Partial trisomy 20p resulting from recombination of a maternal pericentric inversion: case report of a prenatal diagnosis by chorionic villus sampling

We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 20p resulting from a maternal pericentric inversion. The diagnosis was confirmed on both chorionic villi and amniotic cells. This case underlines the fact that prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of this structural anomaly is difficult. The only early sonographic feature was increased nuchal translucency. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transport of pollutants in two estuarine systems on the coast of Georgia

The aim of the present study was to examine the distribution of pollutants in two coastal systems in Georgia: (1) Kubitskali river which flows into the Black sea through the city of Batumi and is polluted mainly from the effluents of an oil refinery; (2) Paliastomi lake, which is a shallow water body at the south-east of the city of Poti. During 2000-2001, two samplings took place in each system, one in the low-flow period and one in the high-flow period. During these samplings, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity were measured in situ, whereas water samples were collected for the analysis of trace metals, nutrients, and organic pollutants with standard methods. The results of the measurements indicate the significant pollution of both systems by ammonia and in the case of Kubitskali River also by oil products. The need for a sustainable management plan of the activities taking place in the river basin is urgent.     

Estimation of the reproductive output of the burrowing shrimp Callianassa tyrrhena : a comparison of three different biometrical approaches

Reproductive output, as the percentage of the mother weight devoted to egg production, was estimated for the burrowing shrimp Callianassa tyrrhena in wet, dry and ash-free dry weight. Three biometrical approaches were used. First, the relationship between the egg mass and the mother weight was determined. A second approach was to estimate the weight loss of the female caused by oviposition. Similar results were obtained from these methods for dry and ash-free dry weight (about 20 and 35%, respectively), but not for the wet weight estimation. The third approach, based on the weight loss of the ovary, did not reveal a constant value for reproductive output throughout the female size range, although it was found that the ovary loses a constant percentage of its weight during oviposition. This discrepancy is due to the fact that the ovary weight shows positive allometry to the weight of the female body. The comparison of the three methods offers insight into the biological events that are related to ovary maturation and oviposition. It is suggested that molting just before oviposition and its inhibition during the yolk accumulation in the ovary play dominant roles in the expression of the reproductive output in the different approaches used. Received: 17 July 1996 / Accepted: 11 September 1996     

Molecular and cytogenetic characterization of extra-structurally abnormal chromosomes (ESACs) found prenatally: outcome and follow-up

A 40-year-old woman underwent amniocentesis at 15.3 weeks of gestation. Chromosome analysis performed using QFQ, DA-DAPI and CBG banding revealed two de novo extra-chromosomal markers (ESACs) in 11 of the 16 colonies analysed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that both chromosomes came from the Yq11.22.1 region of the Y chromosome. PCR analysis of genes and STS localized on the Y chromosome excluded the Yp presence specifically of the SRY gene, and most of the euchromatic region of Yq. After extensive genetic counselling and considering both laboratory and second-level ultrasound data, the couple decided to continue the pregnancy. At 37.4 weeks of gestational age, a girl weighing 2750 g was born with an Apgar score of 9/10. A blood sample taken from the umbilical cord showed three cellular lines:mos47,XX, +mar1 ish.der (Y)(wcpY+) [21%]/48,XX, +mar1 ish.der (Y)(wcpY+), +mar2 ish.der (Y)(wcpY+) [41%]/46,XX [38%]. One year after birth, the baby was developing normally and had normal psychomotorial activity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stable macrofauna community structure despite fluctuating food supply in subtidal soft sediments of Oslofjord,Norway

At a locality at 32-m depth in Oslofjord, Norway, temperature varied from 4.8° to 9.2°C and salinity varied from 31.2 to 33.3 S over a two-year period. There was a peak in chlorophyll a, and C and N in April–June and a smaller peak in November in the sediment. Bacterial numbers showed maxima in July–August and November–December. The macrobenthic fauna was typical of a species-rich and undisturbed boreal community of silt-clay sediments. The community was predominantly composed of surface and subsurface deposit feeders. Over the twoyear period there was little variation in numerical abundance or biomass of the species despite the variation in food input. The lack of seasonality shown by the fauna probably relates to the lack of variability of the physical environment. The mechanism by which this control is achieved, however, is not known. There are large predators/disturbers in the community such as the polychaetes Lumbrineris fragilis, Glycera rouxii, G. alba, Nephthys spp. and the echinoid Brissopsis lyrifera, which probably play an important role in structuring the community.     

Effects of the Anthropogenic Factor on Bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the Volga Region

Using the example of bats inhabiting the Volga region, the cases in which the anthropogenic factor creates favorable conditions for these animals or significantly reduces their diversity of their fauna are considered. In this context, an opinion concerning the approaches to the conservation of bats is formulated.