Effects of human placental lactogen on the expression of CD163 and CD14 on human monocytes in culture

The effect of human placental lactogen (hPL), a member of the somatomammotrophin family, on the regulation of the scavenger receptor molecules CD14 and CD163 on human monocytes cultured for 48h was investigated. Cells were cultured in the presence or absence of the hormone and also in the presence or absence of IFN-gamma and dexamethasone. Monocytes cultured in the presence of hPL showed a significant increase in the expression of CD14 in both males and females compared to background. When IFN-gamma and dexamethasone were added to the cultures, CD14 expression was decreased and was not rescued by the presence of hPL. hPL alone had no effect on the expression of CD163 on cultured monocytes from either gender, although cells cultured in the presence of IFN-gamma and dexamethasone showed a profound increase in their expression of CD163. This expression was augmented further by the presence of hPL in the cultures over a 48-h period. These results support the hypothesis of a potential role of this hormone in the regulation of the innate immune response.

The uncertainty in the activity estimate from a lung count due to the variability in chest wall thickness profile

Calibration of a lung counter requires the use of a realistic torso phantom. The depth profile of both torso phantoms' (LLNL and JAERI) chest plate covers is fixed and assumed to be equivalent to a person's chest wall; however, ultrasound measurements of humans have shown this to be an approximation. When the depth profile of a calibration phantom is different from that of a subject, then a systematic uncertainty will be introduced into the activity estimate. Monte Carlo simulation has shown that changes in the depth profile of the chest wall thickness affect the counting efficiency. Ultrasound measurements have suggested that the coefficient of variation in the depth profile of the chest wall thickness lies between 13% and 26% for male workers; therefore, the added uncertainty to an activity estimate will be an over or underestimate of about a factor of 1.07 resulting from the different depth profile. The factor will be somewhat higher for females, probably about 1.2 at the extreme. These additional uncertainties resulting from depth profile differences are small compared with other uncertainties commonly encountered in lung counting: detector positioning, deposition patterns of the activity, measurement of the chest wall thickness, etc.

The assessment of the effect of thyroid size and shape on the activity estimate using Monte Carlo simulation

Monte Carlo simulations have been used to assess the uncertainty introduced into an activity estimate of radioiodine (125I and 131I) in the thyroid when the size and shape of the gland differs from that of the calibration phantom. The detector dimensions for the 125I simulations were small (diameter 2.54 cm, thickness 0.2 cm); medium (diameter 7.62 cm, thickness 0.2 cm); large (diameter 30.48 cm, thickness 0.2 cm). The detector dimensions for the 131I simulations were small (diameter 2.54 cm, thickness 3.2 cm); medium (diameter 7.62 cm, thickness 6.4 cm); large (diameter 30.48 cm, thickness 11.0 cm). Shapes simulated have included thyroid glands with a third (pyramidal) lobe, no isthmus, and rotated lobes. Sizes simulated have been 10 g, 20 g, and 40 g. The results show that the size of the uncertainty is dependent on the detector size, the neck-to-detector distance, and the type of radioiodine being measured (i.e., 131I or 125I). The worst case bias (on contact counting) for either 125I or 131I using the different sized detectors is as follows: small is between -40% and 40%; medium is between -33% and 17%; large is between -20% and 5%. If the detectors are placed at about 15 cm from the neck the bias values drop so that the uncertainty introduced if the subject has a smaller than standard thyroid becomes insignificant and becomes much improved if the thyroid is larger than the standard. The bias values for the detectors are as follows: small is between -20% and 5%; medium is between -23% and 2%; large is between -21% and 2%.

Interventions for preventing or improving the outcome of delivery at or beyond term

BACKGROUND

Perinatal mortality and morbidity is increased in pregnancies of more than 42 weeks that are otherwise low risk.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of interventions aimed at either reducing the incidence or improving the outcome of post-term pregnancy.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of interventions involving the intention to induce labour at a specified gestational age.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Eligibility and trial quality were assessed by one reviewer. Study authors were contacted for additional information.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-six trials of variable quality were included. There were four trials of routine early pregnancy ultrasound, two of nipple stimulation, nineteen of routine versus selective induction of labour and one of antenatal fetal monitoring. Routine early pregnancy ultrasound reduced the incidence of post-term pregnancy (odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.57 to 0.82). Breast and nipple stimulation at term did not affect the incidence of post-term pregnancy (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.96). Routine induction of labour reduced perinatal mortality (odds ratio 0.20, 95% confidence interval 0.06 to 0.70). This benefit is due to the effect of induction of labour after 41 weeks. Routine induction of labour had no effect on caesarean section.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Routine early pregnancy ultrasound examination and subsequent adjustment of delivery date appear to reduce the incidence of post-term pregnancy. Routine induction of labour after 41 weeks gestation appears to reduce perinatal mortality. There is not enough evidence to evaluate the effects of breast and nipple stimulation, or tests of fetal wellbeing.

Prophylactic corticosteroids for preterm birth

BACKGROUND

Respiratory distress syndrome is a serious complication of prematurity causing significant immediate and long-term mortality and morbidity.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of corticosteroids administered to pregnant women to accelerate fetal lung maturity prior to preterm delivery.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised trials of corticosteroid drugs capable of crossing the placenta compared with placebo or no treatment in women expected to deliver preterm as a result of either spontaneous preterm labour, prelabour rupture of the membranes preterm, or elective preterm delivery.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Eligibility and trial quality were assessed by one reviewer.

MAIN RESULTS

Eighteen trials including data on over 3700 babies were included. Antenatal administration of 24 milligrams of betamethasone, of 24 milligrams of dexamethasone, or two grams of hydrocortisone to women expected to give birth preterm was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (odds ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.75), respiratory distress syndrome (odds ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.44 to 0.63) and intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm infants. These benefits extended to a broad range of gestational ages and were not limited by gender or race. No adverse consequences of prophylactic corticosteroids for preterm birth have been identified.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Corticosteroids given prior to preterm birth (as a result of either preterm labour or elective preterm delivery) are effective in preventing respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal mortality. However there is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of repeated doses of corticosteroids in women who remain undelivered, but who are at continued risk of preterm birth. (This abstract has been prepared centrally.)

Birth at home

Recently the National Birthday Trust performed a confidential survey of home births in the United Kingdom. A good response rate was obtained from midwives, who recruited two groups of women prospectively; those planned and accepted as suitable for a home delivery at 37 weeks and a matched group of similar women who were booked for hospital by 37 weeks. Some 16% of such women were transferred to hospital in late pregnancy (4%) or in labour (12%). This figure rose to 40% among the primiparous women in the survey. The survey report presents an analysis of 4,500 home births and 3,300 hospital controls. Outcomes could therefore be presented by the woman's intent or by what actually happened. In essence it seems that a woman who is appropriately selected and screened for a home birth is putting herself and her baby at no greater risk than a mother of a similar low-risk profile who is hospital booked and delivered. Home births will probably increase to 4-5% of all maternities in UK during the next decade and this needs preparatory planning.

Abnormal prenatal sonographic findings in the posterior cranial fossa: a case of Joubert's syndrome

Joubert's syndrome is a well-documented but rare disorder characterized by a variable combination of central nervous system, respiratory, renal and eye anomalies. The most significant and constant neuropathological finding is partial or complete agenesis of the cerebellar vermis. The syndrome was first described by Joubert and colleagues as a familial agenesis of the cerebellar vermis and appears to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. A case of Joubert's syndrome is described in which second-trimester ultrasonography demonstrated abnormal findings in the fetal posterior fossa with associated renal abnormalities. However, postnatal sonography of the posterior fossa could not confirm the prenatal findings, and the diagnosis of Joubert's syndrome was only later established by computed tomography of the neonatal brain in the knowledge of the characteristic clinical picture.

Influence of Soybean Cultivar on Reproduction of Heterodera glycines in Monoxenic Culture

Nematodes produced in monoxenic culture are used for many research purposes. To maximize the number of Heterodera glycines produced in culture, 24 soybean cultivars (maturity groups 0-8) were evaluated for host suitability. A strain of H. glycines race 3, maintained in monoxenic culture on excised soybean root tips of cv. Kent, was inoculated into 20 petri dishes of each cultivar. The highest numbers of first-generation females per petri dish were produced on cultivars Bass, Williams 82, Kent, Proto, and Chapman, and the lowest on cultivars Lambert and Chesapeake. A diapause-like period with decreased nematode production was recorded on some cultivars but not others. Six generations of cultivation on CX 366 did not affect the number of females produced. The results indicated that soybean maturity group could not be used as a parameter for selecting the optimum cultivars for nematode production, and that only J2 petri dishes needed to be counted to determine a 60-female difference per petri dish among cultivars. This study demonstrated that H. glycines populations in monoxenic culture can be more than quadrupled by selection of an appropriate soybean cultivar.

Herpes zoster brachial plexus neuritis

This is the first report of brachial plexus inflammation associated with clinical herpes zoster paresis. A 78-year-old female with a 3-week history of herpes zoster of the C4, C5, and C6 dermatomes developed left upper arm monoplegia. She died from an acute myocardial infarction. Post-mortem provided a rare opportunity to study the neuropathology of herpes zoster motor involvement. Histology of the brachial plexus showed extensive lymphocytic infiltration, myelin breakdown, and preservation of axons without vasculitis. The cervical spinal cord showed perivascular lymphocytic cuffing and no anterior horn necrosis. We suggest, the brachial plexus inflammation was a distal extension of a dorsal ganglionitis. Brachial plexus neuritis may be a direct cause of reversible upper limb paresis in herpes zoster. We demonstrate the motor neuropathy is an inflammatory demyelinative process consistent with the recovery observed in a number of patients. We postulate post-herpetic neuralgia may be related to an ongoing inflammatory process.

Chemical modification of a cloned glutathione S-transferase from Schistosoma japonicum: evidence for an essential histidine residue

Diethylpyrocarbonate (DEP) inhibits the catalytic activity of a cloned glutathione S-transferase from Schistosoma japonicum (Sj26GST) with a second-order rate constant of 474 M-1 min-1 at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C. There is an accompanying increase in absorbance at 242 nm due to the formation of N-carbethoxyhistidyl derivatives. There was no evidence that tyrosine or cysteine residues were modified by DEP treatment nor did the enzyme undergo any major conformational change. Activity can be restored by treating the DEP-modified enzyme with hydroxylamine and the pH curve for inactivation indicates involvement of a residue with a pKa of 7.3. Complete inactivation of Sj26GST requires the modification of six histidine residues per subunit. Statistical analysis of residual enzyme activity versus number of groups modified showed that of the six modifiable groups, only one is critical for activity. Substrate protection suggests that this essential histidine residue is at or near the active site.

A method for recovery and counting of nematode cysts

A technique was developed in the early 1980's for recovery and quantification of Heterodera glycines (soybean cyst nematode) cysts from soil and soybean roots. Cysts were collected on sieves and counted on lincd filter paper. This technique could be applied to other particles of similar dimension and density.

Biochemical properties of cloned glutathione S-transferases from Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum

cDNA clones encoding a 28-kDa subunit glutathione S-transferase (GST) from Schistosoma mansoni (Sm28GST) and a 26-kDa subunit GST from Schistosoma japonicum (Sj26GST) have been expressed in bacterial systems. The recombinant proteins were purified to homogeneity by batch-wash glutathione-agarose affinity chromatography and their biochemical properties investigated. Gel filtration chromatography indicated that both recombinant GSTs are homodimeric proteins. Resolution of Sm28GST and Sj26GST by chromatofocusing in the ranges pH 9-6 and pH 7-4 gave pI estimates of 7.4 and 5.0, respectively. Kinetic analyses suggested that both Sm28GST and Sj26GST operate via a sequential bisubstrate catalytic mechanism. Sm28GST and Sj26GST displayed a mosaic of mammalian Alpha-, Mu- and Pi-type substrate specificities and inhibitor sensitivities. However, multivariate analysis suggests that Sm28GST has an overall catalytic homology with mammalian Mu class GSTs, whilst the enzymatic properties of Sj26GST appear to constitute a hybridisation of Mu and Alpha class features. Both recombinant GSTs interact with a range of hydrophobic ligands including haematin and related compounds, bile acids and several anthelmintics. Sm28GST and Sj26GST possess relatively limited selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activities, but are able to catalyse the glutathione conjugation of members of the trans,trans-alka-2,4-dienal, trans-alk-2-enal and 4-hydroxyalk-2-enal series of reactive carbonyls (known secondary products of lipid peroxidation).