Black soil blindness: A new mycotoxicosis of cattle grazing Corallocytostroma-infected Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp)

A new, fatal mycotoxicosis of cattle has been recognised in north-western Australia. A feeding trial confirmed the toxicity of a previously unknown species of Corallocytostroma that grows on Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp). The disease has been colloquially named ‘black soil blindness’ because its most prominent features are its confinement to pastures on black soil, and blindness and death of affected animals. Over 500 cattle have died and considerable subclinical disease is present. Above average wet season rainfall and extended growing seasons may explain the emergence of the fungus. The disease is important because cattle production in large areas of Australia utilise Mitchell grass pastures.     

Gonadosomatic index and gonad histopathology of Gobius niger (Gobiidea, Teleost) from Bizerta lagoon (Tunisia): Evidence of reproduction disturbance

To evaluate the effect of anthropogenic pollution on fish reproduction in Bizerta lagoon, one of the largest Tunisian lagoons subjected to various anthropogenic and industrial pressures, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and gonad histology of mature black goby (Gobius niger) were studied. Fish were collected during the breeding seasons from six stations differently impacted and in one reference station located at the seaward entrance of Ghar el Melh (GH) lagoon. In both sexes, we detected the presence of an overall weaker GSI in Bizerta lagoon than in control fish. These GSI alterations were accompanied by histopathological changes. In females, no significant differences in oocyte size were found across all the sample sites. However, a higher incidence of oocyte lesions (atretic oocytes, cytoplasmic retraction and karyoplasmic cluping) was found in stations located near agricultural activity zones. Histological observation of the testes revealed, as well, abnormalities in Bizerta lagoon fish: germ cells syncytium, vacuolated germ cells, melano-macrophage center and increase of gaps in the interstitium between lobules were detected with a high prevalence in stations influenced by industrial and/or urban activities. In addition, association between gonad fish histopathology and the presence of organic pollutants (DTT, PAHs and organotins) in sediment was noted. These results suggest that the chemical pollution in this lagoon may have adversely affected the gonad development of fish. In conclusion, this study is the first histological evidence of reproduction disturbance related to pollution pressure in a fish species inhabiting Bizerta lagoon. The high levels of gonad histopathology recorded raise concerns about the long-term health of fish populations in this lagoon.     

Infiltrating Foxp3+ Regulatory T cells and Histopathological Features in Canine Classical and Spermatocytic Seminomas

In humans, regulatory T (T reg) cells are known to play a critical role in both the regulation of immune homoeostasis and the progression of cancer. However, there is little information about the identification, characterization and the function of T reg cells in canine tumours. We identified T reg cells in 28 canine seminoma samples using a Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) antibody and investigated the relationship between T reg cell infiltration and histopathological features of classical and spermatocytic seminomas (SE and SS, respectively). The Foxp3 protein showed nuclear immunostaining in infiltrating lymphocytes, and Foxp3+ cells were diffused or focally distributed in seminoma tissues. Foxp3+ cells were frequently present in the SS histotype, in seminomas that showed no evidence of tumour cell invasion into the vessels and in seminomas showing a diffuse growth pattern with three cell types. Neither the SE/SS histotype nor the histopathological features of the tumour correlated with Foxp3+ cell counts. These results indicate that Foxp3+ T reg cells may be associated with a less malignant histological phenotype or may not play a critical role in the immune response of canine seminomas. Moreover, Foxp3+ T reg cells may be associated with SS seminoma, but further studies, involving a larger number of samples, are required to better understand whether these cells play a critical role in the immune response in canine seminomas. This is the first report to demonstrate the characteristics of T reg cell infiltration in canine seminoma.     

Ultraslow electron spin dynamics in GaAs quantum wells probed by optically pumped NMR

Optically pumped nuclear magnetic resonance (OPNMR) measurements were performed in two different electron-doped multiple quantum well samples near the fractional quantum Hall effect ground state nu = 13. Below 0.5 kelvin, the spectra provide evidence that spin-reversed charged excitations of the nu = 13 ground state are localized over the NMR time scale of about 40 microseconds. Furthermore, by varying NMR pulse parameters, the electron spin temperature (as measured by the Knight shift) could be driven above the lattice temperature, which shows that the value of the electron spin-lattice relaxation time tau1s is between 100 microseconds and 500 milliseconds at nu = 13.     

Formation of molecular chlorine from the photolysis of ozone and aqueous sea-salt particles

Halogen atoms from the reactions of sea-salt particles may play a significant role in the marine boundary layer. Reactions of sodium chloride, the major component of sea-salt particles, with nitrogen oxides generate chlorine atom precursors. However, recent studies suggest there is an additional source of chlorine in the marine troposphere. This study shows that molecular chlorine is generated from the photolysis of ozone in the presence of sea-salt particles above their deliquescence point; this process may also occur in the ocean surface layer. Given the global distribution of ozone, this process may provide a global source of chlorine.