Life Histories of the Seed Bugs, Kleidocerys punctatus and Kleidocerys virescens

The life cycles of the seed bugs, Kleidocerys punctatus Distant and Kleidocerys virescens F. (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae: Ischnorhynchinae), are reported for the first time. Description of all immature stages and adults are included. Adults and nymphs of K. punctatus are associated with several species of Alnus (Betulaceae), while those of K. virescens are associated with Nicotiana glauca Graham, Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae), and Buddleia crotonoides A. Gray and Buddleia sp. (Loganiaceae). Adults and nymphs feed mainly on the seeds, inside the dry fruit, but they also take plant juices from other reproductive and vegetative structures. Illustrations of the eggs, all nymphal instars, and the adults, as well as notes on their biology and their distribution in Mexico, are included

Lay perceptions of predictive testing for diabetes based on DNA test results versus family history assessment: a focus group study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study assessed lay perceptions of issues related to predictive genetic testing for multifactorial diseases. These perceived issues may differ from the "classic" issues, e.g. autonomy, discrimination, and psychological harm that are considered important in predictive testing for monogenic disorders. In this study, type 2 diabetes was used as an example, and perceptions with regard to predictive testing based on DNA test results and family history assessment were compared.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight focus group interviews were held with 45 individuals aged 35-70 years with (n = 3) and without (n = 1) a family history of diabetes, mixed groups of these two (n = 2), and diabetes patients (n = 2). All interviews were transcribed and analysed using Atlas-ti.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most participants believed in the ability of a predictive test to identify people at risk for diabetes and to motivate preventive behaviour. Different reasons underlying motivation were considered when comparing DNA test results and a family history risk assessment. A perceived drawback of DNA testing was that diabetes was considered not severe enough for this type of risk assessment. In addition, diabetes family history assessment was not considered useful by some participants, since there are also other risk factors involved, not everyone has a diabetes family history or knows their family history, and it might have a negative influence on family relations. Respect for autonomy of individuals was emphasized more with regard to DNA testing than family history assessment. Other issues such as psychological harm, discrimination, and privacy were only briefly mentioned for both tests.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results suggest that most participants believe a predictive genetic test could be used in the prevention of multifactorial disorders, such as diabetes, but indicate points to consider before both these tests are applied. These considerations differ with regard to the method of assessment (DNA test or obtaining family history) and also differ from monogenic disorders.</p

Ecological Risk Assessment in Water Resource Management

The US EPA published guidelines for the application of ecological risk assessment (ERA) in the USA in 1998 (US EPA 1998). The process diagram derived by Murray and Claassen (1999) in an evaluation of the US EPA framework is discussed in the context of the South African National Water Act. The evaluation discusses the various steps involved in an ERA and how it can be applied in the implementation of the National Water Act. It is concluded that the application of ERA can make a significant contribution towards sustainable water resource management. Two requirements for this are the need for more demonstration projects and that capacity be developed in risk assessment and risk-based decision making. Keywords: risk assessment; water resources; decision making; water act (Afr J Aqua Sci: 2001 26(2): 131-134

Risico-evaluatie van de carcinogeniteit van hybridoma cel DNA. Implicaties voor contaminatie van biologische produkten met cellulair DNA

Dit rapport beschrijft een onderzoek naar mogelijk tumor-inducerend vermogen van rest DNA afkomstig van geimmortaliseerde en mogelijk tumorigene cellijnen door de aanwezigheid van geactiveerde oncogenen. Deze cellijnen worden gebruikt voor produktie van bijv. monoclonale antistoffen, lymphokines en vaccins. DNA, afkomstig van Balb/c hybridoma-cellen, werd gebruikt als model. De lokale (s.c.) tumorigene capaciteit werd onderzocht in Balb/c muizen (speenlingen, n=200, 250 mug DNA) en pasgeboren Riv:TOX ratten (n=9, 50 mug DNA). Doses van 5 mug plasmide pPy1 DNA (Polyoma-virus genoom als positieve controle), werden s.c. geinjecteerd 20 muizen en 9 ratten. Op de hybridoma DNA injectieplaats werd bij geen van de 9 ratten en bij 1 van de 200 muizen een (haemangiomateuze) laesie aangetroffen. Na pPy1 toediening werd bij 1 van de 20 muizen en bij 3 van de 9 ratten lokale tumorvorming waargenomen. Lokale tumorontwikkeling na toediening van uitsluitend de oplosbuffer werd bij twee van de 200 muizen en 0 van de 9 ratten waargenomen. De conclusie is dat toediening van zeer hoge doses hybridoma DNA niet leidt tot lokale tumorvorming op de injectieplaats. Tevens werden geen aanwijzingen voor systemische tumorigene effecten gevonden. Uitgaande van het meest ongunstige scenario, werd het oncogene risico van 100 pg rest DNA op 2*10 macht-9) berekend. Deze waarde is gelegen tussen de risicoschattingen van de WHO (5*10 macht-11) en de Gezondheidsraad (2*10 macht-7). Het is daarom niet aannemelijk, dat toediening van 100 pg DNA afkomstig van andere geimmortaliseerde cellijnen het algemeen geaccepteerde carcinogene risico van 10 macht-6 overschrijdt.The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible carcinogenic potential of residual DNA derived from immortalized and possibly tumorigenic cell lines due to activated oncogenic sequences (oncogenes). These cell lines have been used for production of biologicals i.e. monoclonal antibodies, lymphokines and vaccines. DNA, derived from Balb/c hybridoma cells, has been used as a model. Local s.c. tumorigenicity experiments were performed in 3-4 week old female Balb/c mice (n=200, 250 mug DNA) and newborn Riv:TOX rats (n=9, 50 mug DNA). Doses of 5 mg plasmid pPy1 DNA (Polyoma virus genome as positive control) were injected s.c. in 20 mice and 9 rats. At the s.c. hybridoma DNA injection site of none of the 9 rats and in one out of 200 mice a (haemangioma-like) lesion was observed. At the pPy1 injection site tumour development was observed in one out of 20 mice and 3 out of 9 rats. Local tumour development at the injection site of the solvent only was observed in 2 out of 200 mice. The conclusion is that parenteral high dose administration of hybridoma DNA does not induce local tumour development. Furthermore, indications for systemic carcinogenic potential of the hybridoma DNA used were absent. The oncogenic risk of 100 pg residual DNA to be 2*10 power-9 (worst case approach) has been estimated, a value intermediate of the estimations of the WHO ( 5*10 power-11) and the Dutch Health Council (2*10 power-7). Therefore it is unlikely, that the risk of 100 pg of DNA derived from other immortalised cell lines will exceed the level of generally accepted cancer risk of 10 power-6.RIV