Intrauterine growth retardation risk detection for fetuses of unknown gestational age

A method of plotting growth rate of the biparietal diameter against the concurrent size of the biparietal diameter was used to assess risk of intrauterine growth retardation. The technique does not require knowledge of gestational age of the fetus. Therefore, it is uniquely useful for patients with unknown or uncertain menstrual dates who present relatively late in pregnancy when a reliable estimate of gestational age cannot be sonographically obtained. One hundred twenty-one patients were studied. Ninety-seven percent of the fetuses who demonstrated a normal rate of growth were either appropriate or large for gestational age by weight. Thirty-five percent of the fetuses who had a subnormal rate of growth of the biparietal diameter were intrauterine growth retarded by weight. The data presented support the use of this technique for assessing the risk for intrauterine growth retardation, when an accurate estimate of gestational age account be made.

Geographic distribution of HBsAg carriers in China

We tested by radioimmunoassay the sera of 22,707 male Chinese government employees in Taiwan for HBsAg and found 15.2% to be positive. Almost all were confirmed as carriers by follow-up testing 1 year later. This paper presents HBsAg positivity rates of these men according to the province of China from which they originated, and compares the rates with published provincial mortality rates for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Moderate variation in carrier rates between provinces was observed with high prevalence in men from provinces south of the Yangtze River. There was positive correlation between HBsAg prevalence and primary hepatocellular carcinoma incidence giving further support to the possibility of a causal relationship.

Incidence of hepatitis B virus infections in preschool children in Taiwan

To determine the incidence of infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) among Chinese preschool children, 1,510 children (mean age, 29 months) were tested for HBV markers; 15.9% were infected with HBV (7.8% positive for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and 8.1% positive for antibody to HBsAg) and 84.1% were susceptible when the children were enrolled in the study. The average length of follow-up was 2.1 years among 1,110 children. Among the 924 susceptible children who were followed up, 10.6% had seroconversions for HBV markers, none of which was associated with clinical illness; the annual incidence of HBV infections was 5.0%. Among the 98 children who experienced HBV infections during the study, 23% became HBsAg carriers, and HBsAg persistence was age-related, with most carriers being among the youngest children infected. In contrast, among the children with HBV markers at the time of enrollment, 118 (49.2%) were HBsAg-positive and 86% were still positive on follow-up. The incidence of HBV infections was significantly associated with the frequency of previous injections.

On the dynamical basis of the classification of normal galaxies

Some realistic galaxy models have been found to support discrete unstable spiral modes. Here, through the study of the relevant physical mechanisms and an extensive numerical investigation of the properties of the dominant modes in a wide class of galactic equilibria, we show how spiral structures are excited with different morphological features, depending on the properties of the equilibrium model. We identify the basic dynamical parameters and mechanisms and compare the resulting morphology of spiral modes with the actual classification of galaxies. The present study suggests a dynamical basis for the transition among various types and subclasses of normal and barred spiral galaxies.

Adaptation of human long-term B lymphoblastoid cell lines to chemically defined, serum-free media

Attempts were made to adapt human long-term B lymphoblastoid cell lines to prolonged growth in serum-free, chemically defined media. A newly described medium, which is an enriched modification of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing additional amino acids and vitamins, was used. The serum is totally replaced by albumin, transferrin, and soybean lipid. The cell lines were all adaptable from RPMI 1640 over a period of time during which the 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) concentration was reduced and then eliminated in successive steps. After 3 to 6 wk minor alterations in cell shape and adhesion were noted without significant histological changes. Growth characteristics were comparable in the new medium provided a double initial inoculum was used. A panel of cell surface markers, including surface immunoglobulins, Ia antigens, Fc and complement receptors, and T and B erythrocyte rosettes, all showed no altered expression. Molecular genotyping of Ia antigens was carried out by 3-D gel electrophoresis. The antigens showed their full polymorphism without change and were shed into the new culture medium without alteration. Chromosome analysis was performed on Q-banded karyotypes from one of the lines and showed no alteration resulting from the change to serum-free conditions. Thus long-term B lymphoblastoid cell lines can be adapted to prolonged growth in serum-free medium. This will facilitate the assay and isolation of cell products regulating lymphocyte function and the identification and characterization of cell surface molecules free of interference from undefined serum components.

Chromosome rearrangement between the Indian muntjac and Chinese muntjac is accompanied by a delection of middle repetitive DNA

The organizations of the genomes of two related species of Asian deer, the Indian (2n = 6 female, 7 male) and Chinese muntjac (2n = 46), were compared at the cytogenetic and molecular levels. These dramatically different karyotypes preserve little apparent G-banding homology. The difference in chromosome number is coincident with a 22% reduction in haploid DNA content from 2.7 to 2.1 pg in the Chinese and Indian muntjac, respectively. The kinetics of reassociation of the Indian muntjac (equivalent Cot = 4285 M-1. s-1) and Chinese muntjac DNA (equivalent Cot - 4362 M-1.s-1) in 2.4 M tetraethylammonium chloride suggests conservation in amount of "single-copy" DNA. Two middle repetitive DNA sequence classes differ in both amount and in degree of repetition between the two species. A middle repetitive frequency component (935-fold repeated) represents 13% of the Indian muntjac DNA. A similar component (644-fold repeated) represents 17% of the Chinese muntjac DNA. Low repetition DNA sequence components (repeated 5- and 50-fold) represent 30 and 40% of the Indian and Chinese muntjac DNAs, respectively. These differences quantitatively account for the 0.6 pg haploid DNA content variation between species. The deletion of middle repetitive DNA has not substantively altered the distribution of restriction endonuclease DNA base composition classes as defined by buoyant density in cesium chloride. These results represent the first time that middle repetitive DNA has been directly implicated in a chromosome rearrangement within the vertebrates.

Direct chromosomal analysis of human spermatozoa: preliminary results from 18 normal men

Chromosomal analysis of 240 spermatozoa from 18 normal men was performed using in vitro fertilization of zona-free golden hamster eggs. The frequency of chromosome abnormalities in this population was 9.2% (22/240). Of the abnormal complements, 18 were aneuploid (13 hyperploid and five hypoploid) and four had a chromosome break. The sex ratio of Y-bearing to X-bearing sperm was .68. The frequency and type of sperm chromosome abnormalities is compared with those seen in spontaneous abortions.

The constitutive heterochromatin of porcine chromosomes

The constitutive heterochromatin of porcine chromosomes was cytologically resolved into four types by using a combination of both C-banding techniques and base specific DNA binding fluorochromes. The four types of constitutive heterochromatin are: 1) C-band positive, A-T rich heterochromatin located in the centromeric region of acrocentric chromosomes; 2) faint C-band positive, G-C rich heterochromatin located in the centromeric region of biarm chromosomes; 3) C-band positive heterochromatin located in the long arm of the Y chromosome lacking available binding sites for either A-T or G-C specific fluorochromes; and 4) C-banding negative centromeric heterochromatin of the Y chromosome lacking available binding sites for either A-T or G-C specific fluorochromes.

A leukocyte culture and chromosome preparation technique for avian species

A technique for avian leukocyte culture and chromosome analysis is described. The method is simple and allows karyotypic analysis by a variety of chromosome banding methods. It is applicable to a wide variety of species and may be useful in determining the genetic sex of monotypic species in captivity or for population studies of specimens in the wild.

Genome of the whooping crane

The genome of an endangered avian species, the whooping crane (Grus americana) has been examined using the methods of karyotype analysis, cytofluorometry, and analytical ultracentrifugation. This species has a karyotype (2n = 82) common to the other crane species previously examined with five autosomal pairs and one sex chromosome pair as the macrochromosomes, and a large number of microchromosomes. Sex chromosomes are heteromorphic in females permitting sexing by means of chromosome analysis. The DNA buoyant density in neutral CsCl reveals the presence of two heavy satellite bands, and uncommon finding when compared to previous studies of avian DNA.

Fetal outcome in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Fetal outcome was evaluated in 157 hypertensive pregnant women whose underlying disease had been established by renal biopsy. The patients had pathologic diagnoses of preeclampsia (95), nephrosclerosis (23), nephrosclerosis with superimposed preeclampsia (13), interstitial and tubular nephropathy (seven), and normal findings (six). Pregnancy outcome in this selected group of patients was extremely poor, with the perinatal mortality rate being 134 per 1,000. There were 21 perinatal deaths; three quarters of these were stillbirths, and most were encountered below the fiftieth weight percentile and before 30 weeks' gestation. In addition 22% of the infants were small for gestational ages, and 40% of the infants were born before term. Most of the perinatal mortality (81%) was in women with preeclampsia. The worst fetal outcome was encountered in multiparous preeclamptic women, over 50% of whom manifested nephrotic-range proteinuria during pregnancy. Despite the presence of hypertension throughout most of their gestation, women with nephrosclerosis alone had the best fetal survival rate.

Prenatal assessment of fetal outcome by amniotic fluid C-peptide levels in pregnant diabetic women

Amniotic fluid C-peptide (AFCP), insulin, and glucose levels were measured in 33 diabetic and 126 nondiabetic pregnant women at greater than or equal to 36 weeks' gestation. Levels of AFCP distinguished diabetic from nondiabetic patients more reliably than amniotic fluid (AF) insulin or glucose. Levels of AFCP in diabetic patients correlated well with infant birth weight adjusted for gestational age (large for gestational age greater than adequate for gestational age), degree of diabetic control (fair to poor control greater than good control), or diabetogenic infant morbidity, but did not correlate with classes of diabetes within the limits of the population studied. We conclude that AFCP is a useful prognostic index for predicting fetal outcome in diabetic pregnancies. A level of AFCP of greater than or equal to 1.0 pmoles/ml is associated with an increased risk of macrosomia in infants of diabetic mothers.

Selective loss of antigen-specific Ir gene function in IA mutant B6.C-H-2bm12 is an antigen presenting cell defect

Immune responses to several soluble antigens were compared between B6.C-H-2bm12 mutant and wild-type B6 mice by using a lymph node T-cell proliferation assay. B6.C-H-2bm12 mice failed to respond to beef insulin whereas other IA gene-controlled responses, such as response to poly(L-Tyr, L-Glu)--poly(DL-Ala, L-Lys) and collagen, were indistinguishable between mutant and wild-type mice. The responses to multideterminant antigens such as ovalbumin and purified protein derivative of tuberculin were also found to be comparable in B6.C-H-2bm12 and B6 mice, thus indicating that this mutation resulted in a selective loss of the ability to respond to a certain antigen(s)--e.g., beef insulin. Populations depleted of adherent cells have been used to examine the mechanism by which Ia molecules mediate Ir gene control of antigen recognition. We show that the nonresponsiveness to beef insulin in the mutant mouse is the result of defective antigen presentation. In addition, we find that F1 hybrids between two nonresponders--B6.C-H-2bm12 and B10.A or B10.AKM (IAk) mice--become responders to beef insulin, thus demonstrating gene complementation. These findings taken together with other serologic and biochemical studies in the B6.C-H-2bm12 present convincing genetic evidence for the direct association of the A beta polypeptide chain of the Iab molecules with the expression of immune responsiveness to beef insulin. Study of the B6.C-H-2bm12 mouse should provide new insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which Ir genes determine the nature of the immune response.

Myeloproliferative disorder with unusual marrow chromosome constitution

This report describes a patient referred at 14 years in 1971, after one year's surveillance by the family physician, for a persistently elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukopenia, and relative lymphocytosis. Despite the documented myeloproliferative syndrome of seven years, significant physiologic impairment precluding strenuous ranching and rodeo work appeared only in the last six to nine months. Throughout the clinical course characterized by pancytopenia, refractory and somewhat megaloblastic anemia partially responsive to oxymetholone, and subacute myeloblastic leukemia, he showed a persistent double trisomy--48, XY, +8, +21 in bone marrow. This report reiterates the value of chromosome analysis in the study of hematologic disorders and, in addition, emphasizes the need to individualize each patient's prognosis.

Interaction of DEAP fluoranthene (RMI 9563 DA) with DNA and metaphase chromosomes

A fluorescent compound, DEAP fluoranthene (a tilorone cogener), has been suggested to bind to DNA by intercalation. The interaction of this drug with natural and synthetic DNAs and human metaphase chromosomes has been investigated in detail. DEAP fluoranthene shows a slight A-T preference in binding to DNA and was also found to change the topological winding number of superhelical DNA. These data, and the determined unwinding angle of 27 degree for DEAP fluoranthene, strongly support an intercalation mode of binding for this drug to DNA. DEAP fluorescence is minimally quenched when intercalated between A-T base pairs and maximally quenched when interacting with G-C base pairs. DEAP fluoranthene was found to produce bright fluorescent bands on human metaphase chromosomes identical to those produced by quinacrine. The solution data on DEAP fluoranthene interaction with DNA can be used to rationalize the production of differential banding patterns on chromosomes by DEAP fluoranthene in which the drug reports underlying DNA sequence arrangement of the metaphase chromosome.