[Placental lactogen and estrogens in the amniotic fluid in normal pregnancy and in pregnancy complicated by hypertension in relation to the state of the newborn]. / Laktogen lozyskowy i estrogeny w plynie owodniowym z ciazy prawidlowej i powiklanej nadcisnieniem tetniczym krwi a stan noworodka.

The study was carried out in 45 samples of amniotic fluid taken by amniocentesis from 21 hypertensive mothers (study group) and 24 healthy mothers (control group). In these samples the concentrations were determined of total oestrogens and human placental lactogen. In the evaluation of the state of the newborns the following was considered: 1) length and body weight, 2) status in the 1st minute of life (Apgar score). The results were subjected to statistical analysis. In hypertensive mothers during pregnancy HPL and total oestrogen concentrations were decreased. In the study group reduction of body weight and length was found. The general condition of the newborns in the 1st minute was similar in both groups.

[Respiratory distress in newborns born to hypertensive mothers and acid-base equilibrium and the ion composition of the amniotic fluid]. / Zaburzenia oddechowe u noworodków matek z nadcisnieniem tetniczym krwi a równowaga kwasowo-zasadowa i sklad jonowy plynu owodniowego.

Twenty-five samples of amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis from 25 pregnant women with hypertension in the 35 to 40 weeks of pregnancy were studied. The following biochemical determinations were done in the samples: acid-base equilibrium (pH, pO2, pCO2, base deficit, standard HCO3- and total CO2), concentrations of potassium and sodium ions, total and ionised calcium and inorganic phosphorus. The results were analysed depending on the presence of the respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn, and were subjected to statistical analysis. It was found that determination of acid-base equilibrium and concentrations of K+, Na+, total and ionised Ca++ and inorganic phosphorus in the amniotic fluid of hypertensive women are probably without prognostic significance with respect to the development of the respiratory distress syndrome in newborns.

[Respiratory distress in newborns born to hypertensive mothers and protein, lipid and renal maturity indices and enzymatic activity in the amniotic fluid]. / Zaburzenia oddechowe u noworodków matek z nadcisnieniem tetniczym krwi a wskazniki bialkowe, lipidowe i dojrzalosci nerek oraz aktywnosc enzymatyczna plynu owodniowego.

Twenty-five samples obtained by amniocentesis were studied in 25 pregnant women between 35 and 40 weeks of pregnancy with hypertension. The following biochemical investigations were done in the samples: total protein, beta-lipoproteins, cholesterol, uric acid, urea, creatinine, AlAT and AspAT, total alkaline phosphatase and its thermostable isoenzyme, ceruloplasmin and alpha-amylase. The results were analysed in relation to the development of the respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn and were subjected to statistical analysis. In the amniotic fluid of hypertensive mothers in whose children the respiratory distress syndrome developed, reduction was found in the concentrations of beta-lipoproteins and cholesterol. This may have a prognostic significance in the prediction of respiratory distress in early neonatal period.

[Activity of alpha-amylase in serum and urine of pregnant women with diabetes mellitus type I]. / Aktywnosc alfa-amylazy w surowicy krwi i w moczu kobiet ciezarnych chorych na cukrzyce typu I.

The investigations covered 33 women in the III trimester of pregnancy with diagnosed, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and 108 healthy women in the control group. The alpha-amylase activity was measured in the blood-serum and urine samples using the Caravay technique. An increased activity was demonstrated in the blood-serum samples in the examined group. The values were not related to the levels of glycemia. The urinary alpha-amylase activity was similar to that in the control patients. No coincidence between the activity and glycemia or acetone levels could be demonstrated.

[Results of the activity of Jose Carreras Memorial Cord Blood Bank in Warsaw]. / Podsumowanie dzialalnosci Banku Krwi Pepowinowej im. Jose Carrerasa w Warszawie.

Following the first successful cord blood transplantation in 1988, several hundreds of patients were treated using same protocol. The main limitation of the wide use of cord blood as a source of haematopoietic cells is the number of available units of this tissue. To make possible selection of HLA-matched cells for individual patient, several thousands of cord blood samples must be collected and stored in liquid nitrogen. The network of cooperating cord blood banks with join accessible database is necessary. In this paper the activity of Jose Carreras memorial Cord Blood Bank established in Warsaw was described. Since the middle of January the collection of cord blood units for clinical purposes was started. During first three months 80 samples of cord blood was collected. Collections were obtained from normal full-term deliveries after the third stage of labour. For the banking the collection over 60 ml or contain over 4 x 10(8) of mononuclear cells were qualified. Whole blood samples and plasma samples obtained following volume reduction were used for HLA and bacteriology tests. After volume reduction the number of nucleated cells (WBC), mononuclear cells (MNC) and hematopoietic cells (CD34+) were evaluated. After processing the cord blood samples were frozen using control freezer and were stored in liquid nitrogen storage tanks. According to results of cord blood transplantation hundred percent of banked samples are suitable for recipients weighing 10 kg and only 7 percent for these weighing 50 kg.

[Comparison of the selected methods of cord processing for transplantation purposes]. / Porównanie wybranych metod preparatyki krwi pepowinowej przeznaczonej dla celów transplantacyjnych.

Human umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been successfully used as a source of allogeneic hematopoietic cells for transplantation. Banking of the UCB requires its volume reduction to decrease storage space, costs and volume of infused DMSO. In order to select an optimal method for volume reduction we compared several methods of cord blood processing, namely buffy coat centrifugation, red cell lysis, hydroxyethyl starch (HES)-, methylcellulose- and gelatin-sedimentations. The viability of cells and the recoveries of total white blood cells, mononuclear cells and CD34+ cells was evaluated. We also compared the efficacy of red cells depletion from the original UCB sample. Buffy coat centrifugation, red cell lysis, HES, gelatin or methylcellulose resulted in high mononuclear cell recoveries, whereas high hematopoietic cell recovery was observed only after HES sedimentation and buffy coat processing. The HES sedimentation procedure compared to buffy coat processing is more time and labor consuming and resulted in higher red blood cell and platelets depletion. Both methods can be recommended as a method at choice for the umbilical cord blood processing before banking.

[Early amniocentesis in prenatal diagnosis]. / Wczesna amniocenteza w diagnostyce prenatalnej.

In the period 1990-1991 483 prenatal diagnosis were carried out. Of those in 111 (23%) the technique of early amniocentesis was used, i.e. between 12th and 14th weeks of gestation. In 23 cases the result of cytogenetical diagnosis was positive. The time necessary for obtaining the result did not differ from that of amniocentesis performed at 15-20 weeks of gestation. The cytogenetical examination was successful in all cases of early amniocentesis.