Effect of red propolis extract isolated or encapsulated in nanoparticles on the in vitro culture of sheep preantral follicle: Impacts on antrum formation,mitochondrial activity and glutathione levels

This study aimed to characterize the hydroethanolic extract of red propolis (HERP) and nanoparticles containing HERP for using as an additive in the culture medium of isolated ovine preantral follicles. HERP was characterized by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and determination of flavonoid content, and the nanoparticles by the mean particle diameter, polydispersity index (PI) and encapsulation efficiency (EE). The effect of HERP (10 and 20 ηg/ml—HERP10 and HERP20 groups) and nanoparticles (NP10 and NP20 groups) on isolated secondary follicles cultured in vitro for 12 days was observed by morphological evaluation, oxidative stress markers (reactive oxygen species—ROS and glutathione—GSH) and active mitochondria. HPLC showed formononetin as the major compound in the HERP (63.92 ± 0.21 μg/mL). The content of flavonoids ranged from 2.14% to 11.00%. The nanoparticles showed mean diameter of 287.5 ± 3.9 and 479 ± 18.1 ηm; PI of 0.117 ± 0.018 and 0.316 ± 0.039; and EE of 67.15% and 41%, respectively, for the NP10 and NP20 groups. After 12 days of culture, HERP20 and NP20 increased (p < 0.05) the percentage of normal follicles compared to NP10. HERP20 showed significantly higher percentages of antrum formation than control medium (MEM) and NP10 (p < 0.05). HERP20 also showed an increase (p < 0.05) in mitochondrial activity compared to the other treatments, except NP20 (p > 0.05), and increased GSH levels (p < 0.05) compared to MEM and HERP10. In conclusion, use of HERP (20 ηg/ml) on in vitro culture of isolated ovine preantral follicles can increase antrum formation, mitochondrial activity and GSH levels.     

Pharmacokinetics of low‐dose methotrexate in healthy beagle dogs

Methotrexate may be an alternative to ciclosporin in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) as suggested by recent data. The aim of the study was to investigate both the tolerance and the pharmacokinetic behavior of methotrexate (MTX) in plasma, following intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.) or oral (OR) administration over several weeks. Six healthy dogs were given oral MTX once a week, respectively, per dog at 2.5 mg/1 week, 5 mg/4 weeks, 7.5 mg/3 weeks, 10 mg/6 weeks and 12.5 mg/5 weeks. No clinically relevant abnormalities of laboratory parameters were noticed. A high inter‐individual variation of MTX plasma concentration was observed with a suspicion of saturation phenomenon in absorption. To compare with other routes of administration, six healthy beagle dogs followed a crossover design study at 7.5 mg per dog MTX. The absolute bioavailability was 93% for SC injection and 30% for the oral route. The inter‐individual variability was quite low following SC administration compared to oral route. Just as in human, given the substantial variability of oral absorption, clinicians cannot assume consistent oral bioavailability of MTX. Therefore, they may consider switching dogs to the SC route in case of absence of clinical response with a weekly oral dose.     

Pyogenic granuloma of the cornea in a pony: Uncommon complication of corneal wound healing

A 6-year-old miniature Shetland pony mare was referred for evaluation of a left corneal mass, which developed from the healing tissue of a corneal traumatic ulceration that had occurred 4 weeks previously. On gross examination, a spherical, smooth-surfaced, and pink-colored lesion of about 1 cm in diameter was protruding from the left palpebral fissure. Ophthalmic examination revealed that it was attached to the scar tissue of the cornea, and that one corpora nigra was adherent to the posterior face of corneal wounded area, without sign of uveitis. The remainder of the ophthalmic examination was unremarkable. The mass was excised, and cryotherapy was used as an adjunctive therapy. Histopathology of the resected mass was consistent with a pyogenic granuloma on the basis of radially oriented proliferating capillaries, embedded in immature granulation tissue containing an infiltrate of neutrophils, plasma cells and eosinophils. There were no histological features of malignancy. 2 months after surgery, the ventral part of the fibrotic corneal scar was slightly raised by a pink tissue, suggesting possible recurrence of the initial lesion. A second cryotherapy was performed over the leukoma area. No recurrence has been noted for a follow-up period of more than 25 months. Pyogenic granuloma is a benign proliferative fibrovascular response that typically develops after trauma or surgery. Corneal involvement is rare in humans, and to the authors' knowledge has never been documented in veterinary ophthalmology.     

Diffusion of aroma compounds in stirred yogurts with different complex viscosities

To better understand aroma release in relation to yogurt structure and perception, the apparent diffusivity of aroma compounds within complex dairy gels was determined using an experimental diffusion cell. Apparent diffusion coefficients of four aroma compounds (diacetyl, ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, and linalool) at 7 degrees C in yogurts (varying in composition and structure) ranged from 0.07 x 10 (-10) to 8.91 x 10 (-10) m (2) s (-1), depending on aroma compounds and on product structure. The strong effect of yogurt fat content on the apparent diffusivity of hydrophobic compounds was revealed (15-fold and 50-fold decreases in the apparent diffusion coefficient of linalool and ethyl hexanoate, respectively). Protein composition seemed to have a greater effect than that of mechanical treatment. However, variations in the apparent diffusion coefficient for the considered products remained limited and cannot completely explain differences in flavor release and in perception that were previously observed.     

Flavored yogurt complex viscosity influences real-time aroma release in the mouth and sensory properties

The influence of flavored yogurt texture on aroma perception and in-nose aroma release measured by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry analysis was investigated. The study was carried out on six yogurts varied by protein composition and mechanical treatment. For the same matrix composition, the complex viscosity of yogurts influenced in-nose release and perception. After swallowing, aroma release and intensity of olfactory perception were stronger in low-viscosity yogurts than in high-viscosity yogurts. Moreover, the protein composition influenced aroma release only when yogurts exhibited wide variations of complex viscosity and consequently texture. In mouth, aroma release and perception were influenced more by yogurt mechanical treatment than by protein composition. On the basis of mass transfer analysis, the main physical mechanism which could explain the difference in aroma release would be the surface exchange area developed in the mouth and in the throat.     

Lumber recovery and value of dead and sound black spruce trees grown in the North Shore region of Québec

Context

To increase the wood supply to its industry, the government of Québec has allocated dead and sound wood (recently dead merchantable stems, DSW) to the wood supply chain in addition to the annual allowable cut of living trees. However, DSW is often criticized by sawmillers for its perceived poor quality and lower value.

Aims

The objective of this study was to compare the lumber visual grade yield and value from live and recently dead merchantable trees in three different states of wood decomposition.

Methods

In total, 162 black spruce trees [Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP] were felled from three different sites comprising three different states of wood decomposition and three diameter classes. The state of decomposition of each standing tree was categorized following Hunter??s classification (decay stages 1 & 2, 3 and 4) and the DSW classification developed by the Government of Québec.

Results

Large trees (> 20?cm) of the Hunter 4 class have a lower value as a result of inferior quality.

Conclusion

Considering the current economic difficulties facing the forest industry and the requirements of ecosystem-based management, we recommend leaving in the forest trees that have reached such a state of deterioration.     

The fungal T-2 toxin alters the activation of primary macrophages induced by TLR-agonists resulting in a decrease of the inflammatory response in the pig

T-2 toxin is known to be one of the most toxic trichothecene mycotoxins. Exposure to T-2 toxin induces many hematologic and immunotoxic disorders and is involved in immuno-modulation of the innate immune response. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of T-2 toxin on the activation of macrophages by different agonists of Toll-like receptors (TLR) using an in vitro model of primary porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM). Cytotoxic effects of T-2 toxin on PAM were first evaluated. An IC₅₀ of 19.47 ± 0.9753 nM was determined for the cytotoxicity of T-2 toxin. A working concentration of 3 nM of T-2 toxin was chosen to test the effect of T-2 toxin on TLR activation; this dose was not cytotoxic and did not induce apoptosis as demonstrated by Annexin/PI staining. A pre-exposure of macrophages to 3 nM of T-2 toxin decreased the production of inflammatory mediators (IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, nitric oxide) in response to LPS and FSL1, TLR4 and TLR2/6 agonists respectively. The decrease of the pro-inflammatory response is associated with a decrease of TLR mRNA expression. By contrast, the activation of TLR7 by ssRNA was not modulated by T-2 toxin pre-treatment. In conclusion, our results suggest that ingestion of low concentrations of T-2 toxin affects the TLR activation by decreasing pattern recognition of pathogens and thus interferes with initiation of inflammatory immune response against bacteria and viruses. Consequently, mycotoxins could increase the susceptibility of humans and animals to infectious diseases.