The solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) syndrome: Associations,prenatal diagnosis,and outcomes

Solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) syndrome is a complex disorder consisting of multiple, developmental defects involving midline structures of the head, which includes the cranial bones, the maxilla, and its container dentition (specifically the central incisor tooth germ), together with other midline structures of the body. SMMCI may appear as an isolated trait or in association with other midline developmental anomalies. We describe the case of a patient with SMMCI. He presented with a solitary median maxillary incisor, short stature, corpus callosum anomalies and a microform of holoprosencephaly (HPE), diabetes insipidus, and neurodevelopmental delay. The diagnosis was performed postnatally based on clinical features, radiological imaging, and a comprehensive genetic study. SMMCI can be diagnosed during the prenatal or neonatal periods or during infancy. Evaluation of the superior maxillary bone is important for prenatal diagnosis. Direct evaluation through bidimensional ultrasound or the use of multiplanar ultrasound or tridimensional reconstruction should be performed in cases of brain or face malformations. Early diagnosis can contribute to improved prenatal assessment and postnatal management.     

Assessment of the relationship between total suspended particles and the response of two biological indicators transplanted to an urban area in central Argentina

Samples of the vascular plant Tradescantia pallida and the lichen Usnea amblyoclada were exposed from October 2004 to April 2005 in three sites with different local sources of air pollution in Córdoba city, Argentina. Simultaneous determinations of the ambient levels of total suspended particles were made for each site. Young inflorescenses of T. pallida were collected in November, February and April and the frequency of micronuclei was determined on early tetrads of pollen mother cells. Physiological parameters and the elemental composition of lichen thalli were measured from samples exposed and replaced every month. Significant differences among sampling sites were observed in the frequency of micronuclei measured in T. pallida as well as in many physiological parameters and elements accumulated in lichen thalli. The mass of particulate material as well as the concentration of Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn and Sr was significantly different in different sampling sites, too. These results suggest that in situ biomonitoring using both higher plants and lichens may be of use to characterize air pollution in areas devoid of instrumental monitoring techniques or where it is necessary to explore the distribution of air contaminants at a microscale.     

Somatic and population growth responses of Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia pulex (Cladocera) to changes in food (Chlorella vulgaris) level and temperature

We quantified the combined effects of three food levels (0.01 x 10(6), 0.1 x 10(6) and 1.0 x 10(6) cells ml(-1)) and three temperature levels (15, 20 and 25 degrees C) on the somatic and the clonal population growth of two cladocerans Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia pulex for 24 to 42 days. The somatic growth data showed that both the cladoceran species began to increase their body size within 3 days and remained stable beyond a week. Food density had a significant effect on the body size of C. dubia while for D. pulex, food level and temperature as well as their interaction had significant effect on the body size. The population growth of both the cladoceran species was affected by temperature. At 15 degrees C, C. dubia showed little growth at the highest food density, while at low food level, there was some increase in the population abundances, especially after a long lag phase of about 2 weeks. At 15 degrees C and under the lowest tested food level, the population of D. pulex did not increase beyond the inoculation density. Optimal population growth of D. pulex was observed at intermediate temperature and at 1.0 x 10(6) cells ml(-1) of food level while for C. dubia 25 degrees C and the highest food level yielded highest growth. At low food level and low temperature, the rate of population increase (r) of C. dubia was much lower than that of D. pulex at comparable conditions. On the hand, at higher food levels and temperature regimes, the r of D. pulex was much higher than that of C.dubia. Regardless of the food levels and temperature, the r of C. dubia varied from 0.03 to 0.07 while that of D. pulex varied from 0.01 to 0.08 day(1).     

Assessment of carcinogenic heavy metal levels in Brazilian cigarettes

Total mercury (Hg(T)) and bioavailability Hg (Hg(HCl)) concentrations in soil were determined in five districts in Wuhu urban area. Spatial pattern of soil Hg concentration was generated through kriging technology. Results showed that Hg concentration in soil ranged from 0.024 to 2.844 mg kg(?-1) with an average of 0.207 mg kg(?-1). Hg concentration in soil appeared to have a block distribution and decreased from downtown to surrounding district. And Hg concentrations appeared to have a medium scale spatial auto correlation, strongly affected by human activity. The maximal Hg average concentration (0.332 mg kg(?-1)) in soil appeared in Jinghu district, where the high intensity of human activities is. Second highest Hg average concentration (0.263 mg kg(?-1)) in soil appeared in development district, where the intensive industrial activities are. Bioavailability Hg concentration in soil ranged from 2.6 to 4.9 μg kg(?-1) with an average of 3.8 μg kg(?-1), which had a ratio of 0.28~6.44% to total Hg. The ratios of bioavailability Hg to total Hg in vegetable soil were bigger than those of park soil. Correlation analysis showed that total Hg, organic matter, total phosphorus, and bioavailability Hg concentrations in soil were significantly positively correlated. Hg concentration in vegetable ranged from 2.7 to 15.2 μg kg(?-1) with an average of 6.5 μg kg(?-1). Hg concentration in vegetable was positively correlated with Hg(HCl) concentration in soil. According to the calculation on hazard quotient (HQ) for children, inhalation of Hg vapor from soil is the main exposure pathway, in which HQ is 2.517 × 10(?-2), accounting for 80.3% of the four exposure pathways. Hazard index (HI) of the four exposure pathways is lower than the "safe" level of HI = 1; therefore, exposure of soil Hg exhibited little potential health risk to children in Wuhu urban area.     

UV-irradiation and BDD-based photoelectrolysis for the treatment of halosulfuron-methyl herbicide

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper reports the development of a novel photoelectrochemical (PEC) oxidation technique based on UV-C irradiation and boron-doped diamond (BDD)...     

Energy metabolism of newly settledOstrea edulis spat during metamorphosis

An energy budget for metamorphosis in oyster spatOstrea edulis L., collected in the Instituto Español de Oceanografía during March–April 1988, was determined. The energy cost of metamorphosis was calculated from measurements of biochemical components which form the principal reserves of energy and which are used significantly during metamorphosis. The results indicated that protein supplied most of the energy inO. edulis spat. The idea that neutral lipids were used selectively as an energy reserve during the metamorphosis of this bivalve marine larvae was questioned.     

Comparison of sampling collection strategies for assessing airborne trichloramine levels in indoor swimming pools

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Since 1995, Hery’s trichloramine sampling procedure has been widely used to determine trichloramine exposure in indoor swimming pools. This...