G3BP2, a stress granule assembly factor, is dispensable for spermatogenesis in mice

Background Spermatogenesis is a complex process that includes mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During spermatogenesis, genetic factors play a vital role inthe formation of properly functioning sperm. GTPase-activating protein (SH3 domain)-binding protein 2 (G3BP2) is known to take part in immune responses, mRNA transport, and stress-granule assembly. However, its role in male fertility is unclear. Here, we generated a G3bp2 conditional knockout (cKO) mouse model to explore the function of G3BP2 in male fertility. Methods Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting (WB) were used to confirm testis-specific G3bp2 knockout. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe testicular morphology and epididymal structure. Computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) to detect sperm concentration and motility. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect apoptotic cells. Results We found that cKO male mice are fertile with the normal morphology of the testis and sperm. Additionally, CASA of the semen from cKO mice showed that they all had a similar sperm concentration and motility. In addition, sperm from these mice exhibited a similar morphology. But the tunnel assay revealed increased apoptosis in their testes relative to the level in the wild type (WT). Conclusion Together, our data demonstrate that G3BP2 is dispensable for spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice albeit with the increased germ-cell apoptosis

Synthesis of nickel-copper composite with controllable nanostructure through facile solvent control as positive electrode for high-performance supercapacitors

The surface characteristics of electrodes vary depending on the solvent used. Furthermore, electrochemical performance varies depending on the surface morphology of the electrode. In this study, we grew 3D binary NiCu-based composites on Ni foam, via a binder-free hydrothermal method, for use as a cathode in high-performance supercapacitors. We employed different solvents to prepare the electrodes by adjusting the ratio of deionized water (DI water) to methanol. The electrode prepared using DI water as the solvent had the largest surface area with a nanowire structure. This morphology allowed for good electrical performance by greatly improving the electrode and electrolyte contact area and shortening the ion diffusion path. The optimized deposition of NiCu(CO3)(OH)(2) nanowires (50 mL of DI water as solvent) showed an excellent maximum specific capacity of 758.9 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 3 A g(-1), as well as outstanding cycling performance with 87.2% retention after 5000 cycles. In this work, we focused on the large specific surface area and suitable electrochemical properties of NiCu(CO3)(OH)(2) electrodes with various solvents. As a result, the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) using the NiCu(CO3) (OH)(2) electrode prepared with 50 ml of DI water as the solvent as the positive electrode and graphene as the negative electrode, exhibited an energy density of 26.7 W h kg(-1) at a power density of 2534 W kg(-1), and excellent cycling stability with 91.3% retention after 5000 cycles. The NiCu(CO3)(OH)(2)//graphene ASC could turn on an LED light and demonstrated better electrical performance than most previously reported nickel- and copper-based carbonate hydroxide ASCs. In addition, in the present scenario where many nanoscale studies are conducted, a method of controlling the nanostructure of a material through facile solvent control will be of great help to many researchers

Synergistic effects of dual nano-type electrode of NiCo-nanowire/NiMn-nanosheet for high-energy supercapacitors

A unique three-dimensional hybrid NiCo(CO3)(OH)(2) nanowire/NiMn(CO3)(OH)(2) nanosheet composite was fabricated using a facile hydrothermal method as a binder-free electrode directly grown on Ni foam for supercapacitors. We examined the synergistic effect by fabricating Ni-Co-Mn ternary electrodes that used Ni-Co with a large specific surface area and Mn with a very high theoretical capacity. The new hybrid electrode had good electrochemical characteristics, exhibiting remarkably high specific capacitances of 1673.3 and 453.0 Fg(-1) at 3 and 15 Ag-1, respectively. Compared with other samples, the capacitance showed less reduction as the current density increased. This result indicates stable electrode properties with increasing voltage. The cycling stability of the hybrid NiCo(CO3)(OH)(2)/NiMn(CO3)(OH)(2) composite was measured as 82.1% after 5000 cycles. Additionally, we fabricated an asymmetric supercapacitor employing the NiCo(CO3)(OH)(2)/NiMn(CO3)(OH)(2) composite as the positive electrode and graphene as the negative electrode, which exhibited a high energy density of 27.2 W h kg(-1) at a power density of 702.7 W kg(-1) and a remarkable cycling stability, with 89.4% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. Thus, for the first time, we investigated the dual nano-type structure of an NiCo(CO3)(OH)(2) nanowire/NiMn(CO3)(OH)(2) nanosheet electrode for supercapacitors and obtained satisfactory results. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Histopathologic image–based deep learning classifier for predicting platinum-based treatment responses in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Abstract Platinum-based chemotherapy is the cornerstone treatment for female high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), but choosing an appropriate treatment for patients hinges on their responsiveness to it. Currently, no available biomarkers can promptly predict responses to platinum-based treatment. Therefore, we developed the Pathologic Risk Classifier for HGSOC (PathoRiCH), a histopathologic image–based classifier. PathoRiCH was trained on an in-house cohort (n = 394) and validated on two independent external cohorts (n = 284 and n = 136). The PathoRiCH-predicted favorable and poor response groups show significantly different platinum-free intervals in all three cohorts. Combining PathoRiCH with molecular biomarkers provides an even more powerful tool for the risk stratification of patients. The decisions of PathoRiCH are explained through visualization and a transcriptomic analysis, which bolster the reliability of our model’s decisions. PathoRiCH exhibits better predictive performance than current molecular biomarkers. PathoRiCH will provide a solid foundation for developing an innovative tool to transform the current diagnostic pipeline for HGSOC