BMC Women's Health最新文献

{"title":"Dealing with lipoedema: women's experiences of healthcare, self-care, and treatments-a mixed-methods study.","authors":"Johanna Falck, Annette Nygårdh, Bo Rolander, Lise-Lotte Jonasson, Jan Mårtensson","doi":"10.1186/s12905-025-03707-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03707-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lipoedema is a loose connective tissue disease primarily affecting women characterized by an abnormal build-up of painful fat in the legs and arms. In healthcare, lipoedema is often confused with obesity, and today, diagnostic tools and standardized guidelines for adequate treatments are lacking. Still, research on how affected women manage their health problems and whether they are satisfied with their care remains sparse. Therefore, this study aimed to contribute knowledge on healthcare experiences, and their use and self-reported effects of self-care and treatments among women with lipoedema.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This national study, with a mixed-methods design, involved 245 women with lipoedema, recruited from all Lipoedema Association groups across Sweden. Data were collected between June and September 2021 through an online survey that included closed- and open-ended questions on self-care, lipoedema treatment, patient satisfaction, and healthcare experiences. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed a delay in diagnosis spanning decades, often preceded by numerous healthcare visits. Many women attempted to cope with their health problems using various self-care approaches. However, lipoedema treatments performed by healthcare providers were deemed the most effective. Overall, the women reported significantly low satisfaction with healthcare. The lowest score, 48 points out of 100, was found in the overall impression of offered care, reflecting perceived inefficiency and unmet expectations. Compared to a general Swedish female population, the most significant gaps were found in the dimensions of information and knowledge, and emotional support, 22 and 25 points lower, respectively. The women described their experiences in healthcare as a challenging and isolated journey. Four themes were generated: A lonely and demanding journey in the healthcare system; An uncertainty of and inconsistency in available healthcare; A burden of being unheard and disrespected in healthcare; and The impact of lack of knowledge in healthcare.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Seeking care for lipoedema is a long and burdensome journey with limited access to tailored care. Many women make significant efforts to manage their health problems independently. This emphasizes a need for timely lipoedema diagnosis, improved support, and better access to effective treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":9204,"journal":{"name":"BMC Women's Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"171"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11987423/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143954387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptom progression and treatment satisfaction from the patients' perspective.","authors":"Emily J Sanchez, Jessica Chen, Isain Zapata, Benjamin D Brooks","doi":"10.1186/s12905-025-03716-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03716-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition where pelvic organs descend into the vaginal canal due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. Nearly 50% of women will develop some degree of POP, with incidence peaking at ages 50-54 and 65-69. This study aims to identify early symptoms of POP and assess their progression, improvement, or regression from the patient's subjective perspective. This study also aims to understand patient satisfaction as it relates to treatment modalities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An exploratory cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst participants with a POP diagnosis that were over the age of eighteen and lived within the United States.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 158 participants, the feeling of a bulge (mean severity 6.62 reduced to 3.48), back pain (5.49 to 3.51), and constipation (5.56 to 3.91) showed the greatest improvement after surgical and non-surgical treatments for POP. Other common pelvic floor symptoms, including stress urinary incontinence (4.33 to 2.88), fecal incontinence (3.02 to 2.08), and dyspareunia (4.30 to 3.59), showed minimal improvement, while pelvic pain (4.73 to 4.00) and urinary retention (3.55 to 3.44) remained largely unchanged. Non-surgical treatments had lower satisfaction scores as compared to physical therapy and pessary usage. Surgical treatments such as posterior vaginal repair (7.02), anterior bladder repair (6.69), and vaginal vault sacrocolpopexy (7.45) showed higher satisfaction ratings.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings highlight the critical need for understanding symptom progression and regression as told from the patient's perspective. While data analysis shows resolution of some symptoms, the persistence of others post-treatment suggests that current treatment protocols may not fully address all aspects of POP effectively or may be unrelated.</p>","PeriodicalId":9204,"journal":{"name":"BMC Women's Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"173"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11987304/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143980850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined Pharmacological and surgical treatments for recurrent chemical peritonitis due to rupture of a bilateral mature cystic teratoma: a case report.","authors":"Sho Kudo, Hideaki Tsuyoshi, Kino Tsuji, Yoshiaki Tanaka, Makoto Orisaka, Yoshio Yoshida","doi":"10.1186/s12905-025-03719-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03719-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mature cystic teratomas, a common type of benign ovarian tumors, are associated with complications such as twisting and tumor rupture; Rupture can cause severe chemical peritonitis, and no management policy has been established for the intraoperative and postoperative periods. Although peritoneal lavage and reoperation have been reported, the optimal treatment approach remains undetermined.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 30-year-old woman (gravida 0, para 0, and no sexual history) presented with abdominal pain and fever. Blood examination revealed high levels of WBC 9200/µL and CRP 23.7 mg/dL, although hemoglobin was normal. Serum tumor marker levels were also elevated (CA125 58.5 U/mL, CA19-9 36117 U/mL). Abdominal computed tomography revealed bilateral ovarian tumors (92 and 68 mm in the right and left ovaries, respectively). Each tumor cavity had calcification with increased fatty tissue density. We performed laparoscopic surgery for suspected diagnosis of torsion or rupture of a mature cystic teratoma. Intraoperative findings showed spontaneous rupture followed by chemical peritonitis. Therefore, we performed removal of the bilateral adnexal tumors and peritoneal lavage with 3000 mL warm saline to remove fatty components from the abdominal cavity. We also inserted an intra-abdominal drain to remove the residual fatty components. Amoxicillin was also administered for 10 days after surgery. The inflammatory response decreased, and the fever diminished 1 day postoperatively. The patient was discharged on the 10th postoperative day. However, on the 20th postoperative day, the fever and abdominal pain recurred. WBC 16,700/µL, CRP 26.46 mg/dL and tumor marker (CA125 172.3 U/mL, CA19-9 225.2 U/mL) levels were high. Intravenous administration of Prophylactic antibiotics was initiated. As no bacteria were detected in the blood cultures, we started oral prednisolone (5 mg/day) to treat the recurrent chemical peritonitis-induced inflammation. The blood test results and symptoms gradually improved. The patient was discharged on the 37th postoperative day.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To date, no systematic review has focused on determining the treatment strategy for bilateral rupture of mature cystic teratomas and severe refractory chemical peritonitis. Treating the patient with laparoscopic surgery at the first occurrence and oral steroids for peritonitis recurrence can help avoid highly invasive treatments, such as reoperation or laparotomy.</p>","PeriodicalId":9204,"journal":{"name":"BMC Women's Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"172"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11987357/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143975624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcriptomics and proteomics reveal associations between myometrium and intrauterine adhesions.","authors":"Xiaotong Xu, Kaixuan Guo, Peng Zhao, Xuemei Zhang, Pan Zhao, Xianghang Sun, Mingle Zhang, Yanpeng Tian, Li Fen, Jiahua Zheng, Xianghua Huang","doi":"10.1186/s12905-025-03661-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03661-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) is a gynecological condition with a poor therapeutic prognosis, that severely threatens the fertility and the reproductive physiology and psychological health of women. Our previous research on the use of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) for treating IUAs revealed that CM-Dil-labelled HUCMSCs were barely distributed in the endometrial epithelium. Instead, these cells were predominantly found in the myometrium, with no statistically significant difference in distribution compared to the endometrial stromal cells. Therefore, we aimed to explore the associations between the myometrium and IUAs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eight patients with moderate and 5 severe lesional IUAs were included in the experimental group. The control group included 7 patients whose inner and outer myometrium were normal. We used H&E, Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemical staining to obtain the pathological features of the tissues. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were conducted to identify differentially expressed genes, proteins and enrichment pathways.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both IUAs lesion tissues expressed the smooth muscle markers α-SMA and H-caldesmon, and there was no significant difference between severe IUAs tissue and normal myometrium (p > 0.05). Transcriptomic and proteomic data revealed that genes and proteins involved in cell mitosis, such as KIF14, KIF4A, and CIT, were downregulated in both IUAs lesion tissues compared with the inner myometrium (p < 0.05). Additionally, some genes or proteins that participate in activating the complement-coagulation cascade system and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation also significantly differed (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Transcriptomic and proteomic data revealed a correlation between endometrial injury and the myometrium. These findings preliminarily revealed that the myometrium possibly contributes to the aetiology and progression of IUAs through dual mechanisms. On the one hand, the myometrium inhibits endometrial regeneration by suppressing the cell mitogenic pathway. On the other hand, it promotes fibrosis by activating the complement-coagulation cascade system and inhibiting the ECM degradation pathway. These new findings increase our understanding of the pathogenesis of IUAs and potentially contribute to the application of precision clinical treatment for IUAs.</p>","PeriodicalId":9204,"journal":{"name":"BMC Women's Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"170"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11987226/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143976055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gendered interpretations of the causes of breast cancer: a structured review of migrant studies.","authors":"Sasinya N Scott, Michelle L Lui, Lauren C Houghton","doi":"10.1186/s12905-025-03677-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03677-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide. Despite it having an etiology that has fixed, genetic as well as modifiable, environmental risk factors, the narrative around breast cancer prevention emphasizes gendered interpretations of the etiology, such as \"reproductive factors cause breast cancer\" and women should change their behaviors to reduce their risk. Since migrant studies can distinguish environmental from genetic risk factors, we conducted a structured review of migrant studies and assessed prominent cancer website resources to determine evidence of gender bias between breast and prostate cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched ten online databases for articles with migration as the exposure and breast cancer mortality and/or incidence as the outcome. We also searched using prostate cancer as the outcome to generate a comparison group. We developed rubrics to categorize the studies by study design (single, double, and time dimensional), convergence (a change in incidence or mortality for the migrant population), and concordance (consistency between results and author-attributed etiology). We used chi-square tests to test for differences by cancer type. We web-scraped four notable cancer websites to extract website layouts, risk factor information, and language describing breast cancer etiology and compared it to the content used for prostate cancer.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Of all 140 studies and 220 comparisons, breast (n = 131) outnumbered prostate cancer studies (n = 89; p-value = 0·005). For both cancers, studies that compared all three populations (the non-migrant, origin, and destination population outcomes) or measured length of stay demonstrated that cancer rates converged with migration. Most authors attributed breast cancer etiology to genetic and environmental factors. Yet, the migrant study results were inconsistent with public health messaging; all four websites framed breast cancer as more modifiable than prostate cancer.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Research efforts and public health messaging for breast cancer should consider gendered barriers to changing individual-level risk factors and develop more prevention strategies at the health systems level.</p>","PeriodicalId":9204,"journal":{"name":"BMC Women's Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"168"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11983770/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143966856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the relationship between MIND diet and postpartum depressive symptoms.","authors":"Mitra Javdan, Amir Bagheri, Jalal Moloudi, Salman Khazaee, Amir Saber","doi":"10.1186/s12905-025-03705-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03705-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Postpartum depressive symptoms (PPD) create negative and destructive changes in the mother's mood and disrupts the family atmosphere and raising the child in a healthy relationship with the mother. However, to date, no study has been found that investigated the relationship between the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet (Mind diet) and PPD in women. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between MIND diet and PPD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study was conducted on 214 women (2-8 weeks after childbirth) who were referred to comprehensive health service centers. Data were collected using Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), Beck, and semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires including 148 food items (FFQ). After collecting the data and scoring them, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and regression logistic analyses were done to determine the relationship between postpartum depressive symptoms and mind diet.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>According to the results, the prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms was 15.4%. In the adjusted model, the mean and standard deviation of postpartum depressive symptoms scores in the third tertile were significantly lower than the first one (P < 0.001). Moreover, the adjusted model of logistic regression analysis showed that the chance of postpartum depressive symptoms was significantly lower in those who had the more following MIND diet compared to those who had less following (OR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.006-0.37; P < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In conclusion, following the MIND diet was inversely associated with the likelihood of postpartum depressive symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":9204,"journal":{"name":"BMC Women's Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"166"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11980062/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143977026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intimate partner violence and post-migration stressors reported by refugee women accessing settlement services.","authors":"Jo Spangaro, Nigel Spence, Nicola Man, Jeannette Walsh, Jacqui Cameron, Kelsey Hegarty, Jane Koziol-McLain, Tadgh McMahon, Anthony Zwi, Chye Toole-Anstey, Astrid Perry-Indermau","doi":"10.1186/s12905-025-03698-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03698-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intimate partner violence (IPV) is highly prevalent globally, with increased risk for women in situations of conflict, post conflict and resettlement. The Safety and Health after Arrival (SAHAR) study tested IPV screening with women accessing settlement services in New South Wales, Australia, using the validated ACTS tool, along with brief response involving risk assessment, safety planning and referral. A three month follow-up telephone survey was administered to women who had attended four participating sites which delivered the intervention. The survey explored the nature of any IPV experienced, factors associated with disclosure, and responses provided to those who identified IPV. Data is reported on 316 women of whom 48 (15%) identified current IPV. For 45 women who responded to Composite Abuse Scale items, the most common forms of abuse were forced isolation from family/friends (56% 25/45), blame for abusive behaviour (53% 24/45), \"put downs\" (44% 20/45) and physical violence 38% (17/45). Psychological distress and post-migration stressors were significantly higher for women who disclosed IPV compared to those who did not. Length of residency in Australia and whether the screening occurred during the first or subsequent service visits, were not associated with the likelihood of disclosing IPV. The majority of women who disclosed reported the caseworker's response to be helpful and involved risk assessment, safety planning and referral. Screening and response to disclosure in settlement services provide opportunities to address abuse experienced by this group of women who are less likely to report experiences of abuse or use mainstream services.</p>","PeriodicalId":9204,"journal":{"name":"BMC Women's Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"167"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11980081/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143973388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review and meta-analysis of urinary incontinence following successful obstetric fistula repair: findings from five countries in sub-Saharan Africa.","authors":"Gedion Asnake Azeze, Kirubel Eshetu Haile, Natnael Atnafu Gebeyehu, Sintayehu Solomon Kena, Tewodros Getachew Tsegaye, Amanuel Yosef Gebrekidan, Yitateku Alelgn, Gizachew Ambaw Kassie, Yordanos Sisay Asgedom","doi":"10.1186/s12905-025-03701-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12905-025-03701-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obstetric vesico-vaginal fistula is a known complication that can occur following damage to the bladder wall during prolonged obstructed labor and operative delivery. Urinary incontinence following the repair of obstetric fistula remains a significant health problem and can greatly damage a women's ability to function confidently. There are approximately two million women suffering from urinary incontinence following obstetric fistula repair, most of whom are primarily in Africa.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aimed to systematically review and conduct meta-analysis on the magnitude of urinary incontinence among women following successful obstetric fistula repair in sub-Saharan African countries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We thoroughly searched online database including Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, Excerpta Medica Database, African Journals Online and Google Scholar for eligible articles from their inception to November 10, 2024. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 checklist. To generate pooled prevalence of urinary incontinence, we used random-effects model. The presence of publication bias was determined using a funnel plot and Egger's regression test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 1044 articles found following our initial search and after titles and abstracts review, we considered 277 full text articles for inclusion. Lastly, a total of 12 articles from five sub-Saharan African countries comprising 6,104 participants met the inclusion criteria for quantitative meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of urinary incontinence following obstetric fistula repair was 16.32% (95%CI: 11.80, 20.84; I2 = 96.5%, P < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion and implications: </strong>Overall, our findings show post-fistula repair incontinence remains an important clinical problem. Therefore, we believe that policy planners and researchers of sub-Saharan African nations may use the findings of the current study for evidence based care planning and patient counseling strategy.</p><p><strong>Registration: </strong>Registered in PROSPERO under protocol number CRD42023416541.</p>","PeriodicalId":9204,"journal":{"name":"BMC Women's Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"165"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11977948/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143810589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Silencing circRNA-ZFAND6 induces trophoblast apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial pathway through the miR-575/SOD2 axis in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion.","authors":"Wenting Wang, Linxiang Huang, Juan Lv, Zhijing Miao, Shuping Jin, Shan Li, Qing Cheng","doi":"10.1186/s12905-025-03682-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12905-025-03682-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) is a major problem in the field of human reproductive health. At present, several circRNAs have been reported to be differentially expressed and play an important biological function in pregnancy-related diseases. However, the role of circRNAs in URSA remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Levels of circRNA and miRNA were examined by RT-qPCR. The si-RNA and overexpression plasmid were respectively used to silence and overexpress circRNA-ZFAND6. We investigated the biological function of circRNA-ZFAND6 on trophoblasts through CCK8, EdU, Flow cytometric assay, Wound-healing assays and Transwell. Dual luciferase activity assay was conducted to identify the interaction between miR-575 and circRNA-ZFAND6.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We confirmed that circRNA-ZFAND6 was a stable circular RNA and was mostly localized in the cytoplasm. CircRNA-ZFAND6 was downregulated in placental villous tissues of URSA. CCK-8 and EdU assays showed that circRNA-ZFAND6 promoted the proliferation of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Flow cytometry and western blot assays prompted that circRNA-ZFAND6 obviously reduced cells apoptosis. Scratch wound healing and transwell assays revealed that circRNA-ZFAND6 had no effect on cell migration and invasion. CircRNA-ZFAND6 worked by adsorbing miR-575 through the ceRNA mechanism. MiR-575 can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of HTR8/SVneo cells. SOD2 was identified as a direct target of miR-575 and was associated with mitochondrial apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy, TMRM and ROS staining assays both suggested that circRNA-ZFAND6 affected mitochondrial apoptosis. Excessive trophoblast apoptosis was a key event to promote the development of URSA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CircRNA-ZFAND6, which is low expressed in URSA and regulates the apoptosis of trophoblast cells, may affect the expression of SOD2 and thus affect mitochondrial apoptosis by regulating miR-575. This is closely related to the occurrence of URSA.</p>","PeriodicalId":9204,"journal":{"name":"BMC Women's Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"164"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11977909/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143810590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gut microbiome in patients with early-stage and late-stage endometriosis.","authors":"Zhaoxia Cai, Ziwei Zhou, Sixia Huang, Song Ma, Yuying Chen, Yuzhen Cao, Ying Ma","doi":"10.1186/s12905-025-03689-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12905-025-03689-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory gynecological disease. Previous studies have explored relationships between endometriosis and the microbiota, but none have focused on differences in gut microbiota between early-stage and late-stage endometriosis patients or their connections to dysmenorrhea symptoms. This study compared gut microbiota compositions between early-stage and late-stage endometriosis patients using amplicon sequencing and further analyzed their dysmenorrhea symptoms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To minimize seasonal and dietary impacts, we recruited Guangdong residents hospitalized for surgery at Zhujiang Hospital. Participants underwent preoperative screening based on enrollment criteria and fecal samples were collected. Endometriosis was classified according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) staging system based on surgincal and pathological findings. Stage I-II cases were designated as early-stage endometriosis, and Stage III-IV as late-stage endometriosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 112 patient fecal samples were collected, with 75 (median age, 32 years [range, 18-49 years]) meeting the enrollment criteria, including 39 early-stage (32 Stage I and 7 Stage II) and 36 late-stage (16 Stage III and 20 Stage IV) patients. The gut microbiota structure and functions in early-stage patients significantly differed from those in late-stage cases. Dysmenorrhea was associated with specific microbial traits. Late-stage patients with dysmenorrhea displayed distinctly different gut profiles compared to other endometriosis groups. Bartonella, Snodgrassella, and other taxa were enriched in late-stage cases, while Bacteroides, and Prevotella were decreased.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The gut microbial community structure in early-stage endometriosis patients significantly differs from that in late-stage cases, with late-stage patients experiencing dysmenorrhea displaying particularly distinct gut profiles. Predicted functional analysis indicated suppressed steroid biosynthesis pathways in the gut of late-stage endometriosis patients. In conclusion, it is plausible that the multiple effects of steroids on the lower gastrointestinal tract may involve microbiota alterations, suggesting the need for further investigations.</p>","PeriodicalId":9204,"journal":{"name":"BMC Women's Health","volume":"25 1","pages":"163"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11974225/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143794590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}