A molecular staging model for accurately dating the endometrial biopsy.

Natural variability in menstrual cycle length, coupled with rapid changes in endometrial gene expression, makes it difficult to accurately define and compare different stages of the endometrial cycle. Here we develop and validate a method for precisely determining endometrial cycle stage based on global gene expression. Our 'molecular staging model' reveals significant and remarkably synchronised daily changes in expression for over 3400 endometrial genes throughout the cycle, with the most dramatic changes occurring during the secretory phase.

Endometrial uNK cell counts do not predict successful implantation in an IVF population.

Study Question: Are uterine natural killer (uNK) cell numbers and their distribution relative to endometrial arterioles altered in women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) compared to women with embryo implantation success (IS)?

Summary Answer: uNK cell numbers and their distribution relative to endometrial arterioles are not significantly different in women with RIF compared to women in whom embryo implantation occurs successfully following IVF.

What Is Already Known: uNK cells are regulators of decidual angiogenesis and spiral arteriole remodelling during early pregnancy. Although some studies have shown that uNK cell numbers may be altered in women with RIF, the methods used to measure uNK cell numbers have proven inconsistent, making reproduction of these results difficult.

Chondroid syringoma of the abdominal wall. A case report and review of the literature.

A case of an unusually large chondroid syringoma of the abdominal wall is described. Chondroid syringomas are rare neoplasms believed to be of sweat gland origin. They are often slow-growing and benign.

Leiomyosarcoma of the breast. A case report.

A case of primary leiomyosarcoma of the breast in a 35-year-old woman is presented. The condition is rare, only 11 cases of primary leiomyosarcoma of the breast having been reported previously. The clinical and pathological features are reviewed.