The possible association between selected sediment characteristics and the occurrence of benthic macroinvertebrates in a minimally affected river in South Africa

Forty-two families of which the vast majority associated with particles >2000?µm were found. Sediment particle sizes <2000?µm had a detrimental effect on biodiversity. The highest biodiversity was recorded at sites characterised by riffle and run habitats. Although relatively high concentrations of selected metals were present in the sediment, it was largely from geological origin and most probably not bioavailable. No significant correlation was demonstrated between variation in temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity and diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates. Therefore, it can be concluded that, under these conditions, sediment particle size and biotope availability played a decisive role on the distribution and abundance of macroinvertebrate taxa.     

Alpha-fetoprotein in fetal serum,amniotic fluid,and maternal serum

In order to gain more insight into the association between alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and fetal chromosomal disorders, especially Down's syndrome, we measured AFP in fetal serum, amniotic fluid, and maternal serum at cordocentesis. We compared the concentration and gradient of AFP in these three compartments. Our data confirm earlier findings on second-trimester fetal serum AFP concentration. The results indicate that low maternal serum AFP in pregnancies with fetal chromosomal disorders could result from an impaired fetal kidney function as well as from impaired membrane or placental passage of AFP, rather than from reduced fetal AFP production.     

Controls on coarse wood decay in temperate tree species: birth of the LOGLIFE experiment

Dead wood provides a huge terrestrial carbon stock and a habitat to wide-ranging organisms during its decay. Our brief review highlights that, in order to understand environmental change impacts on these functions, we need to quantify the contributions of different interacting biotic and abiotic drivers to wood decomposition. LOGLIFE is a new long-term 'common-garden' experiment to disentangle the effects of species' wood traits and site-related environmental drivers on wood decomposition dynamics and its associated diversity of microbial and invertebrate communities. This experiment is firmly rooted in pioneering experiments under the directorship of Terry Callaghan at Abisko Research Station, Sweden. LOGLIFE features two contrasting forest sites in the Netherlands, each hosting a similar set of coarse logs and branches of 10 tree species. LOGLIFE welcomes other researchers to test further questions concerning coarse wood decay that will also help to optimise forest management in view of carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.     

Meckel–Gruber syndrome: Ultrasonographic diagnosis at 13 weeks' gestational age in an at-risk case

A case of early diagnosis at 13 weeks' gestational age of Meckel–Gruber syndrome by ultrasound is reported in a patient with a 25 percent recurrence risk. The usefulness of genetic counselling and aimed echographic examination is discussed.     

Trisomic 22 placenta in a case of severe intrauterine growth retardation

We describe a case in which a trisomic 22 placenta could be the cause of severe growth retardation in a chromosomally normal female fetus. At amniocentesis a mosaic 46,XX/ 47,XX, +22 was observed in amniotic fluid specimens sampled on two different occasions, while fetal blood from a diagnostic cordocentesis revealed a normal chromosome constitution. Postnatal studies showed the consistent presence of trisomic 22 cells in the placenta, while only normal metaphases were found in amnion, blood, and fibroblast cultures.     

Effects of algae-enriched rotifers on winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) gene expression during metamorphosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a dietary highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) deficiency on winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus metamorphosis by examining the growth and the expression of genes involved in some key metabolic processes: lipid digestion, oxidative stress, and growth. Three groups of fish were fed rotifers enriched with different blends of microalgae providing different HUFA profiles: (1) a diet comprising a mixture of three microalgae, Nannochloropsis oculata, Isochrysis galbana, and Pavlova lutheri (Cocktail diet), which contained a balanced combination of ecosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA); (2) the N. oculata diet (Nanno diet), with a low level of DHA; and (3) the I. galbana diet (Tiso diet), characterized by low levels of EPA and AA. The results indicate that the need for DHA increased from settlement and for EPA and AA from 15 days after settlement. The lower HUFA content in the Tiso and Nanno diets did not affect larval development or lipid reserve accumulation. The superoxide dismutase gene expression suggests a reduced oxidative stress in the Cocktail group, and overall results indicate that gh gene expression could be a valuable indicator of development at the molecular level in response to dietary HUFA quality during metamorphosis in winter flounder.     

Fuel loss and flexible fuel deposition rates in a long-distance migrant

Most migrating birds alternate flight bouts with stopovers, during which they rest and replenish the fuel used during flight (refueling). The rate of refueling (fuel deposition rate, FDR) affects stopover duration, and hence is an important determinant of the overall time required for migration. Although environmental and endogenous factors affect FDR, the urge to refuel depends on the anticipated distance to be travelled and possibly also on the amount of fuel used during the flight preceding stopover. Combining a field study with a fasting–refueling experiment on long-term captive songbirds, we tested whether the extent of fuel loss prior to refueling indeed affects FDR. In the field study, we took a comparative approach and determined FDR in two subspecies of northern wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) that differ greatly in the distance flown, and thus the extent of fuel used to reach our study (stopover) site. As both winter in western sub-Sahelian Africa, they face the same remaining migration distance. We found that FDR was higher in the subspecies that uses more fuel to get to our study site. Solidifying this result, in the experiment on captive northern wheatears, we found that the extent of fuel loss as a consequence of fasting explained most of the variation in subsequent FDR. The observation that experimental birds losing little fuel did not maximize their FDR suggests there are costs to rapid refueling. Our study shows that FDR is shaped not just by current environmental and endogenous conditions but also by fuel loss prior to refueling.     

The influence of serum screening on the amniocentesis rate in women of advanced maternal age

We investigated the effect of maternal serum screening on the amniocentesis (AC) rate in women of advanced maternal age. The AC rate after maternal serum screening was compared in two groups of women with a singleton pregnancy, 855 women of 30–35 years and 98 of 36 years and older. In our population, 34·1 per cent of the women of 36 years or older were ‘screen-positive’ for Down syndrome. Only 41·2 per cent of these women chose to undergo AC as opposed to 88·2 per cent in the younger age group. Within the older age group, the tendency to avoid AC increased with increasing age. Maternal serum screening led to a significant decrease in the AC rate in the older women. In this group, a comparison between the ‘a priori’ and the calculated risk might have had more influence on the decision to undergo AC than being screen-positive or screen-negative as such. We conclude that maternal serum screening had a major effect on the AC rate in women of advanced maternal age. This is of importance in a society in which the average maternal age is steadily increasing.