Search

Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age worldwide, and its related features like obesity, mental health issues and hyperandrogenism may contribute to inadequately investigated health problems such as sexual dysfunction (SD) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Therefore, this study examined the impact of PCOS on sexual function (SF) and lower urinary tract in Syrian women by recruiting a total of 178 women of reproductive age, of whom 88 were diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria and 90 without PCOS were considered as the control group. Female sexual function index (FSFI) and Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Questionnaire (BFLUTS) were used to assess SF and LUTS respectively. PCOS group had higher SD prevalence compared to control group (65.9% vs 48.9%, p = 0.016), and BMI showed an inverse correlation with the total FSFI score in PCOS group (p = 0.027, r = -0.235). Furthermore, PCOS group exhibited significantly lower scores in orgasm and satisfaction subdomains. Additionally, PCOS patients had significantly higher total BFLUTS score compared to control group (median 8 vs 5, p = 0.025). Thus, PCOS may be related to SD and LUTS, highlighting the importance of evaluating SF and urinary symptoms in PCOS patients.

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC), diagnosed during or shortly after pregnancy, is a challenging entity with an aggressive biology and poor prognosis. This study analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and gene expression profile of 33 PABC and 26 non-PABC patients using the nCounter BC360 Panel (NanoString). Notably, PABC showed a higher prevalence of basal-like tumors than non-PABC (48.48% vs 15.38%, p = 0.012) and displayed 73 differentially expressed genes (e.g., DEPDC1, CCNA2, PSAT1, CDKN3, and FAM83D), enriched in DNA repair and cell proliferation pathways. Through the PPI network, we also identified a cluster of cell-cycle regulation genes like MYC, FOXM1, or PTEN. Interestingly, differences emerged when comparing patients diagnosed during gestation (PABC-GS) and the postpartum period (PABC-PP), with PABC-PP showing increased expression of immune-related genes, including PD-1, and greater immune cell infiltration (Tregs, macrophages, neutrophils, B-cells). These findings suggest an enhanced proliferative capacity and impaired DNA repair in PABC, and underscore the role of immune infiltration in postpartum cases; providing insights into its aggressive nature and potential targets., Competing Interests: Competing interests: B.B. declares having received fees for medical education in a consulting or advisory role with Lilly, Pfizer, MSD, Pierr Fabre, Astra Zeneca, and Gilead; participated in a speakers’ bureau with Roche, MSD, Daichii, Sankio Astra Zeneca, Novartis, Lilly, Gilead, Seagen; travel accommodation by Pfizer and Gilead. Y.J.G. declares having received speakers´ honoraria from Roche, Novartis, Lilly, Daichii, and AstraZeneca; travel and training grants from Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, Daichii, Gilead, and Lilly. A.F.A. declares Honoraria or consultation fees from GSK, MSD, AstraZeneca, Pharma & Go, EISAI, Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, and Pierre Fabre; travel/accommodation expenses from GSK, MSD, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer; speakers bureau participation with GSK, MSD, AstraZeneca, EISAI, Novartis and Pierre Fabre. F.M. declares consulting/advisory role with Novartis, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, MSD, Daiichi Sankyo, and Seagen; speakers’ bureau from Pfizer and Novartis; research funding from Pfizer; travel/accommodations expenses by Pfizer, Novartis and Gilead. M.H.L.-C. declares having received speaker honoraria from Daichii, Novartis & Pierre Fabre; and travel and training grants from Roche & Novartis. I.B. declares having research funding from Agendia, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Pfizer, and Roche; honoraria as a medical monitor from Medical Scientia Innovation Research (MEDSIR); honoraria and advisor collaboration from AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Gilead, Grünenthal, GSK, Jazz Pharmaceutical, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre-Fabre, Roche, Seagen and Veracyte; travel and meeting attendance grants from AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi-Sankyo, Gilead, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre-Fabre and Roche. A.G.-Z. declares institutional grant from Pfizer; advisory role honoraria from AstraZeneca, Novartis, MSD, Pierre-Fabre, Exact Science, Menarini-Stemline and Daichy Sankyo; travel grants from Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, Gilead and Pierre Fabre; speaker Bureau/Expert testimony with Roche, AstraZeneca, Daichi-Sankyo, Novartis, MSD, Pfizer and Menarini-Stemline. J.H.-R. declares having received research grants from Roche and Pfizer; consulting/advisory fees from AstraZeneca, Amgen, Roche/Genentech, Novartis, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer; speakers’ honoraria from AstraZeneca, Lilly, Amgen, Roche/Genentech, Novartis, and Pfizer. All remaining authors have declared no conflicts of interest., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

This study aimed to analyse the growth plate fusion and secondary ossification centres of the hind limbs in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) using radiographs. Data from three maned wolves estimated to be 3-4 months old were utilised. The right and left hind limbs were radiographed in the mediolateral and craniocaudal views once a month until 11-12 months of age and then every 2-3 months until 18-19 months of age. The growth plates identified in the hind limbs and their closure times were as follows: proximal femur (13-15 months), distal femur (13-15 months), proximal tibia (17-19 months), tibial tuberosity (17-19 months), distal tibia (11-13 months), proximal fibula (13-15 months) and calcaneal tuber (8-9 months). Measurements of the areas of the secondary ossification centres of the proximal epiphysis of the femur, distal epiphysis of the tibia, patella and fibular tarsal bone epiphysis showed a significant difference between the first assessment and 6-7 months. The distal femoral epiphysis, proximal tibial epiphysis and tibial tuberosity showed a statistically significant difference between the first assessment and 7-8 months. The difference in the proximal epiphysis of the fibula was observed between 4 to 5 months and 7 to 8 months. In conclusion, the information obtained regarding the growth plates and secondary ossification centres of the maned wolves may support other studies and help understand the normal patterns of the species., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)