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Citation Fraccaroli L, Grasso E, Zeitler E, Lombardi E, Gogorza S, Etchepareborda JJ, Nagle C, Cortelezzi M, Leiros CP, Ramhorst R. Modulation of maternal LIF producers T cells by trophoblast and paternal antigens. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 65: 133–145 Problem Fetal implantation enhances the production of essential growth factors such as LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor), hence we investigated the contribution of maternal CD4 cells, activated by paternal or trophoblast antigens and its modulation by VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) and progesterone. Method of study We performed co cultures of trophoblast cells (Swan-71 cell line) or paternal antigens and PBMCs from patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) and fertile women. Result Fertile-CD4+LIF+ cells were increased by VIP and progesterone in response to paternal and trophoblast antigens. Also MMP-9 activity was decreased and pSTAT3/STAT3 ratio was increased. RSA patients have decreased levels of LIF expression which could not be modulated by VIP and progesterone and displayed a reduced number of endometrial infiltrated CD4+LIF+ cells compared with fertile women. Conclusion The decrease of CD4+LIF+ cells in RSA patients could be related with the exacerbated inflammatory response observed in the maternal-fetal dialogue model.

The aim of the present work was to study some of the adverse effects produced by hyperandrogenism on the uterine function. Daily injection of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA: 6 mg/ 100 g body weight, sc) for 20 consecutive days induced polycystic ovaries in BALB/c mice. In this model, we found that DHEA produced alterations on uterine histology closely related to the development of tumour structures. In addition, hyperandrogenism induced a pro-inflammatory and a pro-oxidant condition represented by increased levels of prostaglandin F2 alpha production and uterine nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and by a decrease in both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities together with a decrease in the levels of the antioxidant metabolite glutathione (GSH). DHEA also induced an increase in CD4+ together with a decrease in the CD8+ T lymphocytes that infiltrate the uterine tissue. We conclude that this intricate network of regulators could be responsible for the low rate of implantation observed in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Recognition and voice synthesis systems have been used in diverse situations, such as by phones, GPS's, games and consumer services. This is because speaking is inherent in human being which makes it an user-friendly computer interface. This paper aims to present a mobile application (Talk2Practice) based on recognition and voice technology to support English pronunciation teaching. In order to evaluate the usability of this application, tests were performed with 19 users.

Sistemas com reconhecimento e sintetizacao de voz estao cada vez mais presentes como meio de interacao entre computadores e pessoas. Este artigo apresenta o Talk2Practice, um aplicativo para dispositivos moveis, que utiliza reconhecimento e sintese de voz para auxiliar na pratica da pronuncia da Lingua Inglesa. A fim de avaliar a usabilidade do aplicativo, foram realizados testes com 19 usuarios. Nestes testes, foi obtido o resultado de 83% de acerto do reconhecimento de voz alem da avaliacao dos usuarios sobre a usabilidade do sistema.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of GnRH analogues on the in‐vitro eutopic endometrial cell apoptosis and release of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of GnRH analogues on the in‐vitro eutopic endometrial cell apoptosis and release of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Fil: Meresman, Gabriela Fabiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Bilotas, Mariela Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Lombardi, Eduardo. Instituto de Ginecología y Fertilidad; Argentina Fil: Tesone, Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Sueldo, Carlos. Instituto de Ginecología y Fertilidad; Argentina Fil: Barañao, Rosa Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina

Objective: To evaluate the effects of administering combination oral contraceptives (COCs) to patients with endometriosis on the regulation of cell growth in the eutopic endometrium. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Research institute and clinical fertility center. Patient(s): Thirteen women with untreated endometriosis and 13 controls. Intervention(s): Biopsy specimens of the eutopic endometrium were obtained from all subjects. Apoptosis, cell proliferation, and Bcl-2 and Bax expression were examined at the epithelial and stromal levels in the eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis before and after 30 days of daily exposure to COCs and from controls. Main Outcome Measure(s): Apoptotic cells were detected by using the dUTP nick-end labeling assay; Ki-67, Bcl-2, and Bax expressions were assessed by using immunohistochemical techniques. Result(s): After exposure to COCs, apoptosis was significantly increased in the eutopic endometrium compared with before COC administration, both at epithelial and stromal levels. Cell proliferation was significantly lowered by COCs. Conclusion(s): COCs showed a positive effect on patients with endometriosis by down-regulating cell proliferation and enhancing apoptosis in the eutopic endometrium.

PROBLEM: Alloimmunization as a treatment for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is still controversial due to the lack of enough controls to evaluate its effectiveness. The present study was conducted to compare the live birth rate in the presence or absence of immunotherapy. METHOD OF STUDY: Ninety-two women with RSA (79 primary [PA] and 13 secondary aborters[SA]) received immunotherapy. Thirty-seven RSA couples not receiving paternal alloimmunization, constituted the “control” group. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate in alloimmunized was 58 vs 46% in the control group. The live birth increased from 71% in the controls to 88% after immunotherapy. The alloimmunization induced mixed lymphocyte reaction blocking factors (MLR BFs) in 79% of women. However, they were also present in 83% of immunized women experiencing a new abortion. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that alloimmunization may be useful in the treatment of RSA.

Objective To report the birth and normal pediatric follow-up of the first baby born after transfer of embryos derived from cryopreserved rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Design Case report. Setting Academic fertility unit. Patient(s) A 36-year-old woman with unexplained infertility. Intervention(s) Reinsemination by ICSI ("rescue" ICSI) followed by cryopreservation at the pronuclear stage was performed after partial fertilization failure. Main outcome measure(s) Pregnancy, birth, and 1-year follow-up of the baby born after the transfer of the cryopreserved rescue ICSI embryos. Result(s) and conclusion(s) Zygotes obtained after rescue ICSI were able to tolerate the process of cryopreservation and resulted in a viable pregnancy and delivery.

The objective of the present study was to examine some factors involved in follicular development of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS showed increased levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) but decreased follicular production of progesterone and estradiol by pre-ovulatory follicles. The mRNA expression corresponding to steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD) was increased, while that corresponding to cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) was decreased in PCOS follicles as compared to controls. No changes in the mRNA expression for 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (3β-HSD2), cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc), cytochrome P450 17 alpha hydroxylase/lyase (P450c17), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), and transcription factors (GATA-4 and GATA-6) were found. We conclude that despite the hyper-luteinized environment of PCOS follicles, these follicles produce lower levels of progesterone and estradiol, and that this is characterized by increased degradation of progesterone and decreased estradiol synthesis. Our data demonstrate that the synthesis of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) may be affected in PCOS-follicles and that the transcription factors GATA-4 and GATA-6 are present in PCOS-follicles but they are not involved in the abnormal transcription observed in the steroidogenic enzymes.

Fetal implantation enhances the production of essential growth factors such as LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor), hence we investigated the contribution of maternal CD4 cells, activated by paternal or trophoblast antigens and its modulation by VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) and progesterone.We performed co cultures of trophoblast cells (Swan-71 cell line) or paternal antigens and PBMCs from patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) and fertile women.Fertile-CD4(+) LIF(+) cells were increased by VIP and progesterone in response to paternal and trophoblast antigens. Also MMP-9 activity was decreased and pSTAT3/STAT3 ratio was increased. RSA patients have decreased levels of LIF expression which could not be modulated by VIP and progesterone and displayed a reduced number of endometrial infiltrated CD4(+) LIF(+) cells compared with fertile women.The decrease of CD4(+) LIF(+) cells in RSA patients could be related with the exacerbated inflammatory response observed in the maternal-fetal dialogue model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Successful embryo implantation is followed by a local pro-inflammatory and Th1 response, subsequently controlled by a Th2 response. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has anti-inflammatory effects and promotes tolerogenic/Th2 responses while favouring embryonic development. We investigated the potential regulatory role of VIP on human trophoblast cells, maternal pro-inflammatory responses and trophoblast-maternal leukocyte interactions. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We tested VIP effects directly on a trophoblast cell line (Swan 71 cells) and after co-culture with maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as models of the feto-maternal dialogue. We also co-cultured maternal and paternal PBMCs to test effects of endogenous VIP on maternal alloresponses. KEY RESULTS: Swan 71 cells express VPAC(1) receptors and VIP induced their proliferation and the expression of leukaemia inhibitor factor, a pro-implantatory marker. After interaction with trophoblast cells, VIP increased Foxp3, the proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells within maternal PBMCs and transforming growth factor beta expression. Also, during the trophoblast-maternal PBMCs interaction, VIP reduced pro-inflammatory mediators [interleukin (IL)-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, nitric oxide], while increasing IL-10. Trophoblast cells produced VIP which dose-dependently suppressed allomaternal responses, accompanied by reduced expression of the T cell transcription factor, T-bet. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Vasoactive intestinal peptide induced pro-implantatory markers and trophoblast cell proliferation, while controlling the initial pro-inflammatory response, by increasing maternal regulatory T cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines. As an autocrine regulatory peptide VIP might contribute to fetal survival through two mechanisms; a direct trophic effect on trophoblast cells and an immunomodulatory effect that favours tolerance to fetal antigens Fil: Fraccaroli, Laura Virginia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Inmunofarmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Alfieri, Julio Armando. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Inmunofarmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Larocca, Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Inmunofarmacología; Argentina Fil: Calafat, Mario Jose. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Inmunofarmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Roca, Valeria Ines. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Inmunofarmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Lombardi, Eduardo. Instituto de Fertilidad; Argentina Fil: Ramhorst, Rosanna Elizabeth. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Inmunofarmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Perez Leiros, Claudia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica. Laboratorio de Inmunofarmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentina

To evaluate the effects of administering combination oral contraceptives (COCs) to patients with endometriosis on the regulation of cell growth in the eutopic endometrium. Prospective study. Thirteen women with untreated endometriosis and 13 controls. Biopsy specimens of the eutopic endometrium were obtained from all subjects. Apoptosis, cell proliferation, and Bcl-2 and Bax expression were examined at the epithelial and stromal levels in the eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis before and after 30 days of daily exposure to COCs and from controls. Fil: Meresman, Gabriela Fabiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Auge, Luis. Instituto de Ginecología y Fertilidad; Argentina Fil: Barañao, Rosa Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Lombardi, Eduardo. Instituto de Ginecología y Fertilidad; Argentina Fil: Tesone, Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina Fil: Sueldo, Carlos. Instituto de Ginecología y Fertilidad; Argentina