Elevated serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) level in women with hydatidiform mole.

Objective: To show soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) levels in sera from patients with hydatidiform mole, which is known to predispose women to severe early-onset preeclampsia.

Design: Comparative study.

Setting: University hospital and surrounding community hospitals.

Expression and regulation of cholesterol sulfotransferase (SULT2B1b) in human endometrium.

Objective: To investigate the hormonal regulation of SULT2B1b in human endometrium.

Design: In vitro study with human endometrial tissues and cultured human endometrial cells.

Setting: University hospital.

Reliability and validity of the King's Health Questionnaire for lower urinary tract symptoms in both genders.

Objective: To investigate the reliability and validity of the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) in both genders, which was originally developed as a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire for female urinary incontinence for general lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Subjects And Methods: Data from the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and KHQ obtained from 179 men and 75 women consulting urologists (Sample A) were analysed. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and inter-domain correlation were calculated for reliability and validity assessment, respectively.

Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) increases the expression of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor in human granulosa cells.

Objective: To examine the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) on FSH receptor (FSHR) expression in human granulosa cells.

Design: Laboratory study using human samples.

Setting: University hospital.

Basic and translational research on proteinase-activated receptors: proteinase-activated receptors in female reproductive tissues and endometriosis.

During the menstrual cycle, dynamic morphological changes are observed in the ovarian follicle and the endometrium. These changes are associated with the onset of the inflammatory response in which many proteinases play various roles. Thrombin-induced activation of PAR(1) (proteinase-activated receptor 1) stimulates the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in human granulosa cells, suggesting a possible role for PAR(1) in the ovulatory process.

Deficiency of immunophilin FKBP52 promotes endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease that affects approximately 10% of women of childbearing age. It is characterized by endometrial growth outside the uterus and often results in inflamed lesions, pain, and reduced fertility. Although heightened estrogenic activity and/or reduced progesterone responsiveness are considered to be involved in the etiology of endometriosis, neither the extent of their participation nor the underlying mechanisms are clearly understood.

Tunicamycin enhances the apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in endometriotic stromal cells.

Background: The increase in concentration of osteoprotegerin, an antagonist of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis may interfere with TRAIL-induced apoptosis in endometriotic cells and promote the development of endometriosis. In the present study, the effect of tunicamycin, a possible apoptosis enhancer, on TRAIL-induced apoptosis in endometriotic stromal cells (ESC) was determined.

Methods: ESC were isolated from cyst walls of ovarian endometrioma and cultured.

Conjoined twins in a triplet pregnancy after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and blastocyst transfer: case report and review of the literature.

Objective: To describe an exceptional case of conjoined twins in a triplet pregnancy after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and blastocyst transfer.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University teaching hospital reproductive endocrinology department and infertility practice.

Novel therapeutic strategies for endometriosis: a pathophysiological perspective.

It has previously been considered that the therapeutic effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues on endometriosis could be explained by the suppression of estrogen levels due to pituitary downregulation; however, recent research on the pathogenesis of endometriosis suggests that these effects may be exerted by multiple mechanisms. These include the inhibition of ovulation, which results in a reduction in the exposure of endometriotic lesions to midkine, a growth factor present in ovarian follicular fluid that is thought to be involved in the proliferation of endometriotic cells and development of endometriosis. Also the inhibition of bleeding induced by GnRH analogue therapy can reduce the exposure of endometriotic lesions to thrombin, which is produced in the process of coagulation.

Interleukin (IL)-1beta stimulates migration and survival of first-trimester villous cytotrophoblast cells through endometrial epithelial cell-derived IL-8.

IL-1, secreted by human embryos and trophoblast cells, is important for successful implantation and pregnancy. We previously reported that IL-1beta induced IL-8 production in human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and that induction was regulated by substances implicated in implantation. In the present study using human primary cells in culture, we measured IL-1beta-induced production of IL-8 from endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) and ESCs and examined effects of the endometrium-derived IL-8 on migration and number of first-trimester villous cytotrophoblast cells (vCTs).

Androgen insensitivity syndrome with serous gonadal cyst.

Objective: To present a patient with androgen insensitivity syndrome with serous gonadal cyst who underwent laparoscopic surgery.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University hospital.

Expression and possible implication of growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor splice variant 1 in endometriosis.

Objective: To determine possible involvement of splice variant 1 (SV1), a variant of the pituitary growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor, in the development of endometriosis.

Design: Comparative and laboratory study.

Setting: University teaching hospital reproductive endocrinology and infertility practice.

Interleukin-4 stimulates proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells.

Several lines of evidence indicate that the Th2 immune response is associated with endometriosis. Although an increased concentration of interleukin (IL)-4, a typical Th2 cytokine, has been reported in endometriotic tissues, the implication of this for endometriosis has not been determined. To investigate a possible role of IL-4 in the development of endometriosis, we examined the presence of IL-4-producing cells in endometriotic tissues and the effect of IL-4 on proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells.

Cellular mechanisms of growth inhibition of human endometrial cancer cell line by an antagonist of growth hormone-releasing hormone.

The expression of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and its receptors has been demonstrated in peripheral tissues as well as CNS. Recently, the functional splice variant SV1 of GHRH receptor was identified in various human cancers and cancer cell lines. Although antineoplastic activity of GHRH antagonists has been clearly demonstrated, the mechanism of action is incompletely understood.

Expression and regulation of periostin/OSF-2 gene in rat uterus and human endometrium.

Periostin/OSF2 is a ligand for alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 integrins and activates the Akt/PKB pathway. Recent reports of periostin/OSF2 gene disrupted mice indicate that periostin/OSF-2 plays an important role in implantation. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the expression of periostin/OSF-2 mRNA in rat uteri was reduced to approximately 10% at 12 h after 17beta-estradiol (E2) injection, but was not changed after progesterone (P) injection.

Interleukin (IL)-17A stimulates IL-8 secretion, cyclooxygensase-2 expression, and cell proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells.

IL-17A is secreted from Th17 cells, a discovery leading to revision of the mechanism underlying the role of Th1/Th2 in the immune response. Strong evidence suggests that immune responses associated with inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In the present study, we first demonstrated that the presence of Th17 cells in peritoneal fluid of endometriotic women by flow cytometric analysis and IL-17A-positive cells in endometriotic tissues by immunohistochemistry.

A case of hydrosalpinx associated with the menstrual cycle.

Objective: To describe a case report of hydrosalpinx that changed dramatically in size during the menstrual cycle.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University teaching hospital reproductive endocrinology and infertility practice.

High soluble CD44 concentration in peritoneal fluid in endometriosis.

The concentration of the soluble form of CD44, a competitive inhibitor for CD44 and hyaluronic acid binding, is higher in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis than in the peritoneal fluid of patients without endometriosis.

The presence of midkine and its possible implication in human ovarian follicles.

Problem: Ovarian follicles undergo a dynamic change to provide a mature ovum, and the process involves angiogenesis, follicular cell proliferation and leukocyte recruitment. Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor that has angiogenic, mitogenic, and chemotactic activities. In the present study, we investigated the presence of MK and its possible role in human ovarian follicles.

Dienogest inhibits BrdU uptake with G0/G1 arrest in cultured endometriotic stromal cells.

Objective: To investigate the effect of dienogest on the proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells.

Design: Comparative and laboratory study.

Setting: University of Tokyo Hospital.

Metformin suppresses interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced IL-8 production, aromatase activation, and proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells.

Context: Metformin, a widely used treatment for diabetes that improves insulin sensitivity, also has both antiinflammatory properties and a modulatory effect on ovarian steroid production, two actions that have been suggested to be efficacious in therapy for endometriosis.

Objective: To determine whether metformin may be effective for the treatment of endometriosis, we evaluated the effects of this agent on inflammatory response, estradiol production, and proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs).

Design: ESCs derived from ovarian endometriomas were cultured with various concentrations of metformin.

High incidence of tubal dysfunction is determined by laparoscopy in cases with positive antibody despite negative finding in prior hysterosalpingography.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is one of the most commonly used methods in order to evaluate the condition of fallopian tubes in infertility clinics. In the present paper, we retrospectively compared the findings of HSG and laparoscopy to elucidate the relationship between tubal dysfunction and background factors, such as infection, endometriosis and previous surgery. We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of 314 patients who were examined by both HSG and laparoscopy between 1996 and 2001 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tokyo.

Expression of toll-like receptors 2, 3, 4, and 9 genes in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle.

Innate immunity in the endometrium has fundamental significance for reproduction. Although toll-like receptors (TLRs) play central roles in innate immune responses, their expression in the human endometrium remains to be fully elucidated. We have examined the gene expression of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9 in endometrial tissues by real-time quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization.

The expression and possible roles of chemokine CXCL11 and its receptor CXCR3 in the human endometrium.

IFN-gamma secreted by a human embryo and trophoblast cells during implantation is suggested to play an important role in implantation and pregnancy. In the present study, we explored expression and possible functions of CXCL11, a CXC chemokine strongly induced by IFN-gamma, and its receptor CXCR3 in the human endometrium. Secreted CXCL11 protein was not detected in cultured endometrial stromal cells (ESC) but was detected in cultured endometrial epithelial cells (EEC).

Combined phospho-Akt and PTEN expressions associated with post-treatment hysterectomy after conservative progestin therapy in complex atypical hyperplasia and stage Ia, G1 adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.

Young patients with complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH) or stage Ia, G1 adenocarcinoma (IaG1) of the endometrium, who desire to preserve fertility, can select the conservative therapy by oral progestin, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). However, conservative treatments involve potential risks of progression and recurrence. In an attempt to find out molecular markers for sensitivity to MPA, we performed immunohistochemical analysis of PTEN, phospho-Akt, p53, ER and PgR in MPA-treated 31 cases with CAH or IaG1.