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Biomedical subjects

K Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to K Thomas.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Fimbrial ciliated cells percentage and epithelial height during and after salpingitis.

Microbiopsies of 191 fimbriae were obtained from 146 patients undergoing laparotomy for acute salpingitis, or tubal surgery after salpingitis. The biopsies were classified in four groups according to the diagnosis at laparotomy: salpingitis, distal occlusion, peritubal adhesions or tuberculosis. The biopsies belonging to the group of distal occlusion were further classified in four sub-groups according to the extent of the lesions observed during the hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy. Since the crucial role of the ciliated epithelium in the ovum transport has been established, the percentage of ciliated cells and the epithelial height were determined in the groups and compared to those observed in fimbriae obtained from fertile women during an ovulatory cycle. Significant differences were noted in all groups when compared to fertile women. Acute salpingitis provoked a rapid and severe deciliation which recovered 3 months after triantibiotherapy. In the groups of distal occlusion, there was a significant correlation between the rate of deciliation and the extent of lesions. This suggests that deciliation of tubal epithelium is a sequela of salpingitis and that the extent of disease allows a prognosis of the percentage of ciliated cells.

Biopsy↗

Tubal polyps, epithelial inclusions, and endometriosis after tubal sterilization.

Histologic findings in 133 previously ligated fallopian tubes of women who underwent subsequent hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy were compared with those of 50 normal fallopian tubes and related to four surgical procedures for sterilization. Dilatation of proximal tubal lumen, flattening of the folds, polyps, and increase of mitotic activity of the epithelium was subsequent to tubal occlusion in any case, regardless of the type of sterilization. After sterilization by ring, ligation, and coagulation, the incidence of epithelial inclusions was significantly different from that observed after sterilization by clips. Focal endometriosis was only found after tubal ligation and coagulation. It is suggested that epithelial inclusions were the result of surviving fragments of tubal epithelium translocated in the tubal wall during the procedure, and that endometriosis was caused by implantation of expelled menstrual products through the open lumen into the healed ligation area.

Endometriosis↗

Immunoreactive relaxin surge in the peritoneal fluid of women during the midluteal phase.

Relaxin was assayed in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of 176 women with normal ovulatory cycles. Validation of the assay in this fluid was carefully established. Relaxin was rarely detected before day 20 of the cycle. From days 21 to 24, all samples contained detectable concentrations of the peptide, ranging between 75 and 775 pg/ml. Apparition of relaxin in the PF was not directly related to the ovulatory follicular rupture. It was also delayed, compared with the postovulatory rise of plasma and peritoneal progesterone. Relaxin is thus present in the PF only during the period propitious to human embryo implantation.

Body Fluids↗

Ritodrine serum levels: influence of dose and route of administration.

Serum levels of ritodrine were measured by radio-immunoassay both after single and during chronic administration. In 50 non-pregnant women, the maximum ritodrine levels found after a single dose of 10 mg p.o. were 7.4 +/- 4.7 (ng/ml, +/- SD, n = 10); after 20 mg p.o.: 23.8 +/- 5; after 10 mg i.m.: 30.7 +/- 8.2; after 9.3 mg i.v.: 34.7 +/- 5.5; and after 18 mg i.v.: 75.1 +/- 20.7. Ritodrine determinations during chronic intravenous infusion in 116 pregnant women, at one of the seven infusion rates, showed that the serum steady-state ritodrine levels were proportional to the infusion rates below 400 micrograms/min; above that rate the ritodrine levels flattened out. In 91 pregnant women the ritodrine serum levels were measured at one of a number of different time intervals during chronic oral administration of 5 mg (n = 52) or 10 mg (n = 39) every 4 h. During the chronic oral administration of 10 mg every 4 h, the mean ritodrine levels ranged between 14.3 ng/ml at the peak and 4.6 ng/ml just prior to the subsequent dose. For rapid and controlled tocolysis, intravenous infusion is the most appropriate method; intramuscular administration has no obvious advantage. In this respect, a daily dose of 60 mg, 6 X 10 mg, administered by oral route is probably too low; moreover, the bioavailability of the drug by this route was quite different in two volunteers. Although the absolute bioavailability of the drug was estimated in only a small group of volunteers, consistent results (around 40%) were obtained with the 20-mg oral formulation.

Administration, Oral↗

Ultrasonic measurement of aortic and umbilical blood flow in the human fetus.

The study reports blood velocity and blood flow in the descending aorta and the umbilical vein of 20 normal human fetuses by application of combined B-mode ultrasound and pulsed Doppler technique. All pregnancies and newborns were clinically normal. The echographic examination was performed between 37 and 40 weeks' gestation by an ADR real-time linear scanner 2130 coupled with the Kranzb uhler pulsed Doppler system 8105. The diameter of the vessels was measured by B-mode echogram, and the Doppler beam was directed to form an incident angle between 30 and 65 degrees with the axis of the vessel. The Doppler shift frequency was measured electronically with a spectrum analyzer 8106. Fetal blood velocity waveforms were calculated following the Doppler equation. In the descending aorta, the calculated velocity was 27.7 +/- 6.7 cm/second (mean +/- SD) and the blood flow was 679 +/- 106 ml/minute or 216 ml/kg/minute. In the umbilical vein, the same parameters were 18.3 +/- 4.0 cm/second, 366 +/- 65 ml/minute, and 117 +/- 16 ml/kg/minute, respectively. The average umbilical flow: aortic flow ratio was 0.54 +/- 0.07.

Adult↗

Immune deficiency syndrome in children.

The present epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was originally described in homosexual men and subsequently in intravenous drug abusers, Haitians, and hemophiliacs. Profound defects in cell-mediated immunity (CMI) are associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and a variety of serious opportunistic infections. Recently, we and others have encountered a group of children with an otherwise unexplained immune deficiency syndrome and infections of the type found in adults with AIDS. In this report, we describe eight children from the Newark, NJ, metropolitan area born into families with recognized risks for AIDS. These patients have had recurrent febrile illnesses, failure to thrive, hypergammaglobulinemia, and depressed CMI. Four of these children have died. Our experience suggests that children living in high-risk households are susceptible to AIDS and that sexual contact, drug abuse, or exposure to blood products is not necessary for disease transmission.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Changes in ciliation and cell height in human tubal epithelium in the fertile and post-fertile years.

A total of 162 fallopian tubes was obtained from a sample of subjects comprising fertile women with regular ovulatory cycles, post-menopausal women taking no hormonal drugs and post-menopausal women receiving oestrogen therapy in various forms. During the menstrual cycle the highest percentage of ciliated cells was found, in all of the three tubal portions studied, around ovulation time. The epithelial height decreased significantly subsequent to ovulation. After more than 1 yr had elapsed following the menopause, the percentage of ciliated cells and epithelial height decreased significantly. Very low values were observed in women 10 yr after the menopause. In women receiving oestrogen therapy for more than 10 yr following the onset of menopause - conjugated equine oestrogens (CEE), 1.25 mg/day - the percentage of ciliated cells was significantly higher than that in subjects not receiving hormonal therapy. Similar data were obtained in the case of women taking oestriol (2 mg/day). The data presented demonstrate that oestrogen therapy influences the ciliation and height of oviductal epithelium.

Cell Count↗

Oxytocin determination by radioimmunoassay.

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay method was developed for the determination of oxytocin in human serum. Serum oxytocin levels were assayed in five healthy male volunteers and four healthy non pregnant female volunteers after rapid intravenous injection of 2 U synthetic oxytocin. Peak oxytocin levels were found at 30 s after intravenous administration. The half-life (T1/2) of oxytocin was 6 min 22 s in male and 6 min 53 s in female serum.

Adult↗

Peritoneal fluid volume, 17beta-estradiol and progesterone concentrations in women with endometriosis and/or luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome.

Data on the presence of an ovulation ostium and the volume and the concentrations of estradiol (17 beta-estradiol) and progesterone In women with endometriosis (n = 80) and women with luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF) syndrome (n = 32) are reported and compared with data obtained from normal ovulatory women, previously reported. in women with endometriosis, less ovulation ostia were observed, the difference being significant in moderate and severe endometriosis. During the luteal phase, no statistical difference was found in the amount of peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. Estradiol and progesterone levels in the peritoneal fluid of normal women and women with mild endometriosis were not significantly different. Lower steroid concentrations found in peritoneal fluid of women with moderate (phase days 20-22) and severe endometriosis (phase days 14-19 and 20-22) may explain the high incidence of infertility reported in these women (peritoneal steroids deficiency). During the phases days 14-19 and 20-22, very low peritoneal steroid concentrations were found in women with LUF syndrome. It is suggested that progesterone assay in peritoneal fluid is an aid to diagnose the luteinized unruptured syndrome.

Adult↗

[Etiologic factors in tubal sterility].

Between the years 1977 and 1982, laparoscopy was performed on 900 patients where the diagnosis of infertility was made in our department. In the patients' histories events which were considered relevant to subsequent tubal pathology were studied in detail. These potential risk factors were further analyzed and related to the finding of tubal pathology at the time of diagnostic laparoscopy. Patients with moderate or severe endometriosis were excluded from this study, because the high incidence of tubal adhesions in these women rendered it impossible to analyse the relationship between potential risk factors in the patients' histories and the incidence of tubal infertility. The incidence of tubal disease in patients with only one risk factor was compared to patients with no such factors in their history. The incidence of tubal pathology was significantly higher in all categories except the group who had undergone only uncomplicated appendicectomy. Highly significant differences were found after salpingitis, ovarian cystectomy or wedge resection and "complicated" appendicitis. The risk of a low-grade salpingitis was increased after induced abortion and IUD usage. The incidence of tubal pathology (33.7%) in patients without risk factors lends support to the assumption that salpingitis can occur without obvious clinical symptoms and appears to justify laparoscopy and use of antibiotic treatment if salpingitis is suspected in young women, even though clinical symptoms are absent.

Adult↗

Immunoreactive relaxin-like substance in human split ejaculates.

Immunoreactive relaxin-like substance concentrations were estimated in whole seminal plasma of normozoospermic patients, in seminal fluid of both fractions of split ejaculates, as well as in the seminal plasma of patients affected by excretory azoospermia of various causes. The relaxin concentration was significantly higher in the first fraction of partitioned ejaculates (P less than 0.001). In cases of azoospermia after vasectomy or after epididymal obstruction, the relaxin levels were similar to the values observed in normozoospermia. Relaxin concentrations, however, were high in cases of congenital agenesis of vasa deferentia and seminal vesicles. Relaxin traced in human male seminal plasma seems thus to have an important extragonadic source, probably localized in the prostate.

Ejaculation↗

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray data for chloroperoxidase.

The enzyme chloroperoxidase from the fungus Caldariomyces fumago has been crystallized in a form suitable for detailed three-dimensional x-ray structure determination. Crystals grown from polyethylene glycol solutions display high resolution diffraction patterns indicating the orthorhombic space group C2221: a = 151.1 (3), b = 57.9 (4), c = 102.7 (9) A, V = 9 X 10(5) A3. A volume to mass ratio Vm = 2.8 A3/dalton for 8 molecules in the unit cell and a measured density of 1.35 g/cm3 suggest that the asymmetric unit contains a single chloroperoxidase molecule.

Animals↗