Intensified peroxidation in the Graafian follicle may be a factor compromising the normal development of the oocyte. The aim of this study was to measure concentrations of three oxidative stress markers: conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, in preovulatory follicular fluids and sera of 145 women attending an in-vitro fertilization programme, and to correlate these concentrations with pregnancy outcome. Determinations were conducted either with or without an antioxidant (10 μM butylated hydroxytoluene) and an iron chelate (10 μM deferoxamine mesylate) to examine peroxidation associated with the methods used. Concentrations of conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in follicular fluid were all significantly lower than those in serum, both in the presence or absence of the antioxidant and iron chelate. These concentrations did not correlate with pregnancy outcome. In conclusion, the intensity of peroxidation in the Graafian follicle is much lower than that in serum. This gradient is the result of the lower rate of initiation of peroxidation in the follicular fluid, suggestive of the presence of efficient antioxidant defence systems in the direct milieu of the oocyte before ovulation. The concentrations of investigated oxidative stress markers in follicular fluid do not reflect the reproductive potential of oocytes.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious pathological complication associated with compromised fetal development during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to broaden knowledge about the transcriptomic complexity of the human placenta by identifying genes potentially involved in IUGR pathophysiology. RNA-Seq data were used to profile protein-coding genes, detect alternative splicing events (AS), single nucleotide variant (SNV) calling, and RNA editing sites prediction in IUGR-affected placental transcriptome. The applied methodology enabled detection of 37,501 transcriptionally active regions and the selection of 28 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs), among them 10 were upregulated and 18 downregulated in IUGR-affected placentas. Functional enrichment annotation indicated that most of the DEGs were implicated in the processes of inflammation and immune disorders related to IUGR and preeclampsia. Additionally, we revealed that some genes (S100A13, GPR126, CTRP1, and TFPI) involved in the alternation of splicing events were mainly implicated in angiogenic-related processes. Significant SNVs were overlapped with 6533 transcripts and assigned to 2386 coding sequence (CDS), 1528 introns, 345 5’ untranslated region (UTR), 1260 3’UTR, 918 non-coding RNA (ncRNA), and 10 intergenic regions. Within CDS regions, 543 missense substitutions with functional effects were recognized. Two known mutations (rs4575, synonymous; rs3817, on the downstream region) were detected within the range of AS and DEG candidates: PA28β and PINLYP, respectively. Novel genes that are dysregulated in IUGR were detected in the current research. Investigating genes underlying the IUGR is crucial for identification of mechanisms regulating placental development during a complicated pregnancy.

Young girls before menarche or menstruating adolescent women may experience long-term drug-resistant chronic pelvic pain, as well as other symptoms associated with pelvic mass. In such cases, it is of great importance to consider ovarian endometrioma in the differential diagnosis. In general, endometrioma is recognized as an ovarian cyst. However, in most cases, the pathology represents pseudocyst with a partial or complete endometrial-like lining with extraovarian adhesions and endometriotic implants which are likely to occur at the sites of ovarian adhesions and at the ceiling of the ovarian fossa. Ovarian endometriomas occur in 17–44% patients with endometriosis and account for 35% of all benign ovarian cysts. The time span from the onset of menarche to the time of endometrioma formation, which requires surgical intervention, has been evaluated to be a minimum of 4 years. The pathogenesis of early-life endometrioma may be different from other types of endometriosis. Diagnosis is often delayed, especially in adolescents, who tend to wait too long before seeking professional help. The three specific aims of treatment in adolescents with endometriosis and endometriomas are control of symptoms, prevention of further progression of the disease as well as preservation of fertility. Increasing evidence demonstrates association between ovarian endometriosis and ovarian cancer. In the present mini-review, we draw the particular attention of clinicians to such a possibility, even if relatively infrequently reported.

Background: This study aimed to determine the relationship between stress intensity and coping strategies and the quality of life and health among nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia. Methods: The study was performed on a group of 1002 nursing students from three European countries. A diagnostic survey was used as a research method and the data collection was based on the Perceived Stress Scale PSS-10, Mini-COPE Coping Inventory-and the WHOQoL-Bref questionnaire. Results: The average age of all the respondents was 21.6 years (±3.4). Most of the surveyed students rated their stress intensity over the last month as moderate or high. Comparison of the results of the stress levels in relation to the country of residence did not reveal statistically significant differences. In the group of Polish students, the most positive relationship between active coping strategies and the quality of life in the psychological (r = 0.43; p < 0.001) and physical health domain (r = 0.42; p < 0.001) were most strongly marked. Among Slovak students, significant correlations of low intensity were found between active coping strategies and the quality of life in the physical health (r = 0.15; p < 0.01), psychological (r = 0.21; p < 0.001), social relationships (r = 0.12; p < 0.05) and environment (r = 0.19; p < 0.001) domain. In overcoming stressful situations, Spanish students used the Sense of Humour strategy, which is considered less effective, although very useful in some cases. In this group, the strongest positive correlation was found for the psychological domain (r = 0.40; p < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a need to implement prevention and stress coping programmes at every stage of studies to ensure effective protection against the negative effects of stress and to improve the quality of life of nursing students.