Medical Advances Flashcards
biochemical pregnancy is defined as
an eleavtion in BhCG
approximately 60% of all +hCG…
never devlope to live birth
clinical pregnancy is defines as the first presence of
a heartbeat
pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) involves removal of cells as early as the
blastomeres of the ICM
pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is looking for a
specific disease
pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) is looking for
chromosomal normalcy and not a specific disease
define congenital malformations
anomalies and distruptions to the normal development
congenital malformations occur in
utero prior to birth
congenital malformations are often a result of “genetic abnoralities” particularly mutations of genes for
- transcription factors
- transduction factors
- inducing factors
down syndrom is aka
trisomy 21
down syndrome results from an extra chromosomal segment at position
21
the incidence of down syndrom increases significantly at what maternal age?
35+
define pleiotropy
phenotypic effects produced by one gene expression
mosaic pleiotropy is when an abnormal gene
independently affects different orangs/systems
relational pleiotropy is when an abornmal gene
only affects a single organ development but then that organ’s development affects other organs
define infertility
the inability to concieve after on full year of attempts
what are lab techniques used to assist in fertilization
assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
what are examples of ART?
- drug therapy
- in-vitro fertilization
in-vitro fertilization (IVF) was first done by
louise brown in 1978
what are 2 other examples of modifes versions of IVF involving retrival of eggs?
- gamete intrafallopisn transfer (GIFT)
- zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)
GIFT & ZIFT are considered faster processe because of the
timing of the transfers (implantation)
what do GIFT and ZIFT require that IVF does not
a surgical procedure to access the fallopian tubes
explain the process of GIFT
sperm & eggs are mixed in-vitro and re-implanted into the fallopian tube hoping fertilization occurs
explain the process of ZIFT
fertilization occurs in-vitro then the zygote is placed into the fallopian tube
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a procedure where
sperm is injected into the eggs in-vitro to create a fertilized egg
under what circumstances is ICSI typically used in cases of male factor infertility such as
Kartagerner’s Syndrome
which drugs hyperstimulate the ovaries to increase the quality and quantity of egg production
- gonal F
- follistim
charactersistics of Gonal F
- less expensive
- produces more eggs
- makes uterus less receptive to implantation
characteristics of follistim
produces better quality eggs than gonal F
better media has beenn developed that will mimic the ________ ________ during the in-vitro period of fertilization
ampulla region
the improved media allows for the embryo to be kept in the dish for an extended period of time ____ days or until the ________ stage
2-3
balstocyst
uterus transplants are used in the cases of
- uterine cancer
- removed uterus
- excessive fibroid tissue
micro-TESE is used to identify the areas of the
testicle that has the best sperm production
an improvement in these categories can improve the gamete production and fertility in both women and men
- diet
- exercise
- sleep
- lifestyle
pre-eclampsia typically presents with
- high BP
- high protein levels in urine
- indicates kidney damage, organ failure or damage
why was the definition of pre-eclampsia rewritten?
b/c some pregnant women only presented with organ damage and not the other symptoms
although the causes of pre-eclampsia are not well known what are thought to be some causes?
- poor blood flow
- improper functioning of placenta
- high fat diet
- poor nutrition
what was found to reduce the chances of developing pre-eclampsia?
aspirin
a high dosage of aspirin intake can also lead to
- bleeding
- loss of pregnancy
- congenital birth defects
define trachelectomy
a surgical removal of the uterine cervix
define vitrification
fast freezing
in the process of vitrification water molecules are removed and replaced w/
higher preserving solution before being placed in liquid nitrogen
freezing occurs in miliseconds
in the process of vitrification water molecules are removed and replaced w/
higher preserving solution before being placed in liquid nitrogen
freezing occurs in miliseconds
vitrification can help prevent cell degradation during what processes
thawing, fertilization. transfer
define teratology
the study of birth defects
teratogens are
exogenous agents responisble for genetic abnormalities
at what period during development is the most susceptible to teratogens?
3rd-8th week
why is the 3-8 week the period of time where susceptibility to teratogens is the highest?
b/c of the massive amount of gene segments that are expressed for commitment of stem cells to specific cell types
list examples of teratogenic agents
- drug
- chemicals
- antibiotics
- viruses
- radiation
- hyperthermia
- metabolic conditions
what is the most commonly occurring teratogen that affects gestational development?
FAS
fetal alcohol syndrome
what is the most commonly occurring teratogen that affects gestational development?
FAS
fetal alcohol syndrome
developmental cancer is a composite of cells that are developing ____________ and are generally…
- abnormally
- unresponsive to their environment
teratocarciniomas are malignant cells within the embryo that mimic or behave like the
ICM
affect normal organ development
what are 5 cancer implications on development?
- change environment for normal development
- communication between cells is disrupted
- cadherin levels decrease (allows metastasis)
- abnormal physiology
- expresses anti-apoptosis gene
what is a product similar to VEGF that is secreted by tumor cells to stimulate angiogenesis?
TAF
tumor angiogenesis factor
what is the difference between normal capillaries and those that feed the carcinoma
carcinoma capillaries are more permeable
useful for chemotherapeutic agents
explain the mechanism of multi-component anti-cancer drugs
- bypass theh vasculature of healthly tissue
- outer coat of drug blocks TAF
- inner core of drug exerts cytotoxic componets
give an example of multi-component anti-cancer drugs
nexavar
renal & liver carcinomas
gene therapy is the ability to manipulate
gene segments during the gestational period
somatic cell gene therapy involves altering the
gene product within the body cell DNA of the host
only affects individual recieving therapy
germline gene therapy corrects
faulty gene segments in the host & offspring
germline gene therapy would block the transmission of
- genetically predisposed or inherited diseases/disorders
what are the 4 sources of stem cells?
- embryonic stem cells
- adult stem cells
- umbilical stem cells
- maternal stem cells
embryonic stem cells are
pluripotent
embryonic stem cells are derived from the
ICM of the blastocyst
adult stem cells are
multipotent in adults
only pluripotent in animals models
umbilical stem cells are found in the cords blood that are
pluripotent
maternal stem cells are
fetal stem cells within the maternal blood circulation
