Characteristic fragment ions from lignin and polysaccharides in ToF–SIMS

Different model compounds for lignin, hemicelluloses and pectins were studied by time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF–SIMS). Mass spectra of Klason lignin from normal and compression spruce wood, aspen wood and wheat straw were compared. Spectra of brominated spruce and aspen wood sections showed fragment ions attributed to brominated guaiacyl and syringyl units in lignin at m/z 215, 217, 229 and 231, and m/z 245, 247, 249 and 261, respectively. Spectra of mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides showed fragment ions at m/z 127 and 145 characteristic for hexose units, and ions at m/z 115 and 133 characteristic for pentose units. The same ions were detected in spectra of delignified spruce and aspen wood sections. Labelling of anionic groups by Sr²⁺ ions followed by ToF–SIMS analysis showed that pectins were present at specific locations on the surfaces of spruce and aspen wood sections still after delignification with hydrogen peroxide in acetic acid.     

Apple and pear peel and pulp and their influence on plasma lipids and antioxidant potentials in rats fed cholesterol-containing diets

The aim of this study was to assess the bioactive compounds of apple and pear peel and pulp in vitro and their influence on plasma lipids and antioxidant potentials in vivo. The antioxidant potentials measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), beta-carotene bleaching (beta-carotene), and nitric oxide inhibition radical scavenging (NO) tests in apple peel and pulp were significantly higher than in pear peel and pulp, respectively. The ethanol extract of apple peels showed the strongest inhibition of lipid peroxidation as a function of its concentration and was comparable to the antioxidant activity of butylated hydroxyanisole. The pear pulp extract had the weakest antioxidant ability, whereas other extracts such as apple pulp and pear peel were nearly equal. The antioxidant activities comprised contributions from polyphenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids and correlated well with polyphenols and flavonoids. The correlation coefficients between polyphenols and antioxidant activities by DPPH, beta-carotene, and NO were as follows: 0.9207, 0.9350, and 0.9453. Contrarily, the correlation coefficient between the content of dietary fiber and the antioxidant activities test was low. The content of all studied indices in apple and pear peel was significantly higher than in peeled fruits (p < 0.05). Diets supplemented with fruit peels exercised a significantly higher positive influence on plasma lipid levels and on plasma antioxidant capacity of rats than diets with fruit pulps.     

Use of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) to identify races 1, 2, 4 and 8 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi in Italy

The RAPD fingerprinting procedure was used in combination with pathogenicity assays on differential cultivars to characterize a representative collection of 72 Fusarium spp. isolates of different geographic origin collected from diseased carnation. In F. oxysporum f. sp. dianthi, isolates were grouped according to the physiologic race: group 1 included isolates of race 4; group 2 was formed by isolates of race 2 and single representatives of races 5 and 6; group 3 included isolates of races 1 and 8. No correlation was found between RAPD data and geographic origin of the isolates tested: representatives of race 2 isolated in Italy, Israel and Japan had the same amplification profile. Three isolates which showed a low level of pathogenicity on all carnation cultivars tested shared an identical amplification pattern and are probably saprophytic F. oxysporum. Finally, two F. redolens isolates from Japan and seven non-pathogenic isolates of F. proliferatum collected from diseased carnation in Italy, Israel and The Netherlands were clearly distinguishable according to their RAPD fingerprint. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies on the genetic diversity of F. oxysporum f. sp. dianthi and to the development of forma specialis- and pathotype-specific diagnostic tools.     

Effect of emerged shipment on the physiological condition of the adductor muscle in adult giant lion's paw scallop Nodipecten subnodosus (Sowerby 1835)

Currently, there is an increasing interest in shipping live adult scallops to markets and broodstock to hatcheries; nevertheless, information about the shipping effect on live scallops physiology is very scarce. In a previous study, a method in emersion was developed to ship scallop seed out of water, but it was not known whether this method is useful to transport adult organisms. As a consequence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of transportation by the emersion method on the physiological status of the adductor muscle of adult giant lion's paw scallop. Live specimens were packaged in a container and transported in emersion for 11 h. Six scallops were frozen in a farm and a similar number were frozen as soon as they arrived to the laboratory. Physiological indices were determined in each lot and the survival was estimated 24 h after re‐immersion. As a result of the transportation, a significant loss (P<0.05) of total carbohydrates, glycogen, adenosine 5′‐triphosphate and adenilated energetic charge, and a significant increase (P<0.05) in the free amino acids concentration were observed. Eighty‐eight per cent survival was achieved; therefore, we conclude that this method is appropriate for shipping live adult scallops of Nodipecten subnodosus.     

Enigmatic hotspot of crayfish diversity at risk: Invasive potential of non‐indigenous crayfish if introduced to New Guinea

1. The large island of New Guinea has a rich indigenous astacofauna represented by numerous parastacids from the genus Cherax. The western half of the island is part of Indonesian territory.
2. Indonesia is known to be the main exporter of ornamental crayfish globally, and certain New Guinean species are exploited as ornamentals within the international pet trade. Moreover, one non‐indigenous species has been previously recorded being cultured in Java, Indonesia. This species, the North American Procambarus clarkii, is a vector of crayfish plague, the disease that is lethal to most parastacids. This population has already tested positive for the disease.
3. As the transport of non‐indigenous crayfish within the Indonesian territory is not restricted, their introduction to New Guinea can be expected. The Indonesian market was therefore surveyed for ornamental crayfish and their environmental suitability evaluated, as represented by temperature during the drought and rainy seasons in New Guinea.
4. Four North American and one Australian species were found advertised for sale. One of them, P. clarkii, was assessed as the most damaging species, followed by other North American species. A total ban on the culture and transport of the highest risk crayfish species in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea is recommended.

     

Effectiveness of capillary electrophoresis fluoroimmunoassay of blood PrpSc for evaluation of scrapie pathogenesis in sheep.

Management of prion diseases in livestock would benefit greatly from availability of a validated blood test. A promising immunocapillary electrophoresis technique (also known as capillary electrophoresis fluoroimmunoassay) to detect abnormal prion protein in blood from live sheep is evaluated here. Capillary electrophoresis fluoroimmunoassay was applied to analysis of extracted blood from scrapie-exposed sheep (n = 87; 347 samples) at various stages of incubation, and to control sheep (n = 194; 489 samples). Overall, test values for the control and test populations were not significantly different, and a similar proportion of control (7%) and test (10%) sheep were classified as positive. Over 2-3 month intervals from birth until clinical disease, test specificity and sensitivity ranged from 66.7% to 100% and 0% to 66.7%, respectively, indicating poor diagnostic performance at all stages of pathogenesis. In routine application, in its present form, the capillary electrophoresis fluoroimmunoassay procedure proved to be insufficiently robust for use as a blood test for scrapie diagnosis.     

Glyphosate Dissipation in Different Soils Under No-Till and Conventional Tillage

Glyphosate is the most used herbicide in Argentina, accounting for 62% of the commercialized pesticides on the market. It is used as a weed controller in no-till systems, and it is also applied to various genetically modified crops (e.g., soybean, corn, and cotton). Although it has a high solubility in water, it tends to adsorb and accumulate in agricultural soils. The main objectives of this work were to compare the dissipation of glyphosate and the accumulation of its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) over time in three soils from agricultural areas of Argentina under long-term management with no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) practices. There were no differences in dissipation between NT and CT, indicating that the glyphosate-degrading microflora was not modified by the different tillage managements. Moreover, tillage practices did not alter the general soil properties; therefore, glyphosate bioavailability was not affected by NT or CT practice. Forty percent of the applied glyphosate was degraded within the first three days in all soils, indicating a fast initial dissipation rate. However, the dissipation rate considerably decreased over time, and the degradation kinetics followed a bi-exponential (or two-compartment) kinetic model. No differences were found between tillage practices. Dissipation was not related to the microbial activity measured as soil respiration. The fast decrease in the concentration of glyphosate at the beginning of the dissipation study was not reflected in an increase in the concentration of AMPA. The estimated half-lives for glyphosate ranged between 9 and 38 d. However, glyphosate bioavailability decreases over time, as it is strongly adsorbed to the soil matrix. This increases its residence time, which may lead to its accumulation in agricultural soils.     

Seven new aminoacyl sugars in Ipomoea batatas

An analysis of the polar extracts from sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (Convolvulaceae) led to the isolation of seven unknown aminoacyl sugars. On the basis of 1D, 2D NMR, and mass spectrometry data, the structures of the compounds were elucidated as: beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-valyl]-glucopyranoside (1), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-tyrosyl]-glucopyranoside (2), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-threonyl]-glucopyranoside (3), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-hystidyl]-glucopyranoside (4), 2-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-alanyl]-glucopyranoside (5), beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-tryptophanyl]-glucopyranoside (6), and beta-D-fructofuranosyl-(2 --> 1)-alpha-D-[2-O-glycyl]-glucopyranoside (7).     

Profiling LC-DAD-ESI-TOF MS method for the determination of phenolic metabolites from avocado (Persea americana)

A powerful HPLC-DAD-ESI-TOF MS method was established for the efficient identification of the chemical constituents in the methanolic extracts of avocado (Persea americana). Separation and detection conditions were optimized by using a standard mix containing 39 compounds belonging to phenolic acids and different categories of flavonoids, analytes that could be potentially present in the avocado extracts. Optimum LC separation was achieved on a Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 analytical column (4.6×150 mm, 1.8 μm particle size) by gradient elution with water+acetic acid (0.5%) and acetonitrile as mobile phases, at a flow rate of 1.6 mL/min. The detection was carried out by ultraviolet-visible absorption and ESI-TOF MS. The developed method was applied to the study of 3 different varieties of avocado, and 17 compounds were unequivocally identified with standards. Moreover, around 25 analytes were tentatively identified by taking into account the accuracy and isotopic information provided by TOF MS.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF CRANIOMANDIBULAR OSTEOPATHY IN AN AIREDALE TERRIER

An Airedale Terrier was presented for evaluation of depression and reluctance to be touched on the head. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the head was performed. The images revealed bone lesions affecting the calvarium at the level of the coronal suture and left mandibular ramus, with focal cortical destruction, expansion, and reactive new bone formation. Skull lesions were hypointense on T1‐weighted sequences, hyperintense on T2‐weighted sequences, and showed an intense and homogeneous enhancement after gadolinium administration. Reactive new bone formation and periosteal proliferation were confirmed histopathologically. The clinical signs, imaging findings, and histopathological examination were consistent with craniomandibular osteopathy.