Plant secondary metabolites, biphenyl, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin effects on aerobic polychlorinated biphenyl removal and microbial community structure in soils

Biphenyl and several plant secondary metabolites (PSM) (carvone, isoprene, limonene, naringin, and coumarin) and surfactant (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, (HP-β-CD)) have been shown to improve aerobic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) removal by several bacterial species. The objective of this study was to determine whether these treatments also affect PCB removal and microbial community structure in a high organic matter soil (Pahokee soil series with 67% organic matter) and low organic matter soil (Woolper soil series with 6% organic matter), as determined by monitoring changes in PCB levels and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) profiles in laboratory microcosms amended with these compounds. Biphenyl enhanced di-chlorinated and tri-chlorinated biphenyl removal in both soils, but PSM did not improve removal of these congeners. On the contrary, HP-β-CD decreased PCB removal when used in combination with biphenyl. Two-way analysis of variance indicated that HP-β-CD significantly increased tetra- and penta-chlorinated biphenyl removal from the high organic matter soil, but not from the low organic matter soil. Principal components analysis of PLFA data indicated that HP-β-CD increased proportions of 18:1ω7c associated with Gram-negative bacteria, but decreased 10me16 and 10me17 lipid associated with Gram-positive bacteria, while biphenyl and PSMs had no detectable effects on soil microbial communities. PCB removal was not correlated to any PLFA. In conclusion, PSM previously shown to enhance PCB removal in soil-free systems were not effective in two divergent soils evaluated in this study, and HP-β-CB had increase, decrease, or no effect on PCB removal depending on types of PCB congeners, soils, and co-amendments.     

Evaluation of brief dietary questions to estimate vegetable and fruit consumption - using serum carotenoids and red-cell folate

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate responses to self-administered brief questions regarding consumption of vegetables and fruit by comparison with blood levels of serum carotenoids and red-cell folate. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which participants reported their usual intake of fruit and vegetables in servings per day, and serum levels of five carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin and lycopene) and red-cell folate were measured. Serum carotenoid levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and red-cell folate by an automated immunoassay system. SETTINGS AND SUBJECTS: Between October and December 2000, a sample of 1598 adults aged 25 years and over, from six randomly selected urban centres in Queensland, Australia, were examined as part of a national study conducted to determine the prevalence of diabetes and associated cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Statistically significant (P<0.01) associations with vegetable and fruit intake (categorised into groups: /=4 servings per day) were observed for alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin and red-cell folate. The mean level of these carotenoids and of red-cell folate increased with increasing frequency of reported servings of vegetables and fruit, both before and after adjusting for potential confounding factors. A significant association with lycopene was observed only for vegetable intake before adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that brief questions may be a simple and valuable tool for monitoring vegetable and fruit intake in this population.     

Human symbionts use a host-like pathway for surface fucosylation

The mammalian intestine harbors a beneficial microbiota numbering approximately 10(12) organisms per gram of colonic content. The host tolerates this tremendous bacterial load while maintaining the ability to efficiently respond to pathogenic organisms. In this study, we show that the Bacteroides use a mammalian-like pathway to decorate numerous surface capsular polysaccharides and glycoproteins with l-fucose, an abundant surface molecule of intestinal epithelial cells, resulting in the coordinated expression of this surface molecule by host and symbiont. A Bacteroides mutant deficient in the ability to cover its surface with L-fucose is defective in colonizing the mammalian intestine under competitive conditions.     

Biocontrol potential of native Trichoderma isolates against root-knot nematodes in West African vegetable production systems

Seventeen isolates of the free-living soil fungus Trichoderma spp., collected from Meloidogyne spp. infested vegetable fields and infected roots in Benin, were screened for their rhizosphere competence and antagonistic potential against root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita, in greenhouse pot experiments on tomato. The five isolates expressing greatest reproductive ability and nematode suppression in pots were further assessed in a typical double-cropping system of tomato and carrot in the field in Benin. All seventeen isolates were re-isolated from both soil and roots at eight weeks after application, with no apparent crop growth penalty. In pots, a number of isolates provided significant nematode control compared with untreated controls. Field assessment demonstrated significant inhibition of nematode reproduction, suppression of root galling and an increase of tomato yield compared with the non-fungal control treatments. Trichoderma asperellum T-16 suppressed second stage juvenile (J₂) densities in roots by up to 80%; Trichoderma brevicompactum T-3 suppressed egg production by as much as 86%. Tomato yields were improved by over 30% following the application of these biocontrol agents, especially T. asperellum T-16. Although no significant effects were observed on carrot galling and yield, soil J₂ densities were suppressed in treated plots, by as much as 94% (T. asperellum T-12), compared with the non-fungal controls. This study provides the first information on the potential of West-African Trichoderma spp. isolates for use against root-knot nematodes in vegetable production systems. The results are highly encouraging, demonstrating their strong potential as an alternative and complementary crop protection component.     

The yam nematode (Scutellonema bradys), a potential threat to potato (Solanum tuberosum) production in West Africa

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) production in Africa is rapidly expanding and becoming increasingly important. As its geographical production range broadens, so does its potential to host new pests and diseases. Following the discovery that potato can be affected by Scutellonema bradys, further studies were undertaken to assess its potential pathogenicity on potato under screenhouse and field conditions, and on marketed tubers. Potato plants inoculated with S. bradys produced tubers with substantial cracking and evident tuber rot, compared with tubers from uninoculated plants. Symptoms of nematode infection on tubers included a scaly appearance, surface cracking as well as deeper tissue cracks, distortions, and darkened surface patches. In most cases these patches were related to sub‐surface rot. Nematodes were recovered from the soil, roots and tubers of inoculated plants. Eight weeks after inoculation, the reproduction factor of the nematode was greatest (2·0) at the lowest inoculation rate assessed (1000 nematodes per 2·5‐L pot) and least (0·4) at the highest inoculation rate (5000 nematodes per pot). In the screenhouse, potato tuber weights were low and mostly unaffected by nematode inoculation rate, except at 5000 nematodes per pot. In the field, non‐inoculated plants yielded over nine times more tubers than plants inoculated with 2000 S. bradys. Low densities of S. bradys were also recovered from 10 of 15 (67%) samples collected from market stalls, indicating field infection. This study confirms that potato can host and be damaged by S. bradys, raising its prospect as a likely significant biotic constraint to the crop.     

Pharmacologic evaluation of factor XIIIa*-like enzyme activity in equine plasma as a potential therapeutic avenue for the inhibition of fibrinous tissue.

Several pharmaceutical compounds were evaluated for their ability to selectively inhibit activated coagulation factor-XIII-like enzyme activity (eg, XIIIa*) in pooled equine plasma. Presence of coagulation factor-XIIIa*-like enzyme activity in plasma was established by assay procedures involving incorporation of the fluorescent amine compound, monodansylcadaverine, into purified casein, which served as a protein substrate. Pharmaceuticals inhibitory to coagulation factor-XIIIa*-like enzyme activity were recognized by plasma gel formation of high spectrophotometric transmittance (transparency), solubility of transparent fibrin gels in concentrated urea solution, in conjunction with simultaneous depletion of native fibrinogen fractions, and production of fibrin monomer. Compounds acting primarily as anticoagulants were recognized by lack of plasma gel formation, but retaining high spectrophotometric transmittance and no detectable depletion of native fibrinogen fractions. Compounds failing to inhibit either thrombin-mediated fibrinogen-fibrin transformation (ie, coagulation) or coagulation factor-XIIIa*-like enzyme activity were recognized by opaque plasma gels caused by fibrin polymerization, low spectrophotometric transmittance values, and coinciding with depletion of native fibrinogen fractions. Pharmaceuticals capable of exerting selective inhibition of coagulation factor-XIIIa*-like enzyme activity were further classified as competitive inhibitors of phase 1 (carbamide) or phase 2 (terminal amine) of the transglutamination process.     

Hypoplasia of the trachea in dogs: 103 cases (1974-1990).

A multi-institutional retrospective study of 103 dogs in which hypoplasia of the trachea was diagnosed was conducted. Bulldogs (55%) and Boston Terriers (15%) were most commonly affected. Age at diagnosis ranged from 2 days to 12 years, with a median of 5 months. Hypoplasia of the trachea was diagnosed more frequently in males (66%) than females (34%). Congenital anomalies in dogs with hypoplasia of the trachea included elongated soft palate (n = 44), stenotic nares (n = 23), cardiac defects (n = 12), and megaesophagus (n = 10). Ratios between tracheal lumen diameter and depth of the thoracic inlet or width of the third rib did not correlate with dyspnea. Of 42 dogs reexamined greater than 6 months after diagnosis, 25 (60%) were clinically normal. The remaining 17 were dyspneic and 15 (88%) had concurrent respiratory or cardiovascular disease that could account for their clinical signs. Hypoplasia of the trachea appears to be tolerated well in the absence of concurrent respiratory or cardiovascular disease.     

Inhibition of equine complement activity by polysulfated glycosaminoglycans.

The ability of polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAG) to inhibit the complement cascade was evaluated. The role of complement in inflammation and infection has been well documented. Inhibition of the complement cascade by PSGAG could explain why intra-articularly administered PSGAG diminish diarthrodial joint inflammation and potentiate septic arthritis in horses. Hemolytic complement testing was performed to evaluate the effect of PSGAG on the equine classical and alternate pathways of complement, using rabbit erythrocytes as the target cells. Concentration of PSGAG between 0.2 mg/ml and 0.6 mg/ml significantly (P less than 0.05) inhibited equine complement in dose-related fashion. Further increase in complement inhibition was not observed at PSGAG concentration greater than 0.6 mg/ml. Difference was not apparent in the extent of inhibition of complement from each of the 4 horses tested. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans appeared to inhibit the classical and alternate complement pathways equally, indicating possible effect on complement components common to both pathways. Heat inactivation of complement function completely inhibited (P less than 0.01) the hemolytic activity of the serum from all horses.     

Rapid extraction, radioiodination, and in vivo catabolism of 125I-labeled fibrinogen in the horse

Two methods were analyzed for the rapid extraction of equine fibrinogen from fresh plasma, using ammonium sulfate-sodium phosphate buffer. Fibrinogen from each of these 2 methods was then radiolabeled with 125I (half-life = 60.2 days, gamma = 35 keV), using monochloroiodine reagent. Mean protein-bound activity was 98.5% and mean clottable radioactivity was 94.1%. Radiolabeled fibrinogen administered IV to 15 horses had an overall mean (+/- SD) plasma half-life of 4.95 +/- 0.44 days.     

Influence of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on furosemide-induced hemodynamic effects during exercise in horses.

Furosemide, which commonly is used as a prophylactic treatment for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses, may mediate hemodynamic changes during exercise by altering prostaglandin metabolism. To determine if furosemide's hemodynamic effects during exercise in horses could be reversed, cyclooxygenase inhibitors were administered with furosemide. Four treatments were administered 4 hours prior to treadmill exercise at 9 and 13 m/s. They included a control treatment (10 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution, IV), furosemide (1 mg/kg of body weight, IV) administered alone, and furosemide in combination with phenylbutazone (4 mg/kg, IV, q 12 h for 2 days) or with flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg, IV, on the day of experiment). Five horses were randomly assigned to complete all treatments. Physiologic variables at rest prior to exercise were not influenced by treatments. Furosemide, administered alone, reduced mean right atrial pressure and mean pulmonary artery pressure during exercise. The combinations of furosemide and flunixin meglumine or furosemide and phenylbutazone, at both levels of exercise intensity, returned mean right atrial pressure and mean pulmonary artery pressure to the value of the control treatment. During rest and exercise, plasma lactate concentration, PCV, heart rate, mean carotid artery pressure, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide elimination, and cardiac output were not altered by any of the treatments. At 5 minutes after exercise, the administration of furosemide, alone or with phenylbutazone, reduced mean right atrial pressure. Other measured variables were not significantly influenced by treatments during recovery from exercise. These results suggested that cyclooxygenase inhibition partially reverses the decrease in mean right atrial pressure or pulmonary artery pressure induced by furosemide during exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)