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Biomedical subjects

H Fernandez

Publications and source records attributed to H Fernandez.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

A protocol using a low dose of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist might be the best protocol for patients with high follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations on day 3.

We studied 98 in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients with a high basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH; >6.5 IU/l) concentration on day 3 who were treated with a low dose gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) protocol and who had received in the previous 6 months a long protocol with GnRHa in a depot formula. The evaluation was made using the previous IVF cycle of the same patient as a control. The mean +/- SD age of the patients was 34.1+/-4.2 years. The use of a low dose agonist protocol ended with significantly less ampoules (37.5 versus 46.1), a shorter duration of stimulation (10.7 versus 12.3 days), a higher oestradiol concentration on day 8 (1068 versus 495 pg/ml), a higher number of mature oocytes (5.9 versus 4.4) and a higher number of good quality embryos (3.3 versus 2.3). The cancellation rate was lower (11 versus 24%). A GnRHa low dose protocol may be the protocol of choice for patients with high FSH concentrations on day 3. Larger randomized studies are needed to confirm these data.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1996

Perinatal outcome and follow-up of 82 children aged 1-9 years old conceived from cryopreserved embryos.

Embryo cryopreservation is routinely used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer programmes. Yet very few studies have reported the follow-up of children conceived with frozen/thawed embryos. This study was designed to follow up the total cohort of children conceived with cryopreserved embryos in A. Béclère Hospital in Clamart, France between 1986 and 1994. We were able to study 89 children, aged 1-9 years old, out of the 93 conceived during this period (lost to follow-up: 4.3%). The prematurity rate was 14.7% for the singleton and 85.7% for the twins. Half of these premature deliveries occurred during the 36th week of amenorrhea. In all, 8% of the singleton and 28.6% of the twins were small for gestational age. At the time of the study, only three children aged 1 and 2 years old were below the 10th percentile. The total malformation rate was 3.4% when two abortions performed during the study period were added to the one (short ureter) found in our study group. The medical and surgical illness as well as principal acquisitions for children <5 years old and scholastic performance for older children did not show pathological features.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1996

Intra-ocular pressure changes during gynaecological laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic surgery carried out under general anaesthesia is associated with physiological changes, which also determine changes in intra-ocular pressure. We measured intra-ocular pressure at each phase of gynaecological laparoscopy, carried out under propofol-alfentanil-isoflurane general anaesthesia, in young women of ASA 1 status, with no pre-existing eye disease. Measurements were made with a Perkins applanation tonometer. Mean arterial pressure and end-tidal CO2 tension were kept constant throughout the study. Intra-ocular pressure decreased significantly after induction of anaesthesia, remained unchanged after a pneumoperitoneum of up to an intraperitoneal pressure of 15 mmHg had been created, increased significantly with head down tilt, but did not increase significantly above pre-induction values. Adequate depth of anaesthesia compensated for the intra-ocular pressure increase caused by head down position. Plateau airway pressure, considered as reflecting intrathoracic pressure, increased with intraperitoneal pressure elevation. However, such changes did not correlate with intra-ocular pressure changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Does asymptomatic amniotic infection in the second trimester really exist?].

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the incidence of asymptomatic amniotic fluid infection. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred fifty-four amniotic fluid samples obtained at the second trimester between 14 and 27 weeks gestation were studied by Gram stain with bacteriological cultures and detection of mycoplasm species and Chlamydiae trachomatis. Transabdominal amniocentesis for caryotyping were carried out in 151 health patients with intact membranes and without preterm labor or signs of infectious (3 dizygotic twin pregnancies). RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven complete microbiologic examinations were performed (Gram stain examination white-cell count, quantitative aerobic and anaerobic cultures). Commercial texts for Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Chlamydiae trachomatis were negative. Three patients had rare microorganisms, coagulase negative staphylococcus (30 and 50 bacteria per ml) and alpha-hemolytic streptococcus (5 x 10(2) bacteria per ml). White cell count on amniotic fluids in 50 cases (32%) was less than 30 per ml. CONCLUSION: These findings appear to be in contradiction with recent data, suggesting the existence of intraamniotic infection in the early phase of the second trimester. Our data confirm the need for a cut-off level for white cell count to improve test sensibility.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Role of conservative therapy and medical treatment in ectopic pregnancy: literature review and clinical trial comparing medical treatment and conservative laparoscopic treatment].

OBJECTIVE: to compare methotrexate (MTX) to laparoscopic salpingotomy for conservative management of ectopic pregnancy (EP). DESIGN: prospective randomized study. PATIENTS: eighty-nine patients were randomized into 2 groups using a random number table. Inclusion criteria were an EP visualized by ultrasound with a pretherapeutic score < or = 13 as assessed by 6 criteria graded from 1 to 3: gestational age, hCG level, P level, abdominal pain, volume of the hemoperitoneum, and diameter of the hematosalpinx. INTERVENTIONS: 1 mg/kg of MTX injected transvaginally into the ectopic pregnancy without anaesthesia or IM administration (1.5 mg/kg) when EP cannot be safely or easily punctured (group 1) versus laparoscopic salpingotomy (group 2). RESULTS: the success rates defined by hCG levels returned to normal (< 10 mlU/mL) were 43 out of 46 in group 1 and 40 out of 43 in group 2. Medical treatment was significantly associated with shorter post-operative stay (24 vs 46 hours). hCG return to normal was quicker after laparoscopic treatment (13 vs 29 days). Reproductive performances were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: in selected cases of EP with a pretherapeutic score < or = 13, MTX treatment appeared to be as safe and efficient as was conservative treatment by laparoscopy, an expectant management should be offered as a treatment option only in women fulfilling the criteria for a good prognostic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Fertility after ectopic pregnancy. Results of the first three years of the Auvergne Registry].

The reproductive outcome after ectopic pregnancy is evaluated from a population-based register in the center of France. Since 1992, all the women aged 15-44 years, who permanently reside in the target area and who were treated either by surgical or medical procedures for an ectopic pregnancy in one of the area centers, are registered and prospectively followed until 45 years of age. The analysis presented was based on the 221 women registered between January 1992 and December 1994 who were followed up for at least 6 months, and who were seeking a new pregnancy. The mean follow-up period was 19.8 months. 155 women (70%) obtained a pregnancy. The first conception was intrauterine for 136 women, and 19 had a recurrence of ectopic pregnancy. Risk factors of recurrence were prior spontaneous abortion and prior tubal damage. For those women who conceived, the mean time to obtain pregnancy ("time to pregnancy") was 7.6 months. The one year cumulative intrauterine pregnancy rate (i.e. the probability of obtaining an intrauterine pregnancy within 1 year of seeking pregnancy) was 64%. After multivariate analysis by a Cox regression, the factors associated with lower fertility were aged over 30 years, low educational level, history of infertility and prior tubal damage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Ovarian stimulation using a protocol of low dose agonist in patients with an elevated basal FSH].

This study compare the ovarian response of patients with high day 3 FSH (> 6.5 UI/L), treated with two protocols; a protocol with a low dose of GnRH agonist and a so called "long protocol" with GnRH agonist in a depot formula. The ovarian response with the agonist low dose was better with less ampules (37.1 vs 46.6) and a shorter duration of stimulation (10.5 vs 12.4 days). The number of mature oocyte was higher (5.9 vs 4.5) as well as the number of good quality embryo (3.2 versus 2.3). The E2 levels on day 8 was higher (1065 vs 460 pg/ml). The cancellation rate was lower (14% vs 26%). The use of the low dose protocol gave a better ovarian response for patients with high 3 FSH. Large randomized studies are needed to confirm these data.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Reaction of peripheral-blood lymphocytes to the human chorionic gonadotropin beta sub-unit in patients with productive tumors.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its beta sub-unit (hCG beta) are secreted by trophoblast cells during pregnancy, and by tumoral cells of trophoblastic and non-trophoblastic origin. In contrast to hCG, the free hCG beta sub-unit is consistently undetectable in healthy non-pregnant subjects. With this in mind, we sought to determine whether an immune response to hCG beta can be detected in patients with bladder or germ-cell testis cancers. Peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 31% of patients with hCG beta-productive bladder cancers and 33% of testis-tumor-bearing patients displayed an hCG beta-specific proliferative response, whereas no patients with non-hCG beta-productive cancers had a proliferative response. PBMC from pregnant women and healthy controls did not elicit significant reactivity. By the use of overlapping synthetic peptides, the immunogenic regions of hCG beta were delineated within the central 20-65 portion. Moreover, in 2 bladder-cancer patients with the HLA DR7, DQ2 haplotype, the T-cell response to hCG beta was focused on the hCG beta (20-47) peptide. Taken together, these results indicate that hCG beta is a tumor-associated antigen capable of inducing a cell-mediated immune response in patients with productive tumors.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Incidence of extra-uterine pregnancy and characteristics of treated patients. First results of the Auvergne registry].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the course and frequency of ectopic pregnancy in a single population for a prolonged period in order to study the simultaneous changes in distribution of risk factors, identify new risk factors and evaluate the effect of new diagnostic and therapeutic methods on subsequent fertility and the effectiveness of preventive measures. METHODS: All women residing in the Registry zone and treated surgically or medically for ectopic pregnancy were included in the study and followed to the age of 45 years. RESULTS: In 1992, the incidence of ectopic pregnancy was 20.2 per 1,000 live births (n = 160). At least one currently recognized risk factor was found in 80% of the women. A past history of salpingitis was noted in 13% and nearly one half smoked or had smoked at the time of conception. Nineteen percent had a past history of pelvic surgery and 19% had a history of infertility. The ectopic pregnancy recorded was the second one in 9%. Nearly one-third of the ectopic pregnancies recorded (31%) were diagnosed in patients with a intrauterine device. None of these latter patients had other risk factors. Vaginal echography was used for diagnosis in 75% of the cases. Surgery was used as first intention treatment in 94% and medical treatment (methotrexate) was used in 6%.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Is median thoracic artery a target organ artery for estradiol and progesterone? A comparison with uterine artery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to show the parallel evolution of the pulsatility index of the uterine artery and the one of the median thoracic artery. STUDY DESIGN: The study involved seven volunteer women, below 38, suffering from premature ovarian failure, who received E2 and progesterone replacement therapy. Plasma levels of E2, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were measured and PI were studied and compared before treatment and on Days 13, 27 and 41. RESULTS: Before treatment, a high-resistance vascular for both arteries is uniformly found. The curves show with the increasing of the E2 plasma levels, a decrease in the PI of UA and MTA with a fall at Day 13. We compared the mean values in MTA and UA PI. No statistical difference between the three mean values in PI obtained at Day -1, Day 13 and Day 41 was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that median thoracic artery is a target organ artery. Such as the UA, the MTA vascular resistance is according to the variations of plasma levels of E2. In consideration of it rectilinear and superficial type, this led us to study this artery when we use different sorts of replacement therapy, and particularly in the oocyte donation program.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Disposition of ornidazole and its metabolites during pregnancy.

The disposition of ornidazole and its two major hydroxylated metabolites was studied in five pregnant women (gestational ages 25 5/7 to 38 4/7 weeks) with either chorioamnionitis or pyelonephritis treated with ceftriaxone 2 g, tobramycin 3 mg/kg body weight and ornidazole 1 g all administered once-daily. Two series of blood samples were obtained, the first on the first day of treatment and the second at steady-state on day 5. Local and systemic tolerability of ornidazole was excellent and patients showed complete remission without premature delivery. There was no evidence of ornidazole accumulation, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were very similar to those seen in healthy subjects. The dosage regimen of ornidazole therefore requires no adjustment during pregnancy. Trough concentrations of ornidazole measured at 24 h post dose were above the MIC of sensitive organisms. Children born to the trial patients showed normal initial development and their growth was normal.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Models for placental transfer studies of drugs.

Pregnancy is a specific dynamic state, and the potential usefulness of caring for a disorder in the fetus or the mother is now well established. Previously, pregnant women have been excluded from clinical trials, therefore only a few studies concerning evaluation of the pregestational metabolism or transplacental transfer (TPT) of drugs exist. Questions regarding the TPT of drugs are extensive and complex. For example, does TPT occur at a given gestational age, in the context of a particular type of pathology or when a drug is administered by a certain dosage regimen? If this is the case, what is the rapidity of penetration of the products of conception by the drug (bearing in mind its physicochemical characteristics)? Need harmful adverse effects on the child be feared? Is such penetration desirable, of no consequence, or dangerous? Does the possibility exist of accumulation in the placenta, fetal tissue or amniotic fluid? Should such findings modify the therapeutic regimens of drugs given to expectant mothers? Exchange mechanisms are complicated and models developed in vitro only partially reflect the actual equilibria that exist between mother and fetus. These include: (i) the perfused cotyledon model, which while simple, elegant and inexpensive, offers only a localised, restricted and fixed view of pregnancy; (ii) isolated anatomical fractions that are informative, but which straddle the border between physiology and pharmacology; and (iii) the necessary study, using microsomes, of placental metabolic capacity (enzyme cartography). In vivo study of TPT is based upon various multicompartmental pharmacokinetic models, some of which have been relatively validated in animals. The simplest indicator for the in vivo evaluation of TPT of a drug in the human species is determination of a feto-maternal blood concentration ratio (usually performed at the time of placental separation). However, the usefulness and limitations of this parameter are controversial, and it would seem preferable to associate it with a pharmacokinetic profile of variations in blood concentrations established in the mother. Furthermore, any extrapolation of a single result to fetal and adjacent tissues must be done with the greatest caution. Although, no drug should be used in pregnancy unless there is a clear therapeutic indication, study of the TPT of therapeutically useful agents is essential to the understanding of their metabolism and is a prerequisite to the safe use of medications during pregnancy.

Binding, Competitive↗