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.     

Six years' experience with rapid karyotyping in prenatal diagnosis: Correlations between phenotype detected by ultrasound and fetal karyotype

From September 1985 to March 1992, 804 amniotic fluid samples from 64 different diagnostic centres of the Federal Republic of Germany were sent to our laboratory exclusively for rapid karyotyping. The average time needed for notification of the analysed karyotype was 4·65 days when the ‘pipette method’ was used for chromosome harvesting and 5·97 days when the ‘in situ’ technique was used. The overall incidence of chromosome aberrations was 15·3 per cent. Data are presented about the likelihood of abnormal ultrasound findings being caused by chromosome aberrations. These findings include polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, growth retardation, fetal effusions, neural tube defects, craniofacial defects, heart defects, gastroschisis and omphalocele, gastrointestinal tract defects, urinogenital defects, and limb defects. In future, such data need to contain larger numbers of cases for each week of gestation. This will improve the risk evaluation for each case with abnormal ultrasound findings, which should lead to better management during pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal care for those who require rapid karyotyping.     

Die Organisation der Früherkennung von Umweltproblemen im Rahmen der wissenschaftlichen Beratung der Umweltpolitik

This study is based on the theses that

1. early diagnosis is indispensable for the management of environmental problems in the context of precautionary policy, which have the character of a “creeping disaster” and that
2. the public must play the active role that is adequate within a democratic society.

In the context of the study, three existing advisory committees for environmental policy as well as two concepts which have not been put into effect are investigated. In the second part of the study the concepts and the working method of the three existing advisory committees are portrayed: the Council of Experts for Environmental Questions (SRU), the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), and the Office of Technology Assessment of the Federal Parliament (TAB). In part I, the concept of the Picht commission from 1972, which has never been implemented in this form was introduced. Part III deals with the critique of these committees and with an alternative concept of early diagnosis which has not yet been put into effect. In part IV, the work of the oldest of the committees, the SRU, is examined with respect to the three most important environmental problems of the last 15 years.     

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.      

Polyfluoroalkyl compounds in landfill leachates

Polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) are widely used in industry and consumer products. These products could end up finally in landfills where their leachates are a potential source for PFCs into the aqueous environment. In this study, samples of untreated and treated leachate from 22 landfill sites in Germany were analysed for 43 PFCs. ΣPFC concentrations ranged from 31 to 12,819 ng/L in untreated leachate and 4-8060 ng/L in treated leachate. The dominating compounds in untreated leachate were perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) (mean contribution 27%) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) (24%). The discharge of PFCs into the aqueous environment depended on the cleaning treatment systems. Membrane treatments (reverse osmosis and nanofiltrations) and activated carbon released lower concentrations of PFCs into the environment than cleaning systems using wet air oxidation or only biological treatment. The mass flows of ∑PFCs into the aqueous environment ranged between 0.08 and 956 mg/day.