Intraventricular haemorrhage in a fetus with cerebral cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading infectious cause of prenatal neurological damage, which is particularly severe when primary maternal infection occurs during the first 16 weeks of gestation, at the time of organ development and neuronal migration. Vascular involvement has been suggested to be among thepossible pathogenic mechanisms of virus-induced pathology, in addition to direct viral effects. We report on a fetus with cerebral CMV infection, which had intraventricular haemorrhage, together with oligohydramnios and hyperechogenic bowel, following maternal primary CMV infection. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Second-trimester echogenic small bowel: An increased risk for adverse perinatal outcome

2267 singleton fetuses who had one ultrasound examination between 15 and 21 weeks' gestation were prospectively evaluated for echogenic small bowel. Thirty-two cases of echogenic small bowel were detected—a prevalence of 1·4 per cent. Echogenic fetal small bowel was divided into two grades: grade 1, where the small bowel was more echogenic than the liver; and grade 2, where the small bowel had the echogenicity of bone. In contrast to 19/23 fetuses with grade 1 small bowel echogenicity, only 2/9 fetuses with grade 2 echogenic bowel had a normal pregnancy outcome (Fisher's exact test; P⩽0·01). Complications associated with second-trimester echogenic small bowel included in utero cytomegalovirus infection, second-trimester growth restriction, intrauterine fetal demise, and chromosomal abnormalities. Second-trimester fetal echogenic small bowel is associated with an increased risk of an adverse outcome. The prevalence of perinatal and neonatal complications is significantly greater when small bowel echogenicity approaches that of bone.     

Hyperechogenic fetal bowel and Down syndrome. Results of a French collaborative study based on 680 prospective cases

Hyperechogenic fetal bowel is prenatally detected by ultrasound during the second trimester of pregnancy in 0.1% to 1.8% of foetuses. It has been described as a normal variant and has often been associated with severe diseases, notably Down syndrome. The aim of the present study was to determine the risk of trisomy 21 in a prospective study of 680 fetuses with hyperechogenic foetal bowel. Karyotyping was performed on amniotic cells in 632 cases, and outcome was known in 655 cases. A 2.5% risk of Down syndrome and a 1% risk of other severe chromosomal anomalies were observed. Hyperechogenicity was isolated in 11/17 Down syndrome cases, and associated with other ultrasound anomalies in all seven cases of severe chromosomal anomalies. In conclusion, fetal bowel hyperechogenicity indicates a risk of chromosomal anomalies ten-fold higher than that expected on the basis of maternal age, therefore justifying invasive procedures. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Syndromic associations with congenital anomalies of the fetal thorax and abdomen

Anomalies of the thorax and abdomen can be found in a number of genetic syndromes. Whilst it may not be possible to make a definitive diagnosis before birth, knowledge of the potential associations can be useful for the prenatal diagnostician when examining the fetus and counselling the parents. In this article, we describe conditions where other features may be detectable using prenatal ultrasound. We describe the features, potential diagnostic aids and prognosis. The tables list other potential features that may be identified. The range of conditions that can occur emphasises the value of genetic input in the management of a fetus with an apparently normal karyotype and multiple anomalies, the need to save material for future molecular analysis and the requirement of a detailed examination after delivery. These are needed in order to make accurate diagnoses and advise parents with regard to recurrence risks and the potential for prenatal diagnosis in future pregnancies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of obstructive bowel disease: A retrospective analysis

Fetal obstructive bowel disease was diagnosed in 29 patients at 22–37 weeks (median 32 weeks) of gestation, seven (24 per cent) of whom also displayed other anomalies. Polyhydramnios was present in 20/29 cases (69 per cent). An abnormal karyotype existed in 7/29 cases (24 per cent), of which six were diagnosed prenatally (trisomy 21, n = 5; 69, XXX, n = 1) and one postnatally (trisomy 21). There was always an association with the ultrasonic ‘double bubble’ sign. Obstructive bowel disease was confirmed postnatally in 20/29 (69 per cent) cases, i.e., oesophageal atresia (n = 1), duodenal obstruction (n = 12), and small bowel obstruction (n = 7). Other anomalies existed in 6/29 (21 per cent) cases, i.e., multicystic kidney (n = 1) and multiple congenital anomalies (n = 5). The perinatal mortality rate was 35 per cent (7/20).     

Hyperechoic fetal bowel: The perinatal consequences

A number of publications have reported an association between the finding of hyperechoic fetal bowel on prenatal sonogram and disorders such as aneuploidy and cystic fibrosis. To define more precisely the significance of this finding, we systematically reviewed the published material on the subject. Based on a total of 357 reported cases, we documented a high prevalence of cystic fibrosis (25·6 per cent) and chromosome abnormality (12·4 per cent) associated with increased bowel echogenicity in the fetus. High rates of intrauterine growth retardation (14·9 per cent), fetal demise (9·0 per cent), and prematurity (15·3 per cent) were also found. The data were obtained from a population at high a priori risk for aneuploidy and included fetuses at 1 in 4 risk for cystic fibrosis reported in two studies. This increased the bias towards an adverse outcome. The rate of complications when a hyperechoic abdomen is noted in a low-risk fetal population has so far not been delineated. Although the high frequency of complications found is of concern and warrants investigation, extrapolation of these risk figures to a fetal population at low a priori risk may not be appropriate.     

Sonographic features of ileal duplication cyst at 12 weeks

Enteric duplication cyst is a congenital abnormality that is believed to arise from abnormal recanalization of the bowel during embryogenesis. Previous reports suggest that the condition may be suspected prenatally by sonographic demonstration of an intra-abdominal cystic mass in the second and third trimesters. We present the sonographic features of a fetus with ileal duplication cyst at 12 weeks of gestation, which show that the condition may present in the first trimester of pregnancy. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mid–trimester hyperechogenic bowel in a fetus of Japanese origin carrying a new mutation of CFTR gene (L548Q)

We present a case of a fetus with hyperechogenic bowel, in which the L548Q mutation was detected in the mother of Japanese origin and the ΔF508 mutation in the father of Caucasian origin. The fetus proved to be compound heterozygous. Research into cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations in this case was triggered by the fact that the fetus had a characteristic hyperechogenic bowel image with normal karyotype and no indications of intrauterine infections. Hyperechogenic bowel is highly indicative of a CFTR gene mutation. The incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) in fetuses with mid-trimester hyperechogenic bowel is 5%, but once the most frequent mutations have been accounted for, rarer mutations must be investigated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photocatalytic degradation of PCP-Na with TiO2 photocatalysis loaded with platinum

Titanium dioxide(TiO2) samples of different crystal forms were prepared by hydrolysis tetrbutyl titanate in various water to alkoxide ratios and sintering the hydrolysis product at different temperatures.The photocatalysts coated on hollow glass beads and loaded with platinum varying from 0.2% to 2.4% by weight.The photocatalytic degradation rate of sodium pentachlorophenolate (PCP-Na) depends on the preparing conditions such as:sintering temperatures,water to alkoxide ratios(R),platinum content and the size.The proper conditions of preparation photocatalysts are as follows:the ratio of tiO2:sodium silicate:hollow glass beads:platinum is 10:5:20:0.15(w/w),R is 100,sintering temperature is 650℃,and the size of hollow glass is 0.5-1mm.Under these conditions,the ratio between acatase and rutile of the photocatalyst is 2:1,and the photocatalytic activity is high.     

玻璃纤维编织管覆膜改性及其动态膜生物反应器研究

对玻璃纤维编织管进行了覆膜改性,并依托于玻璃纤维编织管开发了一种新型的栅式膜组件及其动态膜生物反应器.研究表明,覆膜改性前,玻纤编织管动态膜组件的稳定通量仅为4 L/(m2.h),跨膜压差为0.02 MPa;覆膜改性后,玻纤编织管动态膜组件的膜通量可达到16 L/(m2.h),跨膜压差为0.01 MPa;经过水力清洗和碱洗后再次运行,膜通量可达到17.1 L/(m2.h),而跨膜压差最低仅为0.003 MPa.覆膜膜液浓度为1∶4时反应器在膜通量为14.29 L/(m2.h)时稳定运行长达51 d.按阻力增长速率计算,膜通量可保持稳定运行275 d左右.同时出水效果良好,COD和NH4+-N的处理效果平均值分别为81.96%和83.66%,其中动态膜的去除率分别为21.01%和3.61%.此外,覆膜改性的玻纤编织管估算价格约为40~60元/m2,低于传统有机膜.     

NaOH溶液间歇式处理对互花米草厌氧发酵特性的影响

在中温(35±1)℃条件下,用不同质量分数的NaOH溶液处理一次发酵后的互花米草,并进行批式中温厌氧二次发酵实验.分析了发酵过程中日产气量、累积产气量、甲烷含量、pH值、挥发性脂肪酸(VFA)的变化.结果表明,在总固体含量(TS)为6%的条件下,一次发酵产气率为317mL.g-1(以TS计),甲烷含量为71%,发酵过程中出现酸抑制现象.发酵后原料用4%、6%、8%的NaOH溶液处理后,在TS含量为6%的条件下进行二次发酵,仍均具有很好的产气特性,未出现酸化现象,产气率分别为262、276、282mL.g-1(以TS计),甲烷含量分别为72%、72%、69%.在一次发酵的基础上单位质量TS产气量分别增加了83%、87%、89%.这表明通过NaOH溶液的间歇式处理,能有效地提高互花米草厌氧消化的沼气产率.