Progesterone regulation of implantation-related genes: new insights into the role of oestrogen

Genomic profiling was performed on explants of late proliferative phase human endometrium after 24-h treatment with progesterone (P) or oestradiol and progesterone (17β-E2+P) and on explants of menstrual phase endometrium treated with 17β-E2+P. Gene expression was validated with real-time PCR in the samples used for the arrays, in endometrium collected from early and mid-secretory phase endometrium, and in additional experiments performed on new samples collected in the menstrual and late proliferative phase. The results show that late proliferative phase human endometrium is more responsive to progestins than menstrual phase endometrium, that the expression of several genes associated with embryo implantation (i.e. thrombomodulin, monoamine oxidase A, SPARC-like 1) can be induced by P in vitro, and that genes that are fully dependent on the continuous presence of 17β-E2 during P exposure can be distinguished from those that are P-dependent to a lesser extent. Therefore, 17β-E2 selectively primes implantation-related genes for the effects of P

Pelvic-Peritoneal Tuberculosis with Elevated Serum and Peritoneal-Fluid Ca-125 Levels - A Report of 2 Cases

We report 2 patients with pelvic-peritoneal tuberculosis and elevated serum and peritoneal fluid levels of Ca-125. The first was a young and infertile women who had cul-de-sac nodularity and dysmenorrhea. The other was postmenopausal and presented with weight loss and ascites. While a preoperative diagnosis of endometriosis was made in the former, intraperitoneal malignancy was considered in the latter. The diagnosis of pelvic-peritoneal tuberculosis was reached by laparoscopic-directed biopsy in both patients. Serum levels of Ca-125 returned to normal limits following antituberculous drug treatment.WoSScopu

A Limited and Useful Approach to Determine Proximal Periodontal Health

Previous researchers have shown that there exists an interaction between gingival blood flow and gingival health. The purpose of this study was to compare the papillary blood flow at sites treated by a bridge with the blood flow at untreated sites. Twenty persons with resin-bonded fixed partial dentures were included in the study. The contralateral natural teeth of the site symmetrical to that of the restorations were used as controls. Blood flow was measured from the middle point of the papillae from both test and control sites by Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF). The plaque index, papillary bleeding index and probing depth measurements were recorded. There was a statistically significant difference between the test and control sites in papillary blood flow measurements and clinical indices (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was statistical significance between gingival blood flow measurements and papillary bleeding index in the experimental group (p < 0.05). In short, there exists an important relationship between resin-bonded fixed partial dentures and papillary blood flow. Although there were no correlations between LDF values and clinical parameters, it can be emphasized, within the limits of the study, that LDF readings have limited diagnostic value, at least when it comes to clinical performance of fixed prosthesis. Keywords: Fixed partial dentures, Laser Doppler Flowmetry, papillary blood flow "Un Enfoque Limitado y útil para Determinar la Salud Proximal Periodontal" RESUMEN Investigadores anteriores han mostrado que existe una interacción entre el flujo de sangre gingival y la salud gingival. El propósito de este estudio fue comparar el flujo de sangre papilar en los sitios tratado por un puente, con el flujo de la sangre en los sitios no tratados. Veinte personas con prótesis dental parcial fija adherida con resina fueron incluidas en el estudio. Los dientes naturales contralaterales del sitio simétrico al de las restauraciones, se usaron como controles. El flujo de sangre se midió a partir del punto medio de las papilas de los sitios de prueba y de control, usando un medidor de flujo mediante Láser Doppler (LDF). Se registraron el índice de la placa, el índice de sangramiento papilar, y las mediciones para el examen de la profundidad. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los sitios de la prueba y los de control en las mediciones del flujo de sangre papilar y los índices clínicos (