Physicochemical and biochemical characterization of transgenic papaya modified for protection against Papaya ringspot virus

BACKGROUND

Papaya, a nutritious tropical fruit, is consumed both in its fresh form and as a processed product worldwide. Major quality indices which include firmness, acidity, pH, colour and size, are cultivar dependent. Transgenic papayas engineered for resistance to Papaya ringspot virus were evaluated over the ripening period to address physicochemical quality attributes and food safety concerns.

RESULTS

With the exception of one transgenic line, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in firmness, acidity and pH. Lightness (L*) and redness (a*) of the pulps of non-transgenic and transgenic papaya were similar but varied over the ripening period (P < 0.05). Fruit mass, though non-uniform (P < 0.05) for some lines, was within the range reported for similar papaya cultivars, as were shape indices of female fruits. Transgene proteins, CP and NPTII, were not detected in fruit pulp at the table-ready stage.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that transformation did not produce any major unintended alterations in the physicochemical attributes of the transgenic papayas. Transgene proteins in the edible fruit pulp were low or undetectable.

Improved patient acceptability with a transdermal drug-in-adhesive oestradiol patch

The aim of this trial was to assess the relative patient acceptability of two transdermal oestradiol patches used in treatment of oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women. Thirty-five hysterectomised postmenopausal women with no previous experience of transdermal oestradiol delivery systems received treatment with either once-weekly drug-in-adhesive (DIA) patches or twice-weekly reservoir patches for 4 weeks, and were then switched to the alternative treatment for a further 4 weeks. At the end of the study, the patients completed a questionnaire to assess their relative preference for a number of characteristics of the 2 transdermal systems and, where possible, their preference for transdermal compared with oral hormone replacement therapy. Thirty-one patients completed the study; four withdrew during treatment with the reservoir patch. The DIA patch was preferred for being 'easiest to remember to apply' by 80% of patients (p < 0.01), 'easiest to open' and 'easiest to apply' by 68% (p = 0.025), and as having 'best cosmetic appearance' by 65% (p = 0.05) and 'best overall skin adhesion' by 61% (p < 0.01). While 10% of patients rated the reservoir patch as 'least irritating to the skin' (p = 0.03), only one patient found this patch 'most comfortable to wear' (p < 0.01). The DIA patch was selected by 87% of patients as their preferred treatment overall (p = 0.001). Ninety-one per cent of 22 responding patients were at least as confident of treatment with transdermal patches as with oral hormone replacement therapy (p = 0.006) and 74 % of 27 responders preferred transdermal to oral treatment (p = 0.004). The DIA patch appears to be more acceptable to patients than the reservoir patch as a transdermal oestradiol delivery system for the treatment of postmenopausal oestrogen deficiency. Characteristics of the DIA patch which may account for improved patient acceptance include ease of remembering once-weekly patch application, improved cosmetic appearance and comfort, and better adhesion.

Higher levels of microproteinuria in Asian compared with European patients with diabetes mellitus and their relationship to dietary protein intake and diabetic complications

Asian patients with diabetes have a higher prevalence of renal disease than their European counterparts. The aim of the study was to investigate the pattern of the renal excretion of proteins in 70 Asian and 70 European patients with diabetes and to relate it to dietary intake of protein and prevalence of diabetic complications. Compared with matched Europeans, Asian patients had an increased urinary excretion of albumin and transferrin (p < 0.02) with 14 Asians and 6 Europeans having significant microalbuminuria (> 30 micrograms min-1). In 12 Asians and all 6 Europeans this was associated with complications from diabetes, particularly vascular. Asian patients had significantly more ischaemic heart disease (p < 0.001) but less neuropathy (p < 0.001) and retinopathy (p < 0.05) than their matched European counterparts. Asian diets were lower in protein (median (range) Asian vs European: 12.5% (6-29%) vs 19% (11-27%); p < 0.01) and carbohydrate but higher in fat than European diets. There was no correlation between dietary protein intake and excretion of any of the urinary proteins measured. However, a significant correlation was found in Asians between protein intake and length of residence in the UK (p < 0.005). Unless ways to reduce complications can be found then future allocation of resources will need to take this into consideration in areas with large Asian communities.