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Biomedical subjects

J Ovadia

Publications and source records attributed to J Ovadia.

198 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Placental ultrasonographic biochemical and histochemical studies in human fetuses affected with Niemann-Pick disease type A.

Placental ultrasonographic, bio- and histochemical studies were performed on four unrelated fetuses affected with Niemann-Pick disease Type A, following prostaglandin-induced abortion at about the 19th week of gestation. An accumulation of sphingomyelin in the placentae of affected fetuses indicates the essential role of the enzyme sphingomyelinase, even during the early stages of gestation. A fair correlation between histochemical localization of sphingomyelin in the placentae and ultrasonographic findings was found, indicating the value of ultrasonic echo wave information in the diagnosis of metabolic disorders.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A shaping device for irregular electron fields for the Therac-20 accelerator.

A device for shaping electron fields from a Therac-20 accelerator is described. The considerable advantage of continuously variable field sizes is enhanced when the shaping device is placed on the lower trimmer bars of the shorter set of electron trimmers, which remain fully adjustable. Cerrobend blocks of 1-cm thickness are sufficient for a 5% attenuation level with 20-MeV electrons and large field sizes.

Electrons↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The neutron dose and energy spectrum outside a 20-MV accelerator treatment room.

A maze design is discussed for a Therac 20 linear accelerator (manufactured by Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd.) which reduces the flux of neutrons at the door to permissible levels in controlled areas. The L-shaped design allows for a relatively light door at the end of the maze, consisting of 5.08-cm (2-in.) borated polyethylene and 2-mm lead. A comparison is made between the neutron dose equivalent (DE) calculated by various methods and the DE measured with a variety of portable neutron survey meters. In addition, the neutron energy spectrum outside the maze at 1 m from the door, measured with a polyethylene multisphere LiI system, is reported.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunosuppressive activity in culture media containing human oocytes fertilized in vitro.

A possible cause for implantation failure following embryo transfer is the rejection of pre-embryos by the maternal immune system. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the rescue of the pre-embryo from maternal rejection, immunosuppressive activity was investigated in culture media containing human oocytes fertilized in vitro by employing the graft-versus-host reaction and the active rosette test. Normal donor lymphocytes were incubated with culture medium containing either fertilized or nonfertilized oocytes. Control experiments were carried out using lymphocytes incubated in culture medium only, as well as in culture medium containing human sperm. In 67% of the tests (12 out of 18), graft-versus-host reaction was inhibited, as compared to 29% of those performed with medium in which oocytes failed to fertilize (p less than .03), and 33% with medium in which only sperm was present. The frequency of an inhibitory active rosette test was similar in both groups. It is possible that immunosuppressive properties are acquired by the human pre-embryo as it grows in culture. Detection of such substances, which could contribute to the establishment of pregnancy, may improve monitoring of embryo quality prior to transfer.

Culture Media↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of different follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone ratios for ovulation induction during in vitro fertilization.

Five normally menstruating women were treated in an attempt to induce development of multiple follicles. They were randomly divided into two groups. The first group, consisting of three women, was treated with a combination of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) (combination FSH/hMG). The second group, two women, was treated with hMG only. Following a nonconceptual cycle, the treatments were exchanged. The increment patterns of serum estradiol during the follicular phase and progesterone levels in both groups were identical. Ultrasonographic scanning revealed similar number and size of the growing follicles, which subsequently terminated in the same oocyte recovery rate in both groups (7.6 +/- 3.4 oocytes/procedure in the combination FSH/hMG and 8.0 +/- 2.5 in the hMG-only group). Fertilization and cleavage rates were also similar. These data indicate that high FSH/LH levels in different ratios do not alter ovarian response and oocyte fertilization potential.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dynamic parameters of glycine metabolism in diabetic human pregnancy measured by [15N]glycine and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

This study presents kinetic parameters of glycine metabolism during pregnancy and the influence of fuel availability in the maternal compartment. The effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (diet treated) and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (diet and insulin treated), accompanied by increased fetal growth on [15N]glycine kinetic parameters, compared to normal pregnancies with normal fetal growth, has been determined. This process was measured by administration of a single-dose of [15N]glycine to post-absorptive normal and diabetic pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the 15N enrichment of plasma glycine, and to calculate the pool sizes, turnover rate constants, fluxes and metabolic clearance rates. Glycine pool sizes in pre-gestational diabetes were significantly larger than those in normal pregnancy and gestational diabetes. Glycine turnover rate constants and metabolic clearance rates were not significantly different between the normal pregnant women and the two diabetic groups of pregnant women. Glycine fluxes were significantly higher in the pre-gestational diabetic pregnant women than in gestational diabetes and normal pregnancy. The pre-gestational diabetic pregnant women delivered fetuses with higher birth weights than the other two groups.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of congenital anomalies and neonatal complications in the offspring of diabetic mothers in Israel.

The prevalence of diabetes in pregnancy and its fetal and perinatal consequences in a large population of Israeli pregnant women during the last decade are presented. The study population consisted of 878 gestational diabetic women, 132 pre-gestational diabetic women, and 380 healthy pregnant women who served as controls. Minor congenital anomalies ranging between 19.4 and 20.5%, major congenital anomalies between 1.80 and 6.82%, and neonatal complications, such as macrosomia (5.6-25.0%), hypoglycemia (0.9-7.8%), hyperbilirubinemia (8.2-16.7%), hypocalcemia (2.7-5.5%) and polycythemia (3.8-13.3%), were observed in the study population. Despite meticulous maternal glucose control, we could not entirely eliminate fetal and neonatal complications. The definition of the normal and abnormal fetal intrauterine metabolic environment remains to be elucidated.

Congenital Abnormalities↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The fetus of the diabetic mother: growth, malformations and methods of surveillance by ultrasonography--the Beilinson Medical Center experience.

Some important issues continue to plague the perinatologist caring for the pregnant diabetic. These issues deal principally with fetal surveillance to prevent macrosomia, idiopathic prematurity and multiple congenital anomalies. In this report particular emphasis is placed upon the role of transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasonography in monitoring fetal growth and in early detection of congenital anomalies. New modalities, such as Doppler flow measurements and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, are described in addition to our experience at the Beilinson Medical Center in monitoring diabetic pregnancies by these modalities.

Congenital Abnormalities↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hydralazine-induced hepatitis in pregnancy.

During 1983, 38 patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension were treated with hydralazine-apresoline (1-hydrazinophthalazine). During the course of their treatment, five of these patients showed evidence of the HELLP syndrome described by Weinstein (hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes). Evidence is presented on the role of hydralazine in producing hepatocellular damage. Liver function is compromised during the natural course of pregnancy-induced hypertension, and 5-10% of preeclamptic patients develop the HELLP syndrome. In many places hydralazine is the drug of choice in the treatment of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fetomaternal outcome in pregnancies after total correction of the tetralogy of Fallot.

Nine pregnancies in five women after total correction of the tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are reported. In four women, further corrective operations were necessary in order to achieve class I functional capacity. Our management of the patients during pregnancy, labor and puerperium is described, and some simple rules are stressed. We suggest that improved feto-maternal outcome, in our series, may be related to the recorrective surgery of residual defects after one stage total correction of TOF, as well as to close surveillance by monitoring of perinatal and hemodynamic aspects of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neonatal assessment of babies conceived by in vitro fertilization.

PROBLEM: Neonatal outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies has been described by different authors, but several issues have yet to be resolved. The aim of the present study was to evaluate neonates conceived in vitro and to direct special attention to neonatal morbidity and prevalence of minor abnormalities. The information that has been accumulated so far is scant. METHOD: The first 100 babies conceived in vitro, and subsequently born in our institute, were investigated and compared with the general, spontaneously conceived newborn population. All infants were examined by a senior neonatologist, and the data that were recorded included gestational age at delivery, birth weight, gender, major malformations, minor congenital abnormalities, neonatal mortality, and neonatal morbidity (including asphyxia, jaundice, meconium aspiration, hypoglycemia, and hypocalcemia). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that the IVF neonates assessed had a higher rate of low birth weight (37%), twinning (30%), and preterm birth (20%) in comparison with the general reference population (p < 0.05). However, no differences were encountered either in the rate of small for gestational age infants or the incidence of major malformations and minor abnormalities between these groups of newborns. The overall neonatal morbidity in IVF babies was found to exceed that of the general population. Nevertheless, at birth, there were no clinical pathognomonic signs typical of IVF babies, although more detailed metabolic, endocrine, and neurobehavioral studies are still required to confirm that newborns conceived in vitro do not differ from those conceived spontaneously in any of these respects.

Female↗