Workshop report on the extraction of foetal DNA from maternal plasma

Objective Cell free foetal DNA (cff DNA) extracted from maternal plasma is now recognized as a potential source for prenatal diagnosis but the methodology is currently not well standardized. To evaluate different manual and automated DNA extraction methods with a view to developing standards, an International Workshop was performed. Methods Three plasma pools from RhD-negative pregnant women, a DNA standard, real-time-PCR protocol, primers and probes for RHD were sent to 12 laboratories and also to one company (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). In pre-tests, pool 3 showed a low cff DNA concentration, pool 1 showed a higher concentration and pool 2 an intermediate concentration. Results The QIAamp DSP Virus Kit, the High Pure PCR Template Preparation Kit, an in-house protocol using the QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit, the CST genomic DNA purification kit, the Magna Pure LC, the MDx, the M48, the EZ1 and an in-house protocol using magnetic beads for manual and automated extraction were the methods that were able to reliably detect foetal RHD. The best results were obtained with the QIAamp DSP Virus Kit. The QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit showed very comparable results in laboratories that followed the manufacturer's protocol and started with ≥ 500 µL plasma. One participant using the QIAamp DNA Blood Midi Kit failed to detect reliably RHD in pool 3. Conclusions This workshop initiated a standardization process for extraction of cff DNA in maternal plasma. The highest yield was obtained by the QIAamp DSP Virus Kit, a result that will be evaluated in more detail in future studies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

焊接面罩的发展历程

焊接面罩是一种焊工防护装备,也是重要焊接辅助工具。本文主要介绍自焊接面罩出现100多年以来,经历了众多的改进,从手持式焊接面罩到头戴式焊接面罩、从黑玻璃焊接面罩到自动变光焊接面罩、从单一功能焊接面罩到多种功能集结的焊接面罩。同时指出,基于材料和技术的进步,焊接面罩不会停止创新的步伐,焊接面罩将在保护焊工、提高焊接质量和效率方面扮演重要角色。     

电焊条生产行业职业危害统计指标研究

简洁、有效、便利的职业危害统计指标不仅能够提高职业危害评价结果的准确性,更能提高实际工作效率,对职业危害监管工作具有重要的意义。根据电焊条生产行业的特点,通过相关分析法、逐步回归分析法,对几个典型企业的监测数据进行分析,筛选出了最能直接判断电焊条生产行业职业危害状况的统计指标。入选的指标独立性好,适合进一步拟合电焊条生产行业职业危害监管模型。     

高频感应焊接场所电磁曝露的研究

分析了MOSFET(Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor)管固态电源高频焊机在工作过程中产生电磁场的机理,通过定性分析和实际测量描述了不同工作条件下的高频时变电场特征,与ICNIRP发布的限定值比较,分析了焊接作业人员的高频电磁曝露问题。通过对高频焊接环境电磁辐射的定量描述和认识,对于规范焊接操作,尽可能降低从业人员电磁曝露的影响具有指导意义。     

焊接防护具抗热穿透性能测试仪的研制

焊接防护具是指一种保护佩戴者免受由焊接或相关作业所产生的有害光辐射及其他特定有害因素的装置。它是从事焊接与热切割作业人员必备的个体防护装备。抗热穿透性能是表征焊接防护具产品质量和安全性能的最重要技术指标之一。然而,如何快速、便捷、节能、准确地对焊接防护具抗热穿透性能进行检测,是迫切需要解决的技术难题。本文在简要分析国内外眼面部防护标准中抗热穿透性能技术要求和测试方法的基础上,提出了一种测试焊接防护具抗热穿透性能的方法,并成功研制了焊接防护具抗热穿透性能测试仪。     

植物铜耐性机理的研究进展

主要从植物根细胞壁积累固定、细胞膜对铜的吸收控制、金属配体的螯合作用、铜在系统液泡的分隔机制及胁迫蛋白的合成5个方面,分别阐述植物对铜分子的耐性机制的研究进展,全面了解了铜在植物中的亚细胞分布、铜在植物根系到地上部分运输过程的转运机制以及植物在铜胁迫下的抗性反应等。并在此基础上提出了存在的问题以及今后研究的重点。     

汽车制造厂焊接车间通风方式的研究

汽车制造厂焊接车间在焊接工艺过程中会产生一定量的有害气体,如何使工程初投资与系统运行费用最低,控制有害物的排放,以某工程实例,对诱导式通风方式进行了研究与数值模拟计算,并与原来只设屋顶排风机的通风方式进行比较,最后得出结论,采用15°喷射角的诱导通风方式,有利于有害物的排出,通风效果良好,且运行节能。     

Protective effects of honey against cadmium-induced alteration of some biochemical parameters in rats

The objective of this study is to elucidate on the effect of honey on plasma and organ biochemical parameters of albino rats exposed to acute and sub-chronic dose of cadmium chloride. Uric acid levels, activities of plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, organ (liver, lungs, and kidney) AST, ALT, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were determined. Plasma uric acid and glucose levels, plasma LDH, AST, and ALT activities were significantly decreased; activities of organ SOD, CAT, AST, and ALT activities were increased in rats administered sub-chronically and acutely with cadmium (Cd). Treatment with honey restored their levels to normal.     

Evaluation of 3-hydroxy-benzo[a]pyrene levels in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after waterborne exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene

3-Hydroxy-benzo[a]pyrene (3-OH-BaP), a toxic compound with the ability to covalently bind with the macromolecules (proteins and DNA), is one of the major phenolic metabolites of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of 3-OH-BaP in the bile and plasma of Nile tilapia by HPLC with fluorescence detection, after waterborne exposure to BaP (10 and 100?µg?L^?1). Metabolites were detected in bile and plasma, and conjugates of 3-OH-BaP (glucuronide and/or sulphate conjugates) were the majority forms in both biological fluids, glucuronide 3-OH-BaP being the main metabolite in bile. Our data suggest that extrahepatic tissues as intestine or gill are important in BaP metabolism and need to be the considered sources of metabolites released into the blood. Although, low levels of 3-OH-BaP in toxic form (free form) were detected in plasma, one cannot exclude the possibility of circulating the levels leading to adverse effects.