An investigation of methods for enriching trophoblast from maternal blood

Trophoblast deportation is known to occur in normal human pregnancy, but it is not yet clear whether these cells routinely enter the maternal peripheral circulation and are available as a source of fetal DNA for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders. To resolve this issue requires an efficient method of enriching trophoblast from maternal blood combined with a means to confirm its identity. Five different techniques were tested on ten retroplacental blood samples to determine the most sensitive and operator-efficient method. Lysis of red cells alone gave the best recovery of trophoblast but had to be discounted, together with Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, due to the very low purity and the excessive time required. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of pre-enriched trophoblast resulted in the lowest recovery rate (8 per cent) despite a 3250-fold enrichment and a very high purity. Immunomagnetic beads (Dynabeads) coated with anti-CD 16 antibody proved to be the best method for the subsequent immunocytochemical characterization of deported trophoblast. However, IO beads coated with anti-CD45 antibody may be more useful for isolating trophoblast for prenatal diagnosis due to the high purity, enrichment (32-fold), and recovery rate (78 per cent) obtained with this method.     

Prenatal exclusion of stickler syndrome

Stickler syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder of the connective tissue which includes ocular and systemic manifestations. We report on a large kindred in which we were able to demonstrate very tight linkage between the disease and the type II collagen gene (COL2A1) (LOD score 3·91 at θ=0). In a family in which the father and one of his daughters were severely affected, DNA analysis from a chorionic villus sample demonstrated that the fetus possessed the normal allele of COL2A1. Thereafter a normal child was born.     

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital gastric outlet obstruction

A case of gastric outlet obstruction diagnosed prenatally at 22 weeks' gestation is described. The differential diagnosis and the clinical management of this rare condition are discussed, and an updated literature review is presented.     

Accuracy of amniotic fluid testing before 21 weeks' gestation in prenatal diagnosis of congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common cause of intrauterine infection. Recent publications show amniocentesis to have an 81–100 per cent sensitivity in antenatal diagnosis after 21 weeks' gestation. Testing before 21 weeks' gestation is less well documented. We performed 36 amniocenteses between 14 and 20 weeks' gestation. The sensitivity was 45 per cent and the specificity 100 per cent. Implications and possible causes of this low sensitivity are discussed.     

Assessment and management of fetal agenesis of the corpus callosum

Prenatal counselling for fetal agenesis of the corpus callosum is difficult as the prognosis until now has been so uncertain. We have reviewed the current world English literature to provide the best probabilistic information for prospective parents. In total, there are 70 cases where the diagnosis was made prenatally. The diagnosis of apparently isolated agenesis of the corpus callosum (in the absence of other sonographically detectable anomalies) appears to carry an excellent prognosis, with an 85 per cent chance of a normal developmental outcome and a 15 per cent risk of handicap. Fetal karyotyping is recommended as there is a 1 in 10 risk of aneuploidy. If other anomalies are detected prenatally, the outcome is very poor. Termination of pregnancy is advised in these circumstances.     

生物硝化池污水中硝化细菌的快速定量研究

实验采用聚合酶链式反应（PCR）技术与最大几率数法（MPN）相结合的MPN－PCR法对生物硝化池污水中的硝化细菌进行快速定量。所用的一对PCR引物是在对硝化细菌的16SrRNA基因进行系统比较的基础上设计合成的，可以扩增出大小为388bp的DNA片段。以从生物硝化池污水中抽提的含硝化细菌DNA的混合DNA为模板，进行PCR扩增并确定合适的扩增条件。运用MPN－PCR法进行定量检测的整个过程可在几小时之内完成。     

相关分析在大气优化布点过程中的成功演绎

通过相关指数在广东省城市大气环境监测省控站优化组筛选中的实践和探究,表明相关分析是个简单、实用、有效的方法,具有参考和应用价值。     

A survey of diagnostic amniocenteses in Oxford from 1974–1981

A survey was conducted of the results of mid-trimester diagnostic amniocenteses in the Oxford Region from 1974 to 1981. The survey used data relating to all 4357 singleton pregnancies in which an amniocentesis was performed during this period. Follow-up information on outcome was obtained in respect of 4284 (98 per cent) pregnancies. A cell culture to determine karyotype and an alpha-fetoprotein determination was carried out in all cases. From 1974 to 1981 amniocenteses became increasingly common, rising from 2 to 32 per 1000 births. The most common indication for amniocentesis was a high risk of a chromosome abnormality–56 per cent of all amniocenteses. Within this group advanced maternal age was responsible for 89 per cent of the cases. The next most common indication was a high risk of a neural tube defect (37 per cent of all amniocenteses)–in 1974 a raised maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level accounted for only 4 per cent of these; by 1981 this had risen to 67 per cent. There were seven false-positive and 132 true-positive diagnoses of neural tube defect; since 1981, with the introduction of amniotic fluid acetylocholinesterase determination as a secondary diagnostic test for neural tube defects, there have been no further false-positive diagnoses. In 1981 76 per cent of women aged 35 years or more did not have an amniocentesis. It is not known to what extent this was due to not offering women in this age group amniocentesis or to women not accepting such an offer.     

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of Apert's syndrome

A mother affected with Apert's syndrome was diagnosed by ultrasound scan at 16–17 weeks to have a fetus similarly affected. The typical features of acrocephaly and symmetrical syndactyly were seen. This is probably the first time that this condition has been diagnosed at such a gestation by ultrasound scan. The patient decided to continue the pregnancy, and intrauterine death occurred at 34 weeks. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination.     

脲酶抑制法检测环境样品中重金属离子研究

为探索利用脲酶快速检测环境样品中重金属离子的最佳条件，系统研究了重金属和缓冲液类型及其浓度对脲酶抑制率的影响。结果表明，不同浓度缓冲液中重金属离子浓度与脲酶抑制率呈显著的相关性，表现为随着重金属离子浓度的增加，脲酶抑制率也提高。缓冲液类型和浓度均能影响重金属对脲酶的抑制作用，其中磷酸缓冲液中，无论是Hg^2 还是Cu^2 对脲酶活性均有较强的抑制作用：在柠檬酸缓冲液中2种离子对脲酶的抑制作用存在显著差异。建立脲酶抑制检测技术的关键是选择合适的缓冲系统。此结果为脲酶抑制法在快速检测重金属离子中最佳检测条件的选择提供了理论依据。