Transfer of human herpesvirus 6 and 7 antibodies from mothers to their offspring.

Placental transfer of maternal human herpesvirus (HHV) 6 and HHV 7 antibodies to infants was examined simultaneously in 69 paired plasma samples by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. All the mothers had antibodies to both viruses. The mean HHV 6 and HHV 7 antibody titers of infants were significantly higher than those of the mothers. The mean ratio of cord blood antibody titer to the maternal titer for both viruses was 1.89, suggesting active transport by placenta.

Long-term experimental study of the aquatic plant system for polluted river water.

Water purification using artificial wetlands and aquatic macrophyte is attracting attention as a purification technology that can create rich ecosystems while imposing a minimal load on the environment. Because an aquatic plant system requires a large surface area, design specifications and maintenance methods that can obtain the optimum purification effect per unit surface area must be established. Large experimental facilities have been constructed beside a polluted river flowing into Lake Kasumigaura and have been used for a three-year experiment using several kinds of aquatic plants. This report summarizes the characteristics and the design load of the aquatic plant system based on this study and results from other aquatic plant facilities.

[Effects of experimental salpingoplasty on fertility in the rabbit].

The present study was undertaken to determine the functional capacity of oviduct following distal ampullar salpingostomy and tubal anastomosis. In the first experiment using 6 rabbits, the left fimbria of an oviduct and adjoining ampulla were resected, and then the remaining distal ampulla was subjected to cuff salpingostomy. The contralateral oviduct of each rabbit served as a control. Ovulation was induced at 3 weeks after surgery. The mean number of corpora lutea per ovary in the salpingostomy oviduct (5.00 +/- 0.37) did not differ significantly from that observed in the control oviduct (5.17 +/- 0.31). Five of 6 salpingostomy oviducts contained ovulated ova. However, the retrieval rate was significantly (p less than 0.01) reduced in the salpingostomy oviducts (36.7%), as compared to that found in the control oviducts (93.5%). Scanning electron microscopy of the fimbria revealed morphological features of both ciliated and secretory cells that were comparable to those of the contralateral intact fimbria. The second experiment assessed pregnancy outcome following tubal anastomosis in 6 rabbits. Pregnancy was established in both oviducts of all rabbits. The rate of implantation did not differ significantly between anastomosis sides (75.0 +/- 8.9%) and contralateral controls (93.9 +/- 3.9%). The present data demonstrated that fimbriectomized rabbit oviduct can retrieve ovulated ova, albeit less efficiently than normally. However, information that the retrieval rate of ova after salpingostomy is lower than that found in anastomosis also suggests a significant role of fimbria in ovum retrieval.

[Serological and immunohistochemical studies in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus].

The present report is a detailed, prospective analysis of 29 pregnancies in 19 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The clinical pregnant status was correlated with maternal serologic patterns. Poor obstetrical prognosis was associated with low or declining complement (C3 and C4) levels and rising antinuclear and anti-DNA antibody titers. Complement levels reflected clinical changes more accurately than either antinuclear factor. A smooth antepartum course and successful delivery occurred when complement values remained normal. Immunohistochemical studies showed granular or linear depositions of immunoglobulin and complement on syncytial trophoblast and stromal tissue in placenta with SLE. Slight deposits of IgG were observed on the stromal tissue in normal placenta. Immune complex deposition on the trophoblast correlated to both serologic evaluation and course of SLE pregnancy. Obstetrical prognosis can be evaluated by serial determinations of serologic status. These data suggest that declining levels of maternal complements in SLE may be partly due to immune complex deposition in the placenta, resulting in the increased placental dysfunction.