Residual risk for cytogenetic abnormalities after prenatal diagnosis by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

Results from conventional cytogenetic studies on 21 609 amniotic fluid specimens were analyzed retrospectively to determine the residual risk for a cytogenetic abnormality if interphase FISH, capable of only detecting aneuploidy for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, was performed and did not reveal an abnormality. Detection rates (the probability of detecting a cytogenetic abnormality when an abnormality is present) and residual risks (the likelihood of a cytogenetic abnormality, in view of normal interphase FISH results) were calculated for the four major clinical indications for prenatal diagnosis (advanced maternal age, abnormal maternal serum screen indicating increased risk for trisomy 18 or trisomy 21, abnormal maternal serum screen indicating increased risk for neural tube defects and ultrasound abnormality). Differences in detection rates were observed to depend on clinical indication and presence or absence of ultrasound abnormalities. The detection rate ranged from 18.2 to 82.6% depending on the clinical indication. The detection rates of abnormalities significant to the pregnancy being evaluated (i.e. abnormalities excluding familial balanced rearrangements and familial markers) were between 28.6 and 86.4%. The presence of ultrasound abnormalities increased the detection rate from 72.2 to 92.5% for advanced maternal age and from 78.6 to 91.3% for abnormal maternal serum screen, indicating increased risk for trisomy 18 or trisomy 21. With regard to residual risk, the risk for a clinically significant abnormality decreased from 0.9–10.1%, prior to the interphase FISH assay, to a residual risk of 0.6–1.5% following a normal interphase FISH result in the 4 groups studied. Providing patients with detection rates and residual risks, most relevant to their situation (clinical indication and presence or absence of ultrasound abnormality) during counseling, could help them better understand the advantages and limitations of interphase FISH in their prenatal diagnostic evaluation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Measurement of air exchange rates in different indoor environments using continuous CO2 sensors

A new air exchange rate (AER) monitoring method using continuous CO₂ sensors was developed and validated through both laboratory experiments and field studies. Controlled laboratory simulation tests were conducted in a 1-m³ environmental chamber at different AERs (0.1-10.0 hr^-1). AERs were determined using the decay method based on box model assumptions. Field tests were conducted in classrooms, dormitories, meeting rooms and apartments during 2-5 weekdays using CO₂ sensors coupled with data loggers. Indoor temperature, relative humidity (RH), and CO₂ concentrations were continuously monitored while outdoor parameters combined with on-site climate conditions were recorded. Statistical results indicated that good laboratory performance was achieved: duplicate precision was within 10%, and the measured AERs were 90%-120% of the real AERs. Average AERs were 1.22, 1.37, 1.10, 1.91 and 0.73 hr^-1 in dormitories, air-conditioned classrooms, classrooms with an air circulation cooling system, reading rooms, and meeting rooms, respectively. In an elderly particulate matter exposure study, all the homes had AER values ranging from 0.29 to 3.46 hr??1 in fall, and 0.12 to 1.39 hr^-1 in winter with a median AER of 1.15.     

Absorption characteristics of new solvent based on a blend of AMP and 1,8-diamino-p-menthane for CO2 absorption

Aqueous 1,8-diamino-p-menthane (KIER-C3) and commercially available amine solutions were tested for CO₂ absorption. A 2-amino- 2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) solution with an addition of KIER-C3 showed 9.3% and 31.6% higher absorption rate for CO₂ than the AMP solution with an addition of monoethanolamine (MEA) and ammonia (NH₃), respectively. The reaction rate constant for CO₂ absorption by the AMP/KIER-C3 solution was determined by the following equation: k_2,AMP/C3 = 7.702×10⁶ exp (-2248.03/T). A CO₂ loading ratio of the AMP/KIER-C3 solution was also 2 and 3.4-times higher than that of the AMP/NH3 solution and the AMP/MEA solution, respectively. Based on the experimental results, KIER-C3 may be used as an excellent additive to increase CO₂ absorption capability of AMP.     

Rapid decolorization of Acid Orange II aqueous solution by amorphous zero-valent iron

Some problems including low treatment capacity, agglomeration and clogging phenomena, and short working life, limit the application of pre-treatment methods involving zero-valent iron (ZVI). In this article, ZVI was frozen in an amorphous state through a melt-spinning technique, and the decolorization effect of amorphous ZVI on Acid Orange II solution was investigated under varied conditions of experimental variables such as reaction temperature, ribbon dosage, and initial pH. Batch experiments suggested that the decolorization rate was enhanced with the increase of reaction temperature and ribbon dosage, but decreased with increasing initial solution pH. Kinetic analyses indicated that the decolorization process followed a first order exponential kinetic model, and the surface-normalized decolorization rate could reach 2.09 L/(m². min) at room temperature, which was about ten times larger than any previously reported under similar conditions. Recycling experiments also proved that the ribbons could be reused at least four times without obvious decay of decolorization rate and efficiency. This study suggests a tremendous application potential for amorphous ZVI in remediation of groundwater or wastewater contaminated with azo dyes.     

北方地区潜流人工湿地冬季保温措施的研究

人工湿地作为一种造价较省,运行成本低的污水处理技术,目前已经得到了广泛的应用.但是在北方地区,人工湿地受到冬季气候影响,无法正常运行,降低了它的使用效率.试验针对北方冬季低温环境下,人工湿地无法正常运行的问题,对3种不同的保温措施进行历时两年的对比试验,通过对TP、TN、NH₄⁺-N和COD等4种主要污染物和人工湿地出水水温的跟踪监测,检验了不同保温措施的效果.试验结果表明:在冬季,使用薄膜法保温措施的处理系统中, COD、TN和NH₄⁺-N的去除率分别为30%~45%、40%~60%和35%~60%,比温棚法和冰封法的出水中污染物去除率高10%~20%.TP在出水中含量波动较大,去除率为19%~70%,伴有磷释放现象,但是在薄膜保温下TP的去除效果也要好于温棚和冰封.经过SPSS 16.0分析,薄膜保温的人工湿地出水水质与冰封和温棚法相比具有显著性差异.在对人工湿地曝气槽和出水口的污水水温进行监测发现,利用薄膜保温的人工湿地出水口水温高于冰封和温棚的水温,进一步证明薄膜保温可以有效提高人工湿地内的温度,为人工湿地正常运行提供了保证.而且薄膜保温措施的操作简便、造价低,适合推广应用.     

极端嗜盐菌Halomonas elogata的分离鉴定及其降解偶氮染料活性兰BRF的条件优化研究

从新疆地区土壤中经驯化、分离纯化得到一株极端嗜盐菌,并对其形态特征、生理生化特性及16S rDNA同源性进行了检索比较,鉴定该菌株为伸长盐单胞菌(Halomonas elogata);其次,考察了不同因素对菌株降解偶氮染料--活性兰BRF的影响,比较了不同盐度条件下的降解率,并在30℃、5%盐度生长条件下采用单因素实验考察了该菌接菌量、染料初始浓度、初始pH等因素对活性兰BRF72h降解率的影响,采用正交试验L9(33)获得适宜的降解条件;最后,通过紫外-可见吸收光谱分析了降解产物.结果表明,该菌株耐盐范围为0～32%,最适生长盐度为5%～20%;在盐度为3%～25%条件下该菌株对活性兰BRF的降解率随着盐度的升高先升后降,5%盐度下的降解效果最佳;在30℃、5%盐度下适宜降解条件为:染料浓度100mg·L-1,pH=7,接菌量5%,72h的降解率为88.62%.紫外-可见光谱结果显示,降解产物的光谱与活性兰BRF的明显不同,可见光区的吸收峰消失,正己烷萃取液无紫外吸收,二氯甲烷萃取液出现两个紫外吸收峰,推测为芳胺类及杂环类等极性化合物;质谱分析证实,降解产物合苯甲基二胺、2,6-氨基苯酚等极性化合物.     

不同堆沤处理对玉米秸秆厌氧发酵的影响

研究利用纤维素分解菌F2对玉米秸秆进行堆沤预处理,将经不同堆沤预处理时间后的秸秆与猪粪混合进行厌氧发酵产沼气试验。结果发现,堆沤15 d后秸秆的总有机碳含量降低了10.06%,VS去除率和纤维素降解率比未加菌堆沤预处理分别提高了10.74%、10.60%;加菌堆沤预处理后的秸秆厌氧发酵甲烷产气率、干物质产气率、发酵前后VS去除率均高于未加菌堆沤预处理后的秸秆,且产气效率也有明显的提高;加菌堆沤预处理10 d的秸秆比未加菌堆沤预处理15 d的秸秆提前了2 d达到产气高峰,累计产气量达到21 957 mL,比未加菌堆沤预处理15 d的秸秆增加了1 629 mL。实验结果表明:该纤维素分解菌对玉米秸秆纤维素有较强的降解能力,并在一定程度上促进了有机碳的矿化;有效地提高了秸秆的生物降解性能,缩短了预处理所需时间;同时提高了玉米秸秆的利用率和产气潜力。     

放射源在线监控系统设计与应用

为了防止在使用放射源时发生脱落、丢失、超标使用、私自转移等情况,最大限度避免辐射安全事故,有必要设计建立放射源在线监控系统,对放射源放射性指标(辐射剂量率)及所处位置(经纬度)实行连续的自动监测。并通过各级监管平台设置放射源超标、异动等报警程序,全面提升放射源科学监管水平。     

基于吸附质-分子探针的新型交联壳聚糖的吸附特性

研究了CCTS对低浓度游离酸的吸附特性,基于吸附质-分子探针电位法,考察了吸附剂活性中心数目、游离酸种类和温度对吸附行为的影响。结果表明,在30℃时,CCTS吸附游离酸的过程,遵循单分子层机理进行吸附。吸附剂―吸附质相互作用能U制约表观吸附速率常数K,K、U大小分别为2.519×10-2,4.084×10-2,9.398×10-2L/min和7.264,7.420,7.926 kJ/mol,两者存在线性相关性,呈逐渐增大趋势。K、U大小随着活性中心数目G的增加而增大。CCTS吸附游离酸为吸热过程,吸附表观活化能Ea为33.98 kJ/mol。3种类型游离酸K、U的大小顺序为:HClO4>HNO3>H2SO4,吸附分维数Dw分别为1.384、1.567、1.911,Dw值越大,导致表观吸附速率常数降低。