Maternal and embryonic signals cause functional differentiation of luminal epithelial cells and receptivity establishment.

Embryo implantation requires temporospatial maternal-embryonic dialog. Using single-cell RNA sequencing for the uterus from 2.5 to 4.5 days post-coitum (DPC) and bulk sequencing for the corresponding embryos of 3.5 and 4.0 DPC pregnant mice, we found that estrogen-responsive luminal epithelial cells (EECs) functionally differentiated into adhesive epithelial cells (AECs) and supporting epithelial cells (SECs), promoted by progesterone. Along with maternal signals, embryonic Pdgfa and Efna3/4 signaling activated AECs and SECs, respectively, enhancing the attachment of embryos to the endometrium and furthering embryo development. This differentiation process was largely conserved between humans and mice. Notably, the developmental defects of SOX9-positive human endometrial epithelial cells (similar to mouse EEC) were related to thin endometrium, whereas functional defects of SEC-similar unciliated epithelial cells were related to recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Our findings provide insights into endometrial luminal epithelial cell development directed by maternal and embryonic signaling, which is crucial for endometrial receptivity.

Gonadal white adipose tissue is important for gametogenesis in mice through maintenance of local metabolic and immune niches.

Gonadal white adipose tissue (gWAT) can regulate gametogenesis via modulation of neuroendocrine signaling. However, the effect of gWAT on the local microenvironment of the gonad was largely unknown. Herein, we ruled out that gWAT had a neuroendocrine effect on gonad function through a unilateral lipectomy strategy, in which cutting off epididymal white adipose tissue could reduce seminiferous tubule thickness and decrease sperm counts only in the adjacent testis and epididymis of the affected gonad. Consistent with the results in males, in females, ovary mass was similarly decreased by lipectomy. We determined that the defects in spermatogenesis were mainly caused by augmented apoptosis and decreased proliferation of germ cells. Transcriptome analysis suggested that lipectomy could disrupt immune privilege and activate immune responses in both the testis and ovary on the side of the lipectomy. In addition, lipidomics analysis in the testis showed that the levels of lipid metabolites such as free carnitine were elevated, whereas the levels of glycerophospholipids such as phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines were decreased, which indicated that the metabolic niche was also altered. Finally, we show that supplementation of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine could partially rescue the observed phenotype. Collectively, our findings suggest that gWAT is important for gonad function by not only affecting whole-body homeostasis but also via maintaining local metabolic and immune niches.

Association of sexually transmitted infection with semen quality in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility.

This study aims to compare the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with semen quality in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility. Semen samples were collected from 133 men who requested fertility evaluation. Seminal tract infection with Ureaplasma spp. (UU), Mycoplasma hominis (MH), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) was assessed by PCR-based diagnostic assays. Among all patients, the prevalence of STIs was higher in men from couples with primary infertility than that in men from couples with secondary infertility (39.7% vs 21.7%, P = 0.03). The prevalence of UU was 28.8% and 13.3% in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility, respectively. Men from couples with primary infertility were more likely to be positive for UU than men from couples with secondary infertility (P = 0.04). Regarding the UU subtype, the prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uuu) and Ureaplasma parvum (Uup; including Uup1, Uup3, Uup6, and Uup14) did not differ between the two groups. No associations between the prevalence rates of MH, MG, and CT were found in men from either infertility group. A lower sperm concentration was associated with STI pathogen positivity in men with primary infertility according to the crude model (P = 0.04). The crude and adjusted models showed that semen volume (both P = 0.03) and semen leukocyte count (both P = 0.02) were independently associated with secondary infertility. These findings suggest the importance of classifying the type of infertility during routine diagnosis of seminal tract infections.

Relating quantum coherence and correlations with entropy-based measures.

Quantum coherence and quantum correlations are important quantum resources for quantum computation and quantum information. In this paper, using entropy-based measures, we investigate the relationships between quantum correlated coherence, which is the coherence between subsystems, and two main kinds of quantum correlations as defined by quantum discord as well as quantum entanglement. In particular, we show that quantum discord and quantum entanglement can be well characterized by quantum correlated coherence. Moreover, we prove that the entanglement measure formulated by quantum correlated coherence is lower and upper bounded by the relative entropy of entanglement and the entanglement of formation, respectively, and equal to the relative entropy of entanglement for all the maximally correlated states.

Bounds for coherence of quantum superpositions in high dimension.

Quantum coherence plays a major role in the promotion for quantum information processing and designing quantum technology. Since coherence is rooted in superposition principle, it is vital to understand the coherence change with respect to superpositions. Here we study the bounds for coherence of quantum superpositions in high dimension. We consider three most frequently used measures of coherence, i.e. the relative entropy of coherence, l 1 norm of coherence and robustness of coherence. For a quantum state (an arbitrary dimension) and its arbitrary decomposition, we give the upper and lower bounds for coherence of the superposition state in terms of the coherence of the states being superposed.

[Quality of life and major dimensions of health status among the elderly in the central and western poor areas of China].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the quality of life and the main dimensions of health status among the elderly living in the central and western poor areas of China. METHODS: Cluster sampling was used and 1145 elderly aged above 60 were sampled from 4 provinces in western areas of China. Economic status, performance of health, self reported situation and satisfaction on health were investigated. We conducted comparative dimensions of health analysis across age and gender. RESULTS: Among the elderly, 58.6% of them had monthly income less than 250 Yuan RMB and 14.1% of them with monthly income between 250-400 Yuan RMB. As for the sources of income, 50.1% of the elderly relied on their children while 43.7% of them supported themselves. Among the elderly aged 60-, 70- and 80-, 68.54%, 54.63% and 38.46% of them had no difficulty in mobility while 75.73%, 68.52% and 53.85% had no difficulty taking care of themselves, 67.98%, 56.02% and 35.90% of them had no difficulty in managing daily activities, 55.51%, 51.39% and 38.46% of them had no pain or discomfort and 69.66%, 59.26%, 51.28% of them did not show any signs on anxiety or depression. Men aged over 80 had better status than women, however, there was no significant difference for the age groups 60- or 70- on the mobility and self-care between genders. 37.98%,31.02% and 28.21% of the elderly in the age groups 60-, 70- or 80-, self-reported to have had good health,with males more than females (P < 0.05). 76.74%, 75.00% and 79.49% of the 60-, 70- or 80- elderly groups self-reported having satisfactory life style. The aged 60- elderly did not show significant gender difference on self-reported satisfaction with life but the male elderly aged 70 and above reported having more satisfied life than the females (P < 0.05). Factors as marriage status, gender, chronic disease, ability of mobility and daily activities played positive promotion roles on health status of the elderly. CONCLUSION: Sources of income was limited among the elderly. The overall self-reported health status was poor but males were more likely to show positive results on self-assessment. Proportions of health-related quality of life indicators among elderly declined with age, and the performance of life function of the elderly women were inferior to men. Elderly living in the rural areas presented a higher proportion on 'satisfaction of life'.