The need to consider the service life of all components of a modern MSW landfill liner system.

The long-term performance of a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) above a drainage layer and a geocomposite drain (GCD) are investigated. Full-scale tests are used to: (i) assess the integrity of GCL and GCD in a double composite liner below a defect in the primary geomembrane with ageing, and (ii) establish the head at which there was internal erosion in GCL without a carrier geotextile (GTX) such that the bentonite is in direct contact with the underlying gravel drainage. Six years after contact with simulated landfill leachate at 85 °C through an intentional defect on the geomembrane, the GCL resting on the GCD had failed due to degradation of the GTX between the bentonite and the core of the GCD and subsequent erosion of the bentonite into the core structure of the GCD was observed. In addition to complete degradation of its GTX at some locations, the GCD had also experienced extensive stress cracking and rib rollover. The second test demonstrates that if a suitable gravel drainage layer had been used instead of the GCD, the GTX component of the GCL would not have been required for acceptable long-term performance under normal design conditions and indeed could withstand a head of up to 15 m before problems became evident. The findings serve as a warning landfill designers and regulators that more attention must be paid to the service life of all components of double liner systems used in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills.

Toward spatio-temporal delineation of positive interactions in ecology.

Given unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss, there is an urgency to better understand the ecological consequences of interactions among organisms that may lost or altered. Positive interactions among organisms of the same or different species that directly or indirectly improve performance of at least one participant can structure populations and communities and control ecosystem process. However, we are still in need of synthetic approaches to better understand how positive interactions scale spatio-temporally across a range of taxa and ecosystems. Here, we synthesize two complementary approaches to more rigorously describe positive interactions and their consequences among organisms, across taxa, and over spatio-temporal scales. In the first approach, which we call the mechanistic approach, we make a distinction between two principal mechanisms of facilitation-habitat modification and resource modification. Considering the differences in these two mechanisms is critical because it delineates the potential spatio-temporal bounds over which a positive interaction can occur. We offer guidance on improved sampling regimes for quantification of these mechanistic interactions and their consequences. Second, we present a trait-based approach in which traits of facilitators or traits of beneficiaries can modulate their magnitude of effect or how they respond to either of the positive interaction mechanisms, respectively. Therefore, both approaches can be integrated together by quantifying the degree to which a focal facilitator's or beneficiary's traits explain the magnitude of a positive effect in space and time. Furthermore, we demonstrate how field measurements and analytical techniques can be used to collect and analyze data to test the predictions presented herein. We conclude by discussing how these approaches can be applied to contemporary challenges in ecology, such as conservation and restoration and suggest avenues for future research.

Stem cells and bFGF in tendon healing: Effects of lentiviral gene transfer and long-term follow-up in a rat Achilles tendon defect model.

BACKGROUND: The influence of stem cells and lentiviral expression of basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) on tendon healing and remodelling was investigated in an in-vivo long-term (12 weeks) rat Achilles tendon defect model. METHODS: In sixty male Lewis rats, complete tendon defects (2.4 mm) were created and either left untreated (PBS) or treated by injection of stem cells lentivirally expressing the enhanced green fluorescence marker gene eGFP (MSC-LV-eGFP) or basic fibroblast growth factor bFGF (MSC-LV-bFGF). Tendons were harvested after 12 weeks and underwent biomechanical and (immuno)-histological analysis. RESULTS: After 12 weeks the mean ultimate load to failure ratio (treated side to contralateral side) in biomechanical testing reached 97 % in the bFGF-group, 103 % in the eGFP-group and 112 % in the PBS-group. Also in the stiffness testing both MSC groups did not reach the results of the PBS group. Histologically, the MSC groups did not show better results than the control group. There were clusters of ossifications found in all groups. In immunohistology, only the staining collagen-type-I was strongly increased in both MSC groups in comparison to PBS control group. However, there were no significant differences in the (immuno)-histological results between both stem cell groups. CONCLUSION: The biomechanical and (immuno)-histological results did not show positive effects of the MSC groups on tendon remodelling in a long-term follow-up. Interestingly, in later stages stem cells had hardly any effects on biomechanical results. This study inspires a critical and reflected use of stem cells in tendon healing.

[Specific aspects of pediatric emergencies in the prehospital setting]. / Spezielle pädiatrische Notfälle in der Prähospitalphase.

Life-threatening pediatric emergencies are relatively rare in the prehospital setting; therefore, the treating emergency physician may not always be familiar with and well trained in these situations. However, pediatric emergencies require early recognition and initiation of specific diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to prevent further complications. Treatment of pediatric emergencies follows current recommendations as detailed in published international guidelines. The aim of this review is to provide specific information with regard to respiratory, cardiac and neurological medical emergencies commnly encountered in children in the prehospital setting. It is not the aim of this review article to provide specific guidance with regard to a variety of surgical emergencies. Due to improved treatment modalities the emergency medical team may also be confronted with acutely ill children with very severe and complex underlying clinical syndromes (e.g. complex cardiac malformations and syndromic genetic disorders). This article also provides specific information with regard to treatment of this susceptible and vulnerable patient cohort.

[Pediatric emergencies: Knowledge of basic measures for the emergency physician]. / Notfälle im Kindesalter: Vom Notarzt zu beherrschende Basismaßnahmen.

Life-threatening pediatric emergencies are relatively rare in the prehospital setting. Thus, the treating emergency physician may not always be familiar with and well trained in these situations. However, pediatric emergencies require early recognition and initiation of specific diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to prevent further damage. The treatment of pediatric emergencies follows current recommendations as detailed in published international guidelines. The aim of this review is to familiarize the emergency physician with general aspects pertinent to this topic-most importantly anatomical and physiological characteristics in this cohort. Also, specific information with regard to analgesia and sedation, which may be warranted in the prehospital setting, will be provided.

Species composition and seasonal occurrence of Phyllophaga (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) infesting intensely managed Bermudagrass in Oklahoma.

Larvae of Phyllophaga spp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are important turfgrass pests in many regions of the United States. However, not all of the species associated with turfgrass are known, including species most likely to be of economic concern in Oklahoma turfgrasses, especially Bermuda grass. This study documented the species composition and seasonal occurrence of Phyllophaga associated with high maintenance Bermuda grass turf in Oklahoma over a 2-yr period. In 2005 and 2006, adult Phyllophaga spp. were collected with blacklight traps from selected golf courses throughout Oklahoma Phyllophaga larvae were obtained from Bermuda grass stands at selected sod production facilities adjacent to or near the light traps. We collected 20 species of Phyllophaga beetles in light traps, and nine species of Phyllophaga larvae from turfgrass. Peak flight periods for most species occurred in May and June, but some were captured as early as mid-April and others as late as September. The cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene from adults and larvae was amplified using polymerase chain reaction, sequenced, and then used to compare larval DNA against DNA from identified adults. These results confirmed the validity of using COI sequences to identify species of some Phyllophaga larvae. The identifications will aid in optimizing the timing of insecticide applications against Phyllophaga white grubs as discussed.

ISG15 enhances the innate antiviral response by inhibition of IRF-3 degradation.

The transcription factor, interferon regulatory Factor 3 (IRF-3) plays a critical role in the activation of an antiviral innate immune response. However the transcriptional activity of IRF-3 is tightly regulated by a proteosome mediated degradation. We describe here a novel mechanism by which the activity of IRF-3 is stabilized in infected cells. We have shown that both interferon treatment and NDV infection profoundly increase conjugation of interferon induced ubiquitin- like protein ISG15 to cellular proteins. ISGylated IRF-3 could be detected both in interferon treated and virus-infected cells. ISG15, subverts the ubiquitin mediated degradation of IRF-3 in NDV infected 2fTGH cells and enhances the NDV mediated transactivation of interferonbeta promoter and the translocation of activated IRF-3 to the nucleus. The relative levels of IRF-3 were significantly lower in NDV infected ISG15 null MEF, than in wt MEF. While ISG15 null MEF were more permissive to VSV replication their sensitivity to the antiviral effect of interferon was not modulated. These results reveal that virus mediated subversion of the antiviral response by proteolysis of IRF-3 is counteracted by induction of ISG15 expression and that ISGylation provides a feedback mechanism, which enhances the host innate antiviral response via IRF-3 stabilization.

Revised list of abbreviations for genera and subgenera of Culicidae (Diptera) and notes on generic and subgeneric changes.

Recent generic and subgeneric changes in family Culicidae are summarized and a revised and updated list of abbreviations for the currently recognized 39 genera and 135 subgenera of the family is provided.

Dietary exposures to food contaminants across the United States.

Food consumption is an important route of human exposure to pesticides and industrial pollutants. Average dietary exposures to 37 pollutants were calculated for the whole United States population and for children under age 12 years by combining contaminant data with food consumption data and summing across food types. Pollutant exposures were compared to benchmark concentrations, which are based on standard toxicological references, for cancer and noncancer health effects. Average food ingestion exposures for the whole population exceeded benchmark concentrations for arsenic, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls, when nondetects were assumed to be equal to zero. For each of these pollutants, exposure through fish consumption accounts for a large percentage of food exposures. Exposure data for childhood age groups indicated that benchmark concentrations for the six identified pollutants are exceeded by the time age 12 years is reached. The methods used in this analysis could underestimate risks from childhood exposure, as children have a longer time to develop tumors and they may be more susceptible to carcinogens; therefore, there may be several additional contaminants of concern. In addition, several additional pollutants exceeded benchmark levels when nondetects were assumed to be equal to one half the detection limit. Uncertainties in exposure levels may be large, primarily because of numerous samples with contaminant levels below detection limits.

New classification for the composite genus Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae: Aedini), elevation of subgenus Ochlerotatus to generic rank, reclassification of the other subgenera, and notes on certain subgenera and species.

The composite genus Aedes is divided into 2 genera, Aedes and Ochlerotatus, on the basis of consistent primary characters of the female and male genitalia. Ochlerotatus is separated into 2 sections. Additional supplemental features of the female and male genitalia, 4th-stage larvae, and pupae are provided for the separation of the genera and sections as well as a discussion of exceptions and comparisons. This classification is based on a morphological examination of specimens of over 65% of the currently recognized species and all subgenera previously included in Aedes and representative material of all subgenera and genera of tribe Aedini. Published literature was examined and evaluated. All currently recognized subgenera are assigned to the appropriate genus. The proposed new generic classification provides better defined genera and a more natural arrangement of included taxa. Armigerini is formally recognized as a synonym, in part, of Aedini.

Restoration of Ayurakitia to generic rank in tribe Aedini and a revised definition of the genus.

Ayurakitia, previously treated as a subgenus of genus Aedes, is restored as a genus in tribe Aedini of family Culicidae. Rationale for this action is discussed. The genus includes 2 species (griffithi and peytoni) and has been reported from Southeast Asia. The most distinctive features of the genus are listed. A revised and expanded definition of the genus and illustrations of the female and male genitalia, pupa, and 4th-stage larva of the type species are provided.

Synonymy of subgenus Sinoaedes of genus Aedes with subgenus Mattinglyia of genus Heizmannia.

The subgenus Sinoaedes is transferred from the genus Aedes and placed in synonymy with the subgenus Mattinglyia of the genus Heizmannia. The haplotype of Sinoaedes, Aedes occidentayunnanus, is transferred to the subgenus Mattinglyia of the genus Heizmannia and the spelling of the specific name is corrected to agree in gender with Heizmannia. Rationale for these actions is provided.

Assignment of two North American species of Aedes to subgenus Rusticoidus.

Aedes bicristatus and Aedes provocans are transferred to subgenus Rusticoidus from subgenus Ochlerotatus. Primary morphologic features of Rusticoidus are provided for separating this subgenus from all other subgenera of genus Aedes.

Separation of trap-collected adults of Anopheles atropos from species of the quadrimaculatus complex.

The presence of a moderate- to large-sized patch of dark scales on the anterior surface of the fore coxa of Anopheles atropos can be used to separate this species from species of the Quadrimaculatus Complex collected in coastal areas of the United States. Identification of specimens is possible even if they have been collected in traps and are rubbed and faded.

Morphological abnormalities in species of the quadrimaculatus complex of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae).

This report provides results of the first detailed examination of morphological abnormalities occurring in adults, pupae, and 4th-instar larvae of a sibling species complex within the family Culicidae. Aberrant and/or anomalous setae or structures are reported, along with their frequency of occurrence, for the 5 sibling species (Anopheles diluvialis, Anopheles inundatus, Anopheles maverlius, Anopheles quadrimaculatus, and Anopheles smaragdinus) of the Quadrimaculatus Complex of Anopheles. A total of 21,684 specimens were examined. In the pupal stage, the presence of seta 11-II was the most common anomaly, whereas in the 4th-instar larva, branching of seta 2-C occurred most frequently. Abnormalities in the male genitalia usually involved the claspette or tergum IX. Other abnormalities in females, male genitalia, pupae, and 4th-instar larvae occurred infrequently.

The dorsal apotome of pupae and fourth-instar larvae of Culicidae (Diptera), a structure of phylogenetic significance.

The development of the pupal dorsal apotome was examined and compared in representatives of the families Culicidae, Chaoboridae, Corethrellidae, and Dixidae. Illustrations of the pupal dorsal apotome for 73 species, in 25 genera, are provided to show the differences and similarities between taxa. The 4th-instar larval dorsal apotome is compared and illustrated for the 3 subfamilies of Culicidae. The phylogenetic significance of the dorsal apotome of the pupae and 4th-instar larvae is discussed.