Evaluation of immunohistochemical TRPC3 and TRPC6 expression patterns in human endometriosis.

Background: Although to date the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains largely unexplained, it is known that processes of migration, proliferation and revascularization and thus calcium as a messenger substance play an important role. Consecutively, the present study examines the immunohistochemical expression of the calcium transient receptor potential channels 3 and 6 (TRPC3 and TRPC6) in ectopically located (outside the uterine cavity) endometrial tissue.

Methods: Laparoscopically collected and histomorphologically verified endometriosis tissues from several different intraabdominal locations were examined (n = 20) and immunohistochemical stainings were performed with anti-TRPC3 and anti-TRPC6 antibodies (Alomone Labs, Jerusalem).

Retrospective Evaluation of Bone Turnover Markers in Serum for the Prediction of Metastases Development in Breast Cancer Patients: A Cohort Study.

Background: Serum bone turnover markers might play a role in the prediction of the development of bone metastases in breast cancer (BC) patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to address the association of serum bone turnover markers with oncologic outcomes.

Methods: We included 80 women with BC, who were operated on at the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Homburg/Saar, Germany.

Dkk1 as a Prognostic Marker for Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer Patients.

Purpose: To investigate the role of Dkk1 as a predictor of response to NACT in BC patients.

Methods: This retrospective monocentric study included 145 women who had undergone NACT followed by breast surgery. Dkk1 protein expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry staining in core needle biopsies and mammary carcinoma specimens.

Obstetric practice differences between Syrian refugees and non-Syrian nonrefugee gravidae: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess differences in obstetric practices between Syrian war refugees (SRs) and non-Syrian nonrefugees (NSRs) in a tertiary care provider in Germany.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of SRs (n = 356) and NSRs (n = 5836) giving birth between January 2015 and December 2018. Data on medical history, birth mode, complications, and neonatal parameters was extracted.

Physical Activity and the Impact of Continued Exercise on Health-Related Quality of Life Prior to and during Pregnancy: A German Cohort Study.

The goal of this study was to examine how regular physical activity before and during pregnancy affected life quality throughout pregnancy. Between July 2020 and May 2021, 218 pregnant women were recruited from 11 outpatient clinics for this survey. Data were collected prospectively in a panel format beginning with the 10th gestational week over a 20-week period.

The 3q Oncogene Predicts Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Regulates Tumor Cell Migration in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

In the absence of targeted treatment options, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is applied widely for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Response to NACT is an important parameter predictive of oncological outcomes (progression-free and overall survival). An approach to the evaluation of predictive markers enabling therapy individualization is the identification of tumor driver genetic mutations.

Sonographic features of adenomyosis correlated with clinical symptoms and intraoperative findings: a case-control study.

Purpose: Adenomyosis is a common disease of females during their reproductive age. As of today, histologic examination of the uterus after hysterectomy constitutes the gold standard for diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of sonographic, hysteroscopic, and laparoscopic criteria for the diagnosis of the disease.

Effect of the 3q26-coding oncogene as a potential prognostic marker in patients with ovarian neoplasia.

With approximately 220,000 newly diagnosed cases per year, ovarian cancer is among the most frequently occurring cancers among women and the second leading cause of death from gynecological malignancies worldwide. About 70% of these cancers are diagnosed in advanced stages (FIGO IIB-IV), with a 5-year survival rate of 20-30%. Due to the poor prognosis of this disease, research has focused on its pathogenesis and the identification of prognostic factors.

Zygote Diameter and Total Cytoplasmic Volume as Useful Predictive Tools of Blastocyst Quality.

According to the Embryo Protection Act, the selection of embryos with the greatest potential for successful implantation in Germany must be performed in the pronucleus stage. The main aim of this study was to identify morphokinetic parameters that could serve as noninvasive biomarkers of blastocyst quality in countries with restrictive reproductive medicine laws. The sample comprised 191 embryos from 40 patients undergoing antagonist cycles for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Postpartum Assessment of the Correlation between Serum Hormone Levels of Estradiol, Progesterone, Prolactin and ß-HCG and Blood Pressure Measurements in Pre-Eclampsia Patients.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related hypertensive disease. Aberrant hormone levels have been implicated in blood pressure disorders. This study investigated the association of postpartum maternal serum hormone levels of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and ß-HCG with poorer PE-related complications including arterial hypertension.

Immunohistochemical assessment of PD-L1 expression using three different monoclonal antibodies in triple negative breast cancer patients.

Background: PD-L1 receptor expression in breast cancer tissue can be assessed with different anti-human PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies. The performance of three specific monoclonal antibodies in a head-to-head comparison is unknown. In addition, a potential correlation of PD-L1 expression and clinico-pathological parameters has not been investigated.

Impact of the Vegan Diet on Sperm Quality and Sperm Oxidative Stress Values: A Preliminary Study.

Background: Insufficient nutrition and inappropriate diet have been related to many diseases. Although the literature confirms the hypothesis that particular nutritional factors can influence the quality of semen, until today, there are no specific dietary recommendations created for infertile males. Since the male contribution to the fertility of a couple is crucial, it is of high importance to determine the dietary factors that can affect male fertility.

Comparison of Maternal Serum Levels and Placental mRNA Levels of Dickkopf-1 in Preeclamptic and Normal Pregnant Women at Delivery.

Preeclampsia remains a major cause of perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is known to be critically involved in placenta development processes. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a key regulator of this transduction pathway.

Is vimentin a potential prognostic factor for patients with triple-negative breast cancer?

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic potential of vimentin, p53, EGFR, CK5/6, CK 14, and CK 17 in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Material And Methods: Tumor specimens of 60 patients with histologically confirmed TNBC were retrospectively analyzed. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of the tumor tissue were used to prepare tissue microarrays (TMAs).

Crosstalk of estrogen receptors and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in endometrial cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the interaction between Wnt/β-catenin and estrogen signaling pathways in endometrial cancer (EC).

Methods: 119 women were involved in this study, including 65 women with histologically confirmed EC and 54 healthy women as a control group. Serum protein levels of Dkk1 were measured using ELISA.

Pilot study: placental biomarker predictive capability (sFlt-1, PlGF and their ratio) of postpartum maternal outcome.

Background: Prenatal measurement of placental biomarkers was able to improve screening and diagnosis of preeclampsia. Little is known about the clinical role of placental biomarkers in the postpartum period.

Methods: This study is a prospective monocentric trial that included a total of 30 women with preeclamptic pregnancies.

Identification of 3q oncogene SEC62 as a marker for distant metastasis and poor clinical outcome in invasive ductal breast cancer.

Purpose: In previous studies, we have shown that SEC62 has an essential function in cell migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and endoplasmic reticulum stress tolerance of cancer cells. SEC62 expression correlated with distant and lymph node metastasis and poor outcome in different cancer entities. In this initial study, we investigated SEC62 expression and its possible role as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in breast cancer (BC).

Influence of androgen levels on conception probability in patients undergoing fertility treatment: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Primary and secondary sterility have become an issue of increasing importance due to demographic and social changes in society. Data regarding the association between female androgen levels and the probability of successful conception after fertility treatment are sparse and contradictive. This study was designed to assess this clinical question.

Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) protein expression in breast cancer with special reference to bone metastases.

Dysregulation of the Wnt inhibitor dickkopf-1 protein (Dkk1) has been reported in a variety of cancers. In addition, it has been linked to the progression of malignant bone disease by impairing osteoblast activity. This study investigated serum- and tissue levels of Dkk1 in breast cancer patients with- or without bone metastases.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression in breast cancer and its metastases.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the expression of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in normal breast tissues, in cancerous breast tissues and in distant metastases from patients with breast cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine PSMA expression and angiogenic activity using anti-PSMA mAb and anti-CD31 mAb respectively. Immunofluorescence staining was applied to confirm the exact co-localization of PSMA and CD31.

Human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells in a double-hit model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in neonatal mice.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) presents a major threat of very preterm birth and treatment options are still limited. Stem cells from different sources have been used successfully in experimental BPD, induced by postnatal hyperoxia.

Objectives: We investigated the effect of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) in a new double-hit mouse model of BPD.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia in a double-hit mouse model induced by intrauterine hypoxia and postnatal hyperoxia: closer to clinical features?

Despite increased survival of very preterm newborns, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a major threat, as it affects long-term pulmonary function and neurodevelopmental outcome. Recent research focused on mechanisms of lung repair. Animal models of BPD in term rodents use postnatal hyperoxia in order to mimic features observed in very preterm human neonates: reduced alveolarization and impaired septal architecture without profound inflammatory changes.

Concentrations of unmetabolized folic acid and primary folate forms in pregnant women at delivery and in umbilical cord blood.

Background: The importance of unmetabolized folic acid in maternal and fetal blood is not known.

Objective: We investigated total folate, tetrahydrofolate (THF), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), formyl-THF, 5,10-methenylTHF, and folic acid concentrations in women and in umbilical cord blood at delivery.

Design: The study included 87 pregnant women and 29 cord blood samples, including 24 mother-infant pairs.

Concentrations of unmetabolized folic acid and primary folate forms in plasma after folic acid treatment in older adults.

Folate deficiency can cause age-related disease. Folic acid (FA) has been used in studies aiming at disease prevention. Recently, unmetabolized FA in plasma raised public health concerns; but numerous studies used FA for disease prevention.