Disseminated cutaneous and peritoneal hyalohyphomycosis caused by Fusarium species: Three cases and review of the literature

Three recent cases of hyalohyphomycosis caused by Fusarium sp. illustrate differing aspects of infections produced by these organisms. One patient was undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis when peritonitis developed caused by Fusarium moniliforme. Removal of the catheter and amphotericin B were used in successful management. In a neutropenic patient on therapy for leukemia, multiple persistent infections occurred including JK diptheroids, and Candida albicans sepsis. Finally, numerous florid skin lesions caused by Fusarium oxysporum developed even while the patient was receiving amphotericin B and he died. In a second neutropenic patient on treatment for leukemia, sinus and cutaneous lesions developed due to Fusarium. These resolved on amphotericin B therapy following the return of circulating neutrophils. The literature on Fusarium infections and aspects of the biology of the organism are reviewed.     

Antinociceptive effects of intrathecal taurine and calcium in the mouse.

Taurine (Tau), calcium (Ca+2) and opiates each produce antinociception when injected i.t. in mice. This study was initiated to determine whether there is a common mechanism underlying their antinociceptive effects. Using the abdominal stretch assay, the antinociceptive effects of both Tau (12 nmol) and Ca+2 (72 nmol) were antagonized by i.t. TAG (4.4 nmol), a Tau antagonist, but not by i.p. injection of the opiate antagonist naloxone (5 mg/kg). The antinociceptive effects of Tau and Ca+2 correlated with their ability to inhibit the intensity of caudally-directed biting and scratching behaviors produced by i.t. NMDA or kainic acid. The inhibitory effects of both Tau and Ca+2 on the biting and scratching behaviors behaviors induced by substance P or excitatory amino acids were reversed by TAG, suggesting a common mediation by Tau. These data indicate that the antinociceptive effects of both Tau and Ca+2 appear to be mediated, at least in part, by Tau but not by the release of endogenous opioid compounds. In addition, inhibition of chemical irritant-induced nociception may be produced by a simple blockade of excitatory amino acid activity.     

The Rate of Unequal Crossing Over in the dumpy Gene from Drosophila melanogaster

The PIGSFEAST (PF) exon of the Drosophila dumpy gene is undergoing concerted evolution by the process of unequal crossing over. We have developed a long-range PCR-based assay to amplify the approximately 12 kb long exon which contains variable numbers of 303 or 306 nt long repeats in a tandem array. We applied this procedure to mutation accumulation lines of Drosophila melanogaster established by M. Wayne and L. Higgins. Nine new repeat length variants were found in these lines allowing us to measure the rate of unequal crossing over in the PF exon. The rate, which for several reasons is an underestimate, is 7.05 × 10⁻⁴ exchanges per generation.     

Maximizing surveillance through spatial characterization of marine mammal stranding hot spots

Spatial analyses of marine mammal stranding data can be used to identify stranding patterns and improve surveillance and monitoring. Using ArcGIS and SaTScan, we analyzed 12 years (2002–2014) of dead beachcast marine mammals from San Juan County, Washington, to better understand patterns of carcass deposition. We plotted the locations for 631 dead marine mammals and aggregated strandings into 1,000 m segments of shoreline. “Hot spots” included beach segments with significantly higher carcass deposition according to the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic in ArcGIS or beach segments that were encompassed by significant spatial clusters using the discrete Poisson model in SatTScan. We identified 52 hot spots for harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in ArcGIS and 62 hot spots in SaTScan with 81% agreement between methods. Carcass deposition showed a strong relationship with locations having high proximity to public pedestrian access points, suggesting increased reporting effort in those areas. Stranding frequency was also higher on beach segments with longer fetch and nearly level or gentle slopes. Beaches with these geomorphic characteristics, especially those without high proximity to public access, would be ideal locations to actively survey to improve high quality carcass collection during times of high expected mortality and limited resources.