Identification and molecular characterization of genes modulating progression of an oocyte from M-I to M-II in rat ovary.

BACKGROUND: To achieve oocyte competence for successful fertilization, bidirectional communication between oocyte and granulosa cells is crucial. The acquisition of meiotic competency in oocyte is facilitated by various regulatory genes however, expression pattern of these genes is not well documented during meiotic transition from Metaphase-I to Metaphase-II stage. Therefore, the present research analyzed the expression pattern of regulatory genes that are involved in the transition from M-I to M-II stages in rat oocyte. METHODS: The analysis of the data was conducted by applying an array of bioinformatic tools. The investigation of gene group interactions was carried out by employing the STRING database, which relies on co-expression information. The gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed utilizing the comparative GO database. Functional annotation for GO and pathway enrichment analysis were performed for genes involved in networking. The GO obtained through computational simulations was subsequently validated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. RESULTS: The findings of our study suggest that there is a distinct gene expression pattern in both the oocyte and granulosa cells. This pattern indicates that oocyte-secreted factors, such as BMP15 and GDF9, play a crucial role in regulating the progression of the meiotic cell cycle from the M-I to M-II stages. We have also examined the level of mRNA expression of genes including CYP11A1, CYP19A1, and STAR, which are crucial for the steroidogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: It is fascinating to observe that the oscillatory pattern of specific key genes may hold significance in the process of in vitro oocyte maturation, specifically during the transition from the M-I to M-II stage. It might be useful for determining biomarker genes and potential pathways that play a role in attaining oocyte competency, thereby aiding in the assessment of oocyte quality for the purpose of achieving successful fertilization.

Osteonecrosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The relationship of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis (AVN) is uncertain. METHODS: Systematic review to estimate the frequency of osteonecrosis in IBD was performed. Electronic databases were searched on 12 December 2022 to identify relevant studies. We planned to estimate the pooled prevalence of AVN in IBD, the risk in IBD when compared to the healthy population (without any chronic disease), and the impact of steroid use on osteonecrosis (IBD with and without steroid use). The risk of Bias was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool. RESULTS: Fifteen studies including 105 154 individuals were included. The pooled rate AVN was 10.39 per 1000 patients (95% confidence interval, 4.44-24.11, I 2  = 97%). Subgroup analysis suggested that the prevalence was lower in larger studies (>1000 participants) at 3.10, 1.07; 8.98, I 2  = 98% versus 21.03, 8.69; 50.01, I 2  = 83%. The use of steroids did not seem to increase the risk of osteonecrosis in the included studies (pooled odds ratio: 1.88, 0.55-6.41, I 2  = 39%). The systematic review was limited by the absence of comparison with the control population free of chronic disease. CONCLUSION: IBD may be associated with a risk of osteonecrosis. Future studies should assess the risk in comparison to the healthy population and the impact of disease activity and IBD therapies on the risk.

Sarcopenia and frailty in inflammatory bowel disease: Emerging concepts and evidence.

Sarcopenia is a condition marked by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function while frailty is a multidimensional concept characterized by diminished physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Both of these were previously considered as related to aging and shown to impact the quality of life and carry prognostic significance. Emerging data show that both sarcopenia and frailty carry similar relevance in chronic illness. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and malnourishment, both of which contribute to the development of sarcopenia by increasing protein breakdown and reducing protein synthesis. The coexistence of frailty further compounds the clinical complexity of IBD patients. Published evidence suggests a bidirectional association with IBD contributing to muscle wasting, while the resultant sarcopenia and frailty could further exacerbate the disease course. Sarcopenia and frailty are independently associated with adverse outcomes, including hospitalizations, increased surgical interventions, and surgical complications. As therapeutic strategies for IBD evolve, understanding the nuanced relationship between inflammatory bowel disease, sarcopenia, and frailty is crucial for devising holistic management. Comprehensive care should encompass not only disease-modifying therapies but also interventions targeting frailty and sarcopenia, as they have been shown to have a significant impact not only on the disease course but also on the quality of life. Future research could focus on further elucidating underlying mechanisms, simple screening strategies, and developing targeted interventions to improve the overall quality of life for individuals grappling with the complex interplay of IBD, sarcopenia, and frailty.

Progression of Quantum Dots Confined Polymeric Systems for Sensorics.

The substantial fluorescence (FL) capabilities, exceptional photophysical qualities, and long-term colloidal stability of quantum dots (QDs) have aroused a lot of interest in recent years. QDs have strong and wide optical absorption, good chemical stability, quick transfer characteristics, and facile customization. Adding polymeric materials to QDs improves their effectiveness. QDs/polymer hybrids have implications in sensors, photonics, transistors, pharmaceutical transport, and other domains. There are a great number of review articles available online discussing the creation of CDs and their many uses. There are certain review papers that can be found online that describe the creation of composites as well as their many different uses. For QDs/polymer hybrids, the emission spectra were nearly equal to those of QDs, indicating that the optical characteristics of QDs were substantially preserved. They performed well as biochemical and biophysical detectors/sensors for a variety of targets because of their FL quenching efficacy. This article concludes by discussing the difficulties that still need to be overcome as well as the outlook for the future of QDs/polymer hybrids.

Analysis of the most viewed Hindi YouTube videos on breast cancer.

Background: : Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide. Social media channels are a significant source of health information including breast cancer. YouTube has a broad range of educational materials on various health issues in many languages. However, the accuracy of these videos is contentious. This study aimed to examine the accuracy of the most viewed Hindi videos on YouTube related to breast cancer. Methods: : On YouTube, the "Breast Cancer-Hindi" term was searched for the 50 most viewed Hindi videos. To evaluate the videos' quality and reliability, global quality scores (GQS) and DISCERN (quality criteria for the assessment of written health information), and for credibility and usefulness Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) tool were used. Popularity was measured using a video power index (VPI). Comparisons of scores were made between professionals' and consumers' videos. Two health researchers independently rated the videos and their correlation was calculated for agreement. Results: : Of all the 50 videos viewed, 23 (46%) each were uploaded by consumers and professionals. GQS median 3 (1-5), DISCERN median 13 (5-23), JAMA median 2 (0.50-4), and VPI median 90.7 (50-96.93) were reported. All scores of professionals were higher than consumers at a significant level (P < 0.05). A significant correlation was found between both observers (P < 0.01). Conclusion: : YouTube has some good quality and reliable videos on breast cancer in the Hindi language. These videos are mostly of professionals in comparison with consumers with wide viewership. However, they are limited in numbers; therefore, health professionals should upload more videos with accurate information to spread awareness about breast cancer.

Understanding Social Media Usage and Engagement among Women to inform Breast Cancer Knowledge and Prevention Practices: Cross - sectional study in Delhi -National Capital Region of India.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the major concern worldwide and in India too. Lack of awareness is one of the causes of increasing mortality rate in India. Social media is playing an important role in health communication including breast cancer information. In India, number of women are using social media. OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of social media usage and engagement in enhancing knowledge and practices to prevent breast cancer among women of India. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Delhi-National Capital Region of India with a sample of 649 women (response rate 83.51%). The questionnaire consisted of three sections. In first section, sociodemographic details (four items) were collected, second section contained five items on social media use and engagement and third part included items on knowledge about risk factors (seven items), symptoms (eight items), and screening (six items) of breast cancer and practice (seven items). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Cramer-V test, and structural equation modeling-Analysis of a moment structure were used to identify the relationship between social media engagement and knowledge and practices of women. RESULTS: Around 80% (431/542) of women have medium level of social media engagement and 20% are highly engaged. The slope coefficient of the relationship between social media engagement and knowledge is 0.805 and between knowledge and practice is 0.309, Chi-square value is 52.053 and 29.624, Cramer-V statistics is 0.310 and 0.165, respectively, which indicates significant relationship. CONCLUSION: The study result justified significant impact of social media engagement on knowledge and practices of women to prevent breast cancer.

Meiotic Instability Generates a Pathological Condition in Mammalian Ovum.

Maintenance of metaphase-II (M-II) arrest in ovum is required to present itself as a right gamete for successful fertilization in mammals. Surprisingly, instability of meiotic cell cycle results in spontaneous exit from M-II arrest, chromosomal scattering and incomplete extrusion of second polar body (PB-II) without forming pronuclei so called abortive spontaneous ovum activation (SOA). It remains unclear what causes meiotic instability in freshly ovulated ovum that results in abortive SOA. We propose the involvement of various signal molecules such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), cyclic 3',5' adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and calcium (Ca2+) in the induction of meiotic instability and thereby abortive SOA. These signal molecules through their downstream pathways modulate phosphorylation status and activity of cyclin dependent kinase (cdk1) as well as cyclin B1 level. Changes in phosphorylation status of cdk1 and its activity, dissociation and degradation of cyclin B1 destabilize maturation promoting factor (MPF). The premature MPF destabilization and defects in other cell cycle regulators possibly cause meiotic instability in ovum soon after ovulation. The meiotic instability results in a pathological condition of abortive SOA and deteriorates ovum quality. These ova are unfit for fertilization and limit reproductive outcome in several mammalian species including human. Therefore, global attention is required to identify the underlying causes in greater details in order to address the problem of meiotic instability in ova of several mammalian species icluding human. Moreover, these activated ova may be used to create parthenogenetic embryonic stem cell lines in vitro for the use in regenerative medicine.Graphical abstract.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors: possible therapeutic drugs for female fertility regulation.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are group of enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of cyclic adenosine 3', 5' monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine 3', 5' monophosphate (cGMP) levels in wide variety of cell types. These PDEs are detected in encircling granulosa cells or in oocyte with in follicular microenvironment and responsible for the decrease of cAMP and cGMP levels in mammalian oocytes. A transient decrease of cAMP level initiates downstream pathways to cause spontaneous meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest and induces oocyte maturation. The nonspecific PDE inhibitors (caffeine, pentoxifylline, theophylline, IBMX etc.) as well as specific PDE inhibitors (cilostamide, milrinone, org 9935, cilostazol etc.) have been used to elevate cAMP level and inhibit meiotic resumption from diplotene arrest and oocyte maturation, ovulation, fertilization and pregnancy rates both in vivo as well as under in vitro culture conditions. The PDEs inhibitors are used as powerful experimental tools to demonstrate cyclic nucleotide mediated changes in ovarian functions and thereby fertility. Indeed, non-hormonal nature and reversible effects of nonspecific as well as specific PDE inhibitors hold promise for the development of novel therapeutic drugs for female fertility regulation.