The study was performed on apple trees, 'Golden Delicious' cv., which is a scab-susceptible cultivar. The phenolic content of apple fruit was determined in different parts of the peel. The phenolic ...compounds were analysed in the scab spot, in the tissue around the spot and in the healthy tissue. We determined the concentration of various phenolic compounds and related enzyme activities. Infection with the Venturia inaequalis fungus enhanced the metabolism of phenolic compounds at the scab spot, around the spot and in healthy peel. Compared with the healthy tissue and the tissue around the spot, the scab spot showed higher enzyme activity for all tested enzymes, except for dihydrochalcone 2′-O-glucosyltransferase, which had lower activity in the scab spot. In comparison to the healthy peel, the scab spot showed up to 3.4 times more hydroxycinnamic acids, up to 1.1 times more dihydrochalcones and up to 1.4 times more flavan-3-ols. In contrast, the healthy peel showed up to 1.6 times more flavonols than the scab spot.
Online biomonitors register biological effects of toxic discharges on selected indicator species and allow for fast, continuous, and ecological relevant water quality control. This paper presents a ...new online biomonitor based on a quadropole impedance conversion technique that records simultaneously several behavioral parameters of Gammarus pulex, a new biomonitoring test species. The behavior of two different populations of G. pulex was compared; one population originated from an anthropogenically unpolluted stream, and the other population lived at the copper-polluted study site, where the biomonitor was placed. Responses to simulated copper pollution peaks of 70 μg of Cu2+/L were registered in the biomonitor and compared to the natural drift. G. pulex was the most abundant species in the natural drift. A nocturnal drift maximum was found in the natural drift and for both popula tions in the biomonitor. Mortality was high in the biomonitor; the local population survived slightly better than the reference population. The reference population showed significantly less activity than the local population measured as number of active organisms per day and time spent on locomotion and ventilation. Copper pollution pulses provoked increases in number of active organisms and time spent on locomotion in the biomonitor; however, no significant changes in the natural drift were registered.
The dihydrochalcone phloridzin (phloretin 2′-O-glucoside) is the most abundant phenolic compound in apple trees (Malus × domestica) and was also discussed to have an influence on the pathogen defence ...by shifting the dihydrochalcone profile from the glucosides to the more active aglycones. The final step in the biosynthesis of phloridzin is the glycosylation of phloretin at position 2′. Three cDNA clones from apple encoding glycosyltransferases are available which are able to catalyze the reaction in vitro. We investigated the possible role of glycosyltransferase UGT71A15 in phloridzin biosynthesis. The recombinant enzyme showed broad substrate acceptance but highest activities were observed with flavonols. Specific activities and the kinetic data indicated that phloretin is not the preferred native substrate of the UGT71A15. However, an increase of the molar ratio phloridzin:phloretin was found in transgenic lines, indicating a physiological relevance of UGT71A15 in planta, although a decrease of the total amount of dihydrochalcones in the majority of the samples was found. Unexpectedly, the increase of the phloridzin:phloretin ratio was not reflected by an increase of the total glucosyltransferase activities. In contrast, the majority of transgenic plants showed a reduced glucosylating activity with both phloretin and quercetin as a substrate, but the observed activity changes in a given sample were not similar for the two substrates. An increased susceptibility of M. robusta against the fire blight causing bacterium E. amylovora as a result of UGT71A15 overexpression could not be observed. Overexpression of UGT71A15 in transgenic apple trees also did not lead to morphological changes.
Abstract
Enhanced shoot growth and a decrease in flavonoid concentration in apple trees grown under high nitrogen (N) supply was observed in previous studies, along with increasing scab ...susceptibility of cultivar “Golden Delicious” after high N nutrition. Several hypotheses have suggested that there is a trade-off between primary and secondary metabolism because of competition for common substrates, but nothing is known about regulation at the enzyme level. In this study, a set of experiments was performed to elucidate the effect of N nutrition on the activities of key enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase PAL, chalcone synthase/chalcone isomerase CHS/CHI}, flavanone 3-hydroxylase FHT, flavonol synthase FLS, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase DFR) and the accumulation of different groups of phenylpropanoids. The inhibition of flavonoid accumulation by high N nutrition could be confirmed, but the influence of N supply on the flavonoid enzymes CHS/CHI, FHT, DFR, and FLS was not evident. However, PAL activity seems to be downregulated, thus forming a bottleneck resulting in a generally decreased flavonoid accumulation. Furthermore, the response of the scab-resistant cultivar “Rewena” to high N nutrition was not as strong as that of the susceptible cultivar “Golden Delicious”.
All major guidelines for antihypertensive therapy recommend weight loss; anti-obesity drugs might be a helpful option.
To assess the long-term effects of pharmacologically induced reduction in body ...weight with orlistat, sibutramine or rimonabant on:- all cause mortality - cardiovascular morbidity - adverse events
- changes in systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure - body weight reduction
Studies were obtained from computerised searches of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and from hand searches in reference lists and systematic reviews.
Randomized controlled trials in adult hypertensive patients with a study duration of at least 24 weeks comparing pharmacologic interventions (orlistat, sibutramine, rimonabant) for weight loss with placebo.
Two authors independently assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Studies were pooled using fixed-effect meta-analysis in the absence of significant heterogeneity between studies (p>0.1). Otherwise, we used the random effects method and investigated the cause of heterogeneity.
Eight studies comparing orlistat or sibutramine to placebo fulfilled our inclusion criteria. No relevant studies investigating rimonabant for weight loss were identified. No study included mortality and cardiovascular morbidity as a pre-defined outcome. Incidence of gastrointestinal side effects was consistently higher in orlistat treated vs. placebo treated patients. Most frequent side effects with sibutramine were dry mouth, constipation and headache. Patients assigned to weight loss diets, orlistat or sibutramine reduced their body weight more effectively than patients in the usual care/placebo groups. Blood pressure reduction in patients treated with orlistat was for systolic blood pressure (SBP): weighted mean difference (WMD): -2.5 mm Hg; 95% CI, -4.0 to -0.9 mm Hg and for diastolic blood pressure (DBP): WMD -1.9 mm Hg; 95% CI, -3.0 to -0.9 mm Hg. Meta-analysis showed DBP increase under therapy with sibutramine: WMD +3.2 mm Hg; 95%CI +1.4 to +4.9 mm Hg.
In patients with elevated blood pressure, orlistat and sibutramine reduced body weight to a similar degree. In the same trials, orlistat reduced blood pressure and sibutramine increased blood pressure. No trials investigating rimonabant in people with elevated blood pressure could be included. Long-term trials assessing the effect of orlistat, sibutramine and rimonabant on mortality and morbidity are needed.
Reflections Stich, K. P
Reflections,
c1988, 19880101, 1988, 1988-01-01, Letnik:
14
eBook
This volume discusses the autobiographical inclination in Canadian literature, exploring works by such writers as Alice Munro, W.O. Mitchell, Michael Ondaatje, John Glassco, and Susanna Moodie. ...Others works, including the oral memoirs of a Métis, an Inuit's account as being civil servant in Ottawa, and the autobiographical writings of pioneer women and French missionaries are examined to show the depth and breadth of this tradition in Canada. These texts act as starting points for an indepth look at the relationships between autobiography, biography and fiction in Canadian literature.
Mares treated with subcutaneous deslorelin implants on the first postpartum estrus early in the breeding season had significant reductions in the number of large follicles at early pregnancy ...examinations and delayed return to estrus (in mares that failed to become pregnant); these adverse effects were attributed to a prolonged release of the drug from the implant. In 2003, an injectable short-term release (<24
h) deslorelin product became available. The objective of this study was to determine if this product would hasten ovulation in early foaling first postpartum estrus mares without reducing the number of large follicles at early pregnancy examination (14–15 days postovulation). Beginning 5–6 days postpartum, first postpartum estrus (foal-heat) mares were teased daily and examined thrice weekly (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) by transrectal ultrasonography. Mares in estrus with a follicle ≥34
mm diameter on Tuesdays or Thursdays were alternately assigned to: Treatment 1,
n=17; 1.5
mg injectable short-term release deslorelin, or Treatment 2,
n=16; Control (no treatment). The schedule allowed accurate determination of the number of mares ovulating within 2 days of treatment (i.e., ovulations detected on Thursday or Saturday). Mares were mated on the day of treatment and at 2-day intervals until either ovulation was confirmed or until behavioral estrus ceased. Transrectal ultrasonography was done 14–15 days after ovulation to assess ovarian follicles and pregnancy status. Fewer covers were required and more mares ovulated within 2 days of treatment in deslorelin-treated versus Control mares (
P<0.01). Pregnancy rates were normal (69%) in deslorelin-treated mares. The number of large follicles 14–15 days after ovulation did not differ between deslorelin-treated and Control mares (
P>0.10), suggesting follicular suppression did not occur with this formulation of deslorelin.
Several potentially antimicrobial substances were screened for their activity against Erwinia amylovora and compared with the antibiotic streptomycin. For one promising compound, juglone, we found in ...vitro activity similar to streptomycin. We are currently establishing a fast and simple monitoring system for E. amylovora on blossoms using nectar and pollen collecting bees combined with an isothermal DNA detection method. This should finally allow fast, cheap, and sensitive detection of E. amylovora in orchards for monitoring the bacterial inoculum status, and to optimize protection strategies against primary infection of fire blight.
Seventeen composts from separately collected organic household waste plus one bark compost and one compost from grape marc were analysed for suppression of Pythium ultimum, phytotoxicity, microbial ...biomass and activity, substrate-induced respiration, extractible phenolic compounds and other physical and chemical parameters. Nine of the samples were mildly suppressive to P. ultimum, the others were conducive. The bark compost sample was strongly suppressive. Therefore of the examined composts, only the bark could be used to exert an economically relevant control of P. ultimum in horticultural media. A large part of the compost samples was slightly phytotoxic. Microbial biomass and SIR had only weak correlations with disease incidence. Microbial activity and content of extractible phenolics were positively correlated with disease incidence. None of the tested parameters were therefore suitable as a predictive test for suppression of P. ultimum with the compost samples used in this study.
