Anthocyanins increase low-density lipoprotein and plasma cholesterol and do not reduce atherosclerosis in Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic rabbits

Anthocyanin-rich beverages have shown beneficial effects on coronary heart disease in epidemiological and intervention studies. In the present study, we investigated the effect of black currant anthocyanins on atherosclerosis. Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic rabbits (n = 61) were fed either a purified anthocyanin fraction from black currants, a black currant juice, probucol or control diet for 16 weeks. Purified anthocyanins significantly increased plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Intake of black currant juice had no effect on total plasma cholesterol, but lowered very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol significantly. There were no significant effects of either purified anthocyanins or black currant juice on aortic cholesterol or development of atherosclerosis after 16 weeks. Probucol had no effect on plasma cholesterol but significantly lowered VLDL-cholesterol and decreased aortic cholesterol accumulation. The erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase was significantly increased by purified anthocyanins and superoxide dismutase was increased by both anthocyanin-containing treatments. Other markers of plasma antioxidant capacity, antioxidant enzymes, protein and lipid oxidation were not affected by any of the anthocyanin treatments. Adverse effects of purified anthocyanins were observed on plasma- and LDL-cholesterol. These effects were not observed with black currant juice, suggesting that black currants may contain components reducing the adverse effects of anthocyanins.     

Ontogenic development of chemical defense by seedling resin birch: Energy cost of defense production

Whether production of chemical defenses by plants is or is not an energetically costly process is an important, but unresolved, question in chemical ecology. We suggest studies of the ontogenetic development of plant defense systems can help resolve the question. As an example of this approach to the cost question, we explore the problems associated with production of immobile chemical defenses that defend juvenile resin birches against browsing by mammals. From this exploration we draw two conclusions: (1) Shortly after germination, production of chemical defenses by small-seeded species, such as birch, is energetically costly. (2) Opposing selection for defense versus competitive ability in the seedling stage of birch has resulted in a trade-off in allocation of carbon to production of immobile chemical defense versus allocation of carbon to production of storage reserves. We suggest this trade-off results in a large indirect cost of defense because carbon used for production of immobile chemical defenses is unavailable for support of growth in the future, but stored carbon can be used to support future growth.     

N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O fluxes and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> exchange at different N doses under elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> concentration in boreal agricultural mineral soil under <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phleum pratense</Emphasis>

The effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration on N₂O fluxes, instant CO₂ exchange and the biomass production of timothy (Phleum pratense) were studied in the laboratory. Three sets of 12 farmed sandy soil mesocosms sown with Phleum pratense were fertilised with a commercial fertiliser in order to add 5, 10 and 15 g N m⁻², and equally distributed in four thermo-controlled greenhouses. In two of the greenhouses, the CO₂ concentration was kept at atmospheric concentration (360 μmol mol⁻¹), and in the other two at double the ambient concentration (720 μmol mol⁻¹). Forage was harvested and the plants fertilised twice during the N₂O measurements. This was followed by an extra fertilisation and harvesting. After the third harvest, the growth of P. pratense was maintained at a height of 18 cm for measurements of instant CO₂ exchange, performed in two growth chambers. N₂O exchange was monitored using a closed chamber technique and a gas chromatograph. Instant CO₂ exchange was monitored using an infrared gas analyser. N₂O was emitted from the soil in the low, moderate and high N treatments at both CO₂ concentrations when the moisture content was low, the N₂O probably being mainly derived from nitrification. The highest flux (3303 μg N₂O m⁻² h⁻¹) occurred in the highest N treatment before thinning the stand of P. pratense under elevated CO₂ concentration. P. pratense was acclimated to the elevated CO₂ concentration: the NEE and P _G of the elevated growth of P. pratense decreased, in contrast to the fluxes of the normal ambient growth, when measured at the changed CO₂ concentration (ambient). The rate of respiration (R _TOT) in the agroecosystem did not increase due to the elevated CO₂ concentration, but instead the results indicated decreased R _TOT (on average 2049 and 1808 mg CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ at ambient and elevated CO₂ concentration, respectively) when there was an abundant N supply. This infers the possibility of enhanced C accumulation in agriculture mineral soil via P. pratense under an increased atmospheric CO₂ supply.     

Importance of phenolic glucosides in host selection of shoot galling sawfly,Euura amerinae,onSalix pentandra

The effects of phenolic glucosides on the oviposition behavior ofEuura amerinae L. (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) were tested in multiple oviposition experiments using different shoot length categories ofSalix pentandra L. (with different amounts of phenolic glucosides) and in experiments with pure phenolic glucosides (salidroside, arbutin, salicin, 90% salicortin, 90% 2-O-acetylsalicortin) or composite total fractions of phenolic glucosides from three willow species (S. pentandra, S. myrsinifolia Salisb.,S. triandra L.). This was the first time that the effects of pure phenolic glucosides on the oviposition behavior of sawfly species were tested. Total fraction of phenolic glucosides fromS. pentandra and its main individual glucoside, 2-O-acetyl-salicortin, stimulated the strongest ovipositional behavior inE. amerinae. The results show clearly that females ofE. amerinae can recognize and choose their host willow,S. pentandra, on the basis of phenolic glucosides. Moreover, they are probably able to use phenolic glucosides as a cue in shoot selection within host-plant individuals.     

The Significance of Ectomycorrhizas in Chemical Quality of Silver Birch Foliage and Above-Ground Insect Herbivore Performance

We tested whether the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) infection level of roots of silver birch (Betula pendula) affects performance of above-ground insect herbivores by increasing available plant biomass, by enhancing availability of nutrients, or by modifying concentration of defense compounds, i.e., phenolics, in birch foliage. Insect performance was determined for a phloem-feeding generalist (Lygus rugulipennis, the European tarnished plant bug), a phloem-feeding specialist (Calaphis flava, the birch aphid), and a chewing generalist (Epirrita autumnata, the autumnal moth larva). Silver birch plantlets had either natural ECM infection level (on average 24% of short roots with ECM), reduced ECM infection level with fungicide (F−, 9% ECM), or enhanced ECM infection level after inoculation with the fungus Paxillus involutus (PI+, 45% ECM) or Leccinum versipelle (LV+, 42% ECM). In general, the most pronounced effect of ECM was observed on growth of plantlets, i.e., stem growth decreased. In PI+-treated plants, leaf biomass also decreased. The effect of mycorrhizal colonization on the host plant’s nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) concentration was dependent on the mycorrhizal species and experiment. Fungicide treatment did not cause a consistent decrease in nutrients. Finally, defense of birch against herbivory, expressed as foliar phenolic concentration in plantlets, was not modified by ECM. However, E. autumnata had a significantly higher relative growth rate on PI+ plantlets with high leaf N concentration than on LV+ plantlets with low leaf N concentration. The birch aphid C. flava produced significantly less nymphs on birches with enhanced ECM infection levels (PI+ and LV+ plantlets) than on controls. In summary, our data show that the ECM infection level mainly affects the growth parameters of plantlets, whereas effects on leaf chemical quality are minor. Our data show that effects of ECM infection of birch roots on aboveground herbivores are multifaceted and depend on the fungal species forming ectomycorrhiza and also on the degree of specialization and feeding guild of insects.     

Sol–gel based protective coatings for copper products

Corrosion, fouling, and wearing of metal surfaces are the most common problems faced in industry as well as in environmental use. In the recent study, sol–gel based protective coatings were developed and deposited on different copper substrates. Different chemical pretreatments were used to enhance the adhesion and spreadability of coatings on copper surfaces. Substantial improvement of the corrosion resistance of sol–gel coated copper surfaces was obtained by a salt spray test. In addition, the sol–gel coatings increased hydrophobic and easy-to-clean properties of the copper surface. Variation of the curing temperature of the coatings caused changes in the morphology, adhesion, and topography of the sol–gel coatings. On the basis of the important information obtained in this study, the protective properties of sol–gel coatings can be tailored for copper and copper alloy substrates.     

Work-family characteristics as determinants of sickness absence: A large-scale cohort study of three occupational grades.

This study examined the previously unexplored occupational grade-specific relationships of domestic responsibilities, the age of children, and work-family spillover, with registered sickness absence (>3 days' sick leave episodes, a mean follow-up of 17 months; n = 18,366 municipal employees; 76% women). The results showed that negative spillover from work into family life predicted a heightened rate of sickness absence spells among both women and men in all occupational categories (except upper white-collar men), but especially among blue-collar and lower white-collar employees. Furthermore, among all white-collar employees (except upper white-collar men), having young children (     

Effect of long-term intake of milk products on blood pressure in hypertensive rats

The effect of long-term intake of two fermented milk products on the development of hypertension was compared in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The products contained tripeptides isoleucine-proline-proline (IPP) and valine-proline-proline (VPP), which have been shown to possess angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Six-week-old SHR were divided into four groups to receive orally ad libitum water, skim milk or two fermented milk poducts (fermented milk A or fermented milk B; the latter is commercially available in Japan with trade name Calpis) for 14 weeks. The calculated intake of IPP was 0.4 mg/d and 0.2 mg/d in the groups receiving fermented milk A and B, respectively, whereas the corresponding amounts for VPP were 0.6 mg/d and 0.3 mg/d. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was monitored weekly by tail-cuff method. The development of hypertension was significantly attenuated in both groups receiving fermented milk products, whereas skim milk did not affect blood pressure. The effect was detectable after 6 weeks of treatment. At the end of the experiment, the lowest blood pressure level was found in the group receiving fermented milk A: the SBP was 21 mm Hg lower than in the group receiving water and 10 mm Hg lower than in the group receiving fermented milk B. This difference could be explained by larger intake of ACE inhibitory tripeptides in the group receiving fermented milk A as compared with fermented milk B.     

Trapping the food safety performance of a small or medium-sized food company using a risk-based model. The HYGRAM system

The requirements of implementing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles in food production are increasing. A practical risk quantification model, HYGRAM, was developed for small and medium-sized enterprises to meet this challenge. The model makes the user familiar with the HACCP principles by software-assisted guidance through the procedure, connecting special microbiological hazards, good hygiene practice, and other prerequisite programs to HACCP. HYGRAM is a tool to analyze and quantify risks of different processes, and to compare them. It is developed to relieve enterprises with limited resources in confirming the food safety of their production.