Plant species effects on soil macrofauna density in grassy arable fallows of different age

The density of soil macrofauna groups in nine grassy arable fallows of different age were investigated in a factorial design with the factors 'plant species' (legume: Medicago sativa, herb: Taraxacum officinale, grass: Bromus sterilis) and 'age class' (A1: 2-3/3-4, A2: 6-8/7-9, A3: 12-15/13-16 years in 2008/2009). Four plots were selected randomly at each fallow. In May 2008 and May 2009, within each plot five M. sativa, T. officinale and B. sterilis plants were extracted with their associated soil using steel cylinders. The material from each plant species was used for extraction of soil macrofauna and for determination of environmental parameters. The main results were (i) the density of the saprophagous macrofauna was significantly higher in B. sterilis than in M. sativa and T. officinale samples indicating that this group possibly benefited from the particularly high amount of fine roots in the B. sterilis samples; (ii) densities of Gastropoda and predatory beetles were highest in the 7-9 yr old fallows indicating that predators may have benefited from the increased availability of their prey in the medium stage of grassland succession; (iii) focusing on the results of the CCAs (2008, 2009), the water content had the strongest influence of the measured soil parameters on the structure of the soil macrofauna assemblages.

Prevalence of injection-meal interval usage and its association with variables of metabolic control in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Regular human insulin is usually recommended with an injection-meal interval. It is not known how many patients follow these recommendations and, of those who do, the injection-meal interval remains incompletely studied. We investigated the injection-meal interval in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and the association with metabolic control in routine care.

METHODS

Four hundred and seventy-one consecutive patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes were interviewed to determine their injection-meal interval in a university outpatient clinic setting in Germany in 2006. Four hundred and thirty-three interviews were suitable for analysis (143 Type 1 diabetes, 290 Type 2 diabetes). HbA(1c) was Diabetes Control and Complications Trial adjusted.

RESULTS

Among those with Type 1 diabetes, 27% 'always', 27% 'sometimes' and 46% 'never' used an injection-meal interval. Forty-three per cent of patients with Type 2 diabetes always used an injection-meal interval, 12% sometimes and 45% never. Among patients with Type 1 diabetes, there was no difference in HbA(1c) between those who always used an injection-meal interval (n=39, age 58 years, duration of diabetes 21.1 years, BMI 28.7 kg/m², HbA(1c) 7.50%/58 mmol/mol) compared with those who never used an injection-meal interval (n=66, age 47.3 years, duration of diabetes 17.4 years, BMI 27.3 kg/m², HbA(1c) 7.55%/59 mmol/mol). Among patients with Type 2 diabetes, HbA(1c) in those who always used an injection-meal interval (n = 124, age 65 years, duration of diabetes 13.8 years, BMI 32.6 kg/m², HbA(1c) 7.31%/56 mmol/mol) is 0.27% lower compared with those who never used an injection-meal interval (n=130, age 64.3 years, duration of diabetes 16 years, BMI 32.8 kg/m², HbA(1c) 7.58%/59 mmol/mol).

CONCLUSION

Nearly half of insulin-treated patients do not use an injection-meal interval. We found no significant association between adherence to injection-meal interval and HbA(1c) in patients with Type 1 diabetes, but a slightly lower HbA(1c) in patients with Type 2 diabetes who always use an injection-meal interval.

Study on the pharmacokinetics of synthetic genistein after multiple oral intake in post-menopausal women

Genistein (CAS 446-72-0), an isoflavone and phytoestrogen predominantly found in soy, is considered a promising natural bioactive to prevent post-menopausal bone loss. geniVida (previously Bonistein), a novel product containing of min. 98.5% synthetic genistein aglycone, was investigated in 12 healthy post-menopausal women to assess the safety and tolerability as well as to obtain pharmacokinetic data after 7 days of repeated intakes. 24 h pharmacokinetic profiles were determined after the first oral dose and after 7 days repeated intakes of 30 mg of the test formulation. Plasma genistein (aglycone) and its conjugates were determined by a standardised LC/MS analytical method using D4-genistein as the internal standard. The plasma-concentration time profiles for conjugated genistein showed a fast, monophasic one-peak course until T(max) (5.9 h (first dose), 5.3 h (steady state (SS)); C(max) (456.8 ng/ml (first dose), 498.5 ng/ ml (SS)). Elimination half-lives (t1/2) were calculated to be 10.8 h (first dose) and 8.2 h (SS), respectively. Determination of AUC(0-inf.)) (first dose) was good with a low percentage of extrapolation (3949.1 h ng/ ml). AUC(0-24h) at SS was 5923.3 h ng/ml. Steady state was reached after 4 to 5 days and no relevant accumulation occurred (R = 1.02). The test formulation was safe and very well tolerated.

Metabolite profiling of two novel low phytic acid (lpa) soybean mutants

A GC-based approach was applied to compare the metabolite profiles of two low phytic acid (lpa) soybean mutants and their respective wild-types. The lpa mutants (Gm-lpa-TW75-1 and Gm-lpa-ZC-2) were grown together with the wild-types (Taiwan 75 and Zhechun no. 3) in three and four field trials, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed a phytic acid reduction of -53% for Gm-lpa-TW75-1 and of -46% for Gm-lpa-ZC-2. For Gm-lpa-TW75-1, no accumulation of lower inositol phosphates was observed, whereas Gm-lpa-ZC-2 exhibited significantly increased contents of the lower inositol phosphates InsP(3), InsP(4), and InsP(5) compared to the corresponding wild-type. The metabolite profiling revealed that compared to the wild-types, 40% (Gm-lpa-TW75-1) and 21% (Gm-lpa-ZC-2) of the detected peaks were statistically significantly different in the lpa mutants grown at one field trial. However, the majority of these differences were shown to be related to environmental impact and natural variability rather than to the mutation event. Identification of consistent metabolic changes in the lpa mutants revealed decreased contents of myo-inositol, galactinol, raffinose, stachyose, and the galactosyl cyclitols galactopinitol A, galactopinitol B, and fagopyritol B1 compared to the wild-type. These consistently pronounced changes in Gm-lpa-TW75-1 confirmed the suggested mutation target. Consideration of the metabolic changes observed for Gm-lpa-ZC-2 (accumulation of lower inositol phosphates and increased myo-inositol contents) indicated a mutation event affecting the latter biosynthetic steps leading to phytic acid. The study demonstrated the applicability of metabolite profiling for the detection of changes in the metabolite phenotype induced by mutation breeding and its power in assisting in the elucidation of mutation events.

Mutations of the multi-drug resistance-associated protein ABC transporter gene 5 result in reduction of phytic acid in rice seeds

Phytic acid (PA, myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate) is important to the nutritional quality of cereal and legume seeds. PA and its salts with micronutrient cations, such as iron and zinc, cannot be digested by humans and non-ruminant animals, and hence may affect food/feed nutritional value and cause P pollution of groundwater from animal waste. We previously developed a set of low phytic acid (LPA) rice mutant lines with the aim of increasing the nutritional quality of rice. Two of these lines, Os-lpa-XS110-2 (homozygous non-lethal) Os-lpa-XS110-3 (homozygous lethal), contain two mutant alleles of a LPA gene (hereafter XS-lpa2-1 and XS-lpa2-2, respectively). In this study, we mapped the XS-lpa2-1 gene to a region on chromosome 3 between microsatellite markers RM14360 and RM1332, where the rice orthologue (OsMRP5) of the maize lpa1 gene is located. Sequence analysis of the OsMRP5 gene revealed a single base pair change (C/G-T/A transition) in the sixth exon of XS-lpa2-1 and a 5-bp deletion in the first exon of XS-lpa2-2. OsMRP5 is expressed in both vegetative tissues and developing seeds, and the two mutations do not change the level of RNA transcription. A T-DNA insertion line, 4A-02500, in which OsMRP5 was disrupted, also showed the same high inorganic phosphorus phenotype as Os-lpa-XS110-3 and appeared to be homozygous lethal. PA is significantly reduced in Os-lpa-XS110-2 (~20%) and in 4A-02500 (~90%) seeds compared with their wild type lines, and no PA was detected in Os-lpa-XS110-3 using HPLC analysis. This evidence indicates that the OsMRP5 gene plays an important role in PA metabolism in rice seeds.

Metabolite profiling of germinating rice seeds

A metabolite profiling approach based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to investigate time-dependent metabolic changes in the course of the germination of rice. Brown rice kernels were soaked and incubated for a total of 96 h under ambient conditions. Samples taken during the germination process were subjected to an extraction and fractionation procedure covering a broad spectrum of lipophilic (e.g., fatty acid methyl esters, hydrocarbons, fatty alcohols, sterols) and hydrophilic (e.g., sugars, acids, amino acids, amines) low molecular weight rice constituents. Investigation of the obtained fractions by GC resulted in the detection of 615 distinct peaks, of which 174 were identified by means of MS. Statistical assessment of the data via principal component analysis demonstrated that the metabolic changes during the germination process are reflected by time-dependent shifts of the scores, which were similar for the three rice materials investigated. Analysis of the corresponding loadings showed that polar metabolites were major contributors to the separation along the first principal component. Relative quantifications based on standardized peak heights revealed dynamic changes of the metabolites in the course of the germination.

Absorption and excretion of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) anthocyanins in healthy humans

Pharmacokinetic variables of several dietary anthocyanins (potent natural antioxidants) following consumption of elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) extract were evaluated in urine and plasma of six healthy volunteers. They were given a single oral dose of either 30 ml (278 mg total anthocyanins) or 200 ml (1852 mg total anthocyanins) of a commercially available elderberry extract. Within 7 h, the fraction of orally administered total anthocyanins (calculated as the sum of cyanidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-glucoside) excreted unchanged was 0.39% and 0.27% following ingestion of 30 and 200 ml, respectively. The elimination half-life of total anthocyanins was slightly lower following the consumption of 278 mg (1.85 h) than that after the consumption of 1852 mg (2.57 h). The renal clearance (median) of total anthocyanins was 196 and 169 ml/min, respectively. The peak and average systemic exposure to the major elderberry anthocyanidin glycosides in plasma as well as their renal excretion exhibited approximate dose-proportional characteristics within the administered range. The low dose-normalized area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and the fraction of orally administered anthocyanins recovered unchanged in urine indicate a low bioavailability of these compounds.

Metabolite profiling of two low phytic acid (lpa) rice mutants

Two low phytic acid (lpa) rice mutant lines, Os-lpa-XS110-1 and Os-lpa-XS110-2, were grown together with their parent wild-type variety Xiushui 110 in four field trials. HPLC analysis of inositol phosphates in the seeds produced demonstrated that compared to the wild-type, the reduction in phytic acid content in Os-lpa-XS110-1 (-46%) was more pronounced than that in Os-lpa-XS110-2 (-23%). Lower inositol phosphates (InsP 3, InsP 4, InsP 5) were not detected in the mutants. The lpa mutants and the wild-type rice were subjected to comparative metabolite profiling by capillary gas chromatography. On average, 34% (Os-lpa-XS110-1) and 42% (Os-lpa-XS110-2) of the detected peaks were statistically significantly different between wild-type and mutants. However, only a few of these differences could be consistently observed for all field trials. Identification and quantification of the consistently different metabolites revealed that contents of myo-inositol and raffinose were increased in Os-lpa-XS110-1 but decreased in Os-lpa-XS110-2 compared to the wild-type. In addition, Os-lpa-XS110-1 exhibited increased levels of galactose and galactinol. Consideration of these metabolic changes in light of the routes involved in the biosynthesis of phytic acid indicated a disturbance in the early biosynthetic pathway of phytic acid in Os-lpa-XS110-2 (similar to the lpa-1 type mutation in maize) and a mutation event affecting phosphorylation of myo-inositol in Os-lpa-XS110-1 (similar to the lpa-3-type mutation).

The Syrinx of the Male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos): Special Anatomical Features

The aim of this study was to investigate the special anatomical and topographical features of the syrinx in male adult stock ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). The syrinx of the mallard is a tracheobronchial type, consisting of a tympanum, a pessulus, medial tympaniform membranes, interanular membranes, an interbronchial ligament (bronchidesmus), and bronchosyringeal cartilage semi-rings. Using a frozen sagittal section, it was possible to document the syringeal valve at the right lateral side of the tympanum. In the male stock duck the pessulus was massive and showed a longish oval, transparent area ventrally. The middle part of the pessulus had a nose-shaped process on its left side, on which the left medial tympaniform membrane originated. The left-sided, pear-shaped syringeal bulla was divided into a left major and right minor chamber by a double-walled, semilunar and opaque septum, approximately 5-6 mm in height. The first left and right C-shaped bronchosyringeal cartilage was more prominent than the other ones and showed partial ossification. In addition, the first left bronchosyringeal cartilage was obviously thicker than the right one. In conclusion, it can be stated that the syrinx in male adult mallards shows some notable specific anatomical features that might have an influence on vocalization. However, to understand the complex mechanism of vocalization in mallards, more investigations, especially obtained by sonography and endoscopy, will be needed.

Thermographic investigation of the heating effect of high intensity focused ultrasound

The purpose of this study was to use thermal imaging camera to investigate the localised heating effect of High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), to monitor temperature rise in real time and accurately. In order to visualise thermally induced protein coagulation, a phantom of Polyacrylamide (PAA) gel containing fresh egg albumin was used as tissue mimicking material. A high resolution thermal camera was positioned directly over the samples to record thermal fluctuations. Two modes of ultrasound were investigated, i.e. continuous wave and pulsed wave. Through imaging processing and thermal analysis, the temperature profile of the phantoms during HIFU heating was obtained, and the optimised parameters for protein coagulation were identified. The experiments have shown that thermal imaging is an effective way to measure the bioheating effect of HIFU.

Histological Aspects of the Syrinx of the Male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

The syrinx of the duck is characterized by a conspicious sexual dimorphism. In the male mallard, a large osseous bulla is present on the left syringeal side. The present work describes the structures of the male syrinx, which were studied by means of histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and electron microscope. In the right distal tympanum a caudally oriented, protruding structure was observed, which was identified as the valvula syringealis. The syringeal structures like valvula, tympanum, bulla, pessulus and the bronchi were in general covered by a respiratory epithelium, however, local modifications in cellular height and numbers of ciliated and goblet cells were observed. The presence of intrinsic musculature was confirmed by means of immunohistochemistry. Smooth muscle cells reaching from the lateral parts of the inter-bronchial ligament to the medial line and cranially to the inner tympaniform membranes were demonstrated. We suppose that these muscle cells play a role in syringeal sound generation by influencing the tension of the medial tympaniform membranes.

Clonal dissemination of a CTX-M-15 beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli strain in the Paris area, Tunis, and Bangui

One hundred twenty CTX-M-15-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated in 10 different hospitals from Paris (France), in the Hospital Charles Nicolle in Tunis (Tunisia), and in the Pasteur Institute in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), between 2000 and 2004 were studied. Eighty isolates, recovered from the three countries, were clonally related by repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Various resistance profiles were identified among these clonal strains. After conjugation or electroporation of plasmids from E. coli strains representative of each profile and each geographic region, we observed seven resistance profiles in the recipient strains. Incompatibility typing showed that all the plasmids transferred from the clonal strains studied, except one, belonged to the incompatibility group FII. They all shared a multidrug resistance region (MDR) resembling the MDR region located in pC15-1a, a plasmid associated with an outbreak of a CTX-M-15-producing E. coli strain in Canada. They also shared the common backbone of an apparent mosaic plasmid, including several features present in pC15-1a and in pRSB107, a plasmid isolated from a sewage treatment plant. This study suggests that although the plasmid-borne blaCTX-M-15 gene could be transferred horizontally, its dissemination between France, Tunisia, and CAR was due primarily to its residence in an E. coli clone with a strong propensity for dissemination.

Mechanical properties of the human abdominal wall measured in vivo during insufflation for laparoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND

Carbon dioxide insufflation of the peritoneal cavity for laparoscopic surgery offers a unique opportunity to measure some mechanical properties of the human abdominal wall that hitherto have been difficult to obtain.

METHODS

The movement and change of the abdominal wall during insufflation to a pressure of 12 mmHg was studied in 18 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery using a remote motion analysis system that does not compromise the sterility of the operative filed. These data together with the known abdominal wall thickness of each patient (measured by preoperative ultrasound scanning) enabled estimates of mechanical stiffness.

RESULTS

The findings showed that the abdominal wall changes from a cylinder to a dome during inflation, and that its area is increased by 15%. A volume, averaging 1.27 x 10(-3)m(3), results from expansion, reshaping of the abdominal wall, and displacement of the diaphragm. The abdominal wall is stiffer in the transverse plane than in the sagittal plane (Young's modulus, 42.5 +/- 9.0 kPa vs 22.5 +/- 2.6 kPa; p = 0.03; paired t-test).

CONCLUSIONS

Measurements of mechanical properties of the abdominal wall in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery were obtained using a remote motion analysis system.

Urinary pharmacokinetics of betalains following consumption of red beet juice in healthy humans

The aim of the present pilot study was to characterise the renal elimination of betalains after consumption of red beet juice (RBJ). Six healthy, non-smoking female volunteers were given a single oral dose of either 500 mL of a commercial RBJ containing 362.7 mg of betalains and 500 mL of tap water, respectively, in a sequential manner. Urine was collected in intervals up to 24 h post-dose. Renal excretion of betalains was determined spectrophotometrically and quantified as betanin-equivalents. In addition, the identity of individual compounds was confirmed by HPLC coupled with diode-array detection and positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry, respectively. The amount (mean+/-S.D.) of intact betalains (betanin and isobetanin) recovered in urine was 1001+/-273 microg corresponding to 0.28+/-0.08% of the administered dose. Maximum excretion rates were observed after a median tmax,R of 3.0 h (range 2.5-8.0 h) amounting to 91.7+/-30.1 microg/h. The terminal elimination rate constant (lambdaz) and the corresponding half-life were 0.097+/-0.021 h(-1) and 7.43+/-1.47 h, respectively. Using the lambdaz estimates obtained the expected total betalain amount excreted in urine was 1228+/-291 microg. Based on the results obtained it is assumed that either the bioavailability of the betalains is low or that renal clearance is a minor route of systemic elimination for these compounds. The urinary excretion rates of unmetabolised betalains were fast and appeared to be monoexponential suggesting a one-compartment model. In order to get a more complete picture of the pharmacokinetics and health-promoting properties of red beet betalains, quantitative data on betalain bioavailability should include measurements of unchanged compounds and their corresponding metabolites in plasma, urine and bile.

Pharmacokinetics of anthocyanidin-3-glycosides following consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract

Pharmacokinetic parameters of several dietary anthocyanins following consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract were determined in 6 healthy volunteers. Subjects were given a single oral dose of 150 mL of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract yielding 62.6 mg of cyanidin-3-sambubioside, 81.6 mg of delphindin-3-sambubioside, and 147.4 mg of total anthocyanins (calculated as cyanidin equivalents). Within 7 hours, the urinary excretion of cyanidin-3-sambubioside, delphinidin-3-sambubioside, and total anthocyanins (ie, the sum of all quantifiable anthocyanidin glycosides) was 0.016%, 0.021%, and 0.018% of the administered doses, respectively. Maximum excretion rates were determined at 1.5 to 2.0 hours after intake. The dose-normalized plasma area under the curve estimates were 0.076, 0.032, and 0.050 ng x h/mL/mg for cyanidin-3-sambubioside, delphinidin-3-sambubioside, and total anthocyanins, respectively. The dose-normalized C(max) estimates were 0.036, 0.015, and 0.023 ng/mL/mg in the same sequence. They were reached each at 1.5 hours (median) after intake. The geometric means of t1/2 were 2.18, 3.34, and 2.63 hours for cyanidin-3-sambubioside, delphinidin-3-sambubioside, and total anthocyanins, respectively. The urinary excretion of intact anthocyanins was fast and appeared to be monoexponential. To evaluate the contribution of anthocyanins to the health-protecting effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract, it will be necessary to perform further studies on both the intact glycosides and their in vivo metabolites or conjugates in human plasma and urine.

Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single ascending doses of synthetic genistein (Bonistein) in healthy volunteers

Genistein, an isoflavone and phytoestrogen predominantly found in soy, is considered a potentially safe therapeutic option to prevent postmenopausal bone loss. A novel purified product consisting of 99.4% synthetic genistein aglycone was investigated in a phase 1 clinical study to assess safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers as well as to obtain pharmacokinetic data. Single oral doses of 30, 60, 150, or 300 mg were administered to 40 healthy volunteers in this prospective, randomized, open-label and sequential-group study. Tolerability of the different genistein doses was very good. No clinically significant effects on vital signs, ECG, and clinical laboratory parameters were observed. Genistein was rapidly absorbed and the kinetic profiles revealed a one-peak plasma concentration-time course. Mean Cmax values of 252.0, 605.0, 1518.0, and 1808.0 ng/mL were observed after 4.0 to 6.0 hours. The mean terminal elimination half-lives were calculated to be 7.7, 7.5, 8.1, and 10.2 hours resulting in mean AUCs(0-infinity) of 2761.8, 8022.3, 21655.0, and 27537.8 ngxhr/mL. Linear regression of the dose-normalized AUCs(0-infinity) was not significantly different from zero, whereas the analysis for Cmax showed significance. Based on consecutive administration of single oral doses of genistein, dose linearity was assumed for extent of absorption [AUC(0-infinity)] for all doses (30-300 mg) and for rate of absorption (Cmax) up to 150 mg. At the highest dose the intestinal rate of absorption of genistein seemed to be limited. Genistein was safe and well tolerated in the dose range investigated and showed nearly dose-linear pharmacokinetic characteristics.

Urinary pharmacokinetics of cyanidin glycosides in healthy young men following consumption of elderberry juice

We investigated the urinary pharmacokinetics of monomeric anthocyanins in seven healthy volunteers. The volunteers were administered a single oral dose of 3.57 g total anthocyanins contained in 150 ml of a concentrated elderberry juice under fasting conditions. Within 24 h the urinary excretion of unchanged cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside (cyanidin-3-sambubioside-5-glucoside and cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside were calculated as cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside equivalents), cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-sambubioside and total anthocyanins (i.e., the sum of all quantifiable anthocyanidin glycosides) was 0.16, 0.06, 0.05 and 0.06% of the administered doses, respectively. Maximum excretion rates were determined within 1.0 h after intake. The estimates (arithmetic mean +/- SD) of t1/2 were 1.25 +/- 0.25, 1.53 +/- 0.36, 1.38 +/- 0.20 and 1.35 +/- 0.18 h for cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-sambubioside and total anthocyanins, respectively. The urinary excretion of intact anthocyanins was fast and the decline of excretion rates appeared to be monophasic, suggesting a one-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The low urinary excretion of dietary anthocyanidin glycosides with values below 1% indicates that a large proportion of these plant pigments consumed are metabolized before entry into the circulation.

Bioavailability of anthocyanidin-3-glycosides following consumption of elderberry extract and blackcurrant juice

Pharmacokinetic parameters and the bioavailability of several dietary anthocyanins following consumption of blackcurrant juice and elderberry extract were compared exploratorily in 6 healthy volunteers. They were given a single oral dose of either 137 ml of blackcurrant juice (144.8 mg total anthocyanins) or 30 ml of elderberry extract (147.3 mg total anthocyanins). Within 7 hours, the urinary excretion of total anthocyanins (i.e. the sum of all assayed anthocyanidin glycosides) was 0.04% and 0.37% of the administered dose following blackcurrant juice and elderberry extract ingestion, respectively. Pharmacokinetic parameters based on non-compartmental methods for plasma and urine concentrations exhibited higher variability in urinary excretion after ingestion of elderberry extract. Anthocyanin absorption was significantly greater following the intake of elderberry extract than after the intake of blackcurrant juice as shown by the 5.3- and 6.2-fold higher estimates of dose-normalized Cmax and AUC(0-tZ) of total anthocyanins, respectively. The geometric means of t(1/2) were not significantly different following elderberry extract (1.74 h) and blackcurrant juice ingestion (1.73 h, p > 0.05). The urinary excretion rate of intact anthocyanins was fast, appeared to be monoexponential for both blackcurrant juice and elderberry extract. However, in order to evaluate the contribution of anthocyanins to the health-protecting effects of blackcurrant juice and elderberry extract it will be necessary to perform further studies on the unchanged glycosides and their in vivo metabolites in human plasma and urine.

Staphylinidae and Carabidae overwintering in wheat and sown wildflower areas of different age

Species richness and abundance of staphylinid and carabid beetles overwintering in winter wheat fields and 1- to 3-year-old wildflower areas were investigated during 2000/2001 on 16 study sites in Switzerland. Abundance and species richness of overwintering staphylinids significantly increased with successional age of the wildflower areas and were always higher in older wildflower areas than in winter wheat. A similar but less distinct pattern was observed for the abundance and species richness of carabid beetles. The influence of habitat parameters (vegetation cover, fine sand content, organic matter, pH, soil pore volume, surrounding landscape structure, habitat area) on the staphylinid and carabid assemblages based on the number of individuals per species and site was analysed using canonical correspondence analysis. Vegetation cover was the most significant parameter significantly characterizing both staphylinid and carabid assemblages. The amount of vegetation cover explained 15.7% of the variance, fine sand content accounted for 13.3% and surrounding landscape structure for 10.9% of the variance in the staphylinid assemblage. In the carabid assemblage, vegetation cover was the only significant factor, explaining 24.7% of the variance. This study showed for the first time that the significance of wildflower areas as a reservoir for hibernation for generalist predatory beetles increases with progressing successional age.

Manipulation and filtration of low index particles with holographic Laguerre-Gaussian optical trap arrays

Multiple low index particles (micrometer-sized ultrasound contrast agent), have been optically trapped using a 4 x 4 Laguerre- Gaussian trap array. The trapping efficiency of the Laguerre-Gaussian arrangement was measured using a Stokes' flow approach whereby the critical relative fluid velocity required to remove particles from the optical trap was measured. The dependence of trapping efficiency on beam power was also explored and the optimum beam parameters were identified. Finally, the utility of the array as a selective filter was demonstrated by tweezing multiple low-index particles from a population exhibiting an inherent distribution in size. This procedure represents a unique remote non-contact process that may have significant applicability throughout the fields of biophysics and biotechnology.

Urinary Excretion of Cyanidin Glucosides and Glucuronides in Healthy Humans After Elderberry Juice Ingestion

In a pilot study with 6 females and 1 male, the metabolism of various cyanidin glucosides after oral administration of elderberry juice was investigated. The anthocyanin metabolites were detected in urinary excretion. After ingestion of a bolus quantity of 3.57 g total anthocyanins in a 150 mL elderberry juice concentrate, 0.053% of the administered dose was excreted in urine as glucosidically bound cyanidins within the first 5 hours. Only 0.003% of the ingested anthocyanin glucosides was excreted as cyanidin glucuronide, suggesting that this conversion step might be of minor importance in urinary excretion.

Bioavailability and Biokinetics of Anthocyanins From Red Grape Juice and Red Wine

In a comparative study, 9 healthy volunteers ingested a single oral dose of 400 mL red grape juice or red wine with dose-adjusted anthocyanin content (283.5 mg or 279.6 mg, resp) in crossover. The content of anthocyanin glucosides was detected in plasma and urinary excretion. Additionally, the plasmatic antioxidant activity was assessed after intake. Based on the plasma content, biokinetic criteria of the single anthocyanins were calculated, such as AUC, c_max, t_max, and the elimination rate t_1/2. The urinary excretion of total anthocyanins differed significantly and amounted to 0.18% (red wine) and 0.23% (red grape juice) of the administered dose. Additionally, the plasmatic antioxidant activity increased to higher levels after juice ingestion compared to wine. The intestinal absorption of the anthocyanins of red grape juice seemed to be improved compared to red wine, suggesting a possible synergistic effect of the glucose content of the juice. The improved absorption resulted in an enhanced plasmatic bioactivity.