Changes in maternal plasma levels of VEGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, ET-1 and sKL during uncomplicated pregnancy, hypertensive pregnancy and gestational diabetes.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and soluble c-kit ligand (sKL) are cytokines involved in embryogenesis.

Materials And Methods: Maternal plasma cytokines were measured with ELISA during the three trimesters of gestation and on the day of delivery in 93 pregnant women and 18 age-matched non-pregnant control women.

Results: The VEGF and bFGF levels increased during the first trimester and declined thereafter, but they remained above the controls' values until delivery.

Expression pattern of the CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins C/EBP-alpha, C/EBP-beta and C/EBP-delta in the human placenta.

The human trophoblast has the capacity to invade maternal tissue in a controlled fashion and to produce a wide range of hormones. The transcription factors belonging to the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family are regulators of intracellular processes and mediators of hormone action. C/EBP binding sites have been described in the promoters of several placenta-expressed target genes.

Cervical cytology in adolescence.

The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in young women is increasing worldwide. Frequency of the abnormal Papanicolau smears was examined in sexually active young females aged 13 to 19 years. The smears were reported as within normal limits or with benign cellular changes due to inflammation in 96.

Laser-induced fluorescence detection of malignancies in the female genital tract via their natural emission and hypocrellin (HA) probing.

A laser-induced fluorescence-guided biopsy system has been developed for the screening and early detection of malignancies in the female inner/outer genital tract. Fluorescence spectra were recorded during exposure of normal and malignant tissue to He-Cd laser (442 nm) radiation. A characteristic increase in the fluorescence signal at 600 nm for malignant tissue was observed after treatment of the samples with hypocrellin (HA).

Treatment of flat or accuminata condylomata of female genital tract.

This prospective study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that if the male partners of women with condylomata accuminata or flat are treated, the treatment failure rate, of women, decreases. From March 1986 to October 1992, 246 women with condylomata accuminata or flat were presented. The women were assigned into 4 groups.

Treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with interferon alpha-2a, CO2 laser (vaporization, cone) and 5-fluorouracil.

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of CO2 laser (vaporization, conization), 5-FU topical application and interferon alpha-2a parenterally in the therapy of GIN. Three hundred and forty-seven (347) women with CIN were treated with CO2 laser (vaporization, conization), 5-FU topical application and interferon alpha-2a parenterally. The cure rates in the various treatment groups were analysed by the chi(2) test.

Successful pregnancy in a young woman with essential thrombocythemia treated with platelet apheresis.

We report a 27-year-old woman with essential thrombocythemia who had delivered a healthy baby after Caesarian section. The patient was treated with two courses of platelet apheresis at the beginning of the gestation. Subsequent to this procedure, the platelet count decreased progressively and remained at about 500,000/microl of blood until delivery without any further treatment.