Estimates of real damage from air pollution: Site dependence and simple impact indices for LCA

In contrast to the various “potential impact” indices that have been proposed, we show that indices for real damage can be derived, based on the impact pathway methodology which involves the calculation of increased pollutant concentration in all affected regions due to an incremental emission (e.g. μg/m³ of particles, using models of atmospheric dispersion and chemistry), followed by the calculation of physical impacts (e.g. number of cases of asthma due to these particles, using a concentration-response function). The numbers are summed over all receptors of concern (population, crops, buildings,…). We show that in a uniform world (linear dose-response function, uniform receptor density and uniform atmospheric removal rate) the conservation of matter implies a very simple formula for the total damage. The generalization to secondary pollutants is straightforward. By detailed numerical evaluations, using real data for atmospheric dispersion and geographic receptor distribution, we have demonstrated that this simple formula is an excellent representation of typical damages. Results are shown for the principal air pollutants emitted by smoke stacks of industrial installations or by road transport. A preliminary version was presented as a key note lecture at the SETAC Meeting in Bordeaux, April 14-18, 1998     

Nitrogen-15 balances for urea and neem coated urea applied to lowland rice following two cowpea cropping systems

Little is known about whether the high N losses from inorganic N fertilizers applied to lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.) are affected by the combined use of either legume green manure or residue with N fertilizers. Field experiments were conducted in 1986 and 1987 on an Andaqueptic Haplaquoll in the Philippines to determine the effect of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cropping systems before rice on the fate and use efficiency of¹⁵N-labeled, urea and neem cake (Azadirachta indica Juss.) coated urea (NCU) applied to the subsequent transplanted lowland rice crop. The pre-rice cropping systems were fallow, cowpea incorporated at the flowering stage as a green manure, and cowpea grown to maturity with subsequent incorporation of residue remaining after grain and pod removal. The incorporated green manure contained 70 and 67 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1986 and 1987, respectively. The incorporated residue contained 54 and 49 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1986 and 1987, respectively. The unrecovered¹⁵N in the¹⁵N balances for 58 kg N ha⁻¹ applied as urea or NCU ranged from 23 to 34% but was not affected by pre-rice cropping system. The partial pressure of ammoniapNH₃, and floodwater (nitrate + nitrite)-N following application of 29 kg N ha⁻¹ as urea or NCU to 0.05-m-deep floodwater at 14 days after transplanting was not affected by pre-rice cropping system. In plots not fertilized with urea or NCU, green manure contributed an extra 12 and 26 kg N ha⁻¹, to mature rice plants in 1986 and 1987, respectively. The corresponding contributions from residue were 19 and 23 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively. Coating urea with 0.2g neem cake per g urea had no effect on loss of urea-N in either year; however, it significantly increased grain yield (0.4 Mg ha⁻¹) and total plant N (11 kg ha⁻¹) in 1987 but not in 1986.     

DNAMAT: an efficient graphic matrix sequence homology algorithm and its application to structural analysis

We present a fast algorithm to produce a graphic matrix representationof sequence homology. The algorithm is based on lexicographicalordering of fragments. It preserves most of the options of asimple naive algorithm with a significant increase in speed.This algorithm was the basis for a program, called DNAMAT, thathas been extensively tested during the last three years at theWeizmann Institute of Science and has proven to be very useful.In addition we suggest a way to extend our approach to analysea series of related DNA or RNA sequences, in order to determinecertain common structural features. The analysis is done by‘summing’ a set of dot-matrices to produce an overallmatrix that displays structural elements common to most of thesequences. We give an example of this procedure by analysingtRNA sequences. Received on June 26, 1986; accepted on September 28, 1986     

Seasonal occurrence and vertical distribution of appendicularians in Toyama Bay, southern Japan Sea

To investigate seasonal variation in the community structureof appendicularians, vertical hauls (0–500 m) with a Norpacnet were made at an offshore station in Toyama Bay at intervalsof 2–4 weeks from February 1990 to January 1991. Additionalsamples were collected with MTD nets at 12–17 differentdepth layers between the surface and a depth of 600–700m at the same position in June, September and December 1986,and March 1992, to examine the vertical distribution of appendicularians.Twenty-one species (including two unidentified species) belongingto five genera were found, and the dominant species were dividedinto three groups by their occurrence period. Oikopleura longicauda,Fritillaria borealis f. typica and F. borealis f. sargassi occurredthroughout most of the year. Fritillaria pellucida, O. fusiformisand O. rufescens were found in summer and autumn. Oikopleuradioica was found in spring and winter. Oikopleura longicaudawas overwhelmingly the most abundant species throughout theyear. This species was always distributed in the upper 100 mdepth, with a peak at a depth of 0–50 m that correspondedto the peak of chlorophyll a concentration during the day andnight in all seasons. The day–night vertical distributionpatterns of F. borealis f. typica, F. pellucida, O. fusiformisand O. rufescens were similar to that of O. longicauda. Seasonalvariations in abundance of appendicularians are considered tobe the result of biological factors rather than physical factorssuch as temperature and salinity. In particular, O. dioica seemsto be affected by food availability.     

Fasting physiology of polar bears in relation to environmental change and breeding behavior in the Beaufort Sea

We examined the use of the ratio of serum urea to serum creatinine as a physiological biomarker of fasting to monitor temporal patterns in the feeding ecology of polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Blood was collected from 436 polar bears in the eastern Beaufort Sea during April and May of 1985–1986 and 2005–2006. The proportions of polar bears fasting were 9.6% in 1985, 10.5% in 1986, 21.4% in 2005, and 29.3% in 2006. We used stepwise logistic regression analysis to evaluate factors that could influence the binary response variable of fasting or not fasting. Significant predictor variables of fasting were: the 2005 and 2006 capture years, solitary adult male bears, and adult male bears that were accompanying an estrous female. The increased number of polar bears in a physiological fasting state from all sex, age, and reproductive classes in 2005 and 2006 corresponded with broad scale changes in Arctic sea ice composition, which may have affected prey availability. The higher proportion of adult males fasting from all years was attributed to spring breeding behavior.     

Thyroid dose and thyroid cancer incidence after the Chernobyl accident: assessments for the Zhytomyr region (Ukraine)

In the Zhytomyr region, about 52 000 measurements of the ¹³¹I activity in thyroids were performed. On the basis of these measurements, individual doses have been assessed for the people monitored and age-dependent average doses have been estimated for those settlements with more than 11 direct measurements. In order to estimate the pattern of thyroid exposure in the Zhytomyr region, these doses have been interpolated or extrapolated to population groups who were not monitored during May–June 1986. For this purpose, a model has been developed based on a correlation between thyroid dose estimates with the ¹³⁷Cs deposition and the co-ordinates of the settlements relative to Chernobyl. Collective doses of people who were born in the years 1968 to 1986 were calculated. The radiation-induced thyroid cancer incidence in the period 1991 to 1995 was assessed by subtracting the spontaneous incidence from the observed incidence. The result is considerably lower than that observed in longer periods after external exposures. Possible reasons for this difference are discussed. Received: 17 January 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 2 October 1997     

The Effect of Short-Term H2S Fumigation on Nitrate Reductase Activity in Spinach Leaves

Short-term exposure of spinach plants to 250 ppb H₂S at a photonfluence rate of 35µmol m^–2s^–1 (within the400–700 nm range) in the ambient air did not affect invitro nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in the leaves. Likewise,H₂S exposure did not significantly affect in vivo NRA measuredunder anaerobic conditions. In vivo NRA of untreated plantswas apparently inhibited in the presence of oxygen. However,shortterm H₂S exposure increased in vivo "aerobic" NRA up tofive fold of that of untreated plants. H₂S induced increaseof in vivo "aerobic" NRA depended on the sulfide concentration.After 24 hours of exposure maximal increase (two to five fold)of in vivo NRA "aerobic" was observed at 220 ppb H₂S. It isproposed that H₂S inhibited NADH oxidizing enzymes, which resultedin an increase in NADH supply to nitrate reductase (NR) in thepresence of oxygen. It was unlikely that the increase in invivo "aerobic" NRA in sulfide exposed plants was due to an alteredcompetition between mitochondrial respiration and NR since leafrespiration was not affected by an exposure to 250 ppb H₂S (Received February 12, 1986; Accepted June 27, 1986)     

Orientation of Wall Microfibril Deposition in Root Cells of Pisum sativum L. var Alaska

The arrangement of wall microfibrils on the inner surface ofcortical cells in pea roots was observed by a replica method.In the elongating region, microfibrils were deposited transverselyto the root axis. After cell elongation stopped, the orientationof microfibril deposition changed discontinuously from a transverseto an oblique one. The change occurred at 6–7 mm fromthe root tip. The oblique orientation seemed to change discontinuouslyto another oblique one as time passed. (Received January 24, 1986; Accepted May 15, 1986)     

Germination and seedling growth of carrots under salinity and moisture stress

Poor crop stand is a common problem in saline areas. Germination and seedling emergence may be depressed as a result of impeded aeration, saline or dry conditions. In this study, we examined the effects of salinity and moisture stress and their interactions on seed germination and seedling growth of carrots. Variable soil matric and osmotic potentials were either obtained by equilibrating soil salinized to different degrees on a 0.5 MPa ceramic plate soil moisture extractor or by adding different amounts of salt solutions to the same mass of air-dried soil, based on a previously determined soil moisture release curve, and allowing to equilibrate for 1 week. Germination decreased significantly in the investigated silty soil (Aquic Ustifluvent) at soil moisture potentials higher than −0.01 MPa, whereas osmotic potentials as low as −0.5 MPa did not influence germination. Matric potentials of −0.3 and −0.4 MPa, respectively, resulted in a strong decrease (35–95%) of germination and delayed germination by 2 to 5 days in the silty soil to which different amounts (18 and 36%, respectively) and sizes (0.8–1.2 mm and 1.5–2.2 mm, respectively) of sand particles had been added. No effect of sand and grain diameter was detected. Germination was not affected by comparable osmotic potentials. Seedling growth showed a much higher sensitivity than germination to decreasing matric potentials, but was not affected by osmotic potentials ranging from −0.05 to −0.5 MPa. Optimum shoot growth occurred at matric potentials between −0.025 and −0.1 MPa. Shoot and root growth decreased markedly at matric potentials higher than −0.01 MPa. Fresh weight of shoots decreased gradually at matric potentials lower than −0.2 MPa. Root growth was significantly increased at matric potentials of −0.1 to −0.3 MPa, whereas comparable osmotic potentials did not have equivalent effects. It is concluded that germination and seedling growth are differently affected by comparable matric and osmotic stresses and that water stress exerts a more negative effect than salt stress.     

An improved FORTRAN 77 recombinant DNA database management system with graphic extensions in GKS

We have improved an existing clone database management systemwritten in FORTRAN 77 and adapted it to our software environment.Improvements are that the database can be interrogated for anytype of information, not just keywords. Also, recombinant DNAconstructions can be represented in a simplified ‘shorthand’,whereafter a program assembles the full nucleotide sequencefrom the contributing fragments, which may be obtained fromnucleotide sequence databases. Another improvement is the replacementof the database manager by programs, running in batch to maintainthe databank and verify its consistency automatically. Finally,graphic extensions are written in Graphical Kernel System, todraw linear and circular restriction maps of recombinants. Besidesrestriction sites, recombinant features can be presented fromthe feature lines of recombinant database entries, or from thefeature tables of nucleotide databases. The clone database managementsystem is fully integrated into the sequence analysis softwarepackage from the Pasteur Institute, Paris, and is made accessiblethrough the same menu. As a result, recombinant DNA sequencescan directly be analysed by the sequence analysis programs. Received on March 17, 1986; accepted on June 16, 1986     

Structure of the pore-helix of the hERG K<Superscript>+</Superscript> channel

The hERG K⁺ channel undergoes rapid inactivation that is mediated by ‘collapse’ of the selectivity filter, thereby preventing ion conduction. Previous studies have suggested that the pore-helix of hERG may be up to seven residues longer than that predicted by homology with channels with known crystal structures. In the present work, we determined structural features of a peptide from the pore loop region of hERG (residues 600–642) in both sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dodecyl phosphocholine (DPC) micelles using NMR spectroscopy. A complete structure calculation was done for the peptide in DPC, and the localization of residues inside the micelles were analysed by using a water-soluble paramagnetic reagent with both DPC and SDS micelles. The pore-helix in the hERG peptide was only two–four residues longer at the N-terminus, compared with the pore helices seen in the crystal structures of other K⁺ channels, rather than the seven residues suggested from previous NMR studies. The helix in the peptide spanned the same residues in both micellar environments despite a difference in the localization inside the respective micelles. To determine if the extension of the length of the helix was affected by the hydrophobic environment in the two types of micelles, we compared NMR and X-ray crystallography results from a homologous peptide from the voltage gated potassium channel, KcsA.     

Molecular dynamics study of solvation effect on diffusivity changes of DNA fragments

DNA sequence analyzing and base pair separation techniques have attracted much attention, such as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, temperature gradient gel electrophoresis, and capillary electrophoresis. However, details of sequence separation mechanisms in electrophoresis are not clarified enough. Understanding and controlling flow characteristics of DNA are important not only for fundamental research but also for further developments of bio-nano technologies. In the present study, we theoretically discuss the relationship between diffusivity and hydrated structures of DNA fragments in water solvent using molecular dynamics methods. In particular, influence of base pair substitutions on the diffusivity is investigated, focusing on an adenine-thymine (AT) rich B–DNA decamer 5’-dCGTATATATA-3’. Consequently, it is found that water molecules that concentrate on dissociated base pairs form hydrated structures and change the diffusivity of DNA decamers. The diffusion coefficients are affected by the substitution of GC for AT because of the different manner of interactions between the base molecules and water solvent. This result predicts a possibility of base pair separation according to differences in the diffusivity.     

Shifting base-lines, declining coral cover, and the erosion of reef resilience: comment on Sweatman et al. (2011)

Formal monitoring of the Great Barrier Reef was initiated in 1986 in response to the clear scientific evidence (and growing public concern) over the loss of corals caused by two protracted outbreaks of crown-of thorns starfish, which began in 1962 and 1979. Using monitoring data from manta tows along and across the Great Barrier Reef, Sweatman et al. (Coral Reefs 30:521–531, 2011) show that coral cover after these outbreaks declined further from 28 to 22% between 1986 and 2004. Pointing to the current levels of protection of the Great Barrier Reef, they state that earlier estimates of losses of coral cover since the early 1960s have been exaggerated. However, the loss of close to one-quarter of the coral cover over the past two decades represents an average loss of 0.34% cover per year across the whole GBR after 1986, which is very similar to previously reported rates of annual loss measured over a longer timeframe. The heaviest recent losses have occurred on inshore and mid-shelf reefs, which Sweatman et al. (Coral Reefs 30:521–531, 2011) attribute to a natural cycle of disturbance and recovery. But there has been very limited recovery. While coral cover has increased for short periods on some individual reefs, it has declined sharply on many more to produce the observed system-wide trend of declining cover. Close to 40% of coral cover on inner reefs has been lost since 1986. Of particular significance is the new evidence that coral cover has remained unchanged or declined further from a low 1986 baseline in 28 out of 29 sub-regions of the Great Barrier Reef, indicating a gradual erosion of resilience that is impeding the capacity of this huge reef system to return towards its earlier condition. This result, and other clear evidence of widespread incremental degradation from overfishing, pollution, and climate change, calls for action rather than complacency or denial.     

Mass mortality of macrobenthic communities in the lagoon of Hikueru atoll (French Polynesia)

Epibenthic macrofauna communities (corals, molluscs, echinoderms, and macroalgae) were investigated at Hikueru Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago. The very low diversity and abundance that we observed (1 coral genus, and 2 mollusc, 1 echinoderm, and 17 macroalgal species) is likely to be the result of a mass mortality event that occurred 18 months earlier. Hydrological surveys suggest that this high mortality was the result of a major dystrophic crisis. Other atoll lagoons in the Tuamotu Archipelago have also been affected by high mortalities in the past, but Hikueru appears to have been the most frequently and intensely affected. The present study confirms that mass mortalities associated with phytoplankton blooms may be one of the major disturbances affecting coral reef ecosystems. Accepted: 14 May 2000     

Avalanches creating high structural and floristic diversity in mountain mixed forests in the Alps

On January 18, 1986 a snow avalanche fell down from the steep slope of Mount Watzmann, Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany, into a mountain mixed forest reaching an elevation of only 610 m asl. The trees were bent to the ground, but they survived, forming a dense canopy pressed to the ground. Although on the landscape scale the avalanche marked a strong visual impact we hypothesized that the species composition of the forest ground layer would not change significantly. To test this we established a set of permanent plots. In the following years new avalanches over and adjacent to the former avalanche track occurred. The established permanent plots allow us to evaluate a second hypothesis, namely that not only structural diversity has been enhanced by the avalanches, but also a sequence of different succession pathways initiated which all together will keep diversity at a high level in the affected area. Our analysis of forest patches which were affected only by the first avalanche shows that, although a strong change in forest structure has taken place, the species composition here remained to a large extent unchanged. This suggests that beneath the dense crown canopy built up by the bent trees the microclimate shows little change, mechanical soil disturbances are rare, and therefore species of open land have no chance to establish. In contrast, if the avalanche uproots and kills the trees a clear change in species composition is the result. On our permanent plots we were able to identify eight different succession pathways initiated by the different disturbance events, causing at various points of time a set of different development phases of the forest ecosystem on the avalanche track.     

A Unified Rapid PCR Method for Detection of Normal and Expanded Trinucleotide Alleles of CAG Repeats in Huntington Chorea and CGG Repeats in Fragile X Syndrome

We report on a unified rapid betaine-based-PCR protocol for amplification of the (CAG)n region in Huntington disease (HD) and the (CGG)n region in Fragile X syndrome (FXS), followed by an electrophoretic separation on automated sequencer for precise determination of the triplet numbers. The high betaine concentration (2.5 M betaine) permits precise amplification of the CAG and CGG repeats. Ten HD affected patients and 10 healthy individuals from HD families were re-evaluated. For FXS the CGG region in normal individuals and premutations of about 100 repeats were precisely amplified by this protocol. Ten unrelated FXS premutation carriers and 24 mentally retarded non-FXS affected boys were re-examined by this method. The results totally coincided with the previous ones. This protocol is a good choice as a fast screening test. Within 24 h we can have preliminary information on the patient’s genetic status. Normal individuals, CGG premutation carriers up to 100 repeats, as well as HD patients carrying an expansion up to 50 CAG repeats can be easily clarified. This accounts for a relatively large proportion (about 90%) of the suspected HD and FXS patients, referred to our laboratory for genetic analysis. The calculation of the repeat’s number is more accurate for the correct interpretation of the results, screening tests and genetic counselling.     

High Temperature Sensitivity of Auxin-induced Ethylene Production in Mung Bean Hypocotyl Sections

High temperature sensitivities of IAA-induced and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylicacid (ACC)-dependent ethylene production in etiolated mung bean(Vigna radiata [L] Wilczek) hypocotyl sections were comparedat 30,40, 42.5°C. When ethylene production at 30°C wastaken as control, IAA-induced production at 40°C was firstenhanced and then suppressed after 3 h, whereas ACC-dependentproduction was enhanced two-fold throughout the 8 h experimentalperiod. However, when hypocotyl sections treated with 1 mM ACCat 30°C for several hours were transferred to 40°C,the ACC-dependent production rate fell below that at 30°C.An initial transient enhancement of IAA-induced ethylene productionat 40°C was supported by increased ACC synthase activityand thus by ACC content. At 42.5°C, both IAA-induced andACC-dependent production were almost completely suppressed.The results indicate that auxin-induced ethylene productionis affected by high temperatures in two different steps: a)at 40°C, the auxin action gradually deteriorates althoughconversion of ACC to ethylene is not affected at all, and at42.5°C, the conversion is nearly completely suppressed. (Received July 8, 1985; Accepted January 24, 1986)     

12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-1, 3-acetate induces the negative regulation of protein kinase B by protein kinase Cα during gastric cancer cell apoptosis

The PKB signaling pathway is essential for cell survival and the inhibition of apoptosis, but its functional mechanisms have not been fully explored. Previously, we reported that TPA effectively inhibited PKB activity and caused PKB degradation, which was correlated with the repression of PKB phosphorylation at Ser473. In this study, we focus on how PKB is regulated by TPA in gastric cancer cells. One of the TPA targets, PKCα, was found to mediate the inhibition of PKB phosphorylation and degredation caused by TPA. Furthermore, TPA induced the import of PKCα into the nucleus, where PKCα exerted an inhibitory effect on PKB expression and phosphorylation. As a result, cancer cell proliferation was arrested. Our study characterizes a novel function of PKCα in mediating the negative regulation of PKB by TPA, and suggests a potential application in the clinical treatment of gastric cancer.     

Phenological stages of natural species and their use as climate indicators

 The objectives of this paper are to: (1) present 10 years of phenological data for nine natural species growing in a Mediterranean-type climate, (2) present threshold temperatures that were derived for the computation of cumulative degree-days (CDD), and (3) evaluate the sensitivity of the nine natural species to weather variability. The study was conducted at the Phenological Research Garden of Oristano, Sardinia, Italy, during the period 1986–96. The observations were made on five typical Mediterranean species and four species that are typical of higher latitudes. The mean annual pattern of phenological events and the CDD from 1 January are given for each development stage. Temperature thresholds were evaluated by comparing the standard deviation about the mean number of days in the development period for each species. A good relationship between timing of phenophase occurrence and temperature was observed for the Mediterranean species, which were little affected by variations in rainfall. Phenological development of the non-native species was affected by springtime rainfall. Accepted: 28 October 1998     

The Neurotoxic Effect of Cuprizone on Oligodendrocytes Depends on the Presence of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Secreted by Microglia

In order to further characterize the still unknown mechanism of cuprizone-induced demyelination, we investigated its effect on rat primary oligodendroglial cell cultures. Cell viability was not significantly affected by this treatment. However, when concentrations of IFNγ and/or TNFα having no deleterious effects per se on cell viability were added together with cuprizone, cell viability decreased significantly. In mitochondria isolated from cuprizone-treated glial cells, we observed a marked decrease in the activities of the various complexes of the respiratory chain, indicating a disruption of mitochondrial function. An enhancement in oxidant production was also observed in cuprizone and/or TNFα-treated oligodendroglial cells. In in vivo experiments, inhibition of microglial activation with minocycline prevented cuprizone-induced demyelination. Based on the above-mentioned results we suggest that these microglial cells appear to have a very active role in cuprizone-induced oligodendroglial cell death and demyelination, through the production and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This work is dedicated with sincere friendship to Celia and Tony Campagnoni.