Degradability of ionic liquids : Systematic investigations on aerobic and anaerobic biodegradability of ionic liquid cations and anions as well as on the hydrolytical stability of ionic liquid anions - contributions to a sound hazard assessment

The presented studies deal with the degradability of ionic liquids under conditions that occur in biological waste water treatment and within the environment. Degradation studies are relevant for the assessment of the technological applicability of chemicals and of their hazard potential, including their environmental fate. In former studies some ionic liquids have shown to remain stable against abiotic and biotic degradation processes. The systematic investigation of chemical structures which are more easier subject to degradation processes shall help to design ionic liquids that, although stable in technical applications, avoid the risk of environmental persistency and is the aim of the presented studies. It is not only the chemical structure that influences the (bio)degradability of a substance; environmental conditions also play a major role. For instance, the availability of oxygen affects the composition of the microbial community and the activity of enzymes that are involved in the degradation process. In previous biodegradation studies the focus was only laid on aerobic conditions, showing a tendency towards low biodegradation potential for most of the investigated ionic liquids. Therefore, the question arose whether the (bio)degradability of ionic liquids can be enhanced, (1) by changing the environmental redox conditions for bacterial growth from aerobic to nitrate-reducing ones, (2) by changing the structural composition of the ionic liquid, namely the anion and the cationic head group, and (3) by specifically selected bacteria for an enhanced biodegradation process. Moreover, the question of whether cyano-based ionic liquid anions that were not biodegradable can be degraded abiotically at different pH values or enzymatically hydrolysed in vitro has been discussed. The investigations showed that the biodegradability of the tested ionic liquid cations with alkyl side chains are even worse under denitrifying conditions than under aerobic ones. However, the one with a hydroxylated side chain could still be biodegraded under the anaerobic conditions. Under aerobic conditions, the change of the cationic head group can enhance the biodegradability of ionic liquids when combined with an appropriate side chain. None of the investigated fluoroorganic and cyano-based ionic liquid anions could be biodegraded neither under aerobic nor denitrifying conditions, nor by the cyanide-degrading bacteria strain Cupriavidus spp. All of these anions were further stable under neutral and slightly basic conditions in the hydrolytical test procedure. However, in strong acidic and basic solutions, N(CN)2- and C(CN)3- showed hydrolytical degradation potential without the formation of hydrogen cyanide. The hydrolytical transformation could further be enhanced enzymatically in vitro at pH 7 by nitrile hydratase leading to the hydrolysis of all of the cyano-based anions. The data concerning the (bio)degradability contribute to the hazard assessment of ionic liquids and support the proactive substance design for inherently safer chemicals

Molecular mechanisms of anti-proliferative effects of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal compound Rocaglamide A on cancers

Die Fehlregulation des Zellzyklus ist eine von zehn beschriebenen Merkmalen von Krebs. Daher ist eine vielversprechende Strategie, in der Krebsbehandlung diese Fehlregulation anzugreifen. Die Traditionelle Chinesische Medizin setzt hauptsächlich auf den Einsatz pflanzlicher Extrakte. Aus der Pflanzenfamilie Meliaceae, insbesondere dem Genus Aglaia, wurden verschiedene aktive Wirkstoffe isoliert, die sogenannten Rocaglamide Derivate. Durch ihre proliferationsinhibierende Wirkweise auf Tumorzellen, die in in vitro und in vivo Studien gezeigt wurde, hemmen sie das Wachstum von Krebs und sind so potentielle, neue Medikamente in der Krebstherapie. Insbesondere das Rocaglamide Derivat Roc A verfügt über proliferationsinhibierende Effekte auf Tumorzellen, doch bisher war der molekulare Mechanismus unbekannt. Um den Mechanismus der Roc A vermittelten Hemmung der Proliferation von Krebszellen zu untersuchen, wurden verschiedene Krebszelllinien des blutbildenden Gewebes nach Behandlung mit Roc A untersucht. Es wurde gezeigt, dass Roc A durch die Herunterregulation von Cdc25A einen schnellen G0/G1 Zellzyklusarrest induziert. Cdc25A ist ein essentielles Protein, welches den Übergang der G1 in die S Phase im Zellzyklus reguliert. Die Herunterregulation dieses Proteins führt daher zu einem sofortigen Stopp des Zellzyklus. Weitere Untersuchungen am molekularen Wirkmechanismus von Roc A konnten zeigen, dass Roc A einen ähnlichen Signalweg induziert, wie er nach Schädigung von DNA auftritt. Es konnte dargestellt werden, dass die beiden Zellzyklus Checkpoint Kinasen, Chk1 und Chk2, an der Herunterregulation von Cdc25A beteiligt sind. Nachforschungen, auf welche Weise der molekulare Interaktionspartner von Roc A, PHB1, an dem beobachteten Zellzyklusarrest beteiligt ist, haben ergeben, dass in PHB1-defizienten Zellen der Erk-Signalweg herunter reguliert ist. Dies führt zu einer verminderten Proteinneusynthese, welches eine verringerte Expression von wichtigen Proteinen des Zellzyklus zur Folge hat. Hierdurch wird ein langsamerer aber beständiger Zellzyklusarrest ausgelöst. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass in dieser Studie ein neuer von Roc A vermittelter molekularer Mechanismus identifiziert wurde, der durch die Herunterregulation von Cdc25A zu einer schnellen Hemmung der Zellproliferation führt. Ein beständiger Zellzyklusarrest wird durch die Interaktion von Roc A mit seinem molekularen Interaktionspartner PHB1 ausgelöst. Die vorliegenden Untersuchungen fördern den Ansatz, Roc A zu einem neuen, potentiellen Medikament in der Krebstherapie zu entwickeln

Prescription Opioid Abuse: A Modern Day Public Health Epidemic

The abuse of prescription opioids has been increasing since early 2000 and currently represents a significant public health crisis. In 2008, opioids contributed to one death every 36 minutes in the United States (Manchikanti et al., 2012). The mortality and morbidity associated with prescription opioid abuse represents a substantial financial burden on society, especially on the health care system. The objective of this paper is to examine the drivers of this epidemic and the prevention strategies that have already been employed in order to recommend a successful intervention aimed at curbing prescription opioid abuse and overdose. These prevention strategies include patient and provider education, the creation and use of evidence-based guidelines for pain management, implementation of state prescription drug monitoring programs, increased access to substance abuse treatment, expansion of take-home naloxone, the creation of abuse deterrent drug formulations, and supportive legislation. Successful interventions based on these strategies have been utilized at both the state and community level. Through improved data collection, continued research on effective prevention strategies, improved interstate prescription drug monitoring programs, support and maintenance of the workforce treating patients suffering from chronic non-cancer pain, and continued state and federal support, a greater impact can be achieved. A continued effort must be made to address the multiple determinants of prescription opioid abuse. Although a national problem, collaborative public health leadership at the community level needs to be cultivated to provide a foundation for an evidence-based, “bottom up”, multidimensional intervention that will elicit the changes needed to combat this epidemic.Master of Public Healt

Rapid Identification of the Foodborne Pathogen Trichinella spp. by Matrix- Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Human trichinellosis occurs through consumption of raw or inadequately processed meat or meat products containing larvae of the parasitic nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Currently, nine species and three genotypes are recognized, of which T. spiralis, T. britovi and T. pseudospiralis have the highest public health relevance. To date, the differentiation of the larvae to the species and genotype level is based primarily on molecular methods, which can be relatively time consuming and labor intensive. Due to its rapidness and ease of use a matrix assisted laser desorption / ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) reference spectra database using Trichinella strains of all known species and genotypes was created. A formicacid/acetonitrile protein extraction was carried out after pooling 10 larvae of each Trichinella species and genotype. Each sample was spotted 9 times using α-cyano 4-hydoxy cinnamic acid matrix and a MicroFlex LT mass spectrometer was used to acquire 3 spectra (m/z 2000 to 20000 Da) from each spot resulting in 27 spectra/species or genotype. Following the spectra quality assessment, Biotyper software was used to create a main spectra library (MSP) representing nine species and three genotypes of Trichinella. The evaluation of the spectra generated by MALDI-TOF MS revealed a classification which was comparable to the results obtained by molecular methods. Also, each Trichinella species utilized in this study was distinct and distinguishable with a high confidence level. Further, different conservation methods such as freezing and conservation in alcohol and the host species origin of the isolated larvae did not have a significant influence on the generated spectra. Therefore, the described MALDI-TOF MS can successfully be implemented for both genus and species level identification and represents a major step forward in the use of this technique in foodborne parasitology

Risking Communications Security: Potential Hazards of the Protect America Act

A new US law allows warrantless wiretapping whenever one end of the communication is believed to be outside national borders. This creates serious security risks: danger of exploitation of the system by unauthorized users, danger of criminal misuse by trusted insiders, and danger of misuse by government agents

Role of Classroom Teachers in Nutrition and Physical Education

Nutrition education and physical education in schools is increasingly being explored as a way to prevent childhood overweight and to promote healthy eating and physical activity habits behaviors. Classroom teachers are often responsible for providing this education. The current study examined the roles and perspectives of elementary school teachers regarding student nutrition, nutrition education, and physical education. Data is from a 2001-2002 study of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Nutrition Network. Analyses were based on 78 structured interviews with elementary school teachers. Results showed that teachers perceive their role in nutrition education as teachers, role models, advocates, and motivators. Teachers integrate nutrition education into existing subject areas, and believe that nutrition education results in greater knowledge and healthier food choices. However, teachers report that too little time is spent on nutrition education. Results of this study also indicate that classroom teachers are often responsible for physical education (PE). Teachers believe PE has a positive effect on the school community and on student fitness, but the effect is limited due to lack of structure and lack of time in PE class. Teachers report barriers to both nutrition education and physical education, including other classes taking up too much time, limited teacher training, and a lack of adequate equipment and facilities. Findings suggest that more resources including teacher training, time, curricula and textbooks, and equipment need to be allocated for nutrition education and physical education at the elementary school level

Moving teaching online: cultural barriers experienced by university teachers during Covid19

This empirical study examines the experiences of academics and professional service staff in a large UK university during first weeks of the transition to online teaching and working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic. The method draws on the work by Gourlay and Oliver (2018) to explore engagement with the digital university in everyday practice. Using data from 412 survey responses and 32 interviews, the study traces varying ways staff characterised themselves during the first months of lockdown in the UK (from March to July, 2020). The findings highlight that university support services underwent a metamorphosis to support the transition to online teaching. However, insufficient attention was paid to the ‘identity crisis’ and threats perceived by academics who were used to teaching students on campus. Academics tended to focus on transferring traditional teaching practices to the online environment, rather than on changing teaching practice, leaving face-to-face teaching as the default point of reference. These cultural barriers are a persistent obstacle to a more productive engagement with digitalisation. Transitioning to online teaching involves continuing existing work while also learning new practices. Such efforts were challenging for teaching staff who did not have dedicated space at home to work and those with caring responsibilities. This, combined with gendered patterns around caring and the extra support needed by students during the crisis, added emotional labour to already-full workloads. We recommend that intersecting forms of disadvantage be acknowledged, supported and rewarded for universities to create sustainable and just futures

Modelled hydraulic redistribution by sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) matches observed data only after including night-time transpiration

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2013. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of John Wiley & Sons for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Plant, Cell & Environment 37 (2014): 899-910, doi:10.1111/pce.12206.The movement of water from moist to dry soil layers through the root systems of plants, referred to as hydraulic redistribution (HR), occurs throughout the world and is thought to influence carbon and water budgets and ecosystem functioning. The realized hydrologic, biogeochemical, and ecological consequences of HR depend on the amount of redistributed water, while the ability to assess these impacts requires models that correctly capture HR magnitude and timing. Using several soil types and two eco-types of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in split-pot experiments, we examined how well the widely used HR modeling formulation developed by Ryel et al. (2002) matched experimental determination of HR across a range of water potential driving gradients. H. annuus carries out extensive nighttime transpiration, and though over the last decade it has become more widely recognized that nighttime transpiration occurs in multiple species and many ecosystems, the original Ryel et al. (2002) formulation does not include the effect of nighttime transpiration on HR. We developed and added a representation of nighttime transpiration into the formulation, and only then was the model able to capture the dynamics and magnitude of HR we observed as soils dried and nighttime stomatal behavior changed, both influencing HR.This work was supported by a NOAA Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship to RBN, administered by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to NMH, and by DOE Terrestrial Ecosystem Science grant ER65389 to ZGC and RBN.2014-10-2