Effect of Activated Carbon Amendment on Bacterial Community Structure and Functions in a PAH Impacted Urban Soil

ABSTRACT: We collected urban soil samples impacted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from a sorbent-based remediation field trial to address concerns about unwanted side-effects of 2 % powdered (PAC) or granular (GAC) activated carbon amendment on soil microbiology and pollutant biodegradation. After three years, total microbial cell counts and respiration rates were highest in the GAC amended soil. The predominant bacterial community structure derived from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) shifted more strongly with time than in response to AC amendment. DGGE band sequencing revealed the presence of taxa with closest affiliations either to known PAH degraders, e.g. Rhodococcus jostii RHA-1, or taxa known to harbor PAH degraders, e.g. Rhodococcus erythropolis, in all soils. Quantification by real-time polymerase chain reaction yielded similar dioxygenases gene copy numbers in unamended, PAC-, or GACamended soil. PAH availability assessments in batch tests showed th

Peroxiredoxin1, a novel regulator of pronephros development, influences retinoic acid and Wnt signaling by controlling ROS levels

Peroxiredoxin1 (Prdx1) is an antioxidant enzyme belonging to the peroxiredoxin family of proteins. Prdx1 catalyzes the reduction of H2O2 and alkyl hydroperoxide and plays an important role in different biological processes. Prdx1 also participates in various age-related diseases and cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of Prdx1 in pronephros development during embryogenesis. Prdx1 knockdown markedly inhibited proximal tubule formation in the pronephros and significantly increased the cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which impaired primary cilia formation. Additionally, treatment with ROS ( H2O2) severely disrupted proximal tubule formation, whereas Prdx1 overexpression reversed the ROS-mediated inhibition in proximal tubule formation. Epistatic analysis revealed that Prdx1 has a crucial role in retinoic acid and Wnt signaling pathways during pronephrogenesis. In conclusion, Prdx1 facilitates proximal tubule formation during pronephrogenesis by regulating ROS levels

Etude suisse sur la pollution de l'air et les maladies respiratoires chez l'adulte (SAPALDIA). Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults. [Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA)]

Long-term health effects of moderate ambient air pollution are rarely investigated. In Switzerland, no large-scale study has addressed this issue so far. Important results of the Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Disease in Adults (SAPALDIA) are presented. During the period 1991-1993, SAPALDIA investigated a random population sample (18-60 years) in eight Swiss areas with different environmental characteristics (Aarau, Basel, Davos, Geneva, Lugano, Montana, Payerne, Wald). In total, 9651 adults (60%) participated in the cross-sectional investigation (part 1, 1991), consisting of the following standardized procedures: questionnaire (interview), forced expiratory lung function test, bronchial challenge with methacholine, atopy assessment (Phadiatop, unspecific total IgE), allergy skin tests, and endexpiratory CO-measurements. Subjects with a history of respiratory symptoms, increased bronchial reactivity, reduced lung function (FEV1/FVC < 80% predicted) and 150 healthy never-smokers were included in the subsequent diary study (part 2; n = 3281, 1992/93). Peak flow (morning and evening), symptoms, medication, personal activity and visits to the doctor were monitored. Across regions, annual mean values ranged from 9 to 52 mg/m3 (NO2) and 10 to 33 mg/m3 (PM10) respectively. Air pollution had effects on prevalence of dyspnea (+41% per 10 mg/m3 increment of the annual mean PM10, 95% CI 20-65%), on symptoms of chronic bronchitis (+31%, 10-55%), on FVC (-3.1%; -3.7 to -2.6%), and FEV1 (-1.1%; -1.7% to -0.5%), on the incidence of respiratory symptoms and the length of symptomfree intervals (11% change per 10 mg/m3 PM10), but not on the prevalence of asthma. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) showed impact on wheezing (OR 1.94; 1.39-2.70), asthma (1.39; 1.04-1.86), bronchitis (1.60; 1.24-2.08) and chronic bronchitis (1.50; 1.11-2.02). Health effects of moderate air pollution were confirmed in Switzerland. Although for the individual the relative risks are small, the public health impact may be considerable. An ongoing follow-up will investigate the mortality profile of the SAPALDIA cohort

Associations between lung function and estimated average exposure to NO2 in eight areas of Switzerland. The SAPALDIA Team. Swiss Study of Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults

In this paper, we present results from the SAPALDIA study (Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults) regarding associations between lung function [forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)], as assessed during the cross-sectional study in 1991, and average levels of NO2 exposure within the eight study communities. We distinguished average home outdoor exposure and average personal exposure to NO2 and obtained exposure estimates by computing regional averages of passive sampler measurements performed by a random subsample of SAPALDIA participants in 1993. Previous analyses had revealed associations between average lung function and average air pollution levels between communities. The present results show that such associations may also be seen within communities: a 10-micrograms per m3 increase in average home outdoor and personal exposure to NO2 between zones of residence of the same community was associated with a change in average FVC by -0.59% [95% confidence limits (CL) = 0.01, -1.19] and -0.74% (95% CL = -0.07, -1.41), respectively. These values, however, are smaller than the ones found for the corresponding associations between study communities: -1.67% (95% CL = -1.01, -2.33) and -2.93% (95% CL = -2.11, -3.75), respectively. The different magnitudes of these two types of associations might be explained by differences in spatial variation between various components of air pollution

Prospects for harmonized biodiversity assessments using national forest inventory data

After selection of the 13 biodiversity variables (Sect. 2.3) based on their importance and feasibility for assessment by NFIs, responses were solicited from participating countries regarding the degree to which the variables are now assessed. Two conclusions were evident: (1) most countries currently assess most of the variables, but (2) consensus is lacking on assessment methods and necessary field crew expertise, suggesting that harmonization would require emphasis on field operations. For each of the seven essential features into which the 13 variables were grouped, more detailed assessments were conducted. For forest categories, the conclusion was that the only major difference in classification systems used by European NFIs was whether potential or actual vegetation was used to define classes. Thus, the prospects for harmonization of forest categories are considered excellent. For forest structure, the prospects depend on the variable. For tree species, the prospects are excellent because the variable is assessed in the same manner by all NFIs. For dbh and height, considerable variability in measurementthresholds were found, but otherwise the harmonization prospects are good. For social position, definitions of classes varied, but harmonized estimates of proportions for dominant, intermediate, and suppressed classes are considered possible. Prospects for harmonized estimates of layers are consideraly poorer because of different definitions, thresholds and the uncertainty associated with visual assessment methods. Harmonized estimation of forest age is impeded by the increasing proportion of uneven-aged stands for which age is often not assessed, different definitions, and different assessment methods. However, agreement on dominant age as a reference definition would greatly increase the prospects. Deadwood is becoming an increasingly popular indicator of sustainable forest management. Unfortunately, considerable variability was found in deadwood definitions, components (e.g., stumps, limbs), sampling methods, and measurement thresholds. Thus, harmonized deadwood estimation will require development of bridges. Harmonization of regeneration estimates faces challenges due to differences in assessment approaches such as presence/absence versus coverage and all species versus dominant species. Harmonized estimation may be restricte to change in regeneration success. Harmonized estimation for ground vegetation also faces serious challenges due to differences in the components assessed (e.g., small trees, shrubs, herbs, bryophytes, lichens), difference in height thresholds, and differences in categories for which ground vegetation is reported. Forest naturalness integrates many of the other essential feature. However, many countries do not assess naturalness, and among those that do, assessment variables, methods, and reporting classes vary considerably. For harmonized assessment using NFI variables, the hemeroby approach, which emphasizes indications of human influence, is extremely sensitive to plot size. Harmonization using the ecosystem processes approach requires a common dbh threshold and similar plot sizes. The overall conclusion is that harmonization will be considerably easier for some essential features than for others. The factors leading to difficulties often are related to different definitions, different reporting classes, different measurement thresholds, and different features of sampling protocols such as plot sizes and configurations. Nevertheless, construction of reference definitions and bridges greatly facilitate harmonization for all essential features as is illustrated in Chap. 5.COST - European Cooperation in Science and Technolog