Functional Aspects Research Articles

Association between dietary (poly)phenol intake and the ATHLOS Healthy Ageing Scale in the Polish arm of the HAPIEE study.

Inverse association between (poly)phenol intake and age-related disorders has been demonstrated; however, little is known whether they affect comprehensively assessed healthy aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between the intake of (poly)phenol (including selected classes and subclasses) and healthy aging scores related to biopsychosocial aspects of health and functioning. A cross-sectional study was performed using data on 9774 randomly selected citizens of Krakow (Poland) who were 45-69years of age. Dietary (poly)phenol intake was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire and matching food consumption data with the Phenol-Explorer database. The healthy aging scores were estimated from the ATHLOS Healthy Ageing Scale (HAS) developed by the Ageing Trajectories of Health-Longitudinal Opportunities and Synergies (ATHLOS) consortium. Beta coefficients were calculated using multivariable linear regression models. In multivariable adjusted models, there were significant positive associations between the ATHLOS HAS score and intake of total (poly)phenols (b per increase of 100mg/day = 0.081; 95% CI, 0.050; 0.112) and among main classes of (poly)phenols with phenolic acids (b = 0.139; 95% CI, 0.098; 0.180). Intake of remaining classes of (poly)phenols (flavonoids, lignans, stilbenes, and others) was not related to the ATHLOS HAS score. Among individual classes studied, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, flavones, and dihydrochalcones were associated with better healthy aging. The findings suggest the beneficial effect of total dietary (poly)phenol and some classes and subclasses of (poly)phenol intake in terms of healthy aging in Poland. These findings should be confirmed in other settings and with prospective data.

ENHANCING EMOTIONAL VOCABULARY FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL LITERACY

Various aspects of language development, comprehension and neurological functioning contribute to reflective psychological attitudes and indicate the importance of language in understanding human behaviour. In this perspective we focus our attention on the role of emotional language in shaping psychological literacy. Our research mostly relies on the findings of the Theory of Constructed Emotion (TCE) and EmotionFocused Therapy (EFT) that confirmed the importance of emotional vocabulary in the process of forming the effective understanding of the emotions and creating new conscious experiences. Due to the development of affective neuroscience, emotional vocabulary is presented as a necessary tool for psychological studies of personality, emotions and mood that aim to increase empirical evidence on the ways how emotions are organised in the mind. Special attention is given to the phenomenon of blended emotions that refer to the simultaneous experience of two or more emotions. We show that the awareness of the complexity of emotional experience is directly related to finding words that capture combinations of a variety of emotions. Keywords: emotional vocabulary; psychological literacy; emotion awareness; emotional psychology

The relationship between personality and cognition in older adults with and without early-onset depression.

It is well established that personality traits impact cognition, as certain personality factors are associated with performance in specific cognitive domains. However, the findings on the relationships between the Big Five traits and cognition are mixed. Additionally, few studies have explored these relationships in older adults with a history of depression. The present study aimed to (a) evaluate the impact of the Big Five personality traits in older adults with and without a lifetime history of depression; and (b) test the hypotheses that higher trait neuroticism would correlate negatively with cognitive performance, while openness to experience would correlate positively with cognition. The sample consisted of 138 participants between the ages of 55 and 78 (M = 65.56, SD = 6.36). Sixty-two participants met criteria for current or remitted Major Depressive Disorder, while 76 had no history of depression or other mental health disorders. Participants underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing. Personality was assessed using the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R), while depression status was determined using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5). Following a series of Pearson correlations of cognitive variables and the five personality factors, linear regression models were estimated for each significant correlation. Demographic variables (i.e., age, education and sex) were entered in block 1, depression status (never vs. ever) was entered in block 2, and the personality factor score, or sub-facet was entered in block 3. Neuroticism was not associated with cognitive performance on any outcome measure. The facets Openness to Feelings and Openness to Values were positively related to phonemic fluency. Further Openness to Values was positively related to cognitive flexibility. Our results suggest that older people who are (a) more capable of identifying and understanding their feelings and the feelings of others, and (b) who are more willing to re-examine social, political, and religious values perform stronger on tasks measuring verbal fluency and cognitive flexibility, which are aspects of executive functioning. Interventions that aim to enhance open mindedness in older adults may have a parallel impact on improving executive functioning, though this would need to be examined prospectively.

Spatial selectivity of ATase inhibition in mouse models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

The endoplasmic reticulum acetylation machinery has emerged as a new branch of the larger endoplasmic reticulum quality control system. It regulates the selection of correctly folded polypeptides as well as reticulophagy-mediated removal of toxic protein aggregates with the former being a particularly important aspect of the proteostatic functions of endoplasmic reticulum acetylation. Essential to this function is the Nε-lysine acetyltransferase activity of acetyltransferase 1 and acetyltransferase 2, which regulates the induction of endoplasmic reticulum-specific autophagy through the acetylation of the autophagy-related protein 9A. Here, we used three mouse models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, peripheral myelin protein 22/Tr-J, C3-peripheral myelin protein 22 and myelin protein zero/ttrr, to study spatial and translational selectivity of endoplasmic reticulum acetyltransferase inhibitors. The results show that inhibition of the endoplasmic reticulum acetyltransferases selectively targets misfolding/pro-aggregating events occurring in the lumen of the organelle. Therefore, they establish acetyltransferase 1 and acetyltransferase 2 as the first proven targets for disease-causing proteotoxic states that initiate within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum/secretory pathway.

Coarse-Grained Modeling of Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in Cells: Challenges and Opportunities.

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) within cells gives rise to membraneless organelles, which play pivotal roles in numerous cellular functions. A comprehensive understanding of the functional aspects of intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) condensates necessitates elucidating their inherent structures and establishing correlations with biological functions. Coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations present a promising avenue for gaining insights into LLPS mechanisms of biomacromolecules. Essential to this endeavor is the development of tailored CG force fields for MD simulations, incorporating the full spectrum of biomolecules involved in the formation of condensates and accounting for real-time biochemical reactions coupled to the LLPS. Moreover, developing accurate theoretical frameworks and establishing links between condensate structure and its function are imperative for a thorough comprehension of LLPS of biological systems.

Optogenetics in pancreatic islets: Actuators and effects.

The Islets of Langerhans reside within the endocrine pancreas as highly vascularised micro-organs that are responsible for the secretion of key hormones, such as insulin and glucagon. Islet function relies on a range of dynamic molecular processes that include calcium (Ca2+) waves, hormone pulses, and complex interactions between islet cell types. Dysfunction of these processes results in poor maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis and is a hallmark of diabetes. Very recently, the development of optogenetic methods that rely on light-sensitive molecular actuators has allowed perturbing islet function with near physiological spatio-temporal acuity. These actuators harness natural photoreceptor proteins and their engineered variants to manipulate mouse and human cells that are not normally light-responsive. Until recently, optogenetics in islet biology has primarily focused on hormone production and secretion; however, studies on further aspects of islet function, including paracrine regulation between islet cell types and dynamics within intracellular signaling pathways are emerging. Here, we discuss the applicability of optogenetics to islets cells and comprehensively review seminal as well as recent work on optogenetic actuators and their effects in islet function and diabetes mellitus (DM).

Physical functioning in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study in Jordan using self-reported questionnaire and performance-based tests.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating condition that leads to functional limitations. Self-reported questionnaires and performance-based tests are tools commonly used for measuring physical function. (1) To evaluate the impact of end-stage knee OA on functional outcomes and examine the association between self-reported and performance-based measures of function in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis awaiting total knee arthroplasty (2) To explore the interrelationships among pain, strength, and overall physical function in this patient population. In this cross-sectional analysis, 33 patients with end-stage knee OA were recruited and completed the knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS) and executed performance-based tests including the Timed Up and Go, the 30-second chair stand test, and the Stair Climbing Test. Knee pain, and isometric hip and knee strength were evaluated. Patients perceived deficits in their physical functionwith a score of 35/100 on the KOS-ADLS and demonstrated functional limitations in all performed tasks. KOS-ADLs was weakly associated with TUG and 30s-CST (r=-0.301, p= 0.047, and r= 0.39, p= 0.014. respectively). Knee pain was linked with the KOS-ADL score and GRS score (r=-0.406, p= 0.010; r=-0.343, p= 0.027; respectively), while the strength of the affected side was correlated with the performed (p=< 0.001) and reported function outcomes (p= 0.007). Participants exhibit declines in both perceived and executed functional abilities. Self-reported and performance-based functional measures are weakly correlated within our study group, highlighting the importance of incorporating both measures in clinical practice for a comprehensive evaluation of physical function. Pain was linked to subjective aspect of physical function, while strength was connected to perceived and performed functional capacity. Implementing a tailored rehabilitation program targeting muscle weakness and pain holds the potential to mitigate functional decline in individuals awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Role of Neurotransmitters in Steady State Hematopoiesis, Aging, and Leukemia.

Haematopoiesis within the bone marrow (BM) represents a complex and dynamic process intricately regulated by neural signaling pathways. This delicate orchestration is susceptible to disruption by factors such as aging, diabetes, and obesity, which can impair the BM niche and consequently affect haematopoiesis. Genetic mutations in Tet2, Dnmt3a, Asxl1, and Jak2 are known to give rise to clonal haematopoiesis of intermediate potential (CHIP), a condition linked to age-related haematological malignancies. Despite these insights, the exact roles of circadian rhythms, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), sterile inflammation, and the complement cascade on various BM niche cells remain inadequately understood. Further research is needed to elucidate how BM niche cells contribute to these malignancies through neural regulation and their potential in the development of gene-corrected stem cells. This literature review describes the updated functional aspects of BM niche cells in haematopoiesis within the context of haematological malignancies, with a particular focus on neural signaling and the potential of radiomitigators in acute radiation syndrome. Additionally, it underscores the pressing need for technological advancements in stem cell-based therapies to alleviate the impacts of immunological stressors. Recent studies have illuminated the microheterogeneity and temporal stochasticity of niche cells within the BM during haematopoiesis, emphasizing the updated roles of neural signaling and immunosurveillance. The development of gene-corrected stem cells capable of producing blood, immune cells, and tissue-resident progeny is essential for combating age-related haematological malignancies and overcoming immunological challenges. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these evolving insights and their implications for future therapeutic strategies.

A Study on the Impact of Capacity Building Programs by Private Higher Education Institutions on the Performance of Employees in Government Organizations

This research aims to examine the impact of capacity building programs on the organizational performance of government employees in Herat province. The study seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of this phenomenon and answers the question of whether programs designed to enhance the capabilities and skills of government employees, offered by private higher education institutions, have influenced various functional aspects of their work. The hypothesis of this research is that these programs have had a positive and significant impact on the organizational performance of government employees. Data were collected and analyzed using quantitative methods and questionnaires. Statistical analysis, derived from the distribution of questionnaires to 266 managers and employees of government departments in Herat province, shows that among the components of organizational performance, which include ability, perception and cognition, organizational support, motivation, performance feedback, legitimacy (employee-related regulations), and environmental fit, the component of legitimacy regarding employee-related regulations had the most influence. Conversely, capacity building programs played the least role in influencing organizational support. This study can be useful and guiding for organizational managers, educational policy designers, and human resource development professionals.

Natural History of Visual Acuity and Microperimetry-Based Functional Outcome Measures of the Macula in Patients with Geographic Atrophy: A Retrospective Chart Review Study in Germany.

Background/Objectives: Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leading to the progressive and irreversible loss of visual function. Characteristics of GA include atrophic lesions resulting from the loss of photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium, and choriocapillaris. During GA progression, atrophic lesions typically advance from the macular periphery to the center, affecting foveal light sensitivity and visual acuity. This study analyzed changes in light sensitivity and visual acuity during the natural course of GA progression using the topographic analysis of structural and functional changes based on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts, multimodal imaging, and microperimetry assessment. Methods: Medical chart data of GA patients between 2014 and 2022 from the Internationale Innovative Ophthalmochirurgie GbR (I.I.O.) research center (Düsseldorf, Germany) were retrospectively analyzed. All patient eyes fulfilling the phase 3 OAKS study inclusion criteria were included and followed up for 60 months. The imputation of missing measurements and dropouts was performed by linear mixed models. Results: A total of 20 GA eyes from 13 GA patients were included in the study. At the index, 53.8% of patients had bilateral GA, with 70.0% of the eyes showing multifocal GA and 30.0% subfoveal encroachment (SFE). A total of 35.0% of the eyes had 2-5, and 15.0% over 20, areas of atrophy. Over time, the GA lesion size increased from 6.4 mm2 to 11.8 mm2 (1.08 mm2/year). After an average observation time of 2.9 years, 78.6% of the initially unaffected study eyes developed SFE. The percentage of study eyes without visual impairment decreased from 55.0% to 30.0%, with mean normal-luminance best-corrected visual acuity (NL-BCVA) reducing from 63.7 to 55.7 ETDRS letters. The share of absolute scotoma points in microperimetry assessment increased from 15.7% to 43.5% while overall average macular sensitivity declined from 15.7 dB to 7.4 dB. Conclusions: The substantial deterioration of macular outcomes and visual function was comprehensively detected. The results were a documentation of structural and functional aspects of the natural progression of GA for a 60-month follow-up, providing a typical outline for AMD patients with GA.

Integration of chromosome locations and functional aspects of enhancers and topologically associating domains in knowledge graphs enables versatile queries about gene regulation.

Knowledge about transcription factor binding and regulation, target genes, cis-regulatory modules and topologically associating domains is not only defined by functional associations like biological processes or diseases but also has a determinative genome location aspect. Here, we exploit these location and functional aspects together to develop new strategies to enable advanced data querying. Many databases have been developed to provide information about enhancers, but a schema that allows the standardized representation of data, securing interoperability between resources, has been lacking. In this work, we use knowledge graphs for the standardized representation of enhancers and topologically associating domains, together with data about their target genes, transcription factors, location on the human genome, and functional data about diseases and gene ontology annotations. We used this schema to integrate twenty-five enhancer datasets and two domain datasets, creating the most powerful integrative resource in this field to date. The knowledge graphs have been implemented using the Resource Description Framework and integrated within the open-access BioGateway knowledge network, generating a resource that contains an interoperable set of knowledge graphs (enhancers, TADs, genes, proteins, diseases, GO terms, and interactions between domains). We show how advanced queries, which combine functional and location restrictions, can be used to develop new hypotheses about functional aspects of gene expression regulation.

Treatment of fracture of the nose bonés proper by closed reduction: Case report

The nasal bones are the most commonly fractured bones in the face due to their anatomical location and thin thickness, even with low-intensity traumas. Because of their high incidence, clinical and imaging diagnosis is important for proper case management, considering their complexity. Given their frequency, clinical criteria are established and must be carefully evaluated, along with different treatment approaches based on the complexity of each case. The article in question reports on closed reduction of a nasal fracture under general anesthesia. The patient, a victim of physical assault, presented with clinical signs including epistaxis, crepitus, nasal obstruction, and rhinoescoliosis. This article aims to describe the clinical case of nasal fracture from diagnosis to clinical management, comparing observed and performed actions with current literature. It was concluded that closed reduction technique for nasal fractures proves to be an effective and safe approach, with benefits including not only restoration of nasal aesthetic and functional aspects but also minimization of postoperative complications. The patient is currently under follow-up with the team, showing no signs of aesthetic or functional compromise.

The effects of time restricted feeding on age-related changes in the mouse retina

Dietary modifications such as caloric restriction (CR) and intermittent fasting (IF) have gained popularity due to their proven health benefits in aged populations. In time restricted feeding (TRF), a form of intermittent fasting, the amount of time for food intake is regulated without restricting the caloric intake. TRF is beneficial for the central nervous system to support brain health in the context of aging. Therefore, we here ask whether TRF also exerts beneficial effects in the aged retina. We compared aged mice (24 months) on a TRF paradigm (access to food for six hours per day) for either 6 or 12 months against young control mice (8 months) and aged control mice on an ad libitum diet. We examined changes in the retina at the functional (electroretinography), structural (histology and fluorescein angiograms) and molecular (gene expression) level. TRF treatment showed amelioration of age-related reductions in both scotopic and photopic b-wave amplitudes suggesting benefits for retinal interneuron signaling. TRF did not affect age-related signs of retinal inflammation or microglial activation at either the molecular or histological level. Our data indicate that TRF helps preserve some aspects of retinal function that are decreased with aging, adding to our understanding of the health benefits that altered feeding patterns may confer.

Transcriptomic and epigenomic landscapes of muscle growth during the postnatal period of broilers

BackgroundBroilers stand out as one of the fastest-growing livestock globally, making a substantial contribution to animal meat production. However, the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying the rapid growth and development of broiler chickens are still unclear. This study aims to explore muscle development patterns and regulatory networks during the postnatal rapid growth phase of fast-growing broilers. We measured the growth performance of Cornish (CC) and White Plymouth Rock (RR) over a 42-d period. Pectoral muscle samples from both CC and RR were randomly collected at day 21 after hatching (D21) and D42 for RNA-seq and ATAC-seq library construction.ResultsThe consistent increase in body weight and pectoral muscle weight across both breeds was observed as they matured, with CC outpacing RR in terms of weight at each stage of development. Differential expression analysis identified 398 and 1,129 genes in the two dimensions of breeds and ages, respectively. A total of 75,149 ATAC-seq peaks were annotated in promoter, exon, intron and intergenic regions, with a higher number of peaks in the promoter and intronic regions. The age-biased genes and breed-biased genes of RNA-seq were combined with the ATAC-seq data for subsequent analysis. The results spotlighted the upregulation of ACTC1 and FDPS at D21, which were primarily associated with muscle structure development by gene cluster enrichment. Additionally, a noteworthy upregulation of MUSTN1, FOS and TGFB3 was spotted in broiler chickens at D42, which were involved in cell differentiation and muscle regeneration after injury, suggesting a regulatory role of muscle growth and repair.ConclusionsThis work provided a regulatory network of postnatal broiler chickens and revealed ACTC1 and MUSTN1 as the key responsible for muscle development and regeneration. Our findings highlight that rapid growth in broiler chickens triggers ongoing muscle damage and subsequent regeneration. These findings provide a foundation for future research to investigate the functional aspects of muscle development.

Identification and characterization of the RcTCP gene family and its expression in response to abiotic stresses in castor bean

BackgroundThe TCP (teosinte branched1/cincinnata/proliferating cell factor) family plays a prominent role in plant development and stress responses. However, TCP family genes have thus far not been identified in castor bean, and therefore an understanding of the expression and functional aspects of castor bean TCP genes is lacking. To identify the potential biological functions of castor bean (RcTCP) TCP members, the composition of RcTCP family members, their basic physicochemical properties, subcellular localizations, interacting proteins, miRNA target sites, and gene expression patterns under stress were assessed.ResultsThe presence of 20 RcTCP genes on the nine chromosomes of castor bean was identified, all of which possess TCP domains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship between RcTCP genes and Arabidopsis AtTCP genes, suggesting potential functional similarity. Subcellular localization experiments confirmed that RcTC01/02/03/10/16/18 are all localized in the nucleus. Protein interaction analysis revealed that the interaction quantity of RcTCP03/06/11 proteins is the highest, indicating a cascade response in the functional genes. Furthermore, it was found that the promoter region of RcTCP genes contains a large number of stress-responsive elements and hormone-induced elements, indicating a potential link between RcTCP genes and stress response functions. qRT-PCR showed that all RcTCP genes exhibit a distinct tissue-specific expression pattern and their expression is induced by abiotic stress (including low temperature, abscisic acid, drought, and high salt). Among them, RcTCP01/03/04/08/09/10/14/15/18/19 genes may be excellent stress-responsive genes.ConclusionWe discovered that RcTCP genes play a crucial role in various activities, including growth and development, the stress response, and transcription. This study provides a basis for studying the function of RcTCP gene in castor.

O-276 Implantation failure is not associated with seven different vaginal bacterial community-state types; however, a distinct signature, including Ureaplasma parvum, is strongly linked to treatment failure

Abstract Study question Is microbial diversity or vaginal bacterial composition associated with embryonic implantation in women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer? Summary answer While global diversity measures of microbial composition do not correlate with positive implantation, specific taxa may serve as predictors of treatment outcomes. What is known already Clinical studies have indicated a reduced likelihood of embryo implantation in women diagnosed with microbial dysbiosis. The application of Next-Generation Sequencing for microbiota analysis has significantly advanced our understanding of vaginal microbiome composition. Recent studies have proposed distinct vaginal microbiome patterns as potential predictors of IVF treatment success or failure. However, the evidence regarding the biological basis of test algorithms (such as the independent association of distinct community state types with outcomes) and the reliability of diagnostic test performance (including replicability and external validity) in predicting implantation success or failure in women undergoing embryo transfer remains less robust. Study design, size, duration In a prospective, single-centre observational cohort study (05/2017-03/2019, NCT03507673, local ethical approval reference no.18-005), conducted at a university-affiliated centre for reproductive medicine in Germany, vaginal swab samples were collected from infertile, asymptomatic female patients (n = 260), aged 18-45, undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Patients, each contributing a single treatment cycle, received sequential oral estradiol and oral estradiol/dydrogesterone in an HRT regimen for FET. Vaginal swabs were taken from baseline visit before transfer day and stored at –80 °C. Participants/materials, setting, methods 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed targeting V3/V4 hypervariable region using Illumina MiSeq platform. Raw data assembly, filtering and taxonomic assignment were performed using mothur against EzBioCloud database. Statistical analyses, and visualization were conducted using R. Community structure via hierarchical clustering, alpha and beta diversity, and indicator species via LefSe analysis were assessed. Main results and the role of chance Based on a hierarchical clustering using the 25 most abundant bacterial taxa, seven separate community state types (CSTs) being either dominated by species of the genus Lactobacillus (CST-A, CST-B, CST-C, CST-E, CST-G) or Gardnerella (CST-F) or presenting a variable community composition (CST-D) were identified. A community state type dominated by Lactobacillus fornicalis was found in a small fraction of women and enhanced resolution among the Gardnerella genus impacts CST definitions in this sample. Embryonic implantation had no significant association to either alpha diversity measures or CST distribution; likewise, the previously suggested ratio of relative abundances of Lactobacillus iners vs. Lactobacillus crispatus was not associated with implantation. Lactobacillus fornicalis is positively linked to implantation, while Lactobacillus iners and Ureaplasma parvum were linked to implantation failure: above 50% relative abundance of Lactobacillus fornicalis, was associated with 75% positive implantation. Conversely, just 0.5% relative abundance of Ureaplasma parvum was associated with a decrease in implantation rate to approximately 20%. LefSe and binary regression analysis identified a relatively rare (6% in our sample) microbiome signature, mostly from CST-C (Lactobacillus iners dominated) with a very low likelihood of implantation, with Ureaplasma parvum as the common denominator. Limitations, reasons for caution Studies on the vaginal microbiome in IVF face issues such as study design variability, small sample-sizes, limited control for temporal dynamics, and patient heterogeneity. Attempts at establishing causal relationships through interventional studies in IVF have been limited and inconclusive. Understanding the microbiome’s functional aspects is crucial for reproductive outcome elucidation. Wider implications of the findings Current study findings don’t confirm previously reported associations between common vaginal bacterial CSTs and outcome. Therefore, screening for vaginal microbiome composition in asymptomatic women with subfertility is not recommended outside research. Signatures/taxae with an independent and strong negative association with implantation are likely to be rare yet deserve further attention. Trial registration number NCT03507673

Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction among Psoriatic Male Patients

Abstract Background psoriasis is a recurring, cutaneous-articular, chronic inflammatory disease, resulting from immune and proliferative changes that affect the skin and mucosa. The worldwide incidence is 1-3% and the majority of the patients also have emotional difficulties like anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction. These issues along with the extent of body surface area affected have an impact on the quality of life, in particular, the sexual life, all aspects of sexual function were negatively affected by the disease process. Aim of the Work to evaluate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among psoriatic male patients and the role of depression on sexual dysfunction. Patients and Methods the study included 60 male psoriatic patients (married sexually active with no genital abnormalities, malignancy, chronic diseases such as pulmonary, hepatic, renal, hematological, neurologic, psychosis, and similar psychiatric disorders, and not on medications that interfere with erectile function). All patients were subjected to the following: Full medical history taking, local examination of the genitalia, dermatological examination, sexual function evaluation using the Arabic version of IIEF (the international index of erectile function questionnaire) which is a validated questionnaire applied to all cases, and psychiatric evaluation using the Arabic version of Hence Hamilton Depression rating scale (HAM-D) to determine the patient’s level of depression. Results The study revealed a high prevalence of ED (86.7%) and depression (65%) among psoriatic male patients, the ED was statistically significantly affected by the severity, duration of the disease, and genital affection. Also, there was a significant correlation between ED, metabolic parameters, and depression with a significant P value. Conclusion there is a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction and depression among psoriatic male patients. Screening of sexual dysfunction among psoriatic male patients using the IIEF, depression using HAM-D, and metabolic risk factors is recommended for a better quality of life.

O-060 Ovarian rejuvenation - fact or fiction?

Abstract Ovarian aging is a reality and a physiological process which occurs with age resulting in to premature depletion of eggs . POI occurs in approximately 1% of the women who have not reached 40 years of age. The frequency is roughly 4–8% in women experiencing secondary amenorrhea and 10–28% in cases of primary amenorrhea .The prevalence of POI was higher in countries with medium and low human development indexes . . We analysed 1000 infertile patients of less than 40 years . 110 patients had AFC less then 2 and opted for egg donor program . cycle cancellation was due to nonavailability of eggs on OPU was seen in 4% cases in our analysis . Presence of oogonial stem cells (OSCs) in the ovarian cortex , hinting at a possibility of therapeutic stimulation of post-natal folliculogenesis in subfertile women it is postulated that ovarian aging or insufficiency could be reversed if OSCs are provided a healthy environment. Ovarian rejuvenation therapy is a new and innovative approach to enhancing fertility in this group of patients . It is often carried out using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cell therapy. Ovarian Rejuvenation with Stem cells is also called Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in the Ovary (ASCOT). PRP is having lots of advantages like therapeutic effect, cost effectiveness, ease of isolation and autologous nature. However some drawbacks are also there like inconclusive efficacy and lack of understanding of mechanism of action, lack of RCT /fundamental research . regenerative processes organized by platelet cytokines in somatic cells are poorly understood . PRP infusion may only be an appropriate treatment for select ovarian disorders. perimenopausal women and women deemed to be POR benefitted the most from the treatment, more so than POI and menopausal patients . platelet cytokines are ligands that attach to cell membrane receptors—not the nucleus . no case of tumorogenic activity observed in any clinical context so far . Further reassurance comes from work in other human tissue treated with PRP, where accelerated growth of healthy cells was noted without triggering malignant transformation . 13 registered clinical trials investigating the effect of PRP on ovarian rejuvenation .few of these trials describe the inclusion of appropriate PRP controls. It is only from well-controlled trials, built on detailed mechanistic understanding that we can clarify the platelet-mediated effects of PRP therapy in ovarian rejuvenation and folliculogenesis. The PRP injections into the ovaries are safe, productive, and a natural treatment that may help women with premature ovarian insufficiency to give birth to their own child . Stem cell therapy is attracting attention in the field of regenerative medicine and is advancing rapidly. Many recent studies have applied stem cell therapy to treat reproductive system diseases; however, data are not yet available as to whether this therapy shows enhanced therapeutic effects. It is evident that stem cell therapies have potential in treating POI. Stem cells and their exosomes, including content such as miRNAs, show positive effects in enhancing and restoring various aspects of ovarian function, such as folliculogenesis, the GC apoptosis rate, vascular formation, and genetic stability. Among the 10 clinical trials in the NIH database, only 4 have been completed; the rest are ongoing, recruiting and/or active. Research subjects have been selected by strict standards. Although there are several active ongoing clinical trials for POI using stem cell-based therapeutics, there are restrictions in each country regarding ethical and clinical concerns from the health-care community .Potential of stem cell therapies in treating POI still needs further research and clinical results.

Anatomical distribution of histone H3 acetylation in human hippocampus

In recent years, the role of histone acetylation in the brain has been studied from different aspects. However, the anatomical distribution of histone H3 acetylation in the human hippocampus and its potential relevance to triple synaptic circuits are unknown. As one of epigenetic remodeling ways, the modification of histones is involved in multiple aspects of neuronal function and development and is a key process in the onset and development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In our study, we compared acetylation levels of histone H3 at different regions of the hippocampus in AD and non-AD patients. We found that histone H3 acetylation can be detected in the dentate gyrus (DG), CA4, CA3, CA2, CA1, and lower Toya regions of the human hippocampus. The highest degree of acetylation in the hippocampus is in DG, and the level of acetylation changes gradually and systematically along the triple synaptic circuit. Besides, there were no significant differences in histone acetylation between AD and non-AD groups.

The role of Plaur-miR1-5p encoded within the urokinase receptor gene (Plaur) in angiogenesis

Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in tissue and organ regeneration by supplying essential nutrients and oxygen through the development of new blood vessels. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells release extracellular vesicles that actively contribute to angiogenesis by carrying pro-angiogenic growth factors and microRNAs. MicroRNAs, small non-coding RNA molecules, are central players in angiogenesis, affecting endothelial cell proliferation, specialization, migration, apoptosis, and post-transcriptional gene expression.In the present study, we investigated the impact of extracellular vesicles containing Plaur-miR1- 5p microRNAs on angiogenesis, specifically focusing on its initial stages: vascular cell migration and the formation of capillary-like structures. Recently we discovered Plaur-miR1-5p, which is encoded within the urokinase receptor gene (Plaur). However, the functions of this microRNA remain largely unexplored. Using a vascular ring model embedded in Matrigel, we demonstrate that Plaur-miR1-5p is encapsulated within extracellular vesicles and plays a regulatory role in capillary-like structure formation. Moreover, applying bioinformatic analysis, we have identified potential target genes of Plaur-miR1-5p that participate in the regulation of angiogenesis.This study advances our comprehension of the fundamental processes governing angiogenesis, particularly the involvement of extracellular vesicles and microRNAs. Moreover, it sheds light on the functional aspects ofthe Plaur gene, contributing to a more profound understanding of its role in regulation of angiogenesis.