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Biomedical subjects

K Benirschke

Publications and source records attributed to K Benirschke.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
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Congenital tracheal stenosis with associated cardiopulmonary anomalies: report of two cases with a review of the literature.

We present two infants with congenital tracheal stenosis with complete tracheal rings. Both had associated congenital anomalies. The first case showed cardiac malformations, and the second case had agenesis of the right lung. We review the literature, in particular with reference to tracheal stenosis and pulmonary agenesis. We also propose that the constellation of anomalies may result from defects in the cervical mesenchyme and, as such, may represent one end of a spectrum of cervical mesenchymal field defects.

Coronary Vessel Anomalies↗
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Morbidity, mortality, and placental pathology in excessively long umbilical cords: retrospective study.

The purpose of this study was to compare specific fetal, maternal, and placental factors, including neonatal morbidity and mortality, in infants with umbilical cords (UCs) of normal length to the same factors in infants with excessively long umbilical cords (ELUCs). We performed an 18-year retrospective chart review of the medical records of mothers and infants with ELUCs (926 cases) and normal-length UCs (200 cases) and recorded maternal factors, fetal factors, and neonatal outcomes. Corresponding placental pathologic reports and slides were reviewed. Statistical analysis comparing the two groups included univariate and multivariate analyses. ELUCs were significantly associated with certain maternal factors (systemic diseases, delivery complications, increased maternal age), fetal factors (non-reassuring fetal status, respiratory distress, vertex presentation, cord entanglement, fetal anomalies, male sex, increased birth weight), gross placental features (increased placental weight, right-twisted cords, markedly twisted cords, true knots, congestion), and microscopic placental features (nucleated red blood cells, chorangiosis, vascular thrombi, vascular cushions, meconium, increased syncytial knots, single umbilical artery). Some of these histopathologic features have previously been associated with fetal hypoxia and/or altered blood flow in the placenta. Infants with ELUCs were found to be at a significantly increased risk of brain imaging abnormalities and/or abnormal neurological follow-up. In addition, mothers with a history of an ELUC are at increased risk of a second long cord.

Adult↗
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Partial molar transformation of the placenta of presumably monozygotic twins.

A pregnancy with one normal female fetus and a placenta that was divided into halves, one normal the other molar, is described. Genetic analysis shows the molar component to be hyperdiploid/tetraploid but having an identical DNA composition as the normal twin. Because there was no trophoblastic proliferation and the hyperdiploid cells were confined to the villous stroma, and because the molar component was still being perfused by diploid vessels from the normal twin, we believe the mole is derived from polyploidization of the mesenchymal epiblast in a monozygotic twin pregnancy.

Adult↗
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Recent trends in chorangiomas, especially those of multiple and recurrent chorangiomas.

The nomenclature and occurrence of chorangioma of the placenta are reviewed here. Recurrence of multiple chorangiomas has been described, but it is apparently an uncommon or underreported event. There is a strong relationship between placental chorangiomas and gestation at high altitude, suggesting the occurrence of vascular growth factors induced by hypoxia. Fluid transitions may exist between chorangioma, chorangiomatosis, and chorangiosis, although the latter is common in diabetic pregnancies, whereas chorangiomas are not so correlated.

Altitude↗
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Fetal obstructive uropathy: patterns of renal pathology.

Fetal obstructive uropathy (FOU) is characterized by obstruction of the urethra, renal anomalies, ureterovesical dilatation, oligohydramnios, cryptorchidism, and abdominal muscle wall changes. The main objective of the present study was to better understand the relationship between FOU and renal pathology using a series of 15 male autopsy cases. A total of 11 cases with patent anus and 4 with imperforate anus were analyzed. Of the first group, most cases showed obstruction at the level of prostatic urethra. Seven cases showed obstruction at the level of the prostatic urethra and histologic study revealed scarring and partial or complete absence of the prostate, while in the remaining four cases the prostate was present. Of the cases with imperforate anus, two showed obstruction at the level of prostatic urethra, one showed posterior urethral valves, and one was obstructed at the proximal urethra. In all cases the kidneys showed mixed (dysplastic and cystic) changes with no significant differences between the two groups. An inverse correlation was observed between degree of renal dysplasia and gestational age, whereas the opposite was true for cystic changes. Distal and collecting tubules were more intensely immunoreactive to the anti-cytokeratin antibody when compared to proximal tubules. Moreover, anti-cytokeratin immunoreactivity was more prominent in tubules displaying cystic dilatation. DNA fragmentation analysis of renal tissue revealed a higher apoptosis of mesenchymal and tubular cells in the FOU cases, compared to gestational aged-matched controls. These results suggest that renal anomalies in FOU might be related to the gestational age at which the injury occurred and to the duration of the obstruction.

Apoptosis↗
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Demonstration of immunoreactive eosinophil granule major basic protein in the plasma and placentae of non-human primates.

A protein immunologically identical to the major basic protein (MBP) of eosinophil granules is present in the plasma of pregnant women and has been localized to human placental X cells using immunofluorescence. This study demonstrates the presence of similar immunoreactive molecules in the placental X cells from several non-human primates. We also describe the presence of increased plasma levels of MBP in the pregnant gorilla and in pregnant cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys as compared to non-pregnant counterparts. Such findings suggest that non-human primates are a suitable animal model for the study of the X cell function and in particular the physiological importance of MBP in pregnancy.

Animals↗
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Villitis of known origin: varicella and toxoplasma.

Chronic villitis is a common condition in human placentae. In some cases an infectious cause can be demonstrated, such as infection with cytomegalovirus and rubella virus. Most often it is of unknown aetiology, the so-called VUE (villitis of unknown aetiology). We describe two cases with identification of specific infectious agents, each demonstrating previously unreported findings, i.e. persistent varicella antigen in the villi in case 1, and presence of toxoplasma cysts in Wharton's jelly in case 2. The identification of the pathogens, varicella virus and toxoplasma, would easily have been overlooked in routine study of the placenta and were possible because of clinical suspicion.

Adult↗
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Mammalian cytogenetics and conservation of species.

The proposition is examined that cytogenetic studies are needed in the conservation of wild captive animals. Several cases of polymorphic species have hybridized to produce infertile offspring. In several gazelle species, this accidental hybridization among look-alike animals has led to the extinction of zoo populations. The suggestion that this is always the result of inbreeding is thus erroneous. Cytogenetic study is also needed in animals that are destined for reintroduction, as accidental release of chromosomally different species is counterproductive to the reestablishment of wild stock. Several examples of mammalian species that have flourished from an extremely small founder stock are here examined to draw attention to the possibility that "inbreeding" is not invariably disadvantageous. The karyotypes of two hybridizing Kobus species with divergent chromosomal numbers are described.

Animals↗