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Biomedical subjects

M Ulstein

Publications and source records attributed to M Ulstein.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Systemic and mucosal antibody responses to group B streptococci following immunization of the colonic-rectal mucosa.

The cervico-vaginal mucosa is poorly designed for inducing a mucosal immune response, but it can effect such a response evoked at other mucosal sites. This study was undertaken to determine whether colonic-rectal immunization with group B streptococci (GBS) might induce a local cervico-vaginal immune response. Mice were immunized with either fragmented GBS rectally, whole GBS rectally, or whole GBS subcutaneously. Cholera toxin (CT) was used as an adjuvant for the rectal immunizations. Following colonic-rectal immunization with whole GBS, the mean anti-GBS IgA antibody level in vaginal secretions was 735 kU/ml, with individual values reaching 3480 kU/ml. Corresponding levels of IgA antibodies never exceeded 10 kU/ml in serum and intestinal secretions, or 90 kU/g in feces. In vaginal secretions IgA antibodies to GBS also constituted a much larger fraction of total IgA than in serum, intestinal secretions and feces. Immunizations with fragmented GBS produced much lower IgA responses. Anti-GBS IgA response at the inductive site in the colon-rectum was not significant, as opposed to a strong anti-CT IgA response. Except in serum, the anti-GBS IgG responses to colonic-rectal immunizations were generally low, or absent. The results may provide a basis for the development of mucosal vaccines against GBS-infection.

Administration, Rectal↗
PubMed1995

Cyclic variation in the expression of Fc gamma receptors in human endometrium.

Cyclic variations of Fc gamma receptors (FcR) in human endometrium were studied in specimens from the fundal part, the lower part of the uterine cavity and from the endocervix obtained in the proliferative, ovulatory and early and late secretory phase. The three classes of FcR were studied using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and indirect immunohistochemistry with avidin-biotin-peroxidase complexes. FcRI, FcRII and FcRIII were expressed on stomal cells throughout the cycle. In the late secretory phase some of the stromal cells had morphology comparable to predecidual cells. These cells express FcRIII only. FcRIII only were expressed on the glandular epithelium in all phases of the cycle. The endothelium was negative in the midcycle and positive early and late in the cycle for FcRI and FcRIII, although weak for FcRIII late in the cycle. FcRII was not expressed on the endothelium. Apparently the FcR activity in the endometrium does not vary during the menstrual cycle, except for small variation in the expression on the endothelium and the presence of FcRIII on positive predecidual cells. No differences in FcR expression were found in specimens taken from different parts of the uterine cavity.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of a rapid enzyme immunoassay for detection of genital colonization of group B streptococci in pregnant women: own experience and review.

We have compared an enzyme immunoassay (ICON Step B, Hybritech) with cultures for demonstration of genital carriage of group B streptococci (GBS) in pregnant women, and studied the relationship between vaginal and rectal carriage of this organism. Pertinent literature has also been reviewed. Two hundred pregnant women at gestational week 17 were included. Swabs from the uterine cervix were tested for GBS by ICON Strep B immunoassay and ordinary cultures on blood agar. Additional swabs from the rectum were tested by cultures. The percentage of women with GBS in cervical secretions was 13.5% (27/200) by cultures and 4% (8/200) by the ICON Strep B immunoassay. The overall sensitivity of the immunoassay was 7.4%, and the specificity 96.5%. In conclusion, the sensitivity of rapid enzyme immunoassays is too low for accurate screening of GBS in the genital tract of pregnant women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Identification of the complement regulatory proteins CD46, CD55, and CD59 in human fallopian tube, endometrium, and cervical mucosa and secretion.

PROBLEM: Complement lytic activity has been demonstrated, and a potential for its activation is present in human cervical and tubal secretions and in the endometrium. This necessitates the presence of regulatory mechanisms for protection of the sperm and the implanting allogeneic conceptus in the female genital tract. Complement regulatory proteins demonstrated on sperm and in seminal fluid have been attributed such a role. It is however likely that additional protection is required for a successful conception and implantation to take place. This lead us to investigate the distribution of the complement regulatory factors in cervical mucus and mucosa, uterine endometrium, and fallopian tube. METHOD: Endometrium and cervical mucosa were obtained from patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions, and specimens were selected from different stages of the menstrual cycle. Fallopian tubes were obtained from patients submitted for sterilization, while cervical mucus was aspirated from volunteers undergoing gynecological examination. Immunohistochemistry was performed on all tissue samples, using monoclonal antibodies to membrane cofactor protein (MCP), decay accelerating factor (DAF), CD59 and complement receptor 1 (CR1). Western blot analysis was performed on cervical mucus under nonreducing conditions. RESULTS: MCP, DAF, and CD59 were found to be expressed in human endometrium and fallopian tube. No variation in expression was detected throughout the menstrual cycle. CR1 was not expressed. Soluble forms of DAF and CD59 were found to be present in cervical mucus. CONCLUSION: The complement regulatory proteins MCP, DAF, and CD59 are expressed throughout the female genital tract, and may thus play an important role in protecting the traversing sperm and implanting blastocyst from complement mediated damage.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1993

Demonstration of Fc gamma receptors in human endometrium.

Cryostat sections of human endometrium bound sheep erythrocytes (E) sensitized with rabbit IgG antibody (A), (EA). Unsensitized E were not bound. Native, heat-aggregated IgG and Fc fragments of IgG inhibited the binding of EA, whereas IgM, IgA and F(ab')2 fragments of IgG did not. The data indicate the presence of receptors for the Fc part of IgG (FcR). Using immune complexes of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and rabbit IgG antibodies to HRP and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), FcR were located to the glandular epithelial and endothelial cells, macrophages and predecidual cells of the stroma. These structures were also stained by mAbs against all three FcR classes and a 40-kD low affinity placental FcR. Preliminary results indicate that the expression of FcR varies during different stages of the menstrual cycle. FcR in the endometrium may play a rôle in local immunoregulation necessary for nidation and development of the blastocyst.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

High serum ferritin post partum: an acute phase reaction.

The purpose of the study was to examine the cause of the increased serum ferritin post-partum observed previously. B-hemoglobin, B-leucocytes, S-ferritin, erythrocyte protoporphyrin and S-orosomucoid were determined in the blood of 21 pregnant women in the 39th week of pregnancy, two to four days and six weeks after delivery. The S-ferritin was increased from 12.1 micrograms/l at the 39th week of pregnancy to 30.1 micrograms/l post-partum. The probable reason for this increment is an acute phase reaction since a rise in the concentration of S-orosomucoid and B-leucocytes were concurrently observed.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1991

Pregnancy outcome in Norway after Chernobyl.

Pregnancy outcome has been studied in terms of legal abortions, early spontaneous abortions and total number of pregnancies (in an ad hoc study covering 6 counties) as well as various perinatal health problems (on the basis of routinely recorded data for epidemiological surveillance from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway). Apparently, no effects were observed in terms of an increased occurrence of legal abortions, while spontaneous abortions increased from 7.2% of all pregnancies during the last 12 months before the accident to 8.3% after the accident [corrected]. At the same time, the total number of pregnancies somewhat decreased. Based on monthly measurements in each municipality of external and internal (food-based) doses, dose-response associations were assessed for a number of perinatal health problems. No associations were observed.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1990

[Pregnancy outcome in some Norwegian counties before and after the Chernobyl accident].

The outcome of pregnancies in six countries in Norway has been studied during 12 months prior and subsequent to the Chernobyl accident. The accident took place in a period with an annual increase of births of approximately 3%. However, the year after the accident a decrease of 0.7% was observed with particularly low numbers during February--April 1987. Concomitantly, the miscarriage fraction of all pregnancies increased by 16.3% and particularly during November 1986--January 1987. The same pattern was found when observations from Haukeland Hospital were analyzed separately. When the time of conception was taken into consideration we found that conceptions during the period May--July 1986 ended more often as miscarriages. We have no explanation of the observations. The external radiation exposure seems too small to have produced these effects. The internal radiation from food may have played a role. People may also have changed their food intake, using less vegetables, due to fear of these being polluted by radioactive fallout.

Accidents↗
PubMed1990

Outcome of pregnancy in one Norwegian county 3 years prior to and 3 years subsequent to the Chernobyl accident.

Pregnancy outcome was studied in a county in Norway 3 years prior to and 3 years subsequent to the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident on 26th April 1986. More detailed analyses have been performed for the 12 months prior to and subsequent to the accident. A significant increase in the spontaneous abortion rate the first year after the accident was followed by a slight decrease during the second and third years, but figures were still higher than the period prior to the accident. The rate of legal abortions was unchanged. During the entire observation period the number of births increased continuously, with the exception of a decrease in the last 2 months of 1986 and the first month of 1987. A higher incidence of spontaneous abortions was found for pregnancies conceived during the first 3 months after the accident. This increase in the spontaneous abortion rate is noteworthy, and more especially its long-term persistence, which cannot be the result of external radiation. The internal radiation from food polluted by radioactive fallout is a possible explanation. Changes in nutrition in order to avoid polluted food may also be of importance.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1989

Human chorionic gonadotropin in cord blood and peripheral maternal blood in singleton and twin pregnancies at delivery.

The influence of fetal sex on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in cord and peripheral maternal blood was studied at delivery in 57 twin and 66 singleton uncomplicated pregnancies. In twin pregnancies the hCG levels were about twice as high in female-female and in female-male vis-à-vis male-male combinations in both maternal and cord blood. In singleton pregnancies the hCG levels were significantly higher in maternal and in cord blood in cases of female vis-à-vis male infants. The ratio of maternal hCG/placental weight was also highest in the twin pregnancies when one or both infants were female. This suggests a "female effect", possibly genetically based.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1988

The course of epilepsy during pregnancy: a study of 78 cases.

We have compared frequency and severity of epileptic seizures during pregnancy with the 9 months prior to pregnancy in 66 patients with a total of 78 pregnancies. Data on total number of seizures and major seizures are analysed separately. No statistically significant differences between frequency before and during pregnancy were found. Cases with seizures before pregnancy tended to have seizures during pregnancy, but there was no association between occurrence of seizures prior to pregnancy and increased frequency during pregnancy. There was no evidence that seizures became more severe during pregnancy. No relationship was found between type of epilepsy and change in seizure frequency during pregnancy. The data suggest that our therapeutic interventions may have influenced seizure frequency in at most a minority of cases. Serum concentrations of the anti-epileptic drugs were monitored regularly during pregnancy. Only data on patients on constant drug dosages and, therefore, presumedly with the mildest seizure disorders were analysed. In the majority of cases there was a decrease in drug levels during pregnancy. Most cases tolerated this decrease without an increase in seizure frequency. On the other hand, most cases with increased frequency also had decreased drug levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Some fetal and pregnancy parameters in Nepal.

In Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, 4600 single live births were analysed concerning birth weight in relation to gestational age. At term, the median birth weight of females was 2900 g and of males 3010 g. Compared with Norwegian newborns, the birthweights of Nepali babies were lower for all corresponding gestational lengths. The differences increased with gestational age. Fundal height was lower in Nepali than in Norwegian pregnant women for all periods of pregnancy. An increase in the differences between Norwegian and Nepali women was also noted. Hematocrit values of Nepali women who did not take supplementary iron, correspond well to findings in Norwegian women without iron supplementation. Only a slight degree of hemoconcentration was noted towards term. For Norwegian women with iron supplementation the hematocrit values were much higher, with a tendency towards hemoconcentration near term. In Nepal the average woman probably has small iron stores, and without iron supplementation the hematocrit values will remain low throughout the pregnancy. The high altitude does not seem to cause hemoconcentration in pregnancy to a greater extent than at lower altitude. Hemoconcentration is therefore not a major causative factor of the lower birth weights.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1987

Prolapse of an ovarian tumor during labor.

A case of prolapsed tumor after home delivery is reported. At first a puerperal inversion of the uterus was suspected. At operation a dermoid ovarian tumor was found to be prolapsed through the vaginal fornix.

Adult↗