Biomedical subjects

J Ackerman

Publications and source records attributed to J Ackerman.

39 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Histological and ultrastructural features of atherosclerosis in progeria.

This histological and ultrastructural study of a limited amount of vascular tissue from a progeric woman of 20 years who died of traumatic subdural hemorrhage supports the belief that the vascular changes are atherosclerotic. The unusual features observed were collagen fibrils with a relatively small diameter in the atherosclerotic intima and media, extensive loss of mural smooth muscle cells particularly in the aorta, and widespread contraction bands in smooth muscle cells in vascular and nonvascular tissues. Smooth muscle cells appear to be unusually susceptible to hemodynamic and ischemic stress. Further autopsy studies are required to elucidate the etiology and pathogenesis of this unique disease.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

In utero diagnosis of trichothiodystrophy by endoscopically-guided fetal eyebrow biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prenatal diagnosis of trichothiodystrophy (TTD) through endoscopically-guided fetal eyebrow biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 32-year-old patient, gravida 4, para 3, with a history of 2 previous infants affected with TTD was referred at 17(5)/(7) weeks for fetal hair biopsy. DNA repair studies had been normal in the previous children. Four 1-mm biopsies were obtained from the external aspect of the fetal eyebrows under direct endoscopic guidance. Fetal hair samples were assessed with polarized microscopy, electron microscopy, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and were also sent for analysis of sulfur content (cystine levels). RESULTS: The fetal eyebrows were the only adequate source of hair in the early second trimester. The biopsy samples yielded adequate material for all tests. Polarized microscopy showed characteristic banding patterns, but trichoschisis was not apparent. Cystine levels (19 micromol/l) in the biopsy sample were significantly lower than an age-matched (fresh spontaneous abortion) control (368 micromol/l). CONCLUSION: Prenatal diagnosis of TTD is possible in the second trimester through endoscopically-guided eyebrow biopsy. An adequate amount of hair is present in the eyebrows by then, and the disease is already manifest. Analysis of sulfur content of the hair samples is preferred over polarized or electron microscopy, as many classic microscopic findings of TTD may not be present in the early second trimester.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Malignancy metastatic to the products of conception: a case report with literature review.

Breast cancer is rare in adolescent females. Breast cancer metastatic to the products of conception is equally uncommon. We describe a 15-year-old girl who at 30 weeks of gestation was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma of probable breast origin. The placenta showed extensive intervillous disease. Metastatic disease within the intervillous space indicates hematogenous dissemination of cancer and a poor prognosis for the mother. The infant is almost always free of maternal disease unless there is villous invasion. Hormonal changes or immunotolerance by the mother may be involved in the pathogenesis. All placentas in which maternal malignancy is known or suspected should be examined grossly and microscopically.

Adenocarcinoma↗