Prenatal detection of trisomy 21 in uncultured amniocytes by fluorescence in situ hybridization: A prospective study

A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the detection of trisomy 21 in interphase nuclei of uncultured amniotic fluid cells. Five hundred cases were analysed in situ and classified as normal or abnormal; the results were subsequently checked against the cytogenetic findings. Four hundred and ninety-three were correctly identified as normal with an 86·6 per cent average frequency of scored nuclei exhibiting two signals; six cases were correctly identified as trisomic for chromosome 21 with 81·7 per cent of scored nuclei exhibiting three signals; and one abnormal case involving an unbalanced chromosome 21·21 translocation was falsely scored as normal due to poor hybridization/detection efficiency. The method has been substantially improved and simplified so that it is suitable for the rapid detection of trisomy 21. As aneuploidy detection in interphase does not identify structural chromosome aberrations, it is not a substitute for fetal chromosome analysis.     

Comparative analysis of the structure of carbon materials relevant in combustion

The determination of the structure of carbon materials is an analytical problem that join the research scientific communities involved in the chemical characterization of heavy fuel-derived products (heavy fuel oils, coal-derived fuels, shale oil, etc.) and of carbon materials (polycyclic aromatic compounds, tar, soot) produced in many combustion processes.

The knowledge of the structure of these “difficult” fuels and of the carbon materials produced by incomplete combustion is relevant to research for the best low-environmental impact operation of combustion systems; but an array of many analytical and spectroscopic tools are necessary, and often not sufficient, to attempt the characterization of such complex products and in particular to determine the distribution of molecular masses.

In this paper the size exclusion chromatography using N-methyl-pyrrolidinone as eluent has been applied for the characterization of different carbon materials starting from typical carbon species, commercially available like polyacenaphthylene, carbon black, naphthalene pitch up to combustion products like soot and soot extract collected in fuel-rich combustion systems. Two main fractions were detected, separated and molecular weights (MWs) determined by comparison with polystyrene standards: a first fraction consisted of particles with very large molecular masses (>100 000 u); a second fraction consisted of species in a relatively small MW range (200–600 u). The distribution of these fractions changes in dependence on the carbon sample characteristics.

Fluorescence spectroscopy applied on the fractions separated by size-exclusion chromatography has been used and comparatively interpreted giving indications on the differences and similarities in chemical structure of such different materials.     

利用分子信标和EXO III放大荧光信号快速检测Ag+

设计新型的DNA探针,其主要功能区域包含适配体区域和分子信标互补区域;当无靶标存在时,羧基荧光素（FAM）的荧光被黑洞猝灭基团（BHQ）猝灭,加入靶标后,Ag⁺与适配体区域特异性结合,使得分子信标与其互补区域发生结合,加入EXO Ⅲ后,分子信标被酶解,从而释放Ag⁺/DNA探针复合物用于下一轮反应,同时产生大量的FAM,因此,可以通过荧光的增强来定量检测靶标的含量.评价了该方法的灵敏度和选择性,探究它在实际样品中的表现能力.结果表明,适配体区域与分子信标间隔2个碱基的DNA探针与分子信标结合效果最好,检测的信噪比最大.该方法对Ag⁺的检测最低下限（LOD）为0.1nmol/L,在0.5~200nmol/L范围内,荧光值与靶标浓度成线性关系（R²=0.994）.对实际样品的检测在20~200nmol/L范围内呈线性关系（R²=0.998）,且能很好的从混合样品中区分10nmol/L Ag⁺.该研究建立的快速检测Ag⁺方法具有良好的线性定量能力和操作性能,且灵敏度高、特异性强,可满足现实的需求.     

黄河干流宁蒙段溶解性有机物组分特征及其与金属离子的相关性

溶解性有机物(dissolved organic matter,DOM)是天然水体的重要组成部分,由于化学极性及所含的官能团不同,其在水体中的化学行为也不同.本研究以黄河干流宁蒙段为研究对象,于2015年4月采集了下河沿至头道拐沿程7个断面的水样,采用XAD系列树脂将DOM分为疏水性酸(hydrophobic acid,HOA)、疏水性碱(hydrophobic base,HOB)、弱疏水性酸(weak hydrophobic acid,WHOA)和亲水性物质(hydrophilic matter,HYI)这4个组分,探讨了DOM组分含量、荧光峰值及其与Pb、Zn、Cu、Cr、As这5种金属离子之间的相关性.结果表明,黄河宁蒙段DOM总量由下河沿至头道拐沿程逐渐增加.各断面DOM腐殖化程度较低,以亲水性的蛋白质类小分子物质(HYI)为主,疏水性酸(HOA)次之,这与黄河沿岸排污导致内源作用增强有关.三维荧光光谱中类腐殖质和类蛋白质荧光峰型显著,且类腐殖质峰沿程逐渐增强,进一步证实了内源污水输入的影响.SPSS相关性分析结果表明,DOM与5种金属离子呈现出不同程度的相关性,其中与Cu离子显著相关;4种组分中HYI与Cu离子的相关性最强,说明二者在迁移转化过程中存在显著相互作用.进一步研究发现,芳香蛋白类物质荧光峰强度随Cu离子浓度的升高而降低,这可能是Cu与亲水性组分中的芳香类蛋白质发生络合产生荧光淬灭效应,从而导致荧光强度降低.     

溶解性有机质在岩溶水系统中的迁移转化及影响因素分析

溶解性有机质(DOM)的荧光物质是一种较好的示踪剂,用于鉴别DOM的来源及其在水文系统中的地球化学行为.该物质在岩溶水系统中的研究较少,并且要作为潜在示踪剂,系统中有很多因素影响其光谱信息.实验选取一典型岩溶流域,通过三维荧光光谱技术(EEMs)和平行因子分析(PARAFAC),结合水化学数据分析,揭示DOM荧光物质在不同岩溶含水空间的组成和转化关系,刻画流域尺度DOM的来源,探讨水化学因素对DOM荧光物质转移的影响机制.结果表明,流域外源地表水和岩溶地表水中的DOM以类蛋白色氨酸为主,浅层岩溶水和深层岩溶水以类蛋白色氨酸和酪氨酸为主.荧光指数(FI)、生物指数(BIX)和腐殖化指数(HIX)的综合分析认为,浅层岩溶水和深层岩溶水的DOM主要来自于内源微生物分解,岩溶地表水和外源地表水的DOM既有陆源输入又有内源微生物分解,且内源贡献占有较大比例.受岩溶水化学参数的影响,3种荧光物质具有明显的分异特征:类酪氨酸物质对Ca~(2+)和HCO_3~-具有较强的适应性,在岩溶水中存在的比例比较大.类色氨酸物质则相反,类富里酸物质则与TDS、浊度、Cl~-、SO_4~(2-)等呈现极显著正相关关系.流域上游浅层岩溶水中的DOM主要来自内源.出露地表以后,其有机质同时来自内源和外源输入.在流域下游渗入深层岩溶地下水以后,DOM逐渐向低芳香烃有机质化合物转化,大分子DOM逐渐减少,荧光强度减弱.主成分分析(PCA)提取出3个主成分,分别为反映岩溶水渗滤、转化、水流条件的水体矿化指标,反映土壤淋滤和自然渗滤关系的TOC、NO_3~-及类蛋白质指标,以及反映岩溶水系统水化学、生物化学过程的Ca~(2+)、HCO_3~-、荧光指数和类富里酸指标.此外研究还认为,总荧光强度,类富里酸物质和类蛋白物质可以分别作为岩溶水快速渗流、转化及岩溶含水层脆弱性的示踪剂.研究结果有助于认识岩溶地下水DOM的生物地球化学循环,进行岩溶系统有机污染控制,为岩溶水系统中物质的地球化学过程表征提供一种新的工具.     

周村水库主库区水体热分层形成过程中沉积物间隙水DOM的光谱演变特征

运用三维荧光光谱(EEMs)技术结合平行因子分析法(PARAFAC)以及紫外-可见光谱技术,对周村水库热分层形成过程中沉积物间隙水中溶解性有机物(DOM)的垂向分布及光谱特性进行分析.结果表明:周村水库沉积物间隙水DOM的紫外-可见吸收光谱吸收系数的变异系数在-400%~400%之间,表明其性质在不同深度上存在差异; E2/E3变化说明随着热分层的形成,富里酸所占DOM的比例也随之升高; E3/E4 3. 5以及SR 1表明DOM为生物源,以富里酸为主;荧光光谱中出现了类富里酸峰(C1、C3)、类蛋白峰(C2、C5)和类腐殖酸峰(C4、C6);类富里酸以及类蛋白是DOM的主要构成组分; DOM总荧光强度、各组分荧光强度随着热分层形成过程呈下降趋势,垂向间和采样点的分布差异明显;热分层形成过程中水库沉积物间隙水的高BIX、FI、β:α以及低HIX,表明沉积物间隙水DOM以生物活动的内源为主,具有低腐殖化,强自生源特征.     

两种沉水植物对风浪及持续高水位胁迫的适应性研究

以两种沉水植物马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malainus)和狐尾藻(Myriophyllum spicatum)为研究对象,通过原位模拟试验,比较在相同水位变化幅度下不同高水位持续胁迫水平(分别以T0、T1、T2、T3表示恒静止、持续4 d、持续8 d和持续12 d)对沉水植物的生物量、植株伸长、具体形态指标和光合荧光特性的影响,并同步分析滆湖大洪港内两处风浪差异区(湖岸区M1和湖心区M2)两种沉水植物相应的适应性和形态变化的特征.结果表明,马来眼子菜和狐尾藻都表现出了较好的环境适应性,T0时任意两处的两种植物生物量和株高均最大;在风浪扰动较小区域(M2),持续高水位减弱了两种植物的伸长和生长(p0.01),并显著限制其在地上生物量的投资和茎干横向的分支(p0.05).在风浪扰动较大区域(M1),持续高水位对两种沉水植物产生了相同的形态变化,并显著降低各梯度下其Fv/Fm和快速光响应曲线(p0.05),但M1处两种沉水植物的光合能力均显著大于M2处.狐尾藻对风浪扰动和长时间水位胁迫能表现出更强抗弱光性和光合作用能力.因此,持续高水位胁迫下(小于8 d)两种沉水植物对一定程度水动力仍有较好的形态和生长适应性,对特定水文波动特征进行合理应对以保持沉水植物活力和维持湖泊生态系统具有指导作用.     

典型可溶有机质与磺胺二甲嘧啶的络合作用研究

以藻源有机质(AOM)和腐殖酸(HA)作为典型生物大分子可溶有机质(DOM)和腐殖化DOM,采用荧光猝灭滴定和光谱分析考察磺胺二甲嘧啶(SMZ)与DOM的络合作用.三维荧光光谱结合平行因子分析显示AOM荧光组分主要由类酪氨酸和类色氨酸物质组成,而类富里酸和类腐殖酸物质是HA荧光组分的主要构成.4种荧光组分可与SMZ发生不同程度的静态猝灭,且猝灭过程中DOM分子构象改变.同步荧光光谱结合二维相关图谱进一步发现类酪氨酸优先于类色氨酸组分与SMZ发生络合作用.Ryan-Weber非线性模拟拟合表明AOM中各荧光组分与SMZ的络合稳定常数(logK)大小为:类富里酸(3.33)类酪氨酸(3.12)类色氨酸(2.15)类腐殖酸(1.57);而HA中大小为:类富里酸(3.06)类腐殖酸(2.02).总体上生物大分子DOM对SMZ的亲和力高于腐殖化DOM.DOM与SMZ的相互作用可改变水环境中抗生素的形态和归趋,影响其生物有效性和生态毒性.     

模拟酸雨对烤烟叶片光合特性和叶绿素荧光参数的影响

以烤烟为供试材料,采用土培盆栽的方法研究了不同pH值的模拟酸雨(pH5.6、pH4.5、pH4.0、pH3.5、pH3.0、pH2.5、pH2.0)对烤烟叶片叶绿素含量、气体交换和叶绿素荧光参数的影响.结果表明:pH≥3.5处理的轻度酸雨对烤烟Chl.a含量影响不大,但pH≤3.5处理烤烟叶片Chl.b和总叶绿素含量显著下降.pH≤2.5模拟酸雨使烤烟叶片净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Ls)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、叶面饱和蒸气压力亏缺(VPD)显著降低,使烤烟叶片的气孔限制值(Ls)和潜在水分利用效率(WUEi)显著升高,模拟酸雨使pH2.0处理烤烟叶片的蒸腾速率(Tr)和pH2.5处理的瞬时水分利用效率(WUE)显著降低.pH≥3.5处理的光合有效量子产量(EQY)、光合电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学猝灭(qP)与对照差异不大,但pH≤3.0处理明显降低;烤烟叶片的非光化学猝灭呈先升高后降低趋势,pH≥3.5处理的非光化学猝灭(NPQ)明显高于pH≤3.0处理.     

Early stage toxicity of excess copper to photosystem II of Chlorella pyrenoidosa–OJIP chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis

Acute toxicity of excess Cu on the photosynthetic performance of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was examined by using chlorophyll a fluorescence transients and JIP-test after exposure to elevated Cu concentrations for a short time period. High Cu concentration resulted in a significant suppression in photosynthesis and respiration. The absorption flux (ABS/RC) per PSII reaction center increased with increasing Cu concentration, but the electron transport flux (ET₀/RC) decreased. Excess Cu had an insignificant effect on the trapping flux (TR₀/RC). The decline in the efficiency, with which a trapped exciton can move an electron into the electron transport chain further than Q_A−(Ψ₀), the maximal quantum yield of primary photochemistry (?_P0), and the quantum yield of electron transport (?_E0) were also observed. The amount of active PSII reaction centers per excited cross section (RC/CS) was also in consistency with the change of photosynthesis when cells were exposed to excess Cu concentration. JIP-test parameters had a good linear relationship with photosynthetic O₂ evolution. These results suggested that the decrease of photosynthesis in exposure to excess Cu may be a result of the inactivation of PSII reaction centers and the inhibition of electron transport in the acceptor side.