Influence of lipid extraction process on the rheological characteristics, swelling power, and granule size of rice starches in excess water

The influence of the lipid extraction process on both macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of nonwaxy rice starch gelatinization in excess water was examined. Surface lipids extraction did not change the thermodynamics of starch gelatinization but lead to a significant reduction (33%) in the enthalpy of starch-lipid complex melting at high temperature, resulting in less viscous dispersions. Internal lipid extraction using hot aqueous alcoholic solutions resulted in an irreversible increase in starch granule diameter (50% increase in D[4,3]) and a dramatic change in cooking characteristics of the starch. Instead of the bimodal swelling observed for native nonwaxy rice starch, only one broad transition in swelling, solubility, granule size, and viscosity was observed in the case of the totally defatted starch. While the total removal of lipids resulted in a slight increase in starch swelling at intermediate temperatures, the harshness of the process caused irreparable changes leading to notably lower swelling at high temperatures.     

Ammonium oxidation coupled to dissimilatory reduction of iron under anaerobic conditions in wetland soils

In exploring the dynamics of iron and nitrogen cycling in sediments from riparian forests we have observed a redox reaction that has not been previously described. During incubations of soil slurries under strictly anaerobic conditions, we repeatedly measured an unexpected production of both nitrite () and ferrous iron [Fe(II)]. Using this indirect evidence we hypothesize that, under anaerobic conditions, there is a biological process that uses ferric iron [Fe(III)] as an electron acceptor while oxidizing ammonium () to for energy production. This oxidation under iron reducing anaerobic conditions is thermodynamically feasible and is potentially a critical component of the N cycle in saturated sediments.     

Monitoring water interception by crop fields from passive microwave observations

In the present work, the time variations of a wheat field microwave emission are analysed during irrigation phases. The aim of the study is to investigate the use of low-frequency microwave measurements to monitor hydrological variables over a wheat crop: surface soil moisture and water interception by the vegetation canopy. The irrigation phases were representative of rainfall or dew events. It appears that the radiometric measurements are strongly sensitive to the hydrological characteristics of the soil and of the vegetation canopy. The 1.4GHz measurements are mainly sensitive to surface soil moisture m_v, whereas the 5 GHz measurements are sensitive to both m_v and to the vegetation water content W_v. A simple model approach is implemented to retrieve simultaneously these two surface parameters. The results of this procedure show the high potential of the microwave remote sensing measurements to monitor the time variations of soil moisture and of the total vegetation water content. The value of the wheat water storage capacity is derived from the microwave measurements and is in good agreement with experimental data.     

New method for reducing the binding power of sweet white wines

Sulfur dioxide is now considered to be a toxic chemical by most world health authorities. However, it remains an irreplaceable additive in enology for wine conservation, combining antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Sweet white wines from botrytized grapes retain particularly high SO 2 levels due to their high sulfur dioxide binding power. This paper presents a new method for reducing this binding power by removing some of the carbonyl compounds responsible, which are naturally present in these wines. The main carbonyl compounds responsible for the SO 2 binding power of sweet wines were removed, that is, acetaldehyde, pyruvic acid, 2-oxoglutaric acid, and 5-oxofructose. The method retained was selective liquid-solid removal, using phenylsulfonylhydrazine as a scavenging agent. The scavenging function was grafted on different classes of porous polymer supports, and its efficiency was evaluated on sweet white wines under conditions intended to conserve their organoleptic qualities. The results obtained showed that the method was efficient for removing carbonyl compounds and significantly reduced the binding power of the wines. Sensory analysis revealed that this process did not deteriorate their organoleptic qualities.     

How to assess the temporal dynamics of landscape connectivity in ever-changing landscapes: a literature review

Landscape Ecology - Landscape connectivity plays a key role in determining the persistence of species inhabiting fragmented habitat patches. In dynamic landscapes, most studies measure connectivity...     

Immunogenic properties of ribosomes isolated from Brucella abortus

Ribosomes from Brucella abortus strain 19 were isolated by differential centrifugation. The 70S ribosomes were purified by pelleting through 0.5 M ammonium chloride and 30% sucrose. The resulting ribosomes were designated washed ribosomes and consisted of 64–65% RNA and 35–36% protein with sedimentation coefficients of 50S and 30S. When the washed ribosomes were tested by immunodiffusion against immune bovine sera, no precipitins were detectable. The immunogenic responses of the washed ribosomes were determined in guinea pigs, lemmings, and calves. Inoculation dosages as low as 1.0 microgram in guinea pigs and 0.1 microgram in lemmings protected against challenge with virulent B. abortus. Results of similar studies in a limited number of calves indicated that a dose of 1 mg may be protective. Brucella ribosomes did not appear to elicit marked undesirable side effects when used as immunizing agents.     

Comment on "Widespread RNA and DNA sequence differences in the human transcriptome"

Li et al. (Research Articles, 1 July 2011, p. 53; published online 19 May 2011) reported large numbers of differences between DNA and messenger RNA in human cells, indicating unprecedented levels of RNA editing, and including sequence changes not produced by any of the known RNA editing mechanisms. However, common sources of systematic errors in high-throughput sequencing technology, which were not properly accounted for in this study, explain most of the claimed differences.     

Cu2+和Pb2+对石蚕蛾幼虫的急毒性研究

[目的]研究Cu~(2+)和Pb~(2+)对石蚕蛾幼虫的急毒性效应和安全浓度。[方法]从广西十万大山保护区采集石蚕蛾(Stenopsyche marmorata)幼虫,采用静水生物毒性试验法进行重金属离子Cu~(2+)和Pb~(2+)对其的急毒性试验。采用概率单位法分别计算Cu~(2+)和Pb~(2+)对石蚕蛾幼虫的半致死浓度和安全浓度。[结果]Cu~(2+)对石蚕蛾幼虫的24、48、72、96 h的半致死浓度(LC50)分别为123.651、112.975、84.536和70.509 mg/L,Pb~(2+)对石蚕蛾幼虫的24、48、72、96 h的半致死浓度(LC50)分别为49.138、41.878、30.735和29.245 mg/L。Cu~(2+)和Pb~(2+)对石蚕蛾幼虫的安全浓度分别为7.051和2.925 mg/L。[结论]研究结果可为将石蚕蛾幼虫用作水体重金属污染指示生物提供科学依据。     

Sirtuin 2 inhibitors rescue alpha-synuclein-mediated toxicity in models of Parkinson's disease

The sirtuins are members of the histone deacetylase family of proteins that participate in a variety of cellular functions and play a role in aging. We identified a potent inhibitor of sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) and found that inhibition of SIRT2 rescued alpha-synuclein toxicity and modified inclusion morphology in a cellular model of Parkinson's disease. Genetic inhibition of SIRT2 via small interfering RNA similarly rescued alpha-synuclein toxicity. Furthermore, the inhibitors protected against dopaminergic cell death both in vitro and in a Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease. The results suggest a link between neurodegeneration and aging.