[Clinical considerations on hemangioma of the vulva in childhood].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F Diani.
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Maternal plasma alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was measured in fifteen women during first-mid-third-trimester of pregnancy. In three of these pregnacies by means ultrasound was relevable a condition of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). AFP was assayed by a double-antibody radioimmunoassay and values were compared with the median value of the normal range for the particular week of pregnancy. Plasma AFP levels were significantly higher in one subject with IUGR than in other patients.
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The authors report here their studies on the use of a radioreceptor assay study of HCG for the diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy. Seven blood samples were collected before, during and three days after the surgical intervention; their HCG content was assayed with a radioreceptor method and the results were compared with those of radioimmunological method. The radioreceptor assay, with a sensitivity of 200 mUI/ml, has provided 85% reliability in detecting pregnancy, the radioimmunoassay the 100%. A case of ectopic resorbing pregnancy showed a HCG content of 25 mUI/ml (RIA) and a RRA negative; the low concentration of hcg caused the negativity of RRA, the sensibility of which is too low in this case. A deeper analysis of the technical results shows some possible sources of error.
The authors by means of radioimmunoassay analyze SP1 values in selected obstetric and oncological samples. Seven amniotic fluid samples showed various degrees of positivity, but not strictly correlated to the gestational age (previous analysis by immunodiffusion were always negative). SP1 concentrations in ectopic pregnancy confermed similar investigations by other authors. In the oncological field only one serum was highly positive (440 ng/ml); negativity of others could be due to the long time of storage. The SP1 was assayed using a sperimental kit supplied by Boehringwerke A.G. (Marburg, W.G..). Assay procedure: preparation of a standard curve (7 - 440 ng/ml) from which the unknown SP1 content was determinated. Reaction time: 16 - 24 h/20 degrees C (first incubation) and 0.5 - 4 h/20 degrees C (second incubation).
Among the most recent methods for investigation of proteins in biological fluids SDS Polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis and Isoelectrofocusing (IEF) have recently been introduced into laboratory practice. The present investigation has been performed on 20 samples of amniotic fluid obtained during normal pregnancies in the first and in the third trimester. The obtained results suggest that IEF analysis seems to have a selective advantage in allowing the separation of bands which can not be easily recognized with SDS electrophoresis. These bands detected by IEF and present in amniotic fluid during late pregnancy seem to be related to some low molecular weight lipoprotein fractions and we suggest that they might be used as a possible marker for monitoring fetal lung maturation. In conclusion we think that it would be of great interest to evaluate the usefulness of IEF analysis in examining A.F. obtained during pregnancies complicated by infections.
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A series of data on amniotic fluid levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) are presented. Both hormones were observed to decrease with advancing gestational age. The diagnostic importance of AFP levels is confirmed, and the very high levels of beta-HCG in twin gestations are documented. A statistically significant correlation between the concentration of both hormones is demonstrated.
To evaluate the topical anti-inflammatory activity of benzydamine when used as 0.1% solution for vaginal douche, a double blind, parallel group, randomized clinical trial was carried out on 30 patients with vaginitis following internal radiotherapy for carcinoma of the uterus. The patients were divided into 3 groups, one being treated with 0.1% benzydamine plus tricetol as preservative, one with 0.1% benzydamine alone, and one with placebo. Treatment began 12-24 hours after radiotherapy. Benzydamine was found to be significantly superior to placebo in its overall topical anti-inflammatory activity both after 5 and 15 days of treatment. Tricetol did not interfere with the therapeutic effect of benzydamine.
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Prolactin concentration and palmitic acid/stearic acid ratio were measured in 92 samples of amniotic fluid at various gestational ages. There was no correlation between prolactin concentration and palmitic acid/stearic acid ratio, when this ratio was greater than 5, that is when there was an obvious indication that fetal pulmonary maturation was complete. On the contrary there was a statistically significant negative correlation between prolactin levels and palmitic acid/stearic acid ratio when this ratio was lower than 5 (incomplete fetal pulmonary maturation).
Small amounts of immunoreactive insulin, at about one-eighth the concentrations found in maternal serum, have been detected in human amniotic fluid. A positive correlation between term amniotic fluid insulin levels and newborn birth weight was found. Insulin was studied in 42 samples of amniotic fluid obtained from normal and pathological pregnancies by radioimmunoassay. In only one sample of amniotic fluid of diabetic mother with insulin dependence we found high values of insulin and condition of insufficient fetal lung maturity. We believe that radioimmunoassay of insulin in amniotic fluid may be a parameter of evaluation of fetal maturity.
Creatinine concentration in the amniotic fluid during the latter half of pregnancy was investigated by single determinations in 39 patients and serial determinations in 2 patients. Concentrations of creatinine remained constant or increased very gradually up to approximately 34 weeks, at which point a more abrupt increase apparently took place so that after 37 weeks the level was 1,5 mg. Physiologically, these data lend support to the commonly held theory of fetal urine as an additive source of amniotic fluid. Clinically, they suggest that assay of creatinine might prove useful in estimation of fetal maturity.
Human placental lactogen (HPL) was analyzed in 52 samples of amniotic fluid. Assays of liquor HPL appear to aid in the evaluation of the degree of fetal involvement with erythroblastosys. The measurement of HPL in amniotic fluid may yet be proved also in the management of mothers with diabetes.
Gas-chromatographic analysis of the fatty acids (P/S ratio) in 212 samples of amniotic fluid, 35 samples of vernix caseosa and 35 samples of the pellets obtained after centrifugation of the amniotic fluid were carried out to evaluate the effects of contaminants that might be present in amniotic fluid on the P/S ratio. The P/S ratio is used as an index of the degree of maturity of the fetal or neonatal lungs. Analysis of variance applied to the means of the P/S values for each of above materials showed them to be significantly different and attests to the importance of centrifugation for obtaining valid results. We propose a standard procedure of centrifugation for 60 minutes at 3500 X g followed by extraction and gas-chromatography as a rapid, valid way to measure the P/S ratio.
Arachidonic acid is considered to be one of the precursors in prostaglandin synthesis. For this reason, arachidonic acid was measured in a series of amniotic fluid. Samples in order to rest the hypothesis that the beginning of uterine activity is accompanied by a rise of its concentration. In fact, it could be shown that in amniotic fluid from patients in labor arachidonic acid levels are much higher than in amniotic fluid from patients without uterine activity.
Gas-chromatographic analysis of the fatty acids (P/S ratio) in 10 samples of amniotic fluid and 10 samples of the pellets obtained after centrifugation of amniotic fluid at 3500 X g for 60 minutes were carried out to evaluate the effects of contaminants that might be present in amniotic fluid. The P/S ratio is used as an index of the degree of maturity of the fetal or neonatal lung. We propose a standard procedure of centrifugation for 60 minutes at 3500 X g followed by extraction and gas-chromatography as a rapid, valid way to measure the P/S ratio.
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