DNA damage and apoptosis in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

The effects of known genotoxic substances (4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide, benzo[a]pyrene, teniposide, etoposide, cycloheximide, tributyltin) on human cells (FLC, HL-60) and on mussels were investigated. The correlations between formation of DNA strand breaks and DNA fragmentation characteristic for the process of apoptosis were estimated. Strand breaks induced by 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide and benzo[a]pyrene did not correlate with DNA fragmentation detected in the process of apoptosis. Induction of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells was initiated by teniposide, etoposide and tributyltin, while in the gills of mussels this was detected only with tributyltin. Levels of DNA strand breaks in natural mussel populations, living at locations under the influence of urban and industrial wastes, do not mirror the apoptotic processes.     

Spatial profiles of hsp70 proteins in Asian clam (Potamocorbula amurensis) in northern San Francisco Bay may be linked to natural rather than anthropogenic stressors.

Multi-year investigations in northern San Francisco Bay by United States Geological Survey have linked reduced condition indices in populations of Asian clam (Potamocorbula amurensis) with elevated cadmium tissue concentrations. Our study seeks to determine whether levels of hsp70 proteins in P. amurensis can be correlated with these findings, and/or are related to histopathologic alterations and concentrations of metallothionein-like proteins. Here we present our results on stress proteins in clams collected monthly from four field stations between July 1996 and January 1998. In addition, animals were exposed in the laboratory to a range of salinities. Stress proteins were analyzed by Western blotting using monoclonal antibodies. Hsp70 protein levels in field-collected clams were significantly higher at the seaward (high salinity/low cadmium) stations (12.5, 8.1) than at the landward (low salinity/high cadmium) stations (6.1, 4.1). Laboratory studies showed that clams exposed to 0.1 ppt salinity had markedly lower hsp70 levels than clams exposed to higher salinities. In view of our previous laboratory studies showing that cadmium induces hsp70 in P. amurensis, our present results indicate that reduced hsp70 protein levels in field-collected clams may be linked to salinity effects rather than cadmium tissue concentrations.     

Stellar And Galactic Environment survey (SAGE)

This paper describes a proposed high resolution soft X-ray and Extreme Ultraviolet spectroscopy mission to carry out a survey of Stellar and Galactic Environments (SAGE). The payload is based on novel diffraction grating technology which has already been proven in a sub-orbital space mission and which is ready to fly on a satellite platform with minimal development. We discuss the goals of a SAGE base-line mission and demonstrate the scientific importance of high resolution spectroscopy in the Extreme Ultraviolet for the study of stars and the local interstellar medium.     

Stellar and galactic environment survey (SAGE)

This paper describes a proposed high resolution soft X-ray and Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) spectroscopy mission to carry out a survey of Stellar and Galactic Environments (SAGE). The payload is based on novel diffraction grating technology which has already been proven in a sub-orbital space mission and which is ready to fly on a satellite platform with minimal development. Much of the technical detail of the instrumentation has been reported elsewhere and we concentrate our discussion here on the scientific goals of a SAGE base-line mission, demonstrating the scientific importance of high resolution spectroscopy in the Extreme Ultraviolet for the study of stars and the local interstellar medium.     

Die Verbreitung des jungen Vulkanismus in der Hochkordillere Nordchiles

Zusammenfassung Die Hochkordillere Nordchiles wird zwischen 18° und 27° Südbreite auf 1300 km von vulkanischen Serien des Känozoikums geprägt. Die Förderwege dieser enormen magmatischen Mobilisation liegen vorwiegend in der Kulminationszone der Anden im Osten des Grabens der Pampa de Tamarugal. Die Grabenzone und die Küstenkordillere der gleichen Breitengrade sind frei von jungem Vulkanismus.Die Vulkanite haben keine Biegungsverformung erlebt, bedecken aber einen scharf gefalteten paläozoischen und mesozoischen Unterbau. Eine ältere rhyolithische Generation wird von jüngeren Andesitvulkanen durchbrochen. Die rhyolithischen Decken sind durch Ignimbritgefüge und große Bimssteinfelder ausgezeichnet. Holozäne Effusionen an den Stratovulkanen lieferten olivinbasaltische Laven. Die Anordnung der rund 600 Vulkane folgt verschiedenen tektonischen Richtungen. Dabei werden NW- und NS-streichende Lineamente bevorzugt.

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The high Cordillera of Northern Chile between 18 and 27 southern latitude is predominated by volcanic series of Cenozoic age. The production ways of the enormous magmatic mobilisation are situated mainly in the culmination zone of the Andes, east of the graben of Pampa de Tamarugal. The graben zone and the coastal Cordillera in the same latitude lacks younger volcanism.The volcanic rocks are not folded but cover a strongly folded basement of Paleozoics and Mesozoics. An older rhyolitic generation of rocks is penetrated by younger andesitic volcanoes. The rhyolitic flows are characterized by ignimbritic textures and large pumic areas.The arrangement of the about 600 volcanoes is following various tectonic directions, preferably lineaments with a strike of NW and NS.

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Resumen La alta cordillere del norte de Chile está formada, entre los 18° y 27° de latitud sur, por series volcanicas cenozoicas. Los canales de emisión de esta enorme actividad magmática están ubicados principalmente en la parte más alta de la cordillera, al oriente de las fosas tectonicas longitudinales, que constituyen la Pampa de Tamarugal. La zona de los graben y la cordillera de la costa de esta misma latitud están libres del volcanismo moderno.Las series volcánicas modernas no han sufrido plegamientos, pero aparecen recubriendo un zócalo de rocas paleozoicas y mesozoicas intensamente plegadas. Las efusiones más antiguas están caracterizadas por extensas camadas de riolitas ignimbriticas y piedra pomez. Las depositaciones rioliticas están cortadas por volcanes andesiticos cuyas ultimas pulsaciones produjeron localmente la efusión de basaltos de olivina.Los 600 volcanes que aproximadamente existen en el area mencionada se ubican sobre lineas estructurales bien definidas, entre las que predominan aquellas de orientación NS y NW.