bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The absence of a triphasic renovascular response by the multicalyceal kidney of the primate in reaction to acute, complete, unilateral, ureteric obstruction
Authors: Evans J.R , Rogers G.G. 
Published: September 2011

The early renovascular response by the ipsilateral kidney to acute, total, unilateral, ureteric obstruction was investigated in the adult male chacma baboon (Papio ursinus). Complete occlusion was effected by ligating the ureter at the brim of the bony pelvis (“N” = 10). Sham studies were enacted using the same method but the ureter was not obstructed (“N” = 11). Haemodynamic reactions were monitored for 12 hours. Compared with the sham‐occluded set, the renal pelvic pressures in the obstructed group were significantly increased (P < 0.05) from the second hour of the inquiry. However, there were no significant differences in renal blood flow, either between or within the respective cohorts.In this study, the renovascular response to acute ureteric occlusion was similar to that displayed by the multicalyceal kidney of other species under identical conditions. This reaction was fundamentally different to that exhibited by the unicalyceal kidney under similar circumstances.
Lymphocytes—Their Possible Endocrine Role in the Regulation of Fertility
Authors: Shahani D. Savitri K. , Gupta Sadhana M. , Meherji Pervin K. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Peptide secretion by peripheral lymphocytes obtained from fertile and infertile women.METHOD: LH, FSH, and prolactin were estimated in the serum and culture supernatants obtained from Con‐A stimulated human lymphocytes by RIA.RESULTS: The levels of LH, FSH and prolactin were low in the culture supernatants obtained from lymphocytes of infertile women, when compared with proven fertile women.CONCLUSION: The results indicated impairment in endocrine functions of lymphocytes obtained from infertile women. This impairment in lymphocyte function could be one of the causes of infertility in these women.
Mixed Maternal‐Paternal Lymphocyte Cultures Before and After Immunotherapy for Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions
Authors: Komlos L. , Vardimon D. , Notmann J. , Ben‐Rafael Z. , Hart J. , Klein T. , Levinsky H. , Halbrecht I. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The increased reactivity of maternal lymphocytes in reciprocal mixed‐maternal‐paternal lymphocyte cultures (MMPLC), observed in the presence of control serum after immunotherapy, suggests that immunization with paternal lymphocytes may induce a highly significant cell mediated immune response in specifically alloactivated maternal lymphocytes.METHOD: Reciprocal one‐way MMPLC were set up with responding maternal or paternal lymphocytes and mitomycin C‐treated stimulating lymphocytes. Cultures were set up for 6 days in the presence of 15% maternal or control serum. The degree of lymphocyte stimulation was measured by tritiated thymidine uptake.RESULTS: In maternal serum, after immunotherapy, a highly significant blocking effect on MMPLC was observed in both directions. The extent of the blocking effect in maternal serum and the stimulation in control serum was much higher, after immunotherapy, in two cases of abortions, as compared to cases with normal pregnancy outcome.CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of cases is very small, it may be that in abortions, in the presence of maternal serum, disturbances in the balance of cytokines or/and specific antibodies could have cytotoxic effects on MMPLC and down regulate, or “block” the specific response. For a possibly better utilization of the MMPLC test in the prediction of pregnancy outcome after immunotherapy, it may be important to examine specific antibodies in maternal serum, to investigate specifically induced cytokines in MMPLC and to evaluate T cell subsets in MMPLC in the presence of maternal and control serum.
Maternal HLA Class II Alleles Predispose to Pregnancy Losses in Danish Women With Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions and Their Female Relatives
Authors: Christiansen Ole B. , Pedersen Bjørn , Mathiesen Ole , Husth Merete , Grunnet Niels 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: If damage to the trophoblast mediated through autoimmune mechanisms is responsible for recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), maternal class II HLA antigens might be expected to be involved. We wanted to evaluate the impact of these antigens on pregnancy outcome in RSA women and their relatives.METHOD: HLA‐DR and ‐DQ typing using RFLP and PCR‐SSP methods was carried out in 234 Danish women with unexplained RSA and 360 controls. The HLA‐DR types were correlated to outcome of the next pregnancy in 94 patients. Sisters, brothers, and wives of brothers of 146 consecutive patients were HLA typed and their pregnancy outcomes were correlated to the HLA‐DR types.RESULTS: HLA‐DR1/Br and ‐DR3 were each significantly increased in women with at least four previous pregnancy losses (both P‐values < 0.05 after correction for multiple comparisons). In the prospective study, 62% of the HLA‐DR1/Br and/or ‐DR3 positive patients miscarried the next pregnancy compared with only 29% of those negative for both allogenotypes (P ? 0.025). The family studies indicated that female relatives of RSA patients had a greater risk (odds ratio ? 5.0, 95% CI = 2.0–11.0) of pregnancy losses when positive for HLA‐DR1/Br and/or ‐DR3 than those negative for the allogenotypes.CONCLUSIONS: Maternal HLA‐DR allogenotypes DR1/Br and ‐DR3 or closely linked genes seem to predispose to pregnancy losses in RSA patients and their first degree relatives.
Pregnancy‐Associated Uterine Granulated Metrial Gland Cells in Mutant and Transgenic Mice
Authors: Guimond Marie‐Josée , Wang Baoping , Fujita Jun , Terhorst Cox , Croy B. Anne 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Granulated metrial gland (GMG) cells are pregnancy‐specific uterine lymphocytes found in rodents. The lineage relationships of GMG cells are incompletely defined, although genetic and immunophenotyping studies suggest membership in the natural killer (NIC) cell lineage. Pregnancy‐specific functions have been postulated for GMG cells, but no successful depletion of these cells has been achieved that would permit assessment of any critical roles that might influence gestational outcome.METHOD: Routine histological methods for light microscopy were used to assess implantation sites from wild‐type mice and mice of the following genotypes: tgE26, mi/mi, and p53 knockout.RESULTS: GMG cells are transient, histamine‐negative cells found in the pregnant uteri of most mice. Pregnancies in the NK and T‐cell‐deficient tgE26 were characterized by infrequent GMG cells, very small placentae, and an elevated rate of fetal and perinatal mortality. In term placentae of mi/mi with dystocia, GMG cells were found in a new location along the plane of placental separation, and they appeared degranulated. A normal life‐history was observed for GMG cells in p53 knockout mice.CONCLUSION: Pregnancies in mutant and transgenic mice indicate that GMG cells are natural killer cells and have critical roles in placental development and pregnancy success. The disappearance of GMG cells at term is independent of p53 gene expression.
Inhibition of Macrophage Nitric‐Oxide Production and Ia‐Expression by Docosahexaenoic Acid, a Constituent of Fetal and Neonatal Serum
Authors: Khair‐El‐Din Tarik A. , Sicher Stanley C. , Vazquez Miguel A. , Lu Christopher Y. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: We previously demonstrated profound inhibition of macrophage activation in the murine placenta in vivo. Given the importance of macrophages both in initiating cellular immunity by presenting antigen in the context of Ia to CD4+ T cells, and in killing cellular targets by producing nitric oxide (NO), inhibition of macrophage functions in the placenta may account for the increased susceptibility of the placenta to infection. We have also showed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), at concentrations present in the fetal circulation, has a major role in inhibiting macrophage Ia‐expression and NO production in the placenta. The concentration of DHA in fetal serum perfusing the placenta is 50x higher than in the adult. DHA has previously been reported to profoundly affect prostanoid production, to be metabolized by lipoxygenases, and to affect lipoxygenases. We now determine if these activities of DHA account for its inhibition of macrophage NO production and Ia‐expression. METHODS: Murine macrophages were cultured in vitro, exposed to IFNγ, endotoxin, DHA, and various eicosanoids, and their ability to produce NO or express Ia determined.RESULTS: Although the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, did inhibit NO production, DHA inhibited by a different mechanism. DHA further inhibited NO production by macrophages exposed to doses of indomethacin known to maximally inhibit prostanoid production. Stable, biologically active prostanoids did not reverse the inhibitory effect of DHA. Although DHA is metabolized by lipoxygenases, the lipoxygenase inhibitor NDGA did not reverse the inhibition of either NO production nor Ia expression. This indicates that lipoxygenase products of DHA did not mediate inhibition. NDGA itself inhibited NO production and Ia expression. However, DHA did not inhibit by inhibiting lipoxygenase activity because DHA further inhibited macrophages exposed to doses of DHA known to maximally inhibit lipoxygenases. Furthermore, stable biologically active analogs of lipoxygenase products did not reverse DHA inhibition. DHA also did not inhibit by preventing PAF production because PAF did not reverse inhibition of NO production.CONCLUSION: DHA did not inhibit Ia‐expression or NO production via its known effects on eicosanoid or PAF metabolism, nor by being metabolized by lipoxygenases.
Quantitative Assessment of Cytokines (GROα and IL‐10) in Human Seminal Plasma During Genitourinary Inflammation
Authors: Rajasekaran Mahadevan , Hellstrom Wayne , Sikka Suresh 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Mechanisms involved in infertility due to genitourinary (GU) inflammation are unknown. The production of pro‐inflammatory (GROα) and anti‐inflammatory (IL‐10) cytokines in seminal plasma is monitored in this study.METHOD: GROα, IL‐10, and granulocyte elastase were evaluated in semen from I) normal, II) infertile patients, and III) infertile patients with leukocytospermia.RESULTS: GROα in infertile patients with GU inflammation was 1.5‐fold higher compared to group II and 2.5‐fold higher compared to group I patients. The IL‐10 levels were 12‐ to 16‐fold lower compared to GROα in these samples. Mean ratio of GROα to IL‐10 was higher in group III than the other two groups. A positive correlation was observed between granulocyte elastase and GROα in all groups. Group III patients exhibited poor sperm parameters.CONCLUSIONS: A shift towards increased production of pro‐inflammatory chemokine GROα may have a potential role in male infertility associated with GU inflammation.
Elevated Nitric Oxide Concentration in the Seminal Plasma of Infertile Males: Nitric Oxide Inhibits Sperm Motility
Authors: Nobunaga Toshikatsu , Tokugawa Yoshihiro , Hashimoto Kazumasa , Kubota Yasue , Sawai Keisuke , Kimura Tadashi , Shimoya Koichiro , Takemura Masahiko , Matsuzaki Noboru , Azuma Chihiro , Saji Fumitaka 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To evaluate the “effect of nitric oxide in the seminal plasma on sperm motility. METHOD: Seminal plasma concentrations of NO2—, a stable end product of nitric oxide, of 108 males of infertile couples and 15 proven fertile donors were measured and compared with spermatogram parameters. Motile sperm was incubated with a nitric oxide‐generating drug, sodium nitroprusside, for 6 hr in the absence or presence of oxyhemoglobin, an inhibitor of nitric oxide.RESULTS: The NO2— concentration in the seminal plasma was 6.58±0.56 μM in 26 infertile males with leukocytospermia, 5.51±0.25 μM in 82 infertile males without leukocytospermia, and 3.91±0.16 μM in 15 controls. There was a significant correlation between the NO2— concentration and sperm motility. Sodium nitroprusside reduced the sperm motility in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner and its reduction was completely inhibited by the addition of oxyhemoglobin.CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that nitric oxide concentration in the seminal plasma of infertile males is elevated and that nitric oxide is an inhibitor of sperm motion.
Estrogen Blocks Early T Cell Development in the Thymus
Authors: Rijhsinghani Asha G. , Thompson Kristin , Bhatia Sudershan K. , Waldschmidt Thomas J. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Pregnancy and estrogen are known to suppress B lymphopoiesis as well as lead to thymic involution in the mouse. Additionally, estrogen deficiency by oophorectomy reportedly causes a selective increase in the B220+ B cells in the murine bone marrow. The purpose of this study was to determine if estrogens played a regulatory role in T cell development.METHODS: The first experimental group consisted of 5–6‐week‐old Balb/c mice that received subcutaneous pellets of placebo, estriol, estradiol, or progesterone. The thymus glands were examined 2–4 weeks after treatment. The second group consisted of 6‐week‐old Balb/c mice who underwent either bilateral oophorectomy or a sham procedure. Two weeks after the surgery, extensive phenotypic characterization of the thymus and spleen cells was performed by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies to surface markers of T cell subsets.RESULTS: Estrogen treatment causes a dramatic reduction of thymic size and cellularity. All defined T cell subsets of CD4 and CD8 were reduced, with a disproportionate loss of CD4+CD8+ double positive cells. Examination of the triple negative (CD3‐CD4‐CD8‐) subset revealed a striking loss of TN developmental progression of the early precursor cells. Based on the expression of CD44 (pgp‐1) and CD25 (IL‐2Rα) markers, the TN thymic compartment was composed almost entirely of the earliest population (CD44+, CD25‐), with the remaining maturational stages (CD44+, CD25+; CD44‐, CD25+; CD44‐, CD25‐) depleted. In contrast, all T cell developmental stages in the thymus were found to be in normal proportions in the oophorectomized mice, with no differences in the splenic T and B cell subsets.CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that estrogen but not progesterone blocks T cell development in the thymus. However, contrary to our expectation, estrogen deprivation by oophorectomy does not enhance T cell development.
Modulation of NK Cell Lytic Function by Endometrial Secretory Factors: Potential Role in Endometriosis
Authors: Somigliana Edgardo , Viganò Paola , Gaffuri Barbara , Candiani Massimo , Busacca Mauro , Blasio Anna Maria Di , Vignali Mario 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Development and progression of endometriosis have been suggested to be related to a defect of NK cells in the ability to eliminate endometrial fragments regurgitated with menstrual debris in ectopic sites. However, it has not been clarified yet whether the origin of this defect has to be attributed to an intrinsic alteration of NK cell population or to a consequence of the environmental system. The present study was designed to evaluate whether soluble factors of endometrial origin might directly interfere with NK cell lytic function.METHOD: Media conditioned by 20 endometrial stromal cultures (10 from endometriosis patients and 10 from women without the disease) were examined to test their effects on NK cell‐mediated cytotoxicity directed against endometrial stromal targets. NK cells were purified from peripheral blood samples by a two steps panning technique and incubated overnight with and without endometrial supernatants. Thereafter, the percentage of lysis against endometrial cells was detected in a 51Cr cytotoxicity assay.RESULTS: Media conditioned by the overall endometrial stromal cultures exerted a significant suppressive effect (P < 0.001) on NK cell function when compared to control NK fractions (mean percentage of cytotoxicity ± SEM 17.46 ± 2.8 and 29.41 ± 1.49, respectively). No inhibitory effect was detect with conditioned media obtained from peritoneal cells and keratinocytes. Moreover, NK cell‐mediated cytotoxicity resulted significantly more inhibited by the addition of endometrial supernatants obtained from endometriosis patients (mean percentage cytotoxicity ± SEM 13.55 ± 2.3, P < 0.05) when compared to those from women without the disease (mean percentage cytotoxicity ± SEM 21.38 ± 4.9).CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate the existence of soluble non‐specific factor(s) released by human endometrial cells able to interfere with NK cell killing. These factors could participate in the local regulation of the immunological mechanisms suggested to be involved in the development of endometriosis.
Psycho‐Neuro‐Cytokine/Endocrine Pathways in Immunoregulation During Pregnancy
Authors: Clark David A. , Arck Petra C. , Jalali Reza , Merali Fatima S. , Manuel Justin , Chaouat Gerard , Underwood Jennifer L. , Mowbray James F. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Some mammalian pregnancy failure is thought to occur by immunological or immunologically modifiable mechanisms. The original model wherein spontaneous abortion was proposed to represent rejection of the conceptus as an allograft has been supplanted by a model of maternal paraimmunological natural effector cell toxicity to fetal trophoblast more closely related to tumor rejection. The problem is to integrate current information concerning the role of immunological, paraimmunological, endocrinological, and stress‐triggered neural factors that determine whether or not abortion will occur.METHODS: Review of existing data.RESULTS: An integrated model is proposed.CONCLUSION: Immunological factors play an important role in abortion processes and prevention of abortions. The existence of abortogenic mechanisms and their regulation appears to be based upon optimizing survival of the species. Two new conceptual models provide a useful framework for further investigation of human pregnancy failure and its treatment.
Analyses of HLA‐DQ Alleles in Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (RSA) Couples
Authors: Wagenknecht Dawn R. , Green Karen M. , McIntyre John A. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The influence of HLA sharing on pregnancy outcome is controversial. In renal transplantation, HLA‐DQB1 donor‐recipient mismatches have been shown beneficial for long‐term transplant success. Since pregnancy is defined as Nature's allograft, we investigated the relevance of HLA‐DQ mismatching in normal reproducing couples compared to couples experiencing RSA.METHOD: Unexplained RSA couples referred to our laboratory for immunological testing were classified by immunological findings and obstetrical history. Primary RSA couples shared ≥ 2 HLA‐A, B, or DR antigens, had no cytotoxic anti‐paternal antibodies, and no gestation beyond 20 weeks. Secondary RSA couples had cytotoxic anti‐paternal antibodies and RSA after a live birth. HLA‐DQA1 and DQB1 alleles were identified by PCR‐SSP.RESULTS: No differences in DQA1 and DQB1 mismatch were observed among RSA patients and controls. DQA1‐DQB1 haplotype mismatches were not different among the three groups of couples.CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to renal transplant, HLA‐DQ incompatibility did not differ among RSA couples compared with successful reproducing couples.
Angiogenesis and the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Endometrium and Placenta
Authors: Torry Donald S. , Torry Ronald J. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The demand for increased angiogenesis and microvascular permeability during cyclical changes in the endometrium and during placentation raises the possibility that aberrations in these events could lead to suboptimal reproductive performance. However, relatively little is presently known regarding the regulation of vascular growth and permeability in these tissues.METHOD OF STUDY: This review of current literature focuses on the expression, regulation, and potential physiological effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) within endometrial and placental tissue.RESULTS: Spatial and temporal expression of VEGF as well as its restricted specificity, essential role in vasculogenesis/angiogenesis, and ability to induce vascular permeability makes VEGF an attractive regulator of vascular growth and permeability in the endometrium and placenta.CONCLUSION: A better understanding of the production, regulation, and physiological responses of the vasculature to angiogenic growth factors may lead to new therapeutic strategies for reproductive disturbances secondary to vascular insufficiencies within the female reproductive tract.
The Role of Trophoblast Interferons in the Maintenance of Early Pregnancy in Ruminants
Authors: Godkin James D. , Smith Scott E. , Johnson Roger D. , Doré Jules J.E. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Are the effects of ruminant trophoblast interferon‐tau (IFN‐τ) on uterine prostaglandin (PG) secretion a specific action of this cytokine and what are the effects of IFN‐τ on expression of uterine genes not generally associated with pregnancy maintenance?METHODS: The effects of IFN‐τ and IFN‐α on bovine uterine expiant and epithelial cell production of PGF2α and PGE2 were determined in the presence and absence of oxytocin (OT). The effects of intrauterine administration of IFN‐τ were determined on uterine expression of retinol‐binding protein (RBP) and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) isoforms.RESULTS: IFN‐τ attenuated uterine endometrial secretion of PGF2α and PGE2 in vitro and diminish PG stimulation by OT. IFN‐τ and IFN‐α were observed to be equipotent. Intrauterine infusion of IFN‐τ resulted in a significant decrease in steady‐state RBP mRNA levels and expression of TGF‐B1, 2, and 3 mRNA levels were lowest in IFN‐τ treated animals.CONCLUSION: Negative regulation of gene expression may be a general strategy in IFN activity. This may explain the similar activities of IFN‐τ and IFN‐α on a broad variety of cell types, including ruminant uterine endometrium.
Elevated Amniotic Fluid Interleukin‐6 Levels During the Early Second Trimester Are Associated With Greater Risk of Subsequent Preterm Delivery
Authors: GHIDINI ALESSANDRO , JENKINS CHUKA B. , SPONG CATHERINE Y. , PEZZULLO JOHN C. , SALAFIA CAROLYN M. , EGLINTON GARY S. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Subclinical intra‐amniotic infection is often associated with preterm delivery and may precede it by several weeks. We tested the hypothesis that Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) may be elevated in the midtrimester amniotic fluid of pregnancies destined to deliver preterm.METHODS: A historical cohort study was designed to compare the amniotic fluid (AF) concentrations of IL‐6 at 14–20 weeks in a group of women subsequently delivering at ≤ 34 weeks (n = 13) with those of women delivering at term (n = 166). Included were singleton gestations with no evidence of fetal structural or chromosomal abnormalities, or maternal conditions known to be associated with preterm delivery (n = 179). Levels of IL‐6 were measured by immunoassay and correlated with demographic and pregnancy outcome information. Statistical analysis included correlation, one‐way ANOVA after log‐transformation, contingency tables, logistic regression, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.RESULTS: There was an inverse correlation between AF IL‐6 levels at 15–20 weeks and gestational age at delivery (r = −0.16, P = 0.03). Women delivering at ≤ 34 weeks had significantly higher median AF IL‐6 levels (570 pg/ml versus 330 pg/ml, P < 0.0001), rate of African American race (50% versus 12%, P = 0.004), and of infants with birth weights < 10th centile (31% versus 7%, P = 0.02) than women delivering at ≥ 37 weeks. Logistic regression analysis showed that IL‐6 was independently associated with PTD at ≤ 34 weeks after controlling for race and birth weight centiles (P = 0.039).CONCLUSIONS: AF IL‐6 at 15–20 weeks can identify patients at risk for PTD at ≤ 34 weeks, suggesting that a portion of PTD cases have inciting events that take place during the early second trimester.CAPSULE: Midtrimester amniotic fluid IL‐6 concentrations are significantly higher in women subsequently delivering preterm at ≤34 weeks compared with those delivering at term.