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Environmental Science & Technology Oct 2018The Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network measures the chemical composition of atmospheric particulate matter at over 160 locations...
The Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network measures the chemical composition of atmospheric particulate matter at over 160 locations throughout the United States. As part of the routine quality control process, we noted decreases in the network-wide vanadium (V) and nickel (Ni) concentrations in 2015 relative to the previous years. Enriched V and Ni with respect to soil are indicative of heavy fuel oil burning and are often used as tracers for emissions from marine vessels. Multiple regulations on the fuel used by marine vessels were implemented in North America since 2010, and the most sweeping regulation was implemented at the start of 2015. The 2015 regulations reduced the allowable fuel oil sulfur concentrations within the North America Emissions Control Area from 1.0% to 0.1% to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of sulfates. As a side effect, these requirements economically favored fuels with lower V and Ni concentrations. The atmospheric concentrations of V and Ni decreased markedly at many IMPROVE monitoring sites, particularly sites near major ports. Between 2011 and 2015, annual mean V concentrations measured on IMPROVE samples collected near the ports of Seattle, Washington and New Orleans, Louisiana decreased by 35% and 85%, respectively. These decreases have brought the coastal V and Ni concentrations much closer to those measured far inland.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Environmental Monitoring; Humans; Louisiana; New Orleans; North America; Vanadium; Washington
PubMed: 30203968
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02942 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Jul 2017Feeding a diet with a small amount of hay and a high proportion of concentrate given in large meals entails a risk of colic to horses as this can impact the hindgut...
Feeding a diet with a small amount of hay and a high proportion of concentrate given in large meals entails a risk of colic to horses as this can impact the hindgut microbial ecosystem. To counteract this potential negative effect, one feeding strategy is to modify the distribution sequence of concentrate and hay. The purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of feeding the concentrate meal before or with the hay meal on fermentative parameters postprandial variations in caecum and right ventral colon contents and faeces. We focused on the comparison of pH value and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations between the three compartments. Four horses fitted with two cannulas in the caecum and right ventral colon were fed a 100% hay diet (H) for a 3-week period, and then a 40% concentrate-60% hay diet for two consecutive periods of 3 weeks each. Concentrate and hay were offered simultaneously in two equal meals at 0800 and 1700 h (HC1) during one period, or separately in two equal meals at 0800 and 1600 h for the concentrate and at 1000 and 1730 h for hay (HC2) during the second one. During the 2nd week of each diet period (H, HC1, HC2), caecal, right ventral colonic and faecal samples were collected before (0) and at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after the morning meal. pH values and VFA concentrations were measured. Adding concentrate to the hay was associated with a decrease of pH value in the caecum, right ventral colon and faeces and an increase of faecal VFA concentrations (P<0.01). An impact of the concentrate feeding sequence was observed on caecal pH and faecal propionate concentration (P<0.001) but none on the other parameters investigated. In the caecum and right ventral colon, pH values decreased and VFA concentrations increased within the range of 4 to 8 h after the morning meal. Our data suggested that the variation of faecal pH could be an indicator of those of the caecal and right ventral colonic pH with a delay of 2 h. The present study showed that hay and commercial pelleted could be safely distributed simultaneously, thus making easier every day horse feeding.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Cecum; Colon; Diet; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Feces; Feeding Behavior; Fermentation; Horses; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Poaceae; Postprandial Period; Propionates
PubMed: 27927263
DOI: 10.1017/S1751731116002603 -
Translational Animal Science Apr 2020Sixteen weanling Quarter Horses (255 ± 22 kg) were utilized in a 56-d trial to evaluate the effects of trace mineral (TM) source on intra-articular inflammation...
Sixteen weanling Quarter Horses (255 ± 22 kg) were utilized in a 56-d trial to evaluate the effects of trace mineral (TM) source on intra-articular inflammation following a single acute inflammatory insult. Horses were stratified by age, sex, and BW and then randomly assigned to dietary treatment: concentrate formulated with Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co as inorganic sources (CON; = 8) or complexed TMs (CTM; = 8). Added TM were formulated at iso-levels across treatments and intakes met or exceeded NRC requirements. Horses were offered 1.75% BW (as-fed) of treatment concentrate and 0.75% BW (as-fed) coastal Bermudagrass hay. Growth measurements were collected on days 0, 28, and 56, and plasma was collected biweekly for determination of Mn, Cu, Zn, and Co concentrations. On day 42, carpal joints were randomly assigned to receive injections of 0.5 ng lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or sterile lactated Ringer's solution (LRS; contralateral control). Synovial fluid was collected at preinjection hours (PIH) 0, and 6, 12, 24, 168, and 336 h post-injection and analyzed for TM concentration, prostaglandin E (PGE), carboxypeptide of type II collagen (CPII), collagenase cleavage neopeptide (C2C), and aggrecan chondroitin sulfate 846 epitope (CS846). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Results showed a TM source × LPS × h effect for synovial fluid Co, Cu, and Se ( < 0.05); concentrations of TM peaked at hour 6 and decreased to preinjection values by hour 168 in both CON and CTM-LPS knees. A delayed peak was observed at hour 12 for CTM-LRS. Peak synovial fluid Cu and Se concentrations were higher in LPS knees, and Co was highest in CTM-LPS. A TM source × h interaction was observed for Zn ( < 0.05); concentrations peaked at hour 6 in CON vs. hour 12 for CTM. An LPS × h interaction was observed for Mn ( < 0.01); synovial concentration peaked at hour 6 in LPS knees compared with hour 24 in LRS. Synovial PGE, C2C, CPII, and CS846 concentrations were greater with LPS ( ≤ 0.01), and C2C was greater ( < 0.01) in CTM compared with CON. Concentrations of CPII and PGE were unaffected by diet. A TM source × h × LPS interaction was observed for CS846 ( = 0.02). Concentrations of CS846 in CTM peaked at 12 h, whereas CON peaked at a lower concentration at 24 h ( < 0.05). Data indicate sufficient intake of a complexed TM source may support cartilage metabolism through increased aggrecan synthesis and type II collagen breakdown following an intra-articular LPS challenge in growing horses.
PubMed: 32705007
DOI: 10.1093/tas/txaa006 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2022Swelling of epidermal cell walls decreases cell-to-cell adhesion and increases cracking susceptibility in sweet cherry. Ca is suggested to decrease cracking...
Swelling of epidermal cell walls decreases cell-to-cell adhesion and increases cracking susceptibility in sweet cherry. Ca is suggested to decrease cracking susceptibility by crosslinking of cell wall components and, possibly, by decreasing swelling. The objective is to test this hypothesis. The effect of Ca on swelling of anticlinal epidermal cell walls was quantified microscopically in vivo using excised skin sections and in vitro using extracted cell walls. After removal of turgor, cell wall thickness increased. Incubation in CaCl decreased cell wall thickness up to 3 mM CaCl. At higher concentrations thickness remained constant. Decreased cell wall swelling in vivo also occurred with other salts of divalent and trivalent cations, but not with those of monovalent cations. Decreased swelling was due to the Ca cation, the anions had no effect. Ca also decreased swelling of cell walls that were already swollen. CaCl also decreased swelling of extracted cell walls in vitro. There was no effect on swelling pressure. The effect on swelling increased as the CaCl concentration increased. Chlorides of divalent and trivalent cations, but not those of monovalent cations decreased swelling in vitro. The decrease in swelling among the divalent cations was linearly related to the radius of the cation. The results indicate that Ca decreases cracking susceptibility by decreasing swelling.
Topics: Calcium; Calcium Chloride; Calcium, Dietary; Cations, Divalent; Cations, Monovalent; Cell Wall; Fruit; Prunus avium; Salts
PubMed: 36192436
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20266-9 -
Animal Nutrition (Zhongguo Xu Mu Shou... Jun 2023Four multi-catheterized lactating goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment to investigate the responses of amino acid metabolism in portal-drained viscera...
Four multi-catheterized lactating goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment to investigate the responses of amino acid metabolism in portal-drained viscera (PDV), liver, and mammary glands to short-term varying supplies of methionine (Met). During the last 45 h in each experimental period, goats were fasted for 12 h and then abomasally infused with an amino acid (AA) mixture plus glucose for 33 h. Treatments consisted of graded removal of Met from an infused AA mixture to achieve Met content in the infusate of 100% (complete), 60%, 30%, or 0% that in casein. Graded Met removal decreased the production of milk, milk protein, lactose, and fat linearly whilst also decreasing arterial Met concentration linearly ( < 0.05). Meanwhile, net PDV uptake and liver removal of Met decreased linearly ( < 0.05) due to decreased Met affinity of PDV and liver ( < 0.05). Net mammary uptake of Met ( > 0.1) was maintained as Met supply declined. This was achieved through increased mammary affinity ( < 0.05) and increased mammary blood flow ( < 0.05) totally offsetting the negative effect of decreased circulating Met concentration. Graded removal of Met from the infusate linearly decreased mammary uptake-to-milk output ratios of Met ( < 0.05) and tended to decrease essential amino acid (EAA) linearly (0.05 < < 0.1). Treatments also linearly decreased circulating concentration of prolactin and linearly increased insulin concentration ( < 0.05). In conclusion, results of the present study indicated there were several mechanisms used to mitigate a Met deficiency, including reduced catabolism of Met in PDV, liver, and peripheral tissue (including mammary glands) and a linear increase in mammary blood flow. The observed decreases in milk protein production as Met supply decreased appear to be a result of regulatory events which may have been driven by decreased circulating prolactin, rather than as a result of decreased mammary Met uptake.
PubMed: 37123619
DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2023.01.006 -
Low duty cycle pulse trains for exchange rate insensitive chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI.Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Nov 2021To introduce and validate a pulse scheme that uses low duty cycle trains of π-pulses to achieve saturation that is relatively insensitive to exchange rate yet linearly...
PURPOSE
To introduce and validate a pulse scheme that uses low duty cycle trains of π-pulses to achieve saturation that is relatively insensitive to exchange rate yet linearly dependent on labile proton concentration.
METHODS
Simulations were performed to explore the exchange rate sensitivity of π-pulse trains and continuous wave chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) signals. Creatine phantoms with varying pH and varying concentrations were imaged to demonstrate pH insensitivity and concentration dependence of low duty cycle π-pulse saturation.
RESULTS
Simulations show decreasing the duty cycle of π-pulse saturation decreases peak sensitivity to exchange rate, and this range of insensitivity can be tuned to different exchange rates through average B power. The range of insensitivity is unaffected by changes in relaxation and magnetization transfer, while the sensitivity of CEST signal maintains linear dependence on labile proton concentration. Under B = 0.48 μT, 30 mM creatine with pHs ranging between 6.36 and 8.21 exhibited CEST contrast ranging between ~6 and 11% under continuous wave and ~4% across all pHs using 10% duty cycle π-pulses. Imaging these phantoms using duty cycles of 5, 10, 25, and 50% showed decreasing pH sensitivity with decreased duty cycle. Creatine phantoms with varied concentrations and pHs reveal that π-pulse train saturation exhibited stricter correlation to concentration at lower DCs.
CONCLUSION
Low DC π-pulse train is an easy-to-implement way of providing labile proton concentration-dependent CEST MRI signal that is insensitive to exchange rate. This approach can be useful in studies where a change of chemical exchange rate may interfere with accurate assessments of physiology or pathology.
Topics: Creatine; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Phantoms, Imaging; Protons
PubMed: 34196028
DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28896 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2022For the purpose of determining the high-purity purification of indole () contained in wash oil in concentrations of 5.75%, this study, first of all, investigated the...
Purification of Indole Contained in Wash Oil by Combination of Extraction and Crystallization (Part 1: Recovery and Concentration of Indole Contained in Wash Oil by Solvent Extraction).
For the purpose of determining the high-purity purification of indole () contained in wash oil in concentrations of 5.75%, this study, first of all, investigated the concentration of contained in wash oil using a combination of methanol extraction to recover in the wash oil, and n-hexane re-extraction to concentrate present in the extract phase, recovered through methanol extraction. In order to examine the effect of each operation on the recovery and concentration of contained in the wash oil, batch 1-stage and batch co-current 5-stage distribution equilibrium was performed simultaneously. As 5-stage equilibrium extraction and re-extraction progressed, the recovery rate of decreased to about 79.1%, while composition in the raffinate phase recovered by re-extraction was highly concentrated to about 73.3%. From the high recovery rate and composition of obtained through this study, we confirmed that the combination examined by this study was one of the very useful combinations for the concentration of present in the wash oil. Furthermore, we reviewed the recovery and concentration process of contained in the wash oil using the experiment results of the extraction and the re-extraction obtained from this study.
Topics: Crystallization; Indoles; Methanol; Solvents
PubMed: 36014569
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165331 -
Journal of Dairy Science Dec 2023Liquid micellar casein concentrate (MCC) is an ideal milk-based protein ingredient for neutral-pH ready-to-drink beverages. The texture and mouthfeel of liquid MCC-based...
Liquid micellar casein concentrate (MCC) is an ideal milk-based protein ingredient for neutral-pH ready-to-drink beverages. The texture and mouthfeel of liquid MCC-based beverages depend on the beverage protein content, as well as the composition of soluble proteins in the aqueous phase around the casein micelle. The objective of this study was to determine the composition of soluble proteins in the aqueous phase around the casein micelles in skim milk and liquid MCC containing 7.0% and 11.6% protein content. Skim milk was pasteurized and concentrated to 7% protein content by microfiltration and then to 18% protein content by ultrafiltration. The 18% MCC was then serially diluted with distilled water to produce 11.6% and 7.0% protein MCC. Skim milk, 7.0% MCC, and 11.6% MCC representing starting materials with different protein concentrations were each ultracentrifuged at 100,605 × g for 2 h. The ultracentrifugation for each of the starting materials was performed at 3 different temperatures: 4°C, 20°C, and 37°C. The ultracentrifugation supernatants were collected to represent the aqueous phase around the casein micelle in MCC solutions. The supernatants were analyzed by Kjeldahl to determine the crude protein, casein, and casein as a percentage of crude protein content, and by sodium dodecyl sulfate PAGE to determine the composition of the individual proteins. Most of the proteins in MCC supernatant (about 45%) were casein proteolysis products. The remaining proteins in the MCC supernatant consisted of a combination of intact α-, β-, and κ-caseins (about 40%) and serum proteins (14-18%). Concentrations of α-casein and β-casein in the supernatant increased with decreasing temperature, especially at higher protein concentrations. Temperature and interaction between temperature and protein explained about 80% of the variation in concentration of supernatant α- and β-caseins. Concentration of supernatant κ-casein, casein proteolysis products, and serum protein increased with increasing MCC protein concentration, and MCC protein concentration explained most of the variation in supernatant κ-casein, casein proteolysis products, and serum protein concentrations. Predicted MCC apparent viscosity was positively associated with the dissociation of α- and β-caseins. Optimal beverage viscosity could be achieved by controlling the dissociation of these proteins in MCC.
Topics: Animals; Caseins; Temperature; Micelles; Milk Proteins; Milk; Blood Proteins; Ultracentrifugation
PubMed: 37641294
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23595 -
Harmful Algae Jan 2020Rising concentrations of atmospheric CO results in higher equilibrium concentrations of dissolved CO in natural waters, with corresponding increases in hydrogen ion and... (Review)
Review
Rising concentrations of atmospheric CO results in higher equilibrium concentrations of dissolved CO in natural waters, with corresponding increases in hydrogen ion and bicarbonate concentrations and decreases in hydroxyl ion and carbonate concentrations. Superimposed on these climate change effects is the dynamic nature of carbon cycling in coastal zones, which can lead to seasonal and diel changes in pH and CO concentrations that can exceed changes expected for open ocean ecosystems by the end of the century. Among harmful algae, i.e. some species and/or strains of Cyanobacteria, Dinophyceae, Prymnesiophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, and Ulvophyceae, the occurrence of a CO concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) is the most frequent mechanism of inorganic carbon acquisition in natural waters in equilibrium with the present atmosphere (400 μmol CO mol total gas), with varying phenotypic modification of the CCM. No data on CCMs are available for Raphidophyceae or the brown tide Pelagophyceae. Several HAB species and/or strains respond to increased CO concentrations with increases in growth rate and/or cellular toxin content, however, others are unaffected. Beyond the effects of altered C concentrations and speciation on HABs, changes in pH in natural waters are likely to have profound effects on algal physiology. This review outlines the implications of changes in inorganic cycling for HABs in coastal zones, and reviews the knowns and unknowns with regard to how HABs can be expected to ocean acidification. We further point to the large regions of uncertainty with regard to this evolving field.
Topics: Carbon Dioxide; Ecosystem; Harmful Algal Bloom; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Seawater
PubMed: 32057340
DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2019.03.012 -
Environmental Research Sep 2020Concentrated human milk (HM-concentrate) can be obtained from the simple and inexpensive method of donated breast milk direct lyophilization. A previous study reported...
Concentrated human milk (HM-concentrate) can be obtained from the simple and inexpensive method of donated breast milk direct lyophilization. A previous study reported that HM-concentrate contains the adequate amount of main macro- and micronutrients for use as a nutritional resource for preterm infants with very low birth weight admitted to neonatal intensive care units. However, further details need to be elucidated about HM-concentrate composition, particularly its content of essential and potentially toxic trace elements. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the concentration of essential and toxic elements in human milk considered baseline (HM-baseline) and HM-concentrate, as well as to quantify changes in concentration of these elements after the HM concentration process. The concentration of Aluminum, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Iron, Mercury, Manganese, Nickel, Lead, Selenium, Tin, and Thallium was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Moreover, Bayesian linear mixed effect models were applied to estimate the mean difference between HM-baseline and HM-concentrate samples. After comparison (HM-concentrate versus HM-baseline), a significant increase in concentration was observed only for Manganese (0.80 μg/L; 95% CrI [0.16; 1.43]) and Selenium (6.74 μg/L; 95% CrI [4.66; 8.86]), while Lead concentration (-6.13 μg/L; 95% CrI [-8.63; -3.61]) decreased. This study provides latest and reliable information about HM composition. After milk concentration by lyophilization, there was a significant increase only in the essential elements Manganese and Selenium. The essential micronutrient content in HM-concentrate was similar or higher than that in preterm mothers' milk, which suggests it is viable for nutritional support of preterm infants. In addition, the low concentrations of potentially toxic elements in HM-concentrate indicates that it is safe for consumption by premature newborns.
Topics: Animals; Bayes Theorem; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Milk, Human; Trace Elements
PubMed: 32574850
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109733