Orobanche palaestina: a potential threat to agricultural crops in Israel

Weeds of the genus Orobanche are obligatory chlorophyll-lacking root parasites that infect and severely damage many dicotyledonous agricultural crops in warm-temperate and subtropical regions of the world. The genus comprises over 100 species, at least six of which are notable weeds. Orobanche palaestina Reut. is an endemic Mediterranean species, previously reported to parasitize thistles [Notobasis syriaca (L.) Cass. and Cirsium phyllocephalum Boiss. & Bl.] and annual legumes in native Mediterranean habitats, mainly in disturbed places such as roadsides and waste sites. In recent years, we have observed a rapid expansion of O. palaestina populations adjacent to commercial agricultural fields in the Jezreel Valley of Israel. The ability of O. palaestina to infect crops was tested in pots under nethouse conditions. The experiments revealed that O. palaestina is able to parasitize agricultural crops. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), gazania (Gazania uniflora Gaertn.), vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) were found to be potential hosts for this parasite, and all of them, except vetch and artichoke, were preferred to thistle, the native host. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) induced O. palaestina seed germination and root attachment, but the attached parasites could not reach maturity and died soon after the attachment stage. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), carrot (Daucus carota L.), garland chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L.) and cabbage (Brassica oleraceae L.) were not parasitized by O. palaestina.     

Solubilization of chitosan by bipolar membrane electroacidification

Chitosan, a partially deacetylated derivative of chitin, was solubilized by bipolar membrane electroacidification (BMEA). Bipolar/monopolar (anionic or cationic) configuration and chitosan addition mode (single step or stepwise) were examined. Chitosan solubility and electroacidification parameters were monitored during the process to determine the optimal conditions. Bipolar/anionic configuration and stepwise feeding mode led to chitosan solubilization yield of 91% in 60 min at 20 mA/cm(2). In this configuration, chitosan solution had a pH of 2.5, a conductivity of 8.5 mS/cm, and an ash content of 0.2%. Relative energy consumption was 0.05 kWh/L of 1% chitosan solution prepared. Although some chitosan particles were aggregated in the electrodialysis stack, limiting chitosan solubilization, BMEA allowed complete solubilization of chitosan circulating in the system.     

Heat markers and quality indexes of industrially heat-treated [15N] milk protein measured in rats

To determine the bioavailability of industrially heat-treated milk proteins, male Wistar rats were given [15N]-labeled meals containing either nonheated-micellar casein (CAS), milk soluble protein isolate (MSPI), and microfiltered milk (MF)-or heated products-"high temperature short time" pasteurized (HTST), "higher temperature, shorter time" pasteurized (HHST), ultrahigh temperature-treated (UHT), and spray-dried (SPRAY) milks. The postprandial distribution of dietary nitrogen was measured in the splanchnic area and urea. Digestibility was around 96% except for SPRAY (94%) and MSPI (98%). Ingested nitrogen recovered in the splanchnic bed was 19.3% for SPRAY, 16.7% for MF, and around 14-15% for other products. Deamination of dietary nitrogen reached 21.2, 20.6, and 18.2% of ingested nitrogen for MSPI, SPRAY, and CAS, respectively, and around 14-16% for other products. In our model, only spray drying led to a significant increase of splanchnic extraction. Moreover, the biological value of purified protein fractions appeared to be lower than that seen in products containing total milk protein.     

Red grapefruit positively influences serum triglyceride level in patients suffering from coronary atherosclerosis: studies in vitro and in humans

The contents of the bioactive compounds in red and blond grapefruits and their influence on humans suffering from hypertriglyceridemia were studied. It was found that red grapefruit has a higher content of bioactive compounds and a higher antioxidant potential than blond grapefruit, determined by oxygen radical scavenging capacity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, carotenoid bleaching, and Folin-Ciocalteu assays. Fifty-seven hyperlipidemic patients, ages 39-72 years, after coronary bypass surgery, recruited from the Institute's pool of volunteers, were randomly divided into three equal in number (19) groups: two experimental (red and blond groups) and one control group (CG). During 30 consecutive days of the investigation the diets of the patients of the red and blond dietary groups were daily supplemented with one equal in weight fresh red or blond grapefruit, respectively. Before and after this trial, serum lipid levels of all fractions and serum antioxidant activity were determined. It was found that serum lipid levels in patients of the red and blond groups versus the CG after treatment were decreased: (a) total cholesterol, 6.69 versus 7.92 mmol/L, 15.5%, and 7.32 versus 7.92 mmol/L, 7.6%, respectively; (b) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 5.01 versus 6.29 mmol/L, 20.3%, and 5.62 versus 6.29 mmol/L, 10.7%, respectively; (c) triglycerides, 1.69 versus 2.32 mmol/L, 17.2%, and 2.19 versus 2.32 mmol/L, 5.6%, respectively. No changes in the serum lipid levels in patients of the CG were found. In conclusion, fresh red grapefruit contains higher quantities of bioactive compounds and has significantly higher antioxidant potential than blond grapefruit. Diet supplemented with fresh red grapefruit positively influences serum lipid levels of all fractions, especially serum triglycerides and also serum antioxidant activity. The addition of fresh red grapefruit to generally accepted diets could be beneficial for hyperlipidemic, especially hypertriglyceridemic, patients suffering from coronary atherosclerosis.     

Imazethapyr aqueous photolysis, reaction quantum yield, and hydroxyl radical rate constant

The recent introduction of imidazolinone-tolerant rice varieties allow imazethapyr to be used in commercial rice. Little is known about imazethapyr photodegradation in the rice field. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the direct and indirect photolysis rates for imazethapyr and to evaluate the photolysis of imazethapyr in three rice paddy waters. The reaction quantum yield (phi I) for imazethapyr was determined to be 0.023 +/- 0.002, while the hydroxyl radical rate constant (K(I)*OH) was 2.8 x 10(13) M(-1) h(-1). These results show that imazethapyr is susceptible to both direct and indirect photolysis reactions in water. The results also show that imazethapyr photolysis in paddy water will be affected by turbidity because of its impact on the availability of sunlight to drive direct and indirect photolysis reactions.     

Carotenoid diversity in cultivated citrus is highly influenced by genetic factors

Citrus fruits are complex sources of carotenoids with more than 100 kinds of pigments reported in this genus. To understand the origin of the diversity of carotenoid compositions of citrus fruit, 25 genotypes that belong to the 8 cultivated Citrus species were analyzed. Juice extracts of mature fruit were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography using a C30 column. The 25 citrus genotypes presented different carotenoid profiles with 25 distinct compounds isolated. Statistical analyses revealed a strong impact of genotype on carotenoid compositions. Two kinds of classifications of genotypes were performed: on qualitative data and on quantitative data, respectively. The results showed that variability in carotenoid compositions was more interspecific than intraspecific. Two carotenoids, cis-violaxanthin and the beta-cryptoxanthin, strongly determined the classification on qualitative data, which was also in agreement with previous citrus variety classifications. These findings provide evidence that, as for other phenotypical traits, the general evolution of cultivated Citrus is the main factor of the organization of carotenoid diversity among citrus varieties. To the authors' knowledge this is the first study that links the diversity of carotenoid composition to the citrus genetic diversity. These results lead to the proposed major biosynthetic steps involved in the differential carotenoid accumulation. Possible regulation mechanisms are also discussed.     

Electromigration behavior of a mixture of chitosan oligomers at different concentrations

In this study, the effect of the concentration of a chitosan oligomer mixture on its electrophoretic behavior was studied as a function of pH and ionic strength added. It was shown that the concentration has a significant effect on the average electrophoretic mobility of the chitosan oligomer mixture and on isoelectric point. At a concentration of 3%, the ionic strength added did not show any effect on the electromigration behavior of the chitosan oligomer mixture. By decreasing the concentration of the chitosan oligomer mixture, ionic strength showed a significant effect on the average electrophoretic mobility but not on the isoelectric point. The highest shift of the isoelectric point was recorded in water at 0.003% concentration of the oligomer mixture. Under these conditions, the isoelectric point was at pH 5 whereas it was at pH 8 at 3% concentration of chitosan oligomer mixture. Electrophoretic measurements were also taken in water/ethanol aqueous medium. By adding ethanol to the medium, the average electrophoretic mobility decreased. This would have been caused by the increase in viscosity of the medium. Increasing ethanol ratio in the running medium, the isoelectric point moved from pH 5 in water up to pH 6-8 dependently on chitosan oligomer mixture concentration and ethanol content of the medium.     

How to perform combined cutting balloon and high pressure balloon valvuloplasty for dogs with subaortic stenosis

Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) is one of the most common congenital cardiac malformations in dogs. Unfortunately, the long term success rate and survival data following either open heart surgery or catheter based intervention has been disappointing in dogs with severe subaortic stenosis. Medical therapy is currently the only standard recommended treatment option. A cutting balloon dilation catheter has been used successfully for resistant coronary artery and peripheral pulmonary arterial stenoses in humans. This catheter is unique in that it has the ability to cut, or score, the stenotic region prior to balloon dilatation of the stenosis. The use of cutting balloon valvuloplasty combined with high pressure valvuloplasty for dogs with severe subaortic stenosis has recently been reported to be a safe and feasible alternative therapeutic option. The following report describes this technique, outlines the materials required, and provides some ‘tips’ for successful percutaneous subaortic balloon valvuloplasty.