bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MATERNAL PLASMA ALPHA‐FETOPROTEIN IN NORMAL AND COMPLICATED PREGNANCIES
Authors: Rodeck C. H. , Campbell S. , Biswas S. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryPlasma alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) has been estimated by radioimmunoassay in healthy non‐pregnant adults, some of whom were taking oral contraceptives, and in women with normal and complicated pregnancies. A curve with the 90 per cent range in normal pregnancy was established. The proportion of values below the 5th centile in complicated pregnancies was significantly greater than in uncomplicated pregnancies. However, three‐quarters of the estimations in the complicated groups lay within the 90 per cent range. No correlation was found between maternal plasma AFP values and the incidence of fetal distress, small‐for‐dates babies or perinatal mortality. It is concluded that the measurement of maternal plasma AFP is not a reliable test for predicting fetal well‐being.
EXTRADURAL ANALGESIA IN LABOUR WHEN THE BREECH PRESENTS
Authors: Darby S. , Thornton C. A. , Hunter D. J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA retrospective study was made of the course and outcome of labour in 226 patients in whom a singleton fetus presented by the breech. Patients with macerated stillbirths or who were delivered before the 28th week of gestation had been excluded. Of the 226 patients, 101 received extradural analgesia, 79 received parenteral analgesia and 46 underwent elective Caesarean section. There was no difference in the incidence of breech extraction or emergency Caesarean section in the first two groups of patients. The length of both first and second stages of labour in multiparae was prolonged in the extradural group, but not markedly so. The Apgar scores of the infants delivered vaginally were not significantly different at one minute in both groups but the five minute Apgar score in the infants of primiparae was significantly higher in the extradural group. The Apgar score at one minute in the group delivered by emergency Caesarean section was significantly lower after extradural block but the difference was not significant at five minutes. This study suggests that the management and outcome of labour when the breech presents is not adversely affected by the provision of extradural analgesia.
THE EFFECT OF PARTURITION ON AMNIOTIC FLUID LECITHIN CONCENTRATION
Authors: Craven D. J. , Khattab T. Y. , Symonds E. M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAmniotic fluid lecithin has been measured during the antenatal period and at comparable periods of gestation at the onset of spontaneous labour. Lecithin values were higher in labour, the difference being statistically significant in two of the three groups studied. Lecithin values were also measured serially during induced labour in 14 normal women at term. A significant fall was observed throughout labour. Creatinine levels were measured in the amniotic fluid in five of these patients and showed no significant change.
LAPAROSCOPIC STERILIZATION WITH AN ELASTICATED SILICONS RING
Authors: Lee W. K. , Baggish M. S. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA method of laparoscopic sterilization using an elasticated silicons ring is described. It was used in 155 patients over a period of 13 months by 12 gynaecologists. There were 12 complications specifically related to the method and only one of them required laparotomy. One tubal patency was discovered, but no pregnancy occurred in a total follow‐up period of 81.25 yeais. Many patients had pain in the first 24 hours after operation but only 3 per cent had pain after three months.
A NEW METHOD FOR ASSESSMENT OF FETAL LUNG MATURITY
Authors: Shinitzky M. , Goldfisher A. , Bruck A. , Goldman B. , Stern E. , Barkai G. , Mashiach S. , Serr D. M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA new method for evaluation of fetal lung maturity in utero is described. The method is based on the fluorescence polarization (P) of the lipids in the amniotic fluid after labelling with a special dye. Tests performed with 49 amniotic fluid samples drawn from 33 pregnancies clearly demonstrated a decrease in P during gestation which correlated with the increase in the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio (L/S) in the fluid. During gestation the P value at 24°C decreased steadily from about 0.4 to 0.2 and the value of P (24°C)= 0.310 has been tentatively chosen as the threshold above which respiratory distress syndrome may develop. The described method, which requires a specially designed instrument, offers a series of important advantages over the presently available methods. It is simple, rapid, highly accurate and reproducible, and independent of amniotic fluid volume. The P value reflects the microviscosity in the whole lipid assembly of amniotic fluid and is not confined specifically to lecithin.
ACTH LEVELS IN AMNIOTIC FLUID DURING PREGNANCY
Authors: Tuimala R. , Kauppila A. , Haapalahti J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe fetal pituitary‐adrenal axis plays an important role in the regulation of fetal development. In order to obtain information about fetal ACTH secretion at different gestational ages, a total of 109 amniotic fluid ACTH determinations was performed by ra.dioimmunoassay. There was a significantly higher level of ACTH during 26 to 30 weeks of pregnancy (429 ±180–4 pg/ml) than in early (208–7±90–6 pg/ml) and in late (172–7±97–4 pg/ml) pregnancy; fetal sex, uterine contractions and maternal complications in pregnancy did not affect levels. The ACTH level in the first urine of six newborn infants (160‐Oib40‐6 pg/ml) approximated to that in the amniotic fluid in late pregnancy. Our results support the assumption of a fetal origin for ACTH in amniotic fluid. The high secretion of ACTH at the beginning of the last trimester of pregnancy may stimulate the development of the adrenal cortex and result in the increased cortisol secretion necessary for fetal lung maturation.
CARCINOMA OF THE CERVICAL STUMP
Authors: Oats J. J. N. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA study was made of 56 patients with carcinoma of the cervical stump after subtotal hysterectomy who were seen between 1946 and 1972 at the National Women's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. The duration of symptoms before diagnosis, stage distribution and five‐year survival rates were examined and compared with those in 1459 patients with carcinoma of the cervix, and no previous subtotal hysterectomy, who presented over the same period.
EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO OBSTETRIC CARE: PART II
Authors: Chalmers Iain , Lawson J. G. , Turnbull A. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe obstetric management and outcome of normal patients presenting to two obstetric teams working in the Cardiff Maternity Hospital are compared over a five‐year period. One team induced labour with amniotomy and oxytocin infusion three times more frequently than the other. No advantage or disadvantage of this practice was demonstrated using various measures of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The implications of these findings are discussed together with those of two previously reported observational studies. The need for experimental research in perinatal medicine is stressed.
SEQUENTIAL STUDIES ON COMPONENTS OF THE HAEMOSTATIC MECHANISM IN PREGNANCY WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRE‐ECLAMPSIA
Authors: Condie R. G. , Ogston D. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryComponents of the haemostatic mechanism were studied at intervals in 60 primigravidae over the course of pregnancy and the puerperium; 12 of these developed pre‐eclampsia. During pregnancy there was a fall in fibrinolytic activity and fibrinolytic capacity and a rise in fibrinogen, FR‐antigen, α1‐antitrypsin and α2‐macroglobulin. The women who subsequently developed pre‐eclampsia could not be identified on the basis of these measurements. Following delivery there was a more rapid return of fibrinolytic activity and capacity towards normal in the women who had not had pre‐eclampsia. The urinary FR‐antigen level was higher in the women with pre‐eclampsia.
THE USE OF A COMPUTER IN AN OBSTETRIC DEPARTMENT
Authors: Tuck Christine S. , Cundy A. , Wagman H. , Usherwood M. McD. , Thomas M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryExperience with a computer in an obstetric department is presented. A regular statistical analysis of the work of the department was readily available and computer printed summaries were produced for 86 per cent of the patients within one week of their discharge home. Solutions to problems encountered are discussed. It is concluded that a computer can be used economically and advantageously in this way even in hospitals without a computer on site. Future developments in the use of the computer are outlined.
CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN PRE‐ECLAMPSIA
Authors: Singh M. M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIntravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed on 30 primigravidae with pre‐eclampsia and 15 normal primigravidae in late pregnancy. The groups were matched for age, height and weight and had no stigmata of potential diabetes. Plasma glucose, plasma immunoreactive insulin and plasma placental lactogen (HPL) levels were measured before (fasting) and at timed intervals after the glucose challenge; the glucose response was expressed as the increment index. The patients with severe pre‐eclampsia had significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels than those with mild pre‐eclampsia and normal pregnancies. The mean increment index, in both the severe and mild pre‐eclamptic groups was significantly lower than that of the normal pregnant group. Fasting HPL levels were significantly lower in patients with severe pre‐eclampsia than in those who had mild preeclampsia or a normal pregnancy. Both the fasting plasma insulin and insulin response following glucose injection were lower in patients with severe preeclampsia than in those with mild pre‐eclampsia or a normal pregnancy. The differences however were not statistically significant. The results of this study suggest that carbohydrate metabolism in severe pre‐eclampsia is altered to an extent similar to that in patients with chemical gestational diabetes, and this alteration may be due to maternal p‐cell anoxia caused by the vascular changes in pre‐eclampsia.
THE FETAL MEMBRANES AS A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF AMNIOTIC FLUID PROSTAGLANDINS
Authors: Keirse M. J. N. C. , Turnbull A. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBiosynthesis and metabolism of prostaglandins was studied in human amniotic and chorionic membranes obtained at term. Using specific in vitro methods it was demonstrated that the fetal membranes contain an organization of enzymes regulating both synthesis and degradation of prostaglandins. Differentiation between amnion and chorion showed that virtually all of the biosynthesis and metabolism occurred in the chorion, whereas enzymatic activities in the amnion were negligible or low. The results suggest a high turnover of prostaglandins in the chorion, and its importance as a source of prostaglandins found in amniotic fluid is discussed.
PLACENTAL PATHOLOGY IN MIDTRIMESTER PREGNANCIES INTERRUPTED BY INTRA‐AMNIOTIC INJECTION OF HYPERTONIC UREA
Authors: Segal S. , Ornoy A. , Bercovici B. , Antebi S. O. , Polishuk W. Z. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe histological appearances of 52 placentae from patients who had a urea‐induced second trimester abortion were studied. Extensive subchorionic intervillous fibrin deposition and swollen degenerated stromal cells (probably Hofbauer cells), were found both in the placenta and membranes. Between urea injection and abortion, serial vaginal smears showed signs of progesterone deficiency. The urea‐induced placental and fetal damage was similar to that seen with hypertonic saline.
COLPOSCOPIC EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH ABNORMAL CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
Authors: Benedet J. L. , Boyes D. A. , Nichols T. M. , Millner A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBecause of suspicious or abnormal smears, 620 patients were referred to the Colposcopy Clinic of the British Columbia Cancer Institute between 1st March 1973 and 31st December 1974; it was possible to make a colposcopic examination in 549 of these patients (88–5 per cent). The colposcopic impression was within one histological grade of a colposcopically‐directed biopsy in 476 patients (86 per cent). There were 221 patients who had a cone biopsy after a colposcopicallydirected biopsy and in 192 of these (87 per cent) the two biopsies were within one histological grade of each other; but there were two patients with occult invasive carcinoma in a cone biopsy and only carcinoma in situ in a directed biopsy. In the same group of 221 patients the colposcopic evaluation and final diagnosis (the most advanced histological lesion seen in biopsy) agreed in all but seven patients.
THE COMBINED EFFECT OF NONSTEROIDAL ANTI‐OESTROGENS AND SEX STEROIDS ON THE GROWTH OF RAT UTERINE ADENOCARCINOMA CELLS IN TISSUE CULTURE
Authors: Sekiya S. , Takamizawa H. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryNonsteroidal anti‐oestrogenic drugs, tamoxifen and clomiphene citrate, at concentrations higher than 0.001 μg/ml reduced the colony forming ability of cells derived from a rat uterine adenocarcinoma in vitro. The 50 per cent inhibitory dose of these drugs was about one‐hundredth of that of sex steroids. When the cells were treated with combinations of these nonsteroidal anti‐oestrogenic drugs and the 50 per cent inhibitory dose (8 μg/ml) of progesterone, a synergistic effect on the inhibition of colony formation was observed. In contrast to progesterone, oestradiol‐17β (the 50 per cent inhibitory dose of which was about 16 μg/ml) suppressed additively the colony formation only in combination with low doses of anti‐oestrogenic drugs.
A STUDY OF THE ELASTICITY AND TENSION OF FETAL MEMBRANES AND OF THE RELATION OF THE AREA OF THE GESTATIONAL SAC TO THE AREA OF THE UTERINE CAVITY
Authors: Parry‐Jones E. , Priya S. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe surface area of the uterine cavity before delivery was compared with that ot the gestational sac after delivery and experiments were carred out to test the elasticity of membranes and the tension on them during labour. The results indicated that after 28 weeks of pregnancy the intact fetal membranes were under tension and were not a passive lining to the uterine cavity and that there was a significant decrease in the elasticity of those membranes which ruptured before labour irrespective of the maturity of the pregnancy. The results failed to support the suggestion that there was a deficiency in the area of the gestational sac in those cases where the membranes ruptured before labour.
EXPERIMENTS IN THE MEASUREMENT OF INTRAUTERINE PRESSURE
Authors: Odendaal H. J. , Neves Dos Santos L. M. , Henry M. J. , Crawford J. W. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA series of experiments investigating the quality of the signals obtained from intrauterine catheters was conducted in the labour rooms and laboratories. Clear evidence of signal attenuation due to partial blockage of catheters was obtained. Some methods which might help to overcome these problems are described.
INVESTIGATION OF SOME PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CARDIFF INFUSION PUMP
Authors: Neves Dos Santos L. M. , Odendaal H. J. , Crawford J. W. , Henry M. J. 
Published: August 2005

SummarySince there is some concern about the use of the Cardiff infusion pump in the automatic mode, experiments were devised to simulate some possible problems. The possibility of misleading information allowing overstimulation to occur was demonstrated. Even when the input signal was accurate there could, at least theoretically, be excessive stimulation. Some suggestions about future design and ways of correcting the problems are discussed.
INTENSIVE CARE OF THE FETUS IN BREECH LABOUR
Authors: Hill J. G. , Eliot B. W. , Campbell J. , Pickett‐Heaps A. A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA review of 186 cases of breech presentation with a corrected perinatal mortality rate of 0.54 per cent is presented. Details of paediatric follow‐up are given. Careful selection of patients for vaginal delivery and the liberal use of Caesarean section are advocated. The importance of asphyxia as the main danger of breech delivery is emphasized and the use of fetal blood sampling as a practicable method of detecting early asphyxia is discussed.
THE RELATION BETWEEN EASE OF FORCEPS DELIVERY AND SPEED OF CERVICAL DILATATION
Authors: Davidson A. C. , Weaver Judith B. , Davies P. , Pearson J. F. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAn attempt has been made to predict a difficult forceps delivery. The duration of the 7 to 10 cm cervical dilatation interval was measured from the completed cervimetric chart in 952 consecutive patients who delivered spontaneously between December 1973 and September 1974. The 7 to 10 cm cervical dilatation intervals of this group were compared with those of 378 consecutive patients in whom forceps were applied with the fetal head in the occipito‐anterior position and 83 consecutive patients where Kielland's forceps rotation from the occipito‐transverse or occipito‐posterior position was performed. The forceps deliveries were graded as ‘easy’, ‘moderately difficult’, or ‘difficult’. In only 5 per cent of the spontaneous delivery group did the 7 to 10 cm cervical dilatation interval exceed two hours. In the occipito‐anterior and Kielland's forceps groups an ‘easy’ delivery could be expected if the 7 to 10 cm cervical dilatation interval was less than two hours. The greater this interval increased beyond two hours, the greater was the proportion of ‘moderately difficult’ and ‘difficult’ forceps deliveries.
STUDIES IN THE INVOLVEMENT OF PROSTAGLANDINS IN UTERINE SYMPTOMATOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY
Authors: Willman Eve A. , Collins W. P. , Clayton S. G. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe concentrations of prostaglandins E2 and Fα were measured by radioimmunoassay in samples of endometrial tissue from 155 women. The results showed that the concentration of prostaglandin E2 (ng/100 mg of wet tissue; mean ± SD) in tissue from apparently healthy women with regular menstrual cycles was 79·3 ± 9·9 during the menstrual period. The level in the proliferative and early secretory phases fell to 11·8 ± 4·0 and 13·3± 8·3 respectively. During the late secretory phase there was a significant increase to 20·1±10·8. The corresponding values from patients with fibromyomata and without menorrhagia were similar. However, the concentration in tissue from patients with fibromyomata and menorrhagia was significantly higher (63·9 ±17·9) during the secretory phase of the uterine cycle. In addition, the amount was significantly higher in the groups with dysmenorrhoea (19 ·0 ± 4·5 proliferative; 68 · 0 ± 18 ·15 secretory) and irregular uterinbleeding (78·3 ± 59·0 proliferative; 87·4 ± 64·9 secretory). The mean concentration was higher in cases of endometriosis, and significantly elevated in endometrial carcinoma. The results for prostaglandin Fα showed a similar pattern, but the changes were less marked in patients with irregular dysfunctional bleeding. The findings are discussed.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SPONTANEOUS PRE‐TERM BIRTH
Authors: Fedrick Jean , Anderson Anne B. M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryFactors associated with spontaneous pre‐term birth in 283 singleton pregnancies were compared with those present in a total population of 16 994 women at risk studied in the First British Perinatal Mortality Survey. It was shown that the risk of spontaneous pre‐term birth was related to low maternal age, low maternal weight, maternal smoking, low social class, illegitimacy, threatened abortion, and a previous history of antepartum haemorrhage, perinatal loss, or low birth weight livebirths.
TUMOUR ASSOCIATED IMMUNITY AND IMMUNOCOMPETENCE IN OVARIAN CANCER
Authors: Levin L. , Mchardy J. E. , Poulton T. A. , Curling O. M. , Hudson C. N. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryCell‐free extracts of autologous ovarian cancer cells evoked a delayed hypersensitivity response (DHR) in skin in four out of six patients in remission from disease and none of seven patients in relapse. These initial results appear to be consistent with in vitro blastogenic assay using the same autologous extracts. To assess whether diminished tumour‐associated immunity was due to impaired cellmediated immunocompetence, blastogenic responses to purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD), a secondary recall antigen, and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were assessed. Impaired responses to PHA were seen in the relapse group of patients, but responses to PPD did not appear to be impaired in this group.
INFLUENCE OF LABOUR ON THE LECITHIN, LECITHIN/ SPHINGOMYELIN (L/S) RATIO AND PALMITIC ACID VALUES IN THE AMNIOTIC FLUID
Authors: Cabero L. , Roses A. , Viscasillas P. , GlRALT M. QuilezE. , Duran‐Sanchez P. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio, lecithin concentrations and palmitic acid levels in amniotic fluid were studied during labour and compared with values found before labour. All were significantly higher in women in labour. The explanation and significance of this finding are briefly discussed.
MONOAMINE OXIDASE ACTIVITY IN THE FETAL LUNG AND LIVER
Authors: Jones J. B. , Papadaki Lucienne , Hubbard Joyce 
Published: August 2005

SummaryMonoamine oxidase (MAO) in lung and liver is important in the degradation of circulating 5‐hydroxytryptamine. These sites of MAO activity have been investigated histochemically in the human fetus of 12 to 18 weeks gestation. Enzyme activity could be demonstrated in the liver by both tryptamine and adrenaline oxidation. In the lung, MAO activity was present only when adrenaline was used as substrate. It may be, therefore, that in the premature baby the capacity of MAO to metabolize 5‐hydroxytryptamine is not fully developed, which could lead to deleterious effects on pulmonary function.
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE APPEARANCES OF NORMAL HUMAN AMNION AND UMBILICAL CORD AT TERM
Authors: Pollard Stella M. , Aye N. N. , Symonds E. M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe surface morphology of normal term amnion was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Four patterns were observed. Two of the patterns showed distinctive minority populations of cells. In one, there were cells surrounded by intracellular channels; in the other, there were large flat cells. The microvilli in all four patterns showed variable morphology in different samples. Possible functional implications of the findings are discussed.
PLACENTAL METABOLISM OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULPHATE IN NORMAL PREGNANCY
Authors: Klopper A. , Varela‐Torres R. , Jandial V. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAn intravenous injection of 50 mg dehydroepiandrosterone was given to 19 women at the 38th week of pregnancy. The concentration of androstenedione, testosterone, oestradiol and oestrone in plasma was measured at intervals following the injection. The concentration of androstenedione and testosterone rose rapidly, reaching a peak after 10 minutes and returning to near baseline level by 30 minutes. Oestradiol rose more slowly, reaching a peak after 45 minutes and being sustained at high levels for 3½ hours before returning slowly to baseline. Oestrone rose yet more slowly and did not reach a peak until 2½ hours after the injection. It is concluded that the steroid responses are too variable from one individual to another for this test to be useful in the clinical assessment of fetal wellbeing but that it was likely to be a powerful tool in the investigation of placental steroid biogenesis.