Intestinal genetic inactivation of caspase-8 diminishes migration of enterocytes.

Aim: To verify the hypothesis that caspase-8 (Casp8), which regulates cellular apoptosis and necroptosis, is critically involved in enterocyte migration.

Methods: Casp8-silenced Caco2 cells were used in migration assays. In addition, enterocyte-specific Casp8 heterozygous (Casp8(+/∆int)) or homozygous knockout mice (Casp8(∆int)) were generated by crossing genetically modified mice carrying loxP recombination sites in intron 2 and 4 of the murine Casp8 gene with transgenic animals expressing a cre-transgene under control of the villin promoter in a pure C57/BL6 genetic background.

Novel bispecific antibodies increase γδ T-cell cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cells.

The ability of human γδ T cells from healthy donors to kill pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in vitro and in vivo in immunocompromised mice requires the addition of γδ T-cell-stimulating antigens. In this study, we demonstrate that γδ T cells isolated from patients with PDAC tumor infiltrates lyse pancreatic tumor cells after selective stimulation with phosphorylated antigens. We determined the absolute numbers of γδ T-cell subsets in patient whole blood and applied a real-time cell analyzer to measure their cytotoxic effector function over prolonged time periods.

Short rib-polydactyly syndrome type III: comparison of ultrasound, radiology, and pathology findings.

Short rib-polydactyly syndrome (SRPS; types I-IV) is an autosomal recessive, lethal skeletal dysplasia characterized by short-limb dysplasia, narrow thorax, and polydactyly. This syndrome is invariable and can be detected by 2-trimester ultrasound. The underlying gene has not been discovered yet.

[Intact pregnancy with concomitant hydatidiform mole of a coexisting placenta].

The simultaneous occurrence of an intact pregnancy with normal placenta morphology and sonographic signs of a hydatidiform mole of a second placenta, which was diagnosed in the 14th gestational week, is described. Prenatal diagnostic and perinatologic management will be reported. The difference of the placentas will be shown by histopathology.

Critical evaluation of the specificity of MRI and TVUS for differentiation of malignant from benign adnexal lesions.

The aim of our work was to study the specificity of MRI in comparison with transvaginal US for differentiation of malignant from benign adnexal lesions. A total of 67 patients with clinically suspicious adnexal lesions were evaluated by MRI. Transaxial and coronal images were acquired using T1-weighted sequences before and following IV contrast and T2-weighted sequences.

Detection of rare RNA sequences by single-enzyme in situ reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. High-resolution analyses of interleukin-6 mRNA in paraffin sections of lymph nodes.

To study the distribution pattern of interleukin-6 (IL-6)-producing cells in normal human lymph nodes, we applied the in situ reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique. We describe a new modification of this technique for monitoring small amounts of specific nucleotide sequences in conventional paraffin sections. This technique differs in at least two respects from those described earlier.

Fetal heart rate (FHR) pathology in labor related to preceeding Doppler sonographic results of the umbilical artery and fetal aorta in appropriate and small for gestational age babies. A longitudinal analysis.

The aim of this study was to ascertain the value of serially performed Doppler sonographic measurements of fetal vessels for the prediction of FHR alterations in labor a longitudinal analysis was conducted. 24 patients with SGA fetuses as the only risk factor and 38 patients without any risk factor were recruited for the study. Flow velocity waveforms of the fetal aorta and the umbilical artery were analyzed for systolic diastolic (S/D) ratio weekly at 20-39 weeks gestation and from 30 weeks gestation onwards twice weekly.

[Preoperative differential diagnosis of cystic adnexal tumors: double-contrast MRT].

Purpose: Preoperative assessment of adnexal lesions as benign or malignant by MRI with gastrointestinal and intravenous contrast.

Methods: 46 patients with benign (n = 42) and malignant (n = 4) cystic adnexal tumours underwent MRI of the pelvis. Transaxial and coronal images were acquired using conventional T1- and T2-weighted SE-sequences after oral administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (Ferristene).

Morbidity and mortality of discordant twins up to 34 weeks of gestational age.

Unlabelled: The combination of weight discordance and prematurity implies a high perinatal morbidity and mortality for the affected twins. Several pathomechanisms may be responsible for the weight difference in twins including a different genetic growth potential in dizygotic twins, placenta insufficiency in one twin, and chronic feto-fetal transfusion (CFFT). Little is known about neonatal morbidity and mortality of discordant twins.

[Value of pulsatile Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of suspected placental insufficiency in comparison with other examination parameters].

In order to determine the diagnostic value of various methods for placental insufficiency, the following parameters were obtained from 108 patients with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) as the only risk factor: A/B-ratio, resistence index (RI), pulsatility index (PI) of the umbilical artery (UA) and descending fetal aorta (FA), maternal serum estriol, grading of the placental maturity according to Grannum, amount of amniotic fluid, and fetal heart rate tracings. All Doppler indices showed the same efficacy as regards prediction of neonatal growth retardation. With a value of 8.

[Imitation of ovarian malignant tumor by malignant schwannoma].

A case is reported of a 78-year old female with a malignant retroperitoneal schwannoma. The diagnosis of schwannoma is often delayed because of the absence of early clinical signs. Clinical examination and computed tomography indicated an ovarian tumour.

[Prenatal diagnosis of severe stenosis of the ductus arteriosus Botalli in a twin pregnancy].

Premature ductus arteriosus stenosis is a rare cardiovascular disease, which has a poor prognosis. The case presented was detected even in early pregnancy and was progressed rapidly to the stage of severe foetal heart failure. The patient was first seen at 20 weeks of gestation with one of the foetuses of a twin pregnancy, showing signs of cardiac decompensation and advanced hydrops fetalis universalis.

[Combination of Cantrell pentalogy and amniotic band syndrome: a case report].

A case is reported of sonographic diagnosis of ADAM-complex (amniotic band syndrome) in combination with Cantrell-syndrome in the 19th gestational week. The ultrasonic investigation also showed a large defect in the fetal skull with encepholocele as well as a marked defect of the abdominal wall and chest with dislocation of the intestines, liver, and heart. The pregnancy was interrupted because of the severe fetal malformations.

Comparison of umbilical arterial versus umbilical venous blood pH correlated with arterio-venous glucose difference and cardiotocographic score.

The value of clinical parameters and umbilical arterial blood pH as indicator of prenatal hypoxia is disputed. In a prospective study of 86 vaginally delivered full-term infants, cardiotocographic (CTG) findings obtained 0-30 min and 30-60 min before birth were compared to pH values, O2 and CO2 partial pressures and glucose difference in umbilical arterial and venous blood. CTG findings were expressed as a score, higher values indicating fetal hypoxia.

[Development of symptoms and perinatal complications in HELLP syndrome].

At the Kiel University Department of Gynaecology, 21 patients between the 21th and 39th week of gestation were treated in 1987 and 1988 following diagnosis of HELLP syndrome. At the time of diagnosis all patients presented an advanced gestosis/eclampsia. 9 patients developed the classical signs and symptoms, while hospitalised.

[Marfan syndrome and pregnancy, complicated by dissecting aneurysm].

Pregnant women with a Marfan syndrome carry a risk of developing an aortic arc dissection. As the developing aneurism may be diagnosed by echocardiography, this method should be applied repeatedly during pregnancy. We report the case of a Marfan patient, who developed an acute aortic dissection during the third trimester of her pregnancy and discuss the guidance and surveillance of Marfan patients who are or wish to become pregnant.

Ectopic pregnancy treatment using pelviscopic or vaginosonographically-guided intrachorionic injection of methotrexate and POR 8.

It is believed by some that the basis of modern first-trimester pregnancy care should involve screening for ectopic pregnancy using vaginal ultrasonography. This has led to this condition being diagnosed in most cases at an earlier stage than has previously been possible. This advance in diagnostic ability has introduced the concept of conservative management for this condition.

The corticotrophin releasing hormone test in late pregnancy: lack of adrenocorticotrophin and cortisol response.

Biologically active corticotrophin-releasing-hormone (CRH) is produced by the placenta in large amounts and can be measured in the maternal circulation during third trimester of pregnancy. Its physiological significance is unknown. To further investigate the action of CRH in pregnancy, we performed a standard CRH-test (1 micrograms/kg synthetic human CRH) in seven pregnant women 1 week prior to their calculated delivery data and 4-5 weeks post-partum.

Perinatal glucose metabolism as an indicator for stress and hypoxia during different forms of delivery.

In 82 term newborns divided into three groups (spontaneous delivery, caesarean section and vacuum extraction) we investigated umbilical artery pH, artery and vein glucose levels and calculated the veno-arterial difference of glucose. The three groups showed significant differences of artery and vein glucose levels. The highest umbilical artery (UA) and umbilical vein (UV) glucose levels were found after vacuum extractions (n = 13, UA: 98 mg/dl, UV: 104 mg/dl), the lowest levels were present in the group of caesarean section (n = 16, UA: 52 mg/dl, UV: 65 mg/dl).

[Prenatal diagnosis of triploidy (69,XXX) in the 29th week of pregnancy with fetal death in the 37th week of pregnancy].

A case report is given on a pregnancy in the 29th week of gestation. Sonographic control showed extensive oligohydramnions, a size date discrepancy was noted, and there was no spontaneous movement of the fetus. An amniocentesis revealed triploidy as the cause.

[HELLP syndrome in the 23d week of pregnancy. A case report and literature discussion].

A case report is given on a 24 years old primipara who developed a progredient HELLP-syndrome (H = hemolysis, EL = elevated liver enzymes, LP = low platelet counts) in the 23rd week of gestation two days after first diagnosis of pregnancy induced hypertension. As the situation became increasingly critical, the pregnancy had to be terminated in the 23rd week of gestation by sectio parva. To our knowledge the development of a HELLP-syndrome at this early gestational age has not yet been described.

[Chicken pox infection in early pregnancy].

We report on a case of chicken pox in early pregnancy, which occurred despite administration of zoster hyperimmunoglobulin. In this case, a healthy child was born. We discuss the purpose and efficacy of passive immunisation in varicella-zoster infections.

[Sonographic diagnosis of amniotic band syndrome].

A case is reported of sonographic diagnosis of ADAM-complex (amniotic band syndrome) in the 19th week of gestation of an otherwise healthy pregnancy. The ultrasonic investigation showed absence of bony structures in the skull area a direct connection to the placenta. The intra-cerebral structures showed no abnormalities.

Bacteriological findings after premature rupture of the membranes.

Of 243 children born after premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) 61 (26%) had the same bacteria in placental arterial blood, in ear swabs (taken deep from the external auditory canal) and in meconium. The predominant organisms were E. coli, Bacteroides fragilis, Streptococcus faecalis (enterococci) and Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci).

Delivery of breech presentation infants at term. An analysis of 304 breech-deliveries.

304 breech presentation infants greater than or equal to 2.500 g were delivered at the University Women's Clinic, Kiel, between 1984 and 1987. Only 2 of the vaginally delivered infants died; both had severe malformations sonographically diagnosed prior to delivery.