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Terms modified by Fresh Selected AbstractsA LEXICON FOR TEXTURE AND FLAVOR CHARACTERISTICS OF FRESH AND PROCESSED TOMATOESJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 5 2008PAIRIN HONGSOONGNERN ABSTRACT A lexicon for describing the sensory flavor and texture characteristics of fresh and processed tomatoes was developed. A six-member highly trained, descriptive sensory panel identified, defined and referenced 33 sensory attributes for fresh and processed tomatoes. Forty products including a variety of raw, canned, concentrated and dried tomatoes, as well as tomato-based products including ketchup and simple pasta sauce, were evaluated in the study. These products represented a wide range of sensory characteristics in raw and processed tomatoes. The lexicon established included 5 aroma attributes, 10 texture attributes and 18 flavor attributes including 6 taste and mouthfeel attributes. The lexicon provides attribute descriptors, definitions and references that often are lacking in previous literature. Reducing the number of attributes may be appropriate when testing specific tomato products. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Increased consumption of tomato products has expanded interest in improving the sensory characteristics of tomatoes and subsequent products. This research provides a list of sensory flavor and texture terms that can be used to describe the sensory characteristics of both fresh and processed tomatoes. This information will help researchers, breeders and processors better understand the flavor and texture properties of fresh and processed tomatoes, and the tomato characteristics of tomato products. Taste attributes, often used in previous literature, are important but are not enough to describe the characteristics of tomatoes. In addition to flavor attributes, aroma and texture properties are important for describing tomato characteristics but have not been thoroughly established in previous research. [source] INCREASING WATER SUPPLY BY MIXING OF FRESH AND SALINE GROUND WATERS,JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 5 2003Zekai Sen ABSTRACT: The quality of ground water in any aquifer takes its final form due to natural mixture of waters, which may originate from different sources. Water quality varies from one aquifer to another and even within the same aquifer itself. Different ground water quality is obtained from wells and is mixed in a common reservoir prior to any consumption. This artificial mixing enables an increase in available ground water of a desired quality for agricultural or residential purposes. The question remains as to what proportions of water from different wells should be mixed together to achieve a desired water quality for this artificial mixture. Two sets of laboratory experiments were carried out, namely, the addition of saline water to a fixed volume of fresh water. After each addition, the mixture volume and the electric conductivity value of the artificially mixed water were recorded. The experiments were carried out under the same laboratory temperature of 20°C. A standard curve was developed first experimentally and then confirmed theoretically. This curve is useful in determining either the volume or discharge ratio from two wells to achieve a predetermined electrical conductivity value of the artificial mixture. The application of the curve is given for two wells within the Quaternary deposits in the western part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [source] DONATING FRESH VERSUS FROZEN EMBRYOS TO STEM CELL RESEARCH: IN WHOSE INTERESTS?BIOETHICS, Issue 9 2007CAROLYN MCLEOD ABSTRACT Some stem cell researchers believe that it is easier to derive human embryonic stem cells from fresh rather than frozen embryos and they have had in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinicians invite their infertility patients to donate their fresh embryos for research use. These embryos include those that are deemed ,suitable for transfer' (i.e. to the woman's uterus) and those deemed unsuitable in this regard. This paper focuses on fresh embryos deemed suitable for transfer , hereafter ,fresh embryos', which IVF patients have good reason not to donate. We explain why donating them to research is not in the self-interests specifically of female IVF patients. Next, we consider the other-regarding interests of these patients and conclude that while fresh embryo donation may serve those interests, it does so at unnecessary cost to patients' self-interests. Lastly, we review some of the potential barriers to the autonomous donation of fresh embryos to research and highlight the risk that female IVF patients invited to donate these embryos will misunderstand key aspects of the donation decision, be coerced to donate, or be exploited in the consent process. On the basis of our analysis, we conclude that patients should not be asked to donate their fresh embryos to stem cell research. [source] The Impacts of Supermarket Procurement on Farming Communities in India: Evidence from Rural KarnatakaDEVELOPMENT POLICY REVIEW, Issue 4 2010Bill Pritchard The rapid expansion of supermarket retailing, with its impact on farmer communities, represents a contentious part of India's recent economic development. This article reports on three districts of Karnataka, where a survey of 78 farmers supplying fruits and vegetables to Reliance Fresh, a leading supermarket chain, reveals low levels of vertical co-ordination, a lack of written contracts, and highly competitive environments, with the quality parameters used by supermarkets specifying only a limited set of conditions. These findings suggest that supermarket-led restructuring in India has not yet reached a stable institutional situation. [source] "Anomalous Fresh Water Lens Morphology on a Strip Barrier Island" by C. Ruppel, G. Schultz, and S. Kruse, November-December 2000 issue, v. 38, no. 6: 872,881.GROUND WATER, Issue 6 2001William P. Anderson Jr. No abstract is available for this article. [source] Effect of PUVA, narrow-band UVB and cyclosporin on inflammatory cells of the psoriatic plaqueJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Gul Erkin Background:, Because antigen presenting is necessary for T-cell activation, antigen-presenting cells should be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. In this study, our purpose was to evaluate and compare effects of PUVA, cyclosporine A and narrow-band UVB on dendritic cells and activated lymphocytes in the psoriatic lesions. Methods:, Forty-five volunteered patients (15 patients in each treatment group as PUVA, cyclosporin A and narrow-band UVB) were enrolled in this study. Lesional skin biopsies were taken from each patient before and after treatments. Fresh frozen biopsies were studied for the expressions of CD1a, CD68, CD86, CD4, CD8 and HLA-DR proteins by immunohistochemistry. Results:, There was no correlation between severity of the lesions and expressions of the antigens. Only PUVA significantly decreased CD1a+ epidermal Langerhans cells' (LCs) counts. Treatment modalities decreased expression of costimulator CD86, and most of them decrease antigen-presenting capacity of skin by decreasing HLA class-II expression. Conclusions:, All treatment modalities equally reduce lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. PUVA is the only treatment that decreases epidermal LCs. All treatments effectively diminish expression of CD86 and inhibit this step of inflammation. [source] OCCURRENCE OF HEMOLYSIN-PRODUCING AEROMONADS IN MEAT AND OFFAL SOLD IN PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIAJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2005E.N. AMADI ABSTRACT Fresh, different meat types and offal were examined for the occurrence of Aeromonas species by the direct-plating and enrichment methods. The enrichment method (coefficient of variation = 15.1%) enhanced the recovery of Aeromonas species. The major Aeromonas species identified were A. sobria (67.3%) and A. hydrophila (21.2%). Other species occurred in minor proportions and were A. caviae, A. proteolytica and A. salmonicida. Out of the 52 isolates, 50 were motile species except two which were not motile and identified as the species A. proteolytica. Sixteen motile species occurred in cow, 18 in goat and 16 in lamb. The motile species and the two nonmotile species were hemolytic. They were all sensitive to chloramphenicol (30 mg) and resistant to ampicillin (10 mg). The nonmotile A. proteolytica were all resistant to tetracycline. Aeromonas caviae, A. salmonicida, A. hydrophila and A. sobria were killed after exposure to 50C (decimal reduction time, D10 = 30 s). Aeromonads are unlikely to pose a public health problem in Nigeria where meat undergoes prolonged cooking. Meat is a possible factor in the epidemiology of Aeromonas -associated gastroenteritis in man. [source] Effect of Maturity Stages and Drying Methods on the Retention of Selected Nutrients and Phytochemicals in Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) LeafJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2009Min Zhang ABSTRACT:, The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutrient and phytochemical composition of bitter melon leaves under varying maturity levels and drying techniques. Fresh, oven-dried, and freeze-dried leaves were evaluated over 3 maturity stages. In fresh leaves at various stages, crude fat, crude protein, and soluble dietary fiber contents ranged from 4.2% to 13.6%, 6.4% to 23.1%, and 0.04% to 3.50% on dry-weight basis, respectively. The contents of K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn ranged from 1850.8 to 2811.8, 837.4 to 4978.2, 317.3 to 512.4, 8.4 to 16.7, and 4.1 to 5.9 mg/100 g dry-weight basis, respectively. Vitamin C, ,-carotene, and lutein contents ranged from 397.4 to 1275.1, 154.2 to 422.8, and 737.6 to 1304.6 ,g/g dry-weight basis. The major flavonoids and phenolic acids were rutin, gentistic acid, and,o -coumaric acid, which ranged from 7.57 to 12.75, 2.53 to 10.11, and 4.24 to 9.75 mg/g dry-weight basis, respectively. In oven-dried samples, 40.2% to 52.3% of vitamin C, 35.4% to 55.4% of ,-carotene, 25.6% to 71.6% of lutein, 26.4% to 84.0% of rutin, trace to 11.4% of gentistic acid, and 7.4% to 46.6% of,o -coumaric acid were retained, while the retainment ratios of these components in freeze-dried samples were 84.7% to 99.0%, 76.4% to 99.3%, 90.4% to 96.1%, 39.8% to 99.3%, 24.1% to 68.4%, and 75.8% to 87.0%, respectively. The data showed that freeze-drying better preserves the nutrient and phytochemical quality of bitter melon leaves in comparison to oven-drying. Bitter melon leaf is a rich source of selected nutrients and phytochemicals. [source] In vitro starch digestibility of fresh and sun-dried faba beans (Vicia faba L.)JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 8 2007Luis A Bello-Pérez Abstract Fresh and sun-dried faba beans (Vicia faba L.) were cooked, stored for various times at 4 °C and analysed for available starch (AS), resistant starch (RS) and fibre-associated resistant starch (FARS) contents as well as ,-amylolysis. Fresh beans required a shorter cooking time (25 min) than dried beans (158 min). Cooked fresh faba beans had a higher AS content than cooked dried faba beans. The AS content in both decreased during cold storage, with fresh beans showing a smaller decrease than dried beans with increasing storage time. Cooked fresh faba beans also had a higher total RS content than cooked dried faba beans, although a greater increase in RS content was recorded in the latter upon storage. Starch retrogradation was more prominent in cooked dried faba beans than in cooked fresh faba beans, as indicated by the consistently higher FARS content. The ,-amylolysis rate decreased with increasing storage time, i.e. long-stored (72 h) cooked faba beans exhibited slower starch digestion, and differences were recorded between fresh and dried beans. The predicted glycaemic index ranged between 60.9 and 58.0% for cooked fresh faba beans and between 57.9 and 55.8% for cooked dried faba beans, which is suggestive of slow glucose release from starch in faba beans. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Fresh frozen cadavers for percutaneous liver biopsy trainingMEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 5 2007David H Bruining No abstract is available for this article. [source] Morphological changes in mouse embryos cryopreserved by different techniquesMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 4 2007A.R.S. Coutinho Abstract Cryopreservation of mammalian embryos is an important tool for the application of reproductive biotechnologies. Subjective evaluation to determine embryo viability is often used. The determination of the best cryopreservation protocol depends on morphological and molecular analysis of cellular injuries. The main objective of this study was to compare two methods of cryopreservation by assessing morphological alterations of frozen embryos using light, fluorescence, and transmission electron microscope. Fresh (control), slow frozen, and vitrified mouse embryos were composed. To evaluate the viability of the embryos, the cell membrane integrity was assessed using Hoechst33342 and propidium iodide (H/PI) staining. Morphological analyses using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were performed to test different techniques (in situ, paraffin, and historesin) by both light and fluorescence microscopy. Transmission electron microscope was used to detect ultrastructural alterations in Spurr- and Araldite-embedded samples. H/PI staining detected more membrane permeability in the vitrification (69.8%) than in the slow freezing (48.4%) or control (13.8%) groups (P < 0.001). Historesin-embedded samples showed to be more suitable for morphological analyses because cellular structures were better identified. Nuclear evaluation in historesin sections showed the induction of pycnosis in slow freezing and vitrification groups. Cytoplasm evaluation revealed a condensation and an increase in eosinophilic intensity (indicating apoptosis) in the slow freezing group, and weakly eosinophilic structures and degenerated cells (indicating oncosis) in the vitrification group (P < 0.05). Ultrastructural analyses confirmed HE morphological findings. It was concluded that both cryopreservation techniques resulted in oncosis and apoptosis injuries. However, vitrification caused more severe cellular alterations and reduced embryonic viability compared to slow freezing. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Determination of sex and scrapie resistance genotype in preimplantation ovine embryosMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2009Florence Guignot Abstract The aim of this study was to test the accuracy of genotype diagnosis after pre-amplification of DNA extracted from biopsies obtained by microblade cutting of ovine embryos and to evaluate the viability of biopsied embryos after vitrification/warming and transfer to recipients. Sex and PrP genotypes were determined. Sex diagnosis was done by PCR amplification of ZFX/ZFY and SRY sequences after PEP-PCR while PrP genotype determination was performed after specific pre-amplification of specific target including codons 136, 154 and 171. Embryos were collected at Day 7 after oestrus. Blastocysts and expanded blastocysts were biopsied immediately after collection whereas compacted morulae were biopsied after 24 hr of in vitro culture. Eighty-nine biopsied embryos were frozen by vitrification. Fresh and vitrified whole embryos were kept as control. DNA of biopsies was extracted and pre-amplified. Sex diagnosis was efficient for 96.6% of biopsies and PrP genotyping was determined in 95.8% of codons. After embryo transfer, no significant difference was observed in lambing rate between biopsied, vitrified control and fresh embryos (54.5%, 60% and 66.6%, respectively). Embryo survival rate was not different between biopsied and whole vitrified embryos (P,=,0.38). At birth, 96.7% of diagnosed sex and 95.4% of predetermined codons were correct. Lamb PrP profiles were in agreement with parental genotype. PEP-PCR coupled with sex diagnosis and nested PCR coupled with PrP genotype predetermination are very accurate techniques to genotype ovine embryo before transfer. These original results allow planning of selection of resistant genotype to scrapie and sex of offspring before transfer of cryopreserved embryo. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 183,190, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Long-term survival of a child with homozygous protein C deficiency successfully treated with living donor liver transplantationPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2009Mee Jeong Lee Abstract:, Homozygous protein C deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder often presenting with purpura fulminans. Fresh frozen plasma and oral anticoagulation have been used in the treatment of this disease. Lately, protein C concentrate has become the treatment of choice. However, protein C concentrate is not yet widely available in many countries. We report a six-month-old girl with homozygous protein C deficiency who had suffered from frequent thrombotic episodes. She was successfully treated with living donor liver transplantation. Eight years after the transplantation, she remains symptom free. As described here, the liver transplantation offers an alternative curative treatment for children with homozygous protein C deficiency. [source] Temperature and frequency investigations of the electrical parameters in the TGS ferroelectric transitionPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 5 2010Ciceron Berbecaru Abstract Pure and D: alanina doped triglycin sulphate (TGS) crystals were grown from aqueous solutions. Fresh cleaved, polished and silver paste painted samples were temperature and frequency investigated. Pure crystals show nonreproducible values of the permittivity and dielectric loss crossing up and down the Curie point. More stable and much lower values of the permittivity and dielectric loss could be noticed for D: alanina doped crystals. Permittivity and loss values show different frequencies behavior related to polar or nonpolar state of crystals. Frequency dependence of permittivity and loss behavior could be related to the general picture of relaxation of different polarization mechanisms and their contributions to permittivity and loss values for dielectric materials. Much smaller and stable values of permittivity and loss, vs. temperature and frequency, were found for doped crystals. Experimental results point out for a more stable structure with dipoles mobility decreased of doped vs. pure TGS crystals. Thus, higher figure of merit of doped TGS crystals point to a major advantage for technical applications (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Flow Cytometric Sorting of Fresh and Frozen-Thawed Spermatozoa in the Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2005J.K. O'Brien Abstract We adapted flow cytometry technology for high-purity sorting of X chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Our objectives were to develop methodologies for liquid storage of semen prior to sorting, sorting of liquid-stored and frozen-thawed spermatozoa, and assessment of sorting accuracy. In study 1, the in vitro sperm characteristics of gorilla ejaculates from one male were unchanged (P>0.05) after 8 hr of liquid storage at 15°C in a non-egg yolk diluent (HEPES-buffered modified Tyrode's medium). In study 2, we examined the efficacy of sorting fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa using human spermatozoa as a model for gorilla spermatozoa. Ejaculates from one male were split into fresh and frozen aliquots. X-enriched samples derived from both fresh and frozen-thawed human semen were of high purity, as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH; 90.7%±2.3%, overall), and contained a high proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa (86.0%±1.0%, overall). In study 3, we processed liquid-stored semen from two gorillas for sorting using a modification of methods for human spermatozoa. The sort rate for enrichment of X-bearing spermatozoa was 7.3±2.5 spermatozoa per second. The X-enriched samples were of high purity (single-sperm PCR: 83.7%) and normal morphology (79.0%±3.9%). In study 4 we examined frozen-thawed gorilla semen, and the sort rate (8.3±2.9 X-bearing sperm/sec), purity (89.7%), and normal morphology (81.4%±3.4%) were comparable to those of liquid-stored semen. Depending on the male and the type of sample used (fresh or frozen-thawed), 0.8,2.2% of gorilla spermatozoa in the processed ejaculate were present in the X-enriched sample. These results demonstrate that fresh or frozen-thawed gorilla spermatozoa can be flow cytometrically sorted into samples enriched for X-bearing spermatozoa. Am. J. Primatol. 66:297,315, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Liver distribution of ,,-T-cells in patients with chronic hepatitis of different etiologyAPMIS, Issue 11 2009HANS-UDO KASPER The ,, T cells represent a minor unique T-cell subpopulation long been considered as innate-like immune cells. They are found in increased numbers in tissues from various inflammatory conditions. Their role in chronic hepatitis, however, is still discussed controversially. Fresh frozen tissues from 50 patients (18 cases hepatitis B infection, 25 hepatitis C, three cases with co-infection of hepatitis B and C and four patients with autoimmune hepatitis) were investigated. Immunohistochemistry with primary antibodies detecting ,, and ,, TCR was used to evaluate their incidence and distribution in the different histological structures of the liver. The inflammatory infiltrate in all cases of chronic hepatitis was dominated by ,, T cells and was mainly localized in the portal tracts with formation of an interface hepatitis (95.3%,, T cells; 4.7%,, T cells). There were neither significant differences between inflammatory infiltrate nor the amount or percentage of ,, T cells between hepatitis B, C or autoimmune hepatitis. No accumulation of ,, T cells could be observed in cases of chronic hepatitis of different etiologies. The immune-mediated phenomena in chronic hepatitis are dominated by ,, T cells. Thus, the adapted immune system is responsible for the inflammatory processes in chronic hepatitis. [source] In vitro spontaneous osteoclastogenesis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells is not crucially dependent on T lymphocytes,ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 4 2009Bernard Vandooren Objective In vitro spontaneous osteoclastogenesis from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is increased in diseases with excessive bone loss. The purpose of this study was to reassess the role of T lymphocytes in this process. Methods Fresh or cryopreserved PBMCs obtained from healthy subjects and from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and non-psoriatic spondylarthritis were cultured at high density and stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). Resorption of mineralized matrix was assessed by a dentin disc assay. CD14+ monocytes and CD3+ T cells were selected using magnetically labeled antibodies. Results Numerous multinucleated, TRAP+, dentin-resorbing osteoclasts developed spontaneously from fresh PBMCs from healthy individuals. This process was abrogated by T cell depletion and was restored by exogenous macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and RANKL, indicating the important role of T cells in spontaneous osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Using physiologic freezing and thawing as a model for the activation of PBMCs, spontaneous osteoclastogenesis was significantly increased in cryopreserved versus fresh cells. Under these conditions, spontaneous osteoclastogenesis was not dependent on T lymphocytes, since it was not influenced by T cell depletion and persisted in purified CD14+ cell cultures supplemented with M-CSF and RANKL. In contrast to studies with fresh PBMCs, spontaneous osteoclastogenesis under these conditions did not appear to be clearly different between healthy subjects and patients with arthritis. Conclusion Spontaneous osteoclastogenesis in vitro is dependent on T lymphocytes or on the direct activation of monocytic cells, depending on the test conditions. This variability warrants better validation of the relevance of this functional test for in vivo osteoclastogenesis. [source] Time-related Histopathologic Changes in Fresh Frozen Carotid Xenografts in a Pig-to-Goat Implantation ModelARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 10 2009Ji M. Chang Abstract We performed an animal experiment with an emphasis on time-related histopathologic changes to evaluate the clinical feasibility of immunologically nontreated xenogenic vascular grafts. Bilateral porcine carotid arteries were harvested, and then, after short-term freezing at ,70°C, interposed into goats' carotid arteries. An antiplatelet agent was administered orally for 3 months postoperatively. The goats were randomly assigned to five periods of observation (1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation); two animals were observed at each of these times. Doppler ultrasonography was performed periodically during the observation period. At predetermined times, grafts were explanted and examined using hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson's trichrome stains. Immunohistochemical evaluations were conducted with T-lymphocyte indicator and von Willebrand factor. Two goats died prematurely, one from respiratory problems related to anesthesia and the other from pneumonia. A total of 16 grafts from the remaining eight animals were evaluated. Grafts were all patent except one at 3 months after transplantation. Histologically, xenogenic arterial grafts showed early endothelial cell loss at 1 week. This was followed by a progressive spread of recipient endothelial cells from the anastomotic site, and re-endothelialization was complete at 1 month. The degree of neointimal and medial thickening increased until 3 months, and then decreased. At 12 months, no additional growth of the intimal or medial layers was observed. Adventitial inflammation became severe at 3 months, but was reduced at 6,12 months. The proportions of CD3-positive T-lymphocytes among inflammatory cell infiltrations were very low. Fresh frozen xenogenic arterial grafts showed acceptable patency throughout the 12-month period and showed no evidence of being unduly influenced by rejection reactions. [source] 3134: Identification of potential human corneal endothelial stem-like cell nichesACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010G THURET Purpose to study the localization of potential stem-(like) cells in human adult corneal endothelium Methods Fresh (6-12h post mortem) and organ cultured (OC) corneas were studied after flat mount. The whole endothelium and posterior limbus (PL) was observed after triple staining with Trypan blue, Alizarin red and Hoechst 33342, in order to determine cells shape, localization and viability. The level of endothelial cell (EC) differenciation was determined after immunostaining (fluorescence) for ZO-1, Na+/K+ ATPase and COX IV; the cell proliferation status was assessed using Ki67; four markers for stem cells were used: Oct-4, BCRP, Nestin and Telomerase; ability for cell migration was evaluated from Myosin IIA expression Results In several corneas, the nuclei of peripheral EC were centripetally aligned suggesting continuous slow central migration. Numerous small cells with a reduced expression of differenciation markers were accumulated near peripheral Hassall Henle bodies. In these potential niches, cells were distributed in 3-5 layers. A high expression of Myosin II was found in peripheral cells. Ki67+ cells were found in PL and peripheral EC only after OC. None of the 4 stem cell markers was found in EC, and their expression in PL was poorly reliable because of high background noise. Numerous trypan blue positive cells were located at the PL and in the extreme periphery of endothelium Conclusion several strong arguments suggest the location of corneal endothelial stem-like cell niches in endothelial periphery or in the PL, and the capacity of EC to migrate from these niches toward the centre. Trypan blue staining pattern suggests that they could rapidly die in ex vivo corneas, and be therefore hard to indentify [source] Developmental biology of the dendritic cell systemACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2002KR Schibler Aim: To determine whether an imbalance of dendritic cell subsets might contribute to diminished adaptive host responses observed in newborn infants. It was hypothesized that the proportion of lymphoid dendritic cells would be greater than that of myeloid dendritic cells in cord blood. Methods: To investigate this, dendritic cell subsets were evaluated in whole cord blood by flow cytometry. Circulating dendritic cells were also isolated from cord blood based on CD1c and BDCA-2 expression. Myeloid dendritic cells were also obtained by culturing cord and adult blood monocytes. Surface phenotypes of these cells were determined by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies directed against lineage, major histocompatibility, adhesion, co-stimulation and cytokine receptor molecules. Antigen-presenting functions of dendritic cell subsets were determined by mixed leukocyte reactions. Results: Circulating myeloid dendritic cells were higher in cord blood than previously reported in adult blood, whereas lymphoid dendritic cell numbers were similar between cord and adult blood. Expression of CD11c, CD45RA and CD45RO did not accurately differentiate between dendritic cell subsets circulating in cord blood. Fresh and culture-derived cord blood myeloid dendritic cells stimulated adult allogeneic leukocyte proliferation, while lymphoid dendritic cells were less effective inducers of an adult allogeneic leukocyte response. Culture-derived dendritic cells induced modest autologous cord blood leukocyte proliferation, but freshly isolated myeloid and lymphoid dendritic cells did not stimulated autologous leukocytes. Conclusion: Contrary to the hypothesis, an imbalance in the ratio of circulating myeloid to lymphoid dendritic cell subsets does not exist and, therefore, does not contribute to diminished adaptive immune responses in newborn infants. [source] Innovations in the Development and Application of Edible Coatings for Fresh and Minimally Processed Fruits and VegetablesCOMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2007Daniel Lin ABSTRACT:, One of the major growth segments in the food retail industry is fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables. This new market trend has thus increased the demands to the food industry for seeking new strategies to increase storability and shelf life and to enhance microbial safety of fresh produce. The technology of edible coatings has been considered as one of the potential approaches for meeting this demand. Edible coatings from renewable sources, including lipids, polysaccharides, and proteins, can function as barriers to water vapor, gases, and other solutes and also as carriers of many functional ingredients, such as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, thus enhancing quality and extending shelf life of fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables. This review discusses the rationale of using edible coatings on fresh and minimally processed produce, the challenges in developing effective coatings that meet the specific criteria of fruits and vegetables, the recent advances in the development of coating technology, the analytical techniques for measuring some important coating functionalities, and future research needs for supporting a broad range of commercial applications. [source] Erythema multiforme-like generalized allergic contact dermatitis caused by Alpinia galangaCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 2 2006Song Jen Hong This study reports a case of localized contact dermatitis and subsequently generalized erythema multiforme-like eruptions after topical application of herbal remedies. Patch tests showed there was an allergen in fresh and dried Alpinia galanga, which is also a popular spice in Southeast Asian cuisines. [source] Variable-field relaxometry of iron-containing human tissues: a preliminary studyCONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING, Issue 4 2009Aline Hocq Abstract Excess iron is found in brain nuclei from neurodegenerative patients (with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases) and also in the liver and spleen of cirrhosis, hemochromatosis and thalassaemia patients. Ferritin, the iron-storing protein of mammals, is known to darken T2 -weighted MR images. Understanding NMR tissue behavior may make it possible to detect those diseases, to follow their evolution and finally to establish a protocol for non-invasive measurement of an organ's iron content using MRI methods. In this preliminary work, the MR relaxation properties of embalmed iron-containing tissues were studied as well as their potential correlation with the iron content of these tissues. Relaxometric measurements (T1 and T2) of embalmed samples of brain nuclei (caudate nucleus, dentate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, red nucleus and substantia nigra), liver and spleen from six donors were made at different magnetic fields (0.00023,14 T). The influence of the inter-echo time on transverse relaxation was also studied. Moreover, iron content of tissues was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. In brain nuclei, 1/T2 increases quadratically with the field and depends on the inter-echo time in CPMG sequences at high fields, both features compatible with an outer sphere relaxation theory. In liver and spleen, 1/T2 increases linearly with the field and depends on the inter-echo time at all fields. In our study, a correlation between 1/T2 and iron concentration is observed. Explaining the relaxation mechanism for these tissues is likely to require a combination of several models. The value of 1/T2 at high field could be used to evaluate iron accumulation in vivo. In the future, confirmation of those features is expected to be achieved from measurements of fresh (not embalmed) human tissues. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Validated protocol for FoxP3 reveals increased expression in type 1 diabetes patients,CYTOMETRY, Issue 2 2009Jean Grant Abstract Background FoxP3 has become a key identifier of regulatory T cells. Investigators have used a variety of antibodies and methods for detecting FoxP3 by flow cytometry. To standardize FoxP3 antibody staining for use in clinical trial samples, we tested various antibodies from different vendors, cell preparation protocols and fix/perm reagents, and cell isolation procedures. Using this optimized staining protocol, we evaluated clinical specimens from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) or type 1 diabetes. Methods FoxP3 antibodies from eBioscience (236A/E7 and PCH101) and BioLegend (206D) were evaluated along with their respective methods and fix/perm reagents for preparation and staining of FoxP3 for flow cytometry. Fresh washed blood and frozen or fresh PBMC were evaluated. Upon optimization of the protocol, clinical samples (frozen PBMC) from patients with MS or type 1 diabetes and healthy control donors were evaluated with the BioLegend antibody. Results Clone 206D from BioLegend yielded optimal staining and the fix/perm reagents from both eBioscience and BioLegend were comparable. Data were also comparable between cells separated by Ficoll (fresh or frozen) and washed blood samples, allowing this protocol to be applicable to different types of samples. We validated this protocol using clinical samples and saw a significant increase in FoxP3 expression in the patients with type 1 diabetes but not in the MS. Conclusions The results from this study will allow the assessment of FoxP3 by flow cytometry on samples from clinical sites that are analyzed in real time on fresh blood or frozen PBMC. © 2008 Clinical Cytometry Society [source] Retinoids and Wound HealingDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 10 2006MARK ABDELMALEK MD BACKGROUND Retinoids are widely used in dermatology and may play a role in wound healing. The exact role of retinoids in wounds is confusing and controversial, however. Systemic retinoids are presumed to be detrimental to wound healing; however, this standard is based on isolated reports. OBJECTIVE The objective was to provide a critical review of the available literature regarding the role of both topical and systemic retinoids in various aspects of wound healing. CONCLUSIONS Pretreatment with retinoids likely promotes wound healing after facial resurfacing procedures and full- or partial-thickness wounds. While the evidence is mixed regarding the effects of retinoids applied to fresh and healing wounds, the majority of the evidence available shows favorable wound-healing properties in this setting. The medical,legal standard regarding the avoidance of facial resurfacing and surgical procedures in patients on or recently completing a course of systemic retinoids was likely prematurely established. [source] Elevation of gene expression for salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone in discrete brain loci of prespawning chum salmon during upstream migrationDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Takeshi Onuma Abstract Our previous studies suggested that salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) neurons regulate both final maturation and migratory behavior in homing salmonids. Activation of sGnRH neurons can occur during upstream migration. We therefore examined expression of genes encoding the precursors of sGnRH, sGnRH-I, and sGnRH-II, in discrete forebrain loci of prespawning chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta. Fish were captured from 1997 through 1999 along their homing pathway: coastal areas, a midway of the river, 4 km downstream of the natal hatchery, and the hatchery. Amounts of sGnRH mRNAs in fresh frozen sections including the olfactory bulb (OB), terminal nerve (TN), ventral telencephalon (VT), nucleus preopticus parvocellularis anterioris (PPa), and nucleus preopticus magnocellularis (PM) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions. The amounts of sGnRH-II mRNA were higher than those of sGnRH-I mRNA, while they showed similar changes during upstream migration. In the OB and TN, the amounts of sGnRH mRNAs elevated from the coast to the natal hatchery. In the VT and PPa, they elevated along with the progress of final maturation. Such elevation was also observed in the rostroventral, middle, and dorsocaudal parts of the PM. The amounts of gonadotropin II, and somatolactin mRNAs in the pituitary also increased consistently with the elevation of gene expression for sGnRH. These results, in combination with lines of previous evidence, indicate that sGnRH neurons are activated in almost all the forebrain loci during the last phases of spawning migration, resulting in coordination of final gonadal maturation and migratory behavior to the spawning ground. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2005 [source] The measurement and modelling of rill erosion at angle of repose slopes in mine spoilEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 7 2008G. R. Hancock Abstract The process of rill erosion causes significant amounts of sediment to be moved in both undisturbed and disturbed environments and can be a significant issue for agriculture as well as mining lands. Rills also often develop very quickly (from a single rainfall event to a season) and can develop into gullies if sufficient runoff is available to continue their development. This study examines the ability of a terrestrial laser scanner to quantify rills that have developed on fresh and homogeneous mine spoil on an angle of repose slope. It also examines the ability of the SIBERIA erosion model to simulate the rill's spatial and temporal behaviour. While there has been considerable work done examining rill erosion on rehabilitated mine sites and agricultural fields, little work has been done to examine rill development at angle of repose sites. Results show that while the overall hillslope morphology was captured by the laser scanner, with the morphology of the rills being broadly captured, the characteristics of the rills were not well defined. The digital elevation model created by the laser scanner failed to capture the rill thalwegs and tops of the banks, therefore delineating a series of ill defined longitudinal downslope depressions. These results demonstrate that an even greater density of points is needed to capture sufficient rill morphology. Nevertheless, SIBERIA simulations of the hillslope demonstrated that the model was able to capture rill behaviour in both space and time when correct model parameters were used. This result provides confidence in the SIBERIA model and its parameterization. The results demonstrate the sensitivity of the model to changes in parameters and the importance of the calibration process. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L., brown trout Salmo trutta L. and Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.): a review of aspects of their life historiesECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 1 2003A. Klemetsen Abstract ,,,Among the species in the family Salmonidae, those represented by the genera Salmo, Salvelinus, and Oncorhynchus (subfamily Salmoninae) are the most studied. Here, various aspects of phenotypic and life-history variation of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L., brown trout Salmo trutta L., and Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.) are reviewed. While many strategies and tactics are commonly used by these species, there are also differences in their ecology and population dynamics that result in a variety of interesting and diverse topics that are challenging for future research. Atlantic salmon display considerable phenotypic plasticity and variability in life-history characters ranging from fully freshwater resident forms, where females can mature at approximately 10 cm in length, to anadromous populations characterised by 3,5 sea-winter (5SW) salmon. Even within simple 1SW populations, 20 or more spawning life-history types can be identified. Juveniles in freshwater can use both fluvial and lacustrine habitats for rearing, and while most smolts migrate to sea during the spring, fall migrations occur in some populations. At sea, some salmon undertake extensive oceanic migrations while other populations stay within the geographical confines of areas such as the Baltic Sea. At the other extreme are those that reside in estuaries and return to freshwater to spawn after spending only a few months at sea. The review of information on the diversity of life-history forms is related to conservation aspects associated with Atlantic salmon populations and current trends in abundance and survival. Brown trout is indigenous to Europe, North Africa and western Asia, but was introduced into at least 24 countries outside Europe and now has a world-wide distribution. It exploits both fresh and salt waters for feeding and spawning (brackish), and populations are often partially migratory. One part of the population leaves and feeds elsewhere, while another part stays as residents. In large, complex systems, the species is polymorphic with different size morphs in the various parts of the habitat. Brown trout feed close to the surface and near shore, but large individuals may move far offshore. The species exhibits ontogenetic niche shifts partly related to size and partly to developmental rate. They switch when the amount of surplus energy available for growth becomes small with fast growers being younger and smaller fish than slow growers. Brown trout is an opportunistic carnivore, but individuals specialise at least temporarily on particular food items; insect larvae are important for the young in streams, while littoral epibenthos in lakes and fish are most important for large trout. The sexes differ in resource use and size. Females are more inclined than males to become migratory and feed in pelagic waters. Males exploit running water, near-shore and surface waters more than females. Therefore, females feed more on zooplankton and exhibit a more uniform phenotype than males. The Arctic charr is the northernmost freshwater fish on earth, with a circumpolar distribution in the Holarctic that matches the last glaciation. Recent mtDNA studies indicate that there are five phylogeographic lineages (Atlantic, Arctic, Bering, Siberian and Acadian) that may be of Pleistocene origin. Phenotypic expression and ecology are more variable in charr than in most fish. Weights at maturation range from 3 g to 12 kg. Population differences in morphology and coloration are large and can have some genetic basis. Charr live in streams, at sea and in all habitats of oligotrophic lakes, including very deep areas. Ontogenetic habitat shifts between lacustrine habitats are common. The charr feed on all major prey types of streams, lakes and near-shore marine habitats, but has high niche flexibility in competition. Cannibalism is expressed in several cases, and can be important for developing and maintaining bimodal size distributions. Anadromy is found in the northern part of its range and involves about 40, but sometimes more days in the sea. All charr overwinter in freshwater. Partial migration is common, but the degree of anadromy varies greatly among populations. The food at sea includes zooplankton and pelagic fish, but also epibenthos. Polymorphism and sympatric morphs are much studied. As a prominent fish of glaciated lakes, charr is an important species for studying ecological speciation by the combination of field studies and experiments, particularly in the fields of morphometric heterochrony and comparative behaviour. [source] Identification of shrimp species in raw and processed food products by means of a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method targeted to cytochrome b mitochondrial sequencesELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 15 2008Ananías Pascoal Abstract A novel PCR-RFLP method has been developed for the identification of six commercially relevant penaeid shrimp species in raw and processed food products. The method can be completed within 8,h. To implement the method, PCR amplification with the crustF/crustR primers, targeted to the amplification of a ca. 181,bp region of the cytochrome b (cytb) mitochondrial gene in penaeid shrimps, was coupled to restriction analysis with CviJI, DdeI and NlaIV. The method was also applied successfully to the identification of shrimp species in complex processed foods, including this type of shellfish as an added-value food ingredient. The small size of this molecular target facilitates amplification from fresh, frozen, or precooked samples, where DNA fragmentation may be relevant and fragment size critical. We also report the first cytb mitochondrial sequences described to date for the species Farfantepenaeus notialis, Parapenaeus longirostris and Pleoticus muelleri, and these nearly triplicate current knowledge of reference nucleotide sequences in this mitochondrial region for this group of species. The cytb mitochondrial gene may also be considered as a molecular marker for identification and phylogenetic purposes in penaeid shrimp species. [source] Best host-plant attribute for species,area relationship, and effects of shade, conspecific distance and plant phenophase in an arthropod community within the grass Muhlenbergia robustaENTOMOLOGICAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010Víctor LÓPEZ-GÓMEZ Abstract Increased understanding of the species,area relationship (SAR) can improve its usefulness as a tool for prediction of species loss for biodiversity conservation targets. This study was conducted: (i) to determine the best plant attribute for the SAR in the community of arthropods living within the grass Muhlenbergia robusta; (ii) to determine the contribution of phenophases of plant foliage (dry and fresh), shade and conspecific distance to the variation in arthropod richness within the plant; (iii) to determine the best functional model of changes in the abundance, diversity and biomass in communities of arthropods in response to increases in plant size; (iv) to determine the best host-plant attribute for prediction of these community attributes; and (v) to determine the effect of the plant phenophase, shade and M. robusta isolation on the abundance, diversity and biomass of the arthropod community. The above-ground dry weight of grass was found to be the best host-plant attribute for the SAR, while the light environment explained the arthropod richness within the grass, with higher richness observed in shaded environments. This study also showed that the best functional mathematical models for estimation of changes in the abundance, dry weight and diversity of arthropods in response to increases in grass size (dry weight) are the power model, exponential model and logarithmic model, respectively. Furthermore, the host-plant foliage phenophase, shade and the isolation of M. robusta with other conspecifics had no effect on the abundance, biomass or diversity per basal area of the grass. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||