Transcriptional Integration of Meiotic Prophase I Progression and Early Oocyte Differentiation.

Female reproductive senescence results from the regulated depletion of a finite pool of oocytes called the ovarian reserve. This pool of oocytes is initially established during fetal development, but the oocytes that comprise it must remain quiescent for decades until they are activated during maturation in adulthood. In order for developmentally competent oocytes to populate the ovarian reserve they must successfully initiate both meiosis and oogenesis.

Transcription and chromatin regulation by TAF4b during cellular quiescence of developing prospermatogonia.

Prospermatogonia (ProSpg) link the embryonic development of male primordial germ cells to the healthy establishment of postnatal spermatogonia and spermatogonial stem cells. While these spermatogenic precursor cells undergo the characteristic transitions of cycling and quiescence, the transcriptional events underlying these developmental hallmarks remain unknown. Here, we investigated the expression and function of TBP-associated factor 4b () in the timely development of quiescent mouse ProSpg using an integration of gene expression profiling and chromatin mapping.

Identification of Autophagy as a Functional Target Suitable for the Pharmacological Treatment of Mitochondrial Membrane Protein-Associated Neurodegeneration (MPAN) In Vitro.

Mitochondrial membrane protein-associated neurodegeneration (MPAN) is a relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the gene. C19orf12 has been implicated in playing a role in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and autophagy, however, the precise functions remain unknown. To identify new robust cellular targets for small compound treatments, we evaluated reported mitochondrial function alterations, cellular signaling, and autophagy in a large cohort of MPAN patients and control fibroblasts.

A bioinformatic analysis of WFDC2 (HE4) expression in high grade serous ovarian cancer reveals tumor-specific changes in metabolic and extracellular matrix gene expression.

Human epididymis protein-4 (HE4/WFDC2) has been well-studied as an ovarian cancer clinical biomarker. To improve our understanding of its functional role in high grade serous ovarian cancer, we determined transcriptomic differences between ovarian tumors with high- versus low-WFDC2 mRNA levels in The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. High-WFDC2 transcript levels were significantly associated with reduced survival in stage III/IV serous ovarian cancer patients.

The requirement of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 in mouse ovarian development and fertility†.

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is a de-ubiquitinating enzyme enriched in neuronal and gonadal tissues known to regulate the cellular stores of mono-ubiquitin and protein turnover. While its function in maintaining proper motor neuron function is well established, investigation into its role in the health and function of reproductive processes is only just beginning to be studied. Single-cell-sequencing analysis of all ovarian cells from the murine perinatal period revealed that Uchl1 is very highly expressed in the developing oocyte population, an observation which was corroborated by high levels of oocyte-enriched UCHL1 protein expression in oocytes of all stages throughout the mouse reproductive lifespan.

TAF4b transcription networks regulating early oocyte differentiation.

Establishment of a healthy ovarian reserve is contingent upon numerous regulatory pathways during embryogenesis. Previously, mice lacking TBP-associated factor 4b (Taf4b) were shown to exhibit a diminished ovarian reserve. However, potential oocyte-intrinsic functions of TAF4b have not been examined.

Correlation of anthropometric index and cardiopulmonary exercise testing in children with pectus excavatum.

Background: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a method used to evaluate functional impairment of patients with various diseases.

Objective: The objective was to use CPET to estimate the usability of anthropometric index (AI) in patients with pectus excavatum (PE) as a marker of functional impairment caused by chest deformity.

Methods: The study included 32 paediatric patients (28 males) with PE.

MCART1/SLC25A51 is required for mitochondrial NAD transport.

The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD/NADH) pair is a cofactor in redox reactions and is particularly critical in mitochondria as it connects substrate oxidation by the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to adenosine triphosphate generation by the electron transport chain (ETC) and oxidative phosphorylation. While a mitochondrial NAD transporter has been identified in yeast, how NAD enters mitochondria in metazoans is unknown. Here, we mine gene essentiality data from human cell lines to identify () as coessential with ETC components.

Dynamic and regulated TAF gene expression during mouse embryonic germ cell development.

Germ cells undergo many developmental transitions before ultimately becoming either eggs or sperm, and during embryonic development these transitions include epigenetic reprogramming, quiescence, and meiosis. To begin understanding the transcriptional regulation underlying these complex processes, we examined the spatial and temporal expression of TAF4b, a variant TFIID subunit required for fertility, during embryonic germ cell development. By analyzing published datasets and using our own experimental system to validate these expression studies, we determined that both Taf4b mRNA and protein are highly germ cell-enriched and that Taf4b mRNA levels dramatically increase from embryonic day 12.

Novel Use of Ultrasound to Teach Reproductive System Physical Examination Skills and Pelvic Anatomy.

Objectives: To determine whether integration of ultrasound (US) into a reproductive system examination clinical skills lab can increase confidence in palpating key reproductive structures during testicular and bimanual pelvic examinations, reduce anxiety about conducting testicular and bimanual pelvic examinations, and improve performance on multiple-choice questions based on structure identification using US images.

Methods: Second-year medical students enrolled in the Life Cycle preclinical course participated in this cross-sectional study. A single learning activity was developed to pair the teaching of the reproductive system physical examination with the use of US in the clinical skills lab.

The risk factors of colistin methanesulfonate associated nephrotoxicity.

Purpose: The risk factors of colistin methanesulfonate (CMS) associated nephrotoxicity are important. Our study attempts look into the prevalence of CMS-associated nephrotoxicity in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), and related risk factors.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted between September 2010 and April 2012 on 55 patients who underwent CMS treatment.

Considerations in Patients With Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices at End of Life.

Since the introduction of implantable cardiac pacemakers in 1958 and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in 1980, these devices have been proven to save and prolong lives. Pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy are deemed life-sustaining therapies. Despite these life-saving technologies, all patients ultimately will reach the end of their lives from either their heart disease or development of a terminal illness.

Transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead reliability: implications for postmarket surveillance.

Background: As implantable cardioverter-defibrillator technology evolves, clinicians and patients need reliable performance data on current transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator systems. In addition, real-world reliability data could inform postmarket surveillance strategies directed by regulators and manufacturers.

Methods And Results: We evaluated Medtronic Sprint Quattro, Boston Scientific Endotak, and St Jude Medical Durata and Riata ST Optim leads implanted by participating center physicians between January 1, 2006 and September 1, 2012.

Impact of the initiation time of colistin treatment for Acinetobacter infections.

This study aimed to address the relationship between the timing of colistin therapy and the outcome, defined as all-cause mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). A retrospective study was undertaken in a 16-bed ICU of a 750-bed tertiary care hospital. A total of 46 patients who had been administered intravenous colistin treatment for colistin-susceptible-only Acinetobacter infections were included in the study.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 preserves coronary microvascular endothelial function after cardiac arrest and resuscitation: potential antioxidant effects.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has protective effects in the heart. We hypothesized that GLP-1 would mitigate coronary microvascular and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction if administered after cardiac arrest and resuscitation (CAR). Eighteen swine were subjected to ventricular fibrillation followed by resuscitation.

Independent multicenter study of Riata and Riata ST implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads.

Background: Riata and Riata ST leads (St Jude Medical, Sylmar, CA) are prone to failure. There are no independent multicenter reports regarding Riata or Riata ST lead performance.

Objective: To conduct a retrospective multicenter study of Riata and Riata ST leads that were implanted and followed at 7 centers.

Haemodynamic augmentation in the treatment of vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Aim: Hypertension, hypervolemia and hemodilution therapy is a common approach to cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage. This study is designed to see the difference of moderate or aggressive hypervolemia supported with induced hypertension in symptomatic vasospasm detected with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) measurements.

Material And Methods: Fifty eight patients who had aneurysm clipping and were admitted to the neurointensive care unit were treated with normovolemia and induced hypertension (n=35) or hypervolemia supported with induced hypertension (n=23) targeting a mean arterial pressure of 110-130 mm Hg and central venous pressure of 8-12 mm Hg.

Noninvasive estimation of cerebral perfusion pressure with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in traumatic brain injury.

Aim: In traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, to overcome the secondary insults, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) oriented therapy is recommended. The study is assigned to estimate CPP values with middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow velocities measured noninvasively using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD).

Material And Methods: Forty-seven TBI patients were studied.

Long-term results and complications of the syringopleural shunting for treatment of syringomyelia: a clinical study.

Background: The use of drains in the treatment of syringomyelia has a simple and immediate appeal. Syringopleural shunting in syringomyelia has produced good short-term results, but limited information is available on long-term effects. We analyzed the complications and long-term outcomes after syringopleural shunting for syringomyelia.

A sternal accelerometer does not impair hemodynamics during piglet CPR.

Aim: To determine whether the residual weight of a 260 g sternal accelerometer/force feedback device (AFFD) adversely affects hemodynamics during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a piglet model of ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest.

Methods: After induction of ventricular fibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was provided to ten piglets (10.8 ± 1.

Correlation of pulsatility index with intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury.

Aim: In traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, it is desired to monitor the intracranial pressure (ICP) to assess the cerebral haemodynamics and guide the therapy. The study was designed to see if the pulsatility index (PI) measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) predicts information about ICP values.

Material And Methods: In 52 TBI patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score < 9, invasive intracranial monitoring and TCD ultrasonography for PI were performed through five days.