Prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis after transabdominal chorionic villus sampling in the first trimester

First trimester prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis was attempted in 350 pregnancies after trans-abdominal chorionic villus sampling. The cytogenetic investigation was performed using both a short-term method (24 h incubation) and cell culture. Adequate samples were obtained in 99·1 per cent and in all these cases the fetal karyotype was established. A chromosome abnormality was found in 2·0 per cent of cases. A discrepancy between the karyotype obtained after 24 h incubation and the karyotype in cell culture was observed in 2·3 per cent. Maternal cell contamination in the cultures was confirmed in 13 of 181 cases where the 24 h incubation revealed a male karyotype. Studies of culture morphology showed that colonies of convoluted cells may serve as a marker for contamination with maternal cells in culture. For the present, we recommend using a short-term method as well as cell culture for cytogenetic investigation until the problems with karyotype discrepancy and maternal cell contamination have been further clarified.     

2019年西安首场雾霾PM2.5关键特征的综合诊断

通过对WRF-Chem（Weather Research and Forecasting Model Coupled to Chemistry）环境模式模拟资料、HYSPLIT（HYbrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model）前/后向气团轨迹资料、环境站监测资料，以及西安理工大学（Xi''an University of Technology，简称XUT）多波长激光雷达、米散射激光雷达、能见度仪、粒谱仪等观测资料的综合诊断，探讨了2019年1月初发生在西安的雾霾过程（记为首场雾霾）PM_2.5组分、分布及传输特征，旨在为雾霾气溶胶研究提供有益的个例积累.定性、定量双重检验表明，Chem模式较成功复制了此次雾霾气溶胶过程.利用这些可靠的模式数据分析表明，PM_2.5中碳气溶胶的主要组分为有机碳，约占85%，强盛期气溶胶各组分随高度增加均呈递减趋势，各组分近地面浓度最高.通过对两类不同方法获取的消光系数对比分析表明，相比于模式数据，激光雷达数据具有更高的垂直分辨率，因此，更善于描述消光廓线的细节特征.通过对多源资料的综合诊断最终揭示出，"北风涌"是雾霾消散的关键影响因子，沿铜川-西安-山阳一带存在着污染物传输的重要路径，雾霾由此体现出自北向南依次消散的特征.     

Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of intracranial haemorrhage: Report of a case with a sinusoidal fetal heart rate tracing,and review of the literature

The sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern has been described in association with severe fetal anaemia, with fetal hypoxaemia, and with the administration of parenteral narcotics. Here, we report a case of decreased fetal movement in which a sinusoidal tracing was recorded. The sonographic diagnosis of a massive fetal intracranial haemorrhage was made. A non-interventive approach was taken and the fetus died soon after in utero. We review 28 previous cases in which the prenatal sonographic diagnosis of fetal intracranial haemorrhage was made, including the underlying maternal and fetal factors and neonatal outcomes. We propose that the sinusoidal tracing in this case was due to the intracranial bleed and suggest that fetal intracranial haemorrhage be considered in the sonographic evaluation of the fetus with a sinusoidal pattern.     

Prenatal diagnosis in two cases of de novo complex balanced chromosomal rearrangements. Three-year follow-up in one case

We report two cases of apparently balanced complex de novo chromosomal rearrangements (BCCR) detected prenatally at 17 weeks and 10 weeks of gestation, respectively. Chromosomes were studied using GTG-banding and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). In one case four chromosomes and in the other case three chromosomes were involved in the rearrangements. One of the pregnancies was terminated and no external or internal abnormalities were detected at autopsy. The other pregnancy continued to term. Level III ultrasound examination showed no abnormalities. The child is now 3 years old and has neither congenital anomalies nor evidence of delayed psychomotor development.     

First-trimester prenatal diagnosis of aspartylglucosaminuria

Fetal aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) was studied during the first trimester of pregnancy in six at-risk pregnancies using chorionic villus samples. The activity of aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) was high in five cases, indicating an unaffected fetus. This was confirmed through delivery of healthy newborns with a normal pattern of urinary oligosaccharides. Low enzyme activity in an uncultured biopsy specimen and in cultured amniotic fluid cells in one case demonstrated that the fetus was affected. The pregnancy was terminated and the prenatal diagnosis was confirmed by showing reduced AGA activity in cultured fibroblasts of the fetus.     

Prenatal diagnosis of β thalassaemia by reverse phase HPLC

Reverse phase HPLC of radioactive globin chains has been compared to classical carboxy methyl cellulose chromatography for the prenatal diagnosis of β thalassaemia. The two methods correlated highly (r = 0.97 p < 0.0005) and provided an identical diagnosis for 40 fetal blood samples of fetuses homozygous or heterozygous for β thalassaemia. The HPLC procedure was much faster and required fewer biochemical steps (no globin preparation). It was at least as accurate and more sensitive than the classical chromatography. A single column can be used for 150 analyses and is always ready to be used. Last but not least it is much less expensive than CMC chromatography.     

Prenatal sonographic assessment of early,rapidly growing fetal cervical teratoma

Although malignant transformation of fetal cervical teratoma is extremely rare, perinatal morbidity is high and usually related to the size of the tumour, which may compromise fetal swallowing and subsequently lead to upper airway obstruction. We present a case in which mid-trimester serial sonography demonstrated markedly rapid early growth of a lesion of this type between 17 and 19 weeks' gestation indicating the aggressive nature of this tumour, assisting parental decision to terminate the pregnancy. Histopathology confirmed grade 3 immaturity of the lesion.     

马超营断裂带及其北侧熊耳群火山岩的变质作用

本文论述了熊耳山南坡的马超营断裂带及其北侧熊耳群火山岩的区域变质作用、动力变质作用和热液变质作用的特点.火山岩的变质作用及其强度在空间分布上表现出不均匀性,一般在断裂带内发育且强度大,断裂带北侧变质程度低、强度小;马超营断裂带对区内熊耳群火山岩的变质作用特征起着一定程度的控制作用;变质作用具有多次叠加、改造的特征,一般区域变质作用较早较普遍,动力变质和热液变质作用偏晚和较局限,每次大的构造运动都伴随着后两者的发生.     

Prenatal diagnosis of Freeman–Sheldon syndrome (whistling face)

The diagnosis of Freeman–Sheldon syndrome was made by ultrasonographic evaluation of a 20-week fetus with a positive family history. The ultrasonographic features were abnormalities of the extremities and mouth.     

Pitfalls in the prenatal diagnosis of peroxisomal β-oxidation defects by chorionic villus sampling

Variability in the level of expression of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) is documented in cultured chorionic villus (CV) cells derived from two fetuses, one at risk for an unusual peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation defect, and the other at risk for the X-linked form of adrenoleucodystrophy (ALD). Cells from early subcultures of chorionic cells from both cases gave normal values for VLCFA ratios. The results for the fetus at risk for the β-oxidation defect were interpreted to indicate that the fetus was not affected; however, at birth, the infant was clinically and biochemically affected. In the case of the fetus at risk for X-linked ALD, although VLCFAs were normal in subculture 1, the levels of these fatty acids increased dramatically in subculture 3, suggesting an abnormal fetus. Termination of the pregnancy and subsequent biochemical and morphological follow-up confirmed that the fetus was indeed affected by ALD.