Volatile monoterpenes in black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) juice: effects of heating and enzymatic treatment by beta-glucosidase.

Changes of terpenes in black currant juice induced by the action of heat were investigated in the present study. Limonene, alpha-terpinene, linalool, alpha-terpineol, 4-terpineol, and menthol added to either black currant juice or a model system were thermally treated at 90 degrees C for 30 min. Similar heat-induced decreases in the concentration of the terpenes were observed in the two systems.

Phosphate positioning and availability in the starch granule matrix as studied by EPR.

Cu(2+) was introduced as an EPR probe into the starch granules isolated from different starch crop genotypes including transgenically modified potatoes generated for extreme amylose and starch phosphate monoester concentrations. Several discrete copper adducts bound to the starch matrix with different strength was revealed. It was found that phosphate has a significant influence on the type of these species, their number, location in the structure, and strength of binding.

Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 y does not prevent weight or body fat regain.

Background: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is marketed as a safe, simple, and effective dietary supplement to promote the loss of body fat and weight. However, most previous studies have been of short duration and inconclusive, and some recent studies have questioned the safety of long-term supplementation with CLA.

Objective: Our aim was to assess the effect of 1-y supplementation with CLA (3.

Valuation of commercial central Himalayan medicinal plants.

This study estimates the national-level annual volume and value of commercial medicinal plant harvest in Nepal. Data were collected using open-ended questionnaires administered to local medicinal plant traders (n=149) in 15 districts in Nepal and regional wholesalers (n=53) in India. The annual trade volume is estimated to range from 7000 to 27 000 tons, with 14 500 tons harvested in the case year 1997-1998.

Veterinary and medical aspects of abortion in Danish sheep.

The Danish sheep population totals around 144,000 animals, but little is known of the causes and prevalance of diseases. This study focuses on the causes of abortion in Danish sheep. During one breeding season, aborted foetuses and stillbirths with signs of intrauterine death or malformation were submitted for laboratory examination from a population of 3,758 breeding ewes.

Characterization of anti-TIMP-1 monoclonal antibodies for immunohistochemical localization in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.

The aim of this study was to evaluate seven anti-TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1) monoclonal antibodies by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. Detection of the TIMP-1 protein was studied by IHC in FFPE human archival normal and neoplastic samples. Indirect IHC technique was used, and the seven antibodies (clones VT1, VT2, VT4, VT5, VT6, VT7, and VT8) were tested in various concentrations using different pretreatment protocols.

Isolation and characterisation of a protein elicitor from Sclerospora graminicola and elicitor-mediated induction of defence responses in cultured cells of Pennisetum glaucum.

Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroet., an oomycete pathogen of Pennisetum glaucum (L.

Evalution of the castrated male Sprague-Dawley rat as a model of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Low testosterone levels have been shown to be predictive for the development of the metabolic syndrome in men. The aim of this study was to describe effects of testosterone deficiency on metabolic syndrome-related parameters in male rats in order to evaluate the rat as a model for the human metabolic syndrome related to low testosterone levels.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were castrated or sham operated at 16 weeks of age and fed either a standard or a high energy diet.

The survival and persistence in the human gastrointestinal tract of five potential probiotic lactobacilli consumed as freeze-dried cultures or as probiotic sausage.

Among five lactobacilli (L. plantarum MF1291, MF1298, DC13, L. pentosus MF1300 and L.

On-bead chemical synthesis and display of phosphopeptides for affinity pull-down proteomics.

We describe a new method for phosphopeptide proteomics based on the solid-phase synthesis of phosphopeptides on beads suitable for affinity pull-down experiments. Peptide sequences containing the Bad Ser112 and Ser136 phosphorylation motifs were used as bait in affinity pull-down experiments to determine their ability to bind 14-3-3 proteins. Support-bound peptides were assembled directly on the solid support (PEGA) by standard solid-phase synthesis through a BAL-type handle.

Possible role of adiponectin and insulin sensitivity in mediating the favorable effects of lower body fat mass on blood lipids.

Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of insulin sensitivity and serum adiponectin concentration as determinants, in middle-aged men, of the relationship between lower body fat and blood lipids after truncal fat has been accounted for.

Methods: Men (443) aged 39-65 yr, body mass index 18-43 kg/m(2), participated in the study. The following variables were measured: regional body fat distribution as assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, maximal oxygen uptake, physical activity, fasting levels of serum adiponectin, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein- and total cholesterol.

The properties of the positively charged loop region in PSI-G are essential for its "spontaneous" insertion into thylakoids and rapid assembly into the photosystem I complex.

The PSI-G subunit of photosystem I (PSI) is an 11-kDa membrane protein that plays an important role in electron transport between plastocyanin and PSI and is involved in the stability of the PSI complex. Within the complex, the PSI-G subunit is bound to PSI-B and is in contact with Lhca1. PSI-G has two transmembrane spans connected by a positively charged stromal loop.

Influence of stearic acid on hemostatic risk factors in humans.

Stearic acid has been claimed to be prothrombotic. Elevated plasma factor VII coagulant activity (FVIIc) may raise the risk of coronary thrombosis in the event of plaque rupture. Fibrinogen, an acute-phase protein, is necessary for normal blood clotting; however, elevated levels of fibrinogen increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Performance of two commonly used angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition assays using FA-PGG and HHL as substrates.

In development of fermented dairy products and protein hydrolysates with high inhibitory activity towards angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), it is crucial to have a reliable assay for measuring the ACE activity. In the present study, the performance of two commonly used assays based on synthetic N-derivates of tripeptides as substrates were tested with respect to reliability in determination of ACE activity per se and to the inhibitory effect of a tryptic whey protein digest and captopril. In one test, the ACE activity was calculated from the amount of hippuric acid liberated from hippuryl-His-Leu (HHL) during 30 min of incubation with ACE, as quantified after HPLC separation of reaction products.

Effects of butter high in ruminant trans and monounsaturated fatty acids on lipoproteins, incorporation of fatty acids into lipid classes, plasma C-reactive protein, oxidative stress, hemostatic variables, and insulin in healthy young men.

Background: Evidence suggests that ruminant trans fatty acids (FAs), such as vaccenic acid, do not increase the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, the effects of ruminant trans FAs on risk markers of IHD have been poorly investigated.

Objective: The objective was to investigate the effect of butter with a naturally high content of vaccenic acid and a concomitantly higher content of monounsaturated FAs on classic and novel risk markers of IHD.

Heart disease among post-menopausal women: acceptability of functional foods as a preventive measure.

This study reports the results of eight focus group interviews with post-menopausal women (50-59 years, N=73) in Denmark and United Kingdom regarding their views on heart disease among women and the potential acceptability of functional foods as a means of prevention. Although, heart disease was recognised as a serious health problem and its occurrence among women recognised, it was predominantly conceived as a health problem affecting men and as being largely due to the relatively unhealthy lifestyles of men. Only a very small minority of participants were aware of the contribution of menopause to heart disease among women.

Experimental infection with Escherichia coli O149:F4ac in weaned piglets.

The outcome of experimental intestinal infections with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is dependent on several factors. An important factor is adhesion of the challenge strain to the intestinal mucosa. The test for susceptibility towards ETEC adhesion has so far been made by an intestinal adhesion test made after slaughter of piglets.

In vitro binding capacity of zeolite A to calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in rumen fluid as influenced by changes in pH.

An in vitro experiment was designed to mimic the transport of ingested zeolite A in the forestomachs and proximal part of the small intestine so as to evaluate the binding capacity of zeolite A to Ca, P and Mg as influenced by changes in pH. This was done by incubation of rumen fluid solutions with and without zeolite, as well as varying the content of Ca and/or P. The pH was lowered by addition of HCl so as to mimic abomasal conditions, followed by subsequent HCO3- addition to mimic small intestinal pH.

Caenorhabditis elegans is a model host for Listeria monocytogenes.

Here we report that Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes fed Listeria monocytogenes die over the course of several days, as a consequence of an accumulation of bacteria in the worm intestine. Mutant strains previously shown to be important for virulence in mammalian models were also found to be attenuated in their virulence in C. elegans.

Two subpopulations of Listeria monocytogenes occur at subinhibitory concentrations of leucocin 4010 and nisin.

In situ analyses of single Listeria monocytogenes cells at subinhibitory concentrations of leucocin 4010 and nisin revealed two subpopulations when measured by fluorescence ratio imaging microscopy (FRIM) after staining with 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester. One subpopulation consisted of cells with a dissipated pH gradient (DeltapH), and the other consisted of cells that maintained DeltapH. The proportion of cells belonging to each subpopulation was estimated, and the concentrations of bacteriocins required to dissipate DeltapH for 90% of the cell population (ED90) was predicted.

Differential expression of proteins and genes in the lag phase of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis grown in synthetic medium and reconstituted skim milk.

We investigated protein and gene expression in the lag phase of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CNRZ 157 and compared it to the exponential and stationary phases. By means of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, 28 highly expressed lag-phase proteins, implicated in nucleotide metabolism, glycolysis, stress response, translation, transcription, cell division, amino acid metabolism, and coenzyme synthesis, were identified.

Measurement of serum interleukin-10 in the dog.

The objective was to evaluate independently the reliability of a commercially available canine serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and to investigate canine serum IL-10 concentrations in healthy dogs, in dogs with a naturally-occurring acute phase reaction and in dogs following surgical stimulus by assessing intra- and interassay imprecision, inaccuracy and detection limits. Median (and range) serum IL-10 concentrations (ng/L) in the various groups were as follows: healthy dogs (n=15), 18.9 (11.

A bivariate quantitative genetic model for a linear Gaussian trait and a survival trait.

With the increasing use of survival models in animal breeding to address the genetic aspects of mainly longevity of livestock but also disease traits, the need for methods to infer genetic correlations and to do multivariate evaluations of survival traits and other types of traits has become increasingly important. In this study we derived and implemented a bivariate quantitative genetic model for a linear Gaussian and a survival trait that are genetically and environmentally correlated. For the survival trait, we considered the Weibull log-normal animal frailty model.

Diversity and evolution of blaZ from Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Objectives: To elucidate the diversity and evolutionary history of plasmid- and chromosomally-located blaZ, to detect indications of frequent exchange of blaZ between human and bovine staphylococci and to estimate the frequency of transfer of blaZ between coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and Staphylococcus aureus of bovine origin.

Methods: blaZ was detected in 143 strains of penicillin-resistant S. aureus and CoNS from five Danish cattle herds (n = 25/23), random CoNS isolates from Denmark (n = 37), a collection of S.

Subnormal energy expenditure: a putative causal factor in the weight gain induced by treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Aims: To examine the causes of weight gain occurring as an adverse effect of treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Methods: We measured 24-h energy expenditure (EE), body composition and spontaneous physical activity (SPA) in eight patients before and 1 year after treatment of hyperthyroidism was initiated, and eight controls.

Results: One year after initiation of treatment thyrotropin was normalized, thyroid hormones had fallen to the lower end of the reference range and fat mass had increased by 3.