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Biomedical subjects

E C Nwosu

Publications and source records attributed to E C Nwosu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Mercuric ion inhibition of eukaryotic transcription factor binding to DNA.

Mercury has harmful effects in both rodents and humans. In rodent tissue culture cells exposed to HgCl(2), the metal ions were observed to concentrate in cell nuclei and to associate with chromatin. Thus, transcription factors and other proteins associated with chromatin are possible targets of mercuric ion toxicity. In this study, mercuric ions were found to inhibit the DNA binding activity of the Cys(2)His(2) zinc finger proteins transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) and Sp1. These factors are prototypes of the largest eukaryotic protein superfamily. Neither the presence of excess zinc ions nor beta-mercaptoethanol prevented inhibition by mercuric ions. Mercuric ions also inhibited DNA binding by the non-zinc finger protein AP2. Zinc finger-DNA binding was inhibited when both TFIIIA/5S RNA complex and TFIIIA alone were preincubated with concentrations as low as 15 microM mercuric ion. Inhibition occurred in less than 1 min and was not readily reversible. Mercuric ions also inhibited the digestion of DNA by the restriction enzymes BamHI or EcoRI. Inhibition of transcription factors as well as potentially other DNA binding proteins by micromolar concentrations of mercuric ion suggests additional biochemical mechanisms for mercury toxicity in promoting disease via alterations in gene transcription patterns.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Is fetal gender significant in the perinatal outcome of pregnancies complicated by placental abruption?

Seventy cases of placental abruption were studied. These occurred in 12,800 deliveries, an incidence of 4.8 per 1000. There were more female infants (34-56%) compared with males (27-44%). Sixteen infants were stillborn and one baby died in the neonatal period. Thirteen of the perinatal deaths occurred in male infants. We speculate that a higher metabolic rate in male infants may account for this sex difference.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Outcome of ruptured uterus at University Teaching Hospital Aleppo, Syria.

A 10-year review of ruptured gravid uterus at the University Teaching Hospital, Aleppo, Syria showed an incidence of one ruptured uterus in 565 deliveries. This is an average figure compared with published studies but is still high compared with developed countries. Sixty-four per cent of the cases of ruptured uterus had no antenatal care. It is no surprise therefore that maternal and fetal mortality was highest amongst the unbooked labouring women. In survivors the morbidity was also higher. Ruptured uterus is therefore a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity in Syria. The overall hospital maternal and perinatal mortalities for the period under review were 4.3% and 2.6% respectively. The main risk factor identified is scarring from previous caesarean sections. Other risk factors are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Rupture of pregnancy in the communicating rudimentary uterine horn at 34 weeks.

Pregnancy in the rudimentary horn is rare and represents a form of ectopic gestation. Despite advances in ultrasound, prenatal diagnosis remains elusive, with confirmatory diagnosis being made at laparotomy. Because of variable muscular constitution of the wall of the rudimentary horn, pregnancy can be accommodated until late in pregnancy, when rupture occurs manifesting commonly as acute abdomen with high risk of maternal mortality. The rudimentary horn may or may not communicate with the uterine cavity with majority of cases being non-communicating. We present a case of pregnancy in the communicating horn that was difficult to diagnose which ruptured at 34 weeks and a review of literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The fetal outcome in pregnancies with isolated reduced amniotic fluid volume in the third trimester.

Our aim was to assess the outcome of pregnancies where oligohydramnios, defined by a published gestational reference range for amniotic fluid index, was the only abnormal finding at third trimester scan, and all other ultrasound parameters including biometry were within normal limits at initial scan. A retrospective case-control study was performed at The Liverpool Maternity Hospital. 103 pregnancies with reduced amniotic fluid index in the third trimester and apparently normal fetal growth profile ultrasonographically were identified from ultrasound reports throughout 1993. Pregnancies in the third trimester with normal amniotic fluid index on index scan were also identified from these reports and 103 were matched for parity, gestational age at delivery, mode of onset of labour, presentation at labour and medical conditions. Exclusion criteria were ruptured membranes, fetal abnormalities, estimated fetal weight below the fifth centile at index scan and multiple pregnancies. The outcome criteria were birthweight, Apgar scores at delivery, induction and emergency delivery for fetal reasons and admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Statistical analysis was performed by Fisher's exact test and Gart's odds ratio. Compared with controls, pregnancies in the reduced liquor group had a higher number of babies below the 5th centile (odds ratio 5.2, 95% confidence interval 1.6 to 22), a higher risk of induction for fetal reasons (odds ratio 34.4, 95% confidence interval 5.35 to 1425.5) and admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (odds ratio 9.77, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 432). Any observed difference in the need for emergency delivery due to fetal reasons was not clinically significant (odds ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 6.6) The definition used for oligohydramnios used in this study appears to identify a group of babies with a fourfold risk of low birthweight and a high risk of admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and induction of labour for fetal reasons. This would suggest that pregnancies with isolated oligohydramnios require some form of fetal monitoring and further prospective studies are required to determine the most appropriate method.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1995

Partial hydatidiform mole and hypertension associated with a live fetus--variable presentation in two cases.

Partial hydatidiform mole associated with live births is a rare condition. There are not enough cases in the literature to allow the assessment of comprehensive risks to be made and upon which management policies can be based. Several clinical dilemmas arise following diagnosis of a viable pregnancy associated with molar tissue. We present two cases demonstrating the problems and suggest management based on outcome and a review of the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A case of severe diabetic retinopathy in pregnancy.

Proliferative retinopathy is a recognized long-term complication of diabetes and the commonest cause of blindness in young people. There is, however, some uncertainty regarding counselling given on the continuation of pregnancy when it is complicated by retinopathy. This case is used to highlight this difficulty and to discuss management based on literature review.

Adult↗