Adipocyte differentiation factor (ADF): a protein secreted by mature fat cells that induces preadipocyte differentiation in culture.

A factor that is released into the culture medium of mature adipocytes and promotes the differentiation (adipogenic conversion) of preadipocytes has been partially characterized. The factor acts in a dose-dependent manner on preadipocytes to produce up to a four-fold increase in triacylglycerol (triglyceride) content and a nine-fold increase in glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity, a marker of the late phase of differentiation of preadipocytes. The material appears to be a protein, since it has a molecular weight (Superose-12 gel exclusion chromatography) of about 53 kDa, an isoelectric point (pl) of 4.

Induction of apoptosis in equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG)-primed rat ovaries by anti-eCG antibody.

We have established a model to examine the early events of apoptosis in small antral follicles in vivo. Immature female rats injected with 15 IU eCG, and subsequently (24 h later) with an anti-eCG antibody to induce gonadotropin withdrawal, displayed a significantly lower ovarian weight and increased incidence of follicular atresia and granulosa cell death, especially in small- to medium-sized follicles. Evidence of apoptosis was apparent in a significantly higher proportion of granulosa cells from antibody-treated rats, which exhibited membrane blebbing, nuclear and cytoplasmic condensation, fragmentation, and phagocytosis.

Up-regulation of urokinase plasminogen activator messenger ribonucleic acid and protein in hen granulosa cells by transforming growth factor alpha in vitro during follicular development.

The aim of the present study was to examine the regulatory role of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) on urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) gene expression and protein levels in hen granulosa cells from different stages of ovarian follicular development in vitro. Granulosa cells from the first (F1), the second and third (F2-3), and the fourth, fifth, and sixth (F4-6) largest preovulatory follicles were cultured for 21 h in the absence and presence of TGF alpha (10 ng/ml). The uPA mRNA abundance and protein content were determined by Northern and Western blot analysis, respectively.

Long-term survival with malignant melanoma metastatic to the bladder.

Malignant melanoma metastatic to the bladder is a relatively common autopsy finding, but rarely manifests clinically as it is usually a late finding in the course of the disease. Herein is the report of a case of muscle invasive malignant melanoma at the dome of the urinary bladder treated by radical transurethral resection with no evidence of bladder recurrence four years later.

Calculus formation on migrant surgical staples in urinary undiversion.

Urinary undiversion and bladder reconstruction has led to some of the most ingenious uses of bowel by urologists and will improve the quality of life for patients. The use of the stapler has helped create intussuscepted nipple valves that are more likely to be effective and less likely to extussuscept. Calculi can form on surgical staples exposed to urine and measures to prevent this have been described.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis with multiple cutaneous fistulae.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is characterized by a xanthogranulomatous inflammatory response by the kidney to bacterial infection. The actual histologic diagnosis of this condition is usually made by the pathologist following nephrectomy. Cutaneous fistulae and internal sinus formation, albeit rare, have been reported to occur.