Paula B. Pendergrass

A Rapid, Noninvasive Method for Evaluation of Total Menstrual Loss

Three types of packages containing enough sanitary supplies for one menstrual period were weighed and distributed to 100 subjects to determine adequacy of supplies and compliance to protocol. Returned packages were then reweighed to determine total menstrual loss. No subject used all the supplies in her package; therefore, packages contents were deemed ample. 7 subjects added their own purchased products to their packages; since added products were specified by name, weight corrections were easily made. 2 subjects lost unused supplies which were specified, and weight corrections were made accordingly. Evaporative loss from sealed and stored and frequently opened packages was measured. 100 g distilled water were added to contents inside 60 packages which were sealed and set aside 7 days. Average loss from these packages was 0.65 +/- 0.57 g. 5 g water were added to 60 packages 4 times daily for 5 days (100 g total). Then packages were set aside for 2 days and weighed on day 7. Average loss from these packages was 1.25 +/- 0.85 g. The combination of storage plus frequent opening resulted in an average loss of 1.90 +/- 0.87 g. Thus, the direct-weight method permits recovery of 97-98% of sample.

Effect of Small Doses of Aspirin and Acetaminophen on Total Menstrual Loss and Pain of Cramps and Headache

90 women participated in a 4-month study. During the first 2 periods, they took no pain relievers whatsoever; during their last 2 periods they took 2 X 325 mg aspirin, acetaminophen or an identically packaged placebo every 4 h to total 8 tablets during the first 24 h of their periods beginning with spotting. For statistical analysis, periods 1 and 2 were combined and averaged, then compared with periods 3 and 4 combined and averaged. Total menstrual loss in grams, number of days of flow, and pain of cramps and headaches were analyzed by MANOVA for each of the three treatment groups. An ANOVA for each of these variables as well as for daily menstrual loss for the first 3 menstrual days was also performed. The MANOVA for all variables by the three treatment groups failed to show any significant differences. Similarly, ANOVAs for the individual variables failed to indicate significant differences except for the variable pain of cramps (p = 0.0072). The Duncans Multiple Range Test for pain of cramps showed that the average pain for the placebo group was higher than for either the aspirin or the acetaminophen group, although the means for these two groups were not significantly different. These results indicate that neither aspirin nor acetaminophen in the doses given alter either total menstrual loss or the pattern of loss during the first 3 menstrual days. However, both preparations were found to be more effective than placebo in reducing pain of cramps.

Fluoride ingestion during multiple pregnancies and lactations: microscopic observations on bone of the rat

SummaryFemale rats were given 150 ppm fluoride in the drinking water during three successive pregnancy and lactation periods; the femoral diaphyses were then examined for morphological alterations by light and scanning electron microscopy to determine the influence of fluoride ingestion during multiple pregnancies and lactations. The periosteal surface was dominated by areas of woven bone formation with some prolonged resting areas around osteocyte lacunae. The endosteal surface consisted mainly of areas of active bone resorption with some areas of bone formation. The interior of the cortex was characterized by numerous resorption cavities and remodeling in secondary Haversian systems. Fluoride, by the nature of its incorporation into bone crystals and by its direct cytotoxic effect on bone resorbing cells, reduces the availability of calcium from bone. It appears that fluoride ingestion during lactation created a heightened state of calcium homeostatic stress. As a result, bone mineral was mobilized by resorption of the endosteal surface and by cavitation of the interior of the cortex. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is thought to play an integral part in an attempt to maintain calcium homeostasis.

Do aspirin and acetaminophen affect total menstrual loss

Two commonly taken over-the-counter analgesics, aspirin and acetaminophen, were compared for: effect on total menstrual loss, effect on total days of menstruation, and effect in reduction of pain due to headaches and/or menstrual cramps. Drugs were administered during a 4-month study according to a double-blind format. During the first 2 months, subjects ingested no drugs whatsoever during their menstrual periods. During the second 2 months, subjects ingested aspirin, acetaminophen, or placebo at the rate of two 325-mg tablets every 4 h to total 8 tablets per day during the first 3 days of their menstrual periods. Statistical analysis of the first 2 periods compared to the last 2 showed no differences in total menstrual weights. The number of days of menstruation in the placebo group was significantly lower (p = 0.0137) than in its own control or in the other groups. Neither analgesic showed a significant reduction in pain due to headache or cramps, although acetaminophen appeared to be slightly more effective than aspirin in reducing menstrual cramps.

Scanning electron microscopy of the decidual stalk and decidua basalis in the mouse.

SummaryPlacentas either in situ or mechanically separated from their uterine beds were surveyed by scanning electron microscopy to determine the changing relationship of the placenta to its uterine bed with special reference to alteration in the decidua basalis accompanying parturition.At 13 days gestation the placenta is connected to the uterus by a short, broad decidual stalk which becomes longer and more constricted by term. The stalk is covered by a layer of squamous epithelium. Mechanical separation of the placenta and uterus in early gestation reveals that the entire decidua basalis of the decidual stalk is composed of large coarse fibers. As gestation progresses, a relatively smooth acellular capsule forms around the base of the placenta. However, the center of the decidua basalis, the core of the stalk, continues to be composed of large coarse fibers throughout gestation and appears to be the only region penetrated by maternal vessels.

Ultrastructural comparison of smooth muscle from ovarian follicle and oviduct of the golden hamster

SummaryUltrastructural characteristics of smooth muscle taken from ovarian follicles and oviducts of hamsters are compared. Differences between the two muscle types are more quantitative than qualitative, thus confirming that follicular muscle is a true smooth muscle with no unique characteristics. While both muscle types contain 50–80 Å filaments, β-glycogen deposits, and organelles characteristically found in smooth muscle, the oviductal cells have substantially more sacs, tubular structures, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. Another difference concerns the cellular junctions; the oviductal cells exhibit nexuses, whereas the follicular cells show desmosomelike junctions. Based on ultrastructural differences, follicular smooth muscle seems to be a relatively toneless muscle suited for short, infrequent contractions, whereas oviductal smooth muscle is probably involved in more active tonic contractions.

Bone morphology of weanling rats from dams subjected to fluoride

SummaryFemurs of weanling rats from third-pregnancy litters of dams given 150 ppm fluoride in the drinking water were examined by light- and scanning-electron microscopy. Under the conditions of the experimental procedure, no pathological changes were seen in the femurs as a result of maternal ingestion of fluoride. These results indicate that the amount of fluoride crossing the placenta and mammary gland was insufficient to produce significant morphological changes in the bones of 3-week-old rats.

A Technique for Vaginal Casting Utilizing Vinyl Polysiloxane Dental Impression Material

Dr. Paula B. Pendergrass, Women’s Health Research Group, 7 Amayo Court, Durham, NC 27713 (USA) Introduction Reported dimensions of adult vaginas are primarily limited to measurements of length [1–4]. With the exception of Dickinson [1], authors have failed to address the three-dimensional shape of the vagina and the development of the cervix and fornices. Moreover, although pelvic relaxation accompanying childbirth is quite common [5], the associated changes in vaginal shape and curvature have not been documented. This paper describes a casting technique appropriate for visualization of vaginal curvature and dimensions, information which can be useful to the surgeon, gynecologist, or manufacturer of vaginal products. Materials and Methods Two subjects, one nulliparous and one uniparous, delivered by cesarean section, volunteered for the project. Subjects were fully informed about the protocol and gave written consent. Each subject was asked to wash her perineum with warm soapy water and douche with plain tap water prior to casting. Each subject assumed a supine position on an examining table. A small amount of baby oil was applied to the pubic hair to facilitate release of any leaked moding material. A 6-inch spoon with a 1-inch bowl was warmed and gently inserted as far back into the vagina as possible with the bowl in the vertical position. A 3M ExpressTM Vinyl Polysiloxane Impression Material System consisting of a Kerr Express Syringe Gun equipped with a medium body purple vinyl polysiloxane cylinder with a 3-inch nozzle (fig. 1) was used to insert the molding material. Just before insertion a small quantity of the molding material was expressed from the tip of the nozzle to insure proper polymerization. Then the molding gun and nozzle were inserted into the vagina, and one half of the cylinder (approximately 50 ml) was injected. Then the spoon and molding gun were removed, and the subject digitally inserted a junior tampon to be used as a retriever. The gun was reinserted and additional molding material was deposited as the

Scanning electron microscopy of fused mouse placentas and associated uterine bed.

SummaryThe decidual surface of two fused placentas and the associated uterine bed were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The compact decidua basalis fits into a uterine depression filled with coarse fibers which is surrounded by a smooth area that gradually becomes folded. Placental fusion due to twinning or crowding is discussed.

The Effect of an H1 Blocker, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, on Total Menstrual Loss

50 subjects participated in a 4-month study of the effects of an antihistamine on total menstrual loss. During the first 2 periods, no drugs were given; during the last 2 periods, an antihistamine or a placebo was administered according to a double-blind format. The menstrual weights of the first 2 months were averaged and compared with averages from the last 2 months combined. The treated group showed an average decrease in menstrual loss of 11.30 g compared to a decrease of 0.98 g in the placebo group. While the difference in means was not statistically significant, the variance between the 2 groups was significant (p = 0.0002), indicating that the antihistamine, chlorpheniramine maleate, was effective in reducing menstrual loss in certain individuals, but that the effect was neither uniform nor universal.