Increased levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can initiate protective responses to limit or repair oxidative damage. However, H2O2 signals also fine-tune responses to growth factors and cytokines controlling cell division, differentiation, and proliferation. Because 17β-estradiol (E2) also plays important roles in these processes, and is considered a major risk factor in the development and progression of endometriosis, this study evaluated whether E2 has an antiapoptotic effect on oxidative stress in endometrial cells in combination with steady-state H2O2 levels ([H2O2]ss). Endometrial stromal cells were prepared from the eutopic endometrium of 18 women with and without endometriosis to produce primary cells. These cells were stimulated with E2 for 20h, exposed to [H2O2]ss, and examined for cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis. The endometrial cells from women with endometriosis maintained the steady state for 120min at high H2O2 concentrations. When they were pretreated with E2 and exposed to [H2O2]ss, a decrease in apoptosis level was observed compared to the control cells (p<0.01). The endometrial cells from patients with endometriosis subjected to both E2 and [H2O2]ss showed increased ERK phosphorylation. These findings suggested that H2O2 is a signaling molecule that downregulates apoptosis in endometrial cells, supporting the fact that endometriosis, albeit a benign disease, shares some features with cancer such as decreased catalase levels. These results link the E2 effects on [H2O2]ss to resistance to apoptosis and progression of endometriosis.

The detection of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is vital for controlling the spread of HIV, HBV, and HCV to uninfected individuals. Considering that these viruses have high replication rates and are undetectable by serological markers, early detection upon transmission is crucial. Various nucleic acid assays have been developed for diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring of infections. In the past decade, rapid and sensitive molecular techniques such as PCR have revolutionized the detection of a variety of infectious viruses, including HIV, HCV, and HBV. Here, we describe two of the most commonly used licensed methods for the detection and quantification of HIV, HCV, and HBV: the cobas TaqScreen MPX (PCR) test and the Tigris System. We used transcription-mediated amplification to review and compare the development and efficiency of these technologies.

The manual magnetic bead-based extraction in combination with real-time PCR detection can be used to routinely screen blood donation for viremic donors to further increase the safety of blood products.

Background: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods play an essential role in providing data related to diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. EIA results are reported as "reactive" or "non reactive" and EIA S/CO ratio may also be reported as "high" or "low." This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a real-time RT-PCR and assess whether there is relationship between S/CO and PCR results. Study Design and Methods: Sera from blood donors were analyzed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and RT-PCR assay to detect HCV infection. Results: The RT-PCR assay to genotypes 1a/b showed an acceptable linear response in serial dilutions. The samples were divided into two groups based on their serological results: group A -S/CO ratio < 3 (60 samples) and group B -S/CO ratio > 3 (41 samples). Viral loads were confi rmed positive in group B samples in 90%, and in group A samples were confi rmed positive in only 13% by RT-PCR. Conclusion: The methodology used was able to detect the presence of RNA-HCV genotype I in 90% of the samples serologically positive in group B. All negative samples were sent to search for other genotypes of HCV (genotypes 2-6) and were confi rmed as negative. These data suggests that these negative samples may have HCV RNA viral load below the detection limit of our test (310 IU/ mL), or a false positive result in serological test, or spontaneous viral clearance occurred.