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Treatment Combinations (treatment + combination)
Selected AbstractsEffects of Varying Levels of Vegetable Juice Powder and Incubation Time on Color, Residual Nitrate and Nitrite, Pigment, pH, and Trained Sensory Attributes of Ready-to-Eat Uncured HamJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007J.J. Sindelar ABSTRACT:, Vegetable juice powder (VJP) and a starter culture containing Staphylococcus carnosus have been identified as necessary ingredients for the manufacture of uncured, no-nitrate/nitrite-added meat products with quality and sensory attributes similar to traditional cured products. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of varying concentrations of VJP and incubation time (MIN-HOLD) on quality characteristics, including lipid oxidation, color, and cured meat pigment concentrations, of ham over a 90-d storage period, compare residual nitrate and nitrite content, and determine if differences exist in sensory properties of finished products. Four ham treatments (TRT) (TRT 1: 0.20% VJP, 0 MIN-HOLD; TRT 2: 0.20% VJP, 120 MIN-HOLD; TRT 3: 0.35% VJP, 0 MIN-HOLD; TRT 4: 0.35% VJP, 120 MIN-HOLD) and a sodium nitrite-added control (C) were used for this study. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed between TRTs and C for CIE L*, a*, b*, and cured color measured by reflectance ratio. Lipid oxidation (TBARS) for combined TRTs and C revealed little change over time while the C had less (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation than TRTs 2 and 4 for combined days. No differences (P > 0.05) were reported for cured pigment concentration between TRTs and C. Trained sensory panel intensity ratings for ham and vegetable aroma, and flavor, color, and firmness showed that a high concentration (0.35%) of VJP resulted in the highest scores for undesirable vegetable aroma and flavor. Treatment combinations with a low concentration (0.20%) of VJP were comparable to the C for all sensory attributes. [source] Abscisic acid is involved in the response of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Malbec leaf tissues to ultraviolet-B radiation by enhancing ultraviolet-absorbing compounds, antioxidant enzymes and membrane sterolsPLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 1 2010FEDERICO J. BERLI ABSTRACT We investigated the interactions of abscisic acid (ABA) in the responses of grape leaf tissues to contrasting ultraviolet (UV)-B treatments. One-year-old field-grown plants of Vitis vinifera L. were exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) where solar UV-B was eliminated by using polyester filters, or where PAR was supplemented with UV-B irradiation. Treatments combinations included weekly foliar sprays of ABA or a water control. The levels of UV-B absorbing flavonols, quercetin and kaempferol were significantly decreased by filtering out UV-B, while applied ABA increased their content. Concentration of two hydroxycinnamic acids, caffeic and ferulic acids, were also increased by ABA, but not affected by plus UV-B (+UV-B) treatments. Levels of carotenoids and activities of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase were elevated by +ABA treatments, but only if +UV-B was given. Cell membrane , -sitosterol was enhanced by ABA independently of +UV-B. Changes in photoprotective compounds, antioxidant enzymatic activities and sterols were correlated with lessened membrane harm by UV-B, as assessed by ion leakage. Oxidative damage expressed as malondialdehyde content was increased under +UV-B treatments. Our results suggest that the defence system of grape leaf tissues against UV-B is activated by UV-B irradiation with ABA acting downstream in the signalling pathway. [source] Pasteurization of Beer by a Continuous Dense-phase CO2 SystemJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2006Gillian F. Dagan ABSTRACT: Effects on beer quality were studied after pasteurization by a continuous dense-phase carbon dioxide (DPCD) system. Changes in haze formation, foaming capacity and stability, and objective and subjective aroma and flavor were evaluated, after validation of a 5-log reduction in yeast populations. A maximum log reduction in yeast populations of 7.38 logs was predicted at 26.5 MPa, 21°C, 9.6% CO2, and 4.77 min residence time. Haze was reduced by DPCD pasteurization from 146 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) to 95 NTU. At this same treatment combination, aroma and flavor of beer sample means were not considered significantly different (P= 0.3415) from fresh beer sample means when evaluated in a difference from control test, using fresh beer as the reference. Foam capacity and stability were affected minimally by CO2 processing; however, changes would most likely be unnoticed by consumers. [source] Factors affecting the invasion success of Senecio inaequidens and S. pterophorus in Mediterranean plant communitiesJOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007L. Caño Abstract Question: Plant invasions result from complex interactions between species traits, community characteristics and environmental variations. We examined the effect of these interactions on the invasion potential of two invasive Senecio species, S. inaequidens and S. pterophorus, across three Mediterranean plant communities in a natural park. Location: Catalonia, NE Spain. Methods: We carried out two series of experimental seedling transplantations, in the spring and fall of 2003, in grassland, shrubland and Quercus ilex forest. Competition with neighbouring plants and water availability were manipulated. We evaluated the survival, growth and reproduction with respect to each treatment combination. Results: Any habitat can be colonised if disturbance occurs. In the absence of disturbance, shrubland enhanced the survival of seedlings. Competition with resident vegetation dramatically reduced survival in grassland and forest when establishment occurred in the spring. However, establishment in the fall promoted invasion in grassland and shrubland, even in the undisturbed treatment. Grassland allowed the highest growth and reproductive performance of both species while forest was the most resistant habitat to invasion. S. inaequidens had a higher growth rate and a shorter pre-reproductive period than S. pterophorus. S. pterophorus produced more biomass and was more dependent on water availability than S. inaequidens. Conclusions: In the light of our results, we recommend surveying open shrublands and grasslands after periods of rainfall. Special attention should be paid to S. pterophorus, which is currently spreading. A preliminary assessment of the invasive-ness of this plant is given in this study. [source] Inhibitory Effect of Selenium Supplementation on the Reproductive Performance in Synchronized Merino Sheep at Range Conditions in a Selenium-deficient AreaREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3 2008J Sánchez Contents The effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on the reproductive performance of Merino ewes mated out of the normal breeding season was studied in a 2 (no Se supplementation vs Se supplementation) × 2 (ewes mated at natural oestrus vs synchronized oestrus) factorial design with 50 ewes per treatment combination. Synchronization of oestrus was achieved by intravaginal insertion of 40 mg cronolone sponges for 14 days and administration of 440 IU PMSG at sponge withdrawal. Se supplementation was by the addition to the concentrate with 0.5 mg/kg of Se in the form of selenomethionin, for the 3 months prior to the mating and during gestation. Ewes were kept under range conditions in south-west Spain, and exposed to Merino rams at a female: male ratio of 4 : 1 from 2 days following sponge withdrawal, or the equivalent time, for 21 days. Se supplementation alone did not improve significantly ewe fertility or lamb birth weight, but there was a positive effect of synchronizing ewes mated out of the breeding season as more of these ewes lambed and produced more lambs than those not synchronized. However, a strong interaction was found between synchronization and Se supplementation, causing a deleterious effect on the reproductive performance of ewes. This negative effect, presumably related to high embrionary mortality caused by Se toxicity, should be taken into account for oestrus synchronizing in Se-deficient areas. The supplementation with Se, for the prevention of nutritional myodystrophy degeneration in lambs, should be conducted in a fashion which does not generate high levels of Se in the ewes around the mating period. [source] Use of neuroactive catecholamines to chemically induce metamorphosis of hatchery-reared flat oyster, Ostrea angasi, larvaeAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 14 2009Stephan O'Connor Abstract Low numbers and unreliable wild catch of the native flat oyster, Ostrea angasi, spat has resulted in the NSW flat oyster industry being reliant on hatchery-produced spat. The need to produce culchless spat in the hatchery stimulated investigation of several catecholamines to induce metamorphosis in O. angasi larvae. Larvae were treated with one of four neuroactive catecholamines (epinephrine, epinephrine bitartrate, l -Dopa and GABA) at one of four concentrations (10,3, 10,4, 10,5 or 10,6 m) for one of three treatment durations (0.5, 1,2 h) to determine morphogenic action for culchless spat production. Epinephrine bitartrate at 10,3 and 10,4 m and epinephrine at 10,3, 10,4 and 10,5 m, for a treatment duration of 1,2 h, produced significantly greater numbers of spat and culchless spat, compared with any other treatment combination. The other catecholamines tested did not induce a significant increase in the total number of spat or culchless spat, over untreated controls. Separate trials found that long-term treatment (24 h) with epinephrine bitartrate and epinephrine at morphogenic concentrations inhibited metamorphosis. Consecutive daily use of epinephrine bitartrate increased the numbers of spat and culchless spat produced, but did not affect larval or short-term post-larval survival. Treatment with 10,3 m epinephrine bitartrate or 10,4 m epinephrine for 1 h is recommended for routine commercial production of culchless flat oyster spat. [source] Phase II study of irinotecan in combination with capecitabine as a first-line chemotherapy in Asian patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinomaASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Tony MOK Abstract Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly fatal malignancies in Asia but treatment options are limited. Methods: This multinational, nonrandomized phase II trial using the combination of irinotecan (Campto or CPT-11) and capecitabine (Xeloda) was conducted to determine efficacy and safety of this combination in Asian patients with advanced inoperable HCC. The starting dose was irinotecan 200 mg/m2 every 3 weeks followed by capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 orally twice daily for 14 days followed by a 7-day rest. The primary endpoint was tumor response rate, based on response evaluation criteria in solid tumors criteria. Secondary objectives included the safety and tolerability of the treatment combination, time to progression, duration of overall response, tumor growth control rate (complete response, partial response plus stable disease) and overall survival. Results: Of the 63 recruited patients, 47 were evaluable. Of these, three (6.4%) achieved a partial response (lasting 2.2, 3.4 and 8.0 months, respectively). The median overall survival was 4.5 months. Grade 4 diarrhea was reported in four patients. Hematologic grade 4 laboratory abnormalities observed in patients while on study treatment included neutropenia (5.2%) and anemia (1.7%). Seven patients (12.1%) had grade 4 elevations in their total bilirubin. Both irinotecan and capecitabine were generally well tolerated, with manageable and reversible toxicities. Conclusion: Combination therapy with irinotecan and capecitabine has limited efficacy in the treatment of advanced-stage HCC. Further investigation of this combination is not warranted. [source] Site, vine state and responsiveness to the application of growth regulator fruitsetting agentsAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GRAPE AND WINE RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009J.A. CONSIDINE Abstract Background and Aims:, This study was initiated to investigate local problems in obtaining consistent fruit-setting responses to a recommended treatment combination of gibberellic acid (GA3) and (2-chloroethyl)-trimethyl ammonium chloride (CCC), with vineyard managers returning to more traditional methods of either cincturing or applying 4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (4-CPA). Methods and Results:, Five vineyard study sites located in the Chittering,Bindoon region of Western Australia were characterised by multivariate analysis using measures of vegetative and reproductive biomass. Two experiments were carried out in the vineyard to compare responses to combinations of GA3 and CCC. 4-CPA was used as an industry control. Bunch number was used as a novel covariate to adjust responses to individual vine and site factors. Berry volume increased in all vines and sites treated with GA3, irrespective of timing, but dry matter yield increased only in the youngest vineyards. The only site to show a significant response to CCC application was that with the highest vegetative biomass. Conclusions:, We conclude that site and management factors rather than growth regulator type, concentration or timing determined yield responsiveness (sugar production). Significance of the Study:, This study demonstrates a strong physiological and environmental effect on response to growth regulator application, reinforcing the importance of developing site-specific management practices. It shows how multivariate techniques may be used to characterise and compare vineyards, and also, how analysis of covariance using a new parameter, bunch number, may be used to enhance statistical of analysis of field experiments. [source] The effects of green tree retention and subsequent prescribed burning on ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in boreal pine-dominated forestsECOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2006Petri Martikainen We studied how two methods to promote biodiversity in managed forests, i.e. green tree retention and prescribed fire, affect the assemblages of carabid beetles. Our experiment consisted of 24 study sites, each 3,5 ha in size, which had been prepared according to factorial design. Each of the eight treatment combinations determined by the two factors explored , tree retention level (0, 10, 50 m3/ha,1 and uncut controls) and prescribed use of fire (yes/no) , was replicated three times. We sampled carabids using pitfall traps one year after the treatments. Significantly more individuals were caught in most of the burned sites, but this difference was partially reflective of the trap-catches of Pterostichus adstrictus. The fire did not increase no. of P. adstrictus in the uncut sites as much as in the other sites. Species richness was significantly affected by both factors, being higher in the burned than in the unburned sites and in the harvested than in the unharvested sites. Many species were concentrated in the groups of retention trees in the burned sites, but only a few were in the unburned sites. The species turnover was greater in the burned than in the unburned sites, as indicated by the NMDS ordinations. Greater numbers of smaller sized species and proportion of brachypterous species were present in the burned sites. Fire-favored species, and also the majority of other species that prefer open habitats were more abundantly caught in the burned sites than in the unburned sites. Dead wood or logging waste around the traps did not correlate with the occurrence of species. We conclude that carabids are well adapted to disturbances, and that frequent use of prescribed fire is essential for the maintenance of natural assemblages of carabid beetles in the boreal forest. Small retention tree groups can not maintain assemblages of uncut forest, but they can be important by providing food, shelter and breeding sites for many species, particularly in the burned sites. [source] Several components of global change alter nitrifying and denitrifying activities in an annual grasslandFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2006R. BARNARD Summary 1The effects of global change on below-ground processes of the nitrogen (N) cycle have repercussions for plant communities, productivity and trace gas effluxes. However, the interacting effects of different components of global change on nitrification or denitrification have rarely been studied in situ. 2We measured responses of nitrifying enzyme activity (NEA) and denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA) to over 4 years of exposure to several components of global change and their interaction (increased atmospheric CO2 concentration, temperature, precipitation and N addition) at peak biomass period in an annual grassland ecosystem. In order to provide insight into the mechanisms controlling the response of NEA and DEA to global change, we examined the relationships between these activities and soil moisture, microbial biomass C and N, and soil extractable N. 3Across all treatment combinations, NEA was decreased by elevated CO2 and increased by N addition. While elevated CO2 had no effect on NEA when not combined with other treatments, it suppressed the positive effect of N addition on NEA in all the treatments that included N addition. We found a significant CO2,N interaction for DEA, with a positive effect of elevated CO2 on DEA only in the treatments that included N addition, suggesting that N limitation of denitrifiers may have occurred in our system. Soil water content, extractable N concentrations and their interaction explained 74% of the variation in DEA. 4Our results show that the potentially large and interacting effects of different components of global change should be considered in predicting below-ground N responses of Mediterranean grasslands to future climate changes. [source] Effects of a toxicant on population growth rates: sublethal and delayed responses in blowfly populationsFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2001S. J. MOE Summary 1,Previous studies have shown that cadmium exposure of blowfly populations (Lucilia sericata[Meigen 1826]) results in reduced population growth rate, but also in higher individual mass, because of reduced competition for food. In this study, the discrepancy between the positive effect on individual growth and the negative effect on population growth is investigated, by measuring direct and delayed effects of cadmium in the adult stage. 2,Blowfly populations were exposed to cadmium through the diet in four treatment combinations: larval stage, adult stage, both stages or neither stage. The effects on accumulation of cadmium, survival, development time, mass and reproductive rate were measured. 3,Cadmium was accumulated from both stages. 4,Individuals exposed to cadmium in the larval stage had higher mean pupal and adult mass (because of reduced densities), but also reduced adult longevity and fecundity. 5,Adult longevity and fecundity were also reduced by cadmium exposure in the adult stage. 6,In stage-structured populations, the link between individual-level and population-level responses to a toxicant may be complicated by stage-specific sensitivities to the toxicant, by delayed responses in the adult stage to sublethal effects in the juvenile stage, and by density-dependent compensatory responses to toxicant-induced mortality. [source] Changes in grassland ecosystem function due to extreme rainfall events: implications for responses to climate changeGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 7 2008PHILIP A. FAY Abstract Climate change is causing measurable changes in rainfall patterns, and will likely cause increases in extreme rainfall events, with uncertain implications for key processes in ecosystem function and carbon cycling. We examined how variation in rainfall total quantity (Q), the interval between rainfall events (I), and individual event size (SE) affected soil water content (SWC) and three aspects of ecosystem function: leaf photosynthetic carbon gain (), aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), and soil respiration (). We utilized rainout shelter-covered mesocosms (2.6 m3) containing assemblages of tallgrass prairie grasses and forbs. These were hand watered with 16 I×Q treatment combinations, using event sizes from 4 to 53 mm. Increasing Q by 250% (400,1000 mm yr,1) increased mean soil moisture and all three processes as expected, but only by 20,55% (P,0.004), suggesting diminishing returns in ecosystem function as Q increased. Increasing I (from 3 to 15 days between rainfall inputs) caused both positive () and negative () changes in ecosystem processes (20,70%, P,0.01), within and across levels of Q, indicating that I strongly influenced the effects of Q, and shifted the system towards increased net carbon uptake. Variation in SE at shorter I produced greater response in soil moisture and ecosystem processes than did variation in SE at longer I, suggesting greater stability in ecosystem function at longer I and a priming effect at shorter I. Significant differences in ANPP and between treatments differing in I and Q but sharing the same SE showed that the prevailing pattern of rainfall influenced the responses to a given event size. Grassland ecosystem responses to extreme rainfall patterns expected with climate change are, therefore, likely to be variable, depending on how I, Q, and SE combine, but will likely result in changes in ecosystem carbon cycling. [source] Comparison of three conservative treatment protocols in carpal tunnel syndromeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 7 2006O. Baysal Summary The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the therapeutic effect of three different combinations in the conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by means of clinical and electrophysiological studies. The combinations included tendon- and nerve-gliding exercises in combination with splinting, ultrasound treatment in combination with splinting and the combination of ultrasound, splinting, tendon- and nerve-gliding exercises. A total 28 female patients (56 wrists) with clinical and electrophysiologic evidence of bilateral CTS were studied. In all patient groups, the treatment combinations were significantly effective immediately and 8 weeks after the treatment. The results of the long-term patient satisfaction questionnaire revealed that symptomatic improvement is more prominent in the group treated with splinting, exercise and ultrasound therapy combination. Our results suggest that a combination of splinting, exercise and ultrasound therapy is a preferable and an efficacious conservative type of treatment in CTS. [source] DISCOLORATION OF SUN-DRIED AND PROCESSED ELBERTA PEACHES DURING STORAGEJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 5 2003E. JOUBERT Discoloration of sun-dried ,Elberta' (Prunus persica) peaches during a 48 week storage period as affected by moisture content (15 and 17%) and temperature (4, 7, 10 and 20C) was investigated. In addition, the effect of rehydration to moisture contents of 20, 24 and 27% and resulphuring on the color of the processed fruit during storage for 100 days at 0 and 25C was studied. Drying fruit to 15% instead of 17% moisture content gave darker-colored fruit, and it did not improve color retention during storage. Storage at 20C decreased L* values, indicating darkening of the fruit, but the quality, correlated with chroma, was still acceptable for fruit obtained with most of the treatment combinations. Substantial losses of SO2 occurred at 20C. Rehydration and resulphuring increased chroma and hue values of the fruit. Storage of processed fruit at OC was effective in preventing discoloration, irrespective of treatment, while discoloration took place at 25C. [source] PREDICTING SENSORY ATTRIBUTE INTENSITIES AND CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF STORED ROASTED PEANUTS USING INSTRUMENTAL MEASUREMENTSJOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 4 2006C.M. LEE ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to predict the sensory properties of stored roasted peanuts using instrumental methods. Roasted peanuts were stored at 20 treatment combinations of temperature (23, 30, 35 and 40C) and water activity (Aw; 0.33, 0.44, 0.54, 0.67 and 0.75 Aw), then evaluated after storing for up to 91 days using descriptive analysis (n = 12) and instrumental methods. Stored samples were also evaluated by consumers (n = 50). Regression models (adj. R2 , 0.70) indicated that increasing storage Aw resulted in decreasing color lightness (L value). Increasing storage time and Aw increased both measured Aw and percent moisture of roasted peanuts. Sensory texture attribute intensities were best predicted by percent moisture (adj. R2 , 0.78), whereas consumer ratings were best predicted (adj. R2 , 0.74) by color or percent moisture. Instrumental texture analyses did not predict descriptive or consumer ratings. While percent moisture was the best predictor of consumer acceptance of stored roasted peanuts, color was an excellent alternative predictor and employed a much simpler assay. [source] Microbiological Benefits of Removing Foam Formed After UV-Enhanced Ozonation of Poultry-Processing Chiller Water for RecyclingJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2002M.E. Diaz ABSTRACT: Prior experiments using 250 mL samples of unscreened poultry overflow chiller water evaluated the beneficial bactericidal and oxidative effects of 4 different treatments (namely, O2/O3,O2/UV, O2/O3/UV, and O2 as the control) for improving microbiological safety, turbidity, and water-use efficiency allowing its reconditioning for reuse. When excluding foam as in this present study, synergistic reductions > 1.5 log CFU/mL for aerobic plate counts (APC) were additionally achieved after 4 min for all O3/UV treatment combinations as compared to serially applied treatments of O3 and UV acting separately. With foam present, 16-min O3/UV treatments were required to achieve similar results. We now report these additional benefits achieved by removing the foam formed by the advanced oxidation process of ultraviolet-photon enhanced ozonation. Furthermore, foam microbial and general physical content were analyzed to determine suitability as an additive in rendering-type processes. Treatment of the wastewater resulted in total plate counts between 2 to 4 Log CFU/mL in the foam after 8 min. Fat and protein constituted 89% of the solids collected (384 mg/L or 14% of the foam) with trace amounts of metal elements (for example, Ca, Na, K, Fe, Cu) present. Irradiating had negligible effect on foam characteristics yet decreased the amount of solids collected. [source] Mycorrhizal infection and high soil phosphorus improve vegetative growth and the female and male functions in tomatoNEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 1 2002Jennifer L. Poulton Summary ,,To further characterize the effects of mycorrhizal infection and soil phosphorus (P) availability on plant fitness, this study examined their effects on the female and male functions, as well as vegetative growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). ,,Two cultivars of tomato were grown in a glasshouse under three treatment combinations: nonmycorrhizal, low P (NMPO); nonmycorrhizal, high P (NMP3); and mycorrhizal, low P (MPO). ,,Mycorrhizal infection and high soil P conditions improved several vegetative (leaf area, days until first flower and leaf P concentration) and reproductive traits (total flower production, fruit mass, seed number and pollen production per plant, and mean pollen production per flower). In general, mycorrhizal and P responses were greater for reproductive traits than vegetative traits. In one cultivar, these responses were greater for the male function than the female function. ,,Thus, mycorrhizal infection and high soil P conditions enhanced fitness through both the female and male functions. Similar trends were usually observed in the NMP3 and MPO treatments, suggesting that mycorrhizal effects were largely the result of improved P acquisition. [source] Growth in epiphytic bromeliads: response to the relative supply of phosphorus and nitrogenPLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010G. Zotz Abstract Insufficient nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) frequently limit primary production. Although most nutrient studies on vascular epiphytes have focused on N uptake, circumstantial evidence suggests that P rather than N is the most limiting element for growth in this plant group. We directly tested this by subjecting a total of 162 small individuals of three bromeliad species (Guzmania monostachia, Tillandsia elongata, Werauhia sanguinolenta) to three N and three P levels using a full-factorial experimental design, and determined relative growth rates (RGR) and nutrient acquisition over a period of 11 weeks. Both N and P supply had a significant effect on RGR, but only tissue P concentrations were correlated with growth. Uptake rates of N and P, in contrast, were not correlated with RGR. Increased nutrient supply led to an up to sevenfold increase in tissue P concentration compared to natural conditions, while concentrations of N hardly changed or even decreased. All treatment combinations, even at the lowest experimental P supply, led to decreased N:P ratios. We conclude that P is at least as limiting as N for vegetative function under natural conditions in these epiphytic bromeliads. This conclusion is in line with the general notion of the prevalence of P limitation for the functioning of terrestrial vegetation in the tropics. [source] Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate and sulfasalazine, or a combination of the three medications: Results of a two-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 5 2002James R. O'Dell Objective To compare the efficacy of combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), MTX and sulfasalazine (SSZ), and MTX, HCQ, and SSZ in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods RA patients (n = 171) who had not previously been treated with combinations of the study medications were randomized to receive 1 of the 3 treatment combinations in this 2-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled protocol. HCQ was given at a dosage of 200 mg twice a day. The dosage of MTX was accelerated from 7.5 mg/week to 17.5 mg/week in all patients who were not in remission. Similarly, the dosage of SSZ was escalated from 500 mg twice a day to 1 gm twice a day in patients who were not in remission. The primary end point of the study was the percentage of patients who had a 20% response to therapy according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria at 2 years. Results Intent-to-treat analysis revealed that patients receiving the triple combination responded best, with 78% achieving an ACR 20% response at 2 years, compared with 60% of those treated with MTX and HCQ (P = 0.05) and 49% of those treated with MTX and SSZ (P = 0.002). Similar trends were seen for the ACR 50% response, with 55%, 40%, and 29% of patients in the 3 treatment groups, respectively, achieving these results at 2 years (P = 0.005 for the triple combination group versus the MTX and SSZ group). All combination treatments were well-tolerated. Fourteen patients (evenly distributed among the 3 groups) withdrew from the protocol because of symptoms that were potentially related to the study medication. Conclusion The triple combination of MTX, SSZ, and HCQ is well-tolerated, and its efficacy is superior to that of the double combination of MTX and SSZ and is marginally superior to that of the double combination of MTX and HCQ. [source] Browning reactions during storage of low-moisture Australian sultanas: Further evidence for arginine-mediated Maillard reactions during storage, and some effects of vine-shading and harvest dateAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GRAPE AND WINE RESEARCH, Issue 3 2004DAMIAN FRANK Abstract Sultana grapevines (Vitis Vinifera L. cv. Sultana syn. Thompson Seedless) were subjected to four shading regimes: 50% shading (1), 25% shading (2), fully exposed-top of canopy (3) and beneath canopy (4) and harvested early (21 February) and late (13 March) in the 1996/1997 sultana season. Grapes from each of the eight field-treatment combinations represented a range of maturities (14.4 to 23.50oBrix). Grape samples from each of the treatments were dipped and dried to 18% moisture, with half of each of the sultana samples further reduced in moisture by sunfinishing on plastic sheets in direct sun. These field treatments resulted in sixteen unique dried sultana bulk samples with a range of initial chemico-physical properties; aw (0.481,0.691), skin-polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity (4.40,9.05 ,mol O2/g.minute) free arginine in skin tissues (1.0,5.10 mg/g) and protein (16.40,27.18 mg/g). Sultanas were stored at 10oC and 30oC in either the presence or absence of oxygen for 10 months, and changes in CIE L*a*b* tristimulus values, hue-angle (hab*) and chroma (Cab*) were monitored. Significant changes in sultana colour occurred in samples stored at 30oC, especially in higher aw non-sunfinished sultanas. Although browning was more intense in the presence of oxygen, significant browning also occurred in the absence of oxygen. Lower concentrations of 5-hydroxy methylfurfural, a key marker of Maillard browning in samples stored at 30oC in the presence of oxygen, indicated that the non-enzymatic reactions were sensitive to oxygen. Changes in the concentration of trans -caftaric acid, the main substrate of grape PPO, were also measured during sultana drying. Storage browning (changes in L*, b*, hab*, Cab*)in dried sultanas could be predicted by regression models using pre-storage aw, free-skin arginine or Kjeldahl protein after 10 months' storage between 10oC and 30oC. Non-enzymatic and Maillard-type reactions (sensitive to both oxygen and aw), made an important contribution to sultana storage browning. We provide only weak evidence that either shaded (immature) or green fruit was more susceptible to storage browning. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||