The Implementation of Village Fund Policy in Improving Economy of Village Society

This study analyzed the implementation of the village budget allocation policy and the village fund allocation which became second source in village finance revenue. The analysis made is to see how this village fund policy is able to increase the economic potency of the village so that there is equal distribution of income in village society. The method used is qualitative with descriptive analysis approach. The results of this study indicated that the policy of village funds and the allocation of village funds in the case of Kuala Sub-district of Nagan Raya District still cannot increase the potential of the village through utilization village fund, while the potential of the village is very large. This is because the policy of village fund allocation is still directed to infrastructure development or physical potential, besides; there are still obstacles of human resources in managing the village funds. The village which is classified as independent is Simpang Peut village which manage their business through village business entity

Ecotoxicology

This chapter of Expert Evidence is designed to provide background information for lawyers engaged in investigations or hearings related to chemicals and their potential impacts in the environment. The chapter details procedures for measurement, interpretation and prediction of effects with laboratory- and field-based data. A series of case studies relevant to the Australian environment are presented

Ecotoxicology

This chapter of Expert Evidence is designed to provide background information for lawyers engaged in investigations or hearings related to chemicals and their potential impacts in the environment. The chapter details procedures for measurement, interpretation and prediction of effects with laboratory- and field-based data. A series of case studies relevant to the Australian environment are presented

A DNA-based assay for toxic chemicals in wastewater

Chemical toxicants, particularly metal ions, are a major contaminant in global waterways. Live-organism bioassays used to monitor chemical toxicants commonly involve measurements of activity or survival of a freshwater cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia) or light emitted by the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri, used in the commercial Microtox (R) bioassay. Here we describe a novel molecule-based assay system employing DNA as the chemical biosensor. Metals bind to DNA, causing structural changes that expel a bound (intercalated) fluorescent reporter dye. Analyses of test data using 48 wastewater samples potentially contaminated by metal ions show that the DNA-dye assay results correlate with those from C. dubia and Microtox bioassays. All three assays exhibit additive, antagonistic, and synergistic responses that cannot be predicted by knowing individual metal concentrations. Analyses of metals in these samples imply the presence of chemical toxicants other than metal ions. The DNA-dye assay is robust, has a 12-month shelf life, and is only slightly affected by sample pH in the range 4 to 9. The assay is completed in a matter of minutes, and its portability makes it well suited as a screening assay for use in the field. We conclude that the DNA-dye test is a surrogate bioassay suitable for screening chemical toxicity. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:1810-1818. (C) 2011 SETA

Novel somatic mutations in the catalytic subunit of the protein kinase A as a cause of adrenal Cushing's syndrome: a European multicentric study.

Abstract CONTEXT: Somatic mutations in PRKACA gene, encoding the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA), have been recently found in a high proportion of sporadic adenomas associated with Cushing's syndrome. The aim was to analyze the PRKACA mutation in a large cohort of patients with adrenocortical masses. METHODS: Samples from nine European centers were included (Germany, n = 4; Italy, n = 4; France, n = 1). Samples were drawn from 149 patients with nonsecreting adenomas (n = 32 + 2 peritumoral), subclinical hypercortisolism (n = 36), Cushing's syndrome (n = 64 + 2 peritumoral), androgen-producing tumors (n = 4), adrenocortical carcinomas (n = 5 + 2 peritumoral), and primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasias (n = 8). Blood samples were available from patients with nonsecreting adenomas (n = 15), subclinical hypercortisolism (n = 10), and Cushing's syndrome (n = 35). Clinical and hormonal data were collected. DNA amplification by PCR of exons 6 and 7 of the PRKACA gene and direct sequencing were performed. RESULTS: PRKACA heterozygous mutations were found in 22/64 samples of Cushing's syndrome patients (34%). No mutations were found in peritumoral tissue and blood samples or in other tumors examined. The c.617A>C (p.Leu206Arg) occurred in 18/22 patients. Furthermore, two novel mutations were identified: c.600_601insGTG/p.Cys200_Gly201insVal in three patients and c.639C>G+c.638_640insATTATCCTGAGG/p.Ser213Arg+p.Leu212_Lys214insIle-Ile-Leu-Arg) in one. All the mutations involved a region implicated in interaction between PKA regulatory and catalytic subunits. Patients with somatic PRKACA mutations showed higher levels of cortisol after dexamethasone test and a smaller adenoma size, compared with nonmutated subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm and extend previous observations that somatic PRKACA mutations are specific for adrenocortical adenomas causing Cushing's syndrome