Using GaBi 3 to perform life cycle assessment and life cycle engineering

The growing availability of software tools has increased the speed of generating LCA studies. Databases and visual tools for constructing material balance modules greatly facilitate the process of analyzing the environmental aspects of product systems over their life cycle. A robust software tool, containing a large LCI dataset and functions for performing LCIA and sensitivity analysis will allow companies and LCA practitioners to conduct systems analyses efficiently and reliably. This paper discusses how the GaBi 3 software tool can be used to perform LCA and Life Cycle Engineering (LCE), a methodology that combines life cycle economic, environmental, and technology assessment. The paper highlights important attributes of LCA software tools, including high quality, well-documented data, transparency in modeling, and data analysis functionality. An example of a regional power grid mix model is used to illustrate the versatility of GaBi 3.     

Experimental Studies on the Volatile Nitrogen Compounds Produced by Pseudomonas Fragi in Fish Extracts

The decomposition of nitrogenous compounds of extracts of cooked halibut meat due to the growth at 4°C and 17°C of Pseudomonas fragi, strain F 111, was followed with determinations of the total volatile nitrogen (TVN) and of trimethylamine (TMA). The steam-distillation method according to Bethea & Hillig (1965) and the Conway-microdiffusion-method according to Farber & Ferro (1956) were used for these determinations. When fish extract was inoculated with the strain F 111 and stored at 4°C for 5 days or at 17°C for 3½ days an increase of TVN was started. This increase of TVN was slower at 4°C than at 17°C. It was shown that in the extract B, which was prepared from fish meat of poor but acceptable commercial quality, the initial TVN was higher, the increase of TVN caused by the action of the strain F 111 was slower, and the TVN maximum was lower than the corresponding values representing extract A. The last mentioned extract was prepared from halibut meat of good commercial quality. The correlation between the increase of TVN and that of pH of the inoculated fish extract was poor. This indicates that the initial increase of pH was not caused by volatile basic compounds. It was shown that the exclusion of air after 1 or more days of incubation at 17°C could delay the onset of the TVN increase but did not prevent it. The final TVN value of the sample, which was layered with paraffin oil 24 hrs. after the inoculation of the strain F 111, was approximately the same as that of the fish extract sample layered after 14 days of incubation at 17°C. In inoculated fish extract samples, which were sterile-filtered on the day when the extract was layered with paraffin oil, no further increase of TVN was observed. It was confirmed that Pseudomonas fragi caused no increase of TMA in the extract of cooked halibut.     

Restoration of rocky slopes based on planted gabions and use of drought-preconditioned woody species

The restoration of steep rock faces with shrubs and trees is difficult due to extreme microclimatic and edaphic conditions. In this study, we tested the applicability of free-standing planted gabions to improve the landscape and achieve protection against rockfall, erosion and enhanced surface flow. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of preconditioning on drought tolerance of several planted species (Ligustrum vulgare, Viburnum lantana, Juniperus communis and Pinus sylvestris).Planted gabions showed sufficient mechanical stability, but survival rates of planted shrubs and trees were reduced by drought stress. Soil water potential on the gabions decreased several times below ?1.4 MPa and soil temperature increased up to 30 °C in summer and decreased below ?6 °C in winter. The percentage of surviving individuals was correlated with the species’ resistance to drought-induced embolism. Drought tolerance was overall higher in conifer species, while angiosperm species were able to shift their vulnerability thresholds upon preconditioning.We conclude that free-standing planted gabions may be an alternative technique for restoration and securing of critical parts of steep rocky slopes. Preconditioning of plant material used for restoration of drought-prone sites can increase the drought tolerance of some species.     

The Extracellular δ-Domain is Essential for the Formation of CD81 Tetraspanin Webs

CD81 is a ubiquitously expressed member of the tetraspanin family. It forms large molecular platforms, so-called tetraspanin webs that play physiological roles in a variety of cellular functions and are involved in viral and parasite infections. We have investigated which part of the CD81 molecule is required for the formation of domains in the cell membranes of T-cells and hepatocytes. Surprisingly, we find that large CD81 platforms assemble via the short extracellular δ-domain, independent from a strong primary partner binding and from weak interactions mediated by palmitoylation. The δ-domain is also essential for the platforms to function during viral entry. We propose that, instead of stable binary interactions, CD81 interactions via the small δ-domain, possibly involving a dimerization step, play the key role in organizing CD81 into large tetraspanin webs and controlling its function.     

The Impact of Exogenic Testosterone and Nortestosterone-Decanoate Toxicological Evaluation Using a Rat Model

The impact of exogenic testosterone (T): 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg.bw) and 19-nortestosterone 17-decanoate (ND): 1.5 and 7.5 mg/kg.bw) in castrated male rats was evaluated based on: (a) weight increase of the androgen target tissues, respecting the Hershberger methodology; (b) the 17α and β-testosterone, 17 α and β-estradiol and 17 α and β-nortestosterone levels using the GC-MS/MS technique; and (c) observation of the serum free thyroxine levels (T₄). Results revealed that T and ND significantly increased the weight of androgen target tissues as follows: ND was more influential on seminal vesicles, levator ani-bulbocavernosus muscle (LABC) and Cowper''s glands and T (at a dose of 3.0 mg/kg.bw) influenced the weight of the ventral prostate and glans penis. Serum samples analyzed for steroid hormone levels showed the presence of 17β-testosterone, 17β-estradiol and 17β-nor-testosterone, in castrated male rats injected with testosterone and nortestosterone, but no significant differences were found between thyroid responses and thyroid hormone levels. The results of this research proved the disrupting activity of T and ND when administered in high doses and the useful application of the Hershberger bioassay in the case of ND.     

The Host Protein Calprotectin Modulates the Helicobacter pylori cag Type IV Secretion System via Zinc Sequestration

Transition metals are necessary for all forms of life including microorganisms, evidenced by the fact that 30% of all proteins are predicted to interact with a metal cofactor. Through a process termed nutritional immunity, the host actively sequesters essential nutrient metals away from invading pathogenic bacteria. Neutrophils participate in this process by producing several metal chelating proteins, including lactoferrin and calprotectin (CP). As neutrophils are an important component of the inflammatory response directed against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, a major risk factor for gastric cancer, it was hypothesized that CP plays a role in the host response to H. pylori. Utilizing a murine model of H. pylori infection and gastric epithelial cell co-cultures, the role CP plays in modifying H. pylori -host interactions and the function of the cag Type IV Secretion System (cag T4SS) was investigated. This study indicates elevated gastric levels of CP are associated with the infiltration of neutrophils to the H. pylori-infected tissue. When infected with an H. pylori strain harboring a functional cag T4SS, calprotectin-deficient mice exhibited decreased bacterial burdens and a trend toward increased cag T4SS -dependent inflammation compared to wild-type mice. In vitro data demonstrate that culturing H. pylori with sub-inhibitory doses of CP reduces the activity of the cag T4SS and the biogenesis of cag T4SS-associated pili in a zinc-dependent fashion. Taken together, these data indicate that zinc homeostasis plays a role in regulating the proinflammatory activity of the cag T4SS.