Prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis using linked DNA probes

This paper presents data collected in Europe on 107 prenatal diagnoses of cystic fibrosis (CF) using linked DNA markers. To date, 38 children have been born without CF, as predicted, demonstrating the present rapid move from research to clinical genetic service.     

Removal of copper from a copper sulphate solution using an ultrasonic-electrolysis process

The application of ultrasonic-electrolysis process for the removal of copper is studied.In the ultrasonic field cavitation acts as jets and agitates the solution and breaks the barrier layer between the cathode surface and the bulk of the solution.Thus increases metal deposition on the cathode surface.The results show that an ultrasonic field is successful for the removal of low copper concentrations in solution.     

Carbon isotope ratios in logged and unlogged boreal forests: Examination of the potential for determining wildlife habitat use

Due to assimilation of recycled CO₂ from litter decomposition and photosynthetic changes in carbon fractionation at low light levels, the foliage at the base of a forest is often more depleted in¹³C compared to that exposed to the atmosphere in either the canopy or in open clearings. This is referred to as the canopy effect. African research has indicated that these habitat differences in foliar ¹³C can be substantial enough to affect the carbon isotope ratios of resident fauna. Previous work documenting a 30-year chronology on moose teeth from Isle Royale National Park indicated a progressive depletion in¹³C and suggested that this could be due to forest regrowth following extensive burning. The present study examined the assumption implicit in this hypothesis that foliar ¹³C varies between open and closed boreal forest sites. I found a marginal canopy effect of 2 ¹³C difference between upper canopy and ground flora for a forest in northwestern Ontario and an average difference of 1.2 in under- and mid-story vegetation between closed forests and open clear-cuts. Because of these small differences, the utility of carbon isotope analysis in quantifying temporally integrated exploitation of deforested habitats will be low for northern boreal locations. In denser forests, such as those in the tropics or western North American where the canopy effect can be expected to be much greater, ¹³C analysis may still offer some promise for determining selection by wildlife of disturbed habitats.     

Biodegradation of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons by natural soil microflora and pure cultures of imperfect and lignolitic fungi

The biodegradation of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons by natural soil microflora and seven fungi species, including imperfect strains and higher level lignolitic species, is compared in a 90-day laboratory experiment using a natural, not-fertilized soil contaminated with 10% crude oil. The natural microbial soil assemblage isolated from an urban forest area was unable to significantly degrade crude oil, whereas pure fungi cultures effectively reduced the residues by 26-35% in 90 days. Normal alkanes were almost completely degraded in the first 15 days, whereas aromatic compounds (phenanthrene and methylphenanthrenes) exhibited slower kinetics. Aspergillus terreus and Fusarium solani, isolated from oil-polluted areas, produced the more efficient attack of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, respectively. Overall, imperfect fungi isolated from polluted soils showed a somewhat higher efficiency, but the performance of unadapted, indigenous, lignolitic fungi was comparable, and all three species, Pleurotus ostreatus, Trametes villosus and Coriolopsis rigida, effectively degraded aliphatic and aromatic components. The simultaneous, multivariate analysis of 22 parameters allowed the elucidation of a clear reactivity trend of the oil components during biodegradation: lower molecular weight n-alkanes > phenanthrene > 3-2-methylphenanthrenes > intermediate chain length n-alkanes > longer chain length n-alkanes > isoprenoids approximately 9-1-methylphenanthrenes. Irrespective of the individual degrading capacities, all fungi species tested seem to follow this decomposition sequence.     

Effects of ethylenediurea (EDU) on ozone-induced acceleration of foliar senescence in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of the anti-ozonant ethylenediurea (EDU) and chronic ozone (O3) exposure on leaf physiology and senescence in an O3-sensitive potato cultivar (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Norland). A dose-response experiment showed that an EDU concentration of 15 mg l(-1) soil (given as a soil drench) provided complete protection from accelerated foliar senescence induced by exposure to 0.1 microl l(-1) O3 for 5 h day(-1) for 11 days. EDU doses of 45 and 75 mg active ingredient l(-1) soil also gave protection but were associated with symptoms of toxicity and delayed senescence. In further experiments, plants were given 0 or 15 mg EDU l(-1) soil and exposed to clean air or 0.1 microl l(-1) O3 for 5 h day(-1) for 14 days. Chronic O3 exposure in the absence of EDU resulted in accelerated foliar senescence, characterized by early declines in net photosynthesis and Rubisco quantity in O3-treated plants relative to controls. EDU in the presence of O3 gave complete protection against symptoms of accelerated senescence. Senescence was not delayed in plants that received EDU in the absence of O3, and no symptoms of EDU toxicity were evident. The results suggest that EDU-induced tolerance to O3 was not based on 'anti-senescent' properties of this anti-ozonant.     

The effect of papermill wastewater and organic amendments of sodium accumulation by potted cottonwoods

In this experiment, the impacts of pulp mill effluent irrigation, Fraser cottonwood (Populus deltoides 'Fraser') seedlings, and pulp sludge and manure soil amendments on sodium accumulation and distribution in the soil profile were evaluated during a 6 month greenhouse study. Sludge soil amendments and wastewater irrigation did not reduce stem biomass production of the cottonwood. Increased stem biomass production associated with manure soil amendments resulted in greater total uptake of sodium into stem material. This uptake was 0.002% of wastewater sodium inputs. In containers with seedlings, sodium concentrations were less in the surface horizon and more in the lower horizons than in containers with no seedlings. Infiltration rates and total sodium accumulation in the soil profile were not affected by the presence of Fraser cottonwood or the application of sludge or manure amendments to soil.