Identification of genomic alterations with clinical impact in canine splenic hemangiosarcoma

Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is an aggressive cancer of endothelial cells with short survival times. Understanding the genomic landscape of HSA may aid in developing therapeutic strategies for dogs and may also inform therapies for the rare and aggressive human cancer angiosarcoma. The objectives of this study were to build a framework for leveraging real-world genomic and clinical data that could provide the foundation for precision medicine in veterinary oncology, and to determine the relationships between genomic and clinical features in canine splenic HSA. One hundred and nine dogs with primary splenic HSA treated by splenectomy that had tumour sequencing via the FidoCure® Precision Medicine Platform targeted sequencing panel were enrolled. Patient signalment, weight, metastasis at diagnosis and overall survival time were retrospectively evaluated. The incidence of genomic alterations in individual genes and their relationship to patient variables including outcome were assessed. Somatic mutations in TP53 (n = 44), NRAS (n = 20) and PIK3CA (n = 19) were most common. Survival was associated with presence of metastases at diagnosis and germline variants in SETD2 and NOTCH1. Age at diagnosis was associated with somatic NRAS mutations and breed. TP53 and PIK3CA somatic mutations were found in larger dogs, while germline SETD2 variants were found in smaller dogs. We identified both somatic mutations and germline variants associated with clinical variables including age, breed and overall survival. These genetic changes may be useful prognostic factors and provide insight into the genomic landscape of hemangiosarcoma.     

Antiparasitic Effects of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Marine Hydrobionts

This review presents materials characterizing sulfated polysaccharides (SPS) of marine hydrobionts (algae and invertebrates) as potential means for the prevention and treatment of protozoa and helminthiasis. The authors have summarized the literature on the pathogenetic targets of protozoa on the host cells and on the antiparasitic potential of polysaccharides from red, brown and green algae as well as certain marine invertebrates. Information about the mechanisms of action of these unique compounds in diseases caused by protozoa has also been summarized. SPS is distinguished by high antiparasitic activity, good solubility and an almost complete absence of toxicity. In the long term, this allows for the consideration of these compounds as effective and attractive candidates on which to base drugs, biologically active food additives and functional food products with antiparasitic activity.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Lindane in Aqueous Solution

Photolysis of lindane in aqueous solution, using near-visible and UV light (λ >320 nm) and in the presence of the polyoxometallate PW₁₂O₄₀^3-, results in its conversion to CO₂ and HCl. Initial photodecomposition takes place within a few minutes both in the presence and absence of dioxygen. The effective mineralization in the absence of dioxygen suggests that OH radicals act as the primary oxidant in this case.     

A Collagen Basketweave from the Giant Squid Mantle as a Robust Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

The growing applications of tissue engineering technologies warrant the search and development of biocompatible materials with an appropriate strength and elastic moduli. Here, we have extensively studied a collagenous membrane (GSCM) separated from the mantle of the Giant squid Dosidicus Gigas in order to test its potential applicability in regenerative medicine. To establish the composition and structure of the studied material, we analyzed the GSCM by a variety of techniques, including amino acid analysis, SDS-PAGE, and FTIR. It has been shown that collagen is a main component of the GSCM. The morphology study by different microscopic techniques from nano- to microscale revealed a peculiar packing of collagen fibers forming laminae oriented at 60–90 degrees in respect to each other, which, in turn, formed layers with the thickness of several microns (a basketweave motif). The macro- and micromechanical studies showed high values of the Young’s modulus and tensile strength. No significant cytotoxicity of the studied material was found by the cytotoxicity assay. Thus, the GSCM consists of a reinforced collagen network, has high mechanical characteristics, and is non-toxic, which makes it a good candidate for the creation of a scaffold material for tissue engineering.     

Endocrine and ovarian responses in water buffalo cows immunized against inhibin and subjected to the Ovsynch protocol

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of stimulating ovarian follicle development in order to improve fertility in water buffalo cows by immunization against inhibin. The experiment was carried out in early summer(May) and included 24 multi-parity crossbred Murrah-Swamp buffaloes that were divided into immunized(n=11) and control(n=13) groups. Each immunized cow was administered with a 2-m L immunogen of mineral oil adjuvant containing 2 mg of recombinant inhibin α-subunit fusion protein. The controls were treated with the adjuvant only. All animals received Ovsynch protocol treatment, starting on the day of the antigen administration, and they were artificially inseminated upon behavioral estrus. As a result, all of the immunized buffaloes generated antibodies against inhibin during the experimental period and had higher plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), activin, and estradiol(E2) related to estrous expression. A higher proportion of immunized animals expressed estrus behavior than did the controls(72% vs. 30%, P0.05). On average, inhibin-immunized buffaloes had significantly more large follicles(≥9 mm in diameter) than the controls(mean±SEM; 1.2±0.1 vs. 0.84±0.1, respectively; P0.05) and a slightly higher mean total number of follicles(≥2 mm; 11.4±0.7 vs. 9.0±1.1, respectively; P=0.09) and small(2–4 mm) follicles(8.81±0.6 vs. 6.84±1.0, respectively; P=0.12). A higher percentage of cows ovulated in the immunized group than in the control group(91%(10/11) vs. 54%(7/13), respectively; P0.05). Moreover, inhibin-immunized cows had slightly larger corpus luteum(CL) than the controls 9 days after ovulation and significantly higher(P0.01) post-ovulation peak plasma progesterone(P4) concentrations. Immunization against inhibin also marginally increased the conception rate 42 days after insemination(45.8% vs. 15.4%; P0.05). These results demonstrate that immunization against inhibin, coupled with the treatment with the Ovsynch protocol, can constitute a new technique to increase fertility in water buffalo cows.     

A Computational Approach Based on GIS Technology for the Development of an Anthropogenic Emission Inventory of Gaseous Pollutants in Greece

This paper describes a computational system developed for the compilation of an anthropogenic emission inventory of gaseous pollutants for Greece. The inventory was developed using a geographical information system integrated with SQL programming language to provide high temporal gridded emission fields for CO, NO₂, NO, SO₂, NH₃ and 23 non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) species for the reference year 2003. Activity and statistical data from national sources were used for the quantification of emissions from the road transport, the other mobile sources and machinery sectors and from range activities using top-down or bottom-up methodologies. Annual emission data from existing national and European emission databases were also used. The emission data were spatially and temporally disaggregated using source-specific spatiotemporal indicators. On national scale, the road transport sector produces about 60% of the annual CO and NMVOC total emissions, with gasoline vehicles being the main CO and NMVOC emissions source. The road transport is responsible for approximately half of the higher alkanes and for more than half of the ethene and toluene emissions. The maritime sector accounts for about 40% of the annual total NO_x emissions, most of which are emitted by the international shipping subsector, whilst SO₂ is emitted mainly by the energy sector. The evaluation of the emissions inventory suggests that it provides a good representation of the amounts of gaseous pollutants emitted on national scale and a good characterisation of the relative composition of CO and NO_x emission in the large urban centres.     

Influences on the Distribution of Marine Debris on the Seafloor of Shallow Coastal Areas in Greece (Eastern Mediterranean)

The abundance and composition of marine benthic debris was investigated in shallow coastal areas of Greece (eastern Mediterranean). The mean total density of marine debris in the areas surveyed was 15 items per 1000 m² and ranged from 0 to 251 items per 1000 m², with plastics dominating. Much higher marine debris densities were found in this study than those found in most studies surveying the continental shelf or the deep seafloor, indicating that pollution with marine debris is more intense in coastal areas. Greater abundance of marine debris was found in bays than in open areas. Artisanal fishing activities were found to significantly contribute to marine pollution with debris. In the Saronicos Gulf, a densely populated and highly industrialized area, the abundance of marine debris was higher than the rest of the Greek areas surveyed.     

The Effects of Seasonality in Estimating the C‐Factor of Soil Erosion Studies

Monitoring soil erosion risk is an important part of soil conservation practices. It is usually estimated with the Universal Soil Loss Equation, and the C‐factor (vegetation cover) is derived from optical satellite images. However, because of lack of data and resources, or in rapid assessments, C‐factor is estimated using one or a few satellite observations, despite being temporally variable according to plants' phenology. The aim of this work was to study the effect of seasonality in estimating C‐factor. This was achieved by demonstrating first that there is a difference when estimating soil erosion with Universal Soil Loss Equation at variable time steps in a year, namely once, seasonally and monthly. Using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer normalized difference vegetation index images and statistical analysis at subcatchment scale, it was shown that there is a significant difference when estimating mean annual soil loss with the aforementioned temporal options. The highest differences were observed between monthly and annual time steps. The second objective was to identify which is the optimum time to estimate C‐factor in a year. The results show that November, October and March are the optimum months for single image estimation of annual soil erosion. Statistical analysis with a random point dataset suggested that the spatial variability of the results was influenced by the land cover type, especially in areas with variable leaf cover where a single date estimation of C‐factor was not representative of the whole year, such as annual crops and deciduous trees. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.