RESUMEN
We have constructed and tested a custom-made magnetic-imaging-compatible visual projection system designed to project on a very wide visual field (~80°). A standard projector was modified with a coupling lens, projecting images into the termination of an image fiber. The other termination of the fiber was placed in the 3-T scanner room with a projection lens, which projected the images relayed by the fiber onto a screen over the head coil, viewed by a participant wearing magnifying goggles. To validate the system, wide-field stimuli were presented in order to identify retinotopic visual areas. The results showed that this low-cost and versatile optical system may be a valuable tool to map visual areas in the brain that process peripheral receptive fields.
Asunto(s)
Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/instrumentación , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Estimulación Luminosa/instrumentación , Estimulación Luminosa/métodos , Adulto , Mapeo Encefálico , Femenino , Humanos , Procesamiento de Imagen Asistido por Computador , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/economía , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Campos VisualesRESUMEN
The aim of this observational preliminary trial was to estimate the association between the most common polymorphism of LH (LH-ß variant: v-ßLH), with different profiles of ovarian response to recombinant human FSH (rhFSH). A total of 60 normogonadotrophic patients undergoing a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue long down-regulation protocol followed by stimulation with recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and in whom at least five oocytes were retrieved were retrospectively included. On the basis of the total rhFSH consumption, patients were divided into three groups: Group A: 22 women requiring a cumulative dose of rhFSH >3500 IU; Group B: 15 patients requiring 2000-3500 IU; Group C (control): 23 women requiring <2000 IU. The presence of v-ßLH was evaluated using specific immunoassays. Peak oestradiol concentrations were significantly lower in Group A when compared with both groups B (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.001). Group A had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) number of oocytes retrieved (7.3 ± 1.5, 11.7 ± 2.4 and 14.7 ± 4.1 in the three groups, respectively). Seven carriers (31.8%) of v-ßLH were found in Group A, whereas only one variant (6.7%) was observed in Group B; no variant was detected in Group C. These preliminary results suggest that v-ßLH is more frequent in women with ovarian resistance to rhFSH.
RESUMEN
The aim of this observational preliminary trial was to estimate the association between the most common polymorphism of LH (LH-beta variant: v-betaLH), with different profiles of ovarian response to recombinant human FSH (rhFSH). A total of 60 normogonadotrophic patients undergoing a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue long down-regulation protocol followed by stimulation with recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) for IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and in whom at least five oocytes were retrieved were retrospectively included. On the basis of the total rhFSH consumption, patients were divided into three groups: Group A: 22 women requiring a cumulative dose of rhFSH >3500 IU; Group B: 15 patients requiring 2000-3500 IU; Group C (control): 23 women requiring <2000 IU. The presence of v-betaLH was evaluated using specific immunoassays. Peak oestradiol concentrations were significantly lower in Group A when compared with both groups B (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.001). Group A had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) number of oocytes retrieved (7.3 +/- 1.5, 11.7 +/- 2.4 and 14.7 +/- 4.1 in the three groups, respectively). Seven carriers (31.8%) of v-betaLH were found in Group A, whereas only one variant (6.7%) was observed in Group B; no variant was detected in Group C. These preliminary results suggest that v-betaLH is more frequent in women with ovarian resistance to rhFSH.
Asunto(s)
Resistencia a Medicamentos/genética , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/análogos & derivados , Hormona Luteinizante/genética , Inducción de la Ovulación/métodos , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple/fisiología , Adulto , Sustitución de Aminoácidos/fisiología , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Estradiol/sangre , Femenino , Fertilización In Vitro/métodos , Frecuencia de los Genes , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Ovulación/sangre , Ovulación/genética , Embarazo , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapéutico , Estudios Retrospectivos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
We have observed a deep venous thrombosis with pulmonary embolism in a young woman receiving low-dose oral contraceptives; this adverse drug effect was not associated with some risk factor and, in particular, with a demonstrable congenital or acquired clotting abnormality. It is reported that EP can induce deep venous thrombosis with different mechanisms, as hemorheological changes with subsequent poor clearance of locally activated clotting factors, or an increase of platelet or leukocytes aggregation, or a direct effect on some clotting factor; furthermore, it is well known that oral contraceptives may induce antibodies to synthetic hormones, with detection of circulating immune complexes, that might produce thrombosis by damaging the vascular endothelium or interfering with clotting factors or platelet aggregation. Moreover, only a familial history of thrombosis or a past history of recurrent deep venous thrombosis, especially in young age, may justify a broad and highly expensive screening of latent clotting abnormalities, that may significantly increase the risk of vascular thrombosis with the use of oral contraceptives.
Asunto(s)
Anticonceptivos Orales Combinados/efectos adversos , Embolia Pulmonar/inducido químicamente , Adulto , Anticoagulantes/uso terapéutico , Femenino , Heparina/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Embolia Pulmonar/diagnóstico por imagen , Embolia Pulmonar/tratamiento farmacológico , Cintigrafía , Tromboflebitis/inducido químicamente , Tromboflebitis/complicacionesRESUMEN
Occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma was observed in a 70-years-old patient with Horton's temporal arteritis after one year of corticosteroid therapy. The possibility that Kaposi's disease may be related to the steroid therapy is discussed.