Human endometrial cell coculture reduces the endocrine disruptor toxicity on mouse embryo development

BACKGROUNDS: Previous studies suggested that endocrine disruptors (ED) are toxic on preimplantation embryos and inhibit development of embryos in vitro culture. However, information about the toxicity of endocrine disruptors on preimplantation development of embryo in human reproductive environment is lacking. METHODS: Bisphenol A (BPA) and Aroclor 1254 (polychlorinated biphenyls) were used as endocrine disruptors in this study. Mouse 2-cell embryos were cultured in medium alone or vehicle or co-cultured with human endometrial epithelial layers in increasing ED concentrations. RESULTS: At 72 hours the percentage of normal blastocyst were decreased by ED in a dose-dependent manner while the co-culture system significantly enhanced the rate and reduced the toxicity of endocrine disruptors on the embryonic development in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, although EDs have the toxic effect on embryo development, the co-culture with human endometrial cell reduced the preimplantation embryo from it thereby making human reproductive environment protective to preimplantation embryo from the toxicity of endocrine disruptors

Modulation of gut microbiota and delayed immunosenescence as a result of syringaresinol consumption in middle-aged mice

Age-associated immunological dysfunction (immunosenescence) is closely linked to perturbation of the gut microbiota. Here, we investigated whether syringaresinol (SYR), a polyphenolic lignan, modulates immune aging and the gut microbiota associated with this effect in middle-aged mice. Compared with age-matched control mice, SYR treatment delayed immunosenescence by enhancing the numbers of total CD3+ T cells and naïve T cells. SYR treatment induced the expression of Bim as well as activation of FOXO3 in Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Furthermore, SYR treatment significantly enhanced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio compared with that in age-matched controls by increasing beneficial bacteria, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, while reducing the opportunistic pathogenic genus, Akkermansia. In addition, SYR treatment reduced the serum level of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, an inflammatory marker, and enhanced humoral immunity against influenza vaccination to the level of young control mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that SYR may rejuvenate the immune system through modulation of gut integrity and microbiota diversity as well as composition in middle-aged mice, which may delay the immunosenescence associated with aging. © 2016 The Author(s)1761sciescopu

How should painful cystic degeneration of myomas be managed during pregnancy? a case report and review of the literature

Background: Uterine myomas are common pelvic masses during pregnancy. The pain and rapid growth of myomas are among the most common complications during pregnancy. We evaluate management of painful cystic degeneration of myomas during pregnancy. Case: A 27-year-old primigravida had a pelvic mass. We have managed a case in which the diagnosis of cystic degeneration of uterine myomas could not be easily differentiated from an ovarian torsion or carcinoma. Differentiation between degenerative pain of the myoma and an ovarian malignancy or torsion was necessary. A complete aspiration of the cystic changes of the uterine myoma was performed without performing a myomectomy. Conclusion: We report a good result of aspiration of a cystic uterine myoma during pregnancy with a review of the literature published for twenty years since 1 January 1988

Hemoperitoneum during pregnancy with endometriosis; report of four cases

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory gynecologic disease. Problems associated with endometriosis include dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. While endometriosis does not generally cause complications during pregnancy, endometriosis clearly causes complications before pregnancy. Cases: We report four patients with endometriosis who developed a hemoperitoneum during pregnancy, suggesting that endometriosis may be involved in the development of a hemoperitoneum. The patients were diagnosed with endometriosis during surgery or underwent laparoscopic resection of endometriosis. There were one hemoperitoneum that occurred in the second trimester and one hemoperitoneum occurred in the third trimester. Two hemoperitoneums occurred at the time of vaginal delivery. Conclusion: A spontaneous hemoperitoneum during pregnancy is a rare and life-threatening condition because of the high maternal and fetal mortality rates. The presence of surgical scar tissue and deep infiltrated endometriotic lesions located under dense adhesions in the cul-de-sac could have been avulsed by uterine contractions and pushing in labor

Effects of 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on programmed cell death of Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells through ezrin phosphorylation

This study investigated the effects of 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced cell death and its underlying molecular mechanisms in Ishikawa endometrial carcinoma cells. The effects of 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on Ishikawa cells were examined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2.5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide, thiazolyl blue (MTT) assay. 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was shown to induce programmed cell death in Ishikawa endometrial carcinoma cells by activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, along with elevation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Cell viability was reduced by 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in a concentration-dependent manner up to 2.5 μM. In addition, ezrin phosphorylation increased with the 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 concentration (0–0.5 μM). The protein level of caspase-9 was increased by 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 up to 0.5 μM. This is the first report regarding the efficacy and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in endometrial cancer cells. Our findings indicate that 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces endometrial cancer cell death in a concentration-dependent manner.Impact statement Up to date, there is no report about the efficacy and molecular underlying mechanisms on the effect of vitamin D3 in endometrial cancer cells. Our findings indicate that 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. which is an active metabolite of vitamin D3, induces Ishikawa endometrial cancer cell death in a concentration-dependent manner by activation of caspase-3 and -9, along with elevation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. In addition, the same concentration of 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 that provoked apoptotic signals caused phosphorylation of ezrin at threonine 567 in a VDR-dependent manner. This study suggests that 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 within the optimal range (0.5 uM) would induce apoptosis through Fas-ezrin-caspase-3, -8, -9 signalling axis which may be a critical cell death regulator in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cell. Further study will be more interesting to address molecular connections or prove this critical optimal concentration range of vitamin D

Apatite-mineralized polycaprolactone nanofibrous web as a bone tissue regeneration substrate.

Degradable synthetic polymers with a nanofibrous structure have shown great promise in populating and recruiting cells for the reconstruction of damaged tissues. However, poor cell affinity and lack of bioactivity have limited their potential usefulness in bone regeneration. We produced polymeric nanofiber poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) with its surface mineralized with bone-like apatite for use as bone regenerative and tissue engineering matrices. PCL was first electrospun into a nanofibrous web, and the surface was further mineralized with apatite following a series of solution treatments. The surface of the mineralized PCL nanofiber was observed to be almost fully covered with nanocrystalline apatites. Through mineralization, the wettability of the nanofiber matrix was greatly improved. Moreover, the murine-derived osteoblastic cells were shown to attach and grow actively on the apatite-mineralized nanofibrous substrate. In particular, the mineralized PCL nanofibrous substrate significantly stimulated the expression of bone-associated genes, including Runx2, collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin, when compared with the pure PCL nanofiber substrate without mineralization. The currently developed polymer nanofibrous web with the bioactive mineralized surface is considered to be potentially useful as bone regenerative and tissue engineering matrices

Efficacy of Emergency Cervical Cerclage

Abstract Preterm birth is the primary cause of perinatal morb idity and mortality. Infants who are born at an early gestational age are at high risk of illness, injury, and handicap. To prevent preterm birth, cervical cerclage is reco mmended for wo men diagnosed with cervical insufficiency.Cerv ical inco mpetence is the inability of the cervix to retain a pregnancy until term or until the fetus is viable. Emergency cerclage is performed in patients with cervical enlargement ≥ 3cm and prolapsed membranes. We evaluated maternal and neonatal outcomefollowing emergency cerclage between 21and 26 weeksusing Foley catheter insertion

Uterine artery embolization for primary postpartum hemorrhage

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of severe maternal morbidity and death. A prompt management of uterine artery embolization (UAE) is important for a good outcome. UAE is generally accepted to be a safe and reliable procedure. Objective: To estimate critical patient characteristics influencing the success of UAE for the treatment of emergent primary postpartum hemorrhage. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study that reviewed 121 patients who were diagnosed primary postpartum hemorrhage between February 2002 and December 2009 at a tertiary treatment center among 4,022 deliveries. We evaluated patient clinical characteristics associated with a successful surgical outcome of UAE. Results: The success rate for UAE was 96%. For two cases, UAE complication was associated with fever (>38.5oC). Five patients had problems that required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Conclusion: To increase the surgical success rate and lower the number of ICU admissions, the decision to treat primary postpartum hemorrhage using UAE should be based on individual patient clinical findings under the direction of obstetrics staff and an interventional radiologist