bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CHANGES IN FETAL AND MATERNAL HEART RATE DURING ABDOMINAL RADIOGRAPHY IN LATE PREGNANCY
Authors: Edwards R. P. , Cardozo Linda
Published: August 2005

Continuous recordings of maternal and fetal heart rate were made in 30 antenatal patients during simulated abdominal radiography in late pregnancy. Transient changes in fetal heart rate occurred in 43 per cent of patients in the supine position compared with 27 per cent in the prone position. Transient increases of maternal heart rate occurred in 37 per cent of patients. There was no evidence of revealed or concealed caval occlusion.
HCG, HPL, OESTRADIOL, PROGESTERONE AND AFP IN SERUM IN PATIENTS WITH THREATENED ABORTION
Authors: Kunz J. , Keller P. J.
Published: August 2005

Summary The predictive value of various biochemical methods for monitoring early risk pregnancies has been compared in 65 cases of threatened abortion. Estimation of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), human placental lactogen (HPL), progesterone, oestradiol and alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) in serum were made by radioimmunoassays. Values below the normal range predicted abortion in 79, 81, 89, 92 and 38 per cent of patients, while normal values confirmed continuation of pregnancy with an accuracy of 71, 61, 60, 68 and 30 per cent respectively. Thus predictions from oestradiol and progesterone were at least as reliable as those from the protein hormones, while AFP proved to be unsuitable for this purpose. Combination of two variables gave even more reliable results. Due to individual and diurnal variation, however, abortion in the third and fourth month could not be definitely assumed at values above 5 IU HCG/ml, 5 ng progesterone/ml or 200 pg oestradiol/ml.
INDUCED ABORTION AND SECONDARY INFERTILITY
Authors: Trichopoulos D. , Handanos N. , Danezis J. , Kalandidi Anna , Kalapothaki Victoria
Published: August 2005

The role of induced (and spontaneous) abortions in the aetiology of secondary sterility was investigated. Obstetric and gynaecologic histories were obtained from 100 women with secondary infertility admitted to the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Athens Medical School and to the Division of Fertility and Sterility of that Department. For every patient, an attempt was made to find two healthy control subjects from the same hospital with matching for age, parity, and level of education. Two control subjects each were found for 83 of the index patients. The relative risk of secondary infertility among women with at least one induced abortion and no spontaneous abortions was 3·4 times that among women without any induced or spontaneous abortions (95 per cent confidence interval 1·38–8·37). The relationship was statistically significant and indicated that in Greece, about 45 per cent of the cases of secondary infertility may be attributable to previous induced abortions.
A STUDY OF THE USE OF INTERMITTENT SERUM LUTEINIZING HORMONE, PROGESTERONE AND OESTRADIOL MEASUREMENTS FOR THE DETECTION OF OVULATION
Authors: Saxena B. N. , Poshyachinda V. , Dusitsin N.
Published: August 2005

The value of luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P) and oestradiol (E2) in serum as an index of ovulation and corpus luteum function was studied in blood samples collected at infrequent intervals during the menstrual cycle from 19 healthy Thai women. A serum P level of more than 3 ng/ml was detectable in 70 to 80 per cent samples obtained between days 20 and 25 and a P peak and/or E2 peak (> 150 pg/ml) were found at this time in 85 to 94 per cent of the cycles. In not more than 26 per cent of the cycles was an LH peak (>150 ng/ml–LER–907) detected when all results were considered. A significant P and/or E2 peak on day 22 or 23 occurred in more than 78 per cent of 25 to 33 day cycles, whereas, the P and/or E2 peak was detectable in only 50 per cent of the cycles lasting less than 25 or more than 33 days. The postovulatory serum P levels were the ones most consistently raised in patients studied over several consecutive cycles.
EFFECTS OF TERBUTALINE ON MYOMETRIAL ACTIVITY, UTERINE BLOOD FLOW, AND LOWER ABDOMINAL PAIN IN WOMEN WITH PRIMARY DYSMENORRHOEA
Authors: ÅKerlund M. , Andersson K.‐E. , Ingemarsson I.
Published: August 2005

The effects of the selective β2‐receptor stimulator terbutaline (0·25 to 0·5 mg given intravenously) on myometrial activity, local uterine blood flow, and lower abdominal pain were examined during the first day of menstruation in 11 women with severe primary dysmenorrhoea. All had maximum intrauterine pressures between 200 and 350 mm Hg. During uterine contractions of high amplitude or long duration, the local endometrial blood flow decreased markedly, and the patients experienced the most intense pain. Terbutaline inhibited the myometrial activity, increased the blood flow, and relieved the pain.
SERUM PROLACTIN AND THE SUPPRESSION OF LACTATION
Authors: Weinstein D. , Ben‐David M. , Polishuk W. Z.
Published: August 2005

Baromocriptine (2 bromo‐α‐ergocryptine), stilboestrol, clomiphene citrate, testosterone propionate and a placebo were given to 75 postpartum women for the suppression of puerperal lactation. An additional 15 women who breast‐fed their babies served as a control group. Blood samples were taken for the determination of serum prolactin levels by a specific homologous double antibody radioimmuno‐assay. Concurrently, the clinical effectiveness of the various treatments was assessed. High levels of prolactin were found at the time of delivery. Bromocriptine effectively reduced serum prolactin and prevented lactation; stilboestrol increased serum prolactin and partially suppressed lactation; clomiphene citrate and testosterone propionate both lowered serum prolactin levels and partially suppressed lactation. The placebo showed almost no effect on serum prolactin. It appeared that bromocriptine was the drug of choice in the suppression of puerperal lactation.
PLASMA PROLACTIN LEVELS DURING PREGNANCY
Authors: Biswas S. , Rodeck C. H.
Published: August 2005

Plasma prolactin levels in women who were between 8 and 40 weeks pregnant were determined by a homologous double antibody radioimmunoassay method. There were 980 samples from 839 uncomplicated and 213 samples from 116 complicated pregnancies. Prolactin levels in normal pregnancies varied from 6 ng/ml during early pregnancy to 210 ng/ml near term. A few values beyond the normal range were found in various groups of complicated pregnancies. About 14 per cent of samples from patients with threatened abortion and 7 per cent from patients with hypertension were above the upper normal range. The proportion of values below the 10th centile in patients with a low urinary oestrogen excretion was significantly higher than that in the normal population. Plasma prolactin levels did not seem to be a valuable guide to maternal or fetal well‐being.
INTRAUTERINE TRANSFUSION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE RHESUS ISOIMMUNIZATION
Authors: Robertson E. G. , Brown A. , Ellis M. I. , Walker W.
Published: August 2005

In the ten years between 1965 and 1974, 2227 patients with rhesus isoimmunization were seen at the Newcastle centre. The antibody titre and previous history were the basis on which patients were selected for amniocentesis and determination of the amniotic fluid bilirubin ratio. There were 288 patients with a bilirubin ratio which was greater than 1·1; of these 206 were treated by intrauterine transfusion (IUT). Evidence for the belief that the treated and untreated groups were similar is presented. The overall survival rates were 44 per cent for cases treated by intrauterine transfusion and 50 per cent for those not treated in this way. The mortality directly attributable to the procedure was at least 20 per cent and did not take into account errors of selection nor accidents associated with amniocentesis.
THE EFFECT OF LABOUR ON ACTH AND CORTISOL LEVELS IN AMNIOTIC FLUID AND MATERNAL BLOOD
Authors: Tuimala R. , Kauppila A. , Rönnberg L. , Jouppila R. , Haapalahti J.
Published: August 2005

Levels of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured in amniotic fluid during labour and in maternal blood during and after labour. There was a significant rise of maternal ACTH and cortisol levels during labour and a significant decrease after delivery in all 14 patients studied. There were no significant changes in amniotic fluid ACTH and cortisol levels during labour. The initial level of ACTH in amniotic fluid (162·7 pg/ml) was higher than that in maternal circulation (120·2 pg/ml). The correlation between maternal and amniotic fluid ACTH was not significant while the corresponding correlation for cortisol values was.
THE EFFECT OF ORAL RITODRINE ON MATERNAL AND FETAL CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM
Authors: Blouin D. , Murray M. A. F. , Beard R. W.
Published: August 2005

The reported growth‐promoting effects of the beta‐sympathomimetic compound, ritodrine, have been investigated. The carbohydrate tolerance of eight pregnant women was found to be unaffected by treatment with oral ritodrine over a ten‐week period. A further observation that the carbohydrate metabolism of the newborn infants of these women was within normal limits tends to discount the possibility that any growth‐promoting action ritodrine may have on the fetus is mediated through a diabetogenic effect on the mother.
ALTERED PATTERNS OF THYROID HORMONES IN SERUM AND URINE IN PREGNANCY AND DURING ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE THERAPY
Authors: Flnucane J. F. , Griffiths R. S. , Black E. G.
Published: August 2005

Serum total, percentage free fraction and absolute serum free hormone concentration of thyroxine and triiodothyronine were measured in control, pregnant and oral contraceptive users, together with the daily urinary losses of unconjugated thyroid hormones. Increased urinary losses of both hormones, in particular thyroxine, were apparent in pregnancy and these could not be explained in terms either of an increased filtered load of hormone or the presence of proteinuria. The possible existence of filterable small‐molecular weight hormone‐binding substances in the urine of pregnant patients is discussed. It is concluded that assay of urinary thyroid hormones during pregnancy is of limited diagnostic value because of overlap with thyrotoxic values.
WATER INTOXICATION AND OXYTOCIN INFUSION
Authors: Morgan D. B. , Kirwan N. A. , Hancock K. W. , Robinson D. , Howe J. G. , Ahmad S.
Published: August 2005

The case reports are presented of two patients who developed water intoxication after high‐dose oxytocin infusions. Plasma sodium and urine flow were studied in two further patients given high‐dose oxytocin infusions. The findings are related to previously published observations.
SONAR EVIDENCE OF EARLY PREGNANCY FAILURE IN PATIENTS WITH TWIN CONCEPTIONS
Authors: Robinson H. P. , Caines Judy S.
Published: August 2005

During a four‐year period 30 patients were diagnosed by sonar in the first trimester of pregnancy as having twin conceptions. Of these 30 patients, 14 eventually gave birth to twins. Eleven of the remaining 16 patients were found to have a normal pregnancy and a coexistent blighted ovum (empty sac), and ultimately all but one gave birth to a single baby; the eleventh patient aborted a fresh fetus at 25 weeks of gestation. Of the last five patients, four were diagnosed as having twin blighted ova, and one a blighted ovum and a missed abortion; these five patients either aborted spontaneously or had an elective termination of pregnancy. The results suggest that the incidence of twin conceptions is higher than the commonly accepted figure of 1 in 80.
A TRIAL OF ORAL RITODRINE FOR THE PREVENTION OF PREMATURE LABOUR
Authors: Walters W. A. W. , Wood C.
Published: August 2005

A double blind clinical trial of oral ritodrine for prevention of premature labour was conducted in 38 primigravidae in whom the internal os of the cervix was one or more fingerbreadths dilated at 28 to 32 weeks gestation. The results suggest that oral ritodrine may not be effective in preventing premature labour.
THE OXYTOCIN CHALLENGE TEST AND ANTEPARTUM FETAL ASSESSMENT
Authors: Baskett T. F. , Sandy E. A.
Published: August 2005

The oxytocin challenge test (OCT) was performed 537 times on 364 high‐risk patients over a three‐year period. It was shown that a positive test had a highly significant correlation with a worsened perinatal outcome as measured by stillbirth rate, fetal distress in labour, intrauterine growth retardation, Apgar scores and the need for neonatal resuscitation and intensive care. However, one‐third of positive tests were falsely positive when tested by labour. A negative test proved reassuring for a further week of intrauterine life in 98·2 per cent of cases. The role of the OCT in antepartum fetal monitoring is discussed.
MICROINVASIVE SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA OF CERVIX IN THE TAYSIDE REGION OF SCOTLAND
Authors: Duncan I. D. , Walker J.
Published: August 2005

A total of 117 patients with microinvasive squamous carcinoma of the cervix encountered between 1960 and 1972 is reviewed. No lymph node metastases were found in the 42 patients who had pelvic lymphadenectomy and only one died from her disease. The proposal is made that when the depth of invasion is 3 mm or less, microinvasive carcinoma can be treated in the same way as carcinoma in situ.
THE UTERINE AND CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF ORAL FENOTEROL HYDROBROMIDE
Authors: Lipshitz J.
Published: August 2005

Fenoterol hydrobromide was administered as a 5 mg tablet to 10 patients in oxytocin‐induced labour and the effects on uterine activity and on the cardiovascular system of mother and baby were evaluated. The drug took effect within 30 minutes in 8 of the 10 patients and it reduced uterine activity to less than 30 per cent of the original. Fenoterol caused a moderate maternal tachycardia, raised systolic and decreased the diastolic blood pressures.
RUBELLA VACCINATION AND ANTI‐D IMMUNOGLOBULIN ADMINISTRATION IN THE PUERPERIUM
Authors: Edgar W. M. , Hambling M. H.
Published: August 2005

The serum conversion rates and post‐vaccination rubella haemagglutination inhibiting antibody titres of a group of women given both anti‐D immunoglobulin and rubella vaccine in the puerperium have been compared with those of a similar group of patients who were given vaccine but no immunoglobulin. The serological response to rubella vaccination in susceptible women was satisfactory even when anti‐D immunoglobulin was given shortly before vaccination.
EFFECT OF CLOMIPHENE ON PROLACTIN SECRETION AND LACTATION IN PUERPERAL WOMEN
Authors: Canales E. S. , Lasso P. , Soria J. , Zárate A.
Published: August 2005

Clomiphene citrate treatment neither inhibited milk secretion nor had a suppresive effect on serum prolactin levels in 10 puerperal women.
MEASUREMENT OF MENSTRUAL BLOOD LOSS IN PATIENTS COMPLAINING OF MENORRHAGIA
Authors: Haynes P. J. , Hodgson Helena , Anderson Anne B. M. , Turnbull A. C.
Published: August 2005

A study has been made of menstrual blood loss measured in 50 women with unexplained heavy loss (more than 80 ml). Twelve of these women had an average menstrual loss greater than 200 ml, five women in excess of 450 ml. There was no relation between the duration of menstruation and the total menstrual blood loss. Compared to women with normal menstrual loss there was no difference either in the proportion of total menstrual loss passed on each day of menstruation in women bleeding heavily (92 per cent of the total menses being lost in the first three days) or in the coefficient of variation for menstrual blood loss from one period to the next. There was a reduction in menstrual blood loss in the first period following uterine curettage but no effect thereafter.
EFFECT OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY ON GLUCOSE TOLERANCE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Authors: Thom Margaret , Chakravarti S. , Oram D. H. , Studd J. W. W.
Published: August 2005

Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed on 50 symptomatic postmenopausal women before and after three months of hormone replacement therapy. All patients were randomly allocated to one of five groups treated with various synthetic or so‐called naturally occurring oestrogens. Therapy produced a significant deterioration of carbohydrate tolerance with sequential preparations containing 100 μg of ethinyl oestradiol or graduated doses of mestranol up to 50 μg. The conjugated equine oestrogen (1·25 mg daily) and oestrogen valerate (2 mg daily) treated groups did not show abnormal glucose tolerance. The decreased glucose tolerance may be due as much to dosage levels as to any metabolic characteristics of the various oestrogens prescribed.
TREATMENT OF THE PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME
Authors: Robinson Kathleen , Huntington Kathleen M. , Wallace M. G.
Published: August 2005

A placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blind, parallel group study in hospital and general practice has shown that a combination of belladonna alkaloids, ergotamine tartrate, and phenobarbitone (Bellergal) was effective in treating troublesome symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome of which fatigue, tender breasts, nervousness, irritability, lethargy and listlessness were improved to a statistically significant degree. The drug was given three times daily and caused no side effects.
HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF THE MOTHER AND BABY DURING LABOUR
Authors: Hirsch P. J. , Rooke D. , Mitchell G. G.
Published: August 2005

Haematological indices were obtained by Coulter Counter analysis from 325 women in the first stage of labour, and from the cord blood of their newborn babies. The mean maternal haemoglobin concentration was 12·49 g/dl and the mean cord haemoglobin 16·18 g/dl. The mean corpuscular volume measured directly was 89·00 fl from maternal blood and 106·73 fl from the cord blood; the two ranges barely overlapped and it should be possible by automated analysis to differentiate between fetal and maternal blood obtained at amniocentesis or artificial rupture of the membranes at term.
FALLING AMNIOTIC FLUID PALMITATES IN DIABETIC PREGNANCIES
Authors: Hood W. , Blunt V. A. W. , Owen A.
Published: August 2005

Palmitic acid levels were measured in samples of amniotic fluid obtained from 15 patients with diabetes. Seven patients had palmitate values which decreased at some time in pregnancy but only one of the infants developed respiratory distress. Eight of the 15 patients had final amniotic fluid palmitate values which were greater than 0·07 mmol/1 and one infant developed respiratory distress. The other seven patients had final amniotic fluid palmitate values of 0·07 mmol/1 or less and one of the infants developed respiratory distress. The significance of falling amniotic fluid palmitate values is discussed.
INTRAVENOUS OXYTOCIN AND ORAL PROSTAGLANDIN E2 FOR RIPENING OF THE UNFAVOURABLE CERVIX
Authors: Valentine B. H.
Published: August 2005

A clinical trial involving 60 patients was conducted to assess the relative efficacy of intravenous oxytocin and oral prostaglandin E2 in ripening the unfavourable cervix, when given as a priming dose on the day before induction of labour. There was significant improvement in the Bishop score, and the subsequent induction‐delivery interval following priming with prostaglandin. This improvement appeared to be dose‐related.
RADIOISOTOPE DILUTION TECHNIQUE FOR MEASUREMENT OF BLOOD LOSS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER SEGMENT CAESAREAN SECTION
Authors: Read M. D. , Anderton J. M.
Published: August 2005

Using a 51Cr‐labelled red cell dilution technique, the blood loss associated with elective lower segment Caesarean section was measured in 30 patients, half of whom had a previous history of Caesarean section. The blood loss (mean±SD) was 1290±240 ml for first Caesarean sections and 1012±380 ml for repeat operations.
SPERM IMMOBILIZING ANTIBODIES IN THE SERUM AND CERVICOVAGINAL SECRETIONS OF INFERTILE AND NORMAL WOMEN
Authors: Cantuária A. A.
Published: August 2005

A search was made for sperm immobilizing antibodies in the sera and in the cervicovaginal secretions of 39 women in whom apparent cervical mucus hostility was the only explanation for infertility. Anti‐sperm antibodies were found in 25·6 per cent of sera and 20·5 per cent of cervicovaginal secretions. No such antibodies were detected in controls.
TWENTY‐FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE OF THE DRUG TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS OF THE FEMALE GENITAL TRACT*
Authors: Sutherland A. M.
Published: August 2005

A study has been made of women with proved tuberculosis of the genital tract who were treated with drugs between 1st January, 1951, and 1st July, 1976. Seven different drug programmes were employed and 566 women were treated. Apart from the last two schedules employing the newer antituberculosis drugs, which were too recent for a follow‐up to be available, the best results were obtained with a combination of streptomycin, PAS and isoniazid for 18 months or two years. In this group, 87·7 per cent were regarded as cured after an average follow‐up of six years and six months. Drug cover was employed in 79 patients in whom surgery was found to be necessary and the results were uniformly satisfactory. Toxic drug reactions occurred in 18·2 per cent of the patients treated.
PELVIC TISSUE AND SERUM CONCENTRATIONS OF VARIOUS ANTIBIOTICS GIVEN AS PRE‐OPERATIVE MEDICATION
Authors: Elder M. G. , Bywater M. J. , Reeves D. S.
Published: August 2005

Talampicillin, cephalexin and clindamycin were administered orally, and ampicillin, cephazolin, clindamycin and spectinomycin intramuscularly as preoperative medication to 49 women who were having an abdominal hysterectomy. Antibiotic levels in serum, myometrium or cervix, and Fallopian tube were estimated. Antibiotic absorption from the gastrointestinal tract was delayed, but intramuscular therapy produced serum levels compatible with those reported in ambulant volunteers. None of the antibiotics produced a concentration which inhibited all the potential pathogens causing pelvic inflammatory disease. Inhibitory concentrations were produced by cephazolin except against Bacteroides; by clindamycin except against enterobacteria; by ampicillin except against Bacteroides and enterobacteria; and by spectinomycin except against resistant strains of streptococci. The need for a reassessment of dose regimens and route of administration as well as the possible need for using two antibiotics together for the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease is suggested.
SEQUENTIAL STUDIES IN PRE‐ECLAMPSIA USING PLASMA FIBRINOGEN CHROMATOGRAPHY
Authors: McKiLLOP Caroline A. , Howie P. W. , Forbes C. D. , Prentice C. R. M.
Published: August 2005

The technique of plasma fibrinogen chromatography was used to study sequential changes in coagulant and fibrinolytic activity in six patients with severe pre‐eclampsia. Plasma soluble fibrinogen‐fibrin complex and plasma fibrinogen‐fibrin degradation product levels were measured as indices of coagulant and fibrinolytic activity respectively. Clinical deterioration antenatally was accompanied by increasing coagulant and decreasing fibrinolytic activity, while a more stable clinical picture was associated with steady coagulant and increasing fibrinolytic activity. Following delivery, a surge in fibrinolytic activity accompanied or preceded clinical recovery. The pattern of increased coagulant and diminished fibrinolytic activity would seem to favour the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation in these patients and it is possible that the balance between coagulant and fibrinolytic activity may influence the clinical course and outcome of the Pregnancy
FACTOR VIII‐RELATED ANTIGEN AND FACTOR VIII COAGULANT ACTIVITY IN NORMAL AND PRE‐ECLAMPTIC PREGNANCY
Authors: Thornton C. A. , Bonnar J.
Published: August 2005

The changes in the ratio between factor VIII‐related antigen and factor VIII activity were compared in ten patients with normal pregnancies and in ten patients with severe pre‐eclampsia. In the patients with pre‐eclampsia, a highly significant increase in the ratio was observed during the third trimester. No difference in the ratio between the two groups was found on day 7 of the puerperium. In the pre‐eclamptic patients, the highest ratios for factor VIII‐related antigen to factor VIII activity were associated with either a perinatal death or with the delivery of a severely growth retarded infant. These findings are in keeping with an increased rate of thrombin production in women with pre‐eclampsia, and suggest that the ratio of factor VIII‐related antigen to factor VIII activity may reflect the severity of the effect of the disease process on the fetus.
COMPARISON BETWEEN LINEAR ARRAY REAL TIME ULTRASONIC SCANNING AND CONVENTIONAL COMPOUND SCANNING IN THE MEASUREMENT OF THE FETAL BIPARIETAL DIAMETER
Authors: Docker M. F. , Settatree R. S.
Published: August 2005

Ultrasonic measurements of fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) obtained by Real Time scanning (Dynamic Section Scan) and conventional compound scanning (Static Section Scan) in twenty patients were compared. A comparison between two operators, one of whom was relatively inexperienced, was also made, both measuring the same BPDs. The mean variance of 20 groups‐of‐four ‘blind’ measurements was reduced using dynamic scanning, particularly for the less experienced operator. A significant difference was observed between operators using conventional scanning but not when using dynamic scanning. Both operators were able to obtain results in a shorter time with dynamic scanning, the faster operator averaging less than one minute for each observation. Apparent advantages of dynamic scanning are discussed. The terms ‘Dynamic Section Scan’ and ‘Static Section Scan’ are suggested to emphasize the difference between the two imaging systems.
STRAIN UTEROGRAPHY IN LABOUR
Authors: Mizrahi J. , Karni Z. , Polishuk W. Z.
Published: August 2005

Multi‐strain measurements of uterine contractions were made on 36 women at 36 to 42 weeks of pregnancy. The tracings obtained supported the existence of one dominant pacemaker area in the fundal region of the uterus and indicated that the contractile wave travelled in a downward direction with an average speed of 6 cm/second. The analysis of all normal labours showed that strain of the longitudinal muscle fibres changed from extension in the fundal region of the uterus to compression in its lower part, through a local zero strain in a narrow zone below the umbilicus. Intensity of the uterine contractions reached 6 per cent in extension and −2 per cent in compression. Information about the number of peak contractions, the frequency of contractions and the tonus of the myometrium during relaxation are of importance in the evaluation of uterine dysfunction.
PREGNANCY‐INDUCED LEUCOCYTOSIS IN AFRICANS, ASIANS AND EUROPEANS
Authors: Ezeilo G. C. , Wacha D.
Published: August 2005

In the light of widespread neutropenia in healthy Africans, an assessment was made of the magnitude of pregnancy‐induced leucocytosis in 264 African women by comparing their haematological values at term with those of 47 European and Asian counterparts in Lusaka, Zambia. No statistically significant differences were found in the absolute counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, or eosinophils between the three races. The fact that pregnancy did not exaggerate the neutropenia, or hamper the leucocytosis response, would suggest that the African woman has a normal marrow which suffers from insufficient stimulation possibly as a result of some dietary factor.
LOCAL IMMUNOLOGICAL FACTORS AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF REDUCED SPERM MOTILITY IN THE CERVICAL MUCUS OF INFERTILE WOMEN
Authors: Sinha D. P. , Anderson T. D. , Holborow E. J. , Nandakumar V. C.
Published: August 2005

We studied 68 infertile couples. Fourteen of the women had a normal postcoital test and only two of them had IgA‐positive plasma cells in a cervical biopsy specimen examined by fluorescent microscopy. The other 54 women had an abnormal postcoital test; the cervical mucus contained non‐motile sperms in 42 women and only weakly motile sperm in 12 women. Cervical biopsy specimens showed IgA‐positive plasma cells in 53 of these 54 patients; and none of the patients had antisperm antibody in their serum. In the patient without IgA‐positive plasma cells, the husband's serum and seminal plasma contained antisperm antibody, indicating an autoimmune reaction. Ten patients with a poor postcoital test and IgA‐positive plasma cells in a cervical biopsy had a vaginal infection; none of them had IgA‐positive plasma cells two months after successful treatment of the infection. In a further ten patients with poor postcoital test results and IgA‐positive plasma cells in cervical tissue, consorts were advised to use condoms for periods of 2 to 6 months. It was found that at least 3 months of condom therapy were needed before IgA‐positive cells disappeared and the results of the postcoital test improved. We believe that our results support the idea of local immunological reactions as a cause of infertility and poor postcoital test results.
SPONTANEOUS EXTRUSION OF HULKA‐CLEMENS SPRING‐LOADED CLIPS AFTER VAGINAL HYSTERECTOMY: TWO CASE REPORTS
Authors: Barker G. H. , Roberts D. W. T.
Published: August 2005

Two patients who had previously been sterilized by the application of Hulka‐Clemens spring‐loaded clips to the Fallopian tubes, had a vaginal hysterectomy. In each patient a clip that was left attached to its tubal remnant was spontaneously extruded through the vaginal vault during the postoperative period.
EFFECTS OF NOISE ON HUMAN PLACENTAL LACTOGEN (HPL) LEVELS IN MATERNAL PLASMA
Authors: Ando Y. , Hattori H.
Published: August 2005

The levels of human placental lactogen (HPL) in the serum of expectant mothers both subjected to and not subjected to aircraft noise were measured. The HPL levels in the quiet reference area and in the noise area were similar before the 29th week of pregnancy. However, the HPL levels of subjects in the noise area tended to be lower than those in the reference area after the 30th week of pregnancy and the difference became significant after the 36th week of pregnancy. The lower HPL levels were associated with lower birth weight for infants of mothers who lived in the noise area.
ACTH LEVELS IN MATERNAL, FETAL AND NEONATAL PLASMA AFTER SHORT‐TERM PRENATAL DEXAMETHASONE THERAPY
Authors: Kauppila A. , Similä S. , Ylikorkala O. , Koivisto M. , Mäkelä P. , Haapalahti J.
Published: August 2005

The effect of prenatal dexamethasone therapy (12, 8 and 4 mg doses given intramuscularly on three consecutive days) on ACTH levels in maternal plasma (n = 33), mixed umbilical cord plasma (n = 31) and plasma from the newborn (n = 29) was studied, and the results were compared with those obtained in 56 healthy parturients and 50 of their newborn. Maternal ACTH after delivery was significantly lower in the mothers treated with dexamethasone than in the control group. Cord ACTH values were similar in the two groups. ACTH levels fell during the early neonatal period, but only at 12 to 24 hours were the ACTH levels significantly lower in the dexamethasone group than in the controls. Gestational age, birth weight and the interval between the dexamethasone therapy and delivery had no significant effect on cord ACTH levels. Short‐term prenatal dexamethasone therapy seemed to have very little effect on ACTH secretion in the mother, in the fetus and in the newborn.
IMMUNOGLOBULIN CONCENTRATIONS IN CERVICAL MUCUS IN PATIENTS WITH NORMAL AND ABNORMAL CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
Authors: Coughlan B. M. , Skinner G. R. B.
Published: August 2005

The cervical mucus of 31 patients with normal and 16 patients with abnormal cervical cytology was investigated at each stage of the menstrual cycle for immunoglobulin IgG, IgA and IgM. IgG and IgA were present in every mucus sample, while IgM was only occasionally found in trace amounts. IgG and IgA increased towards the last week of the menstrual cycle, the increase being in general more marked for IgA. Patients with abnormal cervical cytology showed increased IgG and, more strikingly, IgA concentrations in their cervical mucus, but there was no correlation between the IgG and IgA concentrations at any stage of the menstrual cycle. Whereas in patients with normal cervical cytology the IgG and IgA concentrations correlated throughout the menstrual cycle.
GENITAL HERPESVIRUS INFECTION IN A PREPUBERTAL GIRL
Authors: Hare M. J. , Mowla Ameneh
Published: August 2005

An episode of acute vulvovaginitis which was found to be due to herpesvirus is described in an eight‐year‐old girl. The significance of such infections is discussed.
ENDOMETRIAL STROMAL SARCOMA OF THE BROAD LIGAMENT ARISING IN AN AREA OF ENDOMETRIOSIS IN A PARAMESONEPHRIC CYST CASE REPORT
Authors: Persaud V. , Anderson Mavis F.
Published: August 2005

A 63‐year‐old Jamaican negress had an endometrial stromal sarcoma arising in a paramesonephric cyst of the broad ligament. Morphological evidence is presented to show that the tumour arose from an area of endometriosis within the cyst wall. Subsequent metastases responded for a few months to cyclophosphamide therapy and the patient died 14 months after the onset of symptoms.
ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENT OF THE FETAL HEAD TO ABDOMEN CIRCUMFERENCE RATIO IN THE ASSESSMENT OF GROWTH RETARDATION
Authors: Campbell S. , Thoms Alison
Published: August 2005

Fetal head and abdomen circumference measurements have been made using pulsed ultrasound techniques. The mean head to abdomen (H/A) circumference ratio with 95 per cent confidence limits was determined in 568 normal pregnancies from 17 to 41 weeks menstrual age. The mean ratio was 1·18 at 17 weeks, but decreased slowly until 29 weeks when the ratio was 1·11; thereafter there was a sharp fall in the mean ratio to 1·01 at 36 weeks and 0·96 at 40 weeks. The H/A circumference ratio was also determined in 31 small‐for‐dates fetuses within one week of delivery. In all cases the fetal weight as predicted from the fetal abdomen circumference measurement was below the 5th centile weight for gestation. The ratio was above the 95th centile limit in 22 (71 per cent) of these fetuses and evidence is presented to suggest that the H/A circumference ratio can be used to distinguish between symmetrical and asymmetrical growth retardation.
RELATION BETWEEN CORTICOSTEROID AND ALBUMIN CONCENTRATIONS IN UMBILICAL VEIN PLASMA AND THE DURATION OF LABOUR
Authors: Isherwood D. M.
Published: August 2005

The concentration of corticosteroids in the umbilical vein plasma of babies delivered after a spontaneous onset of labour showed a significant positive correlation with the duration of labour (r = 0·593; P<0·001) and the length of the second stage (r = 0·48; P<0·02). Similar results were also obtained for induced labours. For labours of both induced and spontaneous onset, the albumin concentration in cord plasma also correlated significantly (r = 0·46; P<0·01) with the corticosteroid concentration. It is concluded that the stress of labour and vaginal delivery, and possibly changes in the concentration of proteins which bind corticosteroids, are important in determining the corticosteroid concentration in cord plasma obtained after delivery of the baby. The significance of these findings in relation to mechanisms responsible for the onset of human labour is discussed.
PLASMA HUMAN PLACENTAL LACTOGEN PROFILES OVER 24 HOURS IN NORMAL AND DIABETIC PREGNANCY
Authors: Gillmer M. D. G. , Beard R. W. , Oakley N. W. , Brooke Fiona M. , Brudenell M. , Chard T.
Published: August 2005

Plasma human placental lactogen (HPL) concentrations have been measured at frequent intervals over 24 hours in 24 normal women, 13 chemical and 13 insulin dependent diabetic patients during the third trimester of pregnancy. Most of the women studied displayed variation in HPL levels during the day, but there was no evidence of a diurnal rhythm, nor significant changes following meals or during the nocturnal fast. The mean plasma HPL concentrations over 24 hours in the chemical and insulin dependent diabetic patients (5·9±SD 1·3 and 5·9±l·7 μg/ml respectively) were greater than those in normal women (5·1·1·2 μg/ml) but this difference was not significant. No significant change in plasma HPL concentrations was observed during a five‐hour oral glucose tolerance test in either the normal or chemical diabetic group. It is suggested that in normal pregnant women HPL does not itself contribute to glucose homeostasis but acts as a ‘regulator’ which alters the actions of certain maternal hormones to achieve a favourable environment for fetal growth.
THE CELLULAR COMPOSITION OF THE HUMAN OVIDUCT EPITHELIUM
Authors: Critoph Frances N. , Dennis K. J.
Published: August 2005

Epithelium from human Fallopian tubes was examined to determine the ratio of ciliated to secretory cells. A comparison was made between results from oviducts from women at different stages of the menstrual cycle, and also between the fimbrial, ampullary and isthmic regions of the oviduct. A high percentage of ciliated cells was found in each case, including the isthmic region, with little difference seen throughout the cycle. The role of cilia in ovum transport is discussed.
MANAGEMENT OF HYPERPROLACTINAEMIC AMENORRHOEA
Authors: Franks S. , Jacobs H. S. , Hull M. G. R. , Steele S. J. , Nabarro J. D. N.
Published: August 2005

Results of treatment of 52 patients with amenorrhoea associated with hyper‐prolactinaemia are presented. All patients had a detailed radiological examination of the pituitary fossa, including lateral tomography in every patient and air encephalography in those in whom a pituitary tumour was suspected. There were 17 patients with untreated pituitary tumours, 5 patients with previously treated pituitary tumours and persisting hyperprolactinaemia, and 30 patients with normal pituitary radiology. Patients with pituitary tumours were treated either by transsphenoidal or transfrontal surgical extirpation of the tumour, followed, if necessary, by external irradiation and/or bromocriptine. Four patients were treated with external irradiation as primary therapy, and three patients who did not wish to conceive were treated with bromocriptine as primary therapy. Patients with normal radiological appearances were treated with bromocriptine as primary treatment. Ovulatory menstrual cycles developed in 42 patients and there were 19 pregnancies. Those ovulating but not conceiving had adequate non‐endocrine factors to account for the disparity. Failure of response was seen in 10 patients and was due to inadequate fall of prolactin in response to surgery (2 patients), external irradiation (3 patients) and bromocriptine (1 patient), and gonadotrophin deficiency which developed after surgery in 3 patients but was present pre‐operatively in 1. The relative merits of treatment by surgery, external irradiation and bromocriptine are discussed and a policy of treatment outlined.
AMNIOTIC FLUID LECITHIN/SPHINGOMYELIN RATIO IN PREGNANCY COMPLICATED BY DIABETES
Authors: Dahlenburg G. W. , Martin F. I. R. , Jeffrey P. E. , Horacek I.
Published: August 2005

The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in the amniotic fluid of 57 patients attending an antenatal diabetic clinic was determined. The L/S ratio in Class A, B and C patients (White, 1965) showed a similar rise with gestation to non‐diabetic patients; 89 per cent in this group had an L/S ratio above 2:1, but of these 27 per cent developed mild or moderate respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In Class D, F and R diabetic patients there was a little correlation of the L/S ratio with gestational age and in this group 55 per cent of the infants developed some form of RDS. The value of measuring amniotic fluid L/S ratios in the diabetic pregnancy is questioned.
PREVENTION OF RHESUS ISOIMMUNIZATION WITH INTRAVENOUS ANTI‐D GAMMAGLOBULIN
Authors: Börner P. , Deicher H.
Published: August 2005

The prevention of rhesus isoimmunization was studied in 2247 rhesus negative mothers given varying intravenous doses of gammaglobulin (IgG) anti‐D post partum. The results obtained show that 240 μg of IgG anti‐D affords excellent protection, if the efficacy of prophylaxis is monitored by a single fetal cell count at 72 hours after injection, and further doses of immunoglobulin are given in the few cases where fetal red cells remain in the circulation.
BACTERIAL MOTILITY AND INTRAUTERINE CATHETER‐BORNE INFECTION
Authors: Roberts A. M. , Steer P. J.
Published: August 2005

It has been suggested that monitoring of uterine activity by placement of intrauterine catheters can cause an increase in maternal and fetal infection. The ways in which intrauterine catheters could transmit infection have been investigated. The risk of infection occurs primarily during placement of the catheter, although a risk also exists if bacterial nutrients are present in the fluid filling the catheter. Recommendations are made to minimize these risks.
THE EFFECT OF INDOMETHACIN ON PLASMA LEVELS OF PROSTAGLANDIN F2α IN WOMEN IN LABOUR
Authors: Zuckerman H. , Reiss U. , Atad J. , Lampert I. , Ezra S. Ben , Sklan D.
Published: August 2005

Prostaglandin F2αwas measured by means of radioimmunoassay in the serum of women in the active phase of term labour before and after rectal indomethacin administration. Samples of blood were collected every 20 or 30 seconds, between and during contractions. There was a significant decrease of the level of PGF2α in plasma 30 to 60 minutes after indomethacin administration, but the pattern of rapid short‐term fluctuations in prostaglandin levels was unaltered.
THE EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS AND ORAL SALBUTAMOL ON FETUS AND MOTHER IN PREMATURE LABOUR
Authors: Dawson A. M. , Davies H. J.
Published: August 2005

Salbutamol was administered intravenously to 14 patients in premature labour. Inhibition of uterine contractions occurred on 22 out of 23 occasions. The mean increase in maternal and fetal heart rate and blood pressure were within clinically acceptable limits but there were wide individual variations. The mean delay achieved when the intravenous regime was supplemented with oral salbutamol was greater than that achieved by intravenous salbutamol alone, but the difference was not statistically significant.
MATERNAL SERUM ALPHA‐FETOPROTEIN AND SPONTANEOUS ABORTION
Authors: Wald N. , Barker Sheila , Cuckle H. , Brock D. J. H. , Stirrat G. M.
Published: August 2005

The relationship between spontaneous abortion and maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels was investigated between 9 and 25 weeks of pregnancy. Seven out of 126 (5·6 per cent) women who had spontaneous abortions had raised maternal serum AFP levels at their antenatal booking visit compared to 4 out of 247 (1·6 per cent) control patients who were delivered of single liveborn infants, a statistically significant difference. The raised AFP concentrations were, however, associated with spontaneous abortion only if the serum samples had been taken immediately before, or at sometime after the abortion was first clinically suspected. This suggests that high levels do not predict the development of abortion in women who have not already threatened to abort. It is therefore unlikely that women who who have not already threatened to abort. Therefore, when maternal serum AFP levels are used to screen for fetal neural tube defects, women referred for a diagnostic amniocentesis on account of a high level are unlikely to have been selected on the basis of a tendency to abort.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PLASMA 17β‐OESTRADIOL, PROGESTERONE, PLACENTAL LACTOGEN AND CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN IN ABORTION INDUCED WITH INTRA‐AMNIOTIC PROSTAGLANDIN F2χ
Authors: Ward R. H. T. , Whyley G. A. , Fairweather D. V. I. , Allen E. I. , Chard T.
Published: August 2005

Serial estimations were made in plasma of 17β‐oestradiol (E2), progesterone and human placental lactogen (HPL) in 43 patients and of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in 34 patients during mid‐trimester abortions induced with intra‐amniotic prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). Mean plasma concentrations of all the hormones showed a progressive fall after PGF2α. There was no relationship between the fall in levels of progesterone, HPL and HCG and the induction‐abortion interval, signs of fetal distress or of intrauterine fetal death. Both the control level and the rate of fall of E2 were related to the induction‐abortion interval and a rapid decline preceded intrauterine fetal death. The relationships of the progesterone/E2 ratio and the amniotic fluid volume/progesterone ratio to the induction‐abortion interval were examined. The variation in the time at which significant falls in the concentration of individual hormones occurred was probably related to their respective half‐lives in plasma.
β‐HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN AND CARCINO‐EMBRYONIC ANTIGEN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OVARIAN CARCINOMA
Authors: Stone M. , Bagshawe K. D. , Kardana A. , Searle F. , Dent J.
Published: August 2005

Measurements of HCG and carcino‐embryonic antigen (CEA) were made in 26 patients with ovarian cancer to evaluate these substances as tumour markers; 13·4 per cent of 194 CEA estimations and 14·6 per cent of 144 HCG estimations were abnormal. CEA values were abnormal in 9 out of 26 patients and HCG values in 13 out of 26 patients. The implications of these findings particularly the presence of HCG are discussed.
TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN PREGNANCY WITH METHYLDOPA: BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL AND SIDE EFFECTS
Authors: Redman C. W. G. , Beilin L. J. , Bonnar J.
Published: August 2005

A total of 242 women with moderate hypertension in pregnancy completed a controlled trial of methyldopa (Aldomet). The hypotensive effect of methyldopa was similar to its action in non‐pregnant individuals and greatly reduced the frequency of severe hypertension occurring antenatally and in labour. As pregnancy advanced, an increasing daily dose of methyldopa was needed and there was a greater use of additional hypotensive therapy. Seventeen (14·5 per cent) women assigned to methyldopa had to be transferred to another drug or had to stop treatment completely because of minor side effects, of which the commonest were lack of energy and dizziness. No serious side effects were encountered. Nine per cent of the untreated women developed severe hypertension which required treatment later in their pregnancies. Six weeks after delivery, nearly all the patients were able to stop treatment
ERYTHROCYTE 2,3‐DIPHOSPHOGLYCERATE AND ASSOCIATED HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND PREGNANCY
Authors: Macdonald R. G. , Macdonald H. N.
Published: August 2005

Erythrocyte 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate (2,3‐DPG) and associated haematological parameters were measured throughout the normal menstrual cycle, in each trimester of pregnancy and on the third day post partum. There was no significant change during the menstrual cycle but the 2,3‐DPG concentration was increased early in pregnancy, and thereafter gradually decreased. Although other metabolic changes are likely to contribute to the increase in 2,3‐DPG concentration, it is concluded that ‘functional anaemia’, secondary to increased oxygen demand, is a more important stimulus than the decrease in haemoglobin concentration. The implications of a decreased oxygen affinity of haemoglobin, secondary to the rise in 2,3‐DPG concentration, are discussed in relation to anaemia and blood transfusion in pregnancy.
FERRTTIN AS AN ASSESSMENT OF IRON STORES IN NORMAL PREGNANCY
Authors: Kelly Anne M. , Macdonald D. J. , McNay Margaret B.
Published: August 2005

In Glasgow, the iron stores in healthy women and in normal pregnant women on prophylactic iron supplementation have been assessed by measurement of plasma ferritin. Ferritin concentration fell progressively to a low level in late pregnancy suggesting that the average iron store was inadequate to meet the demands of pregnancy and that dietary iron supplements were therefore required. There was no evidence that iron supplementation led to excessive iron stores.
TREATMENT OF PREGNANCY SICKNESS
Authors: Wheatley D.
Published: August 2005

A double‐blind comparison was undertaken between Debendox with 10mg of extra pyridoxine and placebo with 10mg of pyridoxine, in 56 women suffering from nausea and/or vomiting during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The results of treatment were assessed on the patient's own daily records of the time of nausea, the frequency of nausea, and the severity of nausea, retching and vomiting. There were statistically significant differences in favour of Debendox with extra pyridoxine in respect of the days of nausea all day (P<0·02), the severity of nausea (P<0·05) and the severity of retching (P<0·05).