Effect of combined hormonal oral contraceptives on several body systems

Euonymus Sieboldiana seeds possess a lectin for human erythrocytes with anti-B specificity. Lectin fractions with strong agglutinating activity were separated by ammonium sulphate precipitation from blood group H-like substance, which is coexistent in the same seeds. The lectin has properties resembling a complete agglutinin, being non-dialysable, inactivated by heat treatment at 70 degrees C and specific for D-galactoside.     

Behavior of heparinocytes and of fibrinolytic degradation products after discontinuation of hormonal contraceptives

After cessation of hormonal contraception a quick adaptation of the heparinocyte values to the normal menstrual phase course appears, but the values occur at a higher level. Fibrinolytic split products in the blood are really elevated nearly without exception in the first 4 to 6 weeks after ceasing of hormonal contraception. Foremost after the first spontaneous menstrual bleeding they are at a normal level.     

Male contraception: hormonal, mechanical and other

This study tested the hypothesis that depression, anxiety, and bizarre thought content, as measured by MMPI-2 scales, would show a negative relationship with performance on widely used measures of executive functioning. Subjects were 70 male psychiatric patients who were ostensibly free of any neurologic disease or history of substance abuse. Correlational analyses were performed between age and education-corrected scores on the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (FAS), Design Fluency, and WISC-R Mazes, and scores on MMPI-2 scales D, PT, Anxiety, Fears, Obsessional Thinking, Depression, and Bizarre Mentation. The findings suggest that fluency and maze performance is (1) largely independent of measures of depression (D, DEP) and bizarre mentation (BIZ); (2) mildly associated with a measure of generalized anxiety (ANX); and (3) strongly related to an MMPI-2 measure of fearfulness (FRS).     

Arterial pressures in non-pregnant women of child-bearing age in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

The range of arterial pressures in non-pregnant women between the ages of 15 and 44 years in Ile-Ife, Western Nigeria, has been determined from a randomly selected group of 626 women. The survey showed a low range of arterial pressures in the women. Blood pressures within the group showed a tendency to rise with age except in those who were aged 40 to 44 years, where the small numbers may have yielded the unexpected lower arterial pressure levels. Parity did not seem to have exerted any clear influence on the blood pressures of the subjects. The exception is in the age group 30 to 34 years where increasing parity was associated with a lower systolic blood pressure. The results of the survey suggested that essential hypertension and chronic renal disease were not likely to be significant factors in the high incidence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in the community.     

Blood pressure in women using oral contraceptives: results from the Health Survey for England 1994

Phenylarsonic compounds have been used as poultry and swine feed additives for the purpose of growth promotion and disease prevention. Owing to the lack of suitable analytical methods, however, knowledge of their metabolism, environmental fate and impact remains incomplete. In order to compensate for this, analytical procedures were developed that allow the speciation of arsenic animal feed additives by using microbore high-performance liquid chromatography (microHPLC) coupled on-line with ICP-MS. More specifically, reversed-phase (RP) chromatographic methods were optimised to achieve the separation of various phenylarsonic acids from each other and from the more toxic inorganic arsenic compounds. This mode of chromatography, however, exhibits limitations, especially in the presence of naturally occurring organoarsenic compounds. The application of RP ion-pairing chromatography eliminates such shortcomings by minimising the co-elution of arsenic species. In general, the microHPLC-ICP-MS methods developed in this study provide high selectivity, extremely good sensitivity, low limits of detection (low-ppb or sub-pg amounts of As), require small sample volumes (< 1 microliter), minimise waste and operate most efficiently under low mobile-phase flow rates (15-40 microliters min-1), which are compatible for use with other types of mass spectrometers, e.g., electrospray. Reference materials containing naturally occurring arsenic compounds were spiked with phenylarsonic compounds and then analysed by using the procedures developed in this study.     

Menstrual cycle and premenstrual syndrome: Modifiers of cardiovascular reactivity in women.

15 women prospectively diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and 15 non-PMS women were each tested twice for cardiovascular stress reactivity and behavioral performance, once during the follicular phase and once during the luteal phase of their cycle. Although blood pressure and heart rate responses to stress did not differ across the menstrual cycle in either group of women, for the non-PMS women, differences in hemodynamic responses were observed across the 2 phases. The luteal phase was associated with greater stroke volume responses and lesser vascular tone. For the PMS women, none of their cardiovascular measures differed across their cycle. Instead, these women showed significantly attenuated blood pressure and heart rate responses compared with non-PMS women, irrespective of cycle phase. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multicenter study of endocrine function and plasma lipids and lipoproteins in women using oral contraceptives containing desogestrel progestin. UK Desogen Study Group

Deregulated cell proliferation is a key factor in malignancy and therefore may be of prognostic significance. Both Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and silver binding Argyrophilic Nucleolar Organizer Regions (AgNORs) have been established as a valuable reflection of the tissue proliferative compartment and hence could be of value in studying the biologic behavior of malignant cells. In the present study, we evaluated the proliferative activity of 120 infiltrating duct carcinomas by analysing for PCNA and AgNOR expression in relation to pathologic variables. The AgNOR scores were significantly greater in the malignant tissue than in benign lesions. Expression of PCNA was also found to be increased in malignant breast tumors, when compared to controls. A strong positive correlation between PCNA immunoreactivity and AgNORs was evident. There was also a positive correlation between histologic grading and AgNOR score in breast cancer (r = 0.92, p = 0.000). Tumor with elevated AgNOR counts were often poorly differentiated. It is therefore apparent that evaluation of AgNORs and PCNA may help in the elaboration of histopathologic grading of infiltrating duct carcinoma and may be of prognostic significance.     

Vitamin B12, folic acid, ferritin and haemoglobin status of rural women in child-bearing age in northeast Thailand

Serum vitamin B12, folic acid, ferritin and haematological variables were investigated in six hundred and seven women from 12 villages of 3 districts namely Chumpae, Srichumpu and Pupaman of Khon Kaen province, Northeast Thailand within the age range of 15-45 years. The cut-off point of haemoglobin concentration < 12 g/dl was applied for defining the normal and anaemic group (17.3%). The result showed that the concentration of ferritin, folic acid and vitamin B12 in the anaemic group were less than that of the normal group. Forty six out of 607 women or 7.6 per cent were found to be undernourished and 27.2 per cent of females were overnourished. The prevalence of deficiencies of vitamin B12, folic acid and ferritin were 6.3 per cent, 4.3 per cent and 12.5 per cent respectively.     

A cytogenetic study in women who had used oral contraceptives and in their progeny

A study has been made of the chromosome numbers and characteristics of leucocytes cultured from mothers (a total of 77) who had taken one or more types of oral contraceptive, and their babies (108), and compared with similar numbers of control subjects. When the total cytogenetic results from test and control mothers were compared, no significant differences in frequency or type of chromosome abnormalities was observed. However, with certain types of oral contraceptive, minor differences in the numbers of chromosome abnormalities were found between test and control groups and the significance of these findings are discussed. The only significant abnormalities observed in the babies from mothers taking oral contraceptives were slight increases in the numbers who had cells with less than 46 chromosomes and who exhibited chromosomal gaps. The number of abnormal cells was significantly higher in babies born to mothers who had been taking norethynodrel (Conovid) (4.6% abnormal cells in test babies; 2.0% in controls).     

Behaviour of ujoviridin exposure test (ICG) in conjunction with application of hormonal contraceptives (author's transl)

The effects of Ovosiston, Non-Ovlon, Anacyclin, Eugynon, and Deposiston, all oral hormonal contraceptives, on 75 women in fertile age and on the half-life of Ujoviridin (ICG - indocyanine green) were studied prior to treatment as well as late in the second, sixth, and twelfth cycles of treatment. ICG half-life was found to be extended in the adaptation phase only in response to Deposiston. ICG is recommended for time-related diagnosis of liver changes in women on hormonal contraceptives.     

Preimplantation hormonal differences between the conception and non-conception menstrual cycles of 32 normal women

We compared daily urinary concentrations of oestrogen and progesterone metabolites in paired menstrual cycles (conception and non-conception) from 32 women. Volunteers with no known fertility problems were enrolled in the study at the time they began trying to become pregnant. They collected first-morning urine specimens and kept daily records of menstrual bleeding and sexual intercourse for 6 months or until they became clinically pregnant. Intercourse in non-conception cycles was close to the time of ovulation so that failure to conceive was caused by factors other than poorly timed intercourse. Compared with non-conception cycles, conception cycles had a steeper early luteal rise in progesterone and higher mid-luteal oestrogen and progesterone concentrations. These hormonal characteristics may be markers of better quality cycles, but because all these differences were in the luteal phase, we cannot rule out the possibility that the preimplantation embryo had stimulated early increases in steroid production. We propose an analysis strategy that could help support or refute the importance of preimplantation embryonic signalling, but our small sample size limits our own conclusions about this mechanism.     

Upper airway muscle activity in normal women: influence of hormonal status

Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder with a strong male predominance. One possible explanation could be an effect of female hormones on pharyngeal dilator muscle activity. Therefore, we determined the level of awake genioglossus electromyogram (EMGgg) and upper airway resistance in 12 pre- and 12 postmenopausal women under basal conditions and during the application of an inspiratory resistive load (25 cmH2O . l-1 . s). In addition, a subgroup of eight postmenopausal women were studied a second time after 2 wk of combined estrogen and progesterone replacement in standard doses. Peak phasic and tonic genioglossus activity, expressed as a percentage of maximum, were highest in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (phasic 23.9 +/- 3.8%, tonic 10.2 +/- 1.0%), followed by the follicular phase (phasic 15.5 +/- 2.2%, tonic 7.3 +/- 0.8%), and were lowest in the postmenopausal group (phasic 11.3 +/- 1.6%, tonic of 5.0 +/- 0.6), whereas upper airway resistance did not differ. There was a weak but significant positive correlation between progesterone levels and both peak phasic (P < 0.05) and tonic (P < 0.01) EMGgg. Finally, there was a significant increase in EMGgg in the postmenopausal group restudied after hormone therapy. In conclusion, female hormones (possibly progesterone) have a substantial impact on upper airway dilator muscle activity.     

A comparison of the psychological and hormonal factors in women with and without premenstrual syndrome.

Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS; n?=?14) were compared with women without premenstrual syndrome (n?=?14). The diagnosis was based on the volunteers' responses to the Premenstrual Assessment Form, their medical history, a physical examination, and the Utah PMS Calendar. After assignment to the non-PMS or PMS group, each subject was studied for one menstrual cycle and was evaluated, once during the follicular phase and twice during the luteal phase. On each of these occasions, circulating concentrations of estradiol and progesterone were determined, and the Depression Adjective Checklist (DACL), the Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory (MMPI), and the Attributional Style Questionnaire were completed. Each subject recorded daily her physical symptoms on the Utah PMS Calendar. During the luteal phase, women with PMS had significantly higher levels of depression as measured by the DACL and MMPI than women without PMS. The two groups did not differ in the follicular phase. These findings suggest a luteal phase disorder superimposed on a background free of psychiatric or physiological illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

TORCH检测项目的宣教与优生优育

优生优育是计划生育具体内涵的延伸,是新的历史条件下对计划生育的具体化体现.优生就是让每个家庭都有健康的孩子.优育就是让每个出生的孩子都可以受到良好的教育和培养.做好优生优育既是提高人口素质的重要抓手,也是促进人口发展的重要手段,对未来社会整个民族的发展有重要的作用.优生优育的措施包括禁止近亲结婚、孕产期保健、遗传咨询、产前诊断等诸多环节.作为基层的计划生育管理和服务人员,坚持做好优生优育政策和知识的宣传,既是工作的基本内容之一,也是计划生育工作不断发展和优化的需要.我们在实际工作中,对已孕妇女开展了新生儿疾病筛查TORCH检测项目的宣传和教育,现将体会总结如下.     

The influence of digitalis glycosides on certain neural and hormonal functions in patients with chronic heart failure

Digitalis works not only as a positive agent in congestive heart but as a modulator of neurosecretion as well. Opposite to its positive inotropic activity the latter refers to small doses. It leads to restoring of the autonomic balance. Its effect is resulted from the increased vagal activity that suppresses the adrenergic tone. Disregulating of the neurosecreting system may occur in patients with left ventricular impairment even without symptoms of left ventricular failure. Digitalis then besides stimulating contractility stops the neurosecretion and may be used not only to improve hemodynamics but also to slow the process of progressive deterioration of cardiac function.     

Stroke and use of low-dose oral contraceptives in young women: a pooled analysis of two US studies

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The available data on low-dose oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use and stroke risk in US women are limited by small numbers. We sought more precise estimates by conducting a pooled analysis of data from 2 US population-based case-control studies. METHODS: We analyzed interview data from 175 ischemic stroke cases, 198 hemorrhagic stroke cases, and 1191 control subjects 18 to 44 years of age. RESULTS: For ischemic stroke, the pooled odds ratio (pOR) adjusted for stroke risk factors for current use of low-dose OCPs compared with women who had never used OCP (never users) was 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29 to 1.47) and compared with women not currently using OCPs (nonusers) the pOR was 1.09 (95% CI, 0.54 to 2.21). For hemorrhagic stroke, the pOR for current use of low-dose OCPs compared with never users was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.46 to 1.93) and compared with nonusers the pOR was 1.11 (95% CI, 0.61 to 2.01). The pORs for current low-dose OCP use and either stroke type were not elevated among women who were >/=35 years, cigarette smokers, obese, or not receiving medical therapy for hypertension. pORs for current low-dose OCP use were 2.08 (95% CI, 1. 19 to 3.65) for ischemic stroke and 2.15 (95% CI, 0.85 to 5.45) for hemorrhagic stroke among women reporting a history of migraine but were not elevated among women without such a history. Past OCP use (irrespective of formulation) was inversely related to ischemic stroke but unrelated to hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Women who use low-dose OCPs are, in the aggregate, not at increased risk of stroke. Studies are needed to clarify the risk of stroke among users who may be susceptible on the basis of age, smoking, obesity, hypertension, or migraine history.     

Differential improvement of cognitive functions in recovering alcoholic women.

In Study 1, 40 long-term sober alcoholics (mean age 42.15 yrs) performed at or near the level of 40 age-matched short-term sober alcoholics on several perceptuomotor speed tasks, at the level of 70 age-matched nonalcoholic controls on several complex problem-solving measures, and intermediate to the 2 groups on most measures, suggesting a differential improvement in cognitive abilities. In Study 2, the same neuropsychological battery (including the Beck Depression Inventory, Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices Test, and WAIS) was first administered to 25 short-term sober alcoholics and 25 controls and readministered to both groups 1.8 yrs later. Relative to the controls, alcoholics demonstrated deficits over both testings on all abstracting, visual–spatial, and perceptuomotor measures, although they did show a trend toward greater improvement on these tests in the follow-up. Results suggest that posttreatment drinking may be a variable of considerable importance in studies of recovery of cognitive functions in alcoholics. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Menstrual cycle characteristics and history of ovulatory infertility in relation to breast cancer risk in a large cohort of US women

Menstrual cycle characteristics and ovulatory infertility were evaluated in relation to breast cancer risk among 116,678 women in the Nurses' Health Study II, a prospective cohort study of female registered nurses who were aged 25-42 years and living in 14 US states at enrollment in 1989. During 396,299 person-years of follow-up between return of the baseline questionnaire and June 1993, 251 cases of breast cancer were identified in this cohort. The multivariate relative risk (RR) associated with age at menarche > 13 years compared with age < or = 12 years was 0.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44-0.99). Short and long menstrual cycle lengths at ages 18-22 years were associated with reduced risk. Compared with menstrual cycle length 26-31 days, the multivariate relative risks (95% CIs) for more extreme cycle lengths were: < 26 days, 0.50 (0.25-0.98); 32-39 days, 0.81 (0.51-1.28); and > 39 days or too irregular for estimation of a usual cycle length, 0.41 (0.18-0.94). The multivariate relative risk associated with a history of ovulatory infertility, compared with no such history, was 0.41 (95% CI 0.18-0.93). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that reduced exposure to ovulatory menstrual cycles provides a protective effect against breast cancer.