Effect of Processing on the Detectability of Pecan Proteins Assessed by Immunological and Proteomic Tools

The present study evaluates the effect of food processing on the antigenicity of pecan proteins as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, proteomic tools were used to identify potential pecan markers suitable for confirming the presence of pecan proteins in food and validating new methods developed to detect traces of the commodity. To assess the effects of processing on protein stability and antigenicity, pecan nuts were submitted to heat treatments and extracts were analysed by ELISA, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot. The ELISA method was able to detect pecan traces even after submitting the commodity to rigorous treatments, though these treatments affected the detectability to varying degrees. Proteomic assessment showed that the majority of pecan proteins were matched by homology to walnut proteins, which are more abundantly populated in the protein sequence databases. However, there were a few important exceptions: 7S vicilin, 11S legumin and putative allergen I1, unambiguously identified as pecan in origin. Interestingly, putative allergen I1 offered unique analytical advantages to be used as a pecan marker for validation and confirmation purposes.     

Addiction to altruism? Opponent-process theory and habitual blood donation.

Explores the possibility that one of undoubtedly several interacting motives behind commitment to regular blood donation is the development of an affective "addiction" to the behavior, based on initial anxiety, through the mechanisms postulated by opponent-process theory. Pre- and post-donation responses to 1,846 blood donation experiences were subjected to correlational and regression analyses. Support was found for the relevance of opponent-process theory to the development of positive affective responses to donation. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Binge drinking among female veterans affairs patients: Prevalence and associated risks.

This study evaluated the prevalence and associated risks of binge drinking, defined as having ≥4 drinks on an occasion in the past year, in a female patient population. Of 1,259 female Veterans Affairs patients surveyed, 780 reported drinking alcohol in the past year, and 305 (24% of respondents, 39% of drinkers) reported binge drinking in the past year; 84 (11% of drinkers) had done so monthly or more often. Age-adjusted logistic regression analyses indicated that women who reported past-year binge drinking monthly or more often reported significantly increased odds of morning drinking (odds ratio [OR]?=?40.3), others worrying about their drinking (OR?=?38.6), arguments after drinking (OR?=?13.5), hepatitis or cirrhosis (OR?=?3. 1), frequent injuries (OR?=?2.6), smoking (OR?=?3.7), drug use (OR?=?22.2), and multiple sexual partners (OR?=?4.6). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of a Competitive ELISA for the Detection of Pecan (Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch) Traces in Food

Pecan nuts are included among the so-called big-eight food allergens, which are responsible for 90% of food allergies. However, unlike other tree nuts such as Brazil nut and hazelnut, studies on pecan from the point of view of allergies are scarce, and only a few analytical methods to detect its presence in food have been published. The objective of the present study was to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to detect traces of pecan in foods. Therefore, pecan-specific polyclonal antibodies were developed in rabbits and characterized for their specificity to pecan proteins and for their selectivity in challenging studies with other food ingredients and allergens. In addition, the research was complemented with more specific analyses like sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to characterize the protein standard and western blot to identify the reactive proteins. By applying the selected conditions, the data were fitted to a four parameter logistic curve, which gave a R square of 0.999, and IC50 and IC80 values of 5.0 and 2.2 ng/mL, respectively. This highly sensitive method allows the detection of trace amounts of pecan protein within complex food matrices, which can provide the food industry with a useful tool to comply with the requirements enforced by regulatory agencies.     

A preliminary survey of organochlorine contaminants in Nigerian environment

Random samples of imported fish, vegetables, blood, mother's milk and urine have been screened for organochlorine pesticide residues. The main contaminants detected were DDT group (DDT, DDD and DDE), HCH complex and HCB. Some of the samples contained heptachlor epoxide and oxychlordane. Pentachlorophenol was determined in blood and urine samples.     

Personality characteristics of formerly depressed women.

Confirms and extends the implications of a study by J. H. Altman and J. R. Wittenborn (see record 1980-25740-001) that indicated that formerly depressed women now in remission described certain aspects of their personality in a manner different from that of comparable women who had no psychiatric history. Present Ss were 48 remitted depressives and 90 normal controls (average age 40 yrs). 15 items that had discriminated significantly in the Altman and Wittenborn study were included in the present inventory. When factor analyzed, the 43 items that distinguished between the 2 groups generated 5 factors identified as Unhappy Outlook, Narcissistic Vulnerability, Low Self-Esteem, Critical Mother, and Dependency-Fostering Father. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Antioxidant and In Vitro Wound Healing Activity of Cotyledon orbiculata Aqueous Extract and the Synthesized Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles

The synthesis of silver nanoparticles using biogenic methods, particularly plants, has led to the discovery of several effective nanoparticles. In many instances, plant-derived silver nanoparticles have been shown to have more activity than the plant extract which was used to synthesize the nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized using the medicinal plant, Cotyledon orbiculata. This is a shrub found in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine in the treatment of wounds and skin infections. The C. orbiculata synthesized silver nanoparticles (Cotyledon-AgNPs) were reported to have good antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities; however, their wound-healing properties have not been determined. This study aimed to determine the wound healing activity of Cotyledon-AgNPs using the scratch assay. Gene expression studies were also done to determine the nanoparticles’ mechanism of action. The Cotyledon-AgNPs showed good antioxidant, growth-promoting and cell migration properties. Gene expression studies showed that the C. orbiculata water extract and Cotyledon-AgNPs promoted wound healing by upregulating genes involved in cell proliferation, migration and growth while downregulating pro-inflammatory genes. This confirms, for the first time that a water extract of C. orbiculata and silver nanoparticles synthesized from this extract are good wound-healing agents.     

Adoption of children with special needs: A national perspective.

Describes the National Special Needs Adoption Initiative that works with states and local communities to promote the adoption of special-needs youngsters. Responsibility in this area by the US Department of Health and Human Services is mandated by Title II of Public Law 95-266 and by Public Law 96-272. The cooperative work in this effort by the media, national and local organizations, parent groups, voluntary agencies, and corporations is outlined. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)