Isospora peromysci Davis, 1967 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in Peromyscus leucopus and P. maniculatus (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Texas

Oocysts of Isospora peromysci (Davis, 1967) (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) were recovered from the feces of 1/30 (3.3%) white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus , in Johnson County, Texas. This report represents a new host and geographic record for the parasite. The coccidium was also found in 1/20 (5.0%) deer mice, P. maniculatus , from the same locale. Morphological data are provided on the sporulated oocyst of I. peromysci and comparisons are made with previously published information on the species from other geographic localities.     

Does Confirmed Pathogen Transfer between Sanctuary Workers and Great Apes Mean that Reintroduction Should not Occur?

This commentary discusses the findings and conclusions of the paper “Drug resistant human Staphylococcus aureus findings in sanctuary apes and its threat to wild ape populations.” This paper confirms the zoonotic transfer of Staphylococcus aureus in a sanctuary setting. The assertion that this in itself is enough to reconsider the conservation potential of ape reintroduction provides an opportunity to discuss risk analysis of pathogen transmission, following IUCN guidelines, using S. aureus as an example. It is concluded that ape reintroduction projects must have disease risk mitigation strategies that include effective biosecurity protocols and pathogen surveillance. These strategies will assist with creating a well planned and executed reintroduction. This provides one way to enforce habitat protection, to minimise human encroachment and the risks from the illegal wildlife trade. Thus reintroduction must remain a useful tool in the conservation toolbox. Am. J. Primatol. 74:1076‐1083, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Evidence for an Ethylene Requirement to Reduce Soaking Injury in Bean Seeds and the Beneficial Effect of Heavy Metals

In addition to CO₂, low concentrations, in decreasing orderof effectiveness, of Ag, Ni, Hg, Zn, Co, Pb, and Cu salts tendedto reduce soaking injury in bean seeds. Their effects did notappear to be due to ethylene antagonism. The CO₂ effect wasnot related to it lowering the pH of the soaking solution. Soakinginjury was aggravated by L-a-(2-aminoethoxyvinyl) glycinehydrochloride(AVG) and 2,5-norbornadiene (NBD) and this effect was reversedby ethrel. Soaking in the presence of an ethylene absorbantHg(CIO₄)2 increased injury. The beneficial effect of CO₂ wasdiminished by NBD and this was reversed by ethrel. Ethrel andethylene tended to decrease soaking injury. Injurious treatmentsresulted in less ethylene release by soaked seeds than beneficialtreatments. It is concluded that ethylene does not cause soakinginjury but appears to be partially required for its prevention. Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris, soaking injury, ethylene, ethylene antagonists, heavy metals     

In-Situ Remediation of TCE in Clayey Soils

The remediation of solvent contaminated low permeable soils poses a significant problem for many facilities. A consortium of industrial partners (Monsanto, DuPont and General Electric), the USEPA and the DOE jointly developed a technology that integrates electrokinetics with in-situ treatment of chlorinated organics to address this problem. The process, called Lasagna^TM, utilizes a DC electric field to move pore water and contaminants uniformly through the soil mass to treatment zones emplaced within the contaminated area. The emplacement is performed using common piling technologies and results in little or no wastes. The treatment materials emplaced are typically iron, coke and kaolin. After two in-field demonstrations, a full-scale Lasagna remediation system was implemented at the DOE facility in Paducah, KY for the remediation of TCE contaminated clay soils. The system was installed and operated over a two-year period. The process was shut down in December 2001 after meeting the cleanup target of 5.6 mg/kg specified by the Record of Decision (ROD) for the site. The final results show an average TCE concentration of 0.38 mg/kg.