Search

Background: Ensuring quality in the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation helps to attain a good outcome. However, knowledge on this is limited in resource-constrained settings such as Ghana. Objectives: This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs) views and experiences of the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation in three selected hospitals in Ghana. Method: A qualitative study was carried out involving 26 HCPs directly involved in stroke rehabilitation from three selected hospitals in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana representing the different levels of healthcare. Interviews were conducted using an interview guide to understand participants' views and experiences of the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: HCPs reported limitations with the structure of stroke rehabilitation with regards to the availability of rehabilitation units, bed capacity, approach to care, availability of protocol, staff capacity development and payment systems. With respect to the process of rehabilitation, the primary and secondary level hospitals were found not to have computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning equipment. Participants also reported limitations with discharge planning, basis for discharge and post-discharge care across all three hospitals. Conclusion: This study found limitations in the current structure and process of stroke rehabilitation, which when given some considerations for improvement, can help improve the quality of care and thereby improve the outcome of stroke patients in Ghana. Contribution: This study provided data which helps to assess the quality of stroke rehabilitation in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ensuring quality in the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation helps to attain a good outcome. However, knowledge on this is limited in resource-constrained settings such as Ghana. Objectives: This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals' (HCPs) views and experiences of the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation in three selected hospitals in Ghana. Method: A qualitative study was carried out involving 26 HCPs directly involved in stroke rehabilitation from three selected hospitals in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana representing the different levels of healthcare. Interviews were conducted using an interview guide to understand participants' views and experiences of the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: HCPs reported limitations with the structure of stroke rehabilitation with regards to the availability of rehabilitation units, bed capacity, approach to care, availability of protocol, staff capacity development and payment systems. With respect to the process of rehabilitation, the primary and secondary level hospitals were found not to have computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning equipment. Participants also reported limitations with discharge planning, basis for discharge and post-discharge care across all three hospitals. Conclusion: This study found limitations in the current structure and process of stroke rehabilitation, which when given some considerations for improvement, can help improve the quality of care and thereby improve the outcome of stroke patients in Ghana. Contribution: This study provided data which helps to assess the quality of stroke rehabilitation in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a disinfestation treatment, irradiating unripe 'B74' mango can result in severe Irradiation-Induced Lenticel Discolouration (IILD). We tested the hypothesis that 'B74' fruit sensitivity to IILD would reduce as fruit ripen such as to mitigate skin damage. In two growing seasons, 'B74' fruit were sampled from five commercial farms, held for periods of 2–12 d at 20°C, treated with γ-irradiation at various doses from 0 Gy to 800 Gy, and assessed for external quality up to the ripe stage. Regardless of dose, irradiating ripening fruit at ~70% yellow skin reduced IILD severity on the ripened fruit by 36–47% compared to irradiating unripe green mature fruit at ~10% yellow skin. Irradiation of ripening fruit at 300–800 Gy consequently resulted in 74–100% marketable fruit at ripe compared to 5–59% for irradiation of the green mature fruit. Irradiating ripening fruit also minimised delays in loss of green skin during ripening. 'B74' fruit sensitivity to IILD decreases as fruit ripen and so delaying γ-irradiation until the fruit have partially ripened may be a commercially viable option to reduce quality loss due to IILD. However, fruit would need to be marketed quickly to compensate for a shorter post-treatment shelf-life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. • Hypertriglyceridemia associates with likelihood of preeclampsia. • Endothelial dysfunction and placental ischemia is worsened by hypertriglyceridemia. • Preconception lipid testing may identify those that may be at risk. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in the US. Preeclampsia (PreE) which includes hypertension and proteinuria during pregnancy, is thought to result from placental ischemia. Risk factors for PreE parallel those for cardiovascular disease, and recent studies point to hyperlipidemia specifically, hypertriglyceridemia, as a risk factor for PreE. Current practice does not routinely include lipid testing pre-conception or during pregnancy. Professional, societal recommendations should advocate for hyperlipidemia screening, followed by appropriate management, pre-conception and during pregnancy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the conjunctival microbiota of shelter-housed cats with time, upper respiratory disease (URD) and famciclovir administration. Methods: Cats were assigned to treatment groups on shelter entry. Healthy cats or cats with URD received ~30 mg/kg or ~90 mg/kg of famciclovir or placebo PO q12h for 7 days, or were untreated. Swabs were collected from ventral conjunctival fornices prior to (day 1) and immediately after (day 8) the treatment period. Microbiota analysis was conducted on 124 randomly selected swabs from healthy (56 swabs) or URD-affected (68 swabs) cats. Following DNA extraction and amplification of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, sequences were assembled into operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Over-represented OTUs (as determined by linear discriminate analysis effect size), alpha and beta diversity, and median relative abundance of known feline ocular surface pathogens were assessed for the entire population and in 10 clinically relevant subpopulations of cats. Results: Bacteria from 33 phyla and 70 genera were identified. Considering all cats, median relative abundance of Mycoplasma increased from day 1 to day 8, while Proteobacteria decreased. Community membership and structure (beta diversity) differed between days 1 and 8 for all famciclovir-treated cats (regardless of health status or dose) and healthy or URD-affected cats (regardless of famciclovir dose). Differences in taxonomic diversity within a sample (alpha diversity) between day 1 and day 8 were not detected in any subpopulations. Conclusions and relevance: Within 1 week of shelter entry, there were significant changes in community structure and membership of the feline conjunctival microbiota, with a shift towards over-representation of feline ocular surface pathogens. Although famciclovir may impact beta diversity of the feline conjunctival microbiota, absence of change in alpha diversity suggests minimal shift in individual cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social capital is becoming a well-studied social construct that establishes its relevance in uplifting the well-being and health of diverse social categories. A survey was conducted among 120 individuals aged 60 years and above who were randomly selected from the list of senior citizens in Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. In this study, the social capital of the elderly population in a rural community and its relation to their health status and health-seeking behaviors is examined. The social capital of the elderly is determined based on the following five domains--general trust, social support, social networks, social participation, and close ties. Their health status is based on a self-rated evaluation of: being free from chronic diseases in the last three months, being capable of performing daily activities, having lucid memory, and having life satisfaction. Their health-seeking behaviors are described in terms of frequency in which they rely on self-care, medical professionals, traditional medicines, familial, and non-familial support system. Results from the correlation and multiple regression analyses suggest that the elderly describe themselves as most healthy in that they are capable of performing daily activities, whereas they describe themselves as least healthy in that they experience chronic diseases in the last three months. Self-care, which includes having a healthy diet, exercise, and fun, is their top health-seeking behavior, but it should be noted that having close ties and social participation tend to determine better self-care among the elderly. Although accessing medical professionals is uncommon among the elderly, the findings indicate that the said health-seeking behavior tends to become more frequent with increasing social support. Results are relevant for identifying social innovations in the context of networks and social support that they may promote better health among the elderly in rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research / Revue Canadienne de Recherche Vétérinaire is the property of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. In fishery biology, information on life-history traits is extremely useful for species conservation and the monitoring, management and sustaining of fish stocks. Nevertheless, detailed biological information is very limited for tropical fishes, especially for those with low economic value, such as the Atlantic bumper, Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Linnaeus, 1766). This species is commonly captured by artisanal fisheries in tropical waters and the lack of information makes difficult the development of strategies for the proper management of the species. Therefore, the presently reported study intended to provide new data on the biological parameters of C. chrysurus to fill the gap in the existing knowledge. Materials and methods. Life-history traits of the Atlantic bumper, C. chrysurus, were estimated from 335 fish collected in a western Atlantic region during fishery surveys carried out between 2010 and 2012. Age and growth were determined by annuli counts of sagittal otoliths. Growth parameters were calculated by adjusting the backcalculated length-per-age to the von Bertalanffy growth model. Empirical equations and data on maturity were used to estimate the size and age at first maturity, as well as the optimum size and age. Theoretical longevity and natural mortality were also estimated for the species. Results. Six age classes were identified and asymptotic length (L∞), growth rate (k), and the theoretical age when the specimen was at zero length (t0) for the whole population assumed the following values: L∞ = 25.49 cm, k = 0.32 year-1, and t0 = 0.058 years. No evidence of sexual size dimorphism was found, with no significant differences in growth characteristics and in the length frequency distribution between sexes. The principal vital parameters were as follows: size (L50 = 15.5 cm) and age (T50 = 2.9+) at sexual maturity, optimum length (Lopt = 13.08 cm), and optimum age (Topt = 2.1+), as well as its theoretical longevity (A0.95 = 9.17) and natural mortality (M = 0.92). Conclusion. The determined size and age at sexual maturity, optimum length and age, theoretical longevity, and natural mortality indicate that the studied population of C. chrysurus is overexploited. The Atlantic bumper is vulnerable to fishing pressure and should be managed with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: The effect of smoking cessation on centrilobular emphysema (CLE) and centrilobular nodularity (CN), two manifestations of smoking-related lung injury on computed tomography (CT) images, has not been clarified. The objective of this study is to leverage texture analysis to investigate differences in extent of CLE and CN between current and former smokers.Materials and Methods: Chest CT scans from 350 current smokers, 401 former smokers, and 25 control subjects were obtained from the multicenter COPDGene Study, a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant study approved by the institutional review board of each participating clinical study center. Additionally, for 215 of these subjects, a follow-up CT scan was obtained approximately 5 years later. For each CT scan, 5000 circular regions of interest (ROIs) of 35-pixel diameter were randomly selected throughout the lungs. The patterns present in each ROI were summarized by 50 computer-extracted texture features. A logistic regression classifier was leveraged to classify each ROI as normal lung, CLE, or CN, and differences in the percentages of normal lung, CLE, and CN by study group were assessed.Results: Former smokers had significantly more CLE (P <0.01) but less CN (P <0.001) than did current smokers, even after adjustment for important covariates such as patient age, GOLD stage, smoking history, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, gas trapping, and scanner model. Among patients with longitudinal CT scans, continued smoking led to a slight increase in CLE (P = 0.13), whereas sustained abstinence from smoking led to further reduction in CN (P <0.05).Conclusions: The proposed texture-based approach quantifies the extent of CN and CLE with high precision. Differences in smoking-related lung disease between longitudinal scans of current smokers and longitudinal scans of former smokers suggest that CN may be reversible on smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SEARCH NH project (Student Experiences and Rotations in Community Health in New Hampshire) was a 3-year collaboration of the New Hampshire Area Health Education Center, four educational institutions, and four community health centers. The purpose was to introduce students in the health professions to interprofessional care in underserved areas. It was funded by the National Health Services Corps. The background of the project, its development, and findings are described. Seventy-four students from undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, a physician assistant program, and a medical school participated. Prior to a focused immersion experience in a community health center, they were exposed didactically to concepts of interprofessional care. Findings from the collaborative project are reported using a clinical microsystems framework to analyze student reflections on their experiences and resultant learning. In quotes offered as exemplars, students report increased appreciation of the clinical microsystem's 5 Ps: purpose, professionals, patients, patterns, and processes in interprofessional work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Rediscovery of cold-activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) in humans has boosted research interest in identifying BAT activators for metabolic benefits. Of particular interest are cytokines capable of fat browning. Irisin, derived from FNDC5, is an exercise-induced myokine that drives brown-fat-like thermogenesis in murine white fat. Here we explored whether cold exposure is an afferent signal for irisin secretion in humans and compared it with FGF21, a brown adipokine in rodents. Cold exposure increased circulating irisin and FGF21. We found an induction of irisin secretion proportional to shivering intensity, in magnitude similar to exercise-stimulated secretion. FNDC5 and/or FGF21 treatment upregulated human adipocyte brown fat gene/protein expression and thermogenesis in a depot-specific manner. These results suggest exercise-induced irisin secretion could have evolved from shivering-related muscle contraction, serving to augment brown fat thermogenesis in concert with FGF21. Irisin-mediated muscle-adipose crosstalk may represent a thermogenic, cold-activated endocrine axis that is exploitable in obesity therapeutics development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rationale and Objectives: Characterization of smoking-related lung disease typically consists of visual assessment of chest computed tomographic (CT) images for the presence and extent of emphysema and centrilobular nodularity (CN). Quantitative analysis of emphysema and CN may improve the accuracy, reproducibility, and efficiency of chest CT scoring. The purpose of this study was to develop a fully automated texture-based system for the detection and quantification of centrilobular emphysema (CLE) and CN in chest CT images. Materials and Methods: A novel approach was used to prepare regions of interest (ROIs) within the lung parenchyma for representation by texture features associated with the gray-level run-length and gray-level gap-length methods. These texture features were used to train a multiple logistic regression classifier to discriminate between normal lung tissue, CN or “smoker''s lung,” and CLE. This classifier was trained and evaluated on 24 and 71 chest CT scans, respectively. Results: During training, the classifier correctly classified 89% of ROIs depicting normal lung tissue, 74% of ROIs depicting CN, and 95% of ROIs manifesting CLE. When the performance of the classifier in quantifying extent of CN and CLE was evaluated on 71 chest CT scans, 65% of ROIs in smokers without CLE were classified as CN, compared to 31% in nonsmokers (P < .001) and 28% in smokers with CLE (P < .001). Conclusions: The texture-based framework described herein facilitates successful discrimination among normal lung tissue, CN, and CLE and can be used for the automated quantification of smoking-related lung disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The pathogenicity of three isolates of Alternaria alternata from Backhousia myrtifolia leaves was characterised and compared. Isolate BRIP 52222 was virulent compared to isolates BRIP 52223 and BRIP 52221. A comparison of inoculation methods showed that abrasion was more effective at establishing an infection than puncture wounding. Koch's postulates were assessed to confirm the pathogenicity of A. alternata on B. myrtifolia foliage and floral tissues using a conidial suspension of the most virulent isolate. Sporulation was triggered by incubating A. alternata (BRIP 52222) at 28°C for 10 d under alternating 12 h black-light/12 h dark conditions on half-strength potato dextrose agar (PDA). In contrast, incubation of A. alternata under continuous black-light on either half- or full-strength PDA did not yield conidia. Host symptoms caused by inoculation with the pathogen included a brown-black discolouration of both foliage and floral tissues. Microscopic examination of cellular structures suggested that perturbation of oil glands may contribute to the tissue discolouration in B. myrtifolia caused by A. alternata infection. Oil gland structures can be disrupted during an active A. alternata infection, causing the leakage of essential oil followed by discolouration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backhousia myrtifolia is a species native to Australia that shows potential as a cut flower crop. During Spring and Summer, it bears numerous small florets with prominent white sepals and glossy deep-green foliage. B. myrtifolia is harvested either when tight white buds are present in the centre of the star-shaped sepals, or following bud burst, after the petals and stamens have abscised to leave only the sepals. Wilting and brown-to-black discolouration of the flowers and foliage can markedly reduce stem quality. Several forms of discolouration were characterised over the 2004 - 2006 flowering seasons and were collectively termed 'post-harvest browning syndrome". Further research based on the symptomatology described herein is required to elucidate the causal agent(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), two potential elicitors which activate plant defence responses, were tested on inflorescences of Freesia hybrida to suppress petal-specking caused by Botrytis cinerea. Compared to the untreated controls, MeJA applied as a vapour, pulse, or spray to freesia 'Cote d'Azur' inflorescences significantly reduced disease severity scores, lesion numbers, and lesion diameters on attached petals, and lesion diameters in a detached petal bioassay. ASM alone, at 143 μM, provided a degree of protection to freesia inflorescences by significantly reducing disease severity scores, lesion numbers, and lesion diameters compared to the untreated controls. However, no additive effect was observed for combined treatments with MeJA and ASM. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities in 0.1 μl l-1 MeJA-treated inflorescences, at 24 h and 36 h post-treatment, were 2.7- and 2.0-fold higher, respectively, compared to the untreated controls. In contrast, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity in 0.1 μl l-1 MeJA-treated inflorescences was suppressed after 36 h, 48 h, and 72 h of incubation compared to PAL activities in the untreated control flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wilting associated with diminishing post-harvest water uptake is a major constraint on longevity for cut stems of many Acacia spp. Cu2+ ions have known bioeidal activity and may also act as inhibitors of plant wound reaction enzymes. A series of experiments were conducted using Cu2+ ions as a pulse, or as a vase-solution additive to evaluate their potential to extend the vase-life of cut A. holosericea foliage stems. Provision of Cu2+ ions in the vase-water at 0.5 mM, or as a 5 h pulse at 1.0 mM, resulted in 1.4-to 2.8-fold, and 1.7-to 2.1-fold extensions of vase-life, respectively, compared to de-ionised water controls. The pulse treatment was optimised, and a 5 h pulse with 2.2 mM Cu2+ ions resulted in a 2.6-fold extension of vase-life. Thus, Cu2+-pulsing can effectively delay wilting in cut A. holosericea foliage stems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) treatment on the sensitivity of banana fruit slices to ethylene were investigated. Fruit slices were partial-pressure infiltrated for 3 mm in a NO donor solution of 5 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), followed by treatment with 100 μl 1-1 ethylene for 24 h, then packed into polyethylene bags and stored for 5 d at 24°C. Control slices were treated with distilled water instead of SNP, then treated with ethylene. Changes in fruit firmness, chlorophyll content, respiration rate, the activities of three cell wall modifying enzymes [polygalacturonase (PG), endo-β-1,4-glucanase (EGase), and β-galactosidase (β-Gal)], and total amylase activity were measured. Expression of the expansin (MaExp1) and ethylene receptor (MaERS2) genes were also analysed. The application of NO, prior to ethylene exposure, retarded pulp softening and peel de-greening. Pre-treatment with NO also decreased the respiration rate of banana fruit slices during ripening. Delayed pulp softening by NO was associated with decreased activities of PG, EGase, β-Gal, and total amylase, as well as reduced expression of the MaExp1 gene. Expression of the MaERS2 gene was also suppressed in NO-treated banana fruit slices. Collectively, these findings suggest that NO pre-treatment decreased the sensitivity of banana fruit slices to ethylene, and thereby delayed ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Examination and management of the sexually assaulted patient comprise a complex task. On-call nurses with advanced training are used in some hospitals, but their impact on patient care and appropriate forensic examination is largely unknown. We evaluated the impact of the introduction of a sexual assault/domestic violence program (SADVP) on ED flow, comprehensive patient care, and collection of forensic evidence. METHODS: Patients presenting to the 2 emergency departments in the Kingston area (Ontario, Canada) (population, 250,000) after sexual assault were compared during 2 time periods: (1) before SADVP implementation (January 2001 through August 2004) and (2) after SADVP implementation (September 2004 to August 2006). ED, hospital discharge, SADVP, and police records were reviewed. Data abstraction included patient demographics, assault characteristics, forensic examination results, and treatment protocols. RESULTS: The incidence of patients presenting with a complaint of sexual assault doubled (61 cases before SADVP implementation and 92 cases after SADVP implementation). Median times to initial clinical evaluation were lower in the post-SADVP group (20 minutes vs 33 minutes, P = .04). Patients in the post-SADVP group reported less vaginal/anal penetration (77% vs 98%, P < .001) and had fewer genital injuries (13% vs 39%, P = .007); other sexual assault characteristics were similar between the 2 study periods. Forensic kits were completed more often in the post-SADVP group (77% vs 66%, P = .18). Pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prophylaxis was offered more consistently after SADVP implementation (98% vs 85%, P = .007), as was counseling (100% vs 95%, P = .06). DISCUSSION: The profile of patients observed after SADVP implementation changed to include less stereotypical sexual assaults. Introduction of the SADVP decreased wait times for sexually assaulted patients, despite the need for the on-call nurses to attend the emergency department. This program also showed higher completion on a number of important indicators of quality of care: forensic kits, counseling, and pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Experiments were conducted to investigate infection of blackcurrant flowers and fruits in relation to environmental conditions and fruit age on cvs. Baldwin and Ben Hope. The two cultivars did not differ significantly in the susceptibility of flowers to Botrytis infection. Nearly 75% of flowers were infected or abscised 1 week after inoculation and nearly all remaining flowers failed to develop into mature fruit. Fruits were inoculated at different growth stages and then incubated under different initial conditions: 10, 15, 20 and 25°C each with four wet periods (4, 8, 12 and 24h). Infection of fruit was not significantly affected by the temperature and duration of wetness. The two cultivars differed significantly in their responses to Botrytis infection depending on the fruiting stage at the time of inoculation. Inoculation of young fruitlets resulted in nearly 50% of fruits aborted on cv. Baldwin, compared to ca. 10% on cv. Ben Hope. Inoculation of fruit near harvest resulted in significantly fewer fruit aborted. The incidence of latent infection decreased with increasing fruit age at the time of inoculation. Sampling of blackcurrant fruit and spraying timing trials in planting of these two cultivars in open-field and under-protected conditions supported the main conclusions drawn from the controlled inoculation studies. Thus irrespective of weather conditions, strategies must be adopted to reduce inoculum and the extent of flower infections. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article explores the characteristics of older people at the intersection of driving with a disabling condition in the U.S. It stresses that the exploration on the conditions that older people are facing illustrates an example of dynamic intersection on the challenges associated with older people and transportation. Furthermore, the article explores on the training and education as a possible method of helping people extend life expectancy.

The article presents an examination into the life and cultural-intellectual work of the Dutch Reformed minister Domine Lambertus De Ronde in 18th-century New York City. Focus is particularly given to De Ronde's attempts to bridge the cultural divide between the Dutch and English communities of the city. Accounts are given concerning De Ronde's career as a minister in the state. Commentary is provided evaluating his bilingual writings and their negative reception within his community. Further analysis is given examining why De Ronde's efforts were unsuccessful due to the mishandling of political and cultural tensions surrounding the use of English.

Peeling and cutting processes wound tissues and enhance deterioration in minimally processed fruits. Controlled atmosphere (CA) or modified atmosphere (MA) conditions can help maintain the quality of minimally processed products. The effects of various combinations of CO2 and O2 on the quality of fresh pineapple (cv. Smooth Cayenne) slices held at 4.5°C were investigated. Among a range of CA treatments, 15 kPa CO2 maintained flesh colour, with low alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations, and also prevented microbial growth. O2 at 5 kPa also maintained a high visual quality, and gave low alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations. Likewise, O2 at 80 kPa maintained a high visual quality and prevented the accumulation of fermentation-related volatiles, but caused high electrolyte leakage. Both 5 kPa and 80 kPa O2 treatments resulted in a reduced loss of firmness. Nonetheless, the respiration rate was higher in 80 kPa O2 than in 5 kPa 02. When the optimum O2 and CO2 concentrations were combined and compared to 21 kPa O2 + 0 kPa CO2 (air control), both 5 kPa and 80 kPa O2, with 15 kPa CO2, maintained the quality of pineapple slices. However, because low O2 is more readily attained and maintained in MA, 5 kPa O2 + 15 kPa CO2 appeared to be the most appropriate atmosphere for storage of minimally processed pineapple fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant activity in longan fruit were investigated during storage. Fruits were dipped for 5 mm in a solution containing 1 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor. They were then packed into polyethylene bags and stored for 6 d at 28°C. Changes in pericarp browning index, membrane permeability, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, the rate of superoxide production, the activities of lipoxygenase (LOX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT), α,αdiphenyl-β-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and reducing power were measured. Treatment with SNP inhibited pericarp browning and suppressed increases in membrane permeability and lipid peroxidation. These effects were associated with lower LOX activity, higher APX and CAT activities, better maintenance of DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power, and lower superoxide production rate. However, SOD activity was higher in control (non-SNP- treated) fruit than in SNP-treated fruit over the first 4 d of storage. Overall, these findings suggest that treatment with NO enhanced the anti-oxidant activity in pericarp tissue of longan fruit during storage, and contributed to reduced lipid peroxidation. Reduced lipid damage apparently maintained the compartmentation of enzymes and substrates and, thereby, lessened enzymatic browning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compounds that activate host plant defence responses potentially offer socio-environmentally sound alternative methods for disease control. In a series of glasshouse trials over 2 years, pre-harvest sprays with acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were tested for suppression of post-harvest infection of cut Freesia hybrida L. flowers by Botrytis cinerea. For the ASM treatments, variability in reducing the incidence of B. cinerea disease was observed between years, freesia varieties, incubation temperatures and ASM concentrations. In the first year, the greatest reductions in lesion numbers on ASM-treated var. ‘Cote d'Azur’ were recorded using 2.86 mM ASM. For three different post-harvest temperature regimes, the relative reductions in lesion numbers, compared to untreated controls, were 45% at 5°C, 40% at 12°C and 30% at 20°C, respectively. In the second year, lesion numbers were most reduced using 1.43 mM ASM to treat freesia var. ‘Dukaat’ flowers. Here, the relative reductions were to 44% at 5°C, 26% at 12°C and 51% at 20°C. MeJA treatments were, in general, more consistently effective than ASM treatments in reducing lesion numbers and lesion diameters on cut freesia flowers. MeJA-treated (0.2 mM) freesia flowers (var. ‘Dukaat’) incubated at 20°C showed relative reductions of 62%, and 45% for lesion number and lesion diameter, respectively. The differing efficacy between ASM and MeJA treatments could be attributed to their differential abilities to induce the salicylic acid (SA)-mediated vs. the jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated host defence pathways, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grevillea cv. 'Crimson Yul-lo' has large bright red terminal inflorescences on leafy stems and has recognised commercial potential as a cut flower crop. A major limitation is its relatively short vase-life, often terminated by early wilting of the inflorescence despite apparently turgid leaves. An investigation of the water relations of cut Grevillea 'Crimson Yul-lo' stems revealed that the water potential of inflorescences on intact stems in vases was significantly higher (i.e., less negative) than that of leaves from day-O to day-3 of vase-life. Thereafter, the water potential of inflorescences declined more rapidly than that of leaves, accompanied by visible wilting of the tepals and styles of individual florets. Removal of leaves from the stems reduced both water uptake and water loss, and delayed the onset of a negative water balance in the inflorescence. Bagging of entire stems, leaves only, or inflorescences only, with micro-perforated plastic film to reduce transpiration, reducing leaf number to reduce leaf area, or supplying abscisic acid to reduce leaf stomatal aperture, all aided relative fresh weight retention by stems and extended vase-life. Four or six leaves on a stem caused greater loss in inflorescence water content than zero or two leaves. Considered collectively, these findings show that competition for water between the inflorescence and the leaves in cut Grevillea 'Crimson Yul-lo' stems contributes to the onset of inflorescence wilting and their short vase-life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]