First trimester screening for Down's syndrome after assisted reproductive technology: non-male factor infertility is associated with elevated free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels at 10-14 weeks of gestation

We retrospectively compared the first trimester Down's syndrome serum screening markers free beta-hCG (fbetahCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) at 11-14 weeks of gestation in 4,088 women with naturally conceived pregnancies and in women pregnant after ICSI (n = 163), IVF (n = 59) and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (n = 31), and we searched for a potential relationship between infertility cause and marker levels. We found lower serum PAPP-A levels in pregnancies after IVF and ICSI compared with spontaneously conceived pregnancies and non-male factor infertility was associated with elevated serum fbetahCG levels at 11-14 weeks of gestation.     

SAFE--the Special Non-invasive Advances in Fetal and Neonatal Evaluation Network: aims and achievements

In this short review, the objectives and work of SAFE--the Special Non-invasive Advances in Fetal and Neonatal Evaluation Network, a European Union Framework VI network of excellence is described. We demonstrate how this network facilitates the implementation of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for single gene disorders, fetal rhesus typing, aneuploidy and pregnancy complications.     

Bone tissue reactions to periodontal dressings.

78 rats weighing 180–200 g were used to assess the bone tissue responses to three periodontal dressings (Coe-pak, Peripac and Ward's Wondrpak). The dressings were implanted subscutaneously on periosteal covered and denuded bone. Sham operated animals served as controls and a comparison btween the responses produced by the three dressngs were made.
In one series the dressings remained in situ for 3, 7, 14, 30 and 90 days. Osteocyte damage of varying extent was recorded for all materials. Remodelling of the bone surface adjacent to the dressing was observed. Bone resorption was never foud in the gournd defect produced to denude the bone tissue, but repair of the defect by bone formation was observed after long observation periods. This repair was retarded in some animals were Ward's Wondrpak had been implanted.
In another seiries Ward's Waondrpak was implanted against bone for three days, then re-operated to remove the dressing and the defect allowed to heal for 30 days. The test group exhibited empty bone lacunae and the repair of the defect was retarded or lacking.     

Gender differences in sexual and injection risk behavior among active young injection drug users in San Francisco (the UFO study)

Female injection drug users (IDUs) represent a large proportion of persons infected with HIV in the United States, and women who inject drugs have a high incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) injection. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of gender in injection risk behavior and the transmission of blood-borne virus. In 2000–2002, 844 young (<30 years old) IDUs were surveyed in San Francisco. We compared self-reported risk behavior between 584 males and 260 female participants from cross-sectional baseline data. We used logistic regression to determine whether demographic, structural, and relationship variables explained increased needle borrowing, drug preparation equipment sharing, and being injected by another IDU among females compared to males. Females were significantly younger than males and were more likely to engage in needle borrowing, ancillary equipment sharing, and being injected by someone else. Females were more likely than males to report recent sexual intercourse and to have IDU sex partners. Females and males were not different with respect to education, race/ethnicity, or housing status. In logistic regression models for borrowing a used needle and sharing drug preparation equipment, increased risk in females was explained by having an injection partner who was also a sexual partner. Injecting risk was greater in the young female compared to male IDUs despite equivalent frequency of injecting. Overlapping sexual and injection partnerships were a key factor in explaining increased injection risk in females. Females were more likely to be injected by another IDU even after adjusting for years injecting, being in a relationship with another IDU, and other potential confounders. Interventions to reduce sexual and injection practices that put women at risk of contracting hepatitis and HIV are needed.