Amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein levels and prenatal diagnosis of autosomal trisomies

Pregnancies with fetal trisomy 21 have been associated with low amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein levels (AFAFP). This observation led to the suggestion that low AFAFP levels be used as a criterion for completion of a chromosomal analysis in patients who are not otherwise at increased risk for a fetal chromosome abnormality and in whom karyotyping might not have been completed for economic reasons. In order to assess the usefulness of such criteria, we reviewed the AFAFP levels of 90 cases of fetal trisomy 21, 23 cases of trisomy 18, and 10 cases of trisomy 13. These were compared with 2400 control samples with normal chromosome constitution. AFAFP levels were generally lower in pregnancies with trisomy 21, showing a median value of 0·72 MoM. However, 40 per cent of the trisomy 21 samples had AFAFP values greater than 0·8 MoM and 20 per cent were over 1·0 MoM. These data imply that over 50 per cent of Down syndrome cases might have been missed using a cut-off level of 0·70 MoM for completion of chromosome analysis. Using a higher cut-off level will leave only a small percentage of samples unkaryotyped. The distribution of AFP levels in trisomy 13 and 18 is no different from controls; we therefore believe that fetal karyotyping should be completed in every amniotic fluid sample obtained.     

对水体中有机污染综合指标及其相互间的关系探研

通过对水体中各有机污染综合指标的含义及各指标测定方法条件控制的论述,阐明了各指标间的相互关系,对我们在水质监测中的质量控制、数据的综合分析和判断有一定的指导意义。     

如何实施工业企业厂界噪声的规范性监测

"工业企业厂界噪声"监测目的、测量条件、时段选择,规范的监测程序及注意的问题,完整的监测报告。     

CO2-free paper?

Black liquor gasification–combined cycle (BLGCC) is a new technology that has the potential to increase electricity production of a chemical pulping mill. Increased electricity generation in combination with the potential to use biomass (e.g. bark, hog fuel) more efficiently can result in increased power output compared to the conventional Tomlinson-boiler. Because the BLGCC enables an integrated pulp and paper mill to produce excess power, it can offset electricity produced by power plants. This may lead to reduction of the net-CO₂ emissions. The impact of BLGCC to offset CO₂ emissions from the pulp and paper industry is studied. We focus on two different plant designs and compare the situation in Sweden and the US. The CO₂ emissions are studied as function of the share of recycled fibre used to make the paper. The study shows that under specific conditions the production of “CO₂-free paper” is possible. First, energy efficiency in pulp and paper mills needs to be improved to allow the export of sufficient power to offset emissions from fossil fuels used in boilers and other equipment. Secondly, the net-CO₂ emission per ton of paper depends strongly on the emission reduction credits for electricity export, and hence on the country or grid to which the paper mill is connected. Thirdly, supplemental use of biomass to replace fossil fuel inputs is important to reduce the overall emissions of the pulp and paper industry.     

Development of a black carbon-inclusive multi-media model: application for PAHs in Stockholm

A multi-media model was developed for predicting the fate of organic chemicals in the Greater Stockholm Area, Sweden, and applied to selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Although urban models have been previously developed, this model is novel in that it includes sorption to pyrogenically-derived particles, commonly termed "black carbon" (BC), within the model structure. To examine the influence of BC sorption on environmental fate of PAHs, two versions of the model were generated and run: one in which sorption to BC was included and one in which BC sorption was excluded. The inclusion of BC sorption did not cause any significant variations to air levels, but it did cause an average 20-30% increase in sediment concentrations related to increased sediment solids partitioning. The model also predicted reduced advective losses out of the model domain, as well as chemical potential to diffuse from sediments, whilst total chemical inventory increased. In all cases, the lighter PAHs were more affected by BC inclusion than their heavier counterparts. We advocate the addition of sorption to BC in future multi-media fate and exposure models, which as well as influencing fate will also alter (lower) chemical availability and, thus, wildlife exposure to hydrophobic chemicals. A quantification of the latter was derived with the help of the soot-inclusive model version, which estimated a lowering of dissolved water concentrations between five and >200 times for the different PAHs of this study.     

Solid waste characterization and recycling potential for a university campus

Integrated waste management systems are one of the greatest challenges for sustainable development. For these systems to be successful, the first step is to carry out waste characterization studies. In this paper are reported the results of a waste characterization study performed in the Campus Mexicali I of the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC). The aim of this study was to set the basis for implementation of a recovery, reduction and recycling waste management program at the campus. It was found that the campus Mexicali I produces 1ton of solid wastes per day; more than 65% of these wastes are recyclable or potentially recyclable. These results showed that a program for segregation and recycling is feasible on a University Campus. The study also showed that the local market for recyclable waste, under present conditions - number of recycling companies and amounts of recyclables accepted - can absorb all of these wastes. Some alternatives for the potentially recyclables wastes are discussed. Finally some strategies that could be used to reduce waste at the source are discussed as well.     

山西省2015年细颗粒物的污染状况和空间分布

大气污染因其对人体健康、生态环境和气候变化的影响而成为全球关注的环境问题,细颗粒物（PM_2.5）是雾霾产生的主要原因之一。为全面掌握山西省细颗粒物的污染状况与空间分布格局,本文运用统计学方法和Arc GIS技术,根据环境空气质量评价技术规范,对2015年山西省57个空气质量指数监测站提供的PM_2.5实时数据进行处理分析。结果表明：山西省PM_2.5的浓度有明显的季节性变化特征,由高到低依次为冬、春、秋、夏;PM_2.5月平均浓度最高值分别出现在1月和12月,且高值中心都位于运城;在空间分布上则表现为南部高于北部。全省11个地市级城市有9个超过国家二级标准,超标指数达到72%。聚类分析结果表明：山西省城市可以分为两大类,一类为产业结构转型良好的城市,如阳泉、朔州、吕梁、大同;另一类为第二产业发展粗放,工业污染严重的区域。     

Using lysosomal membrane stability of haemocytes in Ruditapes philippinarum as a biomarker of cellular stress to assess contamination by caffeine, ibuprofen, carbamazepine and novobiocin

Although pharmaceuticals have been detected in the environment only in the range from ng/L to g/L, it has been demonstrated that they can adversely affect the health status of aquatic organisms. Lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) has previously been applied as an indicator of cellular well-being to determine health status in bivalve mussels. The objective of this study is to evaluate LMS in Ruditapes philippinarum haemolymph using the neutral red retention assay (NRRA). Clams were exposed in laboratory conditions to caffeine (0.1, 5, 15, 50 μg/L), ibuprofen (0.1, 5, 10, 50 μg/L), carbamazepine and novobiocin (both at 0.1, 1, 10, 50 μg/L) for 35 days. Results show a dose-dependent effect of the pharmaceuticals. The neutral red retention time measured at the end of the bioassay was significantly reduced by 50% after exposure to environmental concentrations (p < 0.05) (caffeine = 15 μg/L; ibuprofen = 10 μg/L; carbamazepine = 1 μg/L and novobiocin = 1 μg/L), compared to controls. Clams exposed to these pharmaceuticals were considered to present a diminished health status (retention time < 45 min), significantly worse than controls (96 min) (p < 0.05). The predicted no environmental effect concentration (PNEC) results showed that these pharmaceuticals are very toxic at the environmental concentrations tested. Measurement of the alteration of LMS has been found to be a sensitive technique that enables evaluation of the health status of clams after exposure to pharmaceuticals under laboratory conditions, thus representing a robust Tier-1 screening biomarker.     

三门峡库区河流湿地沉积物重金属赋存形态和风险评价

调查三门峡库区河流型湿地沉积物中重金属含量和赋存形态,通过污染指数评价沉积物生态潜在风险、表层重金属可交换态与碳酸盐结合态的质量分数评价其释放风险.结果表明,沉积物中重金属Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb含量分别为25.8～68.5、12.1～36.7、3.25～48.74、33.5～472.4、0.16～0.69和9.04～90.74 mg.kg-1.从三门峡库区上游至大坝坝前,沉积物重金属含量呈显著增加趋势.库区最大支流渭河入黄口下游沉积物中重金属Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd和Pb含量高于上游.典型污染支流宏农涧河河口沉积物重金属累积明显,极有可能是该区域矿业发展的工业废水排放所致.沉积物污染指数(SPI)平均值为3.11,介于1.83～7.39之间,渭河入黄口下游沉积物重金属污染程度明显增加,宏农涧河河口沉积物SPI=6.33,处于中度风险.污染河口表层沉积物重金属碳酸盐结合态和交换态所占金属总量的质量分数分别为Cd 63.8%～85.7%,Cu 6.58%～22.62%,Pb 10.6%～28.9%,Ni 1.56%～3.02%.支流污染物排放引起重金属累积,三门峡流域下游沉积物生态风险增加,河口表层重金属释放风险由大到小为Cd>Pb>Cu>Ni.此调查可为河流沉积物污染治理和原位修复提供了参考和依据.     

宁波东钱湖大型底栖动物群落动态及水质生物学评价

2009年4月—2010年1月,对东钱湖大型底栖动物群落结构及空间分布格局进行了季度调查,并对其环境状况进行生物学评价.共记录底栖动物3门4纲28属30种,其中寡毛类5种、水生昆虫18种、软体动物7种.底栖动物密度、生物量和群落周年次级生产量分别为1 233 m-2、8.0 g/m2(以湿质量计)和35.3 g/(m2.a)(P/B系数法估算),单因素方差分析显示,秋、冬季显著高于春、夏季.东钱湖底栖动物优势种为红裸须摇蚊、长跗摇蚊、菱跗摇蚊和霍甫水丝蚓,红裸须摇蚊为冬季单一优势种.依据底栖动物密度的多维序列分析,可将东钱湖分为4个湖区.基于GIS平台,运用克里格插值法,构建动物参数及BI(Hilsenhoff生物指数)的空间分布格局,显示东钱湖底栖动物群落具有较强的空间异质性:摇蚊幼虫多分布在谷子湖及中部湖区,而软体动物主要聚集在中部偏西南及北部湖区.BI评价结果表明,东钱湖的整体水质为中度污染(BI为7.58),其在时空上有较大差异.其中,2009年4、7、9月为轻度污染(BI为6.66～7.33),2009年11月—2010年1月为中度污染(BI为8.32～8.39);在空间尺度上,中部及北湖偏东部湖区污染较轻,其次为谷子湖及五里塘湖区,南湖偏南部湖区污染较重.