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Biomedical subjects

C Hunter

Publications and source records attributed to C Hunter.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Assay of human erythrocyte catechol-o-methyltransferase activity with naturally occurring catecholamines as substrates.

This report describes a simple and sensitive radiometric assay for catechol-o-methyltransferase activity in human erythrocytes and other tissues. Saturating concentrations of the endogenous catecholamines and S-adenosylmethionine are used under optimum assay conditions. Erythrocyte catechol-o-methyltransferase activity is also dependent on storage conditions, as activity was lost at -20 degrees C but not at -80 degrees C.

Catechol O-Methyltransferase↗

Complete remission of idiopathic pure red cell aplasia. Case reports.

Two patients with pure red cell aplasia of undetermined aetiology are in sustained, complete remission after immunosuppressive therapy. In the first, short-term supplementary plasmapheresis was used during initial chemotherapy, and in the second, anabolic androgens were administered. In both patients haematopoietic recovery was temporally related to the withdrawal of the cyclophosphamide used to cause immunosuppression in the patients over a 4- and 6-month period respectively.

Adolescent↗

Idiopathic fatty liver of pregnancy with maternal and fetal survival.

A case of idiopathic fatty liver of pregnancy with survival of mother and child is reported. The management of this condition is essentially supportive; coagulation disturbances may require special attention. Maternal survival should be the major consideration and is favourably influenced by early delivery. Fetal monitoring aids obstetric management and may indirectly improve fetal survival. Evidence from the literature suggests that the condition does not usually recur in subsequent pregnancies.

Adult↗

Histone-histone propinquity by aldehyde fixation of chromatin.

Histones have been fixed within the chromatin complex using either formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. Evidence is presented which argues that in short time periods formaldehyde fixation leads to the formation of reversible covalent bonds between histone and DNA. On the other hand, fixation of chromatin with glutaraldehyde leads initially to the formation of polymers of F1 histone, and at a later stage of multiple small oligomers of the remaining histones. There oligomers then increase in size until they become too large to detect by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Exclusive formation of histone dimers or tetramers was not observed. The simplest model for histone distribution on DNA which encompasses these observations is one in which histones are organized as a fairly extensive linear overlapping array.

Aldehydes↗

Factors related to perineal trauma in childbirth.

We conducted an observational cohort study in three nurse-midwifery services to identify patient characteristics and clinical care measures related to perineal trauma at birth. Data were collected on all women who began care with a nurse-midwife in labor, using an adaptation of the Nurse-Midwifery Clinical Data Set (n = 3,049). Study variables included demographics, perineal management techniques and position for birth, and other intrapartum care and events. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that episiotomy was strongly related to fetal bradycardia, prolonged second stage, ethnic status, and maternal education level. Warm compresses and flexion/counter-pressure to slow delivery were protective. Spontaneous lacerations were influenced by these factors as well. The lateral position for birth was protective, and use of oils or lubricants and the lithotomy position increased lacerations, Multisite studies in nurse-midwifery practices may provide an ideal means of determining effective care measures in healthy populations.

Adult↗

Amniotic fluid epidermal growth factor levels in normal and abnormal pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in amniotic fluid (AF) from women during late pregnancy, with and without pathophysiologic complications. METHODS: All AFs were collected by amniocentesis from the following groups: gestational age at least 38 weeks (n = 15); gestational age 36-37 weeks (n = 10); gestational age 35 weeks (n = 5); labor 34 weeks or less, delivered within 7 days (n = 10); labor 34 weeks or less, undelivered (n = 10); chorioamnionitis (n = 7); gestational age-matched controls (n = 7); term, in labor (n = 8); term, not in labor (n = 8); intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) 38 weeks or more (n = 8); macrosomia at 38 weeks or more (n = 10). Epidermal growth factor was assayed using a specific radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid EGF levels increase rapidly in late pregnancy but are not altered by chorioamnionitis or by term or preterm labor. Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with lower EGF levels in AF, but macrosomia is without effect. CONCLUSIONS: Epidermal growth factor levels in AF are increased near term and decreased in pregnancies complicated by IUGR; they may be an indicator of specific maturational events.

Amniotic Fluid↗

The relationship of ambulation in labor to operative delivery.

An abbreviated version of the Nurse-Midwifery Clinical Data Set was used to gather data on all women (n = 3,049) who began intrapartum care with a nurse-midwife in three sites. Demographic information, intrapartum care, and outcomes were recorded. The association of ambulation in labor with operative delivery was examined in a low-risk sample (n = 1,678) of women who did not receive care measures (epidural anesthesia, oxytocin induction or augmentation) that preclude mobility in labor. Women who ambulated for a significant amount of time during labor (compared with those who did not ambulate) had half the rate of operative delivery (2.7% vs. 5.5%).

Case-Control Studies↗