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The relation between the mechanical properties and the lamellar morphology of the α-isotactic polypropylene transcrystalline interphase in a fiber composite was investigated by means of nanometric shear and directional indentation measurements, using scanning force microscopy. Measurements were performed along directions parallel and perpendicular to the transcrystalline growth direction. A key finding is the inversion of the shear modulus anisotropy ratio from 2.3 to 0.5 as the crystal grows away from the fiber. On the basis of this finding, an improved view of the hierarchical lamellar and molecular order of the transcrystalline layer is proposed.

The ability to diagnose severe chronic fetal distress-impending death utilizing the six different definitions of decreased fetal movement (DFM) currently in use, was evaluated retrospectively in 616 high-risk pregnant women. The study reveals the superiority of two definitions as prognostic tools: The “movements alarm signal” (MAS), i.e. no fetal movements (FM) for at least 12 hours with audible fetal heart beats, and “ten and less FM” (≤ 10 FM), i.e. ten or fewer FM in 12 hours. The application of these definitions distinguished two groups of patients which included significantly more poor outcomes than were contained by the groups of patients based on the other definitions. MAS was the definition also selecting the group with fewest false-positive cases. The monitoring of FM while utilizing one of the above two definitions of DFM as cut-off points for suspected impending fetal death is a useful adjunct in high-risk pregnancy management.

Fetal activity in multiple pregnancies, as expressed by maternal daily fetal movement recordings, was compared with that in singleton pregnancies. It was found that the mean fetal activity in 33 cases of twins, six cases of triplets, one case of quadruplets, and one case of quintuplets was generally higher than that obtained during singleton pregnancies. In most cases, fetal movements of triplets, quadruplets, and quintuplets were even higher than the movement of twins.

Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) activity was studied in 50 women at delivery and in the newborn after delivery. The foüowing findings were observed: (1) the LAP activity of newborns is lower than that of the mothers; (2) significant decrease in the LAP activity has been observed in newborns on the 4th day after delivery; (3) there are no significant differences between newborns from normal and prolonged labor; (4) immediately after delivery the LAP scores of male newborns are lower than those of females, but 4 days later these scores were reversed, and (5) 4 days after delivery, the LAP scores do correlate to the weight of the newborn.

Traumatic intrauterine adhesions are known to be reversible. In some cases, following lysis of adhesions we find residual adhesions on hysterography. We have studied 11 cases in whom new adhesion formation, of different type and location have recurred following curettage for lysis of adhesions or in subsequent pregnancy. In each case there were between two and five different forms of intrauterine adhesions during the course of study. In all 11 cases hypomenorrhea was a prominent symptom. On premenstrual curettage a scanty amount of endometrium was removed. Their obstetric history was characterized by sterility (four cases) and repeated early abortions, spontaneous or missed. Treatment consisted of repeated curettage and placement of an IUD. Four patients who subsequently become pregnant carried pregnancy to term or near term. Intrauterine adhesions may be considered as a localized manifestation of more generalized process of endometrial fibrosis. This may explain this syndrome of recurrent intrauterine adhesions and the paradoxical phenomenon of limited adhesions being associated with amenorrhea and hypomenorrhea.

Hypomenorrhea may be divided into functional (hormonal insufficiency or overstimulation) and organic types. This study concerns 23 consecutive cases of organic hypomenorrhea. Their chief complaints were sterility, habitual abortion, and hypomenorrhea. The diagnosis of the hypomenorrhea is based on the history, study of ovarian function, hysterography, laparoscopy, and diagnostic curettage. Three forms of organic hypomenorrhea are described: (1) Endometrial tuberculosis was found in 8 cases in which the diagnosis was based on tubercular changes in the endometrium or tubes and characteristic hysterographic changes including lymphatic intravasation. In all these cases the hypomenorrhea was primary. (2) Intrauterine adhesions were found in 6 cases. In all of these the hypomenorrhea was secondary to curettage in the puerperium or after abortion. Following the lysis of intrauterine adhesions, the menstrual pattern returned to normal. (3) Endometrial insufficiency (sclerosis) was found in 10 cases in which the secondary hypomenorrhea, which followed curettage in the puerperium or following abortion, was characterized by absence of intrauterine adhesions, normal ovarian function, absence of response to hormone therapy, scanty endometrial tissue on curettage, and a clinical picture of sterility or recurrent abortions.

Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) activity was determined in 222 women during normal pregnancy, labor, and after delivery. LAP scores rise during pregnancy and reach peak values at 24 to 26weeks’ gestation. Afterward, the scores remain constant and drop a few days before delivery. Administration of estrone in the last trimester of pregnancy causes an increase in LAP activity. No significant changes were noted after progesterone administration, while hydrocortisone decreased LAP activity. The resultant LAP store during pregnancy is an expression of placental function and may serve as an indicator of placental dysfunction.

Subcutaneous injection of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) antagonist cyproheptadine hydrochloride (Periactin) produced a significant decrease in uptake of [14C]5-HT (serotonin) in the myometrium and to a lesser degree in the ovaries, foetuses and heart of pregnant rats. This effect of cyproheptadine was considerably increased in rats pretreated with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline hydrochloride. These results suggest that the anti-abortive effect of cyproheptadine is based on specific inhibition of the contractile effect of 5-HT on the myometrium. The hypothesis is advanced that cyproheptadine competes with serotonin for its receptors and thus blocks the effect of serotonin.