Ablative Z-Pinch Pulsed Plasma Thruster

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/77148/1/AIAA-4362-652.pd

Prevalence of contagious and environmental mastitis-causing bacteria in bulk tank milk and its relationships with milking practices of dairy cattle herds in São Miguel Island (Azores)

This study aimed to assess the degree of contamination of bulk tank milk (BTM) by Staphylococcus spp. and coliform bacteria and to identify major milking practices that help perpetuate them in dairy cattle herds in São Miguel Island. In July 2014, BTM was sampled and a survey concerning local milking practices was conducted on 100 herds. Semi quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction detected coagulase-negative staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and other coliform bacteria (Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, andSerratia marcescens) in 100, 75, 59, and 35 % of BTM, respectively. According to multivariable univariate models, on herds not using hot water for cleaning the milking machine and teat liners, there was at least 3.4 more odds (P<0.01) to have S. aureus or coliform bacteria contamination in BTM. The likelihoodoffinding S.aureus inBTMwas higher(P<0.001)on herds without high hygiene during milking, when milking mastitic cows at the end, on abrupt cessation of milking at dry-off, and official milk control implementation. The glove use also favored (odds ratio (OR) 5.8; P<0.01)thedetection ofcoliformbacteriainBTM.Poormilkingpracticesidentified in this study should be avoided in order to decrease S. aureus and coliform bacteria contamination of BTM. Other factors associated with milk quality in São Miguel Island also should be further investigated

Wpływ stosunku stężeń limfocytów do bakterii oraz toksyn bakteryjnych na śmierć limfocytów sutków jałówek

Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus uberis delay apoptosis of bovine mammary gland lymphocytes following intramammary infusion and in in vitro studies with lymphocyte-bacteria ratio 1:1. In this study, we investigated the effect of different lymphocyte-bacteria ratios on apoptosis of bovine mammary gland lymphocytes in vitro. We found out that lymphocyte-bacteria (S. aureus or S. uberis) ratios 1:10, 1:50 and 1:100 have different effect on apoptosis of lymphocytes than ratio 1:1. Lymphocyte apoptosis was induced 6 hours following incubation with S. aureus or S. uberis with mentioned ratios (1:10, 1:50 and 1:100). In our previous preliminary experiments focused on exploration of chemical components of bacteria on apoptosis of lymphocytes, we established the effect of muramyl dipeptide and lipopolysaccharide on lymphocyte apoptosis only in vitro. Therefore, in the second part of the present study we focused our experiments on investigation of the effect of Gram-negative bacterial toxin lipopolysaccharide on apoptosis of bovine mammary gland lymphocytes in vivo. The results of these experiments suggest that lipopolysaccharide induces apoptosis of lymphocytes following intramammary application. These data need next exploration to reveal detail effects of bacteria or bacterial toxins on lymphocyte programmed cell death in connection with inflammatory process

Validity of temperature, duration, and vessel seal on 24-hour urinary hydration markers.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of storage temperature, duration, and storage vessel seal on 24 h urinary hydration markers. Twenty-one males (n = 8) and females (n = 13) (mean±SD; age, 24±5 y; body mass, 68.9±24.2 kg; height, 160.2±32.1 cm) without a history of renal disease or currently taking any medications or supplements known to affect the accuracy of urinary hydration markers were enrolled in this study. Participants provided a 24 h urine sample in a clean container with each urine sample being separate into four separate containers, two in each of the following temperatures: 7°C and 22°C. One specimen container at each temperature was either sealed using the manufacturers cap (single sealed) or the manufacturers cap plus laboratory wrapping film (double sealed). Each sample was analyzed after 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10 days. Urine samples were assessed for urine osmolality (UOSMO), urine specific gravity (USG) and urine color (UCOL). UOSMO was stable at 7°C for two days (mean difference [95% CI]; +1 mmol·kg-1 [0+3], p>0.05) and three days (+1 mmol·kg-1 [0, +3], p>0.05) for single sealed and double sealed containers, respectively. USG measures were stable for singled sealed and double sealed for up to ten days when stored at 22°C. UCOL measures were maintained for up to three days in all storage methods (p>0.05). In conclusion, if immediate analysis is unavailable, such as in the case of field based or longitudinal research, it is recommended that 24 h urine samples are stored in a refrigerated environment and hydration markers (UOSMO and UCOL) be assessed within 48 h

Molecular evidence for the polyphyletic origin of low pH adaptation in the genus Klebsormidium (Klebsormidiophyceae, Streptophyta)

Background and aims – Algae living in low pH environments have been the subject of numerous studies, but their phylogenetic relationships with relatives found in non-acidic habitats are poorly known. In the present study we analyzed the morphology and phylogeny of acid-adapted strains of Klebsormidium, a genus of filamentous green algae frequently present in low pH environments. Methods – Eighteen strains of Klebsormidium were collected from from low pH habitats in Europe and U.S.A., mainly from terrestrial sites affected directly or indirectly by carbon mining activities. These algae were isolated in culture and their phylogenetic relationships were studied using rbcL and ITS rDNA sequence data in a concatenated dataset. Key results – In the molecular phylogeny the strains of Klebsormidium living in low pH habitats formed a polyphyletic assemblage. They were representative of sixteen lineages and corresponded morphologically to six species (K. crenulatum, K. elegans, K. flaccidum, K. fluitans, K. nitens, K. scopulinum), with the exception of four strains for which an unambiguous identification was not possible. Conclusions – The genus Klebsormidium is a group of morphologically and physiologically dynamic algae in which the capacity of adaptation to low pH conditions has been developed multiple times independently. Extreme acidophilic populations probably originate from populations of various species growing locally when strongly acidic habitats become available. For the acid-adapted lineages of Klebsormidium examined here the current known distribution is geographically restricted, with the exception of a lineage containing strains from Czech Republic, New Zealand and Ohio

Characterization of the Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance against DMI Fungicides in Cercospora beticola Populations from the Czech Republic

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the fungal pathogen Cercospora beticola, is the most important foliar pathogen of sugar beet worldwide. Extensive reliance on fungicides to manage CLS has resulted in the evolution of fungicide resistance in C. beticola worldwide, including populations in the Czech Republic. One important class of fungicides used to manage CLS is the sterol demethylation inhibitors (DMI). The aim of our study was to assess DMI resistance in C. beticola from the Czech Republic and elucidate the molecular basis of DMI resistance in this population. A total of 50 isolates were collected in 2018 and 2019 from the major sugar beet growing regions of the Czech Republic and assessed for in vitro sensitivity to the DMI fungicides propiconazole, prochloraz, and epoxiconazole. These analyses identified three strains that exhibited 50% effective concentration (EC50) values &gt; 1.0 &mu;g mL&ndash;1 against respective fungicides, which were therefore considered resistant. In contrast, strains that exhibited lowest EC50 values were considered sensitive. To explore the molecular basis of resistance in these three strains, the cytochrome P450-dependent sterol 14&alpha;-demethylase (Cyp51) gene was sequenced. Sequence analysis identified a Y464S mutation in all three resistant strains. To assess whether Cyp51 gene expression may play a role in DMI resistance, selected strains were grown in vitro with and without fungicide treatment. These analyses indicated that Cyp51 gene expression was significantly induced after fungicide treatment. Thus, we conclude that Y464S point mutation along with induced Cyp51 gene overexpression is likely responsible for resistance against DMI fungicides in C. beticola from the Czech Republic

Campylobacter coli cultured from the stools of a patient with immunoproliferative small intestinal disease

International audienceCampylobacter has been associated with immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID), on the basis of 16S rDNA sequencing, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Here, for the first time, we have cultured Campylobacter from the stools of a patient with IPSID. Phenotypic analysis and whole genome sequencing identified Campylobacter coli. PCR on a IPSID tissue biopsy sample was positive for Campylobacter coli and negative for Campylobacter jejuni. These findings further support a causative role for Campylobacter in the development of IPSID