THE INFLUENCE OF ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM ON WOMEN REPRODUCTION.

The discovery of the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 in 1990 and 1993, respectively, as well as of the two main endocannabinoids, anandamide in 1992 and 2-arachidonylglycerol in 1995, was an important step in identifying the strongest homeostatic system in the human body, namely the endocannabinoid system. Ever since, research has highlighted the crucial part played by this system in all the reproduction stages: folliculogenesis, spermatogenesis, oogenesis, fecundation, transport of the egg through the fallopian tubes, blastocyte implantation and pregnancy progression, as well as its implications in the physiopathology of the reproductive system: in endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, preeclampsia, endometrial cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian cancer. A special attention must be paid to the phytocannabinoids, natural components originating especially from the Cannabis plant inflorescences, whose medical effects are well-established nowadays with also acting on the receptors of the endocannabinoid system. The most recent research mainly focuses on the reproductive dysfunctions and disorders of the reproductive tissues, respectively, through its action upon the endocannabinoid system. Medical cannabis is nowadays legalized in more and more countries all over the world. At the same time, recreational cannabis remains one of the most consumed drugs (in Romania the most consumed one by young adults). Therefore, it is mandatory for specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, endocrinology, public health, hygiene or for general practitioners, to permanently update their information on this subject.

Polyploidy affects the seed, dormancy and seedling characteristics of a perennial grass, conferring an advantage in stressful climates.

Polyploidy (the state of having more than two genome copies) is widely distributed in flowering plants and can vary within species, with polyploid races often associated with broad ecological tolerances. Polyploidy may influence within-species variation in seed development, germination and establishment. We hypothesized that interactions between polyploidy and the seed developmental environment would affect subsequent dormancy, germination and early growth traits, particularly in stressful environments. Using seeds developed in a common garden under ambient and warmed conditions, we conducted germination trials under drought and temperature stress, and monitored the subsequent growth of seedlings. The study species, Themeda triandra, is a widespread, keystone, Australian native grass and a known polyploid complex. Tetraploid plants produced heavier, more viable seeds than diploids. Tetraploids were significantly more dormant than diploids, regardless of seed developmental environment. Non-dormant tetraploids were more sensitive to germination stress compared to non-dormant diploids. Finally, tetraploid seedlings were larger and grew faster than diploids, usually when maternal plants were exposed to developmental temperatures atypical to the source environment. Seed and seedling traits suggest tetraploids are generally better adapted to stressful environments than diploids. Because tetraploid seeds of T. triandra are more dormant they are less likely to germinate under stress, and when they do germinate, seedling growth is rapid and independent of seed developmental environment. These novel results demonstrate that polyploidy, sometimes in interaction with developmental environment and possibly also asexuality, can have within-species variation in seed and seedling traits that increase fitness in stressful environments.

Type 1 diabetes genetic susceptibility encoded by HLA DQB1 genes in Romania.

Most cases of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) are due to an immune-mediated destruction of the pancreatic beta cells, a process that is conditioned by multiple genes and environmental factors. The main susceptibility genes are represented by the class II HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 alleles. The aim of our study was to reconfirm the contribution of HLA-DQB1 polymorphisms to T1DM genetic susceptibility for the Romanian population. For this, 219 Romanian T1DM families were genotyped at high resolution for HLA DQB1 using the PCR-SSOP method (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide Probes). Allele transmission to diabetics and unaffected siblings was studied using the Transmission Disequilibrium Test (TDT). We found an increased transmission of DQB1*02 (77.94% transmission, p(TDT) = 7.18 x 10(-11)) and DQB1*0302 (80.95% transmission, p(TDT) = 2.25 x 10(-10)) alleles to diabetics, indicating the diabetogenic effect of these alleles. Conversely, DQB1*0301, DQB1*0603, DQB1*0602, DQB1*0601 and DQB1*05 alleles are protective, being significantly less transmitted to diabetics. In conclusion, our results confirmed the strong effect of HLA-DQB1 alleles on diabetes risk in Romania, with some characteristics which can contribute to the low incidence of T1DM in this country.