Phosphoglucomutase genetic polymorphism and human fertility.

We studied the phosphoglucomutase phenotype in relation to fertility parameters in a consecutive series of 204 women who had delivered a normal live-born child in Rome. A highly significant association was found between age of the women and phosphoglucomutase phenotype, suggesting a reduced rate of reproduction among women of phosphoglucomutase Type 1. Previous spontaneous abortion appears related to both age and phosphoglucomutase enzymatic type. An increased incidence of abortion in women of older ages was observed only in phosphoglucomutase Type 1. Gestational duration and fetal intrauterine growth rate are also significantly associated with maternal phosphoglucomutase phenotype. The pattern is complex, but also in this instance the influence of maternal age was evident. Considered altogether, the data suggest that phosphoglucomutase may have an important role in zygote development and survival through the whole span of intrauterine life.

[Osteomyelitis and arthritis caused by Streptococcus group B in a 40-day-old boy]. / Osteomielite ed artrite causate da streptococco di gruppo B in un bambino di 40 giorni di vita.

Group B streptococci (GBS) have gained much attention in recent years as a cause of serious infection in the newborn. Traditionally two clinical syndromes have been defined as "early onset", with fulminant septicemia, pneumonia and meningitis, and "late onset", with a mild meningitis. More recently some previously unrecognized clinical presentations of GBS disease have been documented. These include asymptomatic bacteremia, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, ethmoiditis with orbital cellulitis, pneumoniae with empyema, conjunctivitis. The literature to date reports 30 instances of osteomyelitis due to GBS. This report describes a forty days infant with a group B streptococcal osteomyelitis of the proximal humerus. Has been also emphasized the increased frequency and the benign clinical course of streptococcal osteomyelitis in the neonate.

Cytotoxic function in the differentiated HL60 cell line.

Monocytic features can be induced in the myeloid cell line HL60 in order to provide a suitable in vitro model for the investigation of in vivo activity in mononuclear phagocytes. 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (Calcitriol) induced the HL60 cell line to express the monocytic differentiation antigen Leu M3 in about 30-50% of the cells along with an increase (up to 20%) in the expression of the HLA class II antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody (MoAb) HLADR, but not HLADQ. Functional investigation showed that Calcitriol-treated cells formed rosettes with sheep erythrocytes coated with a specific IgG2a mouse MoAb and readily ingested them. In addition, these same sensitized erythrocytes were lysed in an 18 hrs antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. All together these data indicate the presence of functionally active Fc gamma Receptors (FcR). Sorting experiment demonstrated that only Leu M3+ HLADR+ cells contained the effector cell population. The phenotypic profile was not per se predictive of FcR presence and function, as TPA induced HL60 cells neither formed rosettes nor phagocytosed nor exhibited ADCC activity, although they express Leu M3+ and HLADR+ (as well as HLADQ) antigens. These results suggest that Calcitriol and TPA cause the differentiation of HL60 cells along distinct pathways. On the other hand, different subpopulations with given predetermined differentiation capabilities may coexist in HL60 cell line.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadotropic function in girls with premature thelarche.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadotropic activity was investigated in 9 girls with premature thelarche, and compared with that in 9 healthy girls and 6 girls with true precocious puberty. The gonadotropin stimulation test with luteinising hormone-releasing hormone was used. Girls with premature thelarche showed luteinising hormone response resembling that of normal girls, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) response quite similar to that of girls with precocious puberty. This suggests that in premature thelarche there is a partial activation of the diencephalic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis, which affects FSH only. Premature thelarche therefore, should be considered as one of the disorders due to altered sensitivity of the hypothalamic receptors which regulate sex maturation.