Evaluation of X,Y, 18, and 13/21 alpha satellite DNA probes for interphase cytogenetic analysis of uncultured amniocytes by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The major aneuploidies diagnosed prenatally involve the autosomes 13, 18, and 21, and sex chromosomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) allows rapid analysis of chromosome copy number in interphase cells. This prospective study evaluated the use of four commercially available centromeric DNA probes (DXZ1, DYZ1, D18Z1, and D13Z1/D21Z1) for direct analysis of uncultured amniocytes. One hundred and sixteen amniotic fluid samples were analysed by FISH and standard cytogenetics. This evaluation demonstrated that FISH with, X, Y, and 18 alpha satellite DNA probes could accurately and rapidly detect aneuploidies involving these chromosomes and could be used in any prenatal clinical laboratory. In contrast, the 13/21 alpha satellite DNA probe hybridizing both chromosomes 13 and 21 was unreliable for prenatal diagnosis in uncultured amniocytes.     

Prenatal detection of trisomy 21 in uncultured amniocytes by fluorescence in situ hybridization: A prospective study

A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the detection of trisomy 21 in interphase nuclei of uncultured amniotic fluid cells. Five hundred cases were analysed in situ and classified as normal or abnormal; the results were subsequently checked against the cytogenetic findings. Four hundred and ninety-three were correctly identified as normal with an 86·6 per cent average frequency of scored nuclei exhibiting two signals; six cases were correctly identified as trisomic for chromosome 21 with 81·7 per cent of scored nuclei exhibiting three signals; and one abnormal case involving an unbalanced chromosome 21·21 translocation was falsely scored as normal due to poor hybridization/detection efficiency. The method has been substantially improved and simplified so that it is suitable for the rapid detection of trisomy 21. As aneuploidy detection in interphase does not identify structural chromosome aberrations, it is not a substitute for fetal chromosome analysis.     

Molecular cytogenetic analysis of term placentae suspected of mosaicism using fluorescence in situ hybridization

In first-trimester chorionic villus sampling (CVS) for prenatal diagnosis, abnormal chromosomal findings, such as mosaicism, trisomies, or suspect abnormal karyotypes, are found more frequently than at amniocentesis. The fact that these chromosomal abnormalities do not always reflect the fetal karyotype but may be restricted to the placenta is a major problem in diagnosis and counselling. In this paper we present the results of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies on interphase nuclei of three term placentae investigated because of false-positive findings at first-trimester CVS. The chorionic villi of the first case showed a mosaic chromosome pattern involving a trisomy 10 cell line and a normal cell line, those of the second case a total trisomy 8 cell line, while in the third case a complete monosomy X was found. Follow-up amniocentesis in each of these three cases revealed a normal karyotype. By using FISH, we were able to confirm the presence of the aberrant cell lines, which were all confined to one part of the placenta. FISH on interphase nuclei allows the investigation of large numbers of cells for the existence of numerical chromosome aberrations in a quick and reliable way.     

Rh-Al-MCM-41上NO选择性催化还原的原位红外研究

利用气-固相固定床反应装置考察了Rh交换的Al-MCM-41在高气体空速条件下对贫燃NOx的选择性催化还原活性,考察了氧含量对其的影响。结果表明,在200000h~(-1)的气体空速、O_2/C_3H_6=20、603K时,NO转化率为74.3％。利用原位FTIR技术研究了该催化剂的表面吸附物种及表面程序升温反应行为,并结合实验观察探讨了贫燃条件下Rh-Al-MCM-41催化剂上NO的选择性催化还原机理。     

利用磁信息研究潮滩重金属污染的探讨

本文以长江口潮滩沉积物的系统磁性测量为基础,对照化学分析和粒度分析等数据,初步探讨了潮滩沉积物的磁性特征与重金属元素含量的相关联系及其机理,建立了重金属元素含量与磁参数的定量关系模型,并揭示了长江口潮滩重金属污染的空间特征及其与沉积环境的联系。本项工作成功地探索了利用磁信息研究潮滩重金属污染的技术路线和应用前景,指出了在一定区域内,利用适量样品的磁性测量与重金属元素分析数据,建立其定量回归模型的可行性。从而可以在区域污染调查中,通过广泛的磁数据测量,由经验公式定量地估算不同滩地部分的重金属元素含量,以全面了解潮滩重金属污染的空间分布,分析其规律和机理。由于磁测方法具有快速、简便、经济、易行等特点,它为大范围的潮滩重金属污染研究提供了一项实用有效的辅助手段。     

Modeling in situ ozonation for the remediation of nonvolatile PAH-contaminated unsaturated soils

Mathematical models were developed to investigate the characteristics of gaseous ozone transport under various soil conditions and the feasibility of in situ ozone venting for the remediation of unsaturated soils contaminated with phenanthrene. On the basis of assumptions for the mass transfer and reactions of ozone, three approaches were considered: equilibrium, kinetic, and lump models. Water-saturation-dependent reactions of gaseous ozone with soil organic matter (SOM) and phenanthrene were employed. The models were solved numerically by using the finite-difference method, and the model parameters were determined by using the experimental data of Hsu [The use of gaseous ozone to remediate the organic contaminants in the unsaturated soils, PhD Thesis, Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI, 1995]. The transport of gas-phase ozone is significantly retarded by ozone consumption due to reactions with SOM and phenanthrene, in addition to dissolution. An operation time of 156 h was required to completely remove phenanthrene in a 5-m natural soil column. In actual situations, however, the operation time is likely to be longer than the ideal time because of unknown factors including heterogeneity of the porous medium and the distribution of SOM and contaminant. The ozone transport front length was found to be very limited (< 1 m). The sensitivity analysis indicated that SOM is the single most important factor affecting in situ ozonation for the remediation of unsaturated soil contaminated with phenanthrene. Models were found to be insensitive to the reaction mechanisms of phenathrene with either gas-phase ozone or dissolved ozone. More study is required to quantify the effect of OH* formation on the removal of contaminant and on ozone transport in the subsurface.     

In situ anion diffusion experiments using radiotracers

Diffusion experiments in compacted bentonite have been carried out in situ using the borehole laboratory CHEMLAB. The "ordinary" anion iodide and the redox-sensitive pertechnetate ion have been investigated. In spite of strongly reducing groundwater conditions, technetium was found to diffuse mostly unreduced as TcO4-, although in some spots in the compacted clay, the activity was significantly higher, which may be explained by reduction of some TcO4- by iron-containing minerals in the bentonite. The measured concentration profiles in the clay cannot be accommodated by assuming one single diffusion process. The experimental data are modeled assuming two diffusion paths, intralamellar diffusion and diffusion in external water. The apparent diffusivity for the intralamellar diffusion was found to be 8.6 x 10(-11) m2 s(-1) for iodide with a capacity factor of 0.1, while the apparent diffusivity for the diffusion in external water was found to be 5 x 10(-14) m2 s(-1) with alpha=2.26. The corresponding values for Tc were found to be Da= 6 x 10(-11) m2 s(-1), alpha=0.1 and Da= 1 x 10(-13) m2 s(-1), alpha=0.46, respectively. The diffusion constants and capacity factors obtained in this study are in accordance with data from laboratory experiments.     

Concentrations and trends of benzene in ambient air over New York State during 1990–2003

Since 1990s, a systematic program to measure air toxics has been active in New York State with monitors located both in urban and rural areas. In this study we examined the spatial and temporal characteristics of benzene, a known human carcinogen that is emitted by many source categories. The analysis indicates that ambient concentration levels of benzene have decreased by as much as 60% over this period not only in the ozone non-attainment area of New York City that had the reformulated gas (RFG) requirements, but also over the rest of the state as well. Although the rate of decrease appears to have flattened out in recent years, the annual average concentration levels are found to be above the health risk threshold even at the remote location, Whiteface Mountain, suggesting the need for further reductions in benzene emissions.     

CSTR系统发酵产氢细菌群落动态与产氢能力关系解析

将CSTR系统内pH由4.2一次性提高至6.0左右,启动发酵类型的转化,研究了转化过程系统内的产氢动态和细菌群落.结果表明,在有机负荷维持在（33±1）kg/(m³·d)的情况下,发酵类型10 d内未发生改变,产氢量8 d内未降低,15 d后系统内种群由乙醇型转化为丁酸型,进水碱度由250 mg/L增至2 450　mg/L.研究中利用荧光原位杂交技术（FISH）对反应系统内3类微生物群进行监测发现,在转化过程中Clostridium cluster XI数量增加,Clostridium cluster Ⅰ 和Ⅱ数量减少,而Enterobacteriaceae始终存在,变化不明显.种群的消长同反应系统产氢能力的高低存在密切关联,以Clostridium cluster Ⅰ和Ⅱ占优势的乙醇型发酵具有更佳的产氢能力,平均比产氢速率为23.6 mol/(kg·d).     

膜生物反应器亚硝化性能的影响因素研究

利用膜生物反应器成功启动了亚硝化工艺处理人工合成废水.为了确定影响亚硝化工艺效果的因素,先后对温度和溶解氧浓度进行了研究,结果表明,在温度35℃并且NH4+-N负荷平均0.45 kg.(m3.d)-1和溶解氧0.5 mg/L的条件下,可使出水中NO3--N的浓度低于20 mg.L-1,而ρ(NO2--N)∶ρ(NH4+-N)接近1.0.同时发现反应器运行期间,在低溶解氧的情况下,膜组件的污染并不严重.荧光原位杂交分析发现,在膜生物反应器中氨氧化菌成为优势菌种,亚硝酸盐氧化菌的活性受到了抑制.微生物群落分析则进一步提供了实现亚硝化工艺所必需的生物信息.