Application of Fourier transform midinfrared spectroscopy to the discrimination between Irish artisanal honey and such honey adulterated with various sugar syrups

A collection of authentic artisanal Irish honeys (n = 580) and certain of these honeys adulterated by fully inverted beet syrup (n = 280), high-fructose corn syrup (n = 160), partial invert cane syrup (n = 120), dextrose syrup (n = 160), and beet sucrose (n = 120) was assembled. All samples were adjusted to 70 degrees Bx and scanned in the midinfrared region (800-4000 cm(-1)) by attenuated total reflectance sample accessory. By use of soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) and partial least-squares (PLS) classification, authentic honey and honey adulterated by beet sucrose, dextrose syrups, and partial invert corn syrup could be identified with correct classification rates of 96.2%, 97.5%, 95.8%, and 91.7%, respectively. This combination of spectroscopic technique and chemometric methods was not able to unambiguously detect adulteration by high-fructose corn syrup or fully inverted beet syrup.     

Photocatalytic Removal of the Antibiotic Cefotaxime on TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and ZnO Suspensions Under Simulated Sunlight Radiation

This study presents the main results about the removal of the antibiotic cefotaxime (CTX) under simulated sunlight radiation using heterogeneous photocatalysis with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in aqueous solutions. The effects of pH and catalyst initial load on pollutant removal were assessed considering the response surface methodology and a central composite circumscribed experimental design, which allowed to determine the optimized conditions that lead to a higher substrate elimination. Experimental results indicated that evaluated parameters have a significant effect on antibiotic removal in both TiO₂ and ZnO suspensions. In addition, the role of photogenerated holes, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals on CTX degradation was evaluated to clarify the reaction mechanism. Finally, analysis of the dissolved organic carbon content in solutions and the antibacterial activity of treated samples showed that photocatalytic treatments were able to reduce a considerable portion of the organic matter present in the systems and its antimicrobial activity.     

Different reactions of central and marginal provenances of Fagus sylvatica to experimental drought

Climate extremes are expected to increase in frequency and magnitude as a consequence of global warming, threatening the functioning, services and goods of forest ecosystems. Across Europe, the ecologically and economically important tree species Fagus sylvatica is expected to suffer particularly under such conditions. The regional introduction of provenances from drier and warmer climates is one option to adapt beech forest ecosystems to these adverse effects of climate change. Marginal populations from the drought-prone southern and north-eastern edges of the species’ distribution come into focus in search of suitable candidates for Central European deciduous forests. Here, we test three marginal provenances (Spain, Bulgaria and Poland) and three provenances from the centre of the distribution range (Germany) for their response to drought in two different soil types (sand, loam) in a full factorial common garden experiment in Landau, Germany. Drought impacted all growth parameters negatively (leaf damage +22 % (percentage points), height ?40 % and diameter increment ?41 %), and the sandy substrate exacerbated this effect. However, provenances differed in their response to drought and soil type. Evidence for a local adaptation to summer drought was detected, especially in terms of mortality rates. The Bulgarian and Spanish provenance showed a stable performance under drought conditions (BG ?27 % in diameter increment; ES ?32 %), compared to the Polish (?48 %) or the most sensitive German provenances (?57 %), yet for Bulgaria on a low level of total increment. This may indicate a trade-off between drought tolerance and growth. Therefore, a sole focus on drought-resistant marginal provenances seems to not be conducive, as they might be less adapted to other climatic factors, e.g. frost, as well. However, intermixed with local Central European provenances, these may act as functional insurance in future drought-prone forest stands.     

CO2体积分数倍增对4种植物幼苗气体交换及水分利用效率的影响

在CO2体积分数倍增的条件下,研究了油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)、侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)、元宝枫(Acer truncatum)和刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)叶片的气体交换及水分利用效率的变化。结果表明:CO2体积分数倍增条件下,4个树种的净光合速率均高于对照,油松、侧柏和元宝枫的日平均蒸腾速率分别较对照降低4.2%、17.5%和29.9%,其水分利用效率的日变化明显高于对照,分别提高25.6%、42.1%和52.2%。在CO2体积分数倍增条件下培养30、60和90d后,植物的水分利用效率明显提高,90d时油松、侧柏、刺槐和元宝枫分别为对照的224.9%、162.9%、154.3%和108.1%。     

Isoflavone profile and biological activity of soy bread

The present study examines the ability of isoflavone extracts from whole soy bread and two soy bread fractions, crumb and crust, to modulate the proliferation of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Total isoflavone content in the two fractions of soy bread were similar (3.17 micromol/g dry basis). However, their conjugate patterns were altered. Both fractions of soy bread contained a similar level of isoflavone aglycones ( approximately 24%). Low concentrations of soy bread extracts increased PC-3 cell proliferation as much as 47% compared to untreated control. This proliferative effect in cell growth was reduced at higher extract concentration. Soy bread crust extract (10 mg/mL) reduced PC-3 cell proliferation by 15% compared to untreated control. Interestingly, wheat bread extracts increased cell proliferation at all concentrations tested. Although extracts from both breads possessed biological activity, only soy bread crust extract reduced PC-3 cell proliferation. This observation may be related to the presence of soy in this bread.     

黄土高原褐土和黑垆土剖面中Rb和Sr分布与全新世成土环境变化

对黄土高原 3个土壤剖面Rb和Sr分布规律的研究表明 ,全新世不同阶段的黄土和土壤中Rb和Sr分布存在明显的差异 ,Rb/Sr比值的变化反映了成土环境和成土作用强度的变化。全新世早期 ,气候比较温和干燥 ,风尘堆积速率降低 ,土壤发育表现为边沉积边成土 ;全新世中期 ,气候温暖湿润 ,沙尘暴很少发生 ,风尘堆积速率极低 ,生物风化成土作用达到最强 ,以至于在黄土高原面发育黑垆土 ,在关中盆地形成褐土。到了 3 10 0多年前 ,气候恶化变干 ,风尘堆积速率加快 ,土壤严重退化。从区域上看 ,冬季风对黄土高原南部的环境效应比夏季风对北部的环境效应要强 ;黄土高原南部季风场强的变化较北部大。     

The effect on pathogenesis of Newcastle disease virus LaSota strain from a mutation of the fusion cleavage site to a virulent sequence

The principal molecular determinant of virulence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is the amino acid sequence at the fusion cleavage activation site. To extend the understanding of the role of the fusion cleavage activation site in NDV virulence, the pathogenesis in chickens of a lentogenic LaSota isolate and two infectious clones, NDFL and NDFLtag, were compared. NDFL is an infectious clone of a lentogenic NDV strain (LaSota E13-1), and NDFLtag is the infectious clone with the fusion cleavage site sequence mutated to the virulent motif. NDFL and NDFLtag were described by Peeters et al. The viruses were inoculated intraconjunctivally into groups of 4-wk-old white leghorn chickens and compared in a pathogenesis study for determination of disease causation (clinical signs of disease, gross lesions, histology, virus isolation, and serology) and viral distribution (presence of viral nucleoprotein and mRNA was detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively). The modification of the fusion cleavage activation site to the virulent motif in the infectious clone only slightly increased disease severity and viral distribution in the pathogenesis assessment, even though dramatically increased pathogenicity of NDFLtag was confirmed by standard pathogenicity index tests. The result, that the mutated fusion cleavage site of NDV-NDFLtag had only a small influence on pathogenesis in chickens compared to either E13-1 or NDFL, suggests that the pathogenic effects of NDV are not dependent on the fusion cleavage site alone.     

杀虫剂对褐稻虱种群控制作用的评价

本文应用干扰作用控制指数分析不同类型杀虫剂对褐稻虱的作用.褐稻虱繁殖力强,天敌作用明显,试验结果说明,广谱性杀虫剂喹硫磷,由于对天敌作用的明显干扰,干扰作用控制指效值达2.69倍。即其下代数量将为对照的2.69倍;特异性杀虫剂扑虱灵,对褐稻虱的作用明显,对其天敌比较安全,其干扰作用控制指数值为0.37。即其下代数量明显下降,收到良好效果,干扰作用控制指数表达了杀虫剂对害虫种群的控制作用、包括对天敌干扰作用的总体效果。特异性杀虫剂在解决有害生物协调管理将会起着良好的作用。