Dysfunctional plasmalogen dynamics in the plasma and platelets of patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Based upon the concept of a prodromal risk syndrome for first psychosis, intense efforts are being applied to define potential biomarkers of disease onset in schizophrenia. One such tentative biomarker may be plasmalogens, complex structural glycerophospholipids that serve multiple functions in all cells.

Methods: To further investigate this possibility, we undertook a lipidomics analysis of choline and ethanolamine plasmalogens in the plasma and platelets of 23 patients with schizophrenia and 27 age-matched controls.

Implanon versus medroxyprogesterone acetate: effects on pain scores in patients with symptomatic endometriosis--a pilot study.

Background: Implanon has been reported to be effective in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. We compared the therapeutic efficacies of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and Implanon with regard to pain relief in women with endometriosis.

Study Design: In a clinical research center at a university hospital, 41 patients with dysmenorrhea, nonmenstrual pelvic pain and dyspareunia associated with histologically proven endometriosis were included in an open, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Interleukin-1 alpha but not interleukin-1 beta gene polymorphism is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Interleukin-1 (IL1) is a multifunctional cytokine and IL1-mediated inflammatory processes have been proposed to influence the processes of ovulation, fertilization and implantation. All these parameters are also affected in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study investigated the association of common polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 genes (IL1A and IL1B) with the occurrence and clinical characteristics of PCOS.

Impaired glucose tolerance is associated with changes in clinical and biochemical parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: To characterize the phenotype of women with polycystic ovary syndrome with and without impaired glucose tolerance by determining various polycystic ovary syndrome-associated clinical and laboratory parameters.

Methods: In a prospective clinical study, we evaluated a series of 102 Caucasian women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Women completed a detailed questionnaire and underwent a standardized oral glucose tolerance test.

A combination treatment of prednisone, aspirin, folate, and progesterone in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage: a matched-pair study.

Objective: To compare a combination treatment of prednisone, aspirin, folate, and progesterone with no treatment in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM).

Design: Matched-pair study.

Setting: Academic research institution.

A polymorphism of the interleukin 1 receptor antagonist is not associated with polycystic ovary syndrome in Caucasian women.

In a prospective case-control study we investigated the association of a common polymorphism of the interleukin 1 receptor antagonist gene (IL-1 RA) with the occurrence and the clinical characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Allele frequencies did not vary statistically significantly among women with PCOS and healthy controls or within the PCOS group with respect to their clinical characteristics.

The C46T polymorphism of the coagulation factor XII gene and idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Thrombophilia has been described to be involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM). We investigated the association between IRM and a C-->T polymorphism at nucleotide 46 in the 5'-untranslated region of the coagulation factor XII (FXII) gene. Two hundred and twelve women with a history of IRM and 149 healthy controls were tested by a mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction assay (MS PCR).

Different steroids co-regulate long-term expansion versus terminal differentiation in primary human erythroid progenitors.

Outgrowth, long-term self-renewal, and terminal maturation of human erythroid progenitors derived from umbilical cord blood in serum-free medium can be modulated by steroid hormones. Homogeneous erythroid cultures, as characterized by flow cytometry and dependence on a specific mixture of physiologic proliferation factors, were obtained within 8 days from a starting population of mature and immature mononuclear cells. Due to previous results in mouse and chicken erythroblasts, the proliferation-promoting effect of glucocorticoids was not unexpected.

Lack of association of TNFalpha gene polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss in Caucasian women.

The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) gene plays an important role in immunology and inflammation. Variant alleles of TNFalpha are associated with altered RNA and serum protein levels in humans. Conflicting results have been obtained regarding the role of TNFalpha during pregnancy and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

The size of a microsatellite polymorphism of the haem oxygenase 1 gene is associated with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Endothelial damage, impaired microvascularization and immune maladaptation have been described as aetiological factors in recurrent miscarriages. We investigated the relationship between idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM) and a (GT)(n) repeat microsatellite polymorphism of the gene encoding haem oxygenase 1 (HO-1), known to modulate immune functions such as T-helper (TH) cell function and to be associated with cardiovascular disease. We investigated 162 women with IRM and 129 healthy, post-menopausal controls.

Angiopoietin-2 polymorphism in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and a polymorphism of the gene encoding for angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2), an autochthonous modulator of angiogenesis during pregnancy.

Design: Prospective case control study.

Setting: Academic research institution.

Combined thrombophilic polymorphisms in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Objective: To identify associations or interrelations between carriage of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, the MTHFR A1298C, the factor V Leiden G1691A, the factor II prothrombin G20210A, the human platelet antigen (HPA) 1 C12548T, and the apolipoprotein (APO) B R3500Q polymorphisms and idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM).

Design: Prospective case control study.

Setting: Academic research institution.

A polymorphism of the interleukin-6 gene promoter and idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Background: Cytokines have been described to play a major role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM). We investigated the association between IRM and a polymorphism of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene and IL-6 serum levels.

Methods: In a prospective case-control study, we studied 161 women with IRM and 124 healthy controls.

The C677T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Objective: To investigate the association between the C677T polymorphism of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), serum homocysteine levels, and idiopathic recurrent miscarriage in a Middle-European white population.

Methods: In a case control study, we investigated 133 women with a history of three or more consecutive pregnancy losses before 20 weeks' gestation and 74 healthy controls with at least two live births and no history of pregnancy loss. A DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis were used to genotype women for the presence of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism.

Light and electron microscopic study of stress-shielding effects on rat patellar tendon.

In this second part of our study, the histomorphologic changes occurring in the patellar tendon (PT) of rats after sole stress-shielding were evaluated. In seven adult albino rats, both PTs were exposed by straight skin incision and then stress-shielded on one side by a cerclage, while the contralateral PT served as the sham-operated control. One animal died after the operation and was used as a negative control.

Polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen gene, the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene, and the interleukin-1beta gene promoter in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Interleukin (IL)-1beta, angiotensinogen (Agt), and endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are thought to be involved in idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM). We investigated the correlation between IRM and common polymorphisms in Agt, Nos3 and IL-1beta genes: one polymorphism in the promoter region of the IL-1beta gene, one in exon 2 of the Agt gene, and one in exon 7 of the Nos3 gene. A total of 130 women with a history of IRM and 67 healthy control women were included in the study.

The PROGINS progesterone receptor gene polymorphism and idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Objective: Progesterone inhibits lymphocyte cytotoxicity, natural killer cell degranulation, and release of proinflammatory cytokines and has been shown to protect against spontaneous miscarriage. We investigated the association between idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM) and the PROGINS 306 base pair insertion polymorphism in intron G of the progesterone receptor gene, which is known to segregate with progesterone-dependent neoplasms.

Methods: In a case-control study we investigated 125 women with a history of three or more consecutive pregnancy losses before 20 weeks' gestation and 79 healthy controls with at least two live births and no history of pregnancy loss.

Tryptophan hydroxylase gene polymorphism (A218C) and idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Objective: To investigate the frequency of a polymorphism in intron 7 of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene among women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and healthy controls.

Methods: In a case control study, we studied 125 women with a history of three or more consecutive pregnancy losses before 20 weeks' gestation and 137 healthy controls with at least two live births and no history of pregnancy loss. Peripheral venous puncture, DNA extraction, and polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis were used to genotype women for the presence of the A218C polymorphism in intron 7 of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene.

A polymorphism of the interleukin-1beta gene and idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Objective: Proinflammatory cytokines have been described to be involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM). We investigated the association between IRM and a polymorphism in exon 5 of the interleukin-1beta gene (IL1B) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) serum levels.

Design: Case control study.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Background: Lack of endothelium-derived nitric oxide is associated with vasospasm and vascular infarction. We investigated the relationship between idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and a polymorphism of the gene encoding endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3).

Method: In a prospective case-control study, 105 women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and 91 healthy controls were investigated.

Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist polymorphism in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

Objective: Proinflammatory cytokines have been described as etiologic factors in idiopathic recurrent miscarriage. We investigated the relation between idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and polymorphisms in the gene encoding for the interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, an indigenous modulator of proinflammatory immune response.

Design: Prospective case control study.

Flexible versus rigid endoscopes for outpatient hysteroscopy: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

To evaluate patient acceptance, optical properties and the clinical feasibility of flexible compared with rigid hysteroscopes, 142 patients undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy were included in a prospective, randomized clinical trial. The flexible hysteroscope was used in 70 patients, and the rigid instrument in 72. At different stages of the hysteroscopy the level of pain experienced by the women was assessed using a 10 cm visual analogue scale.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in human breast cancer depends on tumor grade.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by tumor cells has been suggested to abrogate metastasis in several tumor models, whereas constitutive NOS expression correlated positively with tumor grade in human breast carcinoma. Whether or not expression of one of the various NOS isoforms could predict the prognosis of breast cancer, however, has not been established. In the present report we investigated the cellular distribution of NOS isoforms in a series of benign and malignant breast tumors and in normal breast tissue.

Elevation of inducible nitric oxide synthase activity in human endometrium during menstruation.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a known agonist of programmed cell death (apoptosis). In order to discover its potential role during menstrual shedding, a process associated with extensive apoptosis, we evaluated activity and mRNA levels of the inducible and constitutive isoforms of NO synthase (NOS) in endometrial specimens of the proliferative (n = 11), late-secretory (n = 7), and menstrual (n = 17) phase of the cycle. These levels were compared with the proportion of apoptotic cells by detection of histochemically labeled DNA fragments.

Oral administration of methylglyoxal leads to kidney collagen accumulation in the mouse.

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a physiological substrate of the glyoxalase system which is impaired in the diabetic state and implicated in the development of diabetic complications. Like other reactive aldehydes in diabetes mellitus (DM) this carbonyl can bind to and modify proteins which may lead to changes of biochemical and biophysical properties of connective tissue proteins, a hallmark of diabetes mellitus. As previous studies on MG effects were confounded by other aldehydes found in DM, we decided to administer MG to 10 healthy, female OF-1 mice for a period of five months, at a level of 50 mg/kg body weight per day using 10 healthy untreated litter mates as controls.