The transverse four-chamber view for the assessment of atrial tissue deformation in the fetus.

Aims: To determine if atrial tissue deformation (peak strain, PS) and time to peak strain (TTPS) can be assessed in the fetus, with identification of best echocardiographic plane.

Materials And Methods: Pulsed-wave tissue Doppler study of a longitudinal and a transverse four-chamber view (FCV) in each of 20 healthy fetuses. Determination of PS and TTPS in regions of interest (ROI), viz.

A case of chimerism-induced paternity confusion: what ART practitioners can do to prevent future calamity for families.

In the fertility clinic setting, a negative DNA paternity test result usually suggests a sample mix-up likely occurred at the testing company or in the clinic. However, we report a case where, despite repeat negative paternity test results, the alleged father (referred to as "the proband") was confirmed to be the baby's father. The proband, a 34 year-old male, contacted our research group when routine blood testing revealed discrepant blood types between the parents and the baby, repeat paternity tests were negative (excluding the proband as the baby's father), and the fertility clinic found no evidence of any wrongdoing.

Correlation between cardiac tissue Doppler and peripheral vascular Doppler in the anemic fetus - an additional method to determine the transfusion threshold?

Purpose: To examine the relationship between cardiac tissue Doppler and peripheral vascular Doppler measurements in fetal anemia.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed high frame rate cardiac Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) data files of 26 anemic fetuses. The peak systolic tissue velocity (PSV), peak systolic displacement (PD), and peak systolic strain (PS) were determined in the mid-segment of the ventricular walls (ROI 1 right ventricle (RV), ROI 2 left ventricle (LV)) and in the basal segment of the ventricular walls (ROI 3 tricuspid annulus, ROI 4 mitral annulus).

Evaluation of placental syndecan-1 expression in early pregnancy as a predictive fetal factor for pregnancy outcome.

Objective: Early expression of syndecan-1, a regulator of growth factor and chemokine function, in animal and human abortuses or placenta at delivery suggests a potential role during embryonic development. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between early placental syndecan expression and fetal outcome in ongoing pregnancies.

Methods: Prospective immunohistochemical analysis of 203 chorionic villus sampling specimens obtained during a 4-year period (2001-2004).

Asthmatics able to step down from inhaled corticosteroid treatment without loss of asthma control have low serum eotaxin/CCL11.

Introduction: The addition of a long-acting beta2 agonist (LABA) to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) may control asthma better than ICS alone. Eosinophil markers may predict symptom severity in asthma.

Objectives: The effect of combination treatment on moderate to severe asthmatics not selected to respond rapidly to steroid deprivation was compared with monotherapy.

Accuracy of classification of breast ultrasound findings based on criteria used for BI-RADS.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of categorization of breast ultrasound findings based on scoring for malignancy using the sonographic breast imaging-reporting and data system (BI-RADS).

Methods: Breast ultrasound was performed in 2462 patients between 2001 and 2004 at our unit. Sonographic findings were scored using analog criteria as in BI-RADS for breast ultrasound (mass shape, margin, orientation, posterior acoustic features, lesion boundary, echo pattern).

Sonographic assessment of the extra-abdominal fetal small bowel in gastroschisis: a retrospective longitudinal study in relation to prenatal complications.

Objective: An explorative retrospective study following a case-series of fetuses with isolated gastroschisis, to evaluate if small-bowel dilatation may be indicative for emerging obstetric complications. The secondary aim was to establish preliminary normative curves for the external diameter and wall thickness of eventerated fetal small bowel in gastroschisis during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Methods And Materials: Fourteen fetuses with isolated gastroschisis were followed at a single center.

Is there a seasonal variation in the frequency of gastroschisis?

Purpose: There have been conflicting reports on the incidence of gastroschisis and its seasonal variation. Studies have found an increased risk of gastroschisis in deliveries occurring in the winter months in the northern hemisphere. Other studies have not found a seasonal variation.

[Tissue Doppler imaging of the fetal heart--a new parametric ultrasound technique in prenatal medicine].

Tissue Doppler imaging is a new ultrasound technique for the acquisition and analysis of myocardial velocity and deforming parameters in the human heart. In cardiology this innovative technique is used to identify ischemic regions and stunned areas after cardiac infarction and to diagnose dyssynchrony. In the last two years, our research group has been using this technique extensively on fetal hearts.

Implications of low vascular flow resistance in the umbilical artery--difference between the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Purpose: An abnormally high (above 95th percentile) pulsatility index (PI) in the umbilical artery (UA) indicates impaired fetal outcome, whereas the impact of an ''abnormally'' low (below 5th percentile) PI in the second trimester is unknown.

Materials And Methods: Between 2001 and 2004, second trimester pregnancy screening was performed at our institution on 5220 patients, and additional UA Doppler ultrasound on 547 (10.5%) of these patients, between 16th and 25th week of pregnancy.

Maternal serum free beta-hCG and PAPP-A in patients with habitual abortion-influence on first-trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities.

Objective: To explore if maternal serum free beta-hCG and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) levels in the first-trimester of pregnancy are altered in patients with habitual abortions and if there is an effect on first-trimester screening for Down syndrome.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 913 normal singleton fetuses that underwent first-trimester combined screening for Down syndrome. Maternal serum PAPP-A and free beta-hCG were compared between patients with (n = 64) and without habitual abortions (n = 849).

[Laboratory animal asthma in research workers].

Working with laboratory animals in research is correlated with a high risk of developing laboratory animal allergy, and 5-40% of researchers exposed to animals develop an allergy within the first year. We describe three cases of asthmatic allergy in the same research group within a brief period of time. The research facility was an old hospital building which had not been adequately rebuilt to support animal facilities.

Influence of maternal systemic lupus erythematosus on first-trimester combined screening for chromosomal abnormalities.

Objective: To explore the effect of maternal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on first-trimester screening markers for Down syndrome.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 1150 normal singleton fetuses that underwent first-trimester combined screening for Down syndrome. Fetal delta nuchal translucency (NT), maternal serum PAPP-A and free beta-hCG were compared between pregnancies with SLE (n = 10) and without preexisting maternal disease (n = 1140).

Does vaginal bleeding influence first-trimester markers for Down syndrome?

Objectives: To examine the effect of early vaginal bleeding on first-trimester screening markers for Down syndrome.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 1755 normal singleton fetuses that underwent first-trimester combined screening for Down syndrome on the basis of ultrasound and maternal serum markers. Fetal delta-nuchal translucency (NT), maternal serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta-hCG were compared between pregnancies with (n = 252) and without (n = 1503) an episode of vaginal bleeding.

Patterns of proopiomelanotropin and proopiocortin gene expression and of immunohistochemistry for gonadotropin-releasing hormones (lGnRH-I and III) during the life cycle of a nonparasitic lamprey: relationship to this adult life history type.

There are two adult life history types among lamprey species, nonparasitic and parasitic, with the former commencing the final interval of sexual maturation immediately after metamorphosis. There are no extensive studies that directly compare hormone profiles during the life cycles of nonparasitic and parasitic lamprey species, yet such data may explain differences in development, reproductive maturation, and feeding status. The present study uses immunohistochemistry to show the life cycle profiles for gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH-I and -III) in the brain of the nonparasitic species, the American brook lamprey, Lampetra appendix, for comparison with the extensive, published, immunohistochemical data on these hormones in the parasitic species, the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus.

Recurrent leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata after hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy during combined hormone replacement therapy.

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata is a rare disease characterised by the occurrence of multiple smooth muscle cells building up tumour nodules within the peritoneal cavity. Approximately 50 cases of this disease have been reported in the world literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case reporting the recurrence of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata during combined hormone replacement therapy after hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and six laparotomies because of recurrence of the disease.