Oak ellagitannins suppress the phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor in human colon carcinoma cells

The ellagitannins castalagin and vescalagin, and the C-glycosides grandinin and roburin E as well as ellagic acid were found to potently inhibit the growth of human colon carcinoma cells (HT29) in vitro. In a cell-free system these compounds were identified as potent inhibitors of the protein tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with IC 50 values in the low nanomolar range. To address the question of whether the interference with the activity of the isolated EGFR also plays a role within intact cells, effects on the phosphorylation status of the EGFR, as a measure for its activity, were determined in HT29 cells. As exemplified for castalagin and grandinin, both the nonglycosylated and the glycosylated ellagitannins effectively suppressed EGFR phosphorylation, but only at concentrations > or =10 microM, thus, in a concentration range where growth inhibition was observed. These results indicate that the suppression of EGFR-mediated signaling might contribute to the growth inhibitory effects of these compounds present in oak-matured wines and spirits such as whiskey. In contrast, despite substantial growth inhibitory properties, ellagic acid did not significantly affect EGFR phosphorylation in HT29 cells up to 100 microM.     

Ruminal metabolism of DNOC and DNBP

The metabolism of DNOG and DNBP in rumen fluid was examined in vitro after elaboration of analytical methods for quantitative determination of dinitrophenols, their 6-amino derivative and diamino-phenols. It was shown that, under anaerobic conditions, the dinitrophenols were rapidly converted into 6-amino derivatives, which successively were reduced to diamino compounds. Reduction did not take place in heat-sterilized rumen specimens, and the metabolism was inhibited by high initial concentrations of the dinitro compounds in the rumen fluid (1—4 × 10⁻³M).In vivo experiments were performed for determination of the concentrations of the dinitrophenols and their metabolites in rumen fluid and blood plasma in a cow. Ruminai metabolism was rapid like in vitro, and the parent compounds were reduced in 10—30 min. The 6-amino derivatives persisted in the rumen fluid for 1 nr., and thereafter only diaminophenols could be detected for another 8—10 hrs. At least 95 % of the absorbed DNOG or DNBP were bound to plasma proteins. 6-amino-4-nitro-o-cresol w^τas found in plasma exclusively in conjugated form, while 6-amino-4-nitro-sec.-butylphenol was free. The diamino compounds were not demonstrated in blood plasma.Severe methaemoglobinaemia and haemolysis were seen after administration of DNBP. The difference in toxicity for ruminants between the two dinitrophenols is discussed on the basis of the observations reported pointing at the unconjugated 6-amino-4-nitro-sec-butylphenol as a potent inducer of methaemoglobinaemia.     

Über den in-vitro-Einfluß der Toxine von enteropathogenen Escherichia Coli auf die Motorik der Darmsegmente

The in vitro effect of toxins of enteropathogenetic Escherichia coli on the motility of gut segments In vitro experiments on the motility of segments of the jejunum and ileum of rabbits and pigs showed that the differentiation of the toxins of enteropathogenic E. coli by this technique was very doubtful. The enteropathogenic strains 0149: K 91 H 10 and 0138: K 81 were compared with the non-pathogenic strain 07 and with acetylcholine.     

Concentration of Selenium in Liver in Relation to Copper Level in Normal and Copper-Poisoned Sheep

Copper absorption, liver accumulation and development of copper toxicosis in sheep are influenced by a variety of other elements, in particular molybdenum, sulphur and zinc (Underwood 1977). In a previous study on liver concentrations of copper, molybdenum and zinc in normal and copper-poisoned sheep, no direct correlation was found between the concentrations of the three metals, but molybdenum was significantly lower in the livers from sheep dead from chronic copper poisoning than in normal animals (Frøslie & Norheim 1976).     

Selection of trees for urban forestry in the Nordic countries

Trees in the urban environment are subjected to a number of stresses which are very different from those suffered by trees in typical rural conditions. The stresses listed in this paper should be a basis for the selection criteria used in urban tree improvement programs. The basic properties of trees are climatic adaptation, disease resistance and a large phenotypic plasticity. Properties related to the urban situation are related to stresses caused by social factors, the restrictive soil volume and crown space, soil pollution, air pollution, de-icing salt, wind and drought. In addition, aesthetic factors, growth form and growth potential and resistance to breakage of limbs are important selection criteria. The priority ranking of the selection criteria depends on the environment wherein the plants are to be used. The need to broaden the range of species and cultivars planted in Nordic cities should have high priority, and selection programs should, therefore, include new species of urban trees. A practical selection should be made within the four major Nordic climatic regions, which are the northern maritime, northern continental, southern maritime and southern continental regions. The establishment of broad co-operation in the selection of plant materials for urban uses is discussed.     

Water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity in sandy cambisols: impacts of forest transformation on soil hydrological properties

Soil hydrological properties like infiltration capacity and hydraulic conductivity have important consequences for hydrological properties of soils in river catchments and for flood risk prevention. They are dynamic properties due to varying land use management practices. The objective of this study was to characterize the variation of infiltration capacity, hydraulic conductivity and soil organoprofile development on forest sites with comparable geological substrate, soil type and climatic conditions, but different stand ages and tree species in terms of the effects of forest transformation upon soil hydrological properties. The Kahlenberg forest area (50 km northeast of Berlin in the German northeastern lowlands) under investigation contains stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) of different age structures forming a transformation chronosequence from pure Scots pine stands towards pure European beech stands. The water infiltration capacity and hydraulic conductivity (K) of the investigated sandy-textured soils are low and very few macropores exist. Additionally these pores are marked by poor connectivity and therefore do not have any significant effect on water infiltration rate. Moreover, water infiltration in these soils is impeded by their hydrophobic properties. Along the experimental chronosequence of forest transformation, the thickness of the forest floor layer decreases due to enhanced decomposition and humification intensities. By contrast, the thickness of the humous topsoil increases. Presumably, changes in soil organic matter storage and quality caused by the management practice of forest transformation affect the persistence and degree of water repellency in the soil, which in turn influences the hydraulic properties of the experimental soils. The results indicate clearly that soils play a crucial role for water retention and therefore, in overland flow prevention. There is a need to have more awareness on the intimate link between the land use and soil properties and their possible effects on flooding.     

Monitoring cow comfort and rumen health indices in a cubicle-housed herd with an automatic milking system: a repeated measures approach

Background

Cow rumination and lying behaviour are potentially useful and interrelated indicators of cow health and welfare but there is conflicting evidence about how reliable these measures are. The objective of this study was to quantify the variation of indices of cow comfort and rumen health in a herd with an automatic milking system for which husbandry was relatively constant, in order to propose an alternative approach to optimising the use of these indices when continuous monitoring is not available. During a period of 28 days, standing index, cud chewing index and rumination index were observed.

Results

The daily mean standing index ranged between 9.0 and 18.0 per cent, cud chewing index between 43.5 and 74.0 per cent, and rumination index between 49.0 and 81.0 per cent. The point of lowest variation in the indices was determined as that with the lowest coefficient of variation. The coefficient of variation was lowest for data collected between 240 and 270 minutes after refreshing of the bedding material on the cubicles for both the standing index and rumination index, and for data collected between 120 and 150 minutes after refreshing of the bedding material on the cubicles for the cud chewing index.

Conclusions

In spite of relative constant husbandry practices in a herd with an automatic milking system, the variation in the standing index, cud chewing index and rumination index was still considerable. This suggests these measures should be repeated on several consecutive days, according to population size and wanted margin of error, to be representative and useful.