bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Histochemical Evaluation of Placental Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (CD26) in Pre‐eclampsia: Enzyme Activity in Villous Trophoblast Indicates an Enhanced Likelihood of Gestational Hypertensive Disorders
Authors: Neudeck Hermann , Joncic Marion , Schuster Christof , Bisson Susanne , Hildebrandt Ruth , Öney Taylan , Stiemer Beate , Hopp Hartmut , Graf Renate 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To determine whether differences in placental dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV, CD26) activities occurred in hypertensive complicated pregnancies as compared with uncomplicated pregnancies.METHOD: DPP IV activity was detected with H‐Gly‐Pro‐4M2NA as the substrate in placental cryostat sections from 65 patients with gestational hypertension and 67 patients with uncomplicated pregnancies. The graduated intensities of the reaction product in the villous trophoblast were scored semiquantitatively by light microscopy and were related to the relative frequencies of hypertensive disorders (proportional odds model). After detection of enzyme activity, the same tissue samples were homogenized and used for kinetic fluorometric measurements.RESULTS: Enhanced villous trophoblastic DPP IV activity was significantly associated with an increased frequency of proteinuric hypertension in pregnant women (cumulative odds ratio θ1 = 1.6; P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates for the first time that increased villous trophoblastic DPP IV activity indicates an increased likelihood of the presence and of the severity of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Induced Termination of Pregnancy by Purified Extracts of Azadirachta Indica (Neem): Mechanisms Involved
Authors: Talwar G.P. , Shah S. , Mukherjee S. , Chabra R. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To develop a self‐administered, orally delivered method for abrogation of early pregnancy.METHOD: Use of purified Neem extracts containing immunomodulators stimulating Th1 cells and macrophages; test animals, rats, baboons, and monkeys, onset of pregnancy confirmed by surgery and counting of implants on day 7 in rats and by chorionic gonadotropin (CG) and progesterone assays in primates; termination defined by complete resorption on day 15 in rats and by bleeding and decline of CG and progesterone in baboons.RESULTS: Pregnancy was terminated successfully in both rodents and primates with no significant side effects. Fertility was regained in both species after one or two irregular cycles. Progeny born had normal developmental landmarks and mothered normal litters in the course of time. The active principle in Neem has been partially fractionated by activity‐guided purification. A cascade of events are involved in abrogation of pregnancy. In primates, a decrease in progesterone is an early event. A transient increase in CD4 and CD8 cells is noted in spleen at 96 hr and in mostly CD8 cells in mesenteric lymph nodes. Treatment causes an elevation of both immunoreactive and bioactive TNF‐α and γ‐interferon in serum, mesenteric lymph nodes, and foetoplacental tissue.CONCLUSION: Immunomodulators of plant origin are potentially usable for termination of unwanted pregnancy
Evidence that the Expression of Progesterone‐Induced Blocking Factor by Maternal T‐Lymphocytes Is Positively Correlated with Conception
Authors: Check Jerome H. , Arwitz Maria , Gross Jenifer , Szekeres‐Bartho Julia , Wu Chung H. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: To compare the expression by T‐lymphocytes of an immunomodulatory protein known as progesterone‐induced blocking factor (PIBF) in conception versus non‐conception cycles even when there has been definite fertilization and embryo formation.METHOD: PIBF expression on T lymphocytes was measured using an immunohistochemical method with a PIBF‐specific polyclonal antibody. These levels were determined in patients undergoing three types of therapy: non‐in vitro fertilization (IVF), IVF‐embryo transfer (ET), and frozen ET. Sera were drawn 12 days from ovulation in non‐IVF cycles or 9 days after ET and were assayed for PIBF and beta human chorionic gonadotropin. Comparison of the frequency of lymphocyte expression of PIBF in pregnant versus non‐pregnant women were made.RESULTS: PIBF was detected in 29.5% of non‐pregnant women and 52.5% of pregnant women. There were no differences in PIBF levels by therapy used in non‐pregnant cases or in the pregnant group.CONCLUSION: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that maternal expression of PIBF in T‐lymphocytes soon after trophoblast invasion may depend on successful implantation.
Immunomagnetic Isolation of Fetal Rat Gonocytes
Authors: van den Ham R. , van Pelt A.M.M. , de Miguel M.P. , van Kooten P.J.S. , Walther N. , van Dissel‐Emiliani F.M.F 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: An efficient method to obtain highly enriched populations of viable gonocytes from rat embryos at Day 18 and Day 20 postcoïtum (pc) is described.METHOD: Single‐cell suspensions with high cell yield were obtained by a collagenase/ trypsin digestion of the decapsulated testis. The gonocytes were purified by a direct immunoseparation technique,1,3 using magnetizable beads coated with rat anti‐mouse immunoglobulin M (IgM) and a monoclonal antibody 4B6.3E10, which specifically reacted with a differentiation antigen on the fetal germ cells.RESULTS: Populations of 8.3 ± 2.7 (x 103; 18 days pc) or 1.2 ± 0.25 (x 104; 20 days pc) viable gonocytes per testis with purities of 91 ± 6.5% and 92 ± 4.3%, respectively, as determined by Nomarski microscopy were obtained.CONCLUSION: The cells were successfully used for culture studies and as starting material for the investigation of gene expression.
Estradiol Down‐Regulates LPS‐Induced Cytokine Production and NFkB Activation in Murine Macrophages
Authors: Deshpande Rohini , Khalili Houman , Pergolizzi Robert G. , Michael Sandra D. , Chang Ming‐Der Y. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: In vivo and in vitro studies have indicated that estradiol can affect cytokine production in different cell types. This study examines whether estradiol affects inflammatory cytokine production by murine splenic macrophages.METHODS: Mouse splenic macrophages were first treated with 17β‐estradiol, followed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The production of cytokines by macrophages with or without estradiol treatment was determined at both the protein and mRNA levels. The nuclear factor‐kB (NFkB) activity of activated mouse splenic macrophages was also evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.RESULT: Our results show that 17β‐estradiol decreases LPS‐induced IL‐1α, IL‐6, and TNF‐α production but not IL‐10, IL‐12, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) production by splenic macrophages. Furthermore, inhibition of cytokine production by 17β‐estradiol was associated with a decreased LPS‐induced NFkB‐binding activity.CONCLUSION: Because cytokines are important mediators of immune function, the alteration of cytokine production by 17β‐estradiol may thus have a profound effect on the outcome of immune response during inflammation.
Evidence for an Elevation in Serum Interleukin‐2 and Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α Levels Before the Clinical Manifestations of Preeclampsia
Authors: Hamai Yoko , Fujii Tomoyuki , Yamashita Takahiro , Nishina Hidenori , Kozuma Shiro , Mikami Yasuyo , Taketani Yuji 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The purpose of this study is to clarify whether the disruption of immune regulation occurs in early pregnancy before the clinical manifestations of preeclampsia.METHOD OF STUDY: The serum concentrations of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were determined by using enzyme‐linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) in the first trimester of pregnancy in women who had preeclampsia develop after 28 weeks of pregnancy (preeclamptic group) and in women who completed pregnancy uneventfully (control group).RESULTS: Serum concentrations of both IL‐2 and TNF‐α in the first trimester of the preeclamptic group were significantly higher than those of the control group.CONCLUSIONS: That the perturbation of feto‐maternal immune regulation may precede the clinical manifestations of preeclampsia, which may be of relevance in the development of preeclampsia, is suggested.
Quantitative Analysis of Constitutive Heterochromatin in Couples with Fetal Wastage
Authors: Buretic‐Tomljanovic A. , Badovinac A. Radojcic , Vlastelic I. , Randic L.J. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Heteromorphism of constitutive heterochromatin is a stable evolutionary feature that is thought to cause no phenotypic alterations. Nevertheless, the role of constitutive heterochromatin is still unknown. The instability of constitutive heterochromatin was generally restricted to T‐lymphocytes and was associated with variable immunodeficiency. The heterochromatin regions of chromosomes 1, 9, 16, and Y have been postulated to play a role in the immune response and during early embryo development.METHOD OF STUDY: To investigate a possible influence of constitutive heterochromatin in human reproductive ability, quantitative analysis of constitutive heterochromatin in human chromosomes 1, 9, 16, and Y was done. Thirty couples were divided into two groups, owing to the clinical heterogeneity of their reproductive disorders. The first group included couples with two or more spontaneous abortions as the only pregnancy outcomes, and the second group included couples with a stillborn child with or without malformations. In the control group were couples with one or more healthy children without a history of fetal wastage. All of the persons in this study had normal karyotypes. The amount of constitutive heterochromatin was expressed by relative value using the simple transformation [q/(p + q)]. This value, obtained on GTG‐banded metaphase chromosomes, represented an indirect measure of heterochromatin content. The Y/F index was used to express the relative amount of heterochromatin in chromosome Y.RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the heterochromatin content of the chromosome 16 homologue pair in males and females with a stillborn or a stillborn malformed child (P < 0.01) and an increase in total heterochromatin cell content compared to controls (P = 0.005). The same couples had significantly increased mean maximal heterochromatin content in the potential zygotes (P < 0.02). The couples who experienced spontaneous abortions only had a minimal total heterochromatin content in the potential zygotes (P < 0.05). The Y/F index was significantly lower in the males in both groups compared to controls (P1 < 0.02; P2 < 0.02).CONCLUSION: The quantitative analysis of constitutive heterochromatin could be valuable in predicting pregnancy outcome.
Antisperm Antibody Detection: 2. Clinical, Biological, and Statistical Correlation Between Methods
Authors: Lenzi Andrea , Gandini Loredana , Lombardo Francesco , Rago Rocco , Paoli Donatella , Dondero Franco 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: In clinical andrology, the detection of antisperm antibodies (ASA) is regarded as one of the most important steps in the study of male infertility. This practice is generally accepted even though there is still some disagreement about the true meaning of antisperm immunity, and there remains a good deal of controversy about the test regarded as the most suitable for the detection of antibodies directed against sperm antigens. International Workshops have tried to standardize universally accepted protocols. A panel of three or four methods is generally advised to provide a correct and complete screening of patients with antisperm immunity.The aim of the present paper is to report our studies on the correlation between direct methods (IBT, MAR test) and indirect methods (gelatin agglutination test [GAT], and tray agglutination test [TAT]) and to establish whether biological models can explain the antibody tests results. An attempt was also made to establish a “predictive threshold” to explain even apparently discordant direct and indirect results.
Ten‐Year Experience with Antispermatozoal Activity in Ovulatory Cervical Mucus and Local Hydrocortisone Treatment
Authors: Ulčová‐Gallová Zdenka 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: During 1987–1996, cervical mucus spermagglutinating antibodies of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) or IgG detected by the tray agglutination test (TAT) and the indirect mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) test were found in 234 women aged 23–39 years with previously unexplained infertility.METHOD OF STUDY: Hydrocortisone was applied to the ectocervix.RESULTS: Spermagglutinating antibodies of sIgA disappeared totally in 102 patients (91 resulting in deliveries of healthy babies, 3 in ectopic pregnancies, and 8 in spontaneous miscarriages). A decrease of spermagglutinating antibodies in ovulatory mucus during hydrocortisone application without pregnancy was registered in 60 infertile women. This group was referred to treatment by in vitro fertilization. No hydrocortisone effect on immunocompetent cells producing antispermatozoal IgG alone or combined with sIgA was seen in 72 patients.CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal mycosis, a side effect of hydrocortisone treatment, was seen in seven cases. Hydrocortisone for local immunosuppression becomes a valuable method of therapy in cervical immunologic infertility caused predominantly by antispermatozoal sIgA.
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Leukocytes in the Human Female Reproductive Tract: Comparison of Fallopian Tube, Uterus, Cervix, and Vagina
Authors: Givan Alice L. , White Hillary D. , Stern Judy E. , Colby Esther , Guyre Paul M. , Wira Charles R. , Gosselin Edmund J. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: The tissues of the human female reproductive tract (Fallopian tube, uterus, cervix, and vagina) may play different roles in the provision of mucosal immunity. The purpose of this study was to develop a uniform method suitable for quantitative comparison of the leukocytes from all these tissues.METHOD OF STUDY: Tissues, typically 0.5‐1.0 g, were dispersed by enzyme treatment. A flow cytometric gating procedure based on CD45‐positivity and low far‐red autofluorescence permitted unfractionated, freshly dispersed cells to be phenotyped with respect to T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, macrophages, and granulocytes.RESULTS: Reproductive tract tissues contain leukocytes that represent approximately 6–20% of the total number of cells, with the Fallopian tubes and uterus containing a higher proportion of leukocytes than the cervix and vagina. The uterine endometrium from postmenopausal women has fewer leukocytes than does uterine endometrium from pre‐menopausal women. T lymphocytes are a major constituent (30–60%) of leukocytes from all tissues. The Fallopian tube contains granulocytes as another major constituent; granulocytes are significantly less numerous in the other tissues. All tissues contain B lymphocytes and macrophages as clearly detectable but minor components.CONCLUSIONS: Three‐color flow cytometry is an appropriate method for quantitative comparison of leukocytes from the different tissues of the female reproductive tract, during all phases of the menstrual cycle and within post‐menopausal samples. Results indicate that the tissues differ from each other, particularly with respect to the large number of granulocytes in the Fallopian tubes.
Expression of IGFs and Their Receptors Is a Potential Marker for Embryo Quality
Authors: Liu Hung‐Ching , He Zhi‐Ying , Mele Carol A. , Veeck Lucinda L. , Davis Owen K. , Rosenwaks Zev 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin have been demonstrated to stimulate oocyte maturation and embryo development. Therefore, the expression of IGFs and their receptors may be an important intrinsic factor for embryo growth and may be a potential marker for embryo quality.METHOD OF STUDY: Thirty donated day 3 embryos were cultured in vitro for an additional 3 days to observe their developmental potential and were semiquantitatively analyzed for the expression of IGF‐I, IGF‐II, IGF‐IR, IGF‐IIR, and insulin‐R.RESULTS: Our results show that the activity of these gene expressions correlates well with the morphological assessment and that high and more gene expressions were often associated with embryos of high growth potential.CONCLUSION: The IGF system may indeed play an important role in human embryogenesis; IGF gene expressions can be a good indicator of embryonic developmental stage and/or growth potential; finally, the IGF system can serve as a marker for embryo quality.
Immunolocalization of the Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Isoform in Human Fetal Membranes
Authors: Eis A.L.W. , Brockman D.E. , Myatt L. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by fetal membranes may protect the fetus from maternal infection or immune challenge or have a tocolytic effect on myometrium. The sites of synthesis and enzymes responsible for NO production in human fetal membranes remain unidentified.METHOD OF STUDY: Fetal membranes were obtained from four groups of patients: term (>37 weeks gestation) or preterm (<37 weeks gestation), both either in labor or not in labor. Frozen sections of membrane rolls were immunostained for inducible (iNOS) and endothelial (eNOS) nitric oxide synthase isoforms and the monocyte/macrophage marker CD14.RESULTS: Positive iNOS immunostaining was found in fibroblasts of amnionic and chorionic mesenchyme and in decidual macrophages identified by CD14 from all four groups of tissues. No iNOS immunostaining was seen in amnion epithelium or chorion trophoblast. Very intense iNOS staining was seen with evidence of monocyte/macrophage invasion of membranes. eNOS immunostaining was only found in decidual vascular endothelium.CONCLUSIONS: Constitutive expression of iNOS in decidual macrophages and fetal membrane fibroblasts may form an immune barrier against maternal insult. In chorioamnionitis, macrophage recruitment and NO expression may be part of the maternal immune response.
Invasion of Cytotrophoblastic (JEG‐3) Cells Is Up‐Regulated by Interleukin‐15 In Vitro
Authors: Zygmunt M. , Hahn D. , Kiesenbauer N. , Münstedt K. , Lang U. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Trophoblast invasion into the uterus is controlled by many factors. Some cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐10) have been shown previously to play an important role in placentation. The human placenta is an important source of IL‐15, although the cellular source of IL‐15 in the placenta has not yet been specified. IL‐15 influences cell adhesion and migration by redistributing adhesion molecules in lymphocytes and has been shown to have effects on endothelial cells and in some human tumors.METHOD OF STUDY: To study the role of IL‐15 in trophoblast invasion, we investigated the effect of IL‐15 (concentrations, 1–10 ng/ml) in a trophoblast invasion model (JEG‐3 with matrigel‐coated filters). Cell invasion was assessed using matrigel‐coated filters and was expressed as the quotient of invading cells in comparison with the number of cells that had passed the control membrane. Cell migration was studied by examining the number of cells that had passed the filters without matrigel. Cell proliferation was quantified by a tetrazolium salt WST‐1 cleavage assay. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1, MMP‐2, and MMP‐9 activities were measured by specific enzyme assays.RESULTS: IL‐15 significantly (P < 0.05) increased the in vitro invasion of cytotrophoblastic (JEG‐3) cells in a dose‐dependent manner. There was a fourfold increase in the invasion at a concentration of 10 ng/ml of IL‐15. Migration also was increased by a factor of 2.3 (P < 0.05). Cell proliferation, however, remained unchanged. The collagenolytic activity of cytotrophoblastic (JEG‐3) cells was increased by IL‐15 stimulation. A significant increase in MMP‐1 concentration occurred after the incubation of JEG‐3 cells with IL‐15. No changes appeared in MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 concentrations.CONCLUSIONS: Trophoblast invasion and migration, but not proliferation, are enhanced by IL‐15. Our results suggest a role for IL‐15 in the modulation of MMP‐1 secretion by JEG‐3 cells. Furthermore, we speculate, that IL‐15 might be related to the changes of cell adhesion molecule phenotype during the process of invasion.
Comparative Studies on the Effects of Interleukin‐4 and Interleukin‐13 on Cytokine and Prostaglandin E2 Production by Amnion‐derived WISH Cells
Authors: Keelan Jeffrey A. , Sato Timothy A. , Mitchell Murray D. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: In hematopoietic cells, interleukin (IL)‐13 shares many actions with IL‐4. The effects of IL‐13 in gestational tissues have yet to be reported, however. We compared the effects of IL‐4 and IL‐13 on the production of cytokines and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in epithelial amnion‐derived WISH cells.METHOD OF STUDY: WISH cells were treated with IL‐4 or IL‐13 (0.08–10 ng/ml) with/without cotreatment with IL‐1β (0.2 ng/ml), tumor necrosis factor‐α (10 ng/ml) or epidermal growth factor (5 ng/ml). The production of IL‐6, IL‐8, and PGE2 was measured by immunoassay after 16 hr.RESULTS: Both IL‐4 and IL‐13 inhibited PGE2 production with indistinguishable concentration‐response curves, under basal or stimulated conditions. The maximal inhibition of IL‐1β‐stimulated PGE2 production (to 28% ± 10% of control) was seen at 10 ng/ml of IL‐4 or IL‐13. Basal IL‐6 production was stimulated approximately twofold by IL‐4 and IL‐13, whereas IL‐4 and IL‐13 both inhibited cytokine‐stimulated (but not basal) IL‐8 production by approximately 50%. In the presence of 1 ng/ml of IL‐4, IL‐13 was unable to further inhibit PGE2 production.CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of PGE2 and IL‐8 production by IL‐4 in WISH cells is mimicked by IL‐13. Both cytokines, probably through binding to a common receptor complex, may share a role in suppressing inflammatory reactions within intrauterine tissues.
Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity and Paternal Lymphocyte Immunization in Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions
Authors: Kwak Joanne Y.H. , Gilman‐Sachs Alice , Moretti Michael , Beaman Kenneth D. , Beer Alan E. 
Published: September 2011

PROBLEM: Natural killer (NK)‐cell cytotoxicity in women undergoing lymphocyte immunization prior to and following treatment was investigated.METHOD OF STUDY: A cohort of 33 women with a history of two or more recurrent spontaneous abortions was prospectively studied. NK‐cell cytotoxicity was determined at effector‐to‐target ratios of 50:1 and 25:1. Peripheral blood CD56+ NK‐cell, CD 19+ B‐cell, CD19+/5+ B‐l‐cell, and CD3+ pan T‐cell levels were studied by flow cytometry before and after lymphocyte immunization treatment. Maternal antipaternal T‐ and B‐cell antibody levels were measured before and after lymphocyte immunization by flow cytometric analysis. Paternal lymphocyte immunizations were given two times with a 4‐week interval. Post‐lymphocyte immunization testing was done 4 weeks after the second lymphocyte immunization. The controls were 8 normal healthy women. NK assays were done twice with an interval of 8 weeks.RESULTS: NK‐cell activity at effector‐to‐target ratios of 50:1 (P = 0.005) and 25:1 (P = 0.001) were significantly suppressed after lymphocyte immunization. CD3+ pan T‐cell levels after lymphocyte immunization were significantly increased compared with levels before lymphocyte immunization (P = 0.008). CD56+ NK‐cell levels were significantly suppressed after lymphocyte immunization (P = 0.016). There was no correlation between changes in NK cytotoxicity and differences in antipaternal lymphocyte antibody levels before or after lymphocyte immunization.CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte immunization suppresses NK‐cell cytotoxicity and CD56+ NK‐cell levels and increases the peripheral blood CD3+ T‐cell population in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions.