Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Merlob

Publications and source records attributed to P Merlob.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Viscosity and refractive index of follicular fluid in relation to in vitro fertilization.

PURPOSE: To set the standard values of follicular fluid viscosity and refractive index, and to investigate a possible relationship between these physiological parameters and the outcome of in vitro fertilization treatment. DESIGN AND RESULTS: 128 samples of follicular fluid were collected from 40 in vitro fertilization patients. Viscosity determinations (centipoise; mean +/- SD) for shear rates of 23, 46, 115, and 230 were 2.04 +/- 0.86, 1.84 +/- 0.49, 1.48 +/- 0.27, and 1.38 +/- 0.22, respectively. The average (+/- SD) refractive index was 1.030 +/- 0.002. There was no significant difference between the values of thawed frozen fluids and fresh samples of the same specimens. The data showed no correlation between follicular fluid viscosity or refractive index and the presence of oocytes, their maturation grade or their fertilizing capacity. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, values of the viscosity and refractive index of follicular fluid obtained during in vitro fertilization have been determined. However, these preliminary results did not reveal any relationship between the physiological parameters examined and the outcome of in vitro fertilization treatment.

Female↗
PubMed1996

Pregnancy outcome after prenatal quinolone exposure. Evaluation of a case registry of the European Network of Teratology Information Services (ENTIS).

OBJECTIVE: To study potential teratogenic effects of quinolone exposure during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective follow-up study. Subjects are pregnant women who contacted a teratology information center for risk information on quinolone treatment. A total of 549 pregnancies was collected by the European Network of Teratology Information Services between 1986 and 1994. In addition 116 prospectively documented pregnancies and 25 retrospective case reports on malformed children from other databases were analyzed. RESULTS: The malformation rate among the live-born babies in the prospective ENTIS cohort was approximately 4.8%. No specific patterns of congenital abnormalities were found. The results do not suggest an elevated risk for spontaneous abortion, prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation and postnatal disorders. CONCLUSION: The present study does not reveal any clear adverse reactions (fetal and neonatal toxicity, including birth defects) due to the in utero exposure to quinolones. Hence, termination of pregnancy because of such exposure is not indicated. However, considering the limitations of this study and the fact that diseases urgently requiring quinolone treatment are rare, it appears advisable to prefer penicillin, cephalosporins and erythromycin as antibiotics of choice.

4-Quinolones↗
PubMed1996

Bell's phenomenon in newborns and premature babies.

AIMS: To evaluate the development and course of Bell's phenomenon (BP) in premature and normal neonates. METHODS: Twenty seven preterm infants and 42 healthy full term infants were studied. Mean birth weight, gestational age, and head circumference were recorded. BP was graded from no response to full response. The premature group was examined in the first week of life, and then at 4 and 8 weeks after birth. The full term group was initially examined at the age of 3 days until a full response was observed. RESULTS: No preterm infants exhibited BP during the first week of life, while 8/28 (29.6%) exhibited a weak to full reflex at 8 weeks of age. In the full term group 15/42 neonates (35.7%) demonstrated a mature reflex at age of 3 days and 36/37 (97.3%) at age 16 weeks. A significant correlation was observed between BP, sex, and birth weight, as well as gestational age in the premature group. No such correlation was found in the full term infants. CONCLUSION: BP has a longitudinal course. It is an important clinical marker for evaluation and follow up of neuro-ophthalmic maturation in neonates.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Perinatal complications following gestational diabetes mellitus how 'sweet' is ill?

OBJECTIVE: We tested the effect of patient compliance, fasting plasma glucose on oral glucose tolerance test, maternal body constitution, and the method of treatment (diet versus insulin) on the perinatal outcome of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective population-based study compared the perinatal outcome of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 470) (diabetic with regard to the parameters specified above) and a contemporaneous control group (nondiabetic, n = 250). RESULTS: The diabetic and control groups were matched in demographic characteristics. Patient compliance reduced the rate of macrosomia (14.4%) and neonatal hypoglycemia (3.4%) but not to the levels of the control group (5.2% and 1.2% respectively, p < 0.05). The level of fasting plasma glucose on the oral glucose tolerance test had no effect on perinatal outcome. Intensified (insulin) treatment reduced the rate of macrosomia and large-for-gestational age infants in the subgroups with intermediate and high levels of fasting plasma glucose on the oral glucose tolerance test (9.5%/14.2% and 12.2%/24.2% respectively), again not to levels of the control group (5.2%/10.8%). Obese patients were found to have more perinatal complications than lean patients. Intensified (insulin) treatment has proved to be beneficial in terms of reducing the rate of perinatal complications in the obese patients, but not to the corresponding levels of the control group. Such treatment had no effect on the lean patients. CONCLUSIONS: Strict control of maternal hyperglycemia and high patient compliance are imperative for an effective reduction of perinatal complication in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. The desired plasma glucose level in the glycemic control of these patients should be further reduced, thus bringing the rate of perinatal complications to that of the normal population.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Neonatal orbital irritant contact dermatitis caused by gentamicin ointment.

The common preventive therapy in our department for newborns' eyes is tetracycline ophthalmic ointment. Due to temporary shortage of tetracycline ophthalmic ointment for one week in December 1991, the preventive therapy given to seventy-one newborns was gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic ointment. Five babies (7 percent of all newborns) experienced marked edema of the eyelids, foci of erythema, and serous exudate within the first days of life. The lesions regressed gradually and disappeared entirely within two to three weeks without any complications. These lesions represent the first description of orbital irritant contact dermatitis in newborns, most probably caused by topical gentamicin preparation. However, one cannot exclude sensitivity to paraben, which is the preservative used in gentamicin ointment, or a synergistic action of both agent and preservative.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

Partial trisomy 10q: further delineation of the clinical manifestations involving the segment 10q23-->10q24.

We describe a postterm female infant with multiple anomalies who had trisomy 10q23.1-->10q26. The patient had an unbalanced translocation inherited from her father who is a balanced carrier with the karyotype 46,XY,t (10;13) (q23.1;q34). In addition to the recognized features of trisomy 10q syndrome, our patient demonstrated certain specific abnormalities which have not been previously described in this syndrome. These were bilateral large pterion, bilateral small asterion, clitoromegaly, and complete absence of the hymen. In most previously described cases of trisomy 10q, the duplicated section started at 10q24. It is suggested that the additional features in this patient may be attributed to the extra duplicated chromosomal material in 10q23.1-->10q24.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1995

Morning Glory fundus anomaly, coloboma of the optic nerve, porencephaly and hydronephrosis in a newborn infant: MCPH entity.

The association of Morning Glory anomaly with intracranial pathology has been rarely described and seems to be a distinct one. A 41-week full-term infant presenting with Morning Glory anomaly and multiple major and minor anomalies with a normal karyotype is described. Right Parieto-occipital porencephaly with mild hydrocephaly of lateral ventricle, right brain atrophy and enlarged thalami were observed by repeated ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Fundoscopy, visual evoked response and electroretinography revealed bilateral colobomas of the optic nerve, bilateral Morning Glory optic disc anomaly, severe exotropia and medial recti paralysis. Non-obstructive, non-refluxing left hydronephrosis and left hydroureter were diagnosed by renal investigations. To the best of our knowledge the association of the described malformations has never been previously reported. The clinical and nosological significance of this new entity is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

High incidence of central nervous system malformations associated with marked parental consanguinity in an Israeli Arab community.

It is common among Israeli Arabs who live in villages to prefer consanguineous marriages, particularly among first cousins. In addition, such villages are populated by a few (< 20) original families, and inter-family/inter-village marriages are infrequent. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of congenital malformation of the central nervous system associated with such "consanguinity" in Taibe, a large Arab village, 30 km from Tel Aviv. Six hundred and ten families were prospectively ascertained through infants who were routinely seen in the local "Well Baby Clinics". A significant increase in the incidence of major malformations was noted in relation to the closeness of the parental relationship. For the index cases group, the prevalence of individuals with major malformations was 5.8% in the product of inter-village marriages, 8.3% in the intra-village non-related matings, 15.1% in the distant consanguineous group, and up to 15.8% in the progeny of first-cousin marriages (P < 0.001). Malformations of the central nervous system consisted of 1/3 to 1/2 of the total malformations in the consanguineous group versus less than 1/5 in the non-consanguineous groups. The study demonstrates a marked high rate of consanguineous marriages, the effect of which leads to a marked increase in major malformations and especially those of the central nervous system. This requires a unique genetic counseling approach.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Poland anomaly after in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVES: To describe an extremely rare anomaly in an infant born after IVF-ET, and to assess its possible relationship to the artificial reproductive technology. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Infertility and IVF Unit, in a tertiary academic medical center. PATIENT: A 31-year-old healthy patient with a 9-year history of secondary, unexplained infertility. INTERVENTION: Standard IVF-ET treatment cycle, using GnRH-a (short protocol) and hMG for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. RESULTS: Poland anomaly (asymmetric thorax with absence of the right pectoralis major muscle, low set rudimentary right nipple, and very mild hypoplasia of the right upper limb) is described for the first time in an infant who is one of a trizygotic triplet after IVF treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the currently held hypothesis concerning the pathogenesis of Poland anomaly, the possibility of a teratogen or an event related to the reproductive procedure as the cause of this anomaly seems unlikely.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effect of three intravenously administered fat emulsions containing different concentrations of fatty acids on the plasma fatty acid composition of premature infants.

The effects of an intravenously administered lipid emulsion supplemented with gamma-linolenic acid on the fatty acid profile of premature infants were compared with those of two conventional lipid emulsions. Fifty-nine premature neonates receiving total parenteral nutrition were randomly assigned to receive either fat emulsion containing gamma-linolenic acid and long-chain triglycerides (LCT), an LCT emulsion, or a 50% (wt/wt) mixture of medium-chain triglycerides and LCT emulsion. Forty-nine infants completed the study. During the 6-day study there was a significant tenfold increase in the plasma levels of gamma-linoleic acid in the supplemented group versus the other two groups. A significant threefold to fivefold increase in the omega 6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed in all groups. These changes seemed to be attributable mostly to linoleic acid from the lipid emulsion, despite the 50% lower dose in the medium- and long-chain triglycerides group. The increase in the omega 3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids also was mainly caused by a similar increase in the level of alpha-linolenic acid. No differences were recorded in the linoleic/alpha-linolenic acid ratio among the groups. Plasma levels of some of the semiessential fatty acids were significantly higher in the medium- and long-chain triglycerides group than in the LCT group. This may be related to slower elimination of LCT, to the difference between emulsions, or to less substrate inhibition on delta-6-desaturase, which seems to be less of a rate-limiting enzyme than previously considered. Further intravenous feeding trials are needed to identify the optimal balance of fatty acids for nutrition of these premature infants.

Double-Blind Method↗
PubMed1994

Hemophilia B in a neonate: unusual early spontaneous gastrointestinal bleeding.

A full-term male, healthy newborn infant suddenly developed melena and rectal fresh blood oozing at age of 4 days. He is the second patient described in the literature presenting a spontaneous gastrointestinal bleeding in the neonatal period as the first clinical manifestation of hemophilia B. The early appearance and severity of the hemorrhage, its short duration, and good response to Factor IX (inefficiency of vitamin K) was the characteristics of the affected neonate. Whenever a newborn presents early spontaneous gastrointestinal bleeding, hemophilia B should be considered a possible etiology and blood coagulation studies should be performed accordingly.

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage↗