Changes in Freshwater Acidification Trends in Canada's Atlantic Provinces: 1983–1997

Sixty-three lakes were sampled semi-annually for acid precipitation – related variables in Canada's Atlantic Provinces,Nova Scotia and Newfoundland from 1983 to 1997. A further 31 sites were sampled beginning in 1989 in Nova Scotia. We analyzedthe water chemistry data for trends in pH, acid neutralization capacity, sulfate and base cations using the whole data set for the original 63 sites and the most recent eight years' data for all sites. We also analyzed acid deposition at two CAPMoN precipitation chemistry sites located at the two extremes of thesampling region for trends. We found that hydrogen deposition decreased by 20% in Newfoundland and 30% in Nova Scotia, and sulfate decreased by 36 and 34%, respectively. Sulfate and basecations in lake waters showed decreases as expected, though lakeacidity and acid neutralization capacity did not show improvements. The conflicting trends in chemical variables suggest that though anthropogenically-induced weathering is diminishing in this region, conditions have not returned to `natural' background conditions.     

Identification of Escherichia coli F4ac-binding proteins in porcine milk fat globule membrane

F4ac-positive enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) must attach to the intestinal mucosa to cause diarrhea in piglets. Prevention of bacterial attachment to the intestinal mucosa is the most effective defense against ETEC-induced diarrhea. Porcine milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) were shown to be able to inhibit attachment of ETEC to the intestinal brush border; however, the specific components of porcine MFGM that inhibited attachment of ETEC to enterocytes were not identified. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to identify F4ac-binding MFGM proteins by overlay Western blot and affinity chromatography. The proteome of porcine MFGM was characterized and the following F4ac-binding proteins were detected by overlay Western blot and affinity chromatography: lactadherin, butyrophilin, adipophilin, acyl-CoA synthetase 3, and fatty acid-binding protein 3. The biological function of these proteins was not investigated but it is possible that their interaction with F4ac fimbria interferes with bacterial attachment and colonization.     

Species-specific PCR assay for the detection of Babesia odocoilei

We developed a PCR assay for the detection of Babesia odocoilei based on the 18S rRNA gene. Multiple specimens of B. odocoilei were examined, and the assay consistently produced a small specific PCR product of 306 bp. The PCR assay was also challenged with DNA from 13 other Babesia species and 2 Theileria species, originating from 10 different host species; however, nonspecific DNA amplification and multiple banding patterns were observed, and the amplicon banding patterns varied between different isolates of the same species. Sensitivity was determined to be 6.4 pg of DNA, and an estimated 0.0001% parasitism. This assay can be utilized for species-specific differential detection of B. odocoilei.