Cod CGRP and tachykinins in coeliac artery innervation of the Atlantic cod, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gadus morhua</Emphasis>: presence and vasoactivity

The presence and vasoactive effects of native calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and neurokinin A (NKA) were studied on isolated small branches of the coeliac artery from Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, using immunohistochemistry and myograph recordings, respectively. Immunohistochemistry revealed nerve fibers containing CGRP- and SP/NKA-like material running along the wall of the arteries. CGRP induced vasorelaxation of precontracted arteries with a pD₂ value of 8.54 ± 0.17. Relaxation to CGRP (10⁻⁸ M) was unaffected by l-NAME (3 × 10⁻⁴ M) and indomethacin (10⁻⁶ M) suggesting no involvement of nitric oxide or prostaglandins in the CGRP-induced relaxation. SP and NKA (from 10⁻¹⁰ to 3 × 10⁻⁷ M) contracted the unstimulated arteries at concentrations from 10⁻⁸ M and above in 42% and 33%, respectively, of the vessels. It is concluded that the innervation of the cod celiac artery includes nerves expressing CGRP-like and tachykinin-like material, and that a vasodilatory response to CGRP is highly conserved amongst vertebrates while the response to tachykinins is more variable.     

Land-use legacies of twentieth-century forestry in the UK: a perspective

Landscape Ecology - Complex interactions between societies and their environment have shaped landscapes across Europe over centuries. Therefore, taking a historical perspective can be important...     

Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced suppression of luteal function in isolated perfused bovine ovaries

Recently, we observed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) suppresses corpus luteum (CL) function in isolated perfused ovaries. It remained unclear if this suppression was due to increased luteal PGF_2α secretion or LPS-induced apoptosis. Therefore, possible impacts of PGF_2α and LPS were inhibited by a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (flunixin) and an endotoxin-binding agent (polymyxin B), respectively. Bovine ovaries with a mid-cycle CL were collected immediately after slaughter and perfused for 240 min. After 50 min of equilibration, either flunixin or polymyxin B (5 μg/ml of each) were added to the perfusion medium of six ovaries, respectively. All ovaries (n = 12) were treated with E. coli LPS (0.5 μg/ml) 60 min after the onset of perfusion, and received 500 I.U. of hCG after 210 min of perfusion. Progesterone and PGF_2α were measured in the effluent perfusate every 10 and 30 min, respectively. Biopsies of the CL were collected every 60 min to determine the mRNA expression of the cytokine TNFA and factors of apoptosis (CASP3, -8). Flunixin-treatment inhibited the increase of PGF_2α after LPS-challenge that was observed in the polymyxin B-treated (PX-LPS) ovaries. After hCG-stimulation, progesterone secretion increased (P < 0.05) in group PX-LPS but not in the flunixin-treated (F-LPS) ovaries. Compared to initial values before LPS-challenge, luteal mRNA expression of TNFA and CASP3 was increased (P < 0.05) in group F-LPS at 120 and 180 min, respectively, and those of CASP8 was decreased (P < 0.05) in PX-LPS at 60 and 120 min after LPS-treatment. In conclusion, although flunixin managed to inhibit PGF_2α, it did not suffice to successfully prevent LPS-induced apoptosis. However, endotoxin-binding polymyxin B resulted in luteal responsiveness to hCG after LPS-challenge.     

Residues in the fat of ewes grazing on soil contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons

Three halogenated hydrocarbon compounds were applied to the surface of each of two .57 ha bluegrass plots in October. Each plot was stocked with 10 mature ewes 6 mo after application. Supplemental feed was not offered. Five ewes remained on the plots for 180 d, whereas the other five were removed and replaced at 60-d intervals. Average soil residues for the period of grazing were 13.3, 3.8, 29.3 and 32.8 mg/m2 HCB (hexachlorobenzene), DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bi(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene], DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] and PBB (polybrominated biphenyls), respectively, for plot 1 and 16.5 and 48.0 mg/m2 DDE and PBB, respectively, for plot 2. Average concentrations of residue in body fat of the five ewes grazing for 180 d were .37, .30 and .30 micrograms/g HCB, DDE and PBB, respectively, for plot 1 and 2.41 and .79 micrograms/g DDE and PBB, respectively, for plot 2. Average residue concentrations in ewes that grazed 60-d subperiods were nearly as great, which indicated that steady state residue levels were reached in less than 180 d. A second trial and was conducted 3 yr later after plowing and reseeding the plots, but only PBB was measured. Polybrominated biphenyl was distributed throughout the top 16 cm of soil but the quantity present had not changed appreciably from the first trial. After seven ewes/plot grazed 136 d, residues were detected in only one of the seven on plot 1, but were detected in all seven on plot 2 with an average concentration of only .032 micrograms/g. It is concluded that concentration of residue in body fat of ewes depended on the concentration of chemical at the soil surface and the amount of soil ingested.     

Implementing urban greening aid projects – The case of St. Petersburg, Russia

Recent years have seen the introduction of the concept of urban greening, defined as embracing the planning and management of all urban vegetation to create or add values to the local community. Green-space development has become recognised by international agencies and donors as important tool in improving the quality of urban livelihoods and urban environment. This paper evaluates an example of an urban greening aid project, carried out by Danish and Russian partners in the city of St. Petersburg, Russia. The project aimed to contribute to conservation and development of the cultural–historical, social and ecological values of St. Petersburg's urban green areas by implementing a structured, socially inclusive, well-informed planning and management approach. The project had three main components: (1) the development of a GIS-based information system to assist green-space planning and management; (2) on-site improvements in selected green areas and (3) awareness raising and public involvement activities. Ex post evaluation of the project showed that in spite of the limits of time and resources, important results were achieved. A more strategic approach to urban green-space planning and management, as promoted by urban greening, was adapted by some of the Russian project partners. Achievements also included notable physical improvements to one park. But the main project impacts were improved communication and collaboration between the local park department and local academia, as well as expertise developed in running a complex urban greening project. The project failed, however, in its public involvement ambitions.Moreover, the project should have facilitated discussion on some of the current premises of urban green-space planning and management in St. Petersburg, which insufficiently consider changing values and public preferences related to green spaces.     

Bestimmung der S-Allele in Brennkirschensorten (Prunus avium L.)

Zusammenfassung Brennkirschen sind Süßkirschensorten, welche spezielle Eigenschaften für die Branntweinproduktion und die industrielle Verarbeitung besitzen. Ihr Hauptanbaugebiet in Deutschland befindet sich in Baden-Württemberg und in Teilen Bayerns. In den letzten Jahren wurde über einen geringen Fruchtbehang in neu gepflanzten Brennkirschenanlagen berichtet. Süßkirschen sind selbstinkompatibel und benötigen deshalb eine Bestäubersorte. Ursache ist ein gametophytischer Selbstinkompatibilitätsmechanismus, bedingt durch einen S-Lokus. Mit Hilfe molekularer Marker wurden deshalb Untersuchungen zu den S-Allel-Kombinationen in 62 Brennkirschensorten bzw. -herkünften aus dem Raum Oberkirch, Mittelbaden, durchgeführt. Im Ergebnis konnten zwei bisher noch nicht beschriebene S-Allele und 14 neue Inkompatibilitätsgruppen ermittelt werden. Ursache für den schlechten Fruchtansatz in neuen Kirschenanlagen mit den Hauptsorten Dolleseppler und Benjaminer sind die gleichen S-Allel-Kombinationen (S₁S₇) in beiden Sorten. Als mögliche Befruchtersorten werden die Sorten Schwarze Schüttler (S₆S₇), Hartwälder (S₄S₇), Feuerkirsche (S₄S₁₄) und die ehemalige Sorte Dolleseppler der Baumschule Kiefer (S₁S₄) empfohlen.     

Perception and acceptance of agricultural production in and on urban buildings (ZFarming): a qualitative study from Berlin,Germany

Rooftop gardens, rooftop greenhouses and indoor farms (defined as ZFarming) have been established or planned by activists and private companies in Berlin. These projects promise to produce a range of goods that could have positive impacts on the urban setting but also carry a number of risks and uncertainties. In this early innovation phase, the relevant stakeholders’ perceptions and social acceptance of ZFarming represent important preconditions for success or failure of the further diffusion of this practice. We used the framework of acceptance to investigate the stakeholders’ attitudes and to identify the key factors that might hinder or promote the introduction of ZFarming. The results are based on an analysis of 38 qualitative interviews conducted with key stakeholders in Berlin. As the results show, major perceived benefits of ZFarming include improved consumer awareness, education, and the creation of experimental spaces. Stakeholders further perceive opportunities for resource savings, new business models, repurposing of abandoned buildings and improved aesthetics. Major perceived risks are associated with growing techniques that are considered “unnatural”, health risks (due to urban pollutants), conflicts with images of traditional agriculture, the rejection of animal production in urban areas, the risk of projects being too expensive and too complex or being implemented too early, i.e. before the mechanisms are fully understood. The analysis further reveals which contextual factors—political, legal, market-related, spatial or societal—might negatively or positively influence ZFarming acceptance.     

Species-specific responses to environmental stress on germination and juvenile growth of two Bolivian Andean agroforestry species

Integrating native trees in farmland can support soil, water and biodiversity conservation. This is particularly important in regions characterized by long periods of drought and soil erosion, such as the Bolivian Andes, where agroforestry with native woody species is rarely applied. Better knowledge on the effects of environmental stress on propagation and establishment of such native plants is needed to optimize their cultivation. In our study, we tested the effects of temperature and scarification on seed germination, and assessed seedling survival and juvenile growth of two potential agroforestry species (Prosopis laevigata var. andicola, Schinus molle) under diverse soil and water conditions. Temperatures above 30 °C accelerated germination, but they increased fungi infestation in the case of S. molle. The application of acid and mechanical scarification significantly improved the germination capacity of P. laevigata var. andicola. Medium to high moisture levels in sand provided the most favourable conditions for plant growth. S. molle was more sensitive to dry and P. laevigata var. andicola more vulnerable to water-saturated clay loam. Mulching enhanced the survival and growth of S. molle juveniles, but increased P. laevigata var. andicola’s growth in sand and dry soils only. Our results may facilitate guidance on improving propagation of these two potential agroforestry species under environmental stress conditions. More generally, our study shows that easily applicable treatments, such as mulching, can significantly improve the cultivation of native species, provided that their habitat requirements and limiting factors are well known. This highlights the relevance of identifying and closing such knowledge gaps for native trees and shrubs in order to promote their potential for use in agroforestry.