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Biomedical subjects

E Halberstadt

Publications and source records attributed to E Halberstadt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Changes in lymphocyte subsets during normal pregnancy.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy women were studied during pregnancy and postnatally, and were compared with lymphocytes from an age-matched non-pregnant control group. Compared with non-pregnant women, the total white cell count was significantly increased at all pregnancies and also post-partum. In pregnancy the absolute number and percentage of T lymphocytes was slightly elevated while almost no changes in B cells were found. No significant changes were found in the percentage of suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8+), of helper/inducer (CD4+) T lymphocytes, nor of CD4+/CD8+ ratio at any stage of pregnancy and puerperium. The most remarkable changes of the immune system occurred in the group of HLA-DR+ and CD56+ activated T cells. The cell numbers showed a significant increase in the first trimester (< 14 weeks) and decreased slightly from stage to stage. Lower values in NK (natural killer) cells and higher levels of IL-2 receptor positive T lymphocytes did not reach significant levels of change.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Diagnosis of fetal ovarian cysts. Follow-up or differential diagnosis?].

AIM: To find better diagnostic and prognostic criteria for the prenatal evaluation of suspected fetal ovarian cysts. METHOD: 13 abdominal tumors were diagnosed sonographically and evaluated. The ultrasound equipment was an Acuson Computer Sonograph XP 128 with 3.5 MHz sector transducer (Acuson) and a realtime-ultrasound machine Sonoline SL 1 with 3 MHz linear transducer (Siemens). Picture documentation was made by Agfa Scopix camera, Sony printer documentation UPS or Panasonic video documentation VHS. If a cyst was aspirated, hormonal concentrations were measured by RIA (Radioimmunoassay). Protein levels electrolytes were also analysed and cytology performed. RESULTS: Fetal ovarian cysts are rare connatal abdominal tumours of unknown pathogenesis. Typical sonographic findings are cystic structures, partially septated with homogenous inner structures and sharp outer contours. Their ovarian origin is documented by demonstrating high hormonal activity (estrogen, progestin, testosterone). Sonographic structural variations may hint at tissue trauma or a rare fetal teratoma. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guided cyst puncture with fluid analysis is helpful in the differential diagnose of suspected fetal ovarian cysts. This approach will also help avoid obstetric procedures with possible prematurity complications and post-delivery abdominal surgery. Ultrasound can be used for monitor clinically asymptomatic, uncomplicated cysts, both pre- and postnatally to avoid removal of normal ovarian tissue.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1997

Protease levels in breast, ovary, and other gynecological tumor tissues: prognostic importance in breast cancer.

Proteolytic destruction of basement membrane and tumor surrounding is a prerequisite of invasion and metastasis. In 587 frozen samples of malignant and nonmalignant tissue of breast, uterus, vulva, and ovary, levels of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and cathepsin D (cath D) with radioimmunoassay. UPA, PAI-1 and cath D were raised in malignant tissue with significantly higher levels in breast cancer (uPA, PAI-1) and ovarian cancer (cath D). TPA levels were lower in malignant tissue. In 393 primary breast cancer samples, uPA, PAI-1, and cath D were not related to other prognostic factors, whereas tPA levels were significantly raised in prognostic more favorable carcinomas. Over a follow-up period up to 46 months (median 30 months) the log-rank test showed in the whole group of breast cancer patients a significantly higher rate of relapse (p < 0.05) and death (p < 0.001) with tPA levels < 2.5 ng/mg. PAI-1 levels > 3 ng/mg were associated with shorter overall (p < 0.02; p = 0.01), disease-free (p < 0.008; p < 0.01), and metastasis-free (p < 0.04; p = 0.005) survival in all patients and in the node-negative subgroup, respectively. Higher uPA and cath D levels were not associated with rate of relapse or death over this follow-up period. The prognostic value of tumor-associated proteases could be of interest also in ovarian and cervical cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1996

Elevated placental cytokine release, a process associated with preterm labor in the absence of intrauterine infection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of cytokines in normal term and preterm labor in the absence of intrauterine infection. METHODS: Cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1 beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha]) release was estimated from placental and decidual cell cultures from 22 nonlaboring women at term with cesarean deliveries, 18 women with spontaneous labor at term, and 21 women with preterm labor (19-36 weeks gestation) who delivered vaginally or by cesarean, according to gestational age. Eight of 21 women delivering preterm had clinical evidence of intrauterine infection, and 13 were not infected. RESULTS: Placental cell cultures obtained from women with spontaneous term labor released significantly larger amounts of cytokines (median: IL-1 beta 6450 pg/mL, IL-6 1821 ng/mL, and TNF-alpha 13,506 pg/mL) compared with placental cell cultures from nonlaboring women at term (median: IL-1 beta 2602 pg/mL, IL-6 993 ng/mL, TNF-alpha 3475 pg/mL; P < .02). Placental cells from women delivering preterm with intrauterine infection did not produce significantly different amounts of cytokines (median: IL-1 beta 3929 pg/mL, IL-6 1084 ng/mL, TNF-alpha 2847 pg/mL) when compared with those of nonlaboring women at term, whereas placental cells from uninfected women delivering preterm produced significantly larger amounts of cytokines (median: IL-1 beta 22,903 pg/mL, IL-6 1899 ng/mL, TNF-alpha 15,005 pg/mL; P < .01) than cells from nonlaboring women at term. Cytokine release from decidual cell cultures was similar in all groups tested. CONCLUSION: In the absence of intrauterine infection, preterm labor was associated with elevated placental cytokine release.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Immunmodulating cytokines induce term and preterm parturition.

The aim of our study was to investigate if cytokines, which are able to cause preterm delivery is case of intraamniotic infection, also participate in the mechanisms of normal term labor. Therefore we estimated cytokine concentrations in cercicovaginal secretions of 96 patients, divided into four different collectives. In collective A (women with spontaneous term labor) cytokine concentrations raised from a median level of 278 pg/ml for Il-1 beta and 263 pg/ml for Il-6 in early term labor to a median level of 3351 pg/ml for Il-1 beta and 39,442 pg/ml for Il-6 at complete cervical dilatation. TNF-alpha-exclusively appeared after spontaneous rupture of fetal membranes. In collective B and C (women with preterm rupture of fetal membranes) cytokine concentrations declined from a maximum level of 1425 pg/ml for TNF-alpha, 12,982 pg/ml for Il-1 beta and 29,727 pg/ml for Il-6 soon after preterm rupture of membranes to a minimum level of 93 pg/ml for TNF-alpha, 851 pg/ml for Il-1 beta and 780 pg/ml for Il-6 with remission of labor in case of successful tocolytic treatment. High concentrations reappeared with the onset of labor, unresponsive to tocolysis. In collective D (women with intact membranes) TNF-alpha was not detectable and Il-1 beta and II-6 appeared exclusively in the presence of labor. Our results suggest, that normal term labor may be controlled by biochemical processes, similar to infection-associated signal transduction, which is commonly accepted to induce preterm labor.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1995

[Secretion of inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins by fetal trophoblast cells induces uterine contraction and labor onset].

OBJECTIVE: Induce infection-associated cytokines intrauterine secretion of prostaglandins and term labor? METHODS: Concentrations of Il-6, Il-1 beta, TNF-alpha, PGF2 and PGF2 alpha were determined in cervical secretions and amniotic fluid during spontaneous term labor. The supernatant of amnion-, chorion-, decidua- and trophoblast cells, cultured after elective cesarean section or spontaneous delivery, was analysed for cytokine- and prostaglandin activity. RESULTS: Term labor always is associated with intrauterine cytokine- and prostaglandin release. Increased production of cytokines and prostaglandins in case of normal term labor only was found by fetal trophoblast cells. CONCLUSIONS: Signal for parturition is of trophoblast and therefore of fetal origin.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1992

[Heroin abuse and methadone substitution in pregnancy].

The pre- and postnatal data of 20 pregnant heroin addicts and their neonates are described. 16 women were treated with methadone to prevent withdrawal symptoms. A relatively stabile prenatal condition with a decrease of complications was achieved. On the other hand, the neonates suffered from severe withdrawal symptoms including seizures in spite of intensive paediatric care and prophylactic treatment with barbiturates. After a mean follow-up of one to two years a relatively good neurological development of the children was observed.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMed1989

[Alpha-MSH and pregnancy].

In 32 pregnant women, we repeatedly determined the levels of alpha-MSH, melatonin, ACTH and progesterone. In the radioimmunoassay, all of these hormones showed a significant increase from the first to the third trimester. In contrast to progesterone, neither the level of alpha-MSH nor that of melatonin rises significantly until between the 28th and 36th week of pregnancy. The authors suggest that the increasing pigmentation may be due to the rising levels of alpha-MSH, while the preferential hyperpigmentation of sexual areas in additionally mediated by sex hormones.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1984

[Multiple image artifacts with linear sonic transducers].

The multielement arrays used nowadays for diagnostic purposes can, by means of digital signal processing, produce exact images with no problem. When physical limits were reached however, geometric image artifacts also became more evident, thereby making diagnosis more difficult or uncertain. Multiple images became especially evident during tests in the early stages of pregnancy, making it harder to differentiate between single and multiple pregnancies , particularly as dynamic processes such as the heart beat can be shown double at a certain phase in the pregnancy. Artifacts were also observed in the form of multiple echos during control checks on the position of intrauterine contraceptive devices and when investigating gynaecological tumors. These artifacts are ascribed to sonic behaviour at interfaces and are representable as a function of the sonic angle of incidence primarily in one plane--the cross section. They appear virtually symmetrical and can be wiped out by moving the sonic transducer. Although there is no problem in recognising the double phenomena as being artifacts in checks on the position of IUD's, all multiple structures should be clarified by suitable examination techniques especially during the early stages of pregnancy and with tumours.

Diagnosis, Differential↗