Anhydrous goat's milk fat: thermal and structural behavior. 1. Crystalline forms obtained by slow cooling

The thermal and structural behaviors of anhydrous goat's milk fat (AGMF) have been determined as a function of temperature using a powerful technique allowing simultaneous time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction as a function of temperature (XRDT) and high-sensivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements from the same sample. This first paper, aiming at the characterization of the physical properties of AGMF, we examine crystalline organizations made by triacylglycerols (TG) upon slow cooling at /dT/dt/ = 0.1 degrees C/min from 45 to -20 degrees C in order to approach system equilibrium. Three overlapped exotherms were observed by DSC upon cooling, whereas four endotherms were found on the subsequent heating at 1 degrees C/min. XRDT evidenced that AGMF crystallizes under four different lamellar structures, two with double-chain length packings at 41.5 and 38.2 angstroms and two with triple-chain lengths of 72 and 64.7 angstroms stacking. Simultaneous wide-angle XRDT has shown that initial nucleation mainly occurs in a packing of beta' type from approximately 26 degrees C, although some transient presence of alpha was detected. The absence of polymorphic transition, on heating, until final melting (approximately 40 degrees C) demonstrated the relative stability of the structures formed.     

Plasma levels of six carotenoids in nine European countries: report from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)

BACKGROUND: In addition to their possible direct biological effects, plasma carotenoids can be used as biochemical markers of fruit and vegetable consumption for identifying diet-disease associations in epidemiological studies. Few studies have compared levels of these carotenoids between countries in Europe. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess the variability of plasma carotenoid levels within the cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). METHODS: Plasma levels of six carotenoids--alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin--were measured cross-sectionally in 3043 study subjects from 16 regions in nine European countries. We investigated the relative influence of gender, season, age, body mass index (BMI), alcohol intake and smoking status on plasma levels of the carotenoids. RESULTS: Mean plasma level of the sum of the six carotenoids varied twofold between regions (1.35 micromol l(-1) for men in Malm?, Sweden vs. 2.79 micromol l(-1) for men in Ragusa/Naples, Italy; 1.61 micromol l(-1) for women in The Netherlands vs. 3.52 micromol l(-1) in Ragusa/Naples, Italy). Mean levels of individual carotenoids varied up to fourfold (alpha-carotene: 0.06 micromol l(-1) for men in Murcia, Spain vs. 0.25 micromol l(-1) for vegetarian men living in the UK). In multivariate regression analyses, region was the most important predictor of total plasma carotenoid level (partial R(2)=27.3%), followed by BMI (partial R(2)=5.2%), gender (partial R(2)=2.7%) and smoking status (partial R(2)=2.8%). Females had higher total carotenoid levels than males across Europe. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma levels of carotenoids vary substantially between 16 different regions in Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Denmark and The Netherlands. Compared with region of residence, the other demographic and lifestyle factors and laboratory measurements have limited predictive value for plasma carotenoid levels in Europe.     

Isozymic polymorphism and phylogeny of 10 Lathyrus species

Isozyme variation and phylogenetic relationships between ten annual andperennial Lathyrus species: L.aphaca, L.articulatus, L.cicera, L.hirsutus, L.latifolius, L.nissolia, L.odoratus, L.ochrus, L.sativus and L.sylvestris were studied. Four enzyme systems,leucine-amino-peptidase (LAP), 6-phosphogluconatedeshydrogenase (6-PGD), glutamateoxalo-acetate transaminase (GOT) and phosphoglucoisomerase(PGI) were analyzed, using gel electrophoresis. Fivepolymorphic loci were detected and eleven alleles were identified at these loci.Zymogram data revealed that almost all-present species studied exhibited isozymepolymorphism. L. latifolius andL. sylvestris maintain high levels ofisozyme diversity, which is probably associated with the perenniality of thesetwo species and their predominantly outcrossing reproduction system. Incontrast, the low level of genetic diversity observed in other species isattributed to their breeding systems. These species are annuals and have higherproportions of selfing. The distribution of genetic variation within and amongspecies showed large genetic differences between the analysed species.PGD-1 andPGD-2 loci contributed the most to thedistinction between species. GOT-2,LAP-1 and PGI-1loci contributed to the distinction within species. The low level of gene flowrevealed could be partly related to the high level of autogamy in the majorityof species. The regroupement of species revealed by Nei's genetic similarityagrees only in parte with Kupicha's classification based on morphologicalcharacters. Thus, these isozymic markers are important in germplasm collectionand conservation.     

Occurrence and characterization of nitrogen-fixing Azospirilla in some soils of Egypt

The occurrence and characterization of N₂-fixing azospirilla in some Egyptian soils has been investigated. Seven soils, representing a wide range in texture and properties were selected from different localities in Egypt. The highest nitrogenase activity reported for soil samples under investigation were related to numbers of N₂-fixing microorganisms (Azotobacter spp., Azospirillum spp., and Clostridium spp.). Seven strains of azospirilla were isolated and purified. Based on morphological characteristics, three types of cell morphology were distinguished. Cultural and physiological characteristics as well as nitrogenase activity of representative isolates in presence of different concentrations of NaCl were determined. According to the physiological properties studied, all isolates were classified as members of Azospirillum brasilense.     

Evaluation of the phenolic content in the aerial parts of different varieties of Cichorium intybus L

Fresh aerial parts of different chicory varieties: green chicory (c.v. "Catalogna"), two red chicory varieties ("radicchio rosso di Chioggia" and "radicchio rosso di Treviso"), and Witloof or Belgian endive were analyzed by HPLC/DAD/MS. The chromatographic fingerprint was diagnostic for each variety. A monocaffeoyl tartaric acid, chlorogenic acid, and chicoric acid were detected in all the varieties, while cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, delphinidin 3-O-(6' malonyl) glucoside, and cyanidin 3-O-(6' malonyl) glucoside were the main phenolic compounds in the red varieties. The flavonoidic compounds, quercetin 3-O-glucuronide and luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, were absent in the Witloof sample. The phenolic compounds from total leaves were the same as those obtained from only the colored parts; nevertheless, the total amount was remarkably lower with a decrease of up to 80% for Belgian endive. Chemical stability at high temperature was observed for the phenolic fraction from the green variety after decoction at 100 degrees C for 30 min.     

Improved HPLC determination of phenolic compounds in cv. golden delicious apples using a monolithic column

A rapid HPLC-DAD determination of phenols in apple using an RP monolithic column is reported. Because of the hydrodynamic advantages offered by this kind of column and the use of acidified acetonitrile as eluent, assays of apple extracts can be performed in <21 min. Assays of pulp and peel extracts were carried out without the need for time-consuming sample pretreatment except filtration. Several flavanols, hydroxycinnamic acids, dihydrochalcones, and six quercetin glycosides were identified and quantified. A seventh quercetin derivative, two chalcone-related compounds, and three hydroxycinnamic derivatives were also found. Peels proved to be richer in phenols than pulps, the former being composed mainly of (-)-epicatechin, procyanidin B2, chlorogenic acid, phloridzin, hyperin, and avicularin. In pulps, where the chlorogenic acid was the principal phenolic compound, quercetin glycosides were found in very low amounts.     

Impacts of the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution and KPg extinction on mammal diversification

Previous analyses of relations, divergence times, and diversification patterns among extant mammalian families have relied on supertree methods and local molecular clocks. We constructed a molecular supermatrix for mammalian families and analyzed these data with likelihood-based methods and relaxed molecular clocks. Phylogenetic analyses resulted in a robust phylogeny with better resolution than phylogenies from supertree methods. Relaxed clock analyses support the long-fuse model of diversification and highlight the importance of including multiple fossil calibrations that are spread across the tree. Molecular time trees and diversification analyses suggest important roles for the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution and Cretaceous-Paleogene (KPg) mass extinction in opening up ecospace that promoted interordinal and intraordinal diversification, respectively. By contrast, diversification analyses provide no support for the hypothesis concerning the delayed rise of present-day mammals during the Eocene Period.     

Staphylococcus aureus seroproteomes discriminate ruminant isolates causing mild or severe mastitis

ABSTRACT: Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of mastitis in ruminants. In ewe mastitis, symptoms range from subclinical to gangrenous mastitis. S. aureus factors or host-factors contributing to the different outcomes are not completely elucidated. In this study, experimental mastitis was induced on primiparous ewes using two S. aureus strains, isolated from gangrenous (strain O11) or subclinical (strain O46) mastitis. Strains induced drastically distinct clinical symptoms when tested in ewe and mice experimental mastitis. Notably, they reproduced mild (O46) or severe (O11) mastitis in ewes. Ewe sera were used to identify staphylococcal immunoreactive proteins commonly or differentially produced during infections of variable severity and to define core and accessory seroproteomes. Such SERological Proteome Analysis (SERPA) allowed the identification of 89 immunoreactive proteins, of which only 52 (58.4%) were previously identified as immunogenic proteins in other staphylococcal infections. Among the 89 proteins identified, 74 appear to constitute the core seroproteome. Among the 15 remaining proteins defining the accessory seroproteome, 12 were specific for strain O11, 3 were specific for O46. Distribution of one protein specific for each mastitis severity was investigated in ten other strains isolated from subclinical or clinical mastitis. We report here for the first time the identification of staphylococcal immunogenic proteins common or specific to S. aureus strains responsible for mild or severe mastitis. These findings open avenues in S. aureus mastitis studies as some of these proteins, expressed in vivo, are likely to account for the success of S. aureus as a pathogen of the ruminant mammary gland.     

Efficacy of a novel topical combination of fipronil, amitraz and (S)-methoprene for treatment and control of induced infestations of brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) on dogs

Four laboratory studies were conducted to demonstrate that a single topical dose of a novel spot-on combination containing fipronil, amitraz and (S)-methoprene (CERTIFECT?, Merial Limited, GA, USA) is efficacious against the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. In each study, 6-8 male and 6-8 female purpose-bred, laboratory mongrels, terrier cross or Beagles were randomly assigned to one of two study groups (treated and untreated), based on pre-treatment parasite counts. Starting on the day before treatment, each dog was infested weekly with 50 ticks. Ticks were thumb counted at various time points after treatment and weekly infestations starting as early as 6h and continued at 12, 18 and 24h depending on the study. Ticks were removed and counted at 48 h after treatment and weekly infestations. CERTIFECT provided rapid and excellent control of pre-existing and newly acquired infestations of R. sanguineus with efficacy as high as 93% within the first 12h after a single topical treatment. Excellent control (>96%) of R. sanguineus as early as 18 h, following post treatment infestations was maintained for at least 35 days.