Hypoxia stimulates osteoclast formation from human peripheral blood

Active pathological bone destruction in humans often occurs in locations where oxygen tension (pO₂) is likely to be low, for example, at the sites of tumours, inflammation, infections and fractures, or the poorly vascularized yellow fatty marrow of the elderly. We examined the effect of pO₂ on formation of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption, in 14‐day cultures of normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) on ivory discs. Hypoxia (1–2% O₂) caused threefold increases in the number of osteoclasts formed, compared with 20% O₂. Hypoxia also caused a twofold increase in the number of nuclei per osteoclast, leading to stimulations of resorption pit formation of up to 10‐fold. Exposure to hypoxia led to stabilization of the hypoxia‐inducible factors, HIF1α and HIF2α, and upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin‐6 expression by hPBMCs. These findings help explain why extravasation of mononuclear precursors into relatively O₂‐deficient bone microenvironments could result in osteoclast formation and suggest a new mechanism for the bone loss associated with the pathophysiological conditions where hypoxia commonly occurs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ethical and legal issues in xenotransplantation

In most western countries, there is a 'human organ shortage' with waiting lists for the performance of transplantation. In a recent report of the UNOS Ethics Committee it is stated that there are approximately 31,000 potential recipients on waiting lists, but only one fourth of potential donors gave their specific consent.
Xenotransplantation – defined as the transplantation of animal cells, tissues or organs into human beings – is associated with particular ethical dilemmas, namely the problems of efficiency and safety of this medical procedure. The objective of this study is to analyse the ethical dilemmas in xenotransplantation with the background of a personal view of moral life. Also, xenotransplantation will be evaluated as far as the legal regulation of transplantation is concerned. In particular, we will consider patients rights in accordance with existing laws on organ and tissue transplantation, animal research and clinical trials.     

Evaluation of the efficiency of the Coriolis air sampler for pollen detection in South Europe

The Coriolis δ air sampler is a new volumetric air sampler, dedicated to outdoor monitoring of airborne biological particles, including pollen and spores. In the present work, the performance of the Coriolis in the collection of pollen grains was evaluated in comparison with a Hirst spore trap, the most frequently used trap in aerobiological studies, in two cities of South Europe, Evora (Portugal) and Córdoba (Spain). Both concentration values are compared, and statistical analysis was carried out. The present study indicated that, in general, pollen counts for all taxa detected with the Hirst trap were higher than those detected with the Coriolis δ in both cities. In Córdoba, significant differences were detected for all taxa except for Cupressus, Olea and Pinus, while in Evora significant differences were noted for all except Pinus and Poaceae. Differences were particularly marked in species flowering during April and May. In spite of theses differences, Spearman correlation test results showed that the relationship between Hirst and Coriolis curves was always positive and significant (p > 0.01). Regards to the number of detected taxa, the results showed greater diversity for the Hirst sampler in both cities.     

Performance of Four Transport and Storage Systems for Molecular Detection of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Background

Detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis is essential for the control of the disease but it is often hampered by the limitation of transport and storage of samples from remote locations to the reference laboratory. We performed a retrospective field study to evaluate the performance of four supports enabling the transport and storage of samples to be used for molecular detection of drug resistance using the GenoType MTBDRplus.

Methods

Two hundred Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains were selected and spotted on slides, FTA cards, GenoCards, and in ethanol. GenoType MTBDRplus was subsequently performed with the DNA extracted from these supports. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated and compared to the results obtained by drug susceptibility testing.

Results

For all supports, the overall sensitivity and specificity for detection of resistance to RIF was between 95% and 100%, and for INH between 95% and 98%.

Conclusion

The four transport and storage supports showed a good sensitivity and specificity for the detection of resistance to RIF and INH in M. tuberculosis strains using the GenoType MTBDRplus. These supports can be maintained at room temperature and could represent an important alternative cost-effective method useful for rapid molecular detection of drug-resistant TB in low-resource settings.     

Integration of life cycle assessment,artificial neural networks,and metaheuristic optimization algorithms for optimization of tomato-based cropping systems in Iran

Purpose

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of an integrated life cycle assessment (LCA), artificial neural network, and metaheuristic optimization model to improve the sustainability of tomato-based cropping systems in Iran. The model outputs the combination of input usage in a tomato cropping system, which leads to the highest economic output and the least environmental impact.

Methods

The LCA inventory was created using data from 114 open-field tomato farms in the Alborz Province of Iran during one growing period in 2015. Among all management components, the main focus was on irrigation management systems. The optimization problem was designed by integrating three indicators: carbon footprint (CF), benefit-cost ratio (BCR), and energy use efficiency (EUE) as the objective of field tomato production. The functional unit was 1 kg of tomato aligned with the system boundary of the cradle to market life cycle. Three artificial neural networks (ANNs) were applied to model relationships between the inputs and three indices (CF, BCR, and EUE) as the objective functions. Multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) were used to minimize the CF and maximize the BCR and EUE indicators. The abovementioned aims have been pursued by developing codes in MATLAB software.

Results and discussion

CF, BCR, and EUE were calculated to be 0.26 kg CO_2?eq (kg tomato)^?1, 1.8, and 0.5, respectively. MOGA results envisage the possibility of an increase of 86% and 50% in the EUE and BCR and a 43% reduction in the CF of tomato production systems. Moreover, EUE and BCR increased by 83% and 49%, and CF was reduced by 39% from the optimum results obtained from the MOPSO algorithm. It was revealed that in order to optimize field tomato production with the target objectives of this study, a large additional use for irrigation pipes, plastic, and machinery in comparison to current situation is required, while a large reduction of biocide, chemical fertilizer, and electricity consumption is indispensable.

Conclusions

According to the results of our study, it was concluded that the optimal solutions require a modernization of irrigation systems and a decrease in the consumption of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The implementation of management options for such solutions is discussed.

     

Effects of the glucantime on the kinetic of biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals in Wistar rats.

There are evidences that some drugs used for the human diseases can modify the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals. The N-methyl meglumine antimoniate, commercially known as glucantime (Rhodia, Brazil), is the elected drug for the treatment of all the clinical forms of leishmaniasis. As therapeutic drugs can present important toxic effects, we studied the effects of the glucantime on the kinetic of biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals. To study the glucantime effect on the biodistribution of technetium-99m-methylenediphosphonic acid (99mTc-MDP), glucantime IM (80 mg/kg/day) was administered into male Wistar rats (3 months old age) in single dose during 7 days. 99mTc-MDP was injected 1 hr after the last dose. The animals (n = 24) were divided into two groups: treated (n = 12) and control (n = 12) and they were rapidly sacrificed, respectively, in 3 periods (5, 30 and 120 min) after administration of the 99mTc-MDP. The organs were isolated (brain, heart, thyroid, lungs, kidneys, testis, stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen, liver, muscle, bone and bladder) and the percentages of radioactivity (%ATI) in each organ were calculated. The results were analyzed by the Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05). The analysis of the results has shown a significant increase of the %ATI after 5 min administration of the 99mTc-MDP in spleen, kidneys, testis, heart, liver and a reduction of %ATI in bladder. Thirty minutes after administration of the 99mTc-MDP, the analysis ofthe results reveals a significant reduction of the %ATI in femur, kidneys, thin bowel, lungs, heart, liver and an increase in abdominal muscle and stout bowel. One hundred-twenty min after administration of the 99mTc-MDP, the analysis of the results shows a significant reduction of the %ATI in spleen, thyroid, blood, femur, kidneys, liver and an increase in bladder, pancreas and lungs. Biochemical dosages were also performed before (control group, n = 12) and after (treated group, n = 12) treatment with glucantime. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease to the biochemical levels after the treatment with glucantime in following dosages: blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, aspartate amino transferase, total creatine kinase, total protein, globulin and albumin. These results were compared with the control group, without glucantime, and statistical analyses were performed (t-student test, p < 0.05). These results could be associated with the biological effects and/or metabolization of the studied drug.     

Trace mineral source influences digestion,ruminal fermentation,and ruminal copper,zinc, and manganese distribution in steers fed a diet suitable for lactating dairy cows

High solubility of certain trace minerals (TM) in the rumen can alter nutrient digestibility and fermentation. The objectives of the present studies were to determine the effects of TM source on 1) nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation, 2) concentrations of soluble Cu, Zn, and Mn in the rumen following a pulse dose of TM, and 3) Cu, Zn, and Mn binding strength on ruminal digesta using dialysis against a chelating agent in steers fed a diet formulated to meet the requirements of a high producing dairy cow. Twelve Angus steers fitted with ruminal cannulae were adapted to a diet balanced with nutrient concentrations similar to a diet for a high producing lactating dairy cow for 21 d. Steers were then randomly assigned to dietary treatments consisting of 10 mg Cu, 40 mg Mn, and 60 mg Zn/kg DM from either sulfate (STM), hydroxychloride (HTM) or complexed trace minerals (CTM). The experimental design did not include a negative control (no supplemental Cu, Mn, or Zn) because the basal diet did not meet the National Research Council requirement for Cu and Zn. Copper, Mn, and Zn are also generally supplemented to lactating dairy cow diets at concentrations approximating those supplied in the present study. Following a 14-d adaptation period, total fecal output was collected for 5-d. Following the fecal collection period, rumen fluid was collected for Volatile fatty acid (VFA) parameters. On the following day, the same diet was provided for 14 d, without supplemental Cu, Zn, and Mn. This period served as a wash-out period. A pulse dose of 100, 400, and 600 mg of Cu, Zn, Mn, respectively, from either STM, HTM, or CTM, was administered via ruminal cannulae to the steers on day 15. Over a 24-h period ruminal samples were obtained every 2-h. Following centrifugation, the supernatant was analyzed for Cu, Mn, and Zn. Ruminal solid digesta samples from times 0, 12, and 24 h after bolus dosing were exposed to dialysis against Tris-EDTA. Digestibility of NDF and ADF were lesser in STM vs. HTM and vs. CTM supplemented steers. Steers receiving HTM and CTM had greater total VFA concentrations than STM, and molar proportions of individual VFA were not affected by treatment. Ruminal soluble Cu and Zn concentrations were greater post dosing in STM and CTM supplemented steers at 2, 4, and 6 h for Cu and 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h for Zn when compared to HTM supplemented steers. The release of Cu and Zn from ruminal solid digesta following dialysis against Tris-EDTA at 12 and 24 h postdosing was greater for steers receiving HTM compared to those receiving STM or CTM. Results indicate trace mineral source impacts: 1) how tightly bound Cu and Zn are to ruminal solid digesta; 2) fiber digestion; 3) and ruminal total VFA concentrations.     

Identification of potential sources of airborne Olea pollen in the Southwest Iberian Peninsula

This study aims to determine the potential origin of Olea pollen recorded in Badajoz in the Southwest of the Iberian Peninsula during 2009–2011. This was achieved using a combination of daily average and diurnal (hourly) airborne Olea pollen counts recorded at Badajoz (south-western Spain) and Évora (south-eastern Portugal), an inventory of olive groves in the studied area and air mass trajectory calculations computed using the HYSPLIT model. Examining olive pollen episodes at Badajoz that had distinctly different diurnal cycles in olive pollen in relation to the mean, allowed us to identify three different scenarios where olive pollen can be transported to the city from either distant or nearby sources during conditions with slow air mass movements. Back trajectory analysis showed that olive pollen can be transported to Badajoz from the West on prevailing winds, either directly or on slow moving air masses, and from high densities of olive groves situated to the Southeast (e.g. Andalucía). Regional scale transport of olive pollen can result in increased nighttime concentrations of this important aeroallergen. This could be particularly important in Mediterranean countries where people can be outdoors during this time due to climate and lifestyle. Such studies that examine sources and the atmospheric transport of pollen are valuable for allergy sufferers and health care professionals because the information can be incorporated into forecasts, the outputs of which are used for avoiding exposure to aeroallergens and planning medication. The results of studies of this nature can also be used for examining gene flow in this important agricultural crop.     

Interaction among zinc,glucose, and insulin in normal individuals during glucose and tolbutamid perfusion

Reports in the literature have shown that acute or chronic zinc administration may cause hyperglycemia, with a fall in serum or insular insulin occurring in experimental animals. On the other hand, under conditions of both acute and chronic hyperglycemia, an increase, a decrease, or a normal level of blood zinc has been observed in studies conducted on humans. Thus, the objective of the investigation described here was to determine the relationship existing among zinc, glucose, and insulin under acute conditions. Thirty-six subjects of both sexes (mean age, 23 yr) were tested at 7:00A.M. after a 12-h fast. Two antecubital veins of both forearms were punctured and maintained with physiological saline. Three experiments were performed in which zinc was administered orally, and hypertonic glucose and tolbutamid were administered intravenously. Blood samples were then collected over a period ranging from 93 to 240 min after the basal times of −30 and 0 min. Hyperzincemia did not cause changes in plasma glucose or insulin either in the absence of or during perfusion of glucose. Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia did not modify serum zinc levels. These results demonstrate that acute zinc administration did not change carbohydrate metabolism and that sudden variations in glucose and insulin levels did not modify the serum profile of zinc.