Blood transferrin receptor expression in chromosomally abnormal fetuses

In a cross-sectional study of 13 chromosomally abnormal fetuses, umbilical venous blood was obtained by cordocentesis at 17–32 weeks' gestation. Fetal blood transferrin receptor (CD71) expression (mean=79·8 per cent, range=60–98 per cent) and nucleated red cell count (mean=10·4 × 10⁹ per 1, range=1·0–25·0 × 10⁹ per 1) were significantly higher than the appropriate normal mean for gestation (z=3·92, P<0·0001 and z=3·69, P<0·001, respectively). These haematological changes in chromosomally abnormal fetuses would facilitate their prenatal diagnosis by analysis of fetal nucleated red blood cells isolated from the maternal circulation on the basis of CD71 expression.     

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.     

Chorionic villus sampling and selective termination of a chromosomally abnormal fetus in a triplet pregnancy

Transabdominal chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed on a patient with a triplet pregnancy. The karyotypes were as follows: 46,XX; 46,XY; and 46,XY/47,XXY. Selective termination was done on the affected fetus successfully by intrathoracic potassium chloride (KCI) injection. Amniocentesis which was performed at the same time confirmed the CVS results, showing the same mosaic findings. Following the procedure, the pregnancy proceeded uneventfully and two normal newborns were delivered at term.     

川西南阿什及尔期地层中的Ce异常及其古海洋学意义

川西南阿什及尔期地层中的全岩REE分配模式显示 ,含有浮游笔石和小型无铰纲腕足类的黑色页岩具有较低的Ce异常值 (0 .6 2～ 0 .74) ,而含有底栖三叶虫、有铰纲腕足类和藻类的非黑色页岩则具有较高的Ce异常值 (0 .92～ 1.30 )。Ce与其他元素的相关分析进一步揭示 ,Ce与Fe的相关性最好 (r =0 .85 ) ,与P的相关性次之 (r =0 .6 1) ,与Al的相关性较差 (r =0 .2 9) ,而与Mn和Ca几乎不相关 (r =0 .14,r =- 0 .0 2 )。实际观察可能表明 ,研究区底层水体在氧化和碱性条件下 ,Ce氧化为Ce4 + 并进入Fe的氢氧化物和磷酸盐的晶格中 ,或者被吸附到它们的表面 ,造成Ce在氧化水体中呈现负异常而在同期氧化沉积物中呈现正异常或负异常不明显 ;相反 ,在还原和酸性条件下 ,Ce在水体中以 +3价状态富集 ,引起Ce在同期缺氧沉积物中呈现明显负异常。作为古海水氧化还原指示的全岩Ce异常 ,通常限定于解释远洋细粒沉积物的沉积环境。我们的研究结果说明 ,移去化石骨骼 (通常是磷酸盐化石骨骼 )的浅海细粒沉积物同样可以用于全岩REE分析 ,以获得可靠的能够指示古海水氧化还原条件变化的Ce异常     

Maternal serum CA 125 levels in pregnancies with chromosomally-normal and -abnormal fetuses

We measured the maternal serum cancer antigen 125 (MS-CA 125) levels in 98 nonpregnant women, 765 first- and second-trimester pregnancies with chromosomally-normal fetuses, and 54 chromosomally-abnormal pregnancies. To determine the MS-CA 125 concentration, we used a new automated microparticle enzyme immunoassay with low inter-assay variability. The median MS-CA 125 level decreased from the first to the second trimester of pregnancy and was higher than that in non-pregnant women. We found no difference between normal and Down's syndrome (n = 29) pregnancies ( t-test: t = 0·57, p >0·5). The MS-CA 125 levels in pregnancies with other chromosomal abnormalities showed no difference either, compared with the normals. We conclude that MS-CA 125 is not a useful marker for fetal Down's syndrome, nor for other chromosomal disorders in pregnancy.     

亚硝基胍对泥鳅红细胞微核及核异常的诱发

研究了诱变剂对泥鳅红细胞微核和核异常的诱发作用,以寻求较为简便的检测水体中污染物对遗传物质的损害程度及毒理效应的方法。试验以亚硝基胍（MNNG）作为诱变剂,研究其不同浓度和染毒时间对泥鳅红细胞微核形成和核异常的影响。试验结果表明,在一定浓度范围内,微核细胞率与亚硝基胍浓度呈正相关;但当浓度过高时,微核细胞率反而降低。此外,研究还发现,随着亚硝基胍浓度的升高,微核细胞率出现高峰的时间也相应提前。从试验结果来看,微核测定法确是遗传毒理学试验中一个较为理想的监测手段。     

Comparative audit of booking and mid-trimester ultrasound scans in the prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies

During 1988 and 1989, 3565 women booked under consultants who performed an ultrasound scan at booking, whilst 4984 booked under consultants who performed a formal mid-trimester scan between 16 and 18 weeks. All significant anomalies diagnosed prenatally and in the neonatal period were recorded, the incidence in each group being 12.9/1000 and 9.83/1000, respectively (NS). The sensitivity of diagnosis before 20 weeks was 45 per cent in the ‘mid-trimester’ group (kappa 0.62) compared with 30 per cent in the ‘booking’ group (kappa 0.46), overall sensitivity of prenatal diagnosis, however, being similar in both groups (63 vs. 65 per cent, kappa 0.77 vs. 0.79). Cardiac anomalies were the single largest group which were not detected equally prenatally in both groups. This study shows that formal mid-trimester scanning leads to anomalies being detected significantly earlier in the antenatal period. Although not statistically significant, three lethal anomalies were missed prenatally in the ‘booking’ group which we would have expected to diagnose on a mid-trimester scan. These figures are discussed in the light of previous reports.     

Prenatal diagnosis of cerebral lesions acquired in utero and with a late appearance

Although no precise figures are available, many congenital brain lesions arise from intrauterine disruption, frequently due to obstetric complications. The most common entities include intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic lesions, thrombosis of venous vessels and infections. Accurate prenatal diagnosis is possible in many of these cases. However, the findings may be subtle, particularly in the early stage of the disruptive process. Identification of these conditions requires therefore specific expertise, the combination of fetal neurosonography and magnetic resonance, and frequently there is a need for serial examinations. Targeted diagnostic imaging should be offered to obstetric patients with conditions predisposing to prenatal cerebral insults. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.