L. Badiali De Giorgi

Human cytomegalovims structural components: intracellular and intraviral localization of p28 and p65–69 by immunoelectron microscopy

Using specific monoclonal antibodies, we have localized two structural proteins (p65-69 and p28) of human cytomegalovirus in infected cells and in virions and/or virus-related particles by immunoelectron microscopy using protein A-gold. Protein p65-69 is present in some roundish structures in the nuclei, often in contact with the viroplasm, and in the cytoplasm, exclusively within the dense body matrix. Protein p28 is present only in the outline of cytoplasmic capsids, and reaches the highest density in the large aggregates of virions and dense bodies which are particularly numerous during the late phases of the viral replication cycle.

Lamellar ichthyosis with laminated membrane structures

We review the published classifications of autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis. a nd report a new case of congenital ichthyosis which presents the characteristics of ichthyosis congenita type III.

T04-O-05 High dose Testosterone (T) treatment has no adverse effects on the endometrium of Female to Male transsexuals (FtM)

Objects T patches have been approved in Europe for replacement therapy in surgical menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire. Long-term safety of T administration in women is still unknown. No data exists on the effects of T on the endometrium. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of high T doses administered for at least one year on the endometrium. Methods Endometrial biopsies from 30 FtM treated with T (i.m. injection of 100 mg Testoviron Depot /10 days), 30 postmenopausal women (M) undergoing vaginal hysterectomy and 5 premenopausal women (PrM) undergoing hysteroscopy for infertility problems were collected. Endometrial proliferation was evaluated on the basis of histopathology and expression of the Ki-67. Both M and PrM women had not received hormonal treatment for at least one year. Results In FtM T and estradiol (E) levels were increased to above normal female levels (T= 4.2+3.4 ng/mL; E=57.5+39.4 pg/mL). At histological analysis, FTM and M had atrophic endometrium and PrM women had proliferative endometrium. The mean Ki-67 expression in the endometrium was similar in FtM and M (1.1+1.1% and 0.6+0.9%) while it was higher in PrM (42.6 + 17.1; vs. FtM and M p= Conclusions Our data suggests that long term, high dose T treatment does not stimulate endometrial proliferation in FtM subjects. Exogenous T administration appears to contrast proliferative effects of estrogens on endometrium.