Effect of short term ingestion ofTelfaria occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) on the liver

Four groups of female mice (18–22g) were fed for at least 10 days on a control diet or diets with addedTelfaria occidentalis (10% w/w) vegetables. Group 1 were the control animals. Group 2 were fed the vegetable diet alone. Group 3 were fed the control diet and injected with aflatoxin B₁(AFB₁, 0.35 mg/kg/day) in the last 3 days. Group 4 were fed with the vegetable diet and similarly treated for 3 days with AFB₁. No effects attributable to treatment were encountered in body weight, food intake, water intake and relative liver weight (g/100 g body weight). Decreases (17–40%) in PB sleeping time in the vegetable fed animals were not significant (P>0.05) in comparison to the control. Microsomal proteins increased by 2 fold in group 2 but were apparently normal in groups 3 and 4. In group 2 the activities of liver microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase and NADH-cytochrome c reductase increased but those of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and aniline hydroxylase decreased. Increases were observed in the activities of all of these enzymes in groups 3 and 4. The highest increases were observed in glucose-6-phosphatase activity in mice fed the vegetables and also injected with AFB₁.     

Effects of short and long term treatment of Ballota undulata on female albino rats fertility and pregnancy

The objectives of this study is to investigate the toxic effects of Ballota undulata (300 mg kg(-1) b.wt.) on the reproductive system after administration to female Sprague-Dawley rats for two time periods 4 and 12 weeks. Forty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two treatment and two control groups of 10 rats each. The two treated groups received 15 mg kg(-1) b.wt. of Ballota undulata for two periods of 4 and 12 weeks. Female rats were allowed mating with males after treatment. Several pregnancy parameters were investigated including: total number of pregnant rats, body weight and reproductive organ weight, number of implantation sites, number of resorption sites and number of viable fetuses. The significance of these results was calculated using student's t and Chi-square tests. Exposure to Ballota undulata for 4 weeks did not have significant effects on most parameters investigated. However, a slight decrease in the relative ovarian and embryo weights was observed. Administration of Ballota undulata for 12 weeks significantly reduced the percentage of pregnancies and the number of implantation sites when compared with controls. In addition, a decrease in ovarian weights and in viable fetuses' number was also observed. Histological sections of ovaries of female treated with Ballota undulata were found to have congested blood vessels in cortical and medullary regions. We also noted the arrestment of developing follicles at primary and secondary stages in addition to presence of degenerative areas and hypercellullarity in medulla. Long term treatment with Ballota undulata might lead to diversified negative effects on fertility and pregnancy in female rats.     

Clinical evaluation of repeated propofol total intravenous anesthesia in dog

This current study designed to evaluate any possible changes in required doses and other cardiopulmonary findings after repeated propofol total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in dog. The study was conducted in 6 healthy sheepdogs, weight between 16.5 and 28 kg. Anaesthesia induced by 8 mg kg(-1) of propofol and maintained by continuous propofol (0.3 mg/kg/min) infusion in saline solution. All dogs received three times of propofol anaesthesia with the same protocol in a cross over design. As the animals in first, second and third time of anaesthesia allocated into groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Heart Rate (HR), rectal temperature (Temp), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) by pulse oximetry and non invasive arterial blood pressures were measured. Times to the first swallowing attempt, ability to lift the head and standing were measured during recovery. The apnea was recorded in all animals but no significant difference was recorded between groups under study. Calculated doses of induction were sufficient for intubation of the animals. The average doses foe maintenance of anesthesia did not show any significant difference between groups under study. There were no significant differences found between groups in any comparable parameter. Despite of longer recovery time in group three, there were no significant differences between the Groups in different recovery times. Repeated propofol anesthesia did not improve resistance and respiratory changes in this species. However, some effects on blood pressure may happen without any effect on heart rate.     

An economically based evaluation index for perennial and short‐term ryegrasses in New Zealand dairy farm systems

Grazed pastures based on ryegrass species provide most of the feed for dairy cattle in New Zealand. There are many cultivars of perennial (Lolium perenne), annual and Italian (L. multiflorum), and hybrid (L. boucheanum) ryegrasses available for dairy farmers to use in pasture renewal. This study describes an index which ranks ryegrass cultivars relative to a genetic base according to the estimated economic value (EV) of seasonal dry matter (DM) traits. A farm system model was used to derive EVs (Grazed pastures based on ryegrass species provide most of the feed for dairy cattle in New Zealand. There are many cultivars of perennial (Lolium perenne), annual and Italian (L. multiflorum), and hybrid (L. boucheanum) ryegrasses available for dairy farmers to use in pasture renewal. This study describes an index which ranks ryegrass cultivars relative to a genetic base according to the estimated economic value (EV) of seasonal dry matter (DM) traits. A farm system model was used to derive EVs ($ ha^?1 calculated as change in operating profit divided by unit change of the trait) for additional DM produced in different seasons of the year in four regions. The EV of early spring DM was consistently high across all regions, whereas EV for late spring DM was moderate to low. Genotype × environment analysis revealed significant reranking of DM yield among ryegrass cultivars across regions. Hence, separate performance values (PVs) were calculated for two mega‐environments and then combined with the corresponding season and region EV to calculate the overall EV for twenty‐three perennial ryegrass and fifteen short‐term ryegrass cultivars. The difference in operating profit between the highest ranked and lowest ranked perennial ryegrass cultivar ranged from $556 ha^?1 to $863 ha^?1 year^?1 depending on region. For short‐term ryegrasses used for winter feed, the corresponding range was $394 to $478 ha^?1 year^?1. Using PV for DM yield, it was estimated that plant improvement in perennial ryegrass has added $12–$18 ha^?1 year^?1 (depending on region) operating profit on dairy farms since the mid‐1960s.     

Objective method for evaluation of texture of dehydrated mashed potatoes using sensory evaluation as a guideline

The texture of four reconstituted dehydrated mashed potato products was evaluated subjectively. Freshly mashed potatoes served as a reference. Among textural characteristics such as firmness, smoothness and glueyness it was found that glueyness correlated most strongly with the overall textural quality of the samples. A texturometer consisting of a load cell, a vertically driven plunger and a recorder was used to evaluate objectively firmness and glueyness of the samples by measuring the forces needed to compress a sample and to pull the plunger from the compressed sample. Bulk density of the samples was also determined. The objective glueyness correlated strongly with both subjective glueyness and overall textural quality scores. Density correlated quite strongly with objective firmness, objective glueyness and overall textural quality scores. The method and equipment used to measure glueyness appears to have promise as a quality control and/or product development tool in the dehydrated mashed potato industry.     

Sensory evaluation as a tool in breeding potatoes for French fries and flakes

Standardized sensory evaluation of advanced breeding clones developed in the research program of the Horticulture Department at North Dakota State University has been conducted annually since 1980. Procedures used by the USDA-ARS Potato Research Laboratory for processing tubers into partially fried french fries or flakes are described along with the procedures used for finish-frying of the fries and rehydrating the flakes in preparation for sensory evaluation in the Food and Nutrition Department at North Dakota State University. Following brief training, panelists evaluate the fries and flakes from each clone in triplicate for color, flavor, and texture. Procedures for determining length of fries and limpness of fry strips are described. Samples of 334 clones prepared as french fries and 135 clones prepared as flakes have been evaluated. Examples are given of types of data collected with interpretation of results in relationship to their use in the breeding program.     

Biological evaluation of protein quality of sorghum as affected by insect infestation

Protein quality of sorghum grains having 25, 50 and 75% infestation caused by mixed population ofTrogoderma granarium Everts andRhizopertha dominica Fabricius was biologically evaluated by rat growth and nitrogen balance studies. Feeding of diet containing insect infested sorghum grains (50 and 75%) resulted in marked decrease in food intake, protein intake, gain in body weight, food efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio, nitrogen consumption, nitrogen absorption, biological value, net protein utilization, dry matter digestibility, net protein retention and protein retention efficiency. These parameters showed negative association with insect infestation levels. However, 25% level of grain infestation did not affect these parameters significantly.     

Chemical evaluation of multimixes formulated from some local staples for use as complementary foods in Nigeria

The nutrient composition of eight multimixesformulated for use as complementary foods fromprocessed soybeans, cowpeas, maize, sorghum, yams,cocoyams, plantains and sweet potatoes were examined. The foods were processed by sprouting, cooking andfermentation. The samples were separately dried andmilled to fine flours. A ratio of 65% cereal, 30%legume and 5% starchy staple (65:30:5) calculated ona protein basis was used to formulate the multimixes. The blends were chemically analyzed using standardprocedures. The mixtures containing soybeans hadhigher protein, lipid, energy, crude fiber and calciumlevels but lower carbohydrate content than thosemixtures without soybean. The protein and energylevels of the multimixes were higher than those ofsome commercial infant foods (Cerelac, Farex andNestrum) in Nigeria but were comparable to that of`soy-ogi'. The multimixes contained fair quantitiesof calcium and phosphorus and an adequate amount ofsome of the essential amino acids. Methionine was themost limiting amino acid in all the mixtures. Blending cowpeas with maize produced a higher proteinscore than blending cowpeas or soybeans with sorghum. The cowpea/maize/sweet potato mixture had the highestprotein score.     

Peroxidase isozyme variants as genetic markers for early evaluation of Fe-efficiency and Fe-nutritional status in maize lines

The Fe-efficient maize (Zea mays L.) cultivar Alice, the Fe-inefficient mutant yellow-stripe (ys1), and six additional local inbred lines were grown in a growth chamber at 60% relative humidity and 16 h 25°C, 8 h 22°C day–night regime, in nutrient solution with varied Fe supply (+Fe=0.1 mM) or (−Fe=0.01 mM) supplied as Fe(III)–EDTA. The study aimed to establish a genetic assay system for early evaluation of Fe-efficiency and Fe-nutritional status based on peroxidase isozyme variation in roots of maize lines. The wild-type peroxidase isozyme patterns revealed an extra band (C3) not present in the mutant patterns. Inbreds 51, 122, 126, and 137 had peroxidase isozymes similar to the Fe-efficient Alice, while inbreds 112 and 144 had nearly the same pattern as the Fe-inefficient mutant ys1. Sufficient Fe supply did not alter the isoperoxidase patterns of the ys1, but had significant effect on the activity of the (C3) band of the Fe-efficient Alice. On the other hand, the activity of the (C3) band for the inbreds 51, 122, 126 and 137 responded clearly to the sufficient level of iron in the media similar to the response of Alice, while inbreds 112 and 144 did not show any changes in C3 either in sufficient or deficient Fe supply, similar to ys1. The results indicate that the Fe-efficient maize lines may have an additional cathodal (C3) band of the root isoperoxidase and that changes in the activity of the band can reflect the Fe-nutritional status of maize lines.     

The nutritional evaluation of Italian ryegrass cultivars fed as silage to sheep and cattle

Three feeding trials with big bale silage were carried out to determine whether previously established intake differences between artificially dried Italian ryegrass cultivars could be repeated under differing conditions of food preparation and presentation. The silage was prepared in 2 consecutive years from the same field crop and fed to groups of cattle in both years. The second year silage was also fed to sheep indoors. All animals were fed ad libitum and the voluntary intakes recorded for groups of cattle and individual sheep. Chewing activity was also recorded on all groups of sheep.
The chemical composition of the two cultivars as fresh grass was similar in 1984 but there were small differences in 1983 with Tarquin showing slightly higher organic matter digestibility (DOMD) and lower dry matter and water-soluble carbohydrate compared to RvP. The only consistent differences in silage composition between cultivars was a slightly higher level of modified acid detergent (MAD) fibre in RvP compared to Tarquin. Despite these small differences the voluntary intake of cattle fed Tarquin was 19% higher than RvP in the first year and 35% in the second, while sheep showed a similar difference of 40% with the second year silage.
Recording of jaw activity with sheep showed that animals spent 40% more time eating and 27% more time ruminating RvP than Tarquin per unit of food eaten. This suggested that the intake differences, which were independent of digestibility, were related to the physical resistance of the feed to breakdown by chewing. These differences depend on the structural characteristics of the plants and were associated with differences in leaf/stem ratios and MAD-fibre content. These are less likely to be affected by the method of conservation or feed presentation and, although the degree of difference between the cultivars changed with the different procedures, the inherently higher intake of Tarquin persisted.     

黄土高原旱地小麦长期施氮的效应

为了解黄土高原旱地小麦的长期施氮效应,以1984年以来开展的长期定位肥料试验为基础,在一定施磷量（39.3 kg·hm^-2）下,分析了长期不同施氮水平（0、45、90、135和180 kg·hm^-2）间小麦产量、氮素利用、养分累积和土壤氮素含量的差异。结果表明,长期施用氮肥对提高小麦产量仍有显著作用。氮肥利用率和利用效率均随着施氮量增加呈现显著降低的趋势,但施氮135 kg·hm^-2高于90 kg·hm^-2或二者差异不显著;施氮显著提高了小麦籽粒、秸秆和植株对氮、磷、钾的累积量,同时有利于养分在籽粒中的分配;土壤氮素累积量随施氮量增加呈现先升高后降低趋势,全氮和碱解氮含量均在施氮135 kg·hm^-2达到最高值或较高值。黄土高原地区小麦施氮135 kg·hm^-2时,可以获得较高产量,同时氮肥利用效率、籽粒中养分累积量及土壤残留氮量也较高,是该地区小麦氮素最适施用量。     

Use of two fungal strains as test organisms for the evaluation of relative nutritive value in cereals and legumes

Two fungal strains were used to evaluate the relative nutritive value of various cereals and legumes.Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fr., isolated from spoiling bread crumbs, was tested on two sets of samples at equal nitrogen level. One comprised of 4 cereals and 19 legumes and the second included 25 barley strains, ranging in protein content from 7.7 to 17.8 percent. Total dry weight of the mycelium produced was used was used as the index of biomass.A. flavus was able to differentiate between different species of grain and also between different varieties within a species. A lysine dependent strain ofNeurospora crassa Shear and Dodge, was used to test 25 barley strain. The milled samples were administered, at equal nitrogen level with excess of starch and vitamins. In both the fungi biomass was positively correlated with protein quality.     

An evaluation of three bacterial inoculants and formic acid as additives for first harvest grass

An experiment was carried out during 1984 to study the effect of treating grass at ensiling with three commercially available inoculant-type additives (H/M Inoculant, Grass Sile and Siron), formic acid (850 g kg⁻¹; Add-F) or no additive on grass preservation, in-silo loss, intake and animal performance. Primary growth grass ensiled from 28–29 May into concrete-walled covered silos was of high dry matter (DM, 234 g kg⁻¹), water-soluble carbohydrate content (WSC. 212 g kg DM⁻¹) and digestibility (MADF, 250 g kg DM⁻¹).
The untreated silage displayed good preservation and with the exception of the Sirontreated silage which showed significantly lower buffering capacity (Be) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) contents than the untreated silage, the application of inoculant-type additives did not improve silage preservation or decrease in-silo DM losses. The formic acid-treated silage displayed significantly lower Be, water-soluble carbohydrate, ash, ammonia nitrogen (g kg total N⁻¹) and lactate contents than the untreated silage.
After a 133 d storage period, silages were offered to finishing beef cattle for an 84-d period. Cattle offered the silages displayed similar and non-significant daily DM intakes, daily liveweight gains, dressing proportions and daily carcass gains. From this experiment it appears unlikely that any of the additives evaluated will improve animal performance relative to a well-preserved untreated silage.     

An evaluation through lactating cattle of a bacterial inoculant as an additive for grass silage

Three silages were prepared from herbage treated with either an inoculant (Ecosyl, Imperial Chemical Industries plc) at 3.21 t^?1, formic acid (850 g kg^?1, Add F BP Chemicals International Ltd) at 2·3 1 t^?1, or no additive (control). The herbage used was the first regrowth from perennial ryegrass swards. It was ensiled unwilted, and had mean dry matter and water soluble carbohydrate concentrations at ensiling of 154 and 24·1 g kg^?1 respectively. Time course studies showed only minor effects of additive treatment on fermentation patterns within the silo and all three silages had good fermentations. Over an 88 d feeding period, commencing on day 7 of lactation, forty-eight British Friesian cows were used to evaluate the silages in a three-treatment, randomized-block design experiment. The animals were stalled individually, offered the silages ad libitum, and in addition received 5 kg d^?1 of a supplement containing 196 g kg^?1 crude protein. On the basis of the data recorded during the final 28 d on treatment the animals receiving the inoculant-treated silage consumed 12 and 10% more silage dry matter and produced 2·1 and 2·3 kg d^?1 more milk than those given the control and formic acid-treated silages respectively. Over the total experimental period the milk yields were 1957, 1894 and 2094 (±41·3) kg for animals receiving the control, formic acid- and inoculant-treated silages respectively. Animals offered the formic acid treated silage produced milk of significantly higher fat concentration than those given the other two silages. Total ration digestibility studies, conducted with three cows per treatment, indicated no significant differences in digestibility coefficients, nitrogen utilization or metabolizable energy concentrations of the three treatment diets. It is concluded that the higher milk yield recorded with the inoculant-treated silage, and the higher milk fat concentration with the formic acid-treated silage, over that obtained with the control silage, were due to the increases in ME intake of 5 and 16 MJ d^?1 for the formic acid and inoculant-treated silages respectively.     

Flavor and chemical evaluation of partially hydrogenated sunflower oil as a potato chip frying oil

A partially hydrogenated sunflower oil was compared with a cottonseed-corn oil mixture for frying potato chips. Chips fried in each oil were organoleptically evaluated at two-week intervals during 10 weeks of storage at room temperature. Statistical evaluation of the hedonic ratings of the chips indicated no significant difference in flavor between the chips fried in sunflower oil and those fried in cottonseed-corn oil. Paired comparison testing of chips stored for 2 and 10 weeks indicated no preference for chips fried in the cottonseed-corn oil mixture over those fried in the hydrogenated sunflower oil. The oil content of the chips fried in both oils ranged from 37.6 to 42.9% suggesting an excessive absorption of oil by the chips. The peroxide values of the oils extracted from the potato chips indicate a trend toward greater autoxidation of the cottonseed-corn oil mixture compared to the sunflower oil. During storage, changes in the fatty acid composition of oils extracted from potato chips were minor. Chemical evaluation of oil samples taken during frying runs showed that both oils were of good quality after 23 hours of frying chips.     

Amino acid composition and chemical evaluation of protein quality of cereals as affected by insect infestation

A significant decrease in essential amino acids of wheat, maize and sorghum was observed due to grain infestation caused by mixed populations ofTrogoderma granarium Everts andRhizopertha dominica Fabricius (50:50). Non-essential amino acids were also adversely affected. Among the essential amino acids, maximum reduction was found in methionine, isoleucine and lysine in infested wheat, maize and sorghum grains, respectively. Lysine, with lowest chemical score in uninfested and infested grains of three cereals, is the first limiting amino acid. Insect infestation caused significant (p<0.05) reduction in the chemical score of all the essential amino acids, yet did not change the position of first and second limiting amino acids in wheat and sorghum. However, in case of maize, isoleucine became the second limiting amino acid. Infested grains also showed substantial reduction in essential amino acid index, calculated biological value and requirement index.     

Confocal microscopy measurement of the fiber orientation in short fiber reinforced plastics

To determine three-dimensional fiber orientation states in injection-molded short fiber composites a CLSM (Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope) is used. Since the CLSM optically sections the composites, more than two cross-sections either on or below the surface of the composite can be obtained. Three dimensional fiber orientation states can be determined with geometric parameters of fibers on two parallel cross-sections. For experiment, carbon fiber reinforced polystyrene is examined by the CLSM. Geometric parameters of fibers are measured by image analysis. In order to compactly describe fiber orientation states, orientation tensors are used. Orientation tensors are determined at different positions of the prepared specimen. Three dimensional orientation states are obtained without the difficulty in determining the out-of-plane angles by utilizing images on two parallel planes acquired by the CLSM. Orientation states are different at different positions and show the shell-core structure along the thickness of the specimen.     

Evaluation of the short term effect of nursery treatments with phosphite-based products,acibenzolar-S-methyl,pelleted Brassica carinata and biocontrol agents,against lettuce and cultivated rocket fusarium wilt under artificial inoculation and greenhouse conditions

Experimental trials have been carried out in order to evaluate the efficacy of preventative treatments based on plant defense activator products, biocontrol agents, a microbial complex with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and Brassica carinata pellets against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae race 1 on lettuce and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani on cultivated rocket under greenhouse conditions. These products were compared with fungicides known for their ability to induce host resistance (phosethyl-Al and acibenzolar-S-methyl), and with azoxystrobin. Three and four applications of the tested products were carried out on lettuce and rocket seedlings grown in nursery conditions. Treated and untreated plants were transplanted into soil infested with Fusarium wilt agents to obtain an average disease severity (DS) of 65.6–69.2 and of 56.9–62.1 on the untreated lettuce and rocket plants, respectively. The best Fusarium wilt biocontrol was obtained after four applications of Bacillus subtilis Qst713 and with the Glomas microbial complex (42 and 46.7%, efficacy, respectively). B. carinata pellets provided a consistent control when applied 14 days before the rocket and lettuce were transplanted into the infested soil. Acibenzolar-S-methyl, applied at 0.025 g/Liter, showed a DS reduction in F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae from 36 to 61% and of F. oxysporum f. sp. raphani from 54 to 73%, thus showing statistically similar results to those of azoxystrobin, which was used as a reference (DS reduction from 59 to 65%). Although the Fusarium wilt control provided by such products was not complete in the present experimental conditions, these products can be considered interesting components for an integrated pest management of the Fusarium wilt of leafy vegetables, starting from nursey applications. Moreover, the tested BCAs could become potentially useful, especially for plant monocultures. This study has been produced new information on the effects of potassium phosphite, applied at the nursery level, on reducing lettuce and rocket fusarium wilt. An average efficacy of 69.5% was observed for lettuce, while an average efficacy of 65.2% was observed for cultivated rocket. The good fungicidal activity of the phosphite-based product, coupled with the positive effect on plant biomass, is of special interest.