Baby Food Jars Research Articles

Classification trees as machine learning tool to explore consumers’ purchasing decision pathway. A case-study on parent’s perception of baby food jars

Classification and regression trees are machine learning methods useful to model non-linear and complex relationships. The objective of this study was to use classification tree method to model purchasing parents’ decision of buying or rejecting baby food jars and to identify the different pathways in the decision of consumers that explain the different purchasing patterns. For that, parents (n = 100) of babies (6 to 36 months old) evaluated 16 baby food jar images. For each one, parents indicated their purchase intention but also evaluated other aspects like expected liking, trust, health, and nutritive perception. Three clusters with different purchasing patterns were obtained and classification trees showed the different hierarchy of factors in the pathway toward the purchasing decision. For cluster 1 decision was based mainly on liking but conditioned to trust perception. For cluster 2, the decision was firstly based on healthiness perception and conditioned to liking. Cluster 3, the decision included a more complex pathway initiated by trust and followed by liking, nutritive and healthiness perceptions. The approach combining clustering and classification tree techniques is useful to explore and understand individual differences in consumers purchasing decision.

Photomixotrophic growth response of sugarcane in vitro plantlets using different light intensities and culture vessel types

Sugarcane is a very important crop in tropical areas around the world. Optimizing the light intensity and culture vessel for sugarcane in vitro propagation can improve protocols for large-scale in vitro mass clonal propagation. The objective of this study was to evaluate biometric and anatomical characteristics of in vitro propagated sugarcane plantlets using different light intensities and culture vessel types. The study also aimed to stimulate desired photoautotrophic and/or photomixotrophic traits and to study correlations between survival and ex vitro vigor with in vitro data. Fluorescent lights at 70 μmol m−2 s−1 and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at 120 and 200 μmol m−2 s−1 were used combined with different culture vessel types, including microboxes without a filter, microboxes with a filter, and baby food jars. Propagation and rooting growth were observed in all in vitro culture conditions. However, an increase in light intensity and change of culture vessel type provided improved results. When sugarcane plantlets were cultivated within microboxes with a filter under 120 and 200 μmol m−2 s−1, they showed improved growth, increased chlorophyll content, the lowest leaf yellowing percentage, an increase in bulliform cells and, consequently, increased leaf thickness under in vitro culture. After 60 d in greenhouse conditions, in vitro-derived plantlets under LEDs and microbox culture vessels showed the highest biometric values and high ex vitro survival.

In vitro desiccation tolerance of the epiphytic Ghost Orchid, Dendrophylax lindenii (Lindl.) Benth x. Rolfe

The Ghost Orchid, Dendrophylax lindenii (Lindl.) Benth x. Rolfe, is a rare and endangered epiphytic orchid native to south Florida and Cuba. The orchid is considered difficult to propagate under greenhouse conditions, requiring high humidity and low air movement. In contrast, the orchid’s native habitat seasonally dries out with decreased precipitation and humidity. This suggests some level of desiccation tolerance. Ghost Orchid plants were assessed for potential desiccation tolerance and ability to recover from desiccation stress under in vitro conditions. In vitro-derived plants were placed into sterile baby food jars and transferred to chambers maintained at 10% relative humidity, which is extremely low compared to relative humidity levels (40–100%) recorded under natural field conditions. Plants were removed every week for 4 wk and recovered on P723 medium supplemented with banana powder for 4 wk. Data were collected at the initiation of the experiment, after the desiccation periods, and after 4 wk in vitro recovery. Ghost Orchid plants demonstrated extremely high desiccation tolerance. Even after 4 wk desiccation, plant survival was observed at 79.2% after recovery. Desiccated plants exhibited significant decreases in tissue water potential (− 18.44 MPa), fresh weight (65.5% loss), and water content (14.2%); however, high plant survival was still observed under these conditions similar to poikilohydric plants. Overall, the Ghost Orchid demonstrated high desiccation tolerance, which should be considered for future greenhouse culture and for its application in the direct field establishment of in vitro-derived plants without greenhouse acclimatization.

Bisphenol A and Male Reproductive System

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an alkylphenol endocrine disruptor chemical (EDC). It is a building block for polycarbonate (PC) plastics and epoxy resins and it is used in food packaging, canned foods, baby bottles, baby food jars and medical devices. Recently, researchers have shown an increased interest in BPA and its effect on reproduction, neurodevelopment and metabolism. The experimental data are rather controversial, and there is no general consensus about BPA’s effects. In this review, potential impacts of the BPA on male reproductive system in prenatal and postnatal period are summarized.

From the President

They are on us, in us, and left by us in an identifiable trail on whatever we touch and wherever we go (Forensics). They cause our childhood tonsillitis, strep throat, and ear and urinary tract infections, bloom in our cuts and open wounds, and glide over our teeth producing acids that cause caries (Medicine and Dentistry).Yet we scoop them out of our yogurt cups and pop them as probiotic supplements (Biopharmacology). We even serve up many of their products on crackers or with cucumbers and dill, and slowly sip any one of a number of delectable fermented beverages with colleagues while discussing ways to capitalize on their “yuck” factor in the lab (Food Science and Zymology).They break down organic matter in our compost heaps and are responsible for providing the N in CHON for protein synthesis (Biochemistry). They transform that dirty four-letter word “dirt” into the respectable four-letter word “soil” (Ecology). They also potentially harbor the ability to eat oil in local waters and in places on other continents where spills have not gotten the attention they get when they happen in the USA (Bioremediation). They are even spread in our gardens to control certain insect pests (Entomology and Agriculture), and any extraordinary travel to the upper limits of our atmosphere or the lower limits of oceanic thermal vents will find them there (Extremophile Biology).Where might we be if our parents had not been able to reach, for example, for Selman Waksman's streptomycin, discovered in 1942 (Science as Process)? I point out with pride that this particular discovery happened at a lab on the New Jersey campus of Rutgers University, within walking distance of my home. Undoubtedly I could have been felled by them on any number of occasions, possibly losing my life to complications from their exponential growth in my throat or ears, or on skinned knees or heels, among other locations (Bacteriology and Antibiotics).In fact, I have to admit that I probably would have been dead a long time ago if not for the great good luck of being more resistant than they were virulent (Epidemiology). Once upon a time, as a kid in the 1950s, I thought that all infectious disease would soon be eradicated from the planet…but at that time I didn't know the tenets of the Red Queen (Evolutionary Biology). Recently, word came my way of a Web site where, surprisingly, bacteria have become the “paint” of art and the notes of music! No kidding, I was mesmerized by a “rabbit” (you can't expect me to ignore any bunny-related lore) that emerged from Petri dishes of bioluminescent bacteria and lulled by incredible music made from sequences of bacterial protein. Talk about integrating the arts and biological sciences1 (Biological Art)!Capitalizing on recent headlines, consider Synthia and the process of synthesizing minimal life in a synthetic bacterium, attributed to Human Genome entrepreneur Craig Venter2 (Biotechnology and Bioethics). Speaking of minimal genomes, think gene swapping via horizontal gene transfer and go backwards in time down to the base of the Tree of Life and meet LUCA (the last universal common ancestor), no doubt closely related to one of them.The last time I checked Wikipedia, there were 688 categories devoted to microbiology.3 Wow!! The whole topic is a huge educational opportunity that grabs more than just the interest of students. Even elected officials in numerous states have incorporated microbes into bona fide, legislated state microbes!4Whether streaking a plate; measuring the effects of various antiseptics, disinfectants, or antibiotics via halo diameters; making infusions of peppercorns or dried beans in baby food jars; or preparing yogurt culture slides, set out this year to try something new to provocatively entice your students with the resources encompassed in the study of microbes. The theme of this entire issue is “them.” Let's hear how you have provocatively integrated (mikrós, small) (organismós, organisms) into your (bios logos, study of biology)!

In vitro proliferation and minimum growth storage of fraser photinia: Influences of different medium, sugar combinations and culture vessels

Protocols for the in vitro proliferation and storage of fraser photinia were developed by comparing 6-benzyladenine (BA) concentrations (0.5–4 mg/L) together with different media formulations [Murashige and Skoog (MS) media and Quoirin and Lepoivre (QL) media], sugar combinations (sucrose and mannitol), culture vessels (baby food jars and vitrovents) and methods (synthetic seed technology and slow growth storage). The best responses in terms of both proliferation percentage and multiple shoot formation were obtained in QL medium containing 1 mg/L BA. Synthetic seed production was optimized by encapsulating shoot apices in 3% sodium alginate. Encapsulated shoot apices could be maintained up to 6 months at 4 °C in dark with 91.6% sprouting in MS medium. Microshoots were stored at 4 °C up to 15 months on sucrose and mannitol containing QL medium in both baby food jars and vitrovents without subculture. The stored material could be recovered and multiplied normally in 1 mg/L BA supplemented QL medium. Both in vitro propagated and conserved microshoots were rooted (∼75%) on QL medium with 1 mg/L indole butyric acid (IBA). Optimized synthetic seed and slow growth storage system can be used for short and medium-term storage of fraser photinia germplasm.

Production of Pharmaceuticals from Papaver Cultivars in Vitro

AbstractIranian (Papaver bracteatum Lindl.) and opium poppy (P. somniferum L.) plantlets obtained from germinated seeds grown on a Murashige and Skoog basal medium (BM) readily manifest alkaloids. Temperature had a profound effect on growth and alkaloid production after 8 weeks in culture. Plantlets of poppy cultivars (cvs.) grew best at 18.5 and 20°C compared to 15 or 25°C. An alkaloid survey study with 24 Iranian and 21 opium poppy cvs. revealed that total morphinan alkaloids ranged from 0 to 6.55 mg/g dw. Prolific axillary branching was achieved from poppy cvs. by maintaining shoots on BM containing 1.0 mg/L N6‐benzyladenine and 0.01 mg/L α‐naphthalene acetic acid for an additional 16 weeks. The influence of vessel size on the growth response of established shoot clumps was determined by subculture in a variety of culture vessels for 8 weeks. The tested culture vessels included culture tubes (55 mm3 capacity (cap.)), babyfood jars (143 mm3 cap.), Magenta GA‐7 containers (365 mm3 cap.), and polycarbonate jars (1890 mm3 cap.) employing an in vitro hydroponics system (i.e. an automated plant culture system (APCS)). Highest growth rates occurred employing the APCS. The culture vessel capacity had a significant positive correlation on shoot length, fresh weight, number of leaves, and number of shoots. Shoot length, fresh weight, leaves, and shoots grown in the APCS exhibited increases of 1‐, 21.5‐, 7.8‐, and 8.3‐fold, respectively, compared to shoots grown in culture tubes. Higher culture growth rates that occurred in the larger‐size vessels were correlated with lower alkaloid production (mg alkaloids/g dw). However, the overall total alkaloids/vessel [(mg alkaloid/g dw)×g culture dw] increased because of greater biomass production per vessel. The alkaloid content was found to remain stable for shoots grown over a 6–month evaluation period.

Survival of Chlorophyllous and Nonchlorophyllous Fern Spores through Exposure to Liquid Nitrogen

Survival of Chlorophyllous and Nonchlorophyllous Fern Spores through Exposure to Liquid Nitrogen

Eliminating Thrips in Microshoot Cultures

Two insecticides, acephate or azadirachtin, were added to tissue culture media to determine their effectiveness in controlling onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lindeman.) and to determine if these insecticides could damage the plant shoot cultures. To test for insecticide phytotoxicity, microshoots from European birch (Betula pendula), American elm (Ulmus americana), `Pink Arola' chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora), `America' rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense), `Golden Emblem' rose (Rosa hybrida), and `Gala' apple (Malus domestica) were placed in 130-ml baby food jars containing 25 ml of medium supplemented with 6.5, 13, or 26 mg/l Orthene® (contained acephate) or 0.55, 1.1, or 2.2 ml/l Azatin® (contained azadirachtin). Control jars lacked insecticide. To test for thrips control, 13 mg/l Orthene® or 0.55 ml/l Azatin® was added to Murashige and Skoog medium, and 10 thrips were placed on `Gala' apple microshoots in each jar. Jars were sealed with plastic wrap. In both studies, microshoot dry weight and heights were determined. In the second study, the total number of thrips per jar was also determined 3 weeks after inoculation. Microshoots on Orthene®-treated media lacked phytotoxicity symptoms, regardless of the concentration used. In contrast, Azatin® hindered plant growth, decreasing shoot height or dry weight by up to 85% depending on the species. Both insecticides prevented thrips populations from increasing, since less than 10 thrips were found in jars with insecticide-treated medium. Control jars, however, contained an average of almost 70 thrips per jar. This study demonstrated that both Orthene® and Azatin® were effective for eradicating thrips from plant tissue cultures, but Orthene® should probably be used because Azatin® was phytotoxic to all species tested.

Effect of Different Organic Compounds and Medium Consistency on Temperate Orchid (Orchidaceae) Micropropagation

The effects of organic compounds most commonly used for orchid micropropagation and the physical condition of the medium were investigated for the development of young temperate orchid protocorms. Separate experiments were conducted with five different temperate orchid species: Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza maculata, Dactylorhiza majalis, Orchis morio, and Ophrys lutea. Small 2- to 4-mm-wide protocorms were placed in baby food jars (three per jar) containing 50 ml modified FAST medium (Szendrak and R. Eszki, 1993) supplemented with one of eight treatments in a split-plot design with five replications. Both the liquid medium (gyrotary shaker, 125 rpm) and the gelled medium (8 g agar/L) were supplemented with one of the following compounds: 2 g peptone/L; 100 ml coconut water/L; 1 g casein+1 g lactalbumin/L; and 10 g glucose/L as a treatment with a defined compound. All treatments were kept in the dark at 25°C. The number of protocorms/jar were counted weekly over a 6-week-long period and the size and fresh weight of protocorms were measured at the end of the 6th week. In most cases, the liquid medium increased proliferation and the size of the protocorms. However, generally after the 4th week on liquid medium, the development of the protocorms often stopped, but it continued on the gelled medium till the end of the experimental period. The media supplemented with the undefined organic compounds showed a much better effect than the medium supplemented with glucose. Generally peptone and coconut water led to the best development of protocorms, but this varied with species. The development of protocorms into plantlets was normal in all cases.

Growth Responses and Construction Costs of Various Tissue Culture Systems

The influence of the culture chamber size and medium volume on the growth rates of shoot tips of peas, lettuce, kidney beans, and spearmint were determined after 8 weeks of incubation. Cultures were grown in a variety of culture chambers including culture tubes, baby food jars, Magenta GA-7 containers, 1-pint Mason jars, 1-quart Mason jars used with and without an automated plant culture system (APCS), 0.5-gal Mason jars with and without an APCS, Bio-safe chambers with an APCS, and polycarbonate culture chambers with an APCS having culture chamber volumes of 55, 143, 365, 462, 925, 1850, 6000, and 16,400 ml, respectively. Plans are presented for the construction of various culture chambers used in an APCS. The APCS consisted of a peristaltic pump, media reservoir containing 1 liter of liquid nutrient medium, and a culture chamber. Cultures grown with an APCS consistently produced higher fresh weights than cultures using any of the agar culture systems tested. Growth rates varied considerably depending on the plant species and culture system tested. Peas, lettuce, and spearmint exhibited flowering only when grown in the APCS. A cost comparison using the APCS versus various conventional tissue culture systems is presented.

046 COMPARATIVE GROWTH RESPONSES AND COSTS UTILIZING TRADITIONAL AND AUTOMATED TISSUE CULTURE SYSTEMS

Comparative tests were conducted to determine the influence of the culture vessel size and medium volume on the growth rates of shoot tips of peas (Pisum sativum cv. `Wando'), lettuce (Lactuca salvia) Kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Culture vessels employed included: culture tubes, baby food jars, Magenta rectangular containers, 1 -pint Mason jars, 1 -quart Mason jars, l-quart Mason jars employed with an automated plant culture system (APCS), 1/2-gallon Mason jars with an APCS, BioSafe containers with an APCS, and mega-culture chambers with an APCS. The APCS consisted of a peristaltic pump, media reservoir containing 1 liter of nutrient medium, and a culture chamber (<925 mm3). High positive correlations occurred comparing culture weight, leaf length and plant height with culture chamber volume, media volume and culture chamber height. APCSs consistently gave higher growth rates and exhibition of mature morphogenetic responses such as flowering and fruiting than growing plants on agar culture systems. Cost analysis comparing APCSs and conventional tissue culture systems is presented.

804 PB 112 INFLUENCE OF CULTURE CONTAINER ON IN VITRO SHOOT PRODUCTION AND CALLUS FORMATION OF MUSCADINE GRAPE

Nodes from in vitro grown shoots of `Regale' and `Triumph muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) were cultured in 25 × 95-mm glass vials, 25 × 150-mm glass culture tubes, 55 × 70-mm glass baby food jars and 100 × 25-mm plastic petri dishes. Culture medium consisted of Murashige and Skoog salts and vitamins, 80 mg/l adenine sulphate, 170 mg/l sodium phosphate, 2 mg/l BA and 8 g/l agar. Amount of medium dispensed was 8 ml per vial, 18 ml per culture tube and jar, and 70 ml per petri dish. Containers were covered with clear plastic lids, sealed with parafilm, and placed under fluorescent lights for six weeks. The number of shoots per explant that formed in petri dishes was three to four times greater than those formed on explants in vials, tubes and jars. However, the number of nodes per shoot were fewer in dishes than in the other containers. Callus formation was excessive in jars to the detriment of shoot production. Vials and tubes had small amounts of callus, while little or no callus was observed in dishes.

042 EFFECTS OF VESSEL TYPE AND SUBCULTURE DURATION ON IN VITRO MULTIPLICATION OF PONTEDERIA CORDATA L.

Studies were completed to optimize Stage II production efficiency of Pontederia cordata, a native wetland plant. Basal shoot tips from established cultures were subcultured into 60 ml glass culture tubes, 155 ml glass baby food jars, 350 ml GA7 polypropylene vessels or 500 ml clear polypropylene tissue culture containers containing full strength Linsmaier and Skoog mineral salts and organics supplemented with 3.0% sucrose, 2.0 mg/liter benzyladenine, 1.0 mg/liter indole-3-acetic acid, 50 mg/liter citric and ascorbic acids solidified with 8 g/liter TC® agar. Shoot tip to medium volume (ml) ratio was maintained 1:10 in each culture vessel. Vessel type had no significant effect on either shoot quality or multiplication rate (9.5 shoots/shoot tip/28 days). A maximum production efficiency of 1216 shoots/ft2/28 days was achieved using GA7 vessels. Stage II shoot multiplication rate significantly decreased when the interval between subculture exceeded 28 days.

Destruction of Listeria monocytogenes by heat in ground pork formulated with kappa-carrageenan, sodium lactate and the algin/calcium meat binder

Uncured or cured ground pork (15% fat) was inoculated with a composite of nine strains of Listeria monocytogenes (10 7 –10 8 cfu g −1 ) and mixed with kappacarrageenan (1%) or sodium lactate (3% of a 60% solution). The meat curing mixture consisted of 2·-5% sodium chloride, 1% dextrose, 0·4% sodium phosphates, 0·0156% sodium nitrite and 0·055% sodium erythorbate. Uncured ground pork was also mixed with the algin/calcium meat binder (0·4% sodium alginate, 0·075% calcium carbonate and 0·6% encapsulated lactic acid I calcium lactate). Portions of the inoculated meat of each treatment were placed into baby food jars (140 ± 5 g/jar), and cooked in a waterbath (65°C) to 62°C final internal temperature. Heating rates were similar among treatments with different additives, and kappa-carrageenan and sodium lactate had no major effect ( P > 0·05 ) on the extent of thermal destruction of L. monocytogenes in uncured ground pork, but kappa-carrageenan lessened the protective effect of the curing mixture against thermal inactivation in cured products. The algin/calcium meat binder did not affect the extent of destruction of L. monocytogenes by heat.

Multiplication of Four Penstemon Species in Vitro

Table 1. Summary of in vitro growth response of four Penstemon spp. to five concentrations of BA.z Penstemon (beard tongue) is a native genus of U.S. wildflower that is used for landscape plants (Lindgren, 1984a, 1984b, 1990), for cut flowers (Lindgren, 1986), and for ecological studies (Stubbendieck et al., 1982). Tissue culture techniques could be useful for propagating cultivars and species in this genus as some do not breed true from seed, require special seed germination conditions, or are difficult to propagate using other vegetative methods (Lindgren, 1984b, 1990; Stubbendieck et al., 1982). Penstemon haydenii is also the only listed endangered plant species in Nebraska. The Penstemon spp. P. digitalis Nutt. ‘Husker Red’ (Lindgren, 1984b); P. grandiflorus Nutt. ‘Prairie Snow’ (Lindgren, 1990); P. barbatus (Cav.) Roth ‘Schooley’s Yellow’ (Lindgren, 1984a), and P. haydenii S. Wats (Stubbendieck et al., 1982) were evaluated for their growth response to five levels of N(phenylmethyl)-1H purine-6-amine (BA). Lateral buds from greenhouse-grown plants of each of the four species were surface sterilized by sequential immersion in 75% ethanol for 1 min and 0.53% NaOCl for 15 min, followed by rinsing three times in sterile water. Explants were then placed in 120-m] baby food jars with polypropylene closures that contained 30 ml Woody Plant Medium (Lloyd and McCown, 1980) with 0.1% (w/v) Gelrite, 0.3% (w/v) Sigma agar, 2% (w/v) sucrose, 6 mM calcium gluconate, and 0.4 μM BA. Shoots were grown on this medium for 8 weeks, then transferred to Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) without BA and grown for 6 weeks. Shoot sections with one node each were then transferred to 30 ml MS medium, placed vertically, and supplemented with either 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, or 10.0 μM BA. At the end of 4 weeks, shoot tips (1 cm) were transferred to fresh MS me-

Culture of Amelanchier x grandiflora in a programmable micropropagation apparatus

A micropropagation system was developed to test concepts for automation and microenvironment alteration. Amelanchier x grandiflora Rehd. ‘Princess Diana’ (serviceberry) shoot cultures were grown in seven-liter polycarbonate containers. Through computer control, the apparatus intermittently applied culture medium to the plant material according to a selected schedule. Shoot growth in the programmable system was compared with four micropropagation treatments: gelled and liquid medium in baby food jars and gelled and non-cycling liquid medium in a seven-liter vessel. Plants cultured in continuous contact with liquid medium became increasingly vitrified. Significantly greater shoot number, shoot length, shoot weight, and culture weight occurred in the programmable system than in jars with gelled medium. The combination of liquid medium, 7-liter vessel, and intermittent contact with medium caused a significantly higher proliferation rate than any combination of jar/vessel and gelled/liquid medium tested.

Effect of Meat Curing Ingredients on Thermal Destruction of Listeria monocytogenes in Ground Pork

Ground pork (15% fat) inoculated with a mixture of nine strains of Listeria monocytogenes (107–108 CFU/g) was mixed with different levels of curing ingredients, filled into baby food jars (140 ± 5 g/jar), and cooked in a waterbath to 60°C internal product temperature. Heating rates were similar among meat treatments with different additives. However, destruction of L. monocytogenes was 3 log per gram less in ground pork with 3% sodium chloride than in ground pork without added sodium chloride (P<0.05). The protective effect of sodium chloride against destruction of L. monocytogenes increased with increasing (0–3%) sodium chloride concentration. Dextrose (1%) and a phosphate mixture (0.4%) also protected L. monocytogenes (P<0.05) from thermal destruction. Sodium nitrite (0.0156%) and sodium erythorbate (0.055%) did not affect (P>0.05) the degree of thermal destruction of L. monocytogenes in ground pork. The greatest protective effect was observed when all curing ingredients were combined and added in ground pork. These results indicated that the chance for L. monocytogenes to survive during heat processing is greater in cured than in fresh meat.

Vessel Type, Closure, and Explant Orientation Influence in Vitro Performance of Five Woody Species

Effects of three variables (vessel type, closure, and explant orientation) on microcutting quality were investigated using five woody species [low shadblow, Amefanchier spicata (Lam.) C. Koch (Syn. A. humilus Wieg.); red maple, Acer rubrun L. `Red Sunset'; border forsythia, Forsythia ×intermedia Zab. `Sunrise'; apple, Malus ×domestica Borkh. `McIntosh'; river birch, Betula nigra L.]. Uniform shoot explants were oriented vertically or horizontally in three vessel types (60-ml glass culture tubes, 200-ml glass baby food jars, and 350-ml polypropylene GA7 vessels) with and without a Parafilm seal. Visual density per explant obtained by image analysis was increased in larger vessel types, and significantly more shoots were produced from horizontally placed explants. Closure treatments influenced microshoot quality, but trends were species specific. Overall, horizontal explant orientation in larger vessels wthout parafilm maximized shoot response for most of the species studied. In vitro rooting of microcuttings was significantly enhanced in larger vessels.

Screw Caps for Baby Food Jars (Statement for Physicians)

In compliance with the American mother's demand for maximum convenience in feeding her infant, baby food manufacturers have introduced screw cap closures for jars containing infant foods. These caps permit easy opening and reclosure, which mothers like, but also present a potential health hazard. Experience shows that some people, unaware of, or indifferent to, the dangers of bacterial contamination, open jars of baby food in the store, sometimes taste them, and return them to the shelves. Contaminated jars then present a hazard. Manufacturers have devised means of indicating whether or not a jar has been opened but safety can be achieved only if the consumer is aware of these and makes proper use of them.