Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) induces MAPK3/1 phosphorylation in the zebrafish ovarian follicle cells independent of EGF/EGFR pathway.

In mammals, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a luteinizing hormone (LH) analogue, induces MAPK3/1 phosphorylation in the granulosa cells and this event is largely dependent on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activity. However, whether this mechanism also works in other vertebrates such as fish remains unknown. Here, we showed that treatment of cultured zebrafish ovarian follicle cells with hCG also resulted in MAPK3/1 phosphorylation without affecting the total protein level of MAPK3/1.

Epidermal growth factor differentially regulates activin subunits in the zebrafish ovarian follicle cells via diverse signaling pathways.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes oocyte maturation in the zebrafish and its effect is mediated via the activin system. However, the mechanisms by which EGF regulates activin subunits in the follicle cells remain unknown. The present study demonstrated that EGF controlled expression of three activin subunits (inhbaa, inhbab and inhbb) in the follicle cells via diverse signaling pathways.

Laparoscopic intragastric approach for stromal tumours located at the posterior gastric wall.

Surgical resection is indicated for gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). Laparoscopic resection with clear margins is effective in gastric GIST. However, GIST located in the posterior gastric wall with close proximity to the oesophagogastric junction poses special challenges.

Randomized trial comparing pantoprazole infusion, bolus and no treatment on gastric pH and recurrent bleeding in peptic ulcers.

Background: To study the effects of pantoprazole on gastric pH and recurrent bleeding after endoscopic treatment for bleeding peptic ulcers.

Methods: After endoscopic haemostasis, patients were randomly assigned to infusion group (pantoprazole 80 mg i.v.

Biliary papillomatosis: report of seven cases and review of English literature.

Biliary papillomatosis is rare. Before 1993, there were only 21 cases reported in the English literature. This article reports our experience in managing this disease and reviews experiences from recent English literature.