Yellow Skin Color Research Articles

Crigler-Najjar Syndrome Type 2

Crigler-Najjar syndrome is a rare disorder of bilirubin metabolism with two distinct forms: type 1 and type 2. We report three patients with Crigler-Najjar syndrome type 2 (CN-2). All patients had serum bilirubin values higher than 171 micromol/L and deep yellow skin color. The results of other liver function tests, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and hematology tests were normal, and immunologic tests for hepatitis A, B and C were negative, although one patient had slightly elevated alanine aminotransferase level (45 IU/L). Polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene revealed a novel homozygous T>A mutation at nucleotide 479 in exon 1 (Val160Glu) of patient 1, a novel homozygous A>G mutation at nucleotide 610 in exon 1 (Met204Val) of patient 2, and a homozygous T>G variation at nucleotide 1456 in exon 5 (Tyr486Asp) plus a heterozygous G>A variation at nucleotide 211 in exon 1 (Gly71Arg/normal) of patient 3. Two of these mutations were novel and variations identified within the coding region of the UGT1A1 gene were considered the cause of CN-2 in all three patients.

Use of 灌-Aminolevulinic Acid in Swine Diet: Effect on Growth Performance, Behavioral Characteristics and Hematological/Immune Status in Nursery Pigs

Certain amino acids are essential precursors of a variety of important biomolecules in addition to their major function as protein building blocks. δ-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is synthesized from the condensed form of succinyl-CoA with glycine after decarboxylation catalyzed by ALA synthase. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of ALA supplementation on growth performance, behavioral characteristics and hematological/immune status in nursery pigs. A total of 144 pigs weaned at 21 d of age were allotted to three dietary treatments representing (-) control (w/o antibiotics; NC), (+) control (w/carbadox at 50 mg/kg; PC), and the treatment group with ALA supplementation (0.05%; TA). Each treatment had 6 pens (replicates) with 8 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed phase 1 (21.9% CP, 1.40% Lys) and 2 (20.6% CP, 1.15% Lys) experimental diets for 3 and 2 wks, respectively. Feed intake and weight gain were measured weekly during phase 1 and at the end of phase 2. At the end of phase 2, blood samples were taken and analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer. Skin color and activity of pigs (48 h) from all pens in each treatment were measured at the second week of phase 2. Growth performance was not affected (p>0.05) by the dietary supplementation of ALA during the 5 wk nursery period. Pigs in the TA (6.46) and PC (6.68) had a higher (p<0.05) number of red blood cells (10 6 cell/µL) than pigs in the NC (6.15). Pigs in PC (12.16) had a higher (p<0.05) hemoglobin level (g/dL) than pigs in the NC group (11.29) and the TA group (11.47). Pigs in the TA and PC had darker (p<0.05) and less (p<0.05) yellow skin color than pigs in the NC. Pigs in the PC tended (p = 0.081) to be less active than pigs in the other groups. There were no differences in behavioral characteristics between the NC and the TA. The data suggest that ALA supplementation has no adverse effects on growth performance of nursery pigs. Moreover, ALA supplementation increased red blood cell counts which may be beneficial to pigs. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006. Vol 19, No. 1 : 97-101)

THE INFLUENCE OF HARVEST MATURITY AND STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON QUALITY AND POSTHARVEST LIFE OF ´SEMSORY´ MUSKMELON FRUIT

Fruit of Semsory muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus) harvested at mature green stage or at first stages of yellow color development on fruit skin were stored at 2.5°C or at 5.5°C with 85-90% RH for 33 days followed by one day at 20°C. Both factors, storage temperature and fruit maturity at harvest, significantly affected fruit attributes. Fruit harvested at first stages of yellow color development of skin and stored at 2.5°C had high sugar content, good taste and flavor and high marketability value in comparison to fruit harvested at mature green stage and stored at 5.5°C. Fruit harvested at mature green stage and kept at 2.5°C were firmer, but had not good flavor and marketability value because they had low sugar content and yellow color of skin. Yellow skin color development and flesh taste and flavor improvement in fruit harvested at first stages of yellow color development during the storage period was the reason for high marketability value for these fruits, but since these quality improvements did not take place in mature green fruit they were not marketable. No chilling injury was observed at 2.5°C.

Alleles controlling apple skin colour and incompatibility in new Czech apple varieties with different degrees of resistance against Venturia inaequalis CKE.

The skin colour of 21 varieties was assessed on a molecular level. Four varieties had yellow skin colour with the genotype constitution a&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;a&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;, a&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;a&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; or a&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;a&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;. Seventeen varieties had dominant red colour. Homozygous A&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;A&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt; constitution was present in 7 varieties, and heterozygous constitution A&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;a&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt; or A&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;a&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; was found in the rest of the assessed varieties. The S-alleles controlled the incompatibility system of the pistil. Their detection is possible by means of the PCR method on the basis of allele specific primers. Six S-alleles (S1, S2, S3, S5, S7 and S9) were studied in the same collection of 21&amp;nbsp;diploid Czech varieties. This paper brings new findings on S-allele characterization, because the Czech varieties have not yet been studied on a molecular level. Both types of S-allele were found in 12 varieties. Only one type of S-allele was described in 9 varieties. Simultaneously, the presence of the Vf gene was screened in the collection of 21&amp;nbsp;Czech apple varieties. Ten varieties with a field resistance against the scab had a heterozygous constitution of the Vf gene. All 11 susceptible varieties were recessive homozygous vfvf.

Controlled atmosphere storage affects fruit ripening and quality of ‘Delta R2E2’ mango

SummaryUniformly mature, hard green ‘Delta R2E2’ mangoes were stored at 13° ± 1°C in either normal air (control) or in 90 l controlled atmosphere (CA) chambers with various combinations of three concentrations of oxygen (1.5%, 2% or 3%) and two levels of carbon dioxide (6% or 8%) to investigate the effects of CA storage on fruit ripening and quality. Fruit were removed after 24 d and 38 d of storage and ripened to the ‘eating soft’ stage at 21° ± 1°C. All CA treatments reduced respiration rate, and delayed de-greening of the skin and fruit softening. During ripening, all CA-stored fruit experienced post-storage respiratory suppression. The yellowness of the skin, total soluble solids (TSS), TSS/acid ratio, total sugars content, and taste of the ripe fruit were higher in fruit stored in a CA of 6% CO2 and 3% O2 compared to all other CA treatments. The respiration quotients and ethylene production levels of CA-stored fruit during ripening were higher than normal air-stored fruit, irrespective of storage period. CA storage in 6% CO2 and 3% O2 appears to be promising to extend the shelf-life of ‘Delta R2E2’ mangoes for up to 38 d, while still allowing the fruit to ripen normally with a yellow skin colour, good taste, high TSS and TSS/acid ratio, and a high total sugars content.

FRUIT SET SUCCESS OF THREE MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA L.) CULTIVARS USING RECIPROCAL CROSSES

'Tommy Atkins' has general characteristics of tall trees, fruit with red blush skin and fair taste. It has reasonable anthracnose resistance, but is highly susceptible to mango malformation. Indian cultivars Amrapali and Mallika are small trees with sweet fruits, but their yellow skin color has low market acceptance. Due to their good characteristics for mango breeding, these cultivars have been used in hybridization studies, but their general combining ability - GCA for fruit set is still unknown. To support future crosses, an experiment was carried out at Embrapa Cerrados, in Brasilia, to study fruit set success or compatibility among these three cultivars. A completely randomized design with six treatments or crosses ('Mallika' x 'Tommy Atkins'; 'Tommy Atkins' 'Mallika'; 'Mallika' x 'Amrapali'; 'Amrapali' x 'Mallika'; 'Tommy Atkins' x 'Amrapali'; 'Amrapali' x 'Tommy Atkins') and five replications (panicles) were used. Opened flowers were discarded from healthy panicles, which were protected by perforated polyethylene bags. In the morning, young and still closed buds were removed, opened flowers were selected, emasculated and hand pollinated using anther of male progenitor. The panicles were bagged and tagged. Fruit set was studied weekly for six weeks. 'Mallika' had the lowest compatibility rate and 'Amrapali' x 'Tommy Atkins' had the best fruit set with 16.1% success.

Majin: A Miniature DNA Element Associated with the Genomes of Pome Fruit Trees

Sequencing of the sequence tagged site-DNA marker fragments linked to the fruit skin-color gene in apple revealed two fragments containing insertions that are associated with yellow skin color, and are alleles of the red skin gene (Rf). One fragment resulted from the insertion of a 76-bp inverted repeat, whereas the 163 bp in the other fragment was characterized as a mobile element because of the presence of target site duplication. A database search found this latter element in the 5' flanking regions or intron of six apple genes. DNA blot analysis revealed that the element is highly reiterated, with a copy number of between 5000-6000 in the genome of Maloideae (pome) fruit trees. We named this element Majin. Inter-transposon amplified polymorphism using primers from this element resulted in polymorphic bands among apple cultivars.

Calcium sprays, time of harvest, and duration in cold storage affects fruit quality of d'Anjou pears in a critical year

Calcium chloride (CaCl2) sprays increased calcium (Ca) concentrations in d'Anjou fruit (Pyrus communis L.), reduced the incidence of cork spot and improved shelf‐life by increasing fruit firmness in a critical year that had lower fruit Ca concentrations due to record high spring and late season temperatures. The third and final harvest in late September resulted in larger fruit size, lower fruit Ca concentrations, higher incidence of cork spot, more extractable juice and yellow fruit skin color, higher soluble solids and sucrose concentrations, but lower acidity than earlier harvested fruits. Fruit held longer in cold storage (145 days) had higher concentrations of fruit Ca, lower concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethylene (C2H4), less fruit firmness, soluble solids and acidity, lower concentrations of sucrose, glucose and fructose, and less green color of fruit skin than short term storage (45 days). Shelf‐life of CaCl2‐sprayed fruit was improved because of higher concentrations of fruit Ca that resulted in a lower incidence of cork spot and brown core, fruit firmness was higher, levels of CO2 and C2H4 were lower, and soluble solids, acidity, and extractable juices were affected less for ripened fruit.

Effects of storage at subambient temperatures on ripening of Australian papaya

Summary. Australian papaya fruit were held at temperatures from 5 to 15°C for 7–21 days then at ambient temperature (20°C). No fruit ripened while at subambient temperatures but all showed a longer total time to ripen than fruit held continuously at 20°C, with the delay in ripening related to the time and extent of subambient temperature exposure. However, ripe fruit with increasing exposure to subambient temperature showed decreasing levels of yellow skin colour and increasing chilling injury symptoms. An increasing proportion of fruit failed to ripen due to the prior onset of rotting. Fruit stored continuously at 17°C showed delayed ripening over fruit held at 20°C and exhibited reduced development of yellow skin colour. The results have implications for the efficient marketing of papaya in southern Australia during the winter.

Identification of co-dominant RAPD markers tightly linked to fruit skin color in apple

A simple genetic basis for the red/yellow skincolor polymorphism in apple was verified using DNA markers. Bulked segregant analysis identified one 10-base oligomer that generated different fragments in each of the bulks. After testing the primer in four populations, two fragments were found to be associated with red skin color and another two fragments associated with yellow skin color. Three of the fragments (1160, 1180, and 1230 bp) were partly sequenced and found to share high sequence homology, suggesting these were generated from the same locus. A pair of universal primers were designed to amplify the fragments. In the 'Rome Beauty' x 'White Angel' population, two fragments were associated with red skin color; one fragment designated as A(1) (1160 bp) was from 'Rome Beauty' and another fragment (A(2), 1180 bp) was from 'White Angel'. Progeny possessing both fragments, or either one, had red fruit. Both parents displayed an alternate fragment, a(1) (1230 bp), associated with yellowskinned fruit. In three other crosses tested, only fragment A(1) co-segregated with red skin color; two fragments, a(1) and a(2) (1230 bp and 1320 bp), were associated with yellow skin color. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the red/yellow dimorphism is controlled by a monogenic system with the presence of the red anthocyanin pigmentation being dominant. There was no indication that other modifier genes could reverse the effect of the locus (R f ) linked to the markers. Examination of amplification products in 56 apple cultivars and advanced breeding selections demonstrated that the universal primers could be used to correctly predict fruit skin color in most cases.

Transcutaneous bilirubinometry in neonatal intensive care units.

To study the influence of several clinical and paraclinical factors on the association between jaundice meter readings and plasma bilirubin concentration; and to comment on the usefulness of the jaundice meter as a screening device for hyperbilirubinaemia in neonatal intensive care units. Three hundred and seventy seven newborn babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for various causes were included in the study. When the plasma bilirubin concentration needed to be determined for clinical reasons, the extent of the yellow skin colour was measured transcutaneously, using a jaundice meter. The haemoglobin concentration was also determined. This had no independent influence on the jaundice meter readings. The yellow skin colour was significantly and positively correlated with the bilirubin concentration and the presence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and negatively with gestational age and postnatal ages. These findings were interpreted as being due to variations in the ability of albumin to bind bilirubin, and in the basal yellow skin colour. It was impossible to derive simple criteria for detection of hyperbilirubinemia by jaundice meter readings in this study group.

Pigment dispersion by prolactin in cultured xanthophores and erythrophores of some fish species

The direct effects of a pair of tilapia prolactins (tPRL177 and tPRL188) and of ovine prolactin (oPRL) on cultured xanthophores and erythrophores isolated from some fish species were examined. Cultured xanthophores of the Nile tilapia, paradise goby, and medaka responded to tPRL177 and oPRL at concentrations of less than 100 nM by pigment dispersion, whereas tPRL188 had an effect only at concentrations of 10 μM or more. Swordtail erythrophores also responded to prolactin even in winter. It is likely, therefore, that in fish species possessing many xanthophores or erythrophores in their skin throughout the year, these cells respond to prolactin all the time. In fall and/or winter, prolactin had little or no effect on xanthophores isolated from the dark chub and rose bitterling or on erythrophores from the tilapia and paradise goby. However, it was shown that xanthophores of the rose bitterling and erythrophores of the tilapia responded better to prolactin in spring and/or summer as compared with fall and/or winter. Such seasonal change in the responsiveness of the cells to prolactin implies the involvement of the hormone in nuptial coloration and an augmentation of red and/or yellow skin color by pigment dispersion in the spawning season. Prolactin-induced pigment dispersion within erythrophores isolated from the red region of tail fins of the rose bitterling assuming nuptial coloration also lends support to this supposition. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Prediction and non-invasive assessment of neonatal jaundice in the term healthy newborn infant.

The maternal and umbilical cord bilirubin concentration at delivery, a yellow skin colour on the first postnatal day, an increase in the yellow skin colour during the first 24 h or postnatal life, and carbon monoxide excretion are all associated with the later development of neonatal jaundice in the healthy, mature newborn infant. Based on the results from these methods, and especially when the results from two or more of the methods are combined, it is possible to define low- and high-risk groups as far as subsequent jaundice is concerned. If jaundice develops, yellow skin colour measurements can often replace plasma bilirubin determinations. Dependent upon the local current consensus for bilirubin determinations, around 50% of plasma bilirubin determinations can be avoided. Recent research suggests that yellow skin colour measurements may provide information concerning the risk of bilirubin encephalopathy, in addition to their relation to the plasma bilirubin concentration.

Postharvest performance of ‘Braeburn’ apples in relation to withholding of irrigation at different stages of the growing season

SummaryWithholding of irrigation may decrease production costs and lead to improved apple fruit quality. There is a need to understand its effect on fruit maturity and weight loss characteristics. Seven year old ‘Braeburn’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees were therefore subjected to four irrigation treatments to investigate the effects of withholding irrigation at different times of the season on maturity, ripening and weight loss characterstics of fruit. The treatments were: fully watered control (C); early withholding (EW) of irrigation from full bloom until 104 d after full bloom (DAFB); late withholding (LW) of irrigation from 104 DAFB until harvest at 194 DAFB; and nonirrigated (NI), where trees were not irrigated during the entire growing season. Withholding irrigation during the late and entire growing season resulted in more advanced fruit maturity and earlier ripening relative to C and EW as indicated by an earlier ethylene climacteric, more yellow background skin colour, and increased total ...

Predicting the need for phototherapy in healthy mature neonates using transcutaneous bilirubinometry on the first postnatal day.

Since newborn infants are frequently sent home within 24-48 h after birth, the prediction of severe hyperbilirubinaemia, requiring treatment, is important. We tested the prediction of the need for phototherapy by measuring the yellow skin colour and the progression in yellow skin colour over 6 h using transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB), during the first 33 h of age. The first TcB reading at median 21 h (11-33 h, 5th and 95th percentiles) of age and the difference in readings over a 6-hour interval were reliable predictors of later phototherapy. An even better prediction was possible using the first TcB reading and the 6-hour difference in TcB readings.

Effects of choice feeding a completed feed and corn on the performance of broilers

Poultry feeding systems are likely to change for increased efficiency of production. An experiment was conducted to compare the response of broilers to choice feeding of corn with a standard broiler ration. The treatments consisted of providing broiler feed as the only feed (SINGLE FEED) and access to corn as a choice to a complete broiler feed (CHOICE FEEDING). Weights and feed consumption were obtained at weekly intervals. Samples at the conclusion of the experiment were taken to determine the weight of abdominal fat. Results showed that there was no significant difference in term of liveweight between the two feeding regimes. However, birds given a choice of the broiler feed and corn had better feed efficiency which is reflected by the lower total feed intake. Corn intake was 23.1% of total feed intake in the choice fed birds. In term of carcass colour, birds fed corn as a choice was observed to have a deeper yellow skin colour than the birds fed with broiler feed only.

The increase of yellow skin colour beyond that of serum bilirubin: a proposed indicator of risk for bilirubin encephalopathy in the newborn.

Forty-seven newborn infants with 1 min Apgar score < 7 were studied. On the third postnatal day the following measurements were made: yellow skin colour, serum bilirubin concentration, reserve albumin concentration and plasma pH. Given the bilirubin concentration and the regression curve between the yellow skin colour and the bilirubin concentration, delta-TcB was calculated as the difference between measured yellow skin colour and the expected yellow skin colour. There was a negative correlation between delta-TcB and Apgar score (P = 0.003), pH (P = 0.026) and reserve albumin concentration (P = 0.045). Fourteen of the included newborns had central nervous system symptoms in the days just following birth. A tendency towards higher delta-TcB was noted in this group (P = 0.08). The results suggest that further study of delta-TcB determination as a tool in the assessment of the icteric newborn infant is justified.

Postharvest disease control in mangoes using high humidity hot air and fungicide treatments

SummaryThe disease control efficacy of quarantine heat treatments developed for fruit fly disinfestation in mangoes cv. Kensington Pride was evaluated in this study. Heat was applied using high humidity (&gt;95% r.h.) hot air (HHHA) at temperatures ranging from 47–49°C.Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, was well controlled in mangoes heated to a core temperature of 46°C, 47°C or 48°C for 24, 10 or 8 min respectively, prior to ripening at 23°C for 16 days. Stem end rot, caused by Dothiorella dominicana and Lasiodiplodia theobromae, was not satisfactorily controlled by these treatments.In a subsequent experiment, fruit were immersed in a hot benomyl (0.5 g a.i. litre“1 at 52°C for 5 min) or unheated prochloraz (0.25 ml a.i. litre1 at 28°C for 30 s) dip before or after the application of HHHA (core temperature of 47°C for 10 min). During storage at 23°C for 15 days, the incidence of stem end rot was reduced by HHHA alone, although immersion in hot benomyl either before or after HHHA treatment greatly improved stem end rot control.HHHA treatment (core temperature of 46.5°C for 10 min) alone reduced the incidence of anthracnose in mangoes stored at 13°C for 14 days prior to ripening at 22°C, although a combination treatment consisting of HHHA and either hot benomyl or unheated prochloraz gave complete control of anthracnose under these storage conditions. HHHA treatment alone gave no control of stem end rot in mangoes stored at 13°C prior to ripening at 22°C. A supplementary hot benomyl treatment was required for acceptable control of this disease in cool‐stored mangoes. The development of yellow skin colour in fruit was accelerated by HHHA treatment.

Detection of hyperbilirubinemia by skin color measurements in icteric newborn infants at 5 to 14 days of age.

The relation between the yellow color of the skin, as read by the Minolta jaundice meter, and total bilirubin concentration, was compared in two groups of newborn infants suspected of having hyperbilirubinemia, but otherwise well. The study group comprised 73 neonates, icteric at the time of discharge from the nursery, and who were seen in the outpatient clinic at 5 to 14 days of age for checkup and blood sampling. The control group consisted of 52 neonates tested for hyperbilirubinemia at 1 to 4 days of age. Additionally, the relation between skin color and conjugated plasma bilirubin concentration was investigated in the study group. No significant differences in meter response to total bilirubin concentration was found between the two groups. The conjugated bilirubin concentration correlated significantly to the yellow skin color. The jaundice meter can be used as a test for hyperbilirubinemia in neonates at 5 to 14 days of age.

The influence of the basal yellow colour of the skin at birth on later jaundice meter readings in mature newborn infants.

The yellow colour of the skin was measured just after birth in 100 mature newborns using a jaundice meter. The skin colour was significantly correlated to the cord bilirubin concentration (rho = 0.26, p = 0.009), but unrelated to cord reserve albumin concentration, cord albumin concentration, cord haemoglobin concentration, birth weight and gestational age. In 123 other mature newborns, the basal yellow colour of the skin was estimated on the basis of meter readings taken just after birth. Correction of meter readings taken on the third postnatal day for the basal yellow skin colour improved neither the correlation between the meter readings and the bilirubin concentration nor the ability of the meter readings to predict hyperbilirubinaemia.