Oxidant-sensitive and phosphorylation-dependent activation of NF-kappa B and AP-1 in endothelial cells.

Relatively low concentrations of reactive oxygen cause reversible alterations of endothelial cell signal transduction and gene transcription. The hypothesis that low levels of oxidant stress activate retention of trans-acting proteins in the nucleus was investigated by determining time and dose requirements for oxidant-stimulated nuclear protein binding to consensus DNA sequences for nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B or activator protein 1 (AP-1). Nuclear proteins were extracted from low passage porcine aortic endothelial cells 15 min to 24 h after addition of increasing concentrations of H2O2.

Prenatal cytogenetic abnormalities: correlations of structural rearrangements and ultrasonographically detected fetal anomalies.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine the distribution of karyotypic abnormalities detected at prenatal diagnosis, fetal anomalies, and ability for fluorescent in situ hybridization detection.

Study Design: Our cytogenetic database from January 1988 to April 1994 was categorized according to type and potential detection by current standard fluorescent in situ hybridization probes. Fetal anomalies and cytogenetic aberrations were compared.

Asbestos induces nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) DNA-binding activity and NF-kappa B-dependent gene expression in tracheal epithelial cells.

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) is a transcription factor regulating expression of genes intrinsic to inflammation and cell proliferation--features of asbestos-associated diseases. In studies here, crocidolite asbestos caused protracted and dose-responsive increases in proteins binding to nuclear NF-kappa B-binding DNA elements in hamster tracheal epithelial (HTE) cells. This binding was modulated by cellular glutathione levels.

Prenatal detection of preaxial upper limb reduction in trisomy 18.

Background: Abnormalities of the upper and lower extremities, such as club feet, rocker-bottom feet, and abnormal hand posturing, are frequently detected prenatally in trisomy 18 fetuses. Aplasia of the radius, usually associated with the absence or hypoplasia of the first metacarpal and thumb, is the most prevalent reduction malformation in trisomy 18 infants. Because this anomaly is easily missed during prenatal ultrasonography, the role of prenatal detection of this particular preaxial upper limb reduction has not been emphasized.

Prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of ductus arteriosus aneurysm with spontaneous neonatal closure.

Aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus may be either spontaneous or acquired as a complication of surgical closure of a patent duct. Patients may be asymptomatic or present with a wide spectrum of symptoms, including hoarseness, respiratory symptoms, aortic or pulmonary thrombosis or embolism, or rupture of the aneurysm. We present the first report of prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of isolated ductus arteriosus aneurysm.

Doppler velocimetry of the fetal middle cerebral artery in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes.

A prospective cohort study was conducted to determine whether preterm labor is associated with changes in the impedance to blood flow of the fetal middle cerebral artery. Doppler velocimetry studies were performed in 194 consecutive patients with preterm labor and intact membranes. Pulsatility indices of the middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery were determined on admission.

Combining humerus and femur length for improved ultrasonographic identification of pregnancies at increased risk for trisomy 21.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the value of the combination of femur and humerus length measurements in ultrasonographic screening for trisomy 21.

Study Design: Direct necropsy measurements were analyzed on 703 midgestational fetuses (641 normal, 62 with trisomy 21). The (leg+arm length)/foot length ratio was found to be significantly shortened for fetuses with trisomy 21.

Gastroschisis: can antenatal ultrasound predict infant outcomes?

Objective: To test previously proposed but unproven antenatal ultrasound prognostic criteria in fetal gastroschisis.

Methods: Thirty consecutive gastroschisis-affected pregnancies and their outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Data were tabulated by review of antenatal ultrasound videotapes, with blinded comparison to indicators of short- and long-term infant outcomes obtained from the medical records.

Ultrasonographic examination of the uterine cervix is better than cervical digital examination as a predictor of the likelihood of premature delivery in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of ultrasonographic and digital examination of the cervix in the prediction of preterm delivery in patients presenting with preterm labor and intact membranes.

Study Design: Endovaginal ultrasonography was performed in 59 patients admitted with preterm labor (20 to 35 weeks) and cervical dilatation of < 3 cm. Cervical parameters evaluated included endocervical length, the presence of funneling, funnel length, funnel width, cervical index ([Funnel length + 1]/Endocervical length), and cervical dilatation and effacement as determined by digital examination.

Sonographic screening for trisomy 21: fetal humerus:foot length ratio, a useful new marker.

We have analyzed morphometric measurements from midgestational fetal necropsies and shown that arm and foot lengths are linear relationships versus gestational age (GA). Using foot length as the GA determinant, we found that the ratio of arm:foot length was also a linear relationship and was decreased in trisomy 21 fetuses when compared to age-matched normals. Based on these laboratory findings, we prospectively evaluated the use of the humerus:foot length ratio as a sonographic screening tool for identification of fetuses at risk for trisomy 21.

Comparison of intrapartum fetal monitor tracings of karyotypically abnormal and control infants.

To determine if there are any specific monitoring patterns associated with chromosomal abnormalities the intrapartum tracings of 17 postnatally diagnosed karyotypically abnormal infants were obtained. Controls were randomly selected from infants born on the same day at the same gestational age. The tracings from these two groups were independently evaluated.

Fetal leg and femur/foot length ratio: a marker for trisomy 21.

Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether the femur/foot length ratio is useful in the prenatal detection of trisomy 21.

Study Design: Direct necropsy measurements were analyzed on 436 midgestational fetuses (391 normal, 45 with trisomy 21). Necropsy leg/foot length ratio versus gestational age was found to be significantly different between normal fetuses and those with trisomy 21.

Localization of preproenkephalin mRNA-expressing cells in rat auditory brainstem with in situ hybridization.

Hair cells and auditory nerve dendrites in the inner ear are innervated by pontine neurons that have been demonstrated by immunochemical techniques to contain several neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine and the opioid peptide enkephalins and dynorphins. The functions of these nerve fibers are not known, but may involve modifying auditory sensitivity to low intensity stimuli. In the guinea pig the opioid pathways originate in the lateral superior olivary region.

Prenatal diagnosis of nonrhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (Conradi-Hünermann syndrome).

Chondrodysplasia punctata has been classified into two major types including the rare autosomal recessive "rhizomelic type" and a more common but genetically heterogenous nonrhizomelic type (referred to by some authors as "Conradi-Hünermann (CH) type"). The former is typically lethal, manifesting serious anomalies, and allowing several instances of confident prenatal diagnosis. The latter being milder has more subtle anomalies and prenatal diagnosis has been uncommonly reported (confined to cases diagnosed incidentally by flat-plate X-ray examination of the mother in late third trimester, and a case found by directed ultrasound performed in a Mendelian affected mother).

Amniotic fluid platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin as markers of structural abnormalities.

Platelet factor 4 (PF4) and beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) are unique markers of irreversible platelet activation. We measured PF4 and BTG in amniotic fluid from 102 genetic amniocenteses, in which 78 had normal amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels with normal pregnancies, and 24 had high amniotic fluid AFP levels with abnormal pregnancies. PF4 and BTG were significantly higher in the abnormal pregnancy/elevated amniotic fluid AFP group (p < 0.

Trends in sonographic fetal organ visualization.

In order to assess changes in sonographic visualization over the last 6 years, 7092 second- and third-trimester ultrasound examinations from separate pregnancies in three individual years (1451 in 1985, 3016 in 1988, and 2625 in 1991) were compared. Overall, visualization across all gestational ages improved from 63.9% (1985) to 85.

First-trimester simple hygroma: cause and outcome.

Objective: First-trimester fetuses with simple nuchal hygromas represent a population that is different from midgestation nuchal cystic hygroma in terms of karyotype abnormalities and long-term prognosis.

Study Design: Sixty-eight consecutive fetuses diagnosed with simple nuchal hygromas between 10 and 14 weeks' gestation were evaluated ultrasonographically and karyotyped. Those with normal chromosome complements were ultrasonographically monitored throughout the remainder of the pregnancy for resolution of their hygromas.

Preferential alteration of inducible gene expression in vivo by carcinogens that induce bulky DNA lesions.

Our laboratory is interested in whether chemical carcinogen-induced DNA damage is nonrandomly distributed in the genome, i.e., "targeted," at the level of individual genes.

Infection and labor. VIII. Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in patients with suspected cervical incompetence: prevalence and clinical significance.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in patients presenting with cervical dilatation in the midtrimester of pregnancy.

Study Design: Amniocentesis for microbial studies was performed in women admitted with cervical dilatation > or = 2 cm, intact membranes, and without active labor between 14 and 24 weeks of gestation. Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, as well as for mycoplasmas.

Prognostic factors and complication rates for cervical cerclage: a review of 482 cases.

Charts from 482 singleton pregnancies undergoing cerclage placement in patients over a 6-year period were reviewed. Cervical dilatation at time of surgery, number of previous spontaneous losses, and gestational age at placement were key determinants of outcome. The most frequent complication, premature rupture of the membranes, ultimately occurred in 38% of patients.

Perinatal characteristics of the phenotypically and chromosomally abnormal live-born.

Perinatal characteristics of 105 singleton live infants born during the last 5 years and suspected phenotypically of having karyotypic abnormalities were studied; 33 abnormal karyotypes were found. These pregnancies were compared with all pregnancies delivering at our hospital during the same time period. A retrospective analysis using our perinatal data base examined maternal age, gravidity, parity, race, mode of delivery, birth weight, gestational age at delivery, Apgar scores, and size for gestational age.

The physician factor in cesarean birth rates.

To investigate the influence of physicians' practice styles on the rate of deliveries by cesarean section, we studied 1533 affluent women at low risk of obstetrical complications who were cared for by 11 obstetricians in a single community hospital. The mean rate of delivery by cesarean section was 26.9 percent, but the rate ranged from 19.