Aurora magazine

For those suffering from endometriosis, natural conception can be very difficult. On the other hand, in vitro fertilization can be a valid help and increase the chances of becoming a mother. But we must take into account some important factors, so as not to aggravate the conditions of the aspiring mother.

According to Dr. Mark Surrey, introducing hormones into the body can affect the course of the disease. Hormone therapies for IVF, in fact, tend to increase estrogen levels. If carried out for a long time, the therapies can make endometriosis worse and damage health and fertility.

It must be the doctor's care to make sure that any change in the body is not worse. So, before beginning ovarian stimulation, it is necessary to act on endometriosis. This increases the chances of conceiving and safeguarding the health of women.

Several studies have proven the usefulness of performing a laparoscopy before in vitro fertilization. The operation involves removing the excess endometrium, eliminating the cysts that hinder conception. Once the necessary recovery time has elapsed, the organism is ready for in vitro fertilization cycles.

In case it is not possible to perform laparoscopy, we need to act on the modalities of ovarian stimulation. Ganirelix or Cetrotide prevents premature ovulation and leaves the follicles time to develop. Dr. Tomer Singer also recommends constant monitoring of endometrial conditions. In case of need, it acts on estrogen levels in order to reduce pain and preserve the quality of the oocytes.

Source: endofound.org

Psychiatrist Michael Silverman led a study on gestational diabetes and depression. This was the largest study ever conducted in this regard, with over 700,000 pregnancies analyzed. According to the data, gestational diabetes alone would increase the risk of postpartum depression by 70%. In women who have already suffered from depression, the chances are 20 times higher than normal.

From 1997 to 2008, Silverman analyzed over 700,000 first pregnancies. Among these emerged about 4,400 cases of postpartum depression, then within one year of giving birth. The new mothers who had already suffered from the disease proved to be more at risk. The same for women over 35 who have had 25% more cases of depression. However, one of the major risk factors has been shown to be gestational diabetes.

Among women with gestational diabetes, Silverman identified 70% of the cases in more than postpartum depression. Regardless of the presence or not of other risk factors, therefore, gestational diabetes weighs heavily on the psychophysical health of the new mother. However, the link between the two diseases has still unknown causes.

According to the researcher, the common cause could be inflammation. Indeed, some studies have proven the link between inflammatory cytokines and depression. These same cytokines are also linked to diabetes. Gestational diabetes, therefore, would not be the cause of depression. Rather, the two diseases would be related to the same phenomenon.

Source: corriere.it

A study by the CNR of Rome describes Jazz-Zif1, the artificial gene that could fight Duchenne's syndrome. The new gene increases the levels of utrophin and corrects the lack or absence of dystrophin. In this way it works against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and relieves its symptoms.

Duchenne is caused by the lack of a protein, dystrophin. This leads to the progressive degeneration of muscle tissue and thus making motor skills. According to some studies, utrophin would be able to replace dystrophin, at least in the main functions. Injections of the protein have in fact improved the conditions of animal models affected by the disease. How to make the effects permanent?

The team of Rome has developed an artificial regulator gene, able to increase the production of utrophin. Jazz-Zif1 is almost identical to a natural gene, which should zero the host's immune response. Once injected into the body, then, the gene would be able to camouflage itself and regulate protein levels without external interventions.

To make the artificial gene as natural as possible, the researchers used a viral vector. AAV ensures that the gene has excellent specificity and leaves the muscle district to direct gene expression. In this way it lowers the risk of immune reactions in response to Jazz-Zif1.

Researchers studied the action of Jazz-Zif1 on adult mice with dystrophy. According to the first results, the treatment induced a good muscle recovery. In particular, it has proved beneficial for neuromuscular junctions, the areas in which utrophin is more present. It has in fact increased the quantity and quality, with benefits for the guinea pigs' health.

Further studies will be needed. This does not mean that in the long run this strategy could give rise to new treatments against Duchenne syndrome.

Source: lescienze.it

Genetic tests for Lynch syndrome could save thousands of people. Unfortunately, the hospitals that perform them are still too few, at least in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 British hospitals are ignorant of official guidelines.

Those suffering from Lynch's syndrome have 80% more chance of developing bowel cancer. The genetic anomaly makes standard therapies less effective and therefore requires more energetic treatments. For this reason, British hospitals should carry out a genetic test to all those diagnosed with bowel cancer. In fact, in most cases this does not happen.

It is estimated that there are 175,000 carriers of the Lynch syndrome gene in the United Kingdom. Many of these do not know this and, in the case of cancer, they risk wasting time on unnecessary treatments. The genetic test would allow to identify the anomaly in the early stages of the tumor and to act accordingly.

The Bowel Cancer UK Association investigated how many hospitals follow the guidelines set up by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. According to the data collected, 83% of the facilities do not carry out genetic tests for Lynch syndrome where it is needed. A very serious fact, considering that only 5% of people with Lynch syndrome are aware of it.

According to the study, in 91% of cases the lack is due to the absence of funds. In second place there is the absence of qualified staff, followed by the lack of knowledge of the guidelines.

Source: telegraph.co.uk