Development of body temperature regulation in ostrich chicks

Information in the literature indicates that young ostrich chicks, despite being precocial, are poor thermoregulators and may take between 8 and 12 weeks to develop efficient homeothermy. We measured the body temperatures (Tb) of young ostrich chicks (1 to 10 d) at ambient temperatures between 13 degrees and 28 degrees C under controlled conditions in the laboratory and under typical farm-rearing conditions to assess their ability to thermoregulate. Even 1-d-old ostriches could maintain a Tb above 36 degrees C at temperatures of 20 degrees C and older chicks maintained typical adult Tb at ambient temperatures of 13 degrees C in a constant temperature room. Chicks from 2-d-old could maintain adult T(b)s outdoors under a wide range of ambient temperatures and weather conditions. We conclude that ostrich chicks have well developed homeothermy soon after hatching and that some of the higher rearing temperatures recommended in the literature are unnecessary. In appropriate climates, chicks can be allowed outdoors soon after hatching provided they are not exposed to unfavourable weather conditions. Thermoregulation is, however, energetically expensive and thermoregulatory behaviour such as huddling may compete with other important activities like feeding.     

Isolation of brucella abortus from two dogs in contact with bovine brucellosis.

On a farm where several cattle were serologically positive for bovine brucellosis, three dogs were found to have titres greater than 400 i.u. to Brucella abortus. The titres persisted until the dogs were killed over two months later. Two male dogs were necropsied. B. abortus was isolated from the spleen of both dogs. While farm dogs are not thought to be a major reservoir of bovine brucellosis they may be considered as possible carriers in imfected herds and should be considered during the investigation and eradication of bovine brucellosis.     

The effect of piscidin antimicrobial peptides on the formation of Gram-negative bacterial biofilms

Fish-derived antimicrobial peptides are an important part of the innate immune system due to their potent antimicrobial properties. Piscidins are a class of antimicrobial peptides first described in hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis) but have also been identified in many other fish species. Previous work demonstrated the broad antimicrobial activity of piscidins against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial species. This study sought to determine the extent to which class I (striped bass piscidin 1, white bass piscidin 1 and striped bass/white bass piscidin 3) and class II (striped bass piscidin 4 and white bass piscidin 5) piscidins inhibit biofilm formation of different Gram-negative bacteria. In general, the class I and II piscidins demonstrate potent activity against Escherichia coli and Flavobacterium columnare biofilms. The class II piscidins showed more activity against E. coli and F. columnare isolates than did the class I piscidins. The piscidins in general were much less effective against inhibiting Aeromonas hydrophila and A. veronii biofilm growth. Only the class I piscidins showed significant growth inhibition among the Aeromonas spp. examined.     

Characterization of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in some cultivars of Ribes, Aronia, and Sambucus and their antioxidant capacity

Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins were characterized by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS coupled with a diode array and/or fluorescent detector in seven cultivars of Ribes nigrum (black currant) and Ribes rubrum (red currant, Red Lake), six cultivars of Ribes grossularia (gooseberries), Aronia melanocarpa(chokeberry), and Sambucus nigra (elderberry). Thirty-one different anthocyanins were detected in these berries, but not every anthocyanin was observed in each berry. A number of minor anthocyanins were identified from these berries for the first time. The concentrations of individual anthocyanins in all of the berries were quantified using relevant anthocyanidin 3-glucoside standards. Among the berries studied in this paper and in berries in general, chokeberry has the highest total anthocyanin concentrations [1480 mg/100 g of fresh weight (FW)], whereas the lowest total anthocyanin concentration in the berries studied was found in the gooseberry cv. Careless, which contained only 0.07 mg/100 g of FW. Two cultivars of gooseberries (Marigold and Leveller) did not contain any anthocyanins. Total proanthocyanidin concentrations in the berries studied ranged from 23 to 664 mg/100 g of FW in elderberry and chokeberry, respectively. Procyanidin or prodelphinidin polymers were the predominant components (>65% w/w) in most of the berries. The lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant capacities were measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC(FL)) procedure. The total antioxidant capacity varied from 21 micromol of TE/g of FW in Careless gooseberry to 161 micromol of TE/g of FW in chokeberry. Total phenolics in the berries in general paralleled hydrophilic antioxidant capacity.     

Antioxidant capacity of oat (Avena sativa L.) extracts. 1. Inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation and oxygen radical absorbance capacity

Milled oat groat pearlings, trichomes, flour, and bran were extracted with methanol and the fractions tested in vitro for antioxidant capacity against low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and R-phycoerythrin protein oxidation in the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The oxidative reactions were generated by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) HCl (AAPH) or Cu(2+) in the LDL assay and by AAPH or Cu(2+) + H(2)O(2) in the ORAC assay and calibrated against a Trolox standard to calculate Trolox equivalents (1 Trolox equivalent = 1 TE = activity of 1 micromol of Trolox). The antioxidant capacity of the oat fractions was generally consistent with a potency rank of pearlings (2.89-8.58 TE/g) > flour (1.00-3.54 TE/g) > trichome (1.74 TE/g) = bran (1.02-1.62 TE/g) in both LDL and ORAC assays regardless of the free radical generator employed. A portion of the oat antioxidant constituents may be heat labile as the greatest activity was found among non-steam-treated pearlings. The contribution of oat tocols from the fractions accounted for <5% of the measured antioxidant capacity. AAPH-initiated oxidation of LDL was inhibited by the oat fractions in a dose-dependent manner, although complete suppression was not achieved with the highest doses tested. In contrast, Cu(2+)-initiated oxidation of LDL stimulated peroxide formation with low oat concentrations but completely inhibited oxidation with higher doses. Thus, oats possess antioxidant capacity most of which is likely derived from polar phenolic compounds in the aleurone.     

The brain of LB1, Homo floresiensis

The brain of Homo floresiensis was assessed by comparing a virtual endocast from the type specimen (LB1) with endocasts from great apes, Homo erectus, Homo sapiens, a human pygmy, a human microcephalic, specimen number Sts 5 (Australopithecus africanus), and specimen number WT 17000 (Paranthropus aethiopicus). Morphometric, allometric, and shape data indicate that LB1 is not a microcephalic or pygmy. LB1's brain/body size ratio scales like that of an australopithecine, but its endocast shape resembles that of Homo erectus. LB1 has derived frontal and temporal lobes and a lunate sulcus in a derived position, which are consistent with capabilities for higher cognitive processing.     

Anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin content in selected white and red wines. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity comparison with nontraditional wines obtained from highbush blueberry

Antioxidant capacity, as measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC(PE)), total phenolic, total and individual anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidin fraction contents were evaluated in red and white wines from grapes. A comparison in terms of antioxidant capacity is made with nontraditional wines made from highbush blueberry. Blueberries are among fruits that are best recognized for their potential health benefits. In red wines, total oligomeric proanthocyanidin content, including catechins, was substantially higher (177.18 +/- 96.06 mg/L) than that in white wines (8.75 +/- 4.53 mg/L). A relative high correlation in red wines was found between ORAC(PE) values and malvidin compounds (r = 0.75, P < 0.10), and proanthocyanidins (r = 0.87, P < 0.05). In white wines, a significant correlation was found between the trimeric proanthocyanidin fraction and peroxyl radical scavenging values (r = 0.86, P < 0.10). A moderate drink (1 drink per day, about 140 mL) of red wine, or white wine, or wine made from highbush blueberry corresponds to an intake of 2.04 +/- 0.81 mmol of TE, 0.47 +/- 0.15 mmol of TE, and 2.42 +/- 0.88 mmol of TE of ORAC(PE)/day, respectively.     

Screening of foods containing proanthocyanidins and their structural characterization using LC-MS/MS and thiolytic degradation

A normal-phase HPLC-MS/MS method was applied to screen for proanthocyanidins in 88 different kinds of foods. Thirty-nine foods were found to contain proanthocyanidins. These foods include 19 kinds of fruits, eight cereals/beans, seven nuts, two beverages, two spices, and one vegetable. Twenty-five kinds of foods were found to contain both oligomeric (DP 10), and the other 14 foods contained only oligomers. Procyanidins with B-type linkages were detected as the only components in 21 foods and also as principal components in the others. Propelargonidins were identified in pinto bean, raspberry, strawberry, and almond, etc. Plum, avocado, peanut, curry, and cinnamon were identified as potential sources of A-type proanthocyanidins in addition to cranberry. Thiolytic degradation and MS/MS analyses indicated that the A-type linkages are present as a terminal unit in plum or between the extension units in curry, cinnamon, and avocado, whereas A-type linkages exist at both positions in cranberry and peanut.     

Effect of vehicular volume on the early pulmonary injury and inflammatory response in rats inoculated intratracheally with silica

The effect of vehicular saline solution volume on early lesions induced in rats by intratracheal administration of silica was evaluated. Seventy-two male Long-Evans rats were randomly assigned 6 each to 12 factorial groups (3 X 2 X 2): 3 doses of silica (0, 2.5, and 5 mg), 2 volumes of vehicle (saline solution; 0.1 and 0.5 ml), and 2 postinoculation times (1 and 3 days). Lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid supernatant and cell viability of bronchoalveolar cells were used as indicators of cell injury. The number of pulmonary alveolar macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes were used as indicators of inflammatory response. Dose of silica and postinoculation time had a significant (P less than 0.05) effect on the biochemical and cellular composition of lavage fluid. The volume of vehicle in which silica was suspended significantly (P less than 0.05) enhanced the pulmonary injury and inflammatory response. However, dose-volume interaction was only significant (P less than 0.05) in 1 of 6 parameters, indicating that the effect was additive, but not synergistic, in nature. Seemingly, vehicle volume had an enhanced effect on the injury and the inflammatory response induced by intratracheal inoculation of silica.