Hsp90 potentiates the rapid evolution of new traits: drug resistance in diverse fungi

Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone for many signal transducers and may influence evolution by releasing previously silent genetic variation in response to environmental change. In fungi separated by approximately 800 million years of evolution, Hsp90 potentiated the evolution of drug resistance in a different way, by enabling new mutations to have immediate phenotypic consequences. Resistance was abrogated by Hsp90 inhibitors and by febrile temperatures, suggesting new therapeutic strategies and a clinical benefit of fever. During selection in a human host, drug resistance that was initially Hsp90-dependent evolved toward independence. Thus, Hsp90 can act in diverse ways to couple environmental contingency to the emergence and fixation of new traits.     

Resolution of lung inflammation by CD44

Successful repair after tissue injury and inflammation requires resolution of the inflammatory response and removal of extracellular matrix breakdown products. We have examined whether the cell-surface adhesion molecule and hyaluronan receptor CD44 plays a role in resolving lung inflammation. CD44-deficient mice succumb to unremitting inflammation following noninfectious lung injury, characterized by impaired clearance of apoptotic neutrophils, persistent accumulation of hyaluronan fragments at the site of tissue injury, and impaired activation of transforming growth factor-beta1. This phenotype was partially reversed by reconstitution with CD44+ cells, thus demonstrating a critical role for this receptor in resolving lung inflammation.     

Peatland Interstitial Water Chemistry in Relation to that of Surface Pools along a Peatland Mineral Gradient

The elemental (including silica (Si), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe)) and nutrient composition of peatland surface pools and concentrations of Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fein peat interstitial waters and surface peat concentrations of oxides of Mn and Fe were determined for 15 peatlands sampled along a mineral gradient. Surface pool concentrations of Si wereca. ten fold less in surface pools of mineral-poor peatlands thanin the mineral rich, supporting the use of this element as an indicator of minerotrophic influence in peatlands. Principle component analysis of surface pool water chemistry parametersdifferentiated mineral-poor and moderately-poor peatlands frommineral-rich peatlands based on the concentrations of Ca, Mgand alkalinity of pools. Several lines of evidence indicated that peatland interstitial waters were important contributors to peatland alkalinity and included; (1) maximum interstitial water concentrations of Ca and Mg correlating with overlying surface pool alkalinity, (2) a negative correlation between interstitial water Ca:Mg ratios and surface pool concentrationsof Si and (3) Ca:Mg ratios of moderately-poor to mineral-poorpeatland interstitial waters approaching the Ca:Mg ratio of rainwater rather than those of bedrock. Interstitial water concentrations of dissolved Mn and Fe correlated with amountsof reducible Fe and Mn (oxides of Fe and Mn) recovered from thepeat/water interface indicating that groundwater inputs areimportant sources of these two elements to fens. As a consequence, for peatlands that are not truly ombrotrophic,groundwater inputs of Mn and Fe may interfere with interpretingpeat metal profiles thought to be due to anthropogenic inputs alone.     

Counter current line absorption immunoelectrophoresis in an alternative diagnostic screening test to counter current immunoelectrophoresis in Aleutian disease (AD) eradication programs

Counter current immunoelectrophoresis (CCIE) is the diagnostic method used in the ongoing Aleutian disease virus eradication program on Danish mink farms. There has been an increasing demand for an alternative diagnostic test especially to evaluate suspected false positive CCIE reactions. We compared test results of a number of negative and positive mink sera in indirect counter current immunoelectrophoresis (ICCIE), counter current line absorption immunoelectrophoresis (CCLAIE) and radio immuno assay (RIA) with test results from counter current immunoelectrophoresis and found that counter current line absorption immunoelectrophoresis is the best alternative diagnostic screening test to counter current immunoelectrophoresis for Aleutian disease eradication programs. Not only proved the CCLAIE test to be useful for evaluation of doubtfully positive CCIE reactions, but it was found to have a higher sensitivity than the CCIE test.     

The occurrence of Fusarium crown and root rot of tomato in Israel

Based upon symptomatology and the results of pathogenicity tests, it has been shown that the Fusarium crown and root rot organism of tomato — previously reported only from North America and Japan — is present in Israel.     

Successful treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in 2 dogs

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was diagnosed in 2 dogs with acute dyspnea. Short-term positive pressure ventilation and intense critical and nursing care were provided. Both dogs improved and were discharged. Few reports describe successful recovery from ARDS. Due to advances in positive pressure ventilation and improvement in the supportive care of critically ill veterinary patients, the prognosis for ARDS may improve.