Prenatal ascertainment of triploidy by maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening

We report our experience in ascertaining fetal triploidy during routine maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening. Three cases were identified after elevated MSAFP tests. Two of the three had normal amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFAFP). The third had amniocentesis too late for AFAFP interpretation. Three additional cases were detected by amniocentesis without prior MSAFP screening and none had an elevated AFAFP. A literature review revealed eight triploid fetuses detected as a result of an elevated MSAFP. Of the five with AFAFP quantitation, only one had an abnormal value and the elevation was minimal. In these 14 cases from our own and other reports, ultrasound findings of placental and fetal abnormalities were often noted, but a pattern diagnostic of triploidy was not present. We conclude that, for optimal prenatal detection of triploidy, fetal karyotyping should be included when an amniocentesis is performed for elevated MSAFP.     

芜湖市大气挥发性有机物污染特征、大气反应活性及源解析

2018年9月至2019年8月对芜湖市城区大气中挥发性有机物（VOCs）进行观测,探讨其污染特征、光化学影响和来源.结果表明,芜湖市大气中VOCs全年平均体积分数为27.86×10^-9,季节变化规律为：秋季（31.16×10^-9） > 夏季（28.70×10^-9） > 冬季（24.75×10^-9） > 春季（24.04×10^-9）,日变化规律呈双峰型,峰值在08：00~09：00时与18：00~19：00时出现,与交通流量的变化有关.芜湖市大气VOCs的平均臭氧生成潜势（OFP）为255.29 μg ·m^-3,不同组分对平均OFP的贡献率排序为：芳香烃（48.83%） > 烷烃（21.04%） > 烯烃（18.32%） > OVOCs（11.47%） > 卤代烃（0.35%）.总气溶胶生成潜势（AFP）为1.84 μg ·m^-3,芳香烃贡献率最高（87.69%）,其次为烷烃（12.31%）.苯/甲苯/乙苯（B/T/E）比值表明,芜湖市大气中苯系物的主要贡献源为机动车排放源和工业排放及溶剂使用源.源解析显示：油气挥发源、机动车排放源、溶剂挥发源、LPG排放源、植物排放源和二次生成源对采样期内的VOCs贡献率分别为11.57%、34.53%、16.63%、20.76%、3.54%和12.97%.     

Maternal serum biochemical markers in pregnancies with fetal parvovirus B19 infection

Hydrops fetalis and fetal death caused by fetal parovirus B19 infection have been reported to be associated with elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), based on a total of six cases. It has been suggested that the absence of AFP elevation may be reassuring. Maternal serum levels of the Down syndrome screening markers unconjugated oestriol and human chorionic gonadotropin in cases of fetal parvovirus infection have not been previously reported. We report four cases of hydrops fetalis and fetal death caused by fetal parvovirus infection, each with unremarkable second-trimester levels of AFP, unconjugated oestriol, and human chorionic gonadotropin.     

基于SOA和O3生成潜势的上海市VOCs优控物种研究

为评估上海市挥发性有机物(VOCs)对二次有机气溶胶(SOA)和臭氧生成潜势的贡献,采用SUMMA罐采样实验室GC-FID/MS分析方法开展了环境空气104种臭氧前体物和TO-15组分分析,采用DNPH吸附管采样实验室HPLC高效液相色谱法开展了环境空气13种醛酮类组分分析。结果表明:2018年8-11月上海市代表点位VOCs摩尔分数均值范围为20. 61~50. 38 nmol/mol,臭氧生成潜势(OFP)均值范围为60. 55~184. 12μg/m^3,二次有机气溶胶生成潜势(AFP)为21. 63~61. 72μg/m^3。醛酮类和芳香烃类是OFP的主要贡献因子,贡献占比分别为31. 5%~55. 2%和21. 6%~37. 8%。芳香烃类对AFP贡献超过90%。从主要组分构成来看,城区人口密集区点位乙烷、丙烷浓度最高,其他点位甲醛浓度最高;甲醛对OFP贡献最大;间/对二甲苯在浦东书院点位AFP贡献最大,其他点位为甲苯。OFP和AFP双控物种各点位均有4~5个主要物种,以芳香烃类为主。     

Early detection of abdominal pregnancy by maternal serum AFP+ screening

We present two cases of abdominal pregnancy identified in our maternal serum screening programme—an additional, as yet unreported benefit of AFP+ (multiple analyte) maternal serum oncofetal antigen screening in pregnancy.     

hCG,AFP, and uE3 patterns in the 14–20th weeks of Down's syndrome pregnancies

A marked gestational-age-dependent variation in the 15-20th week pattern of human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations in Down's syndrome (DS) pregnancies is described and its weight in DS screening is discussed.     

Prenatal morphology in meckel's syndrome (with special reference to polycystic kidneys and double encephalocele)

Prenatal morphology of Meckel's syndrome was studied in five fetuses of different gestational age, that had been aborted because ultrasonography and elevated amniotic AFP-levels indicated neural tube defect. Histologically, the enlarged polycystic kidneys were completely alike with respect to the type of involvement and differed only in the severity of changes. They could be identified as type III cystic kidneys according to the classification of Potter. Proliferation of hepatic bile ducts and slight cystic dilatation of pancreatic ducts is already evident in the youngest fetus. Additional cyst formation in the epididymis was found in one of the cases. Occipital encephalocele, located within an apical occipital bone defect was always associated with a second mostly occult encephalocele protruding through a separate defect of the basal occipital squame and of the first and second vertebral arch. It is assumed that double encephalocele represents a constant finding in Meckel's syndrome, indicating a specific pattern within the disturbance of neural tube closure.