Identification of the Complement Regulatory Proteins CD46, CD55, and CD59 in Human Fallopian Tube,Endometrium, and Cervical Mucosa and Secretion

PROBLEM : Complement lytic activity has been demonstrated, and a potential for its activation is present in human cervical and tubal secretions and in the endometrium. This necessitates the presence of regulatory mechanisms for protection of the sperm and the implanting allogeneic conceptus in the female genital tract. Complement regulatory proteins demonstrated on sperm and in seminal fluid have been attributed such a role. It is however likely that additional protection is required for a successful conception and implantation to take place. This lead us to investigate the distribution of the complement regulatory factors in cervical mucus and mucosa, uterine endometrium, and fallopian tube. METHOD : Endometrium and cervical mucosa were obtained from patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions, and specimens were selected from different stages of the menstrual cycle. Fallopian tubes were obtained from patients submitted for sterilization, while cervical mucus was aspirated from volunteers undergoing gynecological examination. Immunohistochemistry was performed on all tissue samples, using monoclonal antibodies to membrane cofactor protein (MCP), decay accelerating factor (DAF), CD59 and complement receptor 1 (CR1). Western blot analysis was performed on cervical mucus under nonreducing conditions. RESULTS : MCP, DAF, and CD59 were found to be expressed in human endometrium and fallopian tube. No variation in expression was detected throughout the menstrual cycle. CR1 was not expressed. Soluble forms of DAF and CD59 were found to be present in cervical mucus. CONCLUSION : The complement regulatory proteins MCP, DAF, and CD59 are expressed throughout the female genital tract, and may thus play an important role in protecting the traversing sperm and implanting blastocyst from complement mediated damage.     

Vitamin D metabolism in normal and hypoparathyroid pregnancy and lactation

Summary. Plasma concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in −17 non-pregnant women, 22 pregnant women at delivery, and in eight lactating women 3 and 16 days after delivery, were compared with those in a postpartum hypoparathyroid patient treated with 1α-hydroxyvitamin D (1α-OHD). The mean concentration of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D [1,25–(OH)₂D] was 203 (SD 61) pmol/1 in the pregnant, and 86 (SD 27) pmol/1 in the non-pregnant women ( P <0.0005). The levels 3. and 16 days after delivery were similar [57 (11) compared with 62 (19) pmol/1], and lower than the non-pregnant value ( P <0.01). The 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentration remained unchanged between the 3rd and 16th days after delivery, whereas the 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25-(OH)₂D] level increased from 2.7 (SD 1.8) to 3.7 (SD 2.3)nmol/l ( P <0.025). The patient temporarily required an increased supplement of 1α-OHD during pregnancy, but a dose which was appropriate before pregnancy resulted in marked hypercalcaemia and a rise of 1,25-(OH)₂D concentration within 16 days of delivery despite lactation. The results suggest that the metabolic need for the active vitamin D metabolite 1,25-(OH)₂D is increased during pregnancy and rapidly reduced during early lactation in healthy and hypoparathyroid women.     

Initial acidity of dental cements

Abstract – The acidity in aqueous solutions following release of acid components from glass ionomer, silicate, zinc phosphate and zinc polycarboxylate cements has been registered by pH measurements. One brand of each type was studied. Initial setting was accomplished at two different temperatures; 23°C and in the interval from 23°C to about 60°C. In the latter case external heat was transferred to the samples by infrared radiation for a period of 2 min. The highest acidity was associated with the silicate specimen, while the lowest acidity was recorded for the zinc polycarboxylate specimen. Exposure to infrared radiation resulted in a reduced acidity for all types of cements. The effect of infrared exposure was most pronounced for the silicate specimens, resulting in a reduction of acid release by a factor of about 10 compared to the nontreated samples. The resistance to acid release was found to be improved by a factor of about 5 for the glass ionomer and about 3 for the zinc phosphate cement treated in a similar way. Clinically, it seems possible considerably to reduce the risk of pulpal injuries associated with the insertion of silicate restorations by using a moderate infrared radiation treatment. Furthermore, the susceptibility of glass ionomer cements to a high initial erosion should be reduced by the use of such a technique. After exposure of the glass ionomer and silicate specimens to infrared radiation at the temperature interval applied, the samples had a more glossy, tooth-like appearance compared to the nonexposed samples, improving the aesthetic properties.     

Improved Staining Method for Differentiating Immature Germ Cells from White Blood Cells in Human Seminal Fluid

A new staining method for differentiating WBCs from immature germ cells in seminal fluid has been studied. It is a combination of Bryan's sperm stain, which particulary stains the acrosomal cap of the spermatozoa and the spermatid, and Leishman's blood stain which stains the WBCs in the same way as found in blood smears. The peroxidase positive granules in the cytoplasm of the PMN leukocytes are seen clearly. Thus, it is possible to differentiate PMN leukocytes from non-separated spermatids when they are present in a common cytoplasm. The staining of acrosomal cap permits differentiation between spermatids and lymphocytes.     

Initial corrosion of amalgams in vitro

Abstract – The amounts of copper, mercury, silver or zinc released from two brands of freshly prepared, lathe cut amalgams and from one brand of dispersed phase type amalgam into artificial saliva have been measured. Samples were immersed in the solution a few minutes after the end of trituration and exposed statically for periods of up to about 4 days. The initial mercury release from such specimens could exceed the long term mercury release from old amalgams by more than two orders of magnitude. The measurements indicate that during the first day after insertion of two amalgam fillings, each with an assumed surface area of 1 cm² and under presumably static conditions, mercury at the level of more than twice the mercury food and drink intake could be released in the oral cavity. This is, however, a situation which appears infrequently, e.g. following dental treatment once a year. The amounts of copper and zinc released initially were considerably lower than the corresponding food and drink intake values, while silver might be on the same level. The measurements were conducted using nuclear tracer techniques.