Magnesium concentration in amniotic fluid in the early weeks of the second trimester of pregnancy.

Background: We analyse magnesium levels in amniotic fluid to establish normal values for the 14th to 18th week of pregnancy and establish critical values that could be useful diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for possible complications.

Findings: Ninety-two samples of amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis as well as the corresponding serum samples of pregnant women were analysed. The gestational age (mean ± SD) at which the amniotic fluid sample was obtained was 16.

Concentration of calcium and magnesium and trace elements (zinc, copper, iron and manganese) in cerebrospinal fluid: a try of a pathophysiological classification.

The aim of this study is to analyze the variation of the elements (Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) in normal and pathological CSF and develop a classification basing on the increases in cells and proteins and taking into account these variations. A total of 173 cerebrospinal fluids were analyzed. Of these, 37 fulfilled the criteria of normality and, after clinical exploration, were considered to be healthy (control group).

The need to update reference values for lead in Zaragoza, Spain.

Stricter regulations and controls for environmental lead have resulted in significantly lower frequency and reduced severity of chronic and acute lead intoxication. The aim of the present study was to update established reference ranges for lead in whole blood of healthy adults residing in Zaragoza and its region in northeastern Spain. The mean blood level was 2.

Validation of determination of lead (Pb) in blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) on the basis of interlaboratory comparison data.

ISO 15189 standard establishes a requirement to periodically revalidate analytical methods for the determination of trace elements like Pb in blood, as conditions change and technical advances are made. The aim of this study was to revalidate an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) method for determination of Pb in blood over the microrange 25-35 microg/dL, on the basis of historical results of interlaboratory comparison programmes. Precision and inaccuracy were estimated by analysis of records of an external quality control programme for Pb (PICC-PbS).