Prenatal screening for Down syndrome and neural tube defects in twin pregnancies

Prenatal screening and diagnosis in a twin pregnancy is not straightforward. Once a twin pregnancy has been identified, women and their partners need time to consider the implications and decide whether they wish the pregnancy to be screened for Down syndrome or neural tube defects. We discuss here how multiple marker screening for Down syndrome and alpha-fetoprotein screening for neural tube defects can be carried out, given that this is the parents' chosen option and that the health professionals involved are capable of performing a diagnosis and selective feticide, should this arise. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

First-trimester diagnosis of conjoined twins

Conjoined twins are a rare and complex complication of monozygotic twinning, which is associated with high perinatal mortality. Early prenatal diagnosis of conjoined twins allows better counselling of the parents regarding the management options, including continuation of pregnancy with post-natal surgery, termination of pregnancy or selective fetocide in case of a triplet pregnancy. With the introduction of high-resolution and transvaginal ultrasound imaging, accurate prenatal diagnosis of conjoined twins is possible early in pregnancy. We have reviewed the medical literature on the early prenatal diagnosis of suspected conjoined twins using a MEDLINE search. Although first-trimester diagnosis of conjoined twins is feasible, false-positive cases are common before 10 weeks because, earlier in gestation, fetal movements are limited and monoamniotic twins may appear conjoined. As most parents opt for immediate termination of pregnancy at confirmation of the diagnosis, there are limited data on the prenatal follow-up of conjoined twins. When the parents opt for conservative management, half of the fetuses die in utero and another 44% will die during the neonatal period. A detailed analysis of case reports where 3D imaging was used indicates that this modality does not improve on the diagnosis made by 2D ultrasound. Overall, very early prenatal diagnosis and first-trimester 3D imaging provide very little additional practical medical information compared to the 11–14 weeks' ultrasound examination. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

地下水型水源地水质安全预警技术体系研究

地下水型水源地水质安全预警是城镇集中供水的地下水资源保护和管理的重要依据.为了提高地下水型水源地水质安全预警功能,提出了包括基于水质长序列监测预警、基于污染动态模拟预警及基于区域污染风险评价预警的技术体系.其中,基于水质长序列监测的预警是通过因子分析筛选水源地特征污染物,分析水质数据变幅以确定水源地水质的预警级别,可实现针对水源井的开关控制作用;基于污染动态模拟的预警是在水源地外围污染源特征基础上,模拟其动态迁移过程,进而确定其影响水源地水质的预警级别,可实现对水源地水质变化趋势的预判;基于区域污染风险评价的预警着重于水源地受区域污染风险控制与水源地保护区的耦合效应,同时结合其他预警影响因子作用以确定预警级别,可实现对水源地所在区域的宏观管控.该技术在哈尔滨市利民水源地进行了综合应用,结果显示,基于水质长序列监测预警中,COD_Mn及NH₄+的最大变幅指数均在1~2之间,预警级别确定为一级;根据污染动态模拟的结果得知,位于水源地开采井流场上游较高ρ（NH₄+）的范围在迁移20 a后,污染晕前段尚未到达水源地,确定预警级别为零级;基于区域污染风险评价的预警确定水源地所在区域为零级预警区,综合分析可以确定利民水源地地下水水质存在污染风险,应采取相应的管控措施.      

水体富营养化及蓝藻水华预警模型研究进展

目前,水体富营养化及蓝藻水华污染已成为最为突出的世界性水环境问题之一,做好水华的预测预警工作显得尤为重要.预警模型是水体富营养化及蓝藻水华预警工作的前提与基础.文章讨论了主要预警参数因子的选择,包括物理因子、化学因子和生物因子;介绍了常用的水体寓营养化及蓝藻水华预警模型的研究进展,总结了各个常用模型的概念、优缺点、建模...     

Identifying future research directions for biodiversity,ecosystem services and sustainability: perspectives from early-career researchers

We aimed to identify priority research questions in the field of biodiversity, ecosystem services and sustainability (BESS), based on a workshop held during the NRG BESS Conference for Early Career Researchers on BESS, and to compare these to existing horizon scanning exercises. This work highlights the need for improved data availability through collaboration and knowledge exchange, which, in turn, can support the integrated valuation and sustainable management of ecosystems in response to global change. In addition, clear connectivity among different research themes in this field further emphasizes the need to consider a wider range of topics simultaneously to ensure the sustainable management of ecosystems for human wellbeing. In contrast to other horizon scanning exercises, our focus was more interdisciplinary and more concerned with the limits of sustainability and dynamic relationships between social and ecological systems. The identified questions could provide a framework for researchers, policy makers, funding agencies and the private sector to advance knowledge in biodiversity and ES research and to develop and implement policies to enable sustainable future development.     

地表水水质预警方法研究综述

阐述了水质预警的概念,介绍了水环境模型、生物毒性监测和数理统计方法在地表水水质预警中的应用,总结了各种方法的优缺点。分析了水质预警方法目前面临的挑战,并从融合多种预警方法、关联多维多元数据、建立一体化智能模型等3个方面,对水质预警未来的发展方向进行了展望。     

Monitoring Long-Term Ecological Changes Through the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network: Science-Based and Policy Relevant

Ecological monitoring and its associated research programshave often provided answers to various environmental management issues. In the face of changing environmental conditions, ecological monitoring provides decision-makers with reliable information as they grapple with maintaining a sustainable economy and healthy environment. The EcologicalMonitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN) is a national ecological monitoring network consisting of (1) about 100 casestudy sites across the country characterized by long-term multi-disciplinary environmental work conducted by a multitudeof agencies (142 partners and counting); (2) a variety of lesscomprehensive yet more extensive monitoring sites; (3) a network where core monitoring variables of ecosystem change aremeasured; and (4) geo-referenced environmental observations. Environment Canada is the co-ordinating partner for the network through the EMAN Co-ordinating Office. EMAN's mission is to focus a scientifically-sound, policy-relevant ecosystem monitoring and research network based on (a) stabilizing a network of case-study sites operated by a varietyof partners, and (b) developing a number of cooperative dispersedmonitoring initiatives in order to deliver unique and needed goods and services. These goods and services include: (1) an efficient and cost-effective early warning system which detects,describes and reports on changes in Canadian ecosystems at a national or ecozone scale; and (2) cross-disciplinary and cross-jurisdictional assessments of ecosystem status, trends and processes. The early warning system and assessments of ecosystem status, trends and processes provide Environment Canada and partner organizations with timely information thatfacilitates increasingly adaptive policies and priority setting. Canadians are also informed of changes and trends occurring in Canadian ecosystems and, as a result, are betterable to make decisions related to conservation and sustainability.     

Assessing water quality in a tropical lake using biomarkers in zebrafish embryos: developmental toxicity and stress protein responses

In order to achieve a more substantial appraisal of lake water quality, the assessment must not be based only on chemical measurements and analyses of the water itself, but even more so on the impact of existing conditions on aquatic biota. This is possible with the use of biotests or biomarkers, e.g. investigations of the developmental parameters (96-h embryotoxicity evaluate) or of the induction of heat shock proteins (proteotoxicity evaluate). To evaluate the suitability of these tests for environmental screening, fertilized zebrafish eggs were exposed to water samples collected from five sites of varying levels of stress from Laguna Lake, Philippines. Reconstituted water was used as laboratory control while water samples from a highly polluted freshwater source was used as positive control. Developmental parameters were noted and described within 48 and 96 h of exposure. Dilution experiments of the positive control were also done to further assess and compare toxicity potentials of Laguna Lake waters with those originating from a polluted freshwater. After the 96-h exposure, the levels of stress proteins (hsp 70) were determined in embryos from all exposure groups. Results showed 100% mortality in embryos exposed to undiluted positive control (PC) within only 12 h. Increasing dilution levels, however, resulted in lower mortality and lower abnormality rates. No detectable developmental differences were noted among embryos exposed to either the laboratory control or Laguna Lake waters at the end of 96 h, regardless of the source. Very high survival rates and high hatching success rates were observed in embryos exposed to lake waters as well as laboratory control, and the data did not differ significantly among the groups. Likewise, no significant malformations were noted among all developing embryos throughout the exposure period. However, the levels of heat shock proteins in the two sites located closest to Manila, the Philippine capital (Northern West Bay and Central West Bay), showed a pronounced elevation relative to the control, indicating that these stress proteins protect the embryos from the detrimental effects of pollutants in the water. Based on the 96-h early life stage (ELS) test, the water quality of the lake is good for fishery propagation despite the current levels of pollutants in the water. This finding is in accordance with the Class C status (i.e. suitable for fish growth and propagation) as given to the lake by the local environmental agency. On the other hand, data on proteotoxicity showed that the fish are under stress, presumably deriving from pollutants. This calls for a continuous monitoring and improvement of the lake water. The present study indicates that the two biomarker methods are very easy to use, practical, rapid, and sensitive for assessing water quality in a tropical lake and recommends for their incorporation into the future monitoring program of Laguna Lake.