Heat Stability of Differently Stabilized Solid Lipid Nanoparticles in the Presence of Excess Bulk Phase Protein

In order to apply emulsion-based delivery systems to food, they have to be stable in a protein rich environment. This study investigated the stability of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) during heat treatment in the presence or absence of β-lactoglobulin (BLG). SLN were stabilized either by Tween 20 (TS) or by the protein itself (BS) and were enriched to a total BLG content of 56 mg/mL. The sizes of both types of SLN were initially in the range of 170 nm. The amount of free protein was determined before and after enrichment with BLG. As revealed by particle size and zeta potential measurements, a protein layer of BLG (hard corona) adsorbed on BS but not on TS. By contrast, a soft corona was formed around both BS and TS. SLN were heat treated in the presence and absence of protein and were characterized regarding size and zeta potential. According to transmission electron microscopy imaging, heating did not affect the shape of TS and BS: TS were platelets, whereas BS exhibited a spherical or platelet like shape. Upon heat treatment, the particle size of TS increased to about 3.5 fold of the initial size (to appr. 600 nm) in the presence and in the absence of excess protein. The cloudy protein layer (soft corona) around TS could thus not prevent coalescence of TS. By contrast, BS did not experience a change in particle size. Hence, by the choice of emulsifier, an encapsulation system that is stable against heat treatment can be obtained.

     

Small-scale spatial variability in phylogenetic community structure during early plant succession depends on soil properties

During early plant succession, the phylogenetic structure of a community changes in response to important environmental filters and emerging species interactions. We traced the development of temperate-zone plant communities during the first 7 years of primary succession on catchment soils to explore patterns of initial species assembly. We found pronounced small-scale differences in the phylogenetic composition of neighbouring plant assemblages and a large-scale trend towards phylogenetic evenness. This small-scale variability appears to be mediated by soil properties, particularly carbonate content. Therefore, abiotic environmental conditions might counteract or even supersede the effects of interspecific competition among closely related species, which are usually predicted to exhibit patterns of phylogenetic evenness. We conclude that theories on phylogenetic community composition need to incorporate effects of small-scale variability of environmental factors.     

Chronic stress and its effects on adrenal cortex apoptosis in pregnant rats

The model of chronic intermittent stress by immobilization during pregnancy may produce alterations in the mechanisms that maintain adrenal gland homeostasis. In earlier investigations using this model, significant variations in plasma prolactin and corticosterone levels, and adrenal gland weights were observed. We hypothesized that chronic stress causes changes in apoptosis in the adrenal glands of pregnant rats. We identified and quantified apoptotic cells in the adrenal cortex and examined their ultrastructural characteristics using transmission electron microscopy. Adrenal glands of pregnant rats at gestation days 12, 17 and 21 were studied for control and experimental (stressed) rats. Immunolabelling techniques, stereological analysis and image quantification of adrenal gland sections were combined to determine differences in apoptosis in the different cell populations of the adrenal cortex. The apoptotic index of the experimental rats showed a significant reduction at gestation day 17, while at days 12 and 21 there were no differences from controls. Moreover, the apoptotic index of the reticular zones in control and experimental animals showed a significant increase compared to the glomerular and fascicular zones at the three gestation times studied. Chronic stress by immobilization reduced the caspase-dependent apoptotic index at gestation day 17, which may be related to variations in plasma concentrations of estrogens and prolactin.     

Development and Validation of a Prediction Model for Tube Feeding Dependence after Curative (Chemo-) Radiation in Head and Neck Cancer

Background

Curative radiotherapy or chemoradiation for head and neck cancer (HNC) may result in severe acute and late side effects, including tube feeding dependence.The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to develop a prediction model for tube feeding dependence 6 months (TUBE_M6) after curative (chemo-) radiotherapy in HNC patients.

Patients and Methods

Tube feeding dependence was scored prospectively. To develop the multivariable model, a group LASSO analysis was carried out, with TUBE_M6 as the primary endpoint (n = 427). The model was then validated in a test cohort (n = 183). The training cohort was divided into three groups based on the risk of TUBE_M6 to test whether the model could be extrapolated to later time points (12, 18 and 24 months).

Results

Most important predictors for TUBE_M6 were weight loss prior to treatment, advanced T-stage, positive N-stage, bilateral neck irradiation, accelerated radiotherapy and chemoradiation. Model performance was good, with an Area under the Curve of 0.86 in the training cohort and 0.82 in the test cohort. The TUBE_M6-based risk groups were significantly associated with tube feeding dependence at later time points (p<0.001).

Conclusion

We established an externally validated predictive model for tube feeding dependence after curative radiotherapy or chemoradiation, which can be used to predict TUBE_M6.     

Soil conditions and phylogenetic relatedness influence total community trait space during early plant succession

Aims The total space of traits covered by the members of plant communities is an important parameter of ecosystem functioning and complexity. We trace the variability of trait space during early plant succession and ask how trait space co-varies with phylogenetic community structure and soil conditions. Particularly, we are interested in the small-scale variability in trait space and the influence of biotic and abiotic filters.Methods We use data on species richness and soil conditions from the first 7 years of initial succession of an artificial catchment in north-eastern Germany. Total functional attribute diversity serves as a proxy to total trait space.Important findings Total trait space steadily increased during succession. We observed high small-scale variability in total trait space that was positively correlated with species richness and phylogenetic segregation and negatively correlated with total plant cover. Trait space increased with soil carbonate content, while pH and the fraction of sandy material behaved indifferently. Our results indicate that during early succession, habitat filtering processes gain importance leading to a lesser increase in trait space than expected from the increase in species richness alone.     

Trans-Golgi network and endosome dynamics connect ceramide homeostasis with regulation of the unfolded protein response and TOR signaling in yeast

Synthetic genetic array analyses identify powerful genetic interactions between a thermosensitive allele (sec14-1^ts) of the structural gene for the major yeast phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (SEC14) and a structural gene deletion allele (tlg2Δ) for the Tlg2 target membrane-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor. The data further demonstrate Sec14 is required for proper trans-Golgi network (TGN)/endosomal dynamics in yeast. Paradoxically, combinatorial depletion of Sec14 and Tlg2 activities elicits trafficking defects from the endoplasmic reticulum, and these defects are accompanied by compromise of the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR failure occurs downstream of Hac1 mRNA splicing, and it is further accompanied by defects in TOR signaling. The data link TGN/endosomal dynamics with ceramide homeostasis, UPR activity, and TOR signaling in yeast, and they identify the Sit4 protein phosphatase as a primary conduit through which ceramides link to the UPR. We suggest combinatorial Sec14/Tlg2 dysfunction evokes inappropriate turnover of complex sphingolipids in endosomes. One result of this turnover is potentiation of ceramide-activated phosphatase-mediated down-regulation of the UPR. These results provide new insight into Sec14 function, and they emphasize the TGN/endosomal system as a central hub for homeostatic regulation in eukaryotes.     

Black spot infection in juvenile steelhead trout increases with stream temperature in northern California

Climate change will increase water temperature in rivers and streams that provide critical habitat for imperiled species. Warmer water temperatures will influence the intensity and nature of biotic interactions, including parasitism. To better understand the factors influencing a neascus-type parasitic infection known as black spot disease, we examined the relationship between infection rate in juvenile steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), abundance of another intermediate host (ramshorn snail, Planorbella trivolvis), and water temperature. We quantified infection patterns of trout at seven sites within the South Fork Eel River in northern California, visiting each site on three different occasions across the summer, and recording water temperature at each site. We also quantified infection patterns in trout captured from two tributaries to the South Fork Eel River. Overall, trout infection rates were highest in sites with the warmest temperatures. The abundance of ramshorn snails was positively related to both water temperature and black spot infection rates in juvenile trout. Both snail abundance and infection rates increased rapidly above a 23 °C daily maximum, suggesting a threshold effect at this temperature. We suggest that warmer temperatures are associated with environmental and biotic conditions that increase black spot disease prevalence in threatened steelhead trout. A comparison of our results with similar data collected from a more northern latitude suggests that salmonids in California may be warm-adapted in terms of their parasite susceptibility.     

A Putative Role for the Vacuolar Calcium/Manganese Proton Antiporter AtCAX2 in Heavy Metal Detoxification

Abstract: Regulation of uptake and compartmentation of metal ions is important for the maintenance of metal ion homeostasis. To identify mechanisms involved in the protection of plants from Mn toxicity, wild-type yeast was transformed with an Arabidopsis cDNA library and transformants were screened on toxic Mn concentrations. Wild-type yeast could not grow in the presence of 30 mM MnSO₄, while two transformants carrying variants of the same gene were able to grow. Database searches revealed that the isolated cDNAs correspond to AtCAX2, previously described as a vacuolar calcium-proton antiporter. Since no other genes could be identified, AtCAX2 might represent a major function permitting Mn detoxification in this suppressor screen. Furthermore, yeast transformed with the two AtCAX2 cDNAs showed increased sensitivity towards hydrogen peroxide, pointing to a limited availability of cytoplasmic Mn in the presence of AtCAX2 activity. The open reading frames of the cDNA encoded polypeptides that have a 42 and a 92 amino acids shorter N-terminal region relative to the predicted full-length coding region of AtCAX2. In contrast to both truncated cDNAs, the full-length clone was unable to confer Mn resistance to yeast, indicating that, similar to AtCAX1, AtCAX2 also carries an autoinhibitory N-terminal domain regulating the activity of AtCAX2.