Characterization of aliphatic hydrocarbons in deep subsurface soils near the outskirts of Beijing, China

Thirty-nine deep subsurface soils( 150—180 cm depth) near the outskirts of Beijing were investagated. The concentrations including n-alkanes from C13 to C36, pristane and phytane were in the range of 0.60 to 170.10μg/g, with a median value of 4.26. Carbon preference index values for n-alkanes ranged from 1.08 to 2.98, with a median value of 1.48. The percentage contribution of “wax” nalkanes was in the range of 6.03%--46.22%. A predominance of odd/even carbon n-alkanes and unresolved complex mixtures with different shapes and ranges were frequently observed. Factor analysis reduced the data set into three principal components and confirming contributions from low ( 19.58% ), medium ( 20.49% ) molecular weight species and long-chain n-alkanes (43.41% ), respectively.Molecular biomarkers such as pristane, phytane, hopanes and steranes were detected. Based on the principal component analysis, the concentration profiles and molecular markers, it was found that the aliphatic hydrocarbons were from both biogenic and anthropogenic sources.     

Abnormal immunological development in fetuses with trisomy 18

Flow cytometry was used to enumerate the lymphocyte subpopulations in fetal blood obtained by cordocentesis from eight trisomy 18 fetuses at 20–36 weeks' gestation. Compared with values in chromosomally normal fetuses, in trisomy 18 the mean T- and natural killer (NK) cell counts were significantly lower (t= − 7·63, P<0·001 and t= − 3·58, P<0·01, respectively); the mean B-cell count was not significantly different (t= − 1·32). These findings demonstrate that in trisomy 18 there is abnormal intrauterine development of the immune system.     

The causes and natural history of fetal ascites

The purpose of this study was to examine the natural history and differential diagnosis of ultrasound-detected, isolated fetal ascites. Retrospective review of our patient data base, from 1989 to 1993, revealed 18 patients with fetal ascites diagnosed sonographically. Fetuses presenting with generalized hydrops were excluded. One of the 18 fetuses with ascites had a chromosomal abnormality (trisomy 21), four fetuses had intrauterine infections, seven had gastrointestinal processes, two had genitourinary tract abnormalities, and four were labelled as ‘idiopathic’ (all four resulting in normal neonates). Seventeen of 18 fetuses survived; there was one fetal demise secondary to active syphilis. One fetus with parvovirus infection required intrauterine transfusion and did well. Two infants are developmentally retarded, including one with trisomy 21 and one with microcephaly secondary to cytomegalovirus infection. Fourteen of 18 fetuses had documented in-utero resolution of the ascites. Eleven of the 18 were associated with polyhydramnios sometime during fetal life. None of the fetuses developed hydrops. In conclusion, fetal ascites can result from many different aetiologies, including gastrointestinal and genitourinary anomalies. Chromosomal abnormalities and viral aetiologies must also be considered. Fetuses who have isolated ascites can have a good outcome with resolution of the ascites antenatally.     

Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 9 mosaicism possibly limited to fetal membranes

In repeat amniotic fluid cultures mosaicism due to trisomy 9 was noted. Autopsy of the aborted female fetus showed a sinus urogenitalis and gonadal dysgenesis with absence of germ cells only. Fetal lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts had a normal karyotype but trisomy 9 was found in cells grown from placenta. It is likely that trisomic cells were limited to fetal membranes.     

Improvement of prenatal diagnosis of wilson disease using microsatellite markers

This paper describes a case of prenatal diagnosis for Wilson disease (WD) carried out in an at-risk couple of Sardinian descent, following non-directive genetic counselling. Diagnosis was obtained by using eight microsatellites located within or flanking the WD locus, six of which were 100 per cent and two 50 per cent informative. The use of several markers may limit the occurrence of misdiagnosis resulting from recombination or instability of repeats.     

Trisomy 20 mosaicism

A further case of trisomy 20 mosaicism found at amniocentesis is presented. Pregnancy was terminated, the fetus showed facial dysmorphia and minor cardial and renal anomalies. 19 published reports of true trisomy 20 mosaicism at amniocentesis are reviewed. Five pregnancies resulted in obviously normal newborns. The significance of mostly minor anomalies found at autopsy of 7 fetuses remains unclear. With regard to genetic counselling the significance of trisomy 20 mosaicism is summarized as follows: (1) true trisomy 20 mosaicism in amniotic fluid cells reflects mosaicism of the fetus; (2) severe malformation is not a major feature of trisomy 20 mosaicism; (3) the risk of mental retardation is still undetermined, due to limited experience. However, there is no definite proof that the condition is harmful at all.     

Alternative male mating tactics in a cichlid, Pelvicachromis pulcher: a comparison of reproductive effort and success

Pelvicachromis pulcher is a small African cichlid which breeds in holes. Males may either reproduce monogamously (pair males), polygynously (harem males), or be tolerated as helpers in a harem territory (satellite males). These helpers share in defence of the territory against conspecifics, heterospecific competitors and predators. There are two male colour morphs that are fixed for life and are apparently genetically determined. These differ in their potential mating strategy. Red morph males may become harem owners, while yellow morph males may become satellite males, and males of both morphs may alternatively pair up monogamously. We compared the reproductive effort and success of these three male reproductive strategies. Effort was measured as attack rates, time expenditure and the risk of being injured or killed when attacking competitors or predators of three sympatric fish species. Reproductive success was measured by observing how many eggs were fertilized by each male when this was possible, and by using genetic markers. The number of fry surviving to independence of parental care was used as a criterion of success. The reproductive success of harem males was 3.3 times higher than that of pair males and 7 times higher than that of the average satellite male. Dominant satellite males, however, were as successful as monogamous pair males, using the measure of fertilized eggs. To our knowledge, this has not been found previously in any fish species. Both harem and pair males had lower parental defence costs per sired offspring, however, than males using the alternative satellite tactic. Defence effort was significantly related to the risk of injury. Received: 17 January 1996 / Accepted after revision: 9 June 1997     

同源四倍体与二倍体水稻Wx基因位点的遗传差异

测定了中国科学院成都生物所培育出的14种同源四倍体水稻及8种大面积推广的二倍体水稻的直链淀粉含量，并利用微卫星标记484／485，Wxup2／485及PCR—AceⅠ分子标记对同源四倍体及二倍体水稻进行扩增．发现直链淀粉含量发生变化的部分同源四倍体水稻队基因位点发生变异，表明微卫星标记与同源四倍体水稻直链淀粉含量之间存在相关性，并初步探讨了同源四倍体水稻Wx基因位点遗传变异的原因．图2表1参13     

Demonstration of spontaneously dividing male fetal cells in maternal blood by negative magnetic cell sorting and fish

We investigated a case of massive feto-maternal bleeding by using negative magnetic cell sorting (MACS) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). A 37-year-old pregnant woman had an uncomplicated amniocentesis for advanced maternal age at 16 weeks' gestation. The fetal karyotype was 46, XY. At 19 weeks' gestation, she had a minor car accident and slight vaginal bleeding. A subsequent Kleihauer-Betke test showed a 140 ml feto-maternal haemorrhage. Serial sonographic examinations indicated a normal fetus and placenta. We performed FISH analysis on maternal peripheral blood at 25 weeks. Anti-CD45 and MACS were used to deplete maternal leucocytes, enriching the proportion of fetal nucleated erythrocytes present. The isolated cells were analysed by using dual-colour FISH with X and Y specific probes. Approximately 65 800 nucleated cells were obtained after MACS depletion. A total of 234 cells were analysed by FISH. The results revealed that 70 of the nucleated cells (30 per cent) were male with one X and one Y signal. Among these cells, six male metaphases were observed in spontaneously dividing cells.     

Oligohydramnios with amnio-chorionic separation at 15–16 weeks' gestation

Nine patients with oligohydramnios and amnio-chorionic separation were identified out of 7000 women who underwent a vaginal ultrasound examination at 15–16 weeks' gestation. Oligohydramnios was defined as a reduced amount of amniotic fluid, a distance of more than 1 cm between the chorion and amnion, and a good turgor of the amnion without floating membranes or intrauterine sheets. Fetal malformations were observed in all nine cases. In four of six fetuses where chromosomal analysis was available, an abnormal karyotype was found. It is concluded that oligohydramnios in the early second trimester is associated with fetal abnormality.