Titanium dioxide induced inflammation in the small intestine

AIM: To investigate the effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPTiO2) and microparticles (MPTiO2) on the inflammatory response in the small intestine of mice. METHODS: BI 57/6 male mice received distilled water suspensions containing TiO2 (100 mg/kg body weight) as NPTiO2 (66 nm), or MPTiO2 (260 nm) by gavage for 10 d, once a day; the control group received only distilled water. At the end of the treatment the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were extracted for assessment of cytokines, inflammatory cells and titanium content. The cytokines interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, IL-23, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), intracellular interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in segments of jejunum and ileum (mucosa and underlying muscular tissue). CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells were evaluated in duodenum, jejunum and ileum samples fixed in 10% formalin by immunohistochemistry. The titanium content was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. RESULTS: We found increased levels of T CD4(+) cells (cells/mm(2)) in duodenum: NP 1240 +/- 139.4, MP 1070 +/- 154.7 vs 458 +/- 50.39 (P < 0.01); jejunum: NP 908.4 +/- 130.3, MP 813.8 +/- 103.8 vs 526.6 +/- 61.43 (P < 0.05); and ileum: NP 818.60 +/- 123.0, MP 640.1 +/- 32.75 vs 466.9 +/- 22.4 (P < 0.05). In comparison to the control group, the groups receiving TiO2 showed a statistically significant increase in the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-12, IL-4, IL-23, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta. The cytokine production was more pronounced in the ileum (mean SE): IL-12: NP 33.98 +/- 11.76, MP 74.11 +/- 25.65 vs 19.06 +/- 3.92 (P < 0.05); IL-4: NP 17.36 +/- 9.96, MP 22.94 +/- 7.47 vs 2.19 +/- 0.65 (P < 0.05); IL-23: NP 157.20 +/- 75.80, MP 134.50 +/- 38.31 vs 22.34 +/- 5.81 (P < 0.05); TNF alpha: NP 3.71 +/- 1.33, MP 5.44 +/- 1.67 vs 0.99 +/- 019 (P < 0.05); IFN gamma: NP 15.85 +/- 9.99, MP 34.08 +/- 11.44 vs 2.81 +/- 0.69 (P < 0.05); and TGF-alpha: NP 780.70 +/- 318.50, MP 1409.00 +/- 502.20 vs 205.50 +/- 63.93 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that TiO2 particles induce a Th1-mediated inflammatory response in the small bowel in mice. (C) 2012 Baishideng. All rights reserved.

Sugarcane Growth Promotion by the Endophytic Bacterium Pantoea agglomerans 33.1

The promotion of sugarcane growth by the endophytic Pantoea agglomerans strain 33.1 was studied under gnotobiotic and greenhouse conditions. The green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged strain P. agglomerans 33.1: pNKGFP was monitored in vitro in sugarcane plants by microscopy, reisolation, and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Using qPCR and reisolation 4 and 15 days after inoculation, we observed that GFP-tagged strains reached similar density levels both in the rhizosphere and inside the roots and aerial plant tissues. Microscopic analysis was performed at 5, 10, and 18 days after inoculation. Under greenhouse conditions, P. agglomerans 33.1-inoculated sugarcane plants presented more dry mass 30 days after inoculation. Cross-colonization was confirmed by reisolation of the GFP-tagged strain. These data demonstrate that 33.1:pNKGFP is a superior colonizer of sugarcane due to its ability to colonize a number of different plant parts. The growth promotion observed in colonized plants may be related to the ability of P. agglomerans 33.1 to synthesize indoleacetic acid and solubilize phosphate. Additionally, this strain may trigger chitinase and cellulase production by plant roots, suggesting the induction of a plant defense system. However, levels of indigenous bacterial colonization did not vary between inoculated and noninoculated sugarcane plants under greenhouse conditions, suggesting that the presence of P. agglomerans 33.1 has no effect on these communities. In this study, different techniques were used to monitor 33.1:pNKGFP during sugarcane cross-colonization, and our results suggested that this plant growth promoter could be used with other crops. The interaction between sugarcane and P. agglomerans 33.1 has important benefits that promote the plant's growth and fitness.

Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium Data for the System Lard plus Oleic Acid plus Ethanol + Water at 318.2 K: Cholesterol Distribution Coefficients

This research reports liquid liquid equilibrium data for the system lard (swine fat), cis-9-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid), ethanol, and water at 318.2 K, as well as their correlation with the nonrandom two-liquid (NRTL) and universal quasichemical activity coefficient (UNIQUAC) thermodynamic equations, which have provided global deviations of 0.41 % and 0.53 %, respectively. Additional equilibrium experiments were also performed to obtain cholesterol partition (or distribution) coefficients to verify the availability of the use of ethanol plus water to reduce the cholesterol content in lard. The partition experiments were performed with concentrations of free fatty acids (commercial oleic acid) that varied from (0 to 20) mass % and of water in the solvent that varied from (0 to 18) mass %. The percentage of free fatty acids initially present in lard had a slight effect on the distribution of cholesterol between the phases. Furthermore, the distribution coefficients decreased by adding water in the ethanol; specifically, it resulted in a diminution of the capability of the solvent to remove the cholesterol.

Interannual variation in commercial oyster (Crassostrea gigas) farming in the sea (Florianopolis, Brazil, 27 degrees 44 ' S; 48 degrees 33 ' W) in relation to temperature, chlorophyll a and associated oceanographic conditions

Aquaculture of filter-feeding bivalve mollusks involves the fruitful conversion of marine particulate organic matter into premium protein of high nutritive value. Culture performance of bivalves is largely dependent on hydrological conditions and directly affected by e. g. temperature and chlorophyll levels. Accordingly, these parameters may be related with seasonality but also with oceanographic features combined with climate events. Yields of Pacific cupped oyster (Crassostrea gigas) reared at commercial procedures in suspended structures (long-lines) in a sheltered bay in Southern Brazil (Santa Catarina State, 27S 43'; 48 W 30') were evaluated in relation to local environmental conditions: sea surface temperature, chlorophyll a concentration, and associate effects of cold fronts events and El Nino and La Nina periods. Outputs from four consecutive commercial crop years were analyzed (2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09) in terms of oyster survival and development time during the following grow-out phases of the culture cycle: seed to juvenile, juvenile to adult, adult to marketable. Since culture management and genetics were standardized significant differences verified among crop performance could be mostly related to environmental effects. Time series of temperature and chlorophyll a (remote sensing data) from crop periods displayed significant seasonal and interannual variation. As expected, performance during initial grow-out stages (seed to juvenile) was critical for final crop yield. Temperature was the main factor affecting survival in these initial stages with a trend of negative correlation, though not statistically significant. On the other hand, oyster development rate was significantly and positively affected by chlorophyll a concentration. Chlorophyll a values could be increased by upwelled cold nutrient-rich South Atlantic Central Water (SACW, related to predominant Northern winds) though further dependent on occurrence of Southern winds (cold fronts) to assist seawater penetration into the sheltered farming area. Lower salinity nutrient-rich northward drifted waters from La Plata River discharge may also result in chlorophyll a rise in the farming area. The El Nino period (July 2006 to February 2007) coincided with lower chlorophyll a levels in the farming site that may be related to both decreased number of cold fronts as well as predominance of Northern winds that retain northward spreading of La Plata River discharge waters. In contrast, the La Nina period (August 2007 to June 2008) corresponded to higher chlorophyll a values in the farming area by both upwelling of SACW and penetration of La Plata River discharge water assisted by increased occurrence of Southern winds and cold fronts. The recognition of the potentially changing climate and effects upon the environment will be an important step in planning future development of bivalve aquaculture.