Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Barettin

In this paper, we present novel bioactivity for barettin isolated from the marine sponge Geodia barretti. We found that barettin showed strong antioxidant activity in biochemical assays as well as in a lipid peroxidation cell assay. A de-brominated synthetic analogue of barettin did not show the same activity in the antioxidant cell assay, indicating that bromine is important for cellular activity. Barettin was also able to inhibit the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNFα from LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. This combination of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities could indicate that barettin has an atheroprotective effect and may therefore be an interesting product to prevent development of atherosclerosis.     

Sprouting Dynamics of Bunias orientalis

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Bunias orientalis is a highly vigorous weed and the powerful taproot makes control difficult. Taking action against unwanted plant species at the...     

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) serotype Sp is prevalent in Turkish rainbow trout farms

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is a common pathogen of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Turkey. We found that 455 of 1,676 sample pools tested were IPNV positive. Positive samples were found in all geographical regions where sampling was conducted. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of VP2 from 30 isolates representing all regions showed that the viruses were highly similar in sequence and grouped within Genogroup 5 (serotype Sp‐A2). No correlations between sequences, sampling sites or geographical origins were identified. Although clinical disease was evident in several farms, analyses of the amino acid sequence of VP2 showed that all virus strains harboured the P₂₁₇T₂₂₁ motif, assumed to be associated with low virulence. We conclude that IPNV is prevalent in Turkish rainbow trout farms and that the viruses are very homogenous and likely to be of European origin. Frequent exchange of eggs and live fish within the farming industry may explain the homogeneity of the IPNV.     

Application of sorbents in different soil types from small arms shooting ranges for immobilization of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and antimony (Sb)

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Soil contamination of ammunition residues at shooting ranges for small arms may be followed by leaching of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and antimony (Sb)....     

Reduced Acid Deposition Leads to a New Start for Brown Trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo trutta</Emphasis>) in an Acidified Lake in Southern Norway

Acid deposition has led to acidification and loss of fish populations in thousands of lakes and streams in Norway. Since the peak in the late 1970s, acid deposition has been greatly reduced and acidified surface waters have shown chemical recovery. Biological recovery, in particular fish populations, however, has lagged behind. Long-term monitoring of water chemistry and fish populations in Lake Langtjern, south-eastern Norway, shows that around 2008, chemical recovery had progressed to the point at which natural reproduction of brown trout (Salmo trutta) reoccurred. The stocked brown trout reproduced in the period 2008–2014, probably for the first time since the 1960s, but reproduction and/or early life stage survival was very low. The results indicate that chemical thresholds for reproduction in this lake are approximately pH?=?5.1, Al_i?=?26 μg l^?1, ANC?=?47 μeq l^?1, and ANC_oaa?=?10 μeq l^?1 as annual mean values. These thresholds agree largely with the few other cases of documented recovery of brown trout in sites in Norway, Sweden, and the UK. Occurrence and duration of acidic episodes have decreased considerably since the 1980s but still occur and probably limit reproduction success.     

Probing structural periodicity (annual ring size) in Scots pine by NMR profiling

The water distribution along a direction normal to the annual rings of a water-saturated sapwood sample from Scots pine (9 mm of length) was determined using NMR one-dimensional imaging. The NMR profiles were obtained at a low-field NMR instrument using pulsed field gradients in Hahn echo experiments. Using a gradient pulse of 60 G/cm, a spatial resolution of 12 μm along the axis was obtained. A subsequent Fourier analysis of the signal intensity along the specified direction enabled the size distribution of the annual rings together with the relative amount of water within the rings to be estimated. The technique is a non-damaging way to determine the annual ring profile in wood, and can be further developed as a mobile technique for annual ring profiling of whole trees.     

Economic dependence on forest resources: A case from Dendi District, Ethiopia

This paper examines variation in dependence on forest resources among rural households in Chilimo, Ethiopia, and the income-equalizing effects of such resources. Data were collected through a systematic questionnaire survey of 102 households, randomly selected from two peasant associations in the area. Forest income contributed 39% of the average household income, roughly equal to agriculture, which contributed 40%. Forest income was more important than all other income sources combined for the poorest 40% of households and contributed more to household income than agriculture for 65% of households. While forest income represents 59% of the total household income for the poorest quintile, the contribution drops to 34% for the wealthiest quintile. On the other hand, the rich households derive a larger absolute income from forest resources than the poor households. Forest resources have an important income-equalizing potential among the rural households. Reduced access to forest resources would greatly affect the welfare of the rural population and increase wealth differentiation among rural households in the study area.     

Formation and availability of methylmercury in mercury-contaminated sediment: effects of activated carbon and biochar amendments

Journal of Soils and Sediments - As the formation of toxic and bioaccumulative methylmercury (MeHg) in Hg-contaminated sediments is of great concern worldwide, suitable remediation options are...     

Factors affecting the concentration of Zn,Fe and Mn in herbage from organic farms and in relation to dietary requirements of ruminants

To obtain a general picture of the herbage zinc, iron and manganese concentrations and their relation to dietary requirements of ruminants on organic farms, we analysed soil and herbage samples from four regions in Norway. The soil median Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations were 0.18, 13 and 0.84 mg/L, respectively. The herbage median (10th–90th percentile) Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations (mg/kg) in herbage in the first cut were 19 (14–34), 50 (36–88), 34 (22–86) and in the second cut 21 (16–37), 84 (52–171) and 66 (36–205), respectively. The results of mixed model analysis of herbage Zn, Fe and Mn indicate that soil pH, soil texture, soil mineral concentration and botanical composition are the most influencing factors. We conclude that Zn, Fe and Mn did not limit plant growth, and that the herbage concentrations, except for Zn, were sufficient to meet the dietary needs of ruminants on organic dairy farms.