Atheroprotective effects of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in apolipoprotein-E knockout mice

In dieser Arbeit wurde die Rolle der neuronalen Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthase in der spontanen Atheroskleroseentwicklung untersucht. Die Untersuchungen wurden an Apolipoprotein E-Knockout /neuronale Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthase-Knockout-Mäusen und Apolipoprotein E-Knockout-Mäusen durchgeführt, die zuvor 14 bzw. 24 Wochen mit einer ‚western-type’-Diät gefüttert worden sind. Durch eine immunhistochemische Analyse konnte zunächst gezeigt werden, dass neuronale Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthase in Plaques von Apolipoprotein E-Knockout Mäusen exprimiert wird. Nach 14 Wochen ‚western-type’- Diät zeigten männliche Apolipoprotein E-Knockout/neuronale Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthase-Knockout Tiere eine signifikante Zunahme der %-Läsionsfläche um 66%. Im Gegensatz dazu war die %-Läsionsfläche der weiblichen Apolipoprotein E-Knockout/neuronale Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthase-Knockout Tiere nach 14 Wochen unverändert, zeigte aber nach 24 Wochen eine signifikante Zunahme um 32 %. Aortengesamtfläche, Körpergewicht und Plasmacholesterinspiegel waren zwischen gleichgeschlechtlichen Tieren der verschiedenen Genotypen unverändert. Der mittlere arterielle Blutdruck der weiblichen Apolipoprotein E-Knockout/neuronale Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthase-Knockout Tiere war signifikant reduziert, bei den männlichen Tieren fand sich kein Blutdruckunterschied. Dieser Befund könnte eine mögliche Erklärung für die verzögerte Plaqueentwicklung bei weiblichen Apolipoprotein E-Knockout/neuronale Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthase-Knockout Tieren darstellen. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit zeigen, dass ein Mangel an neuronaler Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthase zu einer deutlichen Zunahme der Atherosklerose führt, so dass ein atheroprotektiver Effekt der neuronalen Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthase angenommen werden kann.To test whether nNOS deficiency affects atherosclerosis, we studied “western-type” diet fed apolipoprotein E-knockout/ neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout and apolipoprotein E-knockout control animals. Mice were fed a “western type” diet for 14 and 24 weeks respectively. After 14 weeks of diet immunhistochemistry revealed neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression in the neointima and male apolipoprotein E-knockout/ neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout animals showed a significant 66% increase in % lesion-area. In contrast lesion-area in female apolipoprotein E-knockout/ neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout animals was unchanged at the 14 weeks time point, but significantly increased by 32% after 24 weeks. Total aortic area, total body weight and total plasma cholesterol did not differ between male animals and female animals of both genotypes. The mean arterial blood pressure was significantly reduced in female apolipoprotein E-knockout/ neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout animals but was unchanged in male animals. The reduced blood pressure in female apolipoprotein E-knockout/ neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout animals could be a possible explanation why lesion progression was delayed in this group. This data shows that a genetic deficiency of neuronal nitric oxide synthase increases atherosclerosis development in apolipoprotein E-knockout animals suggesting an atheroprotective effect of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase isoform

Fungal Methane Production Controlled by Oxygen Levels and Temperature

Saprotrophic fungi, key players in global carbon cycling, have been identified as methane (CH4) sources not yet accounted for in the global CH4 budget. This study, for the first time, explores the influence of oxygen (O2) and temperature on CH4 production by two fungi, Laetiporus sulphureus and Pleurotus sapidus. To explore the relationship between these parameters and fungal CH4 formation, we examined CH4 formation under varying O2 levels (0 to 98%) and temperatures (17, 27, and 40 °C) during fungal growth on pine wood, beech wood, and grass under sterile conditions. Our findings show that fungal CH4 formation strongly depends on O2 levels. Methane formation was highest when O2 levels exceeded 5%, whilst no CH4 formation was observed after complete O2 consumption. Reintroducing O2 immediately resumed fungal CH4 production. Methane formation normalized to O2 consumption (CH4_norm) showed a different pattern. L. sulphureus showed higher CH4_norm rates with higher O2 levels, whereas P. sapidus showed elevated rates between 0 and 5%. Temperature also significantly influenced CH4 and CH4_norm rates, with the highest production at 27 °C, and comparatively lower rates at 17 and 40 °C. These findings demonstrate the importance of O2 levels and temperature in fungal CH4 emissions, which are essential for refining CH4 source predictions

Deliverable D3.4 Summaries of data, obstacles and challenges from interview campaigns

This deliverable presents a Summaries of data, obstacles and challenges from interview campaigns of the H2020 BESTMAP project. It covers a detailed description of methodology, reporting on the concrete steps taken to collect and analyze interview data. It also discusses obstacles and challenges to BESTMAP interview campaigns. Finally, the deliverable presents the main qualitative and quantitative findings of the interview analysis, with a focus on qualitative content analysis of open interview questions

D3.4 Summaries of data, obstacles and challenges from interview campaigns

This deliverable presents a Summaries of data, obstacles and challenges from interview campaigns of the H2020 BESTMAP project. It aims at documenting the BESTMAP interview campaigns carried out to obtain data on farmers’ decision-making with regard to agri-environmental schemes (AES). It covers a detailed description of methodology, reporting on the concrete steps taken to collect and analyze interview data. It also discusses obstacles and challenges to BESTMAP interview campaigns. Finally, the deliverable presents the main qualitative and quantitative findings of the interview analysis, with a focus on qualitative content analysis of open interview questions