Immunoglobulin Classes,Secretory Component,and Sperm Agglutinins in Semen After Vasovasostomy*

ABSTRACT: The immunoglobulin classes of the sperm-agglutinating antibodies in the seminal fluid and serum from four vasovasostomized men, as well as in operatively obtained testis-epididymis fluid from two of them, were investigated by specific solid-phase absorption of IgG, IgM, and IgA. In two patients the major part of the seminal agglutinins was IgA, and in one IgG, indicating that both local production and diffusion of sperm agglutinins from serum to the testis-epididymis compartment may take place. The total levels of immunoglobulins in seminal fluid generally increased after the operation, and IgM was present in two postvasovasostomy samples. This suggests a pathotopic potentiation effect of the vasectomy on the epithelial lining of the testis-epididymis compartment. Comparison of the results of solid-phase absorption with anti-IgA and antisecretory component (SO pointed to the presence of “free” SC in postvasovasostomy seminal fluid.     

孕妇血清CG水平的观察

本文应用放射免疫分析法对83名正常孕妇和53例ICP患者进行血清CG含量检测,结果显示ICP患者血清CG含量明显高于正常中期和晚期妊娠孕妇血清含量(P＜0.01).将血清CG测定作为孕妇的常规检查,对及时诊断和治疗孕妇ICP,加强围产期保健非常必要.     

母体不同孕期与新生儿血中瘦素水平的观察

目的 :观察母体在不同孕期血清与新生儿脐血中瘦素水平变化及其相关关系。方法 :应用放射免疫分析 ,随机对 3 0 0例孕前、孕早期、孕中期和临产时母体血清及新生儿脐血中的瘦素水平进行了检测。结果 :妇女孕早期与孕前血中瘦素之间变化基本一致 (p >0 0 5 ) ,从孕中期开始血清瘦素水平则明显升高 ,分娩时达到高峰 (p <0 0 5或p <0 0 1)。新生儿脐血中瘦素水平与孕前母体血中瘦素水平较为一致。妇女妊娠前、后血清瘦素水平均与体重、体重指数、腹围、子宫底高度、舒张压、收缩压呈正相关。新生儿脐血瘦素水平与出生体重呈正相关 ;而与其母体瘦素水平呈负相关。结论 :新生儿瘦素来自自身 ,其浓度主要由脂肪组织的积累程度决定。检测孕期母血中瘦素浓度对判断、预测胎儿体重帮助意义不大 ,但可以了解母体孕期体重增加程度 ,并对妊娠高血压综合征的临床观察和预后判断有一定价值     

乌鲁木齐地区正常妊娠妇女和不同次数自然流产妇女TORCH感染比较

目的 比较乌鲁木齐正常妊娠妇女和不同自然流产次数妇女血清TORCH感染情况。方法 选取我院420例正常妊娠组妇女、451例1~2次流产组妇女和430例≥3次流产组妇女,采用ELISA法检测血清中特异性TORCH系列,包括弓形虫、巨细胞病毒、风疹病毒、单纯疱疹病毒IgM并比较其阳性率。结果 正常妊娠组TOX、CMV、RUV、HSV IgM阳性率分别为2.62%、5.24%、3.10%、6.67%,阳性率合计为17.62%;1~2次流产组妇女中上述抗体阳性率分别为7.10%、9.53%、7.76%、13.53%,阳性率合计为37.92%;≥3次流产组妇女上述抗体阳性率分别为3.49%、4.42%、3.95%、7.44%,阳性率合计为19.30%。1~2次流产组女性TORCH感染高于正常妊娠组（P＜0.05）,而≥3次流产组妇女TORCH感染与正常妊娠组比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论 有1~2次自然流产的女性流产发生可能与TORCH感染有关,≥3次自然流产的女性流产发生与TORCH感染无明显相关性,可能与其它因素有关。建议在孕前进行TORCH感染筛查,尤其是对1~2次自然流产的女性,应重点筛查,做好孕期预防保健工作,以提高优生优育质量。     

妊娠期妇女血清甘胆酸与血脂水平相关性研究

目的:探讨妊娠期妇女肝内胆汁淤积症(ICP)的发病率及甘胆酸(CG)与血脂、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)水平的相关性。方法:采用放射免疫分析检测甘胆酸,用酶法测定血脂,速率法测定ALP。结果:2040例妊娠期妇女中有18.5%CG值升高,其中有2.8%可确诊为ICP。ICP患者与正常妊娠组相比,TG、CHOL、LDL、ALP均明显升高,而HDL则略降低。结论:ICP为妊娠期常见并发症,应将CG作为常规产前检查项目。ICP患者结合分析其血脂、ALP水平,有助于病情判断。     

孕大鼠和胎鼠心脏系统混沌特征分析

应用计算机化大鼠心电信号采集和处理系统,引导妊娠第21dSD大鼠和胚胎宫内心电,记录母胎鼠心动周期信号混沌图形参数和数值参数,探讨正常妊娠大鼠母胎心脏系统混沌特征,分析母胎鼠自主神经系统发育的差异性。结果显示,(1)正常胎鼠与孕鼠比较,频率和电压较低,差异均有显著性(P<0.01);(2)正常胎鼠和孕鼠心动周期信号功率谱具有类似于人的心动周期信号功率谱三峰特征;正常胎鼠和孕鼠比较,第二峰、第三峰明显较低;(3)正常胎鼠与孕鼠比较,相对分散度、李雅普诺夫指数和分维数均显著较低,差异均有显著性(P<0.01)。本研究表明,正常胎鼠心动周期信号变化的复杂性低于孕鼠,胎鼠心脏混沌程度低于孕鼠,胎鼠自主神经系统发育尚不成熟。     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Temporal and Spatial Expression of Tumor‐Associated Antigen RCAS1 in Pregnant Mouse Uterus

Citation Tskitishvili E, Nakamura H, Kinugasa‐Taniguchi Y, Kanagawa T, Kimura T, Tomimatsu T, Shimoya K. Temporal and spatial expression of tumor‐associated antigen RCAS1 in pregnant mouse uterus. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 137–143 Problem The tumor‐associated antigen RCAS1 (receptor‐binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells) is considered to play a role in the inhibition of maternal immune response during pregnancy, and participates in the initiation of labor and placental detachment. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of RCAS1 protein in the uteri of normal pregnant mice. Method of study Uteri with fetuses were collected from pregnant ICR mice on days 1.5, 3.5, 5.5, 7.5, and 9.5 p.c., and uterine and placental tissues were obtained separately on days 11.5, 13.5, 15.5, and 17.5 p.c. Samples were examined using real‐time (RT)‐PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results In normal pregnant mice, RCAS1 protein mRNA was significantly increased on day 7.5 p.c. Antigen localization was detected in the placenta, decidua, and fetus. Conclusion The results of this study suggest the importance of day 7.5 p.c. for RCAS1 protein expression in connection with placentation as a possible target for future in vivo studies.     

Placental Isoferritin Levels in Pregnant Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and/or Antiphospholipid Syndrome

PROBLEM: Low serum placental isoferritin (PLF), an immunosuppressive cytokine-like protein, was found in women with underlying placento-vascular dysfunction, such as intrauterine growth retardation and preeclamptic toxemia. The possible contribution of this placental product in the assessment of pregnant patients with either systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) was investigated. METHOD OF STUDY: Seventy-five healthy pregnant women used as controls and 25 preselected pregnant patients with either SLE and/or APS were enrolled in the study. Study patients were in remission during conception and all patients agreed to give 5 ml of venous blood at midgestation. The samples were frozen and analyzed retrospectively. After delivery, pregnancy outcomes were gathered from hospital records. RESULTS: Seventeen (68%) women had uneventful pregnancies and deliveries (normal) whereas 8 (32%) showed pathologic obstetric outcomes. Mean midgestational serum PLF levels were similar in the control and normal outcome groups (87 U/ml), whereas significantly lower levels (37 U/ml) were measured in the pathologic outcome group. Using a cutoff level of 10 U/ml, 85% from the normal outcome group and 15% from the pathologic outcome group were above this threshold level, with 60% specificity and 100% sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest that PLF values may reflect placento-vascular functions. These may represent a predictive biomarker for developing obstetric complications in pregnant women with either SLE and/or APS.     

Integrating an eHealth Program for Pregnant Women in Midwifery Care: A Feasibility Study Among Midwives and Program Users

Background

Health messages may have the highest impact if they are given early in life. Therefore, the Dutch Ministry of Health identified pregnant women as a target population and initiated an innovative eHealth program to serve as a communication channel of health messages to pregnant women.

Objective

The aim was to study the feasibility of implementing this eHealth program into standard midwifery care and to investigate use and user perceptions of the online program among pregnant women.

Methods

All midwifery practices in Amsterdam affiliated with the Dutch Organization of Midwives (n = 25) were requested to implement the eHealth program within a pilot study from March to August 2006. Structured interviews were used to study feasibility of implementation among midwives. During the study period, 488 pregnant women registered themselves on the program website, after which monthly emails were sent to them. The emails were tailored to the stage of pregnancy and provided interactive questions plus answers on six topics and links to related websites. User statistics were registered until January 2007, and user perceptions were assessed with electronic questionnaires.

Results

In total, 80% (20/25) of midwifery practices implemented the program. These midwives gave a short oral explanation about the eHealth program to their clients (n = 1382; about 45% of the total number of clients during this period) and handed out an information brochure. After the pilot, 12 midwifery practices were willing to integrate the eHealth program into their standard care procedures. Regarding program usage, 84% (408/488) of the enrolled women accessed health information within the program. They opened 59% (1296/2213) of the quiz emails and accessed, on average, 16 topics (SD 11). Only 35% (143/408) of users used the hyperlinks to visit related websites. Most women perceived the eHealth information as easy to understand (96%; 157/163) and reliable (81%; 130/161), but only 39% (48/153) agreed that the information was available at the right time. Accessing more topics within the quiz emails was associated with a more positive perception of the program (P = .02), but the number of clicks to related websites was not associated with program perception (P = .32). The main improvement suggested by program users was to expand the information within the program.

Conclusions

It is feasible to integrate an innovative eHealth program in standard midwifery care, and about half of the practices would like to continue doing so. Program users accessed a substantial proportion of available health information; however, user perceptions were mixed. Therefore, this eHealth program may be a feasible communication channel to promote a healthy lifestyle to pregnant women after suggested revisions have been carried out.     

Thyroid Stimulating Antibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies and Serum Proteins during Treatment of Graves'' Disease with Radioiodine or Propylthouracil

The relation between serum concentrations of thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb) and serum immunoglobulins during treatment of Graves' disease was studied in 36 consecutive patients treated randomly with 131-iodine (n = 16) or propylthiouracil (n = 20). The patients were investigated before treatment was started and on seven occasions within the following year. In the entire patient group 78% were positive for TSAb and 47% for TgAb. There was a significant correlation between TSAb and TgAb in 15 patients concomitantly positive. There were no significant changes in serum immunoglobulins during treatment in either group of patients. In the radioiodine-treated group of patients TgAb was reduced after 1 week, whereas TSAb showed insignificant variations. After 5-10 weeks both antibodies increased, for TgAb with a median peak level 3 time above the initial concentration. Of 16 patients treated with radioiodine five developed myxoedema and four of these were positive for TgAb. There was a relation between the development of myxoedema and the ratio between increases of TSAb and TgAb. Increase in TSAb was not related to serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measured in TgAb-negative patients. Propylthiouracil showed minor effects on the studied variables, but with lower mean values of Tg, TgAb and TSAb at the end of the observation period. The results indicate an immunological relation between TSAb and TgAb, although differences between their course exist in some situations.     

Nature and mechanism of synthesis of nonspecific immunoglobulins

Mice were immunized with Vi-antigen. Suspensions of spleen cells, removed at various times after immunization, were incubated in Eagle's medium in the presence of¹⁴C-glycine. Synthesis of antibodies against Vi-antigen, autoantibodies against mouse IgG, and antigen-dependent nonspecific immunoglobulins (NIg) were determined by the use of specific immunosorbents. Immunization with Vi-antigen sharply intensified in the synthesis of antigen-dependent NIg. The formation of the proteins is thus observed not only during immunization with thymus-dependent antigens, but also in response to thymus-independent antigen. The synthesized antigen-dependent NIg were not autoantibodies against endogenous IgG.Laboratory of Chemistry and Biosynthesis of Antibodies, N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR P. A. Vershilova.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 88, No. 10, pp. 437–439, October, 1979.     

Immunological Status in the Aetiology of Recurrent Otitis Media with Effusion: Serum Immunoglobulin Levels,Functional Mannose-Binding Lectin and Fc Receptor Polymorphisms for IgG

The objective was to study the role of serum immunoglobulin levels, mannose-binding lectin (MBL), and Fc gamma receptor (FcR) polymorphisms on the development of recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME). Children aged between two and seven years with persisting OME received bilateral tympanostomy tubes and immunological parameters were investigated in relation with OME recurrence within six months after tube extrusion. No statistically significant differences in serum immunoglobulin levels were present between children with and without OME recurrence. In children with bilateral recurrence (n = 56), median levels of MBL were 1.39 mg/L compared to 2.48 mg/L in children with OME recurrence (n = 17) (p = 0.29). In addition, 34% of the children with bilateral recurrence were homozygous for the genotype FcRIIa-R/R131, whereas less than 20% of the children with unilateral recurrence or those without recurrence were homozygous for this Fc receptor (p = 0.26). Serum mannose-binding lectin and FcRIIa-R/R131 polymorphism may play a role in the aetio-pathogenesis of recurrent OME.     

Mononuclear Cell Subpopulations During Normal Pregnancy: I. Analysis of Cell Surface Markers Using Conventional Techniques and Monoclonal Antibodies

ABSTRACT: Previous reports indicate depression of cellular immunity during pregnancy. In order to get a deeper insight into the immunoregulatory subsets of mononuclear cells in pregnant women, we analyzed the percentages of T and B lymphocytes, T cell subsets and cells expressing IgG-Fc and C3 receptors, and M1- and Ia-like antigens in venous blood samples from healthy women and pregnant women at different gestational ages and after delivery. Even if a trend toward a progressive decrease of T lymphocytes and T4⁺ helper subset was observed throughout pregnancy, along with a slight increase in the percentages of cells bearing C3 receptors, M1, and Ia-like antigens in the second trimester of gestation, analysis of variance of our data did not demonstrate statistical significance in the observed changes. Therefore we conclude that the pregnancy-induced suppression of maternal responsiveness towards alloantigens and/or mitogens is not reflected by significant changes in the distribution of circulating mononuclear cells and immunoregulatory T-Iymphocyte subsets as defined by the currently available surface marker techniques.     

Intravenous Immunoglobulin: An Update on the Clinical Use and Mechanisms of Action

Initially used as a replacement therapy for immunodeficiency diseases, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is now widely used for a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms by which IVIg exerts immunomodulatory effects in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The mechanisms of action of IVIg are complex, involving modulation of expression and function of Fc receptors, interference with activation of complement and the cytokine network and of idiotype network, regulation of cell growth, and effects on the activation, differentiation, and effector functions of dendritic cells, and T and B cells.     

不同孕期孕妇血清总蛋白和白蛋白水平的比较研究

目的 对正常妊娠不同孕期女性血清总蛋白和白蛋白水平进行观察和分析.方法 选取来我院体检并建档的健康孕妇735例,将其分为孕早、中、晚期及临产后组;以同期来院体检的健康同年龄段女性178例为非妊娠对照组,测定血清总蛋白和白蛋白浓度,并进行比较.结果 正常妊娠女性血清总蛋白在孕中、晚期及临产后与同年龄段非妊娠女性对照组比较,均低于对照组,且随着孕周的增加而不断降低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);血清白蛋白在孕早、中、晚期及临产后与同年龄段非妊娠女性对照组比较,均低于对照组,且随着孕周的增加而变化显著,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);各年龄组中同一年龄组血清总蛋白和白蛋白在孕早、中、晚期及临产后之间分别两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 正常妊娠女性在不同孕期血清总蛋白和白蛋白水平有一定差异,且随着孕周的递增而差异显著,妊娠女性应定期检测血清蛋白水平,对优生优育有着重要临床的意义.     

Social Influences and Leisure-time Physical Activity Levels in Young People: A Twelve-year Follow-up Study

This study describes the associations between social factors and leisure-time physical activity levels in young people. Important concepts from Bandura's social learning theory and Bourdieu's theory of social position and lifestyles were used as theoretical frameworks. Baseline data were collected from a sample of 827 students (11-14 years old) and their parents in 1979. In 1991, the same students, now aged 23 to 26 years, participated in a follow-up ( N = 514, 62.2 percent of baseline). At the follow-up, females were significantly more physically active if highly educated. The only statistically significant factor associated with males' activity levels was activity levels at baseline. Males were more physically active than females at baseline, but in young adulthood there was no significant gender difference. There was an interaction between gender and education in that highly educated females exercised significantly more than less educated females. This was not the case for males.     

The Effect of an Academic Examination on Salivary Norepinephrine and Immunoglobulin Levels

Abstract

Forty-six college students provided saliva samples just after taking an examination, one hour and 45 minutes later, and several days later, at a period of rest. As compared with baseline levels, the power stress of an examination was associated with an increase in salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA), a measure of B-cell immune function, and with an increase in norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the saliva. The increase in NE was greater for those for whom n power was greater than n affiliation rather than for those for whom the reverse was true. Greater increases in, and levels of, NE at the examination and after were associated with greater subsequent drops in S-IgA, which reached below baseline levels for those for whom n power was stronger. The examination stimulated adrenergic activity, which in the long run depressed immune function for those with a strong power motive who had been most aroused adrenergically by the examination.     

Quantification of Immunoglobulin Free Light Chains in CerebroSpinal Fluid by Nephelometry

Oligoclonal free light chains (FLC) banding has been described in multiple sclerosis (MS) and should be correlated with disease activity. However, discrepancies between studies have been reported because of differences in methods. A new quantitative, rapid, and automated method using nephelometry is now available. Our objective was to investigate the interest of this method for the diagnosis and prognosis of MS. For this purpose, FLC index was determined in paired samples of CSF and serum from consecutive and unselected patients from the same department of neurology. We enrolled 89 patients (33 MS, 15 “possible MS”, and 41 controls) and correlated with IgG index, IgG oligoclonal banding, and clinical MS progression criteria. The main results were (1) FLC kappa index was more sensitive but less specific than IgG index for the diagnosis of MS, (2) two MS patients were negative for oligoclonal banding but exhibited a positive kappa index, (3) no relation between FLC kappa indices, MS clinical criteria, and disease progression was found. In conclusion, FLC kappa index should be considered as a useful complementary test for MS diagnosis. Its pronostic interest remains to be determined on a larger cohort of possible MS patients.     

Immunoglobulin and antibody levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from symptomatic and asymptomatic pigeon breeders.

Twenty-one symptomatic subjects with pigeon breeders' lung (PBL) and 10 asymptomatic pigeon breeders, with a similar exposure to pigeon antigens, underwent bronchoalveolar lavage. Total IgG, IgM and IgA in lavage fluid were determined as were specific antibody levels against antigens in pigeon serum and droppings. Results were converted to levels in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) using lavage and serum urea ratios. It was found that symptomatics represent a group that is hyperreactive to pigeon antigens compared with the asymptomatic group with significantly higher IgG, IgM, IgA levels as well as specific antibody levels against pigeon serum and droppings. Paired serum and ELF samples from 12 symptomatic subjects showed significantly elevated IgG, IgM and IgA levels in ELF compared with serum when values were expressed in terms of albumin. This strongly supports the concept of local production of immunoglobulins within the lung after inhaling immunogens as opposed to their diffusion from the vasculature. Results for IgA indicate that any putative protective role for this immunoglobulin is not valid in relation to the prevention of extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Analysis of smoking habits, lung immunoglobulins and response to inhalation challenge confirm the negative influence of smoking on total and functional lung immunoglobulins; however, levels in the ELF of ex-smokers suggest that the effect of smoking is not permanent. Smoking did not prevent responses to inhalation challenge.     

亚临床甲状腺功能减退症孕妇左旋甲状腺素治疗剂量及影响因素探讨

目的 探讨亚临床甲状腺功能减退症孕妇患者行L-T4替代治疗的剂量以及影响因素.方法 选取我院收治的62例亚临床甲状腺功能减退症孕妇患者进行L-T4替代治疗,根据TSH值分为A组(TSH＞ 5.0mIU/L)和B组(2.5 mIU/L≤TSH≤5.0mIU/L),治疗过程中根据患者的TSH水平对L-T4的治疗剂量进行调整直至治疗达标,其中妊娠中晚期(0.3mIU/L＜ TSH＜ 3.0mIU/L),妊娠早期(0.3mIU/L＜ TSH＜ 2.5mIU/L).结果 亚临床甲状腺功能减退症患者TSH基线水平与L-T4替代治疗达标剂量呈正相关性(r=0.543,P＜0.01);TSH治疗达标时,A组L-T4替代治疗的剂量显著高于B组(P＜0.01);甲状腺自身抗体阳性组L-T4替代治疗的剂量显著高于阴性组(P＜0.05).结论 TSH基线水平以及甲状腺自身抗体状况可能会对亚临床甲状腺功能减退症孕妇行L-T4治疗的达标剂量产生影响.