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This paper considers the situation of older workers in developed economies generally, and the specific cases of Australia and Japan. It examines trends in the employment of older people, the development of public policies, and identifies measures for promoting longer employment, re-employment, and gradual retirement.

We generalize the multiplication algorithm of D.V. and G.V. Chudnovsky. Using the new algorithm, we improve the upper bounds of the bilinear complexity of multiplication in all extensions of a finite field of characteristic 2. On the other hand, we also improve in characteristic 2 the asymptotic upper bounds of this complexity.

In women who use oral contraceptives with low estrogen doses, a quiescent endometrium is frequently produced. Further reduction of the estrogen dose would not be expected to alter this effect. In this open-label study, the effects on the endometrium of a monophasic oral contraceptive containing 75 micrograms gestodene and 20 micrograms ethinylestradiol were assessed.Biopsies were performed on 25 women on therapy. The biopsies were performed during the late luteal phase (last 7 days) in the pretreatment cycle and during days 15-21 in cycle 6 for 13 subjects (Group A) and during days 15-21 in cycle 3 and during the late luteal phase (last 7 days) in the post-treatment cycle for 12 subjects (Group B).All subjects completed six cycles of treatment. Nine of 13 subjects pretreatment and nine of 12 subjects at cycle 3 were characterized by the pathologist as having a secretory endometrium. Four of 13 subjects at cycle 6 and ten of 11 subjects post-treatment also demonstrated a secretory endometrium. Pre-decidual changes were seen in one, two, two and zero subjects at pretreatment, after three cycles, six cycles, and post-treatment, respectively. Six subjects had an atrophic endometrium at cycle 6.With monophasic gestodene/ethinylestradiol 75 micrograms/20 micrograms, a secretory or inactive endometrium was present in most subjects. Thus, the effects on the endometrium of this oral contraceptive containing a reduced estrogen dose are consistent with those produced by other low-estrogen-dose combination oral contraceptives.

Flow cytometry was used to: (1) determine residual leucocyte numbers in red cell suspensions following the range of leucocyte depletion procedures used in our organisation, and (2) to characterize phenotypically the leucocytes using direct immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies to cell surface receptors. Under the conditions used, a lower limit of detection of 2.5 leucocytes per microliter (equivalent to 3.43 log10 or 99.96% removal) could be achieved. Filtration through polyester filters was found to remove up to > 99.96% of the initial leucocytes; however, a significant differential efficacy was observed between filters from different manufacturers even when filters with similar costs were compared. The order of filter brands with respect to leucocyte removal found was Pall BPF4 = Erypur Optima G-O > Sepacell R500 > Pall RC50. Phenotyping revealed that increasing filtration efficacy was associated with a preferential removal of lymphocytes; conversely, a second filtration over one brand of filter allowed proportionately more lymphocytes to pass through compared with the first filtration. A saline wash following filtration removed a further 0.5% of the initial leucocyte content, and was associated with a preferential loss of granulocytes. Freeze-thawing the red cell suspension removed fewer leucocytes (96.3%) than did filtration (98.74% to > 99.6%) or filtration followed by washing (99.22%), and also led to preferential loss of granulocytes. Flow cytometry provides a reliable tool for the quality control of leuco-depleted red cells, and allows a qualitative assessment of the residual leucocytes. This information is of value in choosing procedures aimed at decreasing the risk of alloimmunisation and post-transfusion reactions.

To investigate possible differences in operative delivery rate among low-risk women, randomised to an alongside midwifery-led unit or to standard obstetric units within the same hospital.Randomised controlled trial.Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Østfold Hospital Trust, Tromsø, Norway.A total of 1111 women assessed to be at low risk at onset of spontaneous labour.Randomisation into one of three birth units: the special unit; the normal unit; or the midwife-led unit.Total operative delivery rate, augmentation, pain relief, postpartum haemorrhage, sphincter injuries and intrapartum transfer, Apgar score7 at 5 minutes, metabolic acidosis and transfer to neonatal intensive care unit.There were no significant differences in total operative deliveries between the three units: 16.3% in the midwife-led unit; 18.0% in the normal unit; and 18.8% in the special unit. There were no significant differences in postpartum haemorrhage, sphincter injuries or in neonatal outcomes. There were statistically significant differences in augmentation (midwife-led unit versus normal unit RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.59-0.89; midwife-led unit versus special unit RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.56-0.86), in epidural analgesia (midwife-led unit versus normal unit RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.52-0.90; midwife-led unit versus special unit RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.47-0.86) and in acupuncture (midwife-led unit versus normal unit RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.25-1.69; midwife-led unit versus special unit RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.22-1.73).The level of birth care does not significantly affect the rate of operative deliveries in low-risk women without any expressed preference for level of birth care.

Objective: To investigate possible differences in operative delivery rate among low-risk women, randomised to an alongside midwifery-led unit or to standard obstetric units within the same hospital. Design: Randomised controlled trial. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Østfold Hospital Trust, Tromsø, Norway. Population: A total of 1111 women assessed to be at low risk at onset of spontaneous labour. Methods: Randomisation into one of three birth units: the special unit; the normal unit; or the midwife-led unit. Main outcome measures: Total operative delivery rate, augmentation, pain relief, postpartum haemorrhage, sphincter injuries and intrapartum transfer, Apgar score

Summary To study the effects of sperm density on the results of computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA), 10 washed semen samples were diluted and measured with the CellTrak/S CASA system in a concentration range of 10–180×106 spermatozoa/ ml. All sperm motility parameters were influenced to some extent by sperm density. The motility percentage was influenced significantly in 5 samples (P

We report the third patient with a successful pregnancy following operative correction of congenital cervical atresia. The pregnancy was achieved through zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT). Although stenosis of the newly formed cervical canal causes considerable morbidity, therapy should be aimed at the creation of a conduit for menstrual blood and for possible future pregnancy. New techniques in assisted reproduction such as in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, gamete intrafallopian transfer, and ZIFT increase the chances of pregnancy in patients with congenital cervical atresia. A hysterectomy, as advocated until very recently, should not, in our opinion, be the first treatment of choice.

We report the third patient with a successful pregnancy following operative correction of congenital cervical atresia. The pregnancy was achieved through zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT). Although stenosis of the newly formed cervical canal causes considerable morbidity, therapy should be aimed at the creation of a conduit for menstrual blood and for possible future pregnancy. New techniques in assisted reproduction such as in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, gamete intrafallopian transfer, and ZIFT increase the chances of pregnancy in patients with congenital cervical atresia. A hysterectomy, as advocated until very recently, should not, in our opinion, be the first treatment of choice.

This study deals with serum prolactin concentrations during various conditions in the early puerperium in an attempt to investigate some characteristics of the mechanisms responsible for the regulation of the lactotropes. In nursing, in non-nursing, non-medicated and in non-nursing, bromocriptine-treated women prolactin and 17 beta-oestradiol were measured during the early puerperium. In the first and the third group this was repeated during and after challenge with oestradiol-benzoate. The pituitary responsiveness to TRH was also determined in these two groups, challenged and unchallenged with oestradiol-benzoate. Nursing women had higher prolactin levels than the non-nursing groups, while bromocriptine decreased prolactin to very low levels. Non-nursing non-medicated women had prolactin values between those of nursing and those of bromocriptine-treated mothers. The already elevated prolactin levels in nursing women were not influenced by chronic oestradiol administration. In non-nursing puerperal women treated with bromocriptine, exogenous oestradiol caused a significant rise in plasma prolactin. The prolactin response to TRH in nursing women was clearly reduced in comparison with the normal menstrual cycle. In the bromocriptine-treated group the basal concentration of prolactin and its response to TRH stimulation was similar to normal non-pregnant women. In nursing and in non-nursing women treated with bromocriptine prolactin responses to TRH were increased after oestradiol challenge.

Porcine granulosa cells and subcellular fractions from these cells have been shown to have a specific receptor for ovine prolactin (OPRL). Ovine growth hormone demonstrated 7% of the potency of OPRL in displacing 125I-OPRL from its binding site; FSH, TSH, LH, insulin and ACTH showed negligible cross-reactivity. Scatchard analysis of the displacement curves suggested that 125I-OPRL has a high affinity for its receptor with a dissociation constant (Kd) for the granulosa cell-receptor of 7.4-7.7 times 10(-10) M with no change as the follicle enlarges. In contrast, the specific binding of prolactin decreased markedly with maturation of the follicles with an apparent decrease in binding sites/cell from 555 in small follicles to 300 in large (preovulatory) follicles. The demonstrated Kd's were within the range of prolactin concentrations easily attained in vivo and were in good agreement with values obtained in our laboratory and elsewhere for the prolactin receptor from mammary gland and other tissues. Consequently, these studies may provide a basis for a better understanding of the role of prolactin in ovarian function.

The clinical and endocrine effects of progestogen therapy in early pregnancy were investigated using a double-blind randomized trial in 64 patients who had a viable fetus at 6 weeks gestation and had an increased risk of miscarriage. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate or a placebo between 7 and 12 weeks gestation. Four fetal ultrasonographic variables and 17 maternal endocrine variables were studied in each woman. Only four maternal serum variables (17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, prolactin, thyroxin and thyroxin binding globulin) rose significantly. The serum progesterone levels in the hormone supplemented group were on average 20% higher than in the placebo group but the difference was not statistically significant. However, the relation between the progesterone levels and the fetal outcome was not clear. Therefore it is not advisable to prescribe 17-OHP-C during early pregnancy to prevent a miscarriage.

In a double-blind group sequential trial the efficiency of an oxytocin nasal spray in enhancing lactation was studied during the first five days after delivery in women who had given birth prematurely. The cumulative volume of breast milk obtained between the second and fifth days after delivery was 3.5 times greater in primiparas given oxytocin than in primiparas given placebo. There was no significant difference in the composition of the milk between the untreated women and those given oxytocin. The results of this study show that oxytocin nasal spray is an effective and safe means of enhancing lactation in women using a breast pump.

A patient with the resistant ovary syndrome is reported. It is suggested that lack of synchronization between steroidogenesis in the granulosa and theca cells is responsible for the (acquired) occurrence of this syndrome. Feedback inhibition of pituitary gonadotrophin secretion was achieved by exogenously administered ovarian steroid hormones. All protein and steroid hormone levels returned to normal and spontaneous ovulatory cycles returned after withdrawal of medication. It is concluded that the so called "resistant ovary syndrome" is not an irreversible process.

In a retrospective international study 223 pregnancies induced with pulsatile hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) were evaluated. In patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) the abortion rate was similar (10% vs 8.7%). The premature delivery rate was significantly higher, however, in the patients with HA, but this could be explained by the higher incidence of multiple pregnancies in this group. Thirty multiple pregnancies were observed in the HA group (n = 174) compared with none in the PCOD group (n = 24; p less than 0.05). The incidence of multiple pregnancies in the HA group correlated to the pulse dose (p less than 0.05). The 1st treatment cycle resulted in more multiple pregnancies than did subsequent cycles (p less than 0.05). Difference in pulse interval did not affect the incidence of multiple pregnancies, nor did the route of administration (intravenous or subcutaneous). The incidence of congenital anomalies was comparable to that with spontaneously achieved pregnancies.

Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to 3.0 Gy local testicular irradiation. Testes of irradiated and non-irradiated rats were examined histologically and flow cytometrically, at several intervals up to 78 days after irradiation. Concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone determined at these intervals were not different from those of controls. The survival of stem cells were measured 11 weeks after irradiation (with doses varying from 1.0 Gy to 6.0 Gy at 0.6 Gy/min) by means of the repopulation index and by the number of haploid cells (spermatids). Correlation between both methods and relation to stem cell survival were discussed. The dose response curves yielded D0 values of stem cell survival of 2.33 +/- 0.06 Gy (repopulation index) and 2.08 +/- 0.08 Gy (number of haploid cells). The D0 value of the rat was not much different from that found in mice. It was concluded that the used parameters can offer insight when studying hormonal substances during irradiation.