Targeted proteomics-based analysis of technical enzymes from fungal origin in baked products

The application of technical enzymes is a potential tool in modulating the dough and baking quality of cereal products. No endogenous amylases (α- and β-forms) are present in mature wheat grains; they may be synthesized or activated during germination. Hence, microbial α-amylases are added to the dough, being resistant to the endogenous α-amylase/trypsin inhibitors. Here, we report on the initial identification of two technical enzymes from a commercial sample based on an in-gel tryptic digestion coupled with MALDI-MS analysis. The primary component of the protein fraction with 51.3 kDa was α-amylase from Aspergillus species. A second major protein with 24.8 kDa was identified as endo-1,4-xylanase from Thermomyces lanuginosus. In the following experimental work up, a targeted proteomics approach utilizing the combination of specific proteolytic digestion of the added amylase and xylanase in wheat flour, dough or baked products, solid phase extraction of released peptides and their detection using LC-MS/MS was optimized. The targeted (MRM) MS/MS peptide signals showed that the peptide “ALSSALHER” (MW = 983) originating from amylase and “GWNPGLNAR” (MW = 983) from xylanase can be used to identify the corresponding technical enzymes added. Consequently, locally available baked products were tested and found to contain these enzymes as supplementary ingredients.     

Predicting tree preferences from visible tree characteristics

This paper presents a psychological perspective to the selection of trees for urban residential areas. Sixty tree species suitable for urban planting sites were rated by lay participants regarding preference. We then used outward tree features to predict the preference ratings. Twenty-five different plant characteristics served as possible predictors in a regression model for tree preference. We found that the distinction between conifers and deciduous trees, the maximum tree height, and the crown height-to-width ratio were valuable predictors for preference, explaining more than 70% of the variance. This adds support for evolutionary theories of landscape preference. The regression model presented in this paper can be applied to calculate a preference estimate for other tree species using their known physical data, which may facilitate tree selection tasks in green space planning. By specifying preference-relevant tree characteristics, our findings may also inform the process of selecting diverse species for sites where a homogenous overall appearance is a planning goal.     

A general synthetic procedure for heteropolyniobates

The heteropolyanions of W, Mo, and V, which have found numerous applications, are formed simply by acidification of solutions of their oxoanions. Under similar conditions, these oxoanion precursors are not available for Nb, and Nb-oxo chemistry is dominated by formation of the Lindquist ion [Nb6O19]8- only. However, heteropolyniobate formation is favored in hydrothermal reactions of aqueous, alkaline precursor mixtures. Here we give two examples of heteropolyniobates formed by this general reaction type: K12[Ti2O2][SiNb12O40].16H2O [1], which contains chains of silicododecaniobate Keggin ions, and Na14[H2Si4Nb16O56].45.5H2O [2], a new heteropolyanion structure type.     

Chemical assessment of roots of Panax notoginseng in China: regional and seasonal variations in its active constituents

Root of Panax notoginseng (Radix Notoginseng, Sanqi) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine and is mainly cultivated in Wenshan of Yunnan, China. The active constituents include saponin, dencichine, flavonoid, and polysaccharide; however, the levels of these components vary in different geographical regions of growth and also show a seasonal variation. By using high-performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometry, the contents of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside R(g1), R(b1), R(d), dencichine, flavonoid, and polysaccharide were determined and compared with Radix Notoginseng collected from different regions of growth in China, as well as from different seasons of harvest and market grades. Using the contents of these active constituents as markers, the best quality of Radix Notoginseng is found in the southwestern parts of Wenshan, and the best season for the harvest is September to October. In addition, the unseeded plants produced a better quality of Radix Notoginseng. The current results provide useful information for the quality control of Radix Notoginseng and its further development in establishing the good agriculture practice standard of P. notoginseng in China.     

Evaluation of a local anesthetic delivery system for the postoperative analgesic management of canine total ear canal ablation--a randomized, controlled, double-blinded study

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a constant rate local anesthetic delivery system is more effective than continuous intravenous (IV) morphine infusion for postoperative analgesia. ANIMALS: Twenty client-owned dogs undergoing total ear canal ablation. METHODS: Dogs were randomly assigned to the lidocaine group (LID) or the morphine group (MOR). The LID group received a constant rate infusion of lidocaine locally and a continuous IV infusion of saline, while the MOR group received a constant rate infusion of saline locally and a continuous IV infusion of morphine. The primary investigator evaluated each patient and determined a hospital behavior score, anesthesia recovery score, preoperative pain score, and serial postoperative pain and sedation scores over 38 hours. Pain and sedation observations were videotaped and scored by three additional evaluators. Evaluators were blinded to treatment assignments. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, weight, hospital behavior scores or anesthesia recovery scores. The primary investigator's pain scores were not significantly different, but sedation scores were significantly lower for the LID group. Sedation and pain scores by the video evaluators were not significantly different between groups. Kappa agreement between observers was poor, but better agreement was noted between sedation scores than pain scores. Drug-related complications were significantly lower in the LID group (n = 0) compared with the MOR group (n = 5). Wound complications were not significantly different (LID = 4, MOR = 4). Intravenous delivery complications occurred in 12 (60%) patients. Local delivery complications occurred in five (25%) dogs. Delivery complications were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Continuous incisional lidocaine delivery was an equipotent and viable method of providing postoperative analgesia compared with IV morphine. Lidocaine delivery resulted in a trend toward lower pain scores, significantly lower sedation scores, and no dogs requiring analgesic rescue. Wound complications secondary to local infusion were minor and self-limiting. Drug-related complications occurred only in the MOR group.     

Fast and non-invasive PCR sexing of primates: apes, Old World monkeys, New World monkeys and Strepsirrhines

Background  

One of the key tools for determining the social structure of wild and endangered primates is the ability to sex DNA from small amounts of non-invasive samples that are likely to include highly degraded DNA. Traditional markers for molecular sex determination of primates are developed on the basis of the human sequence and are often non-functional in distantly related primate species. Hence, it is highly desirable to develop markers that simultaneously detect Y- and X-chromosome specific sequences and also work across many species.     

Analysis of ITS of the rDNA to infer phylogenetic relationships among Vietnamese Citrus accessions

This study focused on clarifying phylogenetic relationships among Citrus accessions from Vietnam. Our phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences from the ITS of the ribosomal DNA included 69 accessions belonging to Citrus and related (sub)genera. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian analysis confirmed a clear separation of the three ‘true’ Citrus species (C. medica, C. maxima and C. reticulata). Confirming recent taxonomic revisions, Fortunella, Poncirus trifoliata and Citrus hystrix are clustered among the accessions of subgenus Citrus. C. × sinensis accessions revealed a close evolutionary relationship to either C. maxima or C. reticulata, thereby confirming their involvement in its hybrid origin. Also, some other hybrid taxa and their proposed parental species were investigated and their origin could in some cases be confirmed using the ITS sequence data.