Preimplantation genetic diagnosis of the fragile X syndrome by use of linked polymorphic markers

Fragile X syndrome is the most common cause of familial mental retardation. The most common mutation is expansion of a triplet (CGG)_n repeat in the 5′ untranslated region of the FMR1 gene on Xq27.3. The expansion is refractory to PCR due to preferential amplification of the smaller allele in heterozygous cells and the high GC content of the repeat and surrounding sequences. Direct detection of the normal parental alleles in preimplantation embryos has been used for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of this disorder. However, this approach is only suitable for approximately 63% of couples due to the heterozygosity of the repeat in the normal population. As an alternative we investigated the use of polymorphic markers flanking the mutation to track the normal and premutation carrying maternal chromosomes in preimplantation embryos. Using a panel of 11 polymorphisms, six (CA)_n repeats and five single nucleotide polymorphisms, diagnosis was developed for 90% of referred couples. Multiplex amplification of informative markers was tested in 300 single buccal cells from interested couples with efficiency and allele drop out (ADO) rates ranging from 69% to 96% and 6% to 18%, respectively. Use of this approach is accurate and applicable to a larger number of patients at risk of transmitting fragile X to their offspring. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison of different lysis buffers to assess allele dropout from single cells for preimplantation genetic diagnosis

Single cell polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) requires high efficiency and accuracy. Allele dropout (ADO), the random amplification failure of one of the two parental alleles, remains the most significant problem in PCR-based PGD testing since it can result in serious misdiagnosis for compound heterozygous or autosomal dominant conditions. A number of different strategies (including the use of lysis buffers to break down the cell and make the DNA accessible) have been employed to combat ADO with varying degrees of success, yet there is still no consensus among PGD centres over which lysis buffer should be used (ESHRE PGD Consortium, 1999 ). To address this issue, PCR amplification of three genes (CFTR, LAMA3 and PKP1) at different chromosomal loci was investigated. Single lymphocytes from individuals heterozygous for mutations within each of the three genes were collected and lysed in either alkaline lysis buffer (ALB) or proteinase K/SDS lysis buffer (PK). PCR amplification efficiencies were comparable between alkaline lysis and proteinase K lysis for PCR products spanning each of the three mutated loci (ΔF508 in CFTR 90% vs 88%; R650X in LAMA3 82% vs 78%; and Y71X in PKP1 91% vs 87%). While there was no appreciable difference between ADO rates between the two lysis buffers for the LAMA3 PCR product (25% vs 26%), there were significant differences in ADO rates between ALB and PK for the CFTR PCR product (0% vs 23%) and the PKP1 PCR product (8% vs 56%). Based on these results, we are currently using ALB in preference to PK/SDS buffer for the lysis of cells in clinical PGD. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diagnosis,surveillance, and treatment of the anemic fetus using middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity measurement

The in utero course of the anemic fetus has improved dramatically, owing to early diagnosis and cordocentesis transfusion. In utero invasive procedures such as amnio- and cordocentesis have become important modalities in the evaluation and treatment of anemic fetuses. However, they carry risks for both the mother and fetus. A valid and sensitive noninvasive means of following the anemic fetus is the evaluation of changes in the middle cerebral artery peak systolic flow velocity (MCA-PSV). This is a sensitive tool for both the evaluation of fetal anemia and response to treatment. Intracerebral vessels respond earliest to the fetal anemic state, and are readily accessible for ultrasound examination. We describe the methodology and evolving clinical applications of MCA-PSV measurement in the fetus, through an overview of the literature describing the development and application of MCA-PSV measurement in fetuses at risk of fetal anemia of various immune and nonimmune etiologies, illustrated by index cases from our center. MCA-PSV measurement is essential in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of cases of fetal anemia. The use of this modality lessens the need for invasive procedures. The method is readily accessible and should be integrated into the repertoire of all obstetric ultrasound centers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

农闲期城郊农田灌溉水中典型污染物含量与评价——以西北江三角洲为例

摸查了农田灌溉系统水环境经农（夏）闲期降水等外部强干预调理后的环境污染物含量——该值理论上是环境自净作用之后的最不利值,对农田灌溉系统水环境进行水质评价,探究其对农田土壤质量的潜在污染风险.于2019年6月中旬—7月下旬（降雨集中期）,分别在西北江三角洲城市（清远市、佛山市和江门市）实验基地周边筛选研究区,并在雨后对有覆水的水源区域、灌渠、蓄水池和田间水等采集上覆水,共采得水样27×2份,对其pH值、悬浮物（SS）、矿化度、总磷（TP）、氨氮（NH₄⁺-N）、Cd、As、Pb、Cu和Zn的含量进行检测;对各研究区pH值、SS的成因和影响,矿化度的等级,重金属均值分布等进行分析;对全样品TP、NH₄⁺-N、重金属含量进行Pearson相关性分析和描述性特征分析;通过单因子水质标识指数P_i和综合水质标识指数P分别对各采样点、各构成项目和各研究区进行水质评价.研究发现雨后农田灌溉系统水环境构成复杂,物质呈无显著性差异的迁移,灌溉沿程上覆水中大部分物质可能处于动态平衡,受局部环境影响变小,TP、NH₄⁺-N和重金属等迁移物质主要还是灌溉水体中原有的,受外力驱动扰动后在水动力作用下可能以氮磷结合形态沿灌溉系统发生远距离迁移;使用河流水质标识指数法评价农田灌溉系统水环境,发现该法可以刻画局部灌溉的水质态势,对农田灌溉系统水环境的含量特征评价做出科学、合理的解释,也可以做出综合性定量评价.虽然灌溉水系统结构差异较大,但是从整体上可以初步得出农闲期西北江三角洲农田灌溉水的灌溉风险不高的结论,总体综合水质评价级别为Ⅰ类~Ⅱ类,达到水环境功能区的使用要求.     

电絮凝净化含聚污水影响因素研究

目的为保障油田正常安全生产,促进油田含聚污水的循环利用。方法采用电絮凝技术单因素研究方法开展净化含聚污水的静态实验研究,探讨外加电流密度、极板间距、初始pH及聚合物浓度等因素对净化效果的影响规律。结果当初始pH为7.0,电流密度为4.0 m A/m2,极板间距为1.0 cm,电解16 min时,综合处理效果最佳。此时,含油量与浊度去除率分别为98.85%,99.93%,处理每克油平均消耗为0.0494 g的Al,处理每立方米含聚污水的能耗为0.2895 k Wh。污水中的聚合物浓度越小,净化效果越好。结论中性处理,极板间距为1.0 cm,外加电流密度为4.0 m A/m2,通电16 min是最佳处理条件。     

4-氯苯酚在水溶液中的光化学反应(Ⅰ)单线态氧和自由基的产生

在模拟太阳光照射下，４氯苯酚（４ＣＰ）浓度迅速降低，反应过程对应着产生大量的单线态氧和自由基．金属离子Ｆｅ２＋、Ｆｅ３＋、Ａｌ３＋能够加速这一过程，尤以Ｆｅ２＋、Ｆｅ３＋的影响更明显；在模拟太阳光照射下，向４ＣＰ体系加入的富里酸（ＦＡ），对４ＣＰ浓度降低略起抑制作用，这表明二者之间存在相互作用．但当再加入金属离子Ｆｅ２＋、Ｆｅ３＋、Ａｌ３＋后，能够加速４ＣＰ浓度降低，尤以Ｆｅ２＋、Ｆｅ３＋的影响更显著．     

The in utero diagnosis and management of alloimmune thrombocytopenia

A case is presented in which percutaneous umbilical sampling (PUBS) was utilized in the second and third trimesters for the diagnosis and management of a pregnancy at risk for neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT).     

Maternal sex chromosome mosaicism diagnosed by amniocentesis and percutaneous umbilical cord sampling

We present a remarkable chain of events in which percutaneous umbilical cord sampling was performed in an attempt to clarify a situation of possible fetal sex chromosome mosaicism in an amniotic fluid culture and led to the discovery that the mother herself had a 45,X/46,XX/ 47.XXX chromosome constitution. This may have simply represented the chance concurrence of pseudo-mosaicism in the amniotic fluid culture of a woman with an abnormal sex chromosome constitution, but it is also possible that the 45,X colony was maternal in origin. Although clearly a most unusual circumstance, the possibility should be kept in mind when termination of a pregnancy is being considered because of apparent mosaicism in a prenatal diagnostic study.     

Intrauterine manometry: Technique and application to fetal pathology

A technique is described for measuring pressure within the amniotic cavity and within fetal vessels and/or body compartments. Two saline-filled catheters were connected at one end to needles inserted during indicated invasive procedures and at the other to silicon strain gauge transducers. In 36 pregnancies with normal liquor volume, stable intra-amniotic pressure (IAP, range 1–14 mmHg) increased with gestation (r=0·48, p<0·01). In pregnancies complicated by severe oligohydramnios, IAP was ≤ 1 mm Hg and rose to normal levels with saline amnioinfusion. Raised IAP (range 17–26 mm Hg), found in pregnancies with gross polyhydramnios, fell with drainage of amniotic fluid. Subtraction manometry was used to determine supra-amniotic pressure within the intervillus space, umbilical vein, umbilical artery, abdominal and thoracic cavities, and the urinary tract in normal and/or pathological fetuses. Low intravesical and intrapelvicalyceal pressures (median 6·5, range 2–10 mmHg) were noted in fetuses with obstructive uropathies. Intrauterine subtraction manometry appears to be a useful tool in the understanding of fetal pathophysiology and may be of clinical benefit in the therapeutic drainage and infusion of amniotic fluid and in the assessment of certain fetal disease states.