Chemical characteristics of cloudwater over Maoer Mountain district

Samples of cloudwater, rainwater and ambient aerosol were collected over Maoer Mountain in the northeast of Guangxi Province in March 1988. The pH value of cloudwater ranged from 3.37 to 6.20 with a mean value of 4.34. SO42- , NO3- , NH4+, Ca2+ and H+ were the principal ionic species of cloudwater. The advance of cold fronts into Maoer Mountain appeared to lead to higher major ionic concentration and acidity than that of warm fronts. The relative acidity and concentration of NO3- of cloudwater were much greater than that of aerosol samples. With the exception of. NO3- and H+, most of the concentration of SO42- and NH4+ in cloudwater came from the nucleation scavenging of aerosol. Gaseous nitric acid and organic acid from local may be one of the important source of cloudwater acidity. Compared with other sites, Maoer Mountain can be as a clean contrast station for studying acidic precipitation in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces.     

Early amniocentesis at 11–14 weeks' gestation for the diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormality—a clinical evaluation

Early arnniocentesis between 11 and 14 weeks' gestation was offered to 110 women at risk of a chromosomally abnormal fetus due to maternal age. Four were found to be unsuitable for the procedure, and 106 early amniocenteses were performed. In 102 cases, clear amniotic fluid was obtained with a single tap. There were two dry taps and two bloodstained tapis; sampling was repeated in three of these cases before 15 weeks. In the fourth case, placental biopsy was performed at 16 weeks. Thus, we were able to obtain a satisfactory sample in all but three cases(2.8 percent). Karyotyping of cells harvested from the early amniotic fluid samples was successful in all the 105 cases. Cell culture from the initial samples revealed a normal karyotype in 99 cases, two balanced translocations, two tetraploid karyotypes, and two cases of pseudomosaicism. Of the 105 pregnancies successfully sampled, there have been two losses to date (1–8 per cent). Two further patients presented with premature rupture of membranes, both pregnancies having successful outcomes. Sixty-two babies have delivered to date, with four congenital anomalies. There were no respiratory problems. Twenty-nine pregnancies are continuing without known complications, and details are not yet available on the remaining 12. The results indicate that early arnniocentesis may replace the traditional test at 15–17 weeks.