Blanching Improves Anthocyanin Absorption from Highbush Blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Purée in Healthy Human Volunteers: A Pilot Study

Blueberries ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are rich sources of phenolics and anthocyanins (ACNs). We investigated the absorption of ACNs after consumption of one portion (300 g) of minimally processed blueberry purée (P) obtained from blanched (BL) or unblanched (NB) berries. A repeated-measures, crossover design study was conducted on healthy human volunteers. Blood was drawn between baseline and 24 h after BL-P or NB-P consumption, while urine were collected from the day before the experiment up to 48 h. Total plasma ACN content was not significantly different, while phenolics content was higher in BL-P with respect to NB-P. The maximum ACN absorption in plasma was observed after 1.5 h from the intake of the purées and was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) after the intake of BL-P. Both products increased the excretion of hippuric acid in urine. In conclusion, blanching had no significant effect on total ACN content and enhanced their absorption from minimally processed purées.     

Influence of sulfur deficiency on chlorophyll‐meter readings of corn leaves

Sulfur (S)‐diagnostic tools are essential for rational use of S fertilizers. There is little information about the suitability of leaf greenness intensity to detect S deficiency in corn (Zea mays L.). This work evaluates, under controlled S‐stressed conditions, (1) the performance of leaf greenness intensity as an indicator of the degree of S deficiency in corn, and (2) the advantage of the upper leaves in relation to the middle leaves for S‐deficiency determination. A pot experiment using sand as growth medium was conducted in greenhouse with corn at S rates of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg^–1 and sufficiency of other nutrients. Measurements of aboveground biomass (AB), total nitrogen (N), and S concentrations, and chlorophyll‐meter readings (CMR) in upper and middle leaves, were performed at the growth stages of 6–7, 11–12, and 14–15 fully expanded leaves (V6‐V7, V11‐V12, and V14‐V15, respectively). Sulfur application significantly increased AB, leaf S concentration, and CMR. Significantly positive relationships were obtained between leaf S concentration and CMR. A sulfur‐sufficiency index (SSI) based on CMR measured in upper and middle leaves was significantly associated with AB (R² = 0.58 and 0.62 for the middle and upper leaves, respectively). It is concluded that under sufficiency of other nutrients and high‐S‐stressed conditions, leaf greenness intensity could be a good indicator of corn S status, although little or no advantage was found for taking CMR from the upper leaves.     

Enhancement of plant essential oils' aqueous solubility and stability using alpha and beta cyclodextrin

Sodium benzoate has been shown to produce benzene in combination with ascorbic acid. This has led to research for safe alternatives from plant essential oils and parabens that have shown some antimicrobial activity, but many of these compounds exhibit poor solubility in aqueous solutions. Cyclodextrins can increase the solubility of many compounds. This work aimed to investigate the solubility of 23 plant essential oils and 4 parabens in water and an apple juice medium. Four of these compounds were chosen for their low aqueous solubility to determine if complexing the compound with α- and β-cyclodextrin would increase solubility. Three of the complexes were dissolved in an acidified aqueous solution and then studied in glass and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to determine if storage material would affect the stability. Solubility of the 27 compounds in distilled water ranged from 1.6 mg/L to 2460.6 mg/L and the solubility of 18 of the compounds decreased from 2.5 to 84.7% in apple juice medium (pH = 3.4, 12-13 °Brix). Complexation with cyclodextrin dramatically increased the solubility of the compounds, up to 10-fold. Packaging material had no effect on concentration of compounds present over 7 days. Cyclodextrins were able to increase solubility of these compounds to more suitable concentrations, and may lead to viable natural alternatives to sodium benzoate.     

Cancer chemopreventive and antioxidant activities of pterostilbene,a naturally occurring analogue of resveratrol

Pterostilbene, a natural methoxylated analogue of resveratrol, was evaluated for antioxidative potential. The peroxyl-radical scavenging activity of pterostilbene was the same as that of resveratrol, having total reactive antioxidant potentials of 237 +/- 58 and 253 +/- 53 microM, respectively. Both compounds were found to be more effective than Trolox as free radical scavengers. Using a plant system, pterostilbene also was shown to be as effective as resveratrol in inhibiting electrolyte leakage caused by herbicide-induced oxidative damage, and both compounds had the same activity as alpha-tocopherol. Pterostilbene showed moderate inhibition (IC50 = 19.8 microM) of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, and was weakly active (IC50 = 83.9 microM) against COX-2, whereas resveratrol strongly inhibited both isoforms of the enzyme with IC50 values of approximately 1 microM. Using a mouse mammary organ culture model, carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesions were, similarly to resveratrol, significantly inhibited by pterostilbene (ED50 = 4.8 microM), suggesting antioxidant activity plays an important role in this process.     

Glandular structures in the major interlobular and extrapancreatic ducts in the guinea pig

The morphology of the pancreatic duct system did not receive much attention as compared to the microanatomy of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. The histological peculiarities of the excretory duct system are of major importance especially in laboratory animals like guinea pigs. The paper describes the histological peculiarities of the major interlobular and extrapancreatic ducts in guinea pigs. The pancreatic tissue samples were collected from five guinea pigs. For histological investigation, several pancreatic fragments underwent fixation in 10% buffered formalin and were later processed by the standard paraffin technique. Subsequentially, tissue sections were stained by Goldner's trichrome staining. The mucous substances were assessed by Alcian blue and Periodic acid–Schiff staining methods. The interlobular and main pancreatic ducts in the guinea pig present a simple columnar epithelium surrounded by a thick layer of dense connective tissue. The aforementioned epithelium of the main pancreatic ducts includes principal cells, goblet cells and basal cells. Additionally, the ductal epithelium presents occasional unicellular multiloculated intraepithelial mucous glands and prominent extraepithelial glands. The latter adopts a simple or compound tubular feature. The mucus elaborated by the three glandular types is mostly neutral in goblet cells, predominantly acidic in extraepithelial ductal glands, and a similar amount of acidic and neutral mucin in intraepithelial glands. In conclusion, the epithelium-associated mucous glands in the interlobular and main pancreatic ducts in the guinea pig are restricted not only to goblet cells. A substantial mucous discharge probably with a protecting role against irritative pancreatic juice derives from the main ductal intraepithelial and extraepithelial glands.     

The potential of school green areas to improve urban green connectivity and multifunctionality

Urban green infrastructure supports resilience in cities and promotes sustainable resource management. Small green areas, including school green areas (SGAs), are an important component of urban green infrastructure, playing a key role in supplying cities with educational services. This article describes how SGAs can amplify an urban green area's connectivity and multifunctionality. The analysis was performed in Bucharest as a case study. A survey based on questionnaires was used to obtain data regarding green spaces within public schools. A total of 411 administrators from 461 public schools participated in the survey for a response rate of 89.1%. Information from the questionnaires was augmented with spatial data of SGAs and public green spaces, i.e., parks and city gardens. Using parametric and nonparametric statistical analysis, we first identified the variables that determine an SGA's presence and size. Potential connectivity assessment results showed that most of the schools that lack or have small-sized SGAs have the possibility to cover their green space deficit by developing activities within nearby public green spaces. A structural connectivity assessment of SGAs toward other public urban green areas revealed that SGAs are an important element of the urban environment by serving as stepping stones to species flow. The multifunctionality of the SGAs was emphasized through the educational services they provide, being involved in pupils’ daily activities. The increased connectivity and multifunctionality of urban green infrastructure through small, specialized green areas, such as SGAs, is an indicator of the fact that such areas can be used to ameliorate the deficit of green space in major urban areas.     

Leaf morphological and genetic differentiation between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus robur</Emphasis> L. and its closest relative,the drought-tolerant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus pedunculiflora</Emphasis> K. Koch

• Introduction  

The study of phenotypic and genetic differentiation between incipient species or species that have recently diverged provides insights into the evolutionary history of species complexes and may contribute to our understanding of how species will evolve in contrasting environmental conditions.     

Comparison of the volatile profile and sensory analysis of 'Golden Reinders' apples after the application of a cold air period after ultralow oxygen (ULO) storage

All efforts to improve fruit quality are rewarded when consumers are satisfied after tasting the fruit. Apples are often stored under controlled atmosphere conditions to preserve them over time, but this frequently results in a loss of flavor. The aim of this work, which was based on two seasons, was to evaluate the influence of a period of short-term air storage (periods of 2 and 4 weeks) after removal from ultralow oxygen (ULO) storage (1 kPa of O(2)/1 kPa of CO(2)) with respect to increases in volatile compound emissions and the effect on standard and sensory quality in 'Golden Reinders' apples. The results showed that emissions of 26 volatile compounds increased as a result of ULO + 2 weeks or ULO + 4 weeks of storage. However, the results of tastings involving a panel of consumers and trained experts revealed that this increase was not matched by corresponding increases in either the degree of consumer preference or flavor attributes.     

Quantifying key parameters related to the life cycle of Caligus rogercresseyi

The salmon louse Caligus rogercresseyi (Boxshall and Bravo 2000) is a common ectoparasite of farmed salmonids in Chile. Sea lice can negatively impact the growth of hosts, adversely affecting aquaculture productivity. Unlike Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1838), whose life cycle parameters have been well studied due to its importance in the Northern Hemisphere, for C. rogercresseyi no single source exists that quantifies the parameters required to model this ectoparasite's life cycle. Given that different species of sea lice have substantially different biological characteristics, it is important to parameterize the life cycle of C. rogercresseyi using appropriate observational data, rather than simply trying to adapt parameters developed for L. salmonis. Using data from existing literature, we quantified the development and survival rates for each stage in the C. rogercresseyi life cycle. We illustrate how development rates are affected by water temperature and explore the important impacts of salinity on rates of survival. We present equations that can be used to model development periods and survival proportions given certain water temperature and salinity profiles. While key parameters to quantitatively model the life cycle of C. rogercresseyi are presented, further research is required to adequately model the complete population dynamics of this ectoparasite on Chilean salmon farms and consequently to support decision-making to achieve effective control and mitigation.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS: CRANIAL CERVICAL INTRASPINAL SCHWANNOMA IN A DOG

A 3‐year‐old, intact female Golden Retriever was presented with acute tetraplegia. Neurologic examination was consistent with a C1–C5 myelopathy. On magnetic resonance (MR) imaging a well‐defined, extradural mass was detected within the spinal canal at the level of C1–C2. The mass was isointense to normal spinal cord gray matter on T1‐weighted (T1W) images, hyperintense on T2‐weighted (T2W), and gradient‐echo (GE) images, and enhanced homogeneously after intravenous contrast administration. MR imaging features were mainly consistent with a meningioma. Surgical treatment was refused by the owners, and the dog was euthanized. Postmortem examination demonstrated that the intraspinal mass was a schwannoma.