Improvement of Spatial Memory Disorder and Hippocampal Damage by Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields in an Alzheimer’s Disease Rat Model

Although some epidemiological investigations showed a potential association between long-term exposure of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), no reasonable mechanism can explain this association, and the related animal experiments are rare. In this study, ELF-EMF exposure (50Hz 400µT 60d) combined with D-galactose intraperitoneal (50mg/kg, q.d., 42d) and Aβ_25–35 hippocampal (5μl/unilateral, bilateral, single-dose) injection was implemented to establish a complex rat model. Then the effects of ELF-EMF exposure on AD development was studied by using the Morris water maze, pathological analysis, and comparative proteomics. The results showed that ELF-EMF exposure delayed the weight gain of rats, and partially improved cognitive and clinicopathologic symptoms of AD rats. The differential proteomic analysis results suggest that synaptic transmission, oxidative stress, protein degradation, energy metabolism, Tau aggregation, and inflammation involved in the effects mentioned above. Therefore, our findings indicate that certain conditions of ELF-EMF exposure could delay the development of AD in rats.     

The Effects of Single and Repeated Exposure to 2.45 GHz Radiofrequency Fields on c-Fos Protein Expression in the Paraventricular Nucleus of Rat Hypothalamus

This study investigated the effects of microwave radiation on the PVN of the hypothalamus, extracted from rat brains. Expression of c-Fos was used to study the pattern of cellular activation in rats exposed once or repeatedly (ten times in 2 weeks) to 2.45 GHz radiation in a GTEM cell. The power intensities used were 3 and 12 W and the Finite Difference Time Domain calculation was used to determine the specific absorption rate (SAR). High SAR triggered an increase of the c-Fos marker 90 min or 24 h after radiation, and low SAR resulted in c-Fos counts higher than in control rats after 24 h. Repeated irradiation at 3 W increased cellular activation of PVN by more than 100% compared to animals subjected to acute irradiation and to repeated non-radiated repeated session control animals. The results suggest that PVN is sensitive to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation at non-thermal SAR levels.     

Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Low-Power 915 MHz Unmodulated Radiation on Phaseolus vulgaris L.

The morphophysiological response of Phaseolus vulgaris L. to low-power electromagnetic radiation was investigated in order to assess the potential harmful effects of long-term continuous exposure. The plants were grown in two separate electromagnetic field (EMF) shielded rooms, in a controlled, greenhouse-like environment. One batch was continuously irradiated during the growth period (from sowing to maturity) and the other one was used as a reference. An unmodulated signal at 915 MHz (the central frequency between the uplink and downlink of the GSM900 mobile communications band) was used, with a maximum power density of 10 mW/m² measured near the plants. The plants were analyzed using ultraviolet–visible, statistical, morphometric, and electron microscopy methods. Significant differences were observed regarding the height of the plants, number of inflorescences, and chlorophyll and carotenoid content, all closely connected with the ultrastructural changes observed in the leaves. The irradiated batch grew higher (19% increase in plant height, 20% increase in stem and leaves' dry mass), with 18% fewer inflorescences, and extremely long roots (34% increase in dry mass). The ultrastructure of the irradiated leaves showed irregular cells and a higher content of plastoglobules in the chloroplasts. All results indicate that the irradiated plants suffered significant morphological modifications during their long-term exposure to the specific EM radiation. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society     

Selection of yeast able to produce ethanol from glucose at 40° C

Summary A total of 55 yeast strains selected from 7 genera known to ferment carbohydrates to ethanol were screened for their ability to ferment glucose to ethanol in shaken flask culture at 37°, 40° and 45°C. Yields of more than 50% of the theoretical maximum were obtained with 28 strains at 37°C, but only 12 at 40°C. Only 6 could grow at 45°C, but they produced poor yields. In general Kluyveromyces strains were more thermotolerant than Saccharomyces and Candida strains, but Saccharomyces strains produced higher ethanol yields. The 8 strains with the highest yields at 40°C were evaluated in batch fermentations. Three of these, two Saccharomyces and one Candida, were able to meet minimum commercial targets set at 8% (v/v) ethanol from 14% (w/v) glucose at 40°C.     

Utility of proteomics to assess pollutant response of clams from the Doñana bank of Guadalquivir Estuary (SW Spain)

The utility of proteomics to assess pollutant response of Scrobicularia plana clams from three sites of Guadalquivir Estuary at the southern end of the National Park of Do?ana (SW Spain) has been studied. Protein expression profiles were analyzed by 2-DE in soluble fractions of S. plana gills. Nearly 2000 well-resolved spots were detected in silver-stained gels, with focused areas in the 4-6.5 pH range. Different protein expression signatures were found at each site, with the highest number of more intense spots in animals with the highest metal content. Nineteen more intense protein spots were analyzed out by nanospray-ion trap tandem mass spectrometry, de novo sequencing and a bioinformatics search for their possible identification. While sequence tags of 16 more intense protein spots were obtained, including several proteins induced by pollutant exposure of model organisms, only 2 proteins were unambiguously identified: hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH). Both enzymes were significantly higher in animals with the highest metal contents. Thus, we propose these two proteins, HPRT and G3PDH, as novel pollution biomarkers.     

Evaluation of “Classic” and Emerging Contaminants Resulting from the Application of Biosolids to Agricultural Lands: A Review

The presence of detectable amounts of contaminants in treated sewage sludge (concentrations μg/kg – mg/kg) has led to concerns that land applications of biosolids may result in an accumulation of contaminants in the soil and their subsequent translocation through the food chain. Despite advances in wastewater management (e.g., anaerobic, thermophilic, and mesophilic digestion), many compounds and their metabolites remain intact following treatment. This review looks at the main risk factors relating to the occurrence of “classic” (persistent organic pollutants [POPs]) and emerging pollutants (pharmaceuticals and personal care products) in biosolids. Relevant EU legislation and risk assessment strategies for the control of emerging contaminants are also considered. Organic pollutants regulated under the Stockholm Convention on POPs along with PPCPs were identified as contaminants of concern based on the risk factors: persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT). PPCPs were recognized as being of particular concern as their high transformation/removal rates are compensated by their continuous introduction into the environment. This study highlights the growing concern in relation to emerging contaminants in biosolids and highlights risk assessment strategies that can be used to characterize potential human/environmental risks.     

Evaluation of oxidative stress biomarkers of rabbits’ liver exposed to thermooxidized virgin olive oil obtained from blanquette olive cultivars

Objective: This work aimed to study the effect of temperature in variation of fatty acid profiles of virgin olive oil (VOO) and to evaluate the impact of the consumption of this thermo oxidized VOO on metabolic oxidative stress.

Materials and methods: Effect of consumption of fresh or thermo-oxidized VOO on rabbits was studied. The animals were distributed in groups of six rabbits each and were fed for four weeks with the incorporation of 15% VOO either fresh or heated during one, two, three or four hours. The liver was examined for the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and activity malondialdehyde (MDA).

Results: The diet of VOO heated for three and four hours resulted in a significant increase (p?<?0.01) in liver of MDA and GST compared to the control group. The results also showed a significant decrease in GSH levels and CAT activity induced in rabbits of the group treated with VOO heated for three and four hours.

Conclusions: The consumption of thermo-oxidized VOO is more dangerous to health than the consumption of fresh olive oil or low oxidation value VOO.     

Evaluation of effectiveness factor of immobilized enzymes using Runge-Kutta-Gill method: how to solve mathematical undetermination at particle center point?

The internal effectiveness factor of immobilized enzymes was analysed assuming the Michaelis-Menten kinetics to be valid. This factor can be analytically evaluated for cases where C_sdK_M or C_s€K_M. When this kinetic equation is used in its original form, the effectiveness factor can be evaluated only using a numerical technique, such as the Runge-Kutta-Gill method. This method presents a 0/0 type undetermination when applied to the center of a cylindrical or spherical catalyst particle. The undetermination was eliminated here by using L'Hôpital's rule and an expression valid only for the center of the particle was developed.     

Dielectric Properties Based Detection of Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil in the Frequency Range from 10 MHz to 1 GHz

Physical parameters based electromagnetic methods are promising technologies to detect contaminated sites. In these methods, the dielectric property is a key parameter. In this paper, we studied the dielectric characteristics of heavy metal contaminated soil. The chromium contaminated soil was made into samples, and the open-ended coaxial line was adopted as the measurement method. Experiments were conducted in the frequency band between 10 MHz and 1 GHz. The results showed that the complex permittivity, including the real part and the imaginary part, changes as the ionic content changes. Especially, at low frequencies (<50 MHz), the complex permittivity increases significantly with the increase of ionic content. In addition, it also could be seen that the water content of the soil also affects the complex permittivity. We proposed to adopt the drying method or the Time Domain Reflection method to determine the water content. The dielectric parameters are most affected by the ionic content after knowing the water content. Therefore, it is feasible to detect heavy metal contaminated sites based on dielectric properties.     

Do Current Standards of Practice in Canada Measure What is Relevant to Human Exposure at Contaminated Sites? II: Oral Bioaccessibility of Contaminants in Soil

Human health risk estimates for sites with contaminated soils are often based on the assumption that the outdoor soil sieved to < 250 μm is a reasonable surrogate for predicting exposures via incidental soil ingestion. In vitro bioaccessibility tests are also increasingly used to “improve” ingestion exposure predictions of contaminants at different sites. However, when considered in terms of factors that influence desorption of contaminants from particles and uptake into humans, available studies indicate that current “standards of practice” with respect to assays of oral bioaccessibility have a number of significant shortcomings, at least in Canada. These shortcomings are discussed and various factors that influence the assessment of bioaccessibility of contaminants in soils are examined. We finish with proposing some minimum data submission requirements to support the application and relevance of bioaccessibility assays at contaminated sites.     

An Improved Method to Extract DNA from 1 ml of Uncultured Amniotic Fluid from Patients at Less than 16 Weeks’ Gestation

The aim of this study was to develop an improved technique for DNA extraction from 1 ml of uncultured AF from patients with a gestational age less than 16 weeks and to allow the use of array-CGH without DNA amplification. The DNA extraction protocol was tested in a series of 90 samples including 41 of uncultured AF at less than 16 weeks of gestation. Statistical analyses were performed using linear regression. To evaluate the sensitivity and the specificity of array-CGH on 1 ml of uncultured AF, five samples with an abnormal karyotype (three with aneuploidy, two with structural abnormalities) and five with a normal karyotype were studied. This protocol was reproducible and we were able to show a great improvement with higher yield of DNA obtained from all patients, including those with a gestational age less than 16 weeks (p = 0.003). All chromosomal abnormalities were detected and characterized by array-CGH and normal samples showed normal profiles. This new DNA extraction protocol associated with array-CGH analysis could be used in prenatal testing even when gestational age is less than 16 weeks, especially in cases with abnormal ultrasound findings.     

The way from medical to physiological chemistry at the University of G?ttingen, 1840-1940

In the nineteenth century chemistry was separated from medicine and reorganized as a "pure" academic science. Those left-over parts of chemistry that were more oriented towards medical application formed the nucleus of modern physiological chemistry, but could usually only exist in connection with other subjects. Especially the combination with physiology proved to be stable. Discipline building was delayed by the fact that a lot of physiologists resented a separation from physiology. Also in G?ttingen physiological chemistry was attributed to the Physiological Institute, but initially still had close connections with the General chemical Laboratory. At the end of the nineteenth century a first attempt to establish itself as a discipline together with hygiene failed. Physiological chemistry stayed a part of physiology until 1939 when the Institute of Physiological Chemistry was finally founded. The G?ttingen way is characteristic for the general establishment of the discipline in Germany.     

Lipase-catalysed kinetic resolution of racemates at temperatures from 40 °C to 160 °C in supercritical CO2

The reaction rate and selectivity of the enzymatic kinetic resolution of ibuprofen and 1-phenylethanol with supercritical CO2 as solvent were studied in a batch reactor from 40 °C to 160 °C. The commercial enzyme, Novozym 435, remained partly active for at least 14 h up to 140 °C at 15 MPa. The maximum reaction rate for the esterification of 1-phenylethanol and ibuprofen was at about 90 °C. The enantiomeric excess for 1-phenylethanol exceeds 99% and was temperature independent. Selectivity for ibuprofen esterification reached a lower enantiomeric excess of 61% caused by equilibrium adjustment. The results show that with supercritical CO2 as reaction medium enzymes remain active above 100 °C.     

Not to be Sneezed at: Does Pollen from Forests of Exotic Pine Affect Deep Oceanic Trench Ecosystems?

Pollen is ubiquitous in nearshore marine sediments; however, its potential importance for food-limited deep-seabed communities remains unknown. Here we report on the distribution of pollen to depths of 10,800 m in two Southwest Pacific trenches, as well as relationships between pollen concentrations and the sediment fauna. Pine (Pinus radiata) pollen, most likely originating from extensive plantations in New Zealand, was common in all sediment samples. These pine plantations may have altered the flux of terrestrially derived organic matter to vast stretches of the deep sea, with potential consequences for carbon sequestration and food availability. There was a significant, positive correlation between pine pollen and the abundance of infauna, which were greatest at the 7000-m-deep site in the Kermadec Trench and 10,800-m site in the Tonga Trench. This finding, together with the occurrence of pine pollen in unicellular organisms (gromiids), shows for the first time that pollen may represent food source for deep-sea benthic organisms.     

Involvement of Branched Units at Position 6 in the Reactivity of a Unique Variety of β-D-Glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans to Antibodies in Human Sera

We recently determined the structure of a unique type of 1,3-β-D-glucan obtained from Aureobasidium pullulans (AP-FBG) and found that it reacted with the antibodies in human sera. The reactivity of AP-FBG to the antibodies was stronger than that of 1,3-β-D-glucan obtained Grifola frondosa (GRN) but weaker than that of 1,3-β-D-glucan from Candida albicans (CSBG). Here, we demonstrated that AP-FBG reacted to IgG antibodies, especially those of the subclasses IgG2, IgG1, and IgG3, in human sera. Moreover, the results of competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using various glucan competitors showed that these IgGs recognized branched chains at position 6. This is the first study to report that the branched chains at position 6 of β-D-glucan strongly contribute to its recognition by antibodies in human sera. This high reactivity of AP-FBG to human IgG could be advantageous for the use of this glucan in medicine, e.g., as an immunostimulatory agent.     

Systematic Evaluation of “Compliance” to Prescribed Treatment Medications and “Abstinence” from Psychoactive Drug Abuse in Chemical Dependence Programs: Data from the Comprehensive Analysis of Reported Drugs

This is the first quantitative analysis of data from urine drug tests for compliance to treatment medications and abstinence from drug abuse across “levels of care” in six eastern states of America. Comprehensive Analysis of Reported Drugs (CARD) data was used in this post-hoc retrospective observational study from 10,570 patients, filtered to include a total of 2,919 patients prescribed at least one treatment medication during 2010 and 2011. The first and last urine samples (5,838 specimens) were analyzed; compliance to treatment medications and abstinence from drugs of abuse supported treatment effectiveness for many. Compared to non-compliant patients, compliant patients were marginally less likely to abuse opioids, cannabinoids, and ethanol during treatment although more likely to abuse benzodiazepines. Almost 17% of the non-abstinent patients used benzodiazepines, 15% used opiates, and 10% used cocaine during treatment. Compliance was significantly higher in residential than in the non-residential treatment facilities. Independent of level of care, 67.2% of the patients (n = 1963; P<.001) had every treatment medication found in both first and last urine specimens (compliance). In addition, 39.2% of the patients (n = 1143; P<.001) had no substance of abuse detected in either the first or last urine samples (abstinence). Moreover, in 2010, 16.9% of the patients (n = 57) were abstinent at first but not at last urine (deteriorating abstinence), the percentage dropped to 13.3% (n = 174) in 2011; this improvement over years was statistically significant. A longitudinal analysis for abstinence and compliance was studied in a randomized subset from 2011, (n = 511) representing 17.5% of the total cohort. A statistically significant upward trend (p = 2.353×10⁻⁸) of abstinence rates as well as a similar but stronger trend for compliance ((p = 2.200×10⁻¹⁶) was found. Being cognizant of the trend toward drug urine testing being linked to medical necessity eliminating abusive screening, the interpretation of these valuable results require further intensive investigation.     

Evaluation of extracellular, high-affinity β-N-acetylglucosaminidase measurements from freshwater lakes: An enzyme assay to estimate protistan grazing on bacteria and picocyanobacteria

Protistan community grazing rates upon both bacterioplankton and autotrophic picoplankton were estimated using fluorescently-labeled prey and by measurement of extracellular hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF) -N-acetylglucosaminide in a eutrophic reservoir and an oligo-mesotrophic lake during phytoplankton blooms. In addition, enzyme methods were optimized in bacterivorous flagellate cultures by two enzyme assays, based on fluorometric detection of protistan digestive activity, which were compared and calibrated independently against flagellate bacterivory. Enzymatic hydrolyses of MUF -N,N,N-triacetylchitotriose and MUF -N-acetylglucosaminide were measured in cell-free (sonicated) and whole-cell (unsonicated) samples. The hydrolysis of both substrates, using the whole-cell enzyme assay at in situ pH, was correlated significantly with total grazing rate of Bodo saltans. Thus the whole-cell enzyme assay with MUF -N-acetylglucosaminide was used for freshwater samples. High-affinity (K _m < 1 mol 1^–1) and low-affinity (K _m > 100 mol 1^–1) enzymes were distinguished kinetically in most samples from both systems studied. Activities (V _max ) of the high-affinity enzyme varied from 0.24 to 1.43 nmol 1^–1 h^–1. Protistan community grazing on bacterioplankton was in the range of 0.15–1.36 g C 1^–1 h^–1. both for lake and reservoir, the differences being observed in grazing on picocyanobacteria (lake, 0.03-0.22 g C 1^–1 h^–1. reservoir, 0.35–1.56 g C 1^–1) h^–1. The enzyme activities were correlated significantly with the protistan grazing both on bacterioplakton (r _s = 0.62, P < 0.001) and total procaryotic picoplankton (the sum of organic carbon grazed from bacteria and picocyanobacteria, r _s = 0.73, P < 0.001) in the eutrophic reservoir. Weaker relationships (r _s = 0.42) with a lower slope were found for the oligo-mesotrophic lake. Ingestion rate studies are time-consuming and the digestive enzyme assay with MUF -N-acetylglucosaminide presents a rapid alternative for estimating total protistan prokaryotic picoplanktivory in freshwaters.