1H NMR diffusometry study of water in casein dispersions and gels

The self-diffusion coefficients of water in casein solutions and gels were measured using a pulsed-gradient spin-echo nuclear magnetic resonance technique (PGSE NMR). The dependence of the self-diffusion coefficient of water on the concentration and structure of casein is reported. The results were analyzed using a cell model. It was found that the water self-diffusion coefficient is insensitive to the structure of the casein in solution or in a gelled state. The influence of casein concentration on the water self-diffusion coefficient could be explained by obstruction from the casein molecule. Assuming a simple model with two water regions, each characterized by a specific water concentration and value of the water diffusion coefficient, the water mobility reduction induced by the casein can be rationalized.     

Selecting appropriate faba bean var. minor varieties for production under Northern European environmental conditions

The aim of the experiments was to evaluate a selection of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) var. minor varieties for further production improvement on the basis of their productivity and phenotype characteristics under the short season of the Northern European environmental conditions. The varieties evaluated were: Bauska, Favel, Fuego, Gloria, Jõgeva, Lielplatones, Priekulu and Priekulu viettejas. The highest and most stable average yield for 2015–2016 years was recorded in Bauska and Priekulu, with 3.77 and 3.64?t/ha, respectively. The incidence of chocolate spot and rust was in low to middling. Plant average height for 2015–2016 years was greatest in Bauska, Lielplatones and Priekulu vietejas, with 107.4, 110.7 and 110.0?cm, respectively. Resistance to lodging was best in Bauska and Fuego. From these yield and phenotype characteristics results we conclude that Lielplatones is the most suitable faba bean var. minor varieties for breeding in Northern European conditions, because of the following characteristics: middle yielding, quite high content of protein, very small seeds, low susceptibility to chocolate spot, good resistance to lodging. Thus almost every tested variety had some very good characteristics, which may also be valuable for the breeding of new varieties.     

Long-term effects of wildfire on ecosystem properties across an island area gradient

Boreal forest soils play an important role in the global carbon cycle by functioning as a large terrestrial carbon sink or source, and the alteration of fire regime through global change phenomena may influence this role. We studied a system of forested lake islands in the boreal zone of Sweden for which fire frequency increases with increasing island size. Large islands supported higher plant productivity and litter decomposition rates than did smaller ones, and, with increasing time since fire, litter decomposition rates were suppressed sooner than was ecosystem productivity. This contributes to greater carbon storage with increasing time since fire; for every century without a major fire, an additional 0.5 kilograms per square meter of carbon becomes stored in the humus.     

Genome-wide association analysis identifies loci for type 2 diabetes and triglyceride levels

New strategies for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) require improved insight into disease etiology. We analyzed 386,731 common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1464 patients with T2D and 1467 matched controls, each characterized for measures of glucose metabolism, lipids, obesity, and blood pressure. With collaborators (FUSION and WTCCC/UKT2D), we identified and confirmed three loci associated with T2D-in a noncoding region near CDKN2A and CDKN2B, in an intron of IGF2BP2, and an intron of CDKAL1-and replicated associations near HHEX and in SLC30A8 found by a recent whole-genome association study. We identified and confirmed association of a SNP in an intron of glucokinase regulatory protein (GCKR) with serum triglycerides. The discovery of associated variants in unsuspected genes and outside coding regions illustrates the ability of genome-wide association studies to provide potentially important clues to the pathogenesis of common diseases.