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Biomedical subjects

J Uotila

Publications and source records attributed to J Uotila.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Maternal haemodynamics in pre-eclampsia compared with normal pregnancy during caesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how pre-eclampsia modifies maternal haemodynamics during caesarean delivery. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tampere University Hospital, Finland. POPULATION: Ten pre-eclamptic parturients and ten healthy parturients with uncomplicated pregnancies scheduled for elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. METHODS: Haemodynamic parameters were assessed by whole-body impedance cardiography noninvasively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Stroke index (SI), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded before operation, continuously during caesarean section, during the period of dissipation of anaesthesia and on the second to fifth postpartum day. RESULTS: Baseline haemodynamics in women with pre-eclampsia differed significantly from healthy women in higher SVRI and MAP and lower SI and CI. In women with pre-eclampsia, preload infusion increased both SI and HR, causing a significant rise in CI, while in healthy parturients, only HR rose. In both the groups, spinal blockade reduced SVRI but CI remained stable. At the moment of delivery, CI increased in both groups. In uncomplicated pregnancies, both SI and HR increased, but in women with pre-eclampsia, SI was not altered and the rise in CI was due to an increase in HR only. After the reversal of anaesthesia, haemodynamics in the control group returned to baseline values, whereas in women with pre-eclampsia, SI and CI fell to levels that were significantly lower than the levels observed before surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In women with pre-eclampsia, inability to increase SI at the moment of delivery may suggest dysfunction of the left ventricle to adapt to volume load caused by delivery and prompts concern for the increased risk of pulmonary oedema.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita syndrome--prenatal signs in ultrasonography.

A new case of macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (M-CMTC) syndrome is described. The patient presented typical congenital findings in utero, although the syndrome was diagnosed postnatally. The M-CMTC syndrome should be considered when there is a marked fetal overgrowth and progressive macrocephaly with no indications of maternal hyperglycemia or fetal hyperinsulinism. Our patient also had unilateral pleural effusion, curved femur and frontal bossing.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2004

Massive multicystic dilatation of the uterine wall with myometrial venous thrombosis during pregnancy.

We present a pregnancy complicated by multicystic dilatation of the uterine wall during the second trimester, leading to massive uterine distension, anemia and preterm Cesarean section. The cystic changes detected by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging involved the whole uterine wall surrounding the entire amniotic cavity. Histopathological examination revealed the benign nature of the cystic changes, which represented dilated and thrombosed venous lacunae. Disturbed venous drainage, combined with local thrombosis, was likely to have led to the collection of a large volume of blood in the uterine wall and the subsequent multicystic change of the myometrium.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Inhibition by nitric oxide-releasing compounds of E-selectin expression in and neutrophil adhesion to human endothelial cells.

The effects of two chemically unrelated nitric oxide (NO)-releasing compounds were studied on adhesion molecule expression in and neutrophil adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Incubation of confluent monolayers of endothelial cells with increasing concentrations of lipopolysaccharide stimulated the adhesion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to endothelial cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that lipopolysaccharide treatment upregulated the expression of adhesion molecules E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. A novel NO-releasing compound GEA 3175 (1,2,3, 4-oxatriazolium, -3-(3-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-5-[[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]amino]-, hydroxide inner salt) inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced adhesion being more potent than the earlier known NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine. The increased E-selectin expression induced by lipopolysaccharide was significantly attenuated by the two NO donors tested whereas ICAM-1 expression remained unaltered. The present data show that NO donors inhibit E-selectin expression in and neutrophil adhesion to lipopolysaccharide-stimulated vascular endothelial cells. Thus, by inhibiting leukocyte adhesion NO donors may reduce leukocyte infiltration and leukocyte-mediated tissue injury in inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed2000

Magnetic resonance imaging compared to ultrasonography in fetal weight and volume estimation in diabetic and normal pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate fetal volume and weight in diabetic and normal pregnancy using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was combined with semiautomatic segmentation technique. The accuracy of fetal volume estimations thus obtained was compared with conventional ultrasound-based weight estimations in ten pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and ten women with normal pregnancy. Examinations were made within 48 hours before delivery. RESULTS: Ultrasound-based estimations of fetal weight showed a correlation rate of r=0.77 with the actual birth weights in the whole material, while volume determinations based on magnetic resonance imaging showed a significantly better correlation rate of r=0.95. Diabetic women did not differ from the normal pregnancy group with regard to birth weight or the accuracy of weight estimations. CONCLUSIONS: High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging combined with semiautomatic segmentation software was found to be accurate in determining fetal volume and, consequently, better than conventional ultrasound-based techniques in estimating fetal weight. The use of magnetic resonance imaging in fetal weight estimation may be recommended for clinical situations where an accurate weight estimate is considered essential.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Structure of the Microbial Communities in Coniferous Forest Soils in Relation to Site Fertility and Stand Development Stage.

> Abstract The structure, biomass, and activity of the microbial community in the humus layer of boreal coniferous forest stands of different fertility were studied. The Scots pine dominated CT (Calluna vulgaris type) represented the lowest fertility, while VT (Vaccinium vitis-idaéa type), MT (Vaccinium myrtillus type), and OMT (Oxalis acetocella-Vaccinium myrtillus type) following this order, were more fertile types. The microbial community was studied more closely by sampling a succession gradient (from a treeless area to a 180-years-old Norway spruce stand) at the MT type site. The phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis revealed a gradual shift in the structure of the microbial community along the fertility gradient even though the total microbial biomass and respiration rate remained unchanged. The relative abundance of fungi decreased and that of bacteria increased with increasing fertility. The structure of the bacterial community also changed along the fertility gradient. Irrespective of a decrease in fungal biomass and change in bacterial community structure after clear-cutting, the PLFA analysis did not show strong differences in the microbial communities in the stands of different age growing on the MT type site. The spatial variation in the structure of the microbial community was studied at a MT type site. Semivariograms indicated that the bacterial biomass, the ratio between the fungal and bacterial biomasses, and the relative amount of PLFA 16:1omega5 were spatially autocorrelated within distances around 3 to 4 m. The total microbial and fungal biomasses were autocorrelated only up to 1 m. The spatial distribution of the humus microbial community was correlated mainly with the location of the trees, and consequently, with the forest floor vegetation.http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/journals/00248/bibs/38n2p168.html

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Acute intrapartum fetoplacental transfusion in monochorionic twin pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The risk of antenatal fetofetal transfusion in monochorionic twin pregnancies has been noted, but possible acute intrapartum transfusion has not been studied extensively. Acute fetoplacental transfusion after the birth of the first twin can be disastrous to the second twin, so it deserves description. CASES: We present three cases of acute intrapartum fetoplacental transfusion after successful deliveries of first twins. After the births of their cotwins, the second twins rapidly deteriorated and were born severely hypovolemic and anemic. CONCLUSION: The risk of acute intrapartum transfusion should be kept in mind when planning delivery of monochorionic twins.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Antibodies against copper-oxidised and malondialdehyde-modified low density lipoproteins in pre-eclampsia pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To measure auto-antibodies against oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein (LDL) in pre-eclamptic pregnancies using two different techniques. DESIGN: Clinical study comparing pre-eclamptic and normal pregnancies. SETTING: Tampere University Hospital, Finland. POPULATION: Twenty-one primigravidae with pre-eclampsia and 13 healthy, normotensive primigravidae as controls. METHODS: The serum titers of antibodies against both malondialdehyde-modified and copper-oxidised LDL (MDA-LDL and copper-ox LDL) were analysed and related to parameters reflecting the severity of pre-eclampsia. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation (r = 0.58) between antibodies against MDA-LDL and copper-ox LDL in women with pre-eclampsia but not in healthy pregnant controls. The antibody levels against copper-ox LDL, but not against MDA-LDL, were higher in women with pre-eclampsia than in women with a normal pregnancy (P < 0.01). While the antibody titers against copper-ox LDL did not correlate with any parameter reflecting the severity of pre-eclampsia, those against MDA-LDL showed a positive correlation with the level of diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.54) and a negative correlation with platelet count (r = -0.61) in women with pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSION: There are increased titers of serum autoantibodies against copper-oxidised LDL in pre-eclampsia, which may reflect enhanced lipid peroxidation involving circulating lipoproteins.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗
PubMed1995

Organic halogens in the environment: studies of environmental biodegradability and human exposure.

Organic halogens from chlorobleaching of kraft pulp were not as biorecalcitrant as has been assumed. Fifty percent were removed during biotreatment of wastewater, and 50% of the remaining organohalogens faded in fresh water ecosystems in 200 to 400 days. Molecular size seemed not to hinder biodegradation up to sizes of approximately 2000 daltons. Anoxic biodegradation was of prime importance for halomineralization of pulp bleaching organohalogens but could also lead to toxic metabolites such as vinyl chloride from tri- and tetrachloroethene in anoxic soil. Indigenous soil microbes were unable to clean old organohalogen pollution but had converted chlorophenols into polymeric substances, chlorohumus, which were found bioaccumulable by earthworms in spite of the large (up to 5000 g/mole) molecular sizes. Because of the danger of formation of toxic metabolites, the biochemistry of the xenobiotic degradation must be elucidated before active bioremediation is practiced on polluted soil or water. Groundwater pollution by chlorophenols led to increased disease among the exposed population in one well-studied case. Two further cases of potential environmental health impact are described.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1993

Pregnancy-induced hypertension is associated with changes in maternal and umbilical blood antioxidants.

Seventeen pregnancies with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and 28 control pregnancies were analyzed with regard to maternal and fetal blood antioxidants and lipid peroxidation products (conjugated dienes). In PIH, maternal blood levels of conjugated dienes were higher than in normal pregnancy. Also the activities of platelet and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) were higher in PIH. In umbilical cord blood, the appearance of conjugated dienes, the concentration of vitamin E and the activity of erythrocyte GSHPx were lower than the corresponding maternal values. There was no difference between PIH and normal pregnancy in the appearance of conjugated dienes in cord blood, but erythrocyte GSHPx and plasma vitamin A were lower in PIH. Cord blood plasma vitamin A showed a negative correlation to maternal mean arterial pressure. We suggest that lipid peroxidation is involved in the pathogenesis of maternal PIH, and it may also have effects on the vascular function and antioxidant status of the fetus.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Lipid peroxidation products, selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase and vitamin E in normal pregnancy.

Twenty healthy women with normal pregnancy were simultaneously analysed with regard to lipid peroxidation products, selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase and vitamin E. Conjugated diene double bonds, fluorescent chromolipids and thiobarbituric acid-reactive material were analysed as breakdown products of lipid peroxidation. The level of conjugated dienes in serum rose more than 45% when pregnancy advanced from the first to second trimester, but after that it declined almost to the same level as in the first trimester. The fluorescent chromolipids tended to behave in the same way. While the lipid peroxidation products reached their highest level in the second trimester, the activity of glutathione peroxidase rose progressively till the third trimester both in erythrocytes and platelets, in spite of the stable concentration of selenium in blood and plasma. The concentration of vitamin E in serum rose progressively till the end of pregnancy, but in the relation of vitamin E to cholesterol only a slight rising tendency was noted. We suggest that in normal pregnancy lipid peroxidation is controlled by adequate antioxidative response.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in hypertensive complications of pregnancy.

Thirty-nine patients with hypertensive complications of pregnancy were analyzed in the third trimester with respect to erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity. Patients with severe or superimposed preeclampsia had significantly higher activities of GSHPx than those with mild preeclampsia. We suggest that a high level of GSHPx in the severe forms of preeclampsia reflects the greatly increased peroxide load generated in this disease and is of compensatory nature, responding to the disturbed peroxide and prostaglandin metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Gene fusions to lacZ reveal new expression patterns of chimeric genes in transgenic plants.

The lacZ gene of Escherichia coli, coding for beta-galactosidase, is a widely used reporter gene for gene expression studies in microbial and animal systems. To demonstrate that it is also a powerful reporter gene in plants, lacZ was fused to 5' regulatory elements of several genes known to be functional in plant cells. By measuring LacZ activities in transgenic plants containing these gene constructs, we showed that the reporter is correctly monitoring the regulatory properties of the well-characterized promoters fused to lacZ. beta-Galactosidase was assayed directly in plant extracts when they contained high levels of LacZ or, when LacZ was expressed at low level, by separating the endogenous and LacZ activities electrophoretically and detecting the enzymes with a fluorogenic substrate. The most outstanding property of the marker is its amenability to histochemical detection. Due to its stability, LacZ can be fixed in the tissue with glutaraldehyde without loss of activity and detected with high resolution by using XGal. We could reveal expression patterns unnoticed earlier for many of the regulatory elements studied. The chlorophyll a/b binding protein gene, expressed at very high levels in green tissues, is also expressed at a low level in the vascular cylinder of the root. The Agrobacterium T-DNA gene encoding octopine synthase is especially active in the epidermis of the root tip and the TR2' gene was shown to be root specific in the intact plant and stimulated by wounding in the leaf tissue. The TR1' gene, fused to nptII, shows similar characteristics suggesting co-regulation of this tightly linked dual promoter.

Chimera↗
PubMed1989

Expression of dicistronic transcriptional units in transgenic tobacco.

We investigated whether the two cistrons of a dicistronic mRNA can be translated in plants to yield both gene products. The coding sequences of various reporter genes were combined in dicistronic units, and their expression was analyzed in stably transformed tobacco plants at the RNA and protein levels. The presence of an upstream cistron resulted in all cases in a drastically reduced expression of the downstream cistron. The translational efficiency of the gene located downstream in the dicistronic units was 500- to 1,500-fold lower than that in a monocistronic control; a 500-fold lower value was obtained with a dicistronic unit in which both cistrons were separated by 30 nucleotides, whereas a 1,500-fold lower value was obtained with a dicistronic unit in which the stop codon of the upstream cistron and the start codon of the downstream cistron overlapped. As a strategy to select indirectly for transformants with enhanced levels of expression of a gene which is by itself nonselectable, the gene of interest can be cloned upstream from a selectable marker in a dicistronic configuration. This strategy can be used provided that the amount of dicistronic mRNA is high. If, on the other hand, the expression of the dicistronic unit is too low, selection of the downstream cistron will primarily give clones with rearranged dicistronic units.

Base Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reproductive outcome after multiple ectopic pregnancies.

Seventy-six patients with two or more ectopic pregnancies treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Central Hospital, Tampere, Finland over a period of 14 years (1972-1985) were retrospectively analyzed. Conservative tubal surgery had originally been performed in 57% of patients with a repeat tubal pregnancy, and in 41% of control patients with a single tubal pregnancy. After two ectopic pregnancies, 53 patients were actively trying to conceive. Of these patients, 25% achieved delivery, 40% had a third ectopic pregnancy, and 35% did not conceive. Ipsilateral tubal pregnancy occurred in 83% after salpingotomy, in 88% after fimbrial evacuation, and in 47% after tubal resection. Conservative surgery was performed in 16 patients with only one tube where an ectopic pregnancy occurred; 25% had a term delivery, 25% had a repeat ectopic pregnancy, and 50% did not conceive. Follow-up of 19 patients after three tubal pregnancies showed that 16% delivered, 26% had a repeat tubal pregnancy, and 58% did not conceive. There was no significant difference between fertility results after salpingectomy and those after conservative surgery.

Adolescent↗