Double-outlet right ventricle with absent left ventricle and mitral atresia in a fetus with a deletion 22q12

Interstitial deletions of chromosomal region 22q12 are rare. We report the prenatal diagnosis of a de novo interstitial deletion 22q12. The fetus was karyotyped because of a complex cardiac anomaly. Conventional and molecular cytogenetics showed a female karyotype with a de novo pericentric inversion of one chromosome 22 associated with a deletion of the chromosomal region 22q12 leading to a partial monosomy 22q12. At autopsy, the fetus showed double-outlet right ventricle (DORV) with absent left ventricle and mitral atresia. This observation suggests that one or several genes for the early looping step of heart development may reside in chromosomal region 22q12. Further studies are needed to identify these genes, and to search microdeletions of 22q12 region in patients with DORV. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Real-Time PCR Detection of Norovirus in Mussels Collected from the Bosphorus in Istanbul,Turkey

Norovirus (NoV) is recognised as one of the most common causes of foodborne infections, and shellfish are a well-documented source of this virus. The presence of NoV in shellfish has not previously been investigated in Turkey, and hence the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of human NoV genogroups I and II in mussels collected from the Bosphorus, Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 320 mussels representing 110 samples originating along the Bosphorus coast were collected from fish distributors. RNA was extracted using the RNeasy Mini Kit and real-time RT–PCR performed using primers specific for NoV genogroup I and II. Amongst the 110 samples, 5 (4.5%) were found to be positive for NoV genogroup II by SYBR Green assay; no genogroup I was detected. A positive signal was obtained by SYBR Green for NoV Genogroup II in mussels collected in October, November and December 2008, and February and July 2009. Only four out of five SYBR Green positive samples could be confirmed by the use of a NoV GII probe-based real-time RT–PCR. The average count and SD of Enterobactericaeae, E. coli and sulphide reductase anaerobic bacteria in PCR positive mussels were 3.56 log ± 0.96 log, 2.32 log ± 0.77 log and 1.70 log ± 0.56 log, respectively. This study shows that NoV Genogroup II is present in mussels collected from the Bosphorus, Istanbul, and may constitute a risk to human health.     

交通环境与城市行道树重金属铅和镉的关系

以南方常见的18种受到机动车污染的城市行道树及其对照树作为研究材料，用原子吸收分光光度法分析了其叶片和树皮的重金属含量以研究交通环境与城市行道树叶片的树皮含铅量及含镉量之间的关系。研究表明，不同的城市行道树吸收交通环境中重金属的量不同。城市行道树采样部位离杨车道水平距离越近，其树皮和叶片的含铅量和含镉量越高。     

北京市畜禽养殖业氨排放的分布特征

氨是形成可吸入颗粒物(PM2.5)的重要前体,采用国外排放因子的平均值作为排放因子,研究了北京市畜禽养殖业氨排放的分布特征。2012年北京畜禽养殖业产生的氨为4.43万t。顺义区排放量最多,占总排放量的20.4%;朝阳区仅养殖少量奶牛,海淀区养殖量少,门头沟区为北京生态涵养发展区,上述几个区氨排放量较低。顺义区排放强度最大,为8.9 t/km2,其后依次为大兴区、平谷区、密云县,而朝阳区、门头沟区、丰台区、海淀区排放强度较小,北京市平均氨排放强度为2.70 t/km2。肉鸡养殖是氨排放的最大贡献源,占总排放量的37.8%,养猪业次之,占37.3%。研究结果可为北京市氨及大气污染防治,尤其是霾天气治理提供科学依据。     

Copper sulphate use in South African traditional medicine

Copper (Cu) is an essential element to humans; however, exposure to elevated concentrations through occupational hazard and/or environmental means may be detrimental. This paper provides results of a cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of copper sulphate (CuSO₄) use in South African traditional medicine by traditional health practitioners (THPs) and details the use thereof. A total of 201 THPs were enrolled from two main municipal areas of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). Information on demographic characteristics of THPs, reasons for using or not using CuSO₄ as well as administration methods and age groups of recipients were collected. Of the 201 THPs interviewed, 145 (72 %) use CuSO₄ for healing purposes. The use of CuSO₄ was strongly associated with gender (p = 0.009) where the proportion of CuSO₄ users was higher for female than male THPs. CuSO₄ was reportedly administered to individuals of all ages, including infants and children. The main routes of administration were enema (n = 110; 76 %), oral (n = 40; 28 %) and use in bath (n = 40; 28 %). The reasons cited for use are diverse and included skin rashes (n = 43; 30 %), aches, pains and swelling (n = 38; 28 %) as well as sexually transmitted diseases (n = 28; 19 %). This study identified a high prevalence of THPs using CuSO₄ for healing purposes. These findings support the need to regulate South African traditional medicine to safeguard the user.     

Pollution and potential mobility of Cd, Ni and Pb in the sediments of a wastewater-receiving river in Hanoi, Vietnam

Large quantities of untreated industrial and domestic wastewater are discharged from the city of Hanoi into urban rivers. Sediment samples from three sites in the To Lich River in Hanoi were assessed with respect to the concentrations and potential mobility of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb). Due to very high Cd concentrations up to 700 mg kg^?1 at one site, the sediment was considered highly unsuitable for any types of land use if dredged and disposed of on land. Chemical sequential extractions of wet and anoxic sediment samples showed that Cd and Pb were largely associated with the redox-sensitive fractions and could thus be mobilised following measures such as resuspension or dredging. To assess the potential mobilisation of heavy metals from the anoxic sediment due to oxidation, the samples were exposed to different oxidants (i.e. atmospheric air and hydrogen peroxide) and afterwards submitted to a leaching test. These experiments showed that although oxidation may increase the equilibrium pore water concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments, other sediment mineral fractions seem to effectively immobilise heavy metals potentially released from the oxidisable fraction.     

Hepatologie Neuere Forschungsergebnisse in ihrer Bedeutung für das Verständnis von Leberkrankheiten

By two exemplary clinical situations — acute viral hepatitis, acute-phase reaction of the liver — the significance of basic research for the understanding of clinical phenomena and for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures is demonstrated. The very different phenomena following infection with the hepatitis-B-virus can be explained by the variation in the interactions of virus and liver cell, by the immune reaction of the host, and by mutants of the virus. The reaction of the liver to an extrahepatic infection is mediated by interleukin-6, and characterized by an alteration in protein metabolism. The synthesis of acute-phase proteins is increased. The proteins confine the local injury and establish the homeostasis of the organism.     

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