Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are critical for the maintenance and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) under normal physiological conditions such as pregnancy and wound healing. However, an increase of MMPs in uterine diseases, …

Acute pancreatitis is a serious inflammatory disease of the pancreas that can lead to lung injury. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms underlying this complication are ill-defined. In recent years, in vitro co-culture systems have em…

Zymography is a powerful technique for the assay of different hydrolases that act upon any biological macromolecule. In particular, zymography is used to assay the activities of serine proteases, e.g., matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and …

Eosinophils are an important subtype of leukocytes derived from bone marrow multipotent hematopoietic stem cells and represent about 1% of leukocytes in circulating blood. In homeostatic conditions, eosinophils reside in the intestine to ma…

This chapter presents an overview of the gene polymorphisms underlying the functions of ovarian receptors and their clinical implications in the female fecundity. A selection of genetic studies revealing significant associations between rec…

The female reproductive system is a complex system. Epithelia of the female reproductive system including the ovaries, the oviduct, and the uterus are important sites for follicular development, ovulation, fertilization, implantation, and e…

Many growth factors, leukotrines, and biological ligands are not circulating free in plasma or serum, except in the case of late or disseminated disease. During early tumor growth and angiogenesis, platelets actively and selectively sequest…

The female reproductive system is important as the site for development and fertilization of an oocyte, for implantation and development of an embryo, and for growth and delivery of the fetus. It also produces protein and steroid hormones t…

Microarray technology has been used widely in gynecology. Numerous studies have used this method to address biological questions related to human endometrium. The cyclic changes of endometrium confer special characteristics that should be c…

Endometriosis, a common gynecological disorder responsible for infertility and pelvic pain, is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within extra-uterine sites. Gene expression studies performed on endometriotic tissue ho…

Almost 20 years ago, the first successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) was described by Steptoe and Edwards (1). This engendered a great deal of excitement and in hindsight, we can say that it marked the movement of…