Protein patterns of ripe seeds of Theobroma cacao, Theobroma grandiflorum, and Theobroma bicolor.

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Utilization of cupuacu-seeds as raw material for chocolate-like products: variability of morphological traits and biochemistry of aroma potential

Study carried out at Embrapa Amazonia Ocidental (Manaus-AM-Brasil) on the cupuacu-seeds as raw material for chocolate-like products. The results reveal that cupuacu-seeds posses the biochemical potential to be used as raw material for chocolate-like products. However, simple application of the fermentation practices known from cocoa will not lead to a satisfactory yield of aroma precursors. There are some particular characteristics of cupuacu seeds, which must be met by appropriate fermentation procedures

Utilization of cupuaçu seeds as raw material for chocolate-like products: variability of morphological traits and biochemistry of aroma potential.

The general challenge of this project is to improve the understanding of natural and man-made ecosystems as bases for the development of sustainable land use practices in the Central Amazon

Development and production of cupuaçu plants (Theobroma grandiflorum) on degraded areas: implications of water relations.

In the study presented here we investigated the development and production of the crop tree Theobroma grandiflorum (in Brazil named "cupuaçu") under varying agro-environments

Einfluss von Bodenwasserverfügbarkeit und Mikroklima auf die Transpirationsdynamik von Stadtbäumen

Stadtbäume leisten aufgrund ihrer Kühlfunktion durch Transpiration einen positiven Beitrag zum urbanen Mikroklima. Gesteuert wird die Transpiration zum einen durch Klimaparameter und die artspezifische Physiologie, zum anderen durch die Bodenwasserverfügbarkeit in der Wurzelzone. Unterschiedliche Standortbedingungen des städtischen Raums führen allerdings zu einer räumlichen sowie zeitlichen Variabilität des zur Transpiration benötigten Bodenwassers. Unter welchen Bedingungen dies zu Trockenstress und damit einer eingeschränkten Kühlfunktion bei Stadtbäumen führt, hängt dabei sowohl von der Baumart als auch von den standörtlichen Gegebenheiten ab. Für eine Verbesserung eines Stadtbaum-Managements wie auch von Klimamodellen des urbanen Raums ist es notwendig, weitere Kenntnisse über die spezies- und standortspezifische Variabilität der Transpirationsdynamik von Stadtbäumen zu erlangen. Zur direkten Erfassung der Transpirationsdynamik wurden während der Vegetationsperioden 2013 und 2014 Xylemsaftflussmessung an etablierten Stieleichen (Quercus robur L.), eine der häufigsten Stadtbaumarten in Hamburg, vorgenommen. Untersucht wurden je drei Eichen auf drei Untersuchungsflächen im Hamburger Stadtgebiet, welche durch unterschiedliche bodenhydrologische Eigenschaften gekennzeichnet waren. Die räumlich-zeitliche Variabilität der Bodenwasserverfügbarkeit wurde mittels kontinuierlicher Messungen von Bodenwassergehalt und Bodenwasserspotenzial ermittelt. Zur Erfassung der atmosphärischen Wassernachfrage sowie von Lufttemperatur und Strahlung wurden an allen Standorten Klimamessstationen errichtet. Basierend auf Klima- und Saftflussdaten wurde schließlich die potentielle Saftflussdynamik mithilfe eines Jarvis-Modells berechnet. Während beider Vegetationsperioden konnten deutliche standörtliche Unterschiede hinsichtlich Bodenhydrologie und Mikroklima aufgezeigt werden. Auf allen Untersuchungsflächen kam es zu unterschiedlich stark ausgeprägten Austrocknungen des Oberbodens, bei der in Tiefen zwischen 0 und 80 cm Bodenwasserpotenziale bis pF 3.95 festgestellt wurden. Es zeigte sich jedoch, dass im Untersuchungszeitraum die Saftflussdynamik auch bei deutlich verringerter Bodenwasserverfügbarkeit allein durch Klimaparameter gesteuert wurde und damit weiterhin der potentiellen Saftflussdynamik folgte. Eine Limitierung des Saftflusses und damit der Transpiration dieser gut etablierten Stadtbäume durch moderate Trockenheit konnte zu keinem Zeitpunkt festgestellt werden

Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd. ex Spreng.) Schum: production factors in agro-ecosystems.

Study to evaluate the feasibiligy of sustainable agroforestry in central Amazonia (Brasil), paying special attention to the potential to recultivate degraded areas. For this purpose differente mixed cultivationsystems are being tested and compared to monocultures designed according to common practices. Study groups of various SHIFT-Projects are working on this experimental site, each groupe dealing with particular aspects of the different agro-ecosystems

The Importance of Protein in Leaf Selection of Folivorous Primates

Protein limitation has been considered a key factor in hypotheses on the evolution of life history and animal communities, suggesting that animals should prioritize protein in their food choice. This contrasts with the limited support that food selection studies have provided for such a priority in nonhuman primates, particularly for folivores. Here, we suggest that this discrepancy can be resolved if folivores only need to select for high protein leaves when average protein concentration in the habitat is low. To test the prediction, we applied meta-analyses to analyze published and unpublished results of food selection for protein and fiber concentrations from 24 studies (some with multiple species) of folivorous primates. To counter potential methodological flaws, we differentiated between methods analyzing total nitrogen and soluble protein concentrations. We used a meta-analysis to test for the effect of protein on food selection by primates and found a significant effect of soluble protein concentrations, but a non-significant effect for total nitrogen. Furthermore, selection for soluble protein was reinforced in forests where protein was less available. Selection for low fiber content was significant but unrelated to the fiber concentrations in representative leaf samples of a given forest. There was no relationship (either negative or positive) between the concentration of protein and fiber in the food or in representative samples of leaves. Overall our study suggests that protein selection is influenced by the protein availability in the environment, explaining the sometimes contradictory results in previous studies on protein selectio

Ets1 Induces Dysplastic Changes When Expressed in Terminally-Differentiating Squamous Epidermal Cells

BACKGROUND: Ets1 is an oncogene that functions as a transcription factor and regulates the activity of many genes potentially important for tumor initiation and progression. Interestingly, the Ets1 oncogene is over-expressed in many human squamous cell cancers and over-expression is highly correlated with invasion and metastasis. Thus, Ets1 is believed to mainly play a role in later stages of the oncogenic process, but not early events. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To better define the role of Ets1 in squamous cell carcinogenesis, we generated a transgenic mouse model in which expression of the Ets1 oncogene could be temporally and spatially regulated. Upon Ets1 induction in differentiating cells of stratified squamous epithelium, these mice exhibited dramatic changes in epithelial organization including increased proliferation and blocked terminal differentiation. The phenotype was completely reversed when Ets1 expression was suppressed. In mice where Ets1 expression was re-induced at a later age, the phenotype was more localized and the lesions that developed were more invasive. Many potential Ets1 targets were upregulated in the skin of these mice with the most dramatic being the metalloprotease MMP13, which we demonstrate to be a direct transcriptional target of Ets1. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Collectively, our data reveal that upregulation of Ets1 can be an early event that promotes pre-neoplastic changes in epidermal tissues via its regulation of key genes driving growth and invasion. Thus, the Ets1 oncogene may be important for oncogenic processes in both early and late stages of tumor development

Histological and cytological studies on seeds of Theobroma species.

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Project ENV 23: recultivation of degraded monoculture areas by polyculture systems.

Strutural traits of cultivation systems. Comparison of cultivation systems: different degrees of ecological functionality. Analysis of Microclimatic gradients: dense culture systems are less effected by dry microclimates. Horizontal root distribution patterns: the necessity of gap management. The necessity of gap management: water flow and P distribution