Trypanosoma lewisi: termination of pregnancy in the infected rat

Trypanosoma lewisi has previously been described as a nonpathogenic parasite of the rat, but these experiments demonstrate that both embryonal and maternal death may occur in the pregnant rat after infection with this parasite.Rats infected early in the first week of pregnancy resorbed their young with little apparent difficulty, and exhibited parasitemia curves typical of nonpregnant infected females of similar age.Rats infected late in the first week of pregnancy experienced greater difficulty resorbing the young, with half of the females dying shortly before parturition. The parasitemia counts were also similar to those of nonpregnant infected rats.The majority of rats infected during the midterm of pregnancy died at the time of parturition, without giving birth to their young. The number of parasites in these animals was abnormally high compared to nonpregnant infected females. Unusually large numbers of dividing trypanosomes were present in the placentae of these animals, many of them containing 8–16 nuclei and kinetoplasts.Animals infected during the last week of pregnancy gave birth to litters of normal size with little apparent difficulty, and had extremely low parasite counts.The hematocrits of all groups of infected animals showed a decrease at the time of peak parasitemia, and the hematocrits of all groups of pregnant rats showed a decrease at the time of birth, except for those infected when day 2 pregnant. These animals completely resorbed their young. The weight losses of rats infected on day 2 and day 6 of pregnancy reflected a termination of pregnancy.     

Effect of multiple stress factors (thermal,nutritional and pregnancy type) on adaptive capability of native ewes under semi-arid environment

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of multiple stress factors (thermal, nutritional and pregnancy type) on two different native track breeds of ewes as reflected by their adaptive capability under semi-arid environment. The multiple stressor experiment was conducted in twenty-four ewes (12 Santa Inês and 12 Morada Nova ewes). Both heat stress and pregnancy stress was common to all four groups. However, the animals were divided into further two groups within each breed on the basis of nutrition regimen. According the groupings were: Group 1 (Six Santa Ines ewes; heat stress; nutrition at 0.5% of BW; single pregnancy); Group 2 (Six Santa Ines ewes; heat stress; nutrition at 1.5% BW; twin pregnancy); groups Group 3 (Six Morada Nova ewes; heat stress; nutrition at 0.5% of BW; single pregnancy); Group 4 (Six Morada Nova ewes; heat stress; nutrition at 1.5% BW; twin pregnancy). All the animals in the experiment were pregnant. Heat stress was induced by exposing all animals to summer heat stress in outside environment while the nutritional regimen followed was at 0.5% and 1.5% level of body weight (BW) respectively in each breed. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with two breeds, two nutritional treatments and two pregnancy types, 10 repetitions for physiological parameters and six for blood parameters, with repeated measures over time. Physiological parameters (respiratory rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature) were measured with the animals at rest in the morning and afternoon, 0600-0700 and 1300–1400 h, respectively, every seven days. Blood samples were collected every 14 d for determination of serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea and creatinine. We found interaction effect between breed and pregnancy type on respiratory rate and rectal temperature with greater values in Santa Inês ewes than Morada Nova ewes. However, there was no significant fixed effect of pregnancy type and supplementation level on physiological responses of breeds. Environmental factor (period of the day) had influenced the physiological responses of ewes during all gestational period. Santa Inês ewes had greater serum glucose concentration at 105 d and 120 d of gestation compared to the Morada Nova ewes. Morada Nova ewes had greater concentrations of triglycerides, urea at 120 d, 150 d and also greater cholesterol at 105 d, 135 d and 150 d of gestation compared with Santa Inês ewes. The present result indicates that thermal condition was most important factor that modified the physiological responses of ewes in a semi-arid tropical environment.     

Cytokines and their association with insulin resistance in obese pregnant women with different levels of physical activity

BackgroundCytokines contribute to insulin resistance in pregnancy, but the role of distinct cytokines is not fully understood.ObjectivesTo study whether cytokines produced by tissues other than skeletal muscle are associated with glucose and insulin metabolism activity in overweight and obese women and to study whether these associations can be modified by physical activity.MethodsA longitudinal study with 44 overweight and obese pregnant women was conducted. Changes in cytokines levels (IFN-γ, IP-10, IL1-α, MIP1-α, adiponectin and leptin) and ICAM1 from early (15 wk) to late (32 wk) pregnancy were determined. Physical activity was measured objectively with accelerometers. In linear regression models, the associations between (changes in) cytokine levels and fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR were studied.ResultsBoth IFN-γ and IP-10 levels increased from early to late pregnancy, and adiponectin levels decreased. IFN-γ and IP-10 were positively associated with fasting glucose, whereas IL-1α, ICAM1 and adiponectin were inversely associated with insulin and insulin resistance. The association of IL-1α with insulin and insulin resistance was only found in women with low levels of physical activity.ConclusionsIFN-γ, IP-10, IL1-α, ICAM1, and adiponectin may play a role in glucose and insulin metabolism in pregnancy. The relationship of IL-1α with insulin and insulin resistance might be moderated by levels of physical activity. Further studies are required to confirm the role of these cytokines in glucose and insulin metabolism in obese pregnant women.     

TNF-α induces vascular endothelial cells apoptosis through overexpressing pregnancy induced noncoding RNA in Kawasaki disease model

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an autoimmune disease in which the medium-sized blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed. The increased evidences showed that TNF-α was association with vascular inflammation in KD patients. However the detailed mechanism was still unclear. Recent studies indicated abnormal expressed long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) involved in many diseases. Thus the purpose of this study is to explore the role of lncRNAs in KD and find out the new target for KD treatment. In this study, firstly we verified the overexpressed TNF-α in KD patients, and found TNF-α was able to induce HUVECs apoptosis and inhibit HUVECs proliferation. After this we screened out pregnancy induced noncoding RNA (PINC) was significantly overexpression in TNF-α treated HUVECs. We also found PINC overexpressed in KD patients. For further study, we designed two siRNA of PINC. After silenced the expression of PINC in HUVECs, we found the Knockdown of PINC enhanced the viability of HUVECs treated with TNF-α, and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic and reduced the expression of apoptotic gene. These results suggest PINC involves in the process of TNF-α induces vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, it may become a new target for KD treatment.     

妊娠相关脑卒中39 例临床分析

目的:探讨妊娠相关脑卒中的发病原因、临床表现、母婴结局、治疗及预防措施。方法:回顾性分析2001年1月-2013年12月我院共收治的妊娠相关脑卒中39例患者的临床资料。结果:39例患者中,发生在妊娠期21例,产褥期18例。经电子计算机断层扫描(CT)、磁共振成像(MRI)、磁共振动脉血管造影(MRA)、磁共振脑静脉血管成像(MRV)、数字减影血管造影术(DSA)和腰椎穿刺等检查明确诊断,诊断出血性脑卒中7例,脑梗死3例,脑静脉窦血栓(CVST)29例,均给予相应的抢救及治疗。16例早期、中期妊娠患者行人工流产术或利凡诺羊膜腔内注射穿刺引产终止妊娠,5例患者行剖宫产终止妊娠。患者治愈出院15例,6例死亡,14例遗留不同程度的肢体活动障碍或语言障碍,家属放弃治疗出院4例。结论:妊娠相关脑卒中危险因素主要包括子痫前期、心源性栓塞、脑血管畸形、脑动脉瘤、水电解质紊乱等代谢障碍性疾病及产褥感染等。其发病急、病死率高,故需提高对本病的认识,定期产前检查,及时发现高危因素,早诊断及时治疗,选择适当的时机及方式终止妊娠是改善妊娠相关脑卒中患者预后的关键。     

硝苯地平联合硫酸镁对高龄孕妇妊娠高血压的临床疗效及机制研究

目的:探讨硝苯地平联合硫酸镁对高龄孕妇妊娠高血压的临床疗效及可能机制。方法:收集我院高龄孕妇妊娠高血压患者54例,随机分为A组和B组,各27例。A组给予100 m L 5%葡萄糖注射液加入20 m L 25%的硫酸镁注射液静脉滴注,30 min内滴完;再给予500 m L 5%葡萄糖注射液加入40 m L 25%硫酸镁注射液1~2 g/h,静脉滴注;B组在A组用药的基础上给予给予硝苯地平控释片30 mg/次口服,1次/日,2组患者均治疗7 d。治疗结束后,比较两组患者血压、C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)及蛋白尿水平。结果:与治疗前相比,两组患者治疗后收缩压、舒张压、CRP、IL-6、TNF-α及蛋白尿水平均显著降低(P0.05);与A组比较,B组患者收缩压、舒张压、CRP、IL-6、TNF-α及蛋白尿水平较低(P0.05)。结论:硝苯地平联合硫酸镁对高龄孕妇妊娠高血压有较好的临床疗效,推测其机制与降低CRP、IL-6及TNF-α水平有关。     

血清妊娠相关血浆蛋白A在诊断异常妊娠中的临床意义

目的:探讨血清妊娠相关血浆蛋白A(PAPP-A)在诊断异常妊娠中的临床意义,分析其与异常妊振的关系。方法:选取299例5~13周的正常早孕妇为正常早孕组,同期选取稽留流产86例,先兆流产54例,异位妊娠76例为异常妊娠组,用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELASA)测定两组受试者的血清PAPP-A水平,分析两组受试者各个孕周内的血清PAPP-A水平的差异。结果:稽留流产孕妇在各个孕周内(9~13周)的血清PAPP-A水平显著低于同孕周内正常早孕孕妇(t值分别为9.500,8.113,3.511,9.538,8.504,P值均0.05);稽留流产孕妇总的平均血清PAPP-A水平亦低于常早孕孕妇(t=3.651,P值均0.05);异位妊娠孕妇在各个孕周内(9~13周)的血清PAPP-A水平显著低于同孕周内正常早孕孕妇(t值分别为7.976,9.030,9.941,11.625,14.079,12.569,P值均0.05),异位妊娠孕妇总的平均血清PAPP-A水平亦低于常早孕孕妇(t=28.168,P值均0.05);先兆流产孕妇(除孕8周)与正常早孕妊娠血清PAPP-A水平比较无显著统计学意义。结论:血清PAPP-A水平在异常妊娠如异位妊娠、稽留流产中显著降低,可作为诊断异位妊娠、稽留流产及先兆流产辅助诊断的生物学指标。     

The mouse pubic symphysis as a remodeling system: morphometrical analysis of proliferation and cell death during pregnancy, partus and postpartum

Marked changes in mice pubic symphysis occur by the end of pregnancy. Tissue remodeling involves a dynamic balance between cell proliferation and programmed cell death as well as changes in the extracellular matrix components. Therefore, it is important to consider both of these cellular behaviors when investigating the mechanism that regulates interpubic tissue remodeling, growth during late pregnancy and partus ensuring involution during the postpartum period. Proliferating and programmed death cells were identified by immunohistochemistry (proliferating cell nuclear antigen and TUNEL detection, respectively) and the rates at which these processes occurred were determined by morphometric analysis. The results demonstrated that cellular proliferation was intense during the period of ligament formation, from D15 to D18, thereafter abruptly declining on D19. From parturition (D19) onwards, an ever-increasing decline in the cellular proliferation levels could be observed. The quantitative analyses of cellular death showed opposite results when compared to cellular proliferation. During early pregnancy the cycle of cellular renovation was clearly proliferative and during late mouse pregnancy the cycle was directed by programmed cellular death. Although the high levels of cellular death during postpartum involution could be shown by the TUNEL-positive cells, we were unable to observed picnotic nucleus at the light microscopy.     

The evaluation of corpus luteum blood flow using color-flow Doppler ultrasound for early pregnancy diagnosis in bovine embryo recipients

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate corpus luteum blood flow (CLBF) as an early indicator of pregnancy status in bovine embryo recipients. Fifty crossbred beef cows were submitted to embryo transfer on Day 7 after estrus. On Days 7, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 26, 33, and 40, a blood sample was taken, the CL examined using a color-flow Doppler ultrasound scanner, and video was recorded of each scanning session. Ultrasound data were grouped by the first day progesterone concentrations were <1 ng/mL (indicating early embryo loss, EEL) through Day 21 (EEL-17, n = 3; EEL-19, n = 9; EEL-21, n = 3), absence of an embryo on Days 26, 33, or 40 (late embryo loss; LEL; n = 12), or remained pregnant (P; n = 23). The first decrease in CLBF of EEL-17, EEL-19, and EEL-21 cows compared to P cows occurred on Days 17, 19, and 21, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no difference in CLBF between LEL and P cows on Days 17, 19, and 21. Six evaluators diagnosed pregnancy from randomized video clips on Days 17, 19, and 21. Evaluators made more (P < 0.004) correct diagnoses on Day 19 than Day 17. Sensitivity (82.9 ± 10.1%) was not affected by day. From Days 17 to 19, diagnostic specificity increased (P = 0.046) from 43.2 ± 3.0 to 54.3 ± 3.0% but remained unchanged thereafter. Due to low specificity and sensitivity, evaluation of CLBF alone was insufficient for early pregnancy diagnosis.     

Effects of age and altrenogest treatment on conceptus development and secretion of LH, progesterone and eCG in early-pregnant mares

The treatment of early pregnant mares with a history of repeated early embryonic loss with the progestin altrenogest has become routine; however no controlled studies on the efficiency of altrenogest to prevent embryonic losses are available so far. In the present study, we have investigated effects of altrenogest treatment in mares on conceptus development and the secretion of LH, progesterone, and eCG until day 100 of pregnancy. In addition, differences related to age of mares were assessed. Mares were treated with altrenogest (0.044 mg/kg per os once daily) or sunflower oil (10 ml per os once daily) from day 6 to day 100 after ovulation. Blood samples for analysis of LH, progesterone, and eCG were collected. The size of the embryonic vesicle and embryo/fetus was determined by ultrasound. No difference in the per cycle pregnancy rate between altrenogest-treated (75%) and sunflower oil-treated mares (74%) was detected (n.s.). A significant effect of age but not of altrenogest treatment on mean diameter of the embryonic vesicle was found between days 12 and 22 of pregnancy (e.g. day 15: control, 4-8 years: 22.9 ± 1.0 mm, >8 years: 22.0 ± 1.7 mm, altrenogest, 4-8 years: 26.1 ± 2.0 mm, >8 years: 20.4 ± 1.0 mm, P < 0.05). A significant effect of age and treatment on size of the embryo proper between days 30 and 45 was detected (P < 0.05). In the control group but not in the altrenogest group, size of the embryo proper respective fetus was negatively correlated with age of the mares (day 30: r = −0.834, P < 0.05; day 35: r = −0.506, P < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of LH and progesterone were neither effected by age nor by treatment of mares, but significant effects of age and altrenogest treatment on eCG concentrations between days 40 and 130 were detected (P < 0.05). The present study demonstrates for the first time a positive influence of altrenogest-treatment on a retarded development of the embryo respective fetus around the beginning of placentation in mares older than 8 years.