Immune System Of Women Research Articles

Some parameters of the immune system in women with hyperandrogenism

The article is dedicated to studying certain parameters of the immune system, which holds great significance in obstetrics and gynecology. Examining immune system parameters allows for identifying disruptions in reproductive-aged women with hyperandrogenism, which holds crucial practical implications. The authors conducted an immunological study of women with hyperandrogenism and women without this pathology. The aim of the study was to investigate the immune system status in women suffering from hyperandrogenism. Materials and methods of the study: 58 reproductive-aged women diagnosed with hyperandrogenism, under observation at the Women’s Health Center “AyolCare” in Tashkent, were examined. Comprehensive clinical and laboratory examinations were conducted for all women. The control group comprised 35 practically healthy reproductive-aged women. The obtained results indicate that women with altered hormonal balance, including those with hyperandrogenism, experience specific changes in the immune system. The conducted research revealed that the levels of T lymphocytes and T helper/inducer cells decrease, while the number of T killer cells, CD25+ cells (carrying IL-2 receptor), and CD95+ cells (carrying apoptosis signaling receptor) increases. The elevated levels of CD95+ cells indicate increased activation of apoptosis processes, which serve as a protective function of T killer cells. This increase in lymphocyte activation is likely associated with elevated levels of mature activated macrophages and a range of cytokines they produce, which directly stimulate lymphocytes. The detected imbalance in immunological parameters likely indicates that in hyperandrogenism, either the elimination of activated clones of T helper cells is absent or disrupted, which usually leads to the formation of immune response suppression. The increase in the number of activated clones of T lymphocytes is observed in the decreased process of their apoptosis, which is likely intensified by the influence of androgens.

Abstract PO4-09-09: Deep Immunoprofiling Demonstrates Racial Differences in the Peripheral Immune System in Women at Risk for Breast Cancer

Abstract Background: Disparities in breast cancer outcomes between Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) women have been attributed to NHB women presenting with more aggressive subtypes and later stage disease, differences in treatment receipt and adherence, access to care and tumor biology. However, previous work has shown that these known factors do not fully account for the observed disparities in outcomes. Systemic immune fitness is a factor not previously studied that may play a role in dictating disease progression and therapeutic responses. Numerous factors, including age and race, impact immune system function and understanding these changes is critical to address disparities in breast cancer outcomes. Here, we developed a pipeline for deep immunoprofiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at single cell resolution by full-spectrum flow cytometry. Using this pipeline, we sought to investigate whether there are differences in immune fitness between NHB and NHW women at high risk for developing breast cancer. Methods: PBMC were collected and processed from age-matched NHB and NHW women (n=20/cohort) identified as being at high risk for developing breast cancer through our institution’s B-PREP (Breast Cancer Personalized Risk Assessment Education and Prevention) clinic. Two custom antibody panels and protocols for comprehensive immunoprofiling of T and B cell subsets (T/B Panel), as well as monocytic, NK, and dendritic cell subsets (M/N/D Panel), along with functional and exhaustion markers were designed, optimized, and implemented. Traditional gating strategies were used to quantify proportions of canonical cell populations, and unbiased high dimensionality reduction analysis was performed using the OMIQ analysis platform to assess phenotypes and functional status of various immune cell subsets. Results: Significant differences between cohorts in abundance as well as phenotype of various cell populations were observed. Specifically, CD4+ follicular helper T cells, TEMRA CD8, and CD45RA Terminal Effector CD8+ cells were enriched in NHB women while PD-1+/CD3+ cells and PD-1+/CD8+ cells were enriched in the NHW women (Table). Additionally, several immunosuppressive and systemic inflammatory immune cell types were enriched in NHB women (Table). Conclusions: Deep immunoprofiling using single-cell spectral flow cytometry revealed differences in peripheral immune cells between NHB and NHW women at high risk for breast cancer. The significant enrichment of immunosuppressive monocytes and several activated NK cell populations in PBMC samples from NHB women relative to those from NHW women indicate an altered immune environment that may influence breast cancer development. Additional analysis, including a larger sample size and patients with invasive cancer, are ongoing to further understand if differences in immune fitness between NHB and NHW women are associated with disparities in breast cancer outcomes. Table: PBMC populations (% of CD45+) that are significantly enriched in NHB relative to NHW patients Citation Format: Esther Ogayo, Milos Spasic, Tasnim Rahman, Olga Kantor, Tari King, Peter van Galen, Sandra McAllister, Elizabeth Mittendorf. Deep Immunoprofiling Demonstrates Racial Differences in the Peripheral Immune System in Women at Risk for Breast Cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-09-09.

Gender and kidney transplantation.

Kidney transplantation provides the best form of kidney replacement therapy with improvement in quality of life and longevity. However, disparity exists in its availability, utilisation and outcomes, not only due to donor availability or financial constraints but also arising from the influence of biological sex and its sociocultural attribute i.e., Gender. Women make up the majority of kidney donors but are less likely to be counselled regarding transpantation, be waitlisted or receive living/deceased donor kidney. Biological differences also contribute to differences in kidney transplantation among the sexes. Women are more likely to be sensitised owing to pregnancy, especially in multiparous individuals, complicating donor compatibility. A heightened immune system in women, evidenced by more autoimmune illnesses, increases the risk of allograft rejection and loss. Differences in the pharmacokinetics of transplant drugs owing to biological variances could also contribute to variability in outcomes. Transgender medicine is also increasingly becoming a relevant topic of study, providing greater challenges in the form of hormonal manipulations and anatomic changes. It is thus important to determine and study transplantation and its nuances in this backdrop to be able to provide relevant sex and gender-specific interventions and design better practices for optimum kidney transplant utilisation and outcomes.

Connection of molecular and cellular components of the immune system in endogenous psychoses with depressive-delusional symptoms

IntroductionThe data of current research indicate the participation of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of endogenous psychoses. Changes in the level of peripheral immune markers are associated with the development of neuroinflammation and correlate with the severity of psychopathological symptoms detected in patients. However, the association between individual components of the immune system involved in the development of endogenous psychosis remains poorly understood.ObjectivesTo study the connection between molecular and cellular components of the immune system in women with endogenous psychoses with depressive-delusional symptoms.Methods32 female patients aged 23 [17; 36] years with endogenous psychoses within different nosologies (F20, F21, F31, depressive-delusional conditions) and 17 women without clinical signs of psychiatric pathology were examined. The activity of leukocyte elastase (LE), α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI), the proportion of four subpopulations of monocytes (classical CD14++CD16-, intermediate CD14++CD16+, nonclassical CD14+CD16+ and transitional CD14+CD16-) in plasma, activity of cytochrome-c oxidase (COX), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutathione s-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR) in platelets and functional activity of complement system (faCS) in serum were determined. The PANSS scale was used to assess the severity of psychopathological symptoms.ResultsIncreased activity of the inflammatory markers LE (p=0.033) and α1-PI (p=0.02) was found in the plasma of the patients. Increased percentage of pro-inflammatory monocytes (intermediate and transient) in plasma (p=0.003) was confirmed by negative correlations between CD14++CD16- and CD14++CD16+ (R=-0.685, p=0.00002), CD14++CD16- and CD14+CD16- (R=-0.608, p=0.0002), CD14++CD16- and CD14+CD16+ (R=-0.424, p=0.002). A decrease in GDH activity (p=0.0079), GST activity (p=0.002) and GR activity (p=0.0006) was observed in patient platelets, which can reflect changes in the activity of intracellular metabolic pathways. A positive correlation was found between COX activity and α1-PI (R=0.51, p=0.025). A significant decrease in faCS compared to control (p=0.0003) and a negative correlation between faCS and GST activity (R=-0.496, p=0.011) were observed. faCS was positively correlated with the degree of reduction in the PANSS score (R=0.416, p=0.038).ConclusionsThe revealed connection between molecular and cellular components of the immune system in patients with endogenous psychoses reflect activation of the systemic inflammatory response accompanied by changes in the ratio of monocyte subpopulations and impaired regulation of the complement system. The data obtained can be used to develop methods of monitoring patients taking into account their immunological features.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

TOBACCO ABUSE EXPOSURE IN WOMEN AND ITS OUTCOMES TO PERINATAL AND CONGENITAL ANOMALIES IN NEWBORNS : A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: Pregnant women are at danger for tobacco smoke both actively and passively. Pregnant women are typically exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in a variety of settings for varying durations of time. Cigarette smoke has a devastating effect on both pregnant women and the fetus. Methods: By comparing itself to the standards set by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020, this study was able to show that it met all of the requirements. So, the experts were able to make sure that the study was as up-to-date as it was possible to be. For this search approach, publications that came out between 2014 and 2024 were taken into account. Several different online reference sources, like Pubmed and SagePub, were used to do this. It was decided not to take into account review pieces, works that had already been published, or works that were only half done. Result: In the PubMed database, the results of our search brought up 286 articles, whereas the results of our search on SagePub brought up 98 articles. The results of the search conducted for the last year of 2014 yielded a total 123 articles for PubMed and 6 articles for SagePub. In the end, we compiled a total of 5 papers, 4 of which came from PubMed and 1 of which came from SagePub. We included five research that met the criteria. Conclusion: In summary, tobacco smoking has an influence on pregnant women's immune, hormonal, and metabolic systems. The chemical contained in tobacco smoke has been linked to various pregnancy complications that result in poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, spontaneous abortion, and harmful effects on newborns. Infants may suffer from respiratory, behavioral, and neurological disorders, SIDS, and other congenital anomalies.The effect of tobacco smoke, actively or passively, is related with poor outcomes for pregnant mothers and their offspring.

Immunological Aspects of Infertility-The Role of KIR Receptors and HLA-C Antigen.

The mechanisms of immune tolerance of a mother against an antigenically foreign fetus without a concomitant loss of defense capabilities against pathogens are the factors underlying the success of a pregnancy. A significant role in human defense is played by killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) receptors, which regulate the function of the natural killer (NK) cells capable of destroying antigenically foreign cells, virus-infected cells, or tumor-lesioned cells. A special subpopulation of NK cells called uterine NK cells (uNK) is found in the uterus. Disruption of the tolerance process or overactivity of immune-competent cells can lead to immune infertility, a situation in which a woman's immune system attacks her own reproductive cells, making it impossible to conceive or maintain a pregnancy. Since the prominent role of the inflammatory response in infertility, including KIR receptors and NK cells, has been postulated, the process of antigen presentation involving major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (HLA) appears to be crucial for a successful pregnancy. Proper interactions between KIR receptors on female uNK cells and HLA class I molecules, with a predominant role for HLA-C, found on the surface of germ cells, are strategically important during embryo implantation. In addition, maintaining a functional balance between activating and inhibitory KIR receptors is essential for proper placenta formation and embryo implantation in the uterus. A disruption of this balance can lead to complications during pregnancy. The discovery of links between KIR and HLA-C has provided valuable information about the complexity of maternal-fetal immune interactions that determine the success of a pregnancy. The great diversity of maternal KIR and fetal HLA-C ligands is associated with the occurrence of KIR/HLA-C combinations that are more or less favorable for reproductive success.

Magnitude of Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.

Maternal red cell alloimmunization occurs when a woman's immune system becomes sensitive to unfamiliar red blood cell antigens. This leads to the production of alloantibodies, which can have serious implications for the fetus and newborn. However, there is a lack of comprehensive information about the extent of red cell alloimmunization in underdeveloped countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of red cell alloimmunization among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from September 01 to November 30, 2022. In this institutional-based cross-sectional study, 422 pregnant women were participated and recruited using a systematic random sampling technique. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, and other clinical information were collected using structured questionnaires through face-to-face interview. Blood grouping and indirect antihuman globulin tests were performed. The relationship between red cell alloimmunization and the independent variables was determined using the chi-square test. P-value <0.05 was considered statistical significance. In this study, the blood group distributions among the participants were as follows: O, 177 (41.9%); A, 124 (29.4%); B, 76 (18%); and AB, 45 (3.86%). Among the pregnant women included in the study, a total of 51 (12.08%) were identified as RhD-negative. Out of these RhD-negative women, 5 (9.8%) were found to have developed alloimmunization with red blood cell antigens. Miscarriage and post-partum hemorrhage were found to be important factors associated with the occurrence of red cell alloimmunization in these women. This study showed that one out of ten pregnant women was alloimmunized. Therefore, antenatal blood grouping and indirect antihuman globulin screening should be performed routinely to manage and minimize the undesirable outcomes of alloimmunization during pregnancy.

Immunological disorders in patients with mammary gland pathology in infertility associated with anovulation

The objective: to study the state of the immune system in women with pathology of the mammary glands and infertility, and on the background of menstrual cycle disorders.Materials and methods. The research was performed in two stages. The first (1) stage included examination of women with infertility associated with anovulation who had breast pathology. These patients were divided into three groups: 1.1 group – 44 patients with diffuse fibrocystic breast disease (FBD), 1.2 group – 4 patients with fibroadenoma of the mammary glands, 1.3 group (control one) – 37 patients without pathological changes in the mammary glands.During the second (2) stage of the study, 110 women were examined: 2.1 group – 52 patients with regular menstruations and luteal phase insufficiency (LPI) and 2.2 group – 58 patients with anovulatory cycles.During two research stages, the immune status (CD3, CD4, CD8, immunoregulatory index (CD4/CD8), CD72, CD16, circulating immune complexes) and cytokine profile (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, INF) in venous blood were determined. Differences were considered statistically significant at p&lt;0.05.Results. A significant increase in the CD8 index was found in the group of patients with normal mammary glands (34.7±6.9 pg/ml; p&lt;0.05) and with a diffuse form of FBD (35.13±6.9 pg/ml; p&lt;0.05) versus its normal level in the group of patients with fibroadenoma (26.5±15.9 pg/ml; p&gt;0.05).During the analysis of the CD16 level, it was determined its significantly increased to 18.8±3.1 pg/ml (р&lt;0.05) in patients with LPI and regular menstrual cycle and to 26.3±4.8 pg/ml (р&lt; 0.05) – in patients with anovulation without LPI, the difference between the groups was significant. The level of CD16 was significantly higher in anovulatory menstrual cycle disorder without LPI compared to patients with menstrual cycle disorder and LPI.The concentration of TNF-α in patients with a regular menstrual cycle (998.1±166.3 pg/ml; p&lt;0.05) and with an anovulatory cycle without LPI (1029.3±187.1 pg/ml; p&lt;0.05) was significantly higher compared to normal values (778.5±64.0 pg/ml). The level of IL-2 was significantly lower than normal indices. Thus, in the group of women with LPI, this indicator was 17.13±2.85 pg/ml (р&lt;0.05), and by anovulation without LPI – 16.84±3.07 pg/ml (р&lt;0.05) versus normal parameter 22.29±0.81 pg/ml.Conclusions. In patients with diseases of the mammary glands and infertility associated with anovulation without LPI, a significant decrease in the activity of T2-helpers (IL-2) and an increase in the activity of T1-helpers (TNF-α) were determined in cases of anovulation without LPI compared with cases of luteal phase insufficiency.

Genetic predictors regarding of infection-dependent pregnancy loss

A retrospective comparative cohort study investigated the prevalence of genetic variants are associated with immune hyper-response of the immune system in women (n = 96) with a history of infected miscarriage. The comparison groups subjects was 76 women of the same age with 2 or more normal pregnancies in history.&#x0D; The frequency of gene polymorphism in patients in all patients of the main group and the comparison group: the G894T polymorphism (Glu298Asp, rs1799983) of the Nos3 gene, the C1234T (p.Leu412Phe, rs3775291) polymorphism of the Tlr3 gene, the C3954T (rs1143644) and C-511T (rs16944) polymorphisms of the IL1B gene, and G-308A (rs1800629) and G238A (rs361525) of the Tnf gene. For comparative statistical analysis, we used the chi-square test and Fishers exact test with the determination of relative risk and confidence interval (CI).&#x0D; Comparative analysis showed that polymorphism in defined gene was associated with an increased the relative risk of infected miscarriage: T/T genotype of the Tlr3 gene (C1234T), the C allele of the Il1b gene (C3954T), and the A allele of the Tnf gene (G238A) increases the relative risk of infected miscarriage by 3.345 times (95% confidence interval 1.5947.017; chi-square test = 10.779, p = 0.002), 5.077 times (95% confidence interval 2.7439.396; chi-square test = 30.272, p 0.001) and 2.958 times (95% confidence interval 1.4516.032; chi-square test = 9.533, p = 0.003), respectively.

Gender Perspectives on COVID-19

Women have been disproportionately harmed in the latest corona virus epidemic, which has had an effect on their personal finances, businesses and communities. Yet women do better than males when it comes to preventing the spread of illness and reducing the mortality rate from existing conditions. The primary explanation is that women's immune systems, in addition to the natural hormonal protection they get, are superior to men's. In addition, women are more likely to engage in preventative actions and adhere more strictly to protection measures, which drastically lessen the likelihood of infection. There is a clear need for further study on the gender differences in COVID-19 infections because to the disparate severity across the sexes. Essential data on sex-related variations in illness outcome and treatment can only be gathered if both males and females participate in fundamental research and clinical trials. Better results for women will not be seen until additional research is conducted in the future that takes into account the unique challenges women encounter when dealing with infectious illnesses and global pandemics from a gendered viewpoint.

FEATURES OF HUMORAL AND LOCAL IMMUNITY IN WOMEN WITH HYPERPROLIFERATIVE UTERINE DISEASES AND INFERTILITY

The object of the study: to study the state of the immune system in women with uterine leiomyoma, adenomyosis and infertility. Materials and methods. 80 women of reproductive age were examined, including 50 patients with hyperproliferative diseases of the uterus and infertility, as well as 30 women with uterine leiomyoma and adenomyosis who performed reproductive function. The condition of the immune system was studied according to the NST test, the activity and intensity of phagocytosis, the concentration of immunoglobulins A, M, G in blood serum and cervical mucus. Results of the study. In women of all study groups,was found suppression of phagocytic activity of neutrophils, which was characterized by a significant decrease in the absorption function of neutrophils in terms of activity and intensity of phagocytosis. Significantly higher concentrations of the main class of immunoglobulins Ig G, as well as Ig A and lysozyme in women with uterine leiomyoma, with normal levels of Ig M in the blood serum were observed. Significantly higher levels of Ig G, Ig A and the appearance of Ig M were found in cervical mucus. As for the concentration of s Ig A, certain features were found, namely a significant increase in secretory Ig A in women with infertility. Conclusions. Hyperproliferative diseases of the uterus occur against the background of activation of systemic immunological factors in the form of increased concentrations of Ig G, Ig A and lysozyme and insufficiency of the phagocytosis system. In women with infertility, the stress of immunogenesis processes at the local level is determined, which consisted in an increase in the concentration of sIg A, Ig G, Ig A, and the appearance of Ig M in cervical mucus in 43.8% of the examined women. Keywords: uterine leiomyoma, adenomyosis, infertility, immunity

Intravenous immunoglobulin and prednisolone to women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss after assisted reproductive technology treatment: a protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

IntroductionRecurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), defined as two or more consecutive pregnancy losses in the first trimester, affects around 5% of fertile women. The underlying causes remain unknown in up to...

Cytokine see-saw across pregnancy, its related complexities and consequences.

During pregnancy, a woman's immune system adapts to the changing hormonal concentrations, causing immunologic transition. These immunologic changes are required for a full-term pregnancy, preserving the fetus' innate and adaptive immunity. Preterm labor, miscarriage, gestational diabetes mellitus, and pre-eclampsia are all caused by abnormal cytokine expression during pregnancy and childbirth. A disruption in the cytokine balance can lead to autoimmune diseases or microbiologic infections, or to autoimmune illness remission during pregnancy with postpartum recurrence. The cytokine treatments are essential and damaging to the developing fetus. The current review summarizes the known research on cytokine changes during pregnancy and their possible consequences for pregnant women. Studies suggest that customizing medication for each woman and her progesterone levels should be based on the cytokine profile of each pregnant woman. Immune cells and chemicals play an important function in development of the placenta and embryo. During pregnancy, T cells divide and move, and a careful balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is necessary. The present review focuses on the mother's endurance in generating fetal cells and the immunologic mechanism involved.

State of cellular and humoral systemic immunity in women of reproductive age under the development of proliferative processes in the endometry of the uterus and breast glands

The immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of endometrial hyperplasia (EH) and benign breast tumors, as in the body of women this system interacts closely with the reproductive system. Due to the fact that the transformation of endometrial cells and mammary glands is controlled by the immune system, it is important to study the redistribution of components of cellular and humoral immune components in women with combined pathology.&#x0D; The aim of the study was to study the state of cellular and humoral parts of the immune system in women of reproductive age, patients with endometrial hyperplasia and benign breast tumors.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Studies of the state of the immune cell were performed in peripheral blood to determine the subpopulation composition of blood lymphocytes using monoclonal antibodies to antigens CD3 + (total number of T lymphocytes), CD4 + (T-helpers), CD8 + (T-suppressors), CD16 + (NK cells), CD19 + (B-lymphocytes). Indicators of humoral immunity - immunoglobulins (Ig) of classes A, M and G were determined using monospecific sera against these immunoglobulins.&#x0D; Results of the research. There was a decrease in the mean values of T-lymphocytes, T-suppressors, T-helpers and B-lymphocytes with a simultaneous increase in NK cells in the peripheral blood in patients with GE and mastopathy compared with the control group. There was a decrease in the immunoregulatory index - the ratio of CD4 + / CD8 +. An increase in the content of Ig G and a decrease in the levels of Ig M and Ig A in the groups of patients with GE and in the combination of GE and mastopathy in comparison with healthy women is shown.&#x0D; Conclusions. Immunological homeostasis, which is characterized by changes in cellular and humoral immunity at the systemic level, is involved in the violation of reproductive function in women with hormonal imbalance, which leads to the development of GE and mastopathy

Rh incompatibilty: A case study

Rh incompatibility occurs during pregnancy. Rh antibodies cross the placenta and attack the baby's red blood cells leading to Hemolytic anemia. With Rh incompatibility, the woman's immune system reacts and creates Rh antibodies. Rh incompatibility happens only when the father of the baby is Rh-positive. Difference in blood type between a pregnant woman and her child causes Rh incompatibility. Nurse plays a vital role to offer psychological support to the mother and also to the members of the family.

Tocolysis effects of traditional Chinese medicine and their effective components

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for anti-abortion is based on the theory of gynecology of TCM, which aims to prevent and treat abdominal pain during pregnancy, fetal leakage, uneasy fetal movement, and fetal atrophy. Because of the complexity of the ingredients of Chinese Materia Medica, and the imprecise intervention mechanism for tocolysis, further investigation about the effects of Chinese herbs and their components on tocolysis by utilizing advanced technologies is required to be made. All the information available about TCM and its effects on pregnant women and fetuses was collected via electronic search using Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI, and a library search was performed to locate classic herbal medicine books. The active ingredients in TCM were screened with the help of Traditional chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP). The keywords being used included herbal names, pharmacology, pregnancy, threatened abortion, and fetus. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that TCM mainly prevents threatened abortion by a direct effect on the pregnant woman's immune system, sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, the uterus and the endometrium, and the decidual tissue such as the placenta. It may also address pregnancy complications due to advanced maternal age, infection, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, and mental disorders caused by threat of a miscarriage. TCM protects against spontaneous miscarriage, but its mechanisms are largely unknown. This research applies scientific methods to characterize and examine the effective components of TCM and their application to lower the risk of abortion to the pregnant women and fetuses.

Sex Variations in the Oral Microbiomes of Youths with Severe Periodontitis.

Objective Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of microbial etiology caused primarily by dysbiosis of the oral microbiota. Our aim was to compare variations in the composition of the oral microbiomes of youths with severe periodontitis according to gender. Methods Subgingival plaque samples collected from 17 patients with severe periodontitis (11 males and 6 females) were split for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The composition, α-diversity, and β-diversity of the patients' oral microbiomes were compared between the males and the females. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was used to analyze the specific taxa enriched in the two groups. Functional profiles (KEGG pathways) were obtained using PICRUSt based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. Results The Chao1 index and phylogenetic diversity whole tree were significantly higher in males than in females. The Simpson and Shannon indices were not significantly different between the two groups. β-Diversity suggested that the samples were reasonably divided into groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test based on the relative abundance of species, combined with the LEfSe analysis showed that the dominant bacteria in males were Pseudomonas and Papillibacter, whereas the dominant bacteria in women were Fusobacteriales and Tannerella. KEGG analysis predicted that the variation in the oral microbiome may be related to the immune system in women, whereas immune system diseases were the dominant pathway in men. Conclusion We found sex-specific differences in the oral microbiome in a sample of youths with severe periodontitis. The differences may be related to changes in immune homeostasis and lead to a better understanding of periodontitis.

Testosterone and Life Span or Why Women Live Longer than Men: A Hypothesis

Women around the world live longer than men. The question of why this is happening is very interesting, but still unresolved in gerontology. There are a number of proposals to explain the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, but there are no clearly confirmed or refuted ones among them. This is probably due to the fact that it is extremely difficult to organize the testing of such hypotheses for Homo sapiens, and the available data on animals are often contradictory and their results cannot be fully transferred to humans. In the article, we tried to identify one of the possible mechanisms leading to sex differences in life expectancy in the human population. The depressing effect of testosterone on the immune system of women is much weaker than on the immune system of men. The concentration of testosterone in the blood of men is 10–18 times higher than that of women, and, after the onset of menopause, the already low concentration of testosterone in women drops by another 25–50%. The immune system of men weakens with age to a greater extent, which leads to an increased incidence of infectious, oncological, and other immune-dependent pathologies, which just reduces the minimal, middle, and maximum life span of men compared with women.

СОСТОЯНИЕ ГУМОРАЛЬНОГО ИММУНИТЕТА, КАК ВАЖНЫЙ ПРОГНОСТИЧЕСКИЙ КРИТЕРИЙ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ПРОГРАММ ЭКСТРАКОРПОРАЛЬНОГО ОПЛОДОТВОРЕНИЯ ПРИ ТРУБНО-ПЕРИТОНЕАЛЬНОМ БЕСПЛОДИИ

The indicators of humoral immunity in clinically healthy women at the stage of pregnancy planning and in patients with pipe-peritoneal infertility in the pre-infantal period of vitro incense fertilization periods are studied. The initial immune status in women of the main group did not have pathological deviations. The identified shifts in the work of the immune system in women with infertility, depending on the outcomes of the auxiliary reproductive technologies, was carried out in a multidirectional nature and could serve as a factor in a preventive forecast, in order to ensure a more differentiated approach at the preparation stage and during extracorporeal fertilization.

State of the immune system in women with exacerbation of cytomegalovirus infection in the third trimester of pregnancy

Aim . To study the state of the immune system in women with exacerbation of cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI) in the third trimester of pregnancy. Materials and methods . The study involved 120 women in the third trimester of pregnancy, uncomplicated and complicated by CMVI. The first group was represented by 30 seronegative women with physiological pregnancy, the second − 30 pregnant women with latent CMVI, leading to the development of placental insufficiency, the third − 30 patients with exacerbation of CMVI and placental insufficiency, and the fourth − 30 women with exacerbation of CMVI, initiating the development of placental insufficiency and the threat of miscarriage. The concentration of immunoglobulins (sIgA, IgA, IgG and IgM) and circulating immune complexes (CIC) in blood serum was studied. Results . It was shown that in women of the first group the concentration of sIgA in the blood serum was 5.0 (4.10-7.10) mg/ml, IgA − 2.32 (2.09-2.48) mg/ml, IgG – 13.8 (13.0-14.4) mg/ml, IgM − 1.08 (0.98-1.19) mg/ml and CIC − 0.097 (0.076-0.113) AU. In the second group, compared with the first one, the IgG concentration increased to 14.3 (13.3- 15.3) mg/ml (p=0.0284), at the same time there were no statistically significant changes in the sIgA level (p=0.697), IgA (p=0.085), IgM (p=0.197) and CIC (p=0.476). In the third group, in contrast to the second one, an increase in IgG concentration was recorded by 1.09 times (p=0.0016), IgM – by 1.88 times (p=0.000001) and CIC – by 1.70 times (p=0.000001) against the background of a 1.24-times decrease in IgA levels (p=0.000001) and no difference in sIgA concentration (p=0.208). In patients of the fourth group, in comparison with the third one, a decrease in the level of sIgA was diagnosed by 1.66 times (p=0.0000089) and IgA − by 1.41 times (p=0.00048) with an increase in IgG by 1.26 times (p=0.000001), IgM − 1.21 times (p=0.0011) and CIC − 1.09 times (p=0.0199). Conclusion . With exacerbation of CMVI in the third trimester of pregnancy, complicated by placental insufficiency, severe dysimmunoglobulinemia and autoimmune changes in the female body lead to the development of symptoms of the threat of miscarriage.