Presumed cholesterinic granulomas detected on CT in horses are associated with increased lateral ventricle height and age

Cholesterinic granulomas are mass‐like lesions that form at the choroid plexus of the ventricular system. Large cholesterinic granulomas within the lateral ventricles have been reported to cause severe neurological signs. However, little data are available about their prevalence or appearance in the overall population. The objective was to report the prevalence of presumed cholesterinic granulomas on CT in a population of horses, and investigate associations between presumed cholesterinic granuloma presence, lateral ventricle size, age, and neurological signs. The study was cross sectional, CT scans of the head were assessed for presumed cholesterinic granuloma presence and size, and lateral ventricle height. Computed tomography findings and clinical information were compared using nonparametric testing. Computed tomography scans of 139 horses were included. Presumed cholesterinic granulomas were found in 22 horses (15.8%), nine were unilateral and 13 bilateral. A significant increase in prevalence was observed with age (P < .0001), with 38% of horses over 15 years old affected. The median volume of presumed cholesterinic granulomas was 242 mm³ with a range from 51 to 2420 mm³. The mean lateral ventricle height was significantly increased in horses with presumed cholesterinic granulomas present (P = .004), with a median of 7.3 mm compared to 4.9 mm without. Neurological signs were not associated with presumed cholesterinic granuloma presence or lateral ventricle height. Fourth ventricle mineralizations were found in seven horses, which may represent cholesterinic granulomas. In conclusion, presumed cholesterinic granulomas occurred in a large proportion of the examined population and are associated with increased lateral ventricle dilation and advanced age.     

Capturing chromosome conformation

We describe an approach to detect the frequency of interaction between any two genomic loci. Generation of a matrix of interaction frequencies between sites on the same or different chromosomes reveals their relative spatial disposition and provides information about the physical properties of the chromatin fiber. This methodology can be applied to the spatial organization of entire genomes in organisms from bacteria to human. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we could confirm known qualitative features of chromosome organization within the nucleus and dynamic changes in that organization during meiosis. We also analyzed yeast chromosome III at the G1 stage of the cell cycle. We found that chromatin is highly flexible throughout. Furthermore, functionally distinct AT- and GC-rich domains were found to exhibit different conformations, and a population-average 3D model of chromosome III could be determined. Chromosome III emerges as a contorted ring.     

Increasing soy isoflavonoid content and diversity by simultaneous malting and challenging by a fungus to modulate estrogenicity

Soybeans were germinated on a kilogram-scale, by the application of malting technology used in the brewing industry, and concomitantly challenged with Rhizopus microsporus var. oryzae. In a time-course experiment, samples were taken every 24 h for 10 days, and the isoflavonoid profile was analyzed by RP-UHPLC-MS. Upon induction with R. microsporus, the isoflavonoid composition changed drastically with the formation of phytoalexins belonging to the subclasses of the pterocarpans and coumestans and by prenylation of the various isoflavonoids. The pterocarpan content stabilized at 2.24 mg of daidzein equivalents (DE) per g after ～9 days. The levels of the less common glyceofuran, glyceollin IV, and V/VI ranged from 0.18 to 0.35 mg DE/g and were comparable to those of the more commonly reported glyceollins I, II, and III (0.22-0.32 mg DE/g) and glycinol (0.42 mg DE/g). The content of prenylated isoflavones after the induction process was 0.30 mg DE/g. The total isoflavonoid content increased by a factor of 10-12 on DW basis after 9 days, which was suggested to be ascribable to de novo synthesis. These changes were accompanied by a gradual increase in agonistic activity of the extracts toward both the estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ during the 10-day induction, with a more pronounced activity toward ERβ. Thus, the induction process yielded a completely different spectrum of isoflavonoids, with a much higher bioactivity toward the estrogen receptors. This, together with the over 10-fold increase in potential bioactives, offers promising perspectives for producing more, novel, and higher potency nutraceuticals by malting under stressed conditions.     

施用方式和土壤深度对昆虫病原线虫越冬的影响

在田间试验条件下,利用孔径为25 μm的尼龙网袋,评价了两种线虫品系(噬菌性异小杆线虫Heterorhabditis bacteriophora和小卷娥斯式线虫Steinernema carpocapsae)、两种施用方式(感染线虫的昆虫尸体和线虫悬液)、两种土层深度(5 cm和15 cm)以及不同取样时间(2013年12月8日、2014年2月18日以及2014年4月14日)对昆虫病原线虫越冬情况的影响.试验结果表明,S. carpocapsae 较H. bacteriophora的低温抗性强,施用后4个月,无论是虫尸剂还是线虫悬液处理,品系S. carpocapsae的存活率均高于H. bacteriophora.另外,各处理组在15 cm深度处的线虫数量均大于5 cm深度处.随着时间的延续,线虫悬液组线虫数量下降迅速.虫尸剂组在前两次取样时几乎未释放线虫,但在次年4月中旬取样时发现,S. carpocapsae虫尸剂有侵染期线虫释放,其释放的线虫数量与S. carpocapsae悬液处理无显著差异.可见,虫尸剂有助于昆虫病原线虫越冬,但与线虫品系有关,采用虫尸剂有助于高效利用昆虫病原线虫防治有害昆虫.     

A Field Investigation into Delivery Systems for Agents to Control Moniliophthora roreri

This paper describes a factorial trial designed to investigate the delivery systems of fungal biological agents (Clonostachys rosea), applied as single strain or as strain mixture, in comparison with copper hydroxide as a chemical standard against Moniliophthora roreri in cocoa. Application techniques compared were motorised mistblowers fitted with rotary atomisers and hydraulic sprayers fitted with cone nozzles giving a narrow angle of spray. The third factor was the presence or absence of an emulsifiable rape-seed adjuvant oil in the tank mixture. Copper fungicide was the best agent for moniliasis control and resulted in the highest yield. Both the mycofungicides reduced sporulation of the pathogen. Net reduction of inoculum was best for the hydraulic sprayer-applied copper fungicide and the motorised mistblower-applied single-strain biocontrol agent. Overall, directional hydraulic sprays were found to be somewhat superior to the motorised mistblower technique, with its dissipated cone of spray. Addition of the adjuvant oil was the least important of the factors, but efficacy depended on the agent used, with a significant enhancement in the efficacy of copper with oil but a detrimental effect on C. rosea.     

Turbulent mixing accelerates PAH desorption due to fragmentation of sediment particle aggregates

Purpose

Stripping contaminants from sediments with granular activated carbon (GAC) is a promising remediation technique in which the effectiveness depends on the rate of contaminant extraction from the sediment by the GAC. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of mixing intensity on the short-term extraction rate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from contaminated sediment.

Materials and methods

PAH desorption from sediment at a wide range of rotational speeds (min^?1; rotations per minute (rpm)) was monitored by uptake in Tenax polymeric resins using a completely mixed batch reactor. Desorption data were interpreted using a radial diffusion model. Desorption parameters obtained with the radial diffusion model were correlated with particle size measurements and interpreted mechanistically.

Results and discussion

Fast desorption rate constants, D _e /r ², with D _e the effective diffusion coefficient and r the particle radius, ranged from 3.7 × 10^?3 to 1.1 × 10^?1 day^?1 (PHE) and 6 × 10^?6 to 1.9 × 10^?4 day^?1 (CHR), respectively, and increased with the intensity of mixing. The D _e /r ² values would correspond to D _e ranges of 1.8 × 10^?14–1.2 × 10^?16 m² × day^?1 and 1.8 × 10^?12–3.7 × 10^?15 m² × day^?1, assuming fast desorption from the measured smallest particle size (9 μm) classes at 200 and 600 rpm, respectively.

Conclusions

Desorption of PAHs was significantly accelerated by a reduction of particle aggregate size caused by shear forces that were induced by mixing. The effective intra-particle diffusion coefficients, D _e , were larger at higher mixing rates.

     

Desorption of Dieldrin from field aged sediments: Simulating flood events

Background, Aim and Scope

With the predicted climate change, it is expected that the chances of flooding may increase. During flood events, sediments will resuspend and when the sediments are polluted, contaminants can be transferred to the surrounding water. Mass transfer of organic compounds like Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) from soils and sediments to the surrounding aqueous phase are essential regarding fate and transport of these chemicals in the aqueous environment. The distribution of POPs between sorbed and aqueous phases and the time needed to obtain equilibrium are required to calculate the exposure to potential receptors. A reactor was designed in which the water flow is controlled and low POP concentrations could be measured by tenax extraction outside the reactor vessel. This reactor design named SPEED (Solid Phase Extraction with External Desorption) was used to study desorption from aged contaminated sediment in relation to sediment particle size.

Materials and Methods

In the newly developed SPEED (Solid Phase Extraction with External Desorption) reactor, the water flow rate was set and controlled, and low aqueous POP concentrations were measured by sorption to Tenax® outside the reaction vessel. The effect of particle size on desorption rate was studied using a widely used Tenax® solid phase extraction method.

Results

The experiments, by specific measurement of the aqueous dieldrin concentration at different HRT, show that desorption of dieldrin in time is faster when short HRTs were applied. However, the mass of dieldrin desorbed per liter refreshed water is higher for longer HRTs. Therefore, the mass transfer of dieldrin within the sediment particles is the rate determining process in contaminant desorption. This observation was confirmed by Tenax® solid phase extractions which were applied for different particle size fractions. Desorption rates of POPs from the sediment fraction with small particles were faster than desorption rates from the sediment fraction with large particles. Organic matter was present as separate particles in the sediment sample. All experiments demonstrated biphasic desorption. The fluxes calculated for both phases are supportive of non-stationary diffusion as the main process of mass transfer.

Discussion

In the literature, the relation between particle size and desorption of organic contaminants from soils and sediments is contradictory. Most often this seems to be due to overlooking the spatial configuration of organic matter in the soils and sediments. In several papers the presence of organic matter as a thin coating around mineral particles has been overlooked. There-fore, milling had no effect on desorption behavior of contaminants, as the diffusion length will not be affected. In our opinion, both the particle size and spatial configuration of organic matter are rate determining parameters of the desorption process.

Conclusions

Flood events will result in an increase of desorption rate of POPs from sediments to the surrounding water. HRT and particle size determine the concentration gradient and, thereby, the desorption rate. Furthermore, the diffusion length will be smaller when sediment particles are suspended and more water is present to decrease the aqueous concentration. We conclude that non-stationary diffusion within organic matter is the main process of mass transfer. The combination of simulated in-situ measurements of desorption from sediments with generic measurable parameters like flow rate and particle size distribution results in a quantitative measurable flux of contaminants, which resembles the in-situ (bio)availability as the result of dynamic processes in the sediment/water system.

Recommendations and Perspectives

The results obtained provided a sound basis for mechanistic modeling of POP mass transfer from sediment to water. The modeling results will be presented in a separate paper. Besides the HRT, also mixing conditions can be changed to assess the desorption from sediment layers. The possibility to combine flow rate and mixing intensity enables the study of the effect of hydraulically different river systems on desorption of contaminants. In a long term perspective we foresee a link with hydrology and sediment transport with desorption in water bodies.     

Ochroconis globalis infecting Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), with a review of Ochroconis species in cold‐blooded animals

Necropsy examination of an adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from the Dalälven River in Sweden revealed numerous large, white nodules, with spherical cysts and granulomata in kidney and liver. Histopathology showed dark, septate, thin‐walled hyphae. The aetiologic agent was found to be an Ochroconis species (Venturiales) that differed from known fish‐associated species of the genus. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the culture (strain UIII09 = CBS 135766) demonstrated that Ochroconis globalis was concerned. The isolate proved to be susceptible to all investigated antifungals, as it is known for another Ochroconis species. The role of Ochroconis in opportunism of cold‐blooded animals was discussed, and the diagnostic methods using DNA sequences for routine identification of the fungus were proposed.