bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OBSTRUCTED LABOUR DUE TO A PELVIC HYDATID CYST
Authors: Shanbhag A. M. , Baxi Laxmi V. , Punde A. S.
Published: August 2005

A case is described of obstructed labour due to a pelvic hydatid cyst which was treated by Caesarean section followed by vaginal evacuation of the cyst.
METEOROLOGICAL FACTORS AND ECLAMPSIA
Authors: Neutra Raymond
Published: August 2005

A review of the literature relating weather variables to eclampsia suggests that to date the conclusions drawn have been severely compromised by methodological defects in study design and data analysis. The present study was carried out in Cali, Colombia, a city with only one public maternity hospital. Data on 156 eclamptic women and 465 control women were linked by computer to data on rain, temperature and relative humidity on the day of admission and on that day plus the previous two.

The data show that eclampsia is related to maximum temperature and relative humidity during the five‐year interval studied. Eclampsia rates are twice as high on cool or humid days than on days with average temperatures or humidities. This relationship persists even when one controls for seasonal fluctuations in number of births or in the proportion of parturients who were primiparae, very young, or unmarried.
CHANGES IN COMMON PLASMA SOLUTE LEVELS DURING LABOUR AND THE PUERPERIUM
Authors: Macdonald H. N. , Good W. , Stone Joan
Published: August 2005

A statistically planned evaluation was made of changes which occur in the common plasma solutes between early labour and the eighth puerperal week. Total protein and albumin fell sharply after delivery and reached a minimum about 36 hours post partum. Albumin was still below normal on the seventh puerperal day. Potassium, sodium and plasma osmolality rose rapidly after delivery and approached normal levels by 72 hours post partum; plasma CO2 combining power behaved similarly although the normal level was sometimes exceeded transiently between 48 and 72 hours after delivery. Plasma urea rose steadily and was occasionally slightly above normal on the seventh puerperal day. The blood haematocrit fell to a minimum about 72 hours post partum and rose slowly thereafter.
SERUM IRON AND IRON BINDING CAPACITY AFTER TOTAL DOSI INFUSION OF IRON‐DEXTRAN FOR IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA IN PREGNANCY
Authors: Duke A. B. , Kelleher J. , Bauminger B. B. , Walters G.
Published: August 2005

The changes in serum iron and total iron binding capacity were followed in pregnant women after total dose infusion of iron‐dextran for iron deficiency anaemia. The mean halflife of the iron‐dextran in serum over the first 60 hours was 42 hours. When the infusion was given during the second trimester the serum iron often fell after the infusion to the lower part of the normal range, and in some cases even below normal; in these the iron binding capacity, which also fell at first, later rose again in the manner seen towards the end of pregnancy in noninfused patients. These changes occurred even in patients who did not subsequently manifest iron deficiency after delivery. A low serum iron coupled with a high iron binding capacity may be difficult to interpret in late pregnancy, but can be useful post partum for assessing the adequacy of treatment.
A STUDY OF THE LONG‐TERM EFFECTS OF PRE‐ECLAMPSIA ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND RENAL FUNCTION
Authors: Singh M. M. , Macgillivray I. , Mahaffy R. G.
Published: August 2005

A long term followup of 88 patients who had severe pre‐eclampsia in their first pregnancies and a control group of women who had normotensive pregnancies has been made to assess the late sequelae of pre‐eclampsia on blood pressure and renal function. The women who had a recurrence of severe pre‐eclampsia in a subsequent pregnancy had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures than those who did not. Renal investigations did not show any significant alteration in renal function in the subgroups. The study suggests that women who have recurrent pre‐eclampsia become hypertensive in later life but renal function is not impaired.
LAPAROSCOPIC STERILIZATION WITH A SPRING‐LOADED CLIP
Authors: Kumarasamy Thampu , Hulka Jaroslav F. , Mercer Jack P. , Fishburne John I. , Omran Khairia F.
Published: August 2005

A spring‐loaded clip designed to be inserted through a 10 mm. diameter laparoscope was applied under local analgesia to the Fallopian tubes of 297 patients between September 1972 and November 1973. In three other patients the procedure was carried out under general anaesthesia. Apart from vasovagal reactions which occurred in 25 patients there were no major complications. Up to November 1973 four pregnancies were reported; they were all due to faulty application of the clips.
CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA
Authors: Brown Robert
Published: August 2005

An oral glucose tolerance test, with analysis of blood glucose and serum insulin levels, has been used to assess the carbohydrate status of patients with endometrial carcinoma. Carbohydrate intolerance has been demonstrated in these patients when compared to the controls. The degree of intolerance is modified by obesity.
THE CONCENTRATION OF ACTOMYOSIN AND SOLUBLE PROTEIN IN UTERINE MUSCLE
Authors: Michael C. A.
Published: August 2005

The actomyosin and total salt soluble protein content were estimated in myometrium taken from non‐pregnant uteri. Both were reduced following the menopause and the difference in concentration was related to ovarian function. Age and parity of the patients were influencing factors. The cervix contained less actomyosin than the uterine body.
AN ANALYSIS OF BIRTH WEIGHT BY GESTATIONAL AGE OF INFANTS BORN IN ENGLAND AND WALES, 1967 TO 1971
Authors: Milner R. D. G. , Richards B.
Published: August 2005

From a sample of 271,519 births occurring in England and Wales from 1967 to 1971 tables have been prepared describing the relationship of birth weight to gestational age, subdivided by the sex of the infant and parity of the mother. The sample was composed of single babies born live in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals at gestational ages of 28 to 44 weeks and they comprised approximately 8.5 per cent of all such births occurring in NHS hospitals during the study period. No secular trend in birth weight was observed. The distribution of birth weights at a given gestational age was normal above 36 weeks but skewed or bi‐modal in preterm infants. The non‐normal distribution of preterm infants could be described accurately in terms of a mixture of two normal distributions with different mean values but the same standard deviation. The population with the higher mean birth weight comprised approximately one‐third of the observations each week between 28 and 34 weeks but was only 0.79 per cent of all births. The mean birth weight varied between 3.10 and 3.37 kg. equivalent to that of term infants of 38 to 39 weeks' gestation. The sex ratio was similar to that of term infants. The sex ratio (the number of single male infants born alive for every 100 female infants) of the population with the lower mean birth weight rose with increasing prematurity and was 127.9 between 28 and 34 weeks. It is concluded that the population of infants with the higher mean birth weight is composed mainly of pregnancies in which the length of gestation was mistaken. The error in gestational age is not a multiple of months but is continuously distributed. These pregnancies form a small fraction of all births but an important fraction of preterm births.

Tables of mean birth weight (±1SD), prepared after correction for the nonnormal distribution of preterm birth weights, gave results which were similar to those reported earlier for infants born in Aberdeen. Male infants were heavier than females and infants of multiparae heavier than infants of primiparae at most gestational ages. Centile tables have been prepared for male and female infants which may be useful to those who wish to monitor the birth weights of infants born in England and Wales.
THE EFFECT OF CONTINUOUS LUMBAR EPIDURAL ANALGESIA UPON FETAL ACID‐BASE STATUS DURING THE FIRST STAGE OF LABOUR
Authors: Pearson James F. , Davies Paul
Published: August 2005

The acid‐base status was measured in parturient women and their infants before the onset of clinically detectable labour, at the beginning of the active phase of labour and at full dilatation of the cervix. All patients conformed to the criteria of the “Clinically Acceptable Ideal Case” (Crawford, 1965). Of the 39 patients studied, 17 were provided with continuous lumbar epidural analgesia, and 22 were managed conventionally. Epidural analgesia was associated with less alteration in fetal and maternal acid‐base status during the first stage of labour and there was also closer feto‐maternal acid‐base correlation in patients receiving epidural block. The possible causes of these findings are briefly discussed.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS AND ALBUMIN BETWEEN MATERNAL AND CORD SERUM AT DELIVERY
Authors: Cochran T. E. , Good W.
Published: August 2005

The distributions of IgG, IgM and IgA between maternal and cord serum at delivery are reported. IgG appears to be in dynamic equilibrium across the placenta, with the feto‐maternal distribution responding to homeostatic regulation of body fluids. In the majority of the pregnancies examined here maternal IgM was about ten times higher than fetal IgM, with a significant correlation between the two compartments, and IgA was absent from the cord sera. In a minority of these pregnancies the observed changes in the distribution patterns of IgM and IgA could be the result of damage at the placental bed.
A COMPARISON OF INTRAVENOUS PROSTAGLANDIN E2 AND INTRAVENOUS OXYTOCIN FOR THE AUGMENTATION OF LABOUR COMPLICATED BY DELAY
Authors: Clegg David R. , Flynn Anna M. , Kelly John
Published: August 2005

Forty consecutive patients requiring augmentation of labour were treated with intravenous prostaglandin E2 and matched for age, parity, maturity, cervical dilatation and analgesia with 40 patients whose labour was augmented with intravenous oxytocin. The augmentation/delivery interval, the mean basal uterine tone, the mean frequency of contractions, nausea, vomiting, ketosis, pyrexia and late fetal heart decelerations were all significantly higher in the oxytocin group.
PLEOMORPHIC ADENOMA OF THE VULVA
Authors: Wilson D. , Woodger B. A.
Published: August 2005

We present a patient who had a pleornorphic adenoma arising in the vulva. This tumour has rarely been reported in this site previously. The nature of the tumour is discussed.
INTER‐LABORATORY VARIATIONS IN URINARY OESTRIOL ESTIMATES
Authors: Lever M. , Peace S. M.
Published: August 2005

A survey was made of the results reported from 23 New Zealand laboratories which carry out oestriol determinations on pregnancy urine specimens. All laboratories use methods based on the Kober reaction, but five different preliminary extraction procedures are used. The type of standard and stage at which it is incorporated in the procedure also varies. In consequence, the oestriol content reported to the clinician depends on the laboratory carrying out the assay as well as on excretion. Most laboratories were found to report consistent results over twelve specimens with widely different oestriol contents. Thus the inter‐laboratory variation does not affect the usefulness of serial urine oestriol determinations, provided all analyses are carried out in the same laboratory. A minority of laboratories produced inconsistent results, but in all but two cases these were confined to one batch of analyses, and thus the inconsistency reflects inadequate quality control rather than technical inability to carry out the assay.
MIDLINE EPISIOTOMY AS A ROUTINE PROCEDURE
Authors: Beynon Constance L.
Published: August 2005

The results of 1166 consecutive midline episiotomies in primigravidae who were delivered in one unit are presented and compared with other published surveys. The belief that extensions involving the rectum are a disaster is questioned. It is claimed that with modern methods of repair and aftercare, results can be achieved which do not justify depriving mothers of the very considerable benefits of midline episiotomy.
F PROSTAGLANDINS IN AMNIOTIC FLUID DURING PREGNANCY AND LABOUR
Authors: Keirse M. J. N. C. , Flint A. P. F. , Turnbull A. C.
Published: August 2005

Concentrations of prostaglandin F (PGF) have been measured, by radioimmunoassay, in samples of amniotic fluid from patients with normal pregnancies. Amniotic fluid contained significantly more PGF at term prior to the onset of labour than in mid‐pregnancy (p<0.01), and significantly more during spontaneous labour, at a cervical dilatation of three cm. or less, than before the onset of labour (p<0.001). During spontaneous labour PGF concentrations in amniotic fluid varied between 1.2 and 39.5 ng. per ml., and increased significantly with advancing cervical dilatation (p<0.001). Levels of PGF in the early first stage of oxytocin‐induced labour were higher than the levels obtained before the onset of labour (p<0.025), but lower than those obtained during spontaneous labour (p<0.05). It was demonstrated, by gas liquid chromatography with electron‐capture detection, that PGF2α is the major PGF component in amniotic fluid during labour.
FOLIC ACID IN THE MANAGEMENT OF β‐THALASSAEMIA MINOR DURING PREGNANCY
Authors: Hegde U. M. , Khunda S.
Published: August 2005

Haematological and obstetrical data were collected from 32 pregnant women with β‐thalassaemia minor. Twenty of these were given folate supplements throughout pregnancy; the remainder did not receive folic acid. Folic acid did not affect the course of anaemia and there was no statistical difference in the haematological parameters in the two groups, both in the antenatal and the immediate postnatal period. There was no excess of obstetrical complications in either of the two groups.
SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS IN WOMEN USING INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES
Authors: Shulman G. , Polakow E. S. , Bauer H. D.
Published: August 2005

The uterine inflammatory response to the presence of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) may have some role in the mechanism of action of the device. In comparing a group of women using a polythene IUCD (Lippes loop) with a control group, it was shown that there was a significant elevation in serum IgG and IgM (Holub et al., 1971). In the present study a stainless steel IUCD was used (Inhiband, Ayerst) to repeat the experiment measuring changes in serum immunoglobulins G, A and M in the same persons in order to exclude other non‐specific causes for any increases. IgA is usually the antibody related to inflammatory responses of mucosal surfaces, but such serum measurements were not mentioned in the group of women using polythene IUCDs. In this paper significant elevation of IgG and IgM was confirmed, but this tends to remit after about a year. A progressive rise in serum IgA levels was found to occur during the same period of study.
MIXED MÜLLERIAN TUMOUR OF THE CORPUS UTERI
Authors: Hayes Dorothy
Published: August 2005

The pathology, behavioural pattern and malignancy of 35 mixed Müllerian tumours of the corpus uteri are reviewed. Patients with this tumour had a five‐year survival of 23 per cent. Late recurrence and metastases were unusual and the mortality from the tumour tended to be non‐progressive. The most important prognostic factor was the extent of tumour spread at the time of diagnosis. Separation into carcinosarcoma and mixed mesodermal tumour conferred no clinical advantage and the presence of heterotopic tissue was of no prognostic significance.
THE USE OF RITODRINE IN THE TREATMENT OF PREMATURE LABOUR
Authors: Renaud R. , Irrmann M. , Gandar R. , Flynn M. J.
Published: August 2005

A series of 64 patients with threatened premature labour and intact membranes were treated with ritodrine by the intravenous, intramuscular and oral routes. It was possible to stop labour for 24 hours or more in 87 per cent of the patients and for more than one week in 80 per cent of the patients. The fetus was delivered after 36 weeks in 73 per cent of patients in whom the intention was to postpone labour till term.
A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF RENAL PROTEIN SELECTIVITY IN PREGNANCY
Authors: Simanowitz M. D. , MacGregor W. G.
Published: August 2005

Renal protein selectivity has been examined as a diagnostic and prognostic index in pregnancy. No correlation was found between selectivity and renal function or fetal prognosis. Differences were noted between selectivity in patients with preeclampsia and those with essential hypertension in pregnancy, but the degree of overlap was too great to suggest that selectivity would be a clinical measurement of use as a guide to the management of pregnancy complicated by hypertension.
ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE IN PLASMA OF MOTHER AND NEWBORN
Authors: Dokumov Stoyan I. , Milanov Stefan C. , Trepetshov Stefan P.
Published: August 2005

Plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) was assayed by the radioimmunological method of Berson and Yalow (1968) in 60 mothers and their newborn infants. Twenty healthy, nonpregnant women were also investigated and their plasma ACTH concentrations were lower than those in pregnant women. The plasma ACTH level of the newborn was about half that in healthy, non‐pregnant women and much lower than that in patients in labour. These results suggest that maternal ACTH did not cross the placental barrier and that the development and function of the fetal adrenal cortex depended on stimulation by ACTH from the fetal, and not the maternal, pituitary.
RUPTURE OF THE CERVIX IN PROSTAGLANDIN ABORTIONS
Authors: Kajanoja P. , Jungner G. , Widholm O. , Karjalainen O. , Seppälä M.
Published: August 2005

A total of 412 patients had second trimester abortions and in five of them a rupture of the cervix was detected. An attempt is made to relate the occurrence of this complication to age, parity and to the method of stimulating uterine activity.
PELVIC PERITONEAL OXYURIASIS SIMULATING METASTATIC CARCINOMA A CASE REPORT
Authors: FitzGerald T. B. , Mainwaring A. R. , Ahmed Ali
Published: August 2005

A patient is reported who had pelvic peiitoneal oxyuriasis which came to light while investigating symptoms and signs which were not regarded as being primarily due to the parasite.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE MEASUREMENT OF THE LECITHIN/SPHINGOMYELIN RATIO IN AMNIOTIC FLUID
Authors: Wagstaff T. I. , Whyley G. A. , Freedman G.
Published: August 2005

The estimation of the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio of amniotic fluid is a valuable aid in determining the optimum time for delivery in complicated pregnancies. The method of Borer and Gluck (1971) has been widely adopted because of its simplicity, the use of commercial chromatogram material, and the need for only small quantities of amniotic fluid. While the actual values reported originally have usually been adopted in clinical management, the technique has frequently been modified by following workers in ways that may radically alter the final result. The effects on the L/S ratio and the physical determination of surfactant of changes in the method and the presence in the amniotic fluid of chemical or biological contaminants have been measured and assessed.
VIBRATION OF THE CERVIX IN LABOUR
Authors: Brant H. A. , Lachelin Gillian C. L.
Published: August 2005

The experience gained in using the cervical vibrator therapeutically in 250 labours is reviewed. The instrument is considered to be a valuable additional aid for expediting labour in appropriate circumstances, and for facilitating the taking of fetal scalp blood samples. The follow‐up of 33 patients who have had 36 subsequent pregnancies has not revealed any abnormality attributable to cervical vibration in the earlier pregnancy.
THE OUTCOME OF PREGNANCY AFTER FAILURE OF AN INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE
Authors: Steven J. D. , Fraser I. S.
Published: August 2005

The outcome of 82 pregnancies associated with failure of an intrauterine device is reported. Four of the pregnancies were extrauterine, and 31 per cent of the 78 intrauterine pregnancies were legally terminated. Spontaneous or missed abortion occurred in 57 per cent of the remainder and over half of these abortions were in the second trimester. Threatened abortion, antepartum haemorrhage and manual removal of an adherent placenta were encountered more frequently than expected. One neonatal death due to prematurity was recorded, and there was one congenital fetal abnormality.
MATERNAL SERUM, AMNIOTIC FLUID AND CORD SERUM SEROMUCOID IN NORMAL AND COMPLICATED PREGNANCY
Authors: Good W. , Randle G. H. , Cumberbatch K. N.
Published: August 2005

A study was made of seromucoid in pregnancy, both in the absence and in the presence of complicating factors. Maternal serum seromucoid was raised in normal pregnancy and was significantly higher in primiparae than in multiparae. The seromucoid levels of amniotic fluid and cord serum were both about half the maternal value and were not affected by parity. In complicated pregnancies the maternal serum, amniotic fluid and cord levels of seromucoid were mainly normal, but the maternal serum level was significantly raised in essential hypertension and pre‐eclamptic toxaemia.
INDUCTION OF LABOUR WITH PROSTAGLANDIN E2 TABLETS
Authors: Thiery M. , Le Sian A. Yo , Hemptinne D. de , Derom R. , Martens G. , Van Kets H. , Amy J. J.
Published: August 2005

PGE2 tablets were administered for induction of labour to 47 clinically normal patients at term who, one hour after amniotomy, had less than 100 Montevideo Units of uterine activity. The dosage of PGE2 was individually adjusted and never exceeded 2.0 mg. two‐hourly. One multiparous patient was given oxytocin for acceleration of labour. The other 46 patients required no other oxytocic drugs.
THE SELECTIVE UPTAKE OF TAMOXIFEN BY HUMAN UTERINE TISSUE
Authors: Fromson J. M. , Sharp D. S.
Published: August 2005

A series of patients who were suffering from dysfunctional uterine bleeding (menorrhagia) were dosed with [14C] tamoxifen prior to hysterectomy being performed. The proportion of the labelled dose which became bound to the various tissues of the uterus at different stages of the menstrual cycle was investigated. There was no apparent variation in the uptake of the compound during the menstrual cycle. However, it was found that the levels of radioactivity in the uterine tissues examined were higher than those found in the serum and that the proportion of radioactivity representing unchanged drug was two to three times that found in the serum. It appeared that tamoxifen had a definite affinity for the endometrium and that there was also some selective uptake by the corpus luteum.
A NEW “COLD COAGULATOR” FOR USE IN THE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT OF CERVICAL EROSION
Authors: Fergusson I. L. C. , Craft I. L.
Published: August 2005

A new method of low heat electrocautery (cold coagulation) treatment of cervical erosion has been assessed. It has the advantages of being odourless, smokeless and relatively pain free when compared with hot wire cautery or diathermy treatment. It has been found to compare favourably with a matched series of patients treated by cryosurgery.
FETAL HEART RATE DURING LATE PREGNANCY
Authors: Wheeler Timothy , Guerard Patricia
Published: August 2005

Continuous records of fetal heart rate were made weekly during the last trimester of 15 normal pregnancies. Using an ultrasonic technique, a total of 124 records, each lasting 50 minutes, was obtained. With increasing length of gestation there was a small but significant reduction in mean heart rate and an increase in beat‐to‐beat variation. On some occasions, two distinct patterns of beat‐to‐beat variation could be distinguished in the same record. These appeared to be related to fetal movement.
THE DIAGNOSIS OF RUPTURED FETAL MEMBRANES BY MEASUREMENT OF THE DIAM1NE OXIDASE (DAO) ACTIVITY IN VAGINAL FLUID
Authors: Elmfors Bengt , Tryding Nils , Tufvesson Göran
Published: August 2005

Amniotic fluid contains diamine oxidase (DAO) in high concentration, almost equal to that in maternal blood plasma (Törnqvist et. al, 1971). After rupture of the membranes the enzyme is demonstrable in the vagina and in the absence of vaginal bleeding the measurement of the DAO content of vaginal fluid has been shown to be a reliable method of resolving doubt about whether or not the membranes have ruptured.
HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN LEVELS DURING AND AFTER LABOUR
Authors: Macdonald H. N. , Buckler J. M. H. , Scott J. S.
Published: August 2005

Using a radioimmunoassay, plasma human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) levels were measured sequentially during labour and after delivery. After placental expulsion, the HCG levels dropped rapidly at first and then more slowly. The findings are discussed in relation to theories about the aetiology of pre‐eclampsia and eclampsia and the degradation of HCG.
ISOELECTRIC FOCUSING PATTERNS OF AMNIOTIC FLUID PROTEINS IN PREGNANCY COMPLICATED BY RHESUS ISOIMMUNIZATION
Authors: Dale G. , Oxley A. , Walker W.
Published: August 2005

The technique of isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel was used to investigate the protein patterns of amniotic fluid obtained from women with rhesus isoimmunization. There were no specific changes in protein pattern which could be related to the severity of haemolytic disease. Qualitative changes in the electrophoretic mobility of transferrin were demonstrated. Serial investigations showed that these changes were related to gestational age and were probably a feature of normal pregnancy. The phenomenon appears to be due to alteration in the sialic acid content of the transferrin, presumably the result of alteration in neuraminidase activity.
PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE IN A TRIPLE X FEMALE
Authors: Smith Howard C. , Seale J. Paul , Posen Solomon
Published: August 2005

A mentally normal triple X female with premature ovarian failure is presented. The triple X aneuploidy should be sought amongst patients with secondary amenorrhoea.
CHANGES IN RENAL WATER AND ELECTROLYTE EXCRETION OCCURRING BEFORE AND AFTER INDUCED OVULATION AND THEIR RELATION TO TOTAL OESTROGEN AND PREGNANEDIOL EXCRETION
Authors: Parboosingh J. , Doig A. , Michie E. A.
Published: August 2005

Ovulation was induced by gonadotrophin therapy in eight women with secondary amenorrhoea. During ovarian inactivity and throughout the preovulatory and luteal phases of the induced cycles continuous measurements were made of mean urine flow and the urinary excretion of total solute, sodium, potassium, urea, total oestrogens and pregnanediol. The preovulatory rise in total oestrogen excretion was associated with a reduction in sodium output whereas the excretion of greatly increased amounts of pregnanediol after ovulation was associated with an increase in sodium excretion. Maximal pregnanediol excretion tended to coincide with a second peak in total oestrogen excretion but was unaccompanied by any further rise in sodium output. Night sodium excretion was disproportionately increased after ovulation and was associated with an increment in night potassium excretion. Alterations observed in total solute excretion and urine flow were mainly determined by changes in sodium excretion.
ALPHA‐FETOPROTEIN LEVELS IN AMNIOTIC FLUID IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY RHESUS ISOIMMUNIZATION
Authors: Whyley G. A. , Ward Humphry , Hardy N. R.
Published: August 2005

Alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) has been estimated in 249 samples of amniotic fluid from 71 patients, 60 of whom had rhesus isoimmunization. No difference was found between the AFP levels in unaffected pregnancies, pregnancies complicated by mild or moderate disease or in severe rhesus isoimmunization when the baby survived. However, in the severe group with an unfavourable fetal outcome, 42 per cent of the cases had amniotic fluid levels of AFP which were above 5.5 mg. /ml. on one or more occasions. In the most severely affected cases a correlation existed between the amniotic fluid AFP levels and both the optical density difference (Δ) at 450 mμ and protein concentration in the liquor amnii. Erroneously elevated amniotic fluid levels of AFP may be found when the fluid has been contaminated by ascitic fluid or fetal blood. It is suggested that the level of AFP in amniotic fluid taken in conjunction with the Δ 450 mμ, peak might be a valuable guide in identifying the severely affected pregnancy in which the fetal prognosis is grave.
HISTOCHEMICAL EXAMINATION OF THE HUMAN PLACENTA FOR 5‐HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE AND MONOAMINE OXIDASE
Authors: Jones J. B. , Madill G. T. , Pryse‐Davies J.
Published: August 2005

Human placentas of varying gestational age (19 to 40 weeks) have been examined histochemically using techniques which in other tissues have demonstrated 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO). Failure to identify 5‐HT strengthens an earlier opinion that the human placenta is incapable of producing this pressor amine. MAO was demonstrated in the syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast. It is suggested that MAO protects the placental vasculature from 5‐HT produced by the developing fetus. Alteration in progesterone concentration may affect the equilibrium.
SEROMUCOID IN SERUM IN BENIGN AND MALIGNANT GYNAECOLOGICAL DISORDERS
Authors: Randle G. H. , Good W. , Cumberbatch K. N.
Published: August 2005

The serum levels of seromucoid were examined in patients with a wide variety of benign and malignant gynaecological disorders. Seromucoid was unchanged from normal in most benign conditions, but it was raised in pelvic infection and tended to be low in infertility. Serum seromucoid was unchanged in patients with carcinoma in situ, but was increased substantially above normal with invasive cancer. The level of serum seromucoid in patients with cancer was related to the severity of the clinical lesion and returned to normal when the lesion was successfully treated. Cases of recurrent carcinoma had highly elevated serum seromucoid levels. The measurement of serum seromucoid levels may be a useful means of assessing the severity of cancer and monitoring the effectiveness of its treatment.
A COMPARISON OF LOW‐DOSE SUBCUTANEOUS HEPARIN AND INTRAVENOUS DEXTRAN 70 IN THE PROPHYLAXIS OF DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS AFTER GYNAECOLOGICAL SURGERY
Authors: McCarthy T. G. , McQueen J. , Johnstone F. D. , Weston J. , Campbell S.
Published: August 2005

In a prospective randomized trial, 132 patients were treated with subcutaneous heparin or intravenous dextran 70 in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis after gynaecological surgery. The two groups were evenly matched for factors predis‐posing to deep vein thrombosis. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis as detected by the 125I‐labelIed fibrinogen test was 10.9 per cent in the heparin‐treated group and 16.2 per cent in the dextran‐treated group; this difference was not significant. Two patients with complicated postoperative courses, one in each treatment group, developed pulmonary emboli. Only one had a positive 125I‐labelled fibrino‐gen test. Both prophylactic regimes were successful in reducing the incidence of minor thrombosis in the legs but may not reduce the incidence of pulmonary embolism.
RUPTURED ECTOPIC PREGNANCY 31 DAYS AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC STERILIZATION
Authors: Amin H. K.
Published: August 2005

A case of fimbrial ectopic pregnancy occurring 31 days after laparoscopic sterili‐zation is reported. It is thought that the fertilized ovum must have implanted a day or two before sterilization and that it was neither detected nor disturbed by the operative procedure. The importance of carrying out sterilization in the preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle is stressed.
HYPERTENSION IN PREGNANCY
Authors: Scanlon Maurice F.
Published: August 2005

Possible aortic compression by the gravid uterus has been examined by comparing arm and leg blood pressures of women in late pregnancy, in the supine and right semiprone positions. In the supine position hypertensive pregnant women show significantly lower blood pressures in the leg than in the arm when compared with normotensive pregnant women and nonpregnant controls. Recordings made in the right semiprone position cannot be interpreted with confidence owing to probable positional variations of the limbs with respect to the horizontal plane through the heart. A theory is proposed relating aortic compression by the gravid uterus and subsequent utero‐placental ischaemia, with hypertensive proteinuria and pre‐eclamptic toxaemia.
CYANOTIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE AND PREGNANCY
Authors: Batson Gerald A.
Published: August 2005

The obstetric performance of 19 patients with fully documented cyanotic congenital heart disease was analyzed. There were 50 pregnancies in the decade 1962 to 1972 with no maternal death. The results support the views that pregnancy is not contra‐indicated, that therapeutic abortion is not indicated, and that the offspring of these mothers are below average birthweight
THE ORGANIZATION AND RESULTS OF A PREGNANCY TERMINATION SERVICE IN A NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE HOSPITAL
Authors: Hull M. G. R. , Gordon Celia , Beard R. W.
Published: August 2005

A pregnancy termination service has been set up for patients living in the catchment area of a National Health Service hospital, without expansion of staff or facilities except by one extra, lay counsellor. The use of beds has been minimized by employing outpatient techniques in the majority of suction abortions. The organization is described in detail and the role of the counsellors is stressed. In the first year of the service, 488 of 529 patients who attended the weekly clinics had their pregnancy terminated; 433 had a suction abortion, 75 per cent of which were done under local anaesthesia, the proportion increasing to 93 per cent with greater experience. The use of local anaesthesia for suction abortion, compared with general anaesthesia, was not associated with any increase in the incidence of incomplete evacuation of the uterus (5.9 per cent) or possible sepsis (5.1 per cent) amongst women followed up, but there was a much smaller operative blood loss up to 10 weeks' gestation. Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) were fitted at the end of 44 per cent of suction abortions and this procedure was not associated with any increased incidence of postoperative pain or sepsis. The results in patients whose pregnancy was terminated by other methods are also reported. Following abortion, 84 per cent of patients attended a special follow‐up and contraception clinic. Of all patients who underwent abortion, at least 82 per cent were using a reliable contraceptive method (oral, IUCD, or sterilization), and, in addition, a quarter of those not followed up had been fitted with an IUCD after suction abortion.
GLOMERULAR FILTRATION DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY
Authors: Davison J. M. , Hytten F. E.
Published: August 2005

Glomerular filtration rate was estimated by three methods in ten healthy women during pregnancy at 15 to 18 weeks, 25 to 28 weeks and 35 to 38 weeks; and again 8 to 12 weeks post‐partum.

During infusion the glomerular filtration rate was found to be raised from a non‐pregnant level of about 110 ml. per minute to a plateau of about 170 ml. per minute throughout pregnancy, whether the clearance was of infused inulin or endogenous creatinine. A 24‐hour creatinine clearance, measured the day before the infusion, gave a systematically lower estimate; it rose from a non‐pregnant mean of about 100 ml. per minute to a plateau at about 150 ml. per minute, which fell in late pregnancy to about 130 ml. per minute.

It is concluded that an estimate of glomerular filtration rate is only valid for the conditions under which it is measured, that infusion probably raises the rate; and that the fall in late pregnancy which has been generally regarded as an “artefact” of posture may nevertheless represent the real life situation.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ANALGESIC EFFECT IN LABOUR OF PETHIDINE AND 50 PER CENT NITROUS OXIDE IN OXYGEN (ENTONOX)
Authors: Holdcroft Anita , Morgan M.
Published: August 2005

The effectiveness in clinical practice of conventional analgesia, with pethidine and 50 per cent nitrous oxide in oxygen (Entonox) has been studied in 663 consecutive patients. More than 75 per cent of mothers stated that they had obtained little or no pain relief from pethidine in the manner in which it was administered. In comparison, nearly half the patients who received Entonox had satisfactory analgesia and the incidence of acceptable pain relief with both agents was unrelated to parity. The number of patients receiving satisfactory analgesia was disturbingly low.
THE PATTERN OF INCIDENT AGE DISTRIBUTION WITH CLINICAL STAGING FOR CANCER OF THE CERVIX IN ENGLAND AND WALES FROM 1945 to 1969
Authors: Mould R. F.
Published: August 2005

The incident age distribution for Stage I, Stage II and Stage III carcinoma of the cervix in 12 regions in England and Wales between 1945 and 1969 was studied. For the various geographical areas considered during the same five‐year period, the mean age points for a given stage of carcinoma of the cervix were usually tightly clustered. The highest mean ages for a given stage were usually found in the least industrialized areas and this was most noticeable for the period 1965 to 1969. The mean age for Stage I carcinoma of the cervix fell slightly between 1950 and 1969. No similar decrease occurred for Stages II and III.
URINARY OESTRIOL EXCRETION IN TWIN PREGNANCIES
Authors: Duff G. B. , Brown J. B.
Published: August 2005

The results of 201 24‐hour urinary oestriol estimations in 50 twin pregnancies are presented. The 10th, 50th and 90th centiles were approximately 1.7 times higher than those for singleton pregnancies, reflecting the combined weights of the two fetuses. In general, the oestriol values were not low before or after intrauterine death of one fetus or in pregnancies with intrauterine growth retardation. The trends in serial oestriol values were of more relevance in assessing fetal jeopardy than grading the values as normal or low.
A CLINICAL TRIAL OF THE VALUES OF SERUM HEAT STABLE ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE ESTIMATES IN PREDICTING THE OCCURRENCE OF PRE‐ECLAMPSIA
Authors: McCorry R. L. , Mollan R. A. B. , Neely M. R.
Published: August 2005

In a prospective study, the levels of heat stable alkaline phosphatase (HSAP) in the serum of a series of 396 patients were found to offer no guidance in the prediction of the occurrence and severity of pre‐eclamptic toxaemia.
17‐β‐OESTRADIOL AND THE FIBRINOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF VEIN WALLS
Authors: ÅStedt Birger , Jeppsson Sten
Published: August 2005

Coagulation and fibrinolytic studies were performed on 16 postmenopausal women before and during treatment with 10 mg. of 17‐β‐oestradiol a day for 10 days. The fibrinolytic activity in the wall of a biopsy specimen of a superficial vein was determined histochemically and was unchanged. The concentration of antithrombin III decreased slightly from a mean of 105 per cent to 90 per cent.
TRANSFER OF FOLATE TO THE FETUS
Authors: Landon M. J. , Eyre D. H. , Hytten F. E.
Published: August 2005

The accumulation of tritium‐labelled folate in the product of conception was examined in eight women undergoing hysterotomy for termination of pregnancy. Folic acid containing a small quantity of tracer material (50n Ci/μg.) was injected intravenously 20 minutes before operation in 4 patients but 24 hours beforehand in the remainder. After operation, maternal blood, placenta, fetal blood, and fetal liver were examined for radioactivity as was the daily urine output during the patient's postoperative hospital stay. The results indicated that only 1/2 percent of the injected material accumulated in the product of conception—uptake was primarily by the fetal liver and no large placental pool of folate was involved.

Approximately half of the injected load was excreted in the urine—the majority in the first 24 hours—and the remainder was presumed to have been retained by maternal tissues. Bioassay with L. casei and chromatography on TEAE cellulose suggested that extensive metabolism of the injected material had taken place and that fetal uptake might be more efficient than indicated by counting radioactivity alone.
FOLIC ACID ABSORPTION IN PREGNANCY
Authors: Iyengar L. , Babu S.
Published: August 2005

Folic acid absorption was studied in six non‐pregnant women, and nine pregnant women undergoing therapeutic termination of pregnancy between 10 to 26 weeks, using 2 mg. of folic acid labelled with 10 μCi of tritiated folic acid. Absorption varied between 65 and 95 per cent, with a mean absorption of 80 per cent, in both pregnant and non‐pregnant subjects. Similarly, there was no difference of retention between the groups. The results indicate that there is no change in the absorption of folic acid in the first 26 to 28 weeks of pregnancy.
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF NORMAL AND ABNORMAL EXFOLIATED CERVICAL SQUAMOUS CELLS
Authors: Murphy John F. , Allen Josephine M. , Jordan Joseph A. , Williams Anthony E.
Published: August 2005

The surface ultrastructure of normal, malignant and dyskaryotic exfoliated cervical squamous cells was examined with the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Normal and malignant cells were found to have very similar surfaces to those seen on similar cells in a biopsy specimen. Dyskaryotic cells, however, showed a large range of surface features and dyskaryotic cells that looked identical at light microscopy could be subdivided into three groups by examining their ultrastructural features.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PREGNANCY AND COMPLICATION RATES WITH HUMAN MENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPHIN THERAPY
Authors: Ellis J. D. , Williamson J. G.
Published: August 2005

We report the results obtained with a standard system of gonadotrophin therapy. Seventy‐seven consecutive patients were given 322 treatment cycles. Thirty‐seven patients (48 per cent) conceived, six of them on two occasions, making 43 preg‐nancies of which 31.6 per cent were multiple. Five per cent of all treatment cycles were complicated by mild, and 0.62 per cent by severe hyperstimulation. The factors involved in achieving a satisfactory pregnancy rate whilst avoiding complications are discussed. Most complications occurred during the first cycle in which the rise in oestrogen excretion suggested follicular development and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was given (the “first effective” treatment cycle). In such cycles the risk of hyperstimulation rose sharply when the day 6 urinary total oestrogen level was above 150 μg. per 24 hours and the multiple pregnancy rate was increased by a large dose of HCG.
CONCURRENT OVARIAN AND NORMAL INTRAUTERINE PREGNANCY
Authors: Kassab Abdulatif Yassin
Published: August 2005

A patient with concurrent ovarian and intrauterine pregnancy is described. Certain features were unique.
A STUDY OF THE SECRETORY IMMUNE SYSTEM OF THE FEMALE GENITAL TRACT
Authors: Rebello R. , Green F. H. Y. , Fox H.
Published: August 2005

Immunocytes in the female genital tract are found principally in the endocervix. The predominant immunoglobulin produced in this site is IgA and this, together with the presence of secretory component in endocervical epithelium, indicates that a local secretory immune system, similar to that found in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, exists in the endocervix. This local secretory immune system appears to be the major source of immunoglobulins in cervical mucus and the presence of secretory IgA in cervico‐vaginal secretions provides an effective protective mechanism against viral and bacterial infections. Secretory IgA also acts non‐specifically against exogenous antigens and may, by binding sperma‐tozoal antigens, play a role in immunologically mediated infertility.
AN ABDOMINAL APPROACH TO THE REPAIR OF POST‐HYSTERECTOMY VAGINAL INVERSION
Authors: Yates M. J.
Published: August 2005

An abdominal operation is described using a Mersilene mesh bridge for the correction of post‐hysterectomy vaginal inversion. Four cases are reported in which a satisfactory anatomical and functionally effective repair has been achieved.
CELLULAR IMMUNITY TO HUMAN BASIC MYELIN PROTEIN IN WOMEN WITH DYSPLASIA AND CARCINOMA IN SITU OF THE CERVIX
Authors: Singer Albert , Shelton Jennifer , Hill Shirley , Potter Christopher
Published: August 2005

Sensitization to human myelin basic protein or encephalitogenic factor (EF), an antigen thought to be analogous to different human tumours, can be measured by the macrophage migration inhibition test (MMI). The MMI test was done on one occasion in 51 women with dysplasia and carcinoma in situ of the cervix; 20 women with non‐malignant gynaecological conditions served as controls Sensitization to EF was found in 71 per cent of women with carcinoma in situ and 42 per cent of women with dysplasia. None of the controls showed sensitization. Sensitization could not be related to histological evidence of cellular infiltration within the cervix.
RAISED ALPHA‐FETOPROTEIN LEVELS IN AMNIOTIC FLUID AND MATERNAL SERUM IN A TRIPLET PREGNANCY IN WHICH ONE FETUS HAD AN OMPHALOCOELE
Authors: Nevin N. C. , Armstrong M. J.
Published: August 2005

During the second pregnancy of a 31‐year‐old patient, who already had a child with hydrocephalus, the ultrasonic scan at 16 weeks gestation demonstrated the possibility of triplets. Raised amniotic fluid and maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein concentrations were observed at 16 and 17 weeks gestation. The pregnancy was terminated at 17 weeks gestation and one of the fetuses had an extensive omphalocoele, radial aplasia and digital abnormalities.
POSTPARTUM RENAL FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH ECLAMPSIA AND PENICILLIN HYPERSENSITIVITY
Authors: Down P. F. , Ford P. M. , Levison D. A.
Published: August 2005

A case of acute renal failure associated with disseminated: ntravascular coagulation occurring immediately post partum is reported. The aet ological role of the associated eclampsia together with evidence for a hypersensitivity reaction to ampicillin is discussed.
ENDOMETRIAL OSSIFICATION
Authors: Hsu C.
Published: August 2005

Irregular growth of bone was seen in endometrial tissue curetted from a 41‐year‐old woman, 12 months after an abortion. Bone was present in a second specimen taken later. On hysterectomy 22 months after the abortion, no trace of the abnormal tissue was found. The heterotopia is considered to be due to metaplasia occurring in cells initially concerned in the post‐abortion reparative process.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF SEVERE NON‐HAEMOLYTIC NEONATAL JAUNDICE
Authors: Sims D. G. , Neligan G. A.
Published: August 2005

Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is increasing in frequency. In view of conflicting evidence about the possible causes, retrospective analyses have been carried out among babies born during six months of 1974. Preliminary analysis confirmed the over‐riding importance of preterm birth (before 37 weeks), but only one of 17 such cases could be attributed to ill‐judged artificial induction of labour. For the main analysis, the incidence of eight possibly relevant antecedent factors was compared in 46 cases of hyperbilirubinaemia (unconjugated bilirubin more than 15 mg per 100 ml in term babies and more than 13 mg per 100 ml in some preterm babies) and in 92 controls matched for sex and gestational age. Induction of labour by “primary” oxytocin infusion and artificial rupture of the membranes was very significantly more common in the index cases (pt0. 01), but there was no difference in the incidence of “secondary” oxytocin, used to accelerate spontaneous labour. Evidence of uterine unresponsiveness suggests that the natural onset of labour was being anticipated by at least some days in many of the index cases and this could prevent the natural “priming” of the fetal enzyme systems. An excess of epidural analgesia in the mothers of the index cases was probably due to its association with the need for pain relief during “primary” oxytocin infusions. The higher incidence of postnatal weight loss in the index cases presumably contributed to the hyperbilirubinaemia.
PLASMA UNCONJUGATED 15α‐HYDROXYOESTRIOL (OESTETROL) LEVELS IN NORMAL HUMAN PREGNANCY
Authors: Korda A. R. , Challis Janice J. , Anderson Anne B. M. , Turnbull A. C.
Published: August 2005

Serial measurements were made of the concentration of plasma unconjugated oestetrol in normal human pregnancy. The mean curve and limits of normal variation have been established. Plasma levels rose from just below 2 ng/ml at 20 weeks to approximately 5 ng/ml at term.