Activation of NOD-1/JNK/IL-8 signal axis in decidual stromal cells facilitates trophoblast invasion.

Decidual stromal cells (DSCs) are known to regulate trophoblast invasion via unveiled mechanism yet. And nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) may influence on this DSC-trophoblast interaction. We investigated the mechanism underlying the DSC-mediated regulation of trophoblast invasion and the effect of NOD1 on their cross talk.

Single port access laparoscopic surgery for large adnexal tumors: Initial 51 cases of a single institute.

Objective: Investigation of initial 51 cases of single port access (SPA) laparoscopic surgery for large adnexal tumors and evaluation of safety and feasibility of the surgical technique.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the first 51 patients who received SPA laparoscopic surgery for large adnexal tumors greater than 10 cm, from July 2010 to February 2015.

Results: SPA adnexal surgeries were successfully completed in 51 patients (100%).

Intravenous Immunoglobulin G Improves Pregnancy Outcome in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Losses with Cellular Immune Abnormalities.

Problem: We investigated the therapeutic effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Method Of Study: This was a retrospective observational study. Total 189 RPL women who experienced ≥2 miscarriages were enrolled and investigated conventional etiologies, thrombophilia, and cellular immunity.

Practice patterns in the management of threatened preterm labor in Korea: A multicenter retrospective study.

Objective: This study aimed to examine clinical practice patterns in the management of pregnant women admitted with threatened preterm labor (TPL) in Korea.

Methods: Data from women admitted with a diagnosis of TPL were collected from 22 hospitals. TPL was defined as regular uterine contractions with or without other symptoms such as pelvic pressure, backache, increased vaginal discharge, menstrual-like cramps, bleeding/show and cervical changes.

Intravenous immunoglobulin G modulates peripheral blood Th17 and Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells in pregnant women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Problem: Th17 cells and Foxp3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells have been proposed as new risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) was reported to modulate various immune cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of IVIG on the levels of Th17 and Treg cells and pregnancy outcome in women with RPL.

Determination of clinical cellular immune markers in women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Problem: Dysregulated natural killer (NK) immunity and T-cell immunity are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We aim to define clinically relevant NK and T-cell parameters for RPL and determine their cutoff values.

Methods Of Study: Ninety-five women with RPL (>3) including 42 idiopathic and 53 known-etiology RPL, and 29 age-matched fertile controls were enrolled.

Foxp3(high) and Foxp3(low) Treg cells differentially correlate with T helper 1 and natural killer cells in peripheral blood.

Regulatory T (Treg) cells interact with B, natural killer (NK), and dendritic cells in addition to other T cells. In this study, we aimed at determining whether Foxp3(+) T cells and subpopulations have any correlation with other lymphocyte subsets and their functions in a systemic immune environment. Peripheral blood was drawn from 22 nonpregnant healthy women.

111/121 diplotype of Calpain-10 is associated with the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome in Korean women.

We investigated whether the CAPN-10 polymorphism UCSNP-43, -19, and -63 contribute, either individually or as haplotype/diplotype, to the susceptibility of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or related quantitative traits in Korean women. Our data showed that 111 haplotype and 111/121 and 111/111 diplotypes in the CAPN-10 gene were associated with a significantly increased risk of PCOS, and 112 haplotype and 121/121 and 112/122 diplotypes were associated with decreased risk of PCOS in the Korean population.

Polymorphisms and haplotypes of the gene encoding the estrogen-metabolizing CYP19 gene in Korean women: no association with advanced-stage endometriosis.

A variety of factors affect the development of endometriosis, including hormonal status and genetic factors. The growth of endometriosis is stimulated by local estrogen production in conjunction with circulating estrogen. The CYP19 gene encodes a steroid aromatase that catalyses the conversion of C-19 androgens to estrogens.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes of the genes encoding the CYP1B1 in Korean women: no association with advanced endometriosis.

Objective: To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms and its haplotypes of gene encoding CYP1B1 are associated with the risk of advanced endometriosis in Korean women.

Methods: We investigated 221 patients with histopathologically confirmed endometriosis rAFS stage III/IV and 188 control group women who were surgically proven to have no endometriosis. The genetic distribution of four different CYP1B1 polymorphisms at Ala119Ser, Leu432Val, Asp(449)(C>T), Asn453Ser were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism of PCR products.

Black cohosh and St. John's wort (GYNO-Plus) for climacteric symptoms.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) in women with climacteric symptoms, and to assess their effects on vaginal atrophy, hormone levels, and lipid profiles.

Materials And Methods: In this double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, 89 peri- or postmenopausal women experiencing climacteric symptoms were treated with St.

Angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2 and Tie-2 expression in eutopic endometrium in advanced endometriosis.

Endometriosis is one of the most common gynaecological disorders, but its aetiology and pathogenesis remain obscure. The refluxed menstrual debris in women with endometriosis may be more prone to implantation, invasion and growth in the peritoneum or ovary through the actions of extracellular proteolysis and angiogenesis. It has been hypothesized that the endometrium from women with endometriosis has higher angiogenic activity and expresses more angiogenic factors.

[A case of primary hepatic lymphoma mimicking hepatitis].

We report here on a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in which liver involvement was the predominant clinical manifestation. A healthy 44-year-old man presented with upper abdominal pain, hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, elevated AST, ALT and bilirubin, and marked elevation of lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. The abdominal CT scan showed only diffuse hepatosplenomegaly and uneven contrast enhancement of the spleen without any definite mass of the liver and spleen.

Polymorphisms of the genes encoding the GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 in Korean women: no association with endometriosis.

Endometriosis, one of the most common gynaecologic disorders, shows significantly elevated prevalence in industrial areas and there is also a possible genetic predisposition. Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes involved in the metabolism of many disease-causing carcinogens and mutagens that are present in human environments. An association between the incidence of endometriosis and the GST genotypes of patients has been suggested.

Association of interleukin-6 promoter variant with bone mineral density in pre-menopausal women.

Interleukin-6 (IL6) has many roles essential to the regulation of the immune response, hematopoiesis, and bone resorption. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the IL6 promoter region were genotyped by the single-base extension method. The frequencies of each SNP were 0.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2, membranous type 1 matrix metalloproteinase, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 expression in ectopic and eutopic endometrium.

Objective: To investigate expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), membranous type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in ectopic and eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis throughout the menstrual cycle.

Design: Molecular studies in human tissue.

Setting: Reproductive immunology laboratory of a university medical center.