Synthetic attractants for the bark beetle parasitoid Coeloides bostrichorum Giraud (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Coeloides bostrichorum Giraud parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) attack late larval stages of various bark beetle species breeding in spruce. Volatile compounds collected from Norway spruce (Picea abies) infested by Ips typographus L. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) were analysed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). Monoterpene hydrocarbons are the predominant volatile compounds of fresh Norway spruce, while the presence of oxygenated monoterpenes indicates damaged trees. Between one and eight EAD-active oxygenated monoterpenes were used, in amounts reflecting their natural abundance in spruce trees containing bark beetle larvae, to prepare five synthetic baits which were tested in wind tunnel bioassays. Odour samples collected from spruce logs containing the preferred host stage were attractive, while similar samples from uninfested logs failed to elicit any flight activity. However, when a four- or an eight-component synthetic bait was added to volatiles collected from uninfested spruce logs, this combination was as attractive as volatiles collected from infested spruce logs.     

First trimester prenatal diagnosis of haemophilia A: Two years' experience

We evaluated the feasibility, reliability, and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis of haemophilia A by DNA analysis of chorionic villi. Twenty-two women at risk to transmit the abnormal gene were referred for prenatal diagnosis, two of them twice. Two of the 22 women appeared to be non-carriers by DNA analysis. In one of these women, the results were known only after chorionic villus sampling had been carried out. Thirteen of the twenty carriers were heterozygous for an intragenic (Bell or Xbal) marker; six women were only heterozygous for the extragenic DXS52 (Stl4) locus. One of the women was homozygous for all the presently known DNA markers within or closely linked with the factor VIII locus. Twelve of the 22 fetuses at risk were male, ten were female. Seven of the 12 male fetuses were shown to be affected and were subsequently aborted. Four male fetuses appeared to be not affected. In one case, the diagnosis was made by use of an extragenic marker. The woman rejected fetal blood sampling to confirm the diagnosis. After birth, a normal factor VIII level was found in three of the four cases. The fourth pregnancy is still continuing. In one of the 12 male fetuses, no diagnosis at the gene level was possible. DNA analysis is expected to provide maximum certainty as to the phenotype of the fetus for approximately 60 per cent of the women; for another 37 per cent a rate of misdiagnosis of 4–5 per cent applies. In only 3 per cent of the cases will no diagnosis at the gene level be possible as yet. The new possibility of a prenatal diagnosis in the first trimester of pregnancy enabled some of these women to have a family of their own and was appreciated in particular by the women who underwent fetoscopy in an earlier pregnancy.     

Formation of chloroacetic acids from soil,humic acid and phenolic moieties

The mechanism of formation of chloroacetates, which are important toxic environmental substances, has been controversial. Whereas the anthropogenic production has been well established, a natural formation has also been suggested. In this study the natural formation of chloroacetic acids from soil, as well as from humic material which is present in soil and from phenolic model substances has been investigated. It is shown that chloroacetates are formed from humic material with a linear relationship between the amount of humic acid used and chloroacetates found. More dichloroacetate (DCA) than trichloroacetate (TCA) is produced. The addition of Fe(2+), Fe(3+) and H(2)O(2) leads to an increased yield. NaCl was added as a source of chloride. We further examined the relationship between the structure and reactivity of phenolic substances, which can be considered as monomeric units of humic acids. Ethoxyphenol with built-in ethyl groups forms large amounts of DCA and TCA. The experiments with phenoxyacetic acid yielded large amounts of monochloroacetate (MCA). With other phenolic substances a ring cleavage was observed. Our investigations indicate that chloroacetates are formed abiotically from humic material and soils in addition to their known biotic mode of formation.     

Chlorinated guaiacols and catechols bioaccumulation potential in bleaks (Alburnus alburnus, Pisces) and reproductive and toxic effects on the har-pacticoid Nitocra spinipes (Crustacea)

The bioaccumulation potential in bleaks (Alburnus alburnus, Pisces) and acute toxic and reproductive effects on Nitocra spinipes (Crustacea), of 4,5,6-trichloroguaiacol (I), tetrachloroguaiacol (II) and tetrachlorocatechol (III) was investigated. Continuous flow tests with I and II (10 μg/l) gave a rapid bi-phasic uptake in the fish with I and II reaching a level of 4 μg/g fresh weight after 14 d. An equally rapid excretion was determined with the detection limit of I and II being reached after 10 days in pure water. The 96-h LC50 values for I, II and III to N. spinipes was determined to 5.2, 3.9 and 3.3 mg/l, respectively, in static tests. The fecundity of N. spinipes was reduced to 50 % of the control values at 37±6 and 54±4 μg/l (II) per liter in static and continuous flow tests, respectively.     

Development of a accelerated solvent extraction and gel permeation chromatography analytical method for measuring persistent organohalogen compounds in adipose and organ tissue analysis

A new analytical method has been developed for the quantification of 59 different persistent organohalogen compounds, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), PCB metabolites, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in biological organ tissues. The optimum extraction and cleanup procedures were examined using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), automated gel permeation chromatography (GPC) on Biobeads S-X3 and automated solid phase extraction (SPE) on silica-gel. The target compounds were divided into two fractions, non-polar compounds and more polar compounds, which in the latter fraction was subsequently methylated using diazomethane. Detection can be achieved by GC/MS in negative chemical ionization (NCI) mode. The average recoveries of the compounds spiked in swine liver, heart, kidney, and cattle adipose tissues were considered satisfactory, and it was confirmed that the method could be used in routine analysis.     

Multiple effects of chromate on the photosynthetic apparatus of Spirodela polyrhiza as probed by OJIP chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements

Chromate (Cr) decreases the growth of Spirodela polyrhiza. The fronds lost their pigments. The O2 evolution was also decreased. The Cr effect was found to be dose dependent. The toxic effects of Cr have further been studied on the photosynthetic activity of Spirodela polyrhiza by means of the chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence transient O-J-I-P. The Chl a fluorescence transients were recorded in vivo with high time resolution and analyzed according to the JIP-test which can quantify the photosystem II behavior. Cr treated plants show a decrease in yield for primary photochemistry, phi Po. The performance index of PSII, PIABS, which is the combination of the indexes of three independent parameters, (1) the total number of active reaction centers per absorption (RC/ABS), (2) yield of primary photochemistry (phi Po) and (3) efficiency with which a trapped exciton can move an electron into the electron transport chain (psi 0), decreased due to Cr treatment. Chromate sensitivity varies within plant populations. In summary Cr affects several targets of PSII. More specifically, the main targets of Cr, according to the JIP-test, can be listed as a decrease in the number of active reaction centers and damage to the oxygen-evolving complex.