PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Ulstein

Publications and source records attributed to M Ulstein.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Critical evaluation of methods for electron microscopy of cervical mucus.

The ultrastructure of cervical mucus has been studied by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. The images differ according to the methods used for preparation; different patterns were found in the same sample when the freeze-drying and critical point-drying methods were used for SEM. When using TEM, the specimen appeared more homogeneous, with fine fibrils and granules. This accords with the theory that the cervical mucus consists of a randomly entangled fibrillar network. Electron microscopy of cervical mucus requires preparation procedures which involve considerable risk of creating artefacts. In our experience the TEM technique produces fewer artefacts and therefore gives pictures more true to the in vivo situation.

Cervix Mucus↗
PubMed1984

Anticonvulsant drug therapy in human pregnancy: effects on serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in maternal and cord blood.

Serum concentrations of the main vitamin D metabolites and of calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase were determined in each of the three trimesters of pregnancy and in simultaneously obtained maternal and cord blood at delivery in 22 epileptic women treated with diphenylhydantoin or carbamazepine alone or with a combination with one other drug. The results were compared with similarly obtained data from 22 normal pregnancies. Women in both groups received supplements of 400 IU vitamin D3 per day. All the women had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels within the normal range for healthy adults (greater than 12 ng/ml) throughout pregnancy. The epileptic women had, however, significantly (p less than 0.05) lower median 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels and higher median 25,26-dihydroxyvitamin D values than the reference group. The 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations did not differ significantly, but the median ratio of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D was higher in the epileptic women at the end of pregnancy (p = 0.05). The respective differences in cord serum concentrations reflected those of the mothers at delivery. Serum calcium tended to be lower during epileptic pregnancy, but none were hypocalcemic. The alkaline phosphatase and phosphate values did not consistently differ from those of the reference women. The median alkaline phosphatase level of cord serum was slightly higher in the epileptic group, but the calcium and phosphate levels were similar to the reference values. The various biochemical parameters of the carbamazepine-treated women tended to be intermediate between those of the healthy and diphenylhydantoin-treated groups. Antiepileptic drug therapy appears to affect vitamin D metabolism and calcium homeostasis during pregnancy. The derangements may not be of major clinical significance, however, in vitamin D-supplemented and normally functioning women on long-term low-dose therapy.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗
PubMed1984

25-Hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D of D2 and D3 origin in maternal and umbilical cord serum after vitamin D2 supplementation in human pregnancy.

Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] of vitamin D2 and D3 origin were determined separately in 10 women before vitamin intake in early pregnancy, and repeated in maternal and cord serum obtained at delivery after 20 to 30 wk of vitamin D2 supplementation in a dose of 400 IU/day. Before supplementation 25-OHD2 and 1,25-(OH)D2D2 were present in just traceable or nondetectable concentrations, but the levels increased in all to a mean +/- 1 SD of 7.3 +/- 3.7 ng/ml and 37.2 +/- 18.1 pg/ml, respectively (p less than 0.0025), by the time of delivery. At delivery the total 25-OHD and 1,25-(OH)2D levels were always lower in the cord than in the maternal serum (30.7 +/- 14.2 versus 20.1 +/- 9.1 ng/ml, and 90.1 +/- 31.2 versus 37.3 +/- 11.6 pg/ml, p less than 0.0025). The paired concentrations of 25-OHD were closely related (r = 0.89, p less than 0.0005), while the association for 1,25-(OH)2D was not statistically significant (r = 0.53, p less than .01). The 25-OHD of D2 and D3 origin accounted for a similar proportion of the total 25-OHD in the maternal and cord serum (ratio of 25-OHD2 to 25-OHD3: 0.40 +/- 0.28 versus 0.45 +/- 0.29, p = NS), as did the respective 1,25-(OH)2D metabolites [ratio of 1,25-(OH)2D2 to 1,25-(OH)2D3: 0.73 +/- 0.35 versus 0.90 +/- 0.50, p = NS].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2↗
PubMed1984

Clinical experience with a triphasic oral contraceptive.

A triphasic combined oral contraceptive containing fluctuating amounts of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel was tested clinically in a multicenter trial at six hospitals in Norway. 367 women were included in the study, 3 588 cycles were studied, and the follow up period was 12 months. The one year continuation rate was 67%. Five pregnancies occurred during the study period. All of them had to be considered as patient failures. The causes for stopping medication were side effects in about 50% and the rest for personal reasons. The cycle control taking into account duration of bleeding, amount of flow, and intermenstrual bleeding was good and comparable to the low-dose monophasic combined pills. The incidence of side effects was low. One woman had an increase in systolic blood pressure to more than 140 mmHg. Thrombophlebitis was not registered. In conclusion the triphasic oral contraceptive was effective and had a good cycle control and low incidence of side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in maternal and umbilical cord blood of Libyan and Norwegian women.

The serum concentrations of the vitamin D metabolites 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2D) and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25-(OH)2D), and vitamin D binding protein, calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase were determined in 19 grand multiparous Libyan women at delivery, and in the umbilical cord blood of 14 of their babies. The results were compared with similarly collected data from 22 vitamin D-supplemented Norwegian mother-infant pairs. The median 25-OHD and 24,25-(OH)2D concentrations were significantly lower for the Libyan group (maternal 25-OHD: 34 vs 112 nmol/l; cord 25-OHD: 20 vs 76 nmol/l; maternal 24,25-(OH)2D: 0.6 vs 4.1 nmol/l; cord 24,25-(OH)2D: 0.4 vs 2.7 nmol/l, P less than 0.001 for all differences). In both groups the 25-OHD and 24,25-(OH)2D levels in maternal as well as in cord blood were closely associated (P less than 0.001). The median 1,25-(OH)2D level was similar for the two maternal groups (198 vs 194 pmol/l), but slightly lower for the Libyan than for the Norwegian cord samples (80 vs 93 pmol/l, P = 0.04). A calculated free 1,25-(OH)2D concentration (not bound to vitamin D binding protein) did not differ between the two maternal or cord groups. Calcium and phosphate concentrations were similar for the respective maternal and cord samples, while the median alkaline phosphatase level of cord blood was slightly higher for the Libyan group (P = 0.04). The results suggest that calcium and phosphate homoeostasis of pregnant women and their fetuses can be maintained despite wide variations in vitamin D supply and numerous repeated pregnancies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2↗
PubMed1983

Vitamin D metabolism in normal and hypoparathyroid pregnancy and lactation. Case report.

Plasma concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in 17 non-pregnant women, 22 pregnant women at delivery, and in eight lactating women 3 and 16 days after delivery, were compared with those in a postpartum hypoparathyroid patient treated with 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D (1 alpha-OHD). The mean concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2 D] was 203 (SD 61) pmol/l in the pregnant, and 86 (SD 27) pmol/l in the non-pregnant women (P less than 0.0005). The levels 3 and 16 days after delivery were similar [57 (11) compared with 62 (19) pmol/l], and lower than the non-pregnant value (P less than 0.01). The 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentration remained unchanged between the 3rd and 16th days after delivery, whereas the 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25-(OH)2D] level increased from 2.7 (SD 1.8) to 3.7 (SD 2.3) nmol/l (P less than 0.025). The patient temporarily required an increased supplement of l alpha-OHD during pregnancy, but a dose which was appropriate before pregnancy resulted in marked hypercalcaemia and a rise of 1,25-(OH)2D concentration within 16 days of delivery despite lactation. The results suggest that the metabolic need for the active vitamin D metabolite 1,25-(OH)2D is increased during pregnancy and rapidly reduced during early lactation in healthy and hypoparathyroid women.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Ultrasonic measurement of human fetal blood flow.

Pulsed Doppler technique was combined with real-time B-mode ultrasonography for non-invasive measurement of human fetal blood flow in utero. The fetal vessel, e.g. aorta or umbilical vein, was identified in the real-time image and the real-time transducer put parallel to the vessel. The 2 MHz pulsed Doppler transducer insonated the vessel at a known angle, as the transducers were firmly attached to each other at an angle of 52 degrees. The Doppler instrument processed the Doppler shift signals and estimated the mean and maximum blood velocity. For calculation of blood flow, fetal vessel diameter must be measured. Three ultrasonic techniques (real-time B-mode, TM-mode, Time-distance recording) were applied for diameter measurements. The accuracy of the real-time B-mode technique was tested in vitro on 8 glass tubes with various diameters; the ultrasonically measured diameter was within +/- 0.4 mm of the diameter measured with vernier calipers. The reproducibility of diameter measurement was tested in vivo; the standard deviation of the difference between measurement was 0.15 mm for the fetal aorta and 0.20 mm for the umbilical vein. Fetal blood flow was measured in 38 normal late pregnancies. Blood flow in the thoracic part of the descending fetal aorta ws 185 ml min-1 kg-1 when based on mean blood velocity, and 261 ml min-1 kg-1 when based on maximum blood velocity. In the intra-abdominal part of the umbilical vein the mean blood flow was 115 ml min-1 kg-1.

Aorta↗
PubMed1982

Ultrastructure of cervical mucus and sperm penetration during use of a triphasic oral contraceptive.

Scanning electron microscopy and a capillary tube sperm penetration test were used to study the cervical mucus of women using a triphasic oral contraceptive supplying a varying dosage of estrogen and gestagen during the cycle. The findings were compared with those of healthy women having regular cycles and not using contraception. Generally speaking, the ultrastructure of the cervical mucus was dense during medication, like that found in normal luteal phase. No conspicuous changes occurred with different dosages of estrogen and gestagen. For the control cycles a loose structure of the cervical mucus was found on the days prior to the temperature rise, after which a dense structure was predominant. The sperm penetration of the cervical mucus was low during medication, being less than 6 mm/h. For the controls, a high sperm penetration rate was found on the days prior to the temperature rise, while it was low in the luteal phase. The progestogenic type of cervical mucus produced by the medication at all dosages, probably contributes to contraceptive effect.

Cervix Mucus↗
PubMed1981

Radioimmunoassay of human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit as an early diagnostic test in ectopic pregnancy.

Serum HCG-beta has been assayed in 100 cases of ectopic pregnancy. Results above 10 IU/l were considered positive. Positive values were found in 97 cases, of which 23 were within the range of a normal pregnancy, one was above and 73 below the normal range. In the 3 cases with a negative HCG-beta value, devitalized ectopic pregnancies were found at operation. The routine urine pregnancy test was negative in 53, positive in 29 and not performed in 18 cases.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1980

Incidences of fatal postoperative pulmonary embolism after prophylaxis with dextran 70 and low-dose heparin: an international multicentre study.

A total of 4352 patients were admitted to a prospective' randomised multicentre trial comparing the prophylactic efficacy of dextran 70 and low-dose heparin against fatal pulmonary embolism after elective operations for general, orthopaedic, urological, and gynaecological conditions. Out of 3984 patients correctly admitted, 1993 were allocated to receive dextran 70 and 1991 to receive low-dose heparin. Withdrawal of prophylaxis because of bleeding or technical difficulties occurred more often in the heparin group, but allergic reactions were more common in the dextran group. Of the 75 patients who died within 30 days after operation, 38 had been given dextran and 37 low-dose heparin. Necropsy was performed in 33 and 32 of these cases respectively. In six patients in each group pulmonary embolism was the sole or a contributory cause of death. Of these, five patients in the dextran group and two in the heparin group had received a full course of prophylaxis. There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups in the incidence of fatal pulmonary embolism after a full course of prophylaxis.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

Mitogen-induced multiplication of lymphocytes from newborn infants.

Marked lymphocyte responses to PHA, ConA and PWM were demonstrated in the first week of life. Prematurity up to 30 weeks gestational age did not influence the results. There were only small variations in the responses from day to day, no sex differences, and no differences between infants who were small for gestational age of appropriate weight. Newborn infants with high serum IgM-concentrations had reduced lymphocyte responses to ConA, possibly through the influence of ConA on B-lymphocytes. Infants of mothers who had received corticosteroids prior to delivery had lower mean responses to all 3 mitogens, but the differences between the steroid- and comparable non-steroid groups were not significant. The results suggest that newborn infants have functioning cellular immune mechanisms.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1980

Comparison of cytological 'jet-wash' specimens and histology in endometrial carcinoma.

Jet-washing of the uterine cavity for cytological examination has been performed in 200 patients. The results were compared with the histological diagnoses obtained by curettage. In 24 patients with endometrial carcinoma, both methods showed one specimen to be 'not adequate' while the other showed malignancy. A combination of jet-wash and curettage gave a diagnosis in 96% of patients while curettage alone gave a diagnosis in 82%, and cytology alone in 90%. The method is simple and may be of special value in postmenopausal patients.

Curettage↗