Objective:To investigate the influence of inner cell mass and trophectoderm cytoplasmic strings during blastocyst expan-sion on embryonic development and pregnancy outcome.Methods:A retrospective cohort analysis was performed for the clinical data of patients who received pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy(PGT-A)and underwent single blastocyst transplantation in our hospital from June 2019 to December 2021.A total of 530 patients were enrolled,and genetic testing was performed for 2132 blasto-cysts.According to the presence or absence of cytoplasmic strings during blastocyst expansion,the blastocysts were divided into cyto-plasmic strings(+)group with 534 blastocysts and cytoplasmic strings(-)group with 1598 blastocysts,and quality and PGT-A results were compared between the two groups.After the transfer of euploid blastocysts,pregnancy outcome was compared between the 115 blastocysts with cytoplasmic strings and the 415 blastocysts without cytoplasmic strings.Results:The rates of cytoplasmic strings(+)in the high-,average-,and low-quality blastocyst groups were 30.19%,24.62%,and 12.63%,respectively.The correlation analysis showed a correlation coefficient of-0.115(P<0.001)between embryo quality and the rate of cytoplasmic strings(+).There was no sig-nificant difference in euploidy rate between the two groups(45.3%vs.44.6%).There were no significant differences between the euploid blastocysts with cytoplasmic strings and those without cytoplasmic strings in implantation rate(72.17%vs.66.02%,P=0.213),miscarriage rate(14.46%vs.12.77%,P=0.691),and live birth rate(61.74%vs.57.59%,P=0.424).Conclusion:The presence of cyto-plasmic strings is associated with the morphological quality of blas-tocysts,while it has no impact on embryo ploidy or clinical outcome after euploid embryo transfer.Further research is needed to confirm the impact of cytoplasmic strings on embryonic development.

Objective To investigate whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)can improve the muscle strength,endurance and work efficiency of calf muscles in healthy young men,aiming to explore a new method for preventing and combating microgravity-induced muscle atrophy in space environments.Methods 40 healthy young men aged 18-35 years were randomly divided into a Control group(Pseudo Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation)and a Experimental group(Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation)in a 1∶1 ratio,with 20 participants in each group.In the Control group,the indicator light of the stimulator was covered,and the device was turned on,but the electrodes did not contact the skin,The device automatically turned offafter 3 seconds.In the Experimental group,the TEAS device was connected to the current and TEAS intervention was performed.The electrical stimulation waveform was a sperse-dense wave with a frequency of 4/20 Hz,and the intensity was determined by patient tolerance.The acupoints selected for electrical stimulation in both groups were bilateral Zusanli(ST36)、Liangqiu(ST34),Taixi(KI3),and Fuliu(KI7).Zusanli and Liangqiu were paired,and Taixi and Fuliu were paired.The intervention frequency was 30 min/time,1 time/day,6 days/week,for 2 weeks.The relative peak torque at 60°/s,relative peak torque at 180°/s,and average power at 180°/s of the bilateral calf muscles were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at 0th,7th,and 14d day of the experiment.Results After 1 week of TEAS,compared with Control group,there were no significant changes in the relative peak torque at 60°/s,relative peak torque at 180°/s and average power at 180°/s of the bilateral anterior calf muscles in the Experimental group(all P>0.05);however,compared with Control group,the relative peak torque at 60°/s and the relative peak torque at 180°/s of the bilateral posterior calf muscles in the Experimental group were significantly increased(all P<0.05).After 2 weeks TEAS;compared with the Control group,there were no significant changes in the relative peak torque at 60°/s,relative peak torque at 180°/s and average power at 180°/s of the bilateral anterior calf muscles in the Experimental group(all P>0.05);however,the relative peak torque at 60°/s,relative peak torque at 180°/s,and average power at 180°/s of the bilateral posterior calf muscles were significantly increased in the Experimental group(all P<0.05).Conclusion TEAS of Zusanli,Liangqiu,Fuliu and Taixi acupoints on the lower limbs for 2 weeks can effectively improve the maximum muscle strength,endurance and work efficiency of the posterior calf muscles in healthy young men.

Gastric cancer is one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and infection with Helicobacter pylori and EBV, smoking and a salt-heavy diet have been shown to be risk factors for the development of gastric cancer. Currently, numerous research has demonstrated that differences in the structure of the gastric flora can be exploited to distinguish the different stages of gastric mucosal lesions and to predict the progression of gastric cancer. Therefore, a new biomarker is presented for the diagnosis of gastric cancer based on the structural differences of the gastric flora. Gastric flora has also potential in the treatment of gastric cancer. The application of non-H. pylori flora to modulate immune cells may increase the sensitivity of tumour cells for chemotherapy, improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and significantly prolong the survival of patients. This review of advances in the application of gastric flora in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer is aimed at providing a reference and basis for future research in this field.

Gastric cancer is one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and infection with Helicobacter pylori and EBV, smoking and a salt-heavy diet have been shown to be risk factors for the development of gastric cancer. Currently, numerous research has demonstrated that differences in the structure of the gastric flora can be exploited to distinguish the different stages of gastric mucosal lesions and to predict the progression of gastric cancer. Therefore, a new biomarker is presented for the diagnosis of gastric cancer based on the structural differences of the gastric flora. Gastric flora has also potential in the treatment of gastric cancer. The application of non-H. pylori flora to modulate immune cells may increase the sensitivity of tumour cells for chemotherapy, improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and significantly prolong the survival of patients. This review of advances in the application of gastric flora in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer is aimed at providing a reference and basis for future research in this field.

Objective:To investigate the effects of prophylactic flow restriction for brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula on postoperative high-flow-related complications and patency rate in patients undergoing hemodialysis.Methods:Clinical data of patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula surgery for hemodialysis from February 2017 to May 2022 in Department of Nephrology,Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed.During surgery,a 4-5 mm vascular suture loop was placed around the vein near the anastomosis as a flow restriction device in 43 patients(flow restriction group),while 42 patients did not receive the prophylactic flow restriction ring(control group).All patients were followed up for 1 to 5 years.The incidence rates of complications related to the hemodialysis access pathway,including distal ischemia syndrome,the formation of arteriovenous fistula aneurysms,thrombus,high-flow congestive heart failure,anastomosis of the vein within 1 cm of the anastomosis and cephalic arch stenosis,were compared between the two groups.The natural blood flow rate of the arteriovenous fistula,anastomosis size,the internal diameter of the vein near the anastomosis,primary patency rate,assisted primary patency rate,and secondary patency rate of the arteriovenous fistula,were also evaluated and compared between the two groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the factors affecting arteriovenous fistula patency rates,as well as the impact of the flow-restricting ring on postoperative factors.Results:Ultrasound measurements showed that the internal diameter of the vein at the site of the flow restriction ring in the flow restriction group was(3.7±0.6)mm at three months postoperatively,which was significantly smaller than the internal diameter of the narrowest part of the vein near the anastomosis in the control group[(4.1±1.0)mm,t=-2.416,P＜0.01].The postoperative anastomotic diameter and natural blood flow rate of the arteriovenous fistula in the flow restriction group were both significantly lower than those in the control group(both P＜0.05).Furthermore,the incidence rates of various complications in the flow restriction group were significantly lower than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).At 6,12,and 24 months postoperatively,the primary patency rate and assisted primary patency rate in the flow restriction group were significantly higher than those in the control group(both P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference in secondary patency rates between the two groups(P＞0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that age,diabetes,and natural blood flow rate of the arteriovenous fistula at 3 months postoperatively were independent risk factors for primary patency rate,while the flow restriction for brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula was an independent protective factor for primary patency rate(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).The application of flow restriction was negatively correlated with anastomotic diameter at 6 and 12 months,natural arteriovenous fistula blood flow,and the incidence rates of cephalic arch stenosis and aneurysm formation(all P＜0.05).Conclusion:The prophylactic constriction during brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula surgery in patients undergoing hemodialysis can limit the size of the anastomosis and postoperative arteriovenous fistula blood flow,reducing complications such as cephalic arch stenosis and high-flow heart failure,and increasing primary patency rates of arteriovenous fistula and delay the reintervention of the fistula.

To study the molecular mechanism of salt stress response of peanut small GTP binding protein gene AhRabG3f, a 1 914 bp promoter fragment upstream of the start codon of AhRabG3f gene (3f-P) from peanut was cloned. Subsequently, five truncated fragments (3f-P1-3f-P5) with lengths of 1 729, 1 379, 666, 510 and 179 bp were obtained through deletion at the 5' end, respectively. Plant expression vectors where these six promoter fragments were fused with the gus gene were constructed and transformed into tobacco by Agrobacterium-mediated method, respectively. GUS expression in transgenic tobacco and activity analysis were conducted. The gus gene expression can be detected in the transgenic tobacco harboring each promoter segment, among which the driving activity of the full-length promoter 3f-P was the weakest, while the driving activity of the promoter segment 3f-P3 was the strongest. Upon exposure of the transgenic tobacco to salt stress, the GUS activity driven by 3f-P, 3f-P1, 3f-P2 and 3f-P3 was 3.3, 1.2, 1.9 and 1.2 times compared to that of the transgenic plants without salt treatment. This suggests that the AhRabG3f promoter was salt-inducible and there might be positive regulatory elements between 3f-P and 3f-P3 in response to salt stress. The results of GUS activity driven by promoter fragments after salt treatment showed that elements included MYB and GT1 between 1 930 bp and 1 745 bp. Moreover, a TC-rich repeat between 682 bp and 526 bp might be positive cis-elements responsible for salt stress, and an MYC element between 1 395 bp and 682 bp might be a negative cis-element responsible for salt stress. This study may facilitate using the induced promoter to regulate the salt resistance of peanut.
Arachis/genetics* ; Fabaceae/genetics* ; GTP-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Glucuronidase/metabolism* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics* ; Salt Stress ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Tobacco/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the clinical application value of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotype analysis in the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of monogenic diseases. Methods: The whole genome amplification products of biopsied trophectoderm cells were analyzed by SNP haplotype analysis and verified by Sanger sequencing. Results: A total of 205 embryos were performed SNP haplotype analysis and Sanger sequencing. Among them, Sanger sequencing failed in 14.63% (30/205) of embryos, and SNP haplotype analysis failed in 0.98% (2/205) of embryos. The failure rate of the latter was significantly lower than that of the former (P＜0.05). There were consistent results in 155 (75.61%) embryos, and inconsistent results in 18 (8.78%) embryos. Forty-five embryos in 41 cycles were performed embryo transplantation. The clinical pregnancy rate was 70.73% (29/41) and the implantation rate was 71.11% (32/45). The results of prenatal diagnosis of amniotic fluid during the second trimester of pregnancy were completely consistent with those of SNP haplotype analysis. Conclusion SNP haplotype analysis is accurate, and its failure rate is lower than that of Sanger sequencing. It can be effectively used in the PGD of clinical monogenic diseases.

Objective To analyze the related factors of foot blisters caused by long-distance weight-bearing march and to explore the pathogenesis of foot blisters to provide a useful way for the prevention and treatment.Methods After the 300 km march,counted the number who had accomplished the march,and then recorded the number of foot blisters,location of blisters,and abrasion of sole.Collected the data of gender,age,body mass index (BMI),hand dominance,and whether had bliters before the march through questionnaire.And the data were coded for analysis with SPSS 13.0 statistical package.Results The 7 cases who complete the whole march and 17 cases who already had foot blisters before the march were ruled out of the final statistics.Among the remaining 590 cases,there were 554 cases (93.9%)suffered from foot blisters.And there were 1 282 blisters in total,among which the plantar blisters occupied 98% (1 257 cases).The analysis showed that the incidence of foot blisters had no significant correlation with gender,left/right foot,hand dominance,BMI and age.The predilection sites of blisters were the second and third metatarsals (28.2%),the hallux (21.3%),the fifth metatarsal (18.1%),and the calcaneus (15.8%)of the left foot.The predilection sites of blisters were the second and third metatarsals (33.3%),the hallux (22.4%),the fifth metatarsal (18.6%),and the calcaneus (14.5%)of the right foot.In terms of the abrasion of sole,the lateral heel was worn out the most (34.6% on the left and 34.2% on the right).Conclusion The study confirmed that the incidence of foot blisters had no significant correla-tion with gender,left/right foot,hand dominance,BMI and age,which may be affected by the particularity of this march.Most of the foot blisters occurred in the planta,and the predilection sites of blisters were in accord with sites of of the abrasion of sole and the distribution of plantar shear force,which demonstrated the shear force is the most critical factor on the pathogenesis of foot blisters.

Objective: To detect estrogen receptor α and β(ER-α, ER-β)protein expression in different age of mouse thymus.Methods:Protein expression of ER-α and ER-β in thymus was analyzed via immunohistochemistry.Moreover,the relationship between ER-α and cytokeratin 18(epithelial cell marker)was further tested through fluorescence double-staining.Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both ER-α and β protein was found in nuclei of some thymocytes of 3 month mice.However,expression of ER-β was absence while ER-α was still positive in aged mice, such as 12 months and 16 months old.Double staining further confirmed that lots of ER-α/β positive cells were Foxp3 negative cells.Conclusion: Expression of ER-β is absent while ER-α is still positive in thymus of aged mice, which indicates ER-α is the critical estrogen receptor that involves in thymic involution.Moreover, ER-α/β do not participate in Treg development within thymus.

Objective:To detect estrogen receptor ? and ?(ER-?,ER-?) protein expression in different age of mouse thymus.Methods:Protein expression of ER-? and ER-? in thymus was analyzed via immunohistochemistry.Moreover,the relationship between ER-? and cytokeratin 18(epithelial cell marker) was further tested through fluorescence double-staining.Results:Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both ER-? and ? protein was found in nuclei of some thymocytes of 3 month mice.However,expression of ER-? was absence while ER-? was still positive in aged mice,such as 12 months and 16 months old.Double staining further confirmed that lots of ER-?/? positive cells were Foxp3 negative cells.Conclusion:Expression of ER-? is absent while ER-? is still positive in thymus of aged mice,which indicates ER-? is the critical estrogen receptor that involves in thymic involution.Moreover,ER-?/? do not participate in Treg development within thymus.