Peripubertal vitamin D(3) deficiency delays puberty and disrupts the estrous cycle in adult female mice.

The mechanism(s) by which vitamin D(3) regulates female reproduction is minimally understood. We tested the hypothesis that peripubertal vitamin D(3) deficiency disrupts hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian physiology. To test this hypothesis, we used wild-type mice and Cyp27b1 (the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)) null mice to study the effect of vitamin D(3) deficiency on puberty and reproductive physiology.

Transient reflection: a versatile technique for ultrafast spectroscopy of a single quantum dot in complex environments.

Increasingly complex structures such as optical antennas or cavities are coupled to self-assembled quantum dots to harvest their quantum-optical properties. In many cases, these structures pose a problem for common methods of ultrafast spectroscopy used to write and read out the state of the quantum dot. We present a pure far-field method that only requires optical access to the quantum dot and does not impose further restrictions on sample design.

Full-sibling embryos created by anonymous gamete donation in unrelated recipients.

Objective: To report the rare occurrence of full-sibling embryos in unrelated women using independently chosen donor sperm and donor oocytes in two different cycles unintentionally created at our IVF program, and to discuss the concept of disclosure to the patients.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Academic IVF program.

The neuroendocrine physiology of female reproductive aging: An update.

The transition into menopause is a complex process that affects fertility and increases the risk for a number of health problems in aging women that include, but are not limited to osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and cognitive dysfunction. Improved nutrition and enhanced access to medical care have increased the average lifespan for women in developed countries, and many will spend more than one-third of their life in a post-menopausal state. Epidemiological studies indicate that a delayed natural menopause confers longevity and decelerates the appearance of much age-related morbidity, suggesting that developing treatments to delay menopause would significantly improve quality of life for women.

A multidisciplinary approach to fertility-sparing therapy for a rare vulvar tumor.

Objective: Case report of a young woman with a rare vulvar malignancy who received treatment with a personalized multidisciplinary approach to balance management of her malignancy without compromising survival with her desire for future pregnancy.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University hospital.

Increasing adiposity in normal ovulatory women affects adipocytokine expression in subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat.

Objective: To determine which adipocytokines are differentially expressed as a function of body mass index (BMI), to compare expression of adipocytokines in abdominal subcutaneous and omental fat, and to correlate these findings with serum levels, BMI, and parameters of insulin resistance.

Methods: Serum and subcutaneous (sc) and omental (om) tissue were obtained from lean and obese ovulatory women undergoing gynecologic surgery. We determined adipocytokine expression in sc versus om abdominal fat and related this to increasing BMI.

Evidence for a Müllerian-inhibiting substance autocrine/paracrine system in adult human endometrium.

Objective: To determine if adult human endometrium possesses an intact müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) signal transduction system and, if so, whether MIS can modulate endometrial cell viability.

Design: Adult human endometrial tissue was subjected to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and immunohistochemistry. In addition, cultured human endometrial stromal cells were treated with recombinant MIS or transiently transfected with MIS and/or MIS type II receptor (MISRII) expression plasmids to assess for effects upon endometrial cell viability and apoptosis.

Onset of ovulation after menarche in girls: a longitudinal study.

Introduction: Hypothalamic-pituitary axis maturity has been believed to be the rate-limiting step in the development of ovulatory menstrual cycles. We hypothesized that, given current nutritional conditions, hypothalamic-pituitary axis maturation would be relatively rapid in menarcheal girls.

Methods: Daily urine and menstrual records were collected for 2 yr each from 10 girls aged 11-13 yr at study entry.

Triplet pregnancy after ovulation induction with an aromatase inhibitor.

Objective: To describe the first reported case of a triplet pregnancy subsequent to the use of an aromatase inhibitor for ovulation induction.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Cryopreservation of supernumerary high quality embryos predicts favorable outcomes for patients undergoing repeated cycles of in vitro fertilization.

Objective: To determine whether the decline in pregnancy and implantation rates in repeated fresh IVF cycles is associated with the availability of embryo cryopreservation.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Assisted reproductive unit at an academic institution.

Pityriasis rubra pilaris in children.

Background: Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is an uncommon dermatosis in children. Few long-term studies on the treatment and prognosis of PRP in children have been performed.

Objective: Our purpose was to retrospectively review the clinical course and treatment of all cases of PRP in children 19 years or younger who were seen at the Mayo Clinic.

Porphyria cutanea tarda and human immunodeficiency virus: two cases associated with hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was recently recognized as a probable etiologic factor for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). A review of the literature revealed 40 cases of PCT associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In most of these cases, hepatitis C status was unknown.

Recognizing cutaneous drug eruptions. Reaction patterns provide clues to causes.

Cutaneous drug eruptions caused by use of various medications are becoming more and more common. Fortunately, most such eruptions resolve when the offending medication is withdrawn. Nonetheless, it is vital that physicians can recognize drug-related eruptions and ascertain the degree of severity, since some reactions are potentially fatal.

Trigeminal trophic syndrome.

Seven cases of trigeminal trophic syndrome are reported. In this rare condition, neurotrophic ulcers occur on the face, especially in the ala nasi area in a dermatome of the trigeminal nerve that has been rendered anesthetic, usually as a complication of trigeminal ablation by surgical means or injection for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. The period from time of trigeminal nerve injury to onset of the ulcer varies from weeks to several years, with a mean of 1 to 2 years.

Indeterminate cell histiocytosis treated successfully with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine.

We report the case of a 54-year-old man with a ten-year history of a generalized papular eruption consistent with the diagnosis of indeterminate cell histiocytosis. The patient responded favorably to a course of treatment with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine.

Pancreatic panniculitis.

Background: Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare disease in which necrosis of fat in the panniculus and other distant foci occurs in the setting of pancreatic disease.

Objective: Our purpose was to study the clinical and histopathologic features of this disease.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 11 patients.

Scleromyxedema.

Background: Scleromyxedema is a rare fibromucinous disorder that is often difficult to treat and that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Objective: Our purpose was to study the natural history of the disease and its response to therapy with alkylating agents.

Methods: A clinicopathologic review of 26 patients with scleromyxedema was performed, and the extracutaneous findings and response to therapy with alkylating agents were noted.

Treatment of classic pityriasis rubra pilaris.

Background: Treatment of classic pityriasis rubra pilaris, which almost always progresses to a generalized erythroderma with marked, often disabling keratoderma of the palms and soles, remains problematic.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the results of treatment in a recent period during which the retinoid group of drugs has been available.

Methods: The clinical course of 75 patients with classic pityriasis rubra pilaris seen from 1982 to 1992 was reviewed.

The effect of mobile phase modifiers on the simultaneous LC elution of a gadolinium complex and free ligand.

A liquid chromatographic method was developed for simultaneous separation of a gadolinium complex and corresponding ligand using a reversed-phase anion-exchange column. The effect of mobile phase pH, EDTA and chloride ion concentration, added to the mobile phase as counter-ions, on the elution of a metal complex and ligand were investigated. Decreasing the mobile phase pH from 9.

A stability-indicating assay and the preformulation characteristics of the radiosensitizer, 1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-amine 1,4-dioxide.

A stability-indicating LC assay was developed for the analysis of 1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-amine 1,4-dioxide and applied to the preformulation characterization of the drug. The dissociation constants of the drug were determined using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The LC method was used to determine the aqueous stability of the drug under a variety of accelerated conditions, its solubility in a variety of pharmaceutical solvents and its octan-1-ol-water partition coefficient.

Lasers in dermatology. A review.

The use of lasers in dermatology has become widespread over the past decade. This article reviews the types of lasers in current use and the skin problems that could benefit from their use.

A clinical and histopathologic study of granulomatous rosacea.

A retrospective clinical and histopathologic study of 53 patients with granulomatous rosacea was undertaken. The patients had a broad clinical spectrum of lesions that ranged from primarily erythema to papulonodular lesions. Extrafacial lesions occurred in 15% of patients.

Periorbital edema: an important physical finding in dermatomyositis.

Periorbital edema is frequently present in dermatomyositis and can be seen in the absence of other skin lesions. Sometimes, as in the two cases reported here, it can be the dominant physical sign.