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Abstract Background: Precocious puberty (PP) involves early activation of the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) generator. The RFamide-related peptide/G protein-coupled receptor 147 (RFRP3/GPR147) signaling pathway is vital in inhibiting GnRH and delaying puberty onset. The nourishing Yin-removing fire (NYRF) herbal mixture has shown promising results in treating PP. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of the NYRF herbal mixture on the RFRP3/GPR147 signaling pathway in the hypothalamus and its potential in alleviating PP in female rats. Materials and Methods: In a controlled experiment, 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats (11.20 ± 0.69 gr, postnatal day [PD5]) were divided into normal, model, normal saline, and NYRF groups (n = 6/each). PP was induced in the model, normal saline, and NYRF groups by subcutaneous injection of danazol at PD5. The NYRF herbal mixture or normal saline was administered from PD15. Serum sex hormone levels and hypothalamic samples were collected for mRNA and protein expression at PD30. Results: In the model group, hypothalamic GnRH and kisspeptin levels increased, while RFRP3 and GPR147 levels decreased, luteinizing hormone levels elevated, reproductive organ coefficients increased, and the vagina opened earlier compared to the normal group. Conversely, the NYRF group exhibited lower GnRH and kisspeptin levels but higher RFRP3 levels in the hypothalamus. Serum luteinizing hormone levels were reduced, reproductive organ coefficients were reduced, and the vaginal opening was delayed compared to the model and normal saline groups. Conclusion: The NYRF herbal mixture delayed sexual development in rats with PP by hypothalamic upregulating RFRP3 and downregulating GnRH and kisspeptin.

Background Preterm birth before 37 th wk of gestation is called premature birth. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and CRH-binding protein (BP) act on various maternal and fetal tissues during pregnancy, such as the myometrium, which regulates the transition from the dormant phase of the uterus to the active phase. Studies have shown that mir-200c and mir-181a interact with CRH and CRH-BP. Objective The present study aimed to investigate the expression of mir-200c, mir-181a, CRH, and CRH-BP in women with a history of preterm birth. Materials and Methods In this case-control study, the gene expression level of mir-200c, mir-181a, CRH, and CRH-BP in placental tissue samples obtained from 48 women with a history of preterm labor was assessed in the Mojibian hospital of Yazd, Iran, from January to March 2023. Differences between mir-200c, mir-181a CRH, and CRH-BP gene expressions among cases and controls were assessed. Results The outcomes indicated that the expression of CRH increased with going on to the regular parturition time (p < 0.001). While outcomes indicated, CRH-BP decreased with going on to the regular parturition time (p < 0.001). In addition, the results showed that the expression of mir-181a increased and mir-200c decreased with approaching the normal delivery time (p < 0.001). Conclusion In conclusion, the expressions of mir-200c, mir-181a, CRH, and CRH-BP were dissimilar in different weeks of gestation. It could be proposed to use mir-200c, mir-181a, CRH, and CRH-BP as biomarkers to weigh the exact delivery time, which could minimize the side effects of preterm labor for the mother and fetus.

Abstract Background: Sex determining region Y box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) mutations lead to bilateral anophthalmia with autosomal dominant human inheritance. SOX2 mutations could result in severe ocular phenotypes usually associated with variable systemic defects. Most patients described with SOX2 anophthalmia syndrome possessed de novo mutations in this gene. Case Presentation: In this case report, we describe 2 brothers with mental retardation and bilateral anophthalmia caused due to SOX2 germline mosaicism in unaffected parents. Next-generation DNA sequencing was carried out to determine the family's possible cause of genetic mutation. Sanger sequencing was performed on the patients and their parents. Prenatal diagnosis was done in both pregnancies of the older brother's wife via chorionic villus sampling. A novel heterozygous pathogenic frameshift deletion variant (exon1:c.58_80del:p.G20fs) was identified in the SOX2 gene, which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing in both affected brothers and did not exist in healthy parents, indicating germline mosaicism. Conclusion: Most SOX2 mutations known look to arise de novo in probands and are diagnosed through anophthalmia or microphthalmia. Prenatal diagnosis should be offered to healthy parents with a child with SOX2 mutation every pregnancy.

In an experiment carried out at the Prague Asterix Laser System at laser intensities relevant to shock ignition conditions (I > 1016 W/cm2), the heating and transport of hot electrons were studied by using several complementary diagnostics, i.e., Kα time-resolved imaging, hard x-ray filtering (a bremsstrahlung cannon), and electron spectroscopy. Ablators with differing composition from low Z (parylene N) to high Z (nickel) were used in multilayer planar targets to produce plasmas with different coronal temperature and collisionality and modify the conditions of hot-electron generation. The variety of available diagnostics allowed full characterization of the population of hot electrons, retrieving their conversion efficiency, time generation and duration, temperature, and angular divergence. The obtained results are shown to be consistent with those from detailed simulations and similar inertial confinement fusion experiments. Based on the measured data, the advantages, reliability, and complementarity of the experimental diagnostics are discussed.

Abstract Background: The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is one of the men's reproductive health criteria that affects assisted reproductive technique outcomes. Efforts in obtaining high-quality mature sperms seem to be necessary. Advanced sperm selection techniques (including physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection [PICSI], zeta potential, microfluidic, etc.) have gained popularity in this regard. Objective: The study aimed to compare the efficacy of zeta potential and PICSI sperm selection in obtaining sperms with better DNA integrity. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 48 couples were enrolled where the male partner had increased sperm DFI in his ejaculated sample and the female was in normal reproductive health. For each male partner, the semen sample was processed with zeta potential and PICSI techniques, then the sperm DFI of neat semen was compared to zeta and PICSI samples by the sperm chromatin dispersion test. Results: Data showed that both the zeta potential and PICSI technique decreased sperm DFI in comparison with the neat semen sample (p < 0.001 for both). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in sperm DFI between the PICSI and zeta potential samples (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The current study showed that both zeta potential and PICSI could result in sperm with a lower DFI. However, PICSI seems to be superior to zeta potential in this regard.

Abstract Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder, which affects about 15-20% of women of reproductive age. The most important etiopathogenesis factor in its incidence is hyperandrogenism; over 70 candidate genes are known to be associated with this syndrome, such as the androgen receptor (AR) gene which encodes a steroid receptor and is located on the Xq11-12 chromosome. The N-terminus of exon 1 of AR contains a polymorphic trinucleotide repeat (CAG)n region that encodes glutamine tract. There are some studies showing that shorter AR CAG repeats are significantly related to enhanced AR sensitivity. Objective: This study investigated the frequency of the polymorphic expansion of the trinucleotide CAG repeats of AR in PCOS. Materials and Methods: 160 Iranian women aged 17-40 yr participated in this case-control study: 80 women as PCOS patients and 80 women as healthy controls according to the Rotterdam criteria. Other similar phenotype factors such as hyperandrogenism were not considered as PCOS. The frequency of polymorphic expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats in PCOS patients was compared with the frequency in non-PCOS controls in using two primer sets for nested polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase chain reaction products were visualized on polyacrylamide gel and then were confirmed by a sequencing process. Results: The results did not show a significant correlation between the frequency of CAG repeats in AR and PCOS incidence. Conclusion: In contrast to some previous reports, the present data showed that the CAG length in PCOS cases did not significantly differ from that of controls. So, the AR (CAG)n does not appear to be a major factor for PCOS in Iranian women.

Petroni de Senzi Barreira, C., da Silva Musa, V.,Pereira Morato, M. e Pombo Menezes, R. (2021). Eficácia dos sistemas defensivos em superioridade e igualdade numérica no handebol: panorama de uma competição europeia. PENSAR EN MOVIMIENTO: Revista de Ciencias del Ejercicio y la Salud, 19(2), 1-13. As ações e escolhas realizadas durante a fase defensiva no handebol podem ser determinantes para os resultados das partidas. Análises abordando essa fase do jogo vêm sendo realizadas para identificar aspectos determinantes e que possam auxiliar no planejamento e treinamentos das equipes. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a influência das relações numéricas nos sistemas defensivos fechados e abertos no handebol de alto nível. Para isso foram analisados 12 jogos do campeonato europeu de handebol de clubes, cujo instrumento de análise permitiu identificar a relação numérica do jogo(superioridade ou igualdade numérica defensiva) e quantificar os resultados (GO: gol; NG: não-gol; PP: perda de posse da bola) e os locais emque se encerraram as ações ofensivas. Foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado para análise dos dados. Os resultados apontaram semelhanças para a conclusão do ataque mediante situações de igualdade com a utilização dos sistemas fechados (GO=47.3%; NG=33.6%;PP=19.1%) e dos sistemas abertos (GO=46.0%; NG=34.3%; PP=19.7%). Para essa situação, demonstrou-se que a utilização dos sistemas fechados provoca o encerramento da posse mais distante do gol (9m-=56.9%; 9m+=43.1%), quando comparado à utilização dos sistemas abertos (9m-=64.5%; 9m+=35.5%). Em situações de superioridade numérica defensiva a utilização dos sistemas abertos (GO=28.6%; NG=53.6%; PP=17.9%), quando comparados aos sistemas fechados (GO=49.3%; NG=29.6%; PP=21.1%), apresentou maior eficácia nos resultados das ações. Além disso, as sequências se encerraram mais distantes do gol quando foram utilizados sistemas abertos (9m-=42.9%; 9m+=57.1%) em comparação aos sistemas fechados (9m-=68.3%; 9m+=31.7%). Conclui-se que a escolha do sistema defensivo deve ser pautada no modelo de jogo da equipe e nas relações recorrentes do jogo, nos momentos de igualdade numérica (mais frequentes). Porém, em momentos de vantagem numérica defensiva limitar o espaço e o tempo para que os atacantes tomem decisões mostra-se como uma estratégia eficaz.

Abstract Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC) are preferred as an alternative source for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug screening due to their unique properties. As seen from the previous studies in the literature, most of the vector systems to transfer reprogramming factors are viral‐based and have some well‐known limitations. This study aims to develop a non‐viral vector system for the transfection of reprogramming factors. Cationic stearamide lipid nanoparticles (CSLN) were prepared via the solvent diffusion method. The obtained CSLNs were used for the delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) encoding Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and GFP to fibroblast cell lines. The optimization studies, for zeta potential and particle size of the conjugate, was performed to achieve high cell viability. CSLN63 with 36.5±0.06 mV zeta potential and 173.6±13.91 nm size was used for the transfection of Fibroblast cells. The transfection efficiency was observed by following GFP expression and was found as 70 %±0.11. The expression of the Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 was determined by RT‐qPCR; an increase was observed after the 12th cycle in Klf4 (Ct averages: 13,41), Sox2 (Ct averages; 12,4), Oct4 (Ct average; 13,77). The tendency of colonization was observed. The upregulation efficiency of Oct4 and SSEA‐1 with CSLN and another non‐viral vector designed for the transportation of Yamanaka factors developed in our lab previously were compared with flow cytometer analysis.

Background: Changes in the state of energy balance owing to changes in physical activity (PA) may affect the reproductive system. Objectives: the aim of this study was to assess the association between PA and infertility of women living in Yazd 2014 - 2015. Materials and Methods: The study method was analytical cross-sectional on the Yazd Health Study (YaHS) data which was conducted on 10,000 people. We studied 2,611 women (20 and 49 yrs old), living in Greater Yazd area. PA information was collected using a physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) short form. The standardized instruments were used for anthropometrics measurement. Results: Totally 135 cases of infertility were documented. The overall prevalence of infertility was 4.73% (95% CI: 3.94-5.59%). The median of PA scores (METs) in women was 746.66 and 25-75% interquartile range was 361.25-1277.25. The relationship according to the Chi-square test between infertility and PA, as categorized variables, was significant (p = 0.015). It showed over 90% of those who suffered from infertility had a low or moderate PA. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that there is a significant relationship between infertility and PA level in women living in Greater Yazd area. Also, women with infertility had lower activity levels, consistent with most previous studies.Key words: Women, Infertility, Physical activity, Yazd, Iran.}

Background: Miscarriage is the spontaneous pregnancy loss before 24 wk of gestation. The incidence rate of miscarriage over the past few decades has shown steady or even growing trends. Viral intrauterine infections are one of the probable etiological causes of miscarriage. Previous evidence have shown that human herpes viruses (HHVs) could be considered as the potential reasons for intrauterine infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objective: This case-control study aimed to detect HHV1-5 DNAs in placental tissues and assess their association with miscarriage during the first 24 wk of pregnancy in spontaneous and therapeutic abortions. Materials and Methods: Placental tissues from 83 women with spontaneous abortions during the first and the second trimesters of pregnancy and 81 women with therapeutic abortion during the same gestational age were collected. The DNA extraction was performed by the phenol/chloroform method. A part of the DNA polymerase gene of HHVs was amplified with multiplex nested-polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase chain reaction products were subjected to sequencing. Results: The results showed the presence of human cytomegalovirus genome in the placenta of both spontaneous (8.4%) and therapeutic (4.9%) abortions. No statistically significant differences were found between these two groups. The other investigated viruses were not detected here. Conclusion: In conclusion, like some other studies, no correlation was detected between the HHVs placental infections and the increased risk of spontaneous abortions. In order to find the actual role of HHVs infections in miscarriage, further investigations should be performed on a larger sample size in different areas.

Background: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy affecting about 2-10% pregnancies worldwide. mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α ), Fas, and FasL have been reported to be altered in placental bed in preeclamptic pregnancies. We hypothesized that the expression of these genes is also altered in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in preeclampsia. Objective: To compare the expression of Fas receptor and related genes in PBMCs of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study comprising of 18 cases and 18 controls was designed. 5 ml of venous blood was drawn and collected considering aseptic measures. Buffy coat was separated by centrifugation and stored at -20°C. Favor Prep total RNA Isolation Kit (Favorgen, Taiwan) was used for RNA extraction. The mRNA expression of TNF- α , Fas, and FasL was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in PBMCs in preeclamptic and normal pregnancies. Results: A significant increase in mRNA expression of TNF- α , Fas, and FasL (p ≤ 0.001) was observed in PBMCs of preeclamptic pregnancies compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between the TNF- α mRNA expression and Fas and FasL (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The results lead to the conclusion that mRNA expression of TNF- α , Fas, and FasL in the maternal PBMCs is altered in preeclamptic pregnancies and might contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.

Background The optimal colloid solution for the treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) remains to be established. Objective We aimed to compare artificial colloids (AC) with human albumin (HA) for the treatment of OHSS. Materials and Methods In this retrospective cohort study, data for OHSS participants were collected from a national inpatient database in Japan. The participants received intravenous fluid management with AC (n = 156) or HA (n = 127). We compared the two groups in terms of the length of stay, development of post-treatment complications, and termination surgery. Results In multivariable linear regression analyses for log-transformed length of stay with reference to the OHSS participants receiving AC, the regression coefficient (95% confidence interval) in participants receiving HA was 0.03 (-0.04-0.09, p = 0.42). Thromboembolism occurred in two participants in the HA group and three participants in the AC group. Two participants in the HA group suffered renal failure during hospitalization. No participants underwent termination surgery in the two groups. Conclusion The present results showed comparable efficacy between AC and HA for the treatment of OHSS. There were no significant differences in post-treatment complications between the two groups.

Background Cardiovascular diseases could be preventable; as a result, understanding the risk factors was regarded as the major priority for healthcare providers. Objective The main objective of this research was to achieve a deeper insight into the effect of long-term use of low-dose oral contraceptive pills (OCP) on the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Materials and Methods This research was a retrospective cohort conducted (historical and prospectively) conducted on 100 women with normal menstrual cycles aged 15 to 35 yr, who were referred to the healthcare centers in Yazd, Iran. The participants were categorized into two groups: The OCP group was consuming the pills for 0-3, 4-23, and 24-36 months, and the non-OCP group. Participants were followed up for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of six months. Results The highest level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), homocysteine, cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and systolic blood pressure was observed in the OCP group in the duration of 24 to 36 months. The Tukey's test demonstrated that there were comprehensible differences in the LDL (p = 0.01), cholesterol (p = 0.01), triglyceride (p < 0.001), and homocysteine levels (p < 0.001), also systolic blood pressure (p = 0.04). Conclusion It was realized that the long-term consumption of low-dose OCP can augment the incidence of some risk factors (systolic blood pressure, homocysteine levels, cholesterol, LDL-c, and triglyceride) and lead to developing cardiovascular diseases amongst the healthy women.

Background Women with untreated phenylketonuria (PKU) are at an increased risk to have offspring with multiple abnormalities due to teratogenic effects of hyperphenylalaninaemia. Treatment goals include blood phenylalanine concentrations between 120 and 360 µmol/L, however, there are limited pieces of evidence for the practical management of pregnant PKU patient and prediction of phenylalanine tolerance changes during a course of pregnancy. Case We report the case of a mother with classical PKU (p.R408W/p.R408W) and the course of her two pregnancies with low phenylalanine tolerance increase (347mg and 227mg) despite the rewarding collaboration with a nutritionist. Conclusion This case report does not confirm the observation that a very low phenylalanine tolerance increase in pregnancy of PKU patient is a marker of coexisting PKU-affection in fetus.

Unlike the majority of E. L. Doctorow’s novels which present a revisionary account of specific periods in American history, his first novel, Welcome to Hard Times, deals with history in a more general and allegorical manner. The narrator of the novel is preoccupied with the nature of history and historical phenomena, and this preoccupation pervades the whole book, from which a philosophy of history can be derived: history is cyclic and it tends to repeat itself in a deterministic fashion. Since Doctorow was an American Jew who was influenced by the Jewish tradition, in this paper, Welcome to Hard Times is placed within a Jewish context and read from the perspective of this multilayered tradition. Hence, the novel’s philosophy of history is compared to the historical vision of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes, which also espouses a cyclic conception of history, thereby demonstrating that their visions are almost identical. In Doctorow’s novel, however, this cyclic view also serves to repudiate the American Dream and its associated ideas of progress and optimism. It is further shown that the two aforementioned books also share a fatalistic and nihilistic attitude toward life, and their response to the Problem of Evil and innocent human suffering is a pessimistic one, arguing that there is no justice and moral order in the world.

Background Acquired uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare condition due to traumatic episodes in cesarean section. The patient can suffer from life-threatening hemorrhage or recurrent vaginal bleeding. Establishing this diagnosis is difficult, often misdiagnosed due to lack of information and number of cases. Trans-Arterial Embolization (TAE) procedure is rarely performed in our center. All of the cases were found with history of massive bleeding and diagnosed lately after recurrent bleeding history. Even though promising, one of our cases failed to be managed with TAE. It is important to diagnose early symptoms of AVM in order to prevent the life threatening event. Case presentation In these case series, four cases of AVMs after cesarean procedures will be reviewed. One could be diagnosed in less than a month but the other three took several months. The symptom of vaginal bleeding might occur a few weeks after the procedure is done, and most patients need transfusion and hospitalization. Three out of four patients were initially sent to the hospital in order to recover from shock condition, and one patient was sent for a diagnostic procedure. AVMs diagnostic was established with ultrasound with or without angiography. Three of our cases were succeeded by performing TAE procedure without further severe vaginal bleeding. One case failed to be treated with embolization and had to proceed with hysterectomy. Conclusion AVM should be considered early-on in patient with abnormal uterine bleeding and history of cesarean section. Embolization is still the first-choice treatment of AVMs, otherwise definitive treatment is hysterectomy in a patient without fertility need, or impossible to perform TAE.

Con el aumento de las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles y los estilos de vida poco saludables se hace relevante elaborar estrategias de promoción en salud dirigidas desde la infancia hasta la adolescencia. El uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones (TICs) en adolescentes es masivo, debido a que estos invierten altas horas tanto en telefonía móvil (smartphones), redes sociales, y en aplicaciones de diversa indole, la buena utilizacion de las TICS pudiese por tanto contribuir a mejoras en el estado de salud. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar el uso de las redes sociales como estrategia de alimentación saludable en adolescentes, utilizando como apoyo los mensajes de las Guía Alimentarias Basadas en los alimentos (GABAS). Se presenta como resultado el aprendizaje significativo de las GABAS basado en el analisis cualitativo de los resultados del uso de la estrategia implementada.

Background: Knowledge regarding seminal fluid and spermatozoids in the elderly is controversial at best in the literature. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the relationship between male age and spermatozoid. Methods: The sperms of 80 healthy adult men, between 21 and 60 years of age, were studied after three to five days of sexual abstinence. Volunteers were distributed into four age groups (n = 20): 21-30, 31-40, 41-50 and 51-60 years of age. Results: No difference regarding the sperm’s physical and chemical characteristics (smell, color, volume, viscosity and pH) was found. The spermatozoid’s mobile forms showed no difference among the four groups. The concentration of spermatozoids proved to be higher in the semen of men of over 41 years of age, while in the 41 to 50 years of age group, the number of oval spermatozoids was higher (p = 0.03), with a less abnormal tapered form (p = 0.02) when compared to the other three groups. Conclusion: More normal forms of spermatozoids are found between 41 and 50 years of age.

Malgré les impératifs et les politiques de genre, les femmes palestiniennes restent largement invisibles dans les médias et dans les postes de direction. Nous construisons notre recherche sur l'intégration de la dimension de genre pour mener une analyse comparative des femmes palestiniennes dans les médias sur quatre temporalités (1967-2018), notamment les arrestations de 2018 de femmes journalistes palestiniennes.Despite gender imperatives and policies, Palestinian women remain largely invisible in media leadership roles. We build our previous research on gender mainstreaming to conduct a comparative analysis of gender imbalance of Palestinian women in the media across four key temporalities spanning from 1967 to the present, most notably the 2018 arrests of Palestinian women journalists.