The effect of exercise on pressure developed by the circumvaginal muscles (CVM) in postpartum women was studied. The CVM assessment system described earlier by Dougherty, Abrams, and McKey used an intravaginal balloon device (IVBD) developed from an impression and model of the vagina. The system (IVBD, pressure transducer and strip chart recorder) provided permanent CVM pressure tracings with high test-re-test reliability (n = 16; r = .85) for maximum pressure (MP). The hypothesis in the research reported here was that exercise with and without an IVBD, when compared to no exercise, would result in significantly higher MP and pressure over time (POT). Forty-five healthy PP volunteers were randomly assigned to a 10-minute per day home training program, for six weeks. The baseline and six-week assessments consisted of CVM pressure tracings during contraction. Dependent variables were MP (highest pressure attained) and POT (area under the pressure curve). Although no significant differences were found between the home training groups, greater improvement was found in the exercise groups. Variability within subjects partly accounts for the results. Pressure changes before and after pregnancy and before and after CVM exercise are demonstrated in a case study. The findings support the use of CVM exercise in the postpartum.

Exercise↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cochlear microphonics recorded from fetal and newborn sheep.

PURPOSE: Sounds present within the uterus stimulate the fetal inner ear and central auditory pathway. This study was undertaken to determine the efficiency of transmission of exogenous airborne stimuli to the fetal inner ear. In this way, we may quantify the extent to which the fetal auditory system is isolated from sounds produced outside the mother. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cochlear microphonics were recorded from fetal and newborn sheep to evaluate the extent to which the fetus is isolated from sounds exogenous to the ewe. Electrodes were surgically placed in contact with the round window membrane in nine near-term fetal sheep. Cochlear microphonics were recorded in response to 1/3 octave-band noises (0.125 to 2.0 kHz) delivered through a loudspeaker 1.8 m from one side of the pregnant ewe. Sound pressure levels generated by the noises were simultaneously recorded ex utero with a microphone and in utero with a hydrophone previously sutured to the fetal neck. After cochlear microphonic amplitudes were recorded, the fetus was delivered through an abdominal incision. Recordings were repeated from the newborn lamb. Fetal sound isolation was calculated as the difference between the sound pressure levels that were necessary to evoke equal cochlear microphonic amplitudes from the fetus and from the newborn lamb. RESULTS: The sound attenuation observed was variable for all frequencies. The fetus was isolated from external sounds by 11.1 dB for 0.125 kHz, 19.8 dB for 0.25 kHz, 35.3 dB for 0.5 kHz, 38.2 dB for 1.0 kHz, and 45.0 dB for 2.0 kHz. CONCLUSIONS: Other investigators have demonstrated that the immature auditory system is more susceptible to damage produced by noise exposure than is the mature auditory system. Low-frequency noise produces damaged cells that later in life code higher frequencies. A possibility of fetal hearing loss produced by intense noise exposure needs more careful evaluation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fetal sheep in utero hear through bone conduction.

PURPOSE: Although the air-conduction pathway is the principal mode of sound transmission to the inner ear, this may not be true for the fetus in utero. The fetus detects and responds to sounds in the maternal environment. Exogenous sounds can reach the fetal inner ear through the ear canal and middle ear system, bone conduction, or both. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of these two routes of sound transmission by recording cochlear microphonic potentials from the fetus in utero in response to airborne sounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cochlear microphonics (CMs) recorded from one round window (RW) of fetal sheep in utero were obtained in three conditions: (1) head uncovered; (2) head covered with a neoprene hood; and (3) head covered with a neoprene hood fashioned with a hole that permitted the pinna and ear canal to be exposed. Tone bursts (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz) were delivered through a loudspeaker at high intensities (100 to 135 dB sound pressure level) to the flank of the ewe. CMs were detected with indwelling electrodes, amplified, and averaged. CM input-output functions were obtained from the fetus in each of the three conditions described above. RESULTS: CMs recorded with the head uncovered were more sensitive than were the CMs recorded with the hood in place. There was no difference in sensitivity between the condition during which the head was completely covered and the condition in which the pinna and ear canal are exposed. CONCLUSION: The principal mode of sound transmission into the fetal inner ear is through bone conduction.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

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The endoscopic intrahepatic cholangiogram. Clinicopathologic correlation with postmortem cholangiograms.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) allows visualization of the entire biliary tree. The cholangiographic appearance of the intrahepatic bile ducts has received relatively little attention. This postmortem study was performed to define cholangiographic alterations produced by disease and to aid in the recognition of pathologic intrahepatic cholangiographic patterns produced by ERC. Intrahepatic cholangiographic patterns in the normal biliary tree, hepatic cirrhosis, hepatic infiltrative processes, and hepatic mass lesions are presented.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Seizures in a fetal lamb after cocaine exposure: a case report.

We report the chance observation of two generalized seizures in a fetal lamb that received cocaine. Cocaine was infused intravenously into a 138-day-old fetus while electrocortical (ECoG), electroocular (EOG), and neck electromyographic (EMG) activity were recorded. Fetal rapid eye movement (REM) and nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep were disrupted during the cocaine exposure and returned to a normal pattern after infusions were stopped. Seventy-two hours later, however, we recorded generalized seizures with ECoG spike and spike wave activity.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Attributes of the oral cavity as a site for basal body temperature measurements.

The thermal topography of the oral cavity of 11 women was mapped with thermocouples in early morning waking conditions. A reference thermocouple was placed in the vagina. No significant difference was found in the time required to reach a steady-state oral temperature and in the achieved steady-state temperature difference (Tv-To) in the preovulatory and postovulatory phases of the menstrual cycle. Location of the thermocouple in the oral cavity had a significant effect on steady-state temperature differences. After equilibration of oral thermometers, women breathed through their mouths for exactly five minutes. Mouths were closed and a second temperature equilibration phase was recorded. Mouth breathing had a significantly greater effect on the temperature of the anterior sublingual and dorsum of the tongue sites than on the posterior sublingual and buccal trough sites.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reliability of urine temperature as a measurement of basal body temperature.

Natural family planning is based on the recognition of physiologic signs and symptoms that identify fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle. Identification of the onset of the infertile period can be determined when the upward shift in basal body temperature (BBT) has occurred. A study was conducted to determine if the temperature of the first-morning voided urine adequately represents BBT. In 22 subjects, vaginal temperature, taken immediately upon awakening, was compared with first-morning voided urine temperature as measured continuously by thermocouples mounted in either of two flow-through devices attached to a toilet bowl. A significant correlation was found between the two temperatures. The convenience and hygiene of the method together with the reliability of urine temperature as an estimator of BBT could reduce the generally high rate of noncompliance of women choosing this natural method of family planning.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The dynamic characteristics of the circumvaginal muscles.

Circumvaginal muscle (CVM) maximum pressure was studied as related to the postpartal period, parity, type of birth, episiotomy, age, breastfeeding, physical activity, body mass, stress urinary incontinence, and orgasm in a sample of 98 healthy postpartal and nonpostpartal women. Circumvaginal muscle pressure tracings were obtained from these women using a pressure-sensitive, intravaginal balloon device. Correlations between circumvaginal muscle maximum pressures and episiotomy, age, breastfeeding, physical activity, body mass, stress urinary incontinence, and orgasm were either not significant or only weakly significant. However, Duncan's multiple range test showed differences in the maximum pressures between groups (nulliparous, parity greater than 0, cesarean delivery, and vaginal delivery) and indicated that vaginal birth has a marked weakening effect on the circumvaginal muscles.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pulmonary radiographic findings in a case of febrile, relapsing, nonsuppurative panniculitis (Weber-Christian disease).

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Follow-Up Studies↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in pregnant sheep and fetus after inhalation of smoke from a marijuana cigarette.

Seven pregnant ewes were prepared with open-ended tracheal T tubes and with catheters in maternal femoral artery and in central circulation of fetus. Several days postoperatively, at 129-132 days gestation, ewes inhaled smoke from one marijuana cigarette containing 3.19% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC). Smoke was produced continuously in a hand-held chamber and delivered to the protruding arm of the tracheal tube. Samples of maternal and fetal blood were taken during the 8-10 minute smoking period and at intervals up to 24 hours. Delta-9-THC was detected in maternal plasma at 3 minutes and peaked at 10 minutes. Fetal plasma delta-9-THC reached detectable levels in 5 animals by 10 minutes. Maximum mean level was reached at 90 minutes and remained nearly constant until the fourth hour. Fetal delta-9-THC levels remained lower than maternal levels at all times. The terminal half-life of delta-9-THC in fetal and maternal plasma exceeded 10 hours.

Animals↗