Three- versus two-dimensional ultrasound for nuchal translucency thickness measurements: comparison of feasibility and levels of agreement

We have determined feasibility and levels of agreement for visualizing the nuchal translucency within a time limit with three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) transvaginal ultrasound. A total of 213 women of median gestational age 13 weeks (range 11–14 weeks) undergoing first-trimester nuchal translucency (NT) thickness measurements with 2D transabdominal ultrasound were included in the study. Additionally all women underwent 2D and 3D transvaginal NT examination within a time limit of 90 s. These two methods were compared with each other and with our standard method (2D transabdominal ultrasound) with respect to visualization of fetal nuchal fold and to the levels of agreement. The nuchal fold was visualized by 3D and 2D transvaginal ultrasound in 85.9% (95% CI: 80.5%, 90.3%) and 25.8% (95% CI: 20.1%, 32.2%), respectively (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant underestimation of the NT by 2D transabdominal as compared with 3D transvaginal ultrasound of 0.1 mm (p<0.001), and by 3D transvaginal as compared with 2D transvaginal ultrasound of even 0.1 mm (p<0.001). 3D transvaginal ultrasound of the nuchal fold has increased feasibility to 2D transvaginal ultrasound within a short examination time and with minimal, but significant, measurement differences. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LY12CZ铝合金飞机内外部结构涂层日历有效性试验研究

基于外部和内部涂层加速试验环境谱,分别对某型飞机的LY12CZ铝合金内、外部结构涂层进行加速老化试验,统计分析了两种涂层腐蚀老化表面形貌,得到了光泽度和色差随加速腐蚀时间的变化规律,并对涂层的有效性进行了综合评定。试验结果表明,LY12CZ铝合金外部结构涂层的有效期为12 a,内部结构涂层的有效期为10 a,轻微划痕对外部结构涂层的日历有效性影响不大,而对内部结构涂层有一定影响。     

苯作业工人外周血淋巴细胞的细胞遗传学分析

选用外周血淋巴细胞染色体畸变（CA）率和微核细胞（MN）率两项指标对两个厂苯作业工人进行了研究分析,结果表明,在3种平均浓度54,108和219mg/m³,苯接触组和对照组比较CA率和MN率均有显著性差异,且未发现二者间有线性相关,提示二者形成机制不完全相同,且较低浓度下苯的遗传毒性应引起重视。     

Two unusual chromosome aberrations ascertained by sonographic anomalies

We describe two cases of sonographic abnormalities associated with unusual chromosomal aberrations. Case 1 presented with a cystic hygroma at 12 weeks' gestation. Cytogenetic analysis revealed an unbalanced complex chromosome rearrangement implicating chromosomes 6, 13 and 21 (karyotype: 47,XX,t(6;21;14)(q14;q21;q21)mat,+21) and corresponding to a complete trisomy 21. This anomaly resulted from malsegregation of a maternal balanced three-way translocation. For case 2, an alobar holoprosencephaly was identified by ultrasonography at 23 weeks' gestation. Chromosomal analysis showed a recombinant rec (13), dup q chromosome, secondary to unequal crossing-over of a paternal pericentric inversion of chromosome 13, giving rise to partial trisomy 13q (karyotype: 46,XX,rec(13)dup(13q)inv(13)(p11q21)pat). These two cases illustrate the role of ultrasound in leading to detection not only of foetal chromosomal aberrations but also of rare balanced chromosomal rearrangements presented by one of the two parents. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Amniotic fluid enzymes in pregnancies with trisomy 21

The activities of a range of microvillous enzymes in amniotic fluid from normal pregnancies (n = 213) and those complicated by trisomy 21 (n = 26) were compared in a prospective study. Using a centrifugal analyser, the activities of leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate transferase (AST), and isoenzymes of alkaline phosphate (ALP) were measured in amniotic fluid alongside alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Of the markers studied, LAP was found to be the most reliable indicator of trisomy 21. Using levels below the 5th percentile, LAP showed sensitivity 73 per cent, specificity 94 per cent, and predictive value positive 63 percent. Although these tests would not replace karyotyping in all cases, the measurement of LAP could be useful as a rapid initial screening test, particularly when amniocentesis is performed for indications other than chromosomal abnormalities.     

除草剂异丙莠诱发蚕豆根尖细胞遗传损伤的研究

以蚕豆根尖为材料,研究除草剂异丙莠对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传毒性效应。采用蚕豆根尖微核技术,以不同浓度的异丙莠为诱变剂,测定蚕豆根尖细胞的有丝分裂指数、微核率和染色体畸变率。结果表明,异丙莠能诱发较高频率的微核率,即在一定浓度范围内,其微核率随异丙莠处理浓度的升高而增加,但随着异丙莠浓度进一步升高而呈下降趋势;异丙莠能降低蚕豆根尖细胞有丝分裂指数并诱导染色体产生多种类型的畸变。一定剂量的除草剂异丙莠对蚕豆根尖细胞具有明显的遗传毒性。     

First-trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein as a marker for fetal chromosomal disorders

We evaluated first-trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MS-AFP) as a marker for fetal chromosomal disorders. The multicentre study was performed under the auspices of the Dutch Working Party on Prenatal Diagnosis. MS-AFP was measured in 2404 normal pregnancies and 72 chromosomally abnormal pregnancies. The median multiple of the normal median (MOM) in 32 Down's syndrome pregnancies was 0·83 with a 95 per cent confidence interval ranging from 0·60 to 1·04. The difference between the distributions of first-trimester MS-AFP in normal and Down's syndrome pregnancies was statistically significant (t-test: t = 2·34, P<0·05). Thirty-one per cent of the Down's syndrome pregnancies were found below the tenth percentile. We found no difference between normal pregnancies and pregnancies with other chromosomal disorders (eight cases with trisomy 18, MOM = 1·26; seven cases with sex chromosome abnormalities, MOM = 1·07; 22 cases with a chromosomal mosaic pattern in chorionic villi, MOM = 1·08). We conclude that first-trimester MS-AFP can discriminate between normal and Down's syndrome pregnancies, but is not an effective marker. First-trimester MS-AFP has no value as a marker for other fetal chromosomal disorders.     

一种水质污染生物监测的新方法——蝌蚪肠细胞染色体畸变分析

发展了一种水生脊椎动物蝌蚪肠细胞染色体畸变的分析方法,可作为诱变剂污染水源的早期报警系统。该方法的优点:1)灵敏度高;2)蝌蚪在我国分布广、数量多、捕捉方便、费用低、易饲养管理。尤其是蝌蚪的核型由22条大的中部和亚中部着丝点染色体所组成,适于毒理遗传学研究;3)蝌蚪具有转化前诱变剂或前致癌剂为活性成份的微粒体活化系统。     

镉对洋葱根生长和细胞分裂的影响

研究了不同浓度氯化镉溶液对洋葱根的生长,细胞分裂和染色体形态的影响.结果表明,随Cd~(2+)浓度增加,根的生长速率递减;随处理时间延长,每单位时间的根生长速度递减或停止,根尖细胞有丝分裂指数随Cd~(2+)的浓度增高和处理时间延长而递减.不同浓度Cd~(2+)都能引起染色体畸变,恢复培养后均能恢复生长,染色体畸变率降低