We studied the origin of transferrin receptor (CD71) positive cells in blood from seven women pregnant with a male fetus in order to explore if fetal cells could be detected among them. We used a technique that allows direct chromosomal analysis by in situ hybridization on immunologically and morphologically classified cells. Enrichment was performed by magnetic activated cell sorting (miniMACS)® using an anti‐CD71 monoclonal antibody. The cells were immunophenotyped by alkaline phosphatase anti‐alkaline phosphatase immunostaining with the same antibody. The origin of the immunophenotyped cells was studied by in situ hybridization using an X cosmid Y repeat chromosome specific probe cocktail. CD71 positive cells were found in six of the seven women at the range of 4 to 43 in respective samples. Over 90% of the CD71 positive cells were nucleated erythrocytes. None of the detected positive cells were shown to be fetal. Thus, the use of transferrin receptor antigen alone in combination with the miniMACS® may not be sufficient for enrichment of fetal cells.
Our aim was to evaluate whether the sex of a fetus could be determined in maternal whole venous blood by in situ hybridization without enrichment of fetal cells. This procedure is virtually without risks to the fetus or the mother. Blood samples were obtained from 59 women at different stages of pregnancy. Twenty preparations were discarded because they were technically unfit for in situ hybridization. Of the remaining 39 pregnant women. 18 had a male fetus, one had male twins, and 20 had a female fetus. Y‐positive cells were detected in 12 of the 19 pregnancies with male fetuses and in two of the 20 pregnancies with a female fetus. The frequencies of cells with Y‐signals ranged from 1 in 100 000 to 1 in 639. Our results show that fetal cells in maternal blood cannot be reliably used for prenatal diagnosis without prior enrichment of fetal cells.
Determination of glycohemoglobin in blood (HbA1) represents an established measure of glycemic control in diabetic patients. In patients with uremia, however, the determination can be subject to pitfalls which may limit its reliability. In order to evaluate the clinical usefulness of HbA1 determinations in diabetic patients with nephropathy, concentrations of HbA1 and its subfractions HbA1c and HbA1a+b were measured by micro- and macrocolumn chromatography in 58 diabetic and 80 non-diabetic patients with impaired renal function. Fifteen diabetic patients without nephropathy and 15 healthy subjects served as controls. The concentrations of HbA1 and its subfractions were significantly higher in non-diabetic patients with nephropathy than in healthy controls. A positive correlation was seen between HbA1 and plasma glucose concentrations in all subjects, and between HbA1 and serum urea and creatinine concentrations in the non-diabetic subjects. When measured repeatedly in the same patient there was a positive correlation between HbA1 and plasma glucose concentrations in diabetic patients with azotemia. There was no change in HbA1 concentrations measured immediately before and after hemo- or peritoneal dialysis. The increase of chromatographically determined HbA1 concentrations in azotemic patients is most likely due to the joint action of carbamylation of hemoglobin with urea derived cyanate and deterioration of glycemic control induced by azotemia. Despite these problems, chromatographically determined HbA1 is still a clinically useful measure of glycemic control in diabetic patients with nephropathy. This presumes repeated measurements in the same patient and the use of appropriate reference levels which consider the degree of renal impairment.
Nonstress fetal heart rate (FHR) recording was used as a primary test to detect fetal distress in 145 pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes. Testing was performed every second day beginning with the 32nd week of pregnancy and daily after the 34th week until delivery. One hundred eighteen (81.4%) had normal, nine (6.2%) suspicious, and 18 (12.4%) pathologic FHR recordings. Poor metabolic control of diabetes was observed in 25 (17.2%) of the 145 pregnancies during the last trimester of pregnancy. Nine of these 25 women (35%) with poor metabolic control had a suspicious or pathologic FHR recording, which was significantly more frequent (P less than .02) than in women with good metabolic control (18 of 120, 15%). The mean value (+/- SD) of hemoglobin AIc during the last trimester in diabetic women with pathologic FHR records was 7.63 +/- 0.87%, which was significantly higher (P less than .02) than in diabetic women with normal FHR records (6.91 +/- 0.83%). None of the 145 fetuses monitored died in utero. It was concluded that no obvious iatrogenic morbidity was caused by early intervention in cases with pathologic FHR recordings.
Abstract Fetal male cells from maternal venous blood were detected by a non‐radioactive in situ hybridization method using the biotinylated Y‐specific DNA probe pY431. The hybridizations were performed on Ficoll‐Paque‐isolated nucleated blood cells obtained from 11 pregnant women in the seventh to 31st week of gestation. A Y‐specific signal was detected in both granulocytes and lymphocyte‐like cells in seven of the 11 women studied. These women gave birth to boys. In one of the four remaining cases, a Y‐specific signal was detected in the lymphocyte‐like cells but not in the granulocytes. This woman gave birth to a girl. The other three women had no cells with a Y‐specific signal and all three gave birth to girls. Altogether, 83 500 nucleated cells were analysed. One hundred and three cells showed a Y‐specific signal. Of these Y‐specific cells, 62 per cent were granulocytes and 38 per cent lymphocyte‐like cells. Our results suggest that fetomaternal transfer of granulocytes is common and that it occurs as early as in the seventh week of gestation. None of the ten non‐pregnant female control samples showed positive cells with the Y‐chromosome‐specific probe; approximately 97 per cent of the cells from the five adult male controls showed a Y‐specific signal. Our results indicate that in situ hybridization using a Y‐specific DNA probe performed on granulocytes in maternal blood can be used for fetal male sex determination.
Dialysate outflow obstruction caused by displacement of the catheter tip is a relatively common complication of peritoneal dialysis, occurring in up to 20% of implanted catheters and often requiring surgical intervention. We describe a simple method used to reposition straight, Tenckhoff-type catheters. The procedure is performed under fluoroscopic control using a 2 mm thick catheter guide, bent fo form a slight curve. The catheter guide is introduced near the tip of the migrated catheter and then rotated in order to bring the catheter to the pelvis. Experiences over the five-year period 84-89 are summarized. In more than 60% of the patients, the first displacement occurred within one month of insertion of the catheter, and 70% of the catheters migrated to the right. The procedure was used in 21 patients to treat 50 displacements. In 86% of the cases the procedure was successful. 52% of the patients needed only one reposition while 48% experienced two or more displacements and subsequent repositions. Five patients eventually needed replacement of the catheter or were permanently switched to hemodialysis. The reposition procedure was practically free of complications.
