Human chorionic β-mannosidase: Comparison with β-mannosidase from human cultured fibroblasts

The conditions for assay of β-mannosidase activity in human chorionic villi (CV) were studied using the fluorogenic substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-mannopyranoside. A comparison of the biochemical properties of the CV β-mannosidase with those of the enzyme from human cultured fibroblasts showed their similarity. Like the enzyme from skin fibroblasts, the CV β-mannosidase had rather high activity. Both enzymes had virtually the same pH optimum (4.2-4.7) and K_m value. The data presented suggest that chorion biopsy specimens can be used for prenatal determination of β-mannosidase activity at an early stage of development.     

遵义市某小区滑坡治理工程中的几个问题及处理措施

文章以遵义小区某滑坡治理工程为例,介绍了滑坡治理中有效解决坡面防水、护面结构与坡面的粘结等问题的实践经验,提出了锚杆支护、挂网喷砼、坡脚挡墙衬护、喷面边界浇筑连系梁的综合治理措施。该滑坡治理效果良好。     

Evidence of earliest human occurrence in Europe: the site of Pirro Nord (Southern Italy)

Some flint lithic artifacts were discovered in the fissure fillings of the well-known Pirro Nord site (Apulia, Southern Italy). The lithic industry, composed by three cores and some flakes, has been found to be associated to an Early Pleistocene vertebrate fossil assemblage. The fossil association contains a wide range of micromammals, including Allophaiomys ruffoi and Episoriculus gibberodon and large mammals including Bison degiulii and Equus altidens together with African elements as the gelada baboon Theropithecus and the saber-toothed cat Megantereon whitei. It defines the latest Villafranchian chronological unit (Pirro Nord Faunal Unit) in the Western European mammal biochronology. The lithic industry of Pirro Nord represents the oldest occurrence of the genus Homo in Europe as it is attributable to a chronological interval between 1.3 and 1.7 Ma. This supports the hypothesis that the genus Homo, with Oldowaian technology, extended its range in Europe, probably from western Asia, during the first half of the Early Pleistocene. The new discovery from Pirro Nord changes the chronology of the first arrival of hominids in Europe and offers new perspectives in the debate about the human dispersal in the Early Pleistocene.     

Early prenatal sonographic diagnosis of neuropathic arthrogryposis multiplex congenita with osseous heterotopia

A prenatal diagnosis of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) has been carried out on a 19-week-old fetus by means of echography. The ultrasonographic characteristics were unnatural position of the four limbs associated with articular anomalies together with absence of active fetal movements. A therapeutic interruption of pregnancy was performed and the diagnosis was confirmed. At autopsy, architectural disorder of the motor neurons of the anterior medullary horn revealed a neuropathic pathogenesis of the arthrogryposis. Moreover, at the lumbar level the spinal cord was progressively replaced by heterotopic bony tissue which caused a more severe deformity of the lower limbs compared with the upper. The aspects of anatomo-pathological, genetic, and differential diagnosis are discussed showing the precocity of the prenatal diagnosis and the peculiarity of the aetiology of our case.     

环境内分泌干扰物的评价方法及其生物检测技术

由于化学分析设备与技术的不断提高,大量的有机化学物质不断地从环境介质和食品中被检出。尽管这些物质的浓度很低,但是毒理学的研究表明,一些环境内分泌干扰物质(Environmental Endocrine Disruptors,EDCs)在很低浓度就能导致生物健康负效应。如何在种类众多的环境化学物质,以及在成分复杂的环境提取物中识别具有低剂量效应的有害物质并加以管理十分重要。本文以EDCs为对象,结合近几年来的文献,综述了其可能造成的危害,重点分析了EDCs的作用机制、筛选评估方法及生物检测技术,旨在为今后环境有害物质的筛选与风险识别研究提供借鉴。     

Determination of phenol,cresols and xylenols in workplace air using XAD‐2 sorbent cartridges

A method for sampling and analysis of phenolic compounds in workplace atmospheres using Amberlite XAD‐2 sorbent tubes has been laboratory and field tested. After extraction of the adsorbed phenols with methylene chloride, the concentrated extract was analyzed by capillary column gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector or a mass spectrometer. For a 3L air sample, the method has a detection limit for phenol, cresols, alkyl‐substituted phenols and xylenols of 0.3 mg/m³ using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID) analysis and 0.07 mg/m³ using gas chromatography mass spectroscopy/selected ion monitoring GC‐MS/SIM. Evaluation tests conducted in the laboratory indicated recoveries >85% for a wide range of phenols, cresols, xylenols and other alkyl‐substituted phenols and resorcinol. Sampling conditions were established to ensure that no breakthrough occurred for a predetermined sample volume of three (3) liters even in humid atmospheres. Stability tests indicated that for storage of up to 2 weeks at 4°C, only resorcinol showed a significant reduction in sample recovery. The proposed method and NIOSH Method 3502 were compared for the determination of phenol concentrations in air samples collected at a plant processing phenolic resins. Phenol was positively identified in the XAD sample using GC‐MS/SIM and was detected at concentrations of 40–50% of the total phenols detected using NIOSH Method 3502. This difference is attributed to the airborne paniculate matter which is known to contain bisphenols that will contribute to the total phenolic content sampled in Method 3502, but not on the XAD sample.     

早始新世气候适宜期形成机制探讨

早始新世气候适宜期发生在53?—?51 Ma,是新生代早期一段气候持续温暖时期.与中中新世气候适宜期和上新世气候适宜期相比,早始新世气候适宜期更加温暖.对于该时期驱动机制的理解有助于深入认识未来温暖气候状况的变化.本文总结了前人提出的构造尺度气候变化的假说,推断出早始新世气候适宜期可能是由于板块构造活动变化导致的温室气体变化所造成,而星际暗物质变化对早始新世气候适宜期的影响有待进一步评估.     

区域水环境安全预警系统框架的建立及应用

从保护人类社会与水环境之间的协调出发，以环境风险评价理论为基础，从区域水环境安全风险管理的角度，提出了构建区域水环境安全预警系统的方法。对预警系统运作的基本环节作了具体说明，并以南水北调东线工程为例，介绍了该方法的应用成果。     

Tools for an enhanced solvent properties screening in the early stages of pharmaceutical process development

The objective of this research was the implementation of tools for the evaluation of solvents trough property screening in the early stages of process development. An important feature of the tools is that the implementation of indexes, scores, or weights is avoided. Information already available from the literature was stored in a database in order to turn raw data into decision making information. As a result, a solvent radar chart, a solvent representation table, and a solvent telescopying tool were developed in an ASP.NET application. The synthesis of Propranolol was used as study case in order to explore the selection of solvents in the early stages of process development. The replacement of diethyl ether was possible in the extraction step, while solvent choices were detected for potential telescoping for extraction and crystallisation steps. Solubility was found as a critical parameter in telescoping analysis. The methodology proposed enhanced the view towards a more holistic perspective and a more robust solvent screening process. As a consequence, the next steps into solvent evaluation and process development can be reduced.     

The development and applications of a Drought Early Warning System in Botswana*

This article describes the indicators and data sources used by the Botswana Drought Early Warning System formally established in early 1984, the main uses of the indicators in the assessment of drought conditions and the design of relief programmes are outlined. Limitations of the sources of data available are discussed, as is the feasibility of adding some possible further indicators. In conclusion, the importance of a functioning Early Warning System in a country highly susceptible to repeated droughts is stressed, in the context of die current effort to elaborate a comprehensive National Food Strategy and to establish a Regional Early Warning System for Southern Africa.