Comparative investigations on soluble proteins and malate dehydrogenase of four grape varieties by isoelectric focusinq

Soluble proteins and multiple forms of malate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.37) in both skin and juice of four grape varieties, have been compared with respect to heterogeneity and isoelectric point. The protein preparations resolved into 17 to 28 very distinct components. Seven (skins) and eight (juices) of these components were of common occurrence with all varieties, as judged by the same pI value. The presence of two to seven peculiar bands in both parts of berry was also observed. In the grape the NAD-malate dehydrogenase activity was associated with 9 to 13 isoelectric forms, apparently assembled into three sets of isoenzymes. Each of these showed a rather similar dislocation in the gels; but they contained a different number of isoenzymes of distinct pI value in the skin as well as in the juice of different varieties. A higher number of variant forms was found in the skins in comparison with juices. Between two and four isomalate dehydrogenases of the same net charge were found in both parts of berries of the same variety, whereas the remaining isoenzymes appeared to be non-identical and, thus, presumably the product of distinct genes.Vergleichende Untersuchung über die löslichen Proteine und die Malat-Dehydrogenasevon vier Rebsorten mittels isoelektrischer FokussierungDie löslichen Proteine und multiplen Formen der Malat-Dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.37) sowohl in der Schale als auch im Saft der Beeren von vier Rebsorten wurden in bezug auf Heterogenität und isoelektrischen Punkt verglichen. Die Proteinpräparate ließen sich in 17 bis 28 deutlich unterscheidbare Komponenten auftrennen. Aufgrund übereinstimmender pI-Werte besaßen alle Sorten in der Schale sieben und im Saft acht gleiche Komponenten. Auch wurden in den beiden Teilen der Beere zwei bis sieben charakteristische Proteinbanden beobachtet.Das Muster der NAD-Malat-Dehydrogenase in der Beere setzt sich aus 9 bis 13 isoelektrischen Formen zusammen, die offensichtlich in drei Gruppen von Isoenzymen angeordnet sind. Die einzelnen Gruppen waren in den Gelen ziemlich übereinstimmend lokalisiert; aber die einzelnen Sorten besaßen sowohl in der Schale als auch im Saft eine unterschiedliche Anzahl von Enzymen eines bestimmten pI-Wertes. In den Schalen wurde eine vergleichsweise größere Anzahl unterschiedlicher Isoenzyme gefunden als in den Säften. In den beiden Beerenteilen einer Sorte wurden zwei bis vier Isomalat-Dehydrogenasen mit übereinstimmendem pI-Wert ermittelt, während die restlichen Isoenzyme anscheinend nicht identisch und somit wohl auf ungleiche Gene zurückzuführen waren

Whitetail Deer Carrying Capacity at a Georgia Barrier Island

Whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations of several islands along the Georgia coast have appeared to be in declining health for the past 10 years. Several explanations for this phenomenon have been proposed; however, several researchers have alluded to the over-population of the species. We calculated the carrying capacity of the Skidaway Island State Park (SISP), a portion of Skidaway Island located near the coastal City of Savannah. By determining the amount of biomass produced by several habitats located within the park, and knowing the hectares of these habitats, the total amount of biomass was calculated. Using the caloric requirements of the whitetail deer found at various regions of the continental United States, we determined the sustainable carrying capacity of a healthy deer population within the park. We calculated that approximately 11.5 deer can be annually sustained on the vegetative biomass produced by the Skidaway Island State Park (SISP)

Attività e forme molecolari multiple di α-amilasi, α-glucosidasi e invertasi dell'uva in maturazione

A partire dall' invaiatura fino alla completa maturazione dell' uva Tocai sono stati seguiti i cambiamenti relativi alle forme multiple e alle attività specifiche di invertasi, a-amilasi e a-glucosidasi. All' invai.altura l'invertasi è presente con tre varianti isoenzimatiche, una delle quali scompare subito dopo. Tale scomparsa si verifica in concomitanza con la rapida diminuzione dell' attività dell' enzima e col simultaneo consistente aumento nell' acino del contenuto in zucchero riducenti. Per l' α-amilasi e l' α-glucosidasi i cambiamenti che intervengono nei loro patterns isoenzimatici non si sono dimostrati strettamente correlati con le variazioni delle loro attività specifiche. Le curve di attività di entrambi gli enzimi hanno dimostrato un andamento piuttosto parallelo e un massimo a sei settimane dall'invaiatura. I livelli di attività di a-amilasi s quelli di a-glucosidasi sono discussi con riferimento ai dati esistenti in letteratura sul contenuto d'amido nella uva.Activities and multiple molecular forms of α-amylase, α-glucosidase and invertaseduring ripening of grape berriesChanges in multiple forms and specific activities of invertase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase were followed during the ripening of Tokay grape berries. Different ripening stages of grape were accompanied by variations in the number of isoenzyme bands as well as in the level of activity of the enzymes examined. The activity levels of both α-amylase and α-glucosidase are discussed in relation to the literature data on starch content in grape

Substantial improvements not seen in health behaviors following corner store conversions in two Latino food swamps.

BackgroundThe effectiveness of food retail interventions is largely undetermined, yet substantial investments have been made to improve access to healthy foods in food deserts and swamps via grocery and corner store interventions. This study evaluated the effects of corner store conversions in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, California on perceived accessibility of healthy foods, perceptions of corner stores, store patronage, food purchasing, and eating behaviors.MethodsHousehold data (n = 1686) were collected at baseline and 12- to 24-months post-intervention among residents surrounding eight stores, three of which implemented a multi-faceted intervention and five of which were comparisons. Bivariate analyses and logistic and linear regressions were employed to assess differences in time, treatment, and the interaction between time and treatment to determine the effectiveness of this intervention.ResultsImprovements were found in perceived healthy food accessibility and perceptions of corner stores. No changes were found, however, in store patronage, purchasing, or consumption of fruits and vegetables.ConclusionsResults suggest limited effectiveness of food retail interventions on improving health behaviors. Future research should focus on other strategies to reduce community-level obesity

F-wave versus P-wave Superconductivity in Organic Conductors

Current experimental results suggest that some organic quasi-one-dimensional superconductors exhibit triplet pairing symmetry. Thus, we discuss several potential triplet order parameters for the superconducting state of these systems within the functional integral formulation. We compare weak spin-orbit coupling $f_{xyz}$, $p_x$, $p_y$ and $p_z$ symmetries via several thermodynamic quantities. For each symmetry, we analyse the temperature dependences of the order parameter, condensation energy, specific heat, and superfluid density tensor.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

From impulses to maladaptive actions: the insula is a neurobiological gate for the development of compulsive behavior.

Impulsivity is an endophenotype of vulnerability for compulsive behaviors. However, the neural mechanisms whereby impulsivity facilitates the development of compulsive disorders, such as addiction or obsessive compulsive disorder, remain unknown. We first investigated, in rats, anatomical and functional correlates of impulsivity in the anterior insular (AI) cortex by measuring both the thickness of, and cellular plasticity markers in, the AI with magnetic resonance imaging and in situ hybridization of the immediate early gene zif268, respectively. We then investigated the influence of bilateral AI cortex lesions on the high impulsivity trait, as measured in the five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), and the associated propensity to develop compulsivity as measured by high drinking levels in a schedule-induced polydipsia procedure (SIP). We demonstrate that the AI cortex causally contributes to individual vulnerability to impulsive-compulsive behavior in rats. Motor impulsivity, as measured by premature responses in the 5-CSRTT, was shown to correlate with the thinness of the anterior region of the insular cortex, in which highly impulsive (HI) rats expressed lower zif268 mRNA levels. Lesions of AI reduced impulsive behavior in HI rats, which were also highly susceptible to develop compulsive behavior as measured in a SIP procedure. AI lesions also attenuated both the development and the expression of SIP. This study thus identifies the AI as a novel neural substrate of maladaptive impulse control mechanisms that may facilitate the development of compulsive disorders.This research was carried-out within the Department of Psychology and the Department of Pharmacology of the University of Cambridge as well as the INSERM AVENIR team Psychobiology of Compulsive Disorders of the University of Poitiers. It was supported by an INSERM AVENIR grant and a FYSSEN foundation grant to DB. MLD was supported by a PhD fellowship from the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (FRM) and ABR was supported by a post-doctoral fellowship from the INSERM. BJE was supported by the United Kingdom Medical Research Council (MRC) Grant 9536855.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Nature Publishing Group via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/mp.2015.14

Heat Conduction in κ\kappa-(BEDT-TTF)2_2Cu(NCS)2_2

The first study of thermal conductivity, $\kappa$, in a quasi-two-dimensional organic superconductor of the $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$X family reveals features analogous to those already observed in the cuprates. The onset of superconductivity is associated with a sudden increase in $\kappa$ which can be suppressed by the application of a moderate magnetic field. At low temperatures, a finite linear term - due to a residual electronic contribution- was resolved. The magnitude of this term is close to what is predicted by the theory of transport in unconventional superconductors.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures include

Transitions and Probes in Turbulent Helium

Previous analysis of a Paris turbulence experiment \cite{zoc94,tab95} shows a transition at the Taylor Reynolds number \rel \approx 700. Here correlation function data is analyzed which gives further evidence for this transition. It is seen in both the power spectrum and in structure function measurements. Two possible explanations may be offered for this observed transition: that it is intrinsic to the turbulence flow in this closed box experiment or that it is an effect of a change in the flow around the anemometer. We particularly examine a pair of ``probe effects''. The first is a thermal boundary layer which does exist about the probe and does limit the probe response, particularly at high frequencies. Arguments based on simulations of the response and upon observations of dissipation suggests that this effect is only crucial beyond \rel\approx 2000. The second effect is produced by vortex shedding behind the probe. This has been seen to produce a large modification in some of the power spectra for large \rel. It might also complicate the interpretation of the experimental results. However, there seems to be a remaining range of data for \rel < 1300 uncomplicated by these effects, and which are thus suggestive of an intrinsic transition.Comment: uuencoded .ps files. submitted to PRE. 12 figures are sent upon request to jane wang ([email protected]

Thermal Conductivity of superconducting (TMTSF)_2ClO_4: evidence for a nodeless gap

We report on the first measurements of thermal conductivity in the superconducting state of (TMTSF)_2ClO_4. The electronic contribution to heat transport is found to decrease rapidly below T_c, indicating the absence of low-energy electronic excitations. We argue that this result provides strong evidence for a nodeless superconducting gap function but does not exclude a possible unconventional order parameter.Comment: 4 pages including 4 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let