Early amniocentesis at 11–14 weeks' gestation for the diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormality—a clinical evaluation

Early arnniocentesis between 11 and 14 weeks' gestation was offered to 110 women at risk of a chromosomally abnormal fetus due to maternal age. Four were found to be unsuitable for the procedure, and 106 early amniocenteses were performed. In 102 cases, clear amniotic fluid was obtained with a single tap. There were two dry taps and two bloodstained tapis; sampling was repeated in three of these cases before 15 weeks. In the fourth case, placental biopsy was performed at 16 weeks. Thus, we were able to obtain a satisfactory sample in all but three cases(2.8 percent). Karyotyping of cells harvested from the early amniotic fluid samples was successful in all the 105 cases. Cell culture from the initial samples revealed a normal karyotype in 99 cases, two balanced translocations, two tetraploid karyotypes, and two cases of pseudomosaicism. Of the 105 pregnancies successfully sampled, there have been two losses to date (1–8 per cent). Two further patients presented with premature rupture of membranes, both pregnancies having successful outcomes. Sixty-two babies have delivered to date, with four congenital anomalies. There were no respiratory problems. Twenty-nine pregnancies are continuing without known complications, and details are not yet available on the remaining 12. The results indicate that early arnniocentesis may replace the traditional test at 15–17 weeks.     

Is maternal alpha-fetoprotein screening still of value in a low-risk area for neural tube defects?

Estimation of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was used as a screening method for the detection of neural tube defects (NTDs) in 6344 women over three years. Of 88 (1.4 per cent) who had one or more serum AFP levels equal to, or greater than, 2.5 multiples of the median (MoM) for the relevant gestational age, 43 (0.68 per cent) underwent amniocentesis. There were eight NTDs. Four of these were screened by serum AFP, and all cases of spina bifida had serum AFP levels greater than 3.0 MoM, including one small open defect which was not seen on ultrasound. The other four cases of NTD, which were not screened, were identified by ultrasound. Of 64 singleton pregnancies 32 (50 per cent) had serum AFP levels between 2.5 and 3.0 MoM, and low birthweight (⪕2500 g) occurred in 29 per cent. Because of improvements in ultrasound techniques and the apparent falling incidence of NTD, the role of serum AFP as the primary screening procedure should be regularly reviewed. Effective screening is dependent on mothers booking early.     

Prenatal diagnosis of genetic microcephaly

True microcephaly can be diagnosed at an early stage of gestation by serial measurements of fetal head growth as demonstrated by this case report in which the diagnosis of genetic microcephaly was made but termination refused. True microcephaly was evident at birth.     

生物质利用现状

生物质能的使用是实现能源可持续发展的有效措施之一，因此其研究意义重大。本文在阐述生物质、生物质能定义和优点的基础上，对我国的生物质资源量及其利用的主要技术手段进行了分析。同时也对生物质利用所面临的主要问题进行了介绍，并提出了一些解决方案。认为现阶段我国生物质的利用应该注意国家政策的支持、基础研究的深入和宣传力度的加强。     

工业废水的生化耗氧过程Logistic动力学研究

在Monod方程的基础上推导了适用于描述工业废水的生化耗氧过程Logistic动力学模型,比较了Logistic动力学模型和一级动力学模型的区别。测定了废水的BOD5/CODcr,在此基础上对可生化废水的生化耗氧曲线进行分析,利用Logistic动力学模型对生化耗氧过程进行动力学研究,并比较各种不同稀释倍数时的kLog和S0。研究结果表明:随着稀释比的增大,耗氧过程的动力学参数kLog和计量系数S0增大,且S0和废水的BOD5非常接近。     

铁炭微电解法预处理浆纱废水的研究

研究了采用铁炭微电解法预处理浆纱废水.试验结果表明,经微电解处理后的废水,COD的去除率达到67.2%,BOD5/COD从0.07提高到0.32,废水的可生化性得到显著提高.通过正交试验考察pH、反应时间及铁炭对比处理效果的影响,并对各因素作了单因素影响试验,确定了最佳工艺条件.