Sintering and characterization of HA and TCP bioceramics with control of their strength and phase purity.

HA and beta-TCP-based ceramics were prepared using commercial powders. Powder characteristics were defined and the processing parameters studied, aimed at the production of samples with improved microstructural and mechanical properties. The behaviour of HA powder subjected to various thermal treatments was investigated in order to control the formation of secondary phases (alpha- and beta-TCP) during sintering. The optimal thermal treatment required to prepare pure beta-TCP powder from the precursors (HA and DCP) was determined and the sintering method required to prepare fully dense beta-TCP completely free from alpha-form, was identified. Translucent hot-pressed beta-TCP ceramics with potential applications in aesthetic restorative prostheses were prepared and characterized. The interval of existence of alpha-TCP and alpha-TCP as secondary products was also defined. Crystallographic analysis was carried out on the imperfectly known low-temperature alpha-TCP phase, and a proper monoclinic unit cell determined.

A collaborative study of the progesterone intrauterine device (Progestasert). The World Health Organization Task Force on Methods for the Regulation of Implantation.

A randomised double blind study of a plain T-shaped IUD and an active T-shaped IUD releasing 65 micrograms/day of progesterone, has been completed in four centres. A study of 1320 progesterone-releasing IUD's in parous women for 9660 women months of use significant to 18 months, gave a pregnancy rate of 1.0 +/- 0.4, expulsion of 4.7 +/- 0.6 and removals for pain and bleeding of 6.0 +/- 0.7. A detailed analysis of the menstrual bleeding patterns in these patients gave details of the number and length of bleeding and spotting episodes, count of bleeding days, and count of spotting episodes and days for four one-hundred-day reference periods. While the plain IUD contributed a significant number of intermenstrual spotting and bleeding days, the progesterone-releasing IUD contributed more spotting days.

PIP: Two IUD studies were conducted at 4 centers in England, Hungary, Denmark, and Switzerland. The first one was a double blind study in which 317 plain T devices and 359 T devices releasing 65 ug/day were inserted in 676 women and followed up for 12 months. In the second study medicated T devices were inserted in 1302 parous women and followed up for 12 months after which new medicated devices were inserted in the remaining 715 patients and followed up for an additional 6 months. In the 1st study, the accidental pregnancy rate was much higher for the plain devices than for the active devices; the respective rates were 9.4 and 0.9. The continuation rates were 74.4 for the active devices and 65.8 for the plain IUDs. Expulsion and medical removals were similar for both types of devices. In the second study, after the 1st year of use, the expulsion and medical removal rates decreased and the continuation rate increased. The expulsion rate for 12 months of use was 4.7 and for 18 months of use it was 2.5. The medical removal rate for 12 months 6.0 and for 18 months the rate was 2.7. The continuation rate at 12 months was 80.2 and increased to 89.7 for 18 months of use. The patients in both studies were asked to keep daily records of any bleeding during the study period. Analysis of these records indicated that during the initial 100 days of use, the progesterone IUDs were associated with a higher incidence of spotting than the plain devices; however, after 100 days of use, the differences were reduced and eventually disappeared. No ectopic pregnancies occurred among the progesterone IUD users but a tubal pregnancy was recorded for a patient using the plain device. No perforations were reported. Tables included: 1) age and parity by type of device; 2) pregnancy, expulsion, removal, and continuation rates by type of device for the double blind study and for the second study at 12 months and at 18 months; and 3) frequency and length of bleeding and spotting episodes for each consecutive 100 days of use of plain and active devices.

Human fetal and adult spleen phospholipids and their fatty acid composition.

Total phospholipid contents and the individual phospholipid components of human adult and fetal spleens from 17--18 and 23--24 week's pregnancies composition of sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidic acid studied in human adult, 17--18 and 23--24 week fetal spleens.

[Serum level of enzymes during abortion (with simultaneous administration of beta mimetics and beta blocking agents)]. / Placentáris enzimek szérumszintje vetélés folyamán (béta-mimetikumok, és béta-blockolók egyidejü adása mellett)

PIP: A study on serum levels of enzymes during abortion was done. Abortion was induced in 30 women aged 17 to 32. All were healthy and in the 2nd trimester of their pregnancy. The methods used to induce abortion varied. The cistin-aminopeptide activity was constantly measured during the process of the operation. This activity rose as beta-treatment was given decreasingly.^ieng

[Investigations of amniotic fluid after intraamnial application of prostaglandin F 2 alpha (author's transl)]. / Fruchtwasseruntersuchungen nach intraamnialer Applikation von Prostaglandin F 2 alpha

PIP: In 11 cases of abortion induced by (PGF2alpha) prostaglandin F2alpha, the authors studied the cinetic behavior of PGF2alpha in amniotic fluid using gas chromatography. In early pregnancy, the biologic 1/2-life is shorter than in later pregnancy. They assume that considerable paraplacentar diffusion is the reason for this. Cinetic investigations suggest that the vital functions of the fetus remain unchanged until it is expelled. There was no time correlation between the 1/2-life time and time of induction of abortion. (author's)^ieng

[The most effective dosage in the administration of PGF2-alpha for interruption of pregnancy during the 2d trimester]. / A PGF2 alpha hatásosabb adagolási sémája a terhesség megszakítására a II. trimesterben

PIP: Artificial interruption of pregnancy contains too many risks from the 12th week of pregnancy. The authors have been working at finding the most suitable and effective dosage of prostaglandin for the interruption of pregnancy during the 2nd trimester. The new dosage experimented was 25 mg of prostaglandin F2alpha, followed by another 25 mg 6 hours later. The clinical efficiency of this dosage was tested. This procedures was used in 45 cases. The efficiency of the method was compared to the efficiency of the previously used dosage, which was 25 mg of prostaglandin F2alpha, followed by 25 mg 24 hours later. The new dosage was evaluated 91% efficient, while the previous dosage was found to be 75% efficient. The side effects were rated as acceptable by the patients. There was no case of infection. Two undeniable advantages were found with this new dosage: the duration of the actual procedure is considerably reduced, and the method appears to be much safer. The authors conclude that this new procedure offers numerous clinical advantages.^ieng

Interruption of pregnancy by PGF 2 alpha. II. Extraovular administration.

PIP: The prostaglandin PGF2alpha was administered extraovularly to 38 health women aged 17-37 to induce abortion. The women were in the first trimester of pregnancy. The prostaglandin was given every 2nd hour in doses of 250-1000 mcg, depending on the frequency and intensity of the uterine contractions and on the side effects. Abortion took place within 36 hours (mean, 21.6 hours) in 26 (68.4%) of the cases. The quantity of PGF2alpha administered was 2.25-14.75 mg, with an average of 6.72 mg. Side effects (most notably, vomiting and diarrhea) occurred in 27 cases, but they did not interrupt the intermittent PG treatment. No essential changes in the results of laboratory tests were noted.^ieng