Some experiences concerning the effect of fetal respiratory movement (author's transl)

The effect of negative pressure by intrauterine respiratory movements of 115 fetal rabbits is examined between the 25th and 28th day of gestation. An intraamnial injection of Burri-ink with particles of the size between 20 and 50 nm and of a suspension of polyamid (size between 25 and 40 micrometer) in physiological NaC1-solution was done. Both markers are not inspirated during the time of 24 h p.i. However you can find them after 19 min in the circulated fetal blood. There is the same effect if you block respiratory movements by drugs. There is a correlation to the concentration of the markers in the amniotic fluid, but no correlation to the size of the particles of those markers.     

Studies on the measurement of uterine contraction by the impedance-variance of maternal abdominal wall (author's transl)

An electronic system for the detection of uterine contractions by impedance measurement of the maternal abdominal wall, where the placenta attached to the anterior uterine wall confirmed by using B-mode ultrasonic method, was evaluated in 74 subjects. Simultaneous recordings of uterine contractive activity with conventional external recording system were made. Impedance recordings were evaluated and compared with the external recordings. The available evidence from this study indicated that 88.31% of uterine contractions were accurately detected and the onset, peak and end of each uterine contractions was reliable parameters of impedance measurement. The uterine contractions which seemed to be weaker in second trimester and difficult to record by the usage of external method were clearly detectable by the method. However on the place of the maternal abdomen where the placenta was not attached, impedance recordings did not show corresponding response with each uterine contractions. It was indicated that impedance recordings on the localization of the placenta mainly represented the change of intraplacental blood volume following by uterine contractions. The advantages of this method consisted in the patients comfort and easy application of the recording electrodes, but the usefulness of the method was limited to the cases of anterior localization of the placenta, namely 50% of the whole pregnant women.     

Assessment of fetal lung maturity by immunological measurement of fetal pulmonary surfactant apoproteins in amniotic fluid (author's transl)

The pulmonary surfactant consists of phospholipid and 10% apoprotein. The lipid fraction has been extensively studied. The protein fraction, however has not been completely dissolved. We isolated the surfactant from autopsy human lung washing fluid and amniotic fluid. By SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the molecular weights of the two surfactant apoproteins were estimated to be approximately 36,000 and 16,000. The identity of surfactant fractions from both lung washing and amniotic fluid was demonstrated by immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. The pulmonary surfactant apoproteins in amniotic fluid was measured by using Laurell rocket immunoelectrophoresis. The pulmonary surfactant became detected from 32 week gestation in amniotic fluid, and its concentration increased significantly at 36 week gestation. The coefficient of correlation between surfactant apoprotein and shake test was 0.76, and that of between apoprotein and disaturated lecithin (DSL) was 0.61. Amniotic fluid contaminated with blood or meconium are often false positive results in shake test or DSL concentration. On the other hand, the apoprotein determination by Laurell's method, which however was too complicated to perform clinically, gave reliability regardless of the contamination.     

Studies on the mechanism of the onset of menstruation (author's transl)

It has recently been demonstrated that prostaglandins (PGs) play roles in human reproduction, especially in ovulation and menstruation. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the mechanism of the action of PGs upon the onset of menstruation. By measuring the concentration of PGs in human endometrium from the women with normal menstrual cycles, PGF2 alpha was present in large amounts in late luteal phase. The activity of PG-synthetase and phospholipase A, which are key enzymes of PG-biosynthesis, also increased in late luteal phase. PG-receptor which is thought to be important to biological action of PGs showed no remarkable change throughout human menstrual cycle. These studies clarify the possibility that there is apparent correlation between the onset of menstruation and PGs.     

IUD extraction using the Soonawalla method (author's transl)

If the string of an IUD is broken or lost, if the device is in an unfavorable position within the uterus, or if the device is bent or broken, extraction may be difficult. A modified Soonawalla hook was used to remove 167 IUDs between 1971-1981, 5.7% of the total of 2951 removals following 8524 insertions done by the authors in that time. 78 were removed as office procedures and 89 in hospitals. 95 of the IUDs removed were Beospirs made in Yugoslavia, 44 were intact Lippes loops, 8 were broken Lippes loops, 6 each were Gyne T and ML Cu 250, and the other 8 were of 4 different types. 152 were inactive, 3 were metallic and 12 were copper. Removals took place in hospitals if a previous attempt in the office had been unsuccessful, if another operation on the genital organs was taking place, if pregnancy occurred with the device in place, or if the IUD was a rare type, broken, or abnormally positioned. An X-ray and in recent years a sonogram were acquired before the removal. In 10 cases a hysteroscope was used to determine the position of the IUD. Average duration of the procedure was 2-5 minutes. Superficial abrasions of the endometrium were necessary in 14 cases in which spiral devices inserted after legal abortions at 12 weeks gestation or earlier had become embedded in the endometrium. In 1 case an M-211 metallic IUD inserted 12 years previously had become implanted in the myometrium and the uterus was perforated during removal. In general the postoperative course for all patients was without complications and did not require antibiotic therapy. Oral uterotonics were administered for 24-48 hours. Hospital stays were 24-48 hours, generally without fever or bleeding.     

Continuous cervix measurement (author's transl)]

A new technique has been devised for high-continuity recording of cervical dilatation during labour. The measuring principle is based on Hall's effect. The sensor is superior to conventional methods by its smaller dimensions and weight and the possibility of on-line processing. The new method is used in conjunction with cardiotocography to test the action of medicaments upon cervical behaviour and labour.     

Studies on immunotherapy of uterine cervical cancer by administration of schizophyllan (SPG) (author's transl)

This study was designed to investigate effects of immunopotentiator on cervical cancer. We administered schizophyllan (SPG) as immunopotentiator to patients of cervical cancer therapy with irradiation, and examined successively immunological parameters such as blastformation of lymphocytes, skin reaction of PPD, lymphocyte counts, concentration of serum immunoglobulins, and other clinical inspections. Moreover we examined ability of interferon induction of SPG. We also calculated and compared 3 year relative survival rate of the cases administered SPG and historical controls therapy with only irradiation. In patients administered SPG the results revealed: 1) an enhancement of stimulation index of lymphocytes blastformation with PHA, 2) an enlargement of skin reaction to PPD, 3) no effects to number of lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulins, liver function and renal function, 4) an interferon activity on patients' sera of cervical cancer after administration of SPG, and 5) patients administrated SPG had significantly high relative survival rate in comparison with the historical control of cervical cancer cases treated solely by irradiation.     

Studies into aetiology of hyaline membrane disease (author's transl)

The courses of gestation were re-examined of 171 newborns who had died of hyaline membrane disease. Premature births accounted for 91.81 per cent of the cases reviewed, while 73.24 per cent had undergone gestation between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. Premature placental detachment, hydramnion, and twin pregnancy were among the major factors contributive to gestational complications. Perinatal asphyxia played a substantive role in 53.21 per cent of all cases under review. In newborns delivered on term the development of RDS was in almost all cases attributable to acidosis. Early complications were analysed for newborns involved in steroid prophylaxis. The frequency of cerebral haemorrhage was nearly identical with findings recorded from a control group. A significant difference was not even recorded from cases of inflammatory complications.     

Screw electrode for fetal monitoring (author's transl)]

A screw-electrode for the cardiotocographic monitoring is described. Starting from the demands of an efficient screw-electrode the electric and mechanical attributes are explained. The clinical results demonstrate the efficiency of the new electrode. It takes of a feto-fetal ECG.     

Chorioangioma (author's transl)

Considering our own data and after reviewing the literature the following conclusions can be drawn: 1. In 0.41% of all births the incidence of a chorioangioma is to be expected. 2. Small chorioangiomas are much more frequent than large ones. In most cases, they occur solitary, only sometimes multiple. 3. Most of the chorioangiomas are located centrally in placental tissue or at the fetal side in relation to the chorion. 4. A classification of five histological types can be made: Type I: Endotheliomatous chorioangioma; Type II: Capillary chorioangioma; Type III: Cavernous chorioangioma; Type IV: Fibrosing chorioangioma; Type V: Fibroma. 5. There is no significant relationship to the mother's age. The incidence is higher in primipari. The rates of gestones as well as the rates of prematurity and still birth increased with these tumors. 6. Hydramnion as well as fetal complications are entailed with large or multiple tumors.     

Photolaparoscopy (author's transl)

Photocelioscopy, or laparoscopic photography, has improved enormously due to the development of photographic technology. The availability of new laparoscopes, new sources of light, especially intracorporal sources, new and more sensitive films, now enable teachers to use laparoscopic photography as a didactic tool in medical schools. The Polaroid method can be used for immediate documentation; with this method the quality of film development is of primary importance. Video cassette recording of laproscopic procedures can also be made.     

Prostaglandins (author's transl)

PGs (prostaglandins), a group of chemically related substances, are fatty acid derivatives found in the extracts of several mammal organs and tissues. With a high biologic potential and certain prevalently local, pharmacodynamic effects, they can be classified as hormones, coenzymes, or mediatory substances. The generic term of PG indicates the source from which they were 1st extracted, i.e., the male genitalia and their secretions. (Author's)     

Studies on the relation between the uterine contraction and the fetoplacental function (author's transl)

Uterine contractions were recorded with external tocodynamometer in the 2nd and the 3rd trimesters and their connections with various fetoplacental parameters were studied in view of maternal urinary E3, plasma P-LAP, CAP, E3, AFP and HSAP. The obtained results were summarized as follows; 1) During normal pregnancy, r between uterine contraction and gestational weeks was +0.45 (p less than 0.01). 2) Fetoplacental functions improved as gestational weeks advanced. 3) A relation between any two of the above-mentioned fetoplacental parameters during normal pregnancy was statistically significant except the one between urinary E3 and AFP. 4) The partial coefficient correlation between uterine contraction and urinary E3 was -0.36, while the partial coefficient correlation between gestational weeks and urinary E3 was +0.69. 5) In the threatened abortion or labor, the uterine contractions were more frequent (T0 = 5.4) and the urinary E3 was lower (T0 - 2.2) than in the normal pregnancy. 6) As for the within-day variations, when uterine contractions were frequent, urinary E3 was found decreased (X0 2 = 7.59). 7) Use of beta-2 stimulant lowered plasma E3, but its withdrawal increased the E3 level.     

Studies on the prostaglandin E2 receptor in human corpora lutea (author's transl)

It is known that Prostaglandins (PGs) have a specific effect on the corpus luteum function. In this paper we have studied the physical and chemical characteristics of PGE2 receptor in human corpora lutea to explain the mechanism on corpus luteum function. The presence of PGs binding sites in corpora lutea has been reported, but hardly any papers are available on the presence of PGE2 binding sites in human corpora lutea. The present study was undertaken to determine, using the proportion graph method, whether PGE2 receptors are present in human corpora lutea or not. The number of binding sites and association constant of PGE2 receptor to human corpora lutea of the luteal phase of the cycle and gestation were examined. There is evidence (1) that PGE2 receptors were present in human corpora lutea, and the binding sites have one specific and one non-specific binding system. (2) That the number of binding sites in early, mid and late luteal phase corpora lutea were respectively 105-157, 190-196, 162-190 f moles/mg protein. Association constants were 2.0-12.0 x 10(11) M-1. (3) That the number of binding sites of 6th week gestation corpora lutea were 98-100 f moles/mg protein, and those of 12th week gestation were 40-85 f moles/mg protein. Association constants of the gestation corpora lutea were 17.0-20.0 x 10(11) M-1.