Effects of thyroid status on NEI concentration in specific brain areas related to reproduction during the estrous cycle

We previously showed that short-term hypo- and hyperthyroidism induce changes in neuropeptide glutamic-acid-isoleucine-amide (NEI) concentrations in discrete brain areas in male rats. To investigate the possible effects of hypo- and hyperthyroidism on NEI concentrations mainly in hypothalamic areas related to reproduction and behavior, female rats were sacrificed at different days of the estrous cycle. Circulating luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured in control, hypothyroid (hypoT, treated with PTU during 7-9 days) and hyperthyroid (hyperT, l-T4 during 4-7 days) animals. Both treatments blunted the LH surge. Hypo- and hyperthyroidism increased estradiol concentrations during proestrus afternoon (P-PM), although hypoT rats showed lower values compared to control during proestrus morning (P-AM). Progesterone levels were higher in all groups at P-PM and in the hyperT during diestrus morning (D2). NEI concentrations were lower in hypoT rats during the estrous cycle except in estrus (E) in the peduncular part of the lateral hypothalamus (PLH). They were also reduced by both treatments in the perifornical part of the lateral hypothalamus (PeFLH) during P-PM. Hypothyroidism led to higher NEI concentrations during P-PM in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and anteroventral periventricular nucleus (OVLT+AVPV). The present results indicate that NEI concentration is regulated in a complex manner by hypo- and hyperthyroidism in the different areas studied, suggesting a correlation between NEI values and the variations of gonadal steroid levels during estrous cycle. These changes could be, in part, responsible for the alterations observed in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in these pathologies.

Entwicklung einer GC-MS-Methode zur Bestimmung von Iodspezies in wässrigen und gasförmigen Umweltproben

In der Vergangenheit wurde die Wichtigkeit von Iodverbindungen im Bezug auf die Aerosolbildung in Küstennähe wiederholt bestätigt. Durch Photolyse von flüchtigen iodorganischen Verbindungen (VOIs) können in der Atmosphäre Iodatome gebildet werden. Diese hochreaktiven Radikale wiederum können mit Ozon und/oder OH-Radikalen reagieren. Es werden so unter anderem schwerflüchtige Iodoxide gebildet, die in die Partikelphase übergehen können. Um ein Verständnis für die Mechanismen und chemischen Reaktionen zu bekommen, die zur Bildung von iodhaltigen Aerosolpartikeln führen, müssen auch Vorläufersubstanzen qualitativ und quanitativ bestimmt werden. Ob diese Reaktionen und chemischen Verbindungen auch über dem offenen Ozean einen Beitrag zu Aerosolbildung und somit zur Beeinflussung des weltweitem Klimas leisten, soll in dem EU-Projekt MAP geklärt werden, diese Arbeit ist Teil dieses Projekts. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde eine Methode entwickelt, die es zum einen möglich macht, anorganisches Iod in Meerwasser zu bestimmen. Zum anderen sollte eine Methode entwickelt werden, um elementares Iod in der maritimen Atmosphäre zu bestimmen. Es wurde eine Derivatisierungsmethode entwickelt, die es möglich macht elementares Iod in Anwesenheit von Stärke, a-Cyclodextrin oder RAMEA zu derivatisieren. Die Derivatisierung erfolgt zu 4-Iodo-N,N-Dimethylanilin. Durch Extraktion wird der Analyt in die organische Phase überführt. Die Quantifizierung erfolgt anschließend über die Analyse mit GC/MS und externer Kalibrierung. Die absolute Nachweisgrenze für Iod in Wasser beträgt 0,57nmol, für Iodid 0,014nmol und für Iodat 0,115nmol. Die absoluten Nachweisgrenzen für Iod in Anwesenheit eines Absorptionsmittel betragen für Stärke 0,24nmol, für a-Cyclodextrin 0,9nmol und für RAMEA 0,35nmol. Die Analysenmethoden wurden zunächst im Labor entwickelt und anschließend zur Analyse von Realproben verwendet. An verschiedenen Orten wurden Meerwasserproben (auf der Celtic Explorer und in der Nähe der Mace Head Messstation) genommen und deren Iod-, Iodid- und Iodatgehalt bestimmt. Keine der Proben enthielt elementares Iod. Iodid konnte in allen Proben detektiert werden. In Proben, die auf dem offenen Ozean an Bord der Celtic Explorer genommen wurden variierte die Menge zwischen 12µg/L und 90µg/L. Auffällig war hierbei, dass die Proben, die in Küstennähe genommen wurden höhere Iodidkonzentrationen aufwiesen. Ein Einfluss der Küste und der dort vorhandenen Makroalgen ist sehr wahrscheinlich. Meerwasserproben, die in der Nähe der MHARS genommen wurden wiesen höhere Konzentrationen und einen größeren dynamischen Bereich der Iodidkonzentrationen auf. Die Konzentrationen variierten von 29µg/L bis 630 µg/L. Der Iodatgehalt der Meerwasserproben wurde ebenfalls bestimmt. 1µg/L bis 90µg/L Iodat konnte in den Proben vom offenen Ozean detektiert werden. Die Küstenproben wiesen mit 150µg/L bis 230µg/L deutlich höhere Iodatkonzentrationen auf. Es konnte kein Zusammenhang zwischen der Tageszeit und den Iodid- oder Iodatkonzentrationen gefunden werden. Es konnte ebenso kein Zusammenhang zwischen der Fluoreszenz des Meerwassers und den Iodid- oder Iodatkonzentrationen gefunden werden. Auf der Celtic Explorer, wie auch in Mace Head wurden außerdem beschichtete Denuder zur Anreicherung von elementarem Iod aus Luft eingesetzt. Die Denuder, die auf dem Schiff verwendet wurden waren mit Stärke bzw. mit a-CD beschichtet. Die mit Stärke beschichteten Denuder geben so einen Überblick über die Iodkonzentration in Luft über einen längeren Zeitraum (ca. 2-3h), während die mit Cyclodextrin beschichteten Denuder die Iodkonzentration in der letzten halben Stunde der Probennahme widerspiegeln. In fast allen Denudern, die mit Stärke beschichtet waren, konnte mehr Iod nachgewiesen werden, als in denen, die mit a-CD beschichtet waren. Im Allgemeinen konnten in den Proben höhere Iodkonzentrationen gefunden werden, die nachts genommen wurden. Der Grund hierfür liegt in der sehr hohen Photolyserate des elementaren Iods während des Tages. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Konzentration von VOIs und dem Iodgehalt konnte nicht gefunden werden. Anhand der genommen Denuderproben von Mace Head konnte festgestellt werden, dass die Iodkonzentration in Denudern, deren Probenahme während Ebbe beendet wurde hoch deutlich höher sind, als die in anderen Denudern. Das lässt sich dadurch erklären, dass Makroalgen während Ebbe in direktem Kontakt zur Luft sind und somit mehr Iod in der Luft zu finden ist. Eine wichtige Frage, die im Zusammenhang mit der Iodchemie in maritimer Umgebung steht konnte im Rahmen dieser Arbeit geklärt werden. In der maritimen Grenzschicht über dem Nordatlantik konnte elementares Iod detektiert werden, d.h. es deutet sich an, dass Iod auch auf dem offenen Ozean einen Beitrag zur Partikelbildung liefern kann und es sich nicht ausschließlich um einen Küsteneffekt handelt.

Application of innovative methods of source apportionment in air contamination assessment

In this work, new tools in atmospheric pollutant sampling and analysis were applied in order to go deeper in source apportionment study. The project was developed mainly by the study of atmospheric emission sources in a suburban area influenced by a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI), a medium-sized coastal tourist town and a motorway. Two main research lines were followed. For what concerns the first line, the potentiality of the use of PM samplers coupled with a wind select sensor was assessed. Results showed that they may be a valid support in source apportionment studies. However, meteorological and territorial conditions could strongly affect the results. Moreover, new markers were investigated, particularly focusing on the processes of biomass burning. OC revealed a good biomass combustion process indicator, as well as all determined organic compounds. Among metals, lead and aluminium are well related to the biomass combustion. Surprisingly PM was not enriched of potassium during bonfire event. The second research line consists on the application of Positive Matrix factorization (PMF), a new statistical tool in data analysis. This new technique was applied to datasets which refer to different time resolution data. PMF application to atmospheric deposition fluxes identified six main sources affecting the area. The incinerator’s relative contribution seemed to be negligible. PMF analysis was then applied to PM2.5 collected with samplers coupled with a wind select sensor. The higher number of determined environmental indicators allowed to obtain more detailed results on the sources affecting the area. Vehicular traffic revealed the source of greatest concern for the study area. Also in this case, incinerator’s relative contribution seemed to be negligible. Finally, the application of PMF analysis to hourly aerosol data demonstrated that the higher the temporal resolution of the data was, the more the source profiles were close to the real one.

New techniques for the remote sensing of foliar nitrogen concentration in forest ecosystems.

During my Doctoral study I researched about the remote detection of canopy N concentration in forest stands, its potentials and problems, under many overlapping perspectives. The study consisted of three parts. In S. Rossore 2000 dataset analysis, I tested regressions between N concentration and NIR reflectances derived from different sources (field samples, airborne and satellite sensors). The analysis was further expanded using a larger dataset acquired in year 2009 as part of a new campaign funded by the ESA. In both cases, a good correlation was observed between Landsat NIR, using both TM (2009) and ETM+ (2000) imagery, and N concentration measured by a CHN elemental analyzer. Concerning airborne sensors I did not obtain the same good results, mainly because of the large FOV of the two instruments, and to the anisotropy of vegetation reflectance. We also tested the relation between ground based ASD measures and nitrogen concentration, obtaining really good results. Thus, I decided to expand my study to the regional level, focusing only on field and satellite measures. I analyzed a large dataset for the whole of Catalonia, Spain; MODIS imagery was used, in consideration of its spectral characteristics and despite its rather poor spatial resolution. Also in this case a regression between nitrogen concentration and reflectances was found, but not so good as in previous experiences. Moreover, vegetation type was found to play an important role in the observed relationship. We concluded that MODIS is not the most suitable satellite sensor in realities like Italy and Catalonia, which present a patchy and inhomogeneous vegetation cover; so it could be utilized for the parameterization of eco-physiological and biogeochemical models, but not for really local nitrogen estimate. Thus multispectral sensors similar to Landsat Thematic Mapper, with better spatial resolution, could be the most appropriate sensors to estimate N concentration.

The relation between mass and concentration in x-ray galaxy clusters at high-redshift.

In this Thesis work we have studied the properties of high-redshift galaxy clusters through the X-ray emission from their intracluster gas. In particular, we have focused on the relation between concentration and mass that is related to the density of the universe at the formation time of the clusters and therefore, it is a powerful cosmological probe. Concentration is expected to be a decreasing function of mass but a complete characterization of this relation has not been reached yet. We have analysed 22 clusters observed withe the Chandra satellite at high redshift and we have investigated the concentration-mass relation.

Processes influencing the nitrate concentration in an aquifer for drinking water production in Bremen-Nord - Northern Germany

Groundwater represents the most important raw material. Germany struggles to maintain the best water quality possible by providing advanced monitoring systems and legal measures to prevent further pollution. In areas involved in the intensive growing of plantations, one of the major contamination factors derives from nitrate. The aim of this master thesis is the characterisation of the Water Protection Area of Bremen (Germany). Denitrification is a natural process, representing the best means of natural reduction of the hazardous nitrate ion, which is dangerous both for human health and for the development of eutrophication. The study has been possible thanks to the collaboration with the University of Bremen, the Geological Service of Bremen (GDfB) and Peter Spiedt (Water Supply Company of Bremen). It will be defined whether nitrate amounts in the groundwater still overcome the threshold legally imposed, and state if the denitrification process takes place, thanks to new samples collected in 2015 and their integration with historical data. Gas samples have been gathered to test them with the “N2/Ar method”, which is able to estimate the denitrification rate quantitatively. Analyses stated the effective occurrence of the reaction, nevertheless showing that it only affects the chemical of the deep aquifers and not shallow ones. Temporal trends concentrations of nitrate have shown that no real improvement took place in the past years. It will be commented that despite the denitrification being responsible for an efficacious lowering in the nitrate ion, it needs reactive materials to take place. Since the latter are finite elements, it is not an endless process. It is thus believed that is clearly necessary to adopt a better attitude in order to maintain the best chemical qualities possible in such an important area, providing drinking water.

Juice of Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) inhibits oxytocin-induced increase of the intracellular calcium concentration in human myometrial cells

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20381326

Copeptin concentration in cord blood in infants with early-onset sepsis, chorioamnionitis and perinatal asphyxia

Background Vasopressin is one of the most important physiological stress and shock hormones. Copeptin, a stable vasopressin precursor, is a promising sepsis marker in adults. In contrast, its involvement in neonatal diseases remains unknown. The aim of this study was to establish copeptin concentrations in neonates of different stress states such as sepsis, chorioamnionitis and asphyxia. Methods Copeptin cord blood concentration was determined using the BRAHMS kryptor assay. Neonates with early-onset sepsis (EOS, n = 30), chorioamnionitis (n = 33) and asphyxia (n = 25) were compared to a control group of preterm and term (n = 155) neonates. Results Median copeptin concentration in cord blood was 36 pmol/l ranging from undetectable to 5498 pmol/l (IQR 7 - 419). Copeptin cord blood concentrations were non-normally distributed and increased with gestational age (p < 0.0001). Neonates born after vaginal compared to cesarean delivery had elevated copeptin levels (p < 0.0001). Copeptin correlated strongly with umbilical artery pH (Spearman's Rho -0.50, p < 0.0001), umbilical artery base excess (Rho -0.67, p < 0.0001) and with lactate at NICU admission (Rho 0.54, p < 0.0001). No difference was found when comparing copeptin cord blood concentrations between neonates with EOS and controls (multivariate p = 0.30). The highest copeptin concentrations were found in neonates with asphyxia (median 993 pmol/l). Receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis showed that copeptin cord blood concentrations were strongly associated with asphyxia: the area under the curve resulted at 0.91 (95%-CI 0.87-0.96, p < 0.0001). A cut-off of 400 pmol/l had a sensitivity of 92% and a specifity of 82% for asphyxia as defined in this study. Conclusions Copeptin concentrations were strongly related to factors associated with perinatal stress such as birth acidosis, asphyxia and vaginal delivery. In contrast, copeptin appears to be unsuitable for the diagnosis of EOS.

A prediction model for assessing residential radon concentration in Switzerland

Indoor radon is regularly measured in Switzerland. However, a nationwide model to predict residential radon levels has not been developed. The aim of this study was to develop a prediction model to assess indoor radon concentrations in Switzerland. The model was based on 44,631 measurements from the nationwide Swiss radon database collected between 1994 and 2004. Of these, 80% randomly selected measurements were used for model development and the remaining 20% for an independent model validation. A multivariable log-linear regression model was fitted and relevant predictors selected according to evidence from the literature, the adjusted R², the Akaike's information criterion (AIC), and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). The prediction model was evaluated by calculating Spearman rank correlation between measured and predicted values. Additionally, the predicted values were categorised into three categories (50th, 50th-90th and 90th percentile) and compared with measured categories using a weighted Kappa statistic. The most relevant predictors for indoor radon levels were tectonic units and year of construction of the building, followed by soil texture, degree of urbanisation, floor of the building where the measurement was taken and housing type (P-values <0.001 for all). Mean predicted radon values (geometric mean) were 66 Bq/m³ (interquartile range 40-111 Bq/m³) in the lowest exposure category, 126 Bq/m³ (69-215 Bq/m³) in the medium category, and 219 Bq/m³ (108-427 Bq/m³) in the highest category. Spearman correlation between predictions and measurements was 0.45 (95%-CI: 0.44; 0.46) for the development dataset and 0.44 (95%-CI: 0.42; 0.46) for the validation dataset. Kappa coefficients were 0.31 for the development and 0.30 for the validation dataset, respectively. The model explained 20% overall variability (adjusted R²). In conclusion, this residential radon prediction model, based on a large number of measurements, was demonstrated to be robust through validation with an independent dataset. The model is appropriate for predicting radon level exposure of the Swiss population in epidemiological research. Nevertheless, some exposure misclassification and regression to the mean is unavoidable and should be taken into account in future applications of the model.

Milk cortisol concentration in automatic milking systems compared with auto-tandem milking parlors

Milk cortisol concentration was determined under routine management conditions on 4 farms with an auto-tandem milking parlor and 8 farms with 1 of 2 automatic milking systems (AMS). One of the AMS was a partially forced (AMSp) system, and the other was a free cow traffic (AMSf) system. Milk samples were collected for all the cows on a given farm (20 to 54 cows) for at least 1 d. Behavioral observations were made during the milking process for a subset of 16 to 20 cows per farm. Milk cortisol concentration was evaluated by milking system, time of day, behavior during milking, daily milk yield, and somatic cell count using linear mixed-effects models. Milk cortisol did not differ between systems (AMSp: 1.15 +/- 0.07; AMSf: 1.02 +/- 0.12; auto-tandem parlor: 1.01 +/- 0.16 nmol/L). Cortisol concentrations were lower in evening than in morning milkings (1.01 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.24 +/- 0.13 nmol/L). The daily periodicity of cortisol concentration was characterized by an early morning peak and a late afternoon elevation in AMSp. A bimodal pattern was not evident in AMSf. Finally, milk cortisol decreased by a factor of 0.915 in milking parlors, by 0.998 in AMSp, and increased by a factor of 1.161 in AMSf for each unit of ln(somatic cell count/1,000). We conclude that milking cows in milking parlors or AMS does not result in relevant stress differences as measured by milk cortisol concentrations. The biological relevance of the difference regarding the daily periodicity of milk cortisol concentrations observed between the AMSp and AMSf needs further investigation.