Nature and frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancies with abnormal ultrasound findings: An analysis of 117 cases with review of the literature

During a 7-year period, 117 fetal karyotypes were available from 131 genetic amniocenteses. These procedures were performed between 14 and 37 weeks' gestation for the following abnormal ultrasound findings: (1) intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)—61 cases; (2) fetal malformation—71 cases; and (3) amniotic fluid volume (AFV) abnormality—60 cases. Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 19 cases (16.2 per cent). Aneuploidy was 2.5 times as frequent in the presence of malformations than in their absence. No correlation was demonstrated between specific fetal malformations and specific chromosomal abnormalities. Aneuploidy was also twice as frequent in the presence of symmetrical IUGR than in its absence. No chromosomal abnormalities were found among eight cases of asymmetrical IUGR. Four cases of aneuploidy presented with isolated IUGR, three of these involving the X chromosome. The frequency of aneuploidy was the same with or without abnormalities of AFV (14.3 versus 16.4 per cent). No chromosomal abnormality was found associated with isolated AFV abnormalities.     

Native fluorescence of unstained cryo-sections of the cervix uteri compared with histological observations

The excellent technical assistance of H. Führer and I. Leib is appreciated. Part of the work was supported by the Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie, and from the Leitz and Hoechst companies. This paper is part of the M. D. thesis of Ch.L.     

The Nobel Foundation and its role for modern day science

A short account is given of the events leading to the creation, after Alfred Nobel's death 1896, of the Nobel Foundation for the management of the funds, and of the Nobel committees in charge of the selection of the Prize winners in the five areas mentioned in the will. The impact of the various and partly recently added activities of the Nobel organizations on contemporary international scientific and cultural life is briefly discussed.     

Cercaricidal activity of some essential oils of plants from Brazil

Extended screening tests on the cercaricidal activity of various plants from northeast Brazil have shown that the extracts of the leaves and fruits ofPiper marginatum,Protium heptaphyllum, andCapsicum annuum show a remarkable effect on the cercaria ofSchistosoma mansoni. In the case of the oils ofPiper marginatum andCapsicum annuum, 90–96% of the cercaria ofSchistosoma mansoni were killed within 15 min. According to the NMR spectra, the active principles of the extracts seem to be water-soluble unsaturated compounds from the oils or their hydrolysis products. Natural substances provide an attractive alternative for preventive actions against schistosomiasis, as the perturbation of the ecological equilibrium of natural waters can be avoided in this manner.