Follicular fluid levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and early corpus luteum function during assisted reproductive technology cycles

BACKGROUND: The relation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and early luteal function has rarely been proven in humans. The purpose of this study was to define the relation between follicular fluid concentrations of VEGF (FF VEGF) and early luteal function at the preimplantation stage during assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles. METHODS: 71 women were divided into two groups, based on reproductive outcome: women who became pregnant after embryo transfer (ET) (n = 18, Group A) and non-pregnant women (n = 53, Group B). Serum progesterone (Se P) and inhibin A on ET day, and FF VEGF levels were measured in all women. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel Office 98 for Student's t-test, linear regression test and chi-square test. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The groups were comparable for age, ovarian reserve, number and quality of the oocytes retrieved and of the embryos obtained and transferred. FF VEGF levels were increased (4235 ± 1433 vs 3432 ± 1231 pg/ml), while Se P and inhibin A levels were significantly reduced (83.1 ± 34.1 vs 112.0 ± 58.8 ng/ml and 397.4 ± 223 vs 533.5 ± 283 pg/ml, respectively) in the non-pregnant group and were negatively correlated with FF VEGF (r = -0.482, p < 0.05; r = -0.468, p < 0.05) only in pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Much has to be learned about the regulation and role of VEGF during the early luteal phase. We advance the hypothesis that the existence of a negative correlation between FF VEGF/Se P and FF VEGF/inhibin A in pregnant women might indicate the existence of a normal VEGF-mediated paracrine response when Se P and inhibin A levels are decreased. Excess production of FF VEGF and the absence of a correlation between FF VEGF/Se P and FF VEGF/inhibin A in non-pregnant women may be a paracrine reaction to immature luteal vasculature, resulting in luteal dysfunction

Integrated Analyses of Copy Number Variations and Gene Expression in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Numerous efforts have been made to elucidate the etiology and improve the treatment of lung cancer, but the overall five-year survival rate is still only 15%. Identification of prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer using gene expression microarrays poses a major challenge in that very few overlapping genes have been reported among different studies. To address this issue, we have performed concurrent genome-wide analyses of copy number variation and gene expression to identify genes reproducibly associated with tumorigenesis and survival in non-smoking female lung adenocarcinoma. The genomic landscape of frequent copy number variable regions (CNVRs) in at least 30% of samples was revealed, and their aberration patterns were highly similar to several studies reported previously. Further statistical analysis for genes located in the CNVRs identified 475 genes differentially expressed between tumor and normal tissues (p<10−5). We demonstrated the reproducibility of these genes in another lung cancer study (p = 0.0034, Fisher's exact test), and showed the concordance between copy number variations and gene expression changes by elevated Pearson correlation coefficients. Pathway analysis revealed two major dysregulated functions in lung tumorigenesis: survival regulation via AKT signaling and cytoskeleton reorganization. Further validation of these enriched pathways using three independent cohorts demonstrated effective prediction of survival. In conclusion, by integrating gene expression profiles and copy number variations, we identified genes/pathways that may serve as prognostic biomarkers for lung tumorigenesis

Distribución de la producción y viabilidad del polen en el capítulo de girasol (Helianthus annuus L.)

En el capítulo de girasol, los procesos que conducen a la floración y fructificación siguen una secuencia centrípeta. Las fluctuaciones ambientales durante estas etapas pueden alterar, con diferente grado de magnitud, la producción y viabilidad del polen en distintas posiciones del capítulo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue cuantificar durante el periodo de antesis la producción y viabilidad polínica en distintos sectores de la inflorescencia. Plantas del genotipo comercial Cargil S515 fueron crecidas en condiciones de campo (fecha de siembra: 26/10/98). Durante antesis y en capítulos previamente seleccionados, se colectaron flores de su región periférica, intermedia y central. Para la estimación de la concentración polínica se utilizaron tabletas de esporas de Lycopodium sp. El porcentaje de viabilidad del polen se determinó mediante fluorescencia de contraste óptico. El sector periférico fue el que produjo polen significativamente más viable y en mayor cantidad comparado con los sectores medio y central (80.9 % de viabilidad polínica en periferia, 51.6 % en mitad y centro; 55995, 40847 Y 22999 granos. Flor-1 para periferia, mitad y centro respectivamente). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la producción polínica entre plantas. En el momento de madurez fisiológica la mayor parte de los capítulos presentó el sector central con el total de frutos vanos. El análisis de los datos meteorológicos registrados durante el ciclo del cultivo reveló un severo déficit hídrico entre la iniciación floral y la mitad de la antesis. Se discuten las posibles explicaciones a estos resultados, infiriéndose que la producción polínica por flor' en los sectores del capítulo responderla a un factor genético, mientras que la menor viabilidad polínica y el vaneo central se deberían a factores ambientales. Resúmenes de Trabajos presentados en otras publicaciones (por docentes de la UNLPam.). Aceptado para su presentación en 15" Conférence Intemationale Tournesol, 12-15 Juin 2000. Toulouse, France

Distribución de la producción y viabilidad del polen en el capítulo de girasol (Helianthus annuus L.)

En el capítulo de girasol, los procesos que conducen a la floración y fructificación siguen una secuencia centrípeta. Las fluctuaciones ambientales durante estas etapas pueden alterar, con diferente grado de magnitud, la producción y viabilidad del polen en distintas posiciones del capítulo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue cuantificar durante el periodo de antesis la producción y viabilidad polínica en distintos sectores de la inflorescencia. Plantas del genotipo comercial Cargil S515 fueron crecidas en condiciones de campo (fecha de siembra: 26/10/98). Durante antesis y en capítulos previamente seleccionados, se colectaron flores de su región periférica, intermedia y central. Para la estimación de la concentración polínica se utilizaron tabletas de esporas de Lycopodium sp. El porcentaje de viabilidad del polen se determinó mediante fluorescencia de contraste óptico. El sector periférico fue el que produjo polen significativamente más viable y en mayor cantidad comparado con los sectores medio y central (80.9 % de viabilidad polínica en periferia, 51.6 % en mitad y centro; 55995, 40847 Y 22999 granos. Flor-1 para periferia, mitad y centro respectivamente). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la producción polínica entre plantas. En el momento de madurez fisiológica la mayor parte de los capítulos presentó el sector central con el total de frutos vanos. El análisis de los datos meteorológicos registrados durante el ciclo del cultivo reveló un severo déficit hídrico entre la iniciación floral y la mitad de la antesis. Se discuten las posibles explicaciones a estos resultados, infiriéndose que la producción polínica por flor' en los sectores del capítulo responderla a un factor genético, mientras que la menor viabilidad polínica y el vaneo central se deberían a factores ambientales.Resúmenes de Trabajos presentados en otras publicaciones (por docentes de la UNLPam.). Aceptado para su presentación en 15" Conférence Intemationale Tournesol, 12-15 Juin 2000. Toulouse, France

Follicular fluid levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and early corpus luteum function during assisted reproductive technology cycles

BACKGROUND: The relation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and early luteal function has rarely been proven in humans. The purpose of this study was to define the relation between follicular fluid concentrations of VEGF (FF VEGF) and early luteal function at the preimplantation stage during assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles. METHODS: 71 women were divided into two groups, based on reproductive outcome: women who became pregnant after embryo transfer (ET) (n = 18, Group A) and non-pregnant women (n = 53, Group B). Serum progesterone (Se P) and inhibin A on ET day, and FF VEGF levels were measured in all women. Data were expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel Office 98 for Student's t-test, linear regression test and chi-square test. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The groups were comparable for age, ovarian reserve, number and quality of the oocytes retrieved and of the embryos obtained and transferred. FF VEGF levels were increased (4235 +/- 1433 vs 3432 +/- 1231 pg/ml), while Se P and inhibin A levels were significantly reduced (83.1 +/- 34.1 vs 112.0 +/- 58.8 ng/ml and 397.4 +/- 223 vs 533.5 +/- 283 pg/ml, respectively) in the non-pregnant group and were negatively correlated with FF VEGF (r = -0.482, p < 0.05; r = -0.468, p < 0.05) only in pregnant women. CONCLUSION: Much has to be learned about the regulation and role of VEGF during the early luteal phase. We advance the hypothesis that the existence of a negative correlation between FF VEGF/Se P and FF VEGF/inhibin A in pregnant women might indicate the existence of a normal VEGF-mediated paracrine response when Se P and inhibin A levels are decreased. Excess production of FF VEGF and the absence of a correlation between FF VEGF/Se P and FF VEGF/inhibin A in non-pregnant women may be a paracrine reaction to immature luteal vasculature, resulting in luteal dysfunctio