Ectopical decidua formation in the ovary (so-called deciduoma)

Summary This case report describes a case of an ectopical decidua formation in the ovary of a pregnant woman. It is pointed out that intensive regressive alterations of this so-called deciduoma may possibly lead to false diagnoses.The subject of its development is discussed with reference to the pertinent literature.     

High-density lipoproteins limit neutrophil-induced damage to the blood–brain barrier in vitro

Breakdown of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a key step associated with ischemic stroke and its increased permeability causes extravasation of plasma proteins and circulating leukocytes. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) proteases may participate in BBB breakdown. We investigated the role of PMNs in ischemic conditions by testing their effects on a model of BBB in vitro, under oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) to mimic ischemia, supplemented or not with high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) to assess their potential protective effects. Human cerebral endothelial cells cultured on transwells were incubated for 4 hours under OGD conditions with or without PMNs and supplemented or not with HDLs or alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT, an elastase inhibitor). The integrity of the BBB was then assessed and the effect of HDLs on PMN-induced proteolysis of extracellular matrix proteins was evaluated. The release of myeloperoxidase and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) by PMNs was quantified. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils significantly increased BBB permeability under OGD conditions via proteolysis of extracellular matrix proteins. This was associated with PMN degranulation. Addition of HDLs or AAT limited the proteolysis and associated increased permeability by inhibiting PMN activation. Our results suggest a deleterious, elastase-mediated role of activated PMNs under OGD conditions leading to BBB disruption that could be inhibited by HDLs.     

Workplace health promotion and the blue collar worker

Considerable evidence supports the claim that blue collar workers are at risk in terms of their health. Health promoting lifestyles have improved in the white collar segment of western society, but behaviors such as physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, and alcohol and drug abuse have increased in blue collar groups. Perceived health status is known to be associated with positive health behaviors. Management must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the support of health promotion activities and consider restructuring the work environment to encourage health promotion behaviors.     

Monitoring cardiovascular status with noninvasive techniques.

Useful information regarding a patient's cardiovascular status can be gained through noninvasive monitoring techniques. Health assessment skills developed over a period of time by the nursing practitioner will aid in identifying problems, planning care, and understanding the total patient profile more comprehensively.     

Vascular fate of adipose tissue-derived adult stromal cells in the ischemic murine brain: A combined imaging-histological study

Increasing evidence indicates that fat tissue can provide a novel source of progenitor cells with therapeutic potential. Here, the fate of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) transplanted into the mouse ischemic cortex was monitored in the long term using in vivo imaging, and subsequently characterized. The left middle cerebral artery (MCA) was occluded in C57BL/6J mice equipped with a closed cranial window chronically implanted over the left parietal cortex (n = 20). ADSCs expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) (approximately 18 x 10(3) cells in 0.5 microl) were transplanted into the ipsilateral cortex, 24 h after MCA occlusion. GFP+-ADSCs were monitored through the window using confocal fluorescence microscopy to assess their single fate in vivo. Co-localization of GFP with vascular, neuronal, glial or proliferation markers was investigated immunohistochemically. Repeated in vivo imaging revealed that GFP+-ADSCs migrated over 1 week toward the lesion, survived for at least 4 weeks, and exhibited a particular tropism for vessels. About 5% of the transplanted GFP+-ADSCs were scattered in the peri-ischemic area on histological sections. Immunohistochemistry evidenced that perivascular GFP+-ADSCs enfolded CD31-labeled endothelial cells, always outside their basal lamina, and occasionally expressed smooth muscle alpha-actin. Less than 1% GFP and BrdU co-labeling indicated a low proliferation rate of ADSCs. These results demonstrate that cerebral ischemia induces ADSCs survival, migration toward the lesion, especially toward microvessels, and occasional differentiation into smooth muscle cells.     

Glycoprotein IIIA gene (PlA) polymorphism and aspirin resistance: is there any correlation?

BACKGROUND: Platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptors play an inevitable role in platelet aggregation. The GP IIIa gene is polymorphic (PlA1/PlA2) and the presence of a PlA2 allele might be associated with an increased risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of the PlA2 allele in patients with ACS and in subjects with or without aspirin resistance. METHODS: The prevalence of the PlA2 allele was assessed in 158 patients with ACS and PlA2 compared with its prevalence in 199 healthy volunteers. The antiplatelet efficacy of aspirin was examined in all patients with ACS, as well as in 69 individuals who had suffered ischemic stroke and in 58 high-risk subjects without any known ischemic vascular events. RESULTS: PlA2 prevalence was significantly higher in patients with ACS (59/158) than in the control group (51/199; p < 0.05). Carriers of the PlA2 allele had a significantly higher risk of developing ACS, even after an adjustment to the risk factors (OR 5.74; 95% CI 1.75 to 18.8; p = 0.004). The occurrence of the PlA2 allele was significantly higher among patients with aspirin resistance than in subjects who demonstrated an appropriate response to the drug (allele frequencies, 0.21 vs 0.14; p < 0.05). All patients homozygous for the PlA2 allele had an inadequate platelet response to aspirin. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that carriers of the PlA2 allele might have an increased risk for ACS. PlA2 homozygosity was associated with an inadequate response to aspirin therapy. Our data further suggest that patients with PlA2 allele homozygosity might benefit from antiplatelet therapy based on adenosine diphosphate antagonists throughout secondary treatment for prevention of ACS.     

Die DONALD Kohorte

The DONALD study has been conducted in Dortmund, Germany since 1985 to examine the complex relations between nutritional intake, metabolism and growth from infancy to adulthood. Every year, approximately 40 infants are newly recruited into the open cohort study. Examinations conducted at ages 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months and then annually until young adulthood, comprise anthropometry, a 3 day weighed dietary record, a 24?h urine sample (from age 3-4 years onwards), medical examinations and parental interviews. Since 2005, participants are invited for follow-up visits during adulthood (including fasting blood samples). Approximately 1,400 children have been recruited into the study up to 2010. Recent findings revealed e.g. (i) the relevance of early life factors for subsequent development of body composition and puberty timing, (ii) the relation between pubertal hormonal status and puberty onset, (iii) age and time trends in iodine status and modern dietary habits and (iv) potential furan and benzol exposition by commercial weaning foods. Future analyses will provide insight into the extent to which health in young adulthood is receptive to diet, anthropometric pattern and hormonal status in distinct potentially critical periods during childhood.