Molecular DNA identity of the mouflon of Cyprus (Ovis orientalis ophion, Bovidae): Near Eastern origin and divergence from Western Mediterranean conspecific populations

The mouflon population of Cyprus (Ovis orientalis ophion) comprises historically preserved feral descendants of sheep domesticated during the Neolithic. We determined genetic identity of this taxon in order to elucidate its systematic placement and enforce its protection. We used 12 loci of microsatellite DNA to infer genetic relationships between the Cypriot mouflon and either long-time isolated (Corsica, Sardinia) or recently introduced (central Italy) European mouflons (O. o. musimon). We also sequenced the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Cytochrome-b gene to infer the origin of the Cypriot mouflon including many National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) entries of European and Near Eastern conspecifics. Microsatellites disclosed net divergence between Western Mediterranean and Cypriot mouflon. The latter was included in the highly heterogeneous Near Eastern O. orientalis mtDNA group, Iran representing the most credited region as the source for its ancient introduction to Cyprus. Both international and national legislation protect the mouflon of Cyprus as a wild taxon (O. o. ophion). However, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and NCBI include the Cypriot mouflon as subspecies of its respective domestic species, the sheep (O. aries). Unfortunately, people charged with crime against protected mouflon may benefit from such taxonomic inconsistency between legislation and databases, as the latter can frustrate molecular DNA forensic outcomes. Until a definitive light can be shed on Near Eastern O. orientalis systematics, we suggest that the Cypriot mouflon should be unvaryingly referred to as O. o. ophion in order not to impair conservation in the country where it resides

General flow characteristics in a compliant model of a carotid bifurcation

The flow dynamic characteristics of a compliant model of a human carotid bifurcation were investigated and compared with a rigid model of similar geometry [1,2]. Using Laser Doppler Velocimetry the flowfield was interrogated in two orthogonal planes at different locations along the axis of the internal carotid. The wall motion under physiologic pulsatile conditions was also simultaneously monitored. Complicated flow features such as helical structures and regions of reversed flow were analyzed. Negative velocity regions at the proximal axial locations were augmented temporally and spatially for the compliant model. Helical structures had different temporal characteristics and appeared more spread towards the centerline in the presence of a compliant wall

Shear stress at a compliant model of the human carotid bifurcation

To investigate the role of a compliant wall to the near wall hemodynamic flowfield, two models of the carotid bifurcation were constructed. Both were of identical internal geometries, however, one was made of compliant material which produced approximately the same degree of wall motion as that occurring in vivo while the other one was rigid. The inner geometries were formed from the same mold so that the configurations are directly comparable. Each model was placed in a pulsatile flow system that produced a physiologic flow waveform. Velocity was measured with a single component Laser system and wall shear rate was estimated from near wall data. Wall motion in the compliant model was measured by a wall motion transducer and the maximum diameter change varied between 4-7 percent in the model with the greatest change at the axis intersection. The mean shear stress in the compliant model was observed to be smaller by about 30 percent at most locations. The variation in peak shear stress was greater and occasionally reached as much as 100 percent with the compliant model consistently having smaller positive and negative peaks. The separation point was seen to move further upstream in the compliant cast. The modified flowfield in the presence of a compliant wall can then be important in the hemodynamic theory of atherogenesis. To investigate the role of a compliant wall to the near wall hemodynamic flowfield, two models of the carotid bifurcation were constructed. Both were of identical internal geometries, however, one was made of compliant materials which produced approximately the same degree of wall motion as that occurring in vivo while the other one was rigid. The inner geometries were formed from the same mold so that the configurations are directly comparable. Each model was placed in a pulsatile flow system that produced a physiologic flow waveform. Velocity was measured with a single component Laser system and wall shear rate was estimated from near wall data. Wall motion in the compliant model was measured by a wall motion transducer and the maximum diameter change varied between 4-7 percent in the model with the greatest change at the axis intersection. The mean shear stress in the compliant model was observed to be smaller by about 30 percent at most locations. The variation in peak shear stress was greater and occasionally reached as much as 100 percent with the compliant model consistently having smaller positive and negative peaks. The separation point was seen to move further upstream in the compliant cast. The modified flow field in the presence of a compliant wall can the be important in the hemodynamic theory of atherogenesis

Effects of arterial wall distensibility on the near wall flowfield in a model of a human carotid bifurcation

Arterial wall distensibility is believed to be of secondary importance to the general flowfield of the human carotid artery. However, it has been reported that it may have greater influence on the near wall flow variables such as shear stress and separation zones. To further investigate this factor two models of the carotid bifurcation were constructed. One was rigid and one was made of a compliant material and produced approximately the same degree of wall motion as that occurring in vivo. Each model was placed in a pulsatile flow system and velocities and shear stresses were measured with a single component laser system along the diameter at different axial locations. Wall motion was also measured and the maximum diameter change varied between 4-7% around the model. Lower shear stresses were observed at the locations of measurement in the compliant model. The separation zone during systole was observed to be more extensive radially and axially, upstream of the mid-sinus for the compliant model. In addition, the separation zone was found to be more extensive in time during the pulsatile cycle. These observations in comparison with previously reported data at these locations may be important in a hemodynamic theory of atherogenesis

Fluid dynamics at the carotid bifurcation

Arterial wall distensibility is believed to be of secondary importance to the general flowfield of the human carotid artery. However, it has been reported that it may have greater influence on the near wall flow variables such as shear stress and separation zones (Liepsch et al. 1983, Duncan et al. 1990) To further investigate this factor two models of the carotid bifurcation were constructed. One was rigid and one was made of a compliant material and produced approximately the same degree of wall motion as that occurring in vivo. Each model was placed in a pulsatile flow system and velocities and shear stresses were measured with a single component laser system along the diameter at different axial locations. Wall motion was also measured and the maximum diameter change varied between 4-7% around the model Lower shear stresses were observed at the locations of measurement in the compliant model. The separation zone during systole was observed to be more extensive radially and axially, upstream of the mid-sinus for the compliant model. In addition, the separation zone was found to be more extensive in time during the pulsatile cycle. These observations in comparison with previously reported data (Zarins et al. 1983, Ku et al. 1985) at these locations may be important in a hemodynamic theory of atherogenesis

Preventing maritime transport of pathogens: The remarkable antimicrobial properties of silver-supported catalysts for ship ballast water disinfection

Ship ballast water (SBW) antimicrobial treatment is considered as a priority issue for the shipping industry. The present work investigates the possibility of utilizing antimicrobial catalysis as an effective method for the treatment of SBW. Taking into account the well-known antimicrobial properties of ionic silver (Ag+), five silver-supported catalysts (Ag/gamma-Al2O3) with various loadings (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1 wt%) were prepared and examined for the antimicrobial treatment of SBW. The bactericidal activity of the aforementioned catalysts was investigated towards the inhibition of Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Escherichia faecalis (Gram-positive) bacteria. Catalytic experiments were conducted in a three-phase continuous flow stirred tank reactor, used in a semi-batch mode. It was found that using the catalyst with the lowest metal loading, the inhibition of E. coli reached 95.8% after 30 minutes of treatment of an E. coli bacterial solution, while the inhibition obtained for E. faecalis was 76.2% after 60 minutes of treatment of an E. faecalis bacterial solution. Even better results (100% inhibition after 5 min of reaction) were obtained using the catalysts with higher Ag loadings. The results of the present work indicate that the prepared monometallic catalysts exert their antimicrobial activity within a short period of time, revealing, for the first time ever, that the field of antimicrobial heterogeneous catalysis using deposited ionic silver on a solid support may prove decisive for the disinfection of SBW

Conservation of endemic and threatened wildlife: Molecular forensic DNA against poaching of the Cypriot mouflon (Ovis orientalis ophion, Bovidae)

Molecular DNA techniques in combination with appropriate reference population database and statistical methods are fundamental tools to forensic wildlife investigations. This is even more relevant when taxa with uncertain systematics are involved, as is the case of the genus Ovis (Bovidae), whose evolution has been influenced by multiple events of domestication. The Cypriot mouflon, Ovis orientalis ophion, a protected subspecies endemic to Cyprus, is threatened by poaching. This study deals with a case of alleged poaching that occurred in Cyprus (September, 2010). A car did not stop at a checkpoint and when finally blocked by the police, several bloodstained exhibits (n = 12) were recovered. Three recently deceased mouflons were found by game wardens at the roadside. The Cyprus Veterinary Services established that these animals had been killed by gunshot. As part of the investigation, DNA testing was performed to establish if there was a link between the dead mouflons and the bloodstained exhibits. The mitochondrial Cytochrome-b gene (Cyt-b) and 12 loci of microsatellite DNA were used as markers. The Cyt-b sequences were obtained from 11 exhibits. They were the same as each other and the same as the single haplotype obtained from the three dead mouflons and all the investigated wild Cypriot mouflons (20 individuals). A database of wild mouflons (47 individuals) from which the unknown samples may have originated was generated. The probability of identity (PID) of the microsatellite panel, computed by genotyping all 47 wild mouflons (10 selected loci, PID = 105), allowed us to assign nine exhibits to two out of the three carcasses (seven with very strong support: Likelihood Ratio, LR > 3000 and Random Match Probability, RMP, <103). This study represents the first genetic reference for the Cypriot mouflon and the first published material of forensic wildlife investigations in Cyprus