Acta obstetrica et gynaecologica Japonica最新文献

A simple and sensitive procedure for the quantitative estimation of pulmonary surfactants in the amniotic fluid is described. The method is based on the formation of turbidity from the amniotic fluid surfactants with phenol. Amniotic fluid drawn through an intrauterine catheter was centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 5 min. One ml of 5% aqueous phenol solution was added to 1.0 ml of the diluted supernatant. Control solution was prepared by addition of 1.0 ml of distilled water to the supernatant, instead of phenol solution. The turbidity was measured spectrophotometrically against control at 340 nm 5 to 10 min after agitation on a Vortex mixer for 5 sec. The turbidity obtained from amniotic fluid with phenol was proportional to the increase in total phospholipids in the fluid measured enzymatically. Moreover, only lecithin in the phospholipids was related to the turbidity formation. Sphyngomyelin, lysolecithin, phosphatidylethanolamin did not produce any turbidity with phenol. The spectrophotometric reading of 87 cases (31-41 weeks) was ranged at 0.18-3.52. Four cases with lower value (0.40) showed neonatal respiratory problem. The phenol turbidity test is more useful for the detection of fetal lung maturity comparing with the generally used shake test.

Microglandular hyperplasia which may not be familiar in this country is a polypoid lesion of the cervix and has been noticed as the lesion sustained by contraceptive pills. The retrospective study was performed to clarify whether or not this lesion have been enclosed into diagnosis of cervical polyp at routine clinic. 1. Among 895 cases of cervical polyp resected at our clinic during 7 years from 1971, 7 microglandular hyperplasias were found, showing 0.8% of the incidence. 2. Ages of the 7 patients ranged from 42 to 52 years, and the average was 45.7. Three cases complained of metrorrhagia. 3. One woman was taking oral contraceptives and the other was on hormonal therapy. No patient was pregnant. 4. Polyps with microglandular hyperplasia were usually above the size of small finger tip. In one case, a large papillary mass (3.0 x 3.5 cm) resembling to carcinoma of the cervix was experienced. 5. There were no characteristic findings in cytology except a case with enlarged and vesicular cells. 6. Histologically, the lesion consists of numerous microglandular spaces lined by regular cuboidal or flat cells without atypism. The eosinophilic cytoplasms are not vacuolated. Glands are not clearly demarcated from edematous stroma. This change may be mistaken for adenocarcinoma.

Our previous report attempted to verify the pathogenesis and histogenesis of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) resulted in the production of multiple subperitoneal nodules simulating the disseminated pattern of LPD, when guinea pigs were treated with various doses of estradiol benzoate (E) [40, 80, 100, 200 micrograms/day, thrice a week, intramuscular injection (i.m.)] for a minimum of three months. Ultrastructurally, the nodules were considered to be composed of the cells resembling fibroblast. However, the nodules of clinically observed LPD were considered to contain not only fibroblasts but also smooth muscle and decidua-like cells. Therefore, for the purpose of inducing smooth muscle and decidua-like cells in the previously prepared nodules in the guinea pig, progesterone treatments were added. Guinea pigs pretreated with E (100 micrograms/day, thrice a week, i.m.) for three months followed by the combination treatment E and progesterone (P) [0.5, 1.0 mg/day, once a week, i.m.] for one to three months produced the nodules similar to that produced by estrogen alone. Ultrastructurally, these nodules were considered to be composed of the cells resembling smooth muscle and decidual cell. From these results, I assumed that estrogen differentiates and proliferates the cells of the features of fibroblast-like cells from subcoelomic mesenchyme which have further capacity to differentiate into smooth muscle and endometrial stroma, and they are differentiated into smooth muscle-like cells and decidua-like cells under both influences of estrogen and progesterone, resulting in the production of multiple subperitoneal nodules.

In order to investigate the role of oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandins (PGs) in the mechanism of labor onset, changes of OT and PGs levels in human plasma were evaluated before labor, soon after the labor onset, and at the time of established labor in the following three groups. Group 1 consisted of 6 cases with spontaneous labor, group 2, of 6 cases with induced labor with PGF2 alpha drip infusion, and group 3, of 5 cases with induced with PGE2 vaginal suppository. OT concentrations were measured by RIA, PGE1, PGE2, and PGF2 alpha were extracted and determined by Inagawa's method. Levels of OT in group 1 were divided into two subgroups: subgroup 1 with high OT levels (24.0-116.2 microunits/ml) and subgroup 2 with low OT levels (below 7.2 microunits/ml) throughout labor. Changes of PGs level in subgroup 1 showed no definite tendency during labor, suggesting that OT appears to play the leading role in spontaneous labor. Those in subgroup 2 showed a particular behavioral pattern during labor, suggesting an important role played by PGs for the onset of labor following rupture of the membranes. The results of groups 2 and 3 are fully discussed in terms of labor process.

The nature, in particular the transplantability of granulosa cell tumors induced in mice by intrasplenic ovarian grafting was investigated. Female mice were ovariectomized and received autoplastic ovarian grafts into the spleens. The animals were killed at various periods from 2 to 12 months after grafting and the size of intrasplenic ovarian nodules was measured. There was an approximate liner increase in the size of intrasplenic ovarian grafts with passage of time. Intrasplenic ovarian tumors were transplanted subcutaneously into intact male mice. About two-thirds or more intrasplenic ovarian tumors over 1.0 cm in diameter were transplantable. The larger the intrasplenic ovarian grafts, the greater was the estrous reaction in the vaginal smears. All animals bearing the grafts over 1.0 cm in diameter showed reaction. Once intrasplenic ovarian grafts grow to the extent that estrogen is released with no complete inactivation by the liver, estrogens would escape into the general circulation. Inhibiting excessive release of pituitary gonadotropins. It is considered that intrasplenic ovarian tumors become transplantable when they grow autonomously, even if the excessive release of pituitary gonadotropins is inhibited.

The properties of pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) were examined in urines of pregnant women. Two cross-reactive substances with rabbit antisera to SP1 were observed in the urines of pregnant woman. By agar gel immunodiffusion method two lines were formed and by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) double rings were detected in concentrated pregnancy urines. The immunoprecipitate of the inner ring in SRID was distinct, while that of the outer ring was rather indistinct, compared with the former. The substance to make inner ring (tentatively called SP1-A) was found to be the same as SP1 in pregnant serum. The SP1-like substance to make outer ring (tentatively called SP1-B) appeared to be specific to pregnant urine. Although the precipitation lines of urinary SP1 were slightly different from that of serum SP1, both Sp1-A and SP1-B were migrated towards the beta 1-globulin region in immunoelectrophoresis. The molecular weights were estimated by gel filtration method and calculated to be 110,000 for SP1-A and 75,000 for SP1-B, respectively.

Anterior (AHD), or complete (CHD) hypothalamic deafferentation was performed in female rats to ascertain the origin of LHRH in the arcuate median eminence region (ARC-ME). Furthermore, effects of estrogen on the distribution and content of hypothalamic LHRH in AHD castrated rats were examined to elucidate the mechanism of feedback action of estrogen. Hypothalamic tissues were sectioned serially at 220 micrometers in thickness in the frontal plane and LHRH activity in each section was measured by RIA. AHD induced a significant reduction of LHRH in the ARC-ME. The reduction of LHRH was more prominent in CHD rats. In control castrated rats, serum LH significantly decreased 24 hr and 48 hr after estrogen treatment, and subsequently increased, accompanied with reciprocal change of LHRH in the ARC-ME. Conversely, estrogen caused continuous suppression of serum LH with elevated LHRH content in the ARC-ME of AHD rats. In conclusion, considerable amount of LHRH in the ARC-ME is synthesized in the preoptic area (POA) and transported to the ARC-ME, and some part of LHRH in the ARC-ME is produced in the ARC-ME itself. Axonal transport of LHRH from the POA to the ARC-ME is essential for positive feedback action of estrogen. Moreover, estrogen is suggested to act on the hypothalamus, initially by inhibiting the release of LHRH, which results in subsequent release of LHRH after the disappearance of this temporary inhibition.

One hundred and three patients with dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, or microinvasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix were treated with cryosurgery during 8 years from 1972 to 1978. Twenty-nine patients underwent several types of operations during 4-41 days (mean 18 days) after cryosurgery, and 74 patients were followed for 3-78 months (mean 3 years) after treatment. Seventy-six per cent of the patients who underwent an operation had residual lesions in their histologic materials. Seventy per cent of the patients who were followed, on the other hand, showed consecutively negative cytology and pathology after cryosurgery. It is necessary for the more effective management of CIN with cryosurgery to perform endocervical curettage in every case, to select small lesion for treatment, and to use more powerful method of cryocauterization.

Twenty-two Japanese women with herpes genitalis were examined for subpopulations of peripheral lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulin and immune skin tests. The number of "active" T lymphocytes was significantly less in those with herpes genitalis, as compared to the healthy controls. Differences between the number of "total" T lymphocytes and "total" B lymphocytes between the patients and controls were nil. The levels of serum IgA and IgM were increased in patients with herpes genitalis. Mean diameter of both PPD and PHA skin test in patients was within normal ranges. These findings suggest that to some extent, the cellular immunity associated with "active" T lymphocyte is suppressed in patients with herpes genitalis. The significance of the elevated serum IgA and IgM is now being investigated.

In the present study, we investigated the possibility of primary cultured tumor cells to be used for tumor models of cancer research. Biopsies were obtained from 46 patients with a diagnosis of uterine cancer, 15 specimens were obtained from normal epithelium to serve as controls. All of the cultured cells were left for 7 days-21 days and observed under light or electron microscopes. Lag periods and capacity of development in benign and malignant cultures were similar. In cultures of malignant cells, overlapping of the cell borders were observed at various areas. Enlargements of the nucleus, the cytoplasm and the nucleolus were proved in comparing malignant cells in culture with there in vivo counterparts. In most cultures of well differentiated types of tumor, ultrastructural or cellular evidence of differentiation were retained. Tonofibrils were more numerous in the keratinizing type of squamous cell carcinoma in vitro. Glandular structures were observed in well differentiated adenocarcinoma cells in vitro. No correlation was present between the growth pattern and histological types of cervical squamous carcinoma. Lack of cell cohesion was present in cultured adenocarcinoma cells.