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Biomedical subjects

L Plouffe

Publications and source records attributed to L Plouffe.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Repeated fetal losses associated with antiphospholipid antibodies: a collaborative randomized trial comparing prednisone with low-dose heparin treatment.

OBJECTIVE: We attempted to compare the use of low-dose heparin with a standard dose of 40 mg prednisone daily (both plus low-dose aspirin) for treatment of pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibody-associated recurrent fetal loss with respect to maternal and perinatal morbidity and efficacy in prevention of fetal death. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter randomized trial included 20 patients. Generalizability of results from randomized patients was evaluated by means of additional data from 13 women refusing and 12 women ineligible for randomization. Data from study groups were compared with Fisher's exact test, and generalizability was evaluated with a chi 2 test for trend. RESULTS: Live birth rates were the same (75%) with either treatment, but "serious" maternal morbidity and the frequency of preterm delivery were significantly higher among women randomly assigned to prednisone (p = 0.02 vs p = 0.006). Preterm delivery among prednisone-treated women was usually associated with premature rupture of the membranes or preeclampsia. These results could be generalized to the other groups of women ascertained during the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose heparin should be preferred to prednisone when treatment is indicated for high-risk pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibodies.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1992

Absence of the testicular determining factor gene SRY in XX true hermaphrodites and presence of this locus in most subjects with gonadal dysgenesis caused by Y aneuploidy.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to discover whether the testicular determining factor gene SRY (sex-determining region on Y) is present or absent in XX true hermaphrodites and in subjects with gonadal dysgenesis caused by Y aneuploidy. STUDY DESIGN: We screened five XX true hermaphrodites and 24 subjects with gonadal dysgenesis caused by Y aneuploidy for the presence or absence of SRY. With the polymerase chain reaction technique, the sequence coding the 80 amino acid-conserved motif was amplified. The 0.9 kb Hincll pY53.3 subclone, which covers the open reading frame of SRY, serves as a probe for Southern blot analysis. RESULTS: Test results for all five XX true hermaphrodites were negative for SRY. Conversely, 22 of the 24 individuals with 45,X/46,XY gonadal dysgenesis were positive for SRY, including the 10 subjects with only bilateral streak gonads. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of SRY in XX true hemaphrodites and the presence of SRY in 10 subjects with 45,X/46,XY constitution who harbored only bilateral streak gonads seem to indicate that multiple genes are involved in gonadal differentiation.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed1992

Etiologic factors of recurrent abortion and subsequent reproductive performance of couples: have we made any progress in the past 10 years?

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesize that the diagnostic yield and pregnancy outcomes of patients with recurrent abortion have improved over the past 10 years. STUDY DESIGN: The study was performed in an academic medical center. Diagnoses and outcomes for group A, a published series of 100 patients investigated for recurrent abortion in the section between 1968 and 1977, was compared with those for group B, the 131 patients seen between 1987 and 1991. A standardized protocol was followed, enhanced by new techniques and autoimmune investigations in the latter group. Results were compiled retrospectively. Descriptive statistics and chi 2 analysis were used. RESULTS: No cause could be found in 37% of patients in group A compared with 24% of couples in group B (p less than 0.05). No clear difference could be shown in the subsequent outcomes of pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Our ability to establish a cause of recurrent abortion has improved slightly over the past 15 years. The gain is not yet reflected in successful pregnancy rates. Multicenter trials are indicated.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1992

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone beta, luteinizing hormone beta gene structure in idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the genes for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone beta (FSH beta), and luteinizing hormone beta (LH beta) are present, and if so, whether gene structure is normal in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). DESIGN: Patients with clinical and laboratory characteristics of IHH were studied at the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) level to assess gene structure. SETTING: This study took place in an academic setting. PATIENTS: Human volunteers with documented IHH and fertile controls were studied. INTERVENTIONS: Genomic DNAs were extracted from each patient, Southern blots were constructed and hybridized to DNA probes for GnRH, FSH beta, and LH beta. DNA samples were also subjected to polymerase chain reaction analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gene structure was assessed by analysis of autoradiographs and gel electrophoresis of polymerase chain reaction products in both the study patients and controls. RESULTS: Each analysis for FSH beta, LH beta, and GnRH demonstrated the same sized fragments in both the study group and control group. A 1.2-kilobase fragment containing the coding region for GnRH was present in all patients with IHH and controls by polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSIONS: The genes for GnRH, LH beta, and FSH beta are present in patients with IHH. No large deletions or rearrangements of any of these genes were identified in any of these patients.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

5-fluorouracil exposure during the period of conception: report on two cases.

Two patients who were administered topical vaginal 5-fluorouracil for human papilloma virus lesions became pregnant during treatment. The outcomes in both cases were healthy with normal developmental landmarks at 6 months of age. This experience highlights the potential for a positive outcome.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1990

The detection of Hind III restriction-fragment length polymorphisms using a deoxyribonucleic acid probe for the beta subunit of follicle-stimulating hormone.

Molecular diagnosis of disorders of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production may become possible now that the gene for FSH beta has been characterized. Restriction-fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis provides a means of organized search for molecular variants of FSH. The purpose of this study was to screen controls for the presence of RFLPs using the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) probe pFSH beta -1.4. Genomic DNA was digested with 12 different restriction endonucleases; Southern blots were constructed and hybridized to pFSH beta -1.4. No polymorphisms were identified with 11 enzymes. Three of 24 (12.6%) Hind III digests demonstrated a polymorphic fragment of either 5.2, 4.7, or 4.3 kb. These are the first RFLPs identified for the FSH beta gene with pFSH beta -1.4. RFLPs for FSH beta constitute the first step in the molecular analysis of disorders of FSH production.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1990

Deoxyribonucleic acid analysis of the zinc finger Y gene in 45,X/46,XY subjects.

The deoxyribonucleic acid from nine subjects with a 45,X/46,XY karyotype with a cytogenetically intact Y chromosome and phenotypically presenting with bilateral streak gonads, streak and testis, or bilateral scrotal testes along with a control male and female were analyzed for the presence of the zinc finger Y sequence through the molecular probe pDP1007. This particular probe is thought to constitute part of the putative testicular-determining factor gene. All the study subjects demonstrated the presence of zinc finger Y. Laser densitometry studies confirmed a correlation between the intensity of the zinc finger Y band and the percentage of Y cell lines. This study supports the fact that individuals with mixed gonadal dysgenesis and cytogenetically intact Y chromosomes will tend to have intact zinc finger Y sequences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Age, sex, and personality correlates of self-actualization in elderly adults.

The present study examined age, sex and personality correlates of self-actualization among older adults. The Personal Orientation Inventory and Personality Research Form were administered individually to 80 community men and women aged 56 yr.-84 yr. No main effect for sex was observed on inventory scores, but younger subjects (56 yr.-67 yr.) obtained higher scores than older subjects (68 yr.-84 yr.) on four subscales: Existentiality, Feeling Reactivity, Acceptance of Aggression and Capacity for Intimate Contact. Age was negatively correlated with Feeling Reactivity in both sexes; Inner-directedness decreased with age in men and Capacity for Intimate Contact diminished with age in women. For men, inventory scores were positively associated with the traits of Change and Endurance and negatively correlated with Abasement, Order and Succorance. For women, Impulsivity correlated positively and Order was associated negatively with scores on the inventory. These results suggest that the components of self-actualization are differentially influenced by age for men and women and that the traits accompanying self-actualization are sex-linked.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Screening for sexual problems through a simple questionnaire.

Screening for sexual problems should be part of the medical assessment, but there is controversy on the best method to use. This study compared the yield of a simple questionnaire with that of a more detailed interview. Ninety-eight sexually active women (out of a total of 110) admitted on an elective basis to general gynecology wards were studied. Forty-six patients presented with a sexual complaint and 33 (33%) of these requested medical attention for the problem. In all cases, the simple questionnaire was as effective as the detailed inquiry in detecting a sexual problem. It is concluded that a simple questionnaire can be used effectively by all physicians as a screening test for sexual dysfunction with regard to heterosexual coital activity. Further research is required to confirm this hypothesis in other conditions of medical practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Neuroticism and the effect of stress on the pupillary light reflex.

The pupillary light reflex was recorded under control, stress and fatigue conditions for 30 subjects equally divided into groups low, moderate, and high in Neuroticism. The effects of stress were distinguished by a decrease in both latency and extent of pupillary constriction during the initial light stimulation trials, as well as by a greater magnitude of redilation. Latency to maximum constriction and extent of constriction and redilation progressively decreased during the fatigue condition. No differences between Neuroticism groups were observed although it was noted that Neuroticism was negatively correlated with magnitude of redilation during the post-stress condition.

Humans↗