The Effect of Methanolic Valeriana officinalis Root Extract on Adipocyte Differentiation and Adiponectin Production in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ and its endocrine function is closely associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) exerts some...     

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Detectable Antibodies in Equids in Alabama

A cross-sectional serological survey was carried out to screen the equine population of the nonendemic state of Alabama for the presence of detectable antibody titers against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. A second objective was to determine the association of detectable titers with risk factors such as exposure to ruminants or previous travel to endemic states. A total of 342 equine serum samples from 40 Alabama counties were analyzed using the synergistic hemolysis inhibition test (SHI). The prevalence of detectable antibody titers (≥1:8) was 52.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 47%–57.9%). Titers ≥1:128 were detected in 2.63% (95% CI, 1.2%–4.9%), and titers ≥1:512 were detected in 0.3% (95% CI, 0%–1.6%) of the sampled population. In the final generalized linear model, age (P < .001), breed (P = .023), and contact with cattle (P = .05) were associated with increasing SHI titers. Contact with goats was associated in the initial but not in the final analysis (P = .19). Previous travel was not associated with increasing SHI titer (P = .97). The results demonstrated a high prevalence of low detectable titers and low prevalence of titers ≥ 1:128 in a nonendemic population. Further evaluation of SHI cutoff titers and accuracy is warranted to reduce the risk of a false positive diagnosis.     

Prediction of baking results from farinograph measurements by using stepwise linear regression and artificial neuronal networks

In an effort to extract additional data from farinograph experiments a model was developed to simulate the measurements and correlate the parameters of the model with results from baking tests. This additional information can be used in bakeries to predict the baking properties of the flours and adjust the recipes to maintain a constant product quality. For this eight different flours were characterized with a farinograph and 13 different results from baking experiments. An approach with five nonlinear differential equations was able to model the farinograph measurements very well (average R² = 0.995 ± 0.005). While a stepwise multilinear regression only showed weak correlations in cross validation between a single parameter of the model and the baking volume (R² = 0.745) and the volume yield (R² = 0.796) respectively, the artificial neuronal network was more successful. For the baking weight (R² = 0.926), the dough yield gross (R² = 0.909) and net (R² = 0.913) strong correlations were found. A good correlation for the baking volume (R² = 0.853) was also determined, while the volume yield showed comparable results to the linear regression (R² = 0.792).     

Surgical Repair of a Diaphragmatic Tear in a Thoroughbred Broodmare

A 9-year-old multiparous Thoroughbred broodmare presented for evaluation of acute signs of colic. The patient had a 4-month history of poor appetite, weight loss, and decreased body condition after parturition, despite appropriate feeding by the farm to minimize weight loss associated with increased nutrient requirements. The patient was diagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia through transabdominal and thoracic ultrasonography. The diaphragmatic hernia was repaired surgically under general anesthesia.     

Feeding Solanum glaucophyllum to preparturient multiparous cows prevents postparturient hypocalcemia

Solanum glaucophyllum (SG) contains 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25‐(OH)₂D₃) glycosides. We investigated the effect of SG on hypocalcemia in cows. Serum levels of 1,25‐(OH)₂D₃, total calcium and phosphorus dose‐relatedly increased after feeding with SG, while serum magnesium and chloride levels fell (P < 0.05). We also performed an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) infusion to induce artificial hypocalcemia. Cows that had been fed 4.0 mg/kg body weight of SG daily for 2 weeks had a higher serum concentration of total calcium at the end of EDTA infusion than those not fed SG (P < 0.05). In a field trial, multiparous cows were assigned to one of four groups: (1) no SG, (2) 1.3 g or (3) 2.6 g of SG daily from 14 days before the estimated calving day until 3 days after calving, or (4) a single feed of 35.75 g SG at 3 days before the estimated calving day. The concentrations of serum total calcium after the calving in each treatment group were (1) 7.4, (2) 7.9, (3) 8.0 and (4) 8.9 mg/dL and higher for (4) than for (1) (P < 0.05). The data suggests that feeding a high dose of SG before the calving may maintain higher concentrations of serum calcium after the calving.     

Fibronectin modified expression of Sonic hedgehog in ATRA-mediated neuronal differentiation

In this study, the effect of fibronectin on the neurite outgrowth from embryoid bodies (EBs) in neurodifferentiated embryonal carcinoma P19 cells was examined. The neurite outgrowth on fibronectin was maintained for a longer time in comparison with those on collagen or laminin. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that mRNA level corresponding to sonic hedgehog (Shh) in neurodifferentiated P19 cells was upregulated on fibronectin, whereas collagen or laminin did not affect. Further knockdown of integrin αv subunit in P19 cells demonstrated that expression of Shh was mediated through interaction between fibronectin and integrin. Additionally, exogenous Shh agonist accelerated neurite outgrowth from embryonic stem cell-derived EBs without large change of neuronal phenotype expression. Taken together, fibronectin could maintain neurite outgrowth via increased Shh expression.     

Toxicokinetics and absolute oral bioavailability of melamine in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to investigate the toxicokinetic characteristics of melamine in broilers due to the limited information available for livestock. Melamine was then administered to broiler chickens at an intravenous (i.v.) or oral (p.o.) dosage of 5.5 mg/kg of body weight, and plasma samples were collected up to 48 h. The concentration of melamine in each plasma sample was analyzed using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Melamine was measurable up to 24 h after i.v. and p.o. administration. A one‐compartment model was developed to describe the toxicokinetics of melamine in broilers. Following i.v. administration, the values for the elimination half‐life (t_1/2β), the volume of distribution (V_d), and the clearance (CL) were 4.42 ± 1.02 h, 00.52 ± 0.18 L/kg, and 0.08 ± 0.01 L/h/kg, respectively. The absolute oral bioavailability (F) was 95.63 ± 3.54%. The results suggest that most of the administered melamine is favorably absorbed from the alimentary tract and rapidly cleared by the kidneys in broiler chickens.     

Devastation of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) crops in different agroclimatic zones of India by genetically diverse subgroups of phytoplasma

The sesame crop is highly susceptible to infection by phytoplasmas, a class of cell wall-less plant pathogenic bacteria (Mollicutes), which is responsible for widespread loss of sesame crops in both North and South India in recent years. Therefore, characterizing the pathogen population is required before the control measures can be devised and implemented. With molecular tools based on nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, sequencing, restriction profiling, and phylogenetic analysis, phyllody-affected sesame plants collected from nine different states of India were found to be infected by phytoplasmas belonging to two 16Sr groups, namely 16SrI and II. Two subgroups of phytoplasma −16SrI-B and 16SrII-D— were prevalent in symptomatic sesame samples collected from North India, whereas phytoplasma of only the 16SrII group was found in South India. However, the latter samples were diverse, belonging to three different subgroups (16SrII-A, II-C, and II-D). In addition, yearly phyllody-affected sesame samples from Delhi for 4 consecutive years (2007–2010) showed variation in the infecting phytoplasma: the subgroup 16SrII-D was detected in samples collected in 2007, and 16SrI-B was predominantly found in the samples collected in the subsequent years. The study also provides molecular evidence for the association between 16SrI-B phytoplasma and different symptoms in sesame crops such as fasciation, little leaf, and stunting. This is the first study to report the association of the phytoplasma subgroups 16SrII-A and II-D with sesame crops in India. This study provides a baseline for designing specific detection and molecular analysis strategies for quarantine purposes. It also highlights the need for examining the dynamics of seasonal or location-specific variation in vector populations to determine the pattern of infection outbreaks.     

Decreasing of methanogenic activity in paddy fields via lowering ponding water temperature: A modeling investigation

Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas and the huge CH₄ fluxes emitted from paddy fields can prejudice the eco-compatibility of rice cultivation. CH₄ production in submerged rice crops is known to be highly influenced by water temperature. Hence, lowering ponding water temperature (LPWT) could be an option to mitigate CH₄ emissions from paddy environments when it is possible either to irrigate with slightly colder water or to increase ponding water depth. However, paddy soil is a complex environment in which many processes are simultaneously influenced by temperature, leading to a difficult prediction of LPWT effects. For this reason, LPWT efficiency is here theoretically investigated with a one-dimensional process-based model that simulates the vertical and temporal dynamics of water temperature in soil and the fate of chemical compounds that influence CH₄ emissions. The model is validated with literature measured data of CH₄ emissions from a paddy field under time-variable temperature regime. Based on modeling results, LPWT appears promising since the simulated reduction of CH₄ emissions reaches about −12% and −49% for an LPWT equal to −5 °C during the ripening stage only (last 30 days of growing season, when rice is less sensitive to temperature variations) and −2 °C over the whole growing season, respectively. LPWT affects CH₄ emissions either directly (decreasing methanogenic activity), indirectly (decreasing activity of bacteria using alternative electron acceptors), or both. The encouraging results provide the theoretical ground for further laboratory and field studies aimed to investigate the LPWT feasibility in paddy environments.