ABNORMALITIES AND DISEASES OBSERVED IN COMMERCIAL FISH CATCHES FROM BISCAYNE BAY,FLORIDA1

ABSTRACT: Many of the most productive fishing grounds in the United States are estuaries and bays which are located near population and industrial centers, and therefore subjected to pollution. Observations made on 17 fish species from commercial catches harvested in north Biscayne Bay, Florida, an urban area, showed high numbers of individuals suffering from abnormalities and diseases. Seven groups of disorders most frequently affected bottom feeders. Fin and integumental hemorrhages occurred in all individuals in 26 of 43 catches of Mugil cephalus (striped mullet), and in all individuals in 24 of 30 catches of Micropogon undulatus (Atlantic croaker). Disorders occurring consistently in a location exposed to pollutants, but uncommon in other areas of the species' range, point to environmental stress as a probable cause.     

Kosovo-Konflikt: ?kologische Auswirkungen

Zusammenfassung  Der WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), Initiator und Tr?ger des Donau-Karpaten-Programms, besch?ftigt sich seit Beginn des Kosovo-Konfliktes mit den Auswirkungen der kriegerischen Auseinandersetzungen auf Natur und Mensch und versucht, die Welt?ffentiichkeit entsprechend zu informieren. Ende Juli 1999 hat der WWF International eine Mission, bestehend aus unabh?ngigen Toxikologinnen und ?lexperten, an die Donau entsandt. Unter der Leitung von Philip Weller, dem Direktor des WWF Donau-Karpaten-Programms, wurden drei Tag lang Industriekomplexe besichtigt und Gespr?che mit Betroffenen geführt. Die Reise führte das Team nach Panćevo und Novi Sad, und damit zu den Schwerpunkten der zerst?rten Chemie- und Petrochemischen Komplexe. In den betroffenen Werken, HIP AZOTARA, Panćevo und NIS ?lraffinerie, Novi Sad wurde das Team von den jeweiligen Werkleitern geführt. Gespr?che fanden statt mit dem Bürgermeister von Panćevo und Vertretern des Gesundheitsamtes in Belgrad. Es war dem Team m?glich, Boden- und Wasserproben zu nehmen und zu analysieren. Damit liegen den Autoren unabh?ngige Analysenergebnisse vor, die es gestatten, eine erste, orientierende Einsch?tzung der Kontaminationen vorzunehmen.      

A pipette method for rapid karyotyping in prenatal diagnosis

The 'pipette method' is introduced as a method of prenatal diagnosis which is in competition with the 'in situ' and the 'trypsinization' technique. It is sufficiently standardized for routine diagnosis and the banding techniques currently used in prenatal diagnosis (G, Q, C-banding and NOR) have been adapted for it. In 180 cases from 27 different centres, the 'pipette method' was employed for chromosomal harvesting in order to save time. An average of 6·6 days was taken to achieve a result. There was a pathological karyotype in 28 cases (16·1 per cent) and this high proportion can be related to cases where ultrasound scan has led to a diagnosis of 'suspected chromosomal abnormality'. This technique is also of use in advanced stages of pregnancy. The early recognition of the fetal karyotype can contribute to the future management of the pregnancy. The 'pipette method' can also be used in chromosomal harvesting of tumour cells and fibroblast cultures.