Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ABNORMALITIES”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The association between an abnormal nuchal skin fold, trisomy 21, and ultrasound abnormalities identified during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Fetal echocardiography and a detailed non-cardiovascular ultrasound examination were performed prospectively between 14 and 23 weeks of gestation prior to genetic amniocentesis in 2800 consecutive fetuses at increased risk for trisomy 21 due to advanced maternal age or a low maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein. An abnormal nuchal skin fold was defined as >or=6 mm. Of 2800 fetuses, 23 (0.82%) had an abnormal nuchal skin fold. Seven of 35 fetuses (20%) with trisomy 21 and one of 12 fetuses (8.3%) with trisomy 18 had an abnormal nuchal skin fold. Of the 23 fetuses with an abnormal nuchal skin fold, seven (30.4%) had trisomy 21, one (4.4%) trisomy 18, one (4.4%), 46,XY,11p+ and 14 (60.8%) had normal karyotypes. The fetuses with trisomy 18 and 46,XY,11p+ had malformations of the cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular organ systems. Five of seven (71%) fetuses with trisomy 21 and an abnormal nuchal skin fold had abnormalities of both the cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular organ systems; one of seven (14.5%) had a heart defect only; and one of seven (14.5%) an abnormality of a non-cardiovascular organ system. Of the 14 fetuses with an abnormal nuchal skin fold and normal karyotype, seven had no additional abnormalities, six an abnormality of the heart, and one a non-cardiovascular defect. Fetuses with an abnormal nuchal skin fold had a significant increased incidence of trisomy 21 when a combination of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular abnormalities were present compared to fetuses with no additional defects or a single defect of the heart or non-cardiovascular organ system (p = 0.001). In fetuses with an abnormal nuchal skin fold, the incidence of congenital heart disease was 6155, central nervous system defects 17%, hyperechoic bowel 8.7%, and renal abnormalities 17.4%. These findings would suggest that the fetus identified with an abnormal nuchal skin fold with additional cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular abnormalities has a greater risk for chromosomal aneuploidy compared to the fetus with an isolated abnormal nuchal skin fold or with one additional abnormality of the heart or a non-cardiovascular organ system. When an abnormal nuchal skin fold is identified, careful evaluation of the fetal cardiovascular system should be made.

Journal Article↗

Gender differences in the relation between ST-T-wave abnormalities at baseline electrocardiogram and stress myocardial perfusion abnormalities in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

The presence of ST-T-wave abnormalities in the resting electrocardiogram was reported as a predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD) and increased morbidity and mortality. However, the independent value of ST-T abnormalities for predicting the presence and severity of perfusion abnormalities during stress testing has not been studied in a homogenous patient group without known CAD. We evaluated the relation between resting ST-T abnormalities and myocardial perfusion abnormalities in 246 patients (age 59 +/- 13 years, 114 men and 132 women) without known CAD or previous myocardial infarction referred for evaluation of possible myocardial ischemia by dobutamine (up to 40 microg/kg/min) stress sestamibi or tetrofosmin single-photon emission computed tomographic imaging. Resting ST-T abnormalities were present in 123 patients, whereas 123 patients with normal resting electrocardiograms served as a matched control group. Abnormal myocardial perfusion (fixed or reversible perfusion defects) was detected in 72% of men with and in 35% of men without resting ST-T abnormalities (p <0.0001), whereas the prevalence of myocardial perfusion abnormalities was not different in women with and without resting ST-T abnormalities (27% vs 23%, p = NS). In the entire population, independent predictors of an abnormal perfusion by multivariate analysis of clinical characteristics and risk factors were male gender (p <0.001, chi-square 10.5) and resting ST-T abnormalities (p <0.05, chi-square 3). Separate analysis of patients based on gender revealed resting ST-T abnormalities as independent predictors of abnormal perfusion in men (p <0.05, chi-square 4) but not in women. Stress perfusion defect score was higher in men with than without ST-T abnormalities (887 +/- 545 vs 207 +/- 180, p <0.001). It is concluded that resting ST-T wave abnormalities are associated with a higher prevalence and severity of resting and dobutamine-induced myocardial perfusion abnormalities in men but not in women. Resting ST-T wave abnormalities are powerful predictors of compromised myocardial perfusion independent of other clinical risk factors of CAD in men.

Cardiotonic Agents↗

Effect of spinal cord abnormalities on the function of the lower urinary tract in patients with anorectal abnormalities.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effect of spinal cord abnormalities on lower urinary tract function in patients with anorectal abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 30 patients with anorectal anomalies mainly because of fecal or urinary incontinence. All patients underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging and urodynamic investigation. RESULTS: Major lumbosacral abnormalities were detected in 57% of patients, including 13, 4 and 3 with a tethered cord, syringomyelia and caudal regression, respectively. Significant dysfunction of the lower urinary tract in 57% of the cases involved an overactive detrusor in 11, detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in 4, distended bladder in 4 and lazy bladder in 1. When the spinal cord was normal, 54% of the patients had abnormal urodynamic findings but when the spinal cord was abnormal, 59% had abnormal urodynamics. When the bony spine was normal, 33% of the patients had an abnormal spinal cord but when the bony spine was abnormal, 69% had an abnormal spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with anorectal abnormalities and fecal or urinary incontinence problems often have an abnormal spinal cord and abnormal urodynamic findings. However, the state of the spinal cord is not the only factor explaining lower urinary tract function. Thus, the possibility of lower urinary tract dysfunction should be considered in each patient with anorectal abnormalities. If the patient has symptoms or findings suggesting abnormal lower urinary tract function urodynamic evaluation should be performed.

Adolescent↗

[Doppler ultrasound of the umbilical artery in fetuses with sonographically abnormal findings and/or chromosome abnormalities (corrected)].

We performed 77 Doppler blood flow studies of the umbilical artery in 45 foetuses with malformations and/or chromosomal abnormalities. 20 foetuses had chromosomal abnormalities and 34 records of the second and third trimester were analysed. In 25 foetuses with malformations, but without chromosomal abnormalities, 43 investigations were performed between 21st and 40th weeks of gestation. In the second trimester, 3 of 11 foetuses with chromosomal abnormalities had an absence of enddiastolic flow velocities, whereas the other foetuses had pulsatility indices within the range for foetuses with a normal karyotype. In the third trimester, 7 of 10 foetuses with chromosomal abnormalities had pathological Doppler findings. Four cases had absent or reversed enddiastolic (ARED) flow velocities. Altogether 10 of 13 foetuses beyond the 19th weeks of gestation had pathological Doppler findings (sensitivity = 77%). The structure and the function of the placenta is influenced by the abnormal karyotype, which is demonstrated by pathological Doppler findings. Only 3 of 43 investigations in foetuses with malformations but normal karyotype, showed abnormal PI values and there was no case of ARED flow. In a group of 24 foetuses with ARED flow, 6 foetuses had chromosomal abnormalities. All foetuses with malformations and ARED flow had an abnormal karyotype. Prenatal chromosome analyses of foetuses with suspicious sonographic findings, revealed a rate of 29% chromosomal abnormalities, nearly all of them with a maternal age under 35 years. Whereas Doppler sonography cannot exclude chromosomal abnormalities before the 20th weeks of gestation, there is a good correlation between chromosomal abnormalities and abnormal Doppler findings later on.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Abnormal skin temperature and abnormal sympathetic vasomotor innervation in an experimental painful peripheral neuropathy.

A chronic constriction injury to the sciatic nerve of the rat produces a neuropathic pain syndrome that has many of the symptoms that are seen in humans with painful peripheral neuropathy. In particular, both the clinical and experimental conditions are accompanied by an abnormality of cutaneous temperature regulation in the painful area. A time course study was made of this phenomenon in the experimental model. In normal rats, there is little or no difference between the temperature of the two hind paws (plantar skin). After nerve injury, however, approximately 75% of the rats (N = 30) had abnormally large (greater than +/- 0.9 degrees C) temperature differences (delta T) between the affected and sham-operated sides. The abnormal delta Ts could be either positive or negative, i.e., the affected side could be hotter or colder than normal. For individual cases, the temperature abnormality was highly variable over time periods of hours to days; abnormally hot skin could switch to being abnormally cold, and vice versa, and small delta Ts in the normal range could switch between abnormal extremes. Despite this individual variability, the average delta T of the group as a whole displayed a clear evolution over the course of the 30-day observation period: abnormally hot initially and progressing to abnormally cold. A parallel time course study was made of the status of the sympathetic vasoconstrictor innervation to the affected hind paw (plantar artery and vein). As demonstrated with a histofluorescence method that visualizes catecholamines, there was a gradual loss of norepinephrine (NE)-containing sympathetic efferents on the nerve-injured side. The decrease was first noted on postoperative day 5 (PO5), was very marked by PO10-PO14, and progressed to a complete or nearly complete loss by PO30. There was a concomitant decrease in staining for two other substances found in vasoconstrictor efferents, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). The NE-containing innervation of the contralateral (sham-operated) plantar vessels appeared to be normal at all times. Lastly, in order to determine whether there was any relation between the temperature abnormality and the status of the sympathetic perivascular plexus, additional rats were sacrificed immediately after skin temperature measurement and the hind paw vessels were stained for NE. The vasculature of some abnormally cold paws had no detectable NE. Some rats that did not appear to have a temperature abnormality also had no detectable NE on the affected hind paw's vasculature. The vasculature of some abnormally hot paws had normal NE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

In B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia chromosome 17 abnormalities and not trisomy 12 are the single most important cytogenetic abnormalities for the prognosis: a cytogenetic and immunophenotypic study of 480 unselected newly diagnosed patients.

Of 560 consecutive, newly diagnosed untreated patients with B CLL submitted for chromosome study, G-banded karyotypes could be obtained in 480 cases (86%). Of these, 345 (72%) had normal karyotypes and 135 (28%) had clonal chromosome abnormalities: trisomy 12 (+12) was found in 40 cases, 20 as +12 alone (+12single), 20 as +12 with additional abnormalities (+12complex). Other frequent findings included abnormalities of 14q, chromosome 17, 13q and 6q. The immunophenotype was typical for CLL in 358 patients (CD5+, Slg(weak), mainly FMC7-) and atypical for CLL in 122 patients (25%) (CD5-, or Slg(strong) or FMC7+). Chromosome abnormalities were found significantly more often in patients with atypical (48%) than in patients with typical CLL phenotype (22%) (P < 0.00005). Also +12complex, 14q+, del6q, and abnormalities of chromosome 17 were significantly more frequent in patients with atypical CLL phenotype, whereas +12single was found equally often in patients with typical and atypical CLL phenotype. The cytomorphology of most of the +12 patients was that of classical CLL irrespective of phenotype. In univariate survival analysis the following cytogenetic findings were significantly correlated to a poor prognosis: chromosome 17 abnormalities, 14q+, an abnormal karyotype, +12complex, more than one cytogenetic event, and the relative number of abnormal mitoses. In multivariate survival analysis chromosome 17 abnormalities were the only cytogenetic findings with independent prognostic value irrespective of immunophenotype. We conclude that in patients with typical CLL immunophenotype, chromosome abnormalities are somewhat less frequent at the time of diagnosis than hitherto believed. +12single is compatible with classical CLL, and has no prognostic influence whereas chromosome 17 abnormalities signify a poor prognosis. In patients with an atypical CLL immunophenotype, chromosome abnormalities including +12complex, 14q+, del 6q and chromosome 17 are found in about 50% of the patients, and in particular chromosome 17 abnormalities suggest a poor prognosis.

Aged↗

Abnormal branching and regression of the notochord and its relationship to foregut abnormalities.

An abnormally positioned notochord has been reported in embryos that develop foregut abnormalities, vertebral defects and other abnormalities of the VATER association. This study examines the patterns of regression of the abnormal notochord in the rat model of the VATER association and investigates the relationship between developmental abnormalities of the notochord and those of the vertebra and foregut. Timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were given daily intraperitoneal injections of 1.75 mg/kg adriamycin on gestational days 6 - 9 inclusive. Rats were sacrificed between days 14 and 20 and their embryos harvested, histologically sectioned and stained and examined serially. The location and appearance of the degenerating notochord and its relationship to regional structural defects were analysed. All 26 embryos exposed to adriamycin developed foregut abnormalities and had an abnormal notochord. The notochord disappeared by a process of apoptotic degeneration that lagged behind that of the normal embryo: the notochord persisted in the abnormal embryo beyond day 17, whereas in the normal rat it had already disappeared. Similarly, formation of the nucleus pulposus was delayed. Vertebral abnormalities occurred when the notochord was ventrally-positioned. The notochord disappears during day 16 in the normal embryo whereas abnormal branches of the notochord persist until day 19 in the adriamycin-treated embryo. Degeneration of the notochord is dominated by apoptosis. An excessively ventrally-placed notochord is closely associated with abnormalities of the vertebral column, especially hemivertebrae.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Myocardial abnormalities in hypertensive patients with normal and abnormal left ventricular filling: a study of ultrasound tissue characterization and strain.

Abnormal left ventricular (LV) filling is common, but not universal, in hypertensive LV hypertrophy (LVH). We sought to elucidate the relative contributions of myocardial structural changes, loading and hypertrophy to LV dysfunction in 113 patients: 85 with hypertensive LVH and 28 controls without LVH and with normal filling. Patients with normal dobutamine stress echocardiography and no history of coronary artery disease were selected, in order to exclude a contribution from ischaemia or scar. Abnormal LV filling was identified in 65 LVH patients, based on Doppler measurement of transmitral filling and annular velocities. All patients underwent grey-scale and colour tissue Doppler imaging from three apical views, which were stored and analysed off line. Integrated backscatter (IB) and strain rate imaging were used to detect changes in structure and function; average cyclic variation of IB, strain rate and peak systolic strain were calculated by averaging each segment. Calibrated IB intensity, corrected for pericardial IB intensity, was measured in the septum and posterior wall from the parasternal long-axis view. Patients with LVH differed significantly from controls with respect to all backscatter and strain parameters, irrespective of the presence or absence of abnormal LV filling. LVH patients with and without abnormal LV filling differed with regard to age, LV mass and incidence of diabetes mellitus, but also showed significant differences in cyclic variation (P<0.01), calibrated IB in the posterior wall (P<0.05) and strain rate (P<0.01), although blood pressure, heart rate and LV systolic function were similar. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, LV mass index and calibrated IB in the posterior wall were independent determinants of abnormal LV filling in patients with LVH. Thus structural and functional abnormalities can be detected in hypertensive patients with LVH with and without abnormal LV filling. In addition to age and LVH, structural (not functional) abnormalities are likely to contribute to abnormal LV filling, and may be an early sign of LV damage. IB is useful for the detection of myocardial abnormalities in patients with hypertensive LVH.

Adult↗

[Genetic analysis of a male with Multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella combined with sperm head abnormalities due to compound heterozygous variants of DNAH1 gene and a literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic etiology of a male with Multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella (MMAF) combined with sperm head abnormalities due to compound heterozygous variants of DNAH1 gene, with an aim to provide guidance for assisted reproductive technology in his family. METHODS: A man with MMAF combined with sperm head abnormalities who visited Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University in October 2024 was selected as study subject. Clinical data of the patient's family were retrospectively collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patient and his spouse, and G-banding karyotyping and whole exome sequencing (WES) were carried out. Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. Conservation of the DNAH1 protein was queried on the UCSC website. The difference between wild type and variant DNAH1 proteins were analyzed using AlphaFold v3.0.1 and PyMOL v2.5.6. The pathogenicity of variant was rated based on the guidelines from American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Previous literature was searched using keywords "DNAH1 gene" and "multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella" on CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and PubMed database to identify cases of MMAF attributed to biallelic DNAH1 gene variants. The retrieval period was set from the establishment of the databases to December 31, 2025. The genotypes and clinical phenotypes of patients with biallelic DNAH1 mutations were analyzed. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: EC2023-094). RESULTS: The 30-year-old patient and his 30-year-old wife had infertility for 2 years. Semen analysis revealed no motile sperm and a 99.0% abnormal morphology rate. Typical MMAF was observed with phase-contrast microscopy. Sperm morphology analysis revealed abnormalities of the head, neck, and tail with an approximate ratio of 9:5:1. The patient's karyotype was 46,XY, and his wife's karyotype was 45,X[4]/47,XXX[1]/46,XX[84]. WES and Sanger sequencing revealed that the patient harbored compound heterozygous variants of the DNAH1 gene, namely c.1435_1444+3del and c.12204_12206del (p.Asn4069del), but their origin remained unidentified. UCSC genome browser query results showed that the amino acid residue at position 4 069 of the DNAH1 protein is highly conserved across various species. Protein structure prediction reveals that, in the wild-type DNAH1 protein, the Asparagine at position 4 069 (Asn4069) can form hydrogen bonds with the Leucine on the main chain at position 4 086 (Leu4086) and the Serine on the side chain at position 4 087 (Ser4087). The c.12204_12206del variant, resulting in deletion of Asn4069, disrupts these hydrogen bonds and does not generate any compensatory interactions. Based on the ACMG guidelines, the c.1435_1444+3del variant was predicted to be likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+PVS1), and the c.12204_12206del(p.Asn4069del) variant was rated as likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+PM4+PM3+PP4). The couple had elected for in vitro fertilization using donor sperm. During this cycle, 12 oocytes were retrieved, 10 oocytes were successfully fertilized, 1 embryo and 6 blastocysts were obtained. Following the first transfer of a frozen-thawed blastocyst, implantation of an empty gestational sac occurred, which led to a miscarriage. After the second transfer of a high-quality blastocyst, the embryo split into twins following implantation, and the spouse had selected fetal reduction. The gestational age was 33+3 weeks on June 1, 2026. Literature review identified three studies reporting biallelic mutations of the DNAH1 gene in association with MMAF combined with sperm head abnormalities. Together with the patient from this study, a total of 20 patients were included in the analysis. The rate of sperm flagellar abnormalities in these patients was above 80.0%, while the rate of sperm head abnormalities has ranged from 12.0% to 100.0%. In four patients, the genetic basis was unknown. In the remaining 16 patients, 35 mutations were detected, with c.8626-1G>A being the most common (22.9%, 8/35). CONCLUSION: This patient showed MMAF with frequent sperm head defects. Compound heterozygous variants of the DNAH1 gene probably underlay these abnormalities, which in turn has led to his primary infertility. This study revealed the phenotypic variability of MMAF and broadened the mutational spectrum of the DNAH1 gene.

Humans↗

Chromosome abnormalities in ovarian adenocarcinoma: I. Nonrandom chromosome abnormalities from 244 cases.

Cytogenetics provides important insights into the molecular pathogenesis of human cancers. Although extensive data exist on recurring cytogenetic abnormalities in hematologic cancers, data on individual solid tumor types remain limited. Previous studies of ovarian carcinoma indicated the presence of multiple, complex clonal chromosome abnormalities. Cytogenetics remains one of a few techniques capable of detecting these multiple, simultaneously occurring genetic abnormalities. We describe cytogenetic abnormalities from a series of 244 primary ovarian cancer specimens referred to a single institution. A total of 201/244 cases had fully characterized clonal chromosome abnormalities, of which 134 showed clonal chromosome breakpoints. We used a novel statistical technique to detect nonrandom chromosome breakpoints at the level of chromosome regions. Nonrandom occurrence of chromosome breakpoints was detected at regions 1p1*, 1q1*, 1p2*, 1q2*, 1p3*, 1q3, 3p1*, 1q4*, 6q1*, 6p2, 6q2, 7p1*, 7q1, 7p2*, 11p1*, 11q1, 11q2*, 12p1, 12q2*, 13p1, and 19q1. Simultaneous occurrence of multiple abnormalities was common. However, 120/134 cases had breakpoints at one or more of 13 commonly involved regions (*), suggesting a hierarchy of genetic abnormalities. Among clinical and tumor variables that predict patient survival, tumor grade was significantly associated with the presence of chromosome breakpoints. In additional studies, we show that nonrandom chromosome abnormalities are associated with impaired survival in ovarian cancer and that specific, nonrandomly involved chromosome regions retain significant effects on survival when analyses are controlled for important clinical variables. Additional specific chromosome abnormalities in this series are described, including chromosome gains and losses in near-diploid cases and homogeneously staining regions. These results suggest that recurring, nonrandom chromosome abnormalities are important in the pathogenesis and/or progression of ovarian cancers, and target areas of the genome for molecular genetic studies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Abnormal uterine bleeding. Accuracy of vaginal probe ultrasound in predicting abnormal hysteroscopic findings.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of vaginosonography in predicting the presence of abnormal intrauterine findings at hysteroscopy in women presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred thirty-eight women between the ages of 25 and 75 were evaluated for abnormal uterine bleeding by a combination of vaginal probe ultrasound, hysteroscopy and suction curettage. Ultrasound findings were classified as normal, abnormal or equivocal, and hysteroscopic findings as normal or abnormal. The ability of findings on ultrasound to predict a normal or abnormal hysteroscopic examination was evaluated. RESULTS: Ultrasound examination was normal, equivocal and abnormal in 57 (24%), 78 (33%) and 103 (43%) patients, respectively. If equivocal scans are excluded, ultrasound had a positive predictive value of 87%, negative predictive value of 89%, sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 89%. If equivocal scans are considered abnormal, the positive predictive value of an abnormal ultrasound examination was 75%, negative predictive value was 89%, sensitivity 96% and specificity 53%. Vaginosonography detected 99% of submucous myomas and 89% of endometrial polyps. CONCLUSION: Normal and abnormal vaginal probe ultrasound examination of the uterus is effective in predicting the presence or absence of endometrial pathology as determined by hysteroscopy and suction curettage. Vaginal probe ultrasound is an excellent screening examination for the presence of intrauterine pathology and can assist in planning further evaluation and treatment.

Adult↗

Centrosome-centriole abnormalities are markers for abnormal cell divisions and cancer in the transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) model.

We utilized the transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) model to study the formation of abnormal mitosis in malignant tumors of the prostate. The results presented here are focused on centrosome and centriole abnormalities and the implications for abnormal cell divisions, genomic instability, and apoptosis. Centrosomes are microtubule organizing organelles which assemble bipolar spindles in normal cells but can organize mono-, tri-, and multipolar mitoses in tumor cells, as shown here with histology and electron microscopy in TRAMP neoplastic tissue. These abnormalities will cause unequal distribution of chromosomes and can initiate imbalanced cell cycles in which checkpoints for cell cycle control are lost. Neoplastic tissue of the TRAMP model is also characterized by numerous apoptotic cells. This may be the result of multipolar mitoses related to aberrant centrosome formations. Our results also reveal that centrosomes at the poles in mitotic cancer cells contain more than the regular perpendicular pair of centrioles which indicates abnormal distribution of centrioles during separation to the mitotic poles. Abnormalities in the centriole-centrosome complex are also seen during interphase where the complex is either closely associated with the nucleus or loosely dispersed in the cytoplasm. An increase in centriole numbers is observed during interphase, which may be the result of increased centriole duplication. Alternatively, these centrioles may be derived from basal bodies that have accumulated in the cell's cytoplasm, after the loss of cell borders. The supernumerary centrioles may participate in the formation of abnormal mitoses during cell division. These results demonstrate multiple abnormalities in the centrosome-centriole complex during prostate cancer that result in abnormal mitoses and may lead to increases in genomic instability and/or apoptosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Abnormal coronary flow reserve and abnormal radionuclide exercise test results in patients with normal coronary angiograms.

Coronary flow reserve, exercise thallium-201 scintigraphy and exercise radionuclide ventriculography were compared in 18 patients with chest pain and angiographically normal coronary arteries. Regional exercise thallium-201 perfusion was abnormal in three patients, regional exercise wall motion was abnormal in three other patients and results of both tests were abnormal in one additional patient. Left ventricular ejection fraction responses were abnormal in five of these seven patients. The coronary flow reserve of arterial distributions with abnormal perfusion or regional dysfunction was significantly lower than that of distributions associated with normal radionuclide results (1.42 +/- 0.23 versus 2.58 +/- 0.83, p less than 0.001). All patients with abnormal scintigraphic results had low coronary flow reserve (less than 1.95) in at least one distribution. Perfusion abnormalities appeared to be more localized in the arterial distributions with the lowest flow reserve. Only two patients had low flow reserve (less than 1.95) with normal scintigraphic results; both were hypertensive. These data suggest that abnormal exercise scintigraphic findings in patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries and chest pain are indicative of true blood flow or perfusion abnormalities.

Adult↗

Differentiation of abnormal relaxation pattern with aging from abnormal relaxation pattern with coronary artery disease in transmitral flow with the use of tissue Doppler imaging of the mitral annulus.

An abnormal relaxation pattern in transmitral flow velocity waveforms has been observed in older healthy subjects as well as in patients with heart disease. Accordingly, we investigated whether the hemodynamic differences between patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with an abnormal relaxation pattern in transmitral flow (ratio of E-wave to A-wave velocities < 1.0) and healthy older subjects with an abnormal relaxation pattern can be distinguished with the use of mitral annular velocity (MAV) during early diastole. We measured MAV in the longitudinal direction of the heart during early diastole by M-mode color tissue Doppler imaging in 24 patients with atypical chest pain (defined as healthy subjects in this study) and 70 patients with CAD who underwent cardiac catheterization. In all patients a time constant of left ventricular pressure decay (tau) and the left ventricular (LV) end-systolic volume index were also measured. Twenty-one healthy subjects and 59 patients with CAD had an abnormal relaxation pattern in their transmitral flow. The age, heart rate, mean blood pressure, and ratio of E-wave to A-wave velocities were not different between the two groups. However, the tau was longer and the LV end-systolic volume index was greater in patients who had an abnormal relaxation pattern with CAD than in healthy subjects with an abnormal relaxation pattern. The MAV during early diastole was lower in the former than in the latter (5.8 +/- 1. 9 vs 9.8 +/- 1.9 cm/s, P <.001). Mitral annular velocity during early diastole by M-mode color tissue Doppler imaging can detect the differences in LV relaxation and LV systolic performance between the abnormal relaxation pattern with CAD and the physiologically abnormal relaxation pattern with aging, providing further information regarding the meaning of an LV abnormal relaxation pattern.

Aging↗

[Impact of indirect factors on the growing prevalence of workers with abnormal findings in periodic general health examinations: a survey on the definition and detection of such abnormal workers by occupational health organizations].

The prevalence of workers with abnormal findings in periodic general health examinations (PGHEx) has been growing recently in Japan and reached 41.2% in 1998. To clarify the indirect factors related to such an increase in workers with abnormal findings in the PGHEx, we carried out a questionnaire survey on the content of the statutory notification form of results of the PGHEx among a representative sample of 136 Occupational Health Organizations (OHOs). Questions on how those workers with abnormal findings were defined and detected and when the definition and the reference intervals for total cholesterol became available were included. Of the 107 OHOs which answered the questionnaire, 85 were included in the analyses because they actually calculated the number of workers with abnormal findings in each company and helped the employer fill out the notification form. The results revealed that there was no standardized definition of workers with abnormal findings in the PGHEx. Both reference intervals of items in the PGHEx and algorithm in detecting workers with abnormal findings in the PGHEx varied among the OHOs. When detecting the workers, 13 OHOs (15.3%) selected them taking into consideration medical background factors such as previous results of the PGHEx and current medical treatment. From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, many OHOs modified the definition of workers with abnormal findings, and have tended to reduce the upper limit of the reference interval for serum cholesterol. This is mainly due to amendment of the Industrial Safety and Health Law and a new recommendation for a reference interval/value proposed by the related scientific society. Although the prevalence of workers with abnormal findings in the PGHEx has continuously increased, it is not valid to compare the prevalence over the years because of modification in the definition of such workers. The prevalence of workers with abnormal findings in the PGHEx, which is one of the most important indices of the state of occupational health, should be measured by using an objective definition and be compatible with the future system of health examination for Japanese workers.

Adult↗

Evaluation of abnormal mammography results and palpable breast abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: Because approximately 1 in 10 women with a breast lump or abnormal mammography result will have breast cancer, a series of decisions must be taken by a primary care practitioner to exclude or establish a diagnosis of breast cancer among these women. PURPOSE: To determine the most accurate and least invasive means to evaluate an abnormal mammography result and a palpable breast abnormality. DATA SOURCE: MEDLINE search (January 1966 to March 2003) for articles and reviews describing the accuracy of clinical examination, biopsy procedures, and radiographic examination for patients with abnormal mammography results or palpable breast abnormalities. STUDY SELECTION: The authors reviewed abstracts and selected articles that provided relevant primary data. Studies were included if 1) mammography, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, or core-needle biopsy was performed before a definitive diagnosis was obtained; 2) the study sample included 100 or more women; and 3) breast cancer status was determined from histopathology review of excisional biopsy specimens, from linkage with a state cancer registry or the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, or from clinical follow-up of 95% or more of the study sample. DATA EXTRACTION: One investigator abstracted results. Methods were evaluated for major potential biases, but methodologic scoring was not performed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Likelihood ratios for first screening mammography were 0.1 for the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessment category "negative or benign finding," 1.2 for "probably benign finding," 7 for "need additional imaging evaluation," 125 for "suspicious abnormality," and 2200 for "highly suggestive of malignancy." For fine-needle aspiration biopsy of a palpable lump performed by formally trained physicians, the likelihood ratio was infinity for an assessment of "malignant," 2.6 for "atypical/suspicious," and 0.02 for "benign." When diagnostic mammography was used to evaluate a palpable lump or nonpalpable breast abnormality, the positive likelihood ratios were 5.6 and 9.4, and the negative likelihood ratios were 0.15 and 0.19, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Women whose screening mammography results are interpreted as "suspicious abnormality" or "highly suggestive of malignancy" have a high risk for breast cancer and should undergo core-needle biopsy or needle localization with surgical biopsy. Women whose screening mammography results are interpreted as "need additional imaging evaluation" have a moderate risk for breast cancer and should undergo diagnostic mammography or ultrasonography to decide whether a nonpalpable breast lesion should be biopsied. Women whose screening mammography results are interpreted as "probably benign finding" have a low risk for breast cancer and can undergo follow-up mammography in 6 months. Either fine-needle aspiration biopsy or ultrasonography is recommended as the first diagnostic test of a palpable breast abnormality to distinguish simple cysts from solid masses. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy also allows characterization of a solid mass. Diagnostic mammography does not help determine whether a palpable breast mass should be biopsied and should not affect the decision to perform a biopsy.

Adult↗

Abnormal vitamin B6 metabolism in alkaline phosphatase knock-out mice causes multiple abnormalities, but not the impaired bone mineralization.

The tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) knock-out mouse is a model of infantile hypophosphatasia displaying impaired bone mineralization, epileptic seizures, apnoea, abnormal apoptosis in the thymus, abnormal lumbar nerve roots, and postnatal death. Administration of vitamin B6 suppresses the epileptic seizures in TNAP-/- mice. This paper examines to what extent the diverse abnormalities seen in these mice are due to impaired utilization of vitamin B6, using two complementary approaches: administration of vitamin B6 to TNAP null mice and deprivation of vitamin B6 in wild-type and TNAP heterozygous mice. Administration of exogenous pyridoxal HCl delayed the onset of epileptic attacks and increased the life span of TNAP-/- mice. The episodes of apnoea ceased and the appearance of lumbar nerve roots improved, but hypomineralization and accumulation of osteoid continued to worsen with age. Control mice fed a vitamin B6-depleted diet developed epileptic seizures indistinguishable from those observed in TNAP-/- mice, abnormal apoptosis in the thymus, and thinning of the nerve roots, but showed no evidence of bone mineralization abnormalities. Depletion of vitamin B6 did not affect the ability of primary cultures of osteoblasts to deposit bone mineral in vitro. While abnormal metabolism of vitamin B6 explains many of the abnormalities in this mouse model of infantile hypophosphatasia, it is not the basis of the abnormal mineralization that characterizes this disease.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Nature and frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancies with abnormal ultrasound findings: an analysis of 117 cases with review of the literature.

During a 7-year period, 117 fetal karyotypes were available from 131 genetic amniocenteses. These procedures were performed between 14 and 37 weeks' gestation for the following abnormal ultrasound findings: (1) intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)--61 cases; (2) fetal malformation--71 cases; and (3) amniotic fluid volume (AFV) abnormality--60 cases. Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 19 cases (16.2 per cent). Aneuploidy was 2.5 times as frequent in the presence of malformations than in their absence. No correlation was demonstrated between specific fetal malformations and specific chromosomal abnormalities. Aneuploidy was also twice as frequent in the presence of symmetrical IUGR than in its absence. No chromosomal abnormalities were found among eight cases of asymmetrical IUGR. Four cases of aneuploidy presented with isolated IUGR, three of these involving the X chromosome. The frequency of aneuploidy was the same with or without abnormalities of AFV (14.3 versus 16.4 per cent). No chromosomal abnormality was found associated with isolated AFV abnormalities.

Adult↗