A new case of rhinosporidiosis in Chile

BackgroundRhinosporidiosis is a chronic, granulomatous, and non-contagious infection, in which highly vascularized polyps (mainly present in the nasal cavity) appear. These polyps usually bleed easily.AimsTo present the case of a 14 year-old male suffering from an obstruction and injury of the right nostril due to a polypoid shaped-lesion with a raspberry-like appearance.MethodsA wide surgery resection of the base of the lesion was performed, as well as a standard histopathology procedure, including microscopic analysis with haematoxylin-eosin and Grocott staining.Results and conclusionsThe histopathology report indicated that the chronic inflammatory polyp was compatible with rhinosporidiosis.     

Canine rhinosporidiosis in Arkansas

Rhinosporidiosis is a fungal infection caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, a microorganism of complicated, undetermined life cycle. Many species of animals are susceptible to rhinosporidiosis, including human beings. The frequency of occurrence of the disease in domestic animals is unknown. A one-year-old male Collie dog from Northeast Arkansas was found to have rhinosporidiosis presenting as an intranasal polypoid mass. We believe this is the first documented report of rhinosporidiosis from the State of Arkansas.     

Recurrent rhinosporidiosis in man-case reports

The development of experimental sporotrichosis was examined in immunologically-disturbed mice. In the case of intracutaneous inoculation, the lesion in cyclophosphamide-treated mice enlarged strikingly up to 6 days, but at 12 days it was similar in size to that in non-treated mice. The lesion in irradiated mice developed slowly up to 12 days, but thereafter it developed promptly. In nude mice, the lesion was smallest during the development of the lesion. Histological examination showed that numerous organisms were present in the lesion of nude and irradiated mice. Intraperitoneal inoculation showed that dissemination of spores were easily induced in nude mice as compared with littermate mice. These results indicate an important role of cellular immunity in the defence mechanism of sporotrichosis.     

Description and evaluation of a sampling strategy for macroinvertebrate communities in Basque rivers (Spain)

This paper describes the results of a pilot study on the macroinvertebrate communities occurring in a fast-flowing river in Northern Spain. The objective was to devise a sampling strategy for use on a series of Basque rivers included in a site classification study. Two contrasted sites were chosen for the pilot-study on the River Lea (Bizkaia), at the headwaters and near the mouth. Taxon richness and distribution across the river was examined using two sampling techniques at each site. It was concluded that, ideally, timed sampling units should be collected at intervals across a river transect in order to acquire a representative list of taxa. In addition, adequate sampling in marginal areas was stressed because a number of taxa appeared to be exclusive to marginal areas. Sampling location and total sampling effort were also shown to be a major consideration when taxon lists were acquired for the application of routine biological surveillance techniques.     

Intestinal myiasis due to Eristalis tenax: report of a new case in Spain

We describe a new case of accidental intestinal myiasis by Eristalis tenax in Spain. Only about 20 cases have been reported worldwide, two of them occurring in Spain. A 51-year-old patient with nonspecific abdominal pain and occasional diarrhoea expelled larvae in her stool. Macroscopic analysis of these larvae revealed morphology compatible with that of Eristalis tenax. The larva analysis showed its autofluorescence as parasitological feature described for the first time.     

Uranium concentrates bioproduction in Spain: A case study

Abstract: ENUSA mines an ore-body in the 'Schisto-greywacke complex' near Ciudad Rodrigo, close to the Portuguesc border. The uranium ore (pitchblende) is associated with sulphide minerals (pyrite, chalcopyrite). The whole Spanish yellow cake production (250 t U∼Os/year) is obtained from this mine (MINA FE) by bioleaching, although at the beginning, in 1973. it was an acid heap-leaching operation.     

Epidemiological survey of rhinosporidiosis in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu

One hundred and twelve nasal polyps received along with full history from three different hospitals of Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu during the period 1983–1987 were found positive for rhinosporidiosis on histopathological examination. Among the four taluks (countries) the majority of the cases (41.1 per cent) came from Agastheeswaram, followed by Kalkulam (28.6 per cent), Thovalai (17.0 per cent) and Vilavancode (13.3 per cent). The 11–20 years age group found to be highly susceptible (60 per cent). There was no sex prepondence in contracting the disease as the cases were evenly distributed between both sexes. These findings exhibited the endemic nature of the disease in Kanyakumari district.Unreported cases to an extent of 9 to 40 per cent were encountered during the ENT disease diagnostic camps conducted in nine high incidence villages. Further 8 more cases were detected in addition to cases attended in the hospitals and ENT camps when a complete enumeration of cases was undertaken in Pallam village. Thus the actual number of cases found in the district need a stratified random sampling.     

Lymphadenitis,trans-epidermal elimination and unusualhistopathology in human rhinosporidiosis

From a study of rhinosporidial tissues of 64 human cases of ocular, urethral and nasopharyngeal disease, unusual histopathological features of 27 cases are described. Histopathological evidence of lymphadenitis in rhinosporidiosis is presented for the first time. The phenomenon of `trans-epidermal elimination' of sporangia of the causative pathogen Rhinosporidium seeberi is illustrated and it is argued that this phenomenon is rather the pathogen's mechanism for endospore-dispersal than a non-specific defence reaction of the host as has previously been suggested. Other unusual appearances described include variations in the intensity and composition of the host-cell infiltrate in tissues from different patients and in different portions of the same tissue, pitfalls in histopathological diagnosis, and unusual appearances of the pathogen. Histopathological clues to the pathogenesis of rhinosporidiosis and mechanisms of anti-rhinosporidial immunity in the host are discussed, illustrating the probable occurrence of immunesuppressive reactions to account for the variations in the density and composition of the host-cell infiltrate and the state of the rhinosporidial sporangia – intact or degenerate –, relating these variations to the chronicity, recurrences and systemic dissemination of rhinosporidiosis. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of exotic invasive trees on nitrogen cycling: a case study in Central Spain

We assess the hypothesis that rates of nitrogen transformations in the soil are altered upon replacement of native by exotic trees, differing in litter properties. Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia, two common exotic trees naturalized in the Iberian Peninsula, were compared with the native trees Ulmus minor and Fraxinus angustifolia, respectively. Naturally senesced leaves of each species were collected and C:N ratio, N and lignin content assessed. We prepared 64 litter bags per species and left them to decompose, below the canopy of the same species and below the canopy of the paired species. Dry mass, N concentration and N pool of the remaining litter were assessed after 5 and 7 months. Soil samples were collected three times during the experiment to assess soil moisture, organic matter, pH, potential mineralization rates and mineral N pools. Mineral N availability was assessed three times in the field by using ion-exchange resin-impregnated membranes. Ailanthus litter decomposed faster than Ulmus litter, probably due to the higher toughness of the latter. In spite of its high N content, Robinia litter decomposed slower than Fraxinus one, probably due to its high lignin content. In both cases, litter decomposition was faster below the exotic than the native canopies. The release of N per unit of initial litter mass was higher under both invaded situations (Ailanthus below Ailanthus and Robinia below Robinia) than under the native ones. However, soils collected below native and exotic trees neither differed in potential N mineralization rate nor in mineral N. This may be attributed to a quick plant uptake of released N and/or to a high organic matter accumulation in the soil previous to invasion that can exert a tighter control on soil N transformations than the current exotic litter.     

Cell-mediated immune responses (CMIR) in human rhinosporidiosis

Cell mediated immune responses (CMIR) to Rhinosporidium seeberi in human patients with rhinosporidiosis have been studied. With immuno-histochemistry, the cell infiltration patterns in rhinosporidial tissues from 7 patients were similar. The mixed cell infiltrate consisted of many plasma cells, fewer CD68+ macrophages,a population of CD3+ T lymphocytes, and CD56/57+ NK lymphocytes which were positive for CD3 as well. CD4+ T helper cells were scarce. CD8+suppressor/cytotoxic-cytolytic cells were numerous. Most of the CD8+ cells were TIA-l+ and therefore of the cytotoxic subtype. CD8+ T cells were not sub-typed according to their cytokine profile; 1L2, IFN-γ (Tcl); IL4, ILS (Tc2).In lympho-proliferative response (LPR) assays in vitro, lymphocytes from rhinosporidial patients showed stimulatory responses to Con A but lymphocytes from some patients showed significantly diminished responses to rhinosporidial extracts as compared with unstimulated cells or cells stimulated by Con A, indicating suppressor immune responses in rhinosporidiosis. The overall stimulatory responses with Con A suggested that the rhinosporidial lymphocytes were not non-specifically anergic although comparisons of depressed LPR of rhinosporidial lymphocytes from individual patients, to rhinosporidial antigen with those to Con A, did not reveal a clear indication as to whether the depression was antigen specific or non-specific. The intensity of depression of the LPR in rhinosporidial patients bore no relation to the site, duration, or the number of lesions or whether the disease was localized or disseminated. Rhinosporidial extracts showed stimulatory activity on normal control lymphocytes, perhaps indicating mitogenic activity. These results indicate that CMIR develops in human rhinosporidiosis, while suppressed responses are also induced. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Animal rhinosporidiosis in Brazil. Report of three additional cases

Fifteen cases of animal rhinosporidiosis seen in Brazil are briefly reviewed. Additional cases of the disease in two horses and one mule are reported.     

Monoterpene emissions from ornamental trees in urban areas: a case study of Barcelona, Spain

Research on biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions has mainly focused on native species in natural ecosystems. However, much of the ozone and aerosol formation occurs in city atmospheres due to BVOC emissions by local urban vegetation. Plant composition of urban habitats is often dominated by non-native ornamental plant species, for which only limited data on BVOC emissions are available. To gain insight into the influence of ornamental vegetation on the urban atmospheric reactivity in Barcelona, Spain, we studied volatile isoprenoid emissions in 11 widespread ornamental tree species (three conifers and nine angiosperms). We found significant monoterpene emissions in all studied species, with normalized emission potentials (T=30 degrees C, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD)=1000 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1)) ranging between 0.2 to 110 microg x g(-1) (dry weight) h(-1). Depending on species, the emissions were dominated by alpha- and beta-pinene, myrcene, alpha- and beta-phellandrene, carene, limonene and eucalyptol. These data demonstrate that ornamental plants may significantly contribute to the BVOC load in urban atmospheres and also underscore the importance of broadleaf angiosperms as significant monoterpene emitters.     

Continuous biomethanization of agrifood industry waste: A case study in Spain

The anaerobic digestion technology is a biological treatment widely used to reduce the pollution load of wet waste biomass. In this work we present the results obtained by performing extensive experiments of anaerobic digestion of slaughterhouse waste, tomato industry waste and olive oil industry waste in continuous mode, which were designed to demonstrate that anaerobic digestion is an effective technology from an environmental and economic point of view.Biogas yields obtained are between 35.22 and 5.45 Nm³ biogas/m³ olive oil industry waste and tomato industry waste respectively and the slaughterhouse wastes achieve intermediate production, 30.86 Nm³ biogas/m³ municipal slaughterhouse waste and 22.53 Nm³ biogas/m³ Iberian pig slaughterhouse waste. Moreover, it possible to degrade between 63.46 and 75.3% of the initial organic matter.If these results are analyzed, the environmental, energetic economic benefits of anaerobic digestion can be quantified. Biomethanation of all these wastes generated annually in Extremadura could prevent the emission of 134,772 t of equivalent carbon dioxide, generate an energy similar to that provided by 2826 toe and reach payback times from 3.29 to 3.75 years for anaerobic digestion plant designed to treat the wastes generated by a medium-sized industry. So, we have fulfilled all the planned aims.     

Opportunities and challenges of implementing life cycle assessment in seafood certification: a case study for Spain

Purpose

Eco-labelling has become part of the business strategy of companies thanks to numerous advantages in terms of engaging with consumers and gaining market quota. The aim of this article is to present a critical discussion on the development and implementation of a new eco-label named pescaenverde, registered in Spain, as the first type III eco-label in the Spanish fishing sector that is based on life cycle approaches for seafood products.

Methods

More specifically, it aims to complement ecosystem-based eco-labels with the computation of the carbon footprint and the energy return on investment (EROI) of seafood products. Furthermore, it proposes to discuss the ecological criteria, certification process or the opportunities and challenges of the market implementation of this eco-label in detail. Finally, the authors argue that life cycle eco-labels should be considered important complements for more specific sector- or ecosystem-oriented labels already in use, rather than direct competitors.

Results and discussion

There has been much criticism towards the eco-labelling sector as regards the transparency and scientific rigour of its standards. The fishing and seafood sector, which has experienced a boom in eco-labelling in recent years, due mainly to the strength of the Marine Stewardship Council certification scheme, is not alien to this controversy, since critics advocate expanding the concept of sustainable fisheries beyond an ecosystem approach in order to account for global environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or energy use. Not surprisingly, the European Union and other authorities currently encourage eco-labels to base their ecological criteria on life cycle approaches. Therefore, the current study discusses the ecological criteria, certification process or the opportunities and challenges of the market implementation of this eco-label in detail.

Conclusions

The specificity of the life cycle inventory scheme used in pescaenverde delivers an accurate computation of environmental impacts for the specific case of Spanish fisheries. However, the geographical expansion of this scheme to other nations or regions will be conditioned by an important software adaptation to the particular inventory characteristics of the new fisheries, fleets and products.

Recommendations

Adapting ecological criteria to other situations would also need substantial discussion, since the use of this certification scheme is not intended to contrast or compare seafood products against each other but to provide consumers with an easily identifiable label through which they can detect environmentally sustainable practices in terms of GHG emissions and energy use in the fishing fleets supporting the seafood products purchased.

     

Pike and red swamp crayfish: a new case on predator-prey relationship between aliens in central Spain

Pike in the Ruidera Lakes (central Spain) chiefly ate the recently introduced crayfish Procambarus clarkii . It was the dominant prey in occurrence, number and biomass for every size class and season. Likewise, number (up to 27) and total weight of ingested crayfish were directly related with pike size. The principal prey fish were all introduced species (except the endangered Blennius fluviatilis ), most native species having disappeared since pike were introduced in 1953. (c) 1996 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles