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Biomedical subjects

I Eibschitz

Publications and source records attributed to I Eibschitz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Endogenous digoxin-like immunoreactivity in follicular fluid and in vitro fertilization.

Plasma digoxin-like immunoreactive factor (DLIF) has been detected in various pathophysiological conditions associated with volume expansion. In this study, using radioimmunoassay, we confirmed the existence of high levels of DLIF in the stimulated follicular fluid, a rapidly volume-expanding biological model. The concentration of the various fractions of DLIF in follicular fluid was 2-9 times higher than in plasma, suggesting local concentration or production. No difference in concentration was observed between follicles containing fertilized oocytes and follicles with unfertilized oocytes. The role of DLIF in follicular homeostasis remains to be further investigated.

Blood Proteins

Flow-velocity profiles of the fetal aorta and umbilical artery in pregnancies complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertension and fetal growth retardation.

Sixty-seven women undergoing ultrasonographic evaluation in the high-risk clinic were randomly recruited to be examined by a newly developed computerized method that presents flow-velocity profiles derived from pulsed Doppler-generated flow-velocity waveforms. Each woman had pulsed Doppler flow velocimetry of the fetal aorta and umbilical arteries done. Subjects were either normal controls (N = 20) or had pregnancies complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertension (N = 29), fetal growth retardation (N = 11), or both (N = 7). Distinct patterns of flow-velocity distribution across the fetal aorta and proximal umbilical arteries were identified in the pregnancies characterized by increased placental resistance. At peak systole, normal velocity was maintained only at a narrow area around the center of the vessel, whereas velocity in the rest of the vessel area was markedly reduced. These changes were present in 40 of 47 subjects (85.1%) with complicated pregnancies, whereas 27 of 47 (57.4%) had umbilical artery systolic-diastolic ratios above the 95th percentile. No significant differences between normal and complicated pregnancies were seen during diastole. Our findings suggest that increased placental resistance results in a redistribution of velocities within fetal blood vessels, often before maximal end-diastolic velocity is decreased.

Adult

Digoxin-like immunoreactive factor(s) in human gonadotropin stimulated follicular fluid.

Plasma digoxin-like immunoreactive factor(s) (DLIF) have been reported in various pathophysiological conditions associated with volume expansion and linked to the regulation of blood volume and pressure. We hypothesized that DLIF might be present in rapidly expanding gonadotropin-stimulated ovarian follicles. The mean total and free DLIF concentrations in the follicles (n = 9) studied were 4925 nmol/L and 1885 nmol/L, respectively. These concentrations were substantially higher than the plasma total and free DLIF levels in these women: 1216 nmol/L and 158 nmol/L, respectively (p less than 0.0001). The plasma DLIF levels in the gonadotropin-treated women were comparable to those in term pregnant women, which are known to be higher than those in non-pregnant women. The ovary thus may be a source of DLIF in the plasma of gonadotropin-treated women, and DLIF may have a role in ovarian follicular fluid homeostasis.

Blood Proteins

Uterine evaluation by microhysteroscopy in IVF candidates.

Over an eight-month period, microhysteroscopy was performed on 180 women, candidates for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). One hundred and two of them were suspected of having uterocervical pathology (group I), and 78 were not (group II). Group I had microhysteroscopic abnormalities in 60.8% and group II in 21.8%. Microhysteroscopy showed 30.6% of 36 positive hysterographies to be false positive and 37.5% of 144 negative hysterographies to be false negative, producing a confirmation rate of 63.9%. Admission to the IVF programme depended on microhysteroscopic normality. One hundred and one women were accepted directly, and 20 refused ('primary decision'). Fifty-nine were deferred with treatable hysteroscopic abnormalities, pending medical (22) and surgical (37) treatment, 14 via the microhysteroscope. Of the 59 women deferred, 51 were finally admitted and 8 rejected after a microhysteroscopic check ('secondary decision'). Finally, 152 of the 180 candidates (84.4%) were admitted. Microhysteroscopy helped to determine the optimal route for embryo transfer in 23 women with cervical pathology. Term pregnancy rates per embryo transfer were similar with hysteroscopic findings primarily normal, or normal after successful treatment (11.2 and 10.8% respectively). Microhysteroscopy seems useful for selection of cases for IVF, accurately determining utero-cervical pathology or normality, aiding in surgical correction of abnormalities and facilitating the process of embryo transfer. We suggest that microhysteroscopy should be performed routinely on all IVF candidates.

Adult

In vitro fertilization management and results in stimulated cycles with spontaneous luteinizing hormone discharge.

During a period of 14 months, in an in vitro fertilization program, 97 ultrasonically guided follicular punctures were performed in women with premature spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) discharge (group I) and 217 in women with a normal LH value who received human chorionic gonadotropin injection as a surrogate LH surge (group II). All cycles were stimulated by clomiphene citrate plus human menopausal gonadotropin. In group I, oocytes were not recovered in 35% of punctures, compared with only 21.2% in group II (P less than 0.02). In cycles in which the serum 17 beta-estradiol (E2) levels was less than 1200 pg/ml and the number of follicles greater than or equal to 14 mm diameter monitored was less than three, 69% of punctures in group I and 36.7% of punctures in group II failed to yield oocytes. We suggest that patients stimulated in this way who have a spontaneous LH discharge with an E2 value of less than 1200 pg/ml and less than three follicles 14 mm in diameter present should not proceed to follicular puncture.

Adult

In vitro fertilization in tuberculous infertility.

Twenty women, suffering from infertility due to histologically proved genital tuberculosis, were managed by in vitro fertilization (IVF) in 49 attempts. The main histopathological lesions were tuberculous salpingitis in 12 women, tuberculous endometritis in 5, and pelvic peritoneal tuberculosis in 3. A preliminary evaluation including, particularly, a laparoscopy and a hysteroscopy was performed. Five deliveries and one ongoing pregnancy were obtained. The results suggest that IVF nowadays represents the only treatment for tuberculous infertility.

Adult

The value of laparoscopy in women with chronic pelvic pain and a "normal pelvis".

During the period January 1976--December 1982 laparoscopy was performed on 186 women complaining of pelvic pain of at least 6 months' duration. In all these cases, the routine pelvic examination and other medical and laboratory tests were negative. Laparoscopy revealed pelvic pathology in only 8.2%: in the vast majority (91.8%) entirely normal pelvic organs were seen. Evidence from the literature is compiling as to the psychogenic origin of most cases of chronic pelvic pain. Recently, it has been shown that laparoscopically negative pelvic pain can be relieved or abolished by psychological intervention. Since pathological findings on laparoscopy are of very low percentage and since the pain is psychogenic in most cases, the value of routine laparoscopy in chronic pelvic pain is very low. We propose that all women with chronic pelvic pain and normal pelvic examination should undergo psychological assessment and treatment if necessary. Laparoscopy should then be reserved for only those cases who show no amelioration on psychological intervention. Our estimation is that this approach would reduce the rate of laparoscopies performed for chronic pelvic pain by about 90%.

Adult

Isometric exercise test for predicting gestational hypertension.

One hundred normotensive young primigravidas underwent an isometric handgrip exercise test between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation. The same individual performed the tests and the results were withheld from the physician taking care of the patient. The study demonstrates a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 96.5%. These results demonstrate a reliable predictive ability of this simple exercise test for gestational hypertension.

Exercise Test

Is serum free estriol measurement essential in the management of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy?

A prospective study of antepartum fetal evaluation of 306 randomized hypertensive pregnancies was carried out. One hundred and fifty-four patients (group 1) were managed in accordance with a protocol (protocol A) which included non-stress test (NST), oxytocin challenge test (OCT), serum unconjugated (free) estriol measurements (E3), and ultrasound measurement of the fetal head-to-abdomen circumference ratio (H/A c.r.). A second group (group 2), composed of 152 patients, was managed using another protocol (protocol B) which included the NST, OCT and ultrasound measurement of the fetal head-to-abdomen circumference ratio (H/A). We found a good correlation between the serial normal tests and the outcome of pregnancies. We obtained good results in patients with abnormal NST-OCT and meconium-stained amniotic fluid and in patients with repeated abnormal NST-OCT with clear amniotic fluid due to active management by early deliveries ignoring fetal lung maturity. This management increased the rate of cesarean section and prematurity. There was a low correlation between patients with abnormal serum free estriol as the only antepartum pathological test and the appearance of intrapartum fetal distress, low birth weight and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The contribution of serum free estriol (E3) measurements in such patients was only of value in cases of intra-uterine fetal growth retardation, but its prediction rate was less than that of ultrasound measurement of head-to-abdomen circumference ratio. Our results indicate that hypertensive pregnancy management without serum free estriol measurement may be valuable and safe.

Estriol

Hormonal profile of endometrial cancer.

Out of all the risk factors of endometrial carcinoma, the 'Oestrone Theory' is especially fascinating. This theory assumes that prolonged uninterrupted stimulation of the endometrial cell by oestrone, without the competition of oestradiol and oestriol, brings about neoplasia. There is also some evidence of a protective effect of androgens and progesterone. In order to verify this theory in vivo, oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and progestogen levels were examined from the serum of 36 post-menopausal women suffering from endometrial carcinoma, and compared with a healthy group of women. Oestrone levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with endometrial carcinoma. A correlation was also found between oestrone levels and previous infertility. With the intention of tracking the origin of oestrone in those suffering from endometrial cancer, hormone levels were checked before and after total hysterectomy and oophorectomy. The high oestrone values dropped to normal after the operation, except in those who had previously suffered from infertility. In those patients, high oestrone values were found a year after the operation. No significant differences of testosterone or progesterone were found between the cancer patients and the healthy women. The operation did not have any influence on these values.

Adult

Prenatal echocardiographic diagnosis of Ebstein's anomaly with pulmonary atresia.

Ebstein's anomaly with pulmonary atresia was diagnosed in utero for the first time by fetal echocardiography. The fetus, examined at 35 weeks' gestation, had no extracardiac sonographic evidence of heart failure, but the heart filled the anterior portion of the chest. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed a huge right atrium. The tricuspid valve, instead of originating from the anulus, was demonstrated as originating from the wall of the right ventricle, thus dividing the ventricle into two parts: the true ventricle and the "atrialized portion" of the right ventricle. These features corresponded with Ebstein's anomaly. Short episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (250 bpm) corresponded with the tachyarrhythmias frequently associated with Ebstein's anomaly. Pulmonary atresia was suspected, as movement of the pulmonary valve could not be demonstrated. The baby was delivered at 40 weeks' gestation and died 3 days later. Postnatal cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography and postmortem examination confirmed the prenatal diagnosis.

Adult

Scanning electron microscopy of human Fallopian tube in ectopic pregnancy.

The scanning electron microscopy by virtue of its high resolution topographic reproduction of epithelial surfaces lining the female genital tract, provides unique information toward understanding the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system. The human Fallopian ectopic pregnancy is an urgent gynecologic event, which was and still is a diagnostic challenge. There is an increase in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in recent years. With the purpose of exploring the etiology of tubal ectopic pregnancy from the ultrastructure point of view, we examined 7 cases of tubal pregnancy and compared them to a similar number of normal tubes. We do not find evidence to the pathophysiology of tubal pregnancy by examination of the ultrastructure of the human tube with scanning electron microscopy.

Epithelium

Oral contraceptive pills and clinical otosclerosis.

Clinical otosclerosis is a familial disease which is more frequent among women in their reproductive years. The condition usuallly is aggravated by pregnancy. Endocrinologic variables may influence the time of onset and the course of the disease. It is suspected that oral contraceptives (OCs) might stimulate the onset of the disease. Six hundred nulliparous women between the ages of 16 and 30, who used a variety of OCs for 12-36 months, were examined. The hearing of these women was thoroughly investigated. The first audiometric examination of the 600 women revealed three cases (0.5%) of clinical otosclerosis. This incidence is equal to that of the population as a whole, but lower than the incidence found in previously parous women. Audiometric examinations were normal in the remaining 597 women, and repeated examinations revealed no new cases of clinical otosclerosis, despite continuous OC use.

Adolescent

Circulation parameters in the human uteroplacental region studied by a radioactive method.

Maternal placental circulation is of great importance, especially in pathological pregnancies, but methods of functional assessment have not been effective. The method used is based on a follow-up of the dynamic behavior of 113mIntracer labeling the mothers's blood at the uteroplacental region. After localization of the placenta two exponential curves of the dynamic behavior of the tracer, one placental and the other myometrial, were obtained. The measurement was made in the third trimester of pregnancy in 30 women with pathological pregnancies and in 51 pregnant control subjects. The clinically sensitive criteria for distinguishing between pathological and control placentas were found to be the ration between the specific blood flow in the placenta and that in the myometrium (lambda p/lambda m) and the slope (alpha) of the straight line passing through the points of this ratio. The value of lambda p/lambda m for pathological pregnancies was 5.4 +/- 1.0 (SD) vs 1.7 +/- 0.6 in control pregnancies, and the value of alpha for pathological cases was 6.3 compared with 1.5 for control subjects. These tests may be useful in the diagnosis of pathological pregnancies with interference in uteroplacental circulation.

Blood Flow Velocity

The significance of fetal electrocardiography in the diagnosis of intrauterine bradyarrhythmia.

From 11 cases of fetal bradycardia diagnosed by monitoring of 130 fetal electrocardiograms (ECG's) in high-risk pregnancies we have presented our experience in three selected cases of fetal bradyarrthythmia. Case 1 revealed on ECG blocked atrial premature beats simulating an extreme sinus bradycardia sequentially followed by conducted atrial premature beats. In case 2 we diagnosed ventricular premature beats in the form of persistent bigeminy which was controlled by intravenous propranolol. The last case illustrated the phenomenon of aberrant ventricular conduction known to occur in adult cardiology. The electrophysiologic basis of the variable arrhythmias was discussed. Detailed analysis of repeated direct fetal ECG's provided us with the diagnosis and understanding of the electrophysiologic mechanisms underlying the rhythm disturbances. This consequently determined the pharmacologic therapy and the obstetric approach relevant to each case. We have shown that by direct fetal electrocardiography it is possible to analyze accurately the rhythm disturbances. Persistent fetal bradycardia does not always signify fetal distress. We hope that this will lead to closer teamwork between the obstetrician and the cardiologist which will give an impetus to the future development of "fetal cardiology," thereby enhancing our understanding of the electrophysiology of the fetal heart.

Adult