First trimester maternal serum concentrations of fetal antigen 2 in normal pregnancies and those affected by trisomy 21

Serum concentrations of fetal antigen 2 (FA-2), the amino-propeptide of the alpha1 chain of collagen type I, were measured in peripheral blood from women with normal (n = 234) and trisomy 21 affected (n = 14) pregnancies between 9 and 11 weeks gestation. Serum FA-2 concentrations were seen to be stable throughout this period, and though raised FA-2 concentrations were seen at the 10th week of gestation, a statistically significant difference between normal and trisomy 21 affected pregnancies was not found overall. Therefore it seems unlikely that FA-2 has a role in first trimester screening for trisomy 21, despite the fact that significantly higher FA-2 concentrations in trisomy 21 and significantly lower concentrations in trisomy 18 had been previously demonstrated in amniotic fluid in the second trimester.     

The in-vitro effect of continuous and pulsed magnetic field on the colony-forming ability of bone marrow cells from hematologic patients

The investigation was concerned with the effect of magnetic field on the colony- and cluster-forming potential of myelo- and monocytopoietic precursor-cells in different blood diseases. Bone marrow from 72 patients was exposed in vitro to low continuous magnetic field and to intermittent continuous and pulsed one--from another 22 patients. The ADMT-Magnipulse source was used. Magnetic field proved a biologically-active factor capable of changing the clone-forming properties, proliferative and, possibly, differentiating potential of hemopoietic precursor-cells.     

Reinduction of the hypnotic effects of thiopental with NSAIDs by decreasing thiopental plasma protein binding in humans

The angioscopic evaluation of the carotid bifurcation has proved valuable for intraoperative quality control after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). From January 1989 to July 1990, intraoperative angioscopy was performed in 196 patients undergoing CEA. We used a 2.2, 2.8 or 3.6 mm angioscope inserted at the end of the CEA through the remaining opening in the suture line. The angioscopic findings were classified as follows: I--no pathology (68%), II--thrombi, smaller debris, suture irregularities (29%), III--intima flap, endoscopic removal (3%), IV--intima flap, surgical redo (3%). Our results support the practicability and importance of intraoperative angioscopy for surgical decision making. It is possible to rinse out thrombi or remove remaining debris using flexible forcepy, under direct visual control. There were no significant complications related to the angioscopic procedure.