bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of Intracellular Th1 and Th2 Cytokines in Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion, Implantation Failures after IVF/ET or Normal Pregnancy
Authors: NG SIU CHUI , GILMAN‐SACHS ALICE , THAKER POONAM , BEAMAN KENNETH D. , BEER ALAN E. , KWAK‐KIM JOANNE 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: We aimed to investigate absolute counts of intracellular T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokine expressing T‐cell subpopulations in women with three or more recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), multiple implantation failures after in‐vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET) (three or more) or during normal pregnancy.METHOD OF STUDY: Absolute cell counts and percentages of CD3+, CD3+/CD4+, and CD3+/CD8+ T‐cell populations expressing intracellular cytokines [interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐10] was studied by four‐color flow cytometry in 15 RSA and 13 implantation failure patients. Eighteen fertile non‐pregnant and 47 normal pregnant women were also compared with regard to intracellular cytokine expression.RESULTS: Interleukin‐10 producing CD3+/CD8+ T‐cell counts were significantly lower in women with RSA (P < 0.05) and implantation failures (P < 0.05), and TNF‐α producing CD3+/CD4+ T‐cell counts were higher in women with RSA (P < 0.05) and implantation failures (P < 0.005) than those of non‐pregnant fertile controls. During normal pregnancies, first trimester IL‐4 expressing CD3+, CD3+/CD4+ T‐cell counts (P < 0.05) and IFN‐γ expressing CD3+ T‐cell counts (P < 0.05) were significantly higher than those of third trimester (P < 0.05). First trimester TNF‐α expressing CD3+/CD8+ T‐cell counts were significantly higher than those of second and third trimester women (P < 0.05). However, there are no differences in cytokine expression between non‐pregnant and first trimester pregnant women.CONCLUSION: Absolute counts of IFN‐γ, IL‐4, and TNF‐α expressing T cells decrease with the progress of gestation (third trimester) during normal pregnancies. In women with implantation failures, absolute cell counts of TNF‐α expressing CD3+/4+ cells reflects the presence of dominant Th1 immune response. A significantly increased Th1 cytokine expression may be the underlying immune etiology for reproductive failures.
Heat Shock Fusion Protein gp96‐Ig Mediates Strong CD8 CTL Expansion in vivo
Authors: ŠTRBO NATAŠA , YAMAZAKI KOICHI , LEE KELVIN , RUKAVINA DANIEL , PODACK ECKHARD R. 
Published: March 2003

Štrbo N, Yamazaki K, Lee K, Rukavina D, Podack ER. Heat shock fusion protein gp96‐Ig mediates strong CD8 CTL expansion
in vivo.
AJRI 2002; 48:220–225 © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002 PROBLEM: As shown previously, gp96‐Ig peptide complexes secreted by an ovalbumin transfected tumor (EG7) mediate strong, specific tumor immunity through a CD4 T cell independent CD8+ CTL response. In this study, we set out to develop a system to quantitatively determine the CD8 CTL response to gp96‐Ig and to evaluate the influence of an established wild type tumor.METHODS: Secreted heat shock protein gp96‐Ig was constructed by replacement of the endoplasmic reticulum retention signal with the Fc portion of IgG1, transfected into EG7 (EG7‐gp96‐Ig) and used to induce CD8+ CTL expansion in vivo. Adoptively transferred, ovalbumin specific T‐cell receptor (TCR) transgenic CD8+ cells (OT‐1) responded with clonal expansion to the immunization with EG7‐gp96‐Ig. OT‐1 expansion was quantitated with Kb‐peptide‐tetramers by flow cytometry.RESULTS: In response to primary immunization with EG7‐gp96‐Ig, OT‐1 expand from an initial frequency of 0.5 to 25% of all CD8 cells, and to 50% of all CD8 cells after a booster immunization. Endogenous ovalbumin specific CD8 cells also expand strongly. Antigen specific effector function was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot‐forming cell assay (ELISPOT) for interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ). While effector function was strongly induced by secreted gp96‐Ig, not all expanded OT‐1 produce IFN‐γ. EG7 does not cause OT‐1 expansion, but rather induces anergy. If OT‐1 are transferred into wild type EG7 tumor bearing mice to induce anergy of OT‐1, immunization with EG7‐gp96‐Ig can partly overcome unresponsiveness.CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that secreted gp96‐Ig is a powerful mediator of specific CD8+ CTL responses in vivo. Secretory gp96 mimics release of gp96 by damaged or necrotic cells that is able to activate dendritic cells without CD4 help. Gp96‐Ig associated peptides have not been selected by binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Specific immunization by secreted gp96‐Ig therefore is expected to occur also in allogeneic settings.
Distinct Pathways for Constitutive Endocytosis of Fully Conformed and Non‐conformed Ld Molecules
Authors: MAHMUTEFENDIĆ HANA , KUČIĆ NATALIA , LUČIN PERO 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: To characterize the constitutive internalization of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, we have studied the expression of completely conformed (full) and unconformed (empty) Ld molecules on non‐polarized murine P815 cells.METHODS OF STUDY: Spontaneous endocytosis of Ld molecules was induced by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, and their disappearance from the cell surface was determined by flow cytometry. In order to investigate the mechanism of internalization, a palette of inhibitors of endocytosis and vesicular transport was used.RESULTS: Inhibitors of clathrine endocytosis did not influence the internalization of Ld molecules. Inhibitors of caveolar endocytosis and inhibitors of endolysosomal degradation prevented down‐regulation of empty, but not of full Ld molecules.CONCLUSIONS: Empty Ld molecules are internalized mostly by caveolar endocytosis and full Ld molecules use a different pathway, neither clathrine‐mediated nor caveolar. After internalization, full Ld molecules are probably degraded and empty Ld molecules recycle between endosomal compartment and the cell surface before they enter into the degradation compartment.
Questioning the Th1/Th2 Paradigm in Reproduction: Peripheral Levels of IL‐12 are Down‐Regulated in Miscarriage Patients
Authors: ZENCLUSSEN ANA C. , FEST STEFAN , BUSSE PETRA , JOACHIM RICARDA , KLAPP BURGHARD F. , ARCK PETRA C. 
Published: March 2003

Zenclussen AC, Fest S, Busse P, Joachim R, Klapp BF, Arck PC. Questioning the Th1/Th2 paradigm in reproduction: peripheral levels of IL‐12 are down‐regulated in miscarriage patients. AJRI 2002; 48:245–251 © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002 PROBLEM: It has been postulated that a T helper (Th)1 response is associated with pregnancy failure, whereas a Th2 response contributes to pregnancy maintenance. However, this Th1/Th2 dichotomy has recently been hypothesized to be an oversimplification. To prove this novel hypothesis, we investigated the levels of the Th1‐inducer cytokine interleukin (IL)‐12 in immunocompetent cells of patients with normal pregnancies (NP) and spontaneous abortion (SA).METHODS: Presence of intracellular IL‐12 was evaluated in CD8+ and CD56+ blood and decidual lymphocytes as well as in monocytes and granulocytes by flow cytometry from NP and SA individuals. IL‐12 serum levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We further investigated the effect of recombinant human (rh) IL‐12 on the production of interferon (IFN)‐γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in peripheral leukocytes ex vivo.RESULTS: In patients suffering from SA we observed lower percentages of IL‐12 in lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes derived from peripheral blood and decidua, compared with women with normally progressing pregnancies. No differences could be observed when evaluating the levels of IL‐12 in the granulocyte population. The IL‐12 serum levels were below the ELISA sensitivity limit. Ex vivo stimulation of the peripheral blood cells with increasing doses of IL‐12 resulted in a significant decrease of IFN‐γ+, whereas levels of TNF‐α+ in lymphocytes were unaffected.CONCLUSIONS: The classical Th1/Th2 paradigm appears to be insufficient to exclusively explain the causes of pregnancy loss. Our current results render us to requestion the role of Th1 cytokines during pregnancy and suggest some protective function of the Th1‐inducer cytokine IL‐12.
Chemical Pregnancies: Immunologic and Ultrasonographic Studies
Authors: Coulam Carolyn B. , Roussev Roumen 
Published: March 2003

Coulam CB, Roussev R. Chemical pregnancies: immunologic and ultrasonographic studies. AJRI 2002; 48:323–328 © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002PROBLEM: Implantation of the embryo determines successful from unsuccessful cycles after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET). The purpose of this study was to compare immunologic risk factors among women experiencing implanation failure characterized by a negative pregnancy test after IVF/ET and those experiencing chemical pregnancies. In addition ultrasonographic measurement of gestational sac size from 24 to 35 days from last menstrual period (LMP) were compared between chemical pregnancies and other pregnancy outcomes.METHODS OF STUDY: Blood samples from 122 women experiencing IVF implantation failure with a negative pregnancy test after ET and 20 women with chemical pregnancies were evaluated for the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APA), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), circulating embryotoxins (ETA) and elevated levels of natural killer (NK) cells. Gestational sac size measured from 24 to 35 days form LMP were compared according to pregnancy outcome: term birth (n=46), ectopic pregnancy (n=49), spontaneous abortion (n=56) and chemical pregnancy (n=20).RESULTS: Women experiencing chemical pregnancies had a higher frequency of APA than women with implantation failure associated with a negative pregnancy test (80% versus 28%, P < 0.0001). The prevalence of ANA, elevated NK cells and ETA was not different between the two groups. The mean gestational sac size from 24 to 35 days from LMP did not differ when chemical pregnancies were compared with pregnancies progressing longer than 35 days. The maximal gestational sac diameter among chemical pregnancies was 3.8 mm.CONCLUSION: Mechanisms involved in implantation failure associated with a negative pregnancy test may be different from those involved in chemical pregnancies. Chemical pregnancies may be the result of defective angiogenesis.
A refined method for lymphocyte isolation from the placenta
Authors: Miranda Silvia , Pöhlmann Tobias , Förster Katharina , Neundorf Rita , Kaufmann Andreas , Markert Udo R. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVES:  Analysis of placental lymphocytesfrom different compartments is crucial for many questions in reproductive immunology. A separation of lymphocytes after tissue disaggregations leads to a mixture of maternal and fetal lymphocytes, which are difficult to distinguish by simple methods. HLA‐A2 is expressed by 29% (Romanians) – 45% (Spanish) of a Caucasian population and might be a marker for this approach.METHODS/RESULTS:  Extravillous blood is obtained by rinsing a placenta lobus with a special pump and tube system. Such blood is usually contaminated with fetal cells. Lymphocytes are separated by a common density gradient. Lymphocytes from rinsed tissue are isolated by mechanical and enzymatical disaggregation followed by a density gradient. By using this method, fetal and maternal lymphocytes are generally widely mixed. Anti‐HLA‐A2 monoclonal antibodies are produced by a murine hybridoma cell line. In positive individuals 29–53% of lymphocytes were HLA‐A2 positive. In approximately 25% of pregnancies a discordance of HLA‐A2 expression between the mother and her fetus was found. When lymphocytes are isolated from placentae of such combinations, at least HLA‐A2 positive cells can be easily detected by flow cytometry. All positive cells derive from the same individual, whereas the origin of negative cells cannot be determined. By application of a secondary microbeads labelled antimurin antibody, anti‐HLA‐A2 can be also used for magnet activated cell separation and used for enrichment of cells of one single origin.CONCLUSION:  In c. 25% of pregnancies the use of anti‐HLA‐A2 antibodies allows a distinction of maternal and fetal cells and their respective enrichment.
Immunoglobulins and Cytokines Level in Follicular Fluid in Relation to Etiology of Infertility and their Relevance to IVF Outcome
Authors: HAMMADEH MOHAMAD Eid , ERTAN A. KUBILY , ZEPPEZAUER MICHAEL , BALTES SABINE , GEORG THOMAS , ROSENBAUM PETER , SCHMIDT WERNER 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the present study were to (i) determine the presence and concentration of albumin fractions (α1, α2, β, γ), immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) and cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF)] in periovulatory ovarian follicular fluid (FF) of in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients, (ii) examine the relationship between these parameters and the etiology of infertility as well as the IVF outcome and (iii) find out if these parameters in FF could be used as a predictive factor of IVF outcome.DESIGN: The levels of albumin fractions, immunoglobulin and cytokines were measured from women who underwent IVF therapy for various indications and the results were compared between the patient groups and IVF outcome.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Follicular fluid was obtained from 160 IVF patients. A total of 79 patients underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulations (COH) either with follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) or HMG. Whereas, the HMG was used for the second set of patients (n=81) – after down regulation with gondotropin‐releasing hormone agonists (Gn‐RHa) – the protein fractions were determined using electrophoresis separation. Immunoglobulins were measured using a commercial kits and the concentration of cytokines was determined by the highly sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods.RESULTS: The stimulation regimens used have no effect on albumin (α1, α2, β, γ) and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, IgM) concentrations, as no significant difference was observed between the two groups. Besides, no specific relationship was found between the concentration of these investigated parameter in FF and etiology of infertility or fertilization, cleavage and pregnancy rate. Besides, there were no significant differences between the groups for any cytokine investigated. Moreover, there were no correlations between the concentration of IL‐6, IL‐8 and GM‐CSF in FF and steroid hormone concentration in the blood at the day of oocytes retrieval or IVF outcome.IN CONCLUSION: Total protein, albumin fraction, immunoglobulins and cytokines level in FF of patients undergoing COH for IVF therapy for various etiology of infertility could not be a useful parameter for predicting IVF outcome.
Diversity of Antisperm Antibodies Bound to Sperm Surface in Male Immunological Infertility
Authors: SHIBAHARA HIROAKI , TSUNODA TETSUO , TANEICHI AKIYO , HIRANO YUKI , OHNO AKIKO , TAKAMIZAWA SATORU , YAMAGUCHI CHIEKO , TSUNODA HIROMICHI , SATO IKUO 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: The presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) in males can reduce fecundity, however, relationship between the two is disputed. This study was performed to investigate if there is diversity of ASA bound to sperm surface using immunobead test (IBT) combined with complement dependent sperm immobilization test (SIT).METHODS: The ASA bound to sperm surface were detected using the direct IBT (D‐IBT) in 275 semen samples. In some cases with ASA detected by D‐IBT, sperm immobilizing antibodies bound to sperm surface were also evaluated using direct SIT (D‐SIT).RESULTS: The incidence of the immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM classes of ASA detected by D‐IBT were 2.5, 1.8, and 0.4%, respectively. Totally, nine (3.3%) infertile men had ASA on the sperm surface. D‐SIT was tested positive in four (66.7%) of six cases with ASA assessed by D‐IBT.CONCLUSIONS: Some of the sperm‐bound antibodies are associated with complement dependent sperm immobilizing antibodies, indicating that there exists a heterogeneity of sperm‐bound antibodies. This result might be one of the reasons for the controversy about the relationship between ASA and immunological infertility in men.
Lattice organs in y‐cyprids of the Facetotecta and their significance in the phylogeny of the Crustacea Thecostraca
Authors: Høeg J. T , Kolbasov G. A 
Published: March 2003

AbstractScanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) were used to study lattice organs in facetotectan y‐cyprids from the White Sea and from Norwegian and Bahamian waters. The larvae represent at least four and possibly five different species of Facetotecta. Y‐cyprids have five pairs of lattice organs in the head shield (carapace) organized into two anterior pairs and three posterior pairs. Both groups of lattice organs are arranged around a large central pore. The facetotectan lattice organs are elongate areas with a longitudinal keel, just as in the Ascothoracida and some Cirripedia Acrothoracica. The terminal pore of the organs is situated posteriorly in all five pairs. TEM confirms that the organs have the same general morphology as in the Cirripedia and Ascothoracida, namely, a cuticular chamber into which project ciliary segments from the chemosensory cells. Unlike Cirripedia the cuticular roof of the chamber lacks any pores. We conclude that five pairs of lattice organs represent an autapomorphy for the Thecostraca, which supports the monophyly of this taxon. In the ground pattern the terminal pore is posterior in all five pairs. The anterior position of the pore in lattice organ pair 2 is apomorphic for the Cirripedia, while within this taxon an anterior position also in pair 1 is apomorphic for a monophylum comprising the Thoracica and the Rhizocephala. Minute pores in the roof of the organs is another apomorphy of the Cirripedia, but its elaboration into pores visible with SEM may have been subject to some homoplasy. Since lattice organs are omnipresent in the settling instar of the Thecostraca they probably serve a critical role for the function of these cypris or cypris‐like larvae.
Outcome evaluation in a surgical intensive care unit in Barbados
Authors: Hariharan S. , Moseley H. S. L. , Kumar A. Y. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe performance of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scoring system was␣prospectively assessed in the surgical intensive care unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados. A total of 309 patients admitted consecutively during a 2‐year period (1999–2001) were evaluated. Demographic data, diagnosis, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score,␣duration of stay and hospital outcome were recorded. The predicted mortality for every patient and the costs incurred were also calculated. The overall observed mortality rate was 15.9% while the mean predicted mortality rate for our case‐mix was 16.4%, which is comparable to results␣from developed countries. The cost incurred per patient was much lower at $13 636 (Barbados), compared to the patients' cost in North America ($60 000 Barbados).
Comparability of the amniotic fluid index and single deepest pocket measurements in clinical practice
Authors: Magann Everett F. , Chauhan Suneet P. , Bofill James A. , Martin James N. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTwo ultrasound techniques, the amniotic fluid index (AFI) and the single deepest pocket (SDP), are currently used to detect oligohydramnios, predict variable decelerations, risk of Caesarean delivery for fetal distress, Apgar scores, umbilical cord artery pH, perinatal mortality, and cerebral palsy. Both techniques poorly identify oligohydramnios. Both techniques identify pregnancies at risk for variable decelerations, low Apgar scores, and Caesarean delivery for fetal distress. Only the SDP is predictive of a compromised fetus–umbilical artery pH, as a stand‐alone test, has been correlated with perinatal mortality, and as part of the biophysical profile has been linked to cerebral palsy. This brief communication reviews the comparability of these two techniques and which method, if either, is superior in the identification of oligohydramnios, the predictability of these techniques to identify an adverse pregnancy outcome, and the ability to predict cerebral palsy and perinatal mortality.
Changes in body image satisfaction during pregnancy: A comparison of high exercising and low exercising women
Authors: Boscaglia Nadia , Skouteris Helen , Wertheim Eleanor H. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective: This study aimed to compare ratings of body image satisfaction (BIS) from 6 months prepregnancy to 23–30 weeks’ gestation for high exercising and low exercising pregnant women. The authors also aimed to assess and compare expectations of BIS for the post‐partum period in high and low exercising women.Design: A partial prospective approach was implemented.Sample: A total of 71 healthy pregnant women (40 high exercisers and 31 low exercisers) participated.Methods: Participants completed a series of questionnaires at 15–22 weeks’ gestation and 23–30 weeks’ gestation.Main outcome measures: There were two main outcome measures. At 15–22 weeks’ gestation there was an exercise inventory and two versions of the Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) (retrospective prepregnancy BIS and current BIS). At 23–30 weeks’ gestation there was an exercise inventory and two versions of the BCS (current BIS and projected post‐partum BIS).Results:  At 15–22 weeks’ gestation, high exercisers demonstrated significantly higher levels of BIS compared to low exercisers. There were no other significant differences between groups. Within groups, high exercisers were significantly more satisfied with their bodies at 15–22 weeks’ gestation compared to 6 months prepregnancy, and expected to be less satisfied with their bodies at 6 weeks’ post‐partum than they were during pregnancy. Low exercisers demonstrated no significant changes over time.Conclusions: The findings suggest that women are able to assimilate the bodily changes of pregnancy without a negative shift in BIS. However, women who exercise during pregnancy may respond more favourably to changes in their bodies at early pregnancy compared to women who remain sedentary.
Randomized, dose-finding phase III study of lithium gamolenate in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Johnson C D , Puntis M , Davidson N , Todd S , Bryce R 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
Chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer offers small survival benefits and considerable side-effects. Unsaturated fatty acids have an antitumour effect in experimental studies; in phase II studies few side-effects were seen.

Methods
In this group-sequential, open-label, randomized study, 278 patients with a diagnosis of inoperable pancreatic cancer were treated with either oral (700 mg daily for 15 days), low-dose (0·28 g/kg) or high-dose (0·84 g/kg) intravenous lithium gamolenate (LiGLA). The primary endpoint was survival time from randomization using Kaplan–Meier estimates.

Results
Median survival after oral and low-dose intravenous treatment was 129 and 121 days respectively. Median survival after high-dose intravenous treatment was 94 days. A good Karnofsky score and the absence of metastases were associated with increased survival. Haemolysis, a marker of rapid infusion, was associated with a median survival time of 249 days in the low-dose intravenous group.

Conclusion
Oral or low-dose intravenous LiGLA led to survival times similar to those of other treatments for pancreatic cancer although one subgroup (low-dose intravenous LiGLA with haemolysis) had longer survival. High-dose intravenous treatment appeared to have an adverse effect. Systemic treatment with LiGLA cannot be recommended for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.