Ruminal release of minerals from six forage species

An in vitro technique and an in situ technique were used to measure release of Ca, Mg, P and Zn over time from hand-clipped alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Maximal release of P and Zn was greater using the in situ technique. 'Florida 77' alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), 'Florigraze' rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.), 'Mott' dwarf elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.), 'Tifton 78' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers.), 'Pensacola' bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) and 'Floralta' limpograss (Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf and Hubbard) were used to examine the ruminal release of Ca, Mg, P, K, Cu and Zn by means of the in situ technique. Minerals were ranked from highest to lowest for extent of immediate and maximal release in the rumen. Averaged across forage species, ranking was K at 100% and 100%, Mg at 82% and 95%, Cu at 71% and 84%, P at 66% and 80%, Zn at 26% and 69% and Ca at 29% and 70%. A large proportion of Ca was associated with the plant cell wall, based on the duration of incubation time needed to maximize its release and the large fractinal amount of Ca slowly released. A large portion of the Zn was released slowly as well (mean, 43.8%), but release of Zn was maximal in less than 24 h. Most of the Mg, K, P and Cu probably reside in the cell contents. Forages with high NDF concentrations can have high release coefficients for their minerals.     

Free light-chain proteinuria and normal renal histopathology and function in 11 dogs exposed to Lleishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis, and Bbabesia canis

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the relationship among proteinuria consisting of immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs), renal histopathologic findings, and routine markers of renal function in 11 dogs exposed to Leishmania infantum (n = 8), Ehrlichia canis (n = 2), and Babesia canis (n = 1). FLC proteinuria was suspected based on identification of a 22- to 27-kDa band by sodium dodecyl sulfate-agarose gel electrophoresis (SDS-AGE) and later confirmed by immunofixation electrophoresis. SDS-AGE identified an isolated band of 22-27 kDa in 8 dogs, whereas the remaining 3 had a 22- to 27-kDa band and an additional band of 67-72 kDa. The median urine protein-to-urine creatinine ratio was 0.37 (range, 0.11-2.24) and increased ratios were found in 6 dogs (54.5%) (reference value, <0.7). All dogs underwent histologic examination of renal percutaneous biopsy specimens and determination of serum creatinine and urea concentrations. Tissue samples for light microscopy were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, Goldners trichrome, and methenamine silver. In the study group, the glomerular tufts, mesangium, tubulointerstitium, and vessels appeared unaffected. The median serum creatinine concentration in these 11 dogs was 1.3 mg/dL (range, 0.8-1.5 mg/dL; reference range, 0.6-1.5 mg/dL), whereas the concentration for urea was 28 mg/dL (range, 22-52 mg/dL; reference range, 20-50 mg/dL). All dogs had normal renal morphology and had normal serum creatinine and urea concentrations, suggesting that immunoglobulin FLC may be detected in the urine of dogs exposed to L. infantum, E. canis, and B. canis without any apparent structural or functional renal derangement.     

Combination of phytase and citric acid,but not phytase alone,ensures regular rates of growth and bone mineralization in quails under severe phosphorus restriction

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of phytase (PHY), alone or in combination with citric acid (CA), on growing Japanese quails under moderate and severe phosphorus (P) restriction. For this, 504 one‐day‐old female quails were distributed in a completely randomised design with seven treatments and six replications. Treatments consisted of the following diets: (a) positive control (PC): formulated according to quails nutritional requirements; (b) negative control 40% (NC₄₀): PC with 40% less aP; (c) NC₄₀+PHY; (d) NC₄₀+PHY+CA; (e) negative control 65% (NC₆₅): PC with 65% less aP; (f) NC₆₅+PHY; (g) NC₆₅+PHY+CA. Phytase and CA were included at 300 FTU/kg and 40 g/kg, respectively. Performance, bone mineralization and plasma mineral concentration were evaluated at day 35; calcium (Ca) and P metabolism, between days 36 and 39. No significant differences in performance, plasma Ca and P were detected between quails fed PC or NC₄₀; however, NC₄₀ decreased tibia ash (p < 0.01). Treatment NC₆₅ impaired daily weight gain (p = 0.01), tibia ash (p < 0.01), and tibia optical densitometry (p = 0.03), as well as modified plasma Ca (p < 0.01) and P (p = 0.03) concentrations when compared to PC. Both NC₄₀ and NC₆₅ reduced P excretion (p < 0.01). Phytase alone restored tibia ash of NC₄₀ quails to regular rates. Nevertheless, only PHY and CA combined returned plasma P, tibia ash, tibia optical densitometry, and daily weight gain of quails fed NC₆₅ to similar values as those observed in PC. In conclusion, PHY alone suppresses the negative effects of moderate P restriction in growing Japanese quails, but fails in this task under severe P restriction. In such a situation, only the combination of PHY and CA ensures regular rates of growth and bone mineralization. This concept should be better explored by producers in order to take full advantage of the reduction in P excretion achieved by lowering dietary P concentrations.     

Development of Functional Spaghetti Enriched with Long Chain Omega‐3 Fatty Acids

Results concerning the production of spaghetti enriched in long chain (LC) n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and, in particular, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) are reported. Pasta enrichment was obtained by adding different amounts of integrator (0.6, 1.2, and 1.8%) containing EPA (C20:5 n‐3) and DHA (C22:6 n‐3) in a microencapsulated form to commercial semolina. The addition of 1.2% integrator yielded spaghetti that provides ≈20% of the recommended daily intake of LC n‐3 PUFA with high sensorial acceptability and low loss of LC n‐3 PUFA after cooking (<10%). Thus, spaghetti fortified with EPA+DHA could be used to increase consumption of LC n‐3 PUFA and to decrease the dietary n‐6/n‐3 ratio.     

Crustacean-acanthocephalan interaction and host cell-mediated immunity: parasite encapsulation and melanization

Host-parasite interactions of Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller, 1776) in naturally infected amphipod, Echinogammarus stammeri (Karaman), from the Brenta River (northern Italy) are described. A fully developed acanthocephalan larva occupies a large portion of an amphipod's haemocoelic space; thus, the parasite frequently induces displacement of host digestive tract and other internal organs. However, no apparent damage to the host's internal structures was observed. Within the haemocoel of E. stammeri, each larva of P. laevis is surrounded with a membranous layer, formed by microvilli, which maintains intimate contact with the amphipod's internal organs and haemocytes. Three types of circulatory haemocytes were identified based upon their distinct appearance: hyaline cell, semi-granular cell and granular cell. Echinogammarus stammeri haemocytes surrounded acanthocephalan larvae and in some instances a partially and/or totally melanized P. laevis larva was noticed. Interestingly, no melanized larvae were found in E. stammeri parasitized with other acanthocephalans namely Echinorhynchus truttae (Schrank, 1788), Polymorphus minutus (Goeze, 1782) and Acanthocephalus clavula (Dujardin, 1845).     

Nutritional properties and ultra-structure of commercial gluten free flours from different botanical sources compared to wheat flours

Coeliac patients suffer from an immune mediated disease, triggered by the ingestion of a protein composite (gluten) found in wheat, rye and barley. Consequently, there is a need for products such as bread or pasta, made from alternative cereal grains or pseudocereals. A fair proportion of the gluten free products currently on the market are nutritionally inadequate. Hence, it was the aim of this study to investigate the nutrient composition of seven commonly used commercial gluten free flours (oat, rice, sorghum, maize, teff, buckwheat and quinoa) and compare them to wheat and wholemeal wheat flour. In addition to the levels of all major compounds, also mineral composition, fatty acid profile, phytate, polyphenols and folate content were determined. Furthermore, properties of carbohydrates were studied in greater detail, looking at total and damaged starch levels; total, soluble and insoluble dietary fibre content as well as amylose/amylopectin ratio. Proteins were further investigated by means of capillary electrophoreses. Additionally, the ultra-structure of these materials was explored using scanning electron microscopy. The results show that maize and rice flour are poor regarding their nutritional value (low protein, fibre, folate contents). In contrast, teff as well as the pseudocereals quinoa and buckwheat show a favourable fatty acid composition and are high in protein and folate. In particular, quinoa and teff are characterised by high fibre content and are high in calcium, magnesium and iron. Therefore these flours represent nutrient-dense raw materials for the production of gluten free foods.     

Biopriming in bean seeds

The incorporation of biological control organisms in seeds may help control pathogens and improve seedling performance. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of biopriming bean seeds with Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus subtilis using physiological conditioning, suspensions of biological structures and film coating techniques. Biopriming treatments with suspensions of biological structures were performed using the commercial products Agrotrich plus^® and Rhizoliptus^®. Water restriction was achieved using a PDA?+?Manitol (?0.7?MPa) medium for both Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus subtilis. Fifty disinfected bean seeds were placed in each petri dish. When the first radicle protrusion appeared in a seed, the other seeds were removed and dried in the laboratory environment for 48?h. Film coating was performed with the addition of the Color Seed^® (150?mL kg^?1) polymer to a treatment solution containing either the Trichoderma spp. or the Rhizoliptus product. Seeds were dried for 48?h in the laboratory. Seeds were covered and treated with one or both organisms. Biopriming with spore or bacterial cell suspensions promoted bean seedling growth, and the other techniques were not required to potentiate these benefits. Covering the primed bean seeds reduced seed quality. Both Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus subtilis promote bean seedling growth, benefitting the seedling even after it becomes independent of the seed reserves.     

Identification of buckwheat phenolic compounds by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC–ESI-TOF-MS)

This study describes the characterization of phenolic compounds in buckwheat. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS) has been applied to separate and characterize thirty phenolic compounds in buckwheat flour. As far as we know, 2-hydroxy-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosil-benzoic acid, 1-O-caffeoyl-6-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl-β-glycopyranoside and epicatechin-3-(3″-O-methyl) gallate were tentatively identified in buckwheat for the first time. The sensitivity, mass accuracy and true isotopic pattern of the TOF-MS, legitimated the identification of phenolic compounds present in buckwheat extract.     

On the apple proliferation symptom display and the canopy colonization pattern of “<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Phytoplasma mali” in apple trees

Notwithstanding the availability of several different real time PCR protocols for “Candidatus Phytoplasma mali”, it is still unclear how informative is the estimation of the concentration of phytoplasma cells in the leaves of apple proliferation infected trees, and how the reliability of the estimations may be affected by an erratic and uneven distribution of the pathogen in the host. Here we investigated these issues systematically and showed that phytoplasma concentration varies significantly among seasons, but not between two cultivars that appeared to have different degree of susceptibility on the basis of the symptoms displayed. In fully symptomatic trees sampled at the end of the season the phytoplasmas were detectable in most leaves, but in more than half of the leaves at low concentrations. Both the pattern of colonization of the canopy and the amount of phytoplasmas varied greatly in trees that show symptom remission, although a direct relation between symptom severity and colonization could not be established. The sampling of the apple canopy for the purpose of evaluation of concentration of “Candidatus Phytoplasma mali” should take into consideration the complex pattern of colonization and seasonal variation.