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Research was conducted to test whether the exchange of amino acids between plasma and fetal red blood cells is slow enough to permit the use of plasma concentrations and plasma flows for estimating umbilical amino acid uptakes. The umbilical uptake of each amino acid was compared with its normal fetal accretion rate while hemoglobin and O2 saturation were measured spectrophotometrically. Results showed that uterine and umbilical uptakes of amino acids can be determined on either metabolic pathways or transport systems.

The risk of cancer in people who have mutations in the BRCA genes may be lower than previously estimated. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 5,318 Ashkenazi Jews for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. One hundred twenty people (2%) had a mutation of either gene. The estimated risk of breast cancer in women with a mutation was 33% by the age of 50 and 56% by the age of 70. The risk of ovarian cancer was 16% by the age of 70, as was the risk of prostate cancer in men with a mutation. Previous research has shown that some mutations confer greater risk than others.

Effect of dexamethasone on fetal hepatic glutamine-glutamate exchange. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 278: E839-E845, 2000.--Intravenous infusion of dexamethasone (Dex) in the fetal lamb causes a two- to threefold increase in plasma glutamine and other glucogenic amino acids and a decrease of plasma glutamate to approximately one-third of normal. To explore the underlying mechanisms, hepatic amino acid uptake and conversion of L-[1-[sup.13]C] glutamine to L-[1-[sup.13]C] glutamate and [sup.13][CO.sub.2] were measured in six sheep fetuses before and in the last 2 h of a 26-h Dex infusion. Dex decreased hepatic glutamine and alanine uptakes (P [is less than] 0.01) and hepatic glutamate output (P [is less than] 0.001). Hepatic outputs of the glutamate (R[sub.Glu,Gln]) and [CO.sub.2] formed from plasma glutamine decreased to 21 (P [is less than] 0.001) and 53% (P = 0.009) of control, respectively. R[sub.Glu,Gln], expressed as a fraction of both outputs, decreased (P [is less than] 0.001) from 0.36 [+ or -] 0.02 to 0.18 [+ or -] 0.04. Hepatic glucose output remained virtually zero throughout the experiment. We conclude that Dex decreases fetal hepatic glutamate output by increasing the routing of glutamate carbon into the citric acid cycle and by decreasing the hepatic uptake of glucogenic amino acids. fetus; amino acids; fetal liver; placenta

We have studied gonococcal infection in human endometrium organ culture and in human primary endometrial epithelial cells using various microscopic techniques including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, bright field light microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Here we describe the interactions betweenNeisseria gonorrhoeaeand human endometrial luminal epithelial cells at the ultrastructural levels.N. gonorrhoeaeattached to cilia but were not observed associated with the plasma membrane of ciliated epithelial cells or internalized into ciliated epithelial cells.N. gonorrhoeaecould be found in intracellular vacuoles in secretory epithelial cells.N. gonorrhoeaehave diverse interactions with endometrial epithelium. These include intimate association and colocalization with asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) and CEACAM, lamellipodia and ruffle formation and colocalization with CR3, and microvillus engagement. These studies indicate thatN. gonorrhoeaeutilize multiple mechanisms to associate with endometrial epithelial cells and can associate with both ciliated and secretory cells. This diversity is consistent with a role of the endometrium as a transition zone between frequently asymptomatic cervical gonorrhoea and symptomatic pelvic inflammatory disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the uterine and umbilical uptakes of plasma amino acids in pregnant ewes. Basis for the calculation of plasma dilution; Comparison between maternal and fetal arterial amino acid plasma concentrations; Relationship between amino acid transport and uterine amino acid uptake.