Rapid detection of numerical aberrations of chromosomes 13, 18 and 21 in chorionic mesenchymal cells

We have devised and evaluated a rapid screening method for the detection of numerical aberrations of chromosomes13, 18 and 21 in chorionic villus cells. We used non-radioactive in situ hybridization (ISH) with three chromosome-specific probes on overnight-attached mesenchymal cells from chorionic villi. A blind study was performed of 47 karyotypically normal samples, one triploid sample, two samples trisomic for chromosome 21, and two samples from a fetus with putative mosaicism (46/47, +21). All samples were hybridized with the chromosome 18- and 21-specific probes. Thirty samples were additionally hybridized with the chromosome 13-specific probe. The test could be completed within 3-4 days of sampling. In samples disomic with respect to the probed chromosomes, an average of 2 per cent (range 0-9 per cent) had three hybridization signals. By contrast, in the samples trisomic for the probed chromosome(s), 57 per cent (chromosome 13), 51 per cent (chromosome 18), and an average of 74 per cent (55-86 per cent) (chromosome 21) of the nuclei exhibited three signals. In the putative mosaic samples, the number of nuclei with three chromosome 21-specific signals ranged from 41 to 69 per cent. We conclude that this technique rapidly and clearly distinguishes between normal and trisomic/triploid samples, and consequently may be of use in future prenatal diagnosis.     

Chorionic villus sampling: Analysis of fetal losses to delivery,placental pathology,and cervical microbiology

A population of 1639 patients were seen for chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Embryonic death was identified at ultrasound in 5.3 per cent of patients. The number of patients undergoing CVS was 1551, with 1416 transcervical procedures and 135 transabdominal procedures. The most common indication for CVS was advanced maternal age. Spontaneous pregnancy losses identified by increased risk of pregnancy loss with increasing aspiration attempts. The total fetal loss for this population was 5.4 per cent with the pregnancy loss estimated due to procedure being 1.2 per cent. Analysis of placentae from patients having CVS and amniocen-tesis showed no differences. Microbiological assessment prior to CVS was similar to previous publications.     

First-trimester prenatal diagnosis of severe alpha-thalassemia

By means of chorion biopsy together with restriction endonuclease analysis of fetal DNA, first trimester diagnoses were successfully made in 33 fetuses at risk for Bart's hydrops fetalis. Seven pregnancies with Hb H or hydrops fetalis were therapeutically terminated before 4 months of gestation. Of the 26 pregnancies intended to continue, 18 have come to term with normal deliveries; one with threatened abortion was terminated at the end of the first trimester and, seven are progresssing normally.     

油田行业"三废"综合利用研究

介绍了国家“三废”综合利用方面的政策，结合油田行业资源综合利用现状，提出如何进一步开展油田行业“三废”综合利用工作，并更好地利用国家资源利用税收方面的优惠政策，开拓油田行业“三废”综合利用渠道，推动“三废”综合利用，争取得到最大限度的减免税额。     

网络计划在液化气球罐内外部检验过程中的应用

在以工期考虑为重点的V-3002B液化气球罐内外部检验过程中，引用现代管理中网络计划技术关键路线法，为加快芳烃厂压力容器检验提供了科学的依据。本文总结和介绍了网络计划技术在芳烃厂贮运车间V-300亚球罐内外部检验过程应用情况。     

煤炭燃烧排砷水平与控制技术研究

煤炭是我国目前的主要一次能源之一,燃煤中的重金属污染愈来愈受到重视,如何控制煤炭中砷向环境中扩散,减轻环境污染是近年来重要的研究课题.通过开展对铁法煤业集团内部高砷煤和低砷煤的动力配煤燃烧试验,分析动力配煤燃烧过程中的砷迁移水平,研究铁法煤业集团内部动力配煤燃烧过程中的砷迁移规律和动力配煤降砷的可行性,并为开展最佳动力配煤操作数据提供理论依据,为高砷煤燃烧控制砷的排放寻找治理途径,提高煤炭资源的最大利用效率.     

德国推进可再生能源良治研究

德国在可再生能源(RES)领域的先锋作用体现于它在风力发电和光伏发电装机能力的世界领先地位中,而且德国的生物燃料生产位居欧洲第一,安装的太阳能集热面积也很可观.这些成功不单是因为德国的自然资源基础优厚,而主要是创新的国家扶持政策的成果.来自欧洲和国际承诺的压力也对德国在可再生能源方面的成功做出了贡献.分析了德国可再生能源发展成功的原因,包括国家推广手段和扶持项目的优惠设计元素、欧洲和国际上对其政策的影响、技术和公众态度等环境条件的影响.另外进一步描述了其他欧洲国家可再生能源成功发展的驱动力,并探讨了德国可再生能源成功的驱动因素对于中国的适用性.     

A new design of groundwater sampling device and its application

Compounds in the atmosphere contaminate samples of groundwater. An inexpensive and simple method for collecting groundwater samples is developed to prevent contamination when the background concentration of contaminants is high. This new design of groundwater sampling device involves a glass sampling bottle with a Teflon-lined valve at each end. A cleaned and dried sampling bottle was connected to a low flow-rate peristaltic pump with Teflon tubing and was filled with water. No headspace volume was remained in the sampling bottle. The sample bottle was then packed in a PVC bag to prevent the target component from infiltrating into the water sample through the valves. In this study, groundwater was sampled at six wells using both the conventional method and the improved method. The analysis of trichlorofluoromethane（ CFC-11 ） concentrations at these six wells indicates that all the groundwater samples obtained by the conventional sampling method were contaminated by CFC-11 from the atmosphere. The improved sampling method greatly eliminated the problems of contamination, preservation and quantitative analysis of natural water.     

Early amniocentesis at 11–14 weeks' gestation for the diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormality—a clinical evaluation

Early arnniocentesis between 11 and 14 weeks' gestation was offered to 110 women at risk of a chromosomally abnormal fetus due to maternal age. Four were found to be unsuitable for the procedure, and 106 early amniocenteses were performed. In 102 cases, clear amniotic fluid was obtained with a single tap. There were two dry taps and two bloodstained tapis; sampling was repeated in three of these cases before 15 weeks. In the fourth case, placental biopsy was performed at 16 weeks. Thus, we were able to obtain a satisfactory sample in all but three cases(2.8 percent). Karyotyping of cells harvested from the early amniotic fluid samples was successful in all the 105 cases. Cell culture from the initial samples revealed a normal karyotype in 99 cases, two balanced translocations, two tetraploid karyotypes, and two cases of pseudomosaicism. Of the 105 pregnancies successfully sampled, there have been two losses to date (1–8 per cent). Two further patients presented with premature rupture of membranes, both pregnancies having successful outcomes. Sixty-two babies have delivered to date, with four congenital anomalies. There were no respiratory problems. Twenty-nine pregnancies are continuing without known complications, and details are not yet available on the remaining 12. The results indicate that early arnniocentesis may replace the traditional test at 15–17 weeks.     

Pallister-Killian syndrome diagnosed by chorionic villus sampling

The first prenatal diagnosis of Pallister-Killian syndrome by chorionic villus sampling is presented. Fetal hydrops was noted on ultrasound in early pregnancy, and the karyotype revealed isochromosome 12p mosaicism.