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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common female endocrinopathy associated with both reproductive and metabolic disorders, has an unclear etiology and unsatisfactory management methods. Carboxypeptidase X, M14 family member 1 (CPXM1) is a protein involved in follicular atresia, insulin production, and adipose tissue production, though its role in PCOS is not fully understood. We used a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) plus dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS mouse model to determine the role of CPXM1 in abnormal glucose metabolism and ovarian dysfunction in PCOS. We found that serum CPXM1 concentrations were higher in PCOS mice and positively correlated with increased levels of serum testosterone and insulin. In both ovarian and adipose tissues of PCOS mice, CPXM1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased but GLUT4 levels were significantly decreased. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of the ovary showed increased CPXM1 expression in PCOS. In addition, the protein expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) was also significantly decreased in PCOS mice. Furthermore, mRNA levels of inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-α, and IFN-γ were increased in ovarian and adipose tissues of PCOS mice. However, IRS-1, IRS-2, and INSR levels were significantly decreased. Our results indicated for the first time that abnormally high expression of CPXM1, increased adiposity, impaired glucose tolerance, and chronic low-grade inflammation may act together in a vicious cycle in the pathophysiology of PCOS. Our research suggests the possibility of CPXM1 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of PCOS.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of glycyrrhizin, an inhibitor of high mobility group box 1, on glucose metabolic disorders and ovarian dysfunction in mice with polycystic ovary syndrome. We generated a polycystic ovary syndrome mouse model by using dehydroepiandrosterone plus high-fat diet. Glycyrrhizin (100 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected into the polycystic ovary syndrome mice and the effects on body weight, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, estrous cycle, hormone profiles, ovarian pathology, glucolipid metabolism, and some molecular mechanisms were investigated. Increased number of cystic follicles, hormonal disorders, impaired glucose tolerance, and decreased insulin sensitivity in the polycystic ovary syndrome mice were reverted by glycyrrhizin. The increased high mobility group box 1 levels in the serum and ovarian tissues of the polycystic ovary syndrome mice were also reduced by glycyrrhizin. Furthermore, increased expressions of toll-like receptor 9, myeloid differentiation factor 88, and nuclear factor kappa B as well as reduced expressions of insulin receptor, phosphorylated protein kinase B, and glucose transporter type 4 were restored by glycyrrhizin in the polycystic ovary syndrome mice. Glycyrrhizin could suppress the polycystic ovary syndrome-induced upregulation of high mobility group box 1, several inflammatory marker genes, and the toll-like receptor 9/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor kappa B pathways, while inhibiting the insulin receptor/phosphorylated protein kinase B/glucose transporter type 4 pathways. Hence, glycyrrhizin is a promising therapeutic agent against polycystic ovary syndrome.

Research question : What is the expression pattern of inflammatory mRNA profiles of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) plus high-fat diet (HFD)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mouse model? Design : In this study, RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the mRNA expression profiles in the ovarian tissues of a DHEA plus HFD-induced PCOS mouse model. Six samples were divided into two groups (control and PCOS), with three biological replicates in each group. This was followed by hierarchical clustering, gene ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. The relative expression levels of nine inflammatory genes were validated via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results : A total of 436 genes were differentially expressed between the control and PCOS mice. Out of these, 137 genes were up-regulated while 299 genes were down-regulated. Gene ontology analysis indicated that differentially expressed mRNAs were associated with T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and homocysteine metabolic processes. Pathway analysis further showed that these abnormally expressed mRNAs were associated with signaling pathways, such as NF-kB signaling, tyrosine metabolism, and phenylalanine metabolism. All these pathways are involved in chronic inflammation and PCOS. Conclusion : The differentially expressed genes are potentially involved in the inflammation that is evident in PCOS, and so could serve as therapeutic options against the disease. Nevertheless, prospective studies are needed to test this hypothesis.

Problem Natural killer (NK) cells from the peripheral blood and spleen represent the source from which various tissues replenish their immune cell populations. Hyperandrogenism and high interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels are factors present in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These factors and metformin, one of the commonest medications used in treating PCOS, may have an impact on NK cells. However, this is presently unknown. Here, we aimed to assess the distribution of peripheral blood and splenic NK cells and their CD2 and CD94 expression patterns in a PCOS mouse model and test whether metformin could reverse these effects. Method of study Four mouse groups were designed as follows (n = 15/group): control, PCOS, PCOS plus vehicle, PCOS plus metformin. Dehydroepiandrosterone and a high-fat diet were administered to induce the PCOS mouse model. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the expressions of CD2 and CD94 on peripheral blood and splenic NK cells. Results PCOS mice had a low surface-density of CD2 on peripheral blood NK cells and a decreased percentage of CD2+ splenic NK cells. Metformin administration did not significantly influence these changes; however, it reduced the splenic NK cell counts. Conclusions Our findings proved the association of PCOS with an altered expression of CD2 on peripheral blood and splenic NK cells and that of metformin with a lowered splenic NK cell reserve in PCOS conditions. These findings could further unlock key mechanisms in PCOS pathophysiology and in the mechanism of action of metformin, towards improving PCOS management.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is becoming a common pathology among women, yet its pathogenesis remains enigmatic. The chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 13 (CXCL13) and its receptor type 5 (CXCR5) regulate inflammatory responses but their roles in PCOS remain unknown. Metformin is commonly administered to PCOS patients but its mechanism of action remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to determine the expression of CXCL13 and CXCR5 in the ovaries of PCOS mice and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of metformin on them. The study comprised four groups of mice: control, PCOS, PCOS plus metformin, and PCOS plus vehicle. CXCL13 and CXCR5 were found to be elevated in the ovarian tissues of the PCOS mice. Metformin reduced ovarian CXCL13 and CXCR5 expressions in the PCOS mice. Hence, CXCL13 and CXCR5 are potentially involved in PCOS pathogenesis; and metformin may help alleviate the symptoms of PCOS by inhibiting CXCL13 expression and actions.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a critical role in the cholesterol metabolism by negatively regulating the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Lipid metabolic and ovarian disorders are the common clinical manifestation of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Here, we intended to elucidate the role of PCSK9 in the pathogenesis of PCOS conducted on a human population in case-control design and animal part in an interventional study.We firstly investigated the serum levels of PCSK9 in 46 PCOS patients compared with 49 healthy women as controls, and then developed a PCOS mouse model induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and a high-fat diet (HFD) to determine the role of PCSK9 in abnormal lipid metabolism and ovarian dysfunction of PCOS in four groups (n = 40 per group): control, PCOS mice, PCOS plus alirocumab group, and PCOS plus vehicle group. The expression of PCSK9 in their serum, hepatic and ovarian tissues, serum lipid profiles and hormones were measured. Additionally, mRNA and protein expression levels of LDLR in hepatic and ovarian tissues, ovarian morphology and function were determined. Finally, we used freshly isolated theca-interstitial cells (TICs) and granulosa cells (GCs) from prepubertal normal mice to explore the effect of PCSK9 on LDL uptake of the cells.Serum PCSK9 concentrations were higher in PCOS patients than normal controls (P 0.05). The PCOS model mice exhibited significantly increased serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C; P 0.001, P 0.001, P = 0.0004, respectively). Moreover, the serum PCSK9 protein level was significantly increased in PCOS mice (P = 0.0002), which positively correlated with serum LDL-C (r = 0.5279, P = 0.0004) and TC (r = 0.4151, P = 0.035). In both liver and ovary of PCOS mice, PCSK9 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased (P 0.05), but LDLR levels were significantly decreased (P 0.05). Furthermore, alirocumab inhibiting PCSK9 partly increased in LDLR expression in both liver and ovary in PCOS mice, also ameliorated the lipid metabolic disorders and pathological changes of ovarian morphology and function and serum reproductive hormones but not in the PCOS plus vehicle group. In vitro experiment, recombinant PCSK9 decreased LDL uptake in TICs and GCs (P 0.001, P = 0.0011, respectively), which were partly reversed by alirocumab (P 0.001, P = 0.012, respectively).Abnormal high expression of PCSK9 in the blood, liver and ovary may be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS by affecting lipid metabolism and ovarian function, and the inhibition of PCSK9 may partly reverse the pathological changes of PCOS. Our research suggests a possibility of PCSK9 as a new attractive target for diagnosis and treatment of PCOS.

We study the steady-state entanglement and heat current of two coupled qubits, in which one qubit is connected with either two baths with the different temperature or a bath. We construct the master equation in the eigenstate representation of two coupled qubits to describe the dynamics and derive the solutions in the steady-state with strong coupling regime between them. We have demonstrated the variations of the steady-state entanglement with respect to various parameters of the system in both equilibrium and nonequilibrium cases. We find that the coupling strengths and the energy detuning as well as the temperature gradient are beneficial to the enhancement of the entanglement in equilibrium case. In the nonequilibrium case, the temperature gradient has different effects on entanglement due to the temperature of the bath(s) which the qubits touch. We also study the heat current and their variations with the energy detuning, coupling strengths and diverse low temperature. The energy detuning has a positive (negative) effect on the heat current in the low (high) temperature; heat current also have different trends with coupling strengths increases for a given temperature. The temperature of cool bath is lower, the heat current is larger.

Two new and interesting polynuclear lanthanide clusters, namely, [Ln6(acac)4(HL)2(THAM)4(CH3COCH3)2]·2CH3OH (LnIII = Gd (1) and Dy (2), Hacac = acetylacetone, H3L = N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-6-(hydroxymethyl)picolinohydrazide and THAM = tris(hydroxymethyl)methylaminomethane), were assembled by using a polydentate ligand (H3L) reacting with β-diketonate salts (Ln(acac)3·2H2O, LnIII = Gd and Dy) and the auxiliary ligand THAM, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray structures reveal that 1 and 2 are hexanuclear clusters which are linked by perfect Ln3 triangles via μ3-O and μ2-O atoms. The magnetic investigations reveal that 1 displays cryogenic magnetic refrigeration properties with large magnetic entropy (−ΔSm = 35.4 J kg−1 K−1 with ΔH = 7.0 T and T = 2.0 K). Remarkably, alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurement reveals that 2 exhibits typical SMM behavior with Ueff/kB = 50.8 K and pre-exponential factor τ0 = 1.5 × 10−6 s. It is one of the rare polynuclear Dy6 SMMs under zero dc field.

The incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) due to high-fat diet (HFD) consumption has been increasing significantly. However, the mechanism by which a HFD contributes to the pathogenesis of PCOS has not been elucidated. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a key protein that regulates cholesterol metabolism. Our previous study revealed abnormally high PCSK9 levels in serum from patients with PCOS and in serum and hepatic and ovarian tissues from PCOS model mice, suggesting that PCSK9 is involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS. However, the factor that induces high PCSK9 expression in PCOS remains unclear. In this study, Pcsk9 knockout mice were used to further explore the role of PCSK9 in PCOS. We also studied the effects of a HFD on the expression of PCSK9 and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2), a regulator of cholesterol homeostasis and a key transcription factor that regulates the expression of PCSK9, and the roles of these proteins in PCOS pathology. Our results indicated HFD may play an important role by inducing abnormally high PCSK9 expression via SREBP2 upregulation. We further investigated the effects of an effective SREBP inhibitor, fatostain, and found that it could reduce HFD-induced PCSK9 expression, ameliorate hyperlipidemia and improve follicular development in PCOS model mice. Our study thus further elucidates the important role of an HFD in the pathogenesis of PCOS and provides a new clue in the prevention and treatment of this disorder.

T6V#2S·6AL and T6V#4S·6DL translocation chromosomes developed from the cross of wheat and different Dasypyrum villosum accessions have good powdery mildew (PM) resistance, but their pairing and pyramiding behavior remains unclear. Results in this study indicated that the pairing frequency rate of the two differently originated 6VS chromosomes in their F 1 hybrid was 18.9% according to genomic in situ hybridization (GISH); the PM resistance plants in the F 2 generation from the cross between T6V#4S·6DL translocation line Pm97033 and its PM susceptible wheat variety Wan7107 was fewer than expected. However, the ratio of the resistant vs. the susceptible plants of 15:1 in the F 2 generation derived from the cross between the two translocation lines of T6V#2S·6AL and T6V#4S·6DL fitted well. Plants segregation ratio (homozygous:heterozygous:lacking) revealed by molecular marker for T6V#4S·6DL or T6V#2S·6AL in their F 2 populations fitted the expected values of 1:2:1 well, inferring that the pairing of the two alien chromosome arms facilitates the transmission of T6V#4S·6DL from the F 1 to the F 2 generation. A quadrivalent was also observed in 21% of pollen mother cells (PMCs) of homozygote plants containing the two pairs of translocated chromosomes. The chromosome pairing between 6V#2S and 6V#4S indicates that it will be possible to obtain recombinants and clarify if the PM resistance determinant on one alien chromosome arm is different from that on the other.

Two new Ln2 compounds, namely [Ln2(L)2(CH3OH)2] (Ln = Gd (1) and Dy (2)), have been successfully synthesized and further characterized by crystallography. Structural analysis shows that both 1 and 2 are binuclear compounds, and each LnIII ion is eight-coordinated model and the coordination polyhedron of centre LnIII ion can be represented as a distorted dodecahedron with triangular faces. The magnetic studies reveal that weak antiferromagnetic exchange is existed between the two neighbouring Gd(III) ions in 1. Furthermore, for 1, it exhibits magnetic refrigeration property (magnetic entropy changes −ΔSm = 24.75 J kg−1 K−1 for magnetic field intensity ΔH = 7.0 T at 3.0 K); while for 2, it displays slow magnetic relaxation behavior under zero dc field. When under an external dc field (dc = 3000 Oe), remarkable single-molecule-magnet (SMM) behavior was observed in 2 with the anisotropic barrier (ΔE/kB) of 16.65 K and pre-exponential factor (τ0) of 3.12 × 10−6 s.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) versus intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in in vitro fertilization (IVF) for couples with male factor infertility.Using the Cochrane system evaluation method, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and SinoMed and manually searched the reference lists of the included studies and relevant reviews for randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing ICSI and IMSI published from 1992 to July 2017. We performed a meta-analysis on the included literature with the RevMan 5.3 software and subgroup analyses due to the prominent clinical heterogeneity of the patients.Of the 280 articles retrieved, 8 RCTs were included, involving 1 741 IVF cycles (842 cycles of IMSI versus 899 cycles of ICSI). There was no evidence for any significant difference between IMSI and ICSI in the live birth rate in the subgroup of infertility induced by pure male factors (RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.68－2.51; very low quality evidence from 1 RCT with 77 cycles) but an association of IMSI with an increased clinical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.02－2.07; low quality evidence from 4 RCTs with 813 cycles), nor was there any evidence for that in the live birth rate (RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.60－1.31; low quality evidence from 1 RCT with 255 cycles) or clinical pregnancy rate (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.86－1.23; moderate quality evidence from 3 RCTs with 851 cycles) in the subgroup of infertility caused by accompanying male factors.The evidence is of low quality for the association of IMSI with an increased rate of clinical pregnancy and is not sufficient to support the routine use of IMSI in IVF for male factor infertility.目的： 评价形态选择性卵细胞胞质内单精子注射（IMSI）对比卵细胞胞质内单精子注射（ICSI）治疗男性因素不育症的效果和安全性。 方法： 采用Cochrane系统评价方法，检索MEDLINE、EMBASE、CENTRAL、ClinicalTrials.gov和SinoMed数据库，检索时限为1992年至 2017年 7月，并手工检索相关参考文献，纳入比较IMSI和ICSI的随机对照试验（RCT）。应用RevMan 5.3软件进行 Meta 分析。由于单纯男性因素和合并男性因素的不育症患者具有明显的临床异质性，故行亚组分析。 结果： 检索到文献280篇，纳入8个RCT，合计1 741个周期（IMSI=842，ICSI=899）。在单纯男性因素亚组，无证据证明IMSI周期和ICSI周期的活产率具有差异［ RR=1.31，95% CI（0.68，2.51），1个 RCT，77个周期，极低质量证据］；IMSI能提高临床妊娠率［RR=1.46，95% CI（1.02，2.07），4个RCT，813个周期，低质量证据］。在合并男性因素亚组，均无证据证明IMSI周期和ICSI周期的活产率［RR=0.88，95% CI（0.60，1.31），1个RCT，255个周期，低质量证据］和临床妊娠率［ RR=1.03，95% CI（0.86，1.23），3个RCT，851个周期，中等质量证据］具有差异。 结论： 尽管IMSI能提高单纯男性因素不育症患者体外受精周期的临床妊娠率，但证据质量等级较低，尚不足以支持将IMSI常规应用于该类患者。.

This paper proposes an improved amplitude spectrum based Fourier-Mellin algorithm Fourier by studying the nature of the Fourier transform image of the amplitude spectrum and the application of phase spectrum in estimation for image motion vector according to the shortcomings of traditional Fourier-Mellin algorithm when the video image translation, rotation and scaling of the situation exist. Experimental results show that the algorithm can estimate the rotation, translation and other vector parameters of a complicated motion model .The complexity of the algorithm has greatly improved comparing to the traditional Fourier-Mellin algorithm.

We study the steady-state entanglement and heat current of two coupled qubits, in which two qubits are connected with two independent heat baths (IHBs) or two common heat baths (CHBs). We construct the master equation in the eigenstate representation of two coupled qubits to describe the dynamics of the total system and derive the solutions in the steady-state with stronger coupling regime between two qubits than qubit–baths. We do not make the rotating wave approximation (RWA) for the qubit–qubit interaction, and so we are able to investigate the behaviors of the system in both the strong coupling regime and the weak coupling regime, respectively. In an equilibrium bath, we find that the entanglement decreases with the bath temperature and energy detuning increasing under the strong coupling regime. In the weak coupling regime, the entanglement increases with coupling strength increasing and decreases with the bath temperature and energy detuning increasing. In a nonequilibrium bath, the entanglement without RWA is useful for entanglement at lower temperatures. We also study the heat currents of the two coupled qubits and their variations with the energy detuning, coupling strength and low temperature. In the strong (weak) coupling regime, the heat current increases (decreases) with coupling strength increasing when the temperature of one bath is lower (higher) than the other, and the energy detuning leads to a positive (negative) effect when the temperature is low (high). In the weak coupling regime, the variation trend of heat current is opposite to that of coupling strength for the IHB case and the CHB case.

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L3 (UCHL3) belongs to the group of deubiquitinating enzymes and plays a part in apoptosis of germ cells and the differentiation of spermatocytes into spermatids. However, the exact role of UCHL3 in human spermatogenesis and sperm function remains unknown. Here we examined the level and activity of UCHL3 in spermatozoa from men with asthenozoospermia (A), oligoasthenozoospermia (OA) or normozoospermia (N). Immunofluorescence indicated that UCHL3 was mainly localized in the acrosome and throughout the flagella, and western blotting revealed a lower level in A or OA compared with N (p < 0.05). The catalytic activity of UCHL3 was decreased in spermatozoa from A or OA (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively). The level and activity of UCHL3 were positively correlated with sperm count, concentration and motility. The UCHL3 level was positively correlated with the normal fertilization rate (FR) and percentage of embryos suitable for transfer/cryopreservation of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The UCHL3 activity was also positively correlated with FR, the percentage of embryos suitable for transfer/cryopreservation and high-quality embryos rate of IVF. Aforementioned correlations were not manifested in intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). These findings suggest that UCHL3 may play a role in male infertility.

To investigate the potential protective effect of the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mitoquinone (MitoQ) on post-thaw human sperm.Semen samples were collected from 60 normal fertile men, each divided into six parts of equal volume to be incubated at 37 °C in normal saline (G0, control) or in the extender with 2 nmol/L (G1), 20 nmol/L (G2), 200 nmol/L (G3), 2 µmol/L (G4), and 20 µmol/L of MitoQ (G5). After one hour of incubation, the samples were subjected to computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) for sperm motility, flow cytometry for reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid assay for the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), and MitoTracker fluorescent staining and flow cytometry for the sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Then, the semen were cryopreserved with none (B0), 200 nmol/L (B1), and 2 µmol/L of MitoQ (B2), followed by detection of the changes in the ROS, MDA, and MMP of the post-thaw sperm.The percentage of progressively motile sperm and total rate of sperm motility were significantly higher in G3 ([30.8 ± 10.2]% and [70.6 ± 9.0]%) and G4 ([32.7 ± 13.5]% and [70.3 ± 11.9]%) than in G0 ([17.6 ± 5.0]% and [54.9 ± 11.5]%) (P0.05). The level of ROS dropped markedly with the increased concentration of MitoQ, 86.5 ± 31.6 in G3, 93.6 ± 42.0 in G4, and 45.1 ± 15.0 in G5, as compared with 160.8 ± 39.7 in G0 (P0.05). The content of MDA was remarkably lower in G3 ([0.9 ± 0.5] µmol/mg) and G4 ([0.9 ± 0.5] µmol/mg) than in G0 ([1.9 ± 1.1] µmol/mg) (P0.05), but not in G5 ([1.7 ± 0.7] µmol/mg), which was even higher than in G3 and G4 (P0.05). The MMP showed a significant reduction in G5 (1156 ± 216) in comparison with G0 (1701 ± 251) (P0.05) but exhibited no remarkable difference between G0 and G1 (1810 ± 298), G2 (1995 ± 437), G3 (1950 ± 334), or G4 (1582 ± 314). The percentage of progressively motile sperm and total rate of sperm motility after freezing-thawing were significantly decreased as compared with those of the fresh semen (P0.01), but both were remarkably higher in B1 ([3.2 ± 2.3]% and [ 43.0 ± 9.5]%) than in B0 ([0.8 ± 0.6]% and [26.5 ± 11.4]%) (P0.05). The ROS level was significantly lower in B1 and B2 than in B0 (34.6 ± 12. 3 and 37.0 ± 10.5 vs 56.9 ± 14.3, P0.05), and so was the MDA content ([1.4 ± 0.5] and [1.4 ± 0.6] µmol/mg vs [2.6 ± 1.0] µmol/mg, P0.05), but the MMP was markedly higher in B1 and B2 than in B0 (1010.0 ± 130.5 and 880.6 ± 128.6 vs 721.1 ± 24.8, P0.05).Addition of MitoQ to the freezing extender at 200 nmol/L may effectively improve the quality of human sperm and MitoQ is a good protective addictive for human sperm cryopreservation.

Prohibitin (PHB) is a highly conserved major sperm mitochondrial membrane protein whose absence in somatic cells is associated with mitochondrial membrane depolarization and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our recent findings suggest that high levels of oxidants in human semen may contribute to male infertility and that sperm motility could be the earliest and most sensitive indicator of oxidative damage. Based on PHB's roles in mitochondrial sub-compartmentalization and respiratory chain assembly, we examine sperm PHB expression and mitochondrial membrane potential (MITO) in infertile men with poor sperm motility (asthenospermia, A) and/or low sperm concentrations (oligoasthenospermia, OA). Here, we demonstrate that MITO is significantly lower in sperm from A and OA subjects than in normospermic (N) subjects; the decrease is more severe for OA than for A subjects. PHB expression is also significantly lower in sperm from A and OA subjects. Significantly positive correlations are found among PHB expression, MITO, and sperm motility in normospermic, asthenospermic, and oligoasthenospermic subjects. Collectively, our observations lead to the hypothesis that PHB expression is an indicator of sperm quality in infertile men, and that it regulates sperm motility via an alteration in MITO and increased ROS levels.

The aim of this study was to provide cytogenetical evidence on the behavior of chromosome 2Ai-2 from Thinopyrum intermedium in different wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) chromosome substitution backgrounds. Five wheat-alien disomic or ditelosomic substitution lines were crossed with the common wheat variety Chinese Spring to produce the BC 1 and F 2 populations, which were tested with expressed sequence target (EST)-PCR markers specific to chromosome 2Ai-2 and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) analysis. In the 2Ai-2(2B) substitution background, the alien chromosome or its fragment was transferred to offspring with higher ratio than the expected ratio, whereas the transmission ratios were much lower than the expectation in the 2Ai-2(2D) background. The 2Ai-2 chromosome was transferred preferentially through heterozygosis in the 2Ai-2(2B) background. Structural changes of 2Ai-2 occurred frequently in progenies, most of which were near the centromere. Compared with the short arm, the long arm of the alien chromosome was lost more frequently in the next generations. The F 2 plants with 2AS-substitution background were rare when detected with 2Ai-2S-specific EST-PCR marker(s), suggesting that the alien telosome might be lost frequently. Structural variation of the telosomic chromosome 2Ai-2S was also observed in the offspring with 2AS-substitution background. The GISH results confirmed that the EST-PCR markers can be applied in tracing the alien chromosome in wheat background.

By means of a generalized method and symbolic computation, we consider the stochastic nontravelling solutions of a Wick-type (2 + 1)-dimensional stochastic Borer–Kaup equation. As a result, we can construct new and more general formal solutions. The solutions obtained here include the nontravelling wave and coefficient function’s stochastic soliton-like solutions, singular stochastic soliton-like solutions, stochastic triangular functions solutions, stochastic Jacobi elliptic function solutions.