Mars Extant Life: What's Next? Conference Report.

On November 5-8, 2019, the "Mars Extant Life: What's Next?" conference was convened in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The conference gathered a community of actively publishing experts in disciplines related to habitability and astrobiology. Primary conclusions are as follows: A significant subset of conference attendees concluded that there is a realistic possibility that Mars hosts indigenous microbial life. A powerful theme that permeated the conference is that the key to the search for martian extant life lies in identifying and exploring refugia ("oases"), where conditions are either permanently or episodically significantly more hospitable than average. Based on our existing knowledge of Mars, conference participants highlighted four potential martian refugium (not listed in priority order): Caves, Deep Subsurface, Ices, and Salts. The conference group did not attempt to reach a consensus prioritization of these candidate environments, but instead felt that a defensible prioritization would require a future competitive process. Within the context of these candidate environments, we identified a variety of geological search strategies that could narrow the search space. Additionally, we summarized a number of measurement techniques that could be used to detect evidence of extant life (if present). Again, it was not within the scope of the conference to prioritize these measurement techniques-that is best left for the competitive process. We specifically note that the number and sensitivity of detection methods that could be implemented if samples were returned to Earth greatly exceed the methodologies that could be used at Mars. Finally, important lessons to guide extant life search processes can be derived both from experiments carried out in terrestrial laboratories and analog field sites and from theoretical modeling.

Socio-economic effects and cost saving potential of remote patient monitoring (SAVE-HM trial).

OBJECTIVE: In the SAVE-trial we evaluated the safety, reliability and improvements of patient management using the BIOTRONIK Home Monitoring®-System (HM) in pacemaker (PM) and implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients. DESIGN: 115 PM (Module A) and 36 ICD-patients (Module B) were recruited 3 months after implantation. PATIENTS: 65 patients in Module A were randomised to HM-OFF and had one scheduled outpatient clinic follow-up(FU) per year, whereas patients randomised to HM-ON were equipped with the mobile transmitter and discharged without any further scheduled in-office FU. In Module B 18 patients were randomised to HM-OFF and followed by standard outpatient clinic controls every 6 months; 18 patients were randomised to HM-ON receiving remote monitoring plus one outpatient clinic visit per year; unscheduled follow-ups were performed when necessary. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 17.1 ± 9.2 months in Module A and 26.3 ± 8.6 months in Module B. In both modules, the number of FUs per year was significantly reduced (Module A HM-ON 0.29 ± 0.6 FUs/year vs HM-OFF 0.53 ± 0.5 FUs/year; p b 0.001; Module B HM-ON 0.87 ± 0.25 vs HM-OFF 1.73 ± 0.53 FU/year,p b 0.001). Cost analysis was significantly lower in the HM-ON group compared to the HM-OFF group (18.0 ± 41.3 and 22.4 ± 26.9 € respectively; p b 0.003). 93% of the unscheduled visits in Module B were clinically indicated,whereas 55% of the routine FUs were classified as clinically unnecessary. CONCLUSION: Remote home monitoring of pacemaker and ICD devices was safe, reduced overall hospital visits, and detected events that mandated unscheduled visits.

Emergence of classical swine fever virus in Israel in 2009.

Classical swine fever (CSF) re-emerged in Israel in February 2009 after an absence of 62 years. The outbreak occurred on a domestic pig farm in northern Israel and affected domestic pigs and wild boar. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis of a 190 base pair fragment of the E2 glycoprotein gene, the Israeli CSF virus strain belonged to genotype 2.1 and was genetically most similar to a Chinese CSF virus strain.

Significant human beta-cell turnover is limited to the first three decades of life as determined by in vivo thymidine analog incorporation and radiocarbon dating.

AIMS: Diabetes mellitus results from an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin-producing pancreatic ß-cells. The turnover rate of adult human ß-cells remains unknown. We employed two techniques to examine adult human islet ß-cell turnover and longevity in vivo. METHODS: Subjects enrolled in National Institutes of Health clinical trials received thymidine analogs [iododeoxyuridine (IdU) or bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)] 8 d to 4 yr prior to death. Archival autopsy samples from 10 patients (aged 17-74 yr) were employed to assess ß-cell turnover by scoring nuclear analog labeling within insulin-staining cells. Human adult ß-cell longevity was determined by estimating the cells' genomic DNA integration of atmospheric (14)C. DNA was purified from pancreatic islets isolated from cadaveric donors; whole islet prep DNA was obtained from a 15-yr-old donor, and purified ß-cell DNA was obtained from two donors (ages 48 and 80 yr). (14)C levels were then determined using accelerator mass spectrometry. Cellular "birth date" was determined by comparing the subject's DNA (14)C content relative to a well-established (14)C atmospheric prevalence curve. RESULTS: In the two subjects less than 20 yr of age, 1-2% of the ß-cell nuclei costained for BrdU/IdU. No ß-cell nuclei costained in the eight patients more than 30 yr old. Consistent with the BrdU/IdU turnover data, ß-cell DNA (14)C content indicated that the "birth date" of cells occurred within the subject's first 30 yr of life. CONCLUSIONS: Under typical circumstances, human ß-cells and their cellular precursors are established by young adulthood.

Disseminated pseudallescheriosis in a dog.

A case of disseminated pseudallescheriasis in a German Shepherd bitch is presented. Bones (ilium, a rib and phalanges), joints (elbow and acetabulum) and the surrounding tissues were the principal organs affected. In addition, Pseudallescheria boydii was isolated, in lower numbers, from the eye, kidney, lymph nodes draining the affected regions and urine. The dog was euthanized. P. boydii was identified by morphologic characteristics and molecular techniques (beta tubulin sequence). In addition, an ITS nucleotide sequence analysis showed that this strain differed from another isolate identified as Scedosporium apiospermum that had caused a disseminated infection in another German Shepherd. The importance of the molecular characterization of fungi belonging to the Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium complex, isolated from animals is stressed in light of the ongoing attempts to recharacterize these fungi.

Dermatitis in a dairy herd caused by Pelodera strongyloides (Nematoda: Rhabditidae).

A high rate (25%) of infestation of heifers in a dairy cattle herd caused by the saprophytic nematode Pelodera strongyloides is described. Management (crowded) and environmental conditions (moist and filthy) as well as the climate (temperature) apparently favoured the existence and continuation of the nematodes. These infested a large number of heifers by causing dermatitis in skin areas, which were in contact with the contaminated environment. The dermatitis is characterized by a marked thickening of the skin, which became wrinkled and scurfy with alopecia. Pruritus was not observed.

An ancillary tool for the diagnosis of amyloid A amyloidosis in a variety of domestic and wild animals.

Immunohistochemistry, the standard method for diagnosing amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis, is limited in animals because it requires a large array of animal-specific anti-AA antibodies, not commercially available. The Shtrasburg method (SH method) is a highly specific and sensitive technique, helping in the diagnosis and determination of AA amyloidosis in humans. The aim of this study is to determine whether the SH method is applicable in the diagnosis of AA amyloidosis in a variety of animals. Tissue samples were obtained from animals suffering from spontaneous or experimentally induced AA amyloidosis (mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, cheetahs, cats, cows, ducks, a dog, a goose, a chicken, and a turaco). Detection of the amyloid and quantitative evaluation were performed using Congo red staining, and specific AA typing was performed by the potassium permanganate technique. The studied tissues were subjected to the SH method, which confirmed the AA nature of the amyloid deposit, by displaying in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein bands consistent with the molecular weight of the species-specific AA, in all the animals examined, except mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs. N-terminal analysis of these bands corroborated their AA origin. We conclude that the SH method may be used as an ancillary simple tool for the diagnosis of AA amyloidosis in a large number of domestic and wild animals. Moreover, our findings further increase the feasibility of applying this method in humans.

Seasonal allergic dermatitis in sheep associated with Ctenocephalides and Culicoides bites.

The clinical, epidemiological and histopathological findings of two pruritic dermatites in sheep in Israel are described. The first type of dermatitis affected mainly young animals with lesions predominantly on the legs. It occurred from March to November, with a peak in June. The second type affected animals of all ages and was mainly on the ventrum. It was sporadic but occurred throughout the year with a peak in October. The morbidity rate of this syndrome reached 4.3% in one flock. The histopathology of both conditions was consistent with an allergic dermatitis. Fleas and midges were collected and identified as Ctenocephalides felis felis and various species of Culicoides. The population density, seasonal activity, geographical distribution and feeding behaviour preferences of the insects and the incidence of the two types of dermatitis suggest that fleas and midges were the causal agents. Flea and midge bite pruritic dermatoses should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sarcoptic and psoroptic mange.

Identification of a novel nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus in Israel.

A novel infectious bronchitis variant, designated as IS/885/00, associated with nephritis, was isolated from outbreaks in 23 broiler farms in Israel. The virus was first identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and showed a distinct restriction fragment length polymorphism pattern from previously described Israeli isolates. Sequence analysis of the S1 gene and the deduced amino acid sequence revealed 97.2% protein similarity to genotype IS/ 720/99 and 71.6% similarity to the vaccine strain H120, the only strain permitted for use in this country. A database search in GenBank revealed a closely related isolate from Egypt, Egypt/Beni-Seug/01, with 96.6% similarity. Other published nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus strains/isolates shared less than 77% similarity with IS/885/00. A vaccine protection test in specific-pathogen-free chicks indicated 91% protection to the trachea and only 25% protection to the kidneys in vaccinated birds challenged with IS/885/00.