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Biomedical subjects

N Laufer

Publications and source records attributed to N Laufer.

226 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic resonance imaging of the menstrual cycle.

This study examines the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor follicular and endometrial development during the menstrual cycle. MR scans, sonograms and hormonal levels of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) obtained from five ovulatory volunteers were evaluated on approximately days 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 of the cycle. MRI reliably demonstrated folliculogenesis in all of the volunteers. Changes depicted in the endometrial and junctional zones of the uterus reflected physiologic events occurring during the normal cycle. Important implications exist for infertile women undergoing stimulated cycles and/or in-vitro fertilization.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lifetime psychiatric comorbidity rate in Israeli non-help-seeking patients with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND: Most of the data on lifetime psychiatric comorbidity in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CR-PTSD) were collected in help-seeking patients. METHODS: In the present study we used the Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version to examine a relatively large sample (n=80) of Israeli non-help-seeking CR-PTSD patients. The diagnosis of PTSD was based on the DSM-III-R criteria. RESULTS: We found a low rate of lifetime psychiatric comorbidity, especially drug dependence (2.25%), alcoholism (2.25%) and major depressive disorders (5%). CONCLUSION: It seems that in contrast to help-seeking CR-PTSD, non-help-seeking CR-PTSD is associated with a low frequency of comorbid psychiatric disorders. LIMITATION: Only non-help seeking CR-PTSD patients who agreed to participate in the study were included in this investigation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The detection and diagnosis of CR-PTSD comorbidity is important for establishing appropriate psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

3H-spiperone binding to lymphocytes in neuroleptic-naive-schizophrenia and the effect of neuroleptic treatment.

The aim of this study was to determine whether spiperone binding to lymphocytes could serve as a biological marker of susceptibility to schizophrenia and schizophrenic spectrum disorders or as a measure of response to neuroleptic treatment. Lymphocyte spiperone binding parameters (Bmax, KD) were assessed in 13 patients with schizophrenia and 4 patients with schizotypal personality disorder, all neuroleptic naive, and in 19 age- and sex-matched control subjects. A repeated determination was carried out in 11 of the schizophrenic subjects after several months of neuroleptic treatment. In addition, the binding characteristics of 12 of the schizophrenic/schizotypal patients were compared with those of 13 healthy family members and normal unrelated controls. No significant differences were detected between the schizophrenic subjects and controls before or after neuroleptic treatment or between the patients and their non-affected family members and controls.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Production of 6-keto-PG F1 alpha in hyperstimulated cycles: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Prostacyclin (PG12), a potent vasodilator, is believed to be involved in increasing permeability within the wall of the preovulatory follicle. In ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), increased vascular permeability has been shown to lead to massive fluid accumulation in ovarian cysts and the peritoneal cavity. The objective of the in vitro and in vivo studies reported herein was to examine the production of 6-keto PGF1 alpha (a breakdown metabolite of PG12) during the luteal phase of women who develop OHSS, as well as the capacity of human granulosa luteal cells (GLC) obtained from stimulated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles to synthesize PGF1 alpha in vitro in long-term cultures. The in vivo results showed that during the luteal phase of women with OHSS, there is no increase in 6-keto PGF1 alpha production compared with the levels obtained from the luteal phase of normal ovulatory women. The GLC (representing early corpus luteum function) secreted significant amounts of 6-keto PGF1 alpha, but only in the first 48 hours of culture. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) had no additional augmentative effect upon the production of 6-keto PGF1 alpha throughout the culture period. It is concluded that 6-keto PGF1 alpha is not produced in significant amounts during the luteal phase, and therefore PG12 probably does not play a major role in the etiology of OHSS.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The cytology of vaginal, cervical and endometrial smears obtained at the time of embryo transfer during in vitro fertilization.

Seventy-four women enrolled in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program had cytologic smears of the vagina, cervix and endometrium obtained at the time of embryo transfer (ET). Of these, 68 vaginal, 46 cervical and 25 endometrial smears were available for cytologic examination. Of the 68 vaginal smears, 4% showed a proliferative pattern, 40% were early secretory and 56% were advanced secretory. The 46 cervical smears demonstrated a delayed hormonal effect, with 70% showing a proliferative pattern, 23% early secretory and 7% advanced secretory cytology. Endometrial cells were obtained only when the Jones catheter, which has a side opening, was used. Twenty-two patients had both vaginal smears and suitable endometrial smears. Of these, 8 of the 9 patients with early secretory vaginal cytology had secretory endometrium while 10 of the 12 patients with mid-secretory vaginal cytology had secretory endometrium. The value of endometrial cytology in predicting conception following IVF-ET is unknown. It seems, however, that a good correlation exists between endometrial and vaginal cytology and that the latter may be of value as an additional, noninvasive tool for the evaluation of endometrial development.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The pattern of serum melatonin levels during ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the relationship between the pineal gland hormone, melatonin, and gonadal hormones. METHODS: We studied the pattern of serum melatonin at the time of ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization. Blood samples were obtained every morning, from 20 healthy women during the in vitro fertilization cycle. RESULTS: A progressive rise in serum estradiol and prolactin was noted in all IVF cycles, while serum melatonin levels remained unchanged throughout the cycles. In two of the subjects the circadian rhythm of serum melatonin was assessed at 4-hour intervals for 24 hours. In both subjects the melatonin rhythm was remarkably consistent in terms of phase, amplitude, and total melatonin secreted during the treatment cycles. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that endogenous estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin do not affect the levels or circadian phase of melatonin secretion in humans.

Adult↗