Glucose and insulin concentration in amniotic fluid and in maternal blood in early and in late pregnancy

Glucose concentration in the amniotic fluid decreases towards the end of gestation, whereas the insulin concentration increases. The ratio between fetal (amniotic fluid) glucose to maternal glucose is reduced by about 50% at the end of pregnancy, whereas the ratio of C peptide is increased four times. The higher glucose concentration in amniotic fluid in early pregnancy could be explained by a lower fetal metabolic rate in the early stage of development and a low insulin activity of the fetus.     

Differentiation pathways in carcinogenesis and in chemo- and radioresistance

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) share many features with embryonic stem cells (ESCs) such as the ability for self-renewal and differentiation. Signaling pathways that are involved in these processes are also involved in chemo- and radioresistance (e.g. Wnt, Notch and Hedgehog pathways). This review is focused on the influence of three important differentiation pathways on carcinogenesis and on chemo- and radioresistance in ESCs and CSCs.     

Fibrin Monomer and Platelet Aggregation in Vitro and in Vivo

S ummary . The effect of fibrin monomer or fibrinogen-fibrin monomer complexes (FFMC) on platelet aggregation was studied in vitro and in vivo . FFMC produced by limited action of thrombin in vitro did not cause spontaneous platelet aggregation and neither accelerated nor inhibited platelet aggregation induced by ADP or collagen. If FFMC were converted to gels by treatment with ethanol, platelets aggregated spontaneously. When purified rabbit fibrin monomer was infused into rabbits pretreated with heparin to block the intravascular generation of thrombin, platelet counts did not decrease significantly, indicating the lack of a plateletaggregating effect of FFMC. It is concluded that FFMC, derived from thrombin action on fibrinogen, do not initiate or accelerate platelet aggregation.     

Progress and Challenges in Ending HIV and AIDS in Australia

This review considers Australia’s progress towards the elimination of HIV and AIDS, as specified in international targets. In particular, it considers the reaction to recent media reports that Australia has ‘ended AIDS’ and evaluates progress towards reducing HIV transmission. Recent surveillance data and research show significant improvements in HIV testing and treatment, but countervailing trends such as increased condomless sex between gay and other men who have sex with men. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is being implemented at scale in some jurisdictions, with the hope that this will significantly alter the trajectory of Australia’s HIV epidemic, which has been stable for the last five years (at around 1000–1100 infections per year). The ongoing challenge in maintaining investment, while also considering how to respond to the diversification of the local epidemic, means that Australia has entered a critical period in which evidence of PrEP’s impact is eagerly awaited.