Concentrations of Antifouling Biocides in Sediment and Mussel Samples Collected from Otsuchi Bay,Japan

Organotin compounds (OTs) and representative booster biocides were measured in sediment and mussels from Otsuchi Bay, Japan. The mean amounts of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) compounds in sediment were 13 μg kg⁻¹ dry and 3 μg kg⁻¹ dry, respectively. Representative booster biocides (Sea-Nine 211, Diuron, Dichlofluanid, Irgarol 1501, M1, which is a degradation compound of Irgarol 1051, and Copper pyrithione) were also detected in sediment from Otsuchi Bay. OT concentrations were higher than those of the measured booster biocides. Otsuchi Bay was divided into four parts by cluster analysis based on OT concentrations in sediment sampled from the bay. These areas included the vicinity of a shipyard, a small fishing port, the closed inner area of the bay, and the mouth of the bay. Higher concentrations of TBT and TPT and a higher ratio of TBT to total BTs were observed in the vicinity of the shipyard. A higher concentration of TPT in comparison with TBT was detected in a small fishing port. Furthermore, OT concentrations in the mouth of the bay were higher than those in the closed-off section. OT concentrations in mussels decreased with distance from the shipyard. Otsuchi Bay was then divided into three parts by cluster analysis based on the concentrations of representative booster biocides found in the bay’s sediment. These areas included the vicinity of a shipyard, a small fishing port, and other sites. Concentrations of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 in the vicinity of a shipyard and a small fishing port were dramatically high in comparison with the other sites. Copper pyrithione and Dichlofluanid in addition to Diuron and Irgarol 1051 were also detected in the area of a small fishing port. The concentrations of antifouling biocides were highest in the water in front of the shipyard and showed a marked decrease with distance from the shipyard.     

Concentration and Distribution of Several Pesticides Applied to Paddy Fields in Water and Sediment, from Sugao Marsh, Japan

No abstract available.     

Nutrition and Health Status Assessment of Community-residing Elderly in New York City: A Pilot Study

Ninety-five percent of persons over the age of 65 years live in the community and benefit from community-based health and nutrition services. The purpose of this project was to evaluate diet, function, and mental health in 40 men and women aged 65 years and older who were residing in a large metropolitan community. Nutritional status was assessed using two 24-hour recalls, 5 days of food records, a food frequency, and anthropometric measurements. Participants responded to standardized activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living instruments and an investigator-developed, performance-based appraisal of food preparation and management. Cognition and mood were assessed using the Folstein Mini-Mental Examination and the Yesavage Depression Scale. The nutrient intakes for individuals were compared with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and the Food Guide Pyramid. Mean energy intake was 1,625 kcal (range=787 to 2,910 kcal); 7 persons consumed more than 2,000 kcal. The mean vitamin and mineral intake for participants met the RDAs except for calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and magnesium intakes. The average percentages of carbohydrate, protein, and fat were 53%, 16%, and 30%, respectively. Nutritional assessments of subjects with and without congregate meals were contrasted. Six of the 13 congregate-meal participants were at nutritional risk, compared with 6 of 27 not receiving congregate meals. The interrelationships of diet, functional status, and mental health factors were examined along with recommendations for future data collection in similar studies. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98:554-558.     

Heart Surgery in Infants: A Preliminary Assessment of Maternal Adaptation

The present investigation was undertaken to determine the effects on the mother of having a child undergo heart surgery Three groups of subjects were recruited and included mothers of infants undergoing heart surgery (Heart Surgery group), mothers of infants admitted on an emergency basis for nonsurgical/nonterminal illness (Inpatient Control), and mothers of infants visiting the pediatrician for well baby checks (Outpatient Control) Data were collected at three times PRE, the day of admission, POST, the 7th day of admission or day of discharge (whichever came first), and FOLLOW-UP, 2 months after discharge Relative to the other two groups, a differential attrition rate was evidenced in the Inpatient Control group and this findmg is discussed Given the attrition rate, analyses after PRE involved the Heart Surgery and Outpatient Control Findings indicate that, relative to the Outpatient Control group, the Heart Surgery group reported greater distress ar FOLLOW-UP than ar any other time The distress that was reported involved disruption in the family environment Results of the analyses are discussed as consistent with posttraumatic stress theory.     

Heart Surgery in Infants: A Preliminary Assessment of Maternal Adaptation

The present investigation was undertaken to determine the effects on the mother of having a child undergo heart surgery Three groups of subjects were recruited and included mothers of infants undergoing heart surgery (Heart Surgery group), mothers of infants admitted on an emergency basis for nonsurgical/nonterminal illness (Inpatient Control), and mothers of infants visiting the pediatrician for well baby checks (Outpatient Control) Data were collected at three times PRE, the day of admission, POST, the 7th day of admission or day of discharge (whichever came first), and FOLLOW-UP, 2 months after discharge Relative to the other two groups, a differential attrition rate was evidenced in the Inpatient Control group and this findmg is discussed Given the attrition rate, analyses after PRE involved the Heart Surgery and Outpatient Control Findings indicate that, relative to the Outpatient Control group, the Heart Surgery group reported greater distress ar FOLLOW-UP than ar any other time The distress that was reported involved disruption in the family environment Results of the analyses are discussed as consistent with posttraumatic stress theory.     

Food Security and Perceptions of Health Status: A Preliminary Study in Rural Appalachia

Food insecurity is estimated to affect about 10% of the United States population. Rural areas experience even higher rates and intensity of food security problems related to poverty, food access, and higher food costs. Reports of the relationship between household food security and health status, however, are limited. This report examines the relationship between household food security and measures of functional health status in a rural Appalachian sample. A comprehensive health status survey was completed by 1,006 individuals seen either in a clinical (n = 605) or nonclinical (n = 401) community setting. The survey included the USDA Food Security Core Module, the SF-36, and demographic and health care access questions. Household food insecurity was reported by 23% of respondents. Food insecure respondents reported significantly poorerfunctional status on all SF-36 scales compared tofood secure respondents (all p < 0.05). After adjusting for demographic and access variables in a multiple regression analysis, food insecurity remained a significant independent predictor of responses for each SF-36 scale. Generalizability of results are limited by the convenience sampling methods and geographic region in which the study was conducted. In this preliminary study, even minimal levels of food insecurity are related to self-reported levels of health status as measured by the SF-36 spectrum. Health professionals must be able to identify individuals at risk for food insufficiency; policy makers must develop more effective programs for alleviating the basic causes of food insecurity.     

国内有关儿童龋齿的网络信息质量评价

目的评价国内互联网上有关儿童龋齿的信息质量。方法利用3种搜索引擎搜索2个关键词来获取互联网上与儿童龋齿相关的网页;使用自行设计的评价标准(包括资信度和内容完整性评价2个部分)做评价。结果对符合评价要求的246个中文网站做了评价,所有网站的总分均数是(6.88±0.44),网页资信度的平均分数为(3.04±0.18),网页内容完整性的平均分数为(3.85±0.36)。作者信息和作者资格的平均得分率为23.21和6.82,症状诊断和治疗用药的平均得分率为22.20和28.06。结论参与评价的网页总体得分较低。     

Assessment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Contamination in Sediment and Organism from Xiamen Offshore Area,China

In Xiamen offshore area, sediment polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) concentrations ranged from 2.33 to 30.94 ng/g, with an average value of 8.94 ng/g. The in situ organic carbon normalized partition coefficients (log K′ _oc) of the 12 co-polar congeners PCBs between sediments and porewater were from 1.50 to 2.64, and the log K′ _oc decreased with increasing chlorine number. PCB congeners pattern of marine organism were characterized by 5–6 CB chlorinated compounds, and the world health organization total dioxin equivalents of PCBs in organism ranged from 1.45 to 88.26 pg/g lipid.     

A Joint Analysis of Asthma Affection Status and IgE Levels in Multiple Data Sets Collected for Asthma

We present a joint linkage analysis of eight data sets collected for asthma. Three of the data sets are full genome scans, while the remaining five concentrate on a 40‐cM region on chromosome 5. We perform the analysis using one qualitative and one quantitative phenotype: asthma status and IgE level. Considering all data sets simultaneously, we do not find evidence for linkage to asthma affection status beyond the level expected to occur by chance twice per genome scan. In contrast, we observe significant linkage to IgE level on chromosome 6. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Preliminary Assessment of Legacy and Current-Use Pesticides in Franciscana Dolphins from Argentina

Mercury contamination is a growing concern for freshwater food webs in ecosystems without point sources of mercury. Methylmercury (MeHg) is of particular concern, as this is the form of mercury that crosses the blood–brain barrier and is neurotoxic to organisms. Wetlands and benthic sediments have high organic content and low oxygen availability. Anaerobic bacteria drive the metabolic function in these ecosystems and subsequently can methylate mercury. The bioavailability of MeHg is controlled by physicochemical characteristics such as pH, binding affinities, and dissolved organic matter (DOM). Similarly, photodemethylation is influenced by similar characteristics and thereby the two processes should be studied in tandem. The degradation of MeHg through photochemistry is an effective destruction mechanism in freshwater lakes. This review will highlight the uncertainties and known effects of DOM on subsequent photoreactions that lead to the occurrence of mercury photodemethylation and reduction in mercury bioavailability in freshwater ecosystems.     

Metal levels in fish from the Savannah River: potential hazards to fish and other receptors

Fish are ideal indicators of heavy metal contamination in aquatic systems because they occupy different trophic levels and are different sizes and ages. In this paper, we report concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, strontium(88) and mercury in the muscle of 11 species of fish from the Savannah River near the Savannah River Site. We test the hypotheses that there are no locational, species, or trophic-level differences in contaminant levels. There were significant species differences for all metals; higher-trophic-level fish generally had higher levels of arsenic, chromium, and copper. There were relatively few locational differences, and where there were such differences, they were small. The relationships between body weight and contaminant levels were generally positive, except for strontium, where there was a negative correlation for bowfin (Amia cal va), bass (Micropterus salmoides), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and shellcracker (Lepomis microlophus) and no relationship for the other species. The levels of most metals were similar to, or lower than, those for the United States generally, and the levels of metals in fish from the Savannah River do not appear to pose a health threat to the fish themselves or to higher-order consumers, based on levels known to cause effects.     

A Survey of Size-Specific Mercury Concentrations in Game Fish from Maryland Fresh and Estuarine Waters

A survey of size-specific mercury (Hg) concentrations in game fish from a subset of Maryland fresh and estuarine waters was conducted, in which Hg concentrations in 112 fish from seven freshwater impoundments and three tidal and four estuarine locations in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries were measured. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) was the most intensively examined species. Of the fish examined, the largest freshwater sportfish contained the highest Hg concentrations. Striped bass and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries contained less Hg at the same size than the same species in fresh waters. Large striped bass, chain pickerel (Esox niger), and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) from Deep Creek Lake and Liberty Reservoir exceeded the FDA action level of 1 mg Hg/kg. Striped bass, largemouth bass, and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) in other impoundments equaled or exceeded a common advisory level of 0.5 mg Hg/kg. Large differences in size-normalized Hg concentrations among lakes and particularly between fresh and salt waters highlight the large differences in MeHg production and bioaccumulation among ecosystems. This work indicates that a more comprehensive study of Hg in Maryland fish is warranted to protect human and wildlife health. Received: 16 November 1999/Accepted: 28 December 1999     

Effects of Simulated Oil Exposure on Two Intertidal Macrozoo Benthos: Tympanotonus fuscata (L) and Uca tangeri (Eydoux, 1935) in a Tropical Estuarine Ecosystem

The impacts of simulated Nigerian light crude oil on mud flat periwinkles, Tympanotonus fuscata (L.), and fiddler crabs, Uca tangeri (Eydoux, 1935) was examined through field experiments conducted in the Bonny estuary of the Niger Delta (southern Nigeria). The purpose was to assess the fate and effects of a known quantity of the Nigerian light crude oil on this environment. Drastic changes in the densities of T. fuscata and U. tangeri observed immediately after spills was attributed to the effects of the oil. A large increase in Uca biomass occurred in the affected area. Salinity and temperature in the study area showed little fluctuations throughout the survey. Sediment characteristics were similar for all sites (stations). Grain-size analysis revealed that sediments at the study area were 70% silt. Migration of oil via tidal percolation was observed as much as 11 cm beneath the sediment surface.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Surficial and Core Sediments from Izmir Bay: An Assessment of Contamination and Comparison Against Sediment Quality Benchmarks

The levels of heavy metals were determined in surface and core sediments from the Izmir Bay in 2009. The highest concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were found in the inner bay due to industrial activities. In contrast, maximum levels of Mn, Co, Fe and Al were observed in the outer bay, due to geochemical structure. Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, As, Cr and Co levels in the upper layer of core sediments were higher than the mean background values of bottom sediments. The enrichment of Cr, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu and As in the bay seems to be driven by anthropogenic sources. It was found that the sediments in Izmir Inner Bay were generally polluted heavily with Cu, As, Ni, Cr, Pb and moderately with Zn according to the numerical Sediment quality guidelines of the USEPA.     

Metal levels in southern leopard frogs from the Savannah River Site: location and body compartment effects.

Tadpoles have been proposed as useful bioindicators of environmental contamination; yet, recently it has been shown that metal levels vary in different body compartments of tadpoles. Metals levels are higher in the digestive tract of bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles, which is usually not removed during such analysis. In this paper we examine the heavy metal levels in southern leopard frog (R. utricularia) tadpoles from several wetlands at the Savannah River Site and test the null hypotheses that (1) there are no differences in metal levels in different body compartments of the tadpoles, including the digestive tract; (2) there are no differences in heavy metal levels among different wetlands; and (3) there are no differences in the ratio of metals in the tail/body and in the digestive tract/body as a function of metal or developmental stage as indicated by body weight. Variations in heavy metal levels were explained by wetland and body compartment for all metals and by tadpole weight for selenium and manganese. In all cases, levels of metals were higher in the digestive tract than in the body or tail of tadpoles. Metal levels were highest in a wetland that had been remediated and lowest in a wetland that was never a pasture or remediated (i.e., was truly undisturbed). Although tadpoles are sometimes eaten by fish and other aquatic predators, leopard frogs usually avoid laying their eggs in ponds with such predators. However, avian predators will eat them. These data suggest that tadpoles can be used as bioindicators of differences in metal levels among wetlands and as indicators of potential exposure for higher-trophic-level organisms, but that to assess effects on the tadpoles themselves, digestive tracts should be removed before analysis.