Microsatellite instability in aborted embryos.
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Abortion, Spontaneous↗
Biomedical subjects
E Koumantakis
Publications and source records attributed to E Koumantakis.
PRL, TSH and their response to the TRH test in patients with endometriosis before, during, and after treatment with danazol.
Ten patients suffering from endometriosis were treated with danazol at a dose of 200 mg three times daily for 6 months. For evaluation of prolactin (PRL) and TSH secretion, a TRH test was carried out in the follicular phase before treatment, during the 6th month of treatment and after the reappearance of the second menses. The same test was also performed, only once, in the follicular phase of 10 normal women. The absence of a significant difference in the basal PRL levels as well as its response to the TRH test between controls and patients with endometriosis before and after danazol treatment supports the view that hyperprolactinemia should not be considered a cause of infertility in endometriotic women. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant changes in the basal levels of serum TSH during danazol treatment. On the contrary, in the TRH test, the response of serum TSH was significantly higher during danazol treatment than before or after treatment.
Adult↗
Experiences with acute organophosphate poisonings in Crete.
Nine human acute poisonings due to intentional ingestion of organophosphorous pesticides are presented. Six of the victims died. Six patients were treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from 34 h to 45 d, while 3 were found dead by relatives. Two of the patients treated in the ICU fully recovered after 15 and 24 d while the third survivor developed delayed neuropathy. Organophosphate blood levels were determined on admission and during therapy, and in 1 case atropine and pralidoxime levels were also detected. Significant fluctuations of the plasma cholinesterase activity were observed during therapy. Postmortem analysis revealed higher levels of pesticides in organs (eg 23.1 micrograms fenthion/g kidney) and in fat (135.2 micrograms fenthion/g) than in blood (eg 4.8 micrograms fenthion/ml) and vitreous humor. Considerable pesticide was measured in testis (eg 5.8 micrograms fenthion/g, 0.8 micrograms methidathion/g) and uterus (170.5 micrograms malathion/g). Extracorporeal decontamination to enhance pesticide elimination is a therapeutic challenge.
Adult↗
Experience with acute paraquat poisoning in Crete.
Ten cases of acute paraquat poisonings with lethal (n = 5) and non-lethal (n = 5) outcomes are presented. Paraquat plasma and urine levels of the patients on admission (from 2 to 41 h after ingestion) at the peripheral hospitals varied from 0.4 to 6.0 and 0.5 to 12.8 micrograms/ml, respectively. Besides standard supportive treatment, hemoperfusion/hemodialysis and/or plasmapheresis were performed for therapy, which in 1 case lasted for 28 d. The pharmacokinetic data from patient paraquat elimination confirmed considerable paraquat rebound from tissues to blood circulation and marked the need for continued therapy even with undetectable paraquat plasma levels. Postmortem analysis showed that while paraquat was mainly distributed in kidney (807 micrograms/g), lung (479 micrograms/g) and liver (206 micrograms/g), amounts were also detected in thyroid (64 micrograms/g), testis (21 micrograms/g), vitreous humor (45 micrograms/ml) and cerebrospinal fluid (7.4 micrograms/ml). Paraquat crossed the placenta and concentrated there to higher levels than in the mother's blood. The fetus seemed to tolerate the mother's paraquat intoxication while dependent on placental circulation.
Adolescent↗
Teratoma of the placenta. A case report.
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Adult↗
Association of herpesvirus infection with the development of genital cancer.
Clinical observations and epidemiological studies on genital cancer have revealed an association with sexual behavior, thus motivating research into sexually transmitted agents which may be responsible for the neoplasia. In this study, we used the PCR technique to examine the presence of CMV, HSV and EBV viruses in 187 cases of human genital lesions and found that infection with CMV or HSV was associated with cervical cancer. When we stratified according to HPV status this association was found only for HPV-DNA-negative cases. These findings indicate that past infection with CMV or HSV could be interpreted as a surrogate marker of HPV infection. However, these viruses may play an important role themselves in cervical cancer.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Uterine pinopodes as markers of the 'nidation window' in cycling women receiving exogenous oestradiol and progesterone.
In 14 cycling women participating in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) donation programme, we examined the timing of the 'nidation window' using as a stage-specific 'marker' the presence of fully developed pinopodes on the apical surface of the luminal uterine epithelium. Each woman received exogenous oestradiol from the second day of their cycle and progesterone starting on day 8 or day 15 of the oestrogenic treatment. The women underwent two biopsies during the same artificial cycle, on either days 6 and 9 or days 8 and 10 of the progesterone treatment. All patients to whom oestradiol was administered for 7 days prior to progesterone administration (n = 9), and two of the five treated with oestradiol for 14 days prior to the addition of progesterone, showed uterine pinopodes in either one or both biopsies. When present on a given day, pinopodes were at the same stage, developing, fully developed or regressing, showing that their total lifespan did not exceed 48 h. Fully developed pinopodes existed for 1 day only which may correspond to the short period of optimal endometrial receptivity observed in animal models. The timing of the presence of fully developed pinopodes varied from patient to patient, but these individual differences were not correlated with progesterone and oestradiol plasma concentrations. The brief duration of the nidation window and the observed individual variations in its timing suggest that the detection of uterine pinopodes could be a valuable tool for the prediction, on an individual basis, of the optimal date for successful egg replacement in IVF patients.
Adult↗
Placental tissue from human miscarriages expresses class II HLA-DR antigens.
PROBLEM: Class II major histocompatibility antigens occupy a central role in the development of humoral or cellular immunologic responses. Surprisingly, in the maternal-fetal interphase, where two genetically different organisms come in direct contact, these antigens are absent. Based on previous studies in mice we have demonstrated that the absence of class II antigens represents another mechanism of fetal protection from the maternal immune response and, furthermore, that the induction of these antigens in the placenta makes the tissue immunogenic and susceptible to maternal immune attack, leading thus to fetal abortion. In order to test this hypothesis in humans, we analyzed the presence of class II antigens in aborted placentae. METHOD: Class II expression on aborted placentae was examined by immunoperoxidase staining on frozen sections. We also studied hematologic changes that accompany such events, measuring white and red blood cell counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin, as well as IgG serum levels by standard techniques. RESULTS: The detection of class II antigens on the aborted tissue indicates that these antigens are indeed major components of a pathway, which leads to a plethora of abnormal phenomena for the maternal organism such as low hematocrit levels, elevated IgG production, and increase of white blood cell numbers. CONCLUSION: The results presented are consistent with our previous observations in mice and point to novel directions not only to pregnancy failure diagnosis, but also to new therapeutic approaches.
Abortion, Spontaneous↗
Soluble serum interleukin-2 receptor, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1a in patients with endometriosis and in controls.
The aim of this study was to verify to what extent danazol alters cell-mediated immunity. To this end, cell-mediated immunity was studied in 10 infertile patients with endometriosis and in 10 normal controls. Nonspecific parameters studied included serum SIL-2R, IL-6 and IL-1a levels. We also investigated the effect of treatment with Danazol on the levels of SIL-2R, IL-6 and IL-1a in women with endometriosis. Blood SIL-2R, IL-6 and IL-1a levels were measured in endometriotic women before treatment, during the last fifteen days of a 6-months course of Danazol and three months after treatment. Only one blood sample was taken from 10 women without endometriosis. SIL-2R, IL-6 and IL-1a levels were higher in women with endometriosis before treatment compared with controls. Administration of the drug significantly reduced the levels of SIL-2R (P < 0.001), IL-6 (P < 0.05) and IL-1a (P < 0.01). Our findings suggest that endometriosis is a condition which induces a rise in interleukin levels. Danazol also appears significantly to reduce endometriosis-associated autoimmune abnormalities.
Adult↗
Cord blood erythropoietin in the presence and absence of labor in normal infants.
To evaluate erythropoietin (Ep) levels in normal labor and cesarean section we studied the cord serum of 111 term pregnancies, divided into three groups: (i) those born by normal vaginal delivery (n = 69); (ii) those delivered vaginally from mothers who were smokers (n = 20); and (iii) those delivered by elective cesarean section (n = 22). The three groups did not differ in maternal age, gestational age, birthweight, infant sex and Apgar scores. No correlation was found between Ep and hematocrit in all three groups of normal terms studied. Although not statistically significant the lower mean Ep value observed in cesarean section compared with the values obtained from normal deliveries could suggest that the process of labor may be a cause of these differences.
Adolescent↗
A case-control study of cancer of endometrium in Athens.
Eighty-three women with invasive adenocarcinoma of the endometrium and 164 control women hospitalized for various orthopedic conditions were interviewed regarding demographic, reproductive, socio-economic and biomedical characteristics, including their use of tobacco, drugs and exogenous estrogens. The data were analyzed by modelling rate ratio (r) through multiple logistic regression. The main results were as follows: women with invasive adenocarcinoma of the endometrium had earlier menarche (r = 0.82 for every additional year; one-tailed p approx. 0.04), later menopause (r = 1.50 for a 5-year difference; one-tailed p approx. 0.004), and fewer live-born children (r = 0.86 for every additional child; one-tailed p approx. 0.08); they were also taller (r = 1.33 for a 5-cm difference; one-tailed p approx 0.03), whereas weight, adjusted for height, was not a statistically significant risk indicator (one-tailed p approx. 0.38). Regular use of combination oral contraceptives was associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer (r = 0.56), whereas intake of menopausal estrogens for more than 6 months was associated with an increased risk (r = 2.04); however, because of the low frequency of use of exogenous estrogen preparations in Greece, neither of these 2 results was statistically significant. Tobacco smoking was associated with a significantly reduced risk of endometrial cancer; smoking 15-20 cigarettes per day for 20 years was associated with a rate ratio of 0.49 (one-tailed p approx. 0.03). The protective effect of tobacco smoking was evident only among post-menopausal women. These results indicate that the risk profile of endometrial cancer is similar in high-risk and low-risk countries, and underline the importance of unopposed estrogenic stimulation in the pathogenesis of this cancer.
Adult↗
Zinc, cobalt and selenium concentrations in the premature and full-term newborn eye.
Zinc, cobalt and selenium concentrations were determined in tunics, vitreous and lens of the eyes of 17 infants who died during the neonatal period. Significantly higher concentrations of the measured elements were found in the vitreous. The tunics contained more zinc and cobalt than the lens, while the latter contained more selenium.
Cobalt↗
Bacteriologic aspects of pelvic inflammatory disease in gynecologic patients.
The bacteriology of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) was studied in 65 women. Endometrial, endocervical and vaginal cuff cultures were taken. In some cases blood cultures and cultures from the cul-de-sac or pelvic abscess were also obtained. Mixed organisms (aerobes and anaerobes) were the most common isolates from the endometrial, endocervical or vaginal cuff cultures, present in 40%. Neiseria gonorrhoeae was isolated in 8 (12.30%) endocervical specimens. Anaerobes were the most common bacteria recovered from cul-de-sac aspirates, pelvic abscesses and blood cultures. The combination of gentamicin, penicillin and metronidazole was the most common antibiotic scheme used. However, other antibiotics as cefoxitin and clindamycin were also used according to the sensitivity test. These data support the polymicrobial etiology of the disease and suggest: (1) the high incidence of anaerobic or mixed infections, and (2) the relatively low incidence of gonococcus in the studied cases.
Adolescent↗
Adjuvant immunotherapy after surgery and radiotherapy for breast carcinoma.
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Adult↗
Trace elements (zinc, cobalt, selenium, rubidium, bromine, gold) in human placenta and newborn liver at birth.
Concentrations of zinc, cobalt, selenium, rubidium, bromium, and gold have been determined by neutron activation analysis in 18 placental and 6 liver tissue samples at birth. Their respective mean concentrations +/- standard deviations (parts per million) were 58 +/- 10, 0.060 +/- 0.036, 1.90 +/- 0.41, 14.0 +/- 3.5, 26.9 +/- 14.3, and 0.31 +/- 0.14 in placenta, and 651 +/- 257, 0.156 +/- 0.077, 4.52 +/- 1.96, 9.2 +/- 3.7,11.2 +/- 4.1, and 0.12 +/- 0.06 in liver tissue. Thus, we observed that the mean concentrations of essential trace elements (zinc, cobalt, and selenium) were significantly higher in liver than in placenta, whereas the nonessential trace elements (rubidium, bromium, and gold) were found in significantly higher concentrations in placenta than in liver tissue.
Bromine↗
In vivo detection and staging of epithelial dysplasias and malignancies based on the quantitative assessment of acetic acid-tissue interaction kinetics.
A novel approach to the problem of non-destructive detection and staging of tissue lesions is presented. The method relies on the in vivo quantitative assessment of the spatial and temporal alterations of light-scattering properties, induced in epithelial dysplasias and malignancies of the cervix and larynx, after topical application of acetic acid solution. Initial clinical trials show that the method is capable of detecting incipient lesions and that differences in the dysplasia and malignancy grade are clearly manifested in the measured temporal characteristics of the phenomenon.
Acetic Acid↗
Soluble IL-6 receptor levels in the seminal plasma of infertile patients with accessory gland infection.
The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of soluble interleukin-6 receptor (SIL-6R) in seminal plasma, to show eventual differences between SIL-6R concentrations in fertile and infertile men, and to evaluate the possible value of measuring these substances for the diagnosis of male accessory gland infection. SIL-6R levels were determined by "sandwich" enzyme immunoassay in the seminal plasma of 82 men divided into 7 groups according to the etiological diagnosis of fertility. The levels of SIL-6R in the seminal plasma of men with infection of the accessory genital glands were statistically significantly different in comparison with other groups (p < .001). The results suggest that urogenital infections may lead to elevated levels of SIL-6R in the seminal plasma. This measurement of SIL-6R in semen may provide clinically useful information for the diagnosis of male accessory gland infection.
Adolescent↗
Enhancement of soluble CD23 levels in the seminal plasma of infertile men with idiopathic testicular lesion.
Since increased levels of soluble CD23 (sCD23) were demonstrated in patients with autoimmune diseases, seminal plasma sCD23 levels were examined in 110 men divided into seven groups according to etiological diagnosis of infertility and two groups on the basis of normal or abnormal spermiogram. sCD23 was absent in the seminal plasma of normal men: According to the ANOVA results, all measurements were significantly different between the groups of patients examined (p<.01). Specifically, patients with idiopathic testicular lesion have a significantly higher mean value of sCD23 than all other patients. A statistically significant difference was noted in the sCD23 levels between men with normal and those with abnormal spermiograms, although with wide overlapping of the individual values. Men with idiopathic testicular lesion may be immunologically more active than other groups with subfertility.
Adult↗