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Biomedical subjects

B Gonik

Publications and source records attributed to B Gonik.

103 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Influence of naproxen therapy on natural killer cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against cells infected with herpes simplex virus.

Natural killer cytotoxicity (NKC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) represent one of the body's primary lines of defense against viral infections, including herpes simplex (HSV). This immune defense system is negatively influenced by prostaglandins. A project was undertaken to evaluate the influence of an antiprostaglandin agent in vivo on these cytotoxic effects against cells infected with HSV. Thirteen subjects without previous histories of clinical herpes simplex infection were studied during menses with and without naproxen therapy. A statistically significant augmentation (p = 0.05) of natural killer-cell function was identified in mononuclear cells during therapy. Subjects with baseline cytotoxicity of less than 45% demonstrated consistent elevations during naproxen therapy. No other significant differences could be found for mononuclear or polymorphonuclear cells with regard to NKC and ADCC. There appears to be a subset of patients who may benefit from immunologic augmentation with antiprostaglandin agents when experiencing herpes simplex virus infection.

Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity↗
PubMed1984

Intrapartum maternal lumbosacral plexopathy.

Maternal intrapartum neurologic injuries are infrequently reported in modern obstetric practice. Two cases are presented and methods of evaluating the level of injury to differentiate this syndrome from peroneal nerve palsies are suggested. The long-term prognosis of lumbosacral plexus injuries encountered during labor and delivery appears to be favorable. Nonetheless, future intrapartum management of these patients should be conservative.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Applicability of the third-generation, thyroid-stimulating hormone assay in pregnancy.

Use of the third-generation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) assay in gravid patients has not been validated. We obtained serum from 93 healthy women with a singleton gestation and measured TSH using a two-site immunochemiluminescent ("sandwich") assay. Standard immunoassays were employed for total T4, free T4, and T3 levels. Reference ranges (RR) established by the kit manufacturer were used for comparison. Although the mean TSH level for our population was within the RR, 12/93 women (13%) had a TSH value below the lower limit of normal. None, however, had clinical hyperthyroidism or an elevated free T4. Established RR for the third-generation TSH assay may not apply to pregnant women, and isolated TSH measurements during pregnancy should be interpreted with caution.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High levels of maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin in Down syndrome pregnancies: the possible role of a transcription factor on chromosome 21.

Increased levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are used as markers for Down syndrome (DS) screening of low-risk populations. The pathophysiology for increased hCG levels remains unknown. In general, hCG synthesis is limited by the rate of beta-chain formation. In the placenta, 2 of a total of 6 hCG beta-genes are expressed. We hypothesized that in DS, a transcriptional factor may upregulate beta-chain transcription by interacting with the beta5-promoter. Primary cell cultures of skin fibroblasts from both normal and DS midtrimester fetuses were established and transfected with the beta5-promoter linked to the chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase reporter gene. The chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase activity was measured. Three of six DS-derived cell cultures showed a three-fold increase in acetylation. The increase in hCG promoter activity in DS-derived fibroblasts suggests a possible role for a transcriptional factor located on the human chromosome 21 by either directly or indirectly interacting with the beta5-promoter.

Biomarkers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Meconium drug screening of stillborn infants: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: Meconium drug testing of liveborn infants is highly sensitive (87%) and specific (100%). Accurate knowledge of drug use in mothers of stillborns would be beneficial. We determined the feasibility of noninvasive meconium drug screening for opiates and cocaine in stillborns. METHODS: Stillborn infants delivered at our hospital had meconium collected using a 4-mm spatula inserted into the anus. Specimens were analyzed using gas chromatography. Charts were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 30 specimens obtained, 26 were below the optimal amount needed (0.5 g). Regardless, all samples were analyzed and three were positive for cocaine (10%), none for opiates. Two of the 3 positive samples were of 'insufficient quantity'. In one, the presumptive cause of fetal demise was diabetes, with no additional factors suggesting substance abuse. The other fetal loss was due to idiopathic preterm labor at 21.5 weeks, with a positive UDS. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, inability to obtain an optimal volume of meconium occurred frequently. However, important and unexpected laboratory data were generated even with 'insufficient quantity'. This highlights the need to develop more refined methodologies for this screening tool in stillborn fetuses.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Postpartum endometritis: efficacy and tolerability of two antibiotic regimens.

A prospective, multicenter, open-label randomized trial was conducted to compare the efficacy and tolerability of imipenem-cilastatin (I-C) monotherapy with clindamycin+aminoglycoside (C+A) combination therapy. Forty-nine patients were able to be evaluated for clinical efficacy in the treatment of postpartum endometritis. Twenty-three patients received I-C and 26 received C+A therapy. The two groups were statistically similar for demographic and clinical variables upon entry into the study. The results of therapy were categorized as cured, improved, or failed. The use of I-C resulted in an overall clinical response rate (cured and improved) of 91%, compared with an overall response rate with C+A of 73% (P = 0.15). Patients categorized as improved comprised 56.5% of those in the I-C group and 38.5% of those in the C+A group. Patients categorized as failed comprised 8.7% of those in the I-C group and 26.9% of those in the C+A group. Overall, these data support the use of I-C for the treatment of appropriate patients with postpartum endometritis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A multicenter evaluation of intramuscular ritodrine hydrochloride as initial parenteral therapy for preterm labor management.

Ninety-four patients in documented preterm labor received three intramuscular injections of ritodrine hydrochloride over an interval of 6 hours. They subsequently received the tocolytic agent intravenously for a minimum of 6 hours. The effects of ritodrine on uterine activity and the cardiovascular system were determined. Intramuscular ritodrine hydrochloride elicited a prompt and sustained reduction in the frequency of uterine contractions. The transition to intravenous treatment was achieved without an increase in uterine activity. Seventy percent of the patients had a sustained interval of uterine quiescence, and 96% had at least a 24-hour delay in delivery. Initial parenteral therapy with intramuscular ritodrine hydrochloride is safe and effective and may provide an alternative to intravenous therapy and a means of managing preterm labor during interhospital transport of a patient.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Morphologic characteristics of the interaction between normal cytotrophoblasts and their malignant counterpart in the development of trophoblastic neoplasia.

OBJECTIVES: To define the biology of the tumor-host cell interaction with regard to cellular kinetics and morphologic changes during cell-cell interaction in an in vitro model of trophoblastic neoplasia. METHODS: Using a coculture in vitro system of cytotrophoblasts and choriocarcinoma cells, we investigated the cellular kinetics and the morphologic changes in these interacting cells. A fully automatic time-lapse image system was used to record phase contrast images of the cocultured cells in a tissue culture chamber. To examine cytoskeletal structure, immunofluorescent-labeled antibodies against intermediate filaments were used. Slides were examined with a confocal laser scanning microscope and subjected to computed analysis. RESULTS: The choriocarcinoma cells attract normal cytotrophoblasts using what resembles pseudopodia to engulf the latter cells and thus form slow-growing colonies. In this process, new hybrid cells are formed, which can be differentiated from their original contributors by morphologic characteristics. CONCLUSION: This phenomenon supports our previous biochemical and molecular data on the role of cell-cell interaction in the complex process of cytotrophoblast transformation and the development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Cell Communication↗