[Place for algorithms in the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia of gynecologic origin in everyday practice].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Algorithms↗
Biomedical subjects
I Popov
Publications and source records attributed to I Popov.
[Role of antiphospholipid antibodies in 147 patients with spontaneous abortions and stillbirths: a retrospective and prospective analysis].
UNLABELLED: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are a family of autoantibodies including lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), and ect. That appear to react with negatively charged phospholipids. These antibodies induce thrombosis and pregnancy complications including recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), recurrent stillbirth (SB), preeclampsia and intra-uterine growth retardation, although their exact pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and the role of a aPL women with a history of RSA and SB due to positive aPL. The study included 147 women with a history of RSA and 48 women with a history of SB and to investigate the histological changes in the heams and stillborn fetuses in aCL positive women. We established that: 1, aCL were significantly increased in 62.2% (n = 92) in women with history of RSA and in 71% (n = 34) in women with history of SB; 2. aTr antibodies were positive in 22.7% (n = 5) in women with history of SB; 3. Tr activation status was increased in 77.3% (n = 17) in women with history of SB. CONCLUSION: The investigation of aPL in women with history of RSA and SB provides new insights into the disease and offers promise for prophylaxis and treatment in subsequent pregnancies.
Abortion, Habitual↗
Diagnostic challenge of abdominal pain in late pregnancy--a case of adnexal torsion.
Clinical evaluation of pregnant patients with abdominal pain can be confusing, because the examination is usually hampered by the anatomical displacement of abdominal organs by the gravid uterus, and difficulty in localisation of pain. Delayed surgical intervention could result in increased maternal morbidity and poor fetal outcome. We report on a case of recurring acute abdominal pain in pregnancy, which led to diagnostic difficulties and resulted in a diagnostic laparotomy and caesarean delivery.
Abdomen, Acute↗
[The impact of some factors on obstetrical management in women with previous cesarean section].
Considering obstetrical management we should have always in mind advantages and disadvantages of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and elective cesarean section after a previous one, financial part of the elected mode of delivery in the particular case, psychological aspect of the matter (especially after an unsuccessful trial of labour--TOL) and not on the last position-patient's right to choose the way how to deliver. We performed an inquiry of 3-year-period and 50 women with a prior cesarean section, by which we studied the factors contributed in different extent to the choice of the following approach to delivery: patient's preliminary choice, the impact of medical staff during pregnancy and when entering the Department of Obstetrics, the impact of non-medical persons, complications after the previous cesarean section, patient's acquaintance with complications and consequences associated with the operative mode of delivery, as well as doctor's personal attitude to the different modes of delivery. The aim of our research is to show that by careful selection (according to the established indices) of women, who have a high probability (more than 80%) to deliver their babies vaginally and offering adequate information by educational literature and including the woman in the decision making process, the growing rate of cesarean section will be decreased by increasing the number of VBAC--undoubtedly one of the most important issue in modern obstetrics.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
[Effect of some factors on obstetrical care of women with previous cesarean section].
Considering obstetrical management we should have always in mind advantages and disadvantages of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and elective cesarean section after a previous one, financial part of the elected mode of delivery in the particular case, psychological aspect of the matter (especially after an unsuccessful trial of labour--TOL) and not on the last position-patient's right to choose the way how to deliver. We performed an inquiry of 3-year-period and 50 women with a prior cesarean section, by which we studied the factors contributed in different extent to the choice of the following approach to delivery: patient's preliminary choice, the impact of medical staff during pregnancy and when entering the Department of Obstetrics, the impact of non-medical persons, complications after the previous cesarean section, patient's acquaintance with complications and consequences associated with the operative mode of delivery, as well as doctor's personal attitude to the different modes of delivery. The aim of our research is to show that by careful selection (according to the established indices) of women, who have a high probability (more than 80%) to deliver their babies vaginally and offering adequate information by educational literature and including the woman in the decision making process, the patient resistance to vaginal delivery will be reduced. In this way, the growing rate of cesarean section will be decreased by increasing the number of VBAC--undoubtedly one of the most important issue in modern obstetrics.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
The effect of an anti-HLA-B27 immune response on CTL recognition of Chlamydia.
The interplay between triggering bacteria and HLA-B27 in the pathogenesis of the spondyloarthropathies remains one of the most active areas of investigation in the rheumatic diseases. This has proved difficult to study systematically in the clinical setting, and in this study we utilized a rat model to address the influence that B27-related immunity may have on the process of generating anti-Chlamydia immunity. When splenocytes from HLA-B27 DNA-immunized Lewis (LEW) animals received restimulation in vitro with Chlamydia-treated cells from B27-transgenic LEW rats, we observed that in addition to the expected CTL recognition of HLA-B27, there was also anti-Chlamydia CTL killing of Chlamydia-sensitized syngeneic fibroblast targets. This was not seen when responding cells in vitro were naive LEW splenocytes. To confirm the existence of CTLs recognizing both HLA-B27 and Chlamydia, LEW rats were immunized with B27-transgenic LEW cells, instead of the B27 DNA construct. Splenocytes from the immune rats were restimulated in vitro with Chlamydia-treated B27-transgenic LEW cells. In this instance, the CTLs retained the allele-specific recognition of HLA-B27, as well as recognition of Chlamydia-sensitized syngeneic fibroblasts. Thus, if there is prior expansion of an immune response against HLA-B27, then the resulting splenocytes demonstrate a reduced threshold for generating a primary anti-Chlamydia CTL response. These studies implicate a dynamic interrelationship between recognition of HLA-B27 and Chlamydia trachomatis. The results may have implications for deciphering the cellular basis of Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis.
Animals↗
Amsacrine and cisplatin in poor prognosis patients with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium: a phase-II study.
OBJECTIVES: Amsacrine, as a single agent, was reported to be effective in patients with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Amsacrine is also associated with a lower toxicity than cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and cisplatin therapy and has similar activity. But amsacrine has been forgotten in clinical studies of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. The aim of present study was to investigate the toxicity and efficacy of amsacrine and cisplatin in chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. METHODS: We have treated 54 patients (41 males/13 females) with a median age of 62 (38-72) years. Performance status was 0/2, I/27 II/17 and III/8. The treatment included: amsacrine 85 mg/ m(2), days 1-2, and cisplatin 30 mg/m(2), days 2-5. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. We applied 169 cycles (median 3/patient). Of 54 patients, 39 had previous surgery and 12 had previous radiotherapy. Histological tumor grade was I/7, II/27 and III/20. RESULTS: 51 patients were evaluable for response (3 patients refused further treatment during the first cycle): 2 complete remission (4%); 15 partial remission (29%); 23 stable disease (45%), and 11 progressive disease (22%). The response rate was 33% (95% CI 21-46). On an intent-to-treat basis the response was 32% (95% CI 19-44). Durations of complete and partial responses were 14 (range 12-16) and 6.5 (range 3-11) months, respectively. Median survival was 9 (range 3-21) months. All patients were evaluable for toxicity. Grades III-IV toxicity was as follows: anemia 11%; neutropenia 37%, and thrombocytopenia 20%. None of the patients was excluded from the study because of toxicity. CONCLUSION: The combination of amsacrine and cisplatin is a regimen with mild and manageable toxicity. The present regimen seems to be active. Randomized study of the present regimen versus another low-toxicity regimens are necessary, especially for poor prognosis patients including those with a low performance status.
Adult↗
Tumor 'flare' hypercalcemia--an additional indication for bisphosphonates?
The most serious, potentially life-threatening manifestation of 'flare' is hypercalcemia, registered in 4-5% of breast cancer patients with bone metastases, usually during the first few weeks of tamoxifen treatment. There are no specific treatment recommendations for flare hypercalcemia, except tamoxifen withdrawal. There are no reports on the use of bisphosphonates in the treatment of flare hypercalcemia. Among 87 hypercalcemic patients with metastatic breast cancer observed during a 7-year period, 10 patients had tamoxifen-induced hypercalcemia. Diagnosis of flare hypercalcemia was based on the normal pretreatment values of serum calcium and the development of hypercalcemia within a maximum of 6 weeks of hormonal drug initiation. The median time from hormonal drug initiation to flare hypercalcemia was 14 days, the median duration 8.5 days, and the median calcium level was 3.09 mmol/l (range 2.79-4.46 mmol/l). All patients were treated with hydration, and 7 patients with calcium levels above 3.0 mmol/l were also treated with disodium pamidronate in various single doses (30-90 mg/24 h). Normocalcemia was achieved in all patients, and tamoxifen was continued without relapse of hypercalcemia. Median survival was 177 days (range 12-570 days). It seems that the use of bisphosphonates in the treatment of flare hypercalcemia could allow safe readministration of tamoxifen and prevent premature and unjustified tamoxifen discontinuation. Flare hypercalcemia might represent one more indication for the use of bisphosphonates.
Adult↗
Photochemiluminescent detection of antiradical activity. V. Application in combination with the hydrogen peroxide-initiated chemiluminescence of blood plasma proteins to evaluate antioxidant homeostasis in humans.
Disturbance of the steady state between pro- and antioxidants in tissues is an important aetiopathogenetic factor. Two method--(i) photosensitized chemiluminescence for detection of antiradical activity and (ii) hydrogen peroxide-initiated chemiluminescence of plasma proteins (CLP) and erythrocytes (CLE)--were tested in 136 healthy donors and 82 patients with untreated breast tumours for their applicability to detecting disturbances in antioxidant homeostasis in humans. The total antiradical capacity of water-soluble substances (ACW) and its urate-independent proportion (ACU) were lower (P <0.05) and CLP higher (P <0.001) in smokers in comparison to non-smokers. A significant negative correlation was found between the content of ascorbate in plasma and the intensity of CLP: r = -0.39, P <0.001. A significant reduction in ACU and increased values of CLP and CLE were seen according to the stage of disease in breast cancer patients. On the basis of these observations and model experiments we suggest that hydrogen peroxide-initiated chemiluminescence can serve as a parameter of oxidative modification of blood components and, in combination with the antioxidant parameters, can be used to describe the antioxidant homeostasis in humans and possibly to have value as a predictor of disease states.
Adult↗
Vinblastin-carboplatin for metastatic cutaneous melanoma as first-line chemotherapy and in dacarbazine failures: a single-center study.
First-line treatments of metastatic melanoma are usually decarbazine (DTIC) and/or alpha-interferon based, with response rates in the range of at most 20-30%. In this study, initiated, in fact, by a temporary DTIC shortage in the country, we have assessed the efficacy and toxicity of a vinblastine-carboplatin regimen for metastatic melanoma. The regimen was subsequently applied in two cohorts of patients: a chemotherapy-naive one and in DTIC failures (because the regimen was claimed non-cross-resistant). The regimen contained 6 mg/m2 vinblastine on d 1 and 450 mg/m2 carboplatin on d 1 for 3 wk. In the chemotherapy-naïve cohort, 50 patients were included, 29 males and 21 females, median age 54 yr (range: 33-68), performance status 0+1 for 26 patients and 2+3 for 24 patients. Forty-eight patients were evaluable for activity. The response was the following: complete response (CR), 1/48 (2%); partial response (PR), 13/48 (27%); stable disease (SD), 20/48 (42%); progressive disease (PD), 14/48 (29%). The overall response rate was 14/48 (29%). The median response duration was 7 mo (range: 3-14); the median time to progression was 4 mo (range: 2-14). Toxicity included granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia grade IV in 3/50 patients and nausea grade II in 8/50 patients. In the DTIC-failures cohort, 58 patients were included, 38 males and 20 females, median age 51 yr (range: 20-65), performance status 0+1 for 25 patients and 2+3 for 33 patients. All 58 patients were evaluable for activity. The response was the following: CR 3/58 (5%), PR 4/58 (7%), SD 10/58 (17%), PD 41/58 (71%). The overall response rate was 7/58 (12%). The median response duration was 11 mo (range: 3-24); the median time to progression was 4 mo (range: 2-24). Toxicities included granulocytopenia grade IV in 4/58 patients and nausea grade II in 4/58 patients. Thus, despite the fact that the regimen achieved a response rate comparable to DTIC in a first-line setting, the lack of cross-resistance did not prevent it from being of limited activity in DTIC failures, although, even in this group, several long-lasting responses and stabilizations were noted.
Adult↗
Eight-hour infusion versus bolus injection of doxorubicin in the EAP regimen in patients with advanced gastric cancer: a prospective randomised trial.
BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (40 mg/m2/cycle), etoposide (360 mg/m2/cycle) and cisplatin (80 mg/m2/cycle) comprise an efficient regimen in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). However, its excessive hematological toxicity led doctors to avoid using the combination. Doxorubicin is the main cause of myelotoxicity in the EAP regimen. The aim of this study was to compare an eight-hour infusion of doxorubicin (arm A) with intravenous injection of doxorubicin (arm B) in the EAP regimen with respect to toxicity, objective responses, time to progression (TTP) and survival in patients with AGC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One-hundred twenty chemotherapy-naïve patients with measurable AGC were randomised between September 1994 and August 1998. Sixty patients in arm A and sixty patients in arm B were considered as fully evaluable. The arms were well balanced for age, sex distribution, previous therapy, histological grade and performance status. One-hundred eighty cycles were applied in arm A (median 2) and 201 in arm B (median 4). RESULTS: No difference was detected (P = 0.28) in the response rate of arm A 20% (CR 3; PR 9; 95% CI: 10-30) and B 28% (CR 3; PR 14; 95% CI: 17-40). But there was a significant difference in PD (P = 0.005) between arm A (51%) and arm B (36%). TTP (P = 0.01) and survival (P = 0.02) analyses detected an advantage for arm B vs. arm A. Grades 3-4 toxicity were as follows (arms A%/B%): anemia 8/10, leukopenia 24/26, thrombocytopenia 6/16 (significance, P = 0.05), nausea/vomiting 5/8, diarrhea 6/2, mucositis 8/5. Apart from the trombocytopenia, there was no significant difference in toxicity grades 3-4 between the two arms. Four treatment-related deaths occurred, two in each arm. CONCLUSIONS: Bolus injection of doxorubicin is superior to eight-hour doxorubicin infusion in the EAP regimen in terms of survival, TTP and PD without being significantly more toxic.
Adult↗
Colorectal cancer: dilemmas regarding patient selection and toxicity prediction.
Irinotecan (Campto, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer) is probably the most studied drug used as second-line treatment for colorectal cancer. Its main disadvantages are toxicity and cost. Delayed diarrhea and neutropenia are the most common toxic side effects, both of which can usually be predicted, by knowing the criteria for patients who are at increased risk for those side effects. These criteria include poor performance status (>2), bulky disease, previous abdominal-pelvic irradiation, hyperleukocytosis and increased bilirubin >1.5 x normal upper range. There are some other less common toxic effects of irinotecan, such as pneumonitis, cardiac arrhythmia, paralytic ileus, liver dysfunction, tumor lysis syndrome. While these side effects are very rare, physicians should be able to recognize them, because the number of patients being treated with irinotecan is increasing. The authors report four cases of probable irinotecan-related toxicity with fatal outcome in all 4 patients. Two of these 4 patients were not in the known risk categories for irinotecan toxicity. One patient died with signs of hepato-renal syndrome, the other with signs of rapid tumor lysis-like syndrome. Two other patients with bulky disease and performance status 2, had increased urea, creatinine and bilirubin serum levels after irinotecan administration, that could not be explained as manifestation of disease progression only. Data on all uncommon irinotecan toxic effects should be gathered and analyzed so that toxic effects, other than diarrhea and neutropenia, are better defined and predicted.
Adult↗
[Disorders in sexual function after hysterectomy].
The authors studied 120 women with hysterectomy, divided into 4 groups according to the volume of the surgical intervention (with preserved or removed cervix uteri and with preserved or eliminated ovaria). In the groups do not enter hysterectomies of oncological diseases and of patients with vaginal hysterectomy. The authors found a disturbed sexual function. Towards the different biological problems exist and a psychological one, the stress and the inhibited self-esteem from the loss of the important for the woman's functioning organs. In a small part of the operated patients was observed an increased sexual activity, as a psychological compensation of the inferiority feeling.
Adnexa Uteri↗
Antioxidative homeostasis: characterization by means of chemiluminescent technique.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
The role of stable disease in objective response assessment and its impact on survival in advanced colorectal cancer: is "stable disease" a homogenous response category?
Stable disease is a category which is not included in the evaluation of the overall treatment response rate. In many studies with a response rate below 20%, chemotherapy almost doubles the survival of patients. In the most chemotherapy trials with advanced colorectal cancer patients, about 30-50% had stable disease. Despite belonging to the same category of therapy response, some patients with stable disease have achieved symptom improvement, but some have not. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the stabilization of the disease with clinical benefit is associated with benefit in survival. A total of 99 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with carboplatin (80 mg/m2, day 1-7), 5-FU (750 mg/m2, day 1-5), leucovorin (100 mg/m2, day 1-5) every 4 weeks. After 4 courses, in the case of stable disease (SD), the patients were stratified according to clinical benefit achievement in: Group A--patients with clinical benefit who continued with chemotherapy until 8 cycles or until disease progression; group B--patients without clinical benefit in whom chemotherapy was stopped after 4 cycles. Clinical benefit was a composite of assessment of pain, ECOG performance status, weight and temperature. Clinical benefit required a sustained improvement in at least one parameter without worsening in any other. Of 97 evaluable patients 48 achieved stable disease. Of 22 pts. with SD clinical benefit performance status improvement was recorded in 17, pain relief in 14, improvement in body weight in 14 and temperature disappearance in 8 pts. Of 26 pts. with SD without clinical benefit, 7 were asymptomatic from beginning of the chemotherapy. No difference was detected in the survival between responders and SD clinical benefit pts. (p = 0.24), but there was significant difference between responders and SD pts. without clinical benefit (p = 0.0004). SD clinical benefit pts. had significant difference in survival in comparison to pts. with progressive disease (p = 5.1 x 10(-6)). The results of our study indicate that under category "stable disease" there are two different subpopulations of patients with quite different symptom response to chemotherapy, different time to progression and possible different survival.
Adenocarcinoma↗
[Sex behavior and contraception among the population of Romany origin].
The modern and reliable methods for contraception are not sufficiently used in our country, especially among the Gypsy population, where the abortions and the births are relatively higher. Through a standardised interview information about the fertility and the familial status of the Gypsy population of Sofia, Pleven [correction of Eleven] and Sliven regions was gathered. The aim of the study is analysis of the sexual behaviour of the population in the given regions and the need of adequate contraception avoidance of unwanted gravidity. The results show that only 12% of the population know how to protect themselves of sexually transmitted diseases, 55% of the women have not knowledge about their own gravidity, 57.3% of them give birth of their first child at the age of 15-17, 78.1% do not use contraceptive means and 3.6% use harmful "protective" methods.
Adolescent↗
[Myasthenia and pregnancy].
The myasthenia is a neurological autoimmune disease affecting women in reproductive age. The combination of myasthenia and gravidity has two important aspects; reflection of gravidity on the neurological illness and the influence of the myasthenia on the course of the gravidity and the delivery. The authors present one case of myasthenia and gravidity and offer some practical advises: 1. narrow collaboration between the patient and the different specialists. 2. good information about the myasthenia evolution during the gravidity. 3. adequate therapeutic approach to the given case.
Adult↗
[Diagnostic ultrasound and the intrauterine pessary].
The aim of the authors is an analysis of the results in application of ultrasound technique in patients with intrauterine device (IUD). Using the ultrasound criteria for a correct and incorrect position of IUD, the criteria for an elevated risk for expulsion and contraindications for IUD application, the authors have used ultrasound technique for diagnosis in 65 patients with IUD. The causes for the "wrong" diagnosis were discussed: imperfection of the apparatuses, non-observance of the conditions for ultrasound examinations and lack of experience. Practical conclusions and recommendations for an increase of the effectively of this seemingly easy method for diagnosis and follow-up of the IUD were made.
Diagnostic Errors↗