Carotid intima-media thickness in polycystic ovary syndrome and its association with hormone and lipid profiles.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been associated with an increased risk of metabolic disturbances and cardiovascular disease. Intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CIMT) represents a valid surrogate marker of early systemic atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate if CIMT is increased in PCOS patients compared to healthy controls and if there is an association with hormone and metabolic profiles.

Systemic side effects of eye drops: a pharmacokinetic perspective.

When administering eye drops, even when completely correctly applied, several routes of absorption are possible and excess amounts can sometimes cause an unwanted systemic bioavailability of the drops when not completely absorbed into the eye. Furthermore, the concentration of active ingredients in such medicinal preparations is usually very high, so that despite the correct application of the recommended dose, considerable amounts may be absorbed in an unwanted manner through various routes. Children are subject to a much higher risk of systemic side effects because ocular dosing is not weight adjusted and physiological development (eg, liver status) differs from that of adults.

Dehydroepiandrosterone in women with premature ovarian failure and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

We evaluated dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels in premature ovarian failure (POF) patients with and without Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and the impact of DHEA supplementation on thyroid autoantibodies. In a retrospective case series, we included 67 women with spontaneous POF who received estrogen/gestagen replacement with or without DHEA (30 mg/day) for 3 months. Women who were seropositive for thyroglobulin antibodies and/or thyroperoxidase autoantibodies (n = 30) revealed lower pretherapeutic DHEAS levels (1.

Venous thrombembolism, thrombophilic defects, combined oral contraception and anticoagulation.

Background: Several genetic polymorphisms increase the risk for venous thrombembolism (VTE). In particular, combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are known to enhance the risk for VTE and are therefore contraindicated.

Case: We present here the case of a patient with protein S deficiency, who has used COCs together with anticoagulatory therapy (Phenprocoumon) after suffering from deep venous thromboses for 4 years.

Menstrual cycle: no effect on exercise cardiorespiratory variables or blood lactate concentration.

Purpose: Numerous investigations have reported changes in metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses associated with the menstrual cycle. We examined whether variables commonly used in exercise testing are influenced by menstrual cycle phases.

Methods: Nineteen eumenorrheic women performed two incremental tests to voluntary exhaustion on a cycle ergometer during two different phases of the menstrual cycle: the follicular phase (FP) and the luteal phase (LP).

[A double blind randomised clinical trial to assess the efficacy of the treatments of the superficial pressure sores].

In spite of the progresses of knowledge and care, pressure sores continue to be a clinically relevant problem. A double blind randomised controlled trial was organised to assess the efficacy of triticum vulgaris (Fitostimoline) vs placebo in the re-epithelisation of superficial pressure sores. Patients with stage NPUAP II or superficial pressure sores, with an expected survival of more than 3 months and eligible for a follow-up up to 8 weeks were included, over a period of 2 years in 46 clinical sites.

Three- versus two-dimensional ultrasound for nuchal translucency thickness measurements: comparison of feasibility and levels of agreement.

We have determined feasibility and levels of agreement for visualizing the nuchal translucency within a time limit with three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) transvaginal ultrasound. A total of 213 women of median gestational age 13 weeks (range 11-14 weeks) undergoing first-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) thickness measurements with 2D transabdominal ultrasound were included in the study. Additionally all women underwent 2D and 3D transvaginal NT examination within a time limit of 90 s.

The influence of cotinine on interleukin 6 expression in smokers with cervical preneoplasia.

Background: Several epidemiological investigations have shown that cigarette smoking leads to increased serum IL-6 levels and is a risk factor for cervical cancer.

Methods: We examined the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and the amount of cotinine in the cervical fluid of 78 women and compared the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in smokers and nonsmokers.

Results: The results of our study showed that IL-6 levels were higher in the cervical mucus of smokers than in nonsmokers.

Human papillomavirus in the cervix and placenta.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and association of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the cervices and placentas of pregnant women.

Methods: Cervical samples were taken from 179 of 226 women who had placental biopsies because of abnormal ultrasound findings or were older than 35 years, to detect HPV infections with hybrid capture II tests. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done on placental tissue of 147 of the 226 women to detect HPV DNA.

High-resolution dose profile studies based on MR imaging with polymer BANG(TM) gels in stereotactic radiation techniques.

High-resolution dose profiles produced by the Leksell Gamma Knife were obtained in BANG(TM) polymer gel, using a 3 T whole-body scanner upgraded by a magnetic resonance microscopy unit. The gel was contained in 22.3 mm diameter flasks that were inserted into a solid, tissue-equivalent head phantom irradiated by fields of by 8 and 14 mm collimators.

Ultrasound imaging of Bartholin's cysts.

In a prospective, randomized study, Bartholin's cysts were depicted in 36 patients by means of ultrasound imaging. Patients were requested to return for a follow-up US examination after surgery. We were able to show that Bartholin's cysts can easily be expressed with ultrasonographic techniques.

Membrane thickness and PROM--high-frequency ultrasound measurements.

Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) is still an unsolved problem in obstetrics. Neither prevention nor diagnosis nor therapy is readily available. The amniotic sac is stabilized mechanically by a dense network of collagenous fibres; in the event of PROM, the collagenous mesh is dissolved and the thickness of the amniotic sac is reduced.

Hyperemesis gravidarum associated with Helicobacter pylori seropositivity.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that infection with Helicobacter pylori is associated with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Methods: From January 1995 to November 1996 we enrolled 105 patients with hyperemesis gravidarum in a prospective study. The Helicobacter serum Immunoglobulin (Ig) G concentrations in these patients were compared with those in asymptomatic gravidas matched for week of gestation.

Treatment of menopausal keratoconjunctivitis sicca with topical oestradiol.

Objective: To investigate the effect of 17 beta-oestradiol ophthalmic drops in comparison with a traditional tear substitute in postmenopausal women with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Design: Randomised prospective trial.

Setting: Menopause clinic.

Hormone replacement therapy and intraocular pressure.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in menopausal women.

Methods: The IOP of 25 white menopausal women without an abnormal ophthalmologic history was measured before and during HRT regimen. IOP fluctations were recorded before and 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the beginning of HRT.

Fetal bradycardia following cordocentesis.

Several clinical investigations on the course and outcome of pregnancies following cordocentesis have mentioned the occurrence of fetal bradycardia at the time of umbilical cord puncture. The prognostic impact of this common complication has remained controversial. Our purpose was to investigate the prevalence and the short-term and long-term consequences of fetal bradycardia associated with cordocentesis.

Successful treatment of a high-risk choriocarcinoma in Figo stage IV (WHO score 12).

In the present report, a case of high-risk choriocarcinoma (Figo stage IV, WHO score 12) with persisting vaginal and urethral bleedings is described. In addition to a course of multiagent chemotherapy, arterial embolization of both iliac vessels using Gianturco coils was carried out. This caused a dramatic improvement of the patient's general condition.

[Measuring amniochorionic membrane thickness with high frequency ultrasound].

The postpartal thickness of the amniochorionic membrane was measured by means of 20 MHz ultrasound after 28 inconspicuous deliveries in the course of a prospective study. The aim of our investigation was to determine the thickness of the amniochorionic membrane using high frequency ultrasound and to evaluate the results for a statistical correlation with fetal and maternal parameters. The data obtained were compared with histological sections for measurement accuracy using a linear regression analysis method.

Measurement of amniochorionic membrane thickness using high-frequency ultrasound.

Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) accounts for approximately 30 per cent of all preterm deliveries. PROM is thought to be mainly due to a decrease in membrane integrity. The aim of our investigation was to determine, post-partum after 28 normal deliveries, the thickness of the amniochorionic membrane using a 20 MHz high-frequency ultrasound.