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Saudi Med J 2018 Dec;39(12):1232-1237

Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Almadinah Al-munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail.

Objectives: To review and compare clinical practice and experience among pediatric surgeons (PS) and pediatric urologists (PU) for the management of testicular torsion (TT) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between August 2016 and November 2017, among all PU and PS involved in the management of suspected TT in KSA. A questionnaire was distributed to participants through the Survs. Read More

J Endocr Soc 2018 Dec 15;2(12):1345-1356. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

Context: Recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH), given to prepubertal boys with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), may induce Sertoli cell proliferation and thereby increase sperm-producing capacity later in life.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of r-hFSH, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and testosterone (T) in such patients.

Design And Setting: Retrospective review in three tertiary centers in Finland between 2006 and 2016. Read More

J Clin Pathol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Aims: To evaluate if a deep learning algorithm can be trained to identify tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in tissue samples of testicular germ cell tumours and to assess whether the TIL counts correlate with relapse status of the patient.

Methods: TILs were manually annotated in 259 tumour regions from 28 whole-slide images (WSIs) of H&E-stained tissue samples. A deep learning algorithm was trained on half of the regions and tested on the other half. Read More

Development 2018 Dec 5;145(23). Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University (WMU), Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan.

Previous studies have established that fetal Leydig cells (FLCs) and adult Leydig cells (ALCs) show distinct functional characteristics. However, the lineage relationship between FLCs and ALCs has not been clarified yet. Here, we reveal that a subset of FLCs dedifferentiate at fetal stages to give rise to ALCs at the pubertal stage. 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

J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2018 Dec.;19(12):948-959

Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.

Stress affects the male reproductive system and can cause sub-fertility or infertility. Although Phyllanthus emblica L. (PE) extract has been shown to have high antioxidant capacity and protective properties in damaged tissue, the preventive effects of PE extract on testicular function from stress-related impairment have never been demonstrated. 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

Sci Rep 2018 Nov 30;8(1):17514. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Systems BioMedicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan.

Sox9 plays critical roles in testis formation. By mapping four familial cases of disorders of sexual development, a 32.5 kb sequence located far upstream of SOX9 was previously identified as being a commonly deleted region and named the XY sex reversal region (XYSR). Read More

Toxicology 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Animal Physiology Division, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bengaluru 560030, India.

Arsenic (As) - induced oxidative stress causes male reproductive toxicity apart from its other generalized systemic effects. Some phytochemicals through their antioxidant properties might help overcome such toxic effects. The aim of the study was to elucidate the protective role of the selected phytochemicals, ellagic and ferulic acids against the As-induced reproductive toxicity. Read More

Gene 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK. Electronic address:

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are specified by maternally provided determinants in fish. PGCs migrate then into prospective gonadal sites during early development and give rise to germ cell lineage. PGC disrupted animals do not sexually mature which has a range of commercial as well as environmental benefits. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Dec 2;53(12):2495-2497. Epub 2018 Sep 2.

Department of Paediatric Surgery, John Hunter Children's Hospital, Newcastle, Australia; University of Newcastle, Priority Research Centre GrowUpWell, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address:

Background/purpose: Vanishing Testes Syndrome (VTS) is one of the most common causes of impalpable testes in children. The role of removal of testicular nubbins owing to malignant potential in VTS is unclear. We sought to evaluate whether testicular nubbins need to be excised owing to this potential. Read More

Tissue Cell 2018 Dec 20;55:1-12. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

USTHB, University of Sciences and Technology of Houari Boumediene, Biological Sciences Faculty, Aride Area Research Laboratory, Algiers, Algeria.

Gerbillus tarabuli is a nocturnal seasonal breeder desert rodent with a main breeding season in spring and summer, and sexual quiescence in winter. This species is an interesting model for studying testis function in rodents. Therefore, the present study was performed firstly to investigate the stages of seminiferous epithelium cycle of Gerbillus tarabuli with a histological, morphometric and statistical study. Read More

J Pediatr Urol 2018 Sep 24. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Division of Urology, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address:

Background: Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency mainly affecting adolescent boys, with a relatively high rate of missed torsion and testicular loss secondary to delay in prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention. With ischemic reperfusion injury as its underlying culprit, testicular torsion may respond favorably to remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) where a non-privileged site (e.g. Read More

Leuk Lymphoma 2018 Dec 3:1-10. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

a The Shraga Segal Dept. of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer-Sheva , Israel.

Spermatogenesis is the process of the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) to generate sperm. Leukemia patients show impairment in some of the endocrine hormones that are involved in spermatogenesis. They also show a decrease in semen parameters before and after thawing of cryopreserved samples compared to a control. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Nov 29;19(12). Epub 2018 Nov 29.

The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.

Aggressive chemotherapy may lead to permanent male infertility. Prepubertal males do not generate sperm, but their testes do contain spermatogonial cells (SPGCs) that could be used for fertility preservation. In the present study, we examined the effect of busulfan (BU) on the SPGCs of immature mice, and the possible induction of the survivor SPGCs to develop spermatogenesis in 3D in-vitro culture. Read More

Genome Biol Evol 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.

Yak is one of the largest native mammalian species at the Himalayas, the highest plateau area in the world with an average elevation of more than 4,000 meters above the sea level. Yak is well adapted to high altitude environment with a set of physiological features for a more efficient blood flow for oxygen delivery under hypobaric hypoxia. Yet, the genetic mechanism underlying its adaptation remains elusive. Read More

Biol Reprod 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.

Increasing studies have shown that specific mRNAs and miRNAs expressed in mature sperm may be related to sperm motility. However, the expression profiles and roles of lncRNAs in sperm remain unknown. In the present study, numerous lncRNAs were identified in human sperm, and some lncRNAs were expressed exclusively in sperm and testis. Read More

PLoS One 2018 5;13(12):e0206225. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Division of Insect Sciences, The National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Japan.

Traumatic insemination (TI) is an extraordinary style of mating behavior wherein the female integument is pierced by the male extragenital structure to transfer the spermatozoa into the female's body through wounding. Flower bugs of the genus Orius belong to the family Anthocoridae (Heteroptera), which is referred to as the "TI family". Males possess sharp shaped extragenitalia, and females receive the extragenitalia using the copulatory tubes, which are specialized extragenital structures in Orius species. Read More

Oncotarget 2018 Nov 6;9(87):35790-35794. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Institute for Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, Novosibirsk, Russia.

We propose a novel immunotherapeutic paradigm that justifies application of several antibodies to various membrane-associated antigens to achieve a critical threshold density of immune complexes on the surface of cancer cells sufficient for triggering downstream cytolytic pathways. Indeed, some cancer-associated antigens (such as cancer/testis antigens) were found to be expressed on many cancer (but not normal) cells, with their baseline membrane expression levels being originally quite low for some of them, or even further down-regulated due to immune-driven cell selection. To achieve the mandatory threshold density of membrane-associated immune complexes on malignant cells, the concept stipulates combined application of antibodies specific for a cancer-associated antigen along with antibodies against an antigen expressed not only on tumor, but also on normal cells. Read More

G3 (Bethesda) 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

University of Iowa

Drosophila Suppressor of Hairy-wing [Su(Hw)] is a multifunctional zinc finger DNA binding protein. Transcriptional regulation by Su(Hw) is essential in the ovary and testis, where Su(Hw) functions primarily as a repressor. Recently, the HP1a and Insulator Partner Protein 1 (HIPP1) was found to extensively co-localize with Su(Hw) and other insulator binding proteins in euchromatic regions of the genome, and with Heterochromatin Protein 1a (HP1a) in heterochromatic regions. Read More

Viruses 2018 Dec 2;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 2.

Laboratory of Emerging and Re-Emerging Viruses, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada.

There is an increasing frequency of reports regarding the persistence of the Ebola virus (EBOV) in Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors. During the 2014⁻2016 West African EVD epidemic, sporadic transmission events resulted in the initiation of new chains of human-to-human transmission. Multiple reports strongly suggest that these re-emergences were linked to persistent EBOV infections and included sexual transmission from EVD survivors. Read More

Urol Int 2018 Dec 4:1-4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Pelvic Surgery, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil.

Solitary bone metastasis from testicular tumor is rare. In literature, only few cases of isolated bone metastasis at first presentation have been reported, and none of them have been treated with extended surgery of the pelvic bone. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 33-year-old man with an iliac bone osteolytic metastasis as the first presentation of a non-seminomatous germ-cell testis tumor (NSGCT), treated with post-chemotherapy en bloc resection of residual tumor in the left iliac bone (Type I + II internal hemipelvectomy). Read More

Aquat Toxicol 2018 Nov 29;207:34-42. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas,1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA.

Uptake by fishes of crude oil and its polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) components occurs via gills, dietary intake, or diffusion through the skin. Dietary exposure to crude oil and its components is environmentally relevant, and induces physiological and morphological disruptions in fish. However, the impacts of crude oil on fish social and reproductive behaviors and thus the possible influences on reproductive success are poorly understood. Read More

Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2018 Oct 25;14:1-19. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Andrology, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China. Electronic address:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in mammalian spermatogenesis, which is highly dependent on Sertoli cells. However, the functions and mechanisms of miRNAs in regulating human Sertoli cells remain largely unknown. Here, we report that hsa-miR-202-3p mediates the proliferation, apoptosis, and synthesis function of human Sertoli cells. Read More

Biochimie 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan, Taiwan. Electronic address:

SEPTIN12 (SEPT12) is a testis-enriched gene that is downregulated in the testis of infertile men with severe spermatogenic defects. While SEPT12 is involved in spermatogenic failure and sperm motility disorder, SEPT12 transcriptional regulation is still unknown. Here we report the promoter region of SEPT12 as a 245 bp segment upstream from the transcription start site. Read More

Toxicol Res (Camb) 2018 Nov 9;7(6):1191-1204. Epub 2018 Aug 9.

Department of Zoology , Sri Venkateswara University , Tirupati - 517502 , India . Email: ; ; Tel: +91-9247593000.

The aim of this study was to assess the reproductive toxic effects of arsenic on adult Wistar rats exposed to lead during the perinatal period. The pregnant rats were allowed access to tap water containing 819 mg of lead (Pb) per L or without Pb from conception until weaning. Litter size, survival rate and developmental milestones of the pups delivered by Pb exposed dams were comparable to those of the control rats. Read More

Environ Res 2018 Nov 20;169:315-325. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Department of Applied Chemistry, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. Electronic address:

In the environment, endosulfan persists in forms of two isomers (α and β) and a toxic metabolite, endosulfan sulfate. The toxicity of endosulfan on various mammalian tissues has been investigated, but whether the different isomers and metabolites of endosulfans affect mammalian reproductive function remains unclear. This study is aimed to elucidate the different toxicological effects of α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate on adult mice testes. Read More

Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, 400715 Chongqing, PR China. Electronic address:

Fish sex could be reversed at the undifferentiated stage of gonad by administration of exogenous estrogen (E2) or blockade of endogenous estrogen synthesis with aromatase inhibitors, which is designated as primary sex reversal (PSR). Recent studies have well demonstrated that gonochoristic fish maintain their sexual plasticity after sex determination/differentiation. The differentiated ovary could be transdifferentiated into functional testis, and vice versa, the differentiated testis could be transdifferentiated into ovary. Read More

Gene 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Human Sperm Bank, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. Electronic address:

Morphological abnormality of spermatozoa head is a human infertility syndrome caused by spermatogenesis defects. The genetic alterations associated with macrozoospermia, globozoospermia and acephalic spermatozoa are relatively definite, whereas the underlying pathogenesis of small-headed sperm remains unclear. Here, we report a 32-year-old infertile male from a consanguineous family, who presented with 95% of small-headed sperm. Read More

Dev Biol 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA. Electronic address:

Epigenetic alterations in the germline can be triggered by a number of different environmental factors from diet to toxicants. These environmentally induced germline changes can promote the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease and phenotypic variation. In previous studies, the pesticide DDT was shown to promote the transgenerational inheritance of sperm differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs), also called epimutations, which can in part mediate this epigenetic inheritance. Read More

Reprod Domest Anim 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Area of Histology and Embryology, Department of Morphology and Development, Veterinary Faculty, University of Uruguay.

In order to study the effect of undernutrition during gestation on the testicular development in rats and its impact on mitosis, apoptosis and the relative abundance of androgen receptor expression, twenty primiparous 3 months old Sprague-Dawley (Rattus norvegicus) rats, weighing 246 ± 4,0 grams when the experiment began, were mated by the same male. Control group (CG), n=10, fed ad libitum with water and rat chow and restricted group (RG, n=10), fed throughout pregnancy and until birth with 40% of the ad libitum maternal daily feed intake. Litters from both groups suckled for 25 days, RG with 14 pups/litter and CG with 8 pups/litter. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 25;2018:6452965. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 40002, Thailand.

In this study, we aimed to assess the effect and possible underlying mechanism of leaves extract on male sexual behaviors in stress-exposed rats. Male Wistar rats were orally given extract at doses of 25, 100, and 200 mg/kg BW before 12-hour-immobilization exposure for 14 days. Sexual behaviors, serum testosterone and corticosterone levels, TH-positive cells density in nucleus accumbens (NAc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA), MAO-B activity in NAc and medial preoptic area (MPOA), testis histology together with phosphodiesterase type-5 ( PDE-5) activity, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in penis were evaluated after treatment. Read More

Front Physiol 2018 15;9:1601. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.

Juvenile hormone (JH) represses larval metamorphosis and induces adult reproduction in insects. Methoprene-tolerant (Met) is identified as an intranuclear receptor that mediates JH actions. In the present study, we characterized a Met from the severe agricultural pest, , namely HaMet. Read More

J Cell Sci 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China

Melanoma-associated antigen A1 (MAGEA1) and BORIS are members of the cancer testis antigens (CTA) family. Their functions and expression regulation mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we revealed new functions and regulatory mechanisms of MAGEA1 and BORIS in breast cancer cells, which were investigated in parental and genetically manipulated breast cancer cells via gene overexpression or siRNA interference-mediated down-regulation. Read More

Clin Genitourin Cancer 2018 Oct 23. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) represent the most common solid tumors among men aged 15 to 34 years. Fortunately, recent advances have made testicular cancer a highly curable disease. Despite the high cure rates, there are still several areas in testis cancer care where treatment decisions are controversial and guided only with clinical factors and historic serum tumor markers. Read More

Acta Histochem 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; Faculty of Allied Health Science, Burapha University, Chonburi 20131, Thailand.

The mud crab, Scylla olivacea, is a high value economic marine animal in Thailand. However, collection of these crabs from natural habitat for local consumption and export has caused rapid population decline. Hence, aquaculture of this species is required and to this measure understanding of endocrine control of their reproduction must be understood. Read More

Cesk Patol 2018 ;63(4):175-189

oelom cavities (pleura, pericardium, peritoneum, tunica vaginalis testis) lined with mesothelial lining derived from the mesoderm, represent a frequent place of propagation of pathological processes both from the neighbourhood and primary. These are most often manifested by effusion, whose cytological examination contributes significantly to the diagnosis. Each larger amount of fluid in the coelom spaces is pathological. Read More

Lond Med Phys J 1816 Sep;36(211):178-181

Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Late Resident Surgeon of the Lock Hospital, London.

Food Chem Toxicol 2018 Nov 26;124:64-80. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, P-1/12, CIT Scheme VII M, Kolkata, 700054, India. Electronic address:

One of the major consequences of diabetes is reproductive dysfunction but the fundamental mechanisms are still poorly known. The objective of the present study was to explore the beneficial role of taurine against streptozotocin induced testicular dysfunctions in diabetic male Wister rats and understanding the underlying intricate molecular mechanisms. Exposure to streptozotocin (50 mg kg body weight, i. Read More

Andrologia 2018 Nov 29:e13214. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.

This study was carried out to investigate the potential effects of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on testicular function and oxidant/antioxidant status in normal and deltamethrin-intoxicated rats. Forty adult male rats were drenched either with normal saline, CV (50 mg/kg), deltamethrin (DM) (3 mg/kg), or CV combined with DM, daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the protocol, the epididymal sperm quality was evaluated and the testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase enzyme (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the serum testosterone levels were estimated. Read More

J Gastrointest Cancer 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the world. Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are involved in tumor progression of various cancers. These markers have not any expression or minimally expression in normal tissues, highlighting them as efficient methods for molecular targeted therapy. Read More

Bull Exp Biol Med 2018 Dec 28;166(2):268-273. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

All-Russian Institute of Scientific and Technical Information, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.

In experiments on white outbred male rats, a freshly removed (20 experiments) or cryopreserved (10 experiments) testicle from newborn rats (1-2 days after birth) was transplanted under the renal capsule after bilateral orchiectomy. In all experiments with transplantation of freshly removed testicle, it was engrafted. In 3 months, histological examination revealed the formation of mature seminiferous tubules, but spermatogenesis was blocked at the stage of spermatogonia; groups of proliferating Leydig cells in the loose connective tissue between the tubules were also seen. Read More

Development 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U1258), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), 1 rue Laurent Fries, F-67404 Illkirch Cedex, France

In mammals, all- retinoic acid (ATRA) is instrumental to spermatogenesis. It is synthesized by two retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (RALDH) present in both Sertoli cells (SC) and germ cells (GC). In order to determine the relative contributions of each source of ATRA, we have generated mice lacking all RALDH activities in the seminiferous epithelium (SE). Read More

Breast Cancer Res 2018 Nov 28;20(1):145. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Background: A combination of entinostat, all-trans retinoic acid, and doxorubicin (EAD) induces cell death and differentiation and causes significant regression of xenografts of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Methods: We investigated the mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects of each component of the EAD combination therapy by high-throughput gene expression profiling of drug-treated cells.

Results: Microarray analysis showed that entinostat and doxorubicin (ED) altered expression of genes related to growth arrest, inflammation, and differentiation. Read More

Cell Prolif 2018 Nov 28:e12549. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Objectives: CSE1L has been reported to be highly expressed in various tumours. Testicular germ cell tumours are common among young males, and seminoma is the major type. However, whether CSE1L has functions in the seminoma is unclear. Read More

Int J Cancer 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Therapeutic approaches which aim to target Acute Myeloid Leukaemia through enhancement of patients' immune responses have demonstrated limited efficacy to date, despite encouraging preclinical data. Examination of AML patients treated with azacitidine (AZA) and vorinostat (VOR) in a Phase II trial, demonstrated an increase in the expression of Cancer-Testis Antigens (MAGE, RAGE, LAGE, SSX2, and TRAG3) on blasts and that these can be recognised by circulating antigen-specific T cells. Although the T cells have the potential to be activated by these unmasked antigens, the low arginine microenvironment created by AML blast Arginase II activity acts a metabolic brake leading to T cell exhaustion. Read More

J Fish Biol 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Beijing Fisheries Research Institute & National Freshwater Fisheries Engineering Technology Research Center, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Beijing, China.

In this study, a cell line, designated as ART, was successfully established from testis tissues of the sterlet Acipenser ruthenus and characterized by studying and comparing the expression of specific genes between the cell line and the parent gonad tissues. The results suggested that the developed ART cell line was composed of a mixture of germ cells and somatic cells. Ploidy analysis indicated that the cell line exhibited a high degree of genetic stability and that the cells remained in a good proliferating state after being subcultured to passage 80. Read More

Biopreserv Biobank 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University , Shanghai, China .

A major concern in biomedical research is the quality of biological samples. RNAlater is a stabilizer, which was originally developed for RNA preservation in fresh tissues and is important for collection and transportation. However, this reagent lacks a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of its preservative effect on different mammalian tissues under consistent experimental conditions. Read More

Acta Cir Bras 2018 Oct;33(10):904-913

PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, School of Medicine, UFPR, Curitiba-PR, Brazil. Scientific, intellectual, conception and design of the study; analysis and interpretation of data; statistical analysis; critical revision.

Purpose: To quantify, through stereological and morphometric analysis, spermatogenesis in rats undergoing the natural aging process.

Methods: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups according to age at the time of killing: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. All the rats were subjected orchiectomy and collection of testicular parenchymal fragments for histological and morphometric analysis. Read More

Oncol Rep 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK.

Glutamine RF‑amide peptide (QRFP) belongs to the RFamide neuropeptide family, which is involved in a wide spectrum of biological activities, ranging from food intake and cardiovascular functioning to analgesia, aldosterone secretion, locomotor activity and reproduction. Recently, QRFP has been demonstrated to exert its effects by activating the G protein‑coupled receptor GPR103. QRFP is expressed in the brain and peripherally in the adipose tissue, bladder, colon, testis, parathyroid and thyroid gland, as well as in the prostate gland. Read More