Androgen receptor gene cytosine, adenine, and guanine trinucleotide repeats in patients with endometriosis.

Objective: A genetic variation in the androgen receptor (AR) has been associated with the risk of developing endometriosis. The AR gene is located on the X chromosome and contains a highly polymorphic trinucleotide repeat (cytosine, adenine, and guanine: CAG) in its first exon, whose length and methylation pattern affect both AR expression and function. Thus, we sought to further investigate the potential association between endometriosis and the AR-CAG polymorphism.

Association rate between deep peritoneal endometriosis and other forms of the disease: pathogenetic implications.

Background: It has been suggested recently that deep endometriosis and the other forms of the disease do not share a common pathogenetic mechanism. In this study, we hypothesize that, if this is true, deep peritoneal endometriosis and the other forms should not be significantly associated.

Methods: Clinical and surgical records of all women who were referred to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinica 'L.

Expression of interleukin-10 and its receptor is up-regulated in early pregnant versus cycling human endometrium.

Previous reports suggest that systemic and/or placental presence of T helper 2-type cytokines would be supportive of normal pregnancy. Among these cytokines, IL-10 is thought to be produced at the feto-maternal interface to control fetal-ablating immune responses. However, expression of IL-10 in nonhemopoietic maternal cells of the human uterus has not been characterized in detail.

Endometriosis: novel etiopathogenetic concepts and clinical perspectives.

Objective: To discuss current ideas about therapy for endometriosis derived from new observations generated by using molecular biology techniques and in vivo animal models of disease.

Method(s): The MEDLINE database was reviewed for English-language articles on new drugs that affect the endocrine or immunologic system, the possibility that endometriosis has multiple forms, and the association of endometriosis with cancer. Specific attention was given to in vivo studies in animals or humans.

Risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth: a Northern Italian multicenter case-control study.

Preterm birth remains one of the most serious problems facing obstetricians. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth in northern Italy. Nine different collaborating institutions participated in this multicenter case-control study.

Use of serum-soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 as a new marker of endometriosis.

Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that soluble intercellular adhesions molecule-1 (sICAM-1) may be used as a new serum marker of endometriosis.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: An academic department specializing in gynecologic laparoscopy.

Serum leptin concentrations in endometriosis.

It has been recently reported that serum concentrations of the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin are increased in patients affected by endometriosis. On the basis of these findings, the present study was undertaken to evaluate whether the protein may be used as a new serum marker of the disease. A consecutive series of 67 reproductive-age women who underwent laparoscopy for benign gynecological pathologies were enrolled prospectively for the study.

Human chorionic gonadotropin patterns after a single dose of methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy.

Objective: The great variability in human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels after a single dose of methotrexate (MTX) for ectopic pregnancy makes it difficult to predict treatment failure. We describe different patterns of HCG levels.

Study Design: Fifty patients were injected i.