Investigating the role of mitochondrial DNA D-loop variants, haplotypes, and copy number in polycystic ovary syndrome: implications for clinical phenotypes in the Chinese population.

Background: The presence of genetic variations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been associated with a diverse array of diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the correlations between mtDNA D-loop, its haplotypes, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the Chinese population, and the associations between mtDNA D-loop and symptoms of PCOS. The study also sought to determine whether the mtDNA copy number in Chinese patients with PCOS differed from that of individuals in the control group. Methods: Infertile individuals who only had tubal or male factor treatment were the focus of research by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). mtDNA haplotypes were categorized using polymorphic D-loop sites. mtDNA D-loop, PCOS features, and mtDNA haplotypes were analyzed using R software to determine the strength of the association between the three. There are certain DNA haplotypes linked to PCOS. Microdroplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine the mtDNA copy number in a convenience sample of 168 PCOS patients and 83 controls. Results: Among the research group, the majority of D-loop mutations were infrequent (frequency< 1%), with only 45 variants displaying a minimum allele frequency (MAF) of 5% or higher. No association was found between polymorphism loci in PCOS patients and body mass index (BMI). Noteworthy, C194T, 1A200G, 523delAC, and C16234T showed positive correlations with elevated LH/FSH levels. Additionally, specific polymorphic loci G207A, 16036GGins, and 16049Gins within the D-loop region of mtDNA potentially exerted a protective role in PCOS development. Conversely, no statistical significance was observed in the expression levels of C16291T and T489C. Chinese women with mtDNA haplotype A15 exhibited a decreased risk of developing PCOS. Moreover, a significant difference in mtDNA copy number was detected, with controls averaging 25.87 (21.84, 34.81), while PCOS patients had a mean of 129.91 (99.38, 168.63). Conclusion: Certain mtDNA D-loop mutations and haplotypes appear to confer protection against PCOS in Chinese women. In addition, elevated mtDNA copy number may serve as an indicator during early stages of PCOS.

Apelin/APJ-Manipulated CaMKK/AMPK/GSK3ß Signaling Works as an Endogenous Counterinjury Mechanism in Promoting the Vitality of Random-Pattern Skin Flaps.

A random-pattern skin flap plays an important role in the field of wound repair; the mechanisms that influence the survival of random-pattern skin flaps have been extensively studied but little attention has been paid to endogenous counterinjury substances and mechanism. Previous reports reveal that the apelin-APJ axis is an endogenous counterinjury mechanism that has considerable function in protecting against infection, inflammation, oxidative stress, necrosis, and apoptosis in various organs. As an in vivo study, our study proved that the apelin/APJ axis protected the skin flap by alleviating vascular oxidative stress and the apelin/APJ axis works as an antioxidant stress factor dependent on CaMKK/AMPK/GSK3ß signaling. In addition, the apelin/APJ-manipulated CaMKK/AMPK/GSK3ß-dependent mechanism improves HUVECs' resistance to oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R), reduces ROS production and accumulation, maintained the normal mitochondrial membrane potential, and suppresses oxidative stress in vitro. Besides, activation of the apelin/APJ axis promotes vascular migration and angiogenesis under relative hypoxia condition through CaMKK/AMPK/GSK3ß signaling. In a word, we provide new evidence that the apelin/APJ axis is an effective antioxidant and can significantly improve the vitality of random flaps, so it has potential be a promising clinical treatment.

Reversible 2D pseudopolyrotaxanes based on cyclodextrins and cucurbit[6]uril.

In this paper, a pseudorotaxane (2) was synthesized by reaction of cucurbit [6]uril with 6-[(6-aminohexyl)amino]-6-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin chloride. Subsequently, pseudorotaxanes 2 were further assembled to form a 2D pseudopolyrotaxane (3) through an alpha,omega-PPG2000 diamino polymer threading the cavities of cyclodextrins in 2, and the resulting pseudopolyrotaxane was comprehensively characterized by FT-IR, NMR, TG-DTA, elemental analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. Significantly, the 2D pseudopolyrotaxane can turn into a main-chain pseudopolyrotaxane in the presence of base, and then the addition of alpha-cyclodextrins may result in a reversible switch between two different 2D pseudopolyrotaxanes.

Purification and Characterization of Phospholipase A(2) from the Venom of Snake Trimeresurus stejnegeri Schmidt.

A phospholipase A(2)(PLA(2)) was purified from the venom of the snake Trimeresurus stejnegeri Schmidt by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, Mono Q ion exchange chromatography and Superose-12 gel filtration with FPLC and proved to be homogeneous as shown in SDS-PAGE and IEF. Its molecular weight is around 18 000 and isoelectric point is 4.7. Amino acid composition of PLA(2) was determined. Apart from hydrolyzing phosphatidylcholine, the enzyme has a potent inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation induced by ADP or collagen with half-inhibitory concentration of 10-15 &mgr;g/ml and 50-80 &mgr;g/ml respectively.