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Implantation of the blastocyst stage embryo into the maternal endometrium is a critical determinant and a rate-limiting process for successful pregnancy. Embryo implantation requires synchronized changes in the endometrium before and after arrival of blastocyst into the uterine cavity. Extensive cross talks occur between the fetal and maternal compartments around the time of implantation which are reflected by morphologic, biochemical and molecular changes in the endometrial cells and the differentiating trophoblast cells. The embryo induced morphologic changes include occurrence of epithelial plaque reaction, stromal compaction and decidualization. Embryonic signals also alter the expression of a large number of transcription factors, growth factors and their receptors and integrins. Thus the embryo superimposes a unique signature on the receptive endometrium for successful implantation. Functionally, the embryo-endometrial cross talk is essential for endowing a “selector activity” to the receptive endometrium to ensure implantation of only a developmentally competent embryo. On selection, the decidua creates a conducive microenvironment for trophoblast invasion leading to placentation. Clinical evidences suggest that along with receptivity, a defective “selector” activity of the receptive uterus may be a cause of infertility and recurrent miscarriages. Defects in trophoblast invasion are associated with pregnancy complications like preeclampsia and intra-uterine growth retardation. It is envisaged that understanding of the embryo-endometrial dialogue leading to the “selector” activity, aids in development of appropriate therapeutic modalities for infertility related disorders and miscarriages. Conversely, it might also benefit the development of anti-implantation drugs for contraception.

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Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths in women with a five year survival rate of only 30–40%. Amongst the three broad subgroups of ovarian cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common and is divided in mainly five subtypes based histology and clinical behaviour. In patients when the disease is still confined to ovaries, surgery alone is curative for more than 90% patients. Unfortunately, most women are diagnosed with advanced stage disease and recurs in majority despite of debulking surgery and initial response to chemotherapy. Thus ovarian cancer is still a challenge to clinicians which gets more complicated due to asymptomatic nature of the early stage disease and frequent development of resistance to standard therapies. Therefore, researchers worldwide are engaged in identifying markers for early detection of ovarian cancer, investigating molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance, improving detection methods and developing novel therapeutic measures. In this review, we attempt to discuss the contemporary research and challenges associated with epithelial ovarian cancer along with the future improvements in various areas such as early detection of ovarian cancer through Multiplex-Methylation specific PCR (MSP) assay and Serial Analysis of Gene expression (SAGE) assay and identifying new biomarkers, facilitating personalised chemotherapy regime by various chemo-response assays, novel drugs and targeted therapies which will aid in enhancing the overall survival rate in future and overcome this deadly gynaecologic disease.

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Neonatal tissues, cord and placenta, are explored as alternate sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for their therapeutic applications. Conventionally, MSCs isolated from cord tissues are maintained and propagated in FBS containing medium for promotion of growth and survival of cells. However, for therapeutic use, FBS use is not encouraged as it is of animal origin. Thus, there is a need for replacement of FBS by equally potent and clinically acceptable cost effective sources. The current study is designed to compare the effect of cord blood plasma (CBP) with MSC qualified FBS (M FBS) during culture and cryopreservation of MSCs. MSCs were isolated from cord and placenta and propagated in either M FBS or CBP. The efficiency of the cultures was analyzed by growth curve, morphology, phenotype and functionality. The cryo-protective role of the CBP was evaluated by using it in freezing medium of MSCs. Our data showed that CBP is equivalent to M FBS for culturing placental MSCs with respect to the phenotype, proliferation rate and differentiation to various lineages. However, cord MSCs displayed slow growth rate and reduction in surface expression of CD105 marker in CBP, whereas, the other parameters were comparable. Freezing of MSCs with CBP resulted in reduction of the late apoptotic and necrotic population. Thus, CBP imparts superior protection against cryogenic insults, and appears to be a valuable substitute to M FBS for cultivation and freezing of MSCs.

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Areca nut is widely used in India and the consumption has increased over the past two decades, with availability in new dry packaged forms (pan masala, gutka, mawa). Recent reports of increasing mouth cancer incidence have suggested an association with areca nut consumption. Here we have reviewed the evidence for carcinogenicity of areca nut, including epidemiological studies, several animal studies and mechanistic evidence. Studies primarily from India, providing odds ratios (ORs) or relative risks for precancers or cancer with use of areca nut without inclusion of tobacco is the focus of the review. Six case-control studies on oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) had significantly elevated ORs for use of areca nut in various forms. Six case-control studies on head and neck cancers, primarily oral cancer reported elevated ORs for chewing of betel quid without tobacco. Eight case control studies on oral cancer have reported elevated and significant ORs for betel quid with tobacco. A significant risk in oral cancer was noted in gutka users. Animal studies confirmed correlation between development of precancers or cancers and exposure to areca nut or pan masala without tobacco. Mechanistic evidence shows a role for areca nut alkaloids, polyphenols and copper in promoting carcinogenesis. Our review emphasizes control policies on areca nut products and appropriate mass communication programs for awareness of hazards of areca nut with emphasis on areca nut per se.

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