Diffuse Extreme-Ultraviolet Emission from the Coma Cluster: Evidence for Rapidly Cooling Gases at Submegakelvin Temperatures

The central region of the Coma cluster of galaxies was observed in the energy band from 0.065 to 0.245 kiloelectron volts by the Deep Survey telescope aboard the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer. A diffuse emission halo of angular diameter approximately 30 arc minutes was detected. The extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) emission level exceeds that expected from the x-ray temperature gas in Coma. This halo suggests the presence of two more phases in the emitting gas, one at a temperature of approximately 2 x 10(6) kelvin and the other at approximately 8 x 10(5) kelvin. The latter phase cools rapidly and, in steady state, would have produced cold matter with a mass of approximately 10(14) solar masses within the EUV halo. Although a similar EUV enhancement was discovered in the Virgo cluster, this detection in Coma applies to a noncooling flow system.     

Effect of the pyrrole polymerization mechanism on the antioxidative activity of nonenzymatic browning reactions

The present investigation was undertaken to study how the antioxidative activity (AA) of nonenzymatic browning reactions is changing at the same time that the browning (by the pyrrole polymerization mechanism) is being produced. The antioxidative activities of eight model pyrroles (pyrrole, 1-methylpyrrole, 2,5-dimethylpyrrole, 1,2,5-trimethylpyrrole, 2-acetylpyrrole, 2-acetyl-1-methylpyrrole, pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde, and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolecarboxaldehyde) as well as the browning reaction of 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)-1-methylpyrrole (HMP) and the dimer (DIM) produced during HMP browning were determined. The results obtained suggest that the AAs observed in nonenzymatic browning reactions are the result of the AAs of the different oxidized lipid/amino acid reaction products formed. Thus, the different pyrrole derivatives produced in these reactions had different AAs, and the highest AAs were observed for alkyl-substituted pyrroles without free alpha-positions. Because some of these pyrrole derivatives are implicated in nonenzymatic browning production and this browning production implies the loss of hydroxyl groups and the transformation of some pyrroles with one type of substitution into others, changes in AA during browning production were observed, and the resulting DIM derivative was more antioxidant than HMP or higher polymers. These results explain the AA observed in fatty acid/protein mixtures after slight oxidation and suggest that, when the pyrrole polymerization mechanism is predominant, slightly browned samples may be more antioxidant than samples in which nonenzymatic browning has been highly developed.     

Strecker-type degradation of phenylalanine by methyl 9,10-epoxy-13-oxo-11-octadecenoate and methyl 12,13-epoxy-9-oxo-11-octadecenoate

The reaction of methyl 9,10-epoxy-13-oxo-11(E)-octadecenoate, methyl 12,13-epoxy-9-oxo-11(E)-octadecenoate, 4,5(E)-epoxy-2(E)-heptenal, and 4,5(E)-epoxy-2(E)-decenal with phenylalanine in acetonitrile-water (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) at 80 degrees C and at different pHs and carbonyl compound/amino acid ratios was investigated both to determine if epoxyoxoene fatty esters were able to produce the Strecker-type degradation of the amino acid and to study the relative ability of oxidized long-chain fatty esters and short chain aldehydes with identical functional systems to degrade amino acids. The studied epoxyoxoene fatty esters degraded phenylalanine to phenylacetaldehyde. The mechanism of the reaction was analogous to that described for epoxyalkenals and is suggested to be produced through the corresponding imine, which is then decarboxylated and hydrolyzed. This reaction also produced a conjugated hydroxylamine, which was the origin of the long-chain pyridine-containing fatty ester isolated in the reaction and characterized as methyl 8-(6-pentylpyridin-2-yl)octanoate. Epoxyoxoene fatty esters and epoxyalkenals exhibited a similar reactivity for producing phenylacetaldehyde, therefore suggesting that nonvolatile lipid oxidation products, which are produced to a greater extent than volatile products, should be considered for determining the overall contribution of lipids to Strecker degradation of amino acids produced during nonenzymatic browning. In addition, the obtained data confirm that, analogously to carbohydrates, lipid oxidation products are also able to produce the Strecker degradation of amino acids.     

Strecker type degradation of phenylalanine by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in model systems

The reaction of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, an oxidative stress product, with phenylalanine in acetonitrile-water (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) at 37, 60, and 80 degrees C was investigated to determine whether 4-hydroxy-2-alkenals degrade amino acids, analogously to 4,5-epoxy-2-alkenals, and to compare the reactivities of both hydroxyalkenals and epoxyalkenals for production of Strecker aldehydes. In addition to the formation of N-substituted 2-pentylpyrrole and 2-pentylfuran, the studied hydroxyalkenal also degraded phenylalanine to phenylacetaldehyde with a reaction yield of 17%. The reaction mechanism is suggested to be produced through the corresponding imine, which is then decarboxylated and hydrolyzed. This reaction also produced a conjugated amine, which both may be one of the origins of the produced 2-pentyl-1H-pyrrole and may contribute to the development of browning in these reactions. 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal and 4,5-epoxy-2-decenal degraded phenylalanine in an analogous extent, which is likely a consequence of the similarity of the degradation mechanisms involved. These results suggest that different lipid oxidation products are able to degrade amino acids; therefore, the Strecker type degradation of amino acids produced by oxidized lipids may be quantitatively significant in foods.     

D-lactic acid interferes with the effects of platelet activating factor on bovine neutrophils

D-lactic acidosis occurs in ruminants, such as cattle, with acute ruminal acidosis caused by ingestion of excessive amounts of highly fermentable carbohydrates. Affected animals show clinical signs similar to those of septic shock, as well as acute laminitis and liver abscesses. It has been proposed that the inflammatory response and susceptibility to infection could both be caused by the inhibition of phagocytic mechanisms. To determine the effects of d-lactic acid on bovine neutrophil functions, we pretreated cells with different concentrations of D-lactic acid and measured intracellular pH using 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF-AM) and calcium flux using FLUO-3 AM-loaded neutrophils. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using a luminol chemiluminescence assay, and MMP-9/gelatinase-B granule release was measured by zymography. CD11b and CD62L/l-selectin expression, changes in cell shape, superoxide anion production, phagocytosis of Escherichia coli-Texas red bioparticles, and apoptosis were all measured using flow cytometry. Our results demonstrated that D-lactic acid reduced ROS production, CD11b upregulation and MMP-9 release in bovine neutrophils treated with 100 nM platelet-activating factor (PAF). D-lactic acid induced MMP-9 release and, at higher concentrations, upregulated CD11b expression, decrease L-selectin expression, and induces late apoptosis. We concluded that D-lactic acid can interfere with neutrophil functions induced by PAF, leading to reduced innate immune responses during bacterial infections. Moreover, the increase of MMP-9 release and CD11b expression induced by 10mM D-lactic acid could promote an nonspecific neutrophil-dependent inflammatory reaction in cattle with acute ruminal acidosis.     

Phytotoxity of Fusarium subglutinans culture filtrates on in vitro plantlets and calli of resistant and susceptible pineapple (Ananas comosus)

Various concentrations of culture filtrates from Fusarium subglutinans were tested for their effect on in vitro multiplication of plantlets and regeneration from calli of pineapple. The cultivars tested were the resistant Perolera and Spring and the susceptible Perola and Smooth Cayenne. The culture filtrate reduced shoot formation of in vitro plantlets and regeneration of plants from calli derived from the susceptible cultivars but plantlets and calli from resistant plants showed resistance. These results show the potential for culture filtrates of F. subglutinans to provide a method of in vitro screening of pineapple for resistance to the pathogen.     

Blood biochemical characteristics of cattle at sea level and at moderately high altitude (3,000 m).

We investigated the biochemical composition of blood from Holstein cows, native breed (criollas), and cows descended from fighting bulls (Vacas de lidia) raised at an altitude of 3,000 m (moderately high altitude, MHA), and compared the results with those from Holsteins and cows of similar genetic ancestry as the criollas (scrub cows), both raised at sea level (SL), to determine blood biochemical values characteristic of adaptation to high altitude. Only potassium and calcium concentrations were similar among groups. Glucose concentration was lower in MHA cows, with the exception of Vacas de lidia. Serum bicarbonate concentration was lower in MHA cows; this finding can be explained by hyperventilation in the hypoxic environment. Serum magnesium concentration was lower in SL and MHA Holsteins than in other groups. Serum phosphate concentration was lower in scrub cows, MHA Holsteins, and criollas than in other groups. Cholesterol concentrations were lower in SL Holsteins, whereas triglycerides were higher in scrub cows and MHA Vacas de lidia. Concentration of high-density lipoprotein was significantly greater in Vacas de lidia and less in MHA criollas than in the other groups. Uric acid and total protein were higher in MHA groups. Using radioimmunoassay for human proteins, thyroxine-binding globulin was undetectable. Total and free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were higher in scrub cows, followed by Vacas de lidia; lower values were detected in SL and MHA Holsteins and MHA criollas.     

Lachrymal antibody response of specific pathogen free chickens and chickens with maternal immunity after infectious bronchitis virus vaccination

Lachrymal fluid specific IgG and IgA were detected by ELISA in chickens with specific maternal antibodies and in chickens free of antibodies (SPF), after vaccination at 1 day of age with the H-120 vaccine strain of infectious bronchitis virus. Samples were obtained at 3 day intervals and until Day 37 of age. Optical densities were in all instances low but significant differences could be detected within and between the experimental groups. Both class-specific immunoglobulins showed a similar kinetic pattern. Nevertheless, the SPF group increased its IgA level on Day 13 while chickens with maternal immunity increased their level on Day 16. The antibody levels of both IgG and IgA were also different, being higher in the SPF group. In both chicken groups, higher levels of IgA than IgG were detected.