Retinoic acid-mediated induction of neurons and glial cells from human umbilical cord-derived hematopoietic stem cells

Recent studies reporting trans-differentiation of mononucleated cells derived from human umbilical cord blood into neuronal cells aroused interest among investigators for their clinical implication and significance in regenerative medicine. In the present study, purified populations of hematopoietic stem cells were isolated via magnetic bead sorting and fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) using a specific CD133 antibody, a cell type-specific marker for hematopoietic stem cells, and grown in culture in the presence of retinoic acid (RA). CD133+ hematopoietic stem cells expressed neuronal and glial phenotypes after RA treatment. RT-PCR analysis indicated that the RA treated CD133+ cells expressed mRNA transcripts for ATP-binding cassettes transporter ABCG2 (a universal stem cell marker), nestin (a specific cell type marker for neural stem cells), Musashi1 (a specific marker for neural stem cells) and RA receptors (RAR) including RAR-alpha, RAR-beta, and retinoid X receptor (RXR)-gamma. RA-treated CD133+ cells expressed mRNA transcripts for neuron-specific markers neurofilament proteins (NF-L, -M, -H) and synaptophysin as determined by RT-PCR, structural proteins characteristic of neurons including tubulin beta III and neuron specific enolase (NSE) by Western blot, and neuron-specific markers NeuN and microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) by immunocytochemistry. RA-treated CD133+ cells also expressed the astrocyte-specific marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), as demonstrated by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry. In addition, RA-treated CD133+ cells expressed cell type-specific markers for oligodendrocytes including myelin basic protein (MBP) as shown by RT-PCR, proteolipid protein (PLP) by Western blot analysis, and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (CNPase) by immunostaining. Upregulated expression of several basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors important for early neurogenesis, including Otx2, Pax6, Wnt1, Olig2, Hash1 and NeuroD1, was also demonstrated in CD133+ cells after RA treatment. These results indicate that human cord blood-derived CD133+ hematopoietic stem cells could trans-differentiate into neural cell types of neuron-like cells, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes by RA treatment.

BR22, a 26 kDa thyroid transcription factor-1 associated protein (TAP26), is expressed in human lung cells

The current authors have previously identified BR22, a thyroid transcription factor (TTF)-1 associated protein 26 (TAP26), which interacts with TTF-1 to enhance human surfactant protein (SP)-B promoter activity in transfected 293 cells. However, the expression of TAP26 in the lung cells and its biological relevance to the SP-B production under physiological conditions were not examined. In this study, endogenous co-immunoprecipitation and in situ immunohistochemical staining techniques were employed to explore the presence of TAP26 and TTF-1 complex in the lung epithelial cells. The correlation of TAP26, TTF-1 and SP-B expression was inspected in H441 cells in the presence of dexamethasone, a known positive effector of the SP-B promoter. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) against TAP26 can co-immunoprecipitate both TAP26 and TTF-1 from H441 cells. Using this antibody in in situ staining of human lung sections, the data show that TAP26 is present in the lung alveolar epithelial cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses of type-II cells as well as dexamethasone-treated H441 cells suggest that TAP26 expression is modulated coordinately with SP-B and TTF-1 in these cells. In summary, the current study demonstrates that thyroid transcription factor-1 associated protein 26 is an associated protein of thyroid transcription factor-1 in the lung alveolar epithelial cells where surfactant protein gene expressions take place in vivo.

Effects of cryopreservation on meiotic spindles of oocytes and its dynamics after thawing: clinical implications in oocyte freezing--a review article

Embryo freezing has been a successful practice, but oocyte cryopreservation formerly achieved poorer results. This was mainly due to low rates of survival, fertilization, and development. The major dissimilarities for oocytes to embryos are the character of the plasma membrane, the presence of cortical granules, at the metaphase of meiosis II with the spindle system. In addition, the oocytes must be fertilized by sperm at the appropriate time. To improve the survival rate, a refined slow freezing method with increased sucrose concentration would dehydrate oocytes more sufficiently. Vitrification is another approach to prevent ice crystal formation. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is used to overcome possible zona hardening from the release of cortical granules. The microtubules of meiotic spindles are vulnerable to the thermal changes and would depolymerize. Cryopreserved oocytes exhibited serious disturbances of the microtubules immediately after thawing. Fertilization of oocytes with disorganized spindles could lead to chromosomal aneuploidy, digyny, and arrest of cleavage. After incubation, the microtubules would repolymerize in a time-dependent way. Normal fertilization and development of cryopreserved oocytes improved after appropriate incubation and timing of insemination, compatible with recovery of the spindles. With the improvement of survival, fertilization, and cleavage, oocyte cryopreservation would gain an imperative role.

Increase in the production of interleukin-10 early after implantation is related to the success of pregnancy

PROBLEM

To study the correlation of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-11 leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), placental growth factor (PIGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and outcome of human pregnancy.

METHOD OF STUDY

We prospectively measured the serum levels of these cytokines in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs. A total of 60 women (non-pregnant, n = 27; early abortions, n = 12; normal pregnancies, n = 21) were enrolled.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the cytokines studied on D0 and D14 among the three groups of women. The increase in PIGF from D0 to D14 after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection was greater in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women; however, the difference did not reach significance (P = 0.068). The increase in IL-10 production from D14 to D21 was significant in women with successful pregnancies compared to women in the abortion group.

CONCLUSIONS

This increase in IL-10 may be important in sustaining a normal pregnancy early after implantation.

Cre stoplight: a red/green fluorescent reporter of Cre recombinase expression in living cells

The Cre/lox system is a powerful genetic tool with which to manipulate the genome. Here, we describe the development of a simple reporter system for Cre recombinase, called the Cre Stoplight. In the absence of Cre, the red fluorescent protein is expressed; when Cre catalyzes a recombination event, the green fluorescent protein is produced. Testing this system in transiently transfected cells showed that it produced robust signals (90% of the cells converted from red to green) when equal amounts of the plasmids encoding Cre recombinase and the Cre Stoplight were used. A 1:100 ratio of enzyme to reporter plasmid produced similar results, and a 1:10000 ratio was necessary to significantly reduce the number of cells converting to green (1%).

Vitrification of mouse oocytes using closed pulled straws (CPS) achieves a high survival and preserves good patterns of meiotic spindles, compared with conventional straws, open pulled straws (OPS) and grids

BACKGROUND

We modified the loading of pulled straws into a new closed system, called closed pulled straws (CPS) for holding oocytes for vitrification. The morphological survival, dynamics of meiotic spindles, and fertilization in vitro of vitrified oocytes using CPS were compared with conventional straws, open pulled straws (OPS), and grids.

METHODS

Surviving oocytes were stained for spindles and chromosomes after 1, 2 and 3 h incubations, and compared with controls. The capacity of fertilization and embryonic cleavage were examined in vitro.

RESULTS

The survival rates of the CPS (79%) and straw (77%) groups were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the OPS (63%) and grid (39%) groups. At a 1h incubation, vitrified oocytes of four groups had significantly fewer normal spindles than controls (P < 0.05). The straw group was inferior to the others in spindle morphology (P < 0.05). After a 3 h incubation, recovery of vitrified oocytes with normal spindles was significantly improved in all groups (P < 0.05). The percentages of fertilization and blastocyst formation of vitrified oocytes after a 1 h incubation was significantly lower than controls (P < 0.05), but they were improved after 2 or 3 h incubations (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Oocytes vitrified using CPS, OPS or grids could lessen spindle injuries and expedite recuperation. The survival using OPS or grids is lower. Sufficient culture time for recovery of meiotic spindle would be imperative for fertilization events of vitrified oocytes. CPS has the advantages of achieving a high survival and preserving good spindles.

Exogenous nitric oxide inhibits experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis development in Lewis rats by modulation of the Th1-dependent immune response

Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of posterior uvea that closely resembles a human disease. The uveitogenic effector T cell has a Th1-like phenotype [high interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), low interleukin-4 (IL-4)], and genetic susceptibility to EAU that is associated with an elevated Th1 response. Suppression of CD4+ Th1 cells for the treatment of autoimmune disease is an attractive potential therapeutic approach. Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated the potential role of NO as an immunoregulator to alter Th1/Th2 cytokine production, as well as to inhibit the interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP)-induced EAU, a CD4+ Th1 cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Injection of IRBP (100 microg) into two footpads resulted in severe EAU. The beginning peak of the disease was days 12 to 15 after immunization. Oral treatment with molsidomine (MSDM), a NO donor, began 24 h before IRBP immunization to the end of the experiments, which resulted in a significant inhibition of the disease by clinical and histopathological criteria. When MSDM was administered until day 21, a complete reduction of incidence and severity of EAU was observed. To investigate the cytokine alterations from Th1 to Th2 cytokines by MSDM, the cytokines were assayed in a culture medium of IRBP-stimulated inguinal lymphocytes. IRBP-immunized rats secreted a high concentration of IFN-gamma and a low concentration of IL-10. In contrast, MSDM treatment enhanced IL-10 secretion and tended to decrease IFN-gamma secretion. In conclusion, we show that the administration of NO suppresses EAU by altering the Th1/Th2 balance of inflammatory immune responses. We suggest that NO may be useful in the therapeutic control of autoimmune uveitis.

Distribution of Th1 and Th2 cell populations in human peripheral and decidual T cells from normal and anembryonic pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether maternal immune responses during normal pregnancy are Th2 biased and whether there are specific changes when anembryonic pregnancy occurs.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a university hospital.

PATIENT(S)

We studied 32 pregnant women receiving elective abortions of normal pregnancies and 35 women with anembryonic pregnancies between 6 weeks and 10 weeks of gestational age.

INTERVENTION(S)

Using the multilabeling capability of three-color flow cytometry, it is possible to measure intracellular cytokines and cell surface markers simultaneously to determine which cells are the cytokine-producing cells.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

We examined the extent and proportion of mononuclear cells expressing specific T-cell surface markers and cytokines, interferon gamma, and interleukin 4 in the peripheral blood and deciduae. Secreted cytokines in the supernatants after 24-hour culture were also compared.

RESULT(S)

During the unstimulated status, the proportion of IL-4-secreting cells significantly exceeded that of IFN-gamma-secreting cells in the peripheral blood and decidua in normal pregnancies and was significantly decreased when anembryonic pregnancies occurred. Consequently, the Th1/Th2 ratios were increased during anembryonic pregnancies. However, after 24-hour culture, only another Th2-type cytokine, IL-10, was markedly increased and exceeded IFN-gamma secretion in cultures from both the peripheral blood and decidua in normal pregnancies.

CONCLUSION(S)

The decidual T lymphocytes are Th2 predominant. When anembryonic pregnancy occurs, this Th2 predominance disappears.

Epidemiological significance of sero-positive inhabitants against sparganum in Kangwon-do, Korea

Sparganum is a plerocercoid of pseudophyllidean tapeworms, Diphyllobothrium or Spirometra spp. Human sparganosis is endemic mainly in East and Southeast Asian countries where the custom of eating raw snake or frog meat, or poulticing with snake's skin exists. From January 1995 to November 1999, an epidemiological survey was undertaken to evaluate the serum levels of anti-sparganum specific IgG antibodies in Whachon-gun residents, Korea. An enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot analysis of the sera from 316 subjects were used. In addition, a stool examination from 416 inhabitants and questionnaires regarding the consumption of raw meat were given. Out of 416 inhabitants examined coprologically, one was infected with Clonorchis sinensis and two were infected with Metagonimus spp. The sera from 36 inhabitants (11.4 %) showed a positive reaction to the sparganum antigen. Out of these 36 inhabitants, the sera from 25 people were examined 7, 19, and 50 months later. The sera were found to still show positive reactions without any remarkable changes of anti-sparganum specific antibody titers except for one. An analysis of the questionnaires suggested that a history of eating of raw snakes or frogs was important risk factor for clinical or covert sparganosis (odd ratio=15.6 and 3.1, respectively).

Effectiveness of postoperative adjuvant therapy in improving reproductive outcome of endometriosis-associated infertility

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility has not yet become standardized. Various protocols including surgical treatment, medical therapy, and a combination of both have been suggested but their use remains controversial. The objective of the present study was to determine whether postoperative adjuvant therapy for endometriosis is effective in improving reproductive outcome.

METHODS

Medical records of infertile patients with newly diagnosed endometriosis treated in a university teaching hospital during a 50-month period were reviewed. After exclusion of patients with other major infertility factors, a total of 209 patients were included in the retrospective analysis. These patients were divided into those receiving (n = 78) or not receiving (n = 131) peri- or postoperative adjuvant medical therapy. The adjuvant therapies included danazol (n = 62), gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues (n = 11), progestins (n = 3), oral contraceptives (n = 1), and mixed treatment (n = 1).

RESULTS

The pregnancy rate was lower in those receiving adjuvant therapy, although this result was not significant (32.1% vs 45.8%; p = 0.05). When patients using postoperative danazol therapy were considered alone, the pregnancy rate in patients receiving adjuvant therapy was significantly lower than that in patients not receiving it (p = 0.047). When the stage of endometriosis was considered, the pregnancy rate in patients receiving adjuvant therapy was again lower than in those not receiving it in patients with minimal or mild endometriosis (42.9% vs 60%; p = 0.043). However, in patients with moderate or severe endometriosis, the pregnancy rate was not different in the two groups (31% vs 36%; p = 0.56). Postoperative assisted reproductive techniques (ART) including controlled ovarian hyperstimulation/intrauterine insemination (COH/IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) were effective in improving the pregnancy rates for all patients (53.9% with ART vs 33.1% without; p = 0.003) and for patients with advanced endometriosis (47.7% with ART vs 27.2% without; p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that postoperative adjuvant therapy is ineffective in improving reproductive outcome in patients with either early (minimal or mild) or advanced (moderate and severe) endometriosis. This finding suggests that if fertility is the goal of treatment, adjuvant therapy may be unnecessary after surgery. In contrast, our data suggest that empirical ART, including COH/IUI or IVF, may be a better alternative to improve the pregnancy outcome after surgery.

5-fluorouracil-induced leukoencephalopathy in patients with breast cancer

The purpose of this study is to determine the characteristic clinical features, radiologic findings, and precipitating and prognostic factors in the patients with breast cancer and with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced leukoencephalopathy. We reviewed the medical records of six breast cancer patients who developed leukoencephalopathy after chemotherapy which included 5-FU and also evaluated thorough neurological examinations including mini-mental status examination, cerebrospinal fluid studies, brain images and brain biopsies. Six patients exhibited slowly progressing neurologic symptoms characterized by the impairment of cognitive function, abulia, ataxic gait, and/or akinetic mutism. None of the patients had any specific causes or etiologic factors for leukoencephalopathy. Brain MRI in all patients showed diffuse periventricular white matter changes in the T2-weighted MR image. Brain biopsy in Patient 1 showed fragmented axonal fiber and minimally deprived myelination with many scattered macrophages. Five patients who treated with steroids at the onset of neurological symptoms showed clinical improvement, regardless of their age, sex, the pathology and stage of breast cancer, or the total dosage of chemotherapeutic agents. We conclude that leukoencephalopathy in these cases could be attributable to 5-FU neurotoxicity and suggest that the administration of steroids might be the treatment of choice.

Automatic identification of human helminth eggs on microscopic fecal specimens using digital image processing and an artificial neural network

In order to automate routine fecal examination for parasitic diseases, we propose in this study a computer processing algorithm using digital image processing techniques and an artificial neural network (ANN) classifier. The morphometric characteristics of eggs of human parasites in fecal specimens were extracted from microscopic images through digital image processing. An ANN then identified the parasite species based on those characteristics. We selected four morphometric features based on three morphological characteristics representing shape, shell smoothness, and size. A total of 82 microscopic images containing seven common human helminth eggs were used. The first stage (ANN-1) of the proposed ANN classification system isolated eggs from confusing artifacts. The second stage (ANN-2) classified eggs by species. The performance of ANN was evaluated by the tenfold cross-validation method to obviate the dependency on the selection of training samples. Cross-validation results showed 86.1% average correct classification ratio for ANN-1 and 90.3% for ANN-2 with small variances of 46.0 and 39.0, respectively. The algorithm developed will be an essential part of a completely automated fecal examination system.

Elevated E2: oocyte ratio in women undergoing IVF and tubal ET. Correlation with a decrease in the implantation rate

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of various estradiol (E2): oocyte ratios on reproductive outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization and tubal embryo transfer (IVF-TET).

STUDY DESIGN

Two hundred seven women undergoing 251 IVF-TET cycles were recruited in this retrospective study. All the women received a flare-up gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) protocol to achieve ovarian hyperstimulation. Oocyte retrieval was performed 34-36 hours after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection, followed by TET two days later.

RESULTS

An E2: oocyte ratio > or = 350 pg/mL had a higher E2 level (2,213 +/- 2,258 vs. 1,553 +/- 972 pg/mL, P < .05) and fertilization rate (77 +/- 23 vs. 64 +/- 23%, P < .001) but a lower oocyte number (4.8 +/- 4.7 vs. 7.6 +/- 4.8, P < .001) than in those with a ratio < 350 pg/mL. The pregnancy (17.9% vs. 32.8%, P = .03) and implantation (5.3% vs. 12.9%, P = .008) rates were significantly decreased in cycles with an E2: oocyte ratio > or = 350 pg/mL as compared to those with a ratio < 350 pg/mL.

CONCLUSION

IVF-TET cycles with an elevated E2: oocyte ratio correlated with lower pregnancy and implantation rates. The poor reproductive outcome possibly was due to the relatively high E2 concentration, which might have a detrimental effect on endometrial receptivity.

Comparative study of daily activities of pregnant and non-pregnant women after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The purposes of this study were to explore daily activity following embryo transfer (ET) in women who had undergone in vitro fertilization (IVF), and to compare the differences between pregnant and non-pregnant cycles.

METHODS

This prospective survey was conducted in a medical center in northern Taiwan. Subjects were women who had completed one IVF cycle. Using a structured questionnaire, the subjects were asked whether they had changed their normal daily activities during the 2-week waiting period following ET. Data were collected on the day of ET and on the day of pregnancy testing before the outcome of the treatment was known. After the results of the pregnancy test were known, subjects were divided into pregnant and non-pregnant groups, with 30 subjects in each group.

RESULTS

Of the 60 participants, 56 reported that they had tried to rest in bed for more than 2 hours following ET, and 54 reported that they limited their self-care activity on the day of ET. During the 2-week waiting period following ET, 55 walked at a slow pace, 51 limited their social activity, 47 avoided the use of stairs, 45 limited their self-care activity, and 40 adjusted their work load. However, a comparison of daily activity variables between the two groups yielded no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Most subjects reported that they restricted their daily activities following IVF/ET, even though their doctors suggested that they return to their normal routines. Bed rest was not correlated with successful IVF.

[Assessment of velopharyngeal function in normal speech by CT]

OBJECTIVE

To find an objective method to assess velopharyngeal function by CT.

METHODS

Three dimensional conformation of the velopharyngeal orifice of 30 subjects with normal speech at rest and /i:/ position were observed and analyzed. The linear distance and area of velopharyngeal orifice were measured and analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

The average minimal area of velopharyngeal orifice at/i:/ position was 11.92+/-11.73 mm(2). The physical RVPI was 4.03+/-4.03%. Coronary closure was the most common type of velopharyngeal contraction which accounted for 50%, semi-ring type being 30%, and ring type being 20%. No sagittal closure were seen in this study. There were 70% subjects whose position of velopharyngeal closure was at the level of the first cervical vertebra, 26.7% above the level and 3.3% below it. The arrange of velopharyngeal closure was 9-12 mm in 83.4% subjects, and 3-6mm in 16.6%.

CONCLUSION

As a method of assessing velopharyngeal function, CT can not only observe the conformation of velopharyngeal orifice in three dimensions, but also quantitatively analyze the velopharyngeal function.

Electronic spectral studies of molybdenyl complexes. 2. MCD spectroscopy of [MoOS4]- centers

Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and absorption spectroscopies have been used to probe the electronic structure of [PPh4][MoO(p-SC6H4X)4] (X = H, Cl, OMe) and [PPh4][MoO(edt)2] complexes (edt = ethane-1,2-dithiolate). The results of density functional calculations (DFT) on [MoO(SMe)4]- and [MoO(edt)2]- model complexes were used to provide a framework for the interpretation of the spectra. Our analysis shows that the lowest energy transitions in [MoVOS4] chromophores (S4 = sulfur donor ligand) result from S-->Mo charge transfer transitions from S valence orbitals that lie close to the ligand field manifold. The energies of these transitions are strongly dependent on the orientation of the S lone-pair orbitals with respect to the Mo atom that is determined by the geometry of the ligand backbone. Thus, the lowest energy transition in the MCD spectrum of [PPh4][MoO(p-SC6H4X)4] (X = H) occurs at 14,800 cm-1, while that in [PPh4][MoO(edt)2] occurs at 11,900 cm-1. The identification of three bands in the absorption spectrum of [PPh4][MoO(edt)2] arising from LMCT from S pseudo-sigma combinations to the singly occupied Mo 4d orbital in the xy plane suggests that there is considerable covalency in the ground-state electronic structures of [MoOS4] complexes. DFT calculations on [MoO(SMe)4]- reveal that the singly occupied HOMO is 53% Mo 4dxy and 35% S p for the equilibrium C4 geometry. For [MoO(edt)2]- the steric constraints imposed by the edt ligands result in the S pi orbitals being of similar energy to the Mo 4d manifold. Significant S pseudo-sigma and pi donation may also weaken the Mo identical to O bond in [MoOS4] centers, a requirement for facile active site regeneration in the catalytic cycle of the DMSO reductases. The strong dependence of the energies of the bands in the absorption and MCD spectra of [PPh4][MoO(p-SC6H4X)4] (X = H, Cl, OMe) and [PPh4][MoO(edt)2] on the ligand geometry suggests that the structural features of the active sites of the DMSO reductases may result in an electronic structure that is optimized for facile oxygen atom transfer.

Torsion of the previously normal uterine adnexa. Evaluation of the correlation between the pathological changes and the clinical characteristics

BACKGROUND

Treatment of adnexal torsion remains a clinical dilemma when future fertility is wanted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the pathological changes and the clinical characteristics on patients having torsion of the previously normal uterine adnexa which may help us decide whether detorsion is worthwhile.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 69 patients undergoing surgical intervention for adnexal torsion was performed. Among them, 13 patients diagnosed with torsion of the previously normal adnexa were identified. Their clinical and pathological features were compared.

RESULTS

Extensive hemorrhagic necrosis of the twisted ovary was observed in five patients, and each of them had their duration of torsion last 48 hours or longer. Three of 13 cases (23.1%) with torsion of the previously normal adnexa had local thrombus formation within the twisted adnexa. Their duration of torsion varied from 18 hours to 288 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

The likelihood of preserving viable ovarian tissue is significantly decreased if the duration of torsion lasts 48 hours or longer. Local thrombus formation in the twisted adnexa cannot be predicted simply from the duration of torsion.

Mouse embryo toxicity of IL-6 in peritoneal fluids from women with or without endometriosis

BACKGROUND

To determine whether there is a factor (or factors) in the peritoneal fluid of endometriosis patients that impairs embryo growth and embryo implantation.

METHODS

Growth and development of two-cell mouse embryos which were cultured in media with peritoneal fluid from women with or without endometriosis and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in conditioned media were measured.

RESULTS

The blastocyst rate in the non-endometriosis group was 46.4 +/- 31.1%, and that of the endometriosis group was 54.6 +/- 28.7%. Logistic regression analysis using the criteria of blastocyst development in 454 embryos, showed that the peritoneal fluid from endometriosis could promote (p=0.015) but IL-6 could arrest embryo growth to blastocyst (p=0.025). IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels had no significant effect on blastocyst formation.

CONCLUSION

Peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis was not toxic to mouse embryo development. However, IL-6 in the peritoneal fluid deteriorated the growth and development of mouse embryos.

BR22, a novel protein, interacts with thyroid transcription factor-1 and activates the human surfactant protein B promoter

Surfactant protein (SP)-B expression is restricted to type II pneumocytes and Clara cells in the lung. Previously, a promoter region of human SP-B gene from -64 to -118 has been identified as critical for the tissue-specific expression of this gene. Two cis-elements for thyroid transcription factor (TTF)-1 and hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-3alpha binding were found within this area. Using an oligonucleotide fragment, we incorporated this region sequence into the promoter of a HIS3 reporter gene in yeast. With this modified yeast a human lung complementary DNA (cDNA) library was screened for DNA-binding proteins, other than TTF-1 and HNF-3alpha, that interacted with this promoter segment. A cDNA clone encoding a novel polypeptide, BR22, was identified that activated the reporter gene expression in yeast. This gene is expressed in many tissues and encodes a protein with bipartite nuclear localization signals. Studies using in vivo yeast two-hybrid analysis, in vitro protein-protein interactions, and coimmunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that BR22 formed a protein complex with TTF-1. In vivo cotransfection studies further indicated that BR22 could act with TTF-1 to synergistically activate the SP-B promoter in mammalian cells. Our data suggest that BR22 is a TTF-1-associated protein. Through a protein-protein interaction with TTF-1, BR22 can form a complex and activate the human SP-B promoter in vivo.

Enterobius vermicularis egg positive rate of pre-school children in Chunchon, Korea (1999)

Pre-school children were examined for the presence of Enterobius vermicularis egg by perianal swab method. We visited 67 nurseries and 25 kindergartens between January, 1999 and April, 1999 in Chunchon, Korea. Of the 4,711 children examined, 434 (9.2%) were found to be positive for E. vermicularis egg. The egg positive rates of boys and girls were 10.1% and 8.1%, respectively. The rates were 7.8% in kindergartens and 9.7% in nurseries. Positive rate of 50 institutions was less than 10%. Rate in 35 institutions was from 10% to less than 20%. Rate in 7 institutions was equal to or over 20%. Out of 1,113 children examined twice, 28 (2.5%) children were positive consecutively, 53 (4.8%) were positive with negative conversion, 47 (4.2%) were negative with positive conversion, and 985 (88.5%) were consecutively negative. It means that in the low endemic area of enterobiasis with around 10% positive rate, the two consecutive examinations may increase the egg detection rate of 4.2-4.8%. The small number of consecutive egg positive children also suggests that the worm burden of the positive children might be low. Since the egg positive rate of that age group in this City increased from 1.85% (1997), and 3.0% (1998), the more intensive regular control should be executed.