Amount and Size Distribution of Monomeric and Polymeric Proteins in the Grain of Organically Produced Wheat

In the present study, we evaluated 444 organically grown wheat genotypes for the amount and size distribution of polymeric proteins by size‐exclusion HPLC. The investigated genotypes were divided into six genotype groups—selection, spelt, old cultivar, primitive, landrace, and cultivar—and these were grown in four different locations, namely, Alnarp, Bohuslän, Gotland, and Uppsala in Sweden. The results showed that the percentage of unextractable polymeric proteins in total polymeric proteins (%UPP) and percentage of large unextractable polymeric proteins in total polymeric proteins were higher in the cultivar group as compared with the rest of the investigated genotype groups. The amounts of total extractable polymeric proteins (TOTE) and total unextractable polymeric proteins were low in cultivars and selections, respectively. Spring wheat grain was found to have a significantly higher amount of all protein fractions as compared with winter wheat. The genotype Kenya was found to belong to both groups of the 20 genotypes with the highest TOTE and %UPP. Thus, the genotype Kenya might be of relevance for consumption and future breeding to improve the breadmaking quality of organically produced wheat.     

Gastrointestinal Release of β‐Glucan and Pectin Using an In Vitro Method

The release of soluble dietary fiber is a prerequisite for viscous effects and hence beneficial health properties. A simple in vitro method was adapted to follow the release during gastrointestinal digestion, and the percentage of solubilized fiber was measured over time. β‐Glucan from oat bran was mainly released during gastric digestion while the release of pectin from sugar beet fiber continued in the small intestine. Unmilled fractions of sugar beet fiber released more soluble fiber than oat bran flakes, probably due to the porous structure of sugar beet fiber as a result of manufacturing processes, but also due to differences in source. Milling to smaller fiber particles significantly improved releasability (from 20 to 55% released β‐glucan and from 50 to 70% released pectin, respectively, after digestion). When milled fibers were included in individual food matrices, the release was reduced by protein and starch matrices (5% β‐glucan and 35% pectin released, respectively) and slowed by fat (45% β‐glucan and 60% pectin released). This may result in a too low or too late release in the upper small intestine to be able to interfere with macronutrient uptake. The method may be suitable for predicting the gastrointestinal release of soluble dietary fibers from food matrices in the development of healthy food products.     

A genetic analysis of the number of cells,length of cell,and gibberellic acid sensitivity in sugar beet and their relation to bolting mechanism

Summary Three series of full-sib progenies and parental inbred lines or populations were used to study the inheritance of the number of cells and length of cell along the hypocotyl length, and the response to gibberellic acid in young plants of sugar beet. Variance components were determined by using a factorial cross design. There were no significant estimates of non-additive genetic variation for either cellular characters. Both additive and non-additive genetic variance were responsible for the variability of stem length after GA3 treatment. It is concluded that additive type genes predominantly control the number of cells in all series. The length of cell had significant additive variances in most cases, but it was indeed markedly influenced by environmental factors. Number of cells (cell division rate) and GA3 sensitivity in young plants even before vernalization were related to bolting tendency. Bolting-susceptible genotypes generally expressed higher stem length in the response to added GA3 as compared to the bolting-resistant genotypes. However, some genotypes bolted easily in the field but reacted weakly to the GA3 treatment and vise versa. Genotypes that were susceptible to bolting and/or sensitive to GA3 had a specific range (intermediate) of cell number. There were, however, some genotypes containing an intermediate number of cells which demonstrated low bolting. These responded faintly to gibberellin treatment. The results suggest that several physiological requirements have to be fulfilled before bolting can occur, and that other plant characters interfere with the bolting phenomenon.     

Leading-edge vortex improves lift in slow-flying bats

Staying aloft when hovering and flying slowly is demanding. According to quasi-steady-state aerodynamic theory, slow-flying vertebrates should not be able to generate enough lift to remain aloft. Therefore, unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms to enhance lift production have been proposed. Using digital particle image velocimetry, we showed that a small nectar-feeding bat is able to increase lift by as much as 40% using attached leading-edge vortices (LEVs) during slow forward flight, resulting in a maximum lift coefficient of 4.8. The airflow passing over the LEV reattaches behind the LEV smoothly to the wing, despite the exceptionally large local angles of attack and wing camber. Our results show that the use of unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms in flapping flight is not limited to insects but is also used by larger and heavier animals.     

广州地区猫泛白细胞减少症病毒分离鉴定及全基因组遗传分析

【目的】分析广州地区猫泛白细胞减少症病毒(Feline panleukopenia virus,FPLV)的自然重组、跨宿主传播以及流行变异情况。【方法】采集疑似感染猫泛白细胞减少症病毒的猫粪便样品进行细胞分离,并对阳性病料提取基因组DNA,PCR扩增获得病毒的全基因组序列,并与Gen Bank中相关的参考毒株序列进行遗传进化分析,同时对VP2基因与NS1基因的主要氨基酸位点进行差异分析。【结果】成功获得2株猫泛白细胞减少症病毒及其全基因组序列。遗传进化分析显示,广州地区分离的猫泛白细胞减少症病毒FPLV-GZ01、FPLV-GZ02与我国其他分离毒株FPLV-XJ01、FPLV-HRB属同一分支,提示FPLV-GZ01、FPLV-GZ02由FPLV-XJ1进化而来;NS1基因系统进化树显示,FPLV存在与CPV-447重组的可能。主要氨基酸位点分析显示,FPLV在VP2基因中的主要氨基酸位点上的遗传变异比CPV保守;在NS1基因上发现FPLV-GZ01、FPLV-GZ02分别存在不同程度的氨基酸位点突变。【结论】广州地区分离的猫泛白细胞减少症病毒仍在不断地重组进化。     

Yeast DNA polymerase epsilon participates in leading-strand DNA replication

Multiple DNA polymerases participate in replicating the leading and lagging strands of the eukaryotic nuclear genome. Although 50 years have passed since the first DNA polymerase was discovered, the identity of the major polymerase used for leading-strand replication is uncertain. We constructed a derivative of yeast DNA polymerase epsilon that retains high replication activity but has strongly reduced replication fidelity, particularly for thymine-deoxythymidine 5'-monophosphate (T-dTMP) but not adenine-deoxyadenosine 5'-monophosphate (A-dAMP) mismatches. Yeast strains with this DNA polymerase epsilon allele have elevated rates of T to A substitution mutations. The position and rate of these substitutions depend on the orientation of the mutational reporter and its location relative to origins of DNA replication and reveal a pattern indicating that DNA polymerase epsilon participates in leading-strand DNA replication.     

Cytochrome P-450 mediated O-dealkylation of 7-alkoxycoumarins in liver microsomes from rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Evidence has recently been presented for variation in the inducibility of various 7-alkoxycoumarin-O-dealkylase activities in liver microsomes from a number of mammalian species by -naphthoflavone (NF). In the present study we have investigated the inducibility of hepatic microsomal 7-methoxycoumarin-O-demethylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase, 7-propoxycoumarin-O-depropylase and 7-butoxycoumarin-O-debutylase activities in rainbow trout by NF. O-demethylase activity was increased approximately 17-fold, O-deethylase and O-depropylase activities approximately 9-fold and O-debutylase activity approximately 25-fold. The kinetics of the various hepatic microsomal 7-alkoxycoumarin-O-dealkylase activities were investigated in control and NF-treated rainbow trout. The O-demethylase-, O-depropylase- and O-debutylase activities exhibited monophasic Michaelis-Menten kinetics in liver microsomes from both control and NF-treated rainbow trout, whereas the O-deethylase activity exhibited biphasic Michaelis-Menten kinetics in control liver microsomes and monophasic Michaelis-Menten kinetics in liver microsomes from NF-treated rainbow trout.     

Towards the understanding of bread-making quality in organically grown wheat: Dough mixing behaviour,protein polymerisation and structural properties

Achieving high quality of organic bread is a major objective of organic wheat production. The aim of the present study was to understand the mechanisms related to bread-making quality in organically grown wheat genotypes from a diverse background. Fifty one organically grown winter and spring wheat genotypes were evaluated for percentage of unextractable polymeric proteins in total polymeric proteins (%UPP) in flour and dough, mixing behaviour and structural properties. The results showed a large variation in genotypes for %UPP in flour, changes in %UPP at mixing, mixing parameters and structural properties. Genotypes with high %UPP in flour and low change in %UPP at optimum mixing were; Agron, Hjelmqvist 6357 blå and Effrada. The light microscopy (LM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) results confirmed that genotypes with high %UPP in flour and a low change at optimal mixing resulted in a more extended protein network (continuous and interconnected) at mixing as compared to the other genotypes. Genotypes with good mixing properties as to the mixograph analyses were; Diamant ax, Lantvete Gotland 4496 spelt, Erbe brun and Jacoby 59. The present study shows the presence of opportunities to select genotypes suitable for cultivation and breeding of bread wheat for organic production.     

Effect of anaerobic digestion residue vs. livestock manure and inorganic fertilizer on the hygienic quality of silage and haylage in bales

An increased recycling of nutrients from organic waste to support feed and food production is important for achieving sustainability. However, organic waste may contain undesired microorganisms that may increase the risk of impaired hygienic quality of feeds when used in forage‐cropping systems. This study aimed to investigate how the hygienic quality of silage and haylage was affected after fertilization of grassland with organic fertilizers [anaerobic digestion residue (ADR) pasteurized before spreading, or liquid cattle manure] compared with inorganic NPK fertilization. The experiment was performed on the same grass ley for 2 years, with fertilization carried out before each harvest (year 1, two harvests; year 2, one harvest). The crop was conserved as silage (300 g DM kg^?1) and haylage (500 g DM kg^?1) in bales (ca 40–55 kg) stored for 1, 5 or 10 months before opening, including effects of storage time and conservation method (silage or haylage) on hygienic quality. Results showed that ADR‐treated crops did not produce silage or haylage with higher microbial counts in comparison with manure‐treated crops on any occasion. The fermentation pattern in silage and haylage from ADR‐treated crops was similar to the pattern in manure‐treated crops. The use of inorganic fertilizer sometimes produced lower pH and higher content of lactic acid in silage, compared with using organic fertilizers. In conclusion, ADR could be used as an organic fertilizer for forage crops without increased risk of impaired hygienic quality compared with using liquid manure or inorganic NPK fertilizers.