Novel biomarkers in amniotic fluid for early assessment of intraamniotic infection

Intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI) is associated with preterm birth, short and long-term adverse clinical outcomes and oxidative stress. The diagnosis of IAI is based on histological and clinical findings; however, often these results are unspecific. Therefore, efforts have been directed towards validating reliable methods for patients lacking overt clinical symptoms. In this study, amniotic fluid (AF) samples were prospectively collected from 23 women grouped into two categories (with or without IAI) following clinical, microbiological and histological criteria. AFs were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the determination of the following biomarkers: oxidized and nitrated tyrosines (Tyr), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and glutathione sulfonamide (GSA). 3-NO₂-Tyrosine (3NO₂-Tyr) and GSSG concentrations in AF were not identified as significantly relevant biomarkers in the presence of IAI. However, inflammatory biomarkers such as GSA (p=0.002) and 3-Chloro-Tyrosine [3Cl-Tyr (p=0.049)], and oxidative stress biomarker 8OHdG (p=0.021) were significantly increased in AF with IAI as compared to normal controls. Biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress determined in AF samples could represent a new approach towards an early diagnosis of IAI and subsequent chorioamnionitis in the clinical setting.     

Assessing the impact of RDP agri-environment measures on the use of nitrogen-based mineral fertilizers through spatial econometrics: The case study of Emilia-Romagna (Italy)

Agriculture is the main source of nitrogen loading (EEA, 2012) and is the sector with the largest residual emission reduction potential (Sutton et al., 2011). Moreover, surpluses of nitrogen are forecast to grow in the next decade (FAO, 2012). The objective of this study is to evaluate the determinants of the use of N-based mineral fertilizers in agriculture and the effectiveness of Agri-Environmental Schemes (AES) implemented in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, in preventing nitrate pollution.The indicator N mineral fertilizer application rate in agriculture was first estimated at the municipality level for the years 2000 and 2010. Thereafter, we performed a Moran's statistics and a LISA (Local Indicators of Spatial Association; Anselin, 1995) analysis to test the data for local spatial autocorrelations. Finally, in order to provide a quantitative evaluation of the impact of the agri-environmental measures on the application rate of N fertilizers, we constructed an aspatial model (Ordinary Least Square model) and two spatial models (spatial lag and error models). All of the models are able to explain more than 70% of the change in the N mineral fertilizer application rate between the years 2000 and 2010 (the dependent variable).The results indicate that the observed decrease in the application rate of N mineral fertilizers in the considered decade was positively influenced by both the uptake of specific AES and the location in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ). Among the policy variables, the participation in AES is less important than the location in a NVZ for explaining the reduction in the N mineral fertilizer application rate in the municipalities of Emilia-Romagna. Other significant variables are farm size, population density and share of certified organic surface in the utilized agricultural area (UAA). The availability of finer scale data for the estimation of changes in nitrogen inputs would improve the robustness of the models.     

Comparison of several types of enrichment for captive felids

Enrichment can increase the complexity of the captive environment and possibly enhance captive animals' well‐being by stimulating active behaviors and reducing stereotypical behaviors commonly seen in zoo felids. In this study, three different enrichment items were added to outdoor enclosures of felids at the Montgomery Zoo to test their effects on activity levels and stereotypic pacing. Bones, frozen fish, and spices (cinnamon, chili powder, and cumin) were presented over a 3‐month period to six species of felids: cheetah, cougar, jaguar, lion, ocelot, and tiger. Proportion of time spent engaging in active behaviors and stereotypic pacing were compared before, during, and after treatments. All treatments resulted in a significant increase in activity level from baseline (bones: +15.59%; frozen fish: +35.7%; spices: +12.38%). Effects of enrichment items on activity levels were not sustained 7 days after removal. Proportion of time spent pacing significantly decreased during presentation of spices (?21.25%) and frozen fish (?26.58%), but not with the addition of bones. However, only the effect of frozen fish on stereotypic behavior was sustained 7 days after removal of the enrichment item. In conclusion, bones, spices, and frozen fish are inexpensive and easy‐to‐administer enrichment items that may be used to increase active behaviors of captive felids. Zoo Biol 26:371–381, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Atmospheric nitrogenous compounds and ozone – is NOx fixation by plants a possible solution?

Air quality thresholds for O₃ for the protection of human health and vegetation set by the European Union (EU) have been exceeded in Europe regularly in the 1990s. Because target reductions for oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) set for the year 2000 are unlikely to be achieved, these O₃ exceedances are likely to continue into the next millenium. Improvements of plant tolerance towards O₃ are being investigated but very little work has been done to explore NO_x tolerance and plant acclimation to NO₂ and NO. However, it is clear that within the populations of some plant species there is wide variation, and some individuals can fix NO_x and use the nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, rather than rely upon, for example, root uptake of nitrate. It is possible that individuals capable of fixing NO_x could be selected for a range of species, and genotypes with high rates of uptake could be of value as crops or for forestation in polluted areas (e.g. landscaping in the vicinity of motorways) to reduce tropospheric concentrations of NO_x significantly and also to decrease the potential for O₃ production.     

Nutrient responses to the liming of lake Gårdsjön

The acidified lakes Lake Gårdsjön and Lake Stora Hästevatten the reference lake have been monitored since 1979 and 1980 respectively. The lakes are situated in SW Sweden; in an area severly affected by acid deposition. Lake Gårdsjön was limed in spring 1982. This paper analyses changes in nutrient concentrations upon liming of Lake Gårdsjön. The liming of Lake Gårdsjön was followed by a slight increase in ammonium, nitrate, and dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations. A drastic decrease occurred in particulate nitrogen and particulate carbon, whereas dissolved organic carbon increased. Total phosphorus and particulate phosphorus concentrations were similar to pre-limed conditions. The long-term decrease in phosphorus concentration, exhibited by the reference lake, was not identified in Lake Gårdsjön after liming, but total phosphorus concentration was still less than half compared to Lake Gårdsjön in the early 1970's. Additional measures such as phosphorus fertilization, should in certain cases be considered in addition to liming if the goal is to restore lakes to their pre-acidic conditions.