Autophagy-modulated human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells accelerate liver restoration in mouse models of acute liver failure

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] have been recently received increasing attention for cell-based therapy, especially in regenerative medicine. However, the low survival rate of these cells restricts their therapeutic applications. It is hypothesized that autophagy might play an important role in cellular homeostasis and survival. This study aims to investigate the regenerative potentials of autophagy-modulated MSCs for the treatment of acute liver failure [ALF] in mice

Methods: ALF was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of 1.5 ml/kg carbon tetrachloride. Mice were intravenously infused with MSCs, which were suppressed in their autophagy pathway. Blood and liver samples were collected at different intervals [24, 48 and 72 h] after the transplantation of MSCs. Both the liver enzymes and tissue necrosis levels were evaluated using biochemical and histopathological assessments. The survival rate of the transplanted mice was also recorded during one week

Results: Biochemical and pathological results indicated that 1.5 ml/kg carbon tetrachloride induces ALF in mice. A significant reduction of liver enzymes and necrosis score were observed in autophagy-modulated MSC-transplanted mice compared to sham [with no cell therapy] after 24 h. After 72 h, liver enzymes reached their normal levels in mice transplanted with autophagy-suppressed MSCs. Interestingly, normal histology without necrosis was also observed

Conclusion: Autophagy suppression in MSCs ameliorates their liver regeneration potentials due to paracrine effects and might be suggested as a new strategy for the improvement of cell therapy in ALF

Sexual dysfunction in women undergoing fertility treatment in Iran: prevalence and associated risk factors

Background: Sexual dysfunctions are one of the most fundamental difficulties for infertile women, which can be as the cause of infertility. This study investigated the prevalence of this disorder and associated factors in order to improve infertility treatment process and the quality of life of women referring to infertility center

Methods: A cross sectional study was performed on 236 women who referred to Fatima Zahra infertility center of Babol, Iran. Data collection tool was a questionnaire contained two parts; demographic characteristics and infertility information. Also, data for sexual dysfunction was obtained through diagnostic interview based on the international classification DSM-IV. For data analysis, logistic and linear regression analysis were used. The p<0.05 was considered significant

Results: Most of women [84.9%] suffered from primary infertility and the mean duration of infertility was 60.2 +/- 8.4 months. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 55.5% [n=131]; including dyspareunia in 28% [n=66], impaired sexual desire and lack of orgasm in 26.3% [n=62 patients], vaginismus in 15.2% [n=36] and lack of sexual stimulation in 13.6% [n=32]. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age, sexual satisfaction and history of mental illness had a significant effect on the probability of experiencing the sexual dysfunction

Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among infertile women. Considering the interaction between sexual dysfunction and infertility, professional health care centers should be sensitive to this effect. Also, more attention must be paid on marital relationships, economic and social situation and infertility characteristics in order to prevent sexual dysfunction development through early screening and psychological interference

Relationship of coping ways and anxiety with Pregnancy Specific-stress

Objectives: To explore whether coping strategies and general anxiety are associated with pregnancyspecific stress [PSS] and how much of variance of PSS is explained with these variables

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at two teaching hospitals between November 2013 and December 2015. Total 190 pregnant women [60 women at 6-13-weeks of gestation, 60 at 13-26 weeks, and 70 at 27-40 weeks of gestation] completed the study. The participants completed three questionnaires including; Pregnancy experience scale [PES-41], Ways of Coping Questionnaire [WCQ], and State-Trait anxiety inventory [SATI]. Pearson coefficients and analysis of regression was done to assess the correlations between variables

Results: Pregnant women who experienced higher mean level of pregnancy specific-stress had significantly higher mean level of occult anxiety, overt anxiety, and total anxiety than women who did not experience PSS. Although there was a positive and significant relationship between intensity of hassles and uplifts and ways of coping, the correlation between PSS and ways of coping was not significant. The results of analysis regression showed that general anxiety during pregnancy predicted 25% of the variance of PSS [F=4.480, beta=0.159]. Also, ways of coping predicted 38% of the variance in pregnancy Hassles [F=7.033, beta=0.194]

Conclusion: The ways of coping predicted the variance of pregnancy hassles, but does not evaluate pregnancy specific-stress. To think about PSS in terms of general anxiety may help to clarify past findings and to guide future research and interventions