Diverse Regulation of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Expression by 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D and ATRA in Murine and Human Blood Cells at Early Stages of Their Differentiation.

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is present in multiple blood cells, and the hormonal form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. The role of retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) in hematopoiesis is very important, as the fusion of RARα gene with PML gene initiates acute promyelocytic leukemia where differentiation of the myeloid lineage is blocked, followed by an uncontrolled proliferation of leukemic blasts. RARα takes part in regulation of transcription, and unliganded RARα acts as a transcriptional repressor to gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells.

Inability to have children caused by recurrent HELLP syndrome in early pregnancies - implications for a review of literature.

This review is inspired by a case of two pregnancies of the same patient complicated by HELLP syndrome, which suggests that there is a predisposition for the occurrence of preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome in early pregnancy. HELLP syndrome, uncommon below the 20th week and rarer still in two consecutive pregnancies, appeared in two pregnancies of the same woman. The aim of our work is to try to understand the cause of heterogeneity of HELLP syndrome and help find a way of prolonging such pregnancies.

Diagnostic accuracy of interleukin-6 levels in peritoneal fluid for detection of endometriosis.

Purpose: To determine, with extended receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the diagnostic value of cytokines showing significantly different peritoneal concentrations between women with and without endometriosis.

Methods: Multiplex cytokine concentration measurement of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in peritoneal fluid of women with minimal to mild (n = 10) and moderate to severe (n = 26) endometriosis, and 42 controls.

Results: Only IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations were significantly higher in endometriosis patients than in controls.

[The crucial role of the proto-oncogene c-mos in regulation of oocyte maturation].

Meiosis arrest before fertilization is a common and unique feature of oogenesis in many animal species. On account of the unclear biological significance of meiosis arrest at various stages and for different durations in different animal species, this process and its regulation are the subject of many scientific studies. Studies on the development of ovarian teratomas proved to be helpful in defining the role of particular genes and biochemical cycles in control of the cell cycle in animals.

[The role of selected molecular pathways in the pathogenesis of ovarian teratomas].

From the research point of view--ovarian teratomas, especially mature ones, are an interesting group of germ-cell tumors of the ovary. The WHO classification, which is not simple but includes all tumors that arise from germ cells, emphasizes the complexity of this group. Their complex pathophysiology is also very interesting from the clinical point of view because of their frequent occurrence,especially among young women of reproductive age.

Ectopic and eutopic stromal endometriotic cells have a damaged ceramide signaling pathway to apoptosis.

Objective: To investigate whether sphingosine analogues, which activate the ceramide signaling pathway to apoptosis, can cause the death of ectopic (EEC) and eutopic stromal endometriotic cells (EEU), as well as healthy eutopic stromal endometrial cells (HEU).

Design: The EEC, EEU, and HEU isolated from fertile and infertile women with endometriosis were cultured for 48 hours in RPMI medium with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) and with 2.5-10 microM sphingosine analogues.

Serum and peritoneal evaluation of vitamin D-binding protein in women with endometriosis.

Introduction: Vitamin D-binding protein (also called DBP or Gc-globulin) is recognized as a multifunctional protein involved in the action scavenger system, the transport of vitamin D sterols, and the modulation of immune and inflammatory responses. This study evaluated total serum and peritoneal concentrations of vitamin D-binding protein in women with endometriosis, known as an inflammation-associated disease.

Materials/methods: The total concentration of DBP was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a polyclonal antibody raised in a goat immunized with human DBP.

Flow cytometric evaluation of intracellular cytokine synthesis in peripheral mononuclear cells of women with endometriosis.

Systemic changes related to cytokine expression levels in women with endometriosis remain a subject of controversy. There are many studies concerning this topic showing differential serum cytokine levels; however, there are limited data presenting cytokine expression at the single-cell level. This study focused on this question by measuring intracellular cytokine staining of activated peripheral CD3+ and CD14+ cells from women with endometriosis (investigative group) compared with those with uterine leiomyoma (control group).

Genital mycoplasmas--morbidity and a potential influence on human fertility.

Mycoplasmas comprise a big group of organisms consisting of one hundred eighty species which are found in nature as parasites of humans, other mammals, reptiles, fishes and plants, or living as commensals. The group commonly referred to as genital mycoplasmas comprise species most often found in the genitourinary tract of sexually active adults as common commensal inhabitants, or pathogens which can cause many different infections. The species we are most interested in this work are called: Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Differential flow cytometric detection of intracellular cytokines in peripheral and peritoneal mononuclear cells of women with endometriosis.

Objective: The pathogenesis of endometriosis is related to functional changes in CD3+ and CD14+ cells observed both at the local and systemic level. Here we investigated whether, and if so, how the body compartment influences cytokine expression in stimulated peritoneal and peripheral CD3+ and CD14+ cells of women with endometriosis.

Study Design: Isolated peripheral blood (PB) and peritoneal fluid (PF) mononuclear cells from women with endometriosis were cultured under non-adherent conditions and stimulated with PMA and ionomycin for 6h to induce intracellular cytokine synthesis of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-8 by CD3+ cells or with LPS for 9h to produce TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10, MCP-1, and IL-8 by CD14+ cells.

[Implantation and antigenicity of human endometrium].

It is essential for an embryo's further development that it generate a connection with the mother. The first stage of this process is implantation, a highly coordinated event that involves both embryonic and endometrial participation. A blastocyst may attach to the endometrium only during the "implantation window", when the uterus is receptive.

[Can vulvar carcinoma be a danger in the 21st century?].

Vulvar carcinoma accounts for 3-5% of all genital cancers. The most common histology of vulvar cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. It has been suggested that vulvar cancer exists as two separate diseases--HPV-positive, occurring in young women, and p53-positive, that occurs in older women.

Evaluation of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels in peripheral blood of infertile women with endometriosis.

Objective: To test whether serum monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) chemokine levels correlate with endometriosis in infertile women.

Study Design: A group of women with endometriosis (n = 18, infertile) was compared with patients with uterine leiomyoma (n = 16, fertile), unexplained infertility (n = 5, infertile), and healthy women (n = 16, fertile). MCP-1 expression levels were evaluated by ELISA assay.

The influence of extracellular matrix proteins on T-cell proliferation and apoptosis in women with endometriosis or uterine leiomyoma.

Problem: Interactions between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and peripheral blood T cells in women with endometriosis and leiomyoma are hardly unknown. We have investigated the influence of two major ECM components, collagen IV (C-IV) and fibronectin (Fn), on T-cell proliferation and apoptosis in women with endometriosis and uterine leiomyoma. beta1 integrin expression, responsible for interactions with ECM proteins, was also studied.

Gliomatosis peritonei with mature teratoma of the ovary.

We report a case of menstrual mature teratoma of ovary with implants of glial tissue in peritoneum and its adnexa. After resection of the tumour and omentum laparoscopic examination was performed and revealed reduction, fibrosis of glial implants and massive cellular reaction.

[Own experiences in salvage chemotherapy of ovarian cancer--a preliminary report].

Objective: To compare the efficacy and side effects of the ovarian cancer salvage treatment.

Materials And Methods: 28 patients from 2nd Department of Gynecology of Wrocław Medical University, treated for recurrent ovarian cancer in stage III and IV were analyzed. First line treatment after complete debulking operation was based on platinum analogue (CAP).

[Estimation of DNA methylation level in endometrial cancer tissues].

Objectives: A level of DNA methylation plays an important role in regulation of cellular gene's expression. Estimation of DNA methylation level in endometrial neoplastic tissues compared to normal endometrial samples was the aim of this study.

Design: It was to be shown, that changes in methylation rate in promotory regions could lead to carcinogenesis in particular cell.

[Estimation of DNA methylation level in nonendometrial uterus malignancies].

Objectives: Rebuilding of genome structure leads to many pathological states including neoplastic malignancies. Rebuilding often occurs as a process caused by disturbances in gene silencing mechanism. DNA methylation pattern is one of the most important mechanisms connected to gene's silencing.

[Urethral obstruction caused by endometriosis].

Two cases of unilateral urethral obstruction caused by endometriosis were reported. Two patients aged 48 and 35 years old were fully diagnosed with above mentioned abnormalities prior to a surgical operation. During the surgical operations the initial diagnosis was confirmed macroscopically, followed by the surgical amputation of the urethral parts pathologically changed.

Comparative analysis of CA125, tissue polypeptide specific antigen, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha levels in sera, cyst, and ascitic fluids from patients with ovarian carcinoma.

Background: The serum markers CA125, tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS), and soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (sIL-2Ralpha) concentrations were determined in sera, cyst, and ascitic fluids from patients with malignant and benign ovarian neoplasms.

Methods: CA125, TPS, and sIL-2Ralpha concentrations were measured in sera, cyst, and ascitic fluids by immunoassays in 67 patients with carcinoma and in 32 patients with benign ovarian neoplasms.

Results: CA125, TPS, and sIL-2Ralpha levels were elevated significantly in sera from patients who had ovarian carcinoma compared with patients who had benign neoplasms (P < 0.

[Gastric cancer in pregnancy--a case report].

Authors describe a case of gastric carcinoma diagnosed during 27th week of pregnancy in 27-year-old woman with mild gastrointestinal symptoms in second and third trimester accompanied with severe anemia. Gastrofiberoscopy with a biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of diffused gastric adenocarcinoma. Sudden symptoms of premature labour in 33-rd week of pregnancy finished with a premature labor.

[Choriocarcinoma with atypical clinical course. Case report].

Authors describe a case of choriocarcinoma with an atypical clinical course in 28-year old woman nine months after a normal pregnancy and labour. Diagnosis of the disease was very hard because endometrial biopsy did not show any suspected cells and two performed pregnancy tests were not positive. Diagnosis was confirmed after a hysterectomy.

[Using of Therma-Choice system in treatment of metrorrhagia in case of porphyria].

The authors present the use of Uterine Balloon Therapy in the long term metrorrhagia resistant to conservative treatment, in the case of porphyria. The method was used on a 44 year old female, suffering from acute intermittent liver porphyria for 9 years.

[Intrauterine fetal death at term--imperfection of medical supervision methods or statistical-biological inevitability--attempt for discussion based on a case report].

There is a description of the case of unexplained intrauterine fetal death at term. The course of the pregnancy was regular. There were any sinister symptoms preceded and there were no malformations or other abnormalities observed thereafter.

[Congenital absence of the vagina--its diagnostic-therapeutic implications--case report].

Issues relating to diagnosis and reconstructive therapy for developmental anomalies of female genital tract are controversial. The teratogenic influence during the 6th week of intrauterine life, the time for the development of structures such as fallopian tube, uterus and cervix from the Müllerian duct may lead to their defective formation. In a 14 year old girl congenital absence of vagina, cervix developed right half of uterus (rudimentary horn?) and a pelvic kidney was diagnosed by laparoscopy and laparotomy.