Simple prediction of the survival of follicles in cryopreserved human ovarian tissue

This study examines the possible predictive value of the LIVE/DEAD fluorescence viability assay for evaluation of survival of cryopreserved human ovarian tissue. Ovarian tissue from ten patients was examined by LIVE/DEAD viability staining before and after cryopreservation and after freezing in a -20 C freezer (negative control). After cryopreservation with a slow freezing protocol and cryoprotectant the LIVE/DEAD assay showed 86% viable follicles (an intact oocyte and at least more than 50% of the granulosa cells alive), whereas after freezing at -20 C the survival rate was 67%. The healthy follicular loss after cryopreservation was 4%, whereas with freezing at -20 C, it was 25%. Although this assay overestimates the survival rate of cryopreserved primordial follicles, if the LIVE/DEAD assay yields greater than approximately 85% viable follicles, it can be assumed that the follicles in the cryopreserved tissue have maintained their developmental potential and that the tissue is suitable for retransplantation.     

Large magnetic anisotropy of a single atomic spin embedded in a surface molecular network

Magnetic anisotropy allows magnets to maintain their direction of magnetization over time. Using a scanning tunneling microscope to observe spin excitations, we determined the orientation and strength of the anisotropies of individual iron and manganese atoms on a thin layer of copper nitride. The relative intensities of the inelastic tunneling processes are consistent with dipolar interactions, as seen for inelastic neutron scattering. First-principles calculations indicate that the magnetic atoms become incorporated into a polar covalent surface molecular network in the copper nitride. These structures, which provide atom-by-atom accessibility via local probes, have the potential for engineering anisotropies large enough to produce stable magnetization at low temperatures for a single atomic spin.     

Effects of rice straw,biochar and mineral fertiliser on methane (CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>) and nitrous oxide (N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O) emissions from rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.) grown in a rain-fed lowland rice soil of Cambodia: a pot experiment

We studied the effects of water regimes and nutrient amendments on CH₄ and N₂O emissions in a 2 × 3 factorial, completely randomised growth chamber experiment. Treatments included continuously flooded (CF) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD), and three organic amendments: no amendment-control, rice straw (RS) and biochar (BC). Compound fertiliser was applied to all treatments. Rice was grown in columns packed with a paddy soil from Cambodia. Results revealed faster mineralisation of organic carbon (RS and BC) when applied in water-saturated conditions lasting for 2 weeks instead of flooding. This resulted in lower total CH₄ emissions in treatments under AWD than those under the CF water regime, namely 44 % in RS treatments and 29 % in BC treatments. Nitrous oxide fluxes were generally non-detectable during the experimental period except after fertilisation events, and the total N₂O–N emissions accounted for on average 1.7 % of the total applied mineral fertiliser N. Overall, the global warming potentials (GWPs) were lower in treatments under AWD than those under the CF water regime except for the control treatment with only mineral fertiliser application. Grain yields were slightly higher in treatments under AWD than the CF water regime. Hence, the yield-scaled GWP was also lower in the treatments under the AWD water regime, namely 51 % in RS, 59 % in BC and 17 % in control treatments. Control treatments had the lowest GWP, but provided the highest yield. The yield-scaled GWP under these treatments was therefore lower than under the other treatments.     

Simultaneous analysis of free phytosterols/phytostanols and intact phytosteryl/phytostanyl fatty acid and phenolic acid esters in cereals

An approach based on solid-phase extraction for the effective separation of free phytosterols/phytostanols and phytosteryl/phytostanyl fatty acid and phenolic acid esters from cereal lipids was developed. The ester conjugates were analyzed in their intact form by means of capillary gas chromatography. Besides free sterols and stanols, up to 33 different fatty acid and phenolic acid esters were identified in four different cereal grains via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The majority (52-57%) of the sterols and stanols were present as fatty acid esters. The highest levels of all three sterol and stanol classes based on dry matter of ground kernels were determined in corn, whereas the oil extract of rye was 1.7 and 1.6 times richer in fatty acid esters and free sterols/stanols than the corn oil. The results showed that there are considerable differences in the sterols/stanols and their ester profiles and contents obtained from corn compared to rye, wheat, and spelt. The proposed method is useful for the quantification of a wide range of free phytosterols/phytostanols and intact phytosteryl/phytostanyl esters to characterize different types of grain.     

Organic geochemical parameters for estimation of petrogenic inputs in the coastal area of Kavala City,Greece

Background, aims, and scope  Sediments and soils in coastal areas are frequently polluted by anthropogenic contaminants as the result of both riverine or terrestrial discharge and autochthonic marine emissions. In order to determine petrogenic contamination in the coastal industrial area of Kavala City in northern Greece, a combination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and organic geochemical petroleum biomarker analyses has been performed on marine and freshwater sediments as well as soils. Materials and methods  Soils, freshwater, and marine sediments have been treated by standard extraction methods. The dried and desulphurized sample extracts have been fractionated by column chromatography, followed by addition of surrogate standards. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained by gas chromatograph connected with a flame ionization and electron capture detector (GC-FID/ECD) and by GC linked to a mass spectrometer (GC/MS), whereas identification of compounds was based on EI⁺-mass spectra and gas chromatographic retention times. Quantitative data were obtained by integration of specific ion chromatograms. Results  The total PAH concentrations measured in the area varied highly, showing different levels from 18 up to 318,000 ng g⁻¹ dry weight (dw). Several PAH ratios, as well as the ratio of pristane (Pr) to phytane (Phyt), have been considered. Out of 39 samples, 22 revealed a specific distribution of hopane fingerprints indicating petrogenic input. Finally, in numerous samples, the ratio of 17α(H)-22,29,30-trisnorhopane (Tm) and 18α(H)-22,29,30-trisnorhopane (Ts) was calculated, as well as the ratio of 22S-17α(H),21β(H)-30 homohopane (αβC₃₁-hopane 22S) and 22R-17α(H),21β(H)-30 homohopane (αβC₃₁-hopane 22R). Discussion  Based on the specific PAH ratios, a group of samples was clearly characterized to be contaminated dominantly by combustion-derived emissions, whereas a second group of samples exhibited mixed influence from petrogenic and pyrogenic PAHs. On the other hand, the exhibition of specific hopane fingerprints in many samples indicates a direct petrogenic input. Finally, the values of the ratio of Tm/(Ts + Tm) and of αβC₃₁-hopanes 22S/(22S+22R)-isomer demonstrated an input of highly mature organic matter that has to be clearly attributed to petroleum-derived contamination, while the ratio of Pr/Phyt showed that most samples exhibited an input of organic matter. Conclusions  The coastal area of Kavala is strongly affected by anthropogenic contaminants. Petrogenic emissions were pointed out firstly by PAH analyses that separated dominantly pyrogenic contaminated sites from areas affected by both pyrogenic and petrogenic emissions. However, analyses of organic geochemical biomarkers revealed a much higher sensitivity in identifying petroleum-derived contaminations and were successfully used to differentiate several petrogenic contaminations in the marine and terrestrial samples. Recommendations and perspectives  Based on this study, it was recommended to use a complementary approach of source-specific substances to successfully characterize petrogenic emissions. Generally, a PAH-based source identification of petrogenic versus pyrogenic contaminations should be combined with petroleum biomarker analysis. PAH and biomarker ratios as well as individual biomarker fingerprints revealed a more comprehensive view on the quality and quantity of petrogenic emissions in sediments and soils.     

Mineral‐nitrogen and phosphorus leaching from vegetable gardens in Niamey,Niger

Urban and periurban agriculture (UPA) contributes significantly to meeting increasing food demand of rapidly growing urban populations in West African cities. The often intensive high‐input vegetable production within UPA results in large positive nutrient balances, being presumably linked to strong nutrient leaching which needs quantification. This study aimed at estimating leaching losses of mineral N and P in three representative urban gardens of Niamey, Niger, using ion‐exchange‐resin cartridges installed below the crop rooting zone at 0.6 m soil depth. In 2007, a year with below‐average annual rainfall (425 mm as compared to 542 mm), mean leaching of mineral N amounted to 5.9 and 7.3 kg N ha^–1 for two gardens with > 80% sand fraction and only 2.2 kg N ha^–1 for a garden with 40% silt and clay. Apparent annual P leaching was 0.7 kg P ha^–1 in all three gardens. Additional multiannual studies are necessary to assess the effect of inter‐ and intraannual variation in precipitation on nutrient leaching in intensive UPA vegetable production of semiarid West Africa.     

Potential of Borago officinalis, Sinapis alba L. and Phacelia boratus for Phytoextraction of Cd and Pb from Soil

Heavy metal phytoextraction is a soil remediation technique, which makes use of plants in removing contamination from soil. The plants must thus be tolerant to heavy metals, adaptable to soil and climate characteristics, and able to take up large amounts of heavy metals. Most of the high biomass productive plants such as, maize, oat and sunflower are plants, which do not grow in cold climates or need intensive care. In this study three “weed” plants, Borago officinalis; Sinapis alba L. and Phacelia boratus were investigated for their ability to tolerate and accumulate high amounts of Cd and Pb. Pot experiments were performed with soil containing Cd and Pb at concentrations of up to 180 mg kg^?1 and 2,400 mg kg^?1 respectively. All three plants showed high levels of tolerance. Borago officinalis; and Sinapis alba L. accumulated 109 mg kg^?1 and 123 mg kg^?1 Cd, respectively at the highest Cd spiked soil concentration. Phacelia boratus reached a Cd concentration of 42 mg kg^?1 at a Cd soil concentration of 100 mg kg^?1. In the case of Pb, B. officinalis and S. alba L. displayed Pb concentrations of 25 mg kg^?1 and 29 mg kg^?1, respectively at the highest Pb spiked soil concentration. Although the Pb uptake in P. boratus reached up to 57 mg kg^?1 at a Pb spiked soil concentration of 1,200 mg kg^?1, it is not suitable for phytoextraction because of its too low biomass.     

Functional properties, lipoxygenase activity, and health aspects of Lupinus albus protein isolates

To utilize lupin seeds for food and pharmaceutical applications, lupin seeds were pretreated to remove oil using hexane or carbon dioxide. Two types of lupin protein isolate were prepared. Both types of protein isolate showed good foaming activity, comparable to egg white. Protein isolate extracted under acid conditions showed higher foaming activity than protein isolate extracted at neutral pH. The lipoxygenase activity was much reduced in both of the protein isolates. The protein isolate extracted at neutral pH showed a stronger angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition than the protein isolate extracted under acidic pH. In contrast, the protein isolate extracted under acid conditions had a greater sodium cholate binding capacity, comparable to that of cholestyramine. Lupin samples showed less DPPH radical scavenging activity than deoiled soybean. The deoiling method did not affect the functional properties, lipoxygenase activity, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition, sodium cholate binding, and radical scavenging activity.     

Optimization of a pilot-scale process for producing lupin protein isolates with valuable technological properties and minimum thermal damage

This paper describes a pilot process for obtaining protein isolates from white lupin seed with improved water solubility and technofunctional properties as well as reduced thermal damage. After a careful optimization of the process parameters, two valuable food ingredients were prepared: lupin protein isolate type E, with a useful emulsifying capacity, and lupin protein isolate type F, with a high capability of foam formation and stabilization. The spray-drying process was particularly critical for inducing some thermal damage, but a careful selection of the conditions permitted ingredients having only marginally impaired lysine bioavailability to be obtained. The reproducibility of the protein extraction process was tested on two different lupin varieties.     

Mechanism of wine lactone formation: demonstration of stereoselective cyclization and 1,3-hydride shift

The cyclization mechanism of (E)-2,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxyocta-2,7-dienoic acid to wine lactone under acidic aqueous conditions was investigated using the two stereoselectively deuterium-labeled precursors (2E,6R,7Z)-[8-2H]-2,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxyocta-2,7-dienoic acid and (2E,7E)-(+/-)-[8-2H]-2,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxyocta-2,7-dienoic acid. A detailed analysis of the generated wine lactone isomers by enantioselective multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC)/ion trap tandem mass spectrometry demonstrates that the formation of wine lactone proceeds via a nonenzymatic stereoselective cationic cyclization cascade that includes a 1,3-hydride shift. Usually, such mechanisms are features of cyclization reactions that are catalyzed by terpene cyclases. This nonenzymatic conversion of an acyclic precursor to a bicyclic monoterpene under relevant cationic cyclization conditions has rarely been observed and confirms recent suggestions that the precursor itself can provide the chemical functionality required for specific steps in the cyclization cascade.