Characterization of antibodies in human immunoglobulin products from different regions worldwide.

Aim: The antibody levels against a broad spectrum of pathogens were assessed in commercial intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) manufactured from pooled plasma obtained from different global regions.

Methods: Twenty-four IVIG commercial lots from eight manufacturers corresponding to 12 brands were analyzed. The plasma was collected in 10 countries/regions.

Small-scale heterogeneity of microbial N uptake in streams and its implications at the ecosystem level.

Large-scale factors associated with the environmental context of streams can explain a notable amount of variability in patterns of stream N cycling at the reach scale. However, when environmental factors fail to accurately predict stream responses at the reach level, focusing on emergent properties from small-scale heterogeneity in N cycling rates may help understand observed patterns in stream N cycling. To address how small-scale heterogeneity may contribute to shape patterns in whole-reach N uptake, we examined the drivers and variation in microbial N uptake at small spatial scales in two stream reaches with different environmental constraints (i.

Nitrite biosensing via selective enzymes--a long but promising route.

The last decades have witnessed a steady increase of the social and political awareness for the need of monitoring and controlling environmental and industrial processes. In the case of nitrite ion, due to its potential toxicity for human health, the European Union has recently implemented a number of rules to restrict its level in drinking waters and food products. Although several analytical protocols have been proposed for nitrite quantification, none of them enable a reliable and quick analysis of complex samples.

Influence of phosphorus on copper sensitivity of fluvial periphyton: the role of chemical, physiological and community-related factors.

The influence of eutrophication of fluvial ecosystems (caused by increased phosphorus concentrations) on periphyton Cu sensitivity is explored from a multi-scale perspective, going from the field to the laboratory. The study design included three tiers: a field study including the characterization of land use and the ecological state of the corresponding river sections in the Fluvià River watershed, an experimental investigation performed with natural periphyton from the previously studied stream sites in indoor channels, and finally a culture study in the laboratory. Results showed that differences in copper sensitivity of natural periphyton communities followed the gradient of nutrient concentration found in the field.

Effects of sediment deposition on periphytic biomass, photosynthetic activity and algal community structure.

Suspended solids and siltation are among the most prevalent problems in streams and rivers of the world; however, because they are often associated with other stresses such as increased nutrient concentrations or changes in channel form, their impacts on the biota and on ecosystem functioning are not fully understood. To assess the effects of pulse sediment deposition on periphyton, we applied an exponential gradient of clay concentration (from 0 to 54.7 g L(-1)) for three days to eleven artificial indoor channels precolonized by algae (three controls+eight treatments).