Moxibustion improves ovarian function based on the regulation of the androgen balance

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Moxibustion improves ovarian function based on the regulation of the androgen balance Via Experimental and therapeutic medicine Exp Ther Med. 2021 Nov;22(5):1230. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10664. Epub 2021 Aug 30. ABSTRACT The effect of androgens on follicular development and female reproduction has become an active research topic. Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy that has been reported to be able to prevent and treat numerous ovary-related problems. However, studies on the effect of moxibustion for diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) on androgen balance are still lacking. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of moxibustion intervention prior to disease onset and at the early stage of disease in a rat model of DOR and explore the mechanisms of its effect on ovarian function. A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups: Blank group, Model group (a drug-induced model of DOR), Moxibustion group 1 and Moxibustion group 2. Moxibustion was performed on the BL23 and RN4 acupoints of female rats daily for a total of 20 days (once a day, five times a week for a total of 4 weeks). The two moxibustion groups were established with different intervention times: One group was subjected to pre-disease intervention and the other group to early-disease intervention. The ovarian function was evaluated by detecting anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androgen receptor (AR) levels in the serum or the ovary samples. To further investigate the downstream regulatory factors for AR after moxibustion treatment for pre-disease or early-disease intervention, FSH receptor (FSHR) and microRNA (miR)-125b expression in ovaries were also analyzed. The results indicated that AMH and DHT levels were reduced in the model group compared with those in the blank group, while FSH, T and DHEA levels were increased. AMH and DHT levels were increased in Moxibustion group 1 compared with those in the model group, while F SH, T and DHEA levels were reduced. There was no difference in E2 levels between Moxibustion group 1 and the model group. Compared with that in the model group, the AR content in the ovary was increased in Moxibustion group 1. There was no difference in FSHR mRNA in the ovaries between Moxibustion group 1 and the model group. miR-125b levels were significantly increased in Moxibustion group 1 as compared with those in the model group. Furthermore, AMH and DHT levels were increased in Moxibustion group 2 compared with those in the model group, while FSH, T and DHEA levels were reduced. E2 levels were significantly decreased in Moxibustion group 2 compared with those in the model group. The relative mRNA expression of AR, FSHR and miR-125b was decreased following establishment of the model. Compared with that in the model group, the AR content in the ovary was increased in Moxibustion group 2. In comparison with the blank and model groups, the FSHR content in the ovary of Moxibustion group 2 was significantly increased. miR-125b levels were not obviously altered in Moxibustion group 2 as compared with those in the model group. In addition, there was no significant difference in AMH, FSH, T and DHEA levels between the two moxibustion groups. E2 and DHT levels were higher in Moxibustion group 1 than in Moxibustion group 2. There was no difference in AR mRNA expression between the two moxibustion groups. FSHR mRNA levels were lower in Moxibustion group 1 than in Moxibustion group 2, while miR-125b mRNA levels were higher in Moxibustion group 1 than in Moxibustion group 2. In conclusion, the present study suggested that moxibustion intervention prior to disease onset and at the early disease stage was able to improve ovarian function via modulation of the AR-mediated stable equilibrium of androgens. However, the effects and mechanisms of moxibustion intervention for pre-disease and early-disease intervention of DOR appear to be different. The appropriate duration of treatment and the time-effect relationship require to be further studied. PMID:34539826 | PMC:PMC8438671 | DOI:10.3892/etm.2021.10664 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Intratumor Epigenetic Heterogeneity-A Panel Gene Methylation Study in Thyroid Cancer

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Intratumor Epigenetic Heterogeneity-A Panel Gene Methylation Study in Thyroid Cancer Via radioactive iodine Front Genet. 2021 Sep 3;12:714071. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2021.714071. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy, and the incidence is increasing very fast. Surgical resection and radioactive iodine ablation are major therapeutic methods, however, around 10% of differentiated thyroid cancer and all anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) are failed. Comprehensive understanding the molecular mechanisms may provide new therapeutic strat egies for thyroid cancer. Even though genetic heterogeneity is rigorously studied in various cancers, epigenetic heterogeneity in human cancer remains unclear. METHODS: A total of 405 surgical resected thyroid cancer samples were employed (three spatially isolated specimens were obtained from different regions of the same tumor). Twenty-four genes were selected for methylation screening, and frequently methylated genes in thyroid cancer were used for further validation. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) approach was employed to detect the gene promoter region methylation. RESULTS: Five genes (AP2, CDH1, DACT2, HIN1, and RASSF1A) are found frequently methylated (>30%) in thyroid cancer. The five genes panel is used for further epigenetic heterogeneity analysis. AP2 methylation is associated with gender (P < 0.05), DACT2 methylation is associated with age, gender and tumor size (all P < 0.05), HIN1 methyl ation is associated to tumor size (P < 0.05) and extra-thyroidal extension (P < 0.01). RASSF1A methylation is associated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). For heterogeneity analysis, AP2 methylation heterogeneity is associated with tumor size (P < 0.01), CDH1 methylation heterogeneity is associated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), DACT2 methylation heterogeneity is associated with tumor size (P < 0.01), HIN1 methylation heterogeneity is associated with tumor size and extra-thyroidal extension (all P < 0.01). The multivariable analysis suggested that the risk of lymph node metastasis is 2.5 times in CDH1 heterogeneous methylation group (OR = 2.512, 95% CI 1.135, 5.557, P = 0.023). The risk of extra-thyroidal extension is almost 3 times in HIN1 heterogeneous methylation group (OR = 2.607, 95% CI 1.138, 5.971, P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Five of twenty-four genes were found frequently methylated in human thyroid cancer. Based on 5 genes panel analysis, epigenetic heterogeneity is an universal event. Epigenetic heterogeneity is associated with cancer development and progression. PMID:34539742 | PMC:PMC8446600 | DOI:10.3389/fgene.2021.714071 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by accidental button battery ingestion in children: A case report and literature review

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused by accidental button battery ingestion in children: A case report and literature review Via ear nose throat Ear Nose Throat J. 2021 Sep 19:1455613211043678. doi: 10.1177/01455613211043678. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Button battery ingestion in pediatric populations is a common occurrence with severe sequelae. Multiple case reports have established the occurrence of death, fistula formation, mucosal erosion, esophageal perforation, and bleeding post-ingestion of button batteries. However, there is a gap in the literature on the occurrence of bilateral vocal cord paralysis post -lithium battery ingestion. We present a case in which a 12-month-old male developed bilateral vocal cord paralysis following ingestion of a button battery. We compare our case to eleven other reports that exist in the literature based on age, sex, time until removal, clinical presentation, day upon which vocal cord paralysis developed, anatomic location, and post-operative course. We conclude that bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a time-sensitive complication which requires prompt diagnosis. Any child with stridor following button battery ingestion should undergo consultation with pediatric otolaryngology immediately. In addition, long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate return of normal vocal cord function. PMID:34541933 | DOI:10.1177/01455613211043678 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Molecular alterations differentiate microinvasive carcinoma from ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast carcinoma: retrospective analysis of a large single-center series

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Molecular alterations differentiate microinvasive carcinoma from ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast carcinoma: retrospective analysis of a large single-center series Via International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2021 Aug 15;14(8):892-901. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT Microinvasive carcinoma (MIC) of the breast is a rare lesion. The clinicopathologic features and biologic behavior of MIC are unclear. Whether MIC is a distinct entity or an interim stage in the progression from ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive breast carcinoma (IBC) remains to be determined. A retrospective review of clinicopathologic features and analysis of the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), and Ki-67 in patients with MIC (90 cases), DCIS (268 cases) and IBC (1504 cases) was performed. Most MICs (93.3%) exhibited an intermediate to high nuclear grade, and this proportion was larger than that of DCIS (62.7%, P < 0.001) or IBC (85.4%, P = 0.036). The incidence of sentinel lymph node metastasis in MIC (12.5%) was higher than that of DCIS (1.6%, P < 0.001), but much lower than that of IBC (39.7%, P < 0.001). MICs had higher expression of HER-2 and lower expression of ER and PR compared to DCIS and IBC; and MIC was more likely to present with a HER-2+ subtype. Furthermore, DCIS exhibited greater HER-2 overexpression or gene amplification (P < 0.001) levels and lower proliferation index of Ki-67 (P < 0.001) compared to IBC. Our results suggest that the clinicopathologic and molecular phenotype of MIC are different from DCIS and IBC. Thus, MIC may be a distinct entity rather than an interim stage in the progression from DCIS to IBC. The prognosis of MIC and the biologic behavior of this uncommon subset need to be further explored. PMID:34527132< /a> | PMC:PMC8414427 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Effects of acrylonitrile on apoptosis of rat cerebral nerve cells

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Effects of acrylonitrile on apoptosis of rat cerebral nerve cells Via International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2021 Aug 15;14(8):908-914. eCollection 2021. ABSTRACT The brain, especially the hippocampus, is sensitive to damage caused by anoxic chemicals. In this study, we established a rat model of acrylonitrile poisoning with administration by gavage, aiming to determine the influence of acrylonitrile on rat cerebral nerve cells. Transmission electron microscopy observation and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) staining were used to explore preliminarily the apoptotic changes of cerebral nerve cells. The pathogenesis revealed by transmission electron microscopy indicated that apoptosis in the control group was more serious than that of the exposure groups. The results of TUNEL staining showed the apoptotic rate was significantly higher in the control group than that of other exposure groups. All the results indicated that acrylonitrile can inhibit the apoptosis of rat cerebral nerve cells, which is closely rel ated to its animal carcinogenicity. PMID:34527134 | PMC:PMC8414433 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

The safety of povidone-iodine solution in tympanoplasty: a randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader The safety of povidone-iodine solution in tympanoplasty: a randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study Via Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2021 Aug;41(4):377-382. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N1369. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Nowadays, povidone-iodine is commonly used as a disinfectant in head and neck procedures. The present study investigated the effect of povidone-iodine, which is used as a disinfectant solution in tympanoplasty, on patients' hearing. METHODS: A povidone-iodine solution was used as disinfection in chronic otitis media patients undergoing tympanoplasty. In the interventio n group, 5% povidone-iodine, was applied to the external auditory canal and remained there for 10 minutes. In the control group, povidone-iodine was used but not allowed to enter the external auditory canal by inserting cotton wool into the canal. To evaluate the adverse effect of povidone-iodine on hearing, the bone conduction level was compared between groups at baseline and one month after exposure. RESULTS: Bone conduction levels at frequencies 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 3 kHz, 4 kHz and 8 kHz and mean of bone conduction level in 500 Hz, 1 kHz and 2 kHz were measured and compared respectively between intervention and control group. No significant difference was seen between bone conduction levels of above frequencies and mean frequencies before and one month after surgery. (P-value = 0.321, 0.432, 0.219, 0.489, 0.61, 0.112, 0.324 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: According to the present study, currently available 5% povidone-iodine did not affect hearing and therefore, can be comfortably used for preparation and disinfection in otologic surgeries. PMID:34533542 | DOI:10.14639/0392-100X-N1369 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma. An indolent but aggressive tumour. Part B: treatment and prognosis

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Adenoid cystic carcinoma. An indolent but aggressive tumour. Part B: treatment and prognosis Via Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2021 Aug;41(4):296-307. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N1729. NO ABSTRACT PMID:34533533 | DOI:10.14639/0392-100X-N1729 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

How to predict the outcome of septorhinoplasty? A normative study of ROE and FROI-17 scores

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader How to predict the outcome of septorhinoplasty? A normative study of ROE and FROI-17 scores Via Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2021 Aug;41(4):327-335. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N1291. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Normative values of patient-reported outcome instruments are needed to identify good candidates for rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) and Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory-17 (FROI-17) are disease-specific questionnaires that evaluate quality of life in patients undergoing rhinoplasty. METHODS: The reference cohort contained 1,000 participants, selected from a non-probability panel. Normative ROE and FROI-17 scores from this reference cohort were compared with ROE and FROI-17 scores from a patient cohort before (n = 104) and 6 (n = 55) and 12 months (n = 32) after septorhinoplasty. RESULTS: Mean FROI-17 scores (± SD) were: overall score, 20.8 ± 17; nasal symptoms, 16.8 ± 7; general symptoms, 24.8 ± 22; and self-confidence, 16.4 ± 21. The ROE total score was 73.1 ± 16. Normative values differed significantly from the preoperative ROE and FROI-17 scores of septorhinoplasty patients (p < 0.01). Except for the FROI-17 general score at 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.004), there were no significant differences between normative ROE/FROI-17 and septorhinoplasty scores postoperatively, indicating that they returned to normalcy. CONCLUSIONS: Normative scores for ROE and FROI-17 provide a reference point from which to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from rhinoplasty. PMID:34533536 | DOI:10.14639/0392-100X-N1291 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Development of a questionnaire to investigate socio-cultural differences in the perception of smell, taste and flavour

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Development of a questionnaire to investigate socio-cultural differences in the perception of smell, taste and flavour Via Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2021 Aug;41(4):336-347. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N0766. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: Clinical experience and daily life indicate that the importance of smell, taste and flavour is variable among individuals. Therefore, the aim of this research was to develop a questionnaire to investigate the importance attributed to smell, taste and flavour and socio-cultural differences among individuals. METHODS: Cross-cultural adaptation of the questionnaire was executed by two professional translators and one bilingual investigator and pre-tested on a pilot group of 25 subjects with normal smell and taste abilities. The final version of the questionnaire was sent by e-mail to 850 healthy subjects. The Google form consisted of three parts: "The importance of olfaction" developed by Croy et al. in 2010, "The importance of taste and flavour" developed by our team and a section to collect demographic data. The questions were classified into "association", "application", "consequence" and "aggravation". Statistical differences were assessed using t-test with p ≤ 0.05. Correlations were calculated using Spearman's test. Internal consistency was assessed using the Cronbach's Alpha, while test-retest reliability was analysed by calculating the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC2k). RESULTS: The questionnaire received a non-response rate of 10.7%. Calculation of Cronbach's alpha showed good internal reliabi lity (a = 0.87). Test-retest evaluation was satisfactory for all subscales, with an overall ICC2k = 0.84 (CI 0.79-0.89). Statistical analysis showed that smell, taste and flavour appeared to be more important for women when compared to men (p < 0.001). No statistical differences were seen between individuals with various educational background (p > 0.05), and the importance of smell (r = 0.16; p < 0.01), taste and flavour (r = 0.08; p < 0.05) did not decline with age. CONCLUSIONS: The development of this original test provides an overview into the importance of smell, taste and flavour among individuals. Although further research is needed, it can help in the evaluation and investigation of aspects that influence people to seek medical attention in the presence of sensory alterations. PMID:34533537 | DOI:10.14639/0392-100X-N0766 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Sound frequency spectra of snore in relation to the site of obstruction among snorers

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Sound frequency spectra of snore in relation to the site of obstruction among snorers Via Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2021 Aug;41(4):348-355. doi: 10.14639/0392-100X-N1202. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the sound frequency of snoring in relation to the site of upper airway vibration among snorers. METHODS: 383 snores from 40 participants who complained of snoring were digitally recorded during natural and induced sleep using a level III polysomnography monitor with a built-in microphone. During drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), the rea l-time site of upper airway obstruction was assessed, and the sound frequency of snoring was recorded synchronously. RESULTS: The mean peak of snoring frequency for unilevel palatal, oropharynx and epiglottis obstruction were 522.5, 482.4 and 300.0 Hz, respectively. Most participants showed multilevel obstruction at the palate and oropharynx, in which the mean for bi-peak snoring frequency were 402.90 Hz and 1086.96 Hz, respectively. Severity of OSA was significantly associated with multilevel obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant association between the snoring sound frequency and site of unilevel obstruction. Palatal or oropharyngeal obstruction produced sound at mid-frequency range, while the epiglottis produced a low frequency range. Multilevel obstruction documented a bi-peak snoring frequency. PMID:34533538 | DOI:10.14639/0392-100X-N1202 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.