Hairy Regions Research Articles

Interactions of Anthocyanins with Pectin and Pectin Fragments in Model Solutions

Anthocyanins determine the color and potential health-promoting properties of red fruit juices, but the juices contain remarkably less anthocyanins than the fruits, which is partly caused by the interactions of anthocyanins with the residues of cell wall polysaccharides like pectin. In this study, pectin was modified by ultrasound and enzyme treatments to residues of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides widely differing in their molecular weight. Modifications decreased viscosity and degrees of acetylation and methylation and released smooth and hairy region fragments. Native and modified pectin induced different effects on the concentrations of individual anthocyanins after short-term and long-term incubation caused by both hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions. Results indicate that both pectin and anthocyanin structure influence these interactions. Linear polymers generated by ultrasound formed insoluble anthocyanin complexes, whereas oligosaccharides produced by enzymes formed soluble complexes with protective properties. The structure of the anthocyanin aglycone apparently influenced interactions more than the sugar moiety.

Physiological and behavioral effects of different concentrations of diatomaceous earth on common stored product pest Callosobruchus maculatus

The presented research focuses on the assessment of the changes in the behavioral and physiological parameters of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), treated with amorphous diatomaceous earth (DE) (Perma- Guard™). During the experiments, parameters such as stimulated and spontaneous locomotor activity, oxygen consumption and fecundity were tested. Increasing DE concentration caused significant inhibition in both oxygen consumption and locomotor activity. Moreover, the treated insects had significantly lower fecundity, due to decreased egg laying, lower number of infested beans as well as lowered hatchability. By limiting the progeny number, DE possibly prevents or at least reduces the size of the C. maculatus outbreak. Additionally, scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs revealed that DE particles accumulate especially in joints or hairy regions of the insect body close to the sensilla. This, along with data on locomotor activity, indicates a possible presence of additional, previously undescribed, mode of DE action - as an irritant. In conclusion, the presented results contribute to the understanding of the insecticidal activity of DE and provide novel data on the potential application of oxygen consumption as a pesticide efficiency marker.

Structural features of polysaccharides from edible jambo (Syzygium jambos) fruits and antitumor activity of extracted pectins

Jambo is a tropical fruit cultivated in Southeast Asia and tropical regions of America and Africa. After extraction, its polysaccharides were structurally characterized. Water soluble polysaccharides (WSP) were composed of GalA:Ara:Gal:Glc:Rha in 51:22:16:5:6 molar ratio, indicating the presence of pectic polysaccharides. Methylation analysis and NMR spectroscopy indicated the presence of homogalacturonan (HG), type II arabinogalactan and type I rhamnogalacturonan (RG-I). The HG/RG-I ratio was 88%, indicating greater amounts of smooth than hairy pectic regions. Hemicellulosic polysaccharides were extracted from the residue and fractionated by freeze-thaw procedure in two fractions (ASP-S and ASP-I). ASP-S was composed of Glc:Gal:Xyl:Ara:Man:Fuc:UA in a 45:16:20:3:8:5:2 molar ratio. Methylation analysis and 13C NMR spectroscopy indicated xyloglucan, xylan and mannan. Their relative proportion estimated on sugar linkage was 89%, 6% and 3%, respectively. ASP-I was composed mainly of xylose (99.5%) and its 13C NMR indicated a linear (1 → 4)-β-D-xylan. The biological activity of WSP was tested in Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice. After 21 days of oral treatment, the doses of 150 and 250 mg/kg WSP reduced expressively the tumor growth, similarly to the positive control methotrexate, and improved the body weight of tumor-bearing mice. Further studies are necessary to investigate the mechanisms of the WSP antitumor effect.

Flow-guided hair removal for automated skin lesion identification

In this paper, we propose a method for removing hairs automatically from skin lesion images. To achieve this, we employ an edge-detection technique based on edge-tangent flow. To detect only hair-like structures, rather than contour boundaries, we propose a novel, specialized method for detecting hairs. Regardless of the personal characteristics of the hairs, hairy regions are detected because our method detects coherent thin lines of consistent width. We then restore the hairy regions detected by the proposed method by using the texture synthesis method. Our method restores the regions occluded by hairs with very few remarkable artifacts, because we utilize pixels that actually exist in the source image to restore the occluded areas by searching for the best matching pixels.

Feminist Futures: Celebrating Diversities, Asserting Rights, Transforming Societies, Reinventing Economies

Mitotic pattern in the different histoblast nests, and the temporal sequence of fusion and differentiation of these nests and spiracular anlagen resulting in the formation of the different regions of the adult abdomen of Drosophila melanogaster were studied by examining whole mount preparations and histological sections of the epidermis from closely timed developmental stages. The relationship between the boundaries of the primary (larval) and secondary (adult) segments was determined by following the points of insertion of the dorsal internal oblique muscles which persist through metamorphosis. These studies indicate that the descendants of the anterior dorsal histoblast nest form the hairy and bristled region of the tergum, while those of the anterior and posterior groups of the posterior dorsal nest give rise to the intersegmental membrane and acrotergite respectively; the ventral histoblast cells give rise to the sternum and pleural region while the spiracular anlage forms the spiracle. These findings confirm and extend the conclusions derived from genetic analysis or after experimental inductions of defects, on the lineage of the various histoblast nests.

Structural elucidation of a pectin–type polysaccharide from Hovenia dulcis peduncles and its proliferative activity on RAW264.7 cells

In this paper, an acidic polysaccharide HDP3A was isolated from Hovenia dulcis peduncles with 45.9% of uronic acid content. Structure of HDP3A was elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic analysis. HDP3A was mainly contained of galacturonic acid, galactose, rhamnose and arabinose with a small quantity of xylose, fucose, mannose, glucose. The structural analysis indicated that HDP3A was a pectin-type polysaccharide with HG and RG-I regions and hairy regions. HG was linear homopolymer with repeating units of (1→4)-α-d-galactopyranosyl uronic (GalA) residues. The GalpA residues in HG domain may be acetylated and/or methyl-esterified. The backbone of RG-I contains repeating units of [→α-GalpA-1,2)-α-Rhap-1,4→]n and the hairy regions attached in the Rha at position O-4. Hairy regions were mainly composed of galactans, arabinans, arabinogalactans, glucans, mannans and xylans. The immunomodulatory activities of HDP3A and its reduced (HDP3A-R) and hydrolyzed product (HDP3A-0.1) in vitro on macrophages were determined. The three polysaccharide fractions all stimulated the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells and the order of the proliferative effects was HDP3A>HDP3A-R>HDP3A-0.1, indicating that the immune effects of pectin-type polysaccharides were related to branches and molecular weight. Consequently, HDP3A could be as a potential source for the proliferative activity.

Protopectinase production byPaenibacillus polymyxaZ6 and its application in pectin extraction from apple pomace

Paenibacillus polymyxa Z6 was screened as protopectinase (PPase) producing strain and its PPase activity was 44.4 U/mL. The factors influencing PPase production were identified by a two-level Plackett–Burman design with seven variables. The results indicated that Ca2+ concentration, fermentation time, and temperature were the most influential factors on the PPase production, which were applied in the Box–Behnken design. The predicted maximum PPase activity was 219 U/mL and the experimental maximum PPase activity was 221 U/mL, under the predicted optimum conditions, 170 mg/L Ca2+, 27 °C, and 29 hr of fermentation. The present PPase was composed of both type-A PPase, polygalacturonase; and type-B PPase, arabinanase, and rhamnogalacturonase. Finally, the PPase was applied for the pectin extraction from apple pomace and achieved an average yield of 11.9% with properties like 8.5% moisture content, 1.6% ash content, 3.8 mPa⋅S viscosity, and pH 6.1 of 1% solution. Practical applications Protopectinase (PPase) is a “green” way for pectin extraction with the advantages of low emission, low energy consumption, and environment-friendly. PPase includes different types, which can work on different region of protopectin in cell wall of plants and then release highly polymerized soluble pectin applicable in food industry. Present PPase from the strain Paenibacillus polymyxa Z6, contains both A-type PPase reacting with the smooth regions of protopectin composed of partially methoxylated galacturonic acid, polygalacturonase; and B-type PPase reacting with the hairy regions consisting of rhamnogalacturonan and neutral side-chains of protopectin, arabinanase, and rhamnogalacturonase. This PPase was used in pectin extraction from apple pomace and harvested pectin with lower moisture, lower ash, and higher viscosity compared with the chemically produced one, which indicates that this PPase has potential for application in food industry.

High‐Quality Nano/Micro Hairy Single Crystals Developed from Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐Based Conductive–Dielectric Block Copolymers Having Flat‐on and Edge‐on Orientations

Highly uniform and conductive single crystals of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT)‐based homo and block copolymers with the end coily blocks of polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(ethylene glycol) are developed using self‐seeding method from varied quality solvents. Edge‐on and flat‐on orientations are detected depending on the thickness and width of single crystals. Coily blocks are excluded from the P3HT crystalline structures, leading to brush‐like or hairy regions on surface of grown single crystals in the longitude of P3HT chains. The larger single crystals possessing flat‐on orientation are obtained from weaker solvents at higher seeding temperatures. The longer P3HT chains are folded, however, the shorter backbones are laminated on each other. The highest backbone lamination occurs for homo‐P3HT7150 (Mn of P3HT = 7150 g mol−1) single crystals grown at 20 °C from anisole, the weakest employed solvent. In contract, highly ordered and folded hairy single crystals are acquired from better solvents and high molecular weight P3HTs. In these conditions, the crystallographic features of the hairy block copolymer single crystals are similar to those of nonhairy homo‐P3HT ones. The coily brush‐covered P3HT48 800 single crystals have more foldings compared to the homo‐P3HT48 800 ones, whereas only two laminated backbones in shorter P3HT blocks are detected. image

RG-I regions from elderflower pectins substituted on GalA are strong immunomodulators

Sambuci flos, also known as elderflower, has traditionally been used and is still in use for treatment of various types of illnesses related to the immune system such as cold, flu, fever and inflammation. Pectic polysaccharides from 50% EtOH, 50°C water and 100°C water extracts from elderflowers were treated with endo-α-d-(1–4)-polygalacturonase after previous de-esterification with the intention of isolating hairy regions and relate variation in structure to immunomodulating activity. High molecular weight sub-fractions (25–29kDa) and medium molecular weight sub-fractions (6–17kDa) were isolated after enzymatic treatment in addition to oligogalacturonides. Structural elucidation indicated that RG-I regions with AG-I and AG-II sidechains were the predominant structures in the high molecular weight sub-fractions, and two of three 1,4-linked GalA units in the rhamnogalacturonan backbone were branched in either position 2 or 3. The medium molecular weight sub-fractions had monomers and linkages typical for both RG-I and RG-II. The results showed that the high molecular RG-I containing polymers exhibit the highest dose-dependent complement fixing and macrophage stimulating activities.

The morphology of Ganoderma lucidum mycelium in a repeated-batch fermentation for exopolysaccharide production

The morphology of Ganoderma lucidum BCCM 31549 mycelium in a repeated-batch fermentation (RBF) was studied for exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. RBF was optimised for time to replace and volume to replace. G. lucidum mycelium showed the ability to self-immobilise and exhibited high stability for repeated use in RBF with engulfed pellets. Furthermore, the ovoid and starburst-like pellet morphology was disposed to EPS production in the shake flask and bioreactor, respectively. Seven RBF could be carried out in 500mL flasks, and five repeated batches were performed in a 2L bioreactor. Under RBF conditions, autolysis of pellet core in the shake flask and shaving off of the outer hairy region in the bioreactor were observed at the later stages of RBF (R4 for the shake flask and R6 for the bioreactor). The proposed strategy showed that the morphology of G. lucidum mycelium can withstand extended fermentation cycles.

Differential Responses of Vanilla Accessions to Root Rot and Colonization by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-vanillae.

Root and stem rot (RSR) disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-vanillae (Forv) is the most damaging disease of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia and V. × tahitensis, Orchidaceae). Breeding programs aimed at developing resistant vanilla varieties are hampered by the scarcity of sources of resistance to RSR and insufficient knowledge about the histopathology of Forv. In this work we have (i) identified new genetic resources resistant to RSR including V. planifolia inbreds and vanilla relatives, (ii) thoroughly described the colonization pattern of Forv into selected vanilla accessions, confirming its necrotic non-vascular behavior in roots, and (iii) evidenced the key role played by hypodermis, and particularly lignin deposition onto hypodermal cell walls, for resistance to Forv in two highly resistant vanilla accessions. Two hundred and fifty-four vanilla accessions were evaluated in the field under natural conditions of infection and in controlled conditions using in vitro plants root-dip inoculated by the highly pathogenic isolate Fo072. For the 26 accessions evaluated in both conditions, a high correlation was observed between field evaluation and in vitro assay. The root infection process and plant response of one susceptible and two resistant accessions challenged with Fo072 were studied using wide field and multiphoton microscopy. In susceptible V. planifolia, hyphae penetrated directly into the rhizodermis in the hairy root region then invaded the cortex through the passage cells where it induced plasmolysis, but never reached the vascular region. In the case of the resistant accessions, the penetration was stopped at the hypodermal layer. Anatomical and histochemical observations coupled with spectral analysis of the hypodermis suggested the role of lignin deposition in the resistance to Forv. The thickness of lignin constitutively deposited onto outer cell walls of hypodermis was highly correlated with the level of resistance for 21 accessions tested. The accumulation of p-coumaric and sinapic acids, two phenolic precursors of lignin, was observed in the resistant plants inoculated with Fo072, but not in the susceptible one. Altogether, our analyses enlightened the mechanisms at work in RSR resistant genotypes and should enhance the development of novel breeding strategies aimed at improving the genetic control of RSR of vanilla.

Giant epidermoid cyst of scalp – A rare clinical entity

Fig. 1 – Pre-operative picture of giant epidermoid cyst. Epidermoid cysts are the most common cystic lesions of the skin. They arise from pilosebaceous follicles in the hairy regions of the skin. Epidermoid cysts are usually asymptomatic; they enlarge slowly and vary in size usually from a few millimeters to 5 cm. A giant epidermoid cyst is >5 cms in diameter. Herein, we are reporting a case of giant epidermoid cyst on the scalp in the occipital area, which was a diagnostic surprise for us. A 75-year-old female patient presented to our outpatient department with the history of a very large, slowly growing swelling on the scalp in the occipital area for 20 years (Fig. 1), which spontaneously collapsed after draining foul swelling material while sleeping. On examination, a 20 cm 12 cm cystic swelling was present over scalp and bony indentation was palpable beneath. She was prepared for surgery and complete excision of the cyst with primary closure of the defect was done under GA and specimen was submitted for

The effects of preferential A- and C-fibre blocks and T-type calcium channel antagonist on detection of low-force monofilaments in healthy human participants.

BackgroundA myriad of studies have argued that tactile sensibility is underpinned exclusively by large myelinated mechanoreceptors. However, the functional significance of their slow-conducting counterparts, termed C-low threshold mechanoreceptors (C-LTMRs), remains largely unexplored. We recently showed the emergence of brush- and vibration-evoked allodynia in human hairy and glabrous skin during background muscle pain. The allodynia persisted following the preferential blockade of myelinated fibres but was abolished by the preferential blockade of cutaneous C fibres, thereby suggesting a pathway involving hairy skin C-LTMRs and their functional counterparts in glabrous skin in this phenomenon. In the present study, we tested the effects of preferential A- and C-fibre conduction blocks and pharmacological blockade of T-type calcium channel Cav3.2 (expressed selectively on small-fibre LTMRs) on monofilament detection thresholds in healthy participants by compression, low-dose intradermal anaesthesia (xylocaine 0.25 %) and selective T-channel antagonist, TTA-A2.ResultsWe found that all participants could detect monofilament contacts (as low as 1.6 mN) within the innocuous tactile range regardless of the preferential blockade of myelinated fibres. Furthermore, during the compression block no subject reported a switch in modality from touch to pain. That is, the low-force monofilament contacts were always perceived as non-painful. However, there was a small but significant elevation of monofilament thresholds (~2 mN) in the glabrous skin following the compression block. Importantly, no differences were found in the thresholds across hairy and glabrous regions while the myelinated fibres were conducting or not. The preferential blockade of C fibres in the glabrous skin (with myelinated fibres intact) also resulted in a small but significant elevation of tactile thresholds. Furthermore, the use of T-channel blocker in the glabrous skin during compression block of myelinated fibres resulted in complete abolition of monofilament sensibility within the innocuous tactile range (tested up to ~20 mN).ConclusionsThese observations suggest that C-LTMRs need not be regarded as a redundant tactile system, but appear to complement normal large-myelinated-fibre tactile function. Convergent findings in glabrous and hairy skin lend support for an underlying system of innocuous mechanoreception with Cav3.2-expressing unmyelinated fibres.

Orange pectin mediated growth and stability of aqueous gold and silver nanocolloids

The role of orange based pectin in the nucleation and growth of silver and gold nanoparticles is addressed. Pectin is a complex polysaccharide found in fruits such as oranges, lemons, passion fruits or apples. It displays smooth and hairy chain regions containing hydroxyl-, ester-, carboxylate- and eventually amine groups that can act as surface ligands interacting under various pH conditions more or less efficiently with growing nanometals. Here, a high methoxy pectin (>50% esterified) was used as a stabilizer/reducing agent in the preparation of gold, silver and silver–gold nanoparticles. Commercial pectin (CP) and pectin extracted from orange bagasse (OP) were used. Optionally, trisodium citrate or oxalic acid we used to reduce AgNO3 and HAuCl4 in aqueous environment. Characterization methods included UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results show that under different pH conditions, pectin and reducing agents allow producing various nanostructures shapes (triangles, spheres, rods, octahedrons and decahedrons) often with high polydispersity and sizes ranging between 5nm and 30nm. In addition, depending on Ag/Au-ratio and pH, the surface plasmon bands can be continuously shifted between 410nm and 600nm. Finally, pectin seems to be a highly efficient stabilizer of the colloidal systems that show a remarkable stability and unchanged optical spectral response even after five years.

Demodex lutrae n. sp. (Acari) in European otter Lutra lutra (Carnivora: Mustelidae) with data from other demodecid mites in carnivores.

This article describes morphological characteristics and occurrence of Demodex lutrae n. sp., which was found on European otter Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) in Poland. The new species was found in hairy regions of otter skin, mainly in the head area. With respect to morphological features, D. lutrae is most similar to D. canis (Leydig, 1859) from the domestic dog Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758. The new species is a medium-sized demodecid mite (adult stages average 200 μm in length); characteristic features of these mites are hammer-shaped supracoxal spines (setae elc.p) on dorsal side of gnathosoma and palps with 3 conical spines. Demodex lutrae is the first representative of the family Demodecidae described in a host from the subfamily Lutrinae. This paper also contains a checklist of demodecid mites known from carnivores.

Botulinum toxin for axillary hyperhidrosis.

Botulinum toxin is a safe and effective treatment option for axillary hyperhidrosis. Although its pathophysiology is not clear and somewhat controversial, the beneficial effect of neuromodulators in inhibiting localized sweating temporarily is well known. Before the procedure, correct identification of the affected area is mandatory to avoid wastage of drug and neglect of target areas, and to enhance efficacy, as the hyperhidrotic location may not match the hairy axillary region. Utilization of this medication, such as dilution and injection techniques, depends on medical experience and may have some variations, including methods to make the procedure as painless as possible.

Immunomodulating pectins from root bark, stem bark, and leaves of the Malian medicinal tree Terminalia macroptera, structure activity relations

The root bark, stem bark, and leaves of Terminalia macroptera were sequentially extracted with ethanol, 50% ethanol–water, and 50°C water using an accelerated solvent extractor (ASE). Six bioactive purified pectic polysaccharide fractions were obtained from the 50°C crude water extracts after anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The root bark, stem bark, and leaves of T. macroptera were all good sources for fractions containing bioactive polysaccharides. The high molecular weight fraction 50WTRBH-I-I, being the most active fraction in the complement fixation test, has a highly ramified rhamnogalacturonan type I (RG-I) region with arabinogalactan type II (AG-II) side chains. The most abundant fractions from each plant part, 50WTRBH-II-I, 50WTSBH-II-I, and 50WTLH-II-I, were chosen for pectinase degradation. The degradation with pectinase revealed that the main features of these fractions are that of pectic polysaccharides, with hairy regions (RG-I regions) and homogalacturonan regions. The activity of the fractions obtained after pectinase degradation and separation by gel filtration showed that the highest molecular weight fractions, 50WTRBH-II-Ia, 50WTSBH-II-Ia, and 50WTLH-II-Ia, had higher complement fixation activity than their respective native fractions. These results suggest that the complement fixation activities of these pectins are expressed mainly by their ramified regions.

Wireless and wearable EEG system for evaluating driver vigilance.

Brain activity associated with attention sustained on the task of safe driving has received considerable attention recently in many neurophysiological studies. Those investigations have also accurately estimated shifts in drivers' levels of arousal, fatigue, and vigilance, as evidenced by variations in their task performance, by evaluating electroencephalographic (EEG) changes. However, monitoring the neurophysiological activities of automobile drivers poses a major measurement challenge when using a laboratory-oriented biosensor technology. This work presents a novel dry EEG sensor based mobile wireless EEG system (referred to herein as Mindo) to monitor in real time a driver's vigilance status in order to link the fluctuation of driving performance with changes in brain activities. The proposed Mindo system incorporates the use of a wireless and wearable EEG device to record EEG signals from hairy regions of the driver conveniently. Additionally, the proposed system can process EEG recordings and translate them into the vigilance level. The study compares the system performance between different regression models. Moreover, the proposed system is implemented using JAVA programming language as a mobile application for online analysis. A case study involving 15 study participants assigned a 90 min sustained-attention driving task in an immersive virtual driving environment demonstrates the reliability of the proposed system. Consistent with previous studies, power spectral analysis results confirm that the EEG activities correlate well with the variations in vigilance. Furthermore, the proposed system demonstrated the feasibility of predicting the driver's vigilance in real time.

Neutral sugar side chains of pectins limit interactions with procyanidins

Interactions between seven hairy regions of pectins, rhamnogalacturonans II and arabinogalactan–proteins and procyanidins with different average degrees of polymerization, low (DP9) and high (DP30), were investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry and absorption analysis to study the impact of neutral sugar side chains of pectins on these associations. Associations between pectic fractions and procyanidins involved hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. No difference in association constants between various hairy regions and procyanidins DP9 was found. Nevertheless, arabinan chains showed lower association constants, and hairy regions of pectins with only monomeric side chains showed higher association with procyanidin DP30. Only very low affinities were obtained with rhamnogalacturonans II and arabinogalactan–proteins. Aggregation could be observed only with the procyanidins of DP30 and the protein-rich arabinogalactan–protein. Associations were obtained at both degrees of polymerization of the procyanidins, but differed depending on neutral sugar composition and the structure of pectic fractions.

Enhancement of Depth Maps With Alpha Channel Estimation for 3-D Video

Depth images are widely used for 3-D scene generation. In depth image acquisition, accurate estimation of the depths of object boundaries, which has a critical impact on the visual quality of the generated 3-D scene, is very difficult, especially in the case of objects with a hairy region. We aimed to generate a dynamic 3-D scene without serious degradation in visual quality by developing solutions for the problems that occur in depth images obtained using an active depth sensor. A novel alpha channel estimation algorithm is proposed for seamless composition along with a depth map improvement method for hairy objects. By utilizing additional depth or infrared (IR) information, the existing matting algorithm can be improved significantly. We further enhanced the alpha estimation method in the temporal domain. The depth map was enhanced by filtering depth values along spatiotemporal neighborhoods based on information provided by the color and alpha images. The proposed method was examined mainly using a time-of-flight (TOF) camera, and Kinect is used too. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method can generate a 3-D scene with a greater degree of naturalness as compared to other methods.