Platelet-Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase Expression in BRCA1 Mutant Ovarian Cancer as a Protective Factor and Potential Negative Regulator of the Wnt Signaling Pathway.

Aberrantly activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, as well as platelet-activating factor (PAF), contribute to cancer progression and metastasis of many cancer entities. Nonetheless, the role of the degradation enzyme named platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PLA2G7/PAF-AH) in ovarian cancer etiology is still unclear. This study investigated the functional impact of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase on BRCA1 mutant ovarian cancer biology and its crosstalk with the Wnt signaling pathway.

A 3-month preclinical trial to assess the performance of a new TVT-like mesh (TVTx) in a sheep model.

The objective of this study was to evaluate in a sheep model the performance of a new polypropylene mesh (TVTx), which is intended as a less invasive treatment for female stress urinary incontinence. Eight female sheep were used in this study, each one being implanted with eight TVTx samples. At each time-point (weeks 1, 2, 4, and 12) seven TVTx were pulled out, while one TVTx was carefully dissected for histological investigations.

Time-related changes in the plasma concentrations of prolactin, gonadotropins, sex hormone-binding globulin, and certain steroid hormones in female runners after a long-distance race.

Running is associated with an increase in plasma concentrations of certain anterior pituitary hormones and adrenal steroids. This study reports such increases after a marathon race. Six trained female runners, 26 to 42 years old, participated in a marathon race.

Luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome in mild endometriosis. Assessment with biochemical parameters.

Failure to extrude an ovum, with subsequent luteinization of the unruptured follicle (LUF), has been proposed as a cause of infertility in women with mild endometriosis. To assess the incidence of this process we performed laparoscopies in the early luteal phase on 16 women with mild endometriosis and 8 control subjects. Peritoneal fluid was aspirated and a plasma sample obtained concurrently.