Surface adsorption, intracellular accumulation and compartmentalization of Pb(II) in batch-operated lagoons with Salvinia minima as affected by environmental conditions, EDTA and nutrients

The effects of environmental factors and nutrients on the various possible removal mechanisms (surface adsorption, intracellular accumulation and precipitation to sediments) and partitioning of lead among various compartments (plant biomass, water column and sediments) in Salvinia minima batch-operated lagoons, were evaluated. Surface adsorption was found to be the predominant mechanism for Pb(II) removal under all environmental conditions tested in the absence of nutrients (an average of 54.3%) and in a nutrient medium (modified Hutner 1/10 medium) free of EDTA and phosphates (54.41%) at "high" initial Pb(II) concentrations (in the range of 10.3+/-0.13 to 15.2+/-0.05 mg/L). Under these conditions, the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were 2,431+/-276 and 2,065+/-35, respectively. Lead removal was very rapid during the first 4 h and reached 70% in the absence of nutrients at the "medium" light intensity and temperature (LIT) tested, 88% in nutrient medium free of EDTA and supplemented with synthetic wastewater (at the "lowest" LIT tested), and 85% in medium free of EDTA and phosphates. It was concluded that the mechanisms of lead removal by S. minima, and the compartmentalization of this metal in the microcosm of batch-operated lagoons, are primarily a function of the presence of certain nutrients and chelants, with secondary dependence on environmental conditions. In addition, the results indicate that the percentage of lead removed is only a gross parameter and that the complementary use of BCF and compartmentalization analysis is required to gain a full insight into the metal removal process.     

Phytoremediation of Cd,Ni, Pb and Zn by Salvinia minima

Most metals disperse easily in environments and can be bioconcentrated in tissues of many organisms causing risks to the health and stability of aquatic ecosystems even at low concentrations. The use of plants to phytoremediation has been evaluated to mitigate the environmental contamination by metals since they have large capacity to adsorb or accumulate these elements. In this study we evaluate Salvinia minima growth and its ability to accumulate metals. The plants were cultivated for about 60 days in different concentrations of Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn (tested alone) in controlled environmental conditions and availability of nutrients. The results indicated that S. minima was able to grow in low concentrations of selected metals (0.03 mg L^?1 Cd, 0.40 mg L^?1 Ni, 1.00 mg L^?1 Pb and 1.00 mg L^?1 Zn) and still able to adsorb or accumulate metals in their tissues when cultivated in higher concentrations of selected metals without necessarily grow. The maximum values of removal metal rates (mg m² day^?1) for each metal (Cd = 0.0045, Ni = 0.0595, Pb = 0.1423 e Zn = 0.4046) are listed. We concluded that S. minima may be used as an additional tool for metals removal from effluent.     

The role of GA3 in the germination process of high-mountain endemic and threatened species: Leontopodium nivalePinguicula fiorii and Soldanella minima subsp. samnitica (central Apennines,Italy)

The ex situ conservation of biodiversity is an essential tool for environmental protection interventions. Germination studies of seeds that belong to endangered species are essential for ex situ conservation strategies. In this study, we investigate the germination responses of three high-altitude endemic and vulnerable species (Leontopodium nivale, Pinguicula fiorii and Soldanella minima subsp. samnitica). Specifically we identified potential dormancy mechanisms by investigating the responses of germination percentage and rate to different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA₃), by performing a general linear model. L. nivale reached a germination percentage of 98.0 ± 2.0% (mean ± SE) under control conditions (20°C; 12/12 photoperiod; no GA₃ addition). P. fiorii showed the highest germination percentage (78.0 ± 2.0%) in the treatment with GA₃ 500 ppm. S. minima subsp. samnitica did not show sensitivity to GA₃ but responded positively to cold stratification (6 month at 5°C) with a germination percentage of 90 ± 6%. This study made it possible to acquire important information on the germination process of threatened and rare endemic taxa.     

Remediation of Copper from Copper Mine Wastes and Contaminated Soils Using (S,S)-Ethylenediaminedisuccinic Acid and Acidophilic Bacteria

The biodegradable chelating agent (S,S)-Ehylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), autochthonous acidophilic bacteria, and a combination of the two means were investigated for the removal of pseudo-total and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-available content of Cu from surface layers of three soil categories in the Bor copper mining area. Their efficiencies were compared at mine overburden, flotation tailings, and agricultural land sites in order to determine the potential role of these approaches in the soil remediation process. The most effective removal of Cu was achieved on flotation tailings, where combined treatment showed significant reduction of pseudo-total and EDTA-available concentrations of Cu (40.5?±?27.3% and 99.6?±?0.2%, respectively). Acidophilic bacteria treatment showed high efficiency on flotation tailings, removing 94.1?±?1.2% of EDTA-available Cu. EDDS treatment showed discernible results in the removal of EDTA-available Cu from agricultural land soil (44.4?±?13.9%). In the case of overburden soil material, selected agents did not have statistically significant results in the removal of pseudo-total or EDTA-available fraction of Cu. Chosen remediation approaches showed diverse efficiency for soil categories on investigated sites. Combined approach showed synergistic results in the case of EDTA-available Cu removal from flotation tailings soils, suggesting that this combination deserves further attention as a potentially promising environmentally friendly remediation option.     

Lack of exposure to natural light in the workspace is associated with physiological,sleep and depressive symptoms

The diurnal light cycle has a crucial influence on all life on earth. Unfortunately, modern society has modified this life-governing cycle by stressing maximum production and by giving insufficient attention to the ecological balance and homeostasis of the human metabolism. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of exposure or lack of exposure to natural light in a rest/activity rhythm on cortisol and melatonin levels, as well as on psychological variables in humans under natural conditions. This is a cross-sectional study. The subjects were allocated split into two groups according to their workspace (10 employees in the “with window” group and 10 in the “without window” group). All participants were women and wore anactigraph (Actiwatch 2, Philips Respironics), which measures activity and ambient light exposure, for seven days. Concentrations of melatonin and cortisol were measured from the saliva samples. Participants were instructed to collect saliva during the last day of use of the actigraph at 08:00 am, 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm. The subjects answered the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20) to measure the presence of minor psychiatric disorders; the Montgomery-Asberg (MA) scale was used to measure depression symptoms, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI) was used to evaluate the quality of sleep. The Rayleigh analysis indicates that the two groups, “with window” an d “without window”, exhibited similar activities and light acrophases. In relation to light exposure, the mesor was significantly higher (t?=??2.651, p?=?0.023) in t he “with window” group (191.04?±?133.36) than in the “without window” group (73.8?±?42.05). Additionally, the “with window” group presented the highest amplitude of light exposure (298.07?±?222.97). Cortisol levels were significantly different between the groups at 10:00 pm (t?=?3.009, p?=?0.008; “without window” (4.01?±?0.91) “with window” (3.10?±?0.30)). In terms of the melatonin levels, the groups differed at two different times of day: 08:00 am (t?=?2.593, p?=?0.018) and 10:00 pm (t?=??2.939, p?=?0.009). The “with window” group had a lower melatonin level at 08:00 am (3.54?±?0.60) but a higher level at 10:00 pm (24.74?±?4.22) than the “without window” group. Higher cortisol levels were positively correlated with minor psychiatric disorders and depressive symptoms (MA) at 10:00 pm. Lower melatonin levels at 10:00 pm were correlated with depressive symptoms and poor quality of sleep (PSQI). Our study demonstrated that not only may light pollution affect human physiology but also lack of exposure to natural light is related to high levels of cortisol and lower levels of melatonin at night, and these, in turn, are related to depressive symptoms and poor quality of sleep.     

Population size and structure of the African Softshell Turtle,Trionyx triunguis,in Dalaman,southwestern Turkey

We assessed the size of the population of the African Softshell Turtle, Trionyx triunguis, in Dalaman (Mu?la, Turkey), which is considered to be the largest population of the species in the Mediterranean, by using the Jolly-Seber mark-recapture method. A total of 415 individuals were caught during the summer months of 2009 to 2011, of which 148 were recaptures. From 267 marked individuals, 148 (55%) were male, 69 (26%) were female and 50 (19%) were juveniles and subadults of indeterminate sex. The male:female ratio was calculated to be 2.14:1. By using Model A' of the Jolly-Seber mark-recapture method, which includes deaths but no immigration, the mean population size in Kükürt and Küçükdalyan (Karg?n) lakes, together with Tersakan and Ta?l?çay creeks, were estimated to be 396±36. Based on this estimation, the population density was calculated to be 14 turtles/ha. Approximately 67.4% of the estimated population was marked. The mean capture probability (p) and mean survival ratio (Φ) were 0.094±0.009 and 0.957±0.076, respectively. Our results showed that the species’ population size is larger than previously estimated based on visual counts. The status “Vulnerable” C2a of the IUCN Red Data Book categories seems therefore more appropriate for the Mediterranean subpopulation of Trionyx triunguis than “Endangered” C2a.     

Dietary Restraint and Control Over “Wanting” Following Consumption of “Forbidden” Food

Eating behavior can be influenced by the rewarding value of food, i.e., “liking” and “wanting.” The objective of this study was to assess in normal‐weight dietary restrained (NR) vs. unrestrained (NU) eaters how rewarding value of food is affected by satiety, and by eating a nonhealthy perceived, dessert‐specific food vs. a healthy perceived, neutral food (chocolate mousse vs. cottage cheese). Subjects (24NR age = 25.0 ± 8.2 years, BMI = 22.3 ± 2.1 kg/m²; 26NU age = 24.8 ± 8.0 years, BMI = 22.1 ± 1.7 kg/m²) came to the university twice, fasted (randomized crossover design). Per test‐session “liking” and “wanting” for 72 items divided in six categories (bread, filling, drinks, dessert, sweets, stationery (placebo)) was measured, before and after consumption of chocolate mousse/cottage cheese, matched for energy content (5.6 kJ/g) and individual daily energy requirements (10%). Chocolate mousse was liked more than cottage cheese (P < 0.05). After consumption of chocolate mousse or cottage cheese, appetite and “liking” vs. placebo were decreased in NR and NU (P < 0.03), whereas “wanting” was only decreased in NR vs. NU (P ≤ 0.01). In NR vs. NU “wanting” was specifically decreased after chocolate mousse vs. cottage cheese; this decrease concerned especially “wanting” for bread and filling (P < 0.05). To conclude, despite similar decreases in appetite and “liking” after a meal in NR and NU, NR decrease “wanting” in contrast to NU. NR decrease “wanting” specifically for a nonhealthy perceived, “delicious,” dessert‐specific food vs. a nutritional identical, yet healthy perceived, slightly less “delicious,” “neutral” food. A healthy perceived food may thus impose greater risk for control of energy intake in NR.     

Removal of bisphenol A and diclofenac by a novel fungal membrane bioreactor operated under non-sterile conditions

Previous studies have confirmed significant removal of various trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) by white-rot fungal cultures under sterile batch test conditions. However, little is known about TrOC removal in continuous flow fungal reactors in a non-sterile environment. This study reports the removal of two TrOCs, namely, bisphenol A and diclofenac, by a fungal membrane bioreactor (MBR). Sterile batch tests with “active” (biosorption and biodegradation) and “chemically inactivated” (biosorption only) Trametes versicolor (ATCC 7731) confirmed biodegradation as the main mechanism for the removal of both compounds. An MBR inoculated with T. versicolor was operated in non-sterile conditions for a period of three months during which diclofenac and bisphenol A were continuously added to the synthetic wastewater. Relatively stable removal of bisphenol A (80–90%) and diclofenac (∼55%) was achieved by applying a hydraulic retention time of two days, at the bisphenol A and diclofenac loadings of 475 ± 25 and 345 ± 112 μg/L.d, respectively.     

Inhibition of the serum-dependent,amiloride-sensitive sodium transport pathway in human fibroblasts by extracellular divalent cations

Sodium influx in serum-deprived human fibroblasts in a nominally Ca-free, Mg-free medium is significantly higher (17.8 ± 1.9 μmole/g prot/min) than that measured in a medium containing 1.8 mM Ca and 1 mM Mg (10.9 ± 0.7 μmole/g prot/min), and is stimulated dramatically (44.1 ± 6.1 μmole/g prot/min) by the addition of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), suggesting that an enhanced influx of Ca ions is not a necessary condition for serum activation of the amiloride-sensitive Na influx pathway. The addition of 2 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to serum-deprived cells in a low Ca, low Mg medium also results in a dramatic stimulation of Na influx (40.4 ± 3.7 μmole/g prot/min), while the addition of EDTA to cells assayed in a low Ca, low Mg medium in the presence of FBS has no significant effect on Na influx (45.3 ± 4.1 μmole/g prot/min). Thus, the stimulatory effects of FBS and EDTA are not additive. Kinetic analysis in the presence of varying amiloride concentrations indicate that the EDTA-stimulated Na influx occurs via the amiloride-sensitive Na pathway. The activation of Na influx in cells rinsed free of Ca and Mg Can be readily reversed by the addition of Ca or Mg to the assay medium. The Ca concentration required to give 50% inhibition of Na influx is 52 ± 7.6 μM (n = 3) for cells assayed in serum-free medium and 272 ± 29 μM (n = 3) for cells assayed in the presence of 10% FBS. At physiological Ca concentrations (1.8 mM) the Na influx is maximally inhibited by Ca both in the presence and absence of serum. Since Na influx in 1.8 mM Ca medium is 2.5-fold higher in the presence of serum than in its absence, these data suggest that the serum-induced change in the K, for Ca modulation of the amiloride-sensitive Na transport pathway is not sufficient to explain the serum stimulation of Na influx in human fibroblats.     

Hybridisation and fruit formation in macabo cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott)

Studies on the floral morphology of macabo cocoyam (Xanthosoma sugittifolium (L.) Schott) indicated that it required 50 to 70 days for flower formation while fruit maturity took 40 to 60 days after pollination. Among the three types of cocoyams (“white”, “red” and “yellow”), male flowers were more sterile in the “red” and “yellow” types. The spadix consisted of three parts, a bottom pistillate section, a central constricted region with sterile flowers separating the pistil from a third staminate section. The fruiting head formed as a result of hybridisation, is dome shaped and is comprised of a dense cluster of berries. Mean number of berries per fruiting head was 244 ± 40 while the weight of each head was 16.15 ± 6.38 gm. There were an average of 15 ± 6 seeds per berry with 100 seeds weighing 0.0266 ± 0.0048 gm. The longitudinally shaped seed is ridged and grooved like a pumpkin pod when observed under high magnification (400 ×)     

Pilot study on the upgrading configuration of UASB-MBBR with two carriers: Treatment effect,sludge reduction and functional microbial identification

Two kinds of biocarriers were adopted and a combined process of “AMC (Anaerobic microorganism carrier)-UASB and PBG (Porous bio-gel)-MBBR” was operated at the pilot scale for the treatment of real textile wastewater. The influence mechanism of the two carriers on the start-up, pollutant removal and sludge reduction were investigated within 118 days of operation. The dominant functional bacteria in anaerobic and aerobic systems were identified by high-throughput sequencing, and the possible ways and related mechanisms of nutrient removal and sludge reduction were analyzed based on the data. 37.0 ± 7.5 % and 53 ± 12.7 % of COD removal efficiencies were achieved in anaerobic system and aerobic system, respectively. Ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased from 20 to 45 to 3.49 ± 0.54 mg/L after treatment. An anaerobe was found to be closely related to color removal, which existed in both anaerobic and aerobic systems, achieving 84.0 % of color removal. With the operation of the system, the sludge yield decreased gradually. The sludge yields of anaerobic and aerobic systems were calculated individually and compared with similar studies. Aging biofilms were characterized to explore the factors associated with biofilm renewal.     

Daily temporal organization of laying in Japanese quail: variability and heritability

In birds, many behavioral and physiological processes that occur during reproduction show daily rhythms in response to environmental temporal constraints. In this study, the individual daily organization of laying and its genetic determinant in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were analyzed. For this purpose, the oviposition time of 102 randomly chosen females, maintained in long-day photoperiodic conditions (LD 14h:10h) for 1 mon was observed and extreme phenotypes selected. Laying is characterized by two parameters: oviposition interval and laying hour.

The birds showed a specific time of laying during 24 h. All eggs were laid in the afternoon between 6.5 and 14 h after lights on (HALO). Two laying profiles were determined: 20% of females with an oviposition interval greater than 24 h (24.7±0.2 h) (the “delayed” profile) laid progressively later each day until a pause day. The remaining 80% of the females laid at the same time each day, with few pause days and an oviposition interval close to 24 h (24.0±0.2 h) (the “stable” profile). Among the females, showing this last profile, an intra-individual stability and an inter-individual variability of laying hour was established. Two extreme laying phenotypes were then determined: the “early” phenotype (E) for females laying on average between 7.5 and 9.5 HALO and the “late” phenotype (L) for females laying between 12.5 and 14 HALO.

In order to study the genetic basis of the laying hour, three females of each extreme phenotype were selected and crossed with two different males. The E and L females produced 57 F1E and 42 F1L daughters, respectively. F1 females displayed both laying profiles. However, the proportion of females displaying a “delayed” profile was higher in the L line (50%) than in the E line (29.8%). For the “stable” daughters, artificial selection induced an advance in laying hour of 4.7% for the E line and a delay of 4.7% for the L line. Realized heritability was estimated at 0.5. Moreover, the laying hour of the daughters was correlated positively to that of the mothers (N=61;r=0.45). These results support the notion of heritability of oviposition time in Japanese quail.     

A comparative study of four systems for tertiary wastewater treatment by Scenedesmus bicellularis: New technology for immobilization

Immobilization appears to be one of the best techniques to separate physically micro-algal cells from their culture medium for the purpose of algal tertiary wastewater treatment. High operation costs and other drawbacks of large-scale physico-chemical methods of harvest led to a comparative study of biotreatment systems. Before treatment began, Scenedesmus bicellularis cells were conditioned (starved) under four different sets of conditions: 1) non-immobilized cells with air bubbling (NCA); 2) cells immobilized in alginate beads (CBW) and 3) cells immobilized on alginate screens (CSW), all conditioned in synthetic culture medium depleted in N and P; 4) cells immobilized on alginate screens but conditioned in air at 100% relative humidity (CSA). Starvation was started under a light:dark photoperiod of 16:8 h. Starved cells were then used to treat wastewater for a 2-h period. The performance of each system was evaluated by determination of residual NH₄-N and phosphate ions and by growth (dry weight, total chlorophyll, cell count, protein content). We then tested the capacity of microalgae immobilized on screens to eliminate N and P from a secondary municipal wastewater effluent and examined the influence of temperature and starvation. The quality of treated effluents was improved considerably with the system using CSA or CSW model. For CSA model, the protein content was 22.4 pg cell^-1 compared to 12.9, 9.5, 9.1 pg cell^-1 for NCA, CBW and CSW models, respectively. The CBW and CSW models were efficient for chlorophyll synthesis. The residual ammonium content in natural wastewater after 2 h of treatment with CSA model was 39% at 6±2 °C and reached 100% removal at 18±2 °C. With the first 2 h, the removal of orthophosphate was inferior (53%) at 6±2 °C, but 88 to 100% at 18±2 °C depending on starvation times. Long starvation times (72 or 96 h) caused damage to cells and uptake of nutrients was lower than with 54 h starvation. This work demonstrates that by using immobilization on screens, removal of nutrients from wastewater was higher than with conventional biological tertiary wastewater treatments (free cells or bead-shaped alginate particles).     

Preparation and analysis of Pseudomonas putida cells for elemental composition

A series of procedures including cultivation, harvesting, washing, drying, ashing, and chemical preparation were developed for the analysis of the elemental composition of Pseudomonas putida cells. The composition of P. putida grown in continuous culture in five separate experiments at 30°C, pH 7.5, in 0.1% peptone‐yeast extract medium adjusted to a salinity of 26.5 g/L was averaged in μg/g for 50 subsamples: C, 521,000 ± 10,200; N, 143,000 ± 2,100; H, 73,600 ± 2,000; P, 17,600 ± 4,600; S, 5,200 ± 200; Mg, 3,970 ± 1,360; Na, 2,730 ± 1,160; Ca, 2,560 ± 700; K, 2,400 ± 630; Fe, 170 ± 55; Zn, 97 ± 34; and Cu, 28 ± 7.

The critical steps in the procedure were washing three times with “pure”; 4°C water using mechanical agitation and homogenization of the dried cells with an agate mortar and pestle.     

OIL FLOWERS AND OIL BEES: FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR POLLINATOR ADAPTATION

We examined foreleg length and body size variation in two species of oil-collecting bees (Rediviva; Melittidae) in southern Africa. Oil-collecting bees harvest oil from host flowers by rubbing their forelegs against oil-secreting trichomes. Significant differences in foreleg length occur among populations of both species. Rediviva “pallidula” populations vary significantly in mean foreleg length (11.34 ± 0.42 mm to 12.67 ± 0.36 mm), but not in body length (10.59 ± 0.74 to 10.80 ± 0.64), and foreleg length and body size are not significantly correlated. Instead, foreleg variation appears to be a function of host plant spur length. Ninety-two percent of the variance in foreleg length of R. “pallidula” is explained by mean Diascia spur length. Rediviva rufocincta populations vary significantly in mean foreleg length (10.12 ± 0.70 mm to 12.34 ± 0.68 mm) and in body length (9.03 ± 0.26 mm to 10.56 ± 0.24 mm). Foreleg length scales allometrically with body size in this species as 90.5% of the variance in foreleg length can be explained as a function of body length. Body size appears to be constrained by the morphology of the oil-secreting host plant. Both bees collect floral oil with specially modified setae on the tarsi of their forelegs. The length of the disti- + mediotarsus (refered to here as “tarsus”) in relation to the entire foreleg is shorter in R. rufocincta and does not increase as rapidly with increasing foreleg length as for R. “pallidula.” These differences in variation can be attributed to differences in position of oil within the flowers of the respective host plants. Rediviva “pallidula” collects oil from Diascia species that have the oil deeply situated in narrow floral spurs of varying length, while R. rufocincta collects oil from the broadly saccate flowers of Bowkeria verticillata and B. citrina.     

Evidence of two subaggregations of humpback whales on the Kodiak,Alaska, feeding ground revealed from stable isotope analysis

Knowledge of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) foraging on feeding grounds is becoming increasingly important as the growing North Pacific population recovers from commercial whaling and consumes more prey, including economically important fishes. We explored spatial and temporal (interannual, within‐season) variability in summer foraging by humpback whales along the eastern side of the Kodiak Archipelago as described by stable carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotope ratios of humpback whale skin (n = 118; 2004–2013). The trophic level (TL) of individual whales was calculated using basal food web δ¹⁵N values collected within the study area. We found evidence for the existence of two subaggregations of humpback whales (“North,” “South”) on the feeding ground that fed at different TLs throughout the study period. Linear mixed models suggest that within an average year, Kodiak humpback whales forage at a consistent TL during the feeding season. TL estimates support mixed consumption of fish and zooplankton species in the “North” (mean ± SE; 3.3 ± 0.1) and predominant foraging on zooplankton in the “South” (3.0 ± 0.1). This trend appears to reflect spatial differences in prey availability, and thus, our results suggest North Pacific humpback whales may segregate on feeding aggregations and target discrete prey species.     

Intracellular Solutes,Photosynthesis and Respiration of the Green Alga Blidingia minima in Response to Salinity Stress

The effects of different salinities ranging from 7–68‰ on the internal inorganic and organic solute concentrations, and on the photosynthesis and respiration have been investigated in the green alga Bladingia minima (Näg. ex Kütz.) Kylin. The levels of the main osmotic solutes K⁺, sucrose and proline increased with increasing salinities and vice versa, while Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^? and PO^3–₄ played a minor role in the osmotic acclimation. In contrast to related Enteromorpha species, B. minima exhibited high NO^?₃ concentrations, which decreased under hypo- and hypersaline conditions. B. minima differs also from Enteromorpha by accumulating the tertiary sulphonium compound DMSP in osmotically significant amounts under gentle hypersaline conditions. B. minima revealed typical characteristics of a “sun-plant” having a high light compensation point together with a saturation of photosynthesis at high photon flux densities. The alga showed a broad photosynthetic stability under osmotic stress; only with extreme hypersaline conditions was photosynthesis partly inhibited. The rate of respiration remained constant in hypersaline media, and was stimulated under hyposaline conditions.     

Identification and Distribution of m- and p-Hydroxyphenylacetic Acids in the Brain of the Rat

The m and p isomers of hydroxyphenylacetic acid have been identified and quantitated in whole rat brain and in several regions using a capillary column high resolution gas chromatography–mass spectrometry procedure. Their concentrations were: for m-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (mean ± S.E., number of determinations in parentheses)—whole brain, 2.3 ± 0.3 ng/g (7); hypothalamus, 1.2 ± 0.3 ng/g (5); caudate nucleus, 5.5 ± 0.6 ng/g (5); brain stem, 1.8 ± 0.1 ngig (5); cerebellum, 1.2 ± 0.1 ng/g (5) and the “rest,” 1.7 ± 0.1 ng/g (5); and for p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid–whole brain, 10.6 ± 0.7 ng/g (7); hypothalamus, 4.5 ± 0.1 ng/g (4); caudate nucleus, 28.3 ±1.6 ng/g (5); brain stem, 8.6 ± 0.6 ng/g (5); cerebellum, 8.1 ± 0.4 ng/g (9, and the “rest,” 5.3 ± 0.5 ng/g (5). This heterogeneous distribution parallels closely that exhibited by their respective precursor amines, m- and p-tyramine.     

Vegetation and water of lowland spring-wells in Po Plain (Northern Italy): ecological features and management proposals

Spring-wells (lowland springs, “fontanili”) are elements of Po Plain (Northern Italy) with ecological and historical importance. There, spring-water flows naturally and rises to the surface at a relatively constant temperature, generating unique ecosystems dependent on the groundwater outflow. Despite their importance, they are endangered by degradation processes as the expansion of urban areas and/or the intensification of agriculture, very marked in Po Plain. This research describes four spring-wells of Po Plain from a botanical and ecological perspective through phytosociological relevés and different ecological indexes. Water chemical-physical features are also considered (pH, temperature and ammonium ion, nitrite, nitrate, orthophosphate, chloride and organic matters contents). Plant communities of the spring-well beds show a low number of species (5.8?±?2.9) but also no exotic species while the vegetation of the banks has a high number of species (32.4?±?9.8) but several of them are exotic/ornamental. The low value of the Ecological Index of Maturity of the vegetation of the banks (EIM?=?4.4?±?1.5) indicate disturbances, however moderate compared to the surrounding corn fields (EIM?~?0). All the water samples has high ammonium content (>?0.50 ppm), the water of the spring-well B results the most polluted and both algae and Callitriche obtusangula (rare native species) grow largely in it, while spring-well C has less phosphates and more nitrite and is marked by Equisetum telmateia. Management proposals to protect and enhance the studied spring-wells, as the gradual removal of exotic species and the planting of native species, are discussed.

     

Inflammatory and Noninflammatory Thyroid Eye Disease: Comparison of Disease Signs,Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Patients in the United States

ObjectiveThyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune, inflammatory disease resulting in retro-orbital fat and extraocular muscle expansion. TED quiets (“inactivates”) as inflammation wanes; however, signs/symptoms often persist. Signs/symptoms of the disease and the impact on quality of life (QoL) were examined in noninflammatory and inflammatory TED.MethodsData of patients with moderate-to-severe TED were collected from treating physicians. Clinical activity score (CAS, 6/7 measures available) was used to classify TED as inflammatory (CAS ≥ 3) or noninflammatory (CAS = 0 or 1). QoL impact was scored as 1 = “not at all impaired” to 7 = “extremely impaired.” Patients with noninflammatory TED were further grouped into longer (>3 years) and shorter (≤3 years) disease courses.ResultsPatients with inflammatory (N = 307) and noninflammatory (N = 281) TED had comparable age (50.0 ± 13.3 years vs 48.3 ± 13.8 years), gender (66% men vs 64% women), TED duration (4.0 ± 4.9 years vs 4.6 ± 5.5 years), and proportion of smokers (15% vs 11%). The most common signs/symptoms of noninflammatory TED included ocular dryness/grittiness (77%), proptosis (56%), excessive tearing (43%), soft tissue edema (42%), conjunctival redness (24%) decreased vision (24%), and eye muscle involvement (22%; 14% had diplopia). All signs/symptoms were less frequently reported in these patients than in those with inflammatory TED. QoL was impacted by noninflammatory TED, although to a lesser degree than the inflammatory disease (3.6 ± 1.5 vs 4.7 ± 1.4). However, mental health issues were similarly reported. Patients with noninflammatory TED with a longer disease course (9.0 ± 6.0 years) had similar QoL impact, mental health diagnoses, and TED signs/symptoms as those with a shorter disease course (1.4 ± 1.0 years).ConclusionThe signs/symptoms of TED often chronically persist long after TED has “quieted,” continuing to impact a patient’s QoL and mental health. These data suggest that moderate-to-severe TED should be thought of as a robust symptomatic chronic disease, regardless of its inflammatory status.