Deep endometriosis infiltrating the recto-sigmoid: critical factors to consider before management

Mauricio Simoes Abrao1,, Felice Petraglia2, Tommaso Falcone3, Joerg Keckstein4, Yutaka Osuga5, and Charles Chapron6,7,8 Endometriosis Division, Obstetrics and Gynecological Department – Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo, Brazil Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy Obstetrics, Gynecology andWomen's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Endometriosis, Villach Hospital, Villach, Austria Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan Universite Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Faculte de Medecine, Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Paris (APHP), Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire (GHU) Ouest, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Cochin, Department of Gynecology Obstetrics II and Reproductive Medicine, 75679 Paris, France Institut Cochin, Universite Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite CNRS (UMR 8104), Paris, France Inserm, Universite Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Unite de recherche U1016, Paris, Franc

Matrix-free laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry as a functional tool for the analysis and differentiation of complex phenolic mixtures in propolis: a new approach to quality control

Matrix-free laser desorption ionization (LDI) is a rapid and versatile technique for the ionization of small, UV-light-absorbing molecules. Indeed, many natural products such as polyphenols exhibit inherent LDI properties, potentially facilitating their detection from highly complex samples such as crude extracts. With this in mind, the present work thoroughly evaluated the potential of LDI as an analytical tool for the chemical profiling and differentiation of propolis samples obtained from different global regions. Propolis is a complex bee product containing, among others, significant amounts of phenolic constituents that may show LDI effects. The present work will demonstrate that LDI not only provides reproducible and highly specific fingerprint spectra for each of the tested samples, it further allows their clear differentiation by principal compound analysis (PCA). Contrary to classical analytical approaches such as LC- or GC-MS, LDI does not require time-consuming sample preparation and method optimization procedures. Thus, the technique represents a most interesting analytical tool and potent supplement to classic LC-MS for quality control of herbal pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. Present results clearly support this approach and further suggest the use of LDI as a versatile tool for the automated analysis of large sample batches on an industrial scale

Bithiophenic MALDI matrices as valuable leads for the selective detection of alkaloids

Alkaloids represent a group of biologically most interesting compounds commonly used in modern medicines but also known for exhibiting severe toxic effects. Therefore, the detection of alkaloids is an important issue in quality control of plants, dietary supplements, and herbal pharmaceutical and mostly facilitated by methods such as GC or LC-MS. However, benefitting from the development of selective matrices as well as requiring very little sample preparation, MALDI-MS may also provide a valuable supplement to these standard analytical methods. With this in mind, the present study highlights recent advances in the development of bithiophenic matrix molecules designed for the selective detection of alkaloids. Overall four new bithiophenic matrix molecules (BMs) were tested on different analytes belonging to various chemical families such as alkaloids, curcuminoids, benzopyrones, flavonoids, steroids, and peptides (I). All BMs were further compared to the commercial matrices α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) in terms of their signal response as well as their matrix noise formation (II). Based on these results the most promising candidate, 3-(5′-pentafluorophenylmethylsulfanyl-[2,2′]bithiophenyl-5-ylsulfanyl)propionitrile (PFPT3P), was tested on highly complex samples such as the crude extracts of Colchicum autumnale, RYTMOPASC ® solution (a herbal pharmaceutical containing sparteine and rubijervine), as well as strychnine-spiked human plasma (III). For the latter, an evaluation of the limit of detection was performed. Eventually, a simplified protocol for the direct MALDI detection of major alkaloids from pulverized plant material of Atropa belladonna and Senecio vulgaris is presented (IV)

Plant Biotechnology in China

expression vector (Invitrogen) were selected using Zeocin (0.5 mg/ml). To release soluble 7BP anchored on the cell surface, we treated cells with thrombin (10 IU/ml) for 3 days under serum-free conditions. The cleaved 6-His-and FLAG epitope-tagged recombinant 7BP in serum-free conditioned media was purified by sequential nickel and anti-FLAG affinity chromatography. For antibody production, 5 mg of purified 7BP emulsified in Freund's adjuvant were injected into rabbits (Strategic BioSolutions Inc., Ramona, CA 2029 (1985). 17. Eight-week-old female mice (strain C57/B6) were treated with equine chorionic gonadotropin (CG) (10 IU, National Hormone and Peptide Program) for 48 hours before ovulation induction with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 10 IU). Mice were mated overnight after ovulation, and pregnant mothers were treated with purified 7BP (500 g, once per day) for 4 days starting from postcoitus day 17. Parturition was monitored at 4-to 6-hour intervals. Five animals per treatment group were used. The pregnancy durations for control and 7BP-treated animals were 508.8 Ϯ 9.0 hours and 536.0 Ϯ 9.1 hours, respectively. The nipple sizes (length ϫ width, mm 2 ) for control and 7BP-treated mice were 1.50 Ϯ 0.05 and 1.07 Ϯ 0.04, respectively

Pigment Epithelium–Derived Factor Regulates Lipid Metabolism via Adipose Triglyceride Lipase

OBJECTIVE: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is an adipocyte-secreted factor involved in the development of insulin resistance in obesity. Previous studies have identified PEDF as a regulator of triacylglycerol metabolism in the liver that may act through adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). We used ATGL(-/-) mice to determine the role of PEDF in regulating lipid and glucose metabolism. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Recombinant PEDF was administered to ATGL(-/-) and wild-type mice, and whole-body energy metabolism was studied by indirect calorimetry. Adipose tissue lipolysis and skeletal muscle fatty acid metabolism was determined in isolated tissue preparations. Muscle lipids were assessed by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Whole-body insulin sensitivity and skeletal muscle glucose uptake were assessed. RESULTS: PEDF impaired the capacity to adjust substrate selection, resulting in a delayed diurnal decline in the respiratory exchange ratio, and suppressed daily fatty acid oxidation. PEDF enhanced adipocyte lipolysis and triacylglycerol lipase activity in skeletal muscle. Muscle fatty acid uptake and storage were unaffected, whereas fatty acid oxidation was impaired. These changes in lipid metabolism were abrogated in ATGL(-/-) mice and were not attributable to hypothalamic actions. ATGL(-/-) mice were also refractory to PEDF-mediated insulin resistance, but this was not related to changes in lipid species in skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The results are the first direct demonstration that 1) PEDF influences systemic fatty acid metabolism by promoting lipolysis in an ATGL-dependent manner and reducing fatty acid oxidation and 2) ATGL is required for the negative effects of PEDF on insulin action

Hormone-Sensitive Lipase Knockouts

All treatments for obesity, including dietary restriction of carbohydrates, have a goal of reducing the storage of fat in adipocytes. The chief enzyme responsible for the mobilization of FFA from adipose tissue, i.e., lipolysis, is thought to be hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). Studies of HSL knockouts have provided important insights into the functional significance of HSL and into adipose metabolism in general. Studies have provided evidence that HSL, though possessing triacylglycerol lipase activity, appears to be the rate-limiting enzyme for cholesteryl ester and diacylglycerol hydrolysis in adipose tissue and is essential for complete hormone stimulated lipolysis, but other triacylglycerol lipases are important in mediating triacylglycerol hydrolysis in lipolysis. HSL knockouts are resistant to both high fat diet-induced and genetic obesity, displaying reduced quantities of white with increased amounts of brown adipose tissue, increased numbers of adipose macrophages, and have multiple alterations in the expression of genes involved in adipose differentiation, including transcription factors, markers of adipocyte differentiation, and enzymes of fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis. With disruption of lipolysis by removal of HSL, there is a drastic reduction in lipogenesis and alteration in adipose metabolism

Studies on the anti-obesity activity of zinc-α2-glycoprotein in the rat

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-obesity effect of the adipokine zinc-a(2)-glycoprotein (ZAG) in rats and the mechanism of this effect. SUBJECTS: Mature male Wistar rats (540 ± 83 g) were administered human recombinant ZAG (50 µg per 100 g body weight given intravenously daily) for 10 days, while control animals received an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). RESULTS: Animals treated with ZAG showed a progressive decrease in body weight, without a decrease in food and water intake, but with a 0.4 °C rise in body temperature. Body composition analysis showed loss of adipose tissue, but an increase in lean body mass. The loss of fat was due to an increase in lipolysis as shown by a 50% elevation of plasma glycerol, accompanied by increased utilization of non-esterified fatty acids, as evidenced by the 55% decrease in plasma levels. Plasma levels of glucose and triglycerides were also reduced by 36-37% and there was increased expression of the glucose transporter 4 in both skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Expression of the lipolytic enzymes adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase in the white adipose tissue (WAT) were increased twofold after ZAG administration. There was almost a twofold increased expression of uncoupling proteins 1 and 3 in brown adipose tissue and WAT, which would contribute to increased substrate utilization. Administration of ZAG increased ZAG expression twofold in the gastrocnemius muscle, BAT and WAT, which was probably necessary for its biological effect. CONCLUSION: These results show that ZAG produces increased lipid mobilization and utilization in the rat