Environmental management of oak wilt disease in central texas

Oak wilt disease, for which there is no known cure, is one of the most destructive tree killers in the United States today. This analysis reports on the patterns of disease transmission, along with the methods of treatment used to suppress the severity of the pathogen's attack on trees in central Texas. The practical problems inherent in the linkage between people and their relationship with this environmental disorder are addressed. The environmental controls implemented have application to other areas of the United States and western Europe, where tree species are subject to infections.     

INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN DRINKING WATER CORRELATED WITH DISEASE OCCURRENCE IN NEBRASKA1

ABSTRACT: Levels of nitrate and other inorganic contaminants in the drinking water of 453 Nebraska communities in 1986 were compared with health data for counties in which these communities were located. Data used included death rates per 100,000 population from heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia and chronic lung disease, plus the rate of birth defects. Water samples from 42 communities exceeded the 0.01 mg/liter state and federal standards for selenium while 19 exceeded the 10 mg/liter NO₃-N standard. Statistical analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient method showed no significant relationship between nitrate or selenium and any of the health effects studied. Only barium, fluoride, and chromium were weakly but significantly (P<0.05) correlated to one or more of the health effects. Approximately one-third of the water samples high in NO₃-N also had high levels of selenium. In some communities, the presence of nitrate also signaled the presence of barium, chromium, or arsenic. Results appear to indicate no immediate health risks related to levels of nitrate, selenium, or other inorganic contaminants in Nebraska drinking water. However, this type of statistical analysis cannot be interpreted as proving or disproving a cause and effect relationship.     

Role of interaction between selenium and organic matters on causes of Kaschin-Beck disease

Influences of organic matters of soil and water on speciation and biological utilization of selenium are discussed. Humic acid is found to be the main pool of selenium in soil and affects the bio-availability of the element in soil-plant system. Fulvic acid from drinking water inhibits the absorption of selenium taken from diet. The relationship between high content of organic matters of water and selenium deficiency on the causes of KBD could be reflected in the limited synthesis of glutathione peroxidase, which is generally stimulated by fulvic acid from drinking water.     

Normal fetal cardiac anatomy–a basis for the echocardiographic detection of abnormalities

Real-time examination of the fetal heart in 350 pregnancies has allowed a composite picture of normal fetal cardiac anatomy to be established and echocardiographic interpretation has been confirmed by anatomical studies. Two echocardiographic sections are readily obtainable and are suggested as applicable to routine scanning but the specialist nature of interpreting abnormalities is stressed. Six abnormalities have been suspected during the study and five confirmed anatomically or at cardiac catheterization. In view of the low incidence of congenital heart disease in a normal obstetric population, high risk groups should perhaps be selected for cardiac scanning at the present time. These include mothers of previously affected babies, diabetic mothers and certain abnormalities of pregnancy. Fetal ascites is particularly important, being present in three of the four proven cases of cardiac abnormality.     

Prenatal diagnosis of pyruvate dehydrogenase E1α subunit deficiency

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) E1α subunit deficiency is an X-linked inborn error of metabolism affecting males and females with equal frequency. The diagnosis is usually based on determination of enzyme activity, although this may present difficulties in some females because of X-inactivation patterns favouring expression of the normal X chromosome. This is a particular problem for prenatal diagnosis using chorionic villus cells where normal enzyme assay results do not necessarily exclude the diagnosis and confirmatory X-inactivation analysis may be complicated by variable methylation of active and inactive X chromosomes. We describe prenatal diagnosis in two pregnancies in a family following diagnosis of a PDH E1α deficient male. The first prenatal diagnosis was performed by enzyme assay, but by the time of the subsequent pregnancy, the underlying mutation in the affected male had been identified and direct gene analysis was possible. This study highlights the limitations of diagnosis of PDH E1α deficiency based on measurement of the gene product and illustrates the need for mutation analysis in affected individuals.     

Prenatal tests for Sanfilippo disease type B in four pregnancies

We report the prenatal diagnosis of two fetuses with Sanfilippo disease type B. In both pregnancies there were excessive amounts of heparan sulphate in amniotic fluid and the activity of N-acetyl-α-D-glucosaminidase was undetectable in cultured amniotic fluid cells. The predictions were confirmed by enzyme assay of cultured skin fibroblasts from the aborted fetus or the affected infant. The disorder was excluded for two other pregnancies at risk and the predictions are considered to be correct because of the normal progress of the healthy children.     

Detoxifying moniliformin in grains and water

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Studies on metabolic extract of Altemaria alternata and toxicity

Altemaria alternata were isolated from wheat seeds collected from villages in Tianshui area of Gansu Province where Kaschin-Beck disease is prevalent. TLC, IR and UV analyses of metabolic extract of A. alternata show that A. alternata produce main secondary metabolites, including alternariol, alternariol methyl ether, and tenuazonic acid.There was a significant decrease in Se-GSH-Px and SOD activities, and an acceleration in lipid peroxidation in rats fed with a diet containing metabolites produced by A. alternata.     

贝类典型寄生虫病害

体内寄生的原生动物是海水养殖贝类最严重的病原生物之一，在国外已进行了比较系统的研究。本文比较详细地介绍了典型贝类体内寄生的原生动物病害，包括血细胞虫病、微细胞病、槌虫病、单孢子虫病、帕金虫病，对其分类的地位、形态结构、生活史、流行情况、危害机理等进行了论述，为我国贝类病害的研究和防治提供参考。     

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: Prenatal diagnosis by DNA analysis and sonography at 14 weeks

A pregnant woman affected with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) had a history of an affected fetus, diagnosed by sonography at 29 weeks of pregnancy. The proband's father was also affected. DNA analysis performed on chorionic villi at 11 weeks during a second pregnancy predicted an affected fetus, and sonographic examination at 14 weeks confirmed the diagnosis.