Circular RNA hsa_circ_0002268 (PHACTR1) Is Specific to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in a Polish Pregnant Population.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an intolerance of carbohydrate of any degree, which appears for the first time or is diagnosed during pregnancy. The objective of this study is to assess the differences in circular RNA (circRNA) in a Polish pregnant population with and without GDM. A total of 62 pregnant women, 34 with GDM and 28 controls, were enrolled in the study. Total RNAs were extracted from plasma and reverse transcription to complementary DNA (cDNA) was performed. A panel covering 271 amplicons, targeting both linear and circular as well as negative control gene transcripts, was used. Next-generation sequencing was used to evaluate the circRNA quantity. Data analysis was performed using the Coverage Analysis plugin in the Torrent Suite Software (Torrent Suite 5.12.3). A two-step normalization was performed by dividing each transcript read count by the total number of reads generated for the sample, followed by dividing the quantity of each transcript by ß-actin gene expression. Both circular and linear forms of RNAs were independently evaluated. A total of 57 transcripts were dysregulated between pregnant women with GDM and controls. Most of the targets (n = 25) were downregulated (cut-off ratio below 0.5), and one target showed a trend toward strong upregulation (ratio 1.45). A total of 39 targets were positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), but none of the tested targets were correlated with insulin, CRP or HOMA-IR levels. Among the pregnant women with gestational diabetes, the relative quantity of hsa_circ_0002268 (PHACTR1) was approximately 120% higher than among healthy pregnant women: 0.046 [0.022-0.096] vs. 0.021 [0.007-0.047], respectively, (p = 0.0029). Elevated levels of hsa_circ_0002268 (PHACTR1) might be specific to the Polish population of pregnant women with GDM, making it useful as a potential molecular biomarker in the management of GDM in Poland.

Prevalence of Culturable Bacteria and Yeasts in the Nasopharynx Microbiota during the Physiological Course of Pregnancy.

The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of the nasopharyngeal carriage of culturable microorganisms in the microbiota of asymptomatic women with a physiological pregnancy (PW) and nonpregnant women (NPW). Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 53 PW and 30 NPW to detect bacterial and fungal colonization. Isolates were identified using the culture method and the MALDI-TOF MS technique. The nasopharyngeal microbiota (NPM) partially differed between PW and NPW. These differences in the frequency of nasopharyngeal colonization between the PW and NPW groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05); all cases were colonized by bacteria and only two cases in the PW group were colonized by yeasts, namely, Rhodotorula spp. High levels of staphylococcal colonization, including predominantly coagulase-negative staphylococci and S. aureus in the nasopharyngeal sample, were present in both groups. The reduced number of Gram-negative rods colonized in the cases studied was seen in samples from the NPW group, particularly with Enterobacterales, and anaerobic Cutibacterium spp. were isolated only in the PW group (p < 0.05). Moreover, a higher carriage rate of Enterobacter aerogenes colonization was statistically significant (p < 0.05) and correlated with the NPW group. Pregnancy may disturb the composition of the NPM represented by commensals and opportunistic bacteria and promote yeast colonization as compared to nonpregnant women.

Evolution of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus across Continents in 21st Century.

Over the last few decades, several definitions of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been described. There is currently not enough research to show which way is the best to diagnose GDM. Opinions differ in terms of the optimal screening and diagnostic measures, in part due to the differences in the population risks, the cost-effectiveness considerations, and the lack of an evidence base to support large national screening programs. The basic method for identifying the disease is the measurement of glucose plasma levels which may be determined when fasting, two hours after a meal, or simply at any random time. The currently increasing incidence of diabetes in the whole population, the altering demographics and the presence of lifestyle changes still require better methods of screening for hyperglycemia, especially during pregnancy. The main aim of this review is to focus on the prevalence and modifications to the screening criteria for GDM across all continents in the 21st century. We would like to show the differences in the above issues and correlate them with the geographical situation. Looking at the history of diabetes, we are sure that more than one evolution in GDM diagnosis will occur, due to the development of medicine, appearance of modern technologies, and the dynamic continuation of research.

The State of Health and the Quality of Life in Women Suffering from Endometriosis.

Quality of life is related to good health, family relations, feeling of self-esteem, and ability to cope with difficult situations. Endometriosis is a chronic condition which affects different areas of life. The lack of satisfaction in everyday life is mainly due to constant pain. The process of adjusting to a life with illness is associated with negative emotions. The aim of the article is to review the current state of knowledge concerning the impact of social and medical factors on a population of women affected by endometriosis. Women with endometriosis have an impaired quality of life compared to the general female population. Psychological consequences of endometriosis include: depression, anxiety, powerlessness, guilt, self-directed violence, and deterioration of interpersonal relations. It may contribute to lower productivity at work and less satisfying intimate life. A multi-disciplinary, evidence-based care is needed. The disease can take away the ability to be physically active, obtain an education, work continuously, and interact with friends. Social support and cognitive-behavioral therapy are extremely important for healing.

Metformin as a Potential Treatment Option for Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a common disease in women of reproductive age, and its pathogenesis seems to be largely affected by hormone imbalance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy dysregulation. These pathophysiological disturbances interact with one another through mechanisms that are still awaiting elucidation. The aim of this article is to present current knowledge regarding the possibilities of using metformin in the pharmacological treatment of endometriosis. Metformin is an insulin sensitizer widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The pleiotropic effects of metformin are mainly exerted through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, which is the key cellular energy homeostasis regulator that inhibits mTOR, a major autophagy suppressor. Metformin regresses endometriotic implants by increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase. It is also an inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2, decreasing the levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in animal studies. In endometriosis, metformin might modify the stroma-epithelium communication via Wnt2/ß-catenin. With its unique therapeutic mechanisms and no serious side effects, metformin seems to be a helpful anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative agent in the treatment of endometriosis. It could be a missing link for the successful treatment of this chronic disease.

Epigenetic Changes in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as carbohydrate intolerance that appears or is for the first time diagnosed during pregnancy. It can lead to many complications in the mother and in the offspring, so diagnostics and management of GDM are important to avoid adverse pregnancy outcomes. Epigenetic studies revealed the different methylation status of genes in pregnancies with GDM compared to pregnancies without GDM. A growing body of evidence shows that the GDM can affect not only the course of the pregnancy, but also the development of the offspring, thus contributing to long-term effects and adverse health outcomes of the progeny. Epigenetic changes occur through histone modification, DNA methylation, and disrupted function of non-coding ribonucleic acid (ncRNA) including microRNAs (miRNAs). In this review, we focus on the recent knowledge about epigenetic changes in GDM. The analysis of this topic may help us to understand pathophysiological mechanisms in GDM and find a solution to prevent their consequences.