Decadal changes in Atlantic overturning due to the excessive 1990s Labrador Sea convection.

Changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) represent a crucial component of Northern Hemisphere climate variability. In modelling studies decadal overturning variability has been attributed to the intensity of deep winter convection in the Labrador Sea. This linkage is challenged by transport observations at sections across the subpolar gyre. Here we report simulations with an eddy-rich ocean model which captures the observed concentration of downwelling in the northeastern Atlantic and the negligible impact of interannual variations in Labrador Sea convection during the last decade. However, the exceptionally cold winters in the Labrador Sea during the first half of the 1990s induced a positive AMOC anomaly of more than 20%, mainly by augmenting the downwelling in the northeastern North Atlantic. The remote effect of excessive Labrador Sea buoyancy forcing is related to rapid spreading of mid-depth density anomalies into the Irminger Sea and their entrainment into the deep boundary current off Greenland.

The Virus and the Atmosphere: Reviewing the Trajectory of Human History.

The article compares the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change in terms of natural characteristics of the crisis triggers as well as of socio-political responses.

Explosive COVID-19 outbreak in a German nursing home and the possible role of the air ventilation system.

BACKGROUND: Most COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes are explained by transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from nurses or visitors. METHODS AND RESULTS: We describe an outbreak with 64 of the 67 residents identified as COVID-19 cases within two weeks (34 in nursing block 1, 30 in nursing block 2), at least 32 of them had relevant symptoms of COVID-19. Thirteen of the residents' deaths were associated with COVID-19. In addition, 27 of approximately 60 staff members were identified as COVID-19 cases, 23 of them had relevant symptoms. In none of the samples from residents or staff was a mutation of SARS-CoV-2 detected. Quarantine of the residents was already in force at the beginning of the outbreak. A common source among the staff was considered to be unlikely because the two nursing home blocks had no staff rotation and the staff had to wear FFP2 masks during contact with residents. Three months after the outbreak the RNA of SARS-CoV-2 was detected on 14 of 39 sampled indoor surfaces of the air ventilation system with Ct values between 34.9 and 41.9, but only at the air supply in the corridor (11 of 24 samples) and the air overflow in the door between the corridor and the residents' rooms (three of 11 samples) but not at the air exhaust in the residents' bathrooms. CONCLUSIONS: The air ventilation system and an inversion weather situation three days before the first confirmed case may have enhanced viral spread inside the nursing home assuming that a common source with a high viral load had existed at the time of outbreak.

Spleen and lung virome analysis of South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) collected on the southern Brazilian coast.

South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) are believed to reach the coast of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) through sea currents. They live in colonies and are frequently found resting on the beach. However, it is also common to find dead pinnipeds on beaches, sharing the environment with humans, domestic animals and other wild species on the coast and facilitating the transmission of pathogens. In the present study, a metagenomic approach was applied to evaluate the viral diversity in organs of fur seals found deceased along the coast of the state of RS, southern Brazil. The lungs and spleens of 29 animals were collected, macerated individually, pooled separately (one pool for lungs and another for spleens) and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequences more closely related to members of the Anelloviridae and Circoviridae families were detected. Nine putative new species of anellovirus and one putative new genus, named Nitorquevirus, were described. Additionally, the circovirus sequences found in the lungs of A. australis have a common ancestor with PCV3, a proposed swine pathogen. Our study expanded the knowledge about viral communities in pinnipeds and could be useful for monitoring new viruses and potential viral sharing among wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.

Changes in Vocal Fold Morphology During Singing Over Two Octaves.

OBJECTIVE: Vocal folds are widely assumed to only elongate to raise vocal pitch. However, the mechanisms seem to be more complex and involve both elongation and tensioning of the vocal folds in series. The aim of the present study was to show that changes in vocal fold morphology depend on vocal fold elongation and tensioning during singing. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective study. METHODS: Forty-nine professional female singers (25 sopranos, 24 altos) were recruited and three-dimensional laryngeal images analyzed in a coronal view derived from high-resolution computed tomography scans obtained at the mean speaking fundamental frequency (ƒ0) and one (2ƒ0) and two octaves (4ƒ0) above ƒ0. RESULTS: The vocal fold angle, defined by a tangent above and below the vocal folds, was 58° at ƒ0, 47° at 2ƒ0, and 59° at 4ƒ0. CONCLUSION: The decreased caudomedial angle of the vocal fold from ƒ0 to 2ƒ0 (change in muscle belly from ";fat" to "thin") and increased angle from 2ƒ0 to 4ƒ0 (from "thin" to "fat") strongly supports the hypothesis that the vocal folds elongate and then tension when singing from ƒ0 to 4ƒ0. This is the first study to show this relationship in vivo.

Single and repeat cervical-length measurement in twin gestation with threatened preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of single and repeat sonographic cervical-length (CL) measurement in predicting preterm delivery in symptomatic women with a twin pregnancy. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of women with a twin gestation who presented with painful and regular uterine contractions at 24 + 0 to 33 + 6 weeks' gestation at the perinatal unit of the University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany between 2012 and 2018. CL was measured on transvaginal ultrasound at the time of admission and a few days later after cessation of contractions. Treatment included administration of tocolytics (usually oral nifedipine), for no more than 48 h, and administration of steroids if CL was ≤ 25 mm. Patients were clustered into five groups according to the CL measurement obtained at first assessment: < 10.0 mm; between 10.0 and 14.9 mm; between 15.0 and 19.9 mm; between 20.0 and 24.9 mm; and ≥ 25.0 mm. For each group, we calculated the test performance of CL measurement for prediction of preterm delivery within the subsequent 7 days and before 34 weeks' gestation. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the test performance of the second CL measurement for predicting preterm delivery within 7 days after the second assessment. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 257 twin pregnancies, of which 80.2% were dichorionic diamniotic. Median maternal and gestational ages at the time of admission were 32.0 years and 29.9 weeks' gestation, respectively. Preterm birth within 7 days of admission occurred in 23 (8.9%) pregnancies, and 82 (31.9%) patients delivered prior to 34 weeks' gestation. Median CL for the entire study population was 17.0 mm. Delivery within 7 days after the first assessment occurred in 29.0%, 10.6%, 4.2%, 6.3% and 0% of women with CL < 10.0 mm, 10.0-14.9 mm, 15.0-19.9 mm, 20.0-24.9 mm and ≥ 25.0 mm, respectively. There was a weak, but significant, association between the CL measurement at the time of admission and the time interval between admission and delivery (interval = 27.9 + 0.58 × CL; P = 0.003, r = 0.184). CL was measured again after a median time interval of 3 (interquartile range (IQR), 2-5) days in 248 cases. Median second CL measurement was 17.0 (IQR, 11.5-22.0) mm. Delivery occurred within the subsequent 7 days after the second measurement in 25/248 (10.1%) cases. Binary regression analysis indicated that the first (odds ratio (OR), 0.895; P = 0.003) and second (OR, 0.908; P = 0.002) CL measurements, but not the difference between the two measurements (OR, 0.961; P = 0.361), were associated significantly with delivery within 7 days after the second measurement. Receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC)-curve analysis for the prediction of delivery within 7 days after the second assessment did not show a significant difference between the predictive performance of the first (area under ROC curve (AUC), 0.676 (95% CI, 0.559-0.793)) and the second (AUC, 0.661 (95% CI, 0.531-0.790)) measurement. CONCLUSION: Sonographic measurement of CL can be helpful in predicting preterm delivery within 7 days of presentation in symptomatic women with a twin gestation; however, the test performance is relatively weak. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Modulation of fungal biofilm physiology and secondary product formation based on physico-chemical surface properties.

Relative to the amount of knowledge concerning bacterial biofilms, little is known about the impact of physico-chemical properties of support material on fungal biofilm adhesion and physiology. In the field of industrial fermentation, large-scale production of low-cost fungal secondary product is a challenging area of research. In the present work, the effect of physico-chemical surface properties of five different materials (Teflon, glass, Viton™ rubber, silicon rubber, and stainless steel) on the production of class II hydrophobins (HFBI and HFBII) from Trichoderma reesei (HFB2a-2) and Trichoderma harzianum) was evaluated. Two culture systems (shake flask and drip flow reactor (DFR)) were used in this study to promote biomass growth and the production of hydrophobins. Furthermore, the effect of physico-chemical surface properties (hydrophobicity, surface energy) and surface texture (roughness) of support material on the initial colonization and attachment of the fungal biofilm was evaluated. Maximum biofilm productivity was obtained using Viton™ rubber for T. reesei and Viton™ rubber and stainless steel as support materials for T. harzianum. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed that fungal biofilm adhesion was higher on the rough hydrophobic Viton rubber surface as compared to the smooth hydrophobic Teflon surface. Initial colonization initiated because of surface irregularities and holes in the material as hyphal filaments. Moreover, compared to traditional submerged fermentation, a significant increase in biofilm productivity for both strains (T. reesei, T. harzianum) in all five materials was obtained.

[Skull base meningioma: Clinical and radiological efficacy based on a quantitative volumetric analysis]. / Méningiomes de la base du crâne : efficacité clinique et radiologique basée sur une analyse volumétrique quantitative.

PURPOSE: To date, no correlation has been found between clinical and radiological efficacy after irradiation of skull base meningiomas. However, the evaluation of the radiological response was most often made by questionable methods that may have underestimated the radiological effectiveness of radiotherapy. The objective of this work is to verify this hypothesis by quantitative volumetric analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 35 patients treated with either helical tomotherapy (45.7%) or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (54.3%) were retrospectively analysed. These were mainly women (94%) aged 59 (43-81) with lesions mainly of the cavernous sinus (60%). There was a median of 2 (1-4) symptoms and the main symptoms were visual impairment (39%), cranial nerve deficits (23.4%) and headaches (17.2%). RESULTS: Median tumour volume decreased significantly (P<0.05) from 9.6mL (0.3-36.6) to 6.8mL (0.1-26.5) after median follow-up of 44 months (24-77). Sixty-three percent of patients had an improvement of at least one symptom. In univariate analysis, clinical efficacy (P<0.05), radiotherapy technique (P<0.05), tumor topography (P<0.05) and initial tumor volume (P<0.05) were predictive factors for radiological response. In multivariate analysis, only the inverse correlation between radiological response and initial tumor volume remained significant (ρ: -0.47 95% CI -3.2 to 5.7; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The quantitative volumetric monitoring demonstrates a major radiological efficiency of radiotherapy. However, no clear correlation between clinical and radiological efficacy was found.

Unexpected malignant uterine pathology: Incidence, characteristics and outcome in a large single-center series of hysterectomies for presumed benign uterine disease.

OBJECTIVE: Hysterectomy is a frequently used therapeutic option for benign gynecological conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of unforeseen malignant pathologies of the uterine corpus in a large population-based, single center cohort. METHODS: Patients who underwent hysterectomy for presumed benign conditions between 2003 and 2016 were identified. In cases of unexpected malignancies of the uterine corpus (UUM), available tissue samples were collected and a specialized gynecopathological review was performed. RESULTS: A total of 10,756 patients underwent hysterectomy for benign indications. After chart and gynecopathological review, 45/10,756 (0.42%) cases of unexpected uterine malignancies were confirmed. 33/45 (73.3%) were endometrial carcinomas (UEC) and 12/45 (26.7%) were uterine sarcomas (UUS). 27/33 (81.8%) UEC were FIGO IA, 5/33 (15.2%) FIGO IB and 1/33 (3%) FIGO stage II disease. Endometrioid and serous histotype were present in 31/33 (93.9%) and in 2/33 (6.1%) cases, respectively. 8/12 (66.7%) USS were early stage (FIGO IA or IB); only 3/12 (25.0%) were diagnosed at an advanced stage (≥FIGO II). Fatal outcome was observed in 1 patient diagnosed with UEC and 3 patients diagnosed with UUS. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that diagnosis of UUM is rare (0.42%). The majority of UUM tend to be early stage, making preoperative diagnosis difficult. In case of UEC, patient outcome is generally favorable. Nevertheless, the appropriate surgical approach for hysterectomy for a benign indication should be chosen carefully, taking all preoperative findings into account. Patients should always be informed about the residual risk of UUM.

First-trimester ductus venosus velocity ratio as a marker of major cardiac defects.

OBJECTIVES: To examine ductus venosus (DV) flow in fetuses with and those without a cardiac defect and to evaluate different phases of DV flow in addition to the standard assessment of DV pulsatility index for veins (PIV) and the a-wave. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of singleton pregnancies that underwent first-trimester ultrasound screening, which included DV flow assessment, at the University of Tübingen (between 2010 and 2017) or the University of Cologne (between 2013 and 2016). The study population comprised normal fetuses and fetuses with major cardiac defects at a ratio of 10:1. For each fetus, the following parameters of the DV waveform were evaluated: qualitative assessment of the a-wave, PIV measurement and ratios of flow velocities during the S-wave (S) or D-wave (D) and the a-wave (a) or v-wave (v). Reproducibility of DV-PIV and DV flow ratios was evaluated in 30 fetuses in which the DV flow was assessed twice. RESULTS: Our study population included 480 anatomically normal fetuses and 48 with a cardiac defect. Median fetal nuchal translucency (NT) in the normal and in the affected group was 1.9 mm and 2.6 mm, respectively. In five (1.0%) of the normal and 18 (37.5%) of the affected cases, fetal NT thickness was above the 99th centile. In the normal group, the DV a-wave was reversed in 15 (3.1%) cases and the DV-PIV was above the 95th centile in 25 (5.2%). In the cases with cardiac defects, the a-wave was reversed and the DV-PIV measurement was above the 95th centile in 26 (54.2%). The reproducibility of measurement of the ratios of DV flow velocities was similar to that of the DV-PIV. Most cardiac defects were associated with an abnormal a/S or a/D ratio. If the cut-off for these two ratios was set at the 5th centile of the normal distribution, the detection rate of fetal cardiac anomalies would be 62.5%. This compares favorably with the DV-PIV, which detects 26 (54.2%) of the affected fetuses for the same threshold. CONCLUSION: In the first trimester, the a/S ratio has the potential to detect approximately 60% of congenital cardiac defects for a false-positive rate of 5%. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A cost-benefit analysis and the potential trade effects of the bovine viral diarrhoea eradication programme in Styria, Austria.

This study evaluated the voluntary and compulsory implementation of a bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) eradication programme in the Austrian Federal State of Styria, Austria, from an economic point of view using ex-post assessment of costs and benefits (disease losses avoided). An economic net benefit (benefit:cost ratio, BCR=1.18) of the programme was demonstrated during the voluntary programme phase (January 1998-July 2004). The break-even point was reached in 2003. If investments in the compulsory programme (August 2004-December 2016) were taken into account, a net economic loss (BCR=0.16) was demonstrated. In contrast to on-going annual testing of all cattle herds, annual testing in accordance with a revised sampling scheme could reduce total surveillance costs by more than 77%. A Bayesian structural time series model was applied to analyse a hypothesised positive impact of the compulsory BVDV programme on the Styrian cattle export market. The average number of exported cows and bulls increased significantly by 42% (P=0.03) and 47% (P=0.01), respectively, and the producer price increased by 14% (P=0.00) and 5% (P=0.16), respectively, during the compulsory programme period compared with the period prior to intervention. This equates to an average revenue increase of €29,754 for cows and €137,563 for bulls per month. These results justify the implementation of eradication programmes, which initially may not appear to be economically viable, particularly if trade effects are not included in the calculations.

First-trimester risk assessment based on ultrasound and cell-free DNA vs combined screening: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This was a randomized controlled trial to compare risk assessment by first-trimester combined screening (FTCS) with an approach that combines a detailed ultrasound examination at 11-13 weeks' gestation and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis. METHODS: Pregnant women with a normal first-trimester ultrasound examination at 11-13 weeks' gestation (fetal nuchal translucency (NT) ≤ 3.5 mm and no fetal defects) were randomized into one of two groups. In the first group, risk of aneuploidy was assessed using FTCS based on the most recent UK Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm. In the second group, risk assessment was based on ultrasound findings and cfDNA analysis. An additional tube of blood was collected for FTCS in case the cfDNA analysis was uninformative. Primary outcome was false-positive rate in screening for trisomy 21. A case was considered false positive if the karyotype was not trisomy 21 and if the risk for trisomy 21 was >1:100, irrespective of the method of risk calculation. Results were compared using 95% CIs using the Clopper-Pearson method. RESULTS: Between October 2015 and December 2016, 1518 women with singleton pregnancy underwent first-trimester screening. Thirty-one (2.0%) pregnancies were not eligible for randomization due to increased NT (> 3.5 mm) and/or fetal defect. After exclusion of women who declined randomization (n = 87) and cases of fetal death and loss to follow-up (n = 24), 688 pregnancies were randomized into the FTCS arm and 688 into the ultrasound + cfDNA analysis arm. There were no differences in maternal and gestational age, maternal weight and BMI, ethnicity, use of assisted reproduction and cigarette smoking between the two arms. In the ultrasound + cfDNA analysis arm, median risk for trisomy 21 was 1 in 10 000. None of the cases had a risk above 1: 100 (95% CI, 0.0-0.5%). In the FTCS arm, the median risk for trisomy 21 was 1 in 3787 and in 17 cases, the risk was higher than 1:100, which corresponds to 2.5% (95% CI, 1.5-3.9%) of the FTCS study-arm population. CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that first-trimester risk assessment for trisomy 21 that includes a detailed ultrasound examination as well as NT measurement and is followed by cfDNA testing is associated with a significant reduction in the false-positive rate compared with FTCS. This approach obviates the need for maternal serum free ß-human chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A in screening for fetal aneuploidy. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Impact of the n-6:n-3 long-chain PUFA ratio during pregnancy and lactation on offspring neurodevelopment: 5-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Evidence regarding the effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) supplementation during pregnancy on offspring's neurodevelopment is not conclusive. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this analysis, the effect of a reduced n-6:n-3 LCPUFA ratio in the diet of pregnant/lactating women (1.2 g n-3 LCPUFA together with an arachidonic acid (AA)-balanced diet between 15th wk of gestation-4 months postpartum vs control diet) on child neurodevelopment at 4 and 5 years of age was assessed. A child development inventory (CDI) questionnaire and a hand movement test measuring mirror movements (MMs) were applied and the association with cord blood LCPUFA concentrations examined. RESULTS: CDI questionnaire data, which categorizes children as 'normal', 'borderline' or 'delayed' in different areas of development, showed no significant evidence between study groups at 4 (n=119) and 5 years (n=130) except for the area 'letters' at 5 years of age (P=0.043). Similarly, the results did not strongly support the hypothesis that the intervention has a beneficial effect on MMs (for example, at 5 years: dominant hand, fast: adjusted mean difference, -0.08 (-0.43, 0.26); P=0.631). Children exposed to higher cord blood concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and AA, as well as a lower ratio of n-6:n-3 fatty acids appeared to show beneficial effects on MMs, but these results were largely not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not show clear benefits or harms of a change in the n-6:n-3 LCPUFA ratio during pregnancy on offspring's neurodevelopment at preschool age. Findings on cord blood LCPUFAs point to a potential influence on offspring development.

New Insights Into Cellular Stress Responses to Environmental Metal Toxicants.

Exposures to metal toxicants in the environment disrupt normal physiological functions and have been linked to the development of a myriad of human diseases. While the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying metal toxicities remain to be fully understood, it is well appreciated that metal toxicants induce cellular stresses and that how cells respond to the stresses plays an important role in metal toxicity. In this review, we focus on how metal exposures induce stresses in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to elicit the unfolded protein response (UPR). We document the emerging evidence that induction of ER stress and UPR in the development of human diseases is associated with metal exposures. We also discuss the role of the interplay between ER stress and oxidative stress in metal toxicity. Finally, we review recent advances in functional genomics approaches and discuss how applications of these new tools could help elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular stresses induced by environmental metal toxicants.

[Inpatient multimodal pain therapy : Additive value of neuromuscular core stability exercises for chronic back pain]. / Die stationäre multimodale Schmerztherapie : Additiver Wert eines sensomotorischen Stabilisationstrainings bei chronischem Rückenschmerz.

INTRODUCTION: The medical and healthcare economic burden caused by chronic lumbar back pain (CLBP) requires the use of interdisciplinary treatment approaches. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the effectiveness of inpatient multimodal pain therapy (MPT, operations and procedures (OPS) coding 8-918.02), can be increased by implementing additional neuromuscular core stability exercises (NCSE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: As part of a prospective controlled study, subjects with CLBP (n = 48, 17 males, 58.2 ± 11.7 years) were allocated to one of two groups. One group received standard care (SC, n =23) encompassing manual, pharmacological and psychological therapy in addition to passive physiotherapeutic applications. The intervention group (IG, n =25) additionally completed NCSE. On the day of admission and on discharge as well as 1 and 6 weeks after inpatient care, pain intensity (numeric rating scale), pain-related routine daily functions (Oswestry disability index), well-being (SF-12 Health Survey) and motor function parameters (trunk strength, endurance and postural control) were assessed. Data analysis was performed using statistical inference methods. In addition, effect sizes (Cohen's d) of intergroup differences were calculated. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant reductions in pain intensity (p < 0.05, d > 0.6) at all measurement points (MP). Physical well-being and disability (p < 0.05, d > 0.6) were improved 1 week after discharge in the intervention group only. Overall, no systematic differences between groups were detected (p > 0.05). In relation to the motor outcomes, no significant changes over time nor between groups were verified (p > 0.05). DISCUSSION: Despite the use of an additional NCSE, no significant added value in individuals with CLBP could be detected, although a systematic pre-post effect in daily functions and physical well-being (one week after discharge) was observed for the IG only. Therefore, on the basis of the study results, the implementation of additional NCSE into the inpatient MPT cannot be clearly recommended. To further delineate the therapeutic relevance, studies with larger sample sizes are needed.

Sphenofrontal distance in euploid and aneuploid fetuses.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the sphenofrontal distance (SFD) in a large series of aneuploid fetuses in the second and third trimesters and compare findings with those of a euploid population. METHODS: The database at our unit was searched to identify pregnancies with a diagnosis of trisomy 21, 18 or 13, triploidy or Turner syndrome after 15 weeks' gestation. Stored ultrasound images obtained between 19 and 22 weeks were reviewed. For the normal population, two euploid fetuses matched for gestational age were selected randomly for each aneuploid case. The SFD was measured from the anterior edge of the sphenoid bone to the lowest posterior edge of the frontal bone using on-screen calipers. The SFD measurement was parallel to the long axis of the maxilla. If the sphenoid bone did not extend superiorly enough for direct measurement of the SFD, a tangential line was drawn at the anterior wall of the sphenoid bone and extended cranially. In these cases, the distance between the extended line and the frontal bone was measured. One operator measured the SFD twice and was blinded to the results and karyotype. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 591 pregnancies: 394 euploid fetuses, 122 fetuses with trisomy 21, 45 with trisomy 18, 16 with trisomy 13, eight with Turner syndrome and six with triploidy. For both euploid and aneuploid groups, mean gestational age at examination was 22.8 (range: euploid, 15.0-40.7; aneuploid, 15.0-40.3) weeks. For euploid fetuses, mean SFD was 1.27 cm and measurements ranged from 0.53 cm to 2.56 cm. SFD was significantly dependent on gestational age (SFD = 0.138 + 0.005 × gestational age, P < 0.001, r = 0.802). Mean SFD was significantly smaller in each aneuploid group compared with the euploid population (trisomies 21, 18 and 13: all P < 0.001; triploidy: P = 0.026; Turner syndrome: P = 0.047). For 32 (26.2%), nine (20.0%) and six (37.5%) fetuses with trisomy 21, 18 and 13, respectively, SFD was < 5th percentile. Only one (12.5%) fetus with Turner syndrome and none with triploidy had SFD < 5th percentile. CONCLUSION: In aneuploid fetuses, the SFD is smaller than in their euploid counterparts. However, for a false-positive rate of 5%, the detection rate of trisomy 21 is only 26%. Therefore, using the method we have proposed, it is unlikely that this marker will play a major role in second- and third-trimester screening for aneuploidy. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.