Ivemark syndrome with agenesis of the corpus callosum: a case report with a review of the literature

Asplenia associated with situs ambiguus, symmetric liver, bilateral trilobulated lungs, and a complex heart defect was diagnosed on autopsy in a 14-day-old infant. Furthermore, examination of the brain displayed agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) with pachygyria and hydrocephalus. The characteristic association of asplenia with visceroatrial heterotaxia is traditionally named after the Swedish pediatrician, Ivemark. Although exceptional, association of Ivemark syndrome with callosal agenesis has been reported recently. The concept of ‘developmental fields’ describes morphogenetically reactive units of the embryo determining and controlling the development of complex structures in a hierarchical manner. Lateralization defects such as situs inversus, asplenia or polysplenia due to defective left–right axis development, as well as decussation defects such as ACC, are considered as defects of the primary developmental field. Therefore, additional callosal agenesis in Ivemark syndrome may be a coherent and synchronic defect in the primary developmental field rather than a causally independent malformation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Entwicklung eines Sedimentbiotests mit der ZwergdeckelschneckePotamopyrgus antipodarum (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia)

Currently, only few organismic biotest systems are available for the assessment of effects on reproduction, which consider an exposure toward whole sediments. A well-suited test organism is the parthenogenetic mudsnailPotamopyrgus antipodarum. This ovoviviparous prosobranch snail lives in the upper layers of freshwater and brackish sediments. The number of (unshelled) embryos turned out to be a very sensitive parameter for the indication of sediment components affecting reproduction. Additionally, this endpoint allows to signal possible estrogenic sediment compounds. With this 28-day bioassay, laboratory tests on the effects of various chemicals onP. antipodarum were performed, e.g. triphenyltin and bisphenol A, in relevant environmental concentration ranges. Furthermore, the suitability of our test system for the investigation of complex and multiple level ranged contaminations was examined by means of various natural sediments from the Neiße and Odra rivers.     

Trisomy 2 due to a 3:1 segregation in an abortion studied by QF-PCR and CGH

Balanced reciprocal translocation is one of the known causes of recurrent spontaneous abortions. Cytogenetic studies of unbalanced miscarriages are difficult due to the growth failure of early loss and usually macerated abortions. We present a molecular study of an abortion in which the father carries a balanced reciprocal translocation t(2;17)(q32.1;q24.3) using QF-PCR and CGH techniques. DNA analysis showed the presence of a trisomy 2 due to a 3:1 interchange segregation. Recombinant events could also be investigated by comparing DNA samples from the family. We propose QF-PCR in addition to CGH as an efficient diagnostic method to improve our knowledge of unbalanced offspring in balanced translocation carriers. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nature conservation with reference to the state of Alagoas,Brazil

Summary This paper examines some problems concerning the present global environmental status, and looks at the principal concepts, aims and objectives of nature conservation. Reference is made to the State of Alagoas in Brazil in relation to its leading environmental problems and the government's efforts to address the situation. The main stumbling-blocks to conservation achievements in Alagoas are also explored.     

Ecological restoration as a strategy for mitigating and adapting to climate change: lessons and challenges from Brazil

Climate change is a global phenomenon that affects biophysical systems and human well-being. The Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force in 2016 with the objective of strengthening the global response to climate change by keeping global temperature rise this century well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 °C. The agreement requires all Parties to submit their “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs) and to strengthen these efforts in the years ahead. Reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation is an important strategy for mitigating climate change, particularly in developing countries with large forests. Extensive tropical forest loss and degradation have increased awareness at the international level of the need to undertake large-scale ecological restoration, highlighting the need to identify cases in which restoration strategies can contribute to mitigation and adaptation. Here we consider Brazil as a case study to evaluate the benefits and challenges of implementing large-scale restoration programs in developing countries. The Brazilian NDC included the target of restoring and reforesting 12 million hectares of forests for multiple uses by 2030. Restoration of native vegetation is one of the foundations of sustainable rural development in Brazil and should consider multiple purposes, from biodiversity and ecosystem services conservation to social and economic development. However, ecological restoration still presents substantial challenges for tropical and mega-diverse countries, including the need to develop plans that are technically and financially feasible, as well as public policies and monitoring instruments that can assess effectiveness. The planning, execution, and monitoring of restoration efforts strongly depend on the context and the diagnosis of the area with respect to reference ecosystems (e.g., forests, savannas, grasslands, wetlands). In addition, poor integration of climate change policies at the national and subnational levels and with other sectorial policies constrains the large-scale implementation of restoration programs. The case of Brazil shows that slowing deforestation is possible; however, this analysis highlights the need for increased national commitment and international support for actions that require large-scale transformations of the forest sector regarding ecosystem restoration efforts. Scaling up the ambitions and actions of the Paris Agreement implies the need for a global framework that recognizes landscape restoration as a cost-effective nature-based solution and that supports countries in addressing their remaining needs, challenges, and barriers.