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.     

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.     

Causes and control of calcium deficiency disorders in vegetables: a review

Summary

The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the causes and control of calcium (Ca)-deficiency disorders in vegetables. Ca-deficiency is usually related to the inability of the plant to translocate adequate Ca to the affected part. Many vegetables develop unique symptoms: for example blackheart in celery, tipburn in lettuce, chervil, onion, fennel, chinese cabbage and other cabbages, blossom end rot (BER) in tomato. Ca-deficiency disorders in vegetables can be controlled by various means. The growing medium influences the development of Ca-deficiency symptoms in plants. Restriction of the root volume is one factor that favours the development of Ca-deficiency symptoms in leafy vegetables, but reduces the incidence of BER in pepper. Ca-deficiency can also be avoided by using reasonable levels of nitrogen in the nutrient solution. Cations depress Ca-uptake and distribution, while anions depress the development of tipburn in plants. Ca-deficiency can be avoided by using the recommended level of salinity for each crop. Too high a salinity level increases the symptoms of Ca-deficiency in plants. Watering helps to prevent Ca-deficiency injury, as when growing vegetables outdoors. Maintaining an optimum soil moisture level helps to promote adequate movement of Ca to the roots and into the plant. A low relative humidity during the day-time increases the Ca-contents of leaves in leafy vegetables with an open growing point, but reduces the Ca contents of fruit and the inner leaves of leafy vegetables with a closed growing point. Avoiding too long a duration of supplementary lighting, too high a light intensity, and the use of high-pressure sodium lamps can prevent Ca-deficiency injury in plants. Shading may influence the incidence of BER, by reducing the appearance of symptoms of BER. Growing plants under a far-red wavelength filter helps to prevent Ca-deficiency disorders. Avoiding high or low temperatures also prevents Ca-deficiency injury. A negative DIF value (DIF = the difference between the day-time and night-time temperatures; a negative DIF means the night temperature is higher than the day temperature) may influence the incidence of tipburn injury by reducing its appearance. Air flow to the affected parts of plants can help to avoid the symptoms of Ca-deficiency. Ca sprays also help to prevent Ca-deficiency disorders in plants. Mulches can be used to protect plants against Ca-deficiency. Some crop varieties are less susceptible to Ca-deficiency. The plant growth regulator, Cultar (paclobutrazol, an inhibitor of gibberellin-biosynthesis), may influence the symptoms of Ca-deficiency in plants by reducing the appearance of the disorders. Planting a little later than the optimum date can avoid Ca-deficiency symptoms in leafy vegetables in Nordic countries. Harvesting a little earlier than the optimum date can also avoid Ca deficiency- symptoms in leafy vegetables.     

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.     

Effects of ionic strength and denaturation time on polyethyleneglycol self-diffusion in whey protein solutions and gels visualized by nuclear magnetic resonance

Pulsed field gradient NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) self-diffusion coefficient (D(PEG)) as a function of NaCl concentration (C(NaCl)) and denaturation time (t(D)) in whey protein solutions and gels. D(PEG) in the gel decreased with increasing C(NaCl) concentrations and increased with increasing t(D); the increase ceased for all PEGs when the gel was fixed. This increase was more pronounced for the 82250 g/mol PEG than the 1080 g/mol PEG. Moreover, the diffusion coefficient of nonaggregated whey protein was measured and an increase for longer t(D) was also observed. Scanning electron microscopy images and (1)H spectra demonstrated that D(PEG) were related to the structure changes and to the percentage of beta-lactoglobulin denaturation.     

Challenges of pheromone-based mating disruption of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cydia strobilella</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dioryctria abietella</Emphasis> in spruce seed orchards

Seed orchards function as the primary source of high-quality seeds for reforestation in many European countries, but their seed yields can be severely reduced due to seed- and cone-feeding insects. We evaluated various parameters of pheromone-based mating disruption for control of the moths Cydia strobilella and Dioryctria abietella, which are major pests in European Picea abies seed orchards. We applied different types of pheromone dispensers (rubber septa or wax droplets) at different densities and heights, and with different amounts of active components, covering whole orchards or part of an orchard. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by analysing male captures in pheromone-baited assessment traps, and presence of larvae in cones. A dramatic decrease (94–100%) in capture of males in traps occurred in all pheromone-treated plots compared to control plots for both moth species. In contrast, a subsequent reduction in larval numbers in cones was only achieved when wax droplets were used as the dispensing formulation at high density and at the highest pheromone dose tested, and only in half of the trials for each pest species. Electrophysiological recordings using antennae of male C. strobilella indicated elevated pheromone concentrations in a treated plot versus a control plot. Our results show that mating disruption has potential to reduce cone damage in spruce seed orchards caused by C. strobilella and D. abietella, but optimisation of the technique is required to achieve consistent and efficient population suppression of these pests.