Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Abortion Centers”

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 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Immunohistologic analysis of ineffective CD40-CD40 ligand interaction in lymphoid tissues from patients with X-linked immunodeficiency with hyper-IgM. Abortive germinal center cell reaction and severe depletion of follicular dendritic cells.

The CD40 ligand (CD40L) is an activation-induced surface membrane protein expressed by CD4+ T helper cells in lymphoid follicles, and is involved in the contact-dependent signaling-mediated activation, proliferation, and differentiation of CD40+ B cells. Using immunohistochemistry, the present study analyzes the cell microenvironment of lymphoid tissues in two cases of X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome, a congenital immunodeficiency caused by mutations of the CD40L gene, and which represents a unique model to dissect the functional and morphologic consequences of disrupted CD40/CD40L interactions. Prominent primary B follicles are identified in the lymph nodes and in the extranodal lymphoid tissues from both cases, but tiny collections of Bcl-2-, MIB1/Ki67+ centroblasts are also found in one case. Despite the CD40L defect, intrafollicular CD4+CD57+ T helper cells, identified by anti-parvalbumin mAb, are normally present. However, a severe depletion of follicular dendritic cells, recognized by Abs against NGFR, CD21 and CD23, and lack of expression of the Ag recognized by KiM4p on these cells, are noticed. Finally, no major alterations of the architecture and cellular composition of the paracortical T cell area are found. A large number of plasma cells exclusively expressing IgM were detected in the colon lamina propria in one of the patients, who also had extremely elevated IgM serum levels. Taken together, these data support the idea that ineffective CD40/CD40L interactions determine both abortive germinal center cell reaction as well as severe depletion and phenotypical abnormalities of follicular dendritic cells, thus impairing the functional development of B follicles. Recurrent or persisting antigenic stimulation in mucosal tissues is likely to play a major role in determining and maintaining elevated IgM serum levels.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Germinal centers without T cells.

Germinal centers are critical for affinity maturation of antibody (Ab) responses. This process allows the production of high-efficiency neutralizing Ab that protects against virus infection and bacterial exotoxins. In germinal centers, responding B cells selectively mutate the genes that encode their receptors for antigen. This process can change Ab affinity and specificity. The mutated cells that produce high-affinity Ab are selected to become Ab-forming or memory B cells, whereas cells that have lost affinity or acquired autoreactivity are eliminated. Normally, T cells are critical for germinal center formation and subsequent B cell selection. Both processes involve engagement of CD40 on B cells by T cells. This report describes how high-affinity B cells can be induced to form large germinal centers in response to (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl) acetyl (NP)-Ficoll in the absence of T cells or signaling through CD40 or CD28. This requires extensive cross-linking of the B cell receptors, and a frequency of antigen-specific B cells of at least 1 in 1,000. These germinal centers abort dramatically at the time when mutated high-affinity B cells are normally selected by T cells. Thus, there is a fail-safe mechanism against autoreactivity, even in the event of thymus-independent germinal center formation.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The remaining barriers to the use of emergency contraception: perception of pregnancy risk by women undergoing induced abortions.

Although access to and knowledge of emergency contraception (EC) have improved, numerous unplanned pregnancies occur each year. We thus assessed the remaining barriers to EC use in a population of women seeking an abortion in four abortion centers in France in 2002. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 1365 women. Most women have heard of EC (89%), but access to information remained limited in socially disadvantaged populations. Nevertheless, the unperceived risk of pregnancy appeared to be the most limiting factor to EC use. Only 38.5% of women were aware of pregnancy risk at the time of the intercourse that made them pregnant. Of these women, 48% minimized the risk later, resulting in the decision not to use EC. As the perception of risk is commonly reevaluated by women over time, which probably affects EC use, it could be important to promote advance supply of EC so that women could use it immediately after a recognized unprotected intercourse.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1979

Abortion counselling by nurse specialists.

This paper describes additional training given to nurse specialists in family planning to cover abortion counselling. The primary counselling was carried out by general practitioners or family planning clinic doctors, following this the patient was referred to hospital for counselling by nurse specialists. Of the first 742 patients seen, 3.2% were not pregnant and a further 25 patients (3.4%) decided against termination, 21 after counselling, and 4 because of advanced gestation. The interval between nurse counselling and termination (TOP) was 3 to 9 days, and of 682 TOPs 566 (83%) were in the first trimester. The additional training for nurse specialists prevented the unnecessary wastage of resources as only 42 (5.1%) required a second visit to confirm blood test results, e.g. rubella titres, and only a further 44 (5.3%) required referral to medical social workers.

Abortion, Therapeutic↗
PubMed2000

Medical abortion service delivery.

Medical abortion with mifepristone and methotrexate regimens may be offered in a variety of American medical practice settings. In this article the new provider will find information on all aspects of the patient care delivery system for medical abortion, including physical space requirements, staffing and training, patient flow, cost, security, marketing, and quality assurance. Because of the limited published data available regarding logistic issues surrounding abortion care, the information in this article derives largely from the experiences of providers who have established medical abortion practices in their offices or clinics. Its goals are to help make the initial start-up phase briefer and more rewarding for new providers, to offer helpful guidelines for incorporation of medical abortion into practice, and to encourage more practitioners to see the benefits of adding this option to their practices.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1998

Meeting women's need for a flexible abortion service: retrospective study of a specialist day-care unit.

BACKGROUND: Services for women seeking termination of pregnancy under the National Health Service have persistently failed to meet targets on accessibility and quality of care. A specialist day-care service was established in Lincoln in April 1993, taking referrals from general practitioners and family planning doctors via a dedicated telephone line and offering specialist counselling and the option of medical termination. The impact of this service was investigated in a retrospective study. METHODS: Women attending Lincoln County Hospital with an unwanted pregnancy between April 1991 and March 1996 were included. Demographic details and data on in-hospital care were obtained from the Patient Administration System; resident population data were obtained from routine sources; dates of last menstrual period and referral were obtained from samples of patient records and entries in ward diaries; patient satisfaction was assessed by questionnaire in a consecutive sample of 44 women. RESULTS: The number of terminations provided at Lincoln County Hospital increased from 24 to 40 per month at the time the service began. The proportion of the resident population's demand met by the local provider increased from 48 per cent to 83 per cent. Terminations before nine weeks increased from 24 per cent to 43 per cent; those beyond 12 weeks fell from 15 per cent to 7 per cent. Median gestational age at termination fell from 76 days to 60 days. Forty per cent of suitable women opted for medical termination. CONCLUSIONS: The new service was associated with a pronounced and sustained improvement in National Health Service termination of pregnancy. When offered the choice, many women opted for medical termination.

Abortion, Legal↗