Dilated coronary sinus in prenatal echocardiography; identification,associations and outcome

The dilated coronary sinus (DCS) has only recently been clearly visualised in the fetus due to progress in prenatal echography. This is a retrospective study of 22 fetuses presenting with DCS revealed by prenatal echography. We report the circumstances leading to the detection of a DCS and the neonatal outcome of these fetuses. The coronary sinus was defined as dilated depending on its visualisation in cross-section from the ‘4 chamber’ view, as well as a pseudo inter-atrial septal defect from a more posterior view. In each case the gestational age, circumstances of detection, associated anomalies and postnatal outcome are reported. The circumstances were: evaluation of a clearly identified DCS in four cases and during detailed fetal echocardiography because of suspected congenital heart disease in 18 cases. Five cases were associated with a cardiac anomaly, three with an extracardiac anomaly, six with both cardiac and extracardiac anomaly and eight were isolated. Postnatal outcome was related to the associated anomaly. In conclusion, it is important that the echography image be correctly interpreted, as a DCS often implies possible associated defects and therefore affects prognosis. When not associated with other anomalies this condition is not considered serious. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prenatal diagnosis of female monozygotic twins discordant for Turner syndrome: implications for prenatal genetic counselling

We describe a set of monozygotic (MZ) female twins, one of whom presented with a typical Turner syndrome (TS) phenotype and the other a normal female phenotype. Prenatal fetal ultrasonographic examination showed a monochorial diamniotic pregnancy with a hygroma colli and growth delay in Twin A and no anomalies in Twin B. Karyotypic analysis performed on fetal blood samples demonstrated a 46,XX/45,X (23/2) mosaicism in Twin A and a normal 46,XX chromosome constitution in Twin B. At birth, Twin A presented with a typical TS and Twin B had a normal female phenotype. Postnatal cytogenetic investigation of blood lymphocytes showed the same 46,XX/45,X mosaicism in both twins: 46,XX/45,X (40/7) in Twin A and 46,XX/45,X (40/5) in Twin B. Further investigations at the age of 10 months showed in Twin A a 46,XX/45,X (98/2) mosaicism in lymphocytes and 100% of 45,X (50 analysed cells) in fibroblasts, and in Twin B a normal 46,XX (100 analysed cells) chromosome constitution in lymphocytes but a mild 46,XX/45,X (78/2) mosaicism in fibroblasts. Monozygosity was confirmed by molecular analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of prenatal diagnosis of MZ female twins discordant for TS. Review of reported sets of MZ female twins (eight cases) or triplets (one case) discordant for TS shows, as in the present case, that the phenotype correlates better with the chromosomal distribution of mosaicism in fibroblasts than in lymphocytes. In the blood of MZ twins chimerism may modify the initial allocation of the mosaicism. These results suggest that, in cases of prenatal diagnosis of MZ female twins discordant for TS, the phenotype of each twin would be better predicted from karyotype analysis of cells from amniotic fluid than from fetal blood. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Field-scale rotary kiln incineration: Oxygen responses at the kiln,afterburner, and stack

There currently exists a need for better characterization and simulation of the processes that occur during the incineration of hazardous wastes in the environment of a rotary kiln. Addressing this need, a comprehensive research program was formed with the goal of developing a rudimentary predictive capability for rotary kiln incineration of hazardous wastes. This comprehensive program is headed by Louisiana State University and includes interaction with the University of Utah and also various industrial participants. Such cooperation allows use of laboratory, pilot, and field scale equipment. While laboratory scale experiments provide the necessary decoupling of complex phenomena and a high degree of experimental control, and pilot scale studies provide more realism at the expense of experimental control, the problems of scale-up make generalization of results to field scale units very tenuous. The unique aspect of the LSU program is the coupling of the laboratory and pilot scale units with afield scale unit in order to overcome these generalizations. In this study, plastic packs containing a mixture of toluene and sorbent were fed to a field-scale rotary kiln incinerator at a rate of one pack every 10 minutes. Selected continuous gas samples and temperatures were obtained from the exit of the rotary kiln, from the afterburner, and from the stack. These measurements were obtained during various operating conditions. These data provide, for the first time, an ability to compare conditions in the kiln to simultaneous conditions in the afterburner and stack. This paper outlines several new experimental features of our field-scale tests conducted in October 1990. Oxygen responses from the kiln, the afterburner, and the stack are compared during various operating conditions.     

In vitro brain acetylcholinesterase response among three inbred strains of mice to monocrotophos.

The strain differences in the neurotoxic potential of monocrotophos (MCP) were assessed by determining the inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in BALB/cAnN, DBA/2J and C57BL/6J in vitro. MCP being a competitive inhibitor for AChE, alters the Km values widely among these inbred strains. Comparatively least alterations in Km were found in BALB/cAnN and maximum in DBA/2J. Based on the Ki values DBA/2J was found to be the most sensitive strain to MCP inhibition followed by C57BL/6J and BALB/cAnN.     

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP)

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) was developed more than a decade ago to offer an alternative to prenatal diagnosis for couples at risk of transmitting an inherited disease to their offspring. Portuguese-type familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP type I), is an autosomal dominant disease presenting an inherited mutation in the gene encoding the plasma protein transthyretin (TTR). We here report the first protocol for single-cell detection of the Met30 mutation in FAP type I and its application to PGD. A nested PCR reaction for exon 2 of the TTR gene was developed. The PCR product was then analysed by restriction enzyme analysis and SSCP allowing the detection of the point mutation. Ten clinical cycles were performed in seven couples. From the 93 metaphase II (MII) injected oocytes, 82 were normally fertilized and 78 were biopsied. A positive signal in the nested PCR reaction was obtained in 61 blastomeres, corresponding to a DNA amplification efficiency of 78.2%. No allele dropout (ADO) or contamination were detected. A biochemical pregnancy was obtained in three cases and a clinical pregnancy in one couple is actually in normal evolution. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Population dynamics of the bank vole as studied using sequence functions

Sequence functions were used to construct a simulation model of the long-term population dynamics of the bank vole in Karelia. The mechanisms of population reproduction control affect the population size if it is greater than 1 and 4 ind./100 trap-days in spring and autumn, respectively.     

Direct fetal chromosome studies from chorionic villi

An easy and reproducible technique for direct fetal chromosome analysis after chorionic biopsy is described. Very high colchicine concentration and rehydratation of the fixed villi are the two original points of this method.     

Valuation of Irrigation Water by the Hedonic Price Method: A Case Study in Chalkidiki,Greece

The design of efficient water allocation systems depends, among other factors, on economic issues and, above all, on a reliable estimate of the economic value of water. In this paper the hedonic price method is utilized to reveal the implicit value of irrigation water by analyzing agricultural land values in Chalkidiki, a typical rural area in Greece. The method was applied to a sample of both irrigated and nonirrigated properties and the value of irrigation water was estimated by disaggregating the total price of each parcel of land, obtained through a local survey. Results show that, apart from typical value attributes, the agricultural characteristics of the land, including irrigation water availability, have a significant influence on land prices.     

Bagasse-assisted bioremediation of ammonia from shrimp farm wastewater.

Development of new economically feasible ecofriendly products from agricultural wastes or byproducts for shrimp farm wastewater treatment is the objective of our continued research. Ammonia is a nitrogenous toxicant, which is commonly found in wastewater from shrimp farms. In the present study, we explored the possibility of the use of simply and inexpensively prepared bagasse products so that this abundant crop byproduct could be used to remove ammonia from shrimp farm wastewater. Bagasse, a natural highly fibrous lignocellulosic byproduct of sugarcane, was converted into five different products. Experimental results have shown that ammonia is efficiently removed from wastewater by four bagasse products with a dose of 1 to 6 g/L within 24 hours. The effect of bagasse products on other water quality parameters and growth kinetics of biofilm bacteria onto bagasse fiber have also been studied. Efficacies of products were compared by using statistical analysis. Products developed from bagasse are useful and economical.