bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of Larval Florida Pompano Fed Nauplii of the Calanoid Copepod Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus
Authors: Cassiano Eric J , Ohs Cortney L , Weirich Charles R , Breen Nancy E , Rhyne Andrew L
Published: August 2012

The Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus is a highly prized marine fish species, the larviculture of which currently includes the feeding of live rotifers and nauplii of brine shrimp Artemia spp. However, no previous studies have evaluated the feeding of copepod nauplii. In this study, the growth and survival of Florida pompano larvae fed nauplii of the calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus were compared with those of larvae fed the standard reference diet of enriched rotifers Brachionus plicatilis. Experiments were conducted during the first 7–9 d posthatch (DPH), a period preceding the provision of Artemia nauplii. Treatments included feeding only copepod nauplii during the first day, the first three days, and on all days, as well as copepod nauplii mixed with rotifers during the entire experiment. In addition, the dietary effects on larval fatty acid composition were examined. Feeding copepod nauplii at a density of 2.0–3.5 nauplii/mL during the first day or the first three days of feeding had advantages over feeding only rotifers. However, after approximately 3 DPH, increased quantities of nauplii were needed to provide sufficient nutrients for growth. This was demonstrated in larvae fed copepod nauplii for the entire trial, for which survival was significantly higher than for the other treatments but for which growth was significantly reduced. Larvae fed a mixture of rotifers and nauplii for the entire trial had survival similar to that of larvae fed only rotifers (∼40%); however, growth was greater in larvae fed the mixed diet, suggesting that there is a nutritional advantage to including copepods in the diet. Fatty acid analyses revealed that increased levels of docosahexaenoic acid were associated with larvae fed copepods, which probably contributed to the observed higher survival and growth. These results indicate that there are multiple benefits to feeding copepods to Florida pompano larvae.

Received June 6, 2010; accepted August 10, 2010
Production Performance and Stress Tolerance of Sunshine Bass Raised on Reduced Fish Meal Feeds Containing Ethanol Yeast
Authors: Gause Brian , Trushenski Jesse
Published: August 2012

Ethanol yeast (EY) has been shown to be an effective alternative to fish meal (FM) in diets of sunshine bass (female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis). Diets containing blends of FM and EY yield production performance similar or superior to that of diets containing no EY. Complete replacement of FM with EY, however, reduces feed palatability, impairs production performance, and may affect other aspects of livestock vigor. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to determine the effects of dietary EY inclusion (with or without a palatant) on the feed intake, growth performance, and physiological robustness of sunshine bass after stressor exposure. Formulations were developed containing 15, 7.5, and 0% FM with EY as the primary alternative protein source. Experimental diets were prepared according to these formulations with and without the addition of 1% soluble canola protein concentrate as a palatant. Replicate tanks of juvenile sunshine bass (∼4.4 g) were fed the experimental feeds twice daily to apparent satiation for 9 weeks. Production performance was assessed, and then the fish were subjected to a 2-min net-chasing stress challenge protocol. Tissue samples were collected to allow for the determination of organosomatic indices and pre- and postchallenge hematology. Complete replacement of FM with EY resulted in reduced growth performance and efficiency and significantly altered whole-body proximate composition, reducing carcass protein and increasing carcass lipid. Palatant inclusion had no effect on diet acceptance or production performance. Plasma glucose and lysozyme activity were significantly affected by stress; however, dietary treatment did not affect these parameters. While cortisol levels were marginally higher among stressed fish, they were higher than expected in unstressed fish. Our results confirm previous research suggesting that the optimal level of FM in EY-based sunshine bass feed is between 7.5% and 15%. Further research is needed to fully understand the utilization of these feeds and their effects on the physiological status of sunshine bass.

Received July 13, 2010; accepted October 1, 2010
Precision of Striped Bass Fry Density Estimates
Authors: Matlock Gary C
Published: August 2012

Many fisheries for striped bass Morone saxatilis in the United States are supported by stocking hatchery-reared fish. Fingerlings are usually obtained by spawning adults in captivity, collecting fry in large (25–100-L) collection containers (vats), moving them to rearing facilities (e.g., earthen ponds and raceways), and subsequently harvesting the fish that remain after some predetermined period. The number of fry stocked is estimated, and the accuracy and precision are seldom known or reported. The effect of treating fry stocking estimates as “error free, complete counts” on survival and production estimates is, therefore, also unknown. The objective of this study was to document and determine the statistical precision of the procedures used at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Dundee Fish Hatchery through the 1990s (standard procedures still in use at many hatcheries) for estimating fry densities in vats. The precision of fry density estimates was directly correlated with the mean density and sample volume. Such estimates could be improved by reducing the water volume (especially when densities are low) in vats and using a standard sample volume (at least 15 mL) instead of adjusting the sample volume based on visual inspection of fry in vats. The number of samples could be reduced from 10 to 8 without substantially affecting precision. Further, the practice of removing the highest and lowest sample values should be discontinued. The resulting precision of subsequent fingerling survival and production statistics could benefit from these changes without a substantial increase in data analysis.

Received August 5, 2010; accepted October 4, 2010
Altered Growth Rates, Carcass Fatty Acid Concentrations, and Tissue Histology in First-Feeding Steelhead Fed a Fish-Meal- and Fish-Oil-Free Diet
Authors: Twibell Ronald G , Gannam Ann L , Ostrand Susan L , Holmes John S A , Poole Jeff B
Published: August 2012

A 12-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate a fish-meal-free, fish-oil-free diet for use with first-feeding steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss. The marine-based control diet (marine diet) contained sardine (Sardinops spp.) meal and pollock (Pollachius virens) liver oil as the primary sources of protein and lipid, respectively. The experimental diet (terrestrial diet) contained only terrestrial sources of protein (poultry by-product meal, blood meal, canola, corn gluten, and wheat gluten) and lipid (canola oil and flaxseed oil). Each diet was administered to five replicate groups of first-feeding fry. At the conclusion of the feeding trial, fish that were fed the marine diet exhibited significantly higher weight gain and feed efficiency than fish that were given the terrestrial diet. Survival was not significantly affected by dietary treatment. However, fish that received the terrestrial diet exhibited significantly lower hemoglobin concentration and percent packed cell volume. Histological examination indicated that in comparison with control fish, steelhead that were fed the terrestrial diet exhibited a lesser degree of vacuolation in hepatocytes, mild hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the nephron tubular epithelium, and intracellular vacuolation in epithelium of the pyloric caeca. Carcass crude protein concentration was significantly higher in fish that were fed the marine diet than in fish that were fed the terrestrial diet. After 2 weeks of feeding, steelhead that received the marine diet exhibited significantly higher carcass concentrations of 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 20:1, 20:5(n-3), 22:5(n-3), and 22:6(n-3) fatty acids but significantly lower carcass concentrations of 18:1, 18:2(n-6), 18:3(n-6), 18:3(n-3), and 20:4(n-6) relative to fish that were given the terrestrial diet. These differences in carcass fatty acid concentrations persisted throughout the feeding trial. Results of this study indicate that the current terrestrial-based diet is not a satisfactory replacement for the standard marine-based diet used with first-feeding steelhead.

Received January 21, 2010; accepted January 22, 2011
Growth Performance and Tissue Fatty Acid Composition of Rainbow Trout Reared on Feeds Containing Fish Oil or Equal Blends of Fish Oil and Traditional or Novel Alternative Lipids
Authors: Trushenski Jesse T , Blaufuss Patrick , Mulligan Bonnie , Laporte Jérôme
Published: August 2012

Fish oil (FO) sparing is common in aquafeed formulation; however, some alternative lipids have proven to be more successful than others in ensuring adequate growth and maintenance of desirable fillet fatty acid (FA) composition. Depending on the lipids used, grow-out feeds influence the FA composition of the tissues of “lean-fleshed” fishes and their responsiveness to subsequent tailoring during finishing. To address whether different lipid sources similarly influence growth performance and tissue composition of a “fat-fleshed” fish, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were reared on feeds containing FO or a 50:50 blend of FO and coconut oil (COCONUT), palm oil (PALM), standard soybean oil (STD-SBO), hydrogenated soybean oil (HYD-SBO), low-18:3(n-3) (alpha-linolenic acid) soybean oil (LO-ALA-SBO), or low-18:3(n-3) canola oil (LO-ALA-CAN). Two saturated FA (SFA)-enriched lipids derived from the processing of cottonseed (SFA-COT) or soybean (SFA-SBO) were also evaluated as 50% FO substitutes. After 7 weeks, growth performance was largely unaffected by dietary lipid source. Fillet levels of long-chain (LC) polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) among fish that received the HYD-SBO, LO-ALA-SBO, SFA-SBO, and SFA-COT feeds were equivalent to levels in fish that received the FO feed, despite an approximate 50% reduction in dietary LC-PUFA intake. Our results indicate that feeds containing a blend of FO and novel soy- or cottonseed-derived lipids yielded equivalent growth performance and fillet LC-PUFA content in rainbow trout. The use of STD-SBO, COCONUT, PALM, or LO-ALA-CAN did not impair growth or efficiency but did alter the fillet FA profile. Rainbow trout appeared to differ somewhat from other fishes in terms of dietary influence on tissue FA profile; however, the pattern of greater LC-PUFA retention in fish reared on SFA-rich feeds appears to be largely consistent among the fish taxa we have assessed.

Received January 19, 2010; accepted July 25, 2010
Effects of Dietary Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles and Soybean Meal on Extruded Pellet Characteristics and Growth Responses of Juvenile Yellow Perch
Authors: Schaeffer Travis W , Brown Michael L , Rosentrater Kurt A
Published: August 2012

A 126-d feeding trial was performed to investigate graded combinations of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and soybean meal (SBM) in diets formulated for yellow perch Perca flavescens. Six experimental diets contained DDGS and SBM at 0 and 31.5% (dry matter basis), respectively (0/31.5 diet), 10 and 26% (10/26), 20 and 20.5% (20/20.5), 30 and 15% (30/15), 40 and 9.5% (40/9.5), and 50 and 4% (50/4) to obtain similar levels of crude protein (mean ± SE = 30.1 ± 0.2%), crude lipid (16.7 ± 0.7%), and digestible energy (13.5 ± 0.2 kJ/g). Fourteen fish (initial individual weight = 19.1 ± 0.5 g) were randomly selected and stocked into each of twenty-four 110-L tanks (4 replicate tanks/diet). Common biological and mechanical filter systems were used to recirculate the water and maintain similar water quality. Fish that received the 40/9.5 diet exhibited the highest apparent absolute weight gain and percent weight gain, while fish that were fed the 10/26, 20/20.5, 30/15, and 40/9.5 diets exhibited similar absolute weight gain. Fish that were given the 20/20.5, 30/15, and 40/9.5 diets also exhibited similar percent weight gain. Fulton's condition factor and apparent protein digestibility were significantly lower and higher, respectively, for fish that received the 50/4 diet than for all other treatment groups. Crude protein and crude lipid levels in muscle samples did not significantly differ among treatment groups. Results indicated that yellow perch can utilize DDGS plus SBM at a combined inclusion level of up to 49.5% without negative effects on growth. The mechanical strength and color of the extruded pellets were related to the level of DDGS plus SBM in the feed blends. Hepatosomatic indices were correlated with pellet color, while protein digestibility decreased with increasing pellet strength.
Sexual Maturation and Milt Quality of the San Pedro Mártir Trout Using an Artificial Photoperiod
Authors: Aguilar-Juárez Marisela , Ruiz-Campos Gorgonio , Paniagua-Chávez Carmen G
Published: August 2012

The sexual maturation and milt quality of the San Pedro Mártir trout Oncorhynchus mykiss nelsoni (SPMT) were studied in captivity using an artificial photoperiod and a recirculating system that kept the water quality within the range recorded in the natural habitat of this subspecies. During the 21.8 months of the study, male SPMT reached the highest weight (379 ± 48 g [mean ± SD]) and total length (344 ± 19 mm) recorded for this type of trout. Male maturation was induced at 7.5 months. Eight ripe males (200–320 mm total length) were stripped by abdominal pressure to obtain milt on six occasions from January to April 2009, at intervals ranging from 2 to 4 weeks. Spermatozoa motility varied from 80% to 95%, with a maximum duration of 50–55 s. Milt volume ranged from 165 to 228 μL per organism, and spermatozoa concentration ranged from 235 × 106 to 4,772 × 106 cells/mL. The mean spermatozoa flagellum length was 33.17 μm, and head width and length were 2.14 and 2.72 μm, respectively. This work demonstrates that San Pedro Mártir trout can be maintained and induced to mature sexually in a recirculating system using artificial photoperiod and temperature control. This information can be useful in management and conservation programs for this endemic trout in Mexico.
Use of Fish Hydrolysates and Fish Meal Byproducts of the Alaskan Fishing Industry in Diets for Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Forster Ian P , Bechtel Peter , Dominy Warren G , Lane Sandro , Avena Roberto , Ju Zhi Yong , Conquest Lytha
Published: August 2012

We determined the suitability of four fish hydrolysates and two fish meals (Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepus and arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias; all derived from byproducts of the Alaskan fishing industry) as replacements for menhaden fish meal in shrimp diets. A control diet (30% crude protein; 8.5% crude lipid) was produced with menhaden meal (13% of diet). Experimental diets were manufactured by using each hydrolysate or fish meal to replace 50% of the menhaden meal on an isonitrogenous basis. Each diet was fed to Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in an outdoor, zero-water-exchange system for 8 weeks. Final weight, survival, feed efficiency, and growth rate were compared among treatments by analysis of variance. The final weights and growth of Pacific white shrimp fed two of the hydrolysates (one acidified to pH 3.8 and left in a liquid state; the other acidified, then neutralized to pH 6.5 and drum-dried) and the two fish meals were not different from those of shrimp fed the control diet. Shrimp that were given the other two hydrolysates (one acidified to pH 3.8 and then drum-dried; the other hydrolyzed [but not acidified] and then drum-dried) had lower final weights and growth than shrimp fed the control diet. These data indicate that the two fish meals and two of the hydrolysates in this trial can replace 50% of menhaden meal in diets for shrimp, although there is some loss of growth potential in some cases. The lack of a diet effect on feed efficiency indicates that the growth differences were mostly the result of differences in feed intake rather than nutritional quality.
Efficacy of a Commercial Probiotic Relative to Oxytetracycline as Gram-Negative Bacterial Control Agents in a Rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis) Batch Culture
Authors: Rotman Federico J , Riche Marty , Van Wyk Peter , Benetti Daniel D
Published: August 2012

Two trials were conducted to evaluate two gram-negative bacterial control strategies in batch cultures of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. In the first trial, rotifers at an initial density of 47/mL were cultured for 5 d and dosed with a 10-mg/L solution of either oxytetracycline or a commercial probiotic consisting principally of Bacillus and Lactobacillus. In the second trial, rotifers at an initial density of 140/mL were cultured for 4 d and dosed with 20-mg/L solutions of oxytetracycline or the probiotic. Rotifer density, egg counts, and egg : female ratios were determined daily. At the termination of trial 1 and on days 0, 2, and 4 of trial 2, counts of bacterial colonies were conducted to estimate bacterial loads in the rotifer culture water. Oxytetracycline was an effective antimicrobial and enhanced rotifer production in the higher-density culture but had only a marginal effect on production in the lower-density culture. Conversely, inoculation of the low-density culture with the probiotic had no effect on rotifer production. Inoculation of the high-density culture adversely affected rotifer production by increasing mortality and reproductive inhibition.
Oxygen Consumption of the Prawn Macrobrachium americanum over the Temperature Range of its Native Environment and in Relation to its Weight
Authors: García-Guerrero Marcelo , Orduña-Rojas Javier , Cortés-Jacinto Edilmar
Published: August 2012

Cauque prawns Macrobrachium americanum of four different weights were tested at different temperatures to determine the differences in their oxygen consumption. The prawns were studied in a closed respirometer system in individual assays of 30 min each. Temperature (18–30°C) had a noticeable effect on oxygen consumption for all weights of prawns; weight had a less significant effect. In all cases, the mass-specific oxygen consumption rate of small prawns was higher than that of large prawns for all of the temperatures studied.
Virtual nanoscopy: Generation of ultra-large high resolution electron microscopy maps
Authors: Faas Frank G.A. , Avramut M. Cristina , M. van den Berg Bernard , Mommaas A. Mieke , Koster Abraham J. , Ravelli Raimond B.G.
Published: August 2012

A key obstacle in uncovering the orchestration between molecular and cellular events is the vastly different length scales on which they occur. We describe here a methodology for ultrastructurally mapping regions of cells and tissue as large as 1 mm2 at nanometer resolution. Our approach employs standard transmission electron microscopy, rapid automated data collection, and stitching to create large virtual slides. It greatly facilitates correlative light-electron microscopy studies to relate structure and function and provides a genuine representation of ultrastructural events. The method is scalable as illustrated by slides up to 281 gigapixels in size. Here, we applied virtual nanoscopy in a correlative light-electron microscopy study to address the role of the endothelial glycocalyx in protein leakage over the glomerular filtration barrier, in an immunogold labeling study of internalization of oncolytic reovirus in human dendritic cells, in a cryo-electron microscopy study of intact vitrified mouse embryonic cells, and in an ultrastructural mapping of a complete zebrafish embryo slice.
Seg1 controls eisosome assembly and shape
Authors: Moreira Karen E. , Schuck Sebastian , Schrul Bianca , Fröhlich Florian , Moseley James B. , Walther Tobias C. , Walter Peter
Published: August 2012

Eisosomes are stable domains at the plasma membrane of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and have been proposed to function in endocytosis. Eisosomes are composed of two main cytoplasmic proteins, Pil1 and Lsp1, that form a scaffold around furrow-like plasma membrane invaginations. We show here that the poorly characterized eisosome protein Seg1/Ymr086w is important for eisosome biogenesis and architecture. Seg1 was required for efficient incorporation of Pil1 into eisosomes and the generation of normal plasma membrane furrows. Seg1 preceded Pil1 during eisosome formation and established a platform for the assembly of other eisosome components. This platform was further shaped and stabilized upon the arrival of Pil1 and Lsp1. Moreover, Seg1 abundance controlled the shape of eisosomes by determining their length. Similarly, the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Seg1-like protein Sle1 was necessary to generate the filamentous eisosomes present in fission yeast. The function of Seg1 in the stepwise biogenesis of eisosomes reveals striking architectural similarities between eisosomes in yeast and caveolae in mammals.
A first line of defense against ER stress
Authors: Pincus David , Walter Peter
Published: August 2012

BiP is the predominant DnaK/Hsp70-type chaperone protein in the ER. It is required for folding and assembling newly synthesized ER client proteins, yet having too much BiP inhibits folding. In this issue, Chambers et al. (2012. J. Cell Biol. doi:10.1083/jcb.201202005) report that ADP ribosylation of BiP provides a reversible switch that fine tunes BiP activity according to need.
The JCB DataViewer scales up
Authors: Williams Elizabeth H. , Carpentier Pamela , Misteli Tom
Published: August 2012

One of the major forces driving the birth of the field of cell biology was the application of electron microscopy to cells. Today, virtual nanoscopy has brought electron microscopy and the cell biology community to a new frontier in biological imaging and cell biological inquiry. The Journal of Cell Biology is pleased to announce that the JCB DataViewer is “going big” to host electron microscopy data at a whole new scale.
Relationship between Chlorhexidine Gluconate Skin Concentration and Microbial Density on the Skin of Critically Ill Patients Bathed Daily with Chlorhexidine Gluconate
Authors: Popovich Kyle J. , Lyles Rosie , Hayes Robert , Hota Bala , Trick William , Weinstein Robert A. , Hayden Mary K.
Published: August 2012

Objective and Design.

Previous work has shown that daily skin cleansing with Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is effective in preventing infection in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). A colorimetric, semiquantitative indicator was used to measure CHG concentration on skin (neck, antecubital fossae, and inguinal areas) of patients bathed daily with CHG during their MICU stay and after discharge from the MICU, when CHG bathing stopped.

Patients and Setting.

MICU patients at Rush University Medical Center.

Methods.

CHG concentration on skin was measured and skin sites were cultured quantitatively. The relationship between CHG concentration and microbial density on skin was explored in a mixed-effects model using gram-positive colony-forming unit (CFU) counts.

Results.

For 20 MICU patients studied (240 measurements), the lowest CHG concentrations (0–18.75 μg/mL) and the highest gram-positive CFU counts were on the neck (median, 1.07 log10CFUs;P= .014). CHG concentration increased postbath and decreased over 24 hours (P< .001). In parallel, median log10CFUs decreased pre- to postbath (0.78 to 0) and then increased over 24 hours to the baseline of 0.78 (P= .001). A CHG concentration above 18.75 μg/mL was associated with decreased gram-positive CFUs (P= .004). In all but 2 instances, CHG was detected on patient skin during the entire interbath (approximately 24-hour) period (18 [90%] of 20 patients). In 11 patients studied after MICU discharge (80 measurements), CHG skin concentrations fell below effective levels after 1–3 days.

Conclusion.

In MICU patients bathed daily with CHG, CHG concentration was inversely associated with microbial density on skin; residual antimicrobial activity on skin persisted up to 24 hours. Determination of CHG concentration on the skin of patients may be useful in monitoring the adequacy of skin cleansing by healthcare workers.
Diagnosing and Reporting of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Beekmann Susan E. , Diekema Daniel J. , Huskins W. Charles , Herwaldt Loreen , Boyce John M. , Sherertz Robert J. , Polgreen Philip M. ,   on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Emerging Infections Network
Published: August 2012

Background.

The diagnosis of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) is often controversial, and existing guidelines differ in important ways.

Objective.

To determine both the range of practices involved in obtaining blood culture samples and how central line-associated infections are diagnosed and to obtain members' opinions regarding the process of designating bloodstream infections as publicly reportable CLABSIs.

Design.

Electronic and paper 11-question survey of infectious-diseases physician members of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Emerging Infections Network (IDSA EIN).

Participants.

All 1,364 IDSA EIN members were invited to participate.

Results.

692 (51%) members responded; 52% of respondents with adult practices reported that more than half of the blood culture samples for intensive care unit (ICU) patients with central lines were drawn through existing lines. A sizable majority of respondents used time to positivity, differential time to positivity when paired blood cultures are used, and quantitative culture of catheter tips when diagnosing CLABSI or determining the source of that bacteremia. When determining whether a bacteremia met the reportable CLABSI definition, a majority used a decision method that involved clinical judgment.

Conclusions.

Our survey documents a strong preference for drawing 1 set of blood culture samples from a peripheral line and 1 from the central line when evaluating fever in an ICU patient, as recommended by IDSA guidelines and in contrast to current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. Our data show substantial variability when infectious-diseases physicians were asked to determine whether bloodstream infections were primary bacteremias, and therefore subject to public reporting by National Healthcare Safety Network guidelines, or secondary bacteremias, which are not reportable.
Development of a Modified Surveillance Definition of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: DiGiorgio Megan J. , Fatica Cynthia , Oden Mary , Bolwell Brian , Sekeres Mikkael , Kalaycio Matt , Akins Patti , Shane Christina , Bako Jacob , Gordon Steven M. , Fraser Thomas G.
Published: August 2012

Objective.

To develop a modified surveillance definition of central line-associated bloodstream infection (mCLABSI) specific for our population of patients with hematologic malignancies to better support ongoing improvement efforts at our hospital.

Design.

Retrospective cohort study.

Patients.

Hematologic malignancies population in a 1,200-bed tertiary care hospital on a 22-bed bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit and a 22-bed leukemia unit.

Methods.

An mCLABSI definition was developed, and pathogens and rates were compared against those determined using the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definition.

Results.

By the NHSN definition the CLABSI rate on the BMT unit was 6.0 per 1,000 central line-days, and by the mCLABSI definition the rate was 2.0 per 1,000 line-days (P < .001). On the leukemia unit, the NHSN CLABSI rate was 14.4 per 1,000 line-days, and the mCLABSI rate was 8.2 per 1,000 line-days (P = .009). The top 3 CLABSI pathogens by the NHSN definition were Enterococcus species, Klebsiella species, and Escherichia coli. The top 3 CLABSI pathogens by the mCLABSI definition were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CONS), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The difference in the incidence of CONS as a cause of CLABSI under the 2 definitions was statistically significant (P < .001).

Conclusions.

A modified surveillance definition of CLABSI was associated with an increase in the identification of staphylococci as the cause of CLABSIs, as opposed to enteric pathogens, and a decrease in CLABSI rates.
Nanocrystalline Si : H thin films grown at room temperature with plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition at a very high pressure
Authors: Gao L , Lu N P , Liao L G , Ji A L , Cao Z X
Published: August 2012

Hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si : H) films were grown using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition method, with the plasma operated under a gas pressure of up to 30 mbar, i.e. on the verge of plasma instability. The heating effect in determining the crystallite size and crystalline volume fraction can be excluded as the maximum substrate temperature was below 80 °C at the end of growth. Crystallite initiation occurs in the plasma sheath, and Si nanocrystallites appear only when the gas pressure is above 10 mbar. With the pressure increasing to 30 mbar, the volume fraction of the nanocrystalline phase increases steadily, and the crystallite size changes from ∼7.8 to ∼4.5 nm. The optical bandgap of the deposits varies between 2.30 eV (at 15 mbar) and 2.03 eV (at 30 mbar), which can be explained in terms of the reduced hydrogen content and confinement effect. This work opens up the possibility of growing nc-Si : H films with well-controlled crystallite features on substrates held at near room temperature.
Hypovirus Virulence and Vegetative Incompatibility in Populations of the Chestnut Blight Fungus
Authors: Bryner Sarah Franziska , Rigling Daniel
Published: August 2012

Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 hyperparasitizes the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica and acts as a biocontrol agent for this serious tree disease. The virus is transmitted cytoplasmatically between fungal individuals. However, highly virulent viruses strongly debilitate their host and, thus, reduce their own transmission probability. Furthermore, vegetative incompatibility between fungi is an important transmission barrier. Therefore, virulent viruses are expected to be strongly selected against in fungal populations with high levels of vegetative incompatibility, eventually leading to the erosion of biocontrol. To test this prediction, we assessed the virulence of the virus in four European C. parasitica populations with high diversity of vegetative compatibility types and in four populations with low diversity. We expected the degree of virus virulence to be lower in fungal populations with high levels of vegetative incompatibility. However, our results did not reveal such a trend. No significant differences in virus virulence between populations with low versus high diversity of vegetative compatibility types were observed. There was no evidence for an erosion of disease control due to the presence of these transmission barriers. Thus, the findings of this study are promising for the sustainability of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 as a biocontrol agent for chestnut blight in Europe.
Roles of Aldosterone and Oxytocin in Abnormalities Caused by Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Neonatal Rats
Authors: Cao Wengang , Pavlinec Christopher , Gravenstein Nikolaus , Seubert Christoph N. , Martynyuk Anatoly E.
Published: August 2012

Background

The authors sought to determine whether subjects with pathophysiological conditions that are characterized by increased concentrations of aldosterone have increased susceptibility to the side effects of neonatal anesthesia with sevoflurane.

Methods

Postnatal day 4-20 (P4-P20) rats were exposed to sevoflurane, 6% and 2.1%, for 3 min and 60-360 min, respectively. Exogenous aldosterone was administered to imitate pathophysiological conditions with increased concentrations of aldosterone.

Results

Six hours of anesthesia with sevoflurane on P4-P5 rats resulted in a more than 30-fold increase in serum concentrations of aldosterone (7.02 ± 1.61 ng/dl vs. 263.75 ± 22.31 ng/dl, mean ± SE, n = 5-6) and reduced prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response (F(2,37) = 5.66, P < 0.001). Administration of exogenous aldosterone during anesthesia with sevoflurane enhanced seizure-like electroencephalogram patterns in neonatal rats (48.25 ± 15.91 s vs. 222.00 ± 53.87 s, mean ± SE, n = 4) but did not affect electroencephalographic activity in older rats. Exogenous aldosterone increased activation of caspase-3 (F(3,28) = 11.02, P < 0.001) and disruption of prepulse inhibition of startle (F(3,46) = 6.36; P = 0.001) caused by sevoflurane. Intracerebral administration of oxytocin receptor agonists resulted in depressed seizure-like electroencephalogram patterns (F(2,17) = 6.37, P = 0.009), reduced activation of caspase-3 (t(11) = 2.83, P = 0.016), and disruption of prepulse inhibition of startle (t(7) = -2.9; P = 0.023) caused by sevoflurane.

Conclusions

These results suggest that adverse developmental effects of neonatal anesthesia with sevoflurane may involve both central and peripheral actions of the anesthetic. Subjects with increased concentrations of aldosterone may be more vulnerable, whereas intracerebral oxytocin receptor agonists may be neuroprotective.
Cumulative carbon as a policy framework for achieving climate stabilization
Authors: Matthews H. Damon , Solomon Susan , Pierrehumbert Raymond
Published: August 2012

The primary objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that will avoid dangerous climate impacts. However, greenhouse gas concentration stabilization is an awkward framework within which to assess dangerous climate change on account of the significant lag between a given concentration level and the eventual equilibrium temperature change. By contrast, recent research has shown that global temperature change can be well described by a given cumulative carbon emissions budget. Here, we propose that cumulative carbon emissions represent an alternative framework that is applicable both as a tool for climate mitigation as well as for the assessment of potential climate impacts. We show first that both atmospheric CO
2
concentration at a given year and the associated temperature change are generally associated with a unique cumulative carbon emissions budget that is largely independent of the emissions scenario. The rate of global temperature change can therefore be related to first order to the rate of increase of cumulative carbon emissions. However, transient warming over the next century will also be strongly affected by emissions of shorter lived forcing agents such as aerosols and methane. Non-CO
2
emissions therefore contribute to uncertainty in the cumulative carbon budget associated with near-term temperature targets, and may suggest the need for a mitigation approach that considers separately short- and long-lived gas emissions. By contrast, long-term temperature change remains primarily associated with total cumulative carbon emissions owing to the much longer atmospheric residence time of CO
2
relative to other major climate forcing agents.
Peatland geoengineering: an alternative approach to terrestrial carbon sequestration
Authors: Freeman Christopher , Fenner Nathalie , Shirsat Anil H.
Published: August 2012

Terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems contribute almost equally to the sequestration of
ca
50 per cent of anthropogenic CO
2
emissions, and already play a role in minimizing our impact on Earth’s climate. On land, the majority of the sequestered carbon enters soil carbon stores. Almost one-third of that soil carbon can be found in peatlands, an area covering just 2–3% of the Earth’s landmass. Peatlands are thus well established as powerful agents of carbon capture and storage; the preservation of archaeological artefacts, such as ancient bog bodies, further attest to their exceptional preservative properties. Peatlands have higher carbon storage densities per unit ecosystem area than either the oceans or dry terrestrial systems. However, despite attempts over a number of years at enhancing carbon capture in the oceans or in land-based afforestation schemes, no attempt has yet been made to optimize peatland carbon storage capacity or even to harness peatlands to store externally captured carbon. Recent studies suggest that peatland carbon sequestration is due to the inhibitory effects of phenolic compounds that create an ‘enzymic latch’ on decomposition. Here, we propose to harness that mechanism in a series of peatland geoengineering strategies whereby molecular, biogeochemical, agronomical and afforestation approaches increase carbon capture and long-term sequestration in peat-forming terrestrial ecosystems.
An air–liquid contactor for large-scale capture of CO
2
from air
Authors: Holmes Geoffrey , Keith David W.
Published: August 2012

We present a conceptually simple method for optimizing the design of a gas–liquid contactor for capture of carbon dioxide from ambient air, or ‘air capture’. We apply the method to a slab geometry contactor that uses components, design and fabrication methods derived from cooling towers. We use mass transfer data appropriate for capture using a strong NaOH solution, combined with engineering and cost data derived from engineering studies performed by Carbon Engineering Ltd, and find that the total costs for air contacting alone—no regeneration—can be of the order of $60 per tonne CO
2
. We analyse the reasons why our cost estimate diverges from that of other recent reports and conclude that the divergence arises from fundamental design choices rather than from differences in costing methodology. Finally, we review the technology risks and conclude that they can be readily addressed by prototype testing.
Ocean acidification in a geoengineering context
Authors: Williamson Phillip , Turley Carol
Published: August 2012

Fundamental changes to marine chemistry are occurring because of increasing carbon dioxide (CO
2
) in the atmosphere. Ocean acidity (H
+
concentration) and bicarbonate ion concentrations are increasing, whereas carbonate ion concentrations are decreasing. There has already been an average pH decrease of 0.1 in the upper ocean, and continued unconstrained carbon emissions would further reduce average upper ocean pH by approximately 0.3 by 2100. Laboratory experiments, observations and projections indicate that such ocean acidification may have ecological and biogeochemical impacts that last for many thousands of years. The future magnitude of such effects will be very closely linked to atmospheric CO
2
; they will, therefore, depend on the success of emission reduction, and could also be constrained by geoengineering based on most carbon dioxide removal (CDR) techniques. However, some ocean-based CDR approaches would (if deployed on a climatically significant scale) re-locate acidification from the upper ocean to the seafloor or elsewhere in the ocean interior. If solar radiation management were to be the main policy response to counteract global warming, ocean acidification would continue to be driven by increases in atmospheric CO
2
, although with additional temperature-related effects on CO
2
and CaCO
3
solubility and terrestrial carbon sequestration.
Geoengineering the climate: an overview and update
Authors: Shepherd J. G.
Published: August 2012

The climate change that we are experiencing now is caused by an increase in greenhouse gases due to human activities, including burning fossil fuels, agriculture and deforestation. There is now widespread belief that a global warming of greater than 2
°
C above pre-industrial levels would be dangerous and should therefore be avoided. However, despite growing concerns over climate change and numerous international attempts to agree on reductions of global CO
2
emissions, these have continued to climb. This has led some commentators to suggest more radical ‘geoengineering’ alternatives to conventional mitigation by reductions in CO
2
emissions. Geoengineering is deliberate intervention in the climate system to counteract man-made global warming. There are two main classes of geoengineering: direct carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation management that aims to cool the planet by reflecting more sunlight back to space. The findings of the review of geoengineering carried out by the UK Royal Society in 2009 are summarized here, including the climate effects, costs, risks and research and governance needs for various approaches. The possible role of geoengineering in a portfolio of responses to climate change is discussed, and various recent initiatives to establish good governance of research activity are reviewed.

Key findings include the following.

— Geoengineering is not a magic bullet and not an alternative to emissions reductions.

— Cutting global greenhouse gas emissions must remain our highest priority.

(i) But this is proving to be difficult, and geoengineering may be useful to support it.

— Geoengineering is very likely to be technically possible.

(i) However, there are major uncertainties and potential risks concerning effectiveness, costs and social and environmental impacts.

— Much more research is needed, as well as public engagement and a system of regulation (for both deployment and for possible large-scale field tests).

— The acceptability of geoengineering will be determined as much by social, legal and political issues as by scientific and technical factors.

Some methods of both types would involve release of materials to the environment, either to the atmosphere or to the oceans, in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The intended impacts on climate would in any case affect many or all countries, possibly to a variable extent. There are therefore inherent international implications for deployment of such geoengineering methods (and possibly also for some forms of research), which need early and collaborative consideration,
before
any deployment or large-scale experiments could be undertaken responsibly.
Recombinant expression of the coat protein of Botrytis virus X and development of an immunofluorescence detection method to study its intracellular distribution in Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Boine Barbara , Kingston Richard L. , Pearson Michael N.
Published: August 2012

Botrytis cinerea is infected by many mycoviruses with varying phenotypical effects on the fungal host, including Botrytis virus X (BVX), a mycovirus that has been found in several B. cinerea isolates worldwide with no obvious effects on growth. Here we present results from serological and immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) studies using antiserum raised against the coat protein of BVX expressed in Escherichia coli fused to maltose-binding protein. Due to the high yield of recombinant protein it was possible to raise antibodies that recognized BVX particles. An indirect ELISA, using BVX antibodies, detected BVX in partially purified virus preparations from fungal isolates containing BVX alone and in mixed infection with Botrytis virus F. The BVX antiserum also proved suitable for IFM studies. Intensely fluorescing spots (presumed to be virus aggregates) were found to be localized in hyphal cell compartments and spores of natural and experimentally infected B. cinerea isolates using IFM. Immunofluorescently labelled sections through fungal tissue, as well as fixed mycelia grown on glass slides, showed aggregations of virions closely associated with fungal cell membranes and walls, next to septal pores, and in hyphal tips. Also, calcofluor white staining of mature cell walls of virus-transfected Botrytis clones revealed numerous cell wall areas with increased amounts of chitin/glycoproteins. Our results indicate that some BVX aggregates are closely associated with the fungal cell wall and raise the question of whether mycoviruses may be able to move through the wall and therefore not be totally dependent on intracellular routes of transmission.
Identification of a DNA methylation-independent imprinting control region at the Arabidopsis MEDEA locus
Authors: Wöhrmann Heike J.P. , Gagliardini Valeria , Raissig Michael T. , Wehrle Wendelin , Arand Julia , Schmidt Anja , Tierling Sascha , Page Damian R. , Schöb Hanspeter , Walter Jörn , Grossniklaus Ueli
Published: August 2012

Genomic imprinting is exclusive to mammals and seed plants and refers to parent-of-origin-dependent, differential transcription. As previously shown in mammals, studies in Arabidopsis have implicated DNA methylation as an important hallmark of imprinting. The current model suggests that maternally expressed imprinted genes, such as MEDEA (MEA), are activated by the DNA glycosylase DEMETER (DME), which removes DNA methylation established by the DNA methyltransferase MET1. We report the systematic functional dissection of the MEA cis-regulatory region, resulting in the identification of a 200-bp fragment that is necessary and sufficient to mediate MEA activation and imprinted expression, thus containing the imprinting control region (ICR). Notably, imprinted MEA expression mediated by this ICR is independent of DME and MET1, consistent with the lack of any significant DNA methylation in this region. This is the first example of an ICR without differential DNA methylation, suggesting that factors other than DME and MET1 are required for imprinting at the MEA locus.
Gastric carcinoids after long‐term use of a proton pump inhibitor
Authors: Jianu C. S. , Fossmark R. , Viset T. , Qvigstad G. , Sørdal Ø. , Mårvik R. , Waldum H. L.
Published: August 2012

Background

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are potent inhibitors of gastric acid secretion and give hypergastrinemia secondary to gastric hypoacidity. PPI treatment therefore induces enterochromaffin‐like (ECL) cell hyperplasia. Long‐term hypergastrinemia in rodents and man also leads to ECL cell neoplasia. Whether long‐term PPI treatment will induce ECL cell neoplasia in man has been disputed.

Aim

To describe gastric carcinoids in two patients with a history of long‐term PPI use.

Results

Two patients had been taking PPI for 12–13 years due to gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease. At routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy a solitary tumour was found in the oxyntic mucosa of both patients. Histology from the tumours showed in both cases a well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumour. Biopsies from flat oxyntic mucosa showed no signs of atrophic gastritis and a normal presence of parietal cells in both cases, but hyperplasia of ECL cells. The tumour in patient 1 was resected endoscopically. After cessation of PPI treatment the tumour regressed in patient 2 and the ECL cell hyperplasia regressed in both patients. In patient 2 serum gastrin and chromogranin A were elevated during PPI treatment, and normalised after cessation of treatment. In patient 1, unfortunately, we had serum only after treatment, and at that time both parameters were normal.

Conclusion

These cases show that hypergastrinemia secondary to proton pump inhibitors treatment, like other causes of hypergastrinemia, may induce enterochromaffin‐like cell carcinoids in man.