Polyzyklische Aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe (PAKs) in den Böden der Rieselfelder der Stadt Münster (Westfalen)

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils of the Münster (Westfalia) irrigation fields From 1901 to 1975 municipal sewage waters with a daily amount of finally about 40.000 m³ were seeped in the irrigation fields of the city of Münster (Westfalia). Soil samples of former seeped sites and non-seeped neighbour sites have been examined with regard to 6 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of the German “drinking water regulation”. The irrigation caused an enrichment of PAH in the topsoils of the former irrigation basins up to an average concentration of 0,57 mg PAH/kg soil, while the topsoils outside of the irrigation fields show an average concentration of only 0,14 mg PAH/kg soil. Significant correlations between different soil properties, e.g. the organic matter content, and the concentration of PAHs are not evident. After termination the irrigation of sewage water, single irrigation bassins were filled with substratum, which is contaminated with scoriaceous materials. The average PAH concentration of such an area amounts to 7 mg PAH/kg topsoil. The PAH distribution in a soil profile shows a decreasing concentration by depth but a clear enrichment in oxidized gleyic horizons (Go) of different age. Probably the PAHs were leached under recent conditions by chemical bond to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and finally adsorbed by Fe oxides. Since the end of irrigation Fluoranthene, the most mobile PAH compound, was leached down to 110 cm depth. A contamination of the superficial groundwater at such sites cannot be excluded.     

Isolation and structural characterization of new acylated anthocyanin-vinyl-flavanol pigments occurring in aging red wines

Three newly formed pigments were detected and isolated from a 2-year-old Port wine through TSK Toyopearl HW-40(S) gel column chromatography and characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometry, NMR, and mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR data for these pigments obtained using 1D and 2D NMR techniques (COSY, NOESY, gHSQC, and gHMBC) are reported for the first time. The structure of the pigments was found to correspond to the vinyl cycloadducts of malvidin 3-coumaroylglucoside bearing either a procyanidin dimer or a flavanol monomer ((+)-catechin or (-)-epicatechin). Additionally, conformational analysis was performed for one of these newly formed pigment using computer-assisted model building and molecular mechanics. A chemical nomenclature is proposed to unambiguously name this new family of anthocyanin-derived pigments.     

Some aspects of purinergic signaling in the ventricular system of porcine brain

Background

Numerous signaling pathways function in the brain ventricular system, including the most important - GABAergic, glutaminergic and dopaminergic signaling. Purinergic signalization system - comprising nucleotide receptors, nucleotidases, ATP and adenosine and their degradation products - are also present in the brain. However, the precise role of nucleotide signalling pathway in the ventricular system has been not elucidated so far. The aim of our research was the identification of all three elements of purinergic signaling pathway in the porcine brain ventricular system.

Results

Besides nucleotide receptors on the ependymocytes surface, we studied purines and pyrimidines in the CSF, including mechanisms of nucleotide signaling in the swine model (Sus scrofa domestica). The results indicate presence of G proteins coupled P2Y receptors on ependymocytes and also P2X receptors engaged in fast signal transmission. Additionally we found in CSF nucleotides and adenosine in the concentration sufficient to P receptors activation. These extracellular nucleotides are metabolised by adenylate kinase and nucleotidases from at least two families: NTPDases and NPPases. A low activity of these nucleotide metabolising enzymes maintains nucleotides concentration in ventricular system in micromolar range. ATP is degraded into adenosine and inosine.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the thesis about cross-talking between brain and ventricular system functioning in physiological as well as pathological conditions. The close interaction of brain and ventricular system may elicit changes in qualitative and quantitative composition of purines and pyrimidines in CSF. These changes can be dependent on the physiological state of brain, including pathological processes in CNS.     

Monoclonal Gammopathy in a Dog With Visceral Leishmaniasis

One dog with visceral leishmaniasis associated with monoclonal gammopathy is described. Most dogs with visceral leishmaniasis present with hyperproteinemia due to a polyclonal gammopathy, but the possibility of monoclonal gammopathy must be considered. Because dogs accompany their owners when they travel, the diagnosis of leishmaniasis should be considered if an animal with monoclonal gammopathy has visited an area where the disease is endemic. The observation of Leishmania in the macrophages of a bone marrow, lymph node smear, or skin biopsy specimen is diagnostic.     

Correction to: Phenotypic and marker-assisted characterization of new apple genotypes with high resistance to fire blight

European Journal of Plant Pathology - A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-021-02315-7     

Thymolipoma in a cat

Thymolipomas are rare benign thymic neoplasms recognised in humans, composed of mature adipose tissue and thymic tissue. An 8-year-old male domestic shorthair cat presented with anorexia, lethargy and vomiting secondary to the development of a thoracic effusion and an anterior mediastinal tumoral mass with fatty appearance. Histologically, the mass consisted of adipose tissue containing numerous cords and nests of cortical and medullary thymic tissue. No signs of thymic epithelial or lymphoid neoplastic proliferation were detected. The findings in this case are remarkably similar to the macroscopic and histological features of thymolipoma in humans.     

Further knowledge on the phenolic profile of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Shott

Colocasia esculenta (L.) Shott, commonly called taro, is an ancient species selected for its edible tuber. Its huge "elephant ear" like leaves are also consumed in sauces and stews or as soups. Forty-one phenolic metabolites (11 hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and 30 glycosylated flavonoids) were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS(n)) in the leaves of two C. esculenta varieties cultivated in Azores Islands. To our knowledge, 34 of the 41 phenolic compounds are being reported for the first time in this species. Phenolics quantification was achieved by an HPLC-DAD accurate and sensitive validated method. Although the qualitative profile of the two varieties is quite similar, quantitative differences were observed between them. "Giant white" and "red" varieties (local denomination) contain, respectively, ca. 14 and 21% of phenolic acids, 37 and 28% of flavones mono-C-glycosides, 42 and 43% of flavones di-C-glycosides, 3 and 4% of flavones mono-C-(O-glycosyl)glycosides, and both of them ca. 2% of flavones di-C-(O-glycosyl)glycosides and 2% of flavones-O-glycosides. Luteolin-6-C-hexoside was the compound present in higher amounts in both varieties. The established phenolic profile is an added value for the authenticity and quality control of C. esculenta and may be useful in the discrimination of its varieties.     

Diversity and potential impact of Botryosphaeriaceae species associated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> plantations in Portugal

Eucalyptus globulus, a non-native species, is currently the most abundant forest species in Portugal. This economically important forest tree is exploited mainly for the production of pulp for the paper industry. The community of Botryosphaeriaceae species occurring on diseased and healthy E. globulus trees was studied on plantations throughout the country. Nine species from three different genera were identified, namely Botryosphaeria (B. dothidea), Diplodia (D. corticola and D. seriata) and Neofusicoccum (N. australe, N. algeriense, N. eucalyptorum, N. kwambonambiense, N. parvum and Neofusicoccum sp.). Of these, N. algeriense, D. corticola and D. seriata are reported for the first time on E. globulus, while N. algeriense, N. eucalyptorum and N. kwambonambiense correspond to first reports in Portugal. The genus Neofusicoccum was clearly dominant with N. australe and N. eucalyptorum being the most abundant species on both diseased and healthy trees. In artificial inoculation trials representative isolates from all nine species were shown to be pathogenic to E. globulus but there were marked differences in aggressiveness between them. Thus, D. corticola and N. kwambonambiense were the most aggressive while B. dothidea and D. seriata were the least aggressive of the species studied.