Inhalation of foreign bodies in Chinese children: a review of 400 cases

A retrospective review of 400 Chinese children who had inhaled foreign bodies was undertaken. There has been a yearly increase in the total number of cases of airway foreign bodies removed in our hospital. Fifty-eight percent of the children presenting were from the countryside; 42% were townspeople. Approximately 90% of the patients were under 3 years of age, with the peak incidence of foreign body inhalation occurring between 1 and 2 years of age (57.8%). The male-female ratio was about 1.2:1. About 95% of the removed foreign bodies were organic in origin. The majority of the foreign bodies were found most often in the right bronchial tree (46%). A positive history of foreign body inhalation was obtained in 98% of the cases. Twenty-eight percent of the children presented at the hospital within 24 hours, 71% within 1 week, and 29% more than 1 week after inhaling the foreign body. The most common presenting symptoms of laryngotracheal foreign bodies were cough, wheezing, dyspnea, and hoarseness; those of bronchial foreign bodies were cough, wheezing, decreased air entry, and rhonchi. More than two-thirds of the children with larygotracheal foreign bodies had normal x-ray findings. The most common fluoroscopic findings in those children with bronchial foreign bodies were mediastinal shift (36.8%), obstructive emphysema (35.7%), and normal findings (35%). A total of 348 (87%) bronchial foreign bodies were removed by rigid bronchoscopy (81%), rod-lens bronchoscopy (5%), and spontaneous expulsion (1%); 52 (13%) laryngeal and tracheal foreign bodies were removed by direct laryngoscopy (12%) and tracheotomy (1%). A single endoscopic procedure successfully removed 92.5% of 400 foreign bodies detected in the airways. One child died during bronchoscopy, for a mortality rate of 0.25%.

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against alpha-hemolysin of Escherichia coli

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were raised against native and denatured alpha-hemolysin (HlyA) of Escherichia coli. Binding of the MAbs to native, denatured, and erythrocyte-complexed active wild-type hemolysin and mutant derivatives was tested. All 15 MAbs analyzed bound to native hemolysin, even when the toxin was complexed with human erythrocytes. While some MAbs were unable to bind to a specific native mutant hemolysin, others could not even bind to mutant hemolysin carrying deletions remote from their actual binding sites. A rough determination of the binding sites of 15 MAbs on HlyA was performed by Western immunoblot analysis using CNBr fragments of HlyA and mutant hemolysin proteins. Interestingly, the binding sites of the MAbs against native hemolysin seem to be more randomly distributed on HlyA than are those of MAbs against denatured hemolysin. Three MAbs inhibited the hemolytic activity significantly. Two of these MAbs bound to the hydrophobic region, and the other one bound to the repeat domain of HlyA. The use of synthetic peptides from these regions allowed determination of the linear epitopes for two of these MAbs.

Constitutive antigen presentation by mouse splenic macrophages is restricted to the progeny of a distinct progenitor population

Mouse splenic macrophage progenitors differ in their ability to give rise to cloned progeny that constitutively present complex protein antigens to T-cell hybridomas. To determine if the constitutive presentation of diverse antigens is restricted to cells derived from the same subpopulation of progenitors, we expanded macrophage clones into multiple subcultures and compared them for the ability to present different antigens to their respective antigen-specific T-cell hybridomas. Only subcultures derived from the same minority fraction of splenic macrophage progenitors were capable of constitutively presenting the antigens, and the activity of these subcultures was unaffected by the addition of recombinant murine IFN-gamma. This suggests that a specialized sub-population of constitutive antigen-presenting macrophages exists in the spleens of mice.

Determination of the structural features of (+)-CC-1065 that are responsible for bending and winding of DNA

Analysis of the anomalous migration in electrophoretic mobilities of (+)-CC-1065-modified oligomers following ligation reveals that (+)-CC-1065 induces DNA bending and winding of the helix. (+)-CC-1065 is a potent antitumor antibiotic produced by Streptomyces zelensis. This drug selectively bonds covalently to N3 of adenine and lies in the minor groove of DNA, reacting in a highly sequence-selective manner. Structurally, (+)-CC-1065 consists of three subunits: two identical pyrroloindole units (subunits B and C) and a third subunit containing the DNA-reactive cyclopropane ring (subunit A). While the bonding reaction is the main determinant of DNA sequence selectivity of (+)-CC-1065, binding interactions between the inside edge substituents of the B and C subunits and the floor of the minor groove of DNA can modulate or fine tune this sequence selectivity, [Hurley, L. H., Lee, C.-S., McGovern, J. P., Mitchell, M. A., Warpehoski, M. A., Kelly, R. C., & Aristoff, P. A. (1988) Biochemistry 27, 3886-3892]. The A subunit of (+)-CC-1065 is responsible for the bending of DNA, and close van der Waals contacts between the inside edge of (+)-CC-1065 and the floor of the minor groove of DNA cause winding equivalent to about 1 base pair per alkylation site and stiffening of DNA. The magnitude of DNA bending induced by (+)-CC-1065 and related compounds is about 14-19 degrees, which is equivalent to that produced by an adenine-thymine tract of about 5-6 base pairs in length. Experiments using oligomers containing both an adenine tract and a unique (+)-CC-1065 bonding site approximately one helix turn apart demonstrate that the directionality of drug-induced bending is in toward the minor groove and the locus of bending is about 2-3 base pairs to the 5'-side of the covalently modified adenine. A circularization efficiency assay shows that the optimum size of circles produced by (+)-CC-1065 and related drugs is between 168 and 180 base pairs. These results are discussed in relation to the molecular basis of the DNA sequence selectivity of (+)-CC-1065, and the (+)-CC-1065-induced DNA bending is compared with the intrinsic bending associated with adenine tracts. Since (+)-CC-1065 induces effects on local DNA structure that appear similar to those produced naturally by adenine tracts and certain DNA binding proteins, the relevance of this phenomenon to biological effects of (+)-CC-1065 and related drugs is considered.

[The effect of the emergent vaccination using DTP vaccine to control the outbreak of pertussis]

This paper reports the results of the effects of the emergent vaccination with DTP vaccine to control the outbreak of pertussis. Objects of observation were 4-6 years old children of kindergarten having pertussis vaccination and exposed history. The children were at random divided into two groups: 76 children were vaccinated with DTP vaccine and 72 children were inoculated with placebo. The results of observation: there was no strong and abnormal reaction in the vaccinated children; two weeks and three months after emergent vaccination with DTP vaccine, GMT antibody of pertussis were increased 18.14 and 4.73 times more than before vaccination respectively. There were no differences of the attack rates average days from vaccination to onset, average days of cough (P greater than 0.2) within 21 days after vaccination between the two groups. The protection rate was 62.11% three months after vaccination. The results showed that the emergent vaccination with DTP to control the outbreak of pertussis was safe and effective.

Establishment of a permanent rat brain-derived glial cell line as a source of purified oligodendrocyte-type 2 astrocyte lineage cell populations

A permanent glial cell line (L3) has been established from mixed glial cultures obtained from neonatal rat forebrain by repetitive passaging and selection of the process-bearing cells growing on top of a flat cell monolayer. Continuous propagation of the process-bearing cells was supported by the flat cells, of presumed astroglial origin, which were present in negligible amounts following each passage but then grew and formed a basal, feeder layer. Throughout a culture period of over 2 years, the L3 cells have maintained a stable morphological and antigenic phenotype. In serum-containing culture medium, most of the process-bearing cells expressed at the same time features of immature oligodendrocytes (O4 positivity) and of astrocytes [glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positivity]. A smaller proportion of them was labeled by the monoclonal antibody LB1. LB1+ or O4+ cells were rarely GFAP-, and GFAP+ cells were rarely LB1- or O4-. GalC+ oligodendrocytes were seen only occasionally, but the proportion of these cells increased up to 30% upon culturing in chemically defined medium containing 0.5% fetal calf serum. The L3 process-bearing cells accumulated the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), expressed the proteoglycan chondroitin sulfate, and responded to the mitogenic action of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). All these properties are characteristic of cells belonging to the O-2A (oligodendrocyte-type 2 astrocyte) cell lineage. The L3 flat cells were largely negative for the glial markers tested, but resembled type 1 astrocytes in their ability to support the growth of O-2A lineage cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Variation of secretory antibodies in parotid saliva to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 with HIV-1 disease stage

The secretory immune response to pathogens of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue is often independent of the systemic response. We investigated and compared the presence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antigens in parotid saliva and serum by Western blotting in 22 HIV-1-infected individuals. Antibodies to the HIV-1 envelope antigen gp160 were detected in saliva samples from 21 of 22 individuals and in serum from all individuals who were classified as CDC Group II, III, or IV. Antibody titers to gp160 were approximately 3000 times higher in serum than in saliva. Antibodies to viral core antigen p24 were detected in 6 of 7 Group II individuals in saliva and in 7 of 7 in serum. Antibodies to p24 were not found in the parotid saliva, but were detected in the sera of 3 of 3 Group III and 11 of 12 Group IV patients. The absence of secretory antibodies to HIV-1 core antigen p24 was correlated with CD4+ cell counts of less than 200/mm3. The results suggest that loss of secretory anti-p24 antibodies may be an early sign of progression to higher CDC clinical stages in HIV-1-infected individuals.

High expression of multinucleated giant cells in cultures of peripheral blood cells from HIV infected patients

Multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) were detected in cell lines established from peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with: (a) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS), (b) chronic active hepatitis (CAH), (c) papular acrodermatitis (PA) negative for hepatitis B virus antigens but positive for EBV, and (d) epidermolysis bullosa acquisita positive for EBV. All the cell lines established, including those established from AIDS and LAS patients, were examined for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies directed against the HIV antigens p17 and p24 and for the presence of reverse transcriptase. All the cell lines were found to be negative for HIV. While the cell lines obtained from AIDS patients still express MGCs after more than two years in culture, their supernatants are negative for reverse transcriptase activity and carry phenotypic markers characteristic of B cells. From the LAS and chronic active hepatitis patients we obtained a monolayer of adherent cells almost completely represented by MGCs that lasted for six and four months, respectively. After this period of time a proliferation process took place. Both the cell lines obtained carry B cell phenotypic markers, but MGCs are still a characteristic only for the LAS-derived cell culture. Non infected patients or normal subjects express MGCs only during the early stage of the cultue. The correlation between the presence of MGCs and a retrovirus infection is discussed in the light of the role of MGCs in the pathogenesis of AIDS.

The regulation of transcription of the gerA spore germination operon of Bacillus subtilis

The gerA operon of Bacillus subtilis 168 comprises three genes concerned with the triggering of spore germination by L-alanine and its analogues. The expression of this operon has been characterized using chromosomal lacZ fusions to the gerA promoter. The gerA promoter is switched on 2.5-3 hours after the initiation of sporulation, in parallel with glucose dehydrogenase. A high proportion of the gerA-driven beta-galactosidase detected in sporulating cells is found in the mature spore; the gerA promoter is therefore active in the forespore compartment of the sporulating cell. The gerA promoter is not expressed in spoO, spoII or spoIIIA, B, E and G mutant backgrounds, but is expressed in spoIIIC and D and in spoIV and V mutants. The in vivo transcriptional startpoint of the operon has been mapped by primer extension experiments; sequences upstream from this startpoint show significant homology with recognition sequences for RNA polymerase containing sigma G (E sigma G). The gerA operon was transcribed in vitro by E sigma G with a startpoint identical to that used in vivo, and expression of the gerA operon was rapidly induced in vegetative cells by induction of sigma G synthesis. These data indicate that the gerA operon is an additional member of the sigma G regulon, which includes a number of genes expressed in parallel only in the forespore compartment of sporulating B. subtilis cells.

Functional heterogeneity among CD4+ encephalitogenic T cells in recruitment of CD8+ T cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Inoculation of Lewis rats with live or attenuated (irradiated or paraformaldehyde-fixed) CD4+ encephalitogenic T cells (S1 line) protects the recipients from transferred experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (tEAE) induced by S1 cells. A CD8+ T lymphocyte population specifically activated against the EAE-inducing S1 cells can be readily isolated from the lymphoid organs of pretreated animals. We show, in the present study, that encephalitogenic T cell lines derived from Lewis rats differ in their ability to induce resistance against tEAE in vivo and to stimulate CD8+ cell proliferation in vitro. We also demonstrate that the S19 line of encephalitogenic T cells, in combination with myelin basic protein (MBP), can stimulate CD8+ cell proliferation in vitro. The CD8+ cells generated in this way strongly suppress MBP-specific T cell proliferation in vitro. This combined effect of T cells and MBP was also evident in vivo. Neither S19 cells nor MBP alone induced resistance against S19-mediated tEAE, rather coinjection of these cells and MBP was required. Our results suggest that resistance to EAE is mediated by distinct populations of encephalitogenic T cells that activate Ts cells through different mechanisms. In some instances, both autoreactive T cells and their relevant autoantigen(s) may be needed to activate Ts cells in vivo.

Inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by ionizing radiation in body fluids and serological evidence

A method to use ionizing radiation to inactivate HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in human body fluids was studied in an effort to reduce the risk of accidental infection to forensic science laboratory workers. Experiments conducted indicate that an X-ray absorbed dose of 25 krad was required to completely inactivate HIV. This does not alter forensically important constituents such as enzymes and proteins in body fluids. This method of inactivation of HIV cannot be used on body fluids which will be subjected to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) typing.

Functional heterogeneity among CD4+ encephalitogenic T cells in recruitment of CD8+ T cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Inoculation of Lewis rats with live or attenuated (irradiated or paraformaldehyde-fixed) CD4+ encephalitogenic T cells (S1 line) protects the recipients from transferred experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (tEAE) induced by S1 cells. A CD8+ T lymphocyte population specifically activated against the EAE-inducing S1 cells can be readily isolated from the lymphoid organs of pretreated animals. We show, in the present study, that encephalitogenic T cell lines derived from Lewis rats differ in their ability to induce resistance against tEAE in vivo and to stimulate CD8+ cell proliferation in vitro. We also demonstrate that the S19 line of encephalitogenic T cells, in combination with myelin basic protein (MBP), can stimulate CD8+ cell proliferation in vitro. The CD8+ cells generated in this way strongly suppress MBP-specific T cell proliferation in vitro. This combined effect of T cells and MBP was also evident in vivo. Neither S19 cells nor MBP alone induced resistance against S19-mediated tEAE, rather coinjection of these cells and MBP was required. Our results suggest that resistance to EAE is mediated by distinct populations of encephalitogenic T cells that activate Ts cells through different mechanisms. In some instances, both autoreactive T cells and their relevant autoantigen(s) may be needed to activate Ts cells in vivo.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus in early infected and chronically infected cells by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides and their phosphorothioate analogues

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, both the phosphorothioate analogues and unmodified oligomers of the same sequence, inhibit replication and expression of human immunodeficiency virus already growing in tissue cultures of MOLT-3 cells with much greater efficacy than do mismatched ("random") oligomers and homooligomers of the same length and with the same internucleotide modification. This preferential inhibitory effect is elicited in as short a time as 4-24 hr postinfection. Likewise, antisense oligomers exhibit greater inhibitory effects on human immunodeficiency virus in chronically infected cells than do mismatched oligomers and homooligomers. Phosphorothioate antisene oligomers are up to 100 times more potent than unmodified oligomers of the same sequence in these inhibitory assays. These results, in major respects, confirm and extend those recently published by Matsukura et al. [Matsukura, M., Zon, G., Shinozuka, K., Robert-Guroff, M., Shimada, T., Stein, C. A., Mitsuza, H., Wong-Staal, F., Cohen, J. S. & Broder, S. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 4244-4248]. They also point out the importance of computer analysis of sequences though to be random but that in reality contain significant areas of likely hybridization, either to the viral genome or to the complementary DNA strand synthesized from it. They thus reinforce the concept that specific base pairing is a crucial feature of oligonucleotide inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus.

Inhibitors of adenosine catabolism improve recovery of dog myocardium after ischemia

The effects of inhibitors of adenosine catabolism on contractile function and metabolites were assessed during 15 minutes of ischemia followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion in the open-chest dog heart. As compared to sham treatment, pretreatment with erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA) and dipyridamole (DP) protected contractile function during ischemia, and improved recovery of high energy phosphate content and contractile function during reperfusion following ischemia. Testing EHNA and DP in a free-radical generating system indicated both compounds have some scavenging ability, suggesting the effect of EHNA + DP may not be on adenosine nucleotide metabolism alone. Comparison of end diastolic segment lengths to contractile function indicated the results were not affected by changes in preload resulting from peripheral vasodilation.

Inhibition of HIV replication by liposomal encapsulated amphotericin B

This report shows the potential of using a liposomal encapsulated preparation of amphotericin B (a polyene macrolide antibiotic) for the in vitro inhibition of HIV. There was no significant difference between the effective doses of the free form of drug when compared to the liposomal encapsulated preparation in inhibiting the growth of HIV. Virus expression was suppressed at a concentration of 5-10 micrograms/ml of the drugs. The liposomal preparation showed greatly reduced cytotoxicity in experiments using cultures of murine leukocytes. These results show the potential usefulness of liposomal encapsulated drugs in the treatment of patients with AIDS or AIDS related complex.

Evidence for an additional temporal class of gene expression in the forespore compartment of sporulating Bacillus subtilis

We present evidence indicating that the previously studied, sporulation-induced gene 0.3 kb, which encodes a stable RNA present at late developmental stages, is transcribed in the forespore chamber of sporulating cells of Bacillus subtilis. Compartmentalized gene expression was demonstrated on the basis of subcellular fractionation experiments in which severalfold-higher levels of 0.3 kb-directed beta-galactosidase specific activity were observed in forespore extracts than in extracts from the mother cell and dependence studies in which 0.3 kb transcription was found to be blocked in mutants bearing mutations in spoIIIA, spoIIIE, and spoIIIG, genes which are known to govern forespore gene expression. Also, 0.3 kb transcription could be switched on during growth in cells in which transcription of the forespore regulatory gene spoIIIG was engineered to be activated in response to the lac inducer IPTG (isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside). Although it is transcribed in the forespore, 0.3 kb is switched on at a later developmental stage than other previously studied forespore-expressed genes, and hence it appears to be representative of an additional temporal class of compartmentalized gene expression.

Conservation of the D-mannose-adhesion protein among type 1 fimbriated members of the family Enterobacteriaceae

A variety of genera and species of the family Enterobacteriaceae bear surface fimbriae that enable them to bind to D-mannose residues on eukaryotic cells. Until recently, it was thought that the D-mannose binding site was located in the major structural subunit (FimA), of relative molecular mass (Mr) 17,000 (17 K), of these organelles in Escherichia coli. New evidence indicates that this binding site resides instead in a minor protein Mr 28-31 K (FimH) located at the tips and at long intervals along the length of the fimbriae, and is reminiscent of the minor tip adhesion proteins of pyelonephritis-associated pili (Pap) and S fimbriae. In contrast to the antigenic heterogeneity of the major FimA subunit, the antigenic structure of FimH is conserved among different strains of E. coli. Here, we report an even broader conservation of this minor adhesion protein extending to other genera and species of type 1 fimbriated Enterobacteriaceae. Our results may have implications for the development of broadly protective vaccines against Gram-negative bacillary infections in animals and perhaps in man.

Regulatory circuits in autoimmunity: recruitment of counter-regulatory CD8+ T cells by encephalitogenic CD4+ T line cells

In this study, pretreatment of Lewis rats with a syngeneic encephalitogenic T cell line (S1) was found to be able to constantly induce resistance to the subsequent induction of transferred experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (tEAE). This treatment was capable of protecting recipient animals for at least 2-4 months. Here we show an enhanced suppressor T(anti-S1) cell activity, which can be readily detected in the lymphoid organs of animals which recovered from S1-induced tEAE, or from rats pretreated with attenuated (irradiated, fixative treated or water-lysed) S1 cells. Anti-S1 cells, which uniformly express the CD8 phenotype, were selectively stimulated to grow and expand into lines by confronting primed lymphoid cells with irradiated S1 cells in culture. The proliferative response of anti-S1 cells was independent of myelin basic protein and antigen-presenting cells, and the responses against unrelated encephalitogenic T cell lines were minimal. It was also found that none of the monoclonal antibodies tested (including CD8 and MHC class I antigen-specific antibodies) was able to block S1/anti-S1 interactions. These cells are functionally suppressive to the proliferation of S1 cells in vitro, are specifically cytolytic directed against the EAE-inducing S1 cells and are able to antagonize encephalitogenic capacity of S1 cells in vivo. In vivo elimination of the CD8+ T subset from Lewis rats, using a combined treatment of thymectomy and OX-8 antibody injection before the initial cell transfer, totally blocked the induction of resistance. Our experiments document that induction of functionally active suppressor T cells is responsible for the induced resistance observed in tEAE.

Berberine sulfate blocks adherence of Streptococcus pyogenes to epithelial cells, fibronectin, and hexadecane

Berberine sulfate is an alkaloid extracted from the roots and bark of various plants and possesses antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal activities. Most studies have focused on the bacteriostatic or bactericidal activities of this compound. In this study, we report that berberine sulfate is bacteriostatic for streptococci and that sub-MICs of berberine blocked the adherence of streptococci to host cells, immobilized fibronectin, and hexadecane. Concentrations of berberine below its MIC caused an eightfold increase in release of lipoteichoic acid from the streptococci. Higher concentrations of berberine directly interfered with the adherence of streptococci to host cells either by preventing the complexing of lipoteichoic acid with fibronectin or by dissolution of such complexes once they were formed. Thus, berberine sulfate interferes with the adherence of group A streptococci by two distinct mechanisms: one by releasing the adhesin lipoteichoic acid from the streptococcal cell surface and another by directly preventing or dissolving lipoteichoic acid-fibronectin complexes.

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus replication by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides

Twenty different target sites within human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA were selected for studies of inhibition of HIV replication by antisense oligonucleotides. Target sites were selected based on their potential capacity to block recognition functions during viral replication. Antisense oligomers complementary to sites within or near the sequence repeated at the ends of retrovirus RNA (R region) and to certain splice sites were most effective. The effect of antisense oligomer length on inhibiting virus replication was also investigated, and preliminary toxicity studies in mice show that these compounds are toxic only at high levels. The results indicate potential usefulness for these oligomers in the treatment of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex either alone or in combination with other drugs.

Influence of berberine sulfate on synthesis and expression of Pap fimbrial adhesin in uropathogenic Escherichia coli

We investigated the influence of berberine sulfate, an ancient Chinese antibiotic, upon the adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to erythrocytes and epithelial cells. Although berberine sulfate in increasing concentrations had no effect on bacterial growth or on the synthesis of major outer membrane proteins of the E. coli organisms, it increasingly blocked adhesion. The decreased adhesion was accompanied by a reduction in the synthesis of fimbrial subunits and in the expression of assembled fimbriae. These results suggest that the anti-infectious activity of berberine sulfate in E. coli-induced urinary tract infections may be mediated by the selective suppression of the synthesis and assembly of fimbriae by uropathogenic organisms.

A Mobile Oocyte Incubation Unit (MOIU): a device for improvement of the gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) program

Forty couples with infertility due to various causes were selected for the gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) program at our hospital. When the first 21 couples (Group A) had been treated in the program, the rate of pregnancy achieved was 23.8%, which did not seem satisfactory. This might have been caused by the distance between the embryo laboratory and the operating room. To eliminate this defect, a Mobile Oocyte Incubation Unit (MOIU) was designed. This is actually a compact laboratory that can be placed in the operating room. After the MOIU was utilized, the rate of pregnancy for the following 19 couples (Group B) increased to 42.1%. The MOIU has helped improve the performance of the GIFT program by increasing the stability of the pH value of the culture medium (Chetkowski R, et al.: J Vitro Fert Embryo Transfer 1985;2:207), lessening the exposure of the gametes to air and room temperature, and most importantly, shortening the time required for a GIFT procedure from 45-100 to 15-30 min. We expect that the MOIU will eventually become an integral part of the standard equipment for the GIFT program and make the program more successful and reliable in the treatment of infertility.