Detection of fetal HLA-DQα sequences in maternal blood: A gender-independent technique of fetal cell identification

The objective of this study was to detect fetal HLA-DQα gene sequences in maternal blood. HLA-DQα genotypes of 70 pregnant women and their partners were determined for type A1. We specifically sought couples where the father, but not the mother, had genotype A1. In 12 women, maternal blood samples were flow-sorted. Candidate fetal cells were isolated and amplified by using PCR primers specific for a paternal HLA-DQα A1 allele. Fetal HLA-DQα A1 genotype was predicted from sorted cells; amniocytes or cheek swabs were used for confirmation. Six of twelve sorted samples had amplification products indicating the presence of the HLA-DQα A1 allele; 6/12 did not. Prediction of the fetal genotype was 100 per cent correct, as determined by subsequent amplification of amniocytes or cheek swabs. We conclude that paternally inherited uniquely fetal HLA-DQα gene sequences can be identified in maternal blood. This system permits the identification of fetal cells independent of fetal gender, and has the potential for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of paternally inherited conditions.     

Maternal age-specific risks for trisomies at 9—14 weeks' gestation

This study provides data on the incidence of fetal trisomies 21, 18, and 13 at 9–14 weeks' gestation in women aged 35–45 years and estimates of maternal age-specific risks in women aged 20–45 years. Our data from 5814 singleton pregnancies undergoing first-trimester karyotyping for the sole indication of maternal age ⩾ 35 years were combined with those from two previous reports and the incidence of the trisomies was calculated from a total of 15 793 pregnancies. Comparison of incidences at 9–14 weeks' gestation with published data at 15–20 weeks' gestation and in livebirths demonstrated that at birth the maternal age-specific incidence of trisomy 21 is 33 per cent lower than at 15–20 weeks' gestation and 54 per cent lower than at 9–14 weeks' gestation. Furthermore, the relative frequency of trisomies 18 and 13 decreases from 30 per cent at 9–14 weeks to 22 per cent at 15–20 weeks and 14 per cent at birth.     

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.     

Kinetic-spectrophotometric determination of free cyanide by stopped-flow reversed flow injection analysis

A stopped-flow reversed flow injection method for the determination of free cyanide is proposed. Pyridine-barbituric acid mixture is injected in the flow system as reagent to form the colour species with cyanide. The flow is stopped when the reagent zone comes in the flow cell, where absorbance-time data are collected at 580nm wavelength. The linear range of the determination is 0.1 -10μg/ml CN-. The sampling rate is 60h-1 and the relative standard deviation is 1.6% (n=16) at 5.0 μg/ml CN-1 level. With satisfactory results, the proposed method was applied to the determination of free cyanide in wastewater without sample pretreatment.     

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.     

The epidemic characteristics of Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) in different eco-environments

Epidemiological survey of 573 families, clinical examination of 2593 persons, and X-ray examination of 1136 persons (in 16 typical endemic villages) were conducted, based on the classification of endemiology for KBD disease areas, i.e, mountain type, loess plateau type, plateau type, and flatlands type. It was revealed that the KBD disease areas exhibited the regular pattern of corming-into-being, development and passing-away and the characteristics of growth and decline. Further, it was found clinically that the disease areas may be divided into 4 types, i.e., recent onset, developing, stable, and historical. This division is simple and easy, practical, scientific, and reliable and can be applied by medical personnel at different levels.     

试论我国环境行政强制执行制度

环境行政强制执行制度是环境执法的重要制度。大陆法系国家实行德奥模式而从法律上确立环境行政机关强制执行地位，英美法系国家一般实行美法模式而以诉讼方式实现环境行政强制执行，日本则有更为严格、完善的环境行政强制执行制度。比较上述模式后认为：基于我国国情，法律应赋予环境行政机关一定的直接强制执行权，明确环境行政强制执行与司法强制执行的权限，确立环境行政强制执行制度。     

反气相色谱法测定麦饭石对苯类的吸附

以麦饭石为吸附质，采用反气相色谱法测定了载气流量、麦饭石装柱质量和载气湿度对吸附等温线测定的影响，测定了苯等４种挥发性芳香类有机物在麦饭石颗粒上的吸附焓。结果表明，在水蒸汽存在的条件下，苯等４种挥发性有机物在麦饭石颗粒上的吸附能遵循理想气相色谱方程，且测得的吸附焓和其蒸发焓较接近。     

磷肥厂副产氟硅酸利用的新方法

以磷肥厂副产氟硅酸为原料 ,加上碳酸钠 ,在适宜的工艺条件下反应 ,制取符合GB42 93— 84一级品的氟化钠和符合GB10 5 71— 89的白炭黑。该工艺具有原料易得、能耗低、成本低、投资省、无污染、经济效益好等优点     

关于环境自动监测的系统设计和方案探讨

根据上海市环境监测的现状，分别从大气环境、污染源排放、水和废水监测等方面提出了进一步开展自动监测的设想和网络优化设计，并探讨了有关管理措施。