Given that ovarian stimulation is vital for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and results in elevated serum estrogen levels, exploring the impact of elevated estrogen exposure on oocytes and embryos is necessary. We investigated the effects of various ovarian stimulation treatments on oocyte and embryo morphology and gene expression using a mouse model and estrogen-treated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to two types of conventional ovarian stimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation; mice treated with only normal saline served as controls. Hyperstimulation resulted in high serum estrogen levels, enlarged ovaries, an increased number of aberrant oocytes, and decreased embryo formation. The messenger RNA (mRNA)‍-sequencing of oocytes revealed the dysregulated expression of lysine-specific demethylase 6b (Kdm6b), which may be a key factor indicating hyperstimulation-induced aberrant oocytes and embryos. In vitro, Kdm6b expression was downregulated in mESCs treated with high-dose estrogen; treatment with an estrogen receptor antagonist could reverse this downregulated expression level. Furthermore, treatment with high-dose estrogen resulted in the upregulated expression of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX). Notably, knockdown of Kdm6b and high estrogen levels hindered the formation of embryoid bodies, with a concomitant increase in the expression of H3K27me3 and γ-H2AX. Collectively, our findings revealed that hyperstimulation-induced high-dose estrogen could impair the demethylation of H3K27me3 by reducing Kdm6b expression. Accordingly, Kdm6b could be a promising marker for clinically predicting ART outcomes in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Female ; Mice ; Demethylation/drug effects* ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Estrogens/administration & dosage* ; Gene Expression/drug effects* ; Histones/metabolism* ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oocytes ; Ovary/drug effects* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Animals

To promote the ideological and political construction of the doctor-patient communication course, the research group discussed the subject characteristics and proposed the goals, principles, elements, and paths of the ideological and political construction of the doctor-patient communication course combined with practical teaching and relevant policy documents. Besides, this paper put forward the top-level framework design for the implementation, curriculum assessment, and evaluation indicators of the ideological and political construction, and developed the Guidelines for Ideological and Political Teaching of the Doctor-patient Communication Course and related teaching evaluation indicators, with a view to providing reference evaluation standards for the ideological and political construction of the doctor-patient communication course in China.

OBJECTIVEMutations of presenilin 1 (PSEN1) gene are the most frequent cause for familial Alzheimers disease (AD). This study was set to explore potential mutation of PSEN1 gene in a Chinese family featuring early-onset Alzheimers disease (FAD).

METHODSDNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples from 17 members of the FAD family as well as 10 patients with sporadic Alzheimers disease and 100 healthy subjects. With polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing, exons 113 of the PSEN1 gene were analyzed.

RESULTSDNA sequencing has revealed a heterozygous point mutation from G to A at position 1133 (Gly378Glu) of exon 11 of PSEN1 gene in 6 members from the family, among whom 5 were patients with dementia, whilst the remaining 1 was clinically normal but under onset age. The same mutation was not found in all other patients and the normal controls.

CONCLUSIONA novel missense mutation of the PSEN1 gene, Gly378Glu, probably underlies the autosomal dominant early-onset FAD in this Chinese family.

Adult ; Aged ; Alzheimer Disease ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Presenilin-1 ; genetics

Objective To develop a visible detection system prepared by protein microarrays which was based on GoldMag particles-labeled technique and compare the results of detection using the protein which was labeled with GoldMag particles and colloidal gold.Methods Human IgG was printed on the glass slides modified with epoxy groups,and goat anti-human IgG conjugated with GoldMag particles and colloidal gold respectlively was then added on the slide.The glass slides were incubated,and then the black images of microarray spots were produced by immuno-gold-silver staining method and observed by naked eyes and recorded with common flatbed scanner.Results The high signal-to-noise ratio could be obtained when the optimized procedures of GoldMag particles-labeling probe were introduced to the protein chip.The conditions of optimum assay were as follows:the spotting concentration of human IgG was 0.2 mg/ml,the glass slides were incubated at 37 ℃ for 2 hour to immobilize human IgG,and the silver enhancement time was 10 min-15 min.Parallelly,the optimized conditions for colloidal gold were as follows:the spotting concentration of human IgG was 0.1 mg/ml,the slides were incubated at 37 ℃ for 1 hour to immobilize human IgG,and the silver enhancement time was 15 min-20 min.Conclusions GoldMag particles-labeled protein technique is comparable to colloidal gold in applying to protein microarrays.The method is considerably simple and practical,and the protein labeled by GoldMag particles could be quantitative.