Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Uptake Of Nanoparticles Of Cerium Oxide And Yttrium Oxide By Acanthamoeba Castellanii (Protozoa) And Daphnia Magna (Crustacea), James R. Palmieri, Geneva Gehring, Catherine Minichino, Shaadi F. Elswaifi

Virginia Journal of Science

Currently, nanoparticles are synthesized and used at an unprecedented rate for industrial, medical, and research applications. The use of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONP) and yttrium oxide nanoparticles (YtONP) results in their spread as contaminants into the environment. Once in the environment, CeONP and YtONP can be taken up by organisms in the food chain where they may pose a public health risk. In this study we determine whether Acanthamoeba castellanii and Daphnia magna uptake CeONP or YtONP from their environment and thereby play a role in the transmission of the nanoparticles. Using electron microscopy, orgranisms exposed to the nanoparticles were …

Cartilage Regeneration On A Large Articular Surface Facilitated By Stress Shielding, Charles L. Mcdowell, Jennifer S. Wayne, Robert Tuten, Hunter H. Mcguire Jr.

Virginia Journal of Science

An animal model for the study of articular cartilage regeneration in-vivo facilitated by stress-shielding is introduced. The object of the model is to test the hypothesis that some form of cartilaginous tissue will grow upon a large joint surface in vivo with the joint in normal motion. The model utilizes the known capability of immature cells to differentiate. The source of cells is bleeding subchondral bone. In addition, the model provides a mechanically shielded environment in which cell differentiation and maturation can occur. The study showed that a substantial amount of tissue will grow in the animal model only when …

A Cohort Study To Determine The Epidemiology Of Estuary-Associated Syndrome, Elizabeth Turf, Lily Ingsrisawang, Megan Turf, J.D. Ball, Michael Stutts, John Taylor, Suzanne Jenkins

Virginia Journal of Science

From the Introduction:

Estuary-Associated Syndrome (EAS) is the name given to a potential illness characterized primarily by changes in an individual's cognitive abilities, including acute onset of memory loss or the sudden inability to solve simple problems. Other possible signs of illness include respiratory symptoms, skin rash, or gastrointestinal distress. This illness appears to arise following exposure to toxin produced by Pfiesteria piscicida, or other toxic dinoflagellates, that resides in estuary waters.

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In order to learn more about this possible syndrome and to determine if a causal relationship exists between association to waters containing Pfiesteria or other toxic …

Field Sampling And Necropsy Examination Of Fish, A. S. Kane, A. Baya, R. Reimschuessel, K. M. St. Pé, C. A. Poukish, C. P. Driscoll

Virginia Journal of Science

This paper presents an overview of observational and fish sampling tech­niques for investigating fish lesions, morbidity and mortality. These sam­pling techniques and investigations are much like detective work and require attention to detail, common sense, technical proficiency and experience. To solve the mystery of a fish kill, the investigator must use available evidence and clues to piece together a series of events that often have long since passed. The cause of these field events may be chemical, biological or physical; more often, it is some combination of these. An initial categorization approach may be used to reduce the great number …

Virginia's Pfiesteria Monitoring Program: Water Quality, Roger K. Everton, Wick T. Harlan, Jonathan W. Priest, Mark S. Alling

Virginia Journal of Science

During the summer and early fall of 1998, 34 estuarine stations in Virginia were sampled for Pfiesteria like organisms (PLOs) and associated water quality conditions. Stations were sampled either bimonthly (20 stations) or monthly (14 stations) from June to October 1998. At each station, a set of live and Lugol' s preserved samples were collected for presumptive counts of PLOs and water quality conditions were determined. Water quality parame­ters measured included standard field parameters, nutrients (total, dissolved, and particulate), chlorophyll a, and conventional water quality indicators. Although PLOs were relatively low in 1998 as compared to 1997, presump­tive PLO counts …