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The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of transvaginal color flow imaging as a screening tool for ovarian cancer. Six hundred patients with previous breast carcinoma were screened for ovarian cancer. Screening was performed using transvaginal sonography with color flow imaging. Serum CA 125 levels were measured in patients with abnormal sonographic findings. Eighty-three percent of the ovaries were detected in the premenopausal patients by ultrasonographic scanning and only 26% of the ovaries were detected in the postmenopausal patients. Intraovarian blood vessels were detected in 11% of the premenopausal women. The PI was less than 1 in 80% of these ovaries, but, on repeated examinations, the values of PI increased in all the blood vessels to greater than 1. Intraovarian blood vessels were detected in 1.8% of the normal ovaries observed in the postmenopausal women, but PI was always greater than 1. Eleven women with complex ovarian cysts (not simple) and one woman with enlarged ovaries underwent explorative laparotomy. In three women, primary malignant ovarian tumors were diagnosed and in one woman metastatic ovarian cancer was diagnosed. The specificity of sonography in detecting malignant ovarian tumors was 97.5% and the positive predictive value was 25%. The specificity of color flow imaging in detecting primary malignant ovarian tumors was 99.8% and the positive predictive value was 60%. In selected groups of women, screening for ovarian cancer with transvaginal color flow imaging may be justified.

We examined the physical and psychomotor development of 33 infants conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) who were exposed to high-frequency transvaginal ultrasonography (HFTVS) (6.5 MHz) in the first trimester of pregnancy. The study group was composed of 21 singletons and six sets of twins. Thirty-three non-IVF controls were matched for birth weight, gestational age, sex, birth order, order in multiple delivery, mode of delivery, age at examination and parental age and education. Forty-five IVF infants who were not exposed to HFTVS and their matched controls also served as comparison groups. The Bayley scales were used to assess the psychosocial development of the infants studied. Increases in preterm delivery, low birth weight and Cesarean section rates were within the acceptable range for IVF babies. Mean birth weight, gestational age and birth weight percentiles of exposed IVF infants were lower than the expected mean for a normal population, but did not differ from that of non-exposed IVF infants. Mean percentiles of weight and length at examination were also low but not different from those of non-exposed IVF and matched control groups. However, percentiles of head circumference were normal at birth and at examination both in study and control groups. Overall, Bayley scores of exposed IVF infants were within the normal range and did not differ significantly from those of their matched controls and non-exposed peers. These scores were significantly correlated to birth weight, percentiles of birth weight and head circumference at birth and at examination, and to the mother's education. Twins had lower physical and mental indices than singletons, but did not differ from their controls. Copyright © 1991 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

The sleep patterns of 35 in vitro fertilization (IVF) children aged 19 to 57 months and their matched controls were evaluated by actigraphic home-monitoring for three consecutive nights. Actigraphic data were analysed by an automated scoring procedure developed in the authors' laboratory. There were no significant differences in activity levels between IVF multiple-birth subjects and their matched controls or between IVF singletons and their matched controls. In contrast, multiple-birth subjects had higher activity levels during sleep and lower sleep efficiency than singletons in both IVF and control groups. Sleep measures showed night-to-night stability in all groups.

The administration of hCG to women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET) results in the meiotic maturation of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC). Sometimes oocytes being aspirated for IVF/ET fail to resume meiosis in vivo and even after a subsequent 20-h incubation in vitro and are thus defined as meiotic competence failure (MCF) oocytes. The relationship between the proportion of MCF oocytes and other IVF/ET outcomes was studied over 3 years in 703 tested cycles of 487 women. Women yielding one or more MCF oocytes in at least one menstrual cycle represented 8.6% of this population and were defined as MCF women. Cumulus state in the MCF oocyte population was characterized as mature in 57.4 +/- 6.7%, intermediate in 13.9 +/- 4.0%, immature in 24.1 +/- 8.7%, and atretic in 4.6 +/- 2.7%. These values differed significantly, by 0.6-, 2.9-, 7.1-, and 4.6-fold, respectively, as compared to the corresponding COC aspirated from women yielding only meiotically competent (MC) oocytes. In a menstrual cycle yielding both MC and MCF oocytes, the IVF/ET variables were evaluated in the MC oocytes. Thus, in such cases the incidence of fertilization or cleavage and the number of blastomeres per embryo were significantly reduced concomitant with the increase in percentage of MCF oocytes. When the percentage of MCF oocytes was 25% or more, no pregnancy was achieved. Various follicular parameters and serum 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels were compared in MC and MCF women over the four days preceding day of aspiration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We were trying to determine whether transvaginal sonography combined with color flow imaging should be used routinely for detecting recurrent pelvic tumors in patients treated for pelvic cancer. Eighteen patients who had completed their treatment for pelvic tumor were examined every 6 months by gynecologic examination, a CT scan, serum CA 125 levels, and transvaginal sonography with color flow imaging. Laparotomy or fine-needle biopsy was performed when a recurrent pelvic mass was observed or suspected on CT scans or transvaginal sonography. In nine of 18 patients a recurrent pelvic tumor was observed or suspected on CT scans or on transvaginal sonography. A recurrent pelvic tumor was diagnosed on laparotomy in five patients. In four patients, only a fine-needle biopsy was performed and only two of them had positive results. The highest sensitivity and specificity for detecting recurrent pelvic tumors were achieved by transvaginal sonography (100 and 91%, respectively) and by color flow imaging (86 and 100%, respectively). Intratumoral blood vessels were detected in all cases with recurrent pelvic tumors, and in only one of these cases the PI was high. We recommend a routine follow-up with transvaginal sonography in women completing their treatment for pelvic tumors. When a recurrence of tumor is only suspected on transvaginal sonography, color flow imaging may be used as an additional diagnostic tool.

Organophosphate transport through the placenta was investigated in an in-vitro placental perfusion system. The system consisted of maternal and fetal reservoirs in which Krebs Ringer bicarbonate buffer with heparin, albumin and glucose was circulated at a constant pH, temperature and pO2. Parathion was analysed by means of gas chromatography with a N-P detector. 14C Antipyrine, a lipid soluble salt, was used as an internal standard, which allowed for the difference in placental size and permeability. A certain amount of parathion passed the placenta and reached the fetal compartment. Glucose consumption was not influenced by the introduction of parathion; neither was the water content of the placental tissue. Acetylcholinesterase activity in placental tissue decreased 50%. The amount of parathion transferred was not negligible and could have caused damage to a fetus.

The impedance to blood flow was examined by transvaginal color flow imaging in 53 ovarian masses before exploratory laparotomy. Serum CA 125 levels were measured in all subjects. Thirty-six had benign ovarian tumors and 17 had malignant ovarian tumors confirmed by histopathologic examination. Intratumoral blood vessels, detected in 16 of the malignant tumors, consistently demonstrated low impedance to flow, with a pulsatility index (PI) always below 1. The PI of the intraovarian or intratumoral blood vessels was greater than 1 in 35 of the 36 benign tumors, although 11 had suspicious sonographic findings (P less than .01) and 14 had elevated CA 125 levels (P less than .001). The sensitivity and specificity of the preoperative PI in detecting malignant ovarian tumors were 94 and 97%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of preoperative suspicious sonographic findings in detecting malignant ovarian tumors were 94 and 69%, and those of elevated preoperative serum CA 125 levels were 82 and 61%, respectively. Our results suggest that transvaginal color flow imaging may be a useful clinical tool in the preoperative evaluation of ovarian masses.

Recent technologic advances in ultrasound have benefited many areas of obstetric practice, including first-trimester evaluation, fetal dating, and detection of abnormalities and malformations [1]. The recent improvement in ultrasound technology offered by the use of 5–7.5-MHz transvaginal probes has allowed more detailed study of the first-trimester embryo and fetus. Moving prenatal diagnosis from the mid-trimester to the end of the first trimester has obvious benefits that, along with logistic, economic, and humane advantages, open up the possibility of fetal diagnosis at a time in immunologic development when the embryo or fetus has less chance of “graft” rejection [2, 3].

We examined the physical and psychomotor development of 33 infants conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) who were exposed to high-frequency transvaginal ultrasonography (HFTVS) (6.5 MHz) in the first trimester of pregnancy. The study group was composed of 21 singletons and six sets of twins. Thirty-three non-IVF controls were matched for birth weight, gestational age, sex, birth order, order in multiple delivery, mode of delivery, age at examination and parental age and education. Forty-five IVF infants who were not exposed to HFTVS and their matched controls also served as comparison groups. The Bayley scales were used to assess the psychosocial development of the infants studied. Increases in preterm delivery, low birth weight and Cesarean section rates were within the acceptable range for IVF babies. Mean birth weight, gestational age and birth weight percentiles of exposed IVF infants were lower than the expected mean for a normal population, but did not differ from that of non-exposed IVF infants. Mean percentiles of weight and length at examination were also low but not different from those of non-exposed IVF and matched control groups. However, percentiles of head circumference were normal at birth and at examination both in study and control groups. Overall, Bayley scores of exposed IVF infants were within the normal range and did not differ significantly from those of their matched controls and non-exposed peers. These scores were significantly correlated to birth weight, percentiles of birth weight and head circumference at birth and at examination, and to the mother's education. Twins had lower physical and mental indices than singletons, but did not differ from their controls.

Sonographic growth curves of biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference, abdominal circumference, head circumference/abdominal circumference ratio, and femur length were generated from 24 uncomplicated, concordant triplet pregnancies. These were compared with the standard curves derived for singletons used in our medical center. Slowing of BPD, head circumference, and abdominal circumference growth was noted in triplets from the 28th week of gestation, whereas the head circumference/abdominal circumference ratio was similar to that of singletons. Femur growth was parallel to that of singletons, although on the low margin of the two standard deviations. We conclude that the growth patterns of triplets are different from those of singletons. We suggest that femur length derived for singletons may be suitable for the follow-up of triplets. However, when growth retardation is suspected, the growth curves presented herein may be used to identify the growth-retarded fetus.

Vaginismus is probably a result of a faulty psycho-sexual development and can be successfully treated by hypno-desensitization, which is a therapeutic technique utilizing both hypnosis and desensitization. Hypnosis is used to obtain relaxation. Desensitization is a technique whereby anxiety-producing stimuli are presented in an increasing, step-wise manner (i.e., imagery and visualization of suggested material in the “in vitro” technique and the Hegar dilators in the “in vivo” method). Using the hypno-desensitization technique, complete success was obtained in 37 of the 43 patients. Follow-up for a period of 1–5 years on 35 patients showed that these couples were leading a normal sexual life and no symptom substitution appeared.

We measured copper and zinc in serum (n = 82) and tumor tissue (n = 41) from women with a palpable pelvic mass, admitted for suspected ovarian tumor. In serum, copper was increased and zinc decreased in the group (n = 40) subsequently proven to have a malignant ovarian tumor. The mean copper/zinc ratio in this group was 2.30 (SD 0.41), significantly (p less than 0.001) higher than for the benign group (n = 42), 1.43 (SD 0.22). In tumor tissue the concentrations of copper and zinc followed the same pattern, the copper/zinc ratio being significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in the malignant (0.158, SD 0.065) tumors than in the benign tissue (0.093, SD 0.04). We conclude that the Cu/Zn ratio in serum reliably (specifically) indicates the presence of advanced ovarian malignant tumor. The decreased concentrations of zinc and the increased concentrations of copper in serum do not seem to result from a shift of zinc into or release of copper out of the malignant tumor tissue.

High-risk premature infants require red cell transfusions for anemia. Placental blood for autologous transfusions can be collected sterilely into citrate-phosphate-dextrose and stored at 4 degrees C. During storage for 8 days, the placental red cell content of adenosine triphosphate remained normal. The 2,3,-diphosphoglycerate concentration of cells stored 8 days declined sharply; however, the P50 value of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve declined to 24.4 +/- 2.40 torr. During storage, placental blood underwent an exchange of extracellular Na+ and K+, but no change in glutathione content. Hemolysis was less than 1 percent. Bacteriologic and fungal cultures remained sterile. These in vitro studies suggest that human placental blood can be collected safely and preserved effectively for autologous red cell transfusion therapy.

About 120 cases of XY gonadal dysgenesis have been reported on. We treated such a patient with bilateral gonadectomy. The gonadal tissue's capacity to respond to hormonal trophic stimulation was assessed. When the gonads were examined ultrastructurally, structures with the morphologic characteristics of stromal ovarian cells, Sertoli's cells and Leydig's cells were found. Because of the potential malignancy of the XY gonads, bilateral gonadectomy and hormonal substitution therapy are recommended for these patients. We prefer to use combined hormone replacement with sequential estrogen and progesterone rather than sequential unopposed estrogen because of the small but increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma after long-standing sequential therapy.

Removal of bilirubin by hemoperfusion (HP) on a macroreticular ion-exchange resin is suggested as a novel clinical procedure for the treatment of jaundiced newborn babies. The efficiency and biocompatibility of the proposed macroreticular (MR) ion exchange column was tested in vivo with jaundiced dogs. An animal model with a choledocho-suprarenal vein shunting allowed to test the column capacity for the adsorption of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin. A second animal model, based on infusing unconjugated bilirubin directly into the blood stream, enabled to test the column operation at desired unconjugated bilirubin concentrations. The results of the in vivo hemoperfusion tests are very encouraging and compare favorably with bilirubin removal from babies by exchange transfusion (ET). Operating a column containing 10 ml resin per kg body weight for 3 hours removed over 1.7 times the initial unconjugated bilirubin content. Furthermore, the animals seemed to be unaffected by the HP procedure; the changes due to hemoperfusion on blood chemistry, hematology and some hormone levels were practically insignificant.

The accuracy of estimating fetal weight with real-time ultrasonography was studied in 81 fetuses. The technique is described and results are compared with those obtained by the B-scan technique. The absolute mean error was 228 g or 8.3% of the mean weight. Sixty percent of the measurements fell within 10% of the actual birth weight. The estimates were more accurate in the low (less than 1500 g) and in the high (more than 4000 g) weight groups. The easy access, simple technique, and reasonable accuracy of realtime scanners, as well as the development in progress for more reliable instruments, enable us to advocate its value for estimation of fetal weight in the delivery suite.

Two young females, who had implanted pacemakers, and experienced an uneventful course of pregnancy and delivery are described. We suggest the chest wall under the breasts as the site of choice for the implanted unit in young females who might expect pregnancy. If this site is used, any restriction of the skin above the unit should be prevented as the abdomen and breasts increase in size. The problem of a fixed heart rate during the period of an increasing work load on the heart in pregnancy is discussed, and the use in these patients of an adjustable-rate pulse-generators is suggested.

The sera of 110 couples with unexplained infertility were examined for anti-sperm immobilizing antibodies with the aid of multiple-exposure photography. The sera of 10 females and 3 males had immobilizing activity. Eleven pregnancies occurred in 10 female patients in the group without immobilizing antibodies. None of the 13 females in the couples with immobilizing activity conceived. A negative correlation was found between the occurrence of serum immobilizing antibodies and incidence of pregnancy. No such correlation could be found between the occurrence of autoagglutination in the male's ejaculate and the female partner conceiving. In light of detection of anti-sperm antibodies in a patient with habitual abortions, a possible immune mechanism is suggested.

Three pregnancies in which indomethacin was given for several days to arrest premature delivery ended in oligohydramnion, meconium and perinatal death. These findings, together with previous information from animal experimentation and experience in humans reported on in the literature, show that indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, may interfere with the normal uteroplacental circulation, amniotic fluid production, renal functions and neonatal cardiopulmonary adaptation. The possible hazards of indomethacin treatment during the third trimester of pregnancy are discussed.

Removal of bilirubin by hemoperfusion with ion exchange resin particles is suggested to replace exchange transfusion of blood of jaundiced infants in some cases of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The hemoperfusion system developed here consists of a packed bed of a macroreticular resin which is made biocompatible by a coating of a monomolecular layer of albumin. The choice of the appropriate ionic form of the resin and the proper albumin coating and crosslinking procedure assures a high bilirubin adsorption capacity and excellent blood compatibility of the resin. The albumin coated resin removes in vitro 80-90% of the bilirubin initially present in the plasma. The results encourage in vivo clinical studies.

To summarize the results: Bilirubin removal by hemoperfusion was successfully performed for the first time on a premature infant. The hemoperfusion caused no adverse effects on the clinical state of the infant. The bilirubin removed in 90 min--13 mg--indicates the existence of a large extravascular pool. Hemoperfusion is suggested for bilirubin removal from newborn babies, reducing the need for blood exchange with bank blood.

In contrast to most mammals, human parturition is not preceded by a rise in the estradiol : progesterone ratio in peripheral plasma. Thus tissue concentrations of progesterone, estradiol-17 beta, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) were measured in placentas obtained after spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD, N = 11), after oxytocin-induced labor (OXIL, N = 5), and at elective cesarean section (ECS, N = 8). Both progesterone and estradiol were higher in placentas obtained from SVD compared with those from ECS (progesterone: 2.95 +/- 0.26 versus 1.96 +/- 0.29 ng/mg tissue, P.025; estradiol: 33.6 +/- 5.2 versus 26.4 +/- 3.8 pg/mg). Placentas from OXIL had intermediate progesterone (2.50 +/- 0.47 ng/mg) but the highest estradiol concentration (41.4 +/- 3.2 pg/mg). Cyclic AMP was 29.8 +/- 1.5, 39.6 +/- 8.0, and 35.9 +/- 3.9 pmoles/100 mg tissue in SVD, OXIL, and ECS placentas, respectively. Thus no rise in the placental estradiol : progesterone ratio was found in association with spontaneous labor.

A plastic-cast technique was used to study the arterial vascular tree of the human uterus during pregnancy. The 3-dimensional models thus obtained revealed the organization, distribution, number, and diameter of the vessels. A vast ipsilateral and contralateral anastomotic network was evident throughout the uterus. The vascular structure reveals an increase in the size and degree of arborization of the arcuate arteries in and around the implantation site, which developed as a result of the increasing demand emanating from it.

Severe cyclic dysmenorrhoea in a young woman with a unilateral abdominopelvic mass terminating in a purpuric bulge in the lateral vaginal wall, and resulting in renal agenesis ipsilateral to the pelvic mass, suggests uterus didelphys with unilaterally imperforate vagina. A report of two cases, their diagnostic and therapeutic approach and review of the literature are presented.

Experimental and theoretical studies suggest the utilization of a biocompatible macro-porous resin (MR) for selective removal of protein-bound components, such as bilirubin, from the blood. The MR resin removed 70% of the unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) in both in vitro and in vivo hemoperfusion (HP) tests in 3-h runs.

A study of the effect of posture on plasma renin activity (PRA) in the third trimester in 27 gravidas revealed a significantly greater increase in PRA in the supine position, compared to the left lateral. The women were classified into 3 groups: normal pregnancy, preeclampsia, intrauterine fetal death. There was no statistical difference in PRA among the 3 groups. It is assumed that the increase of PRA in the supine position was due mainly to mechanical pressure by the gravid uterus on the great vessels (regardless of whether the fetus was dead or alive) and that effective circulatory volume was thus reduced. However, low PRA in the left lateral position in women with preeclampsia seemed to correlate with more severe disease in these women.

The study demonstrates that different individuals (monkeys) need different heparin doses so as to avoid either clotting or bleeding when an extracorporeal blood system is involved. The linear correlation between PT and WBPTT values enables to utilize the latter for monitoring the heparin level in the blood. One procedure is based on the application of the Gotch and Keen intravenous heparinization model in its steady state limit by utilizing the pre-treatment evaluation of k/S, the ratio of the elimination rate constant to the individual's sensitivity to heparin. A second procedure involves the direct heparinization of the extracorporeal system. The heparin infusion rate is monitored through the arterial WBPTT values after relating the individual's PT or WBPTT values to the in vitro heparin concentration in the blood. In vitro and in vivo study of the effect of hemoperfusion through a column containing anion exchange particles on the amount and rate of heparin administration indicates that only the in vivo results are meaningful. The sharp response of WBPTT to relatively small changes of citrate concentration in the blood precludes individual monitoring by WBPTT. Work on the advantage of utilizing heparin together with citrate is required.

Bilateral ovarian surface papillomatosis of borderline malignancy is a rare condition. In our case it was associated with benign serous cystadenofibroma. The histologic diagnosis and the clinical aspects are discussed.A rare case of bilateral ovarian surface papillomatosis of borderline malignancy is reported. A 50-year-old gravida 1, para 0 woman was referred in July 1976 for evaluation of a pelvic mass manifested by vaginal bleeding of short duration 2 months before. Pelvic examination revealed a solid uterus, the size of a 10-week pregnancy, with irregular contour. At laparatomy, the uterus appeared 12 cm long and exhibited several intramural leiomyomata. A bilateral hydrosalpinx was also found. A 20 by 15 cm left ovarian cyst filled the pelvis and was adherent to the uterus. The right ovary was 3 by 2 cm long. On both surfaces of the ovaries multiple small grey solid papillomas were observed. Histologic examination of hysterectomized tissue revealed benign serious cystadenofibroma of the left ovary without inner papillary formations. On the outer surface of both ovaries there were serous papillomatosis; in most of them the epithelium showed proliferation, atypism, and clusters of free atypical cells. In the uterus there were benign leiomyoma and normal proliferative endometrium. The omentum was normal. In addition to surgical treatment, the patient received postoperative radiation to the pelvis and lower abdomen because of bilateral, low-potential malignant tumor on the outer surface of both ovaries. The need for postoperative radiation in cases of ovarian surface papillomatosis is emphasized.

Presented are six women with permanent bradycardia without myocardial involvement. Four women were asymptomatic, and two had repeated Adams-Stokes attacks and required the use of permanent pacemakers. All six women had 18 pregnancies with 15 deliveries of normal infants. During pregnancy and delivery all patients remained asymptomatic (functional capacity 1). The various cardiologic and obstetric aspects of these patients are discussed, and it is concluded that pregnancy and delivery in women with permanent bradycardia is possible, and their outcome is no different from that of normal, healthy women. However, cases with associated myocardial disease carry an increased risk and should therefore be carefully monitored during pregnancy and delivery.

Removal of bilirubin by haemoperfusion is suggested to replace exchange transfusion of blood of jaundiced infants. Anion exchangers, coated with biocompatible polymers, were tested in vitro with human blood for bilirubin binding capacity and blood compatibility. Dowex 1 × 2 coated with poly-HEMA and an acrylic polymer crosslinked with albumin removed 50 – 75% of the initial bilirubin in 2 – 3 h. Platelet count fell by some 25%. Additional work is still required to develop a small, efficient and safe haemoperfusion system.

The influence of balanced anesthesia (BA) on fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contraction (UC) patterns was evaluated in pregnant women undergoing emergency cesarean section. The results showed that during operative delivery under BA there was a significant decrease in the beat-to-beat variability of the FHR, most probably due to the anesthetic agent. There was a decrease in uterine contractility expressed by the significant decreases in the peak pressure as well as in the duration of the uterine contractions. Periodic changes in the FHR as decelerations and acclerations disappeared or improved mostly due to the decrease of uterine contractility.

One indication of an unsatisfactory liver function is the build-up of bilirubin (BIL) in the plasma. This phenomenon usually leads to jaundice, associated with hepatic failure coma and the Crigler-Najjar syndrome in adults, and with neurological damage to newborn babies, kernicterus and, sometimes, death. Due to these deleterious effects of the free, unbound BIL on the babies, it is important to reduce BIL concentration as fast as possible. Haemoperfusion (HP) — circulating the blood in an extracorporeal circuit through BIL-adsorbing ion-exchange particles in a packed-bed column — is a new clinical modality suggested to achieve this aim [Sideman et al., 1977, 1979].

Most casualties of the Peace for Galilee operation were hospitalized at the Rambam Medical Center. Data from the medical records of 864 casualties of the first 15 weeks of the conflict were analyzed. 75% of them were battle casualties, and the rest were injured in accidents. Since this is the major central hospital of northern Israel, most of the severe, and about a third of the minor casualties were hospitalized here. Half of the cases reached hospital within 3 hours and 20 minutes of the time of injury. The overall mortality of all casualties, battle and accident, was 2.9%. The mortality among battle casualties who arrived at the hospital alive, was 3.4%.

The biocompatibility of liver and kidney support hemoperfusion systems operating in-vitro with blood taken from a number of donors was investigated. The liver support system, aimed at the specific removal of Bilirubin, consisted of a column of Dowex 1X2 beads coated with an Acrylic polymer and a crosslinked Albumin. The kidney support system, aimed at the specific removal of phosphate ions, consisted of a packed-bed of alumina particles coated with a modified collodion. Comparison tests with empty columns show that the adsorbents do not significantly affect the depletion of erythrocytes leukocytes and thrombocytes.

With the increased popularity of the IUD as a contraceptive method, there is a rise in the cases of occult IUDs as a result of the disappearance of the threads from the vagina. Our experience has shown that in the cases where the marker is missing, but the IUD is in the uterine cavity, it can be easily removed by using the Novak curette. This procedure spares the patients general anesthesia, DC, and unnecessary hospitalization with its expenses.