The effect of a perinatal center on perinatal mortality.

The evolution of a perinatal center over the past 12 years was reviewed. Factors in obstetric practices, maternal morbidity, and perinatal mortality were evaluated. The reduction in conditions leading to uteroplacental insufficiency (toxemia, hypertension, high parity) has been the most significant result.

A simplified mathematical model and simulations of the hypophysisovarian endocrine control system.

The dynamic relationship between the follicle stimulating hormone of the hypophysis and the estrogenic hormone of the ovaries is investigated. A mather matical model for this system is proposed, which unlike previous models, includet the growing follicle as an explicit part of the model. The size of this estrogen-producing follicle is postulated as a determining factor in the periodicity of the system.

Human hormone production in vitro.

A new in vitro hormone-synthesizing cell system, line BeWO, derived from human gestational choriocarcinoma, has been permanently established; a high degree of synthesis of functional hormone has been maintained for 18 months in tissue culture. Predominantly glycolytic metabolism, dependent on the level of glucose in the medium, has been observed. Many facets of placental and tumor-cell metabolism, growth, and differentiation are found in this unique multipotential cell.