Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ioana Zaha, Petronela Naghi, Liana Stefan, Cosmina Bunescu, Mihaela Radu, Mariana Eugenia Muresan, Mircea Sandor, Liliana Sachelarie, Anca Huniadi
Summary: The microfluidic sperm selection method was found to improve the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. This method, which selects spermatozoa with the lowest DNA fragmentation rate, resulted in higher blastocyst rates and clinical pregnancy rates. It has the potential to be widely used in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and improve the workflow of standard IVF, reducing intervention by laboratory personnel and providing more consistent incubation conditions.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
James M. Kemper, Yanhe Liu, Masoud Afnan, Ben W. J. Mol, Dean E. Morbeck
Summary: There is a lack of evidence on embryos derived from oocytes without two pronuclei (2PN) or 'normal fertilization'. A significant difference exists between the development potential of oocytes with abnormal pronuclei and those with 2PN. Most recent studies focus on outcomes of blastocysts derived from non-2PN oocytes, suggesting that they have lower blastocyst rates and slightly reduced implantation potential compared to 2PN oocytes.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Kendalynn A. Morris, Andreas Richter, Mirco Migliavacca, Marion Schrumpf
Summary: This study investigated the impact of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on soil microbial growth, finding that soils with higher organic matter content may have higher microbial growth rates, and short-term nutrient imbalances may reduce microbial growth.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Luhong Zhang, Zhengyuan Jin, Jiyu Huang, Yiyue Zhang, Shaolong Huang, Zhiliang Wang, Yu-Jia Zeng, Victor Malgras, Shuangchen Ruan, Yusuke Yamauchi
Summary: Composite materials based on Sb clusters anchored on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) were prepared using a hierarchical sealed-tube calcination method, resulting in significantly increased photocatalytic efficiency for hydrogen generation. Further calcination under sealed-tube conditions allowed successful anchoring of Sb species in the form of atomic clusters within the g-C3N4 matrix, leading to a 14.4 times enhancement in photocatalytic hydrogen generation compared to pristine g-C3N4. This improvement can be attributed to the tuning of electronic structure in Sb@C3N4 and accelerated charge transfer.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Anna J. Korzekwa, Angelika M. Kotlarczyk
Summary: The use of assisted reproduction techniques in Cervidae is crucial for conservation efforts, particularly in managing endangered species and farmed deer. While some techniques like IVF have shown satisfactory results, others such as cryopreservation still require refinement.
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Xiangfei Wang, Ruolin Mao, Meng Wang, Rui Long, Lei Jin, Lixia Zhu
Summary: This meta-analysis investigates the impact of recryopreservation on embryo viability and the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The findings suggest that recryopreservation can result in decreased embryo survival, clinical pregnancy rates, and live birth rates compared to single cryopreservation.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Weiming Yan, Yangquanwei Zhong, Wenzhao Liu, Zhouping Shangguan
Summary: The study found that nitrogen fertilization increased all ecosystem carbon components and evapotranspiration. Excessive nitrogen application did not increase the net ecosystem carbon exchange compared to lower rates, mainly due to larger increase in aboveground plant respiration.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yilin Zhang, Daisuke Maruyama, Erika Toda, Atsuko Kinoshita, Takashi Okamoto, Nobutaka Mitsuda, Hironori Takasaki, Masaru Ohme-Takagi
Summary: In this study, an endosperm-specific gene, LBD35, was identified by transcriptome and cytological analyses of double-fertilized and single-fertilized seeds. The analysis revealed 141 genes, including 31 genes for small cysteine-rich peptides, that are expressed in a double fertilization-dependent manner. The results provide insights into the regulation of endosperm gene expression during embryo development.
Article
Plant Sciences
Radosav Cerovic, Milica Fotiric Aksic, Milena Dordevic, Mekjell Meland
Summary: Compatibility and synchrony between specialized tissues of the pistil, female gametophytes and male gametophytes are essential for successful pollination and fruit set in angiosperms. This study examined the development and viability of embryo sacs, as well as fertilization success, in different plum cultivars under specific Norwegian climatic conditions. The results showed variation among the cultivars, with 'Jubileum' demonstrating the best adaptation to low temperatures.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shuang Wu, Qian Liu, Zhonggang Wang, Zhenhua Zhang, Zhihong Lu, Rui Xiong, Jinlei Yao, Dengjing Wang
Summary: In this paper, H+ is used to bombard N-type undoped GaAs substrates to impart semiconductor-like electrical properties. The shape and structure of the sample were measured using atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, while the electrical properties were tested using the Physical Property Measurement System. The treated GaAs substrate surface showed hole-type conductivity at 84 K and electron-type conductivity at room temperature. This method not only preserves the lattice structure but also transforms the surface properties of GaAs, providing a new idea for the future development of GaAs-based heterojunction devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yu Zhao, Shuliang Gao, Donghui Song, Zhongfeng Ye, Ruijie Xu, Ying Luo, Qiaobing Xu
Summary: Researchers have developed an artificial compartment system based on lipidoids that can control enzyme activity using light. This system utilizes the reversible photoisomerization of azobenzene lipidoids to regulate the permeability of the compartment membrane and control enzyme activity. Unlike traditional inhibitors or noninhibitor systems, this approach does not require mutation or modification of enzymes, resulting in minimal loss of enzyme activity. Furthermore, this method provides a generic strategy for controlling multiple enzymes and has the potential to be applied in biological mechanism research and precision medicine.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Hayley M. Benham, Matthew P. McCollum, Pauline Nol, Rebecca K. Frey, P. Ryan Clarke, Jack C. Rhyan, Jennifer P. Barfield
Summary: The research demonstrated that live offspring can be generated from oocytes collected from Yellowstone National Park bison post mortem in the non-breeding season, and that gamete recovery can be a valuable tool for conserving valuable genetics and mitigating disease impacts.
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Giovanni Coticchio, Danilo Cimadomo, Greta Chiara Cermisoni, Laura Rienzi, Enrico Papaleo, Filippo Maria Ubaldi, Andrea Borini, Lucia De Santis
Summary: Human embryos are often affected by maternally inherited aneuploidies, leading to developmental failure at early stages. Recent evidence shows that aberrant patterns at the cellular or molecular level can impact multiple stages of embryo development. Fertilization is a delicate phase where centrosomes are assembled and nuclei undergo crucial changes. Errors in this process can result in cellular or genomic integrity loss and fatal consequences for embryonic development.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Zoltan Bognar, Timea Judith Csabai-Tanics, Eva Gorgey, Eva Miko, Zoltan Horvath-Szalai, Julia Szekeres-Bartho
Summary: The role of vitamin D (VD) in reproduction is still inconclusive. Calcitriol treatment at the time of FSH injection or at day 0.5 of pregnancy did not affect conception and implantation in mice, but had adverse effects on oocyte maturation and embryo development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Giovanni Coticchio, Andrea Borini, David F. Albertini
Summary: Nucleolus precursor bodies (NPB) are intrapronuclear aggregations observed in fertilized human eggs, with recent data indicating their movement characteristics can predict embryo developmental competence. Chromatin rearrangement is emerging as a crucial process in early development as NPB and chromatin distributions coincide.
JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Shogo Himori, Shoichi Nishitani, Toshiya Sakata
Summary: This paper presents the concept of an aptamer-based nanofilter interface to suppress nonspecific signals in biological samples, showing electrical discrimination of small biomolecules. The interface allows electrical monitoring of small biomarkers while suppressing interference from other species in biological samples.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Toshiya Sakata, Shoichi Nishitani, Akiko Saito, Yuta Fukasawa
Summary: The paper introduces a one-step procedure for fabricating an ultrathin channel ITO-based biosensor with semiconductive properties and ion sensitivity, suitable for real-time monitoring of cellular respiration and long-term stability.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hiroto Satake, Toshiya Sakata
Summary: The study demonstrates that both native and pDA-modified Ta2O5 membranes have the appropriate surface tension for chondrocyte adhesion, with native Ta2O5 membrane showing superior performance in promoting cell proliferation and extracellular matrix protein production.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yeji Kim, Yuuki Inoue, Hijiri Hasegawa, Yasukazu Yoshida, Toshiya Sakata
Summary: This study introduces a novel method for detecting DNA methylation through conformational transition to G-quadruplex, using a solution-gated field-effect transistor (SG-FET) without the need for labeled materials. The method involves grafting a dense hydrophilic polymer brush onto the SG-FET sensor surface to reduce electrical noise and achieve high signal-to-noise ratio analysis of DNA sequences.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Toshiya Sakata, Reiko Shiratori, Masaru Kato
Summary: This paper proposes a hydrogel-coated gate field-effect transistor (FET) for real-time monitoring and inhibition of beta-amyloid (A beta) aggregation. By monitoring the stepwise aggregation process of A beta monomers, the surface potential of the hydrogel-coated gate electrode can be electrically monitored. The addition of an A beta aggregation inhibitor suppresses the electrical response of the hydrogel-coated gate FET.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shoichi Nishitani, Toru Fukuma, Shogo Himori, Youyuan Man, Reiko Shiratori, Toshiya Sakata
Summary: The study introduces a multistep grafting protocol to densify the film while maintaining a thickness on the order of nanometers. This simple protocol successfully passivated a nitrophenyl polyaryl film, eliminating electrochemical reactions, and significantly enhanced the antifouling property of the phenylphosphorylcholine film. The potential to precisely control the density of functionalized surfaces suggests applications in the development of bioelectrical interfaces.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shogo Himori, Toshiya Sakata
Summary: Flexible conductive polymer hydrogels are being researched as electrode materials for electrochemical biosensors due to their high conductivity, biocompatibility, and sensitivity. However, their fragility requires a supporting substrate, affecting their mechanical toughness and application potential.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Toshiya Sakata, Shoichi Nishitani, Yusuke Yasuoka, Shogo Himori, Kenta Homma, Tsukuru Masuda, Aya Mizutani Akimoto, Kazuaki Sawada, Ryo Yoshida
Summary: The Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) self-oscillation reaction is an important chemical model to understand nonequilibrium chemistry. This study investigated the electrical behavior of pH oscillation induced by the BZ reaction and found that a self-oscillating polymer brush based on N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) exhibited periodic electrical response on an ISFET sensor. This research provides a solution to the problems of nonequilibrium chemistry.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Alex C. Tseng, Toshiya Sakata
Summary: This study successfully integrated the high electrical performance of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) complexed with poly(styrenesulfonate) and the structural and electrochemical functions of a poly(acrylamide) second network incorporating phenylboronicacid in composite hydrogels. The free-standing hydrogels showed excellent performance in terms of hydration and conductivity, and could be used as channels for organic electrochemical transistors.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kanako Ishino, Shoichi Nishitani, Youyuan Man, Akiko Saito, Toshiya Sakata
Summary: In this study, the surface characteristics of a polyserotonin film were examined. The film showed good biocompatibility and moderate protein adsorption ability. Compared to a poly-dopamine film, the polyserotonin film was thinner and smoother, allowing precise control of the thickness and roughness of functional polymer membranes at the nanometer scale. Additionally, the polyserotonin film acted as a relatively insulative interface, preventing nonspecific adsorption of interfering species.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Toshiya Sakata
Summary: Biosensing technologies are crucial for point-of-care testing. Bio-FET sensors, as a kind of potentiometric biosensor, have great potential due to their ability to directly detect ionic and biomolecular charges in miniaturized devices. However, there are still technical issues that need to be addressed to expand their applications in biosensing.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shoichi Nishitani, Youyuan Man, Taiga Noguchi, Toshiya Sakata
Summary: This study proposes a biosensor interface that enhances analyte signal and reduces noise in a potentiometric biosensor. The incorporation of gold nanoparticles increases signal intensity in serotonin sensing, while the structure of the biosensor reduces interfering noise.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Toshiya Sakata, Reiko Shiratori, Shoichi Nishitani
Summary: In this study, an aptamer-based capacitive electrode was proposed for the specific detection of glycated albumin (GA) in an enzyme-/antibody-free manner. The application of a capacitive polyaryl film and polyethylene glycol (PEG) improved the detection accuracy of GA and prevented interference from other proteins. The experimental results showed that the ECS method using the capacitive electrode could evaluate the changes in GA concentration, contributing to the control of prediabetes.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hui Zhang, Yawei Qiu, Fumiya Osawa, Meiko Itabashi, Noriyasu Ohshima, Taira Kajisa, Toshiya Sakata, Takashi Izumi, Hayato Sone
Summary: In this study, SiNW biosensors with different widths were designed and fabricated to investigate the critical effect of 10-nm-scaled SiNW width on detection sensitivity. The detection limit and depletion region changes were calculated by detecting various concentrations of anti-ovalbumin immunoglobulin G (IgG). The results showed that the proportion of the depletion region over the entire SiNW channel is the essential reason for high-sensitivity detection. Therefore, this study is crucial for maximizing the sensitivity of SiNW biosensors.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ritsu Katayama, Toshiya Sakata
Summary: Our solution-gated indium tin oxide (ITO)-based thin-film transistor (TFT), produced by single-step sputtering, shows great potential in bioelectronics. By chemically modifying the ITO channel surface, we can achieve biomolecular recognition with high sensitivity due to the steep subthreshold slope (SS). In this study, we investigated the impact of a chemical modification involving an aptamer as the receptor molecule on the electrical characteristics of the solution-gated TFT.
