[A case of metastatic rectal cancer from serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary].

A 51-year-old woman was hospitalized with constipation and bloody feces. Under diagnosis of a primary rectal cancer with peritonitis, an ileostomy was scheduled. Since peritoneal dissemination was found, histologically she was diagnosed as metastatic rectal cancer from serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary. Chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin was performed, and complete disappearance on assessable examination was seen. Eight months after the first operation, she underwent total hysterectomy, oophorectomy and low anterior resection of rectum. No viable cancer tissue could be found. After the second operation, she has been doing well without any recurrence for 1 year and half.

Detection of fractalkine in human seminal plasma and its role in infertile patients.

BACKGROUND: Fractalkine is a relatively newly discovered CX(3)C chemokine, which is a chemoattractant for T cells, monocytes and natural killer cells. Several reports have demonstrated the association between chemokine levels in seminal plasma and semen quality. The fractalkine levels in ejaculates from normal donors and infertile male patients with or without asthenozoospermia, were examined and correlated with sperm motility and morphology. METHODS AND RESULTS: Western blot analysis showed fractalkine protein to be present in the seminal plasma. Fractalkine titres in the seminal plasma of infertile men with asthenozoospermia (0.64 +/- 0.04 microg/ml; n = 58) were lower than those in patients without asthenozoospermia (0.94 +/- 0.10 microg/ml; n = 22, P < 0.01) and fertile donors (1.04 +/- 0.07 microg/ml; n = 10, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between fractalkine levels in patients with and without leukospermia. No significant correlation was found between fractalkine and interleukin-8 levels in seminal plasma. Sperm motility was positively correlated (R(2) = 0.14, P < 0.001) with fractalkine concentration. The existence of CX(3)CR-positive leukocytes in semen was confirmed using specific primers for CX(3)CR. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that fractalkine is a chemokine associated with sperm motility and the migration of CX(3)CR-positive leukocytes into semen.

The expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in the fallopian tube: SLPI protects the acrosome reaction of sperm from inhibitory effects of elastase.

BACKGROUND: Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a protein found in various fluids, including parotid secretions, cervical mucus, seminal plasma and ascites, and is a potent inhibitor of human leukocyte elastase activity. The objective of the study was 2-fold, to evaluate (i) the presence of SLPI in the Fallopian tube, and (ii) the effect of SLPI on the acrosome reaction of sperm. METHODS AND RESULTS: Western blot analysis revealed that SLPI protein was detected as a 12 kDa band in the isthmus, ampulla and infundibulum of the Fallopian tube. Immunohistochemistry using an anti-SLPI polyclonal antibody revealed positive staining of epithelial cells in the Fallopian tube. RT-PCR demonstrated that SLPI transcripts were expressed in the Fallopian tube. To determine the function of SLPI in the Fallopian tube, the effects of SLPI and elastase on the sperm acrosome reaction were examined. SLPI prevented the reduction of the acrosome reaction by elastase in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that SLPI in the Fallopian tube contributes to sperm-oocyte interaction.