Using the Landfarming Technique to Remediate Soils Contaminated with Hexachlorocyclohexane Isomers

The purpose of the present study is to simulate concentrations of ozone and its precursors (NO and NO₂) in an area under the influence of the Candiota coal-fired power station by applying numerical models. The photochemical simulations were conducted during two distinct periods: in summer (from 24 to 26 January 2003) and in winter (from 10 to 12 August, 2004). With the RAMS atmospheric model (Regional Atmospheric Modelling System) we obtained meteorological fields to initialize the CIT photochemical model. The emission data were based on the AP-42 and only compounds emitted during coal burning were considered. The simulated results revealed high ozone levels in warmer periods, being related to high temperatures and water vapor concentrations. The simulated concentrations are located far from the emitting source, favoring reaction and mixing time between precursors to form ozone. Simulated winds of small intensity favored ozone transport, mixing and accumulation in areas far from the emitting source.     

Effect of diet and tylosin on chronic diarrhea in beagles

Seven beagles in a colony of dogs had chronic diarrhea for at least 30 days. The dogs were subsequently treated with tylosin 20 mg/kg BW q24h PO for 10 days. During the treatment period, the feces became firmer but remained loose. When the treatment was discontinued, the diarrhea reappeared in 3 weeks. The feces remained abnormally loose in all dogs treated with metronidazole, trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, or doxycycline and prednisone. The diet was then changed for 10 days from a highly digestible moist pet food to a dry food developed for normal adult dogs. The feces again became firmer, although still loose in some dogs. The period was then extended to 3 month, but the fecal consistency continued to fluctuate from ideal to diarrhea. The dogs were treated a 2nd time with tylosin 20 mg/kg BW q24h PO for 10 days. The feces then became significantly firmer and remained so throughout a 3-month follow-up. We conclude that the combination of diet and tylosin was more effective than either agent alone in control of chronic diarrhea.     

Protection of Brucella abortus RB51 revaccinated cows, introduced in a herd with active brucellosis, with presence of atypical humoral response

It is a dogma, that RB51 vaccination does not induce antibodies that interfere with Brucellosis diagnosis, therefore any animal positive to serological test is considered as an infected animal. To determine protection against Brucellosis virulent field strain, 35 pregnant cows from a free-Brucellosis herd, previously vaccinated as calves with 1 x 10(10) CFU of RB51, were revaccinated with RB51 reduced dose, and then introduced into a herd with an active outbreak. Seventeen cows resulted positive in card test after revaccination. All 35 pregnant revaccinated cows had normal parturition; nevertheless, RB51 vaccine strain was isolated from milk and vaginal exudates from two cows after delivery at day 120 post-revaccination. At 150 days post-revaccination, two cows were positives to card and rivanol test and the field virulent strain was isolated. Revaccination with a reduced dose of RB51 in endemic zones did not cause abortion and protected 94% of animals against field infection, but caused an atypical response to conventional serological tests.     

Layered double hydroxides as supports for the slow release of acid herbicides

A Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) was intercalated with the anionic herbicides 2,4-D, MCPA, and picloram by using three different methodologies: (i) direct synthesis (DS), (ii) regeneration (RE), and (iii) ion exchange (IE). The resulting complexes were characterized and assayed by batch release and column leaching tests, aiming at the controlled release of these herbicides. All the tested LDH-herbicide complexes displayed similar slow herbicide release properties in water, although the IE method seemed to result in complexes with a greater fraction of herbicide in a readily available form. Apparently, the LDH-herbicide complexes released most of the active ingredient present in the complexes at the end of the batch release experiment. This was attributed to the replacement of the intercalated herbicide by carbonate and hydroxyl anions from the aqueous solution. Compared to the free herbicides, the application of the three LDH-herbicide complexes (RE) to soil columns resulted in reduction in the maximum herbicide concentration in leachates and led to the retardation of herbicide leaching through the soil. All LDH-herbicide complexes presented an herbicidal efficacy similar to that of the free (technical) herbicides. Our results indicated the potential applicability of LDHs as supports for the preparation of slow release formulations of acid herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPA, or picloram.     

A giant European dinosaur and a new sauropod clade

Fossils of a giant sauropod dinosaur, Turiasaurus riodevensis, have been recovered from terrestrial deposits of the Villar del Arzobispo Formation (Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary) of Riodeva (Teruel Province, Spain). Its humerus length (1790 millimeters) and estimated mass (40 to 48 metric tons) indicate that it may have been the most massive terrestrial animal in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the fossil represents a member of a hitherto unrecognized group of primitive European eusauropods that evolved in the Jurassic.     

Correlation of magnetic resonance images with anatomic features of the equine tarsus

OBJECTIVE: To correlate anatomic features of the equine tarsus identified in plastinated sections with images obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ANIMALS: 4 horses. PROCEDURE: MRI (1.5-Tesla magnet) of the tarsus was performed on the pelvic limbs of 4 clinically normal horses following euthanasia. After imaging, tarsocrural joint spaces and vasculature were injected with colored latex. Sagittal and transverse sections of the tarsi were plastinated to facilitate interpretation of MR images. RESULTS: Relevant anatomic structures were identified and labeled on the plastinated tissue slices and corresponding MR images. Results indicated high correlations between MRI findings and those of plastinated sections. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The data obtained provided certain reference standards for normal anatomic structure sizes and positions in the equine tarsus. This information may aid future physiologic or clinical studies of this joint.     

Composites reinforced in three dimensions by using low magnetic fields

The orientation and distribution of reinforcing particles in artificial composites are key to enable effective reinforcement of the material in mechanically loaded directions, but remain poor if compared to the distinctive architectures present in natural structural composites such as teeth, bone, and seashells. We show that micrometer-sized reinforcing particles coated with minimal concentrations of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (0.01 to 1 volume percent) can be controlled by using ultralow magnetic fields (1 to 10 milliteslas) to produce synthetic composites with tuned three-dimensional orientation and distribution of reinforcements. A variety of structures can be achieved with this simple method, leading to composites with tailored local reinforcement, wear resistance, and shape memory effects.     

The efficacy and safety of levobupivacaine administered by lumbosacral epidural route in conscious sheep

The aim of this study was to evaluate 3 doses of levobupivacaine (LB) epidurally administered in sheep. Six adult male 24-36 month-old sheep received levobupivacaine at 3 doses, LB05 (0.05 mg/kg), LB15 (0.15 mg/kg), and LB25 (0.25mg/kg), and saline solution into the lumbosacral epidural space. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean), respiratory rate, rectal, and skin temperature, local anesthesia, and ataxia were determined before treatment and at predetermined intervals. The duration of local anesthesia was 30±5 min, 145±27 min, and 290±18 min for LB05, LB15, and LB25, respectively (P<0.05). Ataxia determined for LB05, LB15, or LB25 was similar to the anesthetic times. There was an increase in heart rate and reduction in arterial pressure in LB25 (P<0.05), whereas LB05 or LB15 did not affect these parameters. Lumbosacral epidural levobupivacaine is an appropriate choice for local anesthesia in sheep.     

Muscle reorganisation through local injection of stem cells in the diaphragm of mdx mice

Background

The diaphragm is the major respiratory muscle affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and is responsible for causing 80% of deaths. The use of mechanical forces that act on the body or intermittent pressure on the airways improves the quality of life of patients but does not prevent the progression of respiratory failure. Thus, diseases that require tissue repair, such as DMD, represent a group of pathologies that have great potential for cell therapy. The application of stem cells directly into the diaphragm instead of systemic application can reduce cell migration to other affected areas and increase the chances of muscle reorganisation. The mdx mouse is a suitable animal model for this research because its diaphragmatic phenotype is similar to human DMD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the potential cell implantation in the diaphragm muscle after the xenotransplantation of stem cells.

Methods

A total of 9 mice, including 3 control BALB/Cmice, 3 5-month-old mdx mice without stem cell injections and 3 mdx mice injected with stem cells, were used. The animals injected with stem cells underwent laparoscopy so that stem cells from GFP-labelled rabbit olfactory epithelium could be locally injected into the diaphragm muscle. After 8 days, all animals were euthanised, and the diaphragm muscle was dissected and subjected to histological and immunohistochemical analyses.

Results

Both the fresh diaphragm tissue and immunohistochemical analyses showed immunopositive GFP labelling of some of the cells and immunonegativity of myoblast bundles. In the histological analysis, we observed a reduction in the inflammatory infiltrate as well as the presence of a few peripheral nuclei and myoblast bundles.

Conclusion

We were able to implant stem cells into the diaphragm via local injection, which promoted moderate muscle reorganisation. The presence of myoblast bundles cannot be attributed to stem cell incorporation because there was no immunopositive labelling in this structure. It is believed that the formation of the bundles may have been stimulated by cellular signalling mechanisms that have not yet been elucidated.