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Biomedical subjects

S Ramsewak

Publications and source records attributed to S Ramsewak.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Intraoperative placement of a self-retaining Foley catheter for continuous drainage of malignant ascites.

Malignant ascites in advanced cancer is usually treated by repeated paracentesis, causing both discomfort and inconvenience to patients in the terminal stages of disease. We present a case of advanced ovarian carcinoma in which intraoperative placement of a Foley's self-retaining catheter into the peritoneal cavity was used to facilitate long-term continuous drainage of malignant ascites. This is a simple, convenient and cost-effective method which decreases the need for repeated hospital admissions. The aim complication might be peritonitis, but with proper care of the device and the use of antibiotics, this was not seen in our patient.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Initial experience with in-vitro fertilization technology in the English-speaking Caribbean.

This audit documents the first experience with in-vitro Fertilization technology in the English-speaking Caribbean. From 1996 to 2000, 121 cycles have been performed in 99 couples utilizing these techniques. After ovarian stimulation, 1,103 oocytes were retrieved (average 9.1) and of these, 65% fertilized normally, with embryo transfer possible in 111 cycles. Twenty-one pregnancies were recorded (21.2% per patient and 18.9% per embryo transfer) and the live birth rate per patient was 12.1%. The trend was for the success rate to be better in patients under age 36 years.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Lipoprotein-genotype associations in Trinidadian neonates.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that common variation in the angiotensinogen (AGT), beta-3-adrenergic receptor, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, serum paraoxonase, paraoxonase-2, hepatic lipase, apolipoprotein E (APOE), and Werner helicase (WRN) genes would be associated with variation in biochemical phenotypes in a previously unstudied neonatal sample. DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined associations of both nongenetic and genetic variables with plasma lipoprotein traits in neonates from Trinidad. RESULTS: Among nongenetic variables, we found significant associations between plasma concentrations of: 1) lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and both ethnicity (p = 0.037) and birth weight (p = 0.001); 2) total cholesterol and gender (p = 0.010); 3) triglyceride and birth weight (p = 0.035); and 4) apolipoprotein AI and gender (p = 0.016). Among genetic variables, we found that: 1) common variation on chromosome 1q in AGT codon 235 was significantly associated with variation in plasma apolipoproteins AI (p<0.0001) and B (p = 0.013); 2) common variation in WRN at codon 1367 was significantly associated with variation in plasma Lp(a) (p<0.0001); and 3) common variation in APOE at codons 112 and 158 was significantly associated with variation in plasma triglycerides (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The associations with AGT and WRN are novel and may have resulted either from a direct influence of the genetic variants or through linkage disequilibrium with other functional loci, such as the familial combined hyperlipidemia locus on chromosome 1q in the case of AGT. Despite the fact that there are some limitations in making determinations from cord blood, the results suggest that there may be genetic determinants of plasma lipoproteins in neonates.

Africa↗
PubMed1999

Association of PON2 variation with birth weight in Trinidadian neonates of South Asian ancestry.

Variation in the PON1 and PON2 genes has been shown to be associated with coronary heart disease risk in adults of South Asian origin. In this group, low birth weight is also associated with coronary heart disease risk. We therefore hypothesized that variation in PON1 and PON2 genes may be associated with variation in birth weight. This relationship was examined in 290 consecutive Trinidadian neonates of different ethnic origins. We found that variation in PON2 was significantly associated with variation in birth weight in Trinidadian neonates of South Asian origin. Among the neonates of South Asian origin, those who were homozygous for PON2 A148/A148 had significantly lower birth weight, by approximately 200 g, compared with those with the other two genotypes (P < 0.05). For neonates of South Asian origin, PON2 A148/A148 homozygotes were significantly more prevalent in those comprising the lowest tertile for birth weight than those comprising the highest tertile (0.41 versus 0.24, P < 0.05). There were no significant associations of PON2 variation with any phenotype in other ethnic groups. We conclude that among neonates of South Asian origin, homozygosity for PON2 A148/A148, is associated with significantly lower birth weight. This suggests that genetic factors in the fetus may be important determinants of neonatal birth weight and possibly of more distal adult phenotypes, such as coronary heart disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Successful pregnancy by intracytoplasmic sperm injection after radiotherapy-induced azoospermia.

A 27-year-old male, who underwent excision and radiotherapy for a pineal gland germinoma four years previously, subsequently developed panhypopituitarism and, thus, complete azoospermia. Gonadotrophin replacement therapy resulted in the production of a small number of motile spermatozoa which were used for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) into oocytes obtained from his wife. After successful fertilization and embryo transfer, a singleton intrauterine pregnancy was achieved which resulted in the normal delivery of a morphologically normal male live infant at term.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Born before arrival (BBA) in Trinidad-a seven year case-control study.

A retrospective case-control study was made of 326 babies born before arrival (BBA) at hospital, in a Caribbean developing country. Each baby born before arrival was matched with hospital-delivered controls within the same week of delivery. Control group 1 (n=302) was matched by maternal age and parity and control group 2 (n=262) by gestational age and fetal birth weight. BBA occurred significantly more often in Afro-Caribbean when compared with those of Indo-Caribbean origin and was more common in grand multiparous women, those who had poor antenatal care and those who had a similar previous event. Perinatal mortality was more common than in the control groups. Unlike other studies, young maternal age and marital status were not significant contributing factors. These findings suggest that clinical features exist for identification of women at high risk for BBA which can therefore assist in its prevention and attendant serious consequences.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Fixation of Interceed does not improve its efficacy against adhesion formation in rats.

A randomized controlled trial was performed in 30 Sprague-Dawley white rats to compare the efficacy of the synthetic adhesion-barrier Interceed (Johnson & Johnson Medical Inc.) when fixed in place using 6/0 vicryl sutures or lying freely on damaged tissues. The rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups; control, Interceed (fixed) and Interceed (free). Adhesion formation was measured 2 weeks later, using a scoring system related to extent and density. There was no significant difference whether the adhesion-barrier was fixed in place with sutures or not, so that the fixation of Interceed to cover traumatized tissues does not appear to provide any benefits against adhesion formation in rats.

Adnexal Diseases↗
PubMed1993

A subcutaneous uterus with unusual presenting features.

A 32 year old female, para 2 + 0 presented with a hard lump in the scar of a lower midline incision. She had had a myomectomy 2 years previously and subsequently noticed the lump 3 months later. Her only complaints were urinary frequency during menstruation and the suprapubic mass. Surgery was performed for what was initially thought to be a desmoid tumour. At surgery the uterus was found to be lying in the subcutaneous position with no peritoneal sac. The uterus was dissected free of the sheath and reduced into the pelvis, uneventfully. This rare occurrence of a subcutaneous non-gravid uterus in the absence of a hernial sac is reported and its clinical features and possible preventative measures are discussed.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1992

Twin pregnancy in a patient with complete heart block. A case report.

A 22 year old primigravida with previously undiagnosed congenital complete heart block and a twin gestation is described. Early diagnosis of both problems and cardiac consultation allowed a temporary pacemaker to be inserted early in the third trimester. The patient was delivered by caesarean section at 36 weeks following spontaneous rupture of membranes. Maternal and fetal outcomes were excellent.

Adult↗