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Biomedical subjects

H Schulman

Publications and source records attributed to H Schulman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Selective activation and inhibition of calmodulin-dependent enzymes by a calmodulin-like protein found in human epithelial cells.

A calmodulin-like protein, which is identical in size and 85% identical to vertebrate calmodulin, was recently identified by 'subtractive hybridization' comparison of transcripts expressed in normal versus transformed human mammary epithelial cells. Unlike the ubiquitous distribution of calmodulin, calmodulin-like protein expression is restricted to certain epithelial cells, and appears to be modulated during differentiation. In addition, calmodulin-like protein levels are often significantly reduced in malignant tumor cells as compared to corresponding normal epithelial cells. The current studies compare calmodulin-like protein functions with those of calmodulin. We find that calmodulin-like protein activation of multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (calmodulin kinase II) is equivalent to activation by calmodulin, but that four other calmodulin-dependent enzymes, cGMP phosphodiesterase, calcineurin, nitric-oxide synthase, and myosin-light-chain kinase, display much weaker activation by calmodulin-like protein than by calmodulin. In the case of myosin-light-chain kinase, calmodulin-like protein competitively inhibits calmodulin activation of the enzyme with a Ki value of 170 nM. Thus, calmodulin-like protein may have evolved to function as a specific agonist of certain calmodulin-dependent enzymes, and/or as a specific competitive antagonist of other calmodulin-dependent enzymes.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1994

Interleukin-2 transcriptional block by multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin kinase.

In the presence of costimulation, Ca2+ influx in T cells leads to activation (transcription of interleukin-2; ref. 2) via calcineurin. In the absence of costimulation, Ca2+ influx results in anergy (interleukin-2 transcriptional block) through an unknown mechanism. Specific attenuation of interleukin-2 transcriptional induction occurs in Jurkat T cells following pretreatment with a Ca2+ ionophore. A > 90% block of inducible interleukin-2 reporter gene activity was initiated by transfection of a constitutively active mutant of multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase or CaM kinase II), but not by constitutive mutants of CaM kinase IV, calcineurin or protein kinase C. The block was complete six hours after kinase transfection and showed specificity for interleukin-2; there was no change in beta-actin transcription or in c-fos transcription induced by phorbol myristyl acetate, and a Rous sarcoma virus promoter was stimulated threefold. Multifunctional CaM kinase also attenuated interleukin-2 activation by calcineurin plus phorbol ester. T-cell receptor signalling activates multifunctional CaM kinase. These findings suggest that two Ca2+/calmodulin-responsive enzymes, multifunctional CaM kinase and calcineurin, could mediate the divergent effects of Ca2+ signals in T-lymphocyte regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence in a volunteer population of pelvic cancer detected with transvaginal ultrasound and color flow Doppler.

Our objective was to find the prevalence of non-symptomatic endometrial and ovarian neoplasms in a volunteer population of women, aged 40 and over. We offered a free volunteer screening program to asymptomatic women for a study using transvaginal ultrasound and color flow Doppler for the detection of pelvic cancer. In the first 2 years, 2117 women were examined, 51.3% post-menopausal. An ovarian cyst was defined as having a maximum diameter of more than 2.4 cm. Color flow was used to identify blood vessels feeding pelvic organs and adnexal enlargements. An abnormal Doppler flow velocity for the ovary was defined as a resistance index of less than 0.41. Ovarian cysts of less than 5 cm with normal Doppler indices were followed up in 6 months to 1 year. An adnexal morphology score was created to quantify the usefulness of this parameter, particularly in postmenopausal women. Indications for surgery were pre-defined as a persistent ovarian cyst of more than 5 cm, a persistent suspicious Doppler and a total endometrial thickness of greater than 0.59 cm in postmenopausal women not taking hormones.A total of 202 women (9.5%) had ovarian cysts. Fourteen women were operated upon because of size criteria, one because of family history and three for persistent abnormal flow. By Doppler study, 15 cysts were predicted to be benign and histology was confirmatory. There were two false positives and one true positive, a stage Ib ovarian cancer. There were no false negatives, although a stage I endometrioid cancer of the ovary was detected 8 months after a negative scan. In those cases in which follow-up data were available, 56% of the cysts regressed in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, 28% regressed. Twenty of 1086 postmenopausal women had endometrial biopsies. Three had endometrial cancer, two stage I and one stage IIA. Five had atypical or adenomatous hyperplasia, and seven had benign polyps. So many women have small asymptomatic cysts of the ovary that a major reorientation of physicians' attitudes towards the ovary will have to be introduced to adapt to this new information. In this population, the prevalence of benign epithelial ovarian neoplasms was 7/1000, and of malignancy was 05/1000. In postmenopausal women, the prevalence rate for endometrial cancer was 5/1000, with 5/1000 hyperplasias and 7/1000 benign polyps. When endometrial and ovarian cancer screening are combined, the yield is comparable to that seen in breast and cervical cancer screening.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

The characterization of flow signals from tubal and ovarian arteries using intraoperative continuous wave Doppler.

Ovarian vascular Doppler is a promising screening test for early ovarian cancer detection. However, disagreements on flow indices used, flow signal shapes and ovarian vessel localization cause continuing controversy. We aimed at clarifying some of this confusion by directly measuring the adnexal arterial blood flow during laparotomy. A 10-MHz continuous Doppler probe was used to examine adnexal vessels in 24 patients undergoing laparotomy for benign gynecological pathology. Resistance (RI) and pulsatility (PI) indices were calculated for each vessel and the shape of the flow signals was noted. The tubal arteries showed a low-velocity flow pattern with relatively high end-diastolic flow when compared to the ovarian artery signals obtained from the infundibulopelvic ligament.The mean RIs for the tubal artery and ovarian artery in the infundibulopelvic ligament were 0.59 +/- 0.02 and 0.73 +/- 0.02, respectively. The mean PIs for the tubal and ovarian artery in the infundibulopelvic ligament were 1.11 +/- 0.09 and 1.53 +/- 0.1, respectively. The tubal artery showed a significantly lower RI and PI when compared to the ipsilateral ovarian artery at the infundibulopelvic ligament (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively) and its hilar branches (p = 0.03 for RI and p = 0.03 for PI). We conclude that tubal artery flow signals, which are measured directly for the first time in this study, are characteristic and are distinct from the ovarian artery signals. Tubal artery signals might be erroneously picked up during transvaginal color Doppler sonography of the ovaries, especially in the presence of conditions causing a decreased impedance to blood flow in the pelvis, such as ovarian tumors. Recognizing the flow signal from the tubal artery may help in differentiating ovarian and tubal vessels detected during color Doppler sonography.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Identification and characterization of delta B-CaM kinase and delta C-CaM kinase from rat heart, two new multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase isoforms.

We have identified, expressed and characterized two new isoforms of the multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaM kinase) cloned from rat heart. Both isoforms are variants of the neuronal delta-CaM kinase (termed delta A-CaM kinase), and are designated as delta B-CaM kinase and delta C-CaM kinase. The new isoforms differ from delta A-CaM kinase in its isoform-specific insert region, between nucleotides 984 to 1087 of the delta A-CaM kinase cDNA. Replacing these 102 nucleotides, a sequence of 33 nucleotides which code for 11 amino acids (KRKSSSSQMM) are introduced in delta B-CaM kinase. The delta C-CaM kinase lacks all 102 nucleotides and the corresponding 34 amino acids which they encode. The predicted molecular masses of the delta B- and delta C-CaM kinase isoforms are 57,697 Da and 56,446 Da, respectively. Recombinant delta-CaM kinases purified from transfected COS-7 cells were found to associate into a larger holoenzyme estimated to contain 8 to 10 subunits. The relative subunit molecular masses on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis are 59 kDa, 54 kDa and 52 kDa for delta A-, delta B- and delta C-CaM kinase, respectively. All three isoforms showed a strict dependence on Ca2+/calmodulin for activity and exhibited the Ca(2+)-dependent autophosphorylation and resultant conversion to Ca(2+)-independent kinase activity, characteristic features of multifunctional CaM kinase. Phosphopeptide analysis after partial CNBr digestion suggests that delta B-CaM kinase is the predominant soluble CaM kinase species purified from rat heart.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Computerized analysis of fetal heart rate variation in postterm pregnancy: prediction of intrapartum fetal distress and fetal acidosis.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate whether computerized analysis of fetal heart rate variation may improve fetal surveillance in postterm pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Three hundred thirty-seven pregnant women who were delivered after 41 weeks' gestation and who had 610 antenatal tests were included in this study. Fetal tests included a nonstress test with a computerized analysis of the fetal heart rate, Doppler examination of the umbilical artery, and a biophysical profile, performed every 2 to 4 days. Induction of labor was performed when the fetal heart rate variation was reduced (< 30 msec), when fetal heart rate decelerations appeared, or when the amniotic fluid index was < or = 5. The results of the fetal surveillance tests were compared with the results of the intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring and with the metabolic status of the babies at delivery. Sensitivity and specificity of the various tests in predicting intrapartum fetal distress and acidosis at delivery were described by means of the receiver-operator characteristic curve. RESULTS: Ten of 12 fetuses with reduced fetal heart rate variation had a trial of labor. Nine of these 10 fetuses had fetal distress during labor. Seven of the 12 fetuses with reduced fetal heart rate variation were acidotic at delivery (umbilical artery pH < 7.2). Overall, there were 10 acidotic fetuses at delivery in the study group. Only two of them had an umbilical systolic/diastolic ratio > 95th percentile, three had an amniotic fluid index < or = 5, and five had fetal heart rate decelerations before labor. Fetuses who demonstrated an abnormal intrapartum fetal heart rate tracing or who were acidotic at delivery had a significantly higher rate of reduced fetal heart rate variation or decelerations before labor. The largest area under the receiver-operator curve curve for predicting fetal acidosis at delivery or fetal distress during labor was achieved by means of computerized analysis of fetal heart rate variation. CONCLUSION: A computerized numeric analysis of fetal heart rate variation may improve fetal surveillance in postterm pregnancy.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1994

Nitric oxide synthase expression in single hippocampal neurons.

The presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in CA1 pyramidal cells of the rat hippocampus was demonstrated by single-cell PCR. NOS-specific primers were used to amplify mRNA isolated from single hippocampal neurons. The sequence of the major amplification-product obtained was identical to that of the constitutively expressed brain-isoform of NOS. These results confirm immunocytochemical data that NOS is present in CA1, and, therefore, nitric oxide could function as a retrograde messenger in long-term potentiation.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1994

Inhibition of hippocampal heme oxygenase, nitric oxide synthase, and long-term potentiation by metalloporphyrins.

Four potent metalloporphyrin inhibitors of heme oxygenase were used to assess whether carbon monoxide production was required for induction of LTP in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Although the metalloporphyrins produced a similar and substantial inhibition of heme oxygenase activity in hippocampal slices, only two compounds reduced the amount of LTP elicited by tetanic stimulation (chromium mesoporphyrin IX and zinc protoporphyrin IX). Both chromium mesoporphyrin IX and zinc protoporphyrin IX inhibited nitric oxide synthase in the hippocampus; tin mesoporphyrin IX and zinc deuteroporphyrin IX bis glycol neither reduced LTP induction nor inhibited NOS activity, although they did inhibit heme oxygenase. None of these metalloporphyrins reversed established LTP. Thus, together these data do not support carbon monoxide as a mediator in either LTP induction or expression/maintenance and emphasize further the nonselectivity of some metalloporphyrins.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1994

Dual role of calmodulin in autophosphorylation of multifunctional CaM kinase may underlie decoding of calcium signals.

Autophosphorylation of multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase makes it Ca2+ independent by trapping bound calmodulin and by enabling the kinase to remain partially active even after calmodulin dissociates. We show that autophosphorylation is an intersubunit reaction between neighbors in the multimeric kinase which requires two molecules of calmodulin. Ca2+/calmodulin acts not only to activate the "kinase" subunit but also to present effectively the "substrate" subunit for autophosphorylation. Conversion of the kinase to the potentiated or trapped state is a cooperative process that is inefficient at low occupancy of calmodulin. Simulations show that repetitive Ca2+ pulses at limiting calmodulin lead to the recruitment of calmodulin to the holoenzyme, which further stimulates autophosphorylation and trapping. This cooperative, positive feedback loop will potentiate the response of the kinase to sequential Ca2+ transients and establish a threshold frequency at which the enzyme becomes highly active.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Nitric oxide stimulates Ca(2+)-independent synaptic vesicle release.

A new fluorescence method using the dye FM1-43 was used to examine exocytotic release from hippocampal synaptosomes. Nitric oxide caused a marked transient stimulation of vesicle release. Several structurally unrelated nitric oxide donors, sodium nitroprusside, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine, and acidified sodium nitrite, were effective. Release stimulated by nitric oxide and KCl were comparable in time course, using both the fluorescence assay and [3H]L-glutamate to monitor neurotransmitter release. Activation of guanylyl cyclase was not responsible for nitric oxide-stimulated release. Unlike release stimulated by KCl or A23187, nitric oxide-stimulated release was found to be independent of a rise in intrasynaptosomal Ca2+. Indo-1/AM measurements indicated that nitric oxide actually decreased intracellular Ca2+, and the Ca2+ channel blocker Cd2+ did not affect nitric oxide-stimulated vesicle release. Nitric oxide does, however, appear to act on the Ca(2+)-sensitive pool of vesicles. Nitric oxide may be the first physiological mediator that induces vesicle exocytosis without raising Ca2+ and may provide an interesting new tool for the study of molecules involved in vesicle exocytosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Central and peripheral hemodynamic changes in fetuses with absent end-diastolic velocity in umbilical artery: correlation with computerized fetal heart rate pattern.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to study hemodynamic changes in peripheral and central blood vessels and to correlate these changes with the computerized fetal heart rate pattern in fetuses with absent end-diastolic velocity in the umbilical artery. STUDY DESIGN: Doppler studies of the umbilical artery, the middle cerebral artery, and aortic and pulmonic outflow, together with computerized fetal heart rate monitoring, were performed every 2 to 4 days until delivery in 13 fetuses with absent end-diastolic velocity in the umbilical artery. The pulsatility index was calculated from the flow velocity waveforms obtained from the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries. The velocity time integral (an index of cardiac output) and the heart rate were calculated from the flow velocity waveforms obtained from the aortic and pulmonic outflow. RESULTS: Two fetuses were delivered immediately after the first examination because of repetitive fetal heart rate decelerations. One fetus was excluded from the study because of major malformations. Ten had three to eight tests each. Six had a biphasic change of the middle cerebral artery, which consisted of a decrease (p < 0.001) followed by an increase in the pulsatility index (p < 0.05). When the middle cerebral artery lost its vasodilation, there was an increase in the middle cerebral artery/umbilical artery pulsatility index ratio (p < 0.05). Left cardiac output decreased (p < 0.05), resulting in an increase in the pulmonary/aortic velocity time integral x heart rate ratio (p < 0.05). Reduced fetal heart rate variation (< 30 msec) developed in all six fetuses, and they were delivered because of repetitive fetal heart rate decelerations. Four fetuses with only a decrease in the middle cerebral artery pulsatility index did not have reduced fetal heart rate variation or decelerations, the aortic velocity time integral x heart rate didn't decrease, and the pulmonic/aortic velocity time integral x heart rate ratio didn't increase. These fetuses were delivered for reasons other than fetal distress. The middle cerebral artery pulsatility index correlated with the aortic velocity time integral x heart rate (r = -0.53, p < 0.0001), and the middle cerebral artery/umbilical artery pulsatility index correlated with the pulmonic/aortic velocity time integral x heart rate (r = 0.56, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Abnormal fetal heart rate patterns occur in fetuses with absent end-diastolic velocity in the umbilical artery when the middle cerebral artery begins to lose its compensatory maximal dilation. The increase in the middle cerebral artery pulsatility index is associated with a significant reduction in left ventricular output without significant changes in right ventricular function. Thus it appears that a loss of autonomic reactivity occurs in the brain first and is followed within a few days by a similar response in the heart, as shown by the decreased fetal heart rate variation.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1994

Office Tubal Sterilization

We retrospectively studied 57 cases of laparoscopic bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) performed under local anesthesia at the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient center of Winthrop-University Hospital, between May 1987 and November 1992. The mean age of our patients was 34.3+10.22 years and the weight ranged between 48 to 109 kg. Contraindications included history of bleeding diathesis, severe cardiac disease, grand mal epilepsy, or unusually high anxiety level of the pt. All women were premedicated with Anaprox 500 mg po 30 minutes before the procedure. Local anesthesia was administered as follows: paracervical block; periumbilical and suprapubic injection with 1% lidocaine (10 ml); and intrauterine infusion of 4% lidocaine (5-6 ml). Insufflation of the peritoneal cavity was performed with 1 to 2 L nitrous oxide. We used a 7-mm clip applicator for the BTL. The mean operative time was 34.7 minutes. The reduction of cost compared with the same procedure performed under general anesthesia was 40%. No major complications or hospitalizations occurred. Eighty-five percent of the women expressed a high degree of satisfaction when questioned about the procedure. We conclude that office tubal sterilization under local anesthesia is safe and acceptable to both patients and physicians, offering reduced cost, elimination of general anesthesic complications, rapid recovery, and accommodation of patient preference and physician convenience.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Alternative splicing introduces a nuclear localization signal that targets multifunctional CaM kinase to the nucleus.

Intracellular targeting may enable protein kinases with broad substrate-specificities, such as multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) to achieve a selectivity of action in vivo. We have examined the intracellular targeting of three delta-CaM kinase isoforms. The delta B-CaM kinase isoform is targeted to the nucleus in transfected cells while the delta A- and delta C-CaM kinase isoforms are cytosolic/cytoskeletal. A chimeric construct of alpha-CaM kinase containing the delta B-CaM kinase variable domain is rerouted to the nucleus while the native alpha-CaM kinase and chimeras of alpha-CaM kinase which contain the delta A- or delta C-CaM kinase variable domains are retained in the cytoplasm. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we have defined a nuclear localization signal (NLS) within an 11-amino acid sequence, likely inserted by alternative splicing, in the variable domain of delta B-CaM kinase. Isoform-specific nuclear targeting of CaM kinase is probably a key mechanism in the selective regulation of nuclear functions by CaM kinase. CaM kinase is a multimer that can be composed of several isoforms. We find that when cells express two different isoforms of CaM kinase, cellular targeting is determined by the ratio of the isoforms. When an excess of the cytoplasmic isoform of CaM kinase is coexpressed along with the nuclear isoform, both isoforms are localized in the cytoplasm. Conversely an excess of the nuclear isoform can reroute the cytoplasmic isoform to the nucleus. The nuclear isoform likely coassembles with the cytosolic isoform, to form a heteromultimeric holoenzyme which is transported into the nucleus. These experiments demonstrate isoform-specific targeting of CaM kinase and indicate that such targeting can be modified by the expression of multiple isoforms of the enzyme.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1994

Localization of the CAMKG gene encoding gamma isoforms of multifunctional calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) to human chromosome 10 band q22 and mouse chromosome 14.

Multifunctional calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) is an enzyme mediating calcium-dependent signal transduction pathways. CaM kinase exists in a variety of isoforms, each with a distinct tissue-specific expression pattern, that enables the kinase to regulate multiple functions in mammalian systems. Here we report the chromosomal localization of the previously cloned human gamma-CaM kinase gene (CAMKG). By using a mapping panel of human x Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrid lines and fluorescence in situ hybridization, we have assigned human CAMKG to chromosome 10q22. We have partially cloned the murine gamma-CaM kinase gene and mapped it Camkg to mouse chromosome 14 by analyzing a panel of mouse x rodent somatic cell hybrid lines. A recessive gene, asa, implicated in the control of autoimmune response, is located within the predicted region for Camkg.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase mediates Ca(2+)-induced enhancement of the L-type Ca2+ current in rabbit ventricular myocytes.

The intracellular mechanism underlying the Ca(2+)-induced enhancement of the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) was examined in adult rabbit cardiac ventricular myocytes by using patch-clamp methodology. Internal Ca2+ was elevated by flash photolysis of the Ca2+ chelator Nitr 5, and intracellular Ca2+ levels were simultaneously monitored by Fluo 3 fluorescence. Flash photolysis of Nitr 5 produced a rapid (< 1-second) elevation of internal Ca2+, which led to enhancement (39% to 51% above control) of the peak inward Ca2+ current after a delay of 20 to 120 seconds. Internal dialysis of myocytes with synthetic inhibitory peptides derived from the pseudosubstrate (peptide 273-302) and calmodulin binding (peptide 291-317) regions within the regulatory domain of multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) blocked enhancement of ICa produced by elevation of internal Ca2+ but not that produced by beta-adrenergic stimulation. These inhibitory peptides also had no effect on the elevation of internal Ca2+ produced by flash photolysis of Nitr 5. A pseudosubstrate inhibitory peptide derived from protein kinase C had no significant effect on Ca(2+)-dependent enhancement of ICa. We conclude that CaM kinase mediates the Ca(2+)-induced enhancement of ICa in mammalian cardiac myocytes by a mechanism likely involving direct phosphorylation of the L-type Ca2+ channel complex or an associated regulatory protein.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1994

Fetal choroid plexus vascularization assessed by color flow ultrasonography.

We investigated the development of intracranial vascularization in the human fetus, with particular emphasis on the choroid plexus. The fetal brain was visualized in 102 patients with healthy pregnancies between 9 and 16 weeks' gestation. Imaging was done transvaginally except in the pregnancies of longer duration with unfavorable fetal positions. Color flow imaging was used to identify vessels in the cranium and within the choroid plexus. Pulsed Doppler signals were obtained from an internal carotid-middle cerebral artery and from a choroid plexus vessel. The pulsatility index was calculated from the Doppler spectral envelope. A major cerebral vessel could be seen at 9 weeks' gestation. Choroid plexus vessels were first seen at 10 weeks 3 days. Visualization rates ranged from 35 to 75% for plexus vessels, and 65 to 100% for cerebral vessels. Visualization of choroid plexus vessels was maximal at 13 weeks. The pulsatility index for the cerebral arteries at this gestational period averaged 2.6 +/- 0.6. The result for the choroid plexus was 1.66 +/- 0.5. (P < 0.001). Visualization of the vessels of the choroid plexus increases and decreases as the gland develops and shrinks. This developmental period also is the time of active neurogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Corpus luteum blood flow in normal and abnormal early pregnancy: evaluation with transvaginal color and pulsed Doppler sonography.

One hundred and thirteen (66.5%) women in this study had a normal intrauterine pregnancy with ages ranging 6 to 12 weeks of gestation. Fifty-seven (33.5%) patients were admitted to the hospital owing to clinically suspected abnormal early pregnancy. Dilatation and curettage were done on all women and tissue sample sent to the pathologist for a final diagnostic. Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was made on laparoscopy. Both ovaries were examined carefully by color Doppler in sonography in all patients. Color flow was used as a guide for pulsed Doppler exploration. Corpus luteum blood flow was defined as random, usually semilunar in appearance, dispersed vessels with very low impedance to blood flow. The resistive index and pulsatility index were calculated. Overall detection rate of corpus luteum blood flow in normal pregnancies was higher for the left ovary (62.6%) than for the right ovary (37.4%) (P < 0.01). The mean resistive and pulsatility indices from corpus luteum blood flow were not influenced by gestational age in normal pregnancy. The overall mean value for for resistive index was 0.452 +/- 0.04 and for pulsatility index 0.636 +/- 0.09. The overall detection rate of corpus luteum in abnormal pregnancies also was higher for the left ovary (56.7%) than for the right ovary (43.4%) (P < 0.01). The mean resistive indices from corpus luteum blood flow in patients with missed abortion was higher than in women with normal pregnancy (P < 0.01). Both resistive and pulsatility indices were higher in patients with incomplete or threatened abortion in comparison with normal pregnancy (P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was seen in the case of anembryonic, molar, or ectopic pregnancy.

Adult↗