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Kisspeptin is a peptide hormone that has a central role to stimulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion from the hypothalamus. Furthermore, it was shown to have peripheral roles on enhancing CYP19 (aromatase) expression and aromatase secretion from human granulosa cells (1). The objectives of this study were to determine direct effects of kisspeptin treatment on estrogen and progesterone secretion from human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN). KGN cells (n=3) were treated with 10 nM follicle stimulating hormone (FSH); 100, 1,000, and 10,000 nM kisspeptin; and FSH together with different doses of kisspeptin for 24 hours. Estrogen and progesterone concentrations in supernatant were measured by enzyme immunoassay kits. The results showed that FSH treatment alone (P Presentation: No date and time listed

Kisspeptin, a crucial central regulator of reproduction, has been used as a trigger in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. This study aimed to investigate the roles of kisspeptin in IVF treatment in infertile females ( n = 30); and in steroidogenesis in human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN). In the human study, blood was collected at three time points including (1) the beginning of gonadotropin stimulation (Phase I), (2) around eight days after gonadotropin stimulation (Phase II), and (3) on the day of ovum pick-up (Phase III). Follicular fluid (FF) was collected at Phase III. Serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was measured 15 days after embryo transfer and fetal heart beats were determined around 42 days of menstrual cycle to classify the subjects into successful and unsuccessful groups. FF kisspeptin levels were higher in successful compared with unsuccessful subjects ( P -2 mmol/L with FSH enhanced aromatase concentrations in the supernatant compared with FSH alone ( P

Adiponectin, visfatin, and omentin have been shown to be associated with insulin sensitivity and might have a role in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study aimed to (1) compare adiponectin, visfatin, and omentin mRNA expressions in placenta and their serum levels between normal pregnancy (NP) and GDM class A1 (GDMA1) pregnancy and (2) determine correlations between placental gene expressions as well as serum levels with maternal and neonatal clinical parameters in all, NP, and GDM subjects. NP subjects (n = 37), who had normal medical history during their pregnancies without diagnosis of any abnormalities and GDMA1 subjects (n = 37), who were diagnosed since they had antenatal care, were recruited when they were in labor with a gestational age of at least 34 weeks. Clinical parameters and serum adiponectin, visfatin, and omentin levels were measured in the delivery room. GDMA1 subjects had higher serum visfatin and plasma glucose levels, but lower serum omentin levels (p

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been reported as a vasoconstrictive substance that might be associated with preeclampsia. NPY mediates different effects via its specific NPY receptors. NPY action via Y1 receptor (Y1R) and/or Y5 receptor (Y5R) induces vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation while it is implicated in angiogenesis via Y2 receptor (Y2R) and/or Y5R. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare placental NPY, Y1 receptor ( Y1R), Y2 receptor ( Y2R), and Y5 receptor ( Y5R) expressions between normal (NP) and preeclamptic (PE) pregnancies to determine whether gene expression of different NPY receptors are altered in the PE condition; (2) compare maternal serum NPY levels between NP and PE subjects; and (3) determine correlations between placental gene expressions as well as serum NPY levels with maternal and neonatal clinical parameters. There were 22 subjects each in the NP (gestational age 37–42 weeks) and PE (gestational age ≥34 weeks) groups. Clinical parameters and serum NPY levels were measured before delivery. NPY expression and serum NPY levels were comparable between NP and PE subjects. Y1R, Y2R, and Y5R expressions were significantly lower in PE than NP subjects. In all and NP subjects, placental Y2R showed the highest expression, tended to be higher than Y5R, and was significantly higher than Y1R. In PE subjects, placental Y2R was comparable to Y5R and both Y2R and Y5R were significantly higher than Y1R. The NPY receptor expression ratio between the PE/NP groups showed that it was lowest for Y2R (0.27) compared to Y1R (0.42) and Y5R (0.40) suggestive of decreased Y2R expression in PE subjects. In summary, a decrease in placental Y2R mRNA might be associated with abnormalities of placental angiogenesis which probably contributes to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. The roles of NPY receptors mediating placental vascularization need to be further investigated. Impact statement Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been reported as a vasoconstrictive substance which might be associated with preeclampsia. The novel findings of this study were that Y1R, Y2R, and Y5R expressions were significantly lower in the PE than the NP group. Moreover, the NPY receptor expression ratio between the PE/NP groups was lowest for Y2R (0.27) compared to Y1R (0.42) and Y5R (0.40) suggestive of a reduction of this receptor in the preeclampsia group. Our results suggested that decreased Y2R mRNA in the PE group might be associated with abnormalities of placental angiogenesis which probably contributes to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

Obesity is associated with the growth and expansion of adipocytes which could be decreased via several mechanisms. Cissus Quadrangularis (CQ) extract has been shown to reduce obesity in humans; however, its effect on human white adipocytes (hWA) has not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CQ on obesity, lipolysis, and browning of hWA. CQ treatment in obese humans significantly decreased waist circumference at week 4 and week 8 when compared with the baseline values (p p p UCP1 mRNA when compared to vehicle (p UCP1 expression in a dose-dependent manner when compared to pioglitazone treatment (p UCP1 mRNA in hWA suggestive of its action via browning of hWA.

Obesity is one of major risk factors increasing chronic diseases including type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. The effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major active compound in green tea, on reduced obesity and improved metabolic profiles are still controversial. Furthermore, the effects of EGCG on human adipocyte lipolysis and browning of white adipocytes have not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EGCG on obesity, lipolysis, and browning of human white adipocytes. The results showed that, when compared to the baseline values, EGCG significantly decreased fasting plasma triglyceride levels ( P

Central kisspeptin action is well known in reproductive regulation; however, its peripheral action is not well understood. This study aimed to 1) compare serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) kisspeptin levels between different body mass index (BMI) groups 2) compare the levels of kisspeptin between serum and CSF, and 3) determine correlations between serum or CSF kisspeptin levels with clinical, metabolic, and reproductive parameters. There were 40 male subjects undergoing operations with lumbar puncture anesthesia. Subgroup analysis was performed to compare between the normal (n = 12), overweight (n = 10), and obese groups (n = 17). One lean subject was recruited for correlation analysis. Serum kisspeptin levels were significantly higher in the obese group when compared to the normal weight and overweight groups even after adjusting for age or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p0.05 all). Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the obese group when compared to the normal weight and overweight groups (p0.05 all). CSF kisspeptin levels were below the minimum detectable concentration for the assay (0.06 ng/mL). Serum kisspeptin was positively correlated with body weight, BMI, plasma insulin, the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum leptin but was negatively correlated with plasma LH (p0.05 all). In conclusion, serum kisspeptin was related to obesity, leptin, insulin, and insulin resistance, while CSF kisspeptin was below the limits of detection. Thus, peripheral kisspeptin might have a role in metabolic regulation.

Kisspeptin has been recognized as a stimulatory factor of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Kisspeptin has been successfully used to trigger ovulation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment (1). This study aimed to 1)compare reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, and AMH), serum and follicular fluid kisspeptin between successful and unsuccessful clinical pregnancy in different stages of IVF treatment; 2) determine the correlations of serum or follicular fluid kisspeptin with reproductive hormones as well as biochemical and clinical outcomes; and 3) compare the levels of kisspeptin between serum and follicular fluid. In this study, 30 infertile female patients (age 26–40 years old) undergoing IVF treatment were recruited. Blood samples were collected at 3 different time points, the beginning of gonadotropin stimulation (the early follicular phase or T1), the scheduled day for ovum pick-up (OPU) (the late follicular phase or T2), and the day of OPU (T3). Meanwhile, biochemical and clinical parameters including the number of retrieved oocytes, matured oocytes, 2 pronuclear (2PN), and serum hCG were also determined. Moreover, fetus heart beat at 6 weeks of gestation was measured to classify the subjects into successful (n=10) and unsuccessful (n=20) clinical pregnancies. Serum AMH at T1 was significantly higher but serum FSH at T1 and T2 was significantly lower in the success group compared with the unsuccess group (P Thus, kisspeptin might be used as a potential predictor of successful IVF treatment. Reference: (1) Abbara A, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(9):3322–31.

Kisspeptin has a central role to stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Furthermore, a previous study has suggested that kisspeptin might have a peripheral role in follicular development (1). This study aimed to 1) explore the effect of kisspeptin on CYP19A1 (aromatase) mRNA expression in human granulosa cells and aromatase concentrations in the supernatant; and 2) investigate the effect of kisspeptin on FSHR mRNA expression in human granulosa cells. In this study, human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) (n=3) was incubated for 24 hours with FSH (10-8 M); FSH with IGF-1 (10-8 M); different doses of kisspeptin including 1, 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000 nM; FSH with different doses of kisspeptin; and FSH with IGF-1 together with different doses of kisspeptin. FSH treatment alone or FSH with IGF-1 did not increase CYP19A1 mRNA expression when compared to control. Interestingly, kisspeptin treatment at the doses of 100 nM (P=0.028), 1,000 nM (P=0.005), and 10,000 nM (P=0.009) in the presence of FSH together with IGF-1 enhanced CYP19A1 mRNA expression when compared with control. Furthermore, FSH or FSH with IGF-1 or FSH with all doses of kisspeptin or FSH with IGF-1 together with all doses of kisspeptin increased aromatase concentrations in the supernatant when compared to control (P

Action of kisspeptin in the central nervous system (CNS) is well known on reproductive regulation; however, its peripheral action is not well understood. Recent studies have shown that peripheral kisspeptin might be related to obesity and/or metabolic parameters in humans [1]; however, these associations are still inconclusive. This study aimed to 1) compare serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) kisspeptin levels between different body mass index (BMI) groups 2) compare levels of kisspeptin between serum and CSF, and 3) determine correlations between serum or CSF kisspeptin levels with clinical, metabolic, and reproductive parameters. There were 40 male subjects who underwent an operation with lumbar puncture anesthesia. Subgroup analysis was performed to compare between the lean-normal group (n=13) which included lean and normal weight subjects, the overweight group (n=10), and the obese group (n=17) according to BMI. Blood samples were collected after at least 8-hour fasting before intravenous cannulation prior to the operation while CSF samples were obtained by lumbar puncture before administration of the spinal anesthesia. Serum kisspeptin and leptin levels were significantly higher in the obese group when compared to the lean-normal and overweight groups even after adjusted to age while CSF kisspeptin levels were comparable between different BMI groups (p

This study aimed to determine factors influencing happiness in preclinical students especially in aspects of teaching and learning, students’ motivation, study habits, and academic achievement. This study was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was validated and approved for clarity, readability, rational analysis, and comprehensiveness by the experts. Questionnaires were sent to all second and/or third-year medical students of the 2018 (328) and 2019 (329) classes, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand. Cronbach’s alpha values were 0.886. The data were analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Science version 18. From open-ended questions, the top 5 ranking factors increasing students’ happiness were teaching of instructors, content satisfaction, content understanding, free time, and handouts. Factors that had positive influences/associations with happiness of preclinical students were happiness in learning subjects taught in a particular year; satisfaction of content, study outcomes, materials, handouts, teaching motivating desire to learn, and applicability of content to medical profession; high motivation to study medicine, expected score, and the percentage of achievement of study targets; less amount of time spent on recorded-e-lecture study and internet for non-academic use; and low stress. Happiness of preclinical students was influenced by satisfaction in teaching and learning, their attitude, study habits, and academic achievement. Further studies on determining students’ happiness after improvement of teaching and learning environments, augmenting activities that enhance students’ motivation, and promoting good study habits among medical students, are required to prove whether enhancement of these factors could effectively increase students' happiness.

Adiponectin, one of the most abundant adipocyte-secreted protein, has been involved in female reproductive regulation. This study aimed to 1) compare serum adiponectin levels in various phases of in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment including Phase I (the beginning of gonadotropin stimulation), Phase II (around 8 days after gonadotropin stimulation), and Phase III (on the day of ovum pick-up) between success and unsuccess subjects; 2) compare follicular fluid (FF) adiponectin levels between success and unsuccess groups; 3) compare serum adiponectin levels among different phases of IVF/ICSI treatment in success and unsuccess groups; 4) compare the levels of adiponectin between serum and FF; and 5) investigate the effects of adiponectin on mRNA expressions of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and CYP19A1 (aromatase) in human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) (n=3). In the human study, recruited participants (n=30) with age of 26-40 years were enrolled between April 2018 - May 2019. Blood samples were collected at Phases I, II, and III while FF samples were collected at Phase III. Adiponectin levels were comparable between success and unsuccess subjects in both serum (all phases) and FF (Phase III). Furthermore, serum adiponectin levels were comparable among Phase I, II, and III in success and unsuccess groups. In Phase III, serum adiponectin showed positive correlations with serum adiponectin in Phase I and II and serum FSH in Phase I. Interestingly, adiponectin levels in FF were significantly lower than serum at Phase III in unsuccessful pregnancies but were comparable in successful pregnancies. Moreover, FF adiponectin had a negative correlation with serum LH at Phase III in success subjects. In the KGN cell study, adiponectin had no effects on FSHR and CYP19A1 (aromatase) mRNA expression compared with control. In conclusion, high adiponectin levels in serum compared to FF might contribute to unsuccessful IVF/ICSI treatment.

The National License Examination step 1 (NLE1), which tests basic medical sciences knowledge in Thailand, is considered to be tough and stressful for medical students due to the large amount of content. This study aimed to determine factors influencing the NLE1 score (NLE1S). The NLE1S, academic achievement, and class attendance were obtained officially. Other factors, including study habits, were obtained via a questionnaire, with 81.97% (241/294) being returned. Students were divided into four groups according to the central passing score and Z-score of the NLE1S, including the fail (

An early clinical exposure project conducted by clinical students aimed to promote direct clinical experience to preclinical students. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the project on academic achievement and study attitudes and habits between participating and nonparticipating students before ( test 1) and after the project ( test 2) in the second preclinical year and at the end of the first semester of the first clinical year ( test 3), with a subgroup analysis of the first (lowest) to third (highest) tertile of the score. Questionnaires were sent to the first clinical year students at test 3 and asked the information retrospectively at test 1 and test 2 in second year preclinical and currently at test 3, with 83.86% (265/316) being returned. Mean percentile of scores was higher at test 2 compared with test 1 in the first tertile group of participating students. Motivation to study medicine (motivation), realization of application of preclinical knowledge to clinical study (application), understanding of clinical environment (environment), and lesson review after class (review) were higher for participating than nonparticipating students at test 2 and/or test 3. Searching additional study information was higher at test 2 compared with test 1 only for participating students. This project could effectively promote application, motivation, environment, and review for participating vs. nonparticipating students at test 2 and/or test 3. Effortless, intimate, and effective communication between clinical and preclinical students and a direct experience in early clinical exposure might be key success factors.

Academic achievement is a major concern of preclinical students. This study aimed to determine factors influencing academic achievement in preclinical years. Questionnaires were sent to all students of the 2019 class at the 1st (2019/1) and 2nd preclinical years (2019/2) and the 2018 class at the 2nd preclinical year (2018/2) without sampling, with 85.11% (280/328), 86.32% (284/328), and 83.54% (274/328) being returned, respectively. Students were divided into Q1 (lowest)-Q2-Q3-Q4 (highest) according to quartiles of their GPA. Q4 students had higher examination expectation and achievement of study targets in all classes and more time spent on non-recorded-e-lecture study in the 2018/2 and 2019/2 classes; but lower time spent on recorded-e-lecture study in the 2019/1 class and non-academic-internet use in the 2019/2 and 2018/2 classes than other groups. In contrast, Q1 students had higher instances of lateness and absence/year in the 2019/2 and 2018/2 classes but lower happiness scores in the 2018/2 class compared to other groups. Obese and overweight students had significantly lower GPA than normal weight and underweight students of the 2019/2 class (p