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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Glucocorticoid programming of adult disease.

Fetal exposure to elevated levels of glucocorticoids can occur naturally when maternal glucocorticoids are elevated in times of stress or when exogenous glucocorticoids are administered. Epidemiological studies and animal models have shown that, whereas short-term benefits may be associated with fetal glucocorticoid exposure, long-term deleterious effects may arise. This review compares the effects of exposure to natural versus synthetic glucocorticoids and considers the ways in which the timing of the exposure and the sex of the fetus may influence outcomes. Some of the long-term effects of glucocorticoid exposure may be explained by epigenetic mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Increased severity of fetal hemolytic disease with known rhesus alloimmunization after first-trimester transcervical chorionic villus biopsy.

Fetomaternal hemorrhage secondary to chorionic villus biopsy has the potential to accelerate fetal hemolytic disease in the pregnant patient previously sensitized to red cell antigens. A case of poor fetal outcome after first-trimester transcervical chorionic villus sampling in an alloimmunized patient is reported. An increase in antibody titers was associated with the demise of a hydropic fetus early in the second trimester. Maternal red cell alloimmunization is suggested as an absolute contraindication for chorionic villus sampling performed for genetic indications.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum alpha-fetoprotein subfractions identified by Ricinus communis agglutinin I in hepatic malignancies, yolk sac tumor, benign hepatic diseases, and fetal stage.

Using Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA-I) affinity crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) subfractions were studied in sera from patients with primary hepatic cancer (PHC), hepatic metastasis of gastric cancer (HMGC), yolk sac tumor (YST), acute or chronic hepatitis or hepatic cirrhosis. Fetal AFP subfractions were also examined in amniotic fluids or in culture fluids of fetal tissues. RCA-I non-reactive subfraction was commonly found in PHC, HMGC, YST, benign hepatic diseases, and fetal stage. RCA-I weakly reactive (WR) or strongly reactive (SR) subfraction was noted only in malignant diseases. RCA-I has a specific affinity to terminal galactose in oligosaccharide, and the presence of sialic acid on galactose residue(s) inhibits the affinity with RCA-I. Therefore, common AFP subfraction non-reactive with RCA-I was assumed to be galactosialyl form, while RCA-I WR and SR subfractions found only in malignancies were monogalactosyl and digalactosyl, respectively. Clinically this approach to detect the RCA-I WR or SR subfraction facilitates a differential diagnosis of AFP-producing malignancies and benign conditions.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2005

Current concepts in fetal cardiovascular disease.

This article discusses the unique properties of the fetal cardiovascular system and patterns of blood flow in congenital heart disease. It also explores the complex interactive dependency between the developing heart and pulmonary vasculature, with particular attention to hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The article goes on to highlight some recent advances in the understanding of fetal cardiovascular medicine, specifically the possibilities and prognosis for fetal cardiac interventions. An understanding of the enigmatic process of twin-twin transfusion syndrome may help in elucidating one of the mechanisms for development of cardiac structural abnormalities in the fetus.

Fetal Blood↗
PubMed1990

Transplantation of human fetal dopamine cells for Parkinson's disease. Results at 1 year.

In an effort to improve the clinical signs of Parkinson's disease, we have implanted mesencephalic dopamine cells from a 7-week human embryo into the caudate and putamen of a 52-year-old man with Parkinson's disease. Fetal tissue was obtained from elective abortion. The woman and the patient with Parkinson's disease were unknown to each other. The woman gave specific consent and was not paid. The patient had a 20-year history of parkinsonism treated with multiple drug therapies including levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) every 2 1/2 hours. His symptoms were worse on the left side. For 5 months prior to transplantation, the patient underwent clinical evaluations by both a neurologist and a computer system installed in his home for daily measurement of walking and hand movements. Preoperative positron emission tomographic scanning with 6-L[18F]fluorodopa (fluorodopa) demonstrated severe dopamine depletion bilaterally. Fetal tissue was matched to the patient for ABO blood antigens, and maternal serum was screened for hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 prior to surgery. Fetal tissue was implanted stereotactically throughout the caudate and putamen on the right side of the brain via 10 needle tracks. The patient was not immunosuppressed. Results 12 months after surgery showed 42% improvement in left-hand speed before the first morning dose of drug and 40% greater response to drug therapy. Right-hand speed increased 15% before drug therapy and 23% after drug therapy. Reaction time was unaffected. Walking speed increased 33% after drug administration, although walking speed before the first morning dose of drugs declined 40%. Walking speed on an all-day basis improved 17%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Brain↗
PubMed1993

Prenatal diagnosis of genetic skin disease using fetal skin biopsy samples.

BACKGROUND: Understanding normal skin development and identifying markers of genetic skin disease expressed in postnatal skin have permitted the prenatal diagnosis of many severe genodermatoses: bullous diseases, keratinization diseases, pigment cell disorders, and disorders of the epidermal appendages (ectodermal dysplasias). Samples of 16 to 22 weeks' gestation fetal skin obtained by ultrasound-guided biopsy are evaluated using morphologic, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods. OBSERVATIONS: The 12-year experience in evaluating samples from fetuses at risk of these disorders has allowed us to establish conditions that must be met before the samples are taken and the criteria for recognizing the disorder, to recommend the site(s) for sampling, and to be mindful of pitfalls that may be encountered in interpreting the tissue structure. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal skin biopsy is an important diagnostic tool that has permitted families in which members carry the abnormal gene for one of these severe skin diseases to undertake a pregnancy knowing that the condition of the fetus can be determined. Nonetheless, the ultimate goal is phase out this procedure when linkage of more of these disorders to specific genes is understood, specific mutations are characterized, and probes are available for molecular diagnoses using tissue obtained at earlier fetal ages. Until this is possible, fetal skin biopsy remains an important tool that can be used with reasonably high levels of safety and confidence.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1997

Fetal surgery.

Fetal surgery holds the promise of correcting some fetal problems at an early point in gestation, before fetal injury or death has occurred. Prenatal operative intervention may become the more cost-effective and humane approach to a series of otherwise devastating fetal diseases. With refinement of techniques that reduce maternal and fetal risk from fetal surgery, it may be possible to treat nonfatal fetal diseases with less postnatal morbidity.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1976

Hemorrhagic necrosis of the central nervous system. A spontaneous disease of fetal hamsters.

During studies of transplacental virus infections in random bred hamsters purchased with timed pregnancies from three commercial dealers, spontaneous hemorrhagic necrosis of the central nervous system was seen in fetuses harvested near term. Ninety-seven pregnant hamsters from three colonies were examined during a 6-month period; this condition was seen in 25 of 41, 19 of 36, and five of 20 litters. Hamsters from another commercial colony were received, housed, and fed under the same conditions, but remained free of the disease. The pathological process was characterized by multiple spreading zones of edema, malacia, and hemorrhage. Lesions were restricted to neural tissues, including the retina and internal ear. Neuroepithelial proliferation with rosette formation, accompanying the destructive process, constituted a striking reparative response. No inflammatory reaction or cytopathic effects suggestive of virus-induced disease were seen. Studies on the cause of this condition were negative at the time when the disease disappeared spontaneously.

Animals↗