418 research outputs found

    Evidence for particulate guanylate cyclase in rat kidney after stimulation by atrial natriuretic factor. An ultracytochemical study.

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    Cytochemical localization of particulate guanylate cyclase (GC) in rat kidney, after stimulation with atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), was studied by electron microscopy. In the renal corpuscle GC reaction was localized on podocytes. Other segments of the nephron that showed ultracytochemical evidence of GC activity were the proximal convoluted tubule, the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle and the collecting tubule. All GC positivity was associated with plasma membranes. Samples incubated in basal conditions (without ANF) did not reveal any GC reaction product. These results indicate that ANF is a strong activator of particulate GC. Our data also suggests that, through the enzyme, ANF acts directly on epithelial cells of tubules where Na+ reabsorption occurs. This is in agreement with the hypothesis that ANF has a direct tubular effect on natriuresis

    Transvaginal ultrasound and sonohysterography for assessment of postpartum residual trophoblastic tissue

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    Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound and sonohysterography (SHG) in diagnosing residual trophoblastic tissue in postpartum women and to assess the adverse effects and complications of the SHG procedure. METHODS: A prospective study of patients with postpartum bleeding enrolled for clinical symptoms and signs of residual trophoblastic tissue. All women underwent transvaginal ultrasound and SHG. Uterine cavity curettage was performed in all women and the material collected was sent for pathologic examination. RESULTS: Among 84 patients, transvaginal ultrasound revealed residual trophoblastic tissue in 60 women, whereas SHG detected residual trophoblastic tissue in 48 and blood clots in 12. Pathologic examination confirmed trophoblastic tissue in 48 patients and blood clots in 12. Fifteen (17.9%) patients experienced adverse effects after SHG. Thirteen (15.5%) experienced postprocedural fever that resolved with antibiotics. Two women (2.4%) had severe complications of infection: 1 required surgery for peritonitis, which revealed salpingitis and a pelvic abscess; 1 experienced fever and mild abdominal pain that resolved with antibiotics after 10 days of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Although SHG showed greater accuracy than transvaginal ultrasound in detecting residual trophoblastic tissue, a high proportion of patients experienced adverse effects

    Pregnancy outcome after hysteroscopic myomectomy.

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    The objective of this longitudinal retrospective study was to evaluate the influence of submucosal myomas on pregnancy outcome in infertile patients after resectoscopic myomectomy. One-hundred and four women with at least a 1-year-long history of infertility and the presence of submucosal myomas as the only cause of infertility were selected after surgical treatment. Pregnancy, delivery and abortion rates were investigated. Patients were divided into three groups according to the myoma classification (G0, G1 and G2). Gestational outcomes were analyzed in the three groups correlated by size, location and number of fibroids. The total pregnancy rate was 85.8% and no difference was shown regarding myoma classification (G0 82.05% versus G1 87.09% versus G2 88.2%; p = ns). Pregnancy and delivery rates were not significantly related to the number, localization or diameter of the fibroids. The abortion rate was not statistically influenced by myoma type, but it was significantly interelated with myomas situated in the anterior uterine wall (p = 0.03). Pre-term delivery was significantly influenced by myomas localized in the fundic wall (p = 0.02). Caesarean section rates were not affected by the characteristics of the myomas. Our results support the idea that resectoscopic myomectomy should be offered to infertile women who wish to become pregnant independently of their localization and number

    Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors: current status of surgical management: literature review and proposal of treatment.

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    To identify the appropriate management we review the current literature on the diagnostic and different surgical procedures to which the patients affected by Sertoli-Leyding cell tumors (SLCTs) were submitted. Through the description of a case report we also propose an interdisciplinary diagnostic approach and a laparoscopic surgical staging, with a long-term follow-up. The analysis shows that pelvic ultrasound is primary diagnostic procedure, and only 36% of publications clearly describe to have performed more specific investigation. The hormone assessment is performed in the presence of specific endocrine symptoms. Laparoscopic approach is chosen by a few surgeon. Laparotomic surgery is preferred based in not recent recommendations for ovarian cancer treatment, although it is demonstrated the efficacy and safety of laparoscopy in the treatment of ovarian epithelial tumors. Different steps that are usually used for oncological ovarian cancer staging are not always performed. Conservative and fertility sparing surgery is commonly accepted, and even preferred due to the young age of patients. In the surgical treatment of SLCTs is necessary to adopt common guidelines, and evenly define the steps that the patient should be submitted. If are observed epithelial cancer oncological principles, laparoscopic surgery should be the approach of choice for these patients
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