Large variations in Southern Hemisphere biomass burning during the last 650 years

We present a 650-year Antarctic ice core record of concentration and isotopic ratios (δ(13)C and δ(18)O) of atmospheric carbon monoxide. Concentrations decreased by ~25% (14 parts per billion by volume) from the mid-1300s to the 1600s then recovered completely by the late 1800s. δ(13)C and δ(18)O decreased by about 2 and 4 per mil (‰), respectively, from the mid-1300s to the 1600s then increased by about 2.5 and 4‰ by the late 1800s. These observations and isotope mass balance model results imply that large variations in the degree of biomass burning in the Southern Hemisphere occurred during the last 650 years, with a decrease by about 50% in the 1600s, an increase of about 100% by the late 1800s, and another decrease by about 70% from the late 1800s to present day.     

Acetylcholine-synthesizing T cells relay neural signals in a vagus nerve circuit

Neural circuits regulate cytokine production to prevent potentially damaging inflammation. A prototypical vagus nerve circuit, the inflammatory reflex, inhibits tumor necrosis factor-α production in spleen by a mechanism requiring acetylcholine signaling through the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expressed on cytokine-producing macrophages. Nerve fibers in spleen lack the enzymatic machinery necessary for acetylcholine production; therefore, how does this neural circuit terminate in cholinergic signaling? We identified an acetylcholine-producing, memory phenotype T cell population in mice that is integral to the inflammatory reflex. These acetylcholine-producing T cells are required for inhibition of cytokine production by vagus nerve stimulation. Thus, action potentials originating in the vagus nerve regulate T cells, which in turn produce the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, required to control innate immune responses.     

Evaluation of chitosan and alginate immobilized Methylobacterium oryzae CBMB20 on tomato plant growth

Methylobacterium oryzae CBMB20, a promising plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) and a biocontrol agent, was immobilized in different formulations such as wet chitosan, dry chitosan, wet alginate and dry alginate and were tested for tomato plant growth promotion. Chitosan solution (1.5%) with pH 5.5–6.0 and 90 min contact time was found optimal for immobilization. The chitosan formulations showed better entrapment efficiency and good degradability resistance apart from slow release of cells under prolonged incubation. Survivability of bacteria (80%) was observed in wet chitosan formulation even after 90 days of storage at 4°C. The spermosphere survival of bacteria was high in both dry and wet chitosan formulations applied soils even after 21 days under greenhouse conditions. While the alginate formulation degraded fully, partial degradation of chitosan formulation was observed even after 30 days, indicating its ability to support the survival of M. oryzae CBMB20 in soil. Plants inoculated with wet chitosan formulation registered 1.3 fold increase in the shoot and root length and dry weight compared to other treatments. Hence, chitosan formulation supporting better plant growth compared to alginate will be a better carrier for taking bacteria to the plant rhizosphere and thereby promote plant growth.     

Virus Detection in Questing Ticks is not a Sensitive Indicator for Risk Assessment of Tick‐Borne Encephalitis in Humans

Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most important tick‐transmitted arbovirus causing human disease in Europe, but information on its endemic occurrence varies between countries because of differences in surveillance systems. Objective data are necessary to ascertain the disease risk for vaccination recommendations and other public health interventions. In two independent, separately planned projects, we used real‐time RT‐PCR to detect TBE virus in questing ticks. In Poland, 32 sampling sites were selected in 10 administrative districts located in regions where sporadic TBE cases were reported. In Germany, 18 sampling sites were selected in two districts located in a region with high TBE incidence. Altogether, >16 000 ticks were tested by real‐time RT‐PCR, with no sample testing positive for TBEV. A systematic search for published studies on TBEV prevalence in ticks in Poland and Germany also suggested that testing large numbers of collected ticks could not consistently assure virus detection in known endemic foci. Although assignment of results to administrative regions is essential for TBE risk mapping, this was possible in only 10 (investigating 22 417 ticks) of 15 published studies (>50 000 ticks) identified. We conclude that the collection and screening of ticks by real‐time RT‐PCR cannot be recommended for assessment of human TBE risk. Alternative methods of environmental TBEV monitoring should be considered, such as serological monitoring of rodents or other wildlife.     

Comparing Soil Chemical and Biological Properties of Salt Affected Soils under Different Land Use Practices in Hungary and India

Eurasian Soil Science - This study was conducted with the aim to assess the effect of land use on chemical properties (organic carbon; pH; electrical conductivity; available P, K, Ca, Mg, Na),...     

Comparative Study of the Adsorption Selectivity of Cr(VI) onto Cationic Hydrogels with Different Functional Groups

Two types of hydrogels with different functional groups, trimethylamine on quaternary ammonium and dimethylethoxyamine on quaternary ammonium, were synthesized. Type 1 and type 2 hydrogels were characterized with Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and zeta potential analysis. The anion selectivity of these two hydrogels was investigated. The surface charges of the type 2 hydrogel were lower than those of type 1, probably because of the presence of the hydroxyl group in the ethoxy group. The Cr(VI) removal capacity of type 2 hydrogel was, therefore, less than that of type 1 hydrogel, although their adsorption rates were similar. The anion selectivity of the hydrogels was found to have a similar order: Cr(VI) > sulphate > bromide > As(V). Under the co-presence of Cr(VI) and sulphate conditions, type 2 hydrogel shows a higher selectivity towards Cr(VI). The higher hydrophobicity was caused by the presence of the ethoxy group on the quaternary ammonium in type 2 hydrogel and thus increased in selectivity towards monovalent ions (i.e. HCrO₄⁻). In addition, the hydrogels have a high reusability. Compared with type 1 hydrogel, type 2 hydrogel has an advantage for applications in Cr(VI) removal and recovery processes.     

Extension of cell life-span and telomere length in animals cloned from senescent somatic cells

The potential of cloning depends in part on whether the procedure can reverse cellular aging and restore somatic cells to a phenotypically youthful state. Here, we report the birth of six healthy cloned calves derived from populations of senescent donor somatic cells. Nuclear transfer extended the replicative life-span of senescent cells (zero to four population doublings remaining) to greater than 90 population doublings. Early population doubling level complementary DNA-1 (EPC-1, an age-dependent gene) expression in cells from the cloned animals was 3.5- to 5-fold higher than that in cells from age-matched (5 to 10 months old) controls. Southern blot and flow cytometric analyses indicated that the telomeres were also extended beyond those of newborn (<2 weeks old) and age-matched control animals. The ability to regenerate animals and cells may have important implications for medicine and the study of mammalian aging.     

iRhom2 regulation of TACE controls TNF-mediated protection against Listeria and responses to LPS

Innate immune responses are vital for pathogen defense but can result in septic shock when excessive. A key mediator of septic shock is tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), which is shed from the plasma membrane after cleavage by the TNFα convertase (TACE). We report that the rhomboid family member iRhom2 interacted with TACE and regulated TNFα shedding. iRhom2 was critical for TACE maturation and trafficking to the cell surface in hematopoietic cells. Gene-targeted iRhom2-deficient mice showed reduced serum TNFα in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and could survive a lethal LPS dose. Furthermore, iRhom2-deficient mice failed to control the replication of Listeria monocytogenes. Our study has identified iRhom2 as a regulator of innate immunity that may be an important target for modulating sepsis and pathogen defense.