Differential transcriptional and protein expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor in ovarian carcinomas.

Objective: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) regulates normal thyroid function by binding to its receptor (thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor -TSHR) that is expressed at the surface of thyroid cells. Recently, it has been demonstrated that TSHR is abundantly expressed in several tissues apart from the thyroid, among them the normal ovarian surface epithelium. The role of TSHR expression outside the thyroid is not completely understood.

Quantitative analysis of heparanase gene expression in normal cervical, cervical intraepithelial neoplastic, and cervical carcinoma tissues.

Heparanase is an endoglycosidase that specifically cleaves heparan sulfate side chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans, the major proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix and cell surfaces. Traditionally, heparanase activity was implicated in cellular invasion associated with angiogenesis, inflammation, and cancer metastasis. More recently, heparanase up-regulation was documented in an increasing number of primary human tumors.

Correlation of NK T-like CD3+CD56+ cells and CD4+CD25+(hi) regulatory T cells with VEGF and TNFalpha in ascites from advanced ovarian cancer: Association with platinum resistance and prognosis in patients receiving first-line, platinum-based chemotherapy.

Background: Several cytokines have been associated with immune regulation and prognosis in ovarian cancer. CD4+CD25+ Tregs and CD3+CD56+ NK-like T cells are involved in the immune response against the tumor. We have investigated the association of cytokines in the ascites from patients with ovarian cancer with these populations, the platinum resistance and the prognosis of these patients.

Low dose recombinant FSH treatment may reduce multiple gestations caused by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination.

Objective: To evaluate the rate of multiple pregnancies in intrauterine insemination cycles stimulated with a minimal dose of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rec-FSH).

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: University Medical Center.

Molecular and functional analysis of PRKAR1A and its locus (17q22-24) in sporadic adrenocortical tumors: 17q losses, somatic mutations, and protein kinase A expression and activity.

Germ-line protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory-subunit type-Ialpha (RIalpha; PRKAR1A)-inactivating mutations and loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) of its 17q22-24 locus have been found in Cushing syndrome (CS) caused by primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD). We examined whether somatic 17q22-24, PRKAR1A, or PKA changes are present in 44 sporadic adrenocortical tumors (29 adenomas and 15 cancers); 26 of these tumors were responsible for CS. A probe containing the PRKAR1A gene-mapped by fluorescent in situ hybridization to 17q22-24-and corresponding microsatellite markers were used to study allelic losses; PRKAR1A was sequenced in all samples.

Radical trachelectomy via a trans-sacral approach: a case report.

Background: Endometrial cancer may arise in patients previously treated for rectal cancer. Surgical management can be challenging, and the gynecologic oncologist may need to employ alternative surgical approaches.

Case: A 71-year-old female with a history of Dukes class B rectal cancer previously treated by abdominoperineal resection and pelvic radiation therapy subsequently developed an endometrial cancer.

Laparoscopic identification of sentinel lymph nodes in early stage cervical cancer: prospective study using a combination of patent blue dye injection and technetium radiocolloid injection.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of intraoperative radioisotopic mapping using an endoscopic gamma probe associated with patent blue dye injection in patients with early stage cervical cancer.

Methods: Between April 2001 and March 2002 a total of 12 patients underwent laparoscopic bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy (squamous carcinoma in 10 cases, all stage FIGO IB1, and adenocarcinoma in 2 cases, stages IA2 and IB1). Lymphoscintigraphies were performed on the day before surgery to visualize sentinel lymph nodes, 31 +/- 22.

Percentile curves of serum estradiol levels during controlled ovarian stimulation in 905 cycles stimulated with recombinant FSH show that high estradiol is not detrimental to IVF outcome.

Background: High, normal and poor responders are usually defined by reference to subjectively selected estradiol E2 levels at days 4-6 and the day of hCG administration (d-hCG). The purpose of this study was to use E2 percentile curves from day 5 until d-hCG to determine high, normal and poor responders, and to predict IVF outcome.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 762 patients underwent 905 cycles with a GnRH agonist/recombinant FSH short protocol.