Tumor necrosis factor-alpha polymorphisms in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

We investigated the association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) gene polymorphisms with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (RM). TNFalpha -1031T/C, -863C/A, -857C/T, -376G/A, -308G/A, -238G/A, and +488G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were investigated in 204 RM women and 248 age-matched parous women by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Significantly higher frequencies of -1031C and -376A alleles were seen in RM patients; significant differences were also noted in the distribution of -1031T/C, -376G/A, and -238G/A genotypes between case and control subjects. Haploview analysis revealed high linkage disequilibrium between -857C/T and +488G/A SNPs, but was lower between the other polymorphisms. Of the possible 52 seven-locus haplotypes constructed, 10 were common, and were included in subsequent analysis. Increased frequency of CCCGGGG and CCCGGAA haplotypes, and reduced frequency of TCCGGGG and TCCGGGA haplotypes were seen in RM patients than in controls. When the Bonferroni correction was applied, differences were significant for the CCCGGAA haplotype, which was higher (OR=4.14; 95% CI=1.84-8.95), and the TCCGGGA haplotype, which were lower among RM cases (OR=0.09; 95% CI=0.02-0.68), thereby conferring RM susceptibility and protection to these haplotypes, respectively. Multivariate analysis confirmed the positive association of only CCCGGAA haplotype with RM (P=0.010; aOR=2.03; 95% CI=1.18-4.47), after controlling for a number of covariates. These results demonstrate that the TNFalpha polymorphisms, in particular the -1031T/C variant, are significantly associated with idiopathic RM. Additional replication studies on other racial groups are needed to confirm our findings.

Sickle cell disease and pregnancy in Bahrain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the morbidity and outcome of pregnancies complicated by homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD) in Bahrain. METHODS: A controlled study was conducted of all the pregnancies of women with SCD who were delivered at Salmaniya Medical Complex and affiliate hospitals in Bahrain between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2002. RESULTS: There were 351 pregnancies with SCD, giving an incidence of 0.67%. The mean+/-S.D. age of women with SCD was 28.8+/-5.7 years. These women, who were mostly from Shia villages, had more spontaneous abortions than the 351 controls (32% and 12%, respectively). Compared with the control group, the mean+/-S.D. number of pregnancies among women with SCD was 5.0+/-1.9 vs. 5.7+/-3.1; birth weight, 2,965+/-540 g vs. 3,457+/-497 g; rate of preterm deliveries, 25.9% vs. 12%; incidence of intrauterine growth restriction, 10% to 13% vs. 4% to 7%; Apgar scores at 1 and 10 min, 8.1+/-0.8 and 8.8+/-0.8; and cesarean section rate, 19.0% vs. 12.7%. There were no differences in the rates of pre-eclampsia, antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage, or stillbirth. There were 4 maternal deaths directly related to SCD complications. Hemoglobin analysis was performed in 86% of the women with SCD. Of these women, 60.6% had homozygous SCD with raised levels of fetal hemoglobin (more than 5% HbF); 9.6% had sickle cell hemoglobin with beta-thalassemia disease; and 1.4% had sickle cell hemoglobin only. Vaso-occlusive crises were the most common cause of hospital admissions during pregnancy (42.2%), while hemolytic and sequestration crises accounted for 28.0% and 0.6% of admissions. CONCLUSION: Mortality, morbidity, and perinatal loss are still considerable among women with SCD in Bahrain. To reduce mortality and morbidity, there is a need for a multidisciplinary team able to deal with pregnancy complications due to SCD.

Proline alleviates heavy metal stress in Scenedesmus armatus.

Growth and some metabolic activities of Scenedesmus armatus grown in the presence of different heavy metals (Cd, Mn and Ni) with and without exogenously added proline (Pro) were monitored. The growth of S. armatus cells (cell concentration, pigment and dry mass) was inhibited by all these heavy metals. Addition of Pro to the culture medium minimized the toxic effect of the metals. The growth rate was somewhat higher in Pro-containing cultures and started to decline 1 d later than in cultures containing heavy metals alone. S. armatus cells accumulated the added Pro in response to heavy metals. The accumulation correlated with protein content. Cd was the strongest inducer of Pro accumulation, Mn being the weakest. Cells accumulated nickel more than cadmium and manganese. Heavy metal-treated cells had increased peroxidase and catalase activities.

Frequency of nasal and wound isolates of Staphylococcus aureus associated with TSST-1 production in Jordanian population.

A total of 110 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were obtained from nasal carriers and wound infections of Jordanian population. The isolates were identified by cultural and biochemical methods. The nasal carrier rate of S. aureus among individuals was 22.7%. In comparison with the nasal S. aureus isolates the wound isolates did not produce significantly more virulence factors except DNase. Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 production was higher among the S. aureus nasal isolates (40%) as compared with the wound isolates (26%) detected by an ELISA method which proved to be uniformly more sensitive than the immunodiffusion optimal sensitivity plate (OSP) method.

Effect of manganese and calcium deficiency on the growth and oxygen exchange of Scenedesmus intermedius cultured for successive generations.

The green alga Scenedesmus intermedius was grown in synchronous culture under manganese or calcium deficiency for six successive generations. The growth rate, pigment and protein contents gradually decreased in comparison with the control. In Mn-deficient cells, the rate of oxygen evolution was sharply decreased. This inhibition was restored to normal in less than 1 h (40-60 min) by adding Mn salt to the suspension medium. In Ca-deficient cells, the inhibition of photosynthesis appears to be irreversible.

Influence of selenium on toxicity of some heavy metals in the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus.

The green alga Scenedesmus obliquus was incubated with heavy metals (Cd2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ni2+) with and without selenium. S. obliquus exhibited higher rates of growth and some metabolic activities in cultures containing 0.1 mmol/L Se than those only containing the heavy metals. The positive effect of Se was found with all metals but was negligible with Mn2+.

Influence of selenium on toxicity of some heavy metals in the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus.

The green alga Scenedesmus obliquus was incubated with various heavy metals (Cd2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ni2+) in presence/absence of selenium. S. obliquus exhibited higher rates of growth and some metabolic activities in cultures containing 0.1 mM Se than those containing only the heavy metals. The positive effect of Se was found in presence of Cd2+ while that in the case of presence of Ni2+ was less pronounced.

Antibiotic production by the cyanobacteria Oscillatoria angustissima and Calothrix parietina.

The accumulation of antibiotic in the medium is temperature dependent and not in direct proportion to growth parameters. The cyanobacterial product suppressed growth of some natural isolates of cyanobacteria and green algae. It inhibits the growth rate and oxygen evolution of the green alga, Chlorella fusca. The antibiotic also inhibits the growth of bacteria and some fungi, especially the dermatophytes. Generally eukaryotic organisms were less sensitive than prokaryotic. Experimental mice were unaffected by the antibiotic. The Oscillatoria antibiotic does not structurally resemble to cyanobacterin.

Plaque-type multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma.

BACKGROUND: Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma (MCAH) is a rare cutaneous disorder that usually presents as papules or nodules. OBJECTIVE: This article reports a case of MCAH that appeared clinically as a large cutaneous plaque. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 74-year-old woman presented with a large painless, dusky red, indurated plaque measuring 12 x 6 cm on the trunk that was found on histopathologic examination to be a MCAH. Based on a literature review, this is the first reported case of MCAH presenting as a plaque rather than a papule or nodule. CONCLUSION: Multinucleate cell angiohistiocytoma may manifest clinically as a solitary cutaneous plaque.

Determinants of infant mortality and the use of maternity services in Jordan.

PIP: "The 1990 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS) is analyzed by using [a] chi square test to explore some of the determinants of maternity care (antenatal and delivery) and infant death.... The findings presented in this study are compared with the findings of other studies to find out the improvement in the use of maternity services and to explore factors behind the use of such services and factors that affect infant mortality." Results indicate that some determining factors of non-clinic prenatal care and infant mortality are: living in a rural area, the mother's education and age at the birth, high parity, short birth interval, and low birthweight. (EXCERPT)^ieng

Influences of chemical fertilizers (in vitro) on aflatoxin and citrinin synthesis by two strains of aspergilli.

The selective effect of various levels of phosphate and nitrate (as fertilizers) on biosynthesis of aflatoxin by Aspergillus parasiticus var. globosus, and citrinin by A. terreus var. aureus was studied in defined culture medium. Phosphate at 35-175 mmol per 50 mL decreased aflatoxin production, but increased citrinin synthesis. Nitrate at 73-365 mmol per 50 mL stimulated the synthesis of aflatoxin but depressed that of citrinin. A rise in the levels of nitrate and phosphate led to a decrease in aflatoxin production, an increase in citrinin production and an accumulation of mycelial phosphate and nitrate contents.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the ilium associated with pregnancy.

A 19-yr-old primigravida presented with a back mass which was found to originate from the right ilium and was associated with oblique fetal lie. Elective caesarean section and excision of the mass were done. Histologically, the lesion proved to be an aneurysmal bone cyst. Review of bone tumors associated with pregnancy is presented, with discussion of the problems related to diagnosis of this condition.

Mixed mesodermal tumor of the uterus in a 4-year-old girl.

A case of malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (MMT) of the uterus in a 4-year-old girl is reported. The patient had a polypoid lesion protruding from the vagina which was initially thought to be a sarcoma botryoides. This is one of the youngest cases of MMT on record. A review of MMT in premenopausal women and children is presented.

Acceptability of the IUD in a Jordanian community.

Jordan has a population of about three million without a government family planning program. In this study, carried out in two medical centers in Amman, Jordan, over a period of two years, 600 copper intrauterine devices were inserted, with a failure rate of 2.8%.

Acute leukemia in pregnancy: report of five cases treated with a combination which included a low dose of adriamycin.

Five cases of acute leukemia which developed in the course of pregnancy are reported. All five cases received combination therapy which included adriamycin. Two cases were treated during the first half of pregnancy. One of them aborted 2 weeks after commencing therapy but had severe homeostatic failure. The second had a successful pregnancy and delivered a normal infant. Three cases were treated during the second half of pregnancy. All had normal pregnancies and delivered normal infants. The babies have been followed up for periods ranging from 1 month to 3 yr and have shown normal growth and development.

Effect of agar percentage, agar thickness, and medium constituents on antibiotics assay by disc diffusion method.

The factors affecting the sensitivity of nafcillin, vancomycin, oleandomycin, chloramphenicol, methacycline and novobiocin assay, using the paper disc diffusion method, were studied. Agar concentration and pour volume were found to influence the assay sensitivity of antibiotics. The type of assay medium was effective e.g. brain heart infusion agar was the best medium for nafcillin and methacycline; synthetic amino acid medium for oleandomycin; Muller Hinton agar for vancomycin and chloramphenicol; and G & R medium for novobiovicin. All additives, including inorganic ions, sugar, organic acids, complexing agents, surface active agents and blood, decreased the activities of the studied antibiotics. Higher activities of vancomycin, methacycline were observed at pH = 5, of nafcillin, chloramphenicol, and novobiocin at pH = 6, and of oleandomycin at pH = 7.