Progesterone receptor status predicts aggressiveness of human endometriotic lesions in murine avatars.

Objective: To use murine avatars for studying human endometriotic lesion response to 2 different hormonal regimens to determine whether progesterone receptor (PR) can prospectively predict response to progestin-based therapy. Endometriosis is a chronic gynecologic disease afflicting 1-in-10 reproductive-age women; however response to medical therapy is highly variable because endometriotic lesions do not consistently respond to first-line progestin-based therapy. We have previously demonstrated in a retrospective study that PR status in lesions is correlated with response to progestins.

Fibroids and unexplained infertility treatment with epigallocatechin gallate: a natural compound in green tea (FRIEND) - protocol for a randomised placebo-controlled US multicentre clinical trial of EGCG to improve fertility in women with uterine fibroids.

Introduction: Uterine fibroids affect 30%-77% of reproductive-age women and are a significant cause of infertility. Surgical myomectomies can restore fertility, but they often have limited and temporary benefits, with postoperative complications such as adhesions negatively impacting fertility. Existing medical therapies, such as oral contraceptives, gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues and GnRH antagonists, can manage fibroid symptoms but are not fertility friendly.

Assessing the Hepatic Safety of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) in Reproductive-Aged Women.

A similar abstract of the interim analysis was previously published in Fertility and Sterility. EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATE (EGCG) FOR TREATMENT OF UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY ASSOCIATED WITH UTERINE FIBROIDS (PRE-FRIEND TRIAL): EARLY SAFETY ASSESSMENT. Uterine fibroids are the most common cause of unexplained infertility in reproductive-aged women.

Seven days of statin treatment improves nitric-oxide mediated endothelial-dependent cutaneous microvascular function in women with endometriosis.

Introduction: Endometriosis is associated with systemic inflammation and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endothelial dysfunction is one of the first manifestations of CVD but is unexplored in women with endometriosis. HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors (statins) exert potent anti-inflammatory effects, and have been proposed as an adjunctive therapy in women with endometriosis.

Pre-IVF treatment with a GnRH antagonist in women with endometriosis (PREGNANT): study protocol for a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Infertility is a common complication of endometriosis. While in vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer (IVF) successfully treats endometriosis-associated infertility, there is some evidence that pregnancy rates may be diminished in women seeing fertility treatment for endometriosis-associated infertility compared with other etiologies of infertility. The use of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist prior to IVF has been suggested to improve success, however studies have been small and rarely reported live birth rates.

Chronic endometritis: A prevalent yet poorly understood entity.

Objective: To examine the prevalent understanding of and management approaches to chronic endometritis among obstetricians/gynecologists.

Methods: In a cross-sectional observational study, 262 members of national and international professional obstetrician/gynecologist societies were surveyed via anonymous electronic survey that investigated knowledge of the pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, clinical implications, and treatment strategies for chronic endometritis. Statistical analyses of results were performed using Fisher's exact tests, chi square tests and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

A North Star for Gerontology: Using the Threshold Concept Framework to Transform Ageism Education.

Threshold concepts are fundamental to the learning process and are said to transform the way we view and understand the world around us. Although a new framework to gerontology, the threshold concept framework has been utilized in many fields inside (e.g.

Multiprong control of glioblastoma multiforme invasiveness: blockade of pro-inflammatory signaling, anti-angiogenesis, and homeostasis restoration.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most invasive type of glial tumor with poor overall survival, despite advances in surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation. One of the main challenges in treating GBM is related to the tumor's location, complex and heterogeneous biology, and high invasiveness. To meet the demand for oxygen and nutrients, growing tumors induce new blood vessels growth.

Hormone Therapy in Menopause: Concepts, Controversies, and Approach to Treatment.

Hormone therapy (HT) is an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, including vasomotor symptoms and genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Randomized trials also demonstrate positive effects on bone health, and age-stratified analyses indicate more favorable effects on coronary heart disease and all-cause mortality in younger women (close proximity to menopause) than in women more than a decade past menopause. In the absence of contraindications or other major comorbidities, recently menopausal women with moderate or severe symptoms are appropriate candidates for HT.

Tofacitinib alters STAT3 signaling and leads to endometriosis lesion regression.

Endometriosis is a widespread gynecologic condition affecting up to 15% of women of reproductive age. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT3) pathway is upregulated in endometriosis and is a therapeutic target. Here we sought to determine the effect of Tofacitinib, a JAK inhibitor in widespread clinical use, on JAK/STAT signaling in endometriosis and lesion growth.

Endometriosis is a chronic systemic disease: clinical challenges and novel innovations.

Endometriosis is a common disease affecting 5-10% of women of reproductive age globally. However, despite its prevalence, diagnosis is typically delayed by years, misdiagnosis is common, and delivery of effective therapy is prolonged. Identification and prompt treatment of endometriosis are essential and facilitated by accurate clinical diagnosis.

The Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Endometritis: A Survey of Pathologists.

While acute endometritis is a reasonably well-defined entity of ascending infection and attendant active inflammation, chronic endometritis is less well defined. As part of a broad effort to define and refine the diagnostic criteria and management of the disease, we conducted a survey of pathologists to understand the variability in diagnostic criteria and implications of the diagnosis of nonspecific, nonobstetric chronic endometritis. Members of national and international professional pathology societies were surveyed utilizing anonymous electronic surveys designed to examine diagnostic criteria, etiological understanding and treatment implications of a pathologic diagnosis of nonspecific, nonobstetric chronic endometritis.

Accurate diagnosis of endometriosis using serum microRNAs.

Background: Endometriosis, a chronic disease that afflicts millions of women worldwide, has traditionally been diagnosed by laparoscopic surgery. This diagnostic barrier delays identification and treatment by years, resulting in prolonged pain and disease progression. Development of a noninvasive diagnostic test could significantly improve timely disease detection.

A step towards the automation of intracytoplasmic sperm injection: real time confirmation of mouse and human oocyte penetration and viability by electrical resistance measurement.

Objective: To evaluate if oocyte penetration and viability can be confirmed by an electrical resistance increase. Automated (robotic) intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) requires confirmation of oolemma penetration before sperm injection. Visual assessment using image processing algorithms have been developed but remain unreliable.

Effects of bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens on reproductive endocrinology and reproductive tract ultrasonographic appearance in premenopausal women: a preliminary study.

Bazedoxifene (BZA) paired with conjugated estrogens (CE) is the first tissue selective estrogen receptor complex (TSEC) approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Clinical trials in menopausal women and in premenopausal murine models of endometriosis have demonstrated safety and efficacy, however, the impact of BZA/CE on premenopausal women is not known. Here we report a case series study in premenopausal women assessing effects of BZA/CE on reproductive hormones, and uterine/ovarian ultrasonographic appearance.

Progesterone Receptor Status Predicts Response to Progestin Therapy in Endometriosis.

Context: Progestin-based therapy is the first-line treatment for managing endometriosis-associated pain. However, response to progestins is currently variable and unpredictable. Predictive markers for response to progestin-based therapy would allow for a personalized approach to endometriosis treatment.

Bazedoxifene-Conjugated Estrogens for Treating Endometriosis.

Background: Endometriosis is a gynecologic disorder affecting 6-10% of reproductive-aged women. First-line therapies are progestin-based regimens; however, failure rates are high, often requiring alternative hormonal agents, each with unfavorable side effects. Bazedoxifene with conjugated estrogens is approved for treatment of menopausal symptoms, and use in animal studies has demonstrated regression of endometriotic lesions.

Managing Menopause by Combining Evidence With Clinical Judgment.

Menopause occurring before the age of 40 harbors unique challenges as well as lifetime burden resulting from premature deprivation from ovarian hormones, primarily estrogen. Cessation of ovarian function before age 40 is considered premature (ovarian insufficiency), whereas if occurring before age 45, it is deemed "early." Early/premature menopause may be idiopathic, medically, or surgically induced.

Bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens in combination with leuprolide for the treatment of endometriosis.

Bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens can be used with leuprolide as effective add-back therapy in premenopausal women with endometriosis without unwanted stimulation of the breasts, CNS (Central Nervous System), or endometrium. Bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens may be an effective progestin-free alternative to traditional add-back therapies.

The Effect of Menopausal Hormone Therapies on Breast Cancer: Avoiding the Risk.

Estrogen and P treatment results in greater risk of breast cancer than placebo. Treatment with estrogen alone does not increase the risk of breast cancer, may be used by women who have had a hysterectomy, and may even result in a decreased risk of breast cancer. Continued research seeks to improve the understanding of the interplay between estrogen and progestogens that predispose to adverse effects on breast tissue.