Major royal-jelly proteins intake modulates immune functions and gut microbiota in mice

In this study,we investigated the effects of major royal jelly proteins(MRJPs)on the estrogen,gut microbiota,and immunological responses in mice.Mice given 250 or 500 mg/kg,not 125 mg/kg of MRJPs,enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes in response to mitogens.The splenocytes and mesenteric lymphocytes activated by T-cell mitogens(Con A and anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies)released high levels of IL-2 but low levels of IFN-γand IL-17A.The release of IL-4 was unaffected by MRJPs.Additionally,splenocytes and mesenteric lymphocytes activated by LPS were prevented by MRJPs at the same dose as that required for producing IL-1βand IL-6,two pro-inflammatory cytokines.The production of IL-1β,IL-6,and IFN-γwas negatively associated with estrogen levels,which were higher in the MRJP-treated animals than in the control group.Analysis of the gut microbiota revealed that feeding mice 250 mg/kg of MRJPs maintained the stability of the natural intestinal microflora of mice.Additionally,the LEf Se analysis identified biomarkers in the MRJP-treated mice,including Prevotella,Bacillales,Enterobacteriales,Gammaproteobacteria,Candidatus_Arthromitus,and Shigella.Our results showed that MRJPs are important components of royal jelly that modulate host immunity and hormone levels and help maintain gut microbiota stability.

Does local vaginal estrogen after tension-free transobturator vaginal tape reduce overactive bladder symptoms in postmenopausal women? A prospective randomized, controlled study

Objective:We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical estrogen after transvaginal tension-free vaginal tape-obturator(TVT-O)in the treatment of de novo overactive bladder symptoms that appear after surgery.Methods:This is a prospective randomized controlled study performed in the Urology and Gynecology Departments,Kasr Al Ainy Hospital,Cairo University,Cairo,Egypt.Two hundred and ten postmenopausal females presenting during the period between January 2017 and November 2020 with stress urinary incontinence were included in the study.Patients were divided into two groups,105 patients in Group A(treatment group)and 105 patients in Group B(control group).Patients in Group A underwent transvaginal TVT-O followed by local vaginal estrogen treatment for 6 months,while patients in Group B underwent transvaginal TVT-O only.The study included any postmenopausal female with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence.All patients had to fulfill a 3-day bladder diary,overactive bladder symptoms score,urine analysis,urodynamic study,and post-voiding residual urine measurement by abdominal ultrasound preoperatively and at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups.Results:At 6-month follow-up,daytime frequency was reduced to 8%in Group A(increased to 21%in Group B)with a statistically significant difference between both groups(p=0.009).At 6-month follow-up,nocturia was 8%in Group A(11%in Group B)with no statistically significant difference between both groups(p=0.469).There was a statistically significant difference between both groups as regards to urinary urgency at 6-month follow-up(p=0.024).There was a statistically significant difference in postoperative wound healing events as regards to cure,hyperemia,gapping,and wound infection 1 week after intervention between both groups(p=0.008).No local or systemic side-effects were reported from local estrogen use.Conclusion:Local vaginal estrogen treatment given to postmenopausal patients after midurethral sling procedures can reduce the symptoms of daytime frequency and urinary urgency.Long-term follow-up is needed.

Oxidation of estrone by permanganate: Reaction kinetics and estrogenicity removal

Permanganate was used as an oxidant to control estrone in the present study. Kinetics was determined at pH 2.5-9.4 and temperature 15–40°C for the reaction of estrone with potassium permanganate. It was found that the reaction is second-order overall and first-order with respect to both estrone and permanganate. The second-order rate constant for the reaction at pH 5.8 and 25°C is 44.45 L mol-1 s-1. The reaction rate first decreased with the increase of pH in the range of 2.5-6.6 and then increased greatly with the increase of pH in the range of 6.6-9.4. In addition, the rate constant exponentially increased with the increase of reaction temperature. Removal of estrogenicity was also investigated during the degradation of estrone using yeast estrogen screen (YES). Results show that the estrogenicity increased in the initial 15 min of reaction and then decreased fast, with a removal rate of 73.8% within the 30 min of reaction. Results also demonstrate that the reaction rate between estrone and permanganate is faster in natural water background than in the ultra-pure water system. Permanganate oxidation is therefore a feasible option for removal of estrone in drinking water treatment processes. However, the contact time must be enough in order to remove estrone without causing the increase of estrogenicity.

Clinicopathological Features and Long-Term Prognostic Role of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 Low Expression in Chinese Patients with Early Breast Cancer:A Single-Institution Study

Objective This study aimed to comprehensively analyze and compare the clinicopathological features and prognosis of Chinese patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-low early breast cancer(BC)and HER2-IHC0 BC.Methods Patients diagnosed with HER2-negative BC(N=999)at our institution between January2011 and December 2015 formed our study population.Clinicopathological characteristics,association between estrogen receptor(ER)expression and HER2-low,and evolution of HER2 immunohistochemical(IHC)score were assessed.Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare the long-term survival outcomes(5-year follow-up)between the HER2-IHC0 and HER2-low groups.Results HER2-low BC group tended to demonstrate high expression of ER and more progesterone receptor(PgR)positivity than HER2-IHC0 BC group(P<0.001).The rate of HER2-low status increased with increasing ER expression levels(Mantel-Haenszelχ^(2)test,P<0.001,Pearson’s R=0.159,P<0.001).Survival analysis revealed a significantly longer overall survival(OS)in HER2-low BC group than in HER2-IHC0 group(P=0.007)in the whole cohort and the hormone receptor(HR)-negative group.There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of disease-free survival(DFS).The discordance rate of HER2 IHC scores between primary and metastatic sites was 36.84%.Conclusion HER2-low BC may not be regarded as a unique BC group in this population-based study due to similar clinicopathological features and prognostic roles.

Engineering of ovarian tissue for ovarian dysfunctions:A review

This review explores tissue engineering as a potential solution for reproductive health issues in women caused by genetic or acquired diseases,such as premature ovarian failure or oophorectomy.The loss of ovarian function can lead to infertility,osteoporosis,and cardiovascular disease.Hormone replacement therapy is a common treatment,but it has limitations and risks.The review focuses on two main approaches in tissue engineering:scaffold-based(3D printing,electrospinning,decellularization)and scaffold-free(stem cell transplantation,organoid cultivation).Both approaches show promise in preclinical studies for creating functional ovarian tissue.Challenges include vascularization,innervation,long-term function,and safety.Despite these challenges,tissue engineering offers a potential avenue for restoring fertility and hormone balance in women with ovarian dysfunction.

Gut microbiota and female health

The gut microbiota is recognized as an endocrine organ with the capacity to influence distant organs and associated biological pathways.Recent advan-cements underscore the critical role of gut microbial homeostasis in female health;with dysbiosis potentially leading to diseases among women such as polycystic ovarian syndrome,endometriosis,breast cancer,cervical cancer,and ovarian cancer etc.Despite this,there has been limited discussion on the underlying mechanisms.This editorial explores the three potential mechanisms through which gut microbiota dysbiosis may impact the development of diseases among women,namely,the immune system,the gut microbiota-estrogen axis,and the metabolite pathway.We focused on approaches for treating diseases in women by addressing gut microbiota imbalances through probiotics,prebiotics supple-mentation,and fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT).Future studies should focus on determining the molecular mechanisms underlying associations between dysbiosis of gut microbiota and female diseases to realize precision medicine,with FMT emerging as a promising intervention.

Estrogen restores disordered lipid metabolism in visceral fat of prediabetic mice

BACKGROUND Visceral obesity is increasingly prevalent among adolescents and young adults and is commonly recognized as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.Estrogen[17β-estradiol(E2)]is known to offer protection against obesity via diverse me-chanisms,while its specific effects on visceral adipose tissue(VAT)remain to be fully elucidated.AIM To investigate the impact of E2 on the gene expression profile within VAT of a mouse model of prediabetes.METHODS Metabolic parameters were collected,encompassing body weight,weights of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues(VAT and SAT),random blood glucose levels,glucose tolerance,insulin tolerance,and overall body composition.The gene expression profiles of VAT were quantified utilizing the Whole Mouse Genome Oligo Microarray and subsequently analyzed through Agilent Feature Extraction software.Functional and pathway analyses were conducted employing Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses,respectively.RESULTS Feeding a high-fat diet(HFD)moderately increased the weights of both VAT and SAT,but this increase was mitigated by the protective effect of endogenous E2.Conversely,ovariectomy(OVX)led to a significant increase in VAT weight and the VAT/SAT weight ratio,and this increase was also reversed with E2 treatment.Notably,OVX diminished the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism compared to HFD feeding alone,signaling a widespread reduction in lipid metabolic activity,which was completely counteracted by E2 adminis-tration.This study provides a comprehensive insight into E2's local and direct protective effects against visceral adiposity in VAT at the gene level.CONCLUSION In conclusion,the present study demonstrated that the HFD-induced over-nutritional challenge disrupted the gene expression profile of visceral fat,leading to a universally decreased lipid metabolic status in E2 deficient mice.E2 treatment effectively reversed this condition,shedding light on the mechanistic role and therapeutic potential of E2 in combating visceral obesity.

Comprehensive Analysis of Estrogen Receptor 1 Dysregulation in Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Prognosis and Therapeutic Targeting - A Secondary Publication

The study investigates the expression pattern and regulatory mechanisms of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Utilizing UALCAN and GEPIA2 databases, significant down-regulation of ESR1 expression is observed in LIHC samples compared to normal controls, indicating its potential role in tumor progression. Further analysis reveals consistent down-regulation across different clinical variables including patient age, gender, race, and various stages of LIHC, affirming the regulatory role of ESR1 in tumor development and progression. Additionally, promoter methylation analysis demonstrates hypermethylation of ESR1 in LIHC samples, negatively correlating with its expression. This association persists across different clinical parameters, emphasizing the inverse relationship between ESR1 methylation and expression levels. Survival analysis indicates that up- regulation of ESR1 is associated with better overall survival, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker in LIHC. Furthermore, genetic mutation analysis using cBioPortal reveals a spectrum of alterations in ESR1, including amplification, missense mutation, deep deletion, splice mutation, and truncating mutation, highlighting the genetic complexity of ESR1 in LIHC. These findings collectively contribute to a deeper understanding of ESR1 dysregulation in LIHC and its clinical implications as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker.

The Role of GPER in Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Cell Damage and 28-Day Mortality Risk

Purpose: The role of GPER in sepsis-induced myocardial cell injury and its potential impact on the risk of death within 28 days in sepsis. Methods: An in vitro experiment was conducted to establish a sepsis-induced myocardial cell model. H9C2 myocardial cells were treated with 10 μg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 hours. The effects of different concentrations of the GPER agonist G1 (1, 3, and 10 μmol/L) on cell viability, expression of inflammatory markers, cell apoptosis, and the NF-κB pathway were evaluated. A Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) related to the GPER gene as instrumental variables to investigate the causal relationship between the GPER gene variations and sepsis (28-day death). Results: The results indicate that the group treated with LPS showed a significant decrease in myocardial cell viability, an increase in concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), higher apoptosis rates, and increased phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 (p-P65/P65) and IκB-α (p-IκB-α/IκB-α) compared to the control group (P κB pathway. However, genetic evidence did not show a causal relationship between GPER gene variations and sepsis (28-day death) (P κB pathway. However, genetic evidence did not show a causal relationship between GPER gene variations and sepsis (28-day death).

Photodegradation of 17α-ethynylestradiol in dissolved humic substances solution：Kinetics,mechanism and estrogenicity variation

17α-Ethynylestradiol（EE2） in natural waters may cause adverse effects on organisms due to its high estrogenic potency. Laboratory studies were performed to study the effects of a local humic acid（LHA）, fulvic acid（LFA） and Aldrich humic acid（AHA） on the photochemical behavior and estrogenic potency of EE2. Here photolytic experiments demonstrated that pure aqueous EE2 could undergo direct and self-sensitized photodegradation at a global rate of 0.0068 hr^-1.Photodegradation rate of EE2 in 5.0 mg/L dissolved humic substances（DHS） was determined to be 0.0274, 0.0296 and 0.0254 hr^-1 for LHA, LFA and AHA, respectively. Reactive oxygen species（ROS） and triplet dissolved humic substances（^3DHS＊） scavenging experiments indicated that the promotion effect of DHS on EE2 photodegradation was mainly aroused by the reactions of HOU（35%–50%）,~1O2（〈10%） andDHS＊（22%–34%）. However, the photodegradation of EE2 could also be inhibited when DHS exceeded the threshold of 10 mg/L. Three hydroxylation products of EE2 were identified using GC–MS and their formation pathways were also proposed. In vitro estrogenicity tests showed that EE2 was transformed into chemicals without estrogenic potency. These findings could extend our knowledge on the photochemical behaviors of steroid estrogens in sunlit natural waters.

MiRNA-451 is a potential biomarker for estrogenicity in mouse uterus

The uterotrophic assay has been commonly used to test environmental estrogens in vivo, however, it is often not sensitive enough sometimes. An alternative way is to evaluate estrogenicity through biomarker genes. MicroRNA （miRNA） is a class of regulatory gene, which has been shown to be a good biomarker for many diseases and toxicological effects in recent years, and some evidences showed that estrogen induced response was partially mediated by miRNAs. In this study, two types of microarrays were used to test the 17[3-estradiol （E2） induced miRNA expression profile at different time points in the immature mouse uterus. Statistical analysis showed the aldehyde slide based array had less variation than the amino slide based array, and 11 dysregulated miRNAs were screened out for significant fold change. Real-time PCR was performed to further confirm that 4 out of 7 selected miRNAs, namely miR-451, miR-155, miR-335- 5p, and miR-365, are E2 regulated miRNAs in the uterus. The function of the predicted targets of these miRNAs is involved in cell grow control, which is consistent with the main E2 function in the uterus. MiR-451 had similar strong responses to E2 in the uterus of both immature and overiectomized mice, and could be a potential biomarker for estrogenicity in the uterus.

Sex-biased autophagy as a potential mechanism mediating sex differences in ischemic stroke outcome

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a major cause of disability worldwide,and biological sex is an important determining factor in stroke incidence and pathology.From childhood through adulthood,men have a higher incidence of stroke compared with women.Abundant research has confirmed the beneficial effects of estrogen in experimental ischemic stroke but genetic factors such as the X-chromosome complement can also play an important role in determining sex differences in stroke.Autophagy is a self-degrading cellular process orchestrated by multiple core proteins,which leads to the engulfment of cytoplasmic material and degradation of cargo after autophagy vesicles fuse with lysosomes or endosomes.The levels and the activity of components of these signaling pathways and of autophagy-related proteins can be altered during ischemic insults.Ischemic stroke activates autophagy,however,whether inhibiting autophagy after stroke is beneficial in the brain is still under a debate.Autophagy is a potential mechanism that may contribute to differences in stroke progression between the sexes.Furthermore,the effects of manipulating autophagy may also differ between the sexes.Mechanisms that regulate autophagy in a sex-dependent manner in ischemic stroke remain unexplored.In this review,we summarize clinical and pre-clinical evidence for sex differences in stroke.We briefly introduce the autophagy process and summarize the effects of gonadal hormones in autophagy in the brain and discuss X-linked genes that could potentially regulate brain autophagy.Finally,we review pre-clinical studies that address the mechanisms that could mediate sex differences in brain autophagy after stroke.

月经周期中免疫球蛋白G N-糖基化的周期性变化

Immunoglobulin G(IgG)is the most abundant plasma glycoprotein and a prominent humoral immune mediator.Glycan composition affects the affinity of IgG to ligands and consequent immune responses.The modification of IgG N-glycosylation is considered to be one of the various mechanisms by which sex hormones modulate the immune system.Although the menstrual cycle is the central sex hormonerelated physiological process in most women of reproductive age,IgG N-glycosylation dynamics during the menstrual cycle have not yet been investigated.To fill this gap,we profiled the plasma IgG Nglycans of 70 healthy premenopausal women at 12 time points during their menstrual cycles(every 7 days for 3 months)using hydrophilic interaction ultra-performance liquid chromatography(HILIC-UPLC).We observed cyclic periodic changes in the N-glycosylation of IgG in association with the menstrual cycle phase and sex hormone concentration in plasma.On the integrated cohort level,the modeled average menstrual cycle effect on the abundance of IgG N-glycosylation traits was low for each trait,with the highest being 1.1%for agalactosylated N-glycans.However,intrapersonal changes were relatively high in some cases;for example,the largest difference between the minimum and maximum values during the menstrual cycle was up to 21%for sialylated N-glycans.Across all measurements,the menstrual cycle phase could explain up to 0.72%of the variation in the abundance of a single IgG glycosylation trait of monogalactosylation.In contrast,up to 99%of the variation in the abundance of digalactosylation could be attributed to interpersonal differences in IgG N-glycosylation.In conclusion,the average extent of changes in the IgG N-glycopattern that occur during the menstrual cycle is small;thus,the IgG N-glycoprofiling of women in large sample-size studies can be performed regardless of menstrual cycle phase.

Antifertility potential of leaves and seeds of Delonix regia in female rats

Objective:To evaluate the antifertility activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Delonix regia(Boj.ex Hook.)Raf.leaves and seeds which are traditionally being used by Yanadi tribe to treat dysmenorrhea.Methods:Three experimental animal models,including anti-implantation,early abortifacient,and estrogenic activity in female rats,were used for evaluation of the antifertility activity of both extracts at two dose levels(250 and 500 mg/kg,orally).There were five groups in the anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity while six groups in estrogenic activity including the standard.The number of implants,resorptions,vaginal cornification,body weight,uterus weight,and biochemical parameters were measured.Results:At doses 250 and 500 mg/kg,the leaf extract was found to have strong anti-implantation action.The extract administered at the same doses also caused a significant rise in the number of resorptions,showing early abortifacient activity,increased uterine weight,and altered numerous biochemical parameters.Meanwhile,the seed extract only displayed slight anti-implantation activity at both levels.Conclusions:Based on these preliminary findings,we can conclude that the leaf extract outperformed the seed extract in terms of antifertility activity,exhibiting potent estrogenic,anti-implantation and early abortifacient activities in a dose-dependent manner.These findings are consistent with the literature study and corroborate to the antifertility activity of the plant.

Effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on the oestrous cycle of rats

Objective:To determine the effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on the oestrous cycle of rats.Methods:Fifteen adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups.Group A served as the control group,while groups B and C received 250 and 500 mg/kg of glyphosate-based herbicide orally for five oestrous cycles,respectively.Stages of oestrous cycle,oestrous cycle index,length of cycle,oestrous cycle ratio,serum estradiol and progesterone levels were determined.Results:The proestrus and oestrus stages of the glyphosate-based herbicide groups increased significantly(P<0.05),although proestrus in group C was not significantly different from the control group.There was a significant decrease in the metestrus and diestrus of the glyphosate-based herbicide groups(P<0.05).The oestrous cycle index of the glyphosate-based herbicide treated groups was altered;this was characterized by an increase in the oestrous index and a decrease in the metestrus and diestrus indexes.The proestrus index of group B increased,while that of group C decreased.The length of the cycle of the glyphosate-based herbicide groups significantly decreased from the 1st and 3rd week till the end of the study in groups B and C,respectively(P<0.05).There was a significant increase in the oestrous cycle ratio of the glyphosate-based herbicide groups compared to the control group(P<0.05).Though the estradiol and progesterone levels of the glyphosate-based herbicide groups increased and decreased,respectively,they were not significantly different from the control group.Conclusions:Glyphosate-based herbicide at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg can alter the pattern of the oestrous cycle in rats.

Oxidized palm oil impairs reproductive functions and architectures in female rats

Objective:To evaluate the effects of three oxidized palm oil diets(OPD)on female rat reproductive function.Methods:Forty-four female Wistar rats presenting five consecutive and regular estrous cycles were divided into 4 groups.The rats were fed with:a standard diet,70%of standard diet+30%oxidized palm oil diet(OPD1),OPD1+5 g of boiled yolk egg(OPD2)and OPD1+10%sucrose(OPD3)for 125 days,respectively.During the feeding period,morphometric,estrous cycle,sexual behavior,gestation,biochemical and histomorphometric parameters were evaluated.Results:All OPDs significantly increased abdominal circumference,body mass index and Lee index coupled to an irregularity and lengthening of the estrous cycle.They significantly decreased appetite and consumption behaviours,quantic pregnancy index,fertility rate,implantation sites and index,serum progesterone and high-density lipoprotein levels,increased pre-implantation losses,anti-implantation activities,serum estradiol,triglycerides,total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels,and impaired brain and ovaries oxidative status.Histomorphometric examinations revealed increases in the number of atresic and primary follicles and decreases in secondary,tertiary,Degraaf,total and corpus luteum follicles in ovaries coupled to a neurodegeneration of hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular neurons in the OPD groups compared to the standard diet group.Conclusions:The three OPDs induce obesity and impair the female reproductive function,especially OPD2 and OPD3.These findings contribute to a better understanding of the adverse effects of palm oil bleaching on the reproductive function in female rats,which could be useful in the management of women with obesity-related sexual dysfunction.

Expression of VEGF165 and VEGF165b during ovarian follicular development

Objective:To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)165a,VEGF165b,and VEGF receptor(VEGFR)in the development of bovine follicles.Methods:We cultured follicular cells that were collected from small,medium,and large sized bovine follicles with estrogen and measured the expression of VEGF,VEGFR2 and VEGF165b by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence.Results:The expression of VEGF165 increased in all follicle sizes and the expression of VEGF165b was increased in the small and large follicles after culturing in an estrogen containing medium.The expression of VEGFR2 was increased in the medium and large follicles after culturing with estrogen for 96 h.VEGF165 was activated at 100 ng/mL estrogen in the large follicles for 96 h.In addition,VEGFR2 was upregulated in the medium and large follicles after treated with 100 ng/mL estrogen for 96 h.Conclusions:This evidence suggests that the expression of VEGF165 and VEGFR is associated with estrogen stimulation during the development of bovine follicles and in an autocrine or paracrine manner.This reveals an advantage during oocyte maturation in vitro.

Effect of estrogen pretreatment in GnRH antagonist protocol-Meta-analysis

Objective:To evaluate the effect of estrogen pre-treatment in patients with different ovarian response in antagonist protocol.Methods:Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and retrospective studies about the effect of estrogen pre-treatment in antagonist prorocol were searched in PubMed,Web of Science,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang Database.R software was used for meta-analysis.Results:Seven RCTs and two retrospective studies were included.In order to explore the source of heterogeneity,subgroup analysis was used,which was mainly conducted according to the ovarian response of the included population,which were divided into low responders,non-low responders and mixed responders.In the study about gonadotropin hormone(Gn)days,patients were divided into wash-out subgroup and non-wash-out subgroup according to drug use-pattern.Meta-results showed that the number of Gn days increased significantly in the non-wash-out subgroup(WMD=1.07,95%CI[0.83;1.31],I2=66%).The number of Gn days in the wash-out subgroup were not affected(WMD=-0.12,95%CI[-0.45;0.21],I2=0%).In the low-response subgroup,the number of oocytes retrieved(WMD=0.46,95%CI[-0.23;1.16],I2=81%),the fresh cycle clinical pregnancy rate(RR=0.77,95%CI[0.55;1.06],I2=73%)and the cycle cancellation rate(RR=0.80,95%CI[0.40;1.61],I2=83%)were not significantly changed with estrogen pre-treatment.In the non-low-response subgroup,the number of oocytes obtained(WMD=0.21,95%CI[-0.69;1.11],I2=2%),fresh cycle clinical pregnancy rate(RR=0.94,95%CI[0.77;1.14],I2=41%),live birth rate(RR=0.82,95%CI[0.62;1.08],I2=0%)and cycle cancellation rate(RR=0.89,95%CI[0.54;1.47],I2=2%)were not significantly changed with estrogen pre-treatment.Conclusions:Estrogen pre-treatment(with non-wash-out period)in antagonist protocol increases Gn days,dose not improve IVF outcomes in non-low responders and low responders.

Effect of naringin on despair behavior and neuroprotective mechanisms in mouse model of menopausal depression

Objective:To explore the effect of naringin on hippocampus estrogen receptor and neuronal cell apoptosis in a mouse model of menopausal depression.Methods:The menopausal depression model was replicated by bilateral ovariectomy(OVX)combined with chronic unpredictable mild stimulation(CUMS),54 female Kunming mice were randomly divided into Blank group,Model group(OVX+CUMS group),Sham operation group(SHAM group),Estradiol group(E2 group 20.090 mg∙Kg-1∙d-1),Naringin group(100 mg∙Kg-1∙d-1),Naringin+ICI182780 group(100 mg∙Kg-1∙d-1+0.075 mg∙Kg-1∙d-1),each group of 9 mice were administered for 21 consecutive days.The depression-like behaviour changes of each group of mice were observed by tail suspension and forced swimming experiments;The morphological changes of hippocampal neurons were observed by HE staining;Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of ERαand ERβpositive cells in the hippocampus of mice;The expression of ERβ,GluR2,CAMK栻,NMDAR1,Bad,Bcl-2 and Caspase3 proteins in the hippocampus of the mice was detected by western blot.Results:Compared with the Blank group,the immobility time of the mice in the OVX+CUMS group was significantly increased(P<0.01),mice hippocampal neurons with a sparsely organized cell arrangement,nuclear fixation,the expressions of ERβ,GluR2,and Bcl-2 were decreased(P<0.01,P<0.001),and the expressions of NMDAR1,CAMK栻,Bad,and Caspase3 were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01);Compared with the OVX+CUMS group,the immobility time of the mice in the SHAM group,E2 group and Naringin group was significantly reduced(P<0.01),mice hippocampal neuronal cells are relatively intact and tightly packed,the expressions of ERβ,GluR2 and Bcl-2 were increased(P<0.01,P<0.05),and the expressions of NMDAR1,CAMK栻,Bad and Caspase3 were decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01);Compared with the Naringin group,the quiescent time of the mice in the Naringin+ICI182780 group was increased(P<0.05),the smaller cell body of mouse hippocampal neurons,the expressions of ERβ,GluR2,and Bcl-2 were decreased(P<0.01,P>0.05,P<0.05),and the expressions of NMDAR1,CAMK栻,Bad,and Caspase3 were increased(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusions:Naringin may reduce neuronal cell excitotoxicity caused by glutamate receptor activation,reduce neuronal cell apoptosis and improve depression-like behavior by activating ERβreceptors in the hippocampus in a mouse model of menopause depression.

Level of Adherence to Breast Cancer Molecular Subtyping among Women with Breast Cancer Attending Tertiary Health Facilities

Background: Breast cancer is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disease with multiple subtypes. The classification of these subtypes has evolved over the years. The most common and widely accepted classification of breast cancer is from an immunohistochemical perspective, based on the expression of the following hormone receptors: Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR) and Human Epidermal Growth Factor (HER2). Accordingly, the following four subtypes of breast cancer are widely recognized—Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2 Enriched and Triple Negative. Breast cancer management approaches include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted hormone therapy necessitated by molecular subtyping. Aims: This study aimed to determine the level of adherence to breast cancer molecular subtyping among women with breast cancer attending tertiary health facilities in Imo State. Methodology: Immunohistochemistry reports of women with breast cancer attending tertiary health facilities in Imo State were retrieved from patient’s case files. Tissue blocks were also retrieved from tissue block archives of both hospitals for women who did not take up immunohistochemistry services after their initial diagnosis and also those whose immunohistochemistry reports were not found in their case files. Results: Among the 121 women that participated in the study, there were in all 74 (61.2%) had molecular subtyping of their tumour blocks. Up to 45 (37.2%) did not go for molecular subtyping of their tumour blocks while 2 (1.7%) were not sure whether they had or not. Conclusion: It, therefore, depicts that the rate of uptake was found as 61.2% among the participants and there is a need to create more awareness of the importance of molecular subtyping, which necessitates the use of targeted hormone therapy.