J.P. Pratt

Physiological adaptation and nutritional status during and after pregnancy.

The physiological adaptation of women to pregnancy and the postpartum and their nutritional status was studied and related literature is discussed. Those aspects studied and discussed included differences in capillary and venous blood samples blood changes in the postpartum methods for analyzing hemoglobin total serum protein serum Vitamin-C serum Vitamin-A and carotenoids and serum alkaline phosphatase the quality of dietary intake the usual physiological changes during pregnancy clinical dietary and seriatim biochemical assessment of nutritional status biochemical assessment of hemoglobin total serum protein serum Vitamin-C serum Vitamin-A and carotenoids and serum alkaline phosphatase and maternal and infant blood components and their relationships. The results are discussed with regard to nutritional status clinical symptoms dietary intakes race socioeconomic factors and other influences.

Composition of the human placenta: II. Lipid content

Abstract The total lipid (phospholipid [cephalin, lecithin and sphingomyelin] free and combined cholesterol, cerebrosides and neutral fat) distribution in nine human placentas is reported. No great individual variations in the lipid pattern were noted. Of the total lipid, one-fourth was neutral fat. Phospholipid comprised three-quarters of the essential lipid (total lipid minus neutral fat); and of the phospholipid content, one-half was lecithin, one-third was cephalin, and 14 per cent was sphingomyelin. The total lipid averaged 12.36 per cent of the dry weight, of which 3.51 per cent was neutral fat and 8.85 per cent was essential lipid. Of the dry weight, 0.53 per cent was cerebrosides, 0.99 per cent was free cholesterol, 0.54 per cent was cholesterol esters, and 6.79 per cent was phospholipid. Cephalin averaged 2.26 per cent of the dry weight of the placentas, lecithin was 3.55 per cent, and sphingomyelin was 0.98 per cent.

Composition of the human placenta

Abstract The total lipid (phospholipid [cephalin, lecithin and sphingomyelin] free and combined cholesterol, cerebrosides and neutral fat) distribution in nine human placentas is reported. No great individual variations in the lipid pattern were noted. Of the total lipid, one-fourth was neutral fat. Phospholipid comprised three-quarters of the essential lipid (total lipid minus neutral fat); and of the phospholipid content, one-half was lecithin, one-third was cephalin, and 14 per cent was sphingomyelin. The total lipid averaged 12.36 per cent of the dry weight, of which 3.51 per cent was neutral fat and 8.85 per cent was essential lipid. Of the dry weight, 0.53 per cent was cerebrosides, 0.99 per cent was free cholesterol, 0.54 per cent was cholesterol esters, and 6.79 per cent was phospholipid. Cephalin averaged 2.26 per cent of the dry weight of the placentas, lecithin was 3.55 per cent, and sphingomyelin was 0.98 per cent.

Basal-cell carcinoma of the vulva

Abstract 1. 1. Two cases of basal-cell carcinoma of the vulva are presented. 2. 2. The incidence of basal-cell carcinoma of the vulva cannot be accurately stated because of its infrequent appearance. 3. 3. Wide local excision seems the most logical surgical approach to this lesion.

Early diagnosis of cancer of the body of the uterus

Abstract 1. 1. Bleeding is the most common symptom of adenocarcinoma of the body of the uterus, having been present in every one of our 71 cases. 2. 2. Three case reports illustrate: the importance of irregular premenstrual bleeding; the significance of postmenopausal microscopic bleeding; and the association of adenocarcinoma and hyperplasia. 3. 3. A chart is presented which stimulates the interest of the patient in bleeding, provides a graphic record, and aids in the interpretation of premenstrual bleeding. 4. 4. Examination of a single fragment of tissue is inadequate. Sections from all the curettings should be studied. 5. 5. Early diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the body of the uterus depends upon the education of the laity to observe and report all irregularities of premenopausal bleeding and all postmenopausal bleeding.

Composition of the human placenta: III Vitamin content

Abstract For nine human placentas the average fresh weight was 583 Gm., the dry weight was 72 Gm. The average content of total thiamine was 256 migrograms; of free thiamine, 84 mmg.; total riboflavin, 820 mmg.; free riboflavin, 296 mmg.; niacin, 1.99 mg.; pantothenic acid, 1,535 mmg.; firmly bound biotin, 8.9 mmg.; and of loosely bound biotin, 2.0 mmg. Per 100 Gm. of fresh weight the average content was: total thiamine, 47 mmg.; free thiamine 15 mmg.; total riboflavin, 151 mg.; free riboflavin, 54 mmg.; niacin, 1.99 mg.; pantothenic acid, 279 mmg.; firmly bound biotin, 1.6 mmg.; and loosely bound biotin, 0.4 mmg.