Differential Antioxidant Response to Supplemental UV-B Irradiation and Sunlight in Three Basil Varieties

Three basil plant varieties (Ocimum basilicum var. Genovese, Ocimum × citriodorum, and Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens) were grown under moderate light (about 300 µmol photons m-2 s-1) in a glasshouse or growth chamber and then either transferred to an open field (average daily dose: 29.2 kJ m-2 d-1) or additionally exposed to UV-B irradiation in a growth chamber (29.16 kJ m-2 d-1), to reveal the variety-specific and light-specific acclimation responses. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), phenolic profile, ascorbate content, and class III peroxidase (POD) activity were used to determine the antioxidant status of leaves under all four light regimes. Exposure to high solar irradiation at the open field resulted in an increase in TAC, total hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs, especially caffeic acid), flavonoids, and epidermal UV-absorbing substances in all three varieties, as well as a two-fold increase in the leaf dry/fresh weight ratio. The supplemental UV-B irradiation induced preferential accumulation of HCAs (rosmarinic acid) over flavonoids, increased TAC and POD activity, but decreased the ascorbate content in the leaves, and inhibited the accumulation of epidermal flavonoids in all basil varieties. Furthermore, characteristic leaf curling and UV-B-induced inhibition of plant growth were observed in all basil varieties, while a pro-oxidant effect of UV-B was indicated with H2O2 accumulation in the leaves and spotty leaf browning. The extent of these morphological changes, and oxidative damage depended on the basil cultivar, implies a genotype-specific tolerance mechanism to high doses of UV-B irradiation.

EFFECTIVE DOSES ESTIMATED FROM THE RESULTS OF DIRECT RADON AND THORON PROGENY SENSORS (DRPS/DTPS), EXPOSED IN SELECTED REGIONS OF BALKANS

The main contribution to population exposure is due to radon and thoron progenies and not radon itself. The aim of this study was therefore to estimate annual effective dose using the results of Direct Radon and Thoron Progeny Sensors were exposed in 69 selected schools and 319 dwellings in several regions of Balkans: in Serbia: regions of Sokobanja and Kosovo and Metohija, Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Srpska and Slovenia. Obtained average total effective doses are in the range from 0.22 mSv a-1 (schools in Republic of Srpska) to 2.5 mSv a-1 (dwellings in Kosovo) and are below the reference level of 10 mSv a-1 recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection.

UV Index monitoring in Europe

The UV Index was established more than 20 years ago as a tool for sun protection and health care. Shortly after its introduction, UV Index monitoring started in several countries either by newly acquired instruments or by converting measurements from existing instruments into the UV Index. The number of stations and networks has increased over the years. Currently, 160 stations in 25 European countries deliver online values to the public via the Internet. In this paper an overview of these UV Index monitoring sites in Europe is given. The overview includes instruments as well as quality assurance and quality control procedures. Furthermore, some examples are given about how UV Index values are presented to the public. Through these efforts, 57% of the European population is supplied with high quality information, enabling them to adapt behaviour. Although health care, including skin cancer prevention, is cost-effective, a proportion of the European population still doesn't have access to UV Index information.

AD-HOC INTERCOMPARISON OF FOUR DIFFERENT RADON EXHALATION MEASUREMENT METHODS

It is indicated that the exposure to radon originating from the building materials is not negligible and the radon exhalation measurement should get more attention in the future. The experience with four different methods of the exhalation measurement, established in our laboratory for the purpose of the intercomparison is reported. Additionally, a comparison of advantages and disadvantages of used methods is discussed.

Thoron, radon and air ions spatial distribution in indoor air

Spatial distribution of radioactive gasses thoron (Tn) and radon (Rn) in indoor air of 9 houses mostly during winter period of 2013 has been studied. According to properties of alpha decay of both elements, air ionization was also measured. Simultaneous continual measurements using three Rn/Tn and three air-ion active instruments deployed on to three different distances from the wall surface have shown various outcomes. It has turned out that Tn and air ions concentrations decrease with the distance increase, while Rn remained uniformly distributed. Exponential fittings function for Tn variation with distance was used for the diffusion length and constant as well as the exhalation rate determination. The obtained values were similar with experimental data reported in the literature. Concentrations of air ions were found to be in relation with Rn and obvious, but to a lesser extent, with Tn.

Does waterfall aerosol influence mucosal immunity and chronic stress? A randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The specific microclimate of alpine waterfalls with high levels of ionized water aerosols has been suggested to trigger beneficial immunological and psychological effects. In the present three-armed randomized controlled clinical study, we focused on effects on (i) immunological reagibility, on (ii) physiological stress responses, and on (iii) stress-related psychological parameters.

METHODS

People with moderate to high stress levels (n = 65) spent an active sojourn with daily hiking tours in the National Park Hohe Tauern (Großkirchheim, Austria). Half of the group was exposed to water aerosol of an alpine waterfall for 1 h/day (first arm, n = 33), whereas the other half spent the same time at a distant site (second arm, n = 32). A third arm (control, n = 26) had no intervention (except vaccination) and stayed at home, maintaining their usual lifestyle. The effect of the interventions on the immune system was tested by oral vaccination with an approved cholera vaccine and measuring specific salivary IgA antibody titers. Lung function was determined by peak expiratory flow measurement. Electric skin conductance, heart rate, and adaption of respiration rate were assessed as physiological stress parameters. Psychological stress-related parameters were analyzed by questionnaires and scales.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, both intervention groups showed improvement of the lung function and of most physiological stress test parameters. Analysis of the mucosal immune response revealed a waterfall-specific beneficial effect with elevated IgA titers in the waterfall group. In line with these results, exposure to waterfall revealed an additional benefit concerning psychological parameters such as subjective stress perception (measured via visual analog scale), the Global Severity Index (GSI), and the Positive Symptom Total (PST).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides new data, which strongly support an "added value" of exposure to waterfall microclimate when combined with a therapeutic sojourn at high altitude including regular physical activity.

Novel method of measurement of radon exhalation from building materials

In the era of the energy saving policy (i.e. more air tight doors and windows), the radon exhaled from building materials tends to increase its concentration in indoor air, which increases the importance of the measurement of radon exhalation from building materials. This manuscript presents a novel method of the radon exhalation measurement using only a HPGe detector or any other gamma spectrometer. Comparing it with the already used methods of radon exhalation measurements, this method provides the measurement of the emanation coefficient, the radon diffusion length and the radon exhalation rate, all within the same measurement, which additionally defines material's radon protective properties. Furthermore it does not necessitate additional equipment for radon or radon exhalation measurement, which simplifies measurement technique, and thus potentially facilitates introduction of legal obligation for radon exhalation determination in building materials.

Long-term measurements of radon, thoron and their airborne progeny in 25 schools in Republic of Srpska

This article reports results of the first investigations on indoor radon, thoron and their decay products concentration in 25 primary schools of Banja Luka, capital city of Republic Srpska. The measurements have been carried out in the period from May 2011 to April 2012 using 3 types of commercially available nuclear track detectors, named: long-term radon monitor (GAMMA 1)- for radon concentration measurements (C(Rn)); radon-thoron discriminative monitor (RADUET) for thoron concentration measurements (C(Tn)); while equilibrium equivalent radon concentration (EERC) and equilibrium equivalent thoron concentrations (EETC) measured by Direct Radon Progeny Sensors/Direct Thoron Progeny Sensors (DRPS/DTPS) were exposed in the period November 2011 to April 2012. In each school the detectors were deployed at 10 cm distance from the wall. The obtained geometric mean concentrations were C(Rn) = 99 Bq m(-3) and C(Tn) = 51 Bq m(-3) for radon and thoron gases respectively. Those for equilibrium equivalent radon concentration (EERC) and equilibrium equivalent thoron concentrations (EETC) were 11.2 Bq m(-3) and 0.4 Bq m(-3), respectively. The correlation analyses showed weak relation only between C(Rn) and C(Tn) as well as between C(Tn) and EETC. The influence of the school geographical locations and factors linked to buildings characteristic in relation to measured concentrations were tested. The geographical location and floor level significantly influence C(Rn) while C(Tn) depend only from building materials (ANOVA, p ≤ 0.05). The obtained geometric mean values of the equilibrium factors were 0.123 for radon and 0.008 for thoron.

Air ions as indicators of short-term indoor radon variations

Diurnal variations in the air ion concentration are subject to changes in the radon concentration. In this experiment, the air ion and radon concentrations were simultaneously measured using two air ion detectors and two continuous radon detectors. The results of the indoor measurements revealed a strong correlation between the concentrations of positive air ions and radon (with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.9). The radon-to-ion concentration ratio changes with an increase in the radon concentration from a linear to a square-root relation. This correlation provides a means of using air ion measurements as a high-confidence indicator of changes in the radon concentration, especially for short-term measurements on the order of seconds or minutes, which is too short a measurement interval for conventional radon monitors. The use of air ions as an indicator of changes in radon concentration allows for investigation of the behavior of indoor radon and also allows radon to be used as a tracer gas for air mass exchange.

Effects of ionized waterfall aerosol on pediatric allergic asthma

OBJECTIVE

Ionized water aerosols have been suggested to exert beneficial health effects on pediatric allergic asthma. Their effect was evaluated in a randomized controlled clinical trial as part of a summer asthma camp.

METHODS

Asthmatic allergic children (n = 54) spent 3 weeks in an alpine asthma camp; half of the group was exposed to water aerosol of an alpine waterfall for 1 hour per day, whereas the other half spent the same time at a "control site". Immunological analysis, lung function testing, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing were performed during the stay, and sustaining effects were evaluated 2 months later. Symptom score testing was done over a period of 140 days.

RESULTS

The water aerosol group showed a significant improvement in all lung function parameters, whereas only the peak expiratory flow improved in the control group. All patients showed a significant improvement in symptom score and a significant decrease in FeNO after the camp. Only the water aerosol group exhibited a long-lasting effect on asthma symptoms, lung function, and inflammation in the follow-up examination. Induction of interleukin (IL)-10 and regulatory T (Treg) cells was measured in both groups, with a pronounced increase in the water aerosol group. IL-13 was significantly decreased in both groups, whereas IL-5 and eosinophil cationic protein were decreased only in the water aerosol group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm the induction of Treg cells and reduction in inflammation by climate therapy. They indicate a synergistic effect of water aerosols resulting in a long-lasting beneficial effect on asthma symptoms, lung function, and airway inflammation.