Myasthenia gravis with polyhydramnios in the fetus of an asymptomatic mother

Transient myasthenia gravis was observed in an infant whose mother had no signs of neuro-muscular disease. The case presented with severe polyhydramnios at 31 weeks. Sonographic and invasive work-up showed only an absence of fetal swallowing. At birth, the infant had severe muscle weakness and respiratory distress. He had high titres of anti-acetylcholine receptor (anti-AChR) antibodies of maternal origin. Anti-AChR antibodies were also found in stored samples of fetal serum and amniotic fluid. To our knowledge, this is the first case of neonatal myasthenia gravis for which neither past nor present evidence of disease could be obtained in the mother. Anti-AChR antibody testing should be considered in cases of unexplained polyhydramnios.     

氧化亚铁硫杆菌密度与营养供给对硫铁矿生物氧化的影响

探究硫铁矿生物氧化过程的影响因素有利于揭示酸性矿山废水形成规律.本研究采用摇瓶试验,探究了氧化亚铁硫杆菌Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans LX5(A.ferrooxidans LX5)密度对硫铁矿生物氧化的影响.同时,在菌密度为1.40×107cells·m L-1的环境中,研究了微生物营养(无铁改进型9K液体培养基)供给对硫铁矿生物氧化的影响.结果表明,A.ferrooxidans LX5及其营养成分的引入显著加速了硫铁矿生物氧化体系H+的释放,0.70×107~2.10×107cells·m L-1A.ferrooxidans LX5的引入,可使得H+释放量较无菌对照提高1.51~3.31倍.半量浓度和全量浓度无铁改进型9K液体培养基的加入,可使菌密度为1.40×107cells·m L-1硫铁矿氧化体系的H+释放量提高3.24与2.75倍.相对于A.ferrooxidans LX5密度为0.70×107cells·m L-1的体系,1.40×107cells·m L-1或2.10×107cells·m L-1A.ferrooxidans LX5的引入明显提高硫铁矿氧化体系总Fe离子与SO2-4的释放效率,且71.9%~88.3%的总Fe离子主要以Fe2+存在.微生物营养供给使得总Fe离子与SO2-4的释放效率加速显著,而总Fe离子几乎全部以Fe3+存在.当菌密度大于1.40×107cells·m L-1时,体系生物氧化后所得硫铁矿表面存在明显的侵蚀坑.相对于半量浓度改进型9K培养基养分供给,全量改进型9K液体培养基的引入由于体系次生铁矿物覆盖硫铁矿明显而抑制了总Fe离子与SO2-4的释放.硫铁矿氧化所得酸性废水经Ca O中和至pH约为7.00,总Fe近乎全部去除,而SO2-4去除率相对较低(26.7%~73.9%).本研究所得结果对明晰酸性矿山废水形成规律具有一定的指导意义.     

First-trimester diagnosis of menkes disease: Intermediate copper values in chorionic villi from three affected male fetuses

Chorionic villus samples with copper contents of 1·91, 4·2, 5·6, and 6·3 ng/mg were observed in four cases with male karyotypes. These values were outside the range for unaffected males (0·30–0·85 ng/mg), and three of them were outside the control range (0·20–2·39 ng/mg). But these three values were below the values previously observed for affected Menkes fetuses (12·0–24·8 ng/mg). Follow-up by ⁶⁴Cu uptake studies on the amniotic fluid cells was performed in three of these cases. A combination of ⁶⁴Cu uptake and chase experiments on the amniotic fluid cells showed more convincingly than ⁶⁴Cu uptake per se the direct copper values of 4·2 and 5·6 ng/mg to correspond to affected fetuses. Amniotic fluid cells from the male fetus with the CV copper value of 1·9 ng/mg showed normal results. The CV copper value of 6·3 ng/mg was considered pathognomonic for Menkes disease. The pregnancy was terminated, and the diagnosis was confirmed on fetal fibroblasts. Maternal deciduum prepared from the placentae showed in one of the cases with an affected fetus copper values ranging from 1·5 to 5·7 ng/mg. In six additional diagnostic cases, the copper content was determined in both CV samples and maternal deciduum. In three of these cases with normal CV sample copper, maternal decidua values of 4·85–7·8 ng/mg copper were observed. These results show that maternal deciduum contamination of a CV sample could cause a false-positive diagnosis.     

Prenatal diagnosis of a craniopharyngioma using ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging

We report an infant with a craniopharyngioma which was detected in utero. Maternal uterine ultrasonography, done at 27 weeks because of polyhydramnios, revealed a 4 cm midline mass near the base of the fetal skull. At 31 weeks, magnetic resonance imaging of the maternal abdomen confirmed the presence of a mass in the region of the third ventricle and revealed hydrocephalus. Two days post-partum a computed tomography (CT)-guided needle biopsy of the mass was performed and recovered tissue which was histologically consistent with a craniopharyngioma. The infant' s postnatal period was complicated by seizures, which were treated with phenobarbital, and by progressive hydrocephalus, necessitating placement of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. He also received therapy for central hypothyroidism and diabetes insipidus. The infant' s parents refused permission for attempted resection of the tumour and he died at 8 weeks of age. This represents the second reported case of an antenatally detected craniopharyngioma. Four other cases of different intracranial tumours have been detected in utero using ultrasound, with no reported survivors past 3 days of age. There is a uniformly poor prognosis of such infants, but earlier diagnosis and intervention may change this result.     

The time of appearance and disappearance of fetal DNA from the maternal circulation

A single copy Y-chromosome DNA sequence was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the peripheral blood of 30 women who had achieved a pregnancy through an in vitro fertilization (IVF) programme. The time of conception was known precisely and was confirmed by serial ultrasound scans. Conceptions were dated as the number of weeks after fertilization plus 2, to give a time equivalent to the obstetric menstrual dating of the pregnancy (LMP). Y-chromosome-specific DNA was detected in all pregnancies with a male fetus (18/30). The earliest detection was at 4 weeks and 5 days, and the latest at 7 weeks and 1 day. Y-chromosome-specific sequences were no longer detected in any of the male pregnancies 8 weeks after delivery. No Y-chromosome sequences were detected in any of the pregnancies where only female babies were delivered. This demonstrates that fetal DNA appears in the maternal circulation early in the first trimester, that it can be identified in all pregnancies tested by 7 weeks, that it continues to be present throughout pregnancy, and that it has been cleared from the maternal circulation 2 months after parturition. Early non-invasive prenatal diagnosis for aneuploidies and inherited disorders will be possible in all pregnancies if fetal cells can be isolated free from maternal contamination (or identified accurately in the presence of maternal cells) without problems of contamination from previous pregnancies.     

Sonographically determined anomalies and outcome in 170 chromosomally abnormal fetuses

Structural pathology and outcome were studied in 170 chromosomally abnormal fetuses. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities were established in 158 (93 per cent) cases, of which 110 (71 per cent) represented trisomies, 30 (18 per cent) Turner syndrome, and 18 (11 per cent) triploidy. Structural chromosomal abnormalities were diagnosed in 12 (7 per cent) cases. Gestational age at referral was significantly shorter for pregnancies with Turner syndrome than for the other chromosomal abnormalities. Referral before 20 weeks of gestation was mainly based on fetal structural pathology alone (92 per cent); after 20 weeks, patients were referred because of structural pathology combined with small for gestational age, oligohydramnios, or polyhydramnios. Referral as a result of suspected multiple organ pathology occurred in 73.5 per cent of pregnancies. An abnormal amniotic fluid volume was present in 59/170 (34.5 per cent) chromosomally affected pregnancies, i.e., oligohydramnios in 31 and polyhydramnios in 28 cases. Birth weight was below the tenth percentile in over half of the chromosomally abnormal fetuses, except for Turnersyndrome. Fetal outcome was poor, with a survival rate at 1 month of 30 per cent for trisomies which was mainly determined by trisomy 21 (14/18=77.5 per cent).     

Laser therapy for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)

Monochorionic twins are subjected to specific complications which originate in either imbalance or abnormality of the single placenta serving two twins including twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. The diagnosis is well established in overt clinical forms with the association of polyuric polyhydramnios and oliguric oligohydramnios. The best treatment of cases presenting before 26 weeks of gestion is fetoscopic laser ablation of the intertwin anastomoses on the chorionic plate. Although subjected to subtle variations, the core technique follows robust guidelines which could help understanding and acquiring the required skills and experience to perform this procedure. However appropriate and tailored hands-on training and appropriate perinatal set-up are critical not only for surgical management but also for the follow-up and management of related complications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

瓦里关大气二氧化碳和甲烷时间变化特征

于2009~2010对瓦里关山大气二氧化碳(CO2)和甲烷(CH4)进行了连续观测.结果表明,瓦里关山夏季频繁受到区域排放的影响,大约17%的CO2浓度标识为污染浓度.2009~2010年CO2平均浓度390.72×10-6,较1995~2008年高17.4×10-6;2009~2010年CH4中位浓度为1851.11×10-9,较2002~2006年高16×10-9,意味着区域内CO2和CH4的排放仍在不断增加.利用遗传算法改进的神经网络模型插补数据获得了完整的空气温度、风速、CO2和CH4浓度时间序列,并对时间序列展开了傅立叶分析.在天时间尺度,由于太阳活动的逐日变化,气象因子、CO2和CH4功率谱在24 h和12 h有着非常明显的谱峰.在月时间尺度,CO2浓度在30 d的周期内有明显的谱隙,意味着气象和物候因素在这个时间尺度上对CO2浓度的影响并不明显.     

Southwestern corn borer damage to maize: Influence of plant age at time of larval infestation

A maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid was infested with 30 southwestern corn borer [Diatraea grandiosella (Dyar)] larvae per plant at 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 weeks after planting in a three-year study conducted at Mississippi State, Mississippi. Visual ratings of leaf feeding damage were highest when plants were infested 5 weeks after planting. Plant height increased linearly with the age of plants at infestation. Height of infested plants was significantly less than uninfested plants only when infestations were made 4 weeks after planting. The relationship between age of plants at infestation and yield was curvilinear. Yields were significantly reduced at all infestation times; however, the least yield reduction occurred when plants were infested 6 weeks after planting. To evaluate resistance to southwestern corn borer damage, infestation at 4 or 5 weeks after planting appeared to be most satisfactory. Yield reductions following infestation at 7 and 8 weeks after planting indicated that, when infestations are late, leaf feeding damage ratings alone may not be satisfactory indicators of plant damage.     

1株分离自煤矿废水的铁硫氧化细菌LY01的鉴定及其氧化特性研究

从贵州省某煤矿废水中分离出1株嗜酸性的铁硫氧化细菌菌株LY01,经过对该菌株的形态特征、理化特征检测及16S rRNA序列分析,初步鉴定菌株LY01为嗜酸性氧化亚铁硫杆菌(Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans).在无机盐培养液中菌株LY01可以从氧化Fe2+、单质硫(S0)及黄铁矿(FeS2)获得能量生长,对Fe2+的氧化速率最快,反应30 h即可将44.2 g.L-1的FeSO4.7H2O完全氧化,菌体细胞达到4.2×107个.mL-1;反应21 d可将溶液中10 g.L-1含量的S0氧化6.7%,溶液中SO24-浓度达2 001 mg.L-1,菌体细胞达到8.9×107个.mL-1;反应20 d可将溶液中30 g.L-1含量的FeS2氧化10%,溶液中SO24-浓度达4 443 mg.L-1,菌体细胞达到3.4×108个.mL-1.研究重金属离子Ni2+、Pb2+对菌株LY01氧化FeS2活性的影响,结果发现10～100 mg.L-1的Ni2+对菌株LY01氧化FeS2活性有一定的影响,而10～100 mg.L-1Pb2+对菌株LY01氧化FeS2的活性无影响.     

Monochorionic and dichorionic twin pregnancies discordant for fetal anencephaly: a systematic review of prenatal management options

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of selective feticide (SF) compared to expectant management (EM) on perinatal outcome in dichorionic and monochorionic twins discordant for anencephaly. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review of literature and added ten unpublished cases. As a result, we found that in dichorionic twins, mean gestational age (GA) at birth in the SF group was 38.0 weeks versus 34.9 weeks (P = 0.0002). Mean birth weight was 2922 g in the SF group versus 2474 g (P = 0.03). In monochorionic twins, mean GA at birth was 35.2 weeks versus 32.7 weeks (P = 0.1). Mean birth weight was 2711 g versus 1667 g (P = 0.0001). We conclude that while SF does not reduce perinatal mortality, it does result in significantly longer gestations and higher birth weight, and appears to be the management of choice in dichorionic twins discordant for anencephaly. In monochorionic twins, SF also increases birth weight, but in view of the complexity of this group, no clear recommendations can be made. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

太原市2014年春节期间常规大气污染物浓度变化及聚类分析

为了探寻太原市春节期间不同监测站点各常规大气污染物的质量浓度变化规律及相互之间的关系,记录和收集了太原市上兰、南寨、涧河、尖草坪、桃园、坞城、小店、金胜、晋源9个监测点2014年农历小年至元宵节(2014-01-23—2014-02-14)期间的大气PM2.5、PM10、CO、NO2、O3、SO2小时浓度值以及相应的气温、气压、湿度、风级、能见度等气象数据,采用相关分析、小波分析、单因子污染指数评价和系统聚类等方法进行研究,发现:1该时段内就太原市总体而言,PM2.5超标倍数最大,其次是PM10、SO2、CO、NO2,O3污染最小.2农历小年、除夕、正月初八、元宵节大气PM2.5和PM10的浓度迅速增加,与自然气象因子基本无关,说明烟花爆竹的集中燃放对大气颗粒物尤其是细颗粒物产生较大影响.3SO2、NO2、CO与PM2.5和PM10浓度变化的波动趋势相似、主周期相同,反映了部分PM2.5和PM10与SO2、NO2、CO有共同的来源;O3的波动趋势及主周期与上述污染物完全不同,显示出它来源的特殊性.4按PM2.5聚类,南寨、涧河、尖草坪、桃园4个点聚为一类,小店和坞城2个点聚为一类,金胜和晋源聚为一类,位于太原市最北端作为清洁对照的上兰监测点自成一类,与它们的地理位置有较好的相符性,同时,聚类分析结果与各监测点的单因子污染指数评价结果相一致.本文提示小波分析与聚类分析相结合可以较好地反映城市大气污染物浓度变化的时间与空间分布规律.     

配备低压进样系统的GC-FID法测大气中的CO和CH_4

将自主研发的低压进样系统与GC-FID法相结合,解决了低压样气难以抽取进样的技术难题,实现了对SUMMA采样罐内低压样气中CO、CH4的分析.罐内样气压强大于30kPa情况下,该进样装置能将待测低压气体提升至常压状态并完成进样过程.本系统采用3个六通阀、5分子筛与TDX-01双柱实现O2、CO、CH4的有效分离.通过对5分子筛柱的反吹去除杂质组份,既保持基线平稳,又可缩短分析周期,提高效率.该分析系统CO、CH4的最低检出限分别为9.2×10-9、5.5×10-9.本分析系统与美国加州大学Irvine分校Donald R.Blake实验室针对CO、CH4比对的相对误差分别低3%和1%.     

A new method of inhibiting pollutant release from source water reservoir sediment by adding chemical stabilization agents combined with water-lifting aerator

A new method of adding chemical stabilization agents combined with water-lifting aerator can inhibit pollutant release from source water reservoir sediment effectively.     

碳化泡沫负载Co3O4活化过硫酸盐降解罗丹明B

Co₃O₄具有优良的活化过硫酸盐的性能而受到人们的重视,但Co₃O₄粉体易团聚、使用过程中难以分离、易流失和重复利用率差等问题严重制约了其实际应用．通过水热法制备碳化三聚氰胺泡沫负载Co₃O₄非均相催化剂．采用X-射线衍射仪（XRD）和扫描电子显微镜（SEM）对催化剂的结构和表面形貌进行分析．研究不同因素对催化剂活化过硫酸氢钾（PMS）降解罗丹明B（RhB）的性能．其最优催化工艺参数：催化剂投加量为35 mg·L^-1、PMS质量浓度为50 mg·L^-1和pH为7、RhB初始质量浓度为10 mg·L^-1,30 min反应后对RhB降解率为98%．结果表明,增大碳化泡沫负载Co₃O₄非均相催化剂投加量和PMS质量浓度能明显提高对RhB的降解率;而增加RhB初始质量浓度和提高pH值会明显抑制RhB的降解率．催化反应过程符合准一级动力学方程．温度对RhB降...     

纳米零价铁改性生物炭对水中氨氮的吸附特性及机制

传统生物炭材料对水中氨氮(NH⁺₄-N)的吸附效果不佳.以生物炭为载体负载纳米零价铁制得生物炭基纳米零价铁复合吸附剂nZVI@BC,通过吸附实验,考察nZVI@BC对NH⁺₄-N的吸附特性,并采用SEM-EDS、 BET、 XRD和FTIR分析nZVI@BC的组成和结构特性,探讨nZVI@BC吸附NH⁺₄-N的主要机制.结果表明,在298K下铁/生物炭质量比为1∶30时制备的复合吸附剂(nZVI@BC1/30)对NH⁺₄-N的吸附性能最佳,比负载前生物炭的吸附量提高了45.96%,饱和吸附量可达16.60 mg·g^-1.伪二级动力学模型和Langmuir模型更符合nZVI@BC1/30对NH⁺₄-N的吸附过程.共存阳离子与NH⁺₄-N之间存在竞争吸附,其对nZVI@BC1/30吸附NH⁺     

一株降解邻苯二甲酸酯真菌的筛选及其降解特性研究

采用富集培养法,从PAEs污染的农田土壤中筛选出1株邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物(PAEs)降解真菌F9,经形态学特征及18S rDNA序列分析,初步鉴定为爪哇正青霉(Eupenicillum javanicun).通过正交试验研究,得出菌株F9的最优降解条件是:C:N为20:1、pH为7.0、最佳PAEs初始浓度为50 mg·L^-1.菌株F9对土壤中复合PAEs(DMP、DEP和DOP)有良好的降解效果.在30 d培养期内,可将灭菌土壤中300 mg·kg^-1的PAEs降解65.2%,且培养第一阶段(0~15 d)的降解率远高于第二阶段(16~30 d).     

农药企业场地苯系物污染风险及调控对策

苯系物是一类重要的环境污染物,可通过呼吸道、消化道和皮肤进入人体而产生危害,其毒性主要表现在对人体致畸、致突变和致癌等方面.以河北省某农药企业为例,采用吹扫捕集气质联用、固体吸附/热脱附-气相色谱和EPA健康风险评价模型,对场地内苯系物的分布及人体健康风险进行了综合分析,并据此提出相应的风险调控对策建议.结果表明,厂区内土壤、灰尘、空气、地下水及废水中均不同程度检出苯系物,生产区内灰尘中苯系物含量较高(7.33 mg.kg-1),其中甲苯的含量(5.64 mg.kg-1)超过了加拿大工业用地标准.设定10 a、20 a、30 a这3个工作年限情景,相应的总非致癌危害指数分别为4.19×10-3、8.25×10-3和1.22×10-2,均小于1;苯的致癌危害指数依次是1.70×10-7、3.34×10-7和4.92×10-7,小于10-6,表明该企业场地苯系物对职工尚没有造成明显的致癌和非致癌风险,但是随着工作年限的增加,职工受到健康危害的风险程度加大.基于研究结果,提出了厂区环境质量改善和人员安全防护的风险对策建议.     

Real-time,in situ measurements of atmospheric optical absorption in the visible via photoacoustic spectroscopy—IV. Visibility degradation and aerosol optical properties in Los Angeles

Aerosol light absorption (b_abs) has been measured in real-time in Los Angeles with a validated photoacoustic technique, and its impact on visibility degradation has been examined. These measurements were collected during ten days in the summer of 1987 for the Southern California Air Quality Study (SCAQS). Aerosol b_abs (λ = 514.5 nm) varied from an hourly average value of 7 × 10⁻⁶ m⁻¹ in the 3–4 and 4–5 a.m. periods of 13 July to 9 × 10⁻⁵ m⁻¹ in the 7–8 a.m. period of both 28 August and 3 September. This b_abs, which is due solely to elemental carbon (EC) showed a distinct diurnal pattern with low values at night, increasing around sunrise to higher values through mid-afternoon. Comparison of these data with aerosol light scattering data clearly illustrates that the contribution of aerosol light absorption to visibility degradation increases in importance under less polluted conditions. Other urban and rural studies show similar results.     

The anuric preterm newborn infant with a normal renal ultrasound: a diagnostic and ethical challenge

Diagnosis and treatment of an anuric premature infant with severe respiratory compromise and a normal renal ultrasound (US), is a difficult task that requires a multidisciplinary approach. A 29-week gestation premature male infant, born after 5 weeks of worsening oligohydramnios, was ventilated for respiratory distress and remained anuric. Intensive clinical investigations and pediatric nephrology consultation that predicted very poor prognosis were followed by progressive renal failure, electrolyte imbalance, respiratory failure, ventricular arrhythmia, and finally cardiac arrest and death on day 5. In view of the predicted poor outcome, and after discussion with the parents, a decision was made not to start peritoneal dialysis (PD), and to offer only palliative therapy, with comfort care alone. Pre and postnatal diagnosis lead, in this case, to an ethical challenge that focuses on the question of futility. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.