Concentrations In Compartments Research Articles

A review of measured bioaccumulation data on terrestrial plants for organic chemicals: Metrics, variability, and the need for standardized measurement protocols.

Quantifying the transfer of organic chemicals from the environment into terrestrial plants is essential for assessing human and ecological risks, using plants as environmental contamination biomonitors, and predicting phytoremediation effectiveness. Experimental data describing chemical uptake by plants are often expressed as ratios of chemical concentrations in the plant compartments of interest (e.g., leaves, shoots, roots, xylem sap) to those in the exposure medium (e.g., soil, soil porewater, hydroponic solution, air). These ratios are generally referred to as "bioconcentration factors" but have also been named for the specific plant compartment sampled, such as "root concentration factors," "leaf concentration factors," or "transpiration stream (xylem sap) concentrations factors." We reviewed over 350 articles to develop a database with 7049 entries of measured bioaccumulation data for 310 organic chemicals and 112 terrestrial plant species. Various experimental approaches have been used; therefore, interstudy comparisons and data-quality evaluations are difficult. Key exposure and plant growth conditions were often missing, and units were often unclear or not reported. The lack of comparable high-confidence data also limits model evaluation and development. Standard test protocols or, at a minimum, standard reporting guidelines for the measurement of plant uptake data are recommended to generate comparable, high-quality data that will improve mechanistic understanding of organic chemical uptake by plants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:21-33. © 2017 SETAC.

Placental transfer of bromocriptine in an ex vivo human placental perfusion model

Purpose To determine the rate and extent of the maternal–fetal transplacental passage of bromocriptine (BCT) in the dually perfused human placental model. Methods Twenty term placentas were included in an ex vivo human placental perfusion experiment with a closed-circuit model. At the start of the perfusion, BCT at the concentration of 10 or 100 ng/ml along with 100 µg/ml antipyrine which used as a positive marker were added to the maternal reservoir. Samples were collected for the measurements of BCT and markers of placental viability both from the maternal reservoir and fetal reservoir throughout the perfusion which lasted for 3 h. Determination of BCT was carried out with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results At the end of the study, the concentration in the fetal compartment was 0.82 ± 0.32 ng/ml in the low concentration group and 5.02 ± 0.97 ng/ml in the high concentration group with a fetal transfer rate of 6.13 ± 1.94% and 5.46 ± 0.87%, respectively. Conclusion These data showed that only trace amount of BCT could transport across the human placenta in vitro which suggested that fetal exposure to maternally administered BCT may be insignificant. More additional studies are required to explore the safety of BCT administrated in pregnancy.

Effect of polarity reversal on the enhanced electrokinetic remediation of 2,4-D-polluted soils: A numerical study

This article presents a numerical study of the transport phenomena involved in the electrokinetic remediation of soils polluted with polar pesticides. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is used as a representative of this pesticide type. A one-dimensional configuration with two facing electrodes placed in electrolyte compartments and a cathodic overflow pollutant extraction system has been used for that purpose. The conventional electrokinetic remediation process is evaluated by keeping the electrode polarity constant, and to obtain acceptable yields, it is necessary to extend the treatment for more than 250 days. The application of periodic polarity reversals is proposed to improve these results. This strategy maximises the pesticide concentration in the cathodic compartment, thus maximising the pollutant extraction rate. The results show that by applying polarity reversals over 6-h periods, it is possible to accelerate the treatment, thus improving its overall efficiency up to 94.5% compared with the treatment using a constant electrode polarity.

Pathway of oxfendazole from the host into the worm: Trichuris suis in pigs

It is well known that the efficacy of a single oral dose of benzimidazoles against Trichuris spp. infections in humans and animals is poor, but is currently still used in control programmes against human trichuriasis. However, the route of the benzimidazoles from the treated host to Trichuris remains unknown. As parts of adult Trichuris are situated intracellularly in the caecum, they might be exposed to anthelmintic drugs in the intestinal content as well as the mucosa. In this study, the pathway of oxfendazole and its metabolites was explored using a T. suis-pig infection model, by simultaneously measuring drug concentrations within the worms and the caecal mucosa, caecal tissue, caecal content and plasma of pigs over time after a single oral dose of 5 mg/kg oxfendazole. Additionally, for comparison to the in vivo study, drug uptake and metabolism of oxfendazole by T. suis was examined after in vitro incubation. Oxfendazole and metabolites were quantified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography.Multivariate linear regression analysis showed a strong and highly significant association between OFZ concentrations within T. suis and in plasma, along with a weaker association between OFZ concentrations in caecal tissue/mucosa and T. suis, suggesting that oxfendazole reaches T. suis after absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and enters the worms by the blood-enterocyte pathway. The fenbendazole sulfone level in T. suis was highly affected by the concentrations in plasma. In addition, correlations between drug concentrations in the host compartments, were generally highest for this metabolite. In comparison to oxfendazole, the correlation between plasma and content was particularly high for this metabolite, suggesting a high level of drug movement between these compartments and the possible involvement of the enterohepatic circulation.

Plant Uptake of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances at a Contaminated Fire Training Facility to Evaluate the Phytoremediation Potential of Various Plant Species.

Fire training facilities and other areas suffer from serious per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination in soil, surface water, and groundwater due to regular practices with PFAS-containing aqueous firefighting foams (AFFFs). Therefore, the uptake of 26 PFASs in plants and the contamination of soil and groundwater has been investigated at a fire training site at Stockholm Arlanda airport, Stockholm (Sweden) in 2016. Elevated ∑26PFAS levels were detected in soil and groundwater ranging from 16 to 160 ng g-1 dry weight (dw) and 1200-34 000 ng L-1, respectively. Samples from different plant species and tissues (i.e., roots, trunk/cores, twigs, leaves/needles) of the local plant community were taken, namely silver birch (Betula pendula), Norway spruce (Picea abies), bird cherry (Prunus padus), mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia), ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria), long beechfern (Phegopteris connectilis), and wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca). The plants showed a high variability of concentrations with highest ∑26PFAS concentrations in vegetative compartments with up to 97 ng g-1 wet weight (ww) and 94 ng g-1 ww in birch leaves and spruce needles, respectively. Annual ground cover plants such as long beechfern and ground elder, and bushes like bird cherry showed concentrations up to 6.9, 23, and 21 ng g-1 ww, respectively. The bioconcentration factors (BCFs; plant/soil ratios) were highest in foliage, while the total tree burden of ∑26PFASs per tree was up to 11 mg for birch and 1.8 mg for spruce. Considering a shelterwood system with mixed stands of silver birch and spruce in combination with regular harvest of leaves and birch sap and an understory of ground elder, it is potentially feasible to remove 1.4 g of ∑26PFASs per year and hectare from (heavily) contaminated sites. An alternative approach is the coppicing of birch trees in combination with an understory of ground elder, potentially removing 0.65 g yr-1 ha-1 of ∑26PFASs, while a simple meadow with ground elder can remove 0.55 g yr-1 ha-1 ∑26PFASs.

Predicting Drug Concentration-Time Profiles in Multiple CNS Compartments Using a Comprehensive Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Model.

Drug development targeting the central nervous system (CNS) is challenging due to poor predictability of drug concentrations in various CNS compartments. We developed a generic physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for prediction of drug concentrations in physiologically relevant CNS compartments. System‐specific and drug‐specific model parameters were derived from literature and in silico predictions. The model was validated using detailed concentration‐time profiles from 10 drugs in rat plasma, brain extracellular fluid, 2 cerebrospinal fluid sites, and total brain tissue. These drugs, all small molecules, were selected to cover a wide range of physicochemical properties. The concentration‐time profiles for these drugs were adequately predicted across the CNS compartments (symmetric mean absolute percentage error for the model prediction was <91%). In conclusion, the developed PBPK model can be used to predict temporal concentration profiles of drugs in multiple relevant CNS compartments, which we consider valuable information for efficient CNS drug development.

Effect of spray drying compartment and maltodextrin concentration on the functional, physical, thermal, and nutritional characteristics of Bambara groundnut milk powder

The study examined the effect of drying compartment and maltodextrin concentration on the functional properties of Bambara groundnut milk powder (BGNMP). Bambara groundnut milk (BGNM) was prepared from Bambara groundnut (BGN) flour and water, further processed into BGNM and dried using the spray drying process. Total solids of BGNM were increased with 5, 10, and 15% of maltodextrin. Functional properties of BGNMP were analyzed. Water absorption indices (WAI), wettability, and water solubility indices (WSI) ranged from 0.19 to 0.45 g/g, 136.8 to 292.4 s, and 85.18 to 90.25%, respectively. BGNMP (10%) was significantly (p < .05) higher in WSI (88.80%) compared to BGNMP with 5% maltodextrin. BGNMP (10%) was significantly higher (p < .05) in WAI (0.40 g/g) compared to BGNMP with 15% maltodextrin. BGNMP samples color characteristics were significantly (p < .05) different with an acceptable color difference (ΔE). BGNMP (10%) had acceptable hydration properties over BGNMP (5%, 15%). Practical applications Bambara groundnut (BGN) is underutilized, stated to have little economic importance. However, recent studies have proven BGN to be promising in improving food security through research, resulting in food product (milk, yoghurt, fiber) development. Milk from BGN has been reported with acceptable physical attributes and comparable to existing plant milk. However, nothing has been reported on BGN milk powder (BGNMP). The development of BGNMP will promote the use of BGN. This will result in the social development of the country, by creating job opportunities for woman farmers and improve lives of individuals and providing gender empowerment. The success of this study will also provide food nutrition, security, and sustainability, as BGN is nutritious, widely, and readily available throughout Africa regions. Expanded utilization of BGN will encourage its production (harvesting) resulting in exporting of the material, improving the country's economy by opening up new and improved investment opportunities and new markets.

Effect of cadmium bioavailability in food on its compartmentalisation in carabids

Metals assimilated by organisms are sequestered in various compartments and some forms are more stable than others. Sequestration mechanisms used by invertebrates to detoxify metals and prevent interaction with important biomolecules include metal binding to proteins and other ligands, and storage in inorganic granules. The rate and extent at which metal concentrations in different compartments respond to metal concentrations in food and food characteristics has not received much attention, despite being of great relevance. We performed an experiment on the carabid beetle Pterostichus oblongopunctatus exposed to Cd via food made of ground mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae, either reared on Cd contaminated medium or artificially spiked after grinding with CdCl2 solution. Thus, in both cases we used the same type of food, differing only in the soluble Cd pool available to the predators, represented by P. oblongopunctatus. Subcellular compartmentalisation of Cd into organelles, heat-sensitive and heat-stable proteins (the first supernatant, S1 fraction), cellular debris (the second supernatant, S2 fraction) and metal-rich granules (G fraction) was checked a few times during the contamination (90 d) and decontamination (24 d) phases in a toxicokinetic experiment by using different centrifugation steps. The results showed no effect of the type of food (naturally, Cd-N, vs. artificially contaminated with Cd, Cd-A) on Cd sequestration kinetics in P. oblongopunctatus, but the amount of Cd sequestered in the S1 and G fractions were in general higher in the Cd-A than the Cd-N treatment, indicating that Cd transfer in the food web depends on the speciation of the metal in the food. The proportional distribution of Cd over different fractions was, however, similar in beetles fed both food types. Most of the accumulated Cd in the beetles existed as fraction S1 (ca. 35%), which is important for the transfer of metals to higher trophic levels in a food web.

A phenomenological model to evaluate the performances of electrodialysis for the desalination of saline water containing organic solutes

Electrodialysis is promising to treat saline solutions containing organic solutes. However, there is still a need for a model to describe the desalination performances according to the process parameters. In this work a phenomenological model is proposed based on the analysis of the different contributions to the mass transfer of salt, water, and organic compounds. Once the characteristic parameters are determined experimentally, it is possible to predict the salt and organic concentrations in both compartments according to the operating conditions. The methodology is illustrated for the evaluation of electrodialysis performances considering a case study, and the effect of the current and solution compositions are discussed. To remove a fixed salt quantity, a lower current gives a higher organic solute transfer due to a higher time dependent solute diffusion, the additional transfer, fixed by the quantity of charge, remaining constant. Regarding the influence of the inorganic salts, higher transfer of organics, like glucose, acetic acid or acetate, are observed with sulfate compared to chloride, while a contrary behavior is obtained with phenol. This model also permits to discuss the influence of possible pretreatments to change the pH or the salt composition in order to improve the electrodialysis performances.

Mercury contamination level and speciation inventory in Lakes Titicaca & Uru-Uru (Bolivia): Current status and future trends

Aquatic ecosystems of the Bolivian Altiplano (∼3800 m a.s.l.) are characterized by extreme hydro-climatic constrains (e.g., high UV-radiations and low oxygen) and are under the pressure of increasing anthropogenic activities, unregulated mining, agricultural and urban development. We report here a complete inventory of mercury (Hg) levels and speciation in the water column, atmosphere, sediment and key sentinel organisms (i.e., plankton, fish and birds) of two endorheic Lakes of the same watershed differing with respect to their size, eutrophication and contamination levels. Total Hg (THg) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) concentrations in filtered water and sediment of Lake Titicaca are in the lowest range of reported levels in other large lakes worldwide. Downstream, Hg levels are 3–10 times higher in the shallow eutrophic Lake Uru-Uru than in Lake Titicaca due to high Hg inputs from the surrounding mining region. High percentages of MMHg were found in the filtered and unfiltered water rising up from <1 to ∼50% THg from the oligo/hetero-trophic Lake Titicaca to the eutrophic Lake Uru-Uru. Such high %MMHg is explained by a high in situ MMHg production in relation to the sulfate rich substrate, the low oxygen levels of the water column, and the stabilization of MMHg due to abundant ligands present in these alkaline waters. Differences in MMHg concentrations in water and sediments compartments between Lake Titicaca and Uru-Uru were found to mirror the offset in MMHg levels that also exist in their respective food webs. This suggests that in situ MMHg baseline production is likely the main factor controlling MMHg levels in fish species consumed by the local population. Finally, the increase of anthropogenic pressure in Lake Titicaca may probably enhance eutrophication processes which favor MMHg production and thus accumulation in water and biota.

Identifying the main sources of silicate in coastal waters of the Southern Gulf of Valencia (Western Mediterranean Sea)

Summary Silicon is a major nutrient for siliceous primary producers, which can become a potential limiting nutrient in oligotrophic areas. Most of the silicon inputs to the marine environment come from continental discharges, from both superficial and ground waters. This study analyses the main sources of silicon and their dynamics along the southernmost 43 km of shoreline in the Gulf of Valencia (Western Mediterranean Sea). The salinity and silicate concentration in the different compartments (springs, freshwater wells, beach groundwater, surf zone and coastal waters) in this coastal area were determined. In addition, chlorophyll a and phytoplankton community were analyzed in the surf zone and coastal waters. Silicate concentrations in freshwater wells ranged between 130 and 150 μM, whereas concentrations of this nutrient declined to 49 μM in freshwater–seawater mixture transects. At the same time, there was a positive gradient in silicate for both freshwater and coastal waters southward. An amount of 18.7 t of dissolved silicate was estimated in the nearest first kilometre nearest to the coastline, 6 t of this silicate belonged to the background sea level. On the other hand, the sum of the main rivers in the area supplies 1.6 t of dissolved silicate per day. This implies that a large amount of the remaining 11.1 t must derive from submarine groundwater discharges, which would thus represent 59% of the coastal dissolved silicate budget. Overall, it is suggested that a subterranean transport pathway must contribute considerably to silicate concentrations throughout this zone, which is characterized as permeable.

Metal toxicity assessment by sentinel species of mangroves: In situ case study integrating chemical and biomarkers analyses

Globally, there is a lack of knowledge about tropical ecotoxicology dealing with the potential impact of metal contamination in mangrove ecosystem. This habitat is considered a nursery for several animal species, among them the “uçá”-crab (Ucides cordatus), known as a key species due to its biological and economical importance. This study evaluated the association involving metal contamination (Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, Mn and Hg) in water, sediment, red-mangrove vegetation (Rhizophora mangle) and tissues of uçá crab, together with its geno-cytotoxic responses, based on micronucleated hemocytes frequency and the retention time of neutral red in lysosomes. We assessed six mangrove areas with distinct pollution levels in São Paulo State, Brazil, where the water and sediment contamination by metals were associated with accumulation of these pollutants in biotic compartments (mangrove leaves and crab). In U. cordatus, metal accumulation was best explained by metal concentration found in leaves of R. mangle than in the water or sediment, indicating that feeding drives metal exposure in this organism. Mercury (Hg) concentration in sediment, copper (Cu) concentration in hepatopancreas of U. cordatus and lead (Pb) in water and green leaves of R. mangle showed a significant correlation with genotoxic impact in U. cordatus. However, copper concentration (in green/senescent leaves and hepatopancreas) and lead (in sediment), were the major metals affecting lysosomal membrane integrity. Therefore, representatives of all compartments were associated with cyto and genotoxicity in this species, thus requiring a holistic approach to issues related to sublethal damage. Probability estimates of cytogenetic impacts related to metal concentration in abiotic compartments (significantly correlated with known biomarkers: Hg in sediment; and Pb in water and sediment) are also presented. Our results highlight the need for environmental restoration of mangroves areas contaminated with metals, responsible for cytogenetic injuries and revealing a pre-pathological condition in this sentinel species, in addition to ecological disturbances.

K+ -Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles for Targeted Intracellular Drug Delivery.

In this work, a novel type of block copolymer micelles with K+ -responsive characteristics for targeted intracellular drug delivery is developed. The proposed smart micelles are prepared by self-assembly of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(N-isopropylacry-lamide-co-benzo-18-crown-6-acrylamide) (PEG-b-P(NIPAM-co-B18C6Am)) block copolymers. Prednisolone acetate (PA) is successfully loaded into the micelles as the model drug, with loading content of 4.7 wt%. The PA-loaded micelles display a significantly boosted drug release in simulated intracellular fluid with a high K+ concentration of 150 × 10-3 m, as compared with that in simulated extracellular fluid. Moreover, the in vitro cell experiments indicate that the fluorescent molecules encapsulated in the micelles can be delivered and specifically released inside the HSC-T6 and HepG2 cells responding to the increase of K+ concentration in intracellular compartments, which confirms the successful endocytosis and efficient K+ -induced intracellular release. Such K+ -responsive block copolymer micelles are highly potential as new-generation of smart nanocarriers for targeted intracellular delivery of drugs.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of propofol: changes in patients with frontal brain tumours

BackgroundModels of propofol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics developed in patients without brain pathology are widely used for target-controlled infusion (TCI) during brain tumour excision operations. The goal of this study was to determine if the presence of a frontal brain tumour influences propofol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and existing PK-PD model performance. MethodsTwenty patients with a frontal brain tumour and 20 control patients received a propofol infusion to achieve an induction–emergence–induction anaesthetic sequence. Propofol plasma concentration was measured every 4 min and at each transition of the conscious state. Bispectral index (BIS) values were continuously recorded. We used non-linear mixed-effects modelling to analyse the effects of the presence of a brain tumour on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of propofol. Subsequently we calculated the predictive performance of Marsh, Schnider, and Eleveld models in terms of median prediction error (MdPE) and median absolute prediction error (MdAPE). ResultsPatients with brain tumours showed 40% higher propofol clearance than control patients. Performance of the Schnider model (MdPEpk −20.0%, MdAPEpk 23.4%) and Eleveld volunteer model (MdPEpk −8.58%, MdAPEpk 21.6%) were good. The Marsh model performed less well (MdPEpk −14.3%, MdAPEpk 41.4%), as did the Eleveld patient model (MdPEpk −30.8%, MdAPEpk 32.1%).The first-order rate constant (ke0; 0.108 min−1), the concentration in the effects compartment associated with 50% of the maximum effect (Ce50; 2.77 ml litre−1) and γ (1.49) did not significantly differ between groups. Lower baseline BIS values were found in patients with brain tumours (90 vs 95). ConclusionsBrain tumours might alter the pharmacokinetics of propofol. Caution should be exerted when using propofol TCI in patients with frontal brain tumours due to higher clearance. Trial registry numberNCT01060631.

Dietary Zn and the subsequent organotropism in fish: No influence of food quality, frequency of feeding and environmental conditions (pH and temperature)

Trophic transfer of Zn in fish is affected by the type of food and environmental variables such as temperature. However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the effects of such factors on Zn organotropism. For this reason, a series of experimental studies have investigated how the distribution and the concentration of Zn is affected by some environmentally-relevant factors (food quality, food availability, water pH, and temperature) in turbot Scophthalmus maximus using radiotracer techniques. In three different experiments, Zn distribution in seven body compartments of juvenile turbot and the calculation of Zn concentration index (IC) for each compartment were compared. Its distribution as well as its concentration in the body compartments of juvenile turbots were not affected by the experimental conditions tested. This apparent consistency in the Zn organotropism can be explained by the ability of the fish to maintain Zn homeostasis at non-toxic Zn concentrations in their diet. These results are important to better understand the trophic transfer of Zn in fish under realistic environmental conditions.

Metals in the Scheldt estuary: From environmental concentrations to bioaccumulation

To investigate the relationship between metal concentrations in abiotic compartments and in aquatic species, sediment, suspended matter and several aquatic species (Polychaeta, Oligochaeta, four crustacean species, three mollusc species and eight fish species) were collected during three seasons at six locations along the Scheldt estuary (the Netherlands-Belgium) and analysed on their metal content (Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and the metalloid As). Sediment and biota tissue concentrations were significantly influenced by sampling location, but not by season. Measurements of Acid Volatile Sulphides (AVS) concentrations in relation to Simultaneously Extracted Metals (SEM) in the sediment suggested that not all metals in the sediment will be bound to sulphides and some metals might be bioavailable.For all metals but zinc, highest concentrations were measured in invertebrate species; Ag and Ni in periwinkle, Cr, Co and Pb in Oligochaete worms and As, Cd and Cu in crabs and shrimp. Highest concentrations of Zn were measured in the kidney of European smelt. In fish, for most of the metals, the concentrations were highest in liver or kidney and lowest in muscle. For Zn however, highest concentrations were measured in the kidney of European smelt. For less than half of the metals significant correlations between sediment metal concentrations and bioaccumulated concentrations were found (liver/hepatopancreas or whole organism). To calculate the possible human health risk by consumption, average and maximum metal concentrations in the muscle tissues were compared to the minimum risk levels (MRLs). Concentrations of As led to the highest risk potential for all consumable species. Cadmium and Cu posed only a risk when consuming the highest contaminated shrimp and shore crabs. Consuming blue mussel could result in a risk for the metals As, Cd and Cr.

SoilPlusVeg: An integrated air-plant-litter-soil model to predict organic chemical fate and recycling in forests

Current modelling approaches often ignore the dynamics of organic chemicals uptake/release in forest compartments under changing environmental conditions and may fail in accurately predict exposure to chemicals for humans and ecosystems. In order to investigate the influence of such dynamics on predicted concentrations in forest compartments, as well as, on air-leaf-litter fluxes, the SoilPlusVeg model was developed including a forest compartment (root, stem, leaves) in an existing air-litter-soil model. The accuracy of the model was tested simulating leaf concentrations in broadleaf woods located in Northern Italy and resulted in satisfying model performance. Illustrative simulations highlighted the “dual behaviour” of both leaf and litter compartments. Leaves appeared to behave as “filters” of air contaminants but also as “dispensers”, being deposition flux exceeded by volatilization flux in some periods of the day. Similarly, litter seemed to behave as a dynamic compartment which could accumulate and then release contaminants recharging air and vegetation. In just 85days, litter could lose due to volatilization, diffusion to depth and infiltration processes, from 6% to 90% of chemical amount accumulated over 1year of exposure, depending on compound physical and chemical properties. SoilPlusVeg thus revealed to be a powerful tool to understand and estimate chemical fate and recycling in forested systems.

New evidence that omega-3 fatty acids have a role in primary prevention of coronary heart disease

A recently published study (1) provides new evidence that omega-3 fatty acids have a role in the primary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). This new publication included pooled data from 19 cohort studies conducted in 16 countries and including over 45,000 individuals with a median follow-up time of 10 years. Importantly, omega-3 fatty acid concentrations in blood or tissue compartments at study entry were used as the measure of exposure. It was found that each of the four omega-3 fatty acids reported α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was associated with reduced risk of fatal CHD, with about a 10% reduction in relative risk (RR) for each one standard deviation increase in concentration of the omega-3 fatty acid. These findings make a very valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion about the role of omega-3 fatty acids in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and provide further evidence to support recommendations for the population to consume these fatty acids as part of a healthy diet.

ClC Channels and Transporters: Structure, Physiological Functions, and Implications in Human Chloride Channelopathies.

The discovery of ClC proteins at the beginning of the 1990s was important for the development of the Cl- transport research field. ClCs form a large family of proteins that mediate voltage-dependent transport of Cl- ions across cell membranes. They are expressed in both plasma and intracellular membranes of cells from almost all living organisms. ClC proteins form transmembrane dimers, in which each monomer displays independent ion conductance. Eukaryotic members also possess a large cytoplasmic domain containing two CBS domains, which are involved in transport modulation. ClC proteins function as either Cl- channels or Cl-/H+ exchangers, although all ClC proteins share the same basic architecture. ClC channels have two gating mechanisms: a relatively well-studied fast gating mechanism, and a slow gating mechanism, which is poorly defined. ClCs are involved in a wide range of physiological processes, including regulation of resting membrane potential in skeletal muscle, facilitation of transepithelial Cl- reabsorption in kidneys, and control of pH and Cl- concentration in intracellular compartments through coupled Cl-/H+ exchange mechanisms. Several inherited diseases result from C1C gene mutations, including myotonia congenita, Bartter’s syndrome (types 3 and 4), Dent’s disease, osteopetrosis, retinal degeneration, and lysosomal storage diseases. This review summarizes general features, known or suspected, of ClC structure, gating and physiological functions. We also discuss biophysical properties of mammalian ClCs that are directly involved in the pathophysiology of several human inherited disorders, or that induce interesting phenotypes in animal models.

Foliar uptake of radiocaesium from irrigation water by paddy rice (Oryza sativa): an overlooked pathway in contaminated environments

Flooded (paddy) rice (Oryza sativa) can take up ions from the irrigation water by foliar uptake via the exposed stem base. We hypothesised that the stem base uptake of radiocaesium (RCs) is a pathway for rice grown in RCs-contaminated environments. We developed a bi-compartmental device which discriminates the stem base from root RCs uptake from solutions, thereby using RCs isotopes (137 Cs and 134 Cs) with <2% solution leak between the compartments. Radiocaesium uptake was linear over time (0-24h). Radiocaesium uptake to the entire plant, expressed per dry weight of the exposed parts, was sixfold higher for the roots than for the exposed stem base. At equal RCs concentrations in both compartments, the exposed stem base and root uptake contributed almost equally to the total shoot RCs concentrations. Reducing potassium supply to the roots not only increased the root RCs uptake but also increased RCs uptake by the stem base. This study was the first to experimentally demonstrate active and internally regulated RCs uptake by the stem base of rice. Scenario calculations for the Fukushima-affected area predict that RCs in irrigation water could be an important source of RCs in rice as indirectly suggested from field data.