Developmental Disturbances in the Progeny of Sea Urchins as an Index of Environmental Pollution

The development of the progeny of Strongylocentrotus intermedius sea urchins collected in September 1999 at six stations of Peter the Great Bay (the Sea of Japan) was studied. No significant differences between the samples in the number of anomalies were observed at the earliest stages of embryogenesis (fertilization and the first cleavage division). The greatest deviation from normal development was observed in the progeny of sea urchins from station 1. The relationship between disturbances in the reproductive function of sea urchins and the level of heavy metal pollution of the Amur Bay ecosystem, as well as the usefulness of various indices characterizing the quality of the sea urchin progeny from the bioindication standpoint are discussed.     

A rare case of cytogenetic discrepancy between extraembryonic and fetal tissue

We present a case of false-negative discrepancy between extraembryonic and fetal tissue sampled at 14 weeks of amenorrhoea when ultrasound examination showed morphological anomalies of the fetus. The same cytogenetic characteristic was confirmed on tissue samples after abortion.     

Accuracy of ultrasound diagnoses in pregnancies complicated by suspected fetal anomalies

Referral of pregnancies complicated by suspected fetal anomalies to level III perinatal centres for further evaluation and management is increasing as use of real-time ultrasound spreads, but the sensitivity and specificity of the prenatal diagnoses made in this population are unknown. We undertook a prospective study that followed pregnancies referred to a designated programme dealing with suspected fetal abnormalities. Follow-up of 257 pregnancies revealed that 282 separate anomalies were accurately diagnosed in 212 cases. Normal anatomy was correctly predicted in 42 cases, 16 per cent of the referred population. False-positive and false-negative rates were 1·5 per cent (4/257) and 2 per cent (1/46), respectively. However, 37 per cent of those infants born with anomalies had additional problems not prenatally detected by ultrasound. These results indicate that prenatal ultrasound diagnoses are remarkably accurate overall but that they may be insensitive to associated anomalies in individual cases.     

Federal and state management of inland wetlands: Are states ready to assume control?

As inland wetlands face increasing pressure for development, both the federal government and individual states have begun reevaluating their respective wetland regulatory schemes. This article focuses first on the effectiveness of the past, present, and proposed federal regulations, most notably the Section 404, Dredge and Fill Permit Program, in dealing with shrinking wetland resources. The article then addresses the status of state involvement in this largely federal area, as well as state preparedness to assume primacy should federal priorities change. Finally, the subject of comprehensive legislation for wetland protection is investigated, and the article concludes with some procedural suggestions for developing a model law.     

对美国、日本和中国预警机制现状的评述

突发公共事件是当今世界各国面临的共同威胁，但是，人类在防灾救灾方面仍然存在着一些缺陷。面对突发公共事件危机各国各政府都有自己的预警机制。尤其是一些发达国家建立了较为完善的预警机制，比如美国、日本等国的预警机制对于一些发展中国家建立预警机制有着重要的借鉴意义。中国在应对突发公共事件方面虽然存在着一些缺陷，但是，在建立应对突发公共事件预警机制方面，也进行了积极的探索和实践。