Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of anovulatory infertility in women, affecting 5%–15% of women of reproductive age worldwide. The clinical manifestations of patients include ovulation disorders, amenorrhea, hirsutism, and obesity. Life-threatening diseases, such as endometrial cancer, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, can be distant complications of PCOS. PCOS has diverse etiologies and oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role. Mitochondria, as the core organelles of energy production, are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The process of follicular growth and development is extremely complex, and the granulosa cells (GCs) are inextricably linked to follicular development. The abnormal function of GCs may directly affect follicular development and alter many symptoms of PCOS. Significantly higher levels of OS markers and abnormal mitochondrial function in GCs have been found in patients with PCOS compared to healthy subjects, suggesting that increased OS is associated with PCOS progression. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize and discuss the findings suggesting that OS and mitochondrial dysfunction in GCs impair ovarian function and induce PCOS.

Asherman syndrome (AS) has an adverse effect on reproductive health and fertility by affecting endometrial regeneration. Stem cell-based therapies hold promise for future use in activating non-functional endometrium and reconstructing the endometrium in vivo. It has been postulated that various endometrial stem cells (EnSCs) are responsible for endometrial regeneration. Numerous studies have focused on bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDSCs), which may provide new ideas for repairing endometrial lesions and reconstructing the endometrium. Other sources of stem cells, such as menstrual blood, umbilical cord, and amniotic membrane, have also attracted much attention as candidates for transplantation in AS. This review discusses the features and specific biomarkers among four types of resident endometrial stem cells, applications of four different sources of exogenous stem cells in AS, and development of stem cell therapy using biomaterials and exosomes.

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reproduction and endocrine disorders. Patients with abnormal follicle growth develop ovulation disorders and amenorrhea, and eventually infertility. The role of Fetuin-B (FETUB), one of the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in follicular fluid (FF) of PCOS patients, in pathogenesis of PCOS was not clearly clarified. Methods In this study, we performed iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis on FF collected from non-PCOS healthy controls and PCOS patients to identify DEPs. In addition, KGN cells treated with testosterone propionate (TP) were used as a model of hyperandrogenism in vitro to investigate the regulatory effects of the selected DEP, FETUB, on cellular processes in KGN cells and its molecular mechanism by detecting steroid hormone secretion, measuring indicators of oxidative stress (OS), mitochondria functions and apoptosis and characterizing the FETUB-altered downstream signaling. Results We found that supplementation with recombinant FETUB could significantly restore the total antioxidant capacity and activity of antioxidant enzymes, which were reduced by treatment with TP. Additionally, FETUB restored the secretory and mitochondrial functions in TP-impaired KGN cells and reduced their apoptosis. Furthermore, our study revealed that FETUB could bind with transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (TGFR2) on the cell membrane of KGN cells and promote phosphorylation of SMAD3, which had a therapeutic effect against tissue injury and inflammation. And the protective effect of FETUB on TP-treated KGN cells was inhibited by pre-treatment with SB431542 and SIS3, selective inhibitors of TGFR2 and SMAD3, respectively. Conclusions These results indicate that FETUB may protect TP-treated KGN by alleviating OS and mitochondrial dysfunction via the TGFR2-mediated SMAD pathway. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD036531

Traditional Chinese historical and biographical literature contains rich national spirit. Teaching historical and biographical literature works in the Chinese courses of vocational colleges, guiding students to read these classics in an immersive way, can help them better understand the spiritual code of the Chinese nation. For many reasons, many students in vocational colleges are not very interested in historical and historical literature works, which reduces the teaching effects of traditional Chinese culture. To solve this problem, this paper analyses the current teaching situations of traditional historical and biographical literature works in vocational colleges, expounds the necessity of teaching these works, and proposes the teaching strategies of these works in Chinese courses of vocational colleges based on teaching practice.