Physiological and metabolic properties of a digestion-resistant maltodextrin, classified as type 3 retrograded resistant starch

There is a growing interest in highly fermentable dietary fibers having the potential to reduce risks of disease through the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Recently a digestion-resistant retrograded maltodextrin (RRM), classified as type 3 resistant starch was developed. Systematic work to determine its molecular and physiological properties was carried out to determine (1) the fraction resistant to digestion in vitro and in vivo, (2) its postconsumption effect on blood glucose in healthy volunteers, and (3) its in vitro fermentation pattern, at different ages, by use of pooled fresh human fecal inoculum. RESULTS: The digestion resistant fraction obtained in vivo from ileostomy patients (59.4%) is similar to that obtained by the AOAC method for measuring retrograded resistant starch (59.7%). The relative glycemic response after consumption of 50 g of RRM was 58.5% compared to glucose set as 100%. When exposed to colonic microbiota, in vitro obtained indigestible fractions behave similarly to those obtained in vivo in ileostomy patients. Fermentation of RRM and production of butyric acid is negligible during the first months of life but develops subsequently during weaning. In adults, RRM fermentation results in a high yield of SCFA, with butyrate representing 21-31 mol % of total SCFA. The high yield of SCFA during colonic fermentation, observed from weaning age on, as well as the potential to help reduce glycemic load may be of benefit to a number of health-related functions in the host. Further study on clear clinical end points is warranted.     

Suppression of C-hordein synthesis in barley by antisense constructs results in a more balanced amino acid composition

Barley has for feeding purposes a shortage of essential amino acids, especially lysine, threonine, and methionine, and an excess of proline and glutamine. In the present study, we have introduced into barley an antisense construct against C-hordeins, the storage protein with the lowest nutritional quality. SDS-PAGE and reverse phase HPLC revealed a relative reduction in the amounts of C-hordeins and relative increases in the content of the other storage proteins. The five different lines analyzed had lower amounts of proline, glutamic acid/glutamine, and phenylalanine (up to 12%, 6%, and 9% reductions), while the lysine, threonine, and methionine content was increased with up to 16%, 13% and 11%. It is concluded that antisense mediated suppression of C-hordein synthesis may be a promising approach for improving the nutritional value of barley as a feed crop while at the same time reducing the environmental nitrogen load.     

Evaluation of harmful algal bloom outreach activities

With an apparent increase of harmful algal blooms (HABs) worldwide, healthcare providers, public health personnel and coastal managers are struggling to provide scientifically-based appropriately-targeted HAB outreach and education. Since 1998, the Florida Poison Information Center-Miami, with its 24 hour/365 day/year free Aquatic Toxins Hotline (1–888–232–8635) available in several languages, has received over 25,000 HAB-related calls. As part of HAB surveillance, all possible cases of HAB-related illness among callers are reported to the Florida Health Department. This pilot study evaluated an automated call processing menu system that allows callers to access bilingual HAB information, and to speak directly with a trained Poison Information Specialist. The majority (68%) of callers reported satisfaction with the information, and many provided specific suggestions for improvement. This pilot study, the first known evaluation of use and satisfaction with HAB educational outreach materials, demonstrated that the automated system provided useful HAB-related information for the majority of callers, and decreased the routine informational call workload for the Poison Information Specialists, allowing them to focus on callers needing immediate assistance and their healthcare providers. These results will lead to improvement of this valuable HAB outreach, education and surveillance tool. Formal evaluation is recommended for future HAB outreach and educational materials.     

Vertical variations in wood basic density for two softwood species

European Journal of Forest Research - Studies on wood basic density (BD) vertical variations become essential to predict more accurately the within-stem distributions of biomass and wood quality in...     

Behavior Observation During Conformation Evaluation at a Field Test for Danish Warmblood Horses and Associations with Rideability and Performance Traits

Reactivity in horses, defined as a state of high arousal, has an impact on the daily handling and welfare of horses and can have an impact on the risk of causing human injuries. Behavior tests have been developed to assess reactivity, but these tests are difficult to apply in practice. The objectives of this study were to investigate how reactivity measured in a practical situation associates with rideability and performance and to explore the association between the measured reactivity and reactivity assessed by the horse's owner. A total of 234 Danish Warmblood females, 3 years of age, were videotaped and scored for reactivity during the evaluation of their conformation, and a questionnaire was completed by the owners. Associations between reactivity and performance traits were investigated by computing partial correlations (Pearson, r_p). A low negative correlation was found between rideability and reactivity (r_p = −0.16, P = .02) and between reactivity and free jumping (r_p = −0.14, P = .03). These results suggest that highly reactive horses received lower grades in rideability and free jumping. However, no association with performance traits in dressage was found. Likewise, low but significant association was found between reactivity and ratings from owners (r_p = 0.15, P = .02), indicating that horses considered to be nervous by their owners also were scored as reactive. In conclusion, it appears possible to measure reactivity in a practical situation. This study also concluded low negative associations between reactivity and the two performance traits rideability and free jumping.     

Effects of the needle bladder rust (Chrysomyxa rhododendri) on Norway spruce: implications for subalpine forests

Norway spruce trees in the subalpine forests of the European Alps are frequently attacked by the needle rust Chrysomyxa rhododendri. The obligate parasite undergoes a complex life cycle with a host shift between rhododendrons (Rhododendron sp.) and Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karsten] and causes a yellowing and defoliation of the current-year needles in summer. Infected trees show several anatomical, morphological and physiological modifications, including a decrease in pigment content and net photosynthesis of infected needles, lower biomass production and reduced radial and height growth. The consequences are diminished timber yield and cripple growth. Because of repeated heavy infections in recent years, forest managers report increasing difficulties in both natural regeneration and afforestation at high elevation sites, where rhododendrons occur. This review gives a summary of the present knowledge about the effects of C. rhododendri infections on Norway spruce, including so far unpublished findings and with particular attention to the phenomena of resistant trees. Implications for subalpine forests and counter strategies are discussed.     

A test of the individual feeding activity and food size preference in rainbow trout using demand feeders

Feeding activity and food size preferences were investigated in three groups of rainbow trout with initial weights ranging from 200 to 1000 g. Fish were given the option of releasing food from either of two demand feeding devices that contained either 6 mm or 9 mm food pellets. Individual biting activity (to activate release of food) was continuously monitored using specially designed passive integrated transponders (PIT-tags). In each of the groups, biting activity was strongly influenced by three individuals, which accounted for 70–85% of the total. Thus, high bite activity by few individuals indicates the development of social dominance hierarchies. There was no statistically significant correlation between number of bites and growth rate, indicating that the fish that operated the demand feeders did not gain any growth advantage. Trout that dominated the actuation of the feeders were found among both medium- and large-sized fish. There was no evidence of active food size selection, and the fish that most frequently operated the feeders defended one area of the tank rather than preferring the trigger that would have delivered food of the optimal size.     

Photoperiod and temperature affects seasonal ovarian gene expression of p450 aromatase and gonadotropin receptors in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) broodstock

Photoperiod and temperature modulated the seasonal pattern of ovarian gene expression of P450 aromatase, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone receptor and Luteinizing Hormone receptor in Atlantic salmon broodstock.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF LIPIDURIA IN CLINICALLY NORMAL CATS

Echoes are frequently seen in the urinary bladder of cats during abdominal ultrasound. These have been attributed to hematuria, pyuria, crystalluria, and lipid. However, sonographic findings have not been previously correlated with urinalysis. We prospectively evaluated 40 clinically normal cats via ultrasound, serum chemistry, and urinalysis. Thin layer chromatography was performed on the urine to determine the amount (mg) of lipid subfractions including diacylglycerol, triglyceride, phospholipid, free fatty acid, cholesterol, and cholesterol ester. Ninety percent (36/40) of the cats in our population had sonographic echoes suspended in the urinary bladder, with most having a subjective score of mild echoes (n = 20). None of the sonographic echoes were gravity dependent or caused distal acoustic shadowing, reverberation, or twinkle artifact. Of the cats with sonographic echoes in the urine, 66% (24/36) had no significant findings on urinalysis other than the presence of lipid. The total amount of subjective sonographic echoes was not significantly related to the total amount of fat measured on thin layer chromatography or the number of lipid droplets seen on urinalysis. An increased amount of urine diacylglycerol was significantly associated with clumping of echoes (P = 0.02) and the amount of lipid droplets seen on urinalysis (P = 0.04). An association between increased amounts of urine diacylglycerol and the amount of echoes seen on ultrasound approached significance (P = 0.05). Findings from this study support previously published theories that sonographic echoes within the urinary bladder of clinically normal cats may be due to urine lipid.