Browsing by Author "Kushawaha, Bhawna"

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    Harnessing Microbiome, Bacterial Extracellular Vesicle, and Artificial Intelligence for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosis and Management
    (MDPI, 2025-06-07) Kushawaha, Bhawna; Rem, Tial T.; Pelosi, Emanuele; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine
    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 6-19% of reproductive-age women worldwide, yet diagnosis remains challenging due to heterogeneous presentations and symptoms overlapping with other endocrine disorders. Recent studies have shown that gut dysbiosis plays a significant role in PCOS pathophysiology, with bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) functioning as critical mediators of the gut-ovary axis. BEVs carry distinct cargos in PCOS patients-including specific miRNAs and inflammatory proteins-and show promise for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a promising significant tool in PCOS research due to improved diagnostic accuracy and the capability to analyze complex datasets combining microbiome, BEV, and clinical parameters. These integrated approaches have the potential to better address PCOS multifactorial nature, enabling improved phenotypic classification and personalized treatment strategies. This review examines recent advances in the last 25 years in microbiome, BEV, and AI applications in PCOS research using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. We explore the diagnostic potential of the AI-driven analysis of microbiome and BEV profiles, and address ethical considerations including data privacy and algorithmic bias. As these technologies continue to evolve, they hold increasing potential for the improvement of PCOS diagnosis and management, including the development of safer, more precise, and effective interventions.
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    Spotlight on Proteases: Roles in Ovarian Health and Disease
    (MDPI, 2025-06-18) Kushawaha, Bhawna; Pelosi, Emanuele; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine
    Proteases play crucial roles in ovarian folliculogenesis, regulating several processes from primordial follicle activation to ovulation and corpus luteum formation. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the diverse functions of proteases in ovarian physiology and pathology. We discuss the classification and regulation of proteases, highlighting their importance in extracellular matrix remodeling, cell signaling, and apoptosis during ovarian follicular development. We explore the roles of several proteases including matrix metalloproteinases, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, the plasminogen activator system, and cathepsins, and their roles in the critical functions of ovarian biology including follicle dynamics and senescence. Furthermore, we address the involvement of proteases in ovarian pathologies, including cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, and primary ovarian insufficiency. By integrating recent findings from clinical genomics and animal models, this review provides a comprehensive overview of protease functions in the ovary, emphasizing their potential use for therapeutic interventions in reproductive medicine.