Levothyroxine treatment in thyroid peroxidase antibody-positive women undergoing assisted reproduction technologies: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Infertile women positive for thyroid antibodies suffer from a poor pregnancy/delivery outcome, although conflicting data have been published. Our objective was to investigate if levothyroxine (LT4) exerts any effect on pregnancy and/or delivery rates in thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb)-positive (+) women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. METHODS: Patients undergoing treatment were screened for TPOAb, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4). A total of 72 (15%) out of the 484 euthyroid women selected were TPOAb (+). These 72 patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A (n = 36) underwent LT4 treatment, group B (n = 36) placebo. Group C consisted of 412 women (85%) who were TPOAb negative (-). All patients received controlled ovarian stimulation. The endpoints of treatment were pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and delivery rate. RESULTS: No differences in pregnancy rate were observed between the three groups. Miscarriage rate was higher in TPOAb (+) in comparison to TPOAb (-) [relative risk: 2.01 (95% CI = 1.13-3.56), P = 0.028]. CONCLUSIONS: The pregnancy rate is not affected either by presence of TPOAb or treatment with LT4. However, TPOAb (+) women show a poorer delivery rate compared to TPOAb (-). LT4 treatment in TPOAb (+) does not affect the delivery rate.     

Anatomical parameters of cardiopulmonary system in three different lines of chickens: further evidence for involvement in ascites syndrome.

The present study was designed to compare the anatomical parameters of the cardiopulmonary system in three different lines of chickens with different susceptibility to ascites syndrome. Eggs from three different genetic lines-commercial broiler and layer lines and one native to Iran--were incubated and hatched, and 1-day-old chicks used. The relative heart and lung weights, the volumes of the heart, lung and thorax cavity, the incidence of ascites, and the related physiological parameters in these chickens were followed. Lung weight as a percentage of body weight, the relative lung and heart volume, and the volumes of the thorax cavity, before and after removing heart and lung tissues, were lower in fast-growing broiler chickens compared with the layer and native chickens. Additionally, most of these parameters (e.g. relative lung weight, lung volume and thorax cavity) were significantly decreased with age in broiler chickens but were increased in layer and native chickens, which was concomitant with the incidence of ascites in broiler chickens. Our data indicate that all cardiopulmonary parameters investigated are extremely unfavourable to broiler chickens and suggest a reduction in gas exchange area in broilers, and therefore higher susceptibility to pulmonary hypertension and ascites.     

Induction of apoptosis of human primary osteoclasts treated with extracts from the medicinal plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Emblica officinalis</Emphasis>

Background  

Osteoclasts (OCs) are involved in rheumatoid arthritis and in several pathologies associated with bone loss. Recent results support the concept that some medicinal plants and derived natural products are of great interest for developing therapeutic strategies against bone disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. In this study we determined whether extracts of Emblica officinalis fruits display activity of possible interest for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis by activating programmed cell death of human primary osteoclasts.     

The immunological consequences of gold therapy: a prospective study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Gold sodium thiomalate (GST) is known to modify the disease process in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To help understand the mechanism of action of GST, several immunological parameters were prospectively evaluated in 10 patients with active RA following the introduction of gold therapy. Before therapy, absolute numbers of peripheral blood T suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes were significantly depressed (P less than 0.01) and a raised T helper/T suppressor cell ratio was found. After 1 g of GST, an absolute reduction in total lymphocyte numbers including HLA/DR positive mononuclear cells, was evident (P less than 0.01). This lymphopenic effect was not selective for a single population since the proportions of T cells, T cell subsets and B cells remained unchanged. Lymphocyte function was also examined. Raised in vitro production of IgG (P less than 0.01) and IgA (P less than 0.05) was found before therapy. After GST, in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis was reduced and this was significant with respect to the IgM (P less than 0.001) and IgA (P less than 0.01) isotypes. Similarly, a parallel reduction in serum immunoglobulin levels developed. GST therapy was also associated with a reduced proliferative response to phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen in the initial phase of gold administration. The significant finding in this study suggest that the in vivo immunosuppressive effect of GST is explained not only by impaired mononuclear cell function but also by a significant reduction in T and B lymphocyte numbers.     

Epidemiologic and diagnostic evaluation of a recent mumps outbreak using oral fluid samples.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal strategy to investigate mumps virus infection in a partially vaccinated cohort. STUDY DESIGN: 122 oral fluid and serum samples were collected in a recent outbreak in Ireland. The largest age cohort, students aged 18-21 years old attending third level institutions, were investigated using virus isolation, detection of mumps specific IgM, IgG, RT-PCR and molecular genotyping. RESULTS: 97% of patients had both detectable serum IgM and IgG. Mumps virus RNA was detected in 17 oral fluid samples and 14 of these originated from a single geographic location. Only 6 of the IgM positive samples had detectable mumps virus RNA whereas this could be detected in 11 IgM negative samples. Genotyping studies revealed that genotypes G and J were co-circulating during this outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an oral fluid sample to detect mumps virus RNA and IgM offers a major improvement over serological diagnosis in acute infection in both non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals, and has the advantage that specimens are collected non-invasively.     

8～16岁苗族学生体型分析

目的：探讨广西苗族中小学生体型特点与规律。方法：应用Heath-Carter人体测量法，对广西8～16岁苗族学生体型进行研究。结果：(1)苗族平均体型男生为均衡的中胚层体型(1．9-4．1-2．3)，女生为偏内胚层的中胚层体型(2．8-3．8-2．0)；(2)苗族男生8～16岁间随着年龄增加，中、外因子值明显增加，内因子值略有减少；(3)苗族女生自10～岁起，随着年龄增加外因子值减少，内、中因子值明显增加，15～16岁有所回落；(4)苗族学生男、女之间体型除8、9～岁组外，其余年龄组差异显著；苗族男生体型分布较集中。女生体型分布较分散。结论：与其他民族比较，苗族学生身材矮小，皮下脂肪少。     

Rapid detection and quantitation of hepatitis B virus DNA by real-time PCR using a new fluorescent (FRET) detection system.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has until recently been based on traditional serologic methods targeting viral antigens and antibodies to viral proteins. The development of molecular methods allowing for the quantitation of HBV DNA is proving clinically valuable for monitoring therapy and detecting early treatment failures. OBJECTIVES: Here we report a new real-time (LightCycler) quantitative PCR for the detection of HBV DNA based on sequence specific hybridisation probes (designed in-house), targeting the HBV surface antigen. STUDY DESIGN: The assay was evaluated using a 10-fold dilution series of standard HBV DNA [Eurohep standard reference 1, genotype A, HBsAg subtype adw with a unitage of 10(6) WHO. i.u./ml] and 89 clinical serum samples. The performance was measured against a quantified standard HBV DNA working reagent (NIBSC code 98/780) and the sensitivity compared with our conventional thermal-block PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Real-time PCR detected HBV DNA in 45% (40/89) and thermal-block PCR in 16% (14/75) of clinical samples. Results for 26 samples were below the detection limit of the thermal-block PCR but could be quantified by real-time (LightCycler) PCR. The LightCycler assay was at least 5 logs more sensitive than thermal-block PCR and could detect HBV in a linear range between 5 and 10(7) i.u. per reaction. The broad generic nature of the PCR primers coupled with the enhanced sensitivity and specificity of the fluorescent hybridisation probes makes this assay potentially valuable for both routine diagnostic and epidemiological work.     

MICA4/HLA-DRB1*04/TNF1 haplotype is associated with mixed connective tissue disease in Swedish patients

In order to investigate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related gene A (MICA), tumor necrosis factor (TNFa), -308TNFA, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR/DQ) polymorphisms in mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), we analyzed 24 patients and 229 healthy controls from Sweden. MICA and TNFa typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genotyping. HLA-DR and -DQ were genotyped using PCR-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) and PCR-sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (PCR-SSOP), respectively. For analysis of -308TNFA polymorphisms we performed PCR with restriction endonuclease enzymes. We found that the MICA5.1-5.1 genotype was positively associated with MCTD. Shared epitope genes (DRB1*01 and DRB1*04) were also significantly positively associated with MCTD. Polymorphism of -308TNFA was not differently distributed in MCTD patients compared with controls. Furthermore, we demonstrated that frequencies of three estimated haplotypes were increased in MCTD patients compared with controls. Interestingly, the haplotype with MICA allele 4 together with DRB1*04 and TNF1 alleles gives the most specific pattern for MCTD patients compared with controls. Our study demonstrates a clear contribution of HLA loci in susceptibility to MCTD in the Swedish population. Susceptibility to MCTD may be linked to the MICA4/HLA-DRB1*04/TNF1 haplotype and MICA 5.1-5.1 genotype. Mixed connective tissue disease was also associated with shared epitope genes, which in RA has been associated with a more severe disease. Whether these genotypes affect the clinical phenotype of MCTD needs to be determined.     

Detection of a biliary cell membrane glycoprotein in the serum of cholangiocarcinoma-bearing rats. Possible relevance to the membrane proteins used as serum tumor markers in humans

Certain markers used in the diagnosis and monitoring of human adenocarcinomas, such as carcinoembryonic antigen are membrane glycoproteins normally absent from the serum. How those proteins may reach the blood after the neoplastic transformation remains debated. In this work, we show that cholangiocarcinoma induced by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene in the rat provides some insight into the mechanisms implicated in this process. We observed that the extracellular matrix of all cholangiocarcinomas tested contained large amounts of a glycoprotein identified by a monoclonal antibody termed B10, and previously characterized as an integral membrane protein normally restricted to the apical domain of epithelial cell plasma membrane. The extracellular deposition of the B10-binding glycoprotein in cholangiocarcinomas was associated with the appearance of detectable levels of the protein in the serum, and an abnormal membrane expression of the protein, which was detected on both apical and basal plasma membrane domains of neoplastic biliary cells. We postulate that neoplastic transformation of biliary cells leads to an inappropriate membrane expression of the B10-binding protein, which in turn, results in the extracellular release of the protein and in its diffusion into the blood. The characteristic desmoplastic stroma of cholangiocarcinoma offers the opportunity to easily visualize the release process. A comparable mechanism is likely to explain how certain membrane glycoproteins used as serum markers in human malignancy may reach the blood.