Secretome derived from different cell lines in bovine embryo production in vitro.

The present study investigated the effects of conditioned medium (CM), composed of microvesicles (MVs) and soluble factors present in the supernatant (SN), of bovine endometrial and amniotic cells on embryo quality and rate of blastocyst production. Presumptive zygotes were randomly assigned on Days 1, 3 and 5 after fertilisation to synthetic oviducal fluid with amino acids (SOFaa; control) or to SOFaa supplemented with either 20% endometrial or amniotic CM, 20% SN or 100×106MVsmL-1. Embryos were evaluated on Day 7.

PROPHYLACTIC PREOPERATIVE LASER RETINOPEXY DOES NOT REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL COMPLICATIONS IN MACULAR SURGERY.

Purpose: Knowledge on the utility of prophylactic 360° laser retinopexy before pars plana vitrectomy in the absence of peripheral retinal pathology is limited. This study compares the occurrence of rhegmatogenous events in the setting of small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with and without prophylactic preoperative laser.

Methods: Our multicenter, retrospective case-control analysis reviewed patients who underwent epiretinal membrane removal or macular hole repair through 23- or 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy: 205 controls who did not receive prophylactic laser and 176 cases who received preoperative prophylactic laser retinopexy anterior to the equator.

Oviductal microvesicles and their effect on maturation of canine oocytes.

The effect of conditioned medium (CM) or microvesicles (MVs), secreted by multicellular spheroids of oviductal cells, and the involvement of some microRNAs (miRNAs) were investigated in canine oocyte maturation. To generate CM, spheroids were cultured for 3 days. MVs were obtained by ultracentrifugation of CM at 100,000  and measured for size and concentration by NanoSight instrument.

Isolation, molecular characterization, and in vitro differentiation of bovine Wharton jelly-derived multipotent mesenchymal cells.

Extrafetal tissues are a noncontroversial and inexhaustible source of mesenchymal stem cells that can be harvested noninvasively at low cost. In the veterinary field, as in man, stem cells derived from extrafetal tissues express plasticity, reduced immunogenicity, and have high anti-inflammatory potential making them promising candidates for treatment of many diseases. Umbilical cord mesenchymal cells have been isolated and characterized in different species and have recently been investigated as potential candidates in regenerative medicine.

Effects of platelet-rich plasma in a model of bovine endometrial inflammation in vitro.

Background: Endometritis reduces fertility and is responsible for major economic losses in beef and dairy industries. The aim of this study was to evaluate an alternative therapy using platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP was tested in vivo, after bovine intrauterine administration, and in vitro on endometrial cells.

The Incidence of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Complications in Macular Surgery After Prophylactic Preoperative Laser Retinopexy: A Retrospective Study.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of intraoperative retinal breaks (RBs) and postoperative retinal detachment (RRD) in patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for macular disorders, who were treated preoperatively with prophylactic peripheral laser retinopexy.This observational cohort study comprised of 254 patients who underwent macular surgery and were preoperatively subjected to prophylactic laser retinopexy anterior to the equator. The main outcome measures were the incidence and characteristics of intraoperative RBs and postoperative RRD.

Does the Bovine Pre-Ovulatory Follicle Harbor Progenitor Stem Cells?

Recent studies have revealed the presence of a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) population in human and in gilt granulosa cells (GCs), thus increasing the interest in identifying the same population in the bovine species. We first isolated GCs by scraping from bovine preovulatory follicles and then tested several different media to define the ideal conditions to select granulosa-derived stem cells. Although expressing MSC-associated markers, none of the media tested proven to be efficient in selecting MSC-like cells that were able to differentiate into mesodermic or ectodermic lineages.

Retinal detachment and convexity intracranial meningioma: an uncommon association.

Case Report: A 70-years-old woman presented with a one week history of progressive loss of vision in the right eye (RE) diagnosed as retinal detachment from 7 to 1 o' clock with retinal break at the 10.30 o' clock associated. Gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and orbits with fat suppression showed a convexity meningioma.

Microwave processing and ethanol-based fixation in forensic pathology: an addendum of further scanning electron microscope observations.

Scanning electron microscope microscopy on samples of tissue fixed with alcohol-based fixative and processed using a microwave device confirmed the validity of the fixation procedure. The details are clearer with respect to those obtainable with formalin fixatives. It was interesting to work on sections prepared for normal histologic processing because the metallization indispensable for scanning electron microscope occurred without difficulty.

Spontaneous in-the-bag intraocular lens luxation into the vitreous cavity: last-stage complication of pseudoexfoliative syndrome after phacoemulsification.

Purpose: We describe 8 cases of late spontaneous in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) luxation into the vitreous cavity, which occurred at the Department of Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery of the University of Siena between January and December 2006.

Methods: In this interventional case series, the medical records of all patients with posterior luxation of in-the-bag IOLs - who had undergone a pars plana vitrectomy with IOL removal and scleral fixation IOL implantation between January and December 2007 at the Department of Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery of Siena, Italy - were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: The final post- operative visual acuity was 20/30 or better in 6 patients, while myopic macular degeneration and total retinal detachment limited visual acuity in the remaining 2 patients.

Role of computer-assisted analysis of the corneal endothelium in vitreoretinal surgery with intraocular silicone oil injection: a technical report.

The innermost lining of the cornea consists of a single layer of cells called the endothelium. Despite its name, the endothelium of the cornea differs considerably from the vascular endothelium, both functionally and morphologically. The corneal endothelium plays a fundamental role in maintaining the transparency of the corneal membrane, as the result of both its function as a barrier against penetration of the aqueous humor in the parenchyma and its ability to remove water from the stroma (usually referred to as the endothelial "pump" function).

The DRPLA CAG repeats in an Italian population sample: evaluation of the polymorphism for forensic applications.

The DRPLA CAG repeats polymorphism has been studied in an Italian population sample. PCR amplification, manual PAGE and silver staining were employed. A total of 16 different alleles, spanning the range from 5 to 21 CAG triplettes, was observed.

Treatment of high-grade, high-stage prostate cancer with estramustine phosphate or diethylstilbestrol. A double-blind study. The SPCG-1 Study Group. Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group.

Between 1984 and 1989, 197 patients with T1-4, NX, M1, G2-3 or G3 prostate cancer were randomized to treatment with 560 mg estramustine phosphate (EMP, Estracyt, Emcyt) or 3 mg diethylstilbestrol (DES) per day in a double blind study with stratification on presence or absence of cancer pain at start. A total of 194 patients were evaluated for efficacy of therapy. Time to progression (p = 0.

Non-conventional ultrasonography (power spectrum analysis) in the management of retinoblastoma.

The differential diagnosis among the diseases that may simulate retinoblastoma is supported by several techniques; however, none of them can give an undeniable answer. In the authors' opinion the tissue characterization by power spectrum analysis of the radiofrequency ultrasound data may play an important role in the backscattered signal spectrum while being sensitive to the spectral shift trend. In order to evaluate the patterns of regression of quiescence of retinoblastoma foci after conservative treatment the authors try to create a model of tissue characterization that provides information not available in conventional A & B scan ultrasonography about cell type, vascularization and necrosis.

The prognostic significance of nuclear DNA content in prostatic carcinoma.

The prognostic significance of ploidy level was studied in prostatic carcinoma and compared with the prognostic significance of morphologic grade and clinical stage. A nonselected group of 145 patients was studied in whom prostatic carcinoma was diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy at the Karolinska Hospital in 1966. All patients had endocrine therapy and were observed for 23 years or until death.

Uptake of radiocesium by mushrooms.

After the Chernobyl accident in April 1986 the 134Cs, 137Cs and 40K activity of mushrooms of different genera and their corresponding soils from woods located in the province of Umbria (Italy) was determined. The results indicated: a temporally increasing trend for 137Cs up to a "limit value" depending on local fallout in 1986; different cesium concentrations in various mushroom genera; and uptake of potassium from soil that did not appear to compete with cesium uptake. No reliable correlation can be inferred between the cesium content of the soil and those of mushrooms.

Squamous metaplasia in hormonally treated prostatic cancer. Significance during follow-up.

A prospective study of 59 hormonally treated prostatic cancer cases was undertaken during follow-up with sequential transrectal palpation and fine-needle aspiration. At initiation of therapy patients' ages ranged from forty-eight to eighty-two years (median, 68 years). The usual follow-up interval was 6 +/- 3 months, and follow-up periods ranged from six months to one hundred twenty months (median 48 months).

DNA as a prognostic marker in advanced high-grade prostatic cancer. A preliminary report. SPCG-I study.

This is a presentation of some preliminary data from SPCG-I, a multicenter study started in 1984 by the Scandinavian Prostatic Cancer Group. It is a randomized double-blind study comparing estramustine phosphate and diethylstilbestrol in the primary treatment of 195 patients with T1-4, NX, M1, G2-3 prostatic cancer. The code is not yet broken.

Indomethacin modulation of monocyte cytokine release following pelvic irradiation for cancer.

Pelvic irradiation for urogenital cancer reduced monocyte release of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Addition of indomethacin to monocyte cultures increased TNF-alpha production after but not before irradiation. E.

Improved early detection of recurrence in prostatic carcinoma following hormonal therapy. Combined use of palpation and fine needle aspiration cytology.

Fifty-nine hormonally treated prostatic carcinoma patients were prospectively followed by rectal examination and fine needle aspiration cytology at six-month intervals for periods ranging from six to one hundred twenty months (median follow-up 48 mos). The cytologic findings and clinical impressions were divided into four or five categories, respectively, ranging from benign to clearly malignant. Cytologic material and clinical descriptions suitable for evaluation were available for 306 follow-up examinations.

Adjuvant bestatin (Ubenimex) treatment following full-dose local irradiation for bladder carcinoma.

The clinical value of adjuvant bestatin (Ubenimex) immunotherapy has been examined in a group of patients with urinary bladder cancer. Patients with non-metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, scheduled for full-dose local irradiation therapy (64 Gy), were randomly allocated to adjuvant oral bestatin treatment (30 mg daily for at least 1 year), starting at completion of irradiation, or no bestatin. The trial included 194 evaluable patients with a follow-up period of 1.

Recombinant leukocyte interferon alpha-2a and medroxyprogesterone in advanced renal cell carcinoma. A randomized trial.

In a randomized study of advanced renal cell carcinoma 60 patients were allocated to treatment with either recombinant interferon alpha-2a or medroxyprogesterone acetate. Correlation between the dose of interferon alpha-2a and plasma-concentration indicated linear kinetics. Survival was similar in the two treatment groups.

Determination of false negative rate in fine-needle aspiration of prostate. Study of sequential aspirations in 30 untreated carcinoma patients.

Despite several studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in the diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma, no clear picture of the false negative rate for FNA is available. We studied 101 follow-up FNA evaluations in 30 patients with untreated well-differentiated carcinoma. The patients were followed for a median of two years and seven months and had from two to seven FNA follow-up evaluations (median = 2.

Circulating LAK-1 cells and autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR) and phenotypical composition of circulating lymphocytes obtained from nine subjects with untreated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); three HCC patients locally treated by means of intraarterial chemoembolization; six subjects with gut-derived carcinoma (GDC); nine chronic active liver disease patients (CALD), and 14 normal controls have been evaluated, using monoclonal antibodies (MAB) against CD5, CD8, CD4 glycoproteins and anti-LAK-1 molecule, a novel 120-KD surface antigen that is present on the membrane of large granular lymphocytes, by means of classical indirect immunofluorescence technique. Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction was significantly reduced in all patients, along with CD4-positive cells that are the responder cells in this reaction. A relative increase in the percentage of LAK cells was also observed in neoplastic patients with a normalization after local treatment of the HCC.