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Biomedical subjects

D M Jenkins

Publications and source records attributed to D M Jenkins.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Effect of intrauterine contraceptive device on uterine haemostasis: a morphological study.

The effect of the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) on uterine haemostasis was studied at various stages of the menstrual cycle in a series of 46 patients by light- and electron-microscopy and by following the distribution of an infusion of 51Cr-labelled autologous platelets. The endometrium in contact with the IUCD in the majority of cases showed grooving with atrophy and mild chronic inflammation in the surrounding tissues. The adjacent stroma also showed increased vascularity and occasional foci of haemorrhage but the increased blood loss associated with the presence of the IUCD could not be attributed to mechanical erosion or stromal blood vessels by the device. During menstruation the presence of an IUCD does not appear to inhibit the formation of fibrin/platelet thrombi although both in control and IUCD patients there was a striking paucity of platelet/fibrin thrombi in circumstances where their formation should be enhanced. In contrast to other workers we have not observed that gaps or breaks in the endothelial lining of endometrial blood vessels occur with any greater frequency in patients fitted with an IUCD. The principal mechanism by which uterine haemostasis is achieved remains to be established.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Heparin-like activity in uterine fluid.

Uterine fluid was collected from a group of normal patients and a group of patients with menorrhagia. Heparin-like activity was detected in 34 out of 38 samples using an anti-Xa heparin assay. The heparin-like activity in uterine fluid was inhibited by adding the heparin antagonist hexadimethrine bromide to the assay. Concentrations of fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products (FDPs) were measured in five samples of uterine fluid. FDPs in the concentration detected had no effect on the anti-Xa assay. Heparin-like activity was higher in the group with menorrhagia, although the differences were not significant. Heparin-like activity increased throughout the menstrual cycle and decreased during menstruation, suggesting a possible cyclical variation in activity. There was no correlation between mast cell numbers in the endometrium and myometrium and heparin-like activity in uterine fluid and no correlation between the numbers and the stage in the menstrual cycle. In a few patients with intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) heparin-like activity was increased.

Body Fluids↗
PubMed1978

Human leucocyte antigens and mixed lymphocyte reaction in severe pre-eclampsia.

Human leucocyte antigens (HLA) and mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) were studied in 38 women with severe pre-eclampsia and their husbands. Thirty-nine women with normal pregnancies and their husbands served as controls. Thirty-three of the control women were matched for age and parity with members of the study group. Infants were studied when possible. HLA compatibility was increased in the pre-eclamptic group compared with matched controls and with theoretical estimates for possible matings. The one-way MLR at delivery showed diminished response of maternal to paternal and cord cells in pre-eclamptic women. This reduced maternal reactivity in women with pre-eclampsia may have a role in the illness, and paternal/maternal histocompatibility may be a feature of the severe form.

Female↗
PubMed1978

Low thymic weight in small-for-dates babies.

The thymic weights of 20 growth-retarded babies dying at or about birth were found to be less than normal for their birth weights. It is suggested that small-for-dates babies that survive may be immunodeficient as are children who suffer from extrauterine malnutrition.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1978

Plasma prolactin in pregnancy induced hypertension.

In a prospective study, plasma prolactin concentration at 37 to 41 weeks gestation in 45 primigravidae showed a significant correlation with maximal rise in diastolic blood pressure between levels at 7 to 16 weeks and those measured between 28 weeks and delivery.

Female↗
PubMed1978

T- and B-lymphocyte subpopulations following radiotherapy for invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with cervical carcinoma were studied before and after radiotherapy. T lymphocytes were recognized by their ability to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes). Two surface marker characteristics were used to detect B lymphocytes: receptors for activated complement responsible for erythrocyte--antibody--complement (EAC) rosette formation, and surface membrane immunoglobulin (SmIg), readily stainable by immunofluorescence. We have demonstrated a significant depression of total lymphocytes after radiotherapy which persists for more than 5 years. This reduction in lymphocytes is due to a loss of E rosette-forming T cells, SmIg-bearing B cells and null cells. Absolute numbers of EAC rosette-forming B cells are not altered by treatment, and there is a rise in this cell type when the results are expressed as percentages of the total lymphocyte count. The possible functional immunological significance of these changes is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Production of fibrinolytic enzymes by macrophages on intrauterine contraceptive devices.

Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) were removed from 44 patients with a variety of clinical conditions, and incubated in culture media. Following incubation for up to 96 hours the total numbers of macrophages on each device were counted. The Lippes loop and Saf-T- Coil had higher counts than the Copper 7. The counts on all devices were higher at mid-cycle and during menstruation and significantly higher in patients with menorrhagia and intermenstrual bleeding (P less than 0.0005). Samples of culture media were taken on a number of occasions for up to 96 hours for fibrinolytic studies, and fibrinolytic activity increased with time in 10 of 16 cases where fibrinolytic activity was detected. There was a weak positive correlation between the number of cells on each of the 10 devices which produced a rise in fibrinolytic activity and the highest level of activity produced by each of the devices (r = +0.59; P less than 0.05). Plasminogen activator activity was maximum early in the incubation period, while plasmin-like activity predominated in later samples. The possible role of macrophages in IUCDs in causing menorrhagia is discussed.

Cell Count↗
PubMed1977

T- and B-lymphocyte subpopulations in pre-invasive and invasive carcinoma of the cervix.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with pre-invasive and invasive cervical carcinoma, other gynaecological malignancies and controls were studied. T lymphocytes were recognized by their ability to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep red blood cells (E rosettes). Two surface marker characteristics were used to detect B lymphocytes: the receptors for activated complement responsible for erythrocyte-antibody-complement (EAC) rosette formation, and surface membrane immunoglobulin (SMIg), which is readily stainable by immunofluorescence. There was a significant depression in T cells in association with invasive but not pre-invasive cervical carcinoma. The results for B cells varied according to the method used for their detection. EAC rosette-forming (EAC-RFC) were significantly raised in patients with invasive cancers but not in patients with pre-invasive cancer. SMIg-bearing cells were not significantly altered by the presence of malignant disease. The changes in E-RFC and EAC-RFC numbers were more marked in patients with extensive cancers. Possible functional implications of these findings are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Immunological aspects of the pathogenesis of pregnancy hypertension.

Changes involving the immune system may be instigators of, or consequent upon, disorders in other systems in the natural history of gestosis. The extent of the immune 'disorder' may not correlate with the severity of the disease as manifest in either eclampsia or fetal death. A number of variables, e.g. hormonal and genetic, could affect any immunological trigger mechanism or any secondary altered immune response. Thus attempts to find an immunological factor in gestosis that operates in all cases may prove unrewarding. Certain matings, immunogenetic constitutions, or certain feto-maternal immune relationships may predispose to a particular pathology and directly or indirectly potentiate other pathological processes. Others may either have no effect or conceivably have even a homeostatic effect protecting the maternal host from pathological change. The picture of the role of immunological factors in the pathogenesis of pregnancy hypertension is no more, as yet, than a few hesitant, unrelated lines. However, the lines are getting more numerous and stronger.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1977

Deficienty of specific HLA antibodies in severe pregnancy pre-eclampsia/eclampsia.

The paradox of the survival of the foetal allograft remains unresolved as does the aetiology of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia--the principle disease of pregnancy. In a prospective study of very severe cases of pre-eclampsia we have found significantly reduced antibody to paternal histocompatibility antigens. Lowered immune response to the foetal allograft may play a role in severe cases of pre-eclampsia.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1976

Patterns of antenatal care, perinatal mortality, and birth-weight in three consultant obstetric units.

Patterns of antenatal care in three selected consultant units in Britain have been analysed. The study shows that antenatal care operates differently in the three hospitals. Pregnancies resulting in perinatal deaths may not always receive appropriate obstetric care. Patients appear to be at an advantage if they receive consultant-unit care at some stage of their pregnancy.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1976

Chorionic haemangiomata and abruptio placentae. Case report and review.

A case of fetal death from abruptio placentae is reported in which the placenta was the seat of multiple chorangiomata. This association is believed not to have been fortuitous and a possible mechanism is suggested by which chorangioma may contribute to the pathogenesis of placental abruption. The incidence, morphological variation and clinical manifestations of placental chorangiomata are briefly discussed.

Abruptio Placentae↗
PubMed1976

Immunogenetic factors in aetiology of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (gestosis).

The evidence that genetic and immunogenetic influences operate in the causation of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (gestosis) is reviewed. The problems of definitive diagnosis are discussed along with the possibility of a multifactorial aetiology. The difficulties of differentiating trigger and effector mechanisms are also considered. It is concluded that there is evidence for a predisposition, probably genetic, operating in some cases, an immunogenetic mechanism in others, and chromosomal factors in a small group.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed1975

Histories obtained by two-stage questionnaire with automated transcript in specialist gynaecological practice.

A two-stage questionnaire which the patient completes at home has been developed for use by gynaecological outpatients. The first stage (root) identifies the patient's problem and obtains general background information. The second stage (branch) deals with the presenting problem in depth. The system has proved highly acceptable to patients. At the clinic a non-medical assistant uses a programmed typewriter to transcribe the data into a typewritten history which is handed to the doctor before he examines the patient. The transcript compares favourably with the conventional hand-written history in content, ease of assimilation, and cost. While the questionnaire itself is an excellent means of collecting information it becomes an efficient means of transmitting information to the clinician only when combined with the transcript facility. There is no storage of confidential information and no scope for unethical disclosure.

Adolescent↗