The detection of psychiatric illness by questionnaire

Obstetrics and gynecology.

Serial hemodynamic measurements were performed in 13 women on two occasions before conception and then at monthly intervals throughout pregnancy. Cardiac output (CO) was measured by Doppler and cross-sectional echocardiography at the aortic, pulmonary, and mitral valves. Cardiac chamber size and ventricular function were investigated by M-mode echocardiography. CO increased from a mean of 4.88 l/min before the conception to a maximum of 7.21 l/min at 32 wk, the increase being significant by 5 wk after the last menstrual period. Heart rate and left ventricular performance increased during the first trimester. Heart rate increased further during the second trimester, during which left atrial and left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions increased, suggesting an increase in venous return. Derived values of total peripheral vascular resistance fell during the first 20 wk. These changes were associated with a progressive increase in valve orifice area and left ventricular wall thickness during pregnancy.

Serial study of factors influencing changes in cardiac output during human pregnancy

Patterns of gross fetal body movements over 24-hour observation intervals during the last 10 weeks of pregnancy

1. We assessed the relaxant effect of 17 beta-oestradiol (10(-7), 10(-6) and 10(-5) M) on rabbit isolated coronary arteries precontracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha (3 x 10(-6) M), high extracellular potassium (30 mM) and Bay K 8644 (10(-6) M) plus high extracellular potassium (15 mM) by measuring isometric tension. 17 beta-Oestradiol (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) induced significant relaxation in coronary arteries from male and female rabbits. No differences were seen between arteries with or without endothelium. There were also no differences between coronary arteries isolated from male and female rabbits. 2. Inhibitors of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and vasodilator prostanoids, namely, reduced haemoglobin, N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and indomethacin, did not affect the relaxation induced by 17 beta-oestradiol in endothelium-intact coronary arteries. 3. Methylene blue, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, did not affect the coronary artery relaxation induced by 17 beta-oestradiol. 4. The calcium concentration-dependent contraction curve in potassium-depolarization medium was shifted to the right by 17 beta-oestradiol (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) in the rabbit coronary artery and rat aorta. The -log EC50s of calcium in control and after incubation with 17 beta-oestradiol (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) were 3.7 +/- 0.09, 3.1 +/- 0.10 and 2.8 +/- 0.08 respectively in rabbit coronary arteries and 3.8 +/- 0.11, 3.3 +/- 0.14 and 2.9 +/- 0.15 in rat aorta. 5. The results indicate that 17 beta-oestradiol induces rabbit coronary artery relaxation by an endothelium-independent mechanism in vitro. A calcium antagonistic property may be involved in the mechanism of rabbit coronary arterial relaxation by 17beta-oestradiol.

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Endothelium-independent relaxation of rabbit coronary artery by 17β-oestradiol in vitro

Effects of vasoactive autacoids on the human umbilical-fetal placental vasculature.

Summary: The utility of screening patients attending a gynaecology clinic for emotional and social disturbances has been investigated. Ninety-seven patients completed 2 inventories dealing with mental state and role problems. Patients who showed evidence of psychological disturbance reported significantly more role problems, and were less likely to be given orthodox gynaecological treatment. Only 40 patients' conditions were clearly diagnosed. It is concluded that psychological screening of patients attending a public hospital gynaecology clinic provides additional information of an important nature in regard to their clinical management. Further research is necessary to improve diagnosis and treatment amongst gynaecology patients.

William A. W. Walters

Papers

Effects of vasoactive autacoids on the human umbilical-fetal placental vasculature.

Screening for Psychological Disturbance amongst Gynaecology Patients

A trial of oral ritodrine for the prevention of premature labour.

Human luteal tissue prostaglandins, 17β-estradiol, and progesterone in relation to the growth and senescence of the corpus luteum*

Methods of recording fetal movement.