Biochemical basis for evaluating oral contraceptives.

Oestrogens stimulate and increase HDL cholesterol concentration while progestogens decrease it; quite marked differences in effect on HDL can be demonstrated between the various oestrogen-progestogen combinations. Similar differences can be shown in their effect upon blood coagulation factors and upon the renin-angiotensin aldosterone axis. It is suggested that the selection of an oral contraceptive, in terms of cardiovascular risk, can be made from a consideration of comparative biochemical data.

Fluorescence energy transfer studies on the active site of papain.

Measurements have been performed of the excited-state lifetimes and fluorescence yields of papain tryptophan units when acyl derivatives of Phe-glycinal are bound at the active site of the enzyme. The enhancement of tryptophan fluorescence in complexes of papain with the acetyl or benzyloxycarbonyl derivatives is not stereospecific with respect to the configuration of the phenylalanyl residue, and the L and D isomers are equally effective as active-site-directed inhibitors of papain action. Evidence is offered in favor of the conclusion that this enhancement is primarily a consequence of the interaction of the phenylalanyl side chain of the inhibitor with Trp-69 of the enzyme.

Confirmation of specificity by neutralisation in immunoradiometric assay for hepatitis B surface antigen.

Two types of neutralisation or blocking test using human anti-HBs are described for the confirmation of positive results obtained by immunoradiometric screening for HBsAg.

A sensitive single reverse passive haemagglutination test for detecting both HBsAg and anti-HBs.

A trial of a modified reverse passive haemagglutination test for HBsAg using a 0.1% cell suspension instead of the recommended 1% showed an approximately eight-fold increase in detection sensitivity. The test can be performed within 30 minutes and lends itself to mass screening techniques.

Plasma lipoprotein changes during oral contraception.

Changes in plasma concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration were measured in healthy young women who received 21-days' oral treatment with either norethisterone acetate (1, 2, or 5 mg daily) or ethinyloestradiol (20 or 50 microgram daily). Similar measurements were also made in groups of women receiving progestogens or oestrogens for gynaecological indications, and in women taking oral contraceptives. Oestrogens alone stimulate increases in HDL-cholesterol, while progestogens alone suppress the concentration.

Treating the marital crisis with the two-marriage equation.

The technique the authors call"two-marriage therapy" (conjoint cotherapy by a married cotherapy team) has been developed to help the couple in a marital crisis confront the elusive nature of marriage, a being with self-images and unconscious deceptions, different from, but not separate from, the images and unconscious deceptions of the separate spouses. The key to the two-marriage analysis os discovering the limitations of cooperative relationships based on roles and expectations and the exploration of a mode of concern we term "coliberation". This paper attempts to show how the presence of a married cotherapy team facilitates this process and adds a significant salutary perspective on the marriage in conflict.

Liver enzyme concentrations as measure of possible infectivity in chronic asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B.

Fifty-two British-born blood donors who were chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were tested for the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody to HBeAg by an immunoradiometric assay. The presence of HBeAg was closely associated with a slight rise in serum liver enzyme concentrations, a high HBsAg titre, and male sex. We suggest that the finding of persistently raised serum liver enzyme concentrations in an asymptomatic HBsAg carrier might be useful as a likely indicator of HBeAg and high infectivity.

Evaluation of the single radial haemolysis (SRH) technique for rubella antibody measurement.

Sera from 1258 individuals have been tested by four laboratories for rubella antibody by both the haemagglutination-inhibition and single radial haemolysis techniques. There was good agreement between the results obtained by the two methods. Although sheep red blood cells were used in the single radial haemolysis plates, no problems were encountered with sera from patients with infectious mononucleosis.

Biochemical basis for the selection of oral contraceptives.

Many specific plasma proteins show dose-related changes when oral estrogens are administered. Large increases in concentration are seen in many important binding proteins, such as the sex hormone-binding globulin, transcortin, the retinol-binding protein, ceruloplasmin, and transferrin. A smaller group of plasma proteins are reduced in amount.

Role of sexual and non-sexual practices in the transmission of hepatitis B.

Medical, social, and sexual histories were taken from 198 men attending a department for sexually transmitted diseases. Their blood was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen and its antibody, and also for syphilis and liver function. Infection with hepatitis B virus was found to be common among practising homosexuals and to occur much more frequently in them than in heterosexuals.

Human metabolism and steroid contraceptives. Part 2.

Biochemical studies on large groups of apparently healthy women taking oral contraceptives are intended to find which organs and tissues are most stressed, in the hope than an indication of clinical side effects will result. If contraceptive steroid dose is reduced, the incidence of systemic side effects decreases and this correlates well with the decreased abnormality of many metabolic and biochemical parameters. Reduction of dosage has an equivocal effect on gynaecological side affects-some increase, some decrease.

Human metabolism and steroid contraceptives. Part 1.

Metabolic activation of mestranol and certain progestagens is necessary before combination with their specific receptors. This process is subject to inhibition by other drugs. It is suggested that it is preferable to use agents not requiring metabolic activation.

The use and misuse of vitamin supplements.

Overt vitamin deficiency in Australia is a medical curiosity. Suspected hypovitaminoses in the general population requires education in nutrition, rather than supplementation by vitamin capsules. Vitamin supplementation, however, may be needed by patients receiving long-term drug treatment, or with chronic malabsorption conditions.