XII Ecdysone Workshop July 22–26, 1996 Barcelona,Spain

XII Ecdysone Workshop July 22–26, 1996 Barcelona, Spain     

A fetus with a parvovirus B19 infection and congenital anomalies

A fetus with multiple structural defects was seen at prenatal ultrasound examination. After termination of the pregnancy a bilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate; micrognathia; and webbed joints were seen. Fetal tissues showed indications of infection, intranuclear inclusion bodies, chronic stress, haemolysis, arterial wall damage, and profuse haemorrhage. Parvovirus B19 DNA was detected in fetal tissues by dot hybridization after polymerase chain reaction. The possibility of parvovirus B19 infection leading to congenital malformations is discussed.     

First-trimester diagnosis of duodenal stenosis associated with oesophageal atresia

Duodenal stenosis associated with oesophageal atresia was diagnosed by ultrasound at 12 weeks' gestation. The diagnosis was made by recognition of a double bubble sign which was more pronounced when a vaginal transducer was used. Post-abortion autopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Oesophageal and duodenal obstruction in this case had no effect on the amount of amniotic fluid or the alpha-fetoprotein concentration since swallowing and subsequent utilization of amniotic fluid do not occur before 12 weeks of gestation.     

Maternal sex chromosome mosaicism diagnosed by amniocentesis and percutaneous umbilical cord sampling

We present a remarkable chain of events in which percutaneous umbilical cord sampling was performed in an attempt to clarify a situation of possible fetal sex chromosome mosaicism in an amniotic fluid culture and led to the discovery that the mother herself had a 45,X/46,XX/ 47.XXX chromosome constitution. This may have simply represented the chance concurrence of pseudo-mosaicism in the amniotic fluid culture of a woman with an abnormal sex chromosome constitution, but it is also possible that the 45,X colony was maternal in origin. Although clearly a most unusual circumstance, the possibility should be kept in mind when termination of a pregnancy is being considered because of apparent mosaicism in a prenatal diagnostic study.     

宿迁3次突发性空气重污染过程对比分析

利用空气质量资料、常规观测资料、NCEP1.0°×1.0°再分析资料，应用数理统计、天气学等方法对宿迁市3次突发性重污染天气进行对比分析.结果表明：①宿迁"突发"空气重污染时，AQI级别由前一日的一、二级至第2日转为五级以上，AQI值迅速上升.②3次空气重污染过程天气背景相似，高层为宽广平直的偏西气流，地面受高压控制，中低层风向和温度平流突然转变，且都有深厚的逆温层结；持续变化较小的气压梯度、较低风速、温度日较差及相对湿度的增大（150328过程（即2015年3月28日—4月1日污染过程）除外）为颗粒物浓度迅速增长提供了条件.③大气稳定度级别迅速变高和混合层高度迅速降低并维持，对污染物快速聚集有显著影响.④物理量诊断表明，污染发生前期上空为弱上升运动，随后迅速转为下沉运动，或气流下沉运动区域迅速扩大、升高，是空气质量迅速转差的重要动力因素.⑤内蒙古地区的沙尘远距离输送形成的污染，是造成150328过程与另外两次过程明显不同的主要原因.     

Reproductive behaviour and prenatal diagnosis following genetic termination of pregnancy in women of advanced maternal age

One hundred and fifty-one women of advanced maternal age who underwent genetic termination of pregnancy (TOP) were studied for their reproductive behaviour and the type of procedure for prenatal diagnosis in a subsequent pregnancy. A total of 59 women (39 per cent) had a further pregnancy. In all continuing pregnancies prenatal diagnosis was performed, of which 75 per cent consisted of chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Reproductive behaviour following a genetic termination was negatively correlated with maternal age and parity. Both reproductive behaviour and the choice to undergo a diagnostic procedure in the next pregnancy were independent of the type of diagnostic procedure in the previous affected pregnancy.