AF-MSCs fate can be regulated by culture conditions.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) represent a population of multipotent adherent cells able to differentiate into many lineages. In our previous studies, we isolated and expanded fetal MSCs from second-trimester amniotic fluid (AF) and characterized them based on their phenotype, pluripotency and proteomic profile. In the present study, we investigated the plasticity of these cells based on their differentiation, dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation potential in vitro. To this end, adipocyte-like cells (AL cells) derived from AF-MSCs can regain, under certain culture conditions, a more primitive phenotype through the process of dedifferentiation. Dedifferentiated AL cells derived from AF-MSCs (DAF-MSCs), gradually lost the expression of adipogenic markers and obtained similar morphology and differentiation potential to AF-MSCs, together with regaining the pluripotency marker expression. Moreover, a comparative proteomic analysis of AF-MSCs, AL cells and DAF-MSCs revealed 31 differentially expressed proteins among the three cell populations. Proteins, such as vimentin, galectin-1 and prohibitin that have a significant role in stem cell regulatory mechanisms, were expressed in higher levels in AF-MSCs and DAF-MSCs compared with AL cells. We next investigated whether AL cells could transdifferentiate into hepatocyte-like cells (HL cells) directly or through a dedifferentiation step. AL cells were cultured in hepatogenic medium and 4 days later they obtained a phenotype similar to AF-MSCs, and were termed as transdifferentiated AF-MSCs (TRAF-MSCs). This finding, together with the increase in pluripotency marker expression, indicated the adaption of a more primitive phenotype before transdifferentiation. Additionally, we observed that AF-, DAF- and TRAF-MSCs displayed similar clonogenic potential, secretome and proteome profile. Considering the easy access to this fetal cell source, the plasticity of AF-MSCs and their potential to dedifferentiate and transdifferentiate, AF may provide a valuable tool for cell therapy and tissue engineering applications.

Resistin in mid-trimester amniotic fluid in trisomy 21.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine whether resistin is present in second trimester amniotic fluid from trisomy 21 (also known as Down's syndrome) pregnancies and whether its concentration differs compared with euploid pregnancies. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 58 women in the mid-trimester of pregnancy who underwent amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis, 31 of whom carried a single fetus with diagnosed trisomy 21 (study group) and the rest with normal karyotype (control group, n = 27). Groups were matched for maternal and gestational age. Levels of resistin in amniotic fluid were measured by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS: Resistin was detected in all amniotic fluid samples. Its median concentration in the second trimester amniotic fluid of trisomy 21 pregnancies (2.1 ng/ml) was statistically significantly lower (p value <0.001) in comparison with that in euploid pregnancies (3.3 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: Resistin is a physiologic constituent of second trimester amniotic fluid. Lower levels of amniotic fluid resistin in pregnancies with trisomy 21 may reflect altered metabolic pathways in utero that could possibly be related with phenotypic features of the syndrome.

Uterine cancer through the works of the eccentric Auguste Joseph Lutaud (1847- 1925), famous gynaecologist, publisher and intellectual of the 19th century.

Auguste Lutaud was standing for almost half century in front of the French and International stage for his controversy and eccentric personality, his undisputed authority in gynecology, his writings and his publishing success. Thanks to his writings, he is considered as the main propagator of the prevailing ideas on uterine cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Changes in maternal plasma levels of VEGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, ET-1 and sKL during uncomplicated pregnancy, hypertensive pregnancy and gestational diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and soluble c-kit ligand (sKL) are cytokines involved in embryogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maternal plasma cytokines were measured with ELISA during the three trimesters of gestation and on the day of delivery in 93 pregnant women and 18 age-matched non-pregnant control women. RESULTS: The VEGF and bFGF levels increased during the first trimester and declined thereafter, but they remained above the controls' values until delivery. The TGF-beta1 levels increased during the first trimester and remained unchanged thereafter. On the contrary, the ET-1 levels decreased and remained low until delivery. VEGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1 and ET-1 were increased in hypertensive pregnancy. Except for ET-1, these cytokines were also increased in gestational diabetes. No changes in plasma sKL were documented. CONCLUSION: All the aforementioned cytokines play a role in uncomplicated pregnancy, whereas hypertensive pregnancy is causatively-related with increased ET-1.

Congenital bronchopulmonary sequestration presenting as a thoracic tumor: a case report.

The accurate diagnosis of fetal thoracic tumors still remains unclear despite the progress in imaging technology. The differential diagnosis between tumors and congenital anomalies of the fetus respiratory system, largely depends on the diagnostic approaches involved. We report a case of a 25-year-old woman, gravida 3 para 0, who was seen at the 23rd gestational week for routine obstetric examination. The ultrasound scan detected a lung mass, occupying the whole left hemithorax with a significant shifting of the mediastinum exhibiting features compatible with cystic adenomatoid malformation (CAM). No other congenital anomalies were noted. Color Doppler ultrasound failed to detect any blood supply to the mass. Amniocentesis disclosed a normal male karyotype. Pregnancy termination was performed according to the parents' request, with the use of misoprostol and a 500 g dead fetus was delivered. The autopsy followed by detailed histological examination, disclosed the diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration. It is important to emphasize that the initial impression concerning the sonographic appearance and the size of the mass is not always in accordance with the diagnosis of the lesion and the outcome of the pregnancy. These data suggest that in cases of fetal pulmonary tumors, a thorough and comprehensive combination of imaging approaches should be employed followed by a pathologic examination of the congenital anomaly in order to establish a definitive diagnosis.

Y chromosomal haplogroup J as a signature of the post-neolithic colonization of Europe.

In order to attain a finer reconstruction of the peopling of southern and central-eastern Europe from the Levant, we determined the frequencies of eight lineages internal to the Y chromosomal haplogroup J, defined by biallelic markers, in 22 population samples obtained with a fine-grained sampling scheme. Our results partially resolve a major multifurcation of lineages within the haplogroup. Analyses of molecular variance show that the area covered by haplogroup J dispersal is characterized by a significant degree of molecular radiation for unique event polymorphisms within the haplogroup, with a higher incidence of the most derived sub-haplogroups on the northern Mediterranean coast, from Turkey westward; here, J diversity is not simply a subset of that present in the area in which this haplogroup first originated. Dating estimates, based on simple tandem repeat loci (STR) diversity within each lineage, confirmed the presence of a major population structuring at the time of spread of haplogroup J in Europe and a punctuation in the peopling of this continent in the post-Neolithic, compatible with the expansion of the Greek world. We also present here, for the first time, a novel method for comparative dating of lineages, free of assumptions of STR mutation rates.