Peach allergen Pru p 1 content is generally low in fruit but with large variation in different varieties

Background: Pru p 1 is a major allergen in peach and nectarine, and the different content in varieties may affect the degree of allergic reactions. This study aimed to quantify Pru p 1 levels in representative peach varieties and select hypoallergenic Pru p 1 varieties. Methods: To obtain monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, mice and rabbits, respectively, were immunized with recombinant Pru p 1.01 and Pru p 1.02. The Pru p 1 levels in fruits from 83 representative peach varieties was quantified by sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (sELISA). nPru p 1 was obtained through specific monoclonal antibody affinity purification and confirmed by Western blot and mass spectrometry. The variable Pru p 1 content of selected varieties was evaluated by Western blot and the expression level of encoding Pru p 1 genes by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: A sELISA method with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies was built for quantifying Pru p 1 levels in peach. Pru p 1 was mainly concentrated in the peel (0.20–73.44 μg/g, fresh weight), being very low in the pulp (0.05–9.62 μg/g) and not detected in wild peach. For the 78 peach and nectarine varieties, Pru p 1 content varied widely from 0.12 to 6.45 μg/g in whole fruit. We verified that natural Pru p 1 is composed of 1.01 and 1.02 isoallergens, and the Pru p 1 expression level and Pru p 1 band intensity in the immunoblots were in agreement with protein quantity determined by ELISA for some tested varieties. In some cases, the reduced levels of Pru p 1 did not coincide with low Pru p 3 in the same variety in whole fruit, while some ancient wild peach and nectarines contained low levels of both allergens, and late‐ripening yellow flesh varieties were usually highly allergenic. Conclusion: Pru p 1 content is generally low in peach compared to Pru p 3. Several hypoallergenic Pru p 1 and Pru p 3 varieties, “Zi Xue Tao,” “Wu Yue Xian,” and “May Fire,” were identified, which could be useful in trials for peach allergy patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CCI-Based Link Quality Estimation Mechanism for Wireless Sensor Networks under Perceive Packet Loss

Abstract—This paper proposes a CCI-Based (Chip Correlation Indicator) link quality estimation mechanism for wireless sensor networks, which is used under the case of perceive packet loss. This mechanism studies on the relationship model between CCI and PRR (Packet Receive Rate) under the case of perceive packet loss, which is carried out on the foundation of doing analysis of the sending and receiving process of data frame and the factors which affect link quality. The building of the CCI-PRR relationship model is divided into two parts: the first is the building of CCI-SER (Symbol Error Rate) relationship model, and the second is the building of SER-PRR relationship model. During estimation period, nodes continuously track the CCI, and Kalman Filter is used to do denoising of CCI due to the large fluctuating range of the raw CCI. Then the denoised CCI is mapped into a local CCI-PRR mapping model to get the corresponding PRR. Experiment results have validated the correctness of the CCI-PRR mapping model, and the results also show that compared with counting-based PRR estimation mechanism, the mechanism proposed in this paper can use fewer probe packets to get a relatively accurate estimation value, it has the advantage of decreasing extra energy consumption caused by sending large number of probe packets

Cu₂O-promoted degradation of sulfamethoxazole by <i>α</i>-Fe₂O₃-catalyzed peroxymonosulfate under circumneutral conditions: synergistic effect, Cu/Fe ratios, and mechanisms

<p>To promote the application of iron oxides in sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes, a convenient approach using Cu₂O as a catalyst additive was proposed. Composite catalysts based on <i>α</i>-Fe₂O₃ (CTX%Cu₂O, <i>X</i> = 1, 2.5, 5, and 10) were prepared for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, and sulfamethoxazole was used as a model pollutant to probe the catalytic reactivity. The results show that a synergistic catalytic effect exists between Cu₂O and <i>α</i>-Fe₂O₃, which was explained by the promoted reduction of Fe(III) by Cu(I). Iron K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy investigations indicated that the promoted reduction probably occurred with PMS acting as a ligand that bridges the redox centers of Cu(I) and Fe(III). The weight ratio between Cu₂O and <i>α</i>-Fe₂O₃ influenced the degradation of sulfamethoxazole, and the optimal ratio depended on the dosage of PMS and catalysts. With 40 mg L^–1 PMS and 0.6 g L^–1 catalyst, a pseudo-first-order constant of ∼0.019 min^–1 was achieved for CT2.5%Cu₂O, whereas only 0.004 min^–1 was realized for <i>α</i>-Fe₂O₃. Nearly complete degradation of the sulfamethoxazole was achieved within 180 min under the conditions of 40 mg L^–1 PMS, 0.4 g L^–1 CT2.5%Cu₂O, and pH 6.8. In contrast, less than 20% degradation was realized with <i>α</i>-Fe₂O₃ under similar conditions. The CT2.5%Cu₂O catalyst had the best stoichiometric efficiency of PMS (0.317), which was 4.5 and 5.8 times higher than those of Cu₂O (0.070) and <i>α</i>-Fe₂O₃ (0.054), respectively. On the basis of the products identified, the cleavage of the S–N bond was proposed as a major pathway for the degradation of sulfamethoxazole.</p

Down-Regulation of PpBGAL10 and PpBGAL16 Delays Fruit Softening in Peach by Reducing Polygalacturonase and Pectin Methylesterase Activity

β-galactosidases are cell wall hydrolases that play an important role in fruit softening. However, PpBGALs mechanism impacting on ethylene-dependent peach fruit softening was still unclear. In this study, we found that PpBGAL4, -6, -8, -10, -16, and -17 may be required for ethylene-dependent peach softening and PpBGAL10, -16 may make a main contribution to it among 17 PpBGALs. Utilization of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) showed that fruits were firmer than those of the control at 4 and 6 days after harvest (DAH) when PpBGAL10 and PpBGAL16 expression was down-regulated. Suppression of PpBGAL10 and PpBGAL16 expression also reduced PpPG21 and PpPME3 transcription, and polygalacturonase (PG) and pectinmethylesterases (PME) activity. Overall, total cell wall material and protopectin slowly declined, water-soluble pectin slowly increased, and cellulose and hemicellulose was altered significantly at 4 DAH, relative to control fruit. In addition, PpACO1 expression and ethylene production were also suppressed at 4 DAH because of inhibiting PpBGAL10 and PpBGAL16 expression. These results suggested that down-regulation of PpBGAL10 and PpBGAL16 expression delays peach fruit softening by decreasing PG and PME activity, which inhibits cell wall degradation and ethylene production

Light interception characteristics estimated from three-dimensional virtual plants for two apple cultivas and influenced by combinations of rootstocks and tree architecture in loess plateau of China

Communication orale + résuméThe agronomic efficiency of dwarf interstock use is presently under debate in China where almost 90% of apple orchards use vigorous rootstock, even in high density orchards. This study aimed at comparing two apple cultivars ('Fuji' and 'Gala') performance when grafted on a vigorous rootstock but associated either with a dwarf interstock (DT) or with a vigorous interstock (VF). Both orchards were trained with the spindle training system, in the conditions of Loess Plateau of China. For each cultivar and rootstock-interstock combination, 2 or 3 trees were digitized on which we estimated light interception and distribution at the tree scale. All trees were digitized at the current-year shoot scale, before harvest in 2011 and 2012. Shoots were distinguished according to length (long and short) and type (fruiting or vegetative). Virtual canopies were reconstructed based on allometric relationships and leaf angle distributions sampled at shoot and leaf scale in each year. Total leaf area (TLA), direct and diffuse projected leaf area (PLA) and silhouette to total leaf area (STAR) were estimated at the tree scale with the VegeSTAR software. TLA was affected by both cultivars and combinations, but PLA was only affected by combinations, for both diffuse and direct PLA. Moreover, STAR was affected by combinations, cultivars and years. The DT-trees compared to VF-trees and 'Gala' compared to 'Fuji' trees had higher STAR at tree scale and had higher number of voxels with higher STAR. In order to improve our understanding of rootstock - scion combination, we will use the RATP model to further study inter- and intra- tree microclimate and leaf functions (photosynthesis and transpiration)

Mechanical/Electrical Characterization of ZnO Nanomaterial Based on AFM/Nanomanipulator Embedded in SEM

ZnO nanomaterials have been widely used in micro/nano devices and structure due to special mechanical/electrical properties, and its characterization is still deficient and challenging. In this paper, ZnO nanomaterials, including nanorod and nanowire are characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) and nanomanipulator embedded in scanning electron microscope (SEM) respectively, which can manipulate and observe simultaneously, and is efficient and cost effective. Surface morphology and mechanical properties were observed by AFM. Results showed that the average Young’s modulus of ZnO nanorods is 1.40 MPa and the average spring rate is 0.08 N/m. Electrical properties were characterized with nanomanipulator, which showed that the ZnO nanomaterial have cut-off characteristics and good schottky contact with the tungsten probes. A two-probe strategy was proposed for piezoelectric property measurement, which is easy to operate and adaptable to multiple nanomaterials. Experiments showed maximum voltage of a single ZnO nanowire is around 0.74 mV. Experiment criteria for ZnO manipulation and characterization were also studied, such as acceleration voltage, operation duration, sample preparation. Our work provides useful references for nanomaterial characterization and also theoretical basis for nanomaterials application

Mechanical/Electrical Characterization of ZnO Nanomaterial Based on AFM/Nanomanipulator Embedded in SEM

ZnO nanomaterials have been widely used in micro/nano devices and structure due to special mechanical/electrical properties, and its characterization is still deficient and challenging. In this paper, ZnO nanomaterials, including nanorod and nanowire are characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) and nanomanipulator embedded in scanning electron microscope (SEM) respectively, which can manipulate and observe simultaneously, and is efficient and cost effective. Surface morphology and mechanical properties were observed by AFM. Results showed that the average Young’s modulus of ZnO nanorods is 1.40 MPa and the average spring rate is 0.08 N/m. Electrical properties were characterized with nanomanipulator, which showed that the ZnO nanomaterial have cut-off characteristics and good schottky contact with the tungsten probes. A two-probe strategy was proposed for piezoelectric property measurement, which is easy to operate and adaptable to multiple nanomaterials. Experiments showed maximum voltage of a single ZnO nanowire is around 0.74 mV. Experiment criteria for ZnO manipulation and characterization were also studied, such as acceleration voltage, operation duration, sample preparation. Our work provides useful references for nanomaterial characterization and also theoretical basis for nanomaterials application

Table_1_Down-Regulation of PpBGAL10 and PpBGAL16 Delays Fruit Softening in Peach by Reducing Polygalacturonase and Pectin Methylesterase Activity.DOCX

<p>β-galactosidases are cell wall hydrolases that play an important role in fruit softening. However, PpBGALs mechanism impacting on ethylene-dependent peach fruit softening was still unclear. In this study, we found that PpBGAL4, -6, -8, -10, -16, and -17 may be required for ethylene-dependent peach softening and PpBGAL10, -16 may make a main contribution to it among 17 PpBGALs. Utilization of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) showed that fruits were firmer than those of the control at 4 and 6 days after harvest (DAH) when PpBGAL10 and PpBGAL16 expression was down-regulated. Suppression of PpBGAL10 and PpBGAL16 expression also reduced PpPG21 and PpPME3 transcription, and polygalacturonase (PG) and pectinmethylesterases (PME) activity. Overall, total cell wall material and protopectin slowly declined, water-soluble pectin slowly increased, and cellulose and hemicellulose was altered significantly at 4 DAH, relative to control fruit. In addition, PpACO1 expression and ethylene production were also suppressed at 4 DAH because of inhibiting PpBGAL10 and PpBGAL16 expression. These results suggested that down-regulation of PpBGAL10 and PpBGAL16 expression delays peach fruit softening by decreasing PG and PME activity, which inhibits cell wall degradation and ethylene production.</p