Does wheat genetically modified for disease resistance affect root-colonizing pseudomonads and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi?

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of genetically modified (GM) wheat with introduced pm3b mildew resistance transgene, on two types of root-colonizing microorganisms, namely pseudomonads and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Our investigations were carried out in field trials over three field seasons and at two locations. Serial dilution in selective King's B medium and microscopy were used to assess the abundance of cultivable pseudomonads and AMF, respectively. We developed a denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method to characterize the diversity of the pqqC gene, which is involved in Pseudomonas phosphate solubilization. A major result was that in the first field season Pseudomonas abundances and diversity on roots of GM pm3b lines, but also on non-GM sister lines were different from those of the parental lines and conventional wheat cultivars. This indicates a strong effect of the procedures by which these plants were created, as GM and sister lines were generated via tissue cultures and propagated in the greenhouse. Moreover, Pseudomonas population sizes and DGGE profiles varied considerably between individual GM lines with different genomic locations of the pm3b transgene. At individual time points, differences in Pseudomonas and AMF accumulation between GM and control lines were detected, but they were not consistent and much less pronounced than differences detected between young and old plants, different conventional wheat cultivars or at different locations and field seasons. Thus, we conclude that impacts of GM wheat on plant-beneficial root-colonizing microorganisms are minor and not of ecological importance. The cultivation-independent pqqC-DGGE approach proved to be a useful tool for monitoring the dynamics of Pseudomonas populations in a wheat field and even sensitive enough for detecting population responses to altered plant physiology.

Gas sensing properties of catalytically modified WO3 with copper and vanadium for NH3 detection

Ammonia gas detection by pure and catalytically modified WO3 based gas sensor was analysed. The sensor response of pure WO3 to NH3 was not only rather low but also presented an abnormal behaviour, probably due to the unselective oxidation of ammonia to NOx. Copper and vanadium were introduced in different concentrations and the resulting material was annealed at different temperatures in order to improve the sensing properties for NH3 detection. The introduction of copper and vanadium as catalytic additives improved the response to NH3 and also eliminated the abnormal behaviour. Possible mechanisms of NH3 reaction over these materials are discussed. Sensor responses to other gases like NO2 or CO and the interference of humidity on ammonia detection were also analysed so as to choose the best sensing element.

Consequences of modified lipid and glucose metabolism on peripheral nervous system structure and function

284 million people worldwide suffered from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in 2010, which will, in approximately half of them, lead to the development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Although DPN is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus and the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations its pathophysiology is still poorly understood. To get more insight into the molecular mechanism underlying DPN in T2DM, I used a rodent model of T2DM, the db/db mice.¦ln vivo electrophysiological recordings of diabetic animals indicated that in addition to reduced nerve conduction velocity db/db mice also present increased nerve excitability. Further ex vivo evaluation of the electrophysiological properties of db/db nerves clearly established a presence of the peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (PNH) phenotype in diabetic animals. Using pharmacological inhibitors we demonstrated that PNH is mostly mediated by the decreased activity of Kv1 channels. ln agreement with these data 1 observed that the diabetic condition led to a reduced presence of the Kv1.2 subunits in juxtaparanodal regions of db/db peripheral nerves whereas its mANA and protein expression levels were not affected. Lmportantly, I confirmed a loss of juxtaparanodal Kv1.2 subunits in nerve biopsies from type 2 diabetic patients. Together these observations indicate that the type 2 diabetic condition leads to potassium-channel mediated changes of nerve excitability thus identifying them as potential drug targets to treat sorne of the DPN related symptoms.¦Schwann cells ensheath and isolate peripheral axons by the production of myelin, which consists of lipids and proteins in a ratio of 2:1. Peripheral myelin protein 2 (= P2, Pmp2 or FABP8) was originally described as one of the most abundant myelin proteins in the peripheral nervous system. P2, which is a member of the fatty acid binding protein (FABP) family, is a 14.8 kDa cytosolic protein expressed on the cytoplasmic side of compact myelin membranes. As indicated by their name, the principal role of FABPs is thought to be the binding and transport of fatty acids.¦To study its role in myelinating glial cells I have recently generated a complete P2 knockout mouse model (P2-/-). I confirmed the loss of P2 in the sciatic nerve of P2-/- mice at the mRNA and protein level. Electrophysiological analysis of the adult (P56) mutant mice revealed a mild but significant reduction in the motor nerve conduction velocity. lnterestingly, this functional change was not accompanied by any detectable alterations in general myelin structure. However, I have observed significant alterations in the mRNA expression level of other FABPs, predominantly FABP9, in the PNS of P2-/- mice as compared to age-matched P2+/+ mice indicating a role of P2 in the glial myelin lipid metabolism.¦Le diabète de type 2 touche 284 million de personnes dans le monde en 2010 et son évolution conduit dans la moitié des cas à une neuropathie périphérique diabétique. Bien que la neuropathie périphérique soit la complication la plus courante du diabète pouvant conduire jusqu'à l'amputation, sa physiopathologie est aujourd'hui encore mal comprise. Dans le but d'améliorer les connaissances moléculaires expliquant les mécanismes de la neuropathie liée au diabète de type 2, j'ai utilisé un modèle murin du diabète de type 2, les souris db/db.¦ln vivo, les enregistrements éléctrophysiologiques des animaux diabétiques montrent qu'en plus d'une diminution de la vitesse de conduction nerveuse, les souris db/db présentent également une augmentation de l'excitabilité nerveuse. Des mesures menées Ex­ vivo ont montré l'existence d'un phénotype d'hyperexcitabilité sur les nerfs périphériques isolés d'animaux diabétiques. Grâce à l'utilisation d'inhibiteurs pharmacologiques, nous avons pu démontrer que l'hyperexcitabilité démontrée était due à une réduction d'activité des canaux Kv1. En accord avec ces données, j'ai observé qu'une situation de diabète conduisait à une diminution des canaux Kv1.2 aux régions juxta-paranodales des nerfs périphériques db/db, alors que l'expression du transcrit et de la protéine restait stable. J'ai également confirmé l'absence de canaux Kv1.2 aux juxta-paranoeuds de biopsies de nerfs de patients diabétiques. L'ensemble de ces observations montrent que les nerfs périphériques chez les patients atteints de diabète de type 2 est due à une diminution des canaux potassiques rapides juxtaparanodaux les identifiant ainsi comme des cibles thérapeutiques potentielles.¦Les cellules de Schwann enveloppent et isolent les axones périphériques d'une membrane spécialisée, la myéline, composée de deux fois plus de lipides que de protéines. La protéine P2 (Pmp2 "peripheral myelin protein 2" ou FABP8 "fatty acid binding protein") est l'une des protéines les plus abondantes au système nerveux périphérique. P2 appartient à la famille de protéines FABP liant et transportant les acides gras et est une protéine cytosolique de 14,8 kDa exprimée du côté cytoplasmique de la myéline compacte.¦Afin d'étudier le rôle de P2 dans les cellules de Schwann myélinisantes, j'ai généré une souris knockout (P2-/-). Après avoir validé l'absence de transcrit et de protéine P2 dans les nerfs sciatiques P2-/-, des mesures électrophysiologiques ont montré une réduction modérée mais significative de la vitesse de conduction du nerf moteur périphérique. Il est important de noter que ces changements fonctionnels n'ont pas pu être associés à quelconque changement dans la structure de la myéline. Cependant, j'ai observé dans les nerfs périphériques P2-/-, une altération significative du niveau d'expression d'ARNm d'autres FABPs et en particulier FABP9. Ce dernier résultat démontre l'importance du rôle de la protéine P2 dans le métabolisme lipidique de la myéline.

Iowa Gold Star Museum : established in 1985, 2001.

Information brochure on the Iowa Gold Star Museum.

Microvascular changes in late-life schizophrenia and mood disorders: stereological assessment of capillary diameters in anterior cingulate cortex.

AIMS: Previous neuroimaging reports described morphological and functional abnormalities in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in schizophrenia and mood disorders. In earlier neuropathological studies, microvascular changes that could affect brain perfusion in these disorders have rarely been studied. Here, we analysed morphological parameters of capillaries in this area in elderly cases affected by these psychiatric disorders. METHODS: We analysed microvessel diameters in the dorsal and subgenual parts of the ACC in eight patients with schizophrenia, 10 patients with sporadic bipolar disorder, eight patients with sporadic major depression, and seven age- and gender-matched control cases on sections stained with modified Gallyas silver impregnation using a stereological counting approach. All individuals were drug-naïve or had received psychotropic medication for less than 6 months, and had no history of substance abuse. Statistical analysis included Kruskal-Wallis group comparisons with Bonferroni correction as well as multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Mean capillary diameter was significantly decreased in the dorsal and subgenual parts of areas 24 in bipolar and unipolar depression cases, both in layers III and V, whereas schizophrenia patients were comparable with controls. These differences persisted when controlling for age, local neuronal densities, and cortical thickness. In addition, cortical thickness was significantly smaller in both layers in schizophrenia patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that capillary diameters in bipolar and unipolar depression but not in schizophrenia are reduced in ACC. The significance of these findings is discussed in the light of the cytoarchitecture, brain metabolism and perfusion changes observed in ACC in mood disorders.

Adubação N-P-K e o desenvolvimento, produtividade e qualidade dos frutos do abacaxi 'gold' (MD-2)

O abacaxi Gold (MD-2) tem atraído interesse no Brasil, visando à exportação. No entanto, há poucas informações científicas no País sobre o manejo nutricional dessa cultivar. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo determinar o efeito da adubação com N, P e K no estado nutricional da planta, no desenvolvimento, na produtividade e na qualidade dos frutos do abacaxi MD-2. Foram avaliados os efeitos de cinco doses de N, cinco de P2O5 e cinco de K 2O sobre as características de crescimento da folha D e do fruto, bem como sobre os teores de N, P e K das folhas D e as características de qualidade do fruto. Concluiu-se que as maiores produtividade e massa de fruto foram obtidas com a aplicação de 650,6 kg ha-1 de N e 735,9 kg ha-1 de K2O, correspondendo a 12,7 e 14,4 g/planta de N e K2O, respectivamente. Nesse caso, a indução floral deve ser recomendada quando a folha D apresentar comprimento > 75,5 cm. Os valores das características de qualidade do fruto diminuíram com a aplicação de N e aumentaram com a adição de P e K, sendo que as doses máximas de 205,8 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e 703,4 kg ha-1 de K2O corresponderam a 4,01 e 13,7 g/planta de N e K2O, respectivamente.

Intranasal administration of the synthetic polypeptide from the C-terminus of the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium berghei with the modified heat-labile toxin of Escherichia coli (LTK63) induces a complete protection against malaria challenge.

Needle-free procedures are very attractive ways to deliver vaccines because they diminish the risk of contamination and may reduce local reactions, pain or pain fear especially in young children with a consequence of increasing the vaccination coverage for the whole population. For this purpose, the possible development of a mucosal malaria vaccine was investigated. Intranasal immunization was performed in BALB/c mice using a well-studied Plasmodium berghei model antigen derived from the circumsporozoite protein with the modified heat-labile toxin of Escherichia coli (LTK63), which is devoid of any enzymatic activity compared to the wild type form. Here, we show that intranasal administration of the two compounds activates the T and B cell immune response locally and systemically. In addition, a total protection of mice is obtained upon a challenge with live sporozoites.

Replication of an ivg protocol to estimate bioaccessible arsenic in materials from a gold mining area in Brazil

Tests for bioaccessibility are useful in human health risk assessment. No research data with the objective of determining bioaccessible arsenic (As) in areas affected by gold mining and smelting activities have been published so far in Brazil. Samples were collected from four areas: a private natural land reserve of Cerrado; mine tailings; overburden; and refuse from gold smelting of a mining company in Paracatu, Minas Gerais. The total, bioaccessible and Mehlich-1-extractable As levels were determined. Based on the reproducibility and the accuracy/precision of the in vitro gastrointestinal (IVG) determination method of bioaccessible As in the reference material NIST 2710, it was concluded that this procedure is adequate to determine bioaccessible As in soil and tailing samples from gold mining areas in Brazil. All samples from the studied mining area contained low percentages of bioaccessible As.

Spin filtering through ferromagnetic BiMnO3 tunnel barriers

We report on experiments of spin filtering through ultrathin single-crystal layers of the insulating and ferromagnetic oxide BiMnO3 (BMO). The spin polarization of the electrons tunneling from a gold electrode through BMO is analyzed with a counterelectrode of the half-metallic oxide La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 (LSMO). At 3 K we find a 50% change of the tunnel resistances according to whether the magnetizations of BMO and LSMO are parallel or opposite. This effect corresponds to a spin-filtering efficiency of up to 22%. Our results thus show the potential of complex ferromagnetic insulating oxides for spin filtering and injection.

Modified Blalock Taussig shunt: a not-so-simple palliative procedure.

OBJECTIVES: Thirty-two consecutive isolated modified Blalock Taussig (BT) shunts performed in infancy since 2004 were reviewed and analysed to identify the risk factors for shunt intervention and mortality. METHODS: Sternotomy was the only approach used. Median age and weight were 10.5 (range 1-74) days and 2.9 (1.9-4.4) kg, respectively. Shunt palliation was performed for biventricular hearts (Tetralogy of Fallot/double outlet right ventricle/transposition of great arteries_ventricular septal defect_pulmonary stenosis/pulmonary atresia_ventricular septal defect/others) in 21, and univentricular hearts in 11, patients. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome patients were excluded. Two procedures required cardiopulmonary bypass. Median shunt size was 3.5 (3-4) mm and median shunt size/kg body weight was 1.2 (0.9-1.7) mm/kg. Reduction in shunt size was necessary in 5 of 32 (16%) patients. RESULTS: Three of 32 (9%) patients died after 3 (1-15) days due to cardiorespiratory decompensation. Lower body weight (P = 0.04) and bigger shunt size/kg of body weight (P = 0.004) were significant risk factors for mortality. Acute shunt thrombosis was observed in 3 of 32 (9%), none leading to death. Need for cardiac decongestive therapy was associated with univentricular hearts (P < 0.001), bigger shunt size (P = 0.054) and longer hospital stay (P = 0.005). Twenty-eight patients have undergone a successful shunt takedown at a median age of 5.5 (0.5-11.9) months, without late mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Palliation with a modified BT shunt continues to be indicated despite increased thrust on primary corrective surgery. Though seemingly simple, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Effective over-shunting and acute shunt thrombosis are the lingering problems of shunt therapy.

Magmatic-dominated fluid evolution in the Jurassic Nambija gold skarn deposits (southeastern Ecuador)

The Jurassic (approximately 145 Ma) Nambija oxidized gold skarns are hosted by the Triassic volcanosedimentary Piuntza unit in the sub-Andean zone of southeastern Ecuador. The skarns consist dominantly of granditic garnet (Ad(20-98)) with subordinate pyroxene (Di(46-92)Hd(17-42)Jo(0-19)) and epidote and are spatially associated with porphyritic quartz-diorite to granodiorite intrusions. Endoskarn is developed at the intrusion margins and grades inwards into a potassic alteration zone. Exoskarn has an outer K- and Na-enriched zone in the volcanosedimentary unit. Gold mineralization is associated with the weakly developed retrograde alteration of the exoskarn and occurs mainly in sulfide-poor vugs and milky quartz veins and veinlets in association with hematite. Fluid inclusion data for the main part of the prograde stage indicate the coexistence of high-temperature (500A degrees C to > 600A degrees C), high-salinity (up to 65 wt.% eq. NaCl), and moderate- to low-salinity aqueous-carbonic fluids interpreted to have been trapped at pressures around 100-120 MPa, corresponding to about 4-km depth. Lower-temperature (510-300A degrees C) and moderate- to low-salinity (23-2 wt.% eq. NaCl) aqueous fluids are recorded in garnet and epidote of the end of the prograde stage. The microthermometric data (Th from 513A degrees C to 318A degrees C and salinity from 1.0 to 23 wt.% eq. NaCl) and delta(18)O values between 6.2aEuro degrees and 11.5aEuro degrees for gold-bearing milky quartz from the retrograde stage suggest that the ore-forming fluid was dominantly magmatic. Pressures during the early retrograde stage were in the range of 50-100 MPa, in line with the evidence for CO(2) effervescence and probable local boiling. The dominance of magmatic low-saline to moderately saline oxidizing fluids during the retrograde stage is consistent with the depth of the skarn system, which could have delayed the ingression of external fluids until relatively low temperatures were reached. The resulting low water-to-rock ratios explain the weak retrograde alteration and the compositional variability of chlorite, essentially controlled by host rock compositions. Gold was precipitated at this stage as a result of cooling and pH increase related to CO(2) effervescence, which both result in destabilization of gold-bearing chloride complexes. Significant ingression of external fluids took place after gold deposition only, as recorded by delta(18)O values of 0.4aEuro degrees to 6.2aEuro degrees for fluids depositing quartz (below 350A degrees C) in sulfide-rich barren veins. Low-temperature (< 300A degrees C) meteoric fluids (delta(18)O(water) between -10.0aEuro degrees and -2.0aEuro degrees) are responsible for the precipitation of late comb quartz and calcite in cavities and veins and indicate mixing with cooler fluids of higher salinities (about 100A degrees C and 25 wt.% eq. NaCl). The latter are similar to low-temperature fluids (202-74.5A degrees C) with delta(18)O values of -0.5aEuro degrees to 3.1aEuro degrees and salinities in the range of 21.1 to 17.3 wt.% eq. CaCl(2), trapped in calcite of late veins and interpreted as basinal brines. Nambija represents a deep equivalent of the oxidized gold skarn class, the presence of CO(2) in the fluids being partly a consequence of the relatively deep setting at about 4-km depth. As in other Au-bearing skarn deposits, not only the prograde stage but also the gold-precipitating retrograde stage is dominated by fluids of magmatic origin.

In vitro susceptibility to pentavalent antimony in Leishmania infantum strains is not modified during in vitro or in vivo passages but is modified after host treatment with meglumine antimoniate

Background: Leishmaniasis is a common parasitic disease in Southern Europe, caused by Leishmania infantum. The failures of current treatment with pentavalent antimonials are partially attributable to the emergence of antimony-resistant Leishmania strains. This study analyses the in vitro susceptibility to pentavalent antimony of intracellular amastigotes from a range of L. infantum strains, derived from the same infected animal, during in vitro and in vivo passages and after host treatment with meglumine antimoniate. Results: SbV-IC50 values for strains from two distinct isolates from the same host and one stock after two years of culture in NNN medium and posterior passage to hamster were similar (5.0 ± 0.2; 4.9 ± 0.2 and 4.4 ± 0.1 mgSbV/L, respectively). In contrast, a significant difference (P < 0.01, t test) was observed between the mean SbV-IC50 values in the stocks obtained before and after treatment of hosts with meglumine antimoniate (4.7 ± 0.4 mgSbV/L vs. 7.7 ± 1.5 mgSbV/L). Drug-resistance after drug pressure in experimentally infected dogs increased over repeated drug administration (6.4 ± 0.5 mgSbV/L after first treatment vs. 8.6 ± 1.4 mgSbV/L after the second) (P < 0.01, t test). Conclusions: These results confirm previous observations on strains from Leishmania/HIV co-infected patients and indicate the effect of the increasing use of antimony derivatives for treatment of canine leishmaniasis in endemic areas on the emergence of Leishmania antimony-resistant strains.

Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt with compensatory properties.

Determination of the proper length of the tubular prosthesis is a major issue when performing a systemic-pulmonary artery shunt. The procedure is simplified by using a prosthesis with accordionlike properties. This was demonstrated in 7 consecutive infants with complex congenital heart defects, in whom systemic-pulmonary artery shunts were placed without early or late complications.

Modified Sheet Pile Abutments for Low-Volume Road Bridges, January 2012

To date there have been few investigations of the substructures in low-volume road (LVR) bridges. Steel sheet piling has the potential to provide an economical alternative to concrete bridge abutments, but it needs investigation with regard to vertical and lateral load resistance, construction methods, and performance monitoring. The objectives of this project were to develop a design approach for sheet pile bridge abutments for short-span low-volume bridges, formulate an instrumentation and monitoring plan to evaluate performance of sheet pile abutment systems, and understand the cost and construction effort associated with building the sheet pile bridge abutment demonstration project. Three demonstration projects (Boone, Blackhawk, and Tama Counties) were selected for the design, construction, and monitoring of sheet pile abutments bridges. Each site was unique and required site-specific design and instrumentation monitoring. The key findings from this study include the following: (1) sheet pile abutment bridges provide an effective solution for LVR bridges, (2) the measured stresses and deflection were different from the assumed where the differences reflect conservatism in the design and the complex field conditions, and (3) additional research is needed to optimize the design.