Importin Alpha 1 (Dα1) Is Required to Maintain Germline Stem Cells in the Testis Niche.

Stem cell maintenance and differentiation can be regulated via the differential activity of transcription factors within stem cells and their progeny. For these factors to be active, they need to be transported from their site of synthesis in the cytoplasm into the nucleus. A tissue-specific requirement for factors involved in nuclear importation is a potential mechanism to regulate stem cell differentiation.

Epigenetic scores of blood-based proteins as biomarkers of general cognitive function and brain health.

Background: Epigenetic Scores (EpiScores) for blood protein levels have been associated with disease outcomes and measures of brain health, highlighting their potential usefulness as clinical biomarkers. They are typically derived via penalised regression, whereby a linear weighted sum of DNA methylation (DNAm) levels at CpG sites are predictive of protein levels. Here, we examine 84 previously published protein EpiScores as possible biomarkers of cross-sectional and longitudinal measures of general cognitive function and brain health, and incident dementia across three independent cohorts.

Viruses exploit growth factor mechanisms to achieve augmented pathogenicity and promote tumorigenesis.

Cellular homeostasis is regulated by growth factors (GFs) which orchestrate various cellular processes including proliferation, survival, differentiation, motility, inflammation and angiogenesis. Dysregulation of GFs in microbial infections and malignancies have been reported previously. Viral pathogens exemplify the exploitation of host cell GFs and their signalling pathways contributing to viral entry, virulence, and evasion of anti-viral immune responses.

Development and validation of a versatile non-invasive urinary steroidomics method for wildlife biomonitoring.

Wildlife conservation is often challenged by a lack of knowledge about the reproduction biology and adaptability of endangered species. Although monitoring steroids and related molecules can increase this knowledge, the applicability of current techniques (e.g.

World Endometriosis Research Foundation Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonization Project: V. Physical examination standards in endometriosis research.

Objective: The World Endometriosis Research Foundation established the Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project (EPHect) to create standardized documentation tools (with common data elements) to facilitate the comparison and combination of data across different research sites and studies. In 2014, 4 data research standards were published: clinician-reported surgical data, patient-reported clinical data, and fluid and tissue biospecimen collection. Our current objective is to create an EPHect standard for the clinician-reported physical examination (EPHect-PE) for research studies.

Feature similarity gradients detect alterations in the neonatal cortex associated with preterm birth.

The early life environment programmes cortical architecture and cognition across the life course. A measure of cortical organisation that integrates information from multimodal MRI and is unbound by arbitrary parcellations has proven elusive, which hampers efforts to uncover the perinatal origins of cortical health. Here, we use the Vogt-Bailey index to provide a fine-grained description of regional homogeneities and sharp variations in cortical microstructure based on feature gradients, and we investigate the impact of being born preterm on cortical development at term-equivalent age.

A 20-year overview of fertility preservation in boys: new insights gained through a comprehensive international survey.

Study Question: Twenty years after the inception of the first fertility preservation programme for pre-pubertal boys, what are the current international practices with regard to cryopreservation of immature testicular tissue?

Summary Answer: Worldwide, testicular tissue has been cryopreserved from over 3000 boys under the age of 18 years for a variety of malignant and non-malignant indications; there is variability in practices related to eligibility, clinical assessment, storage, and funding.

What Is Known Already: For male patients receiving gonadotoxic treatment prior to puberty, testicular tissue cryopreservation may provide a method of fertility preservation. While this technique remains experimental, an increasing number of centres worldwide are cryopreserving immature testicular tissue and are approaching clinical application of methods to use this stored tissue to restore fertility.

Developing a theory of change - the importance of rich process data and authors' insights into context, implementation and mechanisms.

Background: Theories of change explaining how interventions work are increasingly important, yet the methods/data to develop these are less advanced than for evaluating effects.

Methods: We conducted a systematic evidence synthesis to develop a theory of change for structural adolescent contraception interventions. We reflect on the utility of the information provided in evaluation reports.

Diagnosis and management of endometrial hyperplasia: A UK national audit of adherence to national guidance 2012-2020.

Background: Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is a precusor lesion for endometrial cancer (EC), the commonest gynaecological malignancy in high-income countries. EH is a proliferation of glandular tissue, classified as either non-atypical endometrial hyperplasia (NEH) or, if the cytological features are abnormal, atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH). The clinical significance of AEH is that patients face both a high risk of having occult EC and a high risk of progression to EC if untreated.

Induction of labour care in the UK: A cross-sectional survey of maternity units.

Objectives: To explore local induction of labour pathways in the UK National Health Service to provide insight into current practice.

Design: National survey.

Setting: Hospital maternity services in all four nations of the UK.

Kisspeptin and neurokinin B neuroendocrine pathways in the control of human ovulation.

The roles of initially kisspeptin and subsequently neurokinin B pathways in the regulation of human reproduction through the control of GnRH secretion were first identified 20 years ago, as essential for the onset of puberty in both boys and girls. Within that short time we already now have the first licence for clinical use for a neurokinin antagonist in a related indication, for menopausal vasomotor symptoms. Between these two markers of the start and end of the reproductive lifespan, it is clear that these pathways underlie many of the aspects of the hypothalamic regulation of reproduction which had hitherto been enigmatic.

Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of adolescents and youth in Nairobi, Kenya.

Objective: To report on the mental health status of adolescents and youth in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Methodology: This was a mixed-methods study with cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative components conducted in Nairobi County, Kenya from August to September 2020. The quantitative survey involved phone interviews of = 1,217 adolescents and youth.

COVID-19 and abnormal uterine bleeding: potential associations and mechanisms.

The impact of COVID-19 on menstruation has received a high level of public and media interest. Despite this, uncertainty exists about the advice that women and people who menstruate should receive in relation to the expected impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection, long COVID or COVID-19 vaccination on menstruation. Furthermore, the mechanisms leading to these reported menstrual changes are poorly understood.

Efficacy of virtual reality for pain relief in medical procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Effective pain control is crucial to optimise the success of medical procedures. Immersive virtual reality (VR) technology could offer an effective non-invasive, non-pharmacological option to distract patients and reduce their experience of pain. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Immersive virtual reality (VR) technology in reducing patient's pain perception during various medical procedures by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Prevalence and correlates of depressive disorders in commercially sexual exploited children: A cross-sectional study in Mombasa, Kenya.

Background: Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a global concern and is among the common forms of sexual violence against children. In Kenya, about 32 % of girls and 16 % of boys experience sexual violence before the age of 18 years. While much has been written about the impact of child sexual exploitation, there's little on the prevalence of depressive disorders among CSE children.

Evaluating Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae screening and treatment among asymptomatic pregnant women to prevent preterm birth and low birthweight in Gaborone, Botswana: A secondary analysis from a non-randomised, cluster-controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of screening and treating asymptomatic pregnant women for Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis and Neisseria (N.) gonorrhoeae infections on the frequency of preterm birth or low birthweight infants in Botswana.

Recent advances in reproductive research in Australia and New Zealand: highlights from the Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Biology, 2022.

In 2022, the Society for Reproductive Biology came together in Christchurch New Zealand (NZ), for its first face-to-face meeting since the global COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting showcased recent advancements in reproductive research across a diverse range of themes relevant to human health and fertility, exotic species conservation, and agricultural breeding practices. Here, we highlight the key advances presented across the main themes of the meeting, including advances in addressing opportunities and challenges in reproductive health related to First Nations people in Australia and NZ; increasing conservation success of exotic species, including ethical management of invasive species; improvements in our understanding of developmental biology, specifically seminal fluid signalling, ovarian development and effects of environmental impacts such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals; and leveraging scientific breakthroughs in reproductive engineering to drive solutions for fertility, including in assisted reproductive technologies in humans and agricultural industries, and for regenerative medicine.

Protocol and statistical analysis plan for a randomized controlled trial of the effect of intravenous iron on anemia in Malawian pregnant women in their third trimester (REVAMP - TT).

Background: Anemia affects 40% of pregnant women globally, leading to maternal mortality, premature birth, low birth weight, and poor baby development. Iron deficiency causes over 40% of anemia cases in Africa. Oral iron supplementation is insufficient for Low-and-Middle-Income-Countries (LMICs) to meet current WHO targets.

Management of monogenic diabetes in pregnancy: A narrative review.

Pregnancy in women with monogenic diabetes is potentially complex, with significant implications for both maternal and fetal health. Among these, maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) stands out as a prevalent monogenic diabetes subtype frequently encountered in clinical practice. Each subtype of MODY requires a distinct approach tailored to the pregnancy, diverging from management strategies in non-pregnant individuals.