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Biomedical subjects

R Salim

Publications and source records attributed to R Salim.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A comparative study of glycodelin concentrations in uterine flushings in women with subseptate uteri, history of unexplained recurrent miscarriage and healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the concentration of glycodelin in uterine flushing at the implantation window obtained from women with subseptate uteri, women with a history of recurrent first trimester miscarriage and fertile controls. STUDY DESIGN: Glycodelin concentration was assessed using Enzyme Linked Immunohistochemistry (ELISA) at The Early Pregnancy & Gynaecology Assessment Unit, King's College Hospital, London, England. Eight women with a subseptate uterus, 20 women with a history of unexplained recurrent first trimester miscarriage and 16 fertile controls had uterine cavity flushing, for glycodelin concentration, done 7 days after the luteinising hormone surge. RESULTS: Glycodelin concentrations in uterine flushing obtained from women with subseptate uteri (n=8) (median 32.9 ng/ml, range 17.1-52.4 ng/ml) and recurrent miscarriage (n=20) (median 26.8 ng/ml, range 9.7-78.5 ng/ml) were significantly lower than in the control group (n=16) (median 67.7 ng/ml, range 59.0-77.6 ng/ml) (chi(2)=19.565, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Peri-implantation levels of glycodelin are lower in women at high risk of early pregnancy failure.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Reproducibility of the measurement of submucous fibroid protrusion into the uterine cavity using three-dimensional saline contrast sonohysterography.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of measurement of the percentage of protrusion of submucous fibroids into the uterine cavity using three-dimensional saline contrast sonohysterography (3D-SCSH). METHODS: Women diagnosed with submucous uterine fibroids on B-mode two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound scan were invited to join the study and 3D-SCSH was carried out. 3D volume datasets were stored digitally and were examined later using the technique of planar reformatted sections. The reproducibilities of the measurement of fibroid diameter and protrusion ratio into the uterine cavity (ratio of the size of the segment of the fibroid protruding into the cavity to the total diameter of the fibroid) were examined by two independent observers who were unaware of the initial 2D scan findings. Interobserver reproducibility was assessed by calculating the difference between measurements taken by the two operators (limits of agreement) and interclass correlation coefficient. Intraobserver repeatability was assessed by calculating the difference between two measurements for each variable (limits of agreement) and further expressed as an intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Thirty-three 3D ultrasound volumes were examined. There was a good agreement between the observers in classifying the fibroids as greater or less than 50% confined to the myometrium (Cohen's kappa 0.81). There was no bias in measurements for both variables either between observers or with repeated measurements by each observer. For fibroid diameter and protrusion ratio the inter- and intraclass correlation coefficients were high (0.984-0.995), with narrow limits of agreement. CONCLUSION: 3D-SCSH is a reproducible method for the quantification of the percentage of a submucous fibroid protruding into the uterine cavity.

Adult↗

Expectant management of miscarriage--prediction of outcome using ultrasound and novel biochemical markers.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the value of various ultrasound and biochemical parameters for the prediction of successful expectant management of miscarriage. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study. Clinically stable women with an ultrasound diagnosis of miscarriage were offered expectant management. In all cases, gestational age, size of retained products of conception, serum HCG, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, insulin growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), inhibin A and inhibin pro alpha-C RI levels were recorded. Follow-up continued until resolution of the pregnancy. Clinical data, ultrasound findings and biochemical markers were analysed using univariate analysis and decision tree analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-four women underwent expectant management of miscarriage. Thirty-seven (69%) had successful expectant management and 17 (31%) required surgery. The size of retained products, serum HCG, progesterone, inhibin A and inhibin pro alpha-C RI were all significantly different in those pregnancies that resolved spontaneously (P<0.05). Serum inhibin A was the best predictor of a complete miscarriage. CONCLUSION: This study shows that novel biochemical markers may be used to predict the likelihood of successful expectant management of miscarriage.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

A comparative study of three-dimensional saline infusion sonohysterography and diagnostic hysteroscopy for the classification of submucous fibroids.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare three-dimensional saline infusion sonohysterography (3D SIS) and diagnostic hysteroscopy for the diagnosis and classification of submucous uterine fibroids. METHODS: This was a prospective double-blind study of 49 women who presented with a history of menorrhagia, diagnosed on non-enhanced two-dimensional ultrasonography with submucous fibroids. Fibroids were classified on 3D SIS according to the proportion of fibroid contained within the endometrial cavity, using the European Society of Hysteroscopy Classification of Submucous Fibroids. These results were then compared with the findings at diagnostic hysteroscopy. RESULTS: A total of 61 submucous fibroids was identified in 49 symptomatic women. Diagnostic hysteroscopy confirmed these findings in all cases. There was agreement between the two methods in 11/12 cases of Type 0 fibroids (92%), 34/37 (92%) of Type I fibroids and 9/12 (75%) of Type II fibroids. The overall level of agreement was good with a kappa value of 0.80. CONCLUSIONS: There is a good overall agreement between 3D SIS and diagnostic hysteroscopy in classification of submucous fibroids. Agreement is better in cases where a greater proportion of the fibroid is contained within the uterine cavity.

Adult↗

Expectant management of tubal ectopic pregnancy: prediction of successful outcome using decision tree analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To establish whether a decision tree based on a combination of clinical, morphological and biochemical parameters could be constructed to help in the selection of women with tubal ectopic pregnancies for expectant management. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study in a tertiary referral early pregnancy unit in an inner city teaching hospital. The study group consisted of 179 women with ultrasound diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Demographic, clinical and ultrasound data were recorded in each case at the initial visit. In addition all women had a blood sample taken for the measurements of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) and progesterone. Clinically stable women with non-viable pregnancies and no signs of hematoperitoneum were managed expectantly on an outpatient basis until their serum beta-hCG declined to <20 IU/L. Women who developed pelvic pain during follow-up and those with non-declining serum beta-hCG were offered surgery. RESULTS: A total of 107/179 (59.8%) tubal ectopics were considered suitable for expectant management. Ectopic pregnancy resolved spontaneously in 75/107 (70%) women, which was 41.9% of the total number of tubal ectopics. Maternal age, initial serum beta-hCG and progesterone were all significantly different in pregnancies that resolved spontaneously compared to those requiring surgery (P < 0.05). Initial serum beta-hCG level was the best predictor of the outcome of expectant management. These differences enabled a construction of a four-level decision tree to estimate the likelihood of successful expectant management. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in demographic, ultrasound and biochemical findings between spontaneously resolving ectopics and those requiring treatment. Decision tree analysis may be used as a guide to estimate the probability of successful expectant management in individual cases.

Adult↗

The value of detection of normal ovarian tissue (the 'ovarian crescent sign') in the differential diagnosis of adnexal masses.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the presence of normal ovarian tissue adjacent to an adnexal tumor (the 'ovarian crescent sign') could assist in the preoperative differential diagnosis of adnexal lesions. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study including 100 women with a preoperative diagnosis of an adnexal mass. Demographic and biochemical data were collected and all women underwent a detailed transvaginal ultrasound scan. Tumor volume, morphological characteristics and Doppler features were recorded in each case. In addition, the tissue adjacent to the cyst was systematically examined for the presence of normal ovarian tissue. All the findings were compared to the final histological diagnosis. RESULTS: Sixty-seven (67%) of the cysts removed were benign, nine (9%) were borderline and 24 (24%) women had invasive malignant lesions. Normal ovarian tissue was seen in 58/76 (76%) women with non-invasive lesions, and in one woman (4%) with an invasive malignancy. In the absence of normal ovarian tissue, ovarian cancer was diagnosed with a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 76%. CONCLUSION: The presence of normal ovarian tissue adjacent to an ovarian cyst is a useful morphological feature that may be used to help exclude an invasive ovarian malignancy in women with adnexal masses detected on ultrasound scan.

Adnexal Diseases↗

Prediction of early pregnancy viability in the absence of an ultrasonically detectable embryo.

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical, ultrasound and biochemical parameters that may allow prediction of pregnancy viability in women without a detectable embryo on ultrasound examination. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of pregnant women with an ultrasound finding of a gestational sac measuring < 20 mm mean diameter without a visible embryo. Women's age, menstrual dates, clinical symptoms (pain and bleeding), mean gestational sac diameter and measurements of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone were recorded in all cases. All women were managed expectantly until the pregnancy viability was established conclusively based on clinical and ultrasound findings. All parameters were tested by univariate analysis and then analyzed in a stepwise procedure to form a logistic regression model for predicting pregnancy viability. RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen (59%) women had a normal intrauterine pregnancy and 82 (41%) had a miscarriage. Stepwise analysis showed that three diagnostic parameters (maternal age, gestational sac diameter and serum progesterone) contributed significantly to the predictive power of the logistic model. With this model, at a cut-off value of 10% probability, the diagnosis of viable pregnancy was made with a sensitivity of 99.2% (95% CI, 95.8-99.97) and specificity of 70.7% (95% CI, 61.3-78.9). CONCLUSION: The use of a logistic regression model allows prediction of pregnancy viability when an embryo cannot be visualized on ultrasound scan.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Reproducibility of three-dimensional ultrasound diagnosis of congenital uterine anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reproducibility of the diagnosis of congenital uterine anomalies and the repeatability of measurements of uterine cavity dimensions using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. METHODS: The reproducibility of diagnosis of congenital uterine anomalies was examined by re-slicing stored 3D ultrasound volumes. Each data set was evaluated by two independent observers. Assessment of uterine morphology was performed in a standardized plane, with the interstitial portions of the Fallopian tubes used as reference points. Additionally, in 35 cases of congenital uterine anomalies the width of the uterine cavity (W), fundal distortion (F) and the length of unaffected uterine cavity (C) were measured. Intraobserver and interobserver variabilities were evaluated by each observer performing all three measurements twice. RESULTS: Eighty-three 3D ultrasound volumes were examined. Both operators classified 27 uteri as normal, 33 as arcuate, 19 as subseptate and three as unicornuate. A single case of uterine anomaly was described as arcuate uterus by one operator and subseptate by another (kappa 0.97). The intraobserver variability for each of the three measurements (W, F and C) was satisfactory with limits of agreement ranging from +/-1.43 to +/-2.51 mm. The examination of the interobserver variability showed no significant differences between the two observers (F = 0.484, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: 3D ultrasound is a reproducible method for the diagnosis of congenital uterine anomalies and for the measurement of uterine cavity dimensions.

Female↗

First-trimester diagnosis and management of pregnancies implanted into the lower uterine segment Cesarean section scar.

OBJECTIVE: To describe first-trimester ultrasound diagnosis and management of pregnancies implanted into uterine Cesarean section scars. METHODS: All women referred for an ultrasound scan because of suspected early pregnancy complications were screened for pregnancies implanted into a previous Cesarean section scar. The management of Cesarean section scar pregnancies included transvaginal surgical evacuation, medical treatment with local injection of 25 mg methotrexate into the exocelomic cavity and expectant management. RESULTS: Eighteen Cesarean section scar pregnancies were diagnosed in a 4-year period. The prevalence in the local population was 1 : 1800 pregnancies. Surgical treatment was used in eight women and it was successful in all cases. The respective success rates of medical treatment and expectant management were 5/7 (71%) and 1/3 (33%). Five women (28%) required blood transfusion and one woman (6%) had a hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Cesarean section scar pregnancies are more common than previously thought. When the diagnosis is made in the first trimester the prognosis is good and the risk of hysterectomy is relatively low.

Ambulatory Care↗

A comparative study of the morphology of congenital uterine anomalies in women with and without a history of recurrent first trimester miscarriage.

BACKGROUND: The true impact of congenital uterine anomalies on reproductive outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the morphology of uterine anomalies found in women with and without a history of recurrent miscarriage. METHODS: A total of 509 women with a history of unexplained recurrent miscarriage and 1976 low risk women were examined for the presence of congenital uterine anomalies by three-dimensional ultrasound. The anomalies were classified according to the American Fertility Society classification. In addition, the size of fundal distortion (F) and the length of the remaining uterine cavity (C) were measured to calculate a distortion ratio (F/F+C). The findings were compared with the measurements obtained in low risk women with an incidental finding of uterine anomaly. RESULTS: In all, 121 anomalies were detected in the recurrent miscarriage group and 105 in low risk women. There was no significant difference in relative frequency of various anomalies or depth of fundal distortion between the two groups. However, with both arcuate and subseptate uteri, the length of remaining uterine cavity was significantly shorter (P < 0.01) and the distortion ratio was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the recurrent miscarriage group. CONCLUSION: The distortion of uterine anatomy is more severe in congenital anomalies, which are found in women with a history of recurrent first trimester miscarriage.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia developing in the course of chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Both chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) are rare illnesses. Their co-existence has been previously reported, typically with CML following CLL. We report to our knowledge the first case of CLL developing some years after initial diagnosis of Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome positive CML. We provide molecular evidence that CLL arose in a Ph negative clone. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Benzamides↗

Reproductive outcomes in women with congenital uterine anomalies detected by three-dimensional ultrasound screening.

OBJECTIVE: To determine reproductive outcomes in women with congenital uterine anomalies detected incidentally by three-dimensional ultrasound. METHODS: We studied 1089 women with no history of infertility or recurrent miscarriage who were seen for a transvaginal ultrasound scan. They were screened for uterine abnormalities using three-dimensional ultrasound. We determined prevalence of miscarriage and preterm labor in women with normal and abnormal uterine morphology. RESULTS: We found that 983 women had a normally shaped uterine cavity, 72 an arcuate, 29 a subseptate, and five a bicornuate uterus. Women with a subseptate uterus had a significantly higher proportion of first-trimester loss (Zeta = 4.68, P <.01) compared with women with a normal uterus. Women with an arcuate uterus had a significantly greater proportion of second-trimester loss (Zeta = 5.76, P <.01) and preterm labor (Zeta = 4.1, P <.01). There were no other significant differences in pregnancy outcomes between women with normal and abnormal uterine morphology. CONCLUSION: This study shows the potential value of three-dimensional ultrasound and confirmed that women with congenital uterine anomalies were more likely to have adverse pregnancy outcomes than women with a normal uterus.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Concentrations of heavy metals in roadside soils, plants, and landsnails from the West Bank, Palestine.

Concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn were determined in roadside soil, plant and landsnail samples along Nablus-Ramallah main road in the West Bank. Average concentrations (microgram.g-1, dry weight) of the four metals in soil samples were, Cu: 23.8, Zn: 128.3, Cd: 0.45 and Pb: 149.9. These values were higher than those found in soil samples collected from control sites. Metals in roadside plant samples were within normal levels although plants from control sites were found to have slightly less metals. Different parts of a plant (roots, stem & leaves) were found to accumulate metals in different concentrations. The average concentration (microgram.g-1) of metals in different plant parts were: Cu: < 5.2, Cd: < 1.0, Pb: < 2.19 and Zn: < 5.18. Average concentrations (microgram.g-1) of metals in the three roadside snails were ranging between 121-132 for Cu, 18-27 for Cd, 21-24 for Pb and 43-69 for Zn. Snails were found to magnify Cd to serious levels (> 30-50 times higher than in plants and soils). Lead in snails was about 10 times higher than that in plant leaves and much less than that in roadside soils. Other metals in snails did not show abnormal concentrations.

Animals↗

Levels of trace metals and effect of body size on metal content of the landsnail Levantina hierosylima from the West Bank-Palestine.

Levels of four trace metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) were determined in the landsnail Levantina hierosylima from four locations in the West Bank. Average concentration of the metals was 126.9, 42, 20.2 and 19.4 ppm for Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, respectively. Significant differences in metal concentrations were observed between snails from the four sampling sites (Jerusalem, Abu-Dies, Qarawa, and Taibeh). Differences are most probably due to atmospheric fallout of metals from traffic roads and industrial facilities. Effect of snail size (weight and shell width) on metal content was investigated for the four metals. Plotting metal content against soft tissue weight resulted in significant relationships. Small snails were found to be richer in Zn, Cd and Pb than larger ones. Regression coefficients for the relationships were 0.75, 0.76 and 0.81 for Pb, Cd and Zn, respectively. Copper content was directly related to body weight (regression coefficient = 0.96) indicating that Cu concentration is independent of body weight. Plotting metal content against shell width indicated similar results but with less strong correlation coefficients. L. hierosylima is a promising bioindicator for metal pollution and further laboratory investigations are needed in order to know more about the uptake and release of metals by this organism.

Animals↗

[Burch laparoscopic procedure for repairing proven stress incontinence--report of 32 cases].

There are more than 200 procedures for repairing stress urinary incontinence. We evaluated the safety and efficiency of the Burch laparoscopic procedure in 32 women with urodynamically proven genuine stress incontinence. Mean operating time was 40 minutes and mean hospitalization time after the procedure was 30 hours. The cure rate was 97%, similar to that reported in other studies (80-95%). The major complications were 2 cases (6.2%) of unintended bladder injury, diagnosed and repaired laparoscopically. Although follow-up has only been for 3-42 months, the high cure rate and safety and advantages of laparoscopy over laparotomy, make laparoscopic Burch colposuspension the procedure of choice for repairing stress incontinence.

Adult↗