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Theriogenology 2018 Dec 4;126:75-80. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, PR China. Electronic address:

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) are important breeding techniques for livestock. High-quality MII oocytes produced from in vitro maturation (IVM) are required for the two techniques listed above. The ovaries used for IVM operations are primarily acquired from commercial abattoirs, and the pathogen status of slaughtered animals becomes an unavoidable issue. Read More

Genesis 2018 Dec 10:e23269. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.

Investigation of Drosophila oogenesis provides the opportunity to understand conservative genetic mechanisms underlying fertile female gamete development. In this work, we showed that the Drosophila DNA-binding protein GAGA factor (GAF) had a multifunctional role in oogenesis and it is involved in the regulation of this process genetic program. We studied the influence on Drosophila oogenesis of a number of mutations in the 5' region of the Trl gene that encodes GAF. Read More

Mol Reprod Dev 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Department of Pharmacology, , Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.

The number of antral follicles counted by ultrasound (AFC) is associated with fertility in cattle. Cows with higher follicle count (HFC) have higher performance in reproductive-assisted technologies than cows with lower follicle count (LFC). In this study, we aimed to define the preantral follicle count by histology and to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using a microarray in Nelore and Angus heifers with HFC and LFC. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China.

Objective: To investigate the role of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad3 signaling pathway in development of ovarian follicle by promoting apoptosis of granulosa cells in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: A total of 54 female rats were obtained and randomly assigned into the PCOS (n = 27) and control groups ( n = 27). PCOS rat models were constructed using the dehydroepi-androsterone method to observe ovarian morphology and ultrastructure. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica-SERGAS, CIBERER, IDIS, Grupo de Medicina Xenómica-Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de CompostelaSpain.

Ichthyosis prematurity syndrome (IPS), or ichthyosis congenita type IV, is a rare syndromic form of autosomic recessive ichthyosis caused by mutations in fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4), also known as SLC27A4. Patients with a disrupted FATP4 gene are usually born prematurely with thick desquamating skin and other complications, such as neonatal asphyxia, eosinophilia and elevated serum immunoglobulin E levels. Symptoms become less severe after the first months of life, evolving to non-scaly ichthyosis with follicular hyperkeratosis in adulthood (1, 2). Read More

Head Neck 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Surgery, Thyroid Cancer Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Recent guidelines advocate unilateral thyroidectomy for low-risk 1-cm to 4-cm differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). This study was designed to examine the association between the extent of thyroidectomy and oncologic outcomes in patients with 1-cm to 4-cm DTC.

Materials And Methods: From April 1978 to December 2011, 16 057 patients with DTC underwent thyroidectomy at Yonsei University Hospital. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018 Nov;22(22):7877-7882

Jinan Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China.

Objective: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder in gynecological practice. Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and ovarian granular stem cell factor (SCF) participate in the occurrence and progression of PCOS. This study aimed to investigate the expression of AMH and SCF in PCOS patients and attempt to analyze the effect of AMH on SCF. Read More

Eur J Nutr 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France.

Purpose: Coffee and tea constituents have shown several anti-carcinogenic activities in cellular and animal studies, including against thyroid cancer (TC). However, epidemiological evidence is still limited and inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this association in a large prospective study. Read More

Rom J Morphol Embryol 2018 ;59(3):721-727

Department of Morphofunctional Sciences I, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iaşi, Romania;

The molecular structure of E-cadherin and its function are intimately related to β-catenin, their interactions ensuring the cell morphology and stability. Alterations of E-cadherin-β-catenin complex facilitate the tumor growth and spreading in the carcinogenic mechanism. We aimed to assess the E-cadherin and β-catenin immunoexpressions in different variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and the relationship of these markers with the clinicopathological prognostic factors. Read More

Case Rep Endocrinol 2018 11;2018:7842792. Epub 2018 Nov 11.

Department of Surgery, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.

The occurrence of renal tumors originating from thyroid cancer is extremely rare with a few effective treatments for renal metastases. Here, we report the cases of two patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who underwent nephrectomy for a metastatic kidney tumor. Case 1 was a 74-year-old man who was diagnosed with right kidney tumor 10 years after initial surgery for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Read More

Cell Death Discov 2018 5;4:112. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

1Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via Port'Arsa 11, 82100 Benevento, Italy.

The progressive and physiological decline in ovarian function depends on the rate of follicular loss by atresia, contributing to the reduction in ovarian reserve. Genetics and environmental factors play important roles in ovarian senescence and in the onset of ovarian dysfunctions such as diminished ovarian reserve. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying ovarian aging and their regulation by genetic and environmental factors is needed to evaluate ovarian reserve and to predict fertility potential by identification of more accurate and less invasive markers. Read More

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2018 Dec 11;2018. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, UK.

Pituitary adenomas can be classified as functioning or non-functioning adenomas. Approximately 64% of clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas are found to be gonadotroph adenomas on immunohistochemistry. There are reported cases of gonadotroph adenomas causing clinical symptoms, but this is unusual. Read More

PLoS One 2018 7;13(12):e0208760. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocyte and Ovarian Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), Faculty of Veterinary (FAVET), State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.

The present study evaluated the effect of supplementing in vitro culture medium with J. insularis compared to FSH on isolated secondary follicles and in vitro maturation of oocytes from those follicles. Secondary follicles were isolated from sheep ovaries and individually cultured for 18 days in α-MEM+ (Control), α-MEM+ supplemented with 100 ng/mL recombinant bovine follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or with 0. Read More

J Vis Exp 2018 Nov 21(141). Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School; Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School;

In the gut mucosa, immune cells constitute a unique immunological entity, which promotes immune tolerance while concurrently conferring immune defense against pathogens. It is well established that Peyer's patches (PPs) have an essential role in the mucosal immune network by hosting several effector T and B cell subsets. A certain fraction of these effector cells, follicular T helper (TFH) and germinal center (GC) B cells are professionalized in the regulation of humoral immunity. Read More

Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Objectives: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been used for the diagnosis of indeterminate results in fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules. However, the role of IHC in core needle biopsy (CNB) is not clear and the efficacy of testing for molecular markers following CNB has not been evaluated. The aim of this study is to compare the role of IHC staining in CNB with that in FNA when examining thyroid nodules and to compare the sensitivity and usefulness of different molecular markers. Read More

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Section of Dermatopathology, Division of Surgical Pathology-Cytopathology, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA.

Basaloid tumors of the skin pose a diagnostic challenge to pathologists, because the differential diagnosis is broad, sometimes with subtle differentiating features. We evaluated SOX10 expression in 120 primary cutaneous tumors with epidermal, sweat glandular, neuroendocrine/neuroectodermal, follicular, and sebaceous lineages. Our findings were compared with those of previous studies that evaluated SOX10 in tumors of the skin. Read More

Aging (Albany NY) 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

IVIRMA New Jersey, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA.

An algorithm assessing the methylation levels of 353 informative CpG sites in the human genome permits accurate prediction of the chronologic age of a subject. Interestingly, when there is discrepancy between the predicted age and chronologic age (age acceleration or "AgeAccel"), patients are at risk for morbidity and mortality. Identification of infertile patients at risk for accelerated reproductive senescence may permit preventative action. Read More

G3 (Bethesda) 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Université de Strasbourg, CNRS

The small interfering RNA (siRNA) pathway is the main and best studied invertebrate antiviral response. Other poorly characterized protein based antiviral mechanisms also contribute to the control of viral replication in insects. In addition, it remains unclear whether tissue specific factors contribute to RNA and protein-based antiviral immunity mechanisms. Read More

Theriogenology 2018 Dec 3;126:68-74. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Universidade José do Rosário Vellano, Alfenas, MG, 37130-000, Brazil; Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, DF, 70770-901, Brazil. Electronic address:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of expression of LHCGR isoforms in Gir heifers characterized as good (10.3 ± 1.2 ova/embryos per flush, n = 5) or poor responders (1. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2018 Nov 5;232:101-105. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Department of Clinical Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: To compare the Follicular Output Rate (FORT) between corifollitropin alfa (CFA) and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS).

Study Design: This retrospective analysis compared FORT between women treated with CFA or rFSH from three clinical trials: ENGAGE (N = 1476; ages 18-36, >60 kg), ENSURE (N = 395; ages 18-36, ≤60 kg), and PURSUE (N = 1388; ages 35-42, ≥50 kg). Women underwent COS in a GnRH antagonist protocol followed by hCG trigger prior to IVF. Read More

Hum Pathol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

IPATIMUP, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; I3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty of Porto University, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address:

The recent description of noninvasive follicular tumor with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) creates several diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for both the pathologist and the attending clinician. Given the concern about overtreatment of these neoplasms, the best way to manage the patients by a surgical procedure and post-surgical follow-up is still under discussion. We aimed to identify predictors of synchronous disease (eg, bilateral cancers) that can influence the appropriate type of surgery and long-term surveillance. Read More

Environ Res 2018 Nov 16;169:396-408. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Reproductive Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box: 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.

This prospective study of 599 couples seeking fertility treatment and who were recruited between 2015 and 2017 was conducted to (a) explore the associations between phthalate exposure and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes; and (b) examine the implication of oxidative stress as a mediator of these. We measured eight phthalate metabolites in two spot urine samples; oxidative stress biomarkers such as malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, hydrogen peroxide, catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity in follicular fluid and seminal plasma. We also examined DNA damage in sperm and granulosa cells. Read More

J Autoimmun 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK. Electronic address:

The development of humoral autoimmunity following organ transplantation is increasingly recognised, but of uncertain significance. We examine whether autoimmunity contributes independently to allograft rejection. In a MHC class II-mismatched murine model of chronic humoral rejection, we report that effector antinuclear autoantibody responses were initiated upon graft-versus-host allorecognition of recipient B cells by donor CD4 T-cells transferred within heart allografts. Read More

Reprod Biomed Online 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Andrology Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.

Research Question: Can IVF outcomes be predicted from the steroid profile generated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) from follicular fluid collected from a single dominant follicle and serum after ovarian stimulation.

Design: Prospective observational cohort study in which serum and follicular fluid were collected from women and used to generate steroid profiles by LC-MS/MS. A total of 93 consecutive women enrolled for IVF treatment were recruited at the Fertility Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Women and Babies Hospital, Sydney between September 2014 and July 2015. Read More

Oral Oncol 2018 Dec 26;87:97-103. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the proposed changes in the eighth edition of the tumor-node-metastasis staging system (TNM-8) compared with the seventh edition (TNM-7) in terms of pathologic subtypes, using a large multicenter thyroid cancer cohort.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 7717 patients with papillary (PTC) and 273 with follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) who underwent thyroid surgery between 1996 and 2005. We assessed the proportion of variation explained (PVE) to compare the predictive accuracy of disease-specific survival (DSS). Read More

Thyroid 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Université libre de Bruxelles 1070 bBruxelles, Histology - CP 620 , 808 route de Lennik , Brussels, Belgium , 1070 ;

Background: The intrafollicular space of thyroid follicles is the storage compartment for thyroid hormones. Its pH has been established at around 7.6 at least after thyrotropin (TSH) stimulation. Read More

J Agric Food Chem 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Organophosphorus insecticide diazinon (DZN) is diffusely used in agriculture, home gardening and crop peats. Much work so far has focused on the link between DZN exposure and the occurrence of neurological diseases, while, it is little-known that reproductive toxicological assessment on DZN exposure. This research aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of toxic hazard for DZN exposure on the cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Read More

Domest Anim Endocrinol 2018 Nov 3;67:1-10. Epub 2018 Nov 3.

Department of Morphology and Function, CIISA- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.

Prostaglandin E (PGE) has contradictory effects in many organs. It may have proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, or anti-fibrotic roles, depending on the type of receptors to which it binds. By signaling through its receptors EP2 and EP4, PGE mediates anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic actions. Read More

J Clin Invest 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Both natural influenza infection and current seasonal influenza vaccines primarily induce neutralising antibody responses against highly diverse epitopes within the "head" of the viral hemagglutinin (HA) protein. There is increasing interest on redirecting immunity towards the more conserved HA-stem or stalk as a means to broaden protective antibody responses. Here we examined HA-stem-specific B cell and T-follicular helper (Tfh) cell responses in the context of influenza infection and immunisation in mouse and monkey models. Read More

J Assoc Genet Technol 2018 ;44(4):141-145

Allina Health, Minneapolis, MN.

Objectives: Double-hit lymphomas represent 5% of cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL). They are currently recognized as highgrade B-cell lymphomas (HGBCL) with rearrangements of MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 by the 2016 WHO classification. One of these rearrangements is the translocation of the BCL2 gene (18q21. Read More

Zoolog Sci 2018 Dec;35(6):553-563

4 Biology Institute, State University of Campinas. Monteiro Lobato st., 255 - Cidade Universitária, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil.

The follicular development and reproductive characteristics of four species of oviparous lizards in the Tropidurus torquatus group were anatomically and histologically evaluated. We measured specimens, recorded the number of follicles and eggs, and removed the right ovary of each individual, which we processed according to histological routine and photo-documented. For all species, ovaries were divided into a cortical germinal bed, where oogonia and stage I oocytes are located, and a medullar stroma, where the remaining follicular developmental stages occur. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), known as a common endocrine disorder among females, plagues many PCOS patients. The current study aimed to explore the correlations of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) polymorphisms with the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in PCOS patients. PCOS patients who underwent IVF-ET and patients with non-PCOS-related infertility were selected in the study. Read More

Br J Haematol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Division of Oncology & Hematology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.

Relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) often carry poor prognosis and pose management challenges. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of dasatinib, a broad-spectrum multi-kinase inhibitor in relapsed/refractory NHL with correlative genomic analysis in a Phase I/II trial. The study included 33 patients with various sub-types of NHL who had received at least one prior therapy. Read More

Endocrine 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Service of Clinical Pathology, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Background: Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology has proposed to discriminate the cancer prevalence of high (Tir 3B) vs. low (Tir 3A) risk indeterminate nodules. To obtain more robust evidence on this topic, we performed a meta-analysis of the Odds Ratio (OR) of malignancy of Tir 3B vs. Read More

Blood Adv 2018 Dec;2(23):3462-3478

Laboratory of Complement Biology and.

The intraerythrocytic parasite is the number 1 cause of transfusion-transmitted infection and can induce serious, often life-threatening complications in immunocompromised individuals including transfusion-dependent patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Despite the existence of strong long-lasting immunological protection against a second infection in mouse models, little is known about the cell types or the kinetics of protective adaptive immunity mounted following infection, especially in infection-prone SCD that are thought to have an impaired immune system. Here, we show, using a mouse infection model, that infected wild-type (WT) mice mount a very strong adaptive immune response, characterized by (1) coordinated induction of a robust germinal center (GC) reaction; (2) development of follicular helper T (T) cells that comprise ∼30% of splenic CD4 T cells at peak expansion by 10 days postinfection; and (3) high levels of effector T-cell cytokines, including interleukin 21 and interferon γ, with an increase in the secretion of antigen (Ag)-specific antibodies (Abs). Read More

Lancet Oncol 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.

Background: Axicabtagene ciloleucel is an autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. In the previous analysis of the ZUMA-1 registrational study, with a median follow-up of 15·4 months (IQR 13·7-17·3), 89 (82%) of 108 assessable patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel achieved an objective response, and complete responses were noted in 63 (58%) patients. Here we report long-term activity and safety outcomes of the ZUMA-1 study. Read More

Syst Biol Reprod Med 2018 Dec 3:1-14. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

a Department of Biology , College of Science, King Khalid University , Abha , Saudi Arabia.

This study aimed to investigate the protective role of resveratrol (RES) against cisplatin (Cis)-induced testicular damage and reproductive dysfunction in rats and to examine the underlying mechanisms of protection including its effect on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, P53, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2, stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), and Protein kinase B (Akt) signaling. Eight-week-old Rats were divided into four groups (n = 12 each) of 1) control group: received normal saline (i.p. Read More

Fish Physiol Biochem 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 682022, India.

In the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis, three vasotocin (VT) receptor subtype genes, v1a1, v1a2, and v2a, were cloned and characterized previously. In the present study, using RNA probes, we localized the distribution of the gene transcripts in the brain-pituitary-gonadal (BPG) axis. The V1a-type receptor, v1a1 and v1a2, genes showed similar and overlapping distribution in the brain. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 16;9:2516. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.

Red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization represents a significant immunological challenge for some patients. While a variety of immune constituents likely contribute to the initiation and orchestration of alloantibodies to RBC antigens, identification of key immune factors that initiate alloantibody formation may aid in the development of a therapeutic modality to minimize or prevent this process. To define the immune factors that may be important in driving alloimmunization to an RBC antigen, we determined the specific immune compartment and distinct cells that may initially engage transfused RBCs and facilitate subsequent alloimmunization. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2018 Nov-Dec;63(6):490-495

Department of Dermatology, Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala, India.

Background: The incidence of dermatophytosis is increasing over the last few years and there are many cases which are recurrent and chronic.

Aim: The aim was to study the host and pathogen factors in dermatophytosis, to identify the species responsible, and to study the histopathological features of chronic dermatophytosis.

Materials And Methods: It was a descriptive study conducted in the Department of Dermatology for a period of 1 year and all patients who were clinically diagnosed as dermatophytosis were included. Read More

J Pak Med Assoc 2018 Dec;68(12):1769-1781

The Department of Gynecology, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.

Objective: To assess the difference in the metabolomics profiles of follicular fluid between older and younger reproductive-aged women.

Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at the Centre of Reproduction and Genetics, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China and comprised patient data related to the period between July and October 2015. Follicular fluid was obtained from male-factor infertility women aged 28-35 years as the younger group A, and those aged 35-42 years as the older group B. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Nov 30;8(1):17467. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Fluctuations of the sex steroids during the menstrual cycle might significantly influence hemostasis. This association, derived from a number of the observations on healthy women, is yet to be described in females affected by bleeding disorders. The aim of the current study was to assess the changes in hemostatic variables in women with vWD during two phases of the menstrual cycle (follicular and luteal) and to compare it with healthy controls. Read More

Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program 2018 Nov;2018(1):194-199

Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) remains a lymphoma subtype that is remarkably sensitive to immunotherapy-based treatment strategies. Anti-CD20 antibody therapy administered as a single agent and in combination as a first-line treatment and at relapse continues to be the most broadly used therapy for this disease. Autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation provide meaningful durable remissions for patients with FL. Read More

Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program 2018 Nov;2018(1):189-193

Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an incurable but treatable disease with vast treatment options. Despite the abundance of efficacious treatment modalities, there is no universally agreed upon standard approach to treatment, particularly in the relapsed/refractory setting. There is an increasing need for more robust and clinically available tools to risk-stratify patients and identify those likely to experience early relapse, which is currently recognized as the unmet need in FL. Read More

Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program 2018 Nov;2018(1):185-188

Department of Hematology and Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

The initial approach to the management of follicular lymphoma (FL) is challenging for patients and physicians. Most FL patients present with minimal symptoms; given the lack of a survival benefit to early treatment in this population, a period of observation without therapy is often appropriate. Once there is disease progression beyond low-tumor-burden criteria or symptoms prompting intervention, patients may be considered for an array of potential treatment options. Read More

Sci Immunol 2018 Nov;3(29)

Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.

Protective antibody responses to vaccination or infection depend on affinity maturation, a process by which high-affinity germinal center (GC) B cells are selected on the basis of their ability to bind, gather, and present antigen to T follicular helper (T) cells. Here, we show that human GC B cells have intrinsically higher-affinity thresholds for both B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling and antigen gathering as compared with naïve B cells and that these functions are mediated by distinct cellular structures and pathways that ultimately lead to antigen affinity- and T cell-dependent differentiation to plasma cells. GC B cells bound antigen through highly dynamic, actin- and ezrin-rich pod-like structures that concentrated BCRs. Read More

Reprod Biomed Online 2018 Nov 23. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.13 Hang Kong Road, Wuhan Hubei 430030, China; Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.

Research Question: Is humanin present in the human ovary and follicular fluid? What relationship exists between humanin concentration in the follicular fluid and ovarian reserve and clinical outcomes after IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)?

Design: Follicular fluid samples were collected from 179 patients undergoing their first IVF or ICSI cycle during oocyte retrieval. Ovarian tissues were collected from two patients undergoing surgery for ovarian cysts. Ovarian humanin localization was analysed using immunofluorescence staining. Read More

Fertil Steril 2018 Dec;110(7):1298-1310

Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Objective: To study the effect of aging and granulosa cell growth hormone receptor (GHR) expression, and the effect of growth hormone (GH) co-treatment during IVF on receptor expression.

Design: Laboratory study.

Setting: University. Read More

Trends Immunol 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Immunology Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address:

Subcapsular sinus (SCS) macrophages are strategically positioned at the lymph-tissue interface in the lymph node to trap and present antigen to B cells. Recent murine data has shown that SCS macrophages also prevent the systemic spread of lymph-borne pathogens and are capable of activating a diverse range of innate effector and adaptive memory cells, including follicular memory T cells and memory B cells (B), that are either pre-positioned or rapidly recruited to the subcapsular niche following infection and inflammation. Furthermore, B are rapidly reactivated to differentiate into plasma cells in subcapsular proliferative foci (SPF). Read More

J Comp Eff Res 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ 07936, USA.

Aim: Quantify hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) costs in German patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL).

Methods: The primary outcome was direct and indirect costs in patients with ALL/DLBCL/FL who received HSCT between 2010 and 2014. Costs were evaluated two to four quarters before to eight quarters after HSCT. Read More