Tardigrades as potential bioindicators in biological wastewater treatment plants

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the relationship between the presence of tardigrades and various levels of sewage pollution in different tanks of a wastewater treatment plant. The study was carried out in the wastewater treatment plant located near Poznań (Poland) during one research season. The study was conducted in a system consisting of three bioreactor tanks and a secondary clarifier tank, sampled at regular time periods. The presence of one tardigrade species, Thulinius ruffoi, was recorded in the samples. The tardigrades occurred in highest abundance in the tanks containing wastewater with a higher nutrient load. Thulinius ruffoi was mainly present in well-oxygenated activated sludge and its abundance was subject to seasonal fluctuations; however, its preference for more polluted tanks seems to be consistent across the year. Although more detailed experimental study is needed to support the observations, our data indicate that T. ruffoi has a high potential to be used as a bioindicator of nutrient load changes

Report on the inter-laboratory comparison exercise organised by the European Union Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials: Determination of elements in acetic acid solutions and in migration from ceramic and glass tableware

This report presents the outcome of an inter-laboratory comparison exercise (ILC) on the determination of selected metals in acetic acid solutions and the determination of migration of elements from ceramic and glass tableware. The exercise was organised by the European Union Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials (EURL-FCM) to evaluate the enforceability of measures under discussion for the future revision(s) of ceramics Directive 84/500/EEC [1] and the implementation of provisions laid down in the Commission Regulation 10/2011 [2] for plastics. National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) requested the EURL-FCM to organise an ILC with the aim to check (i) the analytical abilities of participating laboratories to quantify Cu, Fe, Zn and Sb in a solution of acetic acid 3% and Ba, Co, Mn, Pb, Cd and Al in a solution of acetic acid 4%; (ii) to test the laboratories performance to carry out the migration test on ceramic and glass articles and (iii) to derive precision criteria, including repeatability and reproducibility for the release of elements from tableware. Participation in this ILC was mandatory for the nominated NRLs, and open to Official Control Laboratories (OCLs) and other invited laboratories. A total of 53 participants from 27 countries registered to the exercise. Twenty-nine NRLs from 27 countries participated in this ILC and all of them reported results. Laboratory results were rated using z-score in accordance with ISO 13528:2015 [3]. The target standard deviation for the ILC assessment (σ), for all measurands was calculated based on previous ILC03/04 2014 exercises [4] for spiked solutions and using the robust reproducibility standard deviation for the migration exercise on tableware. Repeatability and reproducibility standard deviations for the quantification of elements in acetic acid 3% and acetic acid 4% (spiked solutions and leachates) were calculated using robust approaches [3, 5]. The outcome of this exercise was satisfactory. The rate of success was almost always higher than 80% for all elements in all samples. No difference between the performance of NRLs and OCLs was observed. Since the exercise required the uncertainty estimation, an additional assessment was provided to each laboratory, indicating how reasonable their measurement uncertainty estimation was. lζ-scoresl were systematically higher than z-scores, that underlines the need of an improvement in estimation of the measurement uncertainties.JRC.F.5-Food and Feed Complianc

Synthesis of novel N-benzyl substituted piperidine amides of 1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid as potential inhibitors of cholinesterases

A series of novel N-benzyl substituted amides of 1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The target compounds (6bñ6e) displayed moderate potency to inhibit BuChE. One of the compounds tested, i.e., 1- benzylpiperidine amide of 1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid (6a) was a weak, non-selective inhibitor for both enzymes. The highest inhibitory activity towards BuChE (30.06% [10 μM]) was determined for compound (6c) which is 1-(3-chloro)benzylpiperidine amide of 1H-indole-5-carboxylic acid

Towards suitable tests for the migration of metals from ceramic and crystal tableware: Work in support of the revision of the Ceramic Directive 84/500/EEC

This JRC report summarises and distils a series of investigations on the technical feasibility to testing compliance of tableware to potential lower limits for the release of metals. It investigated different protocols for articles ranging from tableware ,bakeware to crystalware, and for testing the rim of decorated wares. It also evaluated the performance of analytical methods for the quantification of a range of metals. The work provides scientific evidence needed in support of future risk management initiatives to ensure the safety of ceramics and crystal in the EU while fostering the EU single market.JRC.F.7-Knowledge for Health and Consumer Safet

New tardigrade records for the Baltic states with a description of Minibiotus formosus sp. n. (Eutardigrada, Macrobiotidae)

In sixteen moss, lichen and mixed (moss/lichen) samples, collected from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, 291 specimens, 48 simplexes, including one exuvium with 6 eggs, and 8 free-laid eggs of eutardigrades were found. In total, 17 species, together with one new to science, were identified (all are new records for the Baltic states): Astatumen bartosi, Diphascon (Adropion) prorsirostre, D. (Diphascon) bullatum, D. (D.) pingue pingue, D. (D.) recamieri, D. (D.) rugosum, Hypsibius convergens, H. dujardini, H. cf. scabropygus, Isohypsibius ronsisvallei, I. sattleri, Macrobiotus harmsworthi harmsworthi, M. hufelandi hufelandi, Milnesium asiaticum, Milnesium tardigradum tardigradum, Minibiotus formosus sp. n. and Paramacrobiotus richtersi. The new species is most similar to Minibiotus gumersindoi, but differs from it mainly by the presence of two types of cuticular pores, the absence of a triangular or pentagonal arrangement of pores above a single large pore on legs, the presence of granulation on all legs and a different macroplacoid length sequence. In this paper we also provide photographs and morphometrics of H. cf. scabropygus

Attitudes to Studying in Poland

The research problem was defined as ‘What is the attitude towards studying in Poland, and how has it changed in connection with transformational and generational changes?’Methods of data collection and analysis: An original questionnaire, “Attitudes to Studying”, containing 55 statements referring to nine content areas defining attitudes towards studying.Indication of the research sample: The research was conducted between 2015 and 2017 (N=2102). Three generations were defined, as follows: younger generation, 17–39; middle generation, 40–59; and older generation, 60 plus. Other variables taken into consideration were study status, political transformation (study before and after 1989), and gender.Main results: The research allowed us to distinguish three empirical factors relating to motivation to study. The first of these is linked to the decrease in motivation connected with the egalitarianism of studying. This factor was more important for women than for men. The second indicates the significance of a university’s prestige when taking up studies . Motivation understood in this way was more important for women, people studying before the political transformation, and the results on this scale generally increased with the age of the respondents. The third indicates the role of social pressure in making decisions about studying – this is more important for people studying before the political transformation, and for men compared to women. Interestingly, social pressure is more important for those still studying than for those who have already graduated.Conclusions: The research made it possible to distinguish three main groups of motives relating to studying in Poland: the environment and prestige of the university as factors increasing motivation, and the egalitarianism of studies as a factor decreasing motivation. Attitudes towards studying are influenced by both the motives present before the political transformation, as well as those which appeared as the result of socio-cultural changes

Not Just a Pot: Visual Episodic Memory in Cannabis Users and Polydrug Cannabis Users: ROC and ERP Preliminary Investigation

Background While research has consistently identified an association between long-term cannabis use and memory impairments, few studies have examined this relationship in a polydrug context (i.e., when combining cannabis with other substances).Aims: In this preliminary study, we used event-related potentials to examine the recognition process in a visual episodic memory task in cannabis users (CU) and cannabis polydrug users (PU). We hypothesized that CU and PU will have both–behavioral and psychophysiological–indicators of memory processes affected, compared to matched non-using controls with the PU expressing more severe changes.Methods 29 non-using controls (CG), 24 CU and 27 PU were enrolled into the study. All participants completed a visual learning recognition task while brain electrical activity was recorded. Event-related potentials were calculated for familiar (old) and new images from a signal recorded during a subsequent recognition test. We used receiver operating characteristic curves for behavioral data analysis.Results The groups did not differ in memory performance based on receiver operating characteristic method in accuracy and discriminability indicators nor mean reaction times for old/new images. The frontal old/new effect expected from prior research was observed for all participants, while a parietal old/new effect was not observed. While, the significant differences in the late parietal component (LPC) amplitude was observed between CG and PU but not between CG and CU nor CU and PU. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the mean amplitude of the LPC component as a predictor of memory performance accuracy indicator. LPC amplitude predicts recognition accuracy only in the CG.Conclusion The results showed alterations in recognition memory processing in CU and PU groups compared to CG, which were not manifested on the behavioral level, and were the most prominent in cannabis polydrug users. We interpret it as a manifestation of the cumulative effect of multiple drug usage in the PU group

Report of the interlaboratory comparison organised by the European Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Material - ILC01 2011- Formaldehyde in food contact migration solution

The Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) of the European Commission’s Directorate-General Joint Research Centre hosts the EU Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials (EURL-FCM). One of its core tasks is to organise interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) among appointed National Reference Laboratories (NRLs). This report presents the results of the ILC of the EURL-FCM, which focused on the quantification of formaldehyde in migration solutions of 3% acetic acid from food contact materials. The test material used for preparation of the migration solutions were melamine kitchenware (spoons) containing formaldehyde. The EURL prepared and distributed three concentration levels of migration solution. The general aim of the exercise was to assess the proficiency of the official control laboratories and consequently the participants were free to use any analytical method of their choice. However, in view of the support to Regulation 284/2011, EURL suggested to limit the methods to the two procedures included in EN 13130-23 (i.e. standard for food contact). There were 62 participants to whom samples were dispatched (27 NRLs + 35 national control laboratories from Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Poland, Spain, France, Portugal and Switzerland) and 61 of which submitted results. The homogeneity and stability studies were performed by the EURL-FCM laboratory. The assigned values were obtained after applying the robust statistics to the results of the participants. Participants were invited to report 4 results for each concentration level. Laboratory results were processed using several algorithms: ISO 13528 [1], Harmonized protocol [8], DIN 38402 A45 (Q-Hampel) [5] and ISO GUIDE 35:2006 [11]. Standard deviations for proficiency assessment (also called target standard deviations) were set based on Horwitz equation [2]. As a conclusion of the ILC exercise on the quantification of formaldehyde in the migration solution of kitchenware in 3% acetic acid, this ILC showed that: The participation in the ILC was satisfactory regarding the number of the participating laboratories. Sixty one participants laboratories submitted their results. Six of the participants submitted results obtained using two different sample preparation methods. From the EURL-NRL network all 27 laboratories reported results. For the network of NRL-FCM the outcome from the participation is regarded as satisfactory as there are all satisfactory results. For the network of national control laboratories only one laboratory does not send any results. More than 85% of all reported results were properly estimated. Comparing between the two sample preparation methods (EN 13130-23) used by the participants resulted in not significantly different mean values. Both methods were found interchangeable.JRC.I.1-Chemical Assessment and Testin

A network analysis to identify mediators of germline-driven differences in breast cancer prognosis.

Identifying the underlying genetic drivers of the heritability of breast cancer prognosis remains elusive. We adapt a network-based approach to handle underpowered complex datasets to provide new insights into the potential function of germline variants in breast cancer prognosis. This network-based analysis studies ~7.3 million variants in 84,457 breast cancer patients in relation to breast cancer survival and confirms the results on 12,381 independent patients. Aggregating the prognostic effects of genetic variants across multiple genes, we identify four gene modules associated with survival in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative and one in ER-positive disease. The modules show biological enrichment for cancer-related processes such as G-alpha signaling, circadian clock, angiogenesis, and Rho-GTPases in apoptosis

BRCA2 polymorphic stop codon K3326X and the risk of breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers

Background: The K3326X variant in BRCA2 (BRCA2*c.9976A>T; p.Lys3326*; rs11571833) has been found to be associated with small increased risks of breast cancer. However, it is not clear to what extent linkage disequilibrium with fully pathogenic mutations might account for this association. There is scant information about the effect of K3326X in other hormone-related cancers. Methods: Using weighted logistic regression, we analyzed data from the large iCOGS study including 76 637 cancer case patients and 83 796 control patients to estimate odds ratios (ORw) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for K3326X variant carriers in relation to breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer risks, with weights defined as probability of not having a pathogenic BRCA2 variant. Using Cox proportional hazards modeling, we also examined the associations of K3326X with breast and ovarian cancer risks among 7183 BRCA1 variant carriers. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: The K3326X variant was associated with breast (ORw = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.17 to 1.40, P = 5.9x10- 6) and invasive ovarian cancer (ORw = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.10 to 1.43, P = 3.8x10-3). These associations were stronger for serous ovarian cancer and for estrogen receptor–negative breast cancer (ORw = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.2 to 1.70, P = 3.4x10-5 and ORw = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.28 to 1.76, P = 4.1x10-5, respectively). For BRCA1 mutation carriers, there was a statistically significant inverse association of the K3326X variant with risk of ovarian cancer (HR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.22 to 0.84, P = .013) but no association with breast cancer. No association with prostate cancer was observed. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that the K3326X variant is associated with risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers independent of other pathogenic variants in BRCA2. Further studies are needed to determine the biological mechanism of action responsible for these associations