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International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2022Reactive nitrogen species (RNS), like reactive oxygen species (ROS), are useful for sustaining reproductive processes such as cell signaling, the regulation of hormonal... (Review)
Review
Reactive nitrogen species (RNS), like reactive oxygen species (ROS), are useful for sustaining reproductive processes such as cell signaling, the regulation of hormonal biosynthesis, sperm capacitation, hyperactivation, and acrosome reaction. However, endogenous levels of RNS beyond physiological limits can impair fertility by disrupting testicular functions, reducing gonadotropin production, and compromising semen quality. Excessive RNS levels cause a variety of abnormalities in germ cells and gametes, particularly in the membranes and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and severely impair the maturation and fertilization processes. Cell fragmentation and developmental blockage, usually at the two-cell stage, are also connected with imbalanced redox status of the embryo during its early developmental stage. Since high RNS levels are closely linked to male infertility and conventional semen analyses are not reliable predictors of the assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes for such infertility cases, it is critical to develop novel ways of assessing and treating oxidative and/or nitrosative stress-mediated male infertility. This review aims to explicate the physiological and pathological roles of RNS and their relationship with male reproduction.
Topics: DNA; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Nitrogen Species; Reactive Oxygen Species; Reproduction; Semen; Semen Analysis; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 36142487
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810574 -
Fertility and Sterility Jun 2021
Topics: Aneuploidy; DNA; Genetic Testing; Humans; Mitochondrial Diseases; Preimplantation Diagnosis
PubMed: 33795137
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.03.006 -
European Journal of Histochemistry : EJH Apr 2022Since the discovery of DNA structure in 1953, the deoxyribonucleic acid has always been playing a central role in biological research. As physical and ordered... (Review)
Review
Since the discovery of DNA structure in 1953, the deoxyribonucleic acid has always been playing a central role in biological research. As physical and ordered nucleotides sequence, it stands at the base of genes existence. Furthermore, beside this 2-dimensional sequence, DNA is characterized by a 3D structural and functional organization, which is of interest for the scientific community due to multiple levels of expression regulation, of interaction with other biomolecules, and much more. Analogously, the nucleic acid counterpart of DNA, RNA, represents a central issue in research, because of its fundamental role in gene expression and regulation, and for the DNA-RNA interplay. Because of their importance, DNA and RNA have always been mentioned and studied in several publications, and the European Journal of Histochemistry is no exception. Here, we review and discuss the papers published in the last 60 years of this Journal, focusing on its contribution in deepening the knowledge about this topic and analysing papers that reflect the interest this Journal always granted to the world of DNA and RNA.
Topics: DNA; Histocytochemistry; Nucleic Acids; RNA
PubMed: 35441834
DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2022.3409 -
Fertility and Sterility Aug 2021
Topics: Birth Rate; DNA; Female; Humans; Live Birth; Methylation; Pregnancy; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
PubMed: 34253328
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.06.032 -
Seminars in Liver Disease Aug 2022Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide. Chronic HBV infection is currently incurable because of... (Review)
Review
Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide. Chronic HBV infection is currently incurable because of the persistence of the viral template for the viral transcripts, covalently closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (cccDNA). Detecting changes in cccDNA transcriptional activity is key to understanding fundamental virology, determining the efficacy of new therapies, and deciding the optimal clinical management of HBV patients. In this review, we summarize surrogate circulating biomarkers that have been used to infer cccDNA levels and activity in people with chronic hepatitis B. Moreover, we outline the current shortcomings of the current biomarkers and highlight the clinical importance in improving them and expanding their use.
Topics: Biomarkers; DNA, Circular; DNA, Viral; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Humans; Virus Replication
PubMed: 35445388
DOI: 10.1055/a-1830-2741 -
Chemical Communications (Cambridge,... Nov 2021Polymer nanoparticle hydrogels made of deoxyribonucleic acid and silica have been prepared and shown to display shear thinning and self-healing properties, sustained...
Polymer nanoparticle hydrogels made of deoxyribonucleic acid and silica have been prepared and shown to display shear thinning and self-healing properties, sustained release of cargo and enzymatic degradation.
Topics: DNA; Deoxyribonucleases; Hydrogels; Nanoparticles; Polymers; Silicon Dioxide
PubMed: 34704568
DOI: 10.1039/d1cc05668a -
Nanoscale Jul 2023As an efficient class of hydrogel-based therapeutic drug delivery systems, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hydrogels (particularly DNA nanogels) have attracted massive... (Review)
Review
As an efficient class of hydrogel-based therapeutic drug delivery systems, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hydrogels (particularly DNA nanogels) have attracted massive attention in the last five years. The main contributor to this is the programmability of these 3-dimensional (3D) scaffolds that creates fundamental effects, especially in treating cancer diseases. Like other active biological ingredients (ABIs), DNA hydrogels can be functionalized with other active agents that play a role in targeting drug delivery and modifying the half-life of the therapeutic cargoes in the body's internal environment. Considering the brilliant advantages of DNA hydrogels, in this survey, we intend to submit an informative collection of feasible methods for the design and preparation of DNA hydrogels and nanogels, and the responsivity of the immune system to these therapeutic cargoes. Moreover, the interactions of DNA hydrogels with cancer biomarkers are discussed in this account. Theragnostic DNA nanogels as an advanced species for both detection and therapeutic purposes are also briefly reviewed.
Topics: Humans; Nanogels; Hydrogels; Drug Delivery Systems; Neoplasms; DNA
PubMed: 37337663
DOI: 10.1039/d3nr00425b -
Fertility and Sterility Jan 2022
Topics: DNA; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 34865851
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.11.020 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Aug 2022This study aimed to investigate the association between deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity parameters and advanced maternal age (AMA)-related infertility. The...
This study aimed to investigate the association between deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity parameters and advanced maternal age (AMA)-related infertility. The granulosa cells and the lymphocytes obtained from 119 infertile women were recruited. Patients were divided into two groups: the AMA group (≥35 years, = 26) and the non-AMA group (<35 years, = 93). The tail length, tail moment and tail DNA percentage were evaluated as the DNA integrity parameters using comet assay. Infertility duration (=.001), luteinising hormone (=.01) and progesterone levels (<.0001) were higher and smoking was more prevalent in the AMA group (=.001). AMA group was stimulated with higher gonadotropin doses (=.04) and had decreased anti-mullerian hormone levels (<.0001). All of DNA integrity parameters were distributed homogenously between the groups; however, the tail length of lymphocytes was higher (=.02) in the AMA group. Fertilisation was lower (=.02), oocyte quality was tended to be poor (=.03) and blastocyst transfer was lower in the AMA group (=.03). Embryo quality was distributed homogenously between the groups. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were similar between the groups. Impact Statement Advanced maternal age (AMA)-related infertility is associated with diminished ovarian reserve and alteration in follicular environment resulting in poor oocyte quality; however, the exact pathophysiologic mechanism is not clear. Tail length, tail deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) percentage, tail moment of granulosa cells were nonsignificantly higher in the AMA group compared to younger patients. All of the DNA integrity parameters of lymphocytes were nonsignificantly higher; however, only tail length of lymphocytes was statistically higher in the AMA group than the non-AMA group. A positive correlation was observed between DNA integrity parameters of lymphocytes and body mass index. There were no correlations between DNA integrity parameters of granulosa cells and lymphocyte and infertility duration, gonadotropin dose, duration of ovarian stimulation, oocyte score, embryo score, basal hormone levels and anti-mullerian hormone levels. Our findings offer new insight for further understanding the role of granulosa cells in mediating the poor reproductive outcome of ageing patients. Understanding the mechanisms of ovarian ageing and poor oocyte quality in women with AMA may help to identify specific targets for improving oocyte quality with ageing.
Topics: Anti-Mullerian Hormone; DNA; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Gonadotropins; Granulosa Cells; Humans; Infertility, Female; Luteinizing Hormone; Lymphocytes; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Progesterone
PubMed: 35611871
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2054689 -
Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi Dec 2022In criminal investigations, postmortem interval (PMI) is important information to be inferred in homicide investigations, as well as the focus and the difficulty in... (Review)
Review
In criminal investigations, postmortem interval (PMI) is important information to be inferred in homicide investigations, as well as the focus and the difficulty in forensic pathology research. Because the DNA content in different tissues is relatively constant and shows changes regularly with the extension of PMI, it has become a research hotspot of PMI estimation. This paper reviews the recent progress of PMI estimation technologies including DNA-based single cell gel electrophoresis, image analysis, flow cytometry, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing, hoping to provide references for forensic medicine practice and scientific research.
Topics: Humans; Postmortem Changes; Autopsy; DNA; Forensic Medicine; Forensic Pathology
PubMed: 36914391
DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2022.420601