bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CIRCULATING LEVELS OF ALPHA‐FETOPROTEIN AND PREGNANCY SPECIFIC β1 GLYCOPROTEIN IN PREGNANCIES WITHOUT AN EMBRYO
Authors: Bennett M. J. , Grudzinskas J. G. , Gordon Y. B. , Turnbull A. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryTen patients with depressed serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels at 14 to 15 weeks gestation were found to have no embryo on ultrasonography: two patients had hydatidiform moles and the remainder had anembryonic pregnancies (blighted ova). The pregnancy specific β1 glycoprotein (SP1) levels in serum were measured in all these ten patients. Seven of the eight patients with anembryonic pregnancies and one of the two patients with molar pregnancies had low serum SP1, levels. These observations suggest that the measurement of AFP and SP1 may provide biochemical evidence of pregnancy without an embryo.
THE EFFECTS OF LONG‐TERM THERAPY WITH OESTRIOL UCCINATE ON THE HAEMOSTATIC MECHANISM IN OSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Authors: Toy J. L. , Davies J. A. , Mcnicol G. P. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn a previous report we showed that oestriol succinate administered to post‐menopausal women caused fewer changes in haemostatic function over a four‐month period than ethinyloestradiol. Potential longer‐term effects were studied in postmenopausal women treated for osteoporosis with oestriol succinate for up to 12 months. Over this period there was no significant change in concentration of plasma coagulation factors, an increase in plasminogen concentration and euglobulin lysis activity, and an inconsistent increase in platelet sensitivity to aggregation induced by ADP and collagen. The relative lack of effect of oestriol succinate on coagulation function is encouraging with regard to the future incidence of thromboembolic complications of therapy.We thank the Special Trustees of the General Infirmary, Leeds, for their financial support. Organon Laboratories Limited gave generous financial assistance and provided oestriol succinate tablets. We are grateful to Professor B. E. C. Nordin for allowing us to study patients under his care. Mrs G. Fieldhouse, Mrs B. Griffin, Mrs A. Spencer and Mr J. Leek gave valuable technical assistance.
THE PERCENTAGE OF GRANULOCYTE‐LIKE CELLS IN HUMAN OVIDUCT EPITHELIUM
Authors: van Bogaert L.‐J. , Maldague P. , Staquet J. P. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe ratio of granulocyte‐like cells to epithelial cells was examined in the fimbriae, ampullary and isthmic regions of oviducts obtained from normal women of reproductive age, from postpartum women, from menopausal women, from women on combined oral contraceptives and from women with adnexal pathology. Only patients on oral contraceptives had a significantly high percentage of granulocyte‐like cells as did one patient with acute salpingitis.
SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY IN A 44‐YEAR‐OLD HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENT
Authors: Sheriff M. H. R. , Hardman M. , Lamont C. A. R. , Shepherd R. , Warren D. J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA 44‐year‐old patient had been treated by intermittent haemodialysis for almost three years when she presented with a 28‐week pregnancy. Successful delivery of a healthy but small infant was achieved by Caesarean section at 36 weeks. The successful outcome of this pregnancy was attributed to close control of the haemoglobin concentration and blood chemistry, and to increased frequency of dialysis. The relative value of various chemical tests of fetal maturity in the presence of maternal renal failure are discussed.We are grateful to Dr J. Durant for help with hormone assays and their interpretation and to our nursing staff for their careful support.
PLASMA STEROID CHANGES IN PRE‐TERM LABOUR IN ASSOCIATION WITH SALBUTAMOL INFUSION
Authors: Bibby J. G. , Higgs S. A. , Kent A. P. , Flint A. P. F. , Mitchell M. D. , Anderson A. B. M. , Turnbull A. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummarySerial measurements of peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone and oestradiol‐17β were made in 23 women with singleton pregnancies who were given intravenous salbutamol in an attempt to inhibit pre‐term labour. Mean levels of both hormones fell significantly during salbutamol infusion but returned to pre‐treatment levels after therapy was stopped. Plasma human placental lactogen concentrations did not change during salbutamol infusion, suggesting that the fall in steroid hormone levels was unlikely to be an effect of altered uterine or placental blood flow.
VAGINAL PROSTAGLANDIN E2 IN THE MANAGEMENT OF FETAL INTRAUTERINE DEATH
Authors: Southern E. M. , Gutknecht G. D. , Mohberg N. R. , Edelman D. A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe results of a multicentre clinical trial of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) administered by the vaginal route in the management of intrauterine fetal death and missed abortion showed an overall efficacy of 97 per cent. The mean induction‐abortion interval was 10·7 hours with a mean total dose of 60·4 mg of PGE,. Side effects were tolerated well and there was no evidence of significant alterations in hepatic or renal function.
TOTAL AND FREE CORTISOL IN AMNIOTIC FLUID DURING LATE PREGNANCY
Authors: Björkhem I. , Lantto O. , Lunell N.‐O. , Pschera H. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryTotal cortisol levels were measured in 81 samples of amniotic fluid obtained from 72 patients in the third trimester of pregnancy; 19 of them had pre‐eclampsia and the remainder had no pre‐eclampsia, hypertension or renal disease. In accordance with previous studies, there was a rise in the concentration of amniotic fluid cortisol with advancing gestation; the rise was steepest after 40 weeks, the amniotic fluid cortisol levels invariably being above 700 nmoI/I between 41 and 43 weeks of pregnancy. Amniotic fluid cortisol may thus be of value in diagnosing postmaturity. A relatively low correlation was found between total cortisol levels and lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios in amniotic fluid unless results were ranked for gestational age. Total cortisol concentrations in amniotic fluid obtained from patients with pre‐eclampsia were significantly higher than in controls. The concentration of free cortisol in amniotic fluid changed much less than total cortisol. Thus total cortisol should be measured in studies of the fetal capacity to synthesize corticosteroids.
COMPARISON OF PLASMA STEROID AND GONADOTROPHIN PROFILES IN SPONTANEOUS CYCLES IN WHICH CONCEPTION DID AND DID NOT OCCUR
Authors: Sobowale O. , Lenton Elizabeth A. , Francis B. , Cooke I. D. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryLuteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oestradiol and progesterone were measured in plasma from blood samples obtained daily throughout 23 menstrual cycles in a total of 18 normal women. Eight of these women were trying to conceive at the time of investigation and five succeeded. The subjects were divided into those who were not exposed to pregnancy (Group I), those who became pregnant (Group II) and those who were trying to become pregnant but failed to do so (Group III). The mean profiles of each of the four hormones were similar for the three groups studied. Statistical comparisons (using ‘t’ tests) between Groups II and III showed that FSH concentrations were significantly lower (P<0·01) in the late follicular phase (Days —7 to —3 before the LH peak) in Group III. Similarly, progesterone concentrations were significantly lower (P<0·05) during the early luteal phase (Days +3 to +7 after the LH peak) in Group III.The willing co‐operation of all the women who took part in this study is gratefully acknowledged. We are also grateful to Miss L. Brook, Mrs L. Sexton, Mrs D. Cocker, Mrs J. 0. Southall and Mr R. Tovey for skilled technical assistance and to Miss B. McNeill for typing the manuscript. This study was supported in part by the Medical Research Council.
FETAL HAZARDS OF THE INTRAUTERINE PRESSURE CATHETER: FIVE CASE REPORTS
Authors: Trudinger B. J. , Pryse‐Davies J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryFive patients with fetal complications associated with the use of an intrauterine pressure catheter in labour are described. In four, a fetal vessel was punctured either by the catheter or its introducing sheath. In the remaining patient, cord compression resulted from entanglement with the catheter. These problems may by minimized by a careful catheter introduction technique.
MATERNAL PLASMA ALPHA‐FETOPROTEIN SCREENING FOR FETAL NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS
Authors: Brock D. J. H. , Scrimgeour J. B. , Steven J. , Barron Lillas , Watt Muriel 
Published: August 2005

SummaryMaternal plasma alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) screening for fetal neural tube defects (NTD) was used as a part of routine antenatal care in three hospitals over a 26 month period. Blood samples were obtained for plasma AFP measurement at 15 to 20 weeks gestation from 6377 women, representing 79 per cent of antenatal bookings. The outcome of pregnancy was ascertained in 96 per cent of patients: 13 cases of anencephaly and 7 of open spina bifida were detected by plasma screening and a further 3 cases of open NTD through the mother's previous medical history and amniotic fluid determination. Four fetuses with open NTDs and four with closed NTDs were not detected by plasma AFP measurement and the detection efficiency for open NTDs was thus 83 per cent. Integration of screening into the existing pattern of antenatal care required only minor alterations in clinic schedules. Some extra time was needed for explanation of the objectives of the study, for ultrasound examination and for amniocentesis. Eight patients declined the offer of a plasma test, while only one refused an amniocentesis.
MATERNAL SERUM ALPHA‐FETOPROTEIN AND BIRTH WEIGHT IN TWIN PREGNANCIES
Authors: Wald N. J. , Cuckle H. , Stirrat G. M. , Turnbull A. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn 102 twin pregnancies the mean birth weight of each pair showed a statistically significant negative association with maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels early in pregnancy. Women with AFP levels of four or more times the median value for singleton pregnancies gave birth to infants with a median birth weight 660 g less than that of infants born to women with AFP levels between 1·0 and 1·5 times the median for singleton pregnancies. Maternal serum AFP has been shown to be an early predictor of low birth weight delivery in singleton pregnancies. Our results indicate that this is also true in twin pregnancies.
SIMPLIFIED MANAGEMENT OF PREGNANCY COMPLICATED BY DIABETES
Authors: Cassar J. , Gordon H. , Dixon H. G. , Cummins M. , Joplin G. F. 
Published: August 2005

SummarySimple methods for the management of pregnancy complicated by diabetes are described. Emphasis was placed on keeping patients out of hospital, good control of diabetes and vaginal delivery at 38 weeks: using these methods, there were nine perinatal deaths in a consecutive series of 101 pregnancies complicated by diabetes. Four of the perinatal deaths were due to the respiratory distress syndrome. The patients whose diabetes was diagnosed during pregnancy had significantly heavier babies (18 pregnancies, mean birth weight 3337 g) than the established diabetics (83 pregnancies, mean weight 301 1 g) despite significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels in the former and similar mean gestational ages at delivery. Mean fasting blood glucose levels for the whole series during the first, second and third trimesters were 9·0, 6·7 and 5·6 mmol/l respectively. The mean duration of antenatal stay in hospital for complications related to diabetes was 29 days. Diabetic retinopathy did not seem to be adversely affected by pregnancy.
HYPOVOLAEMIA, PRE‐ECLAMPSIA AND DIURETICS
Authors: Maclean A. B. , Doig J. R. , Aickin D. R. 
Published: August 2005

SummarySix patients with severe pre‐eclampsia were found to have low central venous pressures. This was considered to be an indication that hypovolaemia was present, despite concurrent generalized oedema. Treatment with sufficient intravenous saline and albumin, to restore the central venous pressure to normal, resulted in improved renal function and avoidance of permanent renal impairment in all cases. These observations support the view that diuretics should not be administered to patients with pre‐eclampsia.
THE PASSAGE OF FAT EMULSION ACROSS THE HUMAN PLACENTA
Authors: Elphick M. C. , Filshie G. M. , Hull D. 
Published: August 2005

SummarySix patients near term were given an intravenous infusion of a fat emulsion (Intralipid) a few hours before normal delivery or Caesarean section. Six other non‐infused patients were studied as controls. Maternal venous and umbilical venous and arterial blood samples were taken at delivery and analyzed for individual fatty acid concentrations in triglyceride, free fatty acid (FFA) and phospholipid fractions. The emulsion, being rich in oleic and linoleic acids, affected the composition of the maternal triglycerides. The fetal lipids were also altered and the infusions resulted in large positive umbilical venous‐arterial (v‐a) differences in FFA and triglyceride fatty acid concentrations, but this was not the case for phospholipid concentrations. The fatty acids with the largest v‐a differences were those prominent in the emulsion.
THE EFFECT OF SEX STEROIDS ON THE IN VITRO SYNTHESIS OF DNA BY MALIGNANT OVARIAN TUMOURS*
Authors: Darwish D. H. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis of 12 ovarian tumours was studied by means of short term organ tissue culture, exposure to tritiated thymidine and subsequent autoradiography and visual grain counting. The DNA synthesis in each tumour was studied before and after exposure to 12 separate hormone combinations. It was found that any combination of 17β‐oestradiol with either of the two progestogens used had greater inhibitory potential than when any of three hormones tested was used alone.
PLASMA UNCONJUGATED OESTRIOL IN LATE PREGNANCY : CIRCADIAN VARIATION AND THE EFFECT OF MEALS AND A GLUCOSE LOAD
Authors: Hull M. G. R. , Monro P. P. , Gillmer M. D. G. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryPlasma unconjugated oestriol (E3) concentrations were determined by radio‐immunoassay in 10 normal subjects in late pregnancy, throughout a normal day and night, and after a 50 g oral glucose load. There was a circadian pattern in E2 concentration characterized by an abrupt increase of 15 per cent at night. There was no significant rhythm during the day or night, taken separately. However there was a 10 to 11 per cent reduction in E3 concentrations soon after some meals and after a glucose load, possibly due to expansion of the plasma volume. Excluding the effect of meals, the fluctuation of E3 concentrations in individuals (median of the coefficients of variation) was 11 5 per cent in the day. Overall, it was 13·2 per cent in the day, 12·1 per cent at night and 15·9 per cent over the whole period studied. Since the variation in plasma unconjugated E3 concentrations through 24 hours was no greater than random fluctuations or day‐to‐day variation there is no need to restrict the time of blood sampling in clinical practice.
THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT OF PROPRANOLOL ON THE FETUS IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY SEVERE HYPERTENSION
Authors: Lieberman B. A. , Stirrat G. M. , Cohen S. L. , Beard R. W. , Pinker G. D. , Belsey Elizabeth 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA retrospective study is presented of the effect of propranolol on fetal outcome in pregnancies complicated by maternal hypertension. In nine pregnancies in which propranolol was given to markedly hypertensive women (diastolic blood pressure over 105 mm Hg) the fetal outcome was worse than in 15 patients using other hypotensive agents. The probability of fetal or neonatal death was related to the amount of proteinuria and the presence of parenchymal renal disease but was also significantly higher when the mother had been treated with propranolol. Experimental evidence suggests that beta‐adrenergic blockade is harmful to the hypoxic fetus, for these reasons the use of propranolol in hypertensive pregnancies complicated by placental insufficiency may be contraindicated unless there is no satisfactory alternative.
PREGNANCY AND NELSON'S SYNDROME TWO CASE REPORTS
Authors: Feeney J. G. , Craig G. A. , Hancock K. W. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryWe describe two patients with Nelson's syndrome in whom pregnancy progressed normally to spontaneous delivery of normal infants. One patient, who subsequently was found to have a basophil adenoma of the pituitary, developed diabetes insipidus in late pregnancy and the diabetes insipidus regressed spontaneously after delivery.
VAGINAL BLEEDING IN CHILDHOOD: A REVIEW OF 51 PATIENTS
Authors: Heller M. E. , Savage M. O. , Dewhurst John 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA search of the medical records at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street and Chelsea Hospital for Women, London, revealed 51 cases of vaginal bleeding in children under the age of 10 occurring in the years 1962 through 1977. The bleeding was caused by some form of precocious puberty in 37 patients (73 per cent). Eight of these patients had cyclical vaginal bleeding in the absence of secondary sexual development or advanced bone age. Fourteen patients (27 per cent) bled because of a local lesion and six of these had a malignant neoplasm of the genital tract.
THE ACUTE EFFECT OF SMOKING ON INTERVILLOUS BLOOD FLOW OF THE PLACENTA
Authors: Lehtovirta P. , Forss M. 
Published: August 2005

SummarySmoking a standard cigarette caused an acute decrease in intervillous placental blood flow. This change normalized within 15 minutes. At the time intervillous blood flow was depressed, heart rate and blood pressure were elevated and remained so throughout the study period. Repeated decreases in the intervillous blood flow could explain growth retardation of the fetus and some other complications of pregnancy in women who smoke.
PLASMA PROLACTIN IN PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION
Authors: Jenkins D. M. , Perry L. A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn a prospective study, plasma prolactin concentration at 37 to 41 weeks gestation in 45 primigravidae showed a significant correlation with maximal rise in diastolic blood pressure between levels at 7 to 16 weeks and those measured between 28 weeks and delivery.
A COMPARISON OF SALBUTAMOL AND ETHANOL IN THE TREATMENT OF PRETERM LABOUR
Authors: Sims C. D. , Chamberlain G. V. P. , Boyd I. E. , Lewis P. J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIntravenous salbutamol and ethanol were compared as treatments for preterm labour, 42 patients being assigned randomly to salbutamol and 46 to ethanol. There was no statistically significant difference in outcome between patients in the two groups, the mean delay in delivery achieved being 15 days with salbutamol and 20 days with ethanol. Neither treatment was very effective since only 10 patients given salbutamol and 14 given ethanol had their delivery postponed to 37 weeks or later. Salbutamol was more rapidly acting than ethanol but produced more cardiovascular side effects.
GROUP B BETA HAEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI IN THE FEMALE GENITAL TRACT: A STUDY OF FOUR CLINIC POPULATIONS
Authors: Embil J. A. , Martin T. R. , Hansen N. H. , Macdonald S. W. , Manuel F. R. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe carrier rate of group B beta‐haemolytic streptococci (GBS) was assessed in pregnant and non‐pregnant women attending four clinics. Multiple sites were sampled and standard methods were used to isolate GBS. Colonization rates were highest in patients attending a venereal disease clinic but were not associated with other sexually transmitted diseases. Higher colonization rates were detected when multiple sites were sampled. Serotypes II and III occurred most frequently.
CONGENITAL HYPOFIBRINOGENAEMIA AND RECURRENT ABORTION
Authors: Hahn L. , Lundberg P. A. , Teger‐Nilsson A. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA 26‐year‐old patient, who had had six consecutive spontaneous early abortions, is presented. The patient had hypofibrinogenaemia. The importance of a normal fibrin network in early pregnancy is discussed.
BIRTH WEIGHT STANDARDSINA COMMUNITY OF MIXED RACIAL ORIGIN
Authors: Grundy M. F. B. , Hood J. , Newman G. B. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA prospective study of approximately 2000 consecutive deliveries at a north London hospital, with a mixed population distribution of Caucasian, British and Irish, Indian and West Indian mothers was made between May 1975 and August 1976. Most of the results are based on 1322 births of known gestational age. Babies of Indian mothers were found to be approximately 300 g lighter than their Caucasian equivalents at term, and by United Kingdom birth weight standards, 15 per cent of the babies of Indian mothers were below the fifth centile. Birth weights of babies of West Indian mothers ranged between those of the Indian and the Caucasians
USE OF A PORTABLE REAL‐TIME ULTRASOUND SCANNER IN DISTRICT ANTENATAL CLINICS
Authors: Balfour R. P. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA portable real‐time ultrasound scanner was transported to nine district antenatal clinics up to 35 miles from the base hospital. A total of 100 patients was scanned. During a scanning time of five to ten minutes, measurements of biparietal diameters were obtained easily, and in most cases details of placental location, fetal movement and the fetal spine were obtained.
TRIPLET PREGNANCY
Authors: Daw E. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA series of 14 triplet pregnancies has been analyzed. The older triplet mother had a better chance of fetal survival than the younger mother. Parity did not appear to have much effect on fetal survival but the maturity of the infants at birth had more influence than did birth weight, on their survival. The interval between the delivery of the second and third infants did not correlate with the poor prognosis for the last infant. Spontaneous breech delivery appeared to have a worse prognosis than assisted breech delivery. There was a high incidence of girls and they appeared to do better than the boys. There was a high incidence of monozygotic twin pairs in these triplet pregnancies.
AMNIOTIC FLUID ALPHA‐FETOPROTEIN LEVELS AND THE PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS: A COLLABORATIVE STUDY OF 2180 PREGNANCIES IN THE NETHERLANDS
Authors: Kleijer W. J. , De Bruijn H. W. A. , Leschot N. J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAmniotic fluid alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations were measured in 2180 patients at risk of fetal abnormality because of previous history, family history, advanced maternal age, suspected fetal growth retardation and hydramnios. In 12 patients investigated before 20 weeks gestation, pregnancy was terminated because of a raised amniotic fluid AFP‐level: 11 fetuses had neural tube defects (NTDs) and one had a congenital nephrosis. There were no false negative results in the 1927 patients tested before 20 weeks and with a pregnancy of known outcome. In patients tested after 20 weeks, the amniotic fluid AFP concentration was raised in 20 cases of anencephaly, in 9 fetuses with severe congenital malformations without NTD and in one apparently normal fetus. Of 428 patients with a previous offspring who had a NTD, only 8 (1.9 per cent) again had a fetus with a NTD.
PULMONARY VENTILATION IN PREGNANCY*
Authors: Alaily A. B. , Carr K. B. 
Published: August 2005

SummarySerial tests of ventilatory function were made in 38 normal primigravidae during and after pregnancy. During pregnancy all patients showed major changes in tidal volume, functional residual capacity and residual volume. Minor changes were found in many other measurements, all of which occurred at an early stage of pregnancy. Most of the obvious alterations cannot be accounted for adequately by mechanical disturbance from the gravid uterus.