Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Trachea in a Domestic Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A 4-year-old, castrated, male domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was evaluated for a possible upper respiratory tract infection and wheezing for approximately 3 weeks. Supportive care for a suspected upper respiratory tract infection was initiated; however, the patient became progressively more dyspneic over the next 48 hours. A possible tracheal mass was identified upon thoracic radiographic imaging of the ferret. Tracheoscopy and a computed tomography scan of the neck and thorax confirmed the presence of a tracheal mass approximately 3 cm from the larynx obstructing 80% of the tracheal lumen. Rather than pursuing surgical resection, the owners elected humane euthanasia. An adenosquamous carcinoma of the trachea was diagnosed after histologic analysis. This tumor type has been diagnosed in the lungs of ferrets that were experimentally exposed to carcinogens found in cigarette smoke; however, there are no previous reports of this or any other tumor type associated with the ferret trachea. A tracheal mass causing a partial upper airway obstruction should be considered within the differential disease diagnosis list when a ferret is presented with dyspnea.     

Soil carbon saturation: Implications for measurable carbon pool dynamics in long-term incubations

The efficiency of agricultural management practices to store SOC depends on C input level and how far a soil is from its saturation level (i.e. saturation deficit). The C saturation hypothesis suggests an ultimate soil C stabilization capacity defined by four SOM pools capable of C saturation: (1) non-protected, (2) physically protected, (3) chemically protected and (4) biochemically protected. We tested if C saturation deficit and the amount of added C influenced SOC storage in measurable soil fractions corresponding to the conceptual chemical, physical, biochemical, and non-protected C pools. We added two levels of ¹³C-labeled residue to soil samples from seven agricultural sites that were either closer to (i.e., A-horizon) or further from (i.e., C-horizon) their C saturation level and incubated them for 2.5 years. Residue-derived C stabilization was, in most sites, directly related to C saturation deficit but mechanisms of C stabilization differed between the chemically and biochemically protected pools. The physically protected C pool showed a varied effect of C saturation deficit on ¹³C stabilization, due to opposite behavior of the POM and mineral fractions. We found distinct behavior between unaggregated and aggregated mineral-associated fractions emphasizing the mechanistic difference between the chemically and physically protected C-pools. To accurately predict SOC dynamics and stabilization, C saturation of soil C pools, particularly the chemically and biochemically protected pools, should be considered.     

Radio-telemetry as a tool to define protected areas for seabirds in the marine environment

Although most Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) in the UK are protected within Special Protection Areas (SPAs) at their breeding colonies, such site-based protection does not currently extend into the marine environment. Manx shearwaters form rafts (dense flocks of birds) on the sea adjacent to their breeding colony from late afternoon onwards, before coming ashore after nightfall. The ecological and protection requirements of Manx shearwaters in the UK would be more completely addressed if existing SPA boundaries were extended into adjacent marine areas to include those used for rafting behaviour. However the spatial extent of rafts has never been assessed accurately. Because rafting behaviour continues after nightfall, radio-telemetry was used to investigate rafting distributions of Manx shearwaters around the three largest UK colonies: Skomer (south-west Wales), Bardsey (north-west Wales) and Rum (north-west Scotland). Totals of 30, 28 and 30 birds were radio-tagged, with 174, 264 and 385 rafting locations estimated for Skomer, Rum and Bardsey, respectively. Kernel contour analysis was used to describe the ‘rafting range’ around each colony. The maximum extent of the 95% kernel contours was used to determine the area which would encompass most rafting birds. The maximum extents of rafting ranges were 4, 6 and 9 km, respectively for Skomer, Rum and Bardsey. We believe this is the first successful illustration of how radio-telemetry data can potentially be used to define protected areas for birds in the marine environment.     

Does the effect of forest roads extend a few meters or more into the adjacent forest? A study on understory plant diversity in managed oak stands

Roads are recognised as having different ecological roles such as barrier, corridor or habitat, but the spatial extent of road effects on plant communities in forests remains unclear. We studied the effect of forest road distance on plant understory diversity at 20 sites in young and adult oak stands in a French lowland forest with a long history of management and road construction. All vascular and bryophyte species were collected at five distances ranging from the road verge to 100 m into the adjacent forest stand. We analysed species composition, individual species response, a priori life-history traits response – life form, habitat preference and dispersal mode – and environmental indicator values in relation to road distance and stand age. Plant composition strongly differed between road verge and forest interior habitats. The main road effect extended less than 5 m into the forest stand. A third habitat was detected at the forest-road edge resulting from the road effect on light and soil conditions, and from edge-specific topography. Non-forest species were almost absent from the forest interior. In contrast, many bryophytes and several vascular plants kept away from the road. We identified a posteriori six species groups that better explained the variability of plant response profiles than a priori life-history traits. Plant response to road distance was also dependent on stand age: some species colonised from the road into the forest interior in young stands following regeneration cutting, while other species displayed the reverse pattern in adult stands once canopy closed above the forest road. Even if the depth of forest road effect measured in lowland managed stands was narrow, building of a new forest road has non-negligible effects on plant population dynamics. Forest managers should take into account the impacts of roads on biodiversity, since the expected intensification of silviculture in response to global changes is set to accentuate the effect of forest roads. We recommend further study on the role of dispersal by vehicles (i.e. agestochory) in road effects.     

Characterization of Cell Wall Polysaccharides of Cherry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus cerasus</Emphasis> var. Schattenmorelle) Fruit and Pomace

The polysaccharide composition of cell wall of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus var. Schattenmorelle) fruit and pomace was investigated. Furthermore, the alcohol insoluble solids composition of ‘Kelleriis’ and ‘Dobreczyn Botermo’ varieties were studied too. Yield of alcohol insoluble solids for fruits was lower than 10%, and for pomaces circa 50%. Uronic acid was the main pectin component of alcohol insoluble solids. Enzymes used as juice processing aids decreased the content of uronic acid. Araban and galactan side chains bonded tightly to cellulose presence was suggested by high content of arabinose and galactose in hemicellulose fraction. The process of drying at below 70 °C did not influence polysaccharide composition of sour cherry pomaces. Alcohol insoluble solids of fruits expressed higher hydration properties than of pomaces.     

Detailed NMR,Including 1,1-ADEQUATE,and Anticancer Studies of Compounds from the Echinoderm Colobometra perspinosa

From the dichloromethane/methanol extract of the crinoid Colobometra perspinosa, collected south east of Richards Island (Bedara), Family Islands, Central Great Barrier Reef, Australia, 3-(1′-hydroxypropyl)-1,6,8-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone [one of the two stereoisomers of rhodoptilometrin, (1)], 3-propyl-1,6,8-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (3), 2-[(phenylacetyl)amino]ethanesulfonic acid (4), and 4-hydroxybutanoic acid (5) were isolated. Comparison of ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR data for rhodoptilometrin (1) with those reported in the literature showed significant differences for some resonances associated with rings A and C. In an attempt to provide accurately assigned ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR data, as well as to confirm the structure of 1, a thorough NMR investigation of this compound was undertaken. Measurements included: concentration dependent ¹³C, 1D selective NOE, HSQC, HMBC and 1,1-ADEQUATE. The NMR data for 4 and 5 are reported here for the first time, as is their occurrence from the marine environment. The in vitro anticancer activity of the original extract was found to be associated with 1, 3 and 5.     

Multiphasic Approach for the Identification of the Different Classification Levels Of Pseudomonas savastanoi Pv. Phaseolicola

The relationships between strains of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola (P. sav. phaseolicola), P. syringae pv. tabaci (P. syr. tabaci) and P. syr. syringae which all cause disease on bean; the related species P. sav. glycinea and P. syr. actinidiae, and reference bacteria, were evaluated by studying the phenotypic and genetic diversity of a collection of 62 strains. All the P. sav. phaseolicola strains tested produced characteristic watersoaked lesions on bean pods. Other pathovars produced varying combinations of symptoms including necrotic lesions, with or without watersoaked centres and sunken tissue collapse of the lesion (P. syr. tabaci) and necrotic lesions with or without sunken collapse (P. syr. syringae). At the genomospecies level, all the strains of P. sav. phaseolicola, P. sav. glycinea and P. syr. tabaci, belonging to genomospecies 2, could be separated from P. syr. syringae strains (genomospecies 1) and P. syr. actinidiae strains (unknown genomospecies) by BOX-PCR and DNA/DNA hybridisation. To distinguish P. sav. phaseolicola, within genomospecies 2, from P. sav. glycinea and P. syr. tabaci, it was necessary to perform nutritional characterisations myo-inositol negative and p-hydroxy benzoate positive for P. sav. phaseolicola strains), PCR with specific primers designed from the tox region (positive for all of the P. sav. phaseolicola strains) and serotyping, as 71% of the P. sav. phaseolicola strains reacted as O-serogroup PHA1. Important intrapathovar variation was seen by genomic fingerprinting with REP and ERIC primers, as well as with RAPD primers (AE7 and AE10) and esterase profilings. While RAPD fingerprinting detected variability correlated with two race-associated evolutionary lines, REP, ERIC and esterase profiles revealed intrapathovar variation linked to some host origins, that separated the kudzu isolates, and the mungbean isolates, from the other P. sav. phaseolicola strains.     

Influence of formulation and process on the aromatic profile and physical characteristics of bread

This work consisted of two complementary sets of experiments in which breads differing in their recipe and/or process were characterised according to their odorant perception, volatile compound composition and physical properties. The results revealed that commercial partially baked and/or partially baked frozen breads were characterised by a different odour compared to commercial conventional, fully baked frozen and frozen dough breads, which were perceived similarly. These differences were explained by their variable aromatic composition. By analysing breads based on the same recipe but from different processes, it was demonstrated that adding a freezing stage before dough proofing or at the end of the conventional process, as well as after partial baking, did not influence bread aroma. Likewise, partial baking had no effect on bread odour and aromatic profile. Thus, the aromatic differences between commercial conventional, fully baked frozen and frozen dough breads on the one hand, and commercial partially baked breads on the other hand, were due to their different formulations. Concerning bread physical properties, the recipe also influenced bread crust/crumb ratio and density. Moreover, adding a partial baking stage to the process led to breads with a more compact crumb.     

Influence of the Iron-Reducing Bacteria on the Release of Heavy Metals in Anaerobic River Sediment

The impact of autochthonous anaerobic bacteria on the release of metals in river sediment was studied. The sediments were characterized and bacterial activity was monitored in a batch reactor, where the sediments were incubated with a synthetic substrate solution containing glucose as carbon source. The results showed that metal release was correlated to the bacterial growth (carbon mineralization). In particular, a relationship between iron reduction and metal release was observed indicating that iron-reducing bacteria had a strong influence. By reductive dissolution of iron oxides, bacteria also released their associated toxic elements into the liquid phase. While organic analysis showed acetate and butyrate production leading to a decrease in pH and indicating a Clostridium fermentative bacteria activity, the results did not indicate any direct role of organic acids in the dissolution of iron and their associated metals.