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To examine whether or not peroxynitrite was involved in trophoblastic apoptosis induced by a bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Levels of nitrite/nitrate, stable metabolites of nitric oxide (NO), in culture medium of trophoblasts, were determined using Griess reagents. Trophoblastic apoptosis was identified morphologically and confirmed using in situ nick end labeling technique. The amount of nitrotyrosine, a footprint of peroxynitrite, was quantified by dot blotting. Statistical significance was determined by anova. Treatment of trophoblasts with LPS leads to apoptosis accompanied by formation of NO and nitrotyrosine. Aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS), reduced peroxynitrite formation and prevented apoptosis. Scavengers of peroxynitrite also prevented apoptosis in this culture model. Peroxynitrite was involved in trophoblastic apoptosis induced by LPS. Peroxynitrite scavengers or inhibitors of NOS may thus be candidate therapeutic agents for infectious diseases, which is associated with overproduction of NO and peroxynitrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an econometric model focusing on the relative efficiency of tariffs versus quotas in an oligopoly introducing a quota license fees to neutralize the international distributional effect. Removal of rents from foreign firms; Welfare advantage of quotas and free entry and exit; Benefits of increasing returns to scale.

The article reports a cesarean section scar pregnancy confirmed by transvaginal ultrasonogram and magnetic resonance imaging, and treated conservatively with surgery. Ectopic pregnancy located in a lower segment uterine scar following previous lower segment cesarean section is rare and involves the risk of uterine rupture and uncontrollable hemorrhage. Management of this type of ectopic pregnancy is unknown because cesarean scar pregnancy can have various presentations. Successful births have been reported with expectant management, but there are reports of spontaneous uterine rupture during pregnancy, even in the first trimester.