Prenatal diagnosis of metatropic dwarfism

We present a case of prenatal diagnosis of severe metatropic dysplasia at 20 weeks' gestation. The characteristic prenatal features of this rare autosomal recessive chondrodysplasia appear to be significant dwarfism with an enlarged head and a narrow thorax associated with enlargement of the hands and feet, and the radiographic ‘dumb-bell’ appearance of the long bones.     

Biological oxidation of arsenite: batch reactor experiments in presence of kutnahorite and chabazite

Arsenic represents a threat to all living organisms due to its toxicity which depends on its speciation. This element is carcinogenic, teratogenic and is certainly one of the most important contaminants affecting millions of people around the world. Abiotic and biotic processes control its speciation and distribution in the environment. We have previously shown that a new bacterial strain named ULPAs1 performed oxidation of As(III) (1.33 mM) to As(V) in batch cultures. In order to develop new methods to remove arsenic from contaminated effluents or waste, by bacterial oxidation of As(III) to As(V) followed by its sorption, the conservation of oxidative properties of ULPAs1 was investigated when cultivated in batch reactors in the presence of two solid phases, chabazite and kutnahorite, already used as microorganisms immobilizing materials in biological remediation processes. In parallel, the retention efficiency of these solid phases toward arsenic ions and particularly arsenate was studied. Pure quartz sand was used as a reference material. Kutnahorite efficiently sorbed As(V), chabazite alone performed As(III) oxidation and pure quartz sand did not sorb arsenic at all. The arsenite oxidative properties of ULPAs1 were conserved when cultivated in the presence of quartz or chabazite.     

Evaluation procedures for restored land

Release of land for mineral extraction is often dependent on the quality of the restoration which can be achieved. It follows, therefore, that some means of judging the success of restoration is required, especially where restoration is an agricultural after use.In order to assess whether land has been well restored it is therefore necessary to know what the physical characteristics of the land were before mineral extraction took place, what changes are likely to have occurred to the land and soil as a result of mineral extraction, and lastly whether the physical characteristics of the land are as good as when the land was last used for agriculture. Most permissions however, were granted before there was a requirement to record pre-site conditions so it is impossible to know what the site was like when it was last used for agriculture. Furthermore, this paper will argue that land quality is only one factor which should be considered in assessing the quality of restored land, other factors for example, visual integration, farm management must also be taken into consideration. This paper will outline the existing evaluation procedures used by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food and Minerals Planners and suggest developing an evaluation procedure which considers various dimensions of restored land namely soil and land quality, visual integration and the management and productivity of restored land. This evaluation procedure has been applied to seventeen study sites of sand and gravel pits. The paper will indicate whether the evaluation procedure successfully classified these sites or not.     

Soil and plant characteristics as determining factors in site selection for surface coal mine reclamation

Four vegetative associations occur on surface mines located in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Seventeen different species of grasses and legumes and 30 different species of trees and shrubs were evaluated for their ability to become established and control erosion on surface mines. The amount of organic matter and soil moisture are the principle factors regulating the establishment of vegetative cover on surface mines. Those species possessing a fibrous root system are better able to adapt for erosion control than tap rooted species. Likewise, shrubs such as bristley locust (Robina hispida) and Silver Bush or Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) that will produce shoots when a root becomes exposed due to erosion are better adapted for erosion control than other species. The methods and species utilized during reclamation will determine, at least in part, the future use of the land and should establish conditions for natural succession to occur.This study was supported by funds from the National Geographical Society and the Office of Water Resources, U.S. Department of Interior.     

Antimicrobial activities of marine sponges from French Polynesia and Brittany

Extracts from marine sponges collected in French Polynesia and along the Brittany coast (France) have been tested for antibacterial and antifungal activity. The bioactity is concentrated in Dendrilla sp., Homaxinella trachys, Hyrtios eubamma, Verongia aerophoba and Phakellia ventilabrum. The compound responsible for the activity of H. eubamma has been identified as puupehenone, while that of P. ventilabrum is due to a new sesquiteprenoid isonitrile.This study forms part of the Thèse 3e cycle of Ph. Amade, Université de Bretagne Occidentale