Photosensitizers neutral red (type I) and rose bengal (type II) cause light-dependent toxicity in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and induce the Gpxh gene via increased singlet oxygen formation

The connection between the mode of toxic action and the genetic response caused by the type I photosensitizer and photosynthesis inhibitor neutral red (NR) and the type II photosensitizer rose bengal (RB) was investigated in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. For both photosensitizers, a light intensity-dependent increase in toxicity and expression of the glutathione peroxidase homologous gene (Gpxh) was found. The toxicity of RB was reduced by the singlet oxygen (1O2) quenchers 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and L-histidine, and the RB-induced Gpxh expression was stimulated in deuterium oxide-supplemented growth medium. These observations clearly indicate the involvement of 1O2 in both toxicity and the genetic response caused by RB. NR up-regulated the expression of typical oxidative and general stress response genes, probably by a type I mechanism, and also strongly induced the Gpxh expression. The stimulating effect of deuterium oxide in the growth medium suggested the involvement of 1O2 also in the NR-induced response. Indeed, an increased 1O2 formation was detected with EPR-spin trapping in NR-treated spinach thylakoids. However, none of the 102 quenchers could reduce the light-dependent toxicity of NR in C. reinhardtii, indicating that NR has a different mode of toxic action than RB.     

Differences in microbial activity of digesta from three sections of the porcine large intestine according to in vitro fermentation of carbohydrate‐rich substrates

To determine whether faecal microorganisms can represent the entire large intestinal population, samples from caecum, mid‐colon and rectum of three adult pigs were used for the in vitro fermentation of fructo‐oligosaccharide (FOS), potato starch, wheat bran and oat hulls. The cumulative gas production technique measured fermentation kinetics and end‐products such as total gas, NH₃ and volatile fatty acids (VFA). There were significant differences in the fermentability of substrates, in terms of both kinetics and end‐products. More relevant to this study, there were also differences between pigs in respect of total gas production, the rate of gas production (R_M) and VFA production. For large intestine sections, there were more VFA from mid‐colon and rectal inocula compared with that from the caecum (p < 0.0001). Total gas, R_M and NH₃ were highest for rectal, intermediate for mid‐colon and lowest for caecal inocula (p < 0.0001). It was concluded that, while faecal sampling might overestimate caecal fermentation, its use is valid for in vitro assessment of large intestinal fermentation. However, differences between pigs indicate that a mix of samples from several animals remains important. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of a soy protein-based diet on ribonucleic acid metabolism in the small intestinal mucosa of goat kids

This study was designed to investigate the effect of soy protein inclusion in milk replacer diets for goat kids on protein, RNA, and DNA contents in small intestinal mucosa, on the importance of RNA biosynthesis from dietary RNA precursors for mucosal RNA synthesis, and on the activities of enzymes involved in nucleotide degradation in small intestinal mucosa. Diets were based on cow's milk. In the control group, 35% of the milk protein was replaced by casein (CN) protein, and in the soy group (SPAA), the same amount of milk protein was replaced by soy protein supplemented with essential AA known to be at lower concentrations in soy than in CN (Thr, Val, Ile, Leu, His, Lys, Met). Diets were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. At 47 d of age, goats were harvested and samples of proximal, middle, and distal jejunal mucosa were collected 5 h after feeding ¹⁵N-labeled RNA from yeast (13 mg/kg of body weight). Growth and feed conversion did not differ between the control and SPAA kids. Mucosal protein concentrations were lower in the SPAA than the control kids. Concentrations of RNA and DNA did not differ between feeding groups, but in all kids mucosal RNA concentrations were higher in proximal than in middle and distal jejunum. Protein:RNA ratios were higher in the control than the SPAA kids and were lowest in proximal jejunum. Activities of alkaline phosphatase in enterocytes were higher in proximal than in middle and distal jejunum. Activities of mucosal xanthine oxidase were highest in distal jejunum and were higher in the SPAA than the control kids, especially in the middle and distal sites. The ¹⁵N-enrichment of mucosal RNA was higher in the control than the SPAA kids, especially in distal jejunum, and was lowest in distal jejunum. In contrast, ¹⁵N-enrichment of urea in plasma tended to be higher and Gly concentration in plasma was lower in the SPAA than the control kids. Data indicate that protein content and the protein:RNA ratio were lower in jejunal mucosa of goat kids fed milk replacer with partial replacement of CN protein by soy protein. These findings were accompanied by a lower level of reutilization of preformed dietary RNA precursors for RNA biosynthesis in jejunal mucosa and a higher activity of xanthine oxidase. Thus, feeding soy protein instead of CN protein reduced the incorporation of preformed dietary RNA precursors for RNA biosynthesis in the mucosa and activated key enzymes involved in nucleic acid breakdown.     

Influence of nutrition level on digestibility in high yielding cows and effects on energy evaluation systems

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of nutrition level (NL, multiples of maintenance energy requirement) on the digestibility of nutrients for dairy cows regarding the energy supply of the animal. The digestion of nutrients and energy was investigated in two trials using lactating dairy cows. The NL varied from 2.7 to 5.0 using diets similar composition. In addition, sheep were given the same feed with a NL of 1.4. Digestibility of dry matter (DM) and all specific measures of dietary components declined significantly as NL increased. Digestibility of energy decreased by 4.1% for each increase in NL. The metabolizable energy, the ability to metabolize energy (metabolizable energy/gross energy), and the content of net energy for lactation (NE(L)) per kilogram of DM intake were calculated for NL from 1 to 6 on the basis of these relationships and as well as the gross energy, methane energy, and urine energy. Accordingly the NEL content declined by 0.11 MJ/kg of DM intake or 1.6% as the NL increased by one unit. It means that the NE(L) requirement above the maintenance requirement increased by 0.07 MJ of NE(L) per kilogram of fat-corrected milk, if the NL increased by one unit.     

Effect of tumbling and RN genotype on sensory perception of cured-smoked pork loin

Effects of tumbling and RN genotype on sensory perception of cured-smoked loins were studied on loins from 32 crossbred female pigs containing Hampshire blood. Right-side loins were intermittently tumbled during 4 h, whereas left-side loins were left non-tumbled. Tumbled loins were more tender and uniform in cured colour as well as less acidulous in taste compared with non-tumbled loins. Further, the formation of undesirable pores was lower in tumbled loins. Final juiciness tended to be higher and meat taste intensity lower in tumbled loins, whereas initial juiciness did not differ. There were no significant interactions between tumbling and RN genotype for sensory attributes. RN⁻ carriers (RN⁻/rn⁺) were more acidulous in taste, had more pronounced meat taste and were saltier than non-carriers (rn⁺ /rn⁺). Moreover, they tended to have higher initial juiciness and more undesirable pores, and be less homogeneous in cured pink colour. No differences in consumer preference between the four treatments were detected in the ranking test, but most persons ranked non-tumbled loins highest regarding overall liking. Instrumental tenderness measurements agreed well with sensory tenderness scores.     

Short Vapour Residence Time Catalytic Pyrolysis of Spruce Sawdust in a Bubbling Fluidized-Bed Reactor with HZSM-5 Catalysts

Catalytic pyrolysis of spruce sawdust was carried out in a bubbling fluidized-bed reactor using HZSM-5 catalysts. The effects of space velocity, catalyst deactivation, catalyst acidity and catalyst regeneration were studied. The use of catalysts decreased the yield of organic liquids compared to non-catalytic yields while the yields of pyrolytic water and gases increased. Decreasing the space velocity enhanced these effects. The rate of catalyst deactivation depended on the acidity of the catalyst, with more acidic catalysts deactivating more rapidly. Using a catalyst with a Si/Al ratio of 140 resulted in the largest changes in bio-oil properties. Periodic regeneration of the catalyst in the fluidized-bed reactor was also demonstrated using varying regeneration times and temperatures. It was shown that compared to BFB reactors, CFB reactor types would offer better operating characteristics for commercial scale catalytic pyrolysis processes in regard to vapour residence times, and catalyst activity and regeneration.     

Spurenstoffabtrennung mit keramischen Nanofiltrationsmembranen als Rotationsscheibenfilter

Reducing micropollutant pollution of water bodies is an important objective of water management and an integral part of environmental policy. Ceramic nanofiltration membranes were developed as multichannel membranes of increased membrane area and rotating disk filters. The membranes developed show retention of over 80 % for PEG 400. The membranes are currently being tested for the separation of micropollutants from wastewater contaminated with pharmaceuticals. With the help of a downstream oxidative process, the trace substances remaining in the permeate are degraded.     

Influence of modern plastic furniture on the fire development in fires in homes: large‐scale fire tests in living rooms

About 80% of all fire fatalities in Germany occur because of fires in homes. It has been known for some time that modern materials (synonym for materials consisting mostly of synthetic polymers) tend to burn differently from older materials (synonym for materials consisting mostly of fibrous cellulosic substances) and it has been acknowledged that the amount of combustible plastics in homes has increased significantly over the last decades. To investigate the influence of modern furniture and ventilation conditions of fires in homes, a series of four large‐scale tests in two living rooms (LRs) with adjacent rooms (ARs) was performed by BAM and the Frankfurt fire service. Two LRs, one with older furniture and one with modern furniture, were tested twice each. Each test started with the ignition of a paper cushion on an upholstered chair. The influence of modern materials on the fire development was investigated, as well as the influence of the ventilation on the fire development. In all settings, an upholstered chair was the first burning item. Results of the test series show that fires in rooms with modern furniture develop faster than fires in rooms with older furniture. This is true for temperature development in the rooms as well as for smoke production.     

Indoor air quality and the associated health risk in primary school buildings in Central Europe – The InAirQ study

The indoor air quality (IAQ) was investigated in sixty-four primary school buildings in five Central European countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia). The concentration of volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, PM_2.5 mass, carbon dioxide, radon, as well as physical parameters were investigated during the heating period of 2017/2018. Significant differences were identified for the majority of the investigated IAQ parameters across the countries. The median indoor/outdoor ratios varied considerably. A comprehensive evaluation of IAQ in terms of potential health effects and comfort perception was performed. Hazard quotient values were below the threshold value of 1 with one exception. In contrast, 31% of the school buildings were characterized by hazard index values higher than 1. The maximum cumulative ratio approach highlighted that the concern for non-carcinogenic health effects was either low or the health risk was driven by more substances. The median excess lifetime cancer risk values exceeded the acceptable value of 1 × 10⁻⁶ in the case of radon and formaldehyde. PM_2.5 mass concentration values exceeded the 24 h and annual guideline values set by the World Health Organization in 56 and 85% of the cases, respectively. About 80% of the schools could not manage to comply with the recommended concentration value for carbon dioxide (1000 ppm).     

Chemotactic and Angiogenic Potential of Mineralized Collagen Scaffolds Functionalized with Naturally Occurring Bioactive Factor Mixtures to Stimulate Bone Regeneration

To develop cost-effective and efficient bone substitutes for improved regeneration of bone defects, heparin-modified mineralized collagen scaffolds were functionalized with concentrated, naturally occurring bioactive factor mixtures derived from adipose tissue, platelet-rich plasma and conditioned medium from a hypoxia-treated human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell line. Besides the analysis of the release kinetics of functionalized scaffolds, the bioactivity of the released bioactive factors was tested with regard to chemotaxis and angiogenic tube formation. Additionally, functionalized scaffolds were seeded with human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSC) and their osteogenic and angiogenic potential was investigated. The release of bioactive factors from the scaffolds was highest within the first 3 days. Bioactivity of the released factors could be confirmed for all bioactive factor mixtures by successful chemoattraction of hBM-MSC in a transwell assay as well as by the formation of prevascular structures in a 2D co-culture system of hBM-MSC and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The cells seeded directly onto the functionalized scaffolds were able to express osteogenic markers and form tubular networks. In conclusion, heparin-modified mineralized collagen scaffolds could be successfully functionalized with naturally occurring bioactive factor mixtures promoting cell migration and vascularization.