Amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein levels and prenatal diagnosis of autosomal trisomies

Pregnancies with fetal trisomy 21 have been associated with low amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein levels (AFAFP). This observation led to the suggestion that low AFAFP levels be used as a criterion for completion of a chromosomal analysis in patients who are not otherwise at increased risk for a fetal chromosome abnormality and in whom karyotyping might not have been completed for economic reasons. In order to assess the usefulness of such criteria, we reviewed the AFAFP levels of 90 cases of fetal trisomy 21, 23 cases of trisomy 18, and 10 cases of trisomy 13. These were compared with 2400 control samples with normal chromosome constitution. AFAFP levels were generally lower in pregnancies with trisomy 21, showing a median value of 0·72 MoM. However, 40 per cent of the trisomy 21 samples had AFAFP values greater than 0·8 MoM and 20 per cent were over 1·0 MoM. These data imply that over 50 per cent of Down syndrome cases might have been missed using a cut-off level of 0·70 MoM for completion of chromosome analysis. Using a higher cut-off level will leave only a small percentage of samples unkaryotyped. The distribution of AFP levels in trisomy 13 and 18 is no different from controls; we therefore believe that fetal karyotyping should be completed in every amniotic fluid sample obtained.     

离子强度、pH值和Ca2+/Al3+对马尾松幼苗的铝毒影响

测定了在不同溶液酸度、不同离子强度和Ca~(2+)/Al~(3+)比下,铝对马尾松幼苗生长状况的影响。结果表明,溶液酸度增加,离子强度减小时,铝的毒害作用增大。钙对铝毒有明显缓解作用,当Ca~(2+)/Al~(3+)增大时,铝的毒性减小,但其缓解作用与铝浓度有关,当铝浓度增加,钙的缓解能力下降。     

中国米质气候资源的地域分布

稻米品质受着气候条件的明显影响。在我国不同地域，米质气候资源各不相同，对米质的影响也各具特色，总的趋势是，北方优于南方；西部优于东部；晚茬口水稻优于旱茬口；在地形复杂地区，米质气候资源还具有垂直地带性结构。我国丰富的米质气候资源为各种类型优质米的生产创造出优越的环境条件。     

The spatial and temporal distribution of total ozone over China

In this paper the grid data of total ozone mapping spectrograph (TOMS) installed on Nimbus-7 satellite (1978 to 1994) was used and the spatial and temporal distribution of total ozone over China was analyzed. The research indicates that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau destroyed the latitudinal distribution of total ozone of China and the low value closed center emerged over Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Long time change trends of seasonal total ozone of Qinghai-Tibet plateau are provided. It shows that the most obvious decrease of total ozone occurs in winter (Jan.), then in summer (Jul.), the relevant slow change occurs in autumn (Oct.) and spring (Apr.).     

Evaluating the economic benefits of pesticide usage

In regulating the use of a pesticide, one critical element taken into consideration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the magnitude of the benefits provided by the pesticide. A number of alternative, and legitimate, definitions of pesticide benefits are discussed and their implications for the regulatory process identified. Recommendations for improving the regulatory process are proposed.