Phylogeography of the European stalked barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes): identification of glacial refugia

The alternation of glacial and interglacial events during the Pleistocene has produced changes in species distribution ranges leading to bottlenecks and alterations of patterns of gene flow. The European stalked barnacle, Pollicipes pollicipes, is a sessile pedunculate cirripede that inhabits the rocky intertidal frame, from Senegal to the northwestern coast of France. In this work, we have analyzed a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I for 569 individuals of P. pollicipes in order to investigate whether the shifts in climatic conditions that occurred during the Pleistocene influenced the current pattern of distribution of genetic variation of P. pollicipes. A pre-last glacial maximum pattern of demographic expansion was found, in concordance with many other North Atlantic marine species. On the other hand, three potential glacial refugia were identified: North African coasts, northwestern Iberian Peninsula and English Channel/Brittany.     

Gonopore sexing technique allows determination of sex ratios and helper composition in eusocial shrimps

An evaluation of the social organization and sexual system of eusocial species of Synalpheus has been hindered because it has not been possible to determine the sexual composition of colony helpers (workers). The external sexual characters typically used to sex caridean shrimps are lacking in Synalpheus. We used SEM sexing technique to determine the sexual composition of helpers in colonies of Synalpheus regalis, S. rathbunae, S. chacei, S. rathbunae A (see Morrison et al. Mol Phylogen Evol 30:563–568, 2004), and S. filidigitus. Colonies consisted of both sexes and sex ratios of helpers generally conformed to 50:50 female to male. Females were characterized by gonopores with U-shaped slits on the coxae of the third pereopods (first walking legs) while males had oval gonopore openings on the coxae of the fifth pereopods (third or last walking legs). In S. chacei, S. filidigitus, and S. rathbunae A, a few helpers were found that had both male and female gonopores (intersexes). All three reproductive females (queens) of S. filidigitus examined were intersexes. Sexing of helpers allowed us to test some hypotheses about sexual differences in helper morphology that might indicate task specialization (division of labor). Male helpers were not different from female ones in body size (except in S. regalis: males somewhat larger) and in fighting chela size. The lack of sexual dimorphism in these characters suggests no male–female specialization in colony tasks such as defense. The presence of male and female helpers similar in size suggests that the sexual system of these eusocial species is gonochoristic, although protandry of some sort in S. filidigitus can not be ruled out. The intersexuality observed in a few individuals may be due to developmental anomalies, protandry, or even simultaneous hermaphroditism. Finally, the sexing technique allowed us to establish that new colonizers of unoccupied sponges in S. rathbunae are a single male and female of helper size.     

Genetic syndromes associated with isolated fetal growth restriction

Early onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) may be due to impaired placentation, environmental or toxic exposure, congenital infections or genetic abnormalities. Remarkable research, mainly based on retrospective series, has been published on the diverse genetic causes. Those have become more and more relevant with the improvement in the accuracy of the analysis techniques and the rising of breakthrough genomewide methods such as the whole genome sequencing. However, no publication has presented an integrated view of management of those fetuses with an early and severe affection. In this review, we explored to which extent genetic syndromes can cause FGR fetuses without structural defects. The most common chromosomal abnormalities (Triploidies and Trisomy 18), submicroscopic chromosomal anomalies (22q11.2 microduplication syndrome) and single gene disorders (often associated with mild ultrasound findings) related to early and severe FGR had been analysed. Finally, we addressed the impact of epigenetic marks on fetal growth, a matter of growing importance. At the end of this review, we should be able to provide an adequate counseling to parents in terms of diagnosis, prognosis and management of those pregnancies.     

Environmental sampling of volatile organic compounds during the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California

Trace analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during wildfires is imperative for environmental and health risk assessment. The use of gas sampling devices mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to chemically sample air during wildfires is of great interest because these devices move freely about their environment, allowing for more representative air samples and the ability to sample areas dangerous or unreachable by humans. This work presents chemical data from air samples obtained in Davis, CA during the most destructive wildfire in California's history - the 2018 Camp Fire – as well as the deployment of our sampling device during a controlled experimental fire while fixed to a UAV. The sampling mechanism was an in-house manufactured micro-gas preconcentrator (µPC) embedded onto a compact battery-operated sampler that was returned to the laboratory for chemical analysis. Compounds commonly observed in wildfires were detected during the Camp Fire using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS), including BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m+p-xylene, and o-xylene), benzaldehyde, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, naphthalene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene and 1-ethyl-3-methylbenzene. Concentrations of BTEX were calculated and we observed that benzene and toluene were highest with average concentrations of 4.7 and 15.1 µg/m³, respectively. Numerous fire-related compounds including BTEX and aldehydes such as octanal and nonanal were detected upon experimental fire ignition, even at a much smaller sampling time compared to samples taken during the Camp Fire. Analysis of the air samples taken both stationary during the Camp Fire and mobile during an experimental fire show the successful operation of our sampler in a fire environment.     

Transformation of phthalates in young landfill cells

Phthalic acid diesters are additives in a variety of materials that can end up in landfills. Leachates from a series of full-scale young landfill cells were analysed over time for dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl, butylbenzyl, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (respectively designated DMP, DEP, DBP, BBP, and DEHP), and their corresponding monoesters monomethyl, monoethyl, monobutyl, monobenzyl, and mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MMP, MEP, MbutP, MbenzP, and MEHP, respectively), as well as o-phthalic acid (PA). One landfill cell was created in each of three consecutive years by deposition of the same type of waste in July and August. The pH, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and total organic carbon (TOC) were measured to characterise development of the degradation phases in three landfill cells, which revealed early acidogenic to initial methanogenic stages. Analysis of the phthalate compounds showed that observed concentrations of the degradation products were below the detection limit in the acidogenic leachates but exceeded concentrations of their corresponding diesters in leachates from cells in the initial methanogenic phase. Maximum and average concentrations of phthalic acid were 50 and 23 mg/l, respectively, and the corresponding values for the other phthalates were 430 and 27 microg/l. The concentrations of all phthalates decreased during the establishment of stable methanogenic conditions.     

Occupational Medicine—Its Contribution to Protection and Promotion of Health at Work

This article deals with the special demands on occupational medicine due to the changes of work and of tasks at workplaces. Conclusions for research in occupational medicine are drawn from these processes. They are discussed on the basis on an analysis of literature from the years 1980–1998. Focus of future research in the field of occupational medicine is developed by taking international tendencies, the interdisciplinary setting of occupational medicine, and the close relations between science and practice into consideration.     

Observed half-lives of 3H, 90Sr and 137Cs in hydrosphere in the Vltava River basin (Bohemia)

A near field study was set up to follow the effects of the Temelin nuclear power plant construction. Reference levels of artificial radionuclides were monitored in the Vltava River upper course and its tributaries in the period 1990-2001. Monitoring continued even after the waste water release startup during the pilot operation in 2002. The assessment of the (90)Sr and (137)Cs concentrations histories in ground water, river bottom sediments and fish showed a decreasing trend. This trend was not influenced by the nuclear power plant pilot operation. In the case of tritium, trend of increasing concentration had been already observed since the pilot operation startup. The monitoring of changes in concentrations of artificial and natural radionuclides in influenced and uninfluenced profiles will be maintained to assess the possible influence of the operation of the Temelin nuclear power plant.     

Screening of environmental pressure from products in the Swedish railway infrastructure: Implications for strategic environmental management

This paper proposes a method to be used in environmental reviews as an initial tool for estimating upstream environmental pressures from material use in organisations dealing mostly with construction materials. Upstream environmental pressures are often omitted in environmental reviews from organisations and instead tend to be site specific, with a limited life-cycle perspective. This paper uses the Swedish National Rail Authority as a case to present the approach. An energy indicator is used to estimate the environmental pressure of material use.In the studied building project, a small set of products contribute to a major part of the material use and the material-related energy use. The energy use is almost exclusively of nonrenewable energy carriers. The three most important products are all homogenous and non-complex, which makes the energy indicator well suited for the analysis. The organisation can use the results to focus on the most important products and also to see which parts of the organisation contribute to the material-related energy use. Rail traffic in Sweden is almost exclusively from non-fossil-based energy carriers. This highlights the importance of the infrastructure to the overall environmental pressure of the railway. Consequently, if road transport were to shift away from fossil fuels, railways earlier environmental advantages would diminish, since research suggests that railway infrastructure is more energy intensive than road infrastructure.