Low-level mosaic trisomy 21 at amniocentesis and cordocentesis in the second trimester in a pregnancy associated with positive non-invasive prenatal testing for trisomy 21, perinatal progressive decrease of the trisomy 21 cell line and a favorable fetal outcome.

OBJECTIVE: We present low-level mosaic trisomy 21 at amniocentesis and cordocentesis in a pregnancy associated with a favorable fetal outcome. CASE REPORT: A 26-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of positive non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for trisomy 21 at 16 weeks of gestation. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XX,+21[3]/46,XX[17], and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) on uncultured amniocytes revealed rsa X(P095) × 2, (13, 18, 21) × 2. She underwent cordocentesis (cord blood sampling) at 21 weeks of gestation which revealed a karyotype of 47,XX,+21[2]/46,XX[48]. At 27 weeks of gestation, she was referred to our hospital for genetic counseling, and repeat amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XX in 20/20 colonies. Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes and parental bloods excluded uniparental disomy (UPD) 21. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed arr (1-22,X) × 2, Y × 0 with no genomic imbalance. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on 104 uncultured amniocytes detected one cell (1/104 = 0.9%) with trisomy 21, while the rest cells were disomy 21, compared with 0% (0/100) in the normal control. The woman was encouraged to continue the pregnancy. The pregnancy was carried to 38 weeks of gestation, and a 2771-g female baby was delivered no phenotypic abnormality. aCGH analysis on the cord blood showed arr (1-22,X) × 2, Y × 0 with no genomic imbalance. The umbilical cord had a karyotype of 47,XX,+21[3]/46,XX[37]. The placenta had a karyotype of 46,XX. When follow-up at age 3½ months, the neonate was phenotypically normal and had normal development. The peripheral blood had a karyotype of 46,XX in 40/40 cells. Interphase FISH analysis on buccal mucosal cells detected normal disomy 21 cells in 100/100 cells. CONCLUSION: Low-level mosaic trisomy 21 at amniocentesis and cordocentesis in the second trimester can be associated with perinatal progressive decrease of the trisomy 21 cell line and a favorable fetal outcome.

Unveiling microplastic spectral signatures under weathering and digestive environments through shortwave infrared hyperspectral sensing.

Microplastic (MP) pollution presents a novel challenge for marine environmental protection, necessitating comprehensive and long-term monitoring and assessment approaches. Environmental MPs can undergo weathering and microorganism-related digestive processes, altering their original surface properties and chemical structure, thus complicating their quantification and identification. This study aims to establish a comprehensive hyperspectral database for weathered and digestion-degraded MPs, using a wide variety of polymer types collected as either virgin particles or commercial products (within a size range of approximately 3 mm), and to investigate the impact of these processes on their spectral characteristics. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) MPs exhibited significant responses to weathering treatment, as indicated by the formation of new characteristic peaks or slight peak shifts around 1679-1705 nm, which can be attributed to the formation of carbonyl and vinyl functional groups through Norrish reactions. Similarly, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polystyrene (PS) MPs demonstrated notable degradation following digestive treatment, as evidenced by the emergence of new absorption peaks at approximately 1135-1165 nm, possibly associated with alterations involving carbonyl and vinyl functional groups. The results were further validated based on their comparable spectral characteristics of the resultant MPs to reference polymers and possible additives, considering a reasonably accurate match of approximately 80% for the studied MP samples. This study showcases the significant advantage of using shortwave infrared hyperspectral sensing for rapid identification of virgin and exposed MPs with a relatively large scan area after a simple sample preparation. This approach, combined with other complementary characterization techniques, shall provide highly throughput results for MPs identification. This research provides valuable insights into the features extracted from environmental MPs and establishes a foundation for improving their classification efficiency for environmental applications.

High-level mosaic trisomy 21 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with positive NIPT for trisomy 21, prenatal progressive decrease of the trisomy 21 cell line, acute fatty liver of pregnancy and intrauterine fetal death in late gestation.

OBJECTIVE: We present high-level mosaic trisomy 21 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with positive non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for trisomy 21, prenatal progressive decrease of the trisomy 21 cell line, acute fatty liver of pregnancy and intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) in late gestation. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of positive NIPT for trisomy 21 at 12 weeks of gestation. This pregnancy was conceived by in vitro fertilization. She did not have obesity, diabetes mellitus, hepatic biliary disorders and preeclampsia. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XY,+21[10]/46,XY[11], and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on uncultured amniocytes revealed the result of arr (21) × 2-3. She was referred for genetic counseling, and repeat amniocentesis performed at 21 weeks of gestation revealed the karyotype of 47,XY,+21[10]/46,XY[28]. The parental karyotypes and fetal ultrasound findings were normal. Simultaneous molecular analysis on uncultured amniocytes showed no uniparental disomy 21, but a maternal origin of trisomy 21 by quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) and the result of arr 21q11.2q22.3 × 2.5 by aCGH analysis. At 27 weeks of gestation, she underwent a third amniocentesis, of which conventional cytogenetic analysis revealed the result of 47,XY,+21[5]/46,XY[17] in cultured amniocytes, and aCGH analysis revealed arr 21q11.2q22.3 × 2.48, and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis revealed 39% (39/100 cells) mosaicism fro trisomy 21 in uncultured amniocytes. At 36 weeks of gestation, the woman suffered from a sudden onset of acute fatty liver and IUFD. A 3522-g male baby was delivered without Down syndrome phenotype. The umbilical cord had a karyotype of 47,XY,+21[10]/46,XY[30]. aCGH analysis on the skin and placenta showed arr 21q11.2q22.3 × 2.73 and arr 21q11.2q22.3 × 2.75, respectively. QF-PCR analysis of umbilical cord, placenta and skin showed a maternal origin of trisomy 21. CONCLUSION: High-level mosaic trisomy 21 at amniocentesis can be associated with prenatal progressive decrease of the trisomy 21 cell line in cultured amniocytes and perinatal fetal mortality and maternal morbidity.

45,X/46,XX at the first amniocentesis, and 45,X/47,XXX/46,XX at the repeat amniocentesis and at birth in a pregnancy associated with a favorable fetal outcome, perinatal progressive decrease of the 45,X cell line and cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes.

OBJECTIVE: We present 45,X/46,XX at the first amniocentesis, and 45,X/47,XXX/46,XX at the repeat amniocentesis and at birth in a pregnancy associated with a favorable fetal outcome, perinatal progressive decrease of the 45,X cell line and cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old, gravida 3, para 1, woman underwent amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 45,X[4]/46,XX[20]. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed arr (X) × 3 [0.24], consistent with 24% mosaicism for triple X. Repeat amniocentesis at 20 weeks of gestation revealed the result of 45,X[17]/47,XXX[8]/46,XX[121]. She was referred for genetic counseling, and the third amniocentesis performed at 30 weeks of gestation revealed the result of 45,X[3]/47,XXX[2]/46,XX[16]. The mother had a karyotype of 46,XX. aCGH analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes showed arr Xp22.33q28 × 2.2 (log2 ratio = 0.15), consistent with 20% mosaicism for triple X. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on 100 uncultured amniocytes showed that 11 cells (11%) were monosomy X, seven cells (7%) were triple X, and the others were disomy X. At 39 weeks of gestation, a 3,620-g phenotypically normal female baby was delivered without any phenotypic abnormality. The karyotypes of cord blood, umbilical cord and placenta were 47,XXX[7]/45,X[1]/46,XX[32], 47,XXX[13]/46,XX[27] and 47,XXX[2]/46,XX[38], respectively. When follow-up at age one month, the neonate was phenotypically normal, and FISH analysis on 106 buccal mucosal cells showed that eight cells (7.5%) were monosomy X, seven cells (6.6%) were triple X, and the others were disomy X. CONCLUSION: Mosaic 45,X/46,XX at amniocentesis may be in fact mosaic 45,X/47,XXX/46,XX and can be associated with a favorable fetal outcome and perinatal progressive decrease of the 45,X cell line.

Perinatal detection of disomy X cell line by fluorescence in situ hybridization in a pregnancy with 45,X/47,XXX at amniocentesis, cytogenetic discrepancy in various tissues and a favorable outcome.

OBJECTIVE: We present perinatal detection of disomy X cell line by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in a pregnancy with 45,X/47,XXX at amniocentesis, cytogenetic discrepancy in various tissues and a favorable outcome. CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old, gravida 3, para 1, woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 45,X[22]/47,XXX[10]. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed the result of arr (X) × 1-2, (1-22) × 2, consistent with 32% mosaicism for monosomy X. She was referred for genetic counseling at 19 weeks of gestation. Prenatal ultrasound findings and parental karyotypes were normal. Repeat amniocentesis at 29 weeks of gestation revealed a karyotype of 45,X[36]/47,XXX[4] (Fig. 1) in cultured amniocytes. Simultaneous molecular analysis on uncultured amniocytes revealed the result of arr (1-22) × 2, Y × 0 by aCGH with no genomic imbalance, and 15% (15/100 cells) mosaicism for disomy X, 61% (61/100 cells) mosaicism for monosomy X and 24% (24/100 cells) mosaicism for triple X by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. The pregnancy was encouraged to continue and at 37 weeks of gestation, a 2834-g phenotypically normal female baby was delivered. The karyotypes of cord blood, umbilical cord and placenta were 45,X[33]/47,XXX[7], 45,X[30]/47,XXX[10] and 47,XXX[38]/45,X[2], respectively. When follow-up at age three months, the neonate was normal in development. FISH analysis on 99 buccal mucosal cells showed 49% (48/99 cells) mosaicism for monosomy X, 8% (8/99 cells) mosaicism for triple X and 43% (42/99 cells) mosaicism for disomy X (Fig. 2). Peripheral blood had a karyotype of 45,X[38]/47,XXX[2]. When follow-up at age nine months, the neonate was normal in development. FISH analysis on 102 buccal mucosal cells showed 11% (11/102 cells) mosaicism for monosomy X, 12% (12/102 cells) mosaicism for triple X and 77% (79/102 cells) mosaicism for disomy X. Peripheral blood had a karyotype of 45,X[30]/47,XXX[10]. CONCLUSION: 45,X/47,XXX at amniocentesis may detect disomy X cell line by FISH analysis and can be associated with postnatal progressive decrease of the aneuploid cell lines, increase of the disomy X cell line and a favorable outcome.

Mosaic trisomy 16 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with positive non-invasive prenatal testing for trisomy 16, placental trisomy 16, intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine fetal death, cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes, and prenatal progressive decrease of the aneuploid cell line.

OBJECTIVE: We present mosaic trisomy 16 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with positive non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for trisomy 16, placental trisomy 16, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes, and prenatal progressive decrease of the aneuploid cell line. CASE REPORT: A 26-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of positive NIPT for trisomy 16 at 12 weeks of gestation. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XX,+16 [10]/46,XX[17], and simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed the result of arr (16) × 3 [0.43] consistent with 43% mosaicism for trisomy 16. She was referred for genetic counseling at 19 weeks of gestation, and a fetus with IUGR was noted to have a size equivalent to 16 weeks of gestation. At 23 weeks of gestation, the fetus manifested oligohydramnios, fetal cardiomegaly and severe IUGR (fetal size equivalent to 20 weeks of gestation). Repeat amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XX (20/20 colonies) in cultured amniocytes and mosaic trisomy 16 by aCGH in uncultured amniocytes. aCGH analysis on uncultured amniocytes revealed the result of arr 16p13.3q24.3 × 2.3, consistent with 30% (log2 ratio = 0.2) mosaicism for trisomy 16. Quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) assays on the DNA extracted from parental bloods and uncultured amniocytes excluded uniparental disomy (UPD) 16. The parental karyotypes were normal. IUFD was noted at amniocentesis. The pregnancy was subsequently terminated, and a 288-g female fetus was delivered with no phenotypic abnormalities. The umbilical cord had a karyotype of 46,XX (40/40 cells), and the placenta had a karyotype of 47,XX,+16 (40/40 cells). QF-PCR assays of the placenta confirmed a maternal origin of trisomy 16. CONCLUSION: Mosaic trisomy 16 at amniocentesis can be associated with positive NIPT for trisomy 16, placental trisomy 16, IUGR, IUFD, cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes, and prenatal progressive decrease of the aneuploid cell line.

High-level mosaic trisomy 14 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with congenital heart defects and intrauterine growth restriction on fetal ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: We present high-level mosaic trisomy 14 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with congenital heart defects (CHD) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. This pregnancy was conceived by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XX,+14[9]/46,XX[13], consistent with 40.9% (9/22 colonies) mosaicism for trisomy 14. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed 61% mosaicism for trisomy 14. Prenatal ultrasound at 22 weeks of gestation showed a malformed fetus with double outlet of right ventricle (DORV), ventricular septal defect (VSD), pulmonary stenosis and severe IUGR with the growth parameters equivalent to 18 weeks of gestation. The pregnancy was terminated at 23 weeks of gestation, and a 278-g female fetus was delivered with facial dysmorphism of hypertelorism, low-set small ears and wide depressed nasal bridge. Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) analysis on the DNA extracted from parental bloods, cord blood, umbilical cord and placenta confirmed a maternal origin of the extra chromosome 14 and excluded uniparental disomy (UPD) 14. The umbilical cord had a karyotype of 47,XX,+14[7]/ 46,XX[13], and the placenta had a karyotype of 47,XX,+14[4]/46,XX[36]. CONCLUSIONS: High-level mosaic trisomy 14 at amniocentesis can be associated with abnormal ultrasound findings of CHD and IUGR.

An improved hyperspectral sensing approach for the rapid determination of copper ion concentrations in water environment using short-wavelength infrared spectroscopy.

Copper ion is one of the hazardous pollutants often present in industrial wastewater or acid mine drainage that is regarded as a primary environmental challenge. Hyperspectral remote sensing has a long tradition in water quality monitoring. However, its application in heavy metal detection is relatively similar, and the detection is highly influenced by water turbidity or total suspended matter (TSM), requiring research efforts to improve accuracy and generalize the applicability of this technique. In this study, the use of simple filtration (pore size of 0.7 µm) for sample pretreatment to improve hyperspectral remote sensing of copper ion concentrations (Cu, 100-1000 mg/L) in water samples is proposed. A wide variety of water samples, including as-prepared and field (fish pond and river water) samples, were investigated to validate the developed method. Spectral data containing sensitive bands characterized in the range of 900-1100 nm were first preprocessed with logarithm transformation, followed by quantitative prediction model development using stepwise multivariate linear regression (SMLR) with the most sensitive wavebands at around 900 nm and 1080 nm. Satisfactory prediction performance for Cu ions was found for turbid water samples (TSM greater than approximately 200 mg/L) after simple filtration pretreatment, suggesting that pretreatment removed suspended solids in the mixtures and enhanced the spectral features of Cu ions in the model. Moreover, good agreement between the laboratory results and the field samples (adjusted R2 > 0.95 and NRMSE <0.15) highlights the suitability of the developed model and filtration pretreatment for obtaining relevant information for the rapid determination of Cu ion concentrations in complex water samples.

Low-level mosaic double trisomy involving trisomy 6 and trisomy 20 (48,XY,+6,+20) at amniocentesis without uniparental disomy (UPD) 6 and UPD 20 in a pregnancy associated with a favorable outcome.

OBJECTIVE: We present low-level mosaic double trisomy involving trisomy 6 and trisomy 20 (48,XY,+6,+20) at amniocentesis without uniparental disomy (UPD) 6 and UPD 20 in a pregnancy associated with a favorable outcome. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 48,XY,+6,+20[2]/46,XY[15]. Repeat amniocentesis at 20 weeks of gestation revealed a karyotype of 48,XY,+6,+20[6]/46,XY[43], and simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed the result of arr (X,Y) × 1, (1-22) × 2 with no genomic imbalance. At 22 weeks of gestation, the woman underwent cordocentesis which revealed karyotype of 46,XY (60/60 cells). At 26 weeks of gestation, the woman underwent the third amniocentesis which revealed a karyotype of 48,XY,+6,+20[5]/46,XY[30], and simultaneous aCGH analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed the result of arr (1-22) × 2, X × 1, Y × 1 without genomic imbalance. The parental karyotypes and prenatal ultrasound were normal. Polymorphic marker analysis using the DNAs extracted from uncultured amniocytes and parental bloods excluded UPD 6 and UPD 20. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on 100 uncultured amniocytes detected double trisomy 6 and trisomy 20 in 10 cells, consistent with 10% (10/100 cells) mosaicism for double trisomy 6 and trisomy 20. The woman was encouraged to continue the pregnancy, and a phenotypically normal 3328-g male baby was delivered at 38 weeks of gestation. The cord blood, umbilical cord and the placenta had a karyotype of 46,XY (40/40 cells). CONCLUSION: Low-level mosaic double trisomy involving trisomy 6 and trisomy 20 at amniocentesis without UPD 6 and UPD 20 can be associated with a favorable fetal outcome.

Mosaic 46,XY,dup(14) (q12q22.3)/46, XY at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with a favorable fetal outcome and cytogenetic discrepancy in various tissues.

OBJECTIVE: We present mosaic 46,XY,dup (14) (q12q22.3)/46, XY at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with a favorable fetal outcome and cytogenetic discrepancy in various tissues. CASE REPORT: A 41-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. This pregnancy was conceived by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Cytogenetic analysis on cultured amniocytes revealed a karyotype of 46,XY, dup (14) (q12q22.3)[7]/46,XY [13], and simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed arr 14q12q22.3 × 2-3 with 25% mosaicism for partial 14q duplication. She was referred for genetic counseling. Prenatal ultrasound and parental karyotypes were normal. Repeat amniocentesis at 22 weeks of gestation revealed a karyotype of 46,XY,dup (14) (q12q22.3)[6]/46,XY [14], and in uncultured amniocytes, quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) analysis excluded uniparental disomy (UPD) 14, aCGH revealed arr 14q12q22.3 × 2.3 with 30% mosaicism for dup (14) (q12q22.3), and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed 19.4% (24/124 cells) mosaicism for partial 14q duplication. She was encouraged to continue the pregnancy, and a 2450-g phenotypically normal male baby was delivered at 40 weeks of gestation. The karyotypes of cord blood, umbilical cord and placenta were 46,XY,dup (14) (q12q22.3)[14]/46,XY [26], 46,XY,dup (14) (q12q22.3)[7]/46,XY [33] and 46,XY,dup (14) (q12q22.3)[3]/46,XY [37], respectively. When follow-up at age four months, the neonate was phenotypically normal. The karyotype of peripheral blood was 46,XY,dup (14) (q12q22.3)[27]/46,XY [13], and interphase FISH analysis on 105 buccal mucosal cells detected partial 14q duplication signals in 5 cells (4.8% mosaicism). When follow-up at age nine months, the neonate was phenotypically normal. The karyotype of peripheral blood was 46,XY,dup (14) (q12q22.3)[25]/46,XY [15]. CONCLUSION: Mosaic dup (14) (q12q22.3) with a normal cell line at amniocentesis may be a benign condition, and can be associated with a favorable fetal outcome and cytogenetic discrepancy in various tissues.

Mosaic 45,X/46, XX at amniocentesis with high-level mosaicism for 45,X in a pregnancy with a favorable fetal outcome and postnatal decrease of the 45,X cell line.

OBJECTIVE: We present mosaic 45,X/46, XX at amniocentesis with high-level mosaicism for 45,X in a pregnancy with a favorable fetal outcome and postnatal decrease of the 45,X cell line. CASE REPORT: A 20-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of the non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) result of -4.82 Z score in sex chromosome at 12 weeks of gestation suggestive of Turner syndrome in the fetus. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 45,X [18]/46,XX [15], and simultaneous multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes showed mosaic Turner syndrome. Prenatal ultrasound and parental karyotypes were normal. She was referred for genetic counseling at 24 weeks of gestation, and continuing pregnancy was encouraged. At 39 weeks of gestation, a 2550-g phenotypically normal female baby was delivered. The karyotypes of cord blood, umbilical cord and placenta were 45,X [24]/46,XX [16], 45,X [23]/46,XX [17] and 45,X [28]/46,X,del(X) (q23)[12], respectively. When follow-up at age two months, the neonate was phenotypically normal in development. The peripheral blood had a karyotypes of 45,X [16]/46,XX [24]. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on 103 buccal mucosal cells showed normal disomy X signals in all cells. CONCLUSION: High-level mosaicism for 45,X in 45,X/46, XX at amniocentesis can be associated with a favorable fetal outcome, cytogenetic discrepancy in various tissues, and postnatal decrease of the 45,X cell line.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of de novo concomitant distal 8p deletion of 8p23.3p23.1 and Xp and Xq deletion of Xp22.13q28 due to an unbalanced X;8 translocation detected by amniocentesis.

OBJECTIVE: We present molecular cytogenetic characterization of de novo concomitant distal 8p deletion of 8p23.3p23.1 and Xp and Xq deletion of Xp22.13q28 due to an unbalanced X;8 translocation detected by amniocentesis. CASE REPORT: A 33-year-old primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation because of a Down syndrome risk of 1/52 at the first-trimester maternal serum screening calculated from 0.29 multiples of the median (MoM) of pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), 1.14 MoM of free ß-hCG and 0.46 MoM of placental growth factor (PlGF). Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 45,X,add(8)(p23.1). The parental karyotypes were normal. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from cultured amniocytes revealed a 137-Mb deletion of Xp22.13q28 and a 10.53-Mb deletion of 8p23.3p23.1. The karyotype thus was 45,X,der(8)t(X;8)(p22.13;p23.1). Prenatal ultrasound revealed pericardial effusion and skin edema. The pregnancy was subsequently terminated, and a 568-g malformed fetus was delivered with hypertelorism and low-set ears. The cord blood had a karyotype of 45,X,der(8)t(X;8)(p22.13;p23.1). aCGH analysis of the cord blood revealed the result of arr [GRCH37 (hg19)] 8p23.3p23.1 (191,530-10,724,642) × 1.0, arr Xp22.13q28 (18,194,098-155,232,907) × 1.0. CONCLUSION: aCGH analysis is useful elucidating the genetic nature of an aberrant chromosome with an additional maternal of unknown origin attached to a chromosome terminal region.

Environmental trade-offs and externalities of electrochemical-based batteries: Quantitative analysis between lithium-ion and vanadium redox flow units.

This study aims to increase the scientific knowledge of the environmental impacts and externalities of two promising electrochemical-based techniques for large-scale stationary energy storage: lithium nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) and vanadium redox flow (VRF) batteries. The global warming potential (GWP) and cumulative energy demand (CED) for NCM and VRF batteries are 28 kg CO2eq and 410 MJ and 186 kg CO2eq and 3080 MJ, respectively, for the provision of 1 MWh of electricity. While the trend of the environmental externality results is proportional to the environmental impact results, the environmental costs from GWP and terrestrial ecotoxicity impacts contribute the largest share of the total environmental costs for both batteries. Overall, NCM batteries have favorable environmental performance in terms of their impact values and externalities but still show relatively higher contributions in human toxicity and ozone layer depletion impacts, based on their high resource uses. The VRF batteries, on the other hand, report higher impacts in abiotic depletion, GWP and terrestrial ecotoxicity, mainly due to their great mass of the electrolyte. Our results highlight the importance of substituting the active metals with low-impact metals or carefully considering the origin of key materials while also taking advantage of the properties of the battery to carefully assess possible advancements in battery design. The environmental externality results also provide essential information for the future development of battery industries for stationary applications with energy and environmental benefits.

Dynamic life cycle assessment for water treatment implications.

Long-term impact tracking of urban water services is an important scientific basis for the sustainable development goals of future foreground systems. This study developed a dynamic life cycle assessment (DLCA) method that considers temporal variation and the resulting impacts to address the challenges of water treatment facilities based on the principles of life cycle assessment (LCA) and system dynamics (SD) models. The model was then demonstrated and validated for a water treatment facility in the Kinmen Islands, Taiwan. The SD model simulates long-term water demand in terms of growth in the domestic, agriculture, livestock, and manufacturing sectors, which provides specific inventory data for LCA calculations, with the aim of showing the impact change for future water treatment scenarios. The results showed that using imported water and reclaimed water reduced Kinmen's reliance on groundwater from 77 % to 43 % and reduced the vulnerability of urban water services. The environmental impact of water treatment plants is determined to be strongly related to the efficiency of water treatment. In the long run, wastewater treatment plants can reduce their impacts with an increase in efficiency (3.7 % impact reduction). Additionally, the development of reclaimed water technology and water savings can reduce the impact by 19 % and 13.7 %, respectively, compared to the implementation of desalination. In terms of energy policy, more profound energy savings were observed when energy saving and structure transformation were simultaneously carried out. On the other hand, desalination poses the most political risk and has energy-associated environmental impacts. The DLCA results from this study showcase the trend of impact variation over time and thus provide valuable insights for future policy-making in mapping out the benefits and priorities of policy promotion.

Cytogenetic discrepancy between uncultured amniocytes and cultured amniocytes in mosaic trisomy 18 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy with a favorable fetal outcome and maternal uniparental disomy 18.

OBJECTIVE: We present prenatal diagnosis of mosaic trisomy 18 in a pregnancy with a favorable fetal outcome and maternal uniparental disomy 18. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old, primigravid woman underwent the first amniocentesis at 16 weeks of gestation because advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XX [22/22] in cultured amniocytes, and 36% mosaicism for trisomy 18 and a maternally inherited Xp22.31 microdeletion by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in uncultured amniocytes. The second amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation revealed 47,XX,+18 [14]/46,XX [36] in cultured amniocytes and 36% mosaicism for trisomy 18 by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) P095 in cultured amniocytes. Prenatal ultrasound was normal. The parents were phenotypically normal. The third amniocentesis at 23 weeks of gestation revealed 47,XX,+18 [3]/46,XX [17] in cultured amniocytes, and in uncultured amniocytes, aCGH revealed 45%-50% mosaicism for trisomy 18, interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed 36% (36/100 cells) mosaicism for trisomy 18, and quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) showed mosaic maternal uniparental heterodisomy for chromosome 18 and mosaic trisomy 18 of maternal origin. The fourth amniocentesis at 32 weeks of gestation revealed a karyotype of 46,XX [20/20] in cultured amniocytes, and in uncultured amniocytes, aCGH revealed 50%-60% mosaicism for trisomy 18, FISH revealed 21.8% (22/101 cells) mosaicism for trisomy 18, and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) showed chromosome 18 gene dosage increase in the maternal blood. At 34 weeks of gestation, a 1480-g phenotypically normal baby was delivered. The cord blood had 47,XX,+18 [10]/46,XX [30]. The umbilical cord had 47,XX,+18 [4]/46,XX [36]. The placenta had 47,XX,+18 [40/40], and QF-PCR analysis confirmed trisomy 18 of maternal origin. When follow-up at age four months, the neonate was phenotypically normal, FISH analysis on buccal mucosal cells revealed 2% (2/100 cells) mosaicism for trisomy 18, and the peripheral blood had 47,XX,+18 [18]/46,XX [22]. When follow-up at age eight months, the neonate had normal development, the peripheral blood had 47,XX,+18 [15]/46,XX [25], and the buccal mucosal cells showed maternal uniparental heterodisomy for chromosome 18. CONCLUSION: Cytogenetic discrepancy may occur between uncultured and cultured amniocytes in mosaic trisomy 18 at amniocentesis. Cultured amniocytes may present progressive decrease in the levels of mosaicism for trisomy 18 as the fetus grows. Mosaic trisomy 18 at amniocentesis can be associated with a favorable outcome.

Prenatal diagnosis and molecular cytogenetic characterization of a familial small supernumerary marker chromosome derived from the acrocentric chromosome 14/22.

OBJECTIVE: We present prenatal diagnosis and molecular cytogenetic characterization of a familial small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMC) derived from the acrocentric chromosome 14/22. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old, gravida 2, para 1, woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XY,+mar. Prenatal ultrasound was unremarkable. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed no genomic imbalance. Cytogenetic analysis of the parental bloods revealed a karyotype of 47,XY,inv (9) (p12q13),+mar in the father and a karyotype of 46, XX in the mother. The sSMC was investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on cultured amniocytes using the CEP 13/21 α-satellite specific gene probe labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) fluorophore and the CEP 14/21 α-satellite specific gene probe labeled with Texas Red fluorophore (Cytocell Inc.). The result showed that the sSMC was derived from the chromosome 14/22, or+mar.ish dic (14/22) (D13Z1/D21Z1-, D14Z1/D22Z1+)[20]. A healthy male baby was delivered at term with no phenotypic abnormality. Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) analysis on parental bloods and the child's peripheral blood was used to exclude uniparental disomy (UPD) (14) and UPD(22). CONCLUSION: FISH analysis is useful for the determination of an sSMC derived from an acrocentric chromosome under the circumstance of no genomic imbalance at amniocentesis. QF-PCR analysis is useful for excluding the possible associated UPD.

Cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes in mosaic 46,XX,dup(9)(q22.3q34.1)/46,XX at amniocentesis in a pregnancy with a favorable outcome.

OBJECTIVE: We present our observation of cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes in mosaic dup(9)(q22.3q34.1) at amniocentesis in a pregnancy with a favorable outcome. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old, gravida 4, para 0, woman underwent amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XX, dup(9)(q22.3q34.1)[8]/46,XX[16]. Prenatal ultrasound findings were unremarkable. She was referred for genetic counseling, and repeat amniocentesis was performed at 21 weeks of gestation, which revealed a karyotype of 46,XX,dup(9)(q22.3q34.1)[7]/46,XX[25]. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed no genomic imbalance, or arr (1-22,X) × 2. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on 105 uncultured amniocytes detected only one cell with the dup 9q signal with a mosaic dup 9q level of 1%, compared with 0% in normal control. At 37 weeks of gestation, a 2640-g female baby was delivered with no phenotypic abnormality. The cord blood had a karyotype of 46,XX,dup(9) (q22.3q34.1)[4]/46,XX[36], the umbilical cord had a karyotype of 46,XX,dup(9) (q22.3q34.1)[2]/46,XX[38], and the placenta had a karyotype of 46,XX. aCGH analysis on cord blood revealed no genomic imbalance. At age 2½ months, the baby was doing well, the peripheral blood of the baby had a karyotype of 46,XX,dup(9) (q22.3q34.1)[4]/46,XX[36], and interphase FISH analysis on buccal mucosal cells revealed no dup 9q signal in 100 buccal mucosal cells. CONCLUSION: Cytogenetic discrepancy may occur between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes in mosaic dup(9) (q22.3q34.1). Molecular cytogenetic analysis on uncultured amniocytes is useful for rapid distinguishing pseudomosaicism from true mosaicism under such a circumstance.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of a de novo small supernumerary marker chromosome derived from chromosome 15 in a pregnancy with incidental detection of a maternal Robertsonian translocation of 45,XX,der(13;14) (q10;q10).

OBJECTIVE: We present molecular cytogenetic characterization of a small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMC) derived from chromosome 15 in a pregnancy with incidental detection of a maternal Robertsonian translocation of 45,XX,der(13; 14) (q10; q10). CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old, primigravid woman underwent amniocentesis at 16 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 47,XY,+mar. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes showed the result of no genomic imbalance or arr (1-22) × 2, (X,Y) × 1. Cytogenetic analysis of the parents showed a karyotype of 45,XX,der(13; 14) (q10; q10) in the mother and a karyotype of 46,XY in the father. Prenatal ultrasound was unremarkable. At 38 weeks of gestation, a 2790-g phenotypically normal male baby was delivered. The cord blood had a karyotype of 47,XY,+mar. Metaphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed the result of +mar.ish dic(15) (D15Z1++, SNRPN-, PML-) (18/20). The extra chromosome was derived from chromosome 15. CONCLUSION: Metaphase FISH analysis is useful for the identification of the origin of an sSMC in the presence of no genomic imbalance at aCGH analysis. Prenatal diagnosis of a de novo sSMC may be associated with a Robertsonian translocation in the parents, and parental cytogenetic analysis is necessary under such a circumstance.

Prenatal diagnosis of maternal uniparental disomy 21 in association with low-level mosaic trisomy 21 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with intrauterine growth restriction and a favorable outcome.

OBJECTIVE: We present prenatal diagnosis of maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) 21 in association with low-level mosaic trisomy 21 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and a favorable outcome. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old, gravida 2, para 0, woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis initially revealed a karyotype of 46,XX in 20/20 colonies of cultured amniocytes. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis on uncultured amniocytes revealed a result of arr [GRCh37] (21) × 3 [0.16], (X) × 2, compatible with mosaic trisomy 21. After extensive investigation, the final result of conventional cytogenetic analysis of cultured amniocytes was 47,XX,+21[1]/46,XX[40]. The parental karyotypes were normal. Repeat amniocentesis was performed at 21 weeks of gestation. The cultured amniocytes had a karyotype of 47,XX,+21[3]/46,XX[27] and the uncultured amniocytes had a mosaic trisomy 21 level of 8.8% (10/114 cells) by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), a mosaic trisomy 21 level of 10% (log2 ratio = 0.08) by aCGH, and maternal UPD 21 by polymorphic DNA marker analysis. Prenatal ultrasound revealed IUGR. At 38 weeks of gestation, a phenotypically normal 2695-g baby was delivered. The cord blood and umbilical cord had the karyotype of 46,XX and maternal UPD 21. The placenta had a karyotype of 47,XX,+21[8]/46,XX[32] and a maternal origin of trisomy 21. Postnatal FISH analysis on 101 buccal mucosal cells showed 6.9% (7/101 cells) mosaicism compared with 2% (2/100 cells) in the normal control. The baby was doing well at age four months. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy with low-level mosaic trisomy 21 and maternal UPD 21 at amniocentesis can be associated with IUGR and a favorable outcome. Fetuses with maternal UPD 21 can be associated with mosaic trisomy 21 at amniocentesis.

Compositions of sequestrated soil carbon in constructed wetlands of Taiwan.

Constructed wetlands are an ecological engineering technology that has been widely applied to treat anthropogenic wastewater. Until now, few studies have focused on soil carbon (C) in the constructed treatment wetlands in tropical regions. Therefore, this study provides insight into the changes in soil C composition of tropically constructed wetlands at different ages. Five constructed wetlands were investigated in northern Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Soil C was analyzed at three different depths using an acid-hydrolysable method. The results showed that soil TOC content was highest on the soil surface (0-2 cm) and decreased at greater soil depths (2-5 and 5-10 cm) in all the studied constructed wetlands. There was more soil acid-hydrolysable C in the older constructed wetlands than in the younger ones at all depths. On the contrary, the soil recalcitrant carbon (RP-C) did not vary much across the wetland soils. In addition, the RP-C to TOC ratios were higher in the younger than older constructed wetlands, implying that the soil bioavailable C sources for microbial growth increased with the wetland's age. As a result, the compositions of organotrophic microbes, such as methanogens (mcrA copies), appeared to increase with wetlands' ages (i.e., negatively correlated with RP-C/TOC), while the total microbial abundance (16S rDNA) and abundance of lithotrophic microbes, such as methanotrophs (pmoA copies), were not correlated with RP-C/TOC or AHPI-C/TOC ratios, based on the results of our canonical correspondence analysis. Furthermore, the constructed wetlands accumulated soil RP-C from 2.33 to 0.08 g C m-2 day-1 in the constructed wetlands 1 to 30 years old, respectively.