Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The term chorioamnionitis is used to describe an intrauterine status of infection/inflammation of either mixed fetal-maternal (choriodecidual space) or fetal origin (chorioamniotic membranes, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord). Histological, microbiological, biochemical and clinical criteria are used to define chorioamnionitis. Histopathological examination of the placenta is the gold standard for evaluating antenatal inflammatory processes that might influence fetal development. Chorioamnionitis is the leading cause of very preterm delivery and its incidence increases with decreasing gestational age. Therefore, it contributes to the high morbidity and mortality of infants born prematurely. In the last decades, several studies have been performed to assess a gestation-independent effect of chorioamnionitis on neonatal and long-term outcome with variable results. The discrepancy observed across studies may be attributable to differences in inclusion and exclusion criteria, disease definitions, methods, and whether potential confounding factors such as gestational age were considered. As underlined by several Authors, the increasingly widespread use of antenatal steroids may have contributed to improve neonatal outcome and can therefore partially explain the different results between studies. In the current review we aim to give an overview and synthesis of a vast amount of existing literature on the association between antenatal infection/inflammation and neonatal and long-term outcome.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The number of women with congenital heart disease reaching childbearing age is constantly increasing due to the advances achieved in cardiac surgery during the past decades. The significant physiological haemodynamic changes and adaptations of the cardiovascular system associated with pregnancy, birth and puerperium increases the cardiovascular risk to pregnant women with congenital heart disease. It is therefore necessary not only the awareness of these haemodynamic changes and risks, but also a multidisciplinary approach that involves preconception counseling, choosing the best contraceptive method, close surveillance during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium. The purpose of this article is to review the major risks associated with pregnancy in women with CHD and to provide an indication on the best contraceptive method and cares during pregnancy in these patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Nineteen pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies were studied during the first, second, and third trimesters. We measured the following hemostatic parameters: prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, platelet number and volume. Platelet function was examined by a cytofluorimetric method, using an anti-GPM-140 antibody which is directed against a platelet alpha granule membrane protein. Activated platelets were expressed as a percentage of the GMP-140-positive platelets over total platelets. Fibrinogen levels showed a steady increase during pregnancy; conversely prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, protein C, and antithrombin III showed no significant modifications and remained within the reference range. There was a decrease of protein S activity throughout pregnancy, although protein S antigen did not follow this trend. The decrease occurred early in pregnancy and persisted during the second and third trimesters, reaching a stable plateau. We observed no platelet volume change or activation: the percentage of activated platelets was within the normal reference range, even in late pregnancy.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

A 40-year-old woman was admitted because of long-lasting asymptomatic hypercalcaemia. About 2 years earlier she underwent thyroidectomy and further 131 I therapy because of well-differentiated non medullary thyroid carcinoma. On admission biochemical data and hormonal values (serum calcium, serum phosphorus, i-PTH) were consistent with primary hyperparathyroidism; ultrasonography, computed tomography, thallium-technetium scintiscanning disclosed right paratracheal mass; on surgical procedure a right parathyroid adenoma was removed. The coexistence of non medullary thyroid carcinoma and primary hyperparathyroidism is rare: the prior 131 I therapy might be linked to subsequent development of parathyroid adenoma.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was measured in the peripheral serum of 10 healthy, diurnally-active and nocturnally-resting adult subjects (5 women and 5 men). Blood was drawn serially at 4-h intervals throughout a 24-h cycle with the subjects hospitalized and synchronized. They were not kept in recumbency. Data were evaluated by conventional statistical analysis and by single- and population mean- cosinor procedures. A low-amplitude circadian rhythm was statistically validated for the group. Acrophase was located in the afternoon, at about 1630. The recognition that ACE activity oscillates physiologically in the peripheral blood according to a circadian rhythm may serve to amplify the clinical use of ACE measurements.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Circulating Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) level, chest X-rays and respiratory function tests were determined in 76 male patients with silicosis. Mean serum ACE in the patients was significantly higher than in 30 healthy controls (129.8 +/- 4 U/ml and 92.4 +/- 22.7 respectively), although individual values were in the normal range in about half of the patients. Enzyme levels were independent of silica dust exposure, X-ray changes, functional lung impairment, age, smoking habits, and presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, patients with more severe radiological changes tended to have lower ACE values. Our data confirm that serum ACE level is frequently raised in silicosis, but does not give further information in the evaluation of the disease.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)