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The vaginal microbiome has been widely investigated. However, its relationship with impaired ovarian function has not been evaluated. We conducted a next-generation sequencing (NGS) study of the vaginal microbiome in females with normal and decreased ovarian function and analysed its sensitivity to environmental pollutants. Vaginal swabs were collected from 92 individuals (22 with impaired ovarian function). The 16S rDNA sequences were assembled by FLASH and clustered in OTUs. Diversity analysis was performed using QIIME. The impaired function group showed lower AMH (p <.01) and higher FSH (p =.04). Only two species showed significant differences: Propionibacterium acnes and Prevotella copri. Moreover, more environmental pollutants were related to changes in the vaginal microbiome in the impaired ovarian function group than in the normal group. Vaginal microbiomes in young women with decreased ovarian function tended to be more sensitive to environmental pollutants, especially volatile organic compounds. What is already known on this subject? In this study, the possible influence of environmental pollutants, especially volatile organic compounds to ovarian function were identified via next-generation sequencing. What do the results of this study add? This is the first study that shows vaginal microbiomes in young women with decreased ovarian function to be more sensitive to environmental pollutants. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The association between impaired ovarian function and environmental pollutants from this study could be helpful when counselling patients with POI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether balneotherapy might be effective in patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in the short term. This was an open and prospective pilot study. The balneotherapy programme was performed in a spa resort located in Wando Island, Republic of Korea from August 26 2018 to September 1 2018. It consisted of 10 heated seawater baths (38 °C, 20 minutes) and 10 mud-pack applications (40 °C, 10 minutes) for five days. Sixteen patients were enrolled. Upon analysing responses from a patient questionnaire, we found improvement in parameters such as pain, bladder irrigation symptoms and quality of life after balneotherapy. Inflammatory marker IL-1 and TNF-α was significantly decreased after treatment compared to baseline. There were no adverse events during treatment. Our data suggest that five-day balneotherapy can be beneficial for patients with CPP in the short term.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The majority of articles in the field of balneotherapy discuss the treatment of rheumatic or dermatological disease. However, data on the effectiveness of balneotherapy for chronic pelvic pain are very limited.Whatthe results of this studyadd? Our study suggests that balneotherapy can be beneficial for patients with CPP in the short-term. The duration of balneotherapy was five days, which is shorter than that of the European studies. Intuitively, it may be doubtful whether short-term therapy has any practical effect. As most people living in Korea have a vacation period of about one week each in summer and winter, the choice of a five-day programme in our study reflects the reality of vacation schedules.Whatthe implicationsareof these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Further studies are necessary to demonstrate the persistence of these benefits on the long term, as well as their existence in appropriate control group and different duration of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate doctors' and patients' perceptions of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN 1) and its treatment methods. A survey questionnaire was offered to obstetrics and gynaecology doctors and patients with CIN 1 in 2017. Only 43% of patients knew of this disease. Regarding perceptions of its aetiology, 64% of the patients perceived human papillomavirus infection to be the main cause of CIN 1. Patients' most preferred treatments were medication (20%), followed by alternative treatment (14%). Among doctors, regular follow-up was the most preferred method for managing CIN 1. The survey showed that current treatment modalities for CIN 1 were satisfactory to only half of doctors (50%) and patients (53%). Overall, 70% of doctors responded that new drug development for CIN 1 is needed. Although, CIN 1 is a low-grade lesion, doctors and patients expressed the desire for new therapeutic agents to manage it.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? In general, treatment is not recommended for CIN 1 because lesions are considered indicative of transient HPV infection and spontaneously regress in most patients.What do the results of this study add? Regular follow-up for CIN 1 were satisfactory to only half of doctors and patients. Thirty-six percent of patients wanted active treatment instead of regular follow-up. In addition, 70% of doctors responded that new drug development for CIN 1 is needed.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our results support the need for therapeutic agents for CIN 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the separation of metals from electroplating wastewater using an electrodialysis system was investigated. The separation efficiency of the metal ions increased as the applied voltage was increased from 6 to 18 V. However, at 18 V white sediments formed due to the high current density. The limiting current density (LCD) in the tested wastewater was calculated to be 22.5 mA/cm2 and the optimum applied voltage was estimated to be 12 V. The electrical conductivity of the diluate was reduced by 96.8%, and the conductivity of the concentrate increased. The separation efficiency of copper and nickel nearly identical, and after 25 min of operation, the removal efficiency of both metals was ˃99%. The final concentrations of Cu2+ and Ni2+ in the circulating concentrate were 1,000 and 1,200 mg/L with recovery rates of 90.7% and 90.2%, respectively. Thus, it was suggested that electrodialysis could effectively treat electroplating wastewater and recover ˃90% of the metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study evaluated nutrient removal efficiency, algae productivity, and economic feasibility related to cultivation of the filamentous algae, Hydrodictyon reticulatum, in a pilot plant-scale raceway pond with underwater light. Following the installation of an underwater light device, removal efficiencies of T-N and T-P increased by 11.0% and 12.3%, respectively. The productivity of algae also increased by 133.8% to 5.81 g/m2∙d. Installation of the underwater light device increased the wastewater treatment capacity by over 3 times in the same area and enabled the removal of nutrients by over 3.5 times and removal of carbon dioxide by an additional 39 tons/yr. Estimates indicated that the cost of wastewater treatment and nutrient removal was reduced by more than 67%, while the production cost of H. reticulatum was reduced by 18% or more. Therefore, underwater light may solve issues related to the need for large sites in existing raceway ponds and enhance the economic efficiency by improving nutrient removal efficiency and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist against docetaxel-induced gonadotoxicity in a mouse model. Forty mice (female B6, 6–8 weeks old, weighing 16–18 g) were divided randomly into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 were treated with a single intraperitoneal dose of 0.1 mL normal saline; Groups 3 and 4 received 30 mg/kg docetaxel. Groups 2 and 4 were pre-treated with a subcutaneous injection of 0.3 mg leuprolide acetate, 2 weeks before the administration of docetaxel. The ovaries were removed 6 weeks after docetaxel or saline injection. Total follicle number decreased in Group 3 compared to Group 1. There was a significant difference between the Groups 3 and 4 in the total follicle number. Many ovarian follicles were stained for Ki-67 in Groups 1, 2, and 4; however, in Group 3, only a small number were stained and destruction of the ovarian structure was observed. There was no immunohistochemistry staining with γ-H2AX in Groups 1, 2, and 4. However, γ-H2AX staining of the primordial follicles was observed in Group 3. GnRH agonists may protect ovarian follicles from docetaxel-induced ovarian damage considering the total follicle number, follicle proliferation, and double-strand DNA breaks.Impact statementProtection of the ovarian reserve and prevention of infertility are the primary quality of life issues in young cancer patients. In this study, ovarian suppression by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists protected ovarian follicles from docetaxel-induced ovarian damage considering the total follicle number, follicle proliferation, and double-strand DNA break.The findings of our study will provide useful information for fertility preservation in women with cancer, undergoing chemotherapy with docetaxel. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Many investigators have screened drugs and foods for the enhancement of endurance capacity and antifatigue. Mistletoe, a semiparasitic plant on various deciduous trees, has many known biological activities, including anticancer, anti-diabetes, antioxidant, and anti-cardiovascular disease effects. In a previous study, Korean mistletoe extract (KME) was reported to increase endurance capacity in mice. However, whether the administration of KME further enhances exercise performance, when combined with exercise training, was not investigated. In this study, we demonstrate that the administration of KME decreases the level of plasma lactate dehydrogenase, parameter of tissue damage and muscle fatigue when combined with exercise training. Exercise training increases the muscular glycogen and plasma free fatty acid (FFA) level, and KME administration in sedentary mouse group increases the plasma FFA level, indicating that KME administration alters the energy resources in muscle. In addition, KME administration enhances the exercise performance in sedentary mouse group, but did not further enhance exercise performance when combined with exercise training, suggesting that KME could be an excellent mimetic of exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 45-year-old obese woman presented with irregular uterine bleeding, with a history of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Topics discussed include identification of grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma with endometrial biopsy, scalp metastasis from endometrial carcinoma, and successful treatment with taxol-carboplatin chemotherapy.