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Biomedical subjects

A Spira

Publications and source records attributed to A Spira.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

[Echography in comparing the fetal growth of infants of African and European mothers].

Ethnic differences after delivery between babies of black or white origin are well know. However, until now, fetal growth during pregnancy has not been studied in relation to ethnic factors. In this study, two groups of 201 women, one of african origin, the other of european origin, were compared for their ultrasonic measurements of fetal abdominal transverse diameter (ATD), biparietal diameter (BPD) and femoral length. The two groups were matched by hospital, date of delivery, parity and socio-economic status. Multiple pregnancies were excluded. ATD was not different between the two groups, whereas BPD was significantly smaller among african fetuses mainly during late pregnancy and femur was greater during the entire pregnancy. Ethnic factor remained significant when taking into account confounding factors. Observed differences appeared to be more probably related to a racial factor than to hypotrophy. These findings have to be considered in order to appreciate fetal growth among african fetuses during pregnancy.

Africa↗
PubMed1988

[Use of the concept of fecundity in the prognosis of infertility].

In taking note of the fecundability it becomes possible to calculate the distribution curve for delays in becoming pregnant for couples who want to have a pregnancy. In the first part of the paper tables are presented to correspond to different fecundabilities and contain the delays in conception and other indices that can measure the fertility of such couples. Il the second half the results are applied to concrete situations that go with different causes of infertility, so that couples affected with certain conditions can know their own prognosis as a function of the delay already suffered since starting to try for a pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Comparative trial of Hexabrix (320 mg iodine/ml), iohexol (300 mg iodine/ml) and iopamiron (300 mg iodine/ml) in cerebral and spinal angiography: a preliminary report.

A comparison has been carried out of results of cerebral and spinal-cord angiography with two non-ionic contrast media, iohexol and Iopamiron, and a low-osmolality contrast medium, Hexabrix. A comparative study of iohexol, Hexabrix, and Iopamiron was carried out in a first group of 41 patients, and Hexabrix was compared with Iopamiron in a second group of 56. Evaluation criteria included local and general safety, as well as quality of angioscopy and angiography. In the first group of patients there were no significant differences in safety between the three agents. On the other hand, quality of visualisation during angioscopy with Hexabrix was clearly better. In the second group, safety and quality of the radiographic images were identical; however, once again, quality of angioscopy was better with Hexabrix than with Iopamiron. We conclude that Hexabrix appears to be the best opacifying agent currently available for cerebral and spinal-cord angiography. While results with Iopamiron were quite similar, the latter agent is slightly more expensive.

Cerebral Angiography↗
PubMed1987

[Sexually transmitted diseases in free sexual practice. Epidemiological aspects].

One of the major public health preoccupations at present is the incidence of sexually transmissible diseases and their consequences for fertility. At present there is a programme of combined research by the National Institute of Health and the Medical Research (INSERM U 292) and the Director-General of Health (DGS) and the French Committee for Education in Health Matters (CFES). The object of the exercise is to produce a programme for preventing sexually transmissible diseases and then to put in into action in order to find out how practical it is. The programme consists of two phases, the first which has already been completed was to assess how practical the exercise is, and the second phase which is the active pursuit of the enquiry in a random attempt to change things, and this started in November 1986. The first phase tried to test the methods and see whether they were useful forms of research, and also to serve as a base for the programme of prevention. This consists in looking twice a year at the incidence of discharges in men and in women and the characteristics of the patients who are affected. The consultants were a representative sample of general practitioners who work in the Hauts-de-Seine Department. They gave the information voluntarily. There were two measures carried out in the same region of France. The first was informing the public and making the professionals aware of the situation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1986

The use of DNA-intercalating dye to monitor cell fusion and microinjection.

A conventional method for microinjection, using erythrocyte ghosts as the injection vector, has been modified to provide a protocol for the highly efficient delivery of small quantities of material into the cytoplasm of target cells. The technique is applicable for use with a variety of proteins, sugars, nucleotides and dyes. When the intercalating dye propidium iodide is included within the sealed ghosts their subsequent fusion with target cells can be continuously monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy, providing a convenient and sensitive parameter of cell-cell fusion. The protocol can be adapted for use with both adherent and non-adherent target cells, and can be used to monitor the relative effectiveness of a variety of fusogenic agents.

Cell Fusion↗
PubMed1986

Epidemiology of human reproduction.

This study on the epidemiology of human fertility emphasizes the study and analysis of several parameters. These include: the measure and distribution of fertility. The incidence of sterility is low (3-5% of couples) and the fecundability of fertile couples is approximately 30% per cycle. Approximately 7% of newly-formed couples per year will undergo complex treatment for infertility. The results of clinical and diagnostic explorations. Among infertile couples, the woman is responsible in approximately 60% of cases, and the man in approximately 25% of cases, and both of these factors may be associated. Clinical and diagnostic explorations are negative in approximately 18% of couples and the infertility is termed idiopathic. 'Normal' sperm characteristics vary according to age, seasonal or environmental factors. Female factors varying as a function of age, menstrual cycle, ovulation and functional status of the genital organs. Infertility in both partners leads to specific difficulties for epidemiological analyses, where the base unit is not an individual.

Female↗
PubMed1986

[Frequency of vulvovaginal infections in independent practice].

In the autumn of 1983 a representative sample of 78 gynaecologists practising independently were asked about the incidence and the bacteriological diagnosis of vulvovaginal infections in their practices. From this enquiry one can estimate that between 1 and 1.3% of French women who were over 18 years of age saw their gynaecologists complaining of vulvovaginal infections in the months of September and October 1983. The organisms that were most frequently found on bacteriological examination were candida (49%), non-specific non-pathogenic germs (47%) and trichomonas (20%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Relationship between the characteristics of the menstrual cycle and congenital malformations in the human.

We have studied the characteristics of conceptional and pre-conceptional cycles in mothers of malformed infants. A comparison made with a control group of mothers of normal, term infants showed that for the former the hypothermic phase during the conceptional cycle was longer than for the latter (20.4 and 16.9 days, respectively). Moreover, the mothers of malformed infants showed a slower temperature rise (greater than 3 days) in 45% of cases, vs 28% in the controls. The menarche of the mothers of malformed infants occurs later (14.3 vs 12.8 years). They usually have long menstrual cycles and a bad obstetric and gynaecological history. The risk for congenital malformations is thus closely related to the length of the hypothermic phase and to a slow temperature rise in the conceptional cycle. Therefore we suggest that the preovulatory oocyte overripeness is one of the mechanisms of congenital malformation.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed1985

Pattern of menstrual cycles and incidence of congenital malformations.

An analysis has been made of the general reproductive characteristics of mothers, including the temperature curves of preconception and conception cycles, in a prospective study which ended in the birth of 22 malformed infants and 894 normal infants. The differences observed have shown that the mothers of malformed infants had their first menstrual period at a later age (13.4 vs 12.8 years), their menstrual cycles were more often irregular (77% vs 40%) and lasted longer (32.9 vs 30.1 days). Moreover, they had a longer hypothermic phase during both their preconception cycle (21.7 vs 17.6 days) and during their conception cycle (24.0 vs 18.1 days), as well as a longer temperature rise during their conception cycle (3.7 vs 3.0 days). By taking into account the relation between these variables, we have been able to show that increased risk of malformation is associated with increase in the length of the hypothermic phase and the temperature rise of the conception cycle.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed1985

[Physiologic changes in semen examination].

The normal values of the spermogram can be defined by analyzing the distribution of sperm characteristics among men whose fertility has been proved (donor candidates, vasectomies). The values proposed on the basis of a study of 294 spermograms are the following: volume - 1.8 ml; concentration - 23 million/ml; total number - 72 million; mobile forms - 35 per cent; normal forms - 32 per cent. The most frequent abnormalities are irregularities of the head and microcephalia. Factors of variability: Different sources of variability must be considered in the analysis of the spermogram. These can be of a technical or a physiological nature. In the later case: the length of abstinence preceding sperm collection is the most important. From 1 to 5 days, there is a linear increase in volume and number, which then stabilizes the situation is the opposite in the case of the percentages of mobile and normal forms, which remain stable for 5 days and then decrease linearly. Age must also be considered to be a source of variability, particularly with respect to the percentages of mobile and normal forms, which decrease after the age of 40. Even when these factors are taken into account, there can be large variations in the spermogram of the same subject from one examination to the next, which necessitates a repetition of sperm examinations before any physiopathological interpretation can be considered. Spermogram results also depend on the period during the year when the collection is made: volume and number are at a minimum in September and at a maximum in March and November, whereas mobility and morphology are better in August and September and less satisfactory in March and April.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Suicide attempts in adolescent girls. Epidemiological aspects].

The authors report the results of a study undertaken in 27 adolescent girls hospitalized for suicide attempts, interviewed according to the same procedure as 46 adolescent girls hospitalized during the same time period for other reasons. A statistical study of the questionnaire used showed answers significantly different, especially concerning grandparents, intra-familial relationships, parental picture, behaviours of adolescents outside their family, school attendance. The whole of these results suggests a disturbance in the communication systems of the suicidal adolescent.

Adolescent↗