S-100 protein and neuron-specific enolase in amniotic fluid as markers of abdominal wall and neural tube defects in the fetus

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is increased leakage of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100 protein into amniotic fluid in pregnancies with neural tube defects, since both these proteins are produced by neural tissue, and to compare the value of these substances for detecting such defects with that of the more conventional techniques of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) gel electrophoresis. Amniotic samples from 25 mid-pregnancies (15–17 weeks' gestation) with neural tube defects (14 with open spina bifida and 11 with anencephaly) and from seven mid-pregnancies with abdominal wall defects were compared with a control material consisting of 80 amniotic fluid samples from 80 consecutive mid-pregnancy amniocenteses, with normal karyotypes and AFP concentrations. All of the above cases of abnormalities were primarily detected through increased AFP levels in the amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid samples from 13 pregnancies with fetuses with autosomal chromosomal abnormalities and seven amniotic fluid samples contaminated with blood were also included in the investigation. It is concluded from the results that the conventional AFP assay combined with AChE gel electrophoresis is the best method for screening amniotic fluid for neural tube defects and defects of the abdominal wall. Neither NSE nor S-100 assay alone proved to be superior for the detection of these cases in mid-trimester amniotic fluid. The S-100 assay, however, could give additional information in cases where AChE gel electrophoresis is not decisive; for example, in samples contaminated with blood.     

一个特大城市:墨西哥城大都市区的水资源管理

引言 墨西哥城大都市区(MCMA)位于被称作"墨西哥谷(Valle deMexico)"的天然围合的盆地里,海拔2240m.它下辖联邦区和墨西哥州的34个自治市.墨西哥城是墨西哥的首都,位于联邦区(DistritoFederal,DF),四面环山,海拔高度超过5000m.墨西哥州是墨西哥人口最稠密的地区(据报道有1300万居民),人口仅次于它的是墨西哥城,大约有860万人[1].     

Gamergates in the myrmicine genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metapone</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera:Formicidae)

Gamergates (i.e. mated reproductive workers) are mostly known from ant species within the Ponerinae. We report here the discovery of gamergates in two species of the subfamily Myrmicinae. Until now, mated reproductive females in colonies of myrmicine species have been considered morphologically distinct from the worker caste. However, in two species of the myrmicine Metapone (Metapone madagascarica and a newly discovered, not yet described Metapone species) all workers have six ovarioles and a spermatheca; and some of them are mated. There are no morphological differences between mated and non-mated workers. Field observations and laboratory studies indicate that colonies of the Metapone species can reproduce with gamergates only.     

Vocal acrobatics in a Chinese frog, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amolops tormotus</Emphasis>

Although amphibians are highly vocal, they generally emit only a limited number of acoustic communication signals. We report here the extraordinarily rich vocal repertoire of Amolops tormotus, a ranid species in China. These frogs produce countless vocalizations, some of which share features of birdsong or primate calls, e.g., ultrasonic frequency components, multiple upward and downward FM sweeps, and sudden onset and offset of selective harmonic components within a call note. Frame-by-frame video analysis of the frog's calling behavior suggests the presence of two pairs of vocal sacs that may contribute to the remarkable call-note complexity in this species. Electronic supplementary material to this paper can be obtained by using the Springer LINK server located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00114-002-0335-x.     

Inventory of emissions from major air pollutant categories in Turkey

In this study, an inventory of air pollutant emission estimates from major air polluting sources in Turkey for period between 1985 and 2005 with 5-year intervals were estimated. Inventory covers anthropogenic sources of five major air pollutants of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and non-methane volatile organic compounds. Their break-down with respect to main activity sectors were shown and their distribution by the largest industrial source categories were worked out as annual estimates. This inventory and its analysis point to serious environmental implications of air pollutants and a need to develop a policy plan for reducing these emissions.     

膜生物反应器技术的研究和应用展望

膜生物反应器是将膜分离技术与生物上结合而开发的新型系统，该文就膜生物反应器的特征、研究现状、不同形式反应器的技术参数与处理效果等。进行了综述、由于膜生物反应器具有明显的优点，故愈来愈受到人们的重视、成为研究的热点之一。膜生物反应器的研究和范围不断拓宽，有的已进入污水处理实用阶段，建议今后在开发适合于分离的特种膜方面，在组件形式，操作条件，清洗方式等对膜通量的影响方面，以及生物作用与膜分离工艺的相互     

二步法腈纶废水有机污染物组成分析研究

采用色谱技术,对二步法腈纶生产废水中所含的有机污染物,进行了系统的分析研究.结果表明,二步法腈纶废水的可生化性极差,其BOD5/CODcr的比值在0.1～0.2之间.其中所含有机污染物主要有芳香族及酚类的2,6-二(1,1-二甲基乙基)酚、硫代邻氨基苯酚、苯甲酸苄酯、邻二甲苯;腈类的丙烯腈、丁二腈、戊腈、己腈、β,β＇-亚氨基二丙腈;烷烃类的壬烷异构体、十二烷及其异构体、十三烷及其异构体、十五烷及其异构体、十六烷;其它有N,N-二甲基乙酰胺、2,2'-二硫基乙醇、硫醇(丙硫醇、乙硫醇)、丙烯酸甲酯、甲基丙烯磺酸钠等.     

厌氧升流式污泥层反应器内污泥颗粒化对固液分离效果的影响

厌氧升流式污泥层反应器在较高的COD容积负荷和水力负荷下稳定运行的关键是要有良好的固液分离,而固液分离的必要条件是污泥的沉降速度大于混合液在三相分离器的沉降区的最小断面上的向上流速。通过小型装置的试验表明,污泥的沉降速度与污泥的性状和浓度有关,使反应器内的污泥颗粒化能改善污泥沉降性、提高固液分离效果,使反应器能在相当高的COD容积负荷(20—30kgCOD/m~3·d)和水力负荷(0.8m~3/m~2·h)下稳定运行。本文叙述了厌氧升流式污泥层反应器内的污泥颗粒化过程,并简要地讨论了培养颗粒污泥的基本条件。