Silver-Russell syndrome as a cause for early intrauterine growth restriction

The diagnosis of Silver–Russell syndrome is based on the characteristic growth restriction and the presence of typical dysmorphic features. We present the prenatal and postnatal findings of a case that was treated at our perinatal center. The suspected diagnosis Silver–Russell syndrome was confirmed after delivery by our medical genetic and neonatology services. The authors want to point out that SRS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of early asymmetric intrauterine growth restriction. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Variation of life history traits and mating patterns in female langur monkeys (Semnopithecus entellus)

To determine nutritional and social influences on life history traits and mating behavior in female langur monkeys, new long-term data for a feral population living in multi-male groups under poor nutritional conditions are presented and compared with published long-term data for the same species living in one-male groups under excellent nutritional conditions. Under poor nutritional conditions, conceptions were confined to 5 months per year, coinciding with the period of the highest mating activity. Age at first parturition, gestation periods, lactation periods, and interbirth intervals were all significantly increased resulting in a more than 50% reduced reproductive rate under poor conditions. The pattern of sexual behavior during gestation was influenced by neither nutritional nor social conditions but the frequency was higher in multi-male groups. Furthermore, estrus length was significantly increased in multi-male groups where females tended to mate with as many resident males as available. Both phenomena, together with a high percentage of sexual behavior occurring outside the mid-cycle estrus, are interpreted in the light of paternity confusion in multi-male groups in a species where infanticide by males is regularly observed. The extreme variation in life history traits and mating patterns disclosed here in one species suggests that future cross-species comparisons should strictly select datasets based on local ecological and social conditions.     

Photodegradation and volatility of pesticides

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Among the factors affecting the environmental fate of surface-applied pesticides several biological as well as abiotic factors, such as volatilization and photochemical transformations are of particular interest. Whereas reliable measurement methods and models for estimating direct photodegradation are already available for the compartments of water and atmosphere and individual subprocesses have already been described in detail, there is still a need for further elucidation concerning the key processes of heterogeneous photodegradation of environmental chemicals on surfaces. METHODS: In order to systematically examine the direct and indirect photodegradation of 14C-labeled pesticides on various surfaces and their volatilization behavior, a new laboratory device ('photovolatility chamber') was designed according to US EPA Guideline 161-3. Model experiments under controlled conditions were conducted investigating the impact of different surfaces, i.e. glass, soil dust and radish plants, and environmental factors, i.e. irradiation and atmospheric ozone (O3), on the photodegradation and volatilization of surface-deposited [phenyl-UL-14C]parathion-methyl (PM). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Depending on the experimental conditions, parathion-methyl was converted to paraoxon-methyl, 4-nitrophenol, unknown polar products and 14CO2. With respect to the direct photodegradation of PM (experiments without O3), the major products were polar compounds and 14CO2, due to the rapid photochemical mineralization of 4-nitrophenol to 14CO2. Paraoxon-methyl and 4-nitrophenol formation was mainly mediated by the combination of light, O3, and *OH radicals. In radish experiments PM photodegradation was presumably located in the cuticle compartment, which exhibited a sensitized photodegradation, as more unknown products were yielded compared to the glass and soil dust experiments. This could be explained by intensifying the inherent PM degradation in the dark with the same product spectrum. Due to photochemical product formation, which is an antagonistic process to the volatilization of parent compound, the volatilization of unaltered parathion-methyl from each surface generally decreased in the presence of light, particularly in combination with increasing O3 concentrations and *OH radical production rates. CONCLUSION: First results demonstrated that the photovolatility chamber provides a special tool for the systematic evaluation of (a) photodegradation of surface-located pesticide residues, i.e. measuring qualitative aspects of direct and indirect photodegradation together with relative photodegradation rates, and (b) volatilization of pesticides on surfaces by including and optionally varying relevant parameters such as light, atmospheric O3 concentration, surface temperature, air temperature, air flow rate. OUTLOOK: The experimental facility represents an important complement to lysimeter and field studies, in particular for experiments on the volatilization of pesticides using the wind tunnel system. With the photovolatility chamber special experiments on photodegradation, volatilization and plant uptake can be conducted to study key processes in more detail and this will lead to a better understanding of the effects of certain environmental processes on the fate of released agrochemicals contributing to an improved risk assessment.     

Transboundary resource management in the EU: transnational welfare maximization and transboundary water sharing on the Iberian peninsula?

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the treatment of the value of transnational welfare maximization as based on welfare economics in transboundary river sharing in the EU. The paper draws on theorizing on spillovers and on game theory and it contrasts these with other ways of explaining transnational agreements. The second part of the paper discusses the implications of an approach trying to maximize transnational welfare in a situation of shared resources by means of mutual payments between sharing states and it looks at their treatment throughout the negotiations and at the outcome of the Luso‐Spanish Convention. The conclusions from the case reject a welfare economic evaluation of the negotiations on transnational agreements. In reality, mutual payments as described here might only be applied in the long term and only to specific transboundary spillovers. The negotiations of the Luso‐Spanish Convention were tightly intertwined with developments in the Water Policy of the EU. Some elements of the currently implemented Water Framework Directive favour a future use of mutual payments to achieve an increase in efficiency in the use of shared rivers.     

Application of recombinant gene technology for production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids: Biosynthesis of poly(4-hydroxybutyric acid) homopolyester

Screening of a large number of bacteria revealed several strains, which utilize 1,4-butanediol and/or 4-hydroxybutyric acid (4HB) as a carbon source for growth and for synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids (PHA) containing 4HB as one constituent among others (mostly 3-hydroxybutyric acid). However, none of the wild-type strains investigated in this study was able to produce a homopolyester consisting solely of 4HB. Only several poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid)-leaky mutants ofAlcaligenes eutrophus strain JMP222 synthesized poly(4HB) homopolyester, which amounted to approximately 10% (w/w) of the cellular dry matter. If the PHA synthase structural gene ofA. eutrophus strain H16 was expressed in these mutants, the amount of poly(4HB) was increased to approximately 30% (w/w). The occurrence of poly(4HB) was demonstrated by gas chromatographic as well as¹H and¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis.Paper presented at the Bio/Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society—Second National Meeting, August 19–21, 1993, Chicago, Illinois.     

Evaluation of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) in Schools in Cyprus

Summary This paper deals with the evaluation of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) produced by high tension wires on pylons and substations, which were preliminarily investigated by taking measurements in schools (on behalf of the Environmental Committee of Limassol). It publicizes the level of EMF from the above sources and makes an attempt to compare them with various exposure limits. Finally, certain measures to be taken by the responsible authorities are suggested, as possible actions aiming at the protection of the Cypriot people from any EMF health risk.     

Negotiating weights for burden sharing rules in international climate negotiations: an empirical analysis

Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - We have collected data from a world-wide survey among COP delegates to empirically investigate preferences for certain burden sharing rules among key...     

Low dose effects and non-monotonic dose responses for endocrine active chemicals: Science to practice workshop: Workshop summary

A workshop was held in Berlin September 12–14th 2012 to assess the state of the science of the data supporting low dose effects and non-monotonic dose responses (“low dose hypothesis”) for chemicals with endocrine activity (endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs). This workshop consisted of lectures to present the current state of the science of EDC action and also the risk assessment process. These lectures were followed by breakout sessions to integrate scientists from various backgrounds to discuss in an open and unbiased manner the data supporting the “low dose hypothesis”. While no consensus was reached the robust discussions were helpful to inform both basic scientists and risk assessors on all the issues. There were a number of important ideas developed to help continue the discussion and improve communication over the next few years.