Identification of germ cell-specific VASA and IFITM3 proteins in human ovarian endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a gynaecological disorder that affects 6-10 % of female population. It is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, most often in the pelvic peritoneum or ovaries. Recent studies have indicated that mesenchymal endometrial stem cells might get involved in endometriosis progression. Although germ line stem cells have been proved to exist in the ovary, their involvement in ovarian endometriosis has not been investigated. In this preliminary report we aimed to identify germinal stem cell markers in ovarian endometriosis. FINDINGS: Ten paraffin-embedded ovarian endometriosis samples were screened for germ cell-specific proteins DDX4 (VASA) and IFITM3, and its relation with stem cell marker OCT4, proliferation marker PCNA and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and PCR. DDX4 and IFITM3 proteins were expressed in isolated cells and clusters of cells in the cortical region of ovarian endometriotic cysts. DDX4 and IFITM3 co-localized in cells from endometriotic stroma, and DDX4/IFITM3-expressing cells were positive for ESR1, OCT4 and PCNA. No cells expressing neither DDX4 nor IFITM3 were detected in normal endometrial tissue. CONCLUSION: The identification of germ cell-specific proteins DDX4 and IFITM3 provides the first evidence of ovarian-sourced cells in ovarian endometriotic lesions and opens up new directions towards understanding the still confusing pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Suppression of COX-2, IL-1ß and TNF-α expression and leukocyte infiltration in inflamed skin by bioactive compounds from Rosmarinus officinalis L.

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of extracts and purified compounds from fresh leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Pretreatment with the major anti-inflammatory compounds, carnosic acid (CA) and carnosol (CS), inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced ear inflammation in mice with an EC(50) of 10.20 µg/cm(2) and 10.70 µg/cm(2), respectively. To further understand the anti-inflammatory mechanism of these compounds, we analyzed the in vivo expression of several inflammation-associated genes in mouse skin by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our data showed that CA and CS reduced the expression of IL-1ß and TNF-α but had less effect on fibronectin and ICAM-1 expression. Interestingly, both compounds selectively inhibited COX-2 but not COX-1. Histopathological analysis of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained tissue revealed a marked reduction in leukocyte infiltration and epidermal ulceration of PMA-treated ears when ears were pretreated with ethanolic extracts or pure CA. In vitro, we showed that ethanolic extract, carnosic acid and carnosol significantly inhibited the overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) in a dose-dependent manner in the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line. For the first time in vivo, we showed that CA and CS differentially regulate the expression of inflammation-associated genes, thus demonstrating the pharmacological basis for the anti-inflammatory properties reported for CA and CS.

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA and p53 codon 72 polymorphism in prostate carcinomas of patients from Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Infections with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), causatively linked to cervical cancer, might also play a role in the development of prostate cancer. Furthermore, the polymorphism at codon 72 (encoding either arginine or proline) of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene is discussed as a possible determinant for cancer risk. The HPV E6 oncoprotein induces degradation of the p53 protein. The aim of this study was to analyse prostate carcinomas and hyperplasias of patients from Argentina for the presence of HPV DNA and the p53 codon 72 polymorphism genotype. METHODS: HPV DNA detection and typing were done by consensus L1 and type-specific PCR assays, respectively, and Southern blot hybridizations. Genotyping of p53 codon 72 polymorphism was performed both by allele specific primer PCRs and PCR-RFLP (Bsh1236I). Fischer's test with Woolf's approximation was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 17 out of 41 (41.5%) carcinoma samples, whereas all 30 hyperplasia samples were HPV-negative. Differences in p53 codon 72 allelic frequencies were not observed, neither between carcinomas and hyperplasias nor between HPV-positive and HPV-negative carcinomas. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the p53 genotype is probably not a risk factor for prostate cancer, and that HPV infections could be associated with at least a subset of prostate carcinomas.

Elevación experimental del piso del seno maxilar de la rata con hidroxiapatita / Experimental sinus lift in the rat using hydroxyapatite

El presente trabajo muestra la puesta en marcha de una técnica quirúrgica "in vivo" para aumentar el volumen del hueso alveolar, utilizando distintos biomateriales, con el fin de lograr la rehabilitación oral en menor tiempo y con la misma calidad ósea. Se sacrificaron ratas Wistar macho, obteniéndose resultados a los 15, 30 y 60 días. Dichos resultados mostraron la formación de tejido óseo reticular en los senos maxilares. Este hallazgo permitiría encontrar en la rata Wistar un buen modelo experimental para la utilización de diferentes tipos de biomateriales y de este modo medir los tiempos de osificación y poder modificarlos

Elevación experimental del piso del seno maxilar de la rata con hidroxiapatita / Experimental sinus lift in the rat using hydroxyapatite

El presente trabajo muestra la puesta en marcha de una técnica quirúrgica "in vivo" para aumentar el volumen del hueso alveolar, utilizando distintos biomateriales, con el fin de lograr la rehabilitación oral en menor tiempo y con la misma calidad ósea. Se sacrificaron ratas Wistar macho, obteniéndose resultados a los 15, 30 y 60 días. Dichos resultados mostraron la formación de tejido óseo reticular en los senos maxilares. Este hallazgo permitiría encontrar en la rata Wistar un buen modelo experimental para la utilización de diferentes tipos de biomateriales y de este modo medir los tiempos de osificación y poder modificarlos (AU)

Leiomioma del colédoco / Leiomyoma of the common bile duct

Se presenta el primer caso de la bibliografia nacional y segundo de la bibliografía mundial de leiomioma del colédoco. Se trata de un hallazgo fortuito en una mujer de 69 años de edad quien presentaba un síndrome coledociano a 40 años de una colecistectomía; la resección submucosa del tumor permitió la curación (AU)

Leiomioma del colédoco / Leiomyoma of the common bile duct

Se presenta el primer caso de la bibliografia nacional y segundo de la bibliografía mundial de leiomioma del colédoco. Se trata de un hallazgo fortuito en una mujer de 69 años de edad quien presentaba un síndrome coledociano a 40 años de una colecistectomía; la resección submucosa del tumor permitió la curación