Increased frequency of congenital chromosomal aberrations in female partners of couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection

We evaluated the frequency of congenital chromosomal aberrations in a sample of 305 couples included in an intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) programme. Twenty individuals (3.3%) with congenital chromosomal abnormalities could be identified. The following types of abnormalities were observed: reciprocal translocations (n = 7), Robertsonian translocations (n = 3), inversions (n = 3), other structural aberrations (n = 4) and sex chromosome aberrations (n = 3). The rate of chromosomally abnormal males (10/305, 3.3%) lay within the expected range for patients with reduced semen quality. Surprisingly, 50% (10/20) of all abnormal karyotypes were contributed by the female partner of ICSI patients. These data confirm the higher incidence of chromosomal aberrations in infertile populations as compared with the baseline population risk. Additionally, the data imply that in some cases of male factor infertility a hidden female chromosomal factor may be present, which cannot be identified by standard clinical evaluation. In conclusion, we recommend chromosomal analysis in both partners of couples undergoing ICSI treatment.      

Immunohistochemical investigation of the tissue distribution of mannan-binding lectin in non-infected and virus-infected chickens.

We have previously reported the identification by the murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1C4 of the first leucocyte receptor which is involved in natural cytotoxicity (NC) against WEHI-164; the NC-1.1 receptor. We report herein the identification and characterization of a second leucocyte receptor which is involved in NC, NC-2 (MW 50,000), identified by a rat anti-mouse mAb D9 (immunoglobulin G2a; IgG2a). Flow cytometric analysis showed that NC-2 was expressed on < 6% of splenic leucocytes of different inbred mouse strains and 96% of the cells of a mast-cell line which has high NC activity. In vitro treatment of splenic leucocytes with the D9 mAb blocked effector cell-WEHI-164 target cell conjugation and NC by approximately 50% without affecting natural killing (NK). Western blot analysis of affinity purified NC-2 and NC-1.1 using the D9 and 1C4 mAbs showed specific reactivity of the proteins with D9 and 1C4, respectively. Pretreatment of splenic leucocytes with both mAbs blocked NC 84%, a result which almost doubled that caused by either mAb alone. Flow cytometric screening of 16 different mouse cell lines showed that 19% of the cell lines expressed both receptors, 6% expressed only NC-2, 44% expressed mainly or only NC-1.1 and the remaining cells expressed neither receptor. These data indicate that D9 identifies a xeno-antigen, NC-2, which is expressed on cells mediating NC and not NK, and that it is not the previously described NC-1.1 allo-antigen. We conclude that NC-2 is likely to be one of a number of receptor molecules on cells mediating NC against tumour cells.     

Metabolic Reactions to Changes in Core and Skin Temperature in Man

The metabolic cold response, i.e. the increase in oxygen consumption above that for the given activity in a neutral environment, was measured in 7 subjects during cooling, resting or swimming in cold water (14, 16, 18, 20°C) and during rewarming in air (T_a 20, 30, 40°C), bicycling or resting. Esophageal temperatures varied between 38 and 34°C. Mean skin temperature was considered as equal to water temperature during cooling, and ranged between 25–35°C during rewarming in the different environments. Both central and peripheral cold stimulation induced metabolic cold responses. The skin temperature was the dominating factor in determining the response, especially in transient states. During rewarming a rising skin temperature suppressed the effects of even very low core temperatures.     

Capillary Permeability in Adipose Tissue

A method for measurement of capillary permeability using external registration of gamma emitting isotopes after close arterial bolus injection was applied to the isolated inguinal fat pad in slightly fasting rabbits. An average extraction of 26 per cent for ⁵¹Cr-EDTA was found at a plasma flow of about 7 ml/100 g. min. This corresponds to a capillary diffusion capacity of 2.0 ml/100 g^.min which is half the value reported for vasodilated skeletal muscle having approximately twice as great capillary surface area. Thus, adipose tissue has about the same capillary permeability during slight metabolic activation as vasodilated skeletal muscle.     

A Method to Correct for the Influence of Gas Density on Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate

Maximal expiratory flow rate (V?max) was measured at 20, 35, 50, 65, and 80% vital capacity in 4 young healthy subjects breathing air, SF₆/O₂, and He/O₂ mixtures. The flows of SF₆/O₂ and He/O₂ were corrected to normal alveolar gasflow by means of only the density of the gases. The values for normal alveolar gasflow and corrected SF₆/O₂ flow were identical at 35% VC and larger volumes while the values for normal alveolar gasflow and corrected He/O₂ flow were not. The results indicate that in young healthy subjects it is possible to correct Vmax at lung volumes above 359: VC for the changes induced by an increase in density of the gas breathed, provided viscosity is not much changed. Without correction, V?max after O₂-breathing will be underestimated by about 6%, compared with V?max for normal alveolar gas, whereas a change in alveolar CO₂ concentrations between 3 and 9% only causes a 1 % decrease of V? max.     

Local muscle blood flow and sustained contractions of human arm and back muscles

The endurance during sustained contraction of elbow, flexors, elbow extensors, and back extensors was tested in 3 human subjects. The force level used was varied between ca. 15 and ca. 75% of maximal isometric strength (IS). The clearance of¹³³Xe from contracting muscles was registered during and after the endurance test. In this way it was possible to determine whether muscle blood flow (MBF) was increased or had stopped during the contraction. Experiments with artificial ischaemia of the upper arm together with MBF measurements showed that MBF was of no importance for continuing sustained contractions above a certain force level, which was 50, 25, and 40% of IS for elbow flexors, elbow extensors and back extensors, respectively. However, the level where longer lasting (>15 min) sustained contraction is possible is directly related to MBF. These levels were 22, 15, and 20% IS for elbow flexors, elbow extensors, and back extensors, respectively.     

Diagnostic assessment of haemorrhagic rash and fever

AIMS—To establish criteria for early distinction between meningococcal disease and other conditions with similar clinical features, and to identify other causes for haemorrhagic rashes accompanied by fever.
METHODS—In a prospective study, 264 infants and children hospitalised with fever and skin haemorrhages were studied.
RESULTS—We identified an aetiological agent in 28%: 15% had meningococcal disease, 2% another invasive bacterial infection, 7% enterovirus infection, and 4% adenovirus infection. Five clinical variables distinguished between meningococcal disease and other conditions on admission: (1) skin haemorrhages of characteristic appearance; (2) universal distribution of skin haemorrhages; (3) maximum diameter of one or more skin haemorrhages greater than 2 mm; (4) poor general condition (using a standardised observation scheme); and (5) nuchal rigidity. If any two or more of these clinical variables were present, the probability of identifying a patient with meningococcal disease was 97% and the false positive rate was only 12%. This diagnostic algorithm did not identify children in whom septicaemia was caused by other bacterial species.

     

Congenital syphilis following negative antenatal screening

We report a case of severe early congenital syphilis in the infant of a mother who acquired syphilis in mid pregnancy. The mother had received full antenatal care including serological screening for syphilis. Congenital syphilis is re-emerging in a number of industrialised countries and this report demonstrates that some of the most serious cases cannot be prevented by routine antenatal screening.