COMPUTER-ASSISTED OBSERVATIONS OF THE NORMAL MENSTRUAL-CYCLE - PREDICTING THE DAY OF OVULATION

Objective: To develop a probabilistic computer model to predict the preovulatory days of the menstrual cycle by given hormonal parameters such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P)

Balanced de novo translocation T(6;7)(p25;q31) and cleft palate as an isolated finding

Balanced de novo translocation t(6;7)(p25,q31) and cleft palate as an isolated finding: We report a prenatally diagnosed balanced de novo translocation t(6;7)(p25;q31). Physical examination of the baby born at term revealed only a posterior cleft palate. Laboratory examinations and radiologic investigations were found normal. Two years follow-up of the patient showed her mental and motor development was appropriate with her age. Our report is the first observation on balanced de novo translocation t(6;7)(p25;q31) and cleft palate. Association of this translocation and cleft palate has not been reported previously

INTERPRETATION OF DOPPLER BLOOD-FLOW VELOCITY WAVE-FORMS USING NEURAL NETWORKS

Doppler umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveform measurement is used in perinatal surveillance for the evaluation of pregnancy status. There is an ongoing debate on the predictive value of doppler measurements concerning the critical effect of the selection of parameters for the evaluation of doppler output. In this paper, we describe how neural network methods can be used both to discover relevant classification features and subsequently to classify patients. Classification accuracy varied from 92-99% correct

A computerized diagnostic system for the interpretation of umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveforms

Objective: Development of ail artificial intelligent diagnostic system for the interpretation of umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveform measurements. Study design: Study design comprised several stages including data acquisition, image processing and analysis, training of artificial neural network and testing the predictive value of the system. The clinical material was handled in two groups. The training group consisted of 952 umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveform images of 174 normal pregnancies with normal outcome, while the testing group was composed of 138 images derived from 20 normal pregnancies with normal outcome and 68 images of 16 high risk pregnancies with poor outcome. All subjects were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography and umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveform images were transferred to the computer environment by means of a special data acquisition system. Automated image processing and analysis were performed to derive indices such as A/B ratio, resistance index. pulse related index, area ratio of wave and angle of coincident slopes. We have used a supervised artificial neural network (back propagation learning algorithm) to develop an intelligent diagnostic system which is called the BOLU system. Results: This version of the system was trained with the umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveform images of normal pregnancies. Thus. the BOLU system decides whether the tested image is normal for a given gestational week or not. The specificity and sensitivity of this system were estimated to be 98.6% and 51.5% respectively. Conclusion: We have developed an artificial intelligent diagnostic system for the interpretation of umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveform measurements. Waveform indices were obtained automatically by image processing and analysis. The predictive value of the system was found to be satisfactory

Prenatal Diagnosis Of Organic Acidemias At A Tertiary Center

The aim of this study was to share our experience in the prenatal diagnosis (PND) of organic acidemias (OAs) in our clinic. This study consisted of 10 cases in whom an invasive prenatal diagnostic test (IPNDT) was performed by a single physician for the PND of OAs. Median maternal age, parity, gestational week of IPNDT, prenatal test indications, OA types, method of IPNDT, IPNDT results and gestational outcomes were evaluated. Targeted mutation analysis was performed in fetal DNA for the specific mutations by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct Sanger sequencing. The diagnosis was confirmed by genetic targeted mutation analysis after birth. Median maternal age, parity and gestational week of IPNDT values were 30 (range 21-35), one (range 0-4) and 11.5 (range 11-17), respectively. Indications for IPNDT were mother being a carrier of the disease for one case (10.0%) and at least one child with OA in the family for nine cases (90.0%). Organic acidemia types investigated were maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and isovaleric acidemia (IVA) in five (50.0%), three (30.0%) and two (20.0%) patients, respectively. Chorion villus sampling (CVS) was done in seven (70.0%) patients and amniocentesis was performed in three (30.0%) patients. Eight fetuses (80.0%) were found to be healthy and two fetuses (20.0%) were found to be affected (one case with IVA and one case with MMA). The two pregnancies (20.0%) with affected fetuses were terminated. Prenatal diagnosis of OAs is critical. Appropriate prenatal counseling should be given to families with known risk factors.PubMedWoSScopu

CERUPLASMIN ACTIVITY, COPPER AND ZINC DETERMINATIONS IN PREDICTING THE PROGNOSIS OF THREATENED-ABORTION

WOS: A1994PB09900009The importance of ceruloplasmin and copper determinations in die evaluation of the prognosis of the threatened abortion has been demonstrated. Fourty-five healthy pregnant women, twelve 42-week pregnant women with primary inertia without any other complications and 72 patients with early pregnancy bleeding were included in the study. Spectrophotometric estimation of CRL activity was done with a previously defined method. The Cu and Zn content of blood serum was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The threatened abortion cases with poor prognosis had significantly low ceruloplasmin and copper values in comparison to the group of favourable prognosis and normal pregnancies of the same gestational age (p < 0.05 for all). Significantly low levels of ceruloplasmin and copper values compared to the other groups were also demonstrated in missed abortion cases (p < 0.01). In all study groups zinc values were found to be unchanged. As a conclusion, it can be assumed that ceruloplasmin activity and copper measurements are valuable in predicting the prognosis of threatened abortion though the exact mechanism is not known clearly