Ambient levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may reduce pollen viability in Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) trees--correlative evidence from a field study

A fully randomized sampling design was adopted to test whether pollen viability of Austrian pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) was impacted by NO(2) pollution. Spatial strata (500500 m each) with high (41.9-44.6 microg m(-3)) and low (15.4-21.0 microg m(-3)) NO(2) were selected from a defined population in a small area (236.5 km(2), <200 m range in elevation) in Northern Italy. Pollen viability was measured by means of the Tetrazolium (TTC) test. Analysis of variance by means of a generalised linear model showed that NO(2) was a significant factor (P=0.0425) affecting pollen viability. Within the treatment, no significant differences were detected among replicates. Within each replicate, sampling unit data were significantly different (P=0.000) and this suggested some improvement in the applied sampling design was needed. Pollen viability was significantly related to pollen germination (P<0.01) and tube length (P<0.01). This suggested a possible impact of NO(2) on the regeneration of Austrian pine in polluted environments.     

Does creatine supplementation improve the plasma lipid profile in healthy male subjects undergoing aerobic training?

   

We aimed to investigate the effects of creatine (Cr) supplementation on the plasma lipid profile in sedentary male subjects undergoing aerobic training.     

Codex dietary fibre definition – Justification for inclusion of carbohydrates from 3 to 9 degrees of polymerisation

The main controversy about the DF definition, adopted by the commission of Codex Alimentarius, refers to the inclusion of carbohydrates of 3–9 degrees of polymerisation (DP), decision which may be made individually by the authorities of each country. Due to the possibility of having two definitions and the negative impact it would cause over the harmonisation of nutritional information, a bibliographic review was carried, from 2009 to 2011, aiming to gather justifications for the inclusion of carbohydrates of 3–9 DP in the definition. The current review presents scientific bases that are directed to three topics: physiological aspects; repercussion over the analytical method; and impact on consumers and other users. The decision of including unavailable carbohydrates of 3–9 DP in the definition of DF may cause effective global harmonisation in the nutritional labelling, considering that the main goal is to help consumers choose healthy foods.     

The Adaptive Immune Landscape of the Colorectal Adenoma–Carcinoma Sequence

Background. The tumor immune microenvironment exerts a pivotal influence in tumor initiation and progression. The aim of this study was to analyze the immune context of sporadic and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) lesions along the colorectal adenoma–carcinoma sequence (ACS). Methods. We analyzed immune cell counts (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, Foxp3+, and CD57+), tumor mutation burden (TMB), MHC-I expression and PD-L1 expression of 59 FAP and 74 sporadic colorectal lesions, encompassing adenomas with low-grade dysplasia (LGD) (30 FAP; 30 sporadic), adenomas with high-grade dysplasia (22 FAP; 30 sporadic), and invasive adenocarcinomas (7 FAP; 14 sporadic). Results. The sporadic colorectal ACS was characterized by (1) a stepwise decrease in immune cell counts, (2) an increase in TMB and MHC-I expression, and (3) a lower PD-L1 expression. In FAP lesions, we observed the same patterns, except for an increase in TMB along the ACS. FAP LGD lesions harbored lower Foxp3+ T cell counts than sporadic LGD lesions. A decrease in PD-L1 expression occurred earlier in FAP lesions compared to sporadic ones. Conclusions. The colorectal ACS is characterized by a progressive loss of adaptive immune infiltrate and by the establishment of a progressively immune cold microenvironment. These changes do not appear to be related with the loss of immunogenicity of tumor cells, or to the onset of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.     

Simultaneous removal of chromium and leather dye from simulated tannery effluent by photoelectrochemistry

The feasibility of the photobleaching of a leather acid dye, acid red 151, simultaneously to degradation of anionic surfactant, Tamol^®, and reduction of Cr(VI) to the less toxic Cr(III) was investigated by photoelectrocatalytic oxidation. The best experimental conditions were found to be pH 2.0 and 0.1 mol L⁻¹ sodium sulfate when the nanoporous Ti/TiO₂ photo anode was biased at +1.0 V and submitted to UV-irradiation. The photoelectrocatalytic oxidation promotes 100% discoloration, reducing around 98–100% of Cr(VI) and achieving an abatement of 95% of the original total organic carbon. The effect of pH, the applied potential, the Cr(VI) concentration and the complexation reaction between Cr(VI) and acid red dye were evaluated as to their effect on the kinetics of the reaction.     

Effect of cavosurface angle beveling on the exposure angle of enamel prisms in different cavity sizes

The quality of the micromechanical retention between the enamel prisms exposed through acid etching and adhesive system can be influenced by the relationship between the angle of the exposed enamel prisms and the external surface/restorative material. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the influence of the enamel cavosurface beveling in different cavity sizes on the angle relation between enamel prisms and the restorative material. For this research, 30 human permanent molars were used and divided into three groups according the isthmus aperture of class I cavities (1/4, 1/3, and 1/2 of the intercuspal distance). Cavosurface angle beveling was performed in each tooth buccal or palatal/lingual side, and a resin composite restoration was placed. Each restored tooth was sectioned in buccal/palatal direction followed by analysis in scanning electron microscope. Means of the angles observed between enamel prisms and the restorative material were registered and statistically analyzed by Kruskal‐Wallis test. Results showed higher mean angle values for beveled groups when comparing with the values observed in the unbeveled margins (p < .05) regardless of the isthmus aperture, being 1/4 (beveled = 48.36°; unbeveled = 20.71°), 1/3 (beveled = 39.75°; unbeveled = 29.15°), and 1/2 (beveled = 37.02°; unbeveled = 26.34°). It was also observed that in some unbeveled cavities, there were the presence of laterally exposed enamel prisms (0°), mainly in more conservative cavities. It was concluded that the presence of higher angles values occurred in the samples with beveled margins, without presence of laterally exposed enamel prisms.     

A Short ERAP2 That Binds IRAP Is Expressed in Macrophages Independently of Gene Variation

The M1 zinc metalloproteases ERAP1, ERAP2, and IRAP play a role in HLA-I antigen presentation by refining the peptidome either in the ER (ERAP1 and ERAP2) or in the endosomes (IRAP). They have also been entrusted with other, although less defined, functions such as the regulation of the angiotensin system and blood pressure. In humans, ERAP1 and IRAP are commonly expressed. ERAP2 instead has evolved under balancing selection that maintains two haplotypes, one of which undergoing RNA splicing leading to nonsense-mediated decay and loss of protein. Hence, likewise in rodents, wherein the ERAP2 gene is missing, about a quarter of the human population does not express ERAP2. We report here that macrophages, but not monocytes or other mononuclear blood cells, express and secrete an ERAP2 shorter form independent of the haplotype. The generation of this “short” ERAP2 is due to an autocatalytic cleavage within a distinctive structural motif and requires an acidic micro-environment. Remarkably, ERAP2 “short” binds IRAP and the two molecules are co-expressed in the endosomes as well as in the cell membrane. Of note, the same phenomenon could be observed in some cancer cells. These data prompt us to reconsider the role of ERAP2, which might have been maintained in humans due to fulfilling a relevant function in its “short” form.     

Electrochemical oxidation of an acid dye by active chlorine generated using Ti/Sn<Subscript>(1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)</Subscript>Ir<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> electrodes

The generation of active chlorine on Ti/Sn_(1−x)Ir _x O₂ anodes, with different compositions of Ir (x = 0.01, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.30 ), was investigated by controlled current density electrolysis. Using a low concentration of chloride ions (0.05 mol L⁻¹) and a low current density (5 mA cm⁻²) it was possible to produce up to 60 mg L⁻¹ of active chlorine on a Ti/Sn_0.99Ir_0.01O₂ anode. The feasibility of the discoloration of a textile acid azo dye, acid red 29 dye (C.I. 16570), was also investigated with in situ electrogenerated active chlorine on Ti/Sn_(1−x)Ir _x O₂ anodes. The best conditions for 100% discoloration and maximum degradation (70% TOC reduction) were found to be: NaCl pH 4, 25 mA cm⁻² and 6 h of electrolysis. It is suggested that active chlorine generation and/or powerful oxidants such as chlorine radicals and hydroxyl radicals are responsible for promoting faster dye degradation. Rate constants calculated from color decay versus time reveal a zero order reaction at dye concentrations up to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹. Effects of other electrolytes, dye concentration and applied density currents also have been investigated and are discussed.