Anaerobic digestion of sugar beet pulps

Summary Anaerobic digestion of sugar beet pulps was studied in a 70 l digestor with sequential feeding, after enzymatic hydrolysis by Trichoderma harzianum cellulases. During the 130 days feeding, 3.6 m³ of biogas were produced with an average content of 58% CH₄ from 270 l of hydrolysed pulps at 20 g VS/l. Average yield and production rate were respectively 0.67 m³/kg VS and 0.4 m³/ kg VS and 0.4 m³/m³ of digestor per day.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of a lithium/sodium carbonate mixture

The diffusion and ionic conductivity of Li _x Na_1?x CO₃ salt mixtures were studied by means of Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, using the Janssen and Tissen model (Janssen and Tissen, Mol Simul 5:83–98; 1990). These salts have received particular attention due to their central role in fuel cells technology, and reliable numerical methods that could perform as important interpretative tool of experimental data are thus required but still lacking. The chosen computational model nicely reproduces the main structural behaviour of the pure Li₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃ and K₂CO₃ carbonates, but also of their Li/K and Li/Na mixtures. However, it fails to accurately describe dynamic properties such as activation energies of diffusion and conduction processes, outlining the need to develop more accurate models for the simulation of molten salt carbonates.     

Isolation from a Shea Cake Digester of a Tannin-Tolerant Escherichia coli Strain Decarboxylating p-Hydroxybenzoic and Vanillic Acids

A facultatively anaerobic, mesophilic, Gram-negative, non-motile, non-sporulated bacterium, designated strain C2, was isolated from an anaerobic digester fed with shea cake rich in tannins and aromatic compounds and previously inoculated with anaerobic sludge from the pit of a slaughterhouse, after enrichment on tannic acid. The straight rods occurred singly or in pairs. Strain C2 fermented numerous carbohydrates (fructose, galactose, glucose, lactose, mannose, maltose, melibiose, raffinose, rhamnose, ribose, saccharose, sorbitol, trehalose, and xylose) and peptides (Biotrypcase, Casamino acids, and yeast extract), producing acid and gas, and had a G + C content of 51.6 ± 0.1 mol %. Strain C2 was very closely related to Escherichia coli (= DSM 30083^T) phylogenetically (similarity of 99%), genotypically (DNA homology of 79%), and phenotypically. The isolate tolerated tannic acid (hydrolyzable tannin) and decarboxylated by non-oxidative decarboxylation only p-hydroxybenzoic and vanillic acids to their corresponding phenol and guaicol, under anaerobic and aerobic conditions without further degradation. Adding glucose increased growth and the rate of conversion. High concentrations of p-hydroxybenzoic acid or vanillic acid inhibited growth, and decarboxylation could not occur completely, suggesting phenol toxicity. In contrast, the type strain of E. coli cannot metabolize p-hydroxybenzoic and vanillic acids, anaerobically or aerobically, with or without glucose added. Received: 30 July 2001 / Accepted: 17 August 2001     

Importance of the large copepod Paraeuchaeta antarctica (Giesbrecht, 1902) in coastal waters and the diet of seabirds at Kerguelen, Southern Ocean

The importance of the euchaetid copepod Paraeuchaeta antarcticain the subantarctic pelagic ecosystem was quantified in thecoastal waters of the Golfe du Morbihan at Kerguelen Islandsby comparing food samples from two diving seabirds with concurrentnet samples taken within the predator foraging area. Paraeuchaetaantarctica occurred in very high densities (up to 30 individualsm^-3 and 96 mg dry weight m^-3) in the water column, being moreabundant in the deepest part of the gulf than in shallow watersor at the more offshore shelf stations. The common diving petrelfeeds almost exclusively on crustaceans, its diet being dominatedby the amphipod Themisto gaudichaudii (52% by number and 84%by reconstituted mass) and P. antarctica (33% and 16%, respectively).Rockhopper penguins preyed upon crustaceans and fish, with fourtaxa being important, namely T. gaudichaudii (37% and 23%, respectively),Euphausia vallentini (24% and 41%), postlarval fish (10% and24%), and P. antarctica (13% and 3%). Paraeuchaeta antarcticadominated numerically in 21% of the diving-petrel food samplesand in 12% of penguin samples. The two bird species segregatedby preying upon different developmental stages of P. antarctica,diving petrels fed equally on CV of both sexes and CVI, whilepenguins fed on CVI only. Comparison of P. antarctica foundin net and food samples indicated no prey selection by commondiving petrels that caught the different copepod stages in proportionto their availability in the water column. On the other hand,the diving performance of penguins, which is better than thatof the petrels (mean maximum dive depths 69 m for penguins versus32 m in petrels), allows them to catch CVI in deeper waters,probably near the bottom. Our study shows that P. antarcticais a major component of the coastal macrozooplankton communityand a significant prey for two species of diving seabirds inhabitingKerguelen. This is also the first record of a copepod speciesas a prey for penguin, and the first to highlight P. antarcticain the food of austral seabirds.     

Nicotine Is More Efficient than Cotinine at Passing the Blood–Brain Barrier in Rats

1. Nicotine and its main metabolite, cotinine, were reported to have distinct behavioral activities in mammals.2. In this study, cotinine was synthesized without detectable nicotine contamination to compare the ability of nicotine and cotinine to pass the blood–brain barrier (BBB)in rats.3. The alkaloids were extracted from plasma and brain tissues by methanol, identified by thin-layer chromatography, and quantified by high-pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassays.4. Consistently, the three methods showed that the passage of cotinine was time, route of administration, and dose dependent and that nicotine was more efficient than cotinine to pass the BBB.5. The results suggest that these alkaloids may have central activities that probably result from their actions at distinct molecular levels.     

Role of alpha1beta1-integrin in arterial stiffness and angiotensin-induced arterial wall hypertrophy in mice

We examined the arterial phenotype of mice lacking alpha(1)-integrin (alpha(1)(-/-)) at baseline and after 4 wk of ANG II or norepinephrine (NE) administration. Arterial mechanical properties were determined in the carotid artery (CA). Integrin expression, MAPK kinases, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) were assessed in the aorta. No change in arterial pressure was observed in alpha(1)(-/-) mice. Elastic modulus-wall stress curves were similar in alpha(1)(-/-) and alpha(1)(+/+) animals, indicating no change in arterial stiffness. The rupture pressure was lower in alpha(1)(-/-) mice, demonstrating decreased mechanical strength. Lack of alpha(1)-integrin was accompanied by an increase in beta(1)-, alpha(v)-, and alpha(5)-integrins but no change in alpha(2)-integrin. ANG II increased medial cross-sectional area of the CA in alpha(1)(+/+), but not alpha(1)(-/-), mice, whereas equivalent pressor doses of NE did not produce a significant increase in either group. In alpha(1)(+/+) mice, ANG II induced alpha(1)-integrin expression and smooth muscle cell (SMC) hypertrophy in the CA in association with increased aortic expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and FAK. ANG II did not induce SMC hypertrophy or phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and FAK in alpha(1)(-/-) mice. A functional anti-alpha(1)-integrin antibody inhibited in vitro the ANG II-induced phosphorylation of FAK and p38 MAPK. In conclusion, alpha(1)(-/-) mice exhibit a reduced mechanical strength at baseline and a lack of ANG II-induced SMC hypertrophy. These results emphasize the importance of alpha(1)beta(1)-integrin in p38 MAPK and FAK phosphorylation during vascular hypertrophy in response to ANG II.     

Isolation and characterization of Halomonas sp. strain IMPC, a p-coumaric acid-metabolizing bacterium that decarboxylates other cinnamic acids under hypersaline conditions

A moderately halophilic, mesophilic, Gram-negative, motile, nonsporulating bacterium, designated strain IMPC, was isolated from a table-olive fermentation rich in aromatic compounds, after enrichment on p-coumaric acid under halophilic conditions. Strain IMPC was able to degrade p-coumaric acid. p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were detected as breakdown products from p-coumaric acid. Protocatechuic acid was identified as the final aromatic product of p-coumaric acid catabolism before ring fission. Strain IMPC transformed various cinnamic acids with substituent H, OH, CH(3) or OCH(3) in the para- and/or meta-position of the aromatic ring to the corresponding benzoic acids, indicating a specific selection. A beta-oxidation pathway was proposed for these transformations. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that this isolate was a member of the genus Halomonas. Strain IMPC was closely related to Halomonas elongata ATCC 33173(T)and Halomonas eurihalina ATCC 49336(T).     

Increased microparticle production and impaired microvascular endothelial function in aldosterone-salt-treated rats: protective effects of polyphenols

We aimed to characterize circulating microparticles in association with arterial stiffness, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in aldosterone-salt-induced hypertension in rats and to investigate the preventive effects of red wine polyphenols. Uninephrectomized male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with aldosterone-salt (1 µg.h⁻¹), with or without administration of either red wine polyphenols, Provinols™ (20 mg.kg⁻¹.day⁻¹), or spironolactone (30 mg.kg⁻¹.day⁻¹) for 4 weeks. Microparticles, arterial stiffness, nitric oxide (NO) spin trapping, and mesenteric arterial function were measured. Aldosterone-salt rats showed increased microparticle levels, including those originating from platelets, endothelium and erythrocytes. Hypertension resulted in enhanced aortic stiffness accompanied by increased circulating and aortic NO levels and an upregulation of aortic inducible NO-synthase, NFκB, superoxide anions and nitrotyrosine. Flow-induced dilatation was reduced in mesenteric arteries. These effects were prevented by spironolactone. Provinols™ did not reduce arterial stiffness or systolic hypertension but had effects similar to those of spironolactone on endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated vasodilatation, microparticle generation, aortic NO levels and oxidative stress and apoptosis in the vessel wall. Neither the contractile response nor endothelium-dependent relaxation in mesenteric arteries differed between groups. The in vivo effects of Provinols™ were not mediated by mineralocorticoid receptors or changes in shear stress. In conclusion, vascular remodelling and endothelial dysfunction in aldosterone-salt-mediated hypertension are associated with increased circulating microparticles. Polyphenols prevent the enhanced release of microparticles, macrovascular inflammation and oxidative stress, and microvascular endothelial dysfunction independently of blood pressure, shear stress and mineralocorticoid receptor activation in a model of hyperaldosteronism.     

Isoproterenol activation of prostaglandin production in guinea-pig airway muscle preparations from immature and mature animals

The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of isoproterenol to activate the cyclooxygenase pathway in tracheal and bronchial tissues derived from immature (198 +/- 4 g, N = 12) and mature (997 +/- 28 g, N = 12) guinea-pigs. Immunoreactive PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were measured in bath samples obtained during resting tone and when tissues had been maximally contracted or relaxed. Results from these experiments showed that histamine contractions were significantly greater in tracheal than in bronchial preparations, an effect which was independent of age. Isoproterenol and theophylline were equiactive in relaxing basal tone of tracheal and bronchial tissues when data for each tissue type was compared with results in the different age groups. This effect was also independent of age. When results were normalized for tissue wet weights, the quantities of prostaglandins produced in tissues from mature guinea-pigs were less than those generated in similar tissues derived from immature animals. These data indicate significant modifications in basal prostaglandin production in tissues from immature and mature guinea-pigs. In addition, isoproterenol stimulated prostaglandin production in airways from immature and mature animals whereas theophylline did not alter the basal production.