PPM1D/Wip1 is amplified, overexpressed, and mutated in human non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Background: Wip1, is a p53-dependent Ser/Thr phosphatase involved in the timely termination of DDR. The PPM1D gene encoding Wip1 is deregulated and thus gained an oncogene character in common human solid tumors and cell lines. This study assessed the oncogenic potential of the PPM1D gene in human non- Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), the most common hematological malignancy worldwide.

Stage-specific expression of Toll-like receptors in the seminiferous epithelium of mouse testis.

Genes encoding Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed by germ cells in the mouse testis. Nevertheless, the expression of TLRs by germ cells has only been demonstrated for TLR-3, TLR-9, and TLR-11. Furthermore, the expression of each TLR in relation to the stage of spermatogenesis remains uncertain.

Expression of Toll-Like Receptors in the Lung Tissue of Mouse Fetuses Generated by in vitro Embryo Culture and Embryo Transfer.

Mouse fetuses generated by in vitro embryo culture and embryo transfer exhibit impaired lung development, altered composition of pulmonary epithelial cells associated with downregulation of several genes involved in lung development and toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. The aims of the present study were to determine the expression of all TLRs and to examine if the expression of TLRs, along with genes involved in TLR signaling pathway, is altered in the lung tissue of mouse fetuses generated through embryo culture and embryo transfer. Two experimental (EGs) and one control (CG) group were included in the study.

Altered Expression of Pulmonary Epithelial Cell Markers in Fetal and Adult Mice Generated by in vitro Embryo Culture and Embryo Transfer.

Lung development is impaired in mice generated through transfer of in vitro-derived blastocysts. The main objective of the current study was to determine if the composition of epithelial cells in the fetal and adult lung tissue is altered in mice generated through transfer of in vitro-derived blastocysts. The study comprised two experimental (EGs) and two control (CGs) groups.

Transfer of mouse blastocysts exposed to ambient oxygen levels can lead to impaired lung development and redox balance.

In vitro culture under atmospheric oxygen puts embryos under oxidative stress and impairs preimplantation development. However, to what extent this process alters the redox balance in the perinatal period remains largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine if the redox balance is altered in the lung tissue of fetuses generated through transfer of mouse embryos exposed to atmospheric oxygen at different stages of development and to determine if this has any effect on lung morphogenesis and gene expression.

Changes on the Pancreas in Experimental Diabetes and the Effect of Lycopene on These Changes: Pdx-1, Ngn-3, and Nestin Expressions.

The aim of the present study was to investigate changes occurring in the number of beta cells, as well as the expressions of Ngn-3, nestin and Pdx-1 of pancreatic progenitor cells in the pancreas of experimentally-induced adult diabetic rats and to determine the effect of orally-administered lycopene on these changes. Following the administration of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin to rats, four groups of animals were established: control + corn oil, control + lycopene, diabetic + corn oil and diabetic + lycopene. The animals in the control + lycopene and diabetic + lycopene groups received 4 mg/kg lycopene for a period of four weeks.

Changes in the Pancreas in Experimental Diabetes and the Effect of Lycopene on These Changes: Proliferating, Apoptotic, and Estrogen Receptor α Positive Cells.

This study aimed to investigate the changes occurring in estrogen receptor (ER) α-positive cells, proliferating cells, apoptotic cells and malondialdehyde (MDA) expression in the pancreas of experimentally induced adult diabetic rats and to determine the effect of orally administered lycopene on these changes. Experimental diabetes was induced using a single dose of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Following the administration of STZ, four groups of animals were established: Control + corn oil, control + lycopene, diabetic + corn oil and diabetic + lycopene.

Contribution of cells derived from the area pellucida to extraembryonic mesodermal cell lineages in heterospecific quail chick blastodermal chimeras.

The current study has two main objectives: first, to determine if cells derived from the area pellucida are able to populate extraembryonic membranes, and second, to determine if donor cells have the potential to differentiate to endothelial (EC) and hematopoietic cells (HC) in the yolk sac and allantois, the two extraembryonic membranes functioning as hematopoietic organs in the avian embryo. To this end, quail chick chimeras were constructed by transferring dissociated cells from the areae pellucidae of the stage X-XII (EG&K) quail embryo into the subgerminal cavity of the unincubated chick blastoderm. The distribution of quail cells in the allantois, yolk sac, amnion, and chorion of resulting putative chimeras was examined using quail cell-specific antibody against a perinuclear antigen (QCPN) after 6 days of incubation.

Tissue distribution of cells derived from the area opaca in heterospecific quail-chick blastodermal chimeras.

The objective of the current study was to determine the tissue distribution of cells derived from the area opaca in heterospecific quail-chick blastodermal chimeras. Quail-chick chimeras were constructed by transferring dissociated cells from the area opaca of the stage X-XII (EG&K) quail embryo into the subgerminal cavity of the unincubated chick blastoderm. The distribution of quail cells in embryonic as well as extra-embryonic tissues of the recipient embryo were examined using the QCPN monoclonal antibody after 6 days of incubation in serial sections taken at 100-mum intervals.

Early cleavage morphology affects the quality and implantation potential of day 3 embryos.

Objective: To assess the development and implantation potential of early-cleaved embryos displaying various morphological patterns.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: Private IVF center.

Outcomes in couples undergoing ICSI: comparison between fresh and frozen-thawed surgically retrieved spermatozoa.

We retrospectively evaluated the impact of cryopreservation on spermatozoa obtained from patients with azoospermia and used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa (FTEPS) was used in 34 couples, whereas frozen-thawed testicular spermatozoa (FTTS) was used in 50 couples for ICSI during assisted conception, and these results were compared with results using fresh spermatozoa for ICSI in the same individuals. The fertilization rate (FR) was significantly lower for FTTS (65.

Use of both early cleavage and day 2 mononucleation to predict embryos with high implantation potential in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.

Objective: To evaluate the value of early cleavage and day 2 mononucleation as combined parameters in predicting the implantation potential of embryos.

Design: Prospectively designed retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: Private IVF center.

Effect of oxygen concentration during the incubation of embryos of women undergoing ICSI and embryo transfer: a prospective randomized study.

The hypothesis that ICSI outcome can be improved by culturing human embryos in an atmosphere of controlled O(2) concentration (5%) compared with 20% was tested in a prospective randomized study of 712 transfer cycles. The cycle characteristics and the embryology parameters were similar between groups. The embryo qualities were similar with day 2 transfers; however, they were better with day 3 transfers incubated in 5% O(2) than in 20% O(2).

Impact of assisted hatching on ART outcome in women with endometriosis.

Background: Assisted hatching can improve the implantation rate in cycles with poor outcome. The impact of assisted hatching in embryos from women with endometriosis is not known. Therefore, the hypothesis that the implantation potential of embryos obtained from women with endometriosis can be improved with assisted hatching was tested.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor stimulates mouse blastocyst inner cell mass development only when media lack human serum albumin.

The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on the development and differentiation of preimplantation mouse embryos from different strains and under different culture conditions. Embryos from F1 hybrid mice were cultured in a modified G1 medium lacking amino acids and EDTA (simple G1), human tubal fluid medium (HTF) or in G1/G2 sequential media, supplemented with GM-CSF (0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 ng/ml). Embryos from CF1 mice were subsequently cultured in G1/G2 with (5 mg/ml) or without HSA, in the absence or presence of GM-CSF (2 ng/ml).

Oestradiol, cyclodextrin-encapsulated 17beta-oestradiol and the oestradiol solubilizer 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin all impair preimplantation mouse embryo development.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HbetaC) used as a solubilizer for oestradiol, 17beta-oestradiol (ethanol soluble) and HbetaC-encapsulated-17beta-oestradiol on mouse embryo development in vitro. HbetaC had no effect on day 3 development. In contrast, blastocyst development and blastocyst cell number were significantly reduced in the presence of 10(-4) mol/l solubilizer equivalent, but not at lower concentrations.

Administration of increasing amounts of gonadotrophin compromises preimplantation development of parthenogenetic mouse embryos.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of ovarian stimulation with increasing amounts of pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) on preimplantation development of diploid parthenogenetic embryos in vitro. Administration of 5, 10 and 20 IU PMSG significantly increased the number of oocytes obtained per mouse in a dose-dependent manner. The amount of PMSG administered did not alter the proportion of degenerate oocytes.

Restoration of fertility by germ cell transplantation requires effective recipient preparation.

Spermatogonial transplantation provides access to the mammalian germline and has been used in experimental animal models to study stem cell/niche biology and germline development, to restore fertility, and to produce transgenic models. The potential to manipulate and/or transplant the germline has numerous practical applications that transcend species boundaries. To make the transplantation technology more broadly accessible, it is necessary to develop practical recipient preparation protocols.