Use of Integrated Cell Culture-PCR To Evaluate the Effectiveness of Poliovirus Inactivation by Chlorine

Current standards, based on cell culture assay, indicate that poliovirus is inactivated by 0.5 mg of free chlorine per liter after 2 min; however, integrated cell culture-PCR detected viruses for up to 8 min of exposure to the same chlorine concentration, requiring 10 min for complete inactivation. Thus, the contact time for chlorine disinfection of poliovirus is up to five times greater than previously thought.     

Multilocus phylogeography reveals nested endemism in a gecko across the monsoonal tropics of Australia

Multilocus phylogeography can uncover taxonomically unrecognized lineage diversity across complex biomes. The Australian monsoonal tropics include vast, ecologically intact savanna‐woodland plains interspersed with ancient sandstone uplands. Although recognized in general for its high species richness and endemism, the biodiversity of the region remains underexplored due to its remoteness. This is despite a high rate of ongoing species discovery, especially in wetter regions and for rock‐restricted taxa. To provide a baseline for ongoing comparative analyses, we tested for phylogeographic structure in an ecologically generalized and widespread taxon, the gecko Heteronotia binoei. We apply coalescent analyses to multilocus sequence data (mitochondrial DNA and eight nuclear DNA introns) from individuals sampled extensively and at fine scale across the region. The results demonstrate surprisingly deep and geographically nested lineage diversity. Several intra‐specific clades previously shown to be endemic to the region were themselves found to contain multiple, short‐range lineages. To infer landscapes with concentrations of unique phylogeographic diversity, we probabilistically estimate the ranges of lineages from point data and then, combining these estimates with the nDNA species tree, estimate phyloendemism across the region. Highest levels of phyloendemism occur in northern Top End, especially on islands, across the topographically complex Arnhem escarpment, and across the sandstone ranges of the western Gulf region. These results drive home that deep phylogeographic structure is prevalent in tropical low‐dispersal taxa, even ones that are ubiquitous across geography and habitats.     

Polymerase chain reaction and gene probe detection of the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid degradation plasmid, pJP4.

Specific and sensitive detection of indigenous and introduced degradative organisms is an essential prerequisite to their use in remediation of toxic waste and soil systems. Procedures were employed for the use of polymerase chain reaction and gene probes for sensitive detection of the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic-acid-degrading bacterium, Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP134(pJP4). Two 20-mer oligonucleotide primers were identified for amplification of a 205-bp region of the tfdB gene of pJP4, and optimum conditions for amplification were determined. Both the polymerase chain reaction amplification process and hybridization with the 5'-end-labelled probe were found to be specific to organisms containing plasmid pJP4 or its derivative pRO103. Detection limits were determined for the template supplied either as bacterial cells or purified plasmid DNA. The detection was sensitive up to an initial inoculum of 3,000 CFU or 156 pg of total plasmid DNA. However, when the amplified product was transferred to a nylon membrane and hybridized with the 5'-end-labelled probe, the detection sensitivity increased to 300 CFU or 15.6 pg of plasmid DNA. This sensitive detection method is more specific than use of traditional indicator media (M. A. Loos, Can. J. Microbiol. 21:104-107, 1975). An oligonucleotide (20 bases) complementary to a sequence internal to the 205-bp region was synthesized and utilized as a probe to confirm the specificity of the detection.     

An evaluation of the quality of fall-fingerling Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) released to natural lacustrine nursery areas in Newfoundland,Canada

Results of experiments on controlled releases of fall-fingerling Atlantic salmon to lacustrine habitats in Newfoundland are reviewed in terms of survival during freshwater residence and smolt yield per unit of standing water habitat. Average survival from parr to smolt in three consecutive annual releases was 12.9% and we conclude that the quality of fall-fingerling salmon, produced from our semi-natural rearing techniques, was satisfactory. Year-class survival decreased progressively with consecutive releases. Rate of increase in juvenile salmon biomass remained stable over the duration of the study, suggesting that the average annual biomass of 1.6 kg ha^–1 of juvenile salmon released did not exceed habitat carrying capacity. Precocity did not appear to represent a significant deterrent to fall-fingerling survival. Annual smolt yield (by year-class) from stocking ranged from 53 to 130 ha^–1 (mean = 77 smolts ha^–1).     

Comparison of PCR and cell culture for detection of enteroviruses in sludge-amended field soils and determination of their transport.

PCR and cell culture assays for enteroviruses were conducted on soil samples collected from an experimental farm that had received mesophilic anaerobically digested sludge for the past 7 years. Of 24 samples assayed, 21 samples were positive by PCR, implying that at least some viral nucleic acid sequences remained intact. However, these viral particles were unable to infect the Buffalo Green Monkey cell line used in subsequent cell culture assays. It is significant that positive PCR detection of nucleic acid sequences occurred even though the most recent sludge application was 3 months prior to soil sampling. Viral nucleic acid sequences were detected by PCR at points vertically and laterally displaced from sludge injections, illustrating significant transport of viruses. Rainfall and irrigation events may have contributed to viral transport.     

Detection of viable Giardia cysts by amplification of heat shock-induced mRNA.

Primers obtained from gene sequences coding for heat shock proteins (HSP) were used to specifically detect enteric protozoans of the genus Giardia. The HSP primers amplified Giardia DNA or the corresponding RNA sequences obtained from lysed cysts and gave a 163-bp product. Since the presence of the product did not indicate whether the cysts were viable, these amplifications are a presence/absence test only. In contrast, amplification of heat shock-induced mRNA utilizing the same HSP primers was indicative of viable Giardia cysts. The limit of sensitivity of the presence/absence test was 1 cyst, whereas for the viability test it was 10 cysts. Thus, viable Giardia cysts can be rapidly and specifically detected with great sensitivity through the use of PCR amplifications.     

Cyclone-induced Shift in Foraging Behavior in Flying Foxes in American Samoa1

Tropical cyclones pass over or near American Samoa on average about once every 3 years. Because many trees may be stripped of leaves, flowers, and fruit, cyclones exert a major impact on the feeding ecology of nectivorous and frugivorous flying foxes. We examined search time and in-tree time immediately postcyclone (3–6 weeks) and during a recovery period (15–16 months after the last cyclone). Both Pteropus tonganus and P. samoensis increased search time and decreased tree time (an indication of less food available per tree) immediately after the passage of cyclone Ofa.     

Kupffer Cell Function in Thyroid Hormone-Induced Liver Oxidative Stress in the Rat

The influence of thyroid hormone (L-3, 3', 5-triiodothyronine, T₃) on Kupffer cell function was studied in the isolated perfused rat liver by colloidal carbon infusion. Rates of carbon uptake were determined from the influent minus effluent concentration difference and the flow rate, and the respective carbon-induced respiratory activity was calculated by integration of the area under the O₂ curves during carbon infusion. In the concentration range of 0.2 to 2.0 mg of carbon/ml, livers from euthyroid rats exhibited a sigmoidal-type kinetics of carbon uptake, with a Vmax of 4.8 mg/g liver/min and a concentration of 0.82 mg/ml for half-maximal rate; carbon-induced O₂ uptake presented a hyperbolic-type kinetics, with a Vmax of 4.57 μmol of O₂/g liver and a Km of 0.74 mg of carbon/ml, which significantly correlates with the carbon uptake rates. Light-microscopy showed that carbon was taken up exclusively by non-parenchymal cells, predominantly by Kupffer cells. Thyroid calorigenesis was found in parallel with increased rates of hepatic O₂ consumption and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation, glutathione (GSH) depletion, and higher sinusoidal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) efflux compared to control values. In the concentration range of 0.25 to 0.75 mg/ml, carbon infusion did not modify liver LDH efflux in control rats, while it was significantly enhanced in T₃-treated animals. In this latter group, higher carbon concentrations (1 and 1.3 mg/ml) led to loss of viability of the liver. At 0.25 to 0.75 mg of carbon/ml, both the rates of carbon uptake and the associated carbon-induced respiratory activities were significantly increased by T₃ treatment, effects that were abolished by pretreatment of the rats with gadolinium chloride (GdCl₃). In addition, GdCl₃ decreased by 50% the changes induced by T₃ in hepatic GSH content and TBARS formation. It is concluded that hyperthyroidism enhances Kupffer cell function, correlated with the increased number of liver macrophages observed histologically, which may represent an alternate source of reactive O₂ species to that induced in parenchymal cells, thus contributing to the enhanced oxidative stress status developed.