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Biomedical subjects

G G Zeeman

Publications and source records attributed to G G Zeeman.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Maternal and fetal artery Doppler findings in women with chronic hypertension who subsequently develop superimposed pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a prospective study of Doppler velocimetry of the fetomaternal circulation in women with chronic hypertension, to evaluate whether the subsequent development of superimposed pre-eclampsia can be predicted. STUDY DESIGN: Serial Doppler studies of the maternal uterine and renal arteries, and fetal middle cerebral and umbilical arteries, were performed at 16-20 and at 28-32 weeks' gestation in 56 women with chronic hypertension. Pulsatility indices were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum method. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Uterine artery impedance was significantly elevated as early as 16-20 and at 28-32 weeks' gestation, while the cerebroplacental ratio was lower at 28-32 weeks' gestation, in the 14 women who developed superimposed pre-eclampsia. The maternal renal artery impedance remained constant throughout gestation, regardless of the development of pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry at 16-20 and at 28-32 weeks' gestation showing increased impedance is predictive for the development of superimposed pre-eclampsia in women with chronic hypertension. The cerebroplacental ratio suggested early fetal brain sparing at 28-32 weeks' gestation in these women.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Hepatotoxicity with antiretroviral treatment of pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Hepatotoxicity in adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been associated with all classes of antiretroviral drugs and coinfection with hepatitis B and C virus. We treated two HIV-infected pregnant women in whom hepatotoxicity developed after initiating antiretroviral therapy. CASES: The first woman developed icterus, jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia, and elevated serum aminotransferase levels approximately 5 months after beginning combination antiretroviral therapy with zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz. Serum aminotransferase abnormalities improved after discontinuation of antiretroviral medications. The second woman had similar symptoms and laboratory abnormalities 3 months after initiation of zidovudine, lamivudine, and nelfinavir. Despite initial improvement after discontinuing her antiretroviral medications, fulminant hepatic failure developed and she died. Both patients tested negative for hepatitis A, B, and C; Epstein-Barr virus; and cytomegalovirus. There was no history of illicit drug use, alcohol use, or blood transfusions in either case. CONCLUSION: We emphasize the need for careful monitoring for hepatotoxicity after initiation of antiretroviral therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

A case of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in early pregnancy.

Acute or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy is a rare disorder that presents with weakness, hyporeflexia, and sensory loss. Treatment consists of immunosuppression and/or plasma exchange. A woman in the first trimester of pregnancy presents with flaccid quadriplegia and numbness. Electromyography demonstrated a demyelinating polyneuropathy with active denervation. The diagnosis of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy was made. She was treated with corticosteroids and plasmapheresis. Despite slow improvement, she decided to terminate the pregnancy at 18 weeks' gestation. At 1 year postpartum she is still in remission. Inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of every pregnant woman with new onset peripheral neuropathy. It is suggested that relapse occurs three times more common during pregnancy. Plasmapheresis is the recommended treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Focus on primary care: periodontal disease: implications for women's health.

A definite relationship is emerging between periodontal infections and systemic conditions. The objective of this review is to address this relationship as it pertains to cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, because recent reports link the presence of periodontal disease to preterm delivery, the possible relationship between the development and progression of periodontal disease and certain hormonal states in women such as puberty, oral contraceptive use, menopause, and pregnancy will also be discussed. Although the current literature suggests a strong association between periodontal disease and a number of the discussed systemic conditions, causality can only be established with prospective studies. Intervention studies are needed to address how treatment effects the incidence and/or severity of periodontal disease-related systemic illness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Second-trimester presentation of placenta percreta.

Placenta percreta is diagnosed usually in the third trimester as massive postpartum hemorrhage when an attempt to remove the placenta reveals lack of a cleavage plane. However, placenta percreta may present in the second trimester with signs and symptoms of uterine rupture. The diagnosis of this event may be difficult because of mild abdominal discomfort often associated with normal pregnancy. We describe two cases that occurred in the second trimester with an unusual presentation. Both patients suffered considerable surgical morbidity. Other cases reported in the literature are mentioned as well. When a patient with risk factors for abnormal placentation presents with abdominal pain and/or vaginal bleeding in the second trimester of pregnancy, the diagnosis of placenta percreta should be considered. A laparotomy is indicated immediately when hemoperitoneum is suspected because uterine rupture has most likely occurred. Placenta percreta in the second trimester is a potentially life-threatening condition that warrants expeditious diagnosis to limit maternal postoperative morbidity.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Oxytocin and its receptor in pregnancy and parturition: current concepts and clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE: To present our current understanding of oxytocin and its receptors during pregnancy and parturition and their potential clinical applications. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search was conducted for pertinent articles from 1966 to October 1996 related to oxytocin and its receptor and their clinical implications during pregnancy and parturition. Review articles, book chapters, and published trials were also searched. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Only references in English that were deemed relevant were used. When possible, human data and sometimes animal data pertinent to understanding the interaction of oxytocin and its receptors were selected. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Oxytocin is synthesized in the hypothalamus and in many reproductive tissues during pregnancy, whereas the receptors are synthesized in reproductive tissues. The genes for oxytocin and its receptors are on chromosomes 20 and 3, respectively. Oxytocin and its receptors are regulated by sex steroids and by oxytocin itself. The paracrine and autocrine mechanisms regulating oxytocin and its receptor within the fetoplacental-uterine unit are central to the control of uterine contractions and parturition. Such current understanding provides the basis for appropriate oxytocin regimens to induce or augment labor, to inhibit preterm labor by blockade of oxytocin receptors, and to achieve cervical ripening. CONCLUSION: Advances in our knowledge of oxytocin and its receptor have provided rational and sound principles for current concepts about their role in parturition, the appropriate use of oxytocin to stimulate the pregnant uterus or ripen the cervix, and the use of oxytocin antagonist to inhibit uterine contractions and preterm labor.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20↗
PubMed1992

Endothelial function in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancy: a hypothesis.

Pre-eclampsia is the most common medical complication of pregnancy. Immunologic maladaptation has been suggested to play a role in the etiology of pre-eclampsia. The putative misalliance of fetal trophoblast with maternal tissue in the uteroplacental vascular bed may give rise to an increase in oxygen free radicals. Oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxides might form the link between the hypothetical immunologic maladaptation and the endothelial cell damage known to occur in pre-eclampsia. Recent studies have demonstrated the existence of increased oxygen free radical production in pre-eclampsia. Oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxides decrease vascular prostacyclin and EDRF release and increase thromboxane A2 and endothelin release. The hypothesis is put forward that in pre-eclampsia a proposed immunologic maladaptation causes an increase in oxygen free radicals by decidual lymphoid cells. A decrease in vasodilatory autocoids, prostacyclin and EDRF may result from the endothelial cell damage induced by oxygen free radicals. Uteroplacental prostacyclin production might be essential as escape mechanism. The adequacy as escape mechanism seems to determine the final clinical outcome.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1991

Increased plasma levels of the novel vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin in severe pre-eclampsia.

Plasma endothelin levels were studied in 29 pregnancies. Levels were found to be increased in 9 pregnancies complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertensive disease and/or pre-eclampsia as compared to levels in 14 normotensive pregnancies with gestational age varying between 24-40 weeks with normal Doppler flow velocity waveforms of the uterine arcuate arteries, and 6 normotensive pregnancies with abnormal Doppler flow velocity waveforms at 24 weeks' gestation. Two patients with severe pre-eclampsia showed a rise in plasma endothelin levels, suggesting a correlation between plasma endothelin levels and the disease process. Endothelin is produced by endothelial cells of blood vessels; it is the most potent vasoconstrictor known to date. For this reason it has been suggested that endothelin might be important in the control of systemic blood pressure and local blood flow, both disturbed in pre-eclampsia. The conclusion of this study is that the venous plasma level of endothelin would seem to be a marker for severe disease, however, without any predictive value.

Adult↗