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Rate of production, dissolution and accumulation of biogenic solids in the ocean.

The equatorial current system, by its response to global circulation changes, provides a unique recording mechanism for long range climatic oscillations. A permanent record of the changes in rate of upwelling and organic production is generated in the equatorial deep sea sediments, particularly by such biogenic components which are unaffected by secondary dissolution. In order to determine the rates of accumulation of various sedimentary components, a reliable differential measurement of age of the strata must be obtained. Various approaches to this problem are reviewed, and sources of error discussed. Secondary dissolution of calcium carbonate introduces a substantial and variable difference between the dissolution-modified, and hence a priori unknown, rate of deposition on one hand and the rate of accumulation, derivable from the observed concentration, on the other. The cause and magnitude of these variations are of importance, particularly since some current dating schemes are based on assumed constancy in the rate of accumulation of this and, in some cases, also all other sedimentary components. The concepts used in rate evaluation are discussed with emphasis on the difference between the state of dissolution, an observable property of the sediment, and the rate of dissolution, a parameter that requires deduction of the carbonate fraction dissolved, and of the time differential. As a most likely cause of the enhanced state of dissolution of the interglacial carbonate sediments is proposed the lowered rates of biogenic production and deposition, which cause longer exposure of the carbonate microfossils to corrosion in the bioturbated surface layer of the sediment. Historical perspective is included in the discussion in view of the dedication of the Symposium to Hans Pettersson, the leader of the Swedish Deep Sea Expedition 1947-1948, an undertaking that opened a new era in deep sea research and planetary dynamics.

Animals↗

Choline esters and biogenic amines in the hypobranchial gland of 55 molluscan species of the neogastropod Muricoidea superfamily.

As many as 55 neogastropod molluscs, all belonging to the Muricoidea superfamily, have been investigated for occurrence and contents, in their hypobranchial gland (HG), of choline esters and, subordinately, biogenic amines. Very high amounts of esters, strictly localized in the median area of the HG, were found in all dye-secreting molluscs. The choline esters were represented by murexine, dihydromurexine and senecioylcholine. A fourth ester, acryloylcholine, occurred in the HG of a single, non dye-secreting mollusc. All the compounds displayed potent neuromuscular blocking actions in all examined vertebrate and invertebrate species, as well as potent nicotinic actions. Muscarinic effects were either lacking or unimportant. In addition to choline esters the HG occasionally contained known and hitherto unknown biogenic amines: tyramine, octopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine, urocanylhistamine and imidazole-propionylhistamine. The interest of extending the search of bioactive compounds to carnivorous, predatory molluscs other than those described in this paper and, more, extensively, to any molluscan species provided with 'venomous' glands or apparatuses, is emphasized.

Animals↗

Biogenic amine levels in the mid-term human fetus.

Spectrophotofluorometric assays were used to measure concentrations of DA, NA, 5-HT and 5-HIAA present in extracts of brain tissue and CSF taken from midterm gestational fetuses of both sexes. The presence of biogenic amines was demonstrated in fetuses as early as 10.5 weeks gestation. In the hypothalamus, the concentrations (expressed in ng/100 mg tissue) ranged from 10.2 to 62.2 for NA, 11.6 to 258.8 for DA, 7.6 to 38.6 for 5-HT and 56.6 to 114.1 for 5-HIAA. Concentrations of DA and 5-HT were found to be significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in the hypothalamus than in the cortex, but those of NA and 5-HIAA were similar in both areas. No sex difference was observed. The concentrations of biogenic amines in the CSF (expressed in ng/ml) were 63.1-286.7 for NA, 43.2-108.1 for DA, 30.9-87.5 for 5-HT and 8.0-42.8 for 5-HIAA.

Brain↗

Human urinary biogenic amines and some physiological responses during situation stress.

Using a shooting competition as a model, the effect of situation stress on self-assessed mental tension, urinary metanephrine, normetanephrine, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl acetic acid and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), as well as heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), skin conductance level (SCL) and electromyographic (EMG) parameters were studied in 7 male and 2 female champion rifle and (rapid-fire and air-)pistol shooters. The sample collection and recordings were carried out first in the training (baseline) circumstances and then during the competition. Self-assessed mental tension was higher than suitable during the competition but good performance was the expectation. During the competition, HR, SBP, DBP, SCL and EMG were increased significantly as compared with the baseline levels. No significant correlations between the variables and between the biogenic amine metabolite excretions were observed. The competition-induced changes in self-assessed mental tension correlated positively with the corresponding changes in SCL (r = 0.63), but negatively with changes in SBP (r = -0.74). The HR of male rapid-fire pistol shooters was higher than that of male rifle shooters (P less than 0.05). All the urinary biogenic amine metabolite excretion levels were increased significantly as compared with the baseline values. Higher metabolite excretion was observed in rifle shooters than in rapid-fire shooters (P less than 0.05). The correlation between catecholamine metabolites was significant (r = 0.67-0.93), but surprisingly the correlation between 5-HIAA and catecholamine metabolites was highly significant (r = 0.80-0.91). This study indicates a marked divergence in the behaviour of various stress-responsive variables during shooting competitions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Involvement of biogenic amines with the mechanisms of novel analgesics.

The analgesic activity of the kappa opioid agonist, U-50,488H, was markedly antagonized by pretreatment with reserpine, p-chlorophenylalanine, and ketanserin. Likewise, analgesic doses of U-50,488H enhance serotonin metabolism. These results suggest that kappa analgesia requires serotonin acting through 5-HT2 receptors. The non-opioid analgesic, nefopam HCl, though a blocker of biogenic amine uptake, displays an analgesic spectrum of action more similar to that of amphetamine than that of the tricyclic antidepressants or serotonin uptake blockers. Likewise p-chlorophenylalanine and ketanserin do not block nefopam analgesia nor do naloxone, atropine, yohimbine, propranolol or haloperidol. However, as reserpine does block nefopam analgesia, biogenic amines acting at other receptors may be involved. The observation that m-tyrosine causes behavioral effects similar to high doses of nefopam suggested that they might be acting through similar mechanisms. However, although m-tyrosine causes analgesia, it is blocked by yohimbine. This suggests that alpha2-adrenoreceptors are involved in m-tyrosine analgesia and that it differs in mechanism from nefopam analgesia.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗

Effect of manganese on biogenic amine metabolism in regions of the rat brain.

The effect of prolonged exposure to low-level manganese (Mn) on regional levels of biogenic amines in the rat brain was studied. Rats were given Mn in drinking-water for 90 days, which resulted in a two- to three-fold accumulation of Mn in all regions of the brain. After exposure, dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), monoamine oxidase (MAO), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) were measured in regions of the brain. There was a significant inhibition of DBH in the striatum (P less than 0.01), hypothalamus (P less than 0.01), mid-brain (P less than 0.001) and cortex (P less than 0.01). MAO was also decreased significantly in the cerebellum and cortex (both P less than 0.01). The striatum showed a decrease in DA content, but this was not significant. However, the hippocampus showed a significant decrease (P less than 0.01) and the mid-brain showed a significant increase (P less than 0.01) in DA levels. No significant changes were observed in 5-HT levels in any region, except for an increase in the cortex (P less than 0.01). It was observed that prolonged exposure of rats to low-level Mn affects both DBH and MAO, and that this effect is region-specific. However, the effect of Mn on biogenic amines seems to be variable, and this might explain the variable signs and symptoms observed in the various phases of Mn toxicity in humans.

Administration, Oral↗

Uptake of biogenic amines by thyroid glands.

The biogenic amines, serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine, activate follicular cells and are endogenous thyroid constitutents. Both amines are taken up by throid lobes incubated in vitro. Uptake of 5-HT is temperature and concentration dependent, is inhibited by chlorimipramine more than by desmethylimipramine, and although it is inhibited by norepinephrine, 5-HT uptake is unaffected by chemical sympathetomy with 6-hydroxydopamine. Electron microscopic radioautography reveals that follicular cells are responsible for uptake of 5-HT and adrenergic nerves for uptake of norepinephrine. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that biogenic amines are intrathyroidal transmitters acting on follicular cells, and that uptake mechanisms may contribute to their inactivation.

Animals↗

Dual effects of the snake venom polypeptide vipoxin on receptors for acetylcholine and biogenic amines in Aplysia neurons.

Vipoxin, a 13,000-dalton polypeptide component of Russell's viper venom, has a dual pattern of effects on the responses of voltage-clamped Aplysia neurons to acetylcholine and biogenic amines. Application of low doses of vipoxin by pressure ejection reversibly antagonized all three types of ionic response to acetylcholine and carbachol. The blockade by vipoxin of acetylcholine responses was not prevented by eserine. The order of susceptibility of acetylcholine responses to blockade by vipoxin was Na+ greater than K+ greater than Cl-. Low doses of vipoxin also produced a reversible potentiation of excitatory responses to dopamine with a slower time course of onset and recovery. Inhibitory responses to dopamine (Cl-, K+) and both excitatory and inhibitory responses to histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine were little affected by vipoxin. Higher doses of vipoxin directly evoked current responses which were always of the same ionic type as that evoked by acetylcholine or carbachol. Responses to cholinergic agonists and vipoxin were both blocked by cholinergic antagonists but not by antagonists of biogenic amine receptors, which reversibly antagonized the responses to amines on the same cell. These results suggest that vipoxin, which has no demonstrated actions on vertebrate acetylcholine receptors, acts as a partial agonist at all three types of acetylcholine receptor in Aplysia neurons. Our observations thus provide evidence for some degree of phylogenetic difference between vertebrate and molluscan acetylcholine receptors.

Animals↗

Activated sludge treatment of a xenobiotic with or without a biogenic substrate during start-up and shocks.

Lab-scale continuous flow activated sludge systems that were acclimated to 2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) under sole 2,4-D influent and without sludge wastage, were able to maintain successful 2,4-D treatment when both 2,4-D and a biogenic substrate were fed and the systems operated with finite mean cell residence times (theta(c)). When the systems were fed dual 2,4-D and biogenic substrates and operated with finite theta(c) from the start, treatment of 2,4-D fluctuated noticeably long after acclimation. At the reintroduction of 2,4-D after its absence from the influent for a period of time (2,4-D shock), the systems under both the sole and dual substrate conditions suffered similar treatment losses; the extent of treatment losses was related to the length of 2,4-D absence time. When shocked, systems with sole 2,4-D influent had a slight advantage over dual substrates by showing a faster recovery from shocks with the help of re-acclimation.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Fermented functional foods based on probiotics and their biogenic metabolites.

The claimed health benefits of fermented functional foods are expressed either directly through the interaction of ingested live microorganisms, bacteria or yeast with the host (probiotic effect) or indirectly as a result of ingestion of microbial metabolites produced during the fermentation process (biogenic effect). Although still far from fully understood, several probiotic mechanisms of action have been proposed, including competitive exclusion, competition for nutrients and/or stimulation of an immune response. The biogenic properties of fermented functional foods result from the microbial production of bioactive metabolites such as certain vitamins, bioactive peptides, organic acids or fatty acids during fermentation.

Animals↗

Immobilization of biogenic gold nanoparticles in thermally evaporated fatty acid and amine thin films.

We have recently demonstrated the biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles by the reduction of aqueous chloroaurate ions by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum and with extract of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) leaf. In this paper, we demonstrate the immobilization of biogenic gold nanoparticles in lipid thin films deposited by thermal evaporation. The charge on the gold nanoparticles synthesized by both the fungus and the geranium plant extract is used to facilitate their immobilization in both anionic and cationic lipid thin films. A rough estimate of the isoelectric point of the proteins capping the gold nanoparticles synthesized using the fungus could be made by pH-dependent microgravimetry studies of the immobilization process. An interesting size and shape selectivity in the immobilized gold nanoparticles is observed in the lipid thin films. The biogenic gold nanoparticle-lipid composite films were characterized using quartz crystal microgravimetry, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.

Amines↗

Effect of biogenic substrate concentration on the performance of sequencing batch reactor treating 4-CP and 2,4-DCP mixtures.

Effect of a biogenic substrate (peptone) concentration on the performance of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) treating 220 mg/l 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 110 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) mixtures was investigated. In this context, peptone concentration was gradually decreased from 300 mg/l to null in which chlorophenols were fed to the reactor as sole carbon and energy sources. By this way, the effect of peptone concentration on observed yield coefficient (Y), biomass concentration, chlorophenols and COD removal performances were investigated. Decreasing peptone concentration accompanied with lower biomass concentration led to increase in peak chlorophenol and COD concentrations within the reactor during each SBR cycle. This, in turn, caused noteworthy declines in the removal rates as chlorophenol degradations followed Haldane substrate inhibition model. Also, increased peak chlorophenol concentrations led to the accumulation of 5-chloro-2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde (CHMS), which is -meta cleavage product of 4-CP. Despite the decreased removal rates, complete chlorophenols and CHMS degradation, in addition to high COD removal efficiencies (>90%), were observed for all studied conditions, even chlorophenols were added as sole carbon and energy sources. Another significant point is that 2,4-DCP at slightly elevated concentrations (>20 mg/l) within the reactor caused a strong competitive inhibition on 4-CP degradation. In SBR, feeding the influent to the reactor within a certain period (i.e. filling period) provided dilution of coming wastewater, which decreased the chlorophenols concentrations to which microorganisms were exposed. Therefore, use of SBR may help to avoid both self and competitive inhibitions in the treatment of 4-CP and 2,4-DCP mixture especially in the presence high biogenic substrate concentrations. In addition, isolation and identification studies have indicated that Pseudomonas sp. and Pseudomonas stutzeri were dominant species in the acclimated mixed culture.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Estimating the biogenic emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds from the North Western Mediterranean vegetation of Catalonia, Spain.

An estimation of the magnitude of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) emitted by vegetation in Catalonia (NE of the Iberian Peninsula, Spain), in addition to their superficial and temporal distribution, is presented for policy and scientific (photochemical modelling) purposes. It was developed for the year 2000, for different time resolutions (hourly, daily, monthly and annual) and using a high-resolution land-use map (1-km2 squared cells). Several meteorological surface stations provided air temperature and solar radiation data. An adjusted mathematical emission model taking account of Catalonia's conditions was built into a geographic information system (GIS) software. This estimation uses the latest information, mainly relating to: (1) emission factors; (2) better knowledge of the composition of Catalonia's forest cover; and (3) better knowledge of the particular emission behaviour of some Mediterranean vegetal species. Results depict an annual cycle with increasing values in the March-April period with the highest emissions in July-August, followed by a decrease in October-November. Annual biogenic NMVOCs emissions reach 46.9 kt, with monoterpenes the most abundant species (24.7 kt), followed by other biogenic volatile organic compounds (e.g. alcohols, aldehydes and acetone) (16.3 kt), and isoprene (5.9 kt). These compounds signify 52%, 35% and 13%, respectively, of total emission estimates. Peak hourly total emission for a winter day could be less than 10% of the corresponding value for a summer day.

Environmental Monitoring↗

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emissions from Abies alba in a French forest.

Air quality studies need to be based on accurate and reliable data, particularly in the field of the emissions. Biogenic emissions from forests, crops, and grasslands are now considered as major compounds in photochemical processes. Unfortunately, depending on the type of vegetation, these emissions are not so often reliably defined. As an example, although the silver fir (Abies alba) is a very widespread conifer tree in the French and European areas, its standard emission rate is not available in the literature. This study investigates the isoprene and monoterpenes emission from A. alba in France measured during the fieldwork organised in the Fossé Rhénan, from May to June 2003. A dynamic cuvette method was used. Limonene was the predominant monoterpene emitted, followed by camphene, alpha-pinene and eucalyptol. No isoprene emission was detected. The four monoterpenes measured showed different behaviours according to micrometeorological conditions. In fact, emissions of limonene, alpha-pinene and camphene were temperature-dependant while eucalyptol emissions were temperature and light dependant. Biogenic volatile organic compounds emissions were modeled using information gathered during the field study. Emissions of the three monoterpenes previously quoted were achieved using the monoterpenes algorithm developed by Tingey et al. (1980) [Tingey D, Manning M, Grothaus L, Burns W. Influence of light and temperature on monoterpene emission rates from slash pine. Plant Physiol 1980;65: 797-801.] and the isoprene algorithm [Guenther, A., Monson, R., Fall, R., 1991. Isoprene and monoterpene emission rate variability: observations with eucalyptus and emission rate algorithm development. J Geophys Res 26A: 10799-10808.]; [Guenther, A., Zimmerman, P., Harley, P., Monson, R., Fall, R., 1993. Isoprene and monoterpene emission rate variability: model evaluation and sensitivity analysis. J Geophys Res 98D: 12609-12617.]) was used for the eucalyptol emission. With these methods, simulation results and observations agreed fairly well. The standard emission rate (303 K) and beta-coefficient averaged for limonene, camphene and alpha-pinene were respectively of 0.63 microg gdw-1 h-1 and 0.06 K-1. For eucalyptol, the standard emission rate (T=303 K and PAR=1000 micromol m-2 s-1) was 0.26 microg gdw-1 h-1. This classified A. alba as a weak monoterpenes emitter.

Abies↗

Effect of long-term exposure, biogenic substrate presence, and electron acceptor conditions on the biodegradation of multiple substituted benzoates and phenolates.

Biodegradation rates of benzoate and related aromatic compounds, 3-nitrobenzoate, 4-chlorobenzoate, 4-chlorophenol, and 2,4-dichlorophenol by unexposed (unacclimated) and long-term exposed (acclimated) biomass were quantified using a modified fed-batch technique. The acclimated biomass was taken after approximately 1-year of operation from three lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBR). These reactors were operated under various cycling electron acceptor conditions with a continuous feed of a synthetic wastewater containing biogenic and nonbiogenic chemicals including benzoate, 3-nitrobenzoate, and 4-chlorophenol, but not 4-chlorobenzoate or 2,4-dichlorophenol. The unexposed biomass was taken from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant, which constituted one of the original sources of inoculum for the lab-scale SBRs. The acclimated biomass manifested high removal rates of benzoate and related aromatic compounds with additional removal of structurally similar chemicals (4-chlorobenzoate and 2,4-dichlorophenol). The unacclimated biomass showed no removal of 3-nitrobenzoate, 4-chlorobenzoate or 2,4-dichlorophenol. Addition of biogenic substrates reduced the degradation of most aromatic compounds tested, but it enhanced 2,4-dichlorophenol removal. Biodegradation rates of each aromatic compound with the biomass from the anoxic/aerobic SBR were further determined under anaerobic (absence of aeration and NO3-), anoxic (no aeration, but with surplus NO3-), standard oxygen (DO > 0.2 mg/L), and elevated oxygen (DO > 25 mg/L) conditions. The removal rate of both benzoate and 3-nitrobenzoate decreased under anaerobic condition but not under the anoxic condition; 4-chlorophenol biodegradation, on the other hand, was reduced significantly under both anoxic and anaerobic conditions. The removal rates of aromatic compounds, particularly those of 3-nitrobenzoate and 2,4-dichlorophenol, increased significantly under elevated dissolved oxygen conditions. Our results demonstrated that when the biochemical conditions shifted from oxygen-respiration to nitrate respiration, to anaerobiosis, the biodegradation rates of test aromatic compounds decreased or ceased.

Adsorption↗

Biogenic phosphorus in oligotrophic mountain lake sediments: differences in composition measured with NMR spectroscopy.

Phosphorus (P) composition in alkaline sediment extracts from three Swedish oligotrophic mountain lakes was investigated using 31P-NMR spectroscopy. Surface sediments from one natural lake and two mature reservoirs, one of which has received nutrient additions over the last 3 years, were compared with respect to biogenic P composition. The results show significant differences in the occurrence of labile and biogenic P species in the sediments of the different systems. The P compound groups that varied most between these three systems were pyrophosphate and polyphosphates, compound groups known to play an important role in sediment P recycling. The content of these compound groups was lowest in the reservoirs and may indicate a coupling between anthropogenic disturbances (i.e., impoundment) to a water system and the availability of labile P species in the sediment. A statistical study was also conducted to determine the accuracy and reliability of using 31P-NMR spectroscopy for quantification of sediment P forms.

Fertilizers↗

Anoxic mineralization of biogenic debris in near-shore marine sediments (Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic).

Anoxic degradation of sedimentary biogenic debris using closed incubation experiments was studied at two sampling stations in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic). Production rates of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), NH4+, PO(4)3- and dissolved Si (dSi), and reduction rates of SO(4)2- were measured and anoxic mineralization rates were modeled using a first order G-model and multi-G approach. The depth profiles of these rates revealed an exponential decrease indicating that the largest fraction of mineralization of biogenic debris and SO(4)2- reduction occurs in the surficial sediment layer and on the sediment surface. Comparing the depth-integrated anoxic mineralization rates at both stations with benthic fluxes of DIC, NH4+, PO(4)3- and dSi measured at the in situ temperature in the dark, it appears that the DIC and PO(4)3- fluxes are higher because the mineralization mostly occurs at the sediment-water interface, and that besides SO(4)2- reduction, other electron acceptors are involved in the organic matter decomposition pathway in these surficial sediments. The NH4+ production was higher than the benthic fluxes because of NH4+ oxidation. The production of dSi was in good agreement with benthic fluxes implying that temperature is the main factor of dSi production and benthic fluxes in these sediments.

Carbon↗

Phospholipid flip-flop in biogenic membranes: what is needed to connect opposite sides.

Phospholipids are synthesized in biogenic membranes, but only on one leaflet of the bilayer. To support balanced growth of the membrane, phospholipid translocation, or flip-flop, has to occur. Though consensus has been reached that flip-flop is most likely mediated by (a) membrane-associated protein(s), a dedicated flippase has not been identified yet in any biogenic membrane. The characteristics of the flip-flop process are summarized, and possible mechanisms, including the need for a dedicated flippase, are discussed.

Bacteria↗