Can women remember how many children they have borne? Data from the east Caribbean.

The number of births reported by 786 women of native ancestry on the 1954 census of St. Barthélémy, French West Indies, was compared to the number of births registered to these same women in the records of vital events. The magnitude of the difference between the two numbers was related to a woman's parity and marital status, but not to her age or literacy. In general, the agreement between the two numbers was very high, with the mean of reported parities within 5 per cent of the mean of registered births for all age groups except one, where the difference was 5.6 per cent. The women of St. Barthélémy were well able to remember the number of children they had borne. It appears likely that the discrepancies between reported parities and registered statistics in previous studies are the result of cultural misunderstandings in questionnaires, or perhaps sample decay, rather than of women's memory loss.     

The prevalent use of contraception among teenagers in Denmark and the corresponding low pregnancy rate

In Denmark the number of births and induced abortions among teenagers has reduced and teenage parenthood is now rare. This paper evaluates the correlation between this observed fertility and reported sexual and contraceptive behaviour. In 1989 a sample of 16-20-year-olds in Denmark was selected at random and personally interviewed about sexual and contraceptive behaviour. Ninety-five per cent of the young women who had experienced sexual intercourse used contraception at the most recent sexual intercourse. In order to support the validity of this finding a model was developed to estimate an expected number of conceptions in the age groups concerned. The model included both the information on coital frequency and use of contraception from the questionnaire and available efficacy rates on contraception. The estimates derived by the model were compared with the registered number of births and induced abortions derived from public registers. The analysis revealed a high accordance between the estimated number of conceptions and the registered number of births and induced abortions for each age group. This underlines the validity of the data on sexual and contraceptive behaviour sampled among teenagers in Denmark. The findings indicate that contraceptive failure is a much greater problem than non-use of contraception for teenagers in Denmark.     

Birth spacing and child mortality in a Caribbean population.

Ten independent variables were used to predict death before the first birthday for 4411 births that took place from 1878 to 1976 to 978 women of native ancestry on the island of St. Barthélemy. Significant predictors of death include the death of the mother within a year, the birth year, multiple birth, whether the preceding child also died before 1 year of age, and whether the next child was conceived before the index child was 1 year old. Unlike most prior studies, birth-spacing variables were only weakly related to death in the first year. The relative absence of contraceptive techniques to control birth spacing in the study population and the use of vital records rather than survey data distinguish this project from others and may account at least partly for the unusual findings.     

Changes in maternal risk factors and their association with changes in cesarean sections in Norway between 1999 and 2016: A descriptive population-based registry study

BackgroundIncreases in the proportion of the population with increased likelihood of cesarean section (CS) have been postulated as a driving force behind the rise in CS rates worldwide. The aim of the study was to assess if changes in selected maternal risk factors for CS are associated with changes in CS births from 1999 to 2016 in Norway.Methods and findingsThis national population-based registry study utilizes data from 1,055,006 births registered in the Norwegian Medical Birth Registry from 1999 to 2016. The following maternal risk factors for CS were included: nulliparous/≥35 years, multiparous/≥35 years, pregestational diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, previous CS, assisted reproductive technology, and multiple births. The proportion of CS births in 1999 was used to predict the number of CS births in 2016. The observed and predicted numbers of CS births were compared to determine the number of excess CS births, before and after considering the selected risk factors, for all births, and for births stratified by 0, 1, or >1 of the selected risk factors. The proportion of CS births increased from 12.9% to 16.1% (+24.8%) during the study period. The proportion of births with 1 selected risk factor increased from 21.3% to 26.3% (+23.5%), while the proportion with >1 risk factor increased from 4.5% to 8.8% (+95.6%). Stratification by the presence of selected risk factors reduced the number of excess CS births observed in 2016 compared to 1999 by 67.9%. Study limitations include lack of access to other important maternal risk factors and only comparing the first and the last year of the study period.ConclusionsIn this study, we observed that after an initial increase, proportions of CS births remained stable from 2005 to 2016. Instead, both the size of the risk population and the mean number of risk factors per birth continued to increase. We observed a possible association between the increase in size of risk population and the additional CS births observed in 2016 compared to 1999. The increase in size of risk population and the stable CS rate from 2005 and onward may indicate consistent adherence to obstetric evidence-based practice in Norway.

In a population-based study, Ingvild Nedberg and colleagues investigate the relationship between maternal risk factors and changes in rates of cesarean section births in Norway.     

Note Sui Grani a Spighe Ramificate

Resumé

Chez les Blés branchus de l'espèce «turgidum» (Triticum turgidum compositum), il existe des sortes à thermostade plutôt froid (Blés d'hiver ou de semi-hiver) et des sortes à thermostade chaud, tièe ou «indifférent» (Blés de printemps).

Les Blés branchus de l'espèce «turgidum» apparaissent comme étant des plantes à photostade de jour long.

La plus ou moins grande rapidité de l'accomplissement du photostade, par rapport à la rapidité de l'assimilation des matières plastiques, détermine la structure, — non ramifiée ou ramifiée — de l'épi.     

Influence de la Concentration Bacterienne sur la Croissance de Colpidium campylum*

RÉSUMÉ. L'étude de la phase de latence et du début de la phase exponentielle de croissance dans des cultures monoxéniques de Colpidium campylum a été réalisée en examinant l'influence de la concentration en bactéries à la fois sur le nombre d'individus, leur volume moyen et le biovolume total de la population de Ciliés. Il est possible de définir plusieurs phénomènes liés à l'abondance du substrat, en particulier une concentration critique conditionnant la maintenance de la population et une diminution du taux d'assimilation consécutive à une suralimentation. A partir des résultants obtenus, la notion de volume minimum nécessaire à la division et l'interaction entre l'énergie nécessaire à la synthèse de matière vivante et celle liée à la nutrition, sont discutées afin d'expliquer l'évolution des cultures. SYNOPSIS. In a study of the stationary and the early exponential growth phases of the monoxenic cultures of Colpidium campylum, the influence of the bacterial concentration upon the number of ciliates, their mean volume, and the biomass of the total ciliate population was examined. It is possible to identify several phenomena linked to the abundance of the substrate, particularly a critical concentration affecting the maintenance of the ciliate population, and a decrease of the assimilation rate following overfeeding. On the basis of the results obtained, an estimate of the minimum volume necessary for division as well as the interaction between the energy required for the synthesis of living matter and that derived from nutrition are discussed, to explain the development of the cultures.     

Preface: Genetics and the human encounter with alcohol

Abstract

In this paper, we calculate a base line of statistical data on the frequency of sexual activity at various ages of Taiwanese women. A cross‐sectional study using questionnaires administered during personal interviews was conducted on more than seventeen thousand women who attended family planning clinics in the Taipei metropolitan area in 1991 and 1992. Of the women surveyed, 2.8 per cent were sexually inactive in the previous month, 83.67 per cent had intercourse one to nine times in the previous month, and 13.56 per cent had intercourse ten times or more. The mean frequency of sexual activity was 6.8 times a month. Age‐specific mean coital frequencies for the age groups of less than 25 years, of 25–34 years, and of 35–44 years were 10.3, 7.3, and 6.6 times per month, respectively. Increased sexual frequency was associated with the following factors: young age, unmarried, lower educational level, fewer years of marriage and being on the pill. When logistic regression was used to control for confounding variables, we found that a woman's age is the most significant factor in predicting her sexual frequency.     

BIOLOGIE DE PIMPLA INSTIGATOR (ICHNEUMONIDAE: PIMPLINAE)

L'analyse expérimentale du comportement de la femelle de Pimpla instigator, hyménopTÈre parasite de chrysalide, précise les stimuli qui lui permettent de localiser son hôte. Pimpla possède une acuiTÉ sensorielle particulièrement efficace dans le processus de découverte de l'hôte. L'olfaction permet à cet hyménopTÈre parasite de percevoir l'hôte à distance. La forme, qui n'est per?ue qu'après contact direct, joue un rôle déterminant pour déclencher l'acte de ponte. Ce criTÈre forme n'est cependant pas indispensable puisqu'en son absence, Pimpla per?oit, grâce à son seul sens olfactif, la présence de l'hôte-chrysalide.     

Pattern of menstrual cycle length in South Indian women: A prospective study

Abstract

Data on 8,308 menstrual cycles from 1,740 South Indian women prospectively recorded were analyzed to identify the effect of age on menstrual cycle length. The distribution was skewed to the right with the mean (SD) cycle length of 31.8 (6.7) days. The range of 25–40 days constituted 10–82 per cent of menstrual cycle lengths. In no age group did 28‐day cycles occur in more than 9 per cent of women. Variability as measured by the standard deviation was high among those below 19 years of age, stabilized during 25–39 years, and then increased in women aged 40 years or more. The findings are discussed in the light of other studies and possible implications in fertility control programs.     

Analyse multiparamétrique de la composition minérale des pollens d'une population de Bactris gasipaes (Arecaceae)

Bactris gasipaes Kunth is important both economically and as a food resource in several countries of tropical Africa. The profitability of cultivation can be increased by genetic amelioration of natural morphotypes. We observed that pollen characteristics influence the morphological and physiological features of the fruits. This prompted us to undertake a study based upon ten morphotypes from the Yurimaguas (Peru). We here complete the morphological and ultrastructural investigation of pollen, previously started by one of us, with an analysis of the elements with respect to the importance of the role they play in relation to pollen function. A determination of the 8 major elements, which corresponds to a precise analysis of the exine, was performed by micro-X-Ray diffraction analysis using an electron probe coupled with a scanning electron microscope. At the same time, the determination of calcium, magnesium and twelve oligo-elements by inductive coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) provided a complete mineral analysis of the pollen. A comparison of the element patterns of the morphotypes, obtained by both was carried out through a number of numerical data reduction techniques (Factor analysis and clustering). This led us to suggest two classifications: (1) that of pollen based upon mineral elements (2) that of mineral elements based upon pollen and further to look for possible multiple correlations between elements and pollens.

From the results obtained the following conclusions may be drawn: (1) the sequence of elements in descending order of concentration in the exine is an indication of the functional integrity of pollen and depends upon conservation and storage; (2) further, this sequence is a good fertility criterion; (3) variations in oligo-element concentrations in one cultivar allows infraspecific groups to be distinguished. This multiparametric approach also allow the location of an unknown pollen sample of Bactris gasipaes in the population under investigation.

Bactris gasipaes Kunth, ressource économique et alimentaire importante pour plusieurs pays d'Amérique tropicale, fait actuellement l'étude de recherches intensives. La rentabilité de sa culture pourra être augmentée par l'amélioration génétique des morphotypes naturels. Les caractéristiques du pollen ayant montré leur influence sur les caractères morphologiques et physiologiques des fruits, nous avons entrepris une étude sur la base de dix morphotypes originaires de Yurimaguas, au Pérou. Nous avons compléte l'étude morphologique et ultra-structurale du pollen, réalisée précédemment par l'un de nous, par une analyse des éléments minéraux qu'il contient en raison de l'importance qu'ils revêtent dans les différentes fonctions du pollen. Ainsi, la teneur en huit éléments minéraux majeurs, qui correspond à une analyse ponctuelle de l'exine, a été déterminée par micro-analyse X par sonde électronique couplée au microscope à balayage. De même, le dosage du calcium, du magnésium et de douze oligoéléments, effectué par spectométrie à plasma à couplage inductif (ICP), correspond à l'analyse minérale globale du pollen. L'étude comparative des profils en éléments minéraux des différents morphotypes, obtenue par chacune de ces deux méthodes d'analyse, a été réalisée par différentes techniques d'analyse mathématique de réduction de données multidimensionnelles (analyse factorielle et classifications automatiques). Nous avons ainsi pu proposer une double classification: (1) celle des pollens sur la base des éléments minéraux, (2) celle des éléments minéraux sur la base des pollens, puis rechercher les corrélations multiples éléments minéraux/pollens. Les résultats obtenus ont montré: (1) que la séquence des éléments minéraux dans l'ordre de concentration décroissante dans l'exine est caractéristique de l'intégrité fonctionnelle du pollen et dépend de ses conditions de conservation et de stockage, (2) que çette même séquence constitue un bon marqueur de la fertilité de pollen, (3) que la variabilité entre les concentrations en oligoéléments observée entre les différents cultivars permet la constitution d'un marqueur chimiotaxonomique satisfaisant pour discriminer sur la base du pollen les groupes d'individus au sein même de l'espèce végétale considérée. Cette approche multiparamétrique offre également la possibilité de positionner a priori un nouvel échantillon de pollen de Bactris par rapport à la population initiale étudiée.     

Expression of Vimentin and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor In Effusions From Patients With Breast Cancer; Correlation With Oestrogen and Progesterone Receptor Status

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) status and the vimentin (V) status of malignant cells in pleural fluids from patients with breast cancer were determined using an immunoperoxidase labelling technique. the results were correlated with the oestrogen receptor (ER) and the progesterone receptor (PR) status of the primary tumour and with disease-free survival time of the patient. A negative correlation between EGFr and V status and hormone receptor status was found. the longest mean survival time occurred in patients with negative EGFr and V status and positive hormone receptor (ER and PR) status. the shortest mean survival time occurred in patients with positive EGFr and V and negative ER and PR status. Le récepteur du facteur de croissance de l'epiderme (EGFr) et la vimentine (V) ont étéétudiées par une technique d'immunopéroxydase, au niveau des cellules malignes des épanchements pleuraux de malades traités pour cancer du sein. Les résultats ont été corrélés avec les récepteurs d'oestrogènes (ER) et de progestérone (PR) et avec la durée de survie sans récidive. Une corrélation négative est trouvée entre le récepteur de l'EGF, la vimentine et le taux des récepteur hormonaux. La survie moyenne la plus longue est observée chez des patientes négatives pour le récepteur de l'EGF et pour la vimentine et positives pour les récepteurs hormonaux (ER et PR). La plus courte survie est associée a la positivité du récepteur de l'EGF et de la vimentine et à la négativité de ER et PR. In Pleuraergüssen von Patientinnen mit Mammakarzinom wurden der Rezeptor für den epidermalen Wachstums-faktor (EGF) sowie Vimentin mit der Immunperoxydase- Technik untersucht. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit dem Vorliegen von Östrogen- und Progesteronrezeptoren im Tumor sowie dem rezidivfreien Intervall der Patientinnen korreliert. Eine negative Korrelation bestand zwischen EGF-Rezeptor und Vimentin. Die längste durchschnittliche Überlebenszeit wurde dagegen bei Patientinnen mit negativem Ergebnis für den EGF-Rezeptor und Vimentin jedoch positiven Hormonrezeptoren gefunden. Die kürzeste überlebenszeit lag bei Patientinnen mit positivem Rezeptor- und Vimentinnachweis und Fehlen der Hormonrezeptoren vor.     

Cytohistological correlation as a measure of quality assurance of a cytology laboratory

Cytohistological correlation as a measure of quality assurance of a cytology laboratory In a hospital-based cytology screening programme for the early detection of preinvasive lesions of the uterine cervix, 166 women with abnormal smears (human papillomavirus (HPV) changes, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive carcinoma) were referred to the central colposcopy clinic between January 1989 and December 1991. The colposcopist (V.S.) was able to take a direct biopsy in 156 cases. In the remaining 10 cases, biopsy could not be taken because of unsatisfactory colposcopy. A cytohistological correlation was obtained in 121/156 (77.5%) cases, and the remaining 35 cases showed a disparity in diagnosis. These were reviewed by one of us (P.S.) and the reasons for underdiagnosis/false negatives and overdiagnosis/false-positive results were analysed. It was found that sampling error was the cause of false negativity and underdiagnosis in most cases, while interpretative errors resulted in the overdiagnosis and false-positive smears. The reasons for interpretative errors were studied in detail. Les corrélations cyto-histologiques comme mesure de l'assurance qualité dans un laboratoire de cytologie Dans le cadre d'un programme hospitalier de dépistage précoce des lésions précurseurs et des lésions invasives du col utérin, 166 femmes ayant un frottis anormal (lésions virales à HPV, CIN, carcinome infiltrant) ont été vues dans le service central de colposcopie entre janvier 1989 et décembre 1991. Dans 156 cas, le colposcopiste (VS) a pu réaliser une biopsie. Dans les 10 cas restants, la colposcopie n'était pas satisfaisante et la biopsie n'a pas été pratiquée. Une corrélation cyto-histologique a pu être établie dans 121 cas sur 156 (77, 5%) avec, dans 35 cas, constatation d'une discordance diagnostique. Ces cas ont été revus par l'un de nous (PS) et les raisons de cette sous-évaluation diagnostique/faux-négatifs et de surévaluation diagnostique/faux-positifs, ont été analysées. Cette analyse montre que le prélèvement est à l'origine des faux-négatifs et de la sous-évaluation diagnostique dans la majorité des cas, alors que l'erreur d'interprétation est responsable de la surévaluation diagnostique et des faux-positifs. Les sources d'erreur d'interprétation ont été étudiées dans le détail. Die Korrelation zwischen Zytologie und Histologie als Massnahme der Qualitatssicherung eines zytologischen Labors Im Rahmen des Screeningprogramms eines Krankenhauses wurden 166 Frauen mit auffälligen Befunden (HPV, CIN oder invasive Karzinome) zwischen Januar 1989 und Dezember 1991 einer zentralen Kolposkopieklinik überwiesen. Biopsien konnten in 156 Fällen gewonnen werden, während das kolposkopische Bild dies in 10 Fällen nicht rechtfertigte. Übereinstimmung zwischen Zytologie und Histologie wurde in 121/156 (77,5%) erzielt. Abweichungen ergaben sich in 35 Fällen, die genau analysiert wurden. Entnahmefehler verursachten die meisten falsch negativen und unterbewerteten Fälle, während falsch positive und zu hoch bewertete Fälle auf Interpretationsfehlern beruhten. Diese wurden genau studiert.     

Changes in contraceptive use and fertility: Panama, 1976 to 1984

Abstract

From 1976 to 1984 important demographic changes occurred in Panama. The total fertility rate declined from 4.5 to 3.7, and contraceptive use amongmarried women 20–44 years of age increased from 55 per cent to 63 per cent. However, using data from three national level reproductive health surveys which were conducted in Panama in 1976, 1979, and 1984, we found that most of the changes took place between 1976 and 1979. Since 1979, overall contraceptive use and fertility have remained virtually unchanged, although there has been an important method‐mix shift toward an increase in the use of contraceptive sterilization and IUD's, with an accompanying decline in the use of oral contraceptives. Although the singulate mean age at marriage remained relatively constant, the average duration of breastfeeding rose 23 per cent during the period. Further gains in contraceptive prevalence and reduction in unplanned fertility in Panama will largely depend on enhanced program efforts first begun in the early 1970's by the Panama Ministry of Health. Future program efforts especially should be directed toward encouraging young couples to space their children more effectively by using temporary methods of contraception.     

Autopsy in California

From information complied from death certificates registered in 1952 and 1962 an examination was made of California''s autopsy performance and the characteristics of deaths in which autopsy was done. The data indicated that California had an overall autopsy rate of 37 per cent of total deaths in 1962, probably higher than any other state. In the decade reviewed, there was a 62 per cent absolute increase in autopsies and a 7 per cent increase relative to total deaths.Substantial increases in the proportion of deaths in which autopsy was done were found for physician-certified deaths in both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties and for coroner-certified deaths in nonmetropolitan counties. For all but two of forty-five selected natural causes of death there were increases in the proportion of deaths in which autopsy was done.Seventy per cent of deaths occurred in some type of facility. About one-half of all deaths occurred in general hospitals, and autopsy was done in 42 per cent of such cases.The dual factors of a high autopsy rate and overrepresentation of deaths brought to autopsy in white males, ages 35-64, support the validity of a reported decline in California''s death rate for arteriosclerotic heart disease.     

Some Aspects of Cervical Screening In Southern New Zealand; the Situation Before Implementation of the National Cervical Cancer Prevention Programme

To gain some idea of cervical screening in Otago and Southland (two southern provinces of New Zealand), before the implementation of a national cervical cancer prevention programme, a questionnaire was sent to all doctors identified as smear takers. Questionnaires were returned by 75% of the doctors. Only 53.8% of practice nurses were involved in taking smears. Well Women Clinics staffed by nurses were not widespread in either province. Just under half (46.4%) of doctors took cervical smears as part of a health check programme. Sixty-three per cent (63.3%) routinely performed a pelvic examination when taking a smear. Surprisingly few doctors were familiar with the technique of placing spatula and cytobrush samples on one slide, a manoeuvre which could significantly reduce the workload of the cytology laboratories. Only a minority of doctors were aware of a new sampler which can provide samples equivalent to combined spatular-cytobrush smears. There was confusion over the timing of a repeat smear following two normal ones. the recommended interval of 3 years was only complied with by 44.2% of doctors. However, 71.4% of respondents did remind women to have smears. the study indicates that many doctors already provide patients with a good cervical screening service, and this augers well for the national screening programme. Afin d'abtenir des informations sur le dépistage du cancer du col utérin dans les provinces d'Otago et de Southland (2 provinces du sud de la Nouvelle Zélande), préalablement au lancement d'un programme de prévention, un questionnaire a été envoyéà tous les médecins susceptibles de réaliser des frottis. Ces questionnaires ont été renvoyés par 75% d'entre eux. Seulement 53.8% des infirmiéres sont concernées par la réalisation des frottis. Les ‘Well Women Clinics’dirigées par des infirmiéres ne sont pas très répandues dans ces deux provinces. Moins de la moitié des médecins (46.4%) font des frottis dans le cadre d'un programme de bilan de santé. Soixante trois pourcent (63.3%) font un examen pelvien systématique lorsqu'ils réalisent un frottis. De façon surprenante, peu de médecins sont familiarisés avec la technique de l'étalement sur une même lame de la spatule et de la cytobrush, technique qui réduit notable-ment le travail des laboratoires de cytologie. eule une minorité de médecins est au courant de l'existence de ce nouveau système permettant d'obtenir l'equivalent d'un frottis combinéà la spatule et à la cytobrush. Une confusion a été constatée à propos de l'intervalle recommandé après 2 frottis normaux. Les médecins se sont conformés à l'intervalle recommandé de 3 ans pour 44.2% d'entre eux. Cependant 71.4% des médecins répondeurs rappellent à leurs patientes qu'elles doivent faire pratiquer des frottis. Cette étude montre que de nombreux médecins proposent une bonne utilisation du dépistage du cancer du col à leurs patientes, signe de bonne augure pour le programme national de dépistage. Um die Lage hinsichtlich eines gynäkologischen Screenings in den beiden südlichen Provinzen von Neuseeland, Otago und Southland, zu erfassen, wurden Fragebogen an alle Ärzte verschickt von welchen bekannt wer, daß sie Abstriche herstellen. 75% der Fragebogen wurden beantwortet. Nur in 53.8% der Praxen waren die Schwestern mit der Herstellung der Abstriche betraut. In beiden Provinzen gab es kaum ‘Well Women Clinics’. Etwas weniger als die Hälfte (46.4%) der Ärzte fertigen Cervikalabstrich im Rahmen eines Gesundheitscheques an, 63% (63.3%) von diesen führte routinemäßig gleichzeitig eine Beckenuntersuchung durch. Überraschenderweise waren nur wenige Ärzte mit der Technik Spatel-und Cytobrushmaterial auf einem einzigen Objektträger aufzutragen vertraut, nur eine Minderheit kannte neue Verfahren, die dem kombinierten Spatel- und Cytobrushabstrich entsprechen. Es herrschte Unklarheit hinsichtlich der Kontrollzeiträume nach 2 normalen Abstrichen. Der empfohlene Zeitraum von 3 Jahren war nur 44.2% der Ärzte bekannt. Trotzdem forderten 71.4% die Patientinnen auf, Abstriche herstellen zu lassen. Die Studie zeigt, daß viele Ärzte ihre Patientinnen bereits mit einem guten Screeningprogramm versorgen und bietet somit gute Voraussetzungen für ein nationales Screeningprogramm.     

Synthese de la Desamino 9’ Sinefungine

Abstract

La sinéfungine dont nous avons récemment achevé la synthèse (1) possède une activité antiparasitaire en particulier sur différentes souches de Leishmania (2) mais présente 1′inconvénient d'ine toxicité non négligeable; nous avons donc entrepris la synthèse d'analogues, en particulier du dérivé 9’ désamino è partir de l'adénosine et è partir du ribose.     

Causes of low utilization of amniocentesis by women of advanced maternal age

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine current usage of amniocentesis by women of advanced maternal age in a southwestern Ohio county and to determine potential usage levels by surveying women not utilizing the procedure to understand their reasons. For women age 35 and older giving birth in Hamilton County, Ohio, the estimated percentage using amniocentesis was 3.9 in 1978, 7.6 in 1979, and 13.3 in 1980. Approximately comparable statewide utilization rates were 7.0, 11.5, and 17.2 respectively. A telephone survey during the summer of 1980 of 81 Hamilton County women age 35 and older recently giving birth to a normal baby found four main reasons why they did not utilize amniocentesis: (1) they did not feel at an increased risk (29.6 per cent); (2) they had never heard of the test (24.7 per cent); (3) they were opposed to abortion (21.0 per cent); and (4) no one suggested they have the test done (19.8 per cent). Their physicians reported that 81 per cent of these women had received prenatal counseling. Thus, of those counseled, over two‐thirds apparently missed at least one essential message of the counseling they were presumably provided. These findings, coupled with 47.7 per cent of women who knew about amniocentesis saying they would most likely use it if they became pregnant again and their physician recommended it, indicate that utilization of prenatal diagnosis by at least 50 per cent of women age 35 and older is likely with greater public education and greater support of the procedure by obstetricians.     

PARAMETERS USED FOR RECOGNITION OF DISTRESS CALLS IN TWO SPECIES: LARUS ARGENTATUS AND STURNUS VULGARIS

ABSTRACT

Distress calls are signals effective over a long distance. They are well known to evoke interspecific reactions. We suggest that the interspecificity phenomenon results from the use of similar laws of decoding by the species concerned. These laws must take into account the transmission channel which always has a great influence on long-range communication. We tested our hypothesis by broadcasting simplified synthetic calls to two species of birds: the herring gull and the starling. The various calls differed in terms of frequency modulation (FM). Two main conclusions emerged from this series of tests:

1. The parameters used for recognition are not sophisticated: a simple slope applied to a carrier frequency that corresponds to the acoustic shape of a distress call is sufficient to confer a distress meaning to the signal. The basic rules are the same for the gull and the starling, with differences only in the acceptance level of the species.

2. The system of recognition is based upon parameters not altered by the environment: the birds make use of the slow frequency modulations (FMI). In contrast, the fast frequency sweeps (FMII) which are modified during propagation do not seem to be utilised. The use of these characteristics of distress calls for recognition allows interspecificity and maximum efficiency for propagation over long distances.

Assessing the correlates of desired family size in Shaanxi,China

Abstract

This exploratory analysis of factors associated with Chinese women's fertility desires uses data on married women between the ages of 18 and 35 who live in Shaanxi Province, China. Analyses using an economic framework found that both rural and urban couples who intended to sign, or who had already signed, the one‐child certificate reported wanting significantly fewer children. However, in rural areas (where 80 per cent of the provincial population lives), education level, living arrangements, participation in an arranged marriage, attitudes regarding the ideal age for marriage, and knowledge of the reasons for the government's fertility policies appear to play a relatively larger role in shaping fertility preferences.     

Immunocytochemical Staining of Serous Effusions: an Additional Method In the Routine Cytology Practice?

In a consecutive and prospective cytomorphologic and immunocytochemical study we have examined 100 serous fluids with a panel of antibodies. Three different immunocytochemical patterns of staining were recognized: (i) a benign profile showing no Ber-EP4 or CEA-positive cells; (ii) a malignant profile with Ber-EP4 and strongly EMA-positive epithelial cells; and (iii) a malignant profile in which mesothelial cells were strongly positive for EMA. By applying these profiles the number of malignant cases recognized increased from 19 to 38. All cytomorphologic malignant fluids showed a malignant profile, but in two cases a malignant epithelial profile was found in patients without otherwise proven malignant disease (false positive staining). Immunocytochemistry with anti-Ber-EP4 and anti-EMA can be recommended as a routine procedure, but the marker result should always be correlated with cytomorphology, eventual histologic data and clinical records. Dans cette étude cytomorphologique prospective, nous avons analysé 100 liquides d'épanchement des séreuses, consécutifs, à l'aide d'une batterie d'anticorps. Trois profils immunocytochimiques différents ont été individualisés: (i) un profil bénin dans lequel aucune cellule n'est positive avec Ber-EP4 ou l'ACE, (ii) un profil malin avec des cellules épithéliales fortement positives aves Ber-EP4 et avec l'EMA et (iii) un profil malin dans lequel les cellules mésothéliales sont fortement positives avec l'EMA. En appliquant ces notions de profils, le nombre de cas malins reconnus passe de 19 à 38. Tous les cas cytologiquement malins avaient un profil malin, mais 2 cas de profil immunocytochimique épithélial malin correspondaient à des patients chez lesquels aucune pathologie maligne n'a été trouvée (faux positif). L'immunocytochimie avec l'anti Ber-EP4 et l'anti EMA doit être recommandée en pratique de routine, mais les résultats de ces immunomarquages doivent toujours être corrélés avec l'étude morphologique et les éventuelles données histologiques et cliniques. In einer prospektiven cytomorphologischen und immuncytochemischen Studie wurden 100 seröse Ergüsse mit einer Gruppe von Antikörpern überprüft. Es fanden sich 3 unterschiedliche Reaktionsmuster: (i) eine gutartige Gruppe ohne positive Reaktion auf Ber-EP4 oder CEA, (ii) eine maligne Gruppe mit Ber-EP4 positiven und stark positiven EMA-Zellen und (iii) eine maligne Gruppe mit stark positiven mesothelialen Zellen auf EMA. Unter Anwendung dieser Einteilung konnte die Zahl der diagnostizierten malignen Fälle von 19 auf 38 vergrößert werden. Alle cytologisch malignen Fälle entsprachen den malignen Gruppen, während 2 Patienten mit immuncytochemisch positiven Befund keinerlei Malignitätszeichen aufwiesen. Der immuncytochemische Einsatz von Anti Ber-EP4 und Anti EMA kann als Routineverfahren empfohlen werden, wobei jedoch immer eine Korrelation mit der Cytomorphologie oder histologischen und klinischen Daten berücksichtigt werden sollte.