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Lu H, Boyer MM, Kleffner A. Corporate Social Responsibility and Directors' and Officers' Liability Risk: The Moderating Effect of Risk Environment and Growth Potential. Bus Soc 2024; 63:668-711. [PMID: 38374889 PMCID: PMC10874302 DOI: 10.1177/00076503231183690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Theoretical arguments regarding the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on firm liability risk are abundant; however, empirical evidence about this relationship is scarce. We investigate the relationship between CSR and the personal liability risk of a firm's directors and officers. We argue that companies with better CSR performance represent a better underwriting risk for directors' and officers' (D&O) insurance providers and, therefore, have a lower cost of insurance. Our results show that firms with better CSR performance are more likely to purchase D&O insurance and have a lower premium-to-coverage ratio, known as the insurance rate-on-line. We also show that this risk-reduction effect is stronger for firms that operate in a high-risk environment and have higher sales growth. These results provide evidence that CSR can be used as a risk management tool to mitigate liability risk and suggest which firms benefit most from this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Lu
- Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Gervaz WR, Leonardo AF, Hashimoto DT, Allaman IB, Lattanzi GR, Reis Neto RV. Dynamics of Growth in Purebred Pacu ( Piaractus mesopotamicus) and Tambaqui ( Colossoma macropomum), and Their Reciprocal Hybrids, under Varied Feeding Programs: Insights from Nonlinear Models. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1976. [PMID: 37895325 PMCID: PMC10606663 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the growth performance of pacu and tambaqui and their reciprocal hybrids (tambacu and paqui) under different feeding programs. We raised 30 individuals from each species and their respective crosses, distributing them into three replicate cages with 10 individuals each. Throughout the 5-month experimental period, the fish were weighed six times while exposed to diverse feeding regimens involving three commercial diets with varying combinations of crude protein (CP) levels: 24%, 28%, and 32%. Growth curves were adjusted using nonlinear models. The evaluation period was insufficient for adjusting the logistic model for the tambaqui and paqui treatments with the highest initial protein intake. Pure pacu had a higher (p < 0.05) growth rate (k = 0.0185) than in the tambacu hybrid (k = 0.0134) and proved to have an early performance since animals from this group reached their weight at inflection faster. Despite growing more slowly, tambacu reached a higher (p < 0.05) final weight (A = 1137.12) than in the pacu (A = 889.12). Among the feeding programs, animals that received less CP showed greater growth potential; however, longer evaluation is important to verify if the initial CP intake has no significant positive effect on fish growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woshinghton Rocha Gervaz
- UNESP Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil; (W.R.G.); (D.T.H.); (G.R.L.)
| | - Antônio Fernando Leonardo
- São Paulo Agribusiness Technology Agency (APTA), Regional Polo of Vale do Ribeira, Rodovia BR 116, km 460, São Paulo 11900-000, Brazil;
| | - Diogo Teruo Hashimoto
- UNESP Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil; (W.R.G.); (D.T.H.); (G.R.L.)
| | - Ivan Bezerra Allaman
- Department of Exact and Technological Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz, Jorge Amado Highway, km 16, Bairro Salobrinho, Ilhéus-Bahia 45662-900, Brazil;
| | - Gabriel Rinaldi Lattanzi
- UNESP Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil; (W.R.G.); (D.T.H.); (G.R.L.)
| | - Rafael Vilhena Reis Neto
- UNESP Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil; (W.R.G.); (D.T.H.); (G.R.L.)
- UNESP Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of Vale do Ribeira—Campus of Registro, Avenida Nelson Brihi Badur 430, Registro 11900-000, Brazil
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Higuchi Y, Nakano S, Aoyagi K, Origuchi S, Horiguchi K, Serizawa T, Yamakami I, Iwadate Y. Growth potential of small residual tumors after vestibular schwannoma surgery: comparison between remnants and the natural history of small tumors. J Neurosurg 2022:1-9. [PMID: 36461821 DOI: 10.3171/2022.10.jns22680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Due to the heterogeneous definitions of tumor regrowth and various tumor volume distributions, the nature of small remnants after vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery and the appropriate timing of adjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery for these remnants remain unclear. In this study, the growth potential of small remnants (< 1 cm3) after VS surgery was compared with that of treatment-naïve (TN) small VSs. METHODS This retrospective single-center study included 44 patients with VS remnants following subtotal resection (STR) of a large VS (remnant group) and 75 patients with TN VS (< 1 cm3; TN group). A 20% change in tumor volume over the imaging interval indicated radiographic progression or regression. Tumor progression-free survival (TPFS) rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS In the remnant group, the mean preoperative tumor volume was 13.8 ± 9.0 cm3 and the mean tumor resection rate was 95% ± 5%. The mean tumor volume at the start of the observation period did not differ significantly between the two groups (remnant vs TN: 0.41 ± 0.29 vs 0.34 ± 0.28 cm3, p = 0.171). The median periods until tumor progression was detected were 15.1 (range 4.9-76.2) months and 44.7 (range 12.6-93.2) months in the TN and remnant groups, respectively. In the remnant group, the TPFS rates were 74% and 70% at 3 and 5 years after the surgery, respectively, compared with 59% and 47% in the TN group. The log-rank test demonstrated a significant difference (p = 0.008) in the TPFS rates between the two groups. Furthermore, 42 patients each from the remnant and TN groups were matched based on tumor volume. TPFS was significantly longer in the remnant group than in the TN group (3-year rates, 77% vs 62%; 5-year rates, 73% vs 51%; p = 0.02). In the remnant group, 18% of the tumor remnants demonstrated regression during follow-up, compared with 9% in the TN group, but this intergroup difference was not significant (p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that the growth potential of small VS remnants was lower than that of TN tumors. Observing for small remnants may be appropriate after STR of a large VS. Given the risk of tumor regrowth, careful observation using MRI should be mandatory during follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Higuchi
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba
| | - Shigeki Nakano
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba
| | - Kyoko Aoyagi
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba
- 2Department of Neurosurgery, Chiba Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Ichihara
| | - Shinichi Origuchi
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba
| | - Kentaro Horiguchi
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba
| | - Toru Serizawa
- 3Tokyo Gamma Unit Center, Tsukiji Neurological Clinic, Tokyo; and
| | - Iwao Yamakami
- 4Department of Neurosurgery, Seikeikai Chiba Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yasuo Iwadate
- 1Department of Neurological Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba
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Deter RL, Lee W, Romero R. Standards for evaluating neonatal growth outcomes using individualized pathological growth potential realization indices. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2022; 35:8080-8082. [PMID: 34470127 PMCID: PMC8885773 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1958312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Provide standards for detecting neonatal growth abnormalities with the average pathological Growth Potential Realization Index (av. pGPRI). METHODS Individualized Growth Assessment (IGA) evaluations of 117 neonates with normal growth outcomes were carried out using measurements of WT, HC, AC, ThC and CHL. Growth Potential Realization Index (GPRI) values for each parameter were calculated from predicted and actual birth measurements, the former obtained using Rossavik size models derived from the second-trimester growth potential estimates. Subtraction of either the upper and lower boundaries of GPRI reference ranges from these GPRI measurements gave + pGPRI and - pGPRI measurements. GPRI's within their reference ranges were assigned pGPRI values of zero. Average values for these two types of pGPRI's were calculated for the WT, HC, CHL set (n = 117) and the WT, HC, AC, ThC, CHL set (n = 112). RESULTS The 95% reference ranges for the av. +pGPRI's and av. -pGPRI's in the WT, HC, CHL set were 0% to +0.50% and 0% to -0.40%, respectively. In the WT, HC, AC, ThC, CHL set, the comparable results were 0% to +0.50% and 0% to -0.72%. CONCLUSION Standards are provided for classifying neonatal growth outcomes with a parameter quantifying growth pathology that was based on individualized growth potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell L Deter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wesley Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, Detroit, MI, USA
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Wang H, Jiang X. Isolation and Characterization of Competitive Exclusion Microorganisms from Animal Wastes-Based Composts against Listeria monocytogenes. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 132:4531-4543. [PMID: 35289455 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM To isolate the slow-growing or viable but non-culturable competitive exclusion (CE) microorganisms from composts and then verify the anti-Listeria monocytogenes activities of those CE isolates in compost. METHODS AND RESULTS CE strains were isolated from composts using double- or triple-layer agar methods, purified, and then characterized. Both compost extracts and solid compost samples were spiked with a cocktail of 3 L. monocytogenes strains which were co-inoculated with or without CE strain cocktail and incubated at both 22°C and 35°C for 168 h. Results indicated that the addition of resuscitation promoting factor (Rpf) promoted the growth of slow-growing species from composts. About 50% of the isolated CE strains (n=40) were identified as Bacillus spp., 17 strains can inhibit more than ten tested L. monocytogenes strains, and 9 strains were motile and competitive biofilm formers. In compost extracts, the growth potentials of L. monocytogenes were reduced up to 2.2 logs when co-culturing with CE strains. In compost samples, the addition of CE strains reduced L. monocytogenes population by ca. 1.3 log CFU/g at 22°C after 24 to 168 h incubation. CONCLUSION Our modified double/triple-layer agar procedure with Rpf as growth supplement coupled with spot-on-lawn testing can be a quick and efficient method for isolating CE candidates from composts. The efficacy of CE strains against L. monocytogenes in compost extracts and compost samples was affected by compost type, nutrient level, and incubation temperature. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Compost is a rich source of CE microorganisms and compost-adapted CE microorganisms have the potential as a biological agent to control L. monocytogenes in agricultural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongye Wang
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Xiuping Jiang
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
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Song Y, Sass-Klaassen U, Sterck F, Goudzwaard L, Akhmetzyanov L, Poorter L. Growth of 19 conifer species is highly sensitive to winter warming, spring frost and summer drought. Ann Bot 2021; 128:545-557. [PMID: 34216460 PMCID: PMC8422889 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Conifers are key components of many temperate and boreal forests and are important for forestry, but species differences in stem growth responses to climate are still poorly understood and may hinder effective management of these forests in a warmer and drier future. METHODS We studied 19 Northern Hemisphere conifer species planted in a 50-year-old common garden experiment in the Netherlands to (1) assess the effect of temporal dynamics in climate on stem growth, (2) test for a possible positive relationship between the growth potential and climatic growth sensitivity across species, and (3) evaluate the extent to which stem growth is controlled by phylogeny. KEY RESULTS Eighty-nine per cent of the species showed a significant reduction in stem growth to summer drought, 37 % responded negatively to spring frost and 32 % responded positively to higher winter temperatures. Species differed largely in their growth sensitivity to climatic variation and showed, for example, a four-fold difference in growth reduction to summer drought. Remarkably, we did not find a positive relationship between productivity and climatic sensitivity, but instead observed that some species combined a low growth sensitivity to summer drought with high growth potential. Both growth sensitivity to climate and growth potential were partly phylogenetically controlled. CONCLUSIONS A warmer and drier future climate is likely to reduce the productivity of most conifer species. We did not find a relationship between growth potential and growth sensitivity to climate; instead, some species combined high growth potential with low sensitivity to summer drought. This may help forest managers to select productive species that are able to cope with a warmer and drier future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Song
- Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- For correspondence. E-mail
| | - Ute Sass-Klaassen
- Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Sterck
- Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Leo Goudzwaard
- Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Linar Akhmetzyanov
- Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Lourens Poorter
- Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Wang Z, Zheng YC, Li JF, Wang YZ, Rong LS, Wang JX, Jiang DC, Qi WC. [Study on GLI values of Polygonatum odoratum base on multi-temporal of unmanned aerial vehicle remote sensing]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2021; 45:5663-5668. [PMID: 33496105 DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20200922.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) remote sensing and vegetation index have great potential in the field of Chinese herbal medicine planting. In this study, the visible light image of Polygonatum odoratum planting area in Changyi district of Jilin province were acquired by UAV, and the real-time monitoring of P. odoratum planting area was realized. The green leaf index(GLI) was established, and GLI values of P. odoratum were collected used the spatial sampling points. To compare the GLI values in different periods, it was found that the GLI values of P. odoratum have three stages changing rule of rising-gentle-falling related to the germination, vigorous growth and withered of P. odoratum growth. Meanwhile, the GLI values were compared with four biomass data of P. odoratum, including plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content in leaves, and it was found that the GLI value was related to the growth potential of P. odoratum. The GLI value with a rapid increase in rising stage or at a high level in the gentle stage means the P. odoratum was in a better growth potential. GLI value has a same change trend with plant height, and has certain correlation with plant height and leaf area. However, there is no obvious relationship between chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents in leaves and GLI value. The study clarified the change rule of GLI value of P. odoratum, explained the reason for the change of GLI value, and expanded the application range of GLI. The research shows that UAV and vegetation index can be applied to monitoring the Chinese herbal medicines planting, and provides a new idea for exploring more effective information extraction methods of Chinese herbal medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine Changchun 130117, China Jilin Engineering Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources in Changbai Mountain Changchun 130117, China
| | - Yong-Chun Zheng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University Jilin 132109, China
| | - Jin-Fei Li
- College of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine Changchun 130117, China
| | - Ying-Zhe Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine Changchun 130117, China Jilin Engineering Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources in Changbai Mountain Changchun 130117, China
| | - Lu-Sheng Rong
- College of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine Changchun 130117, China Jilin Engineering Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources in Changbai Mountain Changchun 130117, China
| | - Jia-Xue Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine Changchun 130117, China
| | - Da-Cheng Jiang
- College of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine Changchun 130117, China Jilin Engineering Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources in Changbai Mountain Changchun 130117, China
| | - Wei-Chen Qi
- College of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine Changchun 130117, China
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Shimasaki Y, Mukai K, Takai Y, Qiu X, Oshima Y. Recent Progress in the Study of Peroxiredoxin in the Harmful Algal Bloom Species Chattonella marina. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:162. [PMID: 33499182 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10020162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Peroxiredoxin (Prx) is a relatively recently discovered antioxidant enzyme family that scavenges peroxides and is known to be present in organisms from biological taxa ranging from bacteria to multicellular eukaryotes, including photosynthetic organisms. Although there have been many studies of the Prx family in higher plants, green algae, and cyanobacteria, few studies have concerned raphidophytes and dinoflagellates, which are among the eukaryotic algae that cause harmful algal blooms (HABs). In our proteomic study using 2-D electrophoresis, we found a highly expressed 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (2-CysPrx) in the raphidophyte Chattonella marina var. antiqua, a species that induces mass mortality of aquacultured fish. The abundance of the C. marina 2-CysPrx enzyme was highest in the exponential growth phase, during which photosynthetic activity was high, and it then decreased by about a factor of two during the late stationary growth phase. This pattern suggested that 2-CysPrx is a key enzyme involved in the maintenance of high photosynthesis activity. In addition, the fact that the depression of photosynthesis by excessively high irradiance was more severe in the 2-CysPrx low-expression strain (wild type) than in the normal-expression strain (wild type) of C. marina suggested that 2-CysPrx played a critical role in protecting the cell from oxidative stress caused by exposure to excessively high irradiance. In the field of HAB research, estimates of growth potential have been desired to predict the population dynamics of HABs for mitigating damage to fisheries. Therefore, omics approaches have recently begun to be applied to elucidate the physiology of the growth of HAB species. In this review, we describe the progress we have made using a molecular physiological approach to identify the roles of 2-CysPrx and other antioxidant enzymes in mitigating environmental stress associated with strong light and high temperatures and resultant oxidative stress. We also describe results of a survey of expressed Prx genes and their growth-phase-dependent behavior in C. marina using RNA-seq analysis. Finally, we speculate about the function of these genes and the ecological significance of 2-CysPrx, such as its involvement in circadian rhythms and the toxicity of C. marina to fish.
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Boatman TG, Upton GJG, Lawson T, Geider RJ. Projected expansion of Trichodesmium's geographical distribution and increase in growth potential in response to climate change. Glob Chang Biol 2020; 26:6445-6456. [PMID: 32870567 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Estimates of marine N2 fixation range from 52 to 73 Tg N/year, of which we calculate up to 84% is from Trichodesmium based on previous measurements of nifH gene abundance and our new model of Trichodesmium growth. Here, we assess the likely effects of four major climate change-related abiotic factors on the spatiotemporal distribution and growth potential of Trichodesmium for the last glacial maximum (LGM), the present (2006-2015) and the end of this century (2100) by mapping our model of Trichodesmium growth onto inferred global surface ocean fields of pCO2 , temperature, light and Fe. We conclude that growth rate was severely limited by low pCO2 at the LGM, that current pCO2 levels do not significantly limit Trichodesmium growth and thus, the potential for enhanced growth from future increases in CO2 is small. We also found that the area of the ocean where sea surface temperatures (SST) are within Trichodesmium's thermal niche increased by 32% from the LGM to present, but further increases in SST due to continued global warming will reduce this area by 9%. However, the range reduction at the equator is likely to be offset by enhanced growth associated with expansion of regions with optimal or near optimal Fe and light availability. Between now and 2100, the ocean area of optimal SST and irradiance is projected to increase by 7%, and the ocean area of optimal SST, irradiance and iron is projected to increase by 173%. Given the major contribution of this keystone species to annual N2 fixation and thus pelagic ecology, biogeochemistry and CO2 sequestration, the projected increase in the geographical range for optimal growth could provide a negative feedback to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Graham J G Upton
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Tracy Lawson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
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Culliney P, Schmalenberger A. Growth Potential of Listeria monocytogenes on Refrigerated Spinach and Rocket Leaves in Modified Atmosphere Packaging. Foods 2020; 9:E1211. [PMID: 32882945 DOI: 10.3390/foods9091211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Minimally processed ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables are increasingly consumed for their health benefits. However, they also pose a risk of being ingested with food-borne pathogens. The present study investigated the ability of RTE spinach and rocket to support the growth of Listeria monocytogenes as previous studies provided contradicting evidence. Findings were compared to growth on iceberg lettuce that has repeatedly been shown to support growth. Products were inoculated with a three-strain mix of L. monocytogenes at 10 and 100 cfu g−1 and stored in modified atmosphere (4 kPa O2, 8 kPa CO2) at 8 °C over 7–9 days. Spinach demonstrated the highest growth potential rate of 2 to 3 log10 cfu g−1 over a 9-day period with only marginal deterioration in its visual appearance. Growth potential on rocket was around 2 log10 cfu g−1 over 9 days with considerable deterioration in visual appearance. Growth potential of iceberg lettuce was similar to that of rocket over a 7-day period. Growth curves fitted closely to a linear growth model, indicating none to limited restrictions of growth over the duration of storage. The high growth potentials of L. monocytogenes on spinach alongside the limited visual deterioration highlight the potential risks of consuming this raw RTE food product when contaminated.
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Eicher C, Ruiz Subira A, Corti S, Meusburger A, Stephan R, Guldimann C. Growth Potential of Listeria monocytogenes in Three Different Salmon Products. Foods 2020; 9:E1048. [PMID: 32756463 DOI: 10.3390/foods9081048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cold smoked salmon and sushi salmon have been implicated in outbreaks of listeriosis. We performed challenge tests and a durability study with Listeria monocytogenes on different salmon products to determine the growth potential of this important food-borne pathogen. Data from the challenge test showed a significant growth potential of L. monocytogenes on all of the tested salmon products, with faster growth in sushi salmon than in cold smoked salmon. In identical products that were naturally contaminated at low levels, the durability study did not confirm a high growth potential, possibly due to interactions with competing microflora. The injection of sodium lactate (NaL) at a high concentration (30%) into cold smoked salmon significantly reduced the growth potential of L. monocytogenes. In addition to good manufacturing practices, the injection of higher concentrations of NaL may therefore be a useful additional hurdle to prevent growth of L. monocytogenes to high numbers in the tested salmon products.
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Tirloni E, Pietro VD, Rizzi G, Pomilio F, Cattaneo P, Bernardi C, Stella S. Non-thermal inactivation of Listeria spp. in a typical dry-fermented sausage: "Bergamasco" salami. Ital J Food Saf 2019; 8:8112. [PMID: 31632928 PMCID: PMC6784594 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2019.8112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim of the present study was the evaluation of the growth potential of Listeria spp. inoculated in the typical North Italian dry fermented sausage "Bergamasco" salami during its production. As it was necessary to carry out the challenge test in the production line of the industry, according to the guidelines of the European Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, a non-pathogenic "surrogate" microorganism was used: for the inoculum, two strains of Listeria innocua (1 ATCC, 1 strain isolated from a similar substrate) were used. The inoculation of the samples occurred during grinding and mixing of the sausage mass, before the filling. To avoid cross-contamination, the control samples were produced before the contaminated ones. After the dripping, salamis were subjected to the normal production process (drying and maturation in five steps at specific temperatures and humidity rates). The inoculated products were subjected to the enumeration of Listeria spp. at T0 (day of inoculation) and at T4 (post-drying), and every 10 days during curing (T10, T20, T30, T40, T50, T60, T70, T80 and T90), as this salami is generally sold as whole piece with varying levels of curing (from T20 to T90). Since the product may be cut in half and vacuumpacked, at each of the times starting from T20, half salami was vacuum-packed and stored for 30 days at 12°C, at the end of the which Listeria spp. enumeration was performed again. At all times and for each type of samples of each of the three batches, the enumeration of the natural microflora (Total Viable Count, lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae) and the determination of water activity and pH were performed on control samples. The product was characterized by a high concentration of microflora (8-8.5 Log UFC/g), consisting mainly of lactic acid bacteria, added to the mixture at the beginning of the production process. The pH showed a decrease over time, expected for this type of products, due to the development of lactic acid bacteria (final pH: 5.42-5.55). The water activity reached values able to inhibit the development of Listeria spp. (final aw: 0.826-0.863). Listeria counts in the tested batches of "Bergamasco" salami showed the absence of significant growth in the product with a reduction of loads if compared to T0, between -0.59 and -1.04 Log CFU/g. Even in the samples subjected to vacuum packaging and storage at 12°C, the absence of significant increase of lactic acid bacteria in the product was highlighted with further decrease of bacterial loads (-0.70/-0.79 Log CFU/g if compared to T20). Considering the worst case scenario (thus the batch with the highest growth potential), in the products stored in the curing room at 14-16°C, at humidity of 80% and in the samples stored at 12°C and vacuum packaged, the threshold indicated by the EURL Lm guidelines (+0.5 Log CFU/g) for the growth of Listeria spp. was not reached, allowing to classify "Bergamasco" salami in the category 1.3 of the EC Reg. 2073/2005 as "Ready-to-eat food unable to support the growth of Listeria monocytogenes".
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Tirloni
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan
| | | | | | - Francesco Pomilio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Teramo, Italy
| | - Patrizia Cattaneo
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan
| | - Cristian Bernardi
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan
| | - Simone Stella
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan
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Soares L, Sakomura NK, de Paula Dorigam JC, Liebert F, Quintino do Nascimento M, Kochenborger Fernandes JB. Nitrogen maintenance requirements and potential for nitrogen retention of pullets in growth phase. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2019; 103:1168-1173. [PMID: 31062424 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Experiments were conducted to estimate daily N maintenance requirements (NMRs) and the genetic potential for daily N retention (NRmax T) of pullets in growth phase. Three nitrogen balance trials were conducted, and a total of 48 Hy-line W-36 pullets were used in each trial in age periods (starter: 14-28, grower: 56-70 and developer: 98-112 days). The treatments consisted of six graded levels of nitrogen in the diets (L1 = 8, L2 = 16, L3 = 24, L4 = 32, L5 = 40 and L6 = 48 g N/kg of feed), formulated using the dilution technique. The regression analyses between nitrogen intake and nitrogen excretion were performed to fit the exponential function and to determine the NMR. The daily NMRs that were estimated at 294, 331 and 355 mg/BWkg 0.67 for the initial, grower and developer periods, respectively, were applied for further calculation of NRmax T as the threshold value of the function between N intake and daily N balance. The NRmax T was estimated by a statistical procedure following several iteration steps by the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm until the sum of the squares of the residual was minimized. The NRmax T was estimated at 3,200, 2,633 and 1,826 mg/BWkg 0.67 for starter, grower and developer periods respectively. The determined model parameters were the precondition for modelling of the amino acid requirement based on an exponential N-utilization model and depended on performance and dietary amino acid efficiency. This procedure will be further developed and applied in the subsequent study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Soares
- Department of Animal Science, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Nilva Kazue Sakomura
- Department of Animal Science, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | | | - Frank Liebert
- Chair of Animal Nutrition, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mariana Quintino do Nascimento
- Department of Animal Science, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - João Batista Kochenborger Fernandes
- Department of Animal Science, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Jaboticabal, Brazil
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Montanari C, Barbieri F, Magnani M, Grazia L, Gardini F, Tabanelli G. Phenotypic Diversity of Lactobacillus sakei Strains. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2003. [PMID: 30210476 PMCID: PMC6121134 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactobacillus sakei is a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species highly adapted to the meat environment. For this reason, selected strains are often used as starter culture in the production of fermented sausages, especially in Mediterranean countries. It often represents the dominant species in these products and can maintain its viability during all the ripening period, which can take also some months. This ability is guaranteed by the possibility of the species to obtain energy through pathways active even when hexoses are depleted. This species is characterized by a relevant genetic and phenotypic diversity and its metabolism can be further affected by the growth condition applied. In this work we investigate the metabolic responses of six different L. sakei in a synthetic medium (DM) containing defined amounts of amino acids in relation to temperature and NaCl concentration. In addition, the activities of cells pre-grown in presence of glucose o ribose were tested. Arginine was efficiently up-taken with the exception of the type strain DSMZ 20017t. Other amino acids (i.e., serine, asparagine, cysteine, and methionine) were metabolized through potentially energetic pathways which start from pyruvate accumulation, as demonstrated by the organic acid accumulation trend in the condition tested, especially in DM without sugar added. The presence of excesses of pyruvate deriving from amino acids lead to the accumulation of diacetyl and acetoin by all the strains when sugars were added. This approach allowed a deeper insight into the phenotypic variability of the species and improved the comprehension of the metabolic pathways adopted by L. sakei to survive and grow in restrictive conditions such as those found in fermented sausages during fermentations. Thus, the results obtained are useful information for improving and optimizing the use of such strains as starter culture for these products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Montanari
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-Food Research, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Federica Barbieri
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-Food Research, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Michael Magnani
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luigi Grazia
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fausto Gardini
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-Food Research, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy.,Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Tabanelli
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-Food Research, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
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Vélez EJ, Azizi S, Lutfi E, Capilla E, Moya A, Navarro I, Fernández-Borràs J, Blasco J, Gutiérrez J. Moderate and sustained exercise modulates muscle proteolytic and myogenic markers in gilthead sea bream ( Sparus aurata). Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2017; 312:R643-R653. [PMID: 28228414 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00308.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Swimming activity primarily accelerates growth in fish by increasing protein synthesis and energy efficiency. The role of muscle in this process is remarkable and especially important in teleosts, where muscle represents a high percentage of body weight and because many fish species present continuous growth. The aim of this work was to characterize the effects of 5 wk of moderate and sustained swimming in gene and protein expression of myogenic regulatory factors, proliferation markers, and proteolytic molecules in two muscle regions (anterior and caudal) of gilthead sea bream fingerlings. Western blot results showed an increase in the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), proteolytic system members calpain 1 and cathepsin D, as well as vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR data showed that exercise increased the gene expression of proteases (calpains, cathepsins, and members of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the anterior muscle region) and the gene expression of the proliferation marker PCNA and the myogenic factor MyoD in the caudal area compared with control fish. Overall, these data suggest a differential response of the two muscle regions during swimming adaptation, with tissue remodeling and new vessel formation occurring in the anterior muscle and enhanced cell proliferation and differentiation occurring in the caudal area. In summary, the present study contributes to improving the knowledge of the role of proteolytic molecules and other myogenic factors in the adaptation of muscle to moderate sustained swimming in gilthead sea bream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio J Vélez
- Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sheida Azizi
- Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esmail Lutfi
- Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Encarnación Capilla
- Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Moya
- Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Navarro
- Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Fernández-Borràs
- Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josefina Blasco
- Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Gutiérrez
- Departament de Biologia Cellular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Ahrenstorff TD, Hrabik TR. Seasonal changes in partial, reverse diel vertical migrations of cisco Coregonus artedi. J Fish Biol 2016; 89:1794-1809. [PMID: 27455948 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to (1) document changes in partial, reverse diel vertical migrations (DVM) patterns of cisco Coregonus artedi in Ten Mile Lake, MN, U.S.A., throughout the year and (2) evaluate the mechanisms that may cause shifts in migration behaviour. Results indicated that C. artedi vertical distributions remained deep in the water column during the day and night of the spring and autumn, which was related to a low risk, low reward strategy. During summer, a partial migration occurred where a portion of the population remained deeper according to the low risk, low reward strategy, while the other portion performed a more extensive high risk, high reward reverse DVM. In winter, C. artedi did not migrate because there were only low risk, low reward conditions present at all depths. The extensive partial, reverse DVM during summer probably increased the growth potential of C. artedi, helping individuals survive in a lake with low zooplankton prey resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- T D Ahrenstorff
- Department of Biology, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 207 Swenson Science Building, 1035 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN, 55812, U.S.A
| | - T R Hrabik
- Department of Biology, University of Minnesota-Duluth, 207 Swenson Science Building, 1035 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN, 55812, U.S.A
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Chen Y, Allard E, Wooten A, Hur M, Sheth I, Laasri A, Hammack TS, Macarisin D. Recovery and Growth Potential of Listeria monocytogenes in Temperature Abused Milkshakes Prepared from Naturally Contaminated Ice Cream Linked to a Listeriosis Outbreak. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:764. [PMID: 27242775 PMCID: PMC4870228 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The recovery and growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes was evaluated in three flavors of milkshakes (vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate) that were prepared from naturally contaminated ice cream linked to a listeriosis outbreak in the U.S. in 2015, and were subsequently held at room temperature for 14 h. The average lag phase duration of L. monocytogenes was 9.05 h; the average generation time was 1.67 h; and the average population level increase per sample at 14 h was 1.14 log CFU/g. Milkshake flavors did not significantly affect these parameters. The average lag phase duration of L. monocytogenes in milkshakes with initial contamination levels ≤ 3 CFU/g (9.50 h) was significantly longer (P < 0.01) than that with initial contamination levels > 3 CFU/g (8.60 h). The results highlight the value of using samples that are contaminated with very low levels of L. monocytogenes for recovery and growth evaluations. The behavior of L. monocytogenes populations in milkshakes prepared from naturally contaminated ice cream linked to the listeriosis outbreak should be taken into account when performing risk based analysis using this outbreak as a case study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park MD, USA
| | - Emma Allard
- College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, University of New Hampshire, Durham NH, USA
| | - Anna Wooten
- Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, University of Maryland, College Park MD, USA
| | - Minji Hur
- Department of Food Science, Gachon University Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ishani Sheth
- Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park MD, USA
| | - Anna Laasri
- Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park MD, USA
| | - Thomas S Hammack
- Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park MD, USA
| | - Dumitru Macarisin
- Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park MD, USA
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18
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Wu Q, Pagès L, Wu J. Relationships between root diameter, root length and root branching along lateral roots in adult, field-grown maize. Ann Bot 2016; 117:379-90. [PMID: 26744490 PMCID: PMC4765541 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcv185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Root diameter, especially apical diameter, plays an important role in root development and function. The variation in diameter between roots, and along roots, affects root structure and thus the root system's overall foraging performance. However, the effect of diameter variation on root elongation, branching and topological connections has not been examined systematically in a population of high-order roots, nor along the roots, especially for mature plants grown in the field. METHODS A method combining both excavation and analysis was applied to extract and quantify root architectural traits of adult, field-grown maize plants. The relationships between root diameter and other root architectural characteristics are analysed for two maize cultivars. KEY RESULTS The basal diameter of the lateral roots (orders 1-3) was highly variable. Basal diameter was partly determined by the diameter of the bearing segment. Basal diameter defined a potential root length, but the lengths of most roots fell far short of this. This was explained partly by differences in the pattern of diameter change along roots. Diameter tended to decrease along most roots, with the steepness of the gradient of decrease depending on basal diameter. The longest roots were those that maintained (or sometimes increased) their diameters during elongation. The branching density (cm(-1)) of laterals was also determined by the diameter of the bearing segment. However, the location of this bearing segment along the mother root was also involved - intermediate positions were associated with higher densities of laterals. CONCLUSIONS The method used here allows us to obtain very detailed records of the geometry and topology of a complex root system. Basal diameter and the pattern of diameter change along a root were associated with its final length. These relationships are especially useful in simulations of root elongation and branching in source-sink models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (North China), Ministry of Agriculture, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Loïc Pagès
- INRA, UR 1115 PSH, Site Agroparc, 84914 Avignon cedex 9, France and
| | - Jie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Farming System, Center of Crop Chemical Control, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Li QF, Zhao J, Zhang J, Dai ZH, Zhang LG. Ectopic Expression of the Chinese Cabbage Malate Dehydrogenase Gene Promotes Growth and Aluminum Resistance in Arabidopsis. Front Plant Sci 2016; 7:1180. [PMID: 27536317 PMCID: PMC4971079 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Malate dehydrogenases (MDHs) are key metabolic enzymes that play important roles in plant growth and development. In the present study, we isolated the full-length and coding sequences of BraMDH from Chinese cabbage [Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis (Lour) Olsson]. We conducted bioinformatics analysis and a subcellular localization assay, which revealed that the BraMDH gene sequence contained no introns and that BraMDH is localized to the chloroplast. In addition, the expression pattern of BraMDH in Chinese cabbage was investigated, which revealed that BraMDH was heavily expressed in inflorescence apical meristems, as well as the effect of BraMDH overexpression in two homozygous transgenic Arabidopsis lines, which resulted in early bolting and taller inflorescence stems. Furthermore, the fresh and dry weights of aerial tissue from the transgenic Arabidopsis plants were significantly higher than those from the corresponding wild-type plants, as were plant height, the number of rosette leaves, and the number of siliques produced, and the transgenic plants also exhibited stronger aluminum resistance when treated with AlCl3. Therefore, our results suggest that BraMDH has a dramatic effect on plant growth and that the gene is involved in both plant growth and aluminum resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Fei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- College of Horticulture, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityTaigu, China
| | - Zi-Hui Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
| | - Lu-Gang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F UniversityYangling, China
- *Correspondence: Lu-Gang Zhang,
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Prior T, Paramasivam G, Bennett P, Kumar S. Are fetuses that fail to achieve their growth potential at increased risk of intrapartum compromise? Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015; 46:460-464. [PMID: 25487285 DOI: 10.1002/uog.14758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The true growth potential of a fetus is difficult to predict but recently a new definition, independent of fetal weight, using cerebroplacental (cerebro-umbilical) ratio (CPR) < 0.6765 multiples of the median (MoM), was reported. We applied this definition to a cohort of low-risk pregnancies recruited prospectively to determine if fetuses with CPR < 0.6765 are at increased risk of developing signs of intrapartum fetal compromise. METHODS Recruitment to this prospective observational study took place between March 2011 and March 2014. All women with low-risk singleton pregnancies at term were eligible. Women with known or suspected placental dysfunction were excluded, as were women with fetuses with an estimated fetal weight < 10(th) centile. All participants underwent ultrasound examination prior to active labor (≤ 4 cm cervical dilatation), during which fetal biometry as well as umbilical artery and fetal middle cerebral artery blood flow were assessed. Following delivery, intrapartum and neonatal outcomes were compared between fetuses that had a CPR < 0.6765 MoM and those that had a CPR ≥ 0.6765 MoM. RESULTS In total, 775 women were recruited. Fetuses with CPR < 0.6765 MoM were significantly more likely to require Cesarean delivery because of presumed fetal compromise (P < 0.001). These fetuses were also at increased risk of compromise at any time during labor and were less likely to be delivered vaginally, spontaneously or otherwise, than were those with CPR ≥ 0.6765 MoM. CPR < 0.6765 MoM gave a positive predictive value (PPV) for Cesarean delivery because of presumed fetal compromise of 36.7% and a negative predictive value of 88.7%, with a sensitivity of 18% and a specificity of 95.4%. CONCLUSION Fetuses that failed to achieve their growth potential (defined as CPR < 0.6765 MoM) were at increased risk of intrapartum compromise and were less likely to be delivered vaginally. However, a low negative predictive value was observed for fetal compromise and further studies are required to support the translation of this technique into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Prior
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - G Paramasivam
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK
| | - P Bennett
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - S Kumar
- Centre for Fetal Care, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, UK
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Mater Research Institute/University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Patil SD, Patil VD, Khan A, Khanore C. Correction of a Forefoot Deformity Caused by a Large, Solitary Metatarsal Osteochondroma in an Adolescent: A Case Report. J Foot Ankle Surg 2015; 55:427-33. [PMID: 25979293 DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2015.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Solitary osteochondroma is the most common bone tumor, accounting for 20% to 50% of all benign bony tumors. Osteochondromas are usually found on the metaphysis of the long bones near the physis; the bones of the foot are less commonly involved. We describe a 13-year-old female with a large osteochondroma arising from the fourth metatarsal. Pressure from the tumor on the adjacent metatarsals had deformed her forefoot, creating cosmetic and functional problems. The second and third toes were deviated laterally at the metatarsophalangeal joint, and the fourth and fifth toes were deviated medially. In addition, the fourth and fifth toes were flexed at the proximal interphalangeal joint. We excised the osteochondroma and stabilized the metatarsophalangeal joints. After 3 years, the cosmetic and functional results were satisfactory. The subluxation at the metatarsophalangeal joints had resolved without treatment. Her Revised Foot Function Index score had improved from 141 preoperatively to 95 postoperatively, and her Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire score had improved from 25 to 0. This case is a rare example of a large metatarsal osteochondroma in a growing child in which pressure from the tumor caused secondary forefoot deformities. The management of this case also shows the potential for the forefoot to remodel itself during adolescence, after the tumor has been resected and the joints stabilized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashraf Khan
- Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, India
| | - Charudatta Khanore
- Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Niramay Accident Hospital, Pachora, India
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Smith NA, Bukowski R, Thomas AM, Cantonwine D, Zera C, Robinson JN. Identification of pathologically small fetuses using customized, ultrasound and population-based growth norms. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014; 44:595-599. [PMID: 24532059 DOI: 10.1002/uog.13333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fetal growth restriction is a strong risk factor for stillbirth. We compared the performance of three fetal growth curves - customized, ultrasound (Hadlock) and population - in identifying abnormally grown fetuses at risk of stillbirth. METHODS We performed a case-control study of singleton stillbirths (delivered between 2000 and 2010) at one center. Four liveborn controls were randomly identified for each stillbirth. Ultrasound-estimated fetal weight within 1 month prior to delivery was used to calculate growth percentiles for each fetus using three fetal growth norms. Sensitivities and odds ratios for stillbirth, as well as odds of abnormal growth according to formula, were calculated. RESULTS There were 49 stillbirths and 197 live births. Using the customized norms, growth of the fetuses destined to be stillborn was bimodal, with both more small-for-gestational-age (SGA; < 10(th) percentile) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA; ≥ 90(th) percentile) fetuses. Odds of being abnormally grown were significantly higher using ultrasound compared with population norms (P = 0.02) but were not statistically different using ultrasound and customized norms (P = 0.21). Sensitivity for identification of SGA on ultrasound as a predictor of stillbirth was higher using customized (39%; 95% CI, 24-54%) or ultrasound (33%; 95% CI, 19-47%), rather than population (14%; 95% CI, 4-25%), norms. CONCLUSIONS Among fetuses destined to be stillborn, customized and ultrasound norms identified a greater proportion of both SGA and LGA estimated fetal weights. The customized norms performed best in identifying death among SGA fetuses. These results should be interpreted within the limitations of the study design.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Smith
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Albu AR, Horhoianu IA, Dumitrascu MC, Horhoianu V. Growth assessment in diagnosis of Fetal Growth Restriction. Review. J Med Life 2014; 7:150-4. [PMID: 25408718 PMCID: PMC4197499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The assessment of fetal growth represents a fundamental step towards the identification of the true growth restricted fetus that is associated to important perinatal morbidity and mortality. The possible ways of detecting abnormal fetal growth are taken into consideration in this review and their strong and weak points are discussed. An important debate still remains about how to discriminate between the physiologically small fetus that does not require special surveillance and the truly growth restricted fetus who is predisposed to perinatal complications, even if its parameters are above the cut-off limits established. In this article, we present the clinical tools of fetal growth assessment: Symphyseal-Fundal Height (SFH) measurement, the fetal ultrasound parameters widely taken into consideration when discussing fetal growth: Abdominal Circumference (AC) and Estimated Fetal Weight (EFW); several types of growth charts and their characteristics: populational growth charts, standard growth charts, individualized growth charts, customized growth charts and growth trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- AR Albu
- „Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Bucharest University Emergency Hospital,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
| | - IA Horhoianu
- „Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Bucharest University Emergency Hospital,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
| | - MC Dumitrascu
- „Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Bucharest University Emergency Hospital,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
| | - V Horhoianu
- „Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Bucharest University Emergency Hospital,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Dalzini E, Cosciani-Cunico E, Pavoni E, Bertasi B, Daminelli P, Finazzi G, Losio MN, Varisco G. Study of Growth Potential of Listeria Monocytogenes in Low Fat Salami: An Innovative Italian Meat Product. Ital J Food Saf 2014; 3:2112. [PMID: 27800321 PMCID: PMC5076671 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2014.2112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last years, consequently to EC Regulation no. 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, some Italian food businnes operators (FBOs) leaders in the meat sector, invested in research to develop innovative products such as low fat salami, containing up to 30% less fat than the traditional one. For FBOs it is essential to demonstrate for each production process whether the substrate allows the growth of L. monocytogenes and whether L. monocytogenes could reach or exceed the limit of 100 cfu g-1 at the end of the shelf life, as stated by EC Regulation no. 2073/2005. In the present study, the growth potential of L. monocytogenes during the shelf life of low fat salami packed in modified atmosphere was evaluated. The results show that the product is unable to support the growth of pathogen, even if the storage temperature is between 8 and 12°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dalzini
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Libertini, Brescia, Italy
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Ren J, Hamada J, Okada F, Takeichi N, Morikawa K, Hosokawa M, Kobayashi H. Correlation between the presence of microvilli and the growth or metastatic potential of tumor cells. Jpn J Cancer Res 1990; 81:920-6. [PMID: 1977729 PMCID: PMC5918116 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1990.tb02668.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We used an electron microscope to examine microvilli which appear on the surfaces of various tumor cells with high or low growth potential and/or metastatic ability. The results show that a greater number of microvilli appeared on the surfaces of tumor cells (QRpP and ERpP) which possess high growth potential than on tumor cells (QR and ER) with low growth potential. We also observed that microvilli were more abundant on the surface of highly metastatic clone cells, i.e. c-SST-2 (cl-2), mouse B16 melanoma (F-10) and human colon carcinoma (KM12SM) than on weakly metastatic clone cells, c-SST-2 (cl-4-2), B16 (F-1) and (KM12C). At the same time, more microvilli were observed on the surface of B16 BL6 cells, which were obtained from the metastatic site of the B16 F10 cells, than on the surface of the parent B16 F10 cells. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the c-neu oncogene product, which is closely related to an epidermal growth factor receptor, was positively stained in the microvilli of tumor cells (ERpP) with high growth potential and high metastatic ability, whereas the tumor cells (ER) with low growth potential and weak metastatic ability were not stained. These findings suggest that the increased presence of microvilli correlates closely with the growth potential and metastatic ability of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ren
- Laboratory of Pathology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo
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