Population genetics study of differential fertility in humans (based on an example of habitual abortion). II. Distribution of genotypes and heterozygosity levels for a variety of biochemical markers

Hereditary variation of 21 blood proteins coded by 22 monomorphic and 9 polymorphic loci was compared in 171 couples and 120 women with repeated spontaneous abortions in anamnesis (experimental group) and 183 couples with normal fertility (control group). Significant elevation of frequency of rare protein electrophoretic variants, marked deviation in distribution of genotypes for polymorphic loci, alteration in observed heterozygosity level were not found in experimental group. Statistically significant decrease in average value of D index (D = (hobs-hexp)/hexp; hobs, hexp--observed and expected heterozygosity per locus) was found in women of experimental group.     

Population-genetical study of differential fertility in humans (based on an example of habitual abortion). I. Approach to the problem and analysis of morpho-physiological and demographic traits

It was shown that women from the studied group of married couples, suffering from repeated spontaneous abortions (the main group), have earlier menarche and their husbands are taller, as compared with the control group of couples with normal reproductive performance. The degree of similarity between mates in age and stature appeared to be lower in the main group than in the control group. The variation of the characters under study is supposed to provide an auxiliary criterion in selecting couples at high risk of repeated spontaneous abortions.     

甲状腺功能5 项检测在妊娠期妇女中的应用

目的:分析甲状腺功能5项检测在妊娠期妇女中的应用价值,为制定妊娠期妇女的甲状腺功能指标的参考值范围提供依据。方法:选取2013年8月~2014年12月我院收治的826例健康妊娠妇女(实验组)与794例非妊娠育龄妇女(对照组)为研究对象。采用电化学发光法检测甲状腺功能5项指标,即三碘甲腺原氨酸(TT3)、甲状腺素(TT4)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)、游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4),比较两组甲状腺功能异常率,并比较5项指标在妊娠早、中、晚期妇女与对照组中的差异。结果:(1)实验组甲状腺功能异常的发生率(39.10%)显著高于对照组(17.63%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05);(2)实验组FT4、TT4水平随着妊娠期的进展逐渐降低,TSH水平逐渐升高,且均低于对照组水平,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);而各妊娠期FT3、TT3水平比较差异无统计学意义,但均略低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:甲状腺功能5项指标检测应作为妊娠期妇女的孕期必查项目之一,且制定早、中、晚期妊娠期妇女的甲状腺功能5项指标参考值范围十分必要。     

Effect of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on hare reproductive performances

The study was carried out on 42 breeder couples (42 males and 42 females) of European brown hare (Lepus europaeus), divided into three groups fed three different experimental diets (14 couples/treatment). Two diets were supplemented with n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; 2% of linseed oil and soybean oil, respectively) and were compared with a control diet supplemented with a monounsaturated fatty acids (2% of olive oil). During the experimental period (from 15 April to 30 September), the following parameters were recorded: days from the beginning of trial to the first parturition, parturition interval, number of parturitions, number of leverets born (alive and dead), dead during suckling, the total number of leverets weaned and feed intake per cage (of males, females and leverets until weaning). Feed intake was not influenced by treatments. In hares fed n-3 and n-6 diets, the days from the beginning of the trial to the first parturition and the parturition interval were similar and were lower compared with control group (63.1 v. 70.6 days, and 37.8 v. 40.9 days, respectively; P < 0.05). Hares from n-6 group had a higher (P < 0.05) number of parturitions per cage during the experimental period than the n-3 and control group that showed a similar value (3.00 v. 2.36, respectively). The total number of leverets born per cage and parturition in n-6 and n-3 groups increased with respect to those fed control diet (P < 0.05). The leverets' mortality rate at birth was higher in n-6 than in n-3 and control group (3.50 v. 2.17, respectively; P < 0.05). In control group, leverets' mortality rate during suckling was lower with respect to n-3 (P < 0.05) and n-6 (P < 0.05), showing the highest value for the latter (P < 0.05). In spite of this higher mortality, the number of leverets weaned per cage and parturition was higher (P < 0.05) in n-6 compared with n-3 group, being the latter higher than the control group (3.12, 2.79 and 2.43, respectively). Our results show that the dietary PUFAs, particularly n-6 supplementation, have a positive influence on the reproductive performances of the European brown hare.     

Population genetic study of differential fertility in man (illustrated by habitual abortion). V. Distribution of individual heterozygosity and parameters of genotypic variability for a set of immunological genetic markers

Distribution of individual heterozygosity (the number of heterozygous loci per individual), frequencies of genotypes formed by paired combinations of 5 loci and values of linkage disequilibrium between 6 blood group loci were studied both in a group of couples and single women with recurrent abortions in anamnesis, and in a group of couples and single women with normal fertility. Statistically significant deficit of highly heterozygous individuals was found in the experimental group. Marked increase of genetical variability was shown for the women with repeated abortions, as a consequence of elevation of rare genotypic paired combination frequency. Therefore, differential fertility as a component of stabilizing selection alters the distribution of complex genotypes in human populations. Differences in values of linkage disequilibrium between women with repeated abortions and those of normal fertility were not found.     

Association of the leukemia inhibitory factor gene mutation and the antiphospholipid antibodies in the peripheral blood of infertile women

To characterize the impact of the potentially functional mutation--the G to A transition at the position 3400 of the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF; a pluripotent cytokine that plays a central role in the control of the embryo implantation) gene that leads to the exchange of valine with methionine at codon 64 we evaluated the association of the LIF gene mutation and the levels of antiphospolipid antibodies (aPLs) in the peripheral blood of infertile women (the aPLs examination was part of our routine immunological test during the infertility check-up). Eight infertile mutation-positive women were diagnosed with idiopathic infertility (n=5) and endometriosis (n=3) and their levels of aPLs in serum were compared with 115 infertile women without any LIF gene mutation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for the detection of seven antiphospholipid antibodies; the results were statistically assessed by the Fisher's 2 by 2 exact test to evaluate the association of the LIF gene mutations and aPLs in serum of infertile patients. The presence of aPLs was significantly higher in our study group (100%) than in 30% of aPLs-positives in control infertile patients (p = 0.0035) which indicates that the aPLs are elevated in women with LIF gene mutations.     

Importance of the marriage structure in predicting abortion

Examination of randomly selected pregnant women of the Kharkov city showed that the structure of marriage had undergone considerable changes during two successive generations. The number of endogamous marriages decreased, the percentage of marriages between persons of different nationalities being increased, which adequately reflects social-demographic processes taking place currently in all human populations. Judging by the data obtained, these changes in percentage of exogamous marriages do not considerably influence the probability of pregnancy failure which can be accounted for disturbed foeto-maternal immunological interrelations. No correlations between immunological indices and the degree of heterozygosity in women and the structure of marriages was demonstrated. The percentage of married couples with tainted heredity (spontaneous abortions, still-birth) was considerably higher among women with habitual pregnancy failure, which may testify to a certain role of hereditary predisposition to immune failure.     

Maternal-fetal interaction in the ABO system: a comparative analysis of healthy mothers and couples with recurrent spontaneous abortion suggests a protective effect of B incompatibility.

We investigated the possible differential effects of A and B blood group materno-fetal incompatibility on human fertility through a comparative analysis of couples with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and healthy mothers. ABO phenotype was determined in 5180 healthy mothers and their newborn babies from the population of Sassari (Sardinia) and in 1359 healthy puerperae (women who have just given birth) from the population of Rome. Mother-newborn joint ABO distribution in healthy mothers was compared with wife-husband joint ABO distribution in RSA couples. Distortions from expected distribution were evaluated by symmetry analysis. In both RSA couples and healthy mothers significant deviation from expected symmetry patterns were observed. Deviations in RSA are in the opposite direction to those observed in healthy puerperae. The most important difference observed concerned the symmetric joint phenotypes mother (women) A/infant (husband) B (B incompatible) and mother (women) B/infant (husband) A (A incompatible). A low number of B incompatible in RSA couples and a high number of B incompatible in healthy mothers was observed. The phenomenon is much more evident in women aged 24-28 years, a period of maximum fecundity. It is possible that the presence of anti-B immunoglobulin in the mother might have a protective effect against fetal loss in some cases of mother-infant ABO incompatibility.     

Increased activating killer immunoglobulin-like receptor genes and decreased specific HLA-C alleles in couples with recurrent spontaneous abortion

Accumulating evidence indicates natural killer (NK) cells play crucial roles in successful pregnancy. To investigate whether the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene polymorphism and the corresponding specific HLA ligands in parent couples possessing a susceptibility to unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), we searched 73 pairs of childless couples with three or more abortions characterized as unexplained RSA and 68 pairs of healthy control couples. Peripheral blood was drawn to obtain genomic DNA which was used for a polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) in order to determine whether 15 selected KIR genes and two groups of HLA-C alleles were present. Our result showed that gene frequency of KIR2DS1 was higher in patients with RSA compared to that of control subjects (P =0.029). Increased numbers of activating KIR genes was observed in patients (P =0.041). Women who possessed more than two activating KIR genes were found more frequently in patients than those in control subjects (P =0.018). From a cohort of husband and wife couples, the women with a KIR2DS1 gene, and with a decreased group 2 HLA-C allele for the homologous inhibitory receptor KIR2DL1, had a tendency to fall into the RSA group (P =0.004). The results suggest that a genetic variation at the KIR locus influences the susceptibility to unexplained RSA in the Chinese Han population. Moreover, decreased ligands for inhibitory KIRs could potentially lower the threshold for NK cell activation, mediated through activating receptors, thereby contributing to pathogenesis of RSA.     

钙结合蛋白S100A16对胰岛素抵抗的作用研究

目的探究钙结合蛋白S100A16在胰岛素抵抗中的作用。方法用S100A16抗体进行免疫沉淀,然后用蛋白质谱分析寻找与S100A16相互作用的蛋白。实验1转染Vector质粒的HepG2细胞作为对照,用转染shRNA质粒、S100A16过表达质粒干预作为处理组。实验2以慢性胰岛素刺激细胞构建胰岛素抵抗模型,采用转染shRNA质粒的细胞作为对照,用未转染和转染Vector质粒干预作为处理组。实验3以不做任何处理的细胞作为对照,在胰岛素抵抗模型中用吡格列酮干预作为处理组。Western blot检测相关蛋白的表达水平。组间比较采用成组t检验。结果与转染Vector质粒比较,转染S100A16过表达质粒中胎球蛋白A表达(1.39±0.54比2.85±0.25)水平上调(P<0.05);与转染Vector质粒比较,转染shRNA质粒胎球蛋白A蛋白表达(0.36±0.03比0.20±0.03)水平降低(P<0.01)。在胰岛素抵抗条件下,与转染shRNA质粒的细胞比较,未转染和转染Vector质粒的IRS-2蛋白表达(0.11±0.04比1.65±0.48)水平上调(P<0.01);与不做任何处理的细胞比较,用吡格列酮处理的细胞IRS-2表达(0.26±0.11比0.52±0.05)水平上升(P<0.01)。结论S100A16在HepG2细胞中通过胎球蛋白A促进胰岛素抵抗。     

Effect of serotesting with counselling on condom use and seroconversion among HIV discordant couples in Africa.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether HIV testing and counselling increased condom use and decreased heterosexual transmission of HIV in discordant couples. DESIGN--Prospective study. SETTING--Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. SUBJECTS--Cohabiting couples with discordant HIV serology results. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Condom use in the couple and HIV seroconversion in the negative partners. RESULTS--60 HIV discordant couples were identified, of whom 53 were followed for an average of 2.2 years. The proportion of discordant couples using condoms increased from 4% to 57% after one year of follow up. During follow up two of the 23 HIV negative men and six of the 30 HIV negative women seroconverted (seroconversion rates of 4 and 9 per 100 person years). The rate among women was less than half that estimated for similar women in discordant couples whose partners had not been serotested. Condom use was less common among those who seroconverted (100% v 5%, p = 0.01 in men; 67% v 25%, p = 0.14 in women). CONCLUSIONS--Roughly one in seven cohabiting couples in Kigali have discordant HIV serological results. Confidential HIV serotesting with counselling caused a large increase in condom use and was associated with a lower rate of new HIV infections. HIV testing is a promising intervention for preventing the spread of HIV in African cities.     

Immunomodulatory effects of decaffeinated green tea (Camellia sinensis) on the immune system of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In order to study the immunomodulatory effects of decaffeinated green tea extract on rainbow trout, a study with a 30-day feeding trial was conducted. Commercial diets with graded levels of decaffeinated green tea extract, 20 mg (T1), 100 mg (T2), 500 mg (T3) per kg feed were prepared. 120 rainbow trout (35 ± 3 g) were randomly assigned to 4 groups in triplicates and fed one of the 3 experimental diets formulated or control diet. After feeding trial, 12 fish from each group were sampled for analysis of some immunological parameters. Remaining fish were injected with 0.5 ml of chicken red blood cell (C-RBC) suspension (2%) intraperitoneally on days 5 and 15 after feeding trial. Results of the current study showed that the inclusion of 20 mg kg-1 green tea (T1) in fish diet enhanced the serum bactericidal activity against Yersinia ruckeri, while significant elevation of lysozyme activity was shown in T2 group. Anti-trypsin activity due to α1-antiprotease was significantly higher in T1 and T2 groups while peroxidase content showed significant increase in all treatment groups compared to control group. Hemagglutination antibody titer against C-RBC was significantly higher in fish administered with 100 mg kg(-1) green tea (T2). Our findings showed that decaffeinated green tea in lower doses of administration could be optimum to enhance the immunity of rainbow trout.     

Chromium, Zinc and Magnesium Concentrations in the Pubic Hair of Obese and Overweight Women

The study addressed chromium, zinc and magnesium concentrations in the pubic hair of obese and overweight women. It was carried out on hair collected from 85 women at the age of 16-80 living in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship (southern Poland). The experimental and control groups consisted of 39 and 46 females, respectively. The pubic hair was prepared under a procedure established by the International Atomic Energy Agency, followed by wet digestion in a microwave oven. The concentration of the metals in the pubic hair and reference material was assayed with the flame (Mg, Zn) and flameless (Cr) atomic absorption spectrometry. The pubic hair of overweight and obese women from the experimental group revealed significantly higher chromium and magnesium concentrations and significantly lower concentrations of zinc than in the control group. An increase in BMI brought about an increase in chromium and magnesium concentrations while zinc concentration decreased with increasing BMI. The disturbances in the mineral balance of overweight and obese women were also demonstrated by significantly different ratios of the elements compared with the control group.     

C- 反应蛋白检测在胎膜早破孕妇中的临床意义

目的:探讨C反应蛋白(CRP)检测在足月胎膜早破(PROM)孕妇中的临床意义。方法:选取足月胎膜早破(PROM)孕妇50例为实验组,并根据破膜时间将足月破膜孕妇分为3个亚组;并选取同期住院的正常孕妇30例为对照,采用高敏CRP试剂盒,测定不同组别孕妇中CRP水平。结果:入院时,胎膜早破各亚组中CRP水平明显高于对照组,具有显著统计学意义(P<0.05);同时随着破膜时间的增加,各亚组中的CRP水平及WBC计数也逐渐升高,且3个亚组之间也分别存在统计学差异(P<0.05)。在应用抗生素3d后,CRP出现显著下降,与正常组相比未见明显差异(P>0.05);WBC计数在应用抗生素后的3d时间出现下降,但与入院前相比未见明显统计学差异。结论:CRP检测在判断孕妇胎膜早破、指导临床用药方面具有较高的临床价值,可作为常规检查项目。     

Effect of nordic walking on functional ability and blood pressure in elderly women

The aim of the study was to analyze the effects produced by the use of experimental program (Nordic polewalking) on functional abilities in elderly women. Three-month polewalking led to reduction in the pulse rate at rest, diastolic and systolic blood pressure at the level of significance of 0.01 (p = 0.000). Polewalking improved the values of fitness index (FITIND) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) at the level of significance of 0.01 (p = 0.000). On final measurement, three variables, i.e. pulse rate at rest - HRR (E = 73.42 vs. C = 79.68), systolic blood pressure - BPS (E = 118.42 vs. C = 123.65) and diastolic blood pressure - BPD (E = 79.04 vs. C = 83.54), showed lower results in experimental group compared with control group. On final measurement, experimental group showed higher values of the FITIND (E = 81.79 vs. C = 62.66) and VO2max (E = 21.83 vs. C = 16.81) variables as compared to control group. Accordingly, such a moderate physical activity, which is not too vigorous yet intensive enough to induce favorable changes, appears to be recommendable for elderly women. The present study included 60 women from the Novi Sad community, mean age 58.5 +/- 6.90 years, mean body mass 70.9 +/- 15.32 kg and mean body height 164.8 +/- 7.24 cm. Study population was divided into two groups of 30 subjects: experimental (E) group and control (C) group. The experimental program was performed three times a week for three months. The Nordic walking program was so designed for the performers to be in the aerobic work zone throughout the exercise. Nordic walking with poles was performed over three months. Study results revealed functional abilities of the study women to have modified during the longitudinal process.     

祛瘀散烫疗对髋部骨折术后下肢深静脉血栓预防效果观察

目的观察中药制剂祛瘀散烫熨术对髋部骨折术后下肢深静脉血栓(DVT)的预防价值。方法选取髋部骨折术后患者100例,随机分为对照组和观察组各50例。对照组患者术后按常规方法护理,观察组患者术后在常规护理基础上于术后24h拔除引流管后加用中药祛瘀散对术肢进行烫熨,观察比较两组患者术前、术后组内及组间血浆D-二聚体指标变化情况。结果两组患者术前血浆D-二聚体比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术后两组患者血浆D-二聚体比较,观察组明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论中药制剂祛瘀散烫熨术对髋部骨折术后下肢DVT形成有预防作用,可降低术后下肢深静脉血栓形成的风险,减少髋部骨折术后并发症的发生。     

Dream Interpretation with Heterosexual Dating Couples

We examined the effectiveness of the Hill cognitive–experiential model of dream interpretation for working with male and female partners in heterosexual dating couples. Results showed that female partners who received dream interpretation (N = 20) had greater improvements in relationship well-being, insight, and gains from dream interpretation than female partners in the wait-list control group (N = 20). However, male partners who received dream interpretation (N = 20) did not make significant improvements as compared to male partners who did not receive dream interpretation (N = 20). Hence, couples dream interpretation may be more helpful for women than men. Greater effort may be needed to involve men in couples dream sessions in hopes that they will show more gains in relationship well-being and insight.     

Parental HLA compatibility, fetal wastage and neural tube defects: evidence for a T/t-like locus in humans

To test the hypothesis that a locus in or near the human major histocompatibility complex (HLA) contributes to both involuntary fetal loss and neural tube defects (NTD), we evaluated sharing of antigens of the HLA-A, HLA-B, or HLA-DR loci of couples who had three or more first-trimester spontaneous abortions or who had a child with an NTD (myelomeningocele or anencephaly). HLA-A antigen sharing was increased in couples with three or more spontaneous abortions and in couples who had an anencephalic fetus, when compared with couples who had three or more pregnancies and no fetal loss. Increased sharing of antigens at the HLA-A and B loci was not seen in the entire group of couples with children with myelomeningocele, but was found in the subgroup of 36 couples whose child had a lumbar myelomeningocele. An increase in HLA-DR sharing was not seen in any group or subgroup when compared with the control couples. Among the aborting couples, increased sharing was not restricted to the couples who had no term pregnancies, but was also found in the couples whose fetal losses occurred after one or more normal term pregnancies. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a locus on the HLA-A side of the HLA-DR locus contributes to some fetal loss and susceptibility to NTD. This model is proposed as an alternative to the hypothesis that the maternal immune response to paternal major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens is the basis for increased HLA sharing in couples with fetal wastage.     

A comparative study of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) levels in the saliva of diabetic and normal patients

Diabetes has been reported to affect salivary glands adversely in humans and experimental models. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are salivary enzymes that also are widely distributed in animal tissues. We determined GOT and GPT levels in saliva samples of 100 type 1 and 30 type 2 diabetic patients using reflectance spectrophotometry and compared them to 30 age and sex matched healthy controls. Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean values of GOT and GPT in type 1 diabetics compared to type 2 and control groups. Significantly higher GOT levels were found in the 1–20 year age group of type 1 diabetics. Our findings suggest that salivary gland damage is due to the same immunological attack that affects pancreatic β cells and results in type 1 diabetes.     

The effect of mistletoe, Viscum album coloratum, extract on innate immune response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary mistletoe extracts on non-specific immune response and disease resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Tilapia fingerlings were fed with a diet containing 0 mg as a control, 10 mg, 50 mg, and 200 mg mistletoe powder kg(-1) dry diet for 80 days. The immunological parameters, respiratory burst activity, lysozyme activity, alternative complement haemolysis activity (ACH(50)), and phagocytic activity of fish were investigated following 20, 40 and 80 days of feeding. Fish were challenged with A. hydrophila on 80 days after feeding and mortalities were checked over 10 days post-infection. The results show that fish fed with mistletoe extract exhibited an increase in activity in all immunological parameters (P < 0.05) compared to the control group depending on feeding periods and doses of mistletoe. Following challenge with A. hydrophila, 42% less survivability was observed in the control group than in other experimental diet groups. The highest survival rate (83%) was shown in the group fed with a 50 mg mistletoe kg(-1) diet. The results suggest that mistletoe enables tilapia to promote immunity and be more resistant to A. hydrophila infection.