对虾暴发性流行病的病因及预防对策分析

本文报告了用电子显微镜对１９９３年对虾暴发性流行病的病原观察结果，确认带包膜的杆状病毒是造成虾病暴发流行的病原。借鉴东南亚各国养虾的经验教训，分析了这次虾病的流行原因是海水富营养化。并结合作者多年从事对虾病害研究工作的实践，讨论了预防对虾暴发性流行病的对策。     

INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN DRINKING WATER CORRELATED WITH DISEASE OCCURRENCE IN NEBRASKA1

ABSTRACT: Levels of nitrate and other inorganic contaminants in the drinking water of 453 Nebraska communities in 1986 were compared with health data for counties in which these communities were located. Data used included death rates per 100,000 population from heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia and chronic lung disease, plus the rate of birth defects. Water samples from 42 communities exceeded the 0.01 mg/liter state and federal standards for selenium while 19 exceeded the 10 mg/liter NO₃-N standard. Statistical analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient method showed no significant relationship between nitrate or selenium and any of the health effects studied. Only barium, fluoride, and chromium were weakly but significantly (P<0.05) correlated to one or more of the health effects. Approximately one-third of the water samples high in NO₃-N also had high levels of selenium. In some communities, the presence of nitrate also signaled the presence of barium, chromium, or arsenic. Results appear to indicate no immediate health risks related to levels of nitrate, selenium, or other inorganic contaminants in Nebraska drinking water. However, this type of statistical analysis cannot be interpreted as proving or disproving a cause and effect relationship.     

Predicting the economic costs and property value losses attributed to sudden oak death damage in California (2010-2020)

Phytophthora ramorum, cause of sudden oak death, is a quarantined, non-native, invasive forest pathogen resulting in substantial mortality in coastal live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and several other related tree species on the Pacific Coast of the United States. We estimate the discounted cost of oak treatment, removal, and replacement on developed land in California communities using simulations of P. ramorum spread and infection risk over the next decade (2010-2020). An estimated 734 thousand oak trees occur on developed land in communities in the analysis area. The simulations predict an expanding sudden oak death (SOD) infestation that will likely encompass most of northwestern California and warrant treatment, removal, and replacement of more than 10 thousand oak trees with discounted cost of $7.5 million. In addition, we estimate the discounted property losses to single family homes of $135 million. Expanding the land base to include developed land outside as well as inside communities doubles the estimates of the number of oak trees killed and the associated costs and losses. The predicted costs and property value losses are substantial, but many of the damages in urban areas (e.g. potential losses from increased fire and safety risks of the dead trees and the loss of ecosystem service values) are not included.     

肉桂在防治老年病中的应用前景

肉桂是常用的中药和调味剂,药理作用广泛.临床应用情况与对机体多系统疾病的研究结果表明,肉桂在老年病方面具有防治作用,结合老年病的现状探讨其在老年病防治中的应用前景.     

Determinants of the Willingness-to-Participate in an Environmental Intervention in a Beirut Neighborhood

Participatory environmental management can empower communities and enhance the sustainability of environmental interventions. However, existing power structures and inequalities along class, gender, or ethnic lines could prevent part of the community from accessing the full benefits of the intervention. An analysis of determinants of the willingness-to-participate in an environmental intervention in a Beirut neighborhood is conducted. Socioeconomic, health-risk distribution, and perception of community efficacy are used as predictors. A randomly selected sample of residents was surveyed. Respondents were asked to specify the frequency with which they were willing to be involved in an intervention to address priority environmental problems in the neighborhood. Bivariate and multivariate ordinal regression analyses were conducted. Tests of significance were based on the 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the odds ratio (OR). Males versus females (OR = 4.89, P < 0.001), respiratory patients versus nonsufferers (OR = 5.65, P < 0.001), tenants versus house owners (OR = 2.98, P < 0.01), and the less educated versus the more educated (OR = 2.42, P < 0.05) were significantly more likely to be willing to participate. The reluctance of female community members to participate might be a major hindrance to community-based environmental protection and special strategies must be devised to overcome it. On the other hand, respondents suffering from an illness perceived to be related to environmental toxins are likely to be strong participants in environmental conservation efforts. Finally, the study yielded no evidence that belief or lack of it in the efficacy of community action is a good predictor of the willingness-to-participate in such action.     

Clues and pitfalls in the early prenatal diagnosis of ‘late onset’ infantile polycystic kidney

Infantile polycystic kidney disease (IPKD) is an autosornal recesive inherited disorder, IPKD has been previously diagnosed by us as early as the 14th week of gestation. ‘Late onset’ (third trimester) IPKD has been previously described by several authors. We present here a case of intrauterine detection of ‘late onset’ IPKD, suggesting that elongated hyperechogenic kidneys (with normal transverse and anteroposterior diameters) should be considered as an early sign of ‘late onset’ presenting IPKD.     

Prenatal diagnosis of charcot-marie-tooth disease type 1a (CMT1A) using molecular genetic techniques

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) is a frequent hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy of the peripheral nerves. In most cases, the disease is associated with a 1.5 Mb tandem duplication at 17p11.2. A 42-year-old pregnant woman requested prenatal diagnosis because of her age and since both her husband and two children were severely affected with CMT1. The CMT1A duplication was demonstrated in the father's, the two children's, and the fetus's DNA using different molecular genetic methods. Although cytogenetical analysis showed a normal female karyotype in the fetus, the parents decided to terminate the pregnancy because of the genetic risk associated with the CMT1A duplication.