Detection of genetically modified plant products by protein strip testing: an evaluation of real-life samples

The determination of the presence of genetically modified plant material by the detection of expressed genetically engineered proteins using lateral flow protein strip tests has been evaluated in different matrices. The presence of five major genetically engineered proteins (CP4-EPSPS, CryIAb, Cry9C, PAT/pat and PAT/bar protein) was detected at low levels in seeds, seed/leaf powder and leaf tissue from genetically modified soy, maize or oilseed rape. A comparison between “protein strip test” (PST) and “polymerase chain reaction” (PCR) analysis of genetically modified food/feed samples demonstrates complementarities of both techniques.     

Key gene regulatory sequences with distinctive ontological signatures associate with differentially endonuclease-accessible mouse sperm chromatin

Using a well-established endonuclease-based chromatin dissection procedure in conjunction with both experimental comparative genome hybridisation (CGH) array profiling and in silico data mining, we show that mouse spermatozoa contain chromatin that is sensitive and resistant to digestion with micrococcal nuclease (MNase). Sequences represented in the micrococcal nuclease digestion solubilised (MNDS) but not the MND insoluble (MNDI) chromatin are strongly enriched in chromosomal regions of high gene density. Furthermore, by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis, we show that MNDS and MNDI DNAs occupy distinct domains of decondensed mouse sperm nuclei that may also retain abundant histones. More detailed in silico analysis of CGH probe location in relation to known promoters and sequences recognised by CCCTC binding factor (CTCF) shows a significant excess of both in MNDS chromatin. A functional analysis of gene promoters reveals strong ontological signatures for ion transport on methylated promoters associated with CTCF binding sequences in MNDS chromatin. Sensory perception is the only strong ontological signature present in MNDI chromatin, driven by promoters that are not associated with CTCF regardless of their methylation status.     

Etude de conducteurs organiques en phase solide. Electrosynthese et analyse electrochimique de sels a valence mixte derives du tetramethyltetrathiofulvalene

L'oxydation anodique du tétraméthyltétrathiofulvalène (TMTTF) en présence de différents anions (X^? = Br^?, ClO^?₄, BF^?₄, PF^?₆) a été étudiée dans le but de mettre en évidence la formation de sels conducteurs. L'étude a été menée au moyen de différentes techniques électrochimiques. Dans chaque cas, des sels à valence mixte de composition (TMTTF)₂X ont été isolés, et leur comportement électrochimique en phase solide a été précisé.     

Perceptual biases, affect, and behavior in the relationships of dependents and self-critics.

Aspects of interpersonal, personality, and cognitive models of depression were tested in a college sample. The perceptions and actual interpersonal behaviors of dependent and self-critical women and their romantic partners were assessed during a conflict-resolution task. Dependent women were characterized by positive biases in the perception of lovingness expressed within the relationship. The partners of dependent women, however, experienced a decrease in positive affect and a trend toward increasing hostility during the conflict-resolution task. Self-critical women were objectively rated as less loving and more hostile, and their partners were also rated as less loving. Self-critics also exhibited negative biases in self-perceptions of submissiveness. The results are interpreted within a comprehensive framework integrating various elements of interpersonal, personality, and cognitive models of depression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Induced decomposition of an acrylic peroxide for chemical modification of polypropylene

The heating of a mixture of ethyl 2-(1,1-dimethylethylperoxymethyl)propenoate and atactic polypropylene allowed the grafting of ester and epoxide functions onto the polyolefin. This is attributed to an induced decomposition of this acrylic peroxide, due to the addition of macroradicals, arising from polypropylene, to the unsaturation followed by an S_Hi onto the peroxidic bond.     

Flow management strategies to control blooms of the cyanobacterium,Anabaena circinalis,in the River Murray at Morgan,South Australia

The Murray–Darling river system is highly regulated and is Australia's major surface water resource. It is subject to blooms of the toxic cyanobacterium Anabaena circinalis, which present significant water quality problems. As a result of these blooms, an algal management strategy has been developed for the Murray–Darling basin. One of the major objectives of the strategy is the development of flow management strategies for key reaches of the river system. Intensive studies in the Murrumbidgee River, Australia, have indicated that persistent thermal stratification is a requirement for blooms of this cyanobacterium to occur. In the lower Murray, mean wind speed was found to be the major factor affecting the degree of thermal stratification under low flow conditions, which generally exist during the months of December to March. In this paper, the effect of various flow management scenarios on the likelihood of the occurrence of blooms in the River Murray at Morgan, South Australia, are assessed. A frequency analysis is carried out on 30 years of wind speed data to determine the probability of occurrence of persistent thermal stratification under a number of flow regimes. The scenarios evaluated include existing base flow conditions, altered base flow regimes, temporary releases from an upstream storage (Lake Victoria) and the temporary reduction of weir pool levels. The results obtained indicate that the dispersal of existing blooms by simultaneously reducing the weir pool levels at Locks 1–3 is the most effective and economical strategy for combating bloom formation by A. circinalis in the River Murray at Morgan. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New biobased carboxylic acid hardeners for epoxy resins

Soybean oil was modified into a novel biobased polyacid hardener by thiol‐ene coupling with thioglycolic acid. The structure of the initial soybean oil and polyacid triglyceride was carefully analyzed using ¹H NMR and titration. The thermal crosslinking reaction between acid hardener and epoxidized resin was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rheology. Then, the synthesized biobased acid hardener was employed as a novel curing agent for bisphenol A diglycidyl ether to elaborate new partially biobased materials. These materials, formulated in stoichiometry ratio, were characterized by DSC, thermogravimetry analyses, dynamic mechanical analyses and exhibit interesting properties for coatings. Practical applications: The products of the chemistry described in this contribution, i.e., polyacid from soybean oil and thioglycolic acid, provide biobased building blocks for further epoxy resin syntheses by reaction with epoxy groups. The obtained epoxy resins are partially biobased and may be applied as binders and coatings.     

Nutritional modulation of insulin resistance in the true carnivorous cat: a review

Cats are strict carnivores that rely on nutrients in animal tissues to meet their specific and unique nutritional requirements. In their natural habitat, cats consume prey high in protein with moderate amounts of fat and minimal carbohydrates in contrast to commercial diets, which are sometimes moderate to high in carbohydrates. This change in diet has been accompanied by a shift from an outdoor environment to an indoor lifestyle and decreased physical activity, because cats no longer need to hunt to obtain food. This transformation of the lifestyle of cats is thought to be responsible for the recent increase in incidence of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus in domestic cats. At first, an overview of the evolutionary physiological adaptations of carbohydrate digestion in the feline digestive tract and of the hepatic carbohydrate and protein metabolism reflecting the true carnivorous nature of cats is given. Secondly, this literature review deals with nutritional modulation of insulin sensitivity, focusing on dietary macronutrients, carbohydrate sources, and dietary fiber for prevention and treatment of insulin resistance.