Retroperitoneal hemangiosarcoma causing chronic hindlimb lameness in a dog.

The clinical, radiographic, ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, surgical and histopathological findings in a Boxer dog with retroperitoneal hemangiosarcoma are described in this study. A seven-year-old, male, castrated Boxer dog was referred for evaluation of chronic hindlimb lameness. The physical examination revealed muscle atrophy and sciatic nerve deficits. Radiography and ultrasonography revealed a caudodorsal abdominal mass. Computed tomography revealed that the mass involved the left margin of the L7 vertebra, lumbosacral canal, and lumbosacral plexus. At surgery, a large retroperitoneal haematoma was removed. Histopathology of amorphous tissue found near the haematoma was consistent with haemangiosarcoma. The owner declined any further treatment. Ten weeks after discharge, the dog was euthanatized due to collapse and haemo-abdomen.     

Effect of pH on the solubilization of brewers' spent grain by microbial carbohydrases and proteases

The potential for enzymatic solubilization of brewers' spent grain by carbohydrases and proteases was examined over a broad pH range (pH 3.2-11.2). Enzymes from Trichoderma (Depol 686) were most efficient at a lower pH, while enzymes from the Humicola preparation (Depol 740) were the best performer over the whole range. Profiling of key glycoside hydrolase, esterase and protease activities across the pH range demonstrated that solubilization of spent grain by the Trichoderma enzymes corresponded to the range of maximum activities. This was not the case with the Humicola enzymes, where maximum solubilization of the substrate occurred at pH 9.1, at which pH the determined activities were low. Protease activity in Depol 740 was associated with a high solubilization, but inhibition of proteolytic activity resulted in only a 5% decrease in spent grain solubilization. These results suggest that while enzymes can be used to exploit agro-industrials byproduct, the use of high pH increases the extent of hydrolysis and an unidentified factor produced by Humicola improves the enzyme-catalyzed solubilization of lignocellulosic material.     

Ferulic acid crosslinks in asparagus cell walls in relation to texture

Post-harvest toughening of asparagus spears is associated with a large increase in monomeric and diferulic acids in the cell walls of stem tissues. The purpose of this study has been to investigate the distribution of these phenolic components among cell wall polymers and the role they play in the formation of associated pectic-xylan-phenolic complexes in relation to post-harvest toughening. The phenolic esters are found in all the extractable polysaccharide fractions, particularly the 0.5 M KOH fraction, as well as the insoluble cellulose-rich residue. The storage-related increase occurs in all fractions but is most prominent in the 0.5 M KOH-soluble components. Degradation of 0.5 M KOH subfractions with pure polysaccharide degrading enzymes has confirmed the occurrence of pectic-xylan-phenolic complexes in which ferulic acid and its dehydrodimers are attached to the xylan component but not to the pectic component. Studies on cell separation show that the maturation- and storage-related increase in thermal stability of cell adhesion (and therefore texture) is probably due to an increase in phenolic cross linking of xylans mainly in the parenchyma tissues. This overcomes the thermal lability of the pectic polysaccharides that are responsible for cell adhesion in immature tissues. The storage-induced appearance of some of the diferulic acid moieties in a number of wall polymer fractions supports the hypothesis that the storage affect is a wound-induced response rather than a continuation of maturation-related activity.     

Modifications to physicochemical and nutritional properties of hard-To-cook beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by extrusion cooking.

The objective of this work was to evaluate extrusion cooking as a means to improve the nutritional properties of Phaseolus vulgaris L. that had been stored either at 42 degrees C and 80% relative humidity for 6 weeks or for periods >1 year in cereal stores in tropical conditions. Storage under these conditions resulted in an increase in cooking time increased (7.7- and 12-fold, respectively) as a result of development of the hard-to-cook (HTC) defect. Single-screw extrusion of the milled beans was carried out at four barrel temperatures and two moisture contents. The extrudate bulk density and water solubility index decreased with increasing temperature, whereas the water absorption index increased due to the higher proportion of gelatinized starch in the extruded samples. Both fresh and HTC beans contained nutritionally significant amounts of lectins, trypsin, and alpha-amylase inhibitors, which were mostly inactivated by extrusion. Extrusion also caused a considerable redistribution of insoluble dietary fiber to soluble, although the total dietary fiber content was not affected. Changes in solubility involved pectic polysaccharides, arabinose and uronic acids being the main sugars involved. Stored beans subjected to extrusion cooking showed physical and chemical characteristics similar to those of extrudates from fresh beans.     

Thermal Characterization of Alkali Treated Kenaf Fibers and Kenaf-Epoxy Composites

Chemical treatment of natural fibers is a well-defined means of mechanical property improvement in natural fiberreinforced composites. An understanding of mechanical and thermal properties in these media is essential for evaluating heat transfer, thermal degradation, and overall performance of these composites over their product lifetime. However, very little information is available illustrating the effect of such treatment on the thermal properties of kenaf composites. Also, no study to date has reported the thermal conductivity of individual kenaf fibers. This study reports the effects of fiber treatment (in 6 % NaOH) on thermal transport in unidirectionally oriented kenaf-epoxy composites and individual kenaf fibers. The effective thermal conductivities and thermal diffusivities of chemically treated fiber composites show a general increase over untreated fiber composites (0.210 to 0.232 W/m/K at 28 °C, 0.206 to 0.234 W/m/K at 200 °C). This improvement may be attributed to improved interfacial contact between the fibers and epoxy matrix shown in microstructural images after chemical treatment. The thermal conductivity of individual fibers was evaluated at room temperature using two techniques. Results from both techniques showed slight increases after chemical treatment (0.58±0.53 to 1.0±0.13 W/m/K and 1.2±0.54 to 1.6±0.28 W/m/K) but lacked statistical significance. Any improvement in surface crystallinity after chemical treatment does not appear to affect overall fiber thermal conductivity. A better understanding of thermal transport in kenaf fibers and composites enables better estimation of the performance of these composites in different applications. Moreover, the thermal conductivities of individual fibers are useful in understanding the fiber’s contribution to conduction in different fiber reinforcement configurations.     

The effects of indwelling transurethral catheterization and tube cystostomy on urethral anastomoses in dogs.

The influence of urinary diversion procedures on urethral healing was studied in 15 male dogs following transection and anastomosis of the intrapelvic portions of their urethras. Dogs were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups and had urine diverted from the surgical site by indwelling transurethral catheter, cystostomy catheter, or a combination of transurethral catheter and cystostomy catheter. There were no statistically significant differences in urethral healing when considering the different diversion methods, based on clinical, radiographic, and urodynamic parameters evaluated.     

Diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis in Xinjiang province of China by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using recombinant antigens

The prevalence of equine piroplasmosis in Xinjiang province, China, was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). A total of 70 serum samples were taken from horses pastured on three farms in western Xinjiang, and examined for diagnosis of equine Babesia equi (B. equi) infection and B. caballi infection by ELISAs using recombinant equi merozoite antigen 1 (EMA-1) and recombinant P48 antigen, respectively. Of the 70 samples, 28 (40.0%) and 17 (24.3%) samples were positive for B. equi infection and B. caballi infection, respectively. In addition, 11 (15.7%) samples were positive for both B. equi and B. caballi infections. These results indicate that equine piroplasmosis is widespread and therefore a cause for serious concern in western Xinjiang. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a survey on equine piroplasmosis in Xinjiang province, China.