Phenolic compound profiles in Finnish apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) juices and ciders fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe strains.

The phenolic compounds in juices and ciders made with Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Schizosaccharomyces pombe from eleven Finnish apple cultivars were analyzed using liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods combined with multivariate data analysis. In general, the ciders contained less phenolic compounds than corresponding apple juices. In the studied apple juices and ciders, hydroxycinnamic acids were the most predominant, accounting for around 80% of total phenolic compounds. Apple juices contained more flavonol glycosides and dihydrochalcones whereas cider processing resulted in increased amount of free hydroxycinnamic acids. The contents of individual phenolic compounds were more dependent on the apple cultivars than the yeast species. Certain cultivars contained remarkably higher contents of dihydrochalcones and hydroxycinnamic acids when comparing with other cultivars. Ciders made using S. pombe remained higher contents of procyanidins and (+)-catechin while S. cerevisiae ciders contained higher individual hydroxycinnamic acids, such as 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid, and 4-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid.

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe strains on chemical composition and sensory quality of ciders made from Finnish apple cultivars.

Composition of volatile compounds and concentrations of sugars and organic acids were studied in apple ciders produced with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe yeasts using eleven different Finnish apple cultivars. Moreover, sensory quality of selected ciders was studied using check-all-that-apply test with untrained panelists. Seventy-seven volatile compounds were detected in the samples using HS-SPME-GC-MS. In general, the ciders had higher concentrations of higher alcohols, aldehydes, and acetals whereas the juices contained higher contents of C6-alcohols. Simultaneously, fermentation using S. pombe resulted in lower concentrations of malic acid, ethyl pentanoate, ethyl hexanoate, and volatile acids and higher concentrations of residual sugars compared to S. cerevisiae. Ciders made using S. cerevisiae were characterized as 'alcoholic' and 'yeasty' while S. pombe ciders were more frequently described as 'sweet', 'honey-like', and less rated as sour. Besides the strong effect by the yeasts, apple cultivars had significant effects on the compositional and sensorial properties of apple ciders.

Genetic diversity and structure in the northern populations of European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.).

European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is a strictly cross-pollinated diploid tree species, which has its northernmost populations in Fennoscandia, and it was one of the first species to recolonize northern Europe after the last ice age. Hazelnut produces edible nuts in Finland but nowadays they are underutilized as food, and currently no breeding programmes exist. In the present study, 300 hazelnut specimens were collected from 20 different locations (= populations) in Finland, and they were genetically analyzed using nine simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Most of the genetic diversity existed within populations (83%). According to different genetic analyses (STRUCTURE, principal coordinates analysis, and clustering), a general lack of structure was observed, suggesting extensive gene flow among hazelnuts between 17 investigated populations. However, genetic structuring was clearly observed in three populations: Hakavuori, Mustiala, and Pähkinämäki, which might have become isolated due to geographical barriers that kept them separate, diminishing gene flow from other populations. Studying the diversity of European hazelnut is of great interest for understanding population genetics of a species distributed in its marginal areas in the north, and the results are also valuable for further uses in plant conservation, selection, and possible future breeding actions in Finland.

Effect of cognitive impairment on basic activities of daily living in hip fracture patients: a 1-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To compare changes in basic self-care activities in various cognitive groups of hip fracture patients by the Katz Index of Independence in activities of daily living (ADL). METHODS: 117 community-dwelling elderly subjects with acute hip fracture (age 67-92 years), referred to the geriatric unit of Jyväskylä Central Hospital for rehabilitation, participated in the study. Basic self-care activities were evaluated by the Katz ADL Index and cognition by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). RESULTS: Prior to hip fracture, the patients in the lowest MMSE group had a significantly lower Katz Index than the other three groups (p<0.001). Disability increased in a statistically significantly way post-surgery in all four MMSE groups (p<0.001). In the two lower MMSE groups, the Katz Index remained at the lower level, and in the two higher groups it improved in a statistically significant way from 2 weeks to 3 months post-operatively, after which it deteriorated slightly. A significantly larger proportion of patients in the higher MMSE groups were independent in all basic ADLs, both before and after fracture (from p=0.023 to p<0.001), except in continence prior to fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Prior to hip fracture, patients with low MMSE scores had a significantly greater degree of basic ADL dependence than the other three groups. Despite similar post-operative multidisciplinary treatment, functional ability remained at the lower level in the two lower MMSE groups, whereas recovery was much better in the higher MMSE groups.

Structural and functional basis for ADP-ribose and poly(ADP-ribose) binding by viral macro domains.

Macro domains constitute a protein module family found associated with specific histones and proteins involved in chromatin metabolism. In addition, a small number of animal RNA viruses, such as corona- and toroviruses, alphaviruses, and hepatitis E virus, encode macro domains for which, however, structural and functional information is extremely limited. Here, we characterized the macro domains from hepatitis E virus, Semliki Forest virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The crystal structure of the SARS-CoV macro domain was determined at 1.8-Angstroms resolution in complex with ADP-ribose. Information derived from structural, mutational, and sequence analyses suggests a close phylogenetic and, most probably, functional relationship between viral and cellular macro domain homologs. The data revealed that viral macro domains have relatively poor ADP-ribose 1"-phosphohydrolase activities (which were previously proposed to be their biologically relevant function) but bind efficiently free and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1-bound poly(ADP-ribose) in vitro. Collectively, these results suggest to further evaluate the role of viral macro domains in host response to viral infection.

Current issues in the regulation of human tissue-engineering products in the European Union.

Tissue engineering (TE) is an emerging technology that combines expertise in life sciences, clinical medicine, and engineering. Current challenges in TE include anticipating and streamlining appropriate regulation with product development. Consequently this study has focused on views of developers, companies, and regulators on biological risks of TE products, aspects of commercial applications, and patentability. Most concerns about TE products focus on risk of cancer formation, infection risk, and rejection risk. Thus, at the present time, product developers should follow guidelines for medicinal products, in order to address product safety at an adequate level. According to the data of the present study, cell and biomaterial products, manipulated cells, and scaffolds appear to be the primary interest for commercial product development. In contrast, producing services were not considered as interesting. Constraints are also imposed by patentability, which stipulates demands for technical performance and highlights ethical issues, which are difficult to address.

Post-operative degree of mobilization at two weeks predicts one-year mortality after hip fracture.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although several investigations have tested physical activity a few months or one year after hip fracture, only a few have assessed physical activity shortly after hip fracture. The aim of this study was to evaluate how physical function two weeks after hip fracture operation predicts 12-month mortality. This was a prospective study of hip fracture patients with one-year follow-up, carried out in Jyväskylä Central Hospital in Finland. METHODS: In this study, there were 243 consecutive community-dwelling patients aged 65 or older, who were able to walk before hip fracture. Two weeks after operation, information was gathered on pre-fracture activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Patients' ability to stand up, sit down and walk was assessed. The follow-up lasted 12 months. RESULTS: The best predictor for mortality after one year was inability to stand up, hazard ratio (HR) 4.64 (95% CI 2.11-10.18, p < 0.001). The corresponding HRs concerning inability to sit down were 4.52 (95% CI 2.10-9.72, p < 0.001), inability to walk 2.39 (95% CI 1.20-4.78, p = 0.013), ADL score 1.43 (95% CI 1.16-1.76, p = 0.001) and IADL score 1.19 (95% CI 1.03-1.38, p = 0.017). These variables were age- and sex-adjusted. According to the multiple proportional hazard model there was only one variable with statistical significance, i.e., the pre-fracture ADL-score (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: Inability to stand up, sit down or walk two weeks after operation were the strongest predictors for mortality among operated hip fracture patients. We suggest that focus should be directed to verify if better survival might be achieved by more intensive rehabilitation immediately after the operation. The pre-fracture ADL-score appeared to be the only variable reaching statistical significance in the multiple proportional hazard model. This fact may reflect frailty and affect decisions concerning the rehabilitation program.