LH prevents cisplatin-induced apoptosis in oocytes and preserves female fertility in mouse

Premature ovarian failure and female infertility are frequent side effects of anticancer therapies, owing to the extreme sensitivity of the ovarian reserve oocytes to the damaging effects of irradiation and chemotherapy on DNA. We report here a robust protective effect of luteinizing hormone (LH) on the primordial follicle pool of prepubertal ovaries against the cisplatin (Cs)-induced apoptosis. In vitro LH treatment of prepubertal ovarian fragments generated anti-apoptotic signals by a subset of ovarian somatic cells expressing LH receptor (LHR) through cAMP/PKA and Akt pathways. Such signals, reducing the oocyte level of pro-apoptotic TAp63 protein and favoring the repair of the Cs-damaged DNA in the oocytes, prevented their apoptosis. Noteworthy, in vivo administration to prepubertal female mice of a single dose of LH together with Cs inhibited the depletion of the primordial follicle reserve caused by the drug and preserved their fertility in reproductive age, preventing significant alteration in the number of pregnancy and of delivered pups. In conclusion, these findings establish a novel ovoprotective role for LH and further support the very attracting prospective to use physiological 'fertoprotective' approaches for preventing premature infertility and risks linked to precocious menopause in young patients who survived cancer after chemotherapy

Two minds in one brain: The contextual solutions to strategic decision-making

This article contributes to the growing body of research concerning the decision-making process and decision success in organizations. The relationship between intuition and rationality have long been discussed in psychology and the management decision-making fields. Less is known about the outcomes of decision-making using intuition and rationality. We postulate that the importance of different decision processing styles depends on the overall configurations of the decision-specific, individual and environmental contexts. This study employs both structural equation modelling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify the net effects and configurations of decisionspecific, individual and environmental contexts that culminate in intuitive and rational decision-making. Our results reveal that different configurations of decision-making styles and contextual factors may lead to good or bad decision-making outcomes.Full Tex

Demystifying Intuitional and Rational Decision-Marking: Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Analysis

Effective decision-marking in the dynamic business environment is key to business performance. The relationship between intuition and rationality in decision-making has long been discussed in the relevant literature, albeit with discrepant views and inconsistent findings. Drawing on cognitive experiential self-theory (CEST), this paper examines an integrated model of antecedents and decision outcomes of intuition and rationality and how intuition and rationality in different scenarios interplay to influence decision outcomes. The study was undertaken in Australia and New Zealand. Both symmetrical (structural equation modeling or SEM) and asymmetrical (fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis or fsQCA) methods were employed to capitalize on a holistic understanding of the proposed relationships. The findings show that the fsQCA testing presents more insightful information about how different levels of factors inform intuitive and/or rational decision making and outcomes, and how it relates to SEM findings. This paper provides a novel perspective on the strategic decision-making process by integrating various decision-making situations and by deploying fuzzy or configurational and linear or symmetrical methods. The results also have implications for the relevant practitioners to consider the appropriate decision situations and their preferred decision styles to achieve optimal decision outcomes.Full Tex

patients with endometriosis: a preliminary study

The chronic course of endometriosis suggests that the immune system may play a role in its aetiology. There may be resistance to cell lysis, as well as an immune defect underlying endometriosis. Granzyme B is a serine protease that is secreted by Natural Killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes during a cellular immune response and can induce apoptosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between both Granzyme B levels and Granzyme B gene polymorphisms in endometriosis patients. Women between the ages of 20 - 45 were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups: those diagnosed with endometriosis and those who had not been diagnosed with endometriosis. In the blood samples, Granzyme B gene polymorphisms and serum levels of Granzyme B were studied. There was no difference between the groups in terms of median Granzyme B levels and the presence of AA, AG, and GG genotypes. There was a difference in median granzyme levels for the control group; the GG genotype was found at a lower frequency. The immune defect within endometriosis-related immune cells may not be exclusively due to Granzyme B. Other mediators that are secreted from immune cells may have additive effects.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject?NK cells are cytotoxic and inhibit the implantation of autologous endometrial cells that are spilled into the peritoneum by retrograde menstruation. Thus, a reduction in NK cell activity may facilitate the progression of endometriosis. The literature review reveals that there are studies suggesting that NK cell activity may be insufficient in endometriosis. Granzyme B is a serine protease that is secreted by NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes during a cellular immune response. What do the results of this study add?Granzyme B is one of the cytotoxic granules in NK and cytotoxic T lymphocyte cells and its genetic polymorphisms were tested in endometriosis. We found that median Granzyme B levels were significantly different in patients with the GG genotype in the control group, compared to those with the AA and AG genotype. However, this difference was not detected between the control and endometriosis groups. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research?Our results contribute to uncovering the pathogenesis of endometriosis since there are no previous studies in the literature regarding this topic. Although we did not find a difference, our results will inform further studies made on this topic. Studies with different molecules and an increased number of patients are needed. The immune defect of endometriosis may not be due exclusively to Granzyme B. Other mediators that are secreted from immune cells may have mutual effects and interactions.C1 [Taskin, Mine Islimye; Guney, Gurhan; Adali, Ertan] Balikesir Univ, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, Med Fac, Cagis Kampusu, TR-10145 Balikesir, Turkey.[Hismiogullari, Adnan Adil] Balikesir Univ, Dept Biochem, Med Fac, Balikesir, Turkey.[Dodurga, Yavuz; Elmas, Levent] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Med Biol AD, Med Fac, Denizli, Turkey

The effects of IL-1A and IL-6 genes polymorphisms on gene expressions, hormonal and biochemical parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial disease characterised by chronic inflammation. We aimed to investigate an association between IL-1A and IL-6 gene polymorphisms and both hormonal/biochemical parameters and levels of IL-1A and IL-6. A total of 103 women diagnosed with PCOS according to ESHRE/ASRM criteria were investigated. The patients were divided into two groups as obese and non-obese. IL-1A and IL-6 genes polymorphisms as well as hormonal/biochemical parameters and levels of IL-1A and IL-6 were analysed in the same groups. Serum IL-1A and IL-6 levels were found to increase both in obese and non-obese groups. However, there was no association between IL-1A level and IL-1A polymorphism. A relationship was detected between H score, FSH, LH, total testosterone, HDL-C and TG levels and CG + GG genotypes of IL-6. Furthermore, an association was found between IL-6 levels and CC genotype of IL-6 in the obese PCOS patients. The abnormalities in hormonal/biochemical parameters detected in Turkish PCOS patients may be related with IL-6 gene polymorphism rather than IL-1A