Microscopic findings of the nail-fold capillaries--dependence on menopausal status and hormone replacement therapy.

The aim of our controlled study was to evaluate peripheral microcirculation at the level of the nail-fold capillaries in relation to menopause status and postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT). A total of 105 postmenopausal women were randomly allocated to three different HRT groups of equal size. A fourth group of 35 similar healthy volunteers served as controls. HRT was either peroral or transdermal 17-beta-oestradiol with cyclic addition of dydrogesterone or 2.5 mg Tibolone (Org OD 14) in a daily peroral dose. Morphological parameters such as capillary diameters, loop width, papillary width and capillary density, measured by video-capillaroscopy at the nail-fold, were unaffected in early menopause and also under HRT. A significant decrease of capillary blood flow velocity (P < 0.001) could be demonstrated in postmenopausal (n = 41, v = 0.53 +/- 0.16 mm/s) as compared to premenopausal women (n = 37, v = 0.65 +/- 0.15 mm/s). HRT resulted in an increase of capillary blood flow velocity in the nail-fold after 6 and 12 months leading to an increase in capillary blood flow in the order of 20%-30% of the initial values, and was independent of the type of HRT.

Peripheral capillaroscopic findings and blood rheology during normal pregnancy.

Peripheral capillary microscopy and blood rheology where used to investigate circulatory changes during normal pregnancy. The first part of the investigation was designed as a cross-sectional study in which capillary morphology and blood flow in the first (n = 24) and third trimester (n = 15) of pregnancy was compared with non-pregnant controls (n = 15). In the second part a longitudinal comparison of capillaroscopic and hemorheological findings throughout pregnancy was performed in 12 women with four measurements at 10-week intervals. In addition, in this group hemorheological measurements were carried out. Both the cross-sectional as well as the longitudinal group showed a significant increase in capillary blood flow velocity which was already present in the first trimester. Throughout pregnancy a gradual enlargement of the pericapillar papilla was seen, reflecting water retention in the interstitial tissue. At low shear rates a significant increase in viscosity was found at the end of pregnancy both in whole blood and at a standardized hematocrit of 45%. Capillaroscopy appears to be an appropriate method to study circulatory changes throughout pregnancy and its value as a diagnostic tool to detect early pathological developments is the objective of a future investigation.

[Infection screening in pregnancy]. / Infektscreening in der Schwangerschaft.

The aim of screening for infectious diseases in pregnancy is to identify subjects who are at risk of a specific infection, which lends itself to effective intervention. The value of routine screening is determined by the validity of the test and the prevalence of the disorder in the population. During pregnancy, serological screening for rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, HIV, hepatitis B and bacteriological screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria and gonorrhea is recommended. The search for additional infections is reserved for patients presenting special risk factors or clinical symptoms.

Failure to demonstrate a vasoconstrictive effect of vasopressin on the internal carotid and middle cerebral arteries: a transcranial ultrasound Doppler study.

Vasopressin (AVP) was infused into four healthy human volunteers to explore by Doppler ultrasound the vasoconstrictive action of AVP on the internal carotid (ICA) and the medial cerebral artery (MCA, transcranial Doppler technique). Although AVP levels rose to 74.2 pg/ml (+/- 13 pg, SEM) no significant changes of flow velocity were observed in the ICA as well as the MCA. There was no effect on the pulsatility index of the MCA velocity profile indicating that peripheral vascular resistance remained unchanged during AVP infusion. These results do not support an effect of AVP at high physiological levels on the vascular diameters of the ICA, MCA and cerebral arteriolar system in humans.

Behaviour of the different oxidation states of As, Sb, Se an Sn using dithiocarbamates for their separation from environmental, food and drug samples.

The mentioned elements are known to occur in the environment in different oxydation states with different biological activities. Speciation of the oxydation state by selective enrichment can lead to relevant information for the toxicologist. A sample treatment procedure is described that --allows to discriminate between the oxidation states of the mentioned elements --converts the elements to the optimum oxydation state for enrichment from the sample --brings the elements in an ideal form for their determination by x-ray fluorescence analysis using coprecipitation with the dibenzyl-ammoniumsalt of dibenzyldithiocarbamic acid. An outline of the method, instrumentation used and applications to organic, biological and environmental samples is given.

Steroid-independent effect of gonadotropins on prostaglandin synthesis in rat Graafian follicles in vitro.

The content of prostaglandins of the E-group (PGE) or F-group (PGF) was determined by radioimmunoassay in rat ovaries and in homogenates of cultured Graafian follicles. Intraperitoneal administration of luteinizing hormone (NIH-LH-S18; 10 mug/rat) at 9.00 h on any day of the estrous cycle caused an increase in ovarian PGE content within 5 h. The response was greatest on the day of proestrus (940% rise), i.e. when the ovary contains large follicles, and least at metestrus (80%). Follicles explanted from proestrous rats before the preovulatory gonadotropin surge responded to addition of LH (1-5 mug/ml) to the culture medium with a 10 to 30-fold increase in PGE and a 5-fold increase in PGF accumulation over a 5-h-period. Follicle stimulating hormone (NIH-FSH-S9; 10 mug/ml) caused a similar rise in follicular PGE accumulation, even after treatment of the FSH preparation with excess of an antiserum to the beta-subunit of LH. Stimulation of follicular PG accumulation was unimpaired during suppression of progesterone and estrogen synthesis by aminoglutethimide. It is concluded that these steroids play no part in the mediation of the LH-effect on follicular prostaglandin formation.