Disturbance induced dynamics of a tritrophic novel ecosystem

Novel ecosystems formed by invasive plants provide a good opportunity to get insight into early dynamics and pattern formation of these ecosystems. The invasive black locust as host plant, Bruchophagus robiniae as host-specific seed predator and its parasitoids were the components of the studied tritrophic system. To investigate disturbance-driven dynamics of this system we created seed-vacated host plant patches in a field experiment. We removed all pods from selected patches of black locust resulting in an induced local extinction of seed predators and their parasitoids. We hypothesized that disturbance enhances top-down control by parasitoids; this enhanced top-down control decreases seed predation, facilitating the host plant's spread. We found that disturbance modified only parasitism after controlling with year effect: in vacated patches median parasitism was higher than in control patches. Seed predation exceeded its initial level in vacated patches in the third year after the disturbance, but in the fourth year it dropped again presumably due to the strong top-down control. Our findings also suggested that the seed predator was also affected by the bottom-up control of its host plant's density. We found that in the studied new ecosystem the top-down control was strengthened by the disturbance. Since the host plant of the tritrophic system is an invasive species, partial habitat disturbance of such species may increase the severity of parasitoid top-down control, which may reduce seed predation by the herbivores.

The enemy hypothesis: correlates of gall morphology with parasitoid attack rates in two closely related rose cynipid galls

We tested the enemy hypothesis for gall morphology on a model system comprising two Diplolepis rose gall wasp species and their associated parasitoids. The enemy hypothesis predicts both that gall traits will influence parasitoid attack rates within species, and that galls with contrasting morphologies will support different parasitoid communities. This hypothesis is supported by studies at both intraspecific and broader taxonomic levels (i.e. between genera), but patterns remain to be explored in closely related species. Our aims were to explore the relationships between aspects of gall morphology (number of larval chambers, overall gall size and thickness of the gall wall) in each of Diplolepis mayri and D. rosae, and to explore correlations between these traits and both the presence/absence (=incidence) and attack rates imposed by parasitoids. We found in both galls that chamber number is positively correlated with gall size. In galls of D. mayri, parasitoid incidence was negatively correlated with thickness of the wall of the larval chamber, but there was no significant correlation between parasitoid attack rates and overall gall size. In D. rosae galls, parasitoid incidence was positively correlated with chamber wall thickness, but parasitoid attack rates were negatively correlated with gall size, suggesting that selection may favour the induction of galls containing more larval chambers. These results confirm that gall extended phenotypes can significantly influence enemy attack rates, consistent with the 'enemy hypothesis'. Further, differences in gall morphology between the two Diplolepis species may underlie differences in their associated parasitoid communities--further research is required to test this hypothesis.

Treatment of waste thermal waters by ozonation and nanofiltration

After their use for heating, e.g. in greenhouses, waste thermal waters may cause environmental problems due to their high contents of ions, and in some cases organic matter (associated with an oxygen demand) or toxic compounds. The aims of this work were to decrease the high organic content of waste thermal water by a combination of ozone treatment and membrane separation, and to investigate the accompanying membrane fouling. The results demonstrated that the chemical oxygen demand and the total organic content can be effectively decreased by a combination of ozone pretreatment and membrane filtration. Ozone treatment is more effective for phenol elimination than nanofiltration alone: with a combination of the two processes, 100% elimination efficiency can be achieved. The fouling index b proved to correlate well with the fouling and polarization layer resistances.

Peptidergic modulation of serotonin and nerve elicited responses of the salivary duct muscle in the snail, Helix pomatia

In the present study, the ability of a range of endogenous neuropeptides to modulate neuromuscular transmission was examined in the salivary duct neuromuscular preparation of the terrestrial snail, Helix pomatia. Immunohistochemical and physiological techniques were used to localize the neuropeptides (GSPYFVamide, CARP, FMRFamide and APGWamide) and to investigate whether contractions elicited by the stimulation of the salivary nerve or by exogenously applied 5-HT are subject to peptidergic modulation. All of the neuropeptides studied decreased the tonus by a direct action on the muscle fibers in a concentration dependent manner in a range of 10(-9) to 10(-6)M. Neuropeptides distinctly affected the 5-HT evoked contraction or relaxation and GSPYFVa and APGWa decreased also the amplitude of contractions elicited by the stimulation of the salivary nerve. All four neuropeptides facilitated the relaxation phase providing further evidence for the postsynaptic action of neuropeptides. Low Ca(2+)/high Mg(2+) saline abolished the nerve-elicited contractions, however the denervated muscle retained the ability to contract due to the mobilization of the Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. It was concluded, that peptides belonging to different peptide families exerted their effects through pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms. The modulatory effect of neuropeptides can be assigned to the partial co-localization of 5-HT and neuropeptides in the nerves innervating muscles of the salivary duct, as it was demonstrated by double-labeling immunohistochemistry. A double origin of the 5-HTergic innervation was demonstrated, including efferents originating from both the cerebral and visceral ganglia.

Is there "cardiovascular drift" during and after simulated orthostasis in humans?

This study investigates the time course of hemodynamic variables during and after simulated orthostasis (lower body suction at 55mmHg for 30 mins: LBNP-55). Individual strategies of blood pressure defense could be observed; LBNP-55 increased heart rate and reduced stroke volume, but was non-hypotensive. During 20 minutes post-LBNP, heart rate was decreased as well as stroke volume index below pre-LBNP values. The reduced cardiac index together with unchanged mean arterial pressure gave a highly significant increase of peripheral resistance after LBNP. The validity of stroke volume results under the experimental conditions given needs to be clarified.

Permanent depression of plasma cGMP during long-term space flight

The purpose of this study was to investigate plasma concentrations of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) during and after real and simulated space flight. Venous blood was obtained 3 min after the beginning and 2 min after the lower body negative pressure maneuver in two cosmonauts preflight (supine), inflight, and postflight (supine) and in five other subjects before, at the end, and 4 days after a 5-day head-down tilt (-6 degrees) bed rest. In cosmonaut 1 (10 days in space), plasma cGMP fell from preflight 4.3 to 1.4 nM on flight day 6, and was 3.0 nM on the fourth day after landing. In cosmonaut 2 (438 days in space), it fell from preflight 4.9 to 0.5 nM on on flight day 3, and stayed <0.1 nM with 5, 9, and 14 months in space, as well as on the fourth day after landing. Three months after the flight his plasma cGMP was back to normal (6.3 nM). Cosmonaut 2 also displayed relatively low inflight ANP values but returned to preflight level immediately after landing. In a ground-based simulation on five other persons, supine plasma cGMP was reduced by an average of 30% within 5 days of 6 degrees head-down tilt bed rest. The data consistently demonstrate lowered plasma cGMP with real and simulated weightlessness, and a complete disappearance of cGMP from plasma during, and shortly after long-duration space flight.

Cardiovascular and hormonal changes with different angles of head-up tilt in men

The purpose of this study was to assess the endocrine status, thoracic impedance, blood concentration, and hemodynamic dose-responses using different angles of passive head-up tilt (HUT) ranging from 12 degrees to 70 degrees in the same subjects. Measurements were performed during 20 min supine position (pre-HUT), 30 min upright (HUT12, HUT30, HUT53, or HUT70), and 20 min supine (post-HUT); subjects 70 min in the supine position only (HUT0) served as resting controls. Norepinephrine increased above resting control values by 19, 44, 80, and 102%; epinephrine by 30, 41, 64, and 68%; aldosterone by 29, 62, 139, and 165%; plasma renin activity n. s., 41, 91, and 89%; vasopressin n.s., 27, 47, and 59%; thoracic bioimpedance n. s., 8, 13, and 16%; heart rate n. s., 5, 26, and 45%, and mean arterial pressure n. s., 5, 7, and 10%; at min 27 of HUT12, HUT30, HUT53, and HUT70, respectively. Pulse pressure decreased with HUT53 and HUT70 by 4 and 10%. Hematocrit increased by 0.2, 1.7, 6.3, and 7.2%, respectively. Blood density increased by 2.3 and 3.0 g/l, plasma density by 1.7 and 1.8 g/l with HUT53 and HUT70. After finishing HUT, heart rate fell to values which stayed below pre-HUT, and also below resting control levels for > or = 5 min ("post-orthostatic bradycardia") even after the lowest orthostatic load (HUT12). Thoracic impedance and arterial pressure remained increased after terminating HUT30, HUT53, and HUT70. In conclusion, passive orthostatic loading of different extent produces specific dose-responses of different magnitude in the endocrine system, blood composition, thoracic impedance, and hemodynamic variables. The heart rate is depressed even after HUT12, while arterial blood pressure and thoracic impedance exceed pre-stimulus levels after greater head-up tilt, indicating altered cardiovascular response after passive orthostasis.

[Cardiovascular and humoral adaptation with passive orthostasis in men]

The aim of our study was to quantitate, in the same test subjects, hormonal, thoracic bioimpedance, blood composition, and hemodynamic dose-responses during different angles of passive orthostatic loading (head-up tilt, HUT) ranging from 12 degrees to 70 degrees. Measurements were performed with 20 min supine (pre-HUT), 30 min upright (HUT-12 degrees, HUT-30 degrees, HUT-53 degrees, or HUT-70 degrees), and 20 min supine (post-HUT); or supine only (HUT-0 degree, rest control). Norepinephrine increased above rest control by 19, 44, 80 and 102%; epinephrine 30, 41, 64, and 68%; aldosterone 29, 62, 139, and 165%; plasma renin activity n. s., 41, 91, and 89%; vasopressin n. s., 27, 47, and 59%; thoracic bioimpedance n. s., 8, 13, and 16%; heart rate n. s., 5, 26, and 45%, and mean arterial pressure n. s., 5, 7, and 10%; respectively, at min 27 of HUT-12 degrees, -30 degrees, -53 degrees, and -70 degrees. Pulse pressure narrowed with HUT-53 degrees and -70 degrees by 4 and 10%. Hematocrit increased 0.2, 1.7, 6.3, and 7.2%, respectively. Blood density increased by 2.3 and 3.0 g/l, plasma density by 1.7 and 1.8 g/l with HUT-53 degrees and -70 degrees. After finishing HUT, heart rate fell to values which stayed below pre-HUT, and also below rest control levels for > or = 5 min ("post-orthostatic bradycardia") even after the lowest orthostatic load (HUT-12 degrees). Thoracic bioimpedance and arterial blood pressure stayed increased after finishing HUT-30 degrees, -53 degrees, and -70 degrees. In summary, passive orthostasis of different degree produces specific dose-responses of different magnitude within endocrine, blood concentration, thoracic bioimpedance, and hemodynamic variables. Heart rate is depressed even after HUT-12 degrees, while arterial blood pressure and thoracic bioimpedance exceed pre-stimulus levels after HUT of higher degree, indicating altered cardiovascular state after passive orthostasis.

Mytilus inhibitory peptide (MIP) induces a Na+-activated K+-current in snail neurons

Two microelectrode voltage-clamp and single-channel recordings were performed on D-cluster neurons of snail right parietal ganglion in order to study the properties of MIP-activated potassium current. It was found that the octapeptide member of the MIP-family, ASHIPRFVa elicits an outward current, which possesses all the properties characteristic for the hexapeptide(s) inward membrane response. The main component of the peptide elicited response is highly [K+]o dependent, however the response was attenuated in Na-free extracellular saline. The peptide elicited response was mimicked by raising the [Na+]i by pressure injection of Na+ into the cell. Single channel recordings indicated that MIP-induced outward K-current is Na-dependent. The probability to find a channel in open state increases with increasing intracellular Na+-concentration. Excised inside-out patches obtained from D-neurons contained I(K(Na)) channels could be activated by exposure of the cytoplasmic face of the patch membrane to 40 mM Na+, and 40 mM Li+, as well. The single channel current amplitude at -60 mV is 15 pA and the single channel conductance is 212 pS between -80 and 0 mV. It was concluded that MIP's activate a novel type of K+-current in the snail neurons. This current is the Na-activated K+-current. The single channel properties of the MIP activated channel is in concert with I(K(Na)) data obtained on different vertebrate and invertebrate preparations.

Cardiovascular and humoral readjustment after different levels of head-up tilt in humans

PURPOSE

To get a more complete picture of cardiovascular regulation after postural changes, this investigation directly monitored volume-related, hemodynamic, and endocrine variables during and after 30 min of passive head-up tilt (HUT) of various degrees. It was hypothesized that the return of variables to pre-tilt control level is of system-specific duration and different from what is found after lower body negative pressure (LBNP).

DESIGN

We tested 7 persons on 5 different days using, in random order, no (HUT0) or different intensity (12 degrees , 30 degrees , 53 degrees , and 70 degrees ) of passive orthostasis (HUT12, HUT30, HUT53, HUT70). Data were collected before (supine), during, and after (supine) HUT and compared with synchronous data from HUT0.

RESULTS

There was graded alteration with the sine of tilt angle for all hormones and directly volume-related variables. The effects of HUT70 were of the same magnitude as previously documented by others. After HUT, hemodynamic variables and catecholamines returned to control levels most rapidly. Heart rate depression, as observed in a companion LBNP study in the same subjects, did not occur. Vasopressin, PRA, plasma volume and Z0 returned to nominal values more slowly. Plasma aldosterone was still elevated 50 min after reassuming supine posture.

CONCLUSION

Besides specific dose-responses within hemodynamic, volume-dependent, and hormonal variables after orthostatic loading of different degree, the return to control levels after HUT occurs with distinctly different time-courses, which are not identical with those seen after LBNP-simulated orthostasis.

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism and mitral valve prolapse syndrome

BACKGROUND

Mitral valve prolapse syndrome (MVPS), a term applied to patients who have a variety of symptoms, has been associated with autonomic or neuroendocrine dysfunction. Recent evidence suggests that effects of angiotensin II mediated by the angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor are involved in modulation of cardiovascular autonomic control in human beings. Association of a genetic polymorphism (A-C(1166)) of the AT(1) gene with abnormal vasomotion and low blood pressure related to autonomic control has been reported recently. Because the role of this genetic variant in MVPS has not been studied, we performed a case-control study of the A-C(1166) variant in a group of 76 white subjects with MVPS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

All patients were genotyped by use of a mismatch polymerase chain reaction/Afl II restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Frequency of the C(1166) allele was 0.4 in patients with MVPS and 0.26 in control patients. The difference in genotype (chi square = 6.5; P <.05) and allele (chi square = 5.9; P =.02) frequencies between the groups was significant. The odds ratio in favor of carrying the C allele was 4 times greater for patients with MVP than for control patients (95% confidence interval 1.4 to 12.1).

CONCLUSIONS

The current results indicate that the A-C(1166) polymorphism of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene is associated with MVPS in the white population.

Orthostatic stimuli rapidly change plasma adrenomedullin in humans

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of orthostasis on the time course of plasma adrenomedullin concentration. On 5 different days, normotensive subjects were randomized to undergo for 30 minutes either 12 degrees, 30 degrees, 53 degrees, or 70 degrees passive head-up tilt or to remain supine. Venous blood was collected from each subject in the supine position before tilting, at 3 and 27 minutes during tilting, and at 2 and 50 minutes after orthostasis. Plasma adrenomedullin increased significantly with tilt of >/=30 degrees in a stimulus-dependent manner. Approximately half of the increase seen at 27 minutes occurred during the first 2 minutes of upright positioning; the maximum effect with 70 degrees tilt was +70%. Elevations in norepinephrine, epinephrine, aldosterone, plasma renin activity, vasopressin, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure were also significant. Hematocrit, blood density, plasma density, and plasma volume loss rose (P<0.05) at 53 degrees and 70 degrees tilt. Our results indicate that adrenomedullin may play an important role in stabilization of hemodynamics during passive orthostasis. In conclusion, plasma adrenomedullin rapidly increases with orthostatic challenge in a stimulus-dependent manner and also swiftly returns to baseline levels after the subject resumes the supine position.

Plasma hyaluronan concentration: no circadian rhythm but large effect of food intake in humans

This study was designed to determine if a circadian rhythm in plasma hyaluronan concentration [HA] exists in the absence of physical activity, and if plasma [HA] is associated with feeding in human subjects. Five persons were studied under standardized conditions, blood samples being taken between 0600 and 2200 hours at 30-min intervals. Any orthostatic challenge and muscle activity was abolished by immobilization by a 6 degrees head-down bed-rest, and the effect of a quasi-continuous ingestion of energy compared a normal, three-portion diet of equivalent energy content or to fasting. Reproducibility of HA profiles on two consecutive half-days was also studied. A highly sensitive immunoassay was used to determine plasma [HA]. The data indicated that without physical activity and without food ingestion, [HA] was unchanged and displayed no diurnal rhythm. In addition, we observed that [HA] increased after the first food intake, peaking after 60 min, and concluded from our results that without ingestion of a larger meal, and sessions of postural or muscle activity, no circadian plasma [HA] rhythm exists.

Cardiovascular changes during and after different LBNP levels in men

BACKGROUND

This study quantifies hemodynamic and thoracic impedance (TI) changes with four levels of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) from -15 to -65 mm Hg in seven healthy men in supine position 20 min before (pre-LBNP), 30 min during, and 20 min after suction (post-LBNP) as well as without suction (LBNP-0, rest control).

RESULTS

LBNP > 15 mm Hg increased basic TI by up to 2.2 omega (+9.5%). TI-computed stroke volume index (SVI) continuously decreased with time up to -12%, -28%, -36%, and -40% at the end of LBNP-15, -35, -55, and -65. TI-computed cardiac index decreased most (-14%) at LBNP-15 and -35, resulting in a 19% increase of calculated total peripheral resistance index at those intensities. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) did not change in any systematic way with lower LBNP levels, but increased +4.7% and +7.4% at the end of LBNP-55 and -65, respectively. Heart rate remained unchanged at LBNP-15, but continuously increased to reach +22%, +42%, and +55% at the end of LBNP-35, -55, and -65. After finishing LBNP, heart rate fell to values below both pre-LBNP and rest control for > or = 5 min (post-LBNP bradycardia). SVI transiently returned to, and MAP increased above, pre-LBNP levels after suction.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, different levels of lower body subatmospheric pressure produced quantitatively different time course and dose-response patterns and remained non-hypotensive up to -65 mm Hg suction. Further, heart rate was depressed after LBNP, while arterial BP and TI-computed total peripheral resistance exceeded pre-stimulus levels, indicating an altered cardiovascular state after 30 min of simulated orthostasis.

Effect of postural changes on the reliability of volume estimations from bioimpedance spectroscopy data

Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) has been suggested for the assessment of fluid shifts between intracellular (ICV) and extracellular volume (ECV) during dialysis. The electrical tissue parameters are estimated by fitting a Cole-Cole model to the impedance data. Those parameters are used for the calculation of ICV and ECV with a fluid distribution model (FDM). We investigated whether postural changes cause artifacts in the volume data measured with a commercial BIS system. This is of importance at the beginning of dialysis, when the patient lies down for treatment. Volume estimations were performed during tilt table experiments with 11 healthy volunteers. Impedance spectra (5 to 500 kHz) were recorded for the total body as well as for body segments (leg and arm) during three phases: (1) 30 minutes resting in a supine position after standing; (2) 30 minutes 70 degrees head up tilt; and (3) a 30-minute resting period in a supine position. ECV and ICV were estimated with a commercially utilized FDM which is based on Hanai's mixture theory. A monoexponential function was fitted to the data for extracting the time constants and the extrapolated steady state values of the volume changes. The ECV and ICV data changed significantly during all three periods, that is, a steady state could not be reached within 30 minutes. During phase 1 the ECV decreased by 1.8 +/- 0.7%, in the tilt phase it increased by 3.8 +/- 1.1%, and in phase 3 it decreased again by 2.9 +/- 1%. The ICV increased by 3.6 +/- 2.4% during phase 1 and decreased by 6.8 +/- 5.1% during tilting; in phase 3 it increased by 4.6 +/- 1.7%. The time constants were 36.4 +/- 12.7 minutes (ECV) and 10.8 +/- 5.4 minutes (ICV) during phase 3. Segmental measurements revealed that the legs contribute significantly to the measured volume changes. The absolute volume changes in ICV and ECV differed significantly in all phases, and the same was found for the time constants during phases 1 and 3. From this discrepancy it is concluded that the measured volume changes are artifacts that are caused by extracellular fluid redistribution. Furthermore, it appears unlikely that the measured fluid shifts actually occur between ECV and ICV in the absence of osmotic changes in the body fluids. The validity of the method for a reliable assessment of volume changes during dialysis appears questionable, as dialysis-induced volume changes lie in the same range as the orthostatically-induced spurious volume changes.

Curing swallowing-induced arrhythmias with cimetidine

A 57-year-old man with swallowing-induced arrhythmias is presented. The patient did not respond to conventional antiarrhythmic medication, but H2-receptor antagonist treatment proved effective.

The effects of probucol on QT/QS2 relation and systolic time intervals

The QT, QTc, QS2 intervals, pre-ejection period-left ventricular ejection time ratios and serum lipoprotein levels were measured in 8 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia before and after a 3-month therapy with probucol, 1 g/day. Both QT and QTc intervals increased significantly, whereas no significant changes were observed between the pre- and post-treatment QT/QS2 and pre-ejection period-left ventricular ejection time ratios. These results help to explain why treatment with probucol, while effecting a prolongation of the QTc interval, does not result in serious arrhythmias in man.