PurposePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder disease among women in reproductive-age. Since follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) exerts important biological functions, the association between PCOS and FSH receptor (FSHR) polymorphisms attracts wide attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether polymorphisms of FSHR at 307 and 680 codons are associated with PCOS patients in China.MethodsPatients with PCOS (n = 215) and controls (n = 205) were recruited from Shanxi Province in north China. They are Han ethnics. Genomic DNA was isolated from the venous blood. The Ala307Thr and Ser680Asn polymorphisms of FSHR were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) and direct DNA sequencing.ResultsThe distributions of genotype and allele of Ala307Thr and Ser680Asn polymorphisms of FSHR were not statistically different between the PCOS patients and the controls. Analysis of the frequency of FSHR polymorphisms showed no statistical difference among the PCOS patients with different obesity standards. Although there were no statistical differences in the most of the endocrine parameters including LH, LH/FSH, E2, P and T as well as the clinical pregnancy rate, there were significant differences in the levels of FSH and PRL among PCOS patients carrying different genotypes of Ala307Thr and Ser680Asn polymorphisms.ConclusionThe Ala307Thr and Ser680Asn polymorphisms of FSHR are not associated with PCOS in Han ethnic Chinese women in north China. The FSHR polymorphisms was related to the levels of FSH and PRL but not other PCOS-associated endocrine hormones as well as clinical pregnancy rate in PCOS patients of Han Chinese ethnical population.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is one of the key chemokines that play important roles in diverse inflammatory and chronic pain conditions. Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic and debilitating inflammatory condition of the urinary bladder characterized by the hallmark symptoms of pelvic pain and voiding dysfunction. To facilitate IC/BPS research, we used transgenic technology to develop a novel urothelial MCP-1 secretion mouse model (URO-MCP-1). A transgene consisting of the uroplakin II gene promoter and the mouse MCP-1 coding sequence with a secretory element was constructed and microinjected. URO-MCP-1 mice were found to express MCP-1 mRNA in the bladder epithelium and MCP-1 protein in the urine, and developed bladder inflammation 24 hours after intravesical administration of a single sub-noxious dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The inflamed bladders of URO-MCP-1 mice exhibited elevated mRNAs for interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, substance P precursor, and nerve growth factor as well as increased macrophage infiltration. In parallel with these phenotypic changes, URO-MCP-1 mice manifested significant functional changes at days 1 and 3 after cystitis induction. These functional changes included pelvic pain as measured by von Frey filament stimulation and voiding dysfunction (increased urinary frequency, reduced average volume voided per micturition, and reduced maximum volume voided per micturition) as measured by micturition cages. Micturition changes remained evident at day 7 after cystitis induction, although these changes were not statistically significant. Control wild-type C57BL/6 mice manifested no clear changes in histological, biochemical and behavioral features after similar cystitis induction with LPS. Taken together, our results indicate that URO-MCP-1 mice are hypersensitive to bladder irritants such as LPS and develop pelvic pain and voiding dysfunction upon cystitis induction, providing a novel model for IC/BPS research.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disease in women of reproductive age. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) serve important roles in the physiological and pathological process of PCOS. To identify PCOS-associated miRNAs, the dataset GSE84376 was extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) were obtained from Gene-Cloud Biotechnology Information and potential target genes were predicted using TargetScan, DIANA-microT-CDS, miRDB and miRTarBase tools. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis was performed using Metascape and a protein-protein interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape. Transcription factors were obtained from FunRich. DE-miRNAs were verified by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. At the screening phase, there were seven DE-miRNAs in the PCOS group not present in the control group. In total, 935 target genes were identified, which are involved in the development and maturation of oocytes. Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1, phosphatase and tensin homolog, cAMP responsive element binding protein 1, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, interferon γ, Fms-related tyrosine kinase 1, transcription factor p65, insulin receptor substrate 1, DnaJ homolog superfamily C member 10 and casein kinase 2 α 1 were identified as the top 10 hub genes in the protein-protein interaction network. Specificity protein 1 was the most enriched transcription factor. At the validation phase, the levels of Homo sapiens (hsa)-miR-3188 and hsa-miR-3135b were significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group. In addition, the expression level of hsa-miR-3135b was significantly correlated with the number of oocytes retrieved, the fertilization rate and the cleavage rate (P<0.05). The present bioinformatics study on miRNAs may offer a novel understanding of the mechanism of PCOS, and may serve to identify novel miRNA therapeutic targets.

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Background/AimsAn updated systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effect of prophylactic dexamethasone for tracheal intubation of general anesthesia on postoperative sore throat (POST).MethodsComprehensive literature search of databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library, which evaluate the effect of prophylactic dexamethasone on POST was conducted. RevMan 5.0 and STATA 12.0 software were used to perform meta-analyses.ResultsFourteen RCTs totaling 1,837 patients were included for analysis. Compared with placebo, a significant reduction in the incidence of POST (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.33–0.58, P<0.00001), hoarseness (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.31–0.58, P<0.00001), and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.03–0.14, P<0.00001) and a comparable incidence of cough (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.19–1.89, P=0.38) was described in patients receiving dexamethasone, with or without concomitant drugs. Dexamethasone ≥0.2 mg/kg had a statistically greater impact on reducing the incidence of POST than dexamethasone 0.1–0.2 mg/kg, while dexamethasone ≤0.1 mg/kg did not. Dexamethasone was as effective as other drugs such as ondansetron, magnesium sulfate, ketamine gargle, betamethasone gel, and ketorolac for reducing POST (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.46–1.07, P=0.10). Dexamethasone plus a different drug was more effective than dexamethasone alone for reducing the incidence of POST at 24 hours (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21–0.77, P=0.006). Compared with controls, a statistically higher blood glucose level was the only adverse event during the immediate postoperative period in patients receiving dexamethasone.ConclusionsIntravenous dexamethasone ≥0.2 mg/kg within 30 minutes before or after induction of general anesthesia should be recommended as grade 1A evidence with safety and efficacy in reducing the incidence of POST, hoarseness, and PONV in patients without pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, or contraindications for corticosteroids.