Use of endometrial measurement as an exclusion criterion for in vitro fertilization using clomiphene citrate

OBJECTIVE: Previous reports have indicated an association between endometrial development and pregnancy outcome for patients treated with clomiphene citrate (CC) in conjunction with intrauterine insemination or intercourse. We expanded the use of CC for ovulation induction in association with in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study was designed to determine if endometrial thickness should be used as an inclusion or exclusion criterion for CC-IVF. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred twenty-eight patients were enrolled in an ovulation-induction regimen using CC for expected IVF-ET between January 1992 and December 1992. A total of 81 patients met inclusion criteria for CC-IVF and had endometrial measurement performed prior to human chorionic gonadotropin administration. Patients were categorized on the basis of endometrial measurement as follows: (A) > 4 - < 7 mm, (B) > or = 7 - < or = 10 mm, and (C) > 10 mm. Standard IVF was performed, and pregnancy rates for each category were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 23 pregnancies (28% per retrieval) were established. Pregnancy rates were not different by category (P > .10, Fisher's Exact Test): (A) 3/15 (20%), (B) 13/41 (32%), and (C) 7/25 (28%). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that for CC-IVF. endometrial measurement should not be used as an exclusion criterion since pregnancies occurred at comparable frequencies in all the groups.     

A reappraisal of topical steroid potency

Topical corticosteroids have been one of the cornerstones of dermatologic treatment for nearly 40 years. At present the most widely used topical steroid ranking system is the vasoconstrictor assay. To determine whether this is a satisfactory measure of the agents' potency in clinical settings, we examined rankings from the published literature achieved by four different methods: vasoconstriction, clinical outcome, therapeutic index (a ratio of efficacy to systemic safety), and cost, safety, and efficacy. Overall clinical outcome (efficacy) rankings in this study corresponded in only 11 (62%) of 17 topical steroid preparations with the expected vasoconstrictor rankings. The therapeutic index rankings did not correspond with the clinical outcome (33%) or the vasoconstrictor assay (33%) rankings. It was difficult to compare studies because of lack of standardization of clinical trials. We urge that topical steroid rankings not be based solely on vasoconstrictor assays, and that a standard method be developed for clinical trials of the drugs to allow for comparison among preparations.     

Self-monitoring dysfunction and the schizophrenic symptoms of alien control

BACKGROUND: Frith & Done (1988) have proposed that the experience of alien control symptoms in schizophrenia is related to a failure by such individuals to monitor effectively their own willed intentions, actions and thoughts. METHOD: To examine this hypothesis, a heterogeneous group of 35 patients, all carrying a DSM-III-R diagnosis of schizophrenia (or schizophreniform psychosis) and 24 non-patient controls, completed a battery of neuropsychological and cognitive tests, which inter alia, included four putative measures of self-monitoring. Patients took part in a detailed clinical interview to assess current levels of symptomatology. RESULTS: Patients generally performed at a lower level on most components of the test battery, including the four self-monitoring tests. Moreover, patients currently experiencing symptoms of alien control tended to experience greater difficulty with each of the self-monitoring tests; an effect that was relatively independent of neuropsychological or general cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between poor self-monitoring and the presence of alien control symptoms provides support for Frith & Done's account of the origins of these symptoms in schizophrenia.     

Microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix

3-Deacetoxy-7-(alpha-amino-1-cyclohexenylacetoamido) cephalosporanic acid (SCE-100) was compared to cephalexin with respect to absorption, tissue distribution, and urinary and biliary excretion in mice, rats, rabbits and dogs. The absorption of SCE-100 after oral administration is generally slower than that of cephalexin, but its disappearance from blood and tissues is delayed. The concentration of SCE-100 in the liver is distinctly higher than that of cephalexin. These properties of SCE-100 are most clearly manifested in rats. There is no significant difference in urinary excretion of the two cephalosporins in rabbits and dogs, while in rabbits, biliary excretion of SCE-100 is more intensive than that of cephalexin.     

An Analogue-to-Digital Converter Employing Recycled Successive Approximations

The successive approximation technique is faster than most other methods of analogue-to-digital conversion. The main drawback is that it normally uses a multiplicity of high precision components. This paper describes a method in which the signal is recycled through the same conversion stage by using sample and hold circuits.