The Effect of an Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field on the Drought Sensitivity of Wheat Plants.

Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields are thought to be capable of modulating the resistance of plants to adverse factors, particularly drought. Magnetic fields in this frequency range occur in nature in connection with so-called Schumann resonances, excited by lightning discharges in the Earth-ionosphere cavity. The aim of this work was to identify the influence of a magnetic field with a frequency of 14.3 Hz (which corresponds to the second Schumann harmonic) on the transpiration and photosynthesis of wheat plants under the influence of drought. The activity of photosynthesis processes, the crop water stress index, relative water content and leaf area were determined during drought intensification. At the end of the experiment, on the 12th day of drought, the length, and fresh and dry weight of wheat shoots were measured. The results obtained indicate a protective effect of the magnetic field on plants in unfavorable drought conditions; the magnetic field delayed the development of harmful changes in the transpiration and photosynthesis processes for several days. At the same time, in the absence of the stressor (drought), the effect of the electromagnetic field was not detected, except for a decrease in relative transpiration. In favorable conditions, there were only minimal modifications of the photosynthetic processes and transpiration by the magnetic field.

Antibiotics increase aggression behavior and aggression-related pheromones and receptors in Drosophila melanogaster.

Aggression is a behavior common in most species; it is controlled by internal and external drivers, including hormones, environmental cues, and social interactions, and underlying pathways are understood in a broad range of species. To date, though, effects of gut microbiota on aggression in the context of gut-brain communication and social behavior have not been completely elucidated. We examine how manipulation of Drosophila melanogaster microbiota affects aggression as well as the pathways that underlie the behavior in this species. Male flies treated with antibiotics exhibited significantly more aggressive behaviors. Furthermore, they had higher levels of cVA and (Z)-9 Tricosene, pheromones associated with aggression in flies, as well as higher expression of the relevant pheromone receptors and transporters OR67d, OR83b, GR32a, and LUSH. These findings suggest that aggressive behavior is, at least in part, mediated by bacterial species in flies.

Circulating Agonist Autoantibody to 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A Receptor in Lean and Diabetic Fatty Zucker Rat Strains.

AIMS: Circulating neurotoxic autoantibodies to the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor were increased in older adult type 2 diabetes in association with certain neurodegenerative complications. The male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat is a model system for studies of obese, type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of the current study was to test for (and compare) circulating neurotoxic autoantibodies to the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor in the Zucker diabetic fatty rat and age-matched lean Zucker rat strains. METHODS: Plasma from lean and Zucker diabetic fatty rat (obtained at different developmental stages) was subjected to protein G affinity chromatography. The resulting immunoglobulin G fraction was tested for neurotoxicity (acute neurite retraction, accelerated neuron loss) in N2A mouse neuroblastoma cells and for binding to a linear synthetic peptide corresponding to the second extracellular loop of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor. RESULTS: The male Zucker diabetic fatty rat (fa/fa) and two Zucker lean strains (+/?) and (fa/+) harbored autoantibodies to the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor which appeared spontaneously around 7-8.5 weeks of age. The circulating autoantibodies persisted until at least 25 weeks of age in the Zucker diabetic fatty rat and in the Zucker heterozygote (fa/+), but were no longer detectable in 25-week-old lean (+/?) Zucker rats. Autoantibody-induced acute neurite retraction and accelerated loss in mouse neuroblastoma N2A cells was dose-dependently prevented by selective antagonists of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor. It was also substantially prevented by co-incubation with antagonists of RhoA/Rho kinase-mediated signaling (Y27632) or Gq11/phospholipase C/inositol triphosphate receptor-coupled signaling. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that neurotoxic 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor-targeting autoantibodies increase in the aging male Zucker diabetic fatty rat and in male Zucker lean rats harboring a heterozygous mutation, but not in age-matched, older Zucker lean rats lacking a known leptin receptor mutation. The Zucker genetic strain may be useful in studies of the role of humoral and/or innate immunity in late neurodegeneration.

Analysis of the Expression of Regulator Genes in Kupffer Cells and Monocytes.

Differences in the gene expression profiles in resident macrophages (in particular, Kupffer cells) and monocytes were revealed. However, these differences in gene expression profiles do not allow considering resident liver macrophages as purely M2 macrophages and monocytes as purely M1 macrophages. At the same time, a significant number of the genes upregulated in Kupffer cells are associated with normal regulation of liver functions (Arg 1, Flt, iNOs, and Kng). In monocytes, the expression of genes Alox15, Alox12, Tlr2, Tlr4, Tlr7, and Tlr8 (typical functional genes of macrophages) was also upregulated in comparison with Kupffer cells.

Quantitative and Qualitative Characterization of Phagocytic Activity of Macrophages of Bone Marrow and Fetal Origin.

We compared phagocytic activity of macrophages of monocyte origin and Kupffer cells under the influence of M1 and M2 inducers and without activation. Cultures of monocyte-derived macrophages and Kupffer cells were characterized by intensive expression of CD68 that was not affected by activation factors. At the same time, these cultures demonstrated different dynamics of phagocytic activity. Monocyte-derived macrophages initially had more pronounced absorption capacity that gradually increased during the experiment. Kupffer cells were characterized by abrupt fluctuations of phagocytic activity: sharp growth and rapid saturation. Despite these differences, the endosomes produced by monocyte-derived macrophages and Kupffer cells had similar degrees of maturity.

Spectroscopic properties and location of the Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) energy levels in Y2O2S under high hydrostatic pressure.

In this contribution, an extensive spectroscopic study of Y2O2S doped with Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) is presented. Steady-state luminescence and luminescence excitation spectra as well as the time-resolved spectra and luminescence kinetics were obtained at high hydrostatic pressures up to 240 kbar. It was found that pressure quenches the luminescence from the (5)D3 excited state of Tb(3+) and recovers additional luminescence related to transitions from the (5)D3 state of Eu(3+). These effects are related to the pressure-induced increases in the energies of the ground electronic manifold 4f(n) of Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) ions with respect to the band edges. Analysis of the emission and excitation spectra allowed the estimation of the energies of the ground states of all lanthanide (Ln) ions (Ln(3+) and Ln(2+)) with respect to the valence and conduction bands edges of the Y2O2S host. The bandgap energy and difference between energies of the ground states of Ln(2+) and Ln(3+) have been calculated as functions of pressure. The experimental high-pressure spectroscopy results allow the calculation of the absolute values (calculated with respect to the vacuum level) of the energies and pressure-induced shifts of the conduction and valence band edges and the ground states of Ln(3+) and Ln(2+) ions in Y2O2S.

Spectroscopic properties and location of the Ce(3+) energy levels in Y3Al2Ga3O12 and Y3Ga5O12 at ambient and high hydrostatic pressure.

In this study, we present the high pressure spectroscopy of Y3Al2Ga3O12 (YAGG) and Y3Ga5O12 (YGG) ceramics doped with Ce(3+) and Cr(3+). We have found that high hydrostatic pressure recovers the Ce(3+) luminescence in YGG. The pressure-induced shifts of the ground state and the 5d1 excited state of Ce(3+) with respect to the conduction band edge were estimated. Our experimental data allowed us to also obtain the shifts of the conduction and valence band edges, and the ground state and the 5d1 state of Ce(3+) ions have been estimated with respect to the vacuum level. It has been shown that simple equivalence between the external hydrostatic pressure and intrinsic chemical pressure related to different compositions of the isostructural matrices does not exist in garnet lattices.

Pressure effect on the zero-phonon line emission of Mn(4+) in K2SiF6.

In this work, effects of pressure and temperature on the luminescent properties of the K2SiF6:Mn(4+) system have been presented. At ambient pressure, the luminescent spectrum of Mn(4+) consists of several lines at 610-650 nm attributed to phonon repetitions of the (2)Eg → (4)A2g transition and does not contain the zero phonon line (ZPL). At pressure above 9 kbar, an additional line at about 624 nm occurs, which can be attributed to the ZPL of the (2)Eg → (4)A2g transition in the Mn(4+) ions. This change in the emission spectra is accompanied by shortening of the luminescence decay time. Further increasing pressure up to 220 kbar causes the red shift of all emission lines. Upon releasing pressure, all observed lines are going back to their previous positions. The ZPL remains visible even at ambient pressure. Taking into account XRD and Raman spectra at ambient pressure before and after compression-decompression, we have attributed these changes to pressure-induced local structure change of MnF6 (2-) octahedron.

Pressure dependence of the emission in CaF2 : Yb(2+).

We present a detailed spectroscopic investigation of CaF2 doped with Yb(2+) performed at high hydrostatic pressure which is applied in a diamond anvil cell. At ambient pressure and at temperatures lower than 175 K, the luminescence consists of a single broad band peaked at 18 500 cm(-1), attributed to the recombination of impurity-trapped excitons. Increasing pressure causes the luminescence to be observable at higher temperature. At a pressure of 72 kbar luminescence can be observed up to 275 K. The emission lineshape does not strongly depend on pressure below 85 kbar. However, at 85 kbar it is blue shifted to 21 630 cm(-1). This is attributed to the known phase transition of the CaF2 crystal from cubic to the orthorhombic phase. The absolute energy of the ground and 4f(13)5d states of Yb(2+) as well as the energy of the impurity-trapped exciton with respect to valence and conduction bands have been estimated. The results, are discussed in comparison with the pressure dependences observed for the luminescence of BaF2 : Eu(2+) and CaF2 : Eu(2+). The difference between the spectral properties of Eu(2+) and Yb(2+) is attributable to the fact that the ground and 4f(6)5d states of Eu(2+) are placed deeper in the CaF2 bandgap than the ground and excited 4f(13)5d states of Yb(2+), whereas the energies of the impurity-trapped exciton states for Yb(2+) and Eu(2+) with respect to the conduction band are approximately the same.

Luminescence properties of different Eu sites in LiMgPO4:Eu(2+), Eu(3+).

The effect of temperature on the luminescence properties of LiMgPO4 doped with Eu(3+) and Eu(2+) are presented. Depending on the excitation wavelength, luminescence spectra consist of two distinct broad emission bands peaking at 380 nm and 490 nm related to 4f(6)5d(1) â†’ 4f(7) ((8)S7/2) luminescence of Eu(2+) and to europium-trapped exciton, respectively, and/or several sharp lines between the 580 nm and 710 nm region, ascribed to the (5)D0 â†’ (7)FJ (J = 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) transitions in Eu(3+). To explain all the features of the Eu(2+) and Eu(3+) luminescence we discussed the existence of two different Eu sites substituting for Li(+), with short and long distance compensation. The evident effect of increasing the intensity of the Eu(2+) luminescence with increasing temperature was observed. It was considered that the charge compensation mechanism for Eu(3+) and Li(+) as well as Eu(2+) replacing Li(+) in the LiMgPO4 is a long distance compensation that allows for the existence of some of the europium ions either as Eu(3+) at low temperature or as Eu(2+) at high temperature. We concluded that Eu(2+) in the Li(+) site with long distance compensation yields only 4f(6)5d(1) â†’ 4f(7) luminescence, whereas Eu(2+) in the Li(+) site with short distance compensation yields 4f(6)5d(1) â†’ 4f(7) luminescence and europium-trapped exciton emission.

Temperature evolution of the luminescence decay of Sr0.33Ba0.67Nb2O6 : Pr3+.

This article presents a spectroscopic investigation of Sr(0.33)Ba(0.67)(NbO2)3, doped with 1 mol% of Pr(3+). Photoluminescence and luminescence kinetics were measured at different temperatures at ambient (ferroelectric phase) and 76 kbar pressures (paraelectric phase). The photoluminescence spectrum is dominated by (1)D2 → (3)H4 transition of Pr(3+) in both phases. At ambient pressure when the system is excited with UV radiation, the intensity of dominant (1)D2 → (3)H4 emission evidently increases in the 200-293 K temperature range. This effect is attributed to enhancement of the excitation of the (1)D2 state through the praseodymium trapped exciton state, which at higher temperatures does not populate the higher lying (3)P0 state. Additionally, under UV radiation the material exhibits afterglow luminescence activated by temperature that can also have an impact on the increase of the (1)D2 emission. We propose that the afterglow luminescence is related to the existence of electron traps. At a pressure of 76 kbar the depth of the electron traps decreases in comparison to the ones observed at ambient pressure. However, the phase transition does not change the number of electron traps.

Time evolution of luminescence of Sr2SiO4:Eu²âº.

In this contribution, the photoluminescence, time-resolved luminescence and luminescence kinetics of α'-Sr2SiO4:Eu(2+) are studied. The luminescence of Sr2SiO4:Eu(2+) consists of two broad bands, peaked at 490 nm (blue-green) and 570 nm (yellow-orange), which originate from two luminescence centers, related to Eu(2+) in ten-coordinated SI and nine-coordinated SII sites, respectively. Based on spectroscopic data the energetic structure of Sr2SiO4:Eu(2+) has been developed, which includes the bands edges, energies of Eu(2+) in the SI and SII sites and energies of strontium and oxygen vacancies. To investigate the long-lasting luminescence phenomenon in Sr2SiO4:Eu(2+) the temperature influence on the time evolution of luminescence was analyzed. It has been found that the long-lasting luminescence is related to the Eu(2+) in SII site. The shallowest traps responsible for emission decaying within a few seconds are tentatively attributed to the [Eu(3+)(SII)-[Formula: see text]] centers. The depth of traps responsible for the long-lasting luminescence observed at room temperature has been estimated as equal 0.73 eV.

High pressure luminescence spectra of CaMoO4:Ln3+ (Ln = Pr, Tb).

Photoluminescence spectra and luminescence kinetics of pure CaMoO(4) and CaMoO(4) doped with Ln(3+) (Ln = Pr or Tb) are presented. The spectra were obtained at high hydrostatic pressure up to 240 kbar applied in a diamond anvil cell. At ambient pressure undoped and doped samples exhibit a broad band emission extending between 380 and 700 nm with a maximum at 520 nm attributed to the MoO(4)(2-) luminescence. CaMoO(4) doped with Pr(3+) or Tb(3+) additionally yields narrow emission lines related to f-f transitions. The undoped CaMoO(4) crystal was characterized by a strong MoO(4)(2-) emission up to 240 kbar. In the cases of CaMoO(4):Pr(3+) and CaMoO(4):Tb(3+), high hydrostatic pressure caused quenching of Pr(3+) and Tb(3+) emission, and this effect was accompanied by a strong shortening of the luminescence lifetime. In doped samples, CaMoO(4):Pr(3+) and CaMoO(4):Tb(3+), quenching of the emission band attributed to MoO(4)(2-) was also observed, and at pressure above 130 kbar this luminescence was totally quenched. The effects mentioned above were related to the influence of the praseodymium (terbium) trapped exciton PTE (ITE-impurity trapped exciton) on the efficiency of the Pr(3+) (Tb(3+)) and MoO(4)(2-) emissions.

High pressure and time-resolved luminescence spectra of Ca3Y2(SiO4)3 doped with Eu2+ and Eu3+.

Tricalcium diyttrium trisilicon oxide, Ca(3)Y(2)(SiO(4))(3) doped with Eu(2+) and Eu(3+) belongs to a very limited number of hosts able to accommodate both Eu(3+) and Eu(2+) ions, which might make it useful for white light emitting diodes (WLEDs) based on UV chip technology. In this contribution we present a detailed study of photoluminescence kinetics and high pressure spectroscopy of Eu(3+) and Eu(2+) doped Ca(3)Y(2)(SiO(4))(3). At ambient pressure and room temperature, under excitation with near-UV radiation, a broad emission band from 400 to 550 nm due to the 4f(6)5d(1)→4f(7)((8)S(7/2)) transition in Eu(2+) was observed, as well as several emission peaks in the region between 550 and 710 nm, ascribed to the (5)D(0)→ (7)F(J) (J = 0-4) transitions in Eu(3+). The bluish green luminescence related to Eu(2+) in the Ca(3)Y(2)(SiO(4))(3) exhibits a small red pressure-induced shift reaching -5.2 cm(-1)/kbar. The red shifts of the luminescence lines related to Eu(3+) ion emission vary from 0.15 to -0.54 cm(-1)/kbar. Time-resolved photoluminescence was measured at different temperatures and pressures. Luminescence decay traces were studied for the bluish green emission band of Eu(2+) and for the red emission peak due to the (5)D(0) → (7)F(2) transition of Eu(3+). Decay times slightly decreased with increasing pressure.

Luminescence of Gd2(WO4)3:Ln3+ at ambient and high hydrostatic pressure.

This paper presents a spectroscopic characterization of Gd(2)(WO(4))(3):Ln(3+) (Ln=Eu, Pr, Tb and Dy). The luminescence and luminescence kinetics were measured under pressures up to 250 kbar. It was found that pressure quenches the luminescence of Pr(3+) and Tb(3+), whereas the emission of Eu(3+) and Dy(3+) was stable up to 250 kbar. This effect was related to a decrease in the ionization energy of Pr(3+) and Tb(3+) caused by pressure induced increase in energies of the Ln(2+) and Ln(3+) ions with respect to the band edges. Analysis of emission and excitation spectra allowed us to estimate the energies of the ground states of Ln(3+) and Ln(2+) with respect to the valence and conduction band edges of the Gd(2)(WO(4))(3) host. Differences between energies of the ground states of Ln(2+) and Ln(3+) have also been calculated.

Efficacy of a silver lipidocolloid dressing on heavily colonised wounds: a republished RCT.

Nearly all open wounds are contaminated by microorganisms. This generally corresponds to simple bacterial growth, without leading to deleterious effects or compromising the progress of the healing process. In acute wounds, the probability of wound infection increases as the level of contamination does. However, it is more complex for chronic wounds, which are able to contain and tolerate large amounts of bacteria, many times higher than the usual threshold level (>105 bacteria/g of tissue) defining infection in acute wounds,1 without inducing local signs. Nevertheless, many clinical and experimental studies indicate that the probability for chronic wounds to heal properly is limited when the bacterial load exceeds this level of contamination; even when body defences are still able to prevent tissue invasion, bacteria can impair wound healing.

High pressure luminescence spectra of CaMoO4:Pr3+.

Steady state and time resolved luminescence measurements of CaMoO(4) doped with Pr(3+) as a function of hydrostatic pressure in the 1-175 kbar range are presented. It has been observed that with increasing pressure the spectral features shift towards lower energies, the decay times of both (3)P(0) and (1)D(2) emitting levels become shorter and the intensity of the (3)P(0) emission decreases to complete quenching at about 110 kbar, whereas that of the (1)D(2) emission increases in the 0-100 kbar range and then rapidly decreases when the pressure exceeds 127 kbar. A variation of the structure of the spectral manifolds indicates that a pressure induced phase transition of the host lattice occurs in the 80-100 kbar range. The quenching of the luminescence and the shortening of the decay times have been accounted for by means of a model that takes into account the role played by a praseodymium trapped exciton in the excited state dynamics of the investigated material.

Pressure-induced phase transition in LiLuF4:Pr3+ investigated by an optical technique.

The luminescence and luminescence kinetics of LiLuF(4) doped with 1.5 at.% of Pr(3+) obtained at high hydrostatic pressure changing from ambient to 220 kbar applied in a diamond anvil cell are presented. It has been shown that pressure causes shift of the emission lines toward the red with rates of the order of single cm(-1) kbar(-1). The pressure-induced phase transition from tetragonal to fergusonite structure for pressure above 100 kbar was observed. The crystal field calculations performed showed that this phase transition reduces the point symmetry of the Pr(3+) site from the S(4) to the C(2) point group.

New Eu²+ sites in KMgF3:Eu²+ crystal.

The luminescence properties of KMgF(3):Eu(2 + ) are investigated at different pressures in the temperature range 25-292 K. Five new Eu(2 + ) luminescence (NEL) lines due to the [Formula: see text] transition are identified at 362.49 nm (L(1)), 362.53 nm (L(2)), 360.72 nm (L(3)), 360.15 nm (L(4)) and 359.59 nm (L(5)) together with the line at 359.32 nm (L(0)) which is well known in KMgF(3):Eu(2 + ). The emission lines under excitation at 325 nm show a strong dependence on temperature. At 25 K the emission spectrum consists of only two sharp lines, L(1) and L(2). Three additional lines (L(3), L(4) and L(5)) begin to appear with increasing temperature. With a further increase in temperature from 150 to 292 K all the lines disappear except for the single sharp line at 359.32 nm (L(0)). The zero-phonon transition of line L(0) is accompanied by vibronic sidebands. A pressure shift of five NELs is estimated to be about - 0.6 cm( - 1) kbar( - 1) similarly to the shift of line L(0), while the lifetimes of the NELs are about 0.7 ms which is shorter than that (5.2 ms) of L(0) at 80 K. The new luminescence lines are attributed to the Eu(2 + ) ions occupying the K( + ) sites with fluorine vacancy (F( - ) center) complexes.