Do wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) use food selection as a means to reduce heavy metal intake?

Food preference of wood mice from two with heavy metals polluted sites and two unpolluted sites was tested under laboratory and field conditions with two-way choice experiments. In the laboratory, wood mice preferred to eat acorns from unpolluted sites over acorns from polluted sites. Previous experience with polluted food had no influence on food choice. Preference was negatively related to acorn metal content. Furthermore, the nutrient content of the acorn endosperm was consistently lower in polluted sites. We therefore conclude that wood mice used absolute metal concentration in the acorn, nutrient content, or both as a food selection cue. The results of the laboratory experiment could not be confirmed under field conditions. We hypothesized that search time constraints due to the presence of predators, competitors and/or other stress factors in the field have prevented the mice to forage selectively.     

First assessment of population exposure to perfluorinated compounds in Flanders, Belgium

With the objective to evaluate exposure of the population in Flanders (Belgium) to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), we measured perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in settled dust in homes and offices, in a selection of food items from local origin, in drinking-water and in human serum. We complemented the data with results from a literature survey. Based on this dataset we calculated intake by children and adults from food, drinking-water, settled dust and soil, and air. Dietary exposure dominated overall intake. For adults, average dietary intake equalled 24.2 (P95 40.9) ng PFOS kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ and 6.1 (P95 9.6) ng PFOA kg⁻¹ d⁻¹, whereas for children the dietary intake was about 3 times higher. Predicted intake is high when compared to assessments in other countries, and to serum levels from Flanders, but comparable to the intakes published by The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2008. Intake of PFOS and PFOA remained below the Tolerable Daily Intake.     

The Precautionary Principle and Pesticides

In 1998, Greenpeace, Natuur en Milieu(Nature and Environment), Milieudefensie(Environmental Defense), and the National ConsumersUnion presented a report about the possible risks andhazards associated with pesticide residues on fruitsand vegetables. Although these organizationsexplicitly denied having unassailable evidence on theharmful effects of pesticides, they claimed that bynow there are sufficient indications that pesticidesmay indeed lead to such health hazards. They used anappeal to the so-called precautionary principle tounderpin their claims. The committee officially incharge of deciding on the admission of pesticidesaccused the organizations of scaremongering. Afterdistinguishing three possible versions of theprecautionary principle, we then show that the fourorganizations used in their campaign an improperversion of the precautionary principle to convince thegeneral public.     

Sonographically determined anomalies and outcome in 170 chromosomally abnormal fetuses

Structural pathology and outcome were studied in 170 chromosomally abnormal fetuses. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities were established in 158 (93 per cent) cases, of which 110 (71 per cent) represented trisomies, 30 (18 per cent) Turner syndrome, and 18 (11 per cent) triploidy. Structural chromosomal abnormalities were diagnosed in 12 (7 per cent) cases. Gestational age at referral was significantly shorter for pregnancies with Turner syndrome than for the other chromosomal abnormalities. Referral before 20 weeks of gestation was mainly based on fetal structural pathology alone (92 per cent); after 20 weeks, patients were referred because of structural pathology combined with small for gestational age, oligohydramnios, or polyhydramnios. Referral as a result of suspected multiple organ pathology occurred in 73.5 per cent of pregnancies. An abnormal amniotic fluid volume was present in 59/170 (34.5 per cent) chromosomally affected pregnancies, i.e., oligohydramnios in 31 and polyhydramnios in 28 cases. Birth weight was below the tenth percentile in over half of the chromosomally abnormal fetuses, except for Turnersyndrome. Fetal outcome was poor, with a survival rate at 1 month of 30 per cent for trisomies which was mainly determined by trisomy 21 (14/18=77.5 per cent).     

Informing or Empowering? Disclosure in the United States and the Netherlands

This paper studies the emergence of one particular 'new' environmental policy instrument: disclosure of emission and pollution data. Disclosure is part of a relatively new sub-set of regulatory measures, based on monitoring, transparency, citizen-empowerment and accountability. It originated in the United States but has recently attracted international attention. The attractiveness of disclosure is obvious; it promises environmental improvement combined with strengthened environmental democracy and community empowerment. By analysing the experiences in the US, and the developments in the Netherlands, this paper seeks to assess the functioning and effectiveness of disclosure. The available empirical evidence suggests that disclosure has a positive impact on the environmental performance of industrial facilities as well as a democratising effect. It is argued that Dutch policy makers wrongfully assume that disclosure cannot work in the Netherlands. The consequence is that citizens are provided with little specific information that cannot be used to put pressure on polluters.     

Marker chromosomes in A series of 10000 prenatal diagnoses. Cytogenetic and follow-up studies

In a series of 10 000 prenatal diagnoses 15 marker chromosomes were detected in our centre. Six of these were familial whilst nine had originated de novo. They were analysed with various staining methods. DA-DAPI staining was positive in nine out of 12 pregnancies. Six pregnancies were continued. Five normal children were born, one ended in intrauterine fetal death of a normal fetus at 37 weeks. Nine pregnancies were terminated, showing six normal fetuses, one familial cat-eye syndrome, one fetus with Down syndrome caused by additional trisomy 21 and one fetus with cystic kidneys resp. It is concluded that it seems safe to continue the pregnancy in cases of a familial marker, identical to that of one parent, whilst a de novo DA-DAPI positive marker seems to present a low risk for fetal anomalies.     

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A retrospective analysis of 28 cases

In a retrospective analysis of 28 cases of fetal diaphragmatic hernia, overall mortality was 86 per cent, but fell to 70 per cent when multiple anomalies were excluded. Congenital heart disease constituted the majority of associated anomalies. The incidence of an abnormal karyotype was 10·5 per cent, but rose to 20 per cent when only fetuses with multiple anomalies were included. Polyhydramnios, which occurred in 75 per cent, was a poor predictor of fetal outcome. The same applied to the intrathoracic position of the fetal stomach. In all four survivors, diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed beyond 32 weeks of gestation.     

Prenatal diagnosis of isovaleric acidaemia by enzyme and metabolite assay in the first and second trimesters

Isovaleric acidaemia (IVA) is caused by a deficiency of isovaleryl CoA dehydrogenase. The diagnosis can be established biochemically by the demonstration of increased levels of isovalerylglycine (IVG) and 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid in urine and by the deficiency of incorporation of radiolabel from [¹⁴C]isovaleric acid in macromolecules in cultured fibroblasts. This paper reports a consecutive series of 24 prenatal diagnoses in pregnancies at high risk, using both methods-metabolite and indirect enzyme assay. Affected fetuses were diagnosed in four pregnancies: three in the second trimester and one recent case in the first trimester. The latter represents the first reported case of a first-trimester diagnosis of IVA by direct analysis of chorionic villi. We also report the first demonstration of strongly accumulated IVG in the amniotic fluid in the 12th week of an affected pregnancy.