Fully automated FISH examination of amniotic fluid cells

Objective Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis has become a valuable adjunct in cytogenetics, providing a rapid screen for common chromosome abnormalities that is particularly helpful in prenatal diagnosis. FISH analysis using standard microscopy is expensive and labor intensive, requiring both a high skill level and subjective signal interpretation. A reliable fully automated system for FISH analysis could improve laboratory efficiency and potentially reduce errors and costs. Methods The efficacy of an automated system was compared to standard manual FISH analysis. Two sets of slides were generated from each of 152 amniotic fluid samples. Following hybridization with a standard panel of five chromosome FISH probes, one set of slides was evaluated using manual microscopy. The other set was evaluated using an automated microscopy system. Results A diagnostic outcome was obtained for all 152 samples using manual microscopy and for 146 of 152 (96%) samples using automated microscopy. Three cases of aneuploidy were detected. For those samples for which a diagnostic outcome was determined by both manual and automated microscopy, 100% concordance was observed. All FISH analysis results were confirmed by karyotype. Conclusion These data suggest that an automated microscopy system is capable of providing accurate and rapid enumeration of FISH signals in amniocytes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of high-frequency electromagnetic field effect on some somatic and neuro-behavioral characteristics in healthy and neurodefective mice

The effect of long-term exposure to high frequency electromagnetic field (HF EMF) on some somatic and neural characteristics was studied in neurodefective Lurcher mutant (+/Lc) and normal wild type mice (+/+). Both newborn and young adult (3 months) animals derived from two strains (C3H, B6CBA) were exposed to HF EMF (870 MHz) from 1st to 21st day or from 91st to 120th day respectively. In animals of both groups and controls we observed the development of body weight. Moreover, in the HF EMF exposed adult B6CBA animals we studied spatial learning ability, motor functions and the CNS excitability. To investigate specific energy absorption rate (SAR) in experimental animals we have done the basic 3D calculations of the electromagnetic energy distribution in the simplified model of the mouse. The HF EMF exposed animals exhibited mild differences of body weight between them and unexposed controls. The long-term exposure to HF EMF did not significantly influence the ability to learn in the Morris water maze. However, significant lower swimming speed was found in the irradiated +/Lc as well as lower motor activity of +/+ in the open field when compared to controls. No significant differences were found between HF EMF irradiated animals and controls in examination of the CNS excitability and motor functions.     

Catalytic conversion of waste tyres into valuable hydrocarbons

Tyre recycling has become a necessity because of the huge piles of tyres that represent a threat to the environment. The used tyres represent a source of energy and valuable chemical products. Waste tyres were pyrolysed catalytically in a batch reactor under atmospheric pressure. Calcium carbide was used as a catalyst to explore its effect on pyrolysis product distribution. The effect of temperature, amount of catalyst and time on the yields of the pyrolysed products was investigated. Char yield decreased with increase of pyrolysis temperature while total gas and liquid yields increased. The liquid fraction was obtained with boiling point up to 320 °C. The physical and chemical properties of the pyrolysed products obtained were characterized. The catalytic pyrolysis produced 45 wt.% aromatic, 35 wt.% aliphatic and 20 wt.% of polar hydrocarbons. The distillation data showed that ∼80% of oil has boiling point below 270 °C which is the boiling point for 50% of distilled product in commercial diesel oil. The oil fraction was found to have high gross calorific value; GCV (42.8 MJ kg⁻¹). Its Specific gravity, viscosity, Kinematic viscosity, freezing point and diesel index were also within the limits of diesel fuel. The char residues were studied to investigate their characteristics for use as a possible adsorbent. Surface area of char before and after acid demineralization was determined to determine the adsorptive features for waste water treatment.     

Environmental Optimisation in Fractionating Industrial Wastes Using Contribution Margin Analysis as a Sustainable Development Tool

This paper describes a method of estimating the “true” internal costs of industrial waste, aimed at promoting environmentally friendly waste management. The study employs contribution margin analysis and a model – The Model for Efficient Use of Resources for Optimal Production Economy (EUROPE) – introduced by the author for assigning industrial costs to waste. In a business sense, waste is regarded as having the same basic status as any normal industrial product – the equality principle. Application of the method is suggested to create incentives for environmental improvement and profitability improvement in companies. Although the results of two case studies show the generation of waste to have a substantial negative impact on the final operating income, due to the internal shadow price costs it creates, this is regarded as an unavoidable consequence of the companies' acting in accordance with the principle of sustainable development. Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.