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Female infertility affects a significant portion of the population, and recent studies suggest a potential link between glycemic control and reproductive health. This study investigates the association between serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and female infertility, utilizing data from the NHANES 2017–2020 and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1578 women aged 20–45 who attempted pregnancy for at least one year. Serum HbA1c levels were analyzed in relation to infertility status, with multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for covariates such as age, body mass index, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Higher HbA1c levels were significantly associated with increased infertility risk. Each 1% increase in HbA1c was linked to higher odds of infertility (adjusted OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15–1.69, p = 0.003). HbA1c levels ≥ 6.5% showed the strongest association. MR analysis employed single-nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to assess the causal relationship between HbA1c and infertility, confirming a causal relationship between higher genetically predicted HbA1c levels and infertility (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.33–2.49, p = 0.00018). Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of these findings. Elevated HbA1c levels are associated with an increased risk of female infertility, suggesting the importance of glycemic control in reproductive health management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blastocyst vitrification has significantly improved embryo transfer methods, leading to higher implantation success rates and better pregnancy outcomes in subsequent frozen embryo transfer cycles. This study aimed to simulate the transcriptional changes caused by vitrifying human blastocysts using mouse blastocysts as a model and to further investigate these changes' effects. Utilizing a human vitrification protocol, we implanted both vitrified and fresh embryos into mice. We observed the implantation success rates and performed transcriptomic analysis on the blastocysts. To validate the results from messenger RNA sequencing, we conducted reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to measure the expression levels of specific genes. Based on mRNA profiling, we predicted the microRNAs responsible for the regulation and used qPCR basic microRNA assays for validation. Our observations revealed a higher implantation success rate for vitrified embryos than fresh embryos. Transcriptomic analysis showed that vitrified–warmed blastocysts exhibited differentially expressed genes (DEGs) primarily associated with thermogenesis, chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species, oxidative phosphorylation, immune response, and MAPK-related signaling pathways. RT-qPCR confirmed increased expression of genes such as Cdk6 and Nfat2, and decreased expression of genes such as Dkk3 and Mapk10. Additionally, gene-microRNA interaction predictions and microRNA expression analysis identified twelve microRNAs with expression patterns consistent with the predicted results, suggesting potential roles in uterine epithelial cell adhesion, trophectoderm development, invasive capacity, and immune responses. Our findings suggest that vitrification induces transcriptomic changes in mouse blastocysts, and even small changes in gene expression can enhance implantation success. These results highlight the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying vitrification to optimize embryo transfer techniques and improve pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of intrauterine infusion and hysteroscopic injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in patients with a persistent thin endometrium (EM) undergoing euploid frozen embryo transfer (EFET) cycles. Methods: This prospective case–control study enrolled 116 infertile women with thin EM (<7 mm) who underwent hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for EFET. These women had experienced at least one previous unsuccessful EFET cycle, which either resulted in the cancellation of the cycle or failure of pregnancy. A total of 55 women received an intrauterine infusion of PRP before FET, 38 received a hysteroscopic injection of PRP, and 23 received standard HRT treatment without PRP (control group). Only euploid embryos were transferred in these cycles. The primary outcomes were the implantation rate (IR) and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) after EFET. Results: After receiving intrauterine infusion and hysteroscopic injection of PRP, 78.2% and 55.3% of patients, respectively, showed an EM thickness exceeding 7 mm, followed by embryo transfer. The hysteroscopic injection group demonstrated significantly higher IR (52%), a higher trend of CPR (52%), and a higher live birth rate (38%) than the control group (18%, 22%, and 4%). Conclusions: Intrauterine infusion and hysteroscopic injection of autologous PRP may be effective methods to increase EM thickness in HRT cycles. According to our results, both methods could increase EM thickness, while hysteroscopic injection appeared to provide more significant assistance in increasing IR, CPR, and live birth rate after EFET in patients with persistent thin EM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Augmented reality (AR) is rapidly becoming a popular technology for exhibitions. The extended content provided through virtual elements offers a higher level of interactivity and can increase the appeal of the exhibition for younger viewers, in particular. However, AR technology in exhibition settings is typically utilized to extend the effects of exhibits, focusing solely on individual experiences and lacking in shared social interactions. In order to address this limitation, in this study, we used AR technology to construct a participatory exhibition-viewing system in the form of an AR mobile application (app), "Wander Into Our Sea". This system was developed as a component of the 2022 Greater Taipei Biennial of Contemporary Art exhibition titled "Log Into Our Sea". The app features two modes: exhibition-viewing mode and message mode. The first embodies passive exhibition-viewing while the second offers channels for active participation. The app has three functions: (1) in exhibition mode, visitors passively view the exhibition content through the AR lens, (2) in message mode, visitors can use the AR lens to leave messages in the 3D space of the exhibition to become part of the exhibit, and (3) during the use of either mode, the app collects data on visitor behavior and uploads it to a cloud to create a research database. The third function allowed us to compare the behaviors of exhibition visitors while they used the two modes. Results revealed that without restricting the ways and sequences in which AR content was viewed, there were no significant differences in the duration of viewing, or the distance covered by visitors between the two modes. However, the paths they took were more concentrated in the exhibition-viewing mode, which indicates that this mode encouraged visitors to view the exhibit in accordance with the AR content. In contrast, in message mode, visitors were encouraged to leave text messages and read those left by others, which created disorganized unpredictable paths. Our study demonstrates an innovative application of AR positioning within an interactive exhibition-viewing system, showcasing a novel way to engage visitors and enrich their experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores students' perceptions related to the implementation of e-portfolios in the context of Taiwanese higher education. Thirty Taiwanese university students were interviewed, and data analysis includes 14 interviewees' e-portfolios and responses to 281 valid surveys from non-interviewed students. The study presents students' perspectives using textual descriptions and visual presentations related to developing e-portfolios. A three-stage model developed by the first author links five critical success factors for implementing e-portfolios in Taiwan. Overall, the students' perceived usefulness, university support, and e-portfolio audiences (i.e., educators, employers, and friends) as well as intentions to visit e-portfolios are the major components used to promote e-portfolios in Taiwanese higher education. The findings of the study indicate that the value of developing an e-portfolio can be enhanced by using incentives such as design contests or encouragement through various other activities (e.g., class activities, team projects, and extracurricular activities). Accessibility, interactivity, and ownership are university students' concerns when they are deciding to develop e-portfolios. For implementing a system of e-portfolios, the study suggests guidelines that can become important references for countries with similar cultural backgrounds in higher education. New insights relevant for scholars from Western countries also appear at the end.

Background: The sperm chromatin dispersion assay is commonly used to assess sperm DNA integrity. This approach is time‐consuming, demonstrates poor chromatin preservation, and provides an ambiguous and unstandardized evaluation of fragmented chromatin. Objectives: We aimed to (i) develop an optimized sperm chromatin dispersion assay with reduced operation time, (ii) validate R10 test accuracy by comparing it to a conventional sperm chromatin dispersion assay, and (iii) standardize the sperm DNA fragmentation analysis procedure by integrating artificial intelligence optical microscopic technology. Materials and methods: This cross‐section study included 620 semen samples. Aliquots were analyzed by a conventional Halosperm® G2 assay (G2) and LensHooke® R10 assay (R10). The DNA fragmentation index was scored manually, and R10 slides were automatically determined by a LensHooke® X12 PRO semen analysis system (X12). Results: We demonstrated significant improvements in total assay time (40 vs. 72 min, p < 0.001) and in the halo‐cytological resolution using R10 compared to G2. Comparing the G2 and R10, DNA fragmentation index results demonstrated good agreement between the two methods (Spearman's rank correlation, rho = 0.8517, p < 0.0001). We introduced the integration of an auto‐calculation system to diagnose sperm DNA fragmentation. X12 interpretation showed excellent agreement with manual interpretation (Spearman's rank correlation, rho = 0.9323, p < 0.0001), but had a low coefficient of variation compared to manual interpretation (4% for R10 by X12 vs. 19% for R10 by manual scoring vs. 25% for G2 by manual scoring). DNA fragmentation index was more correlated with total motility (coefficients = −0.3607, p < 0.0001) than sperm morphology and was positively associated with asthenozoospermic semen samples (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The R10 sperm chromatin dispersion assay combined with the X12 semen analysis system is faster, more objective, and provides standardization for sperm DNA fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing endometrial thickness (EMT) is crucial for successful embryo implantation, but enhancing thin endometrium remains a significant challenge. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-derived therapies have emerged as a promising approach in reproductive medicine due to their capacity to facilitate tissue repair and regeneration. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with the failure of intrauterine PRP infusion for thin endometrium in women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). We retrospectively reviewed data from 77 women with RIF, all exhibiting an EMT of <7 mm. These women underwent programmed hormone therapy for frozen embryo transfer (FET) and received two autologous intrauterine PRP infusions. Following intrauterine PRP-lysate (PL) infusions, the mean increase in EMT was 1.9 ± 1.2 mm, with EMT reaching 7 mm in 86% of the cases (66/77; average EMT, 8.3 mm). We identified an exceedingly thin EMT as a risk factor impacting the therapeutic efficacy in increasing EMT (p = 0.04, OR: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.03–9.67). Additionally, the number of previous uterine surgeries emerged as a prognostic factor for pregnancy failure following PL infusion (p = 0.02, OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.12–3.64). Our findings suggest that an extremely thin EMT and a history of numerous uterine surgeries can impede successful pregnancy, even when an optimal EMT is achieved following PRP infusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), small ubiquitin-like modifier molecules (SUMO), and pregnancy outcomes in couples with unexplained infertility (UI) undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment. We prospectively collected semen samples from 56 couples with UI and divided the spermatozoa into motile and immotile fractions by density gradient centrifugation (DSC). Immunofluorescence staining was used to examine the immunostaining and localization of nuclear pore complex (NPC), SUMO1, and SUMO2/3 in spermatozoa. We detected H2O2 levels by chemiluminescence methods. We found that H2O2 levels correlated with NPC (neck) (r = 0.400) and NPC (tail) (r = 0.473) in motile sperm fractions. In immotile fractions, H2O2 positively correlated with NPC (tail) (r = 0.431) and SUMO1 (neck) (r = 0.282). Furthermore, the positive NPC (tail) group had a significantly lower live birth rate than the negative NPC group (17.9% = 5/28 vs. 42.9% = 12/28). In conclusion, H2O2 positively correlated with SUMO1 (neck) and NPC (tail) in human spermatozoa. The DSC may partially eliminate defective spermatozoa (positive NPC staining); however, if defective spermatozoa remain in the motile fraction, this scenario is associated with a low live birth rate following IUI treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Does the presence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) gene affect ovarian response in infertile young women? Methods: This was a case–control study recruiting 1744 infertile women between January 2014 to December 2015. The 1084 eligible patients were stratified into four groups using the POSEIDON criteria. The gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and LIF SNP genotypes were compared among the groups. The distributions of LIF and FSHR among younger and older patients were compared. Clinical outcomes were also compared. Results: The four groups of poor responders had different distributions of SNP in LIF. The prevalence of LIF genotypes among young poor ovarian responders differed from those of normal responders. Genetic model analyses in infertile young women revealed that the TG or GG genotype in the LIF resulted in fewer oocytes retrieved and fewer mature oocytes relative to the TT genotypes. In older women, the FSHR SNP genotype contributed to fewer numbers of mature oocytes. Conclusions: LIF and FSHR SNP genotypes were associated with a statistically significant reduction in ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in younger and older women with an adequate ovarian reserve, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]