Studies of blood pressures in children, ages 5-14 years, in a total biracial community: the Bogalusa Heart Study

Blood pressure, height, weight, maturation, triceps skinfold thickness, serum lipids, and hemoglobin were measured as risk factors for coronary artery disease in 3,524 children (93% of the eligible population) in Bogalusa, Louisiana. Nine blood pressures were taken on each child by trained observers with mercury sphygmomanometers (Baumanometer) and Physiometrics automatic recorders in a rigid randomized design in a relaxed atmosphere with other children present. The pressures observed were low compared to reported data. Black children had significantly higher blood pressures than white children. This difference, starting before age 10, was largest in the children in the upper five percent of the pressure ranks. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that this racial differnce was significant when measured by an automatic recorder. Body size, expressed by height and by weight/height3 index, was a strong determinant of blood pressure level. Other positive determinants were blood hemoglobin and external maturation.     

Aphrodisiac Pheromones from the Wings of the Small Cabbage White and Large Cabbage White Butterflies,Pieris rapae and Pieris brassicae

Pheromonally yours : The aphrodisiac pheromones of male Cabbage White butterflies were identified. The small butterfly uses the smaller molecule ferrulactone ( 1 ) to enhance its mating success, while the large butterfly uses the larger compound brassicalactone ( 2 ), which is a new natural product. Both compounds are active in combination with hexahydrofarnesylacetone and phytol.

     

Antennal sensilla of two parasitoid wasps: a comparative scanning electron microscopy study

Two closely related parasitoid wasp species, Cotesia glomerata (L.) and Cotesia rubecula (Marshall) (Hymenoptera:Braconidae), are different in their associative learning of plant odors. To provide a solid basis for our research on the mechanisms that underlie this difference, we described the morphology of the antennal sensilla of these two species using scanning electron microscopy complemented with transmission electron microscopy. Female and male antennae of both species have the same six types of sensilla. We classified these sensilla as sensilla trichodea without pores, sensilla trichodea with a tip pore, sensilla trichodea with wall pores, sensilla coeloconica type I, sensilla coeloconica type II, and sensilla placodea. We conclude that the morphology, numbers, and distribution of the sensory receptors are highly similar in these two closely related wasp species. Differences between species and sexes occurred only in sensilla placodea numbers. C. rubecula has more sensilla placodea than C. glomerata and males of both species have a larger number and a higher density of sensilla placodea compared to females of the same species.     

Analysis of freely dissolved alcohol ethoxylate homologues in various seawater matrixes using solid-phase microextraction

Solid-phase microextraction fibers (SPME) were tested as tools to determine freely dissolved alcohol ethoxylate (AE) surfactants in seawater matrixes. Partitioning of a wide range of AE homologues into a 35-mum polyacrylate fiber coating was linearly related to aqueous concentrations as low as submicrograms per liter, with high reproducibility. The exposure time needed to reach equilibrium between aqueous phase and the SPME fiber depended on the fiber-water partitioning coefficient (Kfw) of the AE homologue. Specific attention was given to the influence of various matrixes on the analysis via SPME. The presence of sediment increases the uptake kinetics of AE homologues for which diffusion in the aqueous phase is rate limiting. The Kfw in equilibrated systems was not affected by the presence of other homologues, micelles, or varying amounts of sediment phase. SPME is therefore a suitable tool for analysis of AE in sorption studies and sediment toxicity tests. A strong linear relation was observed between Kfw and the hydrophobicity of the AE homologue, using estimated octanol-water partition coefficients. This relation can be used to predict the partitioning coefficient of any AE homologue to the SPME fiber, which facilitates the analysis of complex mixtures.     

Jasmonic Acid-Induced Changes in <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis> Affect Oviposition Preference of Two Specialist Herbivores

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a key hormone involved in plant defense responses. The effect of JA treatment of cabbage plants on their acceptability for oviposition by two species of cabbage white butterflies, Pieris rapae and P. brassicae, was investigated. Both butterfly species laid fewer eggs on leaves of JA-treated plants compared to control plants. We show that this is due to processes in the plant after JA treatment rather than an effect of JA itself. The oviposition preference for control plants is adaptive, as development time from larval hatch until pupation of P. rapae caterpillars was longer on JA-treated plants. Total glucosinolate content in leaf surface extracts was similar for control and treated plants; however, two of the five glucosinolates were present in lower amounts in leaf surface extracts of JA-treated plants. When the butterflies were offered a choice between the purified glucosinolate fraction isolated from leaf surface extracts of JA-treated plants and that from control plants, they did not discriminate. Changes in leaf surface glucosinolate profile, therefore, do not seem to explain the change in oviposition preference of the butterflies after JA treatment, suggesting that as yet unknown infochemicals are involved.     

Quality perception,purchase intention,and the impact of information on the evaluation of refined Pacific cupped oysters (Crassostrea gigas) by Dutch consumers

BACKGROUND

Oyster refinement using land‐based pond systems is a new activity in the Dutch oyster sector. It increases the oyster's tissue weight and changes its sensorial properties. However, the response of Dutch consumers towards refined oysters is unknown. The research aim was to gain insight into the importance of oyster quality parameters, drivers for oyster consumption, and acceptance of refined oysters by Dutch consumers, taking into account the information given to them about the product and process.

RESULTS

Taste, texture, and odor are the most important oyster quality characteristics for Dutch consumers. The outcome of questionnaires showed that willingness to buy and pay is influenced by factors such as the oysters' country of origin, cultivation area, and flavor profile. Refinement did not affect willingness to buy and pay. Furthermore Dutch consumers seem to have a preference for the flavor profile of refined oysters. Consumer evaluation showed that refined Pacific cupped oysters were perceived as sweeter compared with non‐refined oysters. When information on the cultivation process was disclosed, overall appreciation of refined oysters by consumers increased.

CONCLUSION

New insights in the importance of oyster quality characteristics for Dutch consumers are generated that can be used in the development of refined Pacific cupped oysters. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Poly(dimethylsiloxane) as passive sampler material for hydrophobic chemicals: effect of chemical properties and sampler characteristics on partitioning and equilibration times

Information about sampling rates and equilibration times of passive samplers is essential in their calibration in field monitoring studies as well as sorption studies. The kinetics of a sampler depends on the distribution coefficient between the sampler material and aqueous phase and the exchange rates of chemicals between these phases. In this study, the elimination kinetics of four poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) passive samplers with different surface-volume ratios are compared. The samplers were loaded with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) that cover a broad range of hydrophobicities. The surface-volume ratios of the samplers could largely explain the observed kinetics. Furthermore, a simple diffusion-based model illustrates that the exchange of chemicals was limited by diffusion through the aqueous diffusion layer surrounding the sampler. On the basis of this simple diffusion model, equilibration times are predicted for organic chemicals that vary in hydrophobicity and samplers with different dimensions and polymeric phases. This information is of importance in the selection of a passive sampler for a specific purpose.     

Predicting adult fish acute lethality with the zebrafish embryo: relevance of test duration, endpoints, compound properties, and exposure concentration analysis

The zebrafish embryo toxicity test has been proposed as an alternative for the acute fish toxicity test, which is required by various regulations for environmental risk assessment of chemicals. We investigated the reliability of the embryo test by probing organic industrial chemicals with a wide range of physicochemical properties, toxicities, and modes of toxic action. Moreover, the relevance of using measured versus nominal (intended) exposure concentrations, inclusion of sublethal endpoints, and different exposure durations for the comparability with reported fish acute toxicity was explored. Our results confirm a very strong correlation of zebrafish embryo to fish acute toxicity. When toxicity values were calculated based on measured exposure concentrations, the slope of the type II regression line was 1 and nearly passed through the origin (1 to 1 correlation). Measured concentrations also explained several apparent outliers. Neither prolonged exposure (up to 120 h) nor consideration of sublethal effects led to a reduced number of outliers. Yet, two types of compounds were less lethal to embryos than to adult fish: a neurotoxic compound acting via sodium channels (permethrin) and a compound requiring metabolic activation (allyl alcohol).     

Removal of two polycyclic musks in sewage treatment plants: freely dissolved and total concentrations

In the current study, the removal of slowly degradable hydrophobic chemicals in sewage treatment plants (STPs) has been evaluated with emphasis on the combination of free and total concentration data. Free and total concentrations of two polycyclic musks were determined in each compartment of four STPs. The free concentration of the polycyclic musks remains virtually constant throughout all the compartments of the STPs with values between 0.21 and 0.57 microg/L for AHTN and between 0.79 and 2.0 microg/L for HHCB. Total concentrations of these fragrances are highly dependent on the volatile solids in a given compartment resulting in much more variation with values between 0.42 and 92 microg/L for AHTN and between 1.25 and 258 microg/L for HHCB. It is concluded that free concentrations of these hydrophobic chemicals in the compartments of STPs are mostly biodegradation mediated, while total concentrations are mediated by the concentration of solids. The combination of measurements of free and total concentrations can improve estimations regarding removal efficiency and removal pathways.