Maternal serum free beta hCG screening: Results of studies including 480 cases of down syndrome

The median maternal serum free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) multiple of the median (MOM) of 480 Down syndrome cases in the second trimester was 2·64, significantly greater than the reported median MOM of intact hCG (p<0·0001). In 234 of these cases from retrospective and prospective studies, the effectiveness of maternal serum free beta hCG was evaluated in combination with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and maternal age in second-trimester Down syndrome screening. Down syndrome detection in the gestational age range of 14–16 weeks was 82 per cent. In all gestational weeks (14–22), a 77·7 per cent Down syndrome detection rate was achieved. In prospective screening of 44 272 patients under the age of 35 years, 69 per cent of Down syndrome cases were detected (73 per cent in gestational weeks 14–16). The false-positive rate for the prospective study was 3·8 per cent. The use of free beta hCG combined with maternal serum AFP and maternal age-related risk for Down syndrome in a screening population (i.e., women under 35 years) yields an improved detection efficiency over other protocols.     

Macroalgal morphology mediates particle capture by the corallimorpharian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corynactis californica</Emphasis>

The shallow kelp forest at Santa Catalina Island, California (33.45 N, −118.49 W) is distinguished by several canopy guilds ranging from a floating canopy (Macrocystis pyrifera), to a stipitate, erect understory canopy (Eisenia arborea), to a short prostrate canopy just above the substratum (Dictyopteris, Gelidium, Laminaria, Plocamium spp.), followed by algal turfs and encrusting coralline algae. The prostrate macroalgae found beneath E. arborea canopies are primarily branching red algae, while those in open habitats are foliose brown algae. Densities of Corynactis californica, are significantly greater under E. arborea canopies than outside (approximately 1,200 versus 300 polyps m⁻² respectively). Morphological differences in macroalgae between these habitats may affect the rate of C. californica particle capture and serve as a mechanism for determining polyp distribution and abundance. Laboratory experiments in a unidirectional flume under low (9.5 cm s⁻¹) and high (21 cm s⁻¹) flow speeds examined the effect of two morphologically distinct macroalgae on the capture rate of Artemia sp. cysts by C. californica polyps. These experiments (January–March 2006) tested the hypothesis that a foliose macroalga, D. undulata, would inhibit particle capture more than a branching alga, G. robustum. G. robustum, found predominantly under the E. arborea canopy did not affect particle capture. However, D. undulata, found predominantly outside of the canopy, inhibited particle capture rates by 40% by redirecting particles around C. californica polyps and causing contraction of the feeding tentacles. These results suggest that the morphology of flexible marine organisms may affect the distribution and abundance of adjacent passive suspension feeders.     

妇女乳腺癌医院出院率与在含持久性有机污染物场地邮政区居住之间的关系

持久性有机污染物(persistent organic polutants,简称POPs)大多具有毒性,有的甚至致癌,但目前对POPs引起的健康风险仍知之甚少。本研究的假设是在含POPs场地邮政区居住妇女的乳腺癌风险增大。从纽约州计划与研究合作系统(SPARCS)等数据库中收集乳腺癌患者的信息及居住地危险废弃物暴露、经济收入和城市化等数据。以邮政区编码表征居住地,采用负二项回归方法,对纽约州30岁以上妇女乳腺癌医院出院率进行了模型分析,参数包括种族、年龄、污染暴露、经济收入和城市化率。结果显示,不同参数之间(如暴露与种族、暴露与收入、暴露与城市化)存在交互作用。对部分子群而言,与居住在不含危险废弃物场地邮政区的妇女相比,居住在含POPs场地邮政区的妇女乳腺癌出院率显著升高(率比(rate ratio,RR)1.10~1.34,P0.05)。这种关系在非裔妇女中强于白种妇女、在城市化高的地区强于农村地区。调整了混杂因素后,某些妇女人群乳腺癌出院率升高与在含POPs场地邮政区居住有显著的关系。