Influence of selected factors on serum AFP levels in pregnant women in terms of prenatal screening accuracy - literature review.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is one of the biochemical components of the triple (T-3) and quadruple (T-4) test used so far in prenatal screening mainly for trisomy 21 (T21) and neural tube defects (NTDs). Based on many years of experience and data collected during these studies, a variety of factors have been identified that can affect a pregnant woman's serum AFP level, and thus the risk assessment of trisomy 21 (T21) and neural tube defects. These include both unaccounted for purely medical data (e.

Apolipoprotein E4 Effects a Distinct Transcriptomic Profile and Dendritic Arbor Characteristics in Hippocampal Neurons Cultured .

The gene is diversified by three alleles , , and encoding corresponding apolipoprotein (apo) E isoforms. Possession of the allele is signified by increased risks of age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the rate of AD dementia progression. ApoE is secreted by astrocytes as high-density lipoprotein-like particles and these are internalized by neurons upon binding to neuron-expressed apoE receptors.

Association between the Concentrations of Essential and Toxic Elements in Mid-Trimester Amniotic Fluid and Fetal Chromosomal Abnormalities in Pregnant Polish Women.

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the concentrations of essential and toxic elements present in the amniotic fluid (AF) and fetal chromosomal abnormalities in pregnant women. A total of 156 pregnant white Polish women aged between 20 and 43 years and screened to detect high risk for chromosomal defects in the first trimester were included in the study. AF samples were collected from these women during routine diagnostic and treatment procedures at mid-gestation (15-22 weeks of their pregnancies).

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) - new aspects of a well-known marker in perinatology.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a serum protein, which is characteristic of the fetal development period and a well-known oncological marker. The predominance of AFP among serum proteins is common in fetal life, whereas after birthing its functions are gradually taken over by albumins. An understanding of the mechanism of AFP transfer between fetus and mother has led to the development of screening tests for identifying neural tube defects and Down's syndrome.

Absence of Apolipoprotein E is associated with exacerbation of prion pathology and promotes microglial neurodegenerative phenotype.

Prion diseases or prionoses are a group of rapidly progressing and invariably fatal neurodegenerative diseases. The pathogenesis of prionoses is associated with self-replication and connectomal spread of PrP, a disease specific conformer of the prion protein. Microglia undergo activation early in the course of prion pathogenesis and exert opposing roles in PrP mediated neurodegeneration.