Effect of packed red blood cells transfusion on plasma fibronectin during liver resection.

Our study aimed at evaluating the effect of blood transfusion - allogeneic or autologous - on plasma levels of fibronectin during liver resections. Thirty-five patients scheduled for liver resection were randomly allocated to receive autologous (group autologous blood transfusion (ABT), n= 19) or allogeneic (homologous) (homologous blood transfusion (HBT), n= 16) packed red blood cell to maintain serum haemoglobin concentration above 9 g. Serum levels of fibronectin were measured before induction of anaesthesia, at the end of operation and at first, third and sixth postoperative day. Perioperative morbidity and survival rate were also recorded. Serum fibronectin levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the autologous group than in the allogeneic, at the first (134 +/- 49 microg mL(-1) vs. 89 +/- 31 microg mL(-1)) and third (178 +/- 51 microg mL(-1) vs. 96 +/- 41 microg mL(-1)) postoperative day. No differences in survival and complication rate between the two groups were observed. Concentrations of serum fibronectin seem to be adversely affected by allogeneic blood transfusion during liver resection surgery, although this does not seem to affect patients' morbidity and mortality.

Immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM, complement C3, C4 and ferritin and transferrin levels in serum and follicular fluid in IVF patients.

Serum and follicular fluid immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) and complement (C3, C4), as well as transferrin and ferritin concentrations were measured in 82 consecutive IVF patients (Pregnant: Group A, and non pregnant: Group B). Higher serum concentrations were observed in complement in all Immunoglobulins but IgM which was found to be significantly lower in follicular fluid in both groups. Also there were no statistically significant differences observed for transferrin and ferritin levels in either compartment or among the groups. No correlation was found for the above parameters and the in vitro fertilization outcome in terms of oocytes retrieved, fertilized and embryos implanted.

Assessment of autoantibodies to the zona pellucida in serum and follicular fluid in in-vitro fertilization patients.

Eighty two consecutive IVF patients enrolled in our In-Vitro Fertilization program were investigated on the presence of anti-zona pellucida antibodies in the peripheral blood and follicular fluid, using a haemaglutination test (ovarian zona pellucida HAT) and a zona pellucida slide test, respectively. Overall higher proportion of antibody activity was observed in pregnant patients in both compartments (60% and 53%) in serum and follicular fluid, respectively) than the activity observed in non-pregnant (25% and 48%, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences found for the mean number of oocytes retrieved and fertilized irrespective of the presence of antibodies in serum or in follicular fluid, each one being taken into account separately. However, higher fertilization rates were observed in serum or follicular fluid antibody negative patients (68.2% and 71.2%, respectively) than those who were tested positive (36.6% and 65.4%, respectively). The same was true for the presence of anti-zona pellucida antibodies in serum and in follicular fluid, taking into consideration their presence or absence in both compartments simultaneously.

Successful pregnancy in a renal transplant recipient taking cyclosporin A: hormonal and immunological studies.

A successful pregnancy following renal allotransplantation is reported. Until now azathioprine has been used as the standard immunosuppressive agent in such cases. Because of the potential teratogenicity of azathioprine, low doses of cyclosporin A, a new immunosuppressive drug, was used in our pregnant recipient. We present the management and the outcome of the pregnancy, as well as the hormonal and immunological follow up.