Activities of some peptidases and glycolytic enzymes in cells of the amniotic fluid. II. Pregnancies complicated by threatening intrauterine fetal asphyxia.

Activities of leucylaminopeptidase, aspartyl aminopeptidase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, oxytocinase, phosphohexoisomerase, phosphofructokinase and aldolase were studied in amniotic cells from cases of pregnancy complicated by threatening intrauterine fetal asphyxia. Leucylaminopeptidase and oxytocinase activities were much higher in the group of pregnancies complicated by threatening fetal asphyxia than in the control group. It was concluded that elevated activity of the aforementioned enzymes in cells of the amniotic fluid from pregnancies complicated by threatening intrauterine asphyxia is due to acute hypoxia of the fetus.

Evaluation of the influence of epoxide resins and their hardeners on the female body. I. Skin tests.

Skin tests of hypersensitivity were performed in 175 women and 16 men having direct contact during work with epoxide resinsand their hardeners. The tests were applied for 24 hours, and results were recorded after 24, 48 and 72 hours. The percentages of positive skin tests and numbers of skin lesions were found to increase with time of employment in contact with epoxide resins and their hardeners.

Activities of some peptidases and glycolytic enzymes in cells of the amniotic fluid. i. Pregnancies terminated prematurely, at term, and postmaturely.

Activities of leucylaminopeptidase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, oxytocinase and aldolase were significantly elevated in the cells of amniotic fluids from cases of premature delivery, compared with cases of delivery at term. The authors conclude that examination of the activities of the aforementioned enzymes can be utilized in prenatal diagnosis of the state of maturity of the fetus.

PIP: The activities of leucylaminopeptidase (LAP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), aspartyl aminopeptidase (ANA), oxytocinase (CAP), aldolase (ALD), phosphohexoisomerase (PHI), and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were studied in cells of the amniotic fluid of pregnancies terminated prematurely, at term, and postmaturely. LAP, GGTP, CAP, and ALD were significantly elevated in cases of premature delivery compared with those delivered at term. These differences in enzyme levels can help in determining the state of maturity of the fetus.

Evaluation of the influence of epoxide resins and their hardeners on the female body. II. Biochemical studies.

In women employed in an industrial plant in direct contact with epoxide resins and their hardeners, the following biochemical parameters were determined in blood: total protein, seromucoid, haptoglobin, hemoglobin variants, methemoglobin, alpha1-inhibitor of trypsin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, alkaline and acid phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, leucylaminopeptidase, and alanine aminopeptidase. Depending on duration of work, Hb A2 fraction and lactate dehydrogenase increased significantly, and aspartate aminotransferase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities decreased. In pregnant women, leucylaminopeptidase activity and isozyme of placental alkaline phosphatase were decreased.

Carcinoembryonic antigen in gynecologic cancers. Immunohistochemical localization and serum levels.

The presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-dependent fluorescence was observed in almost 89% of female genital tract cancers irrespective of their histologic type. Anti-CEA serum was free of antibody to normal cross-reacting antigen. The high percentage of positive fluorescence tests did not correlate with the preoperative serum CEA levels. Double immunodiffusion tests showed different content of CEA and normal cross-reacting antigen in individual specimens of genital tract cancers.

[Clinical evaluation of estro-feminal preparation]. / Ocena kliniczna preparatu oestro-feminal.

PIP: 40 women were given Oestro-feminal (Mack), a menopause drug as outpatients of the Obstetrics Clinic of the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Wroclaw. 10 of the women who were at the pre-menopause stage took 1 capsule before breakfast from the 5th to the 25th day of their menstrual cycle. During the last 4 days they took in addition, 50mg of progesterone in tablet form. Another 10 women experiencing slight menopausal symptoms such as dizziness, occasional high blood pressure, heat flashes, increased irritability, some swelling and in 6 cases, irregular and heavy periods, took 1 capsule before breakfast for 20 days. After a 7 day break they began the series again. 20 women with acute menopausal symptoms such as those already described, which had appeared after hysteroctomy, took 2 capsules, one in the morning and one in the evening for 5 days and then 1 capsule in the morning for 10 days. Following a 7 day break, they took 1 capsule in the morning for 20 days. All 3 groups completed 3 cycles of treatment. Ostro-feminal quickly relieved their menopausal complaints. 1 capsule of Oestro-feminal consists of 1.25 mg natural estrogens: 70-90% estrone; 8-15% equilin; up to 4% equilinine; 17 alpha estradiol, delta-17-alpha estradiol and delta 6.8-17 alpha estradiol 2-8%; other alpha and beta estrogens below 2%. The authors cannot explain the drug's successful therapeutic results but nevertheless, strongly recommend prescribing it and eventually, drawing conclusions from a much larger sample of users.^ieng