Cytosolic and nuclear progesterone receptors in normal and luteal-phase-defect endometrial cells.

Endometrial biopsies were taken from 93 infertility patients registered in the Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic at the Medical College of Ohio. These endometrial specimens were assayed for nuclear and cytoplasmic progesterone receptors. Only the data from 53 normoprolactinemic euthyroid and nonhirsute patients were considered.

Homologous membrane folate binding proteins in human placenta: cloning and sequence of a cDNA.

A preparation of folate binding protein purified from human placental membranes in the presence of a variety of protease inhibitors followed by deglycosylation with N-glycanase gave a sharp band at Mr approximately 28,000 following SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The deglycosylated protein bound [3H]folic acid as tightly as the native protein. Peptides obtained following digestion of the purified protein with staphylococcal V8 protease and HPLC purification were sequenced.

Postpartum myocardial infarction in a patient receiving bromocriptine.

A case of a postpartum myocardial infarction in a 27-year-old black multiparous woman is presented. The patient had postpartum pregnancy-induced hypertension in a previous pregnancy. Her most recent pregnancy and immediate postpartum period had been uncomplicated, and she had been sent home with bromocriptine to suppress lactation.

Evolving concepts in the mechanism of steroid action: current developments.

The mechanisms of steroid action remain a poorly understood enigma. Although much effort has focused on the steroid receptor as a mediator of the steroid's effect in the cell, we are only beginning to understand the structure of steroid receptors. Development of monoclonal antibodies directed against both the steroid-binding "receptors" and receptor-associated proteins has allowed novel approaches to the problem.

A 59-kilodalton protein associated with progestin, estrogen, androgen, and glucocorticoid receptors.

Previous studies of the anti 8.5S progestin receptor monoclonal antibody KN 382/EC1 showed that it was specific for nontransformed progestin receptors. However, with different methods of tissue disruption and the use of protease inhibitors, we found that other nontransformed steroid receptors formed immune complexes with KN 382/EC1.

Effects of carbon dioxide and pH on adhesion of Candida albicans to vaginal epithelial cells.

A controlled-environment membrane model for use in vitro was developed and employed in an attempt to mimic the environment of the vagina in order to study yeast-vaginal cell adhesion. Adhesion in vitro of four strains of Candida albicans (NIH 3181A, NIH 526B, ATCC 18804, and MCO 2400) to vaginal epithelial cells (VEC) appeared to be affected by the pH and the level of carbon dioxide that have been found to be present in the vagina in vivo. Strain 3181A had a greater adhesion ability than 526B when the concentration of yeast cells was increased and when the yeast cells were incubated with VEC at pH 5 in sodium phosphate buffer in ambient air supplemented with 10% CO2.

A study of fetal acceleration tests.

The fetal acceleration test (FAT) is a means of assessing uteroplacental integrity by observing fetal heart patterns while being stressed by fetal movement. Of 584 tests performed on high-risk obstetric patients, 176 were done within 1 week prior to delivery. Favorable antepartum FAT results correlated with unremarkable initial intrapartum fetal monitor tracings in 128 (97.

Amniotic fluid analysis in Rh-sensitized pregnancies.

This paper delineates the results of analysis of 234 Rh-sensitized pregnancies. It is now possible to predict the outcome in an Rh-isoimmunized pregnancy based only on the mean amniotic fluid, delta 450. This is an improvement over past methods since it does not depend upon calculation of weeks of pregnancy.

Perinatal infection and vaginal flora.

Vaginal cultures were obtained from 1, 083 mothers on admission to the labor floor. The additional bacteriologic information gained from this survey was not sufficient to warrant continued use of the admission vaginal culture as a screening procedure.

Amniotic fluid phospholipid analysis in normal and complicated pregnancies.

Amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios were determined at least once in 190 pregnancies. In 127 pregnancies an amniotic fluid specimen was obtained within 72 hours of delivery. This constitutes the corrected group.