Detection of low-grade mosaicism in fetal cells isolated from maternal blood

Recovering and analysing fetal erythrocytes from maternal blood is being pursued for non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis. We report the observation of 46, XY/47, XXY mosaicism in fetal cells from a woman whose first-trimester chorionic villus sampling (CVS) initially showed only 46, XY. Only after exhaustive (500 cells) analysis were four XXY cells found in cultured villi.     

11种有机磷农药对海洋微藻致毒效应的研究

通过研究不同盐度条件下１１种有机磷农药对扁藻的相对增长率和叶绿素ａ含量的影响，得到了Ｓ＝３０和Ｓ＝２０时的半数有效浓度，并比较其大小。盐度作为环境因子，影响到有机磷农药的毒性。研究发现，遥有机磷农药在低浓度时出现一定限度的促生长作用；容易进攻细胞膜的有机磷农药对扁藻的致毒性相对较强；此外，有机磷农药的毒性大小与其结构密切相关含有苯环结构的有机磷农药毒性大小不含有苯 有机磷农药的毒性。     

灰色生长曲线与万元产值废水量预测

基于ＧＩＭ（１）灰色线性幂函数曲线，研究开发出ＧＰＭ（１）这一新的灰色生长曲线，并建立了ＧＰＭ（１）简捷的参数辨别方法。研究表明，ＧＰＭ（１）概念明确，结论可信，精度令人满意，比传统的皮尔生长曲线在应用上有着更大的优越性。为具有生长规律的非线性灰色环境系统的分析、预测和决策提供了新途径。     

Flow sorting of fetal erythroblasts using intracytoplasmic anti-fetal haemoglobin: Preliminary observations on maternal samples

Monoclonal antibody to fetal haemoglobin (a₂γy₂) has been proposed as a fetal-specific reagent. We developed an intracellular staining protocol that combines fluorescein isothiocyanate or phycoerythrin conjugated anti-γ with the DNA binding dye Hoechst 33342 to identify and flow sort fetal erythroblasts from maternal blood. Our preliminary observations on anti-γ-positive cells sorted from four different pregnant women are described here, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome-specific probes to identify fetal cells. Our data demonstrate that far fewer candidate fetal cells are sorted with this protocol than by current cell surface staining methods that employ the monoclonal antibody CD71. This results in increased fetal cell sorting purities. With this protocol, standard FISH techniques require modification due to the rigorous fixation with 4 per cent paraformaldehyde. Our initial data indicate the promise of this approach.     

First-trimester free beta (hCG) screening for Down syndrome

Maternal serum free beta (hCG) levels are elevated (median 2·20 MOM) in the first trimester of pregnancy in 38 Down syndrome cases as compared with appropriate controls. This observation may form the basis for its use as a marker in screening for Down syndrome in the first trimester. Altered levels of the free beta analyte are observed in pregnancy conditions or complications other than Down syndrome.     

环境价值的循环模式初探

环境污染对环境产生的负价值与环境保护对环境产生的正价值相互作用、相互抵消的运动过程，体现了环境整体价值在人类经济社会活动影响下的具体演化模式。文章探讨了环境价值的循环途径、环境资源价值的模型，并对模型进行了具体分析，以期帮助人们提高对环境价值的认识。     

活性污泥生长的控制

在污水处理过程中，针对不同的运行环境，我们选择适当的运行工艺和参数。通过控制菌胶团细菌和丝状菌平衡生长，或者是使固着型原生动物占优势，来获得良好的活性污泥，保证出水达标排放。     

Detection of fetal HLA-DQα sequences in maternal blood: A gender-independent technique of fetal cell identification

The objective of this study was to detect fetal HLA-DQα gene sequences in maternal blood. HLA-DQα genotypes of 70 pregnant women and their partners were determined for type A1. We specifically sought couples where the father, but not the mother, had genotype A1. In 12 women, maternal blood samples were flow-sorted. Candidate fetal cells were isolated and amplified by using PCR primers specific for a paternal HLA-DQα A1 allele. Fetal HLA-DQα A1 genotype was predicted from sorted cells; amniocytes or cheek swabs were used for confirmation. Six of twelve sorted samples had amplification products indicating the presence of the HLA-DQα A1 allele; 6/12 did not. Prediction of the fetal genotype was 100 per cent correct, as determined by subsequent amplification of amniocytes or cheek swabs. We conclude that paternally inherited uniquely fetal HLA-DQα gene sequences can be identified in maternal blood. This system permits the identification of fetal cells independent of fetal gender, and has the potential for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of paternally inherited conditions.     

Maternal age-specific risks for trisomies at 9—14 weeks' gestation

This study provides data on the incidence of fetal trisomies 21, 18, and 13 at 9–14 weeks' gestation in women aged 35–45 years and estimates of maternal age-specific risks in women aged 20–45 years. Our data from 5814 singleton pregnancies undergoing first-trimester karyotyping for the sole indication of maternal age ⩾ 35 years were combined with those from two previous reports and the incidence of the trisomies was calculated from a total of 15 793 pregnancies. Comparison of incidences at 9–14 weeks' gestation with published data at 15–20 weeks' gestation and in livebirths demonstrated that at birth the maternal age-specific incidence of trisomy 21 is 33 per cent lower than at 15–20 weeks' gestation and 54 per cent lower than at 9–14 weeks' gestation. Furthermore, the relative frequency of trisomies 18 and 13 decreases from 30 per cent at 9–14 weeks to 22 per cent at 15–20 weeks and 14 per cent at birth.     

Dystrophin protein and rflp analyis for fetal diagnosis and carrier confirmation of duchenne muscular dystrophy

A pregnant woman with indeterminate Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) carrier status, but with DMD diagnosed in her deceased brother (unavailable for study), presented for prenatal diagnosis, intending to continue the pregnancy only if proven unaffected with DMD with near absolute certainty. Creatine kinase (CK) assays to clarify carrier status were inconclusive. Male sex in the fetus was identified, but DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was not yet available to this centre to investigate the possible transmission of the DMD gene, and the pregnancy was terminated. Tissue histology and dystrophin protein analysis demonstrated the absence of DMD. In a situation with proven maternal carrier status, future fetal inheritance of the opposite maternal X chromosome would indicate the presence of DMD. However, maternal carrier status remained in doubt through a second pregnancy, even with RFLP studies, and was finally established when dystrophin analysis confirmed the presence of DMD in the second fetus. Histologic findings are presented, contrasting features in the two fetuses. The value of dystrophin analysis for establishing the diagnosis of fetal DMD, in this case proving maternal carrier status in a difficult situation, and for demonstrating DMD gene:RFLP haplotype relationships is illustrated.