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Biomedical subjects

M E Fonseca

Publications and source records attributed to M E Fonseca.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Gonadotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma with concomitant hypersecretion of testosterone and elevated sperm count. Treatment with LRH agonist.

Hypersecretion of both FSH and LH was demonstrated in a man with pituitary macroadenoma, who also presented elevated levels of blood testosterone and an increased sperm count. The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery followed immediately by cranial irradiation. Immunocytochemical analysis of the tumour revealed the presence of FSH, LH, TSH and the alpha-subunit. Gel chromatography of the serum on Sephadex G-100 revealed immunoactive FSH, LH and the alpha-subunit which coeluted with the labelled standards of corresponding hormones. Blood levels of both gonadotropins and testosterone remained persistently elevated up to one year following surgical decompression of the tumour and radiotherapy. It was decided to treat this patient with sc administration of 100 micrograms D-Trp6-LRH biweekly. After 20 weeks, LRH-analogue treatment resulted in the reduction of serum FSH and LH levels and a diminishing in tumour size as assessed by computed tomography scan of the pituitary. This report shows that in a patient with clinically and biochemically documented gonadotropin-secreting adenoma, inducing a state of persistent gonadal hyperfunction, pituitary surgery and cranial irradiation failed to normalize the biochemical abnormality; however, therapy with D-Trp6-LRH agonist induced clinical, biochemical and radiologic improvement.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1986

A new technique for the isolation of placental phagocyte cells and a description of their macrophage properties after in vitro culture.

We describe a method for the separation of phagocytic cells from human placenta by mechanical stirring for 2 h in the absence of proteolytic enzymes. About 60% of the cells were separated by adherence to glass. These adherent macrophage-like cells were able to ingest solid particles; 17% of them phagocytized opsonized sheep red cells and 96% ingested Staphylococcus aureus. IgGFc receptors were expressed in 22% of these cells and C3b receptors in 62% of them. Ultrastructural studies of adherent cells revealed different cells of varying shapes and sizes containing lysosomal granules, heterophagosomes and residual bodies. The cells were peroxidase-negative.

Cell Separation↗
PubMed1985

Steroid secretion by a lipoid cell tumor causing virilization and its diagnosis with computerized tomography.

Presented is the case of a virilized woman with a lipoid cell tumor of the ovary localized by computerized tomography. The major secretory products of the tumor were testosterone and estradiol; the production of androgens was responsible for the clinical features and hindered the effects of estrogens. Elevated levels of estradiol indicated important ovarian aromatase activity as reflected by large ovarian-peripheral venous gradients.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Feedback effect of estradiol on follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin secretion during the puerperium.

Injections of 3 mg of estradiol benzoate were given to seven lactating women during the second and third weeks postpartum to study its effects on secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin during the subsequent 4 days. Administration of estradiol during te second week postpartum had no effect on serum levels of FSH and prolactin, however, 1 week later estradiol injection elicited a double effect: FSH levels decreased and prolactin concentrations increased. Early lactation seems to abolish the estrogen induced positive feedback effect on pituitary gonadotropin secretion. The negative effect of estrogen on FSH secretion and the positive effect on prolactin release became evident by the third week postpartum.

Estradiol↗
PubMed1980

The use of a potent stimulatory LHRH analog (D-Trp-6, LHRH) in the induction of ovulation.

In 25 women with disturbances of ovulation who were treated for sterility with D-Trp-6-LHRH, a potent analog of LHRH, ovulation was achieved in nine patients, but none of these became pregnant after therapy. After using the LHRH analog combined with clomiphene citrate in 14 of these 25 women, six ovulated and only one conceived. The overall rate of ovulation after the combined therapy was better than obtained when LHRH analog alone was administered. From this study we conclude that more investigations using different regimens have to be carried out in order to establish the clinical benefit of LHRH stimulatory analogs in induction of ovulation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation of optical density, lecithin and lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid.

The correlation between optical density at 650 nm, lecithin and lecithin/sphingomyelin ration was investigated in 94 amniotic fluid samples obtained from 90 patients between 28 and 40 weeks of pregnancy. All samples were processed immediately and those contaminated with blood or meconium were discarded. The correlation coefficient between lecithin and absorbance was high (0.926). The lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio also had a good correlation coefficient with the optical density (0.768). We conclude that absorbance at 650 nm is a reliable test for assessing fetal lung maturation.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Heterogeneous pituitary secretion in familial hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Dynamic testing of the hypothalamic pituitary system in familial hypogonadotropic hypogonadism has suggested the possibility of a central nervous disorder associated with variable pituitary secretory secretion. In order to investigate this issue further 7 patients of two families were studied. Male patients exhibited two types of FSH responses to LHRH administration. Two patients had a small response, and the other exhibited a normal response. The LH response was absent or small in both male and female patients. One month therapy with daily injections of LHRH did not improve pituitary responsiveness to a second LHRH test. Estrogen treatment given to females during one month had no improvement effect on another LHRH test. Estradiol benzoate produced a surge in both LH and FSH in half of patients tested which is surprising in the presence of a previous clomiphene negative response. Two of four women had elevated prolactin levels which increased defectuously after metoclopramide administration which could suggest an abnormal hypothalamic status. On the basis of these results it seems that familial hypogonadotropism is originated by an abnormality at two levels, the anterior pituitary and the hypothalamus as well.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Enterovirus associated placental morphology: a light, virological, electron microscopic and immunohistologic study.

The purpose of this study was to identify the possible effect of enteroviruses on placental tissue. Seventy-eight pregnant women were studied throughout their pregnancy: enteroviral infection was detected by faecal viral isolation and seric neutralization of previously identified virus in cell culture. In 19 cases of confirmed maternal infection, placentae were examined grossly, by optical microscopy, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic methods. Ten term placentae from women included in the study, with no clinical, serological or virological evidence of enteroviral infection, were used as control, and examined by gross and optical microscopy. In 17 specimens (echovirus-coxsackievirus) an haematogenous placentitis was suspected on the basis of gross observation. Microscopic lesions were similar to those found in other viral infections, with specific features. The nature of the inflammatory reaction pointed to the presence of an acute type of haematogenous placentitis, not present in placentae of the control group. The authors (AA) comment on the results and present the hypotheses about the available data: (1) maternal enteroviremia and faecal virus shedding without placental invasion, placentary damage being an unspecific consequence of infection; (2) direct virus-induced injury is not the only possible cause for the lesions: (3) placental enteroviral infection occurred with placental pathology but the virus did not cross the organ as the newborn had no signs of infection.

Coxsackievirus Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Placental phagocytic cells infected with herpes simplex type 2 and echovirus type 19: virological and ultrastructural aspects.

Placental macrophage cells were kept in a short-term culture and infected with herpes simplex type 2 virus and echovirus type 19. These were observed under optical and electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence, virus titration and autoradiographic technique were used to determine if the virus was replicating in the system. The results showed that the placental phagocytic cells do not allow virus growth and that the virus particles are destroyed right after virus uptake, within 4 h post-infection. The increase of lipid bodies and other cellular alterations suggested the intensive action of these cells against viruses.

Autoradiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Placental pathology in congenital rubella.

Two groups of placentae from 18 cases of maternal rubella were examined morphologically and virologically. Placentae in Group I (four cases) had a mean gestational age of 21 +/- 1.9 weeks, whilst those in Group 2 (14 cases) had a mean gestational age of 38 +/- 2.8 weeks. A tendency to hypoplasia was observed. The microscopic lesions were similar to those found in other viral infections but in each group some specific features were noted. Only placentae of Group I showed nodules of villi agglutinated by fibrin. This lesion suggested recent maternal infection. Attention is drawn to the presence of abnormal areas of lobular rarefaction due to dysmaturity of villous stem and terminal villi. This aspect was more diffuse and accentuated in Group 2 placentae. Villitis of reactive, necrotic, proliferative and reparative types was seen only in placentae of Group 2. Devastating villitis was not observed. Inclusions in placental cells suggested rubella infection. The lesions were non-specific and hence stress the need for virological examination of the placenta, immunofluorescence studies and electron microscopy to confirm the diagnosis.

Adult↗