Determination of the effects of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and ovarian stromal stem cells on follicular maturation in cyclophosphamide induced ovarian failure in rats

Objective: Chemotherapy causes depletion of primordial follicles that leads to premature ovarian failure in female cancer survivals. We investigated the effect of bone marrow derived mesenchymal (BMMSCs) and ovarian stromal stem cells (OSSCs) on follicle maturation in chemotherapy induced ovarian failure. Material and methods: Thirty six Wistar Albino female rats were divided into three groups. Cyclophosphamide at a dose of 200 mg/kg was intraperitoneally (IP) given to the rats in all groups two times. 4 × 106 BMMSCs (IP) was injected to the group-2 and 4 × 106 OSSCs (IP) was injected to the group-3. Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels was determined with ELISA and primordial follicles were counted for investigation of primordial follicle reserve. The ovarian structure were evaluated histomorphologically. Localization of BrdU labeled stem cells, the expression of the cell cycle regulator p34Cdc2, gap junction protein p-connexin43 and intraovarian regulators of folliculogenesis Bone Morphogenic Protein 6 and 15 (BMP-6 and BMP-15) were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results: The immunstaining of BMP-6 was higher in oocytes of group-3 more than group-1 and group-2. The immunpositivity of p34cdc2 and BMP-15 were also higher in follicular cells of group-3 than the other groups. The presence of p-connexin43 in group-3 was determined more than group-1 and group-2. The ovarian follicles with normal histological structure were observed just in group-3. Although, The AMH levels were decreased in rats from all groups at the end of experimental procedure the primordial follicle counts in group-3 was significantly higher than group-1. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that OSSCs have more protective effect on follicle maturation than BMMSCs in cyclophosphamide induced ovarian damage. Keywords: Cyclophosphamide, Ovary, Ovarian follicle, Stem cell

Unverricht-Lundborg Disease in Turkey: Delineating The Phenotype Between Cystatin B Mutation Positive and Negative Cases

Objective: We herein report the first three genetically proven Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD) patients in Turkey and their clinical comparisons with eight CSTB mutation negative patients who were suspected to have ULD

Determination of the effects of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and ovarian stromal stem cells on follicular maturation in cyclophosphamide induced ovarian failure in rats

Objective: Chemotherapy causes depletion of primordial follicles that leads to premature ovarian failure in female cancer survivals. We investigated the effect of bone marrow derived mesenchymal (BMMSCs) and ovarian stromal stem cells (OSSCs) on follicle maturation in chemotherapy induced ovarian failure. Material and methods: Thirty six Wistar Albino female rats were divided into three groups. Cyclophosphamide at a dose of 200 mg/kg was intraperitoneally (IP) given to the rats in all groups two times. 4 x 10(6) BMMSCs (IP) was injected to the group-2 and 4 x 10(6) OSSCs (IP) was injected to the group-3. Serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels was determined with ELISA and primordial follicles were counted for investigation of primordial follicle reserve. The ovarian structure were evaluated histomorphologically. Localization of BrdU labeled stem cells, the expression of the cell cycle regulator p34Cdc2, gap junction protein p-connexin43 and intraovarian regulators of folliculogenesis Bone Morphogenic Protein 6 and 15 (BMP-6 and BMP-15) were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results: The immunstaining of BMP-6 was higher in oocytes of group-3 more than group-1 and group-2. The immunpositivity of p34cdc2 and BMP-15 were also higher in follicular cells of group-3 than the other groups. The presence of p-connexin43 in group-3 was determined more than group-1 and group-2. The ovarian follicles with normal histological structure were observed just in group-3. Although, The AMH levels were decreased in rats from all groups at the end of experimental procedure the primordial follicle counts in group-3 was significantly higher than group-1. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that OSSCs have more protective effect on follicle maturation than BMMSCs in cyclophosphamide induced ovarian damage. (C) 2018 Taiwan Association of Obstetrics \& Gynecology. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V

Long-Term Omalizumab Treatment: A Multicenter, Real-Life, 5-Year Trial

WOS: 000438864700007PubMed ID: 29772578Background: Omalizumab has demonstrated therapeutic benefits both in controlled clinical trials and real-life studies. However, research concerning the long-term effects and tolerability of omalizumab is needed. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of treatment with omalizumab for up to 5 years. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, chart-based study was carried out to compare documented exacerbations, hospitalizations, systemic steroid requirement, FEV1, and asthma control test (ACT) results during 1 year prior to omalizumab treatment versus at 1, 3, and 5 years of treatment. Adverse events and reasons for discontinuation were also recorded at each time point. Results: Four hundred and sixty-five patients were enrolled in the study. Outcome variables had improved after the 1st year and were sustained after the 3rd and 5th years of treatment with omalizumab. Omalizumab treatment reduced the asthma exacerbation rate by 71.3% (p < 0.001) at 1 year, 64.3% (p < 0.001) at 3 years, and 54.8% (p = 0.002) at 5 years. The hospitalization rate also decreased; by the 5th year of the treatment no patients were hospitalized. ACT results had also improved significantly: 12 (p < 0.001) at 1 year, 12 (p < 0.001) at 3 years, and 12 (p = 0.002) at 5 years. Overall, 12.7% of patients reported adverse events (most of these were mild-to-moderate) and the overall dropout rate was 9.0%. Conclusion: Omalizumab had a significant effect on asthma outcomes and this effect was maintained over 5 years. The drug was found to be generally safe and treatment compliance was good. (C) 2018 S. Karger AG, BaselNovartis Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; NovartisNovartisThe study was sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The sponsor was involved in the design of the study and conducted the analysis according to a detailed analysis agreed by the investigators. The interpretation of the results is that of the author of this paper. Arzu Yorgancioglu, Ferda Oner Erkekol, Dilsad Mungan, Munevver Erdinc, Bilun Gemicioglu, Zeynep Ferhan Ozseker, Papatya Bayrak, Sibel Atis Nayci, Aykut Cilli, Cengiz Kirmaz, Dane Ediger, Arzu Didem Yalcin, Suna Buyukozturk, Sami Ozturk, Rana Isik, Fuat Kalyoncu, and Yavuz Havlucu received grant/research support for consultations, speaking at conferences and for support to attend international conferences from Novartis. Fusun Erdenen, Mustafa Gulec, Ozlem Goksel, Omur Aydin do not have conflict of interest. Idilhan Baloglu Ar, Ahmet Erdogdu work for the Medical Department of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Istanbul, Turkey

Threads of memory: Reproducing the cypress tree through sensual consumption

This paper is concerned with the ways in which a group of Persian women, who have all fled Iran in the last two decades, give meaning to place and memory through the everyday practices of cooking and embroidery. While there are many different localised arts of patterning and flavour, we focus here on the recurring pattern of bota (the Cypress tree). In particular, we examine how the bota motif links both the making of domestic sweets and cloths, and is central in recalling and remaking a sense of place. The Cypress tree symbolises life: the continuation of life in place, and the continuation of place in life. In creating and consuming the bota motif, through eating, laying tablecloths, wrapping towels, sitting on cushions and drawing curtains, embodied experiences of landscape and relationships are reproduced. The embroidery items entail and occasion sensual engagement in and of themselves, and also serve as backgrounds for specific sensual engagements, including, for example, as tablecloths upon which food will be served. Engagement with the bota pattern cannot be characterised along strictly divided sensual dimensions. Rather, we argue that the senses are intertwined in a synaesthetic knot in which memory is embodied and reproduced

Picturing asthma in Turkey: results from the Turkish adult asthma registry

Introduction: National data on asthma characteristics and the factors associated with uncontrolled asthma seem to be necessary for every country. For this purpose, we developed the Turkish Adult Asthma Registry for patients with asthma aiming to take a snapshot of our patients, thereby assigning the unmet needs and niche areas of intervention. Methods: Case entries were performed between March 2018 and March 2022. A web-based application was used to record data. Study outcomes were demographic features, disease characteristics, asthma control levels, and phenotypes. Results: The registry included 2053 patients from 36 study centers in Turkey. Female subjects dominated the group (n = 1535, 74.8%). The majority of the patients had allergic (n = 1158, 65.3%) and eosinophilic (n = 1174, 57.2%) asthma. Six hundred nineteen (32.2%) of the patients had obese asthma. Severe asthma existed in 670 (32.6%) patients. Majority of cases were on step 3–5 treatment (n: 1525; 88.1%). Uncontrolled asthma was associated with low educational level, severe asthma attacks in the last year, low FEV1, existence of chronic rhinosinusitis and living in particular regions. Conclusion: The picture of this registry showed a dominancy of middle-aged obese women with moderate-to-severe asthma. We also determined particular strategic targets such as low educational level, severe asthma attacks, low FEV1, and chronic rhinosinusitis to decrease uncontrolled asthma in our country. Moreover, some regional strategies may also be needed as uncontrolled asthma is higher in certain regions. We believe that these data will guide authorities to reestablish national asthma programs to improve asthma service delivery