Discordant results between fetal karyotyping and non-invasive prenatal testing by maternal plasma sequencing in a case of uniparental disomy 21 due to trisomic rescue

Uniparental disomy (UPD) is an uncommon chromosome condition, but UPD involving chromosome 21 is rarely reported. We reported here a case who had first trimester screening test for Down syndrome, chorionic villus sampling for fetal karyotyping, quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR), as well as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) by maternal plasma sequencing. There were discordant results between fetal karyotyping and NIPT due to UPD 21combined with confined placental mosaicism of trisomy 21. This demonstrated that it is possible to detect placental mosaicism by NIPT, but further studies are required to confirm its sensitivity. Therefore, all positive NIPT results must be confirmed by conventional invasive test and karyotyping. QF-PCR has the additional benefit in diagnosing UPD. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Toluene decomposition performance and NOx by-product formation during a DBD-catalyst process

Characteristics of toluene decomposition and formation of nitrogen oxide (NOx) by-products were investigated in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor with/without catalyst at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Four kinds of metal oxides, i.e., manganese oxide (MnOx), iron oxide (FeOx), cobalt oxide (CoOx) and copper oxide (CuO), supported on Al₂O₃/nickel foam, were used as catalysts. It was found that introducing catalysts could improve toluene removal efficiency, promote decomposition of by-product ozone and enhance CO₂ selectivity. In addition, NOx was suppressed with the decrease of specific energy density (SED) and the increase of humidity, gas flow rate and toluene concentration, or catalyst introduction. Among the four kinds of catalysts, the CuO catalyst showed the best performance in NOx suppression. The MnOx catalyst exhibited the lowest concentration of O₃ and highest CO₂ selectivity but the highest concentration of NOx. A possible pathway for NOx production in DBD was discussed. The contributions of oxygen active species and hydroxyl radicals are dominant in NOx suppression.     

Biodegradation of nitrogen-enriched lignite

Biodegradation of nitrogen-enriched lignite by soil bacteria previously acclimated in hydrogen peroxide-acetic acid lignitic substrate was carried out to assess the effects of nitrogen functional groups on the biodegradation of lignite. Chlorination, oxidation plus nitration, and ammoniation were applied in an attempt to modify the chemical structure of lignite so as to obtain a lignitic substrate that is more compatible to the enzymatical system of ordinary soil bacteria than that of unmodified lignite. Incorporation of nitrogen containing functional groups into lignite structure achieved 4.71 wt%, a value five times higher than that usually found in unmodified (raw) lignite. Data collected through a 16 day incubation time, monitoring production as well as depletion of both nitrate and organic acids, concluded that biodegradation was expedited by the incorporation of nitrogen into the structure of lignite. Twenty-eight compounds were identified based on the results from GC/MS analysis of the products.     

流体混合状态对微生物的影响——以枯草芽孢杆菌为例

采用雷诺数表征液体环境的混合状态。利用一种自主研发的流体混合设备产生不同的液体流态,研究流态对枯草芽孢杆菌生长的影响。枯草芽孢杆菌是净化污水的一大主要细菌。结果发现,雷诺数越大,越有利于细菌的生长,具体表现为对数期时间缩短,到达平稳期时菌体浓度提高。此外,接种枯草芽孢杆菌后会消耗溶解氧,使培养基中的溶解氧维持在一个较低的水平(0~1mg/L)。     

检测细胞DNA断裂损伤效应的彗星实验法的改良

为了解决彗星实验过程中常出现的脱胶、细胞核分离操作繁琐、重复性低等问题,对彗星实验方法进行了改良,初步建立了彗星实验的快速操作流程。结果显示,通过对载玻片进行预处理,可确保凝胶悬挂均匀;采用改良机械法分离的细胞核浓度适中;以0.5%(w/v)涂层琼脂糖作为基层、以1.5%(w/v)低熔点包埋琼脂糖作为叠加层的"双层凝胶法",辅以"推片法"铺胶,操作便捷且不发生脱胶现象;细胞核膜经裂解处理后再进行电泳和荧光观察,彗星图像清晰,杂质少。应用改良后的彗星实验方法,操作简便,耗时更短,实验效果良好,可快速检测出细胞DNA损伤效应。     

电沉积处理含镉废水的性能研究

电沉积含镉废水考察溶液的不同初始p H、镉的不同初始浓度、电流密度及金属配合物对电沉积效果的影响,利用SEM和XRD对沉积物的表面形貌和物相成分进行分析,研究沉积物金属的存在形式。实验结果表明,p H在1.5~3.5时,溶液中镉的去除效果达到99.3%;一级动力学常数随着初始镉溶液浓度增加而变大;当电流密度为4.46 m A/cm2进行90 min电沉积时反应速率较快且沉积量最大;氨水与镉形成的配合物可以促进电沉积镉的反应速率;对电沉积后的沉积物进行扫描电镜(SEM)和X-射线衍射(XRD)测试。SEM表明,沉积物呈现树枝状的纳米结构。XRD表明,沉积物主要成分为氢氧化镉和镉。