Mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial properties of apple puree edible films containing plant essential oils

Edible films, as carriers of antimicrobial compounds, constitute an approach for incorporating plant essential oils (EOs) onto fresh-cut fruit surfaces. The effect against Escherichia coli O157:H7 of oregano, cinnamon, and lemongrass oils in apple puree film-forming solution (APFFS) and in an edible film made from the apple puree solution (APEF) was investigated along with the mechanical and physical properties of the films. Bactericidal activities of APFFS, expressed as BA50 values (BA50 values are defined as the percentage of antimicrobial that killed 50% of the bacteria under the test conditions) ranged from 0.019% for oregano oil to 0.094% for cinnamon oil. Oregano oil in the apple puree and in the film was highly effective against E. coli O157:H7. The data show that (a) the order of antimicrobial activities was oregano oil > lemongrass oil > cinnamon oil and (b) addition of the essential oils into film-forming solution decreased water vapor permeability and increased oxygen permeability, but did not significantly alter the tensile properties of the films. These results show that plant-derived essential oils can be used to prepare apple-based antimicrobial edible films for various food applications.     

Dehalogenation of halogenated fumigants by polysulfide salts

Halogenated fumigants are among the most heavily used pesticides in agriculture. Because of their high mobility and toxicological characteristics, the contamination of air or groundwater by these compounds has been a great environmental concern. In this study, we investigated dehalogenation of several halogenated fumigants by polysulfides. The reaction of polysulfides and methyl iodide (MeI), 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D), and chloropicrin (CP) was very rapid. When the initial fumigant and polysulfide concentrations were both 0.2 mM, the observed 50% disappearance time values (DT50) of MeI, cis-1,3-D, and trans-1,3-D were 27.2, 29.6, and 102 h, respectively. When the initial polysulfide concentration was 1.0 mM, the corresponding DT50 values were only 2.2, 1.6, and 3.8 h. Under similar conditions, the reaction with CP was even more rapid than with the other fumigants. In 0.2 mM polysulfide solution, more than 90% of the spiked CP disappeared in 1 h after the initiation of the reaction. The reaction between fumigants and polysulfides also progressed at enhanced rates when the polysulfide solution was initially purged with nitrogen. Analysis of reaction kinetics and initial products suggests that the reaction is SN2 nucleophilic substitution for MeI and 1,3-D but likely reductive dehalogenation for CP. Given the high reactivity of polysulfide salts toward halogenated fumigants, this reaction may be used as a pollution mitigation strategy, such as for disposal of fumigant wastes, treatment of fumigant-containing wastewater, and cleanup of fumigant residues in environmental media.     

A histone acetyltransferase regulates active DNA demethylation in Arabidopsis

Active DNA demethylation is an important part of epigenetic regulation in plants and animals. How active DNA demethylation is regulated and its relationship with histone modification patterns are unclear. Here, we report the discovery of IDM1, a regulator of DNA demethylation in Arabidopsis. IDM1 is required for preventing DNA hypermethylation of highly homologous multicopy genes and other repetitive sequences that are normally targeted for active DNA demethylation by Repressor of Silencing 1 and related 5-methylcytosine DNA glycosylases. IDM1 binds methylated DNA at chromatin sites lacking histone H3K4 di- or trimethylation and acetylates H3 to create a chromatin environment permissible for 5-methylcytosine DNA glycosylases to function. Our study reveals how some genes are indicated by multiple epigenetic marks for active DNA demethylation and protection from silencing.     

Comparison of three different inhalant anesthetic agents (isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane) in red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis)

Objective To compare isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane for inhalant anesthesia in red‐tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) in terms of the speed and characteristics of induction; cardiovascular and respiratory parameters while anesthetized; and speed and quality of recovery. Study design Prospective, cross over, randomized experimental study. Animals 12 healthy adult red‐tailed hawks. Methods Anesthesia was induced with isoflurane, sevoflurane or desflurane in oxygen via face mask in a crossover, randomized design with a 1 week washout period between each treatment. Hawks were tracheally intubated, allowed to breathe spontaneously, and instrumented for cardiopulmonary monitoring. Data collected included heart rate, respiratory rate, end‐tidal CO₂, inspired and expired agent, SpO_2, temperature, systolic blood pressure, time to intubation and time to recovery (tracking). Recovery was subjectively scored on a 4 point scale as well as a summary evaluation, by a single blinded observer. Results No significant difference in time to induction and time to extubation was noted with the administration of isoflurane, sevoflurane or desflurane. Time to the ability of the bird to follow a moving object with its eyes (tracking) was significantly faster with the administration of sevoflurane and desflurane. All recoveries were scored 1 or 2 and were assessed as good to excellent. No significant difference was noted in heart rate, blood pressure and temperature among the three inhalants. Administration of isoflurane resulted in lower respiratory rates. Conclusions and clinical relevance Overall, although isoflurane remains the most common inhaled anesthetic in avian practice, sevoflurane and desflurane both offer faster time to tracking, while similar changes in cardiopulmonary function were observed with each agent during anesthesia of healthy red‐tailed hawks.     

Osmoregulation in fish sperm

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - In most fish exhibiting external fertilization, spermatozoa become motile after release into water, triggered by differences between intracellular and...     

Treatment of Waters Containing the Thiocarbamate Herbicide Molinate through an Adsorption/Bio-Regeneration System using a Low-Cost Adsorbent

The feasibility of using recycled granular tire rubber (GTR) to remove molinate from contaminated water bodies was evaluated in this study. Adsorption equilibrium data was well described by a linear isotherm, and the adsorption was completely reversible. Breakthrough curves showed column efficiencies of approximately 40%, based on total capacity, and complete bed regeneration was achieved using clean water. The effluent from the regeneration step was successfully decontaminated using a defined bacterial mixed culture, capable of molinate mineralization. It was shown that this treated water can be used for regenerating a subsequently saturated bed. The GTR adsorbent showed two important features: complete reversibility towards molinate adsorption and stability along successive adsorption/bio-regeneration cycles. Common adsorbents, such as activated carbons and resins, loose performance very quickly under the same conditions, due to irreversible adsorption.     

Prevalence of pigeon circovirus infections in feral pigeons in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) was detected by real-time PCR in cloacal swabs, pharyngeal swabs, and serum samples taken from 74 feral pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica) that were caught at various locations in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia. PiCV infections were detected in the majority of the tested birds. The highest (74.3%) detection rate was observed in the cloacal swabs and the lowest (31.1%) in serum samples. PiCV DNA was more readily detected in the cloacal swabs, pharyngeal swabs, and serum samples of birds younger than 1 yr. Molecular analysis of partial open reading frame V1 sequences showed that PiCV strains detected in feral pigeons share high nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities with PiCV strains detected in ornamental, racing, meat, and feral pigeons.     

Armillaria Species Infesting Vineyards in Northwestern Spain

Twelve vineyards in northwestern Spain were studied to assess the incidence of white root rot during 1995 and 1997. In both years, diseased plant material was collected and the Armillaria species responsible was identified on the basis of compatibility testing. Subsequently, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the intergenic spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene cluster was used to identify Armillaria species in another 45 symptomatic samples submitted for diagnosis from this area. During 1995, 9 of the 12 vineyards showed white root rot, although in eight cases less than 2% of plants were affected; in the remaining vineyard 17% of plants were diseased. During 1997, 10 of the 12 vineyards were affected and three showed a marked increase in the number of plants with white root rot (to 43%, in the vineyard in which 17% were affected in 1995). The compatibility method detected Armillaria mellea in samples from 10 of the 12 vineyards, and Armillaria gallica in samples from two vineyards. RFLP–PCR analysis detected four restriction patterns corresponding to A. mellea, A. gallica and Armillaria cepistipes: patterns mel 1 (A. mellea, 71% of samples), mel 2 (A. mellea, 18%), gal 1 (A. gallica, 9%), and cep 1 (A. cepistipes, 2%, i.e. a single sample). This is the first report of A. gallica and A. cepistipes infecting Vitis spp. The presence of these two Armillaria species may be related to the fact that the vineyards from which they were isolated were located on cleared forestry sites.     

Detection of Leishmania infantum in captive wolves from Southwestern Europe

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Leishmania infantum infection in a wild reservoir host (Canis lupus) throughout an endemic area for the disease (Southern Europe). For that reason, the serum and peripheral blood samples of 33 captive wolves from the European Breeding of Endangered Species Programme (EEP) were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). L. infantum was detected in three samples from Central Portugal and Central and Northern Spain. Even though L. infantum infection in positive samples was low, surveillance of zoonotic leishmaniosis in this population is recommended as the parasite load could be higher in other tissues due to parasite tropism and most of the EEP institutions studied are located in endemic areas for canine leishmaniosis in Europe.