Influence of unilateral ovariectomy performed before ovulation on ovarian function, steroid hormone levels and development of porcine fetuses

Corpus luteum (CL) activity is closely linked with initiation and maintenance of pregnancy and with fetal development. The present study was aimed to analyze the impact of unilateral ovarian removal on ovarian function, steroid hormone level and fetal distribution and development. Unilateral ovariectomy (uni-OVX) was performed in gilts one day before ovulation (group SHORT, n = 24), 20 days before subsequent ovulation (group LONG, n = 23) or ovaries remained intact (group INTACT, n = 22). Gilts were inseminated by single fixed-time laparoscopic intrauterine insemination (LIUI) after hormonal estrus synchronization. Two days before the end of a 15 day long altrenogest feeding, a part of gilts (n = 23) were surgically fitted with a jugular vein catheter and blood samples were collected to determine of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations. All animals were slaughtered on day 30 of gestation and ovarian features as well as the number, weight and distribution of fetuses recorded. Altogether, 48 gilts (70%) were pregnant and pregnancy rates did not differ between groups. Short term uni-OVX affected CL number compared to intact and long term OVX gilts (9.9 ± 0.8 vs. 20.6 ± 1.9 and 17.5 ± 0.8; P < 0.05) and the number of fetuses (8.7 ± 0.5 vs. 15.0 ± 1.0 and 14.4 ± 1.1; P<0.05), respectively. Weights of individual CL were not influenced by treatment. Fetuses were differently distributed in the uterine horns after uni-OVX. A higher (P<0.05) proportion of fetuses was present always in the horn which bore the ovary. In all groups, weights of fetuses from uterine horns with an active ovary was similar; however, fetuses of the OVX horn of the SHORT group were lighter (P < 0.05). Steroid hormone profile was typical for pregnant gilts, but differences were observed between groups. Both, the preovulatory E2 concentrations and the early luteal phase P4 levels were higher (P < 0.05) in gilts of the INTACT and LONG groups. In summary, compared to intact gilts, only long term uni-OVX could compensate ovarian development. Short term uni-OVX affects (1) the total number of CL and fetuses, (2) the distribution and weight of fetuses in the uterine horns and (3) steroid hormone levels. Therefore, the time window, but not the uni-OXV per se, which alters the local supply of progesterone, has an impact on fetal development and survival

Expression and cellular distribution of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) and connexin 43 (Cx43) in porcine oocytes before and after in vitro maturation

It is recognised that connexin 43 (Cx43) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) are involved in the cumulus cell-oocyte communication via gap junctions and the control of cell cycle progress. However, little is known about their mRNA expression pattern and encoded proteins distribution in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from 31 puberal crossbred Landrace gilts and analysed for their Cdk4 and Cx43 mRNA expression using RQ-PCR and for the respective protein expression by confocal microscopic observations. An increased Cdk4 and Cx43 mRNA expression was found in oocytes after IVM (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Confocal microscopic observations revealed a significant increase of Cdk4 protein expression in the cytoplasm of oocytes during the maturation process. The localisation of Cx43 changed from zona pellucida before to cytoplasm of oocytes after IVM. It is supposed that the increased expression of Cdk4 and Cx43 mRNA in oocytes after IVM is linked with the accumulation of a large amount of templates during the process of oocyte maturation. The translocation especially of Cx43 from the zona pellucida into the cytoplasm may be associated with a decrease in gap junction activity in fully grown porcine oocytes. Both Cdk4 and Cx43 can be used as ‘checkpoints’ of oocyte maturation

HA PEGylated Filler in Association with an Infrared Energy Device for the Treatment of Facial Skin Aging: 150 Day Follow-Up Data Report

Background: The face is the area most exposed to the normal course of skin aging, both intrinsically and extrinsically. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cellular and clinical response of a therapeutic protocol aimed at countering facial skin aging. Materials and methods: Twenty female patients with facial skin laxity and photodamage underwent combined therapy including mesotherapy using non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid with calcium hydroxyapatite and an infrared energy-based device treatment with subsequent implementation of PEG-cross-linked hyaluronic acid soft tissue fillers. To evaluate the benefits, patients underwent histological, immunological, and biomechanical evaluations before the treatment and at 21 and 150 days after the treatment. Results: The histological results at 21 days and 150 days after the procedure showed an increase in the number of fibroblasts and angiogenesis. As for the immunological aspect, it was shown that the treatment has an immunomodulating action, avoiding the activation of CD4 and CD8 cells. Biomechanical data showed that, at 150 days after treatment, the average changes in skin elasticity increased by 72% and the skin hydration increased by 49%. Conclusions: A combination of an infrared energy-based device treatment with both non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and novel PEG-cross-linked hyaluronic acid leads to numerous positive cutaneous changes after histological, immunological, and biomechanical evaluations

Bioreactors, scaffolds and microcarriers and in vitro meat production—current obstacles and potential solutions

In vitro meat production presents a potential viable alternative for meat consumption, which could provide the consumer with a product indistinguishable from the original, with very similar nutritional and culinary values. Indeed, the alternative products currently accessible often lack comparable nutritional value or culinary attributes to their animal-derived counterparts. This creates challenges for their global acceptance, particularly in countries where meat consumption holds cultural significance. However, while cultured meat research has been progressing rapidly in recent years, some significant obstacles still need to be overcome before its possible commercialization. Hence, this review summarizes the most current knowledge regarding the history of cultured meat, the currently used cell sources and methods used for the purpose of in vitro meat production, with particular focus on the role of bioreactors, scaffolds and microcarriers in overcoming the current obstacles. The authors put the potential microcarrier and scaffold-based solutions in a context, discussing the ways in which they can impact the way forward for the technology, including the use of considering the potential practical and societal barriers to implementing it as a viable food source worldwide

Medieval Temple Rings With Textile Fragments From Łowicz, Łódzkie Voivodeship

In 2011, an archaeological supervision was carried out in the town of Łowicz, related to construction works. In the course of works, a small number of artefacts was found, dated to the late Middle Ages and the early modern period. The most interesting find is a group of 9 temple rings deposited in the excavation unit no. III, upon which organic remains of textile products were found. The discovered decorative artefacts are temple rings representing the type III according to the classification by K. Musianowicz or the variant B according to the classification by H. Kóčkę-Krenz. The textile remains have been preserved in residual form on six out of nine temple rings. These are small fragments of threads and remains of mineralized fibres. On four artefacts, both thread and fibre parts were visible. All thread fragments were produced of plant fibre, most probably, the universally employed linen. The threads are Z-twisted, the twist being very weak. The state of preservation of other fibres surviving on the surface of the temple rings was too poor to enable detailed technological analyses. The described temple rings were most probably originally deposited in a grave that was destroyed in unknown circumstances. It can be stated that the textile evidence does not differ from other finds of this type from the discussed period

Reactive oxygen species in allelopathic interactions between plants

Allelopatia dotyczy oddziaływań pomiędzy roślinami za pośrednictwem związków chemicznych wydzielanych do środowiska. Efekty działania związków allelopatycznych w roślinach są najczęściej negatywne (zahamowanie kiełkowania nasion, ograniczenie wzrostu korzeni i/lub pędu), szczególnie gdy toksyny występują w wysokich stężeniach. Niekiedy obserwuje się też zjawisko hormezy (stymulacji kiełkowania nasion lub wzrostu organów), gdy zawartość allelozwiązków w otoczeniu jest bardzo niska. Obecność allelozwiązków wielokrotnie wywołuje w roślinach stres oksydacyjny, manifestujący się wzrostem stężenia reaktywnych form tlenu (ROS). Nie zawsze wzrost stężenia ROS w roślinach traktowanych związkami allelopatycznymi jest skorelowany ze wzrostem aktywności systemu oksydacyjnego, chociaż w ogromnej większości przypadków obserwowane są istotne zmiany aktywności podstawowych enzymów modulujących stężenie ROS (katalazy, dysmutazy ponadtlenkowej czy enzymów cyklu Halliwella-Asady), czemu towarzyszą też modyfikacje zawartości przeciwutleniaczy drobnocząsteczkowych (glutationu i askorbinianu). Z uwagi na różnorodną naturę, różne stężenia stosowanych allelozwiązków i różną wrażliwość roślin trudno jest jednoznacznie wyrokować, że zawsze i każdy związek allelopatyczny indukuje stres oksydacyjny, chociaż taka możliwość jest prawdopodobna i często spotykana. W pracy przedstawiono szereg przykładów indukcji stresu oksydacyjnego w roślinach poddanych działaniu związków allelopatycznych. Nagromadzanie ROS w komórkach i modyfikacje wzrostu roślin akceptorowych w odpowiedzi na allelozwiązki zostały porównane z tzw. reakcją SIMR (ang. stress induced morphogenic response), a także skorelowane z modyfikacją równowagi hormonalnej i czynnikami wpływającymi na strukturę ścian komórkowych. Podjęto także problem zależności pomiędzy oddziaływaniami allelopatycznymi a wrażliwością roślin na inne stresy biotyczne i abiotyczne.Allelopathy phenomenon describes mostly negative interactions between plants mediated by specific chemicals released into environment. Inhibition of growth of various organs, and delay or restriction of seed germination are most frequently observed effects of allelopathic interactions. At times, allelochemicals subjected in low concentration may also lead to hormesis (stimulation of seed germination or plant growth). Allelochemicals often induce oxidative stress, manifested as an increase in ROS production, which not always correlates with enhancement of cellular antioxidant systems, although in most cases there are observed significant changes in the activity of ROS modulating enzymes: catalase, superoxide dismutase and enzymes of Halliwell-Asada cycle, accompanied by modification in the level of low molecular antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione. In view of large differences in plant sensitivity to allelochemicals, and a wide range of concentration of already tested compounds, it is hardly to believe that induction of oxidative stress is an uniform response to allelopathy stress. In this work, there are described selected examples of various allelochamicals or extracts from allelopathic plants known to induce oxidative stress in acceptor organisms. Accumulation of ROS and modification of growth and/or development of organs of acceptor plants induced by allelochemicals are correlated with "stress induced morphogenic response" (SIMR), modification of phytohormonal balance and factors crucial for cell wall formation. Additionally, the relationship between allelopathic interaction and plant sensitivity to other biotic and abiotic stresses is discussed

The influence of transfer gun passage time through the uterine cervix on pregnancy rate in recipient heifers

The influence of passage time of the transfer gun through the uterine cervix and body to the embryo insertion site on pregnancy rate was analysed in 248 recipient heifers (mean age: 15–17 months). Embryos (90 fresh and/or 88 and 70 frozen in glycerol and ethylene glycol, respectively, grades 4 and 5, stage 1 or 2) were transferred to the ipsilateral uterine horn on day 7. Two different transfer guns were used in this experiment: a sterilisable steel transfer instrument to be used without sheaths with a removable tip made of gold-plated stainless steel (Wörrlein Minitüb) or a transfer stylet with sheaths with a metal tip and a side opening (Cassou gun, IMV Technologies). The time of passage of the instruments through the uterine cervix and body to the site of embryo deposition in the uterine horn was measured in the study. In order to randomise the risk of errors, all manipulations were carried out by the same experienced operator. The average time needed for the insertion of embryos into the uterus was 50.6 seconds (s) and it was longer for the transfer gun with sheaths than for the metal-tipped transfer gun (60.1 and 40.8 s, respectively) (P 120 s − 28.0, 6.0 and 24.9%, respectively). Thus, it cannot be excluded that the type of the applied transfer gun may influence pregnancy rate in recipient cows due to its effect on cervical passage time

Expression of Selected Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Transcription Factors in Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in developed countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of SNAIL, SLUG, TWIST1, TWIST2, ZEB1, and ZEB 2 in primary tumor and the correlation with morphological and clinical characteristics of EC. The study included 158 patients with EC after surgical treatments: total hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. The percentages of EC specimens testing positively for the EMT transcription factors were 84.5% for SNAIL, 92.2% for SLUG, 10.9% for TWIST1, 100% for TWIST2, 89% for ZEB1, and 98% for ZEB2. The expression of SLUG in patients with FIGO stage III or IV, type II EC, myometrial invasion≥50% of the uterine wall thickness, and adnexal involvement and in patients with distant metastases was significantly higher. SLUG and ZEB2 expressions were identified as significant predictors of higher FIGO stages (III or IV) on univariate analysis. The overexpression of SLUG was a significant predictor of more aggressive type II EC, myometrial invasion≥50% of the uterine wall thickness, and distant metastases on both univariate and multivariate analysis. Moreover, the overexpression of SLUG and ZEB2 was shown to be significant predictors of adnexal involvement on univariate analysis. ZEB 2 overexpression was identified in multivariate analysis as another independent predictor associated with a lesser likelihood of type II EC. Both univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that SLUG expression was the only predictor of 5-year survival in the study group. The overexpression of SLUG was associated with a significant increase in mortality hazard on univariate analysis and was shown to be a highly significant predictor of death on multivariate analysis. Conclusions. Selected proteins of the EMT pathway play a role in endometrial carcinogenesis; SLUG and ZEB2 expressions in the primary tumor might predict clinical outcomes in EC and drive therapeutic decisions regarding adjuvant treatment in patients with this malignancy

Electroconvulsive Therapy and Age: Effectiveness, Safety and Tolerability in the Treatment of Major Depression among Patients under and over 65 Years of Age

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains the most effective therapy in treatment-resistant depression. However, the safety of ECT has been consistently questioned, particularly among elderly patients. We assessed the efficacy and safety of ECT in patients before and after 65 years old. The study was conducted between 2015 and 2018 and included 91 patients (61 under and 29 over 65 years old) with major depression undergoing ECT. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to evaluate efficacy. Cognitive functions were assessed using: MMSE, RAVLT, Trail Making Test, Stroop Test and Autobiographical Memory Interview-Short Form. ECT was more effective in older patients as compared to younger (p &lt; 0.001). No serious adverse events were observed in either group. Increased blood pressure and arrhythmias were more common in the older compared to the younger group (p = 0.044 and p = 0.047, respectively), while disturbances of consciousness did not differ between groups (p = 0.820). Most of the cognitive functions remained unchanged compared to baseline, whereas the outcomes of MMSE, RAVLT and Stroop tests showed greater improvements in the older compared to the younger group (all p &lt; 0.05). The decline in the retrieval consistency of autobiographical memory was more pronounced in the younger group (p = 0.024). ECT is a highly effective, safe and well-tolerated method of treating depression regardless of age

Mobile health for mental health support: a survey of attitudes and concerns among mental health professionals in Poland over the period 2020-2023

IntroductionMobile health (mHealth) has emerged as a dynamic sector supported by technological advances and the COVID-19 pandemic and have become increasingly applied in the field of mental health.AimThe aim of this study was to assess the attitudes, expectations, and concerns of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychotherapists, towards mHealth, in particular mobile health self-management tools and telepsychiatry in Poland.Material and methodsThis was a survey conducted between 2020 and 2023. A questionnaire was administered to 148 mental health professionals, covering aspects such as telepsychiatry, mobile mental health tools, and digital devices.ResultsThe majority of professionals expressed readiness to use telepsychiatry, with a peak in interest during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a gradual decline from 2022. Concerns about telepsychiatry were reported by a quarter of respondents, mainly related to difficulties in correctly assessing the patient’s condition, and technical issues. Mobile health tools were positively viewed by professionals, with 86% believing they could support patients in managing mental health and 74% declaring they would recommend patients to use them. Nevertheless, 29% expressed concerns about the effectiveness and data security of such tools. Notably, the study highlighted a growing readiness among mental health professionals to use new digital technologies, reaching 84% in 2023.ConclusionThese findings emphasize the importance of addressing concerns and designing evidence-based mHealth solutions to ensure long-term acceptance and effectiveness in mental healthcare. Additionally, the study highlights the need for ongoing regulatory efforts to safeguard patient data and privacy in the evolving digital health landscape