Polymicrobial consortia in the pathogenesis of biofilm vaginosis visualized by FISH. Historic review outlining the basic principles of the polymicrobial infection theory.

The manuscript disputes the exclusive mono-infectious way of thinking, which presumes that for every infection only one pathogen is responsible and sufficient, when infectious vectors, close contact and reduced immunity meet. In situations involving heavily colonized anatomical sites such an approach often ends in insoluble contradictions. Upon critical reflection and evaluation of 20 years research on spatial organization of vaginal microbiota it is apparent, that in some situations, pathogens may act and operate in permanent, structurally organized consortia, whereas its individual components may be innocuous and innocent, failing to express any pathogenic effect.

Stem-Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Unlocking New Possibilities for Treating Diminished Ovarian Reserve and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.

Despite advancements in assisted reproductive technology (ART), achieving successful pregnancy rates remains challenging. Diminished ovarian reserve and premature ovarian insufficiency hinder IVF success-about 20% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients face a poor prognosis due to a low response, leading to higher cancellations and reduced birth rates. In an attempt to address the issue of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), we conducted systematic PubMed and Web of Science research, using keywords "stem cells", "extracellular vesicles", "premature ovarian insufficiency", "diminished ovarian reserve" and "exosomes".

Methylation Profile of Small Breast Cancer Tumors Evaluated by Modified MS-HRM.

The DNA methylation profile of breast cancer differs from that in healthy tissues and can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. Aim of this study: To compare the levels of gene methylation in small malignant breast cancer tumors (<2 cm), in healthy tissue, and in fibroadenoma, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the modified Methylation Sensitive-High Resolution Melting (MS-HRM) method for this analysis. Analysis was performed using the modified MS-HRM method.

Cells of the tumor microenvironment speak the Wnt language.

Wnt signaling plays numerous functions in cancer, from primary transformation and tumor growth to metastasis. In addition to these cancer cell-intrinsic functions, Wnt signaling emerges to critically control cross-communication among cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we summarize the evidence that not only multiple cancer cell types, but also cells constituting the TME 'speak the Wnt language'.

Interrelation between miRNAs Expression Associated with Redox State Fluctuations, Immune and Inflammatory Response Activation, and Neonatal Outcomes in Complicated Pregnancy, Accompanied by Placental Insufficiency.

Redox disbalance in placental cells leads to the hyperproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), it mediates the dysregulation of the maternal immune tolerance to a semi-allogenic fetus, inducing pro-inflammatory reactions, and it plays a central role in perinatal complications and neonatal disease programming. Microvesicles, which provide transplacental communication between a mother and fetus, contain microRNAs (miRNAs) that are sensitive to oxidative stress (OS) mediators and can control the balance of ROS production and utilization in target cells. In the context of this paradigm, we evaluated the markers of redox balance—MDA and 4-HNE for OS and GPx, and SOD, CAT, and GSH for the antioxidant system in the cord blood plasma of newborns diagnosed with fetal growth restriction (FGR)—by using polarography, spectrophotometry, and Western blotting.

The Levels of Ghrelin, Glucagon, Visfatin and Glp-1 Are Decreased in the Peritoneal Fluid of Women with Endometriosis along with the Increased Expression of the CD10 Protease by the Macrophages.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of ten energy metabolism factors: C-peptide, ghrelin, GIP, GLP-1, glucagon, insulin, leptin, PAI-1 (total), resistin, and visfatin, and to determine the expression of GLP1R receptors, CD10, CD26 proteases, and pro-inflammatory marker CD86 by macrophages in the peritoneal fluid (PF) in patients with endometriosis. The study included 54 women with endometriosis and a control group of 30 women with uterine myoma without signs of endometriosis. The levels of factors in PF were assessed by a multiplex method.

Asymmetric depth-filtration: A versatile and scalable method for high-yield isolation of extracellular vesicles with low contamination.

We developed a novel asymmetric depth filtration (DF) approach to isolate extracellular vesicles (EVs) from biological fluids that outperforms ultracentrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography in purity and yield of isolated EVs. By these metrics, a single-step DF matches or exceeds the performance of multistep protocols with dedicated purification procedures in the isolation of plasma EVs. We demonstrate the selective transit and capture of biological nanoparticles in asymmetric pores by size and elasticity, low surface binding to the filtration medium, and the ability to cleanse EVs held by the filter before their recovery with the reversed flow all contribute to the achieved purity and yield of preparations.

Epitope-Specific Response of Human Milk Immunoglobulins in COVID-19 Recovered Women.

The breastfeeding of infants by mothers who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 has become a dramatic healthcare problem. The WHO recommends that infected women should not abandon breastfeeding; however, there is still the risk of contact transmission. Convalescent donor milk may provide a defense against the aforementioned issue and can eliminate the consequences of artificial feeding.

Clusterin and Its Potential Regulatory microRNAs as a Part of Secretome for the Diagnosis of Abnormally Invasive Placenta: Accreta, Increta, and Percreta Cases.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound methods used for the diagnosis of an abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) have a wide range of sensitivity (Se, 33-93%) and specificity (Sp, 71-100%) levels, which results in a high risk of unfavorable maternal and perinatal outcomes. The relevance of optimizing the diagnosis of AIP is beyond doubt. Given the epigenetic nature of trophoblast invasion, we aimed to quantitate microRNAs and proteins of their target genes that are potentially associated with AIP in blood plasma samples from 64 pregnant women at gestation weeks 30-34 by reverse transcription coupled with polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively.

A comparison between labor induction with only Dilapan-S and a combination of mifepristone and Dilapan-S in nulliparous women: a prospective pilot study.

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine whether the combination of mifepristone and the osmotic dilator Dilapan-S improves the labor induction outcomes as compared to Dilapan-S alone.

Methods: This prospective comparative study included 127 eligible women, of whom 58 underwent cervical ripening with Dilapan-S (12-h exposure, the control group) and 69 with Dilapan-S, with a concurrent pretreatment of 200 mg oral mifepristone (the study group), 8 h before Dilapan-S insertion.

Results: The vaginal delivery rate in the control group and the study group was 60.

Gestation age-associated dynamics of mitochondrial calcium uniporter subunits expression in feto-maternal complex at term and preterm delivery.

Calcium plays a role of universal cellular regulator in the living cell and one of the crucial regulators of proper fetal development during gestation. Mitochondria are important for intracellular calcium handling and signaling. Mitochondrial calcium uniporter (mtCU) is a multiprotein complex of the mitochondrial inner membrane responsible for the transport of calcium to the mitochondrial matrix.

Ultrastructural and Immunohistochemical Features of Telocytes in Placental Villi in Preeclampsia.

A new cell type, interstitial Cajal-like cell (ICLC), was recently described in different organs. The name was recently changed to telocytes (TCs), and their typical thin, long processes have been named telopodes (Tp). TCs regulate the contractile activity of smooth muscle cells and play a role in regulating vessel contractions.

Identification of potential early biomarkers of preeclampsia.

Introduction: It is thought that poor placental perfusion caused by inadequate remodelling of the maternal spiral arteries leads to preeclampsia (PE). To identify novel signalling pathways that contribute to PE pathogenesis and to create prerequisites for the non-invasive diagnosis of PE before clinical manifestations of the disease, this study aimed to evaluate miRNA expression levels in the placenta and blood plasma of pregnant women.

Methods: miRNA deep sequencing followed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR was applied to compare miRNA expression profiles in the placenta and blood plasma from women with early- and late-onset PE relative to the control group.