Determination of Soil Lead Variability in Residential Soil for Remediation Decision Making

Eighty soil cores were collected from a residential area adjacent to an automobile battery manufacturing facility to determine the level and variability of lead concentrations in the soil. Results of ICP-MS on HNO₃ digestions showed lead concentrations in the residential soil as high as 2760 mg kg^-1. High variability of lead concentrations of two to three times over short distances, less than a meter, indicated the necessity of remediating the entire soil area based on a clean-up level of 400 mg kg^-1. To delineate areas of soil requiring no remediation at a high level of confidence would have required a more extensive soil sampling survey. High lead concentrations in the residential soil to a depth of approximately 15 cm indicated remediationof residential soil to at least this depth may be necessary. Overall, the high variability of lead concentrations in the residential soil was consistent with a soil having been disturbed by residential activity and illustrated the difficulty in using a single sample per residentialyard for making correct remediation decisions.     

Common structure of soluble amyloid oligomers implies common mechanism of pathogenesis

Soluble oligomers are common to most amyloids and may represent the primary toxic species of amyloids, like the Abeta peptide in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we show that all of the soluble oligomers tested display a common conformation-dependent structure that is unique to soluble oligomers regardless of sequence. The in vitro toxicity of soluble oligomers is inhibited by oligomer-specific antibody. Soluble oligomers have a unique distribution in human AD brain that is distinct from fibrillar amyloid. These results indicate that different types of soluble amyloid oligomers have a common structure and suggest they share a common mechanism of toxicity.     

Place,Taste, or Face-to-Face? Understanding Producer–Consumer Networks in “Local” Food Systems in Washington State

In an increasingly globalized food economy, local agri-food initiatives are promoted as more sustainable alternatives, both for small-scale producers and ecologically conscious consumers. However, revitalizing local agri-food communities in rural agro-industrial regions is particularly challenging. This case study examines Grant and Chelan Counties, two industrial farming regions in rural Central Washington State, distant from the urban fringe. Farmers in these counties have tried diversifying large-scale processing into organics and marketing niche and organic produce at popular farmers markets in Seattle about 200 miles away. Such strategies invoke the question, “How are ‘local’ agri-food networks socially and geographically defined?” The meaning of what constitutes “local” and/or “sustainable” systems merits consideration in the linking of these rural counties with distant urban farmers markets. Employing historical, in-depth interview and survey research, we analyze production and consumption networks and the non-market systems that residents in these counties access for self-provisioning and food security.     

Residues of the lampricides 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol and niclosamide in muscle tissue of rainbow trout

Rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) were exposed to the (14)C-labeled lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) (2.1 mg/L) or niclosamide (0.055 mg/L) in an aerated static water bath for 24 h. Fish were sacrificed immediately after exposure. Subsamples of skin-on muscle tissue were analyzed for residues of the lampricides. The primary residues in muscle tissue from fish exposed to TFM were parent TFM (1.08 +/- 0.82 nmol/g) and TFM-glucuronide (0.44 +/- 0.24 nmol/g). Muscle tissue from fish exposed to niclosamide contained niclosamide (1.42 +/- 0.51 nmol/g), niclosamide-glucuronide (0.0644 +/- 0.0276 nmol/g), and a metabolite not previously reported, niclosamide sulfate ester (1.12 +/- 0.33 nmol/g).     

Dissecting quantitative trait variation—examples from the tomato

Quantitative variation is prevalent in nature and in plant breeding. However, it wasn’t until the past two decades that it became technically feasible to begin probing the individual loci and genetic causes of natural, quantitative trait variation. Understanding the basis of quantitative variation is key not only to understanding evolution, but also in developing new insights and methodologies to improve traits such as yield, resistance to abiotic stress, and nutritional quality. In plants, tomato was one of the first species in which significant inroads were made into understanding the genetic and molecular bases of quantitative trait variation. Summarized herein are some of the lessons learned from tomato with regards to quantitative trait variation.     

Bioremediation in Field Box Plots of a Soil Contaminated with Wood-Preservatives: A Comparison of Treatment Conditions using Toxicity Testing as a Monitoring Technique

A soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorophenols was bioremediated in field box plots. Three different bioremediation treatments (tillage and irrigation alone (box plot 2) or in addition to amendment with nitrogen and phosphorus (box plots 3 and 4) and additional organic amendment composed ofagricultural crop residues (box plot 4)) were comparedusing chemical analysis for target contaminants andsix toxicity tests (seed germination, earthwormsurvival, SOS Chromotest, Toxi-Chromotest, solid-phaseMicrotox® andred blood cell (RBC) haemolysisassay). Degradation was enhanced, and toxicity wasgenerally the most reduced, in box plots 3 and 4. Although chemical analysis indicated that the twoamendment protocols were equally effective, soiltoxicity was generally the most reduced in box plot 4. The earthworm survival and seed germination assayswere the most reliable and relevant toxicity tests. Difficulties arising with the other tests includedinsensitivity to changes in soil contaminant levels,inconsistency and interference by soil particles andother soil constituents. Because of the lack ofagreement between toxicity tests, these resultssupport the use of a battery of toxicity tests inconjunction with chemical analysis, when assessing theefficacy of bioremediation.     

The actions of pyrethroids upon the peripheral nervous system and associated organs in the locust

The actions of a number of pyrethroids upon the crural nerve, chordotonal organs and skeletal muscles of the desert locust were investigated. The compounds were principally 3-phenoxybenzyl esters (with or without an α substituent), and particular attention was given to fenvalerate and related compounds. Four different effects were observed, both during the early stages of intoxication of intact locusts and during perfusion of physiological preparations with low concentrations of the pyrethroids. The type of effect produced was determined by the molecular structure of the pyrethroid. Knockdown activity was associated with one particular effect, and it is suggested that it is the type of action caused by a pyrethroid, rather than its rate of penetration into the insect, that determines whether or not it will have knockdown activity.     

Cytotoxicity and cytokine production by bovine alveolar macrophages challenged with wild type and leukotoxin-deficient Mannheimia haemolytica

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of ultrasound (US) guidance to perform sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks in dogs. Five dogs were sedated with medetomidine and butorphanol. A high-resolution US transducer was used to locate the nerves, guide placement of the needle and visualise the perineural injection of lidocaine 2%. Electrostimulation was used to confirm correct placement prior to the sciatic block. Nerve functions were evaluated over a 3 h period following administration of atipamezole. Successful identification of the nerves and the quality of the blocks were recorded. Location of the nerves, complete sensory block of the saphenous nerve, and partial to complete sensory and motor blocks of the sciatic nerve were achieved in all dogs. The resultant US guidance is potentially valuable for blocking the sciatic and saphenous nerves in dogs, although further work will be required to ensure a complete block of the sciatic nerve.     

Pilot Study of Coal Ash Compost

? Washington State University, in Pullman, Washington, has recently begun plans to compost approximately 16,500 tons of the waste generated annually on campus. Animal manure from the university dairy and from Veterinary Sciences will contribute 10,000 tons. A food pulper has been installed in one of the dining halls and will contribute approximately 440 tons. Mixed waste paper that does not have a market, landscape trimmings and used potting soil will also be composted. In addition, Washington State University power plant generates approximately 1,000 tons of coal ash annually. This paper discuss a pilot project to determine the feasibility of including coal ash in the compost mixture.