We amplified bacterial 16S rRNA encoding DNA (rDNA) with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect amniotic fluid infection in 69 women in premature labor whose membranes were intact. Bacterial rDNA was detected by PCR in samples from 15 (94%) of 16 patients with positive amniotic fluid cultures. Bacteria were detected by PCR in samples from 5 (36%) of 14 patients with negative cultures and...

Dot immunobinding assays for the quantitation of two classes of proteins associated with lung surfactant phospholipids in human amniotic fluid are described. With the use of these assays it was determined that the two classes of surfactant proteins accumulate in the amniotic fluid at the same rate. The concentrations of disaturated phosphatidylcholine and the surfactant-associated proteins are ...

We studied the relationship between bilirubin concentrations in amniotic fluid and fetal blood in 68 non-hydropic rhesus d-alloimmunized anemic fetuses at first blood sampling. In these alloimmunized fetuses, the amniotic fluid/fetal blood ratio for bilirubin decreased from 0.09 at 28 weeks to 0.05 at 33 weeks. In normal fetuses, amniotic fluid/fetal blood ratios for bilirubin, and for albumin,...

The major molecular species of amniotic fluid phosphatidylcholine were determined as diacylglycerol trimethylsilyl ether derivatives by gas-liquid chromatography with use of glass capillary columns. We studied amniotic fluid specimens from 48 pregnancies. As expected, the major disaturated species of amniotic fluid phosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and palmitoylmyristoylphosp...

In widespread conviction, amniotic fluid is utilized for prenatal diagnosis. Amniotic fluid supernatant is usually discarded, notwithstanding being a good source of fetal DNA. The aim of the present study was to assess cell-free fetal DNA extracted from amniotic fluid supernatant for application in prenatal diagnosis such as gender determination and early diagnosis of β-thalassemia. Samples of ...

Virus loss in activated sludge appeared to be caused by microorganisms. This conclusion is supported by the finding that poliovirus infectivity decreased during incubation in mixed-liquor suspended solids, primarily because of a sedimentable, heat-sensitive component. Furthermore, broth spiked with mixed-liquor suspended solids acquired antiviral activity during incubation.

Gray, C., Davidson, R. G., and Cohen, M. M. (1971). A simplified technique for the culture of amniotic fluid cells. J. Pediat., 79, 119-122. Jacobson, C. B., and Barter, R. H. (1967). Intrauterine diagnosis and management of genetic defects. Amer. J. Obstet. Gynec., 99, 796-807. Nadler, H. L., and Gerbie, A. B. (1970). Role of amniocentesis in the intrauterine detection of genetic disorders. Ne...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from amniotic fluid obtained by second-trimester amniocentesis. METHODS A novel two-stage culture protocol for culturing MSCs was developed. Flow cytometry, RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry were used to analyse the phenotypic characteristics of the cultured MSCs. Von Kossa, Oil Red O and TuJ-1 stainings were used to a...