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Biomedical subjects

R Faber

Publications and source records attributed to R Faber.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

C-type natriuretic peptide in maternal plasma in spontaneous labour, at elective cesarean section and during puerperium.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is the third member of the natriuretic peptide family that is involved in the regulation of blood pressure, renal function and volume homeostasis. In man CNP is highly expressed in endothelial cells, distinct brain areas and kidney. Maternal CNP plasma concentration remains stable in normal pregnancy with advancing gestational age. Using a radio-immunoassay we measured for the first time CNP plasma levels of women in the active phase of labour, during elective cesarean section in spinal anesthesia and in the postpartum period. Healthy pregnant women in the third trimenon were used as controls (7.36 +/- 3.0 pg/ml). CNP is significantly increased in labour (11.48 +/- 1.2 pg/ml) as well as after volume load before cesarean section (14.25 +/- 4.5 pg/ml). The postpartum concentration (9.3 +/- 2.4 pg/ml) was in the range of the controls. We conclude that CNP in plasma is increased during spontaneous labour. Its possible role in volume regulation with increased levels after rapid volume load but normal levels in puerperium with physiologically enhanced diuresis and natriuresis remains unclear.

Cesarean Section↗
PubMed1998

Detection of C-type natriuretic peptide in normal pregnancy.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a recently identified member of the family of natriuretic peptides that plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure, renal function and volume homeostasis. Its effects are mainly hypotensive and natriuretic. CNP is also considered to be an autocrine/paracrine regulator of the endothelium as well as a neuropeptide. Little is known about its role as a circulating substance. There are only few data of CNP plasma levels and changes in disease. Using a highly specific radioimmunoassay we established for the first time CNP plasma levels of normal pregnancies 5.9 +/- 1.5-8.6 +/- 2.1 pg/ml) and a non-pregnant control group (8.1 +/- 1.7 pg/ml). In contrast to atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide we have not found significant differences of the plasma levels during normal pregnancy and no difference to the non-pregnant control group.

Atrial Natriuretic Factor↗
PubMed1998

A simple technique to isolate DNA and supernatant of genital Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Vaginal colonization with Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum has been implicated as a cause of prematurity. Several mechanisms to induce preterm labor have been discussed. The investigation of expressed and secreted enzymes requires a feasible method for culturing and further processing of these bacteria. We describe a simple technique for culturing of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum without contamination with other microorganisms and isolating DNA and supernatant. PCR amplification of a chromosomal Mycoplasma fragment was performed as positive control.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1997

The role of rubella-immunoblot and rubella-peptide-EIA for the diagnosis of the congenital rubella syndrome during the prenatal and newborn periods.

Rubella infection during the first trimester of pregnancy can cause the congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Patients with CRS were shown to have a decreased humoral and cellular immunity. It is not known whether asymptomatic newborns who had experienced intrauterine infection with rubella virus (RV) differ in their antibody response from newborns with CRS. In this study we compared both groups for a difference which might be a useful diagnostic criterion for CRS during the prenatal and newborn periods. We used the nonreducing Rubella-Immunoblot and the Rubella-IgG-Peptide-Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) to determine the antibodies directed to rubella proteins E1, E2 and C. The results showed that only newborns with CRS who had experienced RV infection during the first 12 weeks of gestation showed significantly reduced levels of antibodies directed to both the linear RV E1 epitope (SP 15) and the topographic RV E2 epitope. Asymptomatic newborns infected mostly later than week 10 of gestation showed normal levels of antibodies. These data suggest that the lack of antibody response in CRS is linked to the immaturity of the fetal immune system during the first trimester of gestation. Rubella-IgG-Peptide-EIA and Rubella-Immunoblot should be used additionally for CRS diagnosis in the prenatal/newborn periods. These results may have an impact on the early treatment of late-onset symptoms of CRS patients.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1997

[Color Doppler ultrasound of uterine, fetoplacental and fetal blood vessels in the 2nd trimester in normal pregnancies].

We investigated 69 healthy women with normal pregnancy and delivery in order to establish normal values for the second trimester of gestation. In a cross-sectional study we measured the pulsatility index (PI), the maximal systolic velocity (V-MAX) and the mean velocity (V-MEAN) in the uterine arteries (UAA), the umbilical artery (UA), the fetal thoracic aorta (FTA) and the middle cerebral artery (MCA) from the 14th to the 24th week of gestation. A regression analysis shows a significant slope of the PI of UAA and UA (p < 0.01), whereas in contrast to the UA there is no significant difference of the median values of the UAA-PI from the 18th week of gestation. With progressive gestation V-MEAN of UAA increases more (p < 0.001) than V-MAX (p < 0.05) as a result of the increasing diastolic blood flow. In the UA there is also a significant rising trend of V-MAX and V-MEAN (p < 0.0001). No significant changes of the PI of FTA and MCA are seen, although there is a slight increasing trend. After the 20th week in the MCA a marked tendency to high PI-values is observed, whereas there is a change between different flowpatterns prior to the 20th week. V-MAX and V-MEAN of FTA increases significantly, but there is no change in the MCA. Our results for UAA and UA correspond to the known morphologic changes in the utero- and fetoplacental vessels in the second trimester and are comparable to other results. Particularly the physiology of the cerebral perfusion needs to be investigated more intensively. These normal values provide a good basis for early and complex assessment of a disturbed perfusion in the second trimester.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Multivariate analysis of the significance of vaginal bacterial colonization in the occurrence of a preterm birth with various risk parameters].

Using a discriminance analysis we investigated the interactions between parameters of the vaginal flora and subclinical infection regarding preterm birth. The prospective study includes 222 single pregnancies, 114 of them with preterm labour or premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). The analysis includes information of a vaginal/ cervical smear (total number of pathogenic germs, species and groups of pathogenic germs), vaginal pH, maternal white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and temperature. A normal vaginal flora was found in only 19%. Pregnancies with preterm labour have a higher quantity of pathogenic germs, whereas there is no difference of the germ group distribution. Moreover, pregnancies with preterm labour and 2 or 3 pathogenic germs have a higher rate of preterm birth. The discriminance analysis shows that only the affiliation the risk group with preterm labour and the parameters CRP and WBC have a significant selectivity for consequent preterm birth, but not the parameters containing information of the vaginal flora. The same is valid for the group with preterm labour, where only the parameters PROM and WBC are able to select significantly for preterm birth.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Usefulness of vaginal pH measurements in the identification of potential preterm births].

Ascending infections of the female genital tract as a cause of preterm birth have become major importance regarding the prevention of preterm birth. Measurements of the vaginal pH value are able to verify a alkalinisation of the vagina caused by a atypical vaginal flora. In a prospective study we measured the vaginal pH value using indicator paper and evaluated the results of a vaginal and cervical smear of 162 single pregnancies from 26 to 30 weeks of gestation. In contrast to normal pregnancies there is a relation between a pathological pH value > 4.5 and consequent preterm birth in pregnancies with preterm labour but also in pregnancies with other risk factors without symptoms of preterm labour.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Infantile type Bland-White-Garland syndrome as a cause of death in Rh incompatibility].

The faulty origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is with an incidence of 1:300,000 newborns a very rare heart defect. We report a case of a pregnancy with two intrauterine blood transfusions in the 30th and 32nd week of gestation because of Rh-incompatibility and fetal anaemia. Dopplersonographic and echocardiographic parameters were normal. In the 32nd week of gestation delivery was induced (birth weight 2240 g, cord pH value 7.35, Apgar-score 8/9/9). Under a therapy with respiration, blood exchange transfusion and cardiotonic drugs the newborn died in the second week. The autopsy showed a general immaturity, a haemosiderosis of spleen, liver and lungs, a marked cellular jaundice and signs of a multi-organ-failure. The sinus of the pulmonary valve was the origin of the left coronary artery. In case of a seriously impaired pumping action and after exclusion of other heart defects the Bland-White-Garland-Syndrome (BWGS) has to be considered. Although a prenatal diagnosis of BWGS is with high resolution-ultrasound possible, the early postnatal diagnosis seems to be more relevant.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Predictive value of Doppler ultrasound findings in twin pregnancies].

In a prospective study we investigated 100 twin pregnancies in order to assess the predictive value of doppler-sonographic measurements regarding the pregnancy outcome. We used the pulsatility index of the uterine arteries, the umbilical artery, the fetal aorta thoracica and the fetal middle cerebral artery. The measurements were obtained at various gestational ages between 24 and 32 weeks. Significant differences between unselected twin pregnancies and normal single pregnancies were not found. Moreover, there is no relation between the severity of an impaired perfusion and an adverse outcome of the pregnancy. The prediction of fetal distress (hypoxia, preterm birth, poor fetal growth, acidosis, and disturbed neonatal adaption) with doppler-score has a sensitivity of 25% and a positive predictive value of 63%. From this rather insufficient result we conclude that doppler screening in unselected twin pregnancies hardly proves to be useful.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1994

Escherichia coli glycerol kinase: role of a tetramer interface in regulation by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and phosphotransferase system regulatory protein IIIglc.

Escherichia coli glycerol kinase (EC 2.7.1.30; ATP:glycerol 3-phosphotransferase) is a key element in a signal transduction pathway that couples expression of genes required for glycerol metabolism to the relative availability of glycerol and glucose. Its catalytic activity is inhibited by protein-protein interactions with IIIglc, a phosphotransferase system protein, and by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP); each of these allosteric effectors constitutes a positive signal that glucose is available. Loss of glucose inhibition of glycerol metabolism was used to screen for regulatory mutants of glycerol kinase after hydroxylamine mutagenesis of the cloned glpK gene. Two mutant enzymes were identified and shown by DNA sequencing to contain the mutations alanine 65 to threonine (A65T) and aspartate 72 to asparagine (D72N). Initial velocity studies show the mutations do not significantly affect the catalytic properties, hence active-site structures, of the enzymes. Both mutations decrease inhibition by FBP; A65T eliminates the inhibition while D72N appears to decrease the affinity for FBP and the extent of the inhibition. However, neither mutation significantly affects inhibition by IIIglc. Gel-permeation chromatography studies show that both of the mutations alter the dimer-tetramer assembly reaction of the enzyme and the effect of FBP in increasing the molecular weight. The effects of the mutations on the assembly reaction are consistent with the locations of these two amino acid residues in the X-ray structure, which shows them to be associated with an alpha-helix that constitutes one of the two subunit-subunit interfaces within the tetramer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1994

[Hydatidiform mole of the placenta and coexisting, living premature infant].

A pregnancy with a partial or complete hydatidiform mole and a coexistent living fetus is a rare condition. Most cases are consistent with a twin pregnancy, with distinct borders between placenta and mole on sonography. We report a case with a single placenta with cystic structures resembling histologically a complete hydatidiform mole. The pregnancy resulted in a diploid female fetus in the 34th week of gestation with marked hypotrophy. The non-molar part of the placenta showed a complex alteration of villous maturity resulting in intrauterine growth retardation but a living fetus. No malignancy occurred post partum. The clinical and pathogenetic aspects of this rare entity are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Simultaneous coexistence of a hydatidiform mole and a live premature infant].

Moles and coexisting living fetus are rare. Most cases are twin gestations. We report a case of a single placenta with focal hydatidiform mole of the placenta and a coexisting living fetus. The fetus with hypotrophy was born in the 34th weeks of gestation with a normal diploid female karyotype. The placenta showed a complex alteration of the non molar part with consecutive vascular hyperplasia. The differential diagnosis of molar pregnancies and coexistent living fetuses are discussed. Postpartal are cytogenetic examination of fetal tissue (skin biopsy) and both parts of the placenta, the molar and non molar, necessary. In each case should be a postpartal measurement of beta-HCG in serum of the mother to rule out a gestational trophoblastic disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Doppler ultrasound perfusion measurements of uterine, fetal and fetoplacental vessels in pregnancies with ultrasonically suspected fetal growth retardation].

The aim of the present study was determination of the complex character of hemodynamic disturbances in uteroplacental, fetoplacental and fetal vessels as well as their influence on the outcome of pregnancies suspected to have IUGR on ultrasound examination. A special form of Doppler scoring was implemented for documentation of the hemodynamic disturbances. Of 82 single pregnancies with sonographically suspected IUGR, 30 women gave birth to eutrophic babies whereas 52 mothers delivered hypotrophic newborns. However, 43 cases of the hypotrophic babies had birth weight below the 5th percentile. The median values of Doppler indices for those with eutrophic babies revealed no significant differences compared to normal collective. However, significantly elevated RI and PI values in both uterine arteries, the umbilical artery and fetal descending aorta of pregnancies which resulted in hypotrophic babies indicated hemodynamic disturbance. The umbilicoplacental and uteroplacental vasculature compartments were almost equal involved with a proportion of 39% or 30% respectively. Birth weight < or = 5th percentile was associated with a further increase of pathological values in this both vascular areas. Significant rang correlations between values of Doppler indices and clinical parameters indicated a direct association between perfusion disturbances and fetal outcome of the pregnancies studied. The present Doppler score, which is a summary of all separately evaluated examined blood vessels, is suitable for clinical implementation and showed a good correlation to the clinical parameters in our study. Therefore Doppler perfusion measurements should play an important role in the clarification of suspected fetal growth retardation.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1993

[Comparison of Doppler ultrasound assessment of utero-placento-fetal perfusion in normal pregnancies and in those with threatened premature labor].

The aim this study to compare perfusion parameters, measured by Doppler sonography, between normal pregnancies and pregnancies with symptoms of preterm labor. The patient collective comprised of 3 groups: 62 normal pregnancies (group 1), 23 preterm labor before tocolysis (group 2) and 114 preterm labor up to 48 hours under tocolysis (group 3). In each case pulsatility index was measured in the uterine artery on the placental side and non-placental side, umbilical artery, fetal descending aorta and middle cerebral artery. In the contrary to patients in group 1, patients in group 2 and 3 showed significantly elevated PI values in uterine artery placental side and non-placental side, respectively. The median of PI for both uterine arteries in both groups was significantly higher compared to that of group 1. However, 1/3 of patients with preterm labor showed pathologic uterine perfusion before or during tocolysis. The values of PI in umbilical artery, fetal descending aorta and middle cerebral artery did not reveal significant difference in all group. Nevertheless, 30% of pregnancies with preterm labor have pathological perfusion in the fetal descending aorta. We conclude that some patients with symptoms of preterm labor have pathological perfusion in uterine arteries and fetal descending aorta not induced by uterine contractions. We believe that the complex assessment of uterine perfusion should include the median PI value of both uterine arteries in order to have a reliable information. A short-term intravenous tocolysis with betamimetics does not seem to have a positive influence on the hemodynamic insufficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Electroconvulsive therapy in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.

Early case reports note marked improvements in the signs of Parkinson's disease (PD) in several patients with coexisting psychiatric disorders after treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Studies since 1959 reveal improvement of parkinsonism in over half of PD patients receiving ECT, regardless of the presence or absence of psychiatric comorbidity. Drug-induced parkinsonism, tardive dystonia, and tardive dyskinesia have also been shown to improve with ECT administration; tic syndromes have achieved mixed results. In animals, ECT enhances dopamine-mediated effects and increases GABA concentrations in the CNS. Optimal parameters relevant to the antiparkinsonism effects of ECT require further study.

Depressive Disorder↗