Effects of different forms and origins of oilseeds on dynamics of ruminal biohydrogenation of long‐chain fatty acids in vitro

Dietary unsaturated fatty acids (FA) are intensively hydrogenated in the rumen, resulting in reduced amount of poly‐unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and accumulation of several biohydrogenation (BH) products. In this study, BH of PUFA originating from different oilseeds (linseed, soya beans, sunflower seed and rapeseed) present in crushed oilseeds or their free oils were assessed in vitro. The assay substrates were incubated in buffered rumen fluid for 0, 6, 12 and 24 h. After incubation, the FA pattern of the incubated samples was analysed using gas chromatography. Biohydrogenation is defined as disappearance of double bonds (DB) calculated from the contents of unsaturated FA. After 24‐h incubation, the DB contents of all oilseeds were reduced (p < 0.001) by 40–60%. The reduction was higher (p < 0.001) for the crushed form compared with the oil form. In addition, linseed and sunflower seed known as oilseeds with high contents of linolenic acid C18:3 c9,12,15 (LNA) and linoleic acid C18:2 c9,12 (LA), respectively, showed a higher (p < 0.001) accumulation of the BH intermediates conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, isomer C18:2 c9t11) and vaccenic acid (C18:1 t11) for the crushed form, when compared with the oil. These results suggest an inherent effect of the physical form of the assay oilseeds on in vitro BH. Changes in FA pattern during BH in vitro can be attributed to both source and physical form of the assay oilseeds. However, further investigations are warranted to ensure whether the observed in vitro effects on ruminal BH can be confirmed in vivo.     

Relationship of Sperm Quality to Fertility after 4 Days of Cooled Storage of Equine Semen

This study evaluated measures of sperm quality in relation to fertility achieved with fresh semen or semen cooled and stored. Semen from 1 stallion was collected and processed to provide 3 treatments: group 1 received fresh semen; group 2 received cooled semen containing 50% seminal plasma (SP) stored for 4 days; and group 3 received cooled semen containing 50% SP stored for 1 day, then centrifuged and resuspended in fresh extender containing 10% SP on days 1 to 3. Inseminates were evaluated for sperm motion characteristics and the percentage of sperm with intact membranes (SMI). Mares (n = 34) in estrus were treated with an ovulation-inducing drug and inseminated with 100 million membrane-intact sperm on the following day. Pregnancy status was determined via transrectal ultrasonography 2 weeks after ovulation. The mean percentage of SMI was higher in group 1 (81%, initial) than in group 2 (74%, day 4) or group 3 (74%, day 4) (P < .05). The median percentages of total sperm motility differed among the groups (77%, 5%, 59% for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively; P < .05). Median values for the percentages of progressively motile sperm and curvilinear velocity for group 1 (55%, 216 μm/s) and 3 (37%, 186 μm/s) were higher than for group 2 (1%, 73 μm/s) (P < .05). Pregnancy rates did not differ among groups (5 of 11, 45% in group 1; 5 of 11, 45% in group 2; and 7 of 12, 58%, in group 3; P = .77). These data suggest that, at least for this stallion, sperm membrane integrity may be a more valuable means of assessing potential fertility of cooled-stored semen than sperm motion characteristics.     

Increasing Tree Cover in Degrading Landscapes: ‘Integration’ and ‘Intensification’ of Smallholder Forest Culture in the Alutilla Valley,Matiranga, Bangladesh

Research was conducted in Alutilla Valley in eastern Bangladesh to identify the nature of existing agroforestry systems and to identify potential agroforestry models that could ameliorate currently degrading forest resources Data were collected through farmer participatory research and a structured quarterly survey in two villages. Qualitative and supplementary quantitative analysis methods were used to assess the financial potential of agroforestry systems. Various patterns of agroforestry exist in the study site, but all have two common principles, namely ‘integration with agriculture’ and ‘multi-functionality’. Two agroforestry models suitable for adoption by farmers have been identified. Multi-strata agroforestry, based on a fruit and timber tree canopy with vegetables and tuber species in the understorey, can be practiced in the shifting cultivation fields near settlements. Fruit and timber tree-based conservation agroforestry is well suited to manage large-scale biologically depleted landscapes. Both systems yield early financial returns, facilitating the change from shifting cultivation to multi-strata agroforestry or fruit and tree-based conservation agroforestry.     

A concept to define a quantitative measure of mixture state

Mixing is a mechanical operation to distribute components evenly in a plane or a space. Composite molding and textile manufacturing industries are routinely taking advantage of mixing operations in order to distribute raw materials uniformly or in a specific way during composite molding or textile producing processes. Key issues to identify any mixed state are (1) the time needed to accomplish through mixing (the time scale) and (2) the extent of the homogeneity of the mixture in a plane (the length scale). In this paper, a new concept of mixture status is focused on the length scale. The goal to derive a new concept of mixture status is to establish a measure to describe the mixed extent of a mixture consisting of two components, derived from clump size and clump distribution. To verify the usefulness of the newly conceived “Mixedness Index”, the suggested definition was compared with the existing coefficient of variation (CV) method based on simulation and experiments. Results showed a reasonable relationship between the Mixedness Index and observation, demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed Mixedness Index for industrial applications.     

Comparison of core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes for antemortem diagnosis of enzootic bovine lymphosarcoma in cattle

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether antemortem core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes could be used to distinguish between inflammation and lymphosarcoma in cattle. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 25 cattle with enlarged peripheral lymph nodes. PROCEDURES: Antemortem biopsies of the selected lymph nodes were performed with an 18-gauge, 12-cm core needle biopsy instrument. Fine-needle aspirates were performed with a 20-gauge, 4-cm needle. Specimens were analyzed by pathologists who were unaware of clinical findings and final necropsy findings, and specimens were categorized as reactive, neoplastic, or nondiagnostic for comparison with necropsy results. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of core needle biopsy ranged from 38% to 67% and from 80% to 25%, respectively. Sensitivity of fine-needle aspiration ranged from 41% to 53%, and specificity was 100%. Predictive values for positive test results ranged from 77% to 89% for core needle biopsy and were 100% for fine-needle aspiration. Predictive values for negative test results were low for both core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration can aid in the antemortem diagnosis of bovine enzootic lymphosarcoma. Results of fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes were more specific and more predictive for a positive test result than were results of core needle biopsy.     

Chemical composition of caneberry (Rubus spp.) seeds and oils and their antioxidant potential

Caneberries (Rubus spp. L.) are grown primarily throughout the Pacific Northwestern United States and Canada. Processing of caneberry fruit typically removes the seed, and the development of a value-added use of seeds could expand the market for caneberries and the profit margins for growers. An initial step toward the use of the seeds is a characterization of seed and oil. Our investigation has described compositional characteristics for seeds of five commonly grown caneberry species: red raspberry, black raspberry, boysenberry, Marion blackberry, and evergreen blackberry. Seeds from all five species had 6-7% protein and 11-18% oil. The oils contained 53-63% linoleic acid, 15-31% linolenic acid, and 3-8% saturated fatty acids. The two smaller seeded raspberry species had higher percentages of oil, the lowest amounts of saturated fatty acid, and the highest amounts of linolenic acid. Antioxidant capacities were detected both for whole seeds and for cold-pressed oils but did not correlate to total phenolics or tocopherols. Ellagitannins and free ellagic acid were the main phenolics detected in all five caneberry species and were approximately 3-fold more abundant in the blackberries and the boysenberry than in the raspberries.     

Evaluation of brief dietary questions to estimate vegetable and fruit consumption - using serum carotenoids and red-cell folate

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate responses to self-administered brief questions regarding consumption of vegetables and fruit by comparison with blood levels of serum carotenoids and red-cell folate. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which participants reported their usual intake of fruit and vegetables in servings per day, and serum levels of five carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin and lycopene) and red-cell folate were measured. Serum carotenoid levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and red-cell folate by an automated immunoassay system. SETTINGS AND SUBJECTS: Between October and December 2000, a sample of 1598 adults aged 25 years and over, from six randomly selected urban centres in Queensland, Australia, were examined as part of a national study conducted to determine the prevalence of diabetes and associated cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Statistically significant (P<0.01) associations with vegetable and fruit intake (categorised into groups: /=4 servings per day) were observed for alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin and red-cell folate. The mean level of these carotenoids and of red-cell folate increased with increasing frequency of reported servings of vegetables and fruit, both before and after adjusting for potential confounding factors. A significant association with lycopene was observed only for vegetable intake before adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that brief questions may be a simple and valuable tool for monitoring vegetable and fruit intake in this population.     

Metal concentration in the gill,gastrointestinal tract,and carcass of white suckers (Catostomus commersoni) in relation to lake acidity

Adult white suckers were collected from four lakes in Maine that ranged in pH from 7.0 to 5.4. The gastrointestinal tract and remainder of the carcass of fishes of similar age and size from each lake, and gills from additional fishes of similar size, were analyzed for Al, Cd, Pb, and Zn. Carcasses were also analyzed for Hg. Concentrations of Al, Cd, and Pb were highest in the gastrointestinal tract and lowest in the carcass; Zn concentration was highest in the gill. For carcass, all metals except Al differed significantly among lakes, for gill tissue Cd and Pb differed, and for gastrointestinal tract, only Cd differed among lakes. Where differences were significant, patterns among lakes were similar in each tissue analyzed. Concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Pb were negatively correlated with lake water pH, acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), Ca, and lake:watershed area, and positively correlated with lake water SO₄, indicating that concentrations were higher in fish from more acidic lakes. Zinc concentrations in gills were unrelated to lake acidity, and carcass concentrations were higher in the less acidic lakes, which is the opposite of the pattern for the other metals studied. Zinc in gastrointestinal tract did not differ among lakes. Although the lakes we studied were located in undisturbed watersheds and did not receive any point source discharges, fish metal concentrations were comparable to or higher than those reported from waters receiving industrial discharges.     

Composition,distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the western harbour of alexandria,egypt

Aim and Background  Little data are available on the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Mediterranean Sea Coast of Egypt in general and the Alexandria coastal zone in particular. It was therefore deemed necessary to set up a monitoring programme to determine the current concentrations of PAHs in bottom sediments, and to identify any area where high concentrations of these potential hazardous contaminants were present in the Western Harbour of Alexandria. Methods  The composition, distribution and the source of PAHs in surficial sediments of the harbour were investigated. To document the spatial PAH input, surficial sediment samples from 23 locations throughout the harbour were analysed. as]Results and Discussion The total PAH load determined in the surficial sediment samples ranged from 8 to 131150 ng g¹ dry wt, generally with most of the samples having total concentrations of PAHs greater than 5000 ng g¹ dry weight. The highest concentration of total PAHs was recorded in sediments of the inner harbour. Ratio values of specific compounds such as phenanthrene to anthracene, fluoranthrene to pyrene, methyl-phen-anthrene to phenanthrene, methyl-dibenzothiophenes to dibenzothiophenes, alkylated to non-alkylated and high molecular weight to low molecular weight PAH, were calculated to evaluate the possible source of PAH contamination in the harbour sediments. Conclusions  Two main sources of PAH in the study area have been found: pyrolytic and petrogenic. Interferences of rather petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH contaminations were noticed for most samples. The dominant sources of PAH appear to be the combustion processes through run-off, industrial and sewage discharges, and atmospheric input. The concentrations of PAHs were generally above levels expected to cause adverse biological effects. Recommendations and outlook  Information from this study and any other relevant studies should be useful in designing future strategies for environmental protection and management of the harbour.