In utero ultrasonographic features of campomelic dysplasia

A prenatal diagnosis of campomelic dysplasia in a primigravida is described. First level fetal ultrasonography demonstrated bowing and shortening of lower limbs. Second level examination allowed the correct diagnosis by demonstrating several skeletal anomalies pathognomonic of campomelic dysplasia.     

Mosaicism or pseudomosaicism: The problem of hypermodal cells in amniotic fluid cell culture

A series of 2029 consecutive amniotic fluid specimens studied for prenatal genetic diagnosis were reviewed and reassessed so as to evaluate the frequency and clinical significance of hypermodal cells in amniotic fluid cell cultures. Hypermodal cells were defined as those with more than 46 chromosomes, and were characterized by an additional structurally normal or structurally abnormal chromosome. Of 2029 specimens, 47 (2.31 per cent) contained a total of 167 hypermodal cells. True fetal mosaicism was detected in three cases (0.14 per cent). All had hypermodal cells in more than one culture flask or colony which contained the same aberrant chromosome complement. In all but one case the babies were normal when only one cell was hypermodal, or when several cells were hypermodal but present in only one colony or one culture vessel. One case had an extra No. 20 chromosome in one cell. Although the child had multiple anomalies, they were not characteristic of trisomy 20, and subsequent chromosomal study on the baby postnatally revealed a 46,XX karyotype. The in situ coverslip technique is recommended as the preferred method for prenatal diagnosis, and it is useful as an aid in differentiating true mosaicism from pseudomosaicism.     

Fenton's pre-treatment of mature landfill leachate

The aim of this study was to check the effectiveness of the Fenton's reagent (Fe2+ + H2O2 + H+) for the pre-treatment of a municipal landfill leachate with the objective of improving its overall biodegradability, evaluated in terms of BOD5/COD ratio, up to a value compatible with biological treatment. The leachate came from a municipal sanitary landfill located in southern Italy and the average values of its main parameters were: pH=8.2; COD=10,540 mgl(-1); BOD5=2,300 mgl(-1); TOC=3,900 mgl(-1); NH4-N=5210 mgl(-1); conductivity=45,350 microScm(-1); alkalinity=21,470 mgl(-1) CaCO3. The effect of initial pH value on the pre-treatment effectiveness was evaluated by titrating the amount of acidic by-products formed. The extent of leachate oxidation was monitored and controlled by both pH and redox potential measurements. The best operational conditions for achieving the desired goal (i.e., BOD5/COD> or =0.5) resulted: Fe2+=275 mgl(-1); H2O2=3,300 mgl(-1); initial pH=3; reaction time=2 h. At the end of the Fenton's pre-treatment, in order to permit a subsequent biological treatment, residual ferric ions were removed increasing the pH up to 8.5 by adding 3 gl(-1) of Ca(OH)2 and 3 mgl(-1) of a cationic polyelectrolyte, the latter as an aid to coagulation. This final step also resulted in a further modest removal of residual COD due to co-precipitation phenomena.     

Monitoring transitional waters using reduced benthic assemblages

In this study, the use of reduced assemblages of benthic invertebrate taxa is proposed to describe similarity relationships between samples from transitional environments. A data set from four different studies, made up of 641 samples for a total 203 species, was analysed using permutation randomisation tests in order to extract a pool of taxa able to approximate the full set of species. The identified "operational set", comprising 19 taxa, was capable of adequately reproduce similarity relationships between samples (Rho>0.90, p<0.001). All selected taxa were easily extractable from the samples and easy identifiable by non-specialised technicians; these characteristics were considered appropriate for the development of rapid and cost-effective monitoring procedures based on benthic invertebrate assemblages.     

Influence of iron, nickel and cobalt on biogas production during the anaerobic fermentation of fresh residual biomass

We have investigated the dependence of the rate of the production of biogas upon the concentration of nickel, cobalt and iron at sub-toxic concentration and monitored its composition as amount of hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. The distribution of the added metals between the liquid and solid phase has also been monitored.

The results of our investigations show that the addition of any of the listed metals to the sludge may cause the production of a higher amount of biogas and influence the methane or carbon dioxide percentage. Conversely, the effect on the hydrogen production depends upon the metal added, the age of the active sludge used, and its adaptation to the susbtrate. As a general feature, during the acidogenesis phase, nickel reduces, while iron increases, the percentage of dihydrogen in the biogas, while cobalt has no influence.     

Assessment of reference values for polychlorinated biphenyl concentration in human blood

A chemical factory which produced polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) operated in Brescia, North Italy, (about 200000 inhabitants) from the 1930s to the 1980s. High levels of PCBs were recently found in soil, food and people living in an area close to the factory. We performed a survey among the general population living in non-polluted areas of the town in order to define the reference values (RVs) of the non-exposed population. A random sample of subjects aged 20-79 years (50% males) was selected. Participants underwent PCB determination and were interviewed on their residential and occupational history and current diet. For RV determination, subjects who had resided in the polluted area or consumed any food produced in the area in their lifetime were excluded. Eight hundred and ninety-two subjects were contacted, 579 (65%) of whom agreed to participate; 311 of them were considered for RV determination (53% male, mean age=48.7 years). Total PCB serum levels, computed as the sum of the 24 congeners determined, were: mean=5.15ng/ml (SD=8.83), median=4.11ng/ml, range=0.4-34.12ng/ml, 95th centile=14.38ng/ml. Lipid-adjusted mean and median were 897 and 705ng/g lipid, respectively. PCB values showed positive correlations with age (Spearman's r=0.76) and with serum concentration of total cholesterol (r=0.40) and triglycerides (r=0.36). No association was found with gender, cigarette smoking, alcohol or diet. Seven PCB congeners, (PCB 180, 153, 138, 170, 194, 118, and 156), including those at higher chlorination, were present in more than 30% of the subjects and contributed 99% of the total PCB levels, with a modest role of dioxin-like congeners.     

Safeguarding Wetlands and Their Connections within Wetlandscapes to Improve Conservation Outcomes for Threatened Amphibian Species

Wetlands should not be considered as independent objects but as dynamically connected objects, collectively known as wetlandscapes. We developed a framework that analyzes the influences of wetland suitability and connectivity on amphibian distributions. We defined two indices: a Wetland Suitability Index describing wetland quality and a Movement Permeability Index characterizing wetland connectivity for amphibian population dynamics. These indices were calculated from raster datasets and time‐varying inundation estimates. The indices were used to define a wetlandscape and an amphibian model was used to simulate population dynamics within the wetlandscape. The framework was applied to the Nose Creek watershed, a highly modified wetlandscape in Alberta, Canada. Two amphibian species were selected with different habitat preferences: the Northern Leopard Frog that prefers wet habitats and has high mobility over land, and the Great Plains Toad that prefers terrestrial habitats and has low mobility over land. We found each amphibian species had a “preferred” wetlandscape, reflecting their life cycle traits and migration strategies which in turn were dependent on the hydrological and ecological connections within the wetlandscape. This study highlights the importance of investigating both individual wetlands and the wetlandscape and considering both wetland habitat quality and connectivity as non‐substitutable properties that act jointly, but differently, on population dynamics.     

Spillover and crossover of work resources: A test of the positive flow of resources through work–family enrichment

In their seminal model of work–family enrichment, Greenhaus and Powell (2006) theorized five categories of work resources to have an impact on work–family enrichment. Using a matched set of 351 dual‐career spouses, we explored how these unique work resources contribute to work–family enrichment and how they spill over to shape job incumbents' family outcomes and cross over to spouse outcomes. Results support indirect effects for the work resources of developmental experiences, supervisor support, schedule control, and self‐efficacy, but not salary, on marital satisfaction and family functioning through the job incumbent's work–family enrichment. In addition, we found support for the crossover of these indirect effects to the spouse through the spouse's positive crossover transmission, which facilitated the spouse's marital satisfaction and commitment to the job incumbent's organization. Our results suggest that multiple work resources have an impact on work–family enrichment and that the flow of positive work resources through work–family enrichment spills over to impact outcomes for the job incumbent and crosses over to the spouse.     

Environmental monitoring in the Mar Grande basin (Ionian Sea,Southern Italy)

Hydrodynamic and water quality data has been recorded since February 2014 by a meteo-oceanographic station installed in the inner part of the Gulf of Taranto, in the northeastern part of the Ionian Sea (Southern Italy). This monitoring action, managed by the research unit of the Technical University of Bari, DICATECh Department, could play a pivotal role in a vulnerable and sensitive area, affected by massive chemical and biological pollutant discharges due to the presence of heavy industry and intense maritime traffic. Monthly trends of winds, waves, currents, and biochemical parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, and turbidity, are analyzed and discussed. The analysis exhibits that the wave regime is slightly controlled by wind forcing; rather, topography strongly affects the wave propagation direction. Surface currents appear wind induced in the measuring station, while near the bottom a quasi-steady current directed towards southwest is formed. The selected water quality indicators show monthly trends consistent with the typical seasonal convective fluxes and mixing.