OBJECTIVETo study the presence of trophoblast cells in the lower uterus in early pregnancy, identify fetal cells by immunocytochemistry, and determine the best timing for sample collection.

METHODSSamples from healthy gravida in early pregnancy were divided into HE group (I) and immunocytochemistry group (II), and those from healthy nonpregnant women were also divided into HE group (III) and immunocytochemistry group (IV). Four different methods (usage of a cotton swab, aspiration of the cervical mucus, lavage of the endocervical canal, and lavage of the intrauterine cavity) were employed for collecting the samples, which were tested with HE staining or immunocytochemistry, and the presence of fetal cells was observed under optical microscope.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONFetal cells were detected in the genital tract of the gravida in early pregnancy. Utilization of the lavage of the endocervical canal or the lavage of the intrauterine cavity allowed greater amount of fetal cell acquisition, and sampling of the fetal cells between 50 days and 79 days of gestational age yielded optimal results. These sampling methods may provide safe and effective means for prenatal diagnosis with minimal invasiveness.

Adult ; Cervix Uteri ; chemistry ; cytology ; Female ; Fetus ; chemistry ; cytology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Time Factors ; Trophoblasts ; chemistry ; cytology

OBJECTIVE: Many countries including U.S. have established their own Antenatal Screening Guideline suitable for their actual state to help Obstetricians detect pregnancy-related problems in clinical conditions. However, even investigations on the actual condition of Antenatal Screening in clinical conditions are not thoroughgoing enough in Korea. Therefore, this study was to survey the actual condition of Antenatal Screening in Obstetric Clinics in Korea. METHODS: Among 868 Obstetric Clinics, in which 100 or more cases of delivery were performed per annum according to an aggregate summary of the National Health Insurance Corporation in 2001, 848 clinics representing their correct address were selected to carry out a cross-sectional descriptive survey and understand the actual state of Antenatal Screening with literature review. RESULTS: Antenatal Screening Tests have been carried out in a diverse forms in Obstetric Clinics; some items (CBC, Urine analysis, VDRL test, ABO and Rh typing, HBs Ag and HBs Ab test, Triple test, Ultrasound, Rubella Ig M and Ig G test, Oral Glucose Tolerance test) of the test were performed as a basic test in 80% or higher of Obstetric Clinics; some items (Chlamydia test, PAPP-A, Chest X-ray, BUN, Creatinine, EKG, Cervix culture for Gonococcus) of the test were performed routinely in 10% or less of Obstetric Clinics or selectively in high-risk pregnant women; and some items (PAP smear, Blood chemistry, Nuchal translucency) of the test were performed on the basis of physician's experience or given conditions. CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, the role of Antenatal Tests as a screening test in clinical conditions is not evaluated properly under the current state. Thus, clinical assessment should be performed for each item of Antenatal Tests with respect to a screening test and systematic and efficient Antenatal Screening Guideline suitable for Korean conditions should be established in future studies.
Cervix Uteri ; Chemistry ; Creatinine ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Korea* ; Mass Screening ; National Health Programs ; Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis* ; Rubella ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the difference between uterus body and cervix under the intervention of Shenghua decoction, and to observe the rabbit uterine muscle in the latest period of pregnancy for the way of myoelectric activity.

METHODPowerLab/8s was used to record myoelectric activity of rabbit muscle in uterus body and cervix which was in a general anaesthesia state induced by urethane.

RESULTMyoelectric activities of rabbit uterine smooth muscle in the latest period of pregnancy was enhanced in vivo by being treated with Shenghua decoction 40 mg x kg(-1) (P < 0.01) while cervix myoelectric activities had no significant change (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMyoelectric activities of rabbit uterine muscle in the latest period of pregnancy are enhanced by being treated with Shenghua decoction so its hemostatic effect can be represented via the constriction of uterus body. Shenghua decoction is beneficial for child delivery because cervix myoelectric activities have no significant change under the intervention of Shenghua decoction while the myoelectric activities of uterus body are increased significantly.

Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cervix Uteri ; drug effects ; physiology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; physiology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Animal ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Uterine Contraction ; drug effects ; Uterus ; drug effects ; physiology

BACKGROUND: Fitz-Hugh-Curtis (FHC) syndrome is inflammation of the liver capsule associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. We measured Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in 30 female patients with acute abdominal pain for diagnosis of FHC-syndrome, and the results were compared with other tests. METHODS: A dual-polymerase chain reaction was used for the detection of C. trachomatis in the cervix, and a micro-immunofluorescence test was performed to measure the antibody to C. trachomatis in serum. Cervical specimens were stained with Gram stain and cultured on chocolate agar for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) and pelvic examinations were performed. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients examined, 19 were diagnosed as having FHC-syndromes and 11 abdominal pains without FHC-syndrome. C. trachomatis was detected from one of the five patients studied, and no N. gonorrhoeae was isolated from the patients with FHC-syndrome. High titers of IgG antibody (1:512-1:1,024) to C. trachomatis were demonstrated in all patients with FHC-syndrome. The CT scan revealed perihepatitis in 14 patients with FHC-syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: All patients with FHC-syndrome are associated with C. trachomatis infections, and a high titer of C. trachomatis antibody (IgG) is a very useful marker for FHC-syndrome.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Bacterial/*analysis ; Cervix Uteri/chemistry ; Chlamydia Infections/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Chlamydia trachomatis/*immunology/isolation & purification ; Female ; Hepatitis/diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/analysis ; Immunoglobulin M/analysis ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease/complications/*diagnosis ; Syndrome ; Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult