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PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation was to design a perfusion-based decellularization protocol to provide whole human uterine bio-scaffolds with preserved structural and componential characteristics and to investigate the in vivo properties of the decellularized tissues. METHODS: Eight human uteri, donated by brain-dead patients, were decellularized by perfusion of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) through the uterine arteries using a peristaltic pump. The bio-scaffolds were evaluated and compared with native human uterus regarding histological, immunohistochemical, structural, and bio-mechanical properties, in addition to CT angiographies to examine the preservation of the vascular networks. Subsequently, we obtained acellular patches and implanted them on uterine defects of female Wistar rats to investigate the bio-compatibility and regenerative potential of the bio-scaffolds. Finally, we performed immunostaining to investigate the potential role of circulating stem cells in recellularization of the implanted bio-scaffolds. RESULTS: The outcomes of this investigation confirmed the efficacy of the proposed protocol to provide whole human uterine scaffolds with characteristics and extra-cellular matrix components similar to the native human uterus. Subsequent in vivo studies demonstrated the bio-compatibility and the regenerative potential of the scaffolds and suggested a signaling pathway as an underlying mechanism for the regenerative process. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this investigation provides the first efficient perfusion-based decellularization protocol for the human uterus to obtain whole-organ scaffolds. The outcomes of this investigation could be employed in future human uterus tissue engineering studies which could ultimately result in the development of novel treatments for female infertile patients.

Background: Silkworm products were first used by physicians more than 8500 years ago, in the early Neolithic period. In Persian medicine, silkworm extract has several uses for treating and preventing neurological, cardiac, and liver diseases. Mature silkworms (Bombyx mori) and their pupae contain a variety of growth factors and proteins that can be used in many repair processes, including nerve regeneration. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of mature silkworm (Bombyx mori), and silkworm pupae extract on Schwann cell proliferation and axon growth. Methods: Silkworm (Bombyx mori) and silkworm pupae extracts were prepared. Then, the concentration and type of amino acids and proteins in the extracts were evaluated by Bradford assay, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). Also, the regenerative potential of extracts for improving Schwann cell proliferation and axon growth was examined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, electron microscopy, and NeuroFilament-200 (NF-200) immunostaining. Results: According to the results of the Bradford test, the total protein content of pupae extract was almost twice that of mature worm extract. Also, SDS-PAGE analysis revealed numerous proteins and growth factors, such as bombyrin and laminin, in extracts that are involved in the repair of the nervous system. In accordance with Bradford's results, the evaluation of extracts using LC-MS/MS revealed that the number of amino acids in pupae extract was higher than in mature silkworm extract. It was found that the proliferation of Schwann cells at a concentration of 0.25 mg/mL in both extracts was higher than the concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05 mg/mL. When using both extracts on dorsal root ganglion (DRGs), an increase in length and number was observed in axons. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrated that extracts obtained from silkworms, especially pupae, can play an effective role in Schwann cell proliferation and axonal growth, which can be strong evidence for nerve regeneration, and, consequently, repairing peripheral nerve damage.

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of intravitreal injection of bone marrow mononuclear stem cells (BMMNC) on neurological and vascular damages in a rat model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: Ten newborn Wistar rats were divided randomly into the control and the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) group. Animals in the OIR group were incubated in an oxygen chamber to induce retinopathy. One eye of animals in the OIR group received BMMNC suspension (treated eyes), and the contralateral eye received the same volume of saline injection. Then, all animals underwent funduscopy, electroretinography, and histopathological assessments. Results: Compared to the saline injection group, eyes treated with BMMNC had less vascular tortuosity while veins and arteries had relatively same caliber, as revealed by fundus examination. Eyes in treatment group showed significantly elevated photopic and scotopic B waves amplitude. In histopathological assessments, nuclei count in inner retinal layer in the treatment group was significantly lower compared to untreated eyes. Also, BMMNC transplantation reduced apoptosis of neural retina cells. Conclusions: Our results indicated that intravitreal injection of BMMNC reduces neural and vascular damages and results in recovered retinal function in rat model of ROP. Ease of extraction without in vitro processing, besides the therapeutic effects of BMMNCs, make this source of stem cells as a new choice of therapy for ROP or other retinal ischemic diseases in further biomedical research.

Introduction Approximately 15% of couples in the reproductive age are struggling with infertility which, in nearly half of them, is caused by male factors. Material and methods The present study comprised of two groups of sixteen C57BL/6 mice; each mouse received either an intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg of an alkylating agent or the same amount of distilled water. Testes were harvested 30 days following the injection. Morphometric analysis of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slides including mean tubular area, diameter and intratubular particles were performed. Spermatogenesis rate was assessed by spermatogonial markers including promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF) and neurogenin-3 (NGN3). Moreover, the expression rate of Wilms Tumor-1 (WT-1), A-Kinase Anchoring Protein 4 (AKAP4) and adenosine deaminase domain containing 1 (ADAD1) genes were evaluated via real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The body weight gradually increased in both groups after a period of 30 days, however, the increase was significantly (p-value = 0.023) lower in the chemically treated group. All the morphometric parameters were considerably decreased in the azoospermic mice. Also, promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein and neurogenin-3 expression dramatically declined (p-value

Objective: To investigate whether miRNAs have a remarkable pooled diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity as noninvasive biomarkers to distinguish endometriosis patients from non-endometriosis women.Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, and ProQuest was performed through February 21, 2021 to find relevant studies. Two reviewers independently screened each article, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Deeks' funnel plot asymmetry test was performed to assess the publication bias of included studies. The STATA software and RevMan 5.4 were used for data analysis and quality assessment, respectively.Results: The overall quality of the studies was moderate to high. In total 87 datasets were assessed miRNAs' performance which results in sensitivity: 0.82, specificity: 0.79, DOR: 18, NPV: 0.80, PPV: 0.78, PLR: 3.97, and NLR: 022. We conducted subgroup analyses, which showed panels of miRNAs (DOR: 54) and serum (DOR: 43) as a target tissue was more reliable to utilize as biomarkers. Deeks' funnel plot showed that there is no publication bias (P-value = 0.25).Conclusions: Panels of miRNAs differentiate endometriosis patients from non-endometriosis women with high sensitivity and specificity; therefore, it has the potential to use as a noninvasive biomarker.

Objectives: In the present study, a new engineered bulking agent called lyophilized micronized prepuce was examined as a natural scaffold to compare its safety and efficacy with the Urodex®. Methods: For an in vivo study, 12 rabbits were divided into two groups. In the first group (n = 6), 0.2 cc of lyophilized and micronized prepuce, and in the second group, 0.2 cc of Urodex® was injected into the seromuscular wall of the bladder. The biopsy was provided from all animals for histological evaluation in 3 and 6 months’ post-surgery and for each timeline 12 animals were assigned. The biopsies were stained with H&E and trichrome Masson. IHC staining was also performed with anti-LCA+, anti-CD34+, and anti-CD68+ antibodies. Resluts: Microscopic examination of acellular prepuce compared with normal tissue demonstrated the success of this process, and ECM and collagen fibers were preserved with no evidence of cellular remnants in the acellular tissue, Immunohistochemistry staining with CD68 and LCA revealed a higher inflammation grade in Urodex as compared with Prepuce. However, no significant difference was detected in CD34 staining between Prepuce and Urodex experimental groups SEM analysis detected the micronized particle size varying between 2-5 µm. MTT assay revealed that cell proliferation was similar in the presence of control group and acellular prepuce. Conclusion: The results of this study disclosed that lyophilized and micronized prepuce could be an operative alternative to Urodex® as a natural and non-synthetic bulking agent in the treatment of children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).

Bladder Exstrophy (BE) has been considered as a rare congenital malformation of the genitourinary system, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1 per 50,000 live births [1]. The management of this anomaly is complex, involving several surgical reconstructions with numerous challenges to achieve anatomically, functionally, and cosmetically satisfactory outcomes [2]. Furthermore, the management must be early in the first months of life for better functional and cosmetic results [3,4]. Wound dehiscence, urethral outlet obstruction, bladder prolapsed, renal and bladder calculi are among the main complications following failed primary BE closure [5]. Urinary stone formation is estimated to be around 15% following bladder closure, in repaired BE patients, especially in cases living in poor or rural regions [6]. Bladder stone formation may occur following infra-vesical obstruction, neurogenic voiding dysfunction, urinary tract infection, foreign bodies, and metabolic risk factors years after reconstructive surgery [7]. Here, we report a 6-yearold boy with failed BE repair at an early age that was complicated by late surgery outcomes and secondary stone formation on missed sutured surgical sponge post-operatively.

Background and Purpose: Mitochondrion is the main indicator of oocyte quality and one of the components of oocyte, which is sensitive to oxidative damage during the maturation process. Mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ) is a strong antioxidant targeting mitochondria as well as anti-apoptotic agent. However, the effect of MitoQ on the quality of oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM) is still unknown. Objectives: This study investigated the possible effects of MitoQ on maturation and developmental competency in mice oocytes. Materials and Methods: The oocytes were collected at germinal vesicle stage from 6-8-week old female NMRI mice and then cultured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with 0, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04 µM MitoQ. The sham group was treated with DMSO (0.01% v.v). Then intracellular Glutathione (GSH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm), as well as in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate in the 18-20 h matured oocytes and metaphase II (MII) oocytes (in vivo-control), were assessed. Results: The results showed that between three dose of MitoQ, the 0.02 µM significantly increased nuclear maturation rate, GSH level, fertilization rate and blastulation (92.6, 231.7, 90.19 and 81.66%, respectively) than the in vitro-control (71.14, 152, 78.84 and 73.50%, respectively) and more comparable to that of the in vivo matured oocytes (100, 243.5, 92.10 and 83%, respectively). Also, the mitochondria membrane potential in the 0.02 µM MitoQ was significantly higher compared with those in the other groups (4.4). However, the intracellular ROS level in 0.02 µM MitoQ was significantly decreased (38.72%) compared to in vitro-control (82.2%) and was similar to the in vivo-control (33.5%). Conclusion: The results indicated that supplementation of IVM medium with MitoQ (specially 0.02 µM) enhance maturation and fertilization rate. In conclusion, MitoQ might be considered as a novel component that could be added to IVM media.

Background Phytoestrogens are suggested to have estrogenic effects in the pulmonary system and have been revealed with a few adverse side effects. In this study, we tried to investigate the effect of genistein treatment on estrogen deficiency-induced lung injury and demonstrating whether genistein supplementation could replace estrogen hormone in postmenopausal women. Methods Forty adult female rats were divided into four groups; sham: rats that underwent surgery without ovariectomy, OVX: rats that underwent ovariectomies, OVX.E: ovariectomized rats with eight weeks period of estrogen treatment (20µg/kg/day), OVX.Gen: ovariectomized rats with eight week period of genistein treatment (1mg/kg/day). At the end of the experiment, lung tissue was removed and inflammatory and fibrotic biomarkers were evaluated with western blotting technique. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining were used to evaluate histomorphological changes in the lung tissue. Results Genistein treatment restored ERK1/2, TGFβ1, MMP2, and IL1β, Bcl-2, and caspase3 expression levels, implying the effectiveness of genistein supplementation in targeting estrogen deficiency symptoms. Conclusions Genistein supplementation exerted protective effects against ovariectomy-induced lung injury with reducing inflammation and fibrosis, moreover, it can be recommended as a natural alternative to postmenopausal hormone therapy.

Background In today’s world, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the most critical health problem and research is continued on studying the associated factors. But it is not clear whether endometriosis increases the risk of COVID-19. Methods Women who referred to the gynecology clinic were evaluated and 507 women with endometriosis (case group) were compared with 520 women without endometriosis (control group). COVID-19 infection, symptoms, exposure, hospitalization, isolation, H1N1 infection and vaccination, and past medical history of the participants were recorded and compared between the groups using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 21. Results Comparison between the groups represent COVID-19 infection in 3.2% of the case group and 3% of the control group (P = 0.942). The control group had a higher frequency of asymptomatic infection (95.7% vs. 94.5%; P P = 0.004), while the frequency of rare symptoms was more common in the case group (P P = 0.694). COVID-19 infection was correlated with close contact (r = 0.331; P P P > 0.05). Conclusion Endometriosis does not increase the susceptibility to COVID-19 infections, but alters the manifestation of the disease. The prevalence of the disease may depend on the interaction between the virus and the individual’s immune system but further studies are required in this regard.

The contributions of estradiol and testosterone to atherosclerotic lesion progression are not entirely understood. Cross-sex hormone therapy (XHT) for transgender individuals dramatically alters estrogen and testosterone levels and consequently could have widespread consequences for cardiovascular health. Yet, no preclinical research has assessed atherosclerosis risk after XHT. We examined the effects of testosterone XHT after ovariectomy on atherosclerosis plaque formation in female mice and evaluated whether adding low-dose estradiol to cross-sex testosterone treatments after ovariectomy reduced lesion formation. Six-week-old female ApoE−/− C57BL/6 mice underwent ovariectomy and began treatments with testosterone, estradiol, testosterone with low-dose estradiol, or vehicle alone until euthanized at 23 weeks of age. Atherosclerosis lesion progression was measured by Oil Red O stain and confirmed histologically. We found reduced atherosclerosis in the estradiol- and combined testosterone/estradiol–treated mice compared with those treated with testosterone or vehicle only in the whole aorta (−75%), aortic arch (−80%), and thoracic aorta (−80%). Plaque size was similarly reduced in the aortic sinus. These reductions in lesion size after combined testosterone/estradiol treatment were comparable to those obtained with estrogen alone. Testosterone/estradiol combined therapy resulted in less atherosclerosis plaque formation than either vehicle or testosterone alone after ovariectomy. Testosterone/estradiol therapy was comparable to estradiol replacement alone, whereas mice treated with testosterone only fared no better than untreated controls after ovariectomy. Adding low-dose estrogen to cross-sex testosterone therapy after oophorectomy could improve cardiovascular outcomes for transgender patients. Additionally, these results contribute to understanding of the effects of estrogen and testosterone on atherosclerosis progression.

Objective: To determine the effect of the 3 well-known endometriosis treatments on stem cell recruitment to endometriotic lesions. Study Design: C57BL/6 mice (aged 8 weeks, n = 20) underwent bone marrow transplant following submyeloablation with 5-fluorouracil using 20 × 106 bone marrow stem cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice. Two weeks after transplantation, experimental endometriosis was created in mice by suturing segments of the uterine horn into the peritoneal cavity. Mice were then randomized to receive treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), leuprolide acetate (Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone Analogue [GnRHa]), letrozole, or vehicle control (dimethyl sulfoxide). After 3 weeks of treatment, the mice were killed and the endometriosis lesions evaluated. Results: All 3 treatments resulted in a significant reduction in lesion volume and weight. Estrogen deprivation using GnRHa or letrozole resulted in greater lesion regression than the progestin MPA. The GFP+/CD45− bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDSCs) engrafted the lesions of endometriosis. Estrogen deprivation using GnRHa or letrozole significantly reduced BMDSC engraftment in the endometriosis lesions. MPA failed to significantly reduce stem cell number in endometriosis. Conclusion: The superiority of estrogen deprivation over progestin therapy in depriving the lesions of stem cells may have implications for the long-term treatment of endometriosis. Reduced stem cell engraftment is likely to result in long-term regression of the lesions, whereas progestins may only prevent their growth acutely.

Asherman's syndrome is an acquired condition of uterine fibrosis and adhesions in response to injury that adversely affects fertility and pregnancy. We have previously demonstrated that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMDSCs) contribute to uterine repair after injury and that stem cells supplementation improves fertility. Here, we demonstrate that CXCL12 is the chemokine that mediates stem cell engraftment and functional improvement using a murine model of Asherman's syndrome. After uterine injury, we demonstrate that CXCL12 augmentation increased BMDSC engraftment and that the CXCL12 receptor (CXCR4) antagonist, ADM3100, blocked stem cell recruitment. CXCL12 reduced, whereas ADM3100 increased fibrosis. CXCL12 treatment led to improved fertility and litter size, whereas ADM3100 treatment reduced fertility and litter size. ADM3100 prevented optimal spontaneous uterine repair mediated by endogenous CXCL12 production, reducing pregnancies after injury in the absence of supplemental CXCL12 administration; however, ADM3100 treatment could be partially rescued by CXCL12 augmentation. CXCL12 or other CXCR4 receptor agonists may be useful in the treatment of infertility or adverse pregnancy outcomes in Asherman's syndrome and other related uterine disorders.

Background Endometriosis is an estrogen dependent, inflammatory disorder occurring in 5–10% of reproductive-aged women. Women with endometriosis have a lower body mass index (BMI) and decreased body fat compared to those without the disease, yet few studies have focused on the metabolic abnormalities in adipose tissue in women with endometriosis. Previously, we identified microRNAs that are differentially expressed in endometriosis and altered in the serum of women with the disease. Here we explore the effect of endometriosis on fat tissue and identified a role for endometriosis-related microRNAs in fat metabolism and a reduction in adipocyte stem cell number. Methods Primary adipocyte cells cultured from 20 patients with and without endometriosis were transfected with mimics and inhibitors of microRNAs 342-3p or Let 7b-5p to model the status of these microRNAs in endometriosis. RNA was extracted for gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR. PCNA expression was used as a marker of adipocyte proliferation. Endometriosis was induced experimentally in 9-week old female C57BL/6 mice and after 10 months fat tissue was harvested from both the subcutaneous (inguinal) and visceral (mesenteric) tissue. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in fat tissue were characterized in both endometriosis and non-endometriosis mice by FACS analysis. Results Gene expression analysis showed that endometriosis altered the expression of Cebpa, Cebpb, Ppar-γ, leptin, adiponectin, IL-6, and HSL, which are involved in driving brown adipocyte differentiation, appetite, insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism. Each gene was regulated by an alteration in microRNA expression known to occur in endometriosis. Analysis of the stem cell content of adipose tissue in a mouse model of endometriosis demonstrated a reduced number of adipocyte stem cells. Conclusions We demonstrate that microRNAs Let-7b and miR-342-3p affected metabolic gene expression significantly in adipocytes of women with endometriosis. Similarly, there is a reduction in the adipose stem cell population in a mouse model of endometriosis. Taken together these data suggest that endometriosis alters BMI in part through an effect on adipocytes and fat metabolism.

Background: There are numerous investigations on wide range of issues that disrupt regulatory spermatogenesis, individuals who are exposed to drug abuse faced infertility and immature spermatogenesis. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the addiction effects of morphine and its derivatives on rats spermatogenesis. Materials and Methods: 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups, which were exposed either with intravenous morphine, naloxone, naloxone and morphine, sham (with normal saline injection) and a control group without infusion. Spermatogenesis was assessed after three months via histological sections with hematoxylin and eosin staining, using a light microscope based on measurement of spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid, and spermatozoa. Results: Those rats that received opioids had changes in spermatogenesis function. The population of spermatogenesis cycle cells at spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid, and spermatozoa stages was significantly decreased in those rats that received opioid in comparison to the control group (p

Objective: To evaluate whether the use of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with alginate increases oocyte maturation following in vitro maturation. Methods: This experimental study was performed on 150 immature oocytes (germinal vesicle oocytes) from females who were candidates for assisted reproductive technology. The germinal vesicle oocytes were randomly placed in the control, alginate, and VEGF plus alginate groups. The basic culture medium for oocytes culture (tissue culture medium 199, follicle-stimulating hormone 0.075 IU/mL, and fetal bovine serum 10%) was used in the control, alginate, and VEGF plus alginate groups. For the treatment groups (alginate, and VEGF plus alginate groups), alginate (8%) and VEGF (5 ng/mL) were added to the basic culture medium. After culture, immature oocytes were considered as oocytes unchanged in the nucleus whereas oocytes with a polar body were considered as mature oocytes (metaphase II stage). The mature oocytes in each group were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and formed embryos were evaluated by reverse microscope. Results: The oocyte maturation rate (metaphase II) significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the alginate plus VEGF group as compared with the alginate alone and control groups during in vitro maturation. On day 2, the cleavage rates were significantly different in the matured oocytes between the treatment groups and the control group. The percentage of the two-cell stage, four-cell stage and eight-cell embryos was significantly higher in the treatment groups compared with the control group (P

Cross-sex hormone therapy (XHT) is widely used by transgender people to alter secondary sex characteristics to match their desired gender presentation. Here, we investigate the long-term effects of XHT on bone health using a murine model. Female mice underwent ovariectomy at either 6 or 10 wk and began weekly testosterone or vehicle injections. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed (20 wk) to measure bone mineral density (BMD), and microcomputed tomography was performed to compare femoral cortical and trabecular bone architecture. The 6-wk testosterone group had comparable BMD with controls by DXA but reduced bone volume fraction, trabecular number, and cortical area fraction and increased trabecular separation by microcomputed tomography. Ten-week ovariectomy/XHT maintained microarchitecture, suggesting that estrogen is critical for bone acquisition during adolescence and that late, but not early, estrogen loss can be sufficiently replaced by testosterone alone. Given these findings, we then compared effects of testosterone with effects of weekly estrogen or combined testosterone/low-dose estrogen treatment after a 6-wk ovariectomy. Estrogen treatment increased spine BMD and microarchitecture, including bone volume fraction, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and connectivity density, and decreased trabecular separation. Combined testosterone-estrogen therapy caused similar increases in femur and spine BMD and improved architecture (increased bone volume fraction, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, and connectivity density) to estrogen therapy and were superior compared with mice treated with testosterone only. These results demonstrate estradiol is critical for bone acquisition and suggest a new cross-sex hormone therapy adding estrogens to testosterone treatments with potential future clinical implications for treating transgender youth or men with estrogen deficiency.

Context Endometriosis is characterized by aberrant inflammation. We previously reported increased levels of microRNA (miRNA) 125b-5p and decreased levels of miRNA Let-7b-5p in serum of patients with endometriosis. Objective Determine the regulatory function of miRNAs 125b-5p and Let-7b-5p on production of proinflammatory cytokines in endometriosis. Design Case-control study. Setting University hospital. Patients Women with (20) and without (26) endometriosis; human U937 macrophage cell line. Intervention Sera were collected from surgically diagnosed patients and differentiated U937 cells that were transfected with miRNAs 125b-5p and Let-7b-5p mimics and inhibitor. Main Outcome Measures Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-1β levels and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for expression of miRNAs 125b-5p and Let-7b-5p in sera of patients with and without endometriosis. Transfected macrophages were evaluated for expression of inflammatory cytokines, intracellular production, and secretion of these cytokines. Results We noted substantial elevation of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, marked upregulation of miRNA 125b, and considerable downregulation of Let-7b in sera of patients with endometriosis vs control. There was a positive correlation between miRNA 125b levels and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and a negative correlation between miRNA Let-7b levels and TNF-α in sera of patients with endometriosis. Transfection experiments showed a noteworthy upregulation of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in macrophages transfected with miRNA 125b mimic or Let-7b inhibitor. The secreted cytokine protein levels and intracellular imaging studies closely correlate with the messenger RNA changes. Conclusions Endometriosis-derived miRNAs regulate macrophage cytokine production that contributes to inflammation associated with this condition.

Background: Nasal parameters are important in anthropology to distinguish race, sex and ethnic of people groups and are useful to identify unknown person. The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric characteristics of Nose in residents of Qazvin, Iran. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed on 300 adults from Qazvin; they were 18 to 55 years-old. There were 160 males and 140 females with a male/female ratio of 1.2:1.This group was randomly selected. Without gender prejudices their nasal parameters, nasal height, tip protrusion and alar thickness, were measured using a sliding caliper. Results: The mean nasal width/height (Nasal index -NI) was 90.7 in males and 88.2 in females. Males had a higher NI compared to females (p < 0.03). The most common type of nasal variability is type A (70.5%), Platyrrhine nose, Type B (26.7%) especially in females (mesorrhine) and Type C (leptorrhine) (2.8%). Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between sex of an individual and type of nose. Platyrrhine nose, among males and mesorrhine among females were more common, only 2.8% being leptorrhine. The nasal indices in males were higher than in females.