Alpha-fetoprotein in fetal serum,amniotic fluid,and maternal serum

In order to gain more insight into the association between alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and fetal chromosomal disorders, especially Down's syndrome, we measured AFP in fetal serum, amniotic fluid, and maternal serum at cordocentesis. We compared the concentration and gradient of AFP in these three compartments. Our data confirm earlier findings on second-trimester fetal serum AFP concentration. The results indicate that low maternal serum AFP in pregnancies with fetal chromosomal disorders could result from an impaired fetal kidney function as well as from impaired membrane or placental passage of AFP, rather than from reduced fetal AFP production.     

Die Geologie des Mondes

A summary of lunar geology. Light feldspathic rocks which constitute the highland areas are components of the primeval crust of the Moon. Dark pyroxeneand ilmenite-rich basaltic lava flows — resulting from partial melting processes in the lunar mantle — filled the Maria basins, 3.1–3.9 × 10⁹ years ago. Craters of all sizes and large circular basins were formed by impacting bodies from outside which produced the regolith blanket — a mass of comminuted rocks with fragments of impact breccias, impact melt glasses and impact melt rocks.     

Prenatal diagnostic procedure for leukocyte adhesion deficiency

Leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder which leads to recurrent severe infections due to impaired leukocyte functions. The disorder is caused by an absence or deficiency of leukocyte cell adhesion molecules (LeuCAMs) on the leukocyte membranes. The diagnosis is established with monoclonal antibodies against the LeuCAMs. We have carried out a prenatal diagnostic procedure by means of cordocentesis in a mother who was 20 weeks pregnant and had previously given birth to a child with LAD. This previous child had the severe form of LAD with undetectable mRNA for the β chain, the common subunit of the LeuCAMs. We found that the fetal granulocytes expressed the LeuCAMs normally. At birth, the baby was physically normal and showed no signs of impaired leukocyte functions.