Accumulation of Anthocyanins in Detached Leaves of Kalanchoë blossfeldiana: Relevance to the Effect of Methyl Jasmonate on This Process.

Accumulation of anthocyanins in detached leaves and in excised stems of Kalanchoë blossfeldiana kept under natural light conditions in the presence or absence of methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) was investigated. When the abaxial surface of detached leaves was held lower than the adaxial surface (the normal or natural position) under natural light conditions, anthocyanins were not accumulated on the abaxial side of the leaves. In contrast, when the adaxial surface of detached leaves was held lower than the abaxial surface (inverted position), anthocyanins were highly accumulated on the abaxial side of the leaves. These phenomena were independent of the growth stage of K. blossfeldiana as well as photoperiod. Application of JA-Me in lanolin paste significantly inhibited anthocyanin accumulation induced on the abaxial side of detached leaves held in an inverted position in a dose-dependent manner. Anthocyanin accumulation in the excised stem in response to natural light was also significantly inhibited by JA-Me in lanolin paste. Possible mechanisms of anthocyanin accumulation on the abaxial side of detached K. blossfeldiana leaves held in an inverted position under natural light conditions and the inhibitory effect of JA-Me on this process are described. The accompanying changes in the content of primary metabolites and histological analyses were also described.

A comparison of transcriptomic patterns measured in the skin of Chinese fine and coarse wool sheep breeds.

We characterised wool traits, and skin gene expression profiles of fine wool Super Merino (SM) and coarse wool Small Tail Han (STH) sheep. SM sheep had a significantly higher total density of wool follicles, heavier fleeces, finer fibre diameter, and increased crimp frequency, staple length and wool grease (lanolin) production. We found 435 genes were expressed at significantly different levels in the skin of the two breeds (127 genes more highly in SM and 308 genes more highly in STH sheep). Classification of the genes more highly expressed in SM sheep revealed numerous lipid metabolic genes as well as genes encoding keratins, keratin-associated proteins, and wool follicle stem cell markers. In contrast, mammalian epidermal development complex genes and other genes associated with skin cornification and muscle function were more highly expressed in STH sheep. Genes identified in this study may be further evaluated for inclusion in breeding programs, or as targets for therapeutic or genetic interventions, aimed at altering wool quality or yield. Expression of the lipid metabolic genes in the skin of sheep may be used as a novel trait with the potential to alter the content or properties of lanolin or the fleece.

Oxysterols in cosmetics-Determination by planar solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Sterol oxidation products (SOPs) are linked to several toxicological effects. Therefore, investigation of potential dietary uptake sources particularly food of animal origin has been a key issue for these compounds. For the simultaneous determination of oxysterols from cholesterol, phytosterols, dihydrolanosterol and lanosterol in complex cosmetic matrices, planar solid phase extraction (pSPE) was applied as clean-up tool. SOPs were first separated from more non-polar and polar matrix constituents by normal phase thin-layer chromatography and then focussed into one target zone. Zone extraction was performed with the TLC-MS interface, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. pSPE showed to be effective for cleaning up cosmetic samples as sample extracts were free of interferences, and gas chromatographic columns did not show any signs of overloading. Recoveries were between 86 and 113% with relative standard deviations of below 10% (n=6). Results of our market survey in 2016 showed that some cosmetics with ingredients of plant origin contained phytosterol oxidation products (POPs) in the low ppm range and therefore in line with levels reported for food. In lanolin containing products, total SOPs levels (cholesterol oxidation products (COPs), lanosterol oxidation products (LOPs), dihydrolanosterol oxidation products (DOPs)) being in the low percent range exceeded reported levels for food by several orders of magnitudes.

The effect of energy malnutrition in ruminants on experimental infection with Dermatophilus congolensis.

The ability of malnourished and optimally fed animals to resist infection with D. congolensis was assessed by the dose-response to experimental inoculation. The severity of infection, as measured by scoring the lesions, was the same in both groups of lambs. However marked differences were seen between the two groups in the appearance of scabs and in the time taken for them to resolve. The malnourished animals had more persistent, chronic lesions compared with the more obvious, acute type lesions seen on the skin of the healthy controls. These results were probably related to the reduced rates of wool growth and lanolin production found in the malnourished lambs, which may reflect a reduction in the rate of cellular turnover in the skin of these animals.

Equilibrium solubilization of diclofenac by aqueous solutions of the products of lanolin oxyethylenation.

Systematic research has been conducted on the products of catalytic oxyethylenation of lanolin. The level of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance HLB and the amount of oxyethylene segments nTE in homologous series of products were determined by means of the 1HNMR method. Viscosity and spectrophotometry measurements were used to determine solubilization indices n/s/, the micellar partition coefficient K(m)w, and the solubility quotient i25(r) of diclofenac in aqueous solutions of surfactants. The determination of basic viscosity values enabled identification of the solubilization site of diclofenac molecules. For the purpose of application, the relationship between the amount of oxyethylene segments nTE and K(m)w of diclofenac determined in an equilibrium system was defined.