Quality and aromatic sensory descriptors (mainly fresh and dry fruit character) of Spanish red wines can be predicted from their aroma-active chemical composition

A satisfactory model explaining quality could be built in a set of 25 high quality Spanish red wines, by aroma-active chemical composition. The quality of the wines was positively correlated with the wine content in fruity esters, acids, enolones, and wood derived compounds, and negatively with phenylacetaldehyde, acetic acid, methional, and 4-ethylphenol. Wine fruitiness was demonstrated to be positively related not only to the wine content on fruity esters and enolones, but to wine volatile fatty acids. Fruitiness is strongly suppressed by 4-ethylphenol, acetic acid, phenylacetaldehyde, and methional, this involved in the perception of dry-fruit notes. Sensory effects were more intense in the presence of β-damascenone and β-ionone. A satisfactory model explaining animal notes could be built. Finally, the vegetal character of this set of wines could be related to the combined effect of dimethylsulfide (DMS), 1-hexanol, and methanethiol.     

Remarks on genetic diversity and relationship of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Punica protopunica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. granatum</Emphasis> assessed by molecular analyses

Here, two Punica species, viz., P. protopunica Balf. fil., reported as native to Socotra, and P. granatum L., were compared for the first time. Analysis of one P. protopunica and eleven P. granatum accessions was performed using three molecular markers, i.e., sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP), and intron targeted amplified polymorphism (ITAP), along with analysis of pgWD40 sequences, a gene involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. All markers revealed the relationship between the two species and placed them at 33% similarity. SRAP, TRAP, and ITAP generated a total of 299, 260, and 160 bands, respectively. Of these, 78, 74, and 41 bands were specific for P. protopunica, and 92, 85, and 57 bands, respectively, were shared between both species. Sequence analysis of pgWD40~870 bp amplicons exhibited 100% identity among P. granatum accessions and 98% identity to that of P. protopunica. Phylogenetic analysis of WD40 sequences from monocot and dicot species, including both Punica species confirmed the relation between P. protopunica and P. granatum, supporting earlier reports that P. protopunica could be an ancestral species of P. granatum. Furthermore, the genetic diversity among and within P. granatum accessions from Egypt (3), Mexico (5), and Yemen (3) was assessed. Molecular marker-based relationships among region-bulked accessions was approximately the same (~90% similarity), whereas the degree of genetic variation was altered within each region. Specific bands (alleles) for accessions of each region along with those shared among them were identified. Thus, these bands could be used for pomegranate genotyping and breeding programs.     

Evaluation of aluminum tolerance of three barley cultivars by two short-term screening methods and field experiments

Productivity of cereal crops growing in acid soils of Southern Chile have adversely being affected by acidification and aluminum phytotoxicity. For overcoming such constraints, farmers need to apply heavy amounts of lime and/or use AI-tolerant plants especially with AI-sensitive crops, as barley is. The objectives of this study were to determine the degree of Al tolerance of . three barley cultivars commonly grown in volcanic soils by using two shortterm screening methods and to relate their rankings with field experiments. Additionally, the amounts of citric and malic acids exuded from roots were determined for studying the mechanism involved in Al tolerance. Relative root length (RRL) was the criterion used to evaluate Al tolerance both in nutrient solution and in soil-based culture and yield for field experiments. Results showed a close relationship between the RRL values obtained with the three barley cultivars by applying the two short-term screening methods. Barley yields obtained in field experiments carried out in two soils differing in Al contents agreed well with the ranking observed in the laboratory suggesting that the short-term screening methods could be a useful tool for knowing Al tolerance of cereals habitually cropped in our acidic volcanic soils. Citric and malic acids were detected mainly in the exudates from the most AI-tolerant barley which could indicate a chelation mechanism implied in such a tolerance.     

Comparison of yield based drought tolerance indices in improved varieties, genetic stocks and landraces of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Drought strongly influences potato (Solanum tuberosum) production and quality. Potato being a drought susceptible crop, the development of varieties with enhanced tolerance to water stress could highly improve productivity in drought prone areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of several yield based indices to be used in large scale screening for drought tolerance. The experiment included improved varieties, genetic stocks and landraces potatoes grown under drought and irrigated conditions. A group of accessions with high yield under both conditions was identified. Mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), tolerance (TOL), drought tolerance index (DTI), drought susceptible index (DSI) and yield stability index (YSI) were calculated from tuber yield under drought and irrigated conditions. The relationships between these indices and yield were analyzed. The Fleiss’ Kappa concordance test was used to analyze the correspondence between accessions previously identified as highly productive under both drought and irrigated conditions and accessions with optimal values for the different indices. MP, GMP and DTI allowed identifying genotypes combining high yield potential and high yield under drought within the three subsets of genotypes. Conversely, DSI, YSI and TOL showed low and variable concordance values across subsets, suggesting that their efficiency in screening genotypes highly depends on the nature of the tested genetic material.     

Use of two doses of cloprostenol in different intervals for estrus synchronization in hair sheep under tropical conditions

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study evaluated the effect of two doses of prostaglandin at different intervals on reproductive parameters of crossbred ewes. In Experiment 1, 30 ewes...     

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii among Brazilian white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris)

Considering that Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of global importance which affects several animal species including humans, the current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii among 72 white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) from Botucatu Municipality (22°53'S 48°26'W), S?o Paulo State, Brazil. The investigation was carried out from January 2008 to December 2009, when the animals had their blood samples collected and subjected to the modified agglutination test (MAT); 12 specimens had brain samples bioassayed in mice. Seroprevalence was 5.5% (n=4) and bioassays were negative. Older animals had higher prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii. Opossums in closer contact with the urban environment are likely more exposed to T. gondii than animals from the sylvatic environment.     

Morphological aspects of in vivo cleavage in Myocastor coypus (coypu)

The objective of the present work was to characterize the in vivo cleavage stage of Myocastor coypus embryos. For this purpose a colpocytological follow-up and controlled mating of 18 females were performed. Specimens from the beginning of the first cleavage to the acquisition of a morula appearance were considered to be in cleavage stage. Embryos in cleavage were collected between days 3 and 6 post-coitus. Of the collected embryos, 80% presented an even number of blastomeres and the remaining 20% an odd number. Embryos from 3 to 7 cells were blastomere associations in a spherical disposition within the zona pellucida. Blastomeres were spherical or ovoid, presenting slight flattening in areas contacting with other blastomeres. Embryos of 8 and 9 cells were as a group of blastomeres slightly elongated, surrounded by a spherical zona pellucida. The percentage of peri-vitelline space occupied by the embryonic mass ranged from 74.1 to 95.8% for all the substages. The cleavage pattern, developed in the oviduct, was of a rotational holoblastic type and asynchronic.     

Portal site metastasis of invasive mesothelioma after diagnostic thoracoscopy in a dog

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 10-year-old Golden Retriever evaluated because of recurrent pericardial and pleural effusion underwent thoracoscopy with biopsy of the pleura and mediastinum. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Before thoracoscopy, 5 L of serosanguinous fluid was removed from the pleural cavity via thoracocentesis. During thoracoscopic exploration, it was observed that the parietal pleura and mediastinum were covered by miliary white to tan nodules 1 to 3 mm in diameter. Biopsy specimens were obtained, and partial pericardiectomy was performed. Portal sites were closed routinely. Cytologic evaluation of the pleural fluid revealed high protein concentration and cellularity, with cellular changes consistent with an exfoliating carcinoma. Results of bacterial culture were negative. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Carboplatin was administered via intracavitary instillation, and prednisone was administered orally. Twenty-one days later, 1 firm, irregularly shaped 6.5 x 3-cm mass and 4 smaller masses were detected in the area of the left thoracic wall where the cannula had been inserted during thoracoscopy. Histologic analysis of tissue from the masses collected at necropsy confirmed that they were malignant tumors with similar appearance to the pleural mesothelioma and immunohistochemical staining properties identical to those of the primary tumor. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although thoracoscopy is associated with less postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization times, and faster patient recovery than sternotomy procedures, complications are also possible with minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. Portal site metastasis can develop from contamination of portal sites with cells on instruments or cannulas or via leakage of effusion fluid. Although rare, this potential complication should be discussed with owners prior to performing the procedure.     

Gait analysis in a cat with scapular luxation and contralateral forelimb amputation

This report describes the use of a pressure-sensitive walkway to evaluate an uncommon case of a cat with dorsal luxation of the left scapula and an amputated right forelimb. The findings suggest that limb amputation induced load redistribution mostly to the contralateral forelimb despite the scapular luxation.     

Antigenotoxicity and Antioxidant Activity of Acerola Fruit (Malpighia glabra L.) at Two Stages of Ripeness

Genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of acerola fruit at two stages of ripeness were investigated using mice blood cells. The results show that no ripeness stage of acerola extracts presented any genotoxic potential to damage DNA (Comet assay) or cytotoxicity (MTT assay). When antigenotoxic activity was analyzed, unripe fruit presented higher DNA protection than ripe fruit (red color) extract. The antioxidant capacity of substances also showed that unripe samples inhibit the free radical DPPH more significantly than the ripe ones. The results about determination of compounds made using HPLC showed that unripe acerola presents higher levels of vitamin C as compared to ripe acerola. Thus, vitamin C and the complex mixture of nutrients of Malpighia glabra L., and especially its ripeness stages, influenced the interaction of the fruit extract with the DNA. Acerola is usually consumed when ripe (red fruit), although it is the green fruit (unripe) that has higher potential as beneficial to DNA, protecting it against oxidative stress.