Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist has the ability to induce increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and membrane type 1-MMP expression in corpora lutea, and structural luteolysis in rats.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its agonist analog (GnRHa) are well known to have luteolytic effects. We previously reported that prolactin (PRL) stimulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity to degrade collagen type IV as a mechanism of structural luteolysis. The effects of GnRHa treatment on developed corpora lutea are unknown.

Mutations of the beta-catenin gene in endometrial carcinomas.

To investigate the contribution of beta-catenin to the development of endometrial carcinoma, we searched for genetic alterations of the beta-catenin gene in primary endometrial carcinomas. Mutational analysis of exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene, encoding the serine/threonine residues for GSK-3 beta phosphorylation, was performed for 35 tumors. Nucleotide sequencing analysis revealed that 5 tumors (5/35, 14%) contained mutations (S33C, S37C, S37F, T41A) that altered potential GSK-3 beta phosphorylation sites.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) does not change the expression of Bcl-2 protein in the prevention of cisplatin-induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell lines.

Objective: To study whether interleukin-6 (IL-6) changes the expression of the anti-apoptic Bcl-2 protein in the prevention of cis-diaminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP)-induced apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cells.

Methods: Comparative studies were performed on 3 ovarian cancer cell lines after 48 hours of exposure to 0.5-50 ng/ml IL-6, 2 micrograms/ml anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody (anti-IL-6 mAb), 10 microM CDDP, 10 microM CDDP + 0.

CA 125 is dominantly expressed by arrest of G0/G1 phase in uterine cervical adenocarcinoma cell line.

Our purpose is to evaluate at which phase of the cell cycle CA 125 is dominantly expressed in a uterine cervical adenocarcinoma cell line (CAC-1). By a flow cytometric analysis of CA 125 expression, approximately 50% of the cells treated with interferon-gamma (IFN) were positive after 24 h. In cell cycle, the G0/G1 arrest was observed in cells treated with IFN after 24 h.

[Early phase II trial of oral etoposide administered for 21 consecutive days in patients with cervical or ovarian cancer. ETP 21 Study Group--Cervical-Ovarian Cancer Group].

We conducted multi-site early phase II trial or oral etoposide administered for 21 consecutive days in patients with cervical or ovarian cancer in cooperation with 19 institutes. Fifty mg/body of oral etoposide was administered daily for 21 consecutive days. Cycles were repeated every 28 days.

Effects of granisetron and its combination with dexamethasone on cisplatin-induced delayed emesis in the ferret.

1. Granisetron and its combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of delayed emesis following cisplatin (CDDP) administration were investigated using ferrets. 2.

Body fat distribution and uterine leiomyomas.

Purpose: Investigation of the etiological relationship between body fat and uterine leiomyomas.

Settings: This was a case-control study. Percent body fat was measured bioelectrically with a body fat analyzer.

[Mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells in advanced ovarian cancer].

High-dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic support has been expected to improve the survival of advanced ovarian cancer patients in recent years. An essential component of such treatment has been the ability to collect and reinfuse a large number of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) following high dose therapy. This study was designed to determine which clinical and hematological factors would be better indicators to collect the proper volume of PBSCs.

Electron microscopic examination of cytologic samples.

Objective: To review the results of observations of cytologic samples performed in our laboratory by light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) performed in succession (LM-SEM-TEM examination) using the same cytologic sample and to assess the diagnostic value of this method of successive examination.

Study Design: Using a previously reported method of LM-SEM-TEM sample preparation and observation, we analyzed 201 cytologic specimens over a seven-year period (1986-1993) and investigated whether the histologic origin and malignancy can be estimated from SEM and TEM findings on the cells.

Results: Observations of many cytologic samples over a seven-year period (by LM, SEM and TEM) showed that several basic interpretations of cellular ultrastructure are possible.

Apoptosis and PCNA expression induced by prolactin in structural involution of the rat corpus luteum.

There are two stages of luteal regression. The first stage is functional regression that is characterized by a decreased production of progesterone secretion; the second stage of structural involution is referred to as a structural luteolysis. In rodents, prolactin has a biphasic action on the corpus luteum.

Mechanism of endothelin-1 release from endothelial cells in pregnancy-induced hypertension.

We investigated the mechanism of vasoconstrictor-induced endothelin-1 (ET-1) release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in serum from women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). We obtained serum samples from seven women with PIH, seven healthy nonpregnant women (NP), and seven normal pregnant women (NPIH). ET-1 and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) were assayed by ET-1 ELISA and an IP3 3H assay system, respectively.

A case of a malignant mixed tumor in the vagina.

Malignant mixed tumors in the vagina are extremely rare. We experienced a case of a malignant mixed tumor (synovioid variant). Surgical treatment was performed, followed by 3 courses of chemotherapy.

Effects of estradiol and an aromatase inhibitor on progesterone production in human cultured luteal cells.

The human corpus luteum produces both estradiol and progesterone. It is well known that there are both autocrine and paracrine systems for the regulation of the corpus luteum and that estradiol regulates the progesterone production of the corpora lutea of some other species. To assess the direct effects of estrogen on human luteal function, we performed cell culture experiments.

Cloning and characterization of a cDNA fragment coding beta-casein-like protein preferentially expressed in cervical adenocarcinoma cell line CAC-1.

We generated new murine monoclonal antibodies against bovine beta-casein. One of eight new monoclonal antibodies generated, 12G2, specifically reacted not only with beta-casein, but also with human cervical adenocarcinoma cell line CAC-1. To identify the gene encoding the putative protein (BCLP) defined by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 12G2, a complementary DNA library was constructed.

Co-ordinated expression of connexins 26 and 32 in human endometrial glandular epithelium during the reproductive cycle and the influence of hormone replacement therapy.

Hormones are involved in the regulation of intercellular communication, and gap junction intercellular communication may play an important role in the prevention of endometrial cancer. We have investigated changes in the expression of the gap junction proteins connexin 26 (Cx26) and Cx32 in human endometrial glandular epithelium during the reproductive cycle as well as the influence of hormone replacement therapy. Frozen sections from 71 endometrial tissue samples (53 taken from women who had undergone hysterectomy during the menstrual cycle, 3 early pregnancy deciduae and 15 from menopausal women, some of whom were receiving estrogen alone or estrogen plus progesterone) were analyzed by immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Long survival of patients with unresectable cervical carcinoma after radiotherapy.

We report our experience with radiotherapy for three patients with cervical carcinoma in whom surgery had been downgraded to the performance of exploratory laparotomy only, because of extensive primary tumor or nodal invasion to the surrounding organs and vessels. Tumor invasion to the bladder, side wall invasion or unresectable nodal disease at the time of exploration prevented definitive surgery in our case series. After laparotomy, we carried out radiation therapy consisting of external irradiation to the pelvis and intracavitary irradiation with high dose rate 60Co or low dose rate 137Cs sources.

Vascular reactivity to endothelium-derived relaxing factor in human umbilical artery at term pregnancy.

It has been reported that human umbilical artery (HUA) at term pregnancy released endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), using a superfusion bioassay system. However, other reports showed that endothelium-dependent relaxation was not observed in isometric tension studies using HUA ring with intact endothelium. Thus, we intended to clarify whether vascular smooth muscle of HUA at term is sensitive to EDRF.

[A randomized cross-over comparative study of granisetron alone and combination of granisetron, methylprednisolone and droperidol as antiemetic prophilaxis in CDDP-based chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer].

A cross-over clinical trial was carried out to compare the efficacy and safety of granisetron alone (40 micrograms/kg) as a "single" group, with that of granisetron, methylprednisolone (250 mg/ body) and droperidol (0.5 ml/body) as a "cocktail" group for control of emesis and vomiting induced by CDDP-based chemotherapy in 68 courses of 34 patients with gynecologic malignancies. At the first course, "single" or "cocktail" drugs were administered at day 1, 2, and 3 of chemotherapy, and at the second course, "cocktail" or "single" drugs in as cross-over fashion.

Proliferation-associated regulation of telomerase activity in human endometrium and its potential implication in early cancer diagnosis.

Telomerase activity was detected in normal endometrium in association with proliferation and regulated during the menstrual cycle in a hormone-dependent manner. The activity was maximal at the late-proliferative phase to mid-secreting phase, and was absent or extremely low at early-proliferative phase and late-secreting phase. Activity was also detected in all endometrial simple hyperplasias tested (16 of 16) and in most cancers (28 of 30), but none was detected in endometrium of either pregnant or postmenopausal women in the absence of hyperplasia.

HELLP syndrome in a pregnant patient with a past history of splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Case report.

We present a case of HELLP syndrome occuring in a patient who at the age of 8 years had undergone a splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. She was diagnosed as having HELLP syndrome 37 weeks of gestation and had a cesarean section.

Definition of a commonly deleted region in ovarian cancers to a 300-kb segment of chromosome 6q27.

Allelic deletions of chromosome 6q that occur frequently in ovarian cancers imply the presence of a putative tumor suppressor gene in this chromosomal vicinity. We analyzed DNA from 32 patients with ovarian carcinomas for loss of heterozygosity at loci on the distal portion of chromosome 6q and constructed a detailed deletion map. The map indicated a commonly deleted region between loci D6S149 (defined by CI6-24) and A2, which are estimated to be 300 kb apart on the basis of our cosmid contig map.

Simultaneous intra- and extra-uterine pregnancy with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome after induction of ovulation: a case report.

We present a case of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that developed simultaneous intra- and extra-uterine pregnancy with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) after induction of ovulation with pure FSH-HCG. At 9 weeks of pregnancy, the bilateral tubal pregnancy caused an imminent spontaneous abortion, and both Fallopian tubes were resected. After the laparotomy, the pregnancy progressed without problems until 31 weeks and 5 days of pregnancy, when signs of spontaneous abortion appeared, and healthy twin female babies were delivered by cesarean section.