Anticoagulant effect of polyphenols-rich extracts from black chokeberry and grape seeds

Blood coagulation consists of a series of zymogens that can be converted by limited proteolysis to active enzymes leading to the generation of thrombin. Fresh plasma and human thrombin was incubated with extracts from berries of Aronia melanocarpa or seeds of Vitis vinifera (0.5; 5; 50 μg/ml). The in vitro experiments showed that both extracts prolonged clotting time and decreased the maximal velocity of fibrin polymerization in human plasma. Moreover thrombin incubation with both extracts results in the inhibition of amidolytic activity of this enzyme. It gives hopes for development of diet supplements, which may be preventing thrombosis in pathological states.     

Phylogenetic background, virulence gene profiles, and genomic diversity in commensal Escherichia coli isolated from ten mammal species living in one zoo

Three hundred commensal Escherichia coli recovered from healthy herbivorous, carnivorous, and omnivorous mammals from one zoo were characterized for their phylogenetic origin, intestinal virulence gene (VG) prevalence, and genomic diversity. The phylogenetic structure of the E. coli (groups A, B1, B2, and D) from the herbivores was homogenous, with a prevailing representation of group B1. In the carnivores and omnivores, the phylogenetic diversity was species specific with a higher representation of group A compared to the herbivores. Of 16 intestinal VGs in the whole set, 8 were detected and they formed 13 VG profiles. In the herbivores, all the VG-positive isolates belonged to group B1 and harboured the genes eaeA, eastI, ehxA, stx1, and stx2, which separately or in combination formed 8 VG profiles. In the carnivores and omnivores, the VG-positive isolates frequently belonged to group A and harboured the estI and estII genes or a combination of eastI and estI, forming three VG profiles. Single genes cnf2, in group B2, and eastI, in group D, were found. Similarity analysis of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns revealed closer relatedness between the isolates from carnivores and omnivores than those from herbivores. The comparison between the prevalence of phylogenetic groups and the phylogenetic origin of VG-positive isolates in the examined E. coli suggested, that E. coli from group B1 in herbivores and E. coli from group A rather than B1 in carnivores and omnivores are "best adapted" to the host organism. The groups revealed different preferences in the acquisition and maintenance of intestinal VGs.     

Characterisation of the chemical composition of scab-resistant apple pomaces

Summary

Pomaces obtained during the production of cloudy or clear juice from scab-resistant apple cultivars (28 harvested in 2006, and 23 harvested in 2007) were studied as a source of nutritionally important components. It was shown that the average yield of pomace during the production of cloudy juice was 6.4% (w/w), and 4.9% (w/w) for clear juice pressing. The average total dietary fibre (TDF) contents were 48.4% (w/w) and 52.4% (w/w) for cloudy and clear juice pomaces, respectively. Ten pomaces from cloudy apple juice production, and 12 obtained from clear juice production, contained ≥ 2,000 mg kg^?1 of polyphenols.‘Ariwa’ and ‘Rajka’ are apple cultivars suitable for juice production and their pomaces are characterised by having high contents of TDF [50.9% (w/w) and 51.1% (w/w), respectively], with aboveaverage polyphenol and quercetin glycoside concentrations. The mean contents of quercetin glycosides for pomaces from all apple cultivars was 994 mg kg^?1 after clear juice production, and 908.2 mg kg^?1 after cloudy juice production. ‘Topaz’, which became a popular commercial apple cultivar in Europe, was the best source of health-promoting components. Its pomace was the richest source of polyphenols among all 28 cultivars studied. It contained ≥ 2,000 mg kg^?1 quercetin glycosides in both its clear and cloudy juice pomaces.     

From past patterns to future potential: using historical ecology to inform river restoration on an intermittent California river

Context

Effective river restoration requires understanding a system’s potential to support desired functions. This can be challenging to discern in the modern landscape, where natural complexity and heterogeneity are often heavily suppressed or modified. Historical analysis is therefore a valuable tool to provide the long-term perspective on riverine patterns, processes, and ecosystem change needed to set appropriate environmental management goals and strategies.

Objective

In this study, we reconstructed historical (early 1800s) riparian conditions, river corridor extent, and dry-season flow on the lower Santa Clara River in southern California, with the goal of using this enhanced understanding to inform restoration and management activities.

Method

Hundreds of cartographic, textual, and visual accounts were integrated into a GIS database of historical river characteristics.

Results

We found that the river was characterized by an extremely broad river corridor and a diverse mosaic of riparian communities that varied by reach, from extensive (>100 ha) willow-cottonwood forests to xeric scrublands. Reach-scale ecological heterogeneity was linked to local variations in dry-season water availability, which was in turn underpinned by regional geophysical controls on groundwater and surface flow.

Conclusions

Although human actions have greatly impacted the river’s extent, baseflow hydrology, and riparian habitats, many ecological attributes persist in more limited form, in large part facilitated by these fundamental hydrogeological controls. By drawing on a heretofore untapped dataset of spatially explicit and long-term environmental data, these findings improve our understanding of the river’s historical and current conditions and allow the derivation of reach-differentiated restoration and management opportunities that take advantage of local potential.

     

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dogs in south-western Poland

The prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies was determined in serum samples from 110 dogs in south-western Poland, using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 18 dogs (16.36%), of which 7 were also positive to Toxoplasma gondii. The titres of anti-N. caninum antibodies varied from 1:50 to 1:200.     

Changes in the enantiomeric distribution of selected volatile constituents of Mentha pulegium L. powders caused by hot water treatment

The variation, in general, of the composition of the aromatic fraction and, in particular, of the enantiomeric composition of certain chiral volatile compounds of commercial Mentha pulegium L. powders caused by boiling water was evaluated. A comparison between the volatile profile of the studied herbs demonstrated that most M. pulegium L. samples contained high proportions of Mentha piperita L., even when this information was not specified on the label. Likewise, substantial changes in the volatile fraction of the infusions with respect to the composition of the original plant used in their preparation were found. The enantiomeric composition of some chiral compounds of the dried plant material, particularly limonene, was modified by adding hot water, whereas others were kept invariable. The results shown in this work reflect the need for the control of the composition of commercial powders and brews of M. pulegium L. to ensure their correct application.     

Multimodality characterization of a noncommunicating congenital duodenal duplication cyst causing pyloric outflow obstruction in a young dog

A 10‐month‐old German Shepherd Dog presented for evaluation of intermittent vomiting. Abdominal radiographs revealed a marked right cranial mass effect. Initial differentials included abscess/cyst or less likely neoplasia from undetermined origin. On abdominal ultrasound the mass appeared cystic and thin walled. Computed tomography revealed a large cystic lesion originating from the pyloroduodenal junction causing pyloric outflow obstruction. A noncommunicating duodenal duplication cyst was found on exploratory laparotomy and further confirmed with histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Enteric duplication cyst should be considered as a differential in young dogs with gastrointestinal signs and a cystic abdominal mass detected with different imaging modalities.     

Changes in humus forms and soil N pathways along a 130-year-old pure beech forest chronosequence

Introduction   

We investigated changes in humus morphology and soil potential net N mineralization pathways along a pure beech even-aged forest chronosequence, composed of four stages (15, 65, 95, and 130 years old) on Luvisol.     

Dirofilaria repens—An etiological factor or an incidental finding in cytologic and histopathologic biopsies from dogs

Dirofilaria repens is an endemic, zoonotic parasite of carnivores, causing subcutaneous dirofilariasis, which is mostly asymptomatic. The aim of this study was to describe 22 cases of canine subcutaneous dirofilariasis. The cytologic and histopathologic samples were collected from dogs, which presented with various clinical signs such as cutaneous/subcutaneous nodules, hydropericardium, ascites, and lymphadenomegaly. The cytologic or histopathologic examination revealed purulent, pyogranulomatous, granulomatous or eosinophilic dermatitis/panniculitis, and the presence of D repens microfilariae or adults. The microfilariae or adults were also found incidentally in neoplastic cutaneous or subcutaneous tumors and in a sialocele. For the first time, microfilariae were also detected and described in pericardial and abdominal effusions and in enlarged reactive lymph nodes. Although it is well known that D repens can cause dermatitis and panniculitis in dogs, no previous reports of D repens microfilariae in body cavity fluids were found. The role of this parasite in the accumulation of body cavity fluid or in reactive lymphadenomegaly requires further investigation. Due to its zoonotic potential, and apparently underestimated pathogenicity, each case of canine subcutaneous dirofilariasis should be treated.     

Preliminary evidence of an endangered species benefiting from moderate climate warming: A palaeolimnological study of the charophyte Lychnothamnus barbatus

1. In a time of rapid environmental changes, identification of the effects of climate warming on charophytes (Characeae, Charophyta) will enable the optimization of conservation measures, especially for extremely rare species. Lychnothamnus barbatus is one of the rarest charophytes worldwide, which has decreased in the number of occupied sites over the last century. However, the recolonization of former sites has been observed in recent years (e.g. Lake Kuźnickie, Poland). The study aimed to analyse the effects of climatic changes and human pressure on the L. barbatus population.
2. Three 30 cm sediment cores were collected from minimum, average, and maximum depths of L. barbatus occurrence to determine the past vegetation composition. Sediment cores were dated using the radioisotopes lead-210, caesium-137, and carbon-14. A spatial analysis of the lake catchment changes during the last 120 years was also conducted.
3. The study demonstrated L. barbatus presence in Lake Kuźnickie at the beginning of the 16th century. However, a sharp increase in the proportion of this species in the vegetation community occurred in the 19th century and during climate warming at the end of the Little Ice Age. Factors that significantly influenced the present occurrence of the L. barbatus population included improvement in water quality and the oospore bank deposited in the bottom sediments.
4. This study is the first palaeoreconstruction in a modern lake dominated by L. barbatus. Based on the history of L. barbatus in Lake Kuźnickie after the end of the Little Ice Age, the positive effect of climate warming on the contemporary recovery of this charophyte is postulated.
5. The reaction of L. barbatus to climate warming appears to differ from commonly accepted scenarios for aquatic macrophytes because its recovery in the past and at present coincided with increases in air temperature. This research indicated the appropriate management and conservation practices for lakes with L. barbatus populations.