A generic framework to assess the representation and protection of benthic ecosystems in European marine protected areas

1. There is concern across the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) region that a consideration of vulnerable components and the wider support mechanisms underpinning benthic marine ecosystems may be lacking from the process of marine protected area (MPA) designation, management and monitoring.
2. In this study, MPAs across six European ecoregions were assessed from a benthic ecology perspective. The study included 102 MPAs, designated by 10 countries, and focused on three aspects regarding the role of the benthos in: (i) the designation of MPAs; (ii) the management measures used in MPAs; and (iii) the monitoring and assessment of MPAs.
3. Qualitative entries to a questionnaire based on an existing framework (EU project ‘Monitoring Evaluation of Spatially Managed Areas’, (MESMA) were collected by 19 benthic experts of the ICES Benthic Ecology Working Group. A pedigree matrix was used to apply a numerical scale (score) to these entries.
4. The results showed clear differences in scores between ecoregions and between criteria. The designation‐phase criteria generally achieved higher scores than the implementation‐phase criteria. Poor designation‐phase scores were generally reiterated in the implementation‐phase scores, such as scores for assessment and monitoring.
5. Over 70% of the MPA case studies were found to consider the benthos to some extent during selection and designation; however, this was not followed up with appropriate management measures and good practice during the implementation phase.
6. Poor spatial and temporal coverage of monitoring and ineffective indicators is unlikely to pick up changes caused by management measures in the MPA. There is concern that without adequate monitoring and adaptive management frameworks, the MPAs will be compromised. Also, there could be an increased likelihood that, with regard to the benthos, they will fail to meet their conservation objectives.
7. This assessment was successful in highlighting issues related to the representation and protection of the benthos in MPAs and where changes need to be made, such as expanding the characterization and monitoring of benthic species or habitats of interest. These issues could be attributable to an ongoing process and/or an indication that some MPAs only have ‘paper protection’.

     

Boron availability to plants from coal combustion by-products

Agronomic use of coal combustion by-products is often associated with boron (B) excess in amended soils and subsequently in plants. A greenhouse study with corn (Zea mays L.) as test plant was conducted to determine safe application rates of five fly ashes and one flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FDG). All by-products increased soil and corn tissue B concentration, in some cases above toxicity levels which are 5 mg hot water soluble B (hwsB) kg^?1 soil and 100 mg B kg^?1 in corn tissue. Acceptable application rates varied from 4 to 100 Mg ha^? for different by-products. Leaching and weathering of a high B fly ash under ponding conditions decreased its B content and that of corn grown in fly ash amended soil, while leaching of the same fly ash under laboratory conditions increased fly ash B availability to corn in comparison to the fresh fly ash. Hot water soluble B in fly ash or FDG amended soil correlated very well with corn tissue B. Hot water soluble B in fly ash amended soil could be predicted based on soil pH and B solubility in ash at different pH values but not so in the case of FDG. Another greenhouse study was conducted to compare the influence of FDG and Ca(OH)₂ on B concentration in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves grown in soil amended with the high B fly ash. The Ca(OH)₂ significantly decreased tissue B content, while FDG did not affect B uptake from fly ash amended soil.     

Long-term dispersal of heavy metals in a catchment affected by historic lead and zinc mining

Purpose

The Matylda catchment, in southern Poland, was polluted by the discharge of mine waters from a lead and zinc mine that inundated parts of a valley floor and caused the accumulation of metal-polluted sediments. After a partial reclamation of the mine site in the early 1980s, polluted sediments continue to accumulate on downstream floodplains and in fishponds. The aim of this study was to reconstruct the changes in metal dispersal during 100?years of mining and during the 40-year post-mining period and to propose a strategy for pollution mitigation in the area.

Materials and methods

Analyses of Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ca, Mg and Fe concentrations, speciation of heavy metals and mineralogical analyses were undertaken on overbank sediment cores and in stream sediments. Concentrations of the same elements and macro-ions soluble in stream waters were also determined.

Results and discussion

Concentrations of Zn, Cd and Pb in the sediment profiles vary between 40,000 and 55,000, 300 and 600 and 30,000 and 50,000?mg?kg^-1, respectively. Changes of metal concentrations and the stratigraphy of sediments from the floodplains, stream channels and fishponds suggest rapid changes of metal loads migrating downstream during both the mining and post-mining periods. Since the time of mine closure, fine-grained, mine-derived sediments (ca. 12?cm thick) have been the main source of pollution of post-mining sediments and surface waters. Closure of the mine was followed by a relatively short period of rapid redistribution of sediment-associated heavy metals in the stream channel. Since the 1980s, the floodplain and fishponds have received a constant supply of metals. It contrasts with the slow sediment accretion rate and a rapid decrease of metal concentrations in floodplain pools due to dilution by decomposed leaf litter. A fivefold increase of Cd content in waters over the 4.6?km reach of the Matylda stream indicates continuous leaching of this element from the contaminated valley floor.

Conclusions

Unsuccessful mine site rehabilitation is due to leaching of mine-originated sediments dispersed over the valley bottom. However, the rate of metal remobilization over the last 40?years is low because of the small thickness and widespread anoxic conditions that prevail within both recent and mine-originated sediments and the alkaline pH of stream water, which reduces metal mobility. Distribution of the contaminated layer over a large area of the valley bottom precludes cost-efficient catchment rehabilitation.     

Phagocytic and oxidative burst activity of phagocytic cells in peripheral blood and uterine washings in cows with clinical endometritis before and after intrauterine use of cephapirin and methisoprinol

The aim of the study was to evaluate phagocytic and killing activity of phagocytic cells in blood and uterine flush of cows with endometritis before and after intrauterine (i.u.) administration of cephapirin and methisoprinol. The research was carried out on 28 cows with clinical endometritis. Animals were divided into four groups, each composed of seven cows, depending on the i.u. treatment used: Group A—cephapirin; Group B—methisoprinol; Group C—cephapirin and methisoprinol at the same time; and a control group—without medication. Using flow cytometry technique, the phagocytic activity of granulocytes and monocytes was identified, as well as the oxidative burst activity of neutrophils in the peripheral blood and uterine washings. Summarizing the results of the research, i.u. infusion of cephapirin caused a reduction in the phagocytic and killing activity of phagocytes. The i.u. use of methisoprinol increased phagocytic and killing activity of phagocytes in the uterus. Administering both listed substances simultaneously showed a decrease in phagocytosis, presumably due to the dominating inhibitor effect of the antibiotic. However, also an increase of mean fluorescence intensity was observed, presumably caused by the methisoprinol. Intrauterine use of immunostimulatory substances, can improve the effectiveness of the treatment of endometritis in cows.     

Inhibition of bacteriophage m13 replication with esterified milk proteins

Esterified milk proteins [methylated (Met) or ethylated (Et) alpha-lactalbumin (ALA), beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), and beta-casein (BCN)], unmodified native milk proteins, and native basic proteins (calf thymus histone and hen egg white lysozyme) were tested for their antiviral activity against the bacteriophage M13 and for their influence on its replication (except BCN). All esterified milk proteins showed an antiviral activity against the bacteriophage M13, proportional to the extent of esterification and, hence, to the increased basicity of the modified proteins. Antiviral activity of 100% Met-BLG disappeared after its pepsinolysis but not after its trypsinolysis. The antiviral activity of Met-BLG was much higher than that of native basic proteins (histone and lysozyme). One hundred percent Met-BLG and 73% Et-BLG inhibited the replication of bacteriophage M13 completely, whereas 60% Met-ALA inhibited phage replication partially. Calf thymus histone inhibited the replication of bacteriophage M13 at a lower extent (20%) than Met- and Et-BLG (100% inhibition). Protein concentration, pH, and concentration of the Escherichia coli culture in the preincubation medium of the virus were other factors influencing antiviral activity. Interactions of esterified proteins with the phage DNA (phenol extracted) followed the same pattern as observed during studies of the inhibition of the phage replication: Met-BLG > Et-BLG > or = Met-ALA.     

An unusual taxodione derivative from hairy roots of Salvia austriaca

From a root culture of Salvia austriaca, transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, a new diterpenoid was isolated and its chemical structure was determined as 7-(2-oxohexyl)-11-hydroxy-6, 12-dioxo-7,9(11),13- abietatriene [= 7-(2-oxohexyl)-taxodione] on the basis of spectroscopic methods, especially 1D and 2D NMR, and by comparison with structurally related compounds. This compound represents a hitherto unknown 2-oxohexyl diterpenoid derivative. Cytotoxic studies revealed that the new compound exhibited high cytotoxic activity against three cancer cell lines with IC(50) values ranging from 0.63 to 0.72μM. Its cytotoxic effectiveness against the cancer cells was ten fold higher than that of taxodione.     

The Oxidants and Antioxidant Enzymes in Tomato Leaves Treated With O-Hydroxyethylorutin and Infected with Botrytis cinerea

Application of o-hydroxyethylorutin restricted the development of Botrytis cinerea in tomato leaves. Superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide generation rates and changes in superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase activities were studied in uninfected tomato plants, in plants infected with B. cinerea, and in plants treated with o-hydroxyethylorutin and infected with pathogen. About two times higher hydrogen peroxide concentration were found in plants treated with o-hydroxyethylorutin and infected with the pathogen at the early infection stages compared with untreated infected plants. In vitro tests showed that germination of B. cinerea conidia was significantly inhibited by H₂O₂. Higher H₂O₂ concentrations were needed to inhibit mycelial growth. The results indicate that o-hydroxyethylorutin triggers hydrogen peroxide production in tomato plants and suggest that enhanced levels of H₂O₂ are involved in restricted B. cinerea infection development.     

The immunohistochemical evaluation of selected markers in the left atrium of dogs with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy and myxomatous mitral valve disease – a preliminary study

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) are the most common diseases noted in dogs. Although their pathogenesis varies, both include a significant enlargement of the left atrium.The study was carried out on left atrial specimens obtained from 56 dogs, including those from 34 dogs with clinically diagnosed MMVD, 15 dogs with DCM and 7 dogs without heart disease (control group). Dogs in the MMVD and the DCM groups presented with left atrial enlargement and stage D heart failure. The specimens underwent immunohistochemical examination using desmin, vimentin, periostin and caspase-3 antibodies.

Results

There were alterations in the expression of the studied proteins in the study groups compared to the control group. The changes included: irregularity of desmin cross-striation and desmosomes, a higher amount of vimentin-positive cells, a change in the periostin expression pattern from cytoplasmic to extracellular, and a lower expression of caspase-3. The alterations were more pronounced in the DCM group than in the MMVD group.

Conclusions

During heart failure, the pattern of desmin, vimentin, periostin and caspase-3 expression alters in the left atrium, regardless of the cause. The changes are more pronounced in dogs with DCM than in dogs with MMVD and similar left atrial enlargement, suggesting that volume overload may not be the only cause of myocardial changes in DCM.

     

Acute-phase proteins,cortisol and haematological parameters in ewes during the periparturient period

Numerous subclinical diseases in sheep occur in the periparturient period and involve inflammatory processes; therefore, determining markers, such as acute-phase proteins (APPs), can allow an early diagnosis. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess changes in the plasma concentration of APPs and cortisol in clinically healthy ewes in the periparturient period for use in future studies. At the same time, haematological parameters were monitored. We showed that plasma APPs and cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant ewes than before insemination. A gradual increase in the SAA concentration was observed from the 14th day before to the day of parturition, while Hp was reduced from 2 weeks before up to 2 weeks after delivery. A significant increase in the Fb concentration was detected from the 14th day before to the 1st week after delivery. The cortisol concentration did not undergo significant changes in the periparturient period. We found an increase in the SAA and Fb concentrations and decrease in Hp in the periparturient period. The direction of the change in APPs of healthy ewes in the current study may be related to their distinct regulatory mechanisms during pregnancy. The APPs are usually altered during infection, inflammation, neoplasia, stress and trauma; therefore, knowing their reference values could help lead to an early diagnosis of subclinical forms of some diseases and pregnancy complications in ewes. The haematological analysis showed that ewes in late pregnancy and postpartum compared to dry period were under metabolic stress related to pregnancy and lactation.     

Polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase P1 of dogs with mammary tumours

Mammary tumours constitute more than half of neoplasms in female dogs from different countries. Genome sequences are associated with cancer susceptibility but there is little information available about genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) in canine cancers. The aim of this study was to find single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GSTP1 of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) with mammary tumours compared to healthy dogs and to determine the association between GSTP1 polymorphisms and the occurrence of these tumours. The study population included 36 client-owned female dogs with mammary tumours and 12 healthy female dogs, with no previous diagnosis of cancer. DNA was extracted from blood and amplified by PCR assay. PCR-products were sequenced by Sanger method and analysed manually. The 33 polymorphisms were found in GSTP1: 1 coding SNP (exon 4), 24 non-coding SNPs (9 in exon 1), 7 deletions and 1 insertion. The 17 polymorphisms have been found in introns 1, 4, 5 and 6. The dogs with mammary tumours have significant difference from healthy in SNPs I4 c.1018 + 123 T > C (OR 13.412, 95%CI 1.574–114.267, P = .001), I5 c.1487 + 27 T > C (OR 10.737, 95%CI 1.260–91.477, P = .004), I5 c.1487 + 842 G > C (OR 4.714, 95% CI 1.086–20.472, P = .046) and I6 c.2481 + 50 A > G (OR 12.000, 95% CI 1.409–102.207, P = .002). SNP E5 c.1487 T > C and I5 c.1487 + 829 delG also differed significantly (P = .03) but not to the confidence interval. The study, for the first time, showed a positive association of SNPs in GSTP1 with mammary tumours of dogs, that can possibly be used to predict the occurrence of this pathology.