Impact of physicochemical characteristics on the oxidative stability of fish oil microencapsulated by spray-drying

The aim of the present research was to identify principal parameters determining the oxidative stability of microencapsulated fish oil. Microcapsules were prepared by spray-drying using different types of n-octenylsuccinate-derivatized starch, gum Arabic, sugar beet pectin, sodium caseinate, and/or glucose syrup. Two principal components to classify the different microcapsules accounting for up to 79% of the variance were identified. The principal components were determined by physicochemical parameters reflecting the emulsifying ability of the encapsulant and the drying behavior of the parent emulsion. Microcapsules, which were identified by principal component analysis to be significantly different, exhibited a low stability upon storage, showing that the principal components and, thus, the underlying physicochemical parameters analyzed in the present study are correlated with core material stability.     

Kepler-36: a pair of planets with neighboring orbits and dissimilar densities

In the solar system, the planets' compositions vary with orbital distance, with rocky planets in close orbits and lower-density gas giants in wider orbits. The detection of close-in giant planets around other stars was the first clue that this pattern is not universal and that planets' orbits can change substantially after their formation. Here, we report another violation of the orbit-composition pattern: two planets orbiting the same star with orbital distances differing by only 10% and densities differing by a factor of 8. One planet is likely a rocky "super-Earth," whereas the other is more akin to Neptune. These planets are 20 times more closely spaced and have a larger density contrast than any adjacent pair of planets in the solar system.     

In vitro induction of tetraploid plants from colchicine-treated diploid daylily callus

Summary Daylily plantlets with tetraploid or octaploid chromosome numbers were induced from colchicine-treated diploid callus (2n=22). Callus tissue of the daylily Hemerocallis flava L. was placed on a morphogenetic induction medium, a modified MS formula supplemented with 1 mg 2,4-D and 1 mg kinetin/liter, plus 0,10, 20, or 40 mg/liter colchicine in the dark at 12°C for 3 days and recuperated for 1 week under the same environmental conditions except that colchicine was left out. The calluses were then returned to the normal growth temperature 25°C. Ploidy was identified by chromosome counts of squashed root-tip cells collected from the newly potted plantlets and later by measurements of stomates and pollen grains. Over 50% of the plants initiated from the colchicine-treated calluses were completely tetraploid. All of the plantlets differentiated from untreated callus had a diploid number of 22. Of the 3 colchicine levels applied, the 20 mg/liter treatment appeared to be the most effective in production of tetraploidy.     

Evaluation of platelet-rich plasma applied in the coronary band of healthy equine hooves

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a widely used hemocomponent that holds great promise in equine medicine due to its feasible production and regenerative therapy potential. Its use has been considered as a treatment for chronic laminitis, mainly in terms of its analgesic properties and because it can induce growth in affected hooves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on hoof growth attributable to PRP applied in the coronary band of clinically healthy horses by comparing the responses to PRP, saline, and trimming alone. After randomization, the forelimbs of 9 horses received specific treatment at intervals of 33 days and were trimmed, measured, and radiographed at the same time. Neither hoof growth nor hoof angles were different between the treatment groups at any time point. The application of PRP in the coronary band of horses may be a safe procedure; however, it had no effect on the growth or conformation of hooves in clinically healthy horses.     

BAR domains as sensors of membrane curvature: the amphiphysin BAR structure

The BAR (Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs) domain is the most conserved feature in amphiphysins from yeast to human and is also found in endophilins and nadrins. We solved the structure of the Drosophila amphiphysin BAR domain. It is a crescent-shaped dimer that binds preferentially to highly curved negatively charged membranes. With its N-terminal amphipathic helix and BAR domain (N-BAR), amphiphysin can drive membrane curvature in vitro and in vivo. The structure is similar to that of arfaptin2, which we find also binds and tubulates membranes. From this, we predict that BAR domains are in many protein families, including sorting nexins, centaurins, and oligophrenins. The universal and minimal BAR domain is a dimerization, membrane-binding, and curvature-sensing module.     

Abdominal radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) with systemic coronavirus infection

Ferret systemic coronavirus infection (FSCV) is a systemic disease in ferrets that clinically and pathologically resembles the dry form of FIP. The present study describes abdominal imaging features of 11 ferrets with FSCV. Abdominal survey radiographs were available for eight ferrets and ultrasound examination for all cases. Loss of lumbar musculature, decreased peritoneal detail, presence of mid-abdominal soft-tissue masses and splenomegaly were the most significant radiographic signs in these patients. Ultrasonographic findings including peritonitis, abdominal lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, abdominal soft-tissue masses, nephromegaly and changes in the renal cortex echogenicity were recorded in the majority of cases with FSCV. As an imaging modality, ultrasound is superior to radiology when abdominal contrast is reduced, as it frequently occurs in these cases. However, although imaging techniques provide additional information in the antemortem diagnosis, they can not replace the definitive diagnosis based on histological and immunohistochemical results.     

Novel group A rotavirus G8 P[1] as primary cause of an ovine diarrheic syndrome outbreak in weaned lambs

Rotavirus is a worldwide major cause of diarrhea outbreaks in neonatal ruminants. An outbreak of ovine diarrheic syndrome (ODS) in 50-75 days-old lambs (weaned lambs) is described. Fecal immunochromatography and intestinal immunohistochemistry for rotavirus group A were performed. In addition, semi-nested multiplex RT-PCR for G and P rotavirus genotyping in combination with sequencing were performed, to support the diagnosis and identify the viral strain. A novel ovine rotavirus group A G8 P[1] strain was determined as the main cause of the ODS observed, whereas other pathogens were ruled out.