Adsorption of Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulphonate (SDBS) on Candida maltosa EH 15 Strain: Influence on Cell Surface Hydrophobicity and n-alkanes Biodegradation

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - The effect of exogenously added sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate (SDBS) surfactant on biodegradation of a mixture of straight-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons...     

Food selection of burbot (Lota lota L.) larvae reared in illuminated net cages in mesotrophic Lake Maróz (north-eastern Poland)

Feeding and food selection of burbot (Lota lota L.) larvae reared in illuminated cages were studied. The experiment was carried out in mesotrophic Lake Maróz, in north-eastern Poland, for 6 weeks in two successive years. The initial stocking density was 1,250 larvae (20 DPH) per cage. Food selection according to the zooplankton groups (Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda) and length classes was expressed by the Strauss linear selectivity index (L). Zooplankton species composition in the lake was similar in the two seasons of the study and organisms shorter than 0.5 mm prevailed in the plankton. The mean number of prey found in burbot alimentary tracts increased from about 40 up to over 200 during the course of the study. A very large inter-individual variation in the amount of food organisms consumed by fish was noted. Analysis of the values of the Strauss food selectivity index shows that at the beginning of the first year of the experiment, burbot larvae preferred copepods, most numerous in the environment at that time; later, fish tended to select cladocerans. In the second year of the study, fish more often ate copepods, irrespective of their quantities in the environment. During the whole study, reared burbot larvae did not eat rotifers, even when they were numerous in cages. Similarly to the rotifers, the smallest planktonic organisms, measuring up to 0.5 mm in length, were typically neglected by fish, while the 0.6–1.0 mm group was most frequently selected. There were also considerable individual differences between particular burbot specimens in their food preferences.     

Determination of elements removal in different harvesting scenarios of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands

Increasing demand for renewable energy and limiting CO₂ emissions have stimulated much interest in wood-based biofuels. Unfortunately, expanding the utilization of forest biomass may cause nutrient depletion in forested environments. This study investigates the element content from various parts of the tree. Comparisons were made between different harvesting scenarios and their impact on the amount of nutrients removed from the forest environment. The harvesting scenarios were: stem-only harvesting (SOH), branch and stem harvesting (BSH), and two variants of whole-tree harvesting (WTH). The elements taken into account were: carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), sulphur (S), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb). To make the results comparable, the same amount of removed biomass was taken into calculation. The differences between harvesting scenarios were significant. The amounts of removed elements formed similar pattern: the lowest level was found in SOH, average in BSH, and highest in both variants of WTH. This confirms that the application of WTH is connected with increased risk of nutrient depletion, even when the volume of harvest would be equal to other variants.     

Changes in soil morphology of Podzols affected by alkaline fly ash blown out from the dumping site of an electric power plant

Purpose

The impacts of fly ash on the chemistry of forest floors were previously described in literature, while impacts on soil properties were less recognised. Soil investigations were focussed mainly on increases of pH and base saturations in surface horizons. The purpose of this study was to describe the influence of alkaline fly ash blown out from the dumping site of a lignite-fired power plant on pH changes of ectohumus horizons of Podzols and the morphology of deeper horizons.

Materials and methods

We investigated the soil profiles of Podzols derived from loose quartz sand and developed under pine forest surrounding the dumping site of the power plant Be?chatów, central Poland. In the vicinity of the fly ash dumping site, five Podzol profiles located at a distance of 50 m from the dumping site were investigated, as well as soil profiles located along the transect set at distances of 50, 300, 800 and 2000 m from the dumping site. Control profiles were located at a distance of 7.3 km from the dumping site. Soil morphology was described in the field and the following properties were determined: soil texture, hydrolytic acidity, exchangeable cations, total organic carbon and total nitrogen content.

Results and discussion

The pH values of Podzol ectohumus horizons located close to the dumping site ranged from 6.01 to 7.34 compared to a range of 3.08–3.72 in the control. Ectohumus horizon located 300 m from the dumping site showed a pH range of 4.13–4.26, while at a distance of 800 m, the pH values did not differ from those of the control site. The upper part of the eluvial soil horizons located close to the dumping site had been transformed into transitional AE horizons in which humic substances translocated from ectohumus horizons were accumulated. Moreover, the organic carbon content of this horizon increased compared to the carbon content of the illuvial Bs horizon located below it. Under the influence of alkalisation of upper horizons, the illuvial Bhs horizons vanished and were transformed into Bs horizons.

Conclusions

Changes in soils affected by fly ashes are connected with alkalinisation of ectohumus horizons. Podzolisation processes can be reduced or even completely stopped regarding the distance from the dumping site. Eluvial Podzol horizons located close to the dumping site may be transformed into AE horizons in which humic substances translocated from ectohumus horizons are accumulated. Due to transformation and translocation of organic components, Bhs horizons can be transformed into Bs horizons.

     

Apple polyphenols and fibers attenuate atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Atherosclerosis, which is closely linked to nutritional habits, is a major cause of mortality in Western countries. Most of the previous investigations carried out on health effects of apples have been focused on their capacity to lower lipid concentration as well as on their antioxidant effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antiatherosclerotic effects of apple polyphenols and fibers. A crude apple polyphenol extract and low-viscosity apple fibers isolated from cider apples were administered separately or in association with the diet of apo E-deficient mice. After 4 months of supplementation, lipemia and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured and atheroslerotic lesions assessed by histomorphometry. Total plasmatic cholesterol and triacylgycerol levels were not affected by supplementation, and hepatic cholesterol level was lower in the group supplemented with both fibers and polyphenols. Uric acid concentrations and antioxidant capacity (FRAP) in plasma were reduced in all groups supplemented with polyphenols or fibers. The mean lesion area was reduced by 17, 38, and 38%, respectively, for the polyphenol, fiber, and polyphenol + fiber groups. Apple constituents supplied at nutritional doses therefore limit the development of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta of apo E-deficient mice. On the basis of the results, we hypothesize that apple fibers and polyphenols may play a role in preventing atherosclerosis disease by decreasing uric acid plasma level.     

In vitro immunomodulatory effect of nisin on porcine leucocytes

Nisin, a lantibiotic bacteriocin, has been used for years as a natural food preservative. In addition to its antimicrobial activity, nisin also shows immunomodulatory properties, and the nisin‐producing Lactococcus lactis strain has been successfully tested as a probiotic in weaned piglets. However, the impact of nisin on porcine immune cells has not yet been explored. The objective of the present study was to examine the in vitro immunomodulatory effect of nisin on porcine peripheral blood leucocytes. The whole heparinized blood samples or freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were incubated with different nisin concentrations (0, 1.56, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25 or 50 µg/ml) for 1, 24, 48 or 72 hr. Escherichia coli bacteria were used to stimulate blood phagocytes, while concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide from E. coli were used as mitogens. Control cells remained unstimulated. MTT colorimetric assay was used to evaluate PBMCs viability and mitogenic response. Phagocyte activity and T‐cell proliferation were measured by flow cytometry. Flow cytometer was also used for immunophenotyping of T cells. Cytokine levels in the culture media were determined using commercial immunoassay (ELISA) kits. The highest concentration of nisin exhibited proliferative activity (p ? 0.05), stimulated interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) production (both at p ? 0.001), and increased the percentage of CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells (p ? 0.001) among unstimulated leucocytes. After cell stimulation, however, the highest nisin concentration showed antiproliferative activity (p ? 0.05), decreased phagocytic functions (p ? 0.05) and inhibited the synthesis of IL‐6 (time‐ and concentration‐dependent effect). As a typical bacterial product, nisin had a stronger impact on innate immune cells, and its effect on T cells was likely a consequence of the modulation of the activity of antigen‐presenting cells. Nisin may be a good candidate as an immunomodulator in pig breeding.     

In vitro effects of the activity of novel platinum (II) complex in canine and human cell lines

The anticancer activity of novel platinum derivative, a complex of platinum with tris(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine (Pt‐TCEP), has been evaluated in canine (D‐17) and human osteosarcoma (U2‐OS) cell lines. Viability of cells after incubation for 24 or 72 hours with increasing concentrations (0.625, 1.25, 2.50, 5, 10 and 20 μM) of Pt‐TCEP was tested in an MTT assay and compared to effect of cisplatin. Longer‐term effect of Pt‐TCEP was evaluated in the colony‐forming unit assay after 24 hours exposure to the Pt‐TCEP (2 and 3 μM) and subsequent incubation for 2 weeks. The influence of the compound on the cell cycle was measured after 24 hours treatment with Pt‐TCEP (3 μM). Its pro‐apoptotic activity was examined after 24 hours treatment with Pt‐TCEP (1.25, 2.50, 5, 10 and 20 μM) using flow cytometry. Expression of main proteins involved in apoptosis was measured after exposure for 24 hours to 3 or 5 μM Pt‐TCEP in Western Blot. The compound much more effectively decreased cell viability than cisplatin in case of both cell lines. IC₅₀ of Pt‐TCEP was 5.93 ± 0.12 in D‐17 and 3.45 ± 0.14 in U2‐OS cell lines after 24 hours, and 1.77 ± 0.14 in D‐17 and 1.53 ± 0.11 in U2‐OS after 72 hours (P < .05). The compound arrested cells in the G2/M phase and inhibited the ability of cells to form colonies. Pt‐TCEP induced caspase‐dependent apoptosis. The expression of the anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐X_L protein was decreased after Pt‐TCEP treatment in both cell lines. The results confirmed anti‐cancer activity of Pt‐TCEP against canine and human osteosarcoma cell lines.     

利用胚和胚珠的离体培养获得甘蓝型油菜与青花菜的种间杂种

以波兹南农业大学植物遗传育种系提供的甘蓝型胞质雄性不育油菜为母本与青花菜杂交 ,授粉后 1 9d,观察其种间杂交的有效性 ,并对其胚和胚珠进行离体培养。结果表明 :种间杂交的亲和性及胚珠退化时间随杂交组合不同而异 ,亲本的基因型对其有很大的影响。胚和胚珠的离体培养可有效地克服合子后的发育障碍获得种间杂种植株     

Sediment imbalances and flooding risk in European deltas and estuaries

Purpose

We analysed the status of current water and sediment management practices in six deltas and estuaries, which were part of the European DELTANET, INTERREG-funded network.

Materials and methods

These systems—the Danube, Ebro and Vistula deltas and the Elbe, Minho and Severn estuaries—represent different geographic regions of Europe. This enables comparison between the sites’ approaches to common coastal issues, notably those associated with sediment budgets, contamination and flood risk. Based on documentary analysis, workshop events and expert discussion, we employ a simple classification scheme to distinguish between levels of risk from these aspects.

Results

We suggest that flood risk is the most significant risk, followed by upstream sediment retention and sediment aggradation. Chemical contamination, though less severe, is not unimportant. Key management issues include a lack of environmental quality standards for sediment and suspended particulate matter, as well as the limited deployment of monitoring programmes, regular sediment sampling and associated chemical analyses.

Conclusions

These include both general and specific recommendations. Within these, the limited scope of integrated plans that aim for sustainability of the respective systems is highlighted. It is suggested that these do not challenge traditional, classical engineering approaches sufficiently. Nor do they address the origin of many environmental problems, especially those which are closely linked to short-term political and economic priorities.