Lab-scale feasibility tests for sediment treatment using different physico-chemical techniques

Purpose  

The fairly high amounts of sediments dredged in coastal or internal water bodies for navigational and/or environmental purposes claims for the identification of appropriate management strategies. Dredged sediments are frequently affected by organic and inorganic contamination, so that their reuse, as an alternative to final landfill disposal, could need remediation. In this framework, a two-year joint research project was carried out to assess the feasibility of different remediation technologies for the treatment of polluted sediments.     

Finite-frequency tomography reveals a variety of plumes in the mantle

We present tomographic evidence for the existence of deep-mantle thermal convection plumes. P-wave velocity images show at least six well-resolved plumes that extend into the lowermost mantle: Ascension, Azores, Canary, Easter, Samoa, and Tahiti. Other less well-resolved plumes, including Hawaii, may also reach the lowermost mantle. We also see several plumes that are mostly confined to the upper mantle, suggesting that convection may be partially separated into two depth regimes. All of the observed plumes have diameters of several hundred kilometers, indicating that plumes convey a substantial fraction of the internal heat escaping from Earth.     

A new approach to modelling the dynamics of oospore germination in Plasmopara viticola

Oospores, the only overwintering structures of Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew, are the unique source of inoculum for primary infections in vineyards. We show that their germination dynamics depend on both climatic and endogenous factors. In particular, overwintering in controlled conditions suggests that low temperatures prolong the oospore germinability, while constant or gradually alternating water availability increases germination rates. However, wide fluctuations in germination percentage, observed both in naturally overwintered oospores, and under controlled conditions, indicate an important role for endogenous factors in the germination frequency. Ad hoc experimental assays and microscopic observations highlight an important role for calcium in the germination process. However, for a profound understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying oospore germination, mathematical models of the germination dynamics are needed. But, classical differential models of germination dynamics are, with current knowledge, prohibitive due both to the complexity of the underlying processes and knowledge incompleteness. Then, we propose a hybrid method derived from the integration of qualitative differential models and fuzzy systems.     

Comparison of nutritional and antinutritional traits among different species (Lupinus albus L., Lupinus luteus L., Lupinus angustifolius L.) and varieties of lupin seeds

In order to promote the use of lupin in pig nutrition, in this research the nutritional characteristics (i.e. dietary fibre, alkaloid and fatty acid profile) and the in vitro gas production of 12 lupin varieties grown in the Mediterranean basin and belonging to three lupin species (Lupinus albus, Lupinus angustifolius and Lupinus luteus) were assessed. Four varieties of L. albus (Asfer, Lublanc, Lutteur and Multitalia) were grown in South Campania. Three varieties of L. luteus (Dukat, Mister and Taper), three of L. angustifolius (Jindalee, Sonet and Wonga) and two of L. albus (Rosetta and Luxor) were grown in Eastern Sicily. Lupinus albus varieties showed interesting nutritional and dietetic characteristics (i.e. high protein and low fibre content); the lipid fraction, rather elevated, is well represented by monounsaturated fatty acids (544 g/kg), whereas saturated fatty acids (SFAs) are less represented (167 g/kg) and the n‐3/n‐6 ratio (0.510) is the most favourable. Lupinus luteus varieties presented the most remarkable dietetic aspects, in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content (569 g/kg), n‐6 PUFA series (490 g/kg), UFA/SFA (5.24) and PUFA/SFA (3.56) ratios and atherogenic (0.059) and thrombogenic (0.100) indices and very low alkaloid content (1.07 mg per 100 g). Lupinus angustifolius varieties showed the least interesting nutritional and dietetic characteristics: low protein and fat content, high fibre level, high SFA amount (248 g/kg) and the lowest favourable nutritional indices (IA: 0.164 and IT: 0.334). Regarding the fermentation process, in L. albus, the tendency to increase the rate of gas production during the early stages of fermentation suggests that the high presence of alkaloids did not affect the in vitro degradability, production of short‐chain fatty acids and fermentation process, probably due to their concentration and/or water solubility. Lupinus angustifolius and L. luteus showed intermediate and slightly worse in vitro fermentation patterns respectively. From a nutritional and dietetic point of view, lupin may represent an interesting alternative to soya bean in pig feeding.     

Evaluation of the protective effect of bovine lactoferrin against lipopolysaccharides in a bovine mammary epithelial cell line

Lactoferrin (Lf) is a non-haem iron-binding glycoprotein with a molecular weight of about 80 kDa, synthesized by glandular epithelial cells and stored in the secondary granules of neutrophils. The physiological significance of Lf is related to non-specific immune defence against pathogens, immunomodulatory activity, iron homeostasis, antioxidant properties and regulation of cell growth. Lf is a bioactive component of the mammary secretions and its modulatory and defensive functions do affect the newborn and the mammary gland as well. In this work a bovine mammary epithelial cell line (BME-UV1) was used as an in vitro model of the bovine mammary epithelium to examine the protective role of exogenous bovine Lf (bLf) against the cytotoxic damage induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the endogenous bLf mRNA expression after LPS exposure. In the in vitro model used, exogenous bLf exerts a protective effect against endotoxin cytotoxicity, which could be mediated by the LPS-neutralizing capability of bLf. In addition, in BME-UV1 cells the response to LPS exposure does not involve bLf mRNA expression, suggesting that this cell line lack of functional LPS-responsive elements.     

Microscopy reveals disease control through novel effects on fungal development: a case study with an early-generation benzophenone fungicide

The benzophenones are a new class of agricultural fungicides that demonstrate protectant, curative and eradicative/antisporulant activity against powdery mildews. The chemistry is represented in the marketplace by the fungicide metrafenone, recently introduced by BASF and discussed in the following paper. The benzophenones show no evidence of acting by previously identified biochemical mechanisms, nor do they show cross-resistance with existing fungicides. The value of microscopy in elucidating fungicide mode of action is demonstrated through identification of the effects of an early benzophenone, eBZO, on mildew development. eBZO caused profound alterations in the morphology of powdery mildews of both monocotyledons and dicotyledons, affecting multiple stages of fungal development, including spore germination, appressorial formation, penetration, surface hyphal morphology and sporogenesis. Identification of analogous effects of eBZO on sporulation in the model organism Aspergillus nidulans (Eidam) Winter provides a unique opportunity to elucidate important morphogenetic regulatory sites in the economically important obligate pathogens, the powdery mildews. Benzophenones provide a further example of the benefits of whole-organism testing in the search for novel fungicide modes of action.     

Cryptosporidiumparvum oocysts in seawater clams (Chameleagallina) in Italy

Bivalves filter large volumes of water and can concentrate organisms which are pathogenic for humans and animals. Our aim was to evaluate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in clams from the Adriatic coast (Abruzzo region) and genetically characterize the oocysts isolated from the clams. From March to July 2003, 960 specimens of clams (Chamelea gallina) present in nature were collected at 500 m from the Tordino, Tronto, Vibrata and Vomano river mouths on the Adriatic sea. The haemolymph and tissues were extracted from the specimens (240 per river mouth) after the specimens had been identified, measured and weighed (live weight). Immunofluorescence tests (IFA) were performed on pools (n = 32) of samples and oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 23 pools of C. gallina. To identify the Cryptosporidium species, all the pools IFA-positive were tested by a PCR assay specific for the Cryptosporidium outer wall protein (COWP) gene. Positive amplicons then were sequenced and analysed. Two pools of clams were positive for Cryptosporidium parvum Genotype 2 (the “bovine” i.e. zoonotic genotype). This is the first time that C. parvum was found in clams from the Adriatic sea in Italy and the case might be of public health importance.     

PDGFs and PDGFRs in canine osteosarcoma: New targets for innovative therapeutic strategies in comparative oncology

Platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)α and PDGFRβ are tyrosine kinase receptors that are overexpressed in 70–80% of human osteosarcomas (OSAs) and may be suitable therapeutic targets for specific kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Canine OSA shows histopathological and clinical features similar to human OSA, and is considered an excellent model in comparative oncology. This study investigated PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGFRα and PDGFRβ expression in 33 canine OSA samples by immunohistochemistry and in seven primary canine OSA cell lines by Western blot and quantitative PCR analysis.Immunohistochemical data showed that PDGF-A and PDGF-B are expressed in 42% and 60% of the OSAs analysed, respectively, while PDGFRα and PDGFRβ were expressed in 78% and 81% of cases, respectively. Quantitative PCR data showed that all canine OSA cell lines overexpressed PDGFRα, while 6/7 overexpressed PDGFRβ and PDGF-A relative to a normal osteoblastic cell line. Moreover, in vitro treatment with a specific PDGFR inhibitor, AG1296, caused a dose- and time-dependent decrease in AKT phosphorylation. Collectively, these data show that PDGFRs/PDGFs are co-expressed in canine osteosarcomas, which suggests that an autocrine and/or paracrine loop is involved and that they play an important role in the aetiology of OSA. PDGFRs may be suitable targets for the treatment of canine OSA with a specific TKI.     

Molecular diagnosis of equid summer sores

Equine cutaneous habronemosis, also known as "summer sores", is a parasitic infection caused by larvae of Habronema microstoma and Habronema muscae (Nematoda, Spirurida) released by dung-inhabiting fly vectors on abraded skin, skin wounds or muco-cutaneous transition sites. Larvae induce a local inflammatory reaction characterised by itching, granulomatous, ulcerated and, often non-healing, lesions. The diagnosis of summer sores may be unreliable mainly because of the limits of clinical and microscopic examination. The applicability of a semi-nested PCR assay developed for the diagnosis of gastric habronemosis has been herein demonstrated for the detection of the cutaneous infection. The potential applicability of this diagnostic tool may have for clinical and epidemiological studies of cutaneous habronemosis in equids is discussed.     

In vitro and in vivo effects of toceranib phosphate on canine osteosarcoma cell lines and xenograft orthotopic models

Canine osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary malignant bone tumour in dogs, and it has a high metastatic rate and poor prognosis. Toceranib phosphate (TOC; Palladia, Zoetis) is a veterinary tyrosine kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits VEGFR‐2, PDGFRs and c‐Kit, but its efficacy is not yet fully understood in the treatment of canine OSA. Here, we evaluated the functional effects of TOC on six OSA cell lines by transwell, wound healing and colony formation assays. Subsequently, two cell lines (Wall and Penny) were selected and were inoculated in mice by intrafemoral injection to develop an orthotopic xenograft model of canine OSA. For each cell line, 30 mice were xenografted; half of them were used as controls, and the other half were treated with TOC at 40 mg/kg body weight for 20 days. TOC inhibited cell growth of all cell lines, but reduced invasion and migration was only observed in Penny and Wall cell lines. In mice engrafted with Penny cells and subjected to TOC treatment, decreased tumour growth was observed, and PDGFRs and c‐Kit mRNA were downregulated. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated a significant reduction of Ki67 staining in treated mice when compared to controls. The results obtained here demonstrate that TOC is able to slightly inhibit cell growth in vitro, while its effect is evident only in a Penny cell xenograft model, in which TOC significantly reduced tumour size and the Ki67 index without modifying apoptosis markers.