Digestive Organ in the Female Reproductive Tract Borrows Genes from Multiple Organ Systems to Adopt Critical Functions

We describe 14 tumors, including 5 leiomyomas, 6 papillomas, 2 adrenal adenomas, and a bronchogenic carcinoma collected from over 1800 free-ranging and captive cetaceans examined since 1973. These bring to 41 the number of confirmable tumors reported from cetaceans. Of the 52 cases previously reported, 23 were described in sufficient detail to confirm the diagnoses, 15 were considered probable, and 4 were reclassified. Organ systems most commonly affected were the gastrointestinal tract (31%), skin (24%), and female reproductive tract (21%). Sampling bias may account for this apparent trend. Etioiogic agents have rarely been identified, and attempts to do so are hampered by inadequate sample sizes.

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Microphysiologic systems in female reproductive biology

Experimental Biology and Medicine ◽

10.1177/1535370217697386 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 242 (17) ◽

pp. 1690-1700 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Alexandria N Young ◽

Georgette Moyle-Heyrman ◽

J Julie Kim ◽

Joanna E Burdette

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Biology ◽

Embryo Development ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

New Technologies ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Female Reproductive Tract ◽

The Body ◽

Technological Advancement ◽

Organ Systems

Microphysiologic systems (MPS), including new organ-on-a-chip technologies, recapitulate tissue microenvironments by employing specially designed tissue or cell culturing techniques and microfluidic flow. Such systems are designed to incorporate physiologic factors that conventional 2D or even 3D systems cannot, such as the multicellular dynamics of a tissue–tissue interface or physical forces like fluid sheer stress. The female reproductive system is a series of interconnected organs that are necessary to produce eggs, support embryo development and female health, and impact the functioning of non-reproductive tissues throughout the body. Despite its importance, the human reproductive tract has received less attention than other organ systems, such as the liver and kidney, in terms of modeling with MPS. In this review, we discuss current gaps in the field and areas for technological advancement through the application of MPS. We explore current MPS research in female reproductive biology, including fertilization, pregnancy, and female reproductive tract diseases, with a focus on their clinical applications. Impact statement This review discusses existing microphysiologic systems technology that may be applied to study of the female reproductive tract, and those currently in development to specifically investigate gametes, fertilization, embryo development, pregnancy, and diseases of the female reproductive tract. We focus on the clinical applicability of these new technologies in fields such as assisted reproductive technologies, drug testing, disease diagnostics, and personalized medicine.

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Antimicrobial Peptides in Human Disease: Therapeutic Approaches. Second of Two Parts

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612824666180327155230 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (10) ◽

pp. 1148-1156 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Thea Magrone ◽

Matteo Antonio Russo ◽

Emilio Jirillo

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Antimicrobial Peptides ◽

Human Disease ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Pathological Condition ◽

Multiple Organ ◽

Female Reproductive Tract ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Health And Disease

Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are produced by a variety of human immune and non immune cells in health and disease. In virtue of their antimicrobial activity, AMPs have been exploited in human disease and here this aspect will extensively be described. AMPs in comparison to antibiotics possess a larger spectrum of antimicrobial activity without inducing microbial resistance. Therefore, their use in the course of antibiotic-resistant infections is justified. AMP activity in early life, in the airways, in the oral and gastro-enteric system, in the skin and in the female reproductive tract, respectively, will be elucidated. In addition, the use of AMPs in sepsis will be discussed due to the frequency of this pathological condition characterized by multiple organ dysfunctions. Finally, the evidence that AMPs represent valid substitutes of antibiotics will be provided and a series of novel substances able to reinforce the innate immune response in different clinical settings will be discussed.

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Effect of Contraceptive Steroids on the Endometrium of Guinea Pig: SEM study

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100080766 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 35 ◽

pp. 668-669

Author(s):

Mai M. Said ◽

Ramesh K. Nayak ◽

Randall E. McCoy

Keyword(s):

Guinea Pig ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Female Reproductive Tract ◽

Human Female ◽

Surface Ultrastructure ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Sem Study ◽

Uterine Mucosa ◽

Group 1

Burgos and Wislocki described changes in the mucosa of the guinea pig uterus, cervix and vagina during the estrous cycle investigated by transmission electron microscopy. More recently, Moghissi and Reame reported the effects of progestational agents on the human female reproductive tract. They found drooping and shortening of cilia in norgestrel and norethindrone- treated endometria. To the best of our knowledge, no studies concerning the effects of mestranol and norethindrone given concurrently on the three-dimensional surface features on the uterine mucosa of the guinea pig have been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mestranol and norethindrone on surface ultrastructure of guinea pig uterus by SEM.Seventy eight animals were used in this study. They were allocated into two groups. Group 1 (20 animals) was injected intramuscularly 0.1 ml vegetable oil and served as controls.

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Surface ultrastructure of danazol treated rat endometrium: A SEM study

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s042482010007641x ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 41 ◽

pp. 556-557

Author(s):

R.P. Apkarian ◽

J.S. Sanfilippo

Keyword(s):

Cross Sections ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Preliminary Investigation ◽

Breast Disease ◽

Distal Segment ◽

Uterine Horn ◽

Female Reproductive Tract ◽

Ultrastructural Changes ◽

Cycle Phase ◽

Sprague Dawley

The synthetic androgen danazol, is an isoxazol derivative of ethisterone. It is utilized in the treatment of endometriosis, fibrocystic breast disease, and has a potential use as a contraceptive. A study was designed to evaluate the ultrastructural changes associated with danazol therapy in a rat model. The preliminary investigation of the distal segment of the rat uterine horn was undertaken as part of a larger study intended to elucidate the effects of danazol on the female reproductive tract.Cross-sections (2-3 mm in length) of the distal segment of the uterine horn from sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared for SEM. Ten rats in estrus served as controls and six danazol treated rats were noted to have alterations of the estrus cycle i.e. a lag in cycle phase or noncycling patterns. Specimens were fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde in 0.05M phosphate buffer containing CaCl2 at pH 7.0-7.4 and chilled to 4°C. After a brief wash in distilled water, specimens were passed through a graded series of ethanol, critical point dryed in CO2 from absolute ethanol, and coated with 6nm Au. Observations were made with an IS1-40 SEM operated at 15kV.

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The application of electron microscopy to diagnosis in gynecologic neoplasms and tumor-like conditions

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100110787 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

pp. 102-105

Author(s):

Lawrence M. Roth

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Frozen Section ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Female Reproductive Tract ◽

Ultrastructural Examination ◽

Specific Diagnosis ◽

Potential Value ◽

Gynecologic Neoplasms

The female reproductive tract may be the site of a wide variety of benign and malignant tumors, as well as non-neoplastic tumor-like conditions, most of which can be diagnosed by light microscopic examination including special stains and more recently immunoperoxidase techniques. Nevertheless there are situations where ultrastructural examination can contribute substantially to an accurate and specific diagnosis. It is my opinion that electron microscopy can be of greatest benefit and is most cost effective when applied in conjunction with other methodologies. Thus, I have developed an approach which has proved useful for me and may have benefit for others. In cases where it is deemed of potential value, glutaraldehyde-fixed material is obtained at the time of frozen section or otherwise at operation. Coordination with the gynecologic oncologist is required in the latter situation. This material is processed and blocked and is available if a future need arises.

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Microprobe analysis of inclusion bodies related to two benzofuran derivatives

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100127785 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 45 ◽

pp. 672-673

Author(s):

T. L. Benning ◽

P. Ingram ◽

J. D. Shelburne

Keyword(s):

Inclusion Bodies ◽

Uranyl Acetate ◽

Multiple Organ ◽

High Dose ◽

En Bloc ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Organ Systems ◽

Dense Inclusion ◽

Melanin Complex

Two benzofuran derivatives, chlorpromazine and amiodarone, are known to produce inclusion bodies in human tissues. Prolonged high dose chlorpromazine therapy causes hyperpigmentation of the skin with electron-dense inclusion bodies present in dermal histiocytes and endothelial cells ultrastructurally. The nature of the deposits is not known although a drug-melanin complex has been hypothesized. Amiodarone may also cause cutaneous hyperpigmentation and lamellar lysosomal inclusion bodies have been demonstrated within the cells of multiple organ systems. These lamellar bodies are believed to be the product of an amiodarone-induced phospholipid storage disorder. We performed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDXA) on tissue samples from patients treated with these drugs, attempting to detect the sulfur atom of chlorpromazine and the iodine atom of amiodarone within their respective inclusion bodies.A skin biopsy from a patient with hyperpigmentation due to prolonged chlorpromazine therapy was fixed in 4% glutaraldehyde and processed without osmium tetroxide or en bloc uranyl acetate for Epon embedding.

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Histochemical and Ultrastructural Studies of the Digestive Epithelium in a Gastropod Gametolytic Organ

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s143192760000252x ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 568-569

Author(s):

R. L. Reeder ◽

S. H. Rogers ◽

W. A. Shannon

Keyword(s):

Acid Phosphatase ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Ultrastructural Level ◽

Conclusive Evidence ◽

Digestive Organ ◽

Limited Information ◽

Ultrastructural Studies ◽

Morphological Studies

Numerous morphological studies have dealt with the spermatheca of pulmonate gastropods. This globular organ, which is attached to the female portion of the reproductive tract by a long duct in these monoecious animals, has had various functions ascribed to it. Recent histochemical demonstrations of deoxyribonuclease, ribonuclease, protease, and acid phosphatase have provided, however, conclusive evidence that it is a digestive organ for the degradation of superfluous sperm and genital tract secretions. Only limited information concerning the spermatheca is available at the ultrastructural level, a fact providing the stimulus for the present study of this organ in Sonorella santaritana, a desert mountain snail from Arizona.

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Impairment Rating and Spinal Cord Injuries: Revisiting the Guides

Guides Newsletter ◽

10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2010.mayjun01 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Richard T. Katz

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injuries ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Multiple Organ ◽

Loss Of Function ◽

Sixth Edition ◽

Organ Systems ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Impairment Ratings

Abstract This article addresses some criticisms of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) by comparing previously published outcome data from a group of complete spinal cord injury (SCI) persons with impairment ratings for a corresponding level of injury calculated using the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition. Results of the comparison show that impairment ratings using the sixth edition scale poorly with the level of impairments of activities of daily living (ADL) in SCI patients as assessed by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor scale and the extended FIM motor scale. Because of the combinations of multiple impairments, the AMA Guides potentially overrates the impairment of paraplegics compared with that of quadriplegics. The use and applicability of the Combined Values formula should be further investigated, and complete loss of function of two upper extremities seems consistent with levels of quadriplegia using the SCI model. Some aspects of the AMA Guides contain inconsistencies. The concept of diminishing impairment values is not easily translated between specific losses of function per organ system and “overall” loss of ADLs involving multiple organ systems, and the notion of “catastrophic thresholds” involving multiple organ systems may support the understanding that variations in rating may exist in higher rating cases such as those that involve an SCI.

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