Transforming growth factor-β1 inhibits interleukin-1β-induced expression of inflammatory genes and Cathepsin S activity in human vascular smooth muscle cells.

Objective And Design: This study investigated the opposite mechanisms by which IL-1β and TGF-β1 modulated the inflammatory and migratory phenotypes in cultured human intimal vascular smooth muscle cells vSMCs.

Materials And Treatment: Primary human vSMCs, obtained from twelve hypertensive patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy, were incubated for 24 hours with either 40 pM TGF-β1, or 1 nmol/L IL-1β, or their combination in presence or absence of anti-TGF-β neutralizing antibody.

Methods: The expression levels of matrix metalloproteases and their inhibitors, and the elastolytic enzyme cathepsin S (CTSS) and its inhibitor cystatin C were evaluated with RT-PCR.

Evaluation of ovarian reserve before and after chemotherapy.

Background: Progress in oncology has improved patient survival. However, cancer chemotherapy can be gonadotoxic and affect their fertility. Recourse to fertility preservation before starting these treatments is therefore necessary in order to allow a better life quality after survival.

Impact of local treatment on survival from hematological malignancies causing spinal cord compression.

Background: Various hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma, plasmacytoma, aggressive lymphoma, and indolent lymphoma, rarely result in spinal cord compression.

Methods: Here, we retrospectively analyzed 32 patients with multiple myeloma (50%), plasmacytoma (13%), aggressive lymphoma (28%), and indolent lymphoma (9%), resulting in spinal cord compression (2004 and 2016). Patients averaged 57 years of age and presented with the indolent onset of spinal cord compression (91% of cases) resulting mostly in motor deficits (69%).

Aqueous Leaf Extract of Improves Acute Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats by Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress.

We investigate the antioxidant activity and protective effects of the aqueous leaf extract of (AELPL) against ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acid infusion through the rectum in Wistar rats. Phytochemical analyses allowed the identification of numerous phenolic compounds in leaves such as flavonoids (isoquercetin and luterolin), flavonols (catechin, rutin, and kaempferol), phenolic acids (ellagic and dicaffeoylquinic), and tanins. Acetic acid exposure induced macroscopic colonic mucosal lesions with hemorrhage, congestion, edema, and the development of an expected oxidative stress state revealed by an increase in lipoperoxidation and carbonylation of proteins and a decrease in sulfhydryl (SH) group levels and antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-peroxidase, and glutathione transferase, as well as an increase in the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6, in the colon and plasma.

Does bacterial colonization during embryo transfer have an impact on pregnancy rate in ICSI? : Tunisian preliminary results.

Introduction: Embryos' transfer into the uterine cavity remains a limiting factor in the success of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of cervico-vaginal colonization on ICSI outcomes.

Materiel And Methods: Longitudinal, prospective and analytical study, conducted from February 1 st to October 31 st, 2017.