Serum PAPP-A levels are depressed in women with fetal Down syndrome in early pregnancy

The value of maternal serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein (PAPP)-A in screening for Down syndrome in early pregnancy was assessed using stored samples. Seventeen cases of Down syndrome and 66 unaffected control pregnancies were studied. The median PAPP-A level in the cases was 0.42 multiples of the expected value in controls (p <0.0001). Eleven cases (65 per cent) had levels less than half the expected value compared with only six controls (9 per cent). A commercial assay kit is now needed so that prospective screening with this marker can begin.     

Zelluläre Wirkungen der ultravioletten Komponente des Sonnenlichts

The discussion on the possible increase of solar UV on earth due to the destruction of the stratospheric ozone has led to a renewed interest in the action of ultraviolet radiation on biological systems. The paper deals with changes at the cellular level stressing particularly molecular alterations in deoxyribonucleic acid, the carrier of genetic information. The most important repair processes by which lesions are removed or bypassed are described. It is also discussed whether the effectivity of a complex spectrum can be predicted on the basis of measurements with monochromatic radiation. Furthermore, possible consequences on human health are outlined which may be derived from cellular studies.     

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in pregnant diabetic patients

The efficacy of the insulin infusion pump (CSII) in pregnancy was examined in 12 diabetic patients and compared with intermittent insulin therapy (IIT). In patients poorly controlled on IIT constant and rapid equilibrium was achieved with CSII (mean of glucose levels: CSII versus IIT=84 versus 137 mg/dl; S.D. = 36 versus 63 mg/dl; mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE)=65 versus 112 mg/dl. In patients well controlled on IIT, CSII led to a reduction in the variation of glucose excursions (S.D.= 29 versus 36 mg/dl; MAGE=48 versus 76 mg/dl). CSII generally produced a reduction of 20–37 per cent of daily insulin dose (in three cases there was an increase of dose with the achievement of glycemic control). Furthermore in CSII treated-patients amniotic glucose, insulin and C-peptide concentrations werefound tobeinthenormalrange(22.1±10.1 mg/dl; 5.2±2.7μ/ml; 1.25±0.71 ng/ml, respectively). All infants were horn at or near-term, had no macrosomia or neonatal problems. It is concluded that CSII is a highly efficient way to achieve normal glucose levels in pregnancy, not only in type I, hut also in type II or gestational diabetes.     

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of fetal scoliosis with termination of the pregnancy: Case report

Gross scoliosis of the fetal thoracic spine was diagnosed at 18 weeks gestation. The pregnancy was terminated and the fetus found to have webbing of the neck and an imperforate anus in addition to vertebral defects.     

The electromotor system of Torpedo

The electric organ of Torpedo, besides providing abundant amounts of cholinoceptive post-synaptic membrane for the isolation of the acetylcholine receptor protein, is a rich source of cholinergic nerve terminals. Using perfused, innervated tissue blocks from which synaptic vesicles in different functional states can be isolated, much information can be obtained about synaptic-vesicle dynamics. So far this is consistent with the view that the synaptic vesicles are the source of transmitter released on stimulation and that uptake of newly synthesized transmitter by the vesicles is dependent on their having discharged their previous charge of transmitter in at least one cycle of exo- and endocytosis. Studies of the protein composition of the vesicle membrane, especially when combined with similar information about the external presynaptic membrane, purified samples of which are now available from synaptosome (T-sac) preparations, promise to throw new light on the molecular mechanism underlying vesicle exo-/endocytosis.     

超越价值:生物多样性与思想自由

各种环境因素的协同作用已经导致保护运动在解释保护运动的基本信念时尤其缺乏信心。“反对派”行动主义者以为他们的论据是得到证实的，而“制度派”战术主义者倾向于采取他们并不赞同的功利主义的或经济的观点。根据现有的证据，在几百年以后，这个星球上主要的自然区域将基本消失，人类的生活质量将会受到极大的威胁。一种更可靠的观点认为：自然界是人类体验自由(这也是一种精神环境)的能力中不可或缺的一部分。这一观点将改变我们对待自然环境的方式，也关乎今后生物多样性长期生存的前景。     

Service transformation—managing a shift from business travel to virtual meetings

It has been shown that the potential for environmental, and financial improvements through the increased substitution of in-person meetings by virtual communication is considerable. However, it has also been shown that this potential is not automatically realized by investing in the technology that can enable virtual meetings. This paper describes two case studies that explored the factors that influenced communication and meeting behavior. A number of drivers and barriers for virtual meetings are identified, and, in addition, measures are proposed to improve the utilization of virtual tools for business communication.