Xenobiotika in hessischen Fließgewässern

The present study was elaborated within the scope of the INTAFERE (Integrated Analysis of Mobile Organic Foreign Substances in Rivers) project which investigates the occurrence of xenobiotics in small freshwater streams with particular consideration of social impact factors. The aim of this study is to investigate the seasonal and spatial variance of organic micropollutants in small fresh water streams and to identify possible sources and sinks. Therefore four small freshwater river systems in Hesse, Germany, have been investigated with respect to common organic pollutants such as: the organophosphates tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBEP), tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (TCEP), tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TCPP), and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCPP), the synthetic musk fragrances 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexa-methylcyclopenta-[g]-2-benzopyran (HHCB) and 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (AHTN), the endocrine disruptors bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) and the technical isomer mixture of 4-nonylphenol (NP), the herbicide terbutryn [2-(t-butylamino)-4-(ethylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine] as well as the insect repellent N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). Water samples were collected in the time span from September 2003 to September 2006 at 26 sampling locations. The samples were extracted with solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For quantification the internal standard method was used. The results of the study showed an ubiquitous occurrence of organic pollutants in the fresh water streams of the study area. The organophosphates have been detected in 90 % of the water samples with mean concentrations of 502 ng/l (TCPP), 276 ng/l (TBP), 183 ng/l (TBEP), 118 ng/l (TCEP) and 117 ng/l (TDCPP). Sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents were identified as the dominating source for the chlorinated organophosphates as well as for the synthetic musk fragrances and the insect repellent DEET in the river systems. Consequently the highest concentrations were observed in the Schwarzbach system characterized by the highest proportion of waste water compared to the other river systems. Mean concentration levels of the synthetic musk fragrances HHCB and ATHN were 141 ng/l and 46 ng/l, respectively and 124 ng/l in case of DEET. The synthetic musk fragrances showed a clear seasonal trend with significantly lower concentrations in summer times compared to winter times, which is ascribed to stronger photodegradation and volatization during summer times. In contrast, mean DEET concentrations and loads were significantly higher in summer than in autumn, winter and spring, in parallel with the main insect season. The concentrations of the endocrine disruptors BPA, NP and OP in the river water samples ranged from <20 ng/l to 1927 ng/l, <10 ng/l to 770 ng/l, and <10 ng/l to 420 ng/l, respectively. Whereas OP was present in about 2/3 of the samples, NP and BPA could only be detected in 56% and 13% of the water samples, respectively. BPA levels exceeded in two samples the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) for water organisms. In case of NP, highest concentrations and loads were found in September 2003 and decreased significantly since then. In contrast, concentrations and loads of OP which serves in a similar application field remained nearly constant during the sampling period. The decrease of NP can be attributed to the implementation of the European Directive 2003/53/EG, which restricts the use of nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates since January 2005. However, at the end of the sampling period in September 2006, NP could still be detected at mean concentrations of 18 ng/l in the river waters of the sampling area. Furthermore, absence of NP in several samples from associated STP effluents indicate that the STPs cannot be the only sources for NP found in the river water. The herbicide terbutryn was present in the rivers during the whole sampling period from September 2003 to September 2006 despite a ban on its use as a herbicide from January 2004 on. Terbutryn levels ranged from < 4 ng/l to 5600 ng/l, showing a clear spatial pattern with high terbutryn concentrations in the Weschnitz and Modau river systems and significantly lower terbutryn levels in Schwarzbach and Winkelbach. Results from the analysis of two STP effluents discharging into the Weschnitz and the Modau, respectively, indicate that terbutryn enters the rivers from this source. Furthermore, terbutryn concentrations and loads showed a clear seasonal trend with significantly higher levels in summer and autumn. Obviously, the ban on agricultural use of terbutryn at the end of 2003 had no discernable influence on terbutryn concentration in the rivers because there was no trend of decreasing.Die vorliegende Arbeit wurde im Rahmen des Projektes INTAFERE (Integrierte Analyse von mobilen, organischen Fremdstoffen in Fließgewässern) erstellt. Es wurden organische Spurenverunreinigungen in Fließgewässern des Hessischen Rieds mit dem Ziel untersucht, deren Vorkommen, die zeitliche und räumliche Varianz im Fließgewässer sowie mögliche Eintragsquellen und Senken zu beschreiben. Im Zeitraum von September 2003 bis September 2006 wurden daher vierteljährlich an Schwarzbach, Modau, Winkelbach und Weschnitz an insgesamt 26 Probenahmestellen Wasserproben entnommen und mittels Festsphasenextraktion und gekoppelter Gaschromatographie/ Massenspektrometrie analysiert. Zielsubstanzen waren die Organophosphate Tributylphosphat (TBP), Tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphat (TBEP), Tris(2-chlorethyl)phosphat (TCEP), Tris(1-chlorisopropyl)phosphat (TCPP) und Tris(1,3-dichlor-2-propyl)phosphat (TDCPP), die synthetischen Moschusverbindungen 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-cyclopenta-g-2-benzopyran (HHCB) und 7-Acetyl- 1,1,3,4,4,6 hexamethyl-tetralin (AHTN), die endokrin wirksamen Stoffe 4-tert.-Octylphenol (OP), das technische Isomerengemisch 4-Nonylphenol (NP) und Bisphenol A (BPA), sowie das Pflanzenschutzmittel Terbutryn und das Insektenrepellent N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamid (DEET). Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung zeigten, dass die Fließgewässer des Hessischen Rieds erheblich mit organischen Spurenstoffen belastet sind. So konnten die Organophosphate mit Nachweishäufigkeiten von ca. 90 % detektiert werden und traten im Mittel in Konzentrationen von 502 ng/l (TCPP), 276 ng/l (TBP), 183 ng/l (TBEP), 118 ng/l (TCEP) und 117 ng/l (TDCPP) auf. Die synthetischen Moschusverbindungen HHCB und AHTN kamen ebenfalls ubiquitär vor und konnten durchschnittlich in Konzentrationen von 141 ng/l bzw. 46 ng/l nachgewiesen werden. Als Haupteintragspfad sowohl für die chlorierten Organophosphate als auch für die synthetischen Moschusverbindungen konnten die Kläranlagen identifiziert werden. Auch das Insektenrepellent DEET wird vorwiegend über die Kläranlagen eingetragen und konnte mit einer Nachweishäufigkeit von 70 % und Konzentrationen von < 8 ng/l bis 1292 ng/l n den Fließgewässern des Hessischen Rieds nachgewiesen werden. Die endokrin wirksamen Substanzen BPA, NP sowie OP konnten in den Fließgewässern mit Konzentrationen von <20 ng/l bis 1927 ng/l, <10 ng/l bis 770 ng/l und <10 ng/l bis 420 ng/l detektiert werden. Während OP weit verbreitet war und in etwa 2/3 aller Proben vorkam, konnten NP und BPA dagegen nur in 56 % bzw. in 13 % der Fälle nachgewiesen werden. Im Falle von NP wurden die höchsten Konzentrationen im September 2003 gemessen. Die „predicted no effect concentration“ (PNEC) von 0,33 µg/l wurde zu diesem Probenahmezeitpunkt an 16 (von 23) Probestellen überschritten), zu allen späteren Zeitpunkten jedoch nicht mehr. Neben den NP – Konzentrationen nahmen auch die NP – Frachten in den untersuchten Fließgewässern über den Untersuchungszeitraum deutlich ab, so dass von einem Rückgang der NP – Einträge in die Gewässer auszugehen ist. Als Grund für die Abnahme der NP – Konzentrationen und Frachten wird die Umsetzung der EU-Richtlinie 2003/53/EG, welche die Nutzung von NP stark einschränkt, angenommen. BPA war vergleichsweise selten nachweisbar, konnte aber in z.T. sehr hohen Konzentrationen von bis zu 1924 ng/l detektiert werden. Bei diesen Konzentrationen sind schädliche Wirkungen auf aquatische Lebewesen nicht auszuschließen. Der PNEC von 1600 ng/l wurde in zwei Fällen und zwar jeweils im September 2003 überschritten, jedoch wurden auch zu späteren Zeitpunkten noch Konzentrationen im Mikrogrammbereich gemessen. Die ermittelten BPA-Konzentrationen lassen jedoch keinerlei saisonale oder räumliche Muster erkennen. Trotz eines Anwendungsverbotes in Pflanzenschutzmitteln seit dem 1. Januar 2004 wurde Terburtryn über den gesamten Untersuchungszeitraum in den Fließgewässern des Hessischen Rieds nachgewiesen. Insbesondere die Weschnitz und die Modau wiesen sehr hohe Konzentrationen auf. Die Spitzenkonzentrationen in Weschnitz und Modau betrugen 5600 ng/l bzw. 3067 ng/l, bei mittleren Terbutrynkonzentrationen von 536 ng/l und 583 ng/l. Aber auch in Schwarzbach und Winkelbach ist Terbutryn häufig vorzufinden, wenn auch in deutlich geringeren Konzentrationen von durchschnittlich 63 ng/l bzw. 28 ng/l. Die Untersuchung von Kläranlagenabläufen, die in die Weschnitz bzw. die Modau entwässern zeigte, dass Terbutryn über die Kläranlagen eingetragen wird. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse zeigten weiterhin, dass neben den Kläranlagen auch diffuse Quellen eine Rolle spielen und lokal begrenzt zu erheblichen Belastungen mit organischen Spurenverunreinigungen führen können

Do contaminants originating from state-of-the-art treated wastewater impact the ecological quality of surface waters?

Since the 1980s, advances in wastewater treatment technology have led to considerably improved surface water quality in the urban areas of many high income countries. However, trace concentrations of organic wastewater-associated contaminants may still pose a key environmental hazard impairing the ecological quality of surface waters. To identify key impact factors, we analyzed the effects of a wide range of anthropogenic and environmental variables on the aquatic macroinvertebrate community. We assessed ecological water quality at 26 sampling sites in four urban German lowland river systems with a 0–100% load of state-of-the-art biological activated sludge treated wastewater. The chemical analysis suite comprised 12 organic contaminants (five phosphor organic flame retardants, two musk fragrances, bisphenol A, nonylphenol, octylphenol, diethyltoluamide, terbutryn), 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 12 heavy metals. Non-metric multidimensional scaling identified organic contaminants that are mainly wastewater-associated (i.e., phosphor organic flame retardants, musk fragrances, and diethyltoluamide) as a major impact variable on macroinvertebrate species composition. The structural degradation of streams was also identified as a significant factor. Multiple linear regression models revealed a significant impact of organic contaminants on invertebrate populations, in particular on Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera species. Spearman rank correlation analyses confirmed wastewater-associated organic contaminants as the most significant variable negatively impacting the biodiversity of sensitive macroinvertebrate species. In addition to increased aquatic pollution with organic contaminants, a greater wastewater fraction was accompanied by a slight decrease in oxygen concentration and an increase in salinity. This study highlights the importance of reducing the wastewater-associated impact on surface waters. For aquatic ecosystems in urban areas this would lead to: (i) improvement of the ecological integrity, (ii) reduction of biodiversity loss, and (iii) faster achievement of objectives of legislative requirements, e.g., the European Water Framework Directive

The Effects of High Intensity Interval-Based Kettlebells and Battle Rope Training on Grip Strength and Body Composition in College-Aged Adults

International Journal of Exercise Science 8(2) : 124-133, 2015. The aim of this current study is to evaluate the changes in body composition and hand grip strength following high intensity interval training (HIIT) utilizing kettlebells and battle ropes. We hypothesize results will show that our HIIT protocol will improve grip strength and body composition. Subjects in the experimental and control group consist of 13 college-aged students (9 females; 4 males). Subjects in both groups complete a pre-test and post-test consisting of height, weight, grip strength via handgrip dynamometers and body composition via skinfold calipers. The experimental group completes a 5-week training session while the control continues their normal workout routines. Experimental group will undergo 5 weeks of HIIT for 3 sessions per week, consisting of a 20-minute protocol with an exercise work-to-rest ratio of 1:1 (15sec exercise; 15sec rest) alternating 2 minutes of kettlebell exercises with 2 minutes of battle rope exercises totaling four sets of each of the five exercises. To examine the group and time effects on grip strength and body comp results, a two-way repeated measured ANOVA and paired sample t-test was used. The only significant finding was in right handgrip strength (RHGS) which improved from 39.5kg±10.63kg to 42.08kg±11.45kg. There were no significant differences in body composition or left handgrip strength (LHGS). Our results suggest that HIIT using kettlebells and battle ropes does not elicit significant changes in body composition or LHGS over a 5-week period, although there were minor improvements in these measurements for the experimental group

Der Gebrauch illegaler Substanzen im deutschsprachigen Raum

Substanzkonsumstörungen belasten Betroffene und ihren Angehörigen und gehen mit hohen Kosten für die Gesellschaft einher. Da die Verbreitung des Konsums psychotroper Substanzen mit dem Risiko von Konsumstörungen verbunden ist, sind nationale Monitoring-Programme zum illegalen Substanzkonsum hilfreich zur Risiko- und Kostenabschätzung. Allerdings weisen Umfragemethoden – meist Selbstberichte in Telefoninterviews oder Onlinebefragungen, methodische Schwächen auf, wie Abwasseruntersuchungen auf Drogenrückstände in europäischen Städten nahelegen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden die Daten repräsentativer Umfragen aus Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz, zusammen mit den jüngsten Daten aus Abwasseruntersuchungen, besprochen. In Europa und im deutschsprachigen Raum steigen der Cannabiskonsum und die Nachfragen zur Behandlung von Cannabiskonsumstörungen an. Während in Deutschland zusätzlich der Amphetaminkonsum und assoziierte Behandlungsnachfragen zunehmen, scheint sich in der Schweiz v. a. der Kokainkonsum zu verbreiten. Auch der Konsum von 3,4-Methylendioxy-N-methylamphetamin („Ecstasy“) steigt in Deutschland und der Schweiz an, wie Abwasseruntersuchungen nahelegen. Opiate, wie Heroin, werden im deutschsprachigen Raum derzeit weniger konsumiert, obwohl spezialisierte Behandlungsnachfragen durch Altkonsumenten aus früheren Heroinwellen weiter hoch sind. Zukünftige drogenpolitische Regulierungsmodelle stehen vor der Herausforderung, zugleich den repressiven Anteil der Gesetzgebung zu vermindern, aber dennoch den problematischen Konsum in der Gesamtbevölkerung und besonders von Jugendlichen zu senken. Ein erster möglicher Schritt wäre die Entkriminalisierung des Konsums (nicht des Verkaufs), um Betroffene mit Substanzkonsumstörungen vor Repressionen und weiterer Marginalisierung zu schützen

Modeling startle eyeblink electromyogram to assess fear learning

Pavlovian fear conditioning is widely used as a laboratory model of associative learning in human and nonhuman species. In this model, an organism is trained to predict an aversive unconditioned stimulus from initially neutral events (conditioned stimuli, CS). In humans, fear memory is typically measured via conditioned autonomic responses or fear-potentiated startle. For the latter, various analysis approaches have been developed, but a systematic comparison of competing methodologies is lacking. Here, we investigate the suitability of a model-based approach to startle eyeblink analysis for assessment of fear memory, and compare this to extant analysis strategies. First, we build a psychophysiological model (PsPM) on a generic startle response. Then, we optimize and validate this PsPM on three independent fear-conditioning data sets. We demonstrate that our model can robustly distinguish aversive (CS+) from nonaversive stimuli (CS-, i.e., has high predictive validity). Importantly, our model-based approach captures fear-potentiated startle during fear retention as well as fear acquisition. Our results establish a PsPM-based approach to assessment of fear-potentiated startle, and qualify previous peak-scoring methods. Our proposed model represents a generic startle response and can potentially be used beyond fear conditioning, for example, to quantify affective startle modulation or prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response

Modeling startle eyeblink electromyogram to assess fear learning

Pavlovian fear conditioning is widely used as a laboratory model of associative learning in human and nonhuman species. In this model, an organism is trained to predict an aversive unconditioned stimulus from initially neutral events (conditioned stimuli, CS). In humans, fear memory is typically measured via conditioned autonomic responses or fear-potentiated startle. For the latter, various analysis approaches have been developed, but a systematic comparison of competing methodologies is lacking. Here, we investigate the suitability of a model-based approach to startle eyeblink analysis for assessment of fear memory, and compare this to extant analysis strategies. First, we build a psychophysiological model (PsPM) on a generic startle response. Then, we optimize and validate this PsPM on three independent fear-conditioning data sets. We demonstrate that our model can robustly distinguish aversive (CS+) from nonaversive stimuli (CS-, i.e., has high predictive validity). Importantly, our model-based approach captures fear-potentiated startle during fear retention as well as fear acquisition. Our results establish a PsPM-based approach to assessment of fear-potentiated startle, and qualify previous peak-scoring methods. Our proposed model represents a generic startle response and can potentially be used beyond fear conditioning, for example, to quantify affective startle modulation or prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response

Psilocybin-induced deficits in automatic and controlled inhibition are attenuated by ketanserin in healthy human volunteers

The serotonin-2A receptor (5-HT(2A)R) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and related inhibitory gating and behavioral inhibition deficits of schizophrenia patients. The hallucinogen psilocybin disrupts automatic forms of sensorimotor gating and response inhibition in humans, but it is unclear so far whether the 5-HT(2A)R or 5-HT(1A)R agonist properties of its bioactive metabolite psilocin account for these effects. Thus, we investigated whether psilocybin-induced deficits in automatic and controlled inhibition in healthy humans could be attenuated by the 5-HT(2A/2C)R antagonist ketanserin. A total of 16 healthy participants received placebo, ketanserin (40 mg p.o.), psilocybin (260 μg/kg p.o.), or psilocybin plus ketanserin in a double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced order. Sensorimotor gating was measured by prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response. The effects on psychopathological core dimensions and behavioral inhibition were assessed by the altered states of consciousness questionnaire (5D-ASC), and the Color-Word Stroop Test. Psilocybin decreased PPI at short lead intervals (30 ms), increased all 5D-ASC scores, and selectively increased errors in the interference condition of the Stroop Test. Stroop interference and Stroop effect of the response latencies were increased under psilocybin as well. Psilocybin-induced alterations were attenuated by ketanserin pretreatment, whereas ketanserin alone had no significant effects. These findings suggest that the disrupting effects of psilocybin on automatic and controlled inhibition processes are attributable to 5-HT(2A)R stimulation. Sensorimotor gating and attentional control deficits of schizophrenia patients might be due to changes within the 5-HT(2A)R system

Effects of the mu-opioid receptor agonist morphine on facial mimicry and emotion recognition

Facial mimicry and emotion recognition are two socio-cognitive abilities involved in adaptive socio-emotional behavior, promoting affiliation and the establishment of social bonds. The mu-opioid receptor (MOR) system plays a key role in affiliation and social bonding. However, it remains unclear whether MORs are involved in the categorization and spontaneous mimicry of emotional facial expressions. Using a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, between-subjects design, we investigated in 82 healthy female volunteers the effects of the specific MOR agonist morphine on the recognition accuracy of emotional faces (happiness, anger, fear), and on their facial mimicry (measured with electromyography). Frequentist statistics did not reveal any significant effects of drug administration on facial mimicry or emotion recognition abilities. However, post hoc Bayesian analyses provided support for an effect of morphine on facial mimicry of fearful facial expressions. Specifically, compared to placebo, morphine reduced mimicry of fear, as shown by lower activity of the frontalis muscle. Bayesian analyses also provided support for the absence of a drug effect on mimicry of happy and angry facial expressions, which were assessed with the zygomaticus major and corrugator supercilii muscles, as well as on emotion recognition accuracy. These findings suggest that MOR activity is involved in automatic facial responses to fearful stimuli, but not in their identification. Overall, the current results, together with the previously reported small effects of opioid compounds, suggest a relatively marginal role of the MOR system in emotion simulation and perception. Keywords: EMG; Emotion recognition; Facial mimicry; Mu-opioid system; Social affiliation