Natural Variation In Concentration Research Articles

Fitness costs of animal medication: antiparasitic plant chemicals reduce fitness of monarch butterfly hosts

The emerging field of ecological immunology demonstrates that allocation by hosts to immune defence against parasites is constrained by the costs of those defences. However, the costs of non-immunological defences, which are important alternatives to canonical immune systems, are less well characterized. Estimating such costs is essential for our understanding of the ecology and evolution of alternative host defence strategies. Many animals have evolved medication behaviours, whereby they use antiparasitic compounds from their environment to protect themselves or their kin from parasitism. Documenting the costs of medication behaviours is complicated by natural variation in the medicinal components of diets and their covariance with other dietary components, such as macronutrients. In the current study, we explore the costs of the usage of antiparasitic compounds in monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus), using natural variation in concentrations of antiparasitic compounds among plants. Upon infection by their specialist protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, monarch butterflies can selectively oviposit on milkweed with high foliar concentrations of cardenolides, secondary chemicals that reduce parasite growth. Here, we show that these antiparasitic cardenolides can also impose significant costs on both uninfected and infected butterflies. Among eight milkweed species that vary substantially in their foliar cardenolide concentration and composition, we observed the opposing effects of cardenolides on monarch fitness traits. While high foliar cardenolide concentrations increased the tolerance of monarch butterflies to infection, they reduced the survival rate of caterpillars to adulthood. Additionally, although non-polar cardenolide compounds decreased the spore load of infected butterflies, they also reduced the life span of uninfected butterflies, resulting in a hump-shaped curve between cardenolide non-polarity and the life span of infected butterflies. Overall, our results suggest that the use of antiparasitic compounds carries substantial costs, which could constrain host investment in medication behaviours.

2143 QUANTITATIVE PROTEOMICS IDENTIFIES CERULOPLASMIN AS A POTENTIAL PROMOTER OF UROLITHIASIS

You have accessJournal of UrologyStone Disease: Basic Research1 Apr 20112143 QUANTITATIVE PROTEOMICS IDENTIFIES CERULOPLASMIN AS A POTENTIAL PROMOTER OF UROLITHIASIS Cynthia Wright, Sarah Howles, David Trudgian, Benedikt Kessler, John Reynard, Jeremy Noble, Freddie Hamdy, and Benjamin Turney Cynthia WrightCynthia Wright Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author , Sarah HowlesSarah Howles Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author , David TrudgianDavid Trudgian Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author , Benedikt KesslerBenedikt Kessler Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author , John ReynardJohn Reynard Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author , Jeremy NobleJeremy Noble Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author , Freddie HamdyFreddie Hamdy Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author , and Benjamin TurneyBenjamin Turney Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.2354AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Urinary proteins have been implicated as regulators of urolithiasis. Using label-free quantitative proteomics we identified several proteins that are more than 2-fold differentially abundant between pooled urine samples from stone formers (SF) and non stone formers (NSF). Our objective was to identify, validate and test the function of candidate proteins that may influence urolithiasis. METHODS Individual urine samples were normalised for natural variation in concentration using a total protein to creatinine ratio to calculate the volume contributing to the pooled sample. Differentially abundant proteins in pooled urine samples were identified using label-free nano-UPLC MSE analysis from two independent experiments using a total of 57 SF and 57 NSF. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to validate the mass spectrometry findings and a calcium oxalate crystallization assay was performed to evaluate effects in vitro. RESULTS The urinary proteomic analysis identified 1063 proteins, of which 367 were unique to the stone former groups, 408 proteins were unique to the control pools and 288 proteins were identified for comparative quantification. Proteins found to be unique in stone-formers were involved in carbohydrate metabolism pathways and associated with disease states. 34 proteins demonstrated a consistent >2-fold change between stone formers and controls. For ceruloplasmin, one of the proteins shown to be more than two-fold up-regulated in the stone-formers, this observation was validated in individuals by ELISA. Moreover, in vitro crystallization assays demonstrated ceruloplasmin had a dose-dependent increase on calcium oxalate crystal formation. CONCLUSIONS This work has developed a label-free proteomics platform which may be utilised to identify biologically important urinary proteins in other urological diseases. We identified several urinary proteins that may influence urolithiasis. Ceruloplasmin, one such protein, was independently shown to be at higher levels in the urine of stone formers and to have a positive effect on calcium oxalate crystallization in vitro. Ceruloplasmin and the other proteins identified may play important roles in the biology of stone formation. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e858 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Cynthia Wright Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author Sarah Howles Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author David Trudgian Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author Benedikt Kessler Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author John Reynard Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author Jeremy Noble Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author Freddie Hamdy Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author Benjamin Turney Oxford, United Kingdom More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Reply to the comment on “Geochemical gradients in soil O-horizon samples from southern Norway: Natural or anthropogenic?” by Eiliv Steinnes

1. IntroductionIn his comment on Reimannet al. (2009a), Eiliv Steinnes consid-ers the data presented interesting but claims that the interpreta-tion is misleading and biased. The authors wish to make clearthat they do not doubt the existence of long range atmospherictransport (LRT) – the well known satellite images of Sahara dustcrossing the Atlantic or the excellent work of Posfai et al. (1999)or Buseck et al. (2000) are more than proof enough for the exis-tence of LRT, as such.The primary points of Reimann et al. (2009a) are the relativeimportance of the additional input of certain elements via atmo-spheric deposition on geochemical patterns observed in soils andthe importance of understanding these inputs in terms of the nat-ural variationsin geochemicalbackground.These pointslead to theimportance of mass balances and scale, and of knowing the geo-chemical background for any one area and sample material (Rei-mann and Garrett, 2005) before jumping to conclusions aboutthe source of elements in different compartments of the terrestrialenvironment at the continental or even global scale.2. The Chernobyl exampleSteinnes uses the Chernobyl accident as an illustrative examplefor the importance of long range transport and the visibility andpatchiness of the patterns. This comparison is, however, irrelevant,misleading, biased and circular. The Chernobyl accident was a one-time high-energy event (e.g., Hohenemser et al., 1986). Of course,such a one-time event will lead to ‘‘patchy patterns” dependingon the meteorological conditions of that day and, of course, theradionuclides emitted from such an event will travel long dis-tances. Even more important, the emitted radiocaesium does notoccur in nature, is not deposited against a high and highly variablenatural background, and is thus much easier to follow and detect.In contrast, metal emissions from human activities have persistedover a long time span, often thousands of years from the same gen-eral areas, and even traffic emissions have been going on for tens ofyears. These emissions are then deposited on a landscape with ahigh natural variation in concentration of exactly the same ele-ments as emitted. Although it is agreed that even here climateand deposition patterns will play an important role on the ob-served distribution, the two sources and processes areincomparable.Steinnes points out that LRT from Chernobyl leads to patchypatterns, thus seemingly implying that such patchy patternsshould be the norm for LRT. However, he then goes on to pointout that the observed geochemical gradient in O-horizon soils ofsouthern Norway ‘‘led to the suggestion that long-range atmo-spheric transport might be the main source of these elements inthe natural surface soils of the far north”. A key question thus iswhat type of pattern would be expected from LRT of pollutantsfrom central Europe. If it is considered that Steinnes may actuallybe correct in saying that the LRT pattern resulting from depositionof very small particles will be patchy, can it then be expected thatLRT produces a uniform gradient as seen in southern Norway?What will cause such a uniform pattern? It is actually the authors’opinion that, in contrast to singular events, persistent processes

A comparative approach to the variation of natural elements in Italian bottled waters according to the national and international standard limits

Water is essential for life and contains minerals which play an important role in human nutrition. The market of mineral water has been growing steadily over the last few years. Italy is the country with the highest production and consumption in the world. Current international drinking water regulations are not very clear, as well as being completely absent in several countries. They also present contradictions between drinking water intended for human consumption and those to be bottled. This work focused on mineral water due to the wide public acceptance and economic interest of this product. Bottled mineral waters (371 brands) from all the Italian regions (20) were characterized by means of the physico-chemical and chemical composition (52 parameters) reported on their label by using statistical analysis. The relationships among selected variables were examined by Durov and Piper diagrams. A comparison between the water quality composition and the standard limits fixed for both mineral and drinking water by national and international regulations EU, Italy, USEPA, Canada, Spain, CODEX, WHO) is also discussed. The analysis shows that Italian waters are rich in natural elements that unequivocally characterise its taste and quality. A comparison of our results against the current Italian regulations for mineral waters shows that out of 371 bottled mineral water studied, only 2 have problems in terms of Ba and Pb concentration. However, when compared to the limits established by international regulations, there appear to be several contradictions. Only 2 Italian regions out of 20 would fulfil the drinking water regulation for all the parameters where standard limits or guidance values are defined. Some elements show a clear regional dependency. Upon studying the large natural variation in concentration of the 52 parameters, it becomes evident that we know very little about the natural variation of element concentration in water as well as the health effects of most of the elements in drinking waters.

Natural and Enhanced Concentrations of Trace Metals in Sediments of Cleveland Bay, Great Barrier Reef Lagoon, Australia

Natural variation in concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sediments of Cleveland Bay can be modelled by linear regression by using the concentration of Al recovered by strong acid digestion as an independent variable. Samples that exceed the upper 95% prediction interval of regression models are classified as enhanced. Enhancement of trace metals occurs in the intertidal zone and near-shore sediments of western Cleveland Bay, in sites that are characterized by high accumulation rates of fine grained terrigenous sediment. There is a strong positive relationship between increasing enhancement of Cu and Pb and the recovery of these metals by weak HCl digestion, which suggests that for these metals the modelled enhancement is environmentally meaningful. In contrast, at least 60%, and generally greater than 80% of Cd is recovered by weak HCl digestion irrespective of modelled enhancement, and suggests that the statistically modelled enhancement of Cd may be more meaningful than weak HCl soluble concentrations.

Variation of 66 elements in European bottled mineral waters

Fifty-six bottled mineral waters bought at random all over Europe were analysed for 66 chemical elements by ICP-AES, ICP-MS and IC-techniques. Results show that there is a wide spread in the chemical composition of mineral waters. The EEC drinking water safeguard values for chemical constituents do not apply to mineral water, although mineral water is increasingly used for general drinking water purposes. Only 15 of the randomly selected 56 mineral waters would fulfil the drinking water regulations for all parameters where action levels are defined. Differences in chemical composition observed between countries or regions are due to geological environment and to different taste or local regulations of what is mineral water. There are indications that element concentrations for some unwanted constituents (e.g. Pb) are higher in waters sold in glass bottles than in those in plastic bottles. Some elements show a clear regional dependency. Studying the large natural variation in concentration for many of the 66 studied elements it becomes clear that we know little about the natural variation of element concentration in water and the health effects of most elements in drinking water.

CO2, 13C/12C and H2O variability in natural basaltic glasses: a study comparing stepped heating and ftir spectroscopic techniques

A comparison of two independent techniques was used to assess the homogeneity of CO2 and H2O concentrations in a number of natural basaltic glasses. Variations in carbon concentration and isotopic ratio were determined by comparison of stepped heating data obtained in two different laboratories. Dissolved volatile concentrations were also obtained by stepped heating and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Replicate stepped heating analyses of a mid-ocean ridge basaltic glass show that the concentration and 13C/12C of bulk magmatic and dissolved CO2 vary by less than ±10% and ±0.5‰, respectively. A similar degree of correlation is observed for replicate stepped heating analyses of Mariana Trough glasses conducted in two different laboratories. Dissolved CO2 concentrations determined by stepped heating also correlate well with concentrations measured by FTIR spectroscopy. The correspondence of results obtained in these experiments provide an upper limit to the degree of natural variation in concentrations and isotopic ratios of these volatiles in basaltic glasses and suggest that intrinsic, magmatic carbon has a relatively homogeneous distribution in these glasses. Water concentrations determined through extraction by heating and FTIR also show excellent agreement.

EndocrinologyComparison of salivary steroid profiles in naturally occurring conception and non-conception cycles

Oestradiol and progesterone profiles from naturally occurring conception and exposed non-conception cycles were compared to assess the impact of natural variation in concentrations of ovarian steroid hormones on female fecundity. In a prospective, longitudinal study, 24 women collected saliva samples twice daily and recorded intercourse for up to 1 year or until a pregnancy was clinically confirmed. Oestradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured by a salivary radioimmunoassay. Average mid-follicular oestradiol concentrations were significantly higher in conception than in non-conception cycles (12.6 +/- 1.7 versus 8.5 +/- 0.6 pmol/l, P < 0.01). A separate analysis, including only cycles from those women who contributed both conception and non-conception cycles, demonstrated an even more pronounced difference in mid-follicular oestradiol concentrations, not just for conception and non-conception cycles as groups (14.5 +/- 2.3 versus 6.5 +/- 0.7 pmol/l, P < 0.001), but also between the conception and average non-conception concentrations of individual women. Among these women, relative mid-follicular oestradiol concentration was highly correlated with the probability of successful conception. In addition, relative body weight was significantly positively correlated with mid-follicular oestradiol concentration. These findings indicate that variation in follicular development, reflected in variation in follicular oestradiol concentrations, is an important indicator of fecundity.