Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts from actinomycetes against mastitis pathogens

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance to commonly used antibiotics has necessitated the development of new antimicrobial products. Crude extracts produced by actinomycetes contain antimicrobial metabolites that can inhibit bacterial growth. The objective of our study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of crude extracts (Caat1–54 and CaatP5–8) produced by actinomycetes against isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus chromogenes, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus uberis, which were obtained from the milk of cows affected by mastitis in 23 dairy herds. Twenty isolates of each bacterial species were used to define minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of both crude extracts and ceftiofur (positive control). The MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ were defined at the concentration required to inhibit the growth of 50 and 90% of bacterial isolates tested, respectively. The MIC results were evaluated by survival analysis. Staphylococcus aureus isolates presented MIC₉₀ of Caat 1–54 ≥6.25 µg/mL, ceftiofur ≥12.5 µg/mL, and Caat P5–8 ≥100 µg/mL. Streptococcus uberis presented MIC₉₀ of ceftiofur ≥0.39 µg/mL, Caat 1–54 ≥50 µg/mL, and Caat P5–8 ≥100 µg/mL. Staphylococcus chromogenes isolated from subclinical mastitis presented MIC₉₀ of Caat 1–54 ≥0.78 µg/mL and ceftiofur and Caat P5–8 of ≥6.25 and ≥100 µg/mL, respectively. Streptococcus dysgalactiae isolated from clinical mastitis presented similar MIC₉₀ values between antimicrobials tested (ceftiofur, Caat 1–54, and Caat P-58), but these values (≥100 µg/mL) were higher than the values obtained from other pathogens evaluated in the present study. Our results indicate that Caat 1–54 and Caat P5–8 crude extracts present in vitro antimicrobial activity against isolates of Staph. aureus, Staph. chromogenes, Strep. dysgalactiae, and Strep. uberis isolated from clinical and subclinical mastitis.     

Occurrence of fumonisins and aflatoxins in cereals from markets of Hebei province of China

Fumonisins B₁, B₂ and B₃ (FB₁, FB₂ and FB₃) and aflatoxins B₁ (AFB₁), B₂ (AFB₂), G₁ (AFG₁) and G₂ (AFG₂) are both major mycotoxins of food concern, because of their wide range of concentration and possible co-occurrence. Therefore, a contamination survey in corn and wheat flour by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was carried out. Quantification of fumonisins and aflatoxins was based on internal calibration (by the use of ¹³C₃₄-fumonisin) and external calibration, respectively. Fumonisins were detected in 95% of corn samples and in 7% of wheat flour samples, with the mean level (FB₁?+?FB₂?+?FB₃) of 441?µg?kg^?1 and 0.09?µg?kg^?1, respectively. Low levels of aflatoxins were detected in 37% of the samples with a mean level (B₁?+?B₂?+?G₁?+?G₂) of 0.12?µg?kg^?1. Fumonisins and aflatoxins were not detected in 29% of the samples analysed. Simultaneous occurrence of fumonisins and aflatoxins was observed in 12% of samples.     

Enrichment of stirred yogurt with soluble dietary fiber from Pachyrhizus erosus L. Urban: Effect on syneresis, microstructure and rheological properties

Yam soluble fiber (YSF) extracted from Pachyrhizus erosus was added (1 g per 100 mL) to a stirred yogurt (SY_YSF). Its syneresis and microstructure properties were evaluated and compared to those of a stirred yogurt (SY_C) without added YSF. The SY_C yogurt exhibited a more compact casein micelle aggregates network than that of the SY_YSF yogurt which was more open, relaxed and covered with fibrous structures attributed to the YSF components. The rheological analysis showed that the SY_YSF yogurt had lower storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) values in the linear viscoelastic region than the SY_C yogurt, but its flow behavior was characterized by a lower flow index (n), higher consistency index (k), and higher yield stress (τ₀) than the SY_C yogurt. Incorporation of the YSF reduced significantly the syneresis and produced a more acceptable mouthfeel in the SY_YSF yogurt in comparison to the SY_C yogurt, indicating the viability of the process to obtain a commercial product.     

Aflatoxin production in three selected samples of triticale,wheat and rye grown in Argentina

Little is known about mycotoxin contamination of triticale, a hybrid resulting from crossing wheat and rye. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate triticale as a substrate for aflatoxin accumulation in comparison with its parents. Aflatoxin (B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂) accumulation curves were obtained for the three substrates inoculated with Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 and incubated at 25 °C and water activity 0.925 for 10 weeks. Wheat and triticale were poor substrates for aflatoxin production. Rye was more prone than the other substrates to fast colonisation by A parasiticus and accumulated larger aflatoxin quantities over the whole incubation period. The maximum aflatoxin concentration in rye (11 840 µg kg⁻¹) was significantly larger (p < 0.05) than those obtained in wheat (2150 µg kg⁻¹) and triticale (2850 µg kg⁻¹). © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antimicrobial activities of polyhexamethylene biguanide against biofilm-producing Prototheca bovis causing bovine mastitis

Prototheca spp. is a frequent cause of bovine mastitis and is highly resistant to commonly used disinfectants. This study aimed to: (1) evaluate the antimicrobial activity of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) against mastitis-causing Prototheca spp., and (2) evaluate the biofilm production ability of Prototheca spp. A total of 85 Prototheca bovis and 2 Prototheca blaschkeae isolates from bovine mastitis cases were submitted to biofilm production assays and antimicrobial susceptibility tests against PHMB and disinfectants commonly used in dairy herds (chlorhexidine digluconate, povidone-iodine, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, and sodium hypochlorite). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal algicidal concentration (MAC) were determined by microdilution assays. We observed that PHMB (MIC₉₀: ≥2 µg/mL and MAC₉₀: ≥4 µg/mL) and chlorhexidine gluconate (MIC₉₀ and MAC₉₀: ≥2 µg/mL) presented the highest antimicrobial activity against P. bovis isolates, followed by sodium dichloroisocyanurate (MIC₉₀ and MAC₉₀: ≥1,400 µg/mL), sodium hypochlorite (MIC₉₀ and MAC₉₀: ≥2,800 µg/mL), and povidone-iodine (MIC₉₀ and MAC₉₀: ≥3,200 µg/mL). Concerning P. blaschkeae isolates, PHMB (MIC and MAC ≥1 µg/mL) and chlorhexidine gluconate (MIC and MAC ≥1 µg/mL) were the disinfectants that presented the lowest concentration values required to inhibit the isolates. Regarding biofilms formation, 63.5% (n = 54/85) of the P. bovis isolates were classified as strong, 28.3% (n = 24/85) moderate, and 8.2% (n = 7/85) weak biofilm producers. In contrast, the P. blaschkeae isolates were classified as weak and moderate biofilm producers. These findings suggest that PHMB has the potential to be used for teat and milking-equipment disinfection for the prevention of mastitis-causing Prototheca spp. in dairy herds.     

The capacity of silage inoculant bacteria to bind aflatoxin B1 in vitro and in artificially contaminated corn silage

The objectives were to examine the aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)-binding capacity of silage bacteria and factors affecting the responses. Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effects of bacterial strain and population on the AFB₁-binding capacity of 10 bacteria. When applied at 10⁶ cfu/mL to an in vitro medium, only Lactobacillus plantarum PT5B bound the AFB₁ and the binding capacity was low (4%). When applied at 10⁹ cfu/mL, all 10 bacteria bound AFB₁, but L. plantarum R2014 (Lp) and EQ12, Lactobacillus buchneri R1102 (Lb), and Pediococcus acidilactici R2142 and EQ01 (Pa) had the greatest capacity (23.9 to 33%). Experiment 3 examined the AFB₁-binding capacity of viable and nonviable (HCl-treated) forms of Lp, Lb, and Pa at different pH. Nonviable Lb and Lp, but not Pa, increased AFB₁ binding. Binding of AFB₁ was greatest at pH 2.5 and least at pH 8. As the nonviable Lb and Lp that bound AFB₁ in experiment 3 would not be effective silage inoculants, experiment 4 examined effects of benign versus severe treatments (85 vs. 100°C; pH 2.5 vs. <1) on the viability of Lp, Lb, and Pa. The population of bacteria was reduced from 9 to 4 log cfu/mL by treatment with HCl at pH 2.5 and to 2 log cfu/mL by 85 or 100°C, whereas acidification at pH <1 eliminated the bacteria. Experiment 5 determined the effect of the ensiling duration and benign treatment methods [37 (viable cells) or 85°C (heated cells) or acidification with HCl at pH 2.5 (acid-treated cells)] on binding of AFB₁ and silage quality during the fermentation of corn forage. Corn forage was ensiled after treatment with only deionized water (control), AFB₁ (30 µg/kg of fresh forage), or a mixture of AFB₁ and 10⁹ cfu/g of each of the treated bacteria. Adding AFB₁ alone to corn forage reduced the pH decline during the first 3 d of ensiling and increased or tended to increase butyric acid concentration and final pH after ensiling for 21 d. Bacterial inoculation inhibited these negative effects. The fermentation profile of silage treated with Lb and Pa did not differ from those of the control silage. In all silages treated with the toxin, the AFB₁ concentration decreased linearly (from 30 to ≤0.35 µg/kg) within 3 d of ensiling. Certain silage bacteria can bind AFB₁ but the efficacy depends on several factors.     

Sulfonation of Lactobacillus plantarum WLPL04 exopolysaccharide amplifies its antioxidant activities in vitro and in a Caco-2 cell model

Exopolysaccharide (EPS) of Lactobacillus plantarum WLPL04 and its sulfated EPS were systematically investigated for their antioxidant activities and effects on protecting the oxidative damage of Caco-2 cells from H₂O₂. Exopolysaccharide was successfully sulfonated from purified EPS as confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and the degree of sulfonation was 0.30. Both EPS and sulfated EPS showed antioxidant activities in vitro determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, superoxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging tests, and those activities of sulfated EPS were significantly enhanced at 1,000 μg/mL. Cell viabilities of Caco-2 in the range of 1 to 100 μg/mL of EPS and sulfated EPS showed no significant difference. In H₂O₂-damaged Caco-2 cells models, EPS and sulfated EPS significantly inhibited the enhancement of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels, and sulfated EPS enhanced the effects by 40.86% and 61.11% when compared with the purified EPS at the same concentration of 100 μg/mL, respectively. For the activities of antioxidant-related enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and expression of genes (SOD2, GPX2, MT1M) on Caco-2 cells, strong protection abilities against the oxidative stress were displayed from both EPS and sulfated EPS, and sulfated EPS exhibited significant enhancement as compared with either EPS or control groups. In summary, sulfonation is an effective strategy for improving the antioxidant activities of EPS from L. plantarum WLPL04 in vitro and on Caco-2 cells.     

Minimum inhibitory concentrations of frequently used antibiotics against Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes isolated from uteri of postpartum dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of frequently used antimicrobials for Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes isolated from postpartum bovine uteri of cows with acute puerperal metritis (APM, n = 67), cows suspected to have APM (n = 37), and healthy cows (n = 37) and to evaluate possible differences in MIC according to clinical signs. Cows with APM had reddish-brown, fetid vaginal discharge and rectal temperature (RT) ≥39.5°C within 21 d in milk; cows suspected to have APM had either reddish-brown, fetid vaginal discharge or RT ≥39.5°C within 21 d in milk; and healthy cows had neither fetid discharge nor RT ≥39.5°C. Samples were collected from cows on commercial dairy herds (n = 7) using the cytobrush technique. A total of 37 T. pyogenes isolates and 85 E. coli isolates were tested. Ceftiofur, a third-generation cephalosporin that is often used to treat APM, was the focus of analysis. Trueperella pyogenes and E. coli were isolated more often from samples of cows with APM (46 and 90%, respectively) compared with samples from healthy cows (19 and 54%, respectively). Regarding cows suspected to have APM, T. pyogenes and E. coli were numerically more often isolated (30 and 70%, respectively) than in healthy cows (19 and 54%, respectively). Minimum inhibitory concentrations of ceftiofur were low. For T. pyogenes and E. coli, MIC₅₀ (concentration that inhibited growth of 50% of isolates) were 0.25 and 0.5 µg/mL and MIC₉₀ (concentration that inhibited growth of 90% of isolates) were 0.5 and 1 µg/mL, respectively. Although ceftiofur inhibited all T. pyogenes at the highest concentration tested (64 µg/mL), the growth of 5.9% of E. coli was not impaired. Recently, ampicillin has been suggested as an alternative treatment for APM. Although the T. pyogenes isolates exhibited low MIC in general (MIC₅₀ ≤0.015 µg/mL and MIC₉₀ = 0.06 µg/mL) and 81.1% of all T. pyogenes could be inhibited at the lowest ampicillin concentration tested, 11.8% of the E. coli isolates were not impaired at the highest concentration (64 µg/mL) tested in this study. The MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ of E. coli were 4 and ≥128 µg/mL, respectively. We detected no difference in the MIC distributions of ceftiofur or ampicillin among isolates from the 3 APM groups. In summary, E. coli with high MIC against ceftiofur as well as against ampicillin were found in this study.     

Aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid in feed and milk from dairy farms in São Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of aflatoxins (AF) B₁, B₂, G₁, G₂ and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) in feeds, and AFM₁ and CPA in milk was determined in dairy farms located in the northeastern region of São Paulo state, Brazil, between October 2005 and February 2006. AF and CPA determinations were performed by HPLC. AFB₁ was found in 42% of feed at levels of 1.0–26.4 µg kg^?1 (mean: 7.1 ± 7.2 µg kg^?1). The concentrations of AFM₁ in raw milk varied between 0.010 and 0.645 µg l^?1 (mean: 0.104 ± 0.138 µg l^?1). Only one sample was above the tolerance limit adopted in Brazil (0.50 µg l^?1) for AFM₁ in milk. Regarding CPA in feed, six (12%) samples showed concentrations of 12.5–153.3 µg kg^?1 (mean: 57.6 ± 48.7 µg kg^?1). CPA was detected in only three milk samples (6%) at levels of 6.4, 8.8 and 9.1 µg l^?1. Concentrations of aflatoxins and CPA in feed and milk were relatively low, although the high frequency of both mycotoxins indicates the necessity to continuously monitor dairy farms to prevent contamination of feed ingredients.     

Maltotetraose Production Using Pseudomonas stutzeri Exo-α-Amylase in a Membrane Recycle Bioreactor

For a continuous process using maltotetraose (G₄)-forming amylase in a membrane recycle bioreactor (MRB), the enzyme was partially purified to specific activity 21.5 IU/mg protein. The enzyme was stable enough to convert starch into G₄ in batch and MRB systems. Optimum conditions in the MRB using hollow fiber with 1,000 molecular weight cut-off were: substrate concentration 1.0% (w/v), enzyme concentration 70 IU/L reactant, and residence time 83 min. Productivity at steady state under optimized conditions was 0.99 g/L/hr. Excessive residence time decreased product purity by further conversion of G₄ to lower molecular weight compounds due to endo-acting activity of the enzyme.     

Steady and dynamic oscillatory shear rheological properties of ketchup-processed cheese mixtures: Effect of temperature and concentration

The steady and dynamic shear properties of ketchup-processed cheese (K-PC) mixtures were investigated at different temperatures (10-50 °C) and PC concentrations (0-30%). The K-PC mixtures showed a shear-thinning behavior with low magnitudes of yield stress. The consistency coefficient (K) and apparent viscosity (η₅₀) decreased with increase in temperature and concentration. The mixtures followed the Arrhenius temperature relationship, indicating that the magnitudes of activation energies (E_a) were in the range of 8.83-17.16 kJ mol⁻¹. Storage (G′), loss (G′′) and complex (G∗) modulus increased with increase in frequency while complex viscosity (η∗) decreased. The K-PC mixtures at concentrations of 0-15% exhibited weak gel-like behavior. Increase in the PC concentration resulted in a decrease in G∗, G′, G′′ and η∗ up to the 15% of PC concentration, showing a plateau value between 0% and 30% concentrations. Cox-Merz rule was not applicable to K-PC mixtures.     

Rheological evaluation of gelatin–xanthan gum system with high levels of co-solutes in the rubber-to-glass transition region

Effects of moisture content, xanthan gum (XG) addition, and glucose syrup (GS):sucrose ratio on the gelation of gelatin-XG systems with high levels of co-solutes were investigated in the rubbery and the glass transition regions. Frequency sweep tests were performed between 0.1 and 100 rad and the storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli of the system were measured in the temperature range of 60 to −15 °C. The onset of glass transition region increased with decreasing moisture content. The time–temperature superposition yielded master curves of G′ and G″ as a function of timescale of measurement. G″ and G″ were superimposed with the horizontal shift factor a_T, which was temperature dependent according to the Williams–Landel–Ferry (WLF) equation. Glass transition temperature (T_g) of the samples were determined by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) from the peak of tan δ. T_g decreased with XG addition. The energy of vitrification of samples with XG increased compared to samples containing only gelatin. Relaxation spectra of the samples were calculated from rheological measurements using the first and second approximations. The Rouse theory was more closely followed with the second approximation.     

Aflatoxins in composite spices collected from local markets of Karachi,Pakistan

This survey was carried out to evaluate the occurrence of total aflatoxins (AFs; B₁+B₂+G₁+G₂) in unpacked composite spices. A total of 75 samples of composite spices such as biryani, karhai, tikka, nihari and korma masalas were collected from local markets of Karachi, Pakistan, and analysed using HPLC technique. The results indicated that AFs were detected in 77% (n = 58) samples ranging from 0.68 to 25.74 µg kg^?1 with a mean of 4.63 ± 0.95 µg kg^?1. In 88% (n = 66) samples, AFs level was below the maximum limits (ML = 10 µg kg^?1) as imposed by EU. Furthermore, 61% (n = 46) tested samples contained AFs level between 1 and 10 µg kg^?1, 9% (n = 7) exhibited AFs contamination ranged 10?20 µg kg^?1 and only 3% (n = 2) of the investigated samples contained AFs levels higher than the ML of 20 µg kg^?1 for total aflatoxins as set by the USA. It was concluded that there is need to establish a strict and continuous national monitoring plan to improve safety and quality of spices in Pakistan.     

Gelation behaviour and rheological properties of acid-induced soy protein-stabilized emulsion gels

The protein concentration dependence on the rheological properties of acid-induced gels formed with unheated and heated soy protein-stabilized emulsions (UHSPE and HSPE) was investigated at different acidification temperatures. Pre-heat treatment on soy protein solutions resulted in a higher storage modulus (G′) and a shorter gelation time (t_gel) of acid-induced emulsion gels. A maximum in tan δ was observed in the UHSPE gels but no maximum was detected in the HSPE gels. Increasing the acidification temperature decreased the G′ and t_gel. The dependence of the G′ on the protein concentration (c) can be scaled with a power law: G′ ∼ c^A. The exponent (A) increased with pre-heat treatment and acidification temperature. The experimental data.fitted the fractal scaling model (G′ ∼ φ^A) and the simple time- scaling model above very well for the acid-induced soy protein-stabilized HSPE gels with varying oil volume fraction. The large deformation and fracture properties were significantly affected by soy protein concentration, pre-heat treatment, acidification temperature and volume fraction of oil droplets (p < 0.05).     

Determination of aflatoxins in edible oil from markets in Hebei Province of China by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Analysis of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), B₂ (AFB₂), G₁ (AFG₁) and G₂ (AFG₂) in 76 edible oil samples (peanut oil, soybean oil, corn embryo oil and blended oil) was performed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The oils were sampled from three areas (Shijiazhuang, Baoding and Tangshan) of Hebei Province of China. AFB₁ was detected in 22 samples representing 28.9%, followed by AFB₂ (7.89%) and AFG₁ (3.95%), while no AFG₂ contamination was detected in any samples. AFB₁ levels in oil samples ranged 0.14–2.72?µg?kg^?1 and AFB₂ ranged 0.15–0.36?µg?kg^?1, while lower levels of 0.01–0.02?µg?kg^?1 for AFG₁ were recorded. The paper is part of an on-going investigation of aflatoxin contamination in Chinese edible oils.     

Effect of hydroxypropylation on physical and rheological properties of sweet potato starch

Sweet potato starches (SPS) were hydroxypropylated to evaluate the effect of molar substitution (MS, 0.042-0.153) on the rheological properties, thermal properties, freeze-thaw stability, paste clarity, and gel strength of hydroxypropylated sweet potato starches (HPSPS). The swelling power and solubility values of HPSPS were higher than those of native sweet potato starch (SPS) and increased with an increase in MS. The transition temperatures (T_o, T_p, and T_c), and enthalpy (ΔH) of gelatinization of HPSPS were lower than those of native SPS, and significantly decreased with an increase in MS.Rheological properties of HPSPS pastes were measured under the conditions of steady and dynamic shear. Their consistency index (K), apparent viscosity (η_a,100), Casson yield stress (σ_oc), complex viscosity (η*), and dynamic moduli (G′ and G″) values decreased with an increase in MS, while their flow behavior index (n) and tan δ (ratio of G″/G′) values increased. The dependence of apparent viscosity on temperature followed the Arrhenius model for all samples. The paste clarity of HPSPS paste was more pronounced with increasing MS of hydroxypropyl groups. The HPSPS gels showed lower gel strength and also better freeze-thaw stability with a significant decrease in syneresis (g/100 g) compared to native SPS.     

Glycerides isolated from the aerial parts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malva verticillata</Emphasis> cause immunomodulation effects via splenocyte function and NK anti-tumor activity

A preliminary study revealed that a 10 µg/mL n-BuOH fraction of Malva verticillata aerial parts significantly enhanced splenocyte proliferation and induced significant enhancement of natural-killer (NK) cell activity against tumor cells (YAC-1). This study was initiated to identify the principal components that exhibited these activities, and four glycerides were isolated through repeated SiO₂ and ODS column chromatography. Structures of compounds 1–4 were determined to be (2S)-1-O-palmitoyl glyceride, (2S)-1-O-stearoyl glyceride, (2S)-1-O-linolenoyl glyceride, and (2S)-1,2-di-O-linoleoyl glyceride, respectively. Compounds 1–3 showed potential immune-enhancing activity in murine splenocyte and natural-killer (NK) cells at 10 µM. In contrast, compound 4 showed weak activity, indicating the monoacyl glycerides (1–3) are more effective than diacyl glyceride (4). Also, the longer the carbon number of the fatty acid in monoacyl glyceride, the better the activity, and the monoacyl glyceride including an unsaturated fatty acid (3) is more effective than the glycerides including the saturated fatty acids (1–2).     

Milk basic protein supplementation exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in a food-allergic enteropathy model mouse

To examine novel functions of milk basic protein (MBP) in T-cell-related inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune diseases and allergies, we evaluated the effects of MBP on the causative responses of ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T cells in a food-allergic enteropathy model, OVA23–3 mice, which express an OVA-specific T-cell receptor gene. The OVA-specific CD4⁺ T cells of the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) from OVA23–3 mice were cultured with CD11c⁺ dendritic cells of MLN from BALB/cA mice in the absence or presence of MBP following stimulation with OVA; then the levels of CD69 expression and the levels of cytokine production by CD4⁺ T cells were measured to evaluate activation. The effects of MBP supplementation of OVA 23–3 mice were assessed by feeding a diet containing OVA (OVA diet) with or without MBP for 28 d. Intestinal inflammation, together with activation and cytokine production of CD4⁺ T cells by MLN, as well as femoral bone mineral density, were measured. In in vitro culture, MBP inhibited excess activation and IL-4 production by CD4⁺ T cells. The supplementation of MBP to the OVA diet attenuated OVA-specific IgE production in OVA-diet-fed OVA23–3 mice and slightly resolved developing enteropathy caused by excess IL-4 production by CD4⁺ T cells. Feeding OVA diet to OVA23–3 mice exhibited bone loss accompanied with enteropathy, whereas MBP supplementation prevented bone loss and increased osteoprotegerin, an osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor, in the mice. The inhibition of T-cell-activation in both MLN and bone marrow by MBP supplementation may help prevent increased IgE levels caused by excessive IL-4 production and bone loss accompanied by enteropathy. Our findings show that MBP may help attenuate both T-cell-related inflammation and bone loss.     

Fracture in spruce: experiment and numerical analysis by linear and non linear fracture mechanics

That paper first presents a simplified Damage Mechanics (DM) model for the simulation of fracture in wood. All damage phenomena are assumed to occur on a surface (or a line in a 2D problem). Then test results of mode I fracture in spruce and fir are given. The size effect is investigated. Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) and DM are compared for a simulation of three point bending tests, classically used for the determination of the fracture energy (G _f) in tension perpendicular to grain. The study of the observed size effect gives the range of applicability of LEFM. The critical energy release rate (G _c) and the fracture energy (Y _f) that are energy parameters of LEFM and DM respectively, are identified for small specimens and compared with the experimentally dissipated energy to fracture the specimen (G _f). Load-displacement curves are correctly predicted with both methods. G _f can be considered as a material parameter and it is verified that a non-linear approach is necessary for the simulation of fracture of small specimens.     

Estimation of crystalline phase present in the glucose crystal–solution mixture by water activity measurement

The amount of crystalline fraction present in monohydrate glucose crystal–solution mixture up to 110% crystal in relation to solution (crystal:solution=110:100) was determined by water activity measurement. It was found that the water activity had a strong linear correlation (R²=0.994) with the amount of glucose present above saturation. Difference in the water activities of the crystal–solution mixture (a_w1) and the supersaturated solution (a_w2) by re-dissolving the crystalline fraction allowed calculation of the amount of crystalline phase present (ΔG) in the mixture by an equation ΔG=846.97(a_w1−a_w2). Other methods such as Raoult's, Norrish and Money–Born equations were also tested for the prediction of water activity of supersaturated glucose solution.