PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Rizos

Publications and source records attributed to D Rizos.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Expression of CEA, CA-125 and SCC antigen by biological fluids associated with pregnancy.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen were measured in 56 full-termed pregnancies by enzyme-immunoassays (EIA-MEIA). The measurements were done in maternal serum (MS), umbilical cord blood (UCB) and amniotic fluid (AF) samples, during delivery. Very high antigen levels were found in AF samples (median: CEA = 124 ng/ml; CA-125 = 710 U/ml; SCC = 710 ng/ml) compared to UCB and MS. CEA and SCC showed significantly lower values in MS (0.6 and 1.7 ng/ml, respectively) than in UCB (1.6 ng/ml, P = 7.7 x 10(-9); 3.55 ng/ml, P = 6.5 x 10(-6), respectively), while CA-125 had significantly higher values in MS (6 U/ml) than in UCB (0.0 U/ml, P = 17 x 10(-6); Wilcoxon paired test). All CEA values in MS were below cut-off (less than or equal to 5 ng/ml), while 10% of CA-125 and 30% of SCC values were above cut-off (less than or equal to 35 U/ml and less than or equal to 2.5 ng/ml, respectively). Amniotic fluid CEA with meconium had higher values (P = 0.0002), while the highest CA-125 values in AF samples were found in primiparae (P = 0.02). Moreover SCC in AF samples from vaginal delivered pregnancies showed significantly higher values, compared to those from cesarean section (P = 4.2 x 10(-7); Mann-Whitney U-test). Thus, our findings suggest that pregnancy has an influence on maternal serum SCC and CA-125 values, while CEA is independent of gestation and seems to conserve its diagnostic value during pregnancy as well.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Hormone levels of follicular fluids with and without oocytes in patients who received gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues and gonadotropins in an in vitro fertilization program.

BACKGROUND: Are follicles where no oocytes are retrieved "empty follicles"? METHODS: The levels of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), testosterone (T), cortisol (F), and prolactin (PRL) of follicular fluids (FF) aspirated individually from 34 randomly selected IVF patients in whom no oocytes were recovered were compared with the respective hormone levels of FF obtained from the same patients when oocytes were retrieved. Two FF without oocytes of a 35th patient in whom no oocytes were retrieved were analyzed. RESULTS: Hormones did not differ significantly in the paired samples, while in the two FF of the 35th woman they were in agreement with cystic follicles. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to differentiate aspirated follicles where no oocytes are retrieved from the "empty follicle syndrome," which was not observed in the IVF series studied and should be rare in IVF patients.

Female↗
PubMed1992

Hormonal and ultrasound characteristics of menstrual function during chronic hemodialysis and after successful renal transplantation.

The cycles of 11 renal transplant recipients (RTR), at least 24 months after stabilization of graft function and four hemodialyzed (HD) patients, menstruating regularly, were evaluated by concurrent and systematic determinations throughout the cycle of LH, FSH, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin and SHBG and in the case of RTR also by ultrasound follow-up. Biphasic estradiol secretion, midcycle LH and FSH surge, duration of luteal phase, midluteal progesterone values and in the case of RTR, ultrasonic parameters were consistent with: (1) normal ovulatory cycles in five RTR; (2) ovulatory cycles with luteal phase deficiency in five RTR and two HD patients; (3) anovulatory cycles in one RTR and two HD patients. Thus, in HD patients only abnormal cycles of central etiology were found, while in RTR, luteal phase deficiency was a very common syndrome, in equal percentage with normal ovulatory cycles.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Discordant secretion of pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin by human pre-embryos cultured in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To study and compare the secretion of pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by human pre-embryos, cultured in vitro, with their respective morphological development. DESIGN: Spare human pre-embryos from randomly selected women participating in a program of in vitro fertilization (IVF) were studied prospectively. SETTING: Pre-embryos were cultured, and hormone release was determined in academic research laboratories. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Pre-embryos (n = 108) cultured for 14 days after fertilization in Ham's F-10 medium (GIBCO Ltd., Paisley, Scotland) were observed, and hCG and SP1 were measured in the culture media at regular intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Discordant secretion of SP1 and hCG. RESULTS: Of the 98 bipronucleate pre-embryos, 53.6% formed blastocysts, 17.3% of which hatched. Human chorionic gonadotropin was detected from day 7 after fertilization concomitantly with blastocyst formation, thereafter showing a logarithmic increase (maximum 10,650 mIU) until the first signs of embryonic disintegration. Pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein release started 3 to 4 days after fertilization independently of the morphological development and the future production of hCG, thereafter displaying a nonlogarithmic increase (maximum 41 ng). CONCLUSIONS: Hormone secretion and morphological development are unique for each pre-embryo. Human chorionic gonadotropin and SP1 seem to have different biochemical and physiological regulation.

Blastocyst↗
PubMed1992

Secretion of alpha-immunoreactive inhibin by human pre-embryos cultured in vitro.

alpha-Immunoreactive inhibin was measured using an enzyme immunoassay kit in the culture medium (Ham's F-10 medium supplemented with 14% heat-inactivated human serum) from day 3 or 4 to day 14 post-fertilization of 31 surplus pre-embryos from eight women participating in an in-vitro fertilization programme. Inhibition secretion was demonstrated in all of them from the fourth day after fertilization (mean +/- SEM: 3.0 +/- 0.7 U) and was independent of the morphological development of pre-embryos (2-4 cells, n = 4; 6-8 cells, n = 4; 8-10 cells, n = 9; 10-12 cells, n = 4; morulae, n = 5 and blastocysts, n = 4). On days 7, 10, 13 and 14 post-fertilization, mean inhibin values +/- SEM for non-disintegrated pre-embryos were respectively: 6.5 +/- 0.9 U, 12.3 +/- 2.0 U, 16.8 +/- 3.2 U and 20.2 +/- 3.7 U; however, when disintegration was noted on days 10 and 13 after fertilization, inhibin mean values were 9.0 +/- 1.4 U and 8.4 +/- 1.7 U respectively. Inhibin levels were significantly correlated with human chorionic gonadotrophin levels in the same culture media only on day 13, while correlation with pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein occurred on day 7 post-fertilization. In conclusion, early human pre-embryos secrete alpha-immunoreactive inhibin before the cytotrophoblast is formed. This secretion increases significantly with time when development is continued, while disintegration is followed by a net decline in the rate of inhibin release.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Contrast media nephrotoxicity: comparison of diatrizoate, ioxaglate, and iohexol after intravenous and renal arterial administration.

In several studies in humans and animals it has been suggested that high osmolality and ionicity of contrast media are responsible for higher nephrotoxicity. To examine this suggestion, we evaluated the renal effects of three different contrast media--an ionic high osmolar, an ionic low osmolar, and a nonionic--following intravenous and renal arterial administration, in a population of 84 unselected, nondiabetic patients with adequate renal function. The results showed that the nephrotoxicity is minimal and equal for all three contrast media and for both routes of their administration, and it is concluded that in this category of patients the far higher cost of the newer low osmolar ionics and nonionics should be considered seriously in regard to nephrotoxicity.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1991

Hormonal patterns in a successful pregnancy of a patient with late-onset 21-OH deficiency taking methylprednisolone; a case report.

A successful pregnancy of a young woman with late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (LOCAH) is reported. Exogenous glucocorticoids are the most commonly used regimen in such cases both for suppression of adrenal overstimulation and avoiding masculinization of a female fetus. In our LOCAH patient methylprednisolone has been used for treatment. We present the management and the outcome of this pregnancy, as well as the hormonal follow-up.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1991

Soluble interleukin-2 receptors and other markers in primary lung cancer.

Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2R), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG), pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (SP1), and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M) were taken in 92 patients with primary lung cancer and 43 controls. The mean value of sIL-2R in the cancer group was twice as high as that of the controls (P less than 0.001) and the highest values were observed in those with small cell carcinoma (SCC) (P less than 0.0001). Of the cancer patients, 51.1% had CEA values higher than the cutoff level of 5 ng/ml. Extended-disease patients had a higher percentage of increased CEA values than those with limited disease. Adenocarcinoma (ADCC) and SCC groups had the highest percentages of increased CEA levels. There was no significant difference between the groups for beta-HCG, AFP, SP1, and beta 2M, and intermarker correlation was not seen. The results suggest that sIL-2R and CEA may be useful in monitoring the extent of disease and possibly indicate the histologic subtype, thus having a bearing on treatment and prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Maternal serum total cortisol levels in normal and pathologic pregnancies.

The effect of pregnancy on maternal serum total cortisol (MSFT) was studied systematically in the course of 90 normal pregnancies (n = 204). Moreover, the evaluation of MSFT determinations in abnormal pregnancies, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and obstetrical complications, premature rupture of the membranes (PROM), premature delivery (PD), and full term pregnancies with post maturity syndrome (PMS) were also investigated. MSFT was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. Gradual increase in MSFT was found from the 6th week of pregnancy to the 40th week of pregnancy and a sharp rise was noted during the last 2 weeks before the onset of labor (P less than 0.002). In IUGR, MSFT was significantly lower (P less than 0.001). In the cases of PROM and PD, MSFT was highly elevated (P less than 0.0001), independently of the gestational age. In pregnancies with well documented PMS, MSFT was much lower than in normal full term pregnancies with even a downward trend in serial determinations (P less than 0.0001).

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors influencing oocyte and embryo quality in cattle.

Following in vitro maturation, approximately 90% of immature bovine oocytes will reach metaphase II and extrude the first polar body; approximately 80% will undergo fertilization and cleave, at least once, to the two-cell stage. However, only about 30-40% will ever reach the blastocyst stage. This would suggest that the post-fertilization part of the process of in vitro embryo production, the longest part, is the main period determining blastocyst yield. The experiments described in this paper clearly demonstrate that this is. in fact, not the case and that it is events further back along the developmental axis that determine the proportion of immature oocytes reaching the blastocyst stage. The results also show, however, that the post-fertilization culture period is of profound importance in determining the equality of those blastocysts that do develop, with those produced in vitro consistently being of inferior quality to their in vivo produced conterparts. The challenge for the future is to modify our conditions of post-fertilization embryo culture in an attempt to mimic those that occur naturally in vivo and in that way improve blastocyst quality.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum alpha-immunoreactive inhibin in males with renal failure, under haemodialysis and after successful renal transplantation.

Serum alpha-immunoreactive inhibin was evaluated in 16 male renal transplant recipients with stabilized renal function of mean age 38.5 +/- 10.7 years and was compared to that in sex- and age-matched 17 haemodialyzed patients; 10 patients with chronic renal failure and 26 healthy normal men (controls). Serum LH, FSH, prolactin and testosterone were also measured simultaneously, in the same samples. In renal transplant recipients, inhibin was found significantly higher than that in controls (P<0.001), 25% however of the values were in the normal range. In contrast, all haemodialyzed patients showed highly elevated inhibin values of inhibin were also highly elevated compared to those in normals. A negative correlation was noticed between inhibin and FSH only in controls (r(s) = -0.610, P<0.005). In renal transplant recipients, inhibin showed a strong correlation with serum creatinine (sCr) (r(s) = 0.710, P<0.008), while in the case of graft rejection the rise of sCr was immediately followed by a parallel increase of inhibin. In conclusion, the highly elevated inhibin in uraemic men not improved by haemodialysis and persistent after successful renal transplantation, might be implicated in the pronounced hypergonadotropic hypogonadism of haemodialyzed patients and the remaining dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in renal transplant recipients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Breast cancer markers during normal pregnancy.

AIM: To measure MCA and CA153 concentrations in maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF) paired samples during normal pregnancy, in order to evaluate the usefulness of these markers in monitoring pregnant patients with a history of breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum and AF MCA and CA153 values were measured in 20 pregnant women during the 1st trimester, 29 cases in the 2nd, 26 in the 3rd and 20 at parturition and compared with those of 20 healthy, age-matched, non pregnant women (controls). RESULTS: MS values of MCA increased significantly with gestational age (p < 0.0001), being higher in the 3rd trimester and in labor than in control values (p < 0.0001). MCA values in AF were remarkably higher than those in MS and increased significantly with advancing gestation (p < 0.0001). In contrast, CA153 values in AF, which were marginally higher than in MS, did not differ significantly with the progression of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal serum MCA values are significantly influenced during pregnancy. Thus, this marker seems to be reliable only during early pregnancy. In contrast, CA153 remains a useful marker in monitoring pregnant breast cancer patients.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) throughout normal pregnancy.

AIM: TPS concentrations were measured throughout normal pregnancy in maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF), in order to evaluate the usefulness of TPS in the follow-up of pregnancy breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following informed consent, 30 pregnant women during the 2nd trimester, 28 during the 3rd and 26 at parturition were included in the study. For comparison, 28 women in the 1st trimester and 28 healthy, non pregnant women (controls) were also studied. Both MS and AF antigen values were measured by an enzyme immunoassay (BEKI Diagnostics). RESULTS: Maternal serum TPS concentrations increased significantly with gestational age (p < 0.0001), being significantly higher in the 3rd trimester and during labor than those in the controls (p < 0.0001). Amniotic fluid TPS values were markedly elevated, compared with those in MS (p < 0.0001, paired-t-test), declining significantly from the 2nd to the 3rd trimester (p < 0.0015) and labor. Both MS and AF TPS values during labor depended on the mode of delivery, being higher in the cases terminated by vaginal delivery, compared to those by elective cesarean section. CONCLUSION: Maternal serum TPS values are influenced significantly by pregnancy, and thus, this antigen, as tumor marker seems to be reliable only during early pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis dysfunction and cortisol secretion in patients with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate thyroid function and TSH and cortisol (F) secretion in hyperandrogenemic women with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (Group A) when compared with women with hyperandrogenemic symptoms (menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, acne, seborrhea and sterility) of other etiologies (Group B). METHODS: Seventy-two women were subjected to stimulation of the adrenal cortex with i.v. ACTH administration in the early proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Basal plasma TSH, T3, T4, and FTI as well as basal and ACTH-stimulated plasma F and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were determined. RESULTS: According to internationally accepted criteria and HLA haplotyping, we diagnosed 28 NC-CAH patients as well as affected heterozygotes of the disease. No significant difference was found in the plasma T3, T4, or FTI or F concentrations between the women of the two groups. On the contrary, plasma TSH levels were significantly lower in patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency when compared to the women with hyperandrogenemic symptoms of other etiologies. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support a dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis due to altered ACTH secretion patterns.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tissue polypeptide specific antigen and soluble Fas during normal pregnancy and early life.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine fetal development is characterized by increased rates of proliferation and apoptosis, while both these processes may be attenuated post-natally. AIM: Tissue polypeptide specific antigen and sFas serum concentrations were determined during pregnancy and post-natally, in order to evaluate their alterations during these crucial periods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven healthy pregnant women, their full-term newborns and 35 healthy adults (controls) were included in the study. Markers were measured: (a) in maternal serum (MS), during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester and at the 1st stage of labor; (b) in the umbilical cord (UC), during the 2nd stage of labor; (c) in neonatal serum in the 1st (IN) and 5th (5N) day after birth; and (d) in controls. RESULTS: The serum TPS concentrations in MS increased significantly with gestational age, being higher in the 3rd trimester and labor, than those in controls (p < 0.001). TPS values were significantly lower in the UC, compared to those in MS (p < 0.001), while they were markedly elevated in IN, compared to MS and UC (p < 0.001), and subsequently decreased in 5N (p < 0.001), remaining higher, than those in the controls (p < 0.001). Serum sFas concentrations in the MS depended significantly on gestational age (p < 0.001), being significantly lower in the first trimester, than those in the second (p < 0.003), the third (p < 0.03), in labor and controls (p < 0.005). sFas concentrations in the UC were significantly lower than in MS and controls (p < 0.001), while they increased significantly in 5N samples (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate: (a) a higher apoptosis rate in the first trimester of pregnancy, possibly affecting maternal immuno-tolerance, followed by a down-regulation during the post-natal period; (b) a progressively increased proliferation from the first trimester to parturition, reflecting the fetal and placental growth and development, that seems to be thereafter moderated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pleural fluid and serum soluble interleukin-2 receptors in pleural effusions.

Pleural fluid and serum soluble Interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2R) were measured by an enzyme-immunoassay in 13 patients with tuberculous pleurisy, in 28 patients with carcinomatous pleurisy and in 17 transudates from patients with congestive heart failure. Significantly higher values of sIL-2R were observed in exudative than in transudative (mean +/- SEM = 713 +/- 111 U/ml) pleural fluid samples, the highest being found in tuberculous (3777 +/- 501 U/ml) and the intermediate in carcinomatous exudates (1981 +/- 160 U/ml) (p less than 0.0001; on way ANOVA). Serum sIL-2R were significantly higher in carcinomatous and transudative groups than in age- and sex- matched controls (p less than 0.002; one way ANOVA), while there was no significant difference between the tuberculous group and controls. The pleural/serum sIL-2R ratio was significantly higher in tuberculous (5.32 +/- 0.60), than in carcinomatous pleurisy (2.67 +/- 0.20) and higher still than in transudates (0.76 +/- 0.10) (p less than 0.001; one way ANOVA). In conclusion, the pleura/serum sIL-2R ratio may be a helpful parameter in differentiating tuberculous from carcinomatous pleurisy and an additional confirmatory one for distinguishing transudates from exudates.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2R) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) in small cell lung carcinoma.

sIL-2R and NSE were measured in 24 patients with small cell carcinoma (NSCC) of the lung, in 25 patients with non small cell carcinoma (NSCC) and in 20 controls matched for age, sex and smoking habits. Significantly elevated values of sIL-2R and NSE were found in the SCC group (mean +/- SEM: 2103 +/- 314.4 U/ml and 44.5 +/- 7.3 ng/ml respectively), compared to those in the NSCC group (1079 +/- 104.5 U/ml and 3.64 +/- 0.8 ng/ml, p < 10(-7) respectively) and to controls (561 +/- 44.6 U/ml and 1.7 +/- 0.3 ng/ml p < 10(-5). In the SCC group, 83.3% of sIL-2R and 87.5% of NSE values were above cut-off (900 U/ml and 10 ng/ml respectively), while in the NSCC group, 48% of sIL-2R and only 8% of NSE values were above cut-off. In the controls, all values of both parameters were below cut-off. The results suggest that sIL-2R and NSE in concurrent measurements may help in decision making as regards treatment and prognosis.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗