Alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase are not predictive of fetal junctional epidermolysis bullosa,Herlitz variant

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa, Herlitz variant (junctional EB-Herlitz) is a lethal autosomal recessive skin disorder currently amenable to prenatal diagnosis only by direct analysis of fetal skin. However, elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein, as well as the presence of acetylcholinesterase in amniotic fluid, have been associated with other severe fetal genodermatoses. Fetal skin samplings were performed in ten pregnancies at risk for fetal junctional EB-Herlitz, with three fetuses affected on the basis of electron microscopic detection of blisters within the lamina lucida and abnormal hemidesmosomes. In neither affected nor unaffected pregnancies were maternal serum or amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein levels elevated. Moreover, alphafetoprotein levels in both maternal serum and amniotic fluid were not statistically different comparing affected and unaffected fetuses. Acetylcholinesterase was not present in the amniotic fluid samples of the three affected pregnancies. Unlike other severe fetal genodermatoses, neither alpha-fetoprotein nor acetylcholinesterase was predictive of junctional EB-Herlitz.     

The relationship between real-time and time-integrated coarse (2.5-10 micrm), intermodal (1-2.5 microm), and fine (<2.5 microm) particulate matter in the Los Angeles basin

A periodic review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will assess the standards with respect to levels, particle size, and averaging times. Some members of the scientific community in the United States and Europe have suggested the use of PM1 instead of PM2.5 as the fine particle measurement standard. This proposed standard is intended to reduce the influence of coarse particle sources on PM2.5, because some evidence suggests that PM1-2.5 is dominated by coarse particulate matter (PM) sources. In this study, coarse (PM2.5-10), intermodal (PM1-2.5), and fine (PM2.5) mass concentrations at four different sites are measured with continuous and time-integrated sampling devices. The main objective is to compare variations in these three size ranges while considering the effects of location, sources, weather, wind speed, and wind direction. Results show strong correlations between PM1 and intermodal PM in receptor sites. The contribution of PM1-2.5 to PM2.5 is highest in the summer months, most likely due to enhanced long-range transport. Coarse PM is poorly correlated with intermodal PM. Continuous data suggest that PM1 is growing into PM1-2.5 via complex processes involving stagnation of the aerosol during high relative humidity conditions, followed by advection during daytime hours.     

Alternative poultry litter storage for improved transportation and use as a soil amendment

Transportation of poultry litter out of nutrient limited watersheds such as the Illinois River basin (eastern Oklahoma) is a logical solution for minimizing phosphorus (P) losses from soils to surface waters. Transportation costs are basedon mass of load and distance transported. This study investigated an alternative litter storage technique designed to promote carbon (C) degradation, thereby concentrating nutrients for the purpose of decreasing transportation costs through decreased mass. Poultry litter was stored in 0.90-Mg conical piles under semipermeable tarps and adjusted to 40% moisture content, tested with and without addition of alum (aluminum sulfate). additional study was conducted using 3.6-Mg piles under the same conditions, except tested with and without use of aeration pipes. Samples were analyzed before and after (8 wk) storage. Litter mass degradation (i.e., loss in mass due to organic matter decomposition) was estimated on the basis of changes in litter total P contents. Additional characterization included pH, total nutrients, moisture content, total C, and degree of humification. Litter storage significantly decreased litter mass (16 to 27%), concentrated nutrients such as P and potassium (K) and increased proportion of fulvic and humic acids. The addition of aeration pipes increased mass degradationrelative to piles without aeration pipes. Nitrogen volatilization losses were minimized with alum additions. Increases in P and K concentrations resulted in greater monetary value per unit mass compared with fresh litter. Such increases translate to increased litter shipping distance and cost savings of $17.2 million over 25 yr for litter movement out of eastern Oklahoma.