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Biomedical subjects

S Arulkumaran

Publications and source records attributed to S Arulkumaran.

202 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Vibroacoustic stimulation is not associated with sudden fetal catecholamine release.

The safety of vibroacoustic stimulation (VAS), which produces marked changes in fetal heart rate, movements and behavioural state, remains unclear. In order to determine whether VAS is associated with catecholamine release, we measured plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline in 13 appropriately grown normoxaemic fetuses between 28 and 40 weeks gestation immediately before and 60 and 75 s after VAS. Over this time interval, VAS is known to increase fetal heart rate. There was no significant change in either noradrenaline (median change = +0.06 ng/ml, P = 0.26) or adrenaline levels (median change = +0.03 ng/ml, P = 0.4). This study suggests that sympathoadrenal activation is not part of the fetal response to VAS. These findings do not support the recent suggestion that VAS may be deleterious to the fetus by provoking sudden release of catecholamines.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Training in perinatal care--management of patients in labour.

Training in perinatal care involves many different areas, and care around the time of labour forms a core part of training. Our senior residency programme involves 6 months supervised work in the labour ward. During this period, management of spontaneous, induced and augmented labour, methods of fetal monitoring and pain relief are taught. A log book and a check list are maintained to ensure the necessary manipulative and operative obstetric procedures have been followed. Limited scanning experience is provided to enable management of emergencies such as APH, multiple pregnancies, etc. Preparation and presentation of monthly statistics become a responsibility. Daily neonatal ward rounds are performed so that neonatal morbidity in relation to obstetric events are correlated. This exercise provides adequate knowledge to prognosticate and counsel patients whose babies are low birthweight or have malformations. Two to three new research projects are entrusted to trainees in order to acquire skills in writing research protocols, applications for research grants and later to enter research and write manuscripts. Discussion regarding research, working protocols and management problems are carried out after the daily ward rounds. Relevant reference papers or chapters are read, discussed and compiled in a file for further reading and for the benefit of other residents in training. This posting is followed or preceded by 6 months posting in ultrasound, high risk, medical disorder, diabetic and endocrine clinics. They also manage the antenatal and postnatal wards during these 6 months. At the end of 1 year training those interested in fetomaternal medicine do a further 2 years training in these areas at an advanced level.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Characterization of a delta 5-3 beta-hydroxy pathway of testosterone synthesis in the human spermatozoa.

Sonicated specimens of freshly ejaculated sperm from two groups of husbands (n = 6, age 32-38 years; n = 7, age 27-38 years) of infertile couples in the range of sperm concentration between 237.5 and 568.5; 131.1 and 256.7 millions per ejaculate were separately incubated with [7n-3H]pregnenolone and [1,2,6,7(-3)H]dehydroepiandrosterone. Using the reverse-isotope dilution technique [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone and [3H]testosterone formed from the respective substrates were isolated and characterized, yielding 1.2 x 10(-2) to 4.6 x 10(-20/0) and 7.1 x 10(-2) to 2.5 x 10(-10/0)/ Such metabolites were not evident in the controls. These results provide evidence for metabolic transformation of pregnenolone to testosterone via the delta 5-3 beta-hydroxy route.

Adult↗