Absorption of menstrual discharge by tampons inserted during menstruation: quantitative assessment of blood and total fluid content

Summary. The simultaneous absorption of genital secretions and blood was assessed in 61 intravaginal tampons from eight young, healthy, nulliparous volunteers during menstruation. The tampons were selfinserted over the first 3 days of menstruation according to the habit of each subject. Wide variations in the amount of blood and fluid absorbed were noted within and between subjects. The mean amount of genital secretion absorbed was 0.31 g/h and that of menstrual blood was 0.76 g/h. The average tampon absorbed 65% blood and 35% genital secretion.     

Increased plasma HDL-cholesterol and apo A-1 in sedentary middle-aged men after physical conditioning

Previous studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol and coronary heart disease risk. In the present study we investigated prospectively the effect of a moderate physical conditioning programme on plasma lipids and lipoproteins, especially HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), the major apoprotein of HDL. Healthy, sedentary, middle-aged men were randomly selected and assigned either to a training group (n = 24, age 40 +/- 3.4, mean +/- SD) or to a control group (n = 13, age 39 +/- 5.0). Training consisted of various indoor and outdoor sports activities 45 min/day, 3 times/week for 12 weeks at an intensity of approximately 80% of measured maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max). The trained subjects were studied at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The training increased VO2 max by 12% (P less than 0.01). Increases were observed in both apo A-I (10%, P less than 0.02) and HDL-cholesterol (8%, P less than 0.02) after training, with significant increases already after 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. Furthermore, decreases in total plasma cholesterol (5%, P less than 0.004) and plasma triglycerides (26%, P less than 0.003) were found without changes in body weight, body composition, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption or the percentage composition of dietary intake. Fasting serum-insulin concentrations decreased significantly during training. No changes were noted in the control group. The present study demonstrates prospectively that moderate physical training can increase HDL.     

Absorption of menstrual discharge by tampons inserted during menstruation: quantitative assessment of blood and total fluid content

Summary. The simultaneous absorption of genital secretions and blood was assessed in 61 intravaginal tampons from eight young, healthy, nulliparous volunteers during menstruation. The tampons were selfinserted over the first 3 days of menstruation according to the habit of each subject. Wide variations in the amount of blood and fluid absorbed were noted within and between subjects. The mean amount of genital secretion absorbed was 0·31 g/h and that of menstrual blood was 0·76 g/h. The average tampon absorbed 65% blood and 35% genital secretion.     

Changes in Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide during Exercise in Healthy Volunteers

ABSTRACT. Thamsborg G, Storm T, Keller N, Sykulski R, Larsen J (Departments of Clinical Chemistry and Internal Medicine, Sundby Hospital, Copenhagen, and Department of Cardiology, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark). Changes in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide during exercise in healthy volunteers. Acta Med Scand 1987; 221:441–4. Graded exercise was performed in three healthy volunteers. Plasma levels of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide (iANP) were determined at different workloads. Unchanged or slightly decreased plasma levels of iANP were observed during light exercise, whereas at medium to high workloads a considerable increase in plasma levels of iANP was found. Factors responsible for the increase in plasma levels of iANP might include elevated right atrial pressure and increased plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine.     

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) increases vaginal blood flow and inhibits uterine smooth muscle activity in women

The human vagina and uterus are heavily innervated by VIP-containing nerve fibres. In the present study, we have measured vaginal blood flow, transmucosal oxygen tension and uterine smooth muscle activity during stepwise intravenous infusion of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) (0, 100, 300, 900 pmol kg-1 h-1) in non-pregnant women. Vaginal blood flow was measured by the heat clearance technique, transmucosal oxygen tension by an O2-electrode and uterine activity by a micro-tip pressure catheter in the uterine cavity. Arterial blood pressure, pulse frequency and the concentration of VIP in peripheral venous blood were monitored. VIP induced a concentration-dependent increase in vaginal blood flow. The transmucosal oxygen tension was not significantly changed by VIP. The maximum dose of VIP decreased systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure and increased pulse frequency. VIP inhibited uterine activity. These findings suggest that VIP participates as a neurotransmitter in the control of genital physiological responses.     

Poor Reversibility of EEG Abnormality in Hypotensive, Preterm Neonates

ABSTRACT. Twenty-four infants, 32 weeks of gestation or less, were studied with continuous recording of amplitude integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) and repeated Doppler ultrasound determination of the mean blood flow velocity in the internal carotid artery (cMFV). The recording was started after the initiation of mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress. Of twelve infants receiving blood or albumin transfusion to expand the intravascular volume and in whom adequate data were available, both mean arterial blood pressure and cMFV increased in eight, and cMFV but not blood pressure in further two. In the present circumstances we consider the cMFV increases to represent true increases in cerebral blood flow. aEEG burst rate increased distinctly in five of the twelve infants during or immediately following transfusion, but did only approach the level of the four non-transfused infants after several hours, indicating a dysfunction of neural tissue not readily reversible by improved blood flow.     

The prognostic and therapeutic value of second-look laparotomy in advanced ovarian cancer

Summary. Of 267 patients with ovarian cancer FIGO stages III and IV, 157 underwent second-look laparotomy after combination chemotherapy consisting of cis-platinum and cyclophosphamide with and without doxorubicin. At second-look operation 45% had macroscopic tumour, 15% microscopic tumour, and 40% complete pathological response. Survival 3 years after second look was: complete pathological response 74%; microscopic disease 24%; visible tumour <1 cm 28%; visible tumour >1 cm 17%; negative cytology 59%; and positive cytology 18%. Of the patients with macroscopic tumour, 29% had all visible tumour removed at second look. Three-year survival for these patients was about 45%.     

Validity of Clinical Symptoms in Benign Esophageal Disease,Assessed by Questionnaire

ABSTRACT. A questionnaire designed to test the value of questions identifying benign esophageal disease was sent to patients representing four well-defined entities: angina pectoris (n=30), benign esophageal disease (n=25), gastroduodenal ulcer or former gallstones (n=27) and normal subjects (n=38). By means of logistic regression, three key-questions were selected. A combination of an affirmative answer to “difficulty in swallowing solid food” and to “pain in the chest” or “heartburn at night” or both did not occur in the group of normal subjects, while occurring in 68% of the patients with esophageal diseases. The combination occurred in only 10% of the patients with angina pectoris and 15% of those suffering from gastroduodenal ulcer or gallstones. The predictive accuracy of the combination of the three questions is estimated for various hypothetic prevalences of esophageal disease. These questions appear to identify approximately two-thirds of individuals with esophageal disease with acceptable false-positive rates and can therefore be used in epidemiological studies.     

Necrotic Bullous Erysipelas

ABSTRACT During the last few years streptococcal infections have been reported in connection with various cutaneous manifestations with severe or fatal outcome. A 62-year-old female with chronic interstitial nephritis was admitted with progression of confluent bullous lesions on her right leg. She had contracted a superficial scratch on her right foot 2 days prior to admission. Within 16 hours she deteriorated rapidly with symptoms on sepsis. Blood cultures and cutaneous swabs disclosed growth of β-haemolytic streptococci group A. In spite of correct penicillin treatment she died 28 hours after admission. Skin biopsies from her right leg showed severe necrosis. This report is a reminder that new, cutaneous manifestations of streptococcal disease are still emerging.