Extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate and lipopolysaccharide induce interleukin-1β release in canine blood

Binding of extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to the damage-associated molecular pattern receptor P2X7 or the pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptor Toll-like receptor (TLR)4, respectively, can induce the release of the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β in humans and mice. However, the release of IL-1β in dogs remains poorly defined. Using a canine IL-1β enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, this study investigated whether ATP or LPS could induce IL-1β release in a canine blood-based assay. Short-term incubations (30 min) with ATP induced IL-1β release in LPS-primed canine blood, and this process could be near-completely impaired by the P2X7 antagonist, A438079. In contrast, ATP failed to induce IL-1β release from blood not primed with LPS. ATP-induced IL-1β release was observed with LPS-primed blood from eight different pedigrees or cross breeds. Long-term incubations (24 h) with LPS induced IL-1β release in canine blood in a concentration-dependent manner. This process was not altered by co-incubation with A438079. LPS-induced IL-1β release was observed with blood from 10 different pedigrees or cross breeds. These results demonstrate that both extracellular ATP and LPS can induce IL-1β release in dogs, and that ATP- but not LPS-induced IL-1β release in blood is dependent on P2X7 activation. These findings support the role of both P2X7 and TLR4 in IL-1β release in dogs.     

Dear old peonies–for gene banks and gardeners; microsatellite fingerprinting of herbaceous peonies in Fennoscandia

The genetic diversity of 334 herbaceous peonies from Fennoscandia was analysed using 18 microsatellites (simple sequence repeats, SSRs). The samples included peonies mostly from Finnish home gardens (284) and nurseries (5) as well as from Norwegian (20) and Swedish (25) peony collections. The study focused on the following species and hybrids: Paeonia anomala L., P.?×?hybrida Pall., P. officinalis ‘Nordic Paradox’ (Marstein 2015), P. tenuifolia L., and P.?×?festiva Tausch. The 18 microsatellites amplified a total of 249 alleles and were used to calculate genetic distances between samples and to build a dendrogram. In the dendrogram, samples formed clear groups according to their species. The outcome from the genetic analysis was mainly confirmed by preliminary morphological observations of the Finnish home garden samples performed within the project and the previous morphological study of peonies in Norwegian clone archives. The results of the study will be used to create a Finnish genetic resources collection of the most diverse and vigorous peonies, and to update the Norwegian and Swedish collections.

     

Use of Sulfur to Control pH in Composts Derived from Olive Processing By-products

Two composts were prepared from olive press cake (OPC) repeatedly turned and moistened with either olive mill wastewater (OPC+OMW) or water (OPC+W). When phytotoxicity was drastically reduced and the pH of the composts had reached 8.6 and 7.55 respectively, elemental sulfur was added at 0.9% of dry weight to the OPC+OMW compost and at five different doses (0.1 – 1.0% of dry wt) to the OPC+W compost. During the following six months, an exponential pH decline was observed in both compost materials. The pH reached a final value of 5.8 in the OPC+OMW compost whereas a pH decline related to the amount of added sulfur was observed in the OPC+W compost (final values from 6.8 to 4.3). Over 80% of the pH decline occurred during the first two months following the sulfur addition. Sulfur was applied following the stabilization of the material in the case of OPC+W. No phytotoxic effects of the final products were observed at sulfur application doses up to 0.5% of dry compost weight, but a significant germination index reduction was observed at the 1% dose, probably related to the increased conductivity of the compost leachate. Sulfur was applied before stabilization of the compost material, in the case of OPC+OMW, to also investigate the effects of sulfur addition on the composting process. A thermophilic phase similar to that observed after the last OMW application exceeding 50°C followed, and no effects on microbial activity profiles of the compost were observed. The results indicate that small amounts of elemental sulfur may efficiently control high pH values in the final compost products and could be safely applied at late composting stages or after composting. This may broaden the utilization of these composts in potting media and alkaline soils.     

Conversion of β-carotene, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin to vitamin A in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) juveniles

Larval Atlantic halibut fed Artemia has previously been shown to contain lower levels of Vitamin A compared to larvae fed zooplankton. The two types of live prey contain small or no amounts of vitamin A, but high levels of carotenoids that can be converted to vitamin A in other fish species. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of Atlantic halibut juveniles to convert β-carotene, astaxanthin and canthaxanthin to vitamin A. Three levels of each carotenoid and retinyl acetate were fed to Atlantic halibut juveniles for 60 days. A vitamin A and carotenoid deficient diet was fed in triplicate as control. A HPLC method modified from Nöll (1996) and validated for fish matrix was used to quantify both all-trans-retinol and 3,4-didehydro retinol. By comparing regression coefficients we observed that the increasing levels of carotenoids in the diets were reflected in increasing levels of vitamin A in both whole fish and liver samples. All carotenoids were converted to vitamin A, but to different degrees. Retinyl acetate and β-carotene resulted in whole fish vitamin A levels significantly higher than canthaxanthin and astaxanthin. 3,4-didehydro retinol was not detected when the overall level of all-trans-retinol was low. When 3,4-didehydro retinol appeared, it was always in lower levels than all-trans-retinol.     

血管内皮生长因子对日本和牛胚胎卵裂率和4～8细胞期发育率的影响

为了探明血管内皮生长因子对IVM/IVF/IVC生产的日本和牛胚胎的卵裂率和到 4～ 8细胞期胚胎发育率的作用 ,在IVM/IVF/IVC的过程中 ,分别在SOF成熟液、BO液以及SOF培养液中添加 0、0 .1、1、10ng/ml的VEGF。通过对5 33个胚胎的检测得出 ,添加VEGF对胚胎卵裂率和 4～ 8细胞期发育率有促进作用 ,其卵裂率分别从对照的 4 7.3%提高到 5 1.4 % (0 .1ng/ml,P >0 .0 5 )、72 .6 0 % (1ng/ml,P <0 .0 5 )和 6 8.5 % (10ng/ml,P <0 .0 5 ) ;4～ 8细胞期发育率则分别从32 .0 %提高到 36 .4 %、5 9.7% (P <0 .0 5 )、5 2 .9%。结果证明 :VEGF对IVM/IVF/IVC的日本和牛胚胎发育有积极的促进作用。可以提高胚胎的卵裂率和 4～ 8细胞期胚胎发育率 ,这与作者前期从荷斯坦牛上得到的试验结果一致     

不同产地沙棘果的成分分析

通过沙棘甘油三酯和甘油磷脂中的糖、果酸(气相色谱-质谱法,TMS衍生物)、矿物质(FAAS,ETAAS)、挥发性物质(顶部空间气相色谱-质谱法)、Vc(高压液相色谱)和脂肪酸(气相色谱-质谱法,甲基酯)的分析方法,优化不同产地的沙棘果。对1997年10-11月采集的中国沙棘果(CH)和8月底采集的芬兰沙棘果(FI)和俄罗斯沙棘果(RU)的成分进行比较,得到了为今后开展更广泛的沙棘项目所需要的足够的资料。中国沙棘果汁中的Vc含量极高,平均8g/l(4.2-13.2g/l),是芬兰沙棘果汁中含量的5倍。主要矿物元素的含量比其它可食用的浆果中丰富得多,钾是沙棘果(6-14g/kg,干重)和沙棘籽(5-9g/kg,干重)中的主要矿物质之一,在一些样品中铅和镉含量的增加表明存在轻微的污染。压榨的沙棘果汁中糖的含量从1-20g/100ml有很大的变化,含量最高的是晚秋收获的中国沙棘果,最低的是8月收获的芬兰沙棘果。糖主要是葡萄糖(占总糖分的50％以上)、果糖及葡萄糖衍生物。苹果酸和奎宁酸是主要的果酸(77％-97％),含量为每100ml果汁中4.2-9.1g。果汁上部油脂的特点是形成了C2-C5n-、iso-、和ante-iso乙醇,C4-C5n-,iso,及ante-ISO酸,也呈现出挥发性油脂的籽油乙醇前体。不同的产地和采收时间对挥发物有着明显的影响,整个果中的含油量为2％-11％(鲜重),籽中的含     

Analysis of the bark of scots pine as a method of studying environmental changes

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) bark was tested as a material for long-term analysis of forest growth changes. Material representing about 20 yr before 1912 as well as the 20 yr before 1980 detached from trees grown in the same area was analyzed by the PIXE method. The concentrations of ten elements (Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn) were determined. No clear long-term trends were seen in ‘old’ bark samples (before 1912), while in ‘new’ samples (before 1980) increasing trends were detected for Ca and Fe. Pine bark seems to be a promising source of data for a time series analysis, also because it is inert after its formation, readily available in coniferous forests and easy to handle as a sample material.     

Phenolic extractives from the bark of Pinus sylvestris L. and their effects on inflammatory mediators nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2

The anti-inflammatory properties of phenolic pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) bark extract were studied. The pine bark extract was fractionated by liquid-liquid extractions and semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography to reveal the most potent constituents. The phenolic compositions of three pine bark samples obtained, a crude extract, a chloroform fraction, and a semipreparative fraction, were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with UV diode array detection and/or electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. In addition, eight compounds were isolated and identified by NMR and MS techniques. In total 28 phenolic compounds were identified. The effects of the three pine bark samples on the synthesis of two proinflammatory mediators, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E(2), were measured. It was shown that pine bark contains compounds that inhibit the production of these proinflammatory mediators.     

Geochemical characterisation of surface waters,topsoils and efflorescences in a historic metal-mining area in Spain

Purpose

Mining activities generate large amounts of wastes that may contain potentially toxic elements (PTE), which, if released into the environment, may cause air, water and soil pollution long after mining operations have ceased. This paper describes the environmental relevance of efflorescences, topsoils and surface waters from the abandoned mine of Sierra Minera of Cartagena-La Unión, SE Spain. The exposure of the population to arsenic and the associated risk were also assessed.

Materials and methods

A total of 10 topsoils and surface waters and 11 efflorescences affected at varying degrees by mining activities were studied. The total potentially toxic element content (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) was determined in all samples. In addition, the mineralogical composition of solid samples was determined by X-ray diffraction and some efflorescences were also analysed using a scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Finally, an arsenic-intake risk assessment was carried out, both as regards carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects and considering the total and the bioaccesible As content.

Results and discussion

The study area is heavily polluted as a result of historical mining and processing activities, during which time great amounts of wastes were produced, characterised by a high PTE content, acidic pH and minerals resulting from supergene alteration. The supergene mineralogical assemblages include soluble metal salts, mainly sulphates, iron hydroxysulphates and iron oxyhydroxides, all of which form ochreous precipitates. Topsoil samples showed risk values and hazard quotients higher than the reference levels, particularly for children. In the efflorescences, these values were lower but still unacceptable.

Conclusions

The efflorescences are of significance for monitoring purposes because they are involved in cycles of retention release of hydrogen ions, sulphate and potentially toxic elements. In addition, in a semi-arid climate, such as the study area, these minerals contribute to our understanding of the response of the system to episodic rainfall events. In general, it was observed that the arsenic in collected samples represent a potential risk for human health through ingestion.