Prolidase activity in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing assisted conception.

Background: Prolidase is a manganese (Mn)-dependent cytosolic exopeptidase that degrades imidodipeptides with C-terminal proline or hydroxyproline. Prolidase recycling from imidodipeptides plays a critical role in collagen resynthesis and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. Following an increase in gonadotropins, ovarian and follicular collagen undergo substantial degradation. Abnormal ovarian ECM composition is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to examine prolidase activity in the serum and follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment, comparing those with PCOS to those with normal ovarian function.Methods: This prospective study enrolled 50 participants, of whom 44 were included. PCOS diagnosis followed the Rotterdam consensus criteria, with 20 patients constituting the study group. The control group comprised 24 individuals with mild-to-moderate male infertility. Prolidase enzyme activity in serum and FF was measured using the Chinard reagent via spectrophotometric analysis and compared between the groups.Results: Serum and FF prolidase levels were significantly lower in patients with PCOS (p < 0.05). A direct correlation was observed between serum and FF prolidase levels (p < 0.05). Although blastocyst quality scoring (BQS) significantly decreased in PCOS patients, no statistical difference was observed in the clinical pregnancy rate between the groups (p < 0.05) (p > 0.05). A negative correlation existed between serum prolidase levels and total antral follicle (AF) count (p < 0.05). Conversely, both serum and FF prolidase levels positively correlated with BQS (r = 0.574)(p < 0.05) (r = 0.650)(p < 0.05).Conclusions: Patients with PCOS showed lower serum and FF prolidase levels, indicating abnormal degradation of ovarian and follicular collagen, potentially causing anovulation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most prevalent endocrinopathy among reproductive-aged women, affects approximately 3­15% of this demographic. Long-term disorders such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and infertility are commonly associated with PCOS, with approximately 70% of affected women experiencing infertility. Although the aetiology of PCOS remains unclear, complex multigenic disorders and environmental factors such as abnormal ovarian extracellular matrix composition, disruption of the inflammatory pathway, and lifestyle factors have been found to be related.This study addresses the aetiology of PCOS, focusing on the close association between abnormal ovarian extracellular matrix composition and the syndrome, as seen in previous reports. Prolidase is a manganese-dependent cytosolic exopeptidase that degrades imidodipeptides using the C-terminal proline or hydroxyproline. Proline recycling from imidodipeptides by prolidase plays a critical role in the resynthesis of collagen and remodelling of the extracellular matrix. Our aim was to evaluate prolidase activity in the serum and follicular fluid of women diagnosed with PCOS. Our findings revealed a direct correlation between serum and follicular fluid prolidase levels, both of which were diminished in women with PCOS. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between serum prolidase levels and total antral follicle count indicating a potential link between prolidase activity and ovarian follicle development. In contrast, both serum and follicular fluid prolidase levels were positively correlated with blastocyst quality. In conclusion, PCOS patients showed lower serum and follicular fluid prolidase levels, indicating abnormal degradation of ovarian and follicular collagen, and potentially causing anovulation. Future studies measuring manganese levels in larger numbers of participants are required.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Culture Fluid Under Different Culture Conditions.

OBJECTIVE: Mesenchymal stem cells are used in various fields, such as cellular therapy, regeneration, or tissue engineering. It has been shown that they exhibit many protective factors and also work as a modulating chief within the region in which they are administered. There are studies on both the therapeutic and neuroprotective effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Also, there are many studies on the improvement of culture conditions for in vitro reproduction of mesenchymal stem cells, which can be obtained from many sources in various bodies, such as adipose tissue and Wharton's jelly. Improving and standardizing these culture conditions will increase the effectiveness and reliability of stem cell therapies. Studies evaluating many culture conditions, such as O2 level, type of medium, monolayer culture, and the transition from in vitro 3D models, are ongoing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, groups were formed by using stem cells originating from adipose tissue and Wharton's jelly. Stem cell cultures were made using Hillex-II and Pronectin-F microcarriers. Cell culture O2 level was adjusted as 1% and 5% for each group separately. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in stem cell culture fluid. RESULTS: The highest brain-derived neurotrophic factor level in mesenchymal stem cells culture medium was observed in an adipose-derived stem cell culture with an in vitro fertilization (non-treated) dish, using a Hillex microcarrier in a 1% O2 microenvironment. CONCLUSION: As a result of our observations, we think that cells could exhibit greater therapeutic potential in a dynamic adhesion environment.

Evaluation of Dysfunctional HDL by Myeloperoxidase/Paraoxonase Ratio in Unexplained Infertility Patients Undergoing IVF/ICSI.

The relationship between oxidative stress and unexplained infertility (UEI) has not been studied in detail. This is the first study to evaluate dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein (HDL) by the myeloperoxidase (MPO) and paraoxonase (PON) ratio to investigate the role of oxidative stress in UEI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with UEI (study group, n = 40) and male factor infertility (control group, n = 36) were included in this prospective study. Demographics and laboratory assessments were analyzed. RESULTS: Total dosages of gonadotropin were higher in UEI when compared to the control group (p = 0.033). Number of Grade 1 embryos and the quality of blastocysts were lower in UEI than in the control group (p = 0.024, p = 0.020, respectively), whereas serum MPO/PON ratio was higher in UEI (p = 0.042). Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that serum MPO/PON ratio levels could significantly predict the duration of infertility (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Serum MPO/PON ratio increased in patients with UEI, whereas the number of Grade 1 embryos and the quality of blastocysts decreased. Similar clinical pregnacy rates were found in both groups but the ET on day five is associated with higher clinical pregnancy rate in the male factor infertility.

Inactivation of Escherichia coli in apple cider using atmospheric cold plasma.

Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is a promising non-thermal technology that has the potential to inactivate microorganisms in foods. In this work, the inactivation of E. coli K12, acid-adapted E. coli K12, and E. coli O157:H7 in apple cider by ACP was investigated using feed gases as simulated air (SA) (80 % N2 + 20 % O2) and a mixture of 90 % N2 + 10 % O2 with various processing times (0 to 180 s). We obtained the reduced the populations of both acid-adapted and non-adapted E. coli K12 by 5 log CFU/mL within 120 s, and E. coli O157:H7 within 90 s. Additionally, no significant changes in the °Brix, pH, temperature, or titratable acidity (TA) of apple cider were observed after exposure to ACP. However, processing times longer than 120 s resulted in significant changes in the pH values. The highest concentration of ozone and hydrogen peroxide reached to 0.22 ± 0.1 mg/L for CG in 180 s and 0.07 ± 0.01 mg/L for SA in 150 s, respectively. Both acid-adapted and non-acid adapted E. coli K12 was found to be more resistant to ACP processing than E. coli O157:H7 after the 90 s, so it could serve as a surrogate for E. coli O157:H7. When we compared the effect of the gas type on inactivation, non-selective media, the results showed no significant differences between the gas types, while selective media demonstrated significant differences. In optical absorption spectroscopy measurements of plasma species, primarily ozone peaks were observed. Furthermore, the optical absorption spectroscopy also revealed that the inactivation of the bacteria could be attributed to some plasma species with wavelengths between 190 and 308 nm. The findings provided a perspective on the use of ACP as a method for decontaminating fruit juices as a non-thermal processing.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Cervical Region following Extravasation Injury.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection that can cause local tissue destruction, necrosis, and life threatening severe sepsis. Necrotizing fasciitis in the head and neck region caused by an extravasation injury is rare. This paper reports a patient with necrotizing fasciitis of the cervical region caused by an extravasation injury which required an early surgical debridement.