First-trimester maternal serum unconjugated oestriol and alpha-fetoprotein in fetal Down's syndrome

Maternal sera (MS) taken from 1396 women prior to chorionic villus sampling at 9–12 menstrual weeks were assayed for unconjugated oestriol (uE3) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Median levels increased by 41 and 26 per cent per week respectively in normal pregnancies. There were 32 pregnancies with a chromosome abnormality. The median MS uE3 and AFP were 0.73 and 0.75 multiples of the median (MoM) respectively in the ten cases of Down's syndrome (DS) but not decreased in the other abnormalities. These results suggest that both uE3 and AFP may be useful in identifying DS in the first trimester. Additional prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.     

Racial differences in maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin and unconjugated oestriol levels

We assayed maternal serum samples from 134 black and 268 white women from 16 to 18 weeks of gestation for intact human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and unconjugated oestriol (uE3). Serum from women with high ( ⩾ 2·5 MOMs) or low (risk for Down syndrome ⩾ 1/365) maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels were excluded. After correcting for maternal weight, we found that median hCG levels were 16 per cent higher in black women but uE3 levels were not significantly different. These results confirm three other studies for hCG and one study for uE3. Corrections are recommended for both maternal serum hCG and AFP before calculating the risk for Down syndrome in black women.     

A comprehensive review of domestic-open waste burning: recent trends,methodology comparison,and factors assessment

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Open burning is a waste management practice performed by many people worldwide, especially in developing countries. Lack of detailed data of open...