Deepwater ocean outfalls: A sustainable solution for sewage discharge for mega-coastal cities (Sydney, Australia): Influences on beach water quality.

Shoreline discharge representing approximately 80% of sewage generated by Sydney (Australia) was replaced with three deepwater ocean outfalls between 1990 and 1991. Beachwatch bacterial monitoring data collected between 1989 and 2016 were analysed to assess the impact of commissioning on bathing water quality along 32 km of coastline. Bacterial contamination was reduced by 26-99% during the first 32 months post-commissioning and in the longer post-commissioning period, 1993 to 2016, bathing water quality improved for 31 beaches. Relatively stable bathing water quality was observed for five other beaches after the 2001 upgrade of another shoreline wastewater treatment plant. Bacterial contamination of bathing water in this 24-year post-commissioning period was most influenced by rainfall in the 24-h to 9 am on the day of sampling. Bacterial contamination from surfacing shore-blown wastewater plumes was not evident, whereas stormwater-delivered bacterial contamination was apparent and varied between beaches.

Frequency of parvovirus B19 infection in nonimmune hydrops fetalis and utility of three diagnostic methods.

The rate of parvovirus B19 (PV) infection in cases of "idiopathic" nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) is reported to be approximately 16% with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. Antibodies for use in paraffin-embedded tissue have not been systematically compared with PCR or with the presence of inclusions at varying gestational ages. All autopsy cases of NIHF and those with effusions of multiple serous membranes examined between 1991 and 1996 (n = 29) were evaluated for the presence of PV DNA by PCR analysis of paraffin-embedded liver tissue. PCR-positive cases and "idiopathic" cases were examined for the presence of inclusions in routine histological sections and for PV protein using a monoclonal antibody (NovoCastra R92F6). Among the four clinically idiopathic cases, one (25%) was positive for PV using PCR. The three negative idiopathic cases had no inclusions and were negative for PV by PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC); all were third-trimester gestations (28, 31, and 32 weeks). Identifiable risk factors for NIHF other than PV in the remaining 25 cases included cystic hygroma, seven (three 45,X; two 46,XX; two no growth); complex cardiac anomaly, six; infection, three (two CMV, one chlamydia); twin-twin transfusion, two; lymphangiectasia, two; diaphragmatic hernia, tracheal atresia, trisomy 21, congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation, one each. One of these nonidiopathic cases, a fetus with cystic hygroma and a 45,X karyotype, was positive for PV DNA only on the blot, consistent with a low titer; no inclusions were present, and IHC was negative in multiple organs in this instance. One of four (25%) cases of idiopathic NIHF cases contained PV DNA by PCR analysis; there were abundant inclusions in multiple organs, and IHC was strongly positive as well. Of 25 cases of nonidiopathic NIHF, one (4%) was also positive for PV DNA by PCR. PV protein was detected by IHC only in the presence of inclusions; IHC thus may be useful for highlighting sparse inclusions. No second-trimester case of NIHF was unexplained. Late (third-trimester) cases of "idiopathic" NIHF are likely to be negative by all methods, either because they are not attributable to PV infection or because PV protein and DNA are below detectable levels or are no longer present. Maternal serology for PV and TORCH agents may be the best method for investigating third-trimester losses to otherwise unexplained NIHF.

Microvillous lymphomas are B-cell neoplasms that frequently express CD56.

Microvillous lymphomas (MVLs) are rare, poorly defined, large transformed cell lymphomas characterized by a cohesive sinus growth pattern and ultrastructural cytoplasmic processes. Most MVLs express B-cell antigens and have been compared ultrastructurally to transformed follicular center cells and follicular dendritic cells. For additional definition of the immunophenotype of these unusual B-cell lymphomas, we evaluated eight cases of MVL for B-cell-associated antigens (CD21, CD35, CDw75, DBA.44, bcl-2) using paraffin immunoperoxidase. CD56, the neural cell adhesion molecule, was tested because of the unusual, cohesive, sinus pattern of tumor cell growth seen in MVL. Molecular analysis for immunoglobulin heavy chain and bcl-2 gene rearrangements was performed to confirm B-cell clonality and to evaluate cases for possible follicular origin. All of the cases were marked as B cells (CD20 positive), and the clonal nature confirmed by immunoperoxidase in five cases (63%) of eight and polymerase chain reaction for immunoglobulin heavy chain in seven cases (88%) of eight. CDw75 staining was present in six cases and CD74 in seven. DBA.44 and CD21 and CD35 were negative in all of the cases, and four cases (50%) of eight expressed CD56. bcl-2 protein expression was seen in seven of eight cases; bcl-2 gene rearrangement was present in one case (33%) of three studied. In conclusion, MVLs are B-cell lymphomas demonstrating clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. The neoplastic cells express CDw75 and bcl-2 protein. The presence of bcl-2 rearrangements in a limited number of cases implies that at least some MVLs have a follicular origin. Fifty percent of MVLs express CD56, suggesting a role for adhesion molecules in the distribution of this lymphoma.

The social worker as moral citizen: ethics in action.

Social workers today face some of the most complex ethical dilemmas in the history of the profession. This article presents a framework of moral citizenship to guide ethical social work practice. The framework includes the action philosophies of philosopher Hannah Arendt and Lutheran theologian Paul Tillich integrated with concepts of professional responsibility and the unique contributions of social work pioneer Charlotte Towle. Social conscience and social consciousness, including awareness, thinking, feeling, and action, are major components of the framework.

The ethics of informed consent: a critical variable in the self-determination of health and mental health clients.

Informed consent is a critical variable in the self-determination of consumers receiving health and mental health services. Consent has become a more stringent requirement in recent years. However, providers emphasize legal requirements rather than the true participation of consumers--the "spirit" of informed consent. This article discusses the elements of informed consent, the issues that reflect the "spirit" of consent, and recommendations for actions that foster self-determination in practice.

Structure, expression, and regulation of members of the developmentally controlled V and H gene classes from Dictyostelium.

We have examined the expression and structure of vegetative specific genes belonging to the V and H gene classes. Both classes of genes are deactivated at the onset of development by a reduction in the rate of transcription. Thus, the genes must be reactivated when the terminally differentiated spores germinate and the resulting amebae return to the vegetative state. During germination, activation of expression of most members of the V gene class was found to parallel the emergence of amoebae from the spore coats. The activation of the V genes did not occur when protein synthesis was inhibited. The timing of activation of the H genes was more heterogeneous and did not parallel emergence. H gene activation occurred even when protein synthesis was inhibited. V4 was found to be the only vegetative specific gene that was responsive to the presence of bacteria. V4 expression was induced by 25-100 fold via transcriptional activation when bacteria were added to amebae growing axenically. Isolation and sequence analysis of the corresponding genomic clones revealed that two V genes, V18 and V1, encode ribosomal proteins. Promoter analysis has delineated the sequences necessary for expression and regulation for several of the V and H genes. In all cases, expression was determined by sequences within the first several hundred base pairs of the transcription start site. For V18 and V14, a positive constitutive element was identified in addition to the sequences involved in regulation. Finally, all of the characterizations and findings are discussed in terms of postulated models for V and H gene expression and regulation.

Primary structure and regulation of vegetative specific genes of Dictyostelium discoideum.

We have examined the expression and structure of several genes belonging to two classes of vegetative specific genes of the simple eukaryote, Dictyostelium discoideum. In amebae grown on bacteria, deactivation of all vegetative specific genes occurred at the onset of development and very little mRNA exists by 8 to 10 hours. In contrast, when cells were grown in axenic broth, the mRNA levels remained constant until a dramatic drop occurred around 10 to 12 hours. Thus, regulation of both classes of genes during the first several hours of development is dependent upon the prior growth conditions. Analysis of genomic clones has resulted in the identification of two V genes, V1 and V18, as ribosomal protein genes. Several other V genes were not found to be ribosomal protein genes, suggesting that in Dictyostelium non-ribosomal protein genes may be coordinately regulated with the ribosomal protein genes. Finally, using deletion analysis we show that the promoters of two of the V genes are composed of a constitutive positive element(s) located upstream of sequences involved in the regulated expression of these genes and within the first 545 upstream bp for V18 and 850 bp for V14. The regions involved in regulated expression were localized between -7 and -222 for V18 and -70 and -368 for V14. The sequences conferring protein synthesis sensitivity were shown to reside between -502 and -61 of the H4 promoter.

Characterization of genes which are transiently expressed during the preaggregative phase of development of Dictyostelium discoideum.

We have identified and characterized three genes, the I genes (I for induced), which are induced during the preaggregative phase of the developmental program of Dictyostelium discoideum. None of these genes are expressed in cells growing vegetatively on bacteria or in axenic broth, and their induction during early development is due to transcriptional activation. Developmental expression of I6, I8, and I11 occurs even in the absence of protein synthesis. Their induction is very rapid and occurs essentially at the onset of development. The expression is transient, peaking between 2 and 4 hr followed by a rapid loss of expression. These characteristics suggest that the induction of I6, I8, and I11 is a primary result of the initiation of development, and thus they represent the first such genes isolated. Although their expression behavior shares these characteristics, examination of their expression under various conditions of development and in a variety of aggregation-deficient mutant strains reveals that the details of the regulation and developmental control of these three genes are distinct.

Effect of protein synthesis inhibition on gene expression during early development of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Several genes which are deactivated on the initiation of development of Dictyostelium discoideum were identified by differential screening of various cDNA libraries. These genes have in common a decrease in the steady-state levels of their corresponding mRNAs on the onset of development and as development proceeds. When development was carried out in the absence of protein synthesis by inhibition with cycloheximide, the decrease in mRNA levels for most genes (V genes) was normal or slightly accelerated. For about 5% of the genes (H genes), however, cycloheximide caused an apparent induction of expression, as revealed by a slight or dramatic increase in mRNA levels, instead of the normal decrease. This effect was due to inhibition of protein synthesis and not to cycloheximide per se. The induction was found to be due to an enhancement of the transcription rate; normal rates of transcription for the H genes were dependent on continued protein synthesis during vegetative growth and development. Thus, two general regulatory classes exist for deactivation of gene expression on initiation of development, one of which is dependent on and one of which is independent of protein synthesis. Analysis of expression of these genes in mutant strains which are aggregation deficient allowed the classes to be subdivided further. Taken together, these characterizations allow several distinct regulatory mechanisms to be identified that are involved in the deactivation of gene expression on the onset of development in D. discoideum.

Deactivation of gene expression upon the onset of development in dictyostelium discoideum.

Several genes that are deactivated upon the initiation of development of Dictyostelium discoideum have been identified by differential screening of various cDNA libraries. These genes have in common a decrease in the steady-state levels of their corresponding mRNAs as development proceeds. When development was carried out in the absence of protein synthesis by inhibition with cycloheximide, the decrease in mRNA levels for most genes (V genes) was normal or slightly accelerated. However, for about 5% of the genes (H genes), cycloheximide caused an apparent induction of expression, as revealed by a slight or dramatic increase in mRNA levels instead of the normal decrease. This effect was due to inhibition of protein synthesis and not to cycloheximide per se. The induction was found to be due to an enhancement of the transcription rate; normal rates of transcription for the H genes were dependent upon continued protein synthesis during vegetative growth and during development. Thus, two general regulatory classes exist for deactivation of gene expression upon initiation of development, one dependent and one independent of protein synthesis. Models concerning the control of expression of these two classes of genes are discussed here. Analysis of expression of these genes in mutant strains that are aggregation-deficient has also been performed, and the results lead to subdivisions of the classes.