The initiation of oocyte and follicle growth was studied in 1- and 3-d-old calf ovaries using cytochemical, autoradiographical and electron microscopical approaches. Attention was only paid to unilaminar ovarian follicles that were classified into 3 categories: unilaminar flattened (UF), unilaminar flatto-cuboidal (UFC) and unilaminar cuboidal (UC) ovarian follicles when the oocyte was surround...

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was the comparison of 24h urine free cortisol (UFC), serum cortisol at 11pm (SCM) and late-nightsalivary cortisol (LSC) in patients suspected for hypercortisolism, and an assessment of the usefulness of these measurements in diagnosingovert Cushing's (OCS) syndrome, pseudo Cushing's state (PCS) and subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS). MATERIAL AND METHODS T...

Cushing’s disease is the most common form of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome and results from excess adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production by a corticotroph pituitary adenoma. Transsphenoidal surgical removal of the corticotroph adenoma is the treatment of choice for patients with Cushing’s disease. However, despite advances in surgery, complete tumour removal is sometimes impossible and ...

Cushing syndrome (CS) is characterized by increased morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. However, there are patients who have more clinical aggressive forms than others. Aim of the study is to evaluate whether the degree of hypercortisolism, defined by the number of times urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels exceed the upper limit of the normal range (ULN), is related to th...

This paper describes the first year experience of a Drug Information Center directed to the community, and managed by pharmacysts and pharmacy students from the Department of Pharmacy-UFC, in Fortaleza, Brazil. This pioneer experience recieves technical assistance from the "Centro Regionali di Informazione sul Farmaco-CRIF (Mario Negri Institute Milan-Italy). Those who consult us are registered...

In order to explore the potent role of meat cooking processes as the emission sources of particulate matter (PM), emission rates and the associated removal efficiency by precipitators were estimated based on the on-site measurements made at five under-fired charbroiling (UFC) restaurants. The emission patterns of PM for these five restaurants were compared after having been sorted into the main...

Uterine fibroids (UF) are the most common benign tumor of the female reproductive tract. The aim of this study was to explore the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway on stromal fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of UF. Here, TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway was more activated in UF, and UF cells (UFC) and UF derived fibroblasts (TAF) than in smooth muscl...

The case-report is about a 47 year old woman with adrenocorticotropin-independent macronudular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH), with is a rare cause of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome. Urin free cortisol (UFC) and cortisol of 8AM were elevated along with the suppressed level of ACTH. Abdominal CT scan showed macronodules in both adrenals .The patient underwent left adrenalectomy and pathological dat...