Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D R Pledger.
An enzyme-linked immunoassay for pregnancy-associated plasma protein A is described. The assay is sensitive (7.6 IU/l) and precise (overall CV varied between 8.9% and 10.8%). Recovery was 100% over the working range. Parallel behaviour was observed between the International Reference Preparation 78/610 and pregnancy serum, thus allowing calibration of a laboratory standard pool against IRP 78/610.
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Serum placental lactogen (hPL) and pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) concentrations were measured in 16 insulin-dependent pregnant diabetic women and in 16 non-diabetic control subjects matched for placental weight. hPL concentrations were found to be significantly higher in diabetics with placental weight greater than 90th centile compared with those in (i) non-diabetic controls with placental weight greater than 90th centile and (ii) diabetics with placental weights less than 90th centile. SP1 concentrations were higher in both diabetic groups compared with those in their respective non-diabetic controls, but no difference existed between the two diabetic groups. In the control subjects infant birthweights were lower in the women with small placentae, but no such difference was observed between the two diabetic groups.
A retrospective survey of neonatal post-mortems over a 10-year period was made to establish the incidence of kernicterus and the associated laboratory abnormalities. Cases with evidence of kernicterus without hyperbilirubinaemia were found to have significantly lower reserve albumin-binding capacity (RABC) than the control group. The results suggest that RABC estimation is a necessary adjunct in the assessment of the jaundiced, low birthweight neonate.
A comparison of serum pregnancy specific beta 1 glycoprotein analysis by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay has been made. Excellent correlation was obtained between the two methods but radioimmunoassay was found to be more precise and to have a lower detection limit than enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Using the more sensitive radioimmunoassay system, 2 out of 10 control male sera were found to contain detectable levels of pregnancy specific beta 1 glycoprotein. Sequential results are presented on patients with diagnosed malignant teratoma of testis who were undergoing chemotherapy.