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Biomedical subjects

U Henriques

Publications and source records attributed to U Henriques.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Fetal and perinatal infections. A consecutive study.

118 cases of second trimester abortions, stillbirths, and perinatal deaths together with the placentas and case records were studied histologically and microbiologically to evaluate the incidence of infection and to assess possible correlations to certain clinical parameters. The infection rate was 39.4%, highest in the second trimester abortions (58.2%), where infection was also considered the most frequent cause of death (45.5%), though mostly without maternal signs of infection. 36.6% of cases with histological inflammation exhibited positive culture results. The value of ordinary culture of the placenta and fetus is questionable, at least if not performed immediately after delivery. A significant correlation between infection and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, ruptured membranes of more than 24 hours duration, and spontaneous labour was found. No protective effect of intact membranes was found.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1992

Estimation of the total number of mast cells in the human umbilical cord. A methodological study.

The aim of the present study was to estimate the total number of mast cells in the human umbilical cord. Using 50 microns-thick paraffin sections, made from a systematic random sample of umbilical cord, the total number of mast cells per cord was estimated using a combination of the optical disector and fractionated sampling. The mast cell of the human umbilical cord was found in Wharton's jelly, most frequently in close proximity to the three blood vessels. No consistent pattern of variation in mast cell numbers from the fetal end of the umbilical cord towards the placenta was seen. The total number of mast cells found in the umbilical cord was 5,200,000 (median), range 2,800,000-16,800,000 (n = 7), that is 156,000 mast cells per gram umbilical cord (median), range 48,000-267,000. Thus, the umbilical cord constitutes an adequate source of mast cells for further investigation of these cells in the newborn, e.g. for describing their functional and secretory characteristics and possible clinical relevance in relation to the development of allergic, inflammatory and immunological diseases in infancy and childhood.

Cell Count↗
PubMed1991

Bacteriological autopsy. I. A methodological study.

The two aims of this investigation were: 1. To compare a swab culture technique with an imprint method in bacteriological autopsy. 2. To examine the influence of body manipulation on culture. Specimens were taken from the lungs and the spleen in 42 autopsies. For imprint a piece of sterile blotting paper was used. Point 1. Good qualitative agreement was found between the two methods. Print cultures enabled a quantitation at low numbers of bacteria. However, in most cases when growth was present the colonies were confluent, which did not allow counting. The lung cultures were 67%/69% positive (swab/print). For the spleen, the positive rate was 21%/42% (swab/print). In the cases representing the difference, only a few colonies grew on the print plates. Culture by means of a swab was found to give the same information as culture by imprint. Swabs are easier to handle but should be processed within a couple of hours. Point 2. In ten autopsies, cultures were taken with organs in situ after the organ block was removed and after an ordinary autopsy had been performed. A scoring system was used to compare the results. There was a clear correlation between positive cultures and manipulation of the organs. The specimens should be taken with the organs in situ.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1991

Bacteriological autopsy. II. Comparison of a group of cancer patients with a control group.

A study of the results of bacteriological autopsy in a group of cancer patients compared with a control group was carried out. Autopsy was performed on 42 bodies within 24 hours of death. Thirty-two patients had died with a cancer and the remaining ten had died of cardiovascular disease. Tissue for microscopy and material and culture were taken from the same sites. The results of the inoculations were semiquantified, resulting in a culture score, and the results of the microscopy were classified according to presence of bacteria and kind of inflammation. Furthermore, grading was done according to the degree of inflammation and whether bacteria were seen at microscopy. The culture scores were significantly higher in the cancer group than in the control group. We found a significant correlation between score and presence of acute inflammation. Likewise, a significant correlation was found between score and presence of bacteria at microscopy. As a difference between the cancer group and the control group was seen, further research on bacteriological autopsy seems worthwhile.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Transabdominal chorion villus biopsy following abnormal ultrasonic findings in the second trimester].

If oligohydramnios, growth retardation or foetal malformations are demonstrated by ultrasonic scanning in the second or third trimesters, this implies that the risk of chromosome anomalies is significantly increased. In cases such as these, determination of the foetal karyotype may therefore be indicated. Until recently, amniocentesis has been employed for this but the results of the chromosome investigation are not available until two to three weeks after the intervention. The delay between amniocentesis and the result of chromosome investigation imposes a mental strain on the pregnant woman. Three patients with abnormal ultrasonic findings in the second trimester were, therefore, submitted to transabdominal chorion villus biopsy and, in all three cases, a karyotype was available within 48 hours. Chorion villus biopsy in the second (and third) trimester is indicated in pregnancies in which oligohydramnios, growth retardation or foetal malformations have been demonstrated by ultrasonic scanning, in cases where referral for antenatal diagnosis is very late and when chromosome investigation after amniocentesis proves unsuccessful and repeated amniocentesis would result in an unacceptably late result.

Chorionic Villi Sampling↗
PubMed1988

Group B streptococci in the lower urogenital tract and late abortions.

The occurrence of group B streptococci in the lower urogenital tract of 150 women with signs of abortion and 100 women with uncomplicated pregnancy was studied. Group B streptococci appeared significantly more frequently in the urine (p less than 0.001) and in the uterine cervix (p less than 0.01) of women with abortion. Delivery resulted in 85% of patients with group B streptococci in the urine and in 42% of patients with no group B streptococci (p less than 0.001). Group B streptococci were cultured from amniotic fluid from three of eight women with intact membranes and were isolated from the urine and cervix. These bacteria were antibody coated as demonstrated by an immunofluorescence technique. Group B streptococci were recovered from blood or liver in six fetuses, including two who had group B streptococci in the amniotic fluid. The study demonstrates an association between the occurrence of group B streptococci in the urine and cervix and late abortions.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗