Improved characterization of the botanical origin of sugar by carbon-13 SNIF-NMR applied to ethanol

Until now, no analytical method, not even isotopic ones, had been able to differentiate between sugars coming from C4-metabolism plants (cane, maize, etc.) and some crassulacean acid metabolism plants (e.g., pineapple, agave) because in both cases the isotope distributions of the overall carbon-13/carbon-12 and site-specific deuterium/hydrogen isotope ratios are very similar. Following recent advances in the field of quantitative isotopic carbon-13 NMR measurements, a procedure for the analysis of the positional carbon-13/carbon-12 isotope ratios of ethanol derived from the sugars of pineapples and agave using the site-specific natural isotopic fractionation-nuclear magnetic resonance (SNIF-NMR) method is presented. It is shown that reproducible results can be obtained when appropriate analytical conditions are used. When applied to pineapple juice, this new method demonstrates a unique ability to detect cane and maize sugar, which are major potential adulterants, with a detection limit in the order of 15% of the total sugars, which provides an efficient mean of controlling the authenticity of juices made from this specific fruit. When applied to tequila products, this new method demonstrates a unique ability to unambiguously differentiate authentic 100% agave tequila, as well as misto tequila (made from at least 51% agave), from products made from a larger proportion of cane or maize sugar and therefore not complying with the legal definition of tequila.     

A bacterial protein targets the BAHD1 chromatin complex to stimulate type III interferon response

Intracellular pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes subvert cellular functions through the interaction of bacterial effectors with host components. Here we found that a secreted listerial virulence factor, LntA, could target the chromatin repressor BAHD1 in the host cell nucleus to activate interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs). IFN-λ expression was induced in response to infection of epithelial cells with bacteria lacking LntA; however, the BAHD1-chromatin associated complex repressed downstream ISGs. In contrast, in cells infected with lntA-expressing bacteria, LntA prevented BAHD1 recruitment to ISGs and stimulated their expression. Murine listeriosis decreased in BAHD1(+/-) mice or when lntA was constitutively expressed. Thus, the LntA-BAHD1 interplay may modulate IFN-λ-mediated immune response to control bacterial colonization of the host.     

Outbreaks of renal failure associated with melamine and cyanuric acid in dogs and cats in 2004 and 2007.

Sixteen animals affected in 2 outbreaks of pet food-associated renal failure (2 dogs in 2004; 10 cats and 4 dogs in 2007) were evaluated for histopathologic, toxicologic, and clinicopathologic changes. All 16 animals had clinical and laboratory evidence of uremia, including anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, polyuria, azotemia, and hyperphosphatemia. Where measured, serum hepatic enzyme concentrations were normal in animals from both outbreaks. All animals died or were euthanized because of severe uremia. Distal tubular lesions were present in all 16 animals, and unique polarizable crystals with striations were present in distal tubules or collecting ducts in all animals. The proximal tubules were largely unaffected. Crystals and histologic appearance were identical in both outbreaks. A chronic pattern of histologic change, characterized by interstitial fibrosis and inflammation, was observed in some affected animals. Melamine and cyanuric acid were present in renal tissue from both outbreaks. These results indicate that the pet food-associated renal failure outbreaks in 2004 and 2007 share identical clinical, histologic, and toxicologic findings, providing compelling evidence that they share the same causation.     

A pharmacokinetic study of flumequine in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), after a single intravascular injection

The pharmacokinetic properties of flumequine following a single intravascular injection (10 mg kg^–1 fish) were studied in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), 120 g held at 18 °C. The absorption half life ( t _1/2α) and the elimination half life ( t _1/2β) of the drug were calculated to be 1.05 and 10.71 h, respectively. Tissue penetration of flumequine seemed to be moderate because both the apparent volume of distribution of the drug at steady-state ( V _d(ss)) and the extensive apparent volume of the central compartment ( V _c) were found to be small (1.51 and 0.626 L kg^–1). The mean residence time ( MRT ) was short (09.73 h) and the total clearance (CL_T) of the drug was rapid (0.156 L kg^–1 h^–1).     

Sarcoids in two captive tapirs (Tapirus bairdii): clinical, pathological and molecular study

This case report describes for the first time sarcoids in tapirs (Tapirus bairdii), namely, a 2-year-old male and a 3.6-year-old female born and housed at the same facility. The male presented with a 3-cm nodular, red, pedunculated, hairless, ulcerated mass on the inner surface of the left pinna. No recurrence or additional growths were present during the 3 years following surgical excision of the mass. The female presented with a similar 2-cm mass on the inner surface of the right pinna, which recurred 2 months following surgical excision, but was subsequently successfully treated locally with liquid nitrogen with no further recurrence during a 2-year follow-up period. Histologically, these two masses closely resembled equine sarcoids. Similarly, an association with bovine papillomavirus 1 was demonstrated using polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization.     

Nitrate-induced goiter in captive whitespotted bamboo sharks Chilosryllium plagiosum

Elasmobranch susceptibility to goiter formation in captive environments has been well documented. Until recently, most public aquariums operated under the belief that the etiology of goiter in elasmobranchs was nutritional and specifically caused by insufficient dietary iodine. Recent studies have demonstrated that high environmental nitrate (NO3-N) inhibits the ability of the thyroid gland to utilize available iodide, resulting in thyroid gland overstimulation by thyroid stimulating hormone and ultimately leading to the development of goiter. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of high environmental nitrate concentrations on thyroid function in juvenile whitespotted bamboo sharks Chiloscyllium plagiosum. In July 2008, five juveniles (80-150 g) were exposed to a low-nitrate environment (NO3-N concentration < 1 mg/L of water) and five were exposed to an elevated-nitrate environment (NO3-N = 70 mg/L) for 29 d in a flow-through natural seawater system. Nitrate exposure did not affect growth rates (e.g., weight, length, and condition factor) and did not alter free plasma thyroxine concentrations during the 29-d experimental period. However, histological examination of thyroid glands from sharks exposed to elevated nitrate revealed the development of diffuse hyperplastic goiter. With increasing restrictions on water use, most modern aquaria operate as recirculating systems, which results in higher and more chronic nitrate exposure for captive animals. Goiter is one of the most common health problems in captive elasmobranchs, and this study suggests that nitrate exposure is an important factor in the etiology of this disease.     

Genotypic variability and phenotypic plasticity of cavitation resistance in Fagus sylvatica L. across Europe

Xylem cavitation resistance is a key physiological trait correlated with species tolerance to extreme drought stresses. Little is known about the genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity of this trait in natural tree populations. Here we measured the cavitation resistance of 17 Fagus sylvatica populations representative of the full range of the species in Europe. The trees were grown in three field trials under contrasting climatic conditions. Our findings suggest that the genotypic variability of cavitation resistance is high between genotypes of a given population. By contrast, no significant differences were found for this trait across populations, the mean population cavitation resistance being remarkably constant in each trial. We found a significant site effect and a significant site?×?population interaction, suggesting that cavitation resistance has a high phenotypic plasticity and that this plasticity is under genetic control. The implications of our findings for beech forest management in a context of climate change are discussed.