Showing papers by "John Radcliffe Hospital published in 1978"
TL;DR: Of 1029 dilatation-and-curettage operations carried out in a 12-month period, more than half were in women aged under 40, and 38% were for menstrual disturbances, but postmenopausal bleeding remains an indication for mandatory uterine curettage.
145 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that measurement of PGFM concentrations is the most reliable method available of monitoring prostaglandins in the peripheral circulation and that great care must be exercised in the assay and interpretation of prostaglandsin levels in human plasma.
Abstract: Highly sensitive and specific RIA procedures have been used to measure prostaglandin concentrations in the peripheral circulation of late pregnant and parturient women. The concentrations of prostaglandin E (PGE) and prostaglandin F (PGF) in plasma samples assayed within 4 weeks of collection were not significantly different among the groups studied, the levels (mean ± SEM, picograms per ml) were: late pregnancy (n = 13): PGE, 4.8 ± 1.0; PGF, 6.2 ± 0.5; early term labor (n = 5): PGE, 6.8 ± 1.5; PGF, 7.9 ± 0.7; late term labor (n = 5): PGE, 5.4 ± 2.2; PGF, 12.4 ± 3.5; and preterm labor (n = 7): PGE, 4.4 ± 0.4; PGF, 6.9 ± 1.4. The concentration of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F (PGFM) in late pregnancy was 59.0 ± 7.8 pg/ml. During spontaneous term labor, the concentration of PGFM was significantly elevated (P < 0.01) to 142.8 ± 32.3 pg/ml in early labor and 282.7 ± 55.3 pg/ml in late labor. The concentration of PGFM in plasma from patients in preterm labor (62.7 ± 17.4 pg/ml) was not significantly different from that found during late pregnancy, but was significantly lower than levels found at term during early labor (P <0.05). The concentration of PGE increased significantly in frozen plasma samples stored for more than 4 weeks in all groups studied; the concentration of PGF was significantly elevated after storage only in the late pregnancy group (P <0.01). The plasma concentration of PGFM in all groups studied was unaffected by storage. It is concluded that measurement of PGFM concentrations is the most reliable method available of monitoring prostaglandins in the peripheral circulation and that great care must be exercised in the assay and interpretation of prostaglandin levels in human plasma.
122 citations
TL;DR: It was found that all the tissues studied (amnion, chorion, decidua and placenta) produced more prostaglandin E (PGE) and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostagland in F (PGFM — the major circulating metabolite of prostaglandsin F) than prostag landin F ( PGF).
109 citations
TL;DR: A radioimmunoassay for 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-ketO-PGF1alpha) is reported and measured levels are in good agreement following extraction of 0.25--4.0 ml of plasma.
99 citations
TL;DR: Patients with a history of two or more pregnancies which ended spontaneously before 37 weeks gestation had an increased risk of spontaneous pre‐term labour and delivery in future pregnancies, and there appeared to be no beneficial effect of cervical suture on the incidence of pre-term delivery.
72 citations
TL;DR: Evidence for qualitative changes in the expression of the peptide ‘family tree’ is reported for the first time in the rhesus monkey, which has a fetal adrenal comparable with that of man.
Abstract: THE pituitary hormone adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) belongs to a ‘family’ of peptides derived from a common ‘stem hormone’ (Fig. 1). Depending on the way in which the stem hormone is cleaved, the various peptides are expressed and it is possible that qualitative changes in the expression of the peptide ‘family tree’ may be responsible for the alteration in fetal adrenal function which precedes birth1. We now report evidence for such changes in the rhesus monkey, which has a fetal adrenal comparable with that of man.
68 citations
TL;DR: Human amnion, chorion, decidua and placenta produced 6-oxo-PGF1alpha when superfused in vitro, and this is the first evidence for the production of prostacyclin by an avascular tissue.
65 citations
TL;DR: A highly significant reduction in mean total blood loss during the treatment periods was observed, unaffected by whether therapy began on the first day of bleeding or in the late luteal phase, and was observed among both inert and copper‐containing IUCD‐users.
65 citations
TL;DR: Patients' assessment of each drug suggests that both mefenamic acid and flufenamic acid are more effective than the other analgesic for general relief of symptoms and for most of nine individual symptoms subjectively assessed by the patient.
59 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that prematurity per se is not associated with marked abnormalities in the ability of the neonate to synthesize or metabolize prostaglandins.
54 citations
TL;DR: 9 pre-term babies with patent ductus arteriosus and cardiac failure were found to have significantly higher plasma-levels of three prostaglandins (P.G.A.E, P.D.F, and P.F.FM) than a group of normal pre- Term infants of the same age.
TL;DR: The amount of upper airway secretions removed by suction alone was compared to that removed after chest physiotherapy in six neonates with a clinically suspected problem of increased respiratory tract secretions.
Abstract: The amount of upper airway secretions removed by suction alone was compared to that removed after chest physiotherapy in six neonates with a clinically suspected problem of increased respiratory tract secretions. More secretions were removed after physiotherapy.
TL;DR: Plasma somatomedin activity was determined by a rabbit chondrocyte bioassay in cord plasma from babies of between 37 and 41 wk gestation and a positive correlation (P less than 0.001) was found between plasma somatamedin activity and birthweight.
TL;DR: The concentrations of prostaglandins in Umbilical cord plasma proximal to the placenta were found to rise continuously from the time of delivery of the baby with no significant changes after cord clamping or placental delivery.
TL;DR: The concentrations of prostaglandins measured in foetal urine were significantly greater than those previously reported in plasma and tracheal fluid suggesting that the kidney is a major source of amniotic fluid prostaglandsins.
Abstract: ALTHOUGH prostaglandins of the E and F series have been measured in amniotic fluid from several species1–3 their principal site of synthesis remains uncertain. In man, for example, the decidua4,5 foetal membranes6,7 and myometrium8 have all been shown to synthesise prostaglandins in vitro and each may contribute to the prostaglandin composition of amniotic fluid. The foetal lung and kidneys secrete considerable volumes of fluid into the amniotic sac9,10 and hence may also contribute to the prostaglandin content of amniotic fluid. The levels of prostaglandins in foetal tracheal fluid have been shown to be much lower than those in amniotic fluid11 and it was suggested that foetal urine is a more likely source of amniotic fluid prostaglandins. The foetal kidney is capable of synthesising prostaglandins12 and there is a growing body of evidence that prostaglandins are intimately involved in renal function13–15. We have, therefore, measured the concentrations of PGE, PGF and 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F (PGFM) in foetal urine during late pregnancy in sheep and have further determined the osmolality, Na+ and K+ concentrations of foetal urine and plasma. The concentrations of prostaglandins measured in foetal urine were similar to amniotic fluid levels but significantly greater than those previously reported in plasma and tracheal fluid suggesting that the kidney is a major source of amniotic fluid prostaglandins. The excretions of prostaglandins were related to the rate of urine flow; the excretions of PGF and PGFM were correlated with osmolar and solute-free water clearances and Na+ excretion, whereas excretion of PGE was related only to the clearance of solute-free water. Prostaglandins may thus contribute substantially to renal function and volume homeostasis in foetal life.
TL;DR: Treatment by intrauterine or vaginal prostaglandins offers promise as a method of pregnancy termination which avoids much of the physical and emotional trauma associated with surgical termination, and has the advantage of not requiring hospital admission in the majority of cases.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the relative activities of the enzymes responsible for the conversion of prostaglandin endoperoxides to prostag landins, thromboxane A, and prostacyclin may be of great importance during parturition.
TL;DR: No significant associations were found between the severity of the conditions leading to induction and caesarean section rates, low Apgar scores, admissions to SCBU, or the favourability of the cervix before induction.
TL;DR: Maternal serum AFP has been shown to be an early predictor of low birth weight delivery in singleton pregnancies and the results indicate that this is also true in twin pregnancies.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the high somatomedin activity may have been a contributing factor in the excessive fetal growth of this child.
TL;DR: Using the peroxidase-antiperoxidases immunocytochemical staining technique, prolactin and growth hormone cells have been identified and described in the ovine pituitary and an increased proportion of larger granules was observed in the Prolactin cells post-partum.
Abstract: Using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical staining technique, prolactin and growth hormone cells have been identified and described in the ovine pituitary. The image analysing computer, Quantimet 720, was used to assess accurately the size range of the secretory granules in these cell types. The area size distributions of the prolactin and growth hormone granules are similar. An increased proportion of larger granules was observed in the prolactin cells post-partum. Serial sections stained alternately for prolactin or growth hormone confirmed that the cells contain either prolactin or growth hormone but not both.
TL;DR: It was found that all the tissues studied (amnion, chorion, decidua and placenta) produced more prostaglandin E (PGE) and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostagland in F (PGFM - the major circulating metabolite of prostaglandsin F) than prostag landin F ( PGF).
Abstract: Prostaglandin production by intra-uterine human tissues has been investigated using a method of tissue superfusion. Tissues were obtained at elective Caesarean section and after spontaneous vaginal delivery. It was found that all the tissues studied (amnion, chorion, decidua and placenta) produced more prostaglandin E (PGE) and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F (PGFM — the major circulating metabolite of prostaglandin F) than prostaglandin F (PGF). Amnion produced significantly more PGE (but not PGF or PGFM) than any other tissue. Prostaglandin production by each tissue was similar whether it was taken at elective Caesarean section or after spontaneous vaginal delivery.
TL;DR: In view of the very modest gonadotrophin suppression demonstrated in these women it is possible that Danazol also exerts its profound and sometimes rapid effects through inhibition of positive oestrogen feedback and by direct actions on the ovaries and endometrium.
Abstract: Summary: Multiple sampling was carried out in 4 postmenopausal women for measurement of LH and FSH before and at the end of a 1-week treatment period with Danazol (400 mg daily). A small but significant depression of FSH was found in 3 of 4 subjects, while a significant depression of LH was only seen in 1 subject. In view of the very modest gonadotrophin suppression demonstrated in these women it is possible that Danazol also exerts its profound and sometimes rapid effects through inhibition of positive oestrogen feedback and by direct actions on the ovaries and endometrium.
TL;DR: The vasoconstrictor nature of PGF may contribute to the morbidity associated with HMD and the possible therapeutic benefit from the use of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors is discussed.
TL;DR: Observations suggest that the measurement of AFP and SP1 may provide biochemical evidence of pregnancy without an embryo.
TL;DR: Serial measurements of peripheral plasma concentrations of progesterone and oestradiol‐17β were made in women with singleton pregnancies who were given intravenous salbutamol in an attempt to inhibit pre‐term labour, suggesting that the fall in steroid hormone levels was unlikely to be an effect of altered uterine or placental blood flow.