Mercury and selenium concentrations in the crab Callinectes arcuatus from three coastal lagoons of NW Mexico

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Mercury and selenium concentrations and Se:Hg molar ratio in edible muscle and hepatopancreas of the crab Callinectes arcuatus from coastal lagoons of...     

Do voluntary pollution reduction programs (VPRs) spur or deter environmental innovation? Evidence from 33/50

We study whether a government-sponsored voluntary pollution reduction program (VPR) promotes or deters the development of new environmental technologies that yield future emission reduction benefits. Using a panel of 127 U.S. manufacturing industries defined by 3-digit SIC classifications over the 1989–2004 period, we estimate impacts of industry-level participation in the 33/50 program, a VPR initiated by government regulators in 1991, on industry-level rates of environmental patenting. We find that higher rates of 33/50 program participation are associated with significant reductions in the number of successful environmental patent applications five to nine years after the program ended.     

Development of Regional Curves for Hydrologic Landscape Regions (HLR) in the Contiguous United States

Regional curves relate drainage area to the bankfull channel characteristics discharge, cross‐sectional area, width, and mean depth. These curves are used for a variety of purposes, including aiding in the field identification of bankfull elevation and in the natural channel design process. When developing regional curves, the degree to which landform, geology, climate, and vegetation influence stream systems within a single physiographic province may not be fully considered. This study examined the use of the U.S. Geological Survey's Hydrologic Landscape Regions (HLR), as well as data from 2,856 independent sites throughout the contiguous United States (U.S.), to develop a set of regional curves (bankfull discharge, cross‐sectional area, width, and mean depth) for (1) the contiguous U.S., (2) each of the 20 HLRs, (3) each of the eight physiographic divisions, (4) 22 of the 25 physiographic provinces, and (5) individual HLRs within the physiographic provinces. These regional curves were then compared to each other, as well as those from the literature. Regional curves developed for individual HLRs, physiographic divisions, and physiographic provinces tended to outperform the contiguous U.S. indicating increased stratification was beneficial. Further stratifying physiographic provinces by HLR markedly improved regional curve reliability. Use of HLR as a basis of regional curve development, rather than physiographic region alone, may allow for the development of more robust regional curves.     

Syndromic congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Current incidence and outcome. Analysis from the congenital diaphragmatic hernia study group registry

Background

The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, CDH, associated with known or clinically suspected syndromes, and the postnatal outcomes from a large database for CDH.

Methods

Data from the multicenter, multinational database on infants with CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group Registry) born from 1996 to 2020 were analyzed. Patients with known or suspected syndromes were grouped and outcome data were analyzed and compared to those without syndromic features.

Results

A total of 12,553 patients were entered in the registry during the study period, and 421 had reported known syndromes, representing 3.4% of all CDH cases in the registry. A total of 50 different associated syndromes were reported. In addition to those with clinically suspected genetic conditions, a total rate of genetic syndromes with CDH was 8.2%. The overall survival to discharge for syndromic CDH was 34% and for non-syndromic CDH was 76.7%. The most common were syndromes Fryns syndrome (19.7% of all syndromes, 17% survival), trisomy 18 or Edward syndrome (17.5%, 9% survival), trisomy 21 or Down syndrome (9%, 47% survival), trisomy 13 or Patau syndrome (6.7%, 14% survival), Cornelia de Lange syndrome (6.4% of all syndromes, 22% survival) and Pallister-Killian syndrome (5.5% of all syndromes, 39.1% survival). In addition, 379 cases had reported chromosomal anomalies and 233 cases had clinically suspected syndromes, based on two more dysmorphic features or malformations in addition to CDH, but without molecular diagnosis. The syndromic CDH group had lower birth weight and gestational age at birth and increased incidence of bilateral CDH (2.9%) and rates of non-repair (53%). The length of hospital stay was longer, and larger number of patients needed O₂ at 30 days. Extracorporeal life support was used only in 15% of the cases. Those who underwent surgical repair had survival to discharge rates of 73%.

Conclusion

Syndromic CDH is rare and only 3.4% of the reported cases of CDH have a known syndrome or association, but, if including patients with two dysmorphic features malformations, in addition to CDH, altogether as many as 8.2% have a diagnosed or suspected genetic condition. These children have with lower survival rates. Given higher rates of non-repair and decreased extracorporeal life support use, along with a high early mortality, decision-making regarding goals of care clearly influences outcomes. Survival varies depending on the genetic cause. Early genetic diagnosis is important and may influence the decision-making.     

Spatial distribution and sources of trace elements in sediments affected by old mining activities

The distribution of trace elements throughout mining areas is an important issue because abandoned tailings could be a major source of environmental pollution. In order to analyze the spatial variation of trace elements in a zone where mining activities took place and to identify pollution sources in the study area, a three-step study was carried out at a regional, at a local, and a detailed scale. In addition, a conceptual model of trace elements dispersion was established and confirmed by a geographic information system. The results obtained allowed to establish points affected by primary, secondary, and tertiary contamination, according to their proximity to contamination sources and as a function of attenuation processes which could take place in the studied area.     

The solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) syndrome: Associations,prenatal diagnosis,and outcomes

Solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) syndrome is a complex disorder consisting of multiple, developmental defects involving midline structures of the head, which includes the cranial bones, the maxilla, and its container dentition (specifically the central incisor tooth germ), together with other midline structures of the body. SMMCI may appear as an isolated trait or in association with other midline developmental anomalies. We describe the case of a patient with SMMCI. He presented with a solitary median maxillary incisor, short stature, corpus callosum anomalies and a microform of holoprosencephaly (HPE), diabetes insipidus, and neurodevelopmental delay. The diagnosis was performed postnatally based on clinical features, radiological imaging, and a comprehensive genetic study. SMMCI can be diagnosed during the prenatal or neonatal periods or during infancy. Evaluation of the superior maxillary bone is important for prenatal diagnosis. Direct evaluation through bidimensional ultrasound or the use of multiplanar ultrasound or tridimensional reconstruction should be performed in cases of brain or face malformations. Early diagnosis can contribute to improved prenatal assessment and postnatal management.     

Detection and Characterization of Hepatitis A Virus and Norovirus in Mussels from Galicia (NW Spain)

Shellfish are recognized as a potential vehicle of viral disease and despite the control measures for shellfish safety there is periodic emergence of viral outbreaks associated with shellfish consumption. In this study a total of 81 mussel samples from Ría do Burgo, A Coruña (NW Spain) were analysed. Samples were collected in seven different harvesting areas with the aim to establish a correlation between the prevalence of norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) in mussel samples and the water quality. In addition, the genogroup of the detected HAV and NoV strains was also determined. The HAV presence was detected in 18.5 % of the samples. Contamination levels for this virus ranged from 1.1 × 10² to 4.1 × 10⁶ RNA copies/g digestive tissue. NoV were detected in 49.4 % of the cases reaching contamination levels from 5.9 × 10³ to 1.6 × 10⁹ RNA copies/g digestive tissue for NoV GI and from 6.1 × 10³ to 5.4 × 10⁶ RNA copies/g digestive tissue for NoV GII. The χ²-test showed no statistical correlation between the number of positive samples and the classification of molluscan harvesting area based on the E. coli number. All the detected HAV strains belong to genogroup IB. NoV strains were assigned to genotype I.4, II.4 and II.6.     

Prenatal sonographic appearance of foramina parietalia permagna

Foramina parietalia permagna (FPP) is an extremely uncommon congenital defect, inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. Its characteristics are two symmetrical orifices in the parietal bones (not of fixed size) on both sides of the midline. This defect does not affect either the psychic or the physical development of the affected person. This paper describes the sonographic appearance of FPP in utero as an enlargement of the posterior fontanelle.     

Heavy metal content in oysters (Crassostrea gigas) cultured in the Ebro Delta in Catalonia, Spain

The aim of this study was to determine heavy metal content (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Cd, Pb, and Zn) in oysters transplanted in Ebro Delta bays (Alfacs and Fangar) where oysters are traditionally cultured for human consumption. Metal body burdens were monitored weekly during the period of maximal agriculture activity from May to June in 2008 and 2009. Results indicate that regardless of the high levels of metals reported in biota living in Ebro River, metal levels in oysters from both bays were similar to those found in unpolluted areas and far below the maximum limits of tolerance recommended by the European Commission. Nevertheless, metal accumulation patterns in oysters differentiate two sources of pollution: one coming from agriculture activities within the Ebro’s delta for As, Cd, Cu, and Zn and other coming from Ebro River probably related to industrial activities upstream (Hg, Pb) or to lead shot pellets form hunting activities (Pb). Reported results, thus, are in concern with previous studies and indicate that metallic pollutants do not affect oysters cultures in Ebro Delta associated bays.