Lead isotopes and lead shot ingestion in the globally threatened marbled teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) and white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala)

Lead isotope ratios ((206)Pb/(207)Pb and (208)Pb/(207)Pb) and concentrations in the livers and bones of marbled teal and white-headed duck found dead or moribund were determined in order to establish the main lead source in these waterfowl species. Lead concentrations in bone (dry weight) and liver (wet weight) were found to be very high in many of the white-headed ducks (bone: geometric mean=88.9 ppm, maximum=419 ppm; liver: geometric mean=16.8 ppm, maximum=57.0 ppm). Some of the marbled teal had high lead levels in the bones but liver lead levels were all low (bone: geometric mean=6.13 ppm, maximum=112 ppm; liver: geometric mean=0.581 ppm, maximum=4.77 ppm). Ingested lead shot were found in 71% of the white-headed duck and 20% of the marbled teal. The (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratio in livers and bones of white-headed ducks and marbled teals showed no significant differences compared to the ratios obtained from lead shot. The (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratio in bones of marbled teal ducklings with the highest lead concentrations tended to resemble the ratios of lead shot, which supports our hypothesis that the lead was derived from the hens. We also found that the lead ratios of lead shot and lead ratios described for soils in the area overlapped, but also that the isotopic ratio (206)Pb/(207)Pb in lead shot used in Spain has a narrow range compared with those used in North America. The principal source of lead in many of these birds was, however, most likely lead shot, as supported by the similar isotopic ratios, high lead concentrations in tissues and evidence of ingested shot.

Improved Detection of Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Bovine Lymph Node Tissue Using Immunomagnetic Separation (IMS)-Based Methods

Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) can selectively isolate and concentrate Mycobacterium bovis cells from lymph node tissue to facilitate subsequent detection by PCR (IMS-PCR) or culture (IMS-MGIT). This study describes application of these novel IMS-based methods to test for M. bovis in a survey of 280 bovine lymph nodes (206 visibly lesioned (VL), 74 non-visibly lesioned (NVL)) collected at slaughter as part of the Northern Ireland bovine TB eradication programme. Their performance was evaluated relative to culture. Overall, 174 (62.1%) lymph node samples tested positive by culture, 162 (57.8%) by IMS-PCR (targeting IS6110), and 196 (70.0%) by IMS-MGIT culture. Twelve (6.9%) of the 174 culture positive lymph node samples were not detected by either of the IMS-based methods. However, an additional 78 M. bovis positive lymph node samples (26 (12.6%) VL and 54 (73.0%) NVL) were detected by the IMS-based methods and not by culture. When low numbers of viable M. bovis are present in lymph nodes (e.g. in NVLs of skin test reactor cattle) decontamination prior to culture may adversely affect viability, leading to false negative culture results. In contrast, IMS specifically captures whole M. bovis cells (live, dead or potentially dormant) which are not subject to any deleterious treatment before detection by PCR or MGIT culture. During this study only 2.7% of NVL lymph nodes tested culture positive, whereas 73% of the same samples tested M. bovis positive by the IMS-based tests. Results clearly demonstrate that not only are the IMS-based methods more rapid but they have greater detection sensitivity than the culture approach currently used for the detection of M. bovis infection in cattle.. Adoption of the IMS-based methods for lymph node testing would have the potential to improve M. bovis detection in clinical samples.

Stem cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and atherosclerosis

Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into a variety of cells to replace dead cells or to repair tissue. Recently, accumulating evidence indicates that mechanical forces, cytokines and other factors can influence stem cell differentiation into vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In developmental process, SMCs originate from several sources, which show a great heterogenicity in different vessel walls. In adult vessels, SMCs display a less proliferative nature, but are altered in response to risk factors for atherosclerosis. Traditional view on SMC origins in atherosclerotic lesions is challenged by the recent findings that stem cells and smooth muscle progenitors contribute to the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Vascular progenitor cells circulating in human blood and the presence of adventitia in animals are recent discoveries, but the source of these cells is still unknown. The present review gives an update on the progress of stem cell and SMC research in atherosclerosis, and discusses possible mechanisms of stem/progenitor cell differentiation that contribute to the disease process.

Effect of simvastatin on physiological and biological outcomes in patients undergoing esophagectomy: a randomised placebo controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To test whether simvastatin improves physiological and biological outcomes in patients undergoing esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: One-lung ventilation during esophagectomy is associated with inflammation, alveolar epithelial and systemic endothelial injury, and the development of acute lung injury (ALI). Statins that modify many of the underlying processes are a potential therapy to prevent ALI.

METHODS: We conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in patients undergoing esophagectomy. Patients received simvastatin 80 mg or placebo enterally for 4 days preoperatively and 7 days postoperatively. The primary end point was pulmonary dead space (Vd/Vt) at 6 hours after esophagectomy or before extubation. Inflammation was assessed by plasma cytokines and intraoperative exhaled breath condensate pH; alveolar type 1 epithelial injury was assessed by plasma receptor for advanced glycation end products and systemic endothelial injury by the urine albumin-creatinine ratio.

RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were randomized; 8 patients did not undergo surgery and were excluded. Fifteen patients received simvastatin and 16 received placebo. There was no difference in Vd/Vt or other physiological outcomes. Simvastatin resulted in a significant decrease in plasma MCP-1 on day 3 and reduced exhaled breath condensate acidification. Plasma receptor for advanced glycation end products was significantly lower in the simvastatin-treated group, as was the urine albumin-creatinine ratio on day 7 postsurgery. ALI developed in 4 patients in the placebo group and no patients in the simvastatin group although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS: In this proof of concept study, pretreatment with simvastatin in esophagectomy decreased biomarkers of inflammation as well as pulmonary epithelial and systemic endothelial injury.

Catalytic conversion of sodium lignosulphonate to vanillin –engineering aspects. Part 1 Effect of processing conditionson vanillin yield and selectivity

The commercial production of vanillin from sodium lignosulfonate under highly alkaline conditions, catalyzed by Cu2+ at elevated temperature and pressures up to 10 bar, has been simulated in a 3-L stirred reactor. Initially, the process was operated in the presence of nitrogen in dead-end mode, and it was shown that vanillin and vanillic acid were formed by hydrolysis at temperatures of 120, 140, and 160 °C. At the two higher temperatures, the amount of vanillin produced was the same. Subsequently, experiments were conducted at the same elevated pressures and temperatures with addition of air or oxygen-enriched air once the temperature in the reactor had reached temperatures similar to those used when only hydrolysis occurred. In this case, the concentration of vanillin at 140 and 160 °C was equal to that due to hydrolysis, and the subsequent 2-fold increase was due to oxidation. In addition, both vanillic acid and acetovanillone (which has rarely been reported) were produced, as was hydrogen. Thus, for the first time, it has been shown that the production of vanillin (and other compounds) from sodium lignosulfonate at elevated temperatures involves hydrolysis and oxidation, with hydrolysis starting at just above 100 °C, that is, much lower than has previously been reported. Approximately 50% is produced by each mechanism. In addition, the orders of the reactions of the different steps were estimated, and the reaction mechanisms are discussed.

Inventors:Marconi's Device for Dialling the Dear Departed, The Flying Fenian

Two short site-specific pieces performed with others at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show for Kabosh Theatre Company, as part of their continuing effort to broaden theatre audiences. One, using the form of the Edwardian melodrama, tells of Marconi's efforts to create a device to communicate with the dead. The second tells the tale of the Christian Brother who invented the submarine, John Philip Holland.

Eradication of marine biofilms by atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma: A potential approach to control biofouling?

Although the antimicrobial activity of atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasmas, including its capacity to eradicate microbial biofilms, has been gaining an ever increasing interest for different medical applications, its potential utilisation in the control of biofouling and biodeterioration has, to date, received no attention. In this study, the ability of atmospheric pressure plasma to eradicate biofilms of four biofouling bacterial species, frequently encountered in marine environments, was investigated. Biofilms were grown on both polystyrene and stainless steel surfaces before being exposed to the plasma source. Viability and biomass of biofilms were evaluated using colony count method and differential Live/Dead fluorescence staining followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Rapid and complete eradication of all biofilms under study was achieved after plasma exposures ranging from 60 to 120 s. Confocal microscopy examination showed that plasma treatment has mediated not only cell killing but also varying degrees of physical removal of biofilms. Further investigation and tailored development of atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma sources for this particular application could provide an additional powerful and effective weapon in the current anti-biofouling armamentarium.

Microscopic Examination of Biofilm Destruction by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine microscopically the destruction of bacterial biofilms mediated by atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma (APNTP) at cellular level as well as at the level of biofilm structure as a whole. Methods: 3-day old bacterial biofilms were grown on polycarbonate coupons in a dual channel flow cell and were treated with an in-housed designed atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma jet for up to 4 minutes of exposure before being examined by both confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), preceded by Live/Dead bacterial viability staining, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Differential live/dead staining followed by confocal microscopy examination revealed that biofilm eradication by APNTP was mediated by varying levels of both cell killing and physical removal. Relative extent of each mechanism was dependent on plasma operating conditions, bacterial species, growth conditions and biofilm thickness. On the other hand, SEM examination of plasma-exposed biofilms revealed a series of morphological changes exhibited by biofilm cells ranging from increased roughness of cell surface to complete cell lysis. Conclusions: Interesting mechanistic insights have been revealed by microscopic examination of plasma-treated bacterial biofilms that, when coupled with more specific biochemical studies, will not only contribute significantly to our understanding of the mechanism of plasma mediated biofilm destruction but also will help in better application-guided development of this novel anti-biofilm approach.

Keratinocyte Growth-Factor Promotes Epithelial Survival and Resolution in a Human Model of Lung Injury

Rationale: Increasing epithelial repair and regeneration may hasten resolution of lung injury in patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). In animal models of ARDS, Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF) reduces injury and increases epithelial proliferation and repair. The effect of KGF in the human alveolus is unknown.

Objectives: To test whether KGF can attenuate alveolar injury in a human model of ARDS.

Methods: Volunteers were randomized to intravenous KGF (60 μg/kg) or placebo for 3 days, before inhaling 50μg lipopolysaccharide. Six hours later, subjects underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to quantify markers of alveolar inflammation and cell-specific injury.

Measurements and Main Results: KGF did not alter leukocyte infiltration or markers of permeability in response to LPS. KGF increased BAL concentrations of Surfactant Protein D (SP-D), MMP-9, IL-1Ra, GM-CSF and CRP. In vitro, BAL fluid from KGF-treated subjects (KGF BAL) inhibited pulmonary fibroblast proliferation, but increased alveolar epithelial proliferation. Active MMP-9 increased alveolar epithelial wound repair. Finally, BAL from the KGF pre-treated group enhanced macrophage phagocytic uptake of apoptotic epithelial cells and bacteria compared with BAL from the placebo-treated group. This effect was blocked by inhibiting activation of the GM-CSF receptor.

Conclusions: KGF treatment increases BAL SP-D, a marker of type II alveolar epithelial cell proliferation in a human model of ALI. Additionally KGF increases alveolar concentrations of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1Ra, and mediators that drive epithelial repair (MMP-9) and enhance macrophage clearance of dead cells and bacteria (GM-CSF).

Faire parler les morts. Sur Jan Karski et la controverse Lanzmann-Haenel

The Second World War has inspired many French novelists since 1945. Yet, very few of these novels have been harshly criticized by either historians or other critics, Les Bienveillantes (2006) by Jonathan Littell and Jan Karski (2009) by Yannick Haenel being two notable exceptions. This article revisits the controversy between the novelist Yannick Haenel and the critic and film-maker Claude Lanzmann. First, it shows that the important questions raised by Lanzmann are not void of ambiguity, notably because key terms at the heart of this controversy (truth, fiction or even history) were used loosely. Second, this article compares the documentary Le Rapport Karski (2010) to other texts written by Karski and to the full transcription of the interview he gave to Lanzmann in 1978: it shows how Lanzmann's 2010 documentary distorts Karski's testimony to make it comply with historical perspectives that most historians would agree with today. Finally, the author of this article regrets that this controversy did not allow the debate to move beyond the military non-intervention of the Allies.

Testing the cause of the Sphagnum austinii (Sull. ex Aust.) decline: Multiproxy evidence from a raised bog in Northern Ireland

We use a multiproxy palaeoecological dataset from Dead Island bog in Northern Ireland to examine the cause of the Sphagnum austinii (Sphagnum imbricatum) decline. The disappearance of this species from the peat record occurred just after the ‘AD 860’ tephra layer and is coeval with a rapid increase in bog surface wetness and increased mineral dust and charcoal abundance. Although it is difficult to identify one specific cause of the decline, the evidence for increased soil-derived dust is apparent and is supported by regional tephra-dated pollen diagrams that reveal extensive landscape changes due to agricultural intensification in early Medieval Ireland. As the decline of S. austinii occurred much later (~ AD 1860) in Fallahogy bog (~ 1.2 km away), we suggest that the decline of S. austinii at Dead Island was caused by a combination of fire and the deposition of soil-derived dust. We suggest that future studies should consider the use of multiple cores from each site to examine the within-site variability of the decline of S. austinii.

Morphology dependence of the dielectric properties of epitaxial BaTiO3 films and epitaxial BaTiO3/SrTiO3 multilayers

Epitaxial BaTiO3 films and epitaxial BaTiO3/SrTiO3 multilayers were grown by pulsed laser deposition on vicinal surfaces of (001)-oriented Nb-doped SrTiO3 (SrTiO3:Nb) single-crystal substrates. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the surface topography of the deposited films. The morphology of the films, of the BaTiO3/SrTiO3 interfaces, and of the column boundaries was investigated by cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Measurements of the dielectric properties were performed by comparing BaTiO3 films and BaTiO3/SrTiO3 multilayers of different numbers of individual layers, but equal overall thickness. The dielectric loss saturates for a thickness above 300 nm and linearly decreases with decreasing film thickness below a thickness of 75 nm. At the same thickness of 75 nm, the thickness dependence of the dielectric constant also exhibits a change in the linear slope both for BaTiO3 films and BaTiO3/SrTiO3 multilayers. This behaviour is explained by the change observed in the grain morphology at a thickness of 75 nm. For the thickness dependence of the dielectric constant, two phenomenological models are considered, viz. a 'series-capacitor' model and a 'dead-layer' model.

Microstructure and dielectric properties of epitaxial BaTiO3 films and BaTiO3/SrTiO3 multilayers

Epitaxial BaTiO3 films and BaTiO3/SrTiO3 multilayers were grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on (001)-oriented Nb-doped SrTiO3 (SrTiO3:Nb) substrates. Measurements of the dielectric properties were performed comparing BaTiO3 films and BaTiO3/SrTiO3 multilayers of different number of individual layers, but equal overall thickness. The dielectric loss saturates for a thickness above 300 nm, and linearly decreases with decreasing film thickness below a thickness of 75 nm, and it is independent on the number of multilayers, pointing to some interface effect. The thickness dependence of the dielectric constant of BaTiO3 films and BaTiO3/SrTiO3 multilayers; exhibits a change in the linear slope at a thickness of 75 nm. This behavior is explained by the change observed in the morphology at a thickness of 75 nm. In order to explain the thickness dependence of the dielectric constant, two approaches are considered in this paper, viz. a "series capacitor" model and a "dead layer" model.

Measuring and modelling air mass flow rate in the injection stretch blow moulding process

The injection stretch blow moulding process involves the inflation and stretching of a hot preform into a mould to form bottles. A critical process variable and an essential input for process simulations is the rate of pressure increase within the preform during forming, which is regulated by an air flow restrictor valve. The paper describes a set of experiments for measuring the air flow rate within an industrial ISBM machine and the subsequent modelling of it with the FEA package ABAQUS. Two rigid containers were inserted into a Sidel SBO1 blow moulding machine and subjected to different supply pressures and air flow restrictor settings. The pressure and air temperature were recorded for each experiment enabling the mass flow rate of air to be determined along with an important machine characteristic known as the ‘dead volume’. The experimental setup was simulated within the commercial FEA package ABAQUS/Explicit using a combination of structural, fluid and fluid link elements that idealize the air flowing through an orifice behaving as an ideal gas under isothermal conditions. Results between experiment and simulation are compared and show a good correlation.

Time-dependent tegumental surface changes in juvenile Fasciola gigantica in response to triclabendazole treatment in goat

Triclabendazole (TCBZ), the anthelmintic drug active against both mature and immature liver flukes, was used to investigate the effect of in vivo treatment on the tegumental surface of juvenile Fasciola gigantica. Five goats were infected with 150 F. gigantica metacercariae each by oral gavage. Four of them were treated with single dose of TCBZ at 10mg/kg at four weeks post-infection. They were euthanized at 0 (untreated), 24, 48, 72 and 96h post treatment. Juvenile flukes were manually retrieved from the goat livers and processed for scanning electron microscopy. In control flukes, the anterior region was adorned with sharply pointed spines projecting away from the surface, while in the posterior region, spines become shorter and narrower, loosing serration and with the appearance of distinct furrows and papillae. The dorsal surface retained the same pattern of surface architecture similar to that of ventral surface. Flukes obtained from 24h post-treatment did not show any apparent change and were still very active. However, there were limited movements and some blebbing, swelling, deposition of tegumental secretions and some flattening displayed by the flukes of 48h post-treatment. All the worms were found dead 72h post-treatment and showed advanced level of tegumental disruptions, consisting of severe distortion of spines, sloughing off the tegument to expose the basal lamina, formation of pores and isolated patches of lesions. By 96h post-treatment, the disruption was extremely severe and the tegument was completely sheared off causing deeper lesions that exposed the underlying musculature. The disruption was more severe at posterior than anterior region and on ventral than dorsal surface. The present study further establishes the time-course of TCBZ action in vivo with 100% efficacy against the juvenile tropical liver fluke.