Differential expression and immunoreactivity of thyroid hormone transporters MCT8 and OATP1C1 in rat ovary.

Thyroid hormones (THs) regulate several physiological processes in female mammals, many of which are related to reproduction such as steroidogenesis in the ovary, oocyte and granulosa cells maturation, follicular development and differentiation, and ovulation. THs actions require the presence of THs transporters to facilitate their cellular uptake and efflux. MCT8 and OATP1C1 are the principal THs transporters. The aim of the present study was to determine the gene expression and cellular localization of MCT8 and OATP1C1 in the rat ovary during the diestrus-II cycle phase. Ovaries of virgin adult rats were histologically processed. Reverse Transcription-PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses for MCT8 and OATP1C1 were done. MCT8 gene expression level was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) than that of OATP1C1 in the rat ovary. MCT8 and OATP1C1 were found in all types of ovarian cells but with different immunoreactivity. MCT8 showed stronger immunoreactivity in tertiary and Graafian follicles, corpus luteum and blood vessels, whereas OATP1C1's immunoreactivity was stronger in stroma cells, tunica albuginea, and blood vessels. Our results provide evidence that THs and their transporters are both necessary for ovarian function and that any alteration in these transporters could interfere with reproductive processes such as ovulation and steroidogenesis, compromising fertility.

Interdisciplinary Family Conferences to Improve Patient Experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Parents play a significant role in the development of their neonate. They can affect the length of stay in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and are seen as an integral part of the team. Parents are often put in positions where difficult decision making is required of them in the care of their critically ill child. Studies suggest that one way to improve the family's experience and to encourage their involvement is by establishing a formal and focused family conference. Therefore, the NICU social workers and the interdisciplinary team collaborated to formulate strategies to improve communication that would enhance current practice. As a new initiative, the team decided that holding an interdisciplinary family conference (IFC) within the first two weeks of a baby's NICU admission is critical for parental involvement of infants less than 32 weeks gestation and those with congenital birth anomalies. The team determined that the primary outcome measure would be family satisfaction scores from hospital surveys. Since the implementation of IFCs, satisfaction scores showed steady improvement. This quality improvement project demonstrated that IFCs are an integral part of the family-centered care approach in the NICU. IFCs foster partnerships with families to ensure their involvement in all aspects of patient care and improve their experience in the NICU.