Antiphospholipid antibodies in women at risk for preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether positive results of tests for any of 5 antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with recurrent preeclampsia among women with a history of preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Second-trimester serum samples were obtained from 317 women with preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy who were being followed up in a prospective treatment trial. The serum samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay for immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies against 5 phospholipids. Positive results were analyzed with regard to preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm delivery. RESULTS: Sixty-two of the 317 women (20%) had recurrent preeclampsia develop, 19 (6%) had severe preeclampsia, and 18 (5.8%) were delivered of infants with growth restriction. Positive results of tests for immunoglobulin G or immunoglobulin M antiphospholipid antibodies were not associated with recurrent preeclampsia. Positive results for immunoglobulin G or immunoglobulin M antibodies at the 99th percentile were also not associated with preterm delivery. Positive results at the 99th percentile for immunoglobulin G antiphosphatidylserine antibody were associated with severe preeclampsia, and positive results at the 99th percentile for immunoglobulin G anticardiolipin, antiphosphatidylinositol, and antiphosphatidylglycerol antibodies were associated with intrauterine growth restriction. The positive predictive values for these outcomes all were approximately 30%. CONCLUSION: Positive results of testing for antiphospholipid antibodies in the second trimester were not associated with recurrent preeclampsia among women at risk because of a history of preeclampsia. Positive results for immunoglobulin G antiphosphatidylserine antibody were associated with severe preeclampsia, and positive results for immunoglobulin G anticardiolipin, antiphosphatidylinositol, and antiphosphatidylglycerol antibodies were associated with intrauterine growth restriction. However, the positive predictive values for all these associations were modest. Testing for antiphospholipid antibodies during pregnancy is of little prognostic value in the assessment of the risk for recurrent preeclampsia among women with a history of preeclampsia.

Performance of beef cows receiving cull beans, sunflower meal, and canola meal as protein supplements while grazing native winter range in Eastern Colorado.

A 2-yr grazing performance study was conducted in Eastern Colorado to evaluate the effects of feeding raw cull beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or canola meal, compared to sunflower meal, to beef cows grazing dormant, native winter range on body weight and body condition score (BCS) change, reproductive performance, and calf performance. Ninety-five pregnant, spring-calving crossbred cows (541 +/- 51 kg) in 1995 to 1996 and 65 cows (602 +/- 60 kg) in 1996 to 1997 were randomly assigned to one of five treatments (19 and 13 cows per treatment in 1995 to 1996 and 1996 to 1997, respectively): 1) unprocessed Great Northern beans to supply 182 g/d of CP (GNB); 2) canola meal to supply 182 g/d of CP (CM); 3) a mixture of Great Northern beans and sunflower meal, each to supply 91 g/d of CP, for a total of 182 g/d of CP (MIX); 4) sunflower meal to supply 182 g/d of CP (SFM+); and 5) sunflower meal to supply 91 g/d of CP (SFM-). Cow weight and body condition performance were broken into a gestation and a lactation phase in 1995 to 1996; calves were weighed at birth, at the end of the lactation phase in April, and at weaning the following September. Only gestation performance was monitored in 1996 to 1997, and subsequent calf birth and weaning weight were recorded. The SFM- group lost more weight during the gestation phase than other treatments (P < .05), yet no differences were detected for gestation phase daily BCS change, calf birth weight, lactation phase daily weight change, lactation phase daily BCS change, first-service conception rate to AI, or overall pregnancy rate. Off-test calf weight was higher in April for calves from dams of the SFM+ and CM treatments than for calves from dams on the GNB or SFM- treatments (P < .05), and calves from cows on the CM treatment were heavier in April than calves from cows on the MIX treatment (P < .05). No differences in calf weight were present at weaning. Consumption of beans by cows on the GNB treatment was low because of palatability problems. Mixing the beans with sunflower meal in the MIX treatment eliminated this problem. Canola meal, Great Northern beans, or a combination of sunflower meal and Great Northern beans were comparable to sunflower meal as protein supplements for beef cows grazing native winter range, despite obvious palatability problems with the beans.

Amniotic fluid prostanoid concentrations increase early during the course of spontaneous labor at term.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether amniotic fluid concentrations of prostanoids increase during spontaneous labor at term. STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluid was retrieved transabdominally from 168 patients in spontaneous labor and from 82 patients not in labor. Prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2 alpha, 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha, thromboxane B2, and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha concentrations were measured with sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays previously validated for amniotic fluid. Statistical analysis was conducted with Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance, followed by Dunn's test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: (1) Amniotic fluid concentrations of all prostanoids were significantly higher in patients in early labor (cervical dilatation of < or = 3 cm) than in patients not in labor. (2) The magnitude of the increase in amniotic fluid prostanoid concentrations during early labor was significantly greater for prostaglandin F2 alpha and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha than for prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2, and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha. (3) Patients in the active phase of labor with cervical dilatations between 4 and 7 cm did not have higher prostanoid concentrations than those in early labor (cervical dilatation of < or = 3 cm). (4) A significant increase in amniotic fluid concentrations of prostaglandin F2 alpha and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha was found in patients with advanced cervical dilatation (8 to 10 cm) in comparison with those in early labor (< 3 cm). CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid prostanoid concentrations increase early during the course of spontaneous labor at term.

Topographic differences in amniotic fluid concentrations of prostanoids in women in spontaneous labor at term.

These studies were designated to determine if there are differences in prostanoid concentrations between amniotic fluid (AF) retrieved transvaginally from the membrane forebag (lower or forebag compartment) and fluid retrieved by transabdominal amniocentesis from the 'upper compartment' in women in labor. Fluid was retrieved from 53 women in active labor who underwent transabdominal and transvaginal amniocentesis. Fluid was assayed for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-k-PGF1 alpha) using sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays. Concentrations of all prostanoids measured were significantly higher in fluid retrieved by transvaginal than transabdominal amniocentesis; the magnitude of the increase (measured as the ratio of concentrations in the lower/upper compartment) was higher for PGF2 alpha and TXB2 than for the other prostanoids measured; for each prostanoid measured, there was a significant correlation between the concentration in the upper and lower compartment.

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) modulates prostaglandin production and the natural IL-1 receptor antagonist inhibits ovulation in the optimally stimulated rat ovarian perfusion model.

The rat ovarian perfusion model with bursa removed and intact was used to further characterize the effects of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and the natural IL-1 receptor anatagonist (IRAP) on ovulation, steroidogenesis, and prostaglandin production. Twenty-six- to 27-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were injected sc with 25 IU PMSG, and 48 h later, the right ovary was dissected (with bursa removed and intact for various experiments) and placed in the perfusion chamber. Ovaries were exposed to various doses of IL-1 beta alone, IL-1 beta with LH, and IL-1 beta with LH and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). The natural IL-1 receptor antagonist was also added to the chambers with LH and IBMX. IL-1 beta at 0.8 (n = 3) and 8.0 (n = 4) nM did not induce LH-independent ovulation in PMSG-stimulated ovaries with bursa removed. In bursa-intact perfusions (n = 3), one ovulation was produced in each compared to control ovaries with bursa intact (n = 3) given an ovulatory trigger of LH alone [2.3 +/- 0.6 (+/- SD) ovulations; P < 0.02]. IL-1 beta enhanced, in a dose- and gonadotropin-dependent fashion, the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in PMSG-stimulated ovaries with bursa removed given an ovulatory trigger of LH and IBMX compared to that in controls. PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were also modulated by IL-1 beta. Estradiol and progesterone production were not affected. The natural IRAP inhibited ovulation (7.8 +/- 3.9 ovulations vs. 12.4 +/- 1.5; P < 0.04) in PMSG-stimulated ovaries given LH and IBMX as the ovulatory trigger compared to that in controls. This inhibition of ovulation was not associated with reduced steroid or PG levels. IL-1 beta appears to play a potentially significant role in the process of ovulation. The functional importance of the bursa in this model is highlighted in this study. IL-1 beta modulates PG, but not steroid, production. IRAP inhibited ovulation without significantly affecting PG or steroid production.

The relationship between spontaneous rupture of membranes, labor, and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and amniotic fluid concentrations of prostaglandins and thromboxane B2 in term pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between rupture of membranes, labor, and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and amniotic fluid concentrations of eicosanoids in patients with spontaneous rupture of membranes at term. STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluid was retrieved by transabdominal amniocentesis from patients with rupture of membranes and patients with intact membranes at term. Studies to determine the microbial state of the amniotic cavity included culture for bacteria and mycoplasmas, Gram stain, amniotic fluid white blood cell count, and Limulus amebocyte lysate. Eicosanoids (prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2 alpha and its stable metabolite, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and thromboxane B2) were determined with sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays validated for human amniotic fluid. Statistical inference was conducted with analysis of variance and linear contrast. RESULTS: (1) Spontaneous rupture of membranes at term was associated with a significant increase in amniotic fluid concentrations of all eicosanoids measured in this study except 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha. (2) Early labor in patients with rupture of membranes was associated with a significant increase in the amniotic fluid concentration of all eicosanoids. (3) A significant increase in amniotic fluid eicosanoids in women with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity could not be documented. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas preterm labor in the absence of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity is not associated with a significant increase in amniotic fluid concentrations of prostaglandins, a clear increase was documented in women with early labor after spontaneous rupture of membranes. These observations suggest that there are fundamental differences in the biochemistry of term and preterm parturition.

Grazing and Plant Performance.

Grazing is more than just defoliation of plants. The impact of herbivory affects ecosystem structure and function, both above and below ground. Ultimately, effects of herbivory are expressed to varying degrees at many levels of the ecosystem. Herbivory has been shown to affect plant physiology, morphology, and genetics. Plants have evolved many ways to avoid or tolerate herbivory. Whether plant overcompensate, equally compensate, or undercompensate to herbivory depends on pre- and post-harvest conditions of the plants and their environment. To be important to the manager, the magnitude of compensation must be greater than the inherent "noise" in the system. Natural resources managers use scientific information about herbivory to reduce ambiguity in decision-making in an environment of uncertainty. If an ecological response like compensation is to have practical application for the manager, the meaningful effects must occur on time and spatial scales that the manager can respond to with available resources.

Analysis of forensic specimens for cannabinoids. I. Comparison of RIA and GC/MS analysis of blood.

Data from five years of radioimmunoassay (RIA) screens and gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) quantitation of blood, or blood and matched (i.e. concurrently collected) urine specimens for cannabinoids have been used for two distinct evaluations. The first part, which is the subject of this study, considers comparative results from RIA and GC/MS analysis of the specimens. RIA analysis (Abuscreen urine cannabinoids kit) of methanol extracts of blood with extracted blood calibrators (122 specimens) was compared to analysis of nonextracted blood with urine calibrators (108 specimens). RIA of methanol extracts of blood was a reliable assay (limit of detection = 17 ng/mL; interassay coefficients of variation of 2-10%). RIA of nonextracted GC/MS negative blood gave significant displacement of labeled antigen, which precluded accurate quantitation using the urine-based calibrators. Comparison of RIA cannabinoid concentrations to 11-nor-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (COOH-THC) concentrations measured by GC/MS yielded correlation coefficients of 0.68 and 0.23 for the methanol extract and nonextract procedures, respectively. Comparison of the qualitative accuracy of the two techniques, however, resulted in similar discrimination of GC/MS positive and negative specimens when the 20-ng/mL extracted blood calibrator was used as the cutoff for methanol-extracted blood specimens, and the 100-ng/mL urine calibrator was used as the cutoff for nonextracted blood specimens. Although qualitatively similar, the methanol extract procedure resulted in quantitatively superior analysis.

Prostaglandin production in the umbilical and uterine circulations in pregnant sheep at 129-136 days gestation.

Prostaglandins circulating in the maternal and foetal blood have been implicated in important physiological systems. These functions include foetal adrenal function, maintenance of patency of the ductus arteriosus, regulation of uterine and umbilical circulations, and labor and delivery type myometrial contractions. The placenta is a major site of prostaglandin production in pregnancy. Limited data are available which combine measurements of veno-arterial differences across the uterine and umbilical circulations with blood flow in these circulations to enable calculation of umbilical-placental and utero-placental production rates for the prostaglandins. In chronically instrumented pregnant ewes, between 129 and 136 days of gestation, prostaglandin F2 alpha(PGF2 alpha), 13, 14 dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were measured in the maternal carotid artery and uterine vein. Foetal PGE2, and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) (the major metabolite of prostacyclin) were measured in umbilical venous and foetal descending aorta arterial plasma. Umbilical and uterine blood flow were measured using the diffusion-equilibrium technique. Uterine blood flow was 1693 +/- 137 ml.min-1 (mean +/- SEM); uterine production rates were 480 +/- 88 ng.min-1 for PGF2 alpha, 517 +/- 144 ng.min-1 for PGFM, and 165 +/- 27 ng.min-1 for PGE2. Umbilical blood flow was 147 +/- 17 ml.min-1.kg-1 foetal body weight. Umbilical production rates into the foetal circulation were 11 +/- 2 ng.min-1.kg-1 for PGE2 and 6 +/- 2 ng. ng.min-1.kg-1 foetal body weight for PGI2.

Actions of endothelin-1 on prostaglandin production by gestational tissues.

Endothelin-1 (10(-11)M-10(-7)M) was incubated with human umbilical vein endothelial cells and cells derived from amnion and decidua and prostaglandin production was determined. The rates of biosynthesis of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by endothelial cells were increased significantly by treatment with endothelin-1. Amnion cell PGE2 production was reduced significantly by endothelin-1 treatment whereas decidual PGE2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha production was unaffected by this treatment. Thus, it is possible that endothelins may play a part in the regulation of uteroplacental hemodynamics and the mechanisms of parturition.

A model of thermal acclimation in cattle.

A model of temperature effects on cattle daily feed intake has been developed that takes into account (1) time course of thermal acclimation and (2) behavioral responses to short-term thermal stress (STTS). The key difference between this model and the classical intake-temperature model is its consideration of the acclimation state of the animal. Time course of physiological acclimation is represented by a running average temperature. The STTS is defined as the difference between the current acclimated temperature [Tacci(L)] and current daily mean temperature (Ti). Ruminants were postulated as decreasing activity in response to STTS. An empirical relationship between daily feed intake (I) and environmental temperature was derived as: I = 100% - b'[Ti - Tacci(L)]2. Length of the acclimation period, L, and value of the behavioral response coefficient, b', were determined for grazing time of free-roaming cattle and feed intake of five breeds of feedlot cattle. Cattle breeds displayed apparent differences in L but no significant differences in b'. Feeding situation (feedlot vs free-roaming) had a significant effect on b' in cattle, but not on L. Because of explicit treatment of acclimation and stress, two-dimensional representation of thermal environment may be a more meaningful expression of effective environmental temperature in fluctuating environments than mean daily temperature alone. This model may have value in the interpretation of laboratory studies, as well as field studies, because the time frame of experiments will influence the results obtained, depending upon the acclimation state of the animal.

Plus and minus strand leader RNAs in negative strand virus-infected cells.

Sendai virus and VSV minus strand genome RNAs, labeled specifically at their 3' ends with RNA ligase, were used as probes to detect leader RNA--that is, short transcripts (approximately 50 nucleotides) complementary to the exact 3' end of the minus strand genome. These probes have allowed the detection of plus strand leader RNAs in both Sendai virus and VSV-infected cells as well as in the virion transcriptase reactions. The use of a similar probe, prepared from the self-complementary ends of DI genome RNA and containing the 3' end of the plus strand antigenome RNA, has allowed the detection of a minus strand leader RNA of identical size in VSV-infected cells. Since the presence of DI genomes could not be detected by analytical sucrose gradient centrifugation in these VSV-infected cells, this minus strand leader RNA is apparently synthesized on the template formed by the exact 3' end of the antigenome RNA.

Reinnervation of an Abbe-Estlander and a Gillies fan flap of the lower lip: electromyographic comparison.

Electromyographic examination of a left Gillies fan flap 29 months after operation and of a right Abbe-estlander flap 17 months after operation showed complete motor innervation of both.