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Biomedical subjects

U G Froster

Publications and source records attributed to U G Froster.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Reproductive failure in a patient with neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome.

We report on a 39-year-old man with neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome and long-standing infertility. Comprehensive testing did not uncover any significant endocrine abnormalities, but the testicular seminiferous epithelium was found to be severely compromised. While the occasional association of neurofibromatosis with signs of Noonan syndrome has been reported, reproductive failure has not been previously described in this condition.

Adult↗

Congenital defects of the limbs in stillbirths: data from a population-based study.

We analyzed limb deficiencies occurring in stillbirths with congenital anomalies registered in the Health Surveillance Registry of British Columbia between the years 1964 and 1984. Thirty stillborn infants presenting with various defects of the limbs were found during this time, giving an incidence of 39.52 in 10,000 stillbirths (1:253). This incidence is significantly higher than the incidence among liveborn individuals in the Province (5.97 in 10,000 livebirths or 1:1,842). Most cases involved the upper limbs, and most frequently the radius. Additional anomalies were present in 77% of cases, compared to 48% in liveborns. The study of stillbirths with congenital anomalies provides important information regarding the spectrum of birth defects seen in this group. This may be of relevance because of improved survival possibilities due to advances in perinatal care.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Amniotic band sequence and limb defects: data from a population-based study.

Cases with amniotic bands were analysed separately as part of an ongoing study of limb defects occurring among 1,213,913 liveborn infants in British Columbia during the years 1952 to 1984. A total of 24 cases with this specific condition was identified among 659 cases with limb defects. The calculated incidence for amniotic band sequence with significant limb involvement was 0.19 in 10,000 livebirths. This is a minimal incidence, as cases without defects of the limbs, but with constriction rings were not identified with this approach. Familial cases and cases with additional anomalies were found.

Amniotic Band Syndrome↗

Congenital defects of lower limbs and associated malformations: a population based study.

As part of a detailed study of limb defects and associated patterns of congenital malformations, cases with lower limb deficiencies were analysed separately. We identified a total of 130 cases with deficiencies of the lower limbs without defects of the upper limbs. This gives an incidence of 1.07/10,000 livebirths, or 1/9,337 for this group of limb defects. Most common were femur deficiencies and deficiencies of the foot. A preponderance of males was found in the group of transverse defects of the leg (fibula/tibia deficiencies) and central axis deficiencies, while females had significantly more often longitudinal tibia defects and preaxial ray defects.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Maternal factors, medications, and drug exposure in congenital limb reduction defects.

As part of an ongoing study on all limb reduction defects occurring among 1,213,913 consecutive live births in the province of British Columbia, Canada, during 1952-1984, cases with documented maternal drug exposure and chronic maternal diseases were analyzed separately. This population-based study was made possible through the existence of an ongoing Health Surveillance Registry, which documents all infants born with congenital, genetic, or chronically handicapping conditions in the province of British Columbia. Strict rules of confidentiality are obeyed. For this part of the analysis of limb reduction defects, cases with documented maternal illness, drug abuse, and exposure to environmental hazards early in pregnancy were analyzed as a separate group to identify specific, recurring patterns of anomalies. A total of 51 cases with possibly related maternal factors were identified. Among them were five cases with maternal epilepsy, four cases with documented maternal diabetes, and three cases with uterine anomalies. Three infants, all born in 1962, had documented thalidomide exposure. It is rarely possible to identify particular teratogenic factors or specific maternal factors as etiologically related to the pattern of limb reduction defects or a spectrum of congenital malformations. Exposure to environmental factors during pregnancy is not reliably registered and can thus only occasionally be ascertained in retrospective studies. This means that very large numbers of cases and cross-referencing to other family members are required to assess whether a potential teratogen is related to limb defects or not.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Upper limb deficiencies and associated malformations: a population-based study.

As part of an ongoing analysis of limb deficiencies occurring among 1,213,913 consecutive livebirths in British Columbia during the years 1952-1984, all cases with deficiencies of the upper limbs were analysed with a view to identifying associated patterns of anomalies. This analysis resulted in seven subgroups. For each subgroup, incidence figures for cases with and without additional anomalies were calculated separately. The proportion of cases with additional anomalies varied markedly by subgroup. For example, 89% of cases with longitudinal defects of the radius had additional malformations, while only 28% of cases with transverse defects of the radius had other organ anomalies (chi 2 = 40.55; P < 0.001, one degree of freedom). A preponderance of males was found among the cases with associated defects, particularly in the group with longitudinal defects of the radius (28 males, 14 females; chi 2 = 14.10; P < 0.001). Clustering of specific patterns of associated malformations is described within subgroups.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Congenital defects of the limbs and alcohol exposure in pregnancy: data from a population based study.

Limb deficiency may occur in offspring prenatally exposed to alcohol. In a study on limb deficiency occurring in 1,213,913 consecutive liveborn infants in British Columbia, born in the years 1952-1984, a total of 659 cases with limb deficiency was identified. Cases with documented maternal alcohol abuse in pregnancy in this group were analyzed separately. We found eight cases with severe prenatal alcohol exposure (6 F, 2 M). In six of the eight cases a terminal transverse defect of the forearm or hand was present. In the remaining two cases ulnar defects were identified. These observations give further support to the hypothesis that intrauterine alcohol exposure may cause limb defects. This has also been demonstrated in experimental animals. Terminal transverse defects made up a larger proportion of cases with known alcohol exposure (6/8) than of cases where alcohol exposure was not noted (217/651) (chi 2 = 6.13; P < 0.025) in this study. The defects primarily involved the right hand and forearm. This suggests a vascular origin of the limb defects after intrauterine alcohol exposure.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

A complex chromosome rearrangement involving chromosome 8, 11, and 12 analyzed by conventional cytogenetic investigations, fluorescence in situ hybridisation, and spectral karyotyping.

We report on a 29-year-old woman with a history of five spontaneous abortions and a balanced complex chromosome rearrangement (CCR) involving break points between chromosomes 8, 11, and 12. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) in combination with giemsa trypsin banding techniques were essential for the identification of the breakpoints. In addition, the results were confirmed by 24-colour FISH using the spectral karyotyping system (SKY). The karyotype was 46,XX,t(8;11;12)(8qter-->8p10::12p10-->12pter;11pter--> 11q14::8p10-->8pter;12qter-->12p10::11q14-->11qter). Application of SKY facilitated detection of all three chromosomes involved and supported the localisation of the breakpoints by a single time and sample saving investigation.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

[Accuracy of prenatal diagnoses in terminated pregnancies--a retrospective analysis of results and influences].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyse the accuracy of prenatal sonography in terminated pregnancies and the influence of factors like personnel and standard of technique and organisation on the quality of prenatal sonography for the detection of fetal anomalies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The retrospective study includes 64 cases with termination of pregnancy from 1989 to 1997. We analyse prenatal sonographic and postnatal pathological findings of fetus, placenta and umbilical cord. Furthermore we compare two time periods (1989-93 and 1994-97) with different ultrasound conditions. RESULTS: In 36 cases (56%) the prenatal diagnosis was exact. In 7 cases (11%) autopsy could not confirm all findings (false positive), whereas autopsy detected additional anomalies in 18 cases (28%) (false negative). The diagnosis was not correct in 3 cases (5%), whereby 2 pregnancies were terminated without proved somatic and chromosomal anomalies. Compared to 1989-93 the rate of false-positive (12 vs. 5) as well as false-negative (9 vs. 3) diagnoses decreased significantly (p < 0.002) in cases with major anomalies (heart, central nervous system). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the improvement of the level of organisation, personnel and technical equipment has relevant impact on the accuracy of prenatal sonography. Autopsy as a method of quality control is absolutely necessary.

Abortion, Eugenic↗

Clinical significance and neuropathology of primary MADD in C34-T and G468-T mutations of the AMPD1 gene.

OBJECTIVE: Primary myoadenylate deaminase deficiency (MADD) is probably the most frequent inborn metabolic myopathy with a prevalence of up to 2%. It is the result of mutations in the AMPDI gene, the most common of which is a C34-T transition in exon 2. The importance of the more rare mutation G468-T in exon 5 is uncertain. Primary objective was to elucidate the clinical significance of the enzyme disorder, which remains unclear since its first description in 1978. We further examined the existence of an association of MADD with other muscle disorders, such as malignant hyperthermia and rhabdomyolysis, as was suspected in earlier studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a large collection of 1673 muscle biopsies that had been stored deep frozen we identified 33 cases of primary MADD, 12 of which without any other coinciding muscle diseases, by histochemical, biochemical and molecular genetic examinations. Clinical and laboratory data was collected. By additional examination of randomly chosen blood samples we identified one person carrying the rare compound heterozygosity C34-T/ G468-T, who was examined in clinical respects and a muscle biopsy was taken. RESULTS: As underlying mutation, the most common transition C34-T/C 143-T was detected in 33 cases. One patient carried the compound heterozygosity C34-T/G468-T. The overall frequency of MADD in the contingent was 1.8%. Only three patients out of 12 with isolated primary MADD suffered from muscle complaints, one of whom did not experience the typical symptoms of exercise related myalgia, muscle cramps and weakness as described by Fishbein. The patient carrying C34-T/G468-T was a fully healthy female. She had never experienced any muscle complaints. Any association with other neuromuscular disorders, if not completely ruled out, was found to be very unlikely. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that MADD itself is unlikely to be solely responsible for the manifestation of muscular symptoms. It is probable that either the loss of a compensation mechanism or coexistent disturbances in muscle metabolism which are unidentified so far are required for the emergence of complaints.

AMP Deaminase↗