bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between cytokine concentration in serum, pre‐ovulatory follicular fluid and icsi outcome
Authors: Hammadeh M.E. , Hoffmeister H. , Rosenbaum P. , Schmidt W. 
Published: March 2003

This study was undertaken to determine the concentrations of fibroblast growth factor (FGF), stem cell factor (SCF) and soluble intracellular adhesion molecule (sICAM) in serum and follicular fluid (FF) of patients who became pregnant (G.I) and those who did not (G.II) after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) therapy and to find out whether any relationship could exist between cytokine concentration in serum, FF on the day of oocytes retrieval and ICSI outcome.Serum and FF was collected from 75 consecutive patients undergoing COH for ICSI therapy after pituitary down regulation with GnRHa. Three ampules (225 IU) of (hMG) were administered daily from day 3–7 of the cycle. 10.000 IU HCG was given i.m. Follicular aspiration was performed 35–36 hr after HCG injection. These cytokines were measured with ELISA assay kits. The cytokine levels in the serum of (G.I) were 8.5 + 10.5 pg/mL, 235.8 + 81.10 ng/mL and 597.7 + 139.9 pg/mL and the corresponding concentrations of (G.II) were (6.4 + 3.6, 230.6 + 66.5 and 569.6 + 91.4, respectively). There was no significant difference between the cytokines concentration in serum and FF in the groups. However, in both groups, the concentration of FGF and SCF in FF was significantly higher (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.05) than the value observed in serum. Whereas, the sICAM concentration was significantly higher of serum in comparison to FF value. The two groups did not differ significantly for the total number of gonadotropin ampoules administered, oestradiol concentration on the day of HCG injection, number of retrieved oocytes, and fertilization rate. In conclusion: Group I (the 25 women who did become pregnant) and group II (the 50 women who did not become pregnant) did not differ significantly for any of these cytokines concentrations. Besides, the ICSI outcome was not related to serum or follicular fluid concentrations of FGF, sICAM and SCF concentrations.
Therapy with Dendritic Cells (DCs) control fetal abortion rate in the CBA/J × DBA/2J mouse model
Authors: Blois Sandra M. , Olmos Sofia , Zenclussen Ana C. , Soto Catalina A. , Chuluyan Eduardo , Arias Karina , Gentile Maria T. , Arck Petra C. , Margni Ricardo A. 
Published: March 2003

DBA/2J mated‐CBA/J female mice are prone to a high incidence of fetal abortions. This fetal wastage can be dramatically reduced by immunizing the female mice with BALB/c, but not DBA/2J spleen cells during early gestation, whereas underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Recently, DCs have been described at the feto‐maternal interface in human uterus. The aim of this study was to analyse the role of DCs in the maintenance of pregnancy in the CBA/J × DBA/2J model. Bone marrow derived DCs were generated from virgin female CBA/J mice (6–8 weeks old) by using a modified version of Inaba's et al. technique, some of the DCs were pulsed with paternal DBA/2 J antigens lisate ex vivo. Immunization with DCs of the CBA/J females took place twice before matings. Four different experimental groups were included: (1) no treatment control, (2) mice injected with conditionated medium (GM‐CSF), (3) immunized with DCs and (4) immunized with Ag‐pulsed DCs, n = 5, respectively. Therapy with paternal antigen lisate pulsed DCs as well as the therapy with DCs alone significantly reduced the abortion rate from 23.8% in the controls (1 + 2) to 2.2% in Group 3 and 5% in Group 4. Our results indicate a protective role of DCs at the feto‐maternal interface during pregnancy. Putative pathways are the induction of an immunological response necessary in the prevention of abortion, i.e. a Th2 milieu or the production of asymmetric antibodies. These preliminary results may foster additional experiments on DCs in reproductive biology, which may soon be translated into clinically relevant health applications in a novel area of DCs research.
Increased Expression of Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5) in Blood and Decidual Cells in A Mouse Model for Preeclampsia (PE)
Authors: Zenclussen Ana C. , Fest Stefan , Joachim Ricarda A. , Hagen Evelin , Klapp Burghard F. , Arck Petra C. 
Published: March 2003

A multicascade of leukocyte–endothelial cell interactions is involved in lymphocytes trafficking into tissues. Leukocytes adhesion to the endothelium is mediated by the interaction between endothelial chemokines and their receptors expressed on leukocytes. CCR5 expression has been intensively studied over the last years, since it is not only a trafficking marker, but also a reliable marker to identify Th1 cells. Further, we recently reported a PE mouse model, with increased blood pressure, proteinuria and pathological kidneys accompanied by increased peripheral and local Th1 cytokines levels compared to normal pregnant mice (NP). Here, we investigated whether the extravasation of Th1 lymphocytes into decidua was mediated by CCR5 during experimental PE. We evaluated (1) cytokines secretion and CCR5 expression by immune blood cells and (2) cytokines secretion as well as CCR5 levels in decidual lymphocytes using flow cytometry in PE and NP mice.We observed enhanced production of IL‐12, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α by immune blood cells and augmented number of CCR5+ peripheral cells in PE compared to NP mice. We verified increased production of decidual IL‐12, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α in PE mice. The number of CCR5+ decidual cells was enhanced in PE compared to NP mice.We propose that Th1 lymphocytes migration into decidua is enhanced due to up‐regulated percentages of CCR5+ cells in experimentally induced PE, contributing to the alteration of the physiological parameters observed in this model.
Cytokine Changes in Postmenopausal Women Treated with Estrogens: a Placebo‐controlled Study
Authors: BERG GÖRAN , EKERFELT CHRISTINA , HAMMAR MATS , LINDGREN RICHARD , MATTHIESEN LEIF , ERNERUDH JAN 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is being increasingly used in postmenopausal women. Sex steroids are known to affect the immune system in several ways, although this is mainly based on clinical observations and experimental studies.METHOD OF STUDY: We studied the in vivo effects of transdermal estrogens (50 μg 17 β‐Estradiol/24 hr) on cytokine production in postmenopausal women. A total of 17 women were randomized to either placebo (n=7) or active estrogen therapy (n=10) for 14 weeks, with addition of oral medoxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg daily during the last 2 weeks in both groups. Secretion of the cytokines IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐6 in blood mononuclear cells was determined, spontaneously and after stimulation with common vaccination antigens and mitogen, using the cell ELISA technique.RESULTS: IL‐6 production after stimulation with purified protein derivate (PPD) decreased in the estrogen treated group (P < 0.01). Mitogen‐induced IL‐6 production was reduced in the estrogen treated group in contrast to an increase in the placebo group, leading to a significant difference (P < 0.01) between the groups after 12 weeks of treatment. This difference was eliminated after an addition of progestagens for 2 weeks. No significant changes were noted for IFN‐γ, IL‐4 or IL‐10 in relation to estrogen or placebo treatment.CONCLUSIONS: In the present controlled study, the main in vivo effect of estrogens was a decrease in IL‐6 production, indicating a possible beneficial effect of estrogen therapy.
The Expressions of Intracellular Cytokines in the Lymphocytes of Preeclamptic Patients
Authors: Darmochwal‐Kolarz Dorota , Rolinski Jacek , Leszczynska‐Gorzelak Bozena , Oleszczuk Jan 
Published: March 2003

Darmochwal‐Kolarz D, Rolinski J, Leszczynska‐Gorzelak B, Oleszczuk J. The expressions of intracellular cytokines in the lymphocytes of preeclamptic patients. AJRI 2002; 48:381–386 © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to investigate the intracellular expressions of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines in peripheral blood T lymhocytes and natural killer (NK) cells of patients with preeclampsia and women with uncomplicated pregnancy.METHOD OF STUDY: Blood samples were taken from 20 patients with preeclampsia and 16 healthy pregnant women. Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood and stimulated for 5 hr at 37°C and 5% CO2. Next, the cells were stained with antibodies against surface markers of T‐cell subsets and NK cells. After fixation and permeabilization processes, the cells were stained with antibodies against intracellular cytokines – interleukin‐2 (Il‐2) and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) as well as Il‐10 and Il‐4. The intracellular expressions of Th1 and Th2 cytokines were determined using the flow cytometric method. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U‐test.RESULTS: We found that in patients with preeclampsia the expressions of Il‐2 were significantly higher when compared with women with uncomplicated pregnancy. Furthermore, in the group of patients with preeclampsia the expressions of Il‐2 were higher in T CD 8+ lymphocytes than in T CD4+ cells. The expressions of IFN‐γ did not differ in CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells in both studied groups but they were higher in NK cells in the study group. The expressions of Il‐10 were lower in lymphocytes of preeclamptic patients when compared with controls. The expressions of Il‐4 did not differ in both studied groups.CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in patients with preeclampsia there is Th1/Th2 imbalance, with predominant Th1 immunity.
Increased Expression of Cyclooxygenase‐2 in Local Lesions of Endometriosis Patients
Authors: CHISHIMA FUMIHISA , HAYAKAWA SATOSHI , SUGITA KENJI , KINUKAWA NORIKO , ALEEMUZZAMAN SHEIKE , NEMOTO NORIMICHI , YAMAMOTO TATSUO , HONDA MITSUO 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: Human endometrial glands contain the highest levels of cyclooxygenase (COX), although whether it is COX‐1 and/or COX‐2 has not been previously determined. Overexpression of COX‐2 may result in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.METHOD OF STUDY: Tissue sections were obtained from 28 premenopausal women undergoing laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery for benign conditions. Endometrium, ectopic endometriosis tissue and peritoneum were obtained at the time of surgery. Informed consents were obtained from all the patients participating in this study. Immunohistochemistry was performed on consecutive sections of paraffin‐embedded tissue using anti‐COX‐2 antibody. Expressions of COX‐2 mRNA in endometrium, ectopic endometriosis tissue, and peritoneum were quanti‐tavely determined by competitive reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR).RESULTS: In the uterus, COX‐2 was localized in the endometrial epithelium. Eutopic endometrial surface epithelium contains more COX‐2 than does glandular epithelium. We observed more frequent and denser COX‐2 staining in the ectopic endometriosis implants when compared with eutopic endometrium. Level of COX‐2 mRNA in endometriosis was increased up to five times that of eutopic endometria.CONCLUSION: Hyper activation of COX‐2 with abnormal prostaglandin generation is considered to contribute to the pathophysiology of endometriosis and disease progression.
Expression of Functional Fas Ligand in Choriocarcinoma
Authors: HAMMER ASTRID , HARTMANN MICHAELE , SEDLMAYR PETER , WALCHER WOLFGANG , KOHNEN GABY , DOHR GOTTFRIED 
Published: March 2003

Hammer A, Hartmann M, Sedlmayr P, Walcher W, Kohnen G, Dohr G. Expression of functional Fas ligand in choriocarcinoma. AJRI 2002; 48:226–234 © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002 PROBLEM: In the course of pregnancy, fetal trophoblast cells and in that of choriocarcinoma‐etiology, trophoblast derived tumor cells, invade the uterine mucosa without causing rejection by decidual leukocytes. Fas ligand (FasL, CD95L, APO‐1L), a central regulator of the immune system, has been implicated in the maintenance of immune privileged sites, such as the eye, the testis and the pregnant uterus by inducing apoptosis in activated infiltrating leukocytes. In normal pregnancy FasL, which is expressed by trophoblast cells, appears to contribute to the immune privilege of the pregnant uterus. As choriocarcinoma derives from trophoblast we wanted to assess the expression of FasL in this tissue.METHOD OF STUDY: Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, TUNEL‐assay, Western blotting, coculture experiments and flourescence‐associated cell sorter‐analysis were the techniques used.RESULTS: Expression of FasL was found on cells of choriocarcinoma in paraffin sections in situ and on three choriocarcinoma cell lines such as JEG‐3, JAR and BeWo. These results were confirmed by Western blotting. In coculture experiments choriocarcinoma cells induced apoptosis in a Jurkat cell line – sensitive to FasL mediated killing. However, when the Jurkat cells were pre‐incubated with a Fas‐blocking monoclonal antibody, apoptosis was abolished to a great extent.CONCLUSION: Our findings show that choriocarcinoma cells express FasL and this aforementioned molecule is biologically active. We assume that FasL expression on choriocarcinoma cells may contribute to control of anti‐tumor responses by inducing apoptosis in activated Fas bearing leukocytes.
Insulin‐like Growth Factor II in Gynecological Cancers: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Mathur Subbi P. , Landen Charles P. , Datta Susan M. , Hoffman M. Camille , Mathur Rajesh S. , Young Roger C. 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: We have previously reported elevated serum levels of cervical human papilloma viral proteins E6 and E7 and serum insulin‐like growth factor II (IGF‐II) in women with cervical cancer and advanced cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. As most women with cervical cancer have elevated levels of serum IGF‐II, we sought to determine whether the cervical cancer and lymph node biopsies from these women demonstrated increased production of IGF‐II and whether this elevation was also present in ovarian and endometrial cancers.METHOD OF STUDY: We used the semi‐quantitative immunofluo‐ rescent antibody assay established in our laboratory to identify the levels of IGF‐II in 21 cervical cancers (seven with matching lymph nodes), 18 benign cervical biopsies, 13 endometrial cancers, 15 benign endometrial biopsies, 5 ovarian cancers, and 15 benign ovarian biopsies.RESULTS: The immunofluorescent IGF‐II levels (relative intensity per pixel) were the highest in cervical cancers; they were significantly higher than in matched controls. IGF‐II levels were not higher in ovarian cancers and only slightly elevated in endometrial cancers. The presence of IGF‐II in pelvic lymph nodes of women with cervical cancer paralleled with those in the cervical cancers. Interestingly, we could identify small nests of metastases of malignant cells in the nodes (pauci‐cellular metastasis) by using IGF‐II as the marker.CONCLUSION: We propose that measurement and identification of IGF‐II in the cervical biopsy may be a sensitive method of detecting cervical cancer and metastatic spread in the lymph nodes.
Cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma of the leg masquerading as a chronic venous ulcer
Authors: Garbea A. , Dippel E. , Hildenbrand R. , Bleyl U. , Schadendorf D. , Goerdt S. 
Published: March 2003

Summary
We report on a 74-year-old female patient with a primary cutaneous CD20+, diffuse large cell B-cell lymphoma of the lower leg resembling a chronic non-healing leg ulcer. There was no evidence of systemic involvement on computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis; a slightly enlarged lymph node in the right groin showed dermatopathic lymphadenopathy on histology and immunohistochemistry. Involvement of the bone marrow and peripheral blood was ruled out by punch biopsy and fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis of the blood, respectively. Therapeutic anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab was given at 375 mg m−2 i.v. once weekly for 7 weeks, without adverse effects, resulting in a minor improvement in the centre of the ulcerated tumour. Unfortunately, the response was not maintained, and after 7 weeks of treatment the patient started to develop new tumour lesions at the border of the ulcer. Local radiotherapy was started and combined photon and electron beam irradiation induced complete remission of the B-cell lymphoma.
Strategy for the surgical management of patients with idiopathic megarectum and megacolon
Authors: Ó Súilleabháin C B , Anderson J H , McKee R F , Finlay I G 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackgroundSeveral surgical procedures have been used to treat idiopathic megabowel. A structured approach to the surgical management of megarectum/colon is reported.MethodsTwenty-eight consecutive patients with megabowel referred for surgery were reviewed. All patients had conservative treatment for 6 months. Those failing to improve underwent full-thickness biopsy of the anorectal junction, anorectal physiology studies, colonic transit studies and evacuation proctography. Surgery involved excision of the abnormal large bowel and formation of an anastomosis (coloanal or ileoanal) using ‘normal’ bowel identified either by a defunctioning stoma or colonic motility studies.ResultsEight patients responded to conservative management. Two patients were lost to follow-up and one died from unrelated causes. Two of the 17 patients who underwent full-thickness biopsy were cured by the procedure. Anorectal physiology, colonic transit and evacuation studies did not aid selection of the surgical procedure performed in 15 patients: proctectomy and coloanal anastomosis (six), restorative proctocolectomy (three), panproctocolectomy (one) and defunctioning stoma (five). At a median follow-up of 3·6 years, 13 of 15 evaluable patients had a satisfactory outcome.ConclusionApproximately 40 per cent of patients with megabowel referred for surgery responded to conservative treatment. The remaining patients may be treated successfully by surgery. The use of either a ‘diagnostic’ defunctioning stoma or colonic motility studies may aid in the choice of surgical procedure.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy and breast cancer
Authors: Noguchi M 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground and methodThis paper reviews and discusses the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer. A standardized method of identifying the SLN and detecting micrometastases is suggested, along with a strategy for the elimination of routine axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).ResultsAlthough the SLN can be identified successfully by experienced practitioners using either the dye-guided or γ probe-guided method, identification is facilitated when the two techniques are combined. To improve the likelihood of spotting metastases in the SLN, it is desirable to perform step sectioning combined with haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry of permanent and frozen sections. SLN biopsy is as accurate for T2 tumours as it is for T1 tumours. However, it is highly unlikely that all false-negative cases can be eliminated, even by detailed histological examination. Nevertheless, patients with T1 tumours with micrometastases in the SLN have shown no evidence of tumour in the non-sentinel nodes. In other words, ALND can be avoided in these patients, even if histological examination of the SLN fails to detect micrometastasis.ConclusionIn practice, routine ALND can be avoided in patients with T1 tumours when the identified SLN proves to be histologically negative. However, investigation of long-term regional controls and of survival in a prospective randomized trial is necessary before SLN biopsy can replace routine ALND, particularly for patients with T2 tumours.
Treatment and outcome of pancreatic venous graft thrombosis after kidney–pancreas transplantation
Authors: Gilabert R , Fernández-Cruz L , Real M I , Ricart M J , Astudillo E , Montaña X 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackgroundPancreas venous graft thrombosis after transplantation is the main non-immunological cause of graft failure and usually results in pancreatectomy. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography is the primary imaging technique for monitoring vascular patency after pancreas transplantation. This study reports the results of rescue treatments for pancreas graft thrombosis after simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation.MethodsOne hundred and ninety-six patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus received a simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation. Venous graft thrombosis was diagnosed in 25 of these patients based on Doppler ultrasonographic findings.ResultsTotal venous graft thrombosis was diagnosed in 20 symptomatic patients, of whom 14 required graft pancreatectomy. Surgical thrombectomy was attempted in six patients with preserved arterial supply and was successful in four. Partial venous graft thrombosis was diagnosed in five asymptomatic patients; one also had partial splenic artery thrombosis. Rescue graft procedures included systemic anticoagulation (one patient), arterial thrombolysis (one) and venous thrombolysis and/or mechanical venous thrombectomy (four episodes in three patients). Graft rescue was achieved in three patients treated by venous thrombolysis/thrombectomy.ConclusionDoppler ultrasonography allows the appropriate selection of rescue treatment based on the findings of total or partial thrombosis.
Postoperative enterococcal infection after treatment of complicated intra-abdominal sepsis
Authors: Sitges-Serra A , López M J , Girvent M , Almirall S , Sancho J J 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
The prevalence of enterococcal isolation and factors associated with postoperative enterococcal infection remain ill defined.

Methods
A prospective longitudinal observational study was conducted of consecutive patients with a first episode of intra-abdominal infection and a positive microbiological culture who did or did not develop a postoperative septic complication involving enterococci. The prevalence of initial enterococcal isolation was determined for each focus of infection. Postoperative enterococcal infections were related to whether appropriate (piperacillin–tazobactam), suboptimal (carbapenems) or inappropriate (cefotaxime plus metronidazole) antienterococcal therapy had been administered empirically.

Results
Enterococci were isolated in 42 (21 per cent) of the 200 patients investigated. The isolation rates were 11 per cent for community-acquired peritonitis, 50 per cent for postoperative peritonitis and 23 per cent for intra-abdominal abscesses of both origins. No enterococci were isolated from 49 patients with perforated appendicitis. Independent factors for postoperative enterococcal infection were type of intra-abdominal infection (P = 0·006), Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score greater than 12 (P = 0·04) and inappropriate empirical antibiotic cover (P = 0·05). Postoperative enterococcal infections were associated with a high mortality rate (21 versus 4 per cent; P &lt; 0·0007).

Conclusion
Enterococci are frequently isolated from intra-abdominal infections of non-appendiceal origin and are often involved in postoperative infectious complications, particularly peritonitis. Empirical antibiotic therapy covering Enterococcus faecalis should be contemplated in some circumstances.