Does a ‘notched’ nuchal translucency indicate Down syndrome fetuses or other adverse pregnancy outcome?

The aim of the present study was to assess the sonographic contour of the increased nuchal translucency (NT) and to correlate this with pregnancy outcome. Fifty sonographic images of fetuses with increased NT [>95th centile thickness of the normal range for crown–rump length (CRL) between 38 and 84 mm] were retrospectively assessed. In all the cases a complete pregnancy and even infancy follow-up (<36 months) was available. The NT appearances were subdivided into two forms: a ‘notched’ or ‘uniform’ appearance. The images were correlated with karyotype results [trisomy 21 (DS) vs euploid cases] and pregnancy outcome. Complicated outcomes were classified as being either DS fetuses, miscarriage or termination of pregnancy because of structural anomaly. Thus 30/35 (86%) of the euploid fetuses had a ‘uniformly’ increased NT, whereas 8/13 DS cases (62%) had a ‘notched’ appearance (Fisher's exact test, p=0.004). Additionally, 27/29 fetuses (93%) which had an uneventful pregnancy outcome had a ‘uniform’ increased NT, whereas 12/26 (57%) of the fetuses which had adverse pregnancy outcome had a ‘notched’ appearance of their NT (Fisher's exact test, p<0.001). Although it was not possible to correlate the sonographic data with post-evacuation microdissection findings, it is possible that a uniformly shaped, increased NT may be more representative of a developmental delay in a normal fetus. Conversely, a ‘notched’ nuchal surface may represent abnormal lymphatic or cardiovascular development more commonly seen in DS fetuses. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

北部污水处理厂污泥消化系统大修技术措施探讨

消化系统是污水处理厂污泥处理中的核心工艺环节,其运行效率及运行安全性直接影响污泥处理效果。结合北部污水处理厂消化池的运行管理及大修工作,总结经验,为消化系统稳定运行提供借鉴。     

MBR处理抗生素废水实验研究

以沈阳某制药厂为例,以制药厂废水处理工程UASB出水为原水,开展了MBR处理抗生素废水小试实验,对CODcr去除效果、氨氮去除效果以及膜的清洗与再生进行了研究。研究表明：当进水CODcr负荷小于7kg/m·3d时,出水CODcr在40mg/L以下,出水氨氮在40mg/L以下,处理效果良好;采用5%NaOH以及0.5%NaClO溶液作为化学清洗药剂时,清洗效果较好。     

膜生物反应器脱氮效能的实验研究

介绍了在实验室中采用膜生物反应器与A/O法结合处理生活污水的运行情况,研究膜生物反应器脱氮效能,借以为后续的研究及应用提供参考。