Biosorption of Phosphorus Using Alginate-Like Exopolymers: Investigation of Removal Mechanism,Kinetic and Thermodynamic Properties

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - The purpose of this study was to investigate the phosphorus (P) adsorption mechanism, kinetic, isothermal and thermodynamic parameters using alginate-like...     

Stable isotope variation in the northern Gulf of Mexico constrains bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) foraging ranges

Site-specific differences were found in consumer isotope values among ten sites examined in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Average δ¹³C values among sites ranged ?21.7 to ?15.7 ‰, δ¹⁵N ranged <3 ‰: from 9.8 to 11.5 ‰, and δ³⁴S ranged from 5.9 to 18.3 ‰. Isotope variation among these sites provided insight into the ranging habits of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) sampled in St. George Sound (29.8N, 84.6W), a nearshore seagrass habitat, during May of 2005. Isotope comparisons suggest that the majority of dolphins sampled (average ± one standard deviation: δ¹³C = ?17.5 ± 0.8, δ¹⁵N = 14.5 ± 0.9, and δ³⁴S = 10.6 ± 1.5) did not forage significantly on offshore species which are significantly ³⁴S-enriched, nor is it likely that they ranged either eastward or westward along the coast within the sampling region. Despite their capability for ranging, these dolphins occupied a restricted home range, during the spring before our sampling efforts. These results demonstrate significant fine-scale isotope variation among coastal habitats explained by differences in freshwater inputs, organic matter loading, and modes of primary production that may be used to constrain the foraging ranges of a highly mobile apex predator.     

JES Special issue in Mercury Biogeochemistry and Fate

正The global and regional redistribution of mercury within the environment is of primary importance to both natural ecosystems and human health.The ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury by 91 parties represents a key step in protecting ecosystems and future societies from increasing mercury accumulation.However,key to the continued quanti-     

The development of the fetal eye: In utero ultrasonographic measurements of the vitreous and lens

Our objective was to establish nomograms for fetal eye measurements from 12 weeks' gestation by using transvaginal and transabdominal high-resolution ultrasound techniques. A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on 450 normal singleton pregnancies between 12 and 37 weeks' gestation. Vitreous and lens circumferences were measured by transvaginal ultrasonography until 17 weeks, and by abdominal ultrasound between 18 and 37 weeks' gestation. Regression analyses were used to create nomograms, and several transformations were done to obtain linearity. Eye measurements of 12 fetuses at risk for ocular disturbances were plotted on the constructed nomograms. Linear relationships were fitted between vitreous (r²=0.79) and lens (r²=0.88) circumferences and gestational age. In addition, there was a significant correlation between these measurements and the biparietal diameter. Data of the fetuses at risk showed that disturbances in ocular growth were associated mainly with abnormal cerebral development. These normative data may be helpful in the prenatal diagnosis of suspected congenital syndromes that include, among their manifestations, ocular growth disturbances such as microphthalmos and anophthalmos.     

On the parental origin of the X's in a prenatally diagnosed 49,XXXXX syndrome

A 49,XXXXX fetus was detected in amniotic fluid cell cultures from a 39-year-old mother. On ultrasonography, growth retardation and bilateral radioulnar synostosis were found. Additional clinical manifestations were mild facial anomalies and hypoplastic ovaries depleted of oocytes. Molecular analysis showed that this aneuploidy arose by successive maternal non-disjunction.     

Molecular analysis of genomic DNA allows rapid,and accurate,prenatal diagnosis of peroxisomal D-bifunctional protein deficiency

Prenatal diagnosis was requested for a couple with a previous child affected by the peroxisomal disorder D-bifunctional protein deficiency. Prior analysis of the D-bifunctional protein cDNA sequence from the propositus had shown that it was missing 22 bp. This was subsequently attributed to a point mutation in the intron 5 donor site (IVS5+1G>C) of the D-bifunctional protein gene. Consistent with parental consanguinity, the patient was shown to be homozygous for this mutation, which is associated with loss of a Hph 1 restriction site in the genomic sequence. Prenatal testing of the fetus using genomic DNA isolated from uncultured amniocytes indicated that both alleles of the D-bifunctional protein had the IVS5+1G>C substitution. The peroxisomal defect was later confirmed biochemically using cultured amniocytes, which were found to have elevated levels of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA). This is the first report of prenatal diagnosis of D-bifunctional protein deficiency using molecular analysis of genomic DNA. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.