Changes in the content of free sulphydryl groups during postharvest wheat and flour maturation and their influence on technological quality

The main aim of this study was to determine the changes in free sulphydryl content during postharvest wheat and flour maturation. The content of free sulphydryl groups was determined from wet gluten over 50 days of wheat postharvest maturation and over 14 days of flour maturation by varying incubation temperatures (30 and 37 °C) and incubation times (0, 45, 90 and 135 min). The amount of free sulphydryl groups increased during postharvest wheat and flour maturation as well as with the increase in temperature and gluten incubation time. The additional aim of this study was to find the interrelation between the content of free sulphydryl groups and selected parameters of technological quality by means of Principal Component Analysis. During wheat/flour maturation, the strengthening of protein structure was observed manifested by the increase in gluten index and Mixolab protein network weakening (C2), and changes in dough resistance as well. The incubation temperature of 37 °C affected the weakening of protein structure manifested by the decrease in gluten index and resistance, and increase in extensibility. Strong differentiation of examined varieties in terms of selected quality indicators was observed upon pre-defined maturation period, probably due to the expression of their intrinsic properties.     

Molecular detection of Theileria sp. in ticks and naturally infected sheep

Seven healthy sheep and 10 sheep diagnosed with piroplasmosis based on clinical signs were tested for the presence of babesiae and theileriae. Using the molecular techniques, two species of theileriae were detected and characterized. Theileria ovis was present mostly in healthy sheep and in Rhipicephalus ticks collected from infected sheep. Theileria sp. OT3 parasite was detected mostly in ill animals which represent additional evidence to the possible pathogenic nature of Theileria sp. OT3. The presence of babesiae in sheep or in ticks was not determined. The results of this study showed that ovine piroplasmosis due to Theileria is present in Southern Croatia. It was concluded that clinical diagnosis of ovine piroplasmosis should be confirmed by molecular analysis in order to identify the species of piroplasm, to select the appropriate treatment and to exclude the threat for public health.     

Impact of controlled redox conditions on nickel in a serpentine soil

Purpose  

Serpentine soils exist in many regions around the world; they are naturally enriched with nickel (Ni). An adequate understanding of soil processes determining Ni solubility is a special need particularly since less research has been addressed to Ni behavior under dynamic and controlled redox conditions. Our aim was (1) to characterize the properties of a serpentine soil and (2) to determine the impact of predefined redox windows on the mobility and dynamics of Ni in a serpentine soil.     

Effects of Garcinia cambogia extract on serum sex hormones in overweight subjects

(-) Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), an active ingredient extracted from the Garcinia cambogia fruit rind, has been commonly used as a dietary supplement for weight management. Given the controversy over HCA related testicular toxicity in animal studies, we investigated changes in serum sex hormones levels as an extension of our previous double-blind placebo-controlled trial in human subjects, in which 44 participants received either G. cambogia extract (1667.3 mg/day equivalent to 1000 mg HCA/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo group, administration of the extract did not significantly alter the serum testosterone, estrone, and estradiol levels. Similarly, hematology, serum triacylglycerol and serum clinical pathology parameters did not reveal any significant adverse effects. The results of this preliminary investigation indicate that ingestion of G. cambogia extract at dose levels commonly recommended for human use does not affect serum sex hormone levels and blood parameters.     

Comparative Study of Subcritical Water and Microwave-Assisted Extraction Techniques Impact on the Phenolic Compounds and 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Content in Pomegranate Peel

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Two environmentally friendly innovative extraction techniques - subcritical water (SWE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were applied for the extraction of...     

Cis-acting regulatory variation in the human genome

The systematic screening of the human genome for genetic variants that affect gene regulation should advance our fundamental understanding of phenotypic diversity and lead to the identification of alleles that modify disease risk. There are several challenges in localizing regulatory polymorphisms, including the wide spectrum of cis-acting regulatory mechanisms, the inconsistent effects of regulatory variants in different tissues, and the difficulty in isolating the causal variants that are in linkage disequilibrium with many other variants. We discuss the current state of knowledge and technologies used for mapping and characterizing genetic variation controlling human gene expression.     

OIL AND GAS INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS' CYTOTOXICITY STUDIED BY ALLIUM TEST

Allium test has already been used to determine cytotoxicity of waste drilling fluids. In the present work the cytotoxicity of four pure chemicals (Defoamex, Idthin 400, Magco Thin and Slick Pipe) was investigated. Those chemicals are components of drilling fluids, therefore, they are usually constituents of oil and gas industry waste waters. The tested chemicals were prepared in 1:9 dilution and cytotoxic effects on root-tip meristem ofAllium ascalonicum were analysed after 24-, 48- and 72-hour-treatments. All samples showed cytotoxicity which was proved by cytogenetic parameters such as inhibition of mitotic activity and increase of mitotic abnormalities and chromosomal aberrations in comparison with the control. Almost all mitotic abnormalities induced by four chemicals tested were the result of disturbed spindle mechanisms accompanied with stickiness. Slick Pipe revealed the most prominent mitodepressive effect and induced a high number of abnormalities. It caused a significant decrease of mitotic activity and increase of mitotic abnormalities after all three treatment durations, while chemicals Defoamex and Magco Thin showed a significant decrease of mitotic activity only after 72-hour-treatment. Chemicals Defoamex, Idthin 400 and Magco Thin revealed a significant increase of mitotic abnormalities after 48- and 72-hour-treatments.     

Leaf volatile compounds of six citrus somatic allotetraploid hybrids originating from various combinations of lime, lemon, citron, sweet orange, and grapefruit

Volatile compounds were extracted by a pentane/ether (1:1) mixture from the leaves of six citrus somatic allotetraploid hybrids resulting from various combinations of lime, lemon, citron, sweet orange, and grapefruit. Extracts were examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and compared with those of their respective parents. All hybrids having an acid citrus parent exhibit the same relative contents in hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds as the acid citrus, while the (grapefruit + orange) hybrid behaves similarly to its two parents. When volatile compound contents (microg g(-1)) are examined in detail, several behaviors are encountered in hybrids and seem to depend on the presence/absence of the considered parental compound and on the corresponding hybrid combination. Meanwhile, the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons are present in all hybrids at concentrations systematically lower than those of the highest parental producers. Statistical analyses show that hybrids exhibit hardly discriminable aromatic profiles, meaning that no strong dominance of one or the other parent was observed in hybrids with regards to the leaf volatile compound production.     

Examining the Effects of the Destroying Ammunition,Mines, and Explosive Devices on the Presence of Heavy Metals in Soil of Open Detonation Pit: Part 1—Pseudo-total Concentration

This paper presents the results of determining the pseudo-total concentration of five heavy metals in the soil on which the destruction of ammunition, mines, and explosive devices is carried out by the method of open detonation. In the analyzed area, the concentrations of cadmium, lead, nickel, copper, and zinc were determined, while from the physical properties of the soil were determined the granulometric composition and the pH. The aim of the study is to determine the origin and total load on heavy metals and, based on that, to assess the dangers and impact of the site in terms of the soil pollution by heavy metals. In accordance with the regulations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the results of the soil testing showed a significant load of copper (up to seven times) and cadmium (up to six times), and exceeding the allowed values for nickel and zinc in some places. Lead was the only metal whose concentration was within the maximum allowed and according to that the soil was classified as unpolluted. A sample of soil from the edge of the pit is the only sample in which all heavy metals, except Ni, were within the maximum allowable concentration. In regard to the concentration of the examined metals, the soil of the pit is classified as medium polluted from the aspect of copper, cadmium, and nickel and highly contaminated with zinc. The concentrations of copper and zinc in the examination area correspond to contaminated soil that represents ecological risk, which requires soil remediation.     

公司责任及其在林产工业中的体现

工商活动以及社会对其认识经历过很多显著的变化。中世纪流动的商人取代本地的工匠,满足社会对商品的需求是一大变革。社会对这些早期商人常取负面态度,认为他们进行剥削。工业革命使这种情况加剧。工商活动越来越专注于创造财富和谋求利润而置社会问题于不顾。随着时间的推移,社会管理调控的加强,工商活动的影响及其与社会及环境的相互关系逐渐被认识。自身的进化和社会的关注,使工商活动逐渐重新定向,承担起社会责任,造福于环境和社会。