No abstract

No abstract

Purpose We evaluate the effect of stem cells to induce endometrial proliferation and angiogenesis on Asherman Syndrome (AS). Methods The experimental study was performed in stemcell research laboratory. Forty Wistar-Albino rats were divided according to groups. In group1 (n=10) to establish the model; trichloroacetic acid was injected to right uterine horn. Two weeks later, intrauterine synechia was confirmed. In group2 (n=10), 2 weeks later, 2×106 mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were injected into right uterine horn followed by three intraperitoneal injections of MSCs. In group3 (n=10), daily oral estrogen was initiated on the second week. In group4 (n=10), MSC injections and oral estrogen was given together. The amount of fibrosis, vascularisation, inflammation and immunohistochemical staining with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 were evaluated in the uterine tissues.

Thyroid auto-immunity (TAI) has been implicated as the most common cause of hypothyroidism in general population, especially in women. Many studies revealed that increased infertility incidences with TAI. The aim of the present article was to evaluate the effect of thyroid auto-antibody (TAA) positivity on embryological parameters, IVF-outcome and endometrial volume (EnV) in infertile patients who were applied for routine artificial reproductive technologies (ART) programme. This study included prospective, sequential, cross-sectional analyses of parameters obtained from 69 patients with unexplained infertility. It was the first ART application of patients. Patients were homogenous for age, body mass index, basal hormone measurements and underwent same ovulation induction protocol. They were evaluated for thyroid hormone profile and TAAs and divided into three groups; TAA negative group (n = 31), TAA positive group (n = 23) and TAA positive and euthyroid with medication group (n = 15). There were no differences among groups for the number of Grade-1 and Grade-2 embryos, distribution of embryo-grades, number of oocytes retrieved and fertilised, biochemical pregnancy ratios (PR), EnV and miscarriage ratio. However, the clinical PR was significantly lower in the TAA positive group (p = 0.024). In conclusion, the embryo grades and EnV did not differ among groups. But the clinical PR differs and the anti-thyroid peroxides positivity, above the cut-off point, affects the clinical PR.

Endometriotic implants were induced surgically in female Wistar albino rats, which were randomly divided into three groups. The rats in group I (n=10) and group II (n=9) were given 2.5 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal and oral atorvastatin, respectively, for 28 days. Group III (n=9) was given no medication (control). The mean volume and weight of explants in group I were significantly lower (both P < 0.05) compared with group III. Histopathological score of the implants was significantly lower in groups I and II, when compared with group III (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). There were significant reductions in explant concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in group I (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) and group II (both P < 0.01) compared with group III while staining due to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 was significantly higher in group I (P < 0.01) and group II (P < 0.01) compared with group III. Moreover, explant concentration of superoxide dismutase was significantly increased in groups I and II compared with group III (both P < 0.05). In conclusion, atorvastatin causes significant regression of endometriotic implants in rats. Moreover, intraperitoneal atorvastatin seems to be more effective than oral atorvastatin.

Unprecedented rates of human-induced changes in land use and land cover (LULC) at local and regional scales lead to alterations of global biogeochemical cycles. Driving forces behind LULC changes mainly include rapid growth rates of population and consumption, lack of valuation of ecological services, poverty, ignorance of biophysical limitations, and use of ecologically incompatible technologies. One of the major ecological tragedies of the commons in a Mediterranean region of Turkey is the loss of Lake Amik at the expense of increasing the area of croplands, which used to provide vital ecosystem goods and services for the region. In this study, we aimed at quantifying the effects of past land-use transitions on soil organic carbon (SOC) pools (0-20 cm) in a Mediterranean region of 3930 km(2), between 1972 and 2000. LULC changes were quantified from a time series of satellite images of Landsat-MSS in 1972, Landsat-5 TM in 1987, and Landsat-7 ETM+ in 2000 using geographic information systems. The study showed that the increase in croplands between 1972 and 1987 took place at the expense of the irreversible losses of Lake Amik and its related wetlands of over 53 km(2). In the period of 1972 to 2000, croplands, settlements, and evergreen forests increased by 174%, 106%, and 14%, respectively. The increase in settlements occurred mostly to the detriment of croplands. Given the average rates of all the land-use transitions, and associated changes in SOC density for the study region of 3930 km(2), total SOC pool was estimated to decrease by 14.1% from 130.1 Mt in 1972 to 111.7 Mt in 2000.

BMMSC therapy was found to be protective from germ cell apoptosis and DNA damage when it was used with chemotherapy regimens including alkylating agents.

Melatonin induces the regression of endometriotic implants in rats by modulating implant levels of SOD, MDA, VEGF, MMP-9 and TIMP-2.