Antihistamine blockade of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. II. Possible role of antigen-antibody complexes in the pathogenesis of the syndrome.

Antihistamine can prevent the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in the rabbit. The mechanism underlying this experimental observation has not been elucidated. Our experiments were directed at the question of whether antigen-antibody complexes are a factor in the development of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The results do not support the theory that antigen-antibody complexes play a role in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.     

A search for antigen-antibody complexes in pre-eclampsia: further evidence against immunologic pathogenesis

Circulating immune (antigen-antibody) complexes have been proposed as possible important in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Thirty-four serum samples from pre-eclamptic women were examined for the presence of antigen-antibody complexes by the C1q binding and Raji cell assays. Slightly abnormal C1q binding occurred in two serum samples, while all Raji cell determinations were found to be in the normal range for a healthy, nonpregnant population. It is concluded that circulating immune complexes do not occur regularly in pre-eclampsia.     

Common areas of litigation related to care during labor and birth: recommendations to promote patient safety and decrease risk exposure

Reducing the risk of liability exposure and avoiding preventable injuries to mothers and infants during labor and birth can be relatively easy when all members of the perinatal care team (nurses, nurse-midwives, and physicians) agree to follow two basic tenets of clinical practice: use applicable evidence and/or published standards and guidelines as the foundation for care and whenever a clinical choice is presented, choose patient safety rather than production. Adhering to these two principles could theoretically eliminate the need for extensive and overly detailed policy and procedure manuals. Most clinicians feel the need to have some written guidelines for practice. A summary of the most common foci of professional perinatal liability claims together with the most current applicable evidence and published standards and guidelines from professional associations and regulatory agencies is provided. The purpose is to provide a framework for reviewing existing institutional protocols and/or developing future policies and guidelines that decrease professional liability exposure and minimize the risk of iatrogenic injury to mothers and infants.     

Oxidative stress and insulin requirements in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes

The purpose of this study was to analyze biochemical measures of oxidative stress and assess their relationship to insulin requirements early in type 1 diabetes. Thirty-seven patients enrolled in a 3-yr longitudinal study of the effects of oxidative stress on the early natural history of this disorder. We measured plasma nitrite and nitrate (collectively NOx), nitrotyrosine, and 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (8-iso-PGF(2alpha)). Plasma NOx was 34.0 +/- 4.9 micro mol/liter in the control subjects and 52.4 +/- 5.1, 50.0 +/- 5.1, and 49.0 +/- 5.2 micro mol/liter in the diabetic patients at the first, second, and third evaluations, respectively (P < 0.01). Nitrotyrosine was 13.3 +/- 2.0 micro mol/liter in controls and 26.8 +/- 4.4, 26.1 +/- 4.3, and 32.7 +/- 4.3 micro mol/liter in the diabetic patients (P < 0.01). 8-Iso-PGF(2alpha) was higher in the poorly controlled than in the well controlled patients. NOx correlated with insulin dose at the first (P < 0.05), second (P < 0.025), and third (P < 0.05) evaluations. 8-Iso-PGF(2alpha) correlated with insulin dose at the first (P < 0.01) and third (P < 0.0025) evaluations. Systemic measures of oxidative stress correlate with insulin requirements in early type 1 diabetes. These results suggest that oxidative stress is taking place in the pancreas and damaging the beta-cell.     

Tooth agenesis: a report of missing molars in two generations

A recent review has suggested that tooth agenesis is becoming more evident in society, though it is not known whether this observation is related to better detection methods and patient awareness or whether there is a real trend towards an increase in prevalence. In this paper we report developmental absence of permanent molars in two generations, and discuss the possible clinical implications of this pattern of tooth agenesis.     

Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum are detected in semen after washing before assisted reproductive technology procedures

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of ureaplasmas in semen and washed semen and to explore their effect on semen andrology variables. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: In vitro fertilization (IVF) unit of a private hospital. PATIENT(S): Three hundred forty-three men participating in an assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The prevalence of ureaplasmas in semen and washed semen tested by culture, polymerase chain reaction assays, and indirect immunofluorescent antibody assays. RESULT(S): Ureaplasmas were detected in 73 of 343 (22%) semen samples and 29 of 343 (8.5%) washed semen samples. Ureaplasmas adherent to the surface of spermatozoa were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing. Ureplasma parvum serovar 6 (36.6%) and U. urealyticum (30%) were the most prevalent isolates in washed semen. A comparison of the semen andrology variables of washed semen ureaplasma positive and negative groups demonstrated a lower proportion of nonmotile sperm in men ureaplasma positive for washed semen. CONCLUSION(S): Ureaplasmas are not always removed from semen by a standard ART washing procedure and can remain adherent to the surface of spermatozoa.