/M2 markers of dMφ was detected using flow cytometry, ASC speck formation was observed using immunofluorescence, and the ubiquitination level of MARCH7-NLRP3 was detected using co-immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

JAF increased the survival rate of fetuses and the levels of estradiol and progesterone in SA model mice. It also reduced the serum Th1 and Th17-associated cytokine levels and decidual M1 macrophage-associated cytokine levels, while elevating the M2 macrophages in SA mice. NLRP3, caspase-1, ASC, and IL-1β protein expression in the decidua and placenta were also reduced. si-MARCH7 transfection reversed the effect of JAF on inhibiting the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the activation of macrophages in dMφs of SA mice.

CONCLUSION

JAF could effectively prevent and treat SA by repressing M1 polarization of dMφs through NLRP3 ubiquitination and pyroptosis inhibition, which were mediated by MARCH7.

A case-control retrospective study for the effect of Shoutai Wan on IVF-ET pregnancy outcome

It has a long history of preventing and treating disease using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In recent years, it has been widely used in adjuvant therapies of in vitro fertilization - embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in China. To observe the effect and safety of Shoutai Wan on pregnancy outcomes after IVF-ET. A total of 352 patients who underwent IVF-ET from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The participants who only received routine luteal support during clinical pregnancy of FET were defined as the control group, and others who received TCM decoction Shoutai Wan for prevention of miscarriage and routine luteal support were defined as the Chinese medicine protection Shoutai Wan group (St group). This project has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Approval NO: 2023-0305). The results of this retrospective cohort study revealed that Shoutaiwan combined with luteal support treatment can significantly decreased the miscarriage rate in pregnancy undergoing IVF-FET compared to the group accepted only luteal support treatment (P = .001). Meanwhile, St during pregnancy did not affect fetal birth weight (P = .354), and there was no adverse event in the St group reported, which confirmed the safety of TCM for fetus protection during pregnancy. This study not only provides evidences for the clinical administration of Shoutai Wan in IVF-ET, but also provides a novel direction for basic research into the subsequent innovative application of TCM.

Comparative efficacy of nine exercise methods on the prognosis in chronic kidney disease patients with hemodialysis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several kinds of physical activities have been applied to improve the prognosis of patients with hemodialysis (HD). However, the comparative efficacy of physical activities on the outcomes in HD patients is still unknown. This study explored the effectiveness and safety of all exercise types in HD patients.

METHODS

We searched randomized clinical trials from the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Physical exercises interventions included resistance exercise (RE), aerobic exercise (AE), electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), range of motion (ROM), resistance exercise + aerobic exercise (RE + AE), stretching exercise (STE), respiratory muscle training (RMT), peripheral muscle training (PMT), walking exercise (WE), or usual care/sham exercise (UC/SE). Primary outcomes were six-minute walk test (6-mwt) and quality of life (QOL). Secondary outcomes were Kt/V, VO2max, hemoglobin (Hb), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (sbp and dbp). Frequentist network meta-analysis with multivariate random effects models provided mean with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

RESULTS

A total of 58 eligible studies were included. AE, RMT, and RE + AE significantly improved 6-mwt compared with UC/SE. SE was the worst intervention and reduced QOL much more than the UC/SE and other exercise types. AE and RE + AE were associated with higher VO2max, while ROM and RE + AE induced higher Hb levels. All physical activities did not elevate blood pressure, CRP and IL-6. Only ROM decreased sbp/dbp. CRP is significantly lower in RE.

CONCLUSION

Physical activities play a crucial role in the different outcomes of HD patients. They can be applied to specific area for their specific efficacy.

Effect of the ketogenic diet on gut microbiome composition and metabolomics in polycystic ovarian syndrome rats induced by letrozole and a high-fat diet

OBJECTIVES

The ketogenic diet (KD) is recommended to improve polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); however, its mechanisms of action are unclear. We aimed to study the effects and mechanisms of action of the KD on the gut microbiome and metabolites in PCOS rats and determine whether the sex hormone regulatory effects are related to modulations of the gut microbiota and metabolites.

METHODS

PCOS was induced with a high-fat diet and letrozole in the rats. A KD was fed to rats for 8 wk, serum samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and the rats' fecal samples were subjected to 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis.

RESULTS

Feeding with a KD for 8 wk suppressed body weight gain, decreased luteinizing hormone and androgen levels, and improved insulin levels. Furthermore, the KD reversed the dysregulation of the gut microbiota in PCOS rats by adjusting the ratio of firmicutes and bacteroidetes. Also, the KD was involved in hormonal metabolic pathways by reducing the levels of some metabolites (such as testosterone and 7α-hydroxytestosterone) that are closely related to gut microbes.

CONCLUSIONS

The KD improved the clinical phenotype and insulin resistance in PCOS rats and altered the composition of the gut microbiome and metabolites, which were associated with androgen metabolism, representing a potential mechanism for mediating the effects of the KD on sex hormone metabolism in PCOS. However, our study found contradictory effects of KD on the gut microbiome in PCOS, which need further research.

Inflammasomes in human reproductive diseases

Inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes localized within immune and non-immune cells that induce caspase activation, proinflammatory cytokine secretion, and ultimately pyroptosis-a type of cell death. Inflammasomes are involved in a variety of human diseases, especially acute or chronic inflammatory diseases. In this review, we focused on the strong correlation between the NLRP3 inflammasome and various reproductive diseases, including ovarian aging or premature ovarian insufficiency, PCOS, endometriosis, recurrent spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, pre-eclampsia, and male subfertility, as well as the multifaceted role of NLRP3 in the pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases. In addition, we provide an overview of the structure and amplification of inflammasomes. This comprehensive review demonstrates the vital role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human reproductive diseases together with the underlying mechanisms, offers new insights for mechanistic studies of reproduction, and provides promising possibilities for the development of drugs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome for the treatment of reproductive disorders in the future.

Investigation of the Mechanisms and Experimental Verification of Yulin Formula in the Treatment of Diminished Ovarian Reserve via Network Pharmacology

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine, using network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation, the pharmacological processes by which Yulin Formula (YLF) reduces cyclophosphamide-induced diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

Methods

First, information about the active components, associated targets, and related genes of YLF and DOR was gathered from open-access databases. The primary targets and pathways of YLF to reduce DOR were predicted using studies of functional enrichment from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks. Second, we built a cyclophosphamide-induced diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) rat model to verify the primary target proteins implicated in the predicted signaling pathway to explore the mechanism of improve ovarian function of YLF.

Results

98 targets met the targets of the 82 active ingredients in YLF and DOR after searching the intersection of the active ingredient targets and DOR targets. Fourteen targets, including AKT and Caspase-3 among others, were hub targets, according to the PPI network study. The PI3K/AKT pathway was revealed to be enriched by numerous targets by the GO and KEGG enrichment studies, and it was used as a target for in vivo validation. Animal studies showed that YLF administration not only reduced the number of atretic follicles, the proportion of TUNEL-positive ovarian cells, the rate of apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs) and the proportion of abnormal mitochondria in DOR rats, but also reversed the high expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, BAX, cytochrome C, PI3K and P-AKT, improving the ovarian reserve in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced DOR rats.

Conclusion

Our research results predicted the active ingredients and potential targets of YLF-interfering DOR by an integrated network pharmacology approach, and experimentally validated some key target proteins participated in the predicted signaling pathway. A more comprehensive understanding of the pharmacological mechanism of YLF for DOR treatment was obtained.

Investigation of He's Yang Chao recipe against oxidative stress-related mitophagy and pyroptosis to improve ovarian function

BACKGROUND

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common gynecological disease with serious ramifications including low pregnancy rate and low estrogen symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine is regarded as an effective treatment for POI. However, the therapeutic mechanism of it is unclear.

METHODS

In this study, a mouse model of primary ovarian insufficiency was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX) and He's Yang Chao Recipe (HSYC) concentrate was used for intragastric administration. Serum hormone levels (Anti-Müllerian Hormone, Estradiol, Progesterone, Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and Oxidative Stress (OS) related products, superoxide dismutase (SOD), GSH-Px, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes in ovarian tissue were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and flow cytometry was used to determine reactive oxygen species content and mitochondrial membrane potential levels in granulosa cells. Mitochondrial distribution and morphology were investigated using immunofluorescence staining. The level of mitophagy was evaluated by LC3 immunofluorescence staining and autophagosome counts using electron microscopy. Western blotting and qPCR were used to detect the expression of proteins and genes related to mitophagy and the NLRP3 inflammasome.

RESULTS

After HSYC treatment, the ovarian damage was milder than in the CTX group. Compared with the CTX group; SOD, GSH-Px, and the total antioxidant capacity were significantly increased, while MDA and ROS were decreased in the HSYC treatment groups. Furthermore, mitochondrial distribution and membrane potential levels were improved after HSYC treatment compared to the CTX group. After the HSYC treatment, the LC3 fluorescent intensity and autophagosome counts were decreased. Similarly, mitophagy related markers PINK1, Parkin, LC3, and Beclin1 were decreased, while p62 was significantly increased, compared with the CTX groups. The mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-18, and IL-1β were significantly decreased in the HSYC treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study in molecular mechanisms underlying HSYC against granulosa cell injury in POI. HSYC protects ovaries from CTX-induced ovarian damage and oxidative stress. HSYC enhanced ovarian function in mice with primary ovarian insufficiency by inhibiting PINK1-Parkin mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Programmed Death of Microglia in Alzheimer's Disease: Autophagy, Ferroptosis, and Pyroptosis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of hyperphosphorylated tau. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that the damage of cell plays an important role in AD. Cell death is a critical phenomenon for physiological functions, which promotes AD pathogenesis. Programmed cell death, including necroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis, have been discovered that have unique biological functions and pathophysiological characteristics. Here, we review the available evidence detailing the mechanisms of programmed microglial death, including pyroptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. We also highlight the role of programmed death of microglia during the process of AD and focus on the connection between the disease and cell death.

Quercetin alleviates cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian insufficiency in mice by reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress and pyroptosis in granulosa cells

BACKGROUND

Exposure to cyclophosphamide (CTX) induces premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Quercetin is a natural flavonoid that exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and its antioxidant activity is correlated with POI. However, the mechanism underlying its protective role in CTX-induced ovarian dysfunction is unclear. This study aimed to explore whether quercetin can protect ovarian reserves by activating mitochondrial biogenesis and inhibiting pyroptosis.

METHODS

Thirty-six female C57BL/6 mice were randomly subdivided into six groups. Except for the control group, all groups were injected with 90 mg/kg CTX to establish a POI model and further treated with coenzyme 10 or various doses of quercetin. The mice were sacrificed 48 h after 10 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin was injected four weeks after treatments. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to detect serum hormone expression and light and transmission electron microscopy to assess ovarian tissue morphology and mitochondria. Additionally, we tested oxidant and antioxidant levels in ovarian tissues and mitochondrial function in granulosa cells (GCs). The expression of mitochondrial biogenesis and pyroptosis-related proteins and mRNA was analyzed using western blotting and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

Quercetin elevated serum anti-Müllerian hormone, estradiol, and progesterone levels, decreased serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels, and alleviated ovarian pathology. It reduced the mitochondrial DNA content and mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, it upregulated ATP levels and the mRNA and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α), mitochondrial transcription factor A, and superoxide dismutase 2. In addition, it suppressed NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3, caspase-1, interleukin-1β, and gasdermin D levels in the GCs of POI mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Quercetin protected the ovarian reserve from CTX-induced ovarian damage by reversing mitochondrial dysfunction and activating mitochondrial biogenesis via the PGC1-α pathway. Moreover, quercetin may improve ovarian functions by downregulating pyroptosis in the CTX-induced POI model. Thus, quercetin can be considered a potential agent for treating POI.

Antioxidant supplements relieve insulin resistance but do not improve lipid metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Objective: The effect of antioxidant supplements on glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether antioxidant supplements improve glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in women with PCOS to provide optimal nutritional supplement advice in clinical practice. Methods: The search was conducted across multiple medical databases from inception to January 1, 2022 and performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A random effects model was used to calculate the overall effects. Results: Eighteen trials (1113 participants) were included. Antioxidant supplements significantly improved insulin resistance (95% CI, -0.62, -0.30; p < 0.00001; I² =48%), fasting insulin (95% CI, -0.80, -0.44; p < 0.00001; I² = 48%), and fasting plasma glucose (95% CI, -0.54, -0.21; p < 0.00001; I² = 38%) in patients with PCOS. However, antioxidant supplements were found to not improve most indices of lipid profiles in PCOS except triglyceride. Conclusions: Antioxidant supplements are an effective intervention for relieving insulin resistance but do not significantly improve lipid metabolism in women with PCOS.

Role of m5 C RNA methylation regulators in colorectal cancer prognosis and immune microenvironment

Background

RNA modification has become one of the hot topics of research as it can be used for tumor prognosis. However, its role in various biological processes is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of m⁵C and m¹A regulators on colorectal cancer prognosis using bioinformatics tools. The association between these regulators and differences in patient survival as well as the clinicopathological characteristics and tumor immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer tissues were assessed.

Methods

We selected publicly available colorectal cancer data sets from The Cancer Genome Atlas and used the “limma” package in R to identify differentially expressed genes. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model was used to calculate the prognostic risk, and a risk prediction model was constructed, to help assess the prognostic values of the differentially expressed genes. Finally, using TISCH and TIMER, we assessed the extent of cellular infiltration in colorectal cancer.

Results

We explored NSUN6 and DNMT3A expression using UALCAN and HPA and found that their expression is significantly increased in colorectal cancer tissues and correlated with sex and TP53 mutation status. Moreover, we found NSUN6 and DNMT3A were related to the infiltration of six major immune cells, with DNMT3A being closely related to dendritic cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and B cells, whereas NSUN6 to B cells and CD8⁺ T cells.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that m⁵C regulators can predict the clinical prognostic risk and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer.

Identification of an eight-m6A RNA methylation regulator prognostic signature of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma based on bioinformatics analysis

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is proved to play a significant role in human cancers. This study aimed to explore the association between m6A ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation regulators and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC), and build a prognostic signature of m6A regulators for UCEC.RNA-seq transcriptome data and clinicopathological data of UCEC were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. We compared the expression of 23 m6A-regulators in tumor tissues and nontumor tissues. Then we classified the data into 3 clusters by consensus clustering analysis. Several regulators were picked out as the prognostic signature of patients with UCEC based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis. Additionally, we established a predictive nomogram to calculate survival times. Finally, we used receiver operating characteristic curve, univariate Cox regression analysis, and multivariate Cox regression analysis to further verify the prognostic value of the risk signature consisting of m6A regulators.The expression of 18/23 m6A regulators was significantly different in UCEC compared with normal samples. Gene ontology functional analysis of these regulators revealed that they were mainly participated in RNA splicing, stabilization, modification, and degradation. LRPPRC, IGFBP2, KIAA1429, IGFBP3, FMR1, YTHDF1, METTL14, and YTHDF2 were selected to construct the risk signature and predictive nomogram. The results of receiver operating characteristic curve, univariate Cox regression analysis, and multivariate Cox regression analysis for the risk signature showed a good predictive performance for UCEC.The risk signature of 8-m6A regulators has potential prognostic value for patients with UCEC.

Effects of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis

Objective

This meta-analysis evaluated the effect of probiotics and synbiotics on insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

A systematic search was performed to identify all relevant publications listed on the electronic databases (PubMed®, Web of Science, Embase® and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) between inception and 30 October 2020. All statistical analyses were performed on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using RevMan version 5.3 software provided by the Cochrane Collaboration.

Results

A total of 486 patients from seven RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Probiotic and synbiotic supplementation appeared to improve levels of homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (mean difference = –0.37; 95% confidence interval –0.69, –0.05) and serum insulin (standardized mean difference = –0.66; 95% confidence interval –1.19, –0.12). The results failed to show any influence of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and fasting blood sugar.

Conclusions

Probiotics and synbiotics appear to have a partially beneficial effect on indices of insulin resistance in patients with PCOS.

Organic zinc supplementation in early-lactation dairy cows and its effects on zinc content and distribution in milk and cheese

This study investigated the effects of organic zinc (Zn) supplementation in early-lactation dairy cows on Zn content and distribution in raw milk and mozzarella cheese. Thirty-four multiparous dairy cows in early lactation were randomly assigned to 2 groups: basal diet (control; CON) and basal diet supplemented with a Zn AA complex (CZ). After feeding the diets for 8 wk, raw milk was collected for manufacturing mozzarella cheese. Total Zn content and Zn distribution in raw milk and cheese were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results showed that milk fat content was significantly increased in the CZ group compared with the CON group. No significant differences in fat, protein, and moisture contents of cheese were observed between the 2 groups. Zinc contents in milk (4.25 vs. 3.85 mg/L) and cheese (38.65 vs. 27.20 mg/kg) were significantly higher in the CZ group than in the CON group. Little Zn was lost in stretch water (<0.04 mg/L) and brine (<0.01 mg/L) during the cheese-making process. Most of the Zn was detected in casein (87.3% vs. 88.4%) of the raw milk, and then in the whey (10.6% vs. 9.88%) and fat (2.07% vs. 1.77%). Organic Zn supplementation in early-lactation cows increased Zn content in raw milk and mozzarella cheese, and Zn remained stable during cheese making.

Cold scissors versus electrosurgery for hysteroscopic adhesiolysis: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Intrauterine adhesion seriously affects reproductive health in women. Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis using cold scissors or electrosurgery is the main treatment, although there is no consensus on the preferable method. This review aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of these methods for treating moderate to severe intrauterine adhesion.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched on April 30, 2020. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies that were published in all languages (must contain English abstracts) and compared hysteroscopic cold scissors with electrosurgery for the treatment of intrauterine adhesion were included. Mean differences, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool for randomized controlled trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Data were analyzed using RevMan software (Review Manager version 5.3, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014). Two researchers independently extracted data and assessed the quality of the included studies. If a consensus was not reached, a third researcher was consulted.

RESULTS

Nine studies (n = 761; 6 randomized controlled trials and 3 retrospective studies) were included. The intrauterine adhesion recurrence rate with second look hysteroscopy was significantly lower (odds ratio = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.16-0.56; P = .0002) with hysteroscopic cold scissors than with electrosurgery. The total operation time was significantly shorter (mean difference = -7.78, 95% confidence interval = -8.50 to -7.07; P < .00001), intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower (mean difference = -9.88, 95% CI = -11.25 to -8.51; P < .00001), and the menstrual flow rate was significantly higher (odds ratio = 4.36, 95% confidence interval = 2.56-7.43; P < .00001) with hysteroscopic cold scissors than with electrosurgery. There were no significant differences in the pregnancy rate. One complication (1 perforation case, hysteroscopic cold scissors group) was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Hysteroscopic cold scissors is more efficient in preventing intrauterine adhesion recurrence, increasing the menstrual flow, reducing intraoperative blood loss, and shortening the operation time.

The Role of Oxidative Stress and Natural Antioxidants in Ovarian Aging

The ovarian system comprises vital organs in females and is of great significance for the maintenance of reproductive potential and endocrine stability. Although complex pathogenesis undoubtedly contributes to ovarian aging, increasing attention is being paid to the extensive influence of oxidative stress. However, the role of oxidative stress in ovarian aging is yet to be fully elucidated. Exploring oxidative stress-related processes might be a promising strategy against ovarian aging. In this review, compelling evidence is shown that oxidative stress plays a role in the etiology of ovarian aging and promotes the development of other ovarian aging-related etiologies, including telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and inflammation. In addition, some natural antioxidants such as quercetin, resveratrol, and curcumin have a protective role in the ovaries through multiple mechanisms. These findings raise the prospect of oxidative stress modulator-natural antioxidants as therapeutic interventions for delaying ovarian aging.

Melatonin: Multi-Target Mechanism Against Diminished Ovarian Reserve Based on Network Pharmacology

BACKGROUND

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) significantly increases the risk of female infertility and contributes to reproductive technology failure. Recently, the role of melatonin in improving ovarian reserve (OR) has attracted widespread attention. However, details on the pharmacological targets and mechanisms of melatonin-improved OR remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

A systems pharmacology strategy was proposed to elucidate the potential therapeutic mechanism of melatonin on DOR at the molecular, pathway, and network levels.

METHODS

The systems pharmacological approach consisted of target identification, data integration, network construction, bioinformatics analysis, and molecular docking.

RESULTS

From the molecular perspective, 26 potential therapeutic targets were identified. They participate in biological processes related to DOR development, such as reproductive structure development, epithelial cell proliferation, extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway, PI3K signaling, among others. Eight hub targets (MAPK1, AKT1, EGFR, HRAS, SRC, ESR1, AR, and ALB) were identified. From the pathway level, 17 significant pathways, including the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the estrogen signaling pathway, were identified. In addition, the 17 signaling pathways interacted with the 26 potential therapeutic targets to form 4 functional modules. From the network point of view, by regulating five target subnetworks (aging, cell growth and death, development and regeneration, endocrine and immune systems), melatonin could exhibit anti-aging, anti-apoptosis, endocrine, and immune system regulation effects. The molecular docking results showed that melatonin bound well to all hub targets.

CONCLUSION

This study systematically and intuitively illustrated the possible pharmacological mechanisms of OR improvement by melatonin through anti-aging, anti-apoptosis, endocrine, and immune system regulation effects.

Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Risk in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Insights From the DCCT/EDIC Study

Background

Hyperglycemia leading to increased oxidative stress is implicated in the increased risk for the development of macrovascular and microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results

A random subcohort of 349 participants was selected from the DCCT / EDIC (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications) cohort. This included 320 controls and 29 cardiovascular disease cases that were augmented with 98 additional known cases to yield a case cohort of 447 participants (320 controls, 127 cases). Biosamples from DCCT baseline, year 1, and closeout of DCCT , and 1 to 2 years post‐ DCCT ( EDIC years 1 and 2) were measured for markers of oxidative stress, including plasma myeloperoxidase, paraoxonase activity, urinary F 2α isoprostanes, and its metabolite, 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α . Following adjustment for glycated hemoblobin and weighting the observations inversely proportional to the sampling selection probabilities, higher paraoxonase activity, reflective of antioxidant activity, and 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α , an oxidative marker, were significantly associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (−4.5% risk for 10% higher paraoxonase, P <0.003; −5.3% risk for 10% higher 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α , P =0.0092). In contrast, the oxidative markers myeloperoxidase and F 2α isoprostanes were not significantly associated with cardiovascular disease after adjustment for glycated hemoblobin. There were no significant differences between DCCT intensive and conventional treatment groups in the change in all biomarkers across time segments.

Conclusions

Heightened antioxidant activity (rather than diminished oxidative stress markers) is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk in type 1 diabetes mellitus, but these biomarkers did not change over time with intensification of glycemic control.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL : https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifiers: NCT 00360815 and NCT 00360893.

Correlation analysis of ankle-brachial index and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity with cardiac structures and functions in patients with essential hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation of ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with cardiac structures and functions changes in patients with essential hypertension (EH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 202 patients with hypertension meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited in our hospital from June 2016 to August 2017. They were divided into 4 groups: the low ABI value group, the normal ABI value group, the increased baPWV value group and the normal baPWV group. Clinical data were collected, including medical histories and received physical examinations, blood pressure measurement, biochemical tests and other examinations through the automatic atherosclerosis tester (VP-l00) and echocardiography.

RESULTS

Interventricular septal thickness (IVST) of the low ABI value group was significantly larger than that of the normal ABI value group (p<0.05). Compared with those of the normal ABI value group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the ratio of peak velocity flow in the E wave to peak velocity flow in the A wave (E/A) of the low ABI value group were significantly decreased (p<0.05). Left atrium diameter (LAD) and IVST of the increased baPWV group were significantly greater than those of the normal baPWV group (p<0.05), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of the former was smaller than that of the latter (p<0.05). Correlation analyses showed that ABI was negatively correlated with IVST (r=-0.713, p<0.05) but positively correlated with LVEF and E/A (r=0.685 and 0.572, respectively, p<0.05); baPWV was positively related to LAD and LVST (r=0.413 and 0.527, respectively, p<0.05) but negatively related to LVEF (r=-0.546, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ABI and baPWV are significantly associated with changes in cardiac structures and functions in patients with EH, which provide a basis for early intervention in clinical.

Raf-kinase inhibitor protein attenuates microglia inflammation in an in vitro model of intracerebral hemorrhage

Microglia mediated neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), a member of the phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family, is a negative regulator of inflammatory responses. However, the expression and anti-inflammatory effects of RKIP in microglia after ICH have not been reported. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated the effects of RKIP on inflammatory responses in erythrocyte lysate-treated BV2 microglia. Furthermore, we analyzed the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of RKIP in microglia. Our results showed that the expression level of RKIP was significantly decreased by erythrocyte lysate treatment in BV2 microglia. Overexpression of RKIP inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory molecules. In addition, overexpression of RKIP attenuated neuronal cell death induced by activated microglia. Moreover, RKIP suppressed the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway in erythrocyte lysis-treated BV2 cells. In conclusion, these data suggest that overexpression of RKIP attenuated microglia inflammation through inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway in erythrocyte lysis-treated BV2 cells. The present study provides evidence that RKIP may be used as an effective molecular target for the treatment of ICH.

Hypoxia decreased chemosensitivity of breast cancer cell line MCF-7 to paclitaxel through cyclin B1

Hypoxia, frequently found in the center of solid tumors, may lead to enhance the production of key factor in cell survival, invasion, angiogenesis and loss of apoptosis. The low oxygen tension in hypoxic tumors is also known to interfere with the efficacy of chemotherapy, but the underlying mechanisms are not very clear. Paclitaxel (PTX) is an active agent used in breast cancer chemotherapy, which disturbs microtubule dynamics and impairs the transition of cells from metaphase to anaphase in mitosis, leading to cell death by apoptosis. In the present study, we try to determine whether hypoxia can decrease the chemosensitivity of human breast carcinoma cells to PTX and elucidate the underlying mechanism. We found that hypoxia could decrease PTX-induced cell death and G(2)/M arrest. Furthermore, our results showed that hypoxia inhibit PTX-induced soluble tubulin polymerized. In addition, we also found hypoxia could suppress PTX-induced cell cycle protein-cyclin B1 expression in MCF-7 cells. To further investigate whether the inhibitory effect of hypoxia on PTX-induced cell death is mediated by decreasing levels of cyclin B1, cyclin B1-transfected MCF-7 cells were used under hypoxic condition. The data showed that the hypoxia-based decreasing chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells to PTX was reversed by cyclin B1. We also found that overexpression of cyclin B1 could significantly increase the sensitivity of MCF-7 cells to PTX by stimulating soluble polymerized tubulin. Overall, hypoxia decreases cyclin B1, which could in turn reverse hypoxia-induced decreasing chemosensitivity to PTX in breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

Efficient differentiation of insulin-producing cells from skin-derived stem cells

OBJECTIVES

Type 1 diabetes mellitus, characterized by loss of pancreatic beta-cells, can be ameliorated by islet transplantation, but this treatment is restricted by the scarcity of islet tissue and by allograft rejection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We isolated and characterized skin-derived precursors (SKPs)--an abundant source of autologous cells--and developed an experimental strategy to convert them into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro within a short period of time, through extracellular factor modification and analyses of IPCs by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

SKPs could self-assemble to form three-dimensional islet cell-like clusters (dithizone-positive) and co-express insulin and C-peptide. In addition, they expressed multiple genes related to pancreatic beta-cell development and function (e.g. insulin 1, insulin 2, islet-1, Pdx-1, NeuroD/beta2, glut-2 and Nkx6.1), but not other pancreas-specific hormones and enzymes (e.g. glucagon, somatostatin and amylase). Moreover, when stimulated with glucose, these cells synthesized and secreted insulin in a glucose-regulated manner.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study indicate that SKPs can differentiate into functional IPCs and can provide an abundant source of autologous cells for transplantation. This study also provides strategies to derive autologous islet-replacement tissues from human skin stem cells.

Measurement of dijet azimuthal decorrelations at central rapidities in pp collisions at sqrt s =1.96 TeV

Correlations in the azimuthal angle between the two largest transverse momentum jets have been measured using the D0 detector in p (-)p collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV. The analysis is based on an inclusive dijet event sample in the central rapidity region corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 150 pb(-1). Azimuthal correlations are stronger at larger transverse momenta. These are well described in perturbative QCD at next-to-leading order in the strong coupling constant, except at large azimuthal differences where contributions with low transverse momentum are significant.

Search for supersymmetry with gauge-mediated breaking in diphoton events at D0

We report the results of a search for supersymmetry (SUSY) with gauge-mediated breaking in the missing transverse energy distribution of inclusive diphoton events using 263 pb(-1) of data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider in 2002-2004. No excess is observed above the background expected from standard model processes, and lower limits on the masses of the lightest neutralino and chargino of about 108 and 195 GeV, respectively, are set at the 95% confidence level. These are the most stringent limits to date for models with gauge-mediated SUSY breaking with a short-lived neutralino as the next-to-lightest SUSY particle.

Measurement of the B0s lifetime in the exclusive decay channel B0s-->J/psiphi

Using the exclusive decay B0s-->J/psi(mu+mu-)phi(K+K-), we report the most precise single measurement of the B0s lifetime. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of approximately 220 pb(-1) collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider in 2002-2004. We reconstruct 337 signal candidates, from which we extract the B0s lifetime, tau(B0s)=1.444(+0.098)(-0.090)(stat)+/-0.020(sys) ps. We also report a measurement for the lifetime of the B0 meson using the exclusive decay B0-->J/psi(mu+mu-)K*0(892)(K+pi-). We reconstruct 1370 signal candidates, obtaining tau(B0)=1.473(+0.052)(-0.050)(stat)+/-0.023(sys) ps, and the ratio of lifetimes, tau(B0s)/tau(B0)=0.980(+0.076)(-0.071)(stat)+/-0.003(sys).

Observation and properties of the X(3872) decaying to J/psipi(+)pi(-) in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

We report the observation of the X(3872) in the J/psipi(+)pi(-) channel, with J/psi decaying to mu(+)mu(-), in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV. Using approximately 230 pb(-1) of data collected with the Run II D0 detector, we observe 522+/-100 X(3872) candidates. The mass difference between the X(3872) state and the J/psi is measured to be 774.9+/-3.1(stat)+/-3.0(syst) MeV/c(2). We have investigated the production and decay characteristics of the X(3872) and find them to be similar to those of the psi(2S) state.

Search for doubly charged higgs boson pair production in the decay to mu(+)mu(+)mu(-)mu(-) in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV

A search for pair production of doubly charged Higgs bosons in the process pp -->H(++)H(--) -->mu(+)mu(+)mu(-)mu(-) is performed with the D0 run II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The analysis is based on a sample of inclusive dimuon data collected at an energy of sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 113 pb(-1). In the absence of a signal, 95% confidence level mass limits of M(H(+/-+/-)(L))>118.4 GeV/c(2) and M(H(+/-+/-)(R))>98.2 GeV/c(2) are set for left-handed and right-handed doubly charged Higgs bosons, respectively, assuming 100% branching into muon pairs.

A precision measurement of the mass of the top quark

The standard model of particle physics contains parameters--such as particle masses--whose origins are still unknown and which cannot be predicted, but whose values are constrained through their interactions. In particular, the masses of the top quark (M(t)) and W boson (M(W)) constrain the mass of the long-hypothesized, but thus far not observed, Higgs boson. A precise measurement of M(t) can therefore indicate where to look for the Higgs, and indeed whether the hypothesis of a standard model Higgs is consistent with experimental data. As top quarks are produced in pairs and decay in only about 10(-24) s into various final states, reconstructing their masses from their decay products is very challenging. Here we report a technique that extracts more information from each top-quark event and yields a greatly improved precision (of +/- 5.3 GeV/c2) when compared to previous measurements. When our new result is combined with our published measurement in a complementary decay mode and with the only other measurements available, the new world average for M(t) becomes 178.0 +/- 4.3 GeV/c2. As a result, the most likely Higgs mass increases from the experimentally excluded value of 96 to 117 GeV/c2, which is beyond current experimental sensitivity. The upper limit on the Higgs mass at the 95% confidence level is raised from 219 to 251 GeV/c2.

Search for narrow tt resonances in pp collisions at square root of (s)=1.8 TeV

A search for narrow resonances that decay into tt pairs has been performed using 130 pb(-1) of data in the lepton + jets channel collected by the Dphi detector in pp collisions at square root of (s)=1.8 TeV. There is no significant deviation observed from the standard-model predictions at a top-quark mass of 175 GeV/c2. We therefore present upper limits at the 95% confidence level on the product of the production cross section and branching fraction to tt for narrow resonances as a function of the resonance mass MX. These limits are used to exclude the existence of a leptophobic top-color particle with mass MX<560 GeV/c2, using a theoretical cross section for a width GammaX=0.012MX.

Search for large extra dimensions in the monojet+E(T) channel with the DØ detector

We present a search for large extra dimensions (ED) in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.8 TeV using data collected by the DØ detector at the Fermilab Tevatron in 1994-1996. Data corresponding to 78.8+/-3.9 pb(-1) are examined for events with large missing transverse energy, one high-p(T) jet, and no isolated muons. There is no excess observed beyond expectation from the standard model, and we place lower limits on the fundamental Planck scale of 1.0 and 0.6 TeV for 2 and 7 ED, respectively.

Search for the production of single sleptons through R-parity violation in pp; collisions at square root (s) =1.8 TeV

We report the first search for supersymmetric particles via s-channel production and decay of smuons or muon sneutrinos at hadronic colliders. The data for the two-muon and two-jets final states were collected by the D0 experiment and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 94+/-5 pb(-1). Assuming that R parity is violated via the single coupling lambda'211, the number of candidate events is in agreement with expectation from the standard model. Exclusion contours are given in the (m(0),m(1/2)) and (m(x),m(v)) planes for lambda(')(211)=0.09, 0.08, and 0.07.

Search for R-parity violating supersymmetry in two-muon and four-jet topologies

We present results of a search for R-parity-violating decay of the neutralino chi;01, taken as the lightest supersymmetric particle, to a muon and two jets. The decay proceeds through a lepton-number violating coupling lambda(')(2jk) (j=1,2; k=1,2,3), with R-parity conservation in all other production and decay processes. In the absence of candidate events from 77.5+/-3.9 pb(-1) of data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.8 TeV, and with an expected background of 0.18+/-0.03+/-0.02 events, we set limits on squark and gluino masses within the framework of the minimal low-energy supergravity-supersymmetry model.

Search for leptoquark pairs decaying into nunu+jets in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV

We present the results of a search for leptoquark (LQ) pairs in (85.2+/-3.7) pb(-1) of pp* collider data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron. We observe no evidence for leptoquark production and set a limit on sigma(pp*-->LQLQ-->nunu+jets) as a function of the mass of the leptoquark (m(LQ)). Assuming the decay LQ-->nuq, we exclude scalar leptoquarks for m(LQ) < 98 GeV/c(2), and vector leptoquarks for m(LQ) < 200 GeV/c(2) and coupling which produces the minimum cross section, at a 95% confidence level.

Search for the scalar top quark in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV

We have performed a search for scalar top quark (stop) pair production in the inclusive electron-muon-missing transverse energy final state, using a sample of pp events corresponding to 108.3 pb(-1) of data collected with the D0 detector at Fermilab. The search is done in the framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model assuming that the sneutrino is the lightest supersymmetric particle. For the dominant decays of the lightest stop, t-->b chi+1 and t-->blnu, no evidence for signal is found. We derive cross-section limits as a function of stop ( t ), chargino ( chi+1), and sneutrino ( nu) masses.

Direct search for charged higgs bosons in decays of top quarks

We present a search for charged Higgs bosons in decays of pair-produced top quarks in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV recorded by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. With no evidence for signal, we exclude most regions of the ( M(H+/-),tan(beta)) parameter space where the decay t--> H(+)b has a branching fraction >0.36 and B(H+/--->tau(nu)(tau)) is large.

Ratio of isolated photon cross sections in pp macro collisions at square root of s = 630 and 1800 GeV

The inclusive cross section for production of isolated photons has been measured in pp macro collisions at square root of s = 630 GeV with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The photons span a transverse energy (E(T)) range from 7-49 GeV and have pseudorapidity absolute value of eta < 2.5. This measurement is combined with the previous D0 result at square root of s = 1800 GeV to form a ratio of the cross sections. Comparison of next-to-leading-order QCD with the measured cross section at 630 GeV and the ratio of cross sections show satisfactory agreement in most of the E(T) range.

Search for new physics using QUAERO: a general interface to D0 event data

We describe QUAERO, a method that (i) enables the automatic optimization of searches for physics beyond the standard model, and (ii) provides a mechanism for making high energy collider data generally available. We apply QUAERO to searches for standard model WW, ZZ, and t t macro production, to searches for these objects produced through a new heavy resonance, and to the first direct search for W'-->WZ. Through this interface, we make three data sets collected by the D0 experiment at square root of [s] = 1.8 TeV publicly available.

Search for heavy particles decaying into electron-positron pairs in pp collisions

We present results of searches for technirho (rho(T)), techniomega (omega(T)), and Z' particles, using the decay channels rho(T),omega(T),Z'-->e(+)e(-). The search is based on 124.8 pb(-1) of data collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron during 1992-1996. In the absence of a signal, we set 95% C.L. upper limits on the cross sections for the processes pp-->rho(T),omega(T),Z'-->e(+)e(-) as a function of the mass of the decaying particle. For certain model parameters, we exclude the existence of degenerate rho(T) and omega(T) states with masses below about 200 GeV. We exclude a Z' with mass below 670 GeV, assuming that it has the same couplings to fermions as the Z boson.

Quasi-model-independent search for new high p(T) physics at D0

We apply a quasi-model-independent strategy ("Sleuth") to search for new high p(T) physics in approximately 100 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root of (s) = 1.8 TeV collected by the D0 experiment during 1992-1996 at the Fermilab Tevatron. We systematically analyze many exclusive final states and demonstrate sensitivity to a variety of models predicting new phenomena at the electroweak scale. No evidence of new high p(T) physics is observed.

Ratio of jet cross sections at square root of s = 630 GeV and 1800 GeV

The D0 Collaboration has measured the inclusive jet cross section in barpp collisions at square root of s = 630 GeV. The results for pseudorapidities (eta)<0.5 are combined with our previous results at square root of s = 1800 GeV to form a ratio of cross sections with smaller uncertainties than either individual measurement. Next-to-leading-order QCD predictions show excellent agreement with the measurement at 630 GeV; agreement is also satisfactory for the ratio. Specifically, despite a 10% to 15% difference in the absolute magnitude, the dependence of the ratio on jet transverse momentum is very similar for data and theory.