A new dihydroxysterol from the marine phytoplankton Diacronema sp

Diacronema sp. was cultured and its sterols were separated by column chromatography on silica gel. The new sterol 24-ethyl-4alpha-methyl-cholestane-3,20-diol (1) was characterised by NMR and MS spectrometry, as well as (22E)-24-ethyl-4alpha-methyl-5alpha-cholest-22-en-3beta-ol (2) and beta-sitosterol, the major components of the sterol fractions. Neither the biosynthetic origin of the new dihydroxysterol nor its role in the biochemistry of Diacronema is known.     

Biochanin A triglycoside from Andira inermis

A new isoflavonol triglycoside, biochanin A 7-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->5)-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6 )-beta-D- glucopyranoside (1), was isolated from Andira inermis roots in addition to the known compounds genistein 7-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and lanceolarin.     

Photosynthetic responses to phosphorus nutrition in two-year-old maritime pine seedlings

We analyzed processes limiting photosynthesis in two-year-old, container-grown Pinus pinaster Ait. seedlings subjected to phosphorus (P) deficiency. After withholding P for 3 months, seedlings were supplied P at four relative addition rates (0, 0.005, 0.01 and 0.02 day(-1)) in a nutrient recycling system. At Weeks 12 and 22, responses of photosynthesis to CO(2) and irradiance were measured and the following parameters derived: maximal velocity of carboxylation by Rubisco, V(m); apparent quantum efficiency of electron transport, alpha maximal electron transport rate, J(m); stomatal conductance and relative stomatal limitation of photosynthesis. At Week 22, these measurements were combined with concurrent measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence to determine the quantum yield of PSII, and a theoretical partitioning of total light-driven linear electron flow between fractions used to regenerate carboxylated and oxygenated RuBP. After 12 weeks of treatment, needle P concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.15 x 10(-2) g g(DW) (-1), and then remained constant until Week 22. Values of J(m), alpha and V(m) increased with increasing needle P concentration (from 30 to 133 &mgr;mol m(-2) s(-1), 0.02 to 0.25 mol mol(-1) and 13 to 78 &mgr;mol CO(2) m(-2) s(-1) at the lowest and highest needle P concentrations, respectively). Under ambient conditions, net assimilation rates in P-deficient seedlings were limited by V(m) under saturating irradiance, and by J(m) under limiting irradiance, but not by triose-P regeneration. There was no detectable change in the partitioning of total light-driven linear electron flow between the fractions used for carboxylation and oxygenation. Predawn photochemical efficiency of PSII was significantly reduced in seedlings with low P concentrations. Although stomatal conductance tended to decrease with decreasing needle P concentration, relative stomatal limitation was not significantly affected. At Week 22, there was an attenuation of the effects of P nutrition on V(m) and an increase in alpha and J(m) that was probably related to cessation of growth and the seasonal decline in natural irradiance.     

Comparison of various extraction methods for policosanol from rice bran wax and establishment of chromatographic fingerprint of policosanol

A capillary gas chromatographic (GC) method has been developed for the separation and determination of policosanol components extracted from rice bran wax. A Varian CP-sil 8 CB column was employed, and an oven temperature was programmed. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the composition of policosanol. Quantitative analysis was carried out by means of hydrogen flame ionization detector (FID) with dinonyl phthalate (DNP) as internal standard. The results indicated that the extract obtained by dry saponification has the highest contents of octacosanol and triacontanol among extracts by all used extraction methods including dry saponification, saponification in alcohol, saponification in water (neutralized and non-neutralized), and transesterification. Meanwhile, the GC-MS fingerprint of policosanol extracted by dry saponification has been established. Euclidean distance similarity calculation showed remarkable consistency of compositions and contents among 12 batches of policosanol from a rice bran wax variety. This protocol provided a rapid and feasible method for quality control of policosanol products.     

Champagne wine polyphenols protect primary cortical neurons against peroxynitrite-induced injury

White wines are generally low in polyphenol content as compared to red wines. However, Champagne wines have been shown to contain relatively high amounts of phenolic acids that may exert protective cellular actions in vivo. In this study, we have investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of Champagne wine extracts, and individual phenolics present in these extracts, against peroxynitrite-induced injury. Organic and aqueous Champagne wine extracts exhibited potent neuroprotective activity against peroxynitrite-induced injury at low concentrations (0.1 microg/mL). This protection appeared to be in part due to the cellular actions of individual components found in the organic extracts, notably tyrosol, caffeic acid, and gallic acid. These phenolics were observed to exert potent neuroprotection at concentrations between 0.1 and 10 microM. Together, these data suggest that polyphenols present in Champagne wine may induce a neuroprotective effect against oxidative neuronal injury.     

Peanut allergen Ara h 1 interacts with proanthocyanidins into higher molecular weight complexes

Mildly extracted peanut allergen Ara h 1 was previously reported to occur as an oligomeric complex. In this paper we describe how the protein in this oligomeric complex interacts noncovalently with phenolic compounds of the proanthocyanidin type. These interactions are being disrupted during anion exchange chromatography, resulting in the dissociation of the oligomeric Ara h 1 complex into protein trimers. By use of the known three-dimensional structure of beta-conglycinin, a soy protein homologous to Ara h 1, proline-rich regions were observed in silico on both faces of its trimeric structure, which are conserved in Ara h 1. These proline-rich regions could explain the binding of proanthocyanidins to Ara h 1 and the formation of multiple Ara h 1 trimer complexes. This was supported by the observation that the addition of peanut proanthocyanidins to trimeric Ara h 1 and to beta-conglycinin resulted in the formation of soluble oligomeric protein complexes. The structurally related legumin proteins do not contain such proline-rich regions on both sides of the protein, and proanthocyanidins were shown to have a lower affinity for legumin proteins from peanuts and soybeans (peanut allergen Ara h 3 and soy glycinin, respectively). Ara h 1 present as the oligomeric complex is assumed to be the representative form of the allergen in which it is consumed by humans.     

昆虫保幼激素类似物双氧威作为长期储藏小麦的保护剂的总体评价

昆虫保幼激素类似物双氧威处理小麦防治四种主要储粮甲虫的研究已进行了两年多,试验在模拟实际条件下进行,处理的小堆粮食约0.6吨,在0,6,12和18个月用赤拟谷盗、锯谷盗、谷蠹和谷象各300头进行感染。在药剂处理和害虫第一次引入后,每三个月取一次样,检查害虫情况、粮食品质及粮食中杀虫剂残留。另外还评价了粮食制粉和烘焙品质,测定了面粉、麸皮和面包中药剂残留。双氧威的效果通过与对照和甲基毒死蜱处理的粮食进行比较评价。甲基毒死蜱3.9mg/kg处理的粮食能防治锯谷盗9个月,谷蠹和赤拟谷盗12个月,谷象15个月。用双氧威4.2mg/kg处理的粮食能防治锯谷盗、谷蠹、赤拟谷盗2年,但对谷象不完全有效。双氧威8.2mg/kg处理的粮食能防治所有的四种害虫2年。粮食品质和面包制作品质在害虫数量较低时能较好地保持。甲基毒死蜱和双氧威的残留在面粉和制作的面包中很低,但麸皮中明显较高。     

Septic osteitis of the distal phalanx in foals: 22 cases (1995-2002)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical characteristics and outcome of foals with septic osteitis of the distal phalanx. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 22 foals. PROCEDURES: Information obtained from medical records included signalment; clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings; treatment method; and outcome. Foals included in the study had lameness referable to the foot, radiographic evidence of localized lysis or focal loss of bone density of the distal phalanx, and suppurative discharge or necrosis of the affected bone evident at surgery. Foals with a history or evidence of penetrating wounds or subsolar abscessation were excluded. RESULTS: Mean age of foals at initial evaluation was 40.8 days (range, 3 to 122 days). Twenty-one (95%) foals had lameness as the primary complaint. Lesions consistent with septic osteitis of the distal phalanx localized to specific areas of the bone on the basis of radiographic and surgical findings were located on the solar margin or toe (14/22 [64%]), extensor process (5/22 [23%]), and palmar or plantar process (3/22 [13%]). Hind limbs (18/26 [69%] affected limbs) were more frequently affected. Two foals had > 1 affected limb, 2 had additional sites of osteomyelitis, and 4 had concurrent septic arthritis. Surgical debridement and regional antimicrobial perfusion were performed during general anesthesia. Extensor process lesions were not debrided. Nineteen of 22 (86%) foals survived to be discharged from hospital, and 16 horses reached racing age. Eleven of 16 had race starts, of which 8 had official race starts and 3 had unofficial race starts. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Septic osteitis of the distal phalanx should be considered as a source of lameness in foals with signs referable to the foot and does not necessarily preclude a career in racing. Although infection may occur secondary to bacterial penetration of the hoof or sole, the distal phalanx should also be considered as a potential site for hematogenous septic arthritis or osteomyelitis in foals.     

Prediction of nitrogen excretion in feces and urine of beef cattle offered diets containing grass silage

Data from 286 beef cattle, obtained in total diet digestibility assessments, were used to examine effects of dietary and animal factors on N excretion in feces and urine and to develop prediction equations for N excretion in beef cattle. The animals used were mainly from beef breeds, at various ages (from growth to finishing) and live BW (153 to 580 kg), and offered diets containing grass silage at production feeding levels. Dietary forage proportion ranged from 199 to 1,000 g/kg of DM and dietary CP concentration from 108 to 217 g/kg of DM. Linear and multiple regression techniques were used to examine relationships between the efficiency of N utilization and dietary and animal variables with the experimental effects removed. The statistical analysis indicated that N excretion was related positively (P < 0.001) to live BW and intakes of DM, N, and ME, and negatively (P < 0.001) to dietary forage proportion. The prediction equation for N excretion, developed using N intake alone, produced a large r2 (0.898) and a small SE (12.3). Addition of live BW and forage proportion as supporting predictors to this relationship only marginally increased R2 to 0.915 and reduced SE to 11.2. Nitrogen excretion was less well related to live BW (r2 = 0.771, SE = 18.5) than to N intake. Addition of N intake as a proportion of DMI or ME intake to the relationship between live BW and N excretion increased R2 to 0.824 and reduced SE to 16.2. The internal validation of these equations revealed that using N intake as the primary predictor produced a very accurate prediction of N excretion. In situations where data on N intake are not available, prediction equations based on live BW and dietary N concentration together can produce a relatively accurate assessment of N excretion. A number of mitigation strategies to reduce N excretion in feces and urine in beef cattle are discussed, including manipulation of dietary N concentration, diet quality, and level of feeding. The prediction equations and mitigation strategies developed in the current study provide an approach for beef producers to quantify N excretion against production and to develop their own mitigation strategies to reduce N excretion.