The complex tissue remodeling process of menstruation is experienced by humans and some primates, whereas most placental mammals, including mice, go through an estrous cycle. How menstruation and the underlying mechanisms evolved is still unknown. Here we demonstrate that the process of menstruation is not just species-specific but also depends on factors which can be induced experimentally. In...

BACKGROUND Although the nonsteroidal antiestrogen tamoxifen is used as an adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent to treat hormone-dependent breast cancer and as a chemopreventive agent in women with elevated risk of breast cancer, it has also been reported to increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Reports of low levels of tamoxifen-DNA adducts in human endometrial tissue have suggested that tamoxife...

Membrane metalloendopeptidase (MMEP; EC 3.4.24.11; enkephalinase) catalyzes the degradation of endothelins, enkephalins, atrial natriuretic factor, substance P, and other small bioactive peptides. We found that MMEP is present in human endometrium, localized primarily in stromal cells of this tissue, and that the specific activity of MMEP (and immunoreactive MMEP protein) in endometrial tissue ...

We herein report a rare case of intraspinal ectopic endometrial tissue associated with tethered cord syndrome. The patient underwent MR imaging of the lumbar spine and CT spinal angiography. Asymptomatic dysraphism was also detected, including spinal bifida, low-lying conus medullaris, spinal meningocele and a lumbosacral lipoma. Venous reflux obstruction was also suggested. The patient underwe...

A woman in her mid-60s presented with a bulky mass on the anterior abdominal wall. She had a previous incidental diagnosis of endometrial adenocarcinoma FIGO stage IB following a vaginal hysterectomy. Physical exam and imaging revealed a well circumscribed bulging tumour at the umbilical region, measuring 10 × 9 × 9 cm, with overlying intact skin and subcutaneous tissue. Surgical resection was ...

Even though the physiological role of estrogen in the female reproductive cycle and endometrial proliferative phase is well established, the signaling pathways by which estrogen exerts its action in the endometrial tissue are still little known. In this regard, advancements in cell culture techniques and maintenance of endometrial cells in cultures enabled the discovery of new signaling mechani...

BACKGROUND Understanding the molecular basis of embryonic implantation is of great clinical and biological relevance. Little is currently known about the adhesion receptors that determine endometrial receptivity for embryonic implantation in humans. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Using two human endometrial cell lines characterized by low and high receptivity, we identified the membrane recep...

PURPOSE Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common malignancies of the female genital tract, but the etiology, especially its metabolism is still investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and relative expression of Estrogen Receptors (α, β), Cyclooxygenase-2 and Aromatase in both endometrial cancer and normal mucosa. MATERIAL/METHODS Two groups of women were sele...