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Biomedical subjects

G Creatsas

Publications and source records attributed to G Creatsas.

151 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) throughout normal pregnancy.

AIM: TPS concentrations were measured throughout normal pregnancy in maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF), in order to evaluate the usefulness of TPS in the follow-up of pregnancy breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following informed consent, 30 pregnant women during the 2nd trimester, 28 during the 3rd and 26 at parturition were included in the study. For comparison, 28 women in the 1st trimester and 28 healthy, non pregnant women (controls) were also studied. Both MS and AF antigen values were measured by an enzyme immunoassay (BEKI Diagnostics). RESULTS: Maternal serum TPS concentrations increased significantly with gestational age (p < 0.0001), being significantly higher in the 3rd trimester and during labor than those in the controls (p < 0.0001). Amniotic fluid TPS values were markedly elevated, compared with those in MS (p < 0.0001, paired-t-test), declining significantly from the 2nd to the 3rd trimester (p < 0.0015) and labor. Both MS and AF TPS values during labor depended on the mode of delivery, being higher in the cases terminated by vaginal delivery, compared to those by elective cesarean section. CONCLUSION: Maternal serum TPS values are influenced significantly by pregnancy, and thus, this antigen, as tumor marker seems to be reliable only during early pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in males and females throughout life.

OBJECTIVES: To study serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic factor, during distinct periods of the female life span and compare them with corresponding levels of age-matched males. It is hypothesized that VEGF might be increased at periods of enhanced angiogenesis. METHODS: Venous blood was drawn from healthy females (n = 59) and males (n = 53) divided into six groups: fetuses (cord blood), neonates, children, adults (same females in the proliferative and secretory phases of their menstrual cycle), pregnant, and elderly (postmenopausal). Serum VEGF levels were measured by an enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Females showed 49% higher serum VEGF levels than males (t = 2.74, P = .01). Cord and neonatal blood levels were significantly increased compared with those of adults (t = 2.41, P = .02, and t = 5.81, P = .0001, respectively). All female age groups presented higher serum VEGF levels than the group of women in the proliferative phase of the cycle; nevertheless, VEGF levels in the secretory phase did not differ (t = 1.85, P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Serum VEGF levels are higher in females than in males and during life periods characterized by enhanced growth and development, implying increased rates of angiogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis dysfunction and cortisol secretion in patients with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate thyroid function and TSH and cortisol (F) secretion in hyperandrogenemic women with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (Group A) when compared with women with hyperandrogenemic symptoms (menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, acne, seborrhea and sterility) of other etiologies (Group B). METHODS: Seventy-two women were subjected to stimulation of the adrenal cortex with i.v. ACTH administration in the early proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Basal plasma TSH, T3, T4, and FTI as well as basal and ACTH-stimulated plasma F and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were determined. RESULTS: According to internationally accepted criteria and HLA haplotyping, we diagnosed 28 NC-CAH patients as well as affected heterozygotes of the disease. No significant difference was found in the plasma T3, T4, or FTI or F concentrations between the women of the two groups. On the contrary, plasma TSH levels were significantly lower in patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency when compared to the women with hyperandrogenemic symptoms of other etiologies. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support a dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis due to altered ACTH secretion patterns.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clindamycin levels in the cervical mucus after intramuscular administration of the drug (author's transl)].

Female genital tract is a major area of anaerobic infections. Clindamycin has been used as a highly active antibiotic against both gram positive and negative anaerobic pathogens including bacteroides fragilis. Concentration of clindamycin in cervical mucus has been tested in 30 women after administration of one single dose (600 mg) of the antibiotic intramuscularly. Antibiotic levels were tested by agar diffusion method employing a strain of alpha-hemolytic streptococcus. Levels of clindamycin in cervical mucus were found to be sufficient to inhibit "in vitro" a significant proportion of anaerobic bacteria present in cervical mucus.

Cervix Mucus↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ectopic pregnancy: outcome of 152 cases.

Ectopic pregnancy is a common gynecological condition which usually presents with symptoms of acute abdomen. During the period 1976 to 1978, 152 cases of ectopic pregnancy were treated in our department. About one ectopic pregnancy was treated for every 100 infants delivered. Most of the cases were seen during summer time. Of the patients 43% were between 26 to 30 years of age. From their previous history, 47% reported one or more terminations of pregnancy and 33% recurrence of acute salpingitis. The majority of the ectopic pregnancies were located in the tube. Abdominal pregnancy was observed in three women, one of whom delivered, with the aid of laparotomy, a live infant. All the women reported pelvic pain, whereas shock appeared in only 23% of the cases. Culdocentesis gave false negative results in 14.15% of the cases. Preoperative diagnosis was based on laparoscopy in 28 cases. Dilatation and curettage (D and C) with endometrial biopsy disclosed decidual endometrium without chorionic villi in 37% and Arias-Stella cells in 68% of cases. Salpingectomy was performed in 52% of the cases, and plastic surgery of the tube in 16%.

Adolescent↗