MSAFP levels and oesophageal atresia

This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels and oesophageal atresia (OA). OA occurred in 16 fetuses of mothers who had an MSAFP test in the study interval. The multiple of the median (MOM) value for MSAFP averaged 1·54 ± 0·65 (range 0·5–2·9 MOM), which was significantly higher than the value seen in controls. The median MOM was 1·35. Using a cut-off of 2·5 MOM, the sensitivity of MSAFP for detecting OA was 19 per cent. Although OA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an elevated MSAFP level, MSAFP cannot be considered an appropriate screening test for OA given the low sensitivity.     

Serum PAPP-A levels are depressed in women with fetal Down syndrome in early pregnancy

The value of maternal serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein (PAPP)-A in screening for Down syndrome in early pregnancy was assessed using stored samples. Seventeen cases of Down syndrome and 66 unaffected control pregnancies were studied. The median PAPP-A level in the cases was 0.42 multiples of the expected value in controls (p <0.0001). Eleven cases (65 per cent) had levels less than half the expected value compared with only six controls (9 per cent). A commercial assay kit is now needed so that prospective screening with this marker can begin.     

Zelluläre Wirkungen der ultravioletten Komponente des Sonnenlichts

The discussion on the possible increase of solar UV on earth due to the destruction of the stratospheric ozone has led to a renewed interest in the action of ultraviolet radiation on biological systems. The paper deals with changes at the cellular level stressing particularly molecular alterations in deoxyribonucleic acid, the carrier of genetic information. The most important repair processes by which lesions are removed or bypassed are described. It is also discussed whether the effectivity of a complex spectrum can be predicted on the basis of measurements with monochromatic radiation. Furthermore, possible consequences on human health are outlined which may be derived from cellular studies.     

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of fetal scoliosis with termination of the pregnancy: Case report

Gross scoliosis of the fetal thoracic spine was diagnosed at 18 weeks gestation. The pregnancy was terminated and the fetus found to have webbing of the neck and an imperforate anus in addition to vertebral defects.     

超越价值:生物多样性与思想自由

各种环境因素的协同作用已经导致保护运动在解释保护运动的基本信念时尤其缺乏信心。“反对派”行动主义者以为他们的论据是得到证实的，而“制度派”战术主义者倾向于采取他们并不赞同的功利主义的或经济的观点。根据现有的证据，在几百年以后，这个星球上主要的自然区域将基本消失，人类的生活质量将会受到极大的威胁。一种更可靠的观点认为：自然界是人类体验自由(这也是一种精神环境)的能力中不可或缺的一部分。这一观点将改变我们对待自然环境的方式，也关乎今后生物多样性长期生存的前景。     

Graphical strategies for design of evaporation crystallization networks for environmental wastewater applications

This paper introduces graphical strategies for the design of an evaporation/crystallization network for ternary wastewater environmental applications. Sources, sinks and other streams are located on a ternary composition diagram. While a source is any wastewater stream that has the potential to be recycled, a sink is any unit in the process that can accept sources. The proposed methodology is extremely simple to understand and implement, as it only requires basic solid-liquid phase equilibria data and uses lever arm principles to generate alternative process designs. Geometric constructions are carried out on the ternary composition diagram and the respective lever arms are used to determine intermediate flow rates in the evaporation/crystallization network. The relative locations and flow rates of the sources and sinks under consideration, as well as the unique shape of the solid-liquid equilibrium, drive the design of the separation (via evaporation/crystallization) network. Some generic structures are proposed for a typical evaporation and crystallization network. Once the general problem statement has been defined, special cases consisting of a single source-single sink, single source-two sinks and two sources-single sink are described. These special cases are representative of commonly occurring industrial wastewater design problems. Several graphical insights are listed that allow one to represent evaporation and crystallization operations on a ternary triangular composition diagram and avoid mathematical complexity. The possibility of bypassing a part of the initial feed streams is also considered. Certain feasible composition regions are identified on the ternary composition diagram for cases dealing with multiple sources and sinks. The methodology is useful in pre-screening and eliminating certain sources/sinks and is readily applicable to cases with lower number of sources and sinks. A case study involving the ammonium nitrate manufacturing process is included to demonstrate the broad applicability and value of the proposed approach.     

Prenatal diagnosis of endocardial fibroelastosis

In a case of fetal heart failure caused by endocardial fibroelastosis, prenatal echocardiography clearly demonstrated; a thickened endocardium. We therefore suggest that an abnormal endocardium may be detected in utero by ultrasound, thus representing an important clue in the differential diagnosis of fetal nonimmune hydrops and in the evaluation of pregnancies at risk for endocardial fibroelastosis.