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Biomedical subjects

A M Flynn

Publications and source records attributed to A M Flynn.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Symptothermal and hormonal markers of potential fertility in climacteric women.

One hundred seventy-seven menstrual cycles in 36 women between 45 and 53 years of age were studied prospectively. All the women were experienced in the symptothermal method of natural family planning. The objective was to determine the symptothermal and hormonal indices of potential fertility by measuring urinary estrone glucuronide and pregnanediol glucuronide. Thirty-three percent had regular cycles consistent with potential fertility, 19% had cycles consistent with infertility, and 47% had a mixture of both types of cycle.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1991

Ultrasonographic patterns of ovarian activity during breastfeeding.

In this study, ultrasonography was used to detect follicular activity in lactating women, and these findings were related to the underlying hormonal profiles and to the mucus symptom. A number of different patterns of follicular development were seen before the women returned to normal fertile cycles during the period that was previously considered to be characterized by ovarian quiescence. Some of the transitory patterns of follicular activity were reflected in rising hormone levels and patterns of fertile mucus that were sometimes confusing for these lactating women who were using natural family planning.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1988

Detection of the fertile phase from changes in cervico-vaginal fluid volume.

Characteristic changes in cervico-vaginal fluid (CVF) volume which occur during the menstrual cycle might be used to detect the fertile phase. Twenty-five normal women were asked to withdraw CVF and measure its volume at home using a small, disposable, graduated vaginal aspirator. In 16 cycles day 0 (ovulation) was defined as the day of maximum follicular diameter according to serial ultrasound examination. A rise in CVF volume occurred between day -9 and -2 and a peak between day -4 and 0. In these sixteen, and in a further 72 cycles, day 0 (time of maximum fertility) was taken as the day of peak cervical mucus secretion. CVF volume rose, on the average, on day -6.2 (range -17 to -2) and peaked on day -0.8 (range -5 to +2). In two cycles, no rise and peak were identified. Changes in CVF volume were easy to recognise and could be useful to couples wishing to achieve pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Structural requirements for the neutralization of heparin-like saccharides by complement S protein/vitronectin.

S protein, a major inhibitor of the assembly of the membrane attack complex of complement, has recently been shown to be identical to the serum spreading factor vitronectin. It also neutralizes the anticoagulant activities of heparin. We have studied the structural requirements for the heparin neutralizing properties of S protein/vitronectin using heparin, heparan sulfate, and heparin oligosaccharides with well defined anticoagulant specificities. The abilities of heparin fractions, Mr 7,800-18,800, with high affinity for antithrombin, and of the International Heparin Standard, to accelerate the inactivation of thrombin and Factor Xa by antithrombin were readily neutralized by S protein/vitronectin. Binding and neutralization of heparin by S protein/vitronectin was inhibited by heparin with low affinity for antithrombin, indicating that S protein/vitronectin can interact with a region on the heparin chain that might serve as a proteinase binding site. S protein/vitronectin efficiently neutralized oligosaccharides of Mr 2,400-7,200, unlike the two other physiologically occurring heparin neutralizing proteins histidine-rich glycoprotein and platelet factor 4. Furthermore, S protein/vitronectin neutralized the anti-Factor Xa activity of a synthetic pentasaccharide comprising the antithrombin-binding sequence of heparin. High molar excess of a synthetic tridecapeptide corresponding to part (amino acids 374-359) of the proposed glycosaminoglycan binding domain of S protein/vitronectin neutralized high affinity heparin and some oligosaccharides, but failed to neutralize the synthetic antithrombin-binding pentasaccharide. Like platelet factor 4, but unlike histidine-rich glycoprotein, S protein/vitronectin readily neutralized the anticoagulant activities of heparan sulfate of Mr approximately 20,000. These findings suggest that S protein/vitronectin may interact through its glycosaminoglycan binding domain(s) with various functional domains of the heparin (heparan sulfate) molecule, including the antithrombin-binding pentasaccharide sequence. Furthermore, the results suggest that S protein/vitronectin may be a physiologically important modulator of the anticoagulant activity of heparin-like material on or near the vascular endothelium.

Antithrombins↗
PubMed1979

Unstressed antepartum cardiotocography in the management of the fetus suspected of growth retardation.

A detailed analysis of the antenatal cardiotocographs (CTGs) in 57 patients with suspected fetal growth retardation is presented. Four traces were normal and 53 were 'non-reactive'. 'Non-reactive' traces can be sub-divided into three categories, which, in order of severity are, 'suspect', 'flat' and 'ominous'. When compared with the 'suspect' group, perinatal mortality was significantly increased and the Apgar scores at one and five minutes significantly decreased in the 'flat' and 'ominous' groups. The presence of fetal distress in labour was significantly higher in the 'flat' group as compared with the 'suspect' group. Intrauterine deaths occurred only in the 'ominous' group. With experience, ten patients later in the series with 'ominous' patterns were delivered within 24 hours of the detection of such and nine infants survived. At follow-up between 6 and 34 months after birth, psychomotor development was normal in 47 of the 49 surviving infants.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1978

An evaluation of the continuous tissue pH electrode (tpH) during labor in the human fetus.

The subcutaneous tissue pH (tpH) of 31 fetuses has been measured continuously during labor using the tissue electrode designed by Stamm and adapted for fetal use by ROCHE Medical and Laboratory Systems. There were seven failures, 16 reliable readings, and eight erratic and low readings. Comparison of the reliable tpH readings with scalp capillary blood pH showed a correlation coefficient of 0.64 (p less than 0.001). Comparison of the last intrapartum tissue pH value and cord arterial blood pH showed a correlation coefficient of 0.86 (p less than 0.001). Difficulty in application of the electrode to the fetal scalp appears to be the biggest problem and this is also responsible for unreliable readings. Technical improvements and a substantial increase in the number of the available electrodes and accessory instruments are necessary before this procedure becomes a routine clinical tool in the delivery suite.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1978

Ambulation in labour.

In a randomised prospective study of 68 women in spontaneous labour half were allocated to an ambulant group and half to a recumbent group. The duration of labour was significantly shorter, the need for analgesia significantly less, and the incidence of fetal heart abnormalities significantly smaller in the ambulant group than in the recumbent group. Apgar scores at one and five minutes were also significantly greater in the ambulant group. More patients in the recumbent group required augmentations with oxytocic drugs. There was no statistically significant difference in the third stage loss in the two groups. Ambulation in labour should be encouraged: it may bring human benefits while allowing the advantages of hospital supervision.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Evaluation of fetal wellbeing by antepartum fetal heart monitoring.

The value of antenatal fetal heart rate monitoring was assessed in 301 patients. Tracings from each patient were classified as "reactive" or "non-reactive." Perinatal mortality, fetal distress in labour, caesarean section for fetal distress, and the incidence of low Apgar scores were all significantly increased in the non-reactive group.

Female↗
PubMed1976

Cervical mucus and identification of the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle.

Nine healthy fertile women were studied during 29 menstrual cycles. A cervical mucus grading system, assessed by the patient and used in conjunction with basal body temperature, was correlated with plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol and plasma progesterone. The results show that a patient can be taught to predict the time of ovulation by observing the changes in the cervical mucus.

Adult↗