ABSTRACT
During a routine health check of a wild-caught North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) small piroplasms were noted within erythrocytes. Analyses of the 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequences determined that this was a genetically unique organism most closely related to Babesia microti-like parasites found in other small carnivores. Subsequently 39 wild-trapped North American river otters from North Carolina were tested for the presence of piroplasma deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) via polymerase chain reaction and piroplasma DNA was detected in 82% (32/39) of these samples. Sequencing of partial 18S rRNA genes from selected cases determined that they were identical to the sentinel case. This report documents the existence of a genetically unique piroplasma in North American river otters and indicates that the prevalence of piroplasma in North Carolina otters is quite high. The pathogenic potential of this organism for otters or other species remains unknown.
Subject(s)
Babesia/genetics , Babesia/isolation & purification , Otters/parasitology , Animals , Base Sequence , Molecular Sequence Data , North America , Phylogeny , RNA, Protozoan/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics , RiversABSTRACT
Intact cells of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, immobilized in polyacrylamide gel, removed Cr, Mo, Se and U from solution by enzymatic-mediated reduction reactions. Lactate or H2 served as the electron donor and the oxidized Cr(VI), Mo(VI), Se(VI) and U(VI) served as electron acceptors. Reduction of the oxidized metal species resulted in the precipitation of solid phases of the metals. Metal removal efficiencies of 86-96% were achieved for initial concentrations of 1 mM Mo, Se, and U and 0.5 mM Cr. Insoluble metal phases accumulated on both the surface and the interior of the polyacrylamide gel. In column tests conducted for U removal, effluent concentrations less than 20 micrograms L(-1) were achieved with initial concentrations of 5 mg L(-1) and 20 mg L(-1) U and residence times from 25-37 h. The enzymatic reduction of Cr, Mo, Se, and U by immobilized cells of D. desulfuricans may be a practical method for removing these metals from solution in a biological reactor.
Subject(s)
Chromium/metabolism , Desulfovibrio/metabolism , Molybdenum/metabolism , Selenium/metabolism , Uranium/metabolism , Acrylic Resins , Biodegradation, Environmental , Bioreactors , Chemical Precipitation , Chromium/chemistry , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Molybdenum/chemistry , Oxidation-Reduction , Selenium/chemistry , Solubility , Temperature , Uranium/chemistry , Water Pollution, ChemicalABSTRACT
Intact cells of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans were immobilized in polyacrylamide gel and used to remove soluble U and Mo from water by enzymatically mediated reduction reactions in column reactors. Formate or lactate served as the electron donor and oxidized U(VI) and Mo(VI) species served as electron acceptors. Greater than 99% removal efficiencies were achieved for both metals with initial concentrations of 5 mg/L U and 10 mg/L Mo. Hydraulic residence times in the columns were between 24 and 36 h. Sulfate concentrations as high as 2000 mg/L did not inhibit reduction of U or Mo in the columns. However, nitrate inhibited uranium reduction at concentrations near 50 mg/L and inhibited molybdenum reduction at concentrations near 150 mg/L. The results indicate that enzymatic reduction of U and Mo by immobilized cells of D. desulfuricans may be a practical method for removing these contaminants from solution in continuous-flow reactors.
Subject(s)
Desulfovibrio , Molybdenum/isolation & purification , Uranium/isolation & purification , Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification , Water Pollutants, Radioactive/isolation & purification , Bioreactors , Cells, Immobilized , Indicators and Reagents , SolubilityABSTRACT
A method for the quantitation of mirfentanil hydrochloride (A-3508.HCl) in human plasma is presented for the first time, using LC-MS with single ion monitoring. The drug is extracted with a C-18 solid-phase cartridge and the extract is analysed using a 3 cm C-18 column connected to the ion source of a mass spectrometer via a thermospray interface. The intense ion produced by the protonated molecular ion at m/z 377 is detected by the mass spectrometer in positive-ion mode. The range of quantitation is 0.4-100 ng ml-1 from a 0.5 ml plasma sample. Results of assay validation are given. The method was used to analyse samples from a human pharmacokinetic study following intravenous administration of mirfentanil hydrochloride.
Subject(s)
Analgesics/blood , Fentanyl/analogs & derivatives , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Fentanyl/blood , Humans , Infusions, IntravenousABSTRACT
The analysis of the molecular structure called DNA is of particular interest for the understanding of the basic processes governing life. Correlation techniques implemented on digital computers are currently used to do this analysis, but the process is so slow that the mapping and sequencing of the entire human genome requires a computational breakthrough. This paper presents a new method of performing the analysis of DNA sequences with an optical time-integrating correlator. The method is characterized by short processing times that make the analysis of the entire human genome a tractable enterprise. A processing strategy and the resultant processing times are presented. Experimental proofs of concept for the two types of analysis specified by the strategy are also included.
