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Biomedical subjects

J G Quirk

Publications and source records attributed to J G Quirk.

66 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Hormone production during pregnancy in the primigravid patient. II. Plasma levels of deoxycorticosterone throughout pregnancy of normal women and women who developed pregnancy-induced hypertension.

The plasma concentration of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) was determined serially in a large group of primigravid women from 10 weeks' gestation to term. The plasma level of DOC in women whose pregnancies were uncomplicated (n = 44) was 234 +/- 33 pg/ml (mean +/- SE), at 10 to 14 weeks' gestation, a level two times that of nonpregnant subjects. The plasma level of DOC in these women rose to 778 +/- 65 pg/ml at 23 to 26 weeks' gestation, and at term (39 to 42 weeks) was 1,309 +/- 155 pg/ml. The plasma levels of DOC in women (n = 31) who eventually developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) were similar to those in the women who remained normal at all stages of pregnancy. We also found that, in women with normal pregnancies as well as in all stages of pregnancy. We also found that, in women with normal pregnancies as well as in women destined to develop PIH, the plasma concentration of DOC fluctuated in a manner parallel to that of progesterone throughout gestation; however, changes in the plasma level of DOC did not mirror those of cortisol. These data suggest that excessive plasma levels of DOC are not necessarily associated with the development of PIH. These data also support the view that, in pregnant women, a fraction of circulating DOC may arise via extra-adrenal 21-hydroxylation of progesterone rather than through adrenal secretion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Hormone production during pregnancy in the primigravid patient. I. Plasma levels of progesterone and 5-alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione throughout pregnancy of normal women and women who developed pregnancy-induced hypertension.

The plasma concentrations of progesterone and 5-alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione (5-alpha-dihydroprogesterone) were measured from as early as 12 weeks through 41 weeks of gestation in primigravid women. Two groups of primigravid women were assessed, those with uncomplicated pregnancies and those who developed pregnancy-induced hypertension. Plasma levels of progesterone and 5-alpha-dihydroprogesterone rose progressively throughout gestation in both groups of women. The ratio of the level of progesterone to that of 5-alpha-dihydroprogesterone in individual plasma samples of women with uncomplicated pregnancies was 7.0 from 12 to 15 weeks' gestation while at 35 to 41 weeks' gestation the ratio had declined to 4.6. Similar results were obtained in plasma samples of women who ultimately developed pregnancy-induced hypertension. Since no differences in plasma levels of progesterone or 5-alpha-dihydroprogesterone were detected between primigravid women with uncomplicated pregnancies and those who developed pregnancy-induced hypertension, we conclude that neither progesterone nor 5-alpha-dihydroprogesterone concentrations in plasma are of value in identifying women at risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Female↗
PubMed1979

The role of glucocorticoids, unstressful labor, and atraumatic delivery in the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome.

A 37 month review of the effects of glucocorticoids and uncompromised labor with atraumatic delivery on the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is presented. The incidence of RDS in the control and study population is not significantly different; however, the incidence of RDS in the control and study groups is markedly lower than the published figures for the same age and weight range. The low incidence of RDS in the control population is attributed to the avoidance of intrapartum hypoxia and stress during an uncompromised labor and atraumatic delivery.

Cesarean Section↗
PubMed1973

Number of germ cells in known male and known female genotypes of vertebrate embryos (Oryzias latipes).

The number of primordial germ cells in embryos of known genotypic sex was the same in XY males and XX females until the gonad became recognizable as testis or ovary. It has been claimed that the heterogametic sex chromosome causes the gonad to differentiate as a testis in mammals and as an ovary in birds as a result of earlier and more mitoses. This claim was not supported in the present study where a sex difference in numbers of germ cells was first noted during differentiation of oocytes in the XX embryos.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin as a marker for the delivery of low-birth-weight infants in women with unexplained elevations in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein.

We wished to ascertain whether the measurement of maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (MShCG) in the serum of pregnant women with unexplained elevations of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) would more precisely define those women at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. MShCG was measured in samples of serum obtained from women in the second trimester of pregnancy who had elevated MSAFP, normal Level II ultrasounds, and normal fetal karyotypes. Based on the characteristics of a receiver-operator curve for MShCG and birth weight, patients were divided into two groups and pregnancy outcomes were compared. Pregnant women with an unexplained elevation in MSAFP, who also had an abnormal MShCG (< or = 0.5 MoM > or = 2.5) were at significantly greater risk of delivering a low-birth-weight infant compared to women with a normal MShCG (43% and 15%, respectively; P = 0.013). They were also more likely to deliver a preterm infant (48% and 11.9%), respectively; P = 0.001). In the prediction of low birth weight, an abnormal MShCG had a sensitivity of 50%, a specificity of 81%, and a positive predictive value of 43%; in the detection of preterm delivery the values were 59%, 88%, and 48%, respectively. These findings suggest that in pregnant women with a second trimester unexplained elevation in MSAFP, abnormal MShCG levels may identify a group of women at high risk of preterm delivery or delivery of a low-birth-weight infant.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aortic stenosis, cesarean delivery, and epidural anesthesia.

A 23-year-old female was referred to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at 32 weeks' gestation with a history of aortic stenosis following aortic valve replacement. Evaluation by echocardiography showed an approximately 90 mmHg transvalvular pressure gradient. Pregnancy progressed to 36 weeks' gestation without problem, at which time the patient underwent cesarean section with lumbar epidural anesthesia. Invasive hemodynamic monitors were used to assess cardiac performance and as a guide for anesthetic management. The impact of aortic stenosis on pregnancy is discussed, as are management aspects of lumbar epidural anesthesia in such patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidermal growth factor enhances secretion of the ovarian tumor-associated cancer antigen CA125 from the human amnion WISH cell line.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the relation between epidermal growth factor (EGF)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and CA125 production in WISH cells. METHODS: We investigated quantitatively and immunohistochemically EGF-stimulated CA125 release from WISH cells and the effect of EGF on CA125 phosphorylation. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that CA125 and EGFR expression on the plasma membrane of the WISH cells was closely correlated with cell density. The WISH cell monolayers (day 4) stained for CA125 in both the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. By day 8, cells began to form clumps in the surrounding monolayer that were positive for membrane-associated CA125 and EGFR, while the monolayer was almost negative for both molecules. Four-day and 8-day cells exposed to EGF demonstrated a loss of both CA125 and EGFR staining. Epidermal growth factor increased the secreted CA125 levels by 50% in day-4 cells but had no effect on day-8 cells. CA125 from WISH cells was phosphorylated, and EGF further enhanced this phosphorylation.

Amnion↗