bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Rat Placental Culture Supernatants on Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses
Authors: Borel Ileana Malan , Freire Songeli Menezes , Canellada Andrea , Margni Ricardo A.
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To evaluate the effect of rat placental culture supernatants (PS) on spontaneous, mitogen‐ and alloantigen‐induced lymphoproliferation, antibody synthesis regulation, and symmetric/asymmetric antibody ratio.

METHOD Of STUDY: The effect of PS was determined: (a) on cell proliferation of murine hybridoma cells and on spontaneous or ConA‐induced proliferation of murine and rat splenocytes by thymidine incorporation; (b) on rat or mouse cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) by 51Cr release; and (c) on antibody synthesis by enzyme‐linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS: With 20% PS, hybridoma cell inhibition was 37% and that of splenocytes up to 60%, whereas it was 75 and 43%, respectively, in the presence of ConA. Despite marked cell death, hybridoma proliferation index increased significantly. There was a drop in total anti‐dinitrophenylated (DNP) immunoglobulin Gl (IgG1) antibody production and an increase in asymmetric antibody percentage, correlating with placental supernatant concentration.

CONCLUSIONS: Rat placental culture supernatants inhibit cell proliferation in all cases, diminish total antibody production, and increase the percentage of asymmetric antibodies by the hybridoma, and they increase antibody production by rat splenocytes.
Prevention of Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion Using Intravenous Immunoglobulin: A Prospective, Randomized, Double‐Blinded, Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Stephenson Mary D. , Dreher Kim , Houlihan Edwina , Wu Vivian
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for treatment of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion was assessed in a prospective, randomized, double‐blinded, and placebo‐controlled study.

METHOD OF STUDY: The study took place in a provincial recurrent pregnancy loss clinic, located in a tertiary/quaternary care academic center. The study subjects were women with a history of two or more documented consecutive spontaneous pregnancy losses under 20 weeks of gestation, excluding any associated with aneuploidy by karyotype analysis, and with no evidence of genetic, endocrine, infectious, anatomic, or autoimmune factors associated with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion. The subjects were randomized to receive either intravenous immunoglobulin (Gamimune N) as treatment or normal saline as placebo. Randomization was stratified for primary, secondary, and unclassified unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. Success was defined as an ongoing pregnancy beyond 20 weeks of gestation.

RESULTS: Sixty‐two subjects enrolled in the trial. There were 37 index pregnancies and 6 cross‐over pregnancies. There was no clinically significant difference between the treatment arm and the placebo arm in terms of subsequent pregnancy success. There seemed to be a higher success rate with the stratified analysis of couples with secondary unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion, but the trial did not have sufficient power to confirm this.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on this trial and three similar trials in the literature, a multicentered trial is needed to determine conclusively whether IVIG is effective in the treatment of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion.
The Herbal Medicine Unkei‐To Stimulates Cytokine‐Induced Neutrophil Chemoattractant Production in the Pituitary Folliculo‐Stellate—Like Cell Line (TtT/GF)
Authors: Koike Koji , Zhang Zhen X. , Sakamoto Yoshiki , Jikihara Hiroaki , Masuhara Kanji , Murakami Kouichi , Miyake Akira , Inoue Masaki
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: We previously reported that a cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) was produced in the pituitary gland and that it influenced anterior pituitary hormone release. In this study we investigated the effect of Unkei‐to, a Japanese herbal medicine, on CINC production in the rat anterior pituitary gland and the pituitary folliculo‐stellate‐like cell line (TtT/GF).

METHOD OF STUDY: Dispersed normal anterior pituitary cells and the folliculo‐stellate‐like cell line TtT/GF were used to test the effect of Unkei‐to on CINC secretion and CINC mRNA accumulation. Concentrations of CINC in the conditioned media were measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and levels of CINC mRNA were analyzed by Northern blot analysis.

RESULTS: Unkei‐to (20 μg/ml) significantly increased the secretion of CINC by normal anterior pituitary cells within 12 hr of incubation. Unkei‐to also stimulated CINC secretion from TtT/GF cells in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Unkei‐to (20 μg/ml) increased CINC mRNA accumulation in TtT/GF cells within 3 hr of incubation and also caused a 13‐fold increase in the secretion of CINC from TtT/GF cells compared with the vehicle group within 24 hr of incubation. Finally, we found that some of the Unkei‐to's ingredients, Evodiae fructus and Pinelliae tuber, markedly stimulated CINC secretion from TtT/GF cells.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results will help to elucidate the mechanism behind the clinical effect of Unkei‐to on the anterior pituitary gland. They also suggested the presence of special substances, which stimulate CINC secretion, within Unkei‐to's ingredients such as E. fructus and P. tuber.
Supplementation Effect of Early Pregnancy Factor‐Positive Serum into Bovine In Vitro Fertilization Culture Medium
Authors: Ito Kazuei , Takahashi Jutaro , Yasuda Yasuhisa , Takahashi Masahiro , Kawahata Kyoko , Goto Taichi
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Early pregnancy factor (EPF) has been detected in pregnant bovine serum, and its activity appeared from 24 to 48 hr after insemination. However, in bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF), an EPF‐like substance(s) had been detected in the culture medium of fertilized ovum. Therefore, we think that EPF and EPF‐like substance(s) are very important materials for the development of the embryo. In this study, we examined the development of the embryo when fertilized bovine ova were cultured with IVF culture medium supplemented with EPF‐positive or ‐negative serum.

METHOD OF STUDY: EPF activity of each serum (fetal calf serum [FCS], calf serum [CS], estrus bovine serum, and pregnant bovine serum) was assessed by the bovine‐rosette inhibition test. The sera were supplemented in TCM‐199 culture medium, and IVF bovine ova were cultured with the media for 6 or 7 days, respectively. The culture media of each group were evaluated for EPF activity by the bovine‐rosette inhibition test 48 hr after IVF. The cleavage rate of each group was calculated at 48 hr, and 6 or 7 days after IVF. The culture medium of cumulus cells was also tested for EPF activity.

RESULTS: Only the pregnant bovine sera were EPF positive. All the culture media 48 hr after IVF became EPF positive. Additionally, the culture medium of cumulus cells did not have EPF activity. There was no significant difference in the cleavage rate of the EPF‐positive and ‐ negative sera 48 hr after IVF. However, the cleavage rate of EPF‐positive sera tended to be higher than the negative sera. In contrast, the blastocyst development rates of EPF‐positive sera were significantly higher than those of the negative sera 6 to 7 days after IVF (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that an EPF‐like substance(s) may be secreted from the in vitro fertilized bovine ovum but not from the cumulus cell, and that the EPF in the pregnant serum may accelerate the development of the bovine embryo in IVF.
Influence of Antithyroid Antibodies in Euthyroid Women on In Vitro Fertilization‐Embryo Transfer Outcome
Authors: KIM CHUNG‐HOON , CHAE HEE‐DONG , KANG BYUNG‐MOON , CHANG YOON‐SEOK
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To investigate whether antithyroid antibodies (ATAs) affect the pregnancy outcome in euthyroid women undergoing in vitro fertilization‐embryo transfer (IVF‐ET).

METHOD OF STUDY: Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOA) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGA) were measured by radioligand assay kits that were used as ATAs in 79 patients with tubal or unexplained infertility who were enrolled in an IVF‐ET program. Women who were positive for antinuclear antibody, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibody, and rheumatoid factor were excluded from our study. The study group comprised 28 (29.1%) euthyroid women who were positive for TPOAs, TGAs, or both. Fifty‐one euthyroid women without ATAs served as control subjects. The results were analyzed with linear regression analysis, Student's f‐test, Mann‐Whitney U test, Kruskal‐Wallis analysis of variance, χ2 test, and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the study group and the control group in patient characteristics such as age, infertility duration, and hormonal profile. There were also no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the number of retrieved oocytes, the fertilization rate, the number of embryos frozen, and the number of embryos transferred. There were no correlations between ATA (TPOA and TGA) titers and the fertilization rate. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was significantly lower in the study group, with 26.3% (10/38), compared with 39.3% (35/89) in the control group. The biochemical pregnancy rate per cycle and the miscarriage rate were significantly higher in the study group, 18.4% (7/38) and 40.0% (4/10), respectively, compared with 5.6% (5/89) and 11.4% (4/35), respectively, in the control group. In the study group, both TPOA and TGA titers were significantly higher in the biochemical pregnancy group than in the clinical pregnancy group or the nonpregnancy group. In 10 women with ATAs who achieved pregnancy after IVF‐ET, both TPOA and TGA titers were significantly higher in the miscarriage group than in the ongoing pregnancy/delivery group.

CONCLUSION: ATAs in euthyroid women with tubal or unexplained infertility have an association with a poor pregnancy outcome after IVF‐ET treatment.
Effect of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin on Cytokine Production from Human Endometrial Cells in Vitro
Authors: Uzumcu Mehmet , Coskun Serdar , Jaroudi Kamal , Hollanders Johannes M.G.
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To examine whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is involved in the regulation of interleukin (IL)‐6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) secretion from cultured human endometrial cells.

METHOD OF STUDY: A mixed population of endometrial cells from six in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer patients was cultured and incubated with various doses of hCG (0, 1, 10, 50, 100, and 500 IU/ml) for 24 hr. IL‐6, TNF‐α, and LIF levels in the culture medium were measured with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels were stimulated by hCG in a dose‐dependent manner. Stimulation of IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels by 500 IU/ml of hCG increased their production by 3.7‐ and 2.8‐fold, respectively (P < 0.05). Stimulation of IL‐6 by 100 IU/ml of hCG was also significant (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant effect of hCG on LIF secretion by endometrial cells (P = 0.31).

CONCLUSIONS: hCG is involved in the regulation of endometrial cytokine production from human endometrial cells in vitro. This finding supports the recently emerging notion that hCG could have important local roles within the uterus besides its well‐known luteotrophic role on the corpus luteum for maintenance of pregnancy.
Congenital Toxoplasmosis: Efficacy of Maternal Treatment with Spiramycin Alone
Authors: Vergani Patrizia , Ghidini Alessandro , Ceruti Patrizia , Strobelt Nicola , Spelta Antonella , Zapparoli Barbara , Rescaldani Roberto
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The evidence supporting an additional benefit of a combined regimen of pyrimethamine‐sulfonamides compared with spiramycin alone in the secondary prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis was critically evaluated.

METHOD OF STUDY: We reviewed the series of cases published in the English literature on antiparasitic treatment of acute toxoplasmosis infection in pregnancy, using spiramycin until fetal infection is documented, then using cycles of spiramycin alternated with combined pyrimethamine‐sulfonamide therapy. We then compared the occurrence of overt disease among infected offspring (both severe, represented by ophthalmologic or cerebral abnormalities, and mild occurrences, represented by asymptomatic intracranial calcifications and retinal scars without visual impairment) between the published case series and our consecutive series of cases treated during a 10‐year period (January 1986‐December 1995) with spiramycin alone.

RESULTS: The prevalence of fetal infection in our series was 7.8% (12/154), similar to that reported after alternated regimens (7.0%). The rate of overt disease among infected fetuses is not different after treatment with alternated regimens than after continuous antibiotic spiramycin therapy [23% (19/82) vs. 10% (1/10); relative risk, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.4, 47.0]. The pharmacokinetics of the drugs used may account for this finding.

CONCLUSION: The treatment of acute toxoplasmosis in pregnancy with an alternated antibiotic regimen of pyrimethamine‐sulfonamide is not more efficacious at preventing overt neonatal disease than treatment with continuous spiramycin alone.
Decidual Mast Cells Might Be Involved in the Onset of Human First‐Trimester Abortion
Authors: Marx Lore , Arck Petra , Kieslich Christian , Mitterlechner Stefanie , Kapp Michaela , Dietl Johannes
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The aim of the present study was to identify the role of mast cells and substance P (SP)‐containing nerve fibers in human decidua in normal and pathological pregnancies.

METHOD OF STUDY: We collected decidua from women undergoing termination of normal pregnancies and from abortions. The presence of mast cells and SP was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: We observed a sparse distribution of mast cells in the normal pregnancies (36.7 tryptase+ mast cells/mm2 decidua). In the decidua from abortion, we found a dramatic increase in the number of mast cells (448.7 and 469.2 tryptase+ mast cells/mm2 decidua in primary and secondary abortions, respectively). In addition, we observed an increase of SP‐positive nerve fibers in the decidua of abortions.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that decidual mast cells may play an important role in the onset of abortion, due to the production of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor‐α.
Jeg‐3 Human Choriocarcinoma‐Induced Immunosuppression: Downregulation of Interleukin‐2, Interleukin‐2 Receptor α‐Chain, and Its Jak/Stat Signaling Pathway
Authors: Kilic M. , Flossmann E. , Flossmann O. , Vogelsang H. , Junker U. , Chaouat G. , Markert U.R.
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The mechanisms of the immunosuppressive and immunosuppression‐in‐ducing capacities of Jeg‐3 human choriocarcinoma cell line supernatants (HCSs) are not yet completely understood. The influence on interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4 and interferon (IFN)‐γ production; IL‐2 receptor (IL‐2R) α‐, β‐, and γ‐chain; and the signaling pathway molecules Janus kinase (Jak)1, Jak3, signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat)1, Stat3, and Stat5 should be investigated.

METHOD OF STUDY: For assessment of IL production, whole peripheral venous blood from healthy donors was stimulated with phorbol‐myristate‐acetate and ionomycine. Secretion of ILs was blocked with monensine. Intracellular ILs were analyzed by flow cytometry. For IL‐2R and signaling pathway molecule analysis, peripheral blood lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). IL‐2R chains were measured by flow cytometry, and Jaks/Stats by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and Western blot.

RESULTS: Phorbol‐myristate‐acetate and ionomycine strongly increase the percentage of IL‐2+ cells; an additional 50% HCSs significantly suppresses the percentage to, or below the level of unstimulated cells. IFN‐γ production is strongly decreased by HCSs in some cases, but not in others. PHA stimulates IL‐2R α‐, β‐, and γ‐chain expression and their signaling pathway molecules Jak1, Jak3, Stat1, Stat3, and Stat5. 50% HCS downregulates the α‐chain and slightly upregulates the β‐chain. Jak1, Jak3, Stat1, Stat3, and Stat5 expression is suppressed approximately to, or below the level of unstimulated cells.

CONCLUSIONS: HCS forcefully blocks the production of IL‐2; the IL‐2R α‐chain; and Jak1, Jak3, Stat1, Stat3, and Stat5 expression. The observed phenomena might be caused by downregulation of an IL‐2R regulation gene, and might play a key role in the expansion of choriocarcinoma, and possibly in the survival of the fetal allograft.
Prevalence of Autoantibodies in Patients with Recurrent Miscarriages
Authors: Ogasawara Mayumi , Aoki Koji , Katano Kinue , Aoyama Tomomi , Kajiura Shoji , Suzumori Kaoru
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: It is well known that the prevalence of several autoantibodies is higher in patients with recurrent miscarriages than in normal women. However, links between individual autoantibodies are unclear. The present study focuses on the possible association between β2‐glycoprotein I (β2‐GPI)‐dependant anticardiolipin antibody (aCL), lupus anticoagulant (LA), and antinuclear antibody (ANA) in patients with recurrent miscarriages.

METHOD OF STUDY: Three hundred and one patients, with a history of two or more unexplained miscarriages, were studied. The titers of β2‐GPI‐dependent aCL and LA were then compared between single‐antibody‐positive and three‐antibody‐positive groups.

RESULTS: The prevalences of β2‐GPI‐dependant aCL, LA, and ANA were 3.3, 10.0, and 25.2%, respectively. Four of the 301 patients had all three antibodies. The LA titers in patients with positive values for three antibodies was significantly higher than in cases with only LA.

CONCLUSION: β2‐GPI‐dependent aCL, LA, and ANA define three distinct, but partly related populations in patients with recurrent miscarriage. We should test at least two kinds of autoantibodies in recurrent aborters, because it has been found that, e.g., β2‐GPI‐dependent aCL and LA are predictors for miscarriages.
A Placenta‐Derived Suppressor Factor with a T‐Cell Bias
Authors: Raghupathy Raj , Khan S. F. B. , Syamasundar P. V. , Bansal P. , Azizieh F.
Published: September 2011

Raghupathy R, Khan SFB, Syamasundar PV, Bansal P, Azizieh F. A placenta‐derived suppressor factor with a T‐cell bias. AJRI 1999; 42:205–218 © Munksgaard, Copenhagen

PROBLEM: Functional and mechanistic aspects of immunosuppression by murine placental supernatants (MPS) were investigated.

METHOD OF STUDY: MPS and a low molecular weight fraction of the supernatant (MPSf) were tested for suppressive action on T‐cell reactivity in vitro and in vivo, on B‐cell responses and on T‐cell activation events.

RESULTS: MPS and MPSf suppress mitogen‐induced proliferation and mixed lymphocyte reactions of human and murine lymphocytes, antigen‐induced proliferation of T cells in vitro and in vivo, proliferation of CD8+ lymphocytes, proliferation induced by cross‐linking of surface CD3 and the in vivo response of mice to allogeneic stimuli. MPSf affects cell cycling of activated T cells and blocks interleukin (IL)‐2 production. MPSf does not affect antibody production or the induction of MHC class II expression on B cells.

CONCLUSIONS: MPSf is a potent inhibitor of T‐cell responses in vitro and in vivo, with no demonstrable effect on B‐cell function.
Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation: A State of Neutrophil Activation
Authors: Orvieto Raoul , Ben‐Rafael Zion , Abir Ronit , Bar‐Hava Itai , Fisch Benjamin , Molad Yair
Published: September 2011

Orvieto R, Ben‐Rafael Z, Abir R, Bar‐Hava I, Fisch B, Molad Y. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: a state of neutrophil activation. AJRI 1999; 42:288–291 © Munksgaard, Copenhagen

PROBLEM: To investigate if controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) affects the expression of neutrophil adhesion molecules and if a correlation exists between neutrophil activation and serum sex‐steroid levels.

METHOD OF STUDY: The pilot study was carried out in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) unit of our department, and required no modification of our routine IVF protocol. Four patients arriving for baseline hormonal profile on day 1 of the menstrual cycle before initiation of COH (control group) and 11 patients admitted for oocyte recovery (study group) were included. Venous blood was obtained from all patients and examined for hormonal profile and neutrophil activation. The latter was performed by staining for the surface adhesion molecules β2 integrin and L‐selectin. Positive cell count and mean fluorescence intensity were determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: While neutrophil L‐selectin was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group, neutrophil β2 integrin was nonsignificantly higher. Though no significant correlations were found between neutrophil adhesion molecules and patient age, serum estradiol level, and human chorionic gonadotropin level; neutrophil L‐selectin was negatively correlated with serum progesterone levels.

CONCLUSIONS: COH leads to neutrophil activation, which correlates with the degree of luteinization. Further studies are required to elucidate the relationship between the immune system and COH. These may lead to new strategies for promoting fertility and preventing complications of COH.
Type‐1 and Type‐2 Cytokines in Human Decidual Tissue and Trophoblasts from Normal and Abnormal Pregnancies Detected by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‐PCR)
Authors: Vives Angels , Balasch Juan , Yagüe Jordi , Quintó Llorenç , Ordi Jaume , Vanrell Juan A.
Published: September 2011

Vives A, Balasch J, Yagüe J, Quintó L, Ordi J, Vanrell JA. Type‐1 and type‐2 cytokines in human decidual tissue and trophoblasts from normal and abnormal pregnancies detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). AJRI 1999; 42:361–368 © Munksgaard, Copenhagen

PROBLEM: Cytokine expression at the maternal–fetal interface has been well documented in rodents, but data in the human are scanty and controversial.

METHOD OF STUDY: We examined cytokine expression of human decidua and trophoblasts by semiquantitative visual grading of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) products in five groups of patients: ten patients with uncomplicated term pregnancies undergoing elective cesarean section (Group 1); ten women having normal pregnancies at term and vaginal delivery (Group 2); ten patients having intrauterine growth‐retarded infants of unknown cause after a spontaneous vaginal delivery at term (Group 3); ten childless women having their first, first‐trimester spontaneous abortion (Group 4); and ten childless women with a history of one or more previous first‐trimester spontaneous abortions and having a new miscarriage (Group 5).

RESULTS: Results favoring the T‐helper 1 (Th1)/T‐helper 2 (Th2) model during pregnancy were: significantly higher expression of interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) in trophoblast samples from Group 3 versus 2 and in decidual tissue from Group 5 versus 4; stronger positivity of interleukin (IL)‐10 in decidual tissue samples from Group 1 versus Groups 2 and 5; and higher expression levels of tumor necrosis factor‐β (TNF)‐β by the trophoblast in Group 5 versus 1. Against the Th1/Th2 paradigm were the following findings: the significantly increased expression of IFN‐γ by decidual or trophoblast samples in Groups 1 versus 2, 2 versus 3, and 1 versus 5; and the significantly higher expression of TNF‐α in decidual samples from patients in Group 1 (but also Group 4) as compared with Group 5. IL‐2 mRNA and IL‐4 mRNA could not be detected.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings suggest that there is a balance between type‐1 and type‐2 cytokines during pregnancy, which is mainly characterized by the expression of IFN‐γ (a type‐1 cytokine) and IL‐10 (a type‐2 cytokine) at the maternal–fetal interface.
Soluble HLA‐G: Purification from Eukaryotic Transfected Cells and Detection by a Specific ELISA
Authors: Fournel Sylvie , Aguerre‐Girr Maryse , Campan Agnès , Salauze Laetitia , Berrebi Alain , Lone Yu‐Chung , Lenfant Françoise , Bouteiller Philippe Le
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The detection of soluble forms of human leukocyte antigen‐G molecule (sHLA‐G) at the maternal–fetal interface suggest that sHLA‐G may play a role during pregnancy. To study the potential functions of sHLA‐G, we developed a procedure to detect and produce such HLA‐G isoforms.

METHOD OF STUDY: Transfected cell lines expressing either sHLA‐G1s cDNA (JAR‐G1s) or an sHLA‐G monochain DNA (Fox‐G‐mono) containing extracellular domains of HLA‐G linked to the human β2‐microglobulin were used. Specific sHLA‐G enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using anti‐HLA‐G monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (87G and BFL.1) as coating antibodies and the biotinylated HLA class I mAb, W6/32, to reveal the bound molecules, was then developed.

RESULTS: To assess the specificity of the ELISA, we tested cell culture supernatants from the trophoblast‐derived JEG‐3 cell line and the HLA‐G1s‐transfected JAR cells, and we detected sHLA‐G in both supernatants. sHLA‐G monochain was also detected by ELISA in transfected cell supernatants using the conformational mAb, W6/32, showing that the conformation of sHLA‐G monochain was proper. Using the same ELISA, sHLA‐G was detected in various samples of amniotic fluid. To test the potential role of sHLA‐G, sHLA‐G has been purified by immunoaffinity columns, using W6/32 mAb, from culture supernatants of HLA‐G1s or sHLA‐G monochain‐transfected cells.

CONCLUSION: These important tools will be useful both for the detection of sHLA‐G in various biological fluids and in functional tests.
Hypocomplementemia Correlates with Intrauterine Growth Retardation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Kobayashi Noriko , Yamada Hideto , Kishida Tatsuro , Kato Emi‐Hirayama , Ebina Yasuhiko , Sakuragi Noriaki , Kobashi Gen , Tsutsumi Akito , Fujimoto Seiichiro
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The aim of this study was to elucidate fetomaternal risks in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐complicated pregnancy.

METHOD OF STUDY: Pregnancy course, complications, and fetal outcome in 82 pregnancies of 55 patients with SLE were investigated.

RESULTS: These 82 pregnancies resulted in 14 fetal losses and 66 live births. Without clinical manifestation of SLE‐flare, 4 of 8 patients who had low serum complement activity during the pregnancies delivered small‐for‐date neonates. The rate of the intrauterine growth retardation was significantly higher than that observed in pregnancies with normal complement activity. The frequency of premature deliveries (60%) in patients who received more than 15 mg/day of prednisolone was significantly high when compared with pregnancies maintained by 0–15 mg/day (13.1%).

CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the preconceptional and perinatal management necessary in SLE and suggest that the pregnancy with hypocomplementemia, the disease activity, and/or a relatively high maintenance dose of corticosteroid should be carefully managed and monitored.
Lymphocyte Subsets and Mitogen Stimulation of Blood Lymphocytes in Preeclampsia
Authors: Matthiesen Leif , Berg Göran , Ernerudh Jan , Håkansson Leif
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The question of whether there are differences in systemic immune reactivity in severe preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy was addressed. METHOD OF STUDY: During the third trimester, blood samples were taken from 12 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. Five of the preeclamptic pregnancies were analyzed separately because they were treated with dexamethasone before the blood samples were taken. The seven dexamethasone‐treated preeclamptic pregnant women were analyzed and compared with six uncomplicated pregnancies. A control group consisted of 15 nonpregnant females. Lymphocyte subsets were identified by flow cytometry. The function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was studied as proliferative responses to mitogens alone and in combination with immunomodulating drugs.

RESULTS: An increased number of B lymphocytes (CD 19 +) (P < 0.05) and natural killer (NK) cells (P < 0.05) was noticed in severe preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy. The proliferative response of PBMCs in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)‐stimulated cultures in autologous serum from patients with severe preeclampsia was reduced (P < 0.05) compared with normal pregnancy. The addition of indomethacin and Cimetidine significantly stimulated (P < 0.05) the proliferative responses. The enhancing effect of Cimetidine was not found in dexamethasone‐treated preeclamptic patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The presence of systemic immunosuppression in severe preeclampsia is demonstrated as a reduced proliferative response of PBMCs to PHA. which could be partly restituted by indomethacin or Cimetidine, indicating immunosuppressor activity that is mediated by prostaglandin and histamine. Increased levels of B lymphocytes and NK cells were also noticed.
Effect of Estradiol and Progesterone on the Low‐Dose Endotoxin‐Induced Glomerular Inflammatory Response of the Female Rat
Authors: Faas MM. , Bakker W.W. , Valkhof N. , Schuiling G.A.
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Is the endotoxin‐induced glomerular inflammatory response of the female rat under ovarian control?

METHOD OF STUDY: Ovariectomized rats (OVX), with or without progesterone (OVX‐P) or estradiol (OVX‐E) treatment, as well as rats in the follicular or luteal phase of the ovulatory cycle were infused with endotoxin or saline and sacrificed 3 days later. Cryostat kidney sections were immunohistologically stained for the presence of neutrophils and monocytes (MØ) and the expression of adhesion molecules.

RESULTS: After endotoxin, the glomerular number of neutrophils and the number of MAC‐1 positive cells were increased in luteal‐phase and in OVX‐P rats, and the number of glomerular MØ was increased in luteal‐phase, OVX, OVX‐E, and OVX‐P rats. Endotoxin increased ICAM‐1 expression in all groups of rats, except in follicular‐phase rats. The glomerular number of LFA‐1– and VLA‐4‐positive cells following endotoxin were only increased in OVX rats.

CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that endotoxin‐induced monocyte infiltration and ICAM‐1 expression are inhibited by a factor produced during the follicular phase, probably by developing follicles. Infiltration of neutrophils and expression of MAC‐1, LFA‐1, VLA‐4 seem to be under control of progesterone or estradiol.
Will mineral trioxide aggregate replace calcium hydroxide in treating pulpal and periodontal healing complications subsequent to dental trauma? A review
Authors: Bakland Leif K. , Andreasen Jens O.
Published: September 2011

Abstract –  Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has over the last two decades begun to take the place of calcium hydroxide (CH) in the treatment of a variety of pulpal and periodontal healing complications following dental trauma. These conditions include teeth with: (i) exposed pulps, (ii) immature roots and pulp necrosis, (iii) root fractures and pulp necrosis located in the coronal part of the pulps, and (iv) external infection‐related (inflammatory) root resorption. The main reasons for replacing CH with MTA in these situations have generally been the delayed effect when using CH to induce hard tissues, the quality of such induced hard tissues, and finally the dentin weakening effect of CH, which in some instances lead to cervical root fractures in immature teeth. MTA appears, from a relatively few clinical studies, to overcome these shortcomings of CH. The lack of long‐term clinical studies, however, may warrant a certain reservation in an unrestricted replacement of CH with MTA. A definite need for randomized clinical studies comparing CH and MTA in trauma healing situations is urgently needed.
Vegetation changes associated with cattle (Bos taurus) and wombat (Vombatus ursinus) activity in a riparian forest
Authors: Borchard Philip , Eldridge David J.
Published: September 2011

Question

Is the composition of groundstorey vegetation influenced by wombat burrowing and mound construction as well as streambank tracks by domestic cattle at high and low levels of usage?

Location

Sixteen streambank study sites in an agricultural area in Kangaroo Valley, southeastern New South Wales, Australia.

Methods

We examined the effects of cattle and wombats on vegetation by measuring plant and litter cover on three markedly different microsites; wombat mounds, the network of tracks used by both cattle and wombats to access pastures away from the riparian area, and control sites that were neither tracks nor mounds, and which were located 1–2 m away from mounds or tracks.

Results

We recorded significantly fewer vascular plant species on the mounds and tracks than on the control microsites, but there were significantly more species at sites of high cattle usage than low cattle usage. Plant cover on the control microsites was more than twice that on the mounds and tracks. The exotic plants, panic veldt grass (Ehrharta erecta) and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) were typical indicators of high cattle use sites, while wandering jew (Tradescantia fluminensis) and to a lesser extent the unpalatable, low‐sprawling shrub mistflower (Ageratina riparia) were indicators of low cattle use sites.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that there are few differences in plant community composition between microsites constructed by cattle and those of wombats. Both microsites supported a community that was a subset of the species pool in the surrounding vegetation. Cattle grazing since 1851 in Kangaroo Valley has probably reduced disturbance‐sensitive plant species, resulting in an effect that is more apparent at the landscape scale. Further study should focus on the landscape‐scale effects of cattle grazing to determine whether cattle or wombats are the major causes of ecosystem degradation in Australian riparian environments.
Steep Increase in Best‐Practice Cohort Life Expectancy
Authors: Shkolnikov Vladimir M. , Jdanov Dmitri A. , Andreev Evgeny M. , Vaupel James W.
Published: September 2011

We analyze trends in best‐practice life expectancy among female cohorts born from 1870 to 1950. Cohorts experience declining rather than constant death rates, and cohort life expectancy usually exceeds period life expectancy. Unobserved mortality rates in non‐extinct cohorts are estimated using the Lee‐Carter model for mortality in 1960–2008. Best‐practice cohort and period life expectancies increased nearly linearly. Across cohorts born from 1870 to 1920 the annual increase in cohort length of life was 0.43 years. Across calendar years from 1870 to 2008, the annual increase was 0.28 years. Cohort life expectancy increased from 53.7 years in the 1870 cohort to 83.8 years in the 1950 cohort. The corresponding cohort/period longevity gap increased from 1.2 to 10.3 years. Among younger cohorts, survival to advanced ages is substantially higher than could have been anticipated by period mortality regimes when these cohorts were young or middle‐aged. A large proportion of the additional expected years of life are being lived at ages 65 and older. This substantially changes the balance between the stages of the life cycle.
Secular Declines in the Association Between Obesity and Mortality in the United States
Authors: Mehta Neil K. , Chang Virginia W.
Published: September 2011

Recent research suggests that rising obesity will restrain future gains in US life expectancy and that obesity is an important contributor to the current shortfall in us longevity compared to other high‐income countries. Estimates of the contribution of obesity to current and future national‐level mortality patterns are sensitive to estimates of the magnitude of the association between obesity and mortality at the individual level. We assessed secular trends in the obesity/mortality association among cohorts of middle‐aged adults between 1948 and 2006 using three long‐running US data sources: the Framingham Heart Study, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the National Health Interview Survey. We find substantial declines over time in the magnitude of the association between obesity and overall mortality and, in certain instances, cardiovascular‐specific mortality. We conclude that estimates of the contribution of obesity to current national‐level mortality patterns should take into account recent reductions in the magnitude of the obesity and mortality association.
The Uncertain Timing of Reaching 8 Billion, Peak World Population, and Other Demographic Milestones
Authors: Scherbov Sergei , Lutz Wolfgang , Sanderson Warren C.
Published: September 2011

We present new probabilistic forecasts of the timing of the world's population reaching 8 billion, the world's peak population, and the date at which one‐third or more of the world's population would be 60+ years old. The timing of these milestones, as well as the timing of the Day of 7 Billion, is uncertain. We compute that the 60 percent prediction interval for the Day of 8 Billion is between 2024 and 2033. Our figures show that there is around a 60 percent chance that one‐third of the world's population would be 60+ years old in 2100. In the UN 2010 medium variant, that proportion never reaches one‐third. As in our past forecasts (Lutz et al. 2001, 2008), we find the chance that the world's population will peak in this century to be around 84 percent and the timing of that peak to be highly uncertain. Focal days, like the Day of 7 Billion, play a role in raising public awareness of population issues, but they give a false sense of the certainty of our knowledge. The uncertainty of the timing of demographic milestones is not a constant of nature. Understanding the true extent of our demographic uncertainty can help motivate governments and other agencies to make the investments necessary to reduce it.
A Nightmare on the Brain: Gothic Suspicion and Literary Modernism
Authors: Hansen Jim
Published: September 2011

Tracing out a brief history of the formal and historical trajectory of the Gothic novel, the essay demonstrates how modernist authors such as Joyce and Woolf deployed the tropes of the Gothic‐Romance.
Gothic’s Death Drive
Authors: Farnell Gary
Published: September 2011

‘Every thing tends directly to the catastrophe.’ Is this not to specify theleitmotivof the Gothic? Here, in the Preface to the first edition ofThe Castle of Otranto, Horace Walpole articulates the interest of what is presented as a recovered manuscript of a 16th‐century Italian story. But if this statement appears right at the front ofOtranto– that is, the novel which will bear the crucial appellation ‘A Gothic Story’ on the occasion of its second edition – so it seems to stand, at the same time, at the head of Gothic itself as structured in terms of a certaintelosof catastrophe. Thus, as we shall see, to get to grips withThe Castle of Otrantoas well as the generic fictions it helps to inspire is to get to grips with Gothic’s death drive. If this phenomenon manifests itself in terms of a certain ‘compulsion to repeat’, to invoke the most familiar Freudian formulation of the death drive, then there is, to be sure, a great deal of evidence as regards its actual reality. We could adduce in this regard the formulaic – in this sense, repetitive – nature of the Gothic and its generic conventions as a distinguishing characteristic of the Gothic that is widely agreed upon. But for the sake of a perhaps more penetrating analysis, we shall examine other ways in which a repetition compulsion appears at work inThe Castle of Otranto(amongst other things, this is a story that begins with a death, featuring several others afterwards). In this article, the logic of this then carries through into an examination of some of the key imitations ofOtrantothat appeared after the ‘Gothic Story’ of 1765: ‘Sir Bertrand, A Fragment’ by Anna Laetitia and John Aikin (the former, later known as Anna Laetitia Barbauld), andThe Old English Baronby Clara Reeve. Forliterary imitationin itself offers a further perception of what repetition, at the level of a certain sublimation of Gothic’s death drive, looks like here in the Gothic.
Characterization of the PLP‐dependent aminotransferase NikK from Streptomyces tendae and its putative role in nikkomycin biosynthesis
Authors: Binter Alexandra , Oberdorfer Gustav , Hofzumahaus Sebastian , Nerstheimer Stefanie , Altenbacher Georg , Gruber Karl , Macheroux Peter
Published: September 2011

As inhibitors of chitin synthase, nikkomycins have attracted interest as potential antibiotics. The biosynthetic pathway to these peptide nucleosides in Streptomyces tendae is only partially known. In order to elucidate the last step of the biosynthesis of the aminohexuronic building block, we have heterologously expressed a predicted aminotransferase encoded by the gene nikK from S. tendae in Escherichia coli. The purified protein, which is essential for nikkomycin biosynthesis, has a pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate cofactor bound as a Schiff base to lysine 221. The enzyme possesses aminotransferase activity and uses several standard amino acids as amino group donors with a preference for glutamate (Glu > Phe > Trp > Ala > His > Met > Leu). Therefore, we propose that NikK catalyses the introduction of the amino group into the ketohexuronic acid precursor of nikkomycins. At neutral pH, the UV‐visible absorbance spectrum of NikK has two absorbance maxima at 357 and 425 nm indicative of the presence of the deprotonated and protonated aldimine with an estimated pKa of 8.3. The rate of donor substrate deamination is faster at higher pH, indicating that an alkaline environment favours the deamination reaction.

Structured digital abstract

 nikK binds to nikK by molecular sieving (View interaction)
Principal properties of the velocity distribution of dark matter particles on the outskirts of the Solar system
Authors: Baushev A. N.
Published: September 2011

The velocity distribution of the dark matter particles on the outskirts of the Solar system remains unclear. We suggest to determine it using experimentally found properties of the oldest halo objects. Indeed, the oldest halo stars and globular clusters form a collisionless system, as well as dark matter particles do, and they evolved in the same gravitational field. If we accept this analogy, we can show that the velocity distribution of the dark matter particles should be highly anisotropic and have a sharp maximum near υ∼ 500 km s−1. The distribution is totally different from the Maxwell one.

We analyse the influence of the distribution function on the results of dark matter detection experiments. It is found that the direct detection signal should differ noticeably from the one calculated from the Maxwell distribution with 〈υ〉≃ 220 km s−1, which is conventional for direct detection experiments (the ratio depends on the detector properties and typically falls within the range between 6 and 0.2). Moreover, the sharp distinction from the Maxwell distribution can be very essential to the observations of dark matter annihilation.
PARAMETERS AFFECTING THE ACCURACY OF TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS DURING HIGH HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE PROCESSING
Authors: KHURANA MEENAKSHI , KARWE MUKUND V.
Published: September 2011

Theoretical analysis of the temperature response of a thermocouple assembly during high hydrostatic pressure processing (HHPP) was carried out to estimate the lag in the temperature measurement. The analysis was carried out for temperature variation during the pressurization, pressure hold and pressure release steps of HHPP. The estimated temperature lag was used to quantify the temperature discrepancy between the measured and the actual temperatures. The solution obtained showed that there could be a lag of approximately 2 K depending on the design of the temperature‐measuring device. Equations governing the thermocouple response were nondimensionalized to obtain the parameters that govern the lag in temperature during the HHPP.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The results obtained from the theoretical analysis presented are relevant and important in evaluating a high‐pressure, high‐temperature process. In particular, the method presented allows estimation of inaccuracies of temperature measurement in a high‐pressure vessel and its impact on the thermal process calculations (F value).
DEVELOPMENT AND SIMULATION OF A NEW OIL EXTRACTION PROCESS FROM FRUIT OF MACAUBA PALM TREE
Authors: SILVA GISELE CRISTINA RABELO , ANDRADE MARIA HELENA CAÑO
Published: September 2011

Soybean and palm are the main sources of oil in the world. However, there are other unexploited oleaginous species, such as the Macauba palm tree, which occurs naturally in several regions of Latin America, especially in Brazil. The Macauba produces an oleaginous fruit with high aggregated value, whose potential for productivity can reach 6,000 kg of oil per hectare, including two differentiated oils: unsaturated pulp and saturated kernel. Nevertheless, the extraction of both oils has been carried out in low technological ways, compared with optimized industrial processes, despite its socioeconomic and environmental benefits, considering food, pharmaceutical and biofuel purposes. The goal of this work was to propose an industrial process of oil extraction from Macauba fruit using experimental and project data information from laboratory, literature and equipment suppliers. With the consolidated route, the process simulation was successfully performed using the Aspen Plus simulator.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This work contributes to a new agro‐industrial sector from Macauba palm trees. All the parts of the Macauba fruit provide products with economic value. The external shell and the pulp generate the pulp oil and cake. The kernel generates kernel oil and cake. The pulp oil contains 80% of unsaturated fatty acids, with 65–70% oleic acid. The kernel oil contains about 60% saturated fatty acids (40% lauric acid, 30% oleic acid). Pulp oil is strongly suggested for food or fuel purposes. Kernel oil is an expensive raw material used for food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical purposes. The cake from pulp and kernel is used as animal feed, especially because the protein content of kernel cake is 37%. Both cakes are also used as fertilizer or fuel for boilers. The hard endocarp contains a high calorific value with potential for vegetable charcoal with low ash, no sulfur and high density.
Photoinduced Proton‐Coupled Electron Transfers in Biorelevant Phenolic Systems
Authors: Bonin Julien , Robert Marc
Published: September 2011

Proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions have received much attention over the past 10 years, from an experimental as well as from a theoretical point of view. At the heart of many chemical and biological processes, such reactions are of particular interest in energy conversion and enzymatic processes. Among the numerous examples of PCET reactions, photosynthesis and particularly reactions inside the Photosystem II (PSII) subunit, involving a global four electrons and four protons process to perform water oxidation and respiration, is the most emblematic one. This review focuses on the photochemical approaches of PCET reactions involving phenolic molecules. Indeed, a significant part of photochemical PCET studies were conducted on tyrosine or phenol relevant to PSII and charge transport in enzymes. The mechanisms of these reactions, sequential or concerted, with particular emphasis on the influence of pH, temperature, solvent nature and H‐bonding pattern are presented based on photochemical techniques and related theoretical analysis.