Generation and characterization of a tamoxifen-inducible Vsx1-CreER line to target V2 interneurons in the mouse developing spinal cord.

In the spinal cord, ventral interneurons regulate the activity of motor neurons, thereby controlling motor activities including locomotion. Interneurons arise during embryonic development from distinct progenitor domains orderly distributed along the dorso-ventral axis of the neural tube. The p2 progenitor domain generates at least five V2 interneuron populations.

Digital Image Analysis of Picrosirius Red Staining: A Robust Method for Multi-Organ Fibrosis Quantification and Characterization.

Current understanding of fibrosis remains incomplete despite the increasing burden of related diseases. Preclinical models are used to dissect the pathogenesis and dynamics of fibrosis, and to evaluate anti-fibrotic therapies. These studies require objective and accurate measurements of fibrosis.

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells protect the primordial follicle pool from both direct follicle death and abnormal activation after ovarian tissue transplantation.

Purpose: To investigate whether adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) protect the primordial follicle pool, not only by decreasing direct follicle loss but also by modulating follicle activation pathways.

Methods: Twenty nude mice were grafted with frozen-thawed human ovarian tissue from 5 patients. Ten mice underwent standard ovarian tissue transplantation (OT group), while the remaining ten were transplanted with ASCs and ovarian tissue (2-step/ASCs+OT group).

α1AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Protects against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endothelial Barrier Disruption via Junctional Reinforcement and Activation of the p38 MAPK/HSP27 Pathway.

Vascular hyperpermeability is a determinant factor in the pathophysiology of sepsis. While, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is known to play a role in maintaining endothelial barrier function in this condition. Therefore, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms of this protective effect.

Accurate and live peroxisome biogenesis evaluation achieved by lentiviral expression of a green fluorescent protein fused to a peroxisome targeting signal 1.

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous organelles formed by peroxisome biogenesis (PB). During PB, peroxisomal matrix proteins harboring a peroxisome targeting signal (PTS) are imported inside peroxisomes by peroxins, encoded by PEX genes. Genetic alterations in PEX genes lead to a spectrum of incurable diseases called Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSD).

Gene expression changes in uterine myomas in response to ulipristal acetate treatment.

Research Question: Does ulipristal acetate (UPA) modify the expression of genes related to apoptosis or the extracellular matrix in uterine myomas and are any modifications associated with a clinical response?

Design: Targeted analysis of 176 apoptosis- or extracellular-matrix-related genes was conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays. Relevant results were validated by quantitative PCR. Four groups were established: responsive short-term (one course, n = 9), responsive long-term (two to four courses, n = 9), non-responsive (n = 9), and the control group who was not given any hormone therapy (n = 9).

Ulipristal acetate for the management of large uterine fibroids associated with heavy bleeding: a review.

Ulipristal acetate (UPA), a selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM), offers new therapeutic options for the clinical management of large uterine fibroids associated with heavy menstrual bleeding or with other moderate or severe symptoms (bulk symptoms, pelvic pain, decreased quality of life). SPRM are synthetic compounds that exert an agonist or antagonist effect on target tissues by their binding to progesterone receptors. UPA reduces fibroid size, controls bleeding in a high percentage of women and significantly improves quality of life.

Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity Correlates With Uterine Myoma Volume Reduction After Ulipristal Acetate Treatment.

Context: Ulipristal acetate (UPA), a selective progesterone receptor modulator, clinically reduces uterine myoma size in 80% of cases. However, the molecular mechanism of action is still poorly understood, as is the reason why 20% of myomas do not respond to treatment.

Objective: To elucidate whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are associated with myoma volume shrinkage after UPA therapy.

Progesterone Receptor Isoforms, Nuclear Corepressor-1 and Steroid Receptor Coactivator-1 and B-Cell Lymphoma 2 and Akt and Akt Phosphorylation Status in Uterine Myomas after Ulipristal Acetate Treatment: A Systematic Immunohistochemical Evaluation.

Objective: To investigate whether ulipristal acetate (UPA) treatment modifies the expression of progesterone receptor (PR), its nuclear cofactors steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC1) and nuclear corepressor-1 (NCoR1), prosurvival factor B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Akt in uterine myomas.

Patients: Prospective study of 59 women with symptomatic myomas undergoing myomectomy. Forty-two patients were treated preoperatively with UPA; the remaining 17 were not and they served as controls.

The place of selective progesterone receptor modulators in myoma therapy.

Uterine fibroids are the most commonly encountered benign uterine tumors in women of reproductive age. As progesterone is known to play a key role in promoting myoma growth, the goal of the study was to analyze the efficacy of selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs). From four studies, it was concluded that UPA (ulipristal acetate) treatment was able to control myoma-associated uterine bleeding in over 90% of cases and significantly reduce myoma volume in more than 80% of women.

In vivo mechanisms of uterine myoma volume reduction with ulipristal acetate treatment.

Objective: To study the in vivo mechanisms of action of ulipristal acetate (UPA) on uterine myomas.

Design: Retrospective histologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) study of myomas.

Setting: Academic research unit.