Impact of different cultivation methods on the metabolic profile of apples studied by 1H HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy

The cultivation of dessert apples has to meet the consumer's increasing demand for high fruit quality and a sustainable mostly residue-free production while ensuring a competitive agricultural productivity. It is therefore of great interest to know the impact of different cultivation methods on the fruit quality and the chemical composition, respectively. Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning (HR-MAS) NMR spectroscopy directly performed on apple tissue as analytical tool for metabonomic studies. In this study, HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy is applied to apple tissue to analyze the metabolic profiles of apples grown under 3 different cultivation methods. Golden Delicious apples were grown applying organic (Bio), integrated (IP) and low-input (LI) plant protection strategies. A total of 70 1H HR-MAS NMR spectra were analyzed by means of principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Apples derived from Bio-production could be well separated from the two other cultivation methods applying both, PCA and PLS-DA. Apples obtained from integrated (IP) and low-input (LI) production discriminated when taking the third PLS-component into account. The identified chemical composition and the compounds responsible for the separation, i.e. the PLS-loadings, are discussed. The results are compared with fruit quality parameters assessed by conventional methods. The present study demonstrates the potential of HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy of fruit tissue as analytical tool for finding markers for specific fruit production conditions like the cultivation method.

Lung cancer screening with CT: evaluation of radiologists and different computer assisted detection software (CAD) as first and second readers for lung nodule detection at different dose levels

OBJECTIVES To find the best pairing of first and second reader at highest sensitivity for detecting lung nodules with CT at various dose levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS An anthropomorphic lung phantom and artificial lung nodules were used to simulate screening CT-examination at standard dose (100 mAs, 120 kVp) and 8 different low dose levels, using 120, 100 and 80 kVp combined with 100, 50 and 25 mAs. At each dose level 40 phantoms were randomly filled with 75 solid and 25 ground glass nodules (5-12 mm). Two radiologists and 3 different computer aided detection softwares (CAD) were paired to find the highest sensitivity. RESULTS Sensitivities at standard dose were 92%, 90%, 84%, 79% and 73% for reader 1, 2, CAD1, CAD2, CAD3, respectively. Combined sensitivity for human readers 1 and 2 improved to 97%, (p1=0.063, p2=0.016). Highest sensitivities--between 97% and 99.0%--were achieved by combining any radiologist with any CAD at any dose level. Combining any two CADs, sensitivities between 85% and 88% were significantly lower than for radiologists combined with CAD (p<0.03). CONCLUSIONS Combination of a human observer with any of the tested CAD systems provide optimal sensitivity for lung nodule detection even at reduced dose at 25 mAs/80 kVp.

Apoptosis of ligamentous cells of the cranial cruciate ligament from stable stifle joints of dogs with partial cranial cruciate ligament rupture

OBJECTIVE To describe the presence and amount of apoptotic ligamentous cells in different areas of partially ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligaments (prCCLs) and to compare these findings with apoptosis of ligamentous cells in totally ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments (trCCLs). ANIMALS 20 dogs with prCCLs and 14 dogs with trCCLs. PROCEDURES Dogs with prCCLs or trCCLs were admitted to the veterinary hospital for stifle joint treatment. Biopsy specimens of the intact area of prCCLs (group A) and the ruptured area of prCCLs (group B) as well as specimens from trCCLs (group C) were harvested during arthroscopy. Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) detection were used to detect apoptotic ligamentous cells by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS No difference was found in the degree of synovitis or osteophytosis between prCCLs and trCCLs. No difference was found in degenerative changes in ligaments between groups A and B. A substantial amount of apoptotic cells could be found in > 90% of all stained slides. A correlation (r(s) = 0.71) was found between the number of caspase-3-and PARP-positive cells. No significant difference was found in the amount of apoptotic cells among the 3 groups. No significant correlation could be detected between the degree of synovitis and apoptotic cells or osteophyte production and apoptotic cells. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The lack of difference between the 3 groups indicates that apoptosis could be a factor in the internal disease process leading to CCL rupture and is not primarily a consequence of the acute rupture of the ligament.

Petrology and geochemistry at DSDP Site 59-448

This chemical and petrologic study of rocks from Site 448 on the Palau-Kyushu Ridge is designed to answer some fundamental questions concerning the volcanic origin of remnant island arcs. According to the reconstruction of the Western Pacific prior to about 45 m.y. ago (Hilde et al., 1977), the site of the Palau-Kyushu Ridge was a major transform fault. From a synthesis of existing geological and geophysical data (R. Scott et al., this volume), it appears that the ridge originated by subduction of the Pacific plate under the West Philippine Basin. Thus the Palau-Kyushu Ridge should be a prime example of both initial volcanism of an incipient arc formed by interaction of oceanic lithospheric plates and remnant-arc volcanic evolution. The Palau-Kyushu Ridge was an active island arc from about 42 to 30 m.y. ago, after which initiation of back-arc spreading formed the Parece Vela Basin (R. Scott et al., this volume; Karig, 1975a). This spreading left the western portion of the ridge as a remnant arc that separates the West Philippine Basin from the Parece Vela Basin. In spite of numerous oceanographic expeditions to the Philippine Sea, including the two previous DSDP Legs 6 and 31 (Fischer, Heezen et al., 1971; Karig, Ingle et al., 1975), and even though the origins of inter-arc basins have been linked by various hypotheses to that of remnant island arcs (Karig, 1971, 1972, 1975a, and 1975b; Gill, 1976; Uyeda and Ben-Avraham, 1972; Hilde et al., 1977), very little hard data are available on inactive remnant arcs.

(Table 1.4) Ratios of petrogenic components in glassy and crystalline basalts from the north part of the Bougault anomaly, Mid-Atlantic Ridge 15°N

Structure and composition of sub-surface bottom sediments from the southwest Barents Sea have been under study. The study has revealed heterogeneity of sediment structure resulted from temporal irregularity and variability of sedimentation processes. The study of the heavy minerals from 0.1-0.01 mm grain size fraction has shown prevalence of green hornblende, epidote, garnet, and ilmenite in all types of sediments; these minerals are the basis of terrigenous-mineralogical province. At the same time in different areas local terrigenous-mineralogical associations have been identified. Clay mineral composition of in the sediments was quite uniform: biotite, chlorite, hydromica, smectite. Despite this, a number of features indicating initial stages of clay mineral transformation has been identified. Differences in material composition and structure of the studied sediments are associated with rapid change in paleogeographic situation on the land - ice cover melting on the Kola Peninsula and subsequent Holocene climatic situation.

Relative contents of principal diatom groups in suspended matter and surface layer bottom sediments from the Indian Ocean

Data on relative contents of principal diatom groups in suspended matter collected by a separator on the way of the ship and in bottom sediments from different areas of the Indian Ocean are presented in the paper.

Geochemistry of sediments from the mid-oceanic Kolbeinsey Ridge

In order to assess recent submarine volcanic contributions to the sediments from the active Kolbeinsey Ridge, surface samples were analyzed chemically. The contribution of major and trace elements studied differ within the study area. A statistical analysis of the geochemical variables using factor analysis and cluster method allows to distinguish possible sample groups. Cluster method identifies three distinct sediment groups located in different areas of sedimentation. Group 1 is characterized by highest contents of Fe2O3, V, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn demonstrating the input of volcaniclastic material. Group 2 comprises high values of CaCO3, CaO and Sr representing biogenic carbonate. Group 3 is characterized by the elements K, Rb, Cs, La and Pb indicating the terrigenous component. The absolute percentage of the volcanic, biogenic and terrigenous components in the bulk sediments was calculated by using a normative sediment method. The highest volcanic component (> 60% on a carbonate free basis) is found on the ridge crest. The biogenic component is highest (10-30%) in the eastern part of the Spar Fracture Zone influenced by the East Iceland Current. Samples from the western and southeastern region of the study area contain more than 90% of terrigenous component which appears to be mainly controlled by input of ice-rafted debris.

(Table 1.5) Contents of some volatile components in glassy MORB from the north part of the Bougault anomaly, Mid-Atlantic Ridge 15°N

Structure and composition of sub-surface bottom sediments from the southwest Barents Sea have been under study. The study has revealed heterogeneity of sediment structure resulted from temporal irregularity and variability of sedimentation processes. The study of the heavy minerals from 0.1-0.01 mm grain size fraction has shown prevalence of green hornblende, epidote, garnet, and ilmenite in all types of sediments; these minerals are the basis of terrigenous-mineralogical province. At the same time in different areas local terrigenous-mineralogical associations have been identified. Clay mineral composition of in the sediments was quite uniform: biotite, chlorite, hydromica, smectite. Despite this, a number of features indicating initial stages of clay mineral transformation has been identified. Differences in material composition and structure of the studied sediments are associated with rapid change in paleogeographic situation on the land - ice cover melting on the Kola Peninsula and subsequent Holocene climatic situation.

Whale sightings, group sizes and krill biomass in West Greenland in 2005

This study combined data on fin whale Balaenoptera physalus, humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae, minke whale B. acutorostrata, and sei whale B. borealis sightings from large-scale visual aerial and ship-based surveys (248 and 157 sightings, respectively) with synoptic acoustic sampling of krill Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Thysanoessa sp. abundance in September 2005 in West Greenland to examine the relationships between whales and their prey. Krill densities were obtained by converting relationships of volume backscattering strengths at multiple frequencies to a numerical density using an estimate of krill target strength. Krill data were vertically integrated in 25 m depth bins between 0 and 300 m to obtain water column biomass (g/m**2) and translated to density surfaces using ordinary kriging. Standard regression models (Generalized Additive Modeling, GAM, and Generalized Linear Modeling, GLM) were developed to identify important explanatory variables relating the presence, absence, and density of large whales to the physical and biological environment and different survey platforms. Large baleen whales were concentrated in 3 focal areas: (1) the northern edge of Lille Hellefiske bank between 65 and 67°N, (2) north of Paamiut at 63°N, and (3) in South Greenland between 60 and 61° N. There was a bimodal pattern of mean krill density between depths, with one peak between 50 and 75 m (mean 0.75 g/m**2, SD 2.74) and another between 225 and 275 m (mean 1.2 to 1.3 g/m**2, SD 23 to 19). Water column krill biomass was 3 times higher in South Greenland than at any other site along the coast. Total depth-integrated krill biomass was 1.3 x 10**9 (CV 0.11). Models indicated the most important parameter in predicting large baleen whale presence was integrated krill abundance, although this relationship was only significant for sightings obtained on the ship survey. This suggests that a high degree of spatio-temporal synchrony in observations is necessary for quantifying predator-prey relationships. Krill biomass was most predictive of whale presence at depths >150 m, suggesting a threshold depth below which it is energetically optimal for baleen whales to forage on krill in West Greenland.

Gas emissions and ROV survey tracks of the Regab pockmark (Northern Congo Fan)

Pockmarks are seafloor depressions commonly associated with fluid escape from the seabed and are believed to contribute noticeably to the transfer of methane into the ocean and ultimately into the atmosphere. They occur in many different areas and geological contexts, and vary greatly in size and shape. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of pockmark growth are still largely unclear. Still, seabed methane emissions contribute to the global carbon budget, and understanding such processes is critical to constrain future quantifications of seabed methane release at local and global scales. The giant Regab pockmark (9°42.6' E, 5°47.8' S), located at 3160 m water depth near the Congo deep-sea channel (offshore southwestern Africa), was investigated with state-of-the-art mapping devices mounted on IFREMER's (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Victor 6000. ROV-borne micro-bathymetry and backscatter data of the entire structure, a high-resolution photo-mosaic covering 105,000 m2 of the most active area, sidescan mapping of gas emissions, and maps of faunal distribution as well as of carbonate crust occurrence are combined to provide an unprecedented detailed view of a giant pockmark. All data sets suggest that the pockmark is composed of two very distinctive zones in terms of seepage intensity. We postulate that these zones are the surface expression of two fluid flow regimes in the subsurface: focused flow through a fractured medium and diffuse flow through a porous medium. We conclude that the growth of giant pockmarks is controlled by self-sealing processes and lateral spreading of rising fluids. In particular, partial redirection of fluids through fractures in the sediments can drive the pockmark growth in preferential directions.

Distribution of marine litter at bathyal and abyssal depths in the Mediterranean Sea

The distribution, type and quantity of marine litter accumulated on the bathyal and abyssal Mediterranean seafloor has been studied in the framework of the Spanish national projects PROMETEO and DOS MARES and the ESF-EuroDEEP project BIOFUN. Litter was collected with an otter trawl and Agassiz trawl while sampling for megafauna on the Blanes canyon and adjacent slope (Catalan margin, north-western Mediterranean) between 900 and 2700 m depth, and on the western, central and eastern Mediterranean basins at 1200, 2000 and 3000 m depth. All litter was sorted into 8 categories (hard plastic, soft plastic, glass, metal, clinker, fabric, longlines and fishing nets) and weighed. The distribution of litter was analysed in relation to depth, geographic area and natural (bathymetry, currents and rivers) and anthropogenic (population density and shipping routes) processes. The most abundant litter types were plastic, glass, metal and clinker. Lost or discarded fishing gear was also commonly found. On the Catalan margin, although the data indicated an accumulation of litter with increasing depth, mean weight was not significantly different between depths or between the open slope and the canyon. We propose that litter accumulated in the canyon, with high proportions of plastics, has predominantly a coastal origin, while litter collected on the open slope, dominated by heavy litter, is mostly ship-originated, especially at sites under major shipping routes. Along the trans-Mediterranean transect, although a higher amount of litter seemed to be found on the Western Mediterranean, differences of mean weight were not significant between the 3 geographic areas and the 3 depths. Here, the shallower sites, also closer to the coast, had a higher proportion of plastics than the deeper sites, which had a higher proportion of heavy litter and were often affected by shipping routes. The weight of litter was also compared to biomass of megafauna from the same samples. On the Blanes slope, the biomass of megafauna was significantly higher than the weight of litter between 900 and 2000 m depth and no significant differences were found at 2250 and 2700 m depth. Along the trans-Mediterranean transect, no significant differences were found between biomass and litter weight at all sites except in two sites: the Central Mediterranean at 1200 m depth, where biomass was higher than litter weight, and the Eastern Mediterranean at 1200 m depth, where litter weight was higher than biomass. The results are discussed in the framework of knowledge on marine litter accumulation, its potential impact on the habitat and fauna and the legislation addressing these issues.

Phyto- and zooplankton of the southeastern Barents Sea in April 2000

Spring bloom of cold-water centric and pennate diatoms was observed in two different areas of the southeastern Barents Sea in April 2000: ice-free waters off the Kolguev Island northern shelf and the eastern Pechora Sea near the Karskie Vorota (Kara Gate) Straight in polynyas and ice-free patches in one-year-old ice. Maximal values of phytoplankton abundance and biomass were found at the ice edge. The bloom was localized in shallow water areas with depths less than 50 m in mixing zones of waters of different origin: warm Atlantic, cold coastal, and Arctic (Litke current) waters. Ice melting was among factors inducing the phytoplankton bloom. Each area had a specific phytocoenosis, whose structure was determined by water origin and ice conditions. In the western Kara Sea, under a solid (up to 30 cm thick) ice cover (i.e., under conditions of a hydrological winter), a spring phytoplankton succession was observed from its initial stage. In areas located close to the ice-cover edge, simultaneously with the mass phytoplankton bloom, the early spring zoocoenosis development manifested itself in mass spawning of euphausiids and mass appearance of Cirripedia nauplii and bottom polychaete larvae.

Studying the effect of CO2-induced acidification on sediment toxicity using acute amphipod toxicity test

Carbon capture and storage is increasingly being considered one of the most efficient approaches to mitigate the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere associated with anthropogenic emissions. However, the environmental effects of potential CO2 leaks remain largely unknown. The amphipod Ampelisca brevicornis was exposed to environmental sediments collected in different areas of the Gulf of Cádiz and subjected to several pH treatments to study the effects of CO2-induced acidification on sediment toxicity. After 10 days of exposure, the results obtained indicated that high lethal effects were associated with the lowest pH treatments, except for the Ría of Huelva sediment test. The mobility of metals from sediment to the overlying seawater was correlated to a pH decrease. The data obtained revealed that CO2-related acidification would lead to lethal effects on amphipods as well as the mobility of metals, which could increase sediment toxicity.

Fluorescence of dissolved organic matter un marine sediments

The fluorescence of porewaters from marine sediment cores from six different areas was measured. In most cases, fluorescence was affected primarily by the diagenesis of organic carbon first through sulfate reduction and subsequently by methane generation. Typically, fluorescence, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), absorbance, alkalinity, and ammonium ion concentrations correlate quite well, increasing in the upper sections of anoxic sediments and co-varying in deeper sections of these cores. The good correlation of DOC with fluorescence in the three cores in which DOC was measured indicates that fluorescence can be used to make a first order estimate of DOC concentration in anoxic porewaters. Data are consistent with a model in which labile organic matter in the sediments is broken down by sulfur reducing bacteria to low molecular weight monomers. These monomers are either remineralized to CO2 or polymerize to form dissolved, fluorescent, high molecular weight molecules. The few exceptions to this model involve hydrothermally generated hydrocarbons that are formed in situ in the Guaymas Basin or are horizontally advected along the decollement in the Nankai Trench.