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Biomedical subjects

F R Witter

Publications and source records attributed to F R Witter.

68 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Gas chromatographic determination of pentoxifylline and its major metabolites in human breast milk.

A method has been developed for determination of the xanthine drug, pentoxifylline, and three of its metabolites (a secondary alcohol and two carboxylic acids) in human milk. The method requires pre-extraction with hexane to remove lipids followed by extraction with dichloromethane or dichloromethane-isopropanol (4:1). Absolute extraction recoveries were between 76-90%. Pentoxifylline and its alcohol metabolite (as the trifluoroacetate) and the carboxylic acid metabolites (as ethyl esters) were measured in separate gas chromatographic steps using a nitrogen detector. Determinations of pentoxifylline and its three metabolites were 96-99% accurate and standard deviations of 5-10% were observed for samples at or above the lower practical sensitivity limit (10 ng/ml) for the assay. Pentoxifylline and its metabolites were stable in breast milk for three weeks when stored at -15 degrees C.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed1984

Effect of steroid hormones on arachidonic acid metabolites of endothelial cells.

The effect of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and hydrocortisone on prostacyclin, thromboxane, prostaglandin E, and prostaglandin F from cultured endothelial cells was investigated. No effect was found on prostacyclin, prostaglandin E, and prostaglandin F. Estrogen increased the release of thromboxane. The significance of this finding with regard to venous thrombolic events associated with estrogen use is discussed.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1981

Adverse effects of cardiovascular drug therapy on the fetus and neonate.

Possible adverse effects of cardiovascular medications on the fetus and the neonate have been reviewed. The major classes discussed were diuretics, antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, cardiac glycosides, and anticoagulants. The recommendations given must not be considered definitive because they are based on flawed or incomplete information. It is to be hoped that further investigation will improve this situation and will also improve our understanding of the ways in which these drugs act.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1981

The effects of chronic gastrointestinal medication on the fetus and neonate.

The adverse fetal and neonatal effects of chronic gastrointestinal medication have been reviewed. The major classes discussed are antiemetics, laxatives and antidiarrheal agents, antacids and cimetidine, drugs for irritable bowel syndrome, and drugs for inflammatory bowel disease. The evaluation given are tentative due to the lack of information on most of these drugs. It is hoped that research into the use of this diverse group of medications during pregnancy will be stimulated, so that the large gaps in our knowledge about them can be filled.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1981

Premature rupture of the membranes and prolonged latency.

The aim of this retrospective study in 8320 patients with premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) was to determine the consequences of prolongation of the latent period. Among patients with pregnancies of more than 37 weeks' duration, those with PROM and latent periods of more than 1 day demonstrated an increased incidence of intrapartum fever (IPF), whereas those with latent periods of more than 3 days demonstrated a marked increase in fetal (but not neonatal) deaths. Although IPF and perinatal mortality were more common in preterm pregnancies, neither was found to increase or decrease with prolonged latency, provided differences in gestational ages and race were taken into account. In the absence of chorioamnionitis, there appears to be no benefit to delivery before 37 weeks' gestation.

Birth Weight↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Improved intravaginal controlled-release prostaglandin E2 insert for cervical ripening at term. The Prostaglandin E2 insert Study Group.

The purpose of this study was to determine if prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a controlled-release vaginal insert with retrieval system can produce cervical ripening at term. This was a multicenter, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 206 patients with 102 receiving active agent. A successful outcome was defined as a change in Bishop score of > or = 3, or a Bishop score of > or = 6 at 12 h or delivery within 12 h of the insert placement. Analysis was by Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon's two-sample rank-sum test, and Student's t-test where appropriate. One hundred ninety-three women completed the protocol. Initial Bishop scores were 2.6 +/- 1.2 and 2.5 +/- 1.4 in the PGE2 and placebo groups, respectively. The incidence of cesarean delivery was identical in the two groups. Uterine hyperstimulation lasted 2-13 min in 5 PGE2 patients (4.9%) with 1 patient requiring tocolysis. More patients in the PGE2 group had a change in Bishop score of > or = 3 (62% vs. 40%; P = 0.002), a Bishop score > or = 6 after 12 h (46% vs. 34%; P = 0.11), and vaginal delivery within 12 h (6.5% vs. 1%; P = 0.055). Sixty-five percent of PGE2 group patients had a successful outcome vs. 44% of control patients (P = 0.001). In conclusion, when administered in a controlled-release vaginal insert with a retrieval system, PGE2 is effective in promoting cervical ripening at term.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Preterm labor, placental abruption, and premature rupture of membranes in relation to maternal violence or verbal abuse.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of preterm labor (PTL) in prenatal populations has been estimated to be from 6.9 to 10.0%. It has been suggested that violence during pregnancy may be associated with an increase in antenatal complications. The hypothesis is that physical violence and verbal abuse in pregnancy lead to increased risk of PTL. METHODS: A cohort of 636 women attending the Adult Obstetrical Clinic for their first prenatal visit, between December 1989 and September 1990, were approached; 567 women enlisted as study participants. Study participants were interviewed 3 times during the course of their prenatal care, and 401 participants successfully completed their third prenatal interviews. Violence data were obtained during the third interview. Obstetrical and neonatal outcome data were obtained by abstracting the maternal and neonatal medical records. RESULTS: When stratified by levels of violence, women who experienced moderate or severe violence had incidences of PTL of 15.4 and 17.2%, respectively. Chi-square test for homogeneity revealed a significant difference among these groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of women, serious acts of verbal abuse and physical violence occurred with significant frequency. PTL was strongly correlated with increasing acts of violence with 4.1 times greater risk of PTL in women who experienced severe violence as compared to those who experienced no maternal abuse.

Abruptio Placentae↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Low 1-hour glucose screens and small for gestational age infants.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a 1-hour glucose screen done at 26 to 29 weeks' gestation that is below the fifth percentile is predictive of having a small for gestational age (SGA) infant. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnancies with 1-hour glucose screens were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 600 cases had values below the fifth percentile (< 71 mg/dl). A total of 6784 controls had values between the 25th and 75th percentiles. Infants were classified as being SGA if they had birth weights less than the 10th percentile adjusted for gestational age and infant gender. The Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of SGA infants differed significantly between cases and controls, 16.2% versus 12.0% (p = 0.0043). This association remained significant after adjustment for race (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: A 1-hour glucose screen with a result that is less than the fifth percentile is an independent risk factor for having an SGA infant.

Blood Glucose↗