Cystosonographic measurements of canine bladder tumours

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the variability of cystosonographic bladder tumor measurements with both operator and bladder volume changes. Ten dogs with bladder tumors were included. In each dog, three operators determined tumor dimensions for three different bladder volumes. Intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess operator reliability. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and greater than or equal to 50% differences in tumor measurements were used as guidelines. Poor to fair correlations between operators were found for the different tumor dimensions (r_I = 0.4 – 0.7). The percent differences in tumor dimensions with operator and bladder volume changes were significant enough to misclassify the tumors into the categories of partial response (PR) or progressive disease (PD). These results suggest that cystosonographic measurements of bladder tumors are affected by both changes in operator and bladder volume, and the discrepancies are significant enough to change response classification.     

Structural and functional properties of amylose complexes with genistein

Complexes of amylose or high-amylose corn starch (HACS) with genistein were prepared by the acidification of an alkali solution to yield a V 6IotaIotaIota structure. The amylose-genistein complexes exhibited significantly higher genistein content (11 mg/100 mg of complex) than HACS-genistein complexes (9 mg/100 mg of complex). The effect of genistein on the amylose complexes was examined in different genistein-amylose ratios, and a model for genistein organization in the amylose complexes was suggested. The complexes were stable at different pH values, with <10% of the complexed genistein released, and were stable at 30 and 50 degrees C. Lower stability was observed at 80 degrees C as shown by the extensive release of genistein. All complexes showed high retention of genistein in simulated stomach conditions and released genistein upon digestion in pancreatin solution. It is therefore suggested that the complexes can be used as carriers for the slow release of genistein.     

Herbicide solubilization in micelle-clay composites as a basis for controlled release sulfentrazone and metolachlor formulations

Sulfentrazone and metolachlor have been detected in groundwater due to extensive leaching. To reduce herbicide leaching and increase weed control, we have developed, designed, and tested controlled release formulations (CRFs) for both herbicides based on their solubilizion in cationic micelles and adsorption of the mixed micelles (surfactant and herbicide) on a clay mineral, montmorillonite. A better understanding of solubilizing anionic (sulfentrazone) and nonionic (metolachlor) organic molecules in cationic micelles was reached. The percent of active ingredient in the formulations was much higher than previously designed CRFs due to the enhanced solubilization of the herbicides in the micelles and due to their adsorption on the clay. Both CRFs demonstrated controlled release (compared to the commercial formulations) when applied to a thin soil layer. A bioassay in soil columns determined that the new sulfentrazone and metolachlor CRFs significantly improve weed control and reduce leaching (for the latter) in comparison with the commercial formulations.     

Does ethylene degreening affect internal quality of citrus fruit?

Citrus fruit are non-climacteric. However, exposure to exogenous ethylene, e.g., during ethylene degreening, stimulates various ripening-related processes in the peel tissue, such as destruction of the green chlorophyll pigments and accumulation of orange/yellow carotenoids. Nonetheless, it is not yet known whether exogenous ethylene affects internal ripening processes in citrus flesh. To address this question, we examined the possible effects of ethylene on taste, aroma, perceived flavor, and nutritional quality of various citrus fruit, including ‘Navel’ oranges, ‘Star Ruby’ grapefruit and ‘Satsuma’ mandarins. Exposure to ethylene enhanced peel color break, and respiration and ethylene production rates in all citrus fruit tested. However, ethylene degreening had no effect on juice total soluble solids and acid contents, and had only minor effects on contents and composition of juice aroma volatiles. Moreover, sensory analysis tests revealed that ethylene degreening did not affect the flavor of oranges and grapefruit, but marginally impaired sensory acceptability of mandarins; the latter change could be attributed, at least partially, to storage of the fruit for 5 days at 20 °C. Nevertheless, ethylene degreening did not enhance off-flavor perception or accumulation of off-flavor volatiles, nor had any effect on levels of health promoting compounds such as vitamin C, total phenols and flavonoids, or antioxidant-activity of citrus juice. We conclude that although ethylene affects peel color break, it is probably not involved in regulation of internal ripening processes in citrus fruit and, therefore, does not impair internal fruit quality.     

Effect of Cadmium and Iron on Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Plant in Chelator-Buffered Nutrient Solution

ABSTRACT

To better understand the mechanisms responsible for differences in uptake and distribution of cadmium (Cd), nutrient-solution experiments were conducted with different varieties of rice (Oryza sativa), ‘Khitish’ and ‘CNRH3’. The plants were grown in a complete nutrient solution with different levels of pCd (-log free Cd⁺² activity) and pFe [-log free iron (Fe⁺²) activity]. The required concentrations of chelating agent and metals were determined using a computerized chemical equilibrium model such as Geochem-PC. Experimental treatments included a combination of four pCd activity levels (0, 7.9, 8.2, and 8.5) applied as Cd (NO₃)₂ 4H₂O, and two pFe activity levels (17.0 and 17.8) applied as FeCl₃. The application of both Cd and Fe in solution culture significantly affected plant growth, yield, and Cd accumulation in plant tissue. In general, yield of rice was decreased by an increase in amount of solution Cd; however, yield response varied among the cultivars. At the 7.9 pCd level, yields of rice cultivars ‘Khitish’ and ‘CNRH3’ were reduced to 69% and 65%, respectively, compared with control plants. Root Cd concentrations ranged from 2.6 mg kg^?1 (control plants) to 505.7 mg kg^?1 and were directly related to solution Cd concentrations. In rice plants, Cd toxicity symptoms resembled Fe chlorosis. Differential tolerance of varieties to phytotoxicity was not readily visible, but a significant interaction of substrate Cd and variety was obtained from dry-matter yields. Significant interactions indicated that response of tissue Cd concentration, plant Cd uptake, and translocation of Cd to the aerial parts were dependent on variety as well as substrate Cd. Uptake of Cd by roots was significantly higher than by shoots. Higher Cd uptake by rice plants decreased the uptake of other beneficial metals.

The effect of Cd and Fe on the rate of phytometallophore release was also studied in the nutrient solution. Among the rice genotypes, ‘Khitish’ was the most sensitive to Cd toxicity. In both genotypes, with the onset of visual Cd-toxicity symptoms, the release of phytometallophore (PM) was enhanced. Among the rice varieties, ‘Khitish’ had the highest rate of PM release. Treatments with the metal ions studied produced a decrease in chlorophyll and enzyme activity. A decrease in concentrations of chlorophyll pigments in the third leaf was observed due to the highest activity level of Cd (pCd 7.9). Activities of enzymes such as peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are altered by toxic amounts of Cd. Changes in enzyme activities occurred at the lowest activity of Cd (pCd 8.5) in solution. Peroxidase activity increased in the third leaf. Results showed that in contrast with growth parameters, the measurements of enzyme activities may be included as early biomarkers in a plant bioassay to assess the phytotoxicity of Cd-contaminated solution on rice plants. Evidence that Cd uptake and translocation are genetically controlled warrants the selection of varieties that assimilate the least Cd and that translocate the least metal to the plant part to be used for human and animal consumption.     

Tracing Organic Footprints from Industrial Effluent Discharge in Recalcitrant Riverine Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter

Excitation?Cemission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy, combined with parallel factor analysis and measurements of UV absorption and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, was used to trace the footprints of industrial effluents discharged into the lower Kishon River (Israel). The lower Kishon River typifies streams that are affected by seawater tidal intrusion and represents an extreme case of severe long-term pollution caused mainly by a variety of industrial effluents. The industrial effluents may contribute about 90%, in terms of biochemical oxygen demand, of the total organic carbon discharged into the lower Kishon River. Water samples were collected along the river, including the points of effluent discharge from industrial plants, between November 2005 and September 2006. Two types of fluorescent components characterized the fluorescence of the lower Kishon River water: component I corresponded to humic-like matter and component II spectrally resembled material known to be associated with biological productivity, but different from typical tryptophan-like fluorophore. These fluorescent components and other substances that absorbed light at 254 nm contributed to the DOC pool that resisted riverine microbial degradation under laboratory conditions, and that constitutes up to 70% of the overall riverine DOC. The variations in DOC concentration, absorbance at 254 nm, and concentration of humic-like matter (characterized by component I) correlated with the distance from the sea and the water electrical conductivity, and were linked to seawater tidal intrusion. The increased concentration of component II, as well as its enlarged fraction in the overall riverine DOC pool, was found to be associated with the location of major inputs of the industrial effluents. These findings support the use of this fluorescent component as an indicator of industrial pollution in such severely contaminated riverine systems.     

Optimizing dough proofing conditions to enhance isoflavone aglycones in soy bread

Native beta-glucosidase activity in soy bread can convert isoflavone glucosides to aglycones during proofing, and this study determined the time-temperature dependence of this process. Samples were taken every hour for 4 h during proofing at 22, 32, and 48 degrees C to determine beta-glucosidase activity and isoflavone profiles of the dough. After 1-2 h, the beta-glucosidase activity increased 43-84% achieving a plateau value at 22 degrees C but declining when proofed beyond 2 h at 32 degrees C and 48 degrees C. Large increases in aglycones and corresponding decreases in the simple glucosides were observed during proofing. The level of malonyl-glucosides decreased 3-15%, and acetyl-glucosides were fairly constant. The two higher temperatures drove more rapid conversion: 70-73% of simple glucosides in 2-4 h. The extent of conversion in the early proofing periods corresponded to beta-glucosidase activity. The optimum time-temperature protocol was 2 h at 48 degrees C resulting in a rapid, high conversion.     

Molecular changes in soy and wheat breads during storage as probed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)

Addition of raw ground almond has been shown to improve loaf quality (e.g., loaf specific volume) of soy bread. To better understand the effects of almond addition to soy bread and to follow these through storage, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy relaxation times and cross-relaxation experiments were performed. Spin-spin relaxation times of water protons were similar for the two soy breads, and therefore changes of water interactions with the other components of the soy breads (with and without almond) were not considered to be major contributors to the differences in loaf quality observed between these breads. Additionally, T2 values of water protons were found to have a similar decreasing trend during storage, especially up to day 3, for all of the products studied. On the other hand, during storage, lipid proton relaxation times exhibited only small changes in wheat and regular soy bread, whereas the soy-almond bread showed a major decrease of lipid proton mobility in particular after day 3 and up to day 10. These findings may indicate that, after a few days of storage, the lipid fraction contributes to better plasticization of the soy bread with almond, which can affect acceptability and storage stability of the final product. Thus, the higher amount of lipids introduced in the almond-enriched soy bread is likely to be responsible for the improved loaf quality and may significantly affect shelf stability of the soy-containing product.