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Biomedical subjects

A Wolf

Publications and source records attributed to A Wolf.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

A new variation of in-vitro fertilization: intravaginal culture of human oocytes and cleavage stages.

In this study, we present further experiences with the intravaginal culture (IVC) of oocytes and cleavage stages. IVC is a new technique for in-vitro fertilization, its principle consisting of fertilization of oocytes in an air-free plastic capsule which is placed into the maternal vagina. In a total of 45 patients, 22 were treated by IVC and 23 by a conventional in-vitro fertilization technique (IVF). The pregnancy rates for IVC and IVF amounted to 22.7% (5/22) and 17.4% (4/23), respectively. Our results indicate that IVC is a valuable new method for treatment of special cases of sterility. Furthermore, extracorporal stress factors such as light and low temperature can be minimized by IVC. We also consider the psychological factor for the patients as very important since the mother can actively participate in the early development of the conceptus.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1989

MR imaging of the breast with Gd-DTPA: use and limitations.

Between August 1985 and November 1987, 150 patients with 167 biopsy-proved lesions were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging enhanced with gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, mammography, and palpation. Of these patients, 113 with 123 lesions were also examined with ultrasound. Enhancement above 300 normalized units (NU) on MR images was considered significant; between 250 and 300 NU, borderline; and below 250, nonsignificant. All 27 fibroadenomas and 70 of 71 carcinomas showed significant enhancement; one carcinoma showed borderline enhancement. Nonproliferative dysplasia showed nonsignificant enhancement in 15 of 16 cases and significant enhancement in one, whereas proliferative dysplasia showed usually diffuse enhancement varying from nonsignificant (five of 30 cases) to borderline (five of 30 cases) to significant (20 of 30 cases). In the nonblind evaluation of the modalities, MR imaging compared favorably. When limitations of the technique were considered, MR imaging seemed beneficial as a supplement in selected, diagnostically difficult cases.

Adenofibroma↗
PubMed1989

Ovarian failure and autoimmunity. Detection of autoantibodies directed against both the unoccupied luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin receptor and the hormone-receptor complex of bovine corpus luteum.

We developed an ELISA system for the detection of human anti-ovarian antibodies. Bovine corpora lutea were extracted in PBS (pH 7.2) and fractionated by ultracentrifugation. Both the soluble fraction obtained after 80,000 g (S80) and the Triton-extracted membrane fraction (ST288) were used as antigens. Additionally, the luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptor was isolated by affinity chromatography (wheat germ agglutinin and LH-Sepharose) and also used as an antigen. In 7 of 14 patients with primary sterility and endometriosis a positive reaction was observed. Similarly, 6 of 16 patients with secondary sterility and endometriosis were also positive. Patients being stimulated for in vitro fertilization and presenting either primary or secondary sterility were positive in 5 of 22 and 6 of 16 cases, respectively. In the S80 test 41 of 60 sera presented IgG2 antibodies, whereas in the ST288 test 38 of 60 belonged to the IgG1 subclass. Kappa and lambda chains were equally distributed. Some patients could recognize the unoccupied LH/hCG receptor as an antigen, while others recognized only the complex formed by the hormone plus the hormone receptor. The S80 and ST288 antigens were isolated by affinity chromatography. Gel permeation of the purified antigens revealed in each case the presence of an antigen complex. The apparent molecular weight was between 2,000 and 36,000 D. Cross-reactivity studies using affinity-purified antibodies demonstrated an antigenic relationship of the membrane, soluble, and extractable fractions. NAc-(beta-1----4)-D-glucosaminide and -D-galactopyranoside were the main terminal glycosides.

Addison Disease↗
PubMed1989

An improved chemiluminescence assay suggests non nitric oxide-mediated action of lysophosphatidylcholine and acetylcholine.

Using a new nitric oxide analyser, we have developed a sensitive chemiluminescence assay to detect trace quantities of NO in aqueous solutions. This improved technique in combination with the bioassay has been employed to verify the theory that NO released by vascular endothelium, accounts for the relaxation produced by acetylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine and calcium ionophore A23187. Our results show that while calcium ionophore A23187 continuously released NO, acetylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine relaxed vascular strips without releasing NO over the basal level.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1989

Nitrogen absorption in pancreatectomized patients: protein versus protein hydrolysate as substrate.

To investigate nitrogen absorption in the absence of the pancreas, six patients with total pancreatectomy, all in stable nutritional and metabolic condition, underwent two periods of enteral nutrition identical in all respects except for the nitrogen source. Nitrogen source was either lactalbumin or its hydrolysate. The quantity and quality of calories infused simulated the patient's usual diet, which was a high-protein diet (2.0 +/- 0.4 gm/kg body weight). Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy was discontinued during each period of enteral nutrition. All patients had greater nitrogen absorption during the enteral nutrition with lactalbumin hydrolysate than that with lactalbumin (91% +/- 2% vs 61% +/- 6% of nitrogen intake, p less than 0.02). Despite this difference in absorption, nitrogen balances during the two periods of enteral nutrition were not significantly different. This appeared to be caused by a urea production rate that was greater during the enteral nutrition with lactalbumin hydrolysate than the rate during that with lactalbumin (26 +/- 1 gm/24 hr vs 16 +/- 3 gm/24 hr, p less than 0.05). Plasma concentrations of amino acids and proteins did not differ significantly during the two treatments. In conclusion, the data suggest that (1) the intestine plays a significant role in protein digestion and that (2) enteral feeding with a protein hydrolysate could eliminate the need for a high-protein diet in patients with pancreatic insufficiency.

Absorption↗
PubMed1989

Bacterial infection: the main cause of acute cholestasis in newborn infants receiving short-term parenteral nutrition.

To test the hypothesis that bacterial infections are the main cause of acute cholestasis in short-term intravenously fed newborns, two groups were studied. Group I consisted of 152 newborn infants who were fed intravenously for at least 7 days and in whom severe bacterial infections developed. Group II was formed of 92 newborn infants who were matched to the group I cases with respect to the year of birth, birth weight and gestational age, Apgar scores, and duration of parenteral nutrition but who did not have infections. Bacterial infections were diagnosed on the basis of impaired microcirculation with prolonged capillary filling time, a shift to the left in the white cell differential, and a positive blood culture. Cholestasis was diagnosed when the total serum bilirubin level was greater than 4 mg/dl and the conjugated fraction made up more than 40% of the total. The results were that all 40 cases of cholestasis were found in the first group of infected infants. All of the other factors were distributed equally between both groups and could not be attributed as a major factor in the etiology of idiopathic neonatal cholestasis. The conclusion was that bacterial infections are the main cause of acute cholestasis in intravenously fed newborn infants.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

[Laparoscopy in the differential diagnosis of causes of female infertility. I. Significance of the presence of ovulation stigma].

104 laparoscopy were performed in infertile women. Apart from the routine evaluation of organs of pelvis small the particular attention was drown to the presence of stigma on the surface of corpus luteum. The sigma was present in 41 cases (39.42%). It was shown that the presence of the stigma allows to recognize the examined infertile women as on ovulating one. It was also stated that the evaluation of the presence of the stigma is an important method in diagnosis of ovulation, particularly in the so-called unexplained infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Laparoscopy in the differential diagnosis of the causes of female infertility. II. 17-beta estradiol and progesterone levels in the peritoneal fluid and blood serum].

In 104 infertile women the presence of the ovulation stigma detected during the laparoscopy was compared with the behaviour of the concentration of 17-beta estradiol and progesterone in the peritoneal fluid and in the blood. It was shown that the simultaneous and performed twice during one cycle measuring of the level of these hormones in peritoneal fluid and in blood is of a great value in the diagnosis of ovulation in infertile women--and is correlated with the presence of stigma. It was also shown that the lack of stigma and the lower values of concentrations of steroid hormones in peritoneal fluid and blood suggest the lack of ovulation in spite of the presence of corpus luteum.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Possibilities of objective assessment of the course of activation in ideomotor training].

An active exploration of movement tasks is accompanied with central nervous activation. Its systematical examination needs a teamwork of scientists of various branches of knowledge (i.e. physiology, psychology, sport sciences). Mental training (motor imagination - MI) was chosen as a model for such examinations. In connection with the execution of MI there are characteristic chances of the mean alpha frequency of the EEG, heart rate, respiration rate and skin conductance. The time course of these parameters depends on the number, the duration and the sequence of MI. A graduated submaximal load on ergometer has no influence on the course of the examined parameters. Our investigation allows the conclusion that different activation processes go on within different subsystems during the execution of MI. From a physiological point of view it seems to be necessary that a concrete paradigm of MI must be examined concerning the course of the parameters and, thus, to guarantee the effort of MI.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[The acridine orange test. A new parameter in assessing the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa].

Simultaneously with in vitro fertilization (IVF), the acridine orange (AO) test was performed on 51 patients according to the method of Tejada et al. This test allows a differentiation of spermatozoa with intact (double-stranded) and denatured (single-sanded) DNA. A significant relationship was demonstrated between the percentage of green-fluorescing (intact) sperm and the results of IVF. For both, the groups with (n = 40) and without (n = 11) fertilization of human eggs, a positive correlation was found between AO-test and sperm motility, and AO-test and normal sperm morphology.

Acridine Orange↗
PubMed1989

Donor eyes. A comparison of characteristics and outcomes for Eye Bank and local tissue.

The Corneal Recipient Registry was begun in 1985 to collect information on all recipients of corneal grafts in the province of Ontario, Canada, and on the donors providing tissue. While most of the tissue is handled by the Eye Bank of Canada (Ontario Division), ophthalmologists in centers away from the Eye Bank often use local tissue when it is available. Comparison of the donor characteristics of local tissue with that obtained through the Eye Bank revealed that local donors were 9-10 years younger (p less than 0.01), their times to enucleation were an hour less (p less than 0.02), and they were much more likely to be the victims of trauma than the donors of Eye Bank eyes. Prognosis of the graft, assessed using life table methods, suggested that success of local eyes was 89% after 6 months, compared with 80% for Eye Bank eyes in the same period, but this was not a significant difference (p greater than 0.05). While the Eye Bank is a more common source of tissue, eyes obtained locally are more likely to represent the "ideal" tissue for many corneal surgeons.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Incidence and symptoms of cow's milk protein intolerance following acute gastroenteritis in young infants. Effect of a hypoallergenic diet].

In a prospective randomized study we investigated in 28 mainly bottle-fed infants younger than 60 days whether in acute gastroenteritis a hypoallergenic formula could prevent the development of cow's milk protein intolerance. Group 1 (14 infants) was fed with a formula adapted to human milk, Group 2 (14 infants) got a semi-elementary formula (Alfaré). After 3 months group II was exposed to cow's milk protein with a standardized challenge and the incidence of CMPI in both groups was calculated. All cases with the acute form of CMPI occurred in group II (5/12) whereas in group I only one infant suffered from the protracted mild form of the disease. Inspite of the relatively small number of probands we conclude from our results that in infants who are not totally breast-fed in the post-enteritic period feeding with a formula adapted to human milk is preferable to hypoallergenic semi-elementary preparations. An allergen free period of 3 months seems to induce symptoms of cow's milk intolerance, probably as a booster-effect to early sensibilisation.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[In vitro fertilization: a comparison with results of the hamster ova penetration test (HOPT)].

The hamster ova penetration test (HOPT) was performed in 82 patients simultaneously with in vitro fertilization of homologous oocytes (IVF). A penetration rate of greater than 20% of inseminated ova was considered to represent a positive test result. The results of HOPT correlated completely with the IVF in all couples with male factor sterility. In couples with female sterility only and in couples with a combination of female and male factors HOPT was falsely negative in 22 and 20% respectively. Despite a negative HOPT in vitro fertilization with formation of two pronuclei 12 to 18 hours after insemination occurred in these patients. Obviously, the interpretation of HOPT is dependent upon the definition of the cut-off point (in our case 20%). Our results support the opinion that there should be no exclusion from an IVF programme based only on a negative HOPT. It appears that any penetration rate greater than 0% should be considered as a sign of potential fertility.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Experiences and successes with intravaginal fertilization and culture of human oocytes].

We present in this study our first experience with intravaginal culture (IVC) of human oocytes as a modified technique for in-vitro fertilization. Up to 4 oocytes and washed, pre-incubated spermatozoa (final concentration: 0.1-0.2 x 10(5)/ml) are pipetted into a plastic capsule. The capsule is closed, avoiding any air inclusion. It is placed into the maternal vagina for up to 50 hours, held in place by a diaphragm. The first 15 patients treated by IVC achieved a fertilization rate of 58% (35/60). Following transfer of the cleavage stages, 3 intact clinical pregnancies were established: 2 in the group with tubal sterility factors and 1 in the group of patients with endometriosis. In the group with andrological causes of sterility, one beta-hCG-positive reaction was detected. However, no intact clinical pregnancy was achieved. Our preliminary results show IVC to be a promising alternative in particular cases of sterility treatment. In contrast to the conventional technique, IVC minimizes exposure of gametes to factors which may affect their early development, such as light or low temperature. Furthermore, there is an important psychological factor to be considered, as the patient actively participates in the incubation period of in-vitro fertilization.

Embryo Transfer↗