Initiation of angiogenesis by human follicular fluid

Angiogenesis was observed and measured after injection of human follicular fluid into rabbit corneas. Undiluted human follicular fluid stimulated angiogenesis in every case, with new blood vessels visible 3 days after injection and extending 2.0 millimeters from the corneal scleral limbus into the injection site by day 15. Stimulation of angiogenesis was lost by heating or diluting the follicular fluid but was retained after charcoal stripping or dialysis. Human follicular fluid contains an angiogenic factor that may be associated with perifollicular neovascularization during folliculogenesis.     

Adsorption of bacteria on soils: Experiments,thermodynamic rationale,and application

A model for the adsorption of bacteria to soil particles is described using the physical-chemical Langmuir isotherm and the van't Hoff equation. An example of the use of the model for assessing bacterial movement through soil is provided.Staphylococcus aureus was the sorbate with sorbents of activated charcoal, kaolinite clay, Mendon silt loam, and silica sand. Competitive agents sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium chloride, and peptone were also studied. Peptone was the most successful competitor with the bacteria for sites on the sorbent.     

Platy Quartz Phytoliths found in the Fossil Forest Deposits,Axel Heiberg Island,Northwest Territories,Canada

The occurrence of quartz particles having a platy morphology found in the white layers within the fossil forest deposits of Axel Heiberg Island, was further confirmed by optical and electron microscopic examinations. The platy quartz crystals were concentrated in the finer fractions. The δ ₁₈O values of fractions enriched in platy quartz crystals ranged from +13.7 to +16.6 %₀. These values were higher than those obtained for coarser fractions. The platy morphology and crystallographic character of the quartz particles concentrated in the finer size fractions are uncharacteristic both of aerosol derived material and of secondary silica. These findings and information available for the paleoenvironment of the study area favor a biogenic origin for the platy quartz. The oxygen-isotope data are consistent with this hypothesis.     

Restoring the capacity of spent mushroom compost to treat coal mine drainage by reducing the inflow rate: A microcosm experiment

Four volumes of spent mushroom compost were exposed to synthetic coal mine drainage (pH 3.5, 48 mg L^?1 Fe, 22 mg L^?1 Mn) under oxidizing conditions (Eh 300 to 400 mV) at a relatively high rate of flow. After 15 days, the compost lost its ability to elevate pH, to lower the redox potential, to lower outlet iron concentrations, and to lower manganese concentrations, with larger volumes retaining more Fe and H⁺, but less Mn. Estimated retention maxima per liter of spent mushroom compost were 281 μeq H⁺, 5.56 g Fe, and 0.15 g Mn. These values are similar to those reported elsewhere for peat. The ‘saturated’ compost was then mixed and exposed to mine water in order to eliminate ‘dead zones’ in the compost. Subsequently, the compost was re-exposed to synthetic mine water (pH 4.0, 60 mg L^?1 Fe, O mg L^?1 Mn) under a much lower flow rate and less oxidizing regime for a period of 114 days. Under the low flow regime, iron was first exported from the compost as reducing conditions were established, and then retained on a stable basis. In addition, Eh was lowered and pH was elevated by the compost. On a net basis, the capacity of the compost to retain iron was increased and apparently stable under the decreased flow conditions.     

Energy needs increase with horse performance

This new research discovery indicates that the energy requirement of horses for maintenance and performance must take into consideration their body condition, as well as the environmental temperature. Performance horses, especially in the hot months, should not be too fleshy. During the hotter and more humid times of the year, it is also advisable for performance to be accomplished in the cooler parts of the day especially early morning or late evening. This is more critical with horses that are in a fleshy condition.Horses in fleshy condition will consume more feed. This may help explain why halter horses with considerable body condition eat large amounts of grain. They need more energy to maintain their body weight and have an extra maintenance requirement for being “fleshy.”Adding fat (10%) to the ration of performance horses will decrease feed intake and therefore feed cost. It will be metabolically beneficial to all horses in hot/humid weather but especially to those that may be over-conditioned.     

Plum pox in north america: identification of aphid vectors and a potential role for fruit in virus spread

ABSTRACT Thirteen aphid species were tested for their ability to transmit Pennsylvania isolates of Plum pox virus (PPV) collected in Columbia (PENN-3), Franklin (PENN-4), and York (PENN-7) Counties, PA. Four species, Aphis fabae, A. spiraecola, Brachycaudus persicae, and Myzus persicae, consistently transmitted PPV in preliminary transmission tests. Two species, Metopolophium dirhodum and Rhopalosiphum padi, were occasional inefficient vectors. Toxoptera citricida, from Florida, also was an effective vector but it does not occur in major stone-fruit-growing states. Species not transmitting PPV in parallel tests included Acyrthosiphon pisum, Aphis glycines, Aulacorthum solani, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Rhopalosiphum maidis, and Sitobion avenae. When given a 3-day probing access period simultaneously on PPV-infected peach seedlings and healthy peach seedlings, Myzus persicae, Aphis spiraecola, A. fabae, and B. persicae transmitted PPV to 63, 31, 38, and 32% of the healthy peach seedlings, respectively. When given a similar probing period on PPV-infected peach fruit and healthy peach seedlings, the same aphid species transmitted PPV to 50, 35, 0, and 0% of seedlings, respectively. Results support the hypothesis of secondary PPV spread by indigenous aphids in Pennsylvania, and suggest that PPV-infected fruit has the potential to function as a virus source for long-distance dispersal.