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Anti-G is commonly present with anti-D and/or anti-C and can confuse serological investigations. In general, anti-G is not considered a likely cause of severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), but it is important to differentiate it from anti-D in women who should be administered anti-D immunoglobulin prophylaxis. We report one woman with three pregnancies severely affected by anti-C+G requiring intrauterine treatment and a review of the literature. In our case, the identification of the correct antibody was delayed because the differentiation of anti-C+G and anti-D+C was not considered important during pregnancy since the father was D–. In addition, anti-C+G and anti-G titer levels were not found to be as reliable as is generally considered in Rh immunization. Severe HDFN occurred at a maternal anti-C+G antibody titer of 8 and anti-G titer of 1 in comparison with the critical titer level of 16 or more in our laboratory. Close collaboration between the immunohematology laboratory and the obstetric unit is essential. In previously affected families, early assessment for fetal anemia is required even when titers are low. Immunohematology2015;31:123–127.

Understanding the chemical nature of the surface of carbon nanofibers (CNF) is critical in assessing their fundamental properties and tailoring them for the right application. To gain such knowledge, we present here a detailed X-ray adsorption spectroscopy (XAS) study accompanied by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs of two morphologically different CNF pairs (tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) grown “open structured” fibers and traditional bamboo-like “closed structured” fibers), where the surface chemical properties and structural features of the fibers are investigated in depth and the effects of nitric acid treatment on the fibers are revealed. The morphology of the fiber and/or the original seed- and adhesion layers markedly affect the response of the fibers to the acid treatment. Results also show that the nitric acid treatment increases the observed sp2intensity and modifies the two types of fibers to become more-alike both structurally and with respect to their oxygen functionalities. The XAS and HRTEM results confirm that a short nitric acid treatment does not remove the Ni catalyst particle but, instead, oxidizes their surfaces, especially in the case of ta-C grown fibers.

Detailed information about the physicochemical properties of a given surface is important in order to understand and predict the performance of materials in electrochemical applications. Here we present a detailed X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of two different tetrahedral amorphous-carbon (ta-C) thin films and their subsequent electrochemical characterization. The results show marked differences in ta-C surface and bulk properties, namely differences in the amount of surface functional groups and their sp3/sp2ratios, respectively. In particular, the variation in the oxygen content of the surface leads to significantly different behavior in electrochemical measurements, such as a 10-fold increase in sensitivity for dopamine and stronger response to ascorbic acid. Results of the surface properties were further analyzed by simulations carried out within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) as well as by utilizing Raman spectroscopy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the levonorgestrel intrauterine system could provide a conservative alternative to hysterectomy in the treatment of excessive uterine bleeding. DESIGN: Open randomised multicentre study with two parallel groups: a levonorgestrel intrauterine system group and a control group. SETTING: Gynaecology departments of three hospitals in Finland. SUBJECTS: Fifty six women aged 33-49 years scheduled to undergo hysterectomy for treatment of excessive uterine bleeding. INTERVENTIONS: Women were randomised either to continue with their current medical treatment or to have a levonorgestrel intrauterine system inserted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of women cancelling their decision to undergo hysterectomy. RESULTS: At 6 months, 64.3% (95% confidence interval 44.1 to 81.4%) of the women in the levonorgestrel intrauterine system group and 14.3% (4.0 to 32.7%) in the control group had cancelled their decision to undergo hysterectomy (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system is a good conservative alternative to hysterectomy in the treatment of menorrhagia and should be considered before hysterectomy or other invasive treatments.