Understanding the neuropsychologic outcome of pediatric AVM within a neurodevelopmental framework.

Objective: This case series describes the long-term neuropsychologic functioning of 5 children with repaired arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Results are presented within the context of a neurodevelopmental model to facilitate conceptualization and generate appropriate rehabilitation strategies for children with AVMs.

Background: The current case series expands upon previous research examining the long-term psychosocial functioning of these children with AVMs in which it was found that overall emotional functioning appeared adequate, although there were suggestions of defensiveness and areas of worry.

Factor VIII related antigen/coagulant activity ratio as a predictor of fetal growth retardation: a comparison with hormone and uric acid measurements.

Factor VIII related antigen (VIIIRAg), Factor VIII coagulant activity (VIIIC), plasma uric acid, total plasma oestriol, plasma human placental lactogen (hPL) and urine oestrogen/creatinine ratio were measured in a group of 21 patients clinically suspected of fetal growth retardation and compared with normal pregnancy. Of the hormone assays, hPL was better than either oestrial or oestrogen/creatinine ratio at distinguishing between normal and growth retarded pregnancies. Uric acid levels tended to be higher than normal in patients with fetal growth retardation, but the best means of distinguishing normal from growth retarded pregnancies proved to be the VIIIRAg/VIIIC ratio.

The effect of an injectable progestogen contraceptive on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis.

In 26 women receiving either medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera) injections or combined oestrogen-progestogen pills for contraception, tests of coagulation and fibrinolysis were performed before treatment, and after 8, 16 and 24 weeks of therapy. In the medroxyprogesterone group no significant changes were induced in fibrinogen, the vitamin K-dependent factors, or antithrombin III. Plasminogen levels fell during therapy, and were significantly lower than pre-treatment values after 16 and 24 weeks.

The effects of quinestrol and bromocriptine on blood coagulation, serum prolactin and serum FSH levels in puerperal women.

The effects of bromocriptine and quinestrol upon coagulation and fibrinolysis during the puerperium were studied. Quinestrol therapy was associated with increased levels of factors VII and IX and decreased antithrombin activity on the sixth postpartum day, and increased factor IX and plasminogen levels on the fourteenth postpartum day. Six weeks after delivery elevated levels of factors II and VII and of plasminogen were recorded in women given quinestrol.

Abnormal platelet function in pre-eclampsia.

Platelet behaviour was studied in groups of women suffering from mild and severe pre-eclampsia, and compared with normal pregnant and non-pregnant controls. Platelets from women with severe pre-eclampsia were less responsive than normal to a variety of aggregating agents, and this impairment was significant in response to collagen and vasopressin. Women with severe pre-eclampsia had raised plasma adenine nucleotide levels and lowered platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine levels compared with the controls.

Effects of chlorprothixene isomers on platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors: evidence for different 5-hydroxytryptamine conformations at uptake and stimulatory sites.

The thioxanthene neuroleptic, cis-chlorprothixene, was approximately 200 times more potent than its transisomer as an inhibitor of the aggregation of human blood platelets induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT). Against the active uptake of 5HT by these cells, however, trans-chlorprothixene was twice as inhibitory as its cisisomer, and this inhibition was found to be competitive. It is suggested that 5HT adopts different conformations for binding to its two platelet receptors.