Fluoride contamination in groundwater of central Rajasthan,India and its toxicity in rural habitants

This study was carried out to assess fluoride (Fl) concentration in groundwater in some villages of central Rajasthan, India, where groundwater is the main source of drinking water. Water samples collected from deep aquifer-based hand pumps were analyzed for Fl content. Fluoride in groundwater of 121 habitations of Bhilwara tehsil of Bhilwara district of Rajasthan was determined to examine the potential Fl-induced toxicity in rural locations. Fluoride concentrations in the tehsil ranged from 0.5 to 5.8 mg/l. In the tehsil, 69 villages (57%) were found to have Fl concentration beyond the maximum desirable limit recommended in Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), 10500, 1991. Fifty-eight percent population of these villages was under the threat of fluorosis. One percent population of tehsil living in two villages ingested more than 5 mg/l Fl in each liter of drinking water and at maximal risk for dental and skeletal fluorosis. 142 individuals of these villages were examined for fluorosis. Data indicated that only four individuals (2.82%) did not exhibit dental fluorosis. Most individuals were found to suffer from mild (34.51% or 49 individuals) and moderate (31.69% or 45 individuals) fluorosis. Severe dental fluorosis was recorded in only 16 individuals (11.27%). In 104 individuals above 21 years of age examined for the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis, 66 were positive for skeletal fluorosis with a maximum 36.5% with grade I skeletal fluorosis. Grade II skeletal fluorosis was recorded in 28 individuals (26.9%). Data in this study demonstrate that there is a need to take ameliorative steps in this region to prevent fluorosis.     

西藏的环境氟水平与砖茶型氟中毒

为探讨西藏儿童与砖茶型氟中毒的关系,以拉萨为中点,藏北那曲为北部点,定日县为南部点,对这3个地区的土壤、燃料、水源和主要食物进行了氟含量测定.采用世界卫生组织(WHO)和世界粮农组织(FAO)提出的<化学污染物的膳食摄入量研究指南>,进行了食物结构、饮茶习惯、儿童食物摄入量以及儿童每日总摄氟量的调查按美国国家牙科研究所Horowitz提出的标准进行了儿童氟斑牙检查.结果表明,3个调查点均属传统的低氟区,而儿童每日摄氟量高,那曲8.03mg,拉萨6.93mg,定日7.68mg.其原因来自含砖茶的食品酥油茶和糌粑(青稞粉拌砖茶水的食物).这2种食物占日总摄氟量的99.74%(那曲),98.70%(拉萨),99.60%(定日),砖茶氟摄入导致西藏儿童砖茶型氟中毒的流行.氟斑牙患病率分别达到82.66%(那曲),52.89%(拉萨),75.93%(定日),氟斑牙指数表明,那曲、定日属氟中毒重度流行区,拉萨属中度流行区.砖茶型氟中毒是我国近年来发现的氟病新类型,与饮水型、燃煤污染型比较,它具有覆盖面大、隐蔽性强、难以防治的特点,降低砖茶氟含量可能是防治砖茶型氟中毒的最好方式.     

Short-rib polydactyly syndrome (SRPS) type III diagnosed during routine prenatal ultrasonographic screening. A case report

The prenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasias is often initiated by the finding of a shortened extremity during a routine sonographic examination. Second-trimester diagnosis of these anomalies allows the couple to consider the option of terminating a pregnancy when a lethal anomaly is detected. A 21-year-old Bedouin woman underwent routine ultrasonographic screening at 20 weeks' gestation. Severe micromelia, a narrow thorax with shortened ribs, and postaxial polydactyly were detected. The patient delivered a male dwarf at 20 weeks' gestation following prostaglandin induction of labour for a diagnosis of short-rib polydactyly syndrome type III. The prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of short-rib polydactyly syndrome type III was made at 20 weeks' gestation, allowing termination of the pregnancy. A proper sonographic approach to skeletal dysplasias allows both early detection and differentiation between lethal and non-lethal anomalies.     

Three-dimensional ultrasound in prenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia

A lethal form of bone dysplasia, platylospondylic lethal chondrodysplasia, was diagnosed prenatally using three-dimensional ultrasound. The various types of three-dimensional imaging mode provided diagnostic details not available by conventional two-dimensional ultrasound. The diagnosis was made after referral in the 23rd week of gestation, allowing termination of pregnancy due to the poor prognosis. Prenatal sonograms were compared with postnatal radiographs.     

江西德安县地方性氟中毒区生态地球化学研究

江西德安吴山地区地方性氟中毒区域存在高氟的地球化学异常。富氟的岩(矿)石为其原生源,受表生地质作用和人为活动的影响,在土壤、水和生物体中形成了富氟的生态地球化学环境系统。研究发现,该地区氟进入人体主要通过5个途径,其中食物是进入人体最主要途径,食物中的氟元素超标情况严重,其次是通过饮用水进入人体,并根据这些规律提出德安地方性氟中毒病几点防治建议。     

高密市高氟地下水成因研究

高密市曾经是全国氟中毒较为严重的地区之一,浅层高氟地下水是病区居民致病的主要原因。在系统环境地球化学调查的基础上,研究了当地高氟地下水的成因,认为岩石、土壤是当地高氟浅层地下水的主要来源。探讨了地下水中氟富集的因素与过程,提出了地氟病的防治措施。     

江苏省丰、沛、铜重氟病区动物体中氟的含量及其与环境的关系

丰、沛、铜重氟病区,禽、畜体内氟主要积聚在骨骼中（羊骨1096×10^－6～2001.9×10^－6,鸡骨335×10^－6～378×10^－6）及生理功能强的内脏（肝、心、肾等）器官中,氟的含量3.3×10^－6～7.17×10^－6,肌肉和蛋、奶品中氟的含量大多接近或低于氟的卫生标准,显然肉、蛋、奶食品不是该区地氟病的致病因子。研究表明,动物体内氟含量与环境水氟及叶菜和树叶（含水分高）中的氟含量呈明显的正相关。因而造成食草动物比以食粮食为主的家禽体内的氟含量明显偏高。说明水是氟的传播媒界,为该区地氟病的主要致病因子。     

干旱因素对尿、血清和唾液含氟量的影响

我们曾就干旱因素影响两个地方性氟中毒(地氟病)病区人群的某些指标作过报道。本文重点讨论其影响同一人群尿、血清和唾液含氟量情况,旨在为地氟病防治研究提供参考。     

Fetal fibrochondrogenesis at 26 weeks' gestation

An Erratum has been published for this article in Prenatal Diagnosis 22(13) 2002, 1241. Fibrochondrogenesis is a rare and lethal osteochondrodysplasia with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. We report a male fetus in which the diagnosis of lethal osteochondrodysplasia was suspected on prenatal ultrasound and radiological examinations during the second trimester of pregnancy. After termination of pregnancy, fibrochondrogenesis was diagnosed by radiological examination and histological study of fetal bones. Interwoven fibrous septa and fibroblastic degeneration of chondrocytes are pathognomonic. The recurrence rate is 25% and accurate diagnosis is necessary to enable genetic counselling. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.