Expression of ADAMs and their inhibitors in sputum from patients with asthma.

ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) constitute a family of cell surface proteins containing disintegrin and metalloprotease domains which associate features of adhesion molecules and proteases. ADAMTSs (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs) bear thrombospondin type I motifs in C-terminal extremity, and most of them are secreted proteins. Because genetic studies have shown that ADAM-33 gene polymorphisms are associated with asthma, we designed this study to assess mRNA expression profile of several ADAM and ADAMTS proteases in sputum from patients with asthma and to investigate the relationship between expression of these proteases and asthma-associated inflammation and airway obstruction.

Angiogenic activity of human chorionic gonadotropin through LH receptor activation on endothelial and epithelial cells of the endometrium.

Successful embryo development requires an extensive endometrial angiogenesis in proximity of implantation site. The glycoprotein hCG is produced even before implantation by trophoblast in normal pregnancy. In this manuscript, we demonstrate an angiogenic effect of hCG in several in vivo (chick chorioallantoïc membrane, matrigel plug assay, aortic ring assay) and in vitro experimental models.

Advances in hormone replacement therapy with drospirenone, a unique progestogen with aldosterone receptor antagonism.

Unlike other currently available progestogens, drospirenone (DRSP) has a pharmacological profile, which closely mimics that of endogenous progesterone, most notably potent anti-aldosterone and anti-androgenic effects. Consequently, DRSP, when combined with 17beta-estradiol (E2) as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), offsets E2-related water and sodium retention by blocking the mineralocorticoid receptor. This review evaluates the potential benefits offered by DRSP as the progestin component of HRT with respect to its anti-aldosterone activity, which translates into positive effects on body weight and blood pressure in clinical trials of continuous, combined E2/DRSP in post-menopausal women.

Effects of tibolone on sulfatase pathway of estrogens metabolism and on growth of MCF-7 human breast tumors implanted in ovariectomized nude mice.

Background: The benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy post-menopausal women remain uncertain. Tibolone, with its in vitro documented inhibitory effects on estrogens metabolism and its selective action on breast, may be an alternative that could favorably influence the health benefit of hormone replacement therapy.

Methods: We studied the effect of tibolone on the tumor growth of MCF-7 cells implanted in 40 ovariectomized nude mice, receiving subcutaneous pellets of 17beta-estradiol, estrone, estrone-sulfate or vehicle, and daily gavages of tibolone or placebo.

Treating gliomas with glucocorticoids: from bedside to bench.

Glucocorticoids are used in the treatment of gliomas to decrease tumour-associated oedema and to reduce the risk of acute encephalopathy associated with radiotherapy. However, the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids work are still largely unknown. In this paper, we survey the experimental and clinical evidence for the effects of glucocorticoids on tumour cell proliferation, apoptosis and sensitivity to chemotherapy, angiogenesis and vascular permeability.

[The metalloproteinases in cancer].

Tumor growth and metastatic dissemination are associated to important tissue remodelling involving matrix metalloproteinases (MMPS) acting in a concerted manner with serine proteases. Initially, it was generally accepted that proteases produced by tumor cells promote their invasive capacities by degrading extracellular matrix components. On the opposite, protease inhibitors were viewed as anti-cancer molecules.

Earlier onset of tumoral angiogenesis in matrix metalloproteinase-19-deficient mice.

Among matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), MMP-19 displays unique structural features and tissue distribution. In contrast to most MMPs, MMP-19 is expressed in normal human epidermis and down-regulated during malignant transformation and dedifferentiation. The contribution of MMP-19 during tumor angiogenesis is presently unknown.

Membrane-type 4 matrix metalloproteinase promotes breast cancer growth and metastases.

Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMP) constitute a subfamily of six distinct membrane-associated MMPs. Although the contribution of MT1-MMP during different steps of cancer progression has been well documented, the significance of other MT-MMPs is rather unknown. We have investigated the involvement of MT4-MMP, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protease, in breast cancer progression.

Is planned vaginal delivery for breech presentation at term still an option? Results of an observational prospective survey in France and Belgium.

Objective: A large trial published in 2000 concluded that planned vaginal delivery of term breech births is associated with high neonatal risks. Because the obstetric practices in that study differed from those in countries where planned vaginal delivery is still common, we conducted an observational prospective study to describe neonatal outcome according to the planned mode of delivery for term breech births in 2 such countries.

Study Design: Observational prospective study with an intent-to-treat analysis to compare the groups for which cesarean and vaginal deliveries were planned.

Regulation of vimentin by SIP1 in human epithelial breast tumor cells.

The expression of Smad interacting protein-1 (SIP1; ZEB2) and the de novo expression of vimentin are frequently involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) under both normal and pathological conditions. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of SIP1 in the regulation of vimentin during the EMT associated with breast tumor cell migration and invasion. Examining several breast tumor cell lines displaying various degrees of invasiveness, we found SIP1 and vimentin expression only in invasive cell lines.

Valine-based biphenylsulphonamide matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors as tumor imaging agents.

Among matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the subfamily of gelatinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) is of particular interest due to their ability to degrade type IV collagen and other non-fibrillar collagen domains and proteins such as fibronectin and laminin. Whilst malignant cells often over-express various MMPs, the gelatinases have been most consistently detected in malignant tissues and associated with tumor growth, metastatic potential and angiogenesis. Radiosynthesis of carboxylic (1') and hydroxamic (2') MMPIs resulted in radiochemical yields of 70 +/- 5% (n = 6) and 60 +/- 5% (n = 4), respectively.

Pharmacokinetic study of a new synthetic MMP inhibitor (Ro 28-2653) after IV and oral administration of cyclodextrin solutions.

Ro 28-2653 (5-biphenyl-4-yl-5-[4-(4-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione) is a new synthetic inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with a high selectivity towards MMP2, MMP9 and membrane type 1-MMP. It has been shown that cyclodextrins (CDs) are able to form inclusion complexes with Ro 28-2653 and to increase its aqueous solubility. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that an increase in Ro 28-2653 solubility, via ternary complex formation, can lead to an increase in the oral bioavailability of this drug.

Expression of a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM and ADAMTS) enzymes in human non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC).

A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease (ADAM) are transmembrane proteases displaying multiple functions. ADAM with ThromboSpondin-like motifs (ADAMTS) are secreted proteases characterised by thrombospondin (TS) motifs in their C-terminal domain. The aim of this work was to evaluate the expression pattern of ADAMs and ADAMTS in non small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) and to investigate the possible correlation between their expression and cancer progression.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs in the respiratory tract: potential implications in asthma and other lung diseases.

In healthy lung, Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their physiological inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), are produced in the respiratory tract by a panel of different structural cells. These activities are mandatory for many physiological processes including development, wound healing and cell trafficking. Deregulation of proteolytic-antiproteolytic network and inappropriate secretion of various MMPs by stimulated structural or inflammatory cells is thought to take part to pathophysiology of numerous lung diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung fibrosis and lung cancer.

[Vulvovaginal candidiasis: prevalence of different Candida species in the Liege region].

We calculated the prevalences of different yeast species isolated from more than 20,000 vulvovaginal specimens carried out at the CHR hospital in Liege. To assess the value of the observed relative frequencies, the culture results of 149 samples were confronted with those of a real-time PCR technique of fungal identification. With a prevalence close to 90%, Candida albicans remains the largely dominant species.

The use of an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol and drospirenone in an extended regimen over 126 days.

Objective: To assess the bleeding profile, acceptance and safety of an extended 126-day regimen of the oral contraceptive Yasmin [30 microg ethinylestradiol (EE) and 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP)].

Methods: Using daily diaries, 177 women recorded bleeding events throughout the 126-day cycle. At end of treatment, the women completed questionnaires reflecting their satisfaction with the extended regimen.

[A bilateral dysgerminoma: a rare presentation of the Swyer syndrome].

Swyer syndrome is a pure gonad dysgenesis associating 46 XY karyotype, primary amenorrhea, presence of female internal genital tract and bilateral streak gonads in a phenotypic female. The diagnosis is usually made at adolescence when the primary amenorrhea is investigated. We report the case of a 25-year-old XY woman who developed a bilateral dysgerminoma from undifferentiated gonads.

(18)F-FDG PET imaging of rheumatoid knee synovitis correlates with dynamic magnetic resonance and sonographic assessments as well as with the serum level of metalloproteinase-3.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovitis with positron emission tomography (PET) and( 18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) in comparison with dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US).

Methods: Sixteen knees in 16 patients with active RA were assessed with PET, MRI and US at baseline and 4 weeks after initiation of anti-TNF-alpha treatment. All studies were performed within 4 days.

Added benefits of drospirenone for compliance.

Drospirenone is a novel progestogen that possesses antimineralocorticoid activity. This activity is seen clinically in its effects on physiological parameters, body weight, general well-being and fluid-related symptoms. Clinical studies with an oral contraceptive containing 30 microg ethinylestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone (Yasmin, Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) and a new continuous combined oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) containing 1 mg 17beta-estradiol and 2 mg drospirenone (Angeliq, Schering AG) were all designed specifically to evaluate treatment effects on body weight and cardiovascular function, both of which can be influenced by aldosterone receptor antagonism.

Matrix metalloproteinase-12 and cathepsin D expression in pulmonary macrophages and dendritic cells of cigarette smoke-exposed mice.

An imbalance between proteinases and their inhibitors is believed to play an essential role in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary emphysema. COPD is mainly caused by cigarette smoking, and is characterized by an increase in inflammatory cells in small airways and lung parenchyma. We examined the mRNA expression of several proteinases in lungs of mice exposed to cigarette smoke or control air.

[Prenatal determination of fetal RHD in maternal plasma: two-years experience of routine clinical use].

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive value of RHD fetal genotype in maternal plasma of Rh D negative mothers after 10 weeks of gestation in a clinical use.

Material And Method: Prospective, comparative study between fetal RHD genotyping in maternal plasma, with amplification of exons 4,5,10 of the RHD gene, by real-time multiplex PCR, and Rh D serology at birth, in 218 pregnancy and their 223 babies, between November 2002 and 2004.

Results: Combining the amplification of three exons, the concordance rate of fetal Rh D genotyping in maternal plasma and baby phenotyping at delivery was 100%.

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase expression is regulated by zonula occludens-1 in human breast cancer cells.

The acquisition of a migratory/invasive phenotype by tumor cells is characterized by the loss of cell-cell adhesion contacts and the expression of degradative properties. In this study, we examined the effect of the disorganization of occludin/zonula occludens (ZO)-1 tight junction (TJ) complexes on the expression of membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). We first compared the expression of MT1-MMP and the localization of occludin/ZO-1 complexes in breast tumor cell lines displaying various degrees of invasiveness.

Trophoblast invasion and placentation: molecular mechanisms and regulation.

Trophoblast invasion is a key process during human placentation. This event constitutes the basis of the conversion of the uterine spiral arteries, a process which allows an adequate vascular connection between the intervillous space and the maternal blood flow. Trophoblast invasion is transient, with stringent spatial and temporal control.