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Biomedical subjects

K Skinner

Publications and source records attributed to K Skinner.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Prostanoid concentrations in maternal/fetal plasma and amniotic fluid and intrauterine tissue prostanoid output in relation to myometrial contractility during the onset of adrenocorticotropin-induced preterm labor in sheep.

Prostanoid [prostaglandin (PG)] concentrations were measured in ovine maternal and fetal plasma and amniotic fluid during the onset of preterm labor induced by the administration of a pulsatile infusion of ACTH-(1-24) (P-ACTH; 66.7 ng/min for 15 min every 2 h) to the fetus and in saline-infused controls. P-ACTH administration stimulated a change in intra-uterine pressure from type A-activity, characterized by sustained increases of low amplitude, to type B labor-like activity of short duration, high amplitude (greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg) increases which occurred between 12 and 8 h before the onset of labor. PGF2 alpha and/or PGFM (13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha) concentrations increased consistently in all fluids 16 h or earlier before labor. All PGs increased in fetal carotid arterial plasma (PGE2 greater than PGF2 alpha) and amniotic fluid, and the relative increases in each PG were similar. However, PGF2 alpha and PGFM selectively increased in maternal vena caval and aortic plasma, whereas smaller or negligible increases in the prostacyclin hydrolysis metabolite 6-keto PGF1 alpha (6KF) and PGE2 were noted. The output of PGs E2 and F2 alpha (picograms per 10(5) cells/8 h) increased 1.6- and 1.7-fold, respectively, by cells dispersed from the chorioallantois of P-ACTH-treated animals compared to that in control animals infused with saline for 100 h. From fetal cotyledons, these increases were 2.4-fold (P less than 0.05) and 3.6-fold, respectively. No significant changes occurred in 6-keto PGF1 alpha output from any tissue or PGE2 or PGF2 alpha output from amnion or maternal cotyledons. We conclude 1) that PGs increase in all fluids before the increase in uterine mechanical activity during induced preterm labor, implying that PGs mediate this event and are not a result thereof; 2) that syntheses of PGs E2 and F2 alpha increase similarly in intrauterine tissues with the onset of labor; and 3) that a selective increase in PGF2 alpha, a myometrial stimulatory PG, occurs exclusively in maternal plasma, suggesting that endoperoxide conversion to PGF2 alpha is specifically enhanced during parturition or suggesting the existence of an intrauterine tissue source of 9-keto PG reductase.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1984

Early changes in prostaglandin concentrations in ovine maternal and fetal plasma, amniotic fluid and from dispersed cells of intrauterine tissues before the onset of ACTH-induced pre-term labour.

The changes with time in intrauterine tissue production and concentrations of PGE-2, PGF-2 alpha, 6-keto PGF-1 alpha and PGFM (13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF-2 alpha) in maternal and fetal plasma and amniotic fluid were investigated during the first 72 h of pulsatile administration of ACTH1-24 to chronically catheterized fetal sheep. By 72 h there were no changes in the frequency, maximum amplitude or duration of uterine contractions compared to preinfusion values. Basal concentrations of PGE-2 in maternal and fetal plasma were generally higher than those of PGF-2 alpha, while 6-keto PGF-1 alpha values were intermediate. The concentrations of all PGs increased in amniotic fluid during ACTH infusion. In fetal plasma and in maternal vena caval plasma, however, there were significant increases only in PGF-2 alpha and PGFM. No changes were observed in plasma concentrations for any PG during saline infusion. The mean output of PGE-2, PGF-2 alpha and 6-keto PGF-1 alpha by dispersed cells prepared from chorioallantois and fetal and maternal cotyledons was consistently higher after ACTH for 72 h than from saline-infused animals, although significance (P less than 0.05) was achieved only for PGE-2 in chorioallantois . There are 3 conclusions. (1) Increases in ovine intrauterine tissue PG production precede the occurrence of increased myometrial contractile activity after ACTH treatment of fetal sheep. The results imply a causal relationship between rising PG and later myometrial contractions, rather than PG changes resulting from enhanced uterine activity. (2) The major site(s) of increased PG output in vitro from endogenous precursors are fetal structures, especially the chorio-allantoic membranes. (3) Although PGE-2 may be the major circulating PG during late gestation, there is a selective increase in plasma PGF-2 alpha concentrations before the onset of delivery.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1983

Estradiol-17 beta and 2-hydroxyestradiol-17 beta-induced differential production of prostaglandins by cells dispersed from human intrauterine tissues at parturition.

Prostaglandin (PGE, 6-keto PGF1 alpha) output by cells dispersed from human amnion and decidua in the presence of increasing levels (0-5000 ng/ml) of estradiol-17 beta (E2) or 2-hydroxyestradiol-17 beta (2-OH E2) was studied in relation to parturition. Tissues were obtained from women at term either before (CS) or after (SL) spontaneous labor and vaginal delivery. In the absence of estrogens, the output of both PGs from amnion increased significantly with labor. No significant increase in decidua PG output occurred with labor. Neither estrogen influenced CS amnion PG output. However, both E2 and 2-OH E2 stimulated SL amnion PGE output (2-OH E2 greater than E2) while having no affect on 6-keto PGF1 alpha output. Only the highest dose of 2-OH E2 stimulated PGE output in CS decidua, but both estrogens significantly inhibited 6-keto PGF1 alpha output in this tissue. In SL decidua only 2-OH E2 significantly stimulated PGE, and neither estrogen affected 6-keto PGF1 alpha output. These results might suggest that estrogens modulate PG biosynthesis at the level of endoperoxide to primary PG conversion.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1983

Prostaglandin output in relation to parturition by cells dispersed from human intrauterine tissues.

Collagenase-dispersed cells from human amnion, chorion, decidua, and placenta have been maintained in short term cultures to study prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis in relation to parturition. Cells retained metabolic function during the 6-h incubation period, as determined by the apparently linear utilization of radioactive glucose and the formation of tritiated water. All cells synthesized PGs (E, F, and 6-keto F1 alpha) from endogenous precursors. The output of all three PGs significantly increased in amnion and chorion, but not in decidua or placenta, obtained from women who had entered labor spontaneously at term and delivered vaginally (SL) when compared to women at term, but not in labor, delivered by elective cesarean section (CS). For example, PGE output (picograms per 10(5) cells/6 h) increased from 207 +/- 77 (n = 5) to 908 +/- 334 with labor (mean +/- SEM). The addition of indomethacin (10(-7)-10(-5) M) to SL amnion cells significantly decreased (P less than 0.001, by analysis of variance) PGE and PGF, but not 6-keto PGF1 alpha output. Comparison of PGF output with its metabolite, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha (PGFM); indicated that PGF values were similar to or higher than PGFM for all tissues other than CS chorion, where PGFM output was significantly greater (142 +/- 63 vs. 486 +/- 95; n = 5; P less than 0.05). PGFM levels in amnion increased with labor [104 +/- 51 (n = 5) to 341 +/- 96 (n = 5); P less than 0.05], suggesting that PG output increased with labor in the fetal membranes as a result of increased synthesis and not decreased metabolism.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Health status in VA patients: results from the Veterans Health Study.

Recently, the Veterans Administration (VA) Under Secretary for Health has designated functional status as one of the domains of value for the system, given its increasing importance for clinical care. The Veterans Health Study (VHS) was designed to assist the VA in monitoring outcomes and measuring the case mix of patients who use the VA. The Veterans SF-36 (short form functional status assessment for veterans) was administered to 2425 veterans receiving ambulatory care. Measures of the Veterans SF-36 were strongly correlated with sociodemographics and morbidities of the veterans. Young veterans had poorer mental health status than older veterans. Veterans who used ambulatory care in the VHS reported lower levels of health status, reflecting more disease than a non-VA civilian population. These measures of health are important indicators of the disease burden or case mix of the patients and are pertinent to health systems such as the VA for resource allocation decisions and as outcomes of care.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Journal reading habits of registered nurses.

The rapidly escalating patient acuity level in today's acute care hospitals demands greater specialization and more advanced clinical nursing skills. Professional nursing journals are an excellent source of continuing education and practical clinical update. We designed a descriptive study to determine registered nurses' use of current nursing periodicals. A 26-item questionnaire was used. Respondents were 507 full-time RNs employed in two metropolitan hospitals. Ninety-three percent of the RNs felt that information in journals helps them in their practice, and 68% subscribed to professional nursing journals. Eighty-eight percent agreed they needed to read journals in order to keep up. Articles of clinical interest were the most widely read sections, and the most frequent reason given for not reading was lack of time.

Adult↗