Second-trimester levels of maternal urinary gonadotropin peptide in down syndrome pregnancy

Urinary gonadotropin peptide (UGP; β-core fragment), a major metabolite of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), was shown recently to be markedly elevated in Down syndrome pregnancy between 19 and 22 weeks of gestation. To confirm and extend this finding, we obtained maternal urine and matching maternal serum samples from 14 cases of Down syndrome and six other aneuploidies between 17 and 21 weeks of gestation. UGP was measured in all these samples and in 91 singleton control urines. Results were corrected for urinary creatinine level and expressed as multiples of the control median (MOM). hCG levels were assayed in all serum samples from the cases and compared with previously established reference values. The median UGP level in Down syndrome cases was 5.34 MOM (range 2.71–12.57); 88 per cent of the values were above the 95th centile of control levels after modelling. The median maternal serum hCG level for the same cases was 2.20 MOM (range 0.84–3.40); 36 per cent of the values were above the 95th centile. The level of UGP in every case including all other aneuploidies was higher than the comparable maternal serum hCG level. Elevated UGP measurements are strongly associated with fetal Down syndrome during the second trimester and could contribute to improved Down syndrome screening protocols that are more accessible and less expensive than are currently available.     

盐度变化对日本对虾暴发白斑综合症病毒病的影响

为研究盐度在对虾暴发白斑综合症 (whitespotsyndrome)过程中所起的作用 ,进行了盐度变化对日本对虾免疫水平的影响实验及不同盐度下的人工感染实验。结果显示 :(1)盐度是影响日本对虾生理、存活的重要环境因子 ;(2 )盐度变化能够影响对虾的免疫状况 ,盐度升高和降低都会降低日本对虾的免疫水平 ;(3)在偏离对虾正常生存盐度的环境中 ,对虾抵御外来感染能力降低 ,易受病原体如WSSV的感染 ;(4)盐度变化是导致对虾爆发白斑综合症的重要诱因之一。     

Symptoms prevalence among office workers of a sealed versus a non-sealed building: Associations to indoor air quality

ObjectivesAn increasing number of complaints related to time spent in artificially ventilated buildings have been progressively reported and attributed, at least in part, to physical and chemical exposures in the office environment. The objective of this research was to investigate the association between the prevalence of work-related symptoms and the indoor air quality, comparing a sealed office building with a naturally ventilated one, considering, specially, the indoor concentration of TPM, TVOCs and the main individual VOCs.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed to compare the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms among 1736 office workers of a sealed office building and 950 of a non-sealed one, both in Rio de Janeiro's downtown. The prevalence of symptoms was obtained by a SBS standardized questionnaire. The IAQ of the buildings was evaluated through specific methods, to determine the temperature, humidity, particulate matter and volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations.ResultsUpper airways and ophthalmic symptoms, tiredness and headache were highly prevalent in both buildings. Some symptoms were more prevalent in the sealed building: “eye dryness” 33.3% and 27.1% (p: 0.01); “runny nose” 37.3% and 31.3% (p: 0.03); “dry throat” 42% and 36% (p: 0.02); and “lethargy” 58.5% and 50.5% (p: 0.03) respectively. However, relative humidity and indoor total particulate matter (TPM) concentration as well as total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) were paradoxically greater in the non-sealed building, in which aromatic compounds had higher concentration, especially benzene. The analysis between measured exposure levels and resulting symptoms showed no association among its prevalence and TPM, TVOCs, benzene or toluene concentration in none of the buildings.ConclusionsOther disregarded factors, like undetected VOCs, mites, molds and endotoxin concentrations, may be associated to the greater prevalence of symptoms in the sealed building.     

What is “Chernobyl Syndrome?” The Use of Radiophobia in Nuclear Communications

This article examines the use of “radiophobia,” “Chernobyl syndrome,” “irrationality,” and other similar concepts in communications on nuclear issues. Historically, these terms have been used in two ways: to describe psychological effects among people affected by nuclear disasters such as Hiroshima or Chernobyl, and to explain the concerns of the unaffected lay public about radiation or nuclear power projects. The latter was actively used in the Soviet Union and in post-Soviet countries such as Belarus to rejects citizens’ complaints and to denounce the arguments of the anti-nuclear camp. This study argues that although the terms can legitimately be used in many situations, their use in communications about nuclear issues can be problematic.     

Gorlin syndrome (naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome): Prenatal detection in a fetus with macrocephaly and ventriculomegaly

The Gorlin (naevoid basal cell carcinoma) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder consisting principally of naevoid basal cell carcinomas, odontogenic keratocysts, skeletal abnormalities, and intracranial calcification. We report the prenatal detection of the Gorlin syndrome by ultrasonography in a fetus with macrocephaly and mild ventriculomegaly.     

Ethnic differences in determinants of participation and non-participation in prenatal screening for Down syndrome: A theoretical framework

Objective To develop a theoretical framework for analysing ethnic differences in determinants of participation and non-participation in prenatal screening for Down syndrome. Methods We applied Weinstein's Precaution Adoption Process (PAP) Model to the decision of whether or not to participate in prenatal screening for Down syndrome. The prenatal screening stage model was specified by reviewing the empirical literature and by data from seven focus group interviews with Dutch, Turkish and Surinamese pregnant women in the Netherlands. Results We identified 11 empirical studies on ethnic differences in determinants of participation and non-participation in prenatal screening for Down syndrome. The focus group interviews showed that almost all stages and determinants in the stage model were relevant in women's decision-making process. However, there were ethnic variations in the relevance of determinants, such as beliefs about personal consequences of having a child with Down syndrome or cultural and religious norms. Discussion The prenatal screening stage model can be applied as a framework to describe the decision-making process of pregnant women from different ethnic backgrounds. It provides scope for developing culturally sensitive, tailored methods to guide pregnant women towards informed decision-making on participation or non-participation in prenatal screening for Down syndrome. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.