ABSTRACT
Objective@#We aimed to evaluate the relation between plasma ascorbic acid levels and the occurrence of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and whether patients with ascorbic acid deficiency have predisposition to microbial invasion, as revealed by serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and confirmed by placental culture sensitivity evaluation. @*Methods@#This controlled study involved 50 women with PPROM at gestational age between 28 and 36.6 weeks. Fifty patients with uncomplicated pregnancy and intact membranes were observed as control group. Serum ascorbic acid and IL-6 levels were evaluated for PPROM group subjects and controls, matched by their gestational age and body mass index. Repeat samples for IL-6 were taken after 48 hours of admission in PROM group subjects and at the onset of labor in controls. Placental membranes were sent for culture sensitivity evaluation after delivery. @*Results@#The mean plasma level of ascorbic acid was 0.60±0.35 mg/dL and 1.18±0.43 mg/dL in the PPROM and control groups, respectively, showing significant difference. Plasma IL-6 level rose from 18.18±5.94 pg/mL to 34.32±7.31 pg/mL after 48 hours of admission in the PPROM group (P=0.000). Plasma IL-6 level in controls rose from 5.59±4.36 pg/mL at admission to 7.36±3.67 pg/mL at the onset of labor. Membrane culture test results were positive in a total of 40 samples, of which 37 samples were from the PPROM group subjects. @*Conclusion@#Vitamin C deficiency, when complemented with elevated serum IL-6 level, can predict susceptibility to PPROM in the third trimester; the risk increases in women with prior history of similar pathology.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#We aimed to evaluate the relation between plasma ascorbic acid levels and the occurrence of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and whether patients with ascorbic acid deficiency have predisposition to microbial invasion, as revealed by serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and confirmed by placental culture sensitivity evaluation. @*Methods@#This controlled study involved 50 women with PPROM at gestational age between 28 and 36.6 weeks. Fifty patients with uncomplicated pregnancy and intact membranes were observed as control group. Serum ascorbic acid and IL-6 levels were evaluated for PPROM group subjects and controls, matched by their gestational age and body mass index. Repeat samples for IL-6 were taken after 48 hours of admission in PROM group subjects and at the onset of labor in controls. Placental membranes were sent for culture sensitivity evaluation after delivery. @*Results@#The mean plasma level of ascorbic acid was 0.60±0.35 mg/dL and 1.18±0.43 mg/dL in the PPROM and control groups, respectively, showing significant difference. Plasma IL-6 level rose from 18.18±5.94 pg/mL to 34.32±7.31 pg/mL after 48 hours of admission in the PPROM group (P=0.000). Plasma IL-6 level in controls rose from 5.59±4.36 pg/mL at admission to 7.36±3.67 pg/mL at the onset of labor. Membrane culture test results were positive in a total of 40 samples, of which 37 samples were from the PPROM group subjects. @*Conclusion@#Vitamin C deficiency, when complemented with elevated serum IL-6 level, can predict susceptibility to PPROM in the third trimester; the risk increases in women with prior history of similar pathology.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to develop a serodiagnostic test for differentiation infected from vaccinated animal (DIVA) strategy accompanying the marker vaccine lacking an immunodominant epitope (IDE) of nucleoprotein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Recombinant epitope-repeat protein (rERP) gene encoding eight repeats of the IDE sequence (ETQFLDLMRAVANSMR) by tetra-glycine linker was synthesized. Recombinant baculovirus carrying the rERP gene was generated to express the rERP in insect cells. Specificity and sensitivity of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) employing the rERP was evaluated. RESULTS: The rERP with molecular weight of 20 kDa was successfully expressed by the recombinant baculovirus in an insect-baculovirus system. The rERP was antigenically functional as demonstrated by Western blotting. An indirect ELISA employing the rERP was developed and its specificity and sensitivity was determined. The ELISA test allowed discrimination of NDV infected sera from epitope deletion virus vaccinated sera. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results represent rERP ELISA as a promising DIVA diagnostic tool.
Subject(s)
Animals , Baculoviridae , Blotting, Western , Discrimination, Psychological , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Insecta , Molecular Weight , Newcastle disease virus , Newcastle Disease , Nucleoproteins , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
Cerebral Palsy is a common and devastating neurological disorder, with no medical treatment apart from physiotherapy regimes to alleviate the functional disability. Regenerative medicine using stem cells has gained momentum in recent years as a possible strategy to repair the injured brain. Present study was undertaken in a open label series to evaluate the safety, feasibility and observe for any benefi cial effects of intra-arterial infusion of autologous bone marrow derived mononuclear cells in patients with cerebral palsy with moderate disability. Functional improvement was assessed using the motor power and spasticity scales, dystonia and abnormal movements scale and the activities of daily living scales by modifi ed Barthel Index and modifi ed Rankin Scores. Serial structural imaging with MRI and functional imaging with FDG-PET scans were done. Of the 30 patients injected with an average of 10-30 million cells into each carotid artery, improvements were observed in all clinical scales, and predominantly in the disability scores. No adverse events were noted on a 12 months follow up.