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Biomedical subjects

H Abramovici

Publications and source records attributed to H Abramovici.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Immediate versus delayed treatment of perimenopausal bleeding due to benign causes by balloon thermal ablation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of thermal balloon ablation without pretreatment with endometrium-thinning agents compared with delayed ablation with pretreatment for women with perimenopausal menorrhagia. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Hospital-based ambulatory medical center. PATIENTS: Thirty women age 46 to 51 years with severe enough perimenopausal menorrhagia to make them candidates for either hysterectomy or endometrial ablation. Two patients with submucosal myomas and six who had undergone cesarean section were included. INTERVENTIONS: Thirteen patients were randomly assigned to be treated within 30 days and received a single intramuscular administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analog; 17 women were allocated to be treated within 3 days of enrollment without uterine preparation. A thermal balloon was inserted transcervically under general anesthesia, and after inflation in the endometrial cavity with 5% dextrose in water, was heated to 87 degrees C for 8 minutes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Immediate and long-term major and minor complications and success rates were analyzed. Bleeding patterns and mean duration of menstrual flow were compared between groups at 6-month follow-up. No major intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in either group, including the women who had recently undergone hysteroscopic myomectomy or had a history of cesarean section. Minor side effects were similar in both groups, and did not exceed 5%. Overall, at 6-month follow-up, 7 women were amenorrheic, 20 hypomenorrheic, and 3 eumenorrheic. No significant differences were noted between women treated with immediate or delayed ablation in either the distribution of bleeding patterns or days of flow per cycle (mean +/- SEM 1.8 +/- 0.42 vs 2.1 +/- 0.75 days, respectively). CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that prompt treatment of perimenopausal menorrhagia with thermal balloon endometrial ablation is as effective and safe as deferred therapy combined with GnRH analog as an endometrium-thinning agent. In light of our results, the theory that previous cesarean section and presence of small submucosal myomas constitute relative contraindications for the procedure merits further consideration. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 6(2):145-150, 1999)

Catheter Ablation↗
PubMed1999

Johanson-Blizzard syndrome: a prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis.

Johanson-Blizzard syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by aplasia of alae nasi, pancreatic insufficiency, aplasia cutis, anorectal anomalies and postnatal growth restriction. In this case report, we describe the prenatal sonographic findings of Johanson-Blizzard syndrome in a 21-week pregnancy of a consanguineous couple. Sonographic findings of aplastic alae nasi (beak-like nose) and dilated sigmoid colon led to the prenatal diagnosis. This is the first report of the prenatal sonographic diagnosis of Johanson-Blizzard syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Shortened exposure of oocytes to spermatozoa improves in-vitro fertilization outcome: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.

A prospective, randomized study of 158 patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer was conducted to evaluate whether a shortened exposure of oocytes to spermatozoa enhances oocyte development, and subsequently influences the IVF outcome. A comparison was made between conventional treatment time and shorter exposure of retrieved oocytes to spermatozoa. Fertilization and cleavage rates, embryo quality, implantation and pregnancy rates in the study group (short exposure) versus controls (standard IVF procedure) were evaluated. Fertilization (56 versus 61%) and cleavage rates (96 versus 92%) were similar in the two groups respectively. However, embryo quality was significantly higher in the study group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the pregnancy and implantation rates were significantly increased (42.4 versus 26% per embryo transfer, and 16 versus 10% respectively; P < 0.05). Our results demonstrated that shorter exposure of oocytes to spermatozoa is superior to the standard time in IVF and may have a favourable effect on implantation rates by improving embryo quality.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Increased telomerase activity and decreased telomere length in genital condylomata acuminata.

Our objective was to find a possible correlation between telomerase activity, mean telomere length and human papillomavirus (HPV) presence and type in genital condylomata acuminata. Fifteen biopsies from women with genital condylomata acuminata and nine control tissue samples were tested for telomerase activity, mean telomere length, and HPV presence and type. All condylomata exhibited telomerase activity, compared to 78% of the control samples. The mean telomere length of condylomata was significantly (P<0.002) shorter compared to telomere length in control tissue samples. All condylomata lesions were infected with HPV types 6/11, and more than half had additional infection with HPV 16/18. Mixed HPV 6/11 with 16/18 infection correlated with shorter telomeres than presence of HPV 6/11 alone in the lesions (4.68 +/- 0.44 kb vs 4.97 +/- 0.57 kb). None of the control tissue samples showed presence of HPV DNA. Telomerase activity may be a marker of proliferation rather than malignancy, whereas the mean telomere length could better serve as a marker for the progression of HPV lesions toward malignancy.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1999

Pelvic actinomycosis. Is long-term antibiotic therapy necessary?

OBJECTIVE: To describe 11 cases of actinomycosis and analyze whether long-term antibiotic use in necessary. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of 11 cases of pelvic actinomycosis diagnosed and treated during the last nine years. Four patients had an intrauterine device (IUD) for 6-20 years, three patients had an IUD for 3-5 years, and four patients had no known etiology. In most patients the symptoms lasted from several days to one month. The actinomycotic lesions involved one or both ovaries in all 11 cases. In five patients the lesion extended to other areas, such as the uterus, omentum, parametrium, pelvic walls, colon, bladder, cul-de-sac and gallbladder. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery that included removal of the lesions with the ipsilateral or both adnexa and, in specific cases, with extension of the lesions, hysterectomy, omentectomy, hemicolectomy and cholecystectomy. Confirmation of the diagnosis of actinomycosis was done by histology in all cases, and antibiotic treatment usually began 1-14 days after surgery. The drug of choice was penicillin. The duration of treatment was 12 months in 6 patients, 6 months in 3 and < or = 3 months in two. All patients were alive and well after two to nine years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: In contrast to actinomycosis at other sites, where the literature recommends antibiotic therapy for 6-12 months, pelvic actinomycosis could be a limited disease. We propose that in cases of pelvic actinomycosis where the abscess can be completely removed surgically, a shorter period of antibiotic therapy can be effective.

Actinomycosis↗
PubMed1998

Clobetasol dipropionate 0.05% versus testosterone propionate 2% topical application for severe vulvar lichen sclerosus.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate short-term (3 months) and long-term (1 year) treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus, by comparing topical application of testosterone propionate 2% in petrolatum with the corticosteroid clobetasol dipropionate 0.05%. STUDY DESIGN: There were 20 women in each treatment group. The patients' symptoms and the gynecologist's examination findings were recorded before treatment, at 3 months, and at 1 year after initiation of therapy. RESULTS: The symptomatic (subjective) effect of clobetasol treatment was similar to that of testosterone at the 3-month follow-up (p < or = 0.34), although objectively the signs of lichen sclerosus had improved more in the clobetasol group (p < or = 0.033). Both symptoms and signs were significantly more improved in the clobetasol-treated group at the 1-year follow-up examination (p < or = 0.02). Seventy percent of women treated by testosterone discontinued treatment because of a lack of response, whereas only 10% of the women treated with clobetasol stopped the treatment for that reason (p < or = 0.00042). CONCLUSION: Clobetasol is more effective than testosterone in the treatment of women with lichen sclerosus, especially in the long term.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1998

Persistent vulvar vestibulitis: the continuing challenge.

A continuing challenge in the management of women with vulvar vestibulitis is the patient who has not responded to surgical treatment. The main reason for persistent dyspareunia is failure to excise the sensitive periurethral tissue in the primary operation. In other cases, the Bartholin's glands may be the source of the pain. A low oxalate diet, the administration of interferon, and biofeedback training of the lower pelvic muscles-treatments that are used as a first-choice approach for vulvar vestibulitis, may all work in the postoperative patient. The management of a patient with residual vestibulitis should be conservative, and only when medical measures fail, do we consider additional surgical methods such as Bartholin's gland resection or repeat perineoplasty.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Interferon-beta and -gamma, but not tumor necrosis factor-alpha, demonstrate immunoregulatory effects on carcinoma cell lines infected with human papillomavirus.

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms whereby cells infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) escape immune surveillance, ultimately leading to invasive cervical carcinoma, may involve changes in local cytokine production, loss of responsiveness to cytokines, and alterations in the expression of immune-regulatory molecules such as histocompatibility-related leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class 1 and 2 and ICAM-I. This study examined the separate and combined effects of immune-activating cytokines, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IFN-beta, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, on the expression of these molecules. METHODS: Membrane protein expression and cellular mRNA levels were analyzed in cervical carcinoma-derived cell lines, SiHa and CaSki (with low and high HPV16 copy number, respectively), after exposure to cytokines. RESULTS: Both cell lines demonstrated constitutive expression of HLA Class 1 but not HLA Class 2 membrane antigens. IFN-gamma and -beta induced changes in Class 1 mRNA levels but not in membrane molecule expression. IFN-gamma induced dose-dependent expression of Class 2 membrane and mRNA molecules in both cell lines (more pronounced in SiHa than in CaSki cells), which was antagonized by IFN-beta. Constitutive ICAM-I membrane expression was observed only on CaSki cells, although ICAM-I mRNA was expressed in both cell lines. IFN-gamma up-regulated the membrane expression of this molecule, whereas IFN-beta led to its suppression. Differential modulation of ICAM-I mRNA was observed in both cell lines. A lack of response to TNF-alpha was observed throughout the experiments. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study point to possible mechanisms leading to suppression of local immune response in the pathogenesis of HPV-associated neoplasia. They also emphasize the complexity of developing an efficient cytokine therapy for patients with premalignant cervical disease.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1997

Vestibulodynia--a subset of vulvar vestibulitis or a novel syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to recognize special features of women with both vestibulitis and constant vulvar pain (vestibulodynia) and to determine whether vestibulodynia is a separate disease entity or a subset of vestibulitis. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-one women with severe vulvar vestibulitis underwent perineoplasty by a single surgeon during 1992 to 1995. Twenty-five (27%) of them who had vestibulodynia were compared with 66 (73%) who had dyspareunia alone. With univariate and then multivariate analysis, the two groups were compared with regard to demographic, social, and medical variables, the presence of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid, physical findings in the vestibule, and surgical outcome. RESULTS: The vestibulodynia and vestibulitis groups differed in age (30.5 +/- 10.6 years vs 24.7 +/- 6.2 years respectively), as well as in marital status (married, 44% vs 18%, respectively), nonuse of contraception (20% vs 1%, respectively), presence of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid in the vestibule (80% vs 48%, respectively), and failure of surgical treatment (incomplete response rate, 64% vs 2%, respectively). With multivariate analysis, patients with human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid present in the vestibule have an odds ratio of 5.44 (95% confidence interval, 1.45 to 20.33) of belonging to the group with vestibulodynia, whereas dysuria and age have odds ratios of 3.70 (95% confidence interval 1.09 to 12.55) and 1.14 (95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.24), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Vestibulodynia is a unique syndrome in that it affects women who are older than those who have vestibulitis alone and it is associated with human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid, dysuria, and a higher surgical failure rate than that for vestibulitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Activated protein C resistance (factor V Leiden) associated with thrombosis in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate activated protein C resistance phenotype and genotype among patients with thrombosis during pregnancy and the puerperium. STUDY DESIGN: This observational study was conducted prospectively during a 2-year period (July 1993 to June 1995) in a preselected population. All patients admitted to our high-risk pregnancy unit with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, transient ischemic attack, and cerebrovascular accident during pregnancy and the puerperium were included. Prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen levels, protein C, protein S, antithrombin III, functional test for activated protein C resistance, and factor V Leiden mutation by polymerase chain reaction were performed on each patient. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included. Seven (46.6%) patients were positive for activated protein C resistance (factor V Leiden). All other coagulation studies were negative for all patients. All patients with activated protein C resistance had a venous thrombotic event, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary emboli, and only one had a cerebrovascular accident on the basis of sagittal sinus thrombosis. Only two of the activated protein C resistance-negative patients had venous thrombosis (pulmonary emboli). The remaining six patients had transient ischemic attacks or cerebrovascular accidents. For the subgroup with venous thrombosis during pregnancy and the puerperium, the incidence of activated protein C resistance (factor V Leiden) was 78%. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the incidence of factor V Leiden in a selected population in whom thrombotic events developed during pregnancy and the puerperium. This small-scale study provides justification for a large cohort study that will identify women with factor V Leiden and determine their risk for thrombosis during pregnancy and the puerperium. We believe that factor V Leiden should be evaluated in conjunction with thrombotic events in the pregnant woman.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A simplified coculture system with luteinized granulosa cells improves embryo quality and implantation rates: a controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of a simplified short-term coculture system with luteinized granulosa cells (GCs) in patients with failed IVF-ET. DESIGN: Controlled clinical study. SETTING: IVF unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carmel Medical Center. PATIENT(S): Patients with poor embryo quality in their previous IVF-ET cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Embryos from 40 patients, in which > 50% of the embryos were classified as poor quality in their previous IVF attempts, were grown on autologue GC culture system for a short period (24-48 hours) before being replaced in the uterine cavity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Embryo quality. RESULT(S): Significant decrease in poor quality embryos and increase in the proportion of good quality embryos were observed using a coculture system with autologue human GCs. Pregnancy rates in this groups of patients reached our standard IVF results during the same period. CONCLUSION(S): This study describes a simplified short-term coculture system with human autologue GCs. Poor quality embryos may be rescued to cleave regularly.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1997

Predicting the outcome of surgical treatment of vulvar vestibulitis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictive factors for success or failure of perineoplasty for severe vulvar vestibulitis. METHODS: Seventy-nine women with severe vulvar vestibulitis underwent perineoplasty by a single surgeon during 1992-1994. Sixty (76%) who experienced a complete response were compared with 19 (24%) who had an incomplete response. Using univariate and then multivariate (logistic regression) analysis, the two groups were compared with regard to preoperative demographic, social, and medical variables, as well as physical findings in the vestibule. RESULTS: The complete- and incomplete-response groups were similar in all comparisons except for constant vulvar pain of vestibular origin (in addition to dyspareunia) and the presence of symptoms since first coitus. On multiple logistic regression, these characteristics had odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) of 4.97 (1.49, 16.63) and 5.83 (1.74, 19.55), respectively. CONCLUSION: An incomplete response to perineoplasty may be anticipated in women with vulvar vestibulitis associated with dyspareunia since their first episode of intercourse and in those with associated persistent vulvar pain. Treatment approaches other than surgery should be considered for such patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Ripening and dilatation of the unfavourable cervix for induction of labour by a double balloon device: experience with 250 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of the double balloon device (the Atad Ripener Device) in ripening and dilatation of the unfavourable cervix for induction of labour. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty women with unfavourable cervices (Bishop score < or = 4) underwent induction of labour with the Atad Ripener Device. Indications were pregnancy induced hypertension (n = 118), post-dates (n = 69), elective inductions (n = 23), other reasons including nonreassuring nonstress test, intrauterine growth retardation, previous caesarean section and diabetes mellitus (n = 40). The Atad Ripener Device was inserted into the cervix, the uterine balloon inflated in the internal os, and the cervico-vaginal balloon in the external os of the cervix (100 mL of normal saline to each balloon). Pressure produced by the inflated balloons caused gradual dilatation and effacement of the cervix. The Atad Ripener Device was removed 12 h after insertion, the cervix assessed again, and labour managed according to obstetrical criteria. RESULTS: The Atad Ripener Device caused an increase in the Bishop score in all subgroups with a mean change of 4.6 (from 2.0 prior to induction to 6.6 upon removal of the Atad Ripener Device; P < 0.05). The mean time interval from insertion of the Atad Ripener Device to delivery was 18.9 h, and from removal to delivery was 6.9 h. Caesarean section was performed in 39/250 patients (16%), and the others had a normal vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The double balloon device induces significant ripening and dilatation of the unfavourable cervix. 2. Induction of labour was successfully achieved following removal of the Atad Ripener Device. 3. Our caesarean section rate was low compared with rates reported for women with an unfavourable cervix induced by other methods.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Combination of subtotal perineoplasty and interferon for the treatment of vulvar vestibulitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a combination of subtotal perineoplasty and interferon (IFN) infiltration of the remaining anterior vestibule in the treatment of vulvar vestibulitis. BASIC PROCEDURES: Nineteen women with vulvar vestibulitis were randomized to undergo either a total perineoplasty or a subtotal perineoplasty without removal of the anterior vestibule. The second group was further treated 6 weeks later with injection of the anterior vestibule by IFN. Differences in outcome between the groups were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. MAIN FINDINGS: The combination of subtotal perineoplasty and IFN injections was successful in 7 of 10 women, similar to the outcome of the group undergoing total perineoplasty (6 of 9 patients). CONCLUSION: A combination of subtotal perineoplasty and IFN injections to the anterior vestibule is as effective as total perineoplasty and has less surgical complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Triiodothyronine and follicle-stimulating hormone, alone and additively together, stimulate production of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in cultured human luteinized granulosa cells.

Thyroid disorders have been frequently associated with menstrual disturbances and impaired fertility. To characterize the nature of thyroid hormone action in the ovary, the direct effects of T3-gonadotropin interactions were investigated in vitro using a culture system of human luteinized granulosa cells in serum-free medium. Although FSH alone was devoid of any significant effect on cell proliferation, it inhibited T3-stimulated cell growth. The electrophoretic profiles of the radiolabeled proteins induced by the different hormonal treatments revealed similarity in overall protein patterns but differences in intensity of labeling. Human CG, alone or combined with T3, had no major influence on the total intensity of labeling compared with control, whereas T3 or FSH alone reduced total labeling intensity but a 30,000 Da protein band was increased. FSH combined with T3 augmented the total intensity of labeling, including the 30,000-Da protein band. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), mol wt 30,000, known to play a key role in ovarian function. TIMP-1 was dose dependently stimulated by T3 and FSH, and an additive effect was obtained when both hormones were combined. This is the first report of TIMP-1 modulation by FSH in ovarian cells and of an effect by thyroid hormone on TIMP-1 levels. The study shows TIMP-1 induction in human ovarian cells not only by FSH, i.e. via a probable protein kinase A mechanism, but also demonstrates an additional mode of TIMP-1 hormonal induction: via thyroid hormone stimulation, acting by modulation of gene transcription. The present study provides novel data on TIMP-1 hormonal modulation and of direct T3 in vitro ovarian effects that may account for the in vivo indications of a thyroid-ovarian connection.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Recombinant human interferon-beta for condylomata acuminata: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of intralesional therapy.

To assess the efficacy of a novel glycosylated mammalian cell derived recombinant human interferon-beta (r-hIFN-beta-1a) in the intralesional treatment of genital condylomata acuminata. The study was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Patients (n=60) with up to 8 distinct condylomata acuminata were randomized to receive either one million international units (IU) of r-hIFN-beta-1a or placebo intralesionally into each lesion, 3 times a week, for a total of 9 occasions. Biopsies were taken from each patient before enrolment to allow human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, and patients were tested for the development of anti-IFN-beta antibodies. Efficacy was assessed by measuring the complete response rate 3 months after treatment. The complete response rate was not significantly better with r-hIFN-beta-1a than with placebo. However, after 3 months, 73.3% of patients treated with r-hIFN-beta-1a had experienced at least a partial response to treatment, compared with 33.3% of placebo-treated patients. At 19 days and 6 weeks, r-hIFN-beta-1a produced a significantly larger reduction in the area of condylomata. Lesions with detectable HPV6 or 11 showed a trend towards a better response rate to treatment with r-hIFN-beta-1a than lesions where no HPV DNA was detected. The treatment was well tolerated. In the 5 patients who developed non-neutralizing anti-IFN-beta antibodies, therapeutic efficacy was not compromised. Intralesional r-hIFN-beta-1a was effective in the reduction of the size of genital condylomata acuminata.

Adolescent↗