Concentrations of condensed tannins and anthocyanins in common bean seed coats

Seed coat colour in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is determined by activity of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway resulting in the presence or absence of specific anthocyanins, tannins and glycosidic flavanols. These secondary metabolites have anti-oxidant properties in the case of anthocyanins and glycosidic flavonols and strongly influence dietary mineral bioavailability in the case of tannins. The modification of tannin content is a goal of biofortification breeding programs, while almost all bean improvement considers seed colour in selection priorities as this affects consumer preference and food quality. In the present study, we analyzed condensed tannins, tannin monomers and anthocyanin levels in an inter-genepool population derived from the cross DOR364 × G19833 using HPLC and spectrophotometric methods. The overall average for condensed tannins expressed as percentage in seed coats was 20.04%. The ranges were between 8.0% and 27.9% for soluble tannins (ST), 1.5% and 5.4% for insoluble tannins (IT), and 10.7% and 30.9% for total tannins (TT). Anthocyanins in seed coats averaged 0.08% (0.013–0.21% range) expressed as delphinidin-3-glucoside equivalents for the population with the distribution biased towards low content. All traits had large variability between genotypes and showed transgressive segregation, indicating quantitative inheritance for tannin content and oligogenic control of anthocyanins. Condensed tannins in the genotypes were mainly composed of catechin (60.3%), gallocatechin (25%), and afzelechin (14.7%) as monomeric units.     

Difficulties of fishing at Lake Naivasha,Kenya: is community participation in management the solution?

Unlike other lakes in tropical regions, Lake Naivasha exhibits low fish species diversity. The fishery is based on introduced fish species that are not native to the lake. The lake ecosystem is very fragile, as reflected in its fluctuating fish catches. The fishery almost completely collapsed in 2001, due partly to mismanagement and ignorance about needed conservation measures. The Kenyan government, like many governments around the world, recognized the need to involve fishers and other stakeholders, in order to ensure better management of the lake fisheries resources. Also referred to as collaborative management (co-management), this management approach provides the opportunity to share responsibility for managing the fishery resources between the government and the community. A total ban on fishing was imposed in February 2001, lasting for 1 year, to allow lake fish stocks to recover. This study analyses the co-management process for Lake Naivasha, and discusses the role played by the community during the fishing ban, as well as the successes and challenges encountered, and the tribulations and perceptions of the fishers regarding the new management strategy. It also comprises the first documentation of community participation in fisheries management begun for Lake Naivasha in the year 2001.     

Breast thermography from an image processing viewpoint: A survey

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women. This fact justifies researches to reach early diagnosis, improving patients’ life expectancy. Moreover, there are other pathologies, such as cysts and benign neoplasms that deserve investigation. In the last ten years, the infrared thermography has shown to be a promising technique to early diagnosis of breast pathologies. Works on this subject presented results that justify the thermography as a complementary exam to detect breast diseases. Several papers on the use of infrared imaging for breast screening can be found in the current medical literature. This survey explores and analyses these works in the light of their applications in computer vision. Consequently, the comments are organized according to the main steps of pattern recognition systems. These include: image acquisition protocols, exams storage, segmentation methods, feature extraction, classification or diagnostic and computer modelling. Main contributions of discussed papers are summarized in tables to provide a structured vision of the aspects involved in breast thermography.     

Nachweis von Diethylenglycol in Wein Detection of Diethylenglycol in Wine

European Food Research and Technology - Der Nachweis von Diethylenglycol durch Dünnschichtchromatograpllie nach Anreicherung mittels Extrelut-Fertigsäule wird beschrieben. Die...     

Parameters affecting the electrical conductivity of SnO2 : Sb sol–gel coatings

SnO₂ : Sb single and multilayer coatings have been prepared by the sol–gel dip and spin coating method, and by spray pyrolysis from various precursor solutions. Subsequently, the films have been heat treated in a convection furnace or by cw CO₂ laser irradiation, respectively. The influence of the different deposition and heating techniques on the electrical and morphological properties of the resulting films has been investigated by van der Pauw/Hall method and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) cross-sectional images. It is shown that the resistivities of the dip and spin coated films are at least one order of magnitude higher compared to those of spray coated films obtained from the same precursor solution. In dip coated multilayer systems an alternating structure of loosely packed and dense layers can be observed leading to a decrease in resistivity with the number of layers. A similar densified surface structure is found in laser treated films together with larger crystallites. It is concluded that the differences in resistivity occurring from the deposition technique and the heating process are linked to structural differences of the coatings whereas the chemical composition of the solution plays a minor role for the electrical properties.     

Effect of two different lipid sources on glass transition temperatures and tensile properties of corn semolina

The effect of adding corn oil (CO) and corn germ (CG) on the thermal and mechanical properties of corn semolina (CS) was investigated. The lipids concentration employed were 2% and 3% of CO or CG. The thermal transitions were studied in a moisture content range of 3–27% (d.b.), by means of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) experiments showed that type-V amylose–lipid complexes were formed with the native lipids within the corn semolina during thermo-moulding and that re-crystallization to a type-A structure, favored by the added lipids, occurred upon storage in high relative humidity (RH) environments. Two thermal events were observed during the first DSC scan and tan δ DMTA curves. The first one appearing at around 55–60 °C was attributed to a possible phase separation or ageing phenomenon taking place during storage of the samples, while the second was ascribed to the glass transition temperature of CS. It was found that addition of both, CO and CG, reduced the moisture content required for these transitions to appear. The expected decrease in the glass transition temperatures with moisture content was well described by the Gordon–Taylor equation. The addition of CO and CG also causes plasticization of CS. Hence, corn germ meal can be used as a lipid source that is more convenient to handle than liquid fats. However, the CS T_g values were independent of the lipids content. Tensile properties of CS and CS-lipid systems were found to be influenced by the moisture content, the physical state of the samples, and their composition.     

Effect of transient abrupt vessel closure during otherwise successful angioplasty for unstable angina on clinical outcome at six months. Hirulog Angioplasty Study Investigators

BACKGROUND: A phase II trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of infusions of dendritic cells (DC) and two HLA-A2-specific PSMA peptides (PSM-P1 and -P2). This report describes thirty three subjects with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer without prior vaccine therapy history who were evaluated and reported as a group. METHODS: All subjects received six infusions of DC pulsed with PSM-P1 and -P2 at six week intervals. Clinical monitoring was conducted pre-, during, and post- phase II study. Data collected include: complete blood count, bone and total alkaline phosphatase, prostate markers, physical examination, performance status, bone scan, ProstaScint scan, chest x-ray, as well as assays to monitor cellular immune responses. RESULTS: Six partial and two complete responders were identified in the phase II study based on NPCP criteria, plus 50% reduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), or resolution in previously measurable lesions on ProstaScint scan. CONCLUSIONS: Over 30% of study participants in this group showed a positive response at the conclusion of the trial. This study suggested that DC-based cancer vaccines may provide an alternative therapy for prostate cancer patients whose disease no longer responds to hormone therapy.     

Sexual functioning and intimacy in African American and white breast cancer survivors: a descriptive study

This study examines ethnic differences in sexual socialization and attitudes, sexual history and current practices, and the effects of treatment in 147 African American and White breast cancer survivors. Sex-related research in younger healthy populations has shown that cultural values associated with ethnicity influence sexual functioning, but small numbers of African American participants in previous research in breast cancer survivors has limited what we know about that population. In this study, there were few differences between the 2 ethnic groups in a predominantly well-educated, high-income, highly functional sample. However, African American women were significantly less likely to be comfortable with and to practice oral sex, self-touching, and masturbatory behaviors. White women were more likely to report that breast cancer had a negative impact on their sex lives. These differences in sexual repertoire and functioning should be noted by health care practitioners treating the sexual sequelae of breast cancer treatment.