Ch. Dadak

Morphological changes in the umbilical arteries of babies born to pre-eclamptic mothers: an ultrastructural study

The umbilical arteries of babies from ten normal pregnancies and from ten babies born to pre-eclamptic mothers were studied. Ultrastructurally, there were marked abnormalities of umbilical arterial morphology in the pre-eclamptic group. A loss of intercellular junctions, distension of the endoplasmic reticulum and an increase in cell organelles in the endothelial cells leading to a partial de-endothelialization was noted. Smooth muscle cells showed the morphological features of metabolic activation. These ultrastructural findings can be attributed to fetal hypoxia and to disturbances in cellular lipid metabolism; they suggest that there may be an abnormal fetal arterial blood flow in maternal pre-eclampsia.

Necrotizing fasciitis arising from episiotomy.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a fatal, rapidly progressive, often initially unrecognized condition. Mortality rates range from 30% to 76%. Prognosis depends on the delay of diagnosis, antimicrobial treatment and surgical excision of all necrotic tissue. A case of postpartum perineal necrotizing fasciitis arising from episiotomy is presented. Prompt recognition and aggressive therapy resulted in a favorable outcome despite significant morbidity.

Prostaglandin metabolism in umbilical vessels of smoking and non-smoking mothers

SummaryArachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites are responsible for the regulation of the umbilical blood flow. We investigated the prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in umbilical arteries and veins of 16 smoking and 17 non-smoking mothers. AA and PGs were analyzed after extraction of samples by means of thin layer chromatography (TLC). Of all the AA metabolites in umbilical arteries and veins, prostacyclin reached the highest concentration. In non-smoking mothers the conversion rate of AA in arteries and veins was similar. The only exception was PGE2 which showed a significantly lower concentration in umbilical veins of smoking mothers. However, the influence of PGE2 on the blood flow of umbilical arteries and veins seems to be of minor importance compared to other vessels.

Eine kombinierte Kalk-Fett-Färbung mit Darstellung der Gefässwandpermeabilität

A simple combined method for staining the arteries of fetuses and newborns with following demonstration of the vessel wall permeability for macroscopic and microscopic investigations is described.A simple combined method for staining the arteries of fetuses and newborns with following demonstration of the vessel wall permeability for macroscopic and microscopic investigations is described.

Toxische und essentielle Spurenelemente bei Neugeborenen und deren Müttern

Die in den Industriestaaten immer wieder aufflammende Diskussion uber eine mogliche Schadigung des Neugeborenen durch Schadstoffe, die ihm von der Mutter uber die Muttermilch (MM) weitergegeben werden, stutzt sich auf sehr wenige, meist auf einzelne Schwermetalle beschrankte Studien (2, 3). Es fehlen bislang genaue Angaben uber die Schwermetallbelastung (Blut und MM), deren Ausscheidung (Harn), sowie uber den Transfer dieser Elemente von der Mutter auf das Kind.

VAGINOSONOGRAPHICALLY GUIDED PARACENTESIS IN A WOMAN WITH SEVERE THROMBOCYTOPENIA

SummaryCoagulation disorders and obesity might complicate transabdominal paracentesis. In a woman with severe thrombocytopenia we used the vaginal approach guided by vaginosonography to obtain ascitic fluid for analysis.

The significance of determining CA 15-3 in the cytosol of breast cancer

SummaryThe identification of tumor markers in patients who had undergone operation for breast cancer provides important information in the follow-up in addition to evaluation by clinical and visual methods. The aim of our study was to determine the clinical prospective value of CA 15-3, mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen and carcinoembrynic antigen in preoperative measurement of serum samples in patients with primary breast cancer, and to determine CA 15-3 and steroid receptors in the cytosol of the tumor. The results show that the most exact correlation occurred between serum CA 15-3 and the different stages of the tumor. However, there is no conclusive evidence for the prognosis and the course of the disease from preoperative findings of tumor markers in serum samples or in the cytosol of the tumor in patients with breast cancer.

Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN): Laser Therapy

Vulvar cancer is uncommon, representing about 4% of malignancies of the female genital tract. Over the past decade, a number of significant advances have been made in the management of vulvar cancer. These changes include: 1. Individualization of treatment for patients with early disease, with particular emphasis on vulvar conservation, if appropriate. 2. A more rational approach to the management of the groin and pelvic lymph nodes. 3. The use of separate groin incisions for lymphadenectomy in patients without clinically suspicious groin nodes.