Hemagglutinating activity associated with bovine herpesvirus type 1

Using C57BL/HPB mouse erythrocytes, hemagglutination has been observed with the Los Angeles and Colorado-1 strains of bovine herpesvirus type 1 and with 12 other Canadian field isolates as well. The specificity of the hemagglutination observed with the viral strains has been confirmed by a hemagglutination-inhibition assay.     

Factorial regression analysis of genotype by environment interaction in ryegrass populations, using both isozyme and climatic data as covariates

A sample of 58 natural ryegrass populations (Lolium perenne L.) from the French and Spanish oceanic coast was evaluated for three seasonal growth traits (i.e. spring, autumn and winter vigour traits) in 5 evaluation sites (three in France and two in Spain). This sample showed a high level of genotype (population) × environment (evaluation sites) interactions for the three agronomic traits. A factor regression analysis, using both isozyme frequencies of populations and climatic factors of evaluation sites as covariates, was carried out on a sub-sample of 30 populations in order to explain these interactions. This method succeeded in explaining most population × location interactions by the product of two covariates. For instance, for spring vigour trait, 72.8% of the interaction term could be explained by the use of two covariates: the PGI2-20 allelic frequency of populations and the minimum temperature of the coldest month of evaluation sites. This study shows the advantage of such a method for plant breeders who need to identify promising ryegrass populations for their breeding objectives. A number of genetic and evolutionary hypotheses are also discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Method for determining nitrogenous heterocycle compounds in wine

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of N-heterocycle compounds were conducted by using a liquid-liquid extraction followed by additional chemical silica gel purification and injection into a gas chromatographic (GC) column coupled to a nitrogen-phosphorus detector (NPD). The purified extract fraction was investigated by GC-NPD and by GC-mass spectrometry. The compounds identified and quantified in wines were 2,4,5-trimethyloxazole, 2,4-dimethylthiazole, and 4-methylthiazole by GC-NPD and both 2-acetylthiazole and 2-acetyl-2-thiazoline by GC-MS. The procedure was used to analyze different wines and gave reliable and reproducible results.     

Possible mechanism for involvement of cysteine in aroma production in wine

Under conditions close to those of wine, that is, low pH, aqueous medium, and low temperatures, this work describes N-(2-sulfanylethyl)-2-oxopropanamide (1), a new intermediate in the formation of 2-acetylthiazole from methylglyoxal and cysteine. 1 was characterized by MS, derivatization MS, and (1)H and (13)C NMR and was synthesized from 2-sulfanylethanamine and ethyl pyruvate. A formation pathway for 2-acetylthiazole from methylglyoxal and cysteine is proposed, in which 1 is a new intermediate in Maillard-type reactions in systems under mild conditions.     

The accelerated reduction and elimination of toxics in Canada: The case of mercury-containing medical instruments in Quebec hospital centres

In Canada, medical instruments containing mercury (Hg) are still widely used in hospitals. These are mostly thermometers and sphygmomanometers. Mercury present in these instruments does not in itself constitute a risk of contamination since this metal is contained within a closed system. However, breakage, inadequate maintenance and disposal of such instruments can expose workers and the public to this toxic substance. In Quebec, 80% of the 28 hospitals surveyed still use Hg sphygmomanometers and 45% Hg thermometers. Besides, 35% do not have any recovery procedures in case of spillage and most mercury spills are apparently not reported. Two main courses of action are recommended: the gradual replacement of these medical instruments by aneroid sphygmomanometers and electronic thermometers, and the establishment and communication, in the form of a handbook, of guidelines to handle and dispose of mercury safely.     

Acrylamide formation from asparagine under low moisture Maillard reaction conditions. 2. Crystalline vs amorphous model systems

The formation of acrylamide was investigated in model systems based on asparagine and glucose under low moisture Maillard reaction conditions as a function of reaction temperature, time, physical state, water activity, and glass transition temperature. Equimolar amorphous glucose/asparagine systems with different water activities were prepared by freeze drying and were shown to quickly move to the rubbery state already at room temperature and a water activity of above 0.15. The acrylamide amounts were correlated with physical changes occurring during the reaction. Pyrolysis and kinetics of acrylamide release in amorphous and crystalline glucose/asparagine models indicated the importance of the physical state in acrylamide formation. In amorphous systems, acrylamide was generated in higher concentrations and at lower temperatures as compared to the crystalline samples. Time and temperature are covariant parameters in both systems affecting the acrylamide formation by thermal processes. On the other side, the water activity and glass transition temperature do not seem to be critical parameters for acrylamide formation in the systems studied.     

Relationships between biochemical attributes (non-structural carbohydrates and phenolics) and natural durability against fungi in dry teak wood (Tectona grandis L. f.)

• Introduction   

Non-structural carbohydrates and phenolic compounds are implicated in the natural durability of wood. In order to find the chemical traits of natural durability in teak wood, the radial distribution of phenolics compounds and non-structural carbohydrates were studied in trees ranked by contrasting natural durability class against Antrodia sp.     

Organic aerosol growth mechanisms and their climate-forcing implications

Surface- and volume-limited chemical reactions on and in atmospheric aerosol particles cause growth while changing organic composition by 13 to 24% per day. Many of these particles contain carbonaceous components from mineral dust and combustion emissions in Africa, Asia, and North America and reveal reaction rates that are three times slower than those typically used in climate models. These slower rates for converting from volatile or hydrophobic to condensed and hygroscopic organic compounds increase carbonaceous particle burdens in climate models by 70%, producing organic aerosol climate forcings of as much as -0.8 watt per square meter cooling and +0.3 watt per square meter warming.