Isolating fetal nucleated red blood cells from maternal blood: The baylor experience—1995

In our previous work we have isolated fetal cells from maternal blood and used fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for chromosome-specific probes to detect aneuploidy. Current efforts in the Baylor College of Medicine programme are focusing on obtaining consistency in flow-sorting methodology and on determining sensitivity and specificity. To this end, systematic evaluation of five glycophorin A (gly A) antibodies all produced agglutination, leading us to abandon the use of gly A antibodies for positive selection of fetal cells. Conversely, we have found LDS-751 to be useful for nuclear selection. CD45 negative selection can best be accomplished by the use of flasks coated with goat antibodies against mouse antibodies. Positive selection by flow sorting for either CD71⁺ cells or gamma-globin-positive cells seems to be successful. Using these two approaches, we have recently detected male (fetal) cells in pregnancies in which the fetus was 46, XY in 10 of 18 and in 12 of 14 cases, respectively.     

Isolating fetal cells in maternal circulation for prenatal diagnosis

Fetal cells unequivocally exist in and can be isolated from maternal blood. Erythroblasts, trophoblasts, granulocytes and lymphocytes have all been isolated by various density gradient and flow sorting techniques. Chromosomal abnormalities detected on isolated fetal cells include trisomy 21, trisomy 18, Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY) and 47,XYY. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology has enabled the detection of fetal sex, Mendelian disorders (e.g. β-globin mutations), HLA polymorphisms, and fetal Rhesus (D) blood type. The fetal cell type that has generated the most success is the nucleated erythrocyte; however, trophoblasts, lymphocytes and granulocytes are also considered to be present in maternal blood. Fetal cells circulate in maternal blood during the first and second trimesters, and their detection is probably not affected by Rh or ABO maternal-fetal incompatibilities. Emphasis is now directed toward determining the most practical and efficacious manner for this technique to be applied to prenatal genetic diagnosis. Only upon completion of clinical evaluations could it be considered appropriate to offer this technology as an alternative to conventional invasive and non-invasive methods of prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis.     

温度对GEO轨道太阳电池阵静电放电影响规律研究

由于GEO轨道空间环境的特殊性,温度、辐照电子能量和束流密度等环境因素会对处于该轨道的航天器太阳电池阵充放电效应造成影响,为掌握GEO轨道太阳电池阵静电放电影响规律,以航天器太阳电池阵为研究对象,对太阳电池阵机理和研究现状进行分析的基础上,设计了太阳电池阵静电放电试验电路,确定了太阳电池阵静电放电试验参数与试验程序,重点开展了一定电子能量和束流密度条件下环境温度因素对太阳电池阵静电放电特性试验研究,获得了环境因素对太阳电池阵静电放电的影响规律。研究表明,静电放电频率、放电电流幅值与环境温度相关,温度越高,放电频率越小,放电电流幅值相应减小,放电电流主要能量集中在10 MHz以下频段。研究成果可为航天器静电放电效应分析和防护设计提供参考。     

平顶山市郊被动式太阳房单一系统可行性分析

本文主要分析了太阳能供热单一系统的经济效益参数和偿还年限，并结合实例进行推导、计算，论证在平顶山市郊推广单一系统的可行性。     

城市晴日太阳辐射的空间变化

１９９１年在济南市进行了两次太阳辐射强度的流动观测。对观测资料的分析表明，不仅市区的太阳辐射强度明显小于郊区，而且处于下风向的近郊区的太阳辐射强度也明显小于上风向郊区；市区内不同功能区的太阳辐射减弱程度不同，以工业区减弱最甚；太阳辐射强度的空间变化形式与城市功能区的布局密切相关。     

Biologically effective radiation of solar ultraviolet radiation and the depletion of stratospheric ozone

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作物光温生产力模型及南方水稻适宜生长期的数值分析

发展了一个具有生物学基础的、兼具实用性和理论性的水稻生长模拟模型。它是在水肥适宜的条件下,以光、温因子模拟作物生长过程。其空间尺度是叶面水平的,时间尺度是逐时的,并且具有模拟冠层瞬时光合作用的能力。该模型由发育阶段、冠层光分布、冠层光合速率和叶面积指数增长等子模型组成。使用地理分期播种资料进行了检验,该模型可以解释在不同气候区域水稻干物质积累随生育期和播种期变化的９２５％～９５８％。使用常规气象资料,用数值方法研究了南京、长沙、广州和贵阳等地杂交水稻的气候生态适应性。模拟结果表明,贵阳气温低、生育期长,其中稻生育期内温度适中、光照较强,干物质生产力高。广州气温高,中稻、早稻生育期短,产量较低,因受低温的影响小,是晚稻的高产区。南京和长沙以在生长中后期能避开盛夏高温并能正常抽穗扬花的适播晚稻干物质产量较高     

First trimester diagnosis of Gaucher disease in a fetus with trisomy 21

A 38-year-old lady, who had a previous infant with type 2 Gaucher disease, underwent prenatal diagnosis by chorionic villus sampling at 9 weeks' gestation. Results on the fresh villus revealed a 47,XY,+21 karyotype and a marked deficiency (2 per cent of control) of β-glucosidase activity. Following termination, villus material was cultured which initially revealed only a partial enzyme deficiency and a normal female karyotype, i.e., maternal cells. A subsequent culture contained 47,XY, + 21 cells which were deficient in β-glucosidase activity, thus confirming the diagnosis. The results in this interesting case illustrate the potential dangers of maternal cell contamination in cultured villus cells.     

Mid-trimester fetal sex determination from maternal peripheral blood by fluorescence in situ hybridization without enrichment of fetal cells

To determine the fetal sex on 30 women who were 16–20 weeks pregnant, about 100 000 maternal blood nucleated cells were analysed by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a Y-chromosome-specific DNA probe. Cells with the hybridization signal were detected in 12 of the 30 women. All the 12 mothers gave birth to a male child. Of the other 18 women who had no Y-positive cells in the peripheral blood, 14 gave birth to a female child and four gave birth to a male child. These false-negative results probably occurred because the number of cells examined was inadequate. The data obtained in this study suggest that fetal sex determination using maternal peripheral blood with FISH is possible and that this diagnostic method will be clinically useful when more cells are analysed.     

A misdiagnosis of X-linked adrenoleucodystrophy in cultured chorionic villus cells by the measurement of very long chain fatty acids

A case is reported of a male fetus at risk of X-linked adrenoleucodystrophy who showed a normal cultured chorionic villus cell very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) profile but at birth exhibited grossly abnormal plasma and cultured fibroblast VLCFAs. Maternal contamination or a sample mix-up was excluded by chromosome analysis and analysis of polymorphic markers. This is the second report of a fetus affected with this disorder who showed normal cultured chorionic villus cell VLCFAs. It highlights the importance of a proper audit of all prenatal diagnoses to evaluate method reliability.