Genetic variation in dieback resistance: growth and survival of Fraxinus excelsior under the influence of Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus

The invasive fungal pathogen, Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus V. Queloz, has decimated stands of Fraxinus excelsior L. over most of the species' natural distribution area. We assessed crown damage from 2009 to 2014 (at ages 8, 11 and 13) in 43 open-pollinated ash families planted in north-eastern Zealand, Denmark, and confirmed the presence of substantial genetic variation in ash dieback susceptibility. The average crown damage increased in the trial from 61% in 2009 to 66% in 2012 and 72% in 2014, while the estimated heritability was 0.42 in both 2009 and 2012 but increased to 0.53 in 2014. Genetic correlation between assessments was 0.88 between 2009 and 2012 and 0.91 between 2009 and 2014, suggesting fairly good possibilities for early selection of superior genotypes in the presence of high infection levels in the trial. The level of crown damage had strong negative effect on growth and survival. Only 34% of the trees with high levels of damage in 2009 were still alive in 2014, emphasising that high susceptibility is associated with low fitness.     

Enrichment of (E)-resveratrol from peanut byproduct with molecularly imprinted polymers

Molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) has been employed to isolate and concentrate bioactive polyphenols from peanut press waste. To this end, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) templated with the phytoalexin (E)-resveratrol has been prepared via self-assembly with the functional monomer 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) in a 1:3 molar ratio. Subsequent molecular interrogation of the MIP binding sites demonstrated preferential structural selectivity for (E)-resveratrol with respect to other structurally related naturally occurring compounds. This selectivity was subsequently exploited to achieve substantial sample cleanup of peanut press waste under aqueous conditions with significant enrichment of (E)-resveratrol (>60 fold) requiring minimal sample preparation.     

Glycaemic index and glycaemic load in relation to blood lipids - 6 years of follow-up in adult Danish men and women

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional studies have suggested an association between glycaemic index (GI) or glycaemic load (GL) and serum lipids. However, no prospective studies have been performed. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether GI or GL was associated with subsequent changes in serum lipids. DESIGN: Prospective study with 6 years of follow-up. Overall dietary GI and GL of each participant were assessed from diet history interviews. SETTING: Population-based study.Subjects Three hundred and thirty-five healthy men and women aged 35-65 years selected randomly from a larger sample of Danish adults. RESULTS: In men GI was directly related to changes in total cholesterol (DeltaTC), regression coefficient (beta) = 0.0044 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0008-0.0081) and GL was positively related to changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (DeltaLDL), beta = 0.1554 (95% CI: 0.0127-0.2982). Furthermore, the relationship between GL and DeltaTC was modified by age, being particularly strong for the younger men (P = 0.02). In women the relationship between GI and DeltaLDL was modified by age and was stronger for younger rather than older women (P = 0.01). A tendency for a similar interaction was seen for GI and DeltaTC (P = 0.09). Associations between GL and DeltaLDL and GL and DeltaTC were inverse for women with body mass index > or = 30 kg m(-2) (P = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that dietary GI and GL are related to 6-year changes in serum lipid levels. However, associations were weak and generally confined to subgroups.     

Antioxidant properties of green tea extract protect reduced fat soft cheese against oxidation induced by light exposure

The effect of two different antioxidants, EDTA and green tea extract (GTE), used individually or in combination, on the light-induced oxidation of reduced fat soft cheeses (0.2 and 6% fat) was investigated. In samples with 0.2% fat, lipid hydroperoxides as primary lipid oxidation products were not detected, but their interference was suggested from the formation of secondary lipid oxidation products such as hexanal and heptanal. The occurrence of these oxidation markers was inhibited by spiking with 50 ppm EDTA or 750 ppm GTE, or a combination of the two prior to irradiation. In contrast, addition of 50 ppm EDTA to samples with 6% fat was ineffective, but 750 ppm GTE (alone or in combination with EDTA) strongly reduced levels of hexanal and heptanal. Accumulation of primary lipid hydroperoxides was not affected by GTE, hence antioxidative activity was ascribed to scavenging of hexanal and heptanal precursors. These radical intermediates result from hydroperoxide disintegration, and subsequent scavenging by GTE, which acts as a radical sink, corroborates the intense signal observed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.     

Use of chromametry and digital photography for objective measurement of skin color in clinically normal dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether skin erythema in clinically normal dogs can be quantified by use of chromametry and image analysis of digital photographs. ANIMALS: 9 German Shepherd Dogs and 10 mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURE: Hair was clipped at 7 sites on the body. Skin erythema was evaluated at the axillary region, right and left lateral aspect of thorax, right and left loin area (ie, part of the back between the thorax and pelvis), right and left groin area (ie, the junctional region between the abdomen and thigh), metatarsal digital pad, and on the nose. Replicate measurements were done by use of chromametry and image analysis of digital photographs, using erythema values in accordance with the Committee International d'Eclairage (CIE)-Lab color system. RESULTS: Repeatability was high for both techniques. Within-dog variation was lower than between-dog variation. Between-dog variation was high for both groups of dogs. Interregional variation was significant in German Shepherd Dogs and mixed-breed dogs. Erythema values revealed symmetry between the right and left lateral aspects of the thorax and loin and groin areas. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Precise objective methods are available for skin erythema quantification. Chromametric and photographic erythema values had a high within-dog reproducibility. Between-dog variability was high for German Shepherd Dogs and mixed-breed dogs as was regional variation, indicating differences in color among dogs.