Utilisation d’un modèle de co-culture cellulaire pour l’évaluation in vitro du transport inverse du cholestérol

De nouveaux modèles cellulaires in vitro par transfert de milieu et par coculture ont été mis au point afin d’évaluer la capacité des HDL à éliminer l’excès de cholestérol des tissus périphériques et de le transporter vers le foie afin d’être excrété par le foie, un processus nommé le transport inverse du cholestérol (TIC). Le système cellulaire par transfert in vitro où des macrophages J774 sont gorgés de LDL acétylées et marqués au 3H-cholestérol a été préalablement établi afin de mesurer par scintillation l’efflux de cholestérol marqué vers le milieu de culture contenant des accepteurs de cholestérol. Ce milieu conditionné est transféré sur des cellules HepG2 afin d’étudier l’influx du cholestérol marqué. Ce dernier nous permet d’observer un transport de cholestérol de 25 % hors des J774 et un transport de 39 000 cpm dans les HepG2 en utilisant un milieu contenant 2 % de sérums humains mis en commun. Une stimulation des cellules J774 par l’AMPc augmente l’efflux et l’influx d’environ 45 %. Des tests de preuve de concept ont été effectués sur le système cellulaire par co-culture qui utilise des chambres de Boyden où les J774 sont localisées au fond d’un puits et les HepG2 dans un insert, et où le milieu est partagé entre les deux types cellulaires. On a déterminé qu’une confluence densité de 60 000 cellules/cm2 sur un insert constitué d’une membrane de polyester avec des pores de 3,0 μm, sans autre revêtement, permet d’observer un influx spécifique au sérum d’environ 6 000 cpm associés aux cellules HepG2, où 50 % des comptes radioactifs sont dans les cellules et l’autre moitié présente à la surface cellulaire.

Methane concentrations and methane oxidation rates from June 2012 - June 2013 in the Elbe Estuary, from Hamburg to Cuxhaven, Germany

Rivers represent a transition zone between terrestric and aquatic environments, and between methane rich and methane poor environments. The Elbe River is one of the important rivers draining into the North Sea and with the Elbe potentially high amounts of methane could be imported into the water column of the North Sea. Twelve cruises from October 2010 until June 2013 were conducted from Hamburg towards the Elbe mouth at Cuxhaven. The dynamic of methane concentration in the water column and its consumption via methane oxidation was measured. In addition, physico-chemical parameters were used to estimate their influence on the methanotrophic activity. We observed high methane concentrations at the stations in the area of Hamburg harbor ("inner estuary") and about 10 times lower concentrations in the outer estuary (median of 416 versus 40 nmol/L). The methane oxidation (MOX) rate mirrowed the methane distribution with high values in the inner estuary and low values in the outer estuary (median of 161 versus 10 nmol/L/d respectively) Methane concentrations were significantly influenced by the river hydrology (falling water level) and the trophic state of the water (biological oxygen demand). In contrast to other studies no clear relation to the amount of suspendended particulate matter (SPM) was found. Methane oxidation rates were significantly influenced by methane concentration and to a weaker extent by temperature. Methane oxidation accounted for 41 ± 12% of the total loss of methane in summer/fall, but only for 5 ± 3% of the total loss in winter/spring. We applied a modified box model taking into account the residence times of a water parcel depending on discharge and tidal impact. We observed almost stable methane concentrations in the outer estuary, despite a strong loss of methane through diffusion and oxidation. Thus we postulate that in the outer Elbe estuary a strong additional input of methane is required, which could be provided by the extensive salt marshes near the river mouth.

The impact of fluctuating light on the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans depends on NO3- and CO2 availability

Increasing atmospheric pCO2 and its dissolution into oceans leads to ocean acidification and warming, which reduces the thickness of upper mixing layer (UML) and upward nutrient supply from deeper layers. These events may alter the nutritional conditions and the light regime to which primary producers are exposed in the UML. In order to better understand the physiology behind the responses to the concomitant climate changes factors, we examined the impact of light fluctuation on the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans grown at low (1 µmol/L) or high (800 µmol/L) [NO3(-)] and at high (1000 µatm) or low (390 µatm, ambient) pCO2. The light regimes to which the algal cells were subjected were (1) constant light at a photon flux density (PFD) of either 100 (C100) or 500 (C500) µmol/m**2/s or (2) fluctuating light between 100 or 500 µmol photons/m**2/s with a frequency of either 15 (F15) or 60 (F60) min. Under continuous light, the initial portion of the light phase required the concomitant presence of high CO2 and NO3(-) concentrations for maximum growth. After exposure to light for 3h, high CO2 exerted a negative effect on growth and effective quantum yield of photosystem II (F'(v)/F'(m)). Fluctuating light ameliorated growth in the first period of illumination. In the second 3h of treatment, higher frequency (F15) of fluctuations afforded high growth rates, whereas the F60 treatment had detrimental consequences, especially when NO3(-) concentration was lower. F'(v)/F'(m) respondent differently from growth to fluctuating light: the fluorescence yield was always lower than at continuous light at 100 µmol/m**2/s, and always higher at 500 µmol/m**2/s. Our data show that the impact of atmospheric pCO2 increase on primary production of dinoflagellate depends on the availability of nitrate and the irradiance (intensity and the frequency of irradiance fluctuations) to which the cells are exposed. The impact of global change on oceanic primary producers would therefore be different in waters with different chemical and physical (mixing) properties.

Biogeochemical and physico-chemical characteristics in the gulf of Trieste, Italy

In this paper we investigated, for two years and with a bi-monthly frequency, how physical, chemical, and biological processes affect the marine carbonate system in a coastal area characterized by high alkalinity riverine discharge (Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean Sea).

Cape Lookout cold-water coral area, coral ages and environmental parameters for the last glacial cycle

Climatic and oceanographic changes, as occurring at a glacial-interglacial scale, may alter the environmental conditions needed for the development of prolific cold-water coral reefs and mounds. Studies constraining the temporal distribution of cold-water corals in the NE Atlantic suggested the cyclic changes of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation as the main driver for the development and dispersal of cold-water coral ecosystems. However, conclusions were hindered by lack of data from the NW Atlantic. Aiming to overcome this lack of data, the temporal occurrence of cold-water corals in the Cape Lookout area along the southeastern US margin was explored by U-series dating. Furthermore, the local influence of the regional water masses, namely the Gulf Stream, on cold-water coral proliferation and occurrence since the Last Glacial Maximum was examined. Results suggest that the occurrence of cold-water corals in the Cape Lookout area is restricted to interglacial periods, with corals being present during the last ~7 kyr and also during the Eemian (~125 ka). The reconstructed local environmental conditions suggest an offshore displacement of the Gulf Stream and increased influence from the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf waters during the last glacial period. During the deglacial sea level rise, the Gulf Stream moved coastward providing present-day-like conditions to the surface waters. Nevertheless, present-day conditions at the ocean sea floor were not established before 7.5 cal ka BP once the ultimate demise of the Laurentide ice-sheet caused the final sea level rise and the displacement of the Gulf Stream to its present location. Occasional presence of the Gulf Stream over the site during the Mid- to Late Holocene coincides with enhanced bottom current strength and a slightly higher bottom water temperature, which are environmental conditions that are favorable for cold-water coral growth.

Fatty acids composition of Chylomicron remnants like particles influences their uptake and induction of lipid accumulation in macrophages.

The influence of the fatty acid composition of chylomicron remnant-like particles (CRLPs) on their uptake and induction of lipid accumulation in macrophages was studied. CRLPs containing triacylglycerol enriched in saturated, monounsaturated, n−6 or n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from palm, olive, corn or fish oil, respectively, and macrophages derived from the human monocyte cell line THP-1 were used. Lipid accumulation (triacylglycerol and cholesterol) in the cells was measured after incubation with CRLPs for 5, 24 and 48 h, and uptake over 24 h was determined using CRLPs radiolabelled with [3H]triolein. Total lipid accumulation in the macrophages was significantly greater with palm CRLPs than with the other three types of particle. This was mainly due to increased triacylglycerol concentrations, whereas changes in cholesterol concentrations did not reach significance. There were no significant differences in lipid accumulation after incubation with olive, corn or fish CRLPs. Palm and olive CRLPs were taken up by the cells at a similar rate, which was considerably faster than that observed with corn and fish CRLPs. These findings demonstrate that CRLPs enriched in saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids are taken up more rapidly by macrophages than those enriched in n−6 or n−3 polunsaturated fatty acids, and that the faster uptake rate results in greater lipid accumulation in the case of saturated fatty acid-rich particles, but not monounsaturated fatty acid-rich particles. Thus, dietary saturated fatty acids carried in chylomicron remnants may enhance their propensity to induce macrophage foam cell formation.

First-Principles Study of the Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Defects in Carbon Nanostructures

Understanding the magnetic properties of graphenic nanostructures is instrumental in future spintronics applications. These magnetic properties are known to depend crucially on the presence of defects. Here we review our recent theoretical studies using density functional calculations on two types of defects in carbon nanostructures: Substitutional doping with transition metals, and sp$^3$-type defects created by covalent functionalization with organic and inorganic molecules. We focus on such defects because they can be used to create and control magnetism in graphene-based materials. Our main results are summarized as follows: i)Substitutional metal impurities are fully understood using a model based on the hybridization between the $d$ states of the metal atom and the defect levels associated with an unreconstructed D$_{3h}$ carbon vacancy. We identify three different regimes, associated with the occupation of distinct hybridization levels, which determine the magnetic properties obtained with this type of doping; ii) A spin moment of 1.0 $\mu_B$ is always induced by chemical functionalization when a molecule chemisorbs on a graphene layer via a single C-C (or other weakly polar) covalent bond. The magnetic coupling between adsorbates shows a key dependence on the sublattice adsorption site. This effect is similar to that of H adsorption, however, with universal character; iii) The spin moment of substitutional metal impurities can be controlled using strain. In particular, we show that although Ni substitutionals are non-magnetic in flat and unstrained graphene, the magnetism of these defects can be activated by applying either uniaxial strain or curvature to the graphene layer. All these results provide key information about formation and control of defect-induced magnetism in graphene and related materials.

Studies on the Catalytic Asymmetric Fischer Indolization

This work describes further developments and applications of the catalytic asymmetric Fischer indolization. In the first part of this thesis, the development of an organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of helicenes via a Fischer indolization is discussed. The application of a novel SPINOL-derived phosphoric acid, featuring extended π-surfaces as 3,3‘-substituents which can potentially participate in π-interactions with the polyaromatic intermediate, afforded the corresponding products in high yields and enantioselectivities. The second part of this work describes the development of a catalytic asymmetric dearomatizing synthesis of 1,4-diketones via an interrupted Fischer indolization. Employing aryl hydrazines with α-substituents next to the hydrazine group prevents the rearomatization which takes place in common Fischer indole syntheses, thus enabling the hydrolysis of the generated diimine species. In the presence of STRIP as catalyst, a variety of different 1,4-diketones could be obtained in generally high yields, diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The last part of this thesis deals with the development of an organocatalytic asymmetric stereodivergent synthesis of novel 3H- and 2H-pyrroles, applying an interrupted Fischer indolization and for the 2H-pyrroles a subsequent stereospecific [1,5]-alkyl shift. Employing STRIP as catalyst afforded the corresponding products in good to excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Preliminary biological investigations of these novel structure motifs in cell-based assays, monitoring biological signal transduction pathways showed an inhibition of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in a μM range.

Eliminaci?n de vapores de xileno presentes en una corriente de gas en un biofiltro percolador

El presente trabajo de investigaci?n evalu? la eliminaci?n de vapores de xileno presentes en una corriente de aire a trav?s de dos biofiltros percoladores (BTF?s) operados en paralelo a escala banco y alimentados en contracorriente. El primer biofiltro percolador (BTF1) fue empacado con una esponja porosa de pl?stico de poliuretano mientras que el segundo (BTF2) con anillos de pl?stico de polipropileno. Ambos BTF?s fueron inoculados con un consorcio microbiano de una industria papelera. Los BTF?s fueron operados continuamente durante 24 horas diarias con concentraciones de entrada de 0.43, 1.30, 3.04 y 5.64 gm-3 de xileno a una tasa de flujo de gas de 0.26 m3h-1 y un tiempo de residencia del gas de 90 s. Las eficiencias de eliminaci?n del BTF1 fueron 83.33; 93.94; 93.10 y 72.46% para concentraciones de entrada de 0.43, 1.30, 3.04 y 5.64 gm-3 de xileno. El BTF2 obtuvo eficiencias de eliminaci?n de 83.33; 82.69; 75.64 y 74.00% para iguales concentraciones de alimentaci?n que el BTF1. Se present? un disminuci?n del BTF2 de 11.25 y 17.46% respecto al BTF1 para concentraciones de entrada de 1.30 y 3.04 gm-3 de xileno, lo que indica que un aumento en la concentraci?n de entrada disminuye la eficiencia de eliminaci?n. Por otra parte, se observ? una m?xima capacidad de eliminaci?n de 157.35 y 154.97 gm-3h-1 en ambos BTF?s para una carga de entrada de 225.78 gm-3h-1. En cuanto a la ca?da de presi?n el BTF1 durante las dos primeras fases de operaci?n, es decir, para cargas contaminantes de 17.37 a 52.1 gm-3h-1 estuvo por encima de las del BTF2 experimentando valores de 130.75 a 533.9 Pa m-1; mientras en las dos fases restantes, es decir, para cargas contaminantes de 121.57 a 225.78 gm-3h-1 el BTF2 experiment? mayores ca?das de presi?n comparada con la del BTF1 con valores de 828.09 a 1198.55 Pa m-1; observ?ndose un taponamiento del BTF2 seguido de una disminuci?n en la eficiencia de eliminaci?n; se emple? el lavado de los platos distribuidores como estrategia para resolver este problema. El comportamiento del crecimiento de biomasa en la secci?n inferior durante las dos primeras fases de operaci?n para el BTF1 vari? de 0.015 a 0.028 gSSV/gmedio; mientras para el BTF2 vari? de 0.026 a 0.038 gSSV/gmedio; una disminuci?n del 22% en la concentraci?n de biomasa se observ? en el BTF2 a partir de la tercera fase de operaci?n en la secci?n superior, luego del lavado manual de los platos distribuidores del BTF2. Acorde con lo anterior, los resultados de las variables operacionales estudiadas, adem?s de las capacidades de eliminaci?n y las eficiencias de eliminaci?n obtenidas en el presente trabajo de investigaci?n, demuestran que los biofiltros percoladores son una tecnolog?a eficiente para el manejo de grandes vol?menes de aire (10 ? 300000 m-3h-1) con bajas concentraciones (0 ? 8.3 gm-3) (Govind 2009), econ?mica y ambientalmente limpia; que puede convertirse en uno de los mejores m?todos disponibles para el tratamiento de corrientes de aire contaminados con diversos compuestos vol?tiles, para elevar su escala a nivel industrial

Efeito de fatores ambientais e tolerância a herbicidas em três espécies de plantas daninhas da família Rubiaceae

The strong selection pressure exerted by intensive use of glyphosate in cultivated areas has selected populations of the Rubiaceae weed species Borreria latifolia (Aubl.) K.Shum. (broadleaf buttonweed), Galianthe chodatiana (Standl.) E.L. Cabral (galiante) and Richardia brasiliensis Gomes (Brazilian pusley) with differential sensitivity to this herbicide in the South region of Brazil. The control of these weeds with herbicides is troublesome and signals the need to incorporate management practices of ruderal flora and crops, more sustainable and that results in more efficient control for long-term. Therefore, it is very important to expand the information about their biology and management. This study aimed: (a) select efficient methods to overcome dormancy of B. latifolia and G. chodatiana and determine how they influence the kinetics of seeds germination; (b) analyze the effects of temperature, irradiance, pH, aluminum and salinity on seed germination and initial growth of the B. latifolia, G. chodatiana e R. brasiliensis seedlings; (c) evaluate tolerance to glyphosate levels in biotypes of B. latifolia, G. chodatiana e R. brasiliensis through dose-response curves and compare two methods to evaluate herbicidal control; (d) and evaluated the effectiveness of alternative herbicides in pre-emergence and in early and late post-emergence of the three species. The treatment with KNO3 2%/3h + gibberellic acid 400 ppm resulted in higher percentage of G. chodatiana seed germination. This treatment and also the dry heat (60°C/30 min) + KNO3 2%/3h were more effective in overcoming dormancy of B. latifolia. G. chodatiana and R. brasiliensis tolerate lower temperatures during the germination process, while B. latifolia tolerate higher temperatures. B. latifolia and R. brasiliensis are positive photoblastic while G. chodatiana is indifferent to the photoperiod. B. latifolia shows higher germination and early development in pH 3, while G. chodatiana and R. brasiliensis prefer pH range between 5 and 7. B. latifolia and G. chodatiana were more tolerant to the aluminum during the germination process than R. brasiliensis. Low salt levels were sufficient to reduce the seed germination of the three species. Some biotypes of B. latifolia and R. brasiliensis showed medium-high glyphosate tolerance, not being controlled by higher doses than recommended. The G. chodatiana specie was not controlled with the highest dose used, showing a high glyphosate tolerance. The sulfentrazone, s-metolachlor and saflufenacil herbicides sprayed in pre-emergence showed high efficacy both on B. latifolia and R. brasiliensis, while chlorimuron-ethyl and diclosulan were effective only on R. brasiliensis. In early post-emergence the fomesafen, lactofem and flumioxazin herbicides efficiently controlled plants of all species, while bentazon showed high efficacy only on B. latifolia. Noteworthy the susceptibility of the G. chodatiana specie for applications in early post-emergence, because the control effectiveness and the number of effective herbicides are reduced with increasing the plant age. Many treatments with tank mix or sequencial applications with glyphosate, were effective in controlling B. latifolia and R. brasiliensis plants in advanced stage of development.

Nitric oxide synthase and NAD(P)H oxidase modulate coronary endothelial cell growth

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) including nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O2-) are associated with cell migration, proliferation and many growth-related diseases. The objective of this study was to determine whether there was a reciprocal relationship between rat coronary microvascular endothelial cell (CMEC) growth and activity/expressions (mRNA and protein) of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and NAD(P)H oxidase enzymes. Proliferating namely, 50% confluent CMEC possessed approximately three-fold increased activity and expression of both enzymes compared to 100% confluent cells. Treatment of CMEC with an inhibitor of eNOS (L-NAME, 100M) increased cell proliferation as assessed via three independent methods i.e. cell counting, determination of total cellular protein levels and [3H]thymidine incorporation. Similarly, treatment of CMEC with pyrogallol (0.3-3 mM), a superoxide anion (O2-)- generator, also increased CMEC growth while spermine NONOate (SpNO), a NO donor, significantly reduced cell growth. Co-incubation of CMEC with a cell permeable superoxide dismutase mimetic (Mn-III-tetrakis-4-benzoic acid-porphyrin; MnTBAP) plus either pyrogallol or NO did not alter cell number and DNA synthesis thereby dismissing the involvement of peroxynitrite (OONO-) in CMEC proliferation. Specific inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidase but not other ROS-generating enzymes including cyclooxygenase and xanthine oxidase, attenuated cell growth. Transfection of CMEC with antisense p22-phox cDNA, a membrane-bound component of NAD(P)H oxidase, resulted in substantial reduction in [3H]thymidine incorporation, total cellular protein levels and expression of p22-phox protein. These data demonstrate a cross-talk between CMEC growth and eNOS and NAD(P)H oxidase enzyme activity and expression, thus suggesting that the regulation of these enzymes may be critical in preventing the initiation and/or progression of coronary atherosclerosis.

Collimation of deuterium / 3-helium fusion products for advanced spacecraft propulsion and power

Current space exploration has transpired through the use of chemical rockets, and they have served us well, but they have their limitations. Exploration of the outer solar system, Jupiter and beyond will most likely require a new generation of propulsion system. One potential technology class to provide spacecraft propulsion and power systems involve thermonuclear fusion plasma systems. In this class it is well accepted that d-He3 fusion is the most promising of the fuel candidates for spacecraft applications as the 14.7 MeV protons carry up to 80% of the total fusion power while ‘s have energies less than 4 MeV. The other minor fusion products from secondary d-d reactions consisting of 3He, n, p, and 3H also have energies less than 4 MeV. Furthermore there are two main fusion subsets namely, Magnetic Confinement Fusion devices and Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (or IEC) Fusion devices. Magnetic Confinement Fusion devices are characterized by complex geometries and prohibitive structural mass compromising spacecraft use at this stage of exploration. While generating energy from a lightweight and reliable fusion source is important, another critical issue is harnessing this energy into usable power and/or propulsion. IEC fusion is a method of fusion plasma confinement that uses a series of biased electrodes that accelerate a uniform spherical beam of ions into a hollow cathode typically comprised of a gridded structure with high transparency. The inertia of the imploding ion beam compresses the ions at the center of the cathode increasing the density to the point where fusion occurs. Since the velocity distributions of fusion particles in an IEC are essentially isotropic and carry no net momentum, a means of redirecting the velocity of the particles is necessary to efficiently extract energy and provide power or create thrust. There are classes of advanced fuel fusion reactions where direct-energy conversion based on electrostatically-biased collector plates is impossible due to potential limits, material structure limitations, and IEC geometry. Thermal conversion systems are also inefficient for this application. A method of converting the isotropic IEC into a collimated flow of fusion products solves these issues and allows direct energy conversion. An efficient traveling wave direct energy converter has been proposed and studied by Momota , Shu and further studied by evaluated with numerical simulations by Ishikawa and others. One of the conventional methods of collimating charged particles is to surround the particle source with an applied magnetic channel. Charged particles are trapped and move along the lines of flux. By introducing expanding lines of force gradually along the magnetic channel, the velocity component perpendicular to the lines of force is transferred to the parallel one. However, efficient operation of the IEC requires a null magnetic field at the core of the device. In order to achieve this, Momota and Miley have proposed a pair of magnetic coils anti-parallel to the magnetic channel creating a null hexapole magnetic field region necessary for the IEC fusion core. Numerically, collimation of 300 eV electrons without a stabilization coil was demonstrated to approach 95% at a profile corresponding to Vsolenoid = 20.0V, Ifloating = 2.78A, Isolenoid = 4.05A while collimation of electrons with stabilization coil present was demonstrated to reach 69% at a profile corresponding to Vsolenoid = 7.0V, Istab = 1.1A, Ifloating = 1.1A, Isolenoid = 1.45A. Experimentally, collimation of electrons with stabilization coil present was demonstrated experimentally to be 35% at 100 eV and reach a peak of 39.6% at 50eV with a profile corresponding to Vsolenoid = 7.0V, Istab = 1.1A, Ifloating = 1.1A, Isolenoid = 1.45A and collimation of 300 eV electrons without a stabilization coil was demonstrated to approach 49% at a profile corresponding to Vsolenoid = 20.0V, Ifloating = 2.78A, Isolenoid = 4.05A 6.4% of the 300eV electrons’ initial velocity is directed to the collector plates. The remaining electrons are trapped by the collimator’s magnetic field. These particles oscillate around the null field region several hundred times and eventually escape to the collector plates. At a solenoid voltage profile of 7 Volts, 100 eV electrons are collimated with wall and perpendicular component losses of 31%. Increasing the electron energy beyond 100 eV increases the wall losses by 25% at 300 eV. Ultimately it was determined that a field strength deriving from 9.5 MAT/m would be required to collimate 14.7 MeV fusion protons from d-3He fueled IEC fusion core. The concept of the proton collimator has been proven to be effective to transform an isotropic source into a collimated flow of particles ripe for direct energy conversion.

Utilisation d’un modèle de co-culture cellulaire pour l’évaluation in vitro du transport inverse du cholestérol

De nouveaux modèles cellulaires in vitro par transfert de milieu et par coculture ont été mis au point afin d’évaluer la capacité des HDL à éliminer l’excès de cholestérol des tissus périphériques et de le transporter vers le foie afin d’être excrété par le foie, un processus nommé le transport inverse du cholestérol (TIC). Le système cellulaire par transfert in vitro où des macrophages J774 sont gorgés de LDL acétylées et marqués au 3H-cholestérol a été préalablement établi afin de mesurer par scintillation l’efflux de cholestérol marqué vers le milieu de culture contenant des accepteurs de cholestérol. Ce milieu conditionné est transféré sur des cellules HepG2 afin d’étudier l’influx du cholestérol marqué. Ce dernier nous permet d’observer un transport de cholestérol de 25 % hors des J774 et un transport de 39 000 cpm dans les HepG2 en utilisant un milieu contenant 2 % de sérums humains mis en commun. Une stimulation des cellules J774 par l’AMPc augmente l’efflux et l’influx d’environ 45 %. Des tests de preuve de concept ont été effectués sur le système cellulaire par co-culture qui utilise des chambres de Boyden où les J774 sont localisées au fond d’un puits et les HepG2 dans un insert, et où le milieu est partagé entre les deux types cellulaires. On a déterminé qu’une confluence densité de 60 000 cellules/cm2 sur un insert constitué d’une membrane de polyester avec des pores de 3,0 μm, sans autre revêtement, permet d’observer un influx spécifique au sérum d’environ 6 000 cpm associés aux cellules HepG2, où 50 % des comptes radioactifs sont dans les cellules et l’autre moitié présente à la surface cellulaire.

Fukushima-derived radionuclides in sediments of the Japanese Pacific Ocean coast and various Japanese water samples (seawater, tap water, and coolant water of Fukushima Daiichi reactor unit 5)

We investigated Ocean sediments and seawater from inside the Fukushima exclusion zone and found radiocesium (134Cs and 137Cs) up to 800 Bq kg-1 as well as 90Sr up to 5.6 Bq kg-1. This is one of the first reports on radiostrontium in sea sediments from the Fukushima exclusion zone. Seawater exhibited contamination levels up to 5.3 Bq kg-1 radiocesium. Tap water from Tokyo from weeks after the accident exhibited detectable but harmless activities of radiocesium (well below the regulatory limit). Analysis of the Unit 5 reactor coolant (finding only 3H and even low 129I) leads to the conclusion that the purification techniques for reactor coolant employed at Fukushima Daiichi are very effective.

Evaluación de los bulbos de humedecimiento con fines de generar datos preliminares para el diseño de sistemas de riego por goteo.

Los sistemas de riego por goteo normalmente mojan sólo una porción del área de suelo a lo cual se le llama: porcentaje de área humedecida. Este valor depende del volumen de agua aplicado, espaciamientos de puntos de emisión y tipo de suelo que se está regando. El porcentaje de área humedecida tiene influencia sobre los parámetros de diseño de un sistema de riego por goteo, tal porcentaje no se ha establecido para cultivos de espaciamientos mayores de 1.8m. Con el estado actual de conocimiento, un objetivo razonable como lo mencionan varios autores (11,13), es por lo menos mojar entre un tercio y un medio del área total correspondiente a una planta. Se utilizó un diseño estadístico completamente al azar en arreglo factorial 3x3 con repeticiones. El total de tratamientos fue de 9, constituidos por la combinación del volumen de agua aplicado (12 lts., 24 lts., y 48 lts.), y la textura (Arenoso- franco, Franco-Arcilloso y Franco). La prueba consistió en aplicar un caudal de 4 LPH en tres tipos (3h, 6h, y 12hh), en las texturas de estudio, que se evaluaron en cajas de madera, después de cada tiempo de aplicación se midió el diámetro del bulbo humedecido a intervalos de 5 cm de profundidad, hasta cubrir el bulbo humedecido. En este sentido, el presente trabajo tiene por objetivo la determinación del número de goteros por planta y volumen de agua aplicado que humedezca del 33% al 50% del área total del sistema de raíces. La determinación de tal porcentaje de humedecimiento contribuirá al desarrollo de la agricultura bajo riego en El Salvador. Entre los resultados obtenidos en este experimento se pueden mencionar la relación que existe entre el diámetro del bulbo humedecido (DC) y el volumen de agua aplicado (V), tal relación puede ser expresada matemáticamente mediante una ecuación de tipo exponencial para cada uno de los suelos analizados. Las ecuaciones que representan la relacion entre Dc y V, son: Arena-franca:Dc = 26.9 (V) °.27 Franca-arcillosa: Dc = 76.4 (V) °.27 Franca:Dc = 29.3 (V) °.38 En relación a lo anterior se concluye lo siguiente: 1.Que el diámetro del bulbo humedecido está íntimamente ligado con el tipo de suelo y el volumen de agua aplicado. 2.Una vez conocido el diámetro de bulbo húmedo y suponiendo un número determinado de goteros se puede estimar el porcentaje de área humedecido. 3.Los diámetros leídos en el campo para determinado suelo están influenciados por el contenido de humedad al momento de realizar la prueba.