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Biomedical subjects

W Washington

Publications and source records attributed to W Washington.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Ultrasound estimation of amniotic fluid volume using the largest vertical pocket containing umbilical cord: measure to or through the cord?

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the preferable method, either measuring to the umbilical cord or through the umbilical cord to the base of the pocket, of ultrasonically estimating amniotic fluid volume. SUBJECT AND METHODS: This was a prospective study carried out in singleton pregnancies undergoing a third-trimester amniocentesis. The amniotic fluid index (AFI) and single deepest pocket (SDP) were measured prior to amniocentesis. If measured spaces contained umbilical cord, measurements were made to and through the cord. Actual amniotic fluid volume was determined by the dye-dilution technique. RESULTS: One-hundred pregnancies were evaluated. Low dye-determined volume was identified in a significantly greater number of pregnancies using the AFI to the cord (7/28, 25%) compared to through the cord (2/28, 7%) (P = 0.025). The SDP technique to the cord was superior in low volumes (2/28, 7%) vs. (0/28, 0%) through the cord (although statistical significance could not be determined because there were no low through-the-cord measurements). CONCLUSIONS: For the detection of low amniotic fluid volumes, the AFI to the cord is better than through the cord. Measurement to the cord and through the cord had similar accuracy for both the AFI and SDP techniques in normal and high dye-determined amniotic fluid volumes.

Adolescent↗

Bisphenol a binds to the low-affinity estrogen binding site.

Environmental estrogens are suspected of being involved in the current increase in the incidence of human reproductive malfunctions, such as a decrease in male reproductive capacity and an increased incidence of breast cancer in women. The influences of these compounds have been proposed to be mediated through binding to macromolecules, such as estrogen receptor alpha or beta. In this study we examined whether the low-affinity Type II estrogen binding site (Type II EBS), originally identified in the rat uterus, is a possible mediator of environmental estrogens such as bisphenol A (BPA). Analysis of BPA's binding to an enriched fraction of Type II EBS, using a competition assay, indicated that BPA was able to compete with estradiol in binding to this site. At a concentration of 10-15 microM (comparable to that required to induce uterine proliferation), BPA inhibited the binding of estradiol to Type II EBS by greater than 50%. The binding affinity of BPA for the Type II EBS was only 8-10-fold lower than that of the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol. The binding of BPA to Type II EBS appeared specific to BPA, in that endosulfan, another environmental estrogen, failed to displace estradiol from the site. A comparison of the relative binding affinities of BPA for rat uterine estrogen receptor alpha to that of the Type II EBS implies that BPA preferentially binds to the Type II EBS.

Animals↗

Laboratory evaluation of a multitest system for identification of gram-negative organisms.

Seventy-two oxidase-positive or nonfermentative organisms, or both, all of which could be identified with reasonable certainty by alternative means, were used to challenge the OXI/FERM tube. There was 91% concurrence of identification between the two methods. Three observers, working independently, agreed upon the interpretation of each of the tests in the OXI/FERM system from 91% to 100% of the time. Duplicate OXI/FERM tubes inoculated with the same strain yielded identical interpretations 95% of the time for all tests except citrate utilization (89%). The OXI/FERM tube thus appeared to be an accurate identification method and yielded test results that were easily interpreted and adequately reproducible.

Bacteria↗

Comparison of methods for rapid immunofluroescent staining of group A streptococci and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Immunofluorescent staining reactions for group A streptococci and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were equivalent to those of standard "slow" methods when slides were heated on a serological water bath at 50 C for periods one to four minutes. No false negative reactions occurred when this method was used. False negative reactions occasionally occurred when previously described rapid methods which employed a slide warmer were used.

Fluorescent Antibody Technique↗