Aquatic pathogens and biofouling: pilot study of ostreid herpesvirus 1 translocation by bivalves.

Ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) has caused mass mortalities in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. While aquaculture-associated movements of infected Pacific oysters are a well-known cause of OsHV-1 spread once established in a region, translocation via biofouling of aquaculture equipment or vessels needs further investigation to explain the more distant spread of OsHV-1. Laboratory experiments were designed to test for transmission of OsHV-1 between infected and naïve Pacific oysters via a simulated biofouling translocation scenario. Three common biofouling species [Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata), Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and Pacific oysters] were tested as intermediaries using a cohabitation challenge with Pacific oysters infected by injection. Transmission occurred, albeit for one of eight replicates when Pacific oysters were the intermediary species. This demonstrated a possible pathway for pathogen spread via biofouling containing Pacific oysters while highlighting the complexity of OsHV-1 transmission. Such complexities require further investigation to inform future risk assessments and management of fouled aquaculture equipment and vessels.

Optimisation and validation of a PCR to detect viable Tenacibaculum maritimum in salmon skin tissue samples.

A PCR protocol was optimised and validated for the detection of viable Tenacibaculum maritimum cells in salmon skin tissue. Viability conventional (vPCR) and quantitative PCR (v-qPCR) assays both had a limit of detection of 103 CFU mL-1 viable cells. The v-qPCR assay showed a linear quantification over 4 log units. Conventional vPCR showed complete signal suppression when only dead cells were present at concentrations lower than 106 CFU mL-1. While the v-qPCR did not result in complete suppression when only dead cells were present, a method was developed to determine if viable cells were present based on the % Δ in cycle threshold (Ct) value. The procedure was validated for high-throughput processing and an enrichment protocol was validated to reliably detect low concentrations of viable cells both with and without a high background of dead cells. Performing this protocol on naturally infected tissues showed that vPCR and v-qPCR reduced the potential for false positives compared to using conventional PCR and qPCR. The optimised protocol developed for this study provides an efficient, reliable and robust alternative for the detection of viable T. maritimum in skin tissue.

Trace metal burdens and expression of heat stable low molecular mass proteins in the female asteroid Coscinasterias muricata--Fluctuations throughout the reproductive cycle.

Concentrations of the essential trace metals copper and zinc were measured in the pyloric caeca of female Coscinasterias muricata sampled from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia at monthly intervals for 15 months. Results indicate that the concentrations of these metals appear to be regulated by the reproductive cycle. Peaks in zinc concentration occurred simultaneously with peaks in progesterone concentration in the pyloric caeca. These findings suggest that zinc plays a role in gametogenesis and ovarian development. Fluctuations in pyloric caeca copper concentration appear inversely related to the pyloric caecal index and associated with oocyte diameter, indicative of a role for this metal in oogenesis. The levels of cytosolic heat stable low molecular mass (LMM) proteins were examined throughout the sampling period. Heat stable LMM proteins (metallothionein-like) of 12 kDa and 7.5 kDa (apparent molecular mass) and the concentrations of copper appear to be related; although the exact nature of these proteins remains unknown. No such relationship was observed between the levels of heat stable LMM proteins and zinc.

Influence of caffeine on perception of effort, metabolism and exercise performance following a high-fat meal.

This study examined the effects of caffeine, co-ingested with a high fat meal, on perceptual and metabolic responses during incremental (Experiment 1) and endurance (Experiment 2) exercise performance. Trained participants performed three constant-load cycling tests at approximately 73% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) for 30 min at 20 degrees C (Experiment 1, n = 8) and to the limit of tolerance at 10 degrees C (Experiment 2, n = 10). The 30 min constant-load exercise in Experiment 1 was followed by incremental exercise (15 W . min-1) to fatigue. Four hours before the first test, the participants consumed a 90% carbohydrate meal (control trial); in the remaining two tests, the participants consumed a 90% fat meal with (fat + caffeine trial) and without (fat-only trial) caffeine. Caffeine and placebo were randomly assigned and ingested 1 h before exercise. In both experiments, ratings of perceived leg exertion were significantly lower during the fat + caffeine than fat-only trial (Experiment 1: P < 0.001; Experiment 2: P < 0.01). Ratings of perceived breathlessness were significantly lower in Experiment 1 (P < 0.01) and heart rate higher in Experiment 2 (P < 0.001) on the fat + caffeine than fat-only trial. In the two experiments, oxygen uptake, ventilation, blood [glucose], [lactate] and plasma [glycerol] were significantly higher on the fat + caffeine than fat-only trial. In Experiment 2, plasma [free fatty acids], blood [pyruvate] and the [lactate]:[pyruvate] ratio were significantly higher on the fat + caffeine than fat-only trial. Time to exhaustion during incremental exercise (Experiment 1: control: 4.9, s = 1.8 min; fat-only: 5.0, s = 2.2 min; fat + caffeine: 5.0, s = 2.2 min; P > 0.05) and constant-load exercise (Experiment 2: control: 116 (88 - 145) min; fat-only: 122 (96 - 144) min; fat + caffeine: 127 (107 - 176) min; P > 0.05) was not different between the fat-only and fat + caffeine trials. In conclusion, while a number of metabolic responses were increased during exercise after caffeine ingestion, perception of effort was reduced and this may be attributed to the direct stimulatory effect of caffeine on the central nervous system. However, this caffeine-induced reduction in effort perception did not improve exercise performance.

Effect of crude oil contaminated sediment exposure on cytochrome P450 enzymes in the Australian asteroid Coscinasterias muricata.

Levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes were measured in pyloric caeca microsomes of the asteroid Coscinasterias muricata following exposure to sediment with nominal concentrations of 0, 0.1 or 2 ml crude oil kg(-1) (dry weight) and subsequent depuration. No significant differences were observed in total cytochrome P450 levels or cytochrome P418 levels following the exposure period. However after five days of depuration, levels of total P450 in the pyloric caeca of C. muricata exposed to the highest oiled sediment concentration were significantly lower than in specimens exposed to the other treatments. Cytochrome P418 levels were inversely related to total P450 levels following exposure and subsequent depuration. Preliminary results show that levels of CYP1A-like immunopositive protein (CYP1A-like IPP) in exposed asteroids exhibited a concentration response relationship following the exposure period. Variations in CYP1A-like IPP levels observed during the depuration period may be influenced by the sublethal toxicity of hydrocarbons within the crude oil.

The effects of creatine supplementation on cardiovascular, metabolic, and thermoregulatory responses during exercise in the heat in endurance-trained humans.

The effects of creatine (Cr) supplementation on cardiovascular, metabolic, and thermoregulatory responses, and on the capacity of trained humans to perform prolonged exercise in the heat was examined. Endurance-trained males (n = 21) performed 2 constant-load exercise tests to exhaustion at 63 +/- 5 % VO(2max) in the heat (ambient temperature: 30.3 +/- 0.5 C) before and after 7 d of Cr (20 g x d (-1 ) Cr + 140 g x d (-1 ) glucose polymer) or placebo. Cr increased intracellular water and reduced thermoregulatory and cardiovascular responses (e.g., heart rate, rectal temperature, sweat rate) but did not significantly increase time to exhaustion (47.0 +/-4.7 min vs. 49.7 +/- 7.5 min, P =0.095). Time to exhaustion was increased significantly in subjects whose estimated intramuscular Cr levels were substantially increased ("responders" : 47.3 +/- 4.9 min vs. 51.7 +/- 7.4 min, P = 0.031). Cr-induced hyperhydration can result in a more efficient thermoregulatory response during prolonged exercise in the heat.

BMI distribution changes in adolescent British girls.

Body mass index (BMI) distribution changes were assessed in 2547 relatively affluent English girls, aged 12-16 years, during the UK childhood obesity epidemic (1986-96). An increase in BMI variability was observed only in 12-14 year olds, suggesting that BMI changes for population subgroups were complex, and inconsistent with a generalised increase in BMI.

The impact of oil-derived products on the behaviour and biochemistry of the eleven-armed asteroid Coscinasterias muricata (Echinodermata).

The present study examines the impact of exposure to oil-derived products on the behaviour and physiology of the Australian 11-armed asteroid Coscinasterias muricata. Asteroids were exposed to dilutions of water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Bass Strait stabilised crude oil, dispersed oil or burnt oil (n = 8) for 4 days whereby, prey-localisation behaviour was examined immediately after exposure, and following 2, 7, and 14 days depuration in clean seawater. The prey-localisation behaviour of asteroids exposed to WAF and dispersed oil was significantly affected though recovery was apparent following 7 and 14 days depuration, respectively. In contrast, there was no significant change in the prey-localisation behaviour of asteroids exposed to burnt oil. Behavioural impacts were correlated with the total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations (C6-C36) in each exposure solution, WAF (1.8 mg l(-1)), dispersed oil (3.5 mg l(-1)) and burnt oil (1.14 mg l(-1), respectively. The total microsomal cytochrome P450 content was significantly lower (P(Dunnett test) < 0.01) in asteroids exposed to dispersed oil than in any other asteroids, whilst asteroid alkaline phosphatase activity was not significantly affected (P(ANOVA) = 0.11). This study further documents the deleterious impact of dispersed oil to marine organisms and supports further research in the area of in situ burning as a less damaging oil spill response measure towards benthic macro-invertebrates.

The value of ultrasound for monitoring ovarian responses to gonadotropin stimulant therapy.

Ultrasonic measurement of ovarian follicles was used in conjunction with conventional measurement of urinary oestrogen output to monitor responses in infertile women receiving gonadotrophin stimulant therapy. In the 21 women who conceived during the first 15 months, in which this combined monitoring was used, ultrasound proved superior to oestrogen measurement alone for assessing follicular maturity and hence deciding when to administer the ovulating dose fo chorionic gonadotrophin. The use of ultrasound imaging improves efficiency of treatment with gonadotrophin stimulant therapy, but is not predictive of multiple pregnancy or of hyperstimulation.

[Intraoperative sphincterotonometrie during plastic repair of the urogenital diaphragm (author's transl)]. / Intraoperative Sphinkterotonometrie bei Diaphragmaplastik.

The method of using sphincterotonometry during the operation, which is described in this paper, adds further importance to this means of examination besides the pre-operative classifying of urinary incontinence and the postoperative control of the surgical success. By drawing up a urethral profile and by performing simultaneous impact palpation the functional effect of the operation can be checked during the same, so that a possibly necessary correction can follow at once.--Up-til now this test has been carried out during 16 operations on urinary incontinence (diaphragma plastic by Kelly with at least one years of postoperative control).--According to our hitherto existing examinations a positive closing pressure of more than 10 mmHg is necessary for achieving a functionally satisfying operation result.

[The success prognosis of plastic diaphragma operation on women with stress incontinence (author's transl)A1]. / Zur Prognose des Operationserfolges der Diaphragma-Plastik bei Stressinkontinenz der Frau

The paper refers to 126 patients on whom a plastic diaphragma operation was performed at the 1st Department of Obstet. and Gynec. of the University of Vienna. Based on the results one year after the operation, the success chances are shown and set into relation to several preexistent factors, such as severity of the incontinence, weight, parity, age and conduct of life. An increasing of the two first mentioned factors led to a significant deterioration of results. The influence of an incontinence remains incontested, yet a higher parity does not lead to significantly poorer operation results. As to the factor "age", there were no significant differences in our material. Conduct of life and additional stress in women employed in an occupation are being discussed. Furthermore it was possible to confirm the postoperative space of time needed until restoration of an undisturbed bladder function as a relatively reliable prognostic hint to the expected success of the operation. For this confirmation an objective examination method (sphincterotonometry) was used.

[About the choice of extraction instrument for vaginal operative termination in vertex presentation (author's transl)]. / Uber die Wahl des Extraktionsinstrumentes zur vaginalen operativen Geburtsbeendigung bei Schädellagen

The common separation of indications at the First University Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology in Vienna concerning the choice of extraction instrument in cases of operative termination of vaginal delivery out of vertex position is being demonstrated. When there is only a slight increase of resistance in the delivery mechanism, when the child is mature, when there is no attitude of deflexion, and where there is no real reason for a speedy termination of delivery, the vacuum extractor comes into use. In cases of child emergency, of considerable increase of delivery mechanism resistance, of immaturity and attitude of deflexion, an extraction by means of obstetrical forceps is performed. Out of 547 deliveries terminated by means of extraction the sub- and postpartal mortality amounted to 2,19%. The number of prematures (7,5%) in this material did not differ from the total delivery material of the clinic. After forceps extraction 5 out of 419 children (2,8%) died. After vacuum extraction one child out of 105 (0,95%) died. In 23 cases where obstetrical forceps had to be used after vacuum extraction 2 children died (8,7%). The morbidity of the children was measured by means of the Apgar Score and of the injury frequency. Here the two extraction methods showed no significant differencies. The combined application of both extraction instruments however, showed an increase of morbidity. Injuries of the mother were almost exclusively found after forceps extraction.

[Aminolcevulinic acid excretion in women before and after delivery and in their newborn infants (authors transl)]. / Uber die Delta-Aminolävulinsäure-Ausscheidung von Müttern und deren Neugeborenen vor und nach der Geburt

A report is given on the excretion of variation of-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) as an index of the lead load in pregnant women at term and at one and also at four weeks after delivery in both mothers and the newborn infants. The mean values in women were 7.2 + 3.7 before delivery 9.0 + 4.1 one week and 4.1mg ALA/1 urine four weeks after delivery; mean values of 5.2 + 3.2 one week after birth and 2.2 + 1.0 mg ALA/1 urine four weeks after birth were recorded in the newborn infants, according to the method of Davis and Andelman. Two groups were set up: mothers coming from the rural environs of Vienna and mothers living in the centre of the city. The ALA excretion was 14% lower in the former group (20% four weeks post partum) as compared with the mothers living in the city. When these data are considered against a threshold value of 10 ALA/1 urine (set up by the "Hauptverband der Berufsgenossenschafen", Bonn, West Germany, using the same method) the mean value of 9.0mg ALA/1 urine (with individual values of up to 17.4mg ALA/1 urine) in mothers one week after delivery already seems extremely serious.