First trimester PAPP-A in the detection of non-Down syndrome aneuploidy

Combined first trimester screening using pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), free β-human chorionic gonadotrophin, and nuchal translucency (NT), is currently accepted as probably the best combination for the detection of Down syndrome (DS). Current first trimester algorithms provide computed risks only for DS. However, low PAPP-A is also associated with other chromosome anomalies such as trisomy 13, 18, and sex chromosome aneuploidy. Thus, using currently available algorithms, some chromosome anomalies may not be detected. The purpose of the present study was to establish a low-end cut-off value for PAPP-A that would increase the detection rates for non-DS chromosome anomalies. The study included 1408 patients who underwent combined first trimester screening. To determine a low-end cut-off value for PAPP-A, a Receiver–Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed. In the entire study group there were 18 cases of chromosome anomalies (trisomy 21, 13, 18, sex chromosome anomalies), 14 of which were among screen-positive patients, a detection rate of 77.7% for all chromosome anomalies (95% CI: 55.7–99.7%). ROC curve analysis detected a statistically significant cut-off for PAPP-A at 0.25 MoM. If the definition of screen-positive were to also include patients with PAPP-A<0.25 MoM, the detection rate would increase to 88.8% for all chromosome anomalies (95% CI: 71.6–106%). This low cut-off value may be used until specific algorithms are implemented for non-Down syndrome aneuploidy. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation and Evaluation of Control Strategies for Ozone Reduction in a Complex Terrain in Southwestern Spain

During the central months of the year, southwestern Spain is under strong insolation and weak synoptic forcing, promoting the development of sea breezes and mountain-induced winds and creating recirculations of pollutants. The complex topography of the Southwestern Iberia Peninsula induces the formation of vertical layers, into which the pollutants are injected and subjected to long-distance transport and compensatory subsidence. The characteristics of these highly complex flows have important effects on the pollutant dispersion. Air pollution studies in very complex terrains require high-resolution modelling for resolving the flow dynamics. This paper shows the results obtained from using the MM5-CAMx multiscale-nested air quality model to relate the sensitivity regimes for ozone, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in an area of high geographical complexity. The article assesses the impact on the hourly and eight-hourly maximum daily ozone concentrations of four reduction strategies during two ozone pollution episodes. This analysis of the ozone response has led to a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of the most common control strategies: traffic, industry, mixed traffic and industry, and closure of some of the largest industries (oil and petrochemical refineries). Photochemical indicators show that ozone chemistry in southwestern Spain is strongly sensitive to NO _x . However, volatile organic compound-sensitive points are found in areas with anthropogenic influence (highways, cities and industrial parks). Our results indicate that reductions in road traffic lead to ozone reductions over large areas, whereas reductions in industrial emissions, despite sometimes showing greater decreases in the maximum hourly and eight-hourly ground-level ozone levels, lead to ozone reductions in a local area only. In the control study case, with the oil refinery and the petrochemical plants closed, decreases in ozone hourly concentrations are up to 40% higher than in the other emission control scenarios studied. This analysis provides an assessment of the effectiveness of different policies for controlling precursor emissions by comparing the modelled results for different scenarios.     

Selectivity of Nano Zerovalent Iron in In Situ Chemical Reduction: Challenges and Improvements

Nano zerovalent iron (nZVI) is a promising remediation technology utilizing in situ chemical reduction (ISCR) to clean up contaminated groundwater at hazardous waste sites. The small particle size and large surface area of nZVI result in high reactivity and rapid destruction of contaminants. Over the past 20 years, a great deal of research has advanced the nZVI technology from bench‐scale tests to field‐scale applications. However, to date, the overall number of well‐characterized nZVI field deployments is still small compared to other alternative remedies that are more widely applied. Apart from the relatively high material cost of nZVI and questions regarding possible nanotoxicological side effects, one of the major obstacles to the widespread utilization of nZVI in the field is its short persistence in the environment due to natural reductant demand (NRD). The NRD for nZVI is predominantly due to reduction of water, but other reactions with naturally present oxidants (e.g., oxygen) occur, resulting in situ conditions that are reducing (high in ferrous iron phases and H₂) but with little or no Fe(0). This article reviews the main biogeochemical processes that determine the selectivity and longevity of nZVI, summarizes data from prior (laboratory and field) studies on the longevity of various common types of nZVI, and describes modifications of nZVI that could improve its selectivity and longevity for full‐scale applications of ISCR. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.