bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Communication: Possible Role of Reactive Nitrogen Intermediates in Leucocyte‐Mediated Sperm Dysfunction
Authors: TOMLINSON M.J. , EAST S.J. , BARRATT C.L.R. , BOLTON A.E. , COOKE I.D. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT: This preliminary study was designed to examine whether nitric oxide, a reactive nitrogen intermediate produced by leukocyte metabolism of L‐arginine, could reduce sperm motility. Increasing doses (10−6‐10−4M) of the nitric oxide‐generating drug, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were added to motile sperm preparations and incubated over 20 hr. Quantitative sperm motility measurements were made using a computer‐assisted motility analyzer in each treated sample and controls over this time period.The percentage of motile sperm, progressive motility, and concentration of motile cells were all significantly reduced with all doses of SNP. This effect was not observed in preparations treated with oxyhaemoglobin (HbO2). Mean path velocity was unaltered. Sperm viability in SNP treated sperm did not differ significantly from that of control sperm over the same time period.We conclude that further experiments are required to determine whether the production of nitric oxide/reactive nitrogen intermediates in vivo by activated leukocytes could be a contributory factor in the development of immunologic infertility.
Previous Pregnancy Outcome Is an Important Determinant of Subsequent Pregnancy Outcome in Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: RAMSEY‐GOLDMAN ROSALIND , KUTZER JOAN E. , KULLER LEWIS H. , GUZICK DAVID , CARPENTER A. BETTS , MEDSGER THOMAS A. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT: Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased adverse pregnancy outcomes. The reasons for these problems include maternal disease, clinical or serologic activity, medication use, and residual organ impairment from prior disease flares. In retrospective studies, pregnancy data are often treated cross‐sectionally, with births rather than mothers as the unit of analysis. Multiple pregnancies from the same mother may be highly correlated with each other.In an unmatched retrospective study, the first two pregnancy outcomes in lupus patients with anticardiolipin antibody (anti‐CL IgG or IgM isotype) (cases N = 47) and without anticardiolipin antibody (controls, N = 125) were assessed according to birth order. A good outcome was defined as a full‐term (> 38 weeks) live birth without neonatal complications. All other pregnancy outcomes were considered adverse outcomes. Therapeutic abortions and ectopic or molar pregnancies were excluded. Both cases and controls with an adverse outcome in their first pregnancy had at least a 50% chance of another adverse outcome in their second pregnancy. Cases with a late miscarriage (fetal loss at 14 to 20 weeks' gestation) in their first pregnancy had the highest risk, 80%, of an adverse outcome in their second pregnancy. Both previous pregnancy loss and anti‐CL antibody status should be considered in the analysis of pregnancy outcomes in women with SLE.
Antigenic Stimulation and Blocking of Pregnancy in Mice by an Anti‐Idiotypic Antibody to Progesterone
Authors: KHOLE VRINDA , HEGDE UMASHASHI C. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The present study was carried out to see if the anti‐idiotypic (anti‐Id) antibody (Ab2) to progesterone could mimic the immunogenicity of the steroid hormone by giving rise to antiprogesterone antibodies (Ab3) and whether these antiprogesterone antibodies (Ab3) were biologically active.METHOD: Twenty virgin female Balb/C mice were actively immunized with the anti‐Id antibody (Ab2). The antiprogesterone antibody (Ab3) titres in the serum were determined and the animals were used for fertility studies. In the passive immunization studies Balb/C female mice were injected i.p. with 100 μg of anti‐Id antibody to see its effect on pregnancy. RESULTS: The actively immunized animals when mated showed 80% reduction in their fertility rate. The duration of infertility (20–121 days) in these animals could be directly correlated with the concentration of antiprogesterone antibody (Ab3). The anti‐Id antibody (Ab2) blocked pregnancy in 80% of the passively immunized mice.CONCLUSION: The studies show that anti‐Id antibody to progesterone could mimic the immunogenicity of progesterone and give rise to antiprogesterone antibodies (Ab3). The anti‐Id antibody successfully blocked pregnancy in mice both after active and passive immunization.
A Study of Early Pregnancy Factor Activity in the Sera of Patients With Unexplained Spontaneous Abortion
Authors: SHU‐XIN HU , ZHEN‐QUN ZHENG 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Seventy‐seven sera samples obtained from 51 patients (6–20 wk gestation) with unexplained spontaneous abortions including 20 threatened abortions (TA), 13 inevitable abortions (IA), and 18 intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IFGR), as well as 9 sera from 9 patients (6–20 wk gestation) with hydatidiform mole (HM), were detected for early pregnancy factor (EPF) by rosette inhibition assay. Rosette inhibition titer (RIT) was used to express EPF activity.RESULTS: The RIT value of EPF was 5.95 ± 0.69(mean ± SD) in the TA group; 4.06 ± 0.93 in the IA group; 3.50 ± 0.71 in the IFGR group, and 4.00 ± 0.71 in the HM group. Except for the TA group, in which the mean RIT was in normal pregnancy range, the RIT in the other three groups was significantly lower (P < 0.01) then that of the normal pregnancy group (5.81 ± 0.68).CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that measurement of EPF is a sensitive method for judging survival of the embryo. It may be used to predict the prognosis of the patient with unexplained spontaneous abortion.
Influence of Immunotherapy on Antisperm Antibody Titer in Unexplained Recurrent Aborters
Authors: SUGI TOSHITAKA , MAKINO TSUNEHISA , MARUYAMA TETSUO , NOZAWA SHIRO , IlZUKA RIHACHI 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The mechanism of the beneficial effect of immunotherapy for human reproductive wastage remains to be elucidated. Because some women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion are immunized with their partner's lymphocytes, it is important to determine whether such immunization results in elevation or enhancement of immunity to spermatozoa, because antigenic cross‐reactivity between lymphocytes and spermatozoa has been reported.METHOD: The present study was initiated to evaluate the changes in antisperm antibody titer and lymphocyte subsets after immunotherapy as compared to before immunotherapy. Antisperm antibody detection was performed by SpermCheck Assay, which is based on a modification of the immunobead test. Maternal lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in two‐color flow‐cytometric experiments.RESULTS: The percentage of antibody‐positive sperm decreased significantly (P = 0.0008) after immunotherapy. The percentage of B(CD19 +) cells (P = 0.0003), cytotoxic T(CD8 + and CD11 b ‐) cells (P = 0.02) and the Th/Ts ratio (P = 0.005) decreased significantly, while suppressor T(CD8 + and CD 11b +) cells increased significantly (P = 0.0002) after the immunotherapy. This suggests that cell‐mediated immunosuppression was induced by immunotherapy.CONCLUSION: The data of the present study suggest that antisperm antibodies have potential for use as a marker for a deficiency in maternal genital tract immunosupressor mechanisms and that immunotherapy could be an effective treatment for women with antisperm antibodies who have unexplained recurrent abortions.
Treatment of Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions by Immunization With Paternal Lymphocytes Induces Immunosuppression by Placental Isoferritin
Authors: MOROZ CHAYA , LIVNI ELLA , SEGAL JACOB 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The immunological mechanism leading to an effective vaccination of unexplained habitual aborters with paternal lymphocytes is not yet elucidated. Since previous studies revealed that immunosuppression by placental isoferritin (PLF) may play an important role in the down regulation of the immune system during pregnancy, it was of interest to investigate whether alloimmunization activates immunosuppression by PLF.METHOD: The immunosuppressive effect of PLF or anti‐PLF CM‐H‐9 monoclonal antibody (MAb) was studied by a one‐way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) of alloimmunized women and their husbands.RESULTS: It was found that vaccination of the women with paternal lymphocytes resulted in in vitro immunosuppression by PLF as well as by CM‐H‐9 MAb, reaching the highest effect after three vaccinations (38 ± 8 and 42 ± 10%, respectively). The increase in PLF immunosuppressive effect was accompanied by the appearance of serum antipaternal human leukocyte antigen cytotoxic antibodies. However, there was no correlation between the degree of suppression and titer of antibodies. The study group was too small to reach a significant correlation between degree of immunosuppression and pregnancy outcome.CONCLUSION: Although it may be of value to measure the inhibitory effect of PLF in one‐way MLR as an index of immunosuppression, further studies are needed to establish whether it is a relevant predictor of a successful pregnancy.
Platelet Thromboxane A2 Receptor Number and Function in Normal and Hypertensive Pregnancy
Authors: DI RENZO GIAN CARLO , COATA GIULIANA , DE FRANCESCHI SERENA , CHIARADIA ELISABETTA , KETT ATTILA , VEZZA ROBERTA , NENCI GIUSEPPE G. , COSMI ERMELANDO V. , GRESELE PAOLO 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Our study evaluated the number and function of platelets for thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TxA2/PGH2) and the platelet response to TxA2 receptor agonists in normal and hypertensive pregnancy. In addition, correlations between platelet membrane lipid composition and TxA2 receptor number and function were evaluated.METHODS: Ten normotensive healthy pregnant women (GC), 10 hypertensive pregnant women (PIH), and 10 normotensive nonpregnant healthy women (C) were examined. Radioligand binding and aggregation studies were performed. Lipid composition of platelet membrane was assessed as cholesterol to phospholipids ratio (CH/PL) and normalized to protein content.RESULTS: TxA2/PGH2 receptor binding sites and affinity did not differ among the groups. An enhanced response to TxA2 receptor agonist U 46619 in GC and in PIH compared to C was observed, while platelet response to thrombin was not different among the groups. CH/PL was altered in PIH respect to GC and C. No significant correlation was found between CH/PL and number and function of platelet TxA2 receptors in PIH.CONCLUSIONS: In PIH there is no alteration of number or function of TxA2 receptors on platelet membrane. However, the enhanced TxA2 production associated with the increased sensitivity of platelet to TxA2 in pregnancy may contribute to the microcirculatory thrombotic changes of PIH.
Detection of Fetal Trisomies 21 and 18 From Maternal Blood Using Triple Gradient and Magnetic Cell Sorting
Authors: GÄNSHIRT‐AHLERT DOROTHEE , BÖRJESSON‐STOLL REGINA , BURSCHYK MONIKA , DOHR ANGELIKA , GARRITSEN HENK S.P. , HELMER ELISABETH , MINY PETER , VELASCO MARTA , WALDE CORINNA , PATTERSON DAVID , TENG NELSON , BHAT NEELIMA M. , BIEBER MARCIA M. , HOLZGREVE WOLFGANG 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: The need for an inexpensive and reproducible technique for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis by fetal cell isolation from maternal blood.METHOD: For enrichment of fetal cells we used a combination of triple density gradient and magnetic sorting (MACS) of (anti‐CD71) transferrin receptor antibody labeled cells followed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome‐specific DNA probes for detection of fetal aneuploidies. We identified 15 cases of fetal trisomy (five cases with a trisomy 18 and ten cases with a trisomy 21) with subsequent chromosome‐specific FISH.RESULTS: We found in all of the aneuploid pregnancies that the percentage of cells with three hybridization signals did not overlap with those of normal controls independent from gestational ages and previous invasive procedures.CONCLUSIONS: Our new approach for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis has proven to be reliable in this first series.
Serum Soluble Interleukin‐2 Receptor α Levels in Patients With Gynecologic Cancers: Early Effect of Surgery
Authors: BARTON DESMOND P.J. , BLANCHARD D. KAY , MICHELINI‐NORRIS BEATRIZ , ROBERTS WILLIAM S. , HOFFMAN MITCHEL S. , FIORICA JAMES V. , NICOSIA SANTO V. , CAVANAGH DENIS , DJEU JULIE Y. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: To determine the early effect of abdominal cytoreductive surgery on serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor α (sIL‐2Rα) levels in patients with ovarian and cervical cancer, and to determine if the extent of cytoreduction correlated with the changes in serum sIL2Rα.METHOD: Thirty‐nine patients with gynecologic cancer had serum sIL‐2Rα measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay before abdominal cytoreductive surgery and once in the early postoperative period.RESULTS: Only patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer had elevated preoperative serum sIL‐2Rα levels. In 20 of 25 ovarian cancer cases (80%) and 10 of 14 cervical cancer cases (71.4%) the postoperative serum sIL‐2Rα levels exceeded the preoperative level (P = .003 and P = .011, respectively). Overall, the mean postoperative serum sIL‐2Rα level was greater than the preoperative level (P = .0001).CONCLUSION: Patients with early stage gynecologic cancer did not have elevated serum sIL‐2Rα levels before surgery. In the early postoperative period the serum sIL‐2Rα level was increased, which may be a nonspecific response to the trauma of surgery. Soluble IL‐2Rα may be one of the factors responsible for the immunosuppression in the early postoperative period, but may also herald a surge of activated T cells.
Characterization of an Immunoregulatory Cell Subset Involved in the Upregulation of the Autoimmune Response to Rat Male Accessory Glands
Authors: IRIBARREN PABLO , CORREA SILVIA G. , RIERA CLELIA M. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: We studied the regulation of the autoimmune response to rat male accessory glands (RAG) using liposomes as adjuvants.METHOD: Adult male Wistar rats were submitted to three intraperitoneal (i.p.) immunizations with 750 μg of saline extract of RAG associated with liposomes. The delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response studied approximately 10 days after each immunization developed after the first immunization, having a remission state after the second one and a clear increase after the third injection. In a further study, spleen mononuclear (SpM) cells obtained form immunized rats 10 days after the third immunization (DTH positive) or from normal rats were separated as adherent (VV +) or nonadherent (VV —) to Vicia villosa population. In VV + SpM cells from immunized or normal animals an enhanced percentage of OX8 + cells (P<.05 and P< .01, respectively) was found, but in VV — SpM cells from the same groups of rats an enhanced percentage of W3/25 + cells (P <.01 and P <.05, respectively) was found when they were studied by immunofluorescence. Later on, we transferred total VV + or VV — SpM cells from i.p. immunized rats to immunized recipients 10 days after the second immunization (DTH negative). The DTH response was enhanced in recipients of total or VV+ SpM cells (P<.01). It was also observed that the transfer of VV — SpM cells from immunized rats or total or VV + SpM cells from normal rats did not reduce the suppression state observed after the second injection (P = NS). The total SpM cells obtained 10 days after the third immunization (DTH positive) were able to transfer autoimmune response to RAG to normal animals (P<.01), whereas VV + SpM cells did not show that capacity (P = NS).
T‐Cell Receptors Are Expressed but Down‐Regulated on Intradecidual T Lymphocytes
Authors: MORII TAKESHI , NISHIKAWA KIYOSHI , SAITO SHIGERU , ENOMOTO MASAHIRO , ITO AYAKO , KURAI NOBUO , SHIMOYAMA TAKETO , ICHIJO MOTOHIKO , NARITA NOBUHIRO 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Dietl et al. considered “intradecidual T cell tolerance towards fetal antigens” with their observation that intradecidual T cells lack immunohistochemically detectable amounts of T cell receptor (TCR) molecules while expressing normal amounts of CD3 molecules during early normal pregnancy.METHOD: To reevaluate these findings we examined the TCR and CD3 expression on intradecidual T cells using flow cytometry.CONCLUSIONS: In our study, all intradecidual CD3+ T cells expressed either TCR αβ or TCR γδ. However, the expression of the CD3/TCR complex on intradecidual T cells was down‐regulated. The level of CD3/TCR complex expression on intradecidual T cells was about two‐thirds of that on peripheralblood T cells. Further, the proportions of αβ + and γδ + cells in CD3 + cells did not significantly differ between decidua and peripheral blood.
Phenotypic Characterization of CD7 +, CD3 +, and CD8+ Lymphocytes From First Trimester Human Decidua Using Two‐Color Flow Cytometry
Authors: CHERNYSHOV VICTOR P. , SLUKVIN IGOR I. , BONDARENKO GENADY I. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: There is increasing evidence that decidual lymphocytes play a major role in local interactions at the fetomaternal interface.METHOD: In this paper we use two‐color flow cytometry to delineate the phenotype of lymphocytes obtained from human early decidua by mechanical dispersal technique.RESULTS: The most abundant decidual lymphocytes expressed CD7, CD38, CD56, and CD2 markers, relatively small proportions of CD3 +, CD8 +, CD4 +, CD16 +, CD45RA+, CD11b+, and Leu8+ cells were also present. The vast majority of decidual CD7+ lymphocytes expressed CD38, CD2, and CD56 markers and were CD3 −, CD8 −, CD 16 −, and CD57 −. Decidual CD3+ lymphocytes were weakly staining for TCR α/β, lacked T‐cell receptor (TCR) γ/δ molecules, and ∼40% of them expressed HLA‐DR. All decidual CD8+ lymphocytes were CD2+ and the majority of them expressed CD38, CD56, and CD7 markers and were CD3−at the same time CD8 + CD7− lymphocytes were found in decidua. According to the expression of the CD45RA marker, decidual CD8 + lymphocytes could be divided into two subsets: CD8 + CD45RA + CD56 + and CD8 + CD45RA −.CONCLUSIONS: These data clearly demonstrate that decidual lymphocytes display phenotypical features different from those of their counterparts in peripheral blood.
Flow Cytometry Analysis of Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Peritoneal Fluid of Women With Endometriosis
Authors: Oosterlynck Didier J. , Meuleman Christel , Lacquet Françoise A. , Waer Mark , Koninckx Philippe R. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: We investigated the lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood (PB) and peritoneal fluid (PF) of women with and without endometriosis to evaluate if the decreased natural killer (NK)‐mediated cytotoxicity in women with endometriosis was due to a quantitative defect or not.METHOD: The PB and PF mononuclear cells of 59 women undergoing a diagnostic laparoscopy for pain and/or infertility were analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS: The number and concentration of PF mononuclear cells (MC) was increased in women with endometriosis compared to women without endometriosis. The monocyte/macrophage marker (CD14) was expressed on 70.3 and 66.9% of PFMC of women with and without endometriosis, respectively. The CD4/CD8 ratio was inverted in the PF, and this was more pronounced in women with endometriosis. In the PF of women with endometriosis, 41.3% of the lymphocytes were CD8 positive, compared to 34.3% in women without endometriosis. The percentage of NK positive lymphocytes in PF, using three different monoclonal antibodies directed against NK cell markers (CD57, CD 16, and CD56) were not different between women with and without endometriosis. In women with endometriosis, 12.7,9.5, and 28.8% of lymphocytes were CD57, CD16, and CD56 positive, respectively.CONCLUSION: PFMC consisted mainly of phagocytic and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐restricted or HLA unrestricted cytotoxic cells capable of reacting to various antigens entering the cavity from the lower genital tractus. Furthermore, the decreased NK activity reported in PB and PF of women with endometriosis was not likely to be caused by a quantitative defect, since the percentage of NK positive lymphocytes was not different between women with and without endometriosis.
Secretory Immunity in the Female Reproductive Tract
Authors: Kutteh William H. , Mestecky Jiri 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: Antibodies and antibody‐producing cells display a different and characteristic distribution in body fluids and tissues.METHOD: We have investigated the tissues of the female reproductive tract to determine whether the distribution of immunoglobulin‐producing cells and the contents of cervical secretions were similar to those found in tissues of the secretory immune system.RESULTS: Immunohistochemical examinations of female genital tissues revealed the presence of plasma cells that secrete IgA (and in lower numbers IgM and IgG) especially in the subepithelial layers of the uterine endo‐ and ectocervix, fallopian tubes, and vagina. Both IgA1‐ and IgA2‐producing plasma cells were found in approximately equal proportions. The presence of J‐chain in the IgA‐secreting cells suggests the synthesis of polymeric IgA (plgA). Epithelial cells lining the fallopian tube and endocervix were positive for secretory component (SC), which is required for the transepithelial transport of pIgA into external secretions. Cervical mucus was collected and the molecular forms of IgA were separated using column chromatography. Approximately 80% of IgA in cervical mucus was polymeric compared with 55% in the vaginal fluid.CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that all effector components of the mucosal immune system are present in the female reproductive tract. The immunization routes that lead to a secretory IgA (S‐IgA) response need to be further explored.
Age, Environment, and Lymphocyte Immunization Influence the Spontaneous Resorption Rate in the CBA/J × DBA/2J Mouse Model
Authors: Ho Hong‐Nerng , Chen Shee‐Uan , Yang Yu‐Shih , Huang Su‐Cheng , Lee Tzu‐Yao , Gill Thomas J. 
Published: May 2013

PROBLEM: This study was designed to examine the influence of age, environment, and lymphocyte immunotherapy on fetal resorption rates in the CBA/J × DJA/2J mouse model.METHODS: After weaning, CBA/J female mice were randomly allocated to two different environments: room A was a conventional housing facility, and room B was a specific pathogen‐free room. They were further divided into two groups in each room according to age (> three months and ≤ three months), and mated with CBA/J, DBA/2J, or BALB/c males. The fetal resorption rates were observed. The immunization study was conducted using CBA/J females greater than three months old in room B. Preimmunization with various preparations and dosages of lymphoctyes was performed 1 wk before mating with DBA/2J males, and fetal resorption rates were measured to investigate the effect of immunotherapy.RESULTS: In room A, the fetal resorption rates (9.4 to 11.8%) were not significantly different among the various mating combinations using CBA/J females greater or less than three months of age. In room B, CBA/J females older than three months and mated with DBA/2J males had a higher rate of fetal resorption than those younger than three months (28.9 versus 14.2%) and had higher rate of fetal resorption than those housed and mated in room A (28.9 versus 10.9%). This fetal resorption rate was also higher than those seen with other mating combinations. Preimmunization with male BALB/c splenic lymphocytes (optimal dose 1 × 107 cells) was effective in decreasing fetal resorption rate (7.9%), whereas administration of normal saline, or immunization with male CBA/J or DBA/2J lymphocytes was not (20.7 to 27.0%).CONCLUSION: Age and environment influence the spontaneous resorption rate in the CBA/J × DBA/2J mouse model. The high fetal resorption rate of older CBA/J females mated with DBA/2J males in a pathogen‐free environment can be reduced by immunization with BALB/c splenic lymphocytes. These results suggested that a variety of mechanisms might initiate early pregnancy failure and that immunological modulation during implantation might be a nonspecific factor.