Prenatal diagnosis and fetal pathology of partial trisomy 20p–monosomy 4p resulting from paternal translocation

Amniocentesis was performed in view of a paternal balanced chromosomal rearrangement t(4;20)(p16;p12), inv(18)(p11q11). The pregnancy was complicated by severe oligohydramnios. The fetal karyotype was unbalanced: 46XX, der(4), t(4;20)(p16;p12), inv(18) (p11q11)pat., thus resulting in partial trisomy 2Op and monosomy 4p. In addition, the amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) became increasingly elevated with gestational age. The pregnancy was terminated at 25 weeks. The fetus presented with typical facial dysmorphic features, unilateral cleft lip and palate, severe renal hypoplasia, consistent with the 4p- (Wolf-Hirschhorn) syndrome.     

宁东能源化工基地大气PM2.5中硝基多环芳烃污染特征及呼吸暴露风险

利用大气主动采样技术对宁东能源化工基地大气PM_(2.5)中硝基多环芳烃(NPAHs)的污染特征、一次排放和二次形成源贡献及呼吸暴露风险进行了观测研究.结果表明,宁东能源化工基地大气PM_(2.5)中Σ _(12)NPAHs质量浓度在2. 06～37. 14ng·m~(-3)之间,其中基于能源产业的宝丰采样点冬、夏季采样期Σ _(12)NPAHs的平均质量浓度分别为(25. 57±5. 76) ng·m~(-3)和(6. 22±1. 74) ng·m~(-3).以化工、电力产业为主的英力特采样点冬、夏季Σ _(12)NPAHs平均质量浓度分别为(7. 13±1. 44)ng·m~(-3)和(2. 58±0. 39) ng·m~(-3),两采样点均表现出冬季高于夏季的季节特征,推测为冬季取暖造成较高的NPAHs一次排放所致.宝丰采样点Σ _(12)NPAHs浓度水平明显高于英力特,可能与宝丰的煤炭开采及焦炭生产的能源产业较化工产业造成更高的NPAHs一次排放相关,因而造成了Σ _(12)NPAHs浓度水平的空间差异.两个采样点PM_(2.5)中Σ _(12)NPAHs浓度的夜昼比表明,夏季Σ _(12)NPAHs浓度日间明显高于夜间而冬季则相反,表明夏季日间较夜间存在更活跃的大气光化学反应,较夜间贡献更多二次形成的NPAHs. NPAHs族谱特征的时空差异表现为:宝丰和英力特采样点冬夏季均以一次排放标识物2N-FLO和6N-CHR为主要占比,其中宝丰采样点冬季2N-FLO和6N-CHR总占比为46%,夏季为73%,英力特采样点冬季总占为59%,夏季为55%.但英力特采样点夏季二次形成的标识物3N-PHE浓度占比较宝丰更高,表明基于化工产业的英力特较宝丰存在更高的前体物排放,由此贡献更多二次形成的NPAHs.本研究还借助Σ _(12)NPAHs/Σ _(16)PAHs比值对NPAHs可能的来源贡献进行了分析研究,结果表明宁东能源化工基地夏季较高的温度促进了PAHs的降解以及NPAHs的二次形成,较冬季贡献更多二次形成源的NPAHs.基于BaP等效毒性因子评价法估算了PM_(2.5)中Σ _5NPAHs的呼吸暴露肺癌风险,结果表明,宝丰采样点PM_(2.5)中Σ _5NPAHs的肺癌风险值冬季为(3. 06×10~(-5)±1. 36×10~(-5)),夏季为(1. 79×10~(-5)±0. 80×10~(-5)),英力特采样点冬季为(2. 85×10~(-5)±1. 20×10~(-5)),夏季为(1. 86×10~(-5)±0. 83×10~(-5)).宝丰和英力特肺癌风险值均高于Cal/EPA规定的1. 00×10~(-5)的限值,表明宁东能源化工基地人群存在一定程度的大气PM_(2.5)中NPAHs呼吸暴露肺癌风险.     

Aseptically collected calf serum as an effective alternative to fetal calf serum in the culture of amniotic fluid cells

The growth-promoting activities of three different bovine sera have been compared in primary and secondary amniotic fluid cell cultures. In secondary amniotic fluid cell micro- cultures, aseptically collected calf serum (CS) was slightly, though not significantly more effective than fetal calf serum (FCS) in promoting DNA synthesis, while newborn calf serum (NCS) was significantly less effective than either CS or FCS. All three sera were optimally effective at concentrations of 10 per cent (v/v). Significant variation in quality occurred within four batches of each of CS and FCS, but not within four batches of NCS. A selected batch of CS was significantly more effective in promoting the growth of primary amniotic fluid cell cultures than were a number of batches of FCS then in routine laboratory use. It is suggested that CS may serve as an effective and economical alternative to FCS in the culture of amniotic fluid cells, thereby expanding the scope of serum batch testing. A possible explanation for the varying growth-promoting activities of different sera is discussed.     

Fetal blood sampling via the umbilical cord using a needle guided by ultrasound report of 66 cases

Pure fetal blood has been aspirated in utero from the umbilical vein near the placental insertion of the cord using a twenty gauge needle under ultrasound guidance. Sixty-six samples were taken on 63 pregnancies between 17 and 32 weeks of gestation. One to two millilitres of blood can be obtained easily without amniotic fluid dilution or contamination by maternal blood, as confirmed by the measurements of the mean corpuscular volume, the histogram distribution of the red blood cells and the hematocrit. In all cases the Kleihauer test and isoelectrofocusing of the hemoglobins were performed. Coagulation factors were also studied in 60 cases. In 17 cases a medical abortion was voluntarily induced after the procedure, and the follow-up was normal during the observation period after sampling. In the other cases, pregnancies have continued normally and twelve healthy babies have already been born.     

Computer-assisted analysis of fetal behavioural states

A computerized system which simultaneously acquires and quantifies several ultrasonically detected fetal activities, including gross body movements, breathing movements, and eye movements, was developed in order to obtain additional quantitative data on fetal behaviour. Movements were automatically related to fetal heart rate allowing computation of their mean incidence, duration, lag time and percentage time spent moving during different heart rate patterns. The incidence of various behavioural states was also calculated. The study of 15 healthy fetuses near term revealed the existence of statistically significant differences in these parameters between low and high variability patterns of fetal heart rate suggesting a quantitative modulation of fetal movements by behavioural states.     

Unexpected structural chromosome rearrangements in prenatal diagnosis

Among 5315 prenatal diagnoses performed for various indications (maternal age, neural tube defect, metabolic diseases, X-linked diseases, pathologic pregnancies) 29 unexpected structural chromosome rearrangements were found in fetal cells. Fourteen were de novo chromosome rearrangements, six unbalanced, and eight balanced. Fifteen were inherited and balanced rearrangements. This high frequency of structural anomalies is discussed.     

The psychosocial sequelae of a second-trimester termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormality

A retrospective study to investigate the psychosocial sequelae of a second-trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP) for fetal abnormality (FA) is described. After appropriate consent was obtained, 84 women and 68 spouses were visited 2 years after the event and asked to complete an extensive questionnaire. Most couples reported a state of emotional turmoil after the TOP. There were differences in the way couples coped with this confusion of feelings. After 2 years about 20 per cent of the women still complained of regular bouts of crying, sadness, and irritability. Husbands reported increased listlessness, loss of concentration, and irritability for up to 12 months after the TOP. In the same period, there was increased marital disharmony in which 12 per cent of the couples separated for a while and one couple obtained a divorce. These problems could be attributed to a lack of synchrony in the grieving process. Confusing and conflicting feelings led to social isolation and lack of communication. Difficulties in coming to terms with the fetal loss were not found to be linked to the type of fetal abnormality or religious beliefs but were related to parental immaturity, inability to communicate needs, a deep-rooted lack of self-esteem before the pregnancy, lack of supporting relationships, and secondary infertility. Suggestions for improved management are given.     

Radiation hormesis — fact or fiction?

Deriving from the Greek verbhormein, which means to stimulate and excite, hormesis literally refers to any kind of stimulation and excitation. As a medical and geomedical term (though of unsettled status) it has a more restricted meaning however, indicating merely the putative or real stimulatory and beneficial effects observed when a biological system is exposed to a low dose of an agent known to be toxic or hazardous at a significantly larger dose. Depending on the type of stimulatory agent, one can speak of chemical or physical hormesis, radiation hormesis being a member of the latter group. The present paper reviews and evaluates the history and origins of the concept of radiation hormesis and its present status — fact or fiction. It is concluded that despite the numerous, sometimes undeniably strong, individual pieces of evidence that have been presented in favour of this phenomenon, the bulk of the evidence is so far not strong enough to establish it as a scientifically proven fact. It is also evident that, instead of speaking of radiation hormesis as an entity, one should pay attention separately to the effects of alpha, beta and gamma radiation, the deleterious and possible beneficial hormetic effects being different in each case.     

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital cystic adenomatoid lung malformation: A report of seven cases

Six cases of macrocystic and one case of microcystic congenital adenomatoid lung malformation were diagnosed by ultrasound between 20 and 31 weeks of gestation. Combined polyhydramnios and fetal hydrops was present in three cases, polyhydramnios alone in one case, and isolated fetal hydrops also in one case. In the remaining two cases, both polyhydramnios and fetal hydrops were absent. Fetal outcome was poor, i.e., two terminations of pregnancy, three early neonatal deaths, and two survivors.     

Prenatal karyotyping in malformed fetuses

Experience with prenatal karyotyping of 237 fetuses with sonographic evidence of malformation is reported. Abnormal karyotype was found in 40 cases (16-8 per cent): chromosomal aberrations were found in 19 of the 178 fetuses with an isolated structural anomaly (10-6 per cent) and in 21 of the 59 fetuses with multiple malformations (35-6 per cent). Detailed cytogenetic and morphological information concerning fetuses affected by omphalocele, duodenal atresia, hydrocephalus, multicystic kidney, unilateral hydronephrosis and cystic hygroma is reported. The need for a very careful ultrasound evaluation of fetal anatomy in these pregnancies is stressed, as the risk of a chromosomal anomaly depends mainly on the existence of more than one ultrasonically diagnosed structural defect.