Successful methotrexate treatment of a viable pregnancy within a thin uterine scar.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Rabinowitz.
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The aim of the present study was to analyze the pathways regulating the expression of CD21 and CD23 B-cell differentiation antigens on human malignant B cells. Exposure of Farage cells, derived from a human B-cell lymphoma, to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) down-regulated CD21 and CD23 expression, while interleukin 4 (IL4) inhibited the expression of CD21 but augmented CD23 expression. When Farage cells were stained with either anti-CD21 or anti-CD23 monoclonal antibodies (mAb), subsequent exposure to IL4 failed to change the staining of the cells, indicating that IL4 did not affect the turnover of CD21 and CD23 molecules. Inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide (CXM) had no effect on the expression of CD21 molecules, but abrogated their down-regulation by IL4, suggesting that IL4 induced the synthesis of proteins which modify the processing of CD21 molecules. The inhibitory effect of IL4 on the expression of CD21 and its augmentary effect on the expression of CD23 was abrogated by H7 (1-(5-Isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine), an inhibitor of serine protein kinase. Staurosporine, an additional inhibitor of serine kinases also abrogated the effect of IL4 on CD23 expression. H8 (N-(2-[Methylamino]ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide), a preferential inhibitor of protein kinases A and G, and genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases had no effect on IL4-induced modulation of CD21 and CD23 in Farage cells. The exposure of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells to PMA reduced the expression of CD21, but increased the expression of CD23. IL4 had no effect on the expression of CD21 on CLL-cells but strongly enhanced the level of CD23. H7, H8 and genistein each abrogated to a different extent the effect of IL4 on the expression of CD23 by CLL-cells. These data indicate that activation of serine/threonine kinases in malignant B cells inhibited the production of CD21 proteins, while different protein kinases appeared to be involved in up- and down-regulation of CD23 in different B lymphocytes.
This study examined the influence of different levels of feedback and of other situational and buffering variables on the psychological effects of ultrasound examinations of 211 pregnant women. The patients were randomly assigned to two different experimental conditions: high feedback and low feedback. The subjects' levels of anxiety (both trait- and state-anxiety) were measured immediately before and after the ultrasound examination. Overall, there was a significant decrease in the level of state-anxiety, which could not be explained by the different levels of feedback provided. Situational and buffering variables were not found to be related to the degree of psychological benefit produced by the scan.
In HIV-1 infected individuals the CD8 + T lymphocyte population is markedly activated as reflected by increased expression of the CD38 and CD45RO activation markers and elevated serum levels of soluble CD8 antigen. We have previously shown that in vitro activation of peripheral blood lymphocytes results in the appearance of T cell markers on B cells. In the present study B lymphocytes from HIV-1-infected individuals were tested for the expression of the CD8 T cell antigen, using F(ab')2 fragments of antibodies against the CD8 and CD19 antigens. The proportion of CD19 + B cells which co-expressed CD8 was significantly elevated among 55 HIV-infected individuals (7.20 +/- 1.24%, mean +/- S.E.) as compared with among 22 normal controls (3.32 +/- 0.70%). The proportion of CD4 + cells decreased significantly in HIV-infected individuals in accordance with the progression of the infection, but no significant change in the level of CD8 + CD19 + B cells was seen in different stages of the disease. In contrast, the proportion of CD8 + B cells showed a significant correlation with the proportion of CD8 + cells.
PURPOSE: We studied a population of patients undergoing unilateral antireflux surgery to determine the mechanism of new onset contralateral reflux postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 141 patients underwent unilateral antireflux surgery via the Cohen, Glenn-Anderson or extravesical technique. The 18% of patients who had new onset contralateral vesicoureteral reflux were analyzed according to grade of initial reflux, presence of a Hutch diverticulum or duplex system and surgical technique. RESULTS: Surgical technique did not influence the development of contralateral reflux. As grade of corrected reflux increased, a significant trend toward development of contralateral reflux was noted. A Hutch diverticulum was not a risk factor for contralateral reflux but reflux into a duplicated system was a distinct risk factor (26 versus 12% in single system reflux). CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the concept that new onset contralateral reflux may result from elimination of a pop-off mechanism. Surgical distortion of the contralateral hemi-trigone appears not to be responsible. Correction of severe (grade V) reflux and reflux into duplex systems put patients at particular risk for development of contralateral reflux postoperatively.
PURPOSE: We compared surgical outcomes of stented and unstented Mathieu repairs in boys with primary distal hypospadias, and evaluated the efficacy and safety of caudal analgesia relative to other forms of analgesia (penile block and epidural analgesia). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 336 consecutive boys who underwent the modified Mathieu repair for primary distal hypospadias. A urethral stent was placed in 114 patients and nonstented repair was performed in 222. Adjunct caudal analgesia was given in 136 cases, a penile block in 158 and continuous epidural analgesia in 42. RESULTS: None of the unstented cases had urinary retention. Analysis of surgical outcomes revealed no difference in fistula formation between patients with and without stents (2.63 versus 2.70%, respectively, p > 0.999). Overall complication rates in the stented and unstented groups were not significantly different (2.63 versus 3.60%, respectively, p = 0.756). The fistula rate in patients who received adjunct caudal analgesia was no different than in those who received other forms of adjunct analgesia (2.21 versus 3.0%, respectively, p > 0.999). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that successful Mathieu hypospadias repair is independent of the use of a stent. Caudal analgesia, a penile block and epidural analgesia provided effective postoperative pain control with no difference in complication rates. To our knowledge our report represents the largest observational study reported to date comparing stented and unstented repairs. However, because of the small number of complications in each group, a much larger study is required to determine statistically significant differences among these groups.
PURPOSE: We report on 7 patients with splenogonadal fusion and review the literature on this unusual condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients diagnosed with splenogonadal fusion between 1989 and 1994 at 4 institutions were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All 7 patients were properly diagnosed at surgery and the testes were salvaged in 5. In 1 intersex patient gonadectomy was appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: Splenogonadal fusion is a rare condition. Familiarity with this lesion allows for intraoperative diagnosis and testicular salvage.
PURPOSE: We analyzed the incidence and outcome of postoperative contralateral reflux after unilateral ureteral reimplantation by the Cohen and Glenn-Anderson techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 120 patients 3 months to 21 years old in whom unilateral vesicoureteral reflux was treated by unilateral reimplantation. The incidence of postoperative contralateral reflux was documented by followup voiding cystourethrography. RESULTS: Overall 19% of patients who underwent unilateral reimplantation had contralateral vesicoureteral reflux postoperatively, including 21% after the Cohen and 17% after the Glenn-Anderson procedure. Of the cases 61% spontaneously resolved, 13% were surgically corrected and 26% continue to be followed. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of postoperative contralateral vesicoureteral reflux are not significantly different after Cohen and Glenn-Anderson repair. A majority of cases will resolve spontaneously within 2 years. The likelihood of trigonal distortion as the etiology of contralateral reflux is low given the similar incidence in cross-trigonal and ureteral advancement reimplantation.
PURPOSE: We report on 5 boys with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, describe the identifying characteristics, review the literature, and define the issues of diagnosis, treatment and followup in this rare disease in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five boys 11 to 18 years old were identified with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Preoperative imaging and urinary cytology were correlated with cystoscopic and biopsy findings. RESULTS: In all patients evaluation was prompted by gross hematuria. Low grade lesions, definitive cystoscopic management and a low recurrence rate were uniform findings. Preoperative imaging identified the tumor in all cases and bladder ultrasound was the most sensitive scan with 4 of 4 cases identified. CONCLUSIONS: While rare, transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in children presents a challenge in diagnosis and followup since cystoscopy typically requires general anesthesia in this age group. Bladder ultrasound was found to be extremely sensitive in identifying lesions, and it may be a valuable and minimally invasive surveillance tool.
The aim of the present study was to determine whether activation of human T-cells in vitro results in the expression of markers characteristic for T-cells on the surface of B-lymphocytes and to correlate antigenic changes with the release of soluble T-cell antigens. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were exposed in vitro to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) for 3 days. Changes in the phenotype of the cells were determined by flow cytometry and the level of soluble T-cell antigens was assessed by ELISA. PHA-activated PBL released elevated quantities of soluble CD2, CD4, and CD8 compared with control cultures. Following PHA stimulation the proportion of CD4+ CD8+ and HLA-DR+ cells increased. In addition, after 3 days of activation with PHA about 80% of the CD19+ cells (B-cells) reacted with F(ab)2 fragments of CD2 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). A high proportion of B-cells in activated cultures also reacted with F(ab)2 fragments of anti-CD8 MoAb and anti-CD4 MoAb. The removal of either CD4+ or CD8+ T-cells from the cultures prior to stimulations with PHA drastically reduced the proportion of B-cells expressing CD4 or CD8, respectively. The attachment of T-cell markers to the surface B-lymphocytes may constitute a new mechanism for B-cell regulation by T-cells.
In a group of women in the first and early second trimesters of pregnancy, local thickening of a limited region of the myometrium was observed ultrasonically. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the incidence and nature of this phenomenon. Local myometrial thickening was observed in 72 women out of 5521 examined (1.3%). Twenty-two were given ritodrine hydrochloride 10 mg by mouth, and 46 were monitored for up to 60 min without treatment. The local myometrial thickening in the ritodrine hydrochloride-treated group disappeared in 21 out of 22 women (95.5%) compared with the observed group, where the phenomenon disappeared in only 37 women (80.4%). Local myometrial thickenings probably represent transient uterine contractions; they tend to appear early in pregnancy, are prolonged, and may respond to ritodrine hydrochloride.
Women undergoing ultrasound scanning for the detection of ovarian cancer benefit psychologically from the examination, which has been shown to reduce levels of anxiety, depression, hostility and complaints about somatic symptoms. However, it is not completely clear what aspects of the ultrasound examination are responsible for these effects, and how these beneficial psychological effects vary under different circumstances. This study examined, in particular, the effect of various levels of feedback on patients' anxiety levels before and after ultrasound examination. Two hundred and seven women were randomly assigned to two different experimental conditions: high feedback and low feedback. The subjects' levels of anxiety (both trait and state anxiety) were measured immediately before and after the ultrasound examination. The women's individual risk factors for ovarian cancer were also recorded. This study showed a significant decrease in the level of trait anxiety following ultrasound scanning. The decrease in anxiety did not relate to the level of feedback provided to the patients, nor to the woman's degree of risk for ovarian cancer. The results are discussed in terms of possible implications for clinical care and the allocation of resources in the medical system.
Anxiety levels were measured before and after ultrasound examination in 183 women who underwent the procedure as part of their routine prenatal care. Women were classified according to their preferred mode of information gathering, their amount of available cognitive resources and predetermined feedback conditions. The results indicated significant reductions in state or situational anxiety levels for all subjects while trait anxiety was unaffected. In addition, the results suggested a correspondence between learned resourcefulness and informational coping styles. Women who had higher levels of cognitive resources and actively sought out information showed significantly greater decreases in state anxiety levels. This finding was also true for women who had lower levels of cognitive resources and tended to block out information. The impact of the scan was more profoundly affected by personality repertoires and informational coping styles than by either of the feedback conditions.
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Acute scrotal swelling is a potential emergency. The differential diagnosis includes torsion of the testis or one of the testicular appendages, hydrocele, varicocele, trauma, tumor, idiopathic scrotal edema, and Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Imaging studies, such as radionuclide scanning and color Doppler ultrasonography, are helpful in equivocal cases.
Indomethacin is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory agent widely employed in the treatment of premature contractions. Indomethycin induced oligohydramnios is a well described side-effect, and is considered an indication for treatment discontinuation. We present a case of prolonged anhydramnios, secondary to indomethacin therapy with no apparent ill-effect on the fetus or neonate.
OBJECTIVES: To determine at which gestational age the ultrasound finding of a breech presentation should compel us to follow the pregnancy more closely with repeat ultrasound examinations. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal investigation of ultrasound examinations in the second and third trimesters is reported. The study group consisted of 157 breech deliveries and a control group of 1325 vertex deliveries. RESULTS: In the study population (breech delivery) 63.2% were presenting as breech during the 15th-19th weeks of pregnancy--almost the same percentage as in the vertex-born group (of which 55.2% were breech presentation). In the interval between 20 and 24 weeks the same relationship was observed (50.8% and 42.9%, respectively). From 25 weeks until delivery a statistically significant difference appeared between the breech-delivered group and the vertex-delivered group: during weeks 25-29 in the breech-delivered group, 70.6% were breech presentation compared with 28.9% in the vertex-born group (P < 0.0001). That difference increased as the pregnancy progressed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients found sonographically to be a breech presentation at 25 weeks' gestation or later are at high risk for malpresentation at delivery.
Wilson's disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that typically presents as hepatic, neurological or psychiatric illness in late adolescence and early adulthood. Although urolithiasis has been documented in as many as 16% of patients with Wilson's disease, only 3 cases have been described that presented with stone disease. We report on a healthy 17-year-old girl who presented with renal colic and a distal ureteral calculus that was subsequently passed. The patient was hospitalized 2 months later with jaundice, ascites, hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis and elevated hepatic enzymes. She was hypophosphatemic and hypouricemic with a low serum ceruloplasmin. Diagnosis was Wilson's disease with Fanconi's syndrome, but despite penicillamine therapy and intensive care support rapidly progressive hepatic failure, coagulopathy and encephalopathy developed. The patient died before emergency liver transplantation. Our case illustrates the role urologists may have in the diagnosis of this rare but potentially treatable disease. Wilson's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any adolescent or young adult with urolithiasis.