Removal of hydrosalpinges increases endometrial leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) expression at the time of the implantation window

BACKGROUND: The presence of hydrosalpinges is associated with lower implantation and pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF-embryo transfer, while salpingectomy improves these parameters. Although the mechanism by which hydrosalpinges affects fertility is not entirely understood, an adverse effect on endometrial receptivity has been postulated. In this study, we hypothesized that the adverse effects of hydrosalpinges on fertility may be in part mediated by inappropriate endometrial expression of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a cytokine implicated in implantation. METHODS: In order to test our hypothesis, we prospectively examined the expression of LIF during the window of implantation in the endometrium of infertile women (n = 10) with hydrosalpinges prior to and following salpingectomy and of fertile controls (n = 10) by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: LIF expression was significantly lower in infertile women with hydrosalpinges compared with fertile controls (P < 0.05). Salpingectomy resulted in an increase in LIF expression in eight out of 10 women with hydrosalpinges. LIF levels were increased by 231 +/-49% (mean +/- SEM) following salpingectomy. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the Western blot findings. The increased LIF immunoreactivity was predominantly localized to luminal and glandular epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that observed benefit from salpingectomy in infertile women with hydrosalpinges may be in part mediated by the up-regulation of endometrial LIF expression.     

The evaluation of acute kidney injury due to ischemia by urinary neutrophil gelatinase-induced lipocalin (uNGAL) measurement in patients who underwent partial nephrectomy

International Urology and Nephrology - To investigate the role of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-induced lipocalin (uNGAL) measurement in the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury that may occur...     

Penicillium peritonitis in an adolescent receiving chronic peritoneal dialysis

A 19-year-old female on chronic peritoneal dialysis developed acute peritonitis; multiple peritoneal fluid and catheter tip cultures yielded Penicillium species. She promptly responded to catheter removal and intravenous amphotericin B, followed by oral fluconazole, without further recurrences 1 year later. This is the first reported case of Penicillium peritonitis in the pediatric population. We review the microbiology and clinical spectrum of this disease, as well as the few previous reported cases in adults. Received: 2 November 1998 / Revised: 1 February 1999 / Accepted: 4 February 1999     

Quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction gene patterns in urine sediment distinguish prostate cancer patients from control subjects.

PURPOSE: Aberrant promoter hypermethylation of several known or putative tumor suppressor genes occurs frequently during the pathogenesis of prostate cancers and is a promising marker for cancer detection. We sought to develop a test for prostate cancer based on a quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (QMSP) of multiple genes in urine sediment DNA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We tested urine sediment DNA for aberrant methylation of nine gene promoters (p16INK4a, p14(ARF), MGMT, GSTP1, RARbeta2, CDH1 [E-cadherin], TIMP3, Rassf1A, and APC) from 52 patients with prostate cancer and 21 matched primary tumors by quantitative fluorogenic real-time polymerase chain reaction. We also analyzed urine sediments from 91 age-matched individuals without any history of genitourinary malignancy as controls. RESULTS: Promoter hypermethylation of at least one of the genes studied was detected in urine samples from all 52 prostate cancer patients. Urine samples from the 91 controls without evidence of genitourinary cancer revealed no methylation of the p16, ARF, MGMT, and GSTP1 gene promoters, whereas methylation of RARbeta2, TIMP3, CDH1, Rassf1A, and APC was detected at low levels. CONCLUSION: Overall, methylation found in urine samples matched the methylation status in the primary tumor. A combination of only four genes (p16, ARF, MGMT, and GSTP1) would theoretically allow us to detect 87% of prostate cancers with 100% specificity. Our data support further development of the noninvasive QMSP assay in urine DNA for early detection and surveillance of prostate cancer.     

Bone densitometry measurements in children with neurofibromatosis Type 1 using quantitative computed tomography

Introduction:Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disease characterised by multisystemic involvement, including bone tissue. Deformities and reduced bone mass are the main bone manifestations in NF1. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) provides true volumetric bone mineral density (BMD) measurement. This study aimed to evaluate bone metabolism parameters and BMD in children with NF1 using QCT.Methods:The data of 52 paediatric NF1 patients (23 female, 29 male) was evaluated retrospectively. We investigated anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters like total calcium, phosphate, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, urinary calcium/creatinine ratio, and QCT parameters like lumbar trabecular and cortical BMD, trabecular area and cortical thickness. Comparisons of gender and puberty status were performed.Results:25% of patients had skeletal deformities and 42.3% had 25OHD inadequacy (<20 ng/mL). The frequency of 25OHD inadequacy was significantly higher in pubertal/postpubertal patients than prepubertal patients (61.9% vs. 29.0%, P = 0.019). Trabecular BMD Z-score was <−2.0 in 11.5% of patients; all with low BMD were at the pubertal/postpubertal stage. There was a significant negative correlation between age and trabecular Z-score (r = −0.41, P = 0.003). Mean cortical BMD was statistically similar between the genders and puberty groups. Puberty status, anthropometric Z-scores, and biochemical and QCT parameters were statistically similar between the genders (P > 0.05).Conclusion:Paediatric NF1 patients may present with low BMD and 25OHD inadequacy, especially at puberty. QCT may be a useful tool to evaluate trabecular and cortical bone separately in NF1 patients.     

Precarious employment and migrant workers’ mental health: a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies

ObjectivesEvidence suggests that precarious employment can have detrimental effects on workers’ health, including mental health. Migrant workers are discussed to be especially vulnerable to such effects. Thus, we systematically reviewed existing research on the association between precarious employment and migrant workers’ mental health.MethodsThree electronic databases (Web of Science, PsycINFO and PubMed/Medline) were searched for original articles on quantitative and qualitative studies published from January 1970 to February 2022 in English, German, Turkish and Spanish. Multiple dimensions of precarious employment were considered as exposure, with mental health problems as outcomes. Narrative synthesis and thematic analyses were performed to summarize the findings of the included studies along with risk of bias and quality assessment.ResultsThe literature search resulted in 1557 original articles, 66 of which met the inclusion criteria – 43 were of high quality and 22 were of moderate quality. The most common exposure dimensions analyzed in the studies included temporariness, vulnerability, poor interpersonal relationships, disempowerment, lacking workers’ rights and low income. The outcome measures included stress, depression, anxiety and poor general mental health. The prevalence of these outcomes varied between 10–75% among the included quantitative studies. All qualitative studies reported one or more dimensions of precarious employment as an underlying factor of the development of mental health problems among migrants. Of 33 quantitative studies, 23 reported evidence for an association between dimensions of precarious employment and mental health.ConclusionThe results of this review support the hypothesis that precarious employment is associated with migrant workers’ mental health.     

A Case of Distal Vaginal Agenesis Presenting with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection and Pyuria in a Prepubertal Girl

Background

Isolated distal vaginal agenesis is a rare anomaly and mostly becomes symptomatic after menarche. We describe an unusual presentation of this anomaly in a prepubertal girl.