Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Abortion, Selective”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Recent advances in the cytogenetic study of human spontaneous abortions.

A cytogenetic study of 27 spontaneous abortions was carried out using the Q-banding technic. The specimens were selected for study in order to increase the likelihood of finding a chromosome anomaly. Sixteen of 27 specimens (59%) showed a chromosome abnormality. Trisomy was found in 9 of the specimens, and the chromosomes involved were Nos. 2, 8, 14, 16, and 22. There were 5 triploids and 2 tetraploids. Using marker chromosomes, it was found that the extra haploid set was paternally derived in two of the triploids which were favorable for study. The Q-banding technic provides accurate identification of the extra chromosomes in trisomy. When favorable markers are present in the parents, the source of the extra haploid set can be identified in triploid abortuses.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1976

A review of recent developments in human fertility control.

Recent and significant developments in the field of fertility control are reviewed. Consideration is given to new aspects of existing methods, recent modifications to steroidal formulations and Intrauterine devices, increased utilization of older methods (abortion and sterilization) and evaluation of new fields (postcoital contraception, prostaglandins and immunological techniques). There is an increasing demand for better application of newly developed methods and a rational decision in the selection of appropriate methods.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed2004

Preoperative selective intercostal angiography in patients undergoing thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that detection of the location of the major artery supplying the spinal cord, that is, the artery of Adamkiewicz or the great radicular artery (GRA), with angiography would help prevent paraplegia. Knowing which intercostal artery provides this important branch would enable prompt, focused revascularization. METHOD: The surgical outcome in 131 patients with Crawford extent 1 and 2 degenerative aneurysms and 69 patients with descending thoracic aortic dissection was correlated with findings on selective intercostal arteriograms. Angiographic maneuvers were done with care, and the procedures were aborted if there was loose or "shaggy" mural thrombus, significant tortuosity, or difficulty entering each dissection channel. No attempts were made to find major contributions proximal to T6. Subarachnoid drains were placed in all patients, and all but five patients underwent distal aortic perfusion with controlled cooling to 32 degrees F. Five patients underwent cold circulatory arrest, enabling replacement of the distal aortic arch. We defined paraplegia simply as the inability to walk at hospital discharge, paraparesis as impaired ambulation, and both as having spinal cord dysfunction (SCD). RESULTS: A GRA was found in 65 (43%)of the 151 patients studied. Of the 65 patients with the GRA identified, SCD developed in 3 (4.6%) patients. Thirteen of 135 (9.6%) patients in whom the GRA was not identified, either because they were not studied or were studied and the GRA was not found, developed SCD (P =.35) However, when the GRA was identified, SCD occurred only in the group with aortic dissection. None of the 45 patients with degenerative aneurysms with the GRA identified had SCD, compared with 9 of 55 (16%) patients studied but without a GRA found (P =.01). CONCLUSION: The approach with selective intercostal angiography did not improve overall results. One third of our patients were not studied, and they fared as well as patients who were studied and the GRA was localized (not studied, 4 of 49, 8% with SCD; GRA localized, 3 of 65, 5% with SCD; P =.8). However, when the GRA was found, SCD occurred only in patients with aortic dissection. The studies confirmed the concept that the existence of mural thrombus in degenerative aneurysms results in the occlusion of many intercostal arteries, leaving those remaining patent to supply rich vascular watersheds through acquired collateral channels. As a result, in the group of patients with degenerative aneurysms, the identification of the critical intercostal artery allows focused reimplantation with uniform success. This is not the case in patients with aortic dissection. In those patients, most intercostal vessels remain patent, such that the insertion of one pair is insufficient to supply the paravertebral plexus and the spinal cord. Finally, failure to identify the GRA angiographically with our methods does not provide assurance that the GRA does not exist. Therefore negative findings did not provide license to ligate all intercostal arteries.

Aortic Dissection↗
PubMed1999

Why did your mother reject you? Immunogenetic determinants of the response to environmental selective pressure expressed at the uterine level.

PROBLEM: Maternal "rejection" of the implanted conceptus is considered to account for a significant proportion of miscarriages (abortions) in both humans and animals. Our understanding of mechanisms has been limited, and hence, explanations for nonrejection have remained largely speculative. Losses, when they occur, could represent either random accidental failure of protective mechanisms or a more purposeful discrimination. METHOD OF STUDY: An analysis of the most recent data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The embryo is most akin to a parasite, and pregnancy is most akin to a host-parasite interaction. If one excludes chromosome abnormalities in the embryo as a cause of death, activation of coagulation mechanisms, leading to vasculitis affecting the maternal blood supply to the implanted embryo, appears to represent a major loss-causing mechanisms--a form of ischemic autoamputation. Proinflammatory T-helper (Th) 1-type cytokines trigger this process via upregulation of a novel prothrombinase, fgl2. Th2/3 cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 2, may antagonize the processes involved. Cytokine balance is determined by the genetics of the mother, which regulate her response to stress; endotoxin (LPS); and paternal antigens, selectively expressed on the trophoblast of the embryo, via imprinting. Based on studies in abortion-prone mice, where immunity to paternal alloantigens prevents loss, three distinct gene products in the embryo are proposed to determine the cytokine response to maternal lymphomyeloid cells in the uterus.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1992

Gynaecologists' abortion practice.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the relation between gynaecologists' opinions on the provision of abortion and the service provided by the Health Service in their district and to investigate the methods used for second trimester abortion. DESIGN AND SETTING: A postal questionnaire sent three times to a 50% random sample of gynaecologists practising in the National Health Service (NHS) in 1989 in Great Britain. SUBJECTS: 343 of 396 practising gynaecologists, 87% of those selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of gynaecologists holding views or reporting practice. RESULTS: Although only 11% actually performed abortions beyond 20 weeks, 57% approved later operations in cases of rape and 85% for a threat to the woman's health; only 47% approved late abortion for schoolgirls under 16 years. Dilatation and evacuation was used by only 1% of NHS gynaecologists even though from 13 to 16 weeks it is a safe and efficient method. Although Government statistics report that vacuum aspiration is used in over one third of second trimester abortions, this is technically unlikely and was not confirmed by this study. Less than 50% of abortions in England and Wales are performed in the NHS yet fewer than 40% of gynaecologists reported problems in providing an abortion service. Overall 21% thought they were providing abortions for over 90% of the women resident in their districts, whereas only 2% of districts achieve this proportion in their home regional health authority. Overall 60% supported separating abortion work from general gynaecology, and 45% would like regional abortion units. Only 27% supported fertility control acquiring the status of a subspecialty. CONCLUSIONS: Accepting these suggestions would improve the service, reduce regional variations in provision, provide opportunities for research and could have an important effect in helping slow the world population increase.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗
PubMed1996

HLA sharing, anti-paternal cytotoxic antibodies and MLR blocking factors in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of HLA sharing between spouses and its correlation with presence of antipaternal cytotoxic antibody (APCA) and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) blocking factors in recurrent spontaneous aborters (RSA). DESIGN: Study was carried out at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), Lucknow, from 1988-1992. Hundred couples with 3 or more consecutive recurrent spontaneous abortions and equal number of age, parity and ethinically matched normal controls were selected for studying HLA, APCA and MLR blocking factors. Meta-analysis was performed using standard formula and significance was tested by Chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Significant HLA sharing was observed in couples with RSA at A and DR loci compared to normal controls (p < 0.001). Twenty-seven point eight percent of couples with RSA were positive for APCA compared to 49% of controls (p < 0.01). MLR blocking factors were detected in 26% couples with RSA compared to 78% in controls (p < 0.001). An inverse correlation between HLA sharing and APCA and MLR positivity was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The study supports that greater HLA sharing between spouses, associated with lack of an appropriate immune response to them could be responsible for RSA.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed2005

Upregulation of Bcl-2 at the foetal-maternal interface from mice undergoing abortion.

Several burning questions remain unanswered in pregnancy-related research. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines orchestrate an intriguing interaction leading either to the development of a normal individual or to its rejection. Augmented Th1 cytokines' production is involved in immunological rejection of the foetus. Excessive production of Th1 cytokines, particularly of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, also triggers apoptosis. Thus, in the present work we investigated the incidence of apoptosis in a well-known experimental model of Th1-induced abortion, characterized by increased local TNF-alpha levels. Apoptosis of lymphocytes as well as their Th1 and Th2 cytokine production were analysed by flow cytometry. TNF-alpha mRNA levels were additionally analysed by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in placental and decidual samples. Total placental apoptosis activity was investigated by measuring caspase-3 activity and by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end label staining. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and real time RT-PCR were used to localize and quantify several anti- and pro-apoptotic molecules at the foetal-maternal interface. Despite elevated Th1 levels at the foetal-maternal interface, mice undergoing abortion presented comparable apoptotic rates. Interestingly, we found a significant upregulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein at the foetal-maternal interface from abortion-prone mice, while no changes could be observed for pro-apoptotic molecules. In the light of our results, we conclude that there is no evidence of increased apoptosis in mice undergoing immunological abortion in spite of elevated TNF-alpha levels. This is probably due to a selective upregulation of anti-apoptotic pathways (i.e. Bcl-2) at the foetal-maternal interface as a compensatory and/or protective mechanism.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1994

Histology and Ureaplasma urealyticum culture in 63 cases of first trimester abortion.

The association between chorioamnionitis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum and preterm delivery has been well documented. In contrast, a pathogenic role for Ureaplasma has been postulated in early spontaneous abortions, but definitive evidence for this association has been lacking. In 42 early spontaneous abortions and 21 elective abortions (both first trimester), the chorion was cultured for Ureaplasma. Each case was evaluated histologically for four features of inflammation and one feature of degeneration. For comparison, 32 selected placentas from third trimester preterm deliveries (11 with positive Ureaplasma cultures) were examined histologically for umbilical vasculitis and acute chorioamnionitis. In abortion specimens, Ureaplasma cultures were positive in 11 of 42 early spontaneous abortions (26%) versus 0 of 21 elective abortions (EABs). None of the five histologic features correlated with positive Ureaplasma cultures in early spontaneous abortions. In contrast, in preterm placentas, umbilical vasculitis, and acute chorioamnionitis correlated strongly with positive Ureaplasma cultures. The authors conclude that in premature delivery, U urealyticum chorionic culture positivity is associated with histologic chorioamnionitis; and in abortions, Ureaplasma chorionic culture positivity correlates with early spontaneous abortions (vs elective abortions), but not with histologic inflammation. This suggests that mechanisms of Ureaplasma pathogenesis other than acute inflammation should be considered in future studies of early spontaneous abortions.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2006

Scaling up post-abortion care in Guatemala: initial successes at national level.

This article describes a programme to scale up post-abortion care services in 22 of the 33 public sector district hospitals in Guatemala from July 2003 to December 2004. The main interventions included strengthening the knowledge and technical capacity of staff, expanding post-abortion care, enhancing related infrastructure, distributing informational materials and instituting an abortion surveillance system. A facilitator supported the work through week-long, monthly visits at each hospital. Attention was also devoted to building institutional consensus in support of post-abortion care at government, district hospital and hospital staff levels. During this period, 13,928 women with incomplete abortions were admitted to the 22 hospitals. Use of manual vacuum aspiration for treatment of incomplete first trimester abortion increased from 38% to 68% of cases (p<0.0001). Provision of family planning counselling also increased, from 31% to 78% of women (p<0.0001), and the proportion of women selecting a contraceptive method before leaving hospital from 20% to 49% (p<0.0001). Infection was associated with 71% of the incomplete abortions, of which 90% were septic. There were nine deaths and 768 women suffered severe complications, the level of which remained unchanged during the study period. Guatemala still has much to do to institutionalise post-abortion care fully and reduce deaths and complications, but our efforts to date will be valuable to others.

Abortion, Incomplete↗
PubMed1975

The significance of oral contraceptives in causing chromosome anomalies in spontaneous abortions.

The significance of oral contraceptives in causing chromosome aberrations in the fetus was studied in 246 non-selected spontaneous abortuses using Q-banding technique. No significant difference in the frequency of abnormal karyotypes or in the sex ratio was found between 124 abortuses of women who had taken oral contraceptives in comparison with 122 abortuses of women who had never used oral contraceptives. The study did, however, show that women who had used oral contraceptives were significantly younger than women who had not used these pills. In addition, the gestational age of the chromosomally abnormal abortuses was on the average 6 days longer in the group of women who had used oral contraceptives than in the group who had not. The difference was significant only with regard to the karyotype 45,X.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1986

[Population policies and intervention on natality in Eastern Europe (Part 1)].

This is an overview of population policies and their underlying doctrines in Eastern European countries since World War II. The author describes three chronological stages: "an orthodox populationist stage, from 1945 to 1955...; a phase of liberalization of abortion and at times of contraception from 1955 to 1965; and from this latter date, as a reaction against the accelerated decline of fertility, a phase of abortion and divorce restriction and of growing aid to family, likewise [marked] by the creation of National Population Committees and Institutes of Demographic Research." The countries of Eastern Europe are divided into three classifications: those with no population policy (Albania only); those with indirect measures, including Poland, Yugoslavia, and the USSR; and those with explicit, quantitative demographic goals, including Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, and Romania. The effectiveness of selected population policies is assessed. (SUMMARY IN ENG)

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1998

Coffee consumption and risk of hospitalized miscarriage before 12 weeks of gestation.

In order to analyse the association between drinking coffee in pregnancy and risk of spontaneous abortion, a case-controlled study was conducted in Milan, Northern Italy. Cases were 782 women with spontaneous abortion within the 12th week of gestation. The control group was recruited from women who gave birth at term (> 37 weeks gestation) to healthy infants on randomly selected days at the same hospitals where cases had been identified: 1543 controls were interviewed. A total of 561 (72%) cases of spontaneous abortion and 877 (57%) controls reported coffee drinking during the first trimester of the index pregnancy. The corresponding multivariate odds ratios of spontaneous abortion, in comparison with non-drinkers, were 1.2, 1.8 and 4.0, respectively, for drinkers of 1, 2 or 3, and 4 or more cups of coffee per day. No relationship emerged between maternal decaffeinated coffee, tea and cola drinking in pregnancy, as well as paternal coffee consumption, and risk of spontaneous abortion. With regard to duration in years of coffee drinking, the estimated multivariate odds ratios of spontaneous abortion were, in comparison with non-coffee drinkers, 1.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9-1.4) and 1.9 (95% CI 1.5-2.6) for women reporting a duration of coffee consumption < or = 10 or > 10 years. In conclusion, coffee drinking early in pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of abortion. This has biological implications, but epidemiological inference on the causality is difficult and still open to debate.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2001

Spectrum of normal intrauterine cavity sonographic findings after first-trimester abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the sonographic appearance of the uterine cavity after uncomplicated first-trimester abortion. METHODS: Women who underwent uterine evacuation for first-trimester abortion were referred for endovaginal sonographic examination within the week after the procedure. Special attention was directed to characterizing the intrauterine cavity. Demographic and clinical parameters were collected. A repeated postmenstrual examination was carried out in selected cases. RESULTS: In all, 57, 10, and 7 sonographic examinations were performed after termination of pregnancy, incomplete (spontaneous) abortion, and missed abortion, respectively. Fifty-seven (77%) of the 74 examinations showed considerable amounts of intrauterine content with various echogenicities (anteroposterior thickness range, 7-61 mm). No association could be documented between the pattern of appearance and gravidity, parity, gestational age, or type of abortion procedure. All postmenstrual reevaluations of patients with excessive amounts of intrauterine material at the initial examination (n = 7) showed empty intrauterine cavities. CONCLUSION: Within the week after first-trimester abortion, the uterine cavity is seldom empty. Thick heterogeneous material is an expected finding after examination. By being familiar with this normal range of appearances, clinicians can avoid unnecessary repeated invasive evacuation procedures. A follow-up sonographic evaluation during the follicular phase of the next menstrual cycle is recommended to confirm the absence of retained products of pregnancy.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed2004

Medical methods for first trimester abortion.

BACKGROUND: Surgical abortion up to 63 days by vacuum aspiration or dilatation and curettage has been the method of choice since the 1960s. Medical abortion became an alternative method of first trimester pregnancy termination with the availability of prostaglandins in the early 1970s and anti-progesterones in the 1980s. The most widely researched drugs are prostaglandins (PGs) alone, mifepristone alone, methotrexate alone, mifepristone with prostaglandins and methotrexate with prostaglandins. OBJECTIVES: To compare different medical methods for first trimester abortion. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE and Popline were systematically searched. Reference lists of retrieved papers were also searched. Experts in WHO/HRP were contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: Types of studies. Randomised controlled trials comparing different medical methods (e.g. single drug, combination), ways of application, or different dose regimens, single or combined, for medical abortion, were considered. Trials were assessed and included if they had adequate concealment of allocation, randomisation procedure and follow-up. Women, pregnant in the first trimester, undergoing medical abortion were the participants. Different medical methods used for first trimester abortion, compared with each other or placebo were included. The outcomes sought include mortality, failure to achieve complete abortion, surgical evacuation (as emergency procedure, non-emergency procedure, or undefined), ongoing pregnancy at follow-up, time until passing of conceptus (> 3-6 hours), blood transfusion, blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin), days of bleeding, pain resulting from the procedure (reported by the women or measured by use of analgesics), additional uterotonics used, women's dissatisfaction with the procedure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently selected trials for inclusion from the results of the search strategy described previously. The selection of trials for inclusion in the review was performed independently by two reviewers after employing the search strategy described previously. Trials under consideration were evaluated for appropriateness for inclusion and methodological quality without consideration of their results. A form was designed to facilitate the data extraction. Data were processed using Revman software. MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-nine trials were included in the review. The effectiveness outcomes below refer to 'failure to achieve complete abortion' with the intended method unless otherwise stated. 1) Combined regimen mifepristone/prostaglandin: Mifepristone 600 mg compared to 200 mg shows similar effectiveness in achieving complete abortion (4 trials, RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.32). Misoprostol administered orally is less effective (more failures) than the vaginal route (RR 3.00, 95% CI 1.44 to 6.24) and may be associated with more frequent side effects such as nausea and diarrhoea. 2) Mifepristone alone is less effective compared to the combined regimen mifepristone/prostaglandin (RR 3.76 95% CI 2.30 to 6.15). 3) Similarly, the 5 trials included in the comparison of prostaglandin compared to the combined regimen reported in all but one higher effectiveness with the combined regime compared to prostaglandin. The results of these studies were not pooled but the RR of failure with prostaglandin alone is between 1.4 to 3.75 and the 95% confidence intervals indicate statistical significance. 4) In one trial comparing gemeprost 0.5 mg with misoprostol 800 mcg, misoprostol was more effective (failure with gemeprost: RR 2.86, 95% CI 1.14 to 7.18). 5) There was no difference when using split dose compared to single dose of prostaglandin. 6) Combined regimen methotrexate/prostaglandin: there was no statistically significant difference in failure to achieve complete abortion comparing methotrexate administered intramuscular to oral (RR 2.04, 95% CI 0.51 to 8.07). Similarly, early (day 3) vs late (day 5) administration of prostaglandin showed no significant of prostaglandin showed no significant difference (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.43). One trial compared the effect of tamoxifen vs methotrexate and no statistically significant differences were observed in effectiveness between the groups. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Safe and effective medical abortion methods are available. Combined regimens are more effective than single agents. In the combined regimen, the dose of mifepristone can be lowered to 200 mg without significantly decreasing the method effectiveness. Misoprostol vaginally is more effective than orally. Some of the results are based on small studies only and therefore carry some uncertainty. Almost all trials were conducted in hospital settings with good access to support and emergency services. It is therefore not clear if the results are readily applicable to under-resourced settings where such services are lacking even if the agents used are available.

Abortifacient Agents↗
PubMed2004

Medical methods for first trimester abortion.

BACKGROUND: Surgical abortion up to 63 days by vacuum aspiration or dilatation and curettage has been the method of choice since the 1960s. Medical abortion became an alternative method of first trimester pregnancy termination with the availability of prostaglandins in the early 1970s and anti-progesterones in the 1980s. The most widely researched drugs are prostaglandins (PGs) alone, mifepristone alone, methotrexate alone, mifepristone with prostaglandins and methotrexate with prostaglandins. OBJECTIVES: To compare different medical methods for first trimester abortion. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE and Popline were systematically searched. Reference lists of retrieved papers were also searched. Experts in WHO/HRP were contacted. SELECTION CRITERIA: Types of studies. Randomised controlled trials comparing different medical methods (e.g. single drug, combination), ways of application, or different dose regimens, single or combined, for medical abortion, were considered. Trials were assessed and included if they had adequate concealment of allocation, randomisation procedure and follow-up. Women, pregnant in the first trimester, undergoing medical abortion were the participants. Different medical methods used for first trimester abortion, compared with each other or placebo were included. The outcomes sought include mortality, failure to achieve complete abortion, surgical evacuation (as emergency procedure, non-emergency procedure, or undefined), ongoing pregnancy at follow-up, time until passing of conceptus (> 3-6 hours), blood transfusion, blood loss (measured or clinically relevant drop in haemoglobin), days of bleeding, pain resulting from the procedure (reported by the women or measured by use of analgesics), additional uterotonics used, women's dissatisfaction with the procedure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently selected trials for inclusion from the results of the search strategy described previously. The selection of trials for inclusion in the review was performed independently by two reviewers after employing the search strategy described previously. Trials under consideration were evaluated for appropriateness for inclusion and methodological quality without consideration of their results. A form was designed to facilitate the data extraction. Data were processed using Revman software. MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-nine trials were included in the review. The effectiveness outcomes below refer to 'failure to achieve complete abortion' with the intended method unless otherwise stated. 1) Combined regimen mifepristone/prostaglandin: Mifepristone 600 mg compared to 200 mg shows similar effectiveness in achieving complete abortion (4 trials, RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.32). Misoprostol administered orally is less effective (more failures) than the vaginal route (RR 3.00, 95% CI 1.44 to 6.24) and may be associated with more frequent side effects such as nausea and diarrhoea. 2) Mifepristone alone is less effective compared to the combined regimen mifepristone/prostaglandin (RR 3.76 95% CI 2.30 to 6.15). 3) Similarly, the 5 trials included in the comparison of prostaglandin compared to the combined regimen reported in all but one higher effectiveness with the combined regime compared to prostaglandin. The results of these studies were not pooled but the RR of failure with prostaglandin alone is between 1.4 to 3.75 and the 95% confidence intervals indicate statistical significance. 4) In one trial comparing gemeprost 0.5 mg with misoprostol 800 mcg, misoprostol was more effective (failure with gemeprost: RR 2.86, 95% CI 1.14 to 7.18). 5) There was no difference when using split dose compared to single dose of prostaglandin. 6) Combined regimen methotrexate/prostaglandin: there was no statistically significant difference in failure to achieve complete abortion comparing methotrexate administered intramuscular to oral (RR 2.04, 95% CI 0.51 to 8.07). Similarly, early (day 3) vs late (day 5) administration of prostaglandin showed no significant of prostaglandin showed no significant difference (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.43). One trial compared the effect of tamoxifen vs methotrexate and no statistically significant differences were observed in effectiveness between the groups. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: Safe and effective medical abortion methods are available. Combined regimens are more effective than single agents. In the combined regimen, the dose of mifepristone can be lowered to 200 mg without significantly decreasing the method effectiveness. Misoprostol vaginally is more effective than orally. Some of the results are based on small studies only and therefore carry some uncertainty. Almost all trials were conducted in hospital settings with good access to support and emergency services. It is therefore not clear if the results are readily applicable to under-resourced settings where such services are lacking even if the agents used are available.

Abortifacient Agents↗
PubMed1982

Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona associated with abortion in cattle: isolation methods and laboratory animal histopathology.

Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona was successfully isolated from cattle urine in the western Transvaal after an abortion storm had occurred. Direct inoculation of EMJH medium proved the most successful method. The selective agent, 5-fluorouracil, was most effective in controlling contamination when used at the 0,4 mg/ml level. The strain isolated was pathogenic in hamsters, but specific lesions and the leptospirae were seen only where overwhelming infection occurred.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2000

[AFLP markers of restoring genes of the wild-abortive hybrid rice].

Fertile and sterile pools were set up by bulked segregant analysis (BSA) based on the selection for the highly fertile and highly sterile plants of Shanyou 63 F2 population. The AFLP analysis of the two pools indicated that 64 primer combinations amplified 3,477 stable and clear bands. Exception of the combination E-AGC/M-CAA, all primer combinations had not detected polymorphism between the two pools. It was proved by investigation of two parents, individuals of F2 segregant population, backbone sterile lines and restorer lines that the polymorphic fragment AP1 generated from the primer E-AGC/M-CAA was associated with the restoring gene. AP1 was a single copy detected by Southern blot hybridization. The distance between AP1 and the restoring gene was 4.76 cM.

Genes, Plant↗
PubMed2004

Asynchronous delivery of twins and triplets with an interval period ranging from 48 hours to 19 weeks.

OBJECTIVE: To improve perinatal survival rates by prolonging the rest of the pregnancy after an abortion or extremely premature birth of one fetus in multiple pregnancies, especially in women with low fertility potential. METHODS: Following the expulsion of one fetus a cervical cerclage was applied to all patients. The placenta of the expelled fetus including a small portion of its cord after it was ligated close to the external os, was left in situ. The patients were invariably kept on bed rest until the pregnancy was completed under close observation, tocolysis and preventive antibiosis. After the 24th week of gestation corticosteroids were administered. RESULTS: The delivery interval achieved ranged between two and 135 days, the longest reported. Although the survival rate was relatively low (40%) all but one of the women (83%) managed eventually to have a live child, one with twins. CONCLUSIONS: In selected multiple pregnancies the attempt to prolong the rest or the pregnancy, following the abortion or the extremely premature birth of one fetus, seems efficacious and justified especially in women with a history of long-term infertility.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗