bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agrobacterium tumefaciensPromotes Tumor Induction by Modulating Pathogen Defense inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Lee Chil-Woo , Efetova Marina , Engelmann Julia C , Kramell Robert , Wasternack Claus , Ludwig-Müller Jutta , Hedrich Rainer , Deeken Rosalia
Published: October 2009

Agrobacterium tumefaciens causes crown gall disease by transferring and integrating bacterial DNA (T-DNA) into the plant genome. To examine the physiological changes and adaptations during Agrobacterium-induced tumor development, we compared the profiles of salicylic acid (SA), ethylene (ET), jasmonic acid (JA), and auxin (indole-3-acetic acid [IAA]) with changes in the Arabidopsis thaliana transcriptome. Our data indicate that host responses were much stronger toward the oncogenic strain C58 than to the disarmed strain GV3101 and that auxin acts as a key modulator of the Arabidopsis–Agrobacterium interaction. At initiation of infection, elevated levels of IAA and ET were associated with the induction of host genes involved in IAA, but not ET signaling. After T-DNA integration, SA as well as IAA and ET accumulated, but JA did not. This did not correlate with SA-controlled pathogenesis-related gene expression in the host, although high SA levels in mutant plants prevented tumor development, while low levels promoted it. Our data are consistent with a scenario in which ET and later on SA control virulence of agrobacteria, whereas ET and auxin stimulate neovascularization during tumor formation. We suggest that crosstalk among IAA, ET, and SA balances pathogen defense launched by the host and tumor growth initiated by agrobacteria.
The ABC Transporter PXA1 and Peroxisomal β-Oxidation Are Vital for Metabolism in Mature Leaves ofArabidopsisduring Extended Darkness
Authors: Kunz Hans-Henning , Scharnewski Michael , Feussner Kirstin , Feussner Ivo , Flügge Ulf-Ingo , Fulda Martin , Gierth Markus
Published: October 2009

Fatty acid β-oxidation is essential for seedling establishment of oilseed plants, but little is known about its role in leaf metabolism of adult plants. Arabidopsis thaliana plants with loss-of-function mutations in the peroxisomal ABC-transporter1 (PXA1) or the core β-oxidation enzyme keto-acyl-thiolase 2 (KAT2) have impaired peroxisomal β-oxidation. pxa1 and kat2 plants developed severe leaf necrosis, bleached rapidly when returned to light, and died after extended dark treatment, whereas the wild type was unaffected. Dark-treated pxa1 plants showed a decrease in photosystem II efficiency early on and accumulation of free fatty acids, mostly α-linolenic acid [18:3(n-3)] and pheophorbide a, a phototoxic chlorophyll catabolite causing the rapid bleaching. Isolated wild-type and pxa1 chloroplasts challenged with comparable α-linolenic acid concentrations both showed an 80% reduction in photosynthetic electron transport, whereas intact pxa1 plants were more susceptible to the toxic effects of α-linolenic acid than the wild type. Furthermore, starch-free mutants with impaired PXA1 function showed the phenotype more quickly, indicating a link between energy metabolism and β-oxidation. We conclude that the accumulation of free polyunsaturated fatty acids causes membrane damage in pxa1 and kat2 plants and propose a model in which fatty acid respiration via peroxisomal β-oxidation plays a major role in dark-treated plants after depletion of starch reserves.
In Planta Expression Screens ofPhytophthora infestansRXLR Effectors Reveal Diverse Phenotypes, Including Activation of theSolanum bulbocastanumDisease Resistance Protein Rpi-blb2
Authors: Oh Sang-Keun , Young Carolyn , Lee Minkyoung , Oliva Ricardo , Bozkurt Tolga O. , Cano Liliana M. , Win Joe , Bos Jorunn I.B. , Liu Hsin-Yin , van Damme Mireille , Morgan William , Choi Doil , Van der Vossen Edwin A.G. , Vleeshouwers Vivianne G.A.A. , Kamoun Sophien
Published: October 2009

The Irish potato famine pathogen Phytophthora infestans is predicted to secrete hundreds of effector proteins. To address the challenge of assigning biological functions to computationally predicted effector genes, we combined allele mining with high-throughput in planta expression. We developed a library of 62 infection-ready P. infestans RXLR effector clones, obtained using primer pairs corresponding to 32 genes and assigned activities to several of these genes. This approach revealed that 16 of the 62 examined effectors cause phenotypes when expressed inside plant cells. Besides the well-studied AVR3a effector, two additional effectors, PexRD8 and PexRD3645-1, suppressed the hypersensitive cell death triggered by the elicitin INF1, another secreted protein of P. infestans. One effector, PexRD2, promoted cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana and other solanaceous plants. Finally, two families of effectors induced hypersensitive cell death specifically in the presence of the Solanum bulbocastanum late blight resistance genes Rpi-blb1 and Rpi-blb2, thereby exhibiting the activities expected for Avrblb1 and Avrblb2. The AVRblb2 family was then studied in more detail and found to be highly variable and under diversifying selection in P. infestans. Structure-function experiments indicated that a 34–amino acid region in the C-terminal half of AVRblb2 is sufficient for triggering Rpi-blb2 hypersensitivity and that a single positively selected AVRblb2 residue is critical for recognition by Rpi-blb2.
Actin-Depolymerizing Factor2-Mediated Actin Dynamics Are Essential for Root-Knot Nematode Infection ofArabidopsis
Authors: Clément Mathilde , Ketelaar Tijs , Rodiuc Natalia , Banora Mohamed Youssef , Smertenko Andrei , Engler Gilbert , Abad Pierre , Hussey Patrick J. , de Almeida Engler Janice
Published: October 2009

Reorganization of the actin and microtubule networks is known to occur in targeted vascular parenchymal root cells upon infection with the nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Here, we show that actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) is upregulated in the giant feeding cells of Arabidopsis thaliana that develop upon nematode infection and that knockdown of a specific ADF isotype inhibits nematode proliferation. Analysis of the levels of transcript and the localization of seven ADF genes shows that five are upregulated in galls that result from the infection and that ADF2 expression is particularly increased between 14 and 21 d after nematode inoculation. Further analysis of ADF2 function in inducible RNA interference lines designed to knock down ADF2 expression reveals that this protein is required for normal cell growth and plant development. The net effect of decreased levels of ADF2 is F-actin stabilization in cells, resulting from decreased F-actin turnover. In nematode-infected plants with reduced levels of ADF2, the galls containing the giant feeding cells and growing nematodes do not develop due to the arrest in growth of the giant multinucleate feeding cells, which in turn is due to an aberrant actin network.
Cryptochromes, Phytochromes, and COP1 Regulate Light-Controlled Stomatal Development inArabidopsis
Authors: Kang Chun-Ying , Lian Hong-Li , Wang Fang-Fang , Huang Ji-Rong , Yang Hong-Quan
Published: October 2009

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the cryptochrome (CRY) blue light photoreceptors and the phytochrome (phy) red/far-red light photoreceptors mediate a variety of light responses. COP1, a RING motif–containing E3 ubiquitin ligase, acts as a key repressor of photomorphogenesis. Production of stomata, which mediate gas and water vapor exchange between plants and their environment, is regulated by light and involves phyB and COP1. Here, we show that, in the loss-of-function mutants of CRY and phyB, stomatal development is inhibited under blue and red light, respectively. In the loss-of-function mutant of phyA, stomata are barely developed under far-red light. Strikingly, in the loss-of-function mutant of either COP1 or YDA, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, mature stomata are developed constitutively and produced in clusters in both light and darkness. CRY, phyA, and phyB act additively to promote stomatal development. COP1 acts genetically downstream of CRY, phyA, and phyB and in parallel with the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein TOO MANY MOUTHS but upstream of YDA and the three basic helix-loop-helix proteins SPEECHLESS, MUTE, and FAMA, respectively. These findings suggest that light-controlled stomatal development is likely mediated through a crosstalk between the cryptochrome-phytochrome-COP1 signaling system and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.
Genome‐wide DNA methylation profiles in precancerous conditions and cancers
Authors: Kanai Yae
Published: October 2009

Alterations of DNA methylation, which result in chromosomal instability and silencing of tumor‐related genes, are among the most consistent epigenetic changes observed in human cancers. Analysis of tissue specimens has revealed that DNA methylation alterations participate in multistage carcinogenesis, even from the early and precancerous stages, especially in association with chronic inflammation and/or persistent viral infection, such as chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis resulting from infection with hepatitis B or C virus. DNA methylation alterations can account for the histological heterogeneity and clinicopathological diversity of human cancers. Overexpression of DNA methyltransferase 1 is not a secondary result of increased cell proliferative activity, but is significantly correlated with accumulation of DNA hypermethylation in CpG islands of tumor‐related genes. Alteration of DNA methyltransferase 3b splicing may result in chromosomal instability through DNA hypomethylation in pericentromeric satellite regions. Genome‐wide analysis of DNA methylation status has revealed that the DNA methylation profile at the precancerous stage is basically inherited by the corresponding cancers developing in individual patients. DNA methylation status is not simply altered at the precancerous stage; rather, DNA methylation alterations at the precancerous stage may confer vulnerability to further genetic and epigenetic alterations, generate more malignant cancers, and thus determine patient outcome. Therefore, genome‐wide DNA methylation profiling may provide optimal indicators for carcinogenetic risk estimation and prognostication, and thus provide an avenue for cancer prevention and therapy on an individual basis. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Improving the outcome of cord blood transplantation: use of mobilized HSC and other cells from third party donors
Authors: Fernández Manuel N.
Published: October 2009

We developed the strategy of umbilical cord blood transplants (UCBT) with co‐infusion of a limited number of highly purified mobilized haematopoietic stem cells (MHSC) from a human leucocyte antigen (HLA) unrestricted third party donor (TPD). Short post‐transplant periods of neutropenia were usually observed in adults with haematological neoplasms receiving UCBT with a relatively low cell content and 0–3 HLA mismatches after myeloablative conditioning. This resulted from an early and initially predominant engraftment of the TPD–MHSC. After a variable period of double complete TPD + UCB chimerism, final full UCB chimerism was achieved (cumulative incidence >90%) within 100 d. Early recovery of the circulating neutrophils resulting from the ‘bridge transplant’ of the TPD–MHSC reduced the incidence of serious neutropenia‐related infections, also facilitating the use of drugs with myelosuppressive side effects to combat other infections. The observed incidence of graft‐versus‐host disease and relapses was low, with overall and disease‐free survival curves comparable to those of HLA identical sibling transplants. Post‐transplant recovery of natural killer cells occurred soon after the transplant and B cells recovered around 6 months, but T‐cell recovery took more than 1 year. Available data show that T cell recovery derives from UCB–HSC through thymic differentiation and that cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐specific lymphocytes develop following CMV reactivations.
Ten years of cord blood transplantation: from bench to bedside
Authors: Gluckman Eliane
Published: October 2009

Cord blood is an unlimited source of haematopoietic stem cells for allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant. Since the first human cord blood transplant, cord blood banks have been established worldwide for collection and cryopreservation of cord blood for allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant. More than 400 000 cord blood units are now available for international exchange. Results of unrelated allogeneic cord blood transplants in malignant and non‐malignant diseases, in adults and children, show that, compared to human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐matched unrelated bone marrow transplant, cord blood has several advantages, including prompt availability of the transplant, decrease of graft‐versus‐host disease and better long‐term immune recovery resulting in a similar long term survival. Several studies have shown that the number of cells is the most important factor for engraftment while some degree of HLA mismatches is acceptable. Progress is expected to facilitate engraftment and reduce transplant‐related mortality and includes reduced intensity conditioning regimen, intra bone injection of cord blood cells and double cord blood transplants. In addition to haematopoietic stem cells, cord blood and placenta contain a high number of non‐haematopoietic stem cells that explains the increasing interest of using cord blood for developing regenerative medicine.
Immune regulatory cells in umbilical cord blood: T regulatory cells and mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Tolar Jakub , Hippen Keli L. , Blazar Bruce R.
Published: October 2009

A major goal in haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is to retain the lymphohaematopoietic potential of the cell transfer without its side effects. In addition to the physical injury caused by the conditioning regimen, donor T cells can react to alloantigens of the recipient and cause graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), which accounts for the largest share of morbidity and mortality after HCT. Immune modulator cells, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown promise in their ability to control GVHD and yet, in preclinical models, preserve the graft‐versus‐malignancy effect. Initially, MSCs and Tregs have been isolated from adult sources, such as bone marrow or peripheral blood, respectively. More recent studies have indicated that umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a rich source of both cell types. We will review the current data on UCB‐derived Tregs and MSCs and their therapeutic implications.
Cord blood banking: ‘providing cord blood banking for a nation’
Authors: Querol Sergio , Rubinstein Pablo , Marsh Steven G. E. , Goldman John , Madrigal Jose Alejandro
Published: October 2009

Transplantation of cord blood (CB) is increasingly used as therapy for patients whose own marrow is affected by genetic mutations that prevent the development of normal cells of the blood or immune tissues, or for patients whose marrow has been destroyed in the course of treatment for leukaemia and other malignancies. CB is a rich source of haematopoietic stem cells, can be easily harvested and stored in frozen aliquots in a CB bank. The first public CB bank was established in 1993 allowing unrelated CB transplantation to become an option for patients lacking a suitable adult donor. Today, the results of CB transplantation are comparable to those of bone marrow transplants with several important advantages: the graft is available ‘off the shelf’, thereby reducing the waiting time, and the requirements of human lecucoyte antigen (HLA) matching are less restrictive than those of adult sources. The reduced requirement for HLA matching allows transplants between incompletely matched donors and recipients, thus reducing the size of the inventory required at the national level. This also mitigates the disadvantage encountered by persons of rare HLA genotypes or those who do not belong to populations of North Western European descent. Finally, national CB programmes can easily make available for research individual surplus units not meeting minimal criteria for clinical use.
Cord blood banking: a historical perspective
Authors: Navarrete Cristina , Contreras Marcela
Published: October 2009

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) contains stem and progenitor cells capable of restoring haematopoietic and immunological function in vivo. UCB is currently used as an alternative source of haematopoietic stem cells for transplantation in patients suffering from haematological malignancies, bone marrow failures and inherited metabolic disorders. In order to facilitate transplantation, large repositories of frozen cord blood units (CBUs) from altruistic donations have been established in many parts of the world and to date there are more than 300 000 units stored worldwide. These products have been banked under stringent quality conditions, in order to ensure their safety and efficacy.

The development and evolution of the policies and procedures currently in use in cord blood banking have been largely influenced by the clinical results of cord blood transplantation. This review aims to provide a historical overview of the various developments in the field of cord blood banking from its inception, highlighting the relevant aspects in their collection, banking and release that are known to influence the clinical outcome of these transplants.
Influence of sodium chloride on colour, residual volatiles and acrylamide formation in model systems and breakfast cereals
Authors: Moreau Lydie , Lagrange Joelle , Bindzus Wolfgang , Hill Sandra
Published: October 2009

To elucidate the salt action in breakfast cereals to decrease its amount without a quality loss, a model system was developed. This model, composed of native maize starch, glucose and a mixture of five amino acids (glucose/amino acids molar ratio = 1/1) generated similar colour and volatiles (m/z = 45, 59, 69, 73, 87 and 103 g mol−1) after heating compared to commercial breakfast cereals. A designed experiment used this model to study the influence of salt concentration (0–5.44%), heating time (0–25 min) and temperature (180–230 °C) on colour, residual volatiles and acrylamide formation. The higher the salt concentration, heating time and temperature, the darker were the products (P < 0.05). The L* values of the model systems containing 5 % salt and heated for 25 min at 230 °C were twelve points lower than the same systems without salt heated in the same conditions. Presence of salt significantly decreased acrylamide formation in the model systems (up to 50 % decrease when 2.5 % salt is added). However, salt did not have a significant impact on volatile levels. These findings were confirmed by observations made on four types of commercial breakfast cereals.
Use of enzyme to improve the technological quality of a panettone like baked product
Authors: Benejam Walter , Steffolani María Eugenia , León Alberto Edel
Published: October 2009

The aim of this work was to study the influence of amylase, xylanase and lypase on quality parameters of panettone. Two concentrations of each enzyme were utilised. Besides, enzymes were added to dough or to sponge in order to analyse the effect of the time at which the enzymes were added on bread quality. Results showed that enzymes improved the quality of the product. Depending on the enzyme, the effect was more remarkable on bread height, cell distribution or crumb texture. Particularly, lipase and amylase increased bread height and decreased bread hardness. Although xylanase did not modify bread height, it produced better grain crumb structure and changed the amount of water needed for dough development. Results were different when the additive was incorporated in sponge or in dough. Variability of effects and changes in the results depend both on the doses and on the time of incorporation, all of which provide opportunities to optimise the quality of panettone using a combination of enzymes.
The influence of powder morphology on the effect of rosemary aroma microencapsulation during spray drying
Authors: Janiszewska Emilia , Witrowa‐Rajchert Dorota
Published: October 2009

The influence of particle morphology of spray dried powders obtained by using different carriers on the efficiency of microencapsulation of rosemary aroma is shown in the present research. It was found that the type of the carrier influenced the size but not the shape of rosemary aroma capsules and all the capsules were spherical with cracks. The biggest particles, d50 = 55 μm, were obtained with 25% maltodextrin (MD) as a carrier, and the smallest, d50 = 29 μm with 30% gum arabic (GA). The efficiency of encapsulating aroma inside of the capsules depended on the particles size and apparent density. An increase in the quantity of microencapsulated aroma from 10% for 25% MD to about 60% for 30% GA as the carrier was seen, which co‐related with a decrease in the average diameter of the powder particles. Similarly, an increase in the efficiency of aroma retention was followed by an increase of apparent density of powders from 796 (25% MD) to 1156 kg m−3 (30% GA).
Evaluation of the conditions of carotenoids production in a synthetic medium by Sporidiobolus salmonicolor (CBS 2636) in a bioreactor
Authors: Valduga Eunice , Tatsch Pihetra Oliveira , Tiggemann Lídia , Zeni Jamile , Colet Rosicler , Cansian João Marcos , Treichel Helen , Luccio Marco
Published: October 2009

This work studied the cultivation conditions for the production of carotenoids by Sporidiobolus salmonicolor (CBS 2636) in a bioreactor. A Plackett–Burman design was used for the screening of the most important factors, followed by a complete second order design, to maximise the concentration of total carotenoids. The maximum concentration of 3425.9 μg L−1 of total carotenoids was obtained in a medium containing 80 g L−1 glucose, 15 g L−1 peptone and 5 g L−1 malt extract, with an aeration rate 1.5 vvm, 180 r.p.m., 25 °C and an initial pH of 4.0. Fermentation kinetics showed that the maximum concentration of total carotenoids was reached after 90 h of fermentation. Carotenoid bio‐production was partially associated with cell growth. The specific carotenoid production (YP/X) was 238 μg carotenoids/g cells, whereas YP/S (substrate to product yield) was 41.3 μg g−1. The specific growth rate (μx) was 0.045 h−1. The highest cell and total carotenoid productivity were 0.19 g L−1 h−1 and 56.9 μg L−1 h−1, respectively.
Identification of multiple grain image samples from tray
Authors: Anami Basavaraj S. , Savakar Dayanand G. , Biradar Vijay S.
Published: October 2009

This paper presents a methodology to identify the different grain types from image samples of tray containing multiple grains using colour and textural features. The multiple grain images are segmented into individual grain images. From these images, eighteen colour and twenty‐four textural features are obtained. A neural network model is implemented for identification of bulk food grains. Five different types of grains namely, alasandi, green gram, metagi, red gram and wheat commonly used in Indian food preparations are considered in this work. The maximum and minimum food grain identification accuracies observed in this work are 94% and 80% for wheat and alasandi, respectively. The work finds application in development of machine vision system for grain identification, classification and grading.
Browning susceptibility of white wine and antioxidant effect of glutathione
Authors: El Hosry Leina , Auezova Lizette , Sakr Amer , Hajj‐Moussa Elie
Published: October 2009

Glutathione (GSH) content and other physicochemical parameters of thirteen white wines originated from Lebanon were studied in relation to their browning capacity; the impact of pH, total sulphur dioxide and total phenol content into the browning susceptibility of the wine was shown. The effect of GSH, added to the wine at different concentrations, on the total phenol content was studied at 55 °C during 8 days of accelerated oxidation. GSH addition resulted in significantly higher total phenol content only on day 0 of the test. GSH was shown to be readily oxidised in these conditions: even on day 0, there was a considerable reduction (up to 73%) in GSH level. Moreover, after 8 days of oxidation, GSH concentration in all studied samples ranged from 4.79 to 5.11 mg L−1; these values were close to GSH value in control wine (without added GSH) on day 0. On the contrary, GSH appeared to contribute significantly to the wine stability, which might have been via the increase of reduced phenolic pool. GSH addition appeared to have an improving effect on the organoleptic qualities of the wine.
Study on efficiency of betacyanin extraction from red beetroots
Authors: De Azeredo Henriette Monteiro Cordeiro , Pereira Ana Claudia , De Souza Arthur Claudio Rodrigues , Gouveia Sandro Thomaz , Mendes Kênya Christina Barbosa
Published: October 2009

Red beetroots are rich in betalain pigments, which are divided into betacyanins (predominating in red beetroots) and betaxanthins. The objective of this work was to study efficiency of aqueous extraction of betacyanins from red beets. The experiment was conducted according to a central composite design, with the following variables: solvent pH (pH, 3.0–5.0), solvent‐to‐beetroot ratio (S/B, 1:1–5:1), solvent initial temperature (ST, 30–70 °C) and grinding time (GT, 2–10 min). Beetroots were ground with the solvent, filtered and evaluated for betacyanin contents. A highly significant model was obtained for betacyanin extraction efficiency (BEE), which was positively affected by ST and S/B, and inversely affected by pH. The most adequate extraction conditions were pH, 3.0; S/B, 5:1; ST, 70 °C and GT, 2 min. At such conditions, BEE was near 70%. The method is simple and produces a bright red–purple extract to be later dried or concentrated for use as a food colourant.
Quality attributes of vegetable soybean as a function of boiling time and condition
Authors: Mozzoni Leandro A. , Chen Pengyin , Morawicki Ruben O. , Hettiarachchy Navam S. , Brye Kristofor R. , Mauromoustakos Andy
Published: October 2009

Vegetable soybeans are marketed fresh or frozen, either shelled or in pods. The objective of this research was to characterise the change in quality attributes of vegetable soybean with boiling time (0–20 min), and presence/absence of pods, using an electrical‐resistance stove or a steam‐jacketed kettle. Trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA), texture, colour, soluble sugars, nitrogen, calcium and iron content were analysed. Blanching using a steam‐jacketed kettle for approximately 2 min rendered 80% inactivation of TIA, and resulted in high colour, texture and sucrose. There were no differences between blanching in pods or shelled for TIA, colour and texture; however, blanching in pods prevented losses of sucrose. Blanching did not affect iron, mono‐ and oligosaccharide levels, but increased nitrogen and calcium content. Additionally, we observed that all traits decreased linearly with cooking time when using an electrical‐resistance stove, except for calcium and nitrogen that increased, and oligosaccharides that remained constant.
Changes in volatile compounds of a native Chinese chilli pepper (Capsicum frutescens var) during ripening
Authors: Liu Rong , Xiong Ke , Chao‐Luo Yang , Ze‐Dai Xiong , Min‐Liu Zhi , Tong‐Xue Wen
Published: October 2009

The objective of this study was to identify the volatile components of a native Chinese chilli pepper (Capsicum frutescens var) at different ripening stages. The peppers at green, breaking and red colour stages were first investigated by simultaneous distillation extraction combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis was used to visualise the grouping tendencies of the studied stages of pepper. Eighty‐five volatile organic components were identified and quantified in this study. Forty compounds were found at the green stage, fifty‐three at the breaking stage and sixty‐five at the red colour stage. The flavour activity compounds were discovered in Chinese pepper. Qualitative and quantitative discrepancies were observed in different ripening stages. The amount of alkenes and aldehydes increased from 2.762% and 0.120% in green stage to 11.137% and 14.485% in colours’ stage. The content of Alcohols decreased from 30.169% to 23.698%. Only, the aromatic compound disappears during maturity. Ketones enhanced from 0.983% to 2.693%. Esters were always reducing.
Analysis of chemical components in green tea in relation with perceived quality, a case study with Longjing teas
Authors: Wang Kunbo , Ruan Jianyun
Published: October 2009

Properties of leaf and infusion colours, chemical components and volatile flavour compounds of Longjing teas and their correlation with perceived quality score given by tea‐tasting panel were analysed. The scores for appearance, infused leaves and for the Total Quality Score (TQS) negatively correlated with concentrations of chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a), Chl‐b and total chlorophyll (r = −0.723 to −0.846, P < 0.01). The perceived taste score positively correlated with the concentration of total free amino acid (r = 0.527, P < 0.05) and theanine (r = 0.511, P < 0.05), whereas the TQS positively correlated with total free amino acid (r = 0.533). The volatile composition and their quantities varied widely among Longjing tea samples. (E)‐geraniol, linalool, hexanal, pentanal, heptanal, nonanal and jasmone were prevailing volatile compounds detected in all samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) screened twelve principal components with the first three explaining 18.82%, 15.31% and 11.83% of the total variance respectively. The concentrations of total free amino acids, pentanal and epigallocatechin gallate were with the highest component score coefficients for the first three principal components respectively. Regression analysis upon the twelve principal components formulated a prediction model on the TQS with 77.0% probability.
Proteolytic processing of herring (Clupea harengus): biochemical and nutritional characterisation of hydrolysates
Authors: Beaulieu Lucie , Thibodeau Jacinthe , Bryl Piotr , Carbonneau Marie‐Élise
Published: October 2009

Food research on fish has demonstrated that they constitute excellent nutritional components. The aim of the present work, was to process herring (Clupea harengus) using Protamex® and evaluate the distribution of nutrients in various fractions obtained following membrane filtration. The fish starting material was composed of approximately 88% water and the dry matter contained 59% crude proteins, 33% lipids and 5% minerals. The recovery of fish dry matter in the liquid hydrolysate was 67.8%. Most protein enriched fractions demonstrate a well‐balanced amino acid composition, notably the most essential amino acids. These protein fractions are characterised by biomolecules having a relatively low molecular weight (45 kDa and less) range. Even though the process could be optimised, the biochemical and nutritional analyses indicate that the herring may serve as high‐value products for future applications in the health and food sectors.
Creep‐recovery parameters of gluten‐free batter and crumb properties of bread prepared from pregelatinised cassava starch, sorghum and selected proteins
Authors: Onyango Calvin , Mutungi Christopher , Unbehend Günter , Lindhauer Meinolf G.
Published: October 2009

The effect of egg white, skim milk powder, soy protein isolate and soy protein concentrate on creep‐recovery parameters of gluten‐free batter made from sorghum and pregelatinised cassava starch was studied. Batter treated with egg white had the highest deformation and compliance parameters and lowest zero shear viscosities and differed significantly (P < 0.05) from the other treatments. However, this batter recovered its elasticity sufficiently and its elastic portion of maximum creep compliance did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from the other treatments. Unlike the other treatments, egg white did not decrease bread volume and exhibited the lowest crumb firmness and staling rate. Optimisation of the amount of egg white with diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono and diglycerides (DATEM) showed that creep‐recovery parameters and crumb hardness were affected by the linear, quadratic and interaction effects of the input variables. Treatment with 6% and 0.1% w/w fwb egg white and DATEM, respectively, gave gluten‐free batter with the least elastic portion of maximum creep compliance (Je/Jmax = 11.65%) which corresponded to the lowest crumb firmness (790.8 g).
Changes in blocking mechanisms during membrane processing of pomegranate juice
Authors: Mirsaeedghazi Hossein , Emam‐Djomeh Zahra , Mousavi Sayed Mohammad , Aroujalian Abdolreza , Navidbakhsh Mahdi
Published: October 2009

The effect of pressure, velocity, pretreatment, membrane type and pore size on fouling mechanisms were evaluated. Pomegranate juice was treated with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) 0.22 μm and mixed cellulose ester (MCE) 0.1 μm at different pressures. Cake formation which was the dominant mechanism was formed in the first stages of process and, as the filtration proceeded, intermediate, standard, and complete blocking, respectively occurred at higher pressure (5 kPa). At lower pressure (0.5 kPa) the last mechanism did not occur. Results showed that cake formation was the only mechanism in MCE 0.22 μm, however, others occurred with MCE 0.1 μm and PVDF 0.22 μm. Using MCE 0.22 μm prior to MCE 0.025 μm can reduce the role of cake formation in pore blocking. Evaluation of the impact of velocity showed that at the higher velocity (0.53 m s−1) the complete blocking occurred faster than at the lower velocity (0.09 m s−1).
Cats, rabbits, Myxoma virus, and vegetation on Macquarie Island: a comment on Bergstrom et al. (2009)
Authors: Dowding John E. , Murphy Elaine C. , Springer Keith , Peacock Anthony J. , Krebs Charles J.
Published: October 2009

1. Eradication of a single pest species from a multiply invaded island system may have unpredicted and detrimental impacts. Bergstrom et al. (2009) describe damage to vegetation following an increase in the number of rabbits on Macquarie Island. They propose that the increase in rabbit numbers was caused solely by eradication of cats.

2. However, their modelling is flawed and their conclusion that cats were controlling rabbit numbers is unsupported. We suggest the increase was because of some combination of four factors: reduced releases of Myxoma virus, abundant food after 20 years of vegetation recovery, release from cat predation and climate variability.

3. Recent high numbers of rabbits on Macquarie Island are not unprecedented; vegetation has been damaged in the past but has recovered. Rabbit numbers appear to be in decline again in the absence of both cats and Myxoma releases, suggesting that other factors can contribute to regulation of rabbit numbers in this system.

4. We do not agree with the implication that pest management could have been better integrated. Eradication techniques for rodents and rabbits on an island the size of Macquarie were unavailable when cat eradication was deemed necessary. The benefits to seabirds of cat eradication have been rapid. Our analysis further highlights the complexity of multiply invaded island ecosystems.
Restoration of riverine inland sand dune complexes: implications for the conservation of wild bees
Authors: Exeler Nina , Kratochwil Anselm , Hochkirch Axel
Published: October 2009

1.  The evaluation of restoration measures is an important task of conservation biology. Inland sand dunes and dry, oligotrophic grasslands have become rare habitat types in large parts of Central Europe and their restoration and management is of major importance for the preservation of many endangered plant and insect species. Within such habitats, it is important to restore key ecosystem services, such as pollination networks. As wild bees are the most important pollinators in many ecosystems, they represent a suitable key group to evaluate restoration measures. Furthermore, the recent decline of many bee species and the potential ecological and economic consequences are currently topics of strong scientific interest.

2.  We studied the succession of bee communities in response to restoration measures of sand dunes and sand grasslands and compared these communities with those of old sand dune complexes.

3.  Our results show that wild bees respond rapidly to restoration measures indicated by a high species richness and abundance. The community structure of bees at restoration sites converged only slightly to those of the target sites. A higher similarity was found between bee communities at the restoration sites (sand dunes and grasslands), indicating that their close proximity was an important determinant of species overlap. Environmental factors such as the number of entomophilous plant species and moisture had a strong influence on wild bee species composition.

4.
 Synthesis and applications. The restoration of inland sand dune complexes provides opportunities for colonization by a diverse wild bee community. Although it is difficult to establish a given target community, restoration measures gave rise to a high pollinator diversity and abundance, suggesting that community function can be re‐established.
Management implications of the Macquarie Island trophic cascade revisited: a reply to Dowding et al. (2009)
Authors: Bergstrom Dana M. , Lucieer Arko , Kiefer Kate , Wasley Jane , Belbin Lee , Pedersen Tore K. , Chown Steven L.
Published: October 2009

1. The management of non‐indigenous species is not without its complications. In Bergstrom et al.’s (2009) study, we demonstrated that feral cats Felis catus on sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island were exerting top‐down control on the feral rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus population, and that the eradication of the cats led to a substantial increase in rabbit numbers and an associated trophic cascade.

2. Dowding et al. (2009) claim our modelling was flawed for various reasons, but primarily that a reduction in the application of the rabbit control agent, Myxoma virus, coinciding with cat removal, was a major driver of rabbit population release.

3. We explore this proposition (as well as others) by examining rates of Myxoma viral release between 1991 and 2006 (with an attenuation factor for the years, 2003–2006) in association with presence/absence of cats against two estimates of rabbit population size. Myxoma viral release was a significant factor in the lower estimates of rabbit population, but the effect was small, and was not significant for higher rabbit population estimates. By contrast, the presence or absence of cats remained highly significant for both estimates.

4.
Synthesis and applications. We re‐affirm our position that top‐down control of rabbit numbers by cats, prior to their eradication, was occurring on Macquarie Island. Nonetheless, we agree with Dowding et al. (2009) that systems with multiple invasive species represent complex situations that require careful scrutiny. Such scrutiny should occur in advance of, during, and following management interventions.
The interaction between land use and catchment physiognomy: understanding avifaunal patterns of the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia
Authors: Camilleri Steven , Thomson James R. , Mac Nally Ralph
Published: October 2009

Aim  We assessed whether different patterns of land use within similar physiognomic catchments (= watersheds) produced discernible effects on avian assemblages and, if so, whether such effects were related to particular land‐use activities (e.g. extensive cropping).

Location  Murray–Darling Basin in south‐eastern Australia.

Methods  We used a recently (2007) published physiognomic classification of catchments based on different stream orders as our template. We used a subset of data from the second Birds Australia atlas to calculate reporting rates for each species in each subcatchment. We linked these two sets of data with proportions of major land uses within catchments to identify whether differences in proportions of land uses altered the expected avifauna for catchments of the same nominal physiognomic class.

Results  A significant proportion of the variation in bird reporting rates was explained by the physiognomic classification. Additional explanatory power resulted from including an interaction matrix of land‐use covariates. Livestock grazing was a major explanatory variable in classes characterized by more mountainous catchments. Cropping affected avifaunas consistently by producing a more uniform assemblage.

Main conclusions  The physiognomic template was an important determinant of avifaunal composition, but its interaction with land‐use variation within physiognomic classes doubled the amount of variance explained. Within a physiognomic class, if one identifies the ‘ideal’ avifaunal composition for that class one can identify land‐use mixes that are most likely to be beneficial for the avifaunas of that class and recommend directions for large‐scale management objectives vis‐à‐vis mixtures of land‐use types.
Geographic patterns of genetic differentiation and plumage colour variation are different in the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)
Authors: LEHTONEN PAULA K. , LAAKSONEN TONI , ARTEMYEV ALEKSANDR V. , BELSKII EUGEN , BOTH CHRISTIAAN , BUREŠ STANISLAV , BUSHUEV ANDREY V. , KRAMS INDRIKIS , MORENO JUAN , MÄGI MARKO , NORD ANDREAS , POTTI JAIME , RAVUSSIN PIERRE‐ALAIN , SIRKIÄ PÄIVI M. , SÆTRE GLENN‐PETER , PRIMMER CRAIG R.
Published: October 2009

The pied flycatcher is one of the most phenotypically variable bird species in Europe. The geographic variation in phenotypes has often been attributed to spatial variation in selection regimes that is associated with the presence or absence of the congeneric collared flycatcher. Spatial variation in phenotypes could however also be generated by spatially restricted gene flow and genetic drift. We examined the genetic population structure of pied flycatchers across the breeding range and applied the phenotypic QST (PST)–FST approach to detect indirect signals of divergent selection on dorsal plumage colouration in pied flycatcher males. Allelic frequencies at neutral markers were found to significantly differ among populations breeding in central and southern Europe whereas northerly breeding pied flycatchers were found to be one apparently panmictic group of individuals. Pairwise differences between phenotypic (PST) and neutral genetic distances (FST) were positively correlated after removing the most differentiated Spanish and Swiss populations from the analysis, suggesting that genetic drift may have contributed to the observed phenotypic differentiation in some parts of the pied flycatcher breeding range. Differentiation in dorsal plumage colouration however greatly exceeded that observed at neutral genetic markers, which indicates that the observed pattern of phenotypic differentiation is unlikely to be solely maintained by restricted gene flow and genetic drift.
Membrane transport proteins of the malaria parasite
Authors: Martin Rowena E. , Ginsburg Hagai , Kirk Kiaran
Published: October 2009

The malaria parasite‐infected erythrocyte is a multi‐compartment structure, incorporating numerous different membrane systems. The movement of nutrients, metabolites and inorganic ions into and out of the intraerythrocytic parasite, as well as between subcellular compartments within the parasite, is mediated by transporters and channels – integral membrane proteins that facilitate the movement of solutes across the membrane bilayer. Proteins of this type also play a key role in antimalarial drug resistance. Genes encoding transporters and channels account for at least 2.5% of the parasite genome. However, ascribing functions and physiological roles to these proteins, and defining their roles in drug resistance, is not straightforward. For any given membrane transport protein, a full understanding of its role(s) in the parasitized erythrocyte requires a knowledge of its subcellular localization and substrate specificity, as well as some knowledge of the effects on the parasite of modifying the sequence and/or level of expression of the gene involved. Here we consider recent work in this area, describe a number of newly identified transport proteins, and summarize the likely subcellular localization and putative substrate specificity of all of the candidate membrane transport proteins identified to date.
Transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation of the GmaR antirepressor governs temperature‐dependent control of flagellar motility in Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Kamp Heather D. , Higgins Darren E.
Published: October 2009

Flagellar motility in Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is restricted to temperatures below 37°C due to the opposing activities of the MogR transcriptional repressor and the GmaR antirepressor. Previous studies have suggested that both the DegU response regulator and MogR regulate expression of GmaR. In this report, we further define the role of DegU for GmaR production and flagellar motility. We demonstrate that deletion of the receiver domain of DegU has no effect on flagellar motility in Lm. Using transcriptional reporter fusions, we determined that gmaR is cotranscribed within an operon initiating with fliN. Furthermore, the fliN‐gmaR promoter (pfliN‐gmaR) is transcriptionally activated by DegU and is also MogR‐repressed. DNA affinity purification, gel mobility shift and footprinting analyses revealed that both DegU and MogR directly bind fliN‐gmaR promoter region DNA and that the binding sites do not overlap. Quantitative analysis of gmaR transcripts in ΔmogR bacteria indicated that transcriptional activation of pfliN‐gmaR by DegU is not inherently temperature‐dependent. However, GmaR protein was not detectable at 37°C in ΔmogR bacteria, indicating that a temperature‐dependent, post‐transcriptional mechanism limits GmaR production to temperatures below 37°C. Our findings reveal that flagellar motility in Lm is governed by both temperature‐dependent transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation of the GmaR antirepressor.
Time trends in asthma and wheeze in Swedish children 1996–2006: prevalence and risk factors by sex
Authors: Bjerg A. , Sandström T. , Lundbäck B. , Rönmark E.
Published: October 2009

Background:  Recent data suggest that the previously rising trend in childhood wheezing symptoms has plateaued in some regions. We sought to investigate sex‐specific trends in wheeze, asthma, allergic conditions, allergic sensitization and risk factors for wheeze.

Methods:  We compared two population‐based cohorts of 7 to 8‐year olds from the same Swedish towns in 1996 and 2006 using parental expanded ISAAC questionnaires. In 1996, 3430 (97%) and in 2006, 2585 (96%) questionnaires were completed. A subset was skin prick tested: in 1996, 2148 (88%) and in 2006, 1700 (90%) children participated.

Results:  No significant change in the prevalence of current wheeze (P = 0.13), allergic rhinitis (P = 0.18) or eczema (P = 0.22) was found despite an increase in allergic sensitization (20.6–29.9%, P < 0.01). In boys, however, the prevalence of current wheeze (12.9–16.4%, P < 0.01), physician‐diagnosed asthma (7.1–9.3%, P = 0.03) and asthma medication use increased. In girls the prevalence of current symptoms and conditions tended to decrease. The prevalence of all studied risk factors for wheeze and asthma increased in boys relative to girls from 1996 to 2006, thus increasing the boy‐to‐girl prevalence ratio in risk factors.

Conclusions:  The previously reported increase in current wheezing indices has plateaued in Sweden. Due to increased diagnostic activity, physician diagnoses continue to increase. Time trends in wheezing symptoms differed between boys and girls, and current wheeze increased in boys. This was seemingly explained by the observed increases in the prevalence of risk factors for asthma in boys compared with girls. In contrast to the current symptoms of wheeze, rhinitis or eczema, the prevalence of allergic sensitization increased considerably.