The Troms? heart study: coffee consumption and serum lipid concentrations in men with hypercholesterolaemia: an randomised intervention study.

In a 10 week trial to assess the effects of coffee consumption and coffee brewing methods on serum cholesterol concentrations 33 men with hypercholesterolaemia were randomly assigned to: continue with their usual coffee intake; stop drinking coffee altogether; or stop drinking coffee for five weeks, thereafter drinking either boiled or filter coffee. Cholesterol concentrations fell significantly in all subjects abstaining for the first five weeks compared with subjects not giving up and continued to fall in those abstaining for 10 weeks. Cholesterol concentrations rose again in subjects returning to boiled coffee but remained the same in those returning to filter coffee. Abstention from heavy coffee drinking is an efficient way of reducing serum cholesterol concentrations in men with hypercholesterolaemia. The extent to which the brewing method affects this relation requires further study.     

The bioavailability of26Al-labelled aluminium citrate and aluminium hydroxide in volunteers

A study was undertaken to determine the fraction of ingested aluminium taken up by two male volunteers, following their ingestion of either aluminium citrate or aluminium hydroxide. In addition, the effects of simultaneous citrate ingestion on the gastrointestinal absorption of aluminium from its hydroxide was studied. Volunteers received three oral doses of²⁶Al-labelled aluminium compound in water. The doses were administered directly into the stomach using a paediatric feeding tube. Blood samples were collected from the volunteers at 1, 4 and 24 h after administration, and their daily output of urine and faeces was collected for 6 days. These samples were analysed for their²⁶Al content using either coincidence gamma-counting or accelerator mass spectrometry. The uptake of aluminium was greatest following its administration in the citrate form and was least following intake as the aluminium hydroxide suspension. The co-administration of citrate, with the aluminium hydroxide suspension, was found to enhance the levels of²⁶Al uptake in both volunteers. Using a urinary excretion factor based on the results of previous studies, the fractional aluminium uptake from each of the species was calculated: aluminium citrate, 5.23 × 10^–3; aluminium hydroxide, 1.04 × 10^–4; aluminium hydroxide with citrate, 1.36 × 10^–3.     

Failure of exogenous LH to prevent PGF2α-induced luteolysis in beef cows

Henderson and McNatty (Prostaglandins 9:779, 1975) proposed that LH from the preovulatory LH surge attached to receptors on luteal cells and that this attachment might protect the early corpus luteum from PGF_2α induced luteolysis. To test this hypothesis, experiments were performed on heifers at day 10–12 of the cycle. Both jugular veins were catheterized and infusions of either saline (0.64 ml/min) or LH-NIH-B9 (10 μg/min; 0.64 ml/min) were given. Saline infusions were from 0–12 h; LH infusions were for 10 h and were preceded by a 2 h saline infusion. All animals were given 25 mg PGF_2α im at 6 h (6 h into the saline infusion and 4 h into the LH infusion). Blood samples were taken at 0.5 h, 1 h and 4 h intervals from 0–12, 13–18 h and 22–24 h respectively. Serum was assayed for LH and progesterone by radioimmunoassay methods. Two animals received saline and two received LH in each experiment. Eact treatment was replicated 6 times. LH infusion resulted in a mean serum LH of 57 ng/ml compared to 0.90 ng/ml in saline infused animals. This elevation of LH did not alter PGF_2α induced luteolysis as indicated by decline in serum progesterone. This experiment does not support the hypothesis that the newly formed corpus luteum is resistant to PGF_2α because of protection afforded by the protestrus LH surge.     

The existence of polymeric complexes in dilute solutions of aluminium and orthophosphate

Summary The presence of soluble polymeric complexes in dilute solutions (10–30 M) of aluminium and phosphate at 25°C was demonstrated by paper electrophoresis and confirmed by chemical analyses and measurements of ³² P specific activities. Complexed aluminium and phosphate were not determined by colorimetric procedures without preliminary hydrolysis in 1 N HCl at 80–90°C. The formation of aluminophosphate complexes was maximal around pH 5 when, at an initial P/Al mole ratio of 1.6, 3 moles of P were complexed with 4 moles of Al. At pH 6.9, however, only 1 mole of P was removed for every 10 of Al, suggesting that hydroxyaluminium polymers predominated at higher ratios of OH-ions to H₂PO₄-ions. re]19750523     

Influence of the glass packing on the contamination of pharmaceutical products by aluminum. Part I: Salts, glucose, heparin and albumin

The presence of aluminium (Al) in pharmaceutical products used parenterally as sodium and potassium chlorides, glucose, heparin and albumin were investigated with respect to their storage in glass containers. As glasses can have aluminium in their composition, the aluminium may be released from the glass into the solution. The action of the substances above mentioned were investigated storing their solutions in glass and plastic containers, and measuring the aluminium in solution at determined time intervals. The aluminium present in the commercial pharmaceutical products, stored in both plastic and glass containers were also measured. All glass containers were analysed to determine their aluminium content. The aluminium determinations were done by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that aluminium is present in all analysed glasses in a percentage of 0.6 to 3%. Although all substances already have a residual aluminium contamination, the major contribution comes from the glass containers in which their solutions were stored. The contamination arising from glass depends too much on the nature of the substance. While the salts extracted about 400 μg Al/l in 60 days, glucose extracted 150 μg Al/l, and albumin and heparin about 500 μg Al/l in the same time interval. Commercial solutions of glucose contain about 10 μg Al/l when stored in polyethylene and from 350 to 1000 μg Al/l when in glass ampules. Considering all commercial products, solutions stored in plastic containers contained no more than 20 μg Al/l whereas in glass the aluminium contamination reached 1000 μg/l, and in all of them the aluminium increases with the age of the product.     

Cation concentrations of short roots of Norway spruce as affected by acid irrigation and liming

The longterm effect of acid irrigation and liming (dolomitic limestone) on the mineral element content of roots of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) was investigated in an 80-year-old Norway spruce stand in South Germany (Bavaria). Soil cores of four soil depths (humic layer, 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) were taken over 2 years (August 1991 and August 1992) from six plots with different treatments (control, normal irrigation, acid irrigation solely or in combination with liming) and living short roots selected and analysed for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and aluminium (Al).On the acid irrigated plot, the Ca and Mg contents of roots were decreased in 1991, but by 1992, 2 years after the irrigation had been terminated, no difference could be found. The Al content of the roots was not increased by acid irrigation but rose with increasing soil depth, regardless of treatment. Liming increased root contents of Ca and Mg and reduced contents of Mn and Al. This effect was especially distinct in the humic layer and decreased with increasing soil depth. Even though the molar Ca/Al-ratio in the roots in the mineral soil was generally low (0.09–0.52), no evidence of Al toxicity could be found. The formation of Al complexes is discussed as a reason for this behaviour.     

Environmental Implications of Consumer Convenience: Coffee as a Case Study

Products of convenience are playing an increasingly large role in today's society. These products provide a competitive advantage over their conventional counterparts by requiring less time and effort to produce a similar service or experience. At the same time, these products are often also more materials intensive to produce and create a greater amount of waste. A comparative midpoint life cycle assessment of different coffee brewing systems is presented in order to explore the comparative impact of three different systems: drip filter, french press, and pod style (a product of convenience). Utilizing a comparative functional unit, the drip filter system method was found to have the greatest environmental impact in all impact categories, whereas the pod style had the least in six of the impact categories (with the french press having the least in two of the impact categories, and a tie between pod style and french press in a single impact category). This suggests that contrary to popular belief, the pod style coffee may be the more environmentally friendly option. The two most significant contributors to environmental impact in all of the categories considered was the amount of dry coffee utilized and the energy needed to brew the coffee, although in some categories considered transportation was also significant. There is the potential for the environmental impact of coffee brewing to shift if coffee wastage occurs (likely in the case of the drip filter and french press system) or if substantial changes in materials or energy consumption were to occur (in the case of the pod‐style brewing system). From the perspective of industrial ecology, this analysis suggests that, in regard to products of consumer convenience, the convenient alternative may not have a significantly greater environmental impact than its conventional counterpart, and that it may be time to question that often‐held assumption.     

Changes in specific area and energy of root surface of cereal plants in Al-solution cultures. Water vapor adsorption studies

Surface areas and energetic properties of the shooting stage roots of rye (Secale L.), triticale (Triticale), barley (Hordeum L.) and four wheat (Triticum L.) varieties were estimated from experimental water vapor adsorption data. Roots stressed during 10 days at pH 4 with aluminium concentrations ranging from 0 to 40 mg dm^–3 were studied. Roots grown continuously at pH 7 were taken as controls. The surface properties of the roots grown at pH 4 without Al addition were apparently the same as those of the control roots. With the increase of the concentration of the aluminium treatment the surface area of the roots increased for all of the plants, beginning at 5 mg Al dm^–3 for barley, at 10 mg Al dm^–3for wheat and triticale, and at 40 mg Al dm^–3 for rye. The average water vapor adsorption energy of the root surface decreased in general with the increase of Al stress concentration for all plants but triticale, for which this increased. The sensitive cereal varieties seem to have greater amount of high energy adsorption centers (more polar surface) than the resistant ones (lower surface polarity), however more data is needed to justify this hypothesis. For Al-sensitive roots, fraction of high energy adsorption sites decreased and fraction of low energy sites increased under the Al stress. Smaller changes in adsorption energy sites were noted for roots of Al-resistant plants.     

Aluminium in tea: SEC-ICP-MS speciation studies of infusions and simulated gastrointestinal digests

Abstract

The speciation of aluminium in tea infusions and in vitro gastrointestinal digests of tea infusions has been investigated using size exclusion chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SEC-ICP-MS). At pH 2.5, following simulated gastric treatment, Al from tea eluted at a similar retention volume to that obtained for an aqueous Al standard. At pH 5.5, an aqueous Al standard was eluted from an SEC column in Tris buffer (Al recovery ≈ 100%) only in the presence of a complexing agent (NaF), and at a retention volume corresponding to a molecular mass greater than that expected for an ionic species. Aluminium associated with a tea infusion eluted in two fractions: a higher molecular weight fraction corresponding to Al strongly bound to ligands in the tea, and a lower molecular weight fraction probably comprised of labile Al eluting as Al-F complexes. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion produced three Al-bearing fractions, of which the two at higher molecular mass represented ligand-bound Al. The molarity of the Tris buffer strongly influenced the retention volume of the Al fractions, particularly for the ligand-bound Al. After simulated gastrointestinal digestion, the soluble labile fraction (15% of the Al from the tea infusion) was considered to be potentially available for absorption. The actual proportion of the fraction that might be absorbed would depend upon a number of physiological and nutritional factors.     

Effects of aluminium and low pH on growth and development in Rana temporaria tadpoles

Summary Rana temporaria tadpoles were raised to metamorphosis at 6 levels of pH (pH 3.6–6.5) and 2 levels of aluminium (800 and 1,600 g l^-1) at pH 4.4. Treatments involved both chronic and acute exposure to depressed pH. Decreasing pH reduced maximum body size and delayed metamorphosis. Growth was depressed and metamorphosis delayed by 800 g l^-1 Al, and several tadpoles died at foreleg emergence. At 1,600 g l^-1 Al, small tadpoles suffered arrested growth and development and eventually died, while larger tadpoles metamorphosed without delay, though at a very small size. There was no mortality among controls. The levels of pH and inorganic monomeric aluminium measured in the experiments were similar to field levels at a site in Scotland, and it is concluded that individual tadpoles will, in certain types of water body, be adversely affected by both acidity and aluminium. The impact of these factors on populations remains to be determined.     

Determination of the total concentration and speciation of Al(III) in tea infusions

The aluminium species in different tea infusions were investigated, by determining their stability constants and concentration. This was done for some particular samples using a simple experimental method based on the sorption of aluminium on the strongly sorbing resin Chelex 100, by a batch procedure. From the thermodynamic information obtained it is possible to calculate the concentration of the different species, and in particular that of the free metal ion, which is very important for evaluating the adsorption of aluminium on biological membranes. It was found that aluminium in the tea infusions here considered is present at high total concentration, approximately 0.1 mM, but mainly linked to strong complexes, for instance with side reaction coefficient higher than 10(5.11) at pH 3.95 in one case (tea 1). This could be the reason for the low toxicity of aluminium in tea. These strong complexes were not dissociated even in the presence of Chelex 100. In this case only a limiting value of the reaction coefficient could be evaluated. The presence of the very strong complexes was found in all the tea sample here considered. In two of the considered samples (one black and one green tea) a part of Al(III) was linked to less strong complexes, for example with a reaction coefficient 10(4.14) (tea 2, pH 4.20). The presence in the considered tea infusions of other substances able to complex aluminium was also detected, by the well known ligand titration procedure, at concentration ranging from 0.65 to 3.37 mM in three tea infusions, and at somewhat higher concentration in the case of the ready drink, which was also considered for comparison.     

Relationship between soil solution aluminium and low molecular weight organic acids in a conservation cropping system

Soil solution and solid phase analyses were compared for stubble standing and stubble burnt systems on an acid, acidified and limed Alfisol in north-eastern Victoria. Exchangeable (1 M KCl) aluminium (Al), soil solution total and monomeric Al, pH (water) and soil solution pH were measured to identify any differences in soil acidification between the stubble burnt and the stubble standing treatments. All measures of Al increased with soil depth down to 10 cm in all stubble treatments and decreased in the 10–20 cm soil depth with the exception of lime treatments. Concentrations of low molecular weight organic acids in the soil solution were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Aromatic and aliphatic acids were distributed throughout the soil depth (0–20 cm) for the stubble standing treatments but were confined to the 0–5 cm soil depth for the stubble burnt treatment. In this short term field trial (2 years for stubble management), the data suggest that the conventional practice of stubble burning was more acidifying than the soil conservation practice of stubble standing, over the 0–20 cm soil depth for the lime (6 t ha^-1) treatments.     

Purification and characterization of endo-β-1,3-1,4-d-glucanase activity from Bacillus licheniformis

Summary An extracellular -glucanase from Bacillus licheniformis has been isolated and characterized. Isolation has been performed by salting out and gel filtration chromatography, yielding a homogeneous active component with a molecular mass of 27 000–28 000 daltons and an isoelectric point of 4.7. In addition to being quite a thermostable protein (optimal temperature 55°C) the enzyme is active under a wide range of conditions including pH (4.0–10.5), and in the presence of a large number of metal ions, sodium dodecylsulphate and ethylenediaminetetraacetate. The simple purification procedure and useful properties make this enzyme suitable for brewing processes.     

Aluminum geochemistry in peatland waters

The chemical speciation of aluminum was examined in surface water samples from Sphagnum peatlands in north-central Minnesota, from peatlands along the Canadian east coast, and from bogs in the Pennine Mountain area of England. In highly organic ([DOC] 50 mg L^–1 ), low pH waters, 80–90% of total dissolved Al was complexed with organic matter (OM), while in waters with low DOC ([DOC] 5 mg L^–1) 54–86% of total dissolved Al existed as Al⁺³ or other inorganic Al species. Batch titrations of OM with Al revealed a high Al binding capacity, 1.4–2.8 mol (mg DOC)^–1, that generally was unsaturated with Al. Titrations of OM with Al in conjunction with a continuous distribution model were used to determine Al-OM conditional stability constants. Binding capacity (mol Al (mg DOC)^–1) and strength (formation constant) increased from pH 3 to 5 but decreased above pH 5 due to formation of AI-hydroxy species including A1(OH)₃ (s). The high binding capacity of OM in bog waters facilitates metal mobility, especially in low pH (< 5) wetlands where metal solubility is high and OM concentrations are highest. Results showed that the relative degree of organic matter saturation with metal ions was important in modeling AI speciation in bog waters.     

A release of prostaglandins may be responsible for acute tolerance to norepinephrine infusions

A chick isolated rectum pretreated with atropine and indomethacin and superfused with the oxygenated mixed venous blood of anaesthetized cats, was selectively contracted by PGE₁ and PGE₂ at concentrations of <1 ng/ml. Intravenous infusion of norepinephrine (0.2 – 8.0 μg/kg/min) into the cats resulted in a contraction of the blood-bathed chick rectum. This was matched by contractions produced by PGE₂ (0.4 – 7 ng/ml) infused directly over the assay organ. The appearance of a chick rectum contracting substance in the venous blood was paralleled by a decline in the pressor response to norepinephrine. A single injection of indomethacin (3 – 10 mg/kg) prevented both the formation of the prostaglandin-like material and the acute tolerance to the pressor response to norepinephrine. Both effects could then be reproduced by an intra-arterial infusion of PGE₂ at a rate 0.125 – 0.5 μg/kg/min. β-Adrenoceptor blockade had no influence on the response of chick rectum and arterial blood pressure to an infusion of norepine phrine, but α-adrenoceptor blockade abolished both responses. It is postulated that the acute tolerance to norepinephrine infusions is the result of a release of PGE-like material from the contracting vascular bed.     

Microwave assisted thermal treatment of defective coffee beans press cake for the production of adsorbents

Defective coffee press cake, a residue from coffee oil biodiesel production, was evaluated as an adsorbent for removal of basic dyes (methylene blue – MB) from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was prepared by microwave treatment, providing a significant reduction in processing time coupled to an increase in adsorption capacity in comparison to conventional carbonization in a muffle furnace. Batch adsorption tests were performed at 25 °C and the effects of particle size, contact time, adsorbent dosage and initial solution pH were investigated. Adsorption kinetics was better described by a second-order model. The experimental adsorption equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Tempkin adsorption models, with Langmuir providing the best fit. The results presented in this study show that microwave activation presents great potential as an alternative method in the production of adsorbents.     

The effects of soluble-Al on root growth and radicle elongation

Summary In order to determine the effects of concentration on plant growth, aluminium (Al) was extracted (10^–3 M CaCl₂) from 4 acid brown hill soils which had been treated with superphosphate at rates equivalent to 0 to 300 kg P ha^–1. The soils ranged in pH (CaCl₂) from 3.5 to 4.9, and Al concentration from 0 to 0.6 mM. The effects of Al on ryegrass growth in the 4 soils in a glasshouse was compared with its effect on radicle elongation of seeds germinated in contact with CaCl₂ extracts from the same soils.Ryegrass root growth in the glasshouse, and radicle elongation in the bioassay test were both unaffected by Al concentrations below 0.1 mM. Root growth was substantially reduced when Al concentration exceeded 0.1 mM and above 0.2 mM growth was almost completely inhibited. Radicle elongation rate was also reduced when the concentration of Al was greater than 0.2 mM agreeing well with the observation from the pot experiment.It is concluded that because of its speed and convenience the bioassay method offers a useful method of establishing critical levels of Al for crop plants.     

The consumption of wood by rural households in Gokwe Communal Area,Zimbabwe

The objectives of this paper are to quantify the annual household consumption of wood for different purposes and to investigate the types of wood used for each purpose. Households in part of Gokwe Communal Area, a rural Zimbabwean study area in which wood is considered plentiful, use a mean 4.8 tons per household per year (t hh ^–1 yr ^–1 ) of wood for fuel, comprising 4.0 t to meet day-to-day requirements and 0.8 t for special occasions and beer brewing. In addition, building and repairing wooden structures require 3.5 t hh ^–1 yr ^–1 The total annual consumption is at most 8.3 t hh ^–1 yr ^–1 depending on the amount of wood in wooden structures that is recycled into new structures or as firewood. Wide variation around the mean annual consumption is expected because of differences among households and errors associated with calculation. The different purposes to which wood is put require wood of different types. Firewood for day-to-day use consists of small dead pieces collected in headloads. For brewing and special occasions large logs are used. Poles and small branches are freshly cut for wooden structures, with poles of particular girths and lengths being used for different components of the structures. Species is also taken into account in the collection of wood for fuel and construction. Disaggregation of the yearly consumption by site and species is important to the assessment of supply and demand of wood.     

Biosynthesis of plant hormones during anaerobic digestion of instant coffee waste

A large amount of solid waste remains after the production of instant coffee. This waste has to be moved to dumps, where it poses a threat of environmental pollution. Treatment of this waste by anaerobic methanogenic thermophilic digestion produced, besides biogas, a digested slurry which was used as a growth medium for horticulture, and proved to be a suitable and economical substitute for peat moss. Biological tests with mung bean cuttings and Grevillea plantlets showed promotional effects on rooting of the slurry and its sieved fraction extract, washed with water (Capul). Green coffee beans, instant coffee waste, its anaerobically-digested slurry and Capul were extracted by various methods and the extracts were analyzed by TLC, HPLC and GC/MS. Examinations showed clearly the presence of IAA and IBA in free and bound forms in all the substrates. The values of free and bound IAA were calculated by use of an internal standard and GC/MS. The amount of conjugated IAA was found to be much higher than that of free IAA, in both the coffee beans and instant coffee waste (11.1 vs 2.7 nmol g^–1, respectively). In the digested slurry and Capul, however, most of the IAA was present as the free form and was approximately 23.5–33.0 nmol g^–1, which is almost ten times more than in the waste, and almost twice the total amount of IAA in coffee beans. It is postulated that the high levels of free IAA in the digested instant coffee waste are a result of catabolism of tryptophan by anaerobic bacteria.     

The effects of Al on the calcium currents inHelix neurons

Summary 1. The effects of aluminium (Al) on calcium (Ca) currents were investigated by using the conventional two-electrode voltage clamp technique inHelix pomatia neurons. The peak amplitude, kinetics, and voltage dependence of activation and inactivation of the Ca currents were studied in the presence of 10^–5–10^–3 M AlCl₃, at pH 6.2. Al prolonged the rising phase of the Ca currents and therefore increased the time to peak at each command voltage step used.3. There was no significant influence of Al on the peak amplitude of the Ca currents, but the voltage dependence of the time to peak, activation, and inactivation of the Ca currents shifted to more positive potentials as a consequence of Al treatment.4. The leak currents were not influenced by Al up to 1 mM, which was the maximal dose applied.5. The results support the suggestion that Al may modify the Ca homeostasis and that it exerts a neurotoxic effect, at least in part, by modulation of the Ca current of the neuronal membrane.