Quantitative evaluation of collagen type VI and SOD gene expression in the nuchal skin of human fetuses with trisomy 21

Objective To investigate the involvement of the genes encoding for COL6A1, COLA2 and super-oxide dismutase (SOD) in the mechanism for the retention of subcutaneous fluid in fetuses with trisomy 21. Methods During a 7-month period (November 2004–May 2005), human fetal skin from the nuchal region was obtained from euploid fetuses and from fetuses with trisomy 21 following abortions and terminations of pregnancy. Cell cultures were performed from nuchal skin. Quantification of COL6A1, COL6A2, COL6A3 and SOD mRNAs were performed using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Results Twelve fetuses were studied between 13–15 and 19–20 weeks of gestation including 7 cases of trisomy 21. A significant overexpression of genes of interest was demonstrated in trisomy 21 fetuses when compared with euploid fetuses, in the first and in the second trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.0001). Conclusion This study demonstrates a homogeneous overexpression of the genes encoding for α1 and α2 chains of Collagen type VI, and SOD in nuchal skin of human trisomy 21 fetuses. Persistence of this overexpression in the second trimester of pregnancy, despite the absence of an enlarged nuchal translucency (NT), may characterize some compensatory mechanisms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

First-trimester prenatal diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta type II by DNA analysis and sonography

Osteogenesis imperfecta type II was diagnosed prenatally by analysis of DNA obtained from chorionic villus sampling (CVS) performed at 12 weeks of gestation in a woman who previously had had an affected child. The father had been shown to be mosaic for a mutation in the gene (COL1A2) which encodes the α2(I) chain of type I collagen. An affected fetus was predicted by detection of the mutation in amplified chorionic villus genomic DNA. Ultrasound examination at 13 weeks 4 days demonstrated femoral deformity and virtual absence of calvarial mineralization. In pregnancies at risk for osteogenesis imperfecta type II, sonographic evidence of skeletal abnormalities may be evident by 13 weeks' gestation.     

二氧化氯的稳定性研究

分别讨论了在一定条件下，通常意义的二氧化氯水溶液与稳定的二氧化氯水溶液的降解速率，同时，研究了ｐＨ值对二氧化氯水溶液稳定性的影响．     

A prospective study on rapid exome sequencing as a diagnostic test for multiple congenital anomalies on fetal ultrasound

Objective

Conventional genetic tests (quantitative fluorescent-PCR [QF-PCR] and single nucleotide polymorphism-array) only diagnose ~40% of fetuses showing ultrasound abnormalities. Rapid exome sequencing (rES) may improve this diagnostic yield, but includes challenges such as uncertainties in fetal phenotyping, variant interpretation, incidental unsolicited findings, and rapid turnaround times. In this study, we implemented rES in prenatal care to increase diagnostic yield.

Methods

We prospectively studied 55 fetuses. Inclusion criteria were: (a) two or more independent major fetal anomalies, (b) hydrops fetalis or bilateral renal cysts alone, or (c) one major fetal anomaly and a first-degree relative with the same anomaly. In addition to conventional genetic tests, we performed trio rES analysis using a custom virtual gene panel of ~3850 Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) genes.

Results

We established a genetic rES-based diagnosis in 8 out of 23 fetuses (35%) without QF-PCR or array abnormalities. Diagnoses included MIRAGE (SAMD9), Zellweger (PEX1), Walker-Warburg (POMGNT1), Noonan (PTNP11), Kabuki (KMT2D), and CHARGE (CHD7) syndrome and two cases of Osteogenesis Imperfecta type 2 (COL1A1). In six cases, rES diagnosis aided perinatal management. The median turnaround time was 14 (range 8-20) days.

Conclusion

Implementing rES as a routine test in the prenatal setting is challenging but technically feasible, with a promising diagnostic yield and significant clinical relevance.     

Microvillar enzyme analysis in amniotic fluid and the prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis

The activities of two microvillar enzymes, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have been determined in amniotic fluid (AF) samples from 39 pregnancies with a 1-in-4 risk of cystic fibrosis. Seventeen of these were investigated prospectively. A reduced proportion of the fetal specific intestinal ALP isoenzyme was found in 7 of a total of 13 pregnancies with cystic fibrosis and in one pregnancy of confirmed normal outcome. Eight of the affected pregnancies were tested for AF GGTP activity and depressed levels were found in 15. None of the 3 liveborn cystic fibrosis cases in the prospective series was identified by the ALP assay although 2 had significantly reduced GGTP activity. There were several amniotic fluid samples from cases of cystic fibrosis, trisomy 18 and normal outcome which had discordant GGTP and ALP results. Four of the 6 cases of cystic fibrosis misclassified by the ALP assay had amniocentesis at 15 or 16 weeks gestation. Evidence is presented which confirms a previous suggestion that amniocentesis after 17 weeks gestation improves the predictability of the ALP isoenzyme assay for the prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.     

控释氮肥减量配施对土壤氨挥发和N2 O排放的影响

施用控释氮肥是提高氮素利用效率、减少氮素损失的重要途径.为研究聚合物包膜氮肥与普通尿素配比减量施用对旱作棕壤氨挥发和N₂O排放的影响,利用15N同位素标记技术,通过5个不同氮肥施用量处理,分析施肥后土壤的氨挥发和N₂O排放规律以及玉米的当季氮肥利用率.结果表明:①土壤氨挥发主要出现在施肥后的前2周,普通尿素氨挥发速率最大可达4.04 kg/（hm2·d）,最大值出现在施肥后第7天,施用配比包膜氮肥氨挥发峰值出现时间比普通尿素延迟2 d,且氨挥发总量明显降低,为2.15 kg/（hm2·d）.②对于各处理下的氨挥发总量,无氮处理（CK）为3.69 kg/hm2,常规尿素处理（NU）为18.64 kg/hm2,配比控释氮肥处理（PU1）为9.39 kg/hm2,减量配比控释氮肥处理（PU2）为6.44 kg/hm2,再减量配比控释氮肥处理（PU3）为5.02 kg/hm2.③N₂O排放规律呈现先平稳后升高的趋势,较高的N₂O排放通量集中在施肥后的55~91 d之间.N₂O排放峰值最高的是常规尿素处理,在施肥后第79天出现,达到0.299 mg/（m2·h）,施用配比包膜氮肥N₂O排放峰值均低于常规尿素处理.④施用配比包膜氮肥玉米产量高于普通尿素处理,减量配比包膜氮肥不会降低玉米产量.⑤土壤氨挥发总量与施氮量呈显著正相关.施用配比包膜氮肥相比于普通尿素可显著减少土壤氨挥发,减量配施氮肥相比于全量施肥可显著减少土壤氨挥发.因此,施用配比包膜氮肥,可在保证粮食产量的前提下减少氮肥投入,降低氮肥的气态损失,从而降低环境风险.      

Sanfilippo D syndrome: Correction of glucosamine-6-sulphatase deficiency following fibroblast culture in chang's media

The de-O-sulphation of α-linked glucosamine-6-sulphate residues in heparan sulphate requires a specific sulphatase, glucosamine-6-sulphatase, which has been shown to be deficient in tissues of Sanfilippo D, or mucopolysaccharidosis type IIID (MPS IIID), patients. MPS IIID fibroblasts cultured in Basal Eagle's medium supplemented with either fetal calf serum or heat-inactivated fetal calf serum, MDCB or Ultraserg media had residual glucosarnine-6-sulphatase activities towards a heparin-derived trisaccharide substrate, O-(α-N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulphate)-(1→4)-L -O-(α-iduronic acid-2-sulphate)-(1→4)-D -O-2,5-anhydro [1-³H]mannitol-6-sulphate, GlcNAc6S-IdoA2S-anM6S, which were less than 1 per cent of the normal range for fibroblasts cultured in Basal Eagle's medium supplemented with fetal calf serum. However, the glucosamine-6-sulphatase activities of MPS IIID fibroblasts grown in Chang's medium were similar to the activities in normal control fibroblasts which were cultured in Basal Eagle's medium. These results indicate that caution is required for prenatal diagnosis of MPS IIID patients using chorionic villi or amniotic cells cultured in Chang's medium.     

Serum PAPP-A and free β-hCG are first-trimester screening markers for down syndrome

Serum measurements of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and the free β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) subunit were made in 13 women with Down syndrome (DS) pregnancies and six other women with fetal aneuploidy ascertained at chorionic villus sampling (CVS), as well as 89 women with contemporaneous normal control pregnancies. Median serum PAPP-A measurements (0·31 MOM, 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 0·22–0·65 vs. normal 1·06, 95 per cent CI 0·89–1·20) were lower and free β-hCG subunit measurements (1·13 MOM, 95 per cent CI 0·93–2·63 vs. normal 0·91, 95 per cent CI 0·79–1·03) were higher at statistically significant levels. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the highest sensitivity for detection, 71·2 per cent (95 per cent CI 54·7–87·6 per cent), was for depressed PAPP-A levels; the combination of low serum PAPP-A levels, maternal age, and elevated free β-hCG levels yielded a detection rate of 78·9 per cent (95 per cent CI 64·9–92·8 per cent) of the affected pregnancies at 8–12 weeks' gestation.     

饮用水源突发挥发酚污染应急处理中试研究

通过为期2个月规模为4m3·h-1的中试试验,考察了常规给水工艺(混凝、沉淀和过滤)对突发挥发酚污染原水的处理情况.重点考察了活性炭吸附、臭氧预氧化和高锰酸钾预氧化等3种应急工艺的除酚效能.结果表明,常规混凝沉淀对挥发酚的去除率低于10%,砂滤在12h内可起到拦截挥发酚的作用,3种应急工艺均可提高挥发酚的去除效果,起到应急的作用.其中活性炭吸附对挥发酚的去除率可达44%;在0.5mg·L-1的投量下高锰酸钾预氧化可达到50%的除酚效率;臭氧预氧化可使沉淀出水挥发酚达标(0.002mg·L-1),挥发酚去除率约99%.     

First-trimester maternal serum schwangerschafts protein 1 (SP1) in pregnancies associated with chromosomal anomalies

The relationship between first-trimester maternal serum Schwangerschafts protein 1 (SP1) and the karyotype of the pregnancy was examined in 692 women who underwent chorionic villus biopsy at 6–12 weeks. There were 30 pregnancies with abnormal karyotypes, consisting of 14 Down's syndrome (DS), eight trisomy 18, and eight other anomalies, two of which were mosaics. The normal ranges and medians for gestation were defined from the 662 cases in which the karyotype was normal. The median SP1 (0·5 MOM) of the abnormal group was significantly lower than that of the normal group (10 MOM). This relationship was maintained for the DS pregnancies (0·4 MOM) and for anomalies other than trisomy 18 (0·43 MOM) but not trisomy 18 (1·1 MOM). It is possible that the use of SP1 as a screening test for chromosome anomalies in the first trimester could have a 43 per cent detection rate for a 5 per cent false-positive rate.     

First trimester diagnosis of Gaucher disease in a fetus with trisomy 21

A 38-year-old lady, who had a previous infant with type 2 Gaucher disease, underwent prenatal diagnosis by chorionic villus sampling at 9 weeks' gestation. Results on the fresh villus revealed a 47,XY,+21 karyotype and a marked deficiency (2 per cent of control) of β-glucosidase activity. Following termination, villus material was cultured which initially revealed only a partial enzyme deficiency and a normal female karyotype, i.e., maternal cells. A subsequent culture contained 47,XY, + 21 cells which were deficient in β-glucosidase activity, thus confirming the diagnosis. The results in this interesting case illustrate the potential dangers of maternal cell contamination in cultured villus cells.     

长江江苏段饮用水源地3种雌激素污染特征

分析了丰、平、枯不同水情下长江江苏段28个集中式饮用水源地中雌激素的污染水平和时空分布特征,评价了水源地雌激素活性.研究结果表明,长江江苏段水源地雌酮(E1)、雌二醇(E2)、双酚A(BPA)的浓度处于ng·L~(-1)水平,各雌激素总浓度的均值分别为(1.00±1.72)、(0.65±1.49)、(4.41±5.29)ng·L~(-1),BPA的检出率和平均浓度水平均高于E1和E2,不同水情下浓度差异表现为丰水期枯水期平水期.水源地E1、E2、BPA的活性分别为(0.25±0.43)、(0.65±1.49)、(0.00062±0.00074)ng·L~(-1)(以雌二醇当量计,下同).考虑到雌激素对水生生物的内分泌干扰作用,需在今后的水源地水质安全评价指标体系中加强雌激素监测.     

静压快速启动亚硝酸盐依赖型甲烷厌氧氧化反应

在序批式反应器(SBR)中接种污水厂厌氧池污泥和深层水稻土的1∶1混合污泥,在阶段性提升基质NO_2~--N浓度的条件下,考察静压条件对亚硝酸盐依赖型甲烷厌氧氧化(nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation,N-DAMO)反应快速启动过程的影响,并对N-DAMO反应的主导微生物的丰度变化进行分析.结果表明运行120 d后,常压(R1)和0.3 MPa静压(R2)条件下,都观测到了明显的N-DAMO现象,并且R2的NO_2~--N去除速率达到了36.90 mg·(L·d)~(-1),较R1提高了24%;其4 h内平均脱氮速率(以NO_2~--N计)达到0.10 mmol·(L·h)~(-1),比R1提高了186%.R2中富集得到的污泥粒径约为R1的2倍,比表面积更大,优化了污泥中甲烷的传质情况,有助于N-DAMO反应的进行,且R2污泥的N-DAMO比活性(以N/VSS计)达到了0.29 mg·(g·h)~(-1),是R1的2倍.此外,静压有助于N-DAMO功能微生物Candidatus Methylomirabilish oxyfera(M.oxyfera)的生长,实验结束时R2中M.oxyfera细菌16S rRNA基因的丰度比接种初期提高了22倍,是同阶段R1中的10倍.可见,提高静压能够有效促进N-DAMO反应的启动.     

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A: A possible marker in the classification and prenatal diagnosis of Cornelia de Lange syndrome

The concentration of human placental lactogen (hPL), pregnancy specific beta-1 glycoprotein (SP-1) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) were analysed in consecutive serum samples from a patient who gave birth to a child with Cornelia de Lange syndrome. HPL and SP-1 were present in normal concentrations from week 20 to week 35 of gestation whereas PAPP-A could not be detected in any of the samples examined. Immunohisto-chemical examination of two placentae from Cornelia de Lange syndrome revealed normal localization of hPL and SP-1 but the absence of PAPP-A from the syncytiotrophoblast. The significance of association between Cornelia de Lange syndrome and compromised synthesis of PAPP-A is discussed.     

First-trimester prenatal diagnosis in quintuplets: A practical approach using step-by-step embryo reduction

A multiple pregnancy of high rank may occur in a couple at risk for a Mendelian disorder. Prenatal diagnosis is hampered by the difficulty of (1) obtaining chorionic villi from each zygote arid (2) unequivocally relating each sample to the corresponding embryo. The calculation of the genetic risk according to the number of zygotes led us to propose a diagnostic strategy based on embryo reduction, a technique initially designed to improve the perinatal outcome of multiple pregnancies with normal embryos. We report a case in which this approach allowed rational use of first-trimester chorionic villus sampling in a quintuplet pregnancy at risk for non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia, resulting in the selective birth of unaffected twins.     

黄曲霉A5p1脱色类黑精及其机理初探:葡萄糖氧化酶的作用

类黑精是一种高分子难降解色素污染物质,在糖蜜酒精废水中大量存在.选取在前期研究中对糖蜜酒精废水具有较好脱色作用的黄曲霉(Aspergillus flavus)A5p1(保藏号CGMCC.4292),以合成的类黑精为对象研究脱色机理,试图为实际废水的生物脱色提供理论基础.结果显示,此菌株对合成类黑精具有生物吸附和生物降解的双重作用,以后者为主,最高脱色率可达65%.相较于漆酶、依赖/不依赖于锰的过氧化物酶等常规氧化脱色酶,此菌株中的产过氧化氢酶对脱色起主要作用,而且脱色过程中作为产过氧化氢酶之一的葡萄糖氧化酶与类黑精脱色率之间存在着一定的正相关性.添加葡萄糖氧化酶激活剂和抑制剂进行验证,发现葡萄糖氧化酶酶活力、过氧化氢产量和脱色率三者之间呈相关性变化.初步推测,葡萄糖氧化酶是黄曲霉A5p1生物降解脱色类黑精的关键酶之一.     

用GC-ECD测定水中痕量溴酸根的方法

研究了用GC-ECD测定水中痕量溴酸盐浓度的方法,优化了用工程丙酮作溴酸根衍生化试剂的反应条件.在最佳衍生反应条件下、溴酸根浓度为3.8～92 μg·L-1范围内,溴酸根浓度和相应溴代衍生物的峰面积有良好的线性关系(R2=0.9954).本方法的检出限为0.75 μg·L-1,测定系列浓度溴酸根水溶液的相对偏差(RSD)均小于5%,样品加标平均回收率为105.1%～107.6%.在正常臭氧氧化时间内测定臭氧氧化后的过滤水中的溴酸根浓度时,只要臭氧投量与TOC比值大于0.8 mg·mg-1,溴酸根的测定就不受本底天然有机物的影响.     

Atmospheric turbidity and transmittance of solar radiation in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

During the last two decades, the urban areas in the city of Riyadh—the capital of Saudi Arabia—were increasing at an exceptionally high rate through a series of development plans. The major plans had been completed by the end of 1982. Some other big utility projects were started and completed during 1987. As a consequence, the air quality has deteriorated markedly and air pollution episodes recorded during these activities showed that particulates were present in the atmosphere at high concentrations. Later in January 1991 the Gulf war started and the firing of the oil fields in Kuwait soon followed. It was estimated that soot particulates were emitted at a rate of 600 ton d⁻¹ along with high rates of other gases. This event has led to significant air quality and visibility problems.Direct normal solar radiation has been measured during the summer months of July and August which were characterized by very dry and cloudless weather for the period between 1982 and 1992. A year-to-year trend of the transmittance of direct normal solar irradiance was then determined.The atmospheric fine aerosol (<2 μm diameter) loading data during the same period were used to establish a correlation between the aerosol concentration and the extinction coefficient.The total horizontal and direct normal solar radiation measurements during some days when the dark smoke emitted from the oil field fires in Kuwait were passing over Riyadh are presented. The reduction in solar irradiation reflects the intensity of dark smoke at a distance of 500 km from Kuwait.     

正常污泥和膨胀污泥中EPS膜污染特性及其与膜表面作用能分析

胞外聚合物(Extracellular polymeric substance,EPS)是导致膜污染的重要物质,且不同形态污泥的EPS具有不同的性质,研究正常污泥和膨胀污泥的EPS膜污染特性具有重要意义.因此,实验考察了正常污泥和膨胀污泥的膜污染速率.结果表明,膨胀污泥膜污染速率远高于正常污泥,膨胀污泥EPS(Bulking sludge-EPS,BS-EPS)浓度((172.9±10.4) mg·g-1)明显高于正常污泥EPS(Normal sludge-EPS,NS-EPS)浓度((95.9±6 6) mg·g-1),且膨胀污泥的蛋白质/多糖(Protein/Carbohydrate,P/C)值(2.26)高于正常污泥的P/C值(1 97)此外,通过序批式吸附实验研究了正常污泥和膨胀污泥的EPS膜污染差异,并基于Derjaguine-Landaue-Verweye-Overbeek (XDLVO)理论计算了EPS与PVDF膜表面之间的作用能结果表明,EPS-膜系统的总界面能为负值,即EPS-膜系统之间会发生自吸附行为,而膜与BS-EPS的总界面能(-63.943mJ.m2)较膜与NS-EPS(-56.366 mJ·m2)具有较高的能量,因此,BS-EPS与膜的吸附力较强;NS-EPS和BS-EPS主要能量壁垒分别为8.89 kT和7.51 kT,表明NS-EPS与膜之间的排斥力更强,因而BS-EPS更容易造成膜污染     

IPCC情景下中国大陆区域排放清单预测

参考IPCC情景设计方法,采用IPAT方程预测未来不同经济社会发展情景(A1B、A2及B1情景)下中国大陆区域2020,2050年能源消耗量,结合分部门、分燃料的排放因子,得到大陆区域2020,2050年SO_2、NO_x排放清单。全球共同发展情景(A1B情景)下SO_2、NO_x排放量最大,其次为经济发展速度较慢的区域发展情景(A2情景),全球可持续发展情景(B1情景)污染排放量最低。结果表明:火力发电、工业及交通运输业对SO_2、NO_x排放量贡献最大,在未来几十年仍是污染控制的关键部门。