Fetomaternal hemorrhage in threatened abortion.

In this study, we compared the incidence of fetomaternal hemorrhage between patients with threatened abortion and a control population of similar gestational age. The study population comprised pregnant patients at less than 20 weeks' gestation who presented to our emergency room with a history of vaginal bleeding without cervical dilatation or passage of tissue. The control population consisted of women presenting for elective pregnancy termination; they were excluded from the study if they gave a history of any antepartum bleeding. The amount of fetomaternal hemorrhage was evaluated using the Kleihauer-Betke acid elution assay. A positive result in our laboratory, as determined by a nonpregnant control group, was a value of 0.07% or more fetal cells. Using this criterion, 11% of the study population had a positive Kleihauer-Betke test, compared with 4% in the pregnant control group. Rho(D) immunoglobulin may be indicated in Rho(D)-negative patients who present with threatened abortion.

Pleomorphism of human prostatic cancer cells (DU 145) in culture--the role of cytoskeleton.

The role of cytoskeletal structure in the alteration of cell shape, multinucleation, and intracellular transport of human prostatic carcinoma cells DU 145 was investigated by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and by immunofluorescence microscopy. It was confirmed that alterations in cell shape and surface topography, multinucleation, and intracellular transport of these cultured cells were regulated by a microfilament system composed of actin. The presence of prekeratin confirmed the epithelial nature of these cells. It was noted for the first time that these cells were highly motile and contained fewer microtubules, a moderate amount of intermediate filaments, and a large amount of microfilaments. "Displastic" cells were quite common in long-term culture. DU 145 cells are excellent in vitro models for further research on human prostatic cancer cells.