Evaluating the value of a 3D printed model for hands-on training of gynecological pelvic examination.

Background: Simulation in the field of gynecological pelvic examination with educational purposes holds great potential. In the current manuscript we evaluate a 3D printed model of the female pelvis, which improves practical teaching of the gynecological pelvic examination for medical staff.

Methods: We evaluated the benefit of a 3D printed model of the female pelvis (Pelvisio®) as part of a seminar ("skills training") for teaching gynecological examination to medical students.

Evaluating a novel 3D printed model for simulating Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (LLETZ).

Background: Electrosurgical excisions are common procedures for treating cervical dysplasia and are often seen as minor surgeries. Yet, thorough training of this intervention is required, as there are considerable consequences of inadequate resections, e.g.

A 3D printed model of the female pelvis for practical education of gynecological pelvic examination.

Background: Pelvic palpation is a core component of every Gynecologic examination. It requires vigorous training, which is difficult due to its intimate nature, leading to a need of simulation. Up until now, there are mainly models available for mere palpation which do not offer adequate visualization of the concerning anatomical structures.

Establishment of the SIS scaffold-based 3D model of human peritoneum for studying the dissemination of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecological malignancy in women. More than 70% of the cases are diagnosed at the advanced stage, presenting as primary peritoneal metastasis, which results in a poor 5-year survival rate of around 40%. Mechanisms of peritoneal metastasis, including adhesion, migration, and invasion, are still not completely understood and therapeutic options are extremely limited.

Introducing a novel model for simulating large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) using 3D printing technique.

Purpose: Electrosurgery is the gold-standard procedure for the treatment of cervical dysplasia. The quality of the outcome depends on the accuracy of performance, which underlines the role of adequate training of surgeons, especially, as this procedure is often performed by novice surgeons. According to our knowledge, medical simulation has up until now lacked a model, which focuses on realistically simulating the treatment of cervical dysplasia with the concerning anatomy.

Total Mesometrial Resection With (Neo)Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Tumor Response Score.

Background/aim: There is a lack of data concerning the surgical treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (LACC) with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT, ACT) as well as total mesometrial resection (TMMR). The aim of the study was to present a novel approach for treating LACC using a tumor response score for NACT.

Patients And Methods: A total of 12 patients with LACC were treated with NACT [cisplatin, ifosfamide, paclitaxel (TIP)], TMMR and ACT containing TIP.

Implementation of robotic gynecological surgery in a German University Hospital: patient safety after 110 procedures.

Purpose: Robotic surgery represents the latest development in the field of minimally invasive surgery and offers many technical advantages. Despite the higher costs, this novel approach has been applied increasingly in gynecological surgery. Regarding the implementation of a new operative method; however, the most important factor to be aware of is patient safety.

Role of Renin-Angiotensin-System in Human Breast Cancer Cells: Is There a Difference in Regulation of Angiogenesis between Hormone-Receptor Positive and Negative Breast Cancer Cells?

This study examined the role of the RAS in human breast cancer cells to question if there are differences between HR-positive and HR-negative cells with regard to regulation of VEGF. Expression of different RAS components in hormone receptor (HR)-positive and HR-negative breast cancer cells was investigated using RT-PCR. Different stimulation protocols with different RAS inhibitors were used to investigate the effect on VEGF expression.

Nectin-2 in ovarian cancer: How is it expressed and what might be its functional role?

Nectin-2 is an adhesion molecule that has been reported to play a role in tumor growth, metastasis and tumor angiogenesis. Herein, we investigated Nectin-2 in ovarian cancer patients and in cell culture. Tumor as well as peritoneal biopsies of 60 ovarian cancer patients and 22 controls were dual stained for Nectin-2 and CD31 using immunohistochemistry.

Does VEGF facilitate local tumor growth and spread into the abdominal cavity by suppressing endothelial cell adhesion, thus increasing vascular peritoneal permeability followed by ascites production in ovarian cancer?

Background: Ovarian cancer is mostly associated with pathologically regulated permeability of peritoneal vessels, leading to ascites. Here, we investigated the molecular regulation of endothelial permeability by the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and both tight and adherens junction proteins (VE-cadherin and claudin 5) with regards to the tumor biology of different ovarian cancer types.

Methods: Serum and ascites samples before and after surgery, as well as peritoneal biopsies of 68 ovarian cancer patients and 20 healthy controls were collected.

Regulation of endothelial permeability in the primate corpora lutea: implications for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

In a developing human corpus luteum, a closely regulated cellular communication system exists between the luteal steroidogenic cells and endothelial cells. This system guaranties the vascularization process during luteal formation. The process is combined with rapid release of large amounts of progesterone into the bloodstream.

Temperature-dependence of yadBC phenotypes in Yersinia pestis.

YadB and YadC are putative trimeric autotransporters present only in the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis and its evolutionary predecessor, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Previously, yadBC was found to promote invasion of epithelioid cells by Y. pestis grown at 37 °C.

Local Renin-Angiotensin system in the reproductive system.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is well known as regulator of electrolytes and blood pressure. Besides this function, there are numerous studies supporting the idea of a local tissue RAS. This system controls the local activity of the different RAS family members, especially of the functional proteins Angiotensin II and Angiotensin (1-7).

Human chorionic gonadotropin controls luteal vascular permeability via vascular endothelial growth factor by down-regulation of a cascade of adhesion proteins.

Objective: To study the functional interactions of junctional proteins acting as regulators of vascular permeability in the human corpus luteum. We investigated the role of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, nectin 2, and claudin 5 as controllers of vascular endothelial cell permeability.

Design: Performing immunohistochemical dual staining, we colocalized the above-mentioned proteins in the human corpus luteum.

VEGF induces ascites in ovarian cancer patients via increasing peritoneal permeability by downregulation of Claudin 5.

Objective: To evaluate the role of VEGF-dependent Claudin 5 production for the development of ascites via influencing endothelial permeability in peritoneal tissue of ovarian cancer patients.

Methods: This study investigates the mechanisms of formation of ascites in ovarian cancer patients, performing RT-PCR, VEGF-ELISA and immunohistochemical dual staining for CD31 and Claudin 5. In addition, in order to analyze the connectivity of VEGF, Claudin 5, and endothelial permeability, an endothelial cell/ovarian cancer cell-co-culture-system was established and evaluated performing Western blot analysis and a permeability assay.

Is there a role of the local tissue RAS in the regulation of physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions in the reproductive tract?

The renin-angiotensin system is well known as a systemic endocrine pathway that regulates blood pressure and salt-water metabolism. In addition to the systemic renin-angiotensin system there is evidence in different species for the presence of a local tissue renin-angiotensin system, which allows local production of the bioactive peptides angiotensin II and angiotensin (1-7). The local renin-angiotensin system has been found in a variety of tissues including tissue of the human reproductive tract.

Exacerbation of a maternal hiatus hernia in early pregnancy presenting with symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum: case report and review of the literature.

Case Report: We report on a 30-year old woman presenting with symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum and subsequent vomiting at the end of the first trimester (12 + 0 weeks of gestation). The patient was initially presented with nausea and vomiting, without any signs or symptoms of intra-abdominal disorders. On the 2nd day, symptoms became worse and she complained right sided upper abdominal pain, therefore abdominal ultrasound was performed, showing no remarkable findings, explaining the disorder.

Impact of guideline conformity on breast cancer therapy: results of a 13-year retrospective cohort study.

Background: To date, few studies have investigated whether the implementation of national breast cancer guidelines fulfills the goal to optimize the national standard of care. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate retrospectively the guideline-related 13-year data on breast cancer patients treated at our institution.

Patients And Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, the records of a total of 2,231 patients with primary breast cancer treated during the period of 1992-2005 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ulm, Germany, were analyzed.

Ovarian metastasis of a lymphoma presenting as primary ovarian cancer.

Background: Ovarian metastases are being found in a variety of different malignant diseases.

Case Report: A clinical case of a woman with a pelvic tumor and elevated CA125 levels, and suspected primary ovarian carcinoma is presented. Surgery revealed a metastasis of a B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Regulated expression of the renin-angiotensin-system in human granulosa lutein cells: angiotensin II increases VEGF expression but its synthesis is reduced by hCG.

Introduction: The Renin-Angiotensin-System (RAS) has been suspected not only to control vascular tone but also to regulate angiogenesis. Angiotensin II has been shown to influence angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The Corpus luteum undergoes intense VEGF-dependent angiogenesis, regulated by luteinising hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).

Growth of calcium-blind mutants of Yersinia pestis at 37 degrees C in permissive Ca2+-deficient environments.

Cells of wild-type Yersinia pestis exhibit a low-calcium response (LCR) defined as bacteriostasis with expression of a pCD-encoded type III secretion system (T3SS) during cultivation at 37 degrees C without added Ca(2+) versus vegetative growth with downregulation of the T3SS with Ca(2+) (>or=2.5 mM). Bacteriostasis is known to reflect cumulative toxicity of Na(+), l-glutamic acid and culture pH; control of these variables enables full-scale growth ('rescue') in the absence of Ca(2+).

yadBC of Yersinia pestis, a new virulence determinant for bubonic plague.

In all Yersinia pestis strains examined, the adhesin/invasin yadA gene is a pseudogene, yet Y. pestis is invasive for epithelial cells. To identify potential surface proteins that are structurally and functionally similar to YadA, we searched the Y.

Yersinia pestis YadC: a novel vaccine candidate against plague.

Current subunit vaccines provide partial protection against pneumonic plague if the infecting Y. pestis strain is encapsulated (F1+). Here we describe YadC, a novel Y.

A surface-focused biotinylation procedure identifies the Yersinia pestis catalase KatY as a membrane-associated but non-surface-located protein.

This study identified major surface proteins of the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis. We applied a novel surface biotinylation method, followed by NeutrAvidin (NA) bead capture, on-bead digestion, and identification by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The use of stachyose during biotinylation focused the reaction to the surface.