Birnessite films are sensitive indicators of microbial manganese reduction in soil.

Manganese (Mn) and Fe indicator of reduction in soils (IRIS) devices are low-cost, convenient tools for identifying reducing conditions in soils. Because Mn is reduced at similar redox potentials as nitrate, there is considerable interest in using Mn IRIS tools for understanding microbial reduction of Mn as a surrogate for processes such as denitrification. However, the sensitivity of these devices to differences in Mn-reducing capacity has not been empirically investigated.

Natural Borneol Enhances Paclitaxel-Induced Apoptosis of ESCC Cells by Inactivation of the PI3K/AKT.

Unlabelled: Paclitaxel (PTX) has been used in a variety of malignancies for inhibiting tumor development and improving survival. However, its clinical application is limited due to poor solubility, drug resistance, and gastrointestinal reactions. Natural borneol (NB), as a promoter, could help to improve drug absorption.

Genomic Characterization of Interspecific Hybrids and an Admixture Population Derived from Panicum amarum × P. virgatum.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and its relatives are regarded as top bioenergy crop candidates; however, one critical barrier is the introduction of useful genetic diversity and the development of new cultivars and hybrids. Combining genomes from related cultivars and species provides an opportunity to introduce new traits.

On the validity and improvement of the ultrasonic pulse-echo immersion technique to measure real attenuation.

A fundamental assumption embraced in conventional use of the ultrasonic pulse-echo immersion technique to measure attenuation in solid materials is revisited. The cited assumption relies on perfect and immutable adhesion at the water to sample interface, a necessary condition that allows calculating the reflection coefficient at any interface from elastic wave propagation theory. This parameter is then used to correct the measured signal and obtain the real attenuation coefficient of the sample under scrutiny.

Quality assessment of commercially processed carbon monoxide-treated tilapia fillets.

Carbon monoxide (CO) has been used to stabilize the color of fish muscle during frozen storage and distribution. This study compared changes in the quality profiles of CO-treated and untreated (UT) tilapia fillets stored at 21 to 22 °C (room temperature), 4 to 5 °C (refrigerated), and 0 °C (iced). Samples (n = 3) were analyzed at different time intervals for chemical, lipid oxidation, microbiological, color, and expert sensory profiles.

Quality assessment of filtered smoked yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) steaks.

Unlabelled: Filtered smoke (FS) has been used to preserve taste, texture, and/or color in tuna and other fish species. This treatment is particularly important in color preservation during frozen storage. The objective of this study was to compare changes in the quality profiles of FS-treated and untreated (UT) yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) steaks stored in 3 ways: room temperature (21 to 22 °C), refrigerated (4 to 5 °C), and iced (0 °C).

In vitro potential of Ascophyllum nodosum phenolic antioxidant-mediated alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibition.

Ascophyllum nodosum is a brown seaweed that grows abundantly in the Northeast coastal region. In this study, the potential of A. nodosum for type 2 diabetes management through antioxidant-mediated alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibition was investigated.

Insulin-like stimulation of cardiac fuel metabolism by physiological levels of glucagon: involvement of PI3K but not cAMP.

At concentrations around 10(-9) M or higher, glucagon increases cardiac contractility by activating adenylate cyclase/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AC/cAMP). However, blood levels in vivo, in rats or humans, rarely exceed 10(-10) M. We investigated whether physiological concentrations of glucagon, not sufficient to increase contractility or ventricular cAMP levels, can influence fuel metabolism in perfused working rat hearts.

Thermal syneresis affected by heating schedule and moisture level in surimi gels.

The extent of thermal syneresis in protein gelation is indicative of thermal and freeze-thaw stability as well as the network integrity of a protein gel. Thermal syneresis in Alaska pollock surimi gels was examined under different heating schedules (40 degrees C/20 min to 90 degrees C/30 min, 60 degrees C/20 min to 90 degrees C/30 min, and 90 degrees C/20 min to 90 degrees C/20 min) at varying moisture levels (80%, 82%, and 84%). The extent of syneresis and gel firming was monitored by centrifugation expressible moisture and penetration force, respectively.

Evaluation of various infused cryoprotective ingredients for their freeze-thaw stabilizing and texture improving properties in frozen red hake muscle.

Various cryoprotective ingredients were evaluated for their freeze-thaw stabilizing and texture improving properties during 6-mo frozen storage when red hake (Urophycis chuss) fillets were injected with sorbitol-sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) (40% to 60% : 3%), 1.5% alginate, or 0.75% alginate with soy protein isolate (SPI)-sorbitol-STPP (5% to 10% : 40% : 3%).

Characterization of honey amylase.

The major alpha-amylase in honey was characterized. The optimum pH range and temperature were determined for the enzyme as 4.6 to 5.

In situ push-pull method to determine ground water denitrification in riparian zones.

To quantify ground water denitrification in discrete locations of riparian aquifers, we modified and evaluated an in situ method based on conservative tracers and 15N-enriched nitrate. Ground water was "pushed" (i.e.

Identifying riparian sinks for watershed nitrate using soil surveys.

The capacity of riparian zones to serve as critical control locations for watershed nitrogen flux varies with site characteristics. Without a means to stratify riparian zones into different levels of ground water nitrate removal capacity, this variability will confound spatially explicit source-sink models of watershed nitrate flux and limit efforts to target riparian restoration and management. We examined the capability of SSURGO (1:15 840 Soil Survey Geographic database) map classifications (slope class, geomorphology, and/or hydric soil designation) to identify riparian sites with high capacity for ground water nitrate removal.

The effects of hypophysectomy upon the endogenous levels of cyclic AMP during forelimb regeneration of adult newts (Notophthalmus viridescens).

Cyclic AMP is believed to play a role in limb regeneration. Using high pressure liquid chromatography, endogenous levels of cyclic AMP in regenerating tissues of normal and of hypophysectomized adult newts were estimated. In normally regenerating limbs, cyclic AMP levels were depressed 7 days after amputation and were elevated at 14 and 21 days.