Abnormal prenatal brain development in Chiari II malformation

IntroductionThe Chiari II is a relatively common birth defect that is associated with open spinal abnormalities and is characterized by caudal migration of the posterior fossa contents through the foramen magnum. The pathophysiology of Chiari II is not entirely known, and the neurobiological substrate beyond posterior fossa findings remains unexplored. We aimed to identify brain regions altered in Chiari II fetuses between 17 and 26 GW.MethodsWe used in vivo structural T2-weighted MRIs of 31 fetuses (6 controls and 25 cases with Chiari II).ResultsThe results of our study indicated altered development of diencephalon and proliferative zones (ventricular and subventricular zones) in fetuses with a Chiari II malformation compared to controls. Specifically, fetuses with Chiari II showed significantly smaller volumes of the diencephalon and significantly larger volumes of lateral ventricles and proliferative zones.DiscussionWe conclude that regional brain development should be taken into consideration when evaluating prenatal brain development in fetuses with Chiari II

Current Status of Carpet Waste Generation, Disposal and Diversion from Landfills

Data was collected from carpet manufacturers and suppliers, reclaimable materials handlers and recyclers, and federal and local government agencies to quantify current material usage for carpet manufacturing, post-industrial and post-consumer carpet waste generation, waste disposal in landfills, and waste diversion for reuse, recycling, and energy generation, among others. The data provides a basis for assessing the impact of CARE on waste diversion in coming years

Technical and Economic Aspects of Utilizing Wool Composts in Horticultural Markets

Composts produced from a mixture of wool processing by-products and other components (e.g., wood-shavings, cotton-gin trash, biosolids, etc.) have a high content of major nutrients (NPK), high water holding capacity, and low levels of soluble salts, and they have slightly acidic to neutral pH. These composts were successfully used to grow ornamentals in a greenhouse, to establish turfgrass from seeds, and to produce sod on plastic. The market research showed that, in Georgia, the turfgrass industry and retail garden centers would be the largest and most profitable markets for wool-based composts and potting mixes, respectively. Cost-volume-profit analysis (CVP) indicated that production and sale of about 15,000 tons of the compost product would be a break-even point in units for the composting side of a hypothetical business. Since composting is also a waste management operation, revenues from accepting waste (tipping fees) can improve business profitability and, therefore, lower the break-even point

Bioconversion of Wool Industry Solid Wastes to Value-Added Products

[Yang, C.Q. and Zhang, L. listed on program, but not found on document]Two wool industry solid wastes presently landfilled were characterized for their potential for bioconversion to a value added product. The fibrous wastes were tested for physical and chemical properties and baseline biological degradation tests were performed. Carbon amendments were mixed with the wool waste and increased bio-stabilization was evaluated. The product of bioconverison was tested for chemical and agronomic properties, stability and phytotoxicity and weed seed destruction. Cotton gin trash was found to be the best among tested amendments, and it was seen that amending the wool wastes and composting increased its stability and reduced phytotoxicity. Weed seeds were present in fresh cotton gin trash, however, no germination of weed seeds were seen in any of the composted materials. It is felt that the final product can serve as a good slow N-release, highly water retaining soil amendment. Further work needs to be performed to enhance the physical nature of the product making it more suitable for storage, transportation and application

Adaptation in a Fibronectin Binding Autolysin of Staphylococcus saprophyticus

ABSTRACT Human-pathogenic bacteria are found in a variety of niches, including free-living, zoonotic, and microbiome environments. Identifying bacterial adaptations that enable invasive disease is an important means of gaining insight into the molecular basis of pathogenesis and understanding pathogen emergence. Staphylococcus saprophyticus, a leading cause of urinary tract infections, can be found in the environment, food, animals, and the human microbiome. We identified a selective sweep in the gene encoding the Aas adhesin, a key virulence factor that binds host fibronectin. We hypothesize that the mutation under selection (aas_2206A>C) facilitates colonization of the urinary tract, an environment where bacteria are subject to strong shearing forces. The mutation appears to have enabled emergence and expansion of a human-pathogenic lineage of S. saprophyticus. These results demonstrate the power of evolutionary genomic approaches in discovering the genetic basis of virulence and emphasize the pleiotropy and adaptability of bacteria occupying diverse niches. IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus saprophyticus is an important cause of urinary tract infections (UTI) in women; such UTI are common, can be severe, and are associated with significant impacts to public health. In addition to being a cause of human UTI, S. saprophyticus can be found in the environment, in food, and associated with animals. After discovering that UTI strains of S. saprophyticus are for the most part closely related to each other, we sought to determine whether these strains are specially adapted to cause disease in humans. We found evidence suggesting that a mutation in the gene aas is advantageous in the context of human infection. We hypothesize that the mutation allows S. saprophyticus to survive better in the human urinary tract. These results show how bacteria found in the environment can evolve to cause disease

Image_2_Abnormal prenatal brain development in Chiari II malformation.jpg

IntroductionThe Chiari II is a relatively common birth defect that is associated with open spinal abnormalities and is characterized by caudal migration of the posterior fossa contents through the foramen magnum. The pathophysiology of Chiari II is not entirely known, and the neurobiological substrate beyond posterior fossa findings remains unexplored. We aimed to identify brain regions altered in Chiari II fetuses between 17 and 26 GW.MethodsWe used in vivo structural T2-weighted MRIs of 31 fetuses (6 controls and 25 cases with Chiari II).ResultsThe results of our study indicated altered development of diencephalon and proliferative zones (ventricular and subventricular zones) in fetuses with a Chiari II malformation compared to controls. Specifically, fetuses with Chiari II showed significantly smaller volumes of the diencephalon and significantly larger volumes of lateral ventricles and proliferative zones.DiscussionWe conclude that regional brain development should be taken into consideration when evaluating prenatal brain development in fetuses with Chiari II.</p

Image_1_Abnormal prenatal brain development in Chiari II malformation.jpg

IntroductionThe Chiari II is a relatively common birth defect that is associated with open spinal abnormalities and is characterized by caudal migration of the posterior fossa contents through the foramen magnum. The pathophysiology of Chiari II is not entirely known, and the neurobiological substrate beyond posterior fossa findings remains unexplored. We aimed to identify brain regions altered in Chiari II fetuses between 17 and 26 GW.MethodsWe used in vivo structural T2-weighted MRIs of 31 fetuses (6 controls and 25 cases with Chiari II).ResultsThe results of our study indicated altered development of diencephalon and proliferative zones (ventricular and subventricular zones) in fetuses with a Chiari II malformation compared to controls. Specifically, fetuses with Chiari II showed significantly smaller volumes of the diencephalon and significantly larger volumes of lateral ventricles and proliferative zones.DiscussionWe conclude that regional brain development should be taken into consideration when evaluating prenatal brain development in fetuses with Chiari II.</p