Marine heatwaves on the rise: One of the strongest ever observed mass mortality event in temperate gorgonians.

Gorgonian population after the 2022 mass mortality event (MME) in the Calanques National Park. The year 2022 was marked by a historic gorgonian MME. This study describes the consequences for the red gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) and red coral (Corallium rubrum) populations in the Calanques National Park (Marseille, France).

Black glucose-releasing silicon elastomer rings for fed-batch operation allow measurement of the oxygen transfer rate from the top and optical signals from the bottom for each well of a microtiter plate.

BACKGROUND: In industrial microbial biotechnology, fed-batch processes are frequently used to avoid undesirable biological phenomena, such as substrate inhibition or overflow metabolism. For targeted process development, fed-batch options for small scale and high throughput are needed. One commercially available fed-batch fermentation system is the FeedPlate®, a microtiter plate (MTP) with a polymer-based controlled release system. Despite standardisation and easy incorporation into existing MTP handling systems, FeedPlates® cannot be used with online monitoring systems that measure optically through the transparent bottom of the plate. One such system that is broadly used in biotechnological laboratories, is the commercial BioLector. To allow for BioLector measurements, while applying the polymer-based feeding technology, positioning of polymer rings instead of polymer disks at the bottom of the well has been proposed. This strategy has a drawback: measurement requires an adjustment of the software settings of the BioLector device. This adjustment modifies the measuring position relative to the wells, so that the light path is no longer blocked by the polymer ring, but, traverses through the inner hole of the ring. This study aimed at overcoming that obstacle and allowing for measurement of fed-batch cultivations using a commercial BioLector without adjustment of the relative measurement position within each well. RESULTS: Different polymer ring heights, colours and positions in the wells were investigated for their influence on maximum oxygen transfer capacity, mixing time and scattered light measurement. Several configurations of black polymer rings were identified that allow measurement in an unmodified, commercial BioLector, comparable to wells without rings. Fed-batch experiments with black polymer rings with two model organisms, E. coli and H. polymorpha, were conducted. The identified ring configurations allowed for successful cultivations, measuring the oxygen transfer rate and dissolved oxygen tension, pH, scattered light and fluorescence. Using the obtained online data, glucose release rates of 0.36 to 0.44 mg/h could be determined. They are comparable to formerly published data of the polymer matrix. CONCLUSION: The final ring configurations allow for measurements of microbial fed-batch cultivations using a commercial BioLector without requiring adjustments of the instrumental measurement setup. Different ring configurations achieve similar glucose release rates. Measurements from above and below the plate are possible and comparable to measurements of wells without polymer rings. This technology enables the generation of a comprehensive process understanding and target-oriented process development for industrial fed-batch processes.

A field trial comparing four oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on controlling cautery dehorning pain and stress in calves.

The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic effect of four nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) administered as a single, standardized, oral dose in dairy calves at the time of cautery dehorning. The NSAIDs investigated have pharmacokinetic properties in cattle that produce persistent plasma concentrations that may provide prolonged analgesia with the added practicality of a simple administration regimen. One hundred and eighty-five Holstein calves aged approximately 50 d old were either sham dehorned (n = 31) or cautery dehorned following oral administration of carprofen (n = 31), firocoxib (n = 31), flunixin meglumine (n = 30), meloxicam (n = 31) or placebo (n = 31) in a randomized, controlled trial. A standard dose of 2.0 mg/kg was administered to all calves receiving an oral NSAID. All calves received local anesthesia prior to actual or sham dehorning. Cortisol concentrations, heart rate, mechanical nociception thresholds, ocular and dehorning area temperatures, and average daily gains were evaluated. A linear mixed-effects model with repeated measures was used for statistical analysis. Administration of oral meloxicam, flunixin meglumine, and firocoxib at 2.0 mg/kg resulted in decreased cortisol concentrations compared to placebo-treated controls for the first 24 h postdehorning (AUEC0-24) (P = 0.03). Moreover, firocoxib, flunixin meglumine, and meloxicam attenuated the maximum cortisol concentrations compared to placebo-treated calves (P = 0.04, P= 0.02). In calves treated with flunixin meglumine, cortisol concentrations was reduced at 4 h (P = 0.04) and 8 h (P = 0.02). In addition, analgesic administration was associated with changes in ocular and dehorning area temperature differences (P = 0.09). Carprofen and meloxicam reduced heart rates during the entire study period (P = 0.003). Although a treatment effect (P < 0.0001) was observed in the determination of mechanical nociception threshold among all treatment groups, meloxicam expressed marginally significant effects (P = 0.09) among NSAID treated groups dehorned. A single dose of oral meloxicam, flunixin meglumine, or firocoxib administered at 2.0 mg/kg reduced the acute stress response associated with cautery dehorning. However, carprofen administration was associated with increased cortisol concentrations and dehorning area temperatures for the initial 24 h. Given the changes in pain and stress outcome variables assessed in this study, NSAIDs should be administered at the time of dehorning.

Optimizing genomic selection for blight resistance in American chestnut backcross populations: A trade-off with American chestnut ancestry implies resistance is polygenic.

American chestnut was once a foundation species of eastern North American forests, but was rendered functionally extinct in the early 20th century by an exotic fungal blight (Cryphonectria parasitica). Over the past 30 years, the American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) has pursued backcross breeding to generate hybrids that combine the timber-type form of American chestnut with the blight resistance of Chinese chestnut based on a hypothesis of major gene resistance. To accelerate selection within two backcross populations that descended from two Chinese chestnuts, we developed genomic prediction models for five presence/absence blight phenotypes of 1,230 BC3F2 selection candidates and average canker severity of their BC3F3 progeny. We also genotyped pure Chinese and American chestnut reference panels to estimate the proportion of BC3F2 genomes inherited from parent species. We found that genomic prediction from a method that assumes an infinitesimal model of inheritance (HBLUP) has similar accuracy to a method that tends to perform well for traits controlled by major genes (Bayes C). Furthermore, the proportion of BC3F2 trees' genomes inherited from American chestnut was negatively correlated with the blight resistance of these trees and their progeny. On average, selected BC3F2 trees inherited 83% of their genome from American chestnut and have blight resistance that is intermediate between F1 hybrids and American chestnut. Results suggest polygenic inheritance of blight resistance. The blight resistance of restoration populations will be enhanced through recurrent selection, by advancing additional sources of resistance through fewer backcross generations, and by potentially by breeding with transgenic blight-tolerant trees.

Symptoms, Audiometric and Vestibular Laboratory Findings, and Imaging in a Concurrent Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome and Vestibular Schwannoma: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a common complaint that can arise from multiple systems in the body. Objective vestibular tests are used to understand the underlying function of the vestibular system and whether or not it may be contributing to the dizziness symptoms experienced by the patient. Even when comprehensive case history is consistent with an otologic etiology, audiometric and vestibular tests are ordered to objectively characterize inner ear function to help further refine the differential diagnoses and aid in guiding treatment options. Few reports in the literature describe audiometric and vestibular results in patients with multiple concurrent otologic etiologies. PURPOSE: This case provides a description of audiometric, vestibular, and imaging results in a case of concurrent bilateral superior canal dehiscence, right-sided vestibular schwannoma, and right-sided posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The patient's symptoms and laboratory findings are described in detail and, where appropriate, highlight challenges that may arise in interpretation. RESEARCH DESIGN: A case report. RESULTS: The patient presented for evaluation of dizziness, asymmetric hearing loss, and autophony. Comprehensive audiometric evaluation shows asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss and an air-bone gap at 250 Hz in the right ear. Vestibular evaluation shows right caloric asymmetry along with abnormal cervical vestibular- and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials, with the left ear showing results consistent with the third-window pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive assessment of symptoms and critical thinking while performing testing are necessary when examining multiple concurrent otologic etiologies in a patient. Knowledge of anticipated test results and physiology may help the audiologist to synthesize results and make appropriate clinical recommendations as part of the multidisciplinary team.

Primary uterine osteosarcoma presenting synchronously with bilateral breast carcinomas.

Primary uterine sarcomas are infrequent neoplasms and most commonly leiomyosarcomas or endometrial stromal sarcomas. We report a rare case of primary uterine osteosarcoma discovered in a woman in her 60s following staging CT imaging for bilateral breast carcinomas. Examination of the subsequent hysterectomy specimen showed a tumour composed of malignant spindle cells and osteoclast-like giant cells associated with osteoid and neoplastic bone, in keeping with primary uterine osteosarcoma. Distinction of osteosarcoma from the more common carcinosarcoma is important due to the worse prognosis impacting on treatment decisions. In addition, synchronous presentation of this unusual tumour with bilateral breast carcinomas raises the possibility of a mutual genetic pathogenesis.

Optic nerve ultrasound for the detection of elevated intracranial pressure in the hypertensive patient.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine whether dilation of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), as detected at the bedside by emergency ultrasound (US), could reliably correlate with patient blood pressure and whether there was a blood pressure cutoff point where you would start to see abnormal dilation in the ONSD. METHODS: This was a single-blinded, prospective, observational trial from September 2010 to April 2011. One hundred fifty patients presenting to the emergency department were enrolled. There were 3 arms to the study with 50 patients in each arm: (1) ONSD in normotensive/asymptomatic patients; (2) ONSD in hypertensive/asymptomatic patients; and (3) ONSD in hypertensive/symptomatic patients. Ocular US was conducted on all subjects. RESULTS: Neither the number of symptoms nor the type of symptom present in the hypertensive/symptomatic group was able to significantly predict the average ONSD before treatment (P = .818 and .288, respectively). There was a significant correlation between both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) with the ONSD in all hypertensive patients. The best SBP and DBP cutoff point for abnormal ONSD was 166/82 mm Hg. Decrease in ONSD observed after blood pressure treatment was not statistically significant (P = .073). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study shows that practitioners can use bedside ocular US and a blood pressure cutoff point to help predict whether patients require more aggressive management of their symptomatic hypertension. Knowing the SBP and DBP readings that lead to increased ONSD and increased intracranial pressure can help guide management and treatment decisions at the bedside.

Sealpox virus in marine mammal rehabilitation facilities, North America, 2007-2009.

Sealpox, a zoonotic disease affecting pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), can occur among captive and convalescing animals. We surveyed 1 worker each from 11 marine mammal centers and interviewed 31 other marine mammal workers to ascertain their knowledge of and experience with sealpox virus and to identify factors associated with sealpox virus outbreaks among pinnipeds in marine rehabilitation facilities. Demographic and health data were obtained for 1,423 pinnipeds at the 11 facilities. Among the 23 animals in which sealpox was clinically diagnosed, 4 arrived at the facility ill, 11 became ill <5 weeks after arrival, and 2 became ill ≥5 weeks after arrival; the timing of illness onset was unknown for 6 animals. Most infections occurred in pinnipeds <1 year of age. Nine affected animals were malnourished; 4 had additional illnesses. Sealpox had also occurred among workers at 2 facilities. Sealpox is a noteworthy zoonosis of rehabilitating convalescing pinnipeds; workplace education can help to minimize risks for human infection.