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Biomedical subjects

G R Huggins

Publications and source records attributed to G R Huggins.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Volatiles of exogenous origin from the human oral cavity.

The volatiles found in the headspace above male and female saliva were examined by combined gas chromatography--mass spectrometry. This had led to the identification of a number of constituents of exogenous origin. The most likely source of these products are atmospheric and water pollutants as well as food stuffs and cosmetic products. Volatiles from saliva represent a potential medium for the detection of reproductive states as well as local and systemic diseases. Consequently, knowledge of compounds not arising from the body's metabolic process if important to prevent their identification as anomalous metabolites.

Adult↗

Endocrine, cardiovascular, and psychological correlated of olfactory sensitivity changes during the human menstrual cycle.

Signal detection measures olfactory sensitivity (d') and measures of blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, nasal airflow, and respiration rate were repeatedly established within approximately 2.5-hr test sessions held every other day across 17 menstrual cycles of women not taking oral contraceptives, 6 menstrual cycles of women taking oral contraceptives, and 6 equivalent time periods of three men. In addition, radioimmunoassay-determined serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estrone, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, as well as responses to the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), were established daily or bidaily throughout the study periods. Peaks in olfactory sensitivity were noted during the second half of menses, midcycle, and midluteally in women taking and in women not taking oral contraceptives. The lack of correlation between the fluctuations in d' and the circulating hormone levels in the group using oral contraceptives suggests factors other than gonadal hormones were responsible for these changes. Significant fluctuations were also noted across the cycle phases of the normally cycling women for all the hormones examined, as well as for body temperature, nasal airflow, and the MDZ Water Retention and Pain Scales. In the oral contraceptive group, very small but statistically significant changes were observed across the cycle in body temperature and in circulating levels of luteinizing hormone and estrone. Interrelations between a number of the variables were noted both within and across the test periods in all three subject groups. The results are discussed in relation to fluctuations reported in a number of sensory systems during the menstrual cycle.

Adolescent↗

IUD use and unexplained vaginal bleeding.

The Women's Health Study, a concurrent case-control study at 16 hospitals in 9 cities across the United States, examined the relationship between intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) use and unexplained vaginal bleeding severe enough to require hospitalization. There were 545 eligible cases and 3453 controls. Analysis of all patients showed no association between IUD use and hospitalization for unexplained vaginal bleeding. When cases were analyzed separately with regard to prior episodes of vaginal bleeding, those patients with a history of vaginal bleeding had a decreased risk of hospitalization. Among cases, no significant differences between IUD users and nonusers were found in rates of anesthesia, blood transfusion, dilatation and curettage, or hysterectomy. The significant decreased risk between current IUD use (within 3 months before the study) and hospitalization for unexplained vaginal bleeding among women with a history of vaginal bleeding may reflect selective nonprescription for IUDs related to past episodes of vaginal bleeding.

Adult↗

Adolescent contraceptive use: comparisons of male and female attitudes and information.

Information and attitudes about contraception and pregnancy were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire in a sample of urban Black teenagers. Data were obtained from 607 male and female students in high school health classes and a demographically similar group of 123 never-pregnant teenage women in a family planning clinic who had not attended these classes. Males were less likely to recognize the risk of pregnancy, had less information about contraceptives, and fewer attitudes that supported contraceptive use than females who participated in the same shool health classes. More males than females indicated that school classes had been the main source of contraceptive information. Teenage women in the family planning clinic did not differ from the high school females in attitudes about contraceptives, but the school group had somewhat more contraceptive information. The female school group was more likely to have discussed contraception with parents, obtained more contraception information from their mothers, and discussed contraception more with male friends than the teenagers who requested contraceptives at the family planning clinic.

Adolescent↗

Emotional distress patterns among women having first or repeat abortions.

Thirty-five percent of a sample of 413 women undergoing first-trimester abortions were repeating abortions. All patients rated their emotional symptoms on an SCL-90 scale and completed a brief demographic questionnaire. Preabortion and postabortion emotional distress factors and associated demographic characteristics were compared for women having first and those undergoing repeat abortions. Elevated distress levels were similar in both groups prior to abortion procedures, particularly depression, anxiety, and somatization. After abortion, repeat aborters continued to have significantly higher emotional distress scores in dimensions relating to interpersonal relationships. The variables that discriminated most between first and repeat abortion groups were number of living children, race, and phobic anxiety.

Abortion, Induced↗

Emotional distress in morning-after pill patients.

The self-administered SCL-90 test was utilized to collect emotional distress data on 120 female patients requesting morning-after pill pregnancy interception. SCL prescores were significant in anxiety, guilt and depression factors. The 2-week post-treatment results showed a significant decrease in these factors. This test provides reliable measurement of emotional distress factors in gynecologic GYN patients. The results must be considered supportive for the use of DES interceptive therapy in spite of other clinical considerations relative to its safety.

Affective Symptoms↗

A synthetic steroid (R2323) as a once-a-week oral contraceptive.

Five milligrams of the steroid R2323 (13 beta-ethyl-17 alpha-ethynyl-17-hydroxygona-4,9,11-trien-3-one (R2323) were administered orally once weekly to 28 subjects for a total of 138 treatment cycles. No pregnancies occurred. The predominant side effects were irregular vaginal bleeding, headache, weight gain, and acne. Administration of the drug was stopped by the investigator in four patients (14%) because of the onset of headaches. Four patients discontinued the drug for other reasons. In 8 of 26 subjects (31%), endometrial biopsy in the third treatment cycle showed secretory endometrium. This suggests a variable central suppression with the 5-mg dose schedule. Patients were enthusiastic about the once-weekly oral administration. This contraceptive may be useful in a select group of women.

Adolescent↗

Alterations in the organic compounds of vaginal secretions caused by sexual arousal.

The low-molecular weight organic constituents of human vaginal secretions from normally cycling subjects were analyzed both before and after sexual stimulation. Gas chromatography and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were employed in the analyses of the secretions. Consistent increases were noted for a number of the lipid constituents of the secretions, suggesting that they are derived at least in part from the plasma and transude into the vaginal lumen during arousal. In addition, the increases in the concentrations of glycerol and stearic acid with respect to baseline levels were significant (P is equal to and less than 0.05). Compounds which are produced intravaginally appear to decrease in concentration during the arousal interval because of dilution by the transudate. No consistent qualitative changes were noted in the secretion.

Acetates↗

Volatile constituents of human vaginal secretions.

Vaginal secretions were serially studied for 44 ovulatory cycles from 12 patients by means of combined gas chromatograph--mass spectrometry to identify small organic volatile compounds. In 10 of these cycles ovulation was documented with plasma radoioimmunoassays for progesterone, estrogens, and LH. These secretions contain a complex mixture of acids, alcohols, hydroxyketones, and aromatic compounds. Lactic acid, acetic acid, and urea were found to be present in all patients and underwent sharp cyclical variations in concentration with maxima in all patients occurring at midcycle. Small-chain, volatile C2-C5 aliphatic acids which have been shown to induce mating behavior in male rhesus monkeys were found in only four patients. In these patients the above acids were found predominantly at midcycle and during the luteal phase.

Alcohols↗

Changes in the intensity and pleasantness of human vaginal odors during the menstrual cycle.

Men and women estimated (by the method of magnitude estimation) the pleasantness and intensity of the odors of vaginal secretions sampled from consecutive phases of 15 ovulatory menstrual cycles of four women. On the average, secretions from preovulatory and ovulatory phases were slightly weaker and less unpleasant in odor than those from menstrual, early luteal, and late luteal phases. However, considerable variation in odor patterns was present across cycles from the same donor, as well as across cycles from different donors. These results indicate that human vaginal odors change slightly in both pleasantness and intensity during the menstrual cycle, but do not support the notion that such odors are particularly attractive to humans in an in vitro test situation.

Animals↗