The influence of paternal MTHFR C677T polymorphism on in vitro fertilization outcomes in male Han population

The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) regulates the metabolism of homocysteine in the human body, and MTHFR C677T polymorphism is correlated with male infertility among Asian populations. The relationship between paternal MTHFR C677T polymorphism and clinical outcomes is unclear due to conflicting study findings. In the current retrospective study, we enrolled 849 infertile couples from the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, categorizing them into three subgroups based on their paternal MTHFR 677 genotype: CC, CT and TT. The clinical pregnancy (CC: 60.8%, CT: 62.5%, TT: 63.7%; p = 0.83), implantation (CC: 36.6%, CT: 42.2%, TT: 40.5%; p = 0.15), blastocyst formation (CC: 49%, CT: 48.4%, TT: 50.6%; p = 0.49), good-quality embryo (CC: 48.3%, CT: 49.8%, TT: 51.3%; p = 0.19), and normal fertilization (embryo development) (CC: 67.1%, CT: 66.2%, TT: 67.5%; p = 0.51) rates were comparable among all groups. Similarly, the live birth (CC: 54.2%, CT: 53.2%, TT: 53.7%; p = 0.97) and miscarriage (CC: 10.9%, CT: 14.9%, TT: 15.7%; p = 0.45) rates were comparable among the three cohorts. Regarding neonatal outcomes, the Apgar score, gestational age at delivery, neonatal sex, birth weight, birth height and preterm birth rates were non-significant among all groups. Finally, the rates of birth defects were also comparable among individuals of all groups (CC: 0%, CT: 0.3%, TT: 1.9%; p = 0.18). These findings suggest that paternal MTHFR C677T polymorphism does not exert any discernible effect on embryo quality, neonatal outcomes or birth defects in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Therefore, in our population, paternal MTHFR C677T polymorphism is not informative in explaining IVF failure. Further studies, however examining the other enzymes in the folic acid pathway are warranted

The Effects of Fungicide, Soil Fumigant, Bio-Organic Fertilizer and Their Combined Application on Chrysanthemum Fusarium Wilt Controlling, Soil Enzyme Activities and Microbial Properties

Sustained monoculture often leads to a decline in soil quality, in particular to the build-up of pathogen populations, a problem that is conventionally addressed by the use of either fungicide and/or soil fumigation. This practice is no longer considered to be either environmentally sustainable or safe. While the application of organic fertilizer is seen as a means of combating declining soil fertility, it has also been suggested as providing some control over certain soil-borne plant pathogens. Here, a greenhouse comparison was made of the Fusarium wilt control efficacy of various treatments given to a soil in which chrysanthemum had been produced continuously for many years. The treatments comprised the fungicide carbendazim (MBC), the soil fumigant dazomet (DAZ), the incorporation of a Paenibacillus polymyxa SQR21 (P. polymyxa SQR21, fungal antagonist) enhanced bio-organic fertilizer (BOF), and applications of BOF combined with either MBC or DAZ. Data suggest that all the treatments evaluated show good control over Fusarium wilt. The MBC and DAZ treatments were effective in suppressing the disease, but led to significant decrease in urease activity and no enhancement of catalase activity in the rhizosphere soils. BOF including treatments showed significant enhancement in soil enzyme activities and microbial communities compared to the MBC and DAZ, evidenced by differences in bacterial/fungi (B/F) ratios, Shannon–Wiener indexes and urease, catalase and sucrase activities in the rhizosphere soil of chrysanthemum. Of all the treatments evaluated, DAZ/BOF application not only greatly suppressed Fusarium wilt and enhanced soil enzyme activities and microbial communities but also promoted the quality of chrysanthemum obviously. Our findings suggest that combined BOF with DAZ could more effectively control Fusarium wilt disease of chrysanthemum

A review of the immune activity of chitooligosaccharides

Abstract Under the influence of the COVID-19, people's awareness of physical health and immunity has increased significantly. Chitooligosaccharide is an oligomer of β-(1, 4)-linked D -glucosamine, furthermore, is one of the most widely studied immunomodulators. Chitooligosaccharide can be prepared from the chitin or chitosan polymers through enzymatically, chemically or physically processes. Chitooligosaccharide and its derivatives have been proven to have a wide range of biological activities including intestinal flora regulation, immunostimulant, anti-tumor, anti-obesity and anti-oxidation effects. This review summarizes the latest research of the preparation methods, biological activities in immunity and safety profiles of Chitooligosaccharide and its derivatives. We recapped the effect mechanisms of Chitooligosaccharide basing on overall immunity. Comparing the effects of Chitooligosaccharide with different molecular weights and degree of aggregation, a reference range for usage has been provided. This may provide a support for the application of Chitooligosaccharide in immune supplements and food. In addition, future research directions are also discussed

A Closure Study of Secondary Organic Aerosol Estimation at an Urban Site of Yangtze River Delta, China

Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) are crucial components of ambient particulate matters. However, their composition and formation mechanisms remain uncertain. To investigate the SOA formation and evaluate various SOA estimation approaches, a comprehensive measurement was conducted at an urban site, Changzhou, in Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. 98 kinds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured by an online gas chromatography-mass spectrometer/flame ionization detector (GC-MS/FID). Non-refractory submicron particulate matters (NR-PM1) were measured by an Aerodyne Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM). Both bottom-up approaches, i.e., VOCs oxidation yield method, and top-down approaches, i.e., elemental carbon (EC) tracer method and ACSM, combined with positive matrix factorization (PMF) method, were utilized to estimate SOA. ACSM-PMF method estimated the highest SOA concentration, followed by EC tracer method. SOA from VOCs oxidation yield method accounted for 43.2 ± 41.9% of that from EC tracer method, suggesting the existence of missing SOA precursors, e.g., semivolatile organic compounds. The influencing factors of SOA formation were investigated and a good correlation of SOA with odd oxygen rather than aerosol liquid water content was found, suggesting the importance of photochemical formation of SOA

Enhanced charge transfer and reaction kinetics of vanadium pentoxide for zinc storage via nitrogen interstitial doping

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are the prospective substitution for lithium-ion batteries applied in large scale energy storage system due to their low-cost, environmentally friendliness, and high safety. However, the development of cathodes in aqueous ZIBs suffers from sluggish Zn2+ migration. Herein, nitrogen doped V2O5 is introduced to resolve the above problem. N-doping lowers the bandgap energy of V2O5 to improve its electronic conductivity, and weakens the forces between Zn2+ and V2O5 to fasten Zn2+ diffusion. Further density functional theory (DFT) calculation testifies that N-doping reduces diffusion energy barrier and changes Zn2+ diffusion pathway from the vertical interlayer diffusion to planer intralayer diffusion. Meanwhile, the structural stability of electrode material also benefits from the N-doping, which can prevent the interlayer V2O5 from gliding or exfoliation during cycling. Profiting from these merits, N-doping V2O5 exhibits the outstanding electrochemical properties, such as high rate capability (116.8 mAh/g at 6 A/g) and long cycling performance (3000 cycles at 10 A/g). Dynamics and post-cycling analyses reveal the high capacitive ratio and the stable N distribution in N-doped V2O5 during charging/discharging

Spatiotemporal variation, sources, and secondary transformation potential of volatile organic compounds in Xi'an, China

As critical precursors of ozone (O-3) and secondary organic aerosols, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a vital role in air quality, human health, and climate change. In this study, a campaign of comprehensive field observations and VOC grid sampling was conducted in Xi'an, China, from 20 June to 20 July 2019 to identify the spatiotemporal concentration levels, sources, and secondary transformation potential of VOCs. During the observation period, the average VOC concentrations at the Chanba (CB), Di Huan Suo (DHS), Qinling (QL), and gridded sampling sites were 27.8 +/- 8.9, 33.8 +/- 10.5, 15.5 +/- 5.8, and 29.1 +/- 8.4 ppb, respectively. Vehicle exhaust was the primary source of VOC emissions in Xi'an, and the contributions of vehicle exhaust to VOCs at the CB, DHS, and QL sites were 41.3 %, 30.6 %, and 23.6 %-41.4 %, respectively. While industrial emissions were the second-largest source of VOCs in urban areas, contributions from aging sources were high in rural areas. High potential source contribution function values primarily appeared in eastern and southern Xi'an near the sampling site, which indicates that Xi'an exhibits a strong local VOC source. Moreover, alkenes, aromatics, and oxygenated VOCs played a dominant role in secondary transformation, which is a major concern in reducing O-3 pollution in Xi'an