The amniotic band syndrome: A possible complication of amniocentesis

Malformations of the upper distal extremities were noted in an otherwise healthy infant whose mother underwent diagnostic amniocentesis. A causal relationship is postulated.     

Mucolipidosis IV: Prenatal diagnosis by electron microscopy

Mucolipidosis IV (ML 1V) is a lysosomal storage disease presenting in infancy with cloudy cornea and psychomotor retardation. Our experience with 12 pregnancies at risk for ML IV, monitored by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of cultured amniotic fluid cells, is presented. The prenatal diagnoses were confirmed in the 3 affected and the 8 un- affected pregnancies. In the one pregnancy where no definite diagnosis was reached the pregnancy was terminated. TEM examination of fetal tissues from this pregnancy showed no abnormal lysosomal storage bodies and a review of the cultured amniotic fluid cell sections revealed that the diagnosis of a normal fetus could have been made.     

A Sensitivity Analysis of Nitrogen Losses from Dairy Farms

International attention has focused on agricultural production systems as non-point sources of pollution affecting the quality of streams, estuaries and ground water resources. The objective of the current study was to develop a model of nitrogen management on the dairy farm, and to perform sensitivity analyses in order to determine the relative importance of manipulating herd nutrition, manure management and crop selection in reducing nitrogen (N) losses from the farm. The importance of the method of N input to the farm (purchased feed, legume fixation, inorganic fertilizer, imported manure) was investigated, and the potential to reduce N losses from dairy farms was evaluated. Nitrogen balance equations were derived, and related efficiency coefficients were set to reference values representing common management practices. Total farm N efficiency (animal product N per N input), and N losses per product N were determined for different situations by solving the set of simultaneous equations. Improvements in animal diet and management that increase the conversion of feed N to animal product by 50% would increase total farm N efficiency by 48% and reduce N losses per product by 36 to 40%. In contrast, reducing losses from manure collection, storage and application to improve the percentage of manure N that becomes available in soil by 100% would only improve total farm N efficiency by 13% and reduce total N losses by 14%. Selecting crops and management that can use soil nutrients 50% more efficiently would improve total farm efficiency by up to 59% and reduce N losses by up to 41% depending on the predominant nitrogen sources to the farm. Legume production would reduce N losses per product compared with non-legumes. There was more than a five fold difference in N losses per animal product N between the most extreme scenarios suggesting considerable opportunity to reduce N losses from dairy farms.     

The active role of state laws in superfund cleanups

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) did not ignore the fifty individual states when establishing responsibility, authority, and liability for cleaning up hazardous waste sites. Although CERCLA gives EPA the ultimate authority to select a remedy for a contaminated site, the law was drafted not only to allow for state activity without EPA, but also for significant state input when EPA is involved. The relationship between a state (and its environmental laws) and EPA can help decide the remedial and financial interests of any potentially responsible party (PRP). This article discusses the relevant CERCLA provisions, recent court decisions, and resolved and unresolved issues in federal-state Superfund involvement, and recommends several common-sense strategies for PRPs when working with a state in a Superfund cleanup.     

Emission standards and price distortion

A simple model is presented which demonstrates that emission standards can either reduce or increase the distortions inherent in preregulatory relative prices. This model is used in conjunction with data for controlling air pollution in the St. Louis airshed under a least-cost set of emission standards. By applying a heuristic formula, it is concluded that this set of standards is distortion neutral. Although there is reason to believe that conventional emission standards are distortion reducing, it is clear that Pigouvian fees achieve technical efficiency in abatement as well as the elimination of price distortion.     

Congenital hereditary hypothyroidism—prenatal diagnosis and treatment

Intrauterine diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism was established on the basis of TSH concentration in amniotic fluid in the 22nd week of gestation for the offspring of a couple both known to have an iodide organification defect. Prenatal treatment consisted of intramniotic injections of 500 meg Na-1-thyroxine, which was administered from the first amniocentesis until one week before delivery. Following delivery, the diagnosis was confirmed by the elevated level of TSH, 60-5 uU/ml, and a gradual decrease of fT4 to 0·8 ng/ml. Regular substitution therapy was commenced on the third day of life. The normal shape and location of the thyroid gland was demonstrated by Technetium scintiscan. At 18 months the infant revealed no significant deviation from normalcy in growth or mental capacity. This experience indicates that testing of amniotic fluid for TSH in the 22nd week of gestation can be diagnostic for congenital primary hypothyroidism. Furthermore, it is suggested that the treatment approach described is warranted in all cases in which there is a high risk of congenital primary hypothyroidism.